Admission Requirements

1. Each child must have a medical examination and immunization card on file at the preschool before school starts.
2. Parents must sign a consent form for medical emergencies and field trips. All forms are provided.
3. Each child must be accompanied by a parent or adult when they come to preschool. Written parent permission is necessary for non-parents to take child on file.
4. SHARE Preschool is licensed by the State of Iowa Department of Social Services. We will follow their guidelines at all times.
5. Children from three to five years of age may enroll.

Discharge Information

When your child is discharged from school at the end of the school year, all records are kept by SHARE Preschool with the exception of the immunization cards which are returned to all parents.

Days/Hours

SHARE Preschool operates Monday through Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Afternoon sessions are offered Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 12 noon to 2:30 p.m. Please pick up your child no later than five minutes after the session is over. We follow the public school schedule regarding closure for vacations, holidays and inclement weather.

Inclement Weather

If Newton Schools are closed due to inclement weather, we will also close. Please listen to KCOB-KLVN for cancellations. Each class is allowed one cancellation without make-up. If more than one should occur, a make-up class will be scheduled or a credit will be given to the student's account.

Illness

If your child is not feeling well, running a fever, has diarrhea, vomiting or any open sores (from cold sores to chicken pox), please keep him/her home. It is not fair to expose others. The regular fee is charged for absences except those caused by an extended illness of two weeks or more. This policy is necessary since our operation costs continue as we save space for your child. After a serious illness, a medical clearance statement must be given to the director before the child is re-admitted. If your child becomes ill at school, you will be contacted. One of your emergency contact people will be called, if you can't be reached. When filling out your emergency contact form please remember to list cell phone numbers if you have them.

Arrival and Departures

The Church entrance is used to access the preschool. Please wait for a teacher to greet your child at your car. If arriving late, plan to escort your child to the preschool room. Never leave children unattended in the upper level of the Church/McCann Center. Preschoolers are anxious to leave after school, so please be on time.

Pickup Authorization

On the enrollment forms you will find a line asking for the names of individuals who will be able to pickup your child. You may authorize as many people as you need. We will not allow your child to leave with an unauthorized person. You may send a note adding names at any time during the school year.

Late Pick-up Charges

Occasionally, you might be late when picking up your child. We allow two grace periods for unforeseen mishaps. On the third and each subsequent offense, a $5.00 charge (for every 10 minutes you are late) will be assessed. You will be asked to pay the teacher directly upon your arrival.

Staff

Children will be with responsible adults at all times:

Director/Teacher … Cindy Pollastrini
Teacher … Ann Buch
Teacher … Chris Dunham
Teacher … Lisa Marston
Volunteer parents are welcome to assist when possible.

Volunteers

We can always use an extra pair of ears, eyes and hands. We welcome volunteers anytime. Volunteers are especially appreciated on holiday celebrations, field trips and special days which will be periodically announced.

Paid Volunteers

If you are asked to take the place of an absent teacher, your child's fees will be waived for that day.

Fees

$95.00 per month — MTTH Program
$75.00 per month — WF Program

Tuition must be paid in advance, i.e., the first day of school each month. If tuition has not been paid by the 15^th of the month, your child will be dropped from the class list.

Field Trips

When taking field trips, we will inform parents prior to the field trip as to where we are going. If we transport seven or more children in one vehicle, we will have two adults present.

When taking field trips away from the center we will provide one additional person aged 16 or older over the ratio sanction by Iowa law.

All children shall be in safety restraints or seat belts when going on a field trip in non-commercial vehicles.

Behavior Policy

When a large group of children find themselves in a room full of toys and new playmates, excitement must be contained. We use rules at home and school. Children need to experience consistency and realize there are consequences for breaking the rules.

Classroom rules

1. Be considerate, courteous and respectful to others.
2. Follow directions the first time they are given.
3. Stay within the fenced area during outside play.
4. Use inside voices.

Consequences for appropriate behavior

1. Verbal praise
2. Tangible rewards; stickers, treats
3. Increased free play time
4. Special parties, special days
5. Notes home praising behavior

Consequences for inappropriate behavior

1. The children are encouraged to solve disagreement themselves
2. Teacher diffuses situation using humor
3. Child is redirected to another play area
4. Teacher helps model appropriate play
5. Teacher discusses situation with child/children
6. Teacher and student agree on new plan of action
7. Inform parent of behavior

Resolving Conflict

1. Student explains concerns to a teacher.
2. Questions are asked of each student to clarify the situation.
3. Teacher defines expected behavior to each child.
4. Students and teacher agree on new plan of action.
5. Students are praised for their efforts.

