Parent Handbook

Children’s Cottage Preschool

Parent Handbook

Updated 12/29/10

Welcome to The Children’s Cottage Preschool!  We are pleased to welcome you and your family into our lives and hope you find a “second family” with us. We believe that learning and development occur through the constant exchange between teachers/care providers, children, and parents. Each child brings his or her own unique perspective, needs, and contributions to our time together. We live in a diverse community and have access to a wide variety of people and experiences from which our children can learn and enjoy.

The Children’s Cottage Preschool Program Philosophy and Goals

Goals of The Program
To foster each child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development during the preschool years by:

Building positive relationships between teachers, children, parents, and the community

• Learning and development occur through the constant exchange between teachers, children, parents and their environment.

• Children’s learning and interaction occurs in the context of the bigger picture- their family, their community, and past experiences.

• Each child has a unique background and unique needs and contributions, communication between teachers and parents is crucial for the child’s optimal development.

• Parents are encouraged to learn about their child’s activities and interests in the school setting just as teachers learn about a child’s interests at home.

Creating a space where children can develop independence and social responsibility, while learning to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of others

• Children’s behavior is purposeful and directed at meeting real needs, which are to be valued and respected.

• Our staff and students value kindness, teachers model kindness and expect children to practice being kind.

• Children need opportunities to learn how to identify and express their own feelings, and also to recognize and respond to the feelings of other children.

• Children  have a right to personal space, a right to be alone when they need to, and a right to choose what they want to work with and with whom they want to work. Both solitary work as well as collaborative work are necessary for cognitive and social development.

Promoting good health through hand washing, tooth brushing, healthy food, exercise, and comfortable rest spaces

• Children who learn to care for their bodies feel self confident, self aware, and enjoy caring for themselves.

• Proper hand washing and dental hygiene will prevent illness.

• Healthy children attend school more regularly, have better attention spans, and a higher level of happiness.

• Teaching children about healthy eating choices and exercise in preschool will set them up for a lifetime of better health.

• Children learn better when they are allowed many opportunities for active movement, have access to open outdoor play spaces, and cozy places to rest and sleep.

Using developmentally appropriate practices in the classroom

• Children learn through play. A good teacher can observe children’s play, engage children in play, and extend learning through play.

• Learning requires interaction, observation, experimentation, and active exploration of real objects and relationships in the environment.

• Children have an essential role in development of an emergent curriculum based on their interests and needs.

• Capabilities develop in predictable stages/sequences throughout life and at each developmental stage children will be able to do new things.

• Children are encouraged to work at their own pace and work on an activity for as long as they choose.

• Adults trust in and support a child’s ability to choose what they need to do within the environment at any given time.

• Children’s play is their work. Their work is taken seriously and respected by teachers and peers.

Is Your Family a Good Fit with The Children’s Cottage Preschool?

If you answer “yes” to many or most of these questions, then your family is probably a perfect fit for the Children’s Cottage Preschool!

1. Our family believes that children are born curious learners.

2. At home we support our child in being as independent as he or she is able. This includes areas such as cleaning, cooking, tidying up, making lunch, and keeping belongings organized.

3. We believe that the best way to learn is in a joyful, creative setting where choices are available within the necessary limits of the classroom and home setting.

4. We enjoy communication with teachers and take the time to get to know the classroom setting and our child’s progress  so that we can have consistency between home and school.

5. We interact with our child in a respectful, polite way and expect this behavior from him or her with other children and adults.

6. We are able to organize our family life in a way that enables our child to get enough rest, calm family meals, and consistent discipline.

7.We do not watch television or play computer games extensively, if at all.

8. We limit television to educational viewing when we sit as a family. Renting and viewing movies is a family event where our child’s moral development as a kind, thoughtful citizen takes priority over popular movies, peer pressure, and adult interests.

9. Our family goes out into the world regularly to experience new things such as hiking in the wilderness, visiting museums and art exhibits, and attending musical performances.

