Gethsemane Lutheran Children's Center

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Summary

Contact Info

Gethsemane Lutheran Children's Center
200 W Anderson Ln
Austin , TX  78752
www.glcmchildcare.com

Tel: (512) 339-6335
Fax: (512) 339-8180

Director: Valerie Johnson
glcm@sbcglobal.net

General Approach to Learning

Play-based
Check Mark Play-based with some structure
Predominantly teacher-led instruction
Montessori
Waldorf
Co-op
Reggio-Emilia

Application Information

Applications accepted Upon birth
Wait list Yes
Deadline for applications Rolling

Key Statistics

Age cutoff for enrollment 2 months

Parent Ratings

Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. Four Stars
Quality of teaching Four Stars
Development of social skills and work habits Three and Half Stars
Home-school connection Three and Half Stars
Parent community Three Stars
Discipline Four And Half Stars
Facilities Four Stars
Health Four Stars
Safety Four Stars
Handling of separation Four And Half Stars

Survey Information

Number of parents surveyed:  8

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.2) Four Stars
Building, bathrooms, hallway Four Stars
Classroom equipment and furniture Four Stars
Outside play equipment Four Stars

Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Strengths: Great teachers, good curriculum

Parent #2
Absolutely love, love, love the infant program. I could not be happier with the care and love my daughter received.

Parent #3
loving, calm, caring, friendly director and staff

Parent #4
The teachers in the infant room seem nice upon meeting but after doing occational "surprise" visits to my child, I witnessed very harsh tones of voices and actions towards the children in the nursery.

Parent #5
Wonderful teachers, good balance between play and structure. Like incorporation of weekly chapel and music

Parent #6
Gethsemane is a non-profit, Lutheran daycare, with very dedicated staff and teachers. It does need parent involvement and fundraising in order to keep tuition reasonable, and always faces the challenges of needing supplies, equipment, etc. But not anything that seems out of line or extraordinary. We love this school, and have recommended it to many, many families.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

Gethsemane Lutheran Children's Ministry (GLCM) is designed to meet the needs of children through a variety of activities and experiences while providing an environment which emphasizes the basic Christian values of love, trust, peace, cooperation and human respect which help us to build the strong and thriving community in which we live.



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 (3.6) Three and Half Stars
This school has increased my child's:
Ability to listen and follow directions Three Stars
Ability to sit still for longer periods of time
Three Stars
Ability to be a part of a group of children Three and Half Stars
Self-sufficiency and independence Four Stars
Awareness of others’ feelings Three and Half Stars
Cooperation with other children Three and Half Stars

Curriculum and Teaching Approach

Free Play Free Play Free Play with Some Structure Free Play with Some Structure Free Play with Some Structure
Language -
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 - - - - -
Time & space - - - - -
Sci. reasoning/physical world - - - - -
Music - - - - -
Visual arts - - - - -
Physical activity - - - - -
Other subjects taught n/a
Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Gethsemane has a very clear curriculum, and it is spelled out at the beginning of the year in take-home packets. When the child is picked up each day, a note is sent home telling what activities were done that day, which centers the child played in, any special notes about behavior, etc.

Parent #2
I would like to see the option responses here allow for more than one response. I see several different approaches to story, music, etc. Sometimes it is teacher led and sometimes it is more free play.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.2) Four Stars
Full of energy and seemingly happy in job Three and Half Stars
Patient and affectionate with children Four And Half Stars
Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her Four And Half Stars
Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior Four Stars
Provides feedback on what my child does during the day Four Stars
Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate Four Stars
Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses Four Stars
If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off Four Stars
Resolves disputes quickly, calmly and fairly in a manner that allows children to learn from the dispute Four And Half Stars
Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them Four Stars
Manages the energy level of the children so that all children feel safe and able to learn Four Stars
Provides additional support to a child when s/he is clearly failing in her/his efforts Three and Half Stars
Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children Three and Half Stars

Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
All the teachers I've come in contact with are wonderful. The music teacher is great and my daughter looks forward to music time each week.

Parent #2
I have been really pleased. Teachers are generally very engaged with the children at all times.

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (3.9) Three and Half Stars
Conducts an open house at start of school year Five Stars
Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year Three and Half Stars
Conducts regular parent teacher conferences Three and Half Stars
Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year Three Stars
Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year Three and Half Stars
Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools Three and Half Stars

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.5) Four And Half Stars

Director's and Parents' Comments

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Gethsemane Lutheran is an all-day school for ages newborn to pre-K, so it is not just for pre-school age children. Our parent involvement is somewhat limited because we are almost all full-time working parents, so have limited time and resources for being hands-on at the school. That being said, many of the parents participate in fundraisers, and some serve on the Advisory Board.

Parent #2
We had no issues with the preschool separation process so I am not sure how that is dealt with. Our daughter is more upset to leave school than to be dropped off.

Parent #3
although it was hard for the child, the teacher gave specific advice to those dropping him off and was loving and attentive while child adjusted

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (3.0) Three Stars

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Voice Mail

- Email

- Special Meetings

- Two or More Regular Conferences

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school


Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Any communication type seems to be acceptable

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (4.5) Four And Half Stars
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
Children are given the opportunity to talk amongst themselves to try to solve problems/conflicts, with the teacher's guidance. Children having a hard time getting along or needing to be separated are told to sit out from activities, either on the couch or at the table, until they feel they can re-join the group in a positive way. Children are NEVER disciplined physically or verbally abused in any way. They are treated with respect, care, love and individual attention.

Parent #2
I am pleased with all facilities and policies.

Parent #3
none

Parent #4
I am a grand parent, not a parent, but the student I am answering for was in my care 50 hours a week for the 1st two years of his life and I have visited the school and both dropped off and picked up the child from school and have been very impressed with the people and the curriculum

Parent #5
I really like GLCM a lot and I have visited a number of daycares and feel I have grounds to judge. The staff and administration are really united in providing a caring environment. My young children are given a nice mix of freedom and structure.

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.2) Four Stars
Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable Four Stars
Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided Three and Half Stars
Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly Four Stars

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.3) Four Stars
Screen and identify all visitors Four Stars
Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others Four And Half Stars

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition

Ages Class Size Days Tuition
From 1 years to
1 years 6 months
$750/Month
From 6 months to
1 years
$800/Month
From 2 months to
6 months
$850/Month
From 3 years to
5 years
Tue 9:30am - 2:30pm
Thu 9:30am - 2:30pm
$160/Month
From 3 years to
5 years
Mon 9:30am - 2:30pm
Wed 9:30am - 2:30pm
Fri 9:30am - 2:30pm
$240/Month
From 3 years to
5 years
$400/Month
From 2 years to
2 years 11 months
Tue 9:30am - 2:30pm
Thu 9:30am - 2:30pm
$180/Month
From 2 years to
2 years 11 months
Mon 9:30am - 2:30pm
Wed 9:30am - 2:30pm
Fri 9:30am - 2:30pm
$270/Month
From 2 years to
2 years 11 months
$450/Month
From 4 years to
5 years
$600/Year
From 3 years to
3 years 11 months
$640/Month
From 2 years to
2 years 11 months
$680/Month

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

The youngest full time class actually starts at 6 weeks.

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: Upon birth

There is a wait list for upcoming school year.

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Application fee: $80

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: First-come basis  

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 2 months 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
No. The school takes all children and the admissions process is just an application and small deposit.

The Savvy Source for Parents © 2006
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