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Marina del Rey, CA
Redwood Village Children's Center

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

Review this preschool

Telephone: (310) 306-7815  · Website: www.redwood-village.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
• Kindergarten
  Placement&Tips

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.0)
Conducts an open house at start of school year
Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year
Conducts regular parent teacher conferences
Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year
Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year
Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools

source:

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.4)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:

- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school

- Extra staff dedicated to handle separation

- Parents in classroom early on

source:

Director's Comments

Preschool separation is handled on a case by case basis. Our staff is prepared to lovingly reassure and comfort a child (and the parent). Parents and teachers establish a plan to acclimate the child to preschool, sometimes the plan is in place for just a few days before the child is happily waving goodbye.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Redwood Village is a play-based school so the 'curriculum' is not academic. They do however provide structure of the day with activities in art, science, language, etc. The children are assigned to a specific teacher and their group does many activities independently of the other children and then there are times when all the children interact with each other. This is our first year and the school year has not ended so I'm not sure about the end of the year questions. I do know that my son's teacher has a book that she is building on him and I assume I will see that at the end of the year. We talk frequently with his teacher and the Director about how he is playing with the other children and participating in the general activities. The Director is always providing us with information about kindergartens, their open houses, etc., but she does not promote any specific school. She encourages us to take a look for ourselves at all the options available.

Parent #2
I came to this school at the beginning of a new transition, as the school hired a new Director. In the year that I have been there, there have been many promises, changes, and variations to the school in its entirety. Not all are necessarily negative, but I would advise anyone looking into this school to evaluate as thoroughly as possibly, the specifics of the curriculum, and how things will be done throughout the year before choosing to send their child here. A real positive is they have wonderful teachers and my daughter has always seemed very happy there. It has been a bit frustrating as a parent to ever really know what's going on as there are some communication breakdowns. But again, my daughter has always been happy, and has grown & learned a lot from the preschool overall.

Parent #3
I am unclear of the end-of-year procedures as this is my child's first year of school. This particular preschool is play-based, however, I have a sense that I will receive some type of portfolio summarizing my child's experience and how it relates to her development.

Parent #4
The 'Parent Community' isn't really important to us - it's not school for the parents and we have a social circle ourselves. However, the kids do bond very well and have their own little community, which I think is way more important.

Parent #5
There is currently a newsletter that is supposed to be monthly but is not consistent. Also we are supposed to get a weekly 'curriculum'.

Parent #6
The interactions with the teachers and director are not always formal but they are frequent and helpful.

Parent #7
We have both a director & an administrator who are both very aware of the students' needs & growth and are available to discuss any concerns we may have. They also take the time to share special moments that may have occurred during the school day.

Parent #8
While there are no specific lists of goals accomplished per child, the teacher tells you exactly where your child is, what his strengths are and what can be improved upon. They're also very open to helping with any problems you have with your child at home.

Parent #9
We have had an excellent experience with this school and think highly of the director and the staff.

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (2.8)

Parents:

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Go on field trips

- Receive newsletters

- Encourage play dates out of school

source:

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Field trips after the first year.

Parent #2
Selective parents are encouraged to help out at school - ones the Director likes!

Parent #3
Help organize special events/holidays for the children.

Parent #4
It is not well established. We just created our own email list and have organized soccer for the kids after school one day a week.

Parent #5
We do not really have a parent community wherein all parents are involved.

Parent #6
Up to this point, there has not been much in parent community.

Parent #7
ONLY LAST ONE MONTH

Parent #8
Has begun to share info since a parent organized an email list.

Parent #9
Has open school playdates

Parent #10
Pairs ?old? parents with ?new? parents

Parent #11
Pairs ?old? parents with ?new? parents

Parent #12
Pairs old parents with new parents

Parent #13
Pairs old parents with new parents

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
There is no specific rule that I am aware of, it's kind of like you see them or you don't.

Parent #2
The phone is not answered during class hours. Calls are returned throughout the day.

Parent #3
Teachers are willing to communicate - not really facilitated by the Director though - more casual communication.

Parent #4
Teachers are discouraged from speaking to the parents. You have to go through the Director and set up a meeting.