Parent Handbook

Our Parent Handbook contains our school policies, tuition rates, daily class schedules, and more.

ENROLLMENT CRITERIA:

Toddler Program: Children must be between the ages of 18mos-3yrs. Children do NOT need to be toilet trained.

Primary Program: Children must be between the ages of 2-5yrs. Children MUST be toilet trained.

All children and families are given a thirty day trail period to ensure that this is the best environment for everyone involved.

SCHEDULE

The Children’s Academy hours are Monday-Friday 7am-3:30pm with extra day care hours from 3:30-5:30pm. These additional extra day care hours are not included in the regular tuition price and are available at a fee of $2 per hour.

Our mornings begin with an open play time from 7-9am. During this time, extra day care toys such as puzzles and blocks are available to the children. We suggest that children arrive by at least 9am in order to receive the full benefit of our program and to ensure an easier transition as well as a timely start to class.

Our mornings are divided into individual work time, circle time, and play times. At approximately 9:00 both classes clean-up and settle in for a morning group time before beginning work time at 9:30. During work time, children are encouraged to choose works that reflect their own interest. Students have access to and instruction in the areas of math, language, music, art, practical living skills, sensorial skill development, and various sciences. Teachers will give lessons and aide in guiding children to different activities as needed. Snack is made available during both classes work times. A group play time immediately follows work time and then lunch. Afterwards, the children are given a calm and quiet time to rest before our afternoon work time and our first pick-up at 3:30pm.

GOOD-BYES

To make good-byes easier on both the parent and child, parents are encouraged to develop a morning routine that includes leaving rather quickly. Separation is the most difficult part, so it is best to not prolong it. Based on our experience, we suggest a good-bye routine that lasts no longer than five minutes. We suggest that parents do not “sneak out.” This can lead to more anxiety and trust issues. It is better for the child to cry because he or she sees the parent leave, than it is for the child to turn around and not know where the parent went. This will help your child develop a sense of independence, security, and a consistency they can depend on.

DROP-OFF

The academic portion of our program begins promptly at 9:00am. In order for all of our students to get the full benefit, it is imperative that they arrive at, or preferably a few minutes before, 9:00am. Arriving late is not only difficult on the child, but is disruptive to the routine of the rest of our students. Our Academy teaching staff members are available to chat and help with questions at drop-off only until class starts. If a late arrival is unavoidable, we ask that you let us know ahead of time or drop-off after 10:30am.

REGISTRATION

A one time, non-refundable registration fee of $200 per family is required at the time a child’s start date is set. This will also reserve a child’s spot at The Children’s Academy Montessori for up to 30 days prior to first day of enrollment.

DEPOSIT

A deposit in the amount of the student’s tuition rate is due on or before the first day of school. This deposit is applied to the last month of enrollment. Given 30 days written notice of a student’s last day of enrollment, the deposit will be applied and no tuition will be due.

TUITION RATES

Toddler Class Primary Class

2 Day $525 $475

3Day $685 $650

Full Time $910 $825

TUITION POLICIES

Tuition fees are based on the number of school days for your child’s class and weekly schedule, multiplied by a daily rate, and then divided into 12 monthly payments. Tuition statements are emailed via Brightwheel during the last week of each month. These statements will include your regular tuition rate, any extra day care hour charges from the previous month, late fees, and/or credits. Absences are NOT deducted from regular tuition rates.

Monthly tuition is due in full the first of each month.

Parents who pay tuition BEFORE the first of the month, will receive a ½ day credit toward their child’s account. These ½ credits may be used toward tuition for a time that a child is absent from school such as vacation or a prolonged illness.

Tuition is considered LATE after 5pm on the 5^th of each month and a 10% Late Fee will be charged and must be included in that month’s tuition payment.

Tuition Payment Contracts must be filled out, signed, and turned in with registration forms prior to students first day of enrollment. This form reflects the hours your child is to attend school and the tuition amount due at the beginning of each month. Extra day care hours from 3:30-5:30pm are available at the rate of $2 per hour for children over the age of 2yrs.

The Children’s Academy closes promptly at 5:30pm. Please be aware that $3 per minute will be charged for every minute a child is at school after 5:30pm.

This fee will be included in the following months tuition invoice. The ONLY exception to this policy is an emergency which should be called in to the school before closing time. If parents are unreachable by 5:45pm, State regulations require that we call the police department to take charge of the child.

