Crocus Academy
“Where Families Bloom”
Parent Policies and Procedures
Crocus Academy Parent Policies and Procedures
Table of Contents
- Welcome Letter
- Hours of Operation
- Program Philosophy
- Positive Discipline
- Parent and Child Bill of Rights
- Discipline Policy
- Parent Notification of Behavior
- Transition Tips
- Items for School
- Service Information
- Sample Schedule
- Tuition Payment Policy
- Tuition Checklist
- Health and Wellness Policy
- Child Safety Procedures and Policy
- Emergency/Disaster Preparedness
- Holidays and Celebrations
- STARS for Kids Now
- Notes
Welcome Letter
Thank you for choosing Crocus Academy for your child’s preschool and prekindergarten education. In operation since 2003, Crocus Learning Centers are proud to offer exceptional early education that caters to the whole family. It is our goal to provide a comprehensive program that features educational opportunities and experiences that foster cooperation, teach responsibility and promote independence, all within an environment that is free from bias and stresses the Christian principles of brotherly love and peace. At Crocus Academy, we believe that when children feel respected and loved, then their social behavior reflects that acceptance, and it is our hope that our students will learn to follow the greatest commandment, “to love one another”.
Positive Discipline will be the only behavioral guidance model used in all Crocus Learning Centers, and all staff are trained in this guidance philosophy. Through class meetings, compliment sessions and adult-modeled behavior, Crocus Academy students gain experience in problem-solving, making cooperative decisions and voicing opinions in constructive ways. As both owner and administrator, I am committed to ensuring that all staff and administrative leaders provide a unique learning environment that inspires great esteem and self-confidence in all our students. Thank you for your confidence in our program, and we look forward to getting to know your child and your family.
Sincerely,
Brenda Hagan
Hours of Operation
All centers have schedules that are designed with their location and community needs in mind. A sample schedule is listed below, and each Crocus Academy location has that school’s schedule posted on site.
Preschool and Prekindergarten Half Day Schedule
7:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Preschool and Prekindergarten Full Day Schedule
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Classes begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 11:45 a.m. Students may arrive as early as 7:30 a.m. and need to be picked up no later than 12:15 p.m.
- Students who attend the full day program need to be picked up no later than 5:00 p.m.
- A late fee will be assessed at the rate of $1.00 per minute per child, based upon individual schedules.
- All children must be fully toilet-trained upon entry into Crocus Academy. There are no diaper changing facilities at Crocus Academy, so this is non-negotiable.
- Each location has a schedule that reflects that community’s school calendar. All families will receive upon entry an annual calendar indicating all holidays, special events, and scheduled closings.
Program Philosophy
Years ago, when my children were younger, I could not find a preschool that met the needs of my three year old daughters, Libby and Ellie. I had worked in preschool both as a teacher and an administrator for about ten years, and I had some strong opinions about what young children need and how to provide for those needs, things like low child to staff ratios, educated and experienced teachers and a relaxed environment with a structured curriculum. After much prayer, my husband and I decided to open Crocus Academy, an early education facility that would encourage and educate both children and families.
Because early education is our purpose, we assess each child to determine existing skill levels and to prepare for future instruction. We get to know each child, his or her likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, and we work to focus on their strengths and provide lots of opportunities and experiences to explore these. In addition, we look at areas that may need improvement and try to find creative ways to work without frustrating or discouraging students. We strive to provide a quality educational environment and curriculum that prepares children for school without sacrificing the joy and wonder of learning. Crocus students learn lifelong skills that will help them grow into responsible, independent young people who can communicate and cooperate with others as they develop.
Parents are a key component to the programs at Crocus Learning Centers, because ultimately, parents are their child’s best teachers. Most field trips are planned for weekends or evenings in order to enable parents to attend; therefore, our families and staff are able to make connections and share fellowship in ways that encourage, educate and empower young families. A former parent, Mary Ann Downs, once complimented Crocus Academy by saying, “Crocus is a school that works for the family, instead of the family working for the school.” Just as the crocus pushes its head through the cold winter soil and snow, seeking the warm sunshine, we give our students the tools they need to enter school, seek learning with enthusiasm and excel. It is truly our goal to watch them bloom, not just while they are with us, but throughout their lives.
