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Pasadena, CA
Hastings Ranch Nursery School

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

Review this preschool

neighborhood: Northeast Pasadena ·  Telephone: (626) 351-9171  · Website: www.hrns.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 (3.8)
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

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Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.8)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:

- Parents in classroom early on

- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school

source:

Director's Comments

Parents are invited to stay until they and their children are comfortable. When a parent leaves, there are adults available to comfort and engage a child who is having difficulty with separation.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
We have been very happy with the preschool. The director is wonderful and the teachers are all very caring and positive. This is a developmental school that does not stress academics, however I have been very impressed with both my child's learning. It's a wonderful school and have had a very positive experience. It is much more than a school you just drop your child off at. The parents get to know one another very well also and they have many family events/activities that further promote the social community.

Parent #2
This school is a parent participation cooperative, so all parents work in the classroom a certain number of days each session.

Parent #3
We were only at HRNS for one year because we moved away from the area. I knew it was a great school at the time, but it wasn't until I was searching for a new school in our new city that I realized what a truly amazing experience we had. The 2's and 3's teacher is incredibly good with the children and understands child development superbly. She teaches important skills such as cooperating with others, following directions, expressing feelings, and more. As long as weather permits, the kids may choose to play inside or outside during free play periods.

Parent #4
While HRNS is a developmental school and as such does not have "hard" goals as to what the children will know at the end of a school year, they do expose the children to a variety of activities through which the children learn basics such as letters, numbers, how to write their name, colors, shapes, etc. in addition to social development experiences. Apart from the 2 year olds, the 3-5 year olds are in multi-age classrooms. Also, while there is no formal end of the year assessment of learning as this is a developmental school, the teachers do assess where the children are at various points in the year in regards to knowing numbers and letters, fine and large motor skills, ability to listen and follow directions, etc. These observations are shared with parents at the mid-year teacher/parent conference. The teachers are also readily available to discuss such issues at any time. I know that these types of questions come up a lot as parents are assessing whether their child is ready for kindergarten and that teachers happily provide their observations and opinions. The teacher may also have a specific goal for a particular child. For example, our son will attend kindergarten next year and the teacher said one of her goals for him is to help him be able to listen and focus in circle time in preparation for next year.

Parent #5
When my daughter became anxious about being dropped off at school during the year, her head teacher encouraged me to call her from home. We had a wonderful and reassuring conversation.

Parent #6
The teachers are great about separation anxiety (both on the part of parent and child). Parents help in the classroom regularly so we can see what our children are doing on a daily basis.

Parent #7
The school shares the developmental level in several areas (small & large motor, social & academic development) mid-year and at the end of the year in a written form as well as in conference.

Parent #8
teachers are very responsive if a child is having trouble separating, offering extra attention, hugs, or working out a plan with the parent.

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (4.6)

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

- 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

- Shares information on matter related to our children (e.g. babysitter lists, pediatricians, extracurriculuar classes, etc.)

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Parents' Comments

Parent #1
We are asked to make donations but it is not required.

Parent #2
Family fundraising dinners at area restaurants, picnic on campus to encourage meeting new families at beginning of school, end of school year picnic, family game night, ice cream social on a weekend.

Parent #3
Pairs old parents with new parents

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The lines of communication are very open for the parents. Depending on how the parent wants to handle it, the teachers/director are very accommodating.

Parent #2
Can make appointments.

Parent #3
Teachers are very accessible?no special method of communication needed.

Parent #4
One mid-year parent/teacher conference?others can be scheduled upon request.

Parent #5
Annual conference

Parent #6
Suggestion box, Board Meetings

Parent #7
Mid-year conference