DISCOVERY PRESCHOOL, INC
222 E BLOSSOM ST
PO BOX 135
RIPON, WI 54971
(920)748-3493
POLICY EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/06/2018
MISSION
Discovery Preschool provides each child with the opportunity to build a positive self-image within an open, creative educational environment in which families and teachers work together.
WELCOME TO DISCOVERY PRESCHOOL!
We hope your whole family will enjoy our school and the friends you will make here! This handbook has been written to describe our program, goals, policies, and the myriad of practical details that go into making each school day as happy and successful as possible. Please read this handbook and keep it for reference as it will answer many of your questions.
CORE VALUES
Compassion– Caring for each child who helps us create the Discovery family
Harmony– Partnering families with teachers to truly encourage each child
Interaction– Supporting each child in forming friendships and acquiring social skills
Learning – Engaging each child in creative, hands-on scholastic opportunities
Development– Building a positive self-image and a sense of self-esteem for each child
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
PURPOSE
The purpose of this corporation shall be to operate a nonprofit cooperative, licensed preschool and, wrap around program for children ages 2 1/2 years of age to 10 years of age, and a summer program, for a multiage group, to be determined by class sign up, and parental needs. Our curriculum is biasfree and developmentally based, focusing on the individual child’s social, emotional, and intellectual needs. Our professional staff encourages exploration and growth in a well-equipped environment that is stimulating, safe, consistent, and nurturing. We strive to enhance each child’s natural curiosity and love of learning. Discovery Preschool provides opportunities for each child to master tasks that are appropriate to his or her individual level of development. We are committed to working closely with parents toward the welfare of the whole family. Parents are always welcome to visit the school at any time; Both prior to enrolling their child and during the time the child is at school.
ADMINSTRATIVE STRUCTURE
The Board of Directors is run by the President of the Board. The Board is responsible for the oversite of the organization policies and programs along with hiring of staff. The Director reports to the President and the Board of Directors. The Director is responsible for the supervision of the planning and implementation of the center’s program for children, staff meetings and continuing education for the staff. The Director is responsible for the supervision of staff at the center training, orientation and polices related to staff. All staff and volunteers report to the Director in conjunction with the Board of Directors. Preschool and Wrap Teacher will oversee Substitute teachers and volunteers during working hours.
TERMS OF LICENSING
Discovery Preschool, Inc is licensed by the State of Wisconsin, Department of Children and Families. It is owned and operated by The Board of Directors as a non-profit cooperative. An onsite Director will manage the day-to-day operations. We are inspected regularly to ensure that we meet licensing standards. Discovery Preschool is licensed to care for no more than 29 children at any one time. Discovery Preschool, Inc will provide care for children ages 2 1/2 through 10 years. The months of operation Discovery Preschool is licensed for is January through December, Monday through Friday. Child care services will be provided between the hours of 7:00am and 5:30pm
RELIGIOUS POLICY/CULTURAL DIVERSITY
Discovery Preschool is a nondenominational school which does not emphasize any one religion, but will equally represent cultural traditions during holiday seasons. It is also the school’s policy to foster the staff members and students to appreciate and hold a mutual respect for each other’s religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds.
STAFF QUALIFICATIONS
●All of the teachers on the staff of Discovery Preschool have received special training in Early Childhood Development and Education, which meets or exceeds state qualifications.
●Full time teachers annually receive and document a minimum of 25 hours of approved continuing education.
●Part time teachers are required 15 hours of documented and approved continuing education each year. Continuing education will include training on fire extinguisher use, emergency response procedures, and Universal Procedures.
●Teachers are in constant communication with each other discussing goals and development of your children. Each month a summary of their meetings are typed and filed for reference.
●Upon employment new staff will be oriented to school policies, DCF licensing rules, the code of ethics, and confidentiality.
●All teachers are certified in First Aid, CPR and AED, Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention, and Child Abuse and Neglect.
●A physical examination, which includes a TB test and documentation of immunization requirements shall be met by all staff.
●Discovery Preschool submits the names of persons in contact with the children to the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Justice for Criminal History Records. State law requires that persons working with children submit a self-disclosing Background
●Character Verification prior to employment and every year thereafter is required for all staff
●The requirement of the Criminal History Record became effective in January 1996 for all child care centers in Wisconsin. The people whose names we submit to the Department of Justice are those of the preschool staff and hired or volunteer teacher substitutes.