MATERIALS FEE

An annual materials fee of $100 is required and payable with September tuition at the beginning of each school year. This materials fee is non-refundable and enables us to purchase materials for the classrooms throughout the school year while keeping our tuition rates reasonable.

ENROLLMENT TERMINATION

All families are given a 30 day trial period here at The Academy. Should a family or I find that the program does not fit the family’s needs for whatever reason, enrollment may be terminated within the first 30 days without notice. After the trial period, a written 30 day notice is required to terminate enrollment. At that time, the Deposit will be applied and no tuition is due for the last 30 days and the child(ren) may attend school per their normal schedule for that time.

Clients may also opt out of the 30 day notice, the Deposit will be applied, and enrollment will be terminated immediately.

Enrollment may also be terminated for the following reasons:

• Non-payment of tuition for 2 or more weeks
• Child is absent without notice for 2 or more weeks
• Extreme behavior deemed unsafe by the Director and/or causing injury to self or others

In these instances, the Deposit will be forfeit.

DAYS OF SCHOOL CLOSURE

We are closed for the following National Holidays:

Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Martin Luther King Jr Day, Lincoln’s Birthday, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day. We are closed Wed-Fri for the Thanksgiving Holiday, one day before and after the Christmas Holiday.

These days are NOT deducted from regular tuition rates.

These do not include State, Federal, or other public school holidays.

ANNUAL CLEANING WEEK

We close for one week mid- August for our Annual Cleaning in order to fully clean and make repairs to the school both inside and out.

These days are NOT deducted from regular tuition rates.

SUMMER SCHEDULE

Our summer schedule is Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm and will begin mid-June through mid-August (dates will change by a day or two each year).

SIGN-IN & OUT

State regulations require that all children MUST BE SIGNED IN & OUT DAILY with a FULL & LEGAL SIGNATURE by the persons dropping off and picking them up from school. A weekly attendance sheet for this purpose is located on top of the Parent Cubby cabinet in the entry way of both classrooms. It is IMPERATIVE that your driver makes this a daily routine.

Any persons picking-up for the first time MUST present a photo ID or child will not be released.

REGISTRATION FORMS

All registration forms including emergency, medical, health screening forms, personal rights, physician’s report forms, immunization forms must be filled out, signed, and turned in on or before your child’s first day of school.

LUNCHES & SNACKS

Children joining us for lunch should bring a healthy lunch daily, excluding items high in sugar content. Please pack a well-balanced meal, small amounts of a variety of foods tend to be less overwhelming and are recommended. Any food that is not eaten will be repacked in their lunch container and sent home so that you are aware of what your child is eating during his/her time at school. Food items that require being warmed up or refrigeration are welcome. Please prepare those items ahead of time so

that they are ready to serve after warming. Please pack warm-ups in an oven-safe container or aluminum foil.

We ask that the following foods NOT be included in a child’s lunch or breakfast at The Children’s Academy Montessori:

*Sugary foods such as donuts, cookies, chocolate milk, hot chocolate, etc

*Prepackaged food such as lunchables or TV dinners

*Foods that need to be prepared using a microwave such as instant macaroni & cheese cups

These foods contain little or no nutritional value at all and they not only offer no fuel/energy for physical & cognitive growth for the day, they also lower a child’s immune system making them more prone to illness. Nutritional health is a very important part of every child’s growth and ability to learn and remain healthy and is thus a very important issue for the teaching staff here at The Academy.

A healthy morning and afternoon snack consisting of a grain and a fruit or vegetable will be provided. All of the snack items served at The Academy are certified organic fruits and vegetables and grains are made without preservative, GMO’s, or synthetic materials.

If your child has any food allergies, please be sure to let us know and make note of them on the “Parents Evaluation of Child’s Health” form in the registration packet.

Please clearly mark your child’s name on all lunch containers.

PERSONAL SPACE

Each child will be assigned a cubby in which all items brought to school will be stored. However, this is a limited space area, so please try to make sure that all items brought to school fit neatly in this space. If your child attends a part time schedule, he or she may share a cubby with another child on the alternate days. If your child shares a cubby, be sure to take your child’s items home with you daily in order to leave the cubby available (a small backpack works nicely) on the days your child does not attend.

