Welcome to the Parent Handbook
CHILDREN’S CENTER PRESCHOOL
Parents’ Handbook
WELCOME, PARENTS!
We are glad that you chose Children’s Center Preschool and look forward to an exciting and satisfying experience together. This handbook is intended to familiarize you with the school and to act as a resource about our philosophy, programs, operating procedures, school policies, and general guidelines. Please keep this handy as it will answer many of your questions. If you don’t find it here, please feel free to ask the Director. The school has an Open Door Policy. If she cannot meet with you immediately, an appointment or phone call will be scheduled for as soon as possible.
CHILDREN’S CENTER PRESCHOOL
PARENT HANDBOOK
Table of Contents
Our School and Our Philosophy
Our program
Operating Policies and Procedures
Enrollment
Admission Procedures
School Attendance
Changes, Withdrawals, and Termination
Tuition and Fess
Communication
General Health and Safety
Illnesses
Allergies
Medication Policy
Emergency Policies and Procedures
Nutrition Policies and Procedures
Parent Involvement
School Visits
Parent Education/Speakers
Parent and Family Events
Positive Guidance and Discipline
Parent Grievance Policy
Community Licensing Division
General Guidelines
Separation
Share items
Clothing
Field trips
Naps
Daily activity schedule
Birthdays
Photographs
Violent toys and power clothing
Invitations
Addresses and phone numbers
OUR SCHOOL AND OUR PHILOSOPHY
Children’s Center Preschool is based on the developmental philosophies of Piaget, Erikson, and Vygotsky, and their principles about the growth and development of children. Children go through a predictable order of development, however the timing and rhythm of those stages is unique to each child. The curriculum and the room environment are planned to promote children’s advancement through the developmental stages at their own rate of growth. We blend child-initiated, teacher-initiated, and emergent curriculum, which allows us to meet the individual needs of the child.
We seek to teach the whole child. We feel that a high-quality, development program fosters the social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and creative growth of the child. Utilizing an integrated curriculum, learning centers, and a low teacher ratio, we provide rich learning experiences that enhance all of the developmental domains. We believe learning is best done through a discovery process that encourages experiential, “hands-on” learning. We provide an environment where the child can reach as far as his /her development allows.
We believe that play is the child’s natural way of learning. Our preschool indoor environment is created to offer a wide variety of choices in the block building, reading, art, writing and drawing, science, puzzles and manipulatives areas. Our outdoor environment offers a variety of physical experiences including the climbing structure, swings, trikes, large and small sandbox, and water table. We offer a program and environment that has different levels of difficulty so that children can make choices that are challenging and exciting but lacking in stress. When children play a significant role in choosing the experiences of their day, they explore what is meaningful to them as well as develop self-reliance and independence.
We feel it is essential to provide a setting where children feel cared for, valued, nurtured, and encouraged. Only then will they feel secure enough to move out into their school world, make choices, try new experiences, and face new challenges with confidence and be comfortable making mistakes and trying again. In an emotionally safe environment, children are stimulated to ask questions, to share thoughts and ideas, and to explore creative solutions to problems. In these ways, children will develop the self-esteem that is so important to a healthy self.
Within a climate of teacher caring and support and a child’s good sense of self worth, we seek to help children recognize their many and varied emotions and to help them develop skills to safely express them. We also work to develop a child’s understanding of self in relation to others, to learn to recognize other children’s needs and feelings, to develop concern and empathy for others. Through many prosocial activities, we help the children refine their skills in order to develop and keep friendships and solve problems with one another. We utilize circle time (and other activities) with storytelling, book reading, singing, moving, listening and taking turns to help children develop good group skills.
We value a diverse community, ethnically, racially, culturally, and religiously. We will explore the rich heritage, customs, and traditions of our community and the larger world. We want each child to begin to discover the uniqueness and value of themselves and every other person. We have an anti-bias curriculum that permeates the learning life of the children.
Parents and other caretakers are a vital part of children’s lives at the school. We welcome and encourage you to be actively involved in the children’s school lives. Through parent conversations, both formal and informal, parent gatherings, education meetings, and volunteering, each family can find ways to be part of the school life that offers both parents and children opportunities for growth, caring, and support. We encourage your involvement, however, we recognize that each family has its own time demands and interests.
