Annsworth Academy-Northampton

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Summary

Contact Info

Annsworth Academy-Northampton
2919 Kerry Forest Parkway
Tallahassee , FL  32309
www.annsworthacademy.com/

Tel: (850) 668-9072

Director: Chris Bertoch - Director, Northampton
chris@annsworth.com

General Approach to Learning

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

Key Statistics

Total enrollment 140
Student/teacher ratio 9:1
Extended day No

Parent Ratings

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

Survey Information

Number of parents surveyed:  1

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment 140
Student/teacher ratio 9:1
Established 1981

% of teachers with:

- Teaching credentials 75%
- CPR 90%
- First aid 90%

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: We close at 6:00 PM. There is a late charge for any child picked up after 6:00.

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year Yes
• We provide VPK which includes more in-depth literacy, phonics, math, and science
Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program No
Some experience serving children with special needs No

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children Yes

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (5.0) Five Stars
Building, bathrooms, hallway Five Stars
Classroom equipment and furniture Five Stars
Outside play equipment Five Stars

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached) Check
Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)
Music room Check
Art room Check
Library Check
Multi Purpose Room Check
Playground Check

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?
Although Annsworth accepts children with varying abilities and common delays such as speech and language, we do not specialize in working with children with more severe special needs.

Parents' Comments
Parent #1
This is an excellent preschool... top notch

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

"Experiences during the first five years of life are extremely important in influencing each child's eventual intellectual and personal development. Annsworth Academy dedicates its efforts to providing a happy, safe and enriched environment to nurture the intellectual, physical and emotional growth of all of the children placed in our care. We provide experiences for children to explore their environment, to learn to play effectively within a group, and to develop independence and self-control. The attitudes and behaviors we model all influence their development and give them a feeling of self-confidence.
All religions, races, and cultures are equally valued and welcomed into our school community. We strive to build a sense of the group as a community, bringing each child's culture, language and/or special needs into the shared culture of the school so that each child feels accepted and gains a sense of belonging.

Our teachers provide a solid educational program for the students. Setting goals for our children that include developing skills for creative thinking, problem solving and taking responsibility, help them learn to live within our society. We provide a curriculum of weekly units with various topics relating to seasons, holidays, and the world around us. Experiences in math, language arts, science, social studies, creative movement, art and music are offered daily during their circle and center times.

Our playgrounds provide a safe environment for physical education, which is an integral part of our program. An appropriate level of fitness can lead to a more confident outlook, emotional stability and better mental and physical health in general.
The role of the teacher, her training, natural abilities and personality, are crucial in setting the stage for happy, productive learning. By bringing to the children new, relevant and exciting materials, with "hands on" experiences, she can guide the children into an exciting new world. The professional growth of our staff is assured by in-house training, professional workshops, teacher's meetings and curriculum development.

Meaningful communication between the parent and the staff is welcomed and encouraged. Parent bulletin boards in each classroom provide daily information, the monthly calendar and newsletter, and other progress reports help parents to stay informed on their child's progress.
Annsworth has an "Open Door" policy and encourages parent volunteerism and participation at every level. These added experiences offer unique learning opportunities for the children that will benefit them throughout life.

"
Excerpted from the preschool's website



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 (5.0) Five 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
Five Stars
Ability to be a part of a group of children Five Stars
Self-sufficiency and independence Five Stars
Awareness of others’ feelings Five Stars
Cooperation with other children Five 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 - Free play with some structure - - n/a
Nursery rhymes, poems, songs - Free play with some structure Predominantly teacher-led instruction - n/a
Storybook reading - Free play with some structure Predominantly teacher-led instruction - n/a
Emerging literacy skills - Free play with some structure Predominantly teacher-led instruction - n/a
Cognitive Development n/a
Math and number sense - Free play with some structure Predominantly teacher-led instruction - YES
Time & space - Free play with some structure Predominantly teacher-led instruction - YES
Sci. reasoning/physical world - Free play with some structure Predominantly teacher-led instruction - YES
Music - Free play with some structure Predominantly teacher-led instruction - YES
Visual arts - Free play with some structure - - YES
Physical activity - Free play with some structure Predominantly teacher-led instruction - YES
Other subjects taught n/a
Parents' Comments

Parent #1
They have a wonderful curriculum and really implement it everyday!!!! my child comes home telling me how much fun he has each day... He loves his school and he loves his teacher!!!!

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (5.0) Five Stars
Full of energy and seemingly happy in job Five Stars
Patient and affectionate with children Five Stars
Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her 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 Five Stars
If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off Five Stars

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

Through our focus groups, one half of each class goes with the teacher assistant for a special focus activity. The remaining children stay with the teacher for special more individualized activities. The groups are rotated to allow every child these opportunities. Children who need additional help or are in need of more challenge are able to receive this during our focus group time.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
the teachers are very hands on... a

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.3) Four Stars
Conducts an open house at start of school year Five Stars
Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year Three Stars
Conducts regular parent teacher conferences Five Stars
Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year Three Stars
Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year Five Stars
Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools Five Stars

Separation

OVERALL RATING (5.0) Five Stars
Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Abbreviated schedule at start of school year
- Extra staff dedicated to handle separation

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

We invite parents of new children to visit several times before the first day of school. We have a parent - teacher meeting and a new student orientation just prior to our first day.
If a child displays separation issues, we comfort, reassure, and help her develop trust with her teachers. We help the child find a fun activity, color a picture for the parent, go to the quiet area to read a book and snuggle with a soft toy, and go to look at the family picture display.

We also talk to the parents and discuss previous separation issues and how they were handled. We discuss techniques that will help the parent successfully separate.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
N/A

Drop-in Policy

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

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (3.0) Three Stars

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Voice Mail

- Special Meetings

- 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

Overview


Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline


Please read the Annsworth Behavior Management on our website. Basically we help the children with language and techniques for handling problems. We model and encourage problem solving techniques and positive social skills.

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The school is ALWAYS clean... I have gone at different hours of the day and there is always organization and structure

Health

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

Food Allergies

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

Medications

- Parents sign in medications each day

Safety

OVERALL RATING (5.0) Five Stars
Screen and identify all visitors Five Stars
• It is required that every person working in a Child Care center is screened through a local criminal record check, through FDLE (Florida Dept of Law Enforcement) and the FBI.
Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others Five Stars

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition

Ages Class Size Days Tuition
From 2 years to
5 years
$525/Month
From 2 years to
5 years
$680/Month

Extended Care

- This school does not have extended care

Application & Admissions

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Waiting list. All religions, races, and cultures are equally valued and welcomed into our school community  

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 on a waiting list for over a year... start early

The Savvy Source for Parents © 2006
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