Immersed in a joyful school community, Prospect Sierra students think and feel deeply, develop a lifelong love of learning, and are prepared to make a positive impact on the world.
ALAMEDA
Richard Tabor, DDS
ALAMEDA
1821 Santa Clara Ave. 510-865-2900 www.alamedadentist.com
Richard Tabor, DDS 1821 Santa Clara Ave. 510-865-2900 www.alamedadentist.com
PINOLE
Thea S. Dosanjh, DDS
2000 Appian Way,Suite 303 510-964-0168 www.eastshorepediatricdental.com
Teri L. Kim, DDS
2000 Appian Way,Suite 303 510-964-0168 www.eastshorepediatricdental.com
2000 Appian Way,Suite 303 510-964-0168 www.eastshorepediatricdental.com
Teri L. Kim, DDS
2000 Appian Way,Suite 303 510-964-0168 www.eastshorepediatricdental.com
Working families may be eligible for WIC!
Working families may be eligible for WIC!
For more information and to see
you qualify, contact: City of Berkeley WIC Program 830 University Ave Berkeley, CA 94710 510.981.5360
City of Berkeley WIC Program 830 University Ave Berkeley, CA 94710 510.981.5360
Migrant families are welcome! wicprogram@cityofberkeley.info
Migrant families are welcome! wicprogram@cityofberkeley.info Visit us at www.cityofberkeley.info/publichealth
at www.cityofberkeley.info/publichealth
Whatbetter way to keep track of all the Bay Area pre school and private school’s admission events than this handy tool! With over 50 entities participating, check out the Online Open House & Admissions Calendar on Par entsPress.com. Look for the School Open Houses button on the main header bar and tap. Don’t forget to tell them you saw their event on https://parentspress.com
2022/23 edition of The East Bay Private School Guide is filled with information on how to help par ents navigate the process of finding the best private school for their child. This guide has information on prioritizing what are the most important factors for your family, determining what type of school to consider, navigat ing admissions tours, shadow days, interviews, needed exams, tuition assistance and writing a great essay. Use the month-by-month guide to keep your family on the admissions track to getting accepted to the school of your choice. Available online at www.ParentsPress.com – just click on “Our Magazines” tab.
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When comparing all forms of transport, pedestrians are the most vulnerable on the road. Unintentional pedestrian injuries are the fifth leading cause of injury-related death in the United States for children ages 5 to 19. Teen pedestrians are more likely to be treated in hospitals for crash-related injuries than other age groups. Before your family heads out on foot, keep safety in mind.
• Use designated crosswalks or intersections.
• Obey traffic signals.
• Follow signs even when no vehicle is in sight. It only takes seconds for a vehicle or bike to cause damage. If no traffic signal is available, stand clear of obstacles so drivers can see you, look both ways before crossing and make eye contact with motorists even when they’re stopped. Never assume that vehicles see you or will stop.
• It’s safest to walk on a sidewalk, but when unavailable, walk on the shoulder and face traffic.
• Carry a flashlight or wear retro-reflective clothing to increase your visibility. Look for well-lit areas when walking at night.
• Children under 10 years developmentally always need to cross the street with an adult.
• Adults serve as role models for safety behaviors. Set a good example by putting your phone, headphones and devices down when walking around cars.
Picking the perfect pumpkin is a little easier when you understand the difference between popular varieties. If you’re baking a pie, pick an Amish Pie or Baby Pam Sugar Pie varietal. Carving contest? Go for a Cinderella, which was reportedly cultivated by the Pilgrims and served at the second Thanksgiving.
Halloween is my favorite thing in the entire world, ask anyone. Every year I scour the internet looking for a full month’s worth of Halloween activities to take my kids to so we can wear our costumes many times and get all the items on our Halloween bucket list checked off. Pumpkin patch, check. Corn Maze, check. Trick or Treating, Check. Spooky stories, check!
This year, my enthusiastic list-mak ing is to the reader’s benefit. If anyone loves Halloween as much as I do, take notice, because I’m about to spell it out. These are my eight do-not-miss Halloween festivities for 2022!
Children’s Fairyland really throws a party with the usual unlimited rides and fantastic entertainment but the big deals are the balloon animals, costumed char acters, treat bags, parades, pirate school, and bounce houses. Come in costume for the extra fun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 10/21-23 and 10/28-30. See website for daily schedules. All ages. Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bel levue Ave., Oakland. 510-238-6876, www. fairyland.org.
Berkeley’s 4th Street merchants, such as Peet’s, Sur La Table, and MAC are open to trick or treat in for those kids who are too tiny to stay up late but still want to show off their costumes. Participating merchants will have a marking on or above their doors to let revelers know where the candy is. There will be live music, entertainment, even a few treats and free samples for grown-ups. 1 p.m.-5 p.m. 10/31. 4th St., at Hearst, Berkeley. www. fourthstreetshop.com
Half Moon Bay might not be famous for many things, but pumpkins are one thing that has put this little hamlet on the map. The coastal air makes pumpkin magic
and grows some gourds that are as big as a smart car. All ages will be agog at the marvelous and gigantic pumpkins, but will also love the rest of the festival with crafts for sale, art, live music, food, wine, and children’s activities to do too. Expert pumpkin carvers will amaze the crowd with epic works of art unbelievably carved from pumpkins and gourds. There will be pumpkin flavored everything from pies to cocktails, as well as zip line rides, bungee jumping, and more.9 a.m.-5 p.m. 10/7-16. Check website for daily schedule. Free admission. All ages. Main St. between Mill and Spruce, Half Moon Bay, www.pump kinfest.miramarevents.com
The Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito puts on an amazing Halloween to-do for the early childhood crowd. Chil dren can dress up and enjoy the Disglow party, hay maze, slime banquet, spooky science, and more! Buy tickets online in advance. See website for daily schedules and ticket prices. Oct 22-23 & 26-30. Babies under 6 mo. are free. All ages. Bay Area Discovery Museum, 557 McReyn olds Way, Sausalito. 415-339-3932, www. bayareadiscoverymuseum.org.
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts hosts their annual Halloween event, and it is fantastic. Kids will enjoy arts and crafts while zany clowns run amok. Games, prizes, fortune tellers and more. Music and dancing are followed by a parade that everyone gets to join. 10/30. Noon - 2 p.m. Free. Kids under 10. Children’s Garden, Yerba Buena Gardens
Calling all ghosts, goblins, and witches - join us for Boo at the Zoo! Grab a program as you enter the Zoo and follow the clues on our self-guided scavenger hunt to trick-or-treat for animal trading cards throughout the Zoo. Remember to dress in costume (no inflatable costumes
- they can scare the Zoo animals) when you visit and tag Oakland Zoo on social media to enter our Halloween costume contest! 10/22 - 31. See website for details. All ages. Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland. 510-632-9525, www.oaklandzoo.org.
