Jumpstart Preschool
248 New Road
Avon, CT. 06001
Charlene Plourde
860-693-6628
Jumpstartpreschoolavon.com
CT State Licensed #36996
CPR, Epi Pen & First Aid Certified
Jumpstart has been operating for 22 years as a preschool program for children between the ages of two and five years in a very nurturing home based environment. Your child will enjoy arts and crafts, music and fitness, cooking, science, socializing, circle time with emphasis on educational lessons, outdoor play, and much more. Activities and projects follow monthly guidelines of a planned curriculum.
School Hours and Fees
The following classes are offered:
Monday: 9:00 – 12:00 or 1:00
Tuesday: 9:00 - 12:00 or 1:00
Wednesday: 9:00 -12:00 or 1:00
Thursday: 9:00 - 12:00 or 1:00
Friday: 9:00 - 12:00 or 1:00
The cost of the 3 hour session is $29.00.
The cost of this 4 hour session is $35.00.
For the 4 hour session you will need to bring your child’s lunch and drink. There is a microwave to warm their lunches if needed, but there is only a small refrigerator, so please pack an ice pack.
Age Requirement
Your child must be at least two years old (Deadline- Oct 31), but need not be fully toilet trained. Each child will be required to bring a change of clothes, diapers, wipes, etc. each time they attend, whether they are potty trained or not.
School Year and Closings
Jumpstart uses the Avon school calendar as a guideline in regards to school closings. You can find the calendar on our website.
If I am ill or experience a family emergency there will be no substitute provided, school will be closed and you will not be charged. You will be notified by email
Arrival and Pick Up
Please try and be as prompt as possible. Remember the outside door is not unlocked until 9:00am. There is a $10.00 fee for every 10 minutes that you are late picking up your child at the designated time, 12:00pm or 1:00pm inside. The fee will automatically be added to your next months bill. There will be no exceptions. Please refrain from visiting in the driveway/parking lot at pick up time, your child is anxiously waiting to tell you about their day.
Tuition and Late Fees
Tuition is due the first class of each month for the entire month. There are no bills sent out as reminders. You are not required to pay for days that school is closed for a scheduled day off
There is a late fee of $10.00 for each class your child attends if your payment is late. There are no exceptions. There is a $25.00 fee for any checks that are returned plus any fees set by the bank. Please make checks payable to “Charlene Plourde”
Absences/Extra Days
If your child is absent due to illness, snow day, personal vacation, etc., you will still be charged for the day/s, however any missed days will be recorded in your child’s file as credits. You may use the credit/s toward extra day openings. When I am notified of an absence either ahead of time or the day of, I will send out an email alerting every one of the day/s that will have a space open. You are welcome to post into these day/s and apply a credit toward them. If you do not have any credits you may still post into an opening/extra day and you will be billed on the following month. These extra day openings are usually taken fast on a first come first serve basis, so watch your emails. Any unused credits at the end of the year will be forfeited
Snow days, Late openings, Early dismissals
If Avon public schools are cancelled due to snow or inclement weather, Jumpstart will be closed. Delayed openings of any type will result in a 10:00 a.m. opening; unless it is determined the driveway is impassable due to snow or ice, then those days will be marked as snow days. Communication will be through email. If Avon public schools are dismissed early for inclement weather, Jumpstart will close at 12:00 with no refund for lunch. Snow days will be treated as absences and can only be made up during the year when extra spaces are available.
Health
All children are required by state law to have a current health form and emergency medical form on file at all times. These forms can be found on the website. Your child will not be able to attend school without them. All children are required to have yearly physicals and you need to bring an updated health form after the exam. All vaccines must be current and your child must receive the flu vaccine by Dec. 31 or per the state of CT they cannot attend January – March (flu season). Flu vaccine verification forms are required to be on file. If you choose not to vaccinate your child, you may submit a religious exemption form which can be found on the website
Please use caution when your child is ill. 24 hours prior to coming to school they must be fever free, free of diarrhea and vomiting, and if they require an antibiotic they must have taken it for at least 24 hours. If your child will not be in school, please call or e-mail me ASAP so I may post their space as extra days.
Clothing
Please dress the children in play clothes. They will get dirty. Pack a change of clothes in their back packs for accidents and please always be prepared for winter weather. Label your child’s clothes. No crocs or sandals allowed. Sneakers must be worn for outside play or rain/snow boots when it is messy. Socks are mandatory.
Medications
If your child requires a medication while in school you will need to fill out the form on the website that requires a doctors signature and order before the child can attend or the medication can be kept here. The medication must be handed to me in the original container and locked in a cabinet. It must be labeled with the child’s name and photo in a plastic resealable bag and follow all state regulations. I am certified to administer medications as well as being EPI pen certified.
Snacks
Parents will provide the snack for the children in the class (6 kids). There will be a schedule on the website and on the Google calendar. The children and I depend of you remembering. The snack should be nutritious and consist of 2 items, a cracker/pretzel/muffin type of food and fruit, cheese, vegetable, or your choice. If you would like to provide a snack for aspecial occasion you are welcome to, just let me know.
If your child has an allergy you must provide their snack and I must be notified. There are state mandated forms and procedures that must be in place. Because you must provide their snack every day, you will be exempt from donating for the class.
Discipline
I use redirection as much as possible. I teach the children to resolve their conflicts on their own with my guidance by talking to their peers. Part of this process involves the other child to listen, so I guide the resolution and encourage the children to talk and listen whenever possible. I try to empower the children to build their self-control. At all times I am present during the resolution and the children know that I am there for them and will assist in whatever they need.
If a child needs to be removed for fear of hurting themselves, others, or our play space they are asked to sit quietly away from the group. Once they have settled I speak to them in simple terms to make sure their feelings are considered and conflicts resolved.
Toys from Home/Show and Share
We have a special time of day for show and share. I encourage children to bring special toys from home to show their friends. It builds their self esteem to speak to their peers about something special to them. The rule is that if they have the toy out after show and share they must share it. If they do not wish to share, we respect that but they must put it away in their back pack.
Children will not be allowed to bring stuffed animals or blankets to school. They can carry too many germs that can be passed onto others in school especially during cold and flu season and you run the risk of bringing germs back home. If this is an issue, let me know and we can work through it.
Separation Anxiety
I have dealt with many children who experience separation anxiety. I dealt with it myself with my son. It is best if you reassure your child how much you love them, they are safe, and that you will be back and then leave. I get to know the children here and what they need. You may call at anytime (860-693-6628) to see how your child is doing or text me at 860-906-7832. I will call you if it interferes with your child’s day too much. I promise you, I will give your child what they need and assure them that if they need a hug or a kiss, I am here to give it to them, or if they need to be alone, I will respect that.
During the first three months it will be determined if your child has adjusted to the group, the minor guidelines, or is overall socially ready for preschool. Any concerns will be discussed as we go along. If we determine they are not ready, it will be best for your child to withdraw
Early Withdrawl
If you need to withdraw your child from Jumpstart you will be expected to pay for the entire month, regardless of their last day.