About Us
Kol Chaverim’s Mission
At Kol Chaverim Preschool, we provide children with exceptional love and care while maintaining high standards for quality education. We pride ourselves on providing a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment for our students. We offer differentiated learning opportunities and appeal to all the learning modalities to ensure your child’s growth and success. Our integration of various educational philosophies and styles, such as Reggio Emilio and Montessori, allow children to learn and grow at their own pace and development. We offer various learning centers that include animals, nature, dramatic play, blocks, library, arts & crafts, manipulatives, housekeeping and more! Our focus on social-emotional skills and learning through play are combined with well-rounded curriculums, programs and activities. Our warm and dedicated staff ensure that your child has a positive overall experience, including social, emotional, academic and spiritual success. Your child’s education and well-being are our top priority!
Our Owner
Originally from Toronto, Canada, Elana Ochs has been involved in children’s programming for over 20 years. Elana is the owner and director of Kol Chaverim Preschool which was founded in 2012 as well as KC Kids Aftercare program at Yeshivat He’Atid founded in 2016. Elana also created Gan Yavneh Daycare and served as Yavneh Academy’s Preschool Director and Manager for 3 years from its inception in 2017. Elana has several years of experience as an educator, preschool director, camp director and consulting director for programs all around NY & NJ. Elana ran her swim program, Morah Elana’s Swim, in Englewood from 2012-2022 and was the Program Director & Host at Upscale Getaways Passover Program in Niagara Falls, Canada for several years as well.
Elana graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in English Literature, a Minor in Music and an A.A. in Judaic Studies. She also earned a dual Masters degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education at Touro College, NY. Prior to working as a Preschool Director, Elana worked as an EMT in New York. She was also the Head Lifeguard at the camp run by the Hebrew Academy for Special Children (HASC) for 2 years. Elana was selected to join Teach for America in 2008 and served as a special educator and corps member in Harlem and the Bronx. Elana is thrilled to have founded Kol Chaverim Preschool and enjoys creating unique programming, as well as a safe, nurturing, stimulating and dynamic environment for the students, parents and staff.
Our Teachers
All of our Head teachers have several years of classroom experience and have been carefully selected and pre-screened. As a NJ State licensed facility, all of our staff undergoes extensive background checks and fingerprinting as well. Each staff member is CPR & First Aid certified and many of our staff members are bilingual. Our teachers are also provided ongoing professional development and undergo extensive training in order to support our high level of standards and expectations.
