Preschool Manual

YOUR CHILD'S DAY:

Your child's day will include learning centers; large and small group activities and independent play. These activities provide the opportunity for your child to learn about himself, his friends and his teacher. With the exception of simply structured games, children need to play on their own. The teacher will monitor the playtime and encourage positive play behavior and discourage negative behavior.

Small and large group time enables your child to work independently and cooperatively. Many skills are developed during this time, which equip your child for future educational experiences. Movement and More and Chapel are taught once per week in all four, three, and two year old classes. The Young Twos classes may begin these activities after the Christmas break. We also offer health and safety classes twice per month for the four-year-old classes only. In 2004 we began an enrichment series of Spanish and science for all three-year-old classes. Last year we expanded our offering to include social studies. Each three-year-old class will participate in a six week series of Spanish, science and social studies sometime during the school year.

SCHOOL CALENDAR:

The detailed school calendar is located in the front of this parent manual. Parkway Baptist Preschool follows the Fulton County Board of Education holiday and vacation schedule, with the addition of Good Friday as a planned holiday. This year Fulton County has added 5 early release days to their calendar. We will be in session 2 of these 5 days to minimize the impact to our schedule. Additionally, in the event of inclement weather, please listen to Radio Station WSB (750) for school closing announcements. If Fulton County Schools are closed, our Preschool will be closed.

ADMISSION POLICIES, ENROLLMENT, HOURS AND FEES:

All children who are enrolled in Parkway Baptist Preschool must meet the entrance requirements established by the Board of Directors. Your child must be the appropriate age as established in our eligibility requirements. A copy of each child's birth certificate is kept on file and eligibility is checked carefully. Children in the three- year old class must be potty trained. Our three-year-old classrooms do not facilitate diaper changing. While occasional accidents are tolerated the parent will be contacted and asked to come assist the child with changing their clothes. As a reminder, please dress a child who is in the process of potty training in clothes that are easy for them to handle. The challenge of potty training at school should not be dressing and undressing.

School hours are 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Timeliness is important. We greet the children either in car pool or at the classroom door each morning from 9:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Classes begin their daily routine at 10:00 a.m., so please make every effort to arrive on time. Dismissal begins at 1:20 p.m. and ends at 1:40p.m. If you are late to pick up your child(ren), the child(ren) will be brought to the daily Happy Hour and you will be charged accordingly. [If you know you are going to be delayed (due to unexpected events, for example, a physician's appointment running unusually long or automobile trouble or accident) please contact your child's teacher and/or the Director right away.)

A non-refundable registration fee equal to one month's tuition is required and due at the time that the application for admission is approved. First month's tuition is due by June 1st and is refundable if a written request is received by August 1st.

Monthly tuition payments are due by the first of each month beginning September 1st. Please make checks payable to Parkway Baptist Preschool, NO CASH PLEASE! Each month your child will bring home a tuition envelope which is labeled with their name and their teacher's name and class. Previous payments are recorded on a chart to provide you with account history. Please enclose your check in this envelope and return it to school in your child's school bag. Please do not seal the envelope. Teachers will then present the envelopes to the Director. A $15.00 late fee is assessed if payment is made after the 15th of the month; when applicable, include this late fee in your payment. There is also a $25.00 returned check fee. Sickness, vacations, weather closings and absenteeism do not affect the amount of monthly tuition.

TERMINATION OF ENROLLMENT:

Our preschool budget is based on full enrollment. One month of reduced tuition income can cause financial distress. Therefore, we ask that you provide a one-month written notice of your decision to withdraw your child. If a 30-day written notice is not given, the May payment will not be refunded and will be credited to the month your child is withdrawn.

HEALTH:

In order to maintain the health and well being of all the children, we ask that you please keep your child home when they are ill. No child shall be admitted to preschool if they are visibly sick. Every effort will be made to observe good health practices at school. If your child becomes ill or is injured at preschool, we will separate your child from the group and provide care until parents can be contacted. Since we do not have the facilities to care for sleeping or sick children, please come and pick your child up immediately. If your child has had vomiting, diarrhea, or fever the day or evening before school, we ask that you keep them home for 24 hours. Additionally, please report any contagious illnesses to the Preschool Director. We reserve the right to request a written note from your doctor prior to returning to school if your child has had a long or severe contagious illness.

We are unable to dispense over the counter or prescription medication to any child. If your child suffers from asthma or other allergies you must complete the EMERGENCY HEALTH CARE PLAN & ALLERGY MEDICATION PERMISSION FORM. If the allergy is severe, we will administer Benadryl. The Benadryl must be provided by the parent, labeled with the child's name, and will be kept in the Director's office. The teacher, according to the instructions provided on the release forms, will dispense the medication and the parent will be called immediately to supervise any additional medical treatment. Inhalers may be brought to school, kept in the child's backpack, and used by the child if necessary. The teachers do not supervise the use of inhalers.

