Summary

Contact Info

Auburndale Community Nursery School (Central)
230 Central Avenue
Newton , MA 02466
Tel: (617) 244-5899

Director: Barbara Sullivan, Paula Dolan or Katie Donovan

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

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Age cutoff for enrollment

2 years and 9 months

Extended day

Yes

School year

09/2008 - 06/2009

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: 2

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Dropoff Procedure

- Parents walk their child into the classroom

- 9:00 AM is the earliest time a parent can drop off a child

Late Pickup Policy: A fee of $15.00 for up to each 15 minutes past 6:00PM that a parent is late, is due and payable to the staff memeber who has stayed with your child.

Features of the Preschool

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

Yes

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.8)

Building, bathrooms, hallway

Classroom equipment and furniture

Outside play equipment

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
This is a wonderful school. They have an excellent curriculum. Every month is dedicated to a specific topic and activities, learning stations, books, projects, etc. revolve around the topic. The teachers/directors are excellent and are very involved in the classrooms.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

We are proud to be a National Association for the Education of Young Children accredited preschool program. As part of the NAEYC accreditation process ACNS continues to provide a warm, supportive and well-established preschool program. Our program is carefully designed to help a child to become a self-confident, sensitive, independent and happy person. In order to facilitate their growth and to properly structure the assimilation of skills in the social, motor and cognitive areas, the children are grouped developmentally. Parent involvement adds to the richness of our environment designed for fun and learning.

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

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

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	-	-	-	-	-
Sci. reasoning/physical world	-		-	-	YES
Music	-	-		-	YES

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

Other subjects taught					n/a

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The teachers/classrooms allow for the children to explore each area of development on their own as well as having structured learning time directed by the teachers. The structural time is during circle time, group meetings, etc.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.8)

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

Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them

Manages the energy level of the children so that all children feel safe and able to learn

Provides additional support to a child when s/he is clearly failing in her/his efforts

Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.3)

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

Separation

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Director's and Parents' Comments

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
During the beginning of school my Dad took my child because I was working. He did well with the transition when a designated teacher was always available. His school worked really hard with him.

Parent #2
Both parents work full-time, which makes us less available for out-of-school activities.

Drop-in Policy

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

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (3.5)

Parents:

- Fundraise

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Go on field trips

- Encourage play dates out of school

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Special Meetings

- Two or More Regular Conferences

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school

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

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
#26 - My only concern is that the front door is always unlocked and there is no one at the entrance to check people in during the middle of the day. In terms of discipline, the teachers are excellent. They use various stategies that meet the needs of the specific child. They are very fair and work things out very efficiently. They always have contact with the parents if an incident occurs in the classroom.

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.7)

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

- We ask parents to provide child-safe snacks for their allergic child

- Peanut-free lunch tables.

Medications

- We keep their medication on hand at all times

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.0)

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 3 years to --		Tue 9am - 12pm Thu 9am - 12pm	$2875/Year
From 3 years to --		Mon 9am - 12pm Wed 9am - 12pm Fri 9am - 12pm	$3800/Year
From 3 years to 5 years			$4770/Year

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

Daycare fee (8:00 am - 9:00am, 12:00pm - 6:00 pm): $7.85 per hour
1 hour Minimum lunch only fee (12:00-1:00): $10.00

Calendar Year

School Year

09/2008 - 06/2009

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: After a face-to-face meeting at the school

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

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Application fee: $40.00

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: First-come basis

Notification occurs: Rolling

Financial aid is available.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 2 years and 9 months to enroll.

Child must be potty trained to enroll.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

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