Brooklyn, NY
Congregation Beth Elohim

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (4.3)

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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Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parent #1
School has no outside space, but a very large indoor gym, air-conditioned in summer, and a smaller gym with riding toys etc.

Parent #2
My son was pinned down and hit by two other boys. The way teacher #1 explained it to us, it was handled seriously, but she also said that 'boys will be boys'. I don't think that kind of explanation is appropriate or makes me feel that my child is particularly safe.

Parent #3
While the school does not have any outdoor play space, there are two very large gyms (the upper gym and the lower gym) as well as a pool, which the preschool uses judiciously.

Parent #4
No formal outside play area, which is a negative.However, the indoor ballroom has gym equipment set up. There is a 'lower gym', which I have never seen. it may have tricycles and balls to kick, but I do not know for sure. If there is a health concern (i.e. a student has pink eye) there are notes placed in mail pouches or cubbies. As a class parent, we are planning to augment with/emails home,as sometimes these pieces of paper get lost or are not delivered at the end of a day. As for discipline, there was one particularly difficult child last year. The teachers always reacted immediately, had the child apologize to the kid he hurt or taunted, and I think the other children in the classroom learned more about how to treat others.

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.1)
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 (4.6)
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?

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This is a great memento from the holiday season. Dip your child's hand in white paint and press (read more)

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