2006 PARENT QUESTIONNAIRES

 HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.

 OUR THANKS TO THE 27 FAMILIES

 THAT RETURNED THEIR FORMS !

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

"I am very happy with Kinder-Garden Learning Center.  They have made us feel at home and like family".

"I have seen my 2 boys progress and learn so much this year.  I would never think a 2-yr old would know #1-12.  I appreciate how the teachers take time with my children and are very patient.  They communicate with me.  This is a great staff and I'm happy my kids are here".

    REPLY:   Thank you very much for the kind words about our staff.  We agree that they are the best childcare professionals in the area.  Although we are sorry to lose a teacher at KGLC, we have been very lucky to find an even better teacher in each instance.  These teachers consistently attend training sessions to make KGLC the wonderful place for children that it is.  An open and honest communication system with all parents is a big reason for our success.  With your input, we hope to become even better.

"The program offers my child an opportunity to socialize and learn age appropriate academic skills.  The staff is very welcoming and are always attentive.  The environment created is one of family and openness.  My child is always happy to go to 'school' and trusts the staff and environment.  I know my child will not just get 'babysat' but will be productive and learn a lot".

    REPLY:   Often times, parents overlook the power of play, but so much can be learned by children when you are teaching them how to get along with others and take turns.  Our staff treats every person as a member of OUR FAMILY and they are truly exceptional early childhood educators. 

"I think you are doing a great job.  I see that she is improving with her writing and she seems to be more well behaved.  Thanks".

    REPLY:   Thank you for the kind words.  One of the difficulties of educating a group of children is finding a way to allow for individualized attention.  We have found a way to do this through our unique curriculum and by staffing a number of aides to assist our teachers.  This allows them to spend more time with each student.  It is amazing how hard a child will work to meet your expectations.  The important thing is to keep those expectations high and constantly reinforce the positive things they are accomplishing.

"Thanks a lot for working with me and my kids.  I love your way of teaching and the cleanliness of the school".

    REPLY:   Thank you very much for allowing us to care for OUR kids.  It is no exaggeration that we feel like these are OUR children when they are at KGLC.  They are loved and cared for as if they were family, because they are part of OUR FAMILY.  Any parent that picks up their child at the end of the day can attest that our aides do an enormous amount of cleaning.  It is important to clean and sanitize everything in a childcare center to kill germs and prevent illnesses from spreading.  Thank you for noticing !

"Special thanks to Ms. Sherry!  She writes notes almost every night.  Even though I don't see her in the morning or evening, I still feel like we have a 'communication' line.  I still think we should be able to pick a week of vacation that we don't have to pay.  Please!  Great job to all of the staff!  P.S. Thanks for the love".

    REPLY:   I'm sure that Ms. Sherry, who has been a great addition to our staff, is very happy that you are thankful for her notes.  Please remember that it is important to allow your child to verbalize her daily routine with you each evening.  It is an important part of the growing process.  These notes that you have been receiving "almost every night" should be done less frequently at the nursery school level.  These notes (for 10 children) take an enormous amount of time to create and when you combine that with the hours (yes hours) she has spent on the telephone speaking with parents, it is amazing that she has had any time to spend with the children in her group.  As for the week of free vacation, I suggest you choose July 30, 2007 - August 3, 2007 and I can guarantee you will not have to pay tuition that week.  This is just another way we try to work with ALL of OUR FAMILY (including the staff) to make sure they have a week to relax and refresh their bodies and minds each summer.  Thank you for your understanding... and love.

"I like the way my child is involved with activities and that he is learning a second language (Spanish).  I like the way some teachers let me know if he had a time-out so we can address it at home also.  I like that they 'individualize' their notes (ie, he pulled a peers hair today), instead of he had a good day.  I'm very happy with the daycare.  If the snack and meal times were a little later, it might be better.  I realize some kids come in much earlier and they may be due to eat lunch @ 11:15 am, however I feel it's a little early for my son.  It appears that after 3 pm no one documents on his daily notes, just verbal reports.  The aides should be able to document".

    REPLY:  KGLC is truly blessed to have several bilingual teachers, but the children are not just learning a second language.  Many students are learning more - Mama, Papa & Maria: Italian - Elizabeth, Celia & Jessica: Spanish - Donna: Polish.  The preschool, toddler & infant teachers try very hard to update and personalize each child's notes as the day continues.  Ms. Elizabeth has graciously changed her work schedule at KGLC so she can remain later and continue to update these notes after 4:30 pm (when she had been leaving).  Our aides have enough responsibilities without asking them to complete daily notes in the late afternoon.  The toddler group has two lunch waves (11:15am-11:45am & 11:45am-12:15pm).  I understand that some children must leave the center for special care and/or visitation requirements around noon and that it is necessary to feed, change diapers & wash them up prior to these scheduled trips.  If your child is not one of these children, I would suggest you speak with the toddler teachers about changing his/her lunch wave to the later group.

"The school is the best of both worlds for our children.   It has all the benefits of being in a family environment and an educational environment wrapped into one.  I can leave every morning knowing they are getting the best care and having a great time learning.  What a great feeling!  We hate the thought of ever leaving.  You really have become our family.  Thank you for all that you do".

