Preschool Policies


	*PRESCHOOL POLICIES*

Preschool Home	Vision Statement	Admission Policies	Classroom Policies	Discipline
Separation Policy	Tuition	Class Schedule	Delays and Closings	Illness
Safety	Field Trips	Snacks	Parent Volunteers	Preschool Readiness

Staff

Chris Kindlesparger	Director; Home Phone: 482-4636
Sandy Butterbaugh	Teacher, T-Th 3-4 Year old class
Laura Deckard	Teacher, T-Th 3-4 Year old class and AM & PM 4-5 year old class
Terry Voirol	Teacher, MWF 3-4's & ASP
Brenda Hand	Teacher, T-Th 2-3's
Jana Nelson	Teacher, T-Th 2-3's
Peg Cussen	Church Secretary
Pastor Denny Leinbach	Pastor of Bethel

Bethel Preschool Board

Julie Cusick	Chairperson
Chris Kindlesparger	Director
Dawn Roberts	Treasurer
Opal Herrberg	Board Member
Barb Hontz	Board Member
Kathy Smith	Board Member
Betsy Bloom	Board Member

Vision Statement
Bethel Preschool is focused on developing a love of learning in a Christian atmosphere and developing a readiness for kindergarten that emphasizes social skills, academic preparedness, and emotional and spiritual development of the child. We emphasize the importance of play as our primary learning environment. Bible stories, Christian values and prayer are included in our curriculum.
Philosophy

Children's play is their work.
Children are provided with the opportunity to play, share and learn with other children in a safe environment with an atmosphere of acceptance and warmth.
Parents are supported in the difficult, but rewarding task of child rearing.
Bethel Preschool responds to the needs of the community for quality care of children.

Organization
Bethel Preschool is self-supporting and an outreach of Bethel United Methodist Church. The Preschool Board and a paid Director govern it. The Director is assisted by a competent staff of qualified and trained persons who are dedicated to God and to the care of the children.
Community Involvement
Staff is encouraged to become part of an early childhood professional organization through membership, participation in workshops and conferences, or volunteer work.

Communication
It is important that we know of any major events happening in your family's life that can affect your child. Please let the director and teachers know of any deaths, marriage, new babies, moving, etc. Knowing this will enable us to better understand your child and perhaps help them through it.
Admission Policies
Children that are 2 years old before July 1st are eligible to enroll in Bethel Preschool's 2-year-old class. Children that are 3 years old or older before July 1st and are potty trained are eligible to enroll in Bethel Preschool's 3 - 5 year old classes provided enrollment space exists. We enroll only those children who are at a stage of growth and development, which enables them to benefit from the care and educational program. We cannot provide service to any child whose needs cannot be met or whose behavior endangers other children.

Classroom Policies
Each child may bring one special comfort item such as a stuffed toy or small blanket until that child is comfortable with his/her surroundings. Toys brought from home are discouraged unless it is a special day designated by the teacher. Fighting toys such as guns, knives, swords, or action figures with such items are not permitted at Bethel. Children are not allowed to enter the classroom drinking or eating food or candy from home or chewing gum.

Discipline Policy
Children are small, tough, exasperating, interesting, and lovable. To be "good" with children, we watch each face and listen to each voice. We observe what each child is like, how each is feeling, how each plays, and moves around. We get to know the weaknesses and strengths of each child and of the group. This is how good discipline begins. The word "discipline" is derived from the word "disciple," someone who follows the teachings of another. Discipline means learning. It does not mean punishment, tears, or humiliation. It means a chance to learn how to live in a social world. Discipline is not something adults do to children. It is something they do with children. The goals of discipline are self-control, responsibility, and self-discipline. Children need help in controlling their behavior. Most important, they need to become responsible for their own behavior and develop self-control. Teachers are most likely to achieve the goals of discipline when they respond to the cause of behaviors as well as to the behaviors themselves. We ask, "why" silently before reacting/responding. Teachers may utilize a variety of discipline techniques to meet the needs of different situations:

Let children make some decisions and choices - one good way to teach responsibility is to give the child as much responsibility as possible.
Give reasons for rules - understanding the reasons for rules make it easier to remember and follow them.
Be consistent in our language and behavioral response to children - consistent behavior by adults facilitates development of inner control through modeling.
Remove children from situations they can't handle - if a child is too young to understand, or there is no way to change the cause, it may be possible to change the situation.
Redirect children's behavior - often there is a way to let children do something in a better place or safer way.
Let children learn the consequences of their actions - experience is the best teacher.

