Little Chapel on the Boardwalk

Preschool

Parent’s Handbook

2015-2016

Mission Statement Little Chapel on the Boardwalk’s Preschool program’s mission is to reach out to the children and

families in our community and to educate them about our Christian faith and values. We strive to

meet the developmental and educational needs of the whole child. We will help our children

grow to their highest potential physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

Our goal is to meet each child’s individual needs in our safe, warm, caring, and nurturing

environment as we prepare our children to be successful in kindergarten. We aim to help our

students become productive caring citizens who will grow up to make God’s world a better place

for all who live in it.

Welcome

We are very excited about welcoming you to our Little Chapel on the Boardwalk family. This

will be the first year of our preschool program and we are so happy to have the opportunity to

minister to your children in our warm and caring environment as they grow in all areas of their

development. Our main goal is to instill a love for learning in all the children who are part of our

preschool program at Little Chapel on the Boardwalk. We will engage your children in many

hands-on learning experiences which will help them to achieve their highest potential in all areas

of their development. We look forward to preparing our four year old students for kindergarten

next year.

Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Preschool is a very important ministry of our church and we are

excited about teaching your children more about our Christian faith as we enjoy weekly Bible

stories and lessons. Students enrolled in our preschool program will also enjoy a chapel time

once a week on Wednesdays. At Little Chapel on the Boardwalk our students will follow a

planned structured daily schedule developed to meet their physical, intellectual, emotional,

social, and spiritual needs. As parents, we invite and encourage you to be partners with us in

your child’s education and our preschool program. Daily communication with your child’s

teacher is of upmost importance in order for your child to be successful and happy at preschool.

In this handbook we have outlined our program and our expectations, practices, guidelines and

rules for our staff, parents, and students. We ask that everyone involved in your child’s education

and development adhere to our policies so as to keep our students safe, happy and learning each

day. An experienced, caring, loving and educated staff has been selected to teach your children

this year at Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Preschool so that your children will grow to love

learning and be happy, well-adjusted, and successful in school. We thank you for the opportunity

to partner with you in the education and development of your child.

Thank you and blessings,

Preschool Committee Members:

Maritsa Hartlove (Director)

Joyce Bradley

Jane Hughes

Susan Long

Marcia Rabun

Sylvia Solley

Our Curriculum and Monthly Themes

Little Chapel Preschool Monthly Themes and Activities

September: Themes: School Orientation, All about me (body Parts, feelings/emotions, family and friends) Nursery

Rhymes, Food Groups

Phonics: Letters: A, B, C and D and their sounds

Math: Number 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5; Count to 5 and recognize our numbers to 5

Bible Stories: God Made My World, Adam and Eve, God Made Me, Noah’s Ark

October: Themes: Review the Seasons, Fall Fun, Our Senses (smell, taste, hearing and seeing), Fire Safety,

Farm animals

Phonics: Letters: E, F, G, H and their sounds

Math: Numbers: Review numbers 1-5 Introduce numbers: 6, 7, and 8

Bible Stories: The Tower of Babel, Abraham and Sarah, Rebecca and the Camels, Jacob and Esau,

Joseph’s Wonderful Coat, Joseph in Egypt, Baby Moses, The Plagues of Egypt

November: Themes: Good Health Habits/Nutrition (food groups), Doctor/Dentist, Manners, Thanksgiving

Phonics: Review letters A-H; Introduce letters I, J, K, and their sounds

Math: Review numbers 1-8; introduce numbers 9, 10, 11, and 12; Count to 12 and recognize our

numbers

Bible Stories: The Parting of the Red Sea, Journey Through the Desert, Moses and the Laws of God,

Joshua and the City of Jericho, The Mighty Samson, David and Goliath, Jonah and the Big Fish,

Daniel and the Lion’s Den, How to be Thankful and Praise God (Psalm145,150)

December: Themes: Angels, Jesus' Birthday/Christmas, Musical Instruments, Giving and Kindness

