Preschool Academy of Westchester

Preschool Academy of Westchester

At Matthew Road Baptist Church

Parent Handbook

2015-2016

To grow as Jesus did -

“in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.”

Luke 2:5

Matthew Road Baptist Church

Preschool Academy of Westchester

Goals and Objectives

The Preschool Academy of Westchester (P.A.W) offers an educational and fun program for children. It is operated as a non-profit ministry to the children in our community and is exempt from licensing according to the minimum standards stated by the state of Texas. Curriculum is based on the Wee Learn Curriculum published by LifeWay. In addition, many supplementary texts may be used in planning.

Our classes are open to any child regardless of race or religious beliefs. The lesson plans are appropriately designed to the age groups and to the stage of development of each child. Since children learn best through hands-on activities, lessons are built around play and experiential learning. We believe that a child absorbs his/her concept of God from people, things, and experiences that are a part of his/her environment. Thus, a love and appreciation for God, Christ and the things God has made are stressed through appropriate activities. Curriculum is designed to help the child develop in all facets of his/her life…physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Curriculum is planned to enable each child to:

• Grow in trust, independence, and initiative.
• Gain confidence and self-esteem.
• Experience God’s love for him/her through loving relationships with other children and adults.
• Enjoy happy times at church and school.
• Explore the world around him/her.
• Develop small muscles through art, puzzles, blocks, and home-living activities.
• Exercise large muscles through both indoor and outdoor movement activities.
• Enjoy creative expression through music, art, and other play activities.
• Think and make choices for individual and small group activities.
• Develop good activity skills by learning numbers, letters, and handwriting.

The purpose of P.A.W is to extend the ministry of and help accomplish the purpose of Matthew Road Baptist Church by providing care, education, and development for each child enrolled to his/her greatest potential. Our goal is to have a program that allows children to grow and develop as Jesus did- “in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52).

Teachers

Our teachers are crucial to the quality of this program. Providing excellent physical care is just the beginning point in building trusting, secure relationships needed for a child to thrive. Our teachers have been carefully chosen for their warmth and nurturing skills. They are sensitive to the individual and recognize that each child is unique and different from every other child. Our teachers participate in an ongoing continuing education training program provided by the church, staff meetings, and workshops. Our teachers are trained in CPR and first aid. The Preschool Minister works with the teachers in facilitating the planning and implementing of all center curriculums.

Admission

All registration forms must be completed and all fees must be paid before a child will be admitted to P.A.W. A record of his/her immunizations, a copy of a driver’s license of anyone allowed to pick up your child, a picture/video release, and the parent acknowledgment at the back of the parent handbook must be included.

Hours

P.A.W will open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 2:00 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays during the Fall and Spring terms.

**The preschool staff meet each morning for prayer and preparation from 8:30 a.m. - 8:55 a.m. The building will be open and you are welcome to wait in the hall until 9:00 a.m. Please do not enter the classroom until 9:00 a.m.

Children must be picked up no later than 2:00 p.m.

**See late fees section regarding children left at P.A.W after 2:05 p.m.

Holidays

P.A.W operates from September 9, 2015 through May 18, 2016. P.A.W will observe all school holidays that fall on Mondays and Wednesdays. A calendar detailing these dates will be provided on the first day of school and in your enrollment packet.

Snow or Bad Weather Days

If Grand Prairie I.S.D. closes or has late starting time due to snow or other bad weather conditions, P.A.W will close. We will not have a late start. Please listen to local TV and radio stations for announcements. Your child’s teacher will notify you as well. (We have two bad weather days built into the calendar. Therefore, we will not make up bad weather days.)

The Preschool Minister and church staff reserves the right to close school for the day or to close the school early if it is felt that the driving conditions are dangerous or becoming dangerous. You will be notified by your child’s teacher if this happens.

Fees and Payments

Each child is a priority with his/her parents; therefore, childcare tuition should be a priority in each family’s budget. P.A.W is dedicated to careful fiscal responsibility and good stewardship in our operation. Your child’s tuition will be charged at a specified rate beginning the fall term, and will remain at that rate for one year.

*Tuition for the 2015-2016 school year:

• $135.00 per month for one child
• Sibling discounts are available.

Fees and Payments (cont.)

Your child’s monthly tuition is determined by the number of school days (Mondays & Wednesdays, not including holidays) from September 9th through May 18th multiplied by the daily rate ($19.50) divided by 9 (the number of months in school year). It is not determined by the days of attendance. There are two bad weather days built into the calendar that you are not charged for. All tuition is to be paid in advance on the first class day of the month. A late fee of $20.00 per child will be assessed on the second Monday of each month, unless arrangements are made through the office.

