Summary

Contact Info

Alameda Headstart
2325 Clement Avenue
Alameda , CA 94501
Tel: (510) 865-4500
Fax: (510) 865-1930

Director: Kim Wong
kwong@xanthos.org

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.)

Wait list

Yes

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

222

Student/teacher ratio

10:1

Age cutoff for enrollment

2 years and 9 months

Extended day

Yes

School year

Year round program

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

All Alameda public elementary schools

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: 4

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

222

Student/teacher ratio

10:1

Established

??

Average tenure for teachers

4 yrs.

% of teachers with:

- Bachelors

50%

- 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

- 8:00 AM is the earliest time a parent can drop off a child

Late Pickup Policy: Warnings.

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year

No

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

No

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Some experience serving children with special needs	Yes
• Teachers are trained in special needs, speech therapist comes into work with students. IED's developed and parents and school district, 1 staff member responsible for tracking special needs.

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

No

Other Accreditations

Head Start

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (2.4)

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

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Head Start is a great program, if I could make any changes I wish there was more communication between teachers, administrators and parents. Even though I am the one to drop off and pick up my son, I don't always know what's going on with the school.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

Vision: To advance education, wellness and quality of life for children and their families in the community of Alameda.

Mission: Alameda Head Start dedicates its services to:

* Children, by reliably enriching their lives through quality child development programs.

* Families, by responsibly creating opportunities to empower and enrich their lives.

* Alameda, by compassionately entrusting these services to strengthen individuals and enrich interrelations in the community.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

* Breakfast
* Circle time
* Free play
* Outside play
* Lunch
* Nap (for full days)
* Snack
* Free play

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.9)

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	Social-emotion cirriculm				n/a

Director's Comments

Activities predominantly balanced between free play and teacher-led instruction.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.8)

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

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Both teachers are very patient with the kids, one teacher I would not describe as 'affectionate', though not in a bad way, it's just not her style.

Home School Connection

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

Director's Comments

Home visits and family partnerships with every family, parent classes, special staff (family advocates who are assigned to work with parents). We have workshops and presentations to bridge the gap between preschool and kindergarten for parents and children.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Parents in classroom early on
- Small group sessions
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
- Home visits by teachers

Director's and Parents' Comments

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
My son had a hard time separating at the start of school, though Head Start tried to make it easier on him.

Drop-in Policy

- During school parents are welcomed as the school has an open door policy

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (3.8)

Parents:

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Go on field trips

- Volunteer in the classroom

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- 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 (3.5)
Parents' Opinions
Parents at this school, on average, believe that conflicts between children: are handled well in a way that gives me confidence in the safety of my child

Overview

Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline

Proactive - use developmentally appropriate activities and re-direct children as needed.

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.'

Teacher will discuss with children, 'Can there be more than one friend? Is there a way to expand the game?' Possibly play with child B later, if child B gets support in finding another friend? Depends on specifics.

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.7)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Food Allergies

- We keep special snacks for allergic children

Medications

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 2 years 9 months to 4 years 11 months	20	Mon 8:00am - 5:00pm Tue 8:00am - 5:00pm Wed 8:00am - 5:00pm Thu 8:00am - 5:00pm Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm	$0/Year

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

Closing times vary by location. Please contact office for details.

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.)

There is a wait list for upcoming school year. • Advise as needed. Because of priorities, more of a 'wait pool' than a 'wait list' since the placement may change based on needs.

Parent visits tours are: Recommended

Child interview process: None

Parent interview process: Admissions Director-parent

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Application fee: $0

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Selective based on low-income priority for students with disabilities. preference given to 4 year-olds.
• Government program- 90% of students must be low-income and 10% must have identified disabilities.

Notification occurs: Rolling

Deposit not required.

Parents must submit deposit within the following timeframe of receiving notification of acceptance: 0

Financial aid is available.

Director's Comments

Comments

Not first-come first-served basis. Priority given to 4 year olds and children with disabilities.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 2 years and 9 months to enroll.

Child does not need to be potty trained to enroll.

Enquiries accepted on a rolling basis.

Director's views on diversity:
17 languages spoken, wide range of racial, cultural, ethnic diversity.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

All Alameda public elementary schools