PRESCHOOL - POLICIES

“WHERE LOVE AND LEARNING GROW”

• Although accidents sometimes occur, they cannot be entirely prevented.  All minor injuries will be cleaned and covered.
• An accident report will be completed and placed in your child’s file.  A copy will be sent home.

• There may be times when our schedule allows time for outside professionals to visit our school (ie: Mother Goose, Little Red Barn, Tumblebus).  An activity fee may be charged so that these “special” programs may be brought to your child.  You will have the option to participate.  

• Our program serves children ages 2 years to 5 years of age.
• Each child must be the age of the class on or before September 1^st to be admitted into the class.  No exceptions will be made.  

• We encourage children to be in attendance every day that he/she has registered for Preschool.  However, if a child shows any signs of illness, please keep him/her at home (please note the “Health” section of the handbook).  If the absence is planned in advance, please send a note ahead of time.  It is not necessary to call the Preschool office on the day that he/she is out.  We do request that you call the Preschool office if the absence is due to a communicable disease so that we may notify the other parents.  

• Balloons cause the death of more children than any other toy; therefore, balloons are not allowed as decorations, and they cannot be distributed to the children.  Please understand that we are putting your child’s safety first.  We greatly appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

• Approaches to discipline will be designed and carried out in a positive manner, helping the child develop self-control and assume responsibility for his/her actions.
• Rules and expectations that are age-appropriate are established and communicated often.
• Children will be positively directed, re-directed and praised often.
• Under NO circumstances will children be subjected to harsh or physical punishment.  We will NOT use any form of physical punishment, make fun of, threaten, or otherwise abuse verbally, deny food or rest, leave alone or unattended, allow discipline of children by children.
• “Time-Out” – When a child has not responded to other positive guidance techniques, we will use “time-out”.  This will consist of a quiet space that is out of the main activity of the classroom but is in the teacher’s sight.  After a brief interval of no more than five minutes, the child will return to his/her regular activities.  This time allows the child to exercise self-control.

• You are welcome to provide a special snack on or near your child’s birthday.  If your child has a summer birthday, you may discuss with your child’s teacher a special day to celebrate with classmates.  Please check with your child’s teacher before bringing a birthday treat.
• We will distribute birthday invitations if there is one for each child in the class.

• If you have a child enrolled in our carline program, pick-up will begin promptly at 12PM.  The staff will bring the children and help them into the car (rain or shine).  It is your responsibility to buckle your child’s seatbelt.  To keep the car pool line moving, please pull forward to the handicap parking spaces to buckle your child.
• We must have written permission or phone confirmation to send your child home with someone other than you – NO EXCEPTIONS.  Please send a note with your child and give to teacher.  This is for your child’s protection.

• A late fee of $1.00 per minute will charged for any pick-up time after 12:15 pm. The fine will not exceed $50.00. This will need to be paid when your child is picked up or on the next school day.
• If a parent is late picking up their child twice during the school year in which the fine is $30.00 or more, the Preschool Board will review the child’s continued participation in the Preschool program.

• Our program coordinates with the Cobb County Public School Calendar.  A holiday calendar will be provided for each child and reminder notifications will be posted.
• Should the public school be forced to close due to weather, etc, Preschool will close as well.  

• We recommend that children wear play clothes that are practical, comfortable, washable and easy for the child to put on and off.  Tennis shoes are the best choice for preschool feet.  Because of the mulch, dangers of slipping on the playground and little fingers that can be stepped on accidentally, NO FLIP FLOPS, SANDALS, BARE FEET, COWBOY BOOTS OR HARD SOLED SHOES PLEASE.

• Any piece of clothing that your child may take off at school (sweaters, coats, hats, gloves, raincoats, etc) should be clearly marked with your child’s name.  Also, If your child is staying for Stay-N-Play, please make sure that his/her name is on the lunchbox! 

• Every child will need a complete change of clothes to be left in his/her school bag in case of any spills or accidents.  Please put them in a Ziploc bag with your child’s name on it.

• Preschool t-shirts are available to purchase in children ($8.00) and adult sizes ($10.00).  We encourage all four-year old children to wear their preschool t-shirts on their field trips.
• The children will go outside, weather permitting, so please be sure that your child has the appropriate outerwear for each day’s temperature, etc.  

