Grace United Methodist Church

PARAN PRESCHOOL POLICY GUIDE

Introduction

Paran Preschool is offered as a ministry of Grace United Methodist Church. It is a small nursery school, offering developmental and age appropriate early education in a Christian environment. In April 1992 the church was approved by the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors to operate a preschool for twenty children. The preschool is covered by the church’s liability insurance policy on the premises as well as on field trips. The school is self-supportive and nonprofit. Students who attend come to us with a broad range of religious and ethnic backgrounds. It holds a religious exemption license from theVirginia Department of Social Services.

Grace United Methodist Church was completed in October 1991 and offers classrooms, a fenced playground area, and use of the social hall to Paran Preschool. There is a child-sized bathroom located within one of the classrooms. There are also two separate adult sized bathrooms available for use and privacy within the church building. A kitchen is available for occasional staff use.

Children will be accepted on a “first come, first serve” basis. Paran Preschool follows the Virginia State Public School Guidelines for enrollment age and will be placed in classes according to their age as of September 30. Children must be age two on or before September 30 for enrollment. Those children between the ages of 24 months and 30 months of age may be enrolled at the discretion of the Director as space permits. Children, who will be turning age five after September 30, thus ineligible for Kindergarten in public schools, may be registered. Children are not discriminated against for any reason including race, gender, religion or national origin. In order to insure a safe, comfortable learning environment, the preschool reserves the right to withdraw any child if he or she exhibits behavioral incompatibility with our program.

Employees of Paran Preschool are CPR trained, have passed a tuberculosis test and have been screened through the Virginia Department of State Police for any convictions for “barrier crimes”. All of our employees are committed to making your child’s preschool years at Paran a positive start to his education.

What makes Paran Preschool different?

As a ministry of Grace United Methodist Church and as a nonprofit organization, Paran Preschool exists to provide the children of neighboring communities with a quality preschool experience at a reasonable cost. Our program offers a small, church based, family oriented program in a nurturing environment. Our program includes recommended curriculum from the United Methodist Church as well as scheduled Chapel time.

Registration

Information about your child is required by preschool policy and specific documents must be viewed by State regulation as part of the enrollment process. Please be prepared to provide us with information about your child that will be helpful while they are attending our school such as health, immunization and guardianship information. It will be necessary for you to complete an enrollment contract and provide us with a Health Immunization form (available at most physicians’ offices). The Director must view the original or a notarized copy of your child’s birth certificate. At the time of registration the annual non-refundable registration fee and the last month’s tuition will be due.

Tuition, Fees and Other Costs

Paran Preschool offers two different tuition plans. One plan is a regular full-rate tuition plan and another reduced rate plan is available for those parents who may wish to assist on a regularly scheduled basis. In the second instance, families may receive a reduction in tuition costs in exchange for one or more parents donating time and assistance to the program as a parent aide. Current registration fees, tuition rates and enrollment information are available from the Director. An annual, non-refundable, registration fee and May’s tuition are BOTH due at the time of registration to ensure a reserved space on our enrollment list. Because our class sizes are limited, we cannot guarantee a reserved spot without the appropriate fee payments. Tuition is due monthly at the beginning of each month September through April.

Payment Policies

1. Tuition is due on the first day of school each month. A late fee of $10.00 will be added if payment is five days late.

2. Prepayment of tuition is allowed. If payment is made in advance, in full for the entire year, a 5% discount is given.

3. We expect parents who make a commitment to assist to be available for the entire school year. You may change your Tuition Plan with the approval of the Preschool Director for the following reasons:

a) Unexpected long-term illness, accident, surgery or pregnancy that will prevent the parent from fulfilling the job as an aide

b) Unemployment of a spouse that makes it necessary for the parent who is assisting to find employment elsewhere

4. NO adjustment in monthly tuition can be granted in the event that a child is absent from school. Preschool expenses continue even though your child may not attend that day.

Tuition according to your contracted plan will remain the same every

Month regardless of days missed due to illness, holidays, vacation plans or

inclement weather. In the event of unforeseen school closings, the

Preschool Board will consider make up days if appropriate.

Children will be registered for specific days of the week.

Exceptions regarding days attended will be at the discretion of the

Director and may be accommodated for special events such as parties

and field trips.

