Summary
Contact Info
Apple Creek Private Preschool
7797 Stonebrook Parkway
Frisco
, TX
75034
www.applecreekpreschool.com
Tel:
(972) 334-0005
Director:
Karen Barron
parents@acfrisco.com
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 |
After a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school |
| Deadline for applications |
February 8 |
Key Statistics
| Student/teacher ratio |
16:2 |
| School year |
08/2008 - 05/2009 |
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:
15
Savvy Source survey: Yes
Parents who send their child to this preschool also like the following preschools:
- Little Friends of St. Francis Kid's Day Out
- Stonebriar Preschool Pals
- Starwood Montessori School
- First United Methodist Friends in Christ Preschool
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General Info
Basic Stats
| Student/teacher ratio |
16:2
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% of teachers with:
Transportation and Drop-off Policies
Transportation
Features of the Preschool
| Provide a third year |
Yes
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| • "Utilizes the Read, Write, and Listen program from MacMillan Hill. Read, Write and Listen is a comprehensive reading/language arts program including reading, handwriting, auditory and oral language skills. Games, exercise and art projects emphasize each letter. Hands-on manipulative avtivities are the foundation for the math program,as well as structured reinforcement from McGraw/McGraw Hill's Math in My World-Kindergarten curriculum. Pre-K also includes art, music, introduction to Spanish vocabulary, fun and exciting science exploration and a multicultural approach to social studies." -- Excerpted from applecreekpreschool.com |
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| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program |
No
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| Affiliated with a religious institution |
No
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| Some experience serving children with special needs |
Yes
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Accreditation, Membership & Awards
Other Accreditations
Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.9) |
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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
no comment
Parent #2
Highly qualified teachers - Age appropriate curriculum - Wonderful classroom toys, games, books - Incredible outdoor play area - Hands-on approach by director and asst director - extremely parent friendly - This preschool is exceptional from the drive-through drop off and pick up to the art projects and classroom structure.
Parent #3
Uses the 'Letter People' program to introduce letters and sounds which I like.
Parent #4
I cannot say enough good things about Apple Creek. Our son loves school and learns so much. I love the way the staff interacts with the children. It is a loving, safe and structured environment and he is thriving there.
Parent #5
I wish it were one hour longer
Parent #6
I am very happy with the school.
Parent #7
Parents were awesome at organizing playgroups outside of school. They also sent out emails regarding the parties that included a sign up sheet for parent participation. There are too many strengths to list. The biggest weakness that I see is fundraisers, but that's because I personally hate to do them and generally buy as much as I can afford. My daughter is 2, she can't fundraise and I'm not about to do it.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
"Apple Creek Preschool is committed to providing a high quality preschool that will build each child's self-esteem by giving positive motivation and enriching learning activities.
"Each child's individual needs are met by providing a wealth of learning opportunities for social, academic, physical and creative growth."
-- Excerpted from applecreekpreschool.com
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: (4.9) |
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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
Apple Creek has a great age-appropriate curriculum. My daughter attended the 2's class for 2005/06 and is now in the 3's class for 2006/07 school year. The focus for the 3's is very different than the 2's, but also more in line with what a 2 or 3 year old should be learning. The teachers are awesome and I can't express that enough.
Parent #2
Teachers are sent to an annual preschool conference for continuing education. All have early childhood degree or higher and are very experienced.
Parent #3
The teachers are trained and educated at Apple Creek much more extensively than at other preschools in Frisco. For this reason, they are better equipped to handle classroom situations and they do an excellent job engaging children in the learning process. I have found them to be very warm, friendly and exceptionally fun for the kids as well.
Parent #4
There are two co teachers - not one lead - they are both excellent
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.4) |
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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
Apple Creek is focused on fun as well as learning. My daughter enjoys waking up on the mornings that she knows she has school. Teachers are great at providing feedback. They generally call after the first 6 weeks to discuss how your child is doing. They also write notes stating how your child is doing, their favorite subject (example: outside play, reading time, or playing house, etc). My daughter was in the 2's class.
Parent #2
The teachers do a phone call in the first 6 weeks of school to touch base with parents.
Parent #3
As parents, you could be as involved as you want to be. My son was happy and engaged there. He learned quite a bit and his experience there has helped him to excel in public kindergarten. Apple Creek is a great school. All the teachers and staff appeared to really enjoy their jobs and the kids all behaved extremely well. The teacher/child ratio is excellent. The only bad thing I can say about the school are the snacks they provided. I felt they offered too many sugary items. I feel they missed a great opportunity to install good eating habits at an early age.
Parent #4
We love Apple Creek for our 2 year old son and we are looking forward to his later years there. Great school! The only one that is NAEYC accredited, and as a former teacher I see many benefits of my child attending this preschool as opposed to the many others in Frisco I visited. He will be prepared for kindergarten but nurtured and allowed to be a child at the same time.
Parent #5
Great home-school connection
Parent #6
no comment
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (4.1) |
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
My child started preschool for the first time this fall and it's already mid -November and he hasn't been sick once. I just knew with germs from other kids he'd catch everything and he has been perfectly healthy. Very few of his friends from class have been sick either. The parents keep kids home when they're sick and the school cleans very well so that disease is not spread.
Parent #2
Play area outside is fully covered and in excellent condition & most importantly FUN!
Parent #3
no comment
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.7) |
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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 (4.8) |
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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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Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Parents' Admission Tips
Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions
Parent #1
Turn paperwork in on time.
Parent #2
No, I don't have any advice.
Parent #3
No, I don't have any advice.
Parent #4
Getting in the 2 year old program ensures you a spot in the older classes. This has helped us secure a spot for him later on.
Parent #5
The school has a very fair system set up as far as admissions and class assignments go.
Parent #6
timing
Parent #7
no