10. We read to or with our child everyday.

Staff Biographies

The teachers at The Children’s Cottage Preschool are dedicated, nurturing, and passionate about helping young children reach their full potential. The children benefit from working with the same group of familiar teachers every week for their entire preschool period. All upper level staff have completed  health and safety training, passed a health screening and tuberculosis test, and have at least 6 Child Development units.

Rose McCutchen is the owner and director of The Children’s Cottage Preschool. She studied child development at Humboldt State University and is now continuing her education at College of the Redwoods. She has a Child Development Site Supervisor Permit, and is working toward her Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education. Rose was previously the owner of Cutten Cottage Family Childcare and has been working with children since 1999, where she was an assistant teacher at Humboldt Educare in Arcata. Her educational background is specifically strong in the Montessori, Reggio, and Constructivist philosophies on children’s learning and development and she has a strong interest in children’s art. She believes that working with children and their families is the most rewarding profession in the world.

Leah Sanders is the lead teacher in the Frog classroom.  Leah studied child development at Solano College and will receive her AA degree in Child Development at College of the Redwoods in May 2011. Leah loves art, leading children in their exploration of nature, gardening, cooking,  and music. She plays the Guitar, Ukilele, and Didgeridoo with her class on a regular basis. Leah loves working with all ages, and enjoys fostering children’s learning through meaningful play.

Kaylyn Stromberg is the lead teacher in the Tadpole classroom every day from 7:30- 3:00. Kaylyn graduated from Humboldt State University with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. Kaylyn continues to take child development classes through College of the Redwoods.  Kaylyn is a wonderful teacher dedicated to creating an environment and curriculum that fosters each child’s social and emotional as well as their educational development.

Rebecca Holden is an associate teacher and afternoon lead teacher in the Frog class every day from 12:00-6:00. She has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and performed her student teaching at the Bemidji State University Child Development lab in Minnesota. Rebecca is especially skilled at positive classroom guidance, open ended curriculum planning, and inspiring each child’s interests through thoughtful project work.

Jessica Bermudez is an assistant teacher in the Frog classroom every day from7:30-12:00.

Ellen is an assistant teacher each morning in the Tadpole classroom, and the afternoon leader of the Tadpole class on Monday Wednesday and Friday.

Sarah Fantasia is an assistant teacher and leader of the Tadpole class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sarah is currently studying Early Childhood Education at HSU.

Chessy DePerro is the full day  aide in the Tadpole classroom. Chessy is kind and thoughtful and enjoys helping guide our youngest students through the everyday routines of self care and potty learning, teaching compassion and social skills along with school basics like language and counting . Chessy loves gardening, and takes the children into our organic garden every morning during outdoor play time.

Erika is an afternoon aide in the Tadpole classroom every day. Erika works from 10:45-6:00 pm.

ADMISSIONS
Children’s Cottage Preschool serves children from two to six years old from the hours of 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. We ask that you bring your child to observe at the center before enrolling your child in our program. Before your child begins care the enrollment packet, including emergency contact information, must be completed and returned. As a part of enrollment, we will also need a current, complete immunization record or a signed immunization waiver. Please let us know if any information changes once enrollment has begun, as this information will be used in case of emergency.

The first month of care shall be considered a trial period, to assure a “good fit” for your child in the preschool center. After the first month trial period, two weeks notice shall be given by the parents if the child will no longer be attending. The only exception would be in the case of gross misconduct on the part of the provider, parent, or child. The Children’s Cottage Preschool reserves the right to terminate care, without  two weeks notice, at any point that we feel it would be in the best interest of the child or the school.

