Summary
Contact Info
Saratoga Community Preschool
19655 Allendale Avenue
Saratoga
, CA
95070
Tel:
(408) 868-1287
Fax:
(408) 741-8659
Director:
Marianne Swan Ed.D.
cwswan@hotmail.com
General Approach to Learning
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Play-based with some structure |
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| Predominantly teacher-led instruction |
Application Information
| Deadline for applications |
Rolling |
Key Statistics
| Student/teacher ratio |
4:1 |
| Age cutoff for enrollment |
3 years |
| School year |
09/2008 - 05/2009 |
| Summer Program |
09/2008 - 05/2009 |
Kindergarten Placement
Parent Ratings
| Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
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| Quality of teaching |
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| Development of social skills and work habits |
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| Home-school connection |
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| Parent community |
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| Discipline |
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| Facilities |
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| Health |
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| Safety |
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| Handling of separation |
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Survey Information
Number of parents surveyed:
8
Director survey: Yes
Savvy Source survey: Yes
General Info
Basic Stats
| Student/teacher ratio |
4:1
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| Average tenure for teachers |
15 yrs.
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% of teachers with:
| - Teaching credentials |
100%
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Transportation and Drop-off Policies
Transportation
Dropoff Procedure
Features of the Preschool
| Provide a third year |
Yes
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| • Many open-ended higher level activities are provided for these children. |
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| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program |
No
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| Affiliated with a religious institution |
No
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| Teach religious concepts |
No
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| Some experience serving children with special needs |
Yes
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| • Curriculum accommodates many of the requirements of special needs children. Trained 'shadows' are required to accompany each special needs child. |
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Accreditation, Membership & Awards
| Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children |
No
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Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.7) |
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| Building, bathrooms, hallway |
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| Classroom equipment and furniture |
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| Outside play equipment |
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Facilities Include:
| Classrooms (with bathroom attached) |
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| Classrooms (with kitchenette attached) |
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Playground
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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?
Families participating in the program are expected by the community to be part of the entire community, not focused entirely on their own family/children.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
This program prepares children for life. They learn how to resolve conflicts, how to speak up for what they believe in, how to share and play with peers, and be respectful to their teachers, and parents.
Parent #2
The director is phenomenal. She is the school. You don't have to worry about teacher turnover. She is awesome with ALL the kids - doesn't play favorites. Is firm, kind to them all, and helps those that need some extra 'instruction' in whatever they might need.
Parent #3
This is a developmental based preschool, not academic. In the 3 year old class, emphasis is on exploration with art, music, and play. In the 4 year old classroom, the children learn about letters and numbers in creative ways, not just sitting at a desk and tracing them. The children often participate in making their snacks, which are always healthy. The instructor knows each child well, and expresses openly with the parent any special needs or concerns that child may have. Parent participation is required, which allows there to be several adults in the classroom to help. The children have lots of supervision.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
Free play with some structure). We believe that children learn best through free play, but that some structure is helpful. We provide structure through targeted teacher encouragement, play stations, etc. There is a formal structure to our curriculum, but children move through it at their own pace receiving guidance when needed
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
Greeting and group time, mostly language and motor. Planned activities and free play Group time, consisting of language and music. Snack Outdoor time. Small group time.
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (4.9) |
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| Full of energy and seemingly happy in job |
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| Patient and affectionate with children |
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| Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her |
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| Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior |
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| Provides feedback on what my child does during the day |
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| Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate |
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| Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses |
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| If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off |
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| Resolves disputes quickly, calmly and fairly in a manner that allows children to learn from the dispute |
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| Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them |
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| Manages the energy level of the children so that all children feel safe and able to learn |
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| Provides additional support to a child when s/he is clearly failing in her/his efforts |
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| Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children |
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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
Not applicable, this is an open-ended, multi-level curriculum
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The teacher has many years of experience, a doctorate in education, and a parent. She can see the each child's strengths and weaknesses quickly and she has suggestions to help them improve. When necessary, she suggests outside help or recommends when school district intervention may be helpful. She has experience with special needs children. She has a library of books and papers parents can borrow on child development.
