First Presbyterian Preschool
Philosophy
The Preschool at First Presbyterian Church is an extension of the ministry to the children and families of this church and outreach to the children and families of this community.
Children are a gift from God. We are given the privilege of guiding them as they grow through the most formative years of their lives. We are dedicated to assisting families in all areas of their child’s education: spiritual, mental, physical, social, and emotional. We believe that children learn best through play and a variety of hands-on experiences. Emphasis is placed on the whole child, and our goal is to provide experiences that will help the child develop to his/her full potential as a child of God.
Specific Objectives
To provide a positive environment in which the child will develop an interest in learning.
To provide activities that are conducive to developing listening, vision, motor, and social skills.
To aid the child in developing a positive self-image.
To introduce cognitive material in a developmentally appropriate manner.
To explore the world of the child through art, music, and nature.
To recognize and celebrate certain religious and national holidays.
To provide experiences that enhance religious awareness.
To develop an awareness in the child of caring for God’s world.
General Information
Preschool
Our Preschool program builds upon skills learned throughout the years. Children, 10 weeks through 5 years of age by August are enrolled in preschool program. Children will engage in many activities that will develop their social, emotional, and developmental skills. Our goal is to prepare your child for a smooth transition into kindergarten.
Chapel
All children will participate in weekly Chapel times. This is an incrediby special time. W believe that all chilren are an amazing gift from God. The children will hear stories, sing, and have prager. We want all children to know that God created them and loves each one in a special way.
Hours
Our regular day hours are from 9:00-2:00 each day. Children in the 2, 3, 4, and K-Prep classes are dropped off and picked up in “carline” each day. The hours for carline are 8:50-9:10 and 1:50-2:10. Children in the Infant, Toddler, and 2-year-old classes (if you choose not to do carline) are to be walked into the front doors. We will check them in from there. Our Extended Hours are from 7:30-8:50 and 2-4:30. Your child must be registed for Extended Hours to participate in that program.
Fees and Tuition
We are a self-supporting, non-profit organization, and all fees are used to provide the best teachers, equipment, and supplies possible.
A registration fee is due along with the application in order to register for the upcoming school year. Church members and currently enrolled children and their families have priority in registrationl
If your child must withdraw from First Presbyterian Preschool at any time during the year, we request 2 weeks to allow us to fill the opening. Please notify the Preschool Director of this need as soon as possible.
Supply and snack fees are due in August and January of each school year.
Parents will receive a tuition envelope on or before the first of each month, which should be returned with your tuition by the 10th of each month.
Months with holidays have the same monthly rate as others.
Deductions dannot be made for sickness or absence of any kind.
If your child misses their regularly scheduled school day, they cannot make those days up on other school days.
Checks should be made out to First Presbyterian Preschool and placed in your child’s folder inside their tuition envelope.
Late Payment Charges
There is a $25 late fee for all checks received after the 15th of the month.
There is a $25 fee for all returned checks. Two returned checks will result in cash only payments.
If your child is not picked by 2:10, they will go to our aftercare program and the extended care fee will be charged.
There is a $5 fee for each 10 minutes of late pick up after 4:30 each day.
We realize that emergencies do arise. If something comes up to delay you from picking up your child, please call the preschool office and let us know as soon as possible.
Personal Items
Your child’s name should be on their bags, lunchbox, cups, coats, hats, and gloves. For infants, please label bottles, formula, pacifier, and other items they might bring.
Children will go outside each day that weather permits, so please dress you child accordingly including hats and gloves. Cold weather will not keep us in unless temperatures are below freezing.
Children should wear play clothes that they can handle independently. One-piece “bubble” suits for girls and overalls for boys are difficult to get off and on in the bathroom, so these should not be worn. We recommend pants or shorts that pull up without a belt.
Dress up clothes should not be worn to school. These things that are special to your children can get stained or torn during activities at school. Play clothes are the most appropriate clothing for school.