Discipline and Behavior
We help children manage their behavior through positive discipline. Children feel secure when limits are firmly, consistently, and kindly enforced. Redirection, offering choices, and logical consequences are tools we use to help children learn to make positive choices in their behavior. Teachers treat children with dignity and respect to ensure their comfort and safety at all times. Corporal punishment of any kind is never used,  in accordance with Child Care Licensing Regulations. We expect children to practice being kind, careful of other children’s work, and respectful toward their friends and teachers. It is important to have a consistent discipline approach between home and school. Consistent expectations and responses make a child to feel comfortable and safe, which will allow them to make positive behavior choices both at home and at school. Our approach to discipline guides children to become thoughtful and compassionate people.

In the event that a child’s behavior in the classroom is repeatedly dangerous or disruptive, a parent conference will be scheduled. Often, staff observations are used to help the director, classroom teacher, and parents come up with a behavior plan for the child. The behavior plan will address changes at home and at school, and the goal of this plan will be to reduce or eliminate the undesired behavior. Teachers, parents, and director will stay in communication about the progress of the behavior plan, modify it as needed,  and continue to meet as needed.

In situations where the behavior plan is not effective, and undesired behaviors are adversely effecting the classroom, children may be asked to leave the program.

HOLIDAYS
The center will be closed on the following days:
New Year’s Day
President’s Day
Memorial Day
Labor Day
Fourth of July Week
All Saints Day (Halloween Recovery)
Vetran’s Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day After Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Boxing Day

If a holiday falls on a weekend, the center will take the equivalent amount of days off on the Friday before or Monday after the holiday. (One day for New Years, two days for Christmas)

We do bill for the holidays which fall on days of the week that your child is normally enrolled. With prior notice, the center may have to close on other days of the year as well. The center may also be closed if there are extreme weather conditions which would make travel unsafe.

We will be closed one week in July (the week of or following Independence day) every year. This will be an unpaid closure, meaning that you will only pay for three weeks each July. We will offer additional weeks off  unpaid in July as well, if families want a longer vacation.

The last two weeks of December are also optional unpaid weeks, but our center will remain open to serve those families who do not go on vacation. Please give notice before December 1st if you plan to take those two weeks off.

If you take other days off during the year, please expect to continue to pay for your child’s space in class while he or she is absent. The only vacation time during the year that is not paid for will be the time in July and December.  You may still let his or her teacher know when you will be gone, so that we know who will be here each day.

POLICIES

Health Policies
We do as much as we can to help prevent the spread of germs. We ask that children wash their hands upon arrival and before leaving each day. Surfaces and toys are sanitized regularly. Sick children are expected to stay home until they are well.  If a child becomes sick while in care, we will do our best to make them feel comfortable until a parent or guardian picks them up. If a child is very ill, we will make them a comfortable nap mat in the cubby area near the bathroom.

Children should not come to daycare if any of the following symptoms
or illnesses are present:

persistent diarrhea
vomiting within last 24 hours
a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
a sore throat
a rash
lice or nits
contagious diseases such as measles, chickenpox,
pink eye, flu, roseola, fifths disease,     etc.
excessive coughing, watering eyes, runny nose, obvious fatigue and fussiness
(first two or three days of a cold)
fatigue that prevents participation in normal activities

If you think that your child is becoming ill, please keep them home that day so that you can accurately determine how sick they are. When in doubt, keep them home!  It is inconvenient and frustrating for your child, for us, and for the families of the other children in care if your child comes to school sick and becomes worse during the day. The less exposure we have to all illnesses, including colds, the better! If you keep your child home the two days of a cold,  they will recover more quickly and hopefully not spread the illness to everyone else. Some of our children are especially sensitive to even a cold, and those germs often cause them to develop something worse like Bronchitis or Pnemonia.

Please help us prevent the spread of the sickies that seem to go around and around all winter here in Humboldt County by keeping your child home when he or she is sick, and expecting that other parents will do the same to keep your child well.

We do reserve the right to send a child home if we think that they may be ill.

Medication Policy
Medication of any kind will not be administered to children by staff. If your child needs medication and they are well enough to come to school, you may ask your doctor for medication that will last throughout the day so you may administer medication in the morning before your child comes to school, and again in the evening when they return home. You may also come to school and administer the medication yourself.