STAFF to CHILD RATIO
Discovery Preschool is licensed for a maximum capacity of 29 children at any given time. Classroom capacity is determined by children’s age groupings and the physical size of the classroom. A maximum of 19 children are permitted in the three and four year old groups and 16 children are permitted in the 2.5 year group. The staff to child ratio is one teacher per every 8 students for 2.5 years old students, one teacher to 10 students for 3 year olds, and one teacher to 14 students for 4 year olds. The maximum group size does not apply to field trips or special events. In the event that there are eight or fewer children present at the preschool, only one teacher is required. A second adult shall be available within five minutes for emergencies. The preschool shall maintain a signed and dated statement from that person; Including address and telephone number certifying that the person is available and agrees to serve if needed.
CLASS HOURS and SCHOOL CALENDARS
School year calendars are available online at discoverdiscoverypreschool.org and/or a hard copy can be obtained from the teachers. Monthly, classroom calendars with curriculum are emailed to each child’s family. Preschool is offered on Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday from 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM. Children attending preschool only should not arrive before 8:20 AM and must be picked up no later than 11:10 AM.
The Wrap Around Care Program is currently offered on preschool days from 7:00 AM-5:30 PM for an additional charge above the preschool fees. Wrap Care is offered on days off of school when numbers warrant it. Please ensure that the preschool is informed if care is needed on days off school. Summer care is provided for a maximum of 19 children. A monthly email with sign up link, will be sent to parents. This email will also include a deadline for sign up. If the sign-up deadline is not adhered to, care is not guaranteed.
WHAT IS WRAP AROUND CARE PROGRAM
The Wrap Around Care Program is an extended care opportunity for children who attend the preschool portion of Discovery Preschool, alumni children of Discovery Preschool, and the public.
No service will be provided on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving & day after, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. All regular fees will be charged for these holidays. If a holiday falls on a Saturday, we will be closed the previous Friday. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, we will be closed the Monday following.
FEE PAYMENT AND REFUNDS
All payments are due in the wooden lock box located at the school by the predetermined due dates outlined below for each program. Discovery accepts cash or checks. At this time, we are not able to accept credit cards.
PRESCHOOL FEES
A non-refundable registration fee of $55 is charged for each child prior to enrollment. Other minimal fees may be requested for field trips and/or special projects. Families will be informed of the small project/field trip fee separately before the day of the event.
PRESCHOOL REFUNDS
Twenty percent of the yearly fee is nonrefundable. The remaining 80% of the yearly fee is pro-rated.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Invoices are sent by families via e-mail and due by one of the following options OR special arrangements made with the Treasurer or Office Manager.
Monday-Wednesday-Friday AM
One payment of $1100.00 due by orientation
Two payments of $550.00 1st due by orientation, 2nd due upon return from Christmas break
Monthly payments of $128.00 due by the 1st day of the month for 9 months (first month is due by registration night)
Tuesday-Thursday AM
One payment of $770.00 due by orientation
Two payments of $385.00 1st due by orientation, 2nd due upon return from Christmas break
Monthly payments of $90.00 due by the 1st day of the month for 9 months (first month is due by registration night)
***Any payment by check that results in non-sufficient funds will be charged a $25.00 fee***
MULTIPLE CHILD DISCOUNT
Families having multiple tuitions in the same school year will receive a 10% discount for the second child. Please contact the Office Manager for more information.
SCHOLARSHIPS
A scholarship fund is in place, for children, who may be unable to participate in our preschool program due to financial or other hardship. Application forms are available from the Registrar, Director or Board President upon request.
WRAP AROUND CARE PAYMENT
Preschool and 4PS Children
Ages 2 ½ to 5
$20 per half day (5 hours or less with a 15 min total grace period)
$40 per full day (more than 5 hours)
-Billed monthly-
Elementary School Children
7am – bus and bus to 5:30pm
Kindergarten – Age 10
$20 per week before school care
$40 per week after school care
$60 per week for before and after school care
***Any payment by check that results in non-sufficient funds will be charged a $25.00 fee***
WRAP AROUND CARE FEES
A registration fee of $255 is charged for each child prior to enrollment. A refund of $200 will be returned at the end of the year or applied to the family’s last bill.Parents must sign up for specific days and times on a monthly calendar. Emails with the signup link, as well as deadline date, will be sent to families. To ensure care and to retain a spot, please sign up by the deadline date each month.Fees will be calculated based on this sign up and due the beginning of the next month. If payment is not received within 1 week of due date Discovery reserves the right to refuse care for the child.Parents will be billed for the days and times that they sign up for, no exceptions. Additional fees will be assessed for additional hours beyond what the child was signed up for. If care is requested after the sign-up deadline, a daily fee will be applied to each additional day on top of currently daily rates.It is important your child attends on days they are signed up to attend, as adequate staff is needed to ensure student safety and state licensing compliance.
