We are very pleased that your child is enrolled at First
Presbyterian Preschool. Please read this Parent Handbook for our procedures and policies at Preschool. We hope it will be helpful. Please do not hesitate to approach a teacher or the Director if you have any questions or concerns. We will be working together to make your and your child’s experience at Preschool a happy one.

First Presbyterian Preschool provides a safe, nurturing environment for young children of diverse economic, racial, and religious backgrounds. Studies in child development teach us that there are universal, predictable sequences of growth and change that occur in children. At the same time we recognize that each child is a unique person with an individual pattern and timing of growth as well as an individual personality, learning style, and family background. The appreciation of all of these factors provides the framework for the learning environment at this school.

The program follows the Florida School Readiness Performance Standards and the Florida Prekindergarten Education Standards as guidelines for designing and implementing an appropriate learning environment for two, three, four and five years olds. The curriculum is based on the basic developmental needs of young children and offers opportunities and activities through an integrated approach. We believe that young children learn most effectively through concrete, play-oriented activities and that learning is an interactive process. Teachers prepare the environment for children to learn through active exploration and interaction with adults, other children, and materials. These activities match the child’s interest and understanding. All interactions and activities are designed to develop the child’s positive feelings towards learning. We take seriously our responsibility to prepare the children for kindergarten and offer many different learning opportunities with early literacy and math skills. We also work with the children on the important social skills that they will need all through life.

The Creative Curriculum for Preschool (Dodge, Colker and Heroman) is used as the core curriculum for all the classes. The curriculum includes goals in all areas of development:

The majority of students enroll in August at the beginning of the school year. Some children may enter the program during the year if an opening is available. Enrollment is complete when the parents meet with the Director, are introduced to the school, complete the packet of forms and provide the information requested for the child’s record folder.

Orientation to the Preschool program is arranged individually with families. Children and parents may visit regularly prior to the enrollment day. During the first days of school the teachers and the Director keep in close touch with parents.

Preschool opens at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast served to those children whose parents request it. Other children begin their day with free play. We prefer that the children be at school before 9am so that they can participate fully in the morning activities.

A schedule of activities is posted in each classroom. A daily routine that the children can learn and predict, adds to their feelings of security. The two teachers in each classroom plan activities for the class. Group times, literature, art activities, music and bulletin boards will often reflect a theme. Be alert to what is being studied and send from home any books or other materials that may help.

Afternoon activities include nap time, snack, a group time for stories, art, music, outdoor play, and indoor play. Preschool closes at 5:30 p.m.

Snacks: Nutritious snacks are provided in the morning and afternoon. Snack menus are posted in the lunch room.

Breakfast is served between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. Children who do not eat breakfast every day at Preschool may buy an occasional breakfast for $1.25. Please put the $1.25 in the yellow mail box, marked with your child’s name. Please do not bring breakfast from home.

Our lunches are purchased from Elder Care Services and are delivered to the Preschool. We start serving the youngest children at 11:30 a.m. The older groups eat at 11.45am and 12.30 p.m. Parents are welcome to come and eat lunch with their child or occasionally to take their child out for lunch before Nap.

Menus will be provided by the Director and are also posted weekly in the lunchroom.

Parents have the option of sending a lunch from home. An appropriate lunch could be a sandwich, a piece of fruit, and yogurt. Cheese and crackers, peanut butter crackers, cheese sticks, cold cuts, carrot sticks, fruit, rice cakes, fruit cups and pudding are also appropriate. Please do not send candy, gum, or soft drinks to Preschool. We provide all children with milk if they do not bring a drink from home. Please put your child’s name on his/her lunch box or bag and place it in the refrigerator each morning. Empty lunch boxes can be picked-up from the 4s and 5s classroom in the afternoon.

From time to time we may ask parents for cooperation with eliminating certain foods because of another child’s food allergy. In such circumstances, written information would be given by the Director.

We participate in the Florida Department of Health Child Care Food Program. Parents can apply for free or reduced meals if their income indicates they are eligible. All families are required to reapply to the program October 1 each year.

