Alameda, CA
Home Sweet Home

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

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 Description to School's Approach to Discipline

Most importantly, we practice positive discipline, in which the teacher describes the behavior or alternative that is desired, rather than focusing on the negative behavior. Our overall goal in discipline is to support children's self-control.

Detailed discipline policy:
1) Broken rule or expectation that does not involve intentionally hurting self or others: Two warnings, with second warning explaining the consequence if the behavior continues. A 3rd occasion of the behavior results in the agreed upon consequence. Staff attempt to provide 'natural' consequences such as not being able to continue play in sand if child is throwing sand. A time out is a last option if 'natural' consequence is not available or working.

2) Intentionally hurting another child or self: Children are separated to ensure safety, and the child who was hurt is given attention to make sure he/she is OK. the child who intentionally hurt another child is asked to sit calmly in a comfortable place (referred to as 'time-out' or 'calm-down time'). Once the child is able to calm down, the child is asked to sit quietly for 1-2 minutes. Teacher or trained youth have a conversation with child about why they needed to sit down and what an appropriate response or alternative would have been. The two children are brought together so that the child who was hurt can make requests and express feelings, and the child who hurt another can respond and apologize if he/she wishes.

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.'


The teacher would explain to the child being left out that sometimes children decide to play with new friends as well. The teacher would then try to make a compromise between the two children, about a time in which Child A and B or Children A, B, and C all could play together again later that day (such as after a given activity or amount of time).

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.3)
Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable
Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided More >
Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

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Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.3)
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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