Summary
Contact Info
Carlsbad Children's Garden
2518 Jefferson Street
Carlsbad
, CA
92008
None
Tel:
(760) 729-1558
Director:
Ann Allen
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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Reggio-Emilia |
Application Information
| Applications accepted |
After a face-to-face meeting at the school, child is placed on wait list until there is an opening, at which time parent completes enrollment packet and pays registration fee. |
| Deadline for applications |
Rolling |
Key Statistics
| Student/teacher ratio |
9:1 |
| Age cutoff for enrollment |
2 years |
| 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:
9
Director survey: Yes
Savvy Source survey: Yes
General Info
Basic Stats
| Student/teacher ratio |
9:1
|
| Average tenure for teachers |
2 yrs.
|
% of teachers with:
| - Teaching credentials |
25%
|
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
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| Some experience serving children with special needs |
Yes
|
| • We welcome all children and families. After getting to know a child, we work with them and their parents to achieve their best outcome. Behavioral, physical, emotional, and cognitive issues and progress are discussed with parents. Through positive encouragement, progress is expected and enjoyed. Respecting each child as an individual is crucial to a success relationship. |
|
Accreditation, Membership & Awards
| Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children |
No
|
Other Memberships
Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (5.0) |
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| Building, bathrooms, hallway |
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| Classroom equipment and furniture |
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| Outside play equipment |
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Facilities Include:
| Classrooms (with bathroom attached) |
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| Classrooms (with kitchenette attached) |
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| Music room |
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| Art room |
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| Library |
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Playground
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Director's Comments
Question to director: Do you have any additional thoughts on what parents should consider when looking at your school? Is there any advice that you would like to provide to prospective parents?
Please be aware that we expect and encourage children to play! Don't send children in clothing that you treasure -- we spend a great deal of the day in creative, sensory play. All of it has the potential to be very messy. We assume that children will get dirty and get paint on them -- you should too!
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
I love how this school has helped my son overcome his shyness and has encouraged him to explore new things and 'jump right in' when faced with a new situation. My son was shy/slow to warm up child before attending this school and now he is an outgoing, friendly little boy. The teachers are all very well educated and the Director is very hands on.
Parent #2
I am VERY impressed with each and every teacher at Carlsbad Children's Garden- even if my child is not in a particular teacher's "class", she still knows my child. I can ask any teacher about my child's day & she will know! Also, the stability of the staff is highly impressive- no turnover! Love it!
Parent #3
Love everything about this school except that there is not heat in the winter (other then a small heater I think). Other then that, the staff is WONDERFUL. My daughter LOVES LOVES LOVES going to school.
Parent #4
I wish there was more of a parent community, I feel like I do not know any of the parents. I love the fact that my child is encouraged to learn through playing and able to express her creativity.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
Carlsbad Children's Garden program is unique. Our small, home-like setting welcomes children to environments inside and out that inspire discovery and entice children to learn, to develop theories, and to master skills. Carlsbad Children's Garden was created through the efforts of the director who had reached the conclusion that we were not meeting the needs of the children in our care. Without enough time, natural materials, or opportunity for children to construct knowledge, we had succumbed to the institutionalization and commercialization that is standard at conferences and seminars we attended. Believing that young children deserve a meaningful and relevant early education experience, we embraced the opportunity to create an environment that reflects our belief in children as co-creators of learning.
We were drawn to the Reggio Emelia Approach to Early Childhood Education -- to the philosophy, the beauty of the environment, and the openness of the learning process in these Italian schools. We were amazed at the depth of learning that occurs! As typical Americans, we were impressed with the end products -- the drawings, paintings, three dimensional art pieces and the stories created! These very young children produced beautiful, complex works. But the end product is not the goal. There is no assessment, no testing, no scales of measurement typical in American preschools.
So, in embracing this philosophy, how do we reassure you that your child is learning? We must document what they are thinking. Are they suggesting alternatives to problems? Are they learning to work collaboratively with others to find solutions? Are they able to think independently and act upon their theories? Are they persistent enough to problem solve? Are they posing new theories? While vocabulary and facts are a critical part of learning, your children must be able to think creatively, to come to conclusions because they understand the theory that provokes them. Children are intensely fascinated with the physical world and how it works. We provide them with hands-on materials to explore, to manipulate, to support their learning. We provide them with the time to learn. We must simultaneously honor childhood and the need for play while promoting a love of learning. We must inspire your children to achieve their dreams, not work toward the minimums of standardized tests.
In furnishing our school, we have carefully selected furnishings and accessories that feel like home. We have things that may seem unusual in a preschool -- a leather couch, jars (not plastic) full of paint, books on art, rocks, bridges, and architecture to read and enjoy; paintings by the masters on the walls. By placing intriguing discoveries in their environment, your child's brain is enriched and neural pathways necessary for more complex learning are expanded. We incorporate things that provoke a sense of mystery and wonder, creating curiosity about how these things work, where they came from, and what can be learned from manipulating them. We intentionally chose equipment that encourages children to work together or to get help in executing an idea.
Children deserve the best our world has to offer. They deserve to be surrounded with beauty, softness, and comfort as well as order and attention to health and safety. Childhood is a time of wonder and magic and is filled with a powerful desire to learn and understand the world around us. The most productive learning occurs when children are offered interesting materials, ample time and opportunity to investigate, transform and invent -- without contrived interruptions. So we provide large blocks of uninterrupted time, ample natural materials to manipulate, explore and with which to invent.
The most critical element is the teacher, who facilitates the child's construction of knowledge and encourages their curiosity. Without question, we have the best teachers!
