MY FIRST PRESCHOOL
Am Nursery
PARENT HANDBOOK
Printing courtesy of City of Toronto Parks and Forestry and Recreation Department
Dear Parents:
Welcome to My First Preschool. Our Program is a community based, nonprofit preschool play program. We are located in a facility operated by the City of Toronto Parks and Forestry and Recreation Department.
We accept all children ages two-and-a-half to four years of age. Our two qualified staff maintains the group with the assistance of one "duty parent" per day. If one of the teachers is away, two “duty parents” may be required.
Because the program is a co-op, run for the benefit of each child enrolled, it has been our policy to ensure that the needs of the group and the child are met. In the very rare instance that the program cannot meet the child's needs, this will be discussed fully with the parents and staff in an effort to find the best solution.
We operate Monday through Friday mornings from 9:15 - 11:45 a.m.
We also offer an afternoon program which operates Monday through Friday from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
This being a cooperative program, the role of the parent volunteer is very important. Parents are required to volunteer one morning per month, arriving promptly at 9:15 a.m. The parents also form our Committee and every parent has their own committee position. With the assistance of our program coordinator and teacher, Joannie Cheung, the Committee is responsible for the general operation of the program, including staffing, budget, supplies, special events, and fundraising. The function of the Executive Committee is to make day to day decisions in the running of the program. Suggestions are always welcomed.
The enthusiastic participation of each parent is required for the success of the program. We have many parents involved in running the program, and your cooperation and input are necessary to maintain success. The committee and teachers can direct you in your committee position responsibilities. You need to be responsible to carry out these duties with little supervision. Without the duty day parents, our staff: child ratio is at an unacceptable level, so please honor your commitment. If you know in advance of at least two days, that you will not be able to do your duty day and you cannot find a suitable replacement, you may pay the program $15 dollars for the morning and the committee will find a replacement for you. Please be prepared to get involved. Most importantly, we hope that your involvement in the program will be a truly rewarding opportunity shared with your child that will remain a cherished memory in the years to come!
After reading this manual and clarifying any questions you may have, please complete the last two pages of this manual and promptly give them to Joannie. If you do not return the forms signed you may be considered in violation of the programs procedures and be asked to leave the program with no monetary refund.
Sincerely,
My First Preschool Committee
(Important Phone Numbers)
Joannie Cheung Supervisor/Program Director: 416-737-3749
Number’s below are for emergencies only:
Betty, Parks and Recreation Coordinator: 416- 395-7828
Building Maintenance Manager: 416-395-7829
MY FIRST PRESCHOOL PHILOSPHY:
We recognize that each child is unique. We respect the individual differences in social, emotional, intellectual physical and cultural backgrounds. We aim to provide a warm, stimulating, child-centered learning environment that allows each child to work at his/her own developmental level and in which limitations and routines are consistent, realistic and understood by each child.
OUR GOALS FOR THE CHILDREN:
To encourage:
· Self-confidence and development of positive self-image
curiosity
· The establishment of good working habits, including concentration and the ability to preserve and complete a task.
To provide opportunity for:
· The development of social skills by encouraging children to respect the rights and properties of others.
· Creativity by providing varied art media
· Growth in all areas of language, music, and drama through storytelling, puppets, musical instruments, dance, environmental studies and science by setting up interest centers with a variety of hands-on activities, such as growing planting, sensory exploration, field trips.
· The development of fine motor skills through the use of art materials, stringing, sewing, scissors, play dough and clay.
· The development of large motor skills using blocks, gym and playground equipment, riding toys, creative movement.
OUR GOALS FOR THE PARENTS:
· To establish an open line of communication with the parents and to respect confidentiality in all exchanges of information regarding their child.
· Sharing curriculum ideas and related childhood information through newsletters, information displays and parent education evenings.
We care about the future of the children we have the privilege of knowing.
THE COMMUNICATION BOOK:
Important information such as a different person picking up, any changes to pertinent data on your child's registration forms; address, telephone numbers, medical conditions etc. should be told to the teacher and noted, dated and signed in the communication book in the classroom.
TEACHER/ PARENT COMMUNICATION:
Parents will receive newsletters on a regular basis.
Parents will need to sign a permission form and return it before each trip. No child will be allowed on a trip without a permission form returned before the trip day.
All newsletters, permission forms and updates will be placed near the information area in the classroom or the teachers will personally hand them out. It is still you’re responsibly to pick up the correspondence. If you are registered part time, we suggest that you have a friend pick up your correspondence, especially if you miss a day. Some of the material may be time sensitive. The teachers and committee members cannot be responsible for you receiving any correspondence in a timely manner.
DISCIPLINE:
We encourage children to respect the rights and property of others. It is our objective to help children handle social conflicts and self-expression in an appropriate manner. We stress the use of language and understanding the needs of others in their communications. Please feel free to approach us to discuss our behavior management policy.
We feel it is important to point out that the action, not the child, is unacceptable by offering redirection and helping the children to reach acceptable alternatives.
Occasionally a child may be removed from a situation or group in which he/she is unable to manage. This "time out" should be short, and the child should be given the opportunity to return when he/she can function appropriately. Children are never isolated without supervision. If a child is removed from a situation remember that is to help the child, not to punish him/her. If he/she is very upset they may require someone to sit with them to steady and calm them.
