Summary

Contact Info

Altadena Nursery School
789 N. Altadena Drive
Pasadena , CA 91104
www.altadenanurseryschool.org

Tel: (626) 296-1231

Director: Patricia Hedlund

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Application Information

Applications accepted

Tour/interview with director highly recommended.

Wait list

Yes

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Extended day

No

School year

09/2008 - 06/2009

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

St. Mark's, Odyssey Charter, Don Benito, Holy Angels, Mayfield, Sierra Madre, Crescenta Valley Adventist School, Norma Coombs, Poly, Walden, Waldorf

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: 6

Savvy Source survey: Yes

Parents who send their child to this preschool also like the following preschools:

Hastings Ranch Nursery School
Cottage Co-Op Nursery School

General Info

Basic Stats

Established

1950

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.4)

Building, bathrooms, hallway

Classroom equipment and furniture

Outside play equipment

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

The philosophy of Altadena Nursery School is based on our belief in the capacity of human beings to grow in a positive way. We believe that children can learn to master themselves and that parents can learn to be effective. As a cooperative school ANS knows that the best education comes about when parents and children are closely involved in that education. Our professional teaching staff interacts with each child in light of the dynamics of his or her entire family. Parents and teachers work together to help each child grow and discover the world at his or her own pace. Extracted from Altadena Nursery School'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 (4.1)

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					-
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	-	-	-	-	-
Time & space	-	-	-	-	-
Sci. reasoning/physical world	-	-	-	-	-
Music	-	-	-	-	-

Visual arts	-	-	-	-	-
Physical activity	-	-	-	-	-

Other subjects taught					n/a

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.6)

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
ANS provides a loving environment for preschoolers. Since the student body consists of approximately 45-50 students, every child gets individual attention from each staff member and every parent who "works" at the school. There is a feeling of cohesiveness amongst the families because ANS is a co-op school.

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.2)

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 (4.6)

Director's and Parents' Comments

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Altadena Nursery School believes that children learn through play. The program is a developmentally based approach with multiple age groups playing together, learning from each other. It is a community based on respect. I have learned much during my years there and made many, many, many, many close friends.

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (5.0)

Parents:

- Hold social events at the school to build community

- Fundraise

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Volunteer in the classroom

- Receive newsletters

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

- Encourage play dates out of school

- Shares information on matter related to our children (e.g. babysitter lists, pediatricians, extracurriculuar classes, etc.)

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Childcare swapping for parents of smaller children, (not yet old enough to attend) on the parent's participation days.

Parent #2
Pairs ?old? parents with ?new? parents

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

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
It is a parent participation preschool, so parents are working regularly in the classroom and have that opportunity to talk with teachers.

Parent #2
I feel like I can talk to the teachers and the director at any time with any concerns/questions.

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (4.3)
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

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.9)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.1)

Screen and identify all visitors

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 5 years		Mon 9:00am - 11:30am Tue 9:00am - 11:30am Wed 9:00am - 11:30am Thu 9:00am - 11:30am Fri 9:00am - 11:30am	$0/Year

Extended Care

- This school does not have extended care

Calendar Year

School Year

09/2008 - 06/2009

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: Tour/interview with director highly recommended.

There is a wait list for upcoming school year.

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

St. Mark's, Odyssey Charter, Don Benito, Holy Angels, Mayfield, Sierra Madre, Crescenta Valley Adventist School, Norma Coombs, Poly, Walden, Waldorf

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
Took the tour at the school after visiting about ten other co-ops and only put one application in. After I had put in the application at Altadena Nursery School I just kept calling to see if they had a spot.

Parent #2
Talked with the Director to let her know that I already had close relationships with current families at the preschool.