General Info
Basic Stats
| Student/teacher ratio |
8:1
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% of teachers with:
Transportation and Drop-off Policies
Transportation
Dropoff Procedure
Features of the Preschool
| Provide a third year |
Yes
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| • Yes |
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| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program |
Yes
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| Affiliated with a religious institution |
No
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| Some experience serving children with special needs |
Yes
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| • Have handled many types of special needs. Currently have a program where children take a bus from school to meet with speech therapists and then returned to the school. |
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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 (4.3) |
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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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Indoor auditorium, Messy science area (outdoors)
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Playground
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Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Carlsbad Country Day School is such a great school! I love everything about this school. The teachers are great and very warm to parents and the kids. They keep us so updated and involved. Our teacher gives us a parent letter every week that tells us everything our child will be learning and she also gives us some ideas how to incorporate what they are learning in the classroom for us to do at home with our child! I love that about our teacher.
Parent #2
The school had everything we were looking for in the sense that they had cameras, friendly and qualified staff and provided healthy meals. We enrolled our daughter and were happy for about a month.
In a matter of months our daughter experienced three different classrooms and lost her two favorite teachers!
Parent #3
Some very good teachers.
Parent #4
We looked at a lot of preschools in north county before settling on CCD. It was head and shoulders better than any school we had inspected. It was clean! It was a great facility in a good location and offered very good security.
The meals were a bonus. We could not be happier with our choice. Our 4yr old son had a tough time getting used to school, but the staff at CCD was wonderful, not to mention his teachers!
They really showed love and care for him.
We are sad that we are moving and cannot have him attend kindergarten there. I don't understand the negative reviews.
Parent #5
Great school! Teachers are amazing. They have strong academic qualifications, loving personalities and truly care about their classes and all kids. The continuation of care philosophy is wonderful. Even the classes that have had some turn-over have adapted well and the kids have moved on successfully. High quality school that makes extra efforts for the children and their families.
Parent #6
I'm shocked to see this school with such high ratings. It hasn't been my experience there at all. I pulled both my kids from this school because of the high teacher turnover, lack of consistency in the class rooms a drastic deterioration in the quality of the teachers. In my experience over the last 6 - 9 months, my 2 year old went from a happy girl to a point where she hated going to preschool and was starting to act out. I personally witnessed a deterioration in the quality of her care as her class went through teachers. My 4 year old went from an excellent teacher that engaged and encouraged the kids to a situation where I would go and pick her up from school and see a bored looking teacher flipping the pages as a tape recorder "reads" a book. The children looked bored, several were out of control wandering around the classroom.
Parent #7
Beautiful School, terrible administration. Severe doubts about schools administration.
Parent #8
The VERY high turnover of the teachers is unbelievble. Safety is a concern: no one at front desk when checking in/out. The food was tasteful and fresh, the previous food director has been gone now over a year and it shows. My child will only eat on somedays
no main strenghts, at first sight the school is beautiful (new), they have a lot of materials etc. A few great teachers. I have 1 of those teachers. We are leaving to go to a new school
Parent #9
The Teachers are wonderful if you are lucky to get one that does not leave within a month. At breif times you think Ok I will send my kid to kindergarden and within minutes of that fleeting thought you want to run out of there!
On a good note, the facility is clean, roomy and has some qualified extra cirricular activities.
Parent #10
Kudos to the wonderful staff that has stayed but be very leary of sending your child here. Do not let the beauty of the school lure you into a false sense of security.
Parent #11
In just 1 month, they had my 2 year old son potty trained and sitting through circle time. This is the best preschool any of my children have ever attended.
Parent #12
this was one of the most beautiful schools, however it was horrible. From the minute we joined until the day we left.
Parent #13
This is school is absolutly the best school I have ever seen for children at this age level!
Parent #14
FANTASTIC & FABULOUS! My daughter and son absolutly LOVE their teachers, the school, the front desk staff, and I can't imagine what school these people who have left negative remarks bring their child to! My daughter has had the same teacher for 2 years. She has advanced both academically and emotionally. She has now entered the private Kindergarten and has learned how to read in less than 2 months! BRAVO!
Parent #15
The teachers are very good and the facilities are excellent.