OUR PROGRAMS
Our programs are designed to offer a high quality preschool experience that meets a variety of different family needs. We are licensed for 38 children, ages 2.9 until they enter kindergarten. We are open Monday through Friday. We have a morning program from 8:45 am to 12 pm with the option of a full day program that extends to 4:00 pm. Children can attend three, four, or five mornings a week. Children may also attend all afternoon sessions for one to five days. All day children bring their own lunches, eat at noon and then have a naptime. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks are provided by the school and are nutritious and often organic.
Morning and afternoon care are available as part of the preschool. Morning care is between 7:45 am and 8:45am. Afternoon care begins at 4:00 pm and ends at 5:00 pm promptly.
Our daily morning schedule involves a balance of indoor and outdoor time; the middle of the session will include snack, group time, and children’s yoga.
A fine will be assessed for late pick-up of a child after his or her’s normally scheduled pick-up time.
OPERATING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Enrollment:
Enrollment is open to all children regardless of race, color, creed, sex, religion, or national origin.
We may accept children with developmental delays, disabilities, or handicaps on a case by case basis and at the sole discretion of the Director. If it is determined that the child and the school will benefit from the child’s enrollment and the staff is able to meet the needs of the individual child as well as the needs of the other children, an individualized plan will be created with the parents that may involve professional support/intervention and inclusion specialists. Parents must adhere to the individualized plan or risk the child’s removal from the school. This removal is at the sole discretion of the Director.
A child must be a minimum of 2.9 years old to be enrolled.
The child must be daytime potty trained and fairly good at using the restroom independently. The child shall be given assistance, as needed, for all personal care.
Admissions Procedures:
We want the opportunity for the parents of the school to become familiar with our school, its philosophy, and its programs. We also want to come to know the parents of each child on a personal basis.
- Parent tour: The Director will set up a parent visit/tour. That does not include the child. We ask parents to schedule an appointment with the Director. This time allows you to come to know the school better and ask any questions you have.
- Orientation meeting: After the visit, if the parent is interested in pursuing the admissions process, they will need attend a orientation meeting without their child. The meetings are scheduled roughly every month and they are posted on the web site under “admissions”.
- The applications are handed out at the orientation meetings. All families are encouraged to apply. In maintaining good practice with other preschools, the following factors are considered when admitting children. These factors are subject to change and review at our discretion.
Date of Application
Demographic and diversity needs of our school
Current students who plan to return
Siblings of current children (whose families are in good financial standing with the school)
- The application should be returned to the director with a one-time, non-refundable registration fee of $100. The director will review the application and a decision will be sent to you.
- A visit by your child will be scheduled.
- When your child is accepted, a packet of forms will be sent to you. One of the forms is an Admissions Agreement that acts as the contract with the school that must be completed and returned to the school with a non-refundable $500 deposit that will be applied to your child’s first tuition.
- The packet will also include Preschool and the Department of Social Services forms that are required to be kept in your child’s file. Please complete them and return them to the school at least 10 days before your child begins school. No child may begin attending the preschool unless the forms are completed. These forms will include at least the following:
Identification and Emergency Information Form
Child Pre-Admission Health Report
Physician’s Report including updated immunizations and physician’s signature
Forms for Permission to Participate in School Activities and to Receive Emergency Medical Care
Acknowledgement of Personal Rights
Acknowledgement of Parent’s Rights
Child Abuse Prevention Handbook Receipt
Parent Handbook Acknowledgement/Agreement Form
Admission Agreement Form
Consent to Seek and Pay for Medical Treatment
Once you have agreed to a preschool start date, tuition will start on that date, even if you decide to delay entry. This is the only way we can hold a space for your child. The first 30 days considered to be a trial period by the preschool to determine if the program is suitable to child’s and school’s needs.
School Attendance
Once your child begins, we ask that you make every effort to be on time at the beginning of the child’s session in order to help him or her join in easily and to not disrupt the other children. At the end of the child’s session, we ask that you promptly retrieve your child. It can be very worrisome for a child to be the last child picked up. If you must be late, please call the Preschool at (323) 422-9690 so we can prepare the child. Please be no later than 10 minutes after the pick-up time. A pattern of late pick-ups may require a fine and/or a review of your child’s enrollment status.
