The aim of Kiddie Prep School is to spiritually, socially/emotionally, and cognitively prepare children and their families for the coming years of formal schooling.  Children will do the following:

SPIRITUAL

Understand that God is a loving God

·         understand that Jesus is God’s Son

·         know that Jesus wants to initiate a personal relationship with each person

Understand that the Bible is a special book

·         understand that the Bible is God’s Word

·         know that the Bible is truth (stories that are fact, not fantasy)

·         comprehend that Bible truths share character lessons

Use Prayer to express their thoughts and needs to God

·         understand that prayer is talking to God

·         know they can request His help to take care of them

·         know they can ask for His help in being kind and thoughtful to others

·         understand that they can ask God to forgive them and come into their hearts

Freely share about God, Jesus, and the Bible with others

·         talk about spiritual things as “real”

·         speak spontaneously about spiritual things

Have a desire to attend church

·         have a cultivated interest in learning about God, which causes the desire

·         perceive the church environment as welcoming and safe

Know God created the World

·         have enjoyed direct experiences with nature

·         know that God wants each person to care for the world

Enjoy the process of moving from curiosity to satisfaction in a project because God delights in their work

·         take pride in their own work

·         have positive attitudes about involvement in projects

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL

Value familial relationships and understand the importance of obeying parents and teachers

Enjoy and initiate friendships with a variety of individuals

·         develop friendships with those who may not be the same gender, race, or age, or have the same ability

·         benefit from the inclusiveness of the emotional culture of the classroom, which celebrates the gifts and talents of all members

Begin to learn the art of sharing

·         share their own ideas with friends and family

·         share toys or other items with friends and family

Begin showing empathy and kindness

·         show empathy to family members

·         express empathy to friends

Use language to express self, developing positive conflict resolution

·         express both positive and negative emotions

·         observe teachers who model and build to this end

Develop self-confidence in self-initiated activities

·         gain competence through age-appropriate activities

·         have opportunities to share their new skills with others

·         master new skills through encouragement and direction from the teacher

Begin to exhibit self-control

·         begin to understand and control their emotions

·         begin to act appropriately, whether or not they are directly interacting with an adult

Are comfortable participating in group discussions

·         enjoy and participate in child-to-child and child-to-adult interactions

·         communicate effectively using their words

·         are able to attend to other’s comments

PHYSICAL

Acquire and refine the fundamental movements of balance, movement, touch, and coordination

·         enjoy rhythm and movement

·         explore these fundamental movements through time, activities, and equipment that is made available to them

·         actively pursue gross motor activity

Acquire and develop fine motor skills

·         become acquainted with and have time to use the appropriate equipment and materials that aid in this development

Recognize that their body is created by God and takes special responsibility to care for it

·         are introduced to health and nutrition

·         make good food and activity choices

COGNITIVE

Are able to engage with others in learning activities, including the ability to explore, create, experiment, observe, plan, analyze, reason, investigate, and question. 

Initiate investigation as a result of carefully observing their surroundings

Enjoy creative expression

·         are encouraged to express creativity within their own multiple intelligences and are provided the materials for this expression

·         are free to work with mediums that uniquely express the creative element for process art

·         write songs and stories

·         use imagination in dramatic center play

·         find creative solutions to problems that arise during center play

Numeracy:

Understand math vocabulary, concepts, and directed activities

·         have appropriate counting, sorting, and comparing skills

·         work well with manipulatives to achieve an appropriate transition into formal schooling

Language and Literacy:

Understand the importance and use of language in the environment

·         are able to participate in receptive language activities using literature as the foundational tool

·         have a desire to look at books with text and illustrations

·         engage in expressive language experiences that foster growth in language proficiency

Have cultivated prewriting skills in the context of emergent literacy

·         are able to write their own name and some alphabet letters

·         spontaneously choose to use writing implements

·         understand that print carries meaning

Are aware of different letter sounds

·         may begin to hear rhyming sounds in prominent words

·         become phonemically aware through classroom activities designed for that purpose

INTENDED ENDS FOR FAMILIES

The aim of Kiddie Prep School is to spiritually, socially/emotionally, physically, and cognitively prepare children and their families for the coming years of formal schooling.  Parents will do the following:

Understand the importance of being the primary educator of their child and of participating in the educational process.  This is done by partnering with the school in providing an enriched educational experience for their child.

PROGRAM

Kiddie Prep School’s program is built on a sincere love for all children and a desire to help them develop and adjust properly in our modern world.  It is equipped and staffed to provide the children of the community with the best possible learning environment.  The school compliments the values found in a home by enabling each child to spend part of their day in a world that is child size.  It is planned so they learn to associate with other children their own age in group activities. 

In addition, our purpose is to provide an atmosphere that is safe and conducive to good health where children can assemble, work, and play together while being guided toward a happy, wholesome, and spiritual development.  In this environment we protect and nurture for the spiritual, mental, social, emotional, and physical development of each child.  The child’s activities are relevant to the progression of mind and body.  They will be introduced to the things of God and discover that God is real and important.  We endeavor to make certain that the hours a child spends in training are not wasted, but productive. 