Parent cubbies are assigned to each family as well. You will find your parent cubby by locating your last name in the Parent Cubby File located next to the sign-in clipboard. Please be sure to check your parent cubby regularly as they are used to ensure important information is disbursed to our parents and families.

CLOTHING

Simple, washable, and easy to manage play clothing and rubber soled shoes are recommended. Please keep in mind our changing weather throughout the year and send jackets and sweatshirts accordingly. All children should keep at least one change of clothing at school. When toilet training, we recommend a child have five changes of clothing. It is most helpful to have these items in a small backpack or bag. Please be sure to label all clothing items with your child’s name. All unclaimed items will eventually be donated. All clothing and personal items will be kept in your child’s personal cubby.

PERSONAL POSSESSIONS

Special comfort items are welcome and will be stored in your child’s cubby. I have found that, when carried around, these items tend to inhibit a child’s natural outgoing nature. Knowing that these items are near is most often times all that is needed for comfort.

Please clearly label all items with your child’s name. We will always do our best to make sure that toys from home make it back to the appropriate cubby, but The Children’s Academy will not be held responsible for lost or broken items. As such, it is recommended that very special items stay safely at home.

NAP/REST ITEMS

Each child should bring at least one blanket for nap/rest time. Small pillows are also welcome. In the Primary Class, all nap blankets and pillows will be stored in your child’s cubby. All nap items should be taken home for laundering at the end of each week.

Please make sure that all of your child’s rest items fit neatly in your child’s cubby.

LITTLE TREASURES

Occasionally, a small item from school makes it home. If you happen to notice any pocket-sized ‘little treasures’ that may have come from preschool, please return them. If an item is missing, a work is incomplete and must be removed from the classroom. Even the most seemingly insignificant item may be a key item to a work in the classroom, so it is very helpful to have those items returned.

ILLNESS & MEDICATION

Illness: Each family must have an alternative care plan should their child become ill. The following is a list of symptoms that a child should stay home for and parents will be called for should they come down with any of them while at school:

1. FEVER
2. VOMITING
3. DIARRHEA
4. RASH
5. PROFUSE MUCOUS
6. PERSISTENT COUGH THAT INHIBITS DAILY ACTIVITIES
7. LICE (this includes nits)

If a parent is unavailable, the emergency list will be consulted. Children may return to school 24hrs after the LAST episode of any a fore mentioned symptoms.

Medication: All medications must be in the original container with the prescription name, dosage, and child’s name on the label. In accordance with State Licensing regulations, parents must obtain a letter of instruction from the physician in order for staff to administer medication. The State considers this to meet their “training requirements”.

Parents must also fill out and sign a Medication Release form for any medication to be administered by school staff. All medication will be kept in a lock box in the refrigerator located in either the Primary or Toddler classrooms.

Please note that ALL medications including but not limited to over the counter first aide such as Tylenol, cough drops, antibiotic ointments, & sunscreen are considered to be medications by State Licensing and must be brought in by the parent, have the child’s name printed on the original container, and have a Medication Release form completed and signed by parents in order for Children’s Academy Staff to administer.

EMERGENCIES/FIRST AIDE

In the event of any emergency, a specific protocol of procedures will take place and parents will be notified of their child’s safety as soon as it is possible.

In the event of an accident or sudden onset of an illness, proper first aide will be administered by trained staff, consisting of only ice, water rinse, &/or band aide.

If an incident occurs that is beyond the scope of basic First Aide and requires more serious medical attention, the child’s emergency card will be consulted and parents will be notified. If unable to reach a parent, Children’s Academy staff will attempt to contact others listed on the emergency card. Should a life threatening injury should occur, 911 will be called first, then the parents, and the “Consent For Medical Treatment” and “Release of Client Medical Information” forms will be sent with Emergency Medical Staff.

FIELD TRIPS & SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

I believe that children learn a great deal from their environment simply by experiencing it. For this reason, I try to schedule a couple of field trips each year, visits from special people from our community, picture days, etc. Field trips are always optional and I try to schedule them over the weekends so that parents can be involved. A carpool sign-up sheet will be provided as The Children’s Academy does not provide transportation.

Parents will be notified of all events at least two weeks before any event.