Between the Bay Area and Sacramento is a little farm town called Dixon and it boasts the coolest corn maze on the planet. It’s actually way more than just that. There are tubs of dried corn for kids to “swim” in, giant hay bale structures to climb, and 50 acres of mazes and fun, including hay rides and a pumpkin cannon! It is open throughout the month and has free parking. There are food, drinks and pumpkins available for purchase. Check website for daily offerings. All Ages. Cool Patch Pumpkins, 6585 Milk Farm Rd., Dixon. 530-746-8725, www.coolpatch pumpkins.com
This crazy scary haunted house is for older kids, teens and adults. They mean to scare people, and it’s no joke! It’s great for the crowd that’s too cool to trick or treat. There are 5 haunted attractions, includ ing a maze, a pirate themed attraction, and some crazy Voodoo stuff! There is entertainment each night, fortune tellers, and a sideshow of oddities. Spooky! They allow all ages, but it is not for little ones. See website for the various show times throughout October, Thursdays - Sundays, and Halloween, of course. Event sells out early. All ages but best for teens and up. Pirates of Emerson Haunted Themed Park, Valley Ave., Pleasanton. (At Alameda County Fairgrounds) www.piratesofemer son.com
So, start working on costumes now and make a game plan to hit all the hot spots to maximize the Halloween fun! Don’t forget to read those spooky stories on All Hallow’s Read to wrap it all up. Y
We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the achievements and contribu tions of LatinX Americans, to honor their experiences and to uplift our LatinX children and families. Enjoy sharing these stories:
“Alma and How She Got Her Name,” by Juana MartinezNeal (Candlewick; ages 4-8; $15.99; 32 pp.). Alma helps us all feel like we are special for being unique. Alma Sofia Esperanza Josi Pura Candela worries about her long name until her father tells her family stories, one for each person she’s named after. Soft and gently sweet illus trations show the distinctive essence of each ancestor.
“Dreamers,” by Yuyi Mo rales (Holiday House; ages 4-8; $19.99; 40 pp.). Morales’ vibrant picture book draws on her experiences im migrating from Mexico to San Francisco as a young mother. Evocative language and gorgeous artwork is filled with love, passion and imagination as Yuyi and her son discover themselves and language in stories. “We are two languages./ We are lucha./ We are resilience./ We are hope.” A must-read book full of hope.
“The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora,” by Pablo Cartaya (Viking; 256 pp.; $16.99; ages 9-13). Every Sunday, 13-year-old Arturo joins his extended Cuban-American family at their restaurant La Cocina de la Isla. When a shady land developer threat ens to put up flashy high rise
condos, Arturo joins forces with his cousins and friends to fight back. Cartaya de lightfully navigates Arturo’s awkwardness, humor and conviction as he develops his first crush and fights for his family’s restaurant.
“The First Rule of Punk,” by Celia C. Pérez (Viking / Penguin; 336 pp.; $16.99; ages 9-13). María Luisa wears Chuck Taylors, listens to punk rock, makes zines, and goes by the nickname Malú. She’s devastated when she has to move to Chicago, leaving behind her dad and his record store. At her new strongly Latino school, Malú must navigate finding new friends, balancing her Mexican culture with her interests, and speaking out against unfair rules. A fun, fresh story about claiming your own style.
“Juliet Takes a Breath,” by Gabby Rivera (Dial; ages 1418; $17.99; 320 pp.). In this vibrant queer coming of age story, Latina native Juliet Palante leaves her native Bronx for an internship in Portland, Oregon with her fa vorite feminist author. Juliet explores her understand ing of freedom and identity, pushing readers to embrace
the power of one’s own voice and being true to yourself.
“My Papi Has a Motorcycle,” by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Zeke Peña (Kokila; ages 4-8; $17.99; 40 pp.). When Papi gets home from work, young Daisy rushes to give him a huge hug and then grabs their helmets, eager for a ride on Papi’s motorcycle. Whether they’re roaring past or cruising along and greeting family and friends, young Daisy is noticing all of the sights, sounds and smells, in Quintero’s homage to her papi and her hometown of Corona, California.
“The Only Road,” by Alex andra Diaz (Paula Wise man / Simon & Schuster; ages 12-16; $8.99; 336 pp.). Twelve-year-old Jaime flees his home in Guatemala after a local drug gang kills his cousin Miguel. Jaime and Angela, Miguel’s sister, trav el north alone, navigating the treacherous journey by bus, train and foot. This grip ping novel not only shows the violence and abuse Jaime and Angela survive, but also how painful family separation is for children.
“Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Méndez and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation,” by Duncan Tonatiuh (Abrams; ages 7-10; $18.95; 40 pp.). Sylvia Mendez and her family fought their Orange County school district for placing Sylvia in the “Mexican school” school because of her skin tone and surname. Tonatiuh adeptly combines clear text and folk-inspired art to bring this important story to children, showing how important it is to stand up for what’s right.
“We Set the Dark on Fire,” by Tehlor Kay Mejia (Kath erine Tegen; ages 13-18; $17.99; 384 pp.). In this in triguing fantasy infused with a LatinX setting and charac ters, Dani is pulled between her own striving for a better life as the new wife of a top political leader and support ing the rebel group who’s fighting for social justice. It’s complicated by Dani’s own past, coming illegally from across the wall. In her debut, Mejia weaves together moral compromise, blossoming love and exciting action, echoing today’s headlines. Y
Mary Ann Scheuer is a high school librarian. Find more books she recommends sharing with your children at her blog, Great Kid Books, http://great kidbooks.blogspot.com
By Sarah Lyons
From the time we enter the world, we search out other people to connect with. We are social beings and making and maintaining friendships are a big part of our lives from childhood on. While making friends is of great importance, it doesn’t always come naturally to us. It can be difficult to find friends that are loyal and that you can build a connection with. Parents can help their kids build social skills that help them make friends at any age.
