Summary

Contact Info

ICRI International Child Resource Institute (Alameda)
2001 Santa Clara Avenue
Alameda , CA 94501
www.icrichild.org

Tel: (510) 522-3194
Fax: (510) 769-1352

Director: Juneko Horncliff

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

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 (tour, conversation with director, etc.), after a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school

Wait list

Yes

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

67

Student/teacher ratio

8:1

Age cutoff for enrollment

3 months

Extended day

Yes

School year

Year round program

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Edison, Earhart, Cragmont

Parent Ratings

Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents.

Quality of teaching

Development of social skills and work habits

Home-school connection

Parent community

Discipline

Facilities

Health

Safety

Handling of separation

Survey Information

Number of parents surveyed: 9

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

Parents who send their child to this preschool also like the following preschools:

Peter Pan Preschool (Mariner Square)
Kindercare Learning Center
Bright Horizons - Garner Preschool
Peter Pan Preschool (Mecartney)

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

67

Student/teacher ratio

8:1

Established

Unknown. ICRI took over in 2002, but First Presbyterian had it going long before.

Average tenure for teachers

4 yrs.

% of teachers with:

- Teaching credentials

95%

- CPR

100%

- First aid

100%

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Located close to public transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Dropoff Procedure

- Parents walk their child into the classroom

- 7:00 AM is the earliest time a parent can drop off a child

Late Pickup Policy: After 6:00 pm the fee is $2.00 per minute and must be paid by cash or check to the staff person waiting with your child.

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year	Yes
• Bridge K (Pre-K) is geared for pre-reading, writing, and Spanish.

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

No

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Some experience serving children with special needs	Yes
• We work closely with the parents and agency the family is involved with. We use the strategies the specialists suggest.

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

No

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (3.8)

Building, bathrooms, hallway

Classroom equipment and furniture

Outside play equipment

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached)

Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)

Music room

Art room

Library

Playground

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

ICRI's model child care operations continue to grow and thrive. In the last three years, we have grown our child care operations from one center with 8 staff serving 30 children to four centers with 50 staff, providing high quality child care services to 200 children and families.

Our centers are intended to display child care models, aspects of curriculum planning, and program implementation to the world. Our centers, all located in the San Francisco Bay Area, are in line with ICRI's commitment to providing high quality programs for children while reflecting the rich cultural and ethnic diversity that is testament of the San Francisco Bay Area.

As our centers are located in different geographical and demographic settings, each center is tailored to meet the unique needs of its community, while promoting high quality programs.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

There will be free play, structure time, circle time, and indoor and outdoor activities. Your child will have 2 snacks, lunch, and a nap.

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

We are a play-based preschool which believes that children learn through play as well as by doing hands-on activities. Of course basic concepts are taught, but we don't force an academic curriculum on our children. Activities are set up to introduce concepts as well as challenge skill level.

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.5)

This school has increased my child's:

Ability to listen and follow directions

Ability to sit still for longer periods of time

Ability to be a part of a group of children

Self-sufficiency and independence

Awareness of others’ feelings

Cooperation with other children

Curriculum and Teaching Approach


Language				YES
Oral language	-	-	-	n/a
Nursery rhymes, poems, songs	-	-	-	n/a
Storybook reading	-	-	-	n/a
Emerging literacy skills	-	-	-	n/a

Cognitive Development				n/a
Math and number sense	-	-	-	YES
Time & space	-	-	-	YES
Sci. reasoning/physical world	-	-	-	YES
Music	-	-	-	YES

Visual arts	-	-	-	YES
Physical activity	-	-	-	YES

Other subjects taught	No			n/a

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.9)

Full of energy and seemingly happy in job

Patient and affectionate with children

Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her

Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior

Provides feedback on what my child does during the day

Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate

Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses

If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off

Resolves disputes quickly, calmly and fairly in a manner that allows children to learn from the dispute

Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them

Manages the energy level of the children so that all children feel safe and able to learn

Provides additional support to a child when s/he is clearly failing in her/his efforts

Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children

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

Teachers identify individual needs and design the curriculum to meet each child's needs. We document areas of concern and conduct intense follow-up as well as strategies for resolving the areas of concern.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
ICRI of Alameda offers a wonderful environment for my child educationally and developmentally. It is an extremely loving and caring environment.

Parent #2
I wish there were a home-school connection. Curriculum is posted outside the classroom, but it would help if teachers suggested at-home activities to extend learning.

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (3.7)

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

Director's Comments

We have 2 formal parent/teacher conferences per year in addition to daily spoken contact and several all school events. The school also has a graduation/potluck.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.5)

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

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

Visits with parents and child prior to start of school.

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (2.5)

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 (3.8)
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

Children are re-directed, and a teacher helps them to help problem solve. There are no time outs. A lot of positive reinforcements are given, and the child is always supported.

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.'

Depending on the situation and how well Child B reacts, the teacher will further intervene and ask Child A if you could let Child B know that you are still friends and will play with him later.

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Discipline is handled well.

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.5)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Food Allergies

- Allergies are listed. Parents provide special snacks for their child with allergies. We try not to serve any peanut products.

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

- We do not allow certain foods in the classroom

Medications

- All medications must be by doctor's orders--even over the counter. Stored out of reach. Forms need to be completed by parent. Teachers document dosage.

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.3)

Screen and identify all visitors

Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition

Ages	Class Size	Days	Tuition
From 3 years to 5 years	24	Mon 7am - 6pm Tue 7am - 6pm Wed 7am - 6pm Thu 7am - 6pm Fri 7am - 6pm	$7800/Year
From 2 years to 3 years	24	Mon 7am - 6pm Tue 7am - 6pm Wed 7am - 6pm Thu 7am - 6pm Fri 7am - 6pm	$8520/Year

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

The open hours for the school are 7 am - 6 pm, Monday through Friday. Only full time slots are available.

Calendar Year

School Year

Year round program

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: After a face-to-face meeting at the school (tour, conversation with director, etc.), after a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school

There is a wait list for upcoming school year. • Usually when an opening is available or when the school has a major transition period such as Bridge-K leaving in the summer

Parent visits tours are: Recommended, by appointment only

Child interview process: Not required, but it is wise to bring the child with you. Plus we encourage several visits. and takes the form of no child interview

Parent interview process: No parent interview. Parents are really interviewing us.

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Application fee: $100.00 non-refundable registration fee

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: First-come basis

Notification occurs: Rolling

Deposit required: $100.00

Parents must submit deposit within the following timeframe of receiving notification of acceptance: When turning in the completed application.

Financial aid is not available.

Director's Comments

Comments

All paperwork should be completed and turned in prior to the start date. An immunization record and a physician's report need to be completed.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 3 months to enroll.

Child does not need to be potty trained to enroll.

Enquiries accepted on a rolling basis.

Director's views on diversity:
We have a mixed staff and several mixed families--French, Asian, German, Dutch, Filipino. Multi-cultural.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Edison, Earhart, Cragmont

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
We visited the infant room observed the classroom and spoke with the teachers.