San Francisco, CA
The Little School

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.9)
Full of energy and seemingly happy in job
Patient and affectionate with children
Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her
Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior
Provides feedback on what my child does during the day
Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate
Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses
If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off
Resolves disputes quickly, calmly and fairly in a manner that allows children to learn from the dispute
Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them
Manages the energy level of the children so that all children feel safe and able to learn
Provides additional support to a child when s/he is clearly failing in her/his efforts
Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children

source:

Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching

Description of how teachers work with children who are  "behind," "excelling" or "different" from the majority of students

We observe each child carefully and talk to parents. Our response to individual needs is based on these observations and conversations. Support comes in a variety of forms depending on the child's needs. For example, we might change the environment, embed certain teacher responses or support at various times of the day, or incorporate the specific child's interest or needs into the routines of the class or activities of the day. We are committed to ensuring that each child thrives in his or her preschool experience and believe that preschools should be individually responsive to children's needs. So we think carefully, respond, observe some more and do whatever it takes while giving the child time to grow at his or her pace, taking our lead from the child and looking for when we don't need to step in, but simply need to step back.

Parents' Comments on Individualized Teaching

Parent #1
The school has a fabulous director, Leslie, and her right hand person, Cassie. Both are extremely in tune with all kinds of children and parenting issues. Their advice is always on target. I was thrilled to leave my shy, sensitive daughter in their capable hands. She has truly blossomed the one year she was there.

Parent #2
My daughter's teachers are very welcoming to all the students as they walk into the classroom to start there day. The students don't simply wonder around for awhile but are acknowledged and invited into whatever play is going on. They keep the classroom very 'child focused'. This seems to really help some of the transitions. I use to be a preschool teacher and don't have ANY complaints with her teachers. They are really amazing and don't shy away from challenges. A very nurturing and process oriented environment. They classroom is extremely creative with art and science. Its all presented in a play based manner. I am also really happy about what battles they choose. My daughter hates to wear shoes and it is not an issue for her to kick them off as soon as she walks in. The good thing is that she is now kicking them off and instead of leaving them in the middle of the room, is putting them into her cubby. What a waste this year would have been for her if the teacher's insisted that she has her shoes on the entire time at school. I also really like that for the 2 year olds and 3 year olds, they have the same teacher pair for two years in a row. Really helps with transitions. My daughter can't wait to have her teacher's next year. They also have a really fun summer program.

Parent #3
The teacher are all fabulous and many have been there for many years.

Parent #4
It's hard for my kids to go to school in the morning but once they are there, is hard for me to pick them up.

Parent #5
These teachers really make the school. I'm a teacher myself, and I know how much passion and skill matter in getting across to students that they're cared for and appreciated and challenged. They have years, sometimes decades of experience, and their general air of love, competence, and trust is absolutely central. The school is as much run by what the teachers do in classes as by top-down direction. I thought this was the norm, but it wasn't at our previous school.

Parent #6
The teaching staff at our school are truely amazing at what they do. There is also very little turn over - so the teachers have been there for decades.

Parent #7
The Little School's teachers are truly outstanding: skilled, experienced, thoughtful, caring.

Parent #8
The teaching staff is astounding.

Parent #9
The teachers are very knowledgeable and passionate about early childhood development. They are very talented with the children and a great resource for parents.

Parent #10
The teachers bring an abundance of positive energy into the classroom. They seem to love what they do. My child loves going to school, and I give the teachers much credit for this.

Parent #11
It is almost impossible to adequately describe how wonderful the two main teachers are in this classroom. They are a married couple, and have been teaching pre-school for 20+ years, and have the most warm, loving, and nurturing style with children. They use a philosophy of teaching known as 'floor-time,' where they get down on the floor, at the level of the children, and engage them and support their social interactions and interests in a remarkable way. They truly teach the essentials of being a well-rounded person, discussing concepts such as 'keeping each other safe' (using positive language rather than negative language such as 'do not hit'); helping children to express their feelings and resolve their own conflicts; openly discussing things like the feelings they are having during separation; encouraging all kids to bring in picture books of their families to store in the classroom to show all children how they come from diverse family structures. The kids who come through this program all are given an incredible foundation for being happy and well-rounded people (not just children). I wish these teachers could teach all of the children in the world.

Parent #12
The teachers are sensitive to the needs of three year olds. They are willing to adjust program and curriculum if the children are engaged and want to take the subject in a different direction. These teachers are true practitioners of emergent curriculum. They don't give it lip service- they LIVE it.

Parent #13
We had visited many of the city's best-regarded preschools before our child enrolled in the Little School's Summer program. They all seemed great. After we saw the Little School teachers in action during the Summer, no other school measured up. The teachers are paid well and treated well. The director believes early childhood experts should be able to make a living wage without having to give up teaching and become school directors. She also limits the number of hours each day that the teachers are in the classroom, so that they aren't ever too tired or worn out. It makes a huge difference. We've seen enthusiastic teachers at other schools. But the teachers at the Little School are inspired and inspiring. They aren't teaching preschool because they hate working in an office or aren't sure what they want to do with the rest of their lives. They have a true calling to work with young children.

Parent #14
My daughter's two teachers are an amazing team. The level of insight they have about her is incredible. They help me become a better parent without ever criticizing what I am doing.

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.

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!

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