If your child has an extremely severe allergy, you may provide us with an epipen. We prefer to keep two pens on the premises: one in the classroom, and one in the Director's office. All teachers will be trained by a video "It Only Takes One Bite" by the Food Allergy Network on the use of the epipen.

If ingestion is suspected we will administer the medication and immediately call 911. The parent will then be contacted and must come immediately to the preschool to supervise any additional medical treatment. Specific procedural information will be given to each parent who completes the Emergency Health Care Plan Form.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU REPORT ANY CHANGE IN ALLERGY INFORMATION IMMEDIATELY IN WRITING.

HEAD LICE POLICY:

While we have never had a situation involving head lice at the preschool, it is important to remember that head lice can be a difficult issue to resolve. If your child or another member of your family is exposed to head lice it is imperative that they are treated with appropriate shampoo immediately. Additionally, if the case is severe, please treat your home, its contents, and your car. A child should not return to school until he or she is nit free for approximately 7 to 14 days.

VACCINATIONS:

Every child is required to have a CERTIFICATE OF IMMUNIZATION (FORM 3327) on file in the preschool office. This form is obtained from your pediatrician and declares that all vaccinations are up to date. Please provide this information by October 1.

SAFETY AND SECURITY:

The safety and security of your child is a primary concern. All of our policies and procedures are established based on the welfare and safety of the children and staff.

Fire safety week is typically scheduled for the second week in October. During this week the teachers focus on fire prevention and evacuation procedures. The Fulton County Fire Department visits the school with local firemen and fire trucks. Additionally, we schedule three fire drills throughout the school year. These drills are effective and non- threatening, but nevertheless extremely important. We also will have several tornado drills throughout the school year.

Other safety issues include:

1. Car seats and seat belts: We make every effort in carpool to secure your child in their car seat or seat belt. However, since car seats vary and often are difficult for the teacher or Director, it is ultimately your responsibility to insure your child and other children in your car are correctly belted in their seat before you leave the church parking lot. We recommend that you stop your car once you have left the carpool area and check each car seat or seat belt before entering into the roadways.

2. Pedestrian Safety: Carpool is not mandatory and if you choose to park your car and come into the building we ask that you park in the back of the church adjacent to the trailer and walk on the sidewalks to the preschool building's double doors. Please do not walk through the parking lot during carpool.

3. Safety in the classroom and on the playground: Every effort has been made to select appropriate toys for each classroom and the playground. However, accidents may happen, therefore we require that parents complete a MEDICAL RELEASE FORM and an EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT FORM for each child enrolled in the preschool. Our primary concern in all medical matters will be the welfare of your child. You will be contacted immediately in the event of any injury that requires medical attention. Please be sure that we have your correct telephone numbers on file. If a minor injury occurs at school you will be notified at the end of the day. An INJURY REPORT FORM will be completed for injuries that result in any blood loss other than a minor scratch.

4. Building Security: The Preschool will be kept locked at all times except during carpool. Our intent is not to keep you out and, of course, you are welcome to come in to the school at any time. Our intent is to keep your children safe and to know who is in the building at all times. We welcome you into the school at anytime. Please ring the doorbell located on the double doors of the preschool building to enter the building.

5. Child Security: There may be times throughout the year when you are unable to pick your child up at school. We are extremely careful about this issue and will not release your child to another individual without your express permission (in writing unless an emergency). Each child will have a completed CHILD PICK-UP AGREEMENT on file. This form lists the individuals who may pick up your child from school, and for the rare instance of specific individuals that are not allowed to pick-up your child. Each authorized individual will be asked to show their drivers' license unless it is a regular carpool situation. If you plan to have your child picked up by another adult, please notify the teacher in writing. If it is an emergency situation, please call the Director or your child's teacher.

CLOTHING AND POSSESSIONS:

Play is often messy, so please dress your child in clothing that is durable and comfortable. Sneakers or rubber-soled shoes are preferred since they give support, freedom of movement and protection for the feet. Each class has a scheduled playground time, and the children do go outside everyday, weather permitting. Please send hats, gloves and jackets as the weather dictates.

Young children in diapers need a diaper bag daily which should include diapers, wipes and a change of clothes. All other children must have a complete change of clothing including underwear and socks in the bottom of their tote bag in a large Ziploc which will be kept there daily and only used in an emergency. Please change these clothes seasonally and mark all items with your child's name.

We discourage children from bringing personal items, such as toys into the classroom, except as requested by the teacher for show and tell or other special occasions. Guns, ropes, knives and other toys which encourage rough and violent play are not permitted. Pets and other interesting nature items are welcome in the classrooms; however please check with your child's teacher before bringing any item from home. Comfort items such as bears or blankets may be brought if needed until the child is accustomed to the routine of preschool.

Everyday your child must bring a lunch and their tote bag to school. Again, be sure to label all items with your child's name.

