Summary

Contact Info

College of Alameda Children's Center
555 Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway
Alameda , CA 94501
www.alameda.peralta.edu

Tel: (510) 748-2381
Fax: (510) 748-2386

Director: Danielle Waite
dwaite@peralta.edu

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.)

Wait list

Yes

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

60

Student/teacher ratio

4:1

Age cutoff for enrollment

3 years

Extended day

No

School year

08/2008 - 05/2009

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: 2

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

60

Student/teacher ratio

4:1

Established

1972

Average tenure for teachers

16 yrs.

% of teachers with:

- Bachelors

5%

- Masters

0%

- Teaching credentials

100%

- CPR

100%

- First aid

100%

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Located close to public transportation

Dropoff Procedure

- Parents walk their child into the classroom

- 7:45 AM is the earliest time a parent can drop off a child

Late Pickup Policy: The first 15 minutes after 5:15 is $5. After 5:30, our staff are off the clock. The fee is $2 per minute after 5:30. The parent will arrange a payment for this late fee. If the parent is habitually late, the parent will be required to discuss their needs with the director and their child care services may be at risk.

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year

No

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

No

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Teach religious concepts

No

Some experience serving children with special needs	Yes
• After reviewing the IFSP/IEP, we determine if this child's needs would be met fully. If additional training for staff, we would arrange with the appropriate agency for that training. If special day services are required, we would allow for the child to use our program as a wrap-around care facility.

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

No

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.2)

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

Cafeteria for breakfast and lunches, kitchen to bake cooking projects, the College of Alameda campus and surrounding grounds

Playground

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?
Please come by and visit the center. Being part of a community college, we follow the academic calendar and are primarily for the students and staff of Peralta Community Colleges, but we welcome community members also.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
My daughter is always happy and satisfied with her day. I see little things she's picked up from school like buttoning her shirt. Some of the teachers are a bit abrasive with the children but as long as its not with my child, we're ok.

Parent #2
My son loves the program. That said, I would like to see more outdoor play structures and equipment, more parent involvement, and when I pick up my child I would like to see shoes on the right feet and clothes and face wiped or cleaned.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

The Children's' Center Program provides an educationally sound, developmentally valid model that accepts children as active learners who learn best from activities and experiences they plan out and carry out themselves. We believe that parents and staff are partners in the development of children. At the Center we foster this by providing them the support and the environment in which to do these activities and experiences. At home, parents provide them support through activities such as having discussions with them, reading to them, taking them places and sharing culture and traditions.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

In the early morning, the children and family members are welcomed into the program. The children are invited to work with materials in the classroom, and there is also breakfast available. The rest of the morning is spent in group time, individual and small group play activities, planned teacher facilitated activities, story telling, and outdoor play.

A nutritious hot lunch is served in a family style manner, and teachers sit with the children enjoying the meal.

After lunch is nap time. When the children are awake, they can play with quiet materials, allowing their classmates time to rest. When nap time has ended, there is a snack and an opportunity to play outside, and then there are late afternoon activities in the classroom.

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 goals of the program are to offer high quality Centers that permit the children to discover and learn, to become decision makers and problem solvers, and to feel good about themselves. For the children to develop themselves in the areas of cognition (thinking), language arts (talking), literacy (reading), social/emotional (relationships) and physical development (moving and doing). Other program goals are: To develop a positive self-image and healthy concept. To maintain individual creativity while learning to work cooperatively with others. To encourage social, emotional, intellectual and physical growth through daily interaction with adults and children other than family members. To meet the adult needs of the parents whenever possible.

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

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

Director's Comments

The curriculum that the Peralta Community College District Childrens' Centers is using is called Creative Curriculum. The Creative Curriculum is designed to be a blueprint for our teachers to plan and implement a developmentally appropriate program for your children while introducing them to topics that are interesting to them. The teachers provide support to the children through planned activities and activities that emerge through the children's interest and play. The teachers support the learning through conversation and some instruction. The instruction is through doing and conversation, not drill. <br><br>The Creative Curriculum is based on different Child Development theorists and current research as to how children learn. The curriculum also takes into account individual interests and uniqueness, gender, temperament, learning styles, life experiences, culture, special needs and second language learners--the many different aspects that every child brings into the classroom. Teachers are trained to recognize these aspects of each child and welcome them into the classroom. <br><br>The Creative Curriculum was chosen for the Peralta Community College District Childrens' Centers for many reasons. Creative Curriculum is being taught by the Child Development Department at Merritt College to students who are interested in Early Childhood Education and related fields. It is a thorough curriculum that supports the children in meeting the Desired Results, which are mandated by the California Department of Education, Child Development Department. The Creative Curriculum also encourages our teachers to individualize and make the learning experiences relevant to the children in the classroom. The Creative Curriculum has different components that are interrelated to support each child in his/her learning and development. Throughout Creative Curriculum, the family and the teachers collaborate in establishing a successful foundation for the each child to best prepare him/herself for future learning.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
I love this school and the teachers that work here. Also, while some subjects like music may be presented by teachers, the kids can also engage in music play later in the day--many topics are approached in more than one way. My son loves it!

