School Year Calendar ~ Friends of the Preschool ~ Toileting Policy ~ Discipline Policy ~ Healthcare Policy ~ Download Pickup Permission Slip
School
Year
Please see the school calendar page below for future reference about school holidays and vacations.
The preschool will observe Brockton Public School holidays and vacation closings; however, we will be open on Brockton Public Schools In-service Program Days, Parent-Teacher Conference Days, and Jewish Holidays. Preschool cancellations due to inclement weather will be the same as The Brockton Public Schools as announced on radio stations WBZ, WXBR and TV stations Channel 4, 5 and 7.
Parents are welcome to visit the preschool at any time. However, it is not advisable during the first two weeks of school while the children are adjusting to the routine of preschool and being away from home.
Each month you will receive a newsletter and calendar with helpful information. If you need an extra one, please ask one of the staff.
We will be planning some field trips and parties during the year. You will be given advance notice in your monthly newsletter. We will be asking for volunteers and would appreciate any help you can give.
We encourage parental interest. We will evaluate your child’s adjustment in the fall with a short checklist format and then in the spring we will schedule
Parent/Teacher conferences. Please feel free to talk to the
Director or teacher at any time during the school year about your child’s
adjustment and progress in school. Due to safety issues the staff cannot talk
to you in the parking lot at dismissal time. Please feel free to wait in the
preschool and we will be glad to speak to you there.
SCHOOL ORIENTATION
(Tuesday 2-day) September 8, 2009
First full morning September 10, 2009
(Wednesday 3-day) September 9, 2009
First full morning September 11, 2009
COLUMBUS DAY
(Monday) October 12, 2009
VETERAN’S DAY (Observed)
(Wednesday) November 11, 2009
THANKSGIVING RECESS
School closes (end of session) Tuesday, November 24, 2009
School reopens Monday, November 30, 2009
CHRISTMAS RECESS
School closes (end of session) December 18, 2009
School reopens Monday, January 4, 2010
MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY
January 18, 2010
WINTER RECESS
School closes (end of session) February 12, 2010
School reopens February 22, 2010
GOOD FRIDAY (school closed)
April 2, 2010
SPRING RECESS
School closes (end of session) April 16, 2010
School reopens April 26, 2010
LAST DAYS OF SCHOOL*
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
*TWO-DAY CLOSING PROGRAM WILL BE HELD THE LAST DAY OF
SCHOOL IN THE PRESCHOOL FROM 11:15-12:00.
GRADUATION IS HELD THE LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL IN THE EVENING,
DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED.
**Calendar dates subject to change
We have a support group for the preschool. They help in many ways such as cutting,
gluing materials in preparation for class, maintenance, painting, phone calls,
fund raising, material gifts, financial gifts, sharing a skill with the children
or giving loving time in the preschool. Please contact the staff if you would
like to become a “Friend of the Preschool”.
BATHROOM TIME:
The children will go to two bathrooms in two groups, with two teachers. They
will learn the importance of washing hands and self help skills.
NOTE: *Children may go to the bathroom at anytime with the
teacher if necessary. Teacher also accompanies any child from outdoor playground.NOTE: *It is helpful, if parents have their children use a
bathroom before coming to school, due to our bathrooms
being down the hall outside the classroom.
TOILET TRAINING:
It is the parents’ responsibility to make sure their child is completely
toilet trained before entering our program. Every child should learn how to
clean themselves after urinating or bowel movements. Please dress your child
in clothing that they can fasten themselves, as we encourage them to be independent.
CHANGING PROCEDURES:
If a child wets or soils him/herself, while at preschool, the school will try
to contact the parent and ask them to come and change their child. If the parent
is unable or cannot be reached, then they give the staff permission to change
the child, by signing the preschool's permission slip.
IF A CHILD IS CHANGED BY THE STAFF, THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE
WILL BE FOLLOWED:
We will use a positive approach in the area of discipline. We will try to avoid discipline problems by providing a child oriented and stimulating environment, hopefully, with an absence of boredom in the children. The teachers will be observant of possible problems and will intervene before they occur or redirect the child.