We start out gradually explaining the rules the first day and continue all year. It is helpful to review the rules at home.

Disciplinary Dismissal

Occasionally a child will experience difficulty in adjusting to a preschool setting and/or abiding by classroom rules. If your child is experiencing difficulty, you will be notified and a conference will be scheduled. We will then work closely with you to resolve the problem. In the extreme case where correction is not plausible, we reserve the right to have you withdraw your child from SHARE Preschool.

School Visitation

Parents are encouraged to visit and take part in our activities. You may call ahead or just drop in. Parents will be limited visitation only by court order.

Treats

You are welcome to bring food or beverages for snack anytime. You may bring birthday treats on or near your child's birthday if you wish. (Please note cupcakes are welcome only as a special treat for birthdays. According to state guidelines, they do not fall under a satisfactory food group.) We would like to see everyone have a turn to be special at snack time by sharing, so we have a sign-up sheet in the room for your convenience. The school provides snacks when no treats are scheduled. Please keep treats as nutritious as possible. Please send 2% milk when including milk with your snack.

Note: when juice is served, state guidelines require the use of 100% fruit juice.

Health Policies

Children are required to have a physical and valid immunization form at enrollment.

Children will have direct contact with staff upon arrival for detection of illness.

Children who exhibit the following symptoms will not be allowed to remain at the center, or will be sent home if they become ill during the day:

• Diarrhea
• Fever (101°) within past 24 hours
• Severe continuous coughing
• Pinkeye
• Vomiting
• Unexplained rashes
• Swollen glands

Parents must complete a Medication Authorization form for children requiring medications, including over the counter medications. Medication must be provided in the original container. Prescription medication must be accompanies by the doctor's directions.

Parents should notify the center when a child has contracted a communicable disease.

The center will post notices of exposure of children to a communicable disease.

Children's hands will be washed after toileting and before eating.

Safety Policy

Children will be supervised at all times within the facility and on the playground.

Emergency evacuation plans will be posted by all exits. Emergency numbers are posted by all phones.

All full time staff certified in First Aid and CPR.

No smoking is allowed within the facility, within the facility vehicles, or on the playground.

First aid kits are clearly labeled and available within the center, in the outdoor play area and on field trips.

Emergency numbers for each child shall be taken when on field trips.

The center has written plans for fire, tornado, flood, intruders and intoxicated parents, lost or abducted children, power failures, bomb threats, chemical spills, earthquakes, and blizzards. These plans include transportation arrangements.

The center will provide written incident reports to parents when there are minor injuries and minor changes in health status, or behavioral concerns. Serious injuries will be reported immediately to the parent.

Phone Calls

If your child will be late or absent, please telephone 792-8639 before 8:45 a.m. If you would like information about the adjustment of your child to preschool, or have suggestions or questions, feel free to contact the director by phone or arrange to meet after your child's session. We like to give our undivided attention to your children during class time.

Communication

Large book bags are very helpful when we send home short newsletters, notes, and flyers throughout the year. Check your child's bag for these. We do not send out bills due to extra postage cost. You are encouraged to call or come in with any questions, concerns or suggestions. This is your preschool. Your child learns best when parents and teachers work together.

Clothing

Clothing should be clean, comfortable and simple for the child to attend to. Remember bathroom needs when selecting outfits. State law requires that shoes be worn at all times. Please label any item to be removed such as jackets, boots and mittens. Belts should be omitted unless the child can manage them. Paint spills and outside play can take their toll on very special outfits. We try to be careful!

Boots and snow pants are NOT required for preschool. We do not play outside during the cold winter months except for an occasional sledding party. We will let you know in advance if you will need to send special outdoor clothing for your child. The sidewalks are generally clear at Sacred Heart during the winter and we make every effort to keep your child's shoes dry and clean.

Special interests

Many of you have special interests, hobbies, talents, pets or collections that we would enjoy seeing. Please feel free to contact us and we'll arrange a time for you to come share with us.

Conferences

A conference will be scheduled for each child in November. We feel it is important to meet with parents about your child's progress. It is a great time to air questions and concerns. Spring conferences are scheduled by request only.

Multicultural and Nonsexist Education

SHARE Preschool shall maintain its programs and practices whereupon no person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under said programs and activities of the district. It is also the policy of SHARE Preschool that the curriculum content and instructional materials utilized reflect the cultural and racial diversity found in our country and an awareness of rights, duties and responsibilities of each individual as a member of a pluralistic society.