Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (3.8)

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

The Day School offers an Open House the spring prior to each child's first year of school. In addition, a parent Orientation Night is held prior to the beginning of school in September. During both these events, school policies are discussed in detail and parents meet with teachers to discuss individual classroom and age level goals and objectives. During these sessions, separation is addressed and strategies discussed. Daily, parents drop off and pick up children at their classrooms. While this is not a time to discuss specific concernes in detail, it is a good time to set up conferences with teachers if needed. Our teachers are ready and willing to meet with parents before or after school to discuss any concerns they may. In addition, the school dedicates two full days in February for individual Parent-Teacher conferences to discuss children's progress, goals, and development.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
- Extra staff dedicated to handle separation
- Abbreviated schedule at start of school year

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

In our vast combined experience integrating children into the preschool environment, we have found that children separate best by: first, having visited the school a couple of times, playing on the playground, etc. and familiarizing themselves with the building; and second, during the first few days of school, parents should give a quick kiss so-long, reassure the child they will be back and let the teachers take over comforting the child. It is our belief that children need to learn from the very beginning to trust the adults in the classroom and learn to feel safe and secure in their care. Our school does have extra staff on hand and some of the classes of younger children have an abbreviated schedule during these first weeks; however, it is our goal to make each child feel welcome and safe as quickly as possible. One of the primary goals of our school is to help children learn to trust other adults in their world, and we begin this process on the first day of school.

Yes, sometimes children are upset as their parents are leaving. Yes, some children do not initally want the teachers to pick them up and comfort them; in these situations, the teacher stays close by and talks to the child, reassuring him/her that he/she is safe and that "mommy or daddy will be back soon". The teacher will then attempt to engage the child in play and interacting with the other children until he feels better.

We have experienced great success with these methods and most of our children acclimate within a day or so. In rare cases, in conjuction with parents, it is determined that the child is simply not ready for school yet and should wait a little while. We strive to make each child's preschool experience a positive one and never want a child to associate negative feelings for school.

Parent #1
The school and the church are so welcoming and they encourage us to use the playground and to attend church children's functions throughout the year. That really has built a strong sense of community for us pre-school parents.

Parent #2
Aldersgate sends monthly newsletters filled with information and suggestions of how parents can reinforce skills being developed during school. These newsletters contain reminders of things going on at Aldersgate as well as suggestions for fun activities families can do together in the community and at home.

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (5.0)
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

The Day School's approach to discipline is one of simple reiteration of rules and redirection. In most cases, children simply need to be reminded of the rules at school and then redirected into another activity. We experience very few indicidents that can not be corrected using this methodolgy.

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.'

Part of the preschool experience is to learn to play with many different children and to adapt to different situations. Teachers should not always react or interfere with normal, natural preschool situations; rather our teachers attempt to equip each student with the language tools to deal with events that are inevitable in preschool, such as the example provided, and then guide students when necessary to manage and problem solve on their own.

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parent #1
I can't answer most of these questions b/c the school provides very little information to parents.

Parent #2
The facility is very new as is the furniture and many of the toys. They rotate outside play equipment and throw away worn out toys.

Parent #3
The building itself is three and a half years old when the day school got occupancy, all of the furniture and equipment was replaced. As to discipline and health and safety, I have never once has pause to think that Aldersgate's procedures and policies were anything less than examplary. All procedures and guidelines are clearly stated in the school handbook, and the staff is more than happy to discuss individual issues anytime.

Extended Care

Application Process

Admissions Process

Director's Comments

We encourage prospective parents to contact the school to make sure all application procedures are clear (703)768-8351.