Accident and Injury Policy
At Children’s Cottage Preschool, we firmly believe that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” That’s why we take precautions to ensure the safety of each and every child in our care. Still, accidents do sometimes happen. If a child is injured or becomes ill, our first priority is to address the needs of the child using an emergency care procedure. We will contact you, the parent, and if necessary, the child will be brought to St. Joseph’s Hospital. The child’s teacher will complete an accident report, which will be reviewed by the Director and discussed with the parents. The accident report will also be sent to a licensing analyst.

Sunscreen Application
We apply donated sunscreen each morning at 10:00 during the summer months. Please return the attached permission slip and consider donating a bottle of 30+ SPF sunscreen.

Emergency Safety Plan
In the Event of an emergency, the school will conduct an emergency evacuation to the play yard and gather in the sandbox until all children and staff have been accounted for. If the school site is deemed unsafe, we will bring our emergency supply back pack and relocate to either Stars Hamburgers or St Joseph’s Hospital. You can reach Rose by cell phone at 834-7840 to find out our location and status. If a major disaster occurred in humboldt county, and we were stranded for a long period of time, we would utilize our larger box of emergency supplies including food, water, and other supplies. We request that you provide your child with an earthquake emergency kit. The kit should include the following items:

1. Large Plastic Zip-lock bag    (to store everything in)
2. Two Bottles of Water.
3. Two Snacks (Must be edible for up to a year, for example granola bars.)
4. Two Diapers (If your child still needs to wear them)

Child Abuse Reporting
We are required by law to report suspected child abuse and/or neglect to Child Protective Services.

Clothing and Outdoor Policies
Please provide a change of clothing for your child. If your child is potty learning, please send a few extra pairs of underwear as well.  We spend as much time as possible outdoors and often do messy activities. Please dress appropriately. On sunny days, we may do activities outdoors that involve being allowed to have bare feet. Please let us know if you wish to have your child keep his or her shoes on, or if you object to your child getting wet during water play.
Please be sure to mark all children’s belongings. Please check the lost and found box each day. The center will not be responsible for lost items.

Diapers/Pull-ups
Parents are responsible for providing their own diapers or pull-ups. Pull-ups are preferred, because our bathroom facilities are geared toward children who are ready for the potty learning process. We will provide unscented wipes. We will assist with potty learning when children are developmentally ready and interested in the process. Please let us know if you are beginning potty learning at home, so that we can provide consistency between home and school.

Arrival and Departure Procedures
All children must be signed in and out by their parent or guardian each day. Please use your full signature when signing in or out. Once a child is signed out of our care, he/she is the responsibility of that person. Keep us informed of your newest contact information and be sure to let us know if you would like to authorize another adult to pick up your child after school. Children will not be released to adults without the proper authorization.

Visitor Procedures
Anyone new to the center must check in to the office before being allowed in any of the classrooms. New visitors must show appropriate identification and provide a reason for the visit. Visitors and volunteers will never be left alone in a room with a child or children. This policy is designed to ensure the safety of the children in our care.

Transportation
All transportation is the responsibility of the parent or guardian and no child will be allowed to leave without an appropriate child seat or seat belts. Staff will only be allowed to transport children in the case of an emergency, or as indicated with permission by the parent or guardian during a field trip.

Field Trip Provisions
Field trips will occur with advanced notice. Permission slips will be handed out and must be signed by the parent or guardian prior to departure. Transportation for field trips will provided by parents and teachers with properly installed child seats. We may occasionally take walking field trips as well.

Rest Time
As a part of our schedule, we will have a rest time each day. During this time, children will either lay down and rest as they listen to quiet music, or take some time to quietly enjoy a book, puzzle or work on individual work. We will determine each child’s placement based on parental input and the child’s energy during that time of day.

