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Frequently Asked Questions
| Question: | How long has Little Star Preschool been operating? |
| Answer: | Since 1984. |
| Question: | What agency is the school licensed by? |
| Answer: | The school is licensed by the Department of Social Services. All teachers and teacher's aides are fingerprinted and go through FBI background checks. |
| Question: | Do parents need to visit before filling out an application? |
| Answer: | Yes. Parents and child(ren) need to make an appointment for a school tour and bring their child. |
| Question: | When do you enroll new children? |
| Answer: | We enroll new children from mid June through September, or whenever there is an opening. |
| Question: | What meals are provided and can children bring their own lunches? |
| Answer: | Breakfast, a hot lunch entrée, an afternoon snack and juice or milk is provided. Parents need to bring some fruit and a snack to supplement the school lunch. Children may also bring their own lunches. |
| Question: | What time do children need to be in school? |
| Answer: | Children may be dropped off from 7:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. |
| Question: | What time can we pick up children? |
| Answer: | Usually after nap time, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Parents may also pick up their children before nap time, by 2:00 p.m. as long as they're consistent so that children have a regular pick up schedule. |
| Question: | What do children do during free choice activity time? |
| Answer: | During this time, special areas of the classroom are opened up for the children to use. These areas include the housekeeping/dress-up area, building blocks and vehicles area, computer, library, painting and drawing centers. In addition, many building and learning manipulations, toys and puzzles are available for the children to use. This is an important part of the children's day because it is a time for them to learn how to share, to make choices, make friends and socialize with their peers. |
| Question: | What do children do during circle time? |
| Answer: | During circle time, teachers lead the children in music, movement and dance. It is also a time to go over the daily calendar, read stories, do show-and-tell and make announcements. |
| Question: | What is meant by team teaching? |
| Answer: | Team teaching is when there is more than one teacher in the classroom and all activities, planning, and supervision are shared by the teachers in that room. |
| Question: | How are children grouped for center time? |
| Answer: | During center time, children are grouped according to their academic skills, language and general readiness. When they first start school, children are arbitrarily placed in a center group. After a week or two of working with them, teachers will decide which group will best fit their skills. In this way, teachers can better plan lessons according to the needs of the group. |
| Question: | What types of lessons are taught at center time? |
| Answer: | At the beginning of the school year, teachers plan out the themes for the entire school year. The themes would cover areas of reading and math readiness, science, arts and crafts, cooking, language, gross and fine motor skills, social studies and multicultural activities. Each week teachers plan their lessons around these weekly themes. |
| Question: | What are some of the themes you have? |
| Answer: | Here is a sample of some of the themes we have:
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| Question: | Do all children do the same activities at center time? |
| Answer: | Not necessarily. Teachers plan lessons according to the skill level of the group. |
| Question: | How often do children go outdoors? |
| Answer: | They have at least an hour playing outdoors after center time and another hour or more after the afternoon snack time. |
| Question: | How often do children meet for second language instruction and what do they learn? |
| Answer: | Children who are signed up for second language meet once a week. There is one group in Tagalog and 2 groups in Cantonese. Children in the Cantonese groups are grouped according to their fluency. The second language is taught bilingually in English and Tagalog or English and Cantonese. Curriculum is based on activities and things children can relate to in everyday life. For example, children are taught numbers, colors, shapes, animals, songs, poems, etc. in the second language. |
| Question: | Tell me more about the ethnic performing arts program. |
| Answer: | This program is an extension of the second language program. Children are involved in special arts and crafts and dances from China, Philippines and Hawaii. |
| Question: | How do you get new children acclimated to school? |
| Answer: | Before a child's actual first day, parents are encouraged to bring their child to visit the school as many days as they like. Just call and let us know when you'll like to visit. |
| Question: | Are parents able to go on field trips with their children? |
| Answer: | In fact, parents are encouraged to go! This is how we are able to have a 1:2 ratio on field trips. You can either ride on the school bus with your child or carpool. |
| Question: | How is the school prepared for emergencies? |
| Answer: | The school has monthly fire and earthquake drills. All teachers are certified in first aid and CPR. Children have an emergency snack and water at school, in addition to the emergency water and food the school keeps. The school has an emergency bag with children's emergency contact information, first aid kit, flash light and radio. |