One of the easiest ways to teach kids is through play. As you are playing and interacting with your children, role play scenarios that they may encounter when meet ing new people. You can use puppets, dolls, or even stuffed animals to practice social situations they may encounter. Through play, you can teach your child how to ask someone to play or how to join in on a game that is already started. Work out possible conflicts that may arise as they play with friends. After roleplaying, kids will be more comfortable when they face similar situa tions on the playground.
It is just as important for parents to build strong friendships as it is for kids. We have the opportunity to teach our kids through our example. “We move a lot so explaining how I have to make new friends and step out of my comfort zone just like they do helps a lot.” says Stephanie Loux, mom of three. Do you make time for
friends in your life? Do you invite friends over or meet for coffee? How often do you step outside your comfort zone to meet new people? Our kids see how we interact with others. If the parent is involved with friends, shows empathy towards others, and helps friends in need, kids will learn that friendships are a priority and understand the natural give and take of a relationship. They will also watch how parents handle conflict and the normal highs and lows that friends experience.
For kids with the gift of gab, conversation may come naturally but for others a little practice and a few tips can go a long way. Part of making and maintaining friendships is being able to take turns speaking, listen, and respond with empathy when appropriate. Parents can teach kids how to have conversations during daily life by simply modeling this skill. It can also be taught during roleplaying or simply giving them some tools to start a conversation. For example, kids should be remind ed to look at the person in the eye, greet a friend as they
arrive, respond when asked a question, and ask follow up questions so their friend knows they are listening. It takes some practice but it will be worth it.
Being polite can go a long way in building friendships. Kids who are polite, say please and thank you, pick up after themselves, and treat others respectfully are more likely to be invited to their friend’s homes. Kids who take turns, share, and let guests go first are also easier to be around. You can model good etiquette for your child and give them gentle reminders during playdates and social interactions.
All friends experience conflict. What is important is how you handle it. Door slamming, stomping feet, the silent treatment, yelling, and hitting may release anger at the moment but can be damaging to a friendship. As kids mature, it is important to encourage them to talk about their feelings, come up with a solution, or ask an adult to help. As much as possible, have the kids work out their conflict. However, being available to help them come to a resolution both friends can live with is impor tant.
One easy way to encourage your kids to make friends is to provide them the opportunities to socialize. Allow your kids to invite friends over to play or to meet at a park. Hosting a playdate that encourages mutual inter ests helps build friendships as well. If your child is in terested in animals, invite a friend with mutual interests to meet you at the zoo. Sports and extracurricular activi ties are another great place to find friends with mutual interests. “Helping them say hello to other kids at parks and school events helps.” says Loux. “I also make an ef fort to go to all class birthday parties so they have more time with friends.” Simply being around other people helps your child build social skills and make friends.
It is important to remember that everyone has a differ ent personality which will affect how they react in social situations. Some children love to be the center of atten tion and thrive off of being around others. Other children may be more reserved and shy. They may enjoy being around other people but prefer to sit back and observe the situation. Remember that it’s important to cultivate your child’s social skills based on what they feel the most comfortable with, even if that is different from your own. It is also important to remember that your child does not need to be the most popular person in the class, they really only need one or two close friends to feel accepted and connected to their peers.
Sarah Lyons is a mom of six children, including seven-year-old triplets.
Imagine a place where the only things bigger than the creatures are the secrets they reveal. Discover the amazing adaptations of bugs and get up close to larger-than-life models in this immersive new exhibit.
Now open | Get tickets at calacademy.org
Every visit supports our mission to regenerate the natural world.
What would you guess is the most important ingredient for valuable STEAM learning?
It’s not fancy lab equipment, complicated engineering books or the latest high-tech gadgets. Every kind of STEAM learning out there actually hedges on one much simpler concept: curiosity.
STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art and math, but beyond that intimidating acronym, STEAM simply represents a hands-on approach to exploring the world, examining how it works and solving
Join the maker movement. Celebrate the ultimate creative activity: making stuff. Your kids don’t need expensive equipment or special instruction manuals to start making – just their own creative minds, a few easy-to-find materials and some encouragement. Here are a couple of ways to get your kids making:
• Turn a regular craft table into a maker space by piling it with any materials you have on hand, including paper straws, rubber bands,
craft sticks, cardboard, toilet paper rolls, plastic foam, tape, glue and other odds and ends. Ask your kids to build. If they need a little boost, find some ideas online and help them build their first creation.
• Start collecting large cardboard boxes and encourage your kids to find new ways to use them. Kids can make anything imaginable from recycled card board – castles, houses, cars, vending machines, robots and rocket ships – the sky’s the limit!
real-life problems. So if you have curious kids, they can practice STEAM!
Research shows early STEAM learning benefits kids across multiple subjects. So while you’ll undoubtedly see more STEAM activities popping up in the classroom, don’t let the learning stop there. Get in on the fun and support STEAM learning at home with these simple activities (for ages 5 & up) that turn your kiddos into the super-solvers of the future.
Having “ready to- go” materials around helps kids create the moment inspiration hits. Plus, it gives them firsthand ex perience with the design process.
2 Turn wonder into discovery. Every little question your curious kids ask – and we know they ask a lot – presents a prime opportunity for STEAM learning. Whether they ask how the toilet flushes or how the refrigerator light turns off, you can answer tons of questions
in our digital age. Simply head online together and investigate the answer. When you see your kids playing with their favorite toys or eating their favorite treats, ask them to guess how those items were made. After they come up with a solid guess, research How It’s Made videos on YouTube that give kids an up-close look at the manufacturing process of their favorite products. Not only will this help foster a healthy sense of wonder, it will also help kids build up their “bank of knowledge.”
When you see your kids playing with their favorite toys or eating their favorite treats, ask them to guess how those items were made.
design and test, they’ll feel just like real engineers –with the power to improve things and invent from scratch.
Tinker with everyday tools. A child’s daily routine includes tools, gad gets and inventions that all resulted from a design process, and therefore, can be improved. Have your kids brainstorm how they might design even better versions of things they use every day. They might make scissors more comfortable to hold, de sign a toothbrush for fun brushing or even improve a spoon handle to minimize dribbling.
Ask your kids to sketch their new and improved tool and explain what they’ll change and why it’s an improvement. They can even create a working pro totype! For example, kids can work with clay or play dough and old spoons to create a spoon handle for a steadier grip.
Then have them test out their new design and watch them get a huge kick out of using something they invented. As they
4 Take advantage of community workshops and events. Your local hardware stores and craft stores probably provide workshops for awesome make and take projects just for kids. As kids delve into these exciting workshops, they’ll handle tools and materials they don’t have at home; the more tools kids can use, the more opportunities they have to invent, improve and innovate.
