* Please note that a hard copy of the preschool handbook (see below) will also be given out at the meet-the-teacher interviews taking place this week.
If you have any questions you may contact:
Krista Devine, Director 388-3022 kristad@ihomschool.org
Preschool Office 388-4195 preschool@ihomschool.org
PRESCHOOL OFFICE HOURS
The Preschool Office will be open daily from 8:30am-3:00pm. The Preschool Office door is located directly across from the Preschool Playground. If you are visiting the preschool anytime throughout the day other than arrival and dismissal times, please use this entrance.
PHILOSOPHY AND GOAL
Each child is a special gift from God. Our Catholic preschool program will strive to create an atmosphere of Christian love and concern which promotes the healthy development of each child. Our goal is to provide learning experiences and play activities that encourage spiritual, intellectual, social and physical growth of each unique individual.
Our preschool program will be fully licensed by the Ohio Department of Education. Students enrolled in our preschool program will take a hands-on approach to learning. Our curriculum follows the Early Learning Content Standards from the Ohio Department of Education.
Students will take part in daily prayer experiences. A Catholic preschool program fosters the awakening of the Christian conscience in the children by leading them to appreciate God’s goodness, value God’s world and the people in it, form good habits and help those in need. Our learning community will engage children in activities that nurture kindness, honesty, forgiveness and concern for others.
The child should:
• Develop a positive self-image and acknowledge his/her self worth.
• Become aware of the fact that he/she is a child of God and will grow in His love.
• Develop basic social skills.
• Increase independence.
• Develop a trust in adults other than his/her parents/guardians.
• Enjoy being part of a group and accept the need to share and cooperate.
• Respect the rights of others and defend his/her own rights.
• Develop the desire to learn.
GENERAL POLICIES
Immaculate Heart of Mary Preschool accepts children ages 3, 4 and 5. Our school offers half day and full day options.
Morning sessions 8:30-11:30
Afternoon sessions 12:30-3:30
All Day 4 year old class 8:30-3:30
Admission Priority Acceptance Policy
1. Immaculate Heart of Mary parishioners with children currently enrolled in the school
2. Immaculate Heart of Mary parishioners with children who are alumni of the school
3. Immaculate Heart of Mary parishioners
4. Parishioners of neighboring Catholic parishes
5. Community members
Immaculate Heart of Mary Preschool will admit children of any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, provided space is available.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Preschool is licensed to operate by the Ohio Department of Education.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Preschool will begin its school year the first Tuesday after Labor Day and end the Friday prior to Memorial Day. Please reference the 2012-2013 preschool calendar for days of operation and holiday breaks.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Preschool will be closed when the day school is closed for an emergency closing.
A child will only be released to those designated on the pick up list unless other arrangements have been made in writing.
The discipline policy will be as outlined in the handbook of Immaculate Heart of Mary School. The form of discipline used will be a 'time out' in amounts of time appropriate for the age of the child. No cruel, harsh, physical or unusual punishments shall be permitted. A written report will be sent home if inappropriate behavior persists. Three reports sent home would result in conference with director, teacher and parent and possible suspension of preschool for one week. (Please refer to the back cover for discipline statements required to be posted by the State of Ohio.)
A parent roster will be prepared for each child’s class. You have the option of omitting your name and phone number from the list.
We are a PEANUT FREE facility.
Snacks will be the responsibility of the parent. The should be healthful, nutritious foods. Each day, the parents will provide a snack and/or drink for their child. A snack may consist of a small bag of crackers, pretzels, fruits, vegetables, etc. Drinks will consist of milk, juice boxes, water bottle, etc. Please mark your child’s snack and drink with his/her name each day. You may place both drink and snack in a small paper or lunch box labeled with the child’s name.
ABSENCES
When your child is absent from school, the parents/guardians must phone in the absence to the preschool office. Morning session should phone in by 8:30a.m. Afternoon session should phone by 12:30p.m. If your child will be late to school, please call the office and advise.
