Thumbelina

Learning Center Parent Handbook

LETTER TO PARENTS/GUARDIAN

Dear Parents Thank you so much for your interest in Thumbelina learning Center. Choosing the right school is an important decision that will most likely be based upon a great deal of information and careful evaluation. The administration would like to assist you in any way that we can. Central to your child’s Early Childhood experience is our educational philosophy, which is put into practice each day by the faculty and staff. Our teachers take great care to ensure each child loves learning. High expectations for each child’s are accompanied by strategies to ensure our students reach their goals. The result can be seen in the students’ progress , confidence, and pride in their work. Children are our main priority, and children entering our program will leave confidence, as well as academic and social skills. They will know and appreciate their uniqueness, capabilities, and creativeness. In addition they will have acquired the tools necessary to explore their world, know their role, and succeed at any endeavor they undertake. Your child’s future and the realization of his or her full potential is our focus. Please do not hesitate to contact our office if we can be of further assistance. We look forward to helping you with one of the most important decisions you can make as a parent, your child’s education. Sincerely, Alexis Tejeda

OUR PRIORITY…

At Thumbelina learning Center children are our main priority. It is our goal for the children who enter our program to leave with the knowledge that they are unique, capable, and creative individuals and to have acquired the tools necessary to explore their world and their role in it. Or professional, certified staff will teach them how to identify their strengths and weaknesses to help them overcome any challenges the future will bring.

Philosophy Our philosophy is strongly based on the belief that each child learns from the environment and from the experiences which they are exposed to that is creative and respects the curiosity of each child. We will provide a developmentally appropriate program that is sensitive to each child’s social, emotional, intellectual and physical needs. Our program strives to develop a cohesive relationship between parents and staff members with a mutual respect for one another so that a partnership is formed for the benefit of the child.

Our Goals Our goals are focused on offering to children on a daily basis an exciting atmosphere for learning where the individual child may develop to his/her full potential.

Open Door Policy We invite parents of the children enrolled in our program to visit our program at any time throughout the day.

Non-Discrimination Policy We do not discriminate against anyone (adult or child, staff or parent) on the basis of sex, age, religion, national orange, color, race, marital status, physical or mental disability, or veteran status.

American with Disabilities Act

The American with Disabilities Act Prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in the job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation fringe benefits, job training and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. We provide services children with special needs and accommodations as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Hours of Operation Our program is open Monday thru Friday from 6:30am until 6:00pm.

Enrollment Requirements

1. Complete enrollment form 2. Complete U.S.D.A meal form 3. Copy of Birth Certificate 4. Complete Physical and Immunization forms signed by physician

Holidays The center is open all year round with the exception of the following holidays: New Year’s Eve, Christmas Eve, & Day after Thanksgiving (Close early) Good Friday Memorial Day, Independence Day Labor Day, Veteran’s Day Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day New Year’s Day

Curriculum Our center uses the Creative Curriculum research based curriculum. This curriculum offers a literacy and mathematic component for our teachers. In addition to this the administration has also incorporated a monthly curriculum that introduces objectives to be met by our staff that is tied to the sunshine state

standards. Younger children will also have specific Gross motor, fine motor, and sensory activities included in their lesson plan

Program Description The administration and staff of our center beliefs strongly that child will learn through guidance as well as experiences with the environment around them. Therefore we have created a learning environment which fosters independence and creativity in areas of children’s interest. The following are the learning centers offered in our classrooms for development of the whole child, their cognitive, physical, emotional, social, and creative abilities are brought forth through the materials in these areas. Creative Experience Center: Children may choose among a variety of materials and use them to create from their vast imagination. Easels, paint, markers, crayons, paste and other assorted raft items allows children to express themselves as well as learning to manipulate these items. The act of creating is important not the end product. Block center: Blocks are designed in mathematical units so that children develop a concrete understanding of concepts essential to logical thinking. They learn about size, shapes, numbers, order, area, length and weight as they select, build and clean up. They solve problems and learn to cooperate with and respect the work of others. Manipulative Center: Some of the manipulative materials are self-corrective while others are opening ended. A child knows when a puzzle is correctly put together while Legos can build a variety of things. These table and floor toys offer a rich means of working on physical, social, emotional and cognitive skills. Eye/hand coordination, matching, and completing a task are also part of the experience. The center also develops math skills, though math takes place in many ways. Children investigate math, group, and sequence, seriate, sort, classify, and count as they arrange items as part of their experiences. Discovery Center: children have an opportunity to observe nature and get involved. This area has plants, rocks, shells, magnifying glasses, magnets etc. it sets the stage of wonder that will continue through life. Language/ Writing/ Library Center: A quite cozy area where children will explore all types of books. They will have opportunities to practice their experimental writing skills with chalk, chalkboards, magnets letters, magnet boards, pencils, markers, crayons, As well as create their own stories with flannel boards and story accessories. Dramatic Center: This area gives child the opportunity to act out and relive experiences. They will learn about themselves, their families and the society around them. They will learn skills to cooperate with others as they negotiate roles and play out scenes.