Gardening
One of the great aspects of our school is our beautiful organic garden. Our students have many opportunities throughout the year to spend large amounts of time in the garden. Parent volunteers assist with small groups in the gardening activities. There are some products that we use in our gardening, which are safe to use around children. We apply all products to the garden on Fridays without children involved, so that the products can settle into the ground by Monday.
The products that we currently use in the garden are as follows:
We use Sluggo, which is an Iron Phosphate snail killer which is harmless to humans and animals.  We  use organic soil enhancing additives:  Bone Meal,  Kelp Meal & Compost. These were the products that we used this year. If you have any feedback, concerns, alternatives, or additions, please mention them to Rose. Thanks!

Daily Routine

Preschool hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 am until 6:00 pm. The tentative schedule is as follows:

7:30 am             Early Arrivals , Breakfast From Home

8:00 am -9:00 am         Choice Time and Morning Activities

9:00 am              Circle Time

9:30-10:15 am         Snack

10:00-12:00            Indoor/Outdoor Choice Time

12:00                 Lunch Time

12:30-1:00 pm        Toothbrushing, Quiet Iindividual Work and
Story Time

(12:45-3:00 Nap time for Tadpole Room)

1:00-2:00 pm             Free Play and Afternoon Activities

2:00-3:10 pm            Outdoor Play

3:10  pm            Magic Story Time

3:20-4:00 pm             Snack Time

3:45-4:30 pm             Outdoor Play

4:30-5:45 pm             After-Care in main classroom or outside

* This schedule is an approximation of daily activities. Subject to change due to weather, availability of staff, or emergent curriculum!

Family Participation Snack
Families are required to donate food for one or two snack times each month. Snack sign up is in the attendance binder. You can sign up during the first week of the month.

Snack Serving sizes

1/4 cup carbohydrate item

½ cup Fruits and veggies

½ cup fruit juice

½ cup milk

1/4 cup yogurt

1 Tbsp protein

Each snack must contain foods from at least two categories (i.e. carbohydrates and protein, or protein and fruit) 100% fruit juice counts as a fruit. We are required by licensing to provide two categories at each snack. Snack should be whole grain, organic, and fruit juice sweetened if possible.

Please NO peanut butter or strawberries due to student allergies!!

Please bring enough snack servings for 25 children, plus 5 extras for children who want seconds. Not all children eat a full serving of each item according to food guidelines, so more than five children will get seconds. Please label the container that you send with your name, so that it can be returned to you if you want it back. We will provide cups, bowls, and serving cups.

Here are some snack ideas:
*Pirate booty *hummus and carrot sticks *ants on a log with almond butter*whole wheat crackers *home made applesauce muffins *animal crackers *cheerios with milk *cheese and crackers *edamame with soysauce *mashed potatoes with cheese *home made fruit juice sweetened oatmeal cookies and milk *almond butter sandwiches *cheese sandwiches *rice cakes with almond butter *granola and milk *apple slices and cheese *any organic crackers or snack food on sale at Eureka Natural Foods, Grocery Outlet, or Costco. Please feel more than welcome to send an easy snack, a bag of pirate booty and a bottle of Odwalla juice is more than fine If your snack is not one that is made fresh, feel free to bring it at the beginning of the week.

Your Child will be presenting his or her snack at snack time, sitting at the head of the table beside the snack serving area and telling children about the snack that is being served. Other children will have an opportunity to ask your child questions about the snack, and to thank him or her for bringing it.
A.M. Snack is served between 9:30 A.M. and 10:10 A.M.
P.M. Snack is served between 3:10 P.M. and 4:00 P.M

Be sure to bring snack by 8:30 am if you are responsible for morning snack, and 2:00 pm if you are responsible for afternoon snack. Thanks!

Meal Times
We eat a nutritious, organic morning and afternoon snack which meets state requirements for healthy and balanced eating.

