St. John Child Preschool and Child Care
Child Care
Parent Handbook
St. John Child Care and Preschool
St. John Lutheran Church
812 East High Street
Hicksville, Ohio 43526
(419) 542-8422
www.facebook.com/stjohnpreschoolchildcare
http://www.stjohnlutheranhicksville.com/preschool-child-care-center.html
Kathy Spears, Administrator
Vicky Coombs, Pastor
Revised 8/2017
Welcome to St. John Preschool and Child Care Center!
We are grateful for the opportunity to nurture and care for the children of our community. We take the trust that families place in us very seriously. Therefore, we promise to faithfully do our best to teach, love and care for your child. Our primary goal is that your child reaches his or her fullest potential as a child of God. Your child’s safety, well being, and sense of belonging are our top priorities.
Our hope is that your child will have a wonderful experience while enrolled here at St. John Preschool and Child Care Center. Working together, cooperating, sharing, planning, and taking responsibilities with other children and adults are skills that contribute to a child’s positive growth and development. Our program is designed to encourage these skills within a safe and pleasant environment. Our staff is dedicated to providing a supervised program that will encourage positive relationships, good citizenship, supportive school/readiness experiences, and spiritual growth. We believe that a child’s work is their play and we want your child to have fun. As parents, your input and support are critical to the success of this ministry. We welcome the time and talents you can share with us.
This program is licensed through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and operates in accordance with state policy and regulations. A copy of these regulations is maintained in the Center office. The Center is owned by St. John Lutheran Church and is operated by the church council and child care board members.
This handbook has been designed for you, the parent/guardian. It contains the St. John Preschool and Child Care Center philosophies and policies in an easy-to-use format. Please keep it handy for reference regarding our operating schedule, contact numbers and policies and procedures.
No child or parent will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, gender, or national origin.
Kathy Spears
Administrator
St. John Preschool and Child Care Center
Our Educational Philosophy
St. John Preschool and Child Care Center strives to provide an environment in which children:
§ Experience God’s love through nurturing relationships with staff, strong friendships with peers, and a positive self image.
§ Experience a place of safety and belonging.
§ Participate in planned, child appropriate school/readiness activities.
§ Discover and nurture their creative expression.
§ Develop vocabulary and meaning through exploration of books, experiences and conversation.
§ Cultivate a desire for knowledge and a love of learning.
§ Utilize their innate curiosity in opportunities for discovery and problem solving.
§ Follow directions, work, and play cooperatively.
§ Make the transition from home to the school environment.
§ Respond to structure and direction outside of the home.
St. John Preschool and Child Care Center gears all activities to be developmentally appropriate and works to meet the learning style of each child. Teaching and activities will be approached from a perspective that sees each child as one “created in the image of God.”
St. John Child Care and Preschool recognizes parents as the first and most significant educators of their children. We recognize that this is an ongoing role and strive to support parents in this very important responsibility.
Our Mission
The mission of St. John Preschool and Child Care Center grows from the mission of St. John Lutheran Church to families of the community. Our mission is to provide safe and healthful care of the children in an atmosphere designed to promote intellectual growth, creative thinking, active learning, physical skills, as well as social and spiritual development.
Contact Information
St. John Lutheran Church
Church Address: 812 East High Street, Hicksville, Ohio 43526
Church Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Church Office Phone: (419) 542-6269
St. John Child Care and Preschool
Administrator: Kathy Spears
Center Phone: (419) 542-8422
e-mail:
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/stjohnpreschoolchildcare
Website: http://www.stjohnlutheranhicksville.com/preschool-child-care-center.html
Enrollment/Payment Procedures
1. Your child needs to visit the Center, accompanied by a parent or guardian. At this time, your child will be given a chance to tour the center and meet teachers and other children.