Arrival & Departures We ask that all children be brought into the building by parent and that the child is signed in upon arrival. Staff members will receive each child from parent and speak for a few moments with the parents. Parents designated family member or friends picking up any child must also sign the child out at the end of the day. You may use this opportunity to speak briefly to staff members about the child’s day. All family members and friends and sometimes parents will be asked for photograph identification such as a driver’s license. This is done to ensure the safety of your child there will be no exceptions to this policy. Our program will not release any child if the name of the person picking up the child is not on the enrollment form.

Clothing School uniform should be worn at all times. An extra set should be kept in your child’s backpack. We ask that the parents of infant children supply the center with several sets of clothing.

Nutrition The center will provide children with three nutritious USDA approved menu meals daily. The menus are posted on our school bulletin board so that you may see our weekly meal plan. These three meals include breakfast and one hot lunch from home please provides a nutritious lunch in a lunchbox or sturdy paper bag with your child’s name written outside. We ask that you inform us of any food allergies that child may have.

Discipline Policy Discipline is an important part of our program and we teach it based on equality and mutual respect, which considers the child’s rights at all times. We set clear, consistent and appropriate limits to behavior. We support children’s attempts to express their feelings in words and encourage non- confrontational ways of solving problems. We will be appropriate, respectful, not tied to food or toileting and within appropriate developmental expectations. The policy must state that corporal punishment is not permitted.

No form of physical punishment will be employed or tolerated. In any case where the behavior of child is a hazard to the welfare of staff member or to another child the center Director will call for a conference with the parents. All avenues for a positive

plan will be set in place. A probationary period will be allowed to see effectiveness of plan. Dismissal from the program will be carried out if the child’s actions cannot be corrected.

Termination of Enrollment The following are reasons for termination of enrollment; 1) Non-payment of school tuition. 2) Falsification of information given on school forms. 3) Discipline Policy termination 4) Parents should be respectful and follow the rules of the school. 5) Any other reason the center implements at any time, including the Director’s observations concerning meeting any needs a child may have that cannot be met by administration and staff. Parents Role Parent & Staff Conferences Conferences with parents are held twice per year to discuss each child’s progress. If you would like to meet your child’s teacher or the center administrator Please feel free to contact the office to set up a meeting at any time throughout the year. Interaction between Staff & Parents All parents are encouraged to speak for a few minutes to their child’s teacher during drop off and pick up time about their child’s day. Parents will also receive daily notes and monthly newsletters to keep them informed about center events. We encourage parents to call at any time throughout the school day to ask about their child if you wish to do so.

Staff & Parent Communication Parents will be provided with daily notes on their children’s activities for Infants and Toddlers. All parent bulletin boards in the classrooms and at the entrance of the center have monthly newsletters posted as well articles and suggestions for activities for all age groups. Parents are also encouraged to call the center and ask to speak to child’s teacher if they would like to know about their child’s well-being. Parent Volunteers: We encourage parents to participate in daily classroom activities as well planned field trips. School Events & Activities We invite parents and family members to special holiday events that are planned throughout the school year so that they may enjoy their child’s performance. We will also ask that parents volunteer of their time for field trips as well as special planned activities in their child’s classroom. Parents Night On this night, we will invite you to come to visit our center so that you can get acquainted with our staff and your child’s surroundings, as well as appreciate your child’s program. We will notify you well in advance of the scheduled dated. (Open House) Parent Meetings From time to time the center director will offer trainings at the center that will be interesting to parent of certain age groups. We welcome parents to attend these meetings so that they may stay abreast of the latest philosophies and finding in our field. Gathering may be held also to discuss with parents policies and procedures and upcoming events that the center will need input on.

Parent & Student Orientation Parents will be given a tour of our center and introduced to all staff members. The daily routine of the program will be discussed as well as the curriculum. Parents will be given an overview of our center the Department of Children and Families and Health Dept. inspections will be provided as well. The administrator will explain the menu provided by the USDA department which we are participants of. Parents will be given a copy of our parent handbook and all policies and procedures will be gone over. All questions will be answered and paperwork provided will be discussed. Parents will be invited to stay and participate in the age group class that their child will attend so that they can experience firsthand the activities that will be provided for their child. Parents are also encouraged to bring their child in before their first day of class so that they may become familiar with their teacher and classroom. Attendance Limitations We ask parents that they keep their child at home if she/he is feeling sick. If a child becomes ill while attending the center Parents will be contacted so that they may pick up their child. Children will be allowed to return once symptoms are no longer present or a doctor’s note clears them of any communicable disease. We will exclude children from participating in daily activities if they show the following symptoms. Communicable disease: measles, mumps, chicken pox, lice, scarlet fever, whooping cough. Symptoms of: pink eye, skin rashes, swollen glands, runny nose, constant cough, sore throat, ear aches, nausea, colds, fever, diarrhea, vomiting. Medicine Medicine will be given to children with the following requirements: the medicine must have the original label with the child name and the dose for the medicine. Also the parent must fill out an application to give their consent for the medicine

