Natures gift preschool: Nature’s Gift Preschools
FAQ — Nature’s Gift Preschools
Q1. What is your philosophy?
Nature’s Gift’s philosophy is to let children enjoy their precious childhood through a well-rounded approach. We focus on all areas of development—cognitive, social, and emotional. We understand the importance of play, hands on learning, and one-on-one attention during these critical years of each child’s life.
We believe that a good balance between play based learning and teacher directed structured learning is most effective and produces magical results for the children. Children graduate from Nature’s Gift as advanced learners and accomplished little artists!
Q2. How is Nature’s Gift Preschools different from other programs?
Nature’s Gift Preschools is a boutique-style, high-quality preschool, offering small class sizes with an excellent child to teacher ratio of 10:1. Teachers build positive & close relationships with the children and their families. Children receive time, attention, quality care, and education at Nature’s Gift!
Q3.
What is the class size?
Nature’s Gift Preschool at Blacow Road offers part-time and full-time programs and small class sizes with qualified teaching staff.
Our 2.9 year old Busybees class has 8-9 children with one or two teachers.
Our 3-4 year old Dragonfly has a 10:1 ratio. The RolyPoly classes have a 10:1 ratio.
Our 4-5 year old Pre-Kindergarten classes has a 12:1 ratio.
Q4. What are the qualifications of the teachers?
Nature’s Gift teachers exceeds the State of California Community Care licensing standards to teach preschool. Teachers have a minimum 20 ECE (early childhood education) units. Teachers have ECE teaching permits, have Associate’s degrees or Bachelor’s degrees from another field. All teachers are also First Aid & CPR certified.
Q5. What is the staff turnover rate?
We have very little staff turnover. Nature’s Gift has selected a dedicated team of outstanding teachers who are kind, helpful, patient, and loving.
Our teachers are a group of very special people who have genuine interest in the little children they teach and take care of. We are very proud to have an outstanding team of teachers.
Q6. What is your curriculum like?
Our curriculum is based on our philosophy to balance play-based learning and structured, teacher-directed learning. The program addresses children’s social, emotional, physical, language and cognitive development and builds foundations for school success in arts, music, reading, math, and science.
Q7. Are there progress reports? How do I find out about my child’s daily progress?
Staff can communicate through an app called Procare Connect. This app allows us to share photos, videos, notes, and messages with parents. Additionally, parent-teacher conferences are held twice per school year.
Q8. How do teachers discipline the children?
Teachers usually start the school year by establishing classroom rules and teaching the children about feelings & building friendships.
Children are taught to listen and follow the class/school rules, to reflect, and to make good choices. For example, teachers teach children that hands are for helping and to use kind words. This resolves most of the conflicts in class.
Q9. Does my child need to be potty trained to attend school?
Children must be potty trained and at least 2 years 9 months old to attend Nature’s Gift Preschool. The Busybees class is a part-time class (Tue and Thur: 9:00 am. – 12:00 pm.)
Q10. How long is outside time?
Part-time children who attend school for 3-3.5 hours a day receive 30 minutes of outside time. Full-time or school day children receive at least one hour total.
Q11. Do you serve snacks and lunch?
We serve snacks for the children. One snack is served in the morning, another is served in the afternoon. Snacks usually consist of fresh fruit and a grain (crackers, quesadillas, bread, etc.), or dairy (yogurt, cheese, etc.) and a grain. We also provide water.
If your child has dietary restrictions, you may send the child his/her own snack to school.
We do not provide lunch. Full-time/school day children must bring their own lunch in an insulated container.
Q12. Are there special events?
Due to COVID-19, we are currently postponing field trips until it is deemed safe to gather in groups in locations outside of school. We are doing our best to provide alternate activities, such as outdoor puppet shows and outdoor projects.
The school also hosted outdoor musical performances twice this year. Nature’s Gift produces wonderful musical/dance shows which are a joy to watch!
Q13. How do you handle separation anxiety?
We encourage the parent and child to visit the preschool for a pre-visit before the child starts school. We can schedule a participation day if needed. Each child’s situation is unique and different. In general, we have the parent do a quick drop off and come back at an earlier time to alleviate the child’s anxiety.
