Pre-K and Learning Center General Information. The following general information is in alphabetical order. Bedding:  Children staying all day need a towel or blanket for nap time.  Sleep mats will be provided.  Also your child may bring a small favorite stuffed animal or blanket.  Label all bedding items and stuffed animal.  These will be kept in their bags. Birthday Parties:  Parents may send of bring special refreshments for their child’s birthday (cupcakes are permitted on these days!)  If you choose to celebrate your child’s birthday at the center, we request the parties be kept simple with cookies or other snack, beverage and birthday napkins and plates.  Parties should take place at the usual snack time  with prior notice give to the teacher.  NO gift exchange; however, age appropriate “party favors” are acceptable if there is one for every child in the classroom.  LATEX BALLOONS ARE NOT PERMITTED!!!!  Teachers can distribute invitations to individual parties, only if there is one for every child in the class. Breakfast:  Children may bring breakfast to eat if arriving before 7:45 a.m. Please send everything needed spoons, etc.  They will be eating in the classroom, and teachers cannot leave the room. Child Abuse, Neglect, Deprivation:  Any suspected incident of child abuse, neglect or deprivation shall be reported to the local County Department of Family and Children Services in accordance with O.C.G.A. Sec.19-7-5. Curriculum:  Our curriculum is base on the WEE LEARN series published by LifeWay.  Many supplementary texts will be used to enrich this material.  Our curriculum provides a specific topic for each session.  The sequence of the topics is developmental in emphasis as teachers build foundations and plan seasonal activities.  The children will develop fine motor skills through painting, working with clay, coloring  and finger dexterity games.  Following directions will be taught through numerous games and activities.  The children will have Bible stories and will memorize Bible verses.  Social development will be integrated into every phase of the program.  Stories will be read every day to develop an appreciation of books and to develop beginning reading readiness skills.  Teachers provide activities in the areas of art, blocks, books, puzzles, nature, home living, dramatic play, and music. Discipline:  The goal of our discipline is to direct students toward acceptable behavior that helps develop self-control and to maintain the order necessary to accomplish the academic and social growth we desire.  We do not see discipline as punishment, but rather as correction.  Students may be corrected for displaying behavior such as:      1.     Actions that disrupt the class or interfere with the learning process of the child             or classmates.      2.  Actions that could possibly cause physical or emotional harm to the child or classmates.      3.  Actions in direct violation of a well-explained school or classroom rule.      4.  Willful disrespect toward the teacher.      5.  Use of profane or unwholesome language.      Most correction will be handled by the teacher through a verbal reminder or by restricting the child’s privileges.  Parents will be notified if continued problems exist.  In cases where a problem persists and there is no behavior change, a child will be sent to see the Director.  Parents will be notified if the child is sent to the office.  Students who consistently fail to respond to efforts of correct may be dismissed.  Much care is taken to ensure that correction is handled properly and without anger.  We do not expect perfection from our students, but reasonable cooperation.      BITING IS A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE WITH LITTLE CHILDREN.  The staff will at all times try to work with the child and the family to stop the  biting.  Parents will be notified to pick up the child as soon as the occurrence happens.  The child may return to class the following day.  If biting continues, though, a child may be subject to dismissal from the center. Dress Code:  Please dress your child to have fun.  Children should be dressed in comfortable clothing appropriate for art activities, indoor games, and outdoor play.  We will be doing activities that sometime cause clothes to become soiled.  We take every precaution to prevent spills but this is inevitable with young children.  Parents are expected to send an extra set of seasonally appropriate clothes labeled with the child’s name for emergency purposes (including socks and underwear)… just in case!  If an emergency arises and no clothing is available, a parent will be called to bring a change.  Children should wear tennis shoes and socks each day through the year.  We feel the children will be most comfortable and safest wearing tennis shoes.  Please no flip-flops! Emergency Care :  The staff of Ringgold First Baptist Pre K and Learning Center has been trained in Basic First Aid, CPR and Fire Safety.  The staff will administer First Aid to minor scratches, bumps and bruises and report these injuries to parents.  Accident report forms are completed by the director when an accident or injury occurs and are signed by the teacher and the parent when the child is picked up.  Parents receive a copy.  