Parent #16
Best school in town! The teachers are great, the school is beautiful, and it is family run! When we left our old school, Carlsbad Country Day let us come free for the first 30 days cause our old school would not let us out of our contract. The administration is very understanding of a parent's needs!
Parent #17
Very unprofessional and irratic.
Parent #18
Just be your own guide here.
Parent #19
This school is wonderful! I was so upset after reading the reviews that I had to comment, and it is not like me to write a review on any business. One parent was recently thrown out of the school and she is obviously trying to pull down this wonderful facility. So is life! This school is beautiful, the staff is well educated, the school has exact guidelines that are given to both the parents and the teachers in terms of what is expected of them, the administration is great, and the school has a TON of extras that you can't find at any other school. Really, it is the best school in town!
Parent #20
We originally moved my three year old daughter to CCD for the promise of a long term year teacher, great curriculum and enrichment clsses. I should have known after our first day of school that this move was a mistake. We entered the class and neither teacher greeted or welcomed my daughter into the class. Within her three month stay with CCD her class was on to their 5th teacher. There are excessive school closure days. You of course are still billed for these days. I did approach the school on many occasions with concerns regarding the unfriendliness of the staff and the response was "if we said hi to every parent we would never get anything done". My daughter would be placed in the office for "not listening" yet when I would ask her why she was there she could not tell me. Although the school tuition was higher than our previous school we were under the impression that there would be a higher quality of care, unfortunately that was far from the truth. We are extremely dissapointed with CCD. I do not recommend this school to any parent.
Parent #21
Though the facility is stunning and the teachers quite qualified, the inability to maintain a sense of professionalism, integrity, and family values, creates an uncomfortable environment.
Parent #22
In the two years we have attended this school, I can honestly say that I have never felt more comfortable leaving my daughter at any school, with any teacher, or administrative staff, than at Carlsbad Country Day School. When we first toured the school we knew instantly that this was the place to bring our daughter. Big climbing structures on the playground, lofts in the classrooms, a large activity center full of fun activities, special classes in the afternoon, and a warm and nurturing enviroment. I have toured the other local schools and there is just no comparison. We love our daughter's teacher! She has been there since they opened and so has her partner. It is nice to go to a place that is consistent and that always makes you feel comfortable.
Parent #23
Teachers are no longer allowed to babysit, they were forbiddeen a few months ago and we were given a month's notice about it.
Parent #24
Absolutely the best school in the area! At previous schools, my daughter had a hard time during drop off. This school provides extra care and love for the children. You feel like you are leaving your child with family.
Parent #25
I have found this school to be the best thing that has happened to my child. The entire staff is warm and well educated. The children seem happy to be there. There is no other school in Carlsbad that I would send my child to.
Parent #26
The teachers are all very qualified. Unfortunately it is the administration at the school that is completely unqualified. I would never recommend this school to another parent, ever.
Parent #27
Teachers are instructed not to spend too much time talking to parents so we felt disconnected a bit.
Parent #28
Not a continutiy of care facility. Extremely high turnover.
Parent #29
Teachers are wonderful. Facility is very beautiful and clean. My child is so happy and that is worth the cost!!
Parent #30
The preschool is run very well, with friendly well educated staff. Although the cost is a little more than other local schools, it is worth every penny. All meals are included in tuition and the meals are hot and freshly prepared. The school also offers a variety of extra services like dry cleaning drop off, notary services, etc.
Parent #31
Very high turnover rate. My child had three teachers in less than one year. Was told student/teacher ratio was 6:1, however it is usually 10:1. The classes are shared with other teachers so at times there are approximately 25 kids in the room. The owner has two of her kids attending and they receive more attention from the staff than the other kids. On a bright note, the place is new and clean. The tuition includes breakfast and lunch, which is convenient for families who are strapped for time.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
Carlsbad Country Day School believes play is the primary vehicle for children's learning and development in the early years. Play provides a context for children to practice newly acquired skills, to function on the edge of their developing capacities, to take on new social roles, attempt novel or challenging tasks, and to solve complex problems that they would not otherwise be able to do.
We believe young children actively learn from observing and participating with other children and adults including parents and teachers. Carlsbad Country Day School believes children need to form their own hypotheses and keep trying them out through social interaction, physical manipulation, reflecting on their findings, asking questions, and formulating answers. Furthermore, we believe that each child needs to experience success through involvement in learning activities in which there is no single correct way of responding or interacting.
We believe to develop Physically a child needs to exercise all parts of their bodies and get plenty of sunshine, fresh air, and healthy food in a clean and safe environment.
We believe to develop Socially a child needs to interact with other children and adults. This provides a moral base, including independence and self-discipline. Further, they need to be provided open-ended opportunities to express themselves creatively through music, drama, dance and art.
We believe to develop Emotionally a child needs to learn to express their feelings, to love, be loved, to feel good about themselves and to empathize with others. We believe that continuity of care, i.e., the same caregiver for all of the years at our school, facilitates emotional development.
We believe to develop Intellectually a child needs to be encouraged to discover new things, solve problems, build an understanding of numbers, verbally express their feelings and ideas, and to develop early literacy through books, songs, rhymes, and routine games.
Carlsbad Country Day School believes that excellent child care replicates many aspects of a quality home environment, where caring adults nurture children to grow and learn. We believe each child's cultural background is also relevant in the design of a curriculum that is age-appropriate for all children and individually appropriate for each child. Carlsbad Country Day School welcomes the participation of parents in our program and extend an open invitation to parents to become involved. We believe that ongoing communication with parents enhances the development of the children in our care.
(excerpted from website)
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (4.3) |
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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
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The school offers a bilingual immersion program, a Karate program, a dance program, a cooking class, a music class, etc.
Parent #2
I was so happy with my child's teacher. I couldn't have asked for a more balanced person.
Parent #3
Lots of promises made during the tours, however they overpromise and underdeliver
Parent #4
I wish the school had more shaded play areas and things to do, things get mundane and repetitive there and my child is bored.
Parent #5
The teaching and administration at this school is the main reason we attend. It is family run, and the owners are very warm and really listen to parental concerns.
Parent #6
My son and we could not have been happier. He never had more than 10 children in the class and he always had the children's respect. In a lifetime, a person has many teachers, few that they remember, and hardly any as wonderful as our son's teacher.
Parent #7
Students are made to feel comfortable whatever level they are at and are helped to advance from there. My daughter has a book that she works on weekly that was developed by her teacher, called the learning book. The book highlights five academic goals set specifically for her. It has been a great way for her teacher and I to communicate. I love it!
Parent #8
In a years time, my child has had 4 teachers, and some of her classmates nearly 6. It is not possible to rate each of these teachers, though each very qualified, they were employed only for short durations of time.
Parent #9
My child has had the same teacher for the last two years. In fact, my sister has a daughter here, in antoher class, and she has had the same teacher since they opened! VERY LOW TURNOVER AND GREAT STAFF!!
Parent #10
Our childn's teacher was nice enough, she quit early in the year and wasn't allowed to say goodbye to our child. Luckily she babysat when it was permitted and we got a whole different story as to how and why she left than what we were told by the front desk.
Parent #11
There is no consistent teachers to rate, too much turn over
Parent #12
The teachers are outstanding at this school! You get the feeling that they ALL really love what they do.
Parent #13
FANTASTIC & FABULOUS! My children have had the same teachers since they have started and we love them both. They have advanced both academically and emotionally. My Daughter has now entered the private Kindergarten and has learned to read in less than 2 months! BRAVO!
Parent #14
Our teacher is so wonderful, she feels like part of our family. It is going to be so hard to leave her and go off to 1st grade!
Parent #15
Our teachers are wonderful! They have taught my children boundaries that I was unable to accomplish at home. Thank you so much!
Parent #16
I would love to elaborate, but the teacher turn over is too difficult to evaluate
Parent #17
school curriculum is based on the continuity of care program. kids remain with the same teacher throughout their years (ie. our son started with his teacher in a the 3yr old room, when class graduated all the kids & the same teacher proceeded to a 4yr old room, etc.)
Parent #18
I am leaving because of the inconsistancy in"new" teacher hires. The teacher #1 is fantastic and she is the only reason i lasted so long.
Parent #19
high turn over, hard to gauge
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (3.6) |
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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
none
Parent #2
Dicipline is handled with redirection when the child is under 2. Once the child gets older, I belive discipline is handled in a different way that fits each child best.
Parent #3
I feel very comfortable with the safety provided.