Check out local events, camps and science fairs that offer STEAM activi ties so your kids can get even more hands-on experience with exciting new tools and materials.
5 Meet the inventors of the past at your local library. Have your kids imagine a world without electricity, medicine or even chocolate chip cookies!
Tell them people from the past invented many things we enjoy today. What did those people all have in common? They asked questions, examined possibilities and introduced solutions to improve their world.
Ask your kids what in vention they want to learn about from bicycles to computers and even candy bars! Head to the library and help them find books to answer a few simple questions about their invention:
• Who invented it?
• What inspired the inven tor’s idea?
• What materials did the inventor use to create something completely new?
After learning about real-life inventors, kids will be inspired to see if they can be inventors too! 6
Learn up-close at a museum. Nothing brings learning to life quite like your local museum. If your kids love dinosaurs, they’ve probably enjoyed books and movies on the topic, but a museum can awe them with real dinosaur bones. Plus, kids can discover exciting STEAM career paths they never knew existed, like becoming a paleontologist.
Observe workers in action. The next time something around the house tragically stops working, turn the disaster into a learning experience. When your plumber, electrician or mechanic arrives, ask if you and your child can observe their work. As you watch, encourage your child to ask questions about their tools and the problems they discover as they work. Kids can learn so much from watching a worker’s process of tinkering to detect and correct a problem. As kids observe and question, repairing a toilet turns into an educational experience. Plus, since your handyperson will stick around until they solve the problem, kids also learn the importance of persevering to solve problems – an essential STEAM skill. Y
Eric Chyo is the Director of Early Development at Lake shore Learning Materials.
Have your kids brainstorm how they might design even better versions of things they use every day.
Ask your kids to sketch their new and improved tool and explain what they’ll change and why it’s an improvement.
Have your kids imagine a world without electricity, medicine or even chocolate chip cookies!
ALAMEDA
St. Joseph Notre Dame HS
Open House
October 23, 2022 @ 3:00 pm 1011 Chestnut St www.sjnd.org
Saint Philip Neri Catholic School Information Night
November 10, 2022 @ 7:00 pm 1335 High St www.spnalameda.org
BERKELEY
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley
Preschool On Campus Tours
October 3, 2022 @ 9:00 am
October 18, 2022 @ 9:00 am
November 3, 2022 @ 9:00 am
November 19, 2022 @ 9:00 am
Kindergarten On Campus Tours
October 7, 2022 @ 9:00 am
October 20, 2022 @ 9:00 am
November 2, 2022 @ 9:00 am
December 1, 2022 @ 9:00 am
AFP (Grades 1 & 2)
On Campus Tours
October 14, 2022 @ 9:00 am
November 10, 2022 @ 9:00 am
Middle School Grade 6 International On Campus Tours
October 21, 2022 @ 9:00 am
November 16, 2022 @ 9:00 am
Open House
November 19, 2022 @ 10:00 am 1009 Heinz Ave www.eb.org
Maybeck High School
Virtual Open House
October 8, 2022 @ 10:30 am
Open House
November 12, 2022 @ 10:30 am
2727 College Ave www.maybeckhs.org/
CONCORD
Orion Academy Open House
November 5, 2022 @ 9:30 am
1868 Clayton Road www.orionacademy.org
The Athenian School
Upper School Open House: November 12, 2022 @ 10:00 am
Middle School Open House
November 5, 2022 @ 10:00 am 2100 Mt Diablo Scenic Blvd www.athenian.org
Prospect Sierra School
Middle School (5-8)
Virtual Open House
November 13, 2022 @ 1:00 pm
Kindergarten
Virtual Open House
November 13, 2022 @ 10:00 am
Elementary School (K-4)
Virtual Open House
December 11, 2022 @ 10:00 am 2060 Tapscott Avenue & 960 Avis Drive www.prospectsierra.org/
East Bay German
Online Information Session –
Early Childhood
October 5, 2022 @ 9:00 am
November 16, 2022 @ 9:00 am
Open House
October 29, 2022 @ 10:00 am
Online Information Session –Elementary School
October 19, 2022 @ 9:00 am
Online Information Session –High School October 26, 2022 @ 7:00 pm
Online Information Session –Middle School
November 30, 2022 @ 9:00 am 1070 41st St www.ebgis.org/
LAFAYETTE
Bentley School (Grades 9-12)
Open House
October 22, 2022 @ 1:00 pm
January 7, 2022 @ 9:30 am
Virtual School Open House K-12
November 12, 2022 @ 10:00 am
1000 Upper Happy Valley Road www.bentleyschool.org
OAKLAND
Bentley School
Open House
October 22, 2022 @ 9:00 am
January 7, 2022 @ 1:00 pm
Virtual School Open House K-12
November 12, 2022 @ 10:00 am
1 Hiller Dr www.bentleyschool.org
Head-Royce
Lower School Open House
October 16, 2022 @ 1:00 pm
Upper School Open House
November 13, 2022 @ 1:00 pm
Middle School Open House
November 6, 2022 @ 1:00 pm
4315 Lincoln Ave www.headroyce.org
Holy Names High School
Open House
November 6, 2022 @ 10:00 am
4660 Harbord Dr www.hnhsoakland.org/
Park Day School
Information Sessions
October 6, 2022 @ 11:30 am
October 20, 2022 @ 11:30 am
Open House
November 5, 2022 @ 10:00 am
360 42nd St www.parkdayschool.org/
ORINDA
Orinda Academy
Open House
October 1, 2022 @ 10:00 am
19 Altarinda Road www.orindaacademy.org
PIEDMONT
Corpus Christi School
Information Session
October 3, 2022 @ 5:30 pm
Virtual Open House
October 11, 2022 @ 7:00 pm
November 8, 2022 @ 7:00 pm
Morning with Michael November 5, 2022 @ 9:00 am
1 Estates Dr www.corpuschristischool.com/
Salesian College Preparatory
Open House
October 16, 2022 @ 1:00 pm 2851 Salesian Ave www.salesian.com/
SAN FRANCISCO
Nomad Middle School
Open House
October 11, 2022 @ 5:30 pm 2592 Folsom St www.sf-nomad.com
Sacred Heart Cathedral
Preparatory
Open House
October 29, 2022 @ 9:00 am 1055 Ellis St www.shcp.edu
San Francisco High School of the Arts
Open House
October 22, 2022 @ 3:00 pm 1950 Page St www.highschoolofthearts.org
WALNUT CREEK
Berean Christian High School New Student Preview Day November 4, 2022 @ 9:30 am
Open House
November 5, 2022 @ 10:00 am 245 El Divisadero Ave www.bereaneagles.org
Check out more school open house events online at ParentsPress.com - Select School Open Houses
Don’t see your school’s event? You can post it online at the URL above.
