2005 PARENT QUESTIONNAIRES

 HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.

 YOUR OPINION MATTERS !

 OUR THANKS TO THE 24 FAMILIES

 THAT RETURNED THEIR FORMS !

Here are a few things our parents have to say about our program:

"I would love to have more interaction with my child's teachers...I love the KGLC program!  One suggestion-I think we should have "one week" allowance (without payment), but Rob already emailed me that you are not willing to negotiate... Snow Days - I feel the school closes too easy".

    REPLY:   We hope our parents remember our open-door policy and numerous volunteer opportunities for interaction with children and staff throughout the school year.  We remind them that this is not a social invitation.  Time does not permit us to visit or conduct lengthy conversations during working hours.  The children’s care requires our full attention.  If you would like to call to routinely check on your child, we ask that you place your call between the hours of 1pm and 3pm, when the children are resting, as it is easier for our staff to converse with parents.  Also, we ask that you do not disrupt our routine or classes during these visits.  We are responsible for all the children at the center and this responsibility is not taken lightly.  KGLC does provide a one-week allowance without payment.  It is the week that we close for school vacation in late July/early August.  By closing for one week, we assure that our entire staff has a vacation and allows families an opportunity to coordinate their vacation plans (if they wish).  KGLC did close for two (2) days this year due to severe weather... we also requested that parents pick up their children early on four (4) occasions where the snow was falling heavily and the forecast was for continued snowfall for some time.  We need our families to realize that these closures are for the safety and security of your families and our staff.

"My son has received from this program, good teachers with great attitudes... good staff and loving care... they know him and love him... I feel he is with family and safe - that is important to me".

    REPLY:   Thank you for the kinds words.  Your confidence and trust is greatly appreciated.  Our staff does it's best to make everyone feel like part of OUR FAMILY.

"I think there should be more chaperones on field trips & lunch should be included... or some trips should be free or less money of taken less often.  Things are too expensive".

    REPLY:   We agree, but these must be qualified chaperones.  We've found that often times our volunteers are more problems for our staff.  When a parent comes along and then loses track of a child or leaves them unattended for a "break" it puts unneeded stress on our staff and the children.  If a volunteer is diligently watching all the children in his/her group and not just his/her own child, things go much more smoothly.  Thanks to the PAC fundraisers, we have been able to drastically cut the costs of several field trips this year.  Things are expensive!  With busses costing over $300 for a field trip plus admission into interesting places, you could see how costs could easily exceed $20 per person.  In the past we have made participation mandatory, not only to have an extra staff member available but to press parents into allowing their children a new learning experience.  Rather than limit the number of field trips to keep costs down, we have decided to try and keep a staff member behind for any parents who want to leave their child at school rather than go on any field trip.  (Surprisingly, only one or two families have requested to keep their child behind for our 2006-2008 field trips.)

"I feel a parent handout would be beneficial for children transitioning from one room to another that explains parental expectations/room schedules ie. whether snacks are provided, donut days, show & tell, cold lunch days ... Even though teacher may have verbalized it at some point- the handout would assist parents better.  I couldn't be happier with the care of our child and we have had a wonderful experience with all the staff"!

    REPLY:   A classroom welcome letter is an excellent idea.  Our teachers are working on these letters now to assist children and families that will be transitioning into new groups in the future.  Ms. Maria uses this format to welcome her new, full-day kindergarten students and it is a great idea to have all of our teachers welcome new students to their classrooms.  Thank you for the great idea and the kinds words.

"You guys are the greatest!  I would not want my kids anywhere else".

    REPLY:   We must agree with you there!  Our staff is very good at what they do and continuously work to get even better.  It is easy to see that our teachers love their jobs and the children they are caring for at KGLC.  Thank you for recognizing them.  They deserve the recognition for our success.

"I am pleased that the program at KGLC prepares the children for the school programs that will be offered after they graduate from KGLC.  They work with the Board of Education to ensure this.  I like the family-oriented environment.  This includes family-related events that take place at KGLC".

    REPLY:   Kinder-Garden Learning Center has an excellent reputation for preparing children for the elementary school systems.  We strive to combine the warmth of home with a curriculum that challenges students to reach their full potential.  KGLC offers a wide range of family-oriented events although some families choose to ignore them or not participate in them.  We will continue to offer special events and activities as long as even one family is taking advantage of the opportunity and enjoying the effort our staff and PAC members make at KGLC.

"KGLC does a wonderful job caring for my son.  He is happy to go to 'school' each day and that makes it much easier for us the leave him at KGLC".

    REPLY:   KGLC is a learning center and not just a childcare center.  In recent years, many other centers have started calling themselves "learning centers" or "nursery schools" but they cannot compare to Kinder-Garden Learning Center.  Thank you for the kind words.

"From the moment I stepped into KGLC I knew that this was the place for my family.  KGLC is so much more than a safe and educational environment for my children.  Being in the military we have no immediate family in the area.  You have been that missing part in our lives.  Thank you for making our family part of yours".

    REPLY:    We cannot stress enough how important OUR FAMILY is to us at KGLC.  We are lucky enough to attract a diverse group of caring people, like you, and that is why Kinder-Garden Learning Center such a great place for families.  Without OUR FAMILY we would be just another daycare.  Thank you for making your family part of OUR FAMILY.

"We love it here!  We look forward to the monthly changes to the website.  We are very happy with the infant teacher.  We feel our child is under the best supervision.  Thank you for making a wonderful place for the children".

    REPLY:    Thank you very much for the kind words about our staff.  They are the best childcare professionals around.  They are constantly training and communicating to make KGLC the wonderful place for children that it is.  With your help, we will become even better.

"I would like to maybe have some of the songs the children sing in Ms Donna's room.  My son will come home singing and I don't know all the words - Forie ... the hotdog song & Monkeys Sitting In A Tree.  I would like to thank Ms. Maria and Ms. Donna for working with my son when he was transitioning to preschool.  He wasn't ready and they noticed signs from him being unhappy and not comfortable.  They both took the time to discuss this with me.  We all came to a solution and is is a much happier boy and very comfortable in his surroundings.  Thank you Ms. Donna for thinking of him while you were in the hospital.  I will never forget the love you show him and neither will my son.  Thank you KGLC for the wonderful care and love".

    REPLY:    Thank you for an excellent example of KGLC's individualized program that you will not find at any other center.  Our teachers are the very best at caring for children and their families.  Allowing parents to work may be our business, but children are our joy and a part of OUR FAMILY.  The love, care and understanding our staff consistently displays is something our new parents are surprised to see, but they soon learn how much we care for all persons in OUR FAMILY.

"I like the fact that it's similar to a school setting.  Please inform new parents & children about Fridays being dollar donut day".

    REPLY:    KGLC strives to provide the best of both worlds.  The warmth of home with a challenging curriculum to prepare children for elementary school.  With the many things that our staff offers our families, it easy to see how a special treat like "dollar donut day" can slip their minds.  We will do our best to keep everyone up-to-date with the many opportunities at KGLC.  Thank you for the suggestions & compliments.