A Child's Way Kindergarten

Print page | Close page

Summary

Contact Info

A Child's Way Kindergarten
12755 Nw Dogwood St
Portland , OR  97229-5550
www.achildsway.com

Tel: (503) 644-8407
Fax: (503) 643-6593

Director: Sarah Harris

General Approach to Learning

Check Mark Play-based
Check Mark Play-based with some structure
Check Mark Predominantly teacher-led instruction
Montessori
Waldorf
Co-op
Reggio-Emilia

Application Information

Applications accepted After a face-to-face meeting at the school
Wait list Yes

Key Statistics

Student/teacher ratio 12:3
School year Year round program

Parent Ratings

Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. Five Stars
Quality of teaching Four And Half Stars
Development of social skills and work habits Four And Half Stars
Home-school connection Four Stars
Parent community Four Stars
Discipline Five Stars
Facilities Four And Half Stars
Health Five Stars
Safety Four And Half Stars
Handling of separation Five Stars

Survey Information

Number of parents surveyed:  2

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Student/teacher ratio 12:3

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school


Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year Yes

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.5) Four And Half Stars
Building, bathrooms, hallway Four And Half Stars
Classroom equipment and furniture Four And Half Stars

Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The teachers are well qualified professionals who love children. The classrooms are well equipped with a variety of materials and children have the freedom to explore, experiment and learn. The teachers in my son's classroom create a very positive, nurturing atmosphere that results in the children treating each other very nicely and really enjoying their time at school!

Parent #2
The teachers at this school are amazing. Much time is spent making sure children can handle conflict without yelling and hitting. The school goes from 2's to K. I've been there with two VERY different kids (one social and one-not social) both have felt very loved and honored there.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

A Child's Way offers an experiential learning environment, encouraging high self-esteem, independence, and positive social interactions. We believe in helping children build high self-esteem in a non-competitive atmosphere, an atmosphere where mistakes or failures are viewed as natural happenings from which we learn. We believe that helping children learn to accept what is beautifully unique about themselves and others is of primary importance.

Our guidance policy is based on a problem-solving technique which empowers children to negotiate workable solutions to their problems. This same technique encompasses our approach to all learning situations. We strongly believe in the value of play and its relationship to learning. A primary goal of our program is to sustain and enhance the play activity of our children. Our classrooms are thoughtfully organized to serve the developmental needs of children. The children are free to discover, explore, and learn in a safe, predictable environment.

We believe that children are learning every moment and it is our responsibility to recognize how they learn and facilitate that process. We offer an anti-bias curriculum which is rich and varied, offering many experiences in art, music, dramatic play, large motor activities, blocks, games, science, pre-math, pre-reading, and pre-writing skills, social studies, language arts, and Spanish.



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 (4.6) Four And Half Stars
This school has increased my child's:
Ability to listen and follow directions Five Stars
Ability to sit still for longer periods of time
Four And Half Stars
Ability to be a part of a group of children Five Stars
Self-sufficiency and independence Four Stars

Curriculum and Teaching Approach

Free Play Free Play Free Play with Some Structure Free Play with Some Structure Free Play with Some Structure
Language YES
Oral language - - - - n/a
Nursery rhymes, poems, songs - - - - n/a
Storybook reading - - Predominantly teacher-led instruction - n/a
Emerging literacy skills - Free play with some structure - - n/a
Cognitive Development n/a
Math and number sense - Free play with some structure - - YES
Time & space - - - - YES
Sci. reasoning/physical world - - - - -
Music - - - - YES
Visual arts - - - - -
Physical activity - - - - YES
Other subjects taught n/a
Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Structure increase with age.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.9) Four And Half Stars
Full of energy and seemingly happy in job Five Stars
Patient and affectionate with children Five Stars
Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior Five Stars
Provides feedback on what my child does during the day Five Stars
Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate Five Stars
Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses Four Stars
If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off Five Stars
Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children Five Stars

Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
I've had experience with 8 teachers. Have not been disappointed yet. (Each class has a lead and support teacher)

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.2) Four Stars
Conducts an open house at start of school year Five Stars
Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year Five Stars
Conducts regular parent teacher conferences Four Stars
Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year Five Stars
Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year Three and Half Stars
Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools Three Stars

Separation

OVERALL RATING (5.0) Five Stars

Drop-in Policy

- During school parents are welcomed as the school has an open door policy

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (4.0) Four Stars

Parents:

- Hold social events outside of the school (with and/or without children)

- Encourage play dates out of school

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Voice Mail

- Email

- Special Meetings

- Two or More Regular Conferences

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (5.0) Five Stars
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

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Playground is amazing. Tons of space and fun climbing equipment including a big tug boat that is a kid magnet.
No snacks are provied.

Health

OVERALL RATING (5.0) Five Stars
Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable Five Stars
Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided Five Stars

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.5) Four And Half Stars
Screen and identify all visitors Four And Half Stars
Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others Four And Half Stars

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition

Ages Class Size Days Tuition
From 4 years to
5 years
18 Tue 9:00am - 11:00am
Thu 9:00am - 11:00am
$168/Week
From 3 years to
4 years
16 $142/Month
From 2 years to
5 years
14 $75/Week

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

2's

One day a week
Meets: (confirm days/times at registration)
* Mondays - 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
* Tuesdays - 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m
* Tuesdays - 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
* Fridays - 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

3's
Meets: Tuesdays and Thursdays

AM Class: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
PM Class: 1:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tuition 2007-08: $142.00 per month.

4's
Must be 4 years old by September 1st.

Meets: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
AM Classes: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
PM Classes: 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tuition 2007-08: $168.00 per month.

Calendar Year

School Year

Year round program

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: After a face-to-face meeting at the school

There is a wait list for upcoming school year.

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
It is 100% lottery.

The Savvy Source for Parents © 2006
[ close this page ]