San Francisco, CA
One Fifty Parker School

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (4.2)

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

source:

Director's Description to School's Approach to Discipline

As one scholar of early childhood education stated, "Nursery school is a human relations laboratory." Group socialization is a critical part of our program, and our teachers are skilled in guiding children through positive interactions with their peers. Children at Parker School are taught methods of observation of other people's feelings that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

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.'


Teachers will not simply demand that a child apologize for hitting another child; they will give the child tools to be able to assess how their actions affected their friend and made their friend feel, why their friend might feel that way because of what they did, and what they can do to make their friend feel better. Planting these seeds of empathy is critical to each child's ability to go on to successful school, work and life experiences.

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parent #1
The school is a beautiful, comforting, and nurturing place to be. The fact that the school is well cared for sends a great message to the children. When children have a difficult time following the rules in a particular area inside or out, that area is 'closed' to them. This system appears to be effective.

Parent #2
Parker has a wonderful outdoor space with a garden, which is a real treasure in the city. The nursery building was renovated last summer and the kitchen, the summer before. Discipline always seems to be delivered calmly and rationally, I have never feared for the safety of my child for any reason.

Parent #3
It is great.

Parent #4
Parker just did a total renovation in the past three years, so both buildings (AM/PM nursery and K) were totally remodeled, new bathrooms, new kitchen (great for the Kindergarteners to learn cooking and baking) and outstanding outdoor area w/ super-fun climbing structure, riding area and sand pit. The school used to have pet bunnies, but the general feeling was that small children and bunnies didn't mix well, so the bunnies found new homes. (Parker does periodically bring in farm and wild animals for the kids to see, so they are exposed to animals.)

Parent #5
150 Parker School has undergone a major renovation. The kitchen is completely new and the kids conduct many cooking classes there. The outdoor facility is one of the best in SF. They have pet rabbits, a beautiful new play structure, and plenty of room to run around with little garden areas to plant flowers.

Parent #6
Director is considering renovating the grounds. They are discussing replacing the playhouse.

Parent #7
In kindergarten room there is full-blown kitchen; preschool has hotplate, etc.

Parent #8
The whole school inside and out has been remodeled in the last 3 years.

Parent #9
Parker School was recently renovated and is really lovely. The kitchen has built in features that allow the children to cook with a great deal of independence.

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.9)
Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable
Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided More >
Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

source:

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.4)
Screen and identify all visitors
Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others

source:

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!

Comment (3)

Share From Send A Link To Your Comments:

Take Our Expert Quiz

how is your toddler or preschooler progressing developmentally?