Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.4)

Conducts an open house at start of school year

Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year

Conducts regular parent teacher conferences

Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year

Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year

Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools

Teachers communicate with families through regular newsletters and photo documentation that is sent via email. All classrooms have email accounts so that parents and teachers can communicate at any time. Additionally, parent teacher conferences are formally held twice a year but parents are encouraged to meet with teachers any time they have questions or concerns. Children's learning is documented by teachers in Student Portfolios (3-5 yr olds), a collection of recorded obervations, conversation and student work that is available both to the children and to the parents to review periodically. The center also produces an all-school newsletter three times per year. Parent Education is a large component of the center beginning in our Parent and Toddler program. A Parent Educator provides support, guidance and education throughout the school year. We have an active Parent Education Committee that plans 4-5 evening lectures yearly.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Home visits by teachers
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
- Parents in classroom early on

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

All newly enrolled children are visited in their home by their teachers prior to starting in the classroom strengthening the home school connection and allowing the children to begin to develop a relationship with the child and the family. All new parents must attend a "New Parent Orientation" meeting prior to the school year where school procedures and policies are reviewed. The orientation meeting is a mix of social acitivities and school business.
Parents walk their children into the classrooms daily building strong parent-teacher relationships. When children see their parents enjoying a relationship with their teachers, and see that their parents enjoy being at school it naturally follows that the children feel comfortable and happy to be at school.

Parent #1
Hanna Fenichel does an at home visit before one's child starts his/her first year.

Parent #2
Hanna Fenichel focuses on the social development of your child. The teacher to child ratio is 1:5. The environment is very family-focused. A lot of parent involvement.

Parent #3
The school is play-based, and there isn't a curriculum of things children must learn, but teachers do communicate in verbal and written form about the things children are learning in the classroom and how they are learning. In conferences we receive oral and written feedback about how our children are progressing in several developmental areas. I'd emphasize that this isn't a report card, much more of a summary of what is going on for our child and how the work in the classroom is challenging and encouraging her.

Parent #4
Hanna Fenichel is a wonderful school. We have been attending since my daughter almost 2 - this school is very attuned to it's students. the low student teacher ratios are what brought us here. The cohesiveness of the classes - the fact that the kids stay together throughout their time there is really wonderful.

Parent #5
Kids start with a whole year of parent/toddler (two afternoons per week for 1.5 hours each visit), so children get to know the school and the teachers very well before the following 'transition' year, when the parents drop off the children. It usually makes for a very smooth transition. Children who don't have an easy time of it are comforted and kept in close contact with the teacher until they calm down.

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (5.0)
Parents' Opinions
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

We employ positive discipline through re-directing children's behavior, recognizing feelings and helping children to be aware of their own strong feelings. Children are encouraged to express themselves, their needs and wants through positive communication and are supported by teachers.

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parent #1
Location is somewhat small, but very cozy and appropriate for the children. Located in a neighborhood in Solana Beach, 1 block from the beach. Opportunities for field trips to the beach and neighborhood walks are a plus.

Parent #2
One of the few downsides to the school is that it is on a small lot. If you're looking for an acre for your child to roam, this isn't it. That said, the space is extremely well-used and well-maintained, and the small size hasn't been a problem for us at all. I do wish there was more parking, and I think the outside is probably the coldest place in San Diego first thing in the morning, but I just have a warmer jacket for my daughter that she wears to school on cold days. The environment is safe, clean, and appropriate for pre-schoolers.

Extended Care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

Parent/Toddler Program
18mths - 2yrs
M/W or T/TH 2-3:30pm

Transition Program
2yrs (by Aug. 31)- 3 1/2yrs
Teacher/Child Ratio 1:4
T/TH 9-11:30am

Nursery School Programs
3-4 Year Old Morning Nursery Program
3 yrs (by Sept. 1) - 4 yrs
Teacher/Child Ratio 1:5
M/W/F 9am–12:00pm
M/F 9am-12:00pm & W 9am-2pm
M/W 9am-2pm & F 9am-12:00pm


3-4 Year Old Afternoon Nursery Program
Teacher/Child Ratio 1:5
Tues/Thurs 1pm-4pm


5 Day Nursery Program
4yrs (by Sept. 1) - 5yrs
Teacher/Child Ratio 1:6
M-F 8:45am–12:30pm

M/TH/F 8:45am-12:30pm &
M/W 8:45am-2pm

M-TH 8:45am-2pm & F 8:45am-12:30pm

Application Process

Admissions Process

Director's Comments

Enrollment in the Parent and Toddler program currently guarantees reserved enrollment through our PreK program. We have limited openings each year in our Transition through PreK programs. Families are encouraged to complete Wait List Forms ($25 processing fee) to be placed on wait lists. We offer an afternoon 3-4 year old program, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Entry into that program guarantees a reserved space the following year in our Pre-Kindergarten morning program.