Summary
Contact Info
Solana Beach Presbyterian
120 Stevens Ave.
Solana Beach
, CA
92075
www.solanapres.org
Tel:
(858) 755-4133
Director:
Pam Dvorak
sbpp1@juno.com
General Approach to Learning
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Play-based |
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| Play-based with some structure |
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| Predominantly teacher-led instruction |
Application Information
| Applications accepted |
While child is in utero, after a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school |
| Deadline for applications |
Rolling |
Key Statistics
| Age cutoff for enrollment |
3 years |
| School year |
09/2008 - 06/2009 |
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:
10
Savvy Source survey: Yes
Parents who send their child to this preschool also like the following preschools:
- Notre Dame Academy
- Sandy Hill Nursery School
- Santa Fe Montessori
- Village Nursery School
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General Info
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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Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Excellent Pre-k program. I wouldn't change a thing!
Parent #2
The strength of this preschool is that the teachers and staff were always welcoming, friendly, and approachable. I always felt that my child was well taken care of. The school also held many activities such as mom's night, dad's night, christmas sing along, friendship soup, that allowed for and encouraged a lot of parent participation and interaction. The weaknesses of the preschool was that the newsletters often had grammatical errors in it which was a pet peeve of mine. The newsletters should have been proofread and double checked before they were mailed out to the parents and community since grammar is an essential and important part of learning!
Parent #3
Security is a concern It includes a religious background while teaching icluding chapel attendace once a month, praying before eating etc.
Parent #4
What I love the most about this preschool are the warm and loving teachers.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
Our philosophy is to help children grow in a positive way in their awareness of God, themselves, and the world around them. We believe in developmentally appropriate play and hands-on activities as the best path to learning. Our staff consists of skilled, experienced early-childhood educators. New ideas, teaching methods, and materials are incorporated into our program. Parents and visitors are encouraged to view our program at any time during the weekday mornings.
Our preschool program aims for a good balance of freedom and structure. Young children need time to explore, socialize, experiment, play and rest. They need to develop basic physical and mental skills, to learn to listen and follow instructions, and to develop readiness for the big step into kindergarten.
Indoor Activities are designed to enhance motor skills with art and craft projects, color and shape recognition, seasonal theme projects, reading readiness, number concept projects, puzzles, games, dramatic play, and free time.
Outdoor Activities include climbing, sliding, swinging, ball playing, sandbox, and more.
Language & Music learning is emphasized through singing, rhythm band, small group story-time, and flannel boards.
(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: (4.7) |
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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
The teachers did a great job of socializing the children although I would not say it was the most academically rigorous school. However, the teachers were great at making my child feel included and special.
Parent #2
The teachers were exceptional. I couldn't have been happier. What a great pre-school! My son loved it immensely.
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 separation process - at first when I learned that you are not allowed to spend time in the classroom the first day (the separation process), I was concerned. Now that I have been through it (and I have a son who has a terrible time separating), I totally understand the reasoning and am thankful for the way it is done. As soon as I was out of sight my son was well taken care of in a loving way and he was perfectly fine.
Parent #2
In response to the Parent Community, the school year has just started and most of us are just starting to meet. My answers for those question were more geared toward my daughters 2 completed years at the school since we all became close during that time.
Parent #3
The teachers were friendly and nurturing and provided lots of activities that encouraged the parents to participate and engage in the classroom. The director was wonderful at greeting each parent either in the morning for drop off or pick up which helped make the school inviting and welcoming.
Parent #4
Although Solana Beach Pres is a play based preschool, they do incorporate learning into the daily play routines and provide information to the parents as to how our children are doing in the major learning areas.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (3.7) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (4.8) |
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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
Not sure if they clean the furniture and equipment. There is no screeening of visitors and anyone could walk right in.
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.8) |
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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 (4.3) |
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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
4 years
|
|
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$0/Year |
From
3 years
to
4 years
|
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Tue 8:45am - 12pm
Thu 8:45am - 12pm
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$0/Year |
From
3 years
to
4 years
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Mon 8:45am - 12pm
Wed 8:45am - 12pm
Fri 8:45am - 12pm
|
$0/Year |
Extended Care
Notes on Schedule and Extended Care
Notes
Extended hours are 7:30-8:45 AM and noon to 5:00 PM.
A bonus class for 5-year-olds requires five day attendance.
Calendar Year
School Year
Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Parents' Admission Tips
Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions
Parent #1
Getting on the wait list. I think church members get priority.
Parent #2
I was just lucky to get my daughter in as they were offering a 'late 3 year old class' a few years ago so she made it in.
Parent #3
Get on list early!
Parent #4
I signed my child up 2 years earlier than when he was supposed to enter due to the long wait list.
Parent #5
No
