San Francisco, CA
Calvary Nursery School

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (4.9)

Parents at this school, on average, believe that conflicts between children:
...are handled extraordinarily well in a way that not only gives me confidence in the safety of my child but also reassures me that my child (and his/her peers) are learning the early skills needed to socialize effectively with one another

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Director's Response to a Sample Discipline Scenario

Description of how teachers handle the following scenario: Child A and Child B are good friends and usually play together. One day, Child A decides to play with Child C and tells Child B, 'I don't want to play with you today. I'm playing with Child C instead.'


We understand first and foremost that learning how to be in a social setting is part of a school's responsibility. We think about potential conflicts and feel responsible for getting in front of them. We set up our environment with good/plentiful choices and nurturing staff to facilitate play. If behavior escalates, we remove a child and redirect.

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parent #1
The director is great at saying 'Your child looks under the weather - better not come in today.' I don't have to sign in to come in. Don't know how they handle strangers. School does share facilities with the church nursery school - part of what keeps costs low - amazing how well set up the nursery school is - things do get a little messed up sometimes on Sundays.

Parent #2
The children love rooftop playground with it's climbing structure, tricycles, sand box, and other opportunities for creative play. All that and a view!

Parent #3
Calvary celebrates many holidays and every birthday. As a result, the snacks are not always healthy since they are provided by the parents. This has not been an issue with us since we make sure our son always eats a healthy breakfast.

Parent #4
I think Calvary is one of the few, if not the only, preschool which does NOT have annual fundraisers. In the six years and with three of my kids who attended there, they had one fundraiser and that was to add a pre-K class and classroom. Needless to say, they had no problems raising the money. It's nice not to be hit up for money at the preschool level, when, unfortunately that's what bombards parents at elementary school for years after.

Parent #5
The teachers at Calvary are great at getting the kids to get along. My son had a problem with one kid (who was hitting him) at the beginning of the year and ended the year really liking him. Not only did they stop the hitting, but the helped my son stick up for himself and stop the hitting on his own.

Parent #6
To actually enter the building you have to be buzzed in by security that see you from a mounted camera. Once you get to the pre-school, if the teachers didn't recognize you, you would be confronted. Children that are misbehaving are sent home if they do not improve their behavior after a few warnings. The parents are informed at pick up about the problem.

Parent #7
Some of the outside play equipment could be updated or reconditioned. The carpet in the main space needs to be cleaned more often.
But a nice, light, fun space indoors and out.

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.6)
Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable
Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided
Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

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Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.5)
Screen and identify all visitors
Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others

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Montessori? Waldorf? Play-based?

What school type is right for your child? Is one model better than another? What does the research say?

View an example from the Savvy Source guide to learn more.

Trace around your child's foot, with shoe on, on a piece of white construction paper or card stock. Have child cut out the shoe print and add a spooky face. Glue it to a popsicle stick and you have a ghost stick puppet!

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