Should we question the severity of an injury or illness, we will call the child’s parent and ask the parent to come and decide whether or not the child needs medical attention.  When emergency injuries or illness arise (evidence a child needs medical treatment) one parent will be contacted immediately to take the child for treatment.  In the event a parent cannot be reached the emergency contact person will be notified.  If none of these are available, the child’s physician will be contacted.       If the medical need is immediate, we will do the following:              - Call 911              - Follow the advice of Emergency Medical Personnel              - Continue to try to contact a parent Faculty Members:  Each member of the teaching staff possesses the competency and understanding essential in teaching young children as well as the basic love for children.  Each teacher receives a minimum 10 hours training annually.  All participate in order to remain alert to the ever changing needs of today’s families and in accordance with the state licensing department.  Individuals’ care giving styles are different.  A child care center is different than a family day care home or a babysitter in your home.  You have to put your trust in the WHOLE center, not just the person who is your child’s teacher.  Trusting the Center means trust in the administration to hire the best people available and the teachers to competent and conscientious supervisors.  All the staff has different strengths and weaknesses. Staff have different personalities.  All children will receive excellent care and the ENTIRE center is responsible for seeing to that.  When a parent has a concern about a staff member, we take it very seriously.  We carefully check out the concern through observation and discussion with co-workers and other parents.  Field Trips and Special Events:  We will need to have written permission from a parent in advance of the child’s participation in any field trip.  The field trip notice will include:              - The name and address of the field trip destination.              - The date of the trip.              - Time of departure and estimated time of return.              - Who will be attending with your child.  Each child will need a chaperone to                 attend  with them on the field trip for transportation purposes.              - Cost of the field trip for your child and the adult attending with your child      We are unable to transport children to and from the field trips.  Please arrange for an adult to accompany your child on field trips. Health and Safety:  Our Illness Policy is in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Department of Human Resources.  Your understanding and cooperation are necessary to help keep all the children as healthy as possible.  A good rule to follow is to ask yourself if you would want your child to be with someone that has the same symptoms as the child in question. A child with the following symptoms may not attend school:              - A fever of 100 degrees and above              - Diarrhea or vomiting              - Rashes other than normal skin irritations              - Any other contagious symptoms (e.g. sore throat, open sores, green nasal                discharge, etc.)              - Any symptoms related to a communicable illness (e.g. pink eye, chicken pox,                head lice, etc.)              - Severe coughing      If your child becomes ill during the day, he/she will be isolate from the group and you will be called immediately.  We ask that you make every effort to pick up your child within the hour after being contacted.  A sick child may return to school after being free of symptoms for 24 hours.      If your child has been diagnosed with a communicable illness (e.g. chicken pox, lice), please inform the school immediately.  We need to know so we may notify the other parents.  In the event of exposure to a communicable illness within the group, parents will be given  a written notice. Late Pick Up Procedure:  Any child picked up after 4:00 will be charged $10.00 every 15 minutes.  Late pick ups that exceed more than 4 times in a 30 day period will be grounds for immediate dismissal.  By law a prolonged wait may result in notification of the authorities.  In the event that a child has not been picked up by 5:00 pm and we have been unable to contact the child’s parent or emergency contacts, the Department of Family and Children’s Services will be called to pick up the child. Lunch:  We have been granted an exemption from preparing lunches, provided the children bring nutritious lunches!  Occasionally the lunches will be monitored by our state licensing agent.  Georgia State Rule #2902-2-14(00) requires that in order for our children to bring their lunches each lunch must contain: Two servings of fruit or vegetables (or 1 of each), serving of meat or protein substitute and a serving of bread.  We will furnish milk to drink.  Thermos’ or other drinks should not be brought.  If your child can not have milk, please let us know. Medications:  Medication is administered only when a State Department of Human Resources medication release form is completed by the parent.  One form must be filled out for each medication and will be in effect for 1-7 days.  