Meet Lana Gad Lana loves children and cares greatly about each child's individual potential and achievements. She is committed to the continued growth and development of Gan Hayeled as an emotionally and socially endearing Early Childhood Center that is always educationally inspiring and challenging. In addition to her continuous involvement at Gan Hayeled, Lana enjoys spending time with her husband and three sons (two of which are Gan Hayeled alumni). She loves painting, reading, hiking, baking, swimming, cycling and sledding.
Lana joined Gan Hayeled as director in July 2009. She was born in Cape Town, South Africa. Lana studied Elementary Education in Cape Town as well as Montessori Early Childhood Education and has taught and directed in pre-schools in South Africa and the United States for many years!
The Gan Hayeled Philosophy
Structure is provided through careful room arrangement, rules and routines that have an order, which is safe and predictable. Within the daily regular schedule, children are encouraged and helped to make many individual choices. We believe that children learn best when they are actively engaged in their own work and play. Carefully planned small group and individual activities in art, cooking, music, storytelling, movement, math and science are the vehicles for providing such experiences. Materials and projects are thoughtfully selected to be appropriate to the developmental levels of the children. Our indoor space is divided into informal interest areas for block building, science, dramatic play, art projects, cooking, manipulative, and private spaces, active and quiet places. We view the outdoors as an important extension of the indoor experience. We have worked hard to make sure that children have a place that provides for physical challenge in many areas – running, climbing, sliding, digging, building, riding bikes and dramatic play.
Parents are invited to become involved in all aspects of our school. They may be asked to accompany groups on trips or to assist during special activities. Parents are ALWAYS WELCOME to visit Gan Hayeled at any time during the day.
We encourage parents to keep us informed of events within the family that may affect children so that the staff can be understanding, supportive and as helpful as possible.
Gan Hayeled:
- Is open to all children in the community
- ALWAYS welcomes parents to visit classrooms any time during the day
- Recognizes the unique and individual needs of each child
- Offers field trips to enhance our curriculum
- Has a safe, enjoyable outdoor playground that we use daily year-round
- Constantly changes and grows, just as our children do!
