Pre-School

It is a pleasure to welcome each family to a new year at "Grant Preschool". The staff and I will endeavor to make this year a "best ever" preschool experience for your children.

We attribute much of this success to the participation and support from so many outstanding families. We encourage your suggestions and input throughout the school year.

Dear Parents,

It is a pleasure to welcome each family to a new year at “Grant Preschool”. The staff and I will endeavor to make this year a “best ever” preschool experience for your children.

We attribute much of our success to the participation and support from so many outstanding families. As always, we encourage your suggestions and input throughout the school year.

GOALS

The goal of Grant Preschool is to encourage children to maximize growth cognitively, emotionally, socially and physically. Our teaching staff is trained to meet the needs of the whole child in a loving and respectful manner. Each child is treated as an individual personality with utmost importance being placed on self-esteem and verbalization of one’s feelings. It is our goal to provide a safe, nurturing environment while offering a wide range of activities that foster social skills, problem solving and first and foremost, having fun while learning and growing.

PRESCHOOL POLICIES
1. Fee Schedule
Grant Preschool has implemented the following tuition schedule. Monthly tuition shall be paid in advance by the 1st of each month. Tuition paid after the 5th of each month will incur a $5.00 penalty and tuition paid after the 10th of the month will incur a $20.00 penalty unless other arrangements have been made and approved by Katherine Cox.

∙ Monthly Rates 2 Days 3 Days 4 Days 5 Days
7:00 am -12:30 pm $160.00 $240.00 $320.00 $400.00
7:00 am - 3:00 pm $220.00 $325.00 $430.00 $540.00
7:00 am - 6:00 pm $250.00 $380.00 $500.00 $595.00

∙ The annual registration fee for preschool is $75 with a 10% discount on registration for additional siblings. The registration fee is due by the first day of the fall session. Registration fees are dedicated for the purchase of new equipment, materials, supplies and to defray the cost of parties.

∙ There is no refund of fees and no adjustment for days the child does not attend. The holiday schedule for preschool will be given out on the first day of the fall session.

∙ Accounts that are not paid in full by the last day of the month will constitute grounds for termination.

2. Arrival Time
Our school day starts at 8:30 a.m. exactly. In deference to the children and staff, please be prompt. Interruptions are very costly both in time and schedule. Preschoolers do not regroup very quickly or effectively. Our facility is open at 7:00 a.m. for before school care.

3. Vacation
Each child who attends full time (five full days per week) will be allowed a one week vacation each year without charge. The preschool must be informed in writing of such absences at least one week in advance.

a. Also, families attending the three-year-old preschool during the school year, who drop enrollment during the summer will be required to pay one additional months tuition (June) in order to secure a spot for their child/children in the fall four-year-old program. This payment is due by June 1st of each year.

b. In order to lessen the impact on families with multiple students in the 3 year old program, the following payment scale will be utilized for reserving a spot for the fall program:

I. One student - pay one month tuition to hold a spot in the fall program.
II. Additional students - pay 25% of one month tuition each, to hold a spot in the fall program.

III. The one month tuition fee shall be based on the number of days the student is scheduled to attend in the fall.

4. Late Pick-Up Policy
Parents picking a preschooler up after 6:00 p.m. will receive a penalty fee as described below:

In deference to our staff, all children must be picked-up from the preschool by 6:00 p.m. Parents picking their child up after 6:05 p.m will pay a $15.00 penalty fee and will be charged $1.00 per minute thereafter. Parents who anticipates being late should call the preschool and advise. In the event the preschool staff cannot locate a parent or another authorized person to pick-up the child, the Shasta County Child Protective Services will be called at 8:00 p.m.

5. Should the preschool be closed due to inclement weather or another emergency, you will be notified by our phone messaging system and via the radio station KQMS FM or TV station KRCR channel 7. If Grant Elementary School is closed, the preschool will also be closed.