Once the parent returns, he/she can stay to participate. We work with each family differently based on the child’s needs.
Q14. Can parents volunteer?
Please let us know of your availability and we can assign you a few responsibilities. We do need help from time to time, especially during winter holidays, special events, graduations, and at the end of each school year. Due to Covid 19, we will only have vaccinated parent volunteers.
Q15. Do you teach religion?
No. We leave that up to the parents as religion is a personal choice. We do dye eggs at Easter because it is fun.
Q16. Do you help children with special needs?
We have helped children with speech delays, hyperactivity, autism, global developmental delays, and selective mutism. If your child has special needs, it is important that we know about it. We can discuss it and determine how to best help your child.
Q17. What are your tuition rates?
Nature’s Gift tuition is in the upper median range compared to other Fremont preschools.
Tuition is due on a monthly basis. We can chat about our specific rates when you visit.
Q18. Is there an application or material fee?
Yes, there is an annual material fee. Please inquire about the fee during your tour or at the time of enrollment.
Q19. Can we have a tour of your schools?
We are currently providing group virtual tours at the moment. Please fill out a tour request form and we will be able to send a scheduled invite based on your child’s age and desired start date.
Q20. Can my child visit and participate?
After the child is enrolled, we can offer a complimentary participation day before the actual start date.
Q. 21 What does the schedule and curriculum look like?
Class schedules and curriculum, please look online.
Q22. How can we enroll? When does enrollment begin?
Class Please sign up for a virtual tour request, and start the enrollment process. The new student enrollment begins around mid March every academic year.
Your child’s space is reserved when we receive a complete set of paperwork (check under the forms tab), the registration, material, and 50% deposit to hold the child’s space.
Q23. How do I know I’m making the right decision for my child?
We recognize that deciding on a school for your child is important and can be a difficult process. We recommend checking out diffrent preschools and see if the school is the right fit for your family. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has set 10 standards for early childhood programs that can help families make the right choice when they are looking for a preschool. Read more about those standards ›
Classes — Nature’s Gift Preschools
Nature’s Gift Preschools offer a variety of classes for children from 2 years and 9 months old to 5 years old. All of our teachers are highly qualified, well-educated in early childhood development, and some carrying Bachelor and Master degrees. Our learning environment is structured, unlike a daycare program.
Teaching and learning takes place throughout each school day. Our classes are divided by age group, as the learning ability and maturity between different age groups are different. We do our best to put children in the right classes to meet their academic, social, and emotional needs.
Ages 2.9-3
Busy Bees
The Busy Bees Class is our youngest group of children. Children develop social and communication skills. They learn to share, take turns, and learn how to properly express themselves when interacting with peers and teachers. They also learn school routines, follow instructions, participate in activities, and enjoy school! This class graduates into the Dragonfly or Roly Poly Class.
schedule options
Tue, Thur, 9:00 am- 12:00 pm
View curriculum ›
Class Schedule
Ages 3-4
Dragonflies &
Roly Polies
Students develop social and communication skills, as well as participate in all activities.
Children learn numbers, letters, phonics, and develop language through stories, songs, and rhymes. They develop fine motor skills by painting, drawing, cutting, gluing, and by doing art everyday. Large motor skills are developed during outside playtime by running, hopping, skipping, climbing, and pedaling tricycles. Children follow instructions, learn routines, participate in activities, and enjoy school. This class graduates into the Ladybug or Honey Bee Class.
schedule options
Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:00 am- 12:00 pm
Mon – Fri, 9:00 am- 12:00 pm
Mon-Fri, 9:00 am- 3:30/4:30/5:30 pm
View curriculum ›
Class Schedule
Ages 4-5
Ladybugs, Honeybees, & Butterflies
The Pre-Kindergarten classes are for children who will attend Kindergarten the next academic school year. Children develop good social/communication skills, follow directions, and become self-sufficient and independent.
Art, music, story-time, and inside and outside play time are part of the everyday activities. Academic activities include phonics, letter & number recognition, writing, and beginning reading & math skills. They develop a sense of responsibility and a love to learn. At the end of the school year, our students exceed the California State Standards for Pre-Kindergarten. Our students usually graduate as very well rounded students and head off to Kindergarten as advanced learners!
schedule options
Mon-Fri, 8:45 am- 12:15 pm (limited openings)
Mon-Fri, 8:45 am- 3:30/4:30/5:30 pm
Mon-Thur, 12:45 pm- 4:15 pm (opening dependent on high demand)
View curriculum ›
Class Schedule
Additional Schedule Options
If you would like your child to experience a full school day, the following options are available at our center.