• Identification is required to pick-up all children and ONLY to authorized persons designated on your registration form.  Should you need another person to pick up your child, prior to the pick up you MUST supply a written note advising us of the change.
• Please call 678-467-1199 if there is an emergency that will delay you from picking up your child.  

• We will conduct a monthly fire drill or tornado drill.  In case of an actual emergency we will contact you with information and the procedure for picking up the children.
• Please make sure that we have your current emergency phone number and that your cell phone is turned on when your child is at school.  

• Each teacher on our staff is a Christian who is committed to teaching your child in a loving and nurturing manner.  Continuing education workshops are attended annually so that they may be better informed of current trends and better teach your child.  All teachers and assistants are certified in CPR and First Aid.  All employees of CLUMC are required to have a GBI background check.

• The only food sent to school should be Birthday snacks and/or your child’s lunch.  
• Children should not come into school in the morning with food in their hands or gum in their mouths.  

• Tennis shoes are the best choice for preschool feet.  Because of the mulch, dangers of slipping on the playground and little fingers that can be stepped on accidentally, NO FLIP FLOPS, SANDALS, BARE FEET, COWBOY BOOTS OR HARD SOLED SHOES PLEASE.  

• Our fund raising committee sponsors fundraisers to help maintain a high quality program at an affordable price for the parents.  This money helps us to buy materials, furniture and other items that are not in the budget.  We try to choose fundraisers that are profitable to Preschool, products that are good values for families, and activities that are as painless as possible for our families and the volunteers that are organizing them.  You are not expected to participate in any fundraising activities that you do not choose to join.  You will receive information about any fundraising that the committee adopts.  If you would like to be on the committee, please contact the Preschool Director.  

Our policy regarding head lice is a “NO NIT” policy.  If your child has head lice:

• Inform your child’s teacher as soon as possible
• Consult your doctor for treatment
• Treat child and other family members involved
• Child must be “NIT FREE” (no eggs visible on the hair shafts) before returning to school.  

• We follow hygienic practices at Prechool including regular hand washing, use of disposable gloves when changing diapers and exposure to bodily fluids, and disinfecting tables used as eating areas and toys.  We also encourage children to use and dispose of Kleenex properly and to wash their hands afterwards.  We encourage you to make washing hands the routine at home as well.
• We ask your cooperation in keeping your child at home whenever he/she is sick.  We will contact you to come and pick up your child if he/she becomes sick while at school.

  If your child is diagnosed with a contagious disease, please notify the Preschool office immediately so that we may contact the other parents.  Any child who has had a communicable disease or condition may return to school only after the following procedures have been met:

  Strep Throat	- Must be on antibiotic for 24 hours
  Conjunctivitis	- Must be on medication for 24 hours
  Chicken Pox	- All spots must be dry
  Ringworm/Impetigo	- Note from doctor
  Head Lice/Scabies	- Proof of treatment is required and no nits in hair
  Whooping cough	- After two weeks and with a note from the doctor
  Scarlet Fever	- Note from doctor
  Infectious Hepatitis	- Note from a doctor.  Children in families where the disease has been diagnosed need a Gamma Globulin shot to protect them against it.
  Meningitis	- Note from doctor
  Measles/Mumps/Rubella	- Return after 7 days and a note from doctor
  Tuberculosis	- Return 14 days after treatment & note from doctor

• Health conditions that may represent a contagious disease are:

• Fever within the last 24 hours

• Vomiting or diarrhea within the last 24 hours

• Rash of unknown origin

• Cold symptoms - yellow or green running nose, frequent cough, etc.

• Any child exhibiting the above symptoms should not be with other children until the symptoms are not present for 24 hours.

• If your  child is not well enough to go outside on the playground, he/she is not well enough to come to school.  Please do not ask the teacher to allow your child to remain inside during this time.  We do not have staff to stay inside with one child.

• Please inform your child’s teacher of any illnesses or injuries that happened on the weekend.

• Please do not bring sick siblings into the classroom of a child that you are bringing to Preschool.  This spreads germs to the children in that room.

• We will give no medication at school.  It is best that a sick child who needs medication during school hours be kept at home.  The exceptions to the rule are Epi Pens for allergic reactions and asthma inhalers.  Please do not leave any medications in your child’s school bag.  It should be given directly to your child’s teacher in the original pharmacy container with the exact instructions from the doctor and a medicine form filled out.  If your child has an allergy of any kind, please see that we have written information explaining what offends him/her and what his/her reactions are.  We will try to keep your child as comfortable as possible.
• It is very important to keep updated emergency numbers on file and to keep your cell phone turned on when your child is at school!
• If your child has a minor accident at school, the staff will administer first aid and you will receive a note from the teacher (a “Boo Boo Report”).  If medical attention is required, the staff will call the local ambulance service, which will transport the child to the local hospital.  Every effort will be made to contact the child’s own physician.  You will be notified as quickly as possible.  

• The State Division of Public Health requires us to keep a copy of your child’s up-to-date immunization record on file each school year. This immunization certificate must be turned in to us on or before the first day of the Preschool school year.  You may obtain a Georgia Immunization Certificate (Form 3231) from your pediatrician or your local health department.  

• We welcome books, tapes and CD’s (clearly labeled with your child’s name), flowers, shells, insects (in plastic jars), and assorted treasures from nature.  Small animals brought into the building must be in a carrier.  Large animals must stay outside and on a leash.  A parent must stay with the animal at all times.  Please arrange a time with your child’s teacher before bringing live animals to school.
• We do not allow any poisonous plants in the classrooms (please check with your teacher – she has a list in the classroom).
• Toys and stuffed animals should be left at home, except on days designated by the teacher as “show and tell” days.  Please do not send anything that is a weapon (toy or real) at any time.

• Please be prompt when picking up your child. A late fee of $1.00 per minute will charged for any pick-up time after 12:15 pm. The fine will not exceed $50.00.
• If a parent is late picking up their child twice during the school year in which the fine is $30.00 or more, the Preschool Board will review the child’s continued participation in the Preschool program.  

• This form must be filled out in its entirety, signed, and turned in to us on or before the first day of the Preschool school year.

• Please send all messages to the school in writing.  Verbal messages are not dependable.  Please let us know if you will be picking your child up early so that we can have your child ready.  Please remember that the teachers are in their classrooms until the end of the school and cannot answer the phone unless it is an emergency.  You can leave a message in the Preschool office and the teacher will call you as soon as possible.
• Please notify us in writing of any home, work, and cell phone number (or address) changes.

• We will do our best to keep you informed of the activities of the Preschool and the progress of your child.  It is very helpful if you read this handbook and the other items that we send home.  We will communicate through a monthly letter from the teachers and daily reports from the teachers.  Of course there will always be casual conversation and phone calls and additional conferences when needed.
• If you are ever unsure whether or not school is open, please check either the Cobb County School Board Website or our website (Preschool section) for closing information.

• For classroom or program information and concerns, please see the child’s teacher.
• For financial or registration information or concerns, please see the Preschool Director.
• For general childcare information or concerns, please see the teacher or Director.  

• All children in the 3’s and four-year old classes must be fully potty trained at the beginning of the school year to attend class.  Each child should be wearing underwear, not pull-ups or diapers, at school.
• For the purpose of clarification, our definition of fully potty trained is:

• The child recognizes when he/she needs to go to the restroom.

• The child verbally informs an adult of the need to go to the restroom.

• The child enters the restroom on his/her own.

• The child manipulates his/her clothing off and on with little or no assistance.

• The child sits on or stands at the commode and handles own cleaning needs.

• The child washes his/her hands and rejoins the class.  

• A child who has been crying nonstop for an hour or more.
• A child who is sick.
• A child whose behavior is harmful to the children or teacher, extremely disruptive to the class, or disrespectful to the teacher.  

• Non-payment of fees – any account as much as 30 days in arrears will make the child subject to suspension until payment is received.
• Extremely disruptive, destructive, or dangerous behavior of a child in the classroom.
• Rest assured that every effort would be made to work with parents and child before dismissal.