By Yael Schonbrun
As a parent, you’re probably familiar with the benefits that rest offers kids of all sizes. From emotional health to improved learning, rest helps kids enjoy their busiest days and grow in healthy ways. Chances are that a busy Fall schedule only increases your motivation to solidify structure around your infant’s sleep schedule, seek out the perfect rest time tunes for your toddler, or encourage your teen to get off TikTok at night. However, when it comes to your own rest, most strategies seem too absurd to bother with. After all, even if you could ensure some time away from your children (and good luck with that), odds are that you have a job, a partner, or aging parents that need your attention. What parent has time to rest?
As a clinical psychologist, writer, and parent, I am adamant about rest for my kids. And I also counsel my adult patients about the benefits of taking breaks. Yet I found myself on a rambling rant to a friend about my fatigue and how hopeless I felt with the lack of an end in sight about a year ago. My friend, one of those serene self-help gurus, lovingly suggested I book a yoga retreat with her to Costa Rica. As she said, “It’s what we all need!”
As I pondered the forms of rest that seemed to be out of reach for many tired parents, it dawned on me how much we take it as a given that infants don’t rest like teenagers and that toddlers require a constant rejiggering of rest time strategies. If rest needs to be customized for kids, isn’t the same true for parents?
As I write about in my forthcoming book, Work, Parent, Thrive, the science of rest confirms that while a beachside vacation may be unrealistic, rest for worn-out parents isn’t. There are more ways to rest than getting more sleep, meditating an hour a day, or having weeks-long breaks from parenting. In fact, one useful definition researchers have coined for “a break” involves moving from one task over to another. By stepping into a different role and using a different part of your mind or body, you attain a break from the role you’ve at least momentarily stepped out of. So, whether you’re putting away the billing to pick up your kids after work, leaving your toddler at daycare to start your nursing shift, or even placing your kids in front of a screen while you make dinner, you’re restoring energy for one role by stepping into another.
According to researchers, however, to allow this kind of role transition to provide a respite, you must practice something called psychological detachment. It sounds fancy, but psychological detachment simply means fully switching off from whatever role you’re stepping away from. For instance, while making dinner, see if you can focus on the food preparation rather than giving yourself a guilt trip for using the electronic babysitter. It can help to remember that doing so helps you return to parenting with greater gusto.
As writer Anne Lamott noted, “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” Research supports the value of short breaks. For adults, short naps between tenand twenty-minutes help to restore self-control, emotion regulation, task performance, and memory. These benefits are particularly strong for habitual nappers; a quick nap when you’re feeling depleted can help rejuvenate you. But a break on the go can also be refreshing if you practice savoring the solitude of a bathroom break, immersing yourself in the latest show you’re streaming, or taking three slow breaths a few times every day. The very smallest moments of rest can make a difference when you approach them with an intention to absorb yourself fully and relish the experience.
Let’s be honest, rest recommendations that come from most well-meaning gurus aren’t designed for busy, worn-out parents. Parents rarely have the luxury of an extended break from demanding responsibilities, even though they absolutely deserve them. Recognizing alternative strategies that you can put into practice can help you tap into more regular much-needed breaks. So instead of fantasizing about a vacation you can’t access, rethink your approach to rest so that you actually get the breaks that you, like all busy humans, need. Y
Yael Schonbrun is a psychologist, assistant professor at Brown University, and author of Work, Parent, Thrive
The very smallest moments of rest can make a difference when you approach them with an intention to absorb yourself fully and relish the experience.
The following articles are excerpts from the 2022/23 East Bay Guide to Preschools and Early Education, covering “7 Steps to Finding the Perfect Preschool,” “What to Look for When Doing the Site Visit” and “Basics to Know About Preschool Options.” The complete 2022/23 East Bay Guide to Preschools and Early Education leads parents along the early education or preschool selection path beginning with
how to determine if your child is ready for preschool, what options and different teaching philosophies are available, questions to ask a preschool, what to look for on a site visit and more. In addition, you will find program profiles and a comprehensive list of regional early education and preschool programs. Your road to the ideal early education program just got easier! Get your copy today of this free resource at ParentsPress. com/our-magazines.
1START EARLY. It takes time to research different styles of preschools and become familiar with common terms used. Many parents start this process a year ahead of time, some parents even start while pregnant! Children usually attend preschool for two to three years between the ages of 2.5 and 5 years.
WHAT CRITERIA IS MOST IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILD AND FAMILY. Is it location, faith, type of program offered, language immersion, specialneeds options, a year-round program, extended hours, cost? Prioritize what are the most important factors for your situation? Rate these factors so you have a clear picture of where and what programs to focus on and what is the best fit for your child and family.
LOCAL PARENTING RESOURCES. Local parenting magazines, like Parents’ Press, offer lots of early education and preschool information as well as open house announcements. These resources will help you to become familiar with what programs are available in your area and the options being offered to help with your selection process. Visit school websites that look interesting to find out admissions information.
AROUND. Talk to other parents in your area to see what programs they were part of, and if they would recommend them. Find out what they liked most and least about the program. How long did their child attend? Did they experience any teacher turnover? What was the culture like? How did they handle sick days, potty
1FIRST IMPRESSIONS. Is the preschool clean, organized and does it have a good feeling about it? Is the staff friendly, and are the teachers in control of the classroom? Inside, are there play areas? Are toys and books in good shape and organized? Outside is there enough room? Are there play areas and toys for all of the kids? Does the preschool feel safe inside and out? Does the preschool feel like a place your child can thrive
learning materials in which children can explore their interests and learn new skills? Is there a focus on reading? How do children decide what to do, when to do it and with whom? What support do teachers provide when a child gets stuck on a project? How are children motivated to participate? How are holidays integrated into the learning experience?
THE BASICS. What are the start and end times for the core program? If extended care is an option, who manages this, and, where is it held? What is the daily schedule, as well as the school holiday schedule? Are lunch and snacks provided? If not, is refrigeration available? Is the bathroom safe and centrally located with toddler sized facilities? What are the illness policies? Is the facility up to code? What are the emergency protocols?