More than 2 late payments may result in dismissal from P.A.W without notice. Payments are to be put in the drop box beside the light switch in the PAW office. PLEASE DO NOT TURN YOUR PAYMENT IN TO YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER. Preferably, payment should be made by check or money order payable to P.A.W. Cash will be accepted for the correct amount owed. We DO NOT keep cash on the premises. Therefore, we do not have change.

Tuition statements will be given out at the end of each month detailing your account. Your child’s tuition and any other fees owed will be indicated on the statement. If you ever have any questions regarding your account, please come by the office. We will be glad to help you in any way we can.

Other Fees:

Registration Fee: $50.00 per family (non-refundable) due once a year at the time of

enrollment.

Supply Fee: $100.00 per child (annual payment) $50 due at time of enrollment, $50 due by July 1, 2015.

All fees go toward improving our program for your child. Curriculum cost, general supplies, and special activities will be paid for using these fees.

Non-Sufficient Checks:

There will be a $20.00 service charge for any insufficiently funded check. The amount of the insufficient check and service charge must be paid in cash as soon as you are notified that the check has been returned. The return of a second check will automatically void the privilege of paying by check.

Late Pickup Fees:

If you are late picking up your child, you will need to sign your child out in the PAW office. Any parent who leaves a child at the Preschool past 2:05 p.m. will pay a late pick up fee according to the following schedule:

Pick up Time…………………………………………Late Fee per Child

2:05-2:15$15.00

2:15-2:30$20.00

After 2:30$40.00

After being late twice, dismissal may occur. We value your time and ask that you value ours as well. Your child’s teacher has specific duties that he/she needs to perform at the end of each day and many have children of their own to pick up from school. Forethought and common courtesy are appreciated.

Money and other important forms

Please note that all forms, money, and other important forms should be turned into the office by you, the parent, and not to your child’s teachers. The only exception to this is class parties.

Security

The doors to all buildings are magnetically locked. The doors will be unlocked from 8:50 a.m. until 9:15 a.m. to allow you to drop off your child(ren). Due to the staff either preparing the classroom or attending a meeting, please do not enter the classroom until 9:00 a.m. You and your child are welcome to wait in the hallway outside the classroom until 9:00 a.m. In the afternoon, the doors unlock at 1:45 p.m. and remain unlocked until 2:10 p.m. in order to allow you to pick up your child(ren). If you are late, you will need to check in at the preschool office before picking up your child. You are welcome to come anytime during the day. However, you will need to check in at the preschool office first to receive a visitor’s badge.

Dismissal

P.A.W reserves the right to dismiss a child upon one-week notice for serious behavior problems, non-payment of fees, or continual late pick-ups. Dismissal may result immediately if the Preschool Minister feels P.A.W is in jeopardy or parents have not followed policy.

Health and Medical

A current record of the child’s immunizations or notarized letter opting out of immunizations must be furnished. Each child must have an emergency treatment authorization on file in the office (located on your child’s enrollment form). Parents are responsible for keeping current, in our file, the name of the child’s physician, as well as, the name of the person to contact in an emergency when the parent cannot be reached. In the event of an accident or illness requiring medical attention, the child’s parents will be called immediately. If we are unable to locate the parents, office staff or the Preschool Minister will take the child to the emergency room specified on your emergency forms or the nearest hospital. Parents are responsible for notifying P.A.W if they are going to be away from their place of employment or their “normal” form of communication with P.A.W.

Please understand that we have your child’s best interest at heart. We will care for them as we would our own children. Should your child sustain a minor injury while in our care (skinned knee, bumped head, insect bite, etc.) first aid will be rendered as needed. As long as your child is consolable and able to finish out the day, you will not be notified until you come to pick him/her up. The supervising teacher will fill out an accident report. The report will need to be signed by the Preschool Minister, the teacher(s), and the parent. The report will detail the specifics of the accident and what the staff, in response, did to aid your child. A copy of the report will be given to the parent and the original will be filed in the child’s file.

Illness Policy

Children may not be brought to P.A.W if they are ill or have any symptoms of illness. We are depending on you to help us maintain this policy. Parents will be notified to pick up their child immediately if signs of illness occur during the day. An ill child must not be admitted for care if one or more of the following exists:

1. The illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in preschool activities.

2. The child has any of the following:

1. Oral temperature 100.4 degrees or greater (armpit temperature 99.4 degrees or greater).
2. Behavior changes or other signs or symptoms of illness until medical evaluation indicates that the child can be included in P.A.W’s activities.
3. Must be free from diarrhea and/or vomiting for 24 hours, without the aid of medicine, before they may be brought to P.A.W. Children will be sent home after two incidents of diarrhea in one day. Vomiting will necessitate our sending your child home immediately.
4. If lice is found you will be contacted and your child will be sent home immediately.

