Parent Handbook
2014-2015
A Family Ministry of
Eastside church of Christ
916 S Douglas Blvd
Midwest City, OK73130
Director: Erin Jacobs
Little Lighthouses Office: 405-622-2060
Mission: To provide a Christian, caring, supportive ministry to young families by giving parents a few hours a week to take care of their needs and appointments while teaching children about the love of God through a Biblically based educational program.
Curriculum: First and foremost, this is a Parent’s Day Out program. Our number one priority is for your child to be in a safe and nurturing environment. The most important lesson we would want the children to learn is that this building is a safe place. Each class is taught by two teachers. All classes attend Chapel together as a way of promoting spiritual growth and an understanding of what it means to worship together. During Chapel, a central theme will be introduced and then developed throughout the day. Themes are centered on a Bible verse and will include different ways to explore God’s world. We encourage educational and social development through free play and center times.
Chapel: Chapel is led by our Youth Minister, Clay Bryant. He is responsible for a Bible lesson as well as encouraging the children to pray and sing together. We also recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Play Time: Since play is the best way for young minds to learn, most of our activities are focused around playing. Teachers are encouraged to promote fun and interesting environments in which the children learn about the exciting world God made for them.
Outdoor Play: The best way to discover God’s world is to get outside! Weather permitting; each class has a scheduled playtime. All children (ages 1-5) will go outside unless the temperature is below 40 degrees or above 100 degrees (these temperatures include wind chill and heat index factors). If the temperature is below 40 or above 100, or it is raining, we will play in the Foyer of the main building. Please dress your child appropriately and apply sunscreen before your child comes to school. Our teachers are not responsible for applying sunscreen to their class.
1 yr olds: 10:00am - 10:45am
2 yr olds: 10:45am – 11:30am
3-5 yr olds: 11:30am – 12:15pm
Rest Time: It is important for our little ones to get the rest they need. Please see your child’s age group below for specifics. Although not all sleep, it is important for your child to understand that we expect him/her to rest quietly.
1 yr olds: Each child is assigned a Pack N Play and sheetor you can bring a nap mat so they have the same environment every time. Please provide a small blanket/lovey/stuffed animal your child likes to sleep with.
2 yr olds: Please provide a sleeping bag or nap mat with a king sized pillowcase. Also, any blanket/lovey/ stuffed animal your child likes to sleep with.
3 yr olds: Please provide a sleeping bag or nap mat with a king sized pillowcase. Also, any blanket/lovey/ stuffed animal your child likes to sleep with.
4 and 5 yr olds: Please communicate with your child’s teacher if they take a nap each day. Since the younger children will be resting, these two classes will have Quiet Time where they can read books or work on quiet activities. If your child does take a nap, please refer to the 3 yr old section for what to bring, and we will ensure they get the rest they need.
Toys: Please do not bring toys from home. Our teachers have made sure to supply the necessary items for their class and it is very difficult for them to monitor each child’s toys. A security lovey or stuffed animal is allowed for rest time only.
Labeling: Please label all personal items with your child’s first name and last initial. This includes bags, blankets, cups, mats, lunch boxes, coats, etc. We are not responsible for lost items.
Lunches: Pack a lunch your child will enjoy and please help your child’s teacher by following these suggestions:
*Send finger foods that are easily handled
*Use an ice pack
*Send ready to eat food (Lunches will not be heated)
*Include a drink (milk should be in an insulated cup)
*Include plastic or silverware, if needed
Snacks: For ages 1yr and 2 yrs, snacks are provided twice a day. For age’s 3, 4 and 5 yr olds, snacks are provided once a day. If your child has any allergies or food concerns, please address with the director to ensure your child’s class snacks are safe.
Clothing: Please send your child to school in comfortable clothing that is season appropriate. Although efforts are made to stay neat and clean, we may do activities that include paint, glue and outdoor play. We recommend that your child wear tennis shoes or shoes suitable for running and playing. Please, no flip flops.
Arrival Time: Our arrival time is between 9:25am and 9:35am. The entry door (use South Entrance only) will remain locked until 9:25am. This allows our teachers time to pray together and prepare for a well-organized day.
We understand separation can be difficult. We want this program to be enjoyable for our parents, children and teachers. We encourage the parents to come into the classrooms, see what your child will do that day and help them adjust to their new environment. Please slip out before Chapel, which is at 9:45am. Sometimes a quick drop off is best. We want you and your child to be comfortable and enjoy the day. Be assured, your child’s teacher(s) will comfort them and remind your child that their parent/caregiver will return.
