This
Preschool Parent Handbook has been designed to provide important information
that parents need when selecting the childcare program for their child.
All of the dedicated, caring staff at Pinecrest want to be certain that your child has the very best early childhood experience possible. We want to thank you for entrusting us with that privilege and responsibility.
Please take the time to read all the following information to help you better understand our program and philosophy. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the preschool director.
School Philosophy
 It is a mission of the Pinecrest Preschool to provide a fully integrated preschool program to foster the child's social and emotional growth as well as their physical and mental development. Additionally, our sequential learning curriculum was developed to prepare the child for academics in kindergarten and elementary school. The preschool provides superior before and after school care as an aid to working parents.
The goal of the preschool is to guide each child in the growth of their total personality. Areas related to physical, mental, emotional and social development are all given equal attention when preparing a curriculum to fit the needs of each child. A child's self expression, creativity and analytical thinking are worked out in play. Through observations, the teacher may help a child succeed in areas where they do not excel. The teachers strive to aid each child in developing a positive image of them self.
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Curriculum
Pinecrest preschool curriculum is a discovery-based learning
experience that gives each individual child the opportunity to move through
specially designed learning centers of his or her own level of interest and
ability. The curriculum focuses on learning basic concepts and skills through
hands-on experiences and activities. Some centers are designed to develop large
and small motor skills while others are more academically oriented. Through
our program, each child is given the tools needed to encourage the growth of
the whole child.
Goals of the Curriculum
Separation from the Parent
The process of separation from the parent as the child enters and attends preschool is one of the most important accomplishments of the preschool child.
At each age level, a child will react differently. As children mature, they begin to identify themselves as independent personalities. In separating from you, the parent, your child is learning:
It is important to point out that sooner or later after the initial successful adjustment at school is made, all children want to explore the limits of not going to school. This period may occur in October or December or in spring, but it usually lasts only a short time. When this occurs, here are some suggestions which may help you handle the situation:
Parent Information
As school progresses and the children adjust to their new classes, we will try to provide you with continuing information regarding our program at Pinecrest. We will keep you informed of field trips, holidays, curriculum and other important information through our monthly newsletter, the Pinecone, and your child's classroom bulletin board.
Policies/Procedures
Sign-In and Sign-Out
 Every child must be signed in and signed out each day. There
are no exceptions to this rule. It is a State requirement. You must sign your
full name, time and relationship to the child. When someone, other than yourself
picks up your child, please be sure to inform him or her of this requirement.
After your child has been signed out, they are not permitted on the school equipment. We are not responsible for children once they have been signed out.
Parking
Please use caution when driving through our parking lot. We have parking spaces for your convenience and ask that you enter and exit using appropriate driveways. Please do not leave small children unattended in your car. Do not leave purses in parked cars. We are not responsible for any loss or damage while in our parking lot.
Tardiness
We prefer that children arrive by 9:00 a.m. We do not want the children to miss any instruction. If the children all arrive ready to begin their program at 9:00, the transition is much easier for the children and the teachers. If your child will arrive late for any reason, please contact the school office before 9:00 a.m.
Disaster Preparedness
All schools have an emergency disaster plan in place. Staff members are First Aid and CPR certified and prepared to handle an emergency.
Dismissal Authorization
Please inform us in writing or by telephone if someone other than those originally authorized will be picking up your child. If the staff has not been informed of any different arrangements, we will not have the authority to release your child without your permission.
Tuition Policy
 Pinecrest tuition is paid monthly. Tuition is due and payable
on the first of the month and must reach us by the tenth. A service charge
of $40.00 may be added to your account for tuition received after the tenth.
Dishonored checks may be assessed an additional fee if received after the tenth.
Dishonored checks may be assessed an additional fee of $35.00 Enrollment will
be terminated at the discretion of the school for non-payment of tuition.
A fee of $1.00 per minute will be applied for children who are picked up after 12:30 p.m. (half day schedule) or after closing (full day schedule).
Should there be any extenuating circumstances that would prevent you from paying on a timely basis, please discuss this with the administrator prior to it becoming a problem.
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Vacations and Holidays Observed
Pinecrest School is closed on the following holidays/staff development days:
Calendar is subject to change
There is no tuition credit allowed for these days.
Medication
As a service to our parents, the office staff will administer medication prescribed by your physician. All medications (prescriptive and over the counter), including topical are given as a courtesy at 12:00 and or 3:00. Medication must be in the original container with the child's name on the label, as well as the prescription number, name of the medication, dosage and expiration dates. Please add the child's room number. A permission to administer medication form can be found in the preschool office and it must accompany the medication. The form will be applicable for no more than 10 days.
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Meals
Good eating habits and positive attitudes toward food should
be established at an early age. At Pinecrest Schools, we provide well-balanced
meals that include items from the four basic food groups with an emphasis
on fruits and vegetables. We also provide nutritionally balanced morning
and afternoon snacks. Milk/Juice is provided with every snack or meal.
Meals are prepared onsite and served in your child's classrooms. Second portions are available for hungry appetites. Menus are sent home to parents at the beginning of each month and are posted in each classroom and on the web site.
