ABIDING SAVIOR PRESCHOOL PARENT'S HANDBOOK

Click here to download the 2008 Parents Handbook.

NOTICE

Please read this information thoroughly before returning your registration form to the Director. When you register your child, you are accepting the following policies of our preschool. We highly recommend that you keep a copy of the handbook for reference throughout the year.

STANDARDS

Our preschool is licensed by and complies with the standards set forth by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (phone 651-296-3971).

PURPOSE

Our purpose is to supplement early home experience in a Christian environment planned to further each child's development through learning and playing with others. We believe it is important that each child feel comfortable and confident in what may be his/her first group experience outside the home in order to have enjoyable learning experiences. It is the aim of the staff to provide an environment and program curriculum that will meet individual needs and further each child's development as she/he participates in happy challenging, and personally rewarding experiences.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

1. Help each child grow and further develop socially, physically, intellectually, and emotionally through individual and group experiences, both indoors and outdoors.
2. Promote and nurture positive self-concepts and self-awareness that help each child develop a strong response to the question: "Who am I?".
3. Encourage creativity and self-expression through language, art, music, movement experiences, dramatic play, large and small muscle activities, block building, sand and water play, and woodworking.
4. Give the children opportunities to choose and make decisions and to pursue their interests and ideas.
5. Allow the children time to "research" as they explore, investigate, and experiment to discover and interpret facts about the world around us.
6. Provide an environment in which the children may interact easily with others, to develop friendships and positive social skills.
7. Provide time and properties for dramatic play, giving the children opportunities to act out what is important to them (housekeeping equipment, dolls, dress up, play store, post office, etc.).
8. Provide a variety of books, records, finger plays, pictures, etc., that relate to the child's interest.
9. Provide resource persons to enrich the learning experiences.
10. 
    

WHO ARE OUR PRESCHOOL STUDENTS?

Abiding Savior Preschool admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs and other school-administrated programs.

WHEN ARE THE PRESCHOOL SESSIONS?

1. Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 9:15-11:30 AM: for children who are four years old by September 1st of the current school year.
2. Monday & Wednesday 12:30-2:45 PM: for children who are four years old by September 1st of the current school year.
3. Tuesday & Thursday 9:15-11:30 AM: for children who are three years old by September 1st of the current school year.

STUDENT PICK-UP AND LATE FEE POLICIES

• 1-14 minutes late: Reminder of late fee policy (after 3 reminders the over 15 minute policy will apply).
• Over 15 minutes late: $ 5.00 late fee per child, per 10-minute increments, due at the time of pick-up.

If the parent is not at the preschool within 15 minutes of dismissal (and we have not been notified of a late arrival), we will call the home and then, if necessary, the emergency numbers. If the parent or someone from the emergency numbers does not arrive after one hour, we will contact the Mounds View Police. We regret any inconvenience this would cause, but we are obligated to ensure the safety of our students and families.

STAFF

There is a teacher and a full-time assistant or aide working with each session of twenty children. Substitute teachers are available when it is necessary for a regular teacher to be absent.

HOW TO ENROLL

To register your child, call the Director, at 763-784-5326 or 763-784-5120. A registration form, parent handbook, and medical forms will be mailed to you. When the registration form is completed and returned to the Director, your child will then be registered. Forms returned after the class is filled will be placed on a waiting list. The Director will notify these persons when an opening is available. You may mail forms to Abiding Savior Preschool, 8211 Red Oak Drive, Mounds View, MN 55112-5929, or you may leave the completed form with the church office.

REGISTRATION FEE

A $30.00 registration fee is due at the time you register your child. This fee is not refundable and does not apply to tuition.

PARTY FEE

At the time of registration each family is asked to contribute $15.00 for parties and entertainment for the year.

TUITION

1. Tuition is paid in nine (9) equal monthly payments for the preschool year and is due on the first day of the month.
2. Tuition should be paid by the fifth day of the month. An extra fee of $5.00 should be added to your child's tuition if paid after that date. If for any reason, you cannot pay for your child's tuition on time, please discuss this with the Director promptly.
3. The program is in session for 32 weeks. Children are expected to remain in preschool for the full year. In unusual cases a two-week paid notice must be given to the
4. Director There is no reduction in fees for holidays, illness, vacation or other absences.
5. Monthly tuition statements are not issued.
6. Make checks payable to:
   Abiding Savior Preschool.

Checks can be put in the preschool mailbox outside the classroom.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Parents are asked, on occasion, to assist with special activities in the classroom, and also as resource persons to the program.