The Department of Social Services and Children’s Center Preschool require that a responsible adult, over 18 years old, sign each child in and out of the preschool every day with a printed and full and legible legal signature. The school shall assume responsibility for the child after the child has been signed in and shall retain responsibility until the child is signed out by a parent, guardian, or designated representative of the child’s parents or guardians.
A list of designated representatives is maintained on the Identification and Emergency Form in the child’s file. Children are released only to persons authorized on that form and the school must informed on each pick-upmoccurrence . If you would like to authorize a permanent person to pick up your child from school ( i.e. housekeeper, relative, nanny, or a permanent carpool arrangement), please come to the school and add the new person to all of the copies of your information forms.
If an unauthorized person is picking up the child, s/he must have a specific written permission from the parents or guardians for that day only; it must be dated and signed and list the person’s name. The pick-up person will be asked to show the teacher a valid picture I.D. One parent or guardian can act for both in this situation unless the parents or guardians are separated or divorced. In that case, the custodial parent or guardian must sign the permission. Only written communication is valid; no verbal arrangements are valid. Faxes can be sent but there is no guarantee that the fax will receive the permission slip. Children will never be released to any adult, parent or otherwise, suspected of intoxication from alcohol or drugs. We will call some one from the emergency list to pick the child up. We apologize if we are in error but we would rather be safe than sorry. No child will be released to any adult who does not provide and use a proper child safety seat in his/her motor vehicle.
Never leave your child unattended at the curbside, playground, bathroom, or classroom. Every child must be signed in and out with a teacher present.
Parking is available in the lot to the east of the school. It is shared with the Temple so we ask that you park facing the fence overlooking the school. The passenger zone is for use of families with babies.
Changes, Withdrawal and Termination
An eight week written and dated notice is required if you plan to reduce the number of attendance days or hours. This allows the school the time it needs to fill the space. If an unforeseen problem arises, please see the director immediately.
Termination of Care by Parent- If parents decide to terminate the childcare agreement, they must give two month’s written notice to the director. If there is a problem, every effort will be made to work with parents and guardians to resolve any difficulties that may occur at the school, both on the phone and in parent conferences. However, we recognize that not every situation is appropriate for every child. If, after a significant effort on both sides, this program is found to be unsatisfactory for your particular child, we will try and help you find a suitable placement.
Termination of Care by the Program- If we feel that we are unable to meet the specific needs of a particular child, we may ask that the parents of the child seek appropriate professional help. Alternatively, if the child’s needs are sufficiently outside our ability to meet them or if the child’s dysfunctional behavior poses a threat to himself or the emotional or physical safety of the other children, we reserve the right to terminate the care agreement on a timeline that is in the child’s and school’s best interest, which, under rare circumstances, may be immediately. Other reasons that may result in the termination of a specific care agreement are as follows:
Non-payment for childcare services and/or lack of adherence to our tuition payment polices.
Lack of parental cooperation with the program’s efforts to resolve differences and/or to meet the child’s needs through parent/staff meetings, conferences, or seeking professional help.
Failure to comply with the school’s schedule, policies, regulations, and procedures
Parent exhibits behavior endangering the children, families, or staff, including abusive behaviors and/or verbal threats by parents toward the program staff or other parents (may be grounds for immediate termination).
Child exhibits special needs or needs related to serious illnesses that the program cannot meet. In this case, the program staff will make every effort to involve the parents, and possibly other persons (as appropriate), in order to decide on the best course of action for this child, prior to any termination.
Tuition and Fees
A tuition and fees schedule is maintained and available in the office. There is a one-time registration and earthquake kit fee.
The school’s financial arrangement with the parents is contained in the admission agreement in this handbook.
Children’s Center Preschool operates on a year round basis from September to late August. We are closed for roughly two weeks for winter break, 1 week for spring break, 2 days at Thanksgiving, every legal holiday, the Jewish High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Passover, 10 days at he end of June and 10 days around Labor Day. The school’s yearly calendar will specify specific dates.
Rates will increased as needed in September of each school year to cover the costs of increased expenses. Rates increases will be announced at least 30 days in advance.
Tuition is due every month regardless of school closures, school holidays, vacations, child’s illness, etc. No refunds will be given for missed attendance regardless of reason.
Tuition is due and payable by the 1st of the month. It is considered late on the 6th.
