Purpose of Parent Handbook - Clover Sites



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Welcome to First Congregational Church Preschool! We are pleased that you have selected our preschool as a place to enrich your child’s life and begin a journey of discovery and learning. We take this responsibility very seriously and expect that this will be a rewarding experience for your child and family.

Purpose of Parent Handbook

This handbook is intended to be a reference tool only. It should not replace the required Fall Parent Orientation night. This will help with our communication to our preschool families. Please keep this book to refer to if any questions arise during the school year. Additionally, we would like you to keep this book if you have younger siblings who will be coming up in our program. A complete operating policy statement is available upon request.

Description of the Preschool Program

Our preschool offers classes for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds. The program offers a holistic approach to learning with a balance of intellectual stimulation, social skills, and physical development. The program facilitates learning through language enrichment, experimental learning projects, musical activities, drama, art, audio-visual aids, science, and table activities.

The 3- and 4-year-old classes are operated as a parent–cooperative. The five-plus class is conducted as a teacher-student classroom situation. We feel that our school is a supplement to the learning that takes place at home.

Three–year-olds come from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Four-year-olds come from 9:00-11:30 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. An afternoon fours session may be added if enrollment allows. The five-plus class meets on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 12:30-3:00. Vacations correspond to those of Greeley/Evans School District 6, except preschool starts in September and ends in May.

Mission of First Congregational Church Preschool

First Congregational Church Preschool offers a high quality, affordable early childhood education. Our goal is to help prepare children for kindergarten by:

• Accepting directions from adults other than parents

• Respecting authority figures

• Developing a good self-concept

• Developing a joy for learning

History of First Congregational Church Preschool

The First Congregational Church Preschool was started by a group of interested parents in 1962. Oralie McAfee was the first director. Other directors have been Helen Baab, Barbara McCornack, Catherine Althoff, Karen Giebler, Joanne Holmes, Kathie Holmes,Tracy McQuitty and Tasya Ader.

The second three and four year old classes were added in the early 1970’s. The five plus class started in September of 1979. The preschool has maintained a stable program through the longevity of the directors and teachers.

Relationship with First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ and Board of Directors and Parent Board (PTO)

F.C.C.P is an independent non-profit preschool that is governed separately from First Congregational United Church of Christ.   The preschool also functions separately from Sunshine House Daycare.  However, the school does maintain a working relationship with both the church and the Daycare to help provide a top-level preschool for the community. 

 

F.C.C.P is governed by a Board of Directors, consisting of 5-8 parents and community members, which work with the teachers and the preschool director to provide guidance and leadership in the day-to-day and yearly operation of the preschool. 

 

F.C.C.P also encourages the involvement of parents on the PTO Board.   This board works together to primarily help the school with its yearly fundraising efforts.  The school generally hosts 4-6 fundraising events a year, including the two separate movie nights. 

 

If you wish to learn about the Board of Directors or the PTO Board, please contact the preschool director.   

Enrollment Policy

Children will be accepted on the same age basis as the Greeley/Evans School District 6. Generally, if a child is three before September 1st, he/she is eligible for the three-year-old group. However, a child with a birthday between September 1st and October 1st may be admitted at the discretion of the preschool staff. Children who have attended the three-year-old class are given preference for admittance to the four-year-old group. Other applicants are then considered. Children are admitted to the 5+ program if they are five years of age by November 1st.

Each child’s application is reviewed individually. Children with disabilities are admitted if they can benefit from the program, and if reasonable accommodations can be made. Special cases will be reviewed on an individual basis. The preschool staff requires that children enrolled in the program be fully toilet-trained. Applications will be considered on a first come, first serve basis without regard to ethnic background, creed, or country origin.

Parents must submit an application to the school. The director(s) will set up classes from these applications starting in April. When the classes are filled, subsequent applicants will be placed on a waiting list. Upon acceptance, (1) a non-refundable application fee, set by the director and the Parent Board, will hold a child’s spot in class, and (2) the proper forms must be submitted to the school for the ensuing year. The necessary medicals (immunization records, statement of good health for parent and child and T.B. test for helping parent) and proper forms must be completed and on file before a child can be admitted into school.

