WHO WE ARE...
A SPECIAL PLACE is a licensed non-profit child care center serving
preschool age. We celebrate the uniqueness of each family and
take pride in our cultural and racial diversity.
A SPECIAL PLACE has a preschool program serving children 2 1/2
through 5 years of age.
A SPECIAL PLACE is a project of Emergency Shelter Program, Inc.
Emergency Shelter Program, established in 1972, serves the needs
of homeless and abused women and their children by providing shelter,
meals, and supportive services. For more information regarding
the Emergency Shelter Program, call: (510) 581-5626 (Administrative
Office) or (510) 786-1246 (Crisis Hotline).
WE OFFER...
A MEANINGFUL CURRICULUM
Preschoolers - We provide learning centers and motivational activities
that build important foundations for future reading and other
academic skills.
A PROFESSIONAL STAFF
Teachers are carefully selected for their educational background,
teaching experience and sensitivity. We recognize that appropriate
play experiences and quality of caregivers' responses contribute
to the physical, social, emotional, creative and intellectual
development of the child.
LOW TEACHER-CHILD RATIO
With seven preschool children to one staff person, individual
needs of young children can be met in a group setting.
HOW TO ENROLL
Come visit A SPECIAL PLACE.
Call (510) 782-6635 to schedule an appointment.
A SPECIAL PLACE is located at 27305 Huntwood Avenue, in South
Hayward.
During your visit, you can tour the facilities, meet teachers,
and pick up an enrollment packet.
Fees for A SPECIAL PLACE are for preschool care per week. (Fees
subject to change.)
A SPECIAL PLACE
is open year-round, excluding holidays, from 6:45 a.m. to 6:00
p.m., Monday through Friday.
Nutritious breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks are provided, as well
as milk and/or juice.
Parents provide diapers and wipes.
Preschoolers have a flexible planned daily schedule.
PARENTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.
Recent Innovations:
• Raising a Reader (school-based, w/home-based parent backup) (funded by Wells Fargo )
• Preschoolers' computer station (funded by United Way of the Bay Area and IBM)
• Nutrition and exercise, education & demonstration BANPAC, (Kaiser funding); lunch & snacks provided on site. The nutrition education program will also serve the women & children at our homeless shelter.
Evaluation methods:
1. Curriculum
Desired Results : Our preschool observes and measures child development in the following areas:
1) social/emotional skills, 2 cognitive skills, 3) physical health and development, and 4) creative arts. The diversity of our preschoolers currently includes White, Hispanic, and African-American children.
Documentation and record keeping
• Weekly: a lesson plan posted for teachers and parents; teachers' observation of child's progress in each child's file
• Monthly : anecdotal assessment form completed for each child in each of the 4 areas of expected results
• Twice a Year Teacher/Parent Conference: Summary of child's developmental progress (strengths, current goals, how preschool staff will facilitate child's progress, how parents can help child at home)
• Twice a Year Developmental Profile (using California Department of Education, Child Development Division form)
School Readiness : Individual elementary schools provide questionnaires/assessment forms for each child moving from preschool to kindergarten.
2. In addition, special evaluation of the nutrition education Quality Enhancement was performed in 2008. Preschoolers receive nutrition education directly from teachers and parents who were the direct participants in formal nutrition workshops.
