Summary

Contact Info

Friends Of Jesus Cooperative Preschool
2122 Bronson Boulevard
Kalamazoo , MI 49008
www.fojpreschool.org/

Tel: (269) 382-2360

Director:
contact@fojpreschool.org

Application Information

Applications accepted

All children must be independent with bathroom habits. the parent must present a statement from a physician stating that the child is medically able to participate in all activities. the maximum enrollment of the school shall be within limits of the state license.

Deadline for applications

April 01

Key Statistics

Student/teacher ratio

15:1

Age cutoff for enrollment

3 years

Extended day

No

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: 2

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Student/teacher ratio

15:1

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.8)

Building, bathrooms, hallway

Classroom equipment and furniture

Outside play equipment

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
My children love to go to preschool which means to me that the teachers are making it a fun learning environment for them.

Parent #2
The children learn about their world by interacting with their peers and guest parents. Teachers talor the curriculum each year to the needs of every child. A family feel develops very quickly with parents and staff.

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

"Yellow Bug Daily Schedule:
9:00 am welcome
9:15 circle time
9:45 craft/dramatic play
10:15 bathroom/snack
10:45 weekly special
(T) music
(Th) sharing/story
11:20 ready to go
11:30 parent pickup
Orange Bug Daily Schedule:
9:00 am welcome
9:20 community circle
9:45 arts&crafts/dramatic play
10:15 bathroom/snack
10:30 quiet reading

layground
10:55 weekly special
(M) let's listen
(W) science explorations
(F) get moving
11:25 ready to go
11:30 parent pickup
Red Bug Daily Schedule:
1:00 pm arrival/attendance
1:10 journals (M,W,F)
free choice (T,Th)
1:20 community circle
1:50 centers
2:20 bathroom/snack
2:35 recess
2:55 group time
(M) music (T) gym
(W) rhyme time
(TH) time for Christ
(F) fun Friday
3:20 classroom jobs
3:30 parent pickup
"
Excerpted from the preschool's website

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.3)

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
The curriculum is structurd but flexible to adjust tp the need of the children

Parent #2
The teachers find fun ways to introduce curricular subjects. It is teacher lead and students also discover on their own.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (5.0)

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 (4.8)

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 (5.0)

Director's and Parents' Comments

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
We have Home-School folders. When I see the folder in my child's bag I know their is something the teacher wants me to see. I can also return notes, book orders, etc. in the folder to the teacher.

Drop-in Policy

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

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (4.5)

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

- Shares information on matter related to our children (e.g. babysitter lists, pediatricians, extracurriculuar classes, etc.)

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

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Weekly monday mail for my child's class

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (5.0)
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
The behavior reward system is great for the kids. Each child has a "race track" paper and each day the kids can earn a race car sticker to put on their "race track". When their earn 10 stickers they can choose a prize from the cool red prize box. They earn their stickers by not having any timeouts. The kids are very motivated to earn their stickers. This not only minimizes most behavior problems it rewards the kids who are listening and following the rules.

Parent #2
Children are taught how to make good behavior choices.

Health

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Safety

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

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 5 years to --			$1700/Year
From 4 years to --		Mon 9:00am - 11:30am Wed 9:00am - 11:30am Fri 9:00am - 11:30am	$680/Year
From 3 years to --		Tue 9:00am - 11:30am Thu 9:00am - 11:30am	$510/Year

Extended Care

- This school does not have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

Yellow Bugs (2 days/wk)
Zion members $459.00/yr
Non co-op $710.00/yr
Zion members $639.00/yr
Orange Bugs (3 days/wk)
Zion members $612.00/yr
Non co-op $880.00/yr
Zion members $792.00/yr
Red Bugs (5 day/wk)
Zion member $1530.00/yr
-

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: All children must be independent with bathroom habits. the parent must present a statement from a physician stating that the child is medically able to participate in all activities. the maximum enrollment of the school shall be within limits of the state license.

Deadline for applications: April 01

Application fee: $50.00

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Children who were actively involved in the previous year's preschool program. Children of Zion Lutheran Church members. Siblings of those who at one time were enrolled in the program. Date of application. Preschool admits students of any race, creed, color, ethnic or national origin

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 3 years to enroll.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

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