First Friends Handbook
General Program Information
Curriculum:
The main objectives of our school are to help children learn good social skills and to stimulate their intellectual abilities in such a way that they are well prepared for Kindergarten. First Friends Preschool uses developmentally-appropriate, faith-based curriculum in all classrooms.
We provide children with toys and materials so there is no one "right" way to use them. Coming up with different ways to play with a toy or object helps children be creative and solve their own problems.
We provide lots of opportunities for children to build their reading skills. Through reading and re-reading books, as well as dramatizing a story, children learn to enjoy reading.
Our teachers communicate and listen carefully to children's responses. Conversations helps children build their vocabulary and writing skills.
Paper, markers, safety scissors, and crayons are available to children whenever they choose to use them. These materials give great practice for learning to write and enhance creativity. Wooden blocks are available to illlustrate math problems.
Small class sizes allows us to provide lots of individual care. We understand that children develope at their own rate.
Children in our program learn to respect others, appreciate the world in which they live, and establish self-confidence. They leave our school with a stron foundation on which to build their academic future.
Snacks:
Children are provided a nutritious snack each morning and afternoon consisting of juice/milk fruits, vegetables, crakcers, cheese, peanut butter, jelly, trail mix, cereal or pretzels. A monthly menu is posted in each classroom and on our Parent Board. On holidays and special occasions parents may be asked to provide a special snack. Children sometimes prepare their own snacks in the classroom through a cooking experience.
Birthday Snacks:
Parents/Guardians may provide a Birthday Snack to honor their child and share with the classmates. Each snack must be store bought, please talk to your child's teacher for appropriate snack ideas. We suggest muffins, yogurt or fruit cups or cookies. Please, no cakes or cupcakes.
Lunch:
Parents need to provide their children with lunches Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, a free pizza is served with a fruit cup and milk. If a child does not enjoy pizza, their parent is responsible for providing a Friday lunch as well. All lunches packed should consist of healthy food, a drink box or bottle that fits in the lunch box, and a cold pack, as we have limited cold storage space.
Show and Tell:
Please do not send toys with your child until Friday
A small toy or object may only be brought in each Friday for Show and Tell. This object must fit in and be kept in the child's cubby until circle time. Children then share the items with their classmates. After circle time, the items are placed back into their cubbies until dismissal. The school cannot be held responsible for lost, stolen, or broken items, so parents should not send any valuables.
Clothing:
Clothing should be comfortable and washable. An extra change of clothing should be kept at school in case a child has a toileting accident or a spill. After an accident occurs, parents mut replace the clothing the next day. Parents should label these items and place them in a bag in the child's cubby.
Dresses with ruffles and bows, shirts with spaghetti straps, and pants with difficult belts or fastenings should be avoided. Shorts must be worn underneath of dresses. Play clothes should be worn to school, as clothes may become soiled due to art, cooking and outdoor activities. Elastic waist pants help children become more self-sufficient dressers and lead to more independent toileting. Children who are potty training should wear elastic waist shorts or pants.
Children should always be dressed appropriatley for the weather. During cold weather, a warm sweater or jacket should be worn to school, as we play outside everyday, except when it rains. Please label all sweaters and jackets with your child's name.
Safety First ... No open-toed shoes should be worn to school. Children's shoes should buckle, tie or Velcro. Shoes must have a back strap (no slides or backless sneakers). Flip-Flops, Crocs, Boots or patent leather shoes do not provide enough traction for children to play safely and should not be worn at school.
Diapers:
Families MUST provide all diapers/pull-ups and wipes for their children. Please check your child's file folder for "Daily Reports" from your child's teacher regarding any needed supplies in the 1, Y-2 and 2+ rooms. First Friends Preschool will always notify a parent when a child needs more diapers or wipes. If a child runs out of supplies, we will provide up to 3 diapers for the child with no charge. Parents will be charged $ .50 per diaper beginning with the 4th school-provided diaper used.
Discipline:
We help children find acceptable ways to express their anger, negotiate to get what they want or need, and handle aggression directed toward them by peers. Positivie redirection is our main source of discipline. When nesessary, a child may be given an appropriate Time Out away from the other children.
If at any time the child expresses overly or danerously aggressive behavior, the parents will receive al etter from the Director requesting that they call the school and arrange a parent/guardian /teacher conference. Failure to respond immediately and /or failure to comply with the recommended corrective action could be reason for dismissal of the child from our program. Unacceptable aggressive behavior includes hitting, throwing things, name calling, spitting, biting other children up to 3 times, pushing, pulling, forcing someone to do or not to do something, destroying property and taking someone elses possessions.
For a child to remian in good standing with First Friends Preschool, he/she must comply with all rules and regulations that are outlined in this handbook. If a child consisently fails to comply with the rules, he/she may be dismissed from the preschool.
Health and Safety Information
Please keep in mind that these rules and regulations are for the safety and well being of all of the children at First Friends Preschool. Parents are required to call the school to report any absences. A doctor's note should be provided to the director in the case of extended absences due to illness.