Lunch is to be provided by parents. Please provide a lunch box for your child daily; it goes in the child’s cubby. Refrigeration can not be provided and ice packs should be used to keep certain foods cold.
Communication
Your child’s care is of the utmost importance to us. The more accurately informed our staff is, the better we care for your child. There are also a variety of ways we can give you information about your child’s progress.
1. Brief information on the sign-in sheet is encouraged; there is a space for comments provided on the form. Information about a bad night’s sleep, a traveling parent, visitors staying in the home, family illness, change of pick up routine and similar items help us to provide responsive care to your child.
2. In order that we may properly inform all staff members, please write down all messages. Do not give verbal messages. They are too easily forgotten in the activities of caring for your child. Email can be used but may not be read until the end of the day.
3. Phone conferencing is a quick and easy way for all to communicate. Please, never hesitate to leave your name and phone number and your child’s teacher or the Director will call you at her earliest convenience.
4. For more in-depth discussions, please schedule an appointment with the Director.
5. There are parent bulletin boards and dry erase boards that have both long term and more current information for parents. They are located in the hallway and sign-in area of the school. Please check them regularly.
6. Twice yearly parent conferences will be scheduled.
General Health and Safety
At the preschool, we do all that we can to ensure the health and safety of your child. California State Licensing has cleared all employees and regular volunteers who work at the Preschool through the Department of Justice, FBI, and Child Abuse Index Check. The employees have had physicals and negative TB tests.
Our environment is safe and clean; we provide nutritious food; we encourage regular hand-washing. We try to do everything that we can to prevent injuries. You can help us by dressing your child in appropriate clothing for movement. Dress children in simple, washable, play clothes. Shoes that are easy and safe to run in are a necessity. Tennis shoes or closed toe shoes with Velcro closures are the best for climbing and running. Please, no sandals, flip flops, boots, open toed shoes, clogs, or long dresses; they are not safe. Please have your child arrive at school in the shoes they will wear all day.
Parents must complete a health form for their child, including the name and phone numbers of the child’s physician and dentist, complete an Identification and Emergency Form, provide a health screening form from the child’s physician/pediatrician, and provide a valid immunization record that shows up-to-date and complete immunizations. Exemptions to the immunization requirements for medical or religious reasons are at the sole discretion of the Director.
As parents and legal guardian, you are our partners in keeping your child healthy and safe. Please keep us informed about your child, including changes in medical status, the phone numbers of medical personnel, and additions or changes to the list of authorized people who can be contacted in case of emergency or for sick child pick-up.
For Illnesses:
In case of illness, please make arrangements to have your sick or getting sick child remain at home. This includes, but is not limited to, children who have any contagious disease with symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever, pink-eye, strep, or a cold. Children with signs of cold, stuffy nose, watery eyes, cough, sore throat, should not be sent to school. While the running nose and mild cough may not seem severe, colds can spread very quickly in day care. Other important criteria for keeping a child at home are: red throat, spots on throat, earache, swollen neck glands, unexplained rash or skin eruptions, severe cough, tonsillitis, loss of appetite over several days or any behavior that is noticeably out of ordinary.
Please report illness or contagious diseases immediately so that parents of other children in the group can be alerted. After having a contagious disease, the child will need a re-admittance slip from your doctor or from the public health nurse or doctor. Children who come to school sick will be sent home. Also, if the care/recovery process from an illness or injury results in a significant demand on the teacher’s time, or if it prevents the child from participating fully in the school activities, the child will be asked to remain or return home.
In most cases, children must be free of symptoms or fever 24 hours before returning to school. In some cases, children may return once they have started medication for 24 hours if it relieves contagious and impactful symptoms.
The State of California strongly encourages all children attending school obtain up-to-date immunization. Personal exemptions are allowed although the parent must agree to remove their child from the school if an outbreak of any disease covered by the immunizations occurs. The child can return when the risk of contagion has past. The school strongly urges parent’s to seek immunization for their child as there are several diseases that are experiencing a resurgence., pertussis in particular.
Please indicate on the appropriate space provided on the Physician’s Report as well as in the Immunization Record form the exact dates of each immunization. If you have a request for exemption based on religious beliefs, please talk to the Director to receive the appropriate waiver..
