Parent
Handbook
4390 Grand Avenue
De Leon Springs, Florida 32130
386-277-2807
www.creativeartsearlylearningacademy.com
DCF License # C07VO0443
Table of contents
Mission Statement3
Statement of Philosophy3
Our Curriculum and Policies3
Philosophy Behind our Curriculum3
The Goals of Our Curriculum4
What Children Learn at Home4
ABC’s and 123’s5
Hours of Operation/Schedule6
Questions, Concerns, Comments6
No Smoking Policy6
Severe Weather6
Safety and Security6
Drop-Off and Pick-up Procedures7
Absences7
Tuition Payments8
Registration Fees8
Curriculum/Activity Fee8
Medical Record Requirements8
Health Policy8
Medicine Policy9
Emergency Medical Treatment10
Student Behavior/Discipline Policy10
Sleep11
Nap/Rest Time11
Clothing11
Infants12
Toddlers12
Snacks and Lunches12
Birthdays13
Character Training13
VPK13
Enrichment Programs13
Separation Anxiety13
Wish List14
Parent Custody and Documentation14
Volunteers14
Toys15
Photography/Videos15
Termination15
Non-Discrimination15
Mediation and Binding Arbitration15
Changes to the Parent Handbook/Policies15
Your Child’s Work16
Mission Statement
The mission of our learning center is to provide an
educationally rich and a physically active environment that has a
quality developmental and educational curriculum that will
challenge and encourage children to achieve their fullest
potential. We desire and are committed to assist parents by giving
each child fundamental learning opportunities on which children can
build a successful future.
Statement of Philosophy
Creative Arts Early Learning Academy is a hands-on learning
center and is dedicated to the mental, physical, and social
development of all children entrusted to our care. We recognize
that each child is a unique, and we pledge to always show love by
our kind words and patient example. Therefore, each staff member
has been carefully chosen to reflect the ideals and goals of
Creative Arts Early Learning Academy. This preschool offers an
enriched program, meeting the highest standard of early childhood
education. We offer a hands-on curriculum that is a developmental
play-oriented learning program. The children learn individual
responsibility, reading and math readiness skills, as well as logic
and concentration skills. This program is geared to the individual
needs of each child, which we believe to be the following:
Children need to
1. Be loved and accepted unconditionally.
2. Feel secure by being accepted as a member of a group.
3. Develop a positive self-image by getting to know one’s
self.
4. Gain approval and receive praise from peers as well as
adults.
5. Develop independence by assuming responsibilities and making
choices.
6. Be creative.
7. Express ideas and emotions in a constructive way.
8. Develop in all areas: social, emotional, physical, spiritual,
and intellectual at one’s own pace.
Our Curriculum and Policies
Parents often ask, “What is my child actually learning in
preschool? And what can I do at home to help?” This handbook
explains the philosophy behind our hands-on learning curriculum,
goals, and policies. It describes what children learn from the
activities, environment, daily schedule, and from our conversations
with them. Last, it tells what you can do to help your child
learn.
Philosophy Behind our Curriculum
The philosophy behind our hands-on learning curriculum is that
young children learn best by doing. Learning isn’t just repeating
what someone else says; it requires active thinking and
experimenting to find out how things work and to learn firsthand
about the world we live in. In your child’s preschool years, he/she
will explore the world around them by using all their senses:
touching, tasting, smelling, looking, and listening. In using real
materials such as water, measuring cups, blocks, paint, rice,
tools, plants, etc. and trying out his/her ideas, children learn
about numbers, letters, sizes, shapes, and colors, and they notice
relationships between things.
The Goals of Our Curriculum
Creative Arts Early Learning Academy is not a daycare. CAELA is
a learning center for young learners, a place where learning comes
naturally. Therefore, every learning activity that is chosen for
our school has a specific learning purpose that will help your
child progress to higher learning and excel to unknown heights. One
of the most important goals of our early childhood curriculum is to
help children become enthusiastic learners. This means encouraging
children to be active and creative explorers who are not afraid to
try out their ideas and to think their own thoughts. Our goal is to
help children become independent, self-confident, inquisitive
learners. We’re teaching them how to learn, a skill they will need
for the rest of their lives. We give them opportunities to form
good habits and attitudes, particularly a positive sense of
themselves, which will make a difference throughout their lives.
Other important goals of our curriculum are to teach logic,
comprehension, and concentration. By using these hands-on
activities, they achieve these goals by simply doing the
activities.
Our curriculum identifies goals in all areas of development:
· Social —- to help children feel comfortable in school, trust
their new environment, make friends, and feel they are a part of
the group.