We feel that managing the behavior must be exercised in such a way that the rights of the child are respected and the child's self-esteem is enhanced. The development of cooperation between adults and children is based on:
1. Respect for the child.
2. An atmosphere of trust and acceptance.
3. Appropriate programming and,
4. Age appropriate expectations.
Under no circumstances do we allow or encourage the following:
1. Physical punishment of a child by staff person, or volunteer parent.
2. Deliberate harsh or degrading measures to be used on a child that would humiliate a child's self-respect.
In order to manage the behavior of the preschool child successfully, it is the adult who must first become skilled in managing their reaction to the misbehavior of the child.
It must be remembered that two to four year olds are often finding their place in peer group situations, and what we judge a as misbehavior may in fact be representative of immature social behavior.
If you are a parent volunteer on duty, handle a situation to the best of your ability at the time. If necessary discuss it in more depth with the staff later. If you are concerned about how to handle your child on your duty days, please speak with us beforehand so we can work with you in making your duty days pleasant for you and your child.
ARRIVAL:
Parents must accompany their child (carpool) into the building, undress their child and take them to the bathroom before the class begins. Parents must supervise their child until the child is given to the teacher at 9:15 a.m. in the preschool room. While waiting the children must walk (not run in halls or room), talk (not shout in halls, stroller area or rooms) and not use the riding toys, balls etc. There are other programs going on at this time which require quiet in the halls/stroller area. We have provided children's books for you to read to your child until it is time to begin class.
The preschool room door opens at 9:15. This allows staff and duty parent to prepare the room for your child. When your child arrives at My First Preschool, please notify a staff member as to your child's presence. Similarly, when picking up your child, please make sure the staff are aware you are leaving.
Unless otherwise arranged in writing, your child cannot be released to any other person than those specified on your application. A person must be prepared to present identification if he/she is unknown to a staff person.
· Pickup if we are in the playground:
Parents must park their car where it cannot be seen from the park. Once the children and staff are inside the corridor/classroom and the children have settled down with their backpacks, will the children be dismissed. Parents must wait outside the corridor, either outdoors or in the main hallway. Under no circumstances may the children be picked up from the park without prior arrangement made. If parents and siblings join us at the park, parents will be responsible for all of their children’s and for their safety. The parent needs to make sure that their Preschool child lines up with their class mates and goes inside to wait for their parents. Consistency will help your child follow rules which ensure their safety. Your child may be asked to be removed from the program without warning if parents/guardians do not adhere to these safety procedures.
· Pickup if we are in the kinder gym or regular gym:
Parents must stay clear of the hallways so we can safety go to the coat room/classroom. Parents can wait in the stroller area or outside for us, but must dress their child as soon as we arrive. In the interest of safety, the children cannot be allowed to run around while parents talk.
LATE FEE AND EARLY DROP OFF:
My First Preschool closes at 11:45 a.m. If for some reason you are late, our policy is to give a warning the first time. If you are late picking up your child more than once, the late fee will be charged. If you have not arrived to pick up your child by 11:45am My First Preschool will charge $1 for each minute after 11:46, until your child has been picked up.
If you need to drop of your child before 9:15 am, prior arrangements must be made with the staff. They are to be paid $5 for each 15 minutes. If you drop of your child without making prior arrangements the same policy as for late pick up applies.
SHOW AND TELL:
We begin Show and Tell in January (once a week, the day TBA). As “Homework” let your child search and choose an item which is related to the theme or letter of the week. Only ONE item may be brought for show and tell. If your child wants to bring a toy on a daily basis, this is also the toy of the day.
BRINGING TOYS TO CLASS:
We do not encourage this, but children may bring one toy to school. This toy cannot be a weapon (gun, sword etc.). A back pack left in the coat area, will be needed for your child to carry the toy home. Teachers may need to assist the children on the stairs and therefore will not carry toys, backpacks, carriages, car seats etc. down the stairs. When entering preschool room, toys must be left on the table or in the show and tell bin by the door, and then the child can sit on the carpet and wait for circle to begin.
Children must be told that any toys they bring to school need to be shared by all the children or it will be put in the coat area to take home later.
CHILD ORIENTATION:
My First Preschool begins on Monday usually one week after Labor Day. This first Monday is orientation day. All parents are invited to stay the morning. This greatly helps the children relax because they understand the routine. Parents are allowed to stay for more days if it will benefit the child.
HOLIDAYS AND DAYS CLOSED:
Below are lists of legal holidays, and programs will not operate.
Easter Monday
Victoria day
Canada day
Civic Day
Thanks giving day
Christmas
New Year’s Day
PROGRAM PLANNING:
Please take your child to the washroom in the morning before class.
Our schedule as outlined here or on the handout you received when you first visited the program, the program is always flexible and subject to change to meet the needs of the children. We will hire music and drama specialists as soon as we have 12 children enrolled each day. Trips will be informed. The days on which specialist visit, trip days and kinder gym days may change without notice. Use of any of the facilities and rooms at Edithvale Community Centre is dependent on the city providing us with permits. Any change in City policy may affect the program.