PHILOSOPHY OF DISCIPLINE

Child training and discipline is handled with kindness and understanding, but with firmness.  Proverbs 12:1 says “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid”.  The use of corporal punishment is forbidden.  Brief, supervised “time out” separation from the group may be used if necessary.  Attention is given to the needs of each individual child, while at the same time the child is encouraged to become a part of the group through group participation.

We believe that it is the parent’s responsibility and authority to discipline as stated in Ephesians 6:1 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right”.  A teacher stands in loco parentis, that is in the parent’s stead.  The basis for all discipline is Christian love.  Firmness and correcting in order to make better are a part of that philosophy.  According to Hebrews 12:11 “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it”.  To deny a child this by failing to correct them is to fall short in true Christian love.  Firmness minus love becomes harsh; whereas love without firmness, we believe, develops a self-absorbed child. 

CHILD ABUSE/PROTECTION POLICY

If there is any known or suspected abuse or neglect by an adult of a child attending Kiddie Prep School, the staff is obligated by law to report the knowledge or suspicion to the appropriate state agency.  The school may also undertake an inquiry prior to making a report to determine whether or not there are sufficient grounds to require reporting.  It is the school’s policy not to contact parents in advance of making a report to legal authorities. 

OPEN DOOR POLICY

Parents are always welcome.  Observation in the classroom is encouraged.

FINANCIAL

An enrollment fee is payable upon registering your child.  This fee is non-refundable.  This fee reserves a place in the school enrollment for a period of 30 days unless special arrangements are made with the administration and covers the cost of processing the application.

Tuition is payable on Monday or Tuesday of each week.  Failure to pay tuition fees for two consecutive weeks will cause the child to be disenrolled.  In addition, we will be adding a $1.00 per day late fee, per child, for each day payment is late, through the date of disenrollment.  Please make checks or money orders payable to Kiddie Prep School.  Cash payments are not acceptable.  A service charge is made for any returned check.

Bi-weekly payment plans which cover two weeks of tuition are acceptable, but must be made at least one week in advance, and must be approved by the office.

Tuition will be charged according to the child’s normal daily or weekly charges, regardless of illness.

There is a minimum attendance of two days for children enrolled on a part-time basis.

New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day are paid holidays if your child is enrolled as a full-time student.

During vacation time, or other absences of no less than one week, you may reserve your child’s space in the school by making prior arrangements with the office and paying a holding fee.

If it is necessary to change your tuition charges for any week because of vacation, illness, or absence, it is the responsibility of the parents to let the office know so that proper credit can be given.

SCHOOL HOURS

Kiddie Prep School is open from 6:15a.m. until 6:00p.m. Monday through Friday.  Children must be picked up no later than 6:00p.m.  A late pick up fee of $15.00 for the first 10 minutes past 6:00p.m. and $1.00 for each minute past 6:10p.m. will be charged.  Upon the third late pick up, this fee is increased to $25.00 for the first 10 minutes past 6:00p.m.  This late pick up fee is per child. This covers our added cost for employee over-time wages when our teachers must remain past 6:00p.m.  If a child is left at the school after 6:30p.m.,  911 will be called.  We strongly recommend that the children typically not be left longer than nine hours a day.  This seems to have an adverse effect on the children.  Kiddie Prep School is closed for the six major holidays, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. 

HEALTH

Each child shall receive a health examination by a physician prior to admission into Kiddie Prep School.  The child shall be excluded if this requirement is not met. 

The physical examination shall indicate that there is freedom from communicable disease and that successful immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis, chicken pox, pneumonia, measles, mumps, and rubella have been given.

Children, upon arrival, shall be observed for signs of illness.  Children who are ill upon arrival shall not be admitted.

If a child becomes ill during the day, he/she will be isolated from the other children and the parent or guardian will be notified and requested to take the child from the school as soon as possible.  Children may be isolated for the following reasons:

·         Temperature of 100 degrees taken by axillary method

·         Sore or inflamed throat

·         Congested nasal passages

·         Excessive coughing

·         Any undiagnosed rash or skin condition

·         Pediculosis (head lice)

·         Scalp ringworm

·         Headache, nausea

·         Any other sign of illness until diagnosed

Regulation 470 IAC 3-4.1-11 (State of Indiana) reads as follows:  When a child is known to have been exposed to a communicable disease, he shall be excluded from attendance at the day nursery for such time as is prescribed by the day nursery’s physician or the local health officer.  The day nursery will notify the parents of any significant occurrences or problems or exposure to communicable disease.

When a child returns to Kiddie Prep School following an absence, the child will be examined for any condition which would hinder his/her participation in school activities.

Medication

·         The giving or application of medication, providing dietary supplements, making special variation of diet, and carrying out medical procedures, shall be done only on the written order or prescription from a physician to the parents, or to the school with the knowledge of the parents.