At First Presbyterian Preschool we try to maintain a loving, caring atmosphere. Children are encouraged to be responsible and to respect others. Teachers use positive approaches to help the children to behave constructively, including:

If a child loses self-control, we may remove the child from the area with the other children to help him/her regain control and composure. We try to keep in close touch with parents to work out effective methods to help improve a child’s behavior. This may involve addressing any special needs that could be the cause of hurtful or disruptive behavior. Parents are required to sign our printed Discipline Plan at enrollment.

In order to give the children our full attention, we are not always able to answer the phone immediately. Please allow the phone to ring, and we will answer it as soon as possible.

The teachers value their relationships with parents. Parents who show an interest in their child’s learning and friendships at Preschool also show their child that they value the child’s day- to-day school experiences. We want to keep in close touch. Please let us know how your child is feeling about school or about any issues at home or circumstances that may be affecting his/her behavior. Parents may call or leave a note for a teacher or Director. The teachers make many efforts to keep in touch with parents regarding a child’s progress and development. Daily conversation, notes home, phone calls, bulletin board announcements and parent letters are some of the ways we communicate with parents.

Formal parent conferences are scheduled mid-year, but we encourage you to call and set up a conference anytime you feel one is needed. A telephone conversation may suffice. If a teacher cannot come to the telephone at the time you call, please leave your name and number and she will return the call. Please let us know immediately when you have a change of address or telephone number.

Other opportunities for family engagement may include: Fall Open House, Parent Breakfasts, class parties, Parent Seminars, Spring Program, fund raising activities, playground workdays. Parents can participate in the governance of the Preschool through the Board of Directors. There are three parents elected to the twelve-member Board. Please talk to the Director or your child’s teacher about ways you would like to be involved. Please also watch for specific requests for parent volunteers and offer to help. All parents are encouraged to participate.

Parents are welcome to visit the Preschool any time. Our Open Door Policy gives parents access to their children both in person and by phone during normal Preschool hours. Please remember that First Presbyterian Preschool is a smoke-free zone.

Parents are encouraged to join the Parent Network of the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend. The ELC Parent Network provides resources and support to help parents maximize their role as their child’s first teacher. As a member of the Coalition’s Parent Network, parents will receive:

Every child is required by the Florida Department of Children and Families to have on file a record of a physical examination and age-appropriate immunizations. State Child Care Standards state that if these records are not provided within 30 days of enrollment then the child shall not be allowed to remain in the program. Physical examinations are valid for two years, and parents are responsible for insuring that they keep their child’s immunization schedule current.

Parents are requested to keep a child at home when he/she has a fever, rash, diarrhea, vomiting, a bad head cold or cough, or head lice. A child who is being treated for pink eye may return to Preschool. A child identified as having head lice may return to school the following day if treatment has occurred and been verified with the Director.

No medication will be given unless a parent has filled out a form requesting it. Medication forms are in the red folder in the Resource Room. Prescription medication must be brought to school in the pharmacy container which bears the pharmacy label with your child’s name. Non-prescription medication must also be in the original container marked with the child’s name. The container must indicate the dosage age-appropriate for your child, otherwise we need a doctor’s note indicating the appropriate dosage for your child. A medication form must be completed by the parent for all medication, including topical creams. Medication must be given to the teacher, not left with the child or in the child’s bag. The same teacher administers the medication daily.

Parents may come to Preschool during the day to give a child medicine if they prefer. Please remember to take medication home when it is no longer needed at Preschool. The Preschool does not keep any other medication for use with the children.

Teachers complete an accident report for accidents that happen at Preschool. Parents will find the completed form in the child’s folder at pick-up time. Please sign the form and put it in the yellow mail box. We will call you about any accident other than a minor scrape or bump.

All the teachers at First Presbyterian Preschool are trained in CPR and first aid. We will not hesitate to call 911 if professional help is needed. Parents would then be immediately contacted.

