About / FAQ
Looking for something different
Welcome! I own and operate a homeschool/microschool in my home in Carlsbad, California (Rancho Carrillo neighborhood). I am a licensed family home childcare and a multiple subject certificated teacher in the state of California.
In these ever changing times within our public school system in California, I've felt a tug on my heart to create a safe and comfortable place for kids to come and learn. I am a mother of five and have taught 3rd grade and a 1st/2nd grade combination class at Bonsall Union School District and San Marcos Unified School District. If you can't tell already, I love kids.
In the state of California your child can be exempt from public school if they meet with a certificated teacher for 3 hours a day, 175 days a year according to CA Dept of Education code 48224. This is the same number of days required for public and private school although there is no reporting required for this option.
My homeschool consists of two sessions (morning 8:30-11:30 and afternoon 11:45-2:45) Monday - Friday with 12 children enrolled in each session. They are taught all the subjects that are required in a cozy home environment. Some of it looks very much like a classroom with things like morning calendar, sharing, field trips, dress-up days, awards, and first day photos. Some of it will look different with things like cooking classes, gardening, & art.
My living room has been transformed into a classroom with tables, chairs, white board and more.
While teaching a combination class of 1st and 2nd graders I learned how to teach to individual children and not to limit them by their grade level. If a child is reading at second grade level as a first grader then they should be able to progress as far as they can. If a child is behind they will be able to work along kids at their level, while also being challenged by other children. I have an assistant, which brings the ratio to 6:1!
The children experience the social aspect of school on a smaller scale. They practice sharing, taking turns, caring for others, and other important interpersonal skills. Each relationship is nurtured providing a caring and safe environment for each child.
Many parents struggle to teach their own children, I understand that. It can also be hard if you have other children at home to tend to or need to work. It's not worth the struggle and the strain on the parent/child relationship.
A short 3 hour day is perfect for some children, especially kindergartners. A 6:1 ratio makes sure each child has more than enough time to accomplish all the milestones they need. After 3 hours of education they have the rest of the day to adventure.
Tuition is $475 per month ($500 starting Fall 2023), per child, that comes out to a little less than $10 an hour ($10 x 3 hours x 175 days divided by 11 monthly payments). There is also a $75 ($100 starting Fall 2023) curriculum fee on the first month.
I already require hand washing upon arriving to my home and I will not allow children with a fever in last 24 hours to come to class. I will not require masks or social distancing as I feel it's almost impossible, not natural for children, and distracts from the learning process. Surfaces and bathrooms are cleaned twice daily if not more often. The children are given their own supplies to cut down on spreading germs. I also feel a healthy exposure to bacteria leads to a strong immune system.
I would love to have your family join us. Learn more about enrolling here.
The Turners
Frequently Asked Questions
How will this work?
Yes! I am considered private tutoring. According to the California education code
"Children not attending a private, full-time, day school and who are being instructed in study and recitation for at least three hours a day for 175 days each calendar year by a private tutor or other person in the several branches of study required to be taught in the public schools of this state and in the English language shall be exempted. The tutor or other person shall hold a valid state credential for the grade taught. The instruction shall be offered between the hours of 8 o'clock a.m. and 4 o'clock p.m."
There are two sessions, morning 8:30-11:30 and afternoon 11:45-2:45, Monday - Friday. Please see the calendar on my site for our current calendar. We closely follow the San Marcos Unified holiday and summer schedule since my older kids attend there. This includes the 175 days of instruction per year.
Although we are a five day program, your child can come as many days as they wish, but must pay for a whole spot as I am not able to split spots.
We will be using The Good and The Beautiful curriculum and other resources to cover all required subjects including Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Art, and Physical Education.
The tuition is $500 per month. The price is calculated at $10.50 an hour. I provide 175 days a year of 3 hour instruction. The amount is divided over 11 monthly payments (Aug-Jun). There is an initial $100 starting Fall 2023 supply fee in August.
I accept charter funds from some charter schools and am open to applying to others based on parent requests.
As a licensed childcare I can also work with you to take California subsidized payments from programs like CalWorks and CAPP.
Monday - Thursday
20 mins - morning greeting, calendar, sharing
60 mins - Language Arts Rotations
20 mins - snack and play time
60 mins - Math Rotations
20 mins - music/read aloud/cleanup
We call Fridays - Fun Friday and we focus on science, social studies, art, PE games, etc
Rotations will be myself at one table teaching a lesson, another table with an independent activity including iPads using a program called Reading Eggs, and a third table with an assistant working on an assignment or game based on the lesson. Kids will be leveled and placed into three groups.