5. If you must withdraw your child from the preschool due to an unexpected circumstance, please give us 30 days written notice. You will not be required to pay tuition after this 30 days. Please remember that your May tuition payment is non-refundable after September 1.

6. If a child enrolls in the middle of a month, tuition will be pro-rated for that month.

Scholarship Policy

Scholarships may be available. The Director and the Treasurer of the Preschool Board will determine eligibility. To be considered for a scholarship, request a scholarship application form from the Director. The completed application and verification of your income will be considered confidentially for scholarship assistance. Scholarships are awarded only if funds are available. If you have any questions concerning scholarships, please ask our Director.

Classroom Management and Behavioral Expectations

Our philosophy concerning appropriate treatment of early childhood behavior is based on the understanding that each child is an individual not only in terms of personality but also development. Therefore, our curriculum as well as our behavioral expectations are “age and stage appropriate”. We strive to meet the needs of each child with reason and respect. Limits and rules are appropriate, consistent, and understandable to the children.

The young child attending preschool is venturing from his or her home environment for the first time into a world of other children, classrooms and teachers. At Paran Preschool we strive to guide the children as they learn appropriate social behavior by modeling and positively reinforcing acceptable behaviors and problem solving strategies. Intervention of inappropriate behaviors occurs on two levels. Redirection to a more positive behavior is attempted first. If this is inadequate and

particularly if the behavior is potentially harmful to the child or peer, the teacher will remove the child for a brief timeout and discuss more appropriate behaviors with the child. A timeout follows the rule of thumb of one minute per year of age of the child. Timeouts rarely occur as the teachers use conflicts and problems as an opportunity to teach children constructive ways of resolving disputes. Behavioral interventions are always neutral and nonjudgmental and never demeaning to the children.

There will be no discipline that is associated with:

1. Denial of food or a snack

2. Embarrassment

3. Corporal punishment in any form

Inside Behaviors

All children will be expected to comply with the following church rules:

1. Running is allowed outside in grassy areas only.

2. Loud voices should only be used outside. When indoors we speak with an “indoor voice”.

3. Close doors quietly and carefully.

4. An adult must accompany children at all times.

5. Children are encouraged to respect themselves and others. They will be taught conflict resolution strategies to enable them to interact well with each other.

In the event that a child consistently displays disruptive or injurious behavior that cannot be modified in the school setting, the Director will be consulted. A parent conference may be arranged to determine a better strategy.

Health Policy

All children are required to be certified by their physician that they are current with all immunizations. Documentation of a health examination within 12 months prior to the start of each school year is required. Please consult your doctor and ask that he or she complete the appropriate form before admittance to Paran Preschool. An updated form must be submitted annually.

It is inevitable that children will contract viruses, bacterial infections, and other illnesses. We ask that you, as parents, honestly determine the health of your child before sending him or her to school. If you were up frequently during the night with your child and suspect illness, please do not send your child to school simply because there is no fever. In addition, if your child has had a fever during the past 24 hours, do not send him or her to school.

If your child has been exposed to a communicable disease, we ask that you notify us promptly of the exposure (IE, Chicken Pox, Conjunctivitis, Strep Throat, and Impetigo, Head Lice). Do not bring your child to school if you are aware of an illness that has not yet been diagnosed by a physician or treated with an antibiotic for 24 hours. A doctor’s note is required for readmittance to preschool. Do not bring your child to school if there is evidence of head lice. Parents will be notified if a child shows evidence and will be required to keep the child home until problem is resolved.

Each child will be observed upon entering school for the following symptoms:

1. Watery, crusty or inflamed eyes or eyelids

2. Glazed or reddened appearance of eyes

3. Deep cough, hoarseness or laryngitis

4. Nasal discharge that is colored and heavy

5. Unusual irritability or tiredness

6. Facial rash, sores, flushed appearance, clamminess, pallor or other unusual conditions of the skin

The classroom teacher will be aware of changes in your child’s behavior or appearance such as:

1. A sudden pallor or flushing of the skin

2. Unusual number of trips to the bathroom

3. Vomiting, gagging, clammy and sweaty appearance

4. Temperature

5. Rash or swelling

6. Irritability, sleepiness or unusual aggressiveness

If a child shows symptoms of illness during the school day, he or she will remain in a designated, supervised area and parents will be contacted immediately. It is the parent’s responsibility to make arrangements for their child to leave school as soon as possible. If parents cannot be reached by telephone, we will contact the designated emergency person. When a child has been exposed to a communicable disease or lice, while attending school, the parents will be notified.

