Summary

Contact Info

JCC of the East Bay Preschool
1414 Walnut Street
Berkeley , CA 94709
www.jcceastbay.org

Tel: (510)-848-0237 ext. 122

Director: Ronnie Jacobs
ronniej@jcceastbay.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

While child is in utero, upon birth, after a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school

Wait list

Yes

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

70

Student/teacher ratio

7:1

Age cutoff for enrollment

2 years

Extended day

Yes

School year

Year round program

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Thousand Oaks, Cragmont, Berkwood Hedge, Tehiyah, Windrush

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: 4

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

70

Student/teacher ratio

7:1

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Dropoff Procedure

- Parents walk their child into the classroom

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

Late Pickup Policy: The preschool has extended care available until 5:30pm. Parents may either sign up as part of enrollment, or may request additional care a few days in advance. After 5:30pm an increasing fee is applied depending on the length of time of the late pickup.

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year

Yes

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

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 JCC of the East Bay Preschool provides a warm, nurturing environment for children ages two to five (including Pre-K/Bridge-K) in our historic North Berkeley location. Our program offers a unique opportunity for young children to thrive in a joyful environment that for the children becomes a very positive first school experience.

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

Director's Comments

Seeking to support and deepen the childrenâ??s innate love of learning and wonder, our curriculum is rich in child-centered projects that center on the many interests brought forward by the children and our talented teachers, and incorporates celebrations of the Jewish holidays and our culture. Through playful encounters with each other, their loving teachers, materials, music, movement, and literature, the children develop their creativity, intelligence and skill in getting along with others. Each child is accepted for who they are and where they are developmentally.

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.5)

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					n/a

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.8)

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

Each child is accepted for who they are and where they are developmentally. Teachers emphasize getting to know the children as individuals, and adjust the teaching approach based on this. Frequent conversations as well as formal conferences provide the opportunity for teachers to speak with parents and gain insight in how best to address any particular needs or skills.

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

Director's Comments

Teachers are dedicated to school open houses, parent-teacher conferences, and frequent informal conversations.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

Our staff is particularly sensitive to issues of separation anxiety, and will work together with parents to respond to the needs of the individual child.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
JCC is excellent about working with each family according to the child's specific needs. My child transitioned very easily, but any days that she may have had a difficult morning, the staff was immediately responsive and made suggestions to help her separate and begin her day at school. These teachers are respectful, educated and connected -- to parents AND children.

General Parent Education

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

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (4.2)

Parents:

- Hold social events at the school to build community

- Fundraise

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Go on field trips

- Volunteer in the classroom

- Receive newsletters

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

- Schedule family field trips

- 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
Pairs old parents with new parents

Parent #2
Pairs old parents with new parents

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

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
I really have no concerns at all regarding health, safety, or discipline at the school. It's a healthy environment, where sick children must stay home. Rooms are big and airy, and there's a large outside play area. Conflicts are handled by teaching children to appropriately communicate with each other.

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.5)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Food Allergies

- We do not allow certain foods in the classroom

- We keep special snacks for allergic children

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

Medications

- We keep their medication on hand at all times

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.5)

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 5 years 60 months	24		$750/Month
From 2 years to 5 years 60 months	24		$505/Month
From 2 years to 5 years 60 months	24		$1220/Month
From 2 years to 5 years 60 months	24		$660/Month

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

schedules and tuitions shown above do not cover all options.

Schedules available:
9:00 - 1:00
9:00 - 3:30
9:00 - 5:30

3,4, or 5 days

morning care from 8:00 - 9:00 also available

Calendar Year

School Year

Year round program

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: While child is in utero, upon birth, after a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school

There is a wait list for upcoming school year.

Parent visits tours are: Recommended

Child interview process: None

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Application fee: $50

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Selective based on sibling priority

Notification occurs: April, rolling after that to fill all available slots

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 2 years to enroll.

Child does not need to be potty trained to enroll.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Thousand Oaks, Cragmont, Berkwood Hedge, Tehiyah, Windrush