Full Day Option
8:00 am- 4:30/5:30 pm
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Environmental social and educational projects “Ecolyte-preschoolers”, “Ecolyte” and “Young Defenders of Nature”
Preschool eco-children
Environmental social and educational project (preschool educational organizations)
Description of the Project
Ecolyata
Environmental Social and Educational Project
(Grades 1-4)
Project Description
Young Defenders of Nature
Environmental Social and Educational Project
(grades 5-11)
Project Description
Within the framework of the All-Russian environmental social and educational projects “Ekolyata – Preschoolers”, “Ekolyata” and “Young Defenders of Nature” in the Year of Ecology in 2017, the All-Russian action “Russia – the territory of “Ekolyat – Young Defenders of Nature” was announced, the activities of which currently held in all subjects of the Russian Federation.
In an interview with the Russian Federation Today magazine, Chairman of the Federation Council V.I. “Young Defenders of Nature”. The names speak for themselves: the projects are aimed at involving preschoolers, adolescents, boys and girls in getting acquainted with environmental problems and their feasible practical solution. We treat these projects with all seriousness, since in our country this is perhaps the first application for the formation of a system of comprehensive environmental education and upbringing of the younger generations.”
Subjects of the Russian Federation – territories of “Ekolyat – Young Defenders of Nature”
Program Committee of Projects Ecolyata”, “Young Defenders of Nature” in 2022
How to become a member of the All-Russian environmental social and educational projects “Ekolyata-Preschoolers”, “Ekolyata”, “Young Defenders of Nature” and the All-Russian campaign “Russia – the territory of Ecolyat – Young Defenders” Nature
Oath EcOlates
Anthem Ecolut
EcOLAT Logo
Fairy -tale heroes of eco -stores – Friends and Defenders of Nature
Program of events proposed for conducting projects at preschool educational organizations and pre -school educational organizations and pre -school educational organizations and pre -school educational organizations schools in the Russian regions
All-Russian Igroteka Ecolyat
Products on the subject of Projects
All-Russian program “Decade of Childhood”
All-Russian competition for the best handicrafts from recycled materials “Our friends – Eco-friendly for separate collection of waste and reuse of materials” institutions of additional education of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation April 25, 2022
All-Russian festival “Ecolyat Holiday – Young Defenders of Nature” in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation May 23 – June 12, 2022
All-Russian competition of children’s drawings “Ecolytes – friends and defenders of Nature!” with the participation of preschool educational organizations, elementary grades of schools and institutions of additional education of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation
All-Russian competition for the best “Ecolyat Snow Town” with the participation of preschool educational organizations and schools of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation
settlements of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation “Green Islands Ecolyat in memory of the soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War”
All-Russian program “Ecolytes of rural settlements of Russia”
Program “Ecolytes for competent management of household waste”
Project Partners
article “Organization of summer holidays in preschool educational institutions in the summer” | Article:
T.
I. Frolova, L. S. Sulimova, Yu. N. Morozova, teachers of MBDOU “Kindergarten No. 4” Nizhny Novgorod Region, Arzamas
So the long-awaited summer has come! A time that gives us warmth, and with it a wonderful opportunity for joyful communication with nature. Strengthening with the sun, nourishing with vitamins, tempering with water, summer is a priceless gift of nature to us. In good weather, most of the time the child spends in the fresh air. Only at preschool age are children able to rejoice so directly and sincerely in the perfection and harmony of natural forms. A natural object is endowed by the child with a new life, subject only to his inner plan.
In summer, the number of classes in the gym is less, the daily routine is dominated by active physical activity carried out in the open air, and it becomes possible to use the forces of nature most effectively. In a preschool institution, recreational work is given a special place: physical education and environmental and recreational activities include acquaintance with the gifts of nature, breathing exercises are carried out in the fresh air, exercises are carried out using natural equipment (trees, stumps, branches).
