Summary
Contact Info
Smart Start Early Childhood Education Center
109 Natches Trace Drive
Coppell
, TX
75019
www.smartstartecec.com
Tel:
(972) 459-5956
Fax:
(972) 459-0560
Director:
Julie Schilling
General Approach to Learning
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| Play-based with some structure |
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| Predominantly teacher-led instruction |
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Reggio-Emilia |
Application Information
| Applications accepted |
After a face-to-face meeting at the school |
| Deadline for applications |
Rolling |
Key Statistics
| Age cutoff for enrollment |
1 years and 6 months |
| School year |
Year round program |
Kindergarten Placement
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:
5
Savvy Source survey: Yes
Parents who send their child to this preschool also like the following preschools:
General Info
Transportation and Drop-off Policies
Transportation
Dropoff Procedure
Features of the Preschool
| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program |
No
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| Affiliated with a religious institution |
No
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Accreditation, Membership & Awards
| Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children |
Yes
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Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.1) |
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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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Playground
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Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Main weakness is that the school changed directors in summer 2007. Although the administration gives out the same handbook, they don't follow it. While we attended the school the staff rotated constantly and the academics suffered accordingly. We left the school after our favorite teacher was fired with no notice.
Parent #2
The program and environment are rather unique. Reggio Emilia method/environment are used here. The curriculum is based on the project-approach. There are not specific academic modules or subject units for students to finish during a year. Parents should visit the school before making a decision. The environment is stimulating.
Parent #3
I liked how the teachers handled conflict. There is no yelling, it is all about kindness. Teachers respect the children. The art program is strong, children are encouraged to explore many facets of art from a young age, not cookie cutter art as in most schools.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
"Every child is a unique person, with their own interests, learning style, growth timetable, and culture. When given the time, space, and opportunity to interact in a meaningful environment, a child can construct new ideas and link them to existing knowledge."
-- Excerpted from school literature
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
"Students at Smart Start are not put on a time schedule. Instead they will follow a daily routine which is not structured around specific time limits. A daily routine provides repetition and continuity necessary for the young child’s feeling of security. Our setup provides students with less interruption. Teachers choose to complete activities and transition to other activities based on the students’ needs, circumstances, and interests.
"The routine may vary from room to room, but includes the essential periods of time: a time for sharing, clarifying, and evaluating; large blocks of time where each child can choose his or her own activities from a variety of learning areas; and times that are quiet and active.
"Meeting Time: Students greet each other, talk about important events, sing, learn about new materials and plan their day.
"Work Time (Centers and Projects): Students work in small groups or individually, and develop ideas through encounters with materials set up in center, conversations, group discussions, and symbolic representations in multiple forms: art, music, movement, manipulatives, dance, drama, constructions and writing.
"Snack: Students eat snacks in the classroom or may go to the kitchen and participate in a cooking project snack.
"Group Time: Students share and review their work time activities.
"Outdoor/Indoor Play: Students play outside if weather permits. If weather does not permit, they are taken into the multipurpose room for active play and/or out onto their covered patios.
"Lunch: Students may eat in the classroom or outside.
"Story Time: The teacher reads stories to children and guides students on specific areas of reading development.
"Rest: Students are required by law to receive a rest time. All students will be given a sufficient amount of quiet time to fall asleep. Children who do not fall asleep will be allowed to work on quiet activities.
"Class Journal: Students come together, review, and dictate the day’s events in a classroom journal. Each journal is posted outside each classroom for parents to read before entering the class.
"Prepare Student To Go Home"
-- Excerpted from school literature
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (4.1) |
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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
Individualized Teaching
Description of how teachers work with children who are
"behind," "excelling" or "different" from the majority of students
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Teacher #1 is not consistent in showing resolution skills. Teacher #1 has a sarcastic manner that may be misunderstood by young children and may cause parents to think she/he is not very happy. Teacher #1 is often direct or blunt with children and parents to the point of sounding rude. There are times that the teacher is emotionally supportive and times that the teacher is not supportive. The teacher's current energy/mood and specific student history may influence ability to lead a child.
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.3) |
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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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Savvy Source's Comments
"Teachers use a variety of techniques to document children’s development. Teachers may use photographs, tape recorders, and anecdotal records of the children. The teacher creates a display item (such as a book or poster) that shows the steps, thoughts and procedure that went into the creating the children’s project. Other documentation or the same documentation can be placed into the children’s portfolios. The purpose of a portfolio is to show a child's progress, improve instruction, give children the opportunity to see their own progress, and develop a plan for improving themselves. The following will be placed in each child’s portfolio:
1. An early childhood narrative report which includes a description of each child's development and goals for the child--written by the teacher and the family. These will be written at least twice a year.
2. Anecdotal notes, photographs, and any other evidence showing significant aspects of the child’s development.
3. Documents that support the health and care of each child (i.e. Child Development & Interest Survey).
4. Evaluation and evidence of each child's development in Writing, Language, Math, Play Level, and Self Concept will be collected at least once a year. As the child progresses through the school, his/her portfolio stays with his/her teacher in order to provide educational consistency and direction, and show the child’s progress.
"Portfolios will be maintained in the classroom and will not be available for checkout. Parents are invited to continually monitor their child's portfolios. During parent conferences, the parent and teacher will review the portfolio. Portfolios will be passed on to parents or sent to each child's Kindergarten teacher upon exiting the school. Portfolios may be shared with other professionals to increase the standards of early childhood education. Parent permission will be obtained before a child's personal data is published or used."
-- Excerpted from school literature
Director's and Parents' Comments
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The school is very open to parent involvement.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (3.7) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (3.8) |
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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
Snacks were usually things like Goldfish crackers.
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.0) |
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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 (4.5) |
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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
Extended Care
Notes on Schedule and Extended Care
Notes
Five Days a Week -- 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Tuition ranges from $810 to 1065 per month
Five Days a Week -- 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Tuition ranges from $635 to 850 per month
Three Days a Week -- 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Tuition ranges from $655 to 915 per month
Three Days a Week -- 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Tuition ranges from $550 to 785 per month
Two Days a Week -- 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Tuition ranges from $505 to 635 per month
Two Days a Week -- 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Tuition ranges from $420 to 550 per month
Calendar Year
School Year
Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Parents' Admission Tips
Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions
Parent #1
Show an understanding of the curriculum.
Parent #2
Explaining why I selected the school showed that the school's approach to preschool matched my parenting style.
