General Info
Basic Stats
| Student/teacher ratio |
08:01
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| Average tenure for teachers |
10 yrs.
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% of teachers with:
Transportation and Drop-off Policies
Transportation
Dropoff Procedure
Features of the Preschool
| Provide a third year |
Yes
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| • Children in the program for 3 years have more longer and more focused circle and activity times. Teachers focus on kinder skills as needed for each child. |
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| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program |
No
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| Affiliated with a religious institution |
No
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| Some experience serving children with special needs |
Yes
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| • Each child's needs are addressed on a case by case basis. Our teachers have worked with multi-disciplinary teams at school to provide interventions for children with ADHD, autism, speech delays, PDD's, and sensory integration issues. |
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Accreditation, Membership & Awards
Other Memberships
Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (3.9) |
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| Building, bathrooms, hallway |
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| Classroom equipment and furniture |
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| Outside play equipment |
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Facilities Include:
| Classrooms (with bathroom attached) |
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| Classrooms (with kitchenette attached) |
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| Library |
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Outdoor art & science centers, gardens, and a mini-ampitheatre
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Playground
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Director's Comments
Question to director: Do you have any additional thoughts on what parents should consider when looking at your school? Is there any advice that you would like to provide to prospective parents?
Thank you for considering Redwood as your child's school environment. Our school has served families in the Marina and surrounding areas for more than 20 years. During that time, we have seen the beauty and value of our play-based learning philosophy. Our children really do learn to play and play to learn!
Our graduatesleave Redwood with a sense of competence, self-assuredness, and a love of learning. We are proud of the children who have graduated from the scenic Redwood play yard and have integrated wonderfully into private, parochial and public schools including Short Avenue, El Marino, WNS, St. Mark's, Manhattan Academy, Ocean Charter, and Crossroads.
Our recent focus on providing our families with an even more organized, responsive and thriving environment is a tremendous responsibility and privilege. The hiring of two new teachers and promoting a new Director has contributed greatly to continued professional growth. Redwood's community became more welcoming after we implemented monthly family play dates, weekly email announcements and timely newsletter distribution. By building a strong parent and teacher connection through parent education evenings, parent and teacher conferences, and volunteerr opportunities for parents, we are creating a strong foundation for our children's success in school. Our ultimate goals are to foster the innate curiousity of children and to allow them the playful adventures that are meaningful and educational to them.
Best wishes for an exciting and thoughtful preschool search.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The teachers are incredibly loving. From the first day, my 2-1/2 year old son felt comfortable (and he had never been to day care). He has been at Redwoods only 3 month now and he is already showing so much more confidence, verbal skills have drastically improved, talks about his teachers all the time, looks forward to going to school.
Parent #2
this school has so much to offer. The kids have a great time all day. There are so many different activities to choose from and the teacher and staff are all very loving and nurturing.
The things they do to be creative and to make the school a great learning environment for the kids is amazing.
Parent #3
great school. my child loved it and so did we. All the teachers were caring for the children and responsive to their needs.
Parent #4
The teachers are wonderful and loving. They handle conflicts and separation very calmly and smoothly. The children love them and respond to them well. My child has a blast at school and usually doesn't want to leave when I arrive.
Parent #5
The program here gives a child every opprotunity to learn about the world and life around them. They are gently nurtured to bring out the best in themselves and others, to show respect and expect the same in return.
Parent #6
We could not be happier with the attention, the care, the creativity, the discipline, and the energy of all the teachers at Redwood Village Children's Center. We love the play based environment, and you cannot beat the grounds either, which include a garden where the children help grow fruits and vegetables that they then make into seasonal delicious treats to eat. There are after school programs offered like yoga, music, drama & gymnastics as well as activities/workshops/lectures for the parents throughout the year. There is a great sense of community and care for one another. Families often share their cultures through activities with the children and come together when a family is in need. The director is always available and also spends a lot of time interacting with the children - in fact, she is the type to drop everything if a child is in need, which she is so quick to read on a face. Our boy has totally blossomed at RVCC, and he just loves being there - that means the world to us!
Parent #7
Two of my children have attended RVCC and I couldn't be more pleased with the school. The teachers are imaginative, loving, and nurturing as well devoted to the children they teach. The school has a wonderful director, and it shows in how the teachers all work well together to create a magical preschool setting for the kids.
Parent #8
Both my sons have attended Redwood Village Children's Center, and I have been very happy with it. The teachers are warm and loving, and I have learned a lot from them about positive discipline and conflict resolution. They create a loving, fun environment, that is very child-focused. The director was a teacher at RVCC for many years, and remains very involved in the daily activities of the children. My younger son was having trouble with naptime potty training when he first started at the school. The teachers worked very patiently to find ways to help him, without making him feel self-conscious about it.
Parent #9
My oldest daughter has just started kindergarten after two years at this preschool. She is way ahead of other children in her class in terms of ability to listen and understand in all aspects of school and learning. Her literacy and numeracy skills are developing noticeably quickly, and she is enjoying the opportunity to learn new things. I directly attribute this to her experiences at RVCC
Parent #10
Great teachers.Very caring and nurturing teachers. Third director in five years.