PARENT ORIENTATION

Parent orientation will be held on your child's first day of class. A shortened class period (1 - 1 1/2 hrs.) will give the preschool child and his/her parent(s) an opportunity to meet together and then separately as they become acquainted with the preschool program.

PARENT CONFERENCES

A pre-entrance conference will be scheduled before classes begin. Parents will be notified by mail of the pre-conference dates. Two other conferences will be offered to discuss the child's progress and any other concerns over the child's future. Special conferences will be arranged at any time the parents and /or teachers feel it would be helpful. Telephone calls and written communiques may also be used.

OPEN-DOOR POLICY

Parents are invited and encouraged to visit at any time during the school year. Short visits are often more rewarding than a full session visit.

PARENT INFORMATION

Please check your child's "blue pocket"� daily for notices and newsletters sent home periodically throughout the year.

PARENTS GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Our staff welcomes comments and suggestions to improve the quality of care for your child. When an area of concern arises, the problem should be brought to the immediate attention of your child's teacher who will work with you to solve the problem to everyone's satisfaction. If the problem is still unresolved, it should be brought to the attention of the preschool Director. The Director shall then hear both parties and within a period of 24 to 48 hours shall try to mediate a settlement of the grievance. In the event the problem is still not resolved, the grievance shall be taken to the Preschool Committee at their next scheduled monthly meeting for resolution of the grievance.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOR PARENTS

The teaching staff will plan special activities. Parents will be notified in advance of the planned date.

FUNERAL POLICY

The preschool is located within a church and, therefore, funerals are an occasional occurrence during the preschool hours. The narthex is often used for funeral purposes during this time. We ask that preschool families enter and exit through the side door at the East end of the church when a funeral is in session. Please be aware of notes posted as you enter the church or on the table next to your child's class announcing this event.

HEALTH CARE FORM AND IMMUNIZATION RECORD

1. The health form needs to be signed by your child's doctor. The doctor's phone and address are complete (street, city, zip code).
2. The immunization record is complete (month and year for each one). Minnesota Immunization Law requires this.

HEALTH REGULATIONS

1. Parents are asked to protect their own children and the health of others by keeping a child at home that is carrying an infectious illness.
2. If a child becomes ill during the session, the parent will be called to come and get the child. If the parents cannot be reached, the temporary care persons listed on the child's registration form will be called. The ill child will be kept comfortable and isolated from other children in the company of an adult while waiting to be picked up.
3. The following conditions are reasons for a child to be excluded from the preschool program and are mandated by the State of Minnesota licensing standards.
   a. Chicken pox, until the lesions have crusted over;
   b. Has vomited two or more times within the 24 hours prior to coming to school or after arrival;
   c. Has had two or more abnormally loose stools within 24 hours prior to coming to school or after arrival;
   d. Has conjunctivitis or pus draining from the eyes;
   e. Has a bacterial infection such as strep or impetigo and has not completed 24 hours of antibiotic treatment;
   f. Has unexplained lethargy;
   g. Has lice, ringworm, or scabies that is untreated;
   h. Has an auxiliary temperature of over 101 degrees F, should be free of fever for 24 hours;
   i. Has an undiagnosed rash or a rash associated with a contagious disease;
   j. Has significant respiratory distress;
   k. Is unable to participate in the school program with reasonable comfort, or requires more care than the staff can give without jeopardizing the program for other students.
4. If your child has an allergy please make this known to the teachers, so that it will not be mistaken as cold symptom.
5. If your child should become ill with a contagious disease, please notify the teachers so that they may inform the other parents.
6. Only children who are toilet trained and in good health will be enrolled.
7. The parent or driver is asked to stay on the premises until the teacher has observed and greeted each child.
8. The teachers have current first aid and CPR training. The staff will treat only minor first aid for such cases as bumps, bruises, or abrasions.
9. Teachers are not allowed to give oral medication or to apply antiseptics or sunscreens without written permission from the parent. Non-prescription medications can be given with written parental authorization. Prescription medications must have a doctor's written authorization and be in the original container with the child's name and current prescription information on the label.
10. The staff carries out regular accident prevention checks.

FIRST AID

Teachers are trained in First Aid procedures and will administer first aid for minor injuries (cuts, scratches, and bumps), which do not require medical attention. Injuries requiring stitches or x-ray will be reported immediately to the parent(s) or caregiver and they will be expected to come and pick up the child and make medical arrangements. If the injury is life threatening, 911 will be called.

