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Parent Handbook:
Policies and Procedures
2016 - 2017
5175 South Old State
Lewis Center, Ohio 43035
740-548-6856
Our Philosophy:
Bright Beginnings Christian Preschool offers a Christian preschool program consisting of classes for three, four and five year olds. The administration and staff of our preschool take very seriously the responsibility for teaching the children entrusted to our care. Our goal is to provide a safe and nurturing environment as well as to enhance (through the use of a developmentally appropriate curriculum) the spiritual, physical, emotional, and cognitive growth of children. Knowing that each child is uniquely made by God, we strive to meet the needs of the whole child and to build self-esteem through positive reinforcement. Classroom teachers emphasize the theme of “respect for one another” to promote thoughtful and kind behavior. Teachers also provide fun and stimulating activities to create a pleasant atmosphere for learning.
Bright Beginnings Christian Preschool program works closely with public school curriculum. It prepares children to enter either public or private elementary school, and kindergarten screening can be given upon request.
Bright Beginnings Christian Preschool functions under the authority and guidance of the governing body of Berlin Presbyterian Church. The preschool is licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and is subject to that Ohio Department’s rules and regulations.
Bright Beginnings Christian Preschool staff welcomes you! This handbook contains information regarding our program. Please read it carefully and use it as a reference. Thank you.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. Administrative Information
1. Staff
2. Classroom Ratios
3. Enrolling/Withdrawing a Student
4. Tuition Fees
5. Class Directory
B. School Schedule
1. Days of Class
2. Daily Activity Schedule
3. Outdoor Play
C. Highlighted Activities/Events
1. Scholastic Books
2. Culture and Customs Study
3. Food Pantry Project
4. Community Helpers/ Firefighter Visit
5. Thanksgiving Feast
6. Jesus/Christmas Celebration
7. Spring Music Program
8. Field Trips
D. Procedures:
1. Drop-Off Procedure
2. Pick-Up Procedure
3. Holidays/Snow Days/Bad Weather
4. Conferences
5. Parent Participation
6. Classroom Discipline Policy
7. Safety:
a) Incident/Accident Reports
b) Field Trip Procedure
c) Fire and Tornado Evacuation Plan
d) Lock Down Procedure
e) Miscellaneous
8. Medical and Dental Emergency Plan
9. Management of Communicable Disease
10. Toys
11. Personal Items
12. Snacks
13. Children with Special Needs
A. Administrative Information
1. Staff:
a. Director:
Responsible for the daily operation of the preschool and for communication with families and community members; heads the church Board of Trustees over the preschool
b. Assistant Director:
Responsible for daily attendance and monitoring of
physical activities in the preschool as well as
serving as Director in the Director’s absence
c. Teaching Staff:
Responsible for the education and safety of each
child in their care
d. Teaching Assistants:
Responsible to help teachers with daily activities
e. Music Instructor:
Responsible for music and musical movement
instruction
f. Art Instructor:
Responsible for creative art instruction
g. Spanish Instructor:
Responsible for Spanish instruction
g. Specialty Instructors:
Responsible for special teaching
(ex: Chapel with Pastor Rick Negley)
2. Classroom Ratios:
BBCP State
3 year-olds (younger but potty-trained) 1:8 1:12
3 year-olds (older) 1:9 1:12
4 year-olds (younger Pre-K) 1:9 1:14
5 year-olds (older Pre-K) 1:12 1:14
Kindergarten Enrichment 1:8 1:18
Note:
Ratios at BBCP are lower than state requirements. Group size may double for physical education and/or music instruction. No child will ever be left alone or unsupervised. Children shall be within sight and hearing of preschool staff members at all times. Staff/child ratios shall be maintained at all times.
3. Enrolling/Withdrawing a Student
a. Enrollment:
Children may be enrolled at any time. Classes will be filled on a first come first served basis. The required paperwork including all enrollment forms is due before the first day of each school year. Any changes in this information must be updated immediately so that current information is always on file. A medical form signed by a physician or a certified nurse practitioner must be on file at school by orientation. BBCP will not discriminate in the enrollment of children based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
b. Withdrawing a Student:
In the event a child is being withdrawn from preschool, a thirty-day notice is required. Fees are non-refundable.