Phonics: Review Letters: A-K; introduce letters L, M, N and their sounds

Math: Review numbers 1-12; introduce numbers 13, 14 and 15. Count and recognize numbers to 15

Bible Stories: Mary and the Angel, Jesus is Born, The Shepherds and the Wise Men

January: Themes: Winter, Transportation, Space, Dinosaurs, Fairy Tales and Folk Tales, Arctic animals

Phonics: Review Letters A-N; introduce letters O, P, Q and their sounds

Math: Review numbers 1-15 introduce numbers 16, 17, 18, 19

Bible Stories: The Boy Jesus, Jesus in the Temple, John the Baptist, Jesus and His Friends, The

Fishermen’s Net

February: Themes: Community Workers and Construction, Phone Numbers and Addresses, Valentine's Day,

Teddy Bears

Phonics: Review letters A-Q; introduce letters R, S, T and their sounds

Math: Review numbers 1-19; introduce numbers 20, 21 and 22

Bible Stories: The Lord’s Prayer, A Storm on the Lake, Jesus and the Children, Jesus and the Little

Girl, The Loaves and the Fish, Zacchaeus

March: Themes: Dr. Seuss’s Birthday, Circus, Rainbows, Shadows, Pets, Easter

Phonics: Review letters A-T; introduce letters U, V, W and their sounds

Math: Review numbers 1-22; introduce numbers 23, 24, 25

Bible Stories: The Loaves and the Fish, the Good Samaritan, the Good Shepherd, the Prodigal Son

April: Theme: Zoo animals, Farm Animals, Spiders and Insects, Plants and Gardening, Spring, Ponds

Phonics: Review Letters A-W; introduce letters X, Y, Z and their sounds

Math: Review numbers 1-25; introduce numbers 26, 27 and 28; introduce the concept of addition and

subtraction

Bible Stories: Jesus Rides in to Jerusalem, the Last Supper, Death on the Cross, the Empty Tomb

May: Themes: Mother's Day, Seashore, Sports, Insects, Spiders, Birds

Phonics: Review all letters (upper and lower case) and their sounds; Begin to blend sounds into simple

consonant vowel consonant words

Math: Review numbers 1-28 introduce numbers 29, 30, 31; Continue to learn the concept of addition

and subtraction; practice writing numbers; one to one correspondence

Bible Stories: On the Road to Emmaus, Breakfast by the Lake, Wind and Fire, Jesus heals a Lame

man, Peter Walks on Water

June: Themes: Summer, Father's Day, Patriotic Week, Graduation, School Closing, Vacations and Trips

Phonics: Review all upper and lower case letters and writing all letters; Review letter sounds and

blending sounds into simple consonant vowel consonant words; Begin to write simple words

Bible Stories: Ten Commandments, Jesus Heals a Blind Man, the Ten Leapers

Themes and lessons are flexible depending on the needs, interests and abilities of our students.

Weekly lesson plans will be posted in our classrooms.

Schedule of the Day: Our Shining Stars (4 year olds class)

8:30AM-9:00AM: Welcome and Choice time (centers opened: dramatic play, blocks, art,

library, puzzles, and manipulatives)

9:00AM-9:15AM: Creative Movement with music (get your wiggles out!)

9:15AM- 9:30AM: Morning Group time (good morning song, calendar, jobs, letter of the

week, number of the week, discuss our theme)

9:30AM-10:15AM: Learning Centers: (themed art activity, letters and numbers activity,

table toys and manipulatives, puzzles, library, dramatic play and dress

up, blocks and trucks, freestyle art and themed prop boxes)

10:15AM-10:30AM: Snack time: provided by Little Chapel on the Boardwalk (snacks will

contain three food groups and relate to our letter, of the week, theme or

number)

10:30AM-10:45AM: Bible Story Time: (According to our Curriculum)