CURRICULUM
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Preschool follows the Ohio Department of Education Content Standards, which are aligned with the Diocesan Graded Course of Study.
A successful preschool program promotes the development of mind, body and soul of young children. The curriculum should not be centered on very specific subject areas, but rather it should be developed using a “hands-on” approach to learning in general. Multi-sensory activities that enhance the total development of the children are planned in a sequential manner that follows a theme or is part of a unit.
COMPONENTS
Religion is an integral part of the Catholic Preschool program. It is the preparation time for the more formal instruction in the years ahead. Religion is the development of a positive self-image in relationship to a loving God. This basis for a deep love of God comes from the examples set by the family and spiritual life of the parish community. A child’s sense of God comes from the warm atmosphere of love and acceptance in the preschool environment where the child learns about God’s wonderful world. Classroom prayer prepares him/her to participate in the celebrations of the Church.
Language is the development of communication skills that enable a child to share his or her world with others. At the preschool level, these skills include listening, speaking, and thinking. Learning experiences are provided that help a child express his/her thoughts and feelings in a variety of ways. An awareness of the five senses, visual discrimination, memory skills and auditory discrimination are important readiness skills that can be taught through play activities. Listening to and sharing stories, poetry, and finger plays enhance a love of language. A more formal literacy program may also add valuable, developmentally appropriate experiences that will balance out the language component.
Math/Science readiness at the preschool level involves the development of cognitive skills. Math knowledge comes from an understanding of colors and shapes, size differences, basic counting skills, classifying, forming sets and recognizing numerals. These concepts are taught through manipulative and play experiences.
Motor skills are a vital part of the young child’s development and are crucial to the learning skills he/she will need in the future.
Gross motor - Body coordination is enhanced through large motor activities of walking, running, jumping, hopping, dancing, and skipping. Arm-eye coordination is attained by throwing a large ball or beanbag, catching and aiming at a target. Rhythm and movement provide an outlet of creative expression and the joy of using the body in dance, games and organized play.
Fine motor- Eye-hand coordination is developed through manipulating clay, stringing beads, hammering, pasting, coloring, and painting, pouring and using scissors. Dexterity and strength of the small muscles are developing skills that enhance reading readiness. Use of the natural hand preference is observed and encouraged, although dominance is not achieved yet. Eye tracking is another fine motor activity that promotes the left-to- right progression skill required for reading readiness.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Preschool curriculum is designed to promote positive and enjoyable learning experiences for the child, and positive interactions between adults and children.
The goal of our preschool program is to help each child develop a feeling of positive self-worth, competence, and mastery.
Therefore, discipline will be approached from the realization that children need to learn self-control and to be able to internalize rules of behavior. Clear rules of behavior and clear directions for compliance shall be established at the beginning of the year.
Positive feedback will be given to the child for following the classroom rules.
The rules of the preschool will be for safety, general health, and social interaction. A comfortable atmosphere and consistent daily schedule will provide each child with a sense of security and confidence. Each child’s individual rights shall be respected at all times.
The following list specifies the strategies for discipline and guidance:
· Clear, consistent, and reasonable limits will be set, and then followed through when enforcing these limits.
· The rules and direction for guidance will be done in a positive way.
· The child’s positive behavior will be emphasized.
· The uncooperative child shall be directed to another activity.
· When a child’s negative behavior shall involve frequent hitting, pushing, biting, or harm to himself/herself or other children, equipment, the child shall be removed from the scene for “time out”.
· Parents/guardians will be informed of inappropriate behavior.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
All preschool staff members are alert to potential hazards.
The preschool secretary/and or health aide will be available if needed throughout the school day. The preschool secretary, health aide, teachers and staff are all trained in CPR and abuse recognition, and some trained in first aid and communicable diseases.
