Summary

Contact Info

Arc En Ciel
61 Rockwood Street
Jamaica Plain , MA 02130
www.arcencieldaycare.com

Tel: (617) 522-0640

Director: Linda Valentin

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Application Information

Applications accepted

After a face-to-face meeting at the school

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Age cutoff for enrollment

2 years and 9 months

Extended day

Yes

School year

Year round program

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

Parents who send their child to this preschool also like the following preschools:

Park Street Kids
Spruce Street Nursery School
Apple Orchard

General Info

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (5.0)

Building, bathrooms, hallway

Classroom equipment and furniture

Outside play equipment

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
My children have been enrolled at AEC for the past three years. This center is beautiful and has a sense of community. It's also a bilingual program. My kids are learning French at a young age, it's a lot fun!. The teachers are wonderful and genuinely love the children. I would recommend this school to parents sicking childcare. It serves children from the age of 2 months to five years.

Parent #2
Strengths: great French teacher. Bright airy environment with playground. Staff really pampers the kids.

Parent #3
Sometimes it feels like an extention of the daycare and not a distict pre-school. It is great because it is year round/all day but I wish there was more of a pre-school curriculum.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

7:30 - 9:00 - Arrival, quiet or free play, activity centers
9:00 - 9:30 - Diapering
9:30 - 10:00 - Morning Snack
10:00 - 10:40 - Music an Small Group Activities
10:45 - 11:00 - Story telling time
11:00 - 11:45- Outside Play (Weather Permitting)
11:45 - 12:00 - Diapering
12:00 - 12:30 - Lunch
12:30 - 3:00 Transitions/Story telling/Diapering/Nap
3:00 - 3:15 - Diapering
3:15-3:45 Afternoon Snack
3:45-4:30 - Outside Play (weather permitting)
4:30 - 5:30 - Free Choice
5:30-5:45 Quiet Activities
5:45-6:00 - Clean Up/Departure

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Savvy Source's Comments

At ARC-EN-CIEL, our curriculum is designed with enough flexibility to allow for individual growth. It is structured to nurture a full range of developing skills and interests, to encourage creativity, curiosity, and security within the child, making it possible for each child to discover the world around him or her. Our curriculum emphasizes fun and play. Studies show that children learn and retain more while having fun. The echelon of instruction and activity are adapted to each age group and the developmental capacity of each child. Our early childhood education and child development trained staff will teach the children by keeping a low pressure environment that will help them to master any skills when they are ready. The following developmental areas are the daily activities each age group will participate in order to enhance their skills: Language Socialization Emotional development Communication Music and rhythm Creative art Physical activity Health education Field trips Guest Visitors Firefighters Fire trucks tours Ambulance tours Police officers Annual Professional Children's Photographer And more…

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.1)

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					YES
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	-			-	YES
Time & space	-	-	-	-	YES
Sci. reasoning/physical world	-	-	-	-	-
Music	-	-	-	-	YES

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

Other subjects taught					n/a

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
n/a

Parent #2
ARC-En-CIel is a montessori school. They encourge our children to seek knowledge. Children are independent, and choose their work individually. Group work is also done daily.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.7)

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

Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children

Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
There's a really great French teacher who brings in special toys and my child really enjoys his daily French class.

Parent #2
The teachers are very kind, and pay great attention to each child individually.

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.4)

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 (4.2)

Director's and Parents' Comments

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
n/a

Drop-in Policy

- During school parents are welcomed as the school has an open door policy

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (3.0)

Parents:

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Go on field trips

- Receive newsletters

- Encourage play dates out of school

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Pairs old parents with new parents

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 (4.1)
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

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
na

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.1)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.7)

Screen and identify all visitors

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

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition

Ages	Class Size	Days	Tuition
From 2 years 9 months to 5 years			$360/Week
From 2 years 9 months to 5 years			$354/Week
From 2 years 9 months to 5 years			$346/Week
From 2 years 9 months to 5 years			$328/Week
From 2 years 9 months to 5 years			$323/Week
From 2 years 9 months to 5 years			$318/Week
From 2 years 9 months to 5 years			$276/Week
From 2 years 9 months to 5 years			$271/Week
From 2 years 9 months to 5 years			$266/Week
From 2 years 9 months to 5 years			$204/Week
From 2 years 9 months to 5 years			$199/Week
From 2 years 9 months to 5 years			$194/Week

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

Pick-up is required by 6:00, so there is a 30 minute grace period following the 5:30 end time. We reserve the right to change our rates at any time, with advance notice.

Calendar Year

School Year

Year round program

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: After a face-to-face meeting at the school

Parent visits tours are: Mandatory (in order to receive application)

Child interview process: Required for all applicants and takes the form of director-child

Parent interview process: Director-parent

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Admissions Process

Notification occurs: Rolling

Financial aid is not available.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 2 years and 9 months to enroll.

Child does not need to be potty trained to enroll.

Director's views on diversity:
Arc-en-Ciel will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, cultural heritage, gender, political belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or national origin.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Director and Parents have not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source.

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
My child started there as a baby.