· Emotional — to help children experience pride and
self-confidence, develop independence and self-control, and have a
positive attitude toward life.
· Cognitive — to help children become confident learners by
letting them try out their own ideas and experience success, and by
helping them acquire learning skills such as the ability to solve
problems, ask questions, and use words to describe their ideas,
observations, and feelings.
· Physical — to help children increase their large and small
muscle skills and feel confident about what their bodies can
do.
What Children Learn at Home
Our curriculum works best when teachers and parents work
together. Each of us has something valuable to contribute.
We are trained in child development and early childhood
education. We see how your child acts with other children and
adults. We also can assess what your child is learning, through
observation, as your child progresses through common developmental
stages.
But only you have in-depth knowledge of your child. You know
best your child’s interests, fears, joys, patterns, and past. You
are most familiar with the world your child is trying to
understand. You know about the relationships between the members of
your family, and you have shared many of your child’s experiences,
from family events to trips to the doctor’s office, or the zoo.
This in-depth knowledge makes you central to your child’s learning
process and is an extremely valuable resource for us as teachers at
CAELA. Please share, with us, what is happening at home; arrival of
a new baby, the death of a pet, nightmares, temper tantrums, trips,
separation, or divorce, etc. By sharing this information with us,
we can understand your child better, and we will be able to help
your child deal with both positive and difficult events through
reassuring stories, soothing art activities, imaginative dramatic
play, and extra love and attention.
We also see you as your child’s first and most important
teacher. Your home is your child’s first and continual learning
environment. You decide your family’s daily routines; when you get
up, eat, play, do chores, visit friends, and go to bed. The way you
talk with your children makes a tremendous difference in how they
think, how they feel about themselves, and the kind of people they
will become. If we work together, we can provide some continuity
between home and school to help your child become confident and
successful. The more consistent we adults are, the more secure your
child will feel. And when children feel secure, they are more
likely to explore, to experiment, and to learn.
Many parents have asked us what they can do to help their
children succeed in school. We usually reply, “Just try to
encourage your child to explore and learn in your home environment
the way we help children at school. Help your child become an
independent, enthusiastic, curious learner.” You don’t need to buy
a lot of special toys or equipment to turn your child into a
creative thinker. The best thing you can do is to be a good
listener and to talk with your child as you go about your normal,
everyday household chores. Sometimes, after a long day at work,
this may seem difficult. But you’ll find that this kind of
attention has a wonderful effect on children and makes your job as
a parent more fun and interesting, and sometimes easier.
Parents and teachers may look at their child’s learning from
different perspectives, but they share a common goal: making sure
their child receives the best possible education. Mutual respect
and communication between the teacher and families takes advantage
of both perspectives to provide children with the kind of care and
education that will help them thrive. Today’s family members and
teachers have many responsibilities and time constraints. It takes
extra effort on both sides to build strong partnerships.
Tips for parents:
· Listen carefully to what your child’s teacher has to say.
Remember that she spends a significant amount of time with your
child and can share knowledge about your child’s development.
· Don’t jump to conclusions. If you have any questions or
concerns about your child or the early childhood program, speak
directly to your child’s teacher. Don’t panic or merely commiserate
with other parents when questions arise.
· Remember that your child’s teacher has a family of her own,
and may share similar responsibilities and time constraints. Be as
respectful of her time as you wish her to be of yours.
ABC’s and 123’s
Many parents are concerned when their children aren’t learning
letters and numbers using worksheets on a daily basis. They feel
that daily worksheets and homework in preschool programs will
better prepare their children for elementary school. We could give
your children daily worksheets. We could drill them every day. We
could test them. But we know that if we do, your children are going
to lose something very important.
Children who are rushed into using worksheets before exploring
the world around them miss important steps in learning and may
suffer later on because they lack the foundation they need in logic
and comprehension skills. If children are told what to learn and
memorize by the teacher or parent, they may become more passive and
dependent learners, and be less excited about learning something
new. Children who are given plenty of time to discover and explore,
however, learn to ask their own questions and figure out their own
answers. They are responsible for their own learning. They see
themselves as explorers, discoverers, problem solvers, and
inventors.
We do use a few worksheets now and again to prepare your child
for elementary school, but only after the foundation is set. Play
is the work of young children and is essential to your child’s
future success.
Hours of Operation/Schedule
CAELA is open year-round, 6:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through
Friday, with the exception of a few holidays and professional
development training days.
· Please refer to the School Calendar for holiday and other
school closure dates.
· Our academic learning day starts at 9:00am, VPK starts at
8:30am
· Nap/Rest Time is from12:30-2:30pm
· Outdoor Play Time is scheduled twice a day. Parents should
dress their children with the weather in mind. For the most part,
Outdoor Play Time is only cancelled in the event of rain.
