Summary

Contact Info

ABC Preschool
426 33rd Avenue
San Francisco , CA  94121
Tel: (415) 387-9111
Fax: (415) 387-1801

Director: Ayako Hanaoka
jugoyako@hotmail.com

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

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

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.2)

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

Playground

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?
The school is a Japanese-English bilingual preschool. We have Japanese Language After School for K-3rd grade. ABC Preschool is run by Pine United Methodist Church.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

ABC Preschool focuses mainly on Japanese language and culture, with some additional English instruction. Students learn about Japanese holidays, as well as the traditional holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Halloween, etc. We strongly believe that this first step in a child's education is all-important and can affect the tenor of their whole future life. We emphasize the development of both mind and body with special attention to social interaction, cooperation, and participation in group activities. 'Play Time' is an important part of early education, for it is during such activities that children learn how to deal with their emotions and respect others, thus building a good foundation for their prime educational years. Purpose 1. To assist children of Japanese-speaking homes to make a smoother transition to public school kindergarten. 2. To allow Japanese families who would return to Japan to make an easier transition from America to Japanese schools. 3. To provide a school for families that want earlier education in an international environment with the emphasis on early acquisition of a second language.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Free choice activities, snacks, arts and crafts, story time, music, physical activity and movement, science, outdoor activities, etc.

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Director's Comments

Children are able to choose the activities in free play time. On the other hand, teachers set learning goals and plan the daily activities and projects that promote children's development and learning.

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.5)

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	We do have a cooking project every week, through which children can also develop vocabulary, mathematics, science, etc.				n/a

Director's Comments

Children have free play (free choice) time every day, so that children can learn through free play. They also have a structured activity every day which teachers encourage children to develop their utmost potential.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
one of the teachers is learning spanish, and while doing so is teaching the kids the basics.

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

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

We assess each child's development and devise a strategy individually. We consult parents and specialist as well.

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (3.4)

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

Director's Comments

PTA meeting every other month. Monthly newsletter.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Extra staff dedicated to handle separation
- Parents in classroom early on

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

We recognize that each child is different developmentally. We will take appropriate action based on our assessment of each case.

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

 

OVERALL RATING (4.4)

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.'

1) Ask child A why child A wants to play with child C instead. 2) Give suggestions that they can create a game which all three can play together. 3) Ask children about teachers joining the play with children.

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.8)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Food Allergies

- We do not allow certain foods in the classroom

- We keep special snacks for allergic children

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

Medications

- We keep their medication on hand at all times

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.0)

Screen and identify all visitors

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

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Application & Admissions

Kindergarten Placement & Tips