Summary

Contact Info

Children's Community Center (CCC)
1140 Walnut Street
Berkeley , CA 94707
www.cccpreschool.org

Tel: (510) 528-6975

Director: Nicole Sanchez
info@cccpreschool.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.)

Deadline for applications

September 1

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

50

Student/teacher ratio

5:1

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

Windrush, Black Pine Circle, Park Day, Head Royce, Thousand Oaks, Berkwood Hedge, St. John's, Oxford, Cragmont, Prospect Sierra

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: 7

Savvy Source survey: Yes

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

Step One Nursery School
Gay Austin School
Cedar Creek Montessori
Gan Shalom
Monteverde School

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

50

Student/teacher ratio

5:1

Established

1927

Average tenure for teachers

12 yrs.

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Dropoff Procedure

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

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year

No

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

No

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.5)

Building, bathrooms, hallway

Classroom equipment and furniture

Outside play equipment

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Co-operatives are hard work. Must be ready for big time commitment. A bonus is they are financially cheaper, you have a much closer relationship to your child, and understand his/her world much better.

You must be a person who genuinely likes all kids, not just your own genetic offspring.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source

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 (4.1)

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					-
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	-	-	-		-
Time & space	-	-	-	-	-
Sci. reasoning/physical world	-	-	-	-	-
Music	-	-	-	-	-

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

Other subjects taught					n/a

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Kids always choose where they go, but in each area, parents and teachers provide some guidance. Dance class every two weeks. Teacher leads songs at morning circle time.

Parent #2
This is a play based program without formal instruction, but there is loads of informal stuff. The day starts with circle time then is open to free play with stations for various activities. Circle time involves songs that often have educational components and include child participation.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.5)

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
My children's teachers have been teaching together for 6 years, and one has been at the school for 15+ years.

Parent #2
Kids don't ever need to be 'on task' as they choose what they want to do all day. Art projects and developmental toys/play activities are offered. Wonderful spacious indoor, outdoor play areas--nice gardens. Once every two weeks a great dance/movement teacher comes. Sometimes chaotic atmosphere with different parents every day working and kids having free choice/play based activity might not be ideal for an extremely introverted 'slow to warm up' child. But if they have that personality, they are very supported and encouraged.

Parent #3
There are two regular teachers plus three for the afternoon program, plus loads of parents and subs. The regular staff is really impressive to me in how they manage disputes, hurt feelings, etc. There is a music teacher every other Friday. There is so much art stuff I'm wildly jealous and new things keep coming out. I can't quite understand how deep those cupboards are, but I think they go all the way through to China.

Home School Connection

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

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.4)

Director's and Parents' Comments

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
We LOVE CCC and the co-op aspect. Despite the fact that both parents work, the extra commitment to CCC is not a problem since we get so much back. I am really learning to be a better parent.

CCC is big with 27 kids in my son's class, plus 27 sets of parents rotating through as 'teachers'. The kid/adult ratio is great and the facility is huge and beautiful with loads of stuff for them (I could NOT send my child to school in a basement). However, its not for every kid - they have to be comfortable with its size and complexity. If your child is better with a quiet, heavily directed environment, and a limited number of relationships, this is probably not the right place.

Drop-in Policy

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

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (4.4)

Parents:

- Fundraise

> $150 for Scrip > $150 per year. > Scrip from local merchants, and $150 worth of donations for the annual silent auction. > $300 total per year ($150 through a scrip or e-scrip program and $150 through an annual fundraiser). > Each family solicits $150.00 worth of donations for the silent auction held in the spring. > $200 per year (silent auction) in solicited donations > Solicit $300 in donations for the silent auction. Easier than it sounds, as they have the donors all warmed up and all the forms you need. You have to buy 'scrip' every month which you can use at a few stores (where we shop anyway), or skip the scrip and pay a small fee.

- Sit on the board of trustees

- Hold social events at the school to build community

- Fundraise

- Are required to make donations ourselves

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Go on field trips

- Volunteer in the classroom

- Receive newsletters

- Pair "old" parents with "new" parents

- Encourage play dates out of school

- Shares information on matter related to our children (e.g. babysitter lists, pediatricians, extracurriculuar classes, etc.)

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
All admin tasks as well as regular workdays on the floor. It's a co-op.

Parent #2
It is a co-op, so most parents work at least one four hour shift per week with the teachers and kids. There is a buy-out option too, I think, but most parents work.

Parent #3
We work in the classroom and work on tasks to maintain the school ranging from admin (i.e. staff management, accounting) to buildings and grounds tasks.

Parent #4
It's a co-op, so it has the benefits and drawbacks of that structure, i.e. potentially great tight community, also potential friction due to non-rigid hierarchy.

Parent #5
We actually are a community since we work together, so a lot of the structured stuff is not necessary.

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

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Its a coop, you have regular interaction with the teacher, easy access and a half hour meeting at the end of each day you work with all other parents there and a teacher.

Discipline, Health and Safety

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

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Access seems very open, but in reality everyone knows who is a stranger. Teachers watch when strangers come, there is no formal greeting procedure. There is one door with a coded lock. Parents regularly and freely come and go and are not stopped in any way. Remember, it's a co-op so we all work there, in multiple capacities. I suppose there are places with tighter security. We give that up and in turn feel like it's our place too.

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.7)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

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		$4100/Year

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

schedule and tuition above does not cover all available options.

Half-participation and non-participation rates available.

basic programs are:
9:00 - 12:30
9:00 - 3:00
9:00 - 5:30

all children attend 5 days/week
morning care available from 8:00 - 9:00

morning and afternoon care charged at a rate or $6/hour (contracted) or $7.50/hour (drop-in)

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.)

Parent visits tours are: Mandatory (in order to receive application)

Deadline for applications: September 1

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: First-come basis

Deposit required: $75

Financial aid is available.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 2 years and 9 months to enroll.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Windrush, Black Pine Circle, Park Day, Head Royce, Thousand Oaks, Berkwood Hedge, St. John's, Oxford, Cragmont, Prospect Sierra

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
Early application.

Parent #2
Took the tour and applied on time.

Parent #3
Toured and applied early.

Parent #4
We are a bi-racial family. CCC has a diversity program and is actively seeking more non-white participants.