Summary
Contact Info
ABC Preschool
1525 Bay Street
Alameda
, CA
94501
Tel:
(510) 521-6488
Director:
Karen Zimmerman
rosaliearceneaux@sbcglobal.net
General Approach to Learning
|
| Play-based with some structure |
 |
Predominantly teacher-led instruction |
Application Information
| Applications accepted |
After a face-to-face meeting at the school (tour, conversation with director, etc.) |
| Deadline for applications |
Rolling |
Key Statistics
| Student/teacher ratio |
8:1 |
| Age cutoff for enrollment |
2 years |
| 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 |
|
| 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 |
|
Survey Information
Number of parents surveyed:
6
Director survey: Yes
Savvy Source survey: Yes
Parents who send their child to this preschool also like the following preschools:
- Rising Star Montessori
- Little Seeds Children's Center
-
General Info
Basic Stats
| Student/teacher ratio |
8:1
|
% of teachers with:
| - Teaching credentials |
100%
|
Transportation and Drop-off Policies
Transportation
Dropoff Procedure
Features of the Preschool
| Affiliated with a religious institution |
No
|
| Some experience serving children with special needs |
Yes
|
Accreditation, Membership & Awards
| Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children |
Yes
|
Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (3.2) |
|
| Building, bathrooms, hallway |
|
| Classroom equipment and furniture |
|
| 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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Playground
|
|
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Main weakness is lack of parental involvement and organized communication with the parents. They are pretty short staffed this year. The main teachers however are wonderful, and loving and the head teacher Karen is a wealth of information and knowledge and a joy to work with.
Parent #2
The attention and care given to each child is wonderful! The teachers are loving and patient with tons of experience. The low staff/teacher turnover is impressive. The director is active in the classroom and as a result is not the best when it comes to administrative stuff. The school offers both full and part-time schedules. The school teams up with Tuff Tumblers to offer a tumbling class once a week for an additional fee.
Parent #3
A teacher's own children were in the same class as my daughter. On rare occasions I felt that that affected how she disciplined my child when they were squabbles between them. Her children will be going to Kindergarten in the fall, however.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
Mission: to provide families with a nurturing, enriching environment where their children can achieve their maximum potential in the areas of their intellect, emotional well being, social skills physical fitness and spiritual growth.
Philosophy: To promote learning, development and well-being in children by acknowledging their individual needs and personalities. The program will provide activities in a natural play environment which will allow children a variety of experiences within a supportive and explorative setting.
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
6:30-8:30 Arrival, Free play
8:30-8:45 Toileting
8:45-9:15 Project
9:15-9:45 Circle
9:45-10:15 Snack
10:15-11:00 Outside Free play
11:00-11:15 Phonics
11:20-11:55 Inside Free play
12:00-12:30 Lunch
12:30-2:30 pick up or nap
2:30-end of day: Afternoon activities, projects, free play
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (4.7) |
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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
ABC Preschool teachers take a special interest in every student. If they are behind they work with them, if they are excelling they work with them. And they always keep the parent in the loop.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
My child's teacher is wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ABC has a diverse staff that cater to a wide range of children- from their background, SES (socio-economic status), temperaments, and energy level. ABC offers a tumbling program once a week and many field trips in the summer. Always keeping new ideas rolling in.
Parent #2
The teachers are involved at the child's level. They sit on the floor with the children. They play with the children. They do art with the children. They do not simply instruct and direct. The teachers actively participate in the activities.
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (3.8) |
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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
Open house & parent-teacher meetings.
Separation
|
|
-
Extra staff dedicated to handle seperation
|
|
-
Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
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Director's and Parents' Comments
Director's Comments
They give lots of encouragement to the parents & they call the parents once the child has calmed down. They offer to hold the child for comfort. They talk to the child and reassure him/her that mommy/daddy will be back. And if need be the child can hold the teachers hand for the whole day.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
ABC Preschool is a family friendly school with warm and loving teachers. Although the school may not provide 'formal' parent-teacher conferences, you may approach the teachers anytime and discuss issues regarding your child's development. Also, they will let you know if other services are need for your child i.e. Speech/Language program and will give special attention to help your child at school. At the end of the school year, parents are given a folder/book full of your child's project and a certificate of excellence in i.e. potty training, getting along with friends, etc. This is given during 'graduation' day.
Parent #2
I find it is very disruptive for parents to come in and out during their daily schedule.
Parent #3
We've never needed additional attention focused on any 'separation process' at the beginning of a school year.
Parent #4
The teacher turnover here is very low. The teachers/staff are very nurturing and attentive.
General Parent Education
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (2.2) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (4.8) |
|
| 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
I try to talk to my children and explain why what they did was wrong. I also use Warnings, and then time outs. I NEVER hit or spank nor yell but I raise my voice when the situation is unsafe.
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.'
I believe they would comfort child B and get them involved with another activity.
Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
ABC is located in an old portable building. I would LOVE for the school to repaint inside, or put up some new decorations. They have a wall of clowns that are very dusty- the children do not play with them, as they are just decorations, but EEK I'd love them to be gone!
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.5) |
|
| 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 (4.8) |
|
| Screen and identify all visitors
|
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| 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
5 years
|
8 |
Mon 8am - 12:30pm
Tue 8am - 12:30pm
Wed 8am - 12:30pm
|
$3144/Year |
From
3 years
to
5 years
|
8 |
Mon 6:30am - 6:00pm
Tue 6:30am - 6:00pm
Wed 6:30am - 6:00pm
|
$5940/Year |
From
3 years
to
5 years
|
8 |
Mon 8am - 12:30pm
Tue 8am - 12:30pm
Wed 8am - 12:30pm
Thu 8am - 12:30pm
Fri 8am - 12:30pm
|
$5676/Year |
From
3 years
to
5 years
|
8 |
Mon 6:30am - 6:00pm
Tue 6:30am - 6:00pm
Wed 6:30am - 6:00pm
Thu 6:30am - 6:00pm
Fri 6:30am - 6:00pm
|
$9864/Year |
From
2 years
to
3 years
|
7 |
Mon 8am - 12:30am
Tue 8am - 12:30am
Wed 8am - 12:30am
|
$3948/Year |
From
2 years
to
3 years
|
7 |
Mon 6:30am - 6:00pm
Tue 6:30am - 6:00pm
Wed 6:30am - 6:00pm
|
$6420/Year |
From
2 years
to
3 years
|
7 |
Mon 8am - 12:30pm
Tue 8am - 12:30pm
Wed 8am - 12:30pm
Thu 8am - 12:30pm
Fri 8am - 12:30pm
|
$6600/Year |
From
2 years
to
3 years
|
7 |
Mon 6:30am - 6pm
Tue 6:30am - 6pm
Wed 6:30am - 6pm
Thu 6:30am - 6pm
Fri 6:30am - 6pm
|
$10680/Year |
Extended Care
Notes on Schedule and Extended Care
Notes
5 days : 8a - 1230p 1/2 day or 8a - 6p full
3 days: 8a - 1230p 1/2 day or 8a - 6p full
Calendar Year
School Year
Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Parents' Admission Tips
Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions
Parent #1
No.
Parent #2
Be persistent!!!!!!!!!!
Parent #3
No.
Parent #4
I went to the school to pickup and turn in my application rather than using the mail. It sped up the process and gave me the final available spot.
Parent #5
registered two years early and stayed in contact with director.