10:45AM-11:15AM: Large motor activities: (Outside play or inside play in our indoor gym)

11:15AM–11:30AM: Group table Activity (letters, numbers, colors shapes, themed activity,

fine motor skills)

11:30AM-11:45AM: Story time (themed story)

11:45AM- 12:00AM: Closing (creative movement games, review our day and closing song)

*12:00AM- 12:30AM: Optional Lunch Bunch (parent’s bring a bag lunch $5.00 a week in

addition to regular tuition sign up at the beginning of each week)

**Chapel Time Wednesdays: 11:15am -11:45am

It is very important that all our students are picked up by 12:30PM as we are not licensed

to operate past 12:30PM. A late fee will be charged for students staying after 12:30PM as

we will be in violation of our guidelines for operation.

**Friday fun, family, friends and fellowship time will be scheduled as weather permits.

Activities may include: family and friends time at the beach, field trips and outings (parents

must accompany their children and provide transportation). Check for weekly notices in your

child’s folder. This program is a church program and separate from our preschool. Parents are

responsible for their own children. Little Chapel on the Boardwalk staff and volunteers are not

liable for children during these activities.

Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Church Activities

Little Chapel on the Boardwalk invites and encourages our preschool families to become involved in

our church activates. We strive to serve our community as we grow in our spiritual walk with Christ.

Church Services and Programs: 8:00AM: Beach Worship at access #4: Casual beach service: (May-October) bring your chair or

blanket! Children are welcomed. 8:30AM: Church Worship (October-April): Nursery is available for young children. 9:15AM-9:30AM: Cherub Children’s Choir practice: Our Cherub children’s choir performs on the second

Sunday of each month (flexible schedule). Our children’s choir is open to all children 4 years old to 5

th grade. Our Cherub choir is featured at our Christmas Pageant!

9:30AM-10:15AM: Sunday school for children ages 4 years to 5th

grade. 10:30AM - 11:30AM: Children’s Church and Children’s message: (4 year olds to 5

th grade)

Presbyterian Kids Connection:

Our PKC group meets on a monthly basis for family fun and fellowship. This is a time for fun Christian

children’s activities focused on the family. We go on outings and field trips as well as have activities

and guest speakers at our church. Parents are required to attend all Presbyterian Kids Connection

activities with their children. Activities have included Sunday afternoon at the beach, fishing trips, hay

rides, bowling, picnics in the park, trips to local museums and attractions, fall, winter and spring

festivals as well as Bible stories and crafts. We welcome and invite everyone to attend our planned

programs as we grow in our faith and learn to serve others.

Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Preschool: Friday Family Fun and Fellowship

This will be a family activity time when preschool children can get together after pre-school at 12:30 to

go to the beach or on a field trip. Events will be scheduled throughout the year. We encourage parent

participation in planning these activities. Parents must accompany their children on these events and

provide their own transportation. Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Church or preschool is not

responsible or liable for children while they participate in activities after school hours. This is a time for

children and parents to have fun and fellowship.

Snacks:

A daily snack consisting of three nutritious food groups which includes a drink will be served daily.

Snacks will be provided by Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Preschool. Our snacks will be oriented

towards our letter, number or theme of the week. Please see your monthly snack menu for a list of

snacks served at Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Preschool. Please remember to inform us of any food

allergies your child has so we can plan our menu accordingly.

Lunch Bunch:

Lunch Bunch will be held daily Monday through Friday from 12:00 noon to 12:30 PM. Children

will enjoy eating lunch with their friends and their preschool teacher. Parents will be asked to

provide a bag lunch and drink that they bring from home. The cost of lunch bunch will be

$40.00 a month and must be included in your monthly tuition check. Please sign up on the lunch

bunch list by the last day of the previous month. We hope this program will allow our students

to have some extra time to socialize with the friends and teachers at preschool.

