Summary
Contact Info
FasTracKids
19110 C Stevens Creek Boulevard
Cupertino
, CA
95014
www.imagination4kids.com
Tel:
(408) 216-8136
Fax:
(408) 216-7686
Director:
Monica Nulkar
info@imagination4kids.com
General Approach to Learning
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Play-based with some structure |
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| Predominantly teacher-led instruction |
Application Information
| Applications accepted |
After a face-to-face meeting at the school (tour, conversation with director, etc.), after a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school |
| Deadline for applications |
Rolling |
Key Statistics
| Student/teacher ratio |
4:1 |
| Age cutoff for enrollment |
3 years |
| School year |
Year round program |
| Summer Program |
07/2008 - 08/2008 |
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:
4
Director survey: Yes
Savvy Source survey: Yes
Parents who send their child to this preschool also like the following preschools:
- TLC of Cupertino
- Bethel Lutheran School (Finch Ave.)
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General Info
Basic Stats
| Student/teacher ratio |
4:1
|
% of teachers with:
| - Teaching credentials |
20%
|
Transportation and Drop-off Policies
Transportation
Dropoff Procedure
Features of the Preschool
| 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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| • 2 of our teachers have experience working with children who may have special needs. With that said, we do try to work with the parent and provide extra attention if necessary. |
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Accreditation, Membership & Awards
| Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children |
No
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Other Accreditations
Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (3.3) |
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| Building, bathrooms, hallway |
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| Classroom equipment and furniture |
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Facilities Include:
| Classrooms (with bathroom attached) |
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| Classrooms (with kitchenette attached) |
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classroom and bathroom are next to each other.
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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?
FasTracKids is a revolutionary program that cannot be compared to anything else that is currently available. Parents are highly encouraged to call or e-mail us, visit the academy, and bring their child for a complimentary class. Tuition for siblings is 50% off.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
So far none have arisen.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
The FasTracKidsr curriculum is a revolutionary enrichment education program for children ages 3-7 delivered in a positive, non-stressful, interactive, and FUN environment.
It is designed to expand the knowledge base of young children in 12-subject areas and simultaneously enhance their communication and leadership skills.
FasTracKids' vision is to develop a love of learning in children and give them tools for life. By offering a program that encourages exploration and self-discovery, FasTracKids hopes to make a meaningful difference in children's life.
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
Parents are welcome to observe class in progress by and watching the session on the monitor in the lobby. Alternately, parents may watch the session in the classroom if their child is young and new to the program. Below is a description of what a day in the life of a FasTracKid may look like.
- Children learn by watching and listening, through discussion and observation, games, doing interactive projects including science experiments and art/craft projects, speaking and video-taping opportunities, and role playing.
- During any given lesson plan (2-hr session), children will work on at least 1 or 2 projects or experiments in addition to doing other activities or games. For example: Earth science module: examine rocks and talk about their color, shapes, sizes etc; Build your own mountain with play dough, twigs, leaves, and then talk about it.
- Creativity module: Play the totem tole game and make your own totem poles; "how the piano sounds" activity.
- Technology and how things work module: "Vehicle matching game"; Make paper helicopters and "fly" them; Experiment by putting cars on a bridge and learn how it supports them; build a bridge with cardboard and share thoughts about it.
- Goals and Life Lessons: Make your own book about "Dax and his Friends," color it and give it a title if you want. Learn about peer pressure and bullying; learn the Braille'alphabet and write your own name using it; learn I LOVE YOU using sign language.
Children will enjoy a healthy snack and beverage.
Children will interact with other children socially during break time and get to know each other.
Children will take home "This week I discovered..." handouts that will inform parents what their children explored and did that week, how their knowledge was enriched, and how to follow-up and reinforce what was learned.
Parents will be able to use the parent support web resources and additional resources from their own academy.
Most importantly, we will nurture a love of learning in children while they are having lots of fun!
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (4.4) |
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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
After each class, teachers complete a progress report worksheet for each child. They document their comments and progress notes for each child. Progress reports are shared with parents on a quarterly basis. Teachers call or e-mail parents to report on observations they may have made during a particular class. The goal is to learn how each child learns and what motivates her/him. Small class sizes and small teacher: student ratio make this easier.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The enrichment classes take place once a week only and are two hours long.
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (3.8) |
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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
We maintain weekly progress reports; call parents; meet parents personally; communicate via e-mail; provide quarterly progress reports. Children can take the Creative Potential Indicator assessment. This will inform parents what their child's strengths may be and the areas that need further development.
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
Parents are welcome to sit inside the classroom until the child feels comfortable with the teachers, peers, and surroundings.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (2.3) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (3.8) |
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| Parents at this school, on average, believe that conflicts between children:
are handled well in a way that gives me confidence in the safety of my child
| |
Overview
Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline
Teachers discuss FasTracKids rules and through positive reinforcement and encouragement, they make sure children are respectful of each other and their surroundings. Most importantly, teachers are trained to model positive behaviors. We do not use time-outs. If a child is tired or upset, he/she is temporarily removed from the situation and the teacher or teacher's assistant spends time with him/her, talks to the child, finds out what the problem is and makes him/her comfortable.
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.'
Since we see children only once a week, such situations arise very rarely. If they do, we reiterate our rules of showing respect for every child and using only kind words.
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.5) |
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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 (3.8) |
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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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Ages, Schedule & Tuition
Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition
| Ages |
Class Size |
Days |
Tuition |
|
From
2 years
6 months
to --
|
12 |
Mon 8:30am - 5pm
Tue 8:30am - 5pm
Wed 8:30am - 5pm
Thu 8:30am - 5pm
Fri 8:30am - 5pm
|
$200/Month |
Extended Care
Notes on Schedule and Extended Care
Notes
No extended day.
Students attend once a week for 2 hours.
Calendar Year
School Year
Summer Program
Application & Admissions
Application Process
Admissions Process
Director's Comments
Comments
FasTracKids staff invests a lot of time and thought in helping each child achieve his/her maximum potential. They will discuss, plan, and evaluate goals that parents decide for their children. Our staff will provide exceptional service to parents and always welcome feedback from parents. Additionally, the Director researches and provides resources to parents to help them in reinforcing concepts that are shared during class.
Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Director and Parents have not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source.