Use the playground gate and 4-5 year-old classroom door for entry. At the beginning of the school year parents will be given the code number for the coded lock on the main door. If you forget the code, please ring the door bell at that door. Make sure you sign your child in on arrival every day. Please accompany your child into the building or playground and deliver your child to a teacher. The clip-board for sign-in will be close to your child’s teacher. Please do not allow your child to accompany you back to the door to say good-bye. Please check your child’s folder and cubby each day for messages or information from the teachers. Parents should also read all bulletin boards daily for information.

In the afternoons the sign-out clip-board will be with your child’s teachers. If your child is to be picked up by someone unknown to the Preschool staff, we will ask to see a picture ID. Please inform us in advance of any changes in pick-up arrangements. We will only release your child to someone whose name is on record unless special arrangements have been made with the staff.

Do not pull your car into the church parking lot or driveway during the morning hours. Please park in the loading-zone along Adams Street. This rule is essential for the safety of the children and to keep cars moving. You may park in the church lot in the afternoons if unmarked spaces are available. Do not park in a reserved space at any time.

Please send a seasonal change of clothing for your child to have on hand at all times. If your child uses a diaper bag at Preschool the clothes may remain in the bag. Otherwise spare clothes are kept in a labeled bag in your child’s cubby in the 4s and 5s classroom. When your child borrows Preschool emergency clothing, please return the laundered clothing as soon as possible.

Clothes worn to Preschool should be comfortable and easy to wash. We are sometimes messy in our work and play. We provide smocks for our classroom painting activities. The paint that we use is "washable," but if it does get on clothing we advise pre-treating the stain before laundering.

Please mark all clothing items, including hats, coats, gloves, sweaters and bags with your child’s name. Sneakers are the preferred footwear. Cowboy boots and flip-flops cause accidents.

For Nap Time please send a blanket or towel and a small pillow, all marked with your child’s name. The children are provided with an assigned, individual cot for the year. Children may also bring a soft toy or "snuggly" for nap, for example a teddy or stuffed animal. Parents are responsible for taking home the blanket and pillow for laundering on Fridays. Nap items may be left in your child’s Nap Room cubby.

Teachers enjoy taking photos of the children for use in the classrooms. Parents will be asked for permission for any use of pictures beyond the Preschool. We arrange for a local photographer to take annual fall individual photos and spring class photos for parents who request them.

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHS
The names and photographs of the staff are displayed in the hallway as a help to parents.

Please do not allow your child to bring a toy from home unless authorized by a teacher, such as for class "Show and Tell". Explain that toys from home will be put up to take home at the end of the day. It is too difficult to protect special toys from being broken. (We do make exceptions for the "security toys" of some of the youngest children.) Please do not allow your child to bring any guns, swords, weapons etc. to Preschool. Books are always welcome.

On rainy days we sometimes watch videos. The teachers carefully choose what is shown. We do our best not to show videos that contain racial or gender stereotypes, inappropriate language, or disturbing violence. We may choose not to show a video brought from home, particularly feature movies, which often have "scary" characters.

Field trips are planned by the teachers to enhance classroom learning. Parents are always informed in advance of any trip away from Preschool using transportation. A general Field Trip Permission Form is completed at enrollment. Walking trips in the downtown area are a regular part of the program. We frequently visit the Leon County Public Library and the downtown parks. Parents are always welcome to accompany the children on a field trip, and parent drivers are often necessary. There will always be a Preschool teacher or substitute teacher riding in a vehicle with your child. Please watch for "sign-up" information and volunteer to help with class trips.

The youngest children (the T.C. Bear class) do not usually leave the building until January.

The children participate in a monthly fire drill. Drill procedures are monitored closely by the Department of Children and Families, Childcare Licensing department.

First Presbyterian Preschool T-shirts and tote bags are available for sale from the Director. We encourage families to buy a yellow T-shirt. It is the perfect shirt for school days. Occasionally we like all the children to wear a Preschool T-shirt for a particular event. No child will be excluded for lack of a T- shirt. Shirts are also available in adult sizes.

