(954) 792-8211 3 locations · Davie & Hollywood Mon–Fri · 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

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About Us

We want children to learn, to lead, and to make a difference.

Learn and Smile — Gan Batia — has been a Jewish and Israeli early childhood center in Broward County since 2006. We provide a dynamically balanced education for children from infancy through kindergarten in a warm, loving and creative environment.

The whole school celebrating Yom Ha'atzmaut outside Learn and Smile
2006The year we opened, with two classes and 25 children
4×Enrollment growth since that first year
3Campuses across Davie and Hollywood
Gold SealFlorida Gold Seal Quality Care designation

Quality Children’s Education

A dynamically balanced education

We provide a dynamically balanced education for children ages six weeks through kindergarten in a warm, loving and creative environment. Our experienced teachers nurture opportunities to expand students’ academic mastery and their self and social intelligence through learning, playing and exploring.

We encourage children to grow in independence, creativity, self-esteem and self-confidence as they transform curiosity into inspired learning. Our enriched Hebrew-English bilingual program promotes critical thinking, concept development, communication, creativity and confidence.

We are an all-year-round preschool with limited days off, and we provide nutritious kosher meals and snacks to every student. Our ultimate dedication is to provide children with safe, healthy, developmentally appropriate care through a variety of activities carefully designed to help them achieve key developmental milestones.

  • A learning program with after-school options
  • A positive learning environment
  • Learning through play
Children at a sensory play table
Children on the playground slide

Philosophy

Heritage, taught with your hands

At Learn and Smile we provide a warm, loving environment, enriched with creativity, allowing each child to learn, grow and explore their surroundings. Through play and academic skills your child is encouraged to grow in independence, creativity, self-confidence, self-control and self-esteem.

Jewish and Israeli traditions are integrated throughout the year to give your child a meaningful, exciting and momentous experience. Our Hebrew-English bilingual curriculum is designed to help children learn more about the world, their heritage and their values through hands-on activities and active involvement.

We Believe…

Seven things we hold to, every day

Parental involvement

Parental involvement and open communication are an important factor in a child’s development. We always strive to support and complement the family in order to promote a positive relationship between the parents and us.

Nurturing and loving

Nurturing, loving and caring for each child makes them, in return, capable of loving, trusting and caring for others.

Positive self-esteem

Children should be guided and encouraged to have a positive self-esteem.

A safe and trusting environment

Children need a safe and trusting environment to promote their natural desire to give, share and learn.

Cognitive, social and emotional skills

Children explore the world around them through play as they integrate their cognitive, social and emotional skills.

The arts

The arts enhance a child’s developmental approach to learning as they become problem solvers and knowledge seekers.

Our ultimate goal

To allow children to grow and develop a strong foundation of a lifelong passion for learning, problem solving, innovation, respecting individuals and becoming leaders of our future.

A child rolling dough in a chef hat

Message From the Director

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to prepare young children for success in school and in life.”

I have been the director of Learn and Smile since 2006. It has been challenging and at the same time exciting to witness our transformations, and I am very proud of our growth and many accomplishments. In our first year there were two classes of three- and four-year-olds, with a total enrollment of 25 students. Over the years we have enlarged our facility and more than quadrupled our enrollment.

Learn and Smile — Gan Batia, as many also call it — is known throughout the Hollywood metropolitan area as one of the best Jewish and Israeli early childhood centers, and is a model of excellence for other schools in the area. Our daily practices and core curriculum are rooted in Judaic content and centered on Jewish and Israeli traditions and values. We encourage children to transform curiosity into inspired learning while teaching them critical thinking, concept development, creativity, communication, cooperation and confidence.

We embrace parents as our partners, and recognize the importance of family involvement as an essential component in the success of each child. We always strive to support and complement the family in order to promote a positive relationship between the parents and us.

I completed my undergraduate education at Queens College in Elementary Education, followed by a Master’s in Education and a Certificate in Administrative Leadership, also at Queens College. In 2018 I earned my doctorate from Nova Southeastern University in Education, with a specialization in Higher Education Leadership. My guiding philosophy is to meet the needs of each child and family through the application of best practices in early education and my knowledge of child development.

  • Ed.D., Nova Southeastern University, 2018
  • M.Ed., Queens College
  • Certificate in Administrative Leadership
  • Director since 2006

Accredited & Affiliated

Recognized by the state of Florida

Learn and Smile holds Florida’s Gold Seal Quality Care designation, is a VPK and School Readiness provider, and accepts Step Up For Students scholarships.

Now Enrolling · 2026–2027

Come see the room your child would be in.

Tours run during the school day, so you see us exactly as we are — kids mid-project, Hebrew circle in progress, the actual noise level.

Schedule a Tour (954) 792-8211