Summary
Contact Info
My Friend's House Child Development Center
7050 Village Center
Austin
, TX
78731
nwhillsumc.org/mfh_pages/mfh_home.htm
Tel:
(512) 346-4151
Director:
Lynn Wiggins
lwiggins@nwhillsumc.org
General Approach to Learning
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Play-based with some structure |
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| Predominantly teacher-led instruction |
Application Information
| Applications accepted |
While child is in utero, upon birth, after a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school |
Key Statistics
| Student/teacher ratio |
14:2 |
| Age cutoff for enrollment |
2 months |
| School year |
Year round program |
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:
4
Director survey: Yes
Savvy Source survey: Yes
General Info
Basic Stats
| Student/teacher ratio |
14:2
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| Average tenure for teachers |
4 yrs.
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% of teachers with:
| - Teaching credentials |
100%
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Transportation and Drop-off Policies
Transportation
Dropoff Procedure
Features of the Preschool
| Provide a third year |
Yes
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| • Yes, it is different because we assess the children, and then design the lessons around the developmental levels of the children. |
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| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program |
No
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| Affiliated with a religious institution |
Yes
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| Teach religious concepts |
No
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| Some experience serving children with special needs |
Yes
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Accreditation, Membership & Awards
| Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children |
No
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Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (3.3) |
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| Building, bathrooms, hallway |
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| Classroom equipment and furniture |
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Facilities Include:
| Classrooms (with bathroom attached) |
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| Classrooms (with kitchenette attached) |
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Gym
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Playground
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Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Welcoming, caring teachers = good
Cleanliness, opportunities to learn and engage with teachers outisde of general play = minimal/not great
No singing, reading, learning
Parent #2
Wonderful school with great church-based atmosphere, caring teachers and good curriculum. Price is affordable and location is very central and great. Small program that guarantees individual attention for both parents & kids.
Parent #3
Both my children attended My Friend's House. For my oldest, it was actually the fourth preschool he attended, due to us moving, not because we are demanding, so I feel we look at it through an experienced eye.
I love that it is a church based day care/preschool that offers both f/t and p/t. I do not like the corporate feel I get from the franchise day care centers/preschools. The teachers at the school are loving and dedicated and really formed bonds with my kids. They were interested in both their educational and personal development.
My oldest was very prepared, even advanced when he entered kindergarten.
I also like the fact they offer homemade breakfast and lunch to all the kids.
Parent #4
This is a great program with very caring teachers and low ratios.
Many of the teachers and staff have been there for years. They have both full-time and part-time options. They teach children to use their words to resolve conflict, which is a great life-long skill. Parents are very involved and can serve on a parent advisory council. The weekly chapel is great. It's a wonderful option for anyone wanting a caring atmosphere for their kids. The only downside is an old building, but to me that is less important than qualified, caring teachers.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
My Friend's House Child Development Center aims to provide high quality child care at a reasonable cost in a safe and loving environment in which each child is accepted and has the freedom to develop socially, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and intellectually.
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." (Proverbs 22:6)
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.0) |
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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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Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
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Extra staff dedicated to handle separation
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Director's and Parents' Comments
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Since the school operates year-round, I was encouraged to come with my child to get her used to the environment. We had no separation issues.
Drop-in Policy
- During school parents are welcomed as the school has an open door policy
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (2.5) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (4.4) |
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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 building is older, but staff follow all disinfecting procedures. The playground is nice and large with shade.
The building is kept secure. Guests have to buzz in.
Parent #2
The school is under going a capital euqipment review and improvement plan.
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.3) |
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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 (3.9) |
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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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Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Director and Parents have not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source.
