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Oakland, CA
Narnia Preschool

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

Review this preschool

neighborhood: Redwood Heights / Skyline / Ridgemont ·  Telephone: (510)-531-5546 ext. 1  · Website: www.narniaps.com

• 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

source:

Director's Comments

ongoing communication is encouraged on a daily basis when child arrives and before leaving/ once a year parent-teacher conference /monthly newsletter, daily notes on bulletin board for individual or general information .family-teacher gathering on special eventsThe directors of the school are quite familiar with most of the local private and public schools, and are in a good position to give parents recommendations and advice.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (3.2)
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

OVERALL RATING (4.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:

- 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

A parent or caregiver is encouraged to stay with child for few hours the first one to two weeks at school. They are also encouraged to be on call in the event a child needs them.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
I'm not sure of the drop-in policy; I called before I visited, or the director would call me for a specific reason, but I believe it was 'open door.' I would sometimes come early at pickup time or stay late in the morning to watch. The director doesn't mind the parents staying at first to help with separation, though she encourages them to leave if the child is clinging on too much; she and the other teachers then hold, comfort, and engage the child. We didn't have formal parent-teacher conferences, but the director and teachers always kept us up-to-date and informed. Although we didn't have a formal organization, the parents were a small group and we were pretty close. The director also had several lovely and low-key parties for the holidays. I am not a fan of holiday parties, but I really enjoyed hers, and so did the kids. The director and her husband were helpful with deciding on a preschool for our older child when Narnia was temporarily closed; they also discussed kindergarten choices with us recently. We have stayed in touch even though our son is now at another school.

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (4.0)

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
I believe there are one or two parent work days per year. The director welcomes volunteer work, though we were not required to volunteer. We did not have field trips, but I think they will be part of the new curriculum.

Modes of Communication Between School and Home