Parent Aide Policy

If someone in your household has been selected to assist as a parent aid, you will be limited to two adults per household, which must be designated in advance. Adults who assist may help in the classroom ONLY IF THEY HAVE ATTENDED THE MANDATORY PARENT ORIENTATION MEETING. The Director will post a monthly schedule at the beginning of each month. It will be each family’s responsibility to sign up for a day to aid in your child’s classroom each month. To insure that there will always be a parent aide present, please make arrangements with another parent to take your turn if you cannot come the day you signed up for. Remember to record the switch on the monthly calendar. There is a penalty for “No Show” aides. The penalty is $25.00 per time, payable to Paran Preschool. Please do not bring younger children with you when it is your responsibility to assist in the classroom. Parents who assist should be aware of the increased risk of exposure to childhood viruses and diseases.

School Closings

Paran Preschool will follow the Albemarle County public school’s schedule for holidays, snow days and work or conference days and will be closed on those days. If public schools in Albemarle County have a one-hour delay, preschool will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. If public schools have a 2-hour delay, the preschool will be closed for that day. Please listen to radio or television stations for school closing announcements (or you may call the Albemarle Public School Hotline at 296-5886). If you miss these, you may call the Director or your child’s teacher.

Please remember that tuition remains the same each month regardless of how many days might be missed because of snow, holidays, illness or other reasons not within our control.

Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures

Preschool starts promptly at 9:00 a.m. Please do not bring your child earlier than 9:00 a.m., as this interferes with the teacher’s set up time. Please turn off your engine and enter through the front door. Sign your child in by signing the attendance book and walk him/her to their classroom. Do not linger. Please provide any information that the teacher may need to care for your child in the form of a written note. Please provide, in writing, the name of any person who will be picking up your child if it is different from usual. Tell your child that you have to go and that you will be back after they have had fun and a snack. Do not linger. Do not sneak out when your child is not looking because this only shakes their trust and causes them to cling harder the next day. It is not at all unusual for a child to take four to six weeks to adjust. We will call if your child is excessively upset in your absence.

Preschool ends each day at noon. Please turn off your engine and enter through the front door. Please remember to come in and sign your child out of school by signing the attendance book at time of pick up. A ten-minute grace period will be given. After that time, a fee of $1.00 per minute will be charged for any child picked up after 12:10 p.m. Please make checks payable to the teacher in charge of your child.

Parking Lot

Please remember to drive slowly through the parking lot. If you are returning late, you might be tempted to step on the gas to get to the door on time. Please remember how dangerous that can be!

Snack Policy

Snack time is mid-morning. Parents take turns bringing in a snack for all of the children, and any necessary paper products. This can coincide with the days you have chosen to assist if you are one of our parent assistants. Regular tuition parents will provide a non-perishable snack at the beginning of each month. Please do not send candy or sticky-gooey cookies, gum or soda. We also ask that you not send popcorn as this presents a choking hazard for children. Fresh fruit accompanied with prepackaged crackers, cheese or other healthy foods make great snacks. Check with our Director if you have a question about what is appropriate.

Personal Belongings and Toys

Children are asked not to bring toys to school. There will be certain sharing days when the children may bring in a favorite toy to share with the other children during free-play. We will also have days when we ask the children to bring in something related to our discussion topic at circle time. We schedule “Bike Day” during the spring and children may bring their bikes and safety helmets to school on that day. All personal items should be labeled with your child’s name. NO TOY WEAPONS!

Daily Cleaning Duties and Friday Clean Up

At the end of each day all floors will be swept, tables wiped and toys put away. Trash will be emptied daily and toddler bathroom sanitized.

On Fridays the rooms used by the preschool will be returned to Sunday School rooms. Toys are put away and large items are stored. Projects are placed in appropriate storage areas. Posters and charts may remain on display on preschool bulletin boards. The parent assistant will help the teacher with these chores.

Mandatory Parent Orientation

A parent orientation meeting is conducted at the beginning of each school year. Attendance by at least one parent is mandatory. The purpose of this meeting is to acquaint you with our school and responsibilities within our preschool. Parents who assist will receive training for their responsibilities at this time.

