F.A.Q.
FAQ = Frequently Asked Questions
What is the day’s schedule?
School begins promptly at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 11:30 a.m. Children should arrive NO EARLIER THAN TEN MINUTES BEFORE SCHOOL BEGINS since the teachers need the time before school for classroom preparation.
Where should we go ?
Please enter through the door near the church office and come up the main staircase. The children will learn to remove their coats and hang them up; please do not do it for them. After bringing your child to the preschool rooms, it is best that you leave promptly.
What about pickup time?
When you come back to pick up your child, please wait until the door is opened and everyone is ready to go home. The children will be sitting at the tables and are to remain seated until you claim them. Please leave by the playroom door. If you will be detained, please notify the teachers so we can assure your children they have not been forgotten. If someone else is to pick up your child or there is a change in the car pool, please inform us by leaving a post-it note by the teacher desk.
What should my child wear to Preschool?
Please send your child in comfortable play clothes so that he/she can participate in all activities without worrying about harming his/her clothes. Outdoor play periods are planned as weather permits, and active play indoors tales place on other days. Long pants and flexible soled shoes make active play easier. Try to provide clothing that is free of complicated closings so that your child can manage them himself/herself. Ribbons and belts often distract the children and can be a hazard.
Our creative projects often involve paint, play-doh, glue, etc. which can be a hazard to clothes. We provide the children with large plastic work aprons to protect their clothing for these activities but accidents can happen.
PLEASE LABEL YOUR CHILD’S COATS, JACKETS AND BOOTS WITH THEIR NAME and help them to be able to recognize them by color, etc. You would be amazed by how many of the children have the same jackets and hats. Masking tape works well on boots, sweaters, raincoats, etc.
How does the school care for my child’s health and safety?
Every effort is made to insure the safety of your child and a first aid kit is kept in the pre-school. In addition, the following precautions will be observed:
1. You will be asked to fill out and return an emergency card for quick reference by the staff.
2. You will be notified if your child is ill or has had an accident so that you can pick him/her up.
3. Please do not send your child to school if he/she shows signs of illness and notify the teacher if he/she contracts a communicable disease. You will be notified if a contagious disease is present in any of the children.
4. Please do not send handkerchiefs to school. Kleenex will be provided. Remind your child to cover his/her mough during a cough or a sneeze.
5. Insurance: Since accidents are always possible in an active program with twenty children even when supervision and caution are employed, we expect our parents to provide hospitalization in the event of an emergency. The church carries liability insurance but, as in the public schools, accidents are the responsibility of the parents. You will be relieved to note that we have not had any serious accidents to date.
Is there anything my child should not bring to school?
We would appreciate you not sending gum or candy to school.
Except for sharing days, we prefer that your child not bring toys from home.
What about birthdays?
Each child‘s birthday is an important event to recognize his/her importance as a unique person who is growing and learning and becoming more responsible. We celebrate birthdays with a simple snack and special recognition and privileges. If you would like to send a snack, please keep it simple (cupcakes, muffins, doughnuts, or special cookies are fine). We would ask that you do not send extra take home treats. We also have a policy of no piñatas. Several years ago we started to offer the opportunity for the birthday child to bring in a small gift for the pre-school because many parents wanted to do something extra on this special day. The purpose is to give the birthday child a chance to share his celebration with a gift all the children will enjoy using during the school year. We label these with the child’s name and date, and they take great pride in their gift. We encourage the children to bring something they especially like to play with. The Board voted to continue this practice for the upcoming year but set a limit of around $5.00. Please do not send expensive gifts. Suggested items might be books, doll clothes, construction toys or art supplies. Please do not feel obligated.
Volunteers
We need and would like to have a parent volunteer with us every day. At our Parent Meeting the second day of school, we ask the parents who are able to volunteer their time to sign up for a particular day of the week that they would be available to come in to help. If, for instance we have 4 parents sign up for Monday, then you would only have to come in once a month. If, however, only 2 parents sign up for Monday, then you would be coming every other week. This enables us to include a variety of projects and experiences in our program, and it offers you an opportunity to see your child in the school setting.
We also invite parents to share a special talent or interest with the children during school. We have had exciting mornings with medical workers, cooks, secretaries, musicians, race car drivers and of course guest pets of all kinds. It is a treat for your child to have you participate as well as enriching for the entire class.