Trinity Lutheran Preschool And School Age Center Parent Handbook Home What Sets Us Apart? Handbook Applications Events Teachers Mission Statement: Trinity Lutheran Preschool and School Age Center will provide the proper materials and guidance to promote the Preschool and School age child in all aspects of his or her growth, physical, mental, social, and spiritual. The school will always maintain a Christian atmosphere making Christ a reality to each child. Non-Discriminatory Policy: Trinity Lutheran Preschool and School Age Center admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all of the rights, privileges, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies or other school-administered programs. Goals: Trinity Lutheran Preschool and School Age Center has been established by Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church as a service to the community and the surrounding areas. Staff: Our staff consists of trained Christian teachers dedicated to the welfare of each child. We recognize and appreciate the uniqueness of each child and his or her level of development. Our emphasis is to educate your child emotionally, physically, creatively, and spiritually. We share our love of God, enthusiasm for God's world, and thankfulness for all of His gifts. License: Trinity Lutheran Preschool and School Age Center is licensed by the State of California and we maintain all requirements. License #451373105 and 455403102. Program: Trinity Lutheran Preschool is licensed for children two years through six years of age. We offer an age appropriate academic preschool program for preschool age children. Our school age program will accept children six through twelve years of age. Admission Policies: Applicants for enrollment will be taken at any time. After interviewing the parent/guardian it will be determined if our program is appropriate for the child. The necessary paperwork will be gone over, answering any questions. After all paperwork is returned and the registration fee is paid, the child may start preschool.There will be a probationary period of one month to determine if our program is meeting the needs of the child. If not, a conference will be set to see if the child should remain in our program. Attendance Policies and Sign in and Sign Out Sheets: 1. A parent or person transporting the child is required by the State of California to personally bring the child into the classroom and sign him/her in. This is very important for everyone involved. Parents must also come into the classroom to pick their child up and sign him/her out. In regards to people other than parents/guardians picking up a child from this facility-a written note will be required from the parent or guardian authorizing anyone NOT on the emergency form to take a child from the Preschool. We also ask that we be verbally notified by a parent/guardian when someone on the authorized emergency list other than the parent/guardian will be picking the child up. 2. When children arrive late there will be no reduction in fees. 3. All parents must call if their child will not be attending school for the day. 4. When parents arrive, they may talk to teachers for a few minutes, but if more time in needed, please make an appointment for a conference. 5. Your child is welcome to come on days they are not scheduled with advanced notice if there is room, but there will be an extra charge. 6. When children arrive sick, we will not accept them. There will be a "health check" upon arrival at Preschool. The person bringing the child to preschool must wait until authorized personnel have accepted the child. 7. When a child becomes sick while at school, we will isolate him/her from the other children and contact the parents as soon as possible to pick their child up from school. 8. If your child is picked up consistently late, three or more times, a fee will be charged of $1.00 per minute after 5:45. Hours and Days of Operation: The Preschool will be open from 7:30 am until 5:45 pm Monday through Friday, year round. Our after-school/ school age program will be from 2:00 pm until 5:45 pm during the school year and from 7:30 am until 5:45 pm during holidays and vacations. If a holiday falls on a weekend, Friday or Monday may be taken in lieu of the holiday. The Preschool will not be in session on the following holiday: New Year's Eve, New Year's Eve Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day-July 4th, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, and Labor Day. Fees: The registration fee is due at the time of enrollment and is non-refundable. This is an annual fee and will be paid each year on your anniversary date. The school year is pro-rated to the number of days that the school is in session so the rates remain the same regardless of holidays. The rates also remain the same for days missed due to sickness, vacation or other absences. This is because we are holding a spot for your child. We cannot allow children to make up missed days. There will be no switching of days. Any days that your child attends preschool other than your contacted days are considered extra days. During the summer of each year, the fees will be evaluated. If the fees are to go up, parents will be notified in writing at least 30 days before the increase will go into effect. Preschool: Half day rate 5 days $300 4 days $242 3 days $200 2 days $135 1 day $100 Full day rate 5 days $420 4 days $363 3 days $280 2 days $218 1 day $123 Toddler Room: Half day rate 5 days $321 4 days $280 3 days $220 2 days $156 1 day $116 Full day rate 5 days $450 4 days $396 3 days $305 2 days $237 1 day $132 School Tuition: $270 per month with a $180 registration fee There will be a 5% discount per month for a second and third child enrolled in the Preschool and or After-School Program. Tuition is payable the first day of each month and is considered late if not paid by the 10th of each month unless prior arrangements have been made with the Director. A late charge of $10.00 is assessed if payment is received late. A $15.00 charge is assessed for all returned checks. Your child will not be permitted to attend Preschool/after school care until payment is made. Children are allowed to come to preschool on a drop-in basis when space allows. These will be considered extra days and you will be charged accordingly. Prior arrangements must be made and all paperwork must be completed. The fee for drop-in care or any additional hour is $3.00 per hour. Health and Safety: State law does not allow us to dispense medication of any sort to children without written permission from the parents or guardians of the child. Prescription drugs given to a child must be in the original container and a consent form from the teacher must be filled out and signed by the parent. Please do not put medication of any form (including sunscreen) into lunch pails or backpacks, but give directly to the teacher. Non prescription drugs must also have a consent form filled out and signed by a parent or guardian. All medications will remain in a locked box. Scrapes and scratches will be washed with soap and water and bandaged. Any further need of medical attention will be assessed and parents will be notified immediately in the event of an emergency. If parents cannot be reached, help will be sought immediately from an emergency clinic or local hospital or dentist as listed on the emergency disaster plan. The preschool desires to provide conditions that encourage cleanliness and good health habits among the children. If a child becomes ill after arrival at school, we will immediately notify parents. It is very important that we have current phone numbers. We also suggest that you have another person such as a friend, neighbor, or other family member who can care for your child when he/she is sick. Please Keep Your Child Home If He/She: 1. Has a fever or has had a fever within the past 24 hours. 