Pick Up Time: Please be prompt to pick up your child at 2:30pm. If your child has not been picked up by 2:35pm, they will be brought to the office and a late charge of $1 per minute after 2:35pm will be collected. If you are running late, remember, the 3 people you listed on the enrollment form can also pick up your child. Please make arrangements with them.
Security: Each day you will need to sign in your child and leave a number where you can be reached that day. When picking up your child, you will need to sign them out as well. This ensures that each child leaves with an authorized person. If there are occasions when someone other than those listed on your enrollment form will be picking up your child, please let us know in advance. Your child will be released to another individual ONLY after:
*A written note is left with the director/ teacher with the name, address, telephone number and relationship to the child (i.e. Grandparent, Babysitter, etc)
*A driver’s license is shown to the director/teacher dismissing the child
Health: Parental cooperation is essential in maintaining the overall health of each child attending our program. Please adhere to these guidelines:
*Please provide a current shot record/waiver with the enrollment form for each child.
*A doctor’s note may be required if the child has suffered any lengthy illness or communicable disease before re-entry into the program.
*Please do not bring your child if he/she has shown signs of an illness in the past 24 hours. These include, but are not limited to: fever, rash, acute cold, heavy nasal discharge, constant cough, diarrhea, or vomiting.
*If a child requires any medicine, a Parent/Caregiver must administer it. Our staff will not administer ANY medication. Minor cuts will be cleansed and covered with a bandage. If further aid is needed, parents will be notified.
*Each child will be observed upon entering class. If good health is in doubt, the director will be notified by the teacher before the child is allowed to stay.
*If your child becomes ill during the day, you will be contacted. It is expected that you or an emergency contact will pick up your child within the hour. If your child does become ill, s/he will be waiting to be picked up in the lobby and made as comfortable as possible.
Communication/Special Instructions: If special instructions are needed, please give your child’s teacher a written note when your child arrives in the morning. Please be sure and include the date, your child’s name and a parent’s signature on the note. Verbal instructions can be easily forgotten or misunderstood.
Schedule: We follow Mid-Del Public School calendar with two exceptions. We will begin after Labor Day and will be in session for the parent/teacher conferences (one in the fall and one in the spring). Parents will be emailed (given a paper copy upon request) a yearly and monthly calendar to be informed of scheduled days off throughout the year.
Inclement Weather: We follow Mid Del’s public school calendar, so if they are closed, we are closed. The Director will notify the parents by email. Unfortunately, there are no refunds or credits given for missed days. In the event weather worsens during a day, classes will be cancelled at the Director’s discretion and contacts will be notified.
Financial Policies:
*Payment is due monthly in advance.
*Tuition is due on or before the 1st of each month.
*Tuition is considered late after the 10th. A late fee of $10.00 per enrollee will be assessed beginning the 11th.
*Payments can be made via the Little Lighthouses mailbox cubby by the church office (it is in the upper left corner of the mailbox cubbies). Payments can also be mailed to the church office at ATTN: Little Lighthouses Eastside church of Christ 916 S Douglas Blvd MWC, OK 73130. Please make sure you label your check with your child’s name. Please do not give payments to the teachers.
*If an account becomes one month past due, your child’s enrollment will be subject to termination.
*There is a $30.00 returned check fee.
*Refunds/credits are not given for missed days.
*Tuition can be paid in a lump sum or on a monthly basis.
*Registration fees are not refundable.
*A two week written notice and ½ month tuition will be due if you wish to withdrawal your child from the program (to pay teachers).
Behavior Guidelines and Procedures:
Discipline involves all of life – it is the process of nurturing and training a child towards self-control. This process of discipline is to help a child understand and adopt a set of values so his/her character is shaped rather than his/her behavior merely controlled. Discipline reaches beyond outward control to helping children grow in their ability to relate to others.
In an effort to encourage a positive, productive Christian environment for all children, we at Little Lighthouses will discipline children according to the following standards:
*Respect for God
*Respect for all teachers and classmates
*Respect for classrooms, furnishings, supplies, and property of others
*Obedience to rules
*Respectful language
*No continuous display of temper or disorderly conduct
If these behaviors are not observed, the following steps will be followed:
- Teacher gives a verbal warning and reviews the rules with the child.
- The child will be set in time out (ages 2-5) and the rules will be reviewed with the child (Redirection is used with age 1).
- Repeat offenses will be discussed with the parents.
We look forward to working with you and your child to make this program enjoyable and successful. Please let the director know if you have any questions or concerns. Your input is welcome and necessary to making this program a success!
