LITTLE LAMBS
PRESCHOOL
PARENT
HANDBOOK
LITTLE LAMBS LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL
Little Lambs Preschool has been started to meet the needs of young children in our community and the surrounding area. Our program will provide experiences to preschool children that are meaningful and will nurture their unique and individual and spiritual development through a variety of learning centers and activities.
LICENSING
Our preschool is licensed by the Iowa Department of Human Services. Strict standards must be met in order to maintain our license. Copies of the licensing regulations are available upon request. :
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
Our program provides opportunities for preschool children to realize his or her own potential as a three/ four, or five-year old. It is structured for the developmental age level of the children enrolled at preschool,
*To provide a loving/ caring, stable environment for young children in a Christian setting.
*To promote positive self-awareness through individual and group activities.
"To promote meaningful relationships with adults and other children in a sharing environment
*To develop motor skills and emotional/intellectual skills through a variety of learning activities and experiences.
ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES AND AGE REQUIREMENTS
Children attending our preschool program must be the age of the class enrolled in by September 15th of the current year. Children attending preschool must be potty trained by the time school begins.
The following list is to assist you in helping your child to be ready to enter preschool in a way that is most beneficial to all of us.
1. Registration: Complete the Registration form and return with a $20.00 registration fee plus the last month's first month's deposit. This is non-refundable.
2. Forms that will be given or mailed to you after the Registration form and fee are received,
a. Physical examination form
b. Certificate of immunization
c -Parental emergency medical consent form
d. Travel and activity authorization and photo release
e. Parent volunteer form
f. Pick-up permission form
g. Library consent form
All information on these forms is confidential. They are to be filled out, mailed to the preschool, or brought to the preschool before the first day of school. When you return these forms/ please make sure you have put your signature on all PARENT SIGNATURE LINES.
FEES AND PAYMENTS
Tuition is due the first of each month. Tuition is considered late if not received by the 10th of the current month. Tuition received after the 10th will have a $10.00 late fee added. If a parent is delinquent with fee payments by the 10th of a second consecutive month, the parent(s) will be notified in writing and by telephone, if necessary, that the child wilt be withdrawn from the program. Refunds for days missed because of illness/ appointments, or vacations are not possible since our operating costs continue, and we save space for your child. If you are having temporary problems paying tuition/ please talk to us so that we can work something out. Also, there are grants you can apply to for assistance for tuition.
**PAYMENTS ARE DUE THE FIRST OF THE MONTH**
**MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: LITTLE LAMBS PRESCHOOL
**MAIL TO:
LITTLE LAMBS PRESCHOOL
436
21ST AVE. NORTH
FORT
DODGE, IA 50501
**HAND DELIVER TO THE TEACHER AT PRESCHOOL
TIMES AND LOCATIONS
Children should be brought in and picked up inside the preschool door as close to the class times as possible to allow their staff much needed preparation time. The inside door will open approximately five minutes before each class begins for the children to come in.
Bring your child to the preschool rooms by using the north back door and going down the steps to your right. We will be in the second two classrooms. In order to meet state licensing requirements, we must ask that you bring your child into the building and to the place where coats are hung. Please wait in the hall by your child's coat cubby when it is time to pick your child up. We wilt then dismiss your child to meet you in the hall. Thank you for your cooperation.
**Preschool will be closed or delayed due to inclement weather. Cancellations and late starts will be the same as Fort Dodge Public, Lutheran and Catholic schools. If no school, we won't have preschool. If late start, we will start at 10:00 a.m. It will not be announced separately on the radio.
VISITING
Please feet free to visit the preschool at anytime after the second week of classes. This allows the children to get accustomed to our preschool routine and establish a classroom community. -
Parents have unlimited access to their children, A court order prohibiting parental contact must be in a child's file to deny access.
TRANSPORTATION
We do not provide transportation to and from preschool. Transportation arrangements must be made by parents. The preschool will provide a list of persons who have indicated an interest in carpooling at Preschool Open-House Centers Day.
CURRICULUM AND ACTIVITIES
Children team through play. They will be involved in creative and imaginative play through experiences in block building, dramatic play, puppets, painting, cutting, drawing/coloring, and using play dough.
Large and small muscle development is promoted through finger plays, writing, cutting with scissors, creative movement, circle games, and throwing and catching balls and bean bags.