3TEACHERS AND STAFF. Is there enough supervision? Does the teacher-child ratio match or exceed standards? Teacher turnover? What experience do the teachers have and how long have they been teaching at this school? How were they trained? Do the teachers seem happy? How is their interaction with the children? How do they balance the different needs of the children? Do they have a specific approach for teaching social-emotional skills? How do they communicate with the family on concerns? How often are parent-teacher conferences held?
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. Are the children doing the same project or do the children work independently? Are there a variety of
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT. How involved are the families in the dayto-day operations of the preschool? What opportunities or organized events are available to meet other families during the school year? Is there a parent association? Are there required volunteer hours or monetary commitments beyond the tuition? Are there fundraising events and what is the money raised used for? Are there opportunities for classroom observation? How do family members participate in celebrations?
FINAL IMPRESSION OF THE VISIT. This is your gut check. Do you feel this preschool is a great fit for your child? Did you feel comfortable with what you saw and the people you interacted with? Did your concerns get addressed? Any red flags you need to check up on? Were you encouraged to contact the school with any questions? Is there a clear next step in the process?
Every family has specific needs and many preschools can accommodate most needs. It is important to ask questions now. Don’t be afraid to discuss personal matters, one on one. Chances are the preschool has encountered a similar situation before and is up to the task or may be able to give you direction to an alternative resource.
East Bay German International School
dual-language immersion school
curriculum
instruction
project-based
training and behavioral issues? How involved were the parents in the school? Are the parents and children still in contact with others from that preschool?
THE PRESCHOOL. Before you apply, find out the preschool’s admissions schedule and how many openings they will have and how many spots will be reserved for siblings of families already enrolled. If you are concerned that your top choice or choices have way more applicants than spots it would be a wise idea to apply to more than one preschool even though there may be an application fee. Find out ways to tours the school.
YOUR TOP CHOICES. Arrange to take a tour or go to an open house to learn about the school philosophy and the admissions process. Most schools prefer for you to pre-register for these. Have your questions ready and observe. Look for signs that the preschool is well run. Also, this is a time that the preschool uses to determine which families will be a good fit for their program.
TO YOUR TOP CHOICE. You have done your
research, established your criteria and taken the tour — now it is time to apply to your top choice. Some preschools have ongoing enrollment but most follow the school year format. Acceptance letters go out in spring for the following fall. Also, find out from the organization when you can expect to hear from them, one way or another. It is okay to be persistent and let them know you and your family are interested, but don’t be a pest. If your child is waitlisted get specifics from the preschool. What number on the wait list is your child and does the preschool have a commitment from all returning families? If the school is accepting a total of 15 new children and you are way down on the wait list, it is time to consider other options. If you are concerned that your top choice has more applicants than spots it would be a good idea to apply to more than one preschool.
2226 Encinal Ave.
Alameda • 510-521-9227 www.thechildunique.org
2212 Pacific Ave.
Alameda • 510-521-9227 www.thechildunique.org
1400 Sixth St.
Alameda • 510-521-0595 www.thechildunique.org
1803 N Loop Rd
Alameda • 510-995-5383 www.ttpreschoolalameda.org
KSS
PK - 1st grade
to
7:00
$622
children
-
18 mos - 3 yrs
Up to 20 children
7:00 am - 6:00
PK - 1st grade
Up to 44 children
7:00 am - 6:00
-
$622 -$1,933
Special Needs Accepted
Center
Special Needs Accepted
$622 -$1,933
Center
Special Needs Accepted
Contrary to what you might have heard, choosing the right pre school for your child is not as difficult as applying for an advanced degree. The key to choosing the right preschool is going into the process prepared. Prepared with a solid idea of what you want your child to gain from his or her preschool experience.
Below are helpful suggestions for choosing a preschool that is a good match for your child and your family, as well as information on some of the most popular types of pre school educational philosophies.
The best way to keep from becoming over whelmed by the process of choosing a preschool is to think about how the preschool will fit into your daily life. Here are some questions par ents should consider:
• Is it important for the preschool to be near my home?
• Is it important for the preschool to be near my work place?
• Is it important for the preschool to offer childcare services in the morning, afternoon, or both?
• Are you looking for a play-based classroom or a more academic setting?
• Am I eligible for or interested in subsidized preschool programs (i.e., Early Head Start, Child Welfare League
of America or state-funded programming) that offer services such as childcare programs with a focus on providing educational opportunities?
Answering each of these questions will help you narrow down the general location and type of setting you should research making the process of comparing programs easier to manage.
For many parents, the most confusing part about choos ing preschools is trying to make sense of terms such as, “Montessori Approach,” “child-centered,” “Waldorf Ap proach” and “faith-based.” What do these terms mean and how can these terms help you choose a preschool?
Oftentimes, the key difference between settings is con nected to the preschool’s “educational philosophy.” While educational philosophies are numerous and their defi
nitions are not set in stone, we have provided you with definitions for some of the most popular philosophies.
Academic preschools have a mostly teacher-led class room. Teachers and staff guide kids through a tightly structured curriculum. They introduce kids to several subjects, including math, reading, writing, science, and nature.
In a play-based program, children choose activities on their current interests. The play-based classroom is bro ken up into sections, such as a home or kitchen, science area, water table, reading nook, space with blocks and other toys or other areas. Teachers encourage kids to play, facilitating social skills along the way.
This philosophy focuses on maintaining the individual ity of each child in the learning process. It believes each child learns at their own pace and educational progress should not be rendered based upon comparing students to one another.
This approach focuses on providing opportunities for problem solving and expression through creativity and exploration.
Emphasis is placed on imagination and experiential learning, providing students with opportunities to ex plore their world through the senses, participation and analytical thought.
This approach places an emphasis on learning through multiple perspectives, both in the classroom setting and in the natural world with a strong focus on emotional and intellectual development.
This approach focuses on letting children be in charge of their own learning. Children are taught to make a plan for what they would like to do each day and par ticipate in a review session to discuss the success of their plan and brainstorm ideas for the next day.
Outside of the formal educational philosophies, knowing the difference between other common early childhood terms will help you make informed decisions regarding your child’s education. Below is a list of some common terms used to describe preschool settings. It should be noted that these terms may be used alone or in combination with one another (i.e., a “child-centered, faith-based” setting).
This term is often used to describe settings that take the children’s interests into consideration when plan ning activities. For example: in a child-centered setting, the classroom activities are based on the interests of the students, not on pre-scheduled topics chosen by the teacher. These settings often offer increased opportuni ties for children to choose activities throughout the day depending on their interests.
