Parent

Handbook

Hours of Operation

•We are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 12:00

•We follow the traditional Craven County school year calendar

•All children must be picked up no later than 12:00

School Closings

•There will be no refund for school closings due to weather, holidays, and illness/sick days, etc.  NO EXCEPTIONS, PLEASE.

•For school closings due to bad weather, please watch local TV.

Persons Authorized to Pick Up Children

In the event that persons are not able to pick up their child, the Emergency Pick Up Authorization form is to be filled out.  In order to release your child, your emergency contact must bring photo ID.  We will not accept phone authorization for the safety of your child.

Satisfaction

To improve your satisfaction of the school, we would like to get input from parents on the service that we are providing for you and your child. 

Please let the directress know immediately if there are any concerns or questions by contacting her in one of the following ways:

            •E-mail - mhmt@isp.com

                •Note - Handwritten note left in the pay box

            •Phone – 474-3843

Financial Policies

•Tuition

Preschool and Kindergarten tuition is $225.00 and includes the five day program.

•Deposit Fees/Annual Registration Fee

There is a registration fee of $50.00 and a deposit of $100.00 due when the application is turned in.  If you give the required two-week notice, if your child leaves, the deposit will be refunded to you.  A $50 re-application fee is due every September.

•Payment Fees

Fees are due on the 1^st class day of every month.  There is a $30.00 service fee on returned checks.

Pick Up/Drop Off Procedures

Please observe daily schedules and avoid late or early drop off or pick up.  If your child will be picked up by another person, please remember to provide written permission and leave appropriate car seat for your child’s use.  Staff will not be on-site to attend to those children left for late pick up.

Daily Schedules

Preschool – 9:00-12:00

Kindergarten – 9:00-12:00

Class time is not restricted to a specific schedule.  Subjects and activities are presented at the child and teacher’s discretion.

Health Record Information

•Immunization Record

This record must give dates (month, day and year) of immunizations your child has received.  It must be current and is due on admission.  Records must be kept updated whenever your child receives additional immunizations.

•Health Record/Summary

This information must include the date of your child’s most recent physical exam (within six months) and be signed by the child’s source of health care.  This form is due within 30 days of admission.  An updated report is required each school year.

•Health History

This record is filled out by the parent or guardian and is due on admission.  Parents also have the responsibility to inform the center if their child has any special medical conditions, needs or allergies (food or other) so that we can provide the best care and support.

Dietary modification because of special dietary needs shall be made under the direction of the a trained health care provider at the parent’s expense.  River City Montessori will try to accommodate as much as possible within our limits.  Written permission from the child’s parent/legal guardian and the child’s health care provider is required.

•Syrup of Ipecac

Please complete the permission form to administer Syrup of Ipecac.  This is a medication that is sometimes needed if a child ingests a poison.  It will be used only if the staff is instructed to do so by the Poison Control Center.

•Emergency Cards

This is a yellow card that needs to be filled out and turned in at admission.  This card lists all emergency contact information such as clinic, doctor, emergency contact information etc.

•Sunscreen

All children are requested to wear sunscreen prior to coming to school throughout the year.  Please be sure that the sunscreen that is applied will last 5-6 hours.  Reapplication requires written approval from the parents.  All personal items will be stored in your child’s cubby.

•Other applicable products

Insect repellents, lotion, chapstick, etc. also need written parental approval.  These products must be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  This requires written approval from the parents for the teachers to apply.  They must be in original container with the child’s name on it.  This will be stored in your child’s cubby.

First Aid

In the event of any injury or illness, trained staff will administer appropriate first aid.  If the staff decides this is an emergency situation, 911 will be contacted to provide emergency first aid.  If necessary, the emergency medical service will transport your child to a medical facility as designated by emergency services.  A parent or alternate listed on the Emergency Card will be contacted as soon as possible.  An attempt to contact your child’s source of health care may also be made.  Staff will not transport children.

Care of Ill or Injured Children

If your child becomes ill or injured while in care, he/she will be isolated away from other children under supervision of a staff person.  You or your designated alternate will be contacted to pick up your child immediately.  Your child should be picked up within one hour.  If not, the school/staff can not beheld responsible for any complications.  Until you arrive, your child will be monitored and comfort measures provided according to program procedures.  If staff thinks it necessary, the child’s health care provider will be contacted.

Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect

All childcare staff are required by North Carolina law to report any suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect to appropriate authorities.

•Disciplining Your Child

At anytime on school property, inside the building, outside on the playground or parking lot, there is no hitting, spanking, pulling, grabbing, yelling or degrading behavior towards a child.  This is for the protection of the child, yourself and the school. 

Also, there should be NO disciplining of children that are not your own.  If there are issues with a specific child, please let the staff know immediately.

Snack

There is a healthy snack given to the children along with juice or water.