Fees

A non-refundable application fee is required for any child to enroll in the program.

Tuition is paid monthly and varies according to classes. Monthly fees are due on the first day of each month. A late charge of $20.00 is assessed beginning the seventh day of the month. $1.00 a day will be assessed for everyday after the seventh. Late charges will be collected on the day fees are received without regard for the date on the check or money order. The preschool staff reserves the right to withdrawal any student whose fees are in arrears.

There are no additional fees other than tuition.

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Scholarship

Based on financial need, scholarships may be available to one family per age group. These families can apply for scholarship in which the tuition is reduced half. An application must be filled out entirely and reviewed by preschool staff. Whether a family qualifies is determined by the same guidelines used for Weld County School District 6 free and reduced lunch program.

Withdrawal Policy

If a child is to be withdrawn from the program, parents/guardians will inform the preschool staff two weeks in advance. If the preschool does not receive a two week notice, one half month’s fees will be collected.

Curriculum and Developmentally Appropriate Practices

As preschool teachers, we are often addressed with the question of whether a child is going to be ready for kindergarten by the end of the preschool year. In today’s society there is a lot of pressure for children to perform academically, and sadly many times we forget that these young children acquire knowledge about the physical and social worlds in which they live through playful interaction with objects and people. Children do not need to be forced to learn; they are motivated by their own desire when put in an environment that facilitates their natural desire to learn. We at First Congregational Church Preschool provide a developmentally appropriate environment for your children. We would like to remind you of some of the ways the program will challenge, encourage and engage children. They will explore, move forward, feel proud of their accomplishments, and gain a love of learning.

During our first hour of class there are a variety of materials from which the children may choose. Most of theses activities are listed below with a description of what can be gained from these activities. Children are free to explore and make decisions and will not feel rushed or over stimulated.

Through games, puzzles and table toys children:

• Learn about size, shape, quantity and position.

• Work on problem solving skills and develop coordination.

• Experience a sense of achievement as they create and solve problems.

• Are able to work by themselves or with friends to find solutions.

Through blocks children:

• Begin to understand shapes and sizes.

• Create representations of things around them.

• Increase hand and eye coordination by stacking and building.

• Make decisions with friends about their creations.

• Gain sorting skills as they put the blocks away.

Through dramatic play children:

• Discover life experiences.

• Learn to cooperate and share.

• Develop conversation skills while talking with their peers.

• Expand their imagination by imitating different people.

• Gain knowledge of occupations in the community.

• Increase appreciation of their own and other’s cultures.

Through art experiences children:

• Create unique representations of their world, feelings and ideas.

• Enjoy the experience of seeing, touching, and organizing.

• Develop appreciation of the arts.

• Make decisions about how to use lines, textures, colors and forms.

• Gain skills in using art materials and tools.

• Release stress and frustration through creativity.

Through books children:

• Begin to understand and name objects in their environment.

• Understand similarities and differences within people and objects.

• Increase their understanding of how words are used.

• Learn to make predictions about things that happen around them.

• Start to recognize letters, numbers and words.

During the second hour of the class, your child will learn about sitting quietly to listen. They will learn about the calendar, seasons, events, numbers, shapes, colors and phonemic awareness through fun songs and finger plays. They will learn table manners by sitting with peers and adults to have a snack together. They will learn responsibility by cleaning up after play and after snack.

In short, children will discover the joy of learning. When a parent wonders if a child is ready for formal schooling, the teachers look to see if a child is ready to learn by demonstrating the skills needed to be successful in a formal school environment. Those who succeed will have the flexibility of mind to find solutions where others see only problems. They will be curious about how things work. Becoming tolerant of differences, they will be able to get along and work well with others. And they will continue to learn and adapt as their world continues to change.

