Summary

Contact Info

A Child's House
3400 Crane Way
Oakland , CA 94602
Tel: (510) 531-1964
Fax: (510) 531-1964

Director: Jan Lane
jlane1964@juno.com

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

After a face-to-face meeting at the school (tour, conversation with director, etc.), after a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school, upon birth, while child is in utero

Wait list

Yes

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

12

Student/teacher ratio

6:1

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

Redwood Heights, Joaquin Miller, Montclair, Thornhill , Piedmont, Head Royce, Redwood Day

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:

Duck's Nest (Oakland)
Sequoia Nursery School

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

12

Student/teacher ratio

6:1

Established

1998

Average tenure for teachers

6 yrs.

% of teachers with:

- Bachelors

100%

- CPR

75%

- First aid

75%

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: $1.00 per minute after 6 pm.

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year	Yes
• The pre-K program is different than for younger children.

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

No

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Some experience serving children with special needs

No

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

No

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (2.7)

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
Initially when I enrolled my child I thought this was a wonderful environment (home based, small). But as time went on, I found the school was quite the opposite. This is more but I think this is enough.

Parent #2
One long-time teacher seemed disinterested in the children.

Parent #3
My daughter has never said 'I don't want to go to school' She loves it. The teachers do an excellent job and have created an amazing environment.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

We follow a modern approach to the Montessori philosophy. The children are free to choose activities in a prepared classroom. We encourage the concepts of freedom, independence, structure, order, reality, and nature in a loving environment.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

7:30 - 9:00 Arrival and Free Play with Manipulatives,

9:00 - 10:00 Work time with Montessori materials,

10:00 - 10:30 Circle time with Good Morning Song, Calendar, and Demonstration of the day,

10:30 - 11:00 Snack time and free play outside,

11:00 - 11:30 Continuing work time with Montessori materials,

11:30 - 11:45 Second Circle with Spanish or Music,

11:45 - 12:15 Free Play Outside,

12:15 - 12:45 Lunch,

1:00 - 3:00 Naptime,

3:00 - 3:30 Wake up and Afternoon Snack,

3:30 - 4:30 Daily Art Project and Free Play Outside,

4:30 Reading Books

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

We have a structured curriculum in place to ensure our children are prepared for Kindergarten.

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (3.1)

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 teach Spanish. There is a daily art project.			n/a

Director's Comments

We do provide time for completely unstructured free play. The children can choose their own activities. This includes dress-up, manipulatives, trains, tricycles, riding cars, balls, and a wide variety of toys.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Supposedly Montessori based.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (2.9)

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

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (3.3)

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 annual parent-teacher conferences.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (2.2)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Parents in classroom early on
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

Parents can stay with the child for 1-2 hours per day before the child actually starts.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Many of the children live in our neighborhood, so we (parents and children) socialize often--but it is not organized through the school.

Parent #2
Attending this school was a real mistake. I took the word from a another parent who's child went there years ago. I guess things really changed for the worse.

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (2.3)

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Email

- Two or More Regular Conferences

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
They don't invite me to communicate.

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (2.5)
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 induction discipline where we talk about feelings and empathy. We stress how a behavior affects others.

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 would talk about how Child B would feel being left out. We would suggest ways for all three children to play together.

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Equipment is really dirty, broken, missing parts, etc.

Health

OVERALL RATING (2.7)

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

Medications

- We keep their medication on hand at all times

Safety

OVERALL RATING (2.8)

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	12	Mon 7:30am - 6pm Tue 7:30am - 6pm Wed 7:30am - 6pm Thu 7:30am - 6pm Fri 7:30am - 6pm	$900/Month

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

5 full days $900
4 full days $800
3 full days $650

Calendar Year

School Year

Year round program

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: After a face-to-face meeting at the school (tour, conversation with director, etc.), after a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school, upon birth, while child is in utero

There is a wait list for upcoming school year. • Applicants are informed before the application process begins when their child will be enrolled.

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

Child interview process: Required for all applicants and takes the form of teacher, child, and parents

Parent interview process: Director-parent

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Application fee: $50

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: First-come basis

Notification occurs: Rolling

Deposit not required.

Financial aid is not available.

Director's Comments

Comments

We are a small pre-school and space is limited. Our wait list is sometimes two years.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 2 years to enroll.

Child does not need to be potty trained to enroll.

Enquiries accepted on a rolling basis.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Redwood Heights, Joaquin Miller, Montclair, Thornhill , Piedmont, Head Royce, Redwood Day

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
Put your child on the list early. We live on the same street. I think neighborhood kids have a better chance of getting in.

Parent #2
None.

Parent #3
Nothing