After 34 years of sharing space in Columbia's interfaith and community centers, Bet Yeladim preschool will have a facility of its own come August.

For the staff of the Jewish preschool, it's the culmination of what they call their "Finally Home" campaign.

"Since the creation of Bet Yeladim, they've been in various centers and rented space all over Columbia," said Ellen Rappoport, the preschool's executive director for the past five years.

The preschool's leaders and parent-led board of directors have signed a long-term lease at a 12,000 square-foot building on Route 108 in east Columbia, in between the Red Branch Road loop, that will serve as its new home.

The preschool's operations are currently split between two facilities, with its full-day program at the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center (The Meeting House) in east Columbia, and its part-day programs at Beth Shalom Synagogue in west Columbia. Leases at both locations end this summer, Rappoport said.

The staff will move to their new location, at 8910 Route 108, Aug. 16 and reopen Aug. 21.

One of the biggest draws of the new space, according to board of directors president Stephanie Gordon, is bringing the school's full-day and half-day programs under one roof.

"I think the fact that we'll be in one location instead of two is just a great thing for Bet Yeladim," said Gordon, of Clarksville, whose son graduated from the preschool last year and whose daughter currently attends. "To be in a state-of-the-art facility and still maintain the warmth and community it's always had is going to be huge for the community that's already there and the community in the future."

Bet Yeladim staff members have discussed their desire to move for the past 10 years, according to administrative assistant Barbara Davis, although finding an appropriately sized facility at a good location and price was a challenge.

"It was a long, hard road to this point. I've watched Bet Yeladim grow," said Davis, who has worked for Bet Yeladim for 20 years. "I get really revved up just thinking about us having our own space."

Davis and Rappoport said sharing space in the interfaith center had its pros and cons. While they enjoy the sense of community among the center's occupants, the arrangement also meant other activities would take place in their space on off-hours, such as SAT prep classes or baby-sitting services.

According to longtime staff members, the preschool began in 1975 with a group of 24 3- and 4-year-olds at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center. The operation later moved to the Jeffers Hill and Phelps Luck neighborhood centers. The preschool launched its full-day program in 1984 from the Stone House community center in Long Reach.

The part-day program has been housed at Beth Shalom Synagogue since 1994, while the full-day program has been at the Meeting House for the past 12 years.

There are a few changes in store at the new location, including an expanded infant and toddler program, Rappoport said.

But she said the preschool's mission of sending forth "little mensches" -- or good citizens -- will not change.

Over the summer, the new site will undergo remodeling needed to transform the vacant office into a preschool operation -- the installation of a playground and tyke-sized toilets, for example.

School leaders are planning an open house for Oct. 18.

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