If your child contracts one of the major childhood illnesses, please contact the Director immediately. The parents of all the children and the Health Department will be notified. Children must be completely recovered from the illness and have a doctor’s note before returning to school.
A sick child will be sent home for these reasons (not complete list as judgment will be involved by the teacher or Director): a fever of over 100 degrees, sniffling and watery eyes, vomiting, eye infections or discharge from the eye, diarrhea, persistent cough, red sore throat, unidentified skin rash, impetigo, ringworm, and head lice.
When a child is sent home, it is important that the child be picked up as soon as possible. The child will often be isolated and a teacher will remain with him/her. Please ensure that you have people available to you to pick up your child in case of illness if you cannot. We will need prior authorization or written notice for any one other than you or the people authorized on your Emergency and ID. form to pick up your child. Please let us know who will be picking up. If they are unknown to us, we will need to see some ID that proves who they are.
Head lice is a regrettable, but not uncommon, occurrence in schools these days. It has nothing to do with hygiene and ironically; ironically, it occurs more often in children who have shampoos every night. It is essential that head lice be responded to immediately and thoroughly to prevent spread not only at the preschool but also in your own home. There is a procedures form in the office that will give you some guidelines on how to treat head lice. Any child returning after having had head lice will carefully be inspected, in a private place to avoid embarrassment, before they are returned to the classroom. Any sign of head lice or nits , alive or dead, will require that the child return home.
Even with careful supervision, accidents happen. When a child is injured, the member of the staff who observed the incident will fill out an Accident/Incident Report. The report describes what happened, who was present, how the injury occurred, when and how the parent was notified, and what measures were taken. The reports are in triplicate. One copy goes to the child’s file, one to the parent, and one to Administration.
The teachers and the Director are trained in First Aid. For small events, first aid will be used and the parent will be notified by an incident slip. For anything larger, the parent will be notified and first aid administered. If we feel the child needs to be taken to the emergency room for a medical or dental emergency, we will attempt to contact the parent and the child taken to Children’s Hospital, 4650 W. Sunset Blvd at Sunset and Vermont, LA 90027. We will continue to try and contact the parents and persons on the authorized emergency list until someone is reached. We will also call the child’s physician or dentist. We will not leave your child unattended, unless it necessary for a medical procedure, until someone is reached and comes to the hospital. All medical and dental expenses that arise from your child’s emergency situation are the parents’ or legal guardian’s financial responsibility.
If the parent insists that the child be taken to a different hospital, a record of that request must be on file and the parent accepts all responsibility for the health of that child once they leave the school. Children’s Hospital is two blocks away and the school cannot be responsible for anything that might be caused by the delay while seeking help from a hospital farther away.
Allergies
When a doctor diagnoses a child as having a food, medical, or environmental allergy, a statement to that effect must be given to the Preschool office in writing and included in their medical file. A notice of all food allergies will also be posted in the classroom.
Medication Policy
- Certain prescription medications may be given to children after special arrangements have been made with the Director or Site Supervisor, who will administer the medication. The prescription medication and the prescription must be hand delivered to the Director or Site Supervisor, not the teacher, and the parent or authorized adult must fill out the medical log book. No over-the-counter medications will be administered, including holistic or homeopathic ones. Any drug must have been administered for a minimum of 24 hours before the school will begin administering it, to ensure an absence of allergic reactions. Medications must be in their original, child-proof container, with proper dosage information, accompanied by a written prescription note from the doctor explaining its use, dosage, and purpose. Never send medication with your child in any way. Not all medications can be administered by the school and the decision to administer medications is at the sole discretion of the Director or Site Supervisor.
Emergency Policies and Procedures
At the Preschool, fire and earthquake drills are held every month. The school has been inspected and approved by the fire department.
In the case of an emergency, the Director, Site Supervisor, and teachers will take appropriate action depending on the circumstances. In the case of an emergency or disaster that allows us to remain at the school, we will remain in the safest portion of the site. We have emergency supplies for 5 days for children and adults. We will remain with your children past the mandatory three day period. We will remain with them until they are picked up by an authorized person or a city, state, county, or federal official makes appropriate arrangements for their care if an authorized person cannot be located after extensive efforts.
In case of disaster (earthquake, fire, toxic conditions, etc. ) and the school is deemed unsafe, we will evacuate the premises to one of two emergency locations. A notice will be placed on the gate, if possible, indicating our location.
Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital
1300 No Vermont Ave (on the corner of Fountain and Vermont)
Los Angeles, Ca 90027
Phone: (800) 582- 2258
Or
Ramada Inn
1160 N. Vermont Ave (on the corner of Vermont and Lexington Ave)
Los Angeles, Ca 90029
Phone: (323) 315- 1800
Our out-of-town contact number is:
Aaron and/or Jennifer Wyle
(210) 381-0396
We will remain with your child until they are picked up by an authorized person, or an authorized city, state, county, or federal official makes appropriate arrangements for their care if an authorized person cannot be located after extensive efforts.
Nutrition Policies and Procedures
At the Preschool, meal and snack times are enjoyable social experiences and an opportunity to try new foods. We strive to serve nutritious snacks and often include organic food. The snack menus for each week are posted on the parent bulletin board and on the web site. Preschool snacks will be prepared to meet the standards established under Regulation 101227 of the Child Day Care General Licensing Requirements. A history of each child’s allergies and ethnic, cultural preferences or restrictions will be collected during the admissions and transitions process. We will make every effort to meet those needs but it is not guaranteed. Food allergies will be posted in the classroom. Food during snacks will be served family style in order to accommodate individual children’s needs and to help teach the basics of independence and cooperative behavior.
Lunch is to be provided by the parents. We encourage you to pack a nutritious, well-balanced lunch to provide your child with the necessary energy and health necessary to participate in a full day of activities. We provide juice and water. If you send a juice, please send 100% fruit juices as it is a licensing requirement that no diluted juice be served. No candy or soda, please.
Because of the increased number and intensity of peanut allergies, we are a NO Peanut School. Please alert anyone who is packing your child’s lunches, especially occasional visitors such as grandparents. The danger is very significant to a child in preschool who has a nut allergy.
Parent Involvement
School Visits:
While we have a professional teaching staff, we welcome parent volunteers both in and outside the classroom. Reading stories, wood-working, cooking, art projects, and contributing at circle time are just a few ways. Please coordinate your participation through the teacher.
As long as it does not negatively impact a child’s healthy separation from the parent, any parent is welcome to remain for a while in the morning from time to time. We find especially that working and traveling parents enjoy being with their child in the morning during the drop off time.
Throughout the year, there are other opportunities to get involved with your child’s classroom. Creating scrapbooks and documentation boards are two such examples. Please let your teacher know if you are willing to help.
We also have regular “events” at the school, usually related to the current theme or time of year. We encourage parent’s join us in these events.
Parents, particularly those of all day children, are welcome to join us for their lunch or break time, whenever that happens to be. Talk with your child’s teacher about what would work best for you, your child, and the classroom, especially in the first few weeks of separation and transition.
Parent Education/ Speakers
We plan to offer parent education meetings and speakers every couple of months throughout the year. They will focus on topics of interest and importance to the parents and guardians of preschoolers. They are also good times to meet and socialize with other parents in the school. If you like bringing finger food or sweet treats, please let the Director know; it would be most welcome.
Parent and Family Events
Several times a year, the school will have parent and family events to give everyone a chance to get to know one another. The first one will be a parent potluck dinner in the social Hall of the school in the Fall. Others will be announced as the year proceeds.
Positive Guidance and Discipline
At Children’s Center Preschool, we use a peaceful, non-violent, problem-solving, conflict resolution model. It is important to remember that angry, frustrated, and aggressive feelings in young children are a normal part of the their development and that they are still learning appropriate strategies for handling feelings and difficulties when they occur. As teachers, we help the children learn conflict resolution skills in order to articulate their feelings, develop possible strategies for coping with their feelings or behavior, and develop ways of working with others using words and positive behaviors. Children learn these skills through modeling by the teachers, active support during conflicts and difficult times, and a setting that offers them outlets for their feelings.
Positive statements that give children feedback regarding what behaviors are accepted and desirable will be used. We will also use redirection when it is appropriate for the child.
Children shall never be disciplined for toilet accidents.
The following types of discipline are prohibited in the Preschool:
- Corporal punishment, including hitting, spanking, swatting, beating, shaking, pinching and other measures intended to induce physical pain or fear
- Threatened or actual withdrawal of food, rest or use of the bathroom
- Abusive or profane language
- Any form of public or private humiliation, including threats of physical punishment
- Any form of emotional abuse, including shaming, rejecting, terrorizing, or isolating a child.