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (5.0)

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 in the classroom is assessed individually and his/her individual strengths and areas needing development are taken into consideration. Teachers plan for groups as well as the indiviual children in the classroom. The teachers are very aware of all the children and plan activities to challenge and support continued learning opportunities.

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.8)

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

Our program has at least 2 parent/teacher conferences per program year. The first one is within the first 60 days of your child's first day in the program. The teacher will share with you what we have determined to be your child's strengths and areas needing development. During the conference, the teacher will share what will be done in the classroom and what you can do at home to support this development. Throughout the program year, there are monthly parent meetings. They are governed by parents and there is a large parent education component. Nutrition, child development, child behavior, community resources and guest speakers are all part of these meetings.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.0)

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

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

Each child is treated as an individual. If the child is having a difficult time, the teacher will provide the comfort the child needs and reassures the child that the parent will return.

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (3.5)

Parents:

- Are required to make donations ourselves

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Volunteer in the classroom

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Monthly parent meetings

Parent #2
Don't know yet how this year's community will be

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Phone Calls

- Special Meetings

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (3.8)
Parents' Opinions
Parents at this school, on average, believe that conflicts between children: are handled well in a way that gives me confidence in the safety of my child

Overview

Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline

Teachers support children in their problem solving and conflict resolution skills. Children are not required to say 'I'm sorry', but to understand the problem and the alternatives to the conflict in the first place. Redirection and resolving situations through discussion is used.

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.'

Comfort child B and let them know that child A may want to play with them later. Assist child B in finding another child or children to engage with. Discuss with child A the fact that child B's feelings have been hurt and ask child A if s/he can come up with another solution that child B would like.

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.7)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Food Allergies

- Doctor's verification needed.

- We keep special snacks for allergic children

- We do not allow certain foods in the classroom

Medications

- We keep their medication on hand at all times

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.0)

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 5 years	42	Mon 8am - 2pm Tue 8am - 2pm Wed 8am - 2pm Thu 8am - 2pm Fri 8am - 2pm	$6300/Year
From 3 years to 5 years	42	Mon 7:45am - 5:15pm Tue 7:45am - 5:15pm Wed 7:45am - 5:15pm Thu 7:45am - 5:15pm Fri 7:45am - 5:15pm	$8400/Year
From 2 years to 3 years	12	Mon 8am - 2pm Tue 8am - 2pm Wed 8am - 2pm Thu 8am - 2pm Fri 8am - 2pm	$8100/Year
From 2 years to 3 years	12	Mon 7:45am - 5:15pm Tue 7:45am - 5:15pm Wed 7:45am - 5:15pm Thu 7:45am - 5:15pm Fri 7:45am - 5:15pm	$10440/Year

Extended Care

- This school does not have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

$50.00 discount/month for PCCD students, faculty and staff.

Calendar Year

School Year

08/2008 - 05/2009

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: After a face-to-face meeting at the school (tour, conversation with director, etc.)

There is a wait list for upcoming school year. • As parents enroll, we let them know how they fall on the wait list. We encourage parents to check in with us regularly and we will call on occasion to see if you would like to remain on the wait list.

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

Child interview process: Possible, at school's discretion and takes the form of child's enrolled in the programon a trial basis to see if this is the best fit for you and your child's needs

Parent interview process: Director-parent

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Application fee: $0

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Peralta students have priority to non-Peralta parents. To qualify for free or low-income care, family must qualify under the Dept. of Ed. guidelines. Over-income parents are considered full-fee and are priority when space is available based on parents are enrolled at one of the peralta community colleges.

Notification occurs: Rolling

Deposit not required.

Financial aid is available.

Director's Comments

Comments

We encourage parents to visit the center and determine if this is a place they would like to send their child. At that time, put in an application - even if the waiting list seems long. Many families on the waiting list move and do not update their information, thus when we call to enroll, we are unable to contact them which moves you up the waiting list.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 3 years to enroll.

Child does not need to be potty trained to enroll.

Enquiries accepted on a rolling basis.

Director's views on diversity:
The diversity of our children reflect the diversity of the students and working families that qualify for our program. The families are primarily low-income, with a few full fee families enrolled.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Director and Parents have not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source.

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
I was a full and part time student at Alameda College.