INCIDENT REPORT FORMS

In the event of any physical or emotional injury to a child, an Incident Report Form, signed by both staff and parent, will be filled out in duplicate within 24 hrs of the incident. One copy will be given to the injured child’s parent and one placed in the child’s file. “Possible Incident Reports” are issued in the event an incident occurs which does not require first aide, but may bruise or be sore later.

NEEDS & SERVICES

For our students under the age of 2yrs, a personalized “Feeding Plan” and “Toilet Training Plan” are included. Please fill them out to the best of your abilities. Your child’s teachers will go over the forms and make sure that you child’s specific needs with regard to these two areas of development are met here at school. These plans will be reviewed every 3 months as needed. Parents have the right to review these plans as well at any time and make any changes or revisions they feel necessary.

STATE LICENSING

The California Department of Social Services, State Licensing Division, is our governing agency. Certain policies at The Academy (such as our rest time policies, sign-in/out, illness, and safety policies) are set by the State. Under the rules and regulations of the state of California, state licensing employees have the right to access all children’s and staff files, conduct site visits, and interviews with staff, children, and families of The Children’s Academy at any time, without notification, and without consent.

PARENT/ CHILD/ TEACHER COMMUNICATION

To enhance communication between parent and child as well as parents and teachers, daily records are kept on our toddler students.

This information is intended to aide you in your conversations with your child about school and are helpful references for any questions you may have for me or our teachers regarding your child’s time at school.

The Toddler classroom will send home a bi-weekly record sheet of your child’s work week as well as daily health and wellness records and diaper changing and toileting information for parents to view.

Newsletters are emailed monthly as well as updates on events and other important information.

Please check emails, parent cubbies, and noticed posted at The Academy to make sure you are receiving information regularly. Parent/teacher/director communication is essential to maintaining a comfortable, secure, and trusting working relationship.

Please feel free to call me about anything at any time. I have found that in order to maximize comfort and trust in our program, it is always best to address, questions or concerns as soon as possible. I welcome your questions and value your input. I make it a personal point to always be available to our Children’s Academy Montessori families.

TODDLER PROMOTION

All toddlers who remain enrolled at The Children’s Academy Montessori will be moved up to the Primary Class as they become potty-trained and are developmentally ready. Per California State Licensing for Childcare, all toddlers must move into the Primary Class no later than age 3yrs and 3months.

Toddlers over the age of 2 years will also be combined with the Primary class before 8:30am and after 4:00pm.

Primary Schedule Of Daily Activities:

7:00am- School is open and children are allowed a quiet playtime together.

8:30am- Children are directed to their classrooms

9:00am- Our first Morning Group Time: Children are welcomed to class. Teachers take role, go over our calendar, new materials, sing some songs, and read a few books as well.

9:30am- Work Time Begins. Children are free to choose any activity they would like to work with. Teachers give lessons as needed and look for “teachable moments” to reach children when they are needing guidance. Each child may work with any particular activity as long as they like, they may also choose to observe another child’s work, or a book in the reading area as well. Children learn to respect the space of their classmates, wait their turn for a work, and to return their work back to it’s space on the shelf. The works on the shelves reflect the areas of learning that we offer here at The Children’s Academy Montessori: math, language, science, practical life, art, and sensory skill development. During work time, an emphasis placed on the idea that this is their classroom to encourage care for their environment. Snack time is served during morning work time. Children are welcome to take a break from lessons to enjoy a nutritious snack and drink when they are ready.

10:45am- Clean-up and our second morning group time. Children re-group for a short time of song and story reading before going outside for morning play time.

11:00am- Outside Play Time

12:00pm- Lunch Time. Children clean-up outside play activities, wash their hands, and sit down to enjoy a family style lunch together. Teacher will help with any items that need opening or warming up. If they do not have a drink, water is always available to them. This is a wonderful time for additional social learning to occur. As each child finishes their meal, leftovers will be placed back in their lunch boxes.

1:00pm- Afternoon Rest Time- Children are given their own rest mat and their blankets from home to lie down and simply have a quiet time of rest. Napping or closing their eyes is not required. All children are encouraged to use the rest room and wash their hands before laying down.

2:30- Afternoon Work time- Children who are awake by 2:00 are welcomed to get up, put their blankets away, and begin our afternoon work time. Children continue to join work time as they arise from rest time. Children are also provided an afternoon snack at this time.