4. Tuition Fees
The tuition for our three-day a week program is $2,000.00 for the year. The tuition may be paid in full at the beginning of the year or in ten payments of $200. The tuition for the PreK four-day a week program is $2,550.00 for the year, or $255 for 10 payments. The Kindergarten Enrichment tuition is $1,250 for the year, or $125 for 10 payments. Fees must be paid whether the child attends or is absent. Fees are due the first day of each month, with the 1st payment due at registration. Please make all checks payable to Bright Beginnings Christian Preschool. If you choose to pay with cash, please put the cash in a sealed envelope with the child’s name on it. A $25.00 fee will be charged for any returned checks, and the parent will be required to pay in cash until the account balance is secure. Please check with the director if you need a Tax ID number.
Discounts:
· We provide a 5% discount off tuition for second siblings.
· We provide a 5% discount off tuition for members of Berlin Church.
· Discounts may be combined for a maximum of 8% off tuition.
Tuition Payment Schedule:
PAYMENT # AMOUNT WHEN DUE
3-day/4-day/K-Enrich
Payment #1 $200/$255/$125 At Registration
Payment #2 $200/$255/$125 1st Day of School
Payment #3 $200/$255/$125 October 1st
Payment #4 $200/$255/$125 November 1st
Payment #5 $200/$255/$125 December 1st
Payment #6 $200/$255/$125 January 1st
Payment #7 $200/$255/$125 February 1st
Payment #8 $200/$255/$125 March 1st
Payment #9 $200/$255/$125 April 1st
Payment #10 $200/$255/$125 May 1st
5. Class Directory
A class directory is available to families associated with BBCP. Parents may choose whether or not to participate in this directory by filling out a directory form at the beginning of the school year.
B. School Schedule
1. Days of Class
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00-11:30 AM class - 3’s and 4’s
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12:30-3:00 PM class - 3’s and 4’s
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00-11:30 AM class – PreK
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 12:30-3:00 PM class – PreK
Thursday or Friday and every other Wednesday. 12:30 – 3:00 PM
Kindergarten Enrichment Class
Reminder: We will follow the Olentangy Local Schools Calendar
· The first day of class will begin after Labor Day.
· The last day of class falls before Memorial Day.
2. Daily Activity Schedule (sample only) posted in classroom
**(Kindergarten Enrichment does not include MWF Specials)**
A.M. P.M._________ACTIVITIES___________________
9:00-9:20 12:30-12:50 Greetings, center play/sensory activity upon arrival
9:20-9:25 12:50-12:55 Clean up, transition
9:25-9:50 12:55-1:20 Circle time, prayer, calendar, pledge, weather, name recognition, birthdays, memory verse, etc.
9:50-10:00 1:20-1:30 Bathroom break, wash hands
10:00-10:20 1:30-1:50 Outdoor fun/ Indoor large motor activities
10:20-10:40 1:50-2:10 Wash hands, snack
10:40-11:00 2:10-2:30 Theme activities: lang. arts, science, math
11:00-11:10 2:30-2:40 Fine motor skills, manipulatives
11:10-11:20 2:40-2:50 Clean up, transition
11:20-11:30 2:50-3:00 Story time/Songs/Prepare to go home
Monday
9:00-9:15 12:30-12:45 Chapel Time (all students together)
9:15-11:15 12:45-2:45 Spanish (Each class has 20 minutes of instruction.)
Wednesday
9:15-11:25 12:45-2:55 Art (Each class has 20 minutes of instruction.)
Friday
9:15-11:25 12:45-2:55 Music & Movement (Each class has 20 minutes of
instruction.)
3. Outdoor Play
Research has shown that children stay healthier when they have regular outdoor play. Outdoor play will be included daily in our program. Please send proper clothing for outdoor play. The staff will be aware of the weather conditions, and if the children cannot go outside they will go to the large motor room for recess or gross motor activities. Please do not send children to school in flip-flops or dress shoes.
If a staff member is outside alone with a group of children he/she must be able to summon help without leaving the group. All teachers and administrators have walkie-talkies and/or cellphones to communicate with one another from anywhere in or around the preschool.
C. Highlighted Activities and Events
BBCP will conduct various activities designed to stimulate different aspects of the students’ development. Some examples include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. The children will be offered an opportunity to participate in the Scholastic Book Club. These books are all wholesome reading that include classics as well as modern books.
2. The children will be “traveling” to other parts of the world in their studies to learn about various cultures, languages, and cuisines. The preschool teachers will use a webbing technique so that language arts, math, science, music, art, physical activity, and food fun blend together for vigorous and animated learning. During this unit, parents of various cultural backgrounds are invited to the school to speak to the children about their cultures.
3. Starting before Thanksgiving the children will experience what it means to give
by bringing food for a local food pantry.
4. In the fall, community helpers will come to school to share with the children about their jobs. Fire fighters will also visit in the fall.