Each child must be the age of the class on or before September 1^st to be admitted into the class.  No exceptions will be made.  Registration for the school year will be held in February.  Opportunities for preschool registration will be provided in the following order:

• Preschool Board members and staff

• Current students of County Line UMC Weekday Ministries Programs

• Siblings of current students

• County Line UMC congregation

• Open enrollment

Enrollment is limited to ensure a low student/teacher ratio and provide the best program possible for each child.

• Individual school pictures will be taken twice a year – in the fall and in the spring.  Class pictures will also be taken in the spring.

Please be assured that your child’s safety is one of our most important concerns.  On a constant basis we continue to evaluate procedures and facilities to make certain that each child is cared for in the best possible manner.  Below are some of the procedures that are in place to protect your child:

• Identification is required to pick-up all children
• As we do not release children to persons not authorized, please keep the list on your child’s application form up-to-date.
• Safety Equipment such as gates, door and drawer latches, outlet covers, etc…are used to protect your child
• In the event of inclement weather, all children will be placed in the gymnasium of the Family Life Center.  Depending on the type of inclement weather, children may also be moved to the Family Life Center stairwell (which has been built for that purpose).
• In the event of a fire in the Family Life Center, all children will be escorted out of the building onto a pre-designated area of the parking lot where the firemen will instruct Preschool where to go.  This plan is in place with the Cobb County Fire Department.  Preschool will practice these drills during all program sessions.
• If notified by the Police Authorities of any event that is a security risk, all building doors will be locked and all children will be required to stay in their classrooms with two staff persons.  A staff person will be at the front door to greet you and check all identification before you enter the building.  Your child may not be in his/her normal classroom but he/she will not be out of the Ford Building.
• For your children’s safety, doors will be locked at 9:10 am and will be unlocked at 11:55 am.  Should you need to enter during the time that the doors are locked, please ring the doorbell located next to the entrance door of the Family Life Center.  

• Please understand that your child’s “slight cold” can infect many children in one day!  You are the most comforting person to your child when they are ill.  Please think of your child’s welfare, the other families and the staff. 
• If your child has any of the following symptoms within 24 hours BEFORE a Preschool day, please do not bring your child into Preschool, as they will not be permitted to attend.   
• If your child was sent home due to illness, he/she cannot return to Preschool until he/she has been free from symptoms for 24 hours.
• It is your responsibility to notify the Director of Preschool if your child has a communicable disease such as:  

• Should your child display any of the following symptoms during their time at Preschool, the parent will be called to pick up your child:  

• We ask parents of children in the preschool program to provide healthy snacks for one week at a time for your child’s class.  Your week to provide snacks will be listed on the monthly calendar that your child’s teacher will send home.  You will receive a reminder note the week before your turn.  We ask that you send an identical snack (same flavor, etc) for each child as well as the necessary cups, napkins, and utensils.  We serve water at snack time so there is no need to send any drinks.  Your child’s teacher will provide a list of snacks appropriate for your child’s age group.  Please remember to send in snacks that are ready to serve and easy to clean up.  Also, please send in enough food for the children in the class plus two staff members. 

• If a parent wishes to provide a snack for a birthday please coordinate this with the Preschool Director.

• Our staff to student ratio is very low so each child receives personalized attention.
• Teachers are placed based on their individual strengths, aptitude and preference in working with different aged children.
• All staff completed a background check and passed.
• All staff members have taken a CPR First Aid Course through Red Cross.  
• Our teachers are truly a blessing and the backbone of our program.

• Beginning the second week of Preschool, we will offer an optional “Stay-N-Play” on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the three and four-year olds.  Stay-N-Play is an opportunity for your child to stay at school an extra hour until 1:00 to eat his/her lunch and play.

• The cost of the program is $4.00 a day, if you sign up at the beginning of the month.  A sign up sheet will be included in your tuition payment envelope so you can choose the days that you would like your child to stay.  The money is due at the same time as tuition and can be included in the same check.  The will be no refunds for missed days.  If you would like your child to stay on a day that you had not made a reservation, please call the preschool office to see if there is an opening in the class.  We will have staff available based on the number of children registered at the