Advertisement
Join My Savvy Source Now
My Savvy Source helps you connect and share with friends, family, experts and your community on the best of parenting advice and resources.
Just fill in this short form to get started:
The action you're trying to perform is only available to registered users of the Savvy Source. Please sign up or sign in now.
log in now
Join My Savvy Source Now
My Savvy Source helps you connect and share with friends, family, experts and your community on the best of parenting advice and resources.
Just fill in this short form to get started:
 |
· | · | Bookmark |  |
· | Post | 
|
Seattle, WA
Baker Language and Learning Center
|
Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
 |
Review this preschool |
neighborhood: Madrona/Leschi/Central District · Telephone: (206) 328-2275 · Website: www.bakerlearningcenter.com
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.4) | 
|
| 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
Our approach to providing more relevant and immediate feedback to parents has evolved over time. Where a moment at the door talking with parents and caregivers worked in the past, we have added other methods. Since we are combining more Reggio philosophy into our program, we are working at observing and documenting the children's interests, play, and interactions more. We also write daily Post-Its for parents to see and add to their own child's home portfolio. In addition, we send out weekly photos of the children in the school environment, along with a monthly note on what we've been working on in school.
In addition, we use e-mail correspondence to add more in-depth and personal exchange, as well as telephone conversations when there is a concern on the part of teachers or parents. This is all in conjunction with two regularly scheduled parent-teacher conferences, scheduled in November and April each year.
Overall, this year in particular, we have honed and enhanced all methods of communication so that parents have a much clearer and immediate idea of what their children are doing for the short blocks of time that they are with us and away from home.
Separation
| OVERALL RATING (3.5) |
|
Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Home visits by teachers
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
- Small group sessions
- Extra staff dedicated to handle separation
- Parents in classroom early on
- Abbreviated schedule at start of school year
source:
Director's Comments
Part of BLLC's enrollment process is to perform a home visit for each new child. This gives us an opportunity to view the child in his/her own most comfortable of environments and also gives us an opportunity to observe the child as s/he generally is in a space that is familiar. This is a two-fold process: We get to observe a child's behaviors and personality in a familiar place, and we also have a shared experience to draw on once the preschool year begins. Thus, when a child experiences some separation anxiety, we are already somewhat familiar and can draw on memories that are unique to us and the child. This has been very helpful in alleviating some of the stress of early-year anxiety.
Another method we use is a "slow start," meaning that we abbreviate the first week of school. Parents are invited to come in with their child for about half the period and in smaller group sessions, and then are invited to stay for as long a period as is comfortable for them and the child beyond the first week. We very much encourage parents to drop in and get involved with their child's classroom activities or help with other "duties" involved with the running the class each day. As children see their loved ones involved in the new place that is "theirs," their own comfort builds and they begin to build a bridge between home life and school life--it's all their life.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
We have had both of our boys enrolled in BLLC since they were 2 years old and they have thrived at this school. They have been able to build on their social skills and self confidence and the kindergarten readiness program is excellent. I have recommended this program to many of my friends, several of which have enrolled their kids. I believe that BLLC is an excellent place to enroll your child to build self esteem and get them ready for the kindergarten experience. My boys love it there.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (3.3) |
|
Parents:
- Hold social events at the school to build community
- Are able to visit the school anytime we want
- Go on field trips
- 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
Have a weekly Coffee Klatch for parents to share information and build community with each other. We also have a variety of social events outside the school for parents to get to know one another and do something fun together with and without our children.
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:
Advertisement
Being Savvy Today
Joy Through a Child's Eyes
It was a cold and soggy day at the Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo. Cold, that is, for March day here in Austin. Of all the sights to see, my son spent most of our visit at the petting zoo. He picked out his
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
Trace around your child's foot, with shoe on, on a piece of white construction paper or card stock. Have child cut out the shoe print and add a spooky face. Glue it to a popsicle stick and you have a ghost stick puppet!
| Comment (3) |  |
Take Our Expert Quiz
how is your toddler or preschooler progressing developmentally?
Join My Savvy Source Now
My Savvy Source helps you connect and share with friends, family, experts and your community on the best of parenting advice and resources.
Just fill in this short form to get started:
The action you're trying to perform is only available to registered users of the Savvy Source. Please sign up or sign in now.
log in now
Join My Savvy Source Now
My Savvy Source helps you connect and share with friends, family, experts and your community on the best of parenting advice and resources.
Just fill in this short form to get started:
This Week's Poll
Off the Beaten Path
Plan fun activities to do in:
