Abacus 2010-2011 Parent Handbook

Learning through play and friendship

Our Purpose is…

to provide a high quality educational program
to encourage learning outside the home
to foster new friendships
to develop children’s ability to share, take turns and solve problems
to create a happy atmosphere where children can develop at their own rate.

DAYS AND HOURS OF OPERATION

Abacus is open Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the following exceptions:

September 6 Labor Day
November 11 Veteran's Day
December 23 through January 2 Christmas Break
February 14 through February 18 Winter Break
April 18 through April 22 Spring Break
May 30 Memorial Day
July 1 Graduation Day
July 4 through July 8 Summer Break
August 22 through August 26 Cleaning and Planning Week

CURRICULUM

My curriculum is based on the understanding that children learn through interactions with their peers and adults, through independent play with materials, and through hands-on experiences prepared by adults.

I strive for a balance between planned projects and the spontaneous exploration of topics or materials based on the children’s interests. Planned activities are designed to foster skills in all areas of development: social, emotional, fine motor, gross motor, language, and cognitive.

TUITION POLICIES

At Abacus parents prepay for the following week. Payment is due by Friday at 5:00. If payment is not received by this deadline then you have until Monday morning to settle your account or your child will NOT be permitted to stay at Abacus until the account is in good standing.

After two late payments in a calendar year Abacus reserves the right to terminate enrollment. Abacus Tuition is a flat rate of $155/week. Full payment is still due when your child misses school for any reason. Full payment is also still due on weeks that contain holidays. The full weeks that Abacus is closed the tuition rate is cut in half so $77.50 is due on the Friday before vacation and $155 will be due on the Monday you return from vacation to cover that week (remember you are prepaying for the week ahead). If you receive state subsidy then your weekly payment will be determined based upon your certificate.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY

In the event that you choose to withdraw your child from Abacus prior to your contract agreement a written one month notice is required. Without prior notice you will be responsible for one month's tuition.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Children between three years of age and six years of age are eligible for enrollment. All children MUST be FULLY potty trained before entering the program. Children must possess the developmental maturity to separate from parents and to participate in our structured full-day program. I understand there will be an adjustment period for your child. A reasonable amount of time will be allowed for your child to adjust. Any decisions made after this will be in collaboration with the parents and in the best interest of your child. Abacus accepts children regardless of sex, race, religion or national origin.

ILLNESS

At Abacus I do my best to keep our children healthy but this can only be done with the support of parents. If your child is sick please keep him or her home. If he or she becomes sick during the day I will call you to pick up your child.

Please make note of the following symptoms to be aware of in a sick child. If you are aware of any of these signs of illness, we ask that you please keep your child home or if these symptoms develop during the day we will contact parents to pick up your child.

Fever – 100 Fahrenheit from the armpit
Sore throat with fever and or having difficulty swallowing
Diarrhea
Heavy nasal discharge (green or yellow in color)
Ear drainage
Sores in mouth or nose
Open wounds
Stomachache – continuous or one that increases in severity
Vomiting – two or more times in a 24 hour period
Persistent cough
Undiagnosed rash
Sore or discharging eyes, ears, or throat
If your child is unable to participate due to physical discomfort

Once your child is symptom free for 24 hours or has a physician’s note stating that he/she no longer poses a serious health risk, he/she may return

If your child contracts any of the following diseases, please notify the director immediately:

Chicken Pox
German Measles
Mumps
Strep Throat
Lice
Conjunctivitis
Impetigo
Scabies

Your child may not return to school without a doctor’s note stating that the child presents no risk to himself/herself or others.

Children who are not well enough to go outside for playtime are not well enough to come to school. If your child becomes sick during the day, the teacher will inform the parents by telephone. Parents are responsible for arranging for or picking up the child from school soon after notification.

Abacus staff does not administer medication to children without a prescription or Doctors note.

Parents will be notified if your child incurs a head injury while at school.

Notes will be sent home for minor cuts and scratches.

*Please be sure to keep all information on your child current. Notify us immediately if there is a change in address or phone number(s). If there is an emergency we need to be able to contact you.

REST TIME

Your child will be allowed a rest period each day. If your child can not sleep he or she will be given a quiet activity to do for the remainder of naptime. Parents are required to provide bedding for your child. Bedding will be sent home to be laundered on Fridays. Please send back to school on Mondays.

FOOD

A simple and nutritious snack is served mid-morning and mid-afternoon every day. Teachers do cooking projects with the children and use them as snacks. If your child has any food allergies it is imperative that you inform the School. This information should be in writing on the medical form. Children are required to bring a healthy cold lunch. Candy, gum, and soda are not permitted.

RELIGIOUS STATEMENT

I respect all religions and beliefs at Abacus. Religion is not part of my curriculum, but your child may be exposed to religious themes in stories and during holidays. I will also ask your child to say thank you before meals.

