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

Altadena, CA
Altadena Christian Children's Center

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

Review this preschool

neighborhood: West Altadena ·  Telephone: (626) 797-6142  · Website: www.accc-kids.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

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 believe that our educational philosophy is based on an approach that balances teacher-directed and child-initiated activities within the context of an understanding of developmental theory. In addition, we acknowledge the reality of the changing expectations in kindergarten. We want children who leave our program for kindergarten to be equipped with the competencies necessary to be successful.

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	-		-	-
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	The activities and experiences that we provide for the children are offered with an anti-bias perspective. This approach was developed at Pacific Oaks College and supports the child in learning about self and others, our similarities and differences. The goals for the child are to learn respect for self, respect for others, expressions of activism when things are not fair based on prejudices, and critical thinking skills.

source:

Director's Comments

We have indicated that in all of the areas except literacy, we offer 'Free play with some structure (e.g. stations, some teacher encouragement). However, we don't believe that this adequately describes our approach. We use The Creative Curriculum as our framework and believe that the following better describes our philosophy: 'Play and structure are balanced with children given the opportunity to make choices from among activities carefully planned by the teachers to facilitate their optimal growth and development. Individual children are observed and listened to and their ideas, interests, strengths, and needs are integrated into the curriculum planning.'

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The teachers usually lead and instruct in all these areas, then the kids are free to chose stations to play. Everyday the teachers read to the kids.

Parent #2
The approach used worked very well with my child.