We have to be careful not to respond to the trends of increasingly widespread demand for use of inappropriate formal teaching techniques for young children. Often concerned adults, who want children to succeed, apply adult education standards to the curriculum for young children and pressure early childhood programs to emphasize academic skill development with paper-and-pencil activities that are developmentally inappropriate for young children. These beliefs about appropriate practice are supported by a growing body of both laboratory and clinical classroom research and theory.

Bibliography

Book – Bredekamp, S. 1998. Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8. National Association for the Education of Young Children. – Washington D.C.

Brochure – A Good Preschool For Your Child.

National Association for the Education of Young Children.

1509 16th Street, NW

Washington D.C. 20036-1426



Communication

Please let you teacher know if your child has had rough morning, or if any significant changes have occurred in your home. Often teachers can help by making sure that child gets a little extra attention. There will often be daily announcements or reading materials available on our bulletin board or on the sign in tables. Notes from your teacher may be left in your child’s mailbox, and feel free to write a note to your teacher any time. Newsletters will be sent home in October, December, January and May. You have an opportunity to discuss your child with your teacher on your helper day. These are usually informal general discussions about how your child is doing. Parent –Teacher conferences will be held in late March and/or April. This is a great opportunity for you to meet with your teacher regarding your child’s accomplishments and school readiness.

If you have a special concern, and would like to speak in a more private setting, please set up a time with your teacher before or after school.

The preschool staff respects the privacy of each child and their family and will keep all discussions professional. We ask parents/guardians to follow this policy. If you have a concern or grievance and do not feel comfortable talking with your teacher, you may speak with another teacher or a member of our parent board.

Discipline

Our classroom environment is structured in a way to minimize discipline issues. As role models, the teachers will demonstrate positive and responsible ways to handle disagreements. We encourage the children to figure out ways of handling their problems, but let them know we are there to assist them. In our interactions with the children, we use positive statements. At no time will we allow anyone to use physical force. If necessary, we will ask the child to be in a different area of the classroom.

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Policies and Procedures

Coming, Going and Attendance

Please use the west side parking lot of the church and enter through the main doors by the front office, as these are the only unlocked doors during school hours. We ask that you help your child to be respectful of the church, by using quiet indoor voices and walking feet. Often times there are various meetings and/or funerals being held in the upstairs area of the church.

We ask that you are prompt in both drop off and pick up of your child. The day runs more smoothly if all children arrive at the proper time, and young children feel very secure when parents are there to get them right when class is dismissed.

We will follow Weld County School District 6 school calendar. This means when the whole district is out of school, we also will have no school. You will receive a detailed calendar at the beginning of the year. In case of snow days, we will also follow the decision made by district 6 officials. You may tune into KFKA, KUNC, TRI102 or other local radio stations to check on closures.

Each day when you bring your child, you will need to sign him/her in and wait with your child until the teacher has opened the door to admit the children. When you pick up your child, you will need to sign him/ her out, check their “mailbox” for work and/ or notes and greet your child at the classroom door. Your child will not be dismissed until an appropriate adult meets them at the classroom door. Teachers will refer to the parents’ list of who has permission to pick up that child. (Please see Safety section).

Please write a note to the teacher if you know ahead of time about an absence due to vacation. Please call in the morning and leave a message if you child is ill and will not be attending school that day. Please refer to the Illness Policy in the appendix section of this hand book.

Safety

Parents should give the school written authorization when someone other than a parent is picking up a child. An authorization list will be submitted by the parent/guardian of each child, along with other required forms, by the first day of classes. In an emergency, verbal authorization may be given. Identification may be requested, as well as a password if one has been issued by the parent. If someone, who is not authorized by the parents, attempts to pick up a child, a staff member will ask for identification and attempt to contact a parent by phone for verbal authorization. If a parent can not be contacted, or if the parent does not give verbal authorization, the child will not be released to that individual. When a child is not picked up after school, the staff will begin calling parents and all emergency numbers. A staff member will wait with the child until an authorized adult arrives.

