Summary

Contact Info

Brentwood Presbyterian Preschool
12000 San Vicente Boulevard
Brentwood , CA 90049
www.bpcusa.org/children/nursery.asp

Tel: (310) 826-2020
Fax: (310) 826-5272

Director: Cari Ann Dyer

Application Information

Applications accepted

After a face-to-face meeting at the school (tour, conversation with director, etc.), after a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school, upon birth, while child is in utero

Key Statistics

Age cutoff for enrollment

2 years and 9 months

School year

Year round program

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Brentwood Elementary, John Thomas Dye, Carlthorp, Curtis, St. Pauls, St. Martins, Local public schools

Parent Ratings

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

Quality of teaching

Development of social skills and work habits

Home-school connection

Parent community

Discipline

Facilities

Health

Safety

Handling of separation

Survey Information

Number of parents surveyed: 4

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Established

1956

Features of the Preschool

Affiliated with a religious institution

Yes

Teach religious concepts

No

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (3.2)

Building, bathrooms, hallway

Classroom equipment and furniture

Outside play equipment

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Being a co-op we have the benefit of being actively involved in our children's day to day activities. The enviroment provides a level of comfort not found elsewhere since you know the kids and parents so well, and grow to trust that your kids are truely cared for. The play based structure lets kids be kids.

Parent #2
Very low-key, but loving. I've been a parent at this school for 5 years and love it. Old fashioned, culturally and financially diversified. Nice families. Perfect balance of social and developmental emphasis.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

The primary goal of the school is to give each child an opportunity to develop a positive sense of self and comfortable, appropriate relationships with his/her peers and adults. The curriculum is concerned with the whole child -- his/her physical, emotional, social, cognitive and linguistic development during these formative early years. Brentwood Presbyterian Church (BPC) Nursery School recognizes that for many children, nursery school is their first experience outside of the home, and so strives to create an atmosphere where the children experience warmth, love and stability.' --Extracted from the BPC Nursery School website.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.6)

This school has increased my child's:

Ability to listen and follow directions

Ability to sit still for longer periods of time

Ability to be a part of a group of children

Self-sufficiency and independence

Awareness of others’ feelings

Cooperation with other children

Curriculum and Teaching Approach


Language					-
Oral language	-	-	-	-	n/a
Nursery rhymes, poems, songs	-	-	-	-	n/a
Storybook reading	-	-	-	-	n/a
Emerging literacy skills	-	-	-	-	n/a

Cognitive Development					n/a
Math and number sense	-	-	-	-	-
Time & space	-	-	-	-	-
Sci. reasoning/physical world	-	-	-	-	-
Music	-	-	-	-	-

Visual arts	-	-	-	-	-
Physical activity	-	-	-	-	-

Other subjects taught					n/a

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Throughout the day, the kids have stations, circle time, cooking (not everyday), a music teacher comes to sing with the kids (2x/month). They do Prance and Dance. Parents come into the classroom to cover special topics (i.e. spanish, japan, hawaiian day, football, science projects, ect.). The yard is ample outside, so they have a variety of things to do, incl. swings, bikes (w/ and w/o training wheels), climbing structures, and a large sand box.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.4)

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

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.1)

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

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.8)

Director's and Parents' Comments

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
My first two children that have gone through the preschool have only stayed two years. I took then out the third year to attend public elementary school, before sending them to private school. I do not know if the pre-k classes tell parents which schools are best for each child. My third child will be there 3 years because of her birthday, I will let you know then!

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (3.8)

Parents:

- 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

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Voice Mail

- Email

- Special Meetings

- Two or More Regular Conferences

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (4.6)
Parents' Opinions
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

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.9)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.8)

Screen and identify all visitors

Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

"The BPC Nursery School is open Monday through Friday 11 months a year and offers a morning and an afternoon program for children ages 2 years and 9 months through 5 years. Children in the morning program can also enroll to stay until 3:00 p.m. on 'Stay Days' which are offered Monday through Thursday." -- Extracted from teh BPC Nursery School website

Calendar Year

School Year

Year round program

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: After a face-to-face meeting at the school (tour, conversation with director, etc.), after a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school, upon birth, while child is in utero

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Selective based on sibling priority, 1st priority -- church members, 2nd priority - siblings, and 3rd priority - date of application --extracted from the bpc nursery school website

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 2 years and 9 months to enroll.

Enquiries accepted on a rolling basis.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Brentwood Elementary, John Thomas Dye, Carlthorp, Curtis, St. Pauls, St. Martins, Local public schools

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
We were lucky.

Parent #2
Put in our application the day our first child was born.