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2008-2009 Parent Handbook
The Flock
A Christian Preschool Supported by Epworth United Methodist Church
Epworth United Methodist Church
1030 Burrage Road, NE
Concord, NC 28025
PARENT HANDBOOK
2007-2008
Mrs. Teresa Gray
Director of Family Ministries
(704)786-6183
(704)786-8103 (fax)
epworthchildren@ctc.net
Preschool Staff
2-Year-Old Classroom – Mrs. Carrie Taylor
3-Year-Old Classroom – Mrs. Julie Harmon
4-Year-Old Classroom – Mrs. Jennifer King
4-Year-Old Classroom – Mrs. Suzanne Carney
Preschool Board Members
Mr. John Kennedy, Chair
Dr. Glenn Myers, Jr., Pastor
Ms. Sis Mills, Parish Nurse
Mrs. Lisa Emerson
Mrs. Deborah Helms
Ms. Kathy Boydstun
Mr. Bill Mooring
Mrs. Angel Teems
We are so excited that you have chosen The Flock – A Christian Preschool supported by Epworth United Methodist Church - for your 2, 3, or 4-year old. We are going to have so much fun working together as a team to ensure the success of your child as he/she grows and learns while in our care. This parent handbook is information which will help you in understanding the procedures that we use on a daily basis at The Flock to keep your children safe and secure, as well as to make sure that we maximize the time for learning and growth. Please do not ever hesitate to call your child’s teacher or the director when you have a question or concern that you would like answered.
Our day at The Flock begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 12:00 noon. Students may begin arriving at 8:50 am. When they enter the classroom, they will have the option of getting involved in three different centers: reading, art, or toys and games. We ask that parents take children to the restroom before leaving and/or change their diaper. This will help us get started quickly on our daily activities. At 9:20, all children will begin their day in the library with a Bible Story Time. At 9:40, they will begin other age-appropriate activities. A schedule will be posted in your child’s classroom. However, the first few weeks will be spent adjusting the schedule to make it fit the needs of the children.
All preschool students will come in the“side” door which is the front door of the preschool. Parents will sign their children in at the classroom. When parents pick their child up at 12:00, they will do so at the front of the church. We ask that parents pick their child up by 12:00 each day. For every five minutes past 12:15 that a parent is late, you will be charged $5.00. If an emergency occurs that causes you to be late, please call and let us know. A Lunch Bunch will be provided each day from 12:00 to 1:00 pm. Children bring their lunches for lunch bunch and eat together. They then have extra time for playing a socializing before going home. Lunch bunch if $4.00 extra each day that a child stays. If a parent decides to pay for Lunch Bunch by the month, a discount will be given.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
We will follow the Cabarrus County Schools schedule for the opening and closing of school. When there is a threat of inclement weather, the school superintendent decides when Cabarrus County Schools require closing. Parents can listen to the radio, watch local TV channels, or view the Cabarrus County Schools’ website (www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us) for information. In case of bad weather, radio stations WSOC, WBT, WEGO, WRFX, WPEG, and TV channels 3 and 9 will carry news of school cancellations. In addition, you may call the church office to check our status.
If the Cabarrus County Schools are delayed an hour due to inclement weather, the preschool will meet on a one hour delay. However, if Cabarrus County Schools is on a two hour delay, we will not meet. The Flock preschool does not make up "snow days" should school need to be canceled.
RELEASING CHILDREN TO PARENTS AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS
By law, a child may be released by the preschool to either biological parent unless legal papers have been presented to the preschool showing custody. This applies even if a child is living with only one parent and even if this parent has indicated to the preschool that a parent is not to pick their child up. If you have custody of your child and do not wish for him/her to be taken from preschool by his/her other parent, you must present your legal papers to the director.
In addition, if you wish for an individual to pick your child up from preschool who is not listed on the card, you will need to send in a signed note to the teacher, and the individual will need to be prepared to show his/her identification when they arrive to pick up your child. These precautions are taken to ensure the safety of your child when he/she is with us.
KEEPING INFORMATION CURRENT
It is VERY important that we have current information concerning how parents can be contacted during the time that we are teaching your children. Please notify us if there is a change in status during the school year:
SNACKS
Each day, we will have a nutritious snack for the children. Any parent who would be willing to send snacks to school each week or once a month, please talk with your teacher. We also welcome parents providing snacks at special times of the year, such as birthdays or holidays. However, there is one guideline that we ask parents to follow:
The Flock will be a “nut-free” facility. This is in large part due to the number of children and adults that are now being diagnosed with severe allergies to nuts. We appreciate your understanding of this policy as we seek to keep everyone safe while in our care.
FAMILY CELEBRATIONS AND PARTIES
Throughout the year, we have several “family celebrations” that you and other special guests will be invited to attend. When we have these events, the children usually have something special planned for you. This is one way that we keep community and family central to what we do here at the Flock. Be watching the calendars for dates and times of these events. Typically we have these events at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and the End-of-the-Year.
Birthday celebrations are welcomed and encouraged. Parents may send snacks to preschool or plan a party with the teacher. Please discuss what you would like to provide for your child with his/her teacher.