· Afternoon Learning Time will be provided with a multitude of
learning experiences
Questions, Concerns, Comments
If you have any questions, concerns, and/or comments, please
contact the Director. The Director wants to make sure you get the
correct information, straight from the top. This will eliminate a
lot of confusion that gets started with people speculating about
what might take place. The Director may be contacted by phone:
386-277-2805, by e-mail:
[email protected], or in person.
No Smoking Policy
In accordance with Florida State Law, we have a strict no
smoking policy in the building or anywhere on the school property.
Thank you for helping us with this.
Severe Weather
Severe weather, such as a hurricane, is always a real
possibility in Florida. Our policy for severe weather conditions
will be as follows:
1. All closures and re-openings will follow Volusia County
School Board decisions.
2. The phone message will be changed and up-dated, as needed, to
announce closures and re-openings, as the phone service allows.
3. Your child’s teacher will attempt to call you regarding
re-openings.
4. Tuition responsibilities will not change. Tuition payments
must be made as usual.
Safety and Security
The following safety and security precautions have been
established to help ensure the safety of all our children and
staff:
· Unannounced emergency evacuation drills are held once a month.
Parents present at the time of drill must participate in the
drill.
· Emergency exit plans are posted in every classroom
· Our daily attendance checklist is used during safety drills to
ensure all the children are accounted for.
· All Staff Members are trained in First Aid and CPR
· Doors are secured all day.
· Internal Video Monitoring System
· Children are only released to authorized people with a picture
ID
Drop-Off and Pick-up Procedures
When you drop off your child with us, you must record the
arrival time on the sign-in sheet at the front door. Never drop off
your child outside and allow him/her to walk in alone. We are
required by Florida law to maintain this log and to use it for
emergencies. When you pick up your child, please record the
departure time and sign your child out. We will release your child
only to those people you have listed on your enrollment form as
authorized for pick-up. The child will not be released to anyone
who is not on the list, even if the child recognizes the person
(unless there are court documents that indicate that we should do
so). This is for your protection. We will require a picture ID
until we are familiar with the person who is picking up. Please
talk to the Director or to your child’s teacher if there is any
significant information we should know.
Beginning on time for school is extremely important for
establishing a consistent routine for children. Their morning
activities set the tone for their entire day. By arriving on time,
children are able to settle into their morning routine, make a
smooth separation from parent(s), and begin their day in a relaxed
manner. When a child is late, the important activities and daily
projects have already begun and this creates a rushed unsettled
feeling for the child, teacher, and other classmates. Also,
children, who are not consistently present during the first part of
class, often fall behind. To aid children in having a successful
morning and beginning their day on a positive foot, we look to you,
their parent(s) for support.
Our teachers begin their official day by 9:00am, and we are sure
you will agree with us, the number one priority for a teacher is to
be with his/her children.
· Our teachers understand that your child’s education and your
need to convey concerns or questions to them are very important to
you. They welcome the opportunity to discuss them with you before
or after school. We want your child to feel important and be happy
to be at school, and it is difficult to talk with all the parents
without taking time away from the children. If class time has
already started, please leave a message at the front desk and the
receptionist will make sure the teacher gets the message.
· In order for our teachers to give their undivided attention to
the children during the morning activities, we ask that you quickly
drop off your child to his/her designated area and not linger in
the room or facility.
· As your child ages and is ready to move up to the next class,
it is important that you allow your child to grow in independence
enough to walk into class like a big boy or girl. This is much
easier if the parent works toward dropping off their children on
time.
Late Pick-up Fees: It is imperative for parents to pick up
before 6:00 p.m.
$5.00/minute for afternoon late pickup (beginning at
6:01p.m.)
$5.00/minute for morning late pickup (beginning at
12:01p.m.)
Absences
Please call and let the Staff know if your child is unable to
attend school for any reason. Your cooperation in this matter is
greatly appreciated.
Tuition Payments
Tuition must be paid per your contract, regardless of absences
due to sickness, vacation, and/or personal days. You will be given
a Tuition Payment Reminder with all the information you will
need.
All tuition accounts must be kept current. Tuition payments that
are past due, per your contract, will incur a $10.00 per day late
fee. Any tuition payment over 10 days old will result in the
temporary removal of your child from the program until all
payments, including late fees, are paid in full. If you have
extenuating circumstances, please, let the Director know
immediately so a mutually agreeable solution can be worked out.
Remember, the Director wants to help in any way possible.
