Playschool Policies: Parent Handbook
Click to download the Playschool Parent Handbook (PDF), or read on for the online version.
Purpose Statement
The purpose of Hope Community Playschool is to facilitate the individual child’s natural development in the physical, emotional, intellectual, creative and spiritual areas. We believe this is made possible in an environment where trust, respect, security, caring, open communication, and shared decision-making are valued.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Does my child need to be potty trained before coming to playschool?
Yes, it is the policy of Hope Community Playschool that all of the children attending be potty trained before they begin school. If you have a concern about this policy for your child please feel free to talk to the playschool director.
2. What is the discipline policy of Hope Community Playschool?
The discipline policy is as follows:
12.0 Student Discipline Policy
Hope Community Playschool understands that children are children and occasionally they need to be reminded of good behaviour. By establishing guidelines for discipline through communication and cooperation, children acquire respect for themselves, peers, authority, and surroundings.
Discipline problems will be avoided by promoting positive behaviour through re-direction, behaviour modification and prevention, as staff we are aware that bored children are more likely to become problem children.Any problems are dealt with immediately and in a consistent manner. Continual undesired behaviour may result in a loss of privilege or a short “time out” during which discussion occurs between staff and child to solve the problem and encourage the child’s participation in the solution.
Under no circumstances is harsh punishment administered.
1. Minor transgressions - verbal reminder
2. Repeated minor transgressions - child/teacher discussion about how to remedy the situation
3. Frequent or flagrant inappropriate behaviour - parent/teacher discussion
3. Am I able to be a parent volunteer in the classroom?
We believe strongly that a successful playschool experience requires parent involvement. It is for that reason that we require all families to participate in our parent volunteer program. At the beginning of each month we will send home a schedule with your volunteer dates. You are responsible for that date. If you are unable to attend yourself you may send a suitable family member in your place. You may also trade dates with another playschool family. If neither of these options work for your family you may call the playschool director and schedule a substitute at the cost of $20 per time. This must be arranged one week prior to the date you are to volunteer.
If there is a day when no one shows up to volunteer in the classroom the family responsible for that date will be billed for the $20 substitute fee.
Toy Clean Up - We value a clean environment for our children so we will do a total disinfecting of our rooms and toys once a month. We ask that all families sign up for one of these cleaning sessions during registration. Many hands make light work and we thank you in advance for your time. There may also be other volunteer positions available. Please look for openings in other areas in the communication that comes home. :)
4. My child has food allergies, is your playschool peanut free?
The food allergy policy is as follows:
13.0 Allergy Policy
Hope Community Playschool does not provide an “ALLERGEN-FREE” environment. We also realize that allergies in Anaphylactic Children are a growing concern in today’s society and that they can have extremely serious medical risks - often LIFE-THREATENING. This includes allergic reactions to peanuts, tree-nuts, (e.g. Hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, cashews), sesame seeds, cows milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat and soy.
As we do not have the expertise or environmental protection to avoid allergic conditions, we expect parents of such children, who choose to register their child in our school, to participate as actively as possible in the protection of their child. Depending on the seriousness of the risk, actions parents can take include:
Sharing medical information for communication with teachers and other parents
Sharing the physicians protocol of treatment
Providing an adequate supply of up-to-date auto injectors and ventilators
Attending class to monitor their child at snack time
Accompanying their child on field trips
Teaching their child the potential dangers and avoid specific foods
Teaching their child what is required in an emergency
For the protection of teaching staff, parents are asked to sign a Liability Release Form at registration. However, in the case of an emergency, our teachers will provide the same standard of care towards children under their charge as would be expected by a reasonable and careful parent or guardian. Hope Community Playschool will explore the following procedures for providing an environment that is as safe as possible for it’s students.
23.1 Information and Awareness:
Anaphylactic students must be identified by the parents at the time of registration and the information given to all staff. Student allergy information must also be posted in the classroom.
First-aid training or in-service will be given to all teachers in knowing what an anaphylactic reaction looks like, and in the use of an auto-injector and ventilator.
Parents are to sign a form giving teachers permission to administer medical assistance in an emergency situation.
Hope Community Playschool will publish pertinent allergy information in the Parents Handbook and regular newsletters.
Hope Community Playschool will distribute, as needed, additional letters from parents and the school to the whole community.
23.2 Risk Avoidance:
After Anaphylactic Children are identified, it will be requested of parents that certain foods not be brought into the school for snacks.
Hand washing is regulated prior to and after snack time. Thorough table washing is done following snack time. Allergens will not knowingly be used in school activities. Separate tables can be provided for children with allergies. The Playschool staff will seek parent suggestions for making the class as safe as possible for their child.