Please provide a nutritious, balanced breakfast and/or lunch for your child if he or she will be present during those scheduled meal times. Sandwiches, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, yogurt, and pasta are all great ideas. We will check lunches to ensure healthy meals. Children are encouraged to eat at meal times, but we do respect children’s personal choices and will not coerce them into eating. Any uneaten food will be returned to you in your child’s lunch box. If your child does not bring a lunch, you will be assessed a $5 fee in order to provide food for your child.

Parent Involvement
Parent involvement is a crucial part of the program, and your perspective is valuable to us and to all of the other children, as well as your own. We want you and your children to feel comfortable, valued, and supported here. We will arrange parent-teacher meetings every 6 months to discuss your child’s progress, needs, and activities. Other parent-teacher meetings will be scheduled as needed. We will also have various holiday celebrations and get-togethers, and hope you can join us in making them extra special. We also encourage and appreciate donations of toys, art materials, special books, and other learning materials.  You are welcome to drop by any time that your child is in our care.

You are welcome to visit at any time, stay as long as you want, get to know the kids and get to know your child in a new setting as a social person. Children are often much different when working with their peer group than they are at home.

Again, welcome to our school!

TUITION AND SCHEDULES
We provide flexible scheduling in order to better meet the needs of your family. Schedule is determined by the number of slots available for the time in which you wish to enroll your child. We will work closely with you and do our best to find a schedule that works for everyone. We ask that you give a two week notice prior to changing student schedules or leaving the program.  Tuition is paid in advance for the time slot you would like to have reserved for your child.  Please pay by the 5th of each month. If payment is not received by the 15th of the month, a $15 late fee will be added. Any balances that remain overdue without a payment plan on file will accrue a $15 finance charge each month. If you have trouble paying tuition, please discuss options with Rose right away before the due date.

Voucher participants are asked to pay a $120 co-pay each month, and any additional balance that the voucher does not cover as well.

Half-Day
Children on a half-day schedule will attend a 4 hour morning or afternoon preschool session. Morning session is from 8:00-12:00, and afternoon session is from 1:00-5:00. This program is designed for parents with a flexible schedule who would like to give their child an enriching preschool experience.
Half-day tuition is $22 a day, or $440 per month.

Part-Day
Children on a part-day schedule will attend for up to 6 hours from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, or from 12:00-6:00 pm. This program is designed to meet the needs of working parents, but costs less than the full day enrollment.
Part-day tuition is $31.50 a day, or $638 per month.

Full-Day
Children on a full-day schedule will attend for over 6 hours and up to 9 ½  hours between the hours of 7:30 am and 6:00 pm. This program is designed to meet the needs of full-time working parents who need all day care, but also want the benefits of high quality preschool for their children.
Full-day tuition is $38.50 a day, or $770 per month.

Drop-In Rates

Full-day drop in rates are $40 per day

Part -day drop in rates are $33 per day (part day is 8:00-2:00 or 12:00-6:00)

Half -day drop in rates are $23.50 per day (half day is 8:00-12:00 or 1:00-5:00)

Please call to ensure availability, and fill out a drop-in form when you bring your child.

Deposit
We ask all of our families for a two week deposit upon beginning enrollment. The deposit will be reimbursed to you at the end of your child’s enrollment at The Children’s Cottage Preschool. Please speak with Rose if you would like to set up a payment plan to make the deposit more manageable for you. If you change your mind about placement after we begin the enrollment process, you will be reimbursed your deposit minus a $25 enrollment processing fee.

I have read and understand the parent handbook

Parent/Guardian Signature__________________________________

Primary Parent/Guardian Social Security Number _____-_____-_____

Primary Parent/Guardian D.O.B._________________________

Garden Permission

Signature __________________

Date ____________________

Photo Release For The Children’s Cottage Preschool

I hereby grant permission to The Children’s Cottage Preschool to use photographs of my child,

_____________________________________, in advertising materials and on our website,

www.childrenscottagepreschool.net.

Signed____________________

Date______________________

I hereby grant permission to The Children’s Cottage Preschool to apply sunscreen to my child,

_____________________________________.

Signed____________________

Date______________________