Berkeley, CA
Dandelion Cooperative Nursery School
Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
Review this preschool |
neighborhood: Berkeley North · Telephone: (510) 526-1735 · Website: www.dandelionnurseryschool.org
General Approach to Learning
| Play-based | |
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Play-based with some structure |
| Predominantly teacher-led instruction | |
| Montessori | |
| Waldorf | |
|
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Co-op |
| Reggio-Emilia |
source:
Social Skills & Work Habits
| OVERALL RATING (4.9) |
|
| This school has increased my child's: | |
|---|---|
| Ability to listen and follow directions |
|
| Ability to sit still for longer periods of time |
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| Ability to be a part of a group of children |
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| Self-sufficiency and independence |
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| Awareness of others’ feelings |
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| Cooperation with other children |
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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 | - | - | - | - | ||
| Time & space | - | - | - | - | ||
| Sci. reasoning/physical world | - | - | - | - | ||
| Music | - | - | - | - | ||
| Visual arts | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Physical activity | - | - | - | - | ||
| Other subjects taught | n/a | |||||
source:
Savvy Source's Comments
Dandelion's curriculum is designed to stimulate a child's inquisitive nature. The curriculum areas engage children in active meaning making. They observe, explore and invent as they interact with materials and people. Children assess the results of their activities and grow in competence, confidence and a sense of belonging. From Dandelion Co-op Nursery School website
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Dandelion is first and foremost a play-based curriculum.
Parent #2
Even though this is a play-based curriculum, they offer so many different ways for a child to be engaged that my son is always busy. We also love the fact that twice each morning he gets a story or some other group activity such as music. Unlike some of the other preschools we looked at with a lot more structure, Dandelion offers my son the opportunity to self direct his own learning. This will serve him well as he begins kindergarten.
Parent #3
I didn't know how well the 'play based' approach would work for my child, but it has been a really wonderful thing to see. She, and all kids at the school, seem to discover certain kinds of activities when they are ready for them. There is a natural flow between stations and completely free play.
Parent #4
Dandelion is play based and therefore has no curriculum per se. The school is set up to provide stimulating fun activity choices each day for all the kids, both indoors and out. Choices include art, books, dress up, manipulatives, music, 'office space', blocks, and an outdoor yard with trikes, play structure, house, and sand. There is a daily schedule of free play, circle time (stories, music, plays, conversation), snack time, free play, and a final circle time.
Parent #5
Focus is not so much on the acquisition of learning skills but on the foundation of the 'joy of learning' and helping the children feel empowered and positive about all their learning opportunities.
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