2. Before a child may attend the center, all forms must be filled out completely and returned to the Administrator.
Payment for child care billings are in the sign-in book on Tuesday mornings. They MUST be paid in full by the end of the week. Child care fees over 14 calendar days due will result in dismissal unless a payment plan has been implemented with the Administrator
Full-time child care $3.50/hour
2nd full-time in same family See the administrator for a discount
Lunch supplements If a child’s packed lunch does not meet state nutrition requirements, the center will supplement at a charge of $.75 cents per menu item or $2.00 for an entire lunch.
Please call the Center a half hour ahead of drop off to give us the opportunity to get ample staff available before dropping your child off on a non-scheduled day. If the Center is not notified of a last minute drop off, the family will be assessed a $5 fee per incident per child.
If a child is not picked up by 5:30 p.m., there will be a late fee of $5 per child for every 15 minutes late.
Any returned checks will result in a penalty fee to be added to the balance owed. Any returned checks after the first one will result in dismissal from the program.
At the end of each calendar year, a summary of fees paid will be provided at the parent’s request.
Health records must be on file at the center before a child is allowed to attend. Each child who is not enrolled in the public school must visit a physician for a complete physical, which must be verified on the form provided by the center. This form must be on file before your child begins. Ohio law requires a new physical each year. For returning students, enrollment papers must be reviewed and updated. An Enrollment form with emergency transportation information must be on file before your child’s first day. School age children’s health records are on file with the school system, so they are not required to submit immunization/physical records to the Center.
Program Information
St. John Preschool and Child Care Center Program Philosophy
- The program will be developmentally appropriate, relevant, active and engaging for children.
- The program will provide opportunities for learning and social interactions through positive relationships with staff and other students in a safe environment.
- The program will include music, creative art, stories, drama, games, recreation, guided homework time for school age children, and a nutritional snack.
- The program will provide a framework for engaging children’s learning through active exploration, problem solving, discovery and conversation. The activities provided will engage children in a wide range of meaningful experiences.
- St. John Preschool and Child Care is a ministry of St. John Lutheran Church and as such will reflect Christian ethics and behavior.
Daily Schedule
6:30 – 8:55 Day Care
7:40 Bus Pick Up at Center
9:00 – 11:30 Preschool Classes
11:30 – 2:00 Lunch and Naptime
2:50 Bus Drop Off at Center
2:00 – 5:30 Day Care
Communication Information
Yearly Calendar
At the beginning of each school year, parents/guardians will receive a Center calendar based on the Hicksville School calendar. This calendar will contain information about the Center’s hours of operation. Parents will receive updates to the calendar as needed, based on any changes that the school system may make.
Weather Announcements
We follow the Hicksville School system for school delays, early releases and closures. If the Hicksville Schools are closed for bad weather, the Center will remain open, unless there is a Level Three weather emergency or power failure. If there is a two-hour delay for Hicksville Schools, the Center will open at its regularly scheduled time. If a two-hour delay becomes a closure, parents will be notified and can make the decision to keep their child in daycare or make other arrangements.
Other Communication
Communications that may affect your child will be posted on the information bulletin board located above the sign in book. Occasionally notes and reminders may be sent home. These will be attached to your child’s sign in sheet. Please check the bulletin board and your child’s sign in sheet regularly.
Daycare Information
Before and After School Program
Our Before and After School program will provide creative and educational activities in a Christian environment which encourage and support learning through structured play, recreation, homework assistance, and quiet time.
Learning within a Christian Environment
As a ministry of the congregation, St. John Preschool and Child Care Center will offer faith based activities for the children consistent with the Lutheran expression of the Christian faith. While children will not be separated from an activity such as prayer before meals, we strive to respect each person’s faith tradition and will not compel any child to participate.
Center Hours
Center hours are Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. If a child is not picked up by 5:30 p.m., there will be a late fee of $5 per child for every 15 minutes late.
