Summary
Contact Info
Great Beginnings Preschool
511 Encinitas Blvd Ste 110
Encinitas
, CA
92024
www.greatbeginningspreschool.net/
Tel:
(760) 942-0220
Fax:
(760) 944-5566
Director:
Devi & Pat Goonasekara
General Approach to Learning
 |
Play-based with some structure |
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| Predominantly teacher-led instruction |
Application Information
| Applications accepted |
After a face-to-face meeting at the school |
| Deadline for applications |
Rolling |
Key Statistics
| Age cutoff for enrollment |
2 months |
| School year |
08/2008 - 06/2009 |
| Summer Program |
06/2008 - 08/2008 |
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:
6
Savvy Source survey: Yes
General Info
Basic Stats
% of teachers with:
Transportation and Drop-off Policies
Transportation
Dropoff Procedure
Features of the Preschool
| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program |
No
|
| Affiliated with a religious institution |
No
|
Accreditation, Membership & Awards
| Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children |
Yes
|
Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (2.8) |
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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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Facilities Include:
| Classrooms (with bathroom attached) |
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| Classrooms (with kitchenette attached) |
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| Music room |
|
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Each classroom has a library area
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|
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Playground
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Parents' Comments
Parent #1
La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten is offering a special enrollment program for Great Beginning families impacted by the school closure. Registration fee is also waived. LCVPS&K is fully accredited. Alternative payment program accepted. Call 760-436-2797
Parent #2
great teachers!
Parent #3
The school is nurturing and accomodating, all the teachers are warm, friendly and have plenty of experience with children. My kids loved it and always enjoyed their time there. They learned a lot and miss their teachers!
Parent #4
structure, clean, meet with parents, deal with children who have a hard time acclimating. Play yard fixed up and teachers need to be brought in new and fresh - the ones now seem itis jus a job.
Parent #5
I don't even think the teacher Comes in I only see teachers aide by themselves. I have come in at different times and raley see the teacher.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
Great Beginnings is a child development center and our mission is to provide a nurturing, secure and educationally challenging experience in a stimulating environment for each child. Our goal is to develop positive self esteem in a climate that encourages creativity and individuality.
Each child has unique capabilities and we provide a wide variety of experiences for children to enhance and develop their talents. Above all, children at Great Beginnings are happy, learning, and safe. We value childhood and want children to succeed in their academic skills, self concept, and socialization. When a five year old graduates from Great Beginnings, they have mastered the necessary academic and socialization skills to give them confidence to face a bright future as well as making new friends and joyful memories to last a lifetime.
(excerpted from brochure)
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: (1.9) |
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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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| 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
Find a better school if your looking. Something with a lesson plan to keep those young minds constantly busy.
Parent #2
Great Toddler teacher! great 4 Year old teacher. Good with behavior issues, correcting negative behavior instantly on the spot.
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (3.7) |
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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
The school is dirty,old and the teacher is never there always an aid. The play toys are old and they have no structure they just let my girl walk around aimlessly. I can not wait to find another place for her. They deffinatley do not encourage you to stop by which makes me wonder?
Parent #2
there has been allot of problems at this school - some mother got real upset and pulled her child out. the rumor was she had posted on Yahoo - so some of the parents also went and backed the school to get the rating up. I personally agree with the mother who left, just no structure at all. A lesson plan for the day would be nice. The big issue I guess now is the fact that the play yard needs refurbishing. I do agree it is old and dirty looking - The owners told me back in february they were re-doing it but it has yet to be done. Also, I was dropping off my child and they had a 4 - 5 year boy playing with a toddler girl. I wont say the boys name but if you are a parent there and in early I would say something to old to be playing with little babies. We are actually going to take out of pre-school all together. I am going to start my own day care from home. This wont happen for anothe 3-4 months. My opinon of the school is they watch your childeren but they do not challenge them. Again the are a play with som structure environment. I just never see structure. regards,
Parent #3
it is a pre-school/day care
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (2.5) |
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (2.8) |
|
| 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
I have not had any real issues with them diciplining my child. But, I do know this lady that left afte 4 weeks she posted her thoughts on Yahoo. Said they would but her son and others in the high chair for time outs. I am shocked if true as that is not permissable at a school they can get in big trouble if kept up. My issues are the cleanliness, structrue and my child does not appear to have learned a thing. And always dirty when I pick up. You can look at the yahoo posting a few people go into detail about issues at the school. I read one called child services and said they had been written up and each parent should of got a copy and signed off on it - I never got one... I guess it is suppose to be posted to - not sure just read off yahoo. Oh ya if you read yahoo it is interesting - this one girl who was there a short period of time her son starting hitting and never did this before. I guess from her email everyday they would say he did this or that with out feedback on what they were doing to help so she could continue at home, in her not it says the last straw was the owner told her her 15 or 16 month old should see a phyciciatrist. Anoter person posted that they emailed her and her son is in a montosorri and extremley happy, no more behavior problems. I guess some kids need real structured environments and others are okay with playing all day. All, find your self a reputable school check with that child services that was mentioned they could tell you what issues the school has had
Parent #2
The newly remodeled school has so many nice things in it, we love it!