Weekly Payments — Due every Friday, before closing, for the next
week’s care
Monthly Payments — Due on the 5th of every month, before
closing
Please note that if you withdraw your child from the program
mid-month, you are still responsible for the full month’s tuition,
even if you are paying weekly or bi-weekly.
A $35.00 NSF charge will be charged for all returned checks.
Registration Fees
We have one main registration period at CAELA. Although parents
can register year-round, April will be the month registration fees
will be due for the new school year. We use this fee to reserve a
place in our school for your child. All Registration Fees are
non-refundable.
Curriculum/Activity Fee
CAELA is continually looking to help children progress in their
learning by using good, quality, hands-on learning activities. This
fee will be used to purchase new activities specific to the needs
of our children. The Curriculum/Activity Fee is non-refundable.
Medical Record Requirements
Children enrolling in CAELA must have a current physical exam,
within one year of enrollment date, and an up-to-date shot record
before attending. It is the parents/guardian’s responsibility to
keep all medical records current. We must receive these original
forms; the HRS Form 680 (blue immunization form) and the HRS Form
3040 (yellow physical form), before admission to CAELA.
Health Policy
For your child’s health, as well as the health of the other
children and Staff Members, children are to remain at home or will
be sent home if he/she:
· Has a fever within the last 24 hours, child will be sent home
immediately with a fever of 101 degrees or above and may not return
to school until he/she has been fever free for at least 24 hours
without the aid of a fever reducer. This is mandated by Florida
State Law.
· Has diarrhea; child with 1 or more cases of diarrhea in a
single school day will be sent home immediately and may not return
to school until he/she has been diarrhea free for a 24 hour
period.
· Has vomiting; a child vomiting, that is not related to a food
reaction, must not return to school for at least 24 hours.
· Has been on prescribed medication for less than 24 hours
· Has respiratory difficulties; coughing excessively and/or
breathing difficulties
· Has heavy nasal discharge that is cloudy, thick or
yellow/green or excessive sneezing, or if a child has continuous
drainage that is clear, but affects classroom hygiene, the child
will be sent home
· Has infected eyes, especially red eyes with discharge and
drainage, or matting of the eyelids (must be examined by physician
and approved in writing for return to school)
· Has the presence of any rash (must by examined by physician
and approved in writing for return to school, rash must not be
communicable)
· Any open sores that are raw and/or bleeding must be treated
and kept properly covered
· If the child has any of the following conditions: wheezing,
lethargy, irritability (not enough sleep, tired and/or cranky),
persistent crying, or other signs of illness, or seems “under the
weather” (often a sign of an impending illness)
· If the illness prevents the child from participating
comfortably in class activities and/or results in a greater care
need, than the staff is able to provide, without compromising the
health and safety of other children
Any child diagnosed with the following communicable diseases
must receive appropriate treatment before returning to school:
· Strep Throat — 48 hours after starting appropriate
treatment
· Chicken Pox — all lesions must be dry and crusted over before
returning to school
· Impetigo — blister covered with honey-colored crusts, 48 hours
after the start of medication
· Ringworm — 24 hours after appropriate treatment
· Scabies or Lice — Must be checked 24 hours after appropriate
treatment, (must be nit free) before returning to school
If a child shows symptoms of illness during the day, the child
will be isolated and the parents will be called to pick up the
child immediately. THE STUDENT MUST BE PICKED UP WITHIN 30 MINUTES.
If a parent is unable to be reached at home, work, or by cell, the
emergency contacts listed on the child’s application will be phoned
and asked to pick up the child.
Medicine Policy
If you need for us to give your child medicine during the day
(for both prescription and over-the-counter medicine), please note
the requirements to comply with Florida law:
· The medicine must be in the original container.
· Prescription medicine must be prescribed to your child.
· You must fill out a medication form that provides the name of
the medicine, the amount we are to give, the time of day when we
are to give it, and the date upon which we are to stop giving the
medicine. The staff member who gives the medicine to your child
will initial the form each time the medicine is given.
· We keep all medicine in a locked area. A staff member will
dispense it. The medicine cannot be kept in your child’s cubby or
backpack.
· By law, we are not allowed to give expired medications. If
medication or Epi-pens are expired, we will need to return them to
you.
Emergency Medical Treatment
We make every effort to keep every child safe through
supervision and providing safe environments. Occasionally, minor
bumps and scratches will happen. Minor injuries will receive
appropriate first aid and an accident report will be filled out and
signed by the teacher, parent, and Director. If a more serious
injury or illness occurs, you will be contacted immediately. We ask
that you come observe your child and/or take necessary medical
action. If we are unable to reach you or any of your emergency
contacts, we will call 911 for EMT’s and an ambulance. If
necessary, your child will be taken to the nearest hospital where
you will be asked to meet us. Parents are responsible for all costs
involved in emergency medical treatment, including emergency
transportation, if required.
