Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.4)

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

Parents are invited to a Parent Orientation prior to the beginning of each school year. In addition, they may bring their children for a school visit the week before classes begin. During the year, parents or teachers may initiate conferences as needed, but we have regularly scheduled conferences in November and April. We issue a monthly newsletter and include a special parent page with tips and activity suggestions. We also have a parents' library from which parents may borrow books on parenting issues, development, discipline, etc.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

The August school visits are very beneficial in helping the children have a smooth beginning to their school year. Parents are encouraged to be very positive about the experience and to deliver their children to their classrooms and make a loving departure. The director will help as needed if a child is having a difficult time separating. Parents may stay in the building as along as they feel the need, but are encouraged to let the teacher bond with the child and to help them with the transition into the class.

Parent #1
Our parent group has just begun a 'networking board' to share relevant information, i.e. - babysitters

Drop-in Policy

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (4.8)
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

Overview

Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline

We believe in using a positive approach to discipline and guidance. Hitting, snatching toys away, biting, name-calling and "dirty language" are typical occurences among preschoolers as they try out new behaviors in new social situations. Our goal as parents and teachers is to be consistent in helping the children acquire self-control and discover acceptable ways to handle these situations appropriate to their individual developmental levels. A child will never be struck or humiliated or in any way subjected to harsh, cruel or unusual treatment. Short term removal from an activity or "Time Out" may be used with a child who is having difficulty. If a serious problem develops which the teacher is unable to handle within the school setting, the parents will be notified so that they can work together on a solution.

Director's Response to a Sample Discipline Scenario

Description of how teachers handle the following scenario: Child A and Child B are good friends and usually play together. One day, Child A decides to play with Child C and tells Child B, 'I don't want to play with you today. I'm playing with Child C instead.'

Child A might be asked to think how it would feel if he/she was excluded and to see if there was a way to expand the play to include Child B. A. B. and C would be reminded that we are all friends at school. The parents might be encouraged to provide play dates outside of school to help promote friendships.

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parent #1
Facilities - the facilities are older and simpler, nothing flashy or new. But they are clean and well-loved. Visitors - sign-in policy is rather lax, but I think this offset by the fact that you have to pass the church secretary and the directors' office, both of whom know all of the parents, at least by sight. I feel confident that they (or any of the teachers) would stop a visitor they didn't recognize.

Extended Care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

"Pow Wow" extended day is 11:45 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for $8 per day. The children bring their lunches. Early morning care is also available from 8:15- 8:45. Mother's Day Out is offered for infants and toddlers Thursday and/or Friday from 8:45-2:00.

Application Process

Admissions Process

Director's Comments

We encourage prospective families to visit our school, preferrably mid-morning, to get a nice overview of what we offer at the various age-levels.