STUDENT DRESS
Please dress your child in comfortable and washable clothing. Keep in mind that your child will be using glue, markers, and paints. In addition, please be aware of the weather, and dress your child accordingly.
CLASSROOM WISH LISTS
As a general rule, you do not need to purchase any “school supplies” for your child. If you would like to purchase some items for the classroom, we are always in need of the following items: liquid soap, baby wipes, paper towel rolls, hand sanitizer, Clorox Wipes, and boxes of tissues. Your teachers have also developed a wish list for their individual classrooms.
TUITION
Tuition is due on the first day of every month. When you send in your child’s tuition, please put it in an envelope and label the front of the envelope with your child’s name and the month that you are paying.
Example: John Doe – September Tuition
This will help us in our bookkeeping. A receipt should come home with your child either they day that you send the tuition in or the following day. If you ever have any questions about tuition, please let the director know.
HARRIS TEETER AND FOOD LION LINKS
Do you shop at Food Lion and/or Harris Teeter? If so, you could help our preschool by linking your VIC/MVP card(s). Food Lion and Harris Teeter both have a website where you can link your cards. Please see the director if you would like assistance with this.
The Flock Discipline and Behavior Policy
At The Flock preschool, we believe that it is important to provide all children with an environment that is safe, orderly, and conducive to learning. In order for this to happen, we believe that we must have an established set of rules and procedures for handling students who make inappropriate choices and that it is essential for us as teachers to be role models. In addition, we believe that a strong program aimed at the development of children spiritually is a vital part of the curriculum, as children learn and develop.
There are two things that we are requesting of parents:
As a way to teach preschoolers about appropriate levels of voices, we will use the chart below.
VOICE LEVELS
Level 0 - No talking, no sounds
Level 1 - Whisper
Level 2 - Normal speaking voice
Level 3 - Outside voice
Preschoolers are still learning “right” from “wrong” and many times will “test the waters,” as they continue through the process of developing their character. The Flock is committed to helping children learn and grow. When a child makes an inappropriate choice, we will follow the following procedures:
Each of these stages may need to be repeated a number of times. Patience is absolutely imperative when working with preschoolers. NO FORM OF COPORAL PUNISHMENT MAY BE USED. Time-Out may be used, but not excessively. The director may also be used as an intervention, and teachers are encouraged to do this whenever they feel they need extra assistance, particularly since we do not have teacher assistants in the classroom.
Please look over the Discipline and Behavior Management Policy that we will use this school year. This will be posted in the classrooms. There are two copies in the back of the handbook. We ask that parents sign a copy and send it back to us, as well as keep a copy for themselves.
If at any time you have questions, about our Discipline and Behavior Management Policy or how we have responded to a situation, please call us and talk with us. Our goal is to provide an environment that is warm and inviting, while at the same time teaching children appropriate behavior and working with them on social skills.
FIELD TRIPS
We do try to plan one field trip a month. The preschool staff will decide where the children will go and which age groups will participate. All of the field trips will be tied to our theme for the month. We welcome parents to go on field trips with us and hope that you can join us! Some field trips will have a small cost, and others will be free. When you send money in for field trips, please put it in an envelope and label the envelope. Example: Jane Doe – Pumpkin Patch
PRESCHOOL SAFETY PLAN
The Flock has a safety plan in place that addresses all major and minor emergencies that could occur, including a fire, hurricane, or unwanted guest. If an incident were to occur when your child is in our care, we would contact you personally by phone. Please be sure that your contact information is always kept up to date.
It is our goal to always be prepared for a situation and to make sure that we are proactive in keeping your child safe. Our church takes the responsibility of caring for children seriously and is committed to ensuring the safety of each one when they are in our care. Our Safe Sanctuaries Policy, which was adopted in April of 2005 and revised in September 2007, explains all the procedures that must be in place at Epworth United Methodist Church. This policy addresses safety issues within all church activities and extends to the preschool. If you would like to read the full length of this policy, please see the director.
STUDENT HEALTH INFORMATION
Each child is required to have a health from signed by your physician and immunization records. These need to be in to the preschool by the first week of school.
It is absolutely imperative for your child’s teacher and the director to know if your child has a health issue that needs to be monitored and watched. Individual health plans will be established for students who have specific health needs. The director, with the assistance of the parents, the teacher, and the parish nurse, will write and coordinate the implementation of these plans.
We would appreciate it if you would keep us informed of any changes – minor or major -in your child’s health which may affect him/her at preschool. Things such as colds or a rash are so important to know about and understand when working with young children because the children can not always verbalize the problem or what is bothering them. In addition, things such as medications may affect a child’s behavior or health. In order for us to be sensitive to these situations, we would appreciate you letting us know about them. Finally, it is very important for you to report all communicable diseases such as pink eye, chicken pox, mumps, lice, etc. to the director as soon as possible.
