Summary
Contact Info
BlueSkies for Children (formerly AOCS)
3021 Brookdale Avenue
Oakland
, CA
94602
www.blueskies4children.org
Tel:
(510) 261-1076
Fax:
(510) 261-0284
Director:
Liisa Hale or Claire Bainer
liisah@blueskies4children.org
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 |
While child is in utero, upon birth, after a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school, after a face-to-face meeting at the school |
| Deadline for applications |
Rolling |
Key Statistics
| Student/teacher ratio |
8:1 |
| Age cutoff for enrollment |
2 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:
5
Director survey: Yes
Savvy Source survey: Yes
Parents who send their child to this preschool also like the following preschools:
General Info
Basic Stats
| Student/teacher ratio |
8:1
|
| Average tenure for teachers |
8 yrs.
|
% of teachers with:
| - Teaching credentials |
2%
|
Transportation and Drop-off Policies
Transportation
Dropoff Procedure
Features of the Preschool
| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program |
No
|
| Affiliated with a religious institution |
No
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| Some experience serving children with special needs |
Yes
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| • As noted in prior section regarding individualized curriculum. |
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Accreditation, Membership & Awards
| Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children |
Yes
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Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.7) |
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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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| Music room |
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| Art room |
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| Library |
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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?
Children in full day care should have the best care that we can provide.
AOCS was founded with that principle in mind. Seeking to combine the best of a part-day preschool experience with the consistency, nurturing and attached relationships that are vital to the healthy growth of young children.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
All of our children enrolled in what was called AOCS, now Blue Skies in the 1980's and early 1990's when we were living in the Oakland Area. We thought so much of the school that after moving over the hill to Contra Costa County, we continued to bring our youngest to AOCS for several more years. The teachers were very nurturing, caring and all of our children were well prepared to enter kindergarden. The oldest ones have since graduated from college and are now in professional school and the youngest is finishing up their undergrad schooling at a large UC in SCAL. Only weakness I remember was the dropoff/pickup parking, but that was a small price to pay for a great school.
Parent #2
As a parent of a Blue Skies alumnus, I can honestly say this place is magical. My son was at Blue Skies (then called AOCS) from age 6 mos. to 5 years, and man did we all learn a lot from the experience. The teachers are great; there's really low turnover among the staff, and they prepare nutritious meals on-site daily. The approach may seem unstructured to the untrained eye, but the curriculum is actually very well thought out and developmentally appropriate. Without being explicitly taught lessons daily, he was more than ready when he got to Kindergarten. I have nothing but good things to say about the place! If you're thinking of getting pregnant, you may want to get on the waiting list today :-)
Parent #3
The learning style really fits both my (and my wife's) and my daughter's style. They have done an excellent job of instilling a sense of confidence in her that allows her to freely explore her world. Her ability to realize and verbally communicate her feelings has been amazing and I attribute this to Blue Skies. The new construction is beautiful as well. Only minor complaint is that the parents have to initiate some of the communication with teachers more than I would like. I would like more initiative from them to communicate issues or concerns from their perspective.
Parent #4
AOCS is exceptional in every way, from guiding/caring for the children to educating the parents so they can be better parents. Every step imaginable is taken to ensure the growth, creativity, safety and well being of the children and the parents are keep informed every step of the way.
Parent #5
I could go on an on about the strengths of AOCS, and am hard-pressed to think of any weaknesses. Reflecting the school's overall philosophy, each teacher truly respects each child for their unique little selves. Disputes between children are handled with patience and caring -- children are never sent to the principal's office or called 'bad.' My son left AOCS prepared emotionally, socially and academically.
Although AOCS does not have an academic curriculum, my son was pretty much at the same level academically as the rest of the kids in his kindergarten.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
The mission of AOCS is to practice and teach an optimal approach to education and care of young children based on the interrelated disciplines of human development.
Such an approach sustains and supports today's children and families and provides a model educational center for caregivers and the community.
The Children's Program is designed to both provide caring adults and a rich environment for young children out of their homes all day, as well as strong support systems for parents who work out of the home all day.
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
The day varies according to the age of the group, since AOCS admits children as young as 3 months.
In all groups, 'Play' is defined as a time when the children may choose from many appropriate activities, supervised and coached by teachers so that the children will grow and learn from their play.
