Advertisement
San Francisco, CA
Glenridge Cooperative Nursery School
|
Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
 |
Review this preschool |
neighborhood: Glen Park · Telephone: (415) 586-2771 · Website: www.glenridgecoop.org
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.6) |
|
| 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:
Director's Comments
There is extensive new parent orientation before the start of each school year, and a home visit by the director for each new child. There are also required parent meetings each month that include a parent education presentation and information about fundraising and other parent activities. The school newsletter includes photos, information from staff, information from board members, and the school calendar. There is also a yahoo group for announcements. Because parents are working with staff in the classrooms each day, informal communication often occurs at that time. There are also formal parent-teacher conferences annually or more frequently if requested by a parent or staff member. The director is available by phone and e-mail most evenings, and parents are encouraged to call with questions or concerns. Staff members work closely with parents to provide assistance throughout the process of finding the right elementary school for their child. Assistance includes advice on what to look for in a school, suggestions of schools to tour, and written and/or verbal evaluations as requested.
Separation
| OVERALL RATING (5.0) |
|
Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Home visits by teachers
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
- Parents in classroom early on
source:
Director's Comments
Parents are welcome to stay at school. When parents leave, staff members hold children until they are comfortable--even if that takes days, or weeks, or months. Adults often take dictation from an upset child, so the child can express his/her feelings to the parent and then 'mail' the letter for the parent to get at pick up time.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Though we are a play-based preschool, it is incorrect to say we don't have developmental goals for each child. Through play and many different developmentally appropriate activities our children develop their social skills, fine and gross motor, reading readiness etc.
Parent #2
At Glenridge, conferences are only held once per year and there is no formal evaluation or write-up of the children, but the director regularly communicates with parents regarding specific children and specific milestones and is evaluating children and their social, cognitive, physical and emotional development always.
Parent #3
Because the school is a cooperative, parent participation is required in the classroom. This provides a high level of comfort between children & adults, both at school and at home.
Parent #4
Our school is play-based, with a developmentally appropriate curriculum. It has the best setting! We're located in the middle of a canyon where our kids can go for daily hikes and be connected with nature.
Parent #5
Our preschool community has become an important part of our family. We have playdates with other children at school (the director will even recommend other students who our children might get along with), we work at school and play outside of school with other parents, and the director/staff have an intimate knowledge of our family. We never realized how much joining a cooperative nursery school would expand our circle of friends and our support network -- it wasn't why we joined, but we're thrilled out the outcome.
Parent #6
Glenridge is an amazing environment for young children because the school itself is situated in a canyon through which children walk to get to the school building. No cars allowed - it's about 1/3 mile walk out and back. On the way are many opportunities to interact with nature and with classmates - by the time we get to school, any problems you were having are forgotten. During the school day children can choose to take a hike with a teacher and a parent through the canyon - or stay and play at school. The school yard is next to the only above ground creek in San Francisco - lots of dirt and mud and banana slugs to play with here. The classrooms are full of great indoor activities - kitchen, dress up, reading loft, art, puzzles, books, legos, playdough, motor areas...children can choose activities until a short circle time at the end of the day where they learn to interact with the teacher and each other as a group - through singing, games and listening to books. Children learn through play how to share, be a good friend, solve problems and conflicts, develop motor skills, express themselves through language and art and so much more. The teachers are loving and extremely organized and attentive to each child - nothing gets passed them with the help of the parents who also work at the school during the school day. Each aspect of the school is planned with intent by the director who has many years of experience and is a great source of advise on all things early childhood. She makes the school what it is.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (4.9) |
|
Parents:
- Sit on the board of trustees
- Hold social events at the school to build community
- Fundraise
- Are able to visit the school anytime we want
- Volunteer in the classroom
- Receive newsletters
- Hold social events outside of the school (with and/or without children)
- Schedule family field trips
- Pair "old" parents with "new" parents
- Encourage play dates out of school
- Shares information on matter related to our children (e.g. babysitter lists, pediatricians, extracurriculuar classes, etc.)
source:
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Glenridge is a cooperative nursery school. As parents, we work regularly in the classroom, hold a school job, participate in several fundraising activities, help with school maintenance, and attend several social events (eg annual camping trip, ice skating, picnics,) with the community. We don't go on field trips, unless you count the daily optional hikes that children may take during their day at school.
Parent #2
Forms share care arrangements
Parent #3
Pairs ?old? parents with ?new? parents
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
- Notes
- Phone Calls
- Voice Mail
- Special Meetings
- Two or More Regular Conferences
- Drop-Off
- Pick-Up
- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school
source:
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
One formal conference, in winter for returning students to discuss progress and kindergarten readiness, in spring for new students to discuss progress and observations.
Parent #2
Our director makes herself exceptionally available to parents.
Parent #3
The director holds one official conference /year, but has always been available to discuss specific issues, either by phone or e-mail. Since school time is dedicated to the children, she handles most of these issues in the evenings/weekends. Whenever we have had a question or issue, we get an immediate response.
Advertisement
A Great Book Rhymes!
Kids are a funny bunch. They are often loath to change and anything new. But still, our little ones are open to so much -- and so much more than we more ossified parents are! Think of poetry: preschoolers happily read and repeat poems with ease and
Now in BeingSavvy, San Francisco
Baking Bread with a Toddler
As we enter into cooler weather, indoor pursuits beckon, and what could be better than baking with a toddler? I'm all over the "easy" way -- buy some pre-made dough, roll it out, and cookie cutter it to death
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.
Today's “Preschool’s Out” Activity
This game is a variation of '20 questions' and we played this with all four of our kids when they (read more)
| Comment (4) |  |
Take Our Expert Quiz
how is your toddler or preschooler progressing developmentally?
This Week's Poll
Off the Beaten Path
Plan fun activities to do in:
