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Pasadena, CA
Hastings Ranch Nursery School

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

Review this preschool

neighborhood: Northeast Pasadena ·  Telephone: (626) 351-9171  · Website: www.hrns.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

We have a balance of free play time and structured time. Structured time includes story time, good morning and goodbye circle, and snack time. During free play, children can choose their activities from a wide variety, including outdoor and indoor activities.

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
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

source:

Director's Comments

It is impossible for me to limit to one or the other in the above categories because neither one is exactly accurate! HRNS curriculum is based on developmental theory and is carefully planned by the teachers. It is implemented with the belief that play is a child's work. It is the natural mode of learning for the young child, who is learning at all times. Children move through sequential stages of development in four interrelated areas: Physical (gross and fine motor) Social (peer interaction, social skills and awareness) Emotional (self-esteem, awareness and recognition of feelings, healthy balance) Cognitive (comprehension, language development, problem solving, and skill acquisition) Children need mastery at each level before moving on to the next. We place equal importance on all major areas of development. Through careful observation of play, teachers are able to assess development and add challenges as needed to further individual growth.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
This is primarily a developmental preschool with emphasis on learning via physical interaction with the environment using art, movement, etc. It is, however, a well thought-out program. There is a multitude of different activities available for the children to do if they choose to. There is an art table, a science table and a math table with different activities for each day. There is structure too?there is a circle time, a formal sharing time, calendar time and some one-on-one time with teacher for fine motor activities such as cutting and writing.

Parent #2
In general most of the activities are available at stations where the children can decide whether or not to participate, and they are gently encouraged to try new things and activities, but not forced to do so?so while children choose their own activities, there are a variety to choose from at stations, and there is some teacher encouragement. Certain activities happen during circle time. For example storybook reading?his teacher always reads a story to the group during second circle before snack, but every room has a reading corner with books and comfy seating and children have the option of looking at or reading books on their own or with an adult any time in the day. Nursery rhymes and songs are formally led during circle by the teacher, often in preparation for a holiday concert for parents, otherwise children can listen to music and sing and dance during play time. Emerging literacy may take place in small groups or one on one with teacher or other classroom adult. Students keep notebooks that they add to throughout the year with artwork, photos, student writing, and stories or observations dictated by the student but written down by the adult. Orientation in time and space might take place at a free play station, but is also covered daily in second circle time where there is a discussion of the calendar and the weather amongst other things.

Parent #3
"Academics" are primarily free-play, but it is surprising what the kids learn.

Parent #4
Each room has a library nook and adults are availble during free play to read to children. At circle time the group talks about the calendar, weather, and counts who is here. Teachers take small groups/individuals to practice names, phone numbers and addresses. Each child also has a journal where they can dictate captions to pictures or draw with the teacher.

Parent #5
Each area is available to kids as a station during free-play but teachers also work individually/small/large group. A story is read each day. At least once a week there is group singing during circle time. Teachers also lead the group in music/movement. Each day there is calendar time (day/date).

Parent #6
language, math, science,and music are taught both by the teachers and as options during free play.