Nap Time
There is a rest period during the day from 12:30-2:30 p.m. for all children. Each child is assigned his/her own cot to sleep on. Sheets are provided for each child. We request that you provide a crib size blanket and small pillow if desired,
Toilet Training
Pinecrest School accepts children that are not yet potty trained in our toddler programs. Children must be 18 months old. Children are accepted into our preschool program at 2 1/2 years of age but must be completely potty trained. They must be able to use the bathroom independently.
Lost and Found
Please mark all items of personal property that your child
brings to school. Items collected without names will be brought to the
office. If your child loses an item, please check with the office or your
child's teacher.
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Dress Code
 Children
must be fully dressed when they arrive at school. Because play activity
is such an important part of the curriculum, clothing
should be practical and comfortable. No open toed shoes, sandals, jellies
or cowboy boots are permitted. Little toes are easily hurt and children
have a difficult time on the playground. We also prefer that children do
not wear jewelry.
Every child needs to always have a complete change of clothing
including socks and underwear. If your child has changed clothing during
the day, please take home the soiled items and replace them the next day.
All clothing must be labeled with the child's full name.
Biting
As with any behavior, how biting is dealt with depends upon the ages of the children involved, the reason for the biting (if it can be determined), frequency of the biting and many other specific circumstances. General guidelines for biting include:
Depending on the ages and circumstances involved, additional actions might include:
Just as any other behavior issue regarding a child is confidential, the name of the child that has bitten is also confidential, in order to ensure the privacy of the child and family and prevent bias from others enrolled in the center. We will keep you informed as to what steps are being taken and if bites are from the same or a different child. Informative handouts are given to parents regarding biting.
Children who bite three times in the same day will be sent home.
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Head Lice
This is a very common occurrence in young children. This has
nothing to do with cleanliness. They are very easily transmitted by leaning
back in an upholstered chair where someone had previously sat who had head
lice, sharing caps or helmets, hair accessories, brushes, combs, even sitting
close and touching heads. Random lice checks are conducted by office personnel.
If head lice is found on a child, the following steps are taken:
To avoid infestation, it is important to inspect all family members for two weeks and treat if infected. Nits on the scalp may be seen more easily on the hair at the back of the neck and above the ears.
Please be assured that we will do everything possible to prevent infestation in our center. With your support, we will stop the lice from spreading.
What your Child May Bring From Home
Share day is every Friday at which time your child may bring one toy to share
with his/her class. Books, cassettes and CDs are welcome any time. Please do
not allow your child to bring in items other days. Violent toys, videotapes,
books, guns and swords my not be brought to school.
Birthdays
Birthdays are special and important occasions. You are welcome to bring cupcakes or cookies to share with your child's class. Please make arrangements with your child's teacher for any special plans to make your child's birthday one of a king.
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Termination Of Enrollment
In certain circumstances, it may be necessary for the Administrator to decide
to discontinue a child's attendance. Such a decision would be based on whether
it is in the best interest of that child. Every effort will be made to correct
a problematic situation before a final decision is made. Termination of enrollment
may be the result of the following:
Illness
Colds, flu and other contagious diseases seem to occur frequently and spread easily among preschool and toddler children. To help protect your own child's health and to minimize the possibility of contagion at school, please keep your child at home if you observe any of the following symptoms:
If these symptoms of possibly contagious conditions are observed in your child during the day, you will be called to come pick up your child immediately.
When your child has a fever, please keep him/her at home an additional 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal. This will help to ensure that the illness has actually passed and that your child will be well enough to resume school activities.
Discipline Policy
Preventive Measures To Produce Acceptable Behavior
In order to maintain a happy, healthy, disciplined environment, the children are taught the importance of safety, care of property, good habits, rules of conduct and consideration and respect for others.
Constructive methods of discipline are used to maintain group control and handle individual behavior. Our main focus on discipline (teaching/training) is preventative in nature, as we aim to build self-discipline in the child.
Constructive Measures to Extinguish Unacceptable Behavior
When a child exhibits unacceptable behavior or attitudes, he/she is instructed as to what is wrong and then directed to a positive alternative approach/behavior. Along with these new attitudes and behaviors, the child is guided in the direction of self-discipline by encouraging him/her to make as many decisions as possible within limits. The limits are as follows:
If a child strikes another child, he/she and the other child are respectfully separated. Each child is asked to explain what happened (define the problem). After each child has verbally given information, they are asked to help solve the problem, talk to each other, reconcile with one another and are redirected to another activity.
If a child is disruptive, he/she will be respectfully asked to stop the behavior. If the child persists to the point of disruption again, he/she is reminded of his/her behavior and how it affects others. If the disruption continues, and the child willfully refuses to yield to instruction, he/she will be separated from the other children. After the child has been separated from the class activity for a short period of time (2 to 5 minutes) he/she will be invited to rejoin the class.
If a child continues to misbehave and disrupt the class, the parents will be asked to come in for a conference to discuss how we can best meet the needs of the child.
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Academic Excellence for 56 years ~~
