Summary
Contact Info
BIG STEPS Little Feet Preschool
5330 Fenno Way
Reno
, NV
89519-2112
bigstepslittlefeet.us
Tel:
(775) 746-3858
Director:
Lisa Hall
bigstepslittlefeet@gmail.com
General Approach to Learning
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Play-based with some structure |
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| Predominantly teacher-led instruction |
Application Information
| Applications accepted |
Upon birth, after a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school, after a face-to-face meeting at the school, with $35 fee |
| Deadline for applications |
Rolling |
Key Statistics
| Student/teacher ratio |
5:1 |
| Age cutoff for enrollment |
2 years and 9 months |
| School year |
9/1/2009 - 5/30/2010 |
| Summer Program |
6/1/2009 - 8/30/2009 |
Kindergarten Placement
Parent Ratings
| Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
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| Quality of teaching |
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| Home-school connection |
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| Parent community |
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| Discipline |
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| Facilities |
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| Health |
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| Safety |
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| Handling of separation |
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Survey Information
Number of parents surveyed:
1
Director survey: Yes
Savvy Source survey: Yes
General Info
Basic Stats
| Student/teacher ratio |
5:1
|
% of teachers with:
Features of the Preschool
| Provide a third year |
Yes
|
| • yes |
|
| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program |
Yes
|
| Affiliated with a religious institution |
Yes
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| Teach religious concepts |
Yes
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| • inclusion |
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| Some experience serving children with special needs |
No
|
Accreditation, Membership & Awards
| Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children |
No
|
Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (5.0) |
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| Building, bathrooms, hallway |
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| Classroom equipment and furniture |
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| Outside play equipment |
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Facilities Include:
| Classrooms (with bathroom attached) |
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| Classrooms (with kitchenette attached) |
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| Art room |
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| Library |
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Playground
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Director's Comments
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?
A home based preschool is the best bridge between home and school for early childhood aged children. The small class size is conducive to healthy development of social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
this is the best preschool in town! The strength of the program is the love and care each child receives. My child had a wonderful experience and was well prepared for kindergarten. I highly recommend this program.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
Children learn best when the topics are relative to their developmental stages. They also thrive when their needs are met in an environment with a good ratio of teacher to student. We use the "Self-concept Curriculum" along with the "Creative Curriculum" to give children the opportunity to learn and grow at their own pace in a stimulating and loving environment. Chrisitan values characterize the program and children are given opportunities to make friends, gain concepts and effectively prepare for kindergarten
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
9:30 Arrivals/Manipulatives
9:45 Circle Time with stories, music, show and tell. helpers, calendar, weather
10:30 Free Time- dramatic play kitchen and dress up, easel painting, art activities, reading center, block center, puppet theater
11:30 Wash up /Snack
11:40 Snack
11:55 Outside time- Bikes, Swings, slides, fun games
12:30pm departures
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (5.0) |
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| Full of energy and seemingly happy in job |
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| Patient and affectionate with children |
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| Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her |
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| Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior |
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| Provides feedback on what my child does during the day |
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| Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate |
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| Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses |
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| If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off |
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| Resolves disputes quickly, calmly and fairly in a manner that allows children to learn from the dispute |
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| Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them |
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| Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children |
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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
Teaching style is adaptive and relative to the uniqueness of each child. With a 5 to 1 ratio it is easy to modify activities to the individual needs of each child
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
n/a
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.8) |
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| Conducts an open house at start of school year |
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| Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year |
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| Conducts regular parent teacher conferences |
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| Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year |
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| Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year |
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| Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools |
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Director's Comments
We have a monthly newsletter with parent education, ideas for family fun and news events. We meet for assessment review and conference during the spring of the school year. Parents are able to discuss daily with one or the other teacher and the teachers are available evenings and weekends to converse by phone regarding each child
Separation
|
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Abbreviated schedule at start of school year
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Extra staff dedicated to handle separation
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Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
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Small group sessions
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Director's and Parents' Comments
Director's Comments
This is based on the individual need of each child and is determined by a discussion and agreement between the parent and teachers
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
There is a great support system for parents in this school
Drop-in Policy
- During school parents are welcomed as the school has an open door policy
General Parent Education
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (5.0) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (5.0) |
|
| 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
We practice redirection and kind loving discipline to teach acceptable behavior to children
Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The teachers use redirection for a positive and effetive discipline style that enables children to learn empathy and resolve conflict appropriately
Health
| OVERALL RATING (5.0) |
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| Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable |
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| Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided
|
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| Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly |
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Food Allergies
Medications
Safety
| OVERALL RATING (5.0) |
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| Screen and identify all visitors
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| Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others |
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Ages, Schedule & Tuition
Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition
| Ages |
Class Size |
Days |
Tuition |
From
2 years
9 months
to
6 years
|
10 |
Mon 9am - 12pm
Tue 9am - 12pm
Wed 9am - 12pm
Thu 9am - 12pm
Fri 9am - 12pm
|
$255/Month |
Notes on Schedule and Extended Care
Notes
Tues/Thurs 9-noon $255
M/W/F 9-noon $305
after school care 12-3pm $20
afternoon reading enrichment program 12-3pm $25 per day
Calendar Year
School Year
Summer Program
Application & Admissions
Application Process
Admissions Process
Director's Comments
Comments
Acceptance of application and start of program does not insure completion of school year. Wehave a 'goodness of fit' policy that gives the director the option to remove a child if the fit is not good within the dynamics of the school.
