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How long has the school been in operation?
The school was established in November of 1987. However,
we did not enroll children until February of 1988.
What is your adult/child ratio?
Adult/child ratios vary depending on the age of the children in
the group. Our adult/child ratios are considerably better than
those established by the State of California, that is our ratios
are better than the legal requirement.
The Model School established ratio for young infants is one
adult to 3 children. How ever it is usually better.
The ratio for young toddlers between the ages of 14 months
and 24 months is one adult to four toddlers or better.
The established Model School ratio for the Toddler 2 class
(two year olds) is one adult to five toddlers. However, it is
usually 1 to 4.
The established adult/child ratio for the Pre-Kindergarten
age group is one adult to eight children. However, it is usually
one to 6 or 7.
Do the children go outside?
There are several outdoor periods during the day. The older
children who remain at school all day have three outdoor
periods. Infants and toddlers have two extended outdoor periods
during the day. All children, including young infants have
outdoor time.
Do you provide meals?
We provide two snacks, one in the morning and one in the
afternoon. Parents bring a lunch for the mid day meal. Lunch can
be cooked food from home. Teachers will heat it for children and
provide any help needed. School snacks consists of such things
as low sugar cereals , fruit juices, fresh fruit, milk, yogurt,
cheese, canned fruits, usually in natural juice, crackers,
bagels and various breads with cheese or other spreads. During
cold weather, we sometimes serve hot soup. or hot chocolate.
Some children bring their breakfast to school. In that case, we
prepare and serve it to them. We generally do not provide snacks
for infants less than a year old. Snack menus are posted
weekly above the sign/in/out sheet.
What if a child is sick?
Children who have a fever, who are potentially contagious or who
clearly don’t feel well enough to be at school must be kept at
home. For more in depth information, please review the section
on “Health Policy” in this manual.
What if we sometimes need to leave the child a little longer on a given day or if a part-time child needed an extra hour or an extra day during the week?
It is the intention of The Model School to meet parents' needs.
This is not a problem. If a parent needs more time temporarily,
just let us know. We will figure the amount due based on your
current rate and prorate it for you.
What do you do about discipline?
We believe that discipline is the development of inner strength,
integrity and internal control. Good discipline develops when a
child is brought up in an atmosphere of acceptance, love and
respect. Good discipline develops when a child receives positive
reinforcement for appropriate behaviors and firm, loving
redirection for negative behavior. We use distraction with very
young children and problem solving and conflict resolution
techniques with older children. We do not use punishments or
rewards.
We prepare and maintain an environment conducive to keeping
children happy and busy so that disciplinary problems are kept
to a minimum. Teachers observe carefully as children go about
their work and play so that they can provide appropriate
intervention and prevent potential problems.
Teachers help children develop a sense of security and
control by setting limits. When problems do arise, they talk to
the children involved (three to five age group) and assist them
in problem solving and conflict resolution.
If behavior problems persist, it must be assumed that there
is a reason and a program planning conference will be called.
The conference will include teachers, parents, the director or
other appropriate professionals. The purpose of such a
conference is to determine the possible causes of the behavior
and to develop strategies to ameliorate it.
Behaviors by infants and young toddlers (under 21/2 or 3)
cannot reasonably be thought of as disciplinary problems but
rather as a part of their natural developmental process in
learning to relate to their environment and to each other.
Adults watch children carefully to keep them from hurting
themselves and each other. When a child hits or pushes another,
he or she is shown how to make gentle contact and given
something appropriate to do.
The child who was pushed or hit is given special loving
attention. Infants and toddlers do not yet understand cause and
effect or logical consequences and they are learning by adult
example and behavior, not lecture or adult logic. We also use
distraction techniques.
What do we need to bring?
For infants and toddlers, you must bring bottles containing the
infants’ formula or breast milk, baby food, diapers, changes of
clothing and anything you use regularly to provide comfort for
the baby when under stress, e.g. pacifier. You do not need to
bring wipes, blankets or sheets. However, if the child has a
favorite blanket, you may bring it if you wish.
All children must bring lunch and all children must have a
change of clothing at all times.
What is the training and background
of our staff?
All teachers are qualified for the positions which they hold.
Our instructional assistants have proven experience and are
involved in a comprehensive child development training program.
Infant/toddler staff are chosen not only for their training
and experience, but also for of their ability to relate warmly
and lovingly to babies. In addition to early childhood
education, they are required to have training specifically
related to the care and development of infants and toddlers.
Pre-Kindergarten teachers are experienced qualified persons
who have either earned a California State teaching credential, a
national CDA credential or who have completed other state
recognized training. Some teachers have also been involved in
Montesssori training.
The director and founder of the school, Dr. Daisy L. Mante,
has a B.A. degree in Education, an M.A. degree in Educational
Administration and Special Education, and a Ph.D. in Child
Development and Psychology. Dr. Mante has had many years of
experience as an educator and administrator. These include:
- Director of the Department of Child Development for
the Oakland Unified School District
- Principal of Lawrence School in the San Mateo City
School District,
- Counselor, California School for the Blind,
- Special education teacher, at Sonoma State Hospital
School,
- Special education teacher in the Mount Diablo School
District and
- Coordinator of Special Education in the Berkeley
Unified School District.
She has taught classes in child development and
administration at Merritt College, Mills College, Prairie View
State College and is currently on the faculty at Contra Costa
and Merritt Colleges. Dr. Mante holds four California teaching
credentials and has received honors from various educational
organizations. She is committed to the field of early childhood
education and to making the world a better place for children.
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