Parent Visitation

Parents are always welcome in our classroom; however, we do request that arrangements be

made with your child’s teacher prior to a visitation in order to allow for consistency in the

classroom. Teachers are busy during the day meeting the daily needs of their students. If you

need to talk with your child’s teacher about your child’s progress or concerns please schedule a

teacher conference to talk with your child’s teacher outside of the classroom.

Progress Reports / Teacher Conferences

Student progress reports and parent teacher conferences will be completed twice a year in

January and May for our pre-K students. Parents will be contacted by the teacher if there is a

need to address a specific behavior or concern. Parents are also welcome to contact their pre-

school teacher about their child’s progress at any point during the year. Additional conferences

will be scheduled on a student need basis. Daily sunshine reports will be part of your child’s take

home folder. Please sign and return them in your child’s folder daily.

It is important for parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers to share important behaviors or

changes in environment that may affect your child. Please feel free to share any concerns or

changes in your child’s routine that may affect his/her behavior. Open communication between

the home and the school are of utmost importance. Strict confidentiality will be maintained.

Personal Items for Students

Little Chapel on the Boardwalk will provide your student with a bag and a daily communication

folder. In your child’s bag please provide a change of clothes, including socks, in case of spills or

accidents. Please make sure to check your child’s folder daily for their completed school work,

important notices and reminders, monthly menus, and daily sunshine reports. We ask that you

sign your daily sunshine report and return it to school each day in your child’s folder.

Please make sure to bring a sweater, jacket or coat for your child as necessary and place it on

your child’s labeled hook. Please remember to dress your child comfortably so they can have fun

and enjoy playtime and art activities. Remember, your child will get dirty at pre-school (which

means they are having fun while they are learning). We will be painting at preschool! Little

Chapel will provide smocks for our students; however, keep in mind that children are messy and

that paint spills!

It is very important that your child wear safe comfortable shoes to preschool. Help your child to

make smart choices about the shoes they wear to school. Closed toed tennis shoes are

recommended! Please do not allow your child to wear flip flops, slick bottomed shoes or boots,

platform shoes, shoes with a heel or any other open backed shoes which are unsafe on the

playground equipment. We want all our children to be safe while playing and learning at Little

Chapel on the Boardwalk Preschool.

Please do not allow your child to bring toys from home to preschool. Toys brought from home

can be easily lost or cause a distraction in the classroom. We have many educational, safe

learning toys at school. Your preschool teacher may plan a sharing day or a discovery day for

your child to bring in items related to our unit of study. A special discovery bag will be given to

the discovery student of the week. Items to do with our weekly unit of study may be brought to

school in the discovery bag provided by your teacher on Friday of each week. Our assigned

discovery student will share their items with their class. Please see the discovery student

schedule posted in your classroom.

Calendar and Late Openings/Early Dismissals

Little Chapel on the Boardwalk preschool will follow the New Hanover County School Calendar

for closings. (See our preschool calendar)

When the county schools are closed due to severe weather, Little Chapel on the Boardwalk

Preschool will be closed. When the New Hanover County Schools open one hour late, Little

Chapel on the Boardwalk Preschool will open one hour late as well. If county schools open two

hours late Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Preschool will be closed.

Arrival and Departure Procedures

Please arrive to preschool between 8:30 and 8:45 am and depart no later than 12:00 noon (unless

you sign up for our optional lunch bunch program and then departure will be at 12:30 pm). It is

very important that students arrive and depart from preschool on time in order for our schedule to

remain consistent for our children. Upon arrival please park in the front parking lot. Please escort

your child into the building and sign your child in with your child’s teacher. Please remember to

sign in the proper time for drop off and pick up. Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Preschool

cannot be responsible for children who are not signed into our program. Remember to greet your

child’s teacher daily and inform us of any important details about your child. Please do not linger

in the classroom when dropping your child off at preschool as this may cause your child to have

departure anxiety and it also disrupts the preschool routine. Say goodbye to your child and

reassure him/her that you will return to pick them up after preