LAMONT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
PRESCHOOL
Thank you for your interest in our preschoolprogram. We hope that the information given below may answer the questions you may have about our program.
Our Program Objectives:
It is our objective that our preschool program may assist you in the Biblical nurturing of your child. Your child will be taught the skills necessary for kindergarten preparation. Numerous opportunities to experience activities enhancing his or her development will be given. Free play time, hands on activities and short teacher-directed lessons, in such things as language development and number awareness, will be used.
Your child will participate in Bible stories, prayer and lessons about God and His creation.
Our class:
Children from various homes throughout the community will make up our classes. Parents who want a Christian preschool program may enroll their children who must be three years old by September1 and potty trained for our program.
Our schedule:
The preschool program is scheduled to run for two semesters. Our Preschool session (3’s and Young 4’s) will be Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00 to 11:30am.
How can you ENROLL?
Please return the enclosed enrollment form with a $25.00 non-refundable enrollment fee to Lamont Christian Preschool, 5260 Leonard Road, Coopersville, MI 49404. A health certificate, immunization record, Hearing & Vision screening documentation, emergency contact information and child information card must be given to the school office by September 1st. All these forms can be found in the enrollment folder.
WELCOME TO OUR PRESCHOOL
Thank you for trusting us with your precious child. We hope that the early childhood experiences for your child may be positive. We endeavor to provide a comfortable atmosphere for growth and development. Your child will be treated as the unique individual he/she is in the context of our group.
We are privileged to have the freedom to assist you in the Biblical nurturing of your child. Everything in our curriculum reflects the awareness that we all live and move and have our being through the mercies of God.
We look forward to working together with you in this awesome task. Pray with us that God will be pleased to add His blessing.
OUR TEACHERS
Our Preschoolteacher, Mrs. Julie Baker has taught many years in early education at Christian & Public schools. Mrs. Baker has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Endorsement.
TEACHER AIDES
Mrs. Jean Hanenburg, our preschool aide has four children who have all graduated from Lamont Christian School. Jean and her husband live in the Coopersville area.
ADMISSIONS POLICY –PRESCHOOL
Parents who want to use a Christian preschool program may enroll their children who will be three by September 1, 2017 and are potty trained by the start of school. We welcome children from any Christian family without regard to gender, race, color, or ethnic origin.
OUR TYPICAL PRESCHOOL DAY
* Table Time
*Circle Time
*Small Group
*Circle Time
*Snack
*Center Time
*Recess/Gym
*Songs & Dismissal
OUR PRESCHOOL GOALS
At Lamont Christian preschool we will strive to provide a happy, positive introduction to formal education in order that each child may develop to the best of his/her ability the talents and capabilities that God has given him/her.
More specifically, our goals are to:
-provide a safe, secure environment which will nurture a healthy self-concept.
-help the child function comfortably away from parents.
-provide opportunities to enhance a future home and school partnership.
-help each child to become aware of other people – their uniqueness, needs, and abilities.
-strengthen the child's confidence in facing new situations and experiences.
-provide the child with opportunities and assistance in making his/her own decisions.
-encourage the child to sit and listen in a group and to accept and follow group rules.
-enhance the child's ability to speak comfortably in front of a group.
-stimulate the child's creativity and provide the materials with which he/she can express this creativity.
-provide the necessary equipment and encourage the development of the child's gross and fine motor skills.
-develop readiness skills for kindergarten and establish a foundation for good work habits.
-encourage the child to make positive responses to God, His creation and His Word.
ABILITIES
Children develop at different rates. Your child will be developing spiritually, physically, socially, intellectually, and emotionally at his or her own rate.
Children's abilities vary and develop at different rates as well. Please accept the uniqueness of your child. Comparison with other children particularly in the presence of others may prove to be harmful to your child's confidence and development. We need to pray for wisdom and patience in dealing with your children. They are fragile and must be handled with prayer.
DAILY WORK
Children will frequently be bringing projects home. They are very excited about their accomplishments. Please look for their work and discuss it with your child. Be careful not to criticize a paper. Children need to develop skills positively.
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
You will receive a weekly newsletter that will tell you what our topics are. The newsletter will include important information. Please be sure to read it. You can also find a School Event Calendar on our website The class newsletter is also on the Lamont’s weebly site at lamontcs.weebly.com
BRINGING AND PICKING UP YOUR CHILDREN
Preschool families need to sign in your student when dropping off and when pickingup your child. Please wait for the teacher to release your child.We ask that you bring your child promptly at the designated arrival time. Please be sure that you bring your child in to the room and that you wait until the teacherhas received your child before you leave. When you pick your child up at the designated pick-up time, please come in to the room for your child or, if the children are outside, come for your child there. Always make sure that the teacher sees you pick up your child. If anybody other than yourself or the persons indicated on your child information card are to pick your child up please call the school beforehand or send a note along. We don’t want your child to experience any confusion.
BACKPACK
Every child will need to take a backpack each day. The bags should be sturdy and big enough to carry a folder in it and a change of clothing. Please mark the bag with your child's name. Be sure to check the backbag after each class for daily work or notes from the teacher. If you have a note for the teacher, please put the note in the folder or hand it directly to the teacher.