Illness:
A child who is ill should not be in school. A child who has any of the following is considered ill: Diarrhea, pink eye, head lice, ticks, fleas, difficult or rapid breathing, a temperature of 100 degrees or higher, an untreated infection, and any other contagious infection. If a child comes to school when he/she does not feel well, he/she is more vulnerable to infection. It is in the best interest of the child, the other children, and the teachers to keep the ill child home. When in doubt, keep them home.
Notification of Absense:
Parents/Guardians need to notify the director if their child will be absent from school. A doctor's note should be provided in the case of extended absences. Some subsidizing agenciew (Coordinated Child Care /CCC) require doctor's excuses, which must be provided to the director upon the student's return to school. Please check the agency's policy, if you receice subsidy.
Rules:
1. Fever - Children are not to return to school until 24 hours after a fever has passed.
2. Diarrhea - Children with diarrhea 3 times in one school day will be sent home and should not return until 24 hours after diarrhea has passed.
3. Nose Mucus - Children will be sent home from school if their nose contains green/yellow muscus.
4. Strep Throat - Children diagnosed with Strep Throat will not be admitted to school until 24 hours after doctor prescribed medicine is administered. A doctor's note must accompany the child's return.
5. Pinworms - Children with Pinworms will not be admitted to school until 24 hours after doctor prescribed medicine is administered. A doctor's note must accompany the child's return.
6. Head Lice, Ticks & Fleas - Children who carry Head Lice, Ticks or Fleas will not be admitted to school until treated with over-the-counter or prescription preparations. If problems of this nature continue, the child will be asked to leave the school.
If a child becomes ill while at school, a parent/guardian or authorized adult (18 and over) pick up personnel will be notified. They must be listed as an authorized pick up person, have a car seat in their car & photo ID available to staff upon arrival. All ill children should be picked up in a timely manner.
Our staff is not authorized to administer medication to children. No prescription medication is allowed in school.
Rules:
1. No medication in lunch boxes - Children are not allowed to give medication to themselves.
2. Medication given by parents - If it is necessary for a child to receive medication during school hours, a parent/guardian may come to school to administer the medication.
Permission Slips:
Permission Slips are required for each of these items to be used on a child. the director or the childs teacher can give parents permission slips upon request.
1. If a child is in diapers and requires ointment, the parents must provide it.
2. If a child is sensitive to sun and requires sunscreen, the parent must provide it.
3. If a child needs insect repellent for out-door play, the parent must provide it.
Please label all personal items with child's name.
Accidents:
In case of an accident with injury:
1. The staff member who is trained in First Aid will administer first aid to the child.
2. The child ill be kept calm and comfortable.
3. If the injury is determined to be minor, the parent/guardian will be notified of the injury and treatment within a written injury report.
4. If the injury is major and requires medical attention, a parent/guardian or authorized person will be notified immediately so they can make the decision of desired treatment.
5. If the injury is life threatening, trained rescue personnel will be called through 911, then a parent/guardian or authorized person will be notified by phone.
Please keep all of your telephone numbers, health insurance information and authorized personnel current with the director if changes need to be made throughout the school year.
Emergencies:
* First Friends Preschool follows Pinellas County School Emergency Closings.
If there is a public announcement that all Pinellas County Schools will be closed due to an emergency such as a hurricane, First Friends Preschool will also be closed.
In the event of an emergency during school hours, children will be taken to a place of safety as we follow the First Friends Preschool Evacuation Plan, until the emergency has passed or children have been picked up by parents/guardians or authorized personnel.
- In-Place Evacuation -The Young -2 room is our Safe Room in the event of tornados or hurricanes.
- On-Site Evacuation - The church hall known as Hager Hall is located upstairs in the church building, is our Safe Room in the event of a flooding disaster.
- Off-Site Evacuation - The Dunedin Public Library is our Safe Place in the event of a toxic evacuation.
School Operation Information
Registration Agreement:
Parents must sign the First Friends Preschool Registration Agreement and return it with the $50.00 registration fee, along with the first week's tuition, prior to admission. All payments made to First Friends Preschool are non-refundable.
Tuition:
Weekly tuition payments are due Monday before 6 PM, according to parents' registration agreements. Tuition not received by payment date is subject to a $10.00 late fee the first week. The child's registartion may be terminated if no efforts to clear the account are made by the second week.
Payment by check is preferred. All checks are payable to First Friends Preschool. Returned checks will have a surcharge of $25.00 for the bank processing fee. After the second returned check, cash or money order payments will be required.
In order to maintain a child's spot at First Freinds Preschool, parents/guardians are responsible for tuiton fees even if their children are absent for family events, vacations, Pinellas County holidays, First Friends holidays, or emergency school closings.
An annual Supply Fee of $50.00 per child is due on the first week of September each year.
If parents are having finacial diffuculties related to tuition payments, First Friends Preschool has limited, need-based scholarship support for which they may apply. These parents should see the preschool director for a Scholarship Request form.
Vacation Time:
After 3 months of enrollment with First Friends Preschool your child is eligible for a tuiton free vacation within the school year. One week vacation tution free or two weeks vacation at half off tuition fee each week. Please see the director to fill out a Vacation Form.