In addition, in most cases, for a number of reasons, including economic ones, many parents cannot contribute to the organization of a full-fledged summer vacation for children, and therefore this task can be solved with the feasible participation of kindergartens.
As part of this work, environmental and recreational activities (sports activities, holidays, health days) in preschool institutions during the summer months should be held weekly. The basis for building this complex is focusing on the individual physical capabilities of each child, a dosed increase in loads, taking into account the nature of the disease, health group. Long stay in the open air, diverse motor activity of children contribute to health promotion, improvement of physical abilities and skills, increase of the functional and adaptive capabilities of the body, development of motor and mental abilities, formation of positive emotional states, education of the need for the implementation of motor capabilities.
In view of the fact that motor activity is a natural need for preschool children, it is necessary to pay great attention to planning during its organization, which is discussed by the teaching staff and approved by the head of the kindergarten. Then they begin to develop scenarios for physical culture leisure, holidays and health days, the content of which is based on the program and methodological requirements for the physical, hygienic, moral, aesthetic education of pupils, and depends on the time of year, conditions, as well as on age and the level of preparedness of the participants.
In the content of environmental and recreational leisure activities with physical education, the duration of which depends on the age of children, is from 20 to 50 minutes, it is recommended to include exercises mastered by pupils in physical education classes, where you can compete in dexterity, speed, ingenuity, resourcefulness, quick wits ( including outdoor games, relay races, attractions).
All this contributes to the physical recreation of children, relaxation of the body after mental stress, strengthening their health. Children systematically engaged in physical education are distinguished by cheerfulness, good spirits and high efficiency.
Sports holidays are a kind of demonstration of the achievements of pupils in various types of physical exercises and manifestation of motor and psychological qualities, ecological knowledge. At events, not only motor tasks are used, but also dances, songs, poems, riddles, etc. When planning, it is necessary to provide for such an alternation of material that allows for optimal physical and emotional stress, adequate to the age capabilities and level of preparedness of the pupils. At the same time, monotony and boredom should not be allowed, movements and games should give children pleasure. Watching the behavior of animals and analyzing it, children understand the need to be hardy, dexterous, strong, fast; imitating them, they acquire more stable skills in performing general developmental exercises and basic types of movements, get the basics of muscle relaxation and deep breathing.
It is advisable to think over in advance the forms of encouragement for pupils, while collective awards are considered the best in educational terms.
Day of health is characterized by the fact that the daily routine is saturated with active motor and creative activity. It is necessary to organize and hold simple sports competitions, hiking trips, a sports holiday or leisure. Usually on this day, pupils are informed of certain hygienic knowledge in a theatrical form. In addition, hygiene skills are fixed in the form of a game.
When organizing ecological and health-improving, sports leisure, holiday, Health Day, to improve the emotional background, it is recommended, in accordance with the content, a colorful, bright design of the place where the event will be held (gym or playground), as well as the use of music, the observance of certain rituals (for example, introductions of participants, greetings by teams to each other and spectators, etc.)
Preparation for participation in such events is carried out in the process of all work with children and consists in learning exercises, outdoor games, relay races on environmental topics and their consolidation during walks and morning exercises; familiarization of children with the phenomena of the surrounding world, its
laws.
Conducting conversations about health, education of cultural and hygienic skills contribute to understanding how physical exercises affect the human body, its well-being. Some games, relay races, as well as exercises that are simple in structure, can be used without prior acquaintance with them, as a surprise moment.
We bring to your attention a scenario of sports activities for younger groups, held on the basis of preschool institution No. 4 in Arzamas.
Abstract of sports leisure “We are walking after the sun!”
Objectives: to consolidate exercises with the ball, to create positive emotions in children.
Cheerful music sounds on the playground, Petrushka meets the children.
Parsley: Hello guys! Let’s get acquainted! I am a cheerful and groovy, fairy-tale hero – Petrushka!
Oh, hear someone crying. Yes, it’s a little chicken. Do you know why he is so sad? This is what happened: the Chicken woke up today, he sees everything is dark around.
Frightened, squeaked, did not understand anything. It turns out that the Sun has disappeared, or maybe it is sleeping and does not want to wake up? Let’s help Chicken find Sunshine!