The opposite of a child-centered setting is a teacherled setting. Teacher-led often means that curriculum and supplemental activities are implemented based on a set schedule developed by the teachers in the setting. This type of setting usually provides children with a struc tured learning environment.
These settings believe children learn best when they are engaged and interested in learning. Child-led set tings wait for each child to initiate or ask for new activi ties and experiences, fostering individualized learning experiences rather than group experiences.
The best ways to find preschool programs are to get recommendations from fellow parents and scope out programs located close to home or work.
# of Children at
Religious Affil
Hours
Little Lamb Bilingual Preschool
924 Adams Street
Albany • 510-778-4560 www.littlelambbilingual.com
Pearlite Montessori House
2409 Pearlite Way
Antioch • 925-755-8807
The Child Day Schools
112 E. Tregallas Road
Antioch • 925-754-0144 www.tcdschools.com
The Berkeley School (Early Childhood Center)
2030 Francisco St Berkeley • 510-849-8340 www.theberkeleyschool.org
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley (EB)
1009 Heinz Avenue
Berkeley • 510-549-3867 www.eb.org
Little Elephant Too!
2008 McGee Ave Berkeley • 510-679-5056 www.littleelephant.net/
Montessori Family School
1850 Scenic Ave.
Berkeley • 510-848-2322 www.montessorifamily.com
Shu Ren International School
2125 Jefferson Ave.
Berkeley • 510-841-8899 www.shurenschool.com
Montessori School at Five Canyons
22781 Canyon Court
Castro Valley • 510-581-3729 www.montessoricastrovalley.com
1.5 yr - 5
Non Denominational 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
2 yr - 6
Up to 8 children
7:00 am - 6:00 pm
2 - 5 years, School Age 115 7:30 am to 5 pm
2.7 yr - 5
Up to 80 children
Ext care avail
2 yr - 5
Up to 100 children 8:15am to 3:30pm.
Extended care available (7:30am to 6pm)
2 - 6 yrs 24 children
8:00 am - 5:30 pm
2.9 - 6 40 Non Denominational 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
PS to G5
Up to 140 children
7:30 am - 6:00pm
Monthly Tuition
Accredited Facility?
Diapers Accepted? Education Based?
Contact us for pricing
Diapers Accepted Education Based
Varies Accredited Diapers Accepted Education Based
$455 - $1,256
Diapers Accepted Education Based
Home or Center Meals Provided?
Special Needs?
Transportation?
Center
Special Needs Accepted
18 mos - 6
Up to 120 children
7:00 am - 5:30 pm
$2,380
FA Available Accredited Education Based
$32,140 Accredited Diapers Accepted Education Based
Varies Education Based
$1,800-$2,100 Accredited Education Based
$2,535 Accredited Education Based
Home Based Meals Provided Special Needs Accepted
Center
Meals Provided Transportation available (for school-age)
Center
Special Needs Accepted
Center
Center
Snacks Provided
Center
Varies
Diapers Accepted Education Based
Center
Summer Programs Open to the Public
Center
Special Needs Accepted
Explore
Learn More
Locations
7250 Amador Valley Blvd
Dublin • 925-560-8603
Stratford School
6665 Amador Plaza Road #1 Dublin • 925-744-7341 www.stratforddublin.com
729 Kearney St (Coming Fall 2023)
El Cerrito • 510-778-4560 www.littlelambbilingual.com
1111 Navellier St.
El Cerrito • 510-527-9522 sycamore-preschool.org
1070 41st St.
Emeryville • 510-380-0302 www.ebgis.org/
ABC Magic Moments
2367 Jackson St
Fremont • 510-656 3722
Stratford School
38495 Fremont Bl.
Fremont • 510-713-8900 www.stratfordfremontblvd.com
Ages Served
# of Children at Facility
Religious Affil (if any)
Hours of Care
2 yr - 5
Up to 60 children
7:30 am - 6:30 pm
2.5 yr - 5
Varies
Non Religious
Half-day and full-day sessions
1.5 yr - 5
Non Denominational
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
2.5 yr - 5
Up to 24 children Christian 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
2 - 5 yrs
Up to 59 children Non Denominational 8 am to 2 pm (extended day until 6 pm)
Monthly Tuition
Accredited Facility?
Diapers Accepted?
Based?
Please call for rate
Diapers Accepted Education Based
Varies Accredited Education Based
Home or Center
Meals Provided?
Special Needs?
