FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Integrating rich traditions with a modern sensibility, Beverly Glen Playgroup offers a developmental,
play-based curriculum combined with an old-fashioned neighborhood-like community experience.
Children leave Beverly Glen Playgroup well prepared for the rigors of school and the wonders of life.
Is Beverly Glen Playgroup a preschool or a playgroup?
Beverly Glen Playgroup is a preschool for children aged two to five with a full-time director and a professional staff of teachers.
Tell us a little about Beverly Glen Playgroup.
Founded in 1946 as a co-operative preschool, Beverly Glen Playgroup became, not-for-profit preschool that endorses a play-based, developmental approach to learning in 1988. Housed in a quiet cabin in Beverly Glen Canyon, the “Playgroup” approach recognizes the uniqueness of each child and respects
individual rates of development. Beverly Glen Playgroup is a vibrant, close-knit community of families dedicated to preserving a safe, nurturing environment with a strong emphasis on social and emotional development.
What is Playgroup’s educational philosophy?
At Beverly Glen Playgroup, children learn through play. At the center of Playgroup’s educational philosophy is the belief that it is through play that children explore, integrate and understand the world around them. Play at Playgroup is hands-on and incorporates art, music, literature, science, movement,
dramatic play, and more. Activities are thoughtfully designed to stimulate critical areas of development in early childhood: perceptual and motor development, cognitive development, language development, and social-emotional development.
Every child is unique. Children move through different developmental stages at different rates.
Playgroup’s developmental approach respects and celebrates these differences. The teachers seek to meet each child where he or she is, and support each child’s individual growth. The focus at Playgroup is on fostering children’s natural creativity and curiosity, developing communication and social skills and
encouraging age-appropriate independence while assessing and guiding each child’s mastery of key developmental milestones.
How are the age group cohorts organized? What are the hours for the core preschool program?
Playgroup consists of three cohorts who meet Monday- Friday, 9:00-12:20, September through June.
There are up to 24 children total among the combined cohorts.
The first year cohort, known as the Star group, is for ages two to three.
The second year cohort, known as the Circle group, is for ages three to four.
The third year cohort, known as the Triangle group, is for ages four to five.
Stars, Circles and Triangles attend school together in a mixed age setting, while dividing at certain times.
What opportunities do families have to extend beyond the core program?
Extended Day: Extended Days are optional. They are offered Monday through Friday and extend the day to 2:00pm. Extended Day allows the children to get used to longer school days and is for children who are no longer napping.
Extracurricular Classes: Extracurricular classes are optional. Led by individual teachers, extra curricular classes provide another opportunity for a smaller group experience, while spending additional time on a particular subject matter or activity. Past classes have included Spanish, science, art, storytelling, dance, sports and cooking. Extracurricular classes are offered Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Pick up is at 3:10 p.m. and follows Extended Day.
Summer Camp: Summer Camp is available to children during the summers following their completion of the Star, Circle and Triangle Programs. Summer Camp runs Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. for eight weeks each summer. Families pick days to attend. Extended Day and Extracurricular classes are offered on most days in the Summer.
What are the cut-off ages for the groups?
Children must be two years old by September 1 for the Star group, three years old by September 1 for the Circle group, and four years old by September 1 for the Triangle group.
What is the teacher to child ratio?
Our combined age groups cap at 24 total
Teacher to child ratio: at minimum 1 to 5 (between 4 and 6 teachers per day to 24 students) plus a parent volunteer at times.
Can we wait until our child turns three to apply? Are there openings in the Circle and Triangle years for new students?
Yes, we invite applications across all age group cohorts. We have flexible class sizes through the cohorts each school year.
How does Playgroup handle separation?
Separation is an important part of the preschool experience. Some children separate right away and others need more time. Playgroup takes a gentle approach to separation, supporting the needs of each individual child and family.
Does my child have to be potty-trained to attend Playgroup?
