|
Horseheads Presbyterian
Nursery School Celebrating 50 Years!!
2943 Westinghouse Road Horseheads, NY 14845 (607) 739-5046 hhdspresbynurseryschool@gmail.com
Welcome to the Horseheads Presbyterian Nursery School! Join us as we celebrate our 50th Year serving the area children and their families with high quality preschool programs. We are located inside the First Presbyterian Church in Horseheads. Established in 1961, we are a non-profit interfaith organization serving children ages 3 to 5 years old. The Preschool is governed by a Preschool Board and Session, which is made up of a group of church members, parent member, staff and director. The Preschool is run on a daily basis by the Director and the Preschool Staff. Over the years, we have had numerous students enrolled in our programs and many of our graduates have returned to us with their children. Please take a few minutes to look over our handbook. It will give you a quick overview of our Program and Policies. Should you have any questions, please give us a call at 739-5046. We look forward to assisting you in the process of setting the educational foundation for your child as well as allowing them to be a child! General Teaching Goals and Philosophy It is the philosophy of this preschool that early childhood should be a time of fun, warmth, security, exploring and discovery! Preschool children are creative and receptive; the program strives to nurture and encourage these qualities in its students. We provide an atmosphere that encourages social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth and development of the child as a whole. We help the child learn how to learn: to question why and to discover the answers. To get along with others and to use their developing language; thinking and motor skills; using age appropriate tasks and behaviors. We strive to create a wholesome learning climate in which a child can formulate a positive self-image, provide an opportunity for independence and fulfill the following goals: - to develop a respect themselves as well as others.
- to make good choices and follow through on them.
- to manipulate materials and discover their unique qualities.
- to construct and create, to compare and categorize objects.
- to increase understanding and improve and increase use of language, both vocabulary and verbal expression.
- to develop, exercise and increase an attitude of curiosity and eagerness for learning.
- to provide opportunities for independence.
- to learn by having FUN!
1
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS Age Requirement: A child must be 3 years old on or before December 1st of that school year to be admitted into the 3-year-old class. A child must be 4 years old on or before December 1st of that school year to be admitted into the 4-year-old class. All children must be toilet trained in order to be admitted into preschool.
Enrollment: Enrollment is open to the community and we admit students of any religion, race, color or ethnic origin. Upon receipt of the registration form and fee, your child will be placed in the class. Classes are filled on a first come/first served basis according to the date of enrollment with the Director. Parents of students in our 3-year-old classes have priority for the 4-year-old program before the public. If the classes are filled, the child’s name will be put on a waiting list to fill vacancies as they occur. Registration Fee: A $60 fee is charged at the time of registration. Pay September’s tuition in advance of August 15th, and the registration fee is reduced to $45. The fee for an additional child in the family is $30 each. This fee is non-refundable TUITION Tuition is charged for 9 months (September – May). It may be paid in full or every month. Checks and cash are accepted. All tuition payments are due on the first of the month . Payments received after the 15th of the month will be considered late. A $20 late fee will be applied each month that a payment is late. The budget is based on 9 full payments from each family. Tuition is charged for the whole month when a student is enrolled for any part of that month. There is no refund for partial months. Because tuition is a monthly fee, refunds are not given for illness, vacations, holidays and snow days. The preschool is a non-profit organization and just enough fee is charged to cover salaries, insurance, supplies, utilities, janitor and other expenses. Payments may be given to the Teacher or placed in the box located in the Preschool Office. A $20 fee will be charged for all returned checks. If a financial problem should arise during the school year, please contact Tammy Joensen, Director, right away.
2
PROGRAM DAYS and HOURS OF OPERATION 4 Year Olds – Pre-K Monday, Wednesday, Friday A.M. only (9-11:30) 3 Year Olds – Nursery: Monday, Wednesday, Friday AM only (9-11:30) Tuesday & Thursday AM (9-11:30) Tuesday & Thursday PM (12-2:30) **Class options may change due to enrollment**
PRESCHOOL CALENDAR The Preschool operates from September – May (9 months). We follow the Horseheads Central School District calendar. Therefore, during these months we observe most calendar and all weather related closings/delays. A calendar will be sent home the 1st day of school listing all days off that we know of at that time. You will also be receiving notices and a monthly newsletter that will remind you of upcoming important dates and events. Please listen to the tv/radio when nasty weather occurs. When the school district operates on a 2 hour delay, we will start school at 10:00 a.m., or when you can safely get here (use your own discretion). Departure time will remain the same.
