Little Lambs Christian Preschool
One of the flock
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
1429 N. Dakota St.
Aberdeen, SD 57401
Phone: 229-3883
Director/Teacher
Maggie Bruns
Jesus said, “Feed my Lambs”.
John 21:15
Welcome:
Welcome to Little Lambs Christian Preschool! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with your child. I will do my best to give your child a rewarding educational experience!
Teacher:
Welcome to the 2014-2015 school year! As we look forward to the start of this year let me share a little about myself. This will be my third year with the Little Lambs Preschool. I am a graduate of Northern State University with a degree in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood endorsement. My specialization is from birth-8 with a kindergarten endorsement. I will continue to take classes to further my education and bring new ideas back to the classroom to share with your child.
Mission:
Little Lambs Preschool nurtures a love of God and a love of learning.
Philosophy:
Preschool is a place where many children begin their initial educational experience. It is a time of growing in awareness of self and of others. A preschool program allows children to play, explore and imagine. Through play children learn many readiness skills that prepare them for future educational experiences. Motivation and encouragement will be given to help develop responsibility, self-discipline and creativity. Each child will feel safe, loved and respected. Each child will be recognized as an individual with individual needs and potential. It is a place where friendships are made!!!
Goals:
¨ Develop a Christian connection between families and young children and the church
¨ Provide an early childhood Christian curriculum that is developmentally appropriate
¨ Provide a safe, inviting environment where children feel free to speak, create and explore
¨ Educate the “whole child” socially, emotionally, physically, intellectually and spiritually
¨ Develop positive concepts about self, family, friends, school and church
Days & Hours of Preschool:
3 year olds Tuesday & Thursday mornings
8:15-11:00
4-5 year olds Monday/Wednesday/Friday mornings
8:15-11:00
Monday/Wednesday/Friday afternoons
12:15-3:15
Tuition:
2 Day Session- $80
3 Day Session- $110
*There is a $50 non-refundable registration and supply fee due when registering to reserve your spot.
*Payment is due on the first school day of each month. Please make checks payable to Little Lambs Christian Preschool.
*If payment is not made by the second school day of the month, a reminder note will go home. If payment is not made by the third school day of the month, there will be a $2 late charge.
*Scholarships are available for those who need financial assistance.
Before Preschool Care:
There will be an individual available to watch children from 7:45 until 8:15a.m. This will be available Monday thru Friday at a cost of $1.00 per day. Payment for Before Care will be added to the tuition bill at the beginning of each month. Only those who are registered will be allowed to use this convenience.
Schedule:
Each day will consist of: circle time, learning centers, art, snacks, music and movement, story time, prayer and Bible readings. We will have Chapel Time once each week. Flexibility is necessary when working with young children, so the schedule may change daily.
School Supplies:
Your child needs to bring a school bag each day. Please be sure to check your child’s bag for notes and artwork that they will be bringing home! A list of school supplies will be sent home before school begins. Please have your child bring these items on the first day of school.
Snack Time:
The monthly calendar lists which child is responsible for bringing snacks each day. Please bring 1½ dozen treats. You may bring juice if you choose to. Good nutrition is stressed! Please try to avoid sweet treats. Alternatives to sweet treats might be: fruits, vegetables, crackers, cheese, nuts, popcorn, finger jell-o, rice krispie bars, banana bread, muffins etc. Please feel free to bring special treats on birthdays and holidays.
Curriculum: Included will be…
· Thematic Units (examples~ dinosaurs, colors, feelings)
· Experiences to develop perceptual skills
· Language development experiences
· Free play activities
· Creative art experiences
· Music and movement
· Stories and creative dramatics
· Games and exercises
· Social and health habits
· Science experiences
· Snack time
· Cooking experiences
· Bible Stories
· Prayers
· Chapel Time
Conferences:
We will have a conference in October and one again in March. These will be listed on the monthly calendar and in the newsletter. Your child will not have preschool on these days.
Show and Tell:
Each month your child may bring something for show and tell. The specific day will be listed on the monthly calendar or in the newsletter. During the month of September we will not have show and tell. Each child needs this month to adjust to the new environment.
