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San Francisco, CA
One Fifty Parker School

Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents.

Review this preschool

neighborhood: Laurel Heights/Jordan Park ·  Telephone: (415) 221-0294  · Website: www.onefiftyparker.org

• Summary
• General Info
• School Philosophy
  & Day-in-the-Life
• Curriculum &
  Teaching Approach
• Quality of
  Teaching
• Home/School
  Connection
• Discipline,
  Health & Safety
• Ages, Schedule
  & Tuition
• Application &
  Admissions
• Kindergarten
  Placement&Tips

General Approach to Learning

	Play-based
	Play-based with some structure
	Predominantly teacher-led instruction
	Montessori
	Waldorf
	Co-op
	Reggio-Emilia

source:

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.7)
This school has increased my child's:
Ability to listen and follow directions
Ability to sit still for longer periods of time
Ability to be a part of a group of children
Self-sufficiency and independence
Awareness of others’ feelings
Cooperation with other children

source:

Curriculum and Teaching Approach

	PLAY-BASED	PLAY-BASED WITH SOME STRUCTURE	MOSTLY TEACHER LED	NOT FORMALLY IN CURRICULUM	CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT
Language					Yes
Oral language			-	-
Nursery rhymes, poems, songs	-			-
Storybook reading			-	-
Emerging literacy skills			-	-
Cognitive Development
Math and number sense			-	-	Yes
Time & space			-	-	Yes
Sci. reasoning/physical world			-	-	Yes
Music			-	-	Yes
Visual arts			-	-	Yes
Physical activity			-	-	Yes
Other subjects taught	Conflict Resolution, Cooking, Gardening

source:

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
All of these curricular areas are addressed in different ways throughout the day. Many are addressed in a more formal way with teacher direction during 'circle time', while other areas are brought up through the children's' own exploration during an activity at a table in the art room or playing with bugs out on the yard. My son has learn a tremendous amount through the opportunities for exploration and questioning things in the world around him. The teachers go with the students' interests and facilitate their learning more. Once again age-appropriate comes to mind.

Parent #2
It is amazing to watch the kids fall in love with learning at Parker. My daughter became interested in skunks in her second year and invented an entire imaginary world replete with skunk families. The other children and teachers engaged her by joining in the imaginary play. They studied skunk habitats and behaviors, went on a field trip to Golden Gate Park to visit a skunk habitat first-hand. We all learned a great deal about skunks that year, but also research, the environment, animal behavior and habitats, and the senses (especially smell). To categorize this as 'play-based' without an interest in the acquisition of skills is really to miss the boat!!!

Parent #3
There is a big difference from younger classes and Kindergarten one. Younger classes are more free play but there is always a story and or music as a group during the day. In the kindergarten, the morning has some free time then there is a scheduled program for learning. All of the above subjects are touched upon.

Parent #4
During any given day, your child can participate in all of the curricular areas noted above...or not! Choices are generally made by the kids, but all options are laid out and encouraged by the teachers. At three-year old level, often girls grouped in dramatic play and art rooms, while boys raced around outside; at four, it changes a bit; by pre-K, it is far more structured with a firm schedule for the day (just like 'real Kindergarten' at the private schools -- same exact schedule, making for a great transition). I like that my children can make their own choices based on how they're feeling that day (i.e., energetic -- great! run around outside and climb on the play structure!, mellow -- that's okay too, chill out inside with a book or play blocks w/ a buddy...).

Parent #5
In the first year at Parker, a lot of free play is encouraged, with various stations in the classroom (blocks, books, art, dress up, etc) with a circle time every afternoon to sing songs led by teacher and for sharing stories. By the pre-k stage, the calendar is taught at the beginning of each day, the alphabet is integral, the children learn to draw themselves, plays are enacted for the parent community, etc with some free time outside. The pre-k becomes much more structured.

Parent #6
'Social and emotional development' is part of everything kids do.

Parent #7
At 150 Parker there are 2 nursery classes - 3 yr. and 4 yr. - which are fairly loosely structured, but would come under 'free play with some structure.' However, in the pre-K program, which is an accredited kindergarten, there is a much more developed and formal curriculum. The pre-K is more half 'teacher-led instruction' and half 'free play with some structure.' For 'storybook reading and storytelling', in both the nursery classes and the pre-K classes, there is teacher-led stuff at circle time, but also books can be chosen/stories told during free play. In pre-K, 'emerging literacy skills in reading and writing' are both teacher-led and can be a chosen activity during free time.