Due to the obvious potential danger, medicine must never be left on the teacher’s desk or in the child’s bag or anywhere in the classroom.  Please make sure that the director or the teacher gets the medication to be dispensed.  We will not dispense medication that may mask symptoms such as Tylenol for a fever or Imodium for diarrhea.  Personnel shall only dispense medications that are provided by the parent and meet the following criteria:       1. The medication shall be in the original labeled container.       2. The medication container shall be labeled with the child’s full name .       3. The medication form shall be completed in full.       4. Children requiring medication on a continuing basis will need to submit           a physician’s statement. Parent School Agreement:  Parents are expected to support and uphold the center’s policies.  Without this cooperation and confirmation from the parents, a double standard exists between the home and center that is counter productive to the students’ development and center’s effectiveness.  If any time misunderstandings develop between the center and the home, it becomes the obligation of both to resolve these in a Biblical fashion; that of going directly to the parties involved for clarification and explanation.  The center confesses that although all teachers are chosen for their Christian commitment and high ideals, this does not make them immune from error.  All suggestions and comments from parents will be examined fully and are welcomed and encouraged for the overall strengthening of the center. Any parent who openly demonstrates to students or other parents lack of support for center policies is undermining the center’s positive intent and thereby hindering its effectiveness.  The center agrees to work closely with the parents in the education of the child(ren).  This includes provision of competent teachers, a full and developmentally appropriate curriculum, regularly reporting, proper student supervision and communication with the home.  In full cooperation with the center, parents are expected to attend conferences and actively support other planned activities knowing that parental participation is critical to the health and well-being of the center and child. Personal Belongings:  All the materials necessary for a happy and busy time are provided in the classroom.  Personal toys, books, and other items are not to be brought to school unless requested by the teacher in writing.  Occasionally teachers will ask parents to help children bring certain items for show and tell, nature activities, or special days.  Parents also need to check with the teacher before bringing pets, insects, or other animals.  Toy guns are NEVER permitted.  The program is not responsible for lost or broken items.  When toys are brought to the room, they can be lost or broken or can also cause conflicts between children.  Children may bring one item to sleep with during Extended Care.  All media must be G rated!!! Progress Reports:  Written development progress reports are provided twice each year. (January and May).  Parent’s conferences are scheduled in January.  A conference may be requested at any time by a parent, teacher or the director if there is a special concern.  Conferences are not held in a child’s presence. Rest Time:  It is a state regulation that all children rest and/or nap.  If a child refuses, disturbs, or disrupts the environment and keeps others awake, the school reserves the right to dismiss the child from Extended Care. School Schedule:  You will receive a copy of the Catoosa County School schedule along with a written list of the Pre K and Learning Center schedule.  Please remember our center follows the school system schedule. Separation from the Parent:  Whenever a child begins school, it can be an exciting but difficult period for the young child.  The child may appear eager in the beginning, but suddenly realize you will not be there and will have a desire to leave.  This is entirely normal!  Most children have little difficulty adjusting to school.       If needed a few suggestions are followed:            1.  Allow the child to accompany you on your initial visits to the Center.            2. After you have dropped off your child, you need to hug the child and say that it                is time to leave.  It is important that you do so, without temptation of staying                if the child begins to cry.            3. It is desirable that parents not stand at the door with an expectations that               the child will cry.  The child will feel this apprehension and respond as the               parent fears.            4.  Generally, young children adapt to a new program within 10 school days                (2 weeks if attending a five day program, longer if the child attends three days)            5.  Parents need to be aware that the child may need extra time or more physical                 contact in the form of hugs and kisses the first days of a new routine. Snacks:  Each child will be given a morning snack every morning and afternoon snack if the child stays with us for Extended care.  These must meet the state guidelines for a nourishing snack .  We charge a $10 snack fee to help with cost of buying food for each child in our center.  This is a monthly fee and can be included with the tuition check.