Policy of Preschool
1. Registration, Admission,
Fees
Registration will be completed by the first week of March for returning
students.
Enrollment priority is first given to church members and secondly to siblings of past students. Any remaining openings are then filled from the waiting list and community as determined by the Director, with support from staff and the Preschool Commission of Grace Episcopal Church.
Registration fee: This fee covers cost for insurance and expendable supply items. It is payable at yearly registration time.
A yearly fee is charged for children participating in the YMCA program.
Registration and tuition fees are non-refundable. Tuition is based on a yearly schedule as established by the Preschool Commission. For your convenience, tuition may be paid annually, semi-annually or in 9 monthly payments. If you choose to pay monthly, tuition is due on the 1st of each month.
Remittance should be placed in the tuition box or mailed to:
The Children’s School
Grace Episcopal Church
419 S. Main St.
Lexington, N. C. 27292
Your promptness will be appreciated as we operate on a tight budget. Salaries, supplies, and materials are dependent upon monthly tuition payments.
Note: The Parish Adminstrator will review accounts monthly. Delinquent accounts will be notified and subject to dismissal from the program if suitable arrangements are not made for payment. Arrangements for tuition payments need to be made by contacting Lauren Hall, Parish Administrator in the church office.
2. Entrance Requirements
A child must be at least two years of age to be considered for admission to the
program. The staff determines age appropriateness and enrollment needs with
input from the parent(s). Every effort will be made to place the child
according to his or her individual developmental needs. If a child is not
toilet trained, he or she may be accepted into the program provided the parents
and teachers can arrive at a cooperative agreement to work toward training the
child.
3. Hours
Older program children attend class from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Younger
program children attend class from either 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. or 9:00 a.m.
to 11:30 a.m. A specific schedule is designed for each child according to
his/her developmental maturity and needs. It is imperative that you pick your
child up on time so teachers can adequately prepare for the next school day.
4. Inclement weather
Preschool will be closed if weather
conditions make travel hazardous. We serve families who travel from every area
of our county. Road conditions vary greatly from area to area. Daily
announcements will be made by 8:00 a.m. concerning school operation on TV
Channel 8 WGHP (FOX) High Point and WFMY TV (News 2). We will be listed as
Grace Preschool of Lexington.
5. YMCA Program: October –
April
Participation in a movement education
program, coordinated with the YMCA, is planned on a yearly basis. We attend
these sessions one day a week for approximately one hour. A yearly fee is
charged for children participating in the Y. The program begins the first week
in October and goes through the last week in April. Younger children do not
participate in Y activities.
6. Transportation
Transportation to and from Preschool is the responsibility of the parents. A
list of students and addresses will be furnished to facilitate you in forming
car pools. Advise the teacher of your child’s car pool arrangements and if your
child is to be picked up by anyone other than a parent.
7. Insurance
Students are covered under the church insurance policy for a limited amount of
medical and liability insurance while participating in activities sponsored and
supervised by the school.
8. Messages
Contact the teacher through a phone call or a written note. Children often get
messages confused. This is very important if your child is to go home with
someone else other than his regular ride.
9. Health requirements
The health form must be filled out by your pediatrician and turned in to the
teacher by the opening of school. A child must have all immunizations necessary
against contagious diseases before entering Preschool.
Keep children at home if they have the following symptoms: sore throat, cough, fever, rash, earache, vomiting, or any other danger of spreading disease. Please report a contagious disease to the school so the teacher can contact other parents.
10. Notification regarding
absences
If your child should be unable to attend school because of illness, trips, etc.,
notify the teacher by calling the church office (249-7211) no later than 9:00
a.m. This is necessary for planning the school day.
11. Food and celebration of
birthdays
Snack time is provided each morning. If your child would like to share
something special with his classmates at snack time, notify the teacher so she
can plan accordingly.
In the past, parents have
donated food items for snack. This has served to make children feel special and
has also helped with our operating budget.
We are grateful for donations. If your child’s birthday comes during the school year, you may wish to supply refreshments to help him/her share his/her special day. Ice cream cups, cup cakes, and small amount of candy are acceptable.
Contact the teacher in advance to plan this special occasion for your child. Favors are discouraged. Children are asked not to bring birthday invitations to school.
12. Special class parties
Celebration of special holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.
is incorporated into the regular school day. A sign up sheet for parent
assistance is posted at the beginning of the school year. Each parent is
encouraged to assist with one holiday party. The staff will contact those
signed up prior to the party to plan for the event.
13. Bringing things to
school
Things that will prove a learning experience for all children are encouraged –
such as unusual rocks, shells, flowers, something the child has made or grown
himself/herself. Good books and tapes are always welcome. Special toys that
provide comfort are acceptable only if they will fit into the child’s cubby.
Action
figures, toy guns and weapons should not be brought to school.
Be sure to mark the
books and tapes your child brings. Please do not send these items on days that
we go to the YMCA.
14. Dress
Send children in comfortable and washable clothes.
All clothing should be
marked with your child’s name as
clothing is often similar and can become confused. Shoes must be worn everyday.
15. Conferences and
Parent’s meetings
There will be one or two general meetings a year at which time mutual needs of
parents, the policy and program will be discussed. Special events are held
during the year for the parents and children. The teacher will also have
individual conferences with you to discuss your child and his needs. For the
benefit of everyone, these conferences should not be held in front of your child
or in a rushed situation (such as the opening or closing of the school day.)
Please make arrangements with the teacher if you wish to observe or participate
during the preschool day.
Parenting Dialogue Sessions are scheduled throughout the year. This time serves as a forum to discuss child development issues and concerns as well as offering support to and fellowship for parents.
16. Newsletters
A monthly newsletter is sent home at the beginning of each school month.
Occasionally special information and/or reminders will be sent home with your
child. Please be attentive to the items presented. A copy of these special
notices will also be posted on the bulletin board.
Please check the bulletin
board frequently to make sure you are aware of current notices.
17. Visitors
Please do not send relatives or friends to school with your child. We want to
provide the best situation for all children in terms of teacher-pupil ratio.
18. Parent Library
There are a number of books we will make available to you. These are located in
the entry room just outside the preschool classrooms. When you check out a
book, please sign and date the card in the back of the book and place it in the
“Borrowed Books”
box provided. There will not be a specific checkout time limit assigned; but we
would suggest a two-week period would be appropriate so other parents wishing to
read the book(s) can expect to do so in a reasonable period of time.
19. Graduation
A Graduation Service is held at the end of each school year in May. This
service recognizes the accomplishments of students who have completed their
preschool experience at The Children’s School and will be entering a
kindergarten program in the fall. Parents will be notified of rehearsal times
and any applicable fees at the beginning of May. All preschool students,
families and members of Grace Church are cordially invited to share in this
special childhood milestone.