Summary
Contact Info
Discovery Isle (Carlsbad)
6130 Paseo del Norte
Carlsbad
, CA
92011
carlsbad.discoveryisle.com
Tel:
(760) 431-7090
Fax:
(760) 431-3404
Director:
jennifer@discoveryisle.com
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 |
After a face-to-face meeting at the school |
| Deadline for applications |
Rolling |
Key Statistics
| 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:
9
Savvy Source survey: Yes
General Info
Transportation and Drop-off Policies
Transportation
Dropoff Procedure
Features of the Preschool
| Provide a third year |
Yes
|
| • Yes |
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| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program |
No
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| Affiliated with a religious institution |
No
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| Some experience serving children with special needs |
Yes
|
Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.5) |
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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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| Art room |
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Playground
|
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Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Our family loves this school
Parent #2
I enrolled my son in preschool at Discovery Isle after I had major surgery. I had not planned to enroll him at this age since I was a stay at home mom. However once he was in the school and I saw the value and benefit of early education I was convinced that this was a good thing. Initially he went 2 days a week for 2 years and then I increased him to 3 days a week. As an only child I watched him not only learn academically but gain social skills and the ability to manage himself in a group environment that I believe I could never have provided him at home. Most impressive to me is that most preschools have a lot of turn over. Other then one change of teaching in his 2 year classroom, him lead teachers remained the same as he progressed through the 3 and 4 year classes. Since he has a December birthday I was wisely advised to allow him to change classes for his second time through the preschool cirriculum. As I enrolled him in Kindergarten and was given the list of things that he was to be able to do I was amazed that his academic skills way surpassed the expectation. The school is well rounded at providing interesting academics, art, music, physical education and even a Japanesse class that my son not only has learned to love, but now teaches me the songs! The director and assistant director have been consistent throughout our entire 3.5 years at this school, again something that I hear is a bit unusual. There are lots of "extra" activities that you can sign up for. Of great importance to me is that the ratios are always maintained and that there are always "extra staff" scheduled that cover teachers on break and at lunch. I am always impressed by the amount of overall help and the quality of this school. This has been a wonderful experience for us and I highly recommend this school. I know families that change preschools mulitple times and we were blessed that our son had the consistency and feelings of securtiy being in the same place throughout his preschool years. This is not a daycare, this is a preschool for all early aged children!
Parent #3
The teachers at Discovery Isle are very nurturing and caring in the infant - 2 year old classrooms. The children in these 2 classrooms are very well taken care of because the teachers are competent and qualified in the early development stages of children. The teachers make each and every child feel important and loved by spending quality time with each and everyone throughout the day.
Parent #4
Great new curriculum, ensures that each student is getting an introduction to each and every necessary life skill, with practice and support. At the age of 2 1/2, my daughter knew her address & telephone #, as well as when to use them. Her grandparents and others close to her are always amazed at just how much she knows.
Parent #5
My daughter attended this school for 2 weeks. Originally I thought the school and teachers in her class were wonderful, the facility was clean. However, into the 2nd week, my mother went to pick up my daughter from her classroom, and noticed through the window 3 boys) piled on top of another little boy (all 1-2yr olds), all punching him. No teacher standing there at the time. My mother had to f ind a teacher in the hall to remove the pile of kids from punching the little boye. I was so upset about this that I removed my daughter from the class. I spoke with the principle about the situation, and she actually said to me "boys will be boys", and explained that I do not know educational theory to understand at this age kids will act out. I still have nightmares about the little boy that was punched, and I am really concerned that the mother of this child does not know what happened.
Parent #6
The teachers are open to suggestions that I have brought up. The teachers are warm and really seem to care about the infants and their development.