Staff members will make every effort to be aware of the whereabouts of all children at all times. “Head-counts” are taken throughout the school day. In the unlikely event that a child should become lost while attending preschool, a staff member(s) will begin a search of the premises, notify staff members of First Congregational Church, contact the parent/guardian, and notify local law enforcement authorities.

Safety (Con’t.)

Children will be evacuated from the building in case of fire. They will group on the north end of the playground. In case of tornado, children will be grouped in the basement classroom, which contains no windows. Fire drills and tornado drills will be conducted on a regular basis.

In case of excessively hot weather, water and shade are provided, and children may be gathered in an air-conditioned section of the building.

What to Wear at Preschool

Comfortable, washable clothing is recommended. Children need to feel free to participate in all activities without worry of damaging clothing. We will have outdoor play daily, so we ask that children wear athletic shoes to help prevent accidents/injuries on climbing structures or gravel surfaces.

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Cubbies

Every child will have his/her own cubby in our coat room to keep their belongings. These cubbies are to be used for coats, boots, mittens, hats, etc. Children are not to bring personal items from home including toys or stuffed animals. Backpacks are allowed, although they are not necessary and cannot contain toys from home. Each child will have a scheduled day when they are allowed to bring one special item to share with the class. Any clothing that is brought to school should be labeled with the child’s name.

Extra Clothing

Children in the three’s and four’s classes will bring one spare outfit, including underwear and socks to school at the beginning of the year. These items need to be in a labeled Ziploc bag and will be kept in our large bathroom in case of accidents. Please bring these items even if your child is not prone to bathroom accidents, because often juice or paint gets spilled, or a child could get wet outside and would be more comfortable in a change of clothing.

Visitors

Adults who are authorized by families may schedule a visit to preschool and must sign the visitor’s log. Younger siblings and young friends or cousins or other children who are not enrolled in our program are not allowed to come and “spend the day” at preschool, as we are not licensed for drop-in childcare. No child can attend the preschool if the appropriate paper work has not been completed and turned in.

Field Trips

The four-year-old and five-plus classes will periodically take field trips. Our parents are used as drivers for these trips. When a field trip is announced, you will have an opportunity to sign up to be a driver or a chaperone. Chaperones may ride with another parent who has been designated a driver. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Copies will be made and kept in your child’s file. We ask that you keep in mind that we want to give all parents an opportunity to chaperone a field trip. Therefore, if you have already been a driver or a chaperone, please wait to give others a chance before you sign up for another field trip. We prefer to limit our drivers to 4 or 5 to keep our group a manageable size. Younger siblings are not allowed to attend school sponsored field trips.

Field Trips (Con’t)

On the day of the field trip, we ask that you bring your child’s car seat, labeled with their name, into the preschool and place it in his/her mailbox. The drivers will then take the seats and load them into their car. Colorado state law mandates that any child between the ages of 1 and 4 and less than 40 pounds must ride in a forward facing car seat. Any child OVER 40 pounds and UNDER the age of 6, or under 55” tall, must ride in a booster seat. Child safety advocates recommend that children stay in a booster seat until they reach 57” in height. Following state law, the teacher will make sure that every child has a car seat. Upon arriving back to the school, the car seats will then be left outside, by the entry door on the west parking lot.

Safety during field trips

Parents must provide transportation to and from preschool. Parental permission must be given for excursions outside of the school. Parents and teachers will provide transportation for these excursions. Children must be restrained in approved child safety seats in the back seats of all vehicles. All drivers must have a valid driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance and a first-aid kit in the vehicle. A staff member will carry a class roster including emergency phone numbers. Drivers will “caravan” on excursions. In case of accident, a driver within the caravan will, to the best of his/her ability, notify the emergency response system and parents/guardians.

Upon arrival at a field trip destination, all children and parent chaperones shall be under the direct supervision of a staff member. Children shall be required to remain with the class group, and frequent “head counts” will be taken. In the unlikely event that a child becomes separated from the group, a staff member will begin a search and all responsible adults will be notified.