Enrollment Form
Full Time Student ______Drop In Student______
Child’s Full Name______
Birthdate______Age(as of 09/01/2014)__ M__F__
Address______
City______State_____Zip______
Mom’s Name______Email______
Home #______Cell #______Work #______
Dad’s Name______Email______
Home #______Cell #______Work #______
***If someone other than Mom or Dad needs to be contacted FIRST please list here:
NAME______Phone______
***In case neither parent can be reached, list 3 persons to be called in order of preference (These persons can also pick up your child, with a driver’s license)
- Name______Phone ______
Relationship to Child______
- Name______Phone______Relationship to Child______
- Name______Phone______Relationship to Child______
Help us know your child better:
Since we are only in session one day a week, please help our teachers be able to care for your child better by answering the following questions.
Is your child allergic to anything? Please list allergies and the reaction(s)______
If your child is upset, what is the best way to calm them?______
Is your child afraid of the dark?______
Is your child____diapered___pottytraining___fully toilet trained?
Does your child take a nap?_____If so, please circle 1 Nap or 2 Naps
What time does your child usually lay down for a nap?______
Does your child have a comfort item? Yes / No
What is/are their comfort item(s)?______
Does your child have any food or activity restrictions we should know about?______
Is there anything else we should know about your child that might help us take care of them better?______
______
Policy Agreement for Little Lighthouses
Tuition: The registration fee is $45 per student and is a deposit which guarantees my child a space for the school year and is NOT refundable. I understand that tuition is due on or before the first calendar day of each month and considered late after the tenth calendar day of each month. A $10.00 late fee will be charged for all late tuition. I understand there will be a $30.00 charge for all returned checks. Tuition for a full time student is $55 per month Sept-May, paid monthly in advance. Tuition for a Drop In student is $20 paid on the morning they “Drop In.” Please call one day in advance to make sure there is room for a child to utilize the Drop In option.
No less than 2 weeks written notice shall be given to the director if I plan to withdraw my child at any time. I am obligated to pay for any or all tuition and fees due prior to withdrawing.
Medical: I will use my best judgment when determining if my child is well enough to be around other children. I expect the same from the teachers and other parents. I release Little Lighthouses and Eastside church of Christ from responsibility for accident or injury to my child while attending this program or on the way to or from this program.
Discipline: Our standards are:
*Respect for God
*Respect for all teachers and classmates
*Respect for classrooms, furnishings and property of others
*Obedience to rules
*Respectful language
*No continuous display of temper or disorderly conduct
Levels of Discipline:
- Teacher gives a verbal warning and reviews the rules with the child
- The child will be set in time out (ages 2-5) and the rules will be reviewed with the child(Redirection is used with age 1).
- Repeat offenses will be discussed with the parents.
I,(print)______parent/guardian of ______
haveread and understand the policies listed above and detailed in the Parent Handbook relating to the operation of Little Lighthouses, and agree to abide by them.
Signature______Date______
Medical Release Form
The following information is needed in case of an emergency.
I, ______(please print), the undersigned parent/legal guardian of ______(please print) do hereby authorize Eastside church of Christ’s Little Lighthouses program to consent to medical or dental treatment and hospital care to be rendered to the above named minor in the event of an emergency, in my absence, and while under their care.
Parent/Legal Guardian Signature:______
Date: ______
Treatment Information
Child’s Name: ______
Child’s Birth date: ______
Child’s Doctor: ______Dr’sPh No: ______
Child’s Allergies: ______
Are your child’s shot records up to date? Yes ______No ______
*Make sure you include a current shot record or waiver with your enrollment packet.
Hospital Emergency Department Preference (if circumstances allow):
______
Insurance Company: ______
Policy Number: ______
Picture/Video Release Form
I,______(parent/guardian) of ______(child’s name) hereby authorize the staff of Little Lighthouses to take pictures of my child ONLY for the following purposes:
1. For classroom projects
2. At special events or visits (ie Fire Safety Day or for the year -end program)
These pictures are strictly for the use of Little Lighthouses displays at Eastside church of Christ, for the year-end program or to send home as craft projects. If I have any questions, comments or reservations or change my mind at any time, I am to notify the Director.
Signed:______Date:______
Enrollment Checklist
$45 Registration Fee (Paid ahead of time to hold space – covers all snacks and supplies)
Completed Enrollment Form
Medical Release Form
Picture/Video Release Form
Current Shot Records or Waiver
First Day Check List
First month’s tuition ($55 – pays teachers) paid by first day of school
Nap Mat with pillowcase or sleeping bag
- These can be carried back and forth or we are happy to store them here
- Pack N Plays and sheets are assigned and provided for those in the 1 yr old room
Backpack/Bag
- Change of clothes - including underwear/diapers
- Nap time toy and/or blanket
- Cold lunch and a sippy cup/bottle(See pg 3)
- It is important to send a backpack/bag every time so the teachers have a way of keeping each child’s things together and extra clothes are available for your child.
***Please label ALL items***
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