A different kind of Jewish preschool.

A different kind of Jewish preschool.

We like to describe ourselves using words from our parents: refreshing, welcoming, cutting-edge, and our ultimate favourite—the Jewish preschool I wish I’d had. We offer a modern child-directed approach with therapist-led parenting workshops, community celebrations and tikun olam, and a private social feed to engage with your child’s daily learning. Schedule a tour at one of our locations to see for yourself.  

LOCATIONS

OUR PROGRAMS

our PHILOSOPHY

We’re here to help create healthy, happy human beings with an early love of Jewish learning.

Our mission at First Foundations Jewish Community Preschools is to foster social and emotional growth through a unique empathetic approach. We teach children resiliency, independence and the confidence to direct their own learning and play. They learn to interact, move their bodies, connect with nature and not be afraid to get a little messy (ask about our famous mud kitchens).

We also know parenting isn’t easy, and how important it is to be involved in your child’s learning. We keep close regular contact with our parents and have a private social feed to share how learning is happening every day. Our therapist, Cindy Smolkin (a.k.a. “total lifesaver”) has been working with families for almost 20 years and offers regular parenting clinics and workshops with one-on-one support.

You’ll see that same dedicated approach to our environment, our community, and even our meals. Like our healthy eating program with homemade lunches and take-home recipes, our interactive literacy program with our own Larry the Lion and Wally the Whale, right down to our world-class furniture and playground equipment. We also connect and support community through tikun olam and go all out with our holiday celebrations. Just ask our parents and grandparents—we love to party.

Our mission at First Foundations Jewish Community Preschools is to foster social and emotional growth through a unique empathetic approach. We teach children resiliency, independence and the confidence to direct their own learning and play. They learn to interact, move their bodies, connect with nature and not be afraid to get a little messy (ask about our famous mud kitchens).

We also know parenting isn’t easy, and how important it is to be involved in your child’s learning. We keep close regular contact with our parents and have a private social feed to share how learning is happening every day. Our therapist, Cindy Smolkin (a.k.a. “total lifesaver”) has been working with families for almost 20 years and offers regular parenting clinics and workshops with one-on-one support.

You’ll see that same dedicated approach to our environment, our community, and even our meals. Like our healthy eating program with homemade lunches and take-home recipes, our interactive literacy program with our own Larry the Lion and Wally the Whale, right down to our world-class furniture and playground equipment. We also connect and support community through tikun olam and go all out with our holiday celebrations. Just ask our parents and grandparents—we love to party.

WHAT OUR FAMILIES SAY

Laura Mann
Laura Mann
2021-04-26
We love First Foundations! The program is very engaging and creative, and the teachers are truly wonderful! We've had a very positive experience for the last two years and will be sending our younger child next year!
Samantha Fleisher
Samantha Fleisher
2021-04-24
My daughter is in the nursery classroom in Thornhill and just absolutely loves it. She wakes up each day so excited to go to school to play with her friends and teachers. The school goes above and beyond making sure the children are having the best time while getting immersed in the Jewish culture. The teachers provide a nurturing and caring environment where the children feel safe, loved and welcomed. The programming is very well designed and engaging for the kids. My daughters comes home each day singing new songs she learned at school and telling us about all the fun things she did at school that day. I’m really glad I chose this school and program for her!
Joanna Lindenberg
Joanna Lindenberg
2021-04-19
I have sent my two sons to First Foundations for pre-nursery and will be sending my daughter there in September. First Foundations is a warm, welcoming environment where I have found both the administrators and teachers to be accommodating, understanding and patient. The curriculum is creative and keeps the children engaged and excited. My kids were always happy to go to school!
Elyssa Greenbaum
Elyssa Greenbaum
2021-04-16
On weekday mornings my son wakes up excited to go to school. He loves the learning, creative programming and playtime with friends. He adores the teachers and always has a story to share with me at the end of his day. We are lucky to have First Foundations to send our son to, and we cannot wait to send our younger daughter there in the future.
Jill Shuster
Jill Shuster
2021-04-15
My child has had a wonderful 2.5 years at First Foundations. The teachers are so caring, enthusiastic, and nurturing and they create engaging activities for the children to try. The classrooms are very clean and full of wonderful, open-ended and varied materials for the children to use. My child has had an extremely positive experience and is always excited and happy to go to school.
Sarah Marantz
Sarah Marantz
2021-04-13
My 2.5-year-old twins attended First Foundations this year and loved it! The staff is incredible and the programming is thoughtfully designed and beautifully executed. The girls love their time at First Foundations and are so excited every morning to get into their classroom and learn with their mascot Larry the Lion. The school also offers incredibly parent support with zoom clinics and one-on-one sessions. I highly recommend First Foundations and their programs!

Socialize

EMPOWERED PARENTING

PODCAST SERIES

Real Parents Real Stories: with parent and child therapist Cindy Smolkin (MSW/RSW) and Alisa Daly, Director of FFJCP.

REGISTRATION OPEN!

2024/2025 School Year

2024 Summer Camp