Early Education Center
Windham Northeast Supervisory Union
(802) 463-1612 ext. 215
2008-2009
MISSION STATEMENT
Windham Northeast Supervisory Union’s Early Education Center will provide a healthy, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment in which children can grow intellectually, emotionally, and physically. We will support children’s learning through play, providing play experiences that allow children to develop and accumulate their own knowledge. We will provide educational opportunities that inspire children to create, explore, and ask questions. The Early Education Center is a safe and positive learning environment where each child’s self esteem and uniqueness will be supported.
WELCOME...
Welcome to Windham Northeast Supervisory Union’s Early Education Center. Our program was started because of your school district’s commitment to quality preschool for all children. This handbook has been compiled to help you understand our program, philosophy, policies and other general information about the Early Education Center.
WNESU Early Education Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. This means our preschool has voluntarily undergone a comprehensive process of internal self-study, invited external professional review to verify compliance with the criteria for High Quality Early Childhood Programs, and been found to be in substantial compliance with the criteria.
PHILOSOPHY
The curriculum at Windham Northeast Supervisory Union’s Early Education Center is continually evaluated so that we evolve to meet the needs of every child. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of three to five year olds with different levels of maturity, ability, attention span, interests, and experiences. We build on children’s strengths to expand all aspects of their growth and development.
Our approach to teaching children is based on the premise that all children learn through play. Every experience is a learning opportunity for a child. We provide children with an environment to explore, investigate, and be active in their own learning. All activities are informal, non-competitive and rewarding; reinforcing to children that learning is fun.
Children at the Early Education Center are encouraged to draw upon their strengths as they develop a positive self-image. Our goal in this approach to teaching is to prepare children for a lifelong love of learning. We will be working to prepare our students to enter Kindergarten, and the rest of their school years, as eager, confident learners.
READINESS
At the Early Education Center we are always working to prepare children for beginning Kindergarten as eager, confident learners. Our knowledge of child development provides a foundation for our teaching. We know that children learn best in an environment where their physical and psychological needs are met because they feel safe, valued as unique individuals, and are actively involved in acquiring new skills and knowledge. We use the Vermont Early Learning Standards to guide our curriculum development. If you would like to sign out a copy of the Vermont Early Learning Standards, it is in our family library.
Readiness is:
A child who is happy because he likes himself and believes he is a worthwhile person.
A child who expresses emotion and accepts hugs and signs of affection.
A child who listens when people speak to her, because people listen when she speaks.
A child who loves to do the simple tasks she can do because she is proud of her abilities.
A child who wants to learn to do other tasks not yet tried because he has succeeded and knows he will get the help he needs to succeed again.
A child who asks questions knowing that she will be answered.
A child who speaks for himself because he knows that people think what he has to say is important.
A child who loves rhythm and sound.
A child who can sit peacefully for a short period of time to accomplish an activity.
A child who notices the differences between shapes and colors and who notices similarities.
A child who is eager to visit places and people outside the home.
A child who feels the thrill of being capable and is increasingly able to cope.
A child who can follow simple directions to complete a task.
A child who enjoys using new sounds, and finding the names of new things.
A child who can make simple decisions and live with them.
A child who has learned to identify a problem and to choose a solution.
A child who understands that his actions cause things to happen.
DAILY DETAILS
OUR ROUTINE
The daily routine at The Early Education Center exists so children have the security of knowing “what comes next”. Within the familiar routine, the schedule is flexible to accommodate the interests of children and any special guests, field trips or weather. We have scheduled a drop-off “window” to accommodate different families’ morning routines.
Every day children will find the schedule (in print and pictures) on the schedule board. Each preschool day includes circle time, activity time, playground, snack, and story. Children may work on special projects related to the current curriculum focus or they may pursue their own interests in activity centers.
Every week the children go to Central Elementary School’s Library, have music and movement and participate in art activities.
ARRIVAL AND PICK-UP
The safety of children always comes first. Therefore, all children must be escorted into the building and signed in by a parent or other authorized adult.