Upon leaving preschool for any excursion, information regarding the whereabouts of the class will be posted outside the classroom door. If a child arrives after the class has departed, a parent, or driver authorized by the parent, will transport the child to the group’s location.

Illness, Accidents, Injury, Medications

When a child becomes ill or injured in such a way that medical attention is required, an attempt will be made to contact the parents. In emergencies, reasonable medical attention will be obtained. If a child is known to become ill, reasonable precautions will be taken to separate the child from the class. First Congregational Church requires all parents/guardians to sign a form releasing the church from liability in case of accident.

Medications may be administered by staff members trained in medical administration, and only on written order from the parent or guardian and the child’s physician. If the medication is doctor ordered, the physician’s name, as well as the prescription number, name of medication and date filled must be provided in the original container. All medicine will be kept in an area inaccessible to children and not in contact with food. A record will be kept of all medications dispensed. Parents are requested to apply sunscreen to children before class begins. Written authorization from a parent/guardian is required before a staff member may apply sunscreen to a child.

Helping Parent Days (3 and 4 year old classes)

Having our parents come into the classroom and help is an integral part of our program. Not only does this help us to fulfill our adult/child ratio and to keep reasonable rates, it is an opportunity to demonstrate to your child the importance of his/her education.

After you pick your first helper day, the teacher will continue the rotation and hand out a schedule every three months, taking birthdays into consideration. If a day does not work for you, it is then your responsibility to trade with another parent. You can make those arrangements by using your class list. Please notify the teacher of any changes that occur. It is not the responsibility of the teacher to make these arrangements. Younger siblings may not attend preschool on your helper day. The only exception is an infant who can be placed in a carrier on the person. The helper will supply snack for the children, teachers and helper(s) that day. All food must be store bought and pre-packaged. Healthy, simple snacks are desired. We will provide water to drink. The preschool will provide the paper products and cups. The teacher will notify parents of any allergies in that particular group.

Your child will be allowed to bring one appropriate, special item from home to share with the class on their helper day. This is the only time children should bring any toys or extra items from home. Please refer to Suggestions for Helping Parents and the Helping Parent Policy and Contract.

Five-Plus Snack and Show and Tell

The preschool will supply snack for the five-plus class. Show and tell will be scheduled and your child will bring one appropriate, special item from home on their designated day.

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Birthdays

Your child will have an opportunity to celebrate his/ her birthday at school. In the three’s and four’s, the teacher will schedule your helper day as close to the birthday as possible, and in the five-plus, parents can make arrangements with the teachers. Summer birthdays can either be celebrated at the half birthday or at the end of year. On this day you can bring a special birthday treat. Some store bought choices are: cupcakes, ice cream cups, popsicles, pizza, pudding cups or cookies. Please refer to Parent Helper section for more information regarding snack.

Reports to State Agencies

All staff is required by law to report child abuse suspicions to the County Department of Human Services and/or to an appropriate law enforcement office. Communicable diseases will be reported the health department and parents will be notified verbally or by a note sent home with the children.

Parents may report complaints regarding the licensing of the preschool to the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care, (303) 866-5958, or for child abuse to the Weld County Department of Human Services, (970) 352-1551.

Illness Policy

If a student is diagnosed with a communicable disease such as but not limited to mono, strep throat, chicken pox, conjunctivitis, or shingles, please  contact the school nurse. This information is vital for control measures as well as for protecting students and staff who may be medically at risk from exposure to these diseases. Students need to remain at home until they are no longer contagious. This limits the spread of illness and allows your child to recover quicker.  Please keep a sick child home if they are unable to participate in all preschool activities in a meaningful way. Listed below are Westwood school district wide guidelines for when your child should return to school after having a communicable disease:

Chicken Pox/Shingles-Notify school nurse immediately if your child is diagnosed or suspected to have either of these conditions.

Strep Throat- 24 to 48 hours after starting medication

 Conjunctivitis- 24 hours after the medication has started and there is no drainage from the eyes

 Fifth Disease- No isolation period. Notify the school nurse if it is suspected or diagnosed.