Parent #3
brand new out door equipment. great!
Health
| OVERALL RATING (3.7) |
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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 (3.4) |
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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
|
|
|
$60/Week |
From
3 years
to
5 years
|
|
|
$94/Week |
From
3 years
to
5 years
|
|
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$105/Week |
From
3 years
to
5 years
|
|
|
$94/Week |
From
3 years
to
5 years
|
|
|
$125/Week |
From
3 years
to
5 years
|
|
|
$148/Week |
From
3 years
to
5 years
|
|
|
$169/Week |
From
2 years
to
3 years
|
|
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$67/Week |
From
2 years
to
3 years
|
|
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$86/Week |
From
2 years
to
3 years
|
|
|
$100/Week |
From
2 years
to
3 years
|
|
|
$114/Week |
From
2 years
to
3 years
|
|
|
$100/Week |
From
2 years
to
3 years
|
|
|
$136/Week |
From
2 years
to
3 years
|
|
|
$164/Week |
From
2 years
to
3 years
|
|
|
$186/Week |
From
3 years
to
5 years
|
|
|
$79/Week |
Extended Care
Notes on Schedule and Extended Care
Notes
**These rates are for the 2006-2007 school year. The school is undergoing substantial renovations during the summer of 2007, and tuition rates may change. The rates for 2007-2008 are not yet available. Please contact GREAT BEGINNINGS for information on tuition rates for the fall 2007 - 2008 school year. ***
Great Beginnings also offers Infant care. Please contact the school for more details regarding their recently expanded infant care program.
Statements are not mailed to your home as a reminder for payment. Weekly fees are due MONDAY of each week. We do not offer monthly discounts, but if you pay monthly, payments are calculated by 4.3 weeks per month.
Full tuition is due for holidays Great Beginnings is closed. No credits are given. Great Beginnings is closed the following holidays: Presidents Day (2/19/07), Spring Break (4/6 & 4/9/07), Memorial Day (5/28/07), Independence Day (4/04/07), Labor Day (8/03/07), Thanksgiving (11/21 - 11/23/07), Winter Break (12/24 - 12/26/07), and New Year (12/31/07 & 1/1/08)
Calendar Year
School Year
Summer Program
Application & Admissions
Application Process
Admissions Process
Savvy Source's Comments
Comments
We take pride in all the activities we are involved in with our community. We have been a member of the Chamber of Commerce for 5 years, as well as a member of the NAEYC (National Association Education for Young Children). We attend Encinitas Day every October & participate in the Encinitas Holiday Parade for which we won 1st place in 2000 and 3rd place in 1999.
- We offer a holiday program put on by the children and the teachers for the whole family.
- We have a graduation ceremony every June.
- We hold an open house twice a year.
- School photos are taken each Fall & each Spring
- We invite you to celebrate your child's birthday with his friends in class!
- We offer a fantastic All Sports Summer Camp each year
- In house CPR Training is offered to our parents
- We sponsor COSTCO & Children's Miracle Network every year
- We are continually adding to our program offerings to meet the needs of our children & their parents. We want to introduce Education in Human Values.
We trust that the information you have just read will help you in making the right decisions for your child's education and well being. After all, the preschool years lay the foundation for the rest of your child's scholastic career. Give the gift that keeps on giving.....a Preschool Education!
(Excerpted from brochure)
Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Parents' Admission Tips
Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions
Parent #1
pleny of openings