7:30 am - 6:00 pm
2.5 yr - 5 Varies
Non Religious Half-day and full-day sessions
Contact us for pricing
Diapers Accepted Education Based
Center
Meals Provided Special Needs Accepted
Center
Center
Special Needs Accepted
$1,040 Center
Special Needs Accepted
$2,099 - $2,699
Based
Center
Provided
Diapers Accepted
Based
Meals Provided
Varies
#
California Crosspoint Academy
25500 Industrial Blvd Hayward • 510-995-5333 www.crosspointacademy.org
3205 Stanley Blvd. Lafayette • 925-932-8088 www.happydayslafayette.com
Old Firehouse School
984 Moraga Rd Lafayette • 925-284-4321 www.oldfirehouseschool.com
1049 Stuart Street Lafayette • 925-284-7092 www.tcdschools.com
Viva el Español
925 Village Center, Suite 2 Lafayette • 925-962-9177 www.vivaelespanol.org
PS-12
2 yr - 11
Up to 84 children
7:00 am – 6:00 pm
12 mos - 5
Up to 70 children
8:00 am - 5:30 pm
2-5 years, Kindergarten 85
7:30 am to 5:15 pm
Ages 3 - 13
7:30am - 6:30pm
$665 - $1,835
$1,590
Accepted
Based
$800 to $1,975
Accepted
Based
Center
Center
Center Meals Provided
Center
Building 2300, 3000 Campus Hill Drive
Livermore • 925-424-1560 www.laspositascollege.edu/childdevelopmentcenter
1273 N. Livermore Avenue Livermore • 925-455-8021 www.vmschool.org
372 Park Street
Moraga • 925-376-5110 www.tcdschools.com
1678 School Street
Moraga • 925-376-7900 www.saklan.org
2540 Charleston St Oakland • 877-442-2555 www.ksspreschool.com
Ages
#
Monthly
Home
18 mos - 5
Up to 132 children
am -
18 mos - Grade 8
to 425 children
-
12 mos - 5 years
$765 -
Center
3 yr - 5
Up to 32 children
7:30 am - 6:00
2
$1,450
Center
-
7:00
Center
KSS Immersion Preschools
1650 Mountain Blvd
Oakland • 877-442-2555 www.ksspreschool.com
4101 Park Boulevard
Oakland • 510-214-6711 www.lespetitsfrancophones.org
Mills College Children’s School at Northeastern University
5000 Macarthur Blvd.
Oakland • 510-430-2053 www.millscollegechildrensschool.org/
Oak Grove Learning, Inc
8115 Fontaine St
Oakland • 510-430-1322 www.oakgrovelearning.com
Oakland Montessori School
3625 Fruitvale Avenue
3636 Dimond Avenue
Oakland • 510-482-3111 www.oaklandmontessori.com
The Renaissance International School
3650 Dimond Ave.
Oakland • 510-531-8566 www.TheRenaissanceSchool.org
Rockridge Montessori School
5633 Manila Av
Oakland • 510-652-7021 www.rockridgemontessori.org
Choice in Learning
490 Golf Club Rd
Pleasant Hill • 925-687-5321 cilmontessori.org
Stepping Stones Learning Center
2750 Pleasant Hill Road Pleasant Hill • 925-933-6520
Stratford School
4576 Willow Road Pleasanton • 925-737-0001 www.stratfordpleasanton.com
The Child Day Schools
883 Rose Avenue
Pleasanton • 925-462-1866 www.tcdschools.com
Nomura Preschool
1629 Carlson Blvd. Richmond • 510-526-7847 www.nomurapreschool.com
St. David Preschool
Richmond • 510-232-1736 www.stdavidschool.org
Ages Served
# of Children at Facility
Religious Affil (if any)
Hours of Care
2 yr - 6
Up to 48 children
7:00 am - 6:00 pm
2 yr - 5
Up to 45 children
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Infant-5th grade
All Gender 20:1 75
18 months through Kindergarten
Up to 62 children
7:00 am - 6:00 pm
Toddler-K
Up to 40 children
8:30 am - 4:30 pm Extended Care Avail
2-6 years old 90 children
8:30 am to 3 pm or 7:30 am to 6 pm
12 months through Kindergarten
Up to 139 children 7:30 am - 6:00 pm
2 yr - 6
Up to 90 children
7:00 am - 6:00 pm
2 yr - 6 Up to 66 children 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
2.5 yr - 5 Varies Non Religious Half-day and full-day sessions
2 - 5 years, School Age 76 7:30 am to 5 pm
Monthly Tuition
Accredited Facility?
Diapers Accepted? Education Based?
$815 - $1,935
Education Based
$965 - $2,160
Diapers Accepted
Please call for rate
Home or Center
Meals Provided?
Special Needs? Transportation?
Center
Center
2 yr - 5 Up to 125 children 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
3 yr - 5 Up to 36 children Catholic 6:45 am – 6:00 pm
$1,035 - $1,700
Diapers Accepted Education Based
$13,200-$23,400 Accredited Education Based
$2,770 - $3,180
FA Available Accredited Education Based
$1,035 - $1,700
Diapers Accepted Education Based
Please call for rate
Diapers Accepted Education Based
Please call for rate
Diapers Accepted Education Based
Varies
Accredited Education Based
$750 - $1,585
Diapers Accepted Education Based
Center
Meals Provided
Center
Center
Center
Meals Provided
Center
Center
Special Needs Accepted
Center
Please call for rate
Accredited Diapers Accepted Education Based
$737 FT - $443 PT Accredited Education Based
Center Transportation available (for school-age)
Center
Center
Ages Served
#
20801 San Ramon Valley Blvd
San Ramon • 925-828-8007 www.happydaysinfo.org
18868 Bollinger Canyon Road
San Ramon • 925-820-2515 www.tcdschools.com
2780 Camino Diablo Walnut Creek • 877-442-2555 www.ksspreschool.com
Old Firehouse School
55 Eckley Ln
Walnut Creek • 925-934-1507 www.oldfirehouseschool.com
The Seven Hills School
975 North San Carlos Drive
Walnut Creek •
2.5 yr 5
Up to 40 children
7:00 am - 6:00 pm
12 mos - 5 years, School Age 120
7:30 am to 5 pm
Monthly Tuition
Diapers
Please call for rate Education Based
$810 - $2,020
Diapers Accepted Education Based
Home
Center
Center Transportation available (for school-age)
2 yr - 6
Up to 48 children
7:00 am - 6:00 pm
2 yr - 5
Up to 80 children 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
$815 - $1,935
Education Based
$1,590
Diapers Accepted Education Based
Annual
Center
Center
Meals Provided
This term is used to describe preschool programs that are run through faith organizations such as churches or synagogues, according to their faith’s philosophies.
These settings often ask parents and families to as sist in the running of the preschool. Parents and family members may build community by signing up to volun teer during the week, or by assisting in the day-to-day management of the preschool as well as helping with advertising, upkeep and fundraising.
This term means the preschool plans the curriculum and activities based on activities that are appropriate for the age of the children in the class.
Sometimes this term is used interchangeably with preschool. In general, a pre-K program is one that has children enrolled in the year before kindergarten, usually at age four. These settings are often more structured than traditional preschool settings.
Transitional kindergarten (TK) is a school grade that serves as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten, functioning to provide students with time to develop fundamental skills needed for success in school in an age - and developmentally - appropriate setting.
Once you have narrowed down the general area you are interested in researching and have a good idea of what type of philosophy would best suit your child, here are a few things you can do to help narrow down your options:
Reach out to other parents: Ask your friends, your neighbors, your pediatrician, your older child’s teacher — ask people you trust for recommendations for qual ity settings in your area. Be mindful to note the name of the setting and what struck this person as important to mention (low student teacher ratio, close to home, child is excited to arrive, etc.). And, the best question to ask is, “What advice do you wish you had received before choos ing your child’s preschool?” Most parents will be happy to offer their insight and advice.
Go online: You might be surprised to learn that your community has an active preschool networking com munity, a great place to tap into useful advice and resources. Or, you can use the internet to search the names of settings to find out if they have any “red flags” like numerous complaints from parents, health or safety violations, or other noteworthy issues. The Bananas, 4C’s of Alameda County and the Contra Costa Child Care Council websites offer a wealth of information for par ents seeking information.
The best ways to find preschool programs are to get recommendations from fellow parents and scope out programs located close to home or work. Y