Holidays:
We will generally take the same holidays and vacations as the Aberdeen Public Schools. I will put reminders in the monthly newsletters. There will be holiday parties during the year that I will make you aware of.
Adverse Weather:
The school policy is that if the Aberdeen Public Schools close so will the preschool. Listen for closings on the television or on the radio stations. If there is a late start of 1 hour we will have preschool starting at 9:15. If the late start is more than 1 hour we will not have morning preschool. If there is an early dismissal and afternoon preschool has started, we will dismiss the same time as the public schools. Should the public schools announce a closing before the afternoon session has started; the afternoon session of preschool will not meet.
Absence:
If I am ill or unable to attend school, I will have a qualified substitute. If your child is ill or misses school, I cannot refund your money because a child’s place cannot be filled during his/her absence. Please be sure to notify me if your child is not attending. Notify me if there are any physical or emotional disturbances, which might affect the child’s attitude.
Parent Participation:
You are always welcome! I encourage you to observe in the classroom. Please allow your child at least a month to adjust before planning to visit. Please notify me ahead of time if you plan to visit. I may need some volunteers during the year to help with field trips or special occasions.
Field Trips:
At least one field trip will be planned during the year. The three-day group may have additional field trips. All children will be required to wear seatbelts and use the booster seats I provide. I may need volunteers to help with transportation.
Transportation:
The preschool does not provide transportation to and from. Please let me know your driving arrangements. You must complete the transportation form so that I know who is responsible for picking up your child.
Clothing:
Dress your child in comfortable, washable play clothes that are suitable to weather conditions. Please provide an extra set of underwear and clothes in the child’s backpack in case of an accident. It is helpful to have your child’s outer clothing and boots marked with their name. Children must wear BOOTS, MITTENS, and HATS during the winter.
Admission and Withdrawal:
Children must be toilet trained and three years old by September 1st. I hope to have your child all year. However, if at any time during the year the parents or teacher feels that the child’s adjustment is not satisfactory, for medical reasons, or because of a work transfer, a 30-day written notice must be given.
Arrivals and Departures:
If your child is not receiving before care, please do not bring him/her until five minutes before preschool begins. When dropping off and picking up your child, please park in the parking lot. Please walk them into preschool. We will meet you at the curb at the end of preschool. This helps to ensure the safety of each child. Thanks!
Emergency:
In case of an emergency, severe illness, or accident, your child will be taken to Avera St. Lukes or Sanford and you and your family physician will be notified immediately.
Little Lambs Christian Preschool admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.
Little Lambs Christian Preschool
2013-2014 School Year Calendar
§ August
27 Open House
§ September
3 School Begins
15 Walk-a-thon
§ October
14 No School-Columbus Day/Native American Day
24 & 25 No School- Conferences
§ November
3 Brunch and singing in church @ 10:45am
27-29 No School- Thanksgiving Vacation
§ December
19 T/TH Christmas Program
20 MWF Christmas Program
23-January 3 No School- Christmas Vacation
§ January
6 School Resumes
20 No School- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
§ February
17 No School- Presidents Day
21 Spaghetti Supper
27 & 28 No School- Conferences
§ March
14 No School- Spring Break
20 & 21 No School- Spring Break
§ April
18 No School- Good Friday
21 No School- Easter Monday
§ May
15 Last Day of School (T/TH)
16 Last Day of School (MWF)
‘Play Today?’
Leila P. Fagg
You say you love your children
and are concerned they play today.
So am I—that’s why I’m providing
a variety of kinds of play.
You’re asking me the value of blocks and
other such play?
You’re children are solving problems.
They will use that skill every day.
You’re asking what’s the value of
Having your children play?
Your daughters creating a tower;
She may be a builder someday.
You’re saying you don’t want you son
to play that “sissy” way?
He is cuddling a doll;
He may be a father someday.
You’re questioning the interest center?
They just look like useless play?
Your children are making choices;
They will be on their own someday.
You’re worried your children aren’t learning?
And later they’ll have to pay?
They’re learning a pattern for learning.
For they will be learners always.
A precious right and necessity of childhood is the right to play richly, joyously and freely. Children process and learn information by playing. They are active learners. Through play children learn what no one can teach them. The teacher prepares the environment and sets up the experiences to build a foundation for learning and life.