Parent #7
This school has a hard time getting quality teachers in their two year old program. If I were to recommend this school, it wouldn't be for that age group. In both the 3 and 4 year old program, they have long term, dedicated, quality staff.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
We expertly combine academic learning experiences and structured play in a fun, safe and nurturing environment. We engage children in a variety of ways that help them discover, explore and learn to their fullest potential. Children are given plenty of room here for their bodies and minds to grow. After all, both are growing at the same time. This is their introduction to a lifetime of learning, and it's a journey that should start out on the right foot.
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
We balance playtime with structured learning experiences that include preparation for reading and math, beginning Spanish, computers and a wellness program. Our preschool provides a safe, nurturing environment, and our caring teachers are dedicated to creating lifelong learners. Our Links to Learning Curriculum is an integrated series of programs that take advantage of a child's readiness to learn through fun, challenging and meaningful activities. We link parents to their child's classroom experiences by providing a monthly summary of their child's work and suggestions to continue the learning at home. It's part of a communication progress that keeps parents truly involved.
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (4.7) |
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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
My child's first teacher was a nightmare. Luckily administration understood there was a problem and moved my child to another classroom. The move was a great success. I can't say enough great things about my child's teachers after the move.
Parent #2
I have no complaints about my daughter's teacher. They were wonderful. I believe the problem was that at a higher level, not enough was done to remove the aggressive child(ren) from the classroom to make it safe for my child and other children
Parent #3
They have many extracurriculur activities, but I wish they had Gymnastics on site.
Parent #4
I am 100% happy with the teachers in my daughter's classroom.
Parent #5
I can't say enough positive about the teaching staff. It seems like a lot of them work there and stay there because they themselves have kids in the school and want them there. Also, the school requires lead teachers to have 30 units in childhood development and 15 for the assistant teacher. Plus they do continuing edcuation for the teachers during the year. These are not just people off the street that are trained but rather people who have formal education.
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.5) |
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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 and Parents' Comments
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Regarding the question...At the end of the year, my son/daughter?s preschool provides me with (check one): I received a portfolio at the end of the year, however, it consisted of a few drawings and pictures. It did not show the growth over the year. For an academic based school I hoped for more.
Parent #2
We are happy with the home school connection.
Parent #3
I was very impressed by the open door policy of visiting the school. School also has a webcam in each class which made me feel much safer about leaving my child as well as knowing that the teachers know that they are being monitored.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (2.8) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (4.3) |
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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
| |
Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The school looks clean and refreshing
Parent #2
I was concerned about the safety of my child after the incident, and worried that the school was not doing enough to remove aggressive acting boys from the classroom and concerned that parents were not informed about what occurred.
Parent #3
Toys are continually rotated and classroom decor changes, which is fun for me to see and have my daughter "explain" to me.
Parent #4
I feel very confident that my daughter is very well taken care of when I leave her at Discovery Isle. She is always happy to see her teachers when I drop her off and that is a really good feeling.
Parent #5
I wrote most of my comments in the previous section.
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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Safety
| OVERALL RATING (4.6) |
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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
3 years
to
5 years
|
|
|
$105/Week |
From
3 years
to
5 years
|
|
|
$146/Week |
From
3 years
to
5 years
|
|
|
$202/Week |
Extended Care
Notes on Schedule and Extended Care
Notes
We are open from 6:45am to 6pm M-F. Breakfast and snacks are included in tuition cost. 10% sibling discount.
We are a full day/full time center...our "part-time programs" are either a full 2 day or full 3 day program.
Infant & Toddler Care available. Please call the center for more information.
Additional fees (per family):
Registration: $75.00
Materials: First year -- $35
Thereafter -- $75
Nap Mat/sheet -- $30
Fees are due on the first day of each month. A late charge of $50 is added if tuition is not paid by the 5th.
(Rates effective from 09/01/06....excerpted from purple handout)
Calendar Year
School Year
Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Parents' Admission Tips
Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions
Parent #1
Any child can gain admission if space is available and tuition can be afforded.
Parent #2
no, it was open
Parent #3
n/a
Parent #4
No