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About Us
CMCH was founded with a vision:
To create a school where every child is recognized as unique and precious and lovingly nurtured to realize their infinite potential. School is one of the primary foundations of a person’s life – a child’s social, emotional, and spiritual character is formed within the first five years of life.
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A Lifelong Love of Learning
At Chaya Mushka Children’s House, our Jewish values are the cornerstone of our educational approach, which is executed through the concrete medium of the Montessori method.
In our nurturing environment, carefully designed mixed-age classrooms serve as vibrant spaces where curiosity is sparked, creativity flourishes, and independence is cultivated. The study of Torah, Hebrew language, holiday celebrations and Jewish culture blend seamlessly throughout the day with Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, History, and Geography. Additionally, our in-school enrichment programs, such as art, Playball sports, and music, along with our after-school offerings like yoga, soccer, and creative cooking, ensure a well-rounded and dynamic learning experience for every child.
Through our educational approach, we instill a sense of joy and pride in each child’s Jewish identity. This passion and love for Judaism will lay the foundation for a lifetime of continued learning and steady growth, which will ultimately result in them shining their light unto the world at large.
Our Core Values
Principles That Guide Us
Cherish
חלק אלוקה ממעל ממש
Every person's essence is a piece of Hashem
Care
כל ישׂראל ערבים זה לזה
We are responsible to care for one another
Individualize
חנוך לנער על פּי דרכו
Educate each child in a personalized manner
Perservere
יגעתי ומצאתי תאמין
Try hard and you will succeed
Respect
דרך ארץ קדמה לתורה
Being a mentch comes first
Elevate
להיות לו דירה זו בתחתונים
Make the world a holier place
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Our Story
Chaya Mushka Children’s House is a testament to a vision ignited over four decades ago.
Founded by passionate educators who shared a dream to create a nurturing, high quality learning environment rooted in Chabad philosophy, our school was born with just nine students in a modest basement space.
This little community quickly flourished, driven by a commitment to honoring each child’s unique potential and rhythm of progress. The excitement grew around CMCH as did our enrollment numbers. We found the need to expand our physical space. In 2013, we built our dream home with the completion of the Jeff and Carla Goldstein Youth and Education Center. Today, Chaya Mushka Children’s House stands as a beacon of Jewish educational excellence, where children of diverse backgrounds come together to explore, discover, and shine.
Our Staff
It Takes a Village
Our staff and teachers come alive when they are around children. They are deeply passionate, skilled, professional, and dedicated educators who bring their expertise and talent to create a nurturing and productive classroom community filled with love and joy.
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Dassie New
Preschool Director
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Savanna Simon
Director of Operations
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Dori Rodriguez
Front Desk Administrator
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Leah Chazanow
Office Manager
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Steven Anderson
Head of Security
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Morah Jessica
Darling Ducklings
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Morah Atara
Darling Ducklings
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Morah Nechama
Little Chickadees
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Morah Lisian
Little Chickadees
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Morah Farrah
Cuddly Caterpillars
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Morah Sherlyn
Cuddly Caterpillars
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Morah Racheli
Blooming Butterflies
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Morah Esther
Blooming Butterflies
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Morah Charmaine
Dancing Daisies
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Morah Nicole
Friendly Frogs
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Morah Esther
Friendly Frogs
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Morah Musha
Friendly Frogs
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Morah Luz
Busy Bees
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Morah Tammy
Busy Bees
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Morah Naimah
Busy Bees
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Morah Mojgan
Laughing Ladybugs
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Morah Jae
Laughing Ladybugs
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Amy Senna
English Reading Specialist
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Rivky Chazanow
Laughing Ladybugs
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Estee Lipszyc
Hebrew Reading Specialist
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Greg LeVine
Financial Director
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Flavio Ramon
Head of Maintenance
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Irene Gama
Maintenance Team Member
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Analy Ramon
Maintenance Team Member
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Our philosophy
Our Approach to Education
Inspired by the Rebbe and the Chabad philosophy, the school prioritizes the intrinsic value and potential of every individual, nurturing students to become proud and knowledgeable Jews who live with a sense of joy, purpose and responsibility. The teachings of the Rebbe, who placed a profound emphasis on the importance of education, guides the school's mission. The Rebbe believed that every child deserves a holistic education that not only imparts academic knowledge but also instills strong moral values, love for their heritage, and a commitment to making the world a better place.
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Our Campus
Our classrooms are vibrant spaces designed to nurture children's natural curiosity and creativity.
Each detail in the environment is thoughtfully chosen to create a nurturing environment that feels like a second home. Our dedicated teachers select materials and activities that not only spark curiosity and foster creativity but also encourage independence and meaningful engagement.
Flooded with natural light, each room seamlessly integrates Judaic and Montessori materials, promoting independence and active participation across practical life, sensorial exploration, mathematics, language, and cultural studies. Many classrooms offer direct access to our playground, seamlessly blending indoor learning with outdoor adventures.
Outside, children delight in imaginative play, cooperative games, gardening, and picnics, cultivating a deep love for learning and a strong bond with nature. Our playground is not just a place for play; it's a vibrant learning environment where children thrive, fostering a lifelong passion for discovery and a profound connection to the world around them.
FAQs
How can we help?
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We maintain a ratio of 1: for toddler age programs and 1:8 for primary age program, per Quality Rating standards. Each primary classroom is staffed with a trained Judaic teacher, a Montessori certified teacher, and a teaching assistant, ensuring a well-rounded and supportive educational experience.
