Summary
Contact Info
Betty's Children's Academy
11200 Golf Links Road, Unit D
Oakland
, CA
94605
www.bettyschildrensacademy.com/
Tel:
(510) 430-8789
Fax:
(510) 430-8953
Director:
Nini Humphrey
BCA1204@sbcglobal.net
Admissions Director:
Betty McGhee
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 |
12:1 |
| Age cutoff for enrollment |
3 months |
| School year |
Year round program |
Kindergarten Placement
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
Director survey: Yes
Savvy Source survey: Yes
Parents who send their child to this preschool also like the following preschools:
- Giggles
- Little Stars Preschool
- Color Me Children Preschool (Oakland)
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General Info
Basic Stats
| Student/teacher ratio |
12:1
|
| Average tenure for teachers |
3 yrs.
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% of teachers with:
Transportation and Drop-off Policies
Transportation
Dropoff Procedure
Features of the Preschool
| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program |
Yes
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| Affiliated with a religious institution |
No
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| Teach religious concepts |
No
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| Some experience serving children with special needs |
No
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Accreditation, Membership & Awards
| Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children |
No
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Other Memberships
Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.9) |
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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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Playground
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Director's Comments
Question to director: Do you have any additional thoughts on what parents should consider when looking at your school? Is there any advice that you would like to provide to prospective parents?
Kindergarten standards have changed. We pride ourselves on preparing children for these standards to reduce the stress of entering the school environment, requirements, and expectations.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Very child friendly and loving and learning enviorment
Parent #2
The Staff at BCA go above and beyond expectations. They are dedicated to the children and parents. Social development academics and parent participation are all important in a child development process and BCA staff are firm believers in working with the parents to maintain the highest quality of care for all children. The children learn English and Spanish. I could not have picked a better school for my child.
Parent #3
Stenghths include family oriented, good communication, getting children ready for the next level and transition.
Parent #4
I have been very impressed with the way in which the teachers effectively deal with all of the aforementioned. I, particularly, like the way each of the teachers help guide and direct the children on how to resolve conflicts in a very calm and respectful manner through verbalization.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
Betty's Children's Academy believes that if you put the seeds in our children, they will be able to grow and flourish in an competent and confident manner.
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
Morning:
Breakfast
Free play
Circle time
Writing and recognition of letters and numbers in small groups
Large group lesson (recite days of the week, months of the year, rhyming words, opposites, colors, shapes, letters and their sounds, counting by 1's 2's 5's 10's, two letter words)
Homemade lunch
Nap
Afternoon:
Snack
Outside (weather permitting)
Art and science projects
Music and movement
Quiet activities
Prepare for home
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (4.8) |
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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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| 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
I appreciate the fact that the teachers at BCA have cultually diverse background and speak more than one language. My children benefit from learning other cultures and languages.
Parent #2
written communication
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
When a child first enrolls, parents are called in order to see how the child's day is going.
Progress of student learning is reviewed on a regular basis.
Student progress reports are evaluated twice annually.
We have informal teacher/parent meetings.
Separation
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Small group sessions
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Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
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Director's and Parents' Comments
Director's Comments
Preschool transition is addressed via pre-entry meetings with parents at the school and small group sessions. New children are assigned a helper and friends to assist in transition.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
All of the teachers are very polite and respectful of the parents and they welcome any comments or questions we may have.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (4.2) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (4.8) |
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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
We do a lot of talking and redirection with the children. When this does not work, we observe the situation and environment to see what better fits the child's or children's needs. All discipline is age/developmentally appropriate.
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.'
There are many possible solutions: The teacher would help come up with a game that all the children could be a part of. Discuss feelings and how leaving someone out hurts feelings. Redirect in finding something/someone else for Child B.
Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
All of the staff at BCA treat the children as if they were their own. I truly believe that all of the teachers there have a genuine love and concern for every child left in their care.
Parent #2
This school is pretty organized. They always look for new ways to improve.
Parent #3
The school is located in a safe enviornment. Children are able to take walks to visit the fire station and also horses.
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.9) |
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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 (4.7) |
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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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Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Parents' Admission Tips
Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions
Parent #1
His personality, my fervent interest.