Although personal care is not necessarily a “health” issue, for a preschooler, it is a sensitive issue. From two years old to four years old, children go through drastic changes in their levels of being able to take care of personal needs. Please be sure that you share with your child’s teacher how your child is doing with potty training, as well as any specific diapering procedures that are needed by your child. We are asking parents to send an extra outfit, including socks and underwear/panties (if applicable), in case your child has an accident. Also, please be sure that the clothing you send is appropriate for the weather that we are having.
PARISH NURSE
Epworth United Methodist Church is fortunate to have a parish nurse for our church family. The nurse is a wonderful resource for the preschool. However, she will not always be on campus when children are present. In addition, we can not use her as a “doctor” or a “physician.” If a child is sick, we will call a parent to pick him/her up from school. The parish nurse will be a resource for teachers, parents, and children on a variety of health issues. In addition, she will help in emergency situations.
ADMINISTERING MEDICINE
Teachers are not permitted to administer any medication to students without a medical form from a doctor. Please let the director know if your child has a situation in which he/she needs to take medication while at preschool. This applies to all medicine, including over-the counter drugs, antiseptic spray/lotion, or diaper rash ointment.
TICKS
If a tick is found on a child, the teachers will let the director know. Pediatricians of the County Medical Society recommend the use of a pair of tweezers for the removal of ticks. The tick should be grasped firmly at the skin attachment and removed briskly. If a tick needs to be removed in this manner, either the director or the parish nurse will handle the situation. Parents will be notified by telephone if a child has a tick that is attached and a letter will be sent home.
LICE
Spot checks may be made to detect head lice at the preschool. If a student is found to have lice (hatched) or nits (eggs), the parents will be asked to take the child home for immediate treatment. Information will be sent home concerning treatment. All nits should be removed before the student will be allowed to return to preschool.
TRAINING FOR TEACHERS ON SAFETY
All staff at The Flock will have at least four hours of safety training each year, which will include Epworth’s Safe Sanctuaries Policy, the safety procedures for fire, severe weather, and bomb threats, communicable diseases, and playground safety. In addition to this training, they are also required to have CPR training each year specific to preschool-age children, and First Aid training every three years.
TEACHING STUDENTS THE SAFETY PROCEDURES
Safety will be discussed and stressed throughout the school year. Children will be taught all the procedures and rules that are in place so that they are prepared and so that it becomes a normal routine. Of course, discussions will be age appropriate and integrated into the daily instruction of the children. We will also provide opportunities for the children to focus on specific types of safety as they are integrated into our monthly themes.
LOST AND FOUND
Children will periodically loose items while at school. Please talk with your teacher if your child is missing an item. In addition, you may check the church’s Lost and Found in our front office. Please label your child’s personal items in a permanent marker so we can return items when they are found.
PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION
It is absolutely imperative that parents and teachers communicate on a regular basis. As a result, we want you to let us know if there is something we can do to improve our communication to you. We have planned to send you a calendar each month that gives you a synopsis of what your children will be learning while in our care. In addition, the teacher will be keeping you informed on a regular basis how your individual child is doing. Finally, parent-teacher conferences will be arranged by your child’s teacher at the end of October, as well as at the end of the year, to go over your child’s progress. Additional conferences may be requested by the teacher or parent.
OPEN DOOR POLICY
At The Flock, our goal is to be in partnership with the parents as we work with your child. If at any time you have a concern, please do not hesitate to talk with your child’s teacher or the director to resolve an issue.
PARENT ADVOCACY GROUP
It is not rocket science that parents play a vital role when it comes to educating and raising a child. As a result, The Flock feels they must be actively involved in the decision making. At least four times per year, a parent advocacy meeting will be held in order to get feedback and suggestions from our parents. We welcome all parents to attend the meetings and look forward to these sessions.
CURRICULUM
Our goal a The Flock is for the children to be so excited about what they are learning that they can’t wait to come back. At the same time, the children will be stretching themselves socially, emotionally, physically, cognitively, intellectually, and spiritually. We will take them where they are and help them soar as high as they can go!
Our basis for instruction will be The Creative Curriculum for Preschool. This curriculum is based on fifty (50) objectives. A summary of the objectives is at the back of the student handbook. In addition to The Creative Curriculum, we will also be using a variety of other resources including Letterland and Sounds Abound. Each month you will receive a calendar and newsletter that will explain what we are learning during the month, including our goals for Literacy, Math, and Science, as well as our Bible focus for the month. If you would like to see a “working draft” of the pacing guide for this school year or a particular month, please speak with the director. Weekly lesson plans will be visible within the classrooms, and may be viewed by simply talking with your child’s teacher.
VOLUNTEERS AND SUBSTITUTES FOR THE PRESCHOOL
At The Flock, we always welcome volunteers, and we sometimes need substitutes for our classrooms. If you would like to volunteer in your child’s classroom to work with small groups of children, please let the director know. In order to protect the safety of all the children, we will need individuals to go through a background check. This does not apply to parents who are coming in for a party or celebration. This only applies to parents who will be helping to “monitor or teach” students.
In addition to volunteers, we also welcome parents to apply to be a substitute for the preschool. Please talk with the director if you are interested in submitting a substitute teacher application.