Playgroup does not require incoming children to be potty trained. Our philosophy, however, is that children entering our program are usually the right age developmentally to be potty trained and we expect our entering children to be either already potty trained, in the process of potty training, or ready to begin training shortly after the program begins and aiming to make solid progress in the first few months of school. We will help and provide guidance to families throughout this process. Families who are opposed to potty training or feel they would prefer not to receive guidance and collaborate with us on potty training are not a good fit for Playgroup.
What makes Playgroup’s experience unique? What are the work requirements?
Playgroup has a decades-long tradition of offering significant opportunities for parent involvement at school and utilizing that involvement to help offer a higher value, and potentially lower costs, for our families. To honor that tradition, in addition to parent jobs held by each family, we offer completely
optional account account credits to our families who can volunteer. Optional parent volunteer opportunities include work days at school, being an on-call substitute if a teacher is absent, and participating in weekend clean-up days.
A parent board of directors works closely with the school director to set and implement school policy.
Each Playgroup family holds a school job. Parents are also required to participate in other school functions throughout the year including zoom meetings, one in person meeting, fundraising events, and occasionally a neighborhood fair.
While fulfilling their Playgroup commitments, families find the experience to be fun while it brings people closer, and helps them demonstrate to their children that working together is a rewarding experience.
What are some sample parent jobs?
Parent jobs vary widely. Jobs include fundraising committee members, board positions, admissions,, repairs and maintenance, and school librarian. Every effort is made to accommodate specific job requests and make matches that suit families based on the skills and time required.
Is it possible for families to meet the requirements if both parents are employed outside the home?
Yes. Many Playgroup families include two employed parents and find the experience both manageable and worthwhile.
How does Playgroup prepare children for the demands of kindergarten? How does Playgroup integrate academics into play?
Playgroup focuses on preparing children with the versatility and resourcefulness they will need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond, helping children foster their innate curiosity, build their confidence and communication skills as well as academic skills. Preparation for kindergarten is woven into all the play-based learning activities at school. In their last year, children spend more time on specific Kindergarten ready skills during “Triangle Work,” all designed as play infused with learning.
Where do children enroll for kindergarten after Playgroup?
Students have been admitted to or enrolled at:
Adat Ariel
Brawerman School
Brentwood School
The Buckley School
Campbell Hall
The Center for Early Education
Crossroads School
Curtis School
Dixie Canyon Community Charter
Fairburn Avenue School
Good Shepherd Catholic School
Hesby Oaks Leadership Charter
The John Thomas Dye School
Lanai Road Elementary
Laurence School
Los Encinos School
Mirman School
Oakwood School
Roscomare Road Elementary School
St. James’ Episcopal School
St. Paul the Apostle School
UCLA Lab School
Warner Avenue Elementary
Westland School
Westwood Charter
Wildwood School
The Willows Community School
Children’s Community School
Wonderland Avenue School
Are Playgroup families only from Beverly Glen?
While many families are from the Beverly Glen community, Playgroup attracts families from many areas of Los Angeles including the Westside, the Valley, and Beverly Hills.
If we live in the Glen, are we automatically accepted to the school?
No. All families seeking admittance to Beverly Glen Playgroup must complete the application process. As a neighborhood school, Playgroup’s Admissions Committee tries to accommodate Glen residents who meet the admission requirements and are able to fulfill all responsibilities.
What are our chances of getting in?
Multiple factors are weighed when making up a new class. The Admissions Committee tries to identify families who would most benefit from and are best matched to its orientation while considering other factors that will make for a dynamic class. While some priority is given to siblings of current or previous
Playgroup children, children of alumni, and residents of Beverly Glen, new families consistently make up a significant part of the incoming class. Families who have no prior connection to the school but believe the Beverly Glen Playgroup experience would be a good fit are encouraged to apply.
Tuition:
Please refer to our website tuition section for current tuition rates.
How do we apply?
Applications are available at beverlyglenplaygroup.org and can be submitted via the website. You must take a tour and submit a completed application, including a non-refundable application fee and a recent family photo by December 1. Selected interviews are conducted beginning in January. Admissions
decisions are emailed in February or March. Families who do not meet these deadlines are still encouraged to apply. Questions? admissions@beverlyglenplaygroup.org
Contact:
https://beverlyglenplaygroup.org/contact