At Hope Community Playschool we ask that children bring one light healthy snack each day. The Playschool will provide the drink for each class. Please bring any concerns you have to the attention of the teacher and director.
5. My child has a sniffle, should I keep him/her home from school?
We ask that you use your good judgement and keep sick children home from school. Keep your child home especially under these circumstances:
If your child has had a fever and/or any of the following symptoms in the past 24 hours:
Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Influenza - persistent coughing, congestion, chills, or muscle aches
Swollen throat
Rashes that spread or get worse over time.
If your child exhibits any of these symptoms while at school they will be sent home.
6. Am I obligated to participate in fundraisers?
It is our goal that the fees for playschool cover the expenses to operate the program. There may be occasional times where the Playschool Advisory Board wants to fundraise for a specific item to complement the playschool program. Fundraisers are completely voluntary. You are in no way obligated to participate.
7. What items does my child need to start school in the fall?
Each child will need to come to school each day with the following items:
1. A backpack or other school bag clearly labelled with your child’s full name
2. A pair of inside only shoes clearly labelled with your child’s full name
3. One small, healthy snack (cheese, cut fruit, mini muffin, raisins…) in a small lunch kit or pencil case.
4. Each child should wear washable comfy clothes to school.
8. When should my child arrive for school?
Children should arrive on time for class each day. We ask that they not arrive more than 5 minutes early so the teachers can be fully prepared for class. Late children, cause a late start for everyone so please do your best to arrive on time. :)
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE CHILDREN ARE DROPED OFF AND PICKED UP PROMPTLY
Chronically late families will be required to compensate their teacher for the extra time required to supervise their child after school hours. This will be billed at a rate of $5.00/minute.
9. What do we do to insure that our children are safe while they are in playschool?
The safety of every child is a primary concern of the Playschool staff and board. Every effort is being made to keep your child safe. We ask that everyday when you arrive and pick up your child at the end of the day you please sign your child in and out on the sheet provided. If you will not be picking your child up at the end of the day please provide the teacher with written permission and the name of the person picking your child up. We can only let your child go with you unless you specifically let the teacher know of the arrangements you have made. For your peace of mind we also insure that all of our staff members are screened and background checked.
10. How can I make saying goodbye easier for my child?
Many children entering Playschool are being separated from Mom and Dad for the first time. Saying goodbye can be stressful for both you and your child. Here are some suggestions to ease the transition:
Set routines - make getting ready a calm experience.
Be careful not to impose your anxiety on your child. Many children are really excited to have an individual experience.
Send a family photo to school.
Come to school a few minutes early in order to help you and your child, put their belongings away and get settled.
Say your good-byes clearly – making sure your child knows that you are leaving builds trust.
Establish good-bye rituals – a kiss, a hug , a wave at the window, etc.
Make plans to do something together after school – walk to the mailbox, make lunch, set the table, feed the dog, etc.
Plan to have a special talk, so each of you can share the activities that occurred while you were apart.
11. How will you celebrate birthdays? Should I bring a special snack?
We will honour every birthday in a special way. Of course we would love for your child to bring a treat to share with their class.
As well, the children are encouraged to bring a show & tell item to share with their class on their birthday and any day that you are the parent helper.
12. What is the process for voicing a complaint?
At Hope Community Playschool we highly value open communication between parents and staff. We encourage parents to feel free to talk to their teacher or the playschool director. Please refer to the following section of our policy manual for guidance on dealing with larger concerns:
14.0 Parental Grievance Policy
28.1 Grievance and Appeal Procedure
If parents have a concern or question related to the operation of Hope Community Playschool or it’s program with respect to their child, they should follow this procedure:
1. Bring the matter to the attention of the appropriate classroom teacher to be dealt with.
2. Should the matter not be resolved by the teacher and the concern requires further attention, contact the Program Director. The Program Director will work with the teacher to resolve the situation.
3. Should the matter persist, the problem should be communicated to the Lead Pastor. If a resolution can’t be arrived at, the matter would then be referred in writing to the chair of the HCPAB to be dealt with.
4. If necessary, the chair will raise the concern at the next HCPAB meeting for resolution. If this is the case, the HCPAB will be informed of the details of the situation in order to determine the appropriate action to be taken.
5. Should the matter not be resolved to their satisfaction, the parent has the right to go to the Minister of Learning of the Province of Alberta.
In all cases, the HCPB, it’s chair, the Lead Pastor, and teacher will respect the parents’ and child’s right to confidentiality.
13. CLICK BELOW TO OPEN AND PRINT REQUIRED FORM:
NOTE: This form is required for your registration, and is included in the PDF version of this Parent Handbook.