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Happy Hearts
& Curious Minds

Why Choose the JCCSF?

Our play-based preschools for children 2 – TK (Transitional Kindergarten), inspired by the principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach and guided by Jewish values and culture, allow children to learn and come to understand their world through play.

Our families thrive, from their first steps into preschool, to making friends that last a lifetime. Because the JCCSF is so much more than an exceptional preschool program. We’re a welcoming, inclusive community at the heart of family fun year-round, with summer camp, dance and sports classes, swim school, and special Jewish cultural events and holidays.

At JCCSF Preschools, we’re not just building a strong educational foundation—we’re fostering lifelong connections for children and families alike. Explore our three San Francisco locations and join a community where your child will flourish academically, socially, and emotionally.

Preschoolers at Brotherhood Way Preschool

Brotherhood Way Preschool – Lake Merced

Diller preschoolers on the playground

Helen Diller Family Preschool – Laurel Heights

Rosenberg preschool kids playing drums.

Rosenberg Early Childhood Center – Inner Richmond

JCCSF Preschools At a Glance

Program Info Brotherhood Way Helen Diller Rosenberg
Monday – Friday ✓ ✓ ✓
Hours 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (11-Month), 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM (9-Month) 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
AM Care 8:00 – 9:00 AM 8:10 – 9:00 AM
PM Care 1:30 – 3:00 PM,
1:30 – 6:00 PM		 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
9-Month Program ✓ ✓
11-Month Program ✓ ✓
Summer Camp ✓ ✓

Admissions

Our tour season for the 2026 – 27 school year will take place from October 2025 – January 2026. We will open up applications starting on September 16, 2025. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

We can’t wait to welcome you and your little one to our family of preschools. We’ll support you every step of the way – from applying and touring, throughout your days with us, and into the big transition to kindergarten. Let’s get started!

Submit an Application

Any applications received after January 31, 2026 will automatically be placed on a wait list and be contacted for rolling admissions.

When you select the “Apply” button, you will be prompted to either log into your existing JCCSF account or create a new one. Once you’re logged into your account, select “Personal Information” from the settings, and under “My Household” create a new contact for your child. Then when you continue onto the application, select your child’s profile to complete the process.

Take a Tour

Tours are scheduled from October 2025 through January 2026. Once you submit your application, you will be invited to register for a tour.

Fill Out a Questionnaire

After completing a preschool tour, you will receive a Post-Tour Questionnaire that needs to be returned to complete the application process.

Decision Time

Admission letters are sent on Wednesday, March 12, 2026 at noon for fall enrollment.

Enroll

After accepting your spot, you’ll receive an enrollment agreement and a non-refundable deposit is due. We maintain an active wait pool and fill additional spaces as they become available throughout the year. Families who have applied, but not toured, will still be considered for mid-year vacancies.

Financial Assistance

Once you’ve accepted your spot at one of our preschools, you can submit your application to receive adjusted tuition for the upcoming school year.

HELPFUL REMINDERS

  • To be considered for enrollment in the 2026 – 2027 school year, your child must be 2 years old by September 1, 2026.
  • You must complete all three steps of the application process.
  • Only one application is required for admission to all three preschools.

Questions about applying or touring? Contact [email protected]

We embrace diversity and believe that every child deserves a welcoming, supportive environment to learn and grow. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community where all families, regardless of culture, family structure, language, racial identity, gender, religious beliefs or economic class are welcome. 

DOING JEWISH AT THE JCCSF

We are committed to creating an inclusive community that’s infused with meaningful Jewish values. We celebrate holidays with our children and families throughout the year, as well as weekly Shabbat with fresh challah bread and juice. The JCCSF’s core values are drawn from our engagement with wisdom culled from millennia of Jewish traditions, which teach compassion and respect, lifelong learning, civic responsibility and social justice.

OUR TEACHERS

Our teachers listen to and observe children closely to plan and proceed with each day’s experiences, co-constructing the learning experience and exploring together.

  • Average teacher-child ratio of 1:5
  • 80 teachers on site across our three schools
  • Each teacher receives 100 hours of professional development per year

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Our Parent Council is essential to the mix, building community for our families and supporting our teachers. From volunteering in the classroom as a Room Parent, to helping with Shabbats and events, you’ll share in your child’s preschool experience and make friends, too!

