Summary

Contact Info

Hollow Reed School
93 Sedgewick Street
Jamaica Plain , MA 02130
Tel: (617) 524-4881

Director: Susan Caplan

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

In september for the following september

Wait list

Yes

Deadline for applications

September -1

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

53

Student/teacher ratio

8:1

Age cutoff for enrollment

2 years and 9 months

Extended day

Yes

School year

Year round program

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

The Park School, Mission Hill School (BPS)

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

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

53

Student/teacher ratio

8:1

Established

1977

Average tenure for teachers

10 yrs.

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Dropoff Procedure

- Parents walk their child into the classroom

- 8:30 AM is the earliest time a parent can drop off a child

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year	Yes
• The kindergarten curriculum focuses a bit more on pre-reading, pre-math, and pre-writing skills. We create a curriculum that operates around the intellectual, emotional, and physical well being of the children.

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

No

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Some experience serving children with special needs	Yes
• Special needs students are handled on a case-by-case basis. We have a team of therapists who comes into the classroom to perform an evaluation, and we re-structure an appropriate curriculum based on that input.

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

No

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.3)

Building, bathrooms, hallway

Classroom equipment and furniture

Outside play equipment

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached)

Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)

Music room

Art room

Library

Gross Motor Room

Playground

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

The Hollow Reed school seeks to provide a balanced, warm, and fun educational setting for young children. We focus on the development of the whole child: intellectual, social, physical, tempermental, and emotional, and structure our learning activities accordingly.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.7)

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	-		-	YES
Music	-	-	-	YES

Visual arts	-		-	YES
Physical activity	-		-	YES

Other subjects taught	Yoga is taught once a week.			n/a

Quality of Teaching

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

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (3.5)

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 (4.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
- Small group sessions

Drop-in Policy

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

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (3.0)

Parents:

- Fundraise

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Go on field trips

- Volunteer in the classroom

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
None

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Email

- Special Meetings

- Two or More Regular Conferences

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (4.2)
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 (3.7)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Food Allergies

- We ask parents to provide child-safe snacks for their allergic child

Medications

- We keep their medication on hand at all times

- We call parents when the child needs medication

Safety

OVERALL RATING (3.7)

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			$675/Month
From 4 years to 5 years			$1000/Month
From 2 years 9 months to 5 years			$90/Week
From 2 years 9 months to 5 years			$120/Week
From 2 years 9 months to 5 years			$135/Week
From 2 years 9 months to 5 years			$150/Week
From 2 years 9 months to 5 years			$180/Week

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

4 and 5 years olds are in a kindergarten classroom, but the tuition is the same as for the preschool classroom.

Extended day option open to 4-5 year olds - 2:30pm - 5:30pm - $20/day (not required to do 5 days)

8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. tuition is based on $30/day (number of days can be 3, 4, or 5)
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. tuition is based on $45/day (number of days can be 3, 4, or 5)

Calendar Year

School Year

Year round program

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: In september for the following september

There is a wait list for upcoming school year.

Parent visits tours are: Recommended

Child interview process: None

Parent interview process: Not required

Deadline for applications: September -1

Application fee: $50

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: First-come basis

Notification occurs: February

Parents must submit deposit within the following timeframe of receiving notification of acceptance: One month from notification of acceptance

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:
We believe that diversity is important, and are pleased to have both a diverse staff and a diverse student body.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

The Park School, Mission Hill School (BPS)

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
No comment on admissions process.

Parent #2
No particular admissions process.