Student Behavior/Discipline Policy
It is our belief at CAELA that discipline is for the purpose of
correction and training, not punishment.
· Children shall never be subjected to discipline that is
severe, humiliating or frightening.
· Discipline shall not be associated with food or toileting.
· Spanking or any other form of physical punishment is strictly
prohibited.
It is our belief at CAELA that the purpose of discipline is
two-fold.
1. To maintain a healthy environment for learning and
growing
2. As a means of building character in children
We believe in practical forms of discipline.
1. Teacher determines if the child understands what behavior is
expected
2. Teacher directs or redirects child toward appropriate
behavior
3. Warning to child
4. “Thinking Time”
5. Loss of privilege
6. Time with the Director or another teacher
7. Phone call to the parent, we try to help the child with his
behavior and emotions as much as possible before calling the
parent
8. Parent/Director conference
9. For continual or unresolved problems, the Director will begin
the following course of action:
a) Suspension from school
b) Parent/Pastor conference and/or counseling sessions
c) Expulsion
Suspension and/or expulsion is at the sole discretion of the
Director. Expulsion may be immediate if the child poses a danger to
the other children.
Sleep
Please, make sure your child gets enough sleep at home. Even
though adults only require about 8 hours of sleep a night, young
children require about 12 hours or more each night. We can always
pick out the children who don’t get enough sleep. They’re the ones
who have trouble paying attention, focusing, and keeping up with
the other kids in class. They are usually either very lethargic or
very hyperactive and cranky on those days.
Nap/Rest Time
Nap/Rest Time can be a little difficult for a new child because
there are no distractions, and everyone is quiet. If he/she didn’t
miss you before, he/she might miss you now. We do play music in the
rooms, and the children are welcome to bring a small comfort item
from home. This really helps children settle into the rest period.
Also, please do not pick up your child during naptime
(12:00-2:00pm), unless it is an emergency. Your child has worked
hard and needs his/her rest.
We ask that you bring a full-sized crib sheet, a full-sized crib
blanket, and a small travel-sized pillow (if needed) for your
child’s comfort during this time. These items must be able to fit
into a small reusable shopping bag. Every Friday, these items will
be placed in your child’s cubby to be taken home for laundering. We
will place them in the cubby in the middle of the week if they need
laundering before the weekend. Remember to bring these items back
to school on Monday (or the next time your child will be attending
class).
Clothing
You will want to send your child in comfortable clothing that is
okay to get dirty. The children play hard on the playground, paint
in their classrooms, and eat many times during the day. Also, the
older preschoolers work with bugs, dirt, plants, worms, washing
vegetables, digging, etc. Need I say more?
It is fine for the girls to wear skirts or dresses, but they
must have a pair of shorts on underneath. Some of the new skirts
already have the short attached. All children must wear shoes that
that will protect their feet, especially for outdoor play. Tennis
shoes are preferred. We will allow shoes that have enclosed toes
and a strap on the back, but please no flip-flops or open-toed
sandals.
Your child loves to play outside in all kinds of weather and it
is a great teaching tool for the teachers. Please remember, we will
bring the children outside to play (twice daily) every day
possible, so please dress your child accordingly. If it is winter
and/or cold outside, please send a winter coat. If you want your
daughter to wear a dress on those cold days, please add leggings or
sweat pants. If it is cool outside, please bring a light
jacket.
Each child needs 2 complete changes of clothing (appropriate for
the season, marked with the child’s name, and placed in a
gallon-sized zip-lock). These items will be kept in your child’s
cubby for emergencies.
Please check daily if any of these items need to brought home
for laundering. Remember to bring replacements back with you the
next day.
Infants
Bedding-You will need to bring a clean crib sheet and blanket
for each day of care. We will send the used sheet and blanket home
daily. Please, label each sheet with your child’s first and last
name.
Clothes — Bring extra clothes and bibs for your infant each day.
Please, label clothing with your child’s first and last name.
Bottles and formula —Please write out your child’s complete
feeding instruction. Bring enough formula and clean bottles each
day. Please, label each item with your child’s first and last
name.
Diapers, wipes, and ointment — Please, bring enough diapers,
wipes, and ointment to last your child for a week.