I rarely get sick, but if I am unable to be there for unforeseen circumstances I will have substitutes available including my assistant, with the help of my husband or 16 year old son. I will be looking for others as well. All will be background checked, finger printed, CPR trained etc as required by my childcare license. In some rare circumstances I may have to cancel.
I will be in constant contact and inform you of any concerns. There are also set assessment periods in the curriculum. I also use a program to assess the children throughout the year.
The 175 days is the same number of school days as public and private school and children usually do not complete the entire year with 100% attendance. I will attempt to catch them up in class and can also send work home. As a private tutor, I am not required to submit any sort of attendance to the state.
Yes I will provide a snack each day. It is 90% grain free and dairy free. It includes a grain and a fruit. They also have access to water to drink during class. They are welcome to bring their own HEALTHY snack but no drink if they prefer or have major food allergies.
There is a rug area for read alouds and morning message and then the rest of class time will take place at child size activity tables and chairs that you would typically see in a classroom, except our tables have dry erase tops!
I will always first attempt to redirect a child and also give a lot of positive reinforcement. We use a program called Class Dojo. Children receive points for good behavior and lose points for bad behavior. They are given tickets each day for the amount of points they have. We randomly pick tickets for Friday and they get to choose from the treasure box. If the child doesn't respond to this, I will reach out to the parent for further help. I don't have special training or skills in more severe behavior situations and unfortuantely don't have the resources or facility to help these children at my location.
The only homework is our word club. Students will receive lists of words to read or spell and will be tested as they are ready.
No, I do not feel it is natural or a good environment for learning. Kids need to feel safe. They need to be able to hug their teacher if they want. It's also important at this age to see faces when pronunciating words and sounding things out. Since I have a small group of children, I am not required to do these things. We will wash hands when we enter in the morning and each child will have their own supplies.
The student will need to stay home for 5 days.
I appreciate a commitment as do the kids. They like being in a stable environment and they get attached to each other. That being said, life happens and all I request is a two week paid notice.
This is considered private tutoring. I am a vendor with a few charter schools. I am also a licensed childcare and can receive state funding for programs like CalWorks. Reach out for more info.
About Our Home
You are always welcome to enter my home while your child is here. Pickup and drop off take place outside along the street. I personally unload and load the cards each day in a school pickup style line in front of my home.
Yes. I have five children. Jacob is 19, Ty is 17, Kylie is 14, Carter is 10, and Gavin is 8. I have got some really great kids, but during school they pretty much keep to themselves. Jacob attends college away from home and was background checked at age 18, as is required for all my children according to my childcare license.
We are a Christian family who love families of all faiths. We have Christian symbols and sayings in our home, Christian books, and my children and I do talk about God, Jesus, and prayer in casual conversation.
We have a Cavapoo hypo allergenic small 15 lb dog that stays in the garage and gated side yard during school away from the children. His name is Milo and he is a super sweet and friendly dog that loves children and really everyone.
Yes. Everyone over the age of 18 who lives in my home and anyone who will be caring for the children (ie a sub) has to have a background check.
Yes. The upstairs, our office, and the garages.
No. Our sons do have airsoft pellet guns they keep in their rooms off limits to kids.
The children have access to the backyard and large side yard during recess. We have a soccer goal, basketball hoop, trampoline, volleyball net, climbing wall, lemonade stand, lawn games, jump rope, a swing, fort building area and more.
We have lived here since the house was built in 1999. We have developed a relationship with our neighbors. We have a large elderly community since we have a 1 story model on our street. We also have young families with children. Living on a street next to the school is frustrating for some of our neighbors. My main request is that you please drive slowly on our street and turn around in the culdesac (not driveways). That is why I gave a 10 minute grace period. If I have several cars racing up and down the street each day I am bound to get complaints and I would prefer to remain on good terms with these neighbors.
Licensing & Certifications
Yes. I am currently licensed for a large family daycare that allows 12 children.
CPR/First Aid
Mandated Reporter
Preventative Health & Nutrition
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
Yes I am a mandated reporter, which means I am legally required to report any suspected child abuse.
Yes we do!
