Summary
Contact Info
Discovery Isle (Poway)
11740 Creek Road
Poway
, CA
92064
Poway.discoveryisle.com
Tel:
(858) 536-1400
Fax:
(858) 577-2175
Director:
Paula Ortiz
paula@discoveryisle.com
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
| Student/teacher ratio |
4:1 |
| Age cutoff for enrollment |
1 months |
| School year |
Year round program |
Parent Ratings
| Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
|
| Quality of teaching |
|
| Development of social skills and work habits |
|
| Home-school connection |
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| Parent community |
|
| Discipline |
|
| Facilities |
|
| Health |
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| Safety |
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| Handling of separation |
|
Survey Information
Number of parents surveyed:
4
Savvy Source survey: Yes
Parents who send their child to this preschool also like the following preschools:
- Mira Mesa Presbyterian Preschool
- Penasquitos Christian Preschool
-
General Info
Basic Stats
| Student/teacher ratio |
4:1
|
Transportation and Drop-off Policies
Transportation
Dropoff Procedure
Features of the Preschool
| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program |
Yes
|
| Affiliated with a religious institution |
No
|
Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.8) |
|
| Building, bathrooms, hallway |
|
| Classroom equipment and furniture |
|
| Outside play equipment |
|
Facilities Include:
| Classrooms (with bathroom attached) |
|
| Classrooms (with kitchenette attached) |
|
|
Playground
|
|
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The teacher was awful. Constantly yelling, threatening, and sending kids outside alone. Physically held my child down in order to make her sleep. Bribed her with candy....
Parent #2
We have been really happy with Discovery Isle. My daughter loves it there. They were extremely helpful with potty training. The flexibility of drop off and pick up times is great. However, it is quite a bit more expensive since it is also a daycare.
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: (4.3) |
|
| 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 |
|
Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Teacher #2 is new to the classroom, so it was somewhat difficult to answer for her. The teacher in my daughter's classroom last year was teaching for the first time and was incredibly enthusiastic, energetic, positive, and insightful about my daughter. Her teacher this year is good but in comparison seems a bit 'burnt out'.
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.0) |
|
| Conducts an open house at start of school year |
|
| Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year |
|
| 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 |
|
Savvy Source's Comments
Parents are encouraged to visit the Center anytime during the day. There will be a formal parent conference once ayear to discuss your child's progress. Informal parent conferences may be arranged at any time with the Teacher and/or Director. Parent meetings are open to all Center parents.
Each classroom publishes a monthly newsletter to keep parents informed of the concepts being taught as well as the activities that are happening during the month. Children under the age of two will receive an individualized daily report.
The Center also distributes a monthly newsletter to keep families aware of upcoming events and activities.
(excerpted from the parent handbook)
Director's and Parents' Comments
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
I did find that some of the questions were open ended, or were unable to be answered (with out a negative connotation). Discovery Isle is a wonderful school, I find that my children are definitely thriving and my oldest was more than ready for Kindergarten, socially & academically.
Parent #2
Since Discovery Isle is a daycare as well as a preschool there is no 'end of the school Year' for all kids. They are transitioned into the next year's classrooms over several months. Perhaps that is why there is no official year end communication.
General Parent Education
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (2.0) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (3.8) |
|
| 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
I think since it is also a daycare, parents are more likely to bring children who are a bit sick. However, if they are very sick, they will send them home. I think the school does a great job of teaching socialization skills, but my child was already doing well in these areas from attending home daycare.
Parent #2
Example of discipline used by the teacher: "monsters will come out the walls and eat your fingers if you don't take a nap"
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.4) |
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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 (4.3) |
|
| Screen and identify all visitors
|
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| Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others |
|
Ages, Schedule & Tuition
Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition
| Ages |
Class Size |
Days |
Tuition |
From
3 years
to
5 years
|
|
|
$93/Week |
From
3 years
to
5 years
|
|
|
$146/Week |
From
3 years
to
5 years
|
|
|
$202/Week |
|
From
2 years
to --
|
|
|
$181/Week |
|
From
2 years
to --
|
|
|
$154/Week |
|
From
2 years
to --
|
|
|
$135/Week |
|
From
2 years
to --
|
|
|
$109/Week |
|
From
2 years
to --
|
|
|
$97/Week |
|
From
2 years
to --
|
|
|
$214/Week |
From
1 years
6 months
to
1 years
11 months
|
|
|
$277/Week |
From
1 years
6 months
to
1 years
11 months
|
|
|
$185/Week |
From
1 years
6 months
to
1 years
11 months
|
|
|
$131/Week |
Notes on Schedule and Extended Care
Notes
private kindergarten is $9,900 per year
Calendar Year
School Year
Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Director and Parents have not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source.