WRAP AROUND CARE REFUNDS
Discovery Preschool strives to work with families and their busy schedules. Student schedules are used to create teaching staff schedules. Please understand that staff scheduling and staff to student ratios must be maintained at all time to ensure safety and licensing requirements. Discovery Preschool is unable to refund or credit scheduled hours that students do not attend the program.
Each child will be given two sick days (4 days for full time students) per semester, without charge, as a courtesy to our families. If you would like to use a sick day, you must e-mail the Registrar at and state you are using a sick day, otherwise sick days will not be applied to your account. Please contact the Registrar with additional questions about fees in this program.
SUMMER WRAP AROUND CARE
In order to better serve our family’s needs, wrap around care will be offered during the summer at the same rate. A $15non-refundable registration fee is charged per child prior to enrollment. As during the school year, the wrap summer program will provide students with a mix of developmentally appropriate activities and projects. The curriculum will include a mix of activities tailored to the mixed age group involved in the summer program. Summer care will be offered Monday through Friday from 7:00 am until 5:30 pm. Care will be offered for up to 19 children, on a first come first serve basis if interest occurs and numbers warrant care. Summer care signup will occur on a monthly basis. Emails with the signup link, as well as deadline date, will be sent to families. To ensure care and to retain a spot, please sign up by the deadline date each month. Each child will be given up to 3 sick days, without charge, as a courtesy to our families. If you would like to use a sick day, you must e-mail the Registrar at and state you are using a sick day, otherwise sick days will not be applied to your account.
Discovery reserves the right to terminate an enrolled student at any time due to lack of payment. Please see Discharge of Enrolled Children section for more details.
Discovery Preschool will accept children for drop-in care if prior enrollment arrangements have been made, enrollment forms are on file, and space is available.Drop-in care is defined as care needed within 24 to 72 hours. Drop -in care must be requested in advance through the Registrar, Director or Teachers. An additional daily fee above the currently daily rate will be applied per day of drop-in care requested.
ADMISSION AND ENROLLMENT
Parents interested in enrolling their children at Discovery Preschoolmust contact the Registrar to be included on the class list. If parents have concerns or a child that needs special attention or requirements, please contact the Director to discuss.
Discovery will never refuse to enroll a child on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, political persuasion, national origin, handicap, ancestry or sexual orientation.
LIMITATIONS
Children must be 2 ½ yearson their first day of attendance. Children may enroll anytime throughout the year if they meet the age requirement and the class has openings. Children do not need to be toilet trained to attend preschool or wrap care. Parents who have children with toileting concerns should discuss this with the teachers so that a plan can be implemented. Please see the handbook section on Special Medical and Learning Considerations should you feel that your child may need extra assistance in the preschool or wrap care program.
ENROLLMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR IS NOT AUTOMATIC
Please contact the current registrar at or call 7489855 for registration information. The number of students enrolled is limited by the license agreement. This number is based on the number of teachers and the size of the facility.
REQUIRED ENROLLMENT FORMS PER DCF 251
The following items must be completed and returned to the centerbefore the first day of attendance.
●Form DCF-62, "Child Care Enrollment"
●Form DCF-44, "Heath History and Emergency Care Plan
●Form DCF-104, “Alternate Arrival/Release Agreement" (applicable for bus students)
●Emergency Card
●Handbook Notification
●Payment Schedule Options
●Picture/videotaping permission form
The following items must be completed and returned to the center within 30 days after child begins attending:
●Form DPH-4192, "Day Care Immunization Record" or an electronic record of your child's immunizations
The following items must be completed and returned to the center within 60 days after child begins attending:
●Form DCF-60, "Child Health Report"; School aged children will only need a Health History form on file.
●State law requires that all children receive a medical exam every 2 year.
●This exam should occur no earlier than six months prior to the beginning of preschool and no later than 60 days after the beginning of preschool
The Director will inform parents when updates are needed, giving 30 days’ notice to submit updated forms.
***Discovery Preschool does not discriminate per the American Disabilities Act***
CONFIDENTIALITY
To protect each family's confidentiality, Discovery Preschool will not share information about a child or a child's family with anyone who is not authorized to receive this information. Records of all children are confidential and only staff, referral agencies and licensing agents may have access. A file may not leave the preschool without the Director’s approval. Necessary discussions among staff members about specific children and/or family situations will be conducted in a secluded, private location. When discussing a child with a parent/guardian, care must be given in protecting the rights of the other children. Relating an incident must protect the confidentiality of all children and careful consideration be given to discussions. Parents must give permission for information to be given out about their child. Parents shall have access to all written reports, observations and files pertaining to their child. Questions and inquiries should be directed to the Director.