LIBERTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY EARLY LEARNING CENTER PARENT HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 LIBERTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY EARLY LEARNING CENTER PARENT HANDBOOK 1

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS MISSION STATEMENT INTRODUCTION PHYSICAL FACILITIES ENROLLMENT CAPACITY LICENSING STATUS CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT LAW ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENT HOURS OF OPERATION INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN FOOD POLICY PAYMENT POLICIES ARRIVAL OF CHILDREN RELEASE OF CHILDREN PARKING FOR DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP STAFF INFORMATION HEALTH POLICY MEDICAL INFORMATION ,10,11 ACCIDENT INSURANCE PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE

3 STUDENT APPEARANCE OUTDOOR PLAY FIELD TRIPS NOTES, MEMOS, MESSAGES PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

4 The Mission Statement of the LCA Early Learning Center Liberty Christian Academy exists to support parents and guardians in their Biblical responsibility to nurture and train their children. Thus, the Academy provides opportunities which allow students to realize their God-given potential and to live lives that glorify God in the spiritual, academic, social and physical and vocational realms. ELC is the preschool ministry of LCA. We seek to meet the developmental needs of your child as an extension of your home. We thank you for entrusting the care of your child to us. We realize it is a tremendous responsibility, and we accept this responsibility with the utmost care and love. We are excited with the opportunity we have to train and nurture young children. We believe that the primary responsibility for this rests with you, the parents. Our prayer is that we might work together to provide experiences that will help your child mature spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically and socially. We ask that you read carefully through the following pages. Keep this book handy for future reference. If at any time you have questions or a problem, please feel free to contact us at (434)

5 PHYSICAL FACILITIES The Liberty Christian Academy Early Learning Center is located at Liberty University s Green Hall (Formally Campus North) adjacent to the Liberty Christian Academy building. Fourteen spacious classrooms surround a library, resource center, kitchen, and storage area. Administrative offices and a large multipurpose room complete the facility. A fenced playground with age appropriate play equipment is located next to the building. An additional play area located behind our building is used by older classes. ENROLLMENT CAPACITY The daily capacity for the LCA Early Learning Center is 200 preschool children. The maximum ratio is one adult for every 10 preschoolers. LICENSING STATUS LCA Early Learning Center complies with all applicable laws and regulations pertaining to health and sanitation, water supply, building codes, statewide fire prevention code, staff-child ratios, and health and criminal check requirements for staff. Liberty Christian Academy Early Learning Center is exempt from licensure under the State religious exemption law. CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT LAW As mandated by child abuse and neglect laws, child care workers are required to report any suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. We understand this to be our responsibility. 5

6 ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS Children must be at least 2 and one half years of age as of September 30 of the current year. As space is available all ages may choose either a full or half day schedule. Schedule options are found on the rate sheet. To ensure a safe environment children must have a basic knowledge of the English language before they attend the Early Learning Center. Children need to be able to express needs and comprehend directions given by teachers. Early in the school year either the ASQ-3 (Ages and Stages Questionnaire) or the PALS Pre K (Phonological Awareness Literacy Screenings) will be administered to children. These are assessing tools used in Early Childhood to help determine growth and development. If results suggest there may be concerns the school will recommend a professional screening either from a physician or city/county school system. We will work with parents to meet the needs whenever possible and to determine what is best for their child. First time enrollment includes: 1. Completion of application (with both parents signatures if applicable). A non-refundable registration fee must accompany the completed application. 2. Interview with the Director with both parents if possible. The child may attend the interview if it is felt he/she will not interfere with the conversation between parents and Director. 3. Certified birth certificate and Social Security card must be brought to the interview. 4. Completion of Commonwealth of Virginia School Entrance Health Form, signed by a physician (must be dated within twelve months of start date). HOURS OF OPERATION The Liberty Christian Academy Early Learning Center is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. The school year program will coincide as closely as possible with the beginning and end of Liberty Christian Academy. The Center will be closed the following days. NEW YEAR S DAY GOOD FRIDAY & EASTER MONDAY MEMORIAL DAY MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY LABOR DAY THANKSGIVING (2 days) 1 WEEK AT CHRISTMAS PRESIDENT S DAY A summer program is offered. The summer program begins the fourth day after the school year program concludes and ends one week prior to the opening of school in August. THE CENTER IS CLOSED JULY 4 TH. 6

