About

CoLab is a co-working space designed for the working parent. We do our part to make your professional life more convenient by providing onsite childcare for you as you work.

The MamaLab workspace includes both shared and semi-private offices, high speed internet, and a separate room for nursing mothers to nurse their little ones comfortably.

CoLab and ChefLab are two separate business independent of one another. Both businesses were founded by Nina under the same guiding principles and are run by the same management team.

Papas are welcome equally and with pleasure! Our memberships are parent to child – both parents can alternate between them. 

Yes. Parents are provided with a fully equipped workspace within the CoLab facility. Our program offers on-site childcare to parents working on site. Drop-off and leave is not our thing.

Our Cheflab learn and lab class model is purposefully designed to maximize internalization and child autonomy. Made up of presentation, lesson activity, and independant work time, children internalize the material before entering the kitchen-lab. Once mastered the children return later in the week for reinforcement and edible expression!

This year (October 2022) we will be expanding our horizons and  cultural experience by adding history, geography and art to our original science centered Chugim! On top of that we are adding a separate chug before every weekend introducing the Parashat Hashavua (weekly Torah portion) in a culturally accepting and  deliciously nourishing way – ChefLab style!

ChefLab Tzaharon is a private daily afternoon program which offers an integrated Montessori style model of purposeful play through art, language, and cultural studies.  At ChefLab, we educate the whole child and develop curriculum that supports each individual child’s cognitive, emotional, moral, and social development. 

Beginning our afterernoon together with lunch, children are then directed into separate Tzaharon groups: primary (Pre K/K)  and elementary (Grades 1-3) where they are given clear guidelines to help transition from one academic structure to another.

All members of the ChefLab community are immersed in the values of our commitments to ourselves as well as to each-other.

I will be Safe. Safety first. This includes health standards, age appropriate materials, adult supervision and child behavior. 

I will be Kind. We use kind language and practice kind gestures. We reinforce kind behaviours between friends.

I will be Gentle. We keep our hands to ourselves. We are gentle with our bodies, voices and classroom materials.

I will be Respectful. We do not discriminate. We listen to each-other, welcome differences and try our best to learn from one another.

This common misconception wouldn’t be very safe or calm would it? NO.

Montessori is based on the principle of free choice of purposeful activity. If the situation calls for it, the teacher will intervene and re-direct the child either to more appropriate materials or to a more appropriate use of the material.

In the Montessori classroom, learning materials are arranged on low, open shelves. Children choose which materials to use and may work for as long as the material holds their interest. The materials themselves invite activity. They are simple to use, aesthetically appealing, and self-correcting. The child is able to solve problems independently, building self-confidence, analytical thinking, and the satisfaction that comes from accomplishment. As the child’s exploration continues, the materials interrelate and build upon each other.

Montessori schools combine “grades” into co-aged classrooms, traditionally in  three year groupings. Here are a few benefits I have found behind the method.

Familiarity = Safety: In traditional schools, by the time children become comfortable in their surroundings they are uprooted and moved to a new classroom setting – often with new teachers. 

Safety = Confidence: When a child feels safe in his environment – he builds confidence (compare children’s behvaior at home to public or new settings)

Confidence = Leadership: When a child feels confidant, he naturally leads his younger classmates around the classroom.

Leadership = Patience: A successful leader listens. Older children serving as examples to their younger classmates help to develop patience and listening skills.

Most of our cooking does not require cutting. We focus on mixing, blending, seasoning, baking, boiling (with adult supervision). However, children will on occasion cutting.

Children use cutlery designed for smaller hands and the tools they use vary based on age. Our 3-5 year olds are given small introduction knifes. Older children are given tools appropriate for their age. 

Safety is key and our lessons  begin with knife and heat skills percussions. Our parent workshop teaches this as well – I recommend signing up for an event!

Guide each child on an individual path. – Proverbs 22.6

ChefLab welcomes and supports all beliefs and practices. While we are a science-based program, we do not disregard or disrespect creationism in any way.

At ChefLab, every unit is woven into another to form a web that supports a child’s innate drive to find meaning in life. We embrace our cultural, religious and educational differences and teach our students to engage in respectful dialogue, creating a cultural mosaic reflective of our community and the world.

The ChefLab kitchen is kosher and vegetarian. 

Each one of our programs has the cancellation policy more suitable for what is being offered. Tzaharon, Chugim, Camps and private events can be found on our Terms and Conditions. 

Our MamaLab terms can be found  here.

Enrollment is confirmed and payed for via the website alone.