Each child must bring a COMPLETE (shirt, pants, underwear, and socks) change of clothes in their bag each day. Accidents do happen, and it helps the children if they have their clothes to change into. Please send several extra sets if your child is potty training.
Children must wear shoes that support and protect their feet. Cowboy boots, flip flops, and clogs are not permitted. Accidents are likely to occur indoors or on the playground, when the children are not wearing appropriate shoes. Tennis shoes are the BEST and should be worn each day.
If your child will be bringing a special blanket or “lovie” for rest time, please have those in their backpacks when they arrive at school.
Please do not allow your child to wear or to bring jewelry to school. We do not want hurt feelings over broken or lost jewelry.
Health
A current physician’s immunization is required by the State of Arkansas for each child. We require you to supply a new up-to-date form each year. We recommend your child be immunized to attend First Presbyterian Church Preschool. If your child is not, a letter is required from the State of Arkansas to be exempt and from your doctor stating the reasons.
The State Department of Human Resources states that a child who is ill should not attend school. These are the guidelines that you should use before sending your child to school:
Children should be fever free without the aid of medication (Tylenol or Advil) before returning to school for 24 hours or on antibiotics and fever free for 24 hours. If a child is sent home from school with a fever, they should not come back to school the following day. If a child is sent home during the school day, the parent will need to sign a form acknowledging they are not to return the next day.
A child with a bad cold/flu-like symptoms should not attend school.
Any child who has vomited or had diarrhea within the last 24 hours cannot attend school for at least an additional 24 hours.
Any child with a suspected concussion should not attend school.
Any child with fever 99 degrees or above, cough, and/or has tested positive for COVID or has a family member (who resides with them) that has tested positive for COVID should not attend school.
If you child becomes ill at school, we will call the mother first to pick up the child, father nest, and then move down the child’s emergency list in their file. If you plan to be unavailable when your child is at school, notify someone on your emergency list and send a note letting us know who to call if there is an emergency. If a parent cannot be found in an emergency, it can be an even more frightening experience for your child.
Accidents
Accidents will happen with young children, even with careful monitoring. Any time we treat your child following an accident, you will receive an accident report. If the accident is severe, we will call you immediately. If your child has a hard blow to the head or a major cut, we will call you and 911. It is our policy to always notify you in the case of an accident; however, please be aware that sometimes you might notice bumps or scrapes that the child did not call to our attention.
Medicine
It is our policy not to administer medication to any child. However, if the child has food allergies, is allergic to insect stings or any bites, we need to have prescribed mediation on hand at all times. If your child has a severe food allergy, we MUST have written instructions from you and your child’s doctor describing the allergy and steps to follow in case of a reaction. If your child’s allergy is severe enough to require an EpiPen or possibly need an inhaler, you must send it each day in your child’s bag, or we cannot accept your child that day.
Special Days
Birthdays are very special days at First Presbyterian Preschool. We want to celebrate with your child. You are more than welcome to send a special snack to help celebrate your child’s birthday. We will be happy to send party invitations home with the children in your child’s class if there is an inviation for each child. Children see things clipped to their bag, and we do not want any hurt feelings if someone is left out.
We love to celebrate the holidays as well. Your child’s class will have several parties throughout the year. Your child’s teacher will notify you about ways in which you can help with party.
Food and Snacks
Children are to bring a lunch from home each day. Lunches should be in a lunch box or container separate from their backpack. You know which foods your child enjoys. However, children often bring too much food, and it is wasted. These guidelines are provided to cut down on waste.
Please make every effort to send healthy foods. Fruit and a few chips or crackers are good. Pre-cut up meat and cheese or vegetable sticks are also good ideas.
We do not allow carbonated / canned beverages of any kind. If your child has a “lunchable” please remove canned and / or carbonated drinks.
Please do not send items that must be heated.
Please do not send gum or candy in your child’s lunch.
All lunch boxes and containers must be labeled with your child’s name.
DHS requires that lunches are to be well balanced each day. We are required to supplement fruit, veggies, etc. if needed. Please keep this in mind when packing your child’s lunch.