Holidays are a fun way to teach children about the different beliefs and cultures that surround them. Your children will be introduced to a variety of holiday themes and activities throughout the school year. I will post all themes and activities in advance. If at any time you have any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to speak to Ms. Joyce.

CHILD GUIDANCE

I use positive methods of child management, which encourage self-control, self-direction, and cooperation. Rules and limits are clearly explained and consistently applied. No child will be expected to perform behavior which is beyond his/her comprehension or ability.

If your child’s behavior does become extreme; unsafe to himself/herself or others we will contact parents for support. If the behavior is consistent a conference will be scheduled. As a very last resort we will consider the termination of your child from the Abacus program.

DROPPING OFF/PICKING UP CHILDREN

MORNING DROP OFF

Please do not arrive at Abacus before 7:30. Please call the school by 8:30 if your child is sick and cannot attend.

PICK UP

Following one warning a late fee of $5.00 for ten minutes late will be charged. After ten minutes late, a fee of $1.00 per minute will be charged.

Authorized adults are the only people allowed to pick your child up. For the safety of your child Abacus will not release your child to anyone not on the parent consent form. Abacus will also ask for identification for any person that they do not recognize. In the event of an emergency and someone not on your child’s pick-up list is sent in to retrieve your child we must have verbal consent from either parent or an emergency contact to release your child with a written note to follow the next day.

SNOW DAY POLICY

Abacus will not have snow days except under extreme conditions.

PARENT RIGHTS AND PARENT PARTICIPATION

Parents are encouraged to visit their child at any time. Abacus welcomes parent volunteers and may require parents as field trip chaperones.

FIELD TRIPS

Field Trips provide your child with hands on learning and the opportunity to experience new and exciting things. Some of the field trips will be theme related and educationally based and others will be just for fun. In order to provide a safe environment for your child while on field trips parents will be asked to volunteer to attend.

Notices will be posted of upcoming field trips. Notices will also be sent home regarding upcoming field trips. As any normal day, we also ask that bag lunches be sent in for field trip days as well. If you are not comfortable with your child attending a field trip we ask that you keep him or her home for that day; there will be no additional care for your child and if he attends on the day of a field trip he will be required to go with the rest of the class. We will be using private transportation to transport children on field trips. In the event we drive the children ourselves we will ask that when you drop your child off on a field trip day to please leave his or her car seat with us as well.

CHILDREN’S BELONGINGS

Abacus asks parents to label all of your child’s belongings that are sent to school.

A change of clothes for your child is required to be at school at all times. Children sometimes have accidents or may spill water on themselves or any number of things could soil their clothing so please be sure to send in a change of clothing for your child. Children may need to bring a “transitional object”---blanket, stuffed animal or other comforting object---from home. Generally, the teachers encourage children to leave these comfort objects in his/her cubby once they begin to play. Nature items, books, tapes, CD’s and the like are welcome additions to the classroom. Toys are better left at home.

Please keep in mind that we are not responsible for any lost or broken items so do not send anything of great value in with your child.

NO WEAPONS (toy guns, action figures, toy knives or swords, or anything of a violent nature) are allowed at Abacus. If your child brings any weapon-like item to school it will be put away for the day and returned to the parent when he or she picks up the child.

POLICY OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

Abacus Preschool and is mandated by the State of Vermont to report to the Department of Human Services any reasonable concern of child abuse or neglect. Parents will always be notified of these concerns and the need to make a report.

WHAT TO BRING TO SCHOOL

Please bring the following items clearly marked for easy identification:

Jacket/coat/sweater (seasonal), hat and mittens and boots for rain or snow.
One complete change of clothes.
A cold bag lunch (please no soda or candy)
A cozy blanket that can be folded in half so your child can rest in the middle (nap mats provided)
Crocs for wearing inside only
Backpack large enough to hold a 3 ring binder

FIRE EVACUATION/SAFETY PLAN

Abacus is equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms on the first floor as well as the basement. Fire drills will be held on a regular basis to familiarize the children with the evacuation plan for the building.

In the event of a minor injury, the teacher will administer simple first aid using the classroom first aid kit. For serious emergencies, parents will be notified and rescue personnel will be summoned.

DAILY SCHEDULE

7:30 – 8:15 Arrival Time

8:15 – 8:40 Morning Meeting/Calendar

8:40 – 9:30 Reading Workshop

9:30 – 9:45 Wash Up/Snack/Bathroom Break

9:45 – 10:15 Writing Workshop (On Mondays- Super Fab Science Lab)

10:15 - 10:50 Math Workshop (On Mondays-Character Education)

10:50 - 11:20 Outside Play

11:20 – 12:20 Centers

12:20 - 1:00 Lunch/ Bathroom Break

1:00 - 2:00 Rest Time

2:00 - 3:00 Centers

3:00 - 3:15 Wash Up/Snack/Bathroom Break

3:15 - 3:30 Closing Meeting

3:30 - 5:00 Pick Up/Free Play/Outside Weather Permitting

*** Schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions or time of year.