What We Believe
At Hatzlaja Early Childhood Academy, we are a non-denominational, faith-based school. While we are rooted in the teachings of the Bible, we welcome families from all walks of life, regardless of their faith background. Whether you come from a Christian tradition, a different faith, or no faith at all, we invite you to join us in exploring the Biblical principles that guide our teachings and the values we instill in our students.
Our approach is centered around the foundational messages of the Bible, which provide a strong moral and ethical compass for young children. We teach these timeless lessons of love, kindness, honesty, and respect.
Our Faith-Based Practices:
- Bible Stories: We teach children basic Bible stories, ensuring they hear the words and lessons of the Scriptures. These stories help them understand important values like the love of God, the importance of community, and caring for one another.
- Prayer: We begin each meal with a prayer, teaching children gratitude and the importance of giving thanks to God for the blessings in their lives.
- Praise Songs: Singing praise songs is a key part of our daily routine. These songs foster a love for worship and help children connect with the joy of the Lord in a way that is natural and fun.
A Non-Denominational Perspective: We understand that our students come from a variety of Christian traditions, as well as from families who may not be connected to a church. Our goal is not to impose a specific denomination but to provide a space where all children can grow spiritually while learning valuable Biblical principles. We respect the diverse backgrounds of all our families and encourage parents to teach specific doctrines, traditions, and practices at home, while we focus on providing a broad foundation based on shared Christian values.
Our Beliefs in Practice: We draw inspiration from historical Christian catechisms such as the Surgeon’s Catechism and the Westminster Catechism. From these resources, we emphasize core Christian doctrines that align with our faith practice:
- The Importance of Scripture: We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and that it holds the key to understanding His will and purpose for us.
- God’s Creation: We teach the foundational belief that God created the world and everything in it, and that we are called to care for His creation.
- Salvation through Faith: We teach that salvation is a gift from God, received by faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Traditional Values: In addition to our Biblical teachings, we also foster traditional values, including the importance of traditional marriage and gender roles. We believe these values are essential in creating a stable and loving environment for children to thrive.
Conclusion:
At Hatzlaja Early Childhood Academy, we are committed to providing a loving and supportive environment where children of all backgrounds can learn and grow. Whether you come with a deep Christian faith or are new to exploring these teachings, we invite you to join us in nurturing your child’s heart, mind, and spirit through the Biblical principles we uphold. We look forward to partnering with you as we guide your child’s journey of growth and discovery.
FAQs
If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to assist you!
Before reviewing the questions and answers below, we strongly encourage you to read our article What We Believe to gain a full understanding of the Biblical principles and values that guide the teachings at Hatzlaja Early Childhood Academy. If, after reading the article, you find that you disagree with any of the beliefs outlined, we ask you to carefully consider whether Hatzlaja Academy is the right fit for your child and family.
While we respect each individual child, parent/guardian, and family who chooses to enroll, we also seek to foster a positive and supportive relationship with all our families. If a family’s intention is to influence, modify, manipulate, or create conflict regarding the beliefs we uphold, we kindly invite you to consider other childcare or preschool options. Our intention is to foster a peaceful and optimistic environment for all, not one of friction and conflict. Should you choose to enroll your child despite disagreeing with our beliefs, and conflicts arise on up to three occasions regarding these beliefs, we reserve the right to disenroll the child.
1. My partner and I are a same-sex couple. How does your view on traditional marriage affect our child’s enrollment at Hatzlaja Early Childhood Academy?
Answer:
At Hatzlaja Early Childhood Academy, we respect and value every individual and family who chooses to be part of our community. Our teachings are rooted in Biblical principles, and we hold a traditional view of marriage as described in the Scriptures. While we welcome families from all walks of life, including same-sex couples, we want to be transparent about our commitment to Biblical teachings on marriage. We believe that our faith-based curriculum is a valuable foundation for children to learn about love, kindness, and respect within the context of traditional marriage, which we hold as a central value.
2. My child enjoys playing with dolls and purses. Will you allow my son to engage in these activities at Hatzlaja?
Answer:
At Hatzlaja Early Childhood Academy, we believe in providing a nurturing environment where children can express themselves in a variety of ways. While we honor the individuality of each child, our teachings are based on traditional gender roles as outlined in the Bible. We encourage children to explore a range of activities, but we also emphasize the importance of nurturing and upholding the values of traditional gender roles. This means we focus on encouraging boys and girls to engage in activities that align with these Biblical principles, while still fostering a loving and respectful atmosphere.
3. We come from a different Christian denomination than what is taught at your school. Does this affect how my child will be taught?
Answer:
At Hatzlaja Early Childhood Academy, we are a non-denominational, faith-based school. We do not impose any specific Christian denomination, but we do teach core Biblical principles that align with traditional Christian beliefs. Our goal is to create a foundation of love, kindness, and respect, and we encourage parents to continue teaching the specific doctrines of their denomination at home. We respect and welcome families from all Christian backgrounds, and our approach is to focus on the basics of the faith, such as Bible stories, prayer, and praise songs, in a way that supports your child’s spiritual growth while honoring your family’s beliefs.
4. We are not Christians, but we are interested in your preschool. How do you accommodate children from non-Christian backgrounds?
Answer:
We warmly welcome children from all backgrounds at Hatzlaja Early Childhood Academy. While we are a faith-based school, we respect that not every family may share our Christian beliefs. Our goal is to provide a positive, nurturing environment for all children, where they can learn and grow. We do teach Biblical principles such as love, kindness, and respect, and we invite you to join us in this journey of growth. We will always be respectful of your family’s beliefs, and we hope to provide an enriching environment where your child can thrive in a setting that encourages moral and ethical development based on Biblical teachings.
5. Does your school teach specific gender roles, and what happens if my child doesn’t conform to them?
Answer:
At Hatzlaja Early Childhood Academy, we uphold traditional gender roles based on Biblical teachings, and we encourage children to engage in activities that align with these values. We understand that each child is unique, and we strive to create an environment that nurtures their individuality while guiding them toward the Biblical understanding of gender roles. We respect every child’s journey, but we also remain firm in our commitment to fostering traditional values. We believe that by reinforcing these values in a loving and respectful environment, we help children grow with a strong foundation rooted in Scripture.