Parents are asked to help provide the snacks each week.  There will be a sign-up sheet at the beginning of the school year.  Please sign-up for 3 weeks per child.  The snacks will be for all students in the school.  A note will be sent home the week prior to the snack assignment as a reminder and to let you know how many students we have.  We ask that all snacks be healthy.  If the snack needs to be sliced or otherwise prepared, please do so before bringing it to school (apples sliced, sandwiches cut, etc.).  If you choose to send in juice, make sure it is 100% juice.  Please be prepared to drop off the snack when the students arrive in the morning.  A list of acceptable and healthy snack ideas are located in the kitchen.

Food Brought From Home

On special occasions (birthdays, holiday celebrations) and for the weekly snack assignments, parents will be asked to assist in providing a healthy food item.  Otherwise, we ask that no food or drink items be brought to school.

Items Brought From Home

We request that no toys, videos, games, watches, etc. be brought from home as they interfere with classroom activities.  We also are not responsible for any personal items that are damaged, lost, stolen, etc.

Dress Code

Your child must be dressed appropriately according to the weather.  Please no flip-flops or torn clothing.  If a child is wearing inappropriate shoes or clothes, their teacher will request that the parent make alternate provisions BEFORE DROP OFF.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

We hold parent/teacher conferences twice a year – one in November and one in April.  Please contact your child’s teacher if you feel you need to schedule any additional conferences.  It is important that the teacher remain with the other children at all times so if a specific concern needs to be discussed, please contact the teacher before 9:00am or after school (12:00).

Field Trips/Community Exploration

Occasionally classes will take part in nature walks around the immediate school building area.  Please sign waiver form so your child can participate in these events that are not on school property.  Children are constantly accompanied by adults and observe safety precautions.  Our classes also take frequent field trips.  Parents will be asked to volunteer/provide transportation.  Carpooling is recommended.

Supply List

All supplies will need to be turned in by the first day of school. 

Please put your child’s name on everything that is listed with a * beside it.

*All health forms and parent’s handbook form (signed and dated)

*A complete change of clothes (including: undergarments, shirt, pants and     socks) in a gallon size Ziploc bag with name on bag - clothing should        be appropriate for the season

*Black slippers- these will be worn daily (these can be purchased from          TARGET.  Please write your child’s name on both soles)

*Sunscreen

*Bug Repellant

*Medications (with written direction and consent form included)

*Syrup Of Ipecac

Anti-bacterial wipes (Clorox, etc.)

Anti-bacterial hand sanitizer

Box of tissues

Behavior Guidance Policies

Sub Part 1. *General Requirements*

The River City Montessori…

a) will provide each child with a positive model of acceptable behavior.

b) will redirect child and groups away from problems toward constructive activity in order to reduce conflict.

c) will teach children how to use acceptable alternatives to problem behavior in order to reduce conflict.

d) will protect the safety of children and staff persons.

e) will provide immediate and direct related consequences for a child’s unacceptable behavior.

Sub Part 2. *Persistent Unacceptable Behavior*

The River City Montessori…

a) will observe and record the behavior of the child and staff response to the behavior.

b) will develop a plan to discuss the behavior documented with the child’s parents, with other staff persons, and professionals (when appropriate).

c) will reserve the right to ask a parent to withdraw a child that consistently displays dangerous or disturbing behaviors that endanger students and staff or disturbs the educational environment. 

Sub Part 3. *Liability for Damage*

Parents will be liable for any permanent damage to the school building OR materials therein that is damaged by his/her child.  The directress will contact you if such an incident takes place. 

Sub Part 4. *The Following are Prohibited Actions by staff or students*

a)Subjection of a child to a corporal punishment. This includes, but is not limited to rough handling, shoving, hair pulling, ear pulling, shaking, slapping, kicking, biting, pinching, hitting and spanking.

b) Subjection of a child to emotional abuse. This includes, but is not limited to name calling, ostracism, shaming, making derogatory remarks about the child or child’s family, and using language that threatens, humiliates, or frightens the child.

c) Separation of a child from the group except as provided in subpart 5.

d) Punishment for lapse in toilet habits.

e) Withholding food, light, warmth, clothing or medical care as punishment for unacceptable behavior.

f) The use of physical restraint other than to physically hold a child when containment is necessary to protect a child or others from harm.

g) The use of mechanical restraints, such as tying.

Sub Part 5. *Separation from the Group*

No child will be separated from the group unless the license holder has tried less intrusive methods of guiding the child’s behavior, which have been ineffective, and the child’s behavior threatens the well-being of the children in the center.  A child who requires separation from the group must remain within an unenclosed part of the classroom where the child can be continuously seen and heard by a staff member.

Signed Parent Handbook Form

Please sign and date below to indicate that you have read through the River City Montessori Parent Handbook.  This form will be placed in your child’s folder.  Please keep the handbook for future reference.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to talk with the directress.

____________________________

Name of Child

___________________________

Parent/Guardian Name (Print)

___________________________

Parent/Guardian (Signature)

__________________________

Date