Braker Lane Christian Learning Center

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Summary

Contact Info

Braker Lane Christian Learning Center
11300 Hunters Lane
Austin , TX  78753
brakerlaneclc.com

Tel: (512) 837-2268
Fax: (512) 837-0815

Director: Marianne Newberry
brakerlaneclc@yahoo.com

General Approach to Learning

Play-based
Check Mark Play-based with some structure
Predominantly teacher-led instruction
Montessori
Waldorf
Co-op
Reggio-Emilia

Application Information

Applications accepted After a face-to-face meeting at the school
Wait list No

Key Statistics

Total enrollment 95
Age cutoff for enrollment 1 years
Extended day Yes
School year Year round program

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Copperfield Elementary, Dessau Elementary, Delco Primary, River Oaks Elementary

Parent Ratings

Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. Four Stars
Quality of teaching Four And Half Stars
Development of social skills and work habits Four And Half Stars
Home-school connection Four Stars
Parent community Two and Half Star
Discipline Four Stars
Facilities Four Stars
Health Four And Half Stars
Safety Four Stars
Handling of separation Four Stars

Survey Information

Number of parents surveyed:  6

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment 95
Established 1970
Average tenure for teachers 5 yrs.

% of teachers with:

- CPR 100%
- First aid 100%

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school


Dropoff Procedure

- Parents walk their child into the classroom

Late Pickup Policy: $1.00 per minute

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year Yes
• Follows the Texas Pre-K curriculum guidelines Emergent reading skills Pre-writing and individually assessed writing skills “Early Math” program Sensory, movement, art and music Graduation celebration in May
Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program No
Affiliated with a religious institution Yes
Teach religious concepts Yes

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children Yes

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.2) Four Stars
Building, bathrooms, hallway Four Stars
Classroom equipment and furniture Three and Half Stars
Outside play equipment Four And Half Stars

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached)
Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)
Music room
Art room
Library Check
Playground Check

Parents' Comments
Parent #1
after 3 days in this daycare my child ws coming home with very bad words.after that the director she said she has a some kids with problems ...and that is all???????????

Parent #2
One of the strenghts of this school is the cultural diversity of the staff and the students. I feel like we are part of a family. They have been known to take care of me as well as my son. Mary anne has very little turnover in her senior staff. These children have a huge amount of consistnacy in this preschool

Parent #3
Please see previous comments

Parent #4
would like a parental community that is stronger

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

We believe that the proper raising of children is the key to a brighter future. Our purpose is to create a center that will provide the education and enriching upbringing of children within a fun but focused environment. With our assistance, your child will grow up with the social, emotional, and physical well being to live up to his or her fullest abilities.



Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Upon arrival each day, the students are given a moment to chat and play with their friends. If they bring in a breakfast, they are given an opportunity to eat. At 8:30 a snack is given and classes move to their rooms. Projects, center time, and circle time activities are done until 10:15. Ath this time we meet for our pre-lunch outside time, song time and lunch. After lunch, nap, clean-up and return to classroom by 2:30 where we do Art and Sensory activities followed by a snack around 3:30. If weather permits, we stay outside until 4:30 to 5:00 and then we clean up the faces and hands and move into our mult-purpose room for a video, stories, or table activities.

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based
Play-based with some structure
Predominantly teacher-led instruction
Montessori
Waldorf
Co-op
Reggio-Emilia

Director's Comments

Savvy Source's Comments

Children are learning through their play. We allow and encourage them to get their hands dirty, stand up and "brush it off" when they fall, and teach them to work out their own conflicts using words with their friends. They will get dirty; they will get bumps and bruises; they will have fun; they will learn. Parents are welcome to observe classes at any time.

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.8) Four And Half Stars
This school has increased my child's:
Ability to listen and follow directions Four And Half Stars
Ability to sit still for longer periods of time
Four Stars
Ability to be a part of a group of children Five Stars
Self-sufficiency and independence Four And Half Stars
Awareness of others’ feelings Five Stars
Cooperation with other children Five Stars

Curriculum and Teaching Approach

Free Play Free Play Free Play with Some Structure Free Play with Some Structure Free Play with Some Structure
Language YES
Oral language - Free play with some structure - - n/a
Nursery rhymes, poems, songs - Free play with some structure - - n/a
Storybook reading - Free play with some structure - - n/a
Emerging literacy skills - Free play with some structure - - n/a
Cognitive Development n/a
Math and number sense - Free play with some structure - - YES
Time & space - Free play with some structure - - YES
Sci. reasoning/physical world - Free play with some structure - - -
Music - Free play with some structure - - YES
Visual arts - Free play with some structure - - YES
Physical activity - Free play with some structure - - YES
Other subjects taught Bible Teachings n/a
Director's Comments