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The heart of the classrooms is our skilled teachers who cultivate a warm and peaceful atmosphere, ensuring that children feel content, joyful, and cared for. Our teachers are kind, warm, and empathetic. They value building authentic relationships with their students and understand the importance of connecting with each child's unique needs and interests. They also use their knowledge and experience to engage and inspire students, fostering a love for learning and Jewish values.
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We recognize that education is a partnership between home and school. Our educators actively collaborate with students' families, ensuring that every child's growth and development is supported both at school and at home. This strong, cooperative bond between teachers and families is a cornerstone of the CMCH experience.
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When you walk into a CMCH classroom, you will find calm, peaceful classrooms with some children cuddled on teachers' laps, some kids playfully giggling, and others engrossed in concentration. The common thread running through each classroom is content and joyful children who feel seen, heard, and cared for by their teachers. At CMCH, school is genuinely fun and joyful, with an atmosphere that encourages laughter, play, and the joy of discovery, making learning an exciting and delightful journey for every child.
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Our classrooms start at 18 months through kindergarten. Your child must be at least 18 months and independently mobile to be enrolled in our toddler program. All students enrolled in our primary classrooms must be potty trained.
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All children at CMCH Preschool are required to have a dedicated rest time during the day. Children in our toddler program full day program are required to have an afternoon nap. If you do not wish for your toddler age child to nap, we encourage you to register for our morning program alternatively. Children in our primary age program all have a quiet rest and story time in the afternoon. This component of their day is critical to ensure little bodies have enough energy throughout the school day!
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Montessori education centers on child-led learning, empowering children to pursue their interests in a supportive, nurturing environment. Classrooms are thoughtfully designed with child-sized furniture and materials that encourage exploration, independence, and a sense of order. Hands-on, self-correcting materials stimulate curiosity and support self-guided learning. Teachers act as guides, observing each child's progress and facilitating personalized learning paths, taking meticulous records to ensure each child’s unique needs and strengths are met.
The comprehensive curriculum covers practical life skills, sensory exploration, language, mathematics, and cultural studies. Montessori classrooms feature mixed-age groups, promoting peer learning and social development, where older children mentor younger peers, enhancing a collaborative and inclusive community. Continuous assessment through detailed observations and record-keeping ensures academic and developmental progress, allowing for timely adjustments to learning plans.
Montessori education places a strong emphasis on fostering independence from an early age. Children are encouraged to choose their activities, manage their time, and take responsibility for their learning and environment, promoting self-confidence and self-sufficiency. This structured yet flexible approach empowers children to become self-directed learners, setting Montessori apart from traditional educational models that often involve direct instruction, standardized curricula, and age-segregated classrooms.
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Yes! CMCH is a warm, inclusive environment, welcoming diverse family backgrounds and affiliations.
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The core school day is from 9:00am – 3:00pm. We also have an optional early care (8:00am) and after care (until 4:00pm). We also offer a variety of extracurricular activities at an additional cost every semester for children ages 3 and up. Examples of such activities include; yoga, soccer, cooking, etc.
We are a 10 month school. The school year spans from mid-August - Late May, 5 days a week with exceptions for teacher work days, holidays, etc. A calendar is available in the parent portal for all families currently enrolled.
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Lunches and snack come from the home. Children should bring a morning snack, lunch, and depending on their schedules, an afternoon snack as well. The school provides a snack of fresh fruit daily, but should be supplemented with additional nutritious snacks from home as well.
Please note: all lunch and snacks must be dairy or parve.
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No, the only uniform needed for children are clothes they will be comfortable in throughout the many activities during the school day!
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At our school, the safety and security of our children and staff are our utmost priorities. We have taken extensive measures to ensure a secure environment, reflecting our deep commitment to the well-being of everyone on campus. Our security team includes full-time, armed guards who are not only highly trained but also receive specialized training based on IDF and Israeli Special Operations principles and practices. These guards are familiar with all members of our community and every vehicle that should be on campus. The entire campus is gated, providing an additional layer of protection, and security cameras are strategically placed around the exterior of the building to monitor activity continuously. This comprehensive security system is a testament to our dedication to creating a safe and nurturing environment where children can learn and thrive without concern.
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As our school grew, so did our vision for education. We discovered that while academic knowledge is easily transferred, instilling ideals such as self-respect, independence, inner discipline, and internal motivation is not only vital, but more challenging to cultivate and measure. Montessori's hands-on approach, with its tailored lessons for each concept, proved to be the effective methodology needed to impart these lofty Torah ideals.
For instance, the Talmud teaches us that "Every person deserves their own Dalad Amos of personal space" (Dalad Amos = six feet), a concept challenging to uphold in a busy classroom setting. Montessori's use of individual work rugs exemplifies this Torah value by providing a clear, physical boundary that encourages children to respect and honor each other's personal space naturally.
By intertwining the Montessori method with Chabad philosophy, we've created an enriching environment where Jewish values are not just taught but also lived. This integration ensures that these values become tangible and enduring parts of our students' lives, fostering a sense of warmth, community, and spiritual growth in every aspect of their educational journey.
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For all admissions and application related details, please see our admissions page.
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Our Inspiration
Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, wife of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
A school named after Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson embodies the values and teachings of a remarkable woman who dedicated her life to the service of others. Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka was known for her profound compassion, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to the Jewish community. Naming a school in her honor signifies a dedication to fostering an environment where the love for every Jew and a deep connection to Hashem, are paramount.
CMCH nurtures each student with kindness, respect, and a sense of purpose, inspired by the Rebbe’s and Rebbetzin’s legacy of igniting the spark in every Jew through their boundless love.