Teachers WILL NOT humiliate or demean a child in any form, verbally or physically. Such actions will be cause for immediate dismissal. No punitive action toward children will be tolerated including slapping, hitting, and/or spanking. The return of negative behavior, such as biting back, is also not acceptable. Children do not like those moments when they are out of control. They need adults, at those times, to firmly, with gentleness, exert control. Returning negative behavior deepens frustration. Firmly holding and gently verbalizing, calms, and fosters control.

Separation Policy
Successful separation builds trust, resulting in children who view adults as a source of support. Whenever parent and child or teacher and child separate, the situation must be handled with honesty and an appropriate degree of seriousness, and support, which aids the child in coping. The issue of separation within the preschool routine must be met with careful planning. Separation is an integral part of life, to be coped with every day, hopefully with increasing comfort and mastery. Prior to entrance in the preschool program, the parents and teachers will be given the opportunity to meet for orientation to the environment, program and needs of the child. This marks the beginning of what must become a trust relationship between parent and teacher. Children benefit from such a relationship among those sharing in their care. Children will sense their parent's acceptance or non-acceptance of the preschool situation. This will affect their attitude and behavior upon entering the program. In the process of their emotional task, teachers will benefit a child through the following actions:

Understand and empathize with the child. Recognize his/her feelings. Acknowledge these feelings.
Share the conviction that this emotional task has value. Believe the child can and will master separation. Indicate your belief through action and language.
Once you have acknowledged and shared your belief in the child, make an effort to genuinely involve him/her in the program.
Affirm the child through action and language as progress is made in the separation task.

Avoid the other extreme of over-sympathizing and doting over the child and his/her anxiety. Remember to balance your reaction with acknowledgment, empathy and conviction that will support mastery being achieved. Tuition
Tuition is due the 1st school week of the month. A $5.00 late fee will be charged for each week that the tuition payment is past due. You will receive a receipt the following week. Please make checks out to Bethel Preschool. You must also put your child or children's name on the check so credit can be made to the correct account. If we receive any bounced checks the family will be liable for all bank fees. After we receive 2 bounced checks from any one family we will only accept cash or money orders for the rest of that child's schooling. The tuition checks are to be put in the red barn located in Room E1. The barn is on top of the bookshelf and is locked and very secure. Tuition rates are as follows: $70 per month for 2 sessions per week $95 per month for 3 sessions per week $180 per month for 3 day Kindergarten We will give a $5.00 discount per month for each additional sibling. We will give a reimbursement at the end of the school year, if the school is closed due to acts of God, after: 5 closed days for the 3-day a week program 3 closed days for the 2-day a week program

Class Schedule
Class Time: 9:00 - 11:30 A.M. and 12:30 - 3:00 P.M. Arrival: 8:50 - 9:00 A.M. and 12:20 - 12:30 P.M. Please do not arrive before scheduled times. Teachers need time to prepare for your child's class. Please bring your child into the classroom and sign them in. We will need an emergency phone number and name of person who will pick up your child. Dismissal: 11:25 - 11:35 A.M. and 2:55 - 3:05 P.M. We dismiss by car number. When you arrive, please pull up parallel to the sidewalk facing Lima Road, display your number on the passenger side window and the teacher will bring your child or children out to the car. Please do not come in to pick up your child unless you have made prior arrangements. The school must be notified in advance (489-3651) if there is any change from the regular pickup. Please be prompt. During arrival, children must be accompanied to the classrooms by parent or carpool parents. During departure, the teacher must accompany children to the parents or carpool parent's car.

Delays and Closings
If Fort Wayne Community Schools have a one-hour delay due to weather we will start at the normal time. If Fort Wayne Community Schools have a two-hour delay due to weather our A.M. hours will be: 10:00 - 12:00 and PM will be 1:00 - 3:00. If Fort Wayne Community Schools close due to weather we will be closed also. Please come only when you feel it is safe to transport your child/children to school. Call the school any time your child will not be attending unless school is closed.