We provide learning opportunities for children by offering activities that utilize their fine motor skills, gross motor skills, sensory activities, learning centers, manipulatives, blocks, and pre-writing activities. Our threes and Pre-k concentrate on readiness skills for elementary school. Each week we focus on a particular theme, color, letter, number and shape, and Bible verse.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Since the early toddler years BLCLC has has a ciriculum approach. Reece knew colors and shapes very early. He loves song and all types of music. He says prayers.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.9) Four And Half Stars
Full of energy and seemingly happy in job Four And Half Stars
Patient and affectionate with children Five Stars
Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her Five Stars
Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior Five Stars
Provides feedback on what my child does during the day Four And Half Stars
Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate Five Stars
Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses Five Stars
If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off Four And Half Stars
Resolves disputes quickly, calmly and fairly in a manner that allows children to learn from the dispute Four And Half Stars
Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them Five Stars
Manages the energy level of the children so that all children feel safe and able to learn Five Stars
Provides additional support to a child when s/he is clearly failing in her/his efforts Five Stars
Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children Five Stars

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

As the teachers work with children, they begin to see how each child learns. If a child is not exhibiting any learning, a verbal referal to the director is given who will do observations and give insights into the child that the teacher may need to help. Parents are then consulted and a plan is set. Each child is taught at their own pace form 12 months through the Pre-K year. The Pre-K teacher will give quarterly reports to the parents in order to help them communicate with the elementary schools when their child arrives in the fall. We strongly believe that children will learn, but we must let them progress at their own pace. We can encourage them through our enthusiasm and love.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
At BLCLC they have a large art ciriculum. I have boxes of papers and my son loves art to this day. Reece was so proud to bring home his first Pre K report card and works hard in Ms Michelles class for the Pre K graduation. I feel he will be better prepared for Kindergarten after being in this Pre-K program

Parent #2
I receive daily feedback on how well my child is doing in preschool. The teachers are always providing me with ideas to continue to help my child grow and learn outside of preschool. They are always patient with the kids and continuously praise and encourage the kids. They are always fair and consistent when correction is needed.

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.3) Four Stars
Conducts an open house at start of school year Five Stars
Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year Four Stars
Conducts regular parent teacher conferences Four Stars
Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year Four Stars
Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year Four And Half Stars
Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools Three and Half Stars
Director's Comments

There are quarterly family newsletters, a parent handbook, parent meetings several times a year on current topics concerning parents, and classwork is sent home weekly. The Pre-K has a graduation in May with a reception afterwards.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.2) Four Stars
Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Extra staff dedicated to handle separation

Director's and Parents' Comments

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
This is a full time daycare setting and my child is not yet in the official preschool section, but he does learn a lot and they do have organized learning activities as well as a lot of time for play which I feel is most important at this age.

Parent #2
All the teachers are very personal to the kids. They treat the kids like there own. They build a trust to the kids and parents

Parent #3
My daughter started attending B.L.L.C.C. at 6 months old. The management of this daycare is exceptional. The teachers are friendly, caring and educational driven. When I drop off my daughter, I am 110% confident in my daughter's care. I know my daughter is receiving overall excellent care; nutritionally, academically, socially, medically, behaviorally and most important in a safe, nurturing, loving environment. The staff at B.L.L.C.C. has become a part of our family. My daughter had some speech and developmental delays. She received speech therapy through Pflugerville ISD once a week. It was the consistently and educational training at B.L.L.C.C. that made the profound difference. She was socially withdrawn and didn't interact much with her peers. Her gross motor skills were somewhat delayed. It was the intervention of this daycare that truly progressed her in these areas. I cannot say enough positive things about B.L.L.C.C. They deserve the highest praise and recognition. Most Sincerely!

Parent #4
Reece has been at BLCLC since he was 18 months. He has transitioned through their ciriculum. Alot of these questions were N/A to our situation

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (2.8) Two and Half Star

Parents:

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want


Parents' Comments

Parent #1
No real organized parent community

Parent #2
We have special meetings with speakers at the school. They provide lots of info for your child and parents

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Voice Mail

- Email

- Special Meetings

- Two or More Regular Conferences

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (4.2) Four Stars
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

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
In my particular situation, My son had an incident of acting out and screaming inappropriatly for his age. The staff discussed thier concerns about behavior they had not seen before. He had been exposed to a stressful situation and acted out at school. There was a point that I was requested to remove him for the day. The lines of communication were totally open and the situation resolved. I was happy with how it was all handled as they knew something was wrong but we all together reminded him of his inapropriate behavior an he grew from this

Parent #2
Our preschool is located in an older home, but it is ALWAYS well maintained and clean.

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.6) Four And Half Stars
Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable Four And Half Stars
Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided Four Stars
Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly Five Stars

Food Allergies

- We ask parents to provide child-safe snacks for their allergic child

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.2) Four Stars
Screen and identify all visitors Four Stars
Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others Four Stars

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition

Ages Class Size Days Tuition
From 1 years to
1 years 18 months
$600/Month
From 5 years to
6 years 72 months
$430/Month
From 3 years to
4 years 48 months
$440/Month
From 1 years 7 months to
2 years 35 months
$460/Month

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

After School Care provided at $220 per month

Calendar Year

School Year

Year round program

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: After a face-to-face meeting at the school

There is no wait list for upcoming school year.

Parent visits tours are: Recommended

Child interview process: None

Parent interview process: Director-parent

Application fee: $75

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: First-come basis  

Notification occurs: Immediately

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 1 years to enroll.

Child does not need to be potty trained to enroll.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Copperfield Elementary, Dessau Elementary, Delco Primary, River Oaks Elementary

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
no set admissions process

Parent #2
N/A

Parent #3
No I was honest and liked the Directors very much.

The Savvy Source for Parents © 2006
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