The center is closed during the summer months. It will close on the day in which Hicksville Elementary School closes for the summer and will re-open when school begins in the fall. The center will be closed during Hicksville School breaks, such as Christmas and Spring breaks. A complete schedule will be posted on the Parents’ bulletin board and distributed at the start of the school year.
Weather Delays
We follow the Hicksville School for school delays and closures. Child care will remain open as usual unless for reasons beyond our control, such as shortage of staff, ice storms, Level 3 Snow Emergencies, county emergencies and power outages.
If for some reason beyond our control we need to close the day care for the day we will notify the following radio stations and it can be found on www.mix981fm.com:
WDFM-FM 98.1 WNDH–FM 103.1
WONW–AM 1280 WZOM-FM 105.7
Snacks and Meals
Nutritious morning and afternoon snacks are provided; for those children who participate in full day/part day child care, and are with us during the noon hour, lunch must be supplied by parents.
Our center uses a packed-lunch program. Parents are required to provide a packed lunch each day which meets the state nutritional guidelines. These nutritional guidelines include:
1 grain item, 1 serving of protein, and 2 fruits and/or vegetables
Acceptable items include:
Grain – 1 slice bread, ½ cup pasta or rice, 1 muffin, etc.
Protein – 1 ½ oz. meat, 1 Tbsp peanut butter, 1 ½ oz cheese, etc
Fruits & Veg. – ½ cup of applesauce, peaches, pears, melon, etc.
1 banana or 1 apple is considered two servings
½ cup carrot sticks, broccoli, or any hot vegetable
The center will provide 2% milk for each child so there is no need for juice boxes or drinks. Staff members will assist the child with opening packages, and will check for nutrition compliance. If any required menu item is not included in the child’s lunch, the center will provide a supplement at the cost of 75 cents per item. If an entire lunch is needed, the cost will be $2.00. Whenever possible, hot items should be pre-heated and packed in an insulated container. A microwave is NOT available for student use. Refrigerated items should either be packed in an insulated container or the parent should notify a staff member that the lunch needs refrigeration.
Children who arrive before 8:00 a.m. may bring a breakfast. If your child is eating breakfast at the Center, please send in a box of cereal, which will be labeled with your child’s name and stored in the office. Bowls, spoons, and milk will be provided. Breakfast for school-aged children is from 6:30 -7:00; preschool children may eat from 6:30-8.
The church nursery is available for mothers who are breastfeeding.
Nap Time
A time of rest will be provided for all preschool age children immediately following lunch. Children are not required to sleep, but are asked to rest quietly for a short time. Those who fall asleep will be allowed a nap of up to two hours. Those who do not sleep, or who awake early, will have quiet activities to do while the other children sleep. A teacher will stay with the children during the entire rest period. Soft music or an appropriate video may be played in a darkened room to provide a relaxed atmosphere.
A cot will be provided for each child and marked with their name. A sheet is also provided, which is laundered weekly. We request that you provide a small blanket and a small pillow, if desired. These will be sent home weekly for laundering. Please mark all belongings with your child’s name.
School age children who are at the Center for the entire day will engage in quiet activities while preschool age children are resting.
Providing appropriate dress
Your child will be playing outside and will be participating in some “messy” creative activities. Your child should come to the Center with clothing appropriate for these activities. As the seasons change and weather gets colder, children should wear appropriate clothing for playing outside. Children will play outside in temperatures above 40 degrees, taking wind chill into consideration. At temperatures below 40 degrees, the administrator will make a determination based on weather conditions. In warm weather children will play outside in temperatures up to 85 degrees, considering humidity levels. We will not play outside in rain or lightening at any time.
Footwear should be appropriate for active play. Sandals are to surround the foot, no open backs. Flip-flops are not to be worn.
Treasures from Home
With the exception those items that provide comfort, we ask that your child not bring personal belongings or toys from home. If your child chooses to bring an item from home, the Center is not responsible for loss of damage of the item. Please mark all items from home with your child’s name. No toy weapons or “fighting” toys are allowed.