2. Has a heavy nasal discharge (colored). 3. Has a persistent cough. 4. Has symptoms of communicable disease (red eyes, sore throat, headache, abdominal pains or fever) 5. Has diarrhea or vomiting or has had within 24 hours. 6. Had head lice, or may return after treatment and must be completely nit-less. Please notify the school if your child has a communicable disease or head lice. Fieldtrips: We do go on occasional fieldtrips. Parents will be notified in writing well in advance of the fieldtrip, each parent will be required to fill out a permission slip stating the destination, times and date of the event. They will also sign a medical authorization in case of an emergency. Transportation will be by a private car. Parents will provide seats or booster seats for those children under 6 years regardless of weight or for those weighing less than 60 pounds regardless of age. There will be enough seat belts for each older child. Chapel: We offer a short Chapel service once a week that is developmentally appropriate for each age group of children. Clothing/Sharing: Label all your child's clothing with first and last names. Sandals with a heal strap are not allowed at preschool, an extra change of clothing will be required for each child. It will remain in their cubby. On Friday we have share day. Your child may bring a small, easily described item to share with the other children. Please try to label if possible. No toys should be brought on days other than share days. Toy guns and knives are never allowed at preschool. Discipline At Trinity Lutheran Preschool and After School Program, Guidance and preventative measures will be used whenever possible. In correcting a child, our staff will always: 1. Identify all rules well in advance. 2. Let there be no doubt as to what is or is not acceptable behavior. 3. Explain to the child why their behavior is not acceptable. 4. Redirect the child's attention to another area. Redirection will always be used before a time-out period. 5. If these measures fail to secure proper behavior, or if their behavior endangers themselves or others, the child will be placed in a chair for a time-out. This time-out will be a short duration, and the child will not be isolated from the other children. A book or toy will be given. 6. The teacher will again go over the rules so that they are clear to the child. Corporal Punishment or any behavior that violates the child's rights such as humiliation, intimidation, threats, coercion etc., or the interfering with any daily living function will never be used. Nutrition A nutritious snack consisting of a beverage, fruit, vegetable, crackers, etc., will be served mid-morning (10 am) and afternoon (3 pm) All students staying at preschool later than 11:30 am must bring their own lunch. Lunch is at 12 noon, water will be provided if needed for lunch, all lunches should be nutritious and have no more than one small treat. Sodas are not allowed, snack will be prepared on location. Naptime All children shall be given an opportunity to nap or rest without distractions or disturbance from other activities at the center. A napping space and a cot shall be provided (as well as a sheet and blanket) for each child under five years. Cots will be available for school age children upon request. No child will be forced to stay awake or to remain on their cot longer than the normal napping time period. Birthday Parties Birthdays are special days for children! If you want to bring a special treat for your child's birthday, please see one of the teachers to make arrangements. Parent Conferences: Parent/Teacher conferences will be scheduled as needed. Kindergarten readiness conferences will be scheduled in early spring. Please feel free to schedule a conference anytime to see about your child's progress or to voice any concerns. Child Withdrawal Procedures for the following reasons 1. Non-payment of tuition. 2. Failure to bring the physician's report within 30 days after the child enters school. 3. Inability of the school to meet child's needs. 4. If the child's behavior disrupts school activity, other children, teachers or our program or puts other children in danger, the child's parents/guardians will be notified and a conference will be requested. If the behavior continues, the parent will be notified that the child should not continue in our program. 5. Parents may withdraw their child from Preschool/Daycare for any reason, but they must give the Preschool two weeks notice of withdrawal of the child. Steps for Withdrawal 1. Verbal communication 2. Written communitcation 3. Withdrawal of the child We want to keep the lines of communication open at all times! If there is a serious problem at home such a change in routine, illness, death in the family, divorce, etc. please let us know as soon as possible so that we can help your child at school. If you have any questions, concerns, or problems, please contact us at 221-6686 ext 218 or 217. We pray for you and your child daily. Trinity Lutheran Preschool and School Age Center are privileged to serve you. Program Description for Preschool 7:30 am to 9 am Greet children and parents, do daily health checks. Self-selected activities usually assigned specifically for certain days, creative art, dramatic play, building, table toys, etc. 9 am to 10 am Outdoor play or gym time. 10 am to 10:30 am Toileting, hand washing, snack, quiet time. 10:30 am to 11 am Group time-teacher guided activities including: stories, rhymes, finger plays, music, and motor perception. 11 am to 11:40 am Small group activities: Science, Social Studies, Math, Language Arts, Art activities. 11:40 am to 12 noon Clean up, wash hands, get ready for lunch. 12 noon to 12:30 pm Lunch time 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm Quiet music, and nap time. 2:30 pm to 3 pm Wake up time: toileting, hand washing. 3 pm to 3:30 pm Snack time 3:30 pm to 4:15 pm Free play outside; bikes, climbers, trucks, etc. 4:15 pm to 4:45 pm Group time: singing, games, stories, finger plays. 4:45 pm to 5:45 pm Quiet activities: books, clay, puppets, puzzles, drawing, and art activities. Get ready to go home.