At the end of the day, children must be picked up by a parent, guardian or other authorized adult. An adult is only “authorized” if he or she is listed on that child’s “Emergency Information” form. A parent may call the Early Ed. Center if they have an emergency and need to have another person pick their child up. The person must be described to the staff and the parent must provide the person with a signed note authorizing the child’s release. Staff will ask for identification of anyone not known to them.
The only exception to this is that we are required, along with all childcare centers, to release a child to either parent. If one parent is not to pick a child up, we must have a copy of a court order, stating that the parent is not permitted to pick the child up, in our files.
Tues-Thurs Group:
Drop-off is from 7:30-8:00. Arriving by 8:00 allows your child to settle in to the group before circle starts at 8:30. Joining the group late makes it difficult for your child to transition smoothly from home to school; it is also disruptive to the other children in the class. School ends at 1:30.
Mon-Wed-Fri Group:
Drop-off is from 8:00-8:30. Arriving by 8:30 allows your child to settle in to the group before circle starts at 9:00. Joining the group late makes it difficult for your child to transition smoothly from home to school; it is also disruptive to the other children in the class. School ends at 11:30.
ABSENCES
If a child is absent for any reason, please call and let us know.
OUTSIDE PLAY
Outside activities and play are an important part of our daily program. If a child is well enough to be in school, s/he is expected to participate in outdoor activities. Children need to be dressed appropriately for weather conditions with footwear safe for physical activities. Children will not go outside when the temperature (with the wind chill) falls below ten degrees.
COMMUNICATION
Home-School communication is very important. Each family has a mailbox, which should be checked daily. There are monthly newsletters as well as letters of general information, etc. There is also a bulletin board on which we post information. Parents who have something they would like to share with other parents may give it to the Head Teacher for posting.
Families new to the school get Home Visits in the fall. As parents, you know your child better than anyone else; we hope to learn all about your child from you. Home visits are a very effective way for us to get to know each other in a more relaxed environment. We are always happy to have parent conferences and any other meetings at your home for any families that prefer it.
Parent-Teacher Conferences are held twice per year, once in the fall and once in the spring. Conferences take place at the school or during home visits. This is a time for parents and teachers to talk about the child and his or her progress. It is also a good time to address any concerns you may have about how your child is doing. We want parents to visit, observe, offer suggestions and let us know how they think we are doing. You are invited to meet with us at any time.
Parent Concerns are taken seriously. If you have a concern about your child or about the program, please let the teachers know as soon as possible. We want to work through your concerns with you and need to be aware of what they are to resolve them. It is much easier to resolve any issues as they occur rather than waiting for a long period of time. We will take the appropriate action necessary to resolve any parent concern or question.
If, after speaking to the teacher, your concerns remain unresolved, you can make an appointment with the Director of Student Support Services (the WNESU administrator for this program 463-1612). Should your concern require further discussion, make an appointment with the superintendent or the assistant superintendent. They can be reached at 463-9958. If meeting with the above mentioned people does not satisfactorily resolve your problem, you may request a meeting with the School Board. Additionally, we are licensed by the state of Vermont. Childcare licensing can be reached at 1-(800) 649-2642.
We have an Open Door Policy at The Early Education Center. We invite you to visit your children at any time. If your child seems to be having difficulty settling in to school, we suggest that you wait a few weeks for them to become comfortable before your first visit. We encourage you to talk to us on a daily basis about any concerns you may have.
As part of our ongoing mission to improve our program, we have an Annual Family Survey. This survey each January provides us with invaluable information about how the Early Education Center works for our families and what we could do to make it work better.
CONFIDENTIALITY
All information provided to the Early Education Center is considered confidential. We do not share this information with other agencies without a parent’s permission or a compelling reason (such as a subpoena or in the case of suspected abuse or neglect). Information about children is shared only with school professionals who are directly responsible for the children.
GUIDANCE & DISCIPLINE
The primary goal of guidance and discipline is to allow for maximum social and emotional growth for individual children within the group setting. Children will be physically safe; they will gain self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-control. They will learn how to work together to solve problems.