During group time, if a child’s behavior becomes disruptive, we may change seats or have the child sit near the teacher. We may praise other children near the child. We may review group time rules to see if the child corresponds properly.
If a dispute occurs when the children are in play areas, we will help the children to verbalize the problem and see if they can come up with a working solution. If the child’s behavior becomes dangerous to other children, he/she will be asked to sit for a few minutes within the classroom until he/she regains control. At this time he/she may rejoin the other children.
7.07 (25) Discipline and guidance shall be consistent and based on an understanding of the individual needs and development of a child. The licensee shall direct discipline to the goal of maximizing the growth and development of the children and for protecting the group and individuals within it.
(a) Emergency Telephone Numbers
Health Care Consultant: Gail Franzen, R.N.
(781) 925-2821
(508) 941-7447 Work - Brockton HospitalFire Department: (508) 583-2323 Police Department: (508) 583-1212 Ambulance/Rescue: (508) 583-2323 Poison Control Center: 1-800-682-9211 Emergency Health/Hospital Facility:
Brockton Hospital
680 Center Street
Brockton, MA
(508) 941-7000Good Samaritan
235 N. Pearl Street
Brockton, MA
(508) 588-4000
(b) Procedures For Emergencies And Illness
Method of transportation - Pending the nature of the injury, the child will be transported to the hospital by either the parent or an ambulance. If transported by ambulance, the teacher will accompany the child and take the child’s personal file which will contain consent forms.
Notification of parents - Parents will be notified immediately in emergency situations. Parents may be notified after the ambulance is called pending the urgency of the situation.
Procedures when parents cannot be reached - Every child will have within his/her file the names of two people who can be contacted in the event the parents cannot be reached. Included in the file will be permission for medical treatment and permission for the child to be taken to the closest hospital.
Emergency Procedures for Field Trips - The Director will carry a copy of the face sheet containing parents telephone numbers and emergency numbers on every field trip. All other emergency procedures still apply during field trips.
(c) How First Aid Equipment Is Kept Adequately Supplied - The Director maintains the supplies.
How First Aid Equipment Is Used At And Away from The Center -The first aid equipment is used by the staff person trained in First Aid. Parents are notified in writing within 24 hours of any injury or accident.
A central log is kept for all first aid treatments and observations, as well as a file for copies of injury reports. The same procedure for administering first aid will be followed on field trips. Permission to apply topical ointments is noted on face sheets in the Director’s possession.
(d) Plan For Evacuation Of Center In Emergency
Attendance records - Daily attendance is taken and recorded in a book. The Director takes this book with her during evacuation procedures. Each child’s name is read when evacuation is complete.
Evacuation Drills - The Director/lead teacher is responsible for assuring that evacuation drills are practiced with all groups of children and staff at least every two months and documentation of the date, time, and effectiveness of each drill is posted by the Fire Bell.
(e) Injury Prevention Plan
Procedures for daily monitoring of the environment for removal and/or repair of hazards - The safety record of the preschool (injury log)is reviewed periodically. A routine safety check is conducted every day before the day begins. The Director and staff will keep all toxic substances, poisonous plants, first aid supplies, medications, sharp objects, matches and other hazardous objects or substances in a secure place and out of the reach of children.
SMOKING IS NOT ALLOWED.Procedures for maintaining and monitoring a central injury log - A central injury log is kept with the first aid kit. It contains the child‘sname, date, time, injury and first aid given and name of staff person that administered the first aid. An injury/first aid report is GIVEN TO PARENTS and a copy of the report is also put in the child’s file.
(f) Plan For Managing Infectious Disease
Special precautions the center will take to minimize the spread of infectious diseases - * See pages 260-262 of the Health in Day Care Manual printed at the end of this policy.
Signs or symptoms of illness which would determine whether a child would be included or excluded from the center - Any child that becomes ill will be isolated from the other children. If a temperature is taken, it will be taken with a temperature strip placed on the forehead. If be contacted and arrangements will be made to send the child home.