There is no Sun at dawn, it hid in the grass. We follow the sun, we will find a hundred friends for ourselves.
Children follow Petrushka in a circle.
Parsley: We are walking, we are walking straight along the path, We raise our legs well, higher.
High knee walking.
Parsley: Run, run. So they ran to the meadow!
Running in a circle.
Parsley: White daisies, Blue cornflowers, pink porridge bloomed in the clearing.
All the flowers smiled, reaching straight for the sun.
Children stand up on their toes, pull their hands up, holding paper flowers – daisies and cornflowers).
Parsley: There is a steep hill on the way. Hey, walk boldly, Yegorka!
Walking on gymnastic benches.
Parsley: Look how cute the frog is. We jump with him and get up.
Maybe we’ll get some sunshine!
Jumping on two legs in place.
Parsley: And here are the funny and mischievous piglets. Somersaults in green grass, bask in puddles, arrange competitions.
A competition is being organized “Who will throw the bump farthest?” frontal way.
Parsley: Bright ball, round ball. That’s how fun he rides.
Very fast ball because it is round.
Children take balls, throw them and catch up.
Parsley: A goby is walking, swaying, mooing and butting.
Tilts right – left, forward – backward.
Parsley: Mouse came running to visit us, she wants to have fun with us.
Well, guys, come out, catch up with our mouse.
Children catch up with the mouse, it runs away. Then, the mouse catches up with the children. (The teacher runs, holding a mouse-toy in his hands.)
Parsley: And the dog came running, playing with us merrily.
Stepping over objects (small round or square modules).
Parsley: Look, guys, a cloud has appeared, it has spilled like rain!
Jumping and walking on the spot to the song “They punished the evil cloud” Parsley: Wind, wind, you are powerful, you drive flocks of clouds … Fly in, Wind, and drive away the evil cloud!
Outdoor game “Veterok”.
Parsley: Run, run. Here they are on the track!
Running in a circle.
Parsley: We walk, we walk straight along the path, We raise our legs well.
Walking with a knee lift along the massage paths.
Petrushka: We walked, walked, walked. Came straight to the sun!
Game of low mobility “The sun has friends”.
Parsley: “Ah” now, “children,” close your eyes, “and the sun with its rays will stroke the head of those children who studied well.
Children close their eyes. The teacher strokes the head of each child and takes out a basket of chocolate. Children open their eyes.
Parsley: For diligence and skill, the sun has prepared a sweet treat for you!
Here, Chicken, we found the Sun, and friends for you.
Do not be sad and do not be bored, invite all of us to visit!
Abstract of sports leisure
“My cheerful sonorous ball”
Purpose. Develop endurance, muscle strength, agility in children. Exercise children in performing movements with the ball: pass the ball to each other, turning, with both hands. Jump rhythmically in place on two legs. Act on the signal, throw the ball as far as possible. Throw the ball with both hands from below.
Preliminary work. Learning exercises with the ball in the classroom, walking.
Material. toy Bunny (the mascot of the Olympic Games in Sochi 2014), rubber balls of medium diameter, a ball of large diameter.
Hod
Educator. Look, children, who came to visit us today?!
(shows the children Bunny). Children greet Bunny.
Bunny: Hello, hello
Hello guys! Try to guess the riddle as soon as possible:
Small in stature, but daring, He rode away from me, Although he is always puffed up
It is never boring with him.
Children. Ball!
Bunny: Well, of course, this is a ball, They hit him, but he doesn’t cry, Only jumps higher, higher, So that we can play with the ball,
You have to get up faster in the circle.
Balls game
Where are your favorite toys? You jump our ball, And wake up the kittens!
(Kitten boys roll a ball pushing it head first and moving on all fours).
Outdoor game “Take the ball”
(Pass the ball, turning, with both hands; gradually increasing the pace).
Game “My merry sonorous ball”.
That’s what, that’s what the Ball is colorful, mischievous Never cries
Jumping along the path.
(Jump rhythmically in place on two legs; run up after the end of the words).
Bunny: We will continue to play, We will throw balls,
We will throw balls, And then catch up with them. Game “Throw and catch”
(Act on a signal, throw the ball as far as possible).
Bunny: In order for us to play further, we need to get up in a circle faster.