In-Depth Preschool Ratings and Reviews for:

• All Cities
• Austin Preschools
• Berkeley & Oakland Preschools
• Boston Preschools
• Chicago Preschools
• Dallas Area Preschools
• Los Angeles (West LA) Preschools
• Los Angeles (San Gabriel Valley) Preschools
• NYC & Brooklyn Preschools
• San Diego North County Preschools
• San Francisco Preschools
• San Jose Preschools
• Seattle Preschools

Seattle, WA
Bertschi School

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

Review this preschool

neighborhood: Capitol Hill/Montlake ·  Telephone: (206) 324-5476  · Website: www.bertschi.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:

Director's Comments

Learning begins the day a baby is born. I believe that the powerful learning of pre-kindergarten age
children is key for laying the foundation and inspiring the desire for life long learning. Research indicates that early learning is a critical determinant of continued learning achievement and success for students. Children who are helped to focus their learning on skills that will support future learning gain
the greatest advantages when they enter school. I also think that is it important to enable these young children to discover the joy and challenge of learning in a school that is diverse, community-centered and compassionate ? the tenets upon which Bertschi is built.

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (5.0)
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	-		-	-	n/a
Nursery rhymes, poems, songs	-		-	-	n/a
Storybook reading	-		-	-	n/a
Emerging literacy skills	-		-	-	n/a
Cognitive Development					n/a
Math and number sense	-		-	-	Yes
Time & space	-		-	-	Yes
Sci. reasoning/physical world	-		-	-	Yes
Music	-	-		-	Yes
Visual arts	-	-		-	Yes
Physical activity	-	-		-	Yes
Other subjects taught	Spanish				n/a

source:

Director's Comments

Through play, young children experience and make sense of the world around them. In the Pre-K program children engage in playful
activities structured to encourage inquiry, and creative expression. Carefully planned activities are designed to help children broaden
concepts and increase skills in the areas of social awareness, creative expression, language arts, math, personal hygiene and safety.
The children are guided at their developmentally appropriate level and are encouraged to become responsible individuals who care for
others and their immediate environment.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
My child's class seems really well balanced in having activities led by the teachers, but then followed up with plenty of time for each child to explore the concept, idea or activity on his or her own. For instance, they are read story books, but they also have a rest and read period when they can choose books from the library to read to themselves. They have movement classes, but also have recess outside. Each week they have a 'Show and Share' based on a theme and they practice speaking in front of everyone. At circle time they are welcomed to ask questions and make comments about what they are discussing. The children are very actively involved in what they are learning and are not just 'instructed' or simply left to learn by their own devices.

Parent #2
All of the above are 'led' by the teacher, but in a age appropriate manner combined with play elements that the children respond to enthusiastically.

Parent #3
Diverse curricukum -- little pressure.