Summary

Contact Info

Beth El Nursery School
1301 Oxford Street
Berkeley , CA 94709
www.bethelberkeley.org

Tel: (510) 848-3988

Director: Barbara Kanter
barbara@bethelberkeley.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

In january

Deadline for applications

January 1

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

60

Student/teacher ratio

5:1

Age cutoff for enrollment

2 years

Extended day

Yes

School year

Year round program

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: 1

Savvy Source survey: Yes

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

Heart's Leap School Julia Morgan
Monteverde School

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

60

Student/teacher ratio

5:1

Average tenure for teachers

5 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

Yes

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

No

Affiliated with a religious institution

Yes

Some experience serving children with special needs

Yes

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (5.0)

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

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

The purpose of Beth El Nursery School is to foster the growth of a well-rounded child.

We provide an environment where children, through the medium of play, in art, music, drama, movement and conversation, and with rich experiences and materials for exploration, can develop as independent, responsible, thinking, loving human beings.

Our unique contribution is to create an atmosphere in which children can experience themselves as Jews and discover the richness and joy of a Jewish heritage.

(Extracted from the Beth El Website)

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 (4.7)

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	-		-	-	-
Physical activity	-		-	-	YES

Other subjects taught					n/a

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (5.0)

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

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.2)

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 (5.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Abbreviated schedule at start of school year
- Parents in classrooms early on
- Small group sessions

Drop-in Policy

- During school parents are encouraged to drop-in during specific times

General Parent Education

-This preschool does conduct parent education classes

-This preschool potentially connects parents with services and activities that can help you help your child develop better at home

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (4.0)

Parents:

- Hold social events at the school to build community

- Fundraise

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Volunteer in the classroom

- Receive newsletters

- Hold social events outside of the school (with and/or without children)

- Pair "old" parents with "new" parents

- Encourage play dates out of school

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Phone Calls

- Special Meetings

- Two or More Regular Conferences

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

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

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 (5.0)

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 to --	15		$650/Month
From 4 years to 5 years	24		$600/Month
From 3 years to 4 years	20		$600/Month

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

schedules and tuitions above do not cover all options.

basic school day: 9:00 - 1:00

extended care: 8:00 - 9:00 and 1:00 - 6:00

Calendar Year

School Year

Year round program

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: In january

Deadline for applications: January 1

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Selective based on synagogue members
• Priority given to synagogue members. (Cited from Beth El Website)

Notification occurs: March

Financial aid is available.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 2 years to enroll.

Child does not need to be potty trained to enroll.

Enquiries accepted on a rolling basis.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Director and Parents have not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source.