 Fever- Students may attend school when their temperature is below 100 degrees and they have not taken medication to reduce the fever. Fevers that are associated with a virus are lowest in the morning. If your child has a fever in the evening or during the night, he/she should not attend school the next day. Students need to be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.

 Vomiting/Diarrhea- Students should be symptom free and able to keep food down for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

 Impetigo- 24 hours after treatment has begun.

 Rash with fever or behavior change, until a physician has determined that the illness is not a communicable disease. if a child has an undiagnosed rash, he/she cannot return to school without a doctor's note.

 Pediculosis- Head lice is an easily transmitted condition and treatment is important. The school nurse should be notified immediately when a case is identified. Students may return to school after completing treatment and they are nit free. 

SUGGESTIONS FOR HELPING PARENT

1. If you are unable to help on your assigned day, arrange a trade yourself.

2. If you have traded days, please confirm the evening prior to make sure your day is covered.

3. If you are unable to work on your day, and you do not have someone fill in for you, there will be a $25.00 charge to cover the cost of a substitute, after every effort has been exhausted. We rely on our parents for our staffing patterns.

4. Arrive at school by 8:45 and plan to stay until 11:00 (3’s), 11:30 (4’s).

5. Wear comfortable, washable clothing. Remember part of the morning will be spent outside, so dress appropriately.

6. No smoking is permitted.

7. Please refrain from using cell phones.

What you will do:

1. Before school begins

a. The teacher will share with you her plans for the morning.

b. The teacher may give you information on the individual children to enable you to be a more effective teacher. This is to be used in a professional way and is NOT a subject for gossip.

2. During School

a. Help children put on smocks for painting and other art

activities.

b. Encourage children to write their own names on their paper. Print children’s names in the left hand corner of their papers if possible (Capitalize only the first letter).

c. Be aware of potentially hazardous situations and call them to the teacher’s attention.

d. The teacher should handle most inter-personal conflicts, but step in as necessary to protect children or equipment against physical harm.

e. Don’t feel uncomfortable if at times you don’t seem to be doing anything. Sit down and take advantage of the opportunity to observe and listen to the children.

f. Help the children and the teacher during clean up time, encouraging the children to do as much as possible.

g. While the teacher leads the group time, this is the time to retrieve any juice or other things needed for snack.

h. Set up the tables with paper juice cups with a napkin at each place. (Be sure to set places for the adults present too). Fill cup about half.

i. Help the teacher supervise the playground or gymnasium.

j. Help Clean up the room

During story time

b. Join teacher and children in the rug unless you are asked to do otherwise.

Guidance Helps:

1. Remember to set a good example in kindness, courtesy, patience and respect.

2. Use your voice in such a way as to reassure and encourage a child.

3. Try to phrase suggestions positively. Instead of “Don’t get the paint on the floor”, suggest “Let’s try to keep the paint on the paper”.

4. We want to encourage each child to experiment and explore in various art media, rather than to make a recognizable product. “The process, not the product is important.”

a. Please do not ask the child what he is making. You may comment as to the bright colors he is using, the fun he is having, etc.

b. Please do not make models for the child to copy or draw him a picture (even if he asks you). We want him to develop confidence in his own ability to “make” and “do”.

c. Discuss with the teacher any questions you have about the day at the end of the class period.

Remember to have fun and enjoy your days as a “helping parent”!

Please be prompt- 8:45 A.M. is your arrival time!!

We do not require or expect our families to purchase school supplies. However, parents have expressed to us that preschoolers often feel left out when older siblings are purchasing supplies in the fall.

If you would like to purchase and donate supplies, the items listed below are ones we use the most.

Everyone at the preschool will share any supplies brought in.

Kleenex*

Glue Sticks*

Paper Towels*

Liquid Hand Soap*

Napkins*

Copy Paper

Crayola Watercolor Paints

Lead Pencils

Colored Pencils

Crayola Crayons

Washable Markers

Small Paper Plates

Small Ziploc Bags

5 oz. Paper cups*

* denotes items frequently used

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