Centers of music, science, art, language arts, library, and manipulative play will promote intellectual skills in counting, number recognition, colors, shapes, and beginning writing. Such Experiences offer the child a choice of learning styles and activities. Such choices allow the child to be a decision maker and an active learner around his or her own unique interest.
A variety of themes are focused on throughout the preschool year. Activities are available to the children that coincide with the themes.
FIELD TRIPS
Field trips will be scheduled throughout the year. Parents will be notified prior to each field trip. If you do not want your child to go on a particular field trip, please inform the preschool that your child will be absent that day. Parents are needed to serve as drivers and helpers on field trips. Younger siblings of preschool students may not accompany the preschool on field trips. Children are not allowed to ride in the front seat. Each child must be secured safely in a seat belt. Parents that chauffeur preschool children for field trips must have a valid driver's license and proof of insurance. Parents cannot chauffeur for field trips if they are under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription or nonprescription drugs that could impair their ability to operate a motor vehicle.
SNACKS
Children will take turns bringing snacks and drinks. A Snack Calendar will be sent home monthly with a child assigned to each preschool day to provide snacks for the class on that day. Treats need to be nutritious such as fruit, vegetables, crackers and cheese, jello, puddings, muffins, granola bars, etc. Special treats may be brought to preschool for birthdays only. We will schedule children's snack days as close to their birthdays and half birthdays (for summer birthdays) as possible.
SHOW AND TELL
When it is your child's turn to bring snacks/ he/she may also bring ONE item for show and tell. Do not send money/ play weapons/ or food. Encourage a favorite toy/ picture or book. Please discourage your child from bringing persona! items unless it is his/her sharing day. Many children playing with a toy could mean accidental breakage or loss. Little Lambs Preschool will not be responsible for any lost or damaged items brought from home.
CLOTHING AND PERSONAL ITEMS
Your child should wear washable clothes every day -something comfortable that does not need special care and allows the child independence at the restroom time. Please be sure to mark all sweaters, jackets, caps, boots, mittens, etc. with your childn's name. Teachers will assist children in keeping track of their belonging; however, we cannot be responsible for lost, stolen or broken articles.
ABSENCES AND SICKNESS
A phone call to the preschool before school starts is required when your child is ill or will be absent. If your child will be absent for several days, please send a note stating the dates he/she will be absent.
If your child is sick, please do not send them to preschool. A sick child will not benefit by being at preschool. In fact, it can be a frightening experience and may also spread illness to other children. If symptoms of illness are observed, or should a child become ill during preschool, a parent will be notified immediately. The child will be kept comfortable until a parent arrives. Children need to be free of vomiting, diarrhea, or fever for at least 24 hours before returning to preschool.
**NO medications will be given at preschool***
GUIDANCE POLICY
The health and safety of all children enrolled in our preschool is a primary concern of the preschool staff. Anticipatory guidance will be used to prevent behavior problems. Positive encouragement to build self-esteem and self-control will be used to build good social skills. When above methods have been tried and behavior is not changing the child will be asked to sit and calm down. Depending on the age of the child and the context of the behavior the child may be asked to sit with a teacher, work away from the group, or just take a quiet time. The child will rejoin the group when they have calmed down. Each child will be shown dignity and respect at all times.
CONFERENCES
Parent/teacher conferences will be held at the end of October and the end of March. You will be notified in advance and asked to sign up for a time to come for a conference. A conference may be requested, however, at any time either by preschool staff or upon parent request.
EMERGENCY EVACUATION POLICY
Blizzard:
Decisions for cancellation, postponement/ or early closure are made by the director. Any cancellation, postponement, or early closure will be announced over the following radio stations: KVFD 1400AM/ KUEL 92 FM, KKEZ 94.5 FM/KWMT 540 AM.
*Children will remain under the supervision of the preschool teacher until all have been picked up.
*If six or less are present, only one staff member is necessary.
Earthquake:
*As determined by staff/ children and staff will go into the hallway outside the classroom.
*If outside, children and staff will move away from the building and playground equipment.
*If there is structural damage to the building, children will walk with staff members to Northwoods Living.
*Children will be counted.
*Parents will be contacted as soon as possible to pick up their children.
Bombs:
*Any staff informed of a bomb threat will immediately notify the director and church secretary in order to alert all staff members.
*The police will be notified and the school will be evacuated In a manner similar to a fire drill.