3:30- Afternoon group time Outside Play Time: Children clean up their works and join a short afternoon group time followed by outside afternoon play time.

3:30- Official School Time is over

3:30-5:30- Extra Day Care Hours: Children play outside until about 4:30 at which time they are welcomed back into the Primary classroom for a few afternoon activities.

**Our normal schedule may vary according to the weather and special guests or activities.**

Toddler Schedule Of Daily Activities:

7:00am- School is open and children are allowed a quiet playtime together. ALL children enrolled in the toddler program over the age of two will join the primary class. ______initial

8:30am- Children are directed to their classrooms

9:00am- Outside time to help our toddlers get some of their wiggles out.

9:15am- Morning Snack

9:30am- Morning Group Time: Children are welcomed to class. Teachers take role, sing songs often accompanied by movement, go through various language flash cards, and read a few books to the children.

9:45am- Work Time Begins. Children are free to choose any activity they would like to work with. Teachers give lessons as needed and look for “teachable moments” to reach children when they are needing guidance. Each child may work with any particular activity as long as they like, they may also choose to observe another child’s work, or a book in the reading area as well. Children learn to respect the space of their classmates, wait their turn for a work, and to return their work back to it’s space on the shelf. The works on the shelves reflect the areas of learning that we offer here at The Children’s Academy Montessori in the Toddler Classroom: math, language, practical life, art, and sensory skill development. During work time, an emphasis placed on the idea that this is their classroom to encourage care for their environment.

10:30- Group time

10:45am- Outside Play Time

11:45am- Lunch Time. Children clean-up outside play activities, wash their hands, and sit down to enjoy a family style lunch together. Teacher will help with any items that need opening or warming up. If they do not have a drink, water is always available to them. This is a wonderful time for additional social learning to occur. As each child finishes their meal, leftovers will be placed back in their lunch boxes.

12:30pm- Afternoon Rest Time- Children are given their own rest mat and their blankets from home to lie down and simply have a quiet time of rest. Napping or closing their eyes is not required. All children are encouraged to use the rest room, diapers are checked & changed, and faces and hands are washed before laying down.

2:30 – 3:00 Afternoon Work time- As they wake from nap, children are welcomed to an afternoon work time and snack. Diapers are checked & changed.

3:30- Outside Play Time: Children clean up their works and go outside for an afternoon play time. Official School Time is Over.

4:00pm-ALL children under the age of 2yrs MUST be picked up NO LATER than 4:00pm.l

4:00pm- ALL children enrolled in the toddler program over the age of two will join the primary class.

5:30pm- School Closed

Our normal schedule may vary according to the weather and special guests or activities.

Toddler Needs & Services:

Feeding Plan: Children under the age of 2years, will be served a morning and an afternoon snack consisting of either fruit, vegetable, whole grain, or a combination of. Foods will be served and cut into pieces that are manageable for young children to feed and handle themselves. Snacks will be prepared and served in a sanitary manner. All snacks prepared and served by Academy Staff will be posted to be viewable by all clients. Lunches are to be provided by parents and will be kept refrigerated if needed, re-heated if necessary in the oven in the Primary class, and served to the children on their personal individual plates. Utensils will also be provided if needed. Before and after every meal or snack, hands will be washed and children encouraged to learn to wash independently.

A Health & Wellness form will be completed every day a child is in attendance. This form reflects how each child ate during the day and is sent home for parents to review daily as well.

Toileting Plan: Children under the age of 2years will have the following provided to them: *Diapers will be checked, changed if needed, and recorded every half hour.

*A standing diaper change is practiced at The Academy in order to facilitate toilet training and offer a more independent involvement for children in their toileting.

*Staff will be gloved for diaper changing

*Diaper changing occurs in the Toddler restroom and the toilet is offered to every child at the time of changing in effort to make the experience a more benign and therefore a less ominous one.

*Hands are washed after every diaper check/change

*A Health & Wellness form will be completed each day reflecting a child’s toileting experience for the day. This form will be sent home each day for the child’s parents to review as well.

*Should we see that a child is showing signs of readiness for toilet training, staff will discuss further toileting options with parents.

If parents have any questions concerns or other preferences regarding their child’s feeding or toileting, they are encouraged to contact the director who will be more than happy to address them.