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (3.6) |
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| Conducts an open house at start of school year |
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| Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year |
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| Conducts regular parent teacher conferences |
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| Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year |
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| Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year |
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| Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools |
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Director's Comments
This is a parent-participating preschool. Parents assist the director 2-3 days per month. Any developmental issues are discussed as appropriate, with remedial actions suggested.Provide support to families in order to determine the optimal learning and social environment for their child.
Separation
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Parents in classroom early on
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Small group sessions
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Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
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Director's and Parents' Comments
Director's Comments
Dependent upon the separation anxiety, we address: Parent Separation Anxiety by encouraging parents to participate in small group activities which include their own child, gradually weaning them toward more activities encompassing the entire class. Child Separation Anxiety by acknowledging the child's distress, and working through it through art work, gardening or any redirecting activity. Parents are kept advised of the progress, and occasionally are asked to consult, all based on trust.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The director of the school has created a wonderful environment for the children to learn, explore, and play in. I have had three children attend the school and she treats every child individually and really has given us wonderful and unique guidance for each of them as they have grown.
Parent #2
This preschool is developmental. The children there learn through play. By volunteering in the classroom, parents see how the teacher/director ties all of the activities together. The hands-on aspect is wonderful. For example, in the spring, fertilized eggs are brought in from a farm, and the children see them hatch as the days go by. It's a magical setting!
Parent #3
I recommend highly the Saratoga Community Preschool to parents. This is a development-based program that requires parent involvement (work in the classroom about once a week). The director integrated OT and SLP activities in play which lay the foundation for the kids' future success in academics. Social interactions are a big focus in this program. Through helping out in the classroom, parents get to know their kids, and to grow their parental skills. This is a wonderful program.
Parent #4
In addition to hands-on academic activities, social development is also stressed. Once the children are comfortable with themselves, their peers and the classroom, the academic learning comes naturally. It teaches children the use of proper words in conflict resolution. Encourages empathy. Children learn science though a remarkable garden they help plant and sow. Children help make their own healthy snacks. Organic and natural foods are encouraged. Circle time with fun exercises to encourage physical fitness and theme stories. Show and tell time. Music with real instruments and sometimes a volunteer musician. Visits to the Senior center to perform songs during holidays. It's just a wonderful place to be a child.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (3.9) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (4.8) |
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| 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
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Overview
Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline
Children are responsible for their own social situations, with guidance from supervising adults ranging from providing input and questioning of the situation and providing assistance to acknowledging the situation and acting upon it.
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.'
The children are told that at school, 'we play with everyone. We are all friends, and I will help you find another friend to play with'.
Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Outside play area is fabulous. Wonderful garden for the children to participate in learning about nature. Setting is beautiful and enchanting. Very safe.
Parent #2
I particularly like how the teacher teaches children to use their words. When conflict happens she has the two children look at each other in the face and help them with the words. Why is so-and-so unhappy? How do you think it made him/her feel? How did it make you feel? Then it usually ends with a hug and an I'm sorry. Or the hurt child is helped by the other child.
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.8) |
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| Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable |
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| Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided
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| Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly |
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Food Allergies
Medications
Safety
| OVERALL RATING (4.6) |
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| Screen and identify all visitors
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| Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others |
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Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Parents' Admission Tips
Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions
Parent #1
Visit the school in January of the year you would be starting your child (that fall.) Get your name on the waiting list at that time.
Parent #2
Signed up early
Parent #3
Previewed the school in September (yes, 1 year in advance). Had name put on waiting list. In January, paid a deposit for the following September.
Parent #4
Talk to the teacher, and try out their summer program.
Parent #5
Got my money in early to hold a spot for my child.
