Summary
Contact Info
JCC-Rosenberg Early Childhood Center
325 Arguello Boulevard
San Francisco
, CA
94118
www.jccsf.org
Tel:
(415) 386-4990
Fax:
(415) 386-4990
Director:
Ilene Pollack
ipollack@jccsf.org
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 |
Upon birth |
| Deadline for applications |
Rolling |
Key Statistics
| School year |
Year round program |
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:
10
Savvy Source survey: Yes
Parents who send their child to this preschool also like the following preschools:
- JCC- Helen Diller Family Preschool
- Lone Mountain Children's Center
- Peter's Place Nursery School
- Pacific Primary School
- The Little School
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General Info
Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.3) |
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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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Parents' Comments
Parent #1
We had 2 kids go through JCC Rosenberg. I wish we could rate it 2 1/2 stars, as overall it's uneven in quality.
The building itself is cozy, and homelike which is nice. It's certainly a safe environment. The program strives to be child-driven and to support each kid as an individual, and has some amount of success with this.
The teachers range from truly outstanding, to horrible and how we felt about the school any year depended a lot on what teachers our kids had. There was also a lot of teacher turn-over between school years, some times as much as 1/2 the staff. This led to inconsistency in the program.
There are additional activities like music, garden, gymnastics and art which the kids loved, but there were often large gaps in having specialists available for these, so they were suspended sometimes for months.
The current director is very good, enthusiastic and smart and is doing the best she can overall. She's certainly an improvement over the one that came before her, who was promoted to a higher-up job at the JCC - we felt she was really poor in the way she acted with both parents and children.
Parent #2
This school has much to offer and is highly successful at building a strong community including children, parents and staff. Their Reggio approach fosters collaboration and curiousity, and keeps children busy and engaged. Some parents may be put off by the lack of supervision in the bathroom for the younger, toliet trained children or those just learning. Some of the teachers are excellent, some clearly are not.
Parent #3
Strengths: leadership at site and at JCC, reggio emilio philosophy, length of tenure of many staff, and fact that JCC pays better and offers staff JCC benefits, we've had 6 teachers and several floaters and all have been excellent over the 3 years, specialists in art, music, garden, gymnastics, outdoor space, organization of the day including mixed age activity T,W,Th afternoon, the Rosenberg community of parents/families, the low-key but enriching exposure to Jewish values, traditions.
Parent #4
The 'Reggio Emilia-inspired' curriculum is relatively new and getting stronger. In the past two years we've seen a lot of progress in the ways the teachers implement it and the school supports it. The pre-K ('Gan Katan') program/teachers in particular are terrific. This is one of the few full day programs in the city--very supportive of working parents.
Parent #5
Strengths: provides safe, engaging and fun environment for kids as young as 2, in a full time program. Not many full time programs in the city, and certainly not for 2 year olds. Great outdoor areas. I have some great friends among parents. Weaknesses: Expensive, and not sure where the money goes. Teacher turn over is high. Not all staff either understand or employ Reggio Emilio approach.
Parent #6
I can't imagine a better place for my daughter to have started her school experience. I am Jewish and her exposure to Jewish holidays, rituals and songs was great. The director of the Rosenberg site is fabulous--smart, energetic, level-headed. I always felt comfortable leaving my daughter, who never once said she didn't want to go to school or indicated she was less than happy to spend her days there. The parents are, on the whole, an engaged, informed, cooperative group, and we've made some terrific friends. The teachers are uneven. Some are truly outstanding and couldn't be better. Others are fine but nothing too special. I loved the physical setting. I understand the appeal of the Reggio Emilio educational philosophy and the importance it places on children's interests and feelings. But I wish there had been more specific goals and structure to the curriculum.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
"Located in a beautiful, historic landmark building, the Rosenberg Center provides a full-day, year round program for families who require full-time childcare. With our own flower and vegetable garden, a spacious play yard and cozy, inviting rooms, we provide a warm, nurturing environment, inspired by Jewish values, that provides opportunities for children's exploration and self-expression, and builds a strong community among our families and staff." Extracted from the preschool's website
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (4.1) |
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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
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
I had reservations about my daughter's lead teacher this year and that's why he earned low marks. Had I filled out this questionnaire last year, I would have raved about both her teachers who were extremely nurturing, creative, attentive and in tune with the children.
Parent #2
School has wonderful specialists in gardening, tumbling, music and art. The teachers in the Pre-K year are phenomenal. The class size is kept to about 12, with 2 teachers, which makes the classes intimate.
Parent #3
In addition to the regular teachers, the school employs 'specialists' in the areas of music, gymnastics, art, and gardening. They add a tremendous amount to the school on a weekly basis. The school has a unique and exceptional physical space and yards front and back so the gardening specialist has a lot of opportunity.
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 and Parents' Comments
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
JCC-Rosenberg feels like an intimate, caring, connected environment for preschool children and their parents. We did not choose to be actively involved although there are many parent committees and opportunities for parent participation.
Parent #2
The school is very flexible in meeting child/parent needs regarding separation. I did not check parents in the classroom because there isn't an active policy re keeping them in to assist in separation but if the parent believes this will help it is fine especially in the beginning w/young children
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (3.5) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (4.1) |
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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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Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Rosenberg is housed in an historic building that is charming, cozy and welcoming. Since it is old, it shows its age and could use some sprucing up. The outside area is awesome. They have a very large garden(and full-time gardener) and an expansive back yard for play
Parent #2
The physical plant at Rosenberg is great. There is a lovely garden in the front where the children get to plant things, play with worms, etc. and a large outdoor back yard with a climbing structure, room for bikes, sand box, and basketball hoops.
Parent #3
The school facility is exceptional, better than most I have seen in S.F. including at much more 'popular' preschools. The school leadership around discipline is excellent. I find individual teachers have real strengths in this area and others are just O.K. but never have I experienced a loss of confidence.
Parent #4
Bathroom and kitchen get a lot of use and it shows
Parent #5
The school generally does very well on socialization, but at times did not address bullying or mean behavior as quickly as they should.
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.6) |
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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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Safety
| OVERALL RATING (4.2) |
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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
I met with the director of all three JCC campuses, and she gave me a personal tour. She and I hit it off and I'm sure that explains my daughter's admission.
Parent #2
Called the director to let her know it was our first choice.
Parent #3
Meet with the director.