Brenda Hagan
Crocus Academy
“Where Families Bloom”
Positive Discipline
An important component in the educational process for young children is accountability, and we believe that discipline is Biblical, and has restorative powers for children of all ages; however, it must reflect the love, care and respect of young children. At Crocus Academy, the only form of guidance strategy that is implemented is Positive Discipline. All staff have been trained in the techniques of Jane Nielsen’s Positive Discipline, and are required to follow these procedures at all times. Time out is never used at Crocus Academy, because we feel that in terms of overall effectiveness, it is not the ideal model for behavioral guidance. Positive discipline is a model of behavioral guidance that encourages children to choose appropriate behaviors. The basic premise behind this guidance strategy is that if children feel good about themselves; feel a sense of belonging; feel a sense of respect from their peers and teachers; and feel a part of the decision-making process, then they will naturally have good behavior. Children are a part of making and enforcing class rules, compliment sessions and problem-solving sessions, and all of these activities foster a sense of ownership of the school and their learning environment. Ultimately our goal is to help children grow into respectful, independent and compassionate leaders, and by providing them opportunities to work together with respect and cooperation, we are helping young develop lifelong skills.
All child care providers are legally considered court-mandated reporters in terms of child safety and as such, are required to report any instance of child abuse and/or suspected child abuse to CHFS at 348-9048.
In addition, all schools must follow the mandate below:
“Pursuant to KRS 199.896 (12): Centers licensed pursuant to this section shall not use corporal physical discipline, including the use of spanking, shaking or paddling as a means of punishment, discipline, behavior modification, or for any other reason. For the purpose of this section, “corporal physical discipline”means the deliberate infliction of physical pain and does not include spontaneous physical contact which is intended to protect a child from immediate danger.
The following shall be reported to the Cabinet for Health Services and other agencies specified in this section within twenty four hours from the discovery of:
1.Communicable disease to the local health department pursuant to KRS 214.010.
2.An accident or injury that requires medical care
3.An incident that results in legal action by or against the child care facility that affects a child or staff member
4.An incident that involves a fire emergency
5.Any incident that involves invoking the Disaster Preparedness Policy
Parent and Child Bill of Rights
Pursuant To KRS 199.898
(1) All children receiving child care services in a day-care center licensed pursuant to KRS 199.896, a family child-care home certified pursuant to KRS 199.8982, or from a provider or program receiving public funds shall have the following rights:
a. The right to be free from physical or mental abuse:
b. The right not to be subjected to abusive language or abusive punishment: and
c. The right to be in the care of adults who shall meet their health, safety, and
developmental needs.
(2) Parents, custodian, or guardians of these children specified in subsection (1) of this section shall have the following rights:
a. The right to have access to their children at all times the child is in the care and access to the provider caring for their children during normal hours of provider operation and whenever the children are in the care of the provider;
b. The right to be provided with information about child-care regulatory standards; and how to file a complaint;
c. The right to file a complaint against a child-care provider without any retribution against the parent, custodian, guardian, or child; and
d. The right to information from the cabinet regarding any type of licensure denial, suspension, or revocation of an operator, and cabinet reports that have found abuse or neglect by any child-care provider or any employee of a child-care provider. Identifying information regarding children and their families shall remain confidential;
e. The right to obtain information from the cabinet regarding the inspections and plans of correction of the day-care center, the family child care home, or the provider or program receiving public funds within the past year; and
f. The right to review and discuss with the provider any state reports and deficiencies revealed by such reports.
(3) The child-care provider who is licensed pursuant to KRS 199.3896 or certified pursuant to KRS 199.8982 shall post these rights in a prominent place and shall provide a copy of these rights at the time of the child’s enrollment in the program.
Effective 7/15/1998
Division of Regulated Child Care,
275 E. Main Street, 6E-B
Frankfort, KY. 40601
502-564-7962
Discipline Policy
An important component in the educational process for young children is accountability, and we believe that discipline is Biblical, and has restorative powers for children of all ages; however, it must reflect the love, care and respect of young children. At Crocus Academy, the only form of guidance strategy that is implemented is Positive Discipline. All staff have been trained in the techniques of Jane Nielsen’s Positive Discipline, and are required to follow these procedures at all times. Time out is never used at Crocus Academy, because we feel that in terms of overall effectiveness, it is not the ideal model for behavioral guidance. Positive discipline is a model of behavioral guidance that encourages children to choose appropriate behaviors, and it involves communication that reflect behavior choices and the consequences of those choices. Ultimately our goal is to help children grow into respectful, independent and compassionate leaders, and by providing them opportunities to work together with respect and cooperation, we are helping young develop lifelong skills.