MEDICAL EMERGENCY PROCEDURE

1. Call the child's parents.
2. If the parents cannot be reached we will call 911, and then continue to contact the parents.
3. The immediacy for emergency care will be our guide, as to whom we call first, the parents or 911.

1. The Mounds View Police and paramedics will be sent to our facility.
2. If the paramedics find it necessary to take the child to a hospital emergency room, the services of Unity Hospital will be used unless the parent is present to designate otherwise.
3. A teacher will accompany the child to the hospital if a parent is not present.
4. If suspected poisoning occurs during the session, the Poison Control Center will be called and if they recommend it, Syrup of Ipecac will be administered. Parents will be contacted as soon as possible.
5. Parents written permission must be given on the registration form before Syrup of Ipecac can be administered.

SPECIAL NEEDS OF INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN

Written permission from the State Licensing Agent must be obtained prior to the enrollment of handicapped children (handicapped is defined as involving a sensory defect, physical or mental deficiency or emotional disturbance).

SNACK TIME AND BIRTHDAYS

DRINK -1 gallon of 100% juice (not Hi-C) or milk

CLOTHING

1. We urge that the children be dressed in washable, comfortable clothing.
2. During snow season, we require the children to wear boots, mittens, hats, and snow pants for their outdoor playtime.
3. Please mark all clothing to avoid mix-up due to similarity, especially boots and mittens.
4. A loop on the child's jacket/coat for hanging is helpful.

TOYS

We prefer that children do not bring toys from home. However, if special situation arise when the parents finds if necessary to allow the child to bring a toy, the teacher will determine whether the toy is appropriate in a group situation. Please be sure children do not bring money, candy, gum, nails, rocks, etc., in pockets. Should you find puzzle pieces, small toys, etc., in your child's pockets when he/she comes home, return them to the teacher. Many children save things in their pockets and are not "stealing " them.

METHODS OF BEHAVIOR GUIDANCE DISCIPLINE

1. Teachers will model expected behavior.
2. Teacher will set limits to:
   a. Give children proper direction.
   b. Help children learn and understand the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behavior.
   c. Help children develop self-control. Limits are explained to the children, and adapted to meet the needs of the individual and the situation.
3. Children are allowed to express their feelings, but not in a destructive way, nor in a way that would be harmful to others, to themselves, or to things.
4. Children may express feelings:
   a. Through conversation with a teacher, helping them to know the teacher understands, is accepting of these feelings and is ready to provide help and alternatives to improve these feelings.
   b. By being channeled to a media or space that will accommodate the physical release of their feelings such as play dough, water play, pounding activity, etc.
5. In some instances, it is necessary for a child to be removed form the group temporarily, to gain control of his/her actions. This method is employed:
   a. After she/he has been told what the acceptable behavior is at the time.
   b. Had been offered opportunity and encouragement to change the behavior.
   c. And has been helped to understand why her/his behavior is not acceptable at that time.
   A teacher will be near the child until the child has gained control and is ready to return to class.
6. Teachers will be firm, but remain calm, positive and respectful of the child. They will be certain to interpret to the child that it is the current action that is not acceptable, and not the child as a person.
7. Teachers may hold a child who is extending physical action to prevent harm to others, and will not employ any physical punishment.
8. Children are not shamed, humiliated or labeled.
9. Teachers will consult with parents if serious behavior occurs frequently.

SHARING TIME The children may bring items for the nature and science center; items that can be displayed in the room during the session for others to enjoy; or books or records at any time. Pets may be brought to the preschool by the parent. Please contact the teachers in advance.

PASTORAL VISITS

Any one of the Abiding Savior Pastors are likely to pay a visit to the classroom and share a short Bible story with the children on a monthly basis, or gather them in the sanctuary for a brief "chapel time" together.

FIRE & TORNADO DRILLS

In compliance with the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the children will participate in monthly fire drills, and tornado drills once each month in April, May and September.

SNOW DAY POLICY

Three-day classes will be credited, if we exceed three days lost during the school year.

TRANSPORTATION

The staff does not arrange transportation to and from class, and other car pools, but parents of enrolled children will receive a class list to assist them in making those arrangements. The staff must be informed in writing if your child is to leave the premises during the session or at the close of the session with anyone other than the parent or the usual designated pick-up person.

INSURANCE

The children are covered by general liability insurance while on the premises of Abiding Savior Lutheran Church. See the church Office Manager for information about the carrier, and about coverages.

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

It is the policy of this preschool that no information of a confidential nature will be released without the written consent of the parent or guardian. This includes information to the public schools and medical offices.

RESEARCH & PUBLIC RELATIONS PERMISSION