Parent #11
The school has undergone several changes in directors over the past few years and change is always difficult. That said, I think the children have not felt any of the change - the philosophy has remained consistent. The parents have had a harder time with change than the children. The children have remained happy throughout.
Parent #12
Now that the new director is there, it's a great school again. She's amazing and the prevailing mood is one of happiness and activity.
Parent #13
Strengths: This is a school where children can develop their sense of self & confidence. There is a focus on learning through play & opportunities to learn through various avenues, including sensory exploration are abundant. I do wish that music was more of an emphasis. Typical to many schools in the L.A. area, the families come from many surrounding neighborhoods, which I bleieve makes it more difficult to connect w/other parents.
Parent #14
We came to this schoiol based on the strong recommendation of an experienced educator who runs a college-level program training staff and adminsitrators for schools like this. We've found a high degree of caring and a a very thorough grounding in the psychologicla principles that underlay rational deliberate, not overly competitive or zealous child devlopment. Those who are seeking something grander or more regimented, like some of the parents who responded elswhere in this survey, are advised to seek out the more bueraucratic (and no doubt pricier) alternatives.
Parent #15
Love the teachers and the school in general.
Parent #16
Overall the school had great energy and program that I really liked and still like. Individually every one tries their best but a joined school community to address the issues of both the parents and children would be great.
Parent #17
The teachers are phenomenal, but the Director could be much better.
Parent #18
I think the school is not as organized as it could possibly be. However, I feel confident that the care of the child is of highest priority and the children are cared for in a warm and nurturing manner.
Parent #19
I think the school needs to do more to provide parenting education so that everyone is on the same path. I also think it is too bad more isn't done to create a parent community.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
Our school is founded on honoring a child's innate desire to play and explore the world around them. By providing a safe, nurturing, and play-filled environment, children are free to be scientists and learn in a way that is meaningful to them. Children call this type of learning fun, professionals call it Play Based Learning.
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
Children are greeted between 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Parents and children are encouraged to develop a loving good-bye routine.
Circle time at 9:00 a.m. introduces them to the activities of the morning, both indoors and outside. Snacks, transition times, bathroom visits and focused small group activity time are part of the morning routine.
By 11:45, the children have spent time both indoors and outdoors in free play, structured large group circle time, and focused small group activity time. At noon, all teachers and children enjoy lunch together and prepare for quiet time.
Between 1:15-2:45, children rest quietly, read books, or sleep. Resting children rise gently with soft music and the smell of snack being served. Children are invited to snack, followed by time to play and learn in the classroom.
Enrichment class (yoga, gym, music, and movement) are offered in the afternoon for an additional fee. Children not registered for enrichment classes, participate happily in regularly scheduled school activities until their parents arrive for pick-up.
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (4.3) |
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| Full of energy and seemingly happy in job |
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| Patient and affectionate with children |
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| Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her |
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| Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior |
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| Provides feedback on what my child does during the day |
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| Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate |
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| Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses |
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| If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off |
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| Resolves disputes quickly, calmly and fairly in a manner that allows children to learn from the dispute |
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| Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them |
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| Manages the energy level of the children so that all children feel safe and able to learn |
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| Provides additional support to a child when s/he is clearly failing in her/his efforts |
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| Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children |
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Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching
Individualized Teaching
Description of how teachers work with children who are
"behind," "excelling" or "different" from the majority of students
Each child is valued for who they are; therefore, each child is presented with tasks that challenge, nurture, and stimulate that child.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
My son has a specific teacher but he also interacts with all the other teachers throughout the day. The teachers work together when it's general play time or when activities overlap. I find that all the teachers have a positive demeanor and ability to work well with the kids.
Parent #2
I have never had a negative experience with any of the teachers, I think they all do a really wonderful job, and genuinely love the children and their jobs overall.
Parent #3
Extra curricular activities like Spanish, computer, drama are available at extra cost throughout the week.
Parent #4
LOVE the teachers - 6 teachers in total, 3 for seniors and 3 for juniors, one main teacher per group. Teachers are nurturing, communicative and wonderful all around.
Parent #5
All of the teachers seem pretty unhappy to be coming to work. The are not excited and for the most part do not interact with the kids at their level. They set up the activities and then send kids to different tables and then the kids just play. Not that playing is bad, having a lot of time to free play is great, but the kids still need guidance and attention, which they do not get here.
Parent #6
There's a famous old quote from a long-forgotten elementary school teacher--'The `good' ones you remember in your head, the `bad' ones you remember in your heart,' We don't use those terms now--but this school is run with real heart and a sense that play, even occasionally rambunctious play, is important and valuable during this--thank goodness-- relatively innocent time in their lives.
Parent #7
There's one primary teacher for my oldest, but they are restructuring to have 3 oversee a group for next year.
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.0) |
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| Conducts an open house at start of school year |
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| Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year |
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| Conducts regular parent teacher conferences |
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| Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year |
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| Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year |
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| Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools |
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Director's Comments
The staff host regular parent education evenings and parent teacher conferences. Monthly curriculum summaries, community resource referrals and annual portfolios are distributed to families.
