Goldsmith Early Childhood Center:  The Best Preschool in Baltimore

Goldsmith Early Childhood Center (Handout photo)

By Jacob B., 7th Grade, Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation 

The Goldsmith Early Childhood Center of Chizuk Amuno Congregation has a reputation as one of the top Jewish preschools in the area.

GECEC administrators and teachers work to foster Jewish identities in their preschool-aged students and develop academic and social skills.

“Our ultimate goal is for the children to be prepared for kindergarten after they leave here, whether they go to Krieger Schechter, another private school or even a public school,” said Michelle Gold, who has served as the director of the GECEC program for the past 18 years.

A highlight of GECEC is its Hebrew Immersion Program, the only one of its kind in the Baltimore area. In the classroom, 4- and 5-year-old children are immersed in the Hebrew language for half of their six-hour school day. They study Hebrew vocabulary, including color words, numbers, food and shapes. They also study different cities in Israel and learn how they compare to cities in the United States, entirely in Hebrew. “Some families just come here for the Hebrew Immersion Program,” Gold explained. “Developmentally, children are ready to learn a second language, so half their day is in Hebrew and the other half is in English.”

GECEC administrators hosted a party in early December, which marked both the 60th day of school and the number of years the school has been thriving.  

KSDS Engagement and Outreach Coordinator Stacey Thompson is thrilled to be part of the school’s administration. “This preschool is so loving and cares so much about their students,” said Thompson, who has one child enrolled in GECEC and another at KSDS.

“I chose Goldsmith because I too went to Goldsmith when I was a child. When I went on my [preschool] tours, I felt a connection with this school because this is where I grew up,” she added.

After so many years, Gold still enjoys directing the preschool. “I love what I do. I still get to teach the other teachers and the adults and help them learn new ways of teaching their children,” she noted. “I also teach a class once a week to the 18-month-old babies and their moms.”

The GECEC preschool continues to shine today after 60 years of providing fun activities and programs and helping young children grow and develop. With new families enrolling in this preschool each year, GECEC continues to be a gem of the Baltimore community.

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