6. Lunches are not included in the weekly fee. Children must bring a lunch from home or purchase a hot lunch from the Grant School cafeteria. The cost of lunch is $2.25 and may be purchased by the day, week, or month in advance. These lunches are delivered to Grant Preschool and served at noon. Nutritious snacks are provided twice daily at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Please notify us of any special dietary requirements on the attached form.

7. Parents are responsible for advising preschool administrators of changes in address, home/cell/work emergency telephone numbers, etc.

8. Parents are to walk their children into the classroom and sign them in upon arrival and sign them out upon departure. However, a staff member will be available to pick children up at the parent pick-up/island at 8:20 - 8:25 a.m. and escort them to the pre-K class. Also, a staff member will escort pre-k children to the island for parent pick-up at 12:30 - 12:40 p.m.

9. Depending on availability in each classroom, the waiting list vacancies will be filled in chronological order. Preference will be given to children who live in the Grant School District until April 1, of each year.

10. A two week written notification of withdrawal from preschool is required.

11. A current immunization record is required before a child may attend.

12. A physician’s health screening within 30 days of enrollment is required. (See attached form)

13. A child’s enrollment is confirmed upon receipt of registration packet and registration fee.

14. Preschool Holidays
Please refer to a current Grant School calendar for a list of holidays when the Grant preschool will be closed. There will be no refunds of fees or adjustments for days the child does not attend. Children who attend five days per week will receive a credit for all holidays that fall on a Monday.

MEDICAL EMERGENCY PROCEDURE/ACCIDENTS

1. Injuries of a Minor Nature (small cuts, bruises, bumps, etc.)
a. Staff gives necessary first aid and notifies parents of injury upon pick-up from preschool.
b. If the injury appears of a more serious nature, the parents will be notified for further instructions.

2. Serious Injuries
a. Staff member will call ambulance and then make contact with parents or other emergency contact.
b. First aid will be given by staff until ambulance arrives. Staff members are certified in first aid and CPR.
3. Accident reports are sent home following a serious injury.

4. A report will be filed by preschool to Child Protective Services in the event staff suspects a child of being abused in any way (physically, sexually, emotionally). We are required by the state to file such a report. The preschool
is not required to notify parents of such a report.
FIRE DRILL/EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS
Safety drills are held two times a month. Please ask for a copy of the Emergency Disaster Plan.

HEALTH & MEDICATION POLICIES

If a child is sick and has a fever or undiagnosed symptoms, we are not equipped to take care of your child. However, if your child has a cold or is generally not feeling well after a 24 hour bug, etc., we will accept him/her. Children must be symptom-free for 24 hours. Children who become ill at school will be isolated in the office until parents arrive to pick them up. Children must be picked up within one hour.

Prescription or an over-the-counter drug must be sent with a signed request (using approved form) from the doctor and include:
a. Date
b. Name of child
c. Name of medicine
d. Amount to be given
e. Time of day to be given and how often
f. Number of days to be given
g. Medicine must be in original container
h. A Request for Medication to be Taken During School Hours form must be signed by both the physician and parent. Instructions must be given by physician.

PRESCHOOL PARTIES
Halloween
Thanksgiving
Winter Holiday
Valentine’s Day
Spring Party
Graduation Program and Party

A short program is presented by children for parents on each party day. (Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc.). These programs start at
8:40 a.m. exactly and end at 9:15 a.m. promptly. These programs are always fun and adorable and are an excellent way for our preschoolers to gain self confidence while having fun. Children should arrive in their class no later than 8:20 a.m. Video cameras are welcome. Parents are invited to stay in the MUR for coffee and visiting from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m.

The children’s parties start at 10:00 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m. Do not pack lunch on party days. Parents are asked to bring goodies, lunch fixings or drinks and other party foods. Notices are posted regarding each party and what each parent should bring.

BIRTHDAYS

We love to celebrate your child’s birthday in the classroom. You bring the treats and we will provide the fun and games.

PERSONAL ITEMS

Children are welcome to bring a special blanket or stuffed animal that gives special comfort . . . No bottles or sippy cups.