OUR CLASSROOMS

Our schools feature spacious classrooms and outdoor play areas, garden spaces and art studios. Each location is unique and lovingly decorated and appointed with games, toys, musical instruments and more.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

All children have the right to equitable learning opportunities that help them achieve their full potential as engaged learners and valued members of society. Families of all faiths, backgrounds and abilities are welcome to apply.

Photo of children playing on a playground. Caption reads 20 percent of families received over six-hundred forty one thousand dollars in tuition assistance.
Image of preschool teacher playing with two children. Caption reads Teacher to child ration is 1 to 5 (average).
Image of parents holding child with diploma. Caption reads Over ninety percent of our graduates are accepted to their top choice of kindergarten.
Image of teacher reading to a child. Caption reads over eighty teacher on site with one hundred hours of professional development per year.

FAQs

WHAT IS REGGIO EMILIA PHILOSOPHY AND HOW IS IT APPLIED?

Over forty years of dedicated work from Reggio Emilia inspires us to further think about the rights of children, their autonomy, and to listen for what they know and want to know. This will challenge our inherited impulses to contain, correct, and guard children. Observing, documenting, reflecting, designing, and experimenting on the teachers’ part will make this ongoing shift possible. The listening and observation teachers do will enhance their ability to create sensitive contexts for children’s play and learning and then teachers can truly recognize the insights the children and small group work can bring.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?

After welcoming the children to school, we begin the day with a time of open exploration that can include art, blocks, dramatic play, reading books, mark-making, science exploration or outdoor play. A mid-morning snack and meeting then take place before we move into small group facilitated experiences with classroom teachers and art/nature/music specialists. We then head outside for some playtime before lunch. Half-day students then have a closing meeting and prepare to go home, while full-day students transition to a rest period with either a nap or meditation. The afternoon continues for full-day students with another small-group experience and more time playing both inside and outside before we wind down for the day with a final meeting before preparing to be picked up.

DOES MY CHILD NEED TO BE JEWISH TO ENROLL?

No. Children of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome to apply.

HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE IN A CLASS?

Our average teacher/student ratio is 1:5, with slightly smaller ratios for our younger kids.

  • Age 2: Ratio is 1:4/5
  • Age 3: Ratio is 1:4/5
  • Age 4: Ratio is 1:6
  • Age 5: Ratio is 1:6

WHAT IS TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN?

Transitional Kindergarten is programming built into our JCCSF preschools and bridges preschool and kindergarten, giving children the confidence, skills, and academic readiness they need for a smooth transition to elementary school. For more information, visit the TK California website here: https://tkcalifornia.org/parents/ 

IS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE?

Yes. Visit our financial assistance page to learn more.

Meet Our Staff

 

Kelly Dotson

Kelly Dotson

Senior Site Director – Rosenberg Early Childhood Center
Youth & Family

Karla Cianci

Site Director – Helen Diller Family Preschool
Youth & Family
Edna Vaknin

Edna Vaknin

Site Director – Brotherhood Way Preschool
Youth & Family
Mo Graham

Mo Graham

Assistant Site Director – Rosenberg Early Childhood Center
Youth & Family
Image of Karyn Khan, Assistant Site Director at Helen Diller Family Preschool.

Karyn Khan

Assistant Site Director – Helen Diller Family Preschool
Youth & Family
Image of Carly Freeman, Administrator at Helen Diller Family Preschool

Carly Freeman

ECE Business Manager
Youth & Family

This is our first year at the school and our 3-year-old son is loving it. He has flourished and developed so much since starting in August. The teachers are caring, loving and provide an engaging environment for kids . . . This school has my highest recommendation!

Debbie F.

Brotherhood Way Preschool Parent

“JCCSF Helen Diller Pre-K is magical. The small class sizes and superior, tenured teachers create a special environment in which kids thrive and become over-prepared for the transition to kindergarten. Nobody knows more about SF Kindergarten placement that Karla, and you can tell how much she enjoys helping find an excellent fit for your child and family. And somehow, she always finds time to coach you along the way. She makes a daunting, complicated process feel manageable. Oh, and the results that she helps deliver speak for themselves.”

Greg G.

Helen Diller Preschool Parent

The school's approach, space, and leadership team foster an environment that builds good kids. During our time there, the parent community provided wonderful support and camaraderie as well.

Donald C.

Rosenberg Early Childhood Center Parent
Kids holding toys

Contact Us

Have a question about our preschools? Reach out to our team — we’d love to hear from you!

Preschool Inquiries

Thank You To Our Sponsors