Summary

Contact Info

Bernice and Joe Playschool
7001 Sunkist Drive
Oakland , CA  94605
www.berniceandjoe-playschool.com

Tel: (510) 638-3529
Fax: (510) 638-0107

Director: Bernice Huisman-Humbert
Jojohumx@aol.com

Admissions Director:
Joe Humbert

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

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:  2

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.5)

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

No classrooms per se, but many different rooms to play and do art

Playground

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

We believe children feel the most secure, learn best, and are the happiest when they can explore a diverse range of indoor and outdoor activities which our experienced and caring staff offer in an open setting. We find value in having all ages play together.

Of course, younger children will learn from older ones. But, we also believe that older children can learn from younger ones, for example, by being more nurturing and more patient, and that they can realize that they, too, were at that age once. We remember one five-year-old remarking, 'When I was a little kid...'

We strive for verbalization and socialization -- we want the children to get along with one another and to express their feelings; to resolve their conflicts through words, not hurtful deeds. To that end, we strictly disallow fighting games and weapons play, and discourage superhero references in clothing and shoes.

We encourage them to share toys. While we don't stress academics, we don't ignore them either. Children learn best through play -- it is, after all, their work. To that end, we do a lot of pre-reading, pre-writing, and pre-math hands-on activities.

Children who graduate from here are fully prepared for kindergarten.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

While events generally occur in the order shown, the scheduled times are subject to change, for example, we modify our morning schedule to allow our outside teachers to do their work.

Outdoor free play depends on the weather. On mildly showery days, some children can choose to go outside in raincoats and boots. On very rainy days, we have indoor free play.

Morning Block:
8:00a.m. - Open
8:00-9:30 - Indoor free play/
Teacher directed activities
9:30-9:45 - Indoor clean-up/ Toileting/diaper changes/ Prepare a.m. snack
9:45-10:30 - Circle Time/
a.m. snack time
10:30-11:30 - Outdoor free play/ Clean-up after snack
11:30-12:15 - Outdoor clean-up/
Toileting/diaper change/
Start lunch preparation
12:15-12:40 - Circle Time/
Share time/
End lunch preparation
12:40-1:00 - Lunch time/

At 1:00 p.m., the morning kids get picked up.

Afternoon Block:
1:00-1:30 - Prepare nap mats and blankets/
Clean-up after lunch
1:30-3:00 - Nap (or quiet) time
3:00-4:00 - Indoor free-play/ Toileting/diaper changes/
Pick up nap mats and blankets/ Prepare p.m. snack
4:00-4:15 - p.m. snack time
4:15-5:30 - Outdoor free play
5:30p.m. - Closed

Between 3:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., the afternoon kids get picked up.

A look at our Schedule shows that we have a large indoor free play when we first open up. Art materials are available. Depending on the day, we may have a gym, Spanish, or music teacher come in during the morning time. We clean up, have a Circle Time, have our morning snack, then a large outdoor free play time in late morning. We come in, have another Circle Time, do lunch, and the morning children leave at 1 pm. All day kids have a nap until 3 pm, indoor free play, small Circle Time, afternoon snack, then we finish the day with outdoor time.

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 (3.4)

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	-		-	-	YES
Physical activity		-	-	-	YES
Other subjects taught	We work with sign language, and we make the children aware of gender bias. We also discourage any play involving violence, fighting, or superheroes.				n/a

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.2)

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

Individualized Teaching

Description of how teachers work with children who are
"behind," "excelling" or "different" from the majority of students

We try to have all the children be inclusive, so we do extra work for those who are different from the majority of the students. For example, we have a boy who is having transgender issues but we and his parents are very supportive of his orientation.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The afternoon is when I have time to talk with teachers, and I'm sure the morning teachers would be willing to talk with me about my child if they were there. I have had extensive talks with the lead teacher about my child's development and behavior at school.

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.0)

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

Director's Comments

We have daily contact, talks with parents, and a yearly parent-teacher conference. We have a Kindergarten forum in January to help parents decide on what school to go to.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (3.5)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Abbreviated schedule at start of school year
- Parents in classroom early on
- Extra staff dedicated to handle seperation
- Small group sessions
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

We put extra effort to help the child adjust to the many new faces and new routines.

Drop-in Policy

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

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (3.8)
Parents' Opinions
Parents at this school, on average, believe that conflicts between children: are handled well in a way that gives me confidence in the safety of my child

Overview

Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline

We use time out if a child is hurting another child. We use a timer if children are wanting the same toy or activity as another.

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.'

We tell Child A to say that I will play with Child C now, but I will play with you, Child B, later.

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Bernice and Joe's provides an unusually large backyard play area equipped with a real sailboat to play in, a wooden rocketship, two playhouses, a sandbox, a swing and slide set, an art shed, lots of tricycles, and lots of trees. It's as much fun for me as it is for my child!

Health

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Food Allergies

- We ask parents to provide child-safe snacks for their allergic child

- We do not allow certain foods in the classroom

Medications

- Parents bring in medication and sign an authorization form.

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

Application & Admissions

Kindergarten Placement & Tips