A child with any draining area or possible contagious process will be sent home and not allowed to return until cleared.Procedures for dealing with a child in care who exhibits symptoms requiring exclusion - The child may sit or lie in the library area, away from the other children until a parent arrives. During this time the child’s needs and comfort will be provided by a staff person trained in First Aid and who is teacher qualified. (7.06 2b & 7.07 21b)
Center’s policy for return of children who have been excluded from care for health reasons - The child may return to school with a note from the parents or from a physician or from a local board of health, pending the nature of the health problem.
Procedures for notifying parents of communicable disease - An informational form about the communicable disease, printed from the Health in Day Care Manual, will be sent home with each child in the center.
(g) Plan For Infection Control
Hand washing procedures for staff and children - The staff are expected to wash their hands before work begins, before preparing food, after toileting, and after the using of tissues on themselves or a child. They will refer to the hand-washing chart posted in each bathroom, will use free running water, and dry using individual paper towels. The children will be taught and encouraged to follow the same procedures including washing before and after water play. This center uses liquid soap. Staff are also expected to wash their hands following contact with the center pets, cleaning, or contact with any body fluids or discharges.
Procedures for washing and disinfecting specified equipment - A disinfectant solution is used daily to clean: toilets and toilet seats, sinks, and sink faucets, water table and water play equipment (when used) play tables and floors (weekly). All toys, dress-ups and stuffed items are washed and disinfected once a year or more frequently as needed to maintain cleanliness.
(h) Plan For Meeting The Individual Needs Of Mildly Ill Children While In Care
When a child appears mildly ill, the staff should report the following to the Director: the child’s symptoms; when they began; duration; how much; how often; behavior change; and then the child’s temperature is usually taken with a temperature strip on the forehead. The child may sit or lie in the library area away from the other children with a person trained in first aid who will meet the child’s needs and make the child comfortable (person is also Teacher qualified). The Director, meanwhile will call the parent and make arrangements for the child to go home.
(i) Plan For Administering Medication
As per the Admission Policies and Procedures, the school staff will not administer any medication to the children.
(j) Plan For Meeting Specific Healthcare Needs
Procedures for identifying allergies - As enrolled, each child allergies and symptoms will be noted on the face sheet and family history sheet at admission. These forms are in the child’s file and allergy information is posted in the teaching area. This allergy chart is checked at snack and during the administration of first aid.
Procedures for protecting children from exposure to foods, chemicals or other materials to which they are allergic - In addition to referring to the posted Allergy Chart any staff person who suspects an allergy or reaction to a particular substance will document the observations and the parent will be notified.
(k) Procedure For Identifying And Reporting Suspected Child Abuse Or Neglect To The Department Of Social Services And Department of Early Education and Care
Telephone number of the closest DSS Office - 1-508-584-0980
Telephone number of EEC - 1-508-
How to recognize signs of abuse and/or neglect - The staff will refer to Figures 30, 31, 32, and 33 printed from the Health in Day Care Manual at the end of this policy.
How to Document observations - The staff will keep a dated log based on the indicators from Figures 30, 31, 32, and 33.
Procedure for filing reports of suspected abuse and/or neglect - The child may be questioned and/or the parents notified before a call is placed to the DSS Office and EEC. The parents will understand the staff are mandated reporters. The report will include items 1-10 on Figure 35 from the Health in Day Care Manual. This Figure 35 found at the end of this policy.
Procedures for handling allegations of abuse/neglect by staff members - Early attention or intervention with the situation will be done by the Director. A meeting with the staff person will be held. Any allegation of abuse/neglect by a staff member shall be reported to DSS/EEC for investigation. CORI records, past employment, and an observations may have to be checked.
The employee will be suspended from his/her position until the DSS or EEC office finishes the investigation and a decision is made.
A follow-up meeting and report may be necessary.
This Health Care Policy is reviewed yearly with the Health Care Consultant.
A Workshop is held at the beginning of each school year, with staff members to review this policy and the Health in Day Care Manual.
Revised: 6/09
Children's Ark Preschool,
Inc.
First Evangelical Lutheran Church
900 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301
(508)587-8032