Nutrition Break

Grown-ups are required to provide a healthy snack and beverage for their child. Fruit, vegetables, cheese, crackers, juice, and flavored water are all options that are recommended. Sugary or salty treats should be brought for birthdays and special occasions only. Below you will find a chart with proper portion sizes for a growing child. It is recommended that growing children consume two of the four components for a healthy snack:

​

Food Components Portion Size Fluid Milk 1/2 cup

Fruit or Vegetable 1/2 cup Grains or Breads 1/3 cup Meat/Meat Alternate/Dairy 2 oz.

 

Collaboration

In small groups the teacher guides the class to focus on a specific skill set or goal. At this time each child is involved in a lesson with others at a similar skill level. The teacher or aide will sit with each small group to ensure best practice.

​

Dismissal

At 3:00pm the teacher will open the door to begin dismissal. Adults must be on the authorized pickup list and have a photo ID available for staff to verify identity. This time can also be used to talk with the teacher regarding any important questions or updates. This may be modified due to COVID-19 restrictions, additional information will be available at the start of the school year. Each child must be signed out by a parent or guardian.

 

Calendar and Monthly Themes

The teacher will create a monthly theme for the class that will relate to an area of STEAM, and it will also include a program learning goal for that month. Activities throughout the week will tie into the current theme. The calendar and newsletter will also include any special subject matter the teachers want to convey to the grown-ups. This is a great tool to help you keep track of timelines, essential dates or special events for the program.

​

Classroom Jobs

One way to create a sense of ownership and responsibility is incorporating classroom jobs. The teacher will create a job chart to assign each child a special job for the week. For instance, the

“electrician” will oversee turning off and on the lights when we come and go for outdoor exploration, the “meteorologist” will report on the weather during the Learning Lab Team Meeting and the

“nutritionist” will help clean up for snack time. These simple helping tasks are a fun way to teach antibias inclusion and remove gender or socio-economic exclusions in achieving STEAM careers.

 

Communication: Brightwheel

Families will be able to communicate via Brightwheel. Brightwheel is a great tool to have direct contact with the program, you’ll be able to message staff, receive daily updates, share photos and access the activity calendar. Families can sign up for Brightwheel through an invite that will be emailed by the Recreation Coordinator.

 

Program Expectations

We have a few rules to keep children, staff and our facilities safe. Rules will be discussed weekly with reminders throughout the week. Please review with your child prior to the start of program:

• Follow directions; listen to, respect and cooperate with others

• Respect the park, facilities and animals

• Wear shoes at all times while in program

• Do not bring toys or valuables from home

• No sharing of food with children or staff

 

Child Behaviors

We realize children will sometimes have a difficult day; they may become aggressive with others, have a difficult time listening or make unsafe choices. Our first approach is always through positive communication to aid in problem solving skills, appropriate emotional behaviors, and healthier self direction. When this proves ineffective, we have a three-step process that all staff follow.

1. Redirection: focuses on the intent of the behavior and allows the child to the change course of

2. Limited choice: if the behavior persists, the child is then given two appropriate choices from the staff. Each choice is a safe resolution to the problem at hand

3. Removal from the activity: if the child is still not able to make a safe choice, then the teacher will remove the child from the activity and refocus their energy until the child is ready to make safe and kind choices

In the event of a major disruption, the child’s grown-up will be contacted and if necessary, a conference will be held to discuss a solution. Our Social Worker can also be an option if the behavior continues.

​

Things to Bring

• Play Clothes - Children should wear clothes that can get dirty. Please feel free to pack a change of clothes for your child if needed. Appropriate clothing for the current day’s weather is recommended.

• Shoes - Children must arrive with closed-toed shoes to be able to run in.

• Backpack - Please ensure that your child’s bag is light enough to carry. Your child’s backpack should have a weather appropriate change of clothes and their snack. Two shoulder strapped bags are suggested.

• Snack - Children will eat morning snack near 10 a.m. Please provide a health snack that your child will enjoy.

• Water - Refillable water bottles are recommended. Water breaks are encouraged throughout the day to keep hydrated. Staff will assist with refilling of water bottles

• ​

What NOT to Bring

We are not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen belongings. Toys, valuables, and electronics are not recommended.

​

Lost and Found

We ask that you label all your child’s belongings so that we can do our best to return lost items to the right person. Staff will remind children at every transition to collect all their belongings and do their best to sweep the areas and identify/return missing items. All items not returned to children by the end of the session will be donated.

​

Restroom

Your child is required to be completely potty trained before the first day of school. Pull-ups and diapers may not be used at preschool. A child that is completely potty trained will be able to:

• Identify the specific signs from their body that it is time to use the restroom

• Make the decision to stop their current activity and go to the restroom

• Undress and dress themselves

• Thoroughly wipe and clean themselves after using the restroom

 

Teachers are available to assist with buttons and zippers. If a child needs help, the teacher can talk the child through the process, but they cannot enter the restroom stall with them.

 

Accidents

We understand that accidents can happen, and it is a natural, normal process during early childhood. We will talk them through removing their soiled clothing and then place the soiled clothes into a plastic bag and change into clean clothes. We do not always have spare clothes, so please send a clean pair of weather appropriate clothing for your child to change into in case of an accident. These clothes can be left in their backpack or cubby in a Ziploc bag with their name on it.

 

Emergency Procedures

In the event of an emergency, staff have your child’s safety as their top priority. If an emergency arises, all grown-ups will be notified and provided details as soon as possible. Authorities will also be contacted, and children will not be released to their grown-ups until the proper authorities have deemed the situation safe. The following will describe the actions taken during a potential emergency.

 

Lockdown

• Teacher will gather all children and perform a headcount

• Aide will escort children to the safest area of the room, away from all windows and doors

• A white circle will be placed in the window of the door to alert approaching grown-ups that we are in

         a state of lockdown

• Teacher will do a final search of the room and collect classroom keys, first aid kit, emergency binder and sign-in sheet

​

Fire/Evacuation

• Teacher will gather all children and perform a headcount

• Aide will escort the children to the safest area of the site

• Teacher will do a final search of the room and collect classroom keys, first aid kit, emergency binder and sign-in sheet

 

Special Events

We will have a few “come together” days where both classes will come together for a field trip or special event.

​

Birthdays

Birthdays are important days to children and our staff enjoying sharing this special celebration. We sing, “Happy Birthday,” to children during snack time and have a birthday sticker for them to wear. Children may bring a treat to share with their classmates to celebrate. We understand not all families celebrate birthdays, please speak with your teacher if you prefer not to have a classroom celebration.

​

Field Trips*

Grown-up participation field trip are scheduled throughout the year and will be listed on the monthly calendar. Families are responsible for their own transportation to and from the destination and are required to stay the entire time. Notices will be given out the week prior to the field trip that will give specific information, fees (if any), directions and if siblings are able to join.

​

Special Days*

The school year includes special days such as a Harvest Festival, Winter Celebration, cooking parties and others to enhance and bring to reality our weekly curriculum. At the end of the year there is a family barbeque and a graduation ceremony for all classrooms. Additional information is provided prior to each event along with sign-up sheets for donations of food and supplies. Check your child’s classroom for a sign-up list prior to the event.

*Pending COVID-19 restrictions. Additional information for the 2021-2022 field trips and special events

will be provided at the start of the school year.

​

Administration

Use of Photographs and Videos

Photos and video may be taken of the program for publication in our recreation activities guide, social media, website and other promotional use. Please note on the Student Information Form if you object to your child’s image being used.