Arrival and Departure:
Arrival time for children will be from 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM. If parents arrive before 7:00 AM they should wait patiently outside. NEVER ALLOW THE CHILD TO WALK INTO THE CLASSROOM ALONE. A TEACHER MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR ARRIVAL. If a parent is going to come to school later than 9:00AM, they must call and notify the director.
Late Pick Up Fees:
First Friends Preschool is open until 6:00 PM. We recommend that parents try to pick up their child by 5:45 PM, so they do not run into any late charges. A late fee of $1.00 per minute is to be paid in cash to the teachers on duty upon pick up.
Pick Up List:
All pick up people should be listed in a child's file. If a child is to go home with anyone other than the people listed, a parent must notify the director and report this information.
All people on your PICK UP LIST will be asked to produce photo ID before the child is released into their care. If an emergency should arise, please call the school as soon as possible at 727-733-2111 to inform the director of any PICK UP LIST changes you must make.
Safe Arrival and Departure
Please sign children In & Out daily:
The SIGN IN / OUT Book is located on the Parents Table located in the foyer. Parents must sign their child in, then deliver them to their classroom. Make sure a teacher acknowledges the child's arrival. When parents pick up their child, they must sign their child out, then pick up their child from the classroom. Make sure a teacher acknowledges the child's departure.
Please inform your PICK UP LIST people about the Sign In/Out Book.
Hurrican Policy:
First Friends Preschool follows the Pinellas County Schools closures concering hurricanes and inclement weather. Please keep informed by watching the local weather channels or going online to www.baynews9.com for school closures and hurricane updates.
Dismissal:
If at any time the staff of First Friends Preschool feels they are unable to provide the appropriate environment to meet the needs of a child, the director will meet with the parents to discuss withdrawing the child from our school. If at all possible, our staff will help guide the parents to an agency or school, which will be able to meet the child's needs.
failure to pay tuition as outlined in registration agreement is reason for a student's dismissal.
Aggressive behavior toward other children or staff will not be tolerlated and be cause for dismissal. The Preschool Committee of First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin will review each individual case.
Classroom Visits:
We encourage parents to take an interest in their child's development. Teacher's will be happy to discuss a child with the parents during a scheduled conference. The director and assistant director are also available to discuss any concerns by appointment during regular school hours.
Parking:
First Presbyterian Church has a large parking area available for parents' convenience. Please do not park in designated No Parking Zones or by the white Diagonal Lines. Please do not leave vehicles running or children unattended in vehicles when dropping off or picking up a child. It is against the law to leave a vehicle running while unattended.
Gates:
The children's safety is important to us. Parents should please make sure they latch both gates as they come in and go out of the school. The safety of our children is our number one priority.
Registration Information
Age and Classroom:
First Friends Preschool accepts children ages 1 through 5. The child will be placed into the age appropriate room. The child's tution will be determined by the classroom placement of the child.
One Year Old Room: Child must be 1 year and 1 day old to enter this classroom.
Young Two Year Old Room: Child must be 2 years of age to enter. Potty training will begin in this classroom for each child. Child may not move up without potty success.
Two Plus Year Old Room: Child must be 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years of age and successfully using the potty to be in this classroom. Child may not move up without continued potty success.
Three Year Old Room: Child must be 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 years of age and successfully using the potty to be in this classroom.
Four Year Old/VPK Room: Child must be 4 years old by September 1st to enter this classroom. Florida's Voluntary Pre Kindergarten Classes are free from 9AM to 12 PM Monday through Friday. Only children in the VPK class may enter this classroom.
Children's Records
These forms must be signed /dated and on file before child can begin school.
All information in children's files must stay current. Please be sure to bring any changes to the director
Children's Files Must Include:
1. Child's Enrollment Record - This must be complete and on file by the first day of school.
2. Current Physician & Dentist - The child's current doctor and dentist with complete addresses and telephone numbers listed on file. If child does not yet have a dentist, please write in the child's current physician's name, address, and telephone number in this area.
3. Physical Examination (HRS Form 3040) - Yellow health examination form for child's doctor - A current form must be present.
4. Immunization Form (HRS Form 680) - Blue shot records form - A current form must be present.
5. Religious Exemption - Blue form from the Health Dept. must be present to replace the Immunization Form HRS 680 if your child is not receiving immunization shots.
6. Emergency Medical Release - A notarized form must be present listing the child's health care information.
7. Nutrition Agreement - This is a written agreement that defines the responsibilities of the parent/guardian and school for meeting the child's nutritional needs.
8. Discipline Policy - This is a written agreement that defines disciplinary action in the event of the following:
- Non-Compliance with Frist Friends Preschool policies.
- Overly- Aggressive behavior towards children or staff.
9. Pick Up List - A list of people authorized to pick up the child/children when the parents are not availavle. All pick up people will be asked to show photo ID.
10. Evacuation Permission Slip - A signed evacuation permission slip for each child must be present.
11. First Friends Preschool Registration Agreement - A signed and dated registration agreement must appear in your child's file.
* While we strive to be accurate unintentional errors may occur. We reserve the right to correct any errors.
First Friends Preschool of First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin, Florida
License # C620524
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