Seattle, WA
Beginnings II

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Parents at this school, on average, believe that conflicts between children:
...are handled extraordinarily well in a way that not only gives me confidence in the safety of my child but also reassures me that my child (and his/her peers) are learning the early skills needed to socialize effectively with one another

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Director's Description to School's Approach to Discipline

Because children interact with a large number of people in this setting, they will be helped to acquire the skills of self-expression and compromise, negotiation and independence. Boundaries regarding behavior will be implemented. Children will encounter conflict with their classmates and will learn ways to work through these experiences. These are all realities that accompany life in any group. Individual needs will always be respected up to the point where they begin to impinge on those of others. The Beginnings staff is trained and experienced in helping children adapt successfully to these aspects of social living.

The basic philosophy of Beginnings is to strive at all times toward respect, dignity, and a sense of responsibility. We are interested in helping a child become aware of his or her actions and how these have logical consequences. We work with children to alleviate conflict in ways that strengthen both personal and communal esteem, and help children make good choices.

Our manner of discipline is preventive. The aim is to intervene at an early stage and have children directly express their feelings or needs (for example we say: ?Use your words?). In every situation, we encourage the positive use of language over physical acts. Teachers actively listen to the children. They suggest or provide alternative solutions to any conflict, thereby, modeling desirable behavior and allowing children the final responsibility of choice and self-control.

The teachers guide and encourage the children to work through conflict. There is absolutely no type of physical punishment at Beginnings, nor do we employ or allow any form of verbal abuse. It is our strict policy to avoid any kind of discipline that might be frightening, humiliating, or shaming to a child, or that might end in judgments of comparative worth.
(Excerpted from Parent Handbook)

Health

OVERALL RATING (5.0)
Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable
Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided
Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

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Safety

OVERALL RATING (5.0)
Screen and identify all visitors
Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others

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Montessori? Waldorf? Play-based?

What school type is right for your child? Is one model better than another? What does the research say?

View an example from the Savvy Source guide to learn more.

This is a great memento from the holiday season. Dip your child's hand in white paint and press (read more)

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