to be given by the day care staff. All medications will be given to the center Director who will store the medication in a locked cabinet for the safety of all children enrolled in the program. Television Policy The administration has a clear policy on the viewing of educational material in the classroom through the use of a television. We feel that children learn best thru hands on activities and encourage staff members to develop lessons that enhance children’s independent use of materials. There may be times when a lesson on a specific topic of interest to the children in the group will be developed and incorporate the use of media. The director of the center in conjunction with the lead teacher will view the material that will present to assure that it is age appropriate. That it is NOT a regular occurrence. Sign In & Out Policy Upon the arrival of your child you must sign in daily and upon the departure you must sign out daily. A list of children’s names is kept at the entrance of the center for your convenience. This is a safety record that shows the child was in our care. Non-Release Policy All children must have on file a list of authorized persons which are authorized by the parent/guardian for the child to be released to. A current signed Child Release Form will be checked by the director and ID must be produced by the person picking up the child. The parent or guardian will be contacted and a signed form authorizing the person will be requested to be faxed to the Director. Under no circumstances will any child be released to a person who is intoxicated or under the influence of a substance. Transportation Policy

The Center does not have its own bus service at this time. When we need to hire a bus service for a field trip the bus service must produce all needed documentation and the bus must have seatbelts. Storage of Items The administration has a locked storage area where all the cleaning products are stored. There is also a designated locked cabinet for any medications to be administered. Staff personal belongings and purses are also kept in a separate storage area not in the classroom. Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect If a child care giver has any reason to believe that child abuse, neglect or exploitation has occurred with a particular child, they required by law to report the problem to the Department of Children and Families, child protective services and/or police. The center requires that all staff members understand this duty. The administration should be notified as soon as any suspicion of neglect or abuse occurred. The administration will document all information provided by staff members and contact the authorities and parents. It is duty of all those who care for children to report any abuse or neglect as soon as possible for the protection of all children. Financial policy Registration Fee -------------------------------------$120.00 per year The registration fee is due upon enrollment of your child in our center and every new school year thereafter. It is non-refundable and non-transferable. Full Time Payments: Infants ---------------------------------------------- $160.00/ weekly Toddlers -------------------------------------------- $150.00/ weekly 2 years old ----------------------------------------- $140.00/ weekly Pre-school Classroom (3, 4, & 5) ------------- $130.00/ weekly VPK morning only -------------------------------- Free with Certificate VPK full day ---------------------------------------- $90.00/ weekly

Before/ After School Care --------------------- $75.00/ weekly School Age (Daily Rate) ------------------------- $20.00/ daily Part Time Payments: Infants ---------------------------------------------- $130.00/ weekly Toddlers -------------------------------------------- $130.00/ weekly 2 years old ----------------------------------------- $130.00/ weekly Pre-school Classroom (3, 4, & 5) ------------- $110.00/ weekly School Age (Daily Rate) ------------------------- $15.00 / daily Tuition will be charged whether your child is out sick or on vacation so that we may hold their space in our center. Payment Policy: All tuition payments are due on Mondays. A $15.00 late fee will be charged if payment is not made by the following Tuesday morning. If payment is not received by Friday of same week we will discontinue enrollment of your child and make the space available. If your child is a full time student you will be charged the entire week’s fee regardless of days attended due to illness, weather closures, or holidays. If your payment is made by check and it is returned due to insufficient funds we will charged your account a service fee of $30.00 in addiction to bank charges. If this occurs twice we will be required to place your account on a cash payment basis. Parents will not be responsible for the week tuition if the child did not attend. Late Pick Up Policy: The administration respects the need for extended care; therefore the school is open until 6:00pm. This provides ample time to arrange proper pick up for your child. We expect each family to respect our hours of operation. There will be a fee of $1.00 per minute added to your account if your child is picked up after 6:00pm. Repeated failure to pick up your child by our closing time may result in the withdrawal of your child from the center.

Parent Agreement

I have read and fully understand the policies and procedures stated in the handbook provided by Thumbelina Learning Center. I agree with all the above mentioned. I understand that I must comply with the policies and procedures and that if I do have questions they will be explained to me by the Director of the program. _________________________ _______________ Parent Name Date _________________________ _______________ Parent Signature Date _________________________ _______________ Director Date