In case of illness, a child will be removed from the classroom. The aide will walk the child to the preschool office. If parents/guardians are needed, you will be called. Please make prior arrangements to have someone care for your child if he/she becomes ill at school.
In case of an emergency, the parents/guardians will be called and asked to come to the school. If it is a serious accident, 9-1-1 will be called. We will take your child to the nearest hospital. The preschool director and/or a staff member will accompany your child and take your signed permission slip. You will be called immediately and asked to meet us at the hospital.
Medical Emergency Release Forms for each child are kept on file. These forms have pediatricians’ telephone number, emergency telephone numbers; list the child’s allergies, ongoing medication, previous hospitalizations, and permission to obtain emergency care.
The teacher and the classroom aide are sensitive to the child’s behavior and actions.
They will also observe the children for any health problems and refer them to director and/or school secretary who will notify you.
Please do not send a child to school unless his/her temperature has been normal for a minimum of 24 hours. Also, do not send a child with a cold, stomachache, vomiting, diarrhea, runny nose or earache.
All children are expected to play outside daily, weather permitting. Please send your child in appropriate winter clothing. If your child is not well enough to participate in the entire program, it is best to keep him/her home until completely recovered.
No prescription medications, vitamins, modified diet, or fluoride supplements will be administered unless instructions to administer are written, signed, and dated by a licensed physician, and are prescribed for your child. Forms are available in the school office.
Staff members responsible for administering prescription medication shall complete the written forms each time it is administered. Forms will be kept on file for one year.
Hand washing before snacks and after restroom break are stressed. The teacher and the aide always wash their hands before handling food.
Please notify us of any changes in your place of employment or residence. We must have a working emergency number at all times.
SUPERVISION
All areas used by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Preschool will have full supervision.
No child will ever be left alone or unsupervised.
The child to staff ratio will differ according to age:
3 year olds – 1:12
4/5 year olds – 1:14
There will always be at least two trained staff on duty and on site.
Children will be greeted in the classroom by the teacher or aide and turned over to the parents/guardians at the end of the school day.
All children have practiced tornado and fire drills according to school policy and there are evacuation diagrams posted in all areas.
PARKING – PICK UP AND DROP OFF PROCEDURES
Parking lots are a source of danger to young children. Please enter and leave the parking lot with extreme caution. Be on the lookout for wandering children.
No child will be released to a person not authorized by a parent to pick the child up. We must have written authorization for changes in this respect. A photo ID will be required time of pick up.
If you are parking your car to drop off or pick up your child, or to visit our preschool, please park in the EAST lot parallel to the Kindergarten building. This is marked as LOT A on the facility map.
ARRIVAL PROCEDURE
Structured arrival will take place from 8:30-8:45am (morning session) and 12:30-12:45pm (afternoon session). Drop Off is available during these times.
The doors closest to the church will be open at 8:30am (morning) and 12:30pm (afternoon). If you arrive after 8:45am (morning) or 12:45pm (afternoon), we ask that you walk your child into the classroom entering the school through the Preschool Office.
Parents are always welcome to walk their child into the preschool building at the beginning of the day. We have found it best to take a quick look around the room and with a hug and smile tell your child you will be back very soon and leave. (NO ONE should ever sneak out!) A short and sweet goodbye in most cases works best. If your child is showing signs of severe separation anxiety we will adjust the routine to the child’s individual need.
If you choose to utilize the drop off car line at arrival, we ask that you follow the drop off route on the facility map. Please enter and exit the IHM campus using the traffic light at the Applebee’s on Beechmont Ave. Follow the path drawn on the map to enter the circle adjacent to the preschool building. The teachers and assistants will assist your child out of the car. Please do not let your child exit the car unless a teacher/assistant is at your car door. Please refrain from using cell phones while utilizing the car line.
DISMISSAL PROCEDURE
Structured dismissal will take place from 11:20-11:30am (morning session) and 3:20-3:30 (afternoon session). Pick Up utilizing the car line is available during these times. All students should be picked up at 11:30 (morning) or 3:30 (afternoon). We ask that you respect the teachers’ planning and lunch and be sure to pick up your child on time. Late fees will be assessed for consistent late arrival.
