Summary

Contact Info

Palomar College Child Development Center (San Marcos)
1140 West Mission Road
San Marcos , CA 92069
www.palomar.edu/childrenscenter/

Tel: (760)-744-1150 ext. 2575
Fax: (760) 761-3539

Director: Pam Keinath
pkeinath@palomar.edu

Admissions Director:
Carol Gidner

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Application Information

Applications accepted

Upon birth

Wait list

Yes

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

100

Student/teacher ratio

8:1

Age cutoff for enrollment

1 years and 9 months

Extended day

No

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

Parent community

Discipline

Facilities

Health

Safety

Handling of separation

Survey Information

Number of parents surveyed: 3

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

100

Student/teacher ratio

8:1

Established

1972

Average tenure for teachers

11 yrs.

% of teachers with:

- Bachelors

29%

- Masters

14%

- Teaching credentials

100%

- CPR

100%

- First aid

100%

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Dropoff Procedure

- Parents walk their child into the classroom

- 7:00 AM is the earliest time a parent can drop off a child

Late Pickup Policy: After 5:45 pm, we have late charges.

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year	Yes
• No, we believe children learn what they are ready to learn. If they did not learn it the previous year, this year it may "click."

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

No

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Some experience serving children with special needs	Yes
• They are mainstreamed.

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

Yes

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.2)

Building, bathrooms, hallway

Classroom equipment and furniture

Outside play equipment

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached)

Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)

Music room

Art room

Library

a yard per room

Playground

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

Our Center strives to provide high quality education and care. We serve as a model early childhood program. We are committed to appreciating childhood as a unique and valuable stage of life. Our work is based on knowledge of child development. We support the family and recognize that children are part of a family and culture. Each individual is respected.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Arrival between 7 and 9 am. Breakfast is served by 8:30. Classroom activities change weekly. Indoor time is 45-90 minutes. Outdoor yards are set up daily. Many opportunities for large motor activities. Lunch is served about 11:30. Rest time is 12:30-2:30. PM snack is at 3. Afternoon activities are less structured than am.

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Director's Comments

Includes a blend of theories, but is developmental.

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.1)

This school has increased my child's:

Ability to listen and follow directions

Ability to sit still for longer periods of time

Ability to be a part of a group of children

Self-sufficiency and independence

Awareness of others’ feelings

Cooperation with other children

Curriculum and Teaching Approach


Language					YES
Oral language		-	-	-	n/a
Nursery rhymes, poems, songs	-		-	-	n/a
Storybook reading	-		-	-	n/a
Emerging literacy skills	-		-	-	n/a

Cognitive Development					n/a
Math and number sense	-		-	-	YES
Time & space	-		-	-	YES
Sci. reasoning/physical world	-		-	-	YES
Music	-		-	-	YES

Visual arts		-	-	-	YES
Physical activity	-		-	-	YES

Other subjects taught					n/a

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.4)

Full of energy and seemingly happy in job

Patient and affectionate with children

Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her

Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior

Provides feedback on what my child does during the day

Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate

Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses

If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off

Resolves disputes quickly, calmly and fairly in a manner that allows children to learn from the dispute

Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them

Manages the energy level of the children so that all children feel safe and able to learn

Provides additional support to a child when s/he is clearly failing in her/his efforts

Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children

Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
I feel like I get a lot of feedback during the two conferences I have with the teachers but otherwise feel left out of the loop. Maybe I should ask more questions.

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.2)

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

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.0)

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

Director's and Parents' Comments

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
any unanswered questions do not apply to us at this time.

Parent #2
When my first child began pre-school, the teacher came to our house. In subsequent years, this did not happen, nor did it happen with my second child.

Drop-in Policy

- During school parents are welcomed as the school has an open door policy

General Parent Education

-This preschool potentially connects parents with services and activities that can help you help your child develop better at home

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (2.3)

Parents:

- Fundraise

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Receive newsletters

- Shares information on matter related to our children (e.g. babysitter lists, pediatricians, extracurriculuar classes, etc.)

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
N/A

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Special Meetings

- Two or More Regular Conferences

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school

Discipline, Health and Safety

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

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The outside play areas are outstanding! Lots of structures to explore, climb and imagine with.

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.3)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Food Allergies

- We do not allow certain foods in the classroom

- We keep special snacks for allergic children

- We ask parents to provide child-safe snacks for their allergic child

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.5)

Screen and identify all visitors
• As required by licensing

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	24		$118/Week
From 3 years to 5 years	24		$140/Week
From 3 years to 5 years	16		$160/Week
From 3 years to 5 years	24		$89/Week
From 3 years to 5 years	24		$59/Week
From 3 years to 5 years	16		$190/Week
From 3 years to 5 years	16		$120/Week
From 1 years 6 months to 3 years	8		$202/Week
From 1 years 6 months to 3 years	8		$240/Week
From 3 years to 5 years	16		$80/Week
From 1 years 6 months to 3 years	8		$101/Week
From 1 years 6 months to 3 years	8		$152/Week

Extended Care

- This school does not have extended care

Calendar Year

School Year

Year round program

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: Upon birth

There is a wait list for upcoming school year. • When space is available, they are called.

Parent visits tours are: Recommended

Child interview process: None

Parent interview process: None required

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Application fee: $0

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Serving students is a priority

Notification occurs: Rolling

Parents must submit deposit within the following timeframe of receiving notification of acceptance: 2 weeks

Financial aid is available.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 1 years and 9 months to enroll.

Child does not need to be potty trained to enroll.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Director and Parents have not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source.

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
got on the waiting list early