Confidentiality
Student records are open only to the particular student’s teacher(s), the Director, an authorized employee of the licensing agency, or the child’s parents or legal guardian. The children in our care have a legal and ethical right to confidentiality.
Behavior Policy
Our goal at The Neighborhood Preschool is to ensure the well being of each child in our care by creating a healthy school family. It is a normal part of development for all children to test boundaries. When a child crosses boundaries that are not safe or appropriate, we must address these needs and always ensure the safety of each child in our school.
As we work with each child to handle any situation that may arise, we will not use corporal punishment.
We are implementing the principles of Conscious Discipline in our classrooms.
We use several positive approaches to help children move toward self-regulation:
• The rooms are set up with the needs of young children in mind.
• The curriculum is developmentally appropriate, which helps to lessen frustrations.
• Our staff views hurtful acts as a call for help.
• We acknowledge inappropriate behavior with “you” statements. (Ex: I see you are frustrated, sad, etc…)
• We redirect inappropriate behavior. We see students who are having a hard time, as lacking the tools to self regulate. We provide each child with appropriate word suggestions or tools to help them self regulate and navigate within our school family in a positive manner.
• Small classes with sufficient adult supervision helps to lessen tension.
• When we see any child struggling emotionally, we take that moment as a school family to help them find a way to work towards self regulation in a positive manner.
Preschool is a place where children are making friends, as well as learning safe and healthy boundaries. By implementing Conscious Discipline, we are equipping our staff, families, and students with tools to ensure a safe environment for all. Conscious Discipline promotes safety, connection & problem solving, which all lead to healthier self regulation skills.
We don’t take dismissal of students lightly, however we reserve the right to dismiss any child with the director’s discretion.
Wellness/Attendance Policy
Wellness
The health of each child is important. Please help us meet this goal by keeping your child home if:
- They have had a temperature of 100.0 or higher in the past 48 hours. Children should be fever and symptom-free (without the aid of medication) for 48 hours before returning to school.
- They have vomited more than once in the last 48 hours.
- They have had diarrhea (loose stools) more than once in the last 48 hours.
- They have a runny nose, fever (as indicated above), persistent cough, sneezing, or nasal drainage.
- They have pink eye or discharge from either eye. This can be highly contagious.
- They have a skin rash or lesion that has not been diagnosed by your physician as non-contagious.
- They have been exposed to anyone with chicken pox (20-21 days after exposure) or have chicken pox.
- Please be advised that some children in our care may not have current immunizations.
- They or any member in your household has been exposed to COVID-19 agrees to voluntarily isolate and may not return to Preschool for a minimum of 5 days. We agree to notify Administration at TNP if we are exposed to or have a confirmed case of COVID-19 or any other communicable disease in our family and agree to self isolate for a minimum of 5 days or longer if deemed necessary by the medical professionals, preschool administration, or any licensing agencies. A physician’s note may be required before returning to class.
Attendance
Our Summer Camp program begins at 9:00 a.m. Late arrivals disrupt the class and fail to give your child the time needed to transition into the preschool class and activities. Regular attendance at the preschool helps us promote continued emotional, social, academic and spiritual growth in your child.
Option 1: 9:00am - 1:00pm Monday-Friday
Option 2: 9:00am - 5:00pm Monday-Friday
Pick up time is flexible between 1 pm - 5 pm for students participating in our enrichment programs, however there is no fee adjustment for early pick-ups.
It is important that parents notify the preschool daily, within one hour of our start time, if your child is absent. Please do so by either: 1. Message our staff in the Brightwheel app, 2. Emailing Julie@naclongwood.org or 3. Calling the church at (407) 869-6072 by 10:00 am for Creative Learners and Lil’ Learner students.
There is no provision for adjustments in tuition due to illness, family vacations, or withdrawal from the program prior to month’s end. There is no provision for “make-up days”. There is no provision for natural disasters or emergencies. In the event that a natural disaster or non-pandemic emergency should cause us to be closed for more than 5 days, we may re-evaluate and make a determination if any days will be “deemed” as make up days for that school year. For more information on our policies related to a pandemic, see our Public Health Emergency Plan.
Meal Policy
Parents should provide all food and drink needed for their child in our program. Please include a cool-pack to keep cold foods cold, and provide eating utensils if needed. Per DCF regulations, please label ALL reusable containers, water bottles or cups with FIRST and LAST NAME, and send healthy/nutritious meals. Please send a protein, dairy, fruit or vegetable and grain item daily. See ChooseMyPlate.gov or feel free to ask our staff for suggestions. We will enjoy a blessing before each mealtime, as well as develop our table manners.
Parents should provide a healthy snack and drink if their child stays for our Creative Learners Enrichment Program on a daily basis. Hot dogs and grapes are NOT recommended for children ages 2-4 years old. If you send these items they must be pre-cut in quarters before sending to preschool.