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San Francisco, CA
One Fifty Parker School

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

Review this preschool

neighborhood: Laurel Heights/Jordan Park ·  Telephone: (415) 221-0294  · Website: www.onefiftyparker.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 (4.8)

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

We create space for parents to remain at school, in an unobstructive manner, as long as the (child's) separation requires. We allow for transitional objects to help children become comfortable in their new environment and remain flexible with expectations. Teachers will help develop an individualized plan with parents, based on their child's unique situation, for a gradual separation. If it is the case, teachers will politely let parents know when their child does not require their presence anymore.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
*

Parent #2
150 Parker makes it easy for families to be involved as much as they want or as little as they want. Our family has been able to do just that very comfortably. The faculty is very appropriate in the way they handle separation. The school did not formerly advise us on kindergartens/elementary schools as we will continue at the school another year.

Parent #3
Re: 'My son/daughter's preschool had an initial parent-teacher meeting about my son/daughter's individual characteristics' This was not offered by the school, but we requested one (due to a medical issue) and the teachers were very receptive and seemed happy to schedule the meeting.

Parent #4
As a board member at 150 Parker, I'm concerned that your questions imply a lack of understanding of our 'play-based' yet developmentally-oriented preschool. Some of the questions are worded as though a 'play-based' program ignores developmental goals and skill acquisition. For example, 'this is a play-based preschool that does not believe in developmental goals at this age.' That statement betrays a misunderstanding of most play-based programs of which I'm aware. The acquisition of a variety of social and academic skills is central to most play-based programs! Please don't create a false dichotomy between preschools, i.e., those in which kids play but don't learn anything, and those in which kids study and learn. This would be a tremendous disservice to parents. Does the group of parents who have organized this survey and website include parents with a background in early childhood education??

Parent #5
Parker does not give specific learning goals as they truly believe that every child at this age develops at their own pace. However, they give excellent write-ups at their twice-annual parent/teacher meetings covering specific topics (ie-mathmatical skills, social skills, development, art and music, etc.). They do not 'rate' the students within a specific scale but discuss specifically how your child is showing development in these areas and if there are any areas of weakness showing early.

Parent #6
In regards to the cohesiveness and activity level of parents, I found there to be a big difference from one class to the next. The kindergarten class had involved parents. The AM class had some involved parents and the PM class parents seemed removed. There are a few key players and that is about it. One of the best things about Parker in my opinion is the facility and how the teachers really take advantage of it. The playground has a 'backyard' feeling rather than an asphalt rooftop or parking lot. It shows what they make a priority. It is always neat but not sterile. The teachers believe in having fun but playing by the rules. Respect for each other is a key lesson here.

Parent #7
* Parker School is a play-based, developmental nursery school, but the teachers are great about giving general information about developmental readiness, especially with regard to 'what's next' next year; however, they do not focus on specific skills (i.e., writing name perfectly) until the pre-K program. For my kids, this was a phenomenal, HAPPY way to learn -- no stress or feeling of 'I can't do that & so-and-so can!' * Involvement and activity level of parents seems to fluctuate by class, often depending on the number of working moms. My children's classes have had REALLY super-involved parent groups, but I've seen another class that did not -- great people w/ great kids, but just not as motivated to spend tons of time or energy on the school. Parker (like all schools, I would think) is definitely a place where you get more out of it as a family if you are more involved; I think your kids also sense the involvement and care about their school more if you as a parent seem to care...it's definitely not just a 'drop the kid off and forget about it' kind of place...NOT 'day care' at all. Most parents do have at least one stay-at-home member (some dads, mostly moms) & that (positively, I think) affects the 'involved' and 'caring' vibe of the place...you constantly see parents coming and going, being involved in the classroom -- most kids know the other kids' parents, which makes for a cool sense of community. (Also makes it much more fun for the parents, too! A key component of your happiness at a school is making it your social scene too!)

Parent #8
Regarding the kindergarten process...school is adamant that it is a family decision. They will not decide for you which school is best, but wants us to come to our own decision based on our research. School does hold a kindergarten process evening to discuss the process in detail and has parents who have gone through the process share their insights and experiences.

Parent #9
My child went to the summer session at Parker before the school year and she felt right at home during the separation process in the fall. For fundraising, parents are asked to make donations, but not required to. There is a parent education class offered on child nutrition.

Parent #10
Written summaries of your child's learning are provided twice a year at parent-teacher conferences. General guidance on developmental goals is provided if asked, but this is not part of the curriculum. For the separation process at the beginning of the year, both my children had an easy time. Parents can stay as long as they like in the classroom to ease the transition.

Parent #11
There was only one parent/teacher conference during the school year

Parent #12
With regard to the Kindergarten application process, 150 Parker has a deliberate policy to not 'provide guidance on which kindergarten and elementary schools are best for my child.' This is because the director feels that only the family can know which school best fits the child and the family. She does work to secure a slot, however, in whichever school(s) is your first choice(s).

Parent #13
150 Parker has a detailed, very informative website that is available only to parents. Weekly updates are posted on what's happening in the classroom and at the school in general. There is also a bulletin board where information is shared by parents on any number of topics. 150 Parker has much communication between the director/ board/ parents. Every year parents are asked to fill out questionnaires about the school and anonymously voice their concerns.

Parent #14
The teachers actually give us a daily report on our son's behaviour. They always try to keep us posted on his development and progress.

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (4.0)

Parents:

- Hold social events at the school to build community

- Fundraise

- 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)

- Encourage play dates out of school

source:

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Are ASKED to make donations ourselves, not REQUIRED.

Parent #2
Hold social events at our home...teacher appreciation cocktail party.

Parent #3
We ask parents for teacher donations twice a year - once at Holidays + end of school. We also prepare a meal for the teachers once a year.

Parent #4
Many community-building activities - Art Faire, Clean up day, parent coffees, etc.

Parent #5
Read to the class, do hands-on cooking demonstrations

Parent #6
Parents share information willingly via personal contact and email.

Parent #7
Field trips are taken in pm classes (which are made up of older children) and pre-K classes.

Parent #8
Pairs  old parents with  new parents

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Via classroom parent or school director, if it is an issue that you do not feel comfortable discussing w/ the teacher.

Parent #2
Teachers are very accessible and there are lots of opportunities to assess child's development and address any potential issues.

Parent #3
Teachers are very accessible and there are lots of opportunities to assess child's development and address any potential issues.