Summary
Contact Info
Fuzzy Caterpillar Preschool
1510 Encinal Avenue
Alameda
, CA
94501
www.fuzzycaterpillarpreschool.com
Tel:
(510) 769-1724
Fax:
(510) 769-4914
Director:
Julie Cohen and Tali Risse
admin@fuzzycaterpillarpreschool.com
General Approach to Learning
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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 (tour, conversation with director, etc.) |
| Deadline for applications |
Rolling |
Key Statistics
| Student/teacher ratio |
8:1 |
| Age cutoff for enrollment |
2 years |
| School year |
Year round program |
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:
2
Director survey: Yes
Savvy Source survey: Yes
Parents who send their child to this preschool also like the following preschools:
- Sugar and Spice Center for Children (Alameda)
- Bright Horizons - Garner Preschool
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General Info
Basic Stats
| Student/teacher ratio |
8:1
|
% of teachers with:
| - Teaching credentials |
100%
|
Transportation and Drop-off Policies
Transportation
Dropoff Procedure
Features of the Preschool
| Provide a third year |
Yes
|
| • The pre-K program is different than for younger children. |
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| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program |
No
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| Affiliated with a religious institution |
No
|
| Some experience serving children with special needs |
No
|
Accreditation, Membership & Awards
| Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children |
No
|
Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (5.0) |
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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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| Art room |
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| Library |
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Science/Computer
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Playground
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Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Great school, great teachers, family friendly, lots of fresh ideas,
cant say enough good things about this school... Love it!!!!
Parent #2
As a former preschool teacher and R.N. I was very particular about where our daughters would attend preschool. My husband and I researched a number of schools before deciding Fuzzy Caterpillar was the one! When my daughter first attended preschool she was very, very shy. At 4 years old this was her first time away from Mom and Dad. But the fact that children of different ages interact with each other made her feel helpful and grown-up. She really blossomed at this school. We love the diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds of the teachers. Our daughters felt special at this school and you can tell that all the kids are made to feel like they are #1 in their teachers' eyes. Pre-K time is substantial and the children are taught that "mistakes" are an expected and acceptable part of the learning process. The "homework" was fun and always age appropriate. Her Kindergarten teacher was impressed with the knowledge base of kids that graduated from "Fuzzy." I could write pages and pages about how wonderful Fuzzy Caterpillar is. But hurry over and see for yourself!
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
Our goal is to create an environment where children feel safe and comfortable, where play and learning become one. Our school creates opportunities that promote self help skills, such as
having children participate in making and cleaning up snacks and lunches and helping to set up and put away their nap mats. These skills foster independence, introduce responsibility, and boost
children’s confidence. Children are given free unstructured time to explore their surroundings, create on their own and express themselves.
Some of the subjects and activities the children will be exposed to are, language development, math concepts, science, creative arts, gardening, computer time and music. We incorporate an
emergent curriculum by observing the children’s curiosities and listening to their ideas. When the children have a particular interest, we feed it and help it grow by engaging in various activities that expand on the topic. Our teachers are very experienced with a solid background in Early Childhood Development and years of hands on experience. They understand the importance of identifying children’s individual needs, which is
essential in helping them develop socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically. We feel parent involvement and open communication are key to the children’s success and allows for
continuity of care. We look forward to sharing together in the learning and teaching experience.
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: (5.0) |
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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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| Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses |
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| If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off |
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Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Because of the teachers' diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds our daughters were taught Spanish, exposed to different cultural traditions and holidays and practiced yoga as part of Morning Stretch.
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.2) |
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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 Comments
Daily communication between teachers/parents at drop off and pick up time, a posted summary of the days events called "What We Did Today", a monthly calendar outlining upcoming events and activities, flyers/notices in cubbies and in some cases parent/teacher meetings or annual summary of child's progress. An open house for pre-k parents just before the start of the "school year".
Separation
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Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
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Abbreviated schedule at start of school year
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Director's and Parents' Comments
Director's Comments
Pre-entry meetings with parents at school and abbreviated schedule at start of school year.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Written outline of the day's activity was at the sign out area along with past agendas. Pre-K homework sent every week with activities for parents to do with the kids as well as printouts. Class list of childrens' names, birthdates, parents' names and phone numbers were provided for parent's who wanted to participate.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (4.0) |
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (5.0) |
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| 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
Redirect child's attention from disruptive behavior to acceptable activity
*Talk it out
*Help the child put his/her thoughts into words
*Open communication with parents
*When needed, a 'time-in' or removal from the group for a short period of time.
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.'
Each child has the right to play with or without whom they wish. However, we do expect the child to be sensitive to the other child's feelings.
Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Our daughters were always safe and happy. Goodbye tears were always comforted and potty training our second daughter was a breeze with the help of the teachers at "Fuzzy."
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.8) |
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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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Food Allergies
Medications
Safety
| OVERALL RATING (5.0) |
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| Screen and identify all visitors
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| • We follow California State Licensing requirements for a full criminal backround check and fingerprint clearance through Live Scan. |
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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
2 years
to
5 years
|
|
Tue 7am - 6pm
Thu 7am - 6pm
|
$600/Month |
From
2 years
to
5 years
|
|
Mon 7am - 6pm
Wed 7am - 6pm
Fri 7am - 6pm
|
$700/Month |
From
2 years
to
5 years
|
|
Mon 7am - 6pm
Tue 7am - 6pm
Wed 7am - 6pm
Thu 7am - 6pm
Fri 7am - 6pm
|
$950/Month |
From
2 years
to
5 years
|
40 |
|
$865/Month |
From
2 years
to
5 years
|
40 |
|
$995/Month |
From
2 years
to
5 years
|
40 |
|
$755/Month |
From
2 years
to
5 years
|
40 |
|
$670/Month |
From
2 years
to
5 years
|
40 |
|
$670/Month |
Extended Care
Notes on Schedule and Extended Care
Notes
Two's through Five's together throughout the day with the exception of certain age and developmentally appropriate activities, maintaining a 1:9 ratio.
Calendar Year
School Year
Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Parents' Admission Tips
Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions
Parent #1
The school only had an opening for two days/week. We decided to take the open slots to get our "foot" in the door. Our daughter went to three days/week about two months later and eventually full time.