BIRTHDAYS AND PARTIES:

Birthdays are special occasions and we encourage you to schedule the date and time with your child's teacher. You may plan to bring in party cookies, cakes or ice cream. It is against our policy for parents to hire magicians, clowns or any other entertainers for birthday parties on the school premises. If your child has a summer birthday, you may choose to celebrate on a day during the school year. Please refrain from exchanging presents or passing out written party invitations, unless the entire class is invited.

While each individual teacher is responsible for planning all class parties, the entire school will participate in the Halloween Parade and Christmas Program.

VISITATION AND CONFERENCES:

You are always welcome to visit the classrooms. However, since the teacher's first responsibility is to the children, do not expect a conference while classes are in session. A formal conference with each child's parents will be schedule on February 25th-29th. If you would like an informal conference, please arrange a mutually convenient time with the teacher. So that the conferences can be conducted without interruption, we will provide free babysitting for all children except infants.

We are here to support and understand each child. In order for us to be more sensitive to your child's needs, please do not hesitate to share with the teacher any situation that may impact your child's behavior in school.

GRADUATION EXERCISES:

An evening graduation ceremony for all four-year old students who will be entering kindergarten in the fall is planned for Tuesday, May 13, 2008.

PICTURES:

A professional photographer will take pictures at the preschool twice during the school year. In October individual and class pictures will be taken. If your child is not normally in school on picture day, feel free to bring him or her to the school anytime during the day. Every effort is made to have the pictures available to you for Christmas. Spring pictures are scheduled in March.

DISCIPLINE:

All teachers will model and teach Christian principles set forth in the Bible. We will teach the children to respect and love others. We provide a rich, stimulating environment where praise and redirection will often prevent behavior problems. If necessary, we will utilize brief time-outs as a consequence for misbehavior. If a problem is more severe, the teachers and Director will handle it in a private and confidential manner. The teachers will notify you of any unusual or ongoing discipline issues involving your child.

FIELD TRIPS AND SPECIAL GUESTS:

Field trips are planned by the teachers and are only available to the four-year old classes. Due to security reasons, a parent or guardian is required to accompany each child while they are off campus. If your schedule does not permit you to escort your child, you may ask another parent in the class to chaperone your child or we will make arrangements for her or him to attend school for the day. All classes will participate in the events when a special guest such as the firemen, storytellers and entertainers visit our school.

MONTHLY CALENDARS AND NEWSLETTERS:

Each month, your child's teacher will prepare a monthly calendar and newsletter regarding all the important happenings within your child's preschool classroom. This important information source will be placed in your child's folder, so be sure to check the folder daily for this and other work and information. Read all information carefully and post the calendar in a place so that your may refer to it as needed. The calendar will be your notice of special events, activities, or special needs within the classroom. If your child does not bring home this information, please notify his or her teacher immediately. The teacher will also provide a weekly or bi-weekly summary of activities. We ask that you please read these publications.

FUNDRAISING EVENTS:

Fundraising events and programs, with the exception of book fairs, are considered if and when there is a specific need that is outside our established budget. We attempt to select programs that are easily administered. Participation is totally optional. If you have any suggestions regarding fundraisers please contact the Director.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT:

There are many opportunities for you to become involved in your child's classroom and in the preschool. Parental involvement provides for new ideas. Each class generally needs a room mother or mothers, volunteers to read books, make snacks, plan holiday parties. School programs that benefit from parental assistance include: speech, hearing and vision testing, Halloween parade, picture days, Christmas program, conference days, Water Day, Fun Day and Teacher Appreciation Week. There are other opportunities to help the Director in the office and during pre-registration for the next school year. A volunteer survey is sent home in September to give you an opportunity to volunteer for events and times that are convenient to you.

PRESCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

The governing board of the Preschool consists of Parkway Baptist Church Senior Pastor, Dr. James King, the Preschool Director, and teacher and parent representatives. Issues of significant importance that directly impact the Preschool are discussed, researched and voted upon for the purpose of maintaining and improving our school. Directors are appointed in the spring for the following school year. If you are interested in volunteering in this capacity, please advise the Director.

The current Board of Directors for 2007 - 2008 is as follows:

Mia Casnocha - President - Parent

Jim King - Pastor

Sue Moser - Preschool Director

Amy Beane - Church Member - Parent

Lisa Sullivan - Teacher

Amy Kennedy - Church Member - Teacher

To Be Determined - Church Member - Preschool Committee

To Be Determined - Church Member - Finance Committee

Rebecca Orton - Associate Pastor for Child and Youth Ministries

PARENTAL CONCERNS AND SUGGESTIONS:

The teaching staff at Parkway Baptist Preschool is of a professional caliber and one in which complete confidence can be placed. If you have a concern or a suggestion please feel free to address the lead teacher and/or the Director. We are eager to answer any questions and listen to any suggestions you may have.

NON-DISCRIMINATION NOTICE

Parkway Baptist Church Weekday Preschool Ministry is a non-discriminatory school. We accept children without regard to sex, race, creed, color, or national origin. Our staff is hired based upon education and personal training and desire and ability to be loving toward children.