The school office is staffed daily from 8:45-1:00 to ensure that emails and the school phone are answered. Parents are free to call or stop by to check in on their child at any time. Parents have access to the Director's and the Administrator's cell phones for urgent matters.
Separation
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Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
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Extra staff dedicated to handle separation
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Parents in classroom early on
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Director's and Parents' Comments
Director's Comments
Preschool separation is handled on a case by case basis. Our staff is prepared to lovingly reassure and comfort a child (and the parent). Parents and teachers establish a plan to acclimate the child to preschool, sometimes the plan is in place for just a few days before the child is happily waving goodbye.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Redwood Village is a play-based school so the 'curriculum' is not academic. They do however provide structure of the day with activities in art, science, language, etc. The children are assigned to a specific teacher and their group does many activities independently of the other children and then there are times when all the children interact with each other. This is our first year and the school year has not ended so I'm not sure about the end of the year questions. I do know that my son's teacher has a book that she is building on him and I assume I will see that at the end of the year. We talk frequently with his teacher and the Director about how he is playing with the other children and participating in the general activities. The Director is always providing us with information about kindergartens, their open houses, etc., but she does not promote any specific school. She encourages us to take a look for ourselves at all the options available.
Parent #2
I came to this school at the beginning of a new transition, as the school hired a new Director. In the year that I have been there, there have been many promises, changes, and variations to the school in its entirety. Not all are necessarily negative, but I would advise anyone looking into this school to evaluate as thoroughly as possibly, the specifics of the curriculum, and how things will be done throughout the year before choosing to send their child here. A real positive is they have wonderful teachers and my daughter has always seemed very happy there. It has been a bit frustrating as a parent to ever really know what's going on as there are some communication breakdowns. But again, my daughter has always been happy, and has grown & learned a lot from the preschool overall.
Parent #3
I am unclear of the end-of-year procedures as this is my child's first year of school. This particular preschool is play-based, however, I have a sense that I will receive some type of portfolio summarizing my child's experience and how it relates to her development.
Parent #4
The 'Parent Community' isn't really important to us - it's not school for the parents and we have a social circle ourselves. However, the kids do bond very well and have their own little community, which I think is way more important.
Parent #5
There is currently a newsletter that is supposed to be monthly but is not consistent. Also we are supposed to get a weekly 'curriculum'.
Parent #6
The interactions with the teachers and director are not always formal but they are frequent and helpful.
Parent #7
We have both a director & an administrator who are both very aware of the students' needs & growth and are available to discuss any concerns we may have. They also take the time to share special moments that may have occurred during the school day.
Parent #8
While there are no specific lists of goals accomplished per child, the teacher tells you exactly where your child is, what his strengths are and what can be improved upon. They're also very open to helping with any problems you have with your child at home.
Parent #9
We have had an excellent experience with this school and think highly of the director and the staff.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (2.8) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (4.2) |
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| Parents at this school, on average, believe that conflicts between children:
are handled extraordinarily well in a way that not only gives me confidence in the safety of my child but also reassures me that my child (and his/her peers) are learning the early skills needed to socialize effectively with one another
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Overview
Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline
Director's Response to a Sample Discipline Scenario
Description of how teachers handle the following scenario: Child A and Child B are good friends and usually play together. One day, Child A decides to play with Child C and tells Child B, 'I don't want to play with you today. I'm playing with Child C instead.'
Children are encouraged to treat people and things around them respectfully. Feelings can be big, small, or indifferent on any given day - it is the action that the child takes that is addressed. Kindness, compassion, empathy, and respect are learned through stories, real examples, and dramatic, sometimes humorous enactments.
Teachers are readily present to ask questions that will faciliate respectful resolutions. Each child is given the opportunity to voice their feelings and to ask for what they need. Teachers are then able to help summarize the plan and make it happen.
Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The space this preschool has is wonderful!
Parent #2
The school is very well isolated from the street and well-fenced but in a way that takes advantage of its open, attractive setting.
Parent #3
Regarding the question of security: the center is located in a gated complex. Parents are given an access code. This limits the people who are able to gain access to the center. Once inside, teachers are observant about who is entering the center, but there is no formal screening process (i.e. showing i.d. before being allowed to enter), unless a child is to be released to someone other than the caregivers listed in the child's file.
Parent #4
Redwood has an open room environment giving children the opportunity to move about freely from one activity to another should they wish to do so.
Parent #5
The play equipment is kept up and there is no deferred maintnenace. They had a school holiday play where all the kids were involved. I liked the way the discipline issues were handled when one child hit another.
Parent #6
This school has one of the best outside areas i have ever seen. it is huge and there are so many different things to choose from: A mud pit, a garden, swings, sand, a boat, bikes, shade, water play, and so much more.
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.4) |
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| Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable |
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| Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided
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| Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly |
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Food Allergies
Medications
Safety
| OVERALL RATING (4.1) |
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| Screen and identify all visitors
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| • All staff is screened for a criminal background, clean driving record, no reports of child abuse, and good references. Our corporate office conducts a credit check and regular employee evaluations. |
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| Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others |
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