STAFF
We are very proud of the dedicated and experience staff serving the Preschool. Everyone provides and ensure the safety and health of every child. We work as a “TEAM”, promoting the growth and development of the “whole child”. All staff hired are qualified with an assortment of certificates/degrees/experience. The employees are background checked and screened prior to employment. Our staff has completed CPR training, first aid & basic life support for the children through the American Red Cross. 3
SAFETY AND HEALTH POLICIES Safety The children are under direct supervision at all times. Fighting is not allowed. Running and throwing objects are not allowed. All sharp objects are stored out of reach of the children. Such objects as scissors are used only under direct supervision. The classroom equipment is continually checked for stability, smoothness and safe corners. Outside play is always supervised. Any time the children leave their classroom as a group, they are required to walk in an orderly fashion and are accompanied by the staff. Parents are required to bring their children into the building and pick them up inside each day. No child is to go out to a car alone.
Health Medical Form – each child is required to have a medical/immunization form on file with us. Obtained from the health care provider, this form includes a record of up-to-date immunizations and the signature of the child’s source of medical care. If the child’s medical form is not completed within 14 days after school starts, the child be will excluded from the program. (Public Health Law #2164).
All current medical records are kept in confidential files and are not disclosed to unauthorized persons. Illness – Please keep your child home if they have been sick the night before. Please do not send them to school if they have had a fever, vomit, runny nose, earache, strep throat, diarrhea, pink eye, impetigo, fifth disease, hand/foot/mouth disease, etc., within 24 hours of their illness. Should your child become ill during the day, we will contact you or your emergency person to come and take your child home.
We ensure the health of all enrolled children to provide a safe environment for them and us at all times.
CONFIDENTIALITY OF STUDENT RECORDS
Student records are open only to the particular child’s teacher, the Director and the child’s parent or legal guardian.
4
CURRICULUM & DAILY SCHEDULE The curriculum includes sharing and conversation time; stories; songs and fingerplays; creative art activities; games and large muscle activities; exposure to letters, numbers, shapes and colors; and celebration of birthdays and holidays. ARRIVAL: This is a friendly, informal time. Each child is greeted by name and encouraged to hang up his or her own coat on their assigned hook. Then, to help encourage name recognition, they will find their name card and place it in our name chart. This creates independence and increases self-esteem. To decrease separation anxiety this is the perfect time to say a quick goodbye. FREE PLAY: As the others are arriving, the children may choose from the various areas of the room, dramatic play, art, math, science, puzzles and manipulative. Children can express themselves, improve social skills, build vocabulary and solve problems. Play is just fun!! CLEAN UP: We sing a clean up song and then everyone works together in cleaning up and putting toys back in their proper place. CIRCLE TIME: We take attendance, spend time as a group sharing news, discuss the weather and the calendar, learn finger plays and the Pledge of Allegiance. Circle activities are designed to stimulate children’s thinking, to increase language skills, follow directions and to become more aware of their world! MUSIC: All classes get together to learn and sing new songs each month. This activity promotes listening skills, following directions, creative expression and social skills. In music, children can explore sound tempo and rhythm. PROJECT: A daily art activity is planned around our monthly theme. These projects are designed to encourage listening and following directions to work on their fine motor skills. SNACK: We offer a simple snack daily and strive for appropriate table manners and quiet chatting with our friends. GROUP ACTIVITY/GROSS MOTOR: We may choose to play record games, classroom games or go outside, weather permitting, all working on the development of gross motor skills and listening skills. 5