However, while the Preschool will support, teach, and guide a child to use appropriate means of expressing aggressive and angry feelings, hitting, biting, scratching and kicking behaviors can jeopardize the safety of the child, other children, and the staff. Licensing requirements state “ each child shall have personal rights which included, but are not limited to, being accorded safe, healthful, and comfortable accommodations.” Therefore, if the hurtful behaviors continue, the Preschool will meet immediately with the parents to develop an individualized plan that may involve the parents seeking professional involvement, developing home strategies and changes, and adjusting the child’s school schedule. While we strive to provide the least restrictive environment possible for each child, we also seek to protect the children and staff in the school and to preserve the positive and stable environment of the classroom. If the efforts of the school, family and professionals are unsuccessful or the aggressive behavior is too inappropriate for school safety, the school has the right to require the child and family to withdraw from the school.
Parent Grievance Policy
Children’s Center Preschool is licensed by California Department of Social Services, Community Licensing Division.
We understand that differences and disagreements are a part of life and we seek to find solutions to problems in a peaceful, problem-solving manner. If you have a grievance, we ask that you first go to that person and explain your concern or situation. Also, the teacher in your child’s room often can answer most questions and concerns.
If you feel the issue is unresolved or feel that it warrants the attention of the Director, please contact the Director. She has an open door policy. If she cannot be available at that time or you are unable to be at the school, a meeting can be scheduled. Contact her by written note, phone or email. Please do not leave a verbal message with the teachers. Every effort will be exerted to find an appropriate solution to the difficulty or complaint.
If you need to file a serious complaint with the Community Licensing Division, contact (323) 981-3350.
Our goal is to establish an open and healthy line of communication with the family of every child; please don’t hesitate to contact us at the Preschool.
COMMUNITY LICENSING DIVISION
The Preschool is licensed by the California Department of Social Services, Community Licensing Division. As a result, they can perform random visits of the Preschool in order to ensure its safety and compliance with licensing rules and regulations. Additionally, the parties to this agreement are here notified of the Community Care Licensing right to interview your or any child and the school staff, and to inspect and audit all records maintained by the school without securing the prior consent of anyone. The parties are also aware of the licensing agency right to observe the physical condition of the child, including conditions indicating abuse or neglect, and to have a licensed medical professional physically examine the child.
GENERAL GUIDELINES:
Separation
Separation is a key time for a child and we are committed to a positive and emotionally secure transition for the child into Preschool. On the first day of school for your child, please plan on remaining with them the entire time.( It will be a half day) Then please work with the Director and the child’s teacher to create an individual plan and a good-bye routine. Leave time when your child starts in the first days to remain with them until they are ready to have you leave. Each situation and child is different. Sometimes the separation process involves several days. We will never allow children to be left without your saying good-bye or to experience undo sadness.
Share Items
From time to time, children share items brought from home. Sometimes they will be at our request, such as a teddy bear for the teddy bear week and picnic. Sometimes, they are things that are important to the child or are educational. The items to share might include stories or books, photographs, things from nature, or objects related to our classroom. In our classrooms, there is a wide array of carefully selected items geared especially to meet the needs of your children. Toys, jewelry, etc. brought from home are difficult for other children to cope with and hard for children to share in play; they should remain at home and saved for play date visits. We appreciate your cooperation and help with this request.
Clothing
Children participate at the preschool in active and messy activities. Please send appropriate clothing that is comfortable, washable, and not valuable. Clothing that allows for self dressing is important for self-reliance. We cannot be responsible for lost clothing; please mark your child’s clothing with his/her name. Dresses with ruffles, bows, and tricky zippers and pants with difficult belts and fastening should be avoided.
Every child must have an extra set of clothes in case of toilet accidents, spills and water and sand play. In the warm months, it is a good idea to have two sets.
Shoes: Closed toe shoes or tennis shoes are necessary and required to protect your child. Velcro shoes are very practical. No other shoes are allowed, including sandals, boots, jellies, crocs, etc. This is both for safety and the ability of your child to participate fully in the program and its activities. Please abide by this safety rule- group preschool situations and demands are different than those at your home or at a park.
