Summary

Contact Info

Beacon Day School
2101 Livingston Street
Oakland , CA 94606
www.beaconday.org

Tel: (510) 437-2311
Fax: (510) 437-2313

Director: Thelma Farley

Admissions Director:
Alexandra Baroni

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Application Information

Wait list

No

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

38

Student/teacher ratio

8:1

Age cutoff for enrollment

3 years

Extended day

Yes

School year

Year round program

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Beacon has an elementray school , Beacon Day School is a pre-k through 8th grade program. This is one of the things that attracted us to the Program. We find it very appealling that our child could continue at the school for his entire elementary and middle school years., Usually Beacon since they have an elementary school, but often also they attend their local public school.

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

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

Mills College Children's School
Lakeview Preschool
BlueSkies for Children formerly AOCS

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

38

Student/teacher ratio

8:1

Established

1982

Average tenure for teachers

10 yrs.

% of teachers with:

- Bachelors

43%

- Teaching credentials

71%

- CPR

100%

- First aid

100%

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Dropoff Procedure

- Parents walk their child into the classroom

- 7:30 AM is the earliest time a parent can drop off a child

Late Pickup Policy: There is a late charge of $5 per every 10 minutes late after 6 pm.

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year	Yes
• In each Early Childhood class children will move on to Kindergarten the following year based on readiness.

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

Yes

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Teach religious concepts

No

Some experience serving children with special needs	Yes
• Beacon Day School can accommodate a small percentage of students each year with a diagnosed learning disability or special need. Written documentation and a parent meeting are required to determine if the school can meet the student's needs before admission is granted.

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

No

Other Memberships

Ebisa

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.4)

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

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The EPIC program and philosophy seems to reinforce very positive learning environment. They help raise kids with a high self esteem, so the focus can be on learning. The diversity of the program cannot be beat and enriches our whole family in many ways. Not just diversity of color, but acceptance of all family lifestyles and a true push to have economic diversity. My children are thriving at this school.

Parent #2
Beacon Day School is a true year-round school (children have a total of 6 weeks vacation plus all the regular federal holidays.) Parents are given the flexibility to have their children 'miss' school to participate in activities that are important to the family. While we haven't experienced this yet, there is a 'no-homework' policy thru 5th grade.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

Beacon's founding premise is to educate children for life in today's knowledge-based world, by providing the tools, skills and approach that establish the independent learner. The power of a Beacon education is that children become passionate learners for life, with the skills, courage, competence and commitment to achieve whatever they need to accomplish now and in the future.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

On any given day you would find the following activities taking place:

* Circe/Language activity
* A variety of stories read throughout the day
* Hands-on art activity
* Music
* Dance/Movement
* Two 45 minute recesses
* Lunch with 2 snacks a day
* Rest/Nap period
* Toileting

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

The philosophy at Beacon Day School is really a combination of the second and third statements. Our teaching staff understands child development and each child's profile and therefore they can plan accordingly by providing the right materials at the right time.

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.3)

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	Our E.P.I.C. program which stands for Every Person Influences Children is a nation-wide self-esteem program for children that our Founder and Director, Thelma Farley, is the primary author of. Social and emotional development is systematically nurtured at Beacon through participation in the EPIC program.				n/a

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Art and music have great emphasis. While they are teacher-led, the teachers are highly skilled artists/specialists and know how to engage the kids and often follow their lead.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.9)

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
The teachers are all OUTSTANDING! Each of the four preschool classes have their own teacher and share two flex teachers between them. The flex teachers assist with lessons and also fill in for the 'regular' teachers when necessary. The school provides regular art and music classes for the preschoolers taught by professional artists and musicians from the community.

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (3.9)

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

There are 3 parent-teacher conferences a year. Additional parent/teacher or parent/director meetings may be scheduled as needed. Each classroom teacher produces a monthly class newsletter. There is a monthly school newsletter and parenting workshops are offered throughout the year.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (3.3)

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

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

We schedule carefully planned transitions that are unique to each child's situation.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The school uses a four page evaluation tool to evaluate each child's performance. Referred to as a 'Progress Report,' it rates the child's mastery on topics such as social and emotional skills, self regulation skills, work habits, fine and gross motor skills and language development skills (speaking, listening and language arts and math.) The report is completed by the teacher and is reviewed at each of the three parent/teacher conferences held throughout the year.

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (4.0)

Parents:

- Volunteer in the classroom

- Receive newsletters

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

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Parents are encouraged to participate in the Beacon Family Association.

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- 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

Overview

Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline

We use conflict resolution which is integrated into the curriculum and problem solving/decision making skills are taught which are part of our E.P.I.C. program. Teachers empower children to participate in the process until there is a resolution.

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.'

Affirm to child A that it is OK to change your mind. Ask child B how this made him/her feel. Find an alternative project for child A and child B to do together.

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The school has a enormous playground, that needs attention!

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.4)

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 (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 3 years to 4 years 4 months	12	Mon 7:30am - 6:00pm Tue 7:30am - 6:00pm Wed 7:30am - 6:00pm Thu 7:30am - 6:00pm Fri 7:30am - 6:00pm	$1000/Month
From 4 years 4 months to 5 years	12	Mon 7:30am - 6:00pm Tue 7:30am - 6:00pm Wed 7:30am - 6:00pm Thu 7:30am - 6:00pm Fri 7:30am - 6:00pm	$1000/Month

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

The Early Childhood program runs from 7:30 am to 6 pm daily. Tuition includes the extended care portion of the day.

Each class is licensed for a maximum of 12 students. There are 4 classes.

Deposit = 3 months of tuition

Calendar Year

School Year

Year round program

Application & Admissions

Application Process

There is no wait list for upcoming school year. • N/A

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

Child interview process: Child must visit for a morning. and takes the form of small group setting

Parent interview process: Director-parent

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Application fee: $40

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: First-come basis based on sibling priority
• We notify sibling of their admissions decision prior to the regular pool of applicants.

Notification occurs: March date adhered to by Ebisa (East Bay Independent School Association) or within 2 weeks of child's visit.

Deposit required: Equals 3 months of tuition

Parents must submit deposit within the following timeframe of receiving notification of acceptance: 1 week

Financial aid is available.

Director's Comments

Comments

Once we have completed the first round of admissions which falls in line with the agreed upon EBISA (East Bay Independent Schools Association) dates each year then we go to rolling admission until we are full. We generally do not begin the year full. Rather we have new children start based on when they turn 3 years old.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 3 years to enroll.

Child must be potty trained to enroll.

Inquiries accepted from January 1 onwards.

Director's views on diversity:
Beacon Day School does reflect the diversity of Oakland. Our diversity is authentic and includes race, socio-economic status, family make-up and learning style difference.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Beacon has an elementray school , Beacon Day School is a pre-k through 8th grade program. This is one of the things that attracted us to the Program. We find it very appealling that our child could continue at the school for his entire elementary and middle school years., Usually Beacon since they have an elementary school, but often also they attend their local public school.

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
Apply early.