Summary

Contact Info

First Friends Preschool of First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin
455 Scotland Street
Dunedin , FL 34698
www.firstfriendspreschool.net

Tel: (727) 733-2111
Fax: (727) 738-4297

Director: Cori LoCicero
preschoolfpc@tampabay.rr.com

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Key Statistics

Extended day

No

Parent Ratings

Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents.

Discipline

Facilities

Health

Safety

Survey Information

Number of parents surveyed: 2

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Established

1962

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

- Located close to public transportation

Dropoff Procedure

- Parents walk their child into the classroom

Late Pickup Policy: First Friends Preschool is open until 6 PM. We recommend that parents pick up their children by 5:45 PM so they do do run into any late charges. A late fee of $1.00 per minute is to be paid in cash immediately to the teachers on duty upon pick up.

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year

Yes

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

No

Affiliated with a religious institution

Yes

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (3.0)

Building, bathrooms, hallway

Classroom equipment and furniture

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached)

Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)

Music room

Art room

Library

Playground

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Great Teachers, open year round, low ratios, reasonable rates and happy children.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

The main objective of the program is to provide a positive and inclusive Christian atmosphere for all children. Based on the theory that children learn through play, we provide classroom routines that encourage active involvement, meaningful experimentation, and reinforcement through repetition. Our children have the opportunity to develop physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually to their fullest potential.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Four Year Old Room Schedule/VPK 9AM-12PM is
Florida's Free Voluntary Pre Kindergarten for children age 4 before September 1st.

7:00-8:45 Arrival / Free Choice Play
8:45-9:00 Clean Up
9:00-9:15 Bathroom /Snack
9:15-9:25 Circle Time w/Music & Movement
9:25-9:45 Story Time Circle
9:45-10:30 Small Group & Center Time
10:30-10:45 Clean Up
10:45-11:00 Story Time Circle
11:00-11:45 Outdoor Play
11:45-12:00 Bathroom / Prepare for Lunch
12:00-12:30 Lunch
12:30-12:45 Bathroom
12:45-2:30 Nap /Quiet Rest
2:30-2:45 Wake Up
2:45-3:00 Bathroom /Snack
3:00-3:45 Center Time
3:45-4:00 Clean Up
4:00-4:15 Story Time
4:15-5:00 Outdoor Play
5:00-5:15 Bathroom
5:15-5:20 Move to 3 Year Old Room
5:20-6:00 Quiet Play / Clean Up / Departure

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

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	Bi-Weekly Chapel & Bible Lesson Bi-Weekly Christian Music Class				n/a

Director's Comments

Our teachers communicate and listen carefully to children's responses. Conversations help children build their vocabulary and writing skills. Small class sizes allow us to provide lots of individual care. We understand that children develop at their own rate. Children in our program learn to respect others, appreciate the world in which they live, and establish self-confidence. They leave our school with a strong foundation on which to build their academic future.

Quality of Teaching

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

As caregivers and teachers of young children, the staff of First Friends Preschool is required to meet all state and local requirements.

Home School Connection

Director's Comments

First Friends Preschool is not an in home care center.

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (5.0)
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 help children find acceptable ways to express their anger, negotiate to get what they want or need, and handle aggression directed toward them by peers. Positive redirection is our main source of discipline. When necessary, a child may be given an appropriate Time Out away from the other children.

If at any time, the child expresses overly or dangerously aggressive behavior, the parents will receive a letter for the Director requesting that they call the school and arrange a parent/guardian/teacher conference. Failure to respond immediately and /or failure to comply with the recommended corrective action could be reason for dismissal of the child from our program.

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.'

Unacceptable aggressive behavior includes hitting, throwing things, name calling, spitting, biting other children (up to 3 x) pushing, pulling, forcing someone to do or not to do something, destroying property and taking someone else's possessions.

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
They have plans for two new playgrounds this year, 2008.

Health

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Food Allergies

- We do not allow certain foods in the classroom

- We ask parents to provide child-safe snacks for their allergic child

Medications

- Parents are responsible for any medications given

Safety

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Screen and identify all visitors
• All First Friends staff has met all local, state and FBI background screenings.

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 4 years			$0/Year

Extended Care

- This school does not have extended care

Application & Admissions

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

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

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