Teachers will work with children in creating the basic classroom rules. The rules emphasize the positive and lay the groundwork for future expectations. Teachers will remind children of the rules in positive language, stating consequences (“We can’t do a puzzle if you throw the pieces around. Let’s get those pieces and do the puzzle together.”)
The interventions teachers use to address children’s mistaken behavior are firm but friendly. The interventions are solution-oriented but not punitive. Children will be given choices, not “time-outs”.
If inappropriate behaviors persist, the Head Teacher will schedule a meeting with the parents. The child may be present at this meeting, depending on the circumstances. Our goal is to use positive means to solve problems when working with children and families.
HEALTH
We recommend that children attending preschool have annual physical exams. Health forms and immunizations records must be provided to the Early Education Center prior to a child’s attendance.
The following is for the protection and well-being of your child, your child’s classmates, and the staff. Children who are ill may return to school only when they are no longer contagious, are able to be outside, and are in compliance with the following recommended time frames:
COLD 24 hours after the child’s temperature returns to normal
STREP THROAT 24 hours after medication is begun or 4 doses of medication
PINK EYE Eyes are free of discharge
CHICKEN POX 6 days after the onset of the rash & after the last sore has scabbed
IMPETIGO 48 hours after medication is begun and all sores are scabbed over
HEAD LICE After first treatment and a head check by the school nurse
SCABIES After doctor’s recommended treatment
VOMITING 12 hours after symptoms have disappeared and child feels well
FEVER 24 hours after fever has disappeared and child feels well
DIARRHEA 12 hours after symptoms have disappeared and child feels well
Please notify us if your child gets head lice, scabies, or other communicable conditions.
Anita Carlson-Allen, RN is the school nurse for Central Elementary School. She is available to answer your immunization or other health questions 463-4346.
MEDICATIONS
We encourage parents to (whenever possible) set their child’s medication schedule for outside of school hours. The Early Education Center is only permitted to administer medications prescribed by a physician. A parent or guardian must sign a permission slip for us to administer the medication and include specific times to do so. All containers of medication must include the original label, child’s name, prescription name, dosage and physician’s name. An adult must hand any medications brought in to a teacher. Parents must adhere to this medication policy at all times.
SNACKS & LUNCH
The Early Education Center provides a daily snack. Nutrition is a primary consideration when planning the snacks served at WNESU’s Early Education Center. Each month’s snack calendar is posted on the bulletin board for your examination.
We provide lunch for children in the Tuesday-Thursday group from the beginning of school until after April Vacation. After the April Vacation, we will walk to Central Elementary School for lunch. At that time, families begin paying for lunch (free and reduced lunch forms will be used to determine if families pay full price, reduced price, or receive free lunch. Children may, of course bring their own lunches.
We participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program to defray some of the cost of the healthy snacks and lunch we serve to children. The amount of money we receive is directly proportional to the income levels of the families we serve. We ask that all parents, regardless of income, complete the forms that determine this figure. All information is kept strictly confidential.
CLOSURES & CALENDAR
We follow the WNESU school calendar. In the event of a snow day, delayed opening, or other closure, you will get a phone call from our automated call system. Additionally, closures will be posted on the internet at www.wnesu.org beginning at 6:00 a.m.
Windham Northeast Supervisory Union
2008-2009 Calendar
August 27 First Day of Classes (Grades Pre-K to 12)
September 1 Labor Day, No School
September 17 Network Day, No School
October 23 & 24 Teachers’ Convention, No School
November 25 Parent Conferences/Inservice, No School
November 26-28 Thanksgiving Recess
December 24-January 2 December Recess
January 19 Martin Luther King Day, No School
February 16-20 February Recess
March 2 Teacher Inservice No School
March 3 Town Meeting, No School
April 20-24 Spring Recess
May 5 Preschool Screening Day, No School
May 25 Memorial Day, No School
June 16 Last Day of School
GENERAL INFORMATION
PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Every family with a child enrolled at the Early Education Center is expected to volunteer one hour a month in the classroom. This time is invaluable to the home/school connection. We start the parent volunteer program in October, after the children have begun to settle into the routines. You may sign up on the parent bulletin board.