If you plan to park and walk into the preschool at dismissal to pick up your child, please use the EAST lot parallel to the kindergarten building. This is marked LOT A on the facility map. The doors closest to the church will be open at 11:20am (morning) and 3:20pm (afternoon) to enter the building to pick up your child.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE POLICY
All employees will be aware of the signs and symptoms of illness and hand washing and disinfection procedures. This will be reviewed periodically.
All children will be observed as they enter each day. A parent or guardian will be notified if signs and symptoms of communicable disease are observed.
No employee will attend Immaculate Heart of Mary Preschool if they show signs or symptoms of communicable disease.
Any child who has been absent because of a communicable disease will be readmitted to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Preschool when both the parent and school agree the child is well.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Preschool will follow all school and Ohio Health Department guidelines in observing, caring for, and readmitting children to the program. (Please refer to the back cover for statements required to be posted by the State of Ohio.)
TOILET TRAINING/ACCIDENTS
The preschool teachers are happy to help with your child’s transition to be independent while using the restroom. We ask that you have your child use the restroom right before leaving for school each day. Every classroom has its own bathroom facilities. Children will be encouraged to visit the bathroom often throughout the day. If a child has a urinary accident throughout the day, we will assist your child in changing into his/her extra set of clothes. If a child has a bowel movement accident during the day, we will call home immediately. We will require a parent or adult listed on the emergency medical form to come to school to assist the child in changing his/her clothes. The child can then return to class to finish the day. Great caution will be taken in order to be discreet around other children in the classroom.
COMMUNICATION
A welcome back to school picnic and open house is held in August for the entire family with the opportunity to meet the teacher and classmates. They will also have the chance to visit the classroom in a relaxed setting. The week before classes begin, each family will have a conference with the teacher and classroom assistant.
Our usual means of communicating with the parents/guardians are written and carried home by the child in their book bag. Check the child’s book bag daily to see if he/she is carrying a message.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Preschool has a newsletter to inform parents of the happenings in our school and church community. Parents will also receive newsletter and communications from the classroom teacher.
Formal progress reports will be sent home twice a year in the fall and in the spring.
Scheduled conferences will take place at this time. However, they are welcomed and encouraged at any time throughout the year. Contact your teacher to arrange a conference if needed. All teachers have school e-mail addresses. E-mail will be returned within 24 hours.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Preschool has an open door policy. We encourage parents and guardians to participate in field trips, special events, parties, etc..
Parents who wish to participate volunteering for school activities must be Virtus trained and finger printed. More information regarding this policy may be obtained from the preschool director.
NECESSARY CLOTHING
We ask that a complete set of clothes, including underwear, socks, pants and shirt, be brought in a gallon size Ziploc bag and labeled with the child’s name. We require this for all Immaculate Heart of Mary Preschool students. This will solve any problem that may arise with spills, wetness, from the weather or accidents, etc. The classroom teacher will inform the parent in writing if the child’s clothes were changed and the reason for the change.
FIELD TRIPS
Immaculate Heart of Mary Preschool may host field trips on campus or may take the students off campus for field trips. Each parent is responsible for their own child’s transportation and supervision to, from and during the field trip. A designated chaperone may take responsibility for a student while on field trip with written approval from parent. A person who is trained in first aid will attend all field trips and provide a first aid box which meets all requirements. All necessary forms will be taken to all outings for each child. Written permission, which includes child’s name, destination, date, and signature of the parent(s) is required for each child to attend the field trip.
STATE OF OHIO PRESCHOOL PARENT HANDBOOK ADDENDUM 1/6/11
BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT/DISCIPLINE POLICY
· A preschool staff member in charge of a child or a group of children shall be responsible for their discipline.