Crocus Academy maintains compliance with the Kentucky Parent and Child Bill of Rights which are posted in your center’s designated mandatory postings. Crocus Academy students are guaranteed the following rights as mandated by KRS 199.898:
- The right to be free from physical or mental abuse
- The right not to be subjected to abusive language or abusive punishment
- The right to be in the care of adults who shall meet their health, safety and developmental needs
Any type of physical aggression or verbal abuse will be considered a form of bullying, and Crocus Academy has a zero tolerance policy for any form of bullying. It is understandable that young children entering a structured program may need time to learn and adapt to the rules of the program, and in the first few weeks of school, behavior issues are addressed with students and parents in order to make the transition easier. It is our policy, however, that if a child hits, pushes, bites, kicks, spits, etc… another child or a teacher, the parent will be notified in writing. Three incidents will result in the parent being called and the child sent home. If/when this happens, parents need to discuss the situation with the child and specifically address the exact behavior, how that would feel to them, and then they need to offer other ways for the child to respond to the particular situation that prompted the behavior. If uncertain about how to handle this, please talk to the center Director for guidance. Do not tell your child to hit, bite, kick, push, spit, etc.. back. This only worsens the situation. Providing a safe environment is a primary goal for any educational program, and Crocus Academy is dedicated to providing a learning environment that is safe, respectful and loving for all our students.
In situations where a child is physically aggressive, parents will be notified in writing. After three notifications, a conference will be scheduled, and if the situation is not resolved satisfactorily, then enrollment may be terminated. (See Parent Notification of Behavior to follow)
All staff are prohibited from any form of physical discipline whatsoever. Verbal abuse in any fashion will be considered equally unacceptable. In the event that a staff member attempts to use any form of physical discipline such as spanking, jerking or hitting, or any type of verbally abusive language toward a child or adult, he/she will be dismissed immediately, the parent notified, CHFS Division of Regulated Child Care, and law enforcement notified.
Parent Notification of Behavior
Child’s Name:
Date:
Dear Parent,
This notice is to inform you that your child was hurt by one of his/her friends today. We are addressing the situation, and we will keep you informed. Because it would be unfair to the other child, we will not reveal his/her name. You may want to take a moment to discuss this with your child, so that he/she understands that we will continue to make sure they are safe at school.
Summary of Event:
Summary of Correction:
Teacher Signature:Director Signature:
*Please see your center Director if you need further information.
This notice is to inform you that your child was physically aggressive with another child today. Crocus Academy does not tolerate any form of aggression toward children and/or staff.
This notice is to inform you that your child is using language that is inappropriate or abusive at school. Crocus Academy does not tolerate abusive language toward children and/or staff.
First Notice:
Second Notice:
Third Notice:
Conference Required:
Summary of Event:
Summary of Correction:
Teacher Signature:Director Signature:
*Please see your center Director if you need further information.
Transition Tips
Upon enrollment, you may find that you or your child have some difficulty with transition from home to school; however, we encourage you to maintain the routine that school establishes for your child, for this will really benefit both your child and you. Please keep in mind that while exciting and fun for some, entering a school environment can be for others both intimidating and a little scary. We are here to help, and we will do all that we can to assist your child in this process. Here are some helpful tips in helping your family transition from home to school:
- After you have enrolled, take time between then and entry into Crocus Academy to stop by the school periodically to visit and see what happens at school. Your child will become accustomed to the staff and feel more familiar with the environment.
- Participate in events like Open House, so your child can meet other teachers and families and feel like a part of the group.
- On the first day of school, if your child is nervous, send in a favorite teddy bear or plush toy. Spray it with a dash of mom’s perfume or dad’s cologne, so that when hugging, your child will have a gentle reminder of mom and dad.
- Send in a couple of family photos to put in your child’s cubby, so they can visit if they become sad.
- This one is very important…DO NOT CRY We understand that this can be a sad transition for moms and dads, but your tears and tension make it impossible for your child to feel good about coming to school.
- Please keep goodbyes short and sweet, so children can adjust and learn that you are fine, as well. Sign in, store personal items in cubbies, hug and kiss goodbye, and leave with a smile.
- Read The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, and decide upon a family goodbye ritual. Take this a step further, and begin a “Hello” ritual.
All of these are great ideas for helping children adjust to changes in daily routines and environment. The most important thing to remember is that we love our children, and we want to make sure that we do all that we can to make them feel secure and confident, so they can fully participate and grow in an educational environment. It is in everyone’s best interest to build a solid working relationship and be sensitive to the needs of everyone involved. We recognize that we are sharing in an important moment with you and your child and promise to make this as joyful as possible.