Summary

Contact Info

Academy For Little Learners
9649 Silcon Prairie Pkwy
Madison , WI 53593
academyforlittlelearners.net

Tel: (608) 826-5437
Fax: (608) 826-5439

Director: Amy Crooks
littlelearners@charter.net

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

While child is in utero, upon birth, after a face-to-face meeting at the school

Wait list

No

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

127

Age cutoff for enrollment

2 months

School year

Year round program

Parent Ratings

Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents.

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: 1

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

127

Established

2008

% of teachers with:

- Bachelors

90%

- Teaching credentials

100%

- 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

Late Pickup Policy: There is a per minute fee for pick-ups after 6:00 pm.

Features of the Preschool

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

No

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Some experience serving children with special needs

Yes

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.0)

Classroom equipment and furniture

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached)

Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)

Music room

Art room

Library

Multi-purpose room for music, gymnastics, spanish classes and meals

Playground

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

Our mission to our children and parents is to provide a unique childcare experience. Our curriculum and programming encompass social, physical, emotional and educational needs in an all inclusive setting. We want your Academy for Little Learners experience to be one that enhances both parent’s and child’s lives.

The early childhood years reveal milestones on an almost daily basis and Academy for Little Learners will help to maximize these moments by presenting a well developed curriculum in accordance with Madison Metropolitan School District requirements for kindergarten admittance, providing extracurricular activities that nurture the whole child, and by hiring and retaining quality teachers/staff that have a commitment to the development of children.

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

Director's Comments

We encourage all of our teachers to know and understand the popular learning approaches but to utilize the parts of each that leverage their individual strengths.

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.2)

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

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	Gymnastics Music Spanish			n/a

Quality of Teaching

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

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.7)

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

Class schedules and weekly lesson plans are posted in each classroom. Every parent receives a weekly email from their child's teacher outlining the monthly goals, weekly goals and a list of activities to do at home if desired. Our teachers are available for every parent to discuss special requests or reinforcement of specific values.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Extra staff dedicated to handle separation
- Parents in classrooms early on
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school

Drop-in Policy

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

General Parent Education

-This preschool does conduct parent education classes

-This preschool does connect parents with services and activities that can help you help your child develop better at home

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (4.0)

Parents:

- Hold social events at the school to build community

- 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)

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

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Email

- Two or More Regular Conferences

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
I received a follow up phone call when my child was sick

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

Overview

Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline

Our philosophy on guidance is based upon Love and Logic. Teachers and staff have received training on aspects of this approach which include giving the children choices in decision making to give them a feeling of ownership in the classroom.

Teachers also discuss with the children the feelings that they are experiencing and appropriate ways of handling emotions. Redirection is also used whenever possible.

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
This is a new facility and it is well maintained.

Health

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

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

- The cook maintains an alergy list and prepares food accordingly

Medications

- We call parents when the child needs medication

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 2 years to 2 years 6 months	16		$0/Week
From 2 months to 1 years	15		$0/Week
From 1 years to 2 years	8		$0/Week
From 2 years 6 months to 3 years	20		$0/Week
From 3 years to 4 years	20		$0/Week
From 4 years to 5 years			$0/Week
From 4 years to 5 years			$0/Week

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

The Academy For Little Learners is conveniently located on Madison's far west side. We have a modern, energy effecient building designed specifically for educating and caring for children. Our staff are all degreed, expereinced and passionate about teaching children. Our curriculum focuses on teaching your child social, emotional, physical and educational skills that will prepare them to excel in primary school and in life. We offer flexible schedules as follows:
-Infant - 2 yrs old - Full time care only
-2 yrs - 5 yrs old - Full time
-2 yrs - 5 yrs old - 5 days AM
-2 yrs - 5 yrs old - 5 days PM
-2 yrs - 5 yrs old - M-W-F Full time
-2 yrs - 5 yrs old - M-W-F AM
-2 yrs - 5 yrs old - M-W-F PM
-2 yrs - 5 yrs old - Tue - Thurs - Full time
-2 yrs - 5 yrs old - Tue - Thurs - AM
-2 yrs - 5 yrs old - Tue - Thurs - PM

The following ages .
-5 yrs - 12 yrs old - Before and After School (full and part time 2 days minimum)
-5 yrs - 12 yrs old - Before School (full and part time 2 days minimum)
-5 yrs - 12 yrs old - After School (full and part time 2 days minimum)
-5 yrs - 12 yrs old - Summer Program (full and part time 2 days minimum)

Calendar Year

School Year

Year round program

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: While child is in utero, upon birth, after a face-to-face meeting at the school

There is no wait list for upcoming school year.

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

Child interview process: None

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: First-come basis

Notification occurs: Immediately;Rolling

Financial aid is available.

Director's Comments

Comments

We firmly believe that obtaining quality care for your child is something a parent must see and feel; therefore we have a "must tour" policy for admittance. Infant Care through 2.5 yr old care tend to have wait lists. An enrollment fee alng with enrollment application are required to be placed on the wait list.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 2 months to enroll.

Child does not need to be potty trained to enroll.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

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

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
I had to wait a few weeks for an opening, but, they kept me informed regularly, so i was able to give notice and not pay two schools.