Summary
Contact Info
Riviera PlaySchool preschool and kindergarten
8 Calle de Arboles
Redondo Beach
, CA
90277
www.RivieraPlaySchool.com
Tel:
(310) 408-5616
Director:
Linda Shannon
shannon.la@gmail.com
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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Montessori |
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Waldorf |
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Reggio-Emilia |
Application Information
| Applications accepted |
After a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school, after a face-to-face meeting at the school |
Key Statistics
| Student/teacher ratio |
1:4 |
| 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
Inspired by Attachment Parenting and Bev Bos, and combining elements from Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Waldorf, and Krishnamurti education, Riviera PlaySchool provides a dynamic preschool and kindergarten program with unique and stimulating hands-on activities in a beautiful park-like "open studio" setting. Our school is located on a bridle path, in the woodsy, upper Hollywood Riviera section of Redondo Beach.
"What we ARE teaches the child far more than what we say, so we must BE what we want our children to BECOME." ~ Joseph Chilton Pearce
"Children were not born to walk. They were born to run-- barefoot, over rocks, through the water, through the mud. We need to give greater recognition to the energy and joy of children."~ Bev Bos
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
Incredibly Engaging, Nature-ful, and Engaging Hands-On Play and Experiential Learning, the
possibilities are limited only by our imaginations:
â??Imagination is more important than knowledge, for while knowledge points to all there is, imagination points to all there will be.â?? ~ Albert Einstein
Car washing station
Hatching Chickens
Hiking
Dinosaur Fishing
Bug Collecting & Butterful Hatching
Fantasy role-play in the "café/store"
Building stuff from other stuff
Nature Saunters and Rain Walks
Crafts requiring gluing, cutting, painting
Ride-on toys (large ride-on area)
Puppet Shows
Mixing Plans
Yoga classes
Doll washing station
Water play in our "river"
Sand play with cars, trucks, dollsâ?¦
Music-Making time
Story time
Petting Zoo
Farming and harvesting from our "Edible Classroom" with Organic mulberry, plum,
cherry, and apple trees, and a children's vegetable garden
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
All of the teachers are top-notch
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.5) |
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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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Separation
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Extra staff dedicated to handle separation
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Parents in classrooms early on
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Small group sessions
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Director's and Parents' Comments
Director's Comments
We have an open observation policy that extends beyond the expected. We are a preschool for attachment parents. Many parents choose to stay periodically, for thier own benefit -- to observe and learn the techniques we use. And they are very welcome. We consider the relationshi between parents and our school as a team, where both sides need to be working in concert.
Drop-in Policy
- During school parents are welcomed as the school has an open door policy
General Parent Education
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (3.5) |
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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Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The setting is rustic, and the playground and hiking trail offer an unparralleled outdoor experience simply not found in the south bay.
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
Safety
| OVERALL RATING (4.5) |
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| Screen and identify all visitors
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| • All staff are fingerprinted and FBI-cleared. |
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| Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others |
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Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Parents' Admission Tips
Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions
Parent #1
Admission is not first come first serve. It is rolling admissions, based on fit. Apply early, and visit. Attend the parent eds and read some of the books on the reading list while you wait for an opening.
