Hinton Preschool Handbook

Hinton Preschool

Parent Handbook

Phone: 947-4339

Welcome to the Hinton Community Preschool/Daycare. Please take a moment to review the following pages to familiarize yourself with the Preschool’s operation.

Hinton Community Preschool Purpose

To provide a safe, positive, loving atmosphere where children can learn and grow at their own pace.
To provide age appropriate activities and learning materials to provide hands-on learning.
Accept each child's individual needs and meet them to the best of our ability.
To learn and grow ourselves as teachers in order to provide the highest quality care and learning for the children.
To make preschool and daycare a positive and happy foundation for the children and their families to proceed on in life, remembering that what we do here touches lives forever.
To never be a substitute for parents, BUT be someone the child can count on for friendship, fairness, guidance, encouragement, love, and acceptance no matter what the child's behavior pattern.
Always remember that each child is a very special, very important person with deep feelings and each has something to contribute.

Preschool Organization

The Preschool is incorporated as a non-profit organization. The Hinton Board of Directors makes

policy and financial decisions.

A Parent Advisory Council is elected to meet regularly to coordinate programs, fund-raisers

and plan special events. Interested parents should notify the Program Director of their

willingness to participate.

Admission Policy:

Hinton Community Preschool is an early childhood care and education facility organized to

serve the needs of the community of Hinton. It is committed to providing equal

care and attention to all children.

Hinton Community Preschool extends enrollment to Hinton community children between the ages of three to five without regard for sex, race, creed, country or origin or disability. All children are enrolled on a trial basis. If after a trial period, the center is unable to meet a child’s needs, parents will be given a minimum of two weeks notice to enable the parent ample time to identify care that is better suited to meet the child’s needs.

Children with special needs will be included for admission when the Director and licensing agencies determine that the center can meet the needs of the child without affecting the care for the rest of the children.

Admission Procedure:

Follow the steps below:

Complete the Enrollment Forms and Emergency Information.
Have your child's pediatrician fill out an original Immunization Record and Health Inventory
Contact the Program Director and make an appointment. Plan to bring your child to the interview. The Enrollment Agreement and Financial Agreement forms will be completed at this time. A $15 registration fee will be paid. Please allow one hour to enroll your child.

Making friends, learning unfamiliar routines and trusting new adults is a tremendous task for

a young child. Filling out all of the paperwork may seem time consuming and unnecessary, but it enables our staff to help your child make an easy transition and insure a positive, secure experience.

Waiting List:

The Preschool maintains a waiting list established on a first come, first served basis. When a space becomes available, the Program Director contacts families that are first on the waiting list.

Dismissal Policy:

The center has a right to dismiss a child if the child:

is continually abusive to other children, staff, or property

endangers their safety or the safety of other

is habitually unresponsive to adult direction

uses foul or abusive language or actions to other students or teachers

if the parent fails to pay their billed fees

The parent will be notified by the director if situations occur that could eventually lead to a dismissal if not remedied. This contract will be documented in writing.

If the problem continues to occur, a conference will be held and a behavior plan will be established between the parent and the the center to correct the situation.

If the plan does not succeed, the center will give a one week notice of the termination of the contract.

Fees and Services

Hours of Operation:

The Hinton Community Preschool operates on a schedule that reflects the varied needs of the parents. The center opens at 7:00 AM and closes at 6:00 PM.

The Preschool will be closed on the following holidays: Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, January 1^st, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and the Friday before Easter. The Preschool will close early on New Year’s Eve day.

Late pick up:

If for any reason, a parent arrives at the center beyond the scheduled closing time of 6:00 PM, this will result in a charge of $10 for any part of the first 15 minutes and $5 for any part of each subsequent 15-minute increment beyond that time. If after 30 minutes, the child is not yet picked up the Department of Human Services and/or Police will be contacted. The clock in the office area will be the determining clock. Payment is due at the time of pick-

up.

Inclement Weather

Hinton Preschool will be open regular operational hours.

Children Served:

The Hinton Community Preschool provides care to children between the ages of three years and five years. After school care is available to school age children provided by the SOAR program.

The chart that follows represents classroom size as defined by state licensing requirements according to the age of the child. Hinton Community Preschool places children in age- appropriate groups according to the child's developmental age rather than chronological age

Three Years – One to every 8 children
Four Years – One to every 12 children
Five Years – One to every 15 children

Tuition:

The Preschool operates on a weekly/monthly basis. Children are enrolled on the following schedule. Payment is to be made in advance (Monday) of the week. Tuition rate increases may be made with a one month notice.