    REPLY:    KGLC strives to provide the best of both worlds... the warmth of home with a challenging curriculum to prepare children for elementary school.  We do our best to make everyone feel like a special part of OUR FAMILY.  Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your family.

"I feel that the teachers put forth a great effort to do different learning activities to keep the kids interested in tasks and topics including - crafts, field trips and other interactive play.  I know my son enjoys going to school and I can see he is learning and socializing.  Something I know I wouldn't be able to do as well for him if he were home schooled.  God Bless!  Go [expletive deleted]"!!

    REPLY:   GO RED SOX ! ! !  With the exception of the team that you root for, you obviously know what you are talking about.  Our teachers are great and just keep getting better.  They are always looking for classes and seminars to attend and continue their education.  KGLC tries very hard to provide numerous opportunities for your family to participate in learning activities throughout the year.  Thank you for acknowledging the effort our staff puts forth each day.  

"What I like most about the program offered at KGLC is the communication aspect.  I think it is very important for teachers/staff to communicate with the parents to let them know what kind of day their child had, what they learned and/or participated in and how it affected them.  I think it is wonderful that the children are learning a second language at such an early age also.  I like that KGLC is going by the same educational curriculum as the Meriden public schools system.  This will better ensure continued success in their educational process of learning.  A suggestion - leave a KGLC shirt at school in case we forget them for a field trip.  Two shirts is a good idea".

    REPLY:   Thank you for pointing the communication aspect out.  KGLC supplies an annual calendar of scheduled days off and early closings.  We also provide every family with a monthly newsletter and calendar for each classroom, several informational handouts and verbal communication with parents picking up each evening.  This information is also posted on our community bulletin boards and updated on our website each month - www.kinder-garden.net and yet we still have some parents stating that they are unaware of an activity or event.  We would also like to point out that KGLC does not use the same curriculum that the Meriden public school uses.  Our curriculum was developed by Maria through years of training, education and experience.  Although we are aware of the benchmarks the Meriden school system is using, our curriculum is more advanced can easily be modified to honestly assure that NO CHILD IS LEFT BEHIND!  The shirt suggestion is an excellent idea and many of our parents do keep a KGLC shirt in their child's clothing bag.  Remember that it is the parent's responsibility to make sure that we always have 2 complete sets of clothing on hand at KGLC for any emergencies.  Feel free to make one of your child's shirts a KGLC shirt for field trip emergencies.

"Ms. Donna is a very good teacher.  I appreciate all she has done for (my daughter)".

    REPLY:   Thank you for acknowledging the Ms. Donna.  She is a great preschool teacher with exceptional maternal instincts.  We are very lucky to have her as a member of OUR FAMILY.  I'm sure she appreciates your kind words.  We often joke that she does so much for OUR FAMILY that forgets to go home at night.  This terrific lady spends countless hours volunteering for outside children's efforts and deserves every compliment she receives from parents.

"KGLC is the best learning center that I have come in contact with.  Before transferring my son to KGLC, he was attending the head start program.  What he learned at KGLC can not compare to them.  KGLC not only has a good curriculum but has many activities for the children and their parents.  Each child is loved the same.  Great Work!!!  Thank you KGLC".

    REPLY:   We must agree with you there!  Our staff is excellent at their jobs and they continuously work to get even better.  It is easy to see that our teachers love their jobs and every child at KGLC.  Thank you for recognizing their hard work.  They deserve all the recognition for our success.

"I like the personal notes the teachers write on my child's daily sheet.  It lets me know exactly how his day went even if the teacher that was with him wasn't around when I pick him up.  I would like to see more of this (both good & bad) on my child's daily note".

    REPLY:   Our teachers try very hard to maintain and open and honest line of communication with every family.  We encourage our infant, toddler and preschool teachers to complete the daily notes as the day progresses and try to provide as much information about the day as possible.  As children grow older it is important to allow them to describe their day to their parents.  Our nursery school teachers should use notes to relate only the most important aspects of a student's day (good & bad).  We will make sure to remind the teachers of our younger students that parents like the specifics.  Thank you for your suggestion.

"I would not be able to go to work everyday if it weren't for KGLC.  From Mama to Elizabeth, to Ms. Donna & Ms. Tiffany, Ms. Celia and Ms. Maria - Thank you!  I go to many daycares to treat children and work in the schools - You are the best that there is.  I would do anything in return for the love, guidance and compassion you gave (my son).  Anything you ever need - I am there - just ask.  You are special as is KGLC.  I wish I had more children so we could stay with you longer".

    REPLY:   If we haven't mentioned it before (thousands of times) just how important OUR FAMILY is to us at KGLC, we would like to emphasize just how lucky we are to have a diverse group of caring people, like you, at KGLC.  You are the reason that Kinder-Garden Learning Center such a great place for families.  Without every member of OUR FAMILY we would be just another daycare.  Thank you for making your family part of OUR FAMILY.  We receive visits from families whose children have graduated years ago just to keep in touch and we expect to keep in touch with you and your family for years to come.

"Good program *** Good school".

    REPLY:   Enough said... YOU ARE CORRECT!