Summary
Contact Info
Apple Blossom Nursery School
3400 SE Main St.
Portland
, OR
97214
www.appleblossomschool.com/
Tel:
(503) 235-5685
Director:
Carrie Riley
Crileyteach@aol.com
Admissions Director:
same
General Approach to Learning
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Play-based with some structure |
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| Predominantly teacher-led instruction |
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Waldorf |
Application Information
| Applications accepted |
After a face-to-face meeting at the school |
| Deadline for applications |
Rolling |
Key Statistics
| Student/teacher ratio |
5:1 |
| Age cutoff for enrollment |
2 years and 8 months |
| School year |
Year round program |
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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| Development of social skills and work habits |
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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:
2
Director survey: Yes
Savvy Source survey: Yes
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
Waldorf education is about teaching your child to learn through imitation & action. We recognize each childs unique spirit & strive to be worthy of their imitation.
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
8:25 First children start to arrive
8:50 Last children should arrive
8:35 Tea time includes warm and cold cereal, raisins, and maybe yogurt (using toilet & washing hands before and after).
9:00 Greeting circle
9:10 The Sunflowers (older children) go outside with a teacher, may take a walk with the teachers & a parent volunteer. The Rosebud group stays inside with another teacher to do crafts, or a project, creative free play, & circle time. During both circle times the children enjoy a lavendar cream hand massage. Sometimes the children even start to massage each others hands!
10:15 All children enjoy a warm snack (Organic oats, rice, millet, rye & barley warm & delicious! Also milk of choice, like cow, rice, almond, oat or soy)
*using toilet & washing hands before and after
10:35 Circle time for Sunflowers (songs, finger plays, circle games, nursery rhymes).
10:50 Outside play time for Rosebuds (ages 2 & 3). The Sunflowers will stay inside for circle time, craft & free play.
11:50 Using toilets, changing diapers/pull-ups, washing hands.
12:00 Puppet show, story time
12:10 Lunch ( For example: (all organic) Spaghetti, enchilada casserole, cheese pizza on spelt round bread, chili & corn bread, scrambled eggs, Lentil soup, matzo ball soup, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, beets, baby carrots, chard, fresh fruit in season)
*using toilet + washing hands before and after
12:25 Clean up time
12:30 Parents arrive for half day children
12:40 Lay out mats, using toilets, changing diapers/pull-ups
12:45 Rest time singing lullabies, rubbing backs
3:00 Afternoon snack
3:45 Free play inside or outside if weather permits & afternoon activities
4:00-5:00 Last children pick up
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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| 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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| Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children |
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Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Our child's teacher is the most dependable & seems happy all the time. Both my children include her in their bed time prayers! They love coming to school & I love dropping them off in her beautiful home! She always greets us with a warm smile & a hug.
Parent #2
The lead teacher is wonderful & cheerful with the children. She strikes a balance of love & patience with firmness & reliability.
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (3.9) |
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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 offer parent enrichment evenings with a child development topics, share an artistic activity, open house to see a day in the room, parent teacher conferences, community events like annual pot lucks, zoo trips, farm trips, beach camping & volunteer opportunities & toy making workshops
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
We have years of experience & love to help parents & children cope with separation anxiety.
Each child is lovingly guided into the room & depending on their unique needs; we will assist by holding, loving, singing, distracting among many other tools.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
This preschool is run out of a beautiful, light filled old portland home. My children both loved the animals (she has a fish, bunnies, cats & a dog. they just started building a chiken coop & the children are helping! we all LOVE this school!)
Drop-in Policy
- During school parents are welcomed as the school has an open door policy
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (5.0) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (5.0) |
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| 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
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Overview
Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline
Discipline is handled case by case. In general, we use redirection, â??time to yourselfâ?? (a break from all the children, usually with the cook & a book. We do not do â??time outsâ?? as this really does not work). We feel â??busy hands are happy handsâ?? & if a child keeps getting into trouble, we will find meaningful work for them to do. From sanding wood, washing tables, setting the table, cooking ect... It is meant to teach, not to be punitive & we focus on positive behaviors we want to see in the children.
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.'
"At Apple Blossom, we play with all our friends. Lets find a game that all 3 of you can play together"
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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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
Extended Care
Notes on Schedule and Extended Care
Notes
All this info is on my web site
Calendar Year
School Year
Application & Admissions
Application Process
Admissions Process
Director's Comments
Comments
We have a wonderful Summer camp each summer, mostly outdoors!
Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Parents' Admission Tips
Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions
Parent #1
Just drop her an email! She is great about getting back to you quick!