7 INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY Liberty Christian Academy will make every effort to keep the Center open. However, the safety of our children, parents and teachers must always be a primary consideration. There will not be adjustments to charges for missed days. Should you have any questions concerning a school closing the following radio stations and TV station will carry the latest information. RADIO: WRVL-88.3 FM SPIRIT FM-90.3 TV: WSET 13 or and delays Information may also be obtained from our web site: There will be no early room on a delayed start day. A 1 hour delay means we would open at 9:00 a.m. CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN Liberty Christian Academy and the ELC maintain a comprehensive Crisis Management Plan to provide the faculty with procedures if a crisis situation were to arise. A copy of the Plan is available in each administrative office for public viewing. The Plan is annually reviewed and updated. Before school opens each fall, school personnel receive a personal copy along with in-service training. Liberty Christian Academy and the ELC employ a School Resource Officer to assist Academy administrators in maintaining the safety, order and discipline of the school. All incidents that impact the safety, order or discipline of the school are reported by the administration to the resource officer. FOOD POLICY A morning and afternoon snack will be provided by the Academy. Children may bring a small breakfast item if they arrive before 7:15 a.m. After this time it becomes difficult to monitor eating with the number of children arriving. During the school year, a hot lunch may be purchased daily from the Academy lunch program. Monthly menus will be available in the ELC office. Milk will also be available for purchase on a weekly basis. Lunch tickets may be purchased on a punch card with a total of five lunches. This may be used as needed. If a child will be arriving after 9 a.m. and desires a hot lunch, a call should be made to the Center to place the order prior to arrival. If a home lunch is brought, we ask that sugar and snack foods be kept to a minimum. NO SODA PLEASE. We will monitor lunch times and encourage children to eat all that is sent. Any day the main campus of Liberty Christian Academy is closed (full or half day) lunches will NOT be for sale. Children must bring a lunch on these days. On a child s birthday, parents may bring cupcakes or some other treat for their child s class to have during snack time. Arrangements for this should be made in advance with the teacher. 7

8 PAYMENT POLICIES SCHOOL YEAR: A $50.00 non-refundable registration fee ($75.00 for two or more children) will be due with the application. ALL fees for the school year may be paid in one payment prior to the start of school or they may be paid in 10 equal installments. Installments are due the first of each month beginning August 1. A $30.00 late charge will be added to any account not current after the fifth of the month. SUMMER: A $75.00 non-refundable summer fee will be due with the summer application. This fee will cover the registration and summer activities. Summer program charges may be paid in advance or in two equal installments in June and July. WITHDRAWAL: Children registered for either the school year program or the summer program will be expected to complete the entire program. Should circumstances arise which require withdrawal from the program a withdrawal form must be completed and approved by the administration in order to stop charges. There will be NO refund of monthly installments already paid. ARRIVAL OF CHILDREN Parents are asked to bring children into the building and sign them in using the computers in the office. Parents should then go with their child to the designated classroom and leave the child in the care of the teacher. The first two or three weeks it may be hard for young children and parents to separate. We have found, however, that teachers can quickly gain the child s confidence and instill a sense of security if the parents do not prolong the parting. A wise rule is to let the child join his/her group alone, leaving you at the doorway. We ask that at no time you allow children to run freely in the LU hallways or in our building. RELEASE OF CHILDREN Anyone picking up a child should go first to the computer (we ask that children not use these computers) and sign the child out before proceeding to pick up the child. Your child will only be released to the persons who are identified on the Application Form as being allowed to pick up your child. These people will be given an I.D. card giving them this right and must show it to any teacher who asks. Each card has an individual code. Please do not give your code out to others. Cardholders are responsible for lost or stolen cards and must report any loss immediately to the ELC office. 8

9 PARKING FOR DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP Parking spaces have been designated for ELC parents use in the parking lot between the church and Green Hall (formally Campus North). Additional spaces are also available in the lower lot. Car clings should be placed on the windshield behind the rear view mirror. These spaces must only be used when dropping off or picking up an ELC child. They may NOT be used as parking spaces for other activities. STAFF Our staff consists of dedicated Christians who love the Lord and have a genuine love for children. All staff are trained to work with children and spend time in preparation for each day s activities. Each teacher has a health certificate on file showing them to be free from communicable disease and free of any disability which would prevent them from caring for children. We also do a National Criminal Records Check from the Central Criminal Records Exchange Department of the State Police as well as a search by the Child Protective Services Central Registry of Abuse/Neglect Investigations. Teachers are required throughout the year to attend a number of workshop or seminar hours in the field of Early Childhood Education. For the sake of the children, we try to maintain a regular schedule as much as possible. Full-time teachers are with the children during regular school day hours. It is necessary for part-time teachers to cover the extended care time after regular teachers leave. HEALTH POLICY Each child must have on file, prior to the start of the school year or summer program, a Commonwealth of Virginia School Entrance Physical and Immunization form (completed within 12 months prior to their start date). Both the physical and verification of immunization sections of the forms must be signed by a physician. Children should not come to the Center if they are ill. If your child becomes ill, you will be notified and asked o pick up the child. We ask that you notify the Center immediately if your child has been diagnosed with a communicable disease. In order to protect the student body of the Academy, we require that any student with one of the below listed illnesses/conditions be taken home and remain there until he/she has fully recovered from the illness/condition. FEVER Body temperature above normal (normal defined as 98.6 degrees). We will call parents if a child has a fever of 100 degrees or above. Your child should be observed at home for at least 24 hours after temperature has returned to normal before returning to LCA/ELC. CONJUNCTIVITIS Inflammation of the mucus membrane lining the eyelids and covering the front of the eyeball commonly known as pink eye. The child should be seen by a doctor and treated for 24 hours before returning to the Center. Your child cannot return to LCA the same day of treatment unless by permission of your doctor stating that he/she does not have contagious conjunctivitis. 9

