Shepherd’s Care
Preschool
Parent Handbook
Good Shepherd United
2341 S. Military
Trail
(561)
965-4311
scp@goodshepherd-umc.org
Kathy Schloesser,
Director
Tina Marie Intoppa,
Assistant Director
Shepherd’s Care Preschool
Parent Handbook
Revised 7/10
A Accreditation
As a NAC accredited center, Shepherd’s Care Preschool has been recognized as an early care and education program that exemplifies excellence in the care of young children. NAC accreditation benefits everyone involved. Parents can be assured that Shepherd’s Care Preschool has met standards that exceed the minimum necessary for licensing, the staff of Shepherd’s Care Preschool has benefited from professional development and the children enrolled at Shepherd’s Care Preschool have an environment that is conducive to their individual growth and development.
B Birthdays
We know how excited children become about their birthday. We want to make their day special for them. We feel this can be done by setting some guidelines for birthday celebrations.
We welcome you to bring in a treat for the class. All treats sent to school must be store bought and individually packaged. We recommend “Little Debbie Snacks”, fruit snacks, snack-size cookies/crackers, ice cream cups. Please DO NOT send in a cake or cupcakes. Please speak to the teacher about possible allergies in your child’s class.
Do not send in treat bags, hats or other party goods. We do not have the facilities to handle a “real party”. Please handle birthday party invitations OUTSIDE of class.
Birthdays will be celebrated from 12:30-1:00 and you are welcome to come back and join us. Please remember that siblings not registered as students are not allowed in the classroom.
C Clothing
Clothing should be comfortable and appropriate play clothes which the child can take on and off by themselves when in the restroom. Shoes must have a closed toe and heel – NO SANDALS, CROCS OR JELLIES! Due to the risk of head lice, hats are not permitted.
We would like every student to bring a complete change of clothes that will be kept in your child’s classroom all year, or until needed! We understand that you may not expect your child to need a change of clothes, but they are often needed because of spills or “potty accidents”.
D Drop off and Dismissal
All children are dropped off and picked up at their classroom. They must be accompanied by an adult at all times and signed in / signed out each day.
Dropping off: Class begins at 9:30. Please bring your child to the bathroom before bringing them to the classroom. Please be on time as it is a disruption to have children entering the classroom after class has begun.
** Your child must arrive promptly at 9:30 in order to meet the VPK attendance requirement **
Dismissal: The school day ends at 1:00. Please be prompt in picking up your child. If you are going to be late, contact Tina Intoppa at 965-4311 ext. 242 or Kathy Schloesser ext. 228. If your child hasn’t been picked up by 1:10, you must pick them up from Tina’s office. Late charges apply after 1:10.
Emergency pick ups: In the event of an emergency, you must call the Preschool office at 965-4311 ext.228 or ext.242 and give us the name of the person authorized to pick up your child. Please let friends and family know that we will ask for a driver’s license before releasing your child. If the front office is closed, you may dial the extension numbers at any time during the recorded message to reach the Preschool office.
E Emergency Closings
During severe weather and other emergencies, we follow Palm Beach County School District’s decisions regarding school closings. In the event of severe weather, tune into our local radio and TV stations for information. If Palm Beach County Schools are closed, Shepherd’s Care will be closed as well. In the event of a half day announcement, you will be contacted by a member of our staff regarding our decision.
F Fire Drills
We will have 1 fire drill every month. It is important for us to conduct these drills in order to be ready in case of a real emergency. The fire drill dates will be listed in our newsletter.
The teachers will be talking with the children to prepare them for hearing the alarm and explaining how they should respond. These drills can be upsetting at first so please help prepare your child. Talk to them about having a fire drill and stress the importance of listening to the adults around them. When you see a fire truck pass you on the road, talk about where they might be going and who they might be helping.
Please remember to ask your child to tell you about the fire drill. This will help reinforce the lessons learned.
G Guidance and Discipline
Discipline is what we do for and say to children to help them develop and internalize self-control, self-respect, and self-esteem. The result of a working discipline plan is a child who learns to conduct him/her self in a socially acceptable way.
Our discipline policy is based on two simple rules that are taught and posted in every classroom along with a chart showing the rewards and consequences. Children will receive a sticker on their star or other object when the teacher catches them being good.
Our class rules:
- Be a good friend with our words, actions and attitude.
- Follow directions.
When class rules are not followed, colored crayons are used in a pocket chart as a visual reminder to children of the consequences. When a quiet chair is used, the length of time will be equal to the child’s age in minutes and followed by prayer.
- Blue crayon: Reminder
- Green crayon: Quiet chair
- Yellow crayon:Quiet chair / loss of activity time
- Red crayon: Quiet chair in the preschool office
We encourage parents to discuss with the Director or Assistant Director any questions or concerns that are not clearly understood. Communication and consistency between home and school are essential for the healthy development of your child.
H Health Policy
Children must be healthy and free from communicable illness such as, but not limited to: fever, vomiting, diarrhea, nasal drip (does not refer to allergies), sneezing, coughing, colds, head lice or nits. Children with any of the above symptoms will not be accepted into the classroom. A child must be free of temperature for 24 hours before returning. If a child suffers from any allergies, the classroom teacher must be made aware of them and they must be stated on the registration form.
If any symptoms occur after the child is admitted to class, the parent/guardian will be notified to pick up the child. Sick children will be taken to and dismissed from the preschool office.
I Immunizations
A current immunization record (form #680) and physical examination (form #3040) are required before a child can start class. These forms should be readily available from your doctor.
J Jesus
We want students to know Jesus and how to make Godly moral choices.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.”
John 3:16 NIV
K Know Your Child Care Center
The brochure “Know Your Child Care Center” is included with every application. It provides you with information in the following areas:
What is a good child care program?
Minimum state licensing requirements
The parent’s role
The caregiver’s role
Additional copies are available from the preschool office.
L Late Policy
If you have not picked up your child from the classroom by 1:10 p.m., your child will be waiting for you in the Preschool office. You will need to sign them out from the office and there will be a $5 late fee. If you are later than 1:15 p.m. there will be an additional $5 for every 5 minutes thereafter. Fees are to be paid by the end of the next school day. The clock in the Preschool office is the official clock.
EXAMPLE
1:00 - 1:09 - no fee
1:10 - 1:15 - $5.00
1:16 - 1:20 - $10.00
1:21 - 1:25 - $15.00 etc.
We encourage you to have a backup plan in place; someone listed on your child’s application to pick up your child if you are delayed. If you need to review your emergency contact information on your child’s application, please stop by the office and we will assist you in this.
If you are going to be late, or someone else is going to pick up your child, you must call the Preschool office at 965-4311 ext.#228 or ext.#242. If the Front Office is closed, you may dial the extension numbers at any time during the recorded message to reach the Preschool Office.
M Medication and Medical Emergencies
Our staff is not permitted to dispense any type of medication. This includes ointments or pain relievers. Students are not allowed to have any medications in their backpacks or lunchboxes.
In the event of a minor injury, ice will be applied or a cut will be washed with antibacterial soap and water. You will receive a note describing what happened and the care that was given.
If the incident requires professional medical attention, you will be contacted. If we feel that immediate treatment is needed, we will contact Palm Beach County Fire Rescue by calling 911.
N Nutrition
Please send a healthy snack and lunch every day. This will promote good eating habits and give your child the nutrition they need to grow and develop.
Your child is required to bring a healthy mid-morning snack and lunch each day. It is also important that you include 2 separate drinks for your child. Lunches should include items that will not need refrigeration or reheating. Please do not pack candy, soda or other “sugary” items in your child’s lunch.
In children, the most common food allergies are to eggs, peanuts, milk, wheat and soy. Please talk to your pediatrician if you have concerns about possible allergies.
O Outreach
We help children learn to share the love of Jesus by participating in several outreach projects each year. Here are a few examples of past projects:
Book drive for WIC programs, Food drives for local food pantries, Care packages for soldiers, Christmas stockings for the homeless, Easter baskets for the homeless, Gift bags for orphans, Providing disaster relief supplies.
P Potty Trained
All children must be fully potty trained. This not only means that we do not change diapers, but that children should be able to handle their own clothes as well. Heavy “training pants” and “pull-ups” are not allowed. They can be confusing for a child to know whether “accidents” are expected. Our staff is instructed to help with children’s garments as little as possible.
The first few days of school are considered a “grace period” knowing that new surroundings, the classroom with so many new distractions, and an adult that isn’t Mom or Dad may be overwhelming. Classes are taken to the restroom twice daily and small groups will be taken as needed.
Q Questions or Concerns
If you have any questions or concerns, please call Kathy Schloesser at 965-4311 ext.228 or Tina Marie Intoppa, ext.242.
Parent/Teacher conferences: Parent/teacher conferences will be scheduled for all students in the fall and spring. If there is a need to have an additional meeting with the teacher, please write a note explaining the need for a conference and give it to Tina or Kathy. We will then schedule a time for you and the teacher to meet and will schedule a substitute to help in the classroom during that time, if necessary. Conferences cannot take place in the classroom while other students are present.
R Restrooms
Please bring your child to the restroom prior to dropping them off at the classroom.
The men’s and women’s bathrooms in the Chapel building are to be used ONLY by students of Shepherd’s Care Preschool, Monday through Friday from 9:30-1pm. Restrooms for adult use are located in the Fellowship Hall and the Sanctuary.
S Sign in / Sign out Sheets
There will be a sign in/sign out sheet attached to a clipboard for each classroom. You must sign the attendance sheet TWICE each day. In order to help drop off and dismissal run more smoothly, you will be able to sign your child in/out while waiting outside the classroom each day. All signatures must be LEGIBLE! No abbreviations or scribbling! This is a requirement by the PBC Health Department.
T Tuition
Our tuition for the 2010/2011 school year is $1850.00 for our 3-day program and $2800.00 for our 5-day program. It has been divided into 10 monthly payments of $185.00 for our 3-day program and $280.00 for our 5-day program. Payments are due on the 1st of each month beginning August 1st. You will receive payment envelopes that show your assigned family ID number. Please drop your payment in the black mailbox located in the hallway outside the main office of the church.
Tuition payments will be considered late after the 10th day of each month. The late fee is $10.00 unless prior arrangements have been made with the director.
U U Are Important
U are an important part of this preschool. We value your opinions on how we can improve our school. If U have any comments or suggestions, please put them in the preschool tuition mailbox.
U are an important part of your child’s life and are always welcome to volunteer during special activity days.
Communication and consistency between home and school are essential for the healthy development of your child.
V Volunteers
During special activity days, your child’s teacher may ask for volunteers through the monthly class letter. Due to Health Department requirements, siblings not enrolled in our preschool ARE NOT allowed in the classrooms. Please let your child’s teacher know if you would like to help in other ways such as cutting or filing.
W Withdrawal / Dismissal
If you need to withdraw your child during the school year, please give the office one week prior notice in writing.
After every attempt has been made to retain a child in our program through parent / teacher/ administrative conferences, the re are times when a child will be dismissed from our program. Some examples include, but are not limited to:
Not being fully potty trained.
Not being ready emotionally for a classroom setting.
Excessive absences.
Non payment of tuition or fees
Excessive late arrivals or pick-ups
Physically injuring themselves or others on more than one occasion.
X, Y, Z
This is the X,Y,Z of Shepherd’s Care Preschool. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your child’s life.
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