The following are policies and procedures from the Parent Handbook:

• SECURITY
• HOURS
• TEACHER-PARENT COMMUNICATION
• EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST
• NEWSLETTER
• CLOTHING
• LABELS
• SNACK-LUNCH
• HEALTH
• WITHDRAWL FROM THE PROGRAM
• HOLIDAYS-BIRTHDAYS
• HOME TOYS
• PARKING

SECURITY:

Our first priority is the well being of every child enrolled at St. Catherine’s. Please keep your registration papers; call lists, carpool lists, etc. up to date. We cannot release your child to anyone unless you have given us permission in writing to do so. We will ask for a photo id before the child will be released to them.

If there is a legal separation or divorce affecting the child the school must have a copy of the court order pertaining to custody of the child. This must be a certified copy of the court order. We will follow the court orders with no exceptions.

HOURS:

Our program hours are 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM. The classrooms will open at 9:30 AM. We cannot accept your child earlier than 9:30 AM. Our teachers need this time to prepare for their day. All children will be ready for pick up at l:00 PM, and they must be picked up no later than 1:15 PM. Except for an emergency, a late fee of $5.00 per child will be assessed and added to the following month’s tuition.

Please remember our school program begins promptly at 9:30 AM; coming in late is disruptive to the class. In addition, the child will miss free time and not readily settle into the day’s routine.

TEACHER-PARENT COMMUNICATION:

At St. Catherine’s preschool we strive to give you feedback on how your child is progressing. Please remember that due to confidentiality laws we can only discuss your child’s behavior, and not another child’s in the classroom. This means we cannot give you behavior details in front of other parents and we do not want to discuss behavior issues in front of the child. You cannot ask for a detail of your child’s day at pick up or in carpool line. If there was a problem you should be aware of you will get a note in your child’s bag and a time will be set up to speak to your teacher in private. If you need to talk with or make a meeting with the teacher or director please feel free to call the school or send a note. We want to protect every parent and child’s privacy. In addition, we do not want to affect a child’s self esteem by discussing issues in front of them. Rest assured you will be informed of issues that need your attention.

EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST:

Please sign the Emergency Contact form located at the front desk or give your teacher instructions if you know that you are going to be someplace where we will not be able to readily contact you. (Example: older child’s school, doctor/dentist, exercise class, etc.). We must be able to contact you if your child gets sick or an injury. You only need to fill out this form if you will not be at the telephone numbers listed on your permanent paperwork.

NEWSLETTER:

We publish a monthly newsletter called the St. Cat’s Chat. We include in the newsletter articles from each of the age groups about their upcoming month. The newsletter will keep you up to date on current events, holidays and field trips. We will send this and any other notes home in your child’s bag so be sure to check it daily.

CLOTHING:

All clothes should be suitable for play and easy for the child to manage. We do not recommend belts. Elastic waists can be handled easily by the child. Those children still in diapers should wear “diaper friendly” clothes that make it easy for them to be changed. No boots please! Please bring an extra set of clothing each day, including socks for all aged children. Even four year olds have accidents. Some teachers have a place to leave the clothes so you don’t have to transport them each day. Children not toilet trained should have extra disposable diapers or training pants. Please include these items in your child’s bag. Hats and mittens are suggested for winter months. Every child should be dressed suitable for outside play. We go out every day that the weather permits. Remember our playgrounds are sand and mulch and sandals or flip-flops can cause accidents. Please wear closed toe athletic shoes to prevent any injuries.

LABELS:

All items – coats, bags, bottles, cups, lunch boxes, and anything else sent to school should all be marked clearly with your child’s name. This is very important as most young children may not recognize their own belongings. We have a lost and found box at the front desk. Please check it periodically for items that have been misplaced.

SNACK – LUNCH:

Please pack a lunch for your child each day. Be sure all food is ready-to-eat. Due to time constraints, our teachers cannot peel, slice or heat up each child’s food. A flip-top thermos is recommended or juice box for the children. The one year olds drink will be transferred into their spill proof cup. Please do not send soft drinks, gum or candy to school. The school will provide juice and snack for their midmorning snack. If you think your child may be allergic to what we serve please send in their own snack. We will send a note home if your child has a severely allergic child in their class and cannot include any foods his/her lunch. This mainly applies to peanut butter at this time.

HEALTH:

A certificate of immunization from your child’s doctor or the County Health Department is required. All certificates must be on file at the school on or before the beginning of school.

Children with a fever, runny nose, cold, sore throat or with other contagious diseases will not be allowed to stay at school. Children who are not up to par have a very difficult time with a full school day. In addition, they may pass their illness on to other children and staff. Repeated abuse of this policy will result in a child being removed from the program. Any time your child has a problem with a contagious illness you will need a doctor’s release to re-enter class. Please make sure your emergency contact list is up to date. We must have contacts that are available to pick up your child if they become sick. (See sign in section for more details)

Please notify the teacher if your child has any allergies and/or is on medication. Please see the office for written authorization and instructions for medications needed during school hours. When a child comes to school they should be ready to participate in all activities, as we cannot leave a child unattended. We have outside play each day that weather permits. On hot, sunny days please apply sunscreen to your child before bringing them to school.

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PROGRAM:

A 30 day notice in writing must be given to the Director when a student leaves our program. You are obligated for tuition only for that 30 days.

HOLIDAYS – BIRTHDAYS:

Activities are planned for each main holiday. We encourage parent participation and assistance with special day events. We do not allow latex balloons and discourage individual goody bags. We prefer donut holes and cookie cakes over cupcakes and regular birthday cakes. Your child’s teacher will be glad to give you ideas on how to help with parties in the classroom. If you need more ideas on crafts and snacks for a party please stop by the front desk or ask Beth Thomas for assistance. When it is your child’s birthday you may send in a special snack, just make the arrangements in advance with your teacher. If your child has a summer birthday, please make arrangements with your teacher for a day to celebrate their “unbirthday”.

PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO BRING:

- Toys from home
- Stuffed Animals (unless it is a “lovie” that makes them feel comfortable at school)
- Chewing gum, candy or soft drinks

PARKING:

PLEASE DO NOT PARK NEXT TO THE CURB OR NEAR THE FRONT ENTRANCE AT ANY TIME, RAIN OR SHINE. THIS CREATES A TRAFFIC HAZARD. PLEASE PARK IN A MARKED PARKING SPACE ONLY.