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
Our day begins with an Opening Meeting. We greet friends, sign-in, and discover changes in the environment. This discussion creates the day's routine or schedule -- our "Planned Possibilities". A pictoral documentation of "Planned Possibilities", a typical day for that group, is created when children are able to articulate what their day entails.
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (4.8) |
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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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| Resolves disputes quickly, calmly and fairly in a manner that allows children to learn from the dispute |
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| Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them |
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| Manages the energy level of the children so that all children feel safe and able to learn |
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| Provides additional support to a child when s/he is clearly failing in her/his efforts |
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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
Individualized Teaching
Description of how teachers work with children who are
"behind," "excelling" or "different" from the majority of students
By working with each child as an individual, teachers find what works best for each child. We encourage children to share their expertise with others who don't have as much. Those who are very social are subtly paired with others who are more reserved. Our program is very diverse and our children rarely perceive others as different. We expect children to be kind to one another and to be respectful of themselves, others and our school. For those whose skills surpass their peers, we challenge them to theorize more deeply about topics that engage them and to find new ways to share what they learn with others.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
I am thrilled by the caliber of the teachers at the school. They seem to be geniunely interested in the development of the children. They are able to work with special needs children...and coordinate additional services as needed. Unlike other schools, this school really seems to go out of their way to make it a good environment for all the children.
Parent #2
I like the school , but have been disappointed in the turnover of teachers. My child has been there a year and has now had 4 different teachers.
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (3.9) |
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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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Director's Comments
Parents are encouraged to meet with teachers/director at any time regarding their child's progress. Teachers talk with parents on a daily basis and are expected to relate at least one positive anecdote to the parents regarding their child's activities each day. Formal conferences are scheduled upon request. As children complete their final year with us, we conference with parents regarding kindergarten. An Open House/Orientation Meeting is held in the Fall for new families.
Separation
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Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
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Small group sessions
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Parents in classroom early on
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Abbreviated schedule at start of school year
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Director's and Parents' Comments
Director's Comments
When a child is enrolled at our school, parents are encourage to visit as many times as possible for a few minutes at a time, during different times of the day when their child would typically attend. This gives the child a better sense of the others in their new environment and for the parent to see how teachers work with the children, how they handle conflicts, how discipline is handled. They are encouraged to ask as many questions as they can so that they are confident in leaving their child in our care. When it is time to really start school, parents are reminded to establish a short, clear drop-off routine, to acknowledge their child's emotions, and to tell them they trust them to be able to enjoy playing. Teachers help parents know when it is time to separate and parents are encouraged to call to check on their child as often as they need during the day.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
My son started in the middle of the year...in December...so I am not able to respond personally about the Open house meeting (whether or not one was held for new parents). They do, however, hold some social events so that parents have the opportunity to interact with one another. I also do not know if the school provides any formal feedback as to what schools might be best from personal experience...but I do know that at the end of the school year, parents were meeting with their child's teacher to discuss their readiness. I feel that this school is VERY willing to work with parents and their children to make the school experience something that is wonderful and enjoyable for all.
Parent #2
Regarding preschool separation: i was able to stay in class with my daughter until she was ready to be on her own. Teachers and director were all very helpful and skillful in giving me support and advises regarding the separation process. Although my daughter has changed school since we moved away from Carlsbad, she still refers to the Carlsbad Children's Garden as "my school". Love for the children and attention to details characterize the staff at the CCG and made possible the strong bond that my daughter still has toward the school.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (2.8) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (5.0) |
|
| 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
| |
Overview
Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline
Our goal is for children to learn self control. Positive redirection is often used.
For children whose behavior is harmful to themselves, to others or to the school, we remove them from the situation, help them to regain composure, and work with them to discover better choices for the next time. It is imperative that teachers be aware of behavior that is escalating and help to diffuse potentially negative situations.
Some conflict is necessary for children to learn how to negotiate and compromise.
Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The temp question goes back to what I said before about the heating.
Parent #2
It gets hot during the summer, but they do apply sunscreen often during the day to the kids.
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.8) |
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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
Medications
Safety
| OVERALL RATING (4.9) |
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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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Ages, Schedule & Tuition
Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition
| Ages |
Class Size |
Days |
Tuition |
From
2 years
6 months
to
5 years
|
|
|
$310/Year |
From
2 years
to
6 years
|
|
|
$265/Month |
From
2 years
to
6 years
|
|
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$335/Month |
From
2 years
to
6 years
|
|
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$835/Month |
From
2 years
to
6 years
|
|
|
$595/Month |
From
2 years
to
6 years
|
|
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$450/Month |
From
2 years
to
6 years
|
|
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$480/Month |
From
2 years
to
6 years
|
|
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$355/Month |
From
2 years
to
6 years
|
|
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$505/Month |
From
2 years
to
6 years
|
|
|
$660/Month |
Extended Care
Notes on Schedule and Extended Care
Notes
- Our class size for 2 year olds is 6, for young 3's it is 8, and for older 3's and 4's it is a maximum of 10.
- Tuition is increased by 5% each month until children are reliably toilet trained.
- Alternative schedules may be accommodated (with space/availability) at a 5% increase in monthly tuition.
- Children should arrive BEFORE 8:30am.
- As part of their daily regimen, all children must have sunscreen applied before coming to school. We supply and will re-apply sunscreen during the morning and after nap in the afternoon. Please let staff know if your child has sensitivities to any particular brand of sunscreen.
Calendar Year
School Year
Application & Admissions
Application Process
Admissions Process
Director's Comments
Comments
I encourage parents to visit for as long as is comfortable for them, to visit more than once and to ask as many questions as possible. I also encourage both parents to meet the staff and tour the school.