SNACKS
We encourage nutritious snacks. Each child brings his/her own snack. Milk will be available for a minimal fee. Please let us know if your child has any allergies.
CLOTHING
Clothes should be comfortable and washable. Children's clothes do get a little soiled at times. Shorts are acceptable with hot temperatures. Please label all outer wear. The children in preschool will not be going outside during the winter season, but send an extra set of clothing in case of accidents. Extra snow clothes will not be necessary. Please send inside shoes with your child.
SHOW AND TELL
Show and tell is a very important part of our preschool program. Language development and other skills are enhanced with this activity. Please help your child to choose an item to show the class.
FIELD TRIPS
During the course of the year the class will take a few class trips. There is a Trip Consent Form that needs to be filled out and signed and kept on file. There may be a nominal charge to cover the costs of the trip. Parent volunteers will be necessary for these excursions. Children will be transported by volunteer parents or the teachers. Also, bring your child’s car seat if you are not driving.
BIRTHDAY TREATS
Birthdays are very special! Children will be given special attention. Treats are welcome but not necessary. Summer birthdays may be celebrated on half birthdays or in the month of May. Please inform the teacher when you would like to have your child celebrate his or her birthday.
ILLNESS
Please inform the school if your child is ill and will be absent from school. We must report ALL illness to Ottawa county Health Department. Our number is 677-1757 or email the office at If your child has a contagious illness like chicken-pox, strep throat, pink eye, etc., we must be informed so that we may alert Ottawa County Health Dept. and the other parents in your child’s class as soon as possible. We appreciate good attendance but if your child is not feeling well please keep him or her home. Your child will not enjoy preschool while he or she is ill. We also need to respect the needs and health of the rest of the children. If your child becomes ill at school we will give you a call requesting you come and pick them up. From time to time a student will start showing signs of fever, tiredness or upset stomach after they come to school.
SNOW DAYS
Preschool will be canceled due to bad weather whenever Lamont Christian School or Coopersville area schools are closed. Please listen to the news media for the school closing announcements.
EXPECTED BEHAVIOR & DISCIPLINE
To ensure that our school will be a safe enjoyable place for all, we submit the following rules.
- Children will not be permitted to climb on furniture or counters.
- Wild, rowdy, purposeless play will not be allowed.
- Children are expected to pick up toys.
- Toys may not be brought from home for play at school.
- Children must stay in the room at all times unless accompanied by the teacher.
- Children are to respect each other. Physical aggression or abuse will not be tolerated.
We believe and practice the truth that children need to be trained in the way they should go. Therefore we will do the following:
*We will commend positive behavior.
*We will warn against negative behavior. Sometimes a child's activity may be immediately stopped or slowed down.
*We will have the child separated to a "thinking” chair until he or she is ready to return to the group.
*We will allow the teacher to handle the child in the most effective manner.
Physical discipline such as spanking will not be used by the teacher in any situation.
LICENSING NOTEBOOK FOR PRESCHOOL
The Licensing notebook contains all the licensing inspection and special investigation reports and related corrective actions plans since May 28, 2010.
The licensing notebook will be available to parents during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. This notebook is located in the school office.
Licensing inspection and special investigation reports from at least the past 2 years are also available on the child care licensing website at:
LAMONT CHRISTIAN WITHDRAWAL POLICY
I. Parents will be asked to withdraw their child from our program for the following reasons:
1. Failure to give evidence of an up-to-date immunization record or an exemption form.
2. Failure to submit the required signed health forms.
3. Failure to pay the tuition when due.
4. If a discipline problem becomes too severe and cannot be resolved adequately with parent - teacher cooperation.
II. You may withdraw your child from the program if you have a good reason by following the steps below:
1. Conferring with the teacher and providing one week's notice of withdrawal.
2. Notify the school office.
3. If you follow these procedures, a refund of tuition paid will be returned toyou within a reasonable time for the classes not attended.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
FIRE
1. Staff is notified of fire with a continuous alarm bell.
2. When the alarm is sounded the teacher and children will line up at the classroom door.
3. The preschool assistant will escort the children out of the building through the north doors of the school. The teacher will be the last to leave the classroom making sure that no one is left behind.
4. Roll will be taken by the teacher using her class list.
5. The teacher and children will remain outside until the all clear signal is given.
6. If necessary, parents will be contacted by phone.
7. Fire routes are posted near the doors of the classrooms.
8. The staff will conduct fire drills with the children at least three times a year.
TORNADO WATCH - WARNING
1. IF A TORNADO WATCH IS ISSUED PARENTS WILL BE CALLED TO PICK UP THEIR CHILDREN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE WANT ALL OF THECHILDREN TO BE SAFELY HOME BEFORE A WATCH IS CHANGED TO A WARNING.
2. The school will be called immediately if a severe weather warning is in effect. Children will be escorted to their designated area within the building for safety until the all clear signal is given. Parents should not come for their children until the severe weather warning is lifted.
3. Children will be taught to go on their knees on the floor with their heads toward the wall and their hands over their heads.
4. Roll will be taken. Contact will be maintained with the office.
SERIOUS INJURIES
1.The teacher will stay with the injured child.
2.An older student or adult will immediately inform the office. Office personnel will call for emergency service.
3.The office personnel will notify the parents.
4.Another adult will remain with the rest of the children.