· The school shall have a written discipline policy describing the school's philosophy of discipline and the specific methods of discipline used at the school. This written policy shall be on file at the school for review. Constructive, developmentally appropriate child guidance and management techniques are to be used at all times, and shall include such measures as redirection, separation from problem situations, talking with the child about the situation, and praise for appropriate behavior.
· There shall be no cruel, harsh, corporal punishment or any unusual punishments such as, but limited to, punching, pinching, shaking, spanking, or biting.
· No discipline shall be delegated to any other child.
· No physical restraints shall be used to confine a child by any means other than holding a child for a short period of time, such as in a protective hug, so the child may regain control.
· No child shall be placed in a locked room or confined in an enclosed area such as a closet, a box, or a similar cubicle.
· No child shall be subjected to profane language, threats, and derogatory remarks about himself or his family, or other verbal abuse.
· Discipline shall not be imposed on a child for failure to eat, failure to sleep, or for toileting accidents.
· Techniques of discipline shall not humiliate, shame, or frighten a child.
· Discipline shall not include withholding food, rest, or toilet use.
· Separation, when used as discipline, shall be brief in duration and appropriate to the child's age and developmental ability, and the child shall be within sight and hearing of a preschool staff member in a safe, lighted, and well-ventilated space.
· The center shall not abuse or neglect children and shall protect children from abuse and neglect while in attendance in the preschool program.
STATE OF OHIO PRESCHOOL PARENT HANDBOOK ADDENDUM 1/6/11
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES POLICY
· The following precautions shall be taken for children suspected of having a communicable disease: The school shall immediately notify the parent or guardian of the child's condition when a child has been observed with signs or symptoms of illness.
· A child with any of the following signs or symptoms of illness shall be immediately isolated and discharged to his parent or guardian: Diarrhea (more than one abnormally loose stool within a twenty-four hour period) - Severe coughing, causing the child to become red or blue in the face or to make a whooping sound. - Difficult or rapid breathing. - Yellowish skin or eyes. - Conjunctivitis. -Temperature of one hundred degrees Fahrenheit taken by the auxiliary method when in combination with other signs of illness. - Untreated infected skin patch (es). - Unusually dark urine and/or grey or white stool. - Stiff neck. - Evidence of lice, scabies, or other parasitic infestation.
· A child isolated due to suspected communicable disease should be cared for in a room or portion of a room not being used in the Preschool program.
· A child isolated due to suspected communicable disease shall be within sight and hearing of an adult at all times. No child shall ever be left alone or unsupervised.
· A child isolated due to suspected communicable disease should be made comfortable and provided with a cot. All linens and blankets used by the ill child shall be laundered before being used by another child. After use, the cots shall be disinfected with an appropriate germicidal agent, or if soiled with blood, feces, vomit or other body fluids, the cots shall be cleaned with soap and water and then disinfected with an appropriate germicidal agent.
· A child isolated due to suspected communicable disease should be observed carefully for worsening condition.
· A child isolated due to suspected communicable disease should be discharged to parent or guardian as soon as practical.
· Each program shall have a written policy concerning the management of communicable disease. The policy shall include, at a minimum, the program's means of training all preschool staff in signs and symptoms of illness and in hand washing and disinfection procedures.
· Procedures for isolating and discharging an ill child and policy for readmitting ill child.
· Procedures for notifying the parent or guardian immediately when a child is exhibiting signs or symptoms of illness or has been exposed to a communicable disease.
· Procedures regarding the care of a mildly ill child. “Mildly ill child” means a child who is experiencing minor common cold symptoms, but who is not exhibiting any of the symptoms specified in the above listings of this rule or a child who does not feel well enough to participate in activities, but who is not exhibiting any of the symptoms specified in the listings shown above of this rule.
· Procedures for notifying all parents of enrolled children when children are exposed to a diagnosed communicable disease such as pink eye, ringworm, chicken pox, or lice.
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