Parent #4
There are no swings, shady sitting areas or drinking fountains in some play areas, that is a concern
Parent #5
No water available on some yards, no sandbox for younger children, no swings, very little shade.
Parent #6
The school looks good from the outside, but inside is a different story. Tremendous turnover in staff, too many to mention.
Parent #7
Dicipline is handled with care. The staff and administration when dealing with these problems always keeps the matter private.
Parent #8
The school is immaculate and the materials are unusual and neat. Not just glitter and sparkles but tree bark, pressed flowers, and items that expand a child's imagination.
Parent #9
I am concerned with a sick policy that only calls me if my child vomits MORE THAN TWICE in a day, other than that, I feel OK about things.
Parent #10
This is the first school I have attended where the director actually knows both my name and the name of my daughter. I could not be more thrilled with my daughter's teacher and how clean the school is kept. My daughter has been sick only once in two years at this school and for preschool aged children, that is exceptional.
Parent #11
The front desk is not always occupied, it would be easy for anyone to slip unnoticed behind a parent.Sick policies are nearly impossible to enforce. The same snacks are offered repeatedly and typically include crackers and pretzels.
Parent #12
n/a
Parent #13
This school is wonderful! I was so upset after reading the reviews that I had to comment, and it is not like me to write a review on any business. One parent was recently thrown out of the school and she is obviously trying to pull down this wonderful facility. So is life! This school is beautiful, the staff is well educated, the school has exact guidelines that are given to both the parents and the teachers in terms of what is expected of them, the administration is great, and the school has a TON of extras that you can't find at any other school. Really, it is the best school in town, and anyone who says differently is either jealous or being hateful!
Parent #14
We attended on and off for a period of approx. 8 months and we never once heard about weekend openings, our teacher apologizd for not being allowed to babysit any more, it's nuts how suddenly with all the crazy turnover the lies are posting. Just ask others!!!
Parent #15
Though the school facilities are nice, the direction of management in inconsistent on nearly very level
Parent #16
Positive reinforcement!
Parent #17
FANTASTIC & FABULOUS! My daughter and son absolutly LOVE their teachers, the school, the front desk staff, and I can't imagine what school these people who have left negative remarks bring their child to! My daughter has had the same teacher for 2 years. She has advanced both academically and emotionally. She has now entered the private Kindergarten and has learned how to read in less than 2 months! BRAVO!
Parent #18
The school has the most amazing program. The tuition includes so much, like breakfast, lunch, snacks, a bilingual immersion program, a music program, a martial arts program,... the list goes on and on! The school is clean and everything is well run!
Parent #19
the toys outside are falling apart. they don't store them in containers either. most preschools do.
Parent #20
I wish I could go to this school! The children have so much fun and the staff is great. All of the food is included in their tuition costs, so you don't have to worry about packing lunches or fixing breakfast! It has saved me so much time, and my children have really learned to eat a variety of food they were not eating at home! The outside of the school has a great big climbing structure with slides, tubes, anad bridges. One of my favorite parts about their outside area is they seem to change it every couple of weeks. My kids are always so excited to go. I have to carry them back to the car!
Parent #21
My child is always getting sick because it seems they do not have a very rigid sick policy. One time my child had a fever for 2 hours before I was notified to come pick him up. I was very upset and they had no excuse to tell me why they did not call me. It was a miscommunication.
Parent #22
There is very little outdoor stimulation for the 2 years olds. Also, there are never new manipulatives introduced into the classrooms. The same things stay out for the entire year, so children become bored and do not use the toys properly.
Parent #23
I have personally walked in the past 2 weeks to find NO one at the front desk
Parent #24
The food is cooked by a fantastic CHEF...my son loves it.
Parent #25
the school enforces the sick child policy. they provide each family with an excellent school rules and policy handbook and thoroughly review it with families when they enroll kids. Unfortunately, there are those parents that intentionally disregard the rules and put their selfish needs 1st before their own children health and that of other children by taking their kids to school sick without alerting the school. There is no way the school can be held accountable for these instances of the recklessness of these few parents (and every daycare has them!)
Parent #26
We did not see a preschool in north county that came close to offering the facilities and resources that CCD did. Outstanding!
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.0) |
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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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Safety
| OVERALL RATING (3.7) |
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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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