Summary
Contact Info
A Children's Garden (Leucadia)
1421 Burgundy Rd
Encinitas
, CA
92024
www.acgpreschool.com
Tel:
(760) 436-5370
Director:
Heather Addy Crider
info@acgpreschool.com
Admissions Director:
Heather Addy Crider(Dir)/Cathy Horton (owner)
General Approach to Learning
 |
Play-based with some structure |
|
| Predominantly teacher-led instruction |
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 |
| School year |
08/2008 - 06/2009 |
| Summer Program |
06/2008 - 08/2008 |
Parent Ratings
| Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
|
| 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
Savvy Source survey: Yes
General Info
Basic Stats
% of teachers with:
Transportation and Drop-off Policies
Transportation
Dropoff Procedure
Features of the Preschool
| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program |
No
|
| Affiliated with a religious institution |
No
|
Accreditation, Membership & Awards
| Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children |
No
|
Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (3.4) |
|
| Building, bathrooms, hallway |
|
| Classroom equipment and furniture |
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| Outside play equipment |
|
Facilities Include:
| Classrooms (with bathroom attached) |
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| Classrooms (with kitchenette attached) |
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| Music room |
|
| Art room |
|
| Library |
|
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Large front grassy yard, Sand areas in back, bike paths and walking bridges, Stationary VW Bus, live ducks
|
|
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Playground
|
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Parents' Comments
Parent #1
A Children's Garden has a playground every kid dreams about, complete with a Pirates Ship and VW Bus to play in.
Parent #2
could be cleaner and snacks could be healthier but not that bad.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
A Children's Garden Preschool collaborates with parents to build a foundation for lifelong learning.
We strive to: Nurture physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth as an interrelated and continuous process.
Offer a developmentally appropriate play-oriented program with a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities, such as art experiences, dramatic play, stories, and music.
Provide a safe, loving, and caring place for children and their families.
A Children’s Garden embraces a progressive philosophy based on the work of John Dewey. We recognize that play is the work of children. Our children learn to think, reason, question, and experiment as they participate in hands-on activities with a stimulating variety of open-ended materials.
(excerpted from website)
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
Morning Plan
For the first part of each morning, our children are able to choose where they would like to play, who they would like to play with, and in what activity they will do. This open setting provides children with some control over their school day, supporting socialization and a sense of well-being. Children thrive when they have opportunities every day to make choices in their learning.
For the second part of each morning, children participate in group activities with their peers. They rotate through four learning environments: art, large motor, small motor, and cognitive skills.
9:00 am – 10:00 am: Indoor/Outdoor Activities
All areas are set up with developmentally appropriate materials to encourage social, emotional, creative, cognitive, and physical development.
10:00 am - 10:15 am: Community Snack Time
10:15: Community Gathering
During our gathering, teachers and children participate in storytelling, music, and dance. Children are often included in the decision about what activities will take place during the day.
10:15 am - 11:45 am: Group Rotations
Children rotate with their peers into the four environments: art, large motor, small motor, and cognitive skills.
11:45 am – 12:15 pm: Community Lunch
12:15 pm – 12:30 pm: Outdoor Activities, Story Time, Pick Up (Parents arrive to pick up preschool children.)
Afternoon Plan
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Rest Time
Children are invited to rest or engage in quiet-time activities.
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Indoor/Outdoor Activities
All areas are have developmentally appropriate materials to encourage social, emotional, creative, cognitive, and physical development.
(excerpted from website)
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (4.1) |
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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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| Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her |
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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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Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The teachers have been there for years and there is a reason for this. This school is not fancy or upscale in decor. It is an old-fashioned school that has been in business for over 30 years. Students often come back to visit when they are older.
Parent #2
This school is very play based.
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (3.7) |
|
| 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 and Parents' Comments
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
This is an art-based school where the emphasis is on children learning how to develop relationships with other children and teachers. Although there are set times when they eat, if a child is hungry they can eat anytime. The kids here are well-loved and taken care of in a genuine way. There are no computers here and kids engage in song and play throughout the day. Children love it here as do the parents.
Parent #2
School does not provide a easy way for parents to connect with other parents. No notes/schedule is sent home with child. All notes are posted on wall. No written information is given to parents as to what is happening in classroom/school.
Drop-in Policy
- During school parents are welcomed as the school has an open door policy
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (3.2) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (4.4) |
|
| 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
It's an old school and needs to be rennovated but you can't beat what you get as far as care, education and love.
Parent #2
Children have free rein over playground and during story time. Teachers have some control but should have more.
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.7) |
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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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| Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly |
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Food Allergies
Safety
| OVERALL RATING (3.8) |
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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
Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition
| Ages |
Class Size |
Days |
Tuition |
From
2 years
to
5 years
|
|
Mon 8:30am - 12:30pm
Tue 8:30am - 12:30pm
Wed 8:30am - 12:30pm
Thu 8:30am - 12:30pm
Fri 8:30am - 12:30pm
|
$585/Month |
From
2 years
to
5 years
|
|
Mon 8:30am - 12:30pm
Wed 8:30am - 12:30pm
Fri 8:30am - 12:30pm
|
$405/Month |
From
2 years
to
5 years
|
|
Tue 8:30am - 12:30pm
Thu 8:30am - 12:30pm
|
$338/Month |
From
2 years
to
5 years
|
|
Mon 8:00am - 5pm
Tue 8:00am - 5pm
Wed 8:00am - 5pm
Thu 8:00am - 5pm
Fri 8:00am - 5pm
|
$832/Month |
From
2 years
to
5 years
|
|
Mon 8:00am - 5pm
Wed 8:00am - 5pm
Fri 8:00am - 5pm
|
$675/Month |
From
2 years
to
5 years
|
|
Tue 8:00am - 5pm
Thu 8:00am - 5pm
|
$495/Month |
Extended Care
Notes on Schedule and Extended Care
Notes
School year is 10 months: August 21,2006-June 22nd, 2007.
They do offer a summer program from June 25th - August 10th:
Week 1: June 25th - June 29th, 2007 "Creepy Crawly Bug" Week
Week 2: July 2nd - July 6th, 2007 (CLOSED July 4th) "Celebrate Freedom" Week
Week 3: July 9th - July 13th, 2007 "Cooking Healthy Foods" Week
Week 4: July 16th - July 20, 2007 "Fairy Tales: Once Upon A Time" Week
Week 5: July 23rd - July 27th, 2007 "Great Artist" Week
Week 6: July 30th - August 3rd, 2007 "Wacky Water" Week
Week 7: August 6th - August 10th, 2007 "Under the Sea" Week
This program is contracted separately. The school will closed for one week. They reopen for 2007-2008 School Year on August 20th, 2007!
Rates listed above are for the 2007-2008 school year. Payment is due on the first day of each month and can be paid by cash, check or money order.
Calendar Year
School Year
Summer Program