DRESS Children are encouraged to wear play clothes and closed toe rubber sole shoes. Daily activities include active and sometimes messy play. The children should feel comfortable enough to enjoy themselves without worrying about their clothes. Please label your child’s outerwear (coats, boots, hats, mittens) as we sometimes wear the same items. TOYS Please do not allow your child to bring toys to school. Toys can easily be lost or broken. Exception: if your child brings home the show–n-tell bag, then they may bring in one item in the bag that is sent home. FOOD Children should have eaten breakfast before they arrive in the morning. Please do not allow your child to bring a sippy cup or their breakfast to school. We provide a healthy simple snack shortly before they go home. If your child has a food allergy, please speak with the Teacher regarding their snack, as you may bring one from home for your child. Birthdays: We celebrate each child’s birthday as close to the date as possible. Your child may bring a special snack to share with the class. We encourage small sized portions. Suggestions: the children also always love veggies/fruit w/ dip, ice cream cups etc. For those children who have a summer birthday, we celebrate “unbirthdays”. Please contact your child’s teacher to set up the date. DISCIPLINE We provide safe and hazard free classrooms that are supervised and monitored always. The Teachers set the tone by example. We use clear and consistent age appropriate verbal language. We expect acceptable behavior and is encouraged by giving positive verbal praise. This reinforces a child’s good feeling about his-her behavior and serves as an example to the other children to act in such a way as to receive this praise. If an unacceptable attitude is taking place, the Teacher will redirect the child and ask the child to stop and think about his/her unpleasant behavior. This enables that child to work at self-control. For a child not cooperating in a group listening situation, the child is reminded of acceptable behavior. Occasionally, sitting quietly in a chair for a minute or two, may also help the child calm down & remember what behavior the teacher is asking for. If behavior problems persist, the parents will be notified to discuss what may be helpful in motivating their child to behave in an acceptable way. 6
PICK-UP AND DELIVERY OF CHILDREN
Early drop off and late pick up leaves the teacher without adequate time to prepare the classroom for each session so it is requested that you do not bring your child before the mentioned arrival times. We request your promptness at dismissal time. We understand that there may be instances when you are “running” late. However, please be aware that persistent tardiness will result in a late “pick-up” fee of $5 for each 10 minutes.
*Please let us know if anyone other than the regular person is going to pick up your child. We request this in order to insure the safety of your child. Picture ID may be required to release the child.
For safety’s sake, the children must never be left without direct transfer to an adult; therefore children must always be brought directly to the classroom. To facilitate a safe and orderly dismissal, parents must return to the classroom to pick up their children. The teacher will dismiss the child at the door to the appropriate person, one at a time.
Please remember that our school is held in the church. We ask that you keep the children from running around and keep their voices down while waiting in the hallway.
We ask that you respect the handicap parking.
COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS
· Parents are informed of the activities of the preschool through a monthly newsletter. Outside each classroom you will find a “Parent’s Bulletin Board” to also keep you informed of our “daily” activities. · In early October we will have an “Open House”. This evening gives the parents an opportunity to meet the teachers and learn about our curriculum. · Progress Reports are sent home in late January. They are designed to give you an indication of what your child has accomplished thus far. · The teachers are always available to discuss any concerns or questions you might have regarding your child.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
The community is very supportive of our preschool. In October the Horseheads Village Fire Department visits with all the classes to teach the children about fire safety. Volunteers from the Arnot Ogden Hospital will come to educate us all about Poison Prevention. C.I.D.S. (Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Development Services, Inc.) offer screening tests that evaluate children in the areas of development, hearing, vision and speech. We also have had visits from the area Librarians and a local dental office speaks to the children regarding dental hygiene. We also love our visit from the S.P.C.A. and their furry friends. These are just to mention a few of our friends
Thanks to all visit us thought the year!
GRADUATION Our Graduation Program is held the week before Memorial weekend in May. You will be notified of the date on the school calendar in September. Parents, relatives and friends are invited to attend a short but “entertaining” program presented by the children. This is followed by the presentation of certificates (3 year olds) and diplomas (4 year olds). A reception follows the program.
| 
top