Parents are occasionally asked to volunteer for certain responsibilities during the school year. These tasks may include toy washing, photography, assisting with special projects, errands, substitute teachers or other assignments that may occur during the year. At the orientation meeting we will ask you to volunteer to perform some of these tasks as needed.

Preschool Board

A Preschool Board consisting of members of Grace United Methodist Church governs Paran Preschool who represents all the committees of the church. These are:

1. Church Council

2. Finance Committee

3. Pastor Parish Relations Committee

4. Two members at-large from the church congregation

As required by Virginia state regulation, all individuals serving on the preschool board must have a criminal record check completed by the Department of State Police, Central Criminal Records Exchange. This process is done for all board members, director, teachers and paid staff and is paid for by the preschool.

A list of names and telephone numbers of current board members will be given to you at the beginning of each school year.

PARAN PRESCHOOL ENROLLMENT CONTRACT

Child’s full name: Name used : __________________

Birth date: Age as of today: Male Female ___

Home address: _______________________________________________________________ Phones/email: _ Please describe any physical limitations (include allergies, asthma, developmental delays): ______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Full name of parents / foster parents / guardians:

Name Relationship to child Work or Home Telephone #

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of Person(s) or Agency having Legal Custody of Child:

Name Relationship to child Work or Home Telephone #

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Physician: Phone# _______________

In case of a medical emergency, and parents or guardians cannot be reached, I give Paran Preschool authority to act on my behalf to secure medical treatment for my child, I understand that I will be responsible for any expenses incurred.

Name two individuals that can be called to come get your child from school in case your child

becomes ill or sick.

Name Relationship to Child Phone #

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Name Relationship to child Phone #

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Person or persons authorized to transport my child to or from preschool (please note any other individual, other than those named here, will not be allowed to transport your child without a written authorization from you. Appropriate paperwork such as the divorce decree shall be attached if a parent is not allowed to pick up the child.):

Name Relationship to child Phone #

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Name Relationship to child Phone #

______________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

(Date) (Signature)

PARAN PRESCHOOL AGREEMENT

I have read the Paran Preschool Handbook and agree to abide by these policies. Acceptance of this enrollment form, the registration fee of $40.00 and May’s tuition of $ assures my child a place at Paran Preschool. I understand that the $40.00 registration fee is non-refundable. The May tuition is non-refundable after September 1 of each school year. I understand and demonstrate this understanding by signing below that I have entered into a full 9 month agreement for my child to attend Paran Preschool.

I have chosen the following tuition plan:

Regular Tuition / 3 days per week - $150 per month ($1350.00 per year)

Regular Tuition / 2 days per week - $120 per month ($1080.00 per year)

$130.00 per month / 3 days per week ($1170.00 per year) which includes my agreement to assist one time per month.

$100.00 per month / 2 days per week ($900.00 per year) which includes my agreement to assist one time per month.

The preschool in return will provide my child with classes during this 9-month period of September through May. Paran Preschool will continue to strive to provide the highest quality preschool care, at a reasonable cost, and will do everything in its power (excluding the forces of nature, loss of facility) to honor this agreement.

Date Signature

Information to be verified and recorded by Director:

IDENTITY VERIFICATION

Place of Birth:

Date of Birth: Birth Certificate Number:______________________

Other form of proof:

Proof of the child’s identity and age may include a copy of the child’s birth certificate, notification of birth (hospital, physician or midwife record), and baptismal record. While programs are not required to keep the proof of the child’s identity, documentation of viewing this information must be maintained for each child.

__________________________________________________________________

Date Director Signature

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1

What makes Paran Preschool different? ............................................................ 1

Registration.......................................................................................................... 2

Tuition, fees and other costs ............................................................................... 2

Payment Policies ................................................................................................. 2

Scholarship Policy ............................................................................................... 3

Classroom management and behavioral expectations ....................................... 3

Inside Behaviors .................................................................................................. 4

Health Policy ........................................................................................................ 5

Parent Aide Policy................................................................................................ 6

School Closings .................................................................................................... 6

Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures ...................................................................... 6

Parking Lot .......................................................................................................... 7

Snack Policy .......................................................................................................... 7

Personal Belongings and Toys ............................................................................ 7

Daily Cleaning and Friday Clean Up .................................................................. 7

Mandatory Parent Orientation ........................................................................... 8

Preschool Board ................................................................................................... 8