Toddlers
Diapers, pull-ups, wipes, and ointment — Please, bring enough
diapers, pull-ups, wipes, and ointment to last your child for a
week. Pull-ups must be have the Velcro closure for potty training
purposes
Snacks and Lunches
Lunch Time is a bonding time for your child, his/her teacher,
and the other children. We also use it as an opportunity to teach
about healthy foods since eating habits are formed early in a
child’s life. We ask that you help us in this regard by packing a
nutritious lunch for your little one, including a fruit or
vegetable each day. We’re not extremists though---we do allow
cookies, crackers, and chips along with your child’s other food. We
don’t allow candy or soft drinks. We are required by law to verify
that each child is eating a complete and healthy meal including
proteins, dairy, fruit, and vegetables. We will encourage your
child to eat the healthy parts of the lunch before the cookies,
etc. Please pack only the amount of food you want your child to
eat. When parents pack a lunch box full of food, we may be confused
about your expectations. If your child eats only a half sandwich at
home, please pack only a half sandwich for school.
We schedule snack time twice each day. Please pack two healthy
snacks for your child.
We are always encouraging self-help skills, even though
activities like sweeping up their own crumbs and squeezing their
own orange juice, etc. You can help your child by packing lunch
items in containers or zip-lock bags he/she can open independently.
Children take a lot of pride in setting the table and putting out
their own food at lunch. We also have child-sized pitchers of water
and little cups at each table, so the children can serve themselves
whenever they want. Not only do they enjoy it, but also our child
development classes have taught us that it helps children develop a
good habit of drinking water.
We will not be able to heat your child’s lunch or provide
refrigeration for your child’s lunch. Please be sure to use
appropriate containers for hot foods and cool packs for maintaining
safe temperatures for perishable food items.
Please pack a spoon and/or cup if your child needs one.
Birthdays
Yes, we allow cupcakes, etc. We understand that it is your
child’s special day, and we are glad for all of the children to
share in it. Please arrange with the teacher the day you would like
to bring in cake, etc. Please do not bring invitations for a home
birthday party unless you intend to invite all of the children in
the class (unless it is only girls or only boys). If you do want to
invite only a select few to a home party, your child’s teacher will
be glad to notify those parents to contact you. It is heartbreaking
for us to try to explain to the uninvited child why others received
an invitation and he/she did not. It would only take once for you
to explain it to your own child and you will see what we mean.
Character Training
We strive to instill good character traits in our children. We
do this in a variety of ways; some being lessons being taught in
books, songs, and teachable moments, but we believe positive,
consistent role models are the child’s best teachers. When they see
us, adults, using good character, they will, too.
VPK
We are thrilled to be able help you get your child ready for
kindergarten. As you know, there are many things your child will
need to know before he/she starts. Not only do we help your child
develop reading and math readiness skills, but we also help your
child with his/her self-help skills, social/emotional growth, and
his/her logic and concentration skills.
VPK is wonderful program that allows parents the opportunity to
have a tuition break. Our curriculum remains the same. It has been
proven many times over that hands-on learning is the most effective
way to teach a young child life-long skills that will help him/her
to be successful learners. We are excited to offer the program to
you as a savings benefit. However, there are many restrictions
associated with the program. Early Learning Coalition only allows
up to 540 hours of learning, so we need your help to make sure your
child has opportunity to learn as much as possible before
kindergarten. CAELA requires:
· Your child may not be absent more than 2 VPK days per
month.
· Your child may not be more than 10 minutes late for the start
of class.
· You must sign your child in and out daily, using your full
signature. ELC does check the signatures.
· At the end of each month, parents must sign a “Child
Attendance and Parental Choice Certificate.”
Enrichment Programs
CAELA offers many enrichment programs to all of our students. We
offer tumbling, music lessons, Lil Kicks soccer instruction, Lil
Sluggers baseball instruction. Please see the Director if you are
interested in any of these extracurricular programs.
Separation Anxiety
Most children go through a period in which they feel upset when
you drop them off. For some it occurs in the very first days and
for some it won’t happen until the “newness” wears off. We will try
to guide you during those times, and we give extra attention to
your child until he feels comfortable. When you drop off, you are
welcome to stay as long as you like, but often a quicker drop-off
works best since your teacher will quickly get your child
distracted with something interesting to do. She will be able to
tell you how long it took for your child to join in with the other
children in their work or play. Generally, a child is upset only 2
or 3 minutes until they are captivated by what the other kids are
doing. It is our policy not to allow a child to remain upset for a
long period of time. We work hard to distract your little one with
something fun; however, if your child remains upset and cannot be
comforted or distracted, we will call you so that we can talk about
what you think is best to do. If your child is not used to being
away from you, here are a few suggestions of things that can make
your child feel your presence while you are gone:
1. Tell your child what time you will return (and tell us also
so we can talk about it with your child) and be sure to return at
that time.