Tuition is due at the beginning of each week. Tuition cannot accrue more than two weeks, if so, $10 fee will be charged. If tuition is repeatedly unpaid, termination will result. The Director will update account balances on a weekly basis. The Preschool reserves the right to terminate agreement.

Check Charge:

Parents will be charged a fee if any check is returned for insufficient funds. If funds are insufficient more than twice during the year the center reserves the right to charge a payment deposit equivalent to one payment.

*Full-Day/Full Time Enrollment Tuition –

$95.00 a week 4-year-old class (Must be 4 by Sept. 15)

$95.00 a week 3-year-old class (Must be 3 by Sept. 15)

Tuition: Discount

A discount is offered to families with more than one child enrolled in the Hinton Community Preschool/Daycare. If two children are enrolled a 10% discount is applied to the oldest child's tuition. If three or more children are enrolled a 20% discount is applied to the oldest child's tuition.

Withdrawal:

Parents are asked to give the Preschool two weeks notice of withdrawal. This enables the Preschool to prepare your child and his/her friends for the transition and to fill the resulting vacancy. When withdrawing from the Preschool, tuition is due during the two-week notice period.

Schedule Change/Vacation time:

Please allow the Program Director 1 week notice of any changes in your child's schedule.

5 vacation days during the school year and 5 during summer hours.

A $50 “holding fee” will be charged to withdraw your child for summer.

Pick Up & Drop Off:

Parents are required to check the child in and out daily using the sign-in, sign-out sheet posted in the child's classroom. Parents are to personally escort their child into the Preschool each morning and inform the staff that the child has arrived. In the afternoon, parents must sign-out using the same system and notify staff that they are leaving with their child.
Parents are asked to inform staff of schedule changes such as late arrival or early pick-up so they can accommodate the change into the schedule.
Written or telephone notification must accompany any individual who picks up your child and is listed on the Emergency Card. Written notification with parent's signature personally presented by the parent is the only acceptable notification if your child is to leave with someone not listed on the card. Your child will not be released to anyone without proper verification. It is up to you to keep this verification up to date.
Please park in the designated, short-term spaces in the parking lot when coming to the Preschool. You assume full responsibility for your child when outside of the Preschool.
Do not leave your engine running.
Do not leave children in your car unattended.
Hold your child(ren)'s hand when walking to and from the Preschool. Be alert for moving vehicles.
Children will not be allowed to go with a parent under the influence of alcohol. It is our policy that a child will not be released from the center if it is suspected that the person who is picking up the child is intoxicated and/or under the influence of drugs. We will call someone on your pick-up or emergency list. Care providers will not attempt to handle an intoxicated parent. The provider will notify police for consultation.

Absenteeism:

Parents are asked to call the center by 8:45 AM on days their child will not attend. Parents are responsible for payment if the child does not attend.

On days that there is no school (DK-12), parents are asked to sign up if planning on attending that day. Failure to attend when a student has signed up will result in a $5.00 additional fee for the week.

Insurance:

The Preschool is aware that when there is a large group of children playing together there may

be some accidents. Thus, the school makes available a low cost accident policy. (The plan is available for In-school or 24 hour coverage.) Students are not required to purchase this insurance. The school makes no profit and only offers it as service to the student body. Information concerning the insurance is handed out at school registration time and is due, with payment, one week following the first day of class. If you do not register school age children at registration, you can request information from the director.

Items to bring:

extra set of clothes, outdoor clothes, and blanket for naptime--label all items

Clothing:

Children will be actively involved in their day, meaning paint might be spilled or puddles might be splashed through. Durable, washable clothes are a must, for we would rather see a child freely explore than worry about getting dirty.

We go out almost daily. We recommend that children be dressed appropriately on inclement days.

Each child must have an extra change of clothes in case of an accident. These clothes must be labeled and brought in to be stored in the cubbies or in your child's individual changing table basket. Any outerwear must be labeled to avoid confusion. Soiled clothes will be returned in a plastic bag at the end of the day.

Toys:

Toys must not be brought into the Preschool unless they are brought in for show and share on the child's assigned day. The toys will stay on the teacher's desk or other designated place until sharing time and then be returned afterwards. Soft toys brought in for cot time will be stored with the cots.

