Summary

Contact Info

Horace Mann Child Care Ctr
3401 Scott Rd
Burbank , CA 91504-1736
Tel: (818) 558-5540
Fax: (818) 845-7906

Director: Paula Lamar
PaulaLamar@burbankusd.org

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

250

Student/teacher ratio

1:8

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

250

Student/teacher ratio

1:8

Established

1982

% of teachers with:

- Bachelors

60%

- Masters

2%

- Teaching credentials

38%

- CPR

95%

- First aid

95%

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Dropoff Procedure

- Parents walk their child into the classroom

- 7:00 AM is the earliest time a parent can drop off a child

Late Pickup Policy: See fee schedule

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year	Yes
• We are ran and operated through Burbank unified School District. We woek in colloboration with BUSD principals and teachers to ensure that we are providing the highest level of education.

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

No

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Some experience serving children with special needs	Yes
• We have an Special Education Department on site. We work in collobration with the district to provide and inclusion and mainstream program for our children. We have SDC teachers and assistants, speech therpist, OT and a OT clinic, DTT and DTT preschool program.

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

No

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (3.5)

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

Multi-purpose room

Playground

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
What a happy place to send your children. I happened upon this website and wanted to share my thoughts. We attended for over 8 1/2 years between both children, 1997-2005. You could not choose a better place for your children. Consistent, loving teachers, became like members of our family. I love this place.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (3.8)

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

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Age appropriate and excellently supervised.

Parent #2
School has to make each and every person valuable.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.2)

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
Chilren sits in the corner

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

Separation

OVERALL RATING (3.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Parents in classroom early on

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

Our school requires parents to do a transition period. This is where the parent comes into the classroom and spends time with their child prior to enrolling in the school. Parents with their child learn about our program, meet the teachers and friends.
When children have anxiety with separation we make sure to comfort them with love, encouragement as work with the parent and child to ensure transitions are as smooth as possible. Our teachers and assistants are trainined on how to meet the needs of the children in our program.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
My children were so happy there, they used to complain sometimes when I picked them up!

Parent #2
No social, you will see your child sitting at the corner

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (2.0)

Parents:

- Fundraise

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Voice Mail

- Email

- Special Meetings

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Parent Teacher Organization

Parent #2
Lazy Staff, Only Intrested in More Money

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (3.1)
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

Our approach at Horace Mann is to redirect children into other areas. We do not do time out. However, we work with the child to ensure they have the communication to solve problems. When a child sits in time out we are not helping them to learn to deal with the issue at hand. Instead, we work with children and build on negotiation skills, problem solving which are both needed in life. For example, when children hit other children or ,fight over toys we work with the children to learn how to express their feelings. They learn how to deal with the situation.

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Wonderful experience for the children AND parents.

Parent #2
Poor Restroom, No cleaning

Health

OVERALL RATING (3.5)

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 (3.3)

Screen and identify all visitors
• All employees have to pass a criminal background check through the DOJ

Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

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

Application & Admissions

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

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
Long waiting list.

Parent #2
Never go to Horaceman