2. Make the first few days very short until your child makes
friends and bonds with his teacher. Pick up your child before
naptime. Then go to your normal schedule after a week or so.
3. Give him/her a handkerchief sprayed with your perfume to keep
during the day.
4. Give him/her a wallet-sized photo of you (or of the
family).
5. Allow him/her to bring a well-liked stuffed animal or doll
for naptime.
6. Pick out a book at home together that the teacher can read to
the class. This is often effective since drop-off occurs during
story time.
We do want to point out that over the course of your child’s
preschool years with us, all children go through stages. Your child
may love coming to school for 2 years, then suddenly he or she
wants to stay home with you all the time. Our best advice is not to
panic. Just as quickly as some of these things crop up, they will
go away. As they grow older, the children become more and more
aware of what they feel about their world and what they may hear
going on in their family and sometimes this is a little scary. And
sometimes, a child just may be having a bad day or a bad week, just
as adults do. Adults are not happy about everything all the time
and neither are children. Please communicate with us when you
notice different behaviors (or changes at home) so that we can
determine the best way to handle it, like giving extra attention,
etc.
Wish List
Parent contributions really help us get through the school year.
Your child’s teacher will periodically post a “Wish List” for her
classroom. We also have a generalized one for the whole school if
you need one. You will also probably be asked to bring bananas and
hard-boiled eggs, or other foods during the year. The children
sometimes go through large quantities of these items in their
activities. You can also bring snacks to your child’s class if you
wish to provide variety. Different breads or muffins or recipes
like banana pudding, etc. are out-of-the-ordinary and are really
appreciated by the children.
Parent Custody and Documentation
It is the responsibility of the parent(s) to provide any and all
court documentation supporting custody rights or the revocation of
parental rights of either parent/guardian. Without these documents,
we cannot legally withhold a child from his/her
parent/guardian.
Volunteers
We love to have parents volunteer! Anyone interested in
volunteering in a regular capacity must complete a volunteer
application and must be willing to submit to a local background
check. Volunteer applications are available in the school
office.
Toys
Please do not allow your child to bring toys from home. We have
so many reasons for this rule! The children often have trouble
keeping track of them during the day, and they are upset about it
when the toy is lost by the end of the day (and it is hard for us
to look for them). It often causes friction between the children
since the other children will want to “look at” or play with your
child’s toy and your child may not want to share. Your child is
encouraged to bring in learning objects or science objects, if this
helps with drop off.
Photography/Videos
Your child’s privacy is very important at CAELA. Your child’s
pictures will not be posted, by CAELA, on our website, Facebook
page or other outlets without your permission. Parents, please be
mindful that other parents may not want their child photographed
and/or video graphed. Please, only take photos/videos of your own
child.
Termination
CAELA requires a two-week notice to be given in writing before
your child’s withdrawal. Please note that if you withdraw your
child from the program mid-month, you are still responsible for the
full month’s tuition, even if you are paying weekly or
bi-weekly.
Non-Discrimination
We welcome and respect all children, regardless of gender, race,
ethnic background, socio-economic status, or religious
background.
Mediation and Binding Arbitration
Our company, Creative Arts Early Learning Academy, greatly
values its relationships with its families. We realize that no
matter how hard we may try, an occasional breakdown in a
relationship may occur. We desire to settle any disputes quickly
and fairly by first, having a face-to-face meeting with the
Director and the family member. If an agreement or resolution
cannot be reached, upper management of CAELA will meet with the
family member. If an agreement or resolution cannot be reached
during that meeting, CAELA desires to utilize Mediation and
Arbitration to resolve any dispute and bring reconciliation.
Changes to the Parent Handbook/Policies
Creative Arts Early Learning Academy reserves the right to make
any changes to any policies contained in Creative Arts Early
Learning Academy Parent Handbook. Parents will be notified of any
changes by email or written notice distributed to children’s
cubbies.
We have so many things happening at school, so please ask if you
ever have any questions. We want your child and your family to have
a wonderful experience here at Creative Arts Early Learning
Academy!
Your Child’s Work
Our learning center is very different from most other
preschools, and the tour shows you what we do and why we do it. We
do not rely on worksheets to teach your child (although we do
introduce worksheets to the older children so they will be familiar
with them in kindergarten), so don’t be alarmed if you rarely get
any papers---or if you only get an art project. This does not
represent all that your child learned that day. Your child may wish
to color with markers for a few minutes every day before he /she
gets started on difficult activities. Because we allow this, we
generally get good work out of the children during other parts of
the morning. You are welcome at any time to ask your teacher to
show you what activities your child has been doing and she can even
leave out an activity your child worked for you to see at pick-up
time. We will have conferences and /or progress reports during the
school year to give you an opportunity to see what your child has
been doing.