Children's Illness Policy
We ask that you have all your child's immunizations up-to-date and that the child have a regular annual check-up. If your child has a fever or upset stomach, please keep him/her home for at least 24 hours. If he/she has diarrhea, please keep him/her home for at lease 24 hours after it has completely cleared up. We maintain an active pace and it is not fair to your child or the other children if he/she does not feel well. When symptoms are present which cause concern about the health of a child, the director has the right and responsibility to request that the child not attend that day. Cold, Tonsillitis, Flu - child may come back after fever is completely gone (24 hours) - Thick running noses are not permitted! Children are expected to use tissues provided by the school. Chicken Pox - Three days after newest blisters start drying he/she may enter school. The school must be contacted if your child has chicken pox. Pinworms - If the child is put on medication early, he/she may stay in school. The first dose of medicine kills. If a child becomes ill while attending preschool, every effort will be made to remove the child from his/her room and away from the other children. The child's parent or another authorized adult will be contacted to come for the child. Parents are requested to contact the preschool office (489-3651) when their child is kept home due to illness. Should the children be exposed to a communicable disease at preschool, a notice will be posted to inform the other parents. Children will be given first aid in the event of an accident. However, further medical treatment is the responsibility of the parent. In the event of a medical emergency, children will be taken to an emergency room and the parent will be contacted immediately. The parent pays the cost of the emergency room treatment. If a child is on medication, it must be prescribed by a physician and be taken to the director in an appropriate pharmacy labeled container. We ask that non-pharmaceutical medication (i.e. aspirin, cough syrup) be given before and/or after preschool hours by the parent. However, if it is needed during preschool then the parent needs to submit a written order from the physician.

Playground Safety
The teachers will be helping the children to learn the following playground rules:

Do not run or walk behind or in front of swings
No throwing of sticks, sand, rocks, etc.
No running with sticks or other harmful objects.
No climbing on fences.
Space yourself on slides and go up and come down without dawdling

Field Trips
Our 2-3 year old class will not go on field trips. We will have special guests come into the classroom a few times throughout the school year. Our 3-4 and Pre-K classes will go on several trips throughout the school year. Written permission slips must be filed with teachers for each child before the first field trip is taken. Following are a few simple rules we follow:

Children must be loaded into cars at the curbside of the vehicle.
Children must be secured in cars with seat belts or car seats depending on the current laws. This is a must.
Children will wear tags that list the schools name and phone number, but not the child's name.
A note will be given to the director before each field trip to let her know how many children and how many adults are going, date, and place visiting.
One adult to each three to five children is suggested, depending on the age of the children.
Teachers will bring items needed in case of emergency, including emergency information for each child and first aid supplies.
Safety rules will be reviewed with children before leaving the school.
The teachers will be asking parents for field trip ideas and encouraging them to volunteer to accompany the children whenever possible.
Parents are not to conduct any personal business while on a field trip.

Snacks
Please sign up 4 or 5 times during the year to bring a small snack to share with the class. Keep in mind that this is not a treat but a snack that should be healthy and set a good example of positive eating habits. The teachers will notify you prior to your scheduled day regarding the number of students. Some good snacks the children like are: apples, cereal mix, cheese, Rice Krispie squares, pretzels, bananas, raisins, grapes, small cookies, finger Jell-O and animal crackers. Please no chocolate or cupcakes at anytime. The preschool will provide the drinks, cups, and napkins.

Birthdays
If your child has a birthday during the school year, you are welcome to bring in a special treat to share with the class at snack-time or something that the children can take home. (Please do not bring in cupcakes for the treat.) If your child has a summer birthday we will celebrate their birthday.

Star For A Day
Starting in October, each class will have a sign up sheet so that each child will have a special day sometime throughout the school year. We want this to be a day that is not on or close to their birthday. Each child will get to bring in something special to share with the class such as, a book, a pet, pictures, or a toy. We would also like to have the parents come for all or part of their child's special day because you are a very special part of your child's life.

Parent Volunteers
We are encouraging parents to be active in their child's classroom once a month. There are many activities and duties you can help with. Please talk to the teacher about how you can help.
Readiness for Preschool
Your child should know his/her name. Label all outdoor clothing plainly with last name, including boots and mittens, etc. Each child needs a large tote bag or backpack that is very easy to open to carry work home. Label with last name. Please bring to school every day and check inside for notes and/or projects every day. Encourage your child to do everything possible for him/her self, such as putting on and taking off their own coat and shoes, opening and closing their backpack. Children need to wear play clothes* to school. Shoes with good gripping soles are important. It is normal for preschoolers to be active and occasionally paint will get on clothes even though we wear smocks. Your child needs adequate rest at night. * Play clothes: These are clothes that can and will get dirty and paint will also get on them. They also need to be easy for the child to handle their bathroom needs. Please no belts or overalls. Pants with an elastic waist are best.