*Children's emergency forms will be taken when leaving the building.
*If cold or inclement weather, children and staff will proceed to Northwoods Living.
*Children will be counted.
*Parents will be contacted as soon as possible to pick up their children.
Fire:
*When a fire emergency is detected, children and staff will be evacuated according to fire drill instructions posted on the doors.
*When possible, children's emergency forms will be taken.
*Children and staff will assemble on the sidewalk away from building.
*Children will be counted.
*If cold or inclement weather, children and staff will proceed to Northwoods Living.
*Parents will be contacted as soon as possible to pick up their children.
Tornado:
*In the event of a tornado warning, children will be moved to the restrooms as the determined safe area.
*As the children gather in the assigned area, each child will kneel, put their head in their lap, using their arms to cover the back of their head.
*Children will be counted.
*If structural damage occurs, police will be notified, and staff and children will walk to Northwoods Living.
*Children's emergency forms will be taken if leaving the building.
Power Failure:
*Children will remain in classroom.
*We will continue to follow scheduled activities if possible.
*We will contact parents to pick up children if early dismissal is necessary.
Intoxicated Parents:
*A staff member will attempt to detain the parent.
*Another staff member or church secretary will contact another person from the emergency contact list and request pick up.
*The intoxicated parent will be informed of the alternate pick up plan. If unable to contact another pick up person, child must be allowed to leave with the parent. The parent will be informed that the police will be called.
*Staff will notify the police of the situation,
Intruder:
*If it is determined that an intruder may be harmful, staff members will close and lock all doors.
*A staff member will attempt to assist the intruder.
*Another staff member will contact the police depending on the situation.
*We will proceed as instructed by the police.
*If children are moved, they will be counted by staff.
*Parents will be contacted if necessary.
Lost or Abducted Children:
*0ne staff member will remain with the children.
*A second staff member will alert others in the building to assist the search.
*If the child is not found in ten minutes, parents and police will be notified.
*Staff will proceed as directed by the police.
Chemical Spills:
*Staff and children will leave the area immediately.
*A staff member will contact the Fort Dodge Fire Dept. and follow their directions.
""Staff and children will evacuate the building according to the fire dept. instructions, if necessary.
*Children will be counted.
*Staff will notify parents if necessary.
RELEASE
If your child is not ready for the group experiences at preschool, or if his/her needs are not being met in the group setting, we may ask for a confidential conference with you. We do not believe a child should remain in preschool unless the child derives some benefit from the program and therefore, we may decide to postpone the preschool experience. If you decide that your child's needs are not being met by his/her experience in the group setting, please feel free to ask us for a conference.
SUPPLIES
Each child should have a backpack or school bag to carry projects and papers safely home with them. It should be easily opened and large enough to hold school papers and projects. PLEASE MARK IT WITH YOUR CHILD'S NAME.
Each child should also bring the following supplies to preschool on the first day of school:
*1 box of large size crayons (8 to 10 crayons in a box) (not Jumbo size)
*1 box of washable markers (fat ones - 8-10 markers in a box)
*1 pair of scissors (we recommend Fiskar's blunt tip metal scissors)
*1 box of Kleenex
We feel that by each child bringing their supplies it will make him/her feel important and that the preschool is their school by having their own personal supplies at school. We provide each child with their own art box to keep their supplies in.
OUR FINAL THOUGHTS
Our hope is that your child will have a happy and enjoyable experience of loving, caring, sharing, and learning with us. If at any time you have questions, concerns, or suggestions about any part of our preschool program, please speak with us. We care about our children and our parents, and we want to try and meet the needs of everyone.
Little Lambs Daily Schedule
9:00 Arrive/ Attendance
This is when we work on names, and other awards
9:05 Jesus Time
We will cover stories throughout the Bible and talk about Jesus' love
9:15 Centers/Free Play/Craft
This is a time for social skills/ learning, and/ of course/ fun. We take turns working on our craft for the day
10:10 Clean-up
10:15 Date/Weather/Show & tell
10:25 Circle Time
This is the time we talk about our theme for the day using books, songs, finger plays/ flannel boards, etc.
10:35 Potty break/Story/Snack
11:05 Recess
11:15 Circle Time
11:25 Closing/Prayer
11:30 Class Dismissed
It is recommended that you wait out in the hallway until we call your child to leave. This is so we know your child is safe and leaving with the correct adults. Thank you.