Summary
Contact Info
Brookline Early Education Program - Pierce School
50 School St.
Brookline
, MA
02446
www.beeppto.org
Tel:
(617) 730-2580
Fax:
(617) 713-5504
Director:
Principal: Vicki Milstein
General Approach to Learning
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Play-based with some structure |
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| Predominantly teacher-led instruction |
Application Information
| Applications accepted |
Parents begin the application process by obtaining and submitting the application forms. application forms are available at www.beeppto.org and at the unified arts building, 46 tappan street, brookline. |
| Deadline for applications |
December 31 |
Key Statistics
| Student/teacher ratio |
16:3 |
| Age cutoff for enrollment |
3 years |
| School year |
09/2008 - 06/2009 |
Kindergarten Placement
Parent Ratings
| Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
|
| 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:
2
Savvy Source survey: Yes
Parents who send their child to this preschool also like the following preschools:
- Clinton Path Pre-School
- Brookline Early Education Program - Lynch Center
-
General Info
Basic Stats
| Student/teacher ratio |
16:3
|
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
|
| Some experience serving children with special needs |
Yes
|
| • All BEEP classrooms are special education inclusive. This means that some of the children enter the program with special needs that have been identified by an evaluation process. As part of the individualized programming that all children receive, these children might also participate in speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and/or physical therapy. Therapists typically work in the classroom with small groups of children. The mix of needs, abilities and interests of our students along with the insights and expertise of our interdisciplinary team result in an enriched environment for all. |
|
Accreditation, Membership & Awards
| Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children |
Yes
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Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.0) |
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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
BEEP is run by professionals who, in my opinion, maintain a very objective approach to the moods and behaviors of the children in the classroom. The general practice is to remind the whole class 'how we behave toward our friends and teachers' rather than point out one person's indiscretion. Parents are encouraged to be involved with their children's classrooms at a level that is comfortable for them. This applies to fundraising and volunteering. BEEP and the BEEP PTO recognize that people's time and rescources vary.
Parent #2
The teachers and aides at Pierce are wonderful. They see all of the children as they are and work with them accordingly. The only drawback is the lack of a dedicated playground (they share with the elementary school) but, at least for older preschoolers, this is just fine.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
Our program planning and implementation are guided by the following major themes:
1. Parents as Partners. A main point of the Brookline Early Education Project is the importance of parents and teachers working closely together.
2. Individual Programming. General program goals are adapted to meet the needs of individual children through a four-step process: observation, individual goal-setting, implementing strategies, and evaluation. The following developmental areas are considered as we organize our curriculum: planning skills and work habits, problem solving, perceptual skills, cognition, language, physical development, and socio-emotional growth.
3. School Competence. A fundamental aim of the program is to enhance each child's opportunity for success in school.
4. Classroom Environment. The class is organized to encourage the child to plan, work independently and successfully complete activities. Teachers are concerned with establishing a cheerful, caring atmosphere in which adults care for children and children care for each other.
4. Staff Team. Our classroom teaching teams consist of a teacher, assistant teacher, and one or more aides, supported by a team of early childhood specialists.
5. Respect and Support for Diversity. We offer inclusive early childhood classrooms which serve children with diverse cultural backgrounds and a wide range of developmental needs. Teachers strive to create a classroom atmosphere that enables children to comfortably explore similarities and differences.
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
A sample schedule for the BEEP program includes:
Arrival Time
Circle Time
Activity Time (children make choices among interest centers, which may include Art, Writing/Literacy, Blocks, Dramatic Play, Puzzles and Put-Togethers, Library/Quiet Reading, Easels, Science/Discovery, Games and Math, Sensory, Sand/Water Table, and Computers)
Playground or Music and Movement
Snack
Quiet Reading or Small Groups
Goodbye Circle
Dismissal
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (4.7) |
|
| 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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Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
My son has only been at Pierce for a month, so it is difficult to say for sure, but this staff seems to be happy to see all the children, and to know their strengths and weaknesses. They seem to provide loving encouragement to the children, and provide as much information as they are able to during pick up and drop off.
Parent #2
The BEEP classrooms are arranged with clearly defined areas (called learning centers) for: blocks, dramatic play, puzzles and put togethers, books, games, art and science/discovery. There is also a sand/water table, play dough table, easels, writing, listening and computer center. The BEEP curriculum includes units on fun subjects that the children learn about through topical books, songs and related activities integrated throughout the classroom's learning centers.
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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Separation
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Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
|
|
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Small group sessions
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Director's and Parents' Comments
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
This year we are still not encouraged to stop by, but the atmosphere seemes less forbiding at Pierce. I know the teachers are busy, but I would appreciate a call or an email every once in a while to just informally check in on my son.
Parent #2
Regarding the services/activities question, BEEP connects families with outside services on an as-needed basis. A specific family may need a lot of guidance, which it will receive.
General Parent Education
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (3.0) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (4.4) |
|
| 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
Children bring their own snack from home, so one is not provided.
Health
| OVERALL RATING (3.3) |
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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 (4.8) |
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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
5 years
|
16 |
|
$5373/Year |
Extended Care
Notes on Schedule and Extended Care
Notes
Pierce Extended Day through BEEP
Location: 50 School Street
Days: Monday-Friday (2, 3, or 5 days)
Time: 12:00noon-3:00p.m.
Size: 15-16
Calendar Year
School Year
Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Parents' Admission Tips
Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions
Parent #1
No -- but I have an older child who attends the same elementary school (2nd grade) so that may have been a factor. Also, since he was enrolled last year in the BEEP program at the Lynch Center, he was automatically enrolled this year in the program at large. A space came up at Pierce, and the administration knew we were interested in that space, so it was offered.
Parent #2
No