Many parents have asked for suggestions to improve self-help
skills at home. Listed below is a list of the basics that a
preschooler should be able to do (and generally already does well
at school). Enlist your child’s help in these areas!
Self-Help Skills:
· Throwing own trash away
· Setting the table
· Cleaning up space after dinner and bringing dirty plate and
cup to the sink
· Washing some items in soapy water
· Washing hands correctly with soap and water
· Pouring own drink
· Dressing self, pulling up pants or shorts and zipping.
· Bathroom---wiping own self, buttoning pants.
· Putting away a toy after playing with it
· Handling books properly
· Putting shoes where they belong
· Putting dirty clothes where they belong
· Helping with laundry: matching socks or folding wash cloths,
sorting each person’s clothes
· Practicing opening and closing containers.
Mediation and Binding Arbitration Agreement
Agreement Regarding Mediation and Binding Arbitration
The purpose of this Mediation and Arbitration Agreement is to
help avoid the time, expense, and emotion associated with dragging
a dispute through the litigation system. This agreement will only
be utilized if a good-faith effort of a face-to-face meeting with
the director and/or upper management of CAELA does not resolve the
dispute and bring reconciliation. I agree to be bound by the
following mediation and arbitration agreement in an attempt to
resolve the dispute and bring reconciliation.
Mediation and Binding Arbitration Agreement
The parties to this agreement agree that any claim or dispute
arising out of or related to this agreement, including claims under
federal, state, and local statutory or common law, the law of
contract, and law of tort shall be settled mediation. If resolution
of the dispute and reconciliation do not result from mediation, the
matter shall then be submitted to an independent and objective
arbitrator for binding arbitration.
The parties acknowledge that the resolving of conflicts requires
time and financial resources. In an effort to fully encourage and
implement a sound resolution, Creative Arts Early Learning Academy
agrees to pay all fees and expenses, which may be required by the
mediator, case administrator, and/or arbitrator related to such
proceeding. The issue of final responsibility for such costs will
be an agreed issue for consideration or determination in the
mediation or arbitration. The parties agree they will endeavor to
exchange information with each other and present the same at any
mediation or arbitration with the intent to minimize costs and
delays to the parties. They will seek to cooperate with one another
and may request the mediator, case administrator, and/or arbitrator
to direct and guide the preparation process so as to reasonably
limit the amount of fact-finding, investigation, and discovery by
the parties to that which is reasonably necessary for the parties
to understand each other’s issues and positions, and to prepare the
matter for submission to the mediator and/or arbitrator to inform
the mediator and/or arbitrator. In addition, the parties agree that
in the event of arbitration, they will use a single arbitrator who
is experienced in the relevant area of law and familiar with
resolving conflict.
The parties to this contract agree that these methods shall be
the sole remedy for any controversy or claim arising out of the
client relationship or this agreement and expressly waive their
right to file a lawsuit against one another in any civil court for
such disputes, including any class action proceeding, except to
enforce a legally binding arbitration decision. The parties
acknowledge that by waiving their legal rights to file a lawsuit to
resolve any dispute between them, they are not waiving their right
to employ legal counsel at their own expense to assist them in any
phase of the process.
Employee SignatureEmployee Printed NameDate
Employer SignatureEmployer Printed NameDate
Please return this page to be added to your child’s file.
Parent HandbookAgreement
I have received the Creative Arts Early Learning Academy Parent
Handbook and have read and understood the content.
I agree to uphold the objectives, policies, and purposes of
Creative Arts Early Learning Academy.
I understand that I am encouraged to ask questions or express
any concerns I may have about the content.
Per DCF Administrative code, I acknowledge receiving the “Know
your Child Care Facility” brochure, “A Flu Guide” brochure, and our
Discipline Policy (on page 9 in this handbook).
Photography/Video Permission
________I DO grant or ________I DO NOT grant permission for my
child to be photographed/video graphed at Creative Arts Early
Learning Academy (CAELA).
________I DO grant or ________I DO NOT grant permission for my
child’s photographs to be hung in the CAELA building for art
projects and/or special parent events.
________I DO grant or ________I DO NOT grant permission for my
child’s photographs/videos to be used on printed materials,
website, and/or Facebook Page promoting Creative Arts Early
Learning Academy.
Both parents/guardians need to sign below, if possible:
Parent/Guardian SignaturePrint NameDate
Parent/Guardian SignaturePrint NameDate
Child’s Name:
Please return this page to be added to your child’s file.
Creative Arts Early Learning Academy Employee Handbook — Revised
08/20151
