Handbook - Policies & Procedures

We are thrilled that you are sharing with us your children-your most precious gifts from God. We are excited about the opportunity of getting to know each child and each family.

The purpose of our ministry to the children and parents of this community is to offer a loving and nurturing atmosphere.

As Matthew 19:14 says: Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Our goal is to offer the finest early childhood Christian education to meet the needs of your children and to help them to develop a solid foundation that will last a lifetime.

This parent handbook has been compiled to acquaint you with our philosophies, polices and procedures. Please take time to read through the handbook to familiarize yourself with our school.

Preschool Staff

All members of the preschool staff including the director, teachers and teachers' aides are Christians with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In addition, each teacher has formal training including a minimum of 12 units of Early Childhood Education. Aides are enrolled in ECE classes working towards 6 units. Staff members are strongly encouraged to continue their professional education. Staff development is conducted throughout the year and includes in-house workshops as well as attendance at the fall and spring ACSI conferences.

Preschool Team

The Preschool Team is one of several committees reporting to the church's Session. Session is the governing body of each PCUSA church. At First Presbyterian Church, Roseville, the Session consists of the senior pastor, the associate pastor and the elders who are in active service. There is one elder from Session serving on the Preschool Team, as Team chair. The Team members are active participants of First Presbyterian Church, Roseville.

The responsibility of the Team is for the general oversight of the preschool, ensuring that the vision of the preschool is being carried out. Team members are not actively involved in the day-to-day operations. They prayerfully and continually seek the Lord's guidance and will for this preschool. Each month Session receives a written report as well as an opportunity to review the monthly financial statements. The Preschool Team works in conjunction with other ministry areas of this church.

Mission Statement

We are a Christ-centered school that nourishes children's growth and development spiritually, socially, academically, and physically, in age-appropriate ways. Our staff teaches and models Christian principles, partnering with the family to build a solid foundation for children. Our scripturally based curriculum will enhance their faith and character qualities in ways that honor Christ.

Admissions Policies and Procedures-enrollment requirements

Before enrollment, the following forms must be completed and filed for each child:
1. Enrollment Application
2. Personal Rights form
3. Physician's Report (signed by Physician)
4. Consent For Medical Treatment
5. Identification and Emergency Information
6. Child's Preadmission Health History-Parent's Report
7. Notification of Parent's Rights
8. Copy of Immunization record
9. Parent Contract
10. Field Trip Permission for medical treatment form
11. Nonrefundable Registration Fee

Monthly Tuition/Late Fee
Class Days Time
2's class Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 - 12:00
$205/month
2's/3's class Monday/Wed/Friday 9:00 - 12:00
$255/month
2's/3's class Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 -12:00
$205/month
3's class Monday/Wed/Friday 9:00 - 12:00
$255/month
3's class Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 - 12:00
$205/month
3's/4's class Monday/Wed/Friday 9:00 - 12:00
$255/month
Pre-K 4's class Monday/Wed/Friday 9:00 - 12:00
$255/month
Pre-K 4's class Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 - 12:00
$205/month
Pre-K 5's class Monday/Wed/Friday 9:00 - 12:00
$270/month

The monthly tuition is based upon the total school-year operational costs. Therefore, no refunds or credit will be given for days absent or holidays. A $25.00 discount is given to families with two or more children enrolled at the same time.

The tuition schedule will be September thru May. Tuition is due by the 10th of each month. After the 10th of the month there is a $25.00 fee. Returned checks that are not reconciled prior to the 10th of the month are considered late. Processing charges will be applied for all returned checks. Cashier checks are required after two returned checks. Accounts that become thirty days delinquent will result in suspension of the student/students until the account is current. The student/students will be readmitted when all past due bills are paid. Please see the director if you need to make other arrangements in your payment schedule.

Withdrawal Policy

Two-weeks written notice to the director is required to withdraw your child from the preschool.

Arrival/Departure

Children may enter the classroom at 9:00 when the official class time begins. Teachers are in the classroom prior to 9:00 in preparation for the day ahead. Children may arrive as early as 8:45 a.m. for staff supervised play in the gym or playground. Children remaining with parents prior to the start of class must remain in courtyard or hallways. The parent/guardian must sign his or her child in with the time noted.

The child will be released only to the parent or to an adult authorized by the parent. The person picking up the child must then sign that child out. Parents should be prompt about picking up their children. If a parent is 10 minutes late in picking up a child, a $10 fee will be charged plus an additional $1 per minute thereafter.

Child Assessments

During the year your child's teachers will continually evaluate your child as to his or her developmental progress in the areas of social and emotional growth, cognitive abilities, fine motor and gross motor skills and language abilities.

Anytime during the school year, you may set up an appointment with your child's teacher to discuss your child's progress in his/her development.

Curriculum

We use Preschoolers Can Know God for our Bible curriculum which introduces the children to Christian characteristics that they may apply to everyday living.

The A BEKA Curriculum is used for our academics portion, introducing letter recognition and letter sounds, also number recognition and concepts.

Each week the curriculum will include projects to develop fine and gross motor skills as well as social, physical, emotional and spiritual development.

Our program is well balanced developmentally and academically.

Our daily lesson plans will include :
welcome time
circle time
art project
playtime
snack time
end of day circle time

Once a week, each class will participate in worship time in the chapel.

Health Policies

Medication-Only prescribed medication will be administered by a teacher with written consent from the parent. Parents should check with the child's physician to see if a dose schedule can be arranged that does not involve the hours the child is in school.

