All About CLC
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Mission
The Children's Leaning Center is dedicated to educating children by stimulating their imaginations, instilling confidence and promoting the child's self-esteem through exposure to a warm and nurturing environment.
In our many years of experiences, we have observed that children learn best through play. We've also found that playful learning can only take place when it occurs in a warm, positive and accepting environment. Children at CLC will learn through interaction with teachers who care and who promote self-directed activities, through discovery, through peer interaction and through the daily use of appropriate classroom materials and equipment. The total atmosphere is a hands-on experience that incorporates the use of a child's senses and the individualized educational environment provided by a classroom with a low pupil to teacher ratio.
Philosophy
The purposes of The Children's Learning Center, Inc. (CLC) are:
A. To offer an instructional program for nursery school, kindergarten, and first through fifth grade children.
B. To offer a unique Jewish Nursery School and Jewish Elementary School with an exciting "total" program where the complete growth and development of each child are the primary concerns of CLC.
C. To instruct children in the culture, holidays and ritual associated with Judaism.
D. To recognize and encourage children's individual strengths. CLC believes it is essential to involve the child whenever possible.
E. To give each child the opportunity to learn, develop, and play to the fullest extent possible.
F. To create an environment that will allow each child to become all that she/he is capable of being.
G. To promote a positive self-image in each child.
H. To generate an atmosphere of warmth and affection, free from pressure and tension.
I. To provide for an academic learning environment as well as play experiences for each child.
J. To discipline in a positive and consistent manner where limits are set, often with the children's help in setting standards.
K. To provide for individual freedom within a workable classroom structure, clearly defining the children's limitations as well as their liberties.
L. To provide a well-rounded, complete program in the Nursery and Elementary Schools in which each child finds the opportunity to experience growth emotionally, socially, physically, and intellectually.
Admission
Children’s Learning Center, Inc. (“CLC”), is an independent non-profit Jewish educational institution that admits students of any race, color, creed, religion, sex, ethnic background or national origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. CLC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, or sex, in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship programs and other school administered programs. CLC reserves the right to decline admission to any student whose guardians have failed to meet their past financial commitments. Applicants for admission are accepted on a first-come first-served basis.
Application
Please click the following links to download a copy of the 2006-2007 application. Once the application is downloaded, please print, complete (in full), and return to
The Children's Learning Center
c/o Dottie Harris
4511 Bestor Drive
Rockville, Maryland 20853Nursery School Application
Elementary School Application
Childcare Application
Camp Application (2007--coming in Winter)
Map and Directions
CLC is centrally located in the Aspen Hill area of Montgomery County near the intersection of Belpre Rd and Georgia Avenue. We are just a short trip away from the Glenmont Metro and convenient to several Metro Bus stops. For personalized directions please click here.
CLC At A Glance
Contact Information
4511 Bestor Dr.
Rockville, MD 20853-2139
Phone: 301.871.6600 Fax: 301.871.6015 E-mail click here to email our main office . For additional contact information, please visit our contact page here.Hours
Booker Birds (Before school Child Care) 7:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Morning Nursery: 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Extended Nursery: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
1/2 Day Kindergarten: 12:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Elementary School: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Erev Owls (After school Child Care) 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Accreditation and Affiliation
The Children's Learning Center is an independent, Jewish Nursery School, Elementary School and Child Care Facility that is unaffiliated with any synagogue or religious institution. Our Nursery, Half Day Kindergarten and Elementary Programs are approved by the MD State Department of Education.
Our Director
Rena Goldman Popkin, M.Ed (aka “Renee”)
Renee holds both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Pennsylvania State University, and has enjoyed a long and full career in Early Childhood. In 1978, Renee founded The Children’s Learning Center (CLC) beginning with just 62 children!Renee started CLC to create an environment where children could “learn through play”. She believed all children needed a learning environment that stimulated their imaginations, instilled confidence and promoted self-esteem. For all these years, Renee has dedicated herself to the education of a diverse population of children in need; she is hailed in her community for the services of her many mitzvot. Renee proudly opens the doors of CLC to special needs children and makes certain that no child is ever denied a chance for success because of financial difficulties. Renee is a dedicated member of several early childhood association and is a well respected innovator in the field of both secular and Jewish education. She was recently honored by SULAM for success in following her dreams of creating CLC.
Beyond her professional life, Renee’s joy has been her dedication to a loving family. She and Terry raised three daughters: Erika, Adria and Ronna. Renee is a doting grandmother (Bubbe) to her two granddaughters Bailey and Amber. She has remained inseparable from her sister, Marci, who lives nearby with her family, and to Renee, family is paramount. In addition, Renee is 25-year survivor of a life-threatening battle with breast and ovarian cancers. Her cure is a real-life miracle. She has served as a counselor to, and continuously encourages, others who have fought similar battles. Her passion for life, family, and education, along with her limitless generosity and unyielding creative spirit are an inspiration to all who know her.