Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (3.8)

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

HRNS is a parent participation nursery school. Parents work in the classroom alongside the teacher on a rotating basis. Teachers are available and accessible on a daily basis. We hold parent/teacher conferences once a year and upon request. We offer parent education opportunities at least four times per year.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.8)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Parents in classroom early on
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

Parents are invited to stay until they and their children are comfortable. When a parent leaves, there are adults available to comfort and engage a child who is having difficulty with separation.

Parent #1
We have been very happy with the preschool. The director is wonderful and the teachers are all very caring and positive. This is a developmental school that does not stress academics, however I have been very impressed with both my child's learning. It's a wonderful school and have had a very positive experience. It is much more than a school you just drop your child off at. The parents get to know one another very well also and they have many family events/activities that further promote the social community.

Parent #2
This school is a parent participation cooperative, so all parents work in the classroom a certain number of days each session.

Parent #3
We were only at HRNS for one year because we moved away from the area. I knew it was a great school at the time, but it wasn't until I was searching for a new school in our new city that I realized what a truly amazing experience we had. The 2's and 3's teacher is incredibly good with the children and understands child development superbly. She teaches important skills such as cooperating with others, following directions, expressing feelings, and more. As long as weather permits, the kids may choose to play inside or outside during free play periods.

Parent #4
While HRNS is a developmental school and as such does not have "hard" goals as to what the children will know at the end of a school year, they do expose the children to a variety of activities through which the children learn basics such as letters, numbers, how to write their name, colors, shapes, etc. in addition to social development experiences. Apart from the 2 year olds, the 3-5 year olds are in multi-age classrooms. Also, while there is no formal end of the year assessment of learning as this is a developmental school, the teachers do assess where the children are at various points in the year in regards to knowing numbers and letters, fine and large motor skills, ability to listen and follow directions, etc. These observations are shared with parents at the mid-year teacher/parent conference. The teachers are also readily available to discuss such issues at any time. I know that these types of questions come up a lot as parents are assessing whether their child is ready for kindergarten and that teachers happily provide their observations and opinions. The teacher may also have a specific goal for a particular child. For example, our son will attend kindergarten next year and the teacher said one of her goals for him is to help him be able to listen and focus in circle time in preparation for next year.

Parent #5
When my daughter became anxious about being dropped off at school during the year, her head teacher encouraged me to call her from home. We had a wonderful and reassuring conversation.

Parent #6
The teachers are great about separation anxiety (both on the part of parent and child). Parents help in the classroom regularly so we can see what our children are doing on a daily basis.

Parent #7
The school shares the developmental level in several areas (small & large motor, social & academic development) mid-year and at the end of the year in a written form as well as in conference.

Parent #8
teachers are very responsive if a child is having trouble separating, offering extra attention, hugs, or working out a plan with the parent.

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (4.9)
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 use redirection as a primary approach. If children are having a conflict, we encourage them to work it our themselves using their words. An adult will facilitate when help is needed.

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.'

An adult will facilitate when help is needed.

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parent #1
The facilities and equipment are not new or shiny, but there is a large variety of things to do.

Parent #2
Snacks are provided by the parents. They are usually healthy but we all have differences in what we consider healthy. The school does provide a list of preferable snacks and a list of inappropriate snacks. I am not sure how often the toys are all cleaned. We clean the floors and the tables every day.

Parent #3
Five times a year we have a parent maintenance day where all equipment is cleaned, painted, and repaired. We also have parents take small toys home regularly to clean them.

Parent #4
Parents bring snacks on a rotating basis. The school provides guidelines and allergy information but selection is up to the parents.

Parent #5
HRNS does a good job of handling conflicts between children. They are encouraged to understand how the other child feels, to apologize when appropriate, and talk about what could have been done differently next time.

Extended Care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

There is a small lunch program from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm for 3 to 5 year olds.

Application Process

Admissions Process