Ouch Reports-An ouch report is made by the staff in the event of minor injuries, such as scrapes and bruises, occurring during school hours.

Injury-In the event of a more serious situation, you will be notified immediately. The signed registration form gives us permission to seek medical treatment for your child if you and/or the persons you have designated are unavailable.

Sick Policy

Please do not send your child to school when he or she is ill or when your child exhibits the following symptoms:

Stomachache-If your child has a stomachache which last longer than 4 hours or is severe enough to limit activity.

Vomiting-For 24 hours after vomiting and fever (if present),and until your child can keep food down.

Diarrhea-for at least 24 hours after diarrhea has stopped.

Fever-Please keep your child home until he or she has been free of fever for 24 hours.

Rash-A rash may be the first sign of one of childhood's many illnesses, such as chickenpox. Please do not bring a child with a rash to class until your doctor has said that it is safe to do so.

Common Cold-A cold presents the most frequent problem to parents. A child with yellow or green nasal discharge and/or frequent cough should be kept at home, even when there is no fever.

Sore Throat-Please keep your child at home if the back of the throat looks red and/or if white spots are present, if the child has swollen glands, or if a fever is present.

Clothing

At preschool your child has opportunities to play with many different types of equipment and to explore many kinds of materials.

Your child needs to wear clothing that allows him or her to participate fully in the many learning experiences that are provided.

We recommend that the children wear simple, washable clothing that is free from complicated fasteners. Shoes should fasten securely on their feet. Please no flip-flops or sandals, closed rubber soled shoes are safest. Remember to label all outer garments with your child's name.

Field Trips and Transportation

Field trips are planned throughout the school year as an enhanced learning experience.

Children are required to wear the official preschool t-shirts for identification purposes.

A permission slip must be signed by the parent/guardian prior to the field trip for a child to participate. The person transporting the child to the field trip is responsible for supervising the child during the entire field trip.

All applicable laws governing car seats must be observed. All parents driving children other than their own must provide current proof of liability insurance and California driver's license by providing the office with a copy of both.

Lunch Bunch

Lunch Bunch is an after school program providing an extra hour of play for the child. Lunch Bunch runs Monday-Thursday from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Lunch Bunch Tickets($5.00 each) can be purchased in the preschool office. Your child may bring a sack lunch or snack. On Mondays and Tuesdays for an additional $2.00 you may purchase a hot lunch. Lunch Bunch is a great way for parents to gain an extra hour for errands, and for the children to enjoy the company of their classmates in a fun, enriching, and safe setting.

Discipline Policy

The goal of our discipline is to develop Christ-like attributes within the child. We offer appropriate choices to the children to help them develop skills in positive decision making. The children will receive positive reinforcement for favorable behavior as well as redirection for unfavorable behavior. The steps that will be used to help control their unfavorable behavior will be:

1. A warning

2. Redirection

3. Acknowledging

4. Awaiting of the child's decision to return to the activity

5. Assist the child in returning and being more successful

6. Following through with the loss of privilege when it becomes necessary

Class Rules

Walk inside the classroom.
Use inside voices in the classroom.
Treat others with respect and kindness.
Take turns and share the toys.
Help clean up at the appropriate time.
Wash hands before snack.
Pray as a class before snack.
Raise your hand during circle times if you have something you desire to share.

The staff will use positive redirection while working with the children. Absolutely NO corporal punishment will be used at this school.

Snacks

Every child will receive a mid-morning snack. On a rotating basis, each parent will bring a beverage and snack for each child in the class. Parents should bring nutritious snacks for the children such as crackers, muffins, cheese, fruit, and/or fresh vegetables. Beverages should be 100% juice with no sugar added (No Capri Sun, Hi-C or other sugar added beverages.)

Due to potential allergies, peanut butter and other nut products must be excluded.

Parents are responsible for providing any paper products such as cups and napkins.

Birthdays/Special Events

The entire preschool will celebrate each child's birthday with special songs and balloons. Parents of the birthday child may bring a special treat to be eaten at the end of the school day, in addition to the morning snack, for your child's class only. All birthday correspondence such as cards, invitations and thank you notes must be distributed off campus.

In addition, each class may dedicate a portion of the class-time for special occasions (Fall Harvest, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's and Easter). The teacher will post a sign-up sheet for parent hosts, special snacks or other supplies.

Parent Participation

Families are required to complete fifteen hours during the school year. Suggestions for participation include helping with the fundraisers (the trike-a-thon or creating and manning a booth at the spring festival), taking pictures of school events, etc. Sign up sheets will be available on the first day of school. If you are unable to contribute the 15 hours of incentive work, you must pay a fee of $75.00 due and payable by 11/1/06.

Parental Rules of Conduct

In the best interest of the teachers, students and parents, parents themselves shall adhere to the following rules:

No professional solicitation
Interrupting class without request to Director
Prompt drop-off and pickup of children
Submit written request for a private conference with the teacher to discuss your child.

Resolution of Disputes

"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over." Matthew 18:15

"but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

It is our hope that all matters can be resolved initially between the parties involved. Should a concern or dispute arise with a staff member or another parent, you will need to deal directly with the person with whom you have the grievance. Should the matter not be resolved to your satisfaction, a conference with the director may be scheduled. If the matter is still not resolved the issue may be taken to the Preschool Director.