This is the typical schedule in the preschool:
Children who arrive before 8:15 may eat breakfast
7:30 - 8:15 breakfast
8:15 - 9:00 Play in the yard
9:00 - 11:00 Play of the child's choice in the same-age group classroom and adjacent yard, including time for a snack of fruit and milk if the child desires
11:00 - 11:30 Quiet play, stories
11:30 - 12:00 Lunch (cooked on site)
12:00 - 2:00 Nap or rest, followed by multi-age group play in the yard
2:00 - 4:00 Play of the child's choice in a different same-age classroom and adjacent yard, providing variety in the day for children enrolled in full day care; snack available if desired
4:00 - 6:00 Small multi-age group clusters, playing quietly until pick-up.
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (4.9) |
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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
Individualized Teaching
Description of how teachers work with children who are
"behind," "excelling" or "different" from the majority of students
The child-initiated learning that forms most of the children's experience at BlueSkies for Children allows for much individual variation; 'typically developing' children typically have many styles of learning which should be supported in infant toddler care and preschool settings. BlueSkies often includes children with special needs as well, wanting to reflect the rich diversity of the world in which we live. Teachers believe that each child should be accepted where he is, and given the support and challenges appropriate to further his growth.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
AOCS has a dedicated, well-trained staff of teachers who are well loved by the children and parents.
Parent #2
none
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.4) |
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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
Daily notes and conversations between parents and teachers.
Conferences at least annually.
Parent-planned Education seminars Annual Program Philosophy meetings.
Separation
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-
Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
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Extra staff dedicated to handle separation
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Parents in classroom early on
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Abbreviated schedule at start of school year
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Director's and Parents' Comments
Director's Comments
Phased in transition to school - depending on the age and temperament of the child, can be anything from a few days to several weeks long.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
While my children's preschool is 'play-based' and does not have developmental 'goals' we do receive written communication at the beginning of each regarding what is normal behavior for this age range and what is going on with emotional, psychological and physical development. Also, because this is a 0-5 school, my kids both started at infants and had no transition issues at the preschool level.
Parent #2
AOCS is an exceptional school with a staff dedicated to easing each child into the program and keeping the parents informed at all times on progress and program.
Parent #3
none
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (4.4) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (5.0) |
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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
Discipline is always seen as an opportunity to help children learn more effective strategies for solving interpersonal problems in the future.
Depending on the age of the child, the strategies are more or less complex, and of course for the youngest children the teachers understand that the children cannot developmentally stop themselves; it is up to the teachers to keep everyone safe.
As the children can manage it, the teachers provide information about what went wrong ('Sue didn't like being pushed') as well as what would be a better approach ('Next time you can ask her to move'). This includes helping children learn to say what they need, as well as listening to others' needs.
If an older child is simply having a hard day, not able to play successfully with others, the teachers will help him find a quiet activity by himself until he re-centers; the message to the child is 'It's best to play alone when you can't manage yourself' rather than 'You're a bad boy' -- we want the children to learn successful life strategies rather than to feel bad about themselves.
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.'
Honoring each child's choices is an important way to help the child learn who he is; therefore teachers would always support both children in such a situation. The child who is excluded also learns valuable lessons in how to work with other children and how to accept other people's decisions - it's important to learn that he cannot control others, but only himself. Teachers would acknowledge Child B's hurt feelings, saying something like 'You and Child A have so much fun together that you'd like to play with her now, but I hear her saying she's going to play with Child C now. You can tell Child A that you'd like to play with her later. Would you like to play by yourself or look for somebody else to play with right now?'
Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
AOCS provides a fabulous facility from play structures & toys geared to the age/coordination of the child to home cooked organic meals.
Parent #2
none
Parent #3
A home-like environment -- not institutional at all.
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 (4.9) |
|
| 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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Ages, Schedule & Tuition
Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition
| Ages |
Class Size |
Days |
Tuition |
From
2 years
6 months
to
5 years
6 months
|
18 |
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
|
$1610/Month |
From
2 years
6 months
to
4 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
|
$1370/Month |
Extended Care
Notes on Schedule and Extended Care
Notes
Preschool
Maximum enrollment 7:30 am-6:00 pm Monday through Friday $1370
Minimum enrollment Monday through Thursday 9:00-3:30 $850
Other options for drop-off are 7:30 or 8 am
Other options for pick-up are 5 or 6 pm
Calendar Year
School Year
Application & Admissions
Application Process
Admissions Process
Director's Comments
Comments
Best to apply before child is born; admission to the Infant program is often booked nearly a year ahead.
Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Parents' Admission Tips
Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions
Parent #1
Most children start as infants. It is difficult to get in at the pre-school level.
Parent #2
Apply in advance as early as possible.
Parent #3
No