Your child should be symptom free without the aid of medicine for 24 hours before attending P.A.W.

If your child has been diagnosed with a communicable disease, the child will not be able to return until a medical evaluation determines that the child is no longer communicable and is able to participate in P.A.W’s activities. You will be responsible for providing the office with a doctor’s note.

If circumstances have resulted in your child having to have special care or restrictions due to broken bones, stitches, IV fluids, or respiratory aid, P.A.W will need to receive a full medical release from your child’s physician before returning to P.A.W.

Refer to the Parent Handbook for return procedures when a child is ill. A sick child may not return to school until twenty-four hours after he/she is free of temperature or symptoms, such as a green runny nose, matted or runny eyes, rashes, etc. If in doubt, it is best to keep your child home. This is for the protection of your child as well as the other children. Parents will be notified when a child has been exposed to a communicable disease within the program. Parents should likewise notify the school when children are exposed to a disease outside the program. If any symptoms are due to allergies, we ask that you get a doctor’s note stating such, before returning to the preschool.

Absences

The full rate is charged for each day whether a child is present or not. There are no rebates or discounts due to absences. Please understand that we can make no exceptions. P.A.W is a non-profit program.

Due to the volume of children in the program, you will have to pay full tuition, even if your child only comes one day per week.

Medication

P.A.W teachers may not administer any medications to a child; this includes bug spray and sunscreen. Each teacher is trained to administer emergency first aid. Please do not ask your child’s teacher to give over-the-counter medicines or prescription medication. All medications must be given by the parent or a designated person other than P.A.W staff.

Medication (cont)

EXCEPTIONS: Only the office personnel or designated person may administer the following medications:

• Medication for ADD or ADHD
• Breathing treatments for asthma
• External medications such as: ear or eye drops, diaper rash medication, and teething medications.
• Medication to counteract an allergic reaction: Benadryl, EpiPen

Leaving and Picking Up a Child

Parents are required to walk the child to his/her room and release the child to the responsible teacher. Children should not be left with office staff while parent delivers a sibling to class. Consistent and prompt attendance is advised. If your child will be late or absent, please notify the office. Children will be released only to properly identified persons who have been listed in the child release section of the enrollment forms and a copy of the driver’s license provided. The names of persons who may pick up the child and other information must be kept current by the parents. All children are to be picked up at their room by the parent or an approved adult. Children cannot be released to siblings younger than 16 years of age. For our records, each child must be signed in upon arrival and signed out for early departure. Sign in sheets are located in each classroom.

Food

Parents are responsible for providing their child(ren) with a lunch that does not need to be heated or refrigerated. Lunches should include foods that children can eat by themselves. With the exception of the infant and toddlers, the teachers will be unable to spoon feed your child. Sandwiches, crackers, cut up fruit, etc. are always good choices. We discourage unhealthy items such as candy bars and sodas. Your child should have eaten breakfast before he/she arrives in the morning. Please do not permit your child to bring food into the classroom in the morning

Nursery Area Only- All milk and baby food, spoons, bowls, and cups are to be furnished by the parents, along with specific instructions for heating etc., if necessary.

All food containers and cups should be labeled with the child’s name. Food allergies should be noted on the enrollment form. A snack, usually consisting of animal cookies/crackers and water, may be served during the day.

Parents are always welcome to eat lunch with their child. Parents will need to bring a lunch. All visitors are required to check in with the P.A.W office before going to a child’s class to receive a visitor’s badge.

Clothing

Washable play clothes are the most suitable. You must provide a complete change of clothing, as well as, any other change your child may need during the day. Children who are toilet training will need a sufficient amount of training pants as well as outerwear. If your child soils his/her clothes and a change of clothes have not been provided, you will be asked to either bring a change of clothes or pick up your child. Be sure to bring your child a jacket or coat if the weather is cool. There will be outside time during the day unless the weather is below 40 degrees or above 100 degrees. All children who are walking must have shoes. Children may not wear flip-flops at any time. Children need good sturdy footwear to enable them to run and play without fear of tripping and falling. Tennis shoes are recommended. All clothing and other belongings should be labeled with your child’s name.