Field Trips
Our preschool classes are held on the premises and we do not have any field trips. Parents drop off and pick up children at our location.
Naps
Children five years and younger will take naps on cots if they stay after 12 noon. This is a rest time for children and no child will be forced to sleep. Please send a child sized blanket and a child sized pillow. A child’s special transitional object or comfort item can be brought to school each day or left with the napping supplies. These items should be labeled with your child’s name. Remember to take your child’s bedding home on Fridays for laundering and bring the clean ones on Monday. State regulations require that all children should have bedding when napping. Children cannot begin as a napper until the bedding has been provided.
Daily Activity Schedule
For morning and all day preschool children: cool weather schedule
8:45-9:50 Arrival time, welcome children. Free play activities in learning centers
9:50-10:00 Clean up and wash hands/ use bathroom as needed
10:00 -10:10 Snack
10:10-10:30 Group time
10:30-11:30 Outside time
11:30-11:35 Wash hands/ use bathroom as needed
11:35- 11:50 Children’s Yoga on Yoga days
11:50- 12:00 Table Top activities (Half day children leave at noon)
12:00-12:30 Set up and eat lunch
12:30ish Wash hands, use bathroom, settle in for naptime
12:30- until children awaken or roughly 2:00 pm Naptime
For napping children-upon awakening, use bathroom, wash hands, and return to classroom and participate in classroom schedule
For afternoon preschool children:
2:00-2:45 Free play activities in learning centers
2:45- 2:55 Clean up and wash hands/ use bathroom as needed
2:55-3:05 Snack
3:05- 3:15 Group time/ Movement
3:15-3:50 Outside time
3:50-3:55 Wash hands, use bathroom as needed
3:55-4:00 Table Top Activities- prepare for pick-up
4:00 to 5:00 After school care
Birthdays
Your child’s birthday is a special day! Please talk to your classroom teacher ahead of time to make arrangements. We must post, by licensing regulations, a snack menu, therefore, please notify of us of any special treat so that we can include it in the menu. Please try and bring nutritious treats for the children and /or limit the size and depth of icing of a sweet treat.
Photographs
Photographs are taken of the children for use in the classrooms, newsletters, and documentation purposes. We may also use a photograph in an email to another parent to show them their child’s activities or reassure them that all is well with their child during transitions. Your child may be in those photographs. The parents of any child receiving an email with the picture of any other child are strictly forbidden to show or use the photograph with anyone other than their spouse and family. They may never be circulated. This is for the protection of the children.
We will provide a form for you to indicate whether or not we may use your child’s photograph in photo flyer, outside newsletters, our web site, and other promotional material. Your child’s name will never be used. While we appreciate the opportunity to use your child’s picture to share the school with prospective parents, we respect your wishes whatever your decisions are.
Violent Toys and Power Clothing
Toy guns or other warfare weapons are not permitted at the Preschool. “Power” clothing should be kept at home and not worn at school. Please talk to the Director if you have a concern or question about this policy.
Invitations
As a general rule for all parties and gatherings sponsored by individual families, unless every child in a particular classroom is invited to the party or gathering, invitations should be mailed to the home. It is very hurtful to a child to leave out one or two children from a group invitation; please be mindful of children’s feelings when planning a party or event. If you have any concern, please feel free to talk to the Director.
Addresses and phone number of Children’s Center Preschool
1260 N. Vermont Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 422- 9690
www.kidslovepreschool.com
Entrance Gate Address
4679 La Mirada Avenue
Los Angeles, Ca 90029
Thank you for choosing Children’s Center Preschool.
We look forward to an exciting and rewarding experience together.
Please sign the form below and return it to the Director during the admissions process.
CHILDREN’S CENTER PRESCHOOL
Parent/ Legal Guardian Agreement
Parent Handbook
As parents/legal guardians of _________________________________ Born _____________,
I/we are in receipt of a copy of The Parent Handbook and have read, understood, and agree to be
bound by the policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and guidelines of the Children’s Center
Preschool and any subsequent amendments, as notified from time to time by the school.
Signed ___________________________________________________ Date ______________
Parent/legal guardian
Signed ___________________________________________________ Date ______________
Parent/legal Guardian
Signed ___________________________________________________ Date ______________
Deborah S. Wyle, Director of Children’s Center PreschoolTweet