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San Francisco, CA
Laurel Hill Nursery School and Pre-Kindergarten
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Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
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Review this preschool |
neighborhood: Laurel Heights/Jordan Park · Telephone: (415) 751-8784 · Website: www.laurelhill.org
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (3.8) | 
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| Conducts an open house at start of school year |
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| Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year |
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| Conducts regular parent teacher conferences |
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| Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year |
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| Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year |
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| Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools |
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source:
Director's Comments
Parents participate weekly in the classroom, where much learning occurs about their own child's development and interactions. They see their child in the context of a larger community, and they learn with other parents about the developmental needs of the preschool child. At monthly parent education meetings, the parents have the chance to talk with other members and teachers about child development. One on one conferences with teachers provide a chance to get personal advice and support with children as individuals. In the fall, there is an information night, with speakers about both private and public schools. Laurel Hill parents of elementary school children also return to give information to current families.
Separation
| OVERALL RATING (4.5) |
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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
- Abbreviated schedule at start of school year
source:
Director's Comments
New children start on the parent's workday, which means that the first day the parent is with the child for the entire three hour session. After that, the parent is encouraged to leave the child briefly at first, then for an increasing amount of time. Parents and teachers discuss these transitions on a case by case basis. If children are signed up for extended care, these longer schedules begin after they are adjusted to the school.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
They handle preschool separation by having children come in on parents workdays and parents are able to stay for a period of time to transition child.
Parent #2
Our school is a co-op and it has a large number of parent ed / fundraising / community-building events, workshops, 'work parties', etc. and there is so much information given out during the course of the year relative to these events that it's absolutely mind numbing. There is certainly room for improvement relative to consolidating and disseminating information. A lot of parents, including ourselves, feel disconnected a result of how unorganized this process is. It also makes it hard for me to understand what to expect; consequently, I had difficulty answering some of the questions on this survey because we haven't finished our first year yet and don't necessary know if there's going to be any guidance on developmental goals presented at year end.
Parent #3
The co-op environment encourages a strong home-school because parents are at school every day getting to know the kids, the teachers and the other parents. The children quickly connect with one or more adults (teachers or parents) at the school and seek comfort from those adults when they need it and their own parents are not around. This eases the transition for kids (and parents!) who are having trouble separating. Since LH is a play-based school, the children are able to do whatever suits them most of the time, and most thrive in an environment where they have a lot of control over their activities. Though the curriculum is play-based, there's still lots of learning going on. Every month has a theme and activities are planned around that theme. Older kids and younger kids have many opportunities to play with and learn from each other. Though the large co-op scene is a bit overwhelming at first, the community is mostly warm and welcoming and it doesn't take long for parents and children to find their groove.
Parent #4
Laurel Hill is a co-operative preschool (the first of its kind in the city) so it has very heavy parent participation and, as a result, a very tight-knit parent/family community.
Parent #5
My daughter had been in a day care since she was nine months old; I do not think she had some of the initial separation difficulties many children do.
Parent #6
question 1: the meeting was focused on instructing parents about the nuts and bolts of the coop: what were our obligations, how to fill them, what we could put in the kids school snacks, when to be at the gate, etc. We didn't really get to meet the teachers, nor was the program expanded upon at great length. Laurel Hill does not advise directly on kindergartens, but makes it easy to get information. There is great flexibility for parents on how to handle separation. Usually, a parent will stay with the child until s/he feels comfortable leaving. Teachers and other parents are always available to hold the children and help them through. Though there are no formal pre-entry meetings, the school is open year-round and new students are encouraged to come for brief visits to get acquainted with the school, although parents have to be present.
Parent #7
Regarding separation: the school provides 3 summer sessions as well which are a wonderful opportunity to welcome the new children into the school with a much smaller population of kids. This allows them to get comfortable with the facility without being overwhelmed by too many new faces. Also, teachers are providing individual feedback and strategies for managing the separation process. Examples include: parents staying with their child at first, children working with teachers to write letters to their parents expressing whatever issues may be causing them difficulty, and perhaps most important: other concerned parents working at the school every day -- many of whom have been through this process and can really help the newer children.
Parent #8
Because Laurel Hill is a coop, there is a tremendous amount of parent participation. Also the question regarding developmental goals does not really address schools like Laurel Hill who believe the goal of preschool is learning to play, to socialize, to be curious about the world and use all forms of manipulative toys, sand, water, and their bodies to discover things. They stress the importance of not forcing the children to behave age appropriately to their environment and not to be stressed with ABC's or math. They believe that at these young ages 3-5, the child learns much more through play to prepare for academics later. Our Pre-K experience was a testament to the Laurel Hill approach and it was a phenomenal experience for my son. He was far ahead (in reading, writing and math) of his peers who had 'academic preschools' when he reached kindergarten. I am believer in Laurel Hill's Philosophy.
Parent #9
they were very helpful with the transition for my son
Parent #10
Laurel Hill is a parent participatory school. This co-op provides a wonderful play based curriculum and much family support.
Parent #11
New children begin school on their parent's first work day, so the arrival of new children the first week is staggered. Teachers and other parents assist with separation. Parents are always welcomed at the school, and as it is a co-op, are always around.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (4.3) |
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Parents:
- Sit on the board of trustees
- Hold social events at the school to build community
- Fundraise
- Are required to make donations ourselves
- Are able to visit the school anytime we want
- Go on field trips
- Volunteer in the classroom
- Receive newsletters
- Hold social events outside of the school (with and/or without children)
- 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
Work one day per week; serve on a committee.
Parent #2
LHNS has work hour requirements for the school year, broken down into on-site work party hours, fundraising activities, and monthly business and parent education meetings.
Parent #3
Spend time every week staffing the school maintain building and equipment.
Parent #4
40 hours for the year of activity outside of committee work and required work days, as it is a coop.
Parent #5
Laurel Hill is a co-op, so all parents participate actively in the classroom.
Parent #6
Have a lot of social events and cross assists such as babysitter sharing and ride sharing.
Parent #7
Pairs ?old? parents with ?new? parents
Parent #8
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
Teachers are available throughout the day, and as Laurel Hill is a co-op, parents are right there interacting with them so can chat with teachers on the parents work day.
Parent #2
Yearly buzz meetings and informally (this is a co-op) when parent has work day.
Parent #3
We can approach teachers any time we feel the need, and schedule 'buzzes' any time to go more 'in-depth' about certain questions.
Parent #4
Since this is a co-op school, the parents are required to work one day a week, so communication with the permanent teachers is a given.
Parent #5
Our school is a co-op so once a week you have an opportunity to observe teachers/child interactions
Parent #6
Regular Parent/teacher meetings and townhall meetings.
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