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Oakland, CA
Sequoia Nursery School

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

Review this preschool

neighborhood: Montclair / Piedmont Pines ·  Telephone: (510) 531-8853  · Website: www.sequoiakids.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 (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					n/a

source:

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Kids have a choice of play areas and activities most of the morning. 2 circle times allow for teacher-led or parent-led story-time, songs, etc.

Parent #2
There are daily art activities and pre-reading activities (phonemic awareness) are part of every circle. There are two short circles a day. One focusses on rhymes, games, songs, etc. and the other usually is a read aloud. There is also a music teacher that comes in to conduct music classes.

Parent #3
I love this approach. The children are free to play outside at parent stationed outposts, riding trikes, playing in the sandbox, climbing the play structure, listening to music, playing on mats. Inside, they are free to choose from a parent led art project, or listen to stories in the library, play with play-doh, or dictate a story to a parent at the collage table. While this is primarily free play, parents are available to encourage the wandering child to participate in an activity, or provide some ideas for play.

Parent #4
Basically at SNS there are a lot of options all at once. There is a library, art tables, pretend play, outdoor activities etc. All or most are maned by one of the parents while the teachers float. So, basically the children choose and play but are encouraged by teachers and parents to join in. Children are also encouraged to try the activity, write their names etc. The teachers prepare themed activities and stories. But children work at their own paced and are encouraged rather than forced. There are a few structured activities. There is a structured snack time and two circle times of the day. There are also special activity days for holiday's or visitors.

Parent #5
This school is play-based