We will have selected days for sharing toys from home. As a general rule, however, toys are not welcome, as they are at high risk for damage in a large group.

GROUP TIME

Our program is configured into three groups within which children work. Basic preschool skills (colors, shapes, numbers and the alphabet) are taught through games which also encourage healthy problem solving skills and respect for others. Children progress at their own interest rate into pre-math and phonics skills. Our program produces many early readers while in pre-kindergarten.

DISCIPLINE POLICY

Because self-discipline and responsibility are primary goals taught at Grant Preschool, children are handled in an individual and appropriate manner when behavior modification is required. Each child’s personality, needs, and response to modification measures are taken into consideration. Parent’s involvement and suggestions regarding their Childs’ behavior are encouraged and discussed daily until inappropriate behavior subsides. Our goal at Grant Preschool is to encourage and guide your preschoolers to become happy, independent individuals who obtain problem solving skills through the following.

. . . Redirection: Removing child from problem area and involving the child in activity of less stressful nature.
. . . Positive Reinforcement: Acknowledge and praise good behavior. Ignore negative behavior when possible.
. . . Problem Solving Skills: Teaching non-aggressiveness through discussion. Discuss consequences of bad choices and talk about other’s feelings.
. . . Remove Privileges: This is accomplished by immediately denying a fun activity or privilege when appropriate.

Under no circumstances is corporal punishment implemented or any action or words used which may embarrass or demean the child.

Through these strategies, the Grant Preschool teaching staff strive to teach repetition of good behavior and qualities needed for acceptance in a group. We support the children in thinking through problems so that the child is hopefully able to recognize that negative behavior is non-productive. Obviously, the overall safety and comfort of all our preschoolers is of utmost importance. Therefore, extreme and repeated behavior problems may require immediate suspension.

Your support and ideas are greatly appreciated and always welcome in our endeavor to create the best preschool situation possible for your child.

Please ask to review the teacher’s manual, activity booklets, monthly calendar, and special projects for each month of the year. We are very proud of our program as it is extremely comprehensive and yet allows our “kids to be kids” through fun and play.

We look forward to another fun and exciting year watching your children develop and grow into self-assured responsible pre-schoolers.

SCHEDULE OF DAILY ACTIVITIES
Pre-K Program
7:00 - 8:30 Free play (toys, games, puzzles, etc.)
8:30 - 9:00 Calendar (share, story, etc.)
9:00 - 9:10 Phonics
9:10 - 9:30 Outdoor play
9:30 - 9:50 Snack
9:50 -10:00 Brain Gym
10:00 -11:15 Work centers (art, letters, numbers, science, math, reading etc.)
11:15 -11:30 Outdoor play
11:30 -11:45 Music
11:45 -12:15 Lunch
12:15 -12:45 Free play (toys, games, puzzles, etc.)
12:45 - 1:15 Individual reading skills
1:15 Full and 3/4 time students continue in after school program
*Additional Classes
Music - with Mrs. Roberts - twice a week
Spanish - with Senora Rose - twice a week
Library - with Mrs. Grigsby - bi-monthly
Cafeteria - every Friday

3 Year Old Program
7:00 - 8:30 Free play (toys, games, puzzles, etc.)
8:30 - 9:00 Calendar (story, etc.)
9:00 - 9:20 Outdoor play
9:20 - 9:45 Share
9:45 -10:00 Snack
10:00 -11:00 Centers (art, letters, numbers, math, etc.)
11:00 -11:30 Outdoor play
11:30 -11:45 Music
11:45 -12:15 Lunch
12:15 -12:45 Free play
12:45 - 1:15 Rest time (story, color, etc.)
1:15 Full and 3/4 time students continue in after school program
*Additional Classes
Music - with Mrs. Roberts - twice a week
Spanish
4year/3Year Old After School Program Schedule
1:15 - 2:00 Outdoor play
2:00 - 2:30 Inside Activities
2:30 - 2:45 Snack
2:45 - 6:00 Free play
6:00 Preschool closes