Summary

Contact Info

Balboa Preschool
521 Balboa Street
San Francisco , CA 94118
Tel: (415) 668-5877
Fax: (415) 668-5877

Director: Celine Tam

Admissions Director:
Celine Tam

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 (tour, conversation with director, etc.)

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

30

Student/teacher ratio

7:1

Age cutoff for enrollment

2 years and 6 months

Extended day

No

School year

Year round program

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Frank McCoppin, Star of the Sea, Alamo, Cabrillo, Sherman, Argonne

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: 6

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

30

Student/teacher ratio

7:1

Established

1984

Average tenure for teachers

10 yrs.

% of teachers with:

- Bachelors

0%

- Masters

0%

- Teaching credentials

0%

- CPR

100%

- First aid

100%

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Dropoff Procedure

- Parents walk their child into the classroom

- 7:30 AM is the earliest time a parent can drop off a child

Late Pickup Policy: There is a late charge. The teacher will stay with the child until the parent arrives for pick up.

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year

Yes

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

No

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Teach religious concepts

No

Some experience serving children with special needs	Yes
• We find out each child's needs and refer special education and have them tested. We also have the teacher work with the child.

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

No

Other Memberships

PACE

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.1)

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

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The staff is really attentive towards the children. My child is happy to attend school and he loves his teachers and classmates. I find that their teaching methods really work for my child has applied skills he learned at school in life (discipline, listening, sitting still, etc.).

Parent #2
my daughter was severely injured on her third day at this school. they have done nothing about it. they did not follow their schedule, did not report the accident and had basically just chaos going on.

Parent #3
Unlike other schools I tried and/or visited, we liked Balboa Preschool as soon as we walked in the door and we recognized that by and large the children seemed happy.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

Balboa Preschool education philosophy is based on the assumption that growth is a sequential and orderly process and that children do indeed pass through stages of development which occur in a predictable sequence in their physical, emotional, social and cognitive growth. The adult's responsibility in a developmental program is to assist the child in growing to his or her fullest potential by recognizing each stage of development and fashioning a curriculum that will nurture and facilitate growth during that stage.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

They enjoy school and they are happy!

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 (3.1)

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	-		-	-	YES
Music	-	-		-	YES

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

Other subjects taught	Chinese musical instruments				n/a

Director's Comments

More structure but appropriate for ages.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The curriculum involves some instructor led activities such as penmanship and free play. At the end of the month, parents are given a packet of work that shows what the child has learned during this month.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.2)

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

Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The teachers are generally affectionate with the children. Based on my observations, the children really respond positively to the teachers. They are patient and I do feel that their teaching methods work best with my child. Methods are not that restrictive or strict.

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (3.6)

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

Drop in and Pick up for normal communication of daily operation. Special meetings with individual parent if situation comes up or upon request of parent. We advise the parent of the Kindergartener for application time and give a list of school names if needed and help the parent fill out the application if necessary.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.2)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
- Extra staff dedicated to handle separation
- Abbreviated schedule at start of school year

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

If child has difficulty separating we allow parent to stay for short period of time until the child is comfortable for a week or longer.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Although there are no formal meetings regarding our child's development in school, the school has always had open informal and thoughtful communication regarding everything in the school. We have enrolled 2 children at Balboa. It is bilingual and provides many wonderful child-centered and family center experiences.

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (2.0)

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

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

Overview

Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline

It will be explained by an adult about the action and the behavior. We will also explain why they are on a time out for their behavior.

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.'

If child B does not feel badly we will leave it alone. We always encourage the children to play with everyone and be friends with all.

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
I feel the teachers have handled discipline well. My child really listens to the teachers. Parents are also informed when their child acts up and what the resolution was.

The children are provided a safe environment. I think the teachers do a good job watching out for the kids because my child comes home safe and sound.

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.6)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Food Allergies

- We keep special snacks for allergic children

Medications

- We keep their medication on hand at all times

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 5 months to 5 years		Mon 12:30pm - 4:30pm Tue 12:30pm - 4:30pm Wed 12:30pm - 4:30pm Thu 12:30pm - 4:30pm Fri 12:30pm - 4:30pm	$390/Month
From 2 years 5 months to 5 years		Mon 8:00am - 12:00pm Tue 8:00am - 12:00pm Wed 8:00am - 12:00pm Thu 8:00am - 12:00pm Fri 8:00am - 12:00pm	$390/Month
From 2 years 5 months to 5 years		Mon 7:30am - 6:00pm Tue 7:30am - 6:00pm Wed 7:30am - 6:00pm Thu 7:30am - 6:00pm Fri 7:30am - 6:00pm	$650/Month

Extended Care

- This school does not have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

Director Answer #1
There are approximately 30 children in our preschool and we have them all divided into 4 groups based on their age and their ability. We offer half and full day programs and hot lunch if desired.

Director Answer #2
Tuition varies by half and full day program. Half Day Program tuition is$ 390.00 Full Day Program tuition is $ 650.00 Hot Lunch Program $ 30.00 per month Material Fee : $ 100.00 per year

Director Answer #3
School hours are 7:00 to 6:00 pm Full Day: 7:30 to 6:00 Half Day: 8:00 to 12:00 or 12:30 to 4:30 Classes are offered 5 days a week only

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.)

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

Child interview process: None

Parent interview process: Director-parent

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Application fee: $20

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: First-come basis

Notification occurs: Immediately

Deposit not required.

Financial aid is not available.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 2 years and 6 months to enroll.

Child must be potty trained to enroll.

Enquiries accepted on a rolling basis.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Frank McCoppin, Star of the Sea, Alamo, Cabrillo, Sherman, Argonne

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
Siblings and cousins