The new school year begins the same day as Leon County Schools, this year on Monday August 23, 2010. First Presbyterian Preschool is a year-round program.

In the event of severe weather the Preschool may be closed. If the local State of Florida offices or the City of Tallahassee announces a closing for weather problems, First Presbyterian Preschool will also close. Parents are expected to pick up their children as quickly as possible.

An email notification will be sent to parents as soon as possible in the event of Preschool closing unexpectedly. Parents can listen to WFSU FM or WNLS 1270 AM radio stations, or TV Channel 6 for emergency announcements.

If there is ever a need for us to evacuate the building we would walk to the Leon County Public Library or the Adams Street fire-station and contact parents from there.

We are fortunate to be offered occasional volunteer help from a local individual or organization. All volunteers are supervised closely by the teachers and Director and receive orientation to the program prior to their work. Volunteers are introduced to parents and soon become familiar with the program.

We also welcome volunteer, practicum and field placement students from FSU, FAMU, TCC and Lively Technical Center. These students work under the direct supervision of the Director and the Lead Teachers. You will be informed when students are working in your child’s class. We are occasionally asked to participate in FSU, FAMU, or TCC research studies and projects. Such participation is only with the full knowledge and permission of the parents and under the supervision of the Director and Lead Teachers.

Birthdays or other special events may be celebrated at Preschool with refreshments provided by parents. Please let your child’s teacher or the Director know in advance if you are planning to bring a treat to share. Parents are welcome to come to Preschool to join in the celebration.

When parents are planning a home birthday party for their child, party invitations may be placed in the Preschool folders if the whole class is being invited. If only a few Preschool friends are to be invited, please do not distribute invitations at Preschool. You may call the Director who will share a child’s contact information, if permission has been given by the parent(s).

A late fee shall be charged for late afternoon pick- up in the amount of $5.00 after 5:30 p.m., and an additional $1.00 per minute after 5:35 p.m.

The teacher who is scheduled to close the Preschool will initial the sign-out sheet and the parent will pay the fee to the Director the next day.

Monthly tuition and meal fees are due in advance by the fifth business day of each month. After the fifth day there is a late fee of $25.00. If tuition is not paid in full by the tenth of the month, we reserve the right to end your child’s enrollment at First Presbyterian Preschool unless alternative arrangements have been made in writing with the Director. Please make your checks and money orders payable to First Presbyterian Preschool and put them in the yellow mailbox in the four and five-year-olds’ classroom. Receipts will be placed in your child’s folder.

No tuition refunds are given.

One month’s advance notice of withdrawal of a student must be given to the Director. Tuition will be due for no less than one month after notice of withdrawal has been given.

No reduction can be made in tuition for vacation, illness, or other absence of less than two weeks within a month. A reduction for an extended absence may be made at the Director’s discretion.

Tuition is paid on a monthly basis regardless of the number of school days or holidays in a given month. In the month of December an allowance may be made for meal charges.

2010-2011 FEES

Fees for children in the two younger classes, the Twos & Threes and the Threes & Fours, class are:

Annual Supply Fee $150.00 due September 1^st

Full-time tuition $610.00 per month

Breakfast $27.50 per month, $1.25 per day

Lunch $49.50 per month, $2.25 per day

The only additional costs during the year may be for field trips or special events. No child will be excluded on the basis of that fee.

Children who are enrolled in the State of Florida VPK program at First Presbyterian Preschool are eligible for 540 hours of class time for which there is no charge. The calendar for the VPK days and hours will be distributed by the Director at the beginning of the school year.

The private-pay fees for the Extended-Day hours at Preschool, before and after the morning VPK hours, are:

Extended-Day tuition $410.00 per month

September 2010 – May 2011

Additional Extended-Day fees:

Annual Supply Fee $150.00 due September 1^st

Breakfast $27.50 per month, $1.25 per day

Lunch $49.50 per month, $2.25 per day

After the VPK year is over in May 2011, 4s and 5s tuition for the summer months will be the standard Preschool tuition of $610.00 per month for June and July, and a prorated amount for August 1 – 18, 2011.