The goal of the parent volunteer program goes beyond securing extra help in the classroom. We believe that parents, working in the preschool, are able to get insight into how their child and other children the same age work and play together. We hope that parents will observe the teachers and learn new approaches to every day activities with their children. In volunteering at the Early Education Center, we expect that you will experience many things: surprises, joys, challenges, funny moments, and many opportunities for personal growth.
Here are some “Guidelines for Parent Volunteers” to help you maximize your volunteer time.
¨ Play with children. Listen to their ideas and plans; ask them questions to help them verbalize their play. Try being attentive to the way the teachers interact with the children.
¨ Ask yourself: is there a child who looks uninvolved in the activities? You could help him/her join a group or perhaps work one on one. Other children often join an adult who is playing with toys or doing a puzzle with just one child.
¨ Ask to help the teacher leading the art activity.
¨ Help with bundling-up for playground while encouraging children to develop self-help skills.
¨ Oversee and assist children in practicing good hygiene: in carefully washing their hands upon arrival, after using the toilet, and before eating.
¨ Go to the book area and start reading, the children love to sit on the couch and listen to books. This is particularly helpful during the transition after snack.
¨ Please refrain from conversations with adults about non-school topics (political debate, friend’s surgeries, etc.).
¨ Respect the confidentiality of any information about students and their families you may receive in the course of your volunteer work.
Volunteers should feel free to ask questions when things come up that they do not understand. We love to talk about our practice and will try to answer your questions as soon as it is possible.
FIELD TRIPS
Field Trips are an important part of learning. Parents must sign the field trip permission slip included in the registration packet. Fortunately, we are able to walk to many of our field trip destinations due to our central location, although we may use school buses as needed.
EXTRA CLOTHING
Please bring in a set of extra clothing for your child. The clothing should be labeled with the child’s full name. If a child’s clothes become wet and there is no extra clothing available, we will call you to bring in a clean outfit. If your child goes home in the extra set of clothing, please remember to bring in another set.
TOYS FROM HOME
We prefer that toys from home stay at home. Toys from home can disrupt the morning arrival and routine.
FIRE DRILLS
The Early Education Center, in accordance with state regulations, conducts monthly fire drills throughout the year. Children must wear footwear at all times. During the winter, a pair of slippers or extra shoes for use indoors should be brought in.
ABUSE AND NEGLECT
The Child Care Services Division and the State of Vermont require all staff members of child care programs to report any and all suspected child abuse or neglect. As early childhood professionals, it is the responsibility and obligation of the staff to report any and all suspicions to the appropriate state agencies. The WNESU school board policy on the reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect is attached.
FAMILY LIBRARIES
We have a Lending Library with books on children’s health and development, parenting, family life, and activity ideas. Feel free to sign out any book you are interested in. If you have read a book that should be added to the library, please let a teacher know.
Additionally, we have a shelf of children’s books from the Rockingham Free Public Library. You may sign out books for any child in your family.
LICENSING REGULATIONS
The State of Vermont Children’s Day Care Licensing Regulations for Early Childhood Programs is available for parents to review. If you would like to sign-out a copy, just ask. The regulations are also available on the state web site at: www.state.vt.us/srs/childcare/license.htm. You may also call Child Care Services Division at 1-800-649-2642 to request a copy for yourself.
EEE SCREENINGS
Essential Early Education offers free screenings to all children in the towns of Athens, Grafton, Rockingham, and Westminster. Screenings are a brief assessment of a child’s development in many areas. If you would like your child to be screened for speech/language, motor skills, social skills, learning concepts, or other areas of development, please let the head teacher know.
NO SMOKING
The Early Education Center is a non-smoking facility. Smoking is never permitted in the building, on the playground, or in the presence of children at the school.
REMINDER
If you have any questions, please feel comfortable knowing that our staff cares about your child’s well being and is here to answer your questions. Do not hesitate to seek answers or address your concerns! We look forward to working with you to help your child grow, develop and learn.
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