·         Medications prescribed for an individual child shall be kept in the original container bearing the original pharmacy label showing the prescription number, date filled, physician’s name, directions for use, and the child’s name.  When no longer needed, medication shall be returned to the parents or destroyed.

·         Medications requiring refrigeration shall be stored in a zip lock baggie in the medicine refrigerator.

·         Parents are responsible to complete a “Medication Form” in each classroom.  The completed form should be given to the classroom teacher.

·         The school will give the mid day dosage of medication only.  The parents are responsible for any other times it is to be given.  If there are questions, please see the office.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

Parents must accompany the child into the building and to his/her classroom.  Dropping children off in the parking lot is unsafe and is in violation of State Regulations.  Parents are not permitted to leave the child outside the door of the school to await opening of the building at 6:15 a.m.  Parents are to make sure a staff member is aware of the child’s arrival and departure.

Parents are to initial the “Sign-In Sheet” found in their child’s classroom when leaving their child in the morning, and again when picking up their child at the end of the school day.

Children will be released only to parents or guardians or to those adults listed on the enrollment form.  The office must have notice from the parent or guardian prior to pick up, if someone else has permission to pick up the child.

CLOTHING

Please dress the child in play clothes and rubber soled shoes for his/her comfort and safety.  Under no circumstances should a child attend barefooted.  An extra set of clothing is needed and should be left at the school for accidents, etc.  All clothing must be plainly marked with the child’s name.  Children will be playing outside, as weather permits, and need appropriate outer clothing.  Dress the child for the season.  Kiddie Prep School is not responsible for lost or stolen clothing.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

·          Report contagious diseases to the office.

·          Parents are asked not to send toys to school with the child.  The school cannot be responsible for misuse or damage to the toys.

·          A secondary insurance policy is carried on each child while on the premises, covering accidents.  Benefits may be viewed upon request.

·          Send all messages in writing.  This proves to be the most responsible way of communication from parent to office.

·          Parents are encouraged to have conferences at any time with the teacher and or director.  Other questions relative to the operation of the school are welcome by the administration at any time.  Parents are invited to make suggestions that might help the school to better serve the individual needs of the child.  Any complaint parents might have are to be made to the director.  We seek to be of service to those in our community, and wish to be advised of any unsatisfactory situations.

·          Refreshments may be brought for birthdays.  These treats must be store purchased and brought in the original container.  State regulations forbid the serving of any homemade foods.

·          Kiddie Prep School is not responsible for lost or stolen items that a child has brought from home.

·          If your child’s regular teacher is absent we will provide a substitute.

·          Breakfast will be offered to all children present prior to 8:00 a.m.  The noon hot meal provides for at least one-third of the child’s nutrition requirements.  There will be a state approved morning and afternoon snack provided.  Milk will always be given at noon along with the hot lunch.  Menus will be posted each week.

·          Rest or nap period will be observed every afternoon for two hours with each child resting on an individual cot.  Cots will be provided, but parents are to provide an adequate “baby size” blanket for the child with the child’s name on it.  A stuffed animal and a small pillow may also be provided for nap time.  The blanket and pillowcase should be taken home each Friday to be laundered.

·          Our entire staff has had a complete physical examination, including a tuberculin test.  In addition, our plan for exclusion of ill employees further protects your child from contact with disease.

·          All children are to be at least two years of age before entering the child care.  For children who are potty trained, some accidents are to be expected. 

·          In case of an emergency situation either before Kiddie Prep School opens for the day, or during the normal hours of operation, Kiddie Prep School will contact the following radio stations:  WAJI 95.1, WBCL 90.3, WLAB 88.3, or WMEE 97.3.

·          If an intoxicated or impaired person insists on removing a child from the care of Kiddie Prep School, we will immediately report the incident to the local police agency.

·          All information pertaining to the admission, health, family, or discharge of a child and each personnel record is confidential.  Kiddie Prep School may release the children’s records to the parent of the child in question.

·          A copy of the Indiana Rules for Licensing Child Care Centers   handbook is available to read in the Kiddie Prep School office.

·          Kiddie Prep School participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.  The following USDA Non-Discrimination Statement is a part of the CACFP regulations.  “The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all USDA programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.” To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14^th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC  20250-9410 or call (202)-720-5964 or (888)271-5983 Extension 516 (toll free). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.  It is the policy of the Indiana Department of Education not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability, in its programs, activities, or employment policies as required by the Indiana Civil Rights Law (I. C. 22-9-1), Title VI and VII (Civil Rights Act of 1964), the Equal Pay Act of 1973, Title IX (Educational Amendments), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 USCS 12101, et. Seq.).  Inquiries regarding compliance by the Indiana Department of Education with Title IX and other civil rights laws may be directed to the Human Resources Director, Indiana Department of Education, Room 229, State House, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2798, or by telephone to (317)-232-6610, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U. S. Department of Education, 111 North Canal Street, Suite 1053, Chicago, IL  60606-7204 – Dr. Suellen Reed, State Superintendent of Public Instruction.