Meals:

Your child will have the opportunity to be served a nutritionally balanced, morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack. The Hinton School meal service will provide lunch. Snacks will be provided. Menus are included in the mailing of the school newspaper, The Blackhawk. Children with special diets will be accommodated into the program when a physician’s note detailing the food sensitivities is given to the Director or Supervisor.

Visitation:

Parents may visit the program at any time. We recommend that during the initial three

weeks of school that parents not visit. This helps the children and staff to establish a routine.

Cot Time:

After an active morning and full lunch the children rest on cots for part of the afternoon. They may either lie quietly or fall asleep. A favorite blanket, stuffed animal or doll may be brought in from home to make the child more comfortable during rest time. Blankets are to go home on Friday and laundered over the weekend.

Birthdays:

Birthdays are special days and the Hinton Preschool staff likes to be in on the fun. Check with the classroom staff prior to the birthday regarding the amount of sweets that you bring in. We ask that all birthday treats be stored bought or pre-packaged.

Outdoor Play:

Part of every day is spent outside except in extreme inclement weather. Children should be dressed appropriately so that they can stay warm and enjoy being outside.

Discipline:

It is the belief of the Hinton Community Preschool that all discipline matters should be resolved at the lowest possible level. Staff are alert to recognizing warning signals of potential problems and intercede whenever necessary. Children are encouraged to "problem-solve" rather than use their hands or teeth. Staff is always nearby to help work through difficulties.

Our philosophy is that social skills must be practiced. The staff will demonstrate appropriate behavior to other adults and to the children and are prepared to keep reminding and practicing with the children as often as is necessary. The staff are not permitted to physically reprimand (slap or hit) a child.

The Preschool does not permit any abusive behavior or language on the premises by a parent towards any child, staff member, parent or and other person affiliated with the center. Failure to comply with this policy may be grounds for immediate termination of services.

Labeling:

Label all items that come from home. This is to protect your child's health and safety as well as to prevent loss of possessions. The Preschool is not liable for lost items. Label all items with permanent ink.

Locker/Cubbies:

Your child will have a locker in the hallway. Please, place outer clothing and boots in the locker. Parent letters, notices, and art work will be put in the cubbies. Cubbies are located in the room.

Field Trips:

Throughout the year the children will go on field trips. A parent letter or notice will be posted or sent home before a field trip.

Walks:

On nice days, the children may be taken on walks. At registration, a permission slip will need to be signed for the school year.

Supplies:

Two times per year a supply list will be sent home with your child.

Health and Safety

Medical/Dental Emergency Plan:

In the event that a child suffers a medical/dental emergency while at our center or on a center sponsored field trip, the staff person in charge will immediately contact the Director. She will make every effort to contact the parents or designated person. If the situation requires immediate medical assistance, 911 will be called. One staff person will accompany child to the hospital. At least one staff person will stay with the remaining children.

Accident or Injury:

If a child is injured during the day and medical attention is required, the parent will be notified to come pick up their child. If the situation is an emergency, the parent will be asked to meet the staff member and the child at the closest hospital emergency room. It is vital for parents to keep emergency information up-to-date and inform staff of temporary or permanent changes of address, phone numbers, emergency contact people and immunizations.

Accident Report:

An accident report will be written when your child is injured. When picking your child up please sign and date the report and leave at the preschool for your child's file. You will receive a copy of the report.

Incident Report:

If your child harms another child or staff, you will receive a report notifying you of the incident. When picking your child up please sign and date the report and leave at the Preschool for your child's file. You will receive a copy of the report.

Illness:

A healthy environment is an important factor at the center. Children are happier and are more open to learning when they feel alert and energetic. In order to maintain this standard of health, parents are not to bring children to the Preschool with any of the following conditions:

A temperature 100 or greater

Medication Policy:

All prescription medications brought to the center have to be in a container appropriately labeled by the pharmacist or physician.
All over the counter medications have to be in their original container.
The school will supply secure storage for any medication.
Any medication that needs to be given will be given by the school RN.
A medication authorization form will need to be filled out by the physician and signed by the parent for any medication that needs to be given longer than two weeks.
Any prescribed or over the counter medications must be accompanied by a parent-signed Medication Consent form. Staff cannot administer any medication without these forms. The link to the form is included at the end of this site.

Confidentiality:

As childcare providers we keep all children and their families information confidential. This includes children’s behavior, illnesses, and any information pertaining to them. Please, respect this by not asking the staff about another child.