5. In the fall, students will learn about the first Thanksgiving and participate in a school wide Thanksgiving feast.
6. In their individual classrooms, children will celebrate Jesus’s birthday at Christmas with a classroom celebration. The children will also have the opportunity to participate in a service project intended to help someone in need during the holiday season. Before the Christmas break parents will also enjoy a schoolwide musical performance presented by the children.
7. The children will perform in a spring program for families and friends.
8. A minimum of two field trips are scheduled for the preschool in the fall and spring.
All activities and events at BBCP are designed to stimulate every area of the student’s development. The foregoing is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Additional activities will likely be added during the school year, and we always encourage parent input. Please feel free to communicate any questions, comments, and/or concerns to the staff at any time.
D. Procedures
One of the responsibilities of our staff is to ensure the health and safety of each child in our care. Staff persons will be attentive to the safety needs of the children, will anticipate possible hazards, and will take all necessary appropriate precautionary and preventative measures.
1. Drop-Off
Parents will drop-off their child at the child’s classroom and make the teacher aware of their child’s arrival. Parents/guardians should always call the office if their child is absent and state the reason for the absence.
NOTES: (1) Starting in early October, we will provide drop off services for parents. Please refer to drop off procedure information below. We will let you know when we are ready to begin the drop off line. Parent volunteers will be needed in order to provide this service. (2) There will be no drop-off on Thursdays.
For Drop Off Line:
1. Enter on the NORTH driveway and drive around to back entrance. A volunteer (wearing an ID badge) will be waiting there.
2. Drop off is 8:55 to 9:05 (AM)/ 12:25 to 12:35 (PM). If you come after 9:05(am)/12:35(pm) and don’t see a volunteer, you must park and bring your child to the classroom.
3. Pull up quickly and move forward so two cars can be unloaded at one time. Please sit your child on the RIGHT. NOTE: Children may be on the left IF they are still able to easily exit on the right.
4. Drive around the playground and exit from the SOUTH driveway.
NOTE: If your child refuses to go with the volunteer or gets upset during drop off, you will need to park in the front and bring your child inside.
For Bring In (if choosing not to do the drop off line):
1. Please enter the front parking lot by the NORTH driveway.
2. Park and enter the building through the right front doors.
3. Walk your child to the classroom. (Wait with your child until the teacher is ready to receive the children.)
4. At 8:55(am)/12:25(pm), you may leave your child with the teacher and exit out to the front parking lot.
5. Exit the parking lot from the SOUTH driveway.
Volunteer Responsibilities:
1. Sign up to volunteer at Charlene’s desk. In order to provide drop off, we will need TWO volunteers EACH week in BOTH sessions.
2. Arrive at 8:50(am)/12:20(pm) and park in the back parking lot.
3. Drop your preschool child off at the classroom. *Teacher must be in the room.*
4. Get your volunteer badge (on Charlene’s desk) and stand outside.
5. Help the child(ren) out of the car and bring to the staff member at the door. Return to the next car and repeat the process.
KEY
2. Pick Up
Parents/guardians will always pick up their child at the child’s classroom. No child will be released to anyone other than a parent/guardian without written permission, and a picture ID which will be requested by the teacher. The preschool staff will honor all legal custody agreements of which they are made aware. A copy of the legal document will be included in the child’s permanent file and will be noted on the student’s pick-up form. Names of all authorized people must be on the child’s official pick-up form. This policy is strictly enforced for the protection of your child. A copy of the child’s pick-up form will be on the back of the classroom door in a pocket marked “pick-up forms.” Parents are responsible for the supervision of their child before and after school while on the premises.
3. Holidays/Snow Days/Bad Weather
BBCP follows the Olentangy Local Schools calendar for all holidays and special recesses. Parents/guardians should listen to the radio and television for school closings in bad weather. If Olentangy Schools has a 1 or 2 hour delay BBCP will have a 1 hour delay. Classes will begin at 10:00 and end at 11:30. The PM classes will meet at the regular times. If Olentangy preschool has early release due to weather, we will not have PM preschool. If Olentangy schools are closed, BBCP will be closed as well.
4. Conferences
BBCP offers a parent/teacher conference in February. However, parents/guardians may request a conference at any time throughout the year. If there is a concern that requires a conference, please follow this procedure: 1) Meet with the classroom teacher; 2) if you are not satisfied with the results of that meeting, contact the director. A meeting in person may be scheduled or a call/email can be made to the teacher or director. Please check the directory for phone numbers/email addresses. Please do not send verbal messages of importance with the children. In addition, teachers have been advised not to talk to parents or guardians in front of the children. An interim report will be sent home in December for each child.