10 THROAT CULTURES If your doctor does a throat culture on your child, he/she may not return to LCA until results of the culture are known. SCARLET FEVER An acute streptococcal infection marked by fever, sore throat and a red rash appearing most often on face, neck, upper chest and skin of arms, elbows, groin and inner aspect of thighs. Non-communicable after 24 hours of drug therapy (usually penicillin). Most children require three to four days before returning to LCA. This will allow your child time to recuperate and prevent further complications. IMPETIGO - Contagious multiple skin lesions usually on exposed portions (face, around lips and nose, fingers, elbows, leg and knees). Lesions are multiple, varying in size and shape and consist of blisters which rapidly turn into brown crusts, on a reddened base. Caused by strep or staph germs. The child is excluded from LCA until a physician authorizes the child s return- usually three to five days. CHICKEN POX - An infectious, viral disease of childhood. The incubation period after exposure can be two to three weeks, commonly 13 to 17 days. Sudden onset with fever and itchy eruptions which become small blisters within a few hours and develop in different stages (crops). The child will be excluded from LCA until the last crop has crusted and is dry. HEAD LICE - Any of various small, wingless parasitic insects that suck blood and inhabit the hair. The child will be excluded from LCA until treated and free of nits (eggs laid by the head louse). VOMITING Parents will be called to come for their child if he/she vomits during the Center day. The child should not return to LCA until free of vomiting for 24 hours. DIARRHEA Parents will be called to come for their child if he/she is experiencing diarrhea during the Center day. The child should not return to LCA until free from diarrhea for 24 hours. 10

11 RUNNY NOSE If the mucus coming from the nose seems to be infectious (is yellow/green in color), the parent will be called to pick up the child. MEDICATIONS: A student requiring medication or who is under a doctor s care should usually remain at home. However, if a child does require medication at school, parents must complete and sign the ELC medication authorization form located in the office. This form is required by the state. Forms are valid for ten days. Medicine should be brought by a parent in the original prescription bottle with the child s name on it and the name of the medication. All medication must be placed out of the reach of any child never in the classroom. Only specially trained staff (MATT trained) shall administer medication. INJURY: If a student is injured at the LCA Early Learning Center, the teacher will report it to the office. If necessary, parents will be notified immediately. An injury report will be completed and must be signed by the parent upon pick-up. This form will remain in the child s file. ACCIDENT INSURANCE Liberty Christian Academy Early Learning Center does not carry accidental injury insurance on the students. PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE Liberty Christian Academy Early Learning Center is covered by public liability insurance. STUDENT APPEARANCE It is important that your child be comfortable and not concerned with having to keep clean. We do ask that dress be neat and modest with only appropriate wording on T-shirts or hats. We discourage superhero clothing. Play clothes that can be easily cared for are fine. Please be sure all clothing, including hats, boots, coats, gloves, socks and undergarments are clearly labeled with your child s name. Bring a change of clothing to be left at the Center, in case of an accident. (Any emergency clothing sent home should be returned promptly.) Seasonal clothing changes should be made throughout the year. Hair fads such as rat-tails or below the collar cuts for boys are not allowed. Boys may not wear earrings. OUTDOOR PLAY The children play outdoors almost every day. Please send your child in clothes suitable for outdoor play and according to the weather. We do not have staff available to stay indoors with a child who is too sick to go out. If there are special medical problems which you feel require that your child not go outside on a particular day these should be discussed with the Administration. 11

12 FIELD TRIPS Field trips will be taken periodically to enhance your child s learning experiences. Your signature on the application will give permission for your child to go on these trips. Notification of these trips will be given in advance. Watch for information about them on your class calendar or on the parent message board. A child will not be permitted to stay at the Center if he/she arrives after that child s class has left for the field trip, unless space is available in an age appropriate class. NOTES, MEMOS, MESSAGES Any announcements will be either placed in your child s folder or cubby, or posted on the bulletin board in your child s classroom. Be sure to check these locations each day for upcoming events or important announcements. PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES EMERGENCY CONTACT: Please be sure we have current phone numbers to contact a parent in case there is a serious emergency. CLASS PARTIES: During the year special occasions and holidays are celebrated with classroom parties. Teachers will ask for parent help or goodies from those who are able to assist. Whenever a mom or dad is able to come to visit or help, it makes it a great day for that special child. PROGRAMS: Our children prepare special programs for family and friends at various times during the school year. Plenty of notice will be given on dates and times and we do ask that every child and parent be present. SUPPORT: Parents are asked to become acquainted with your child s school, staff, curriculum and activities. Talk with your child daily about experiences and lessons learned. Check with teachers on themes and upcoming activities. Read to your child often and teach him/her by word and example a respect for God, for law, for the authority of the school, and for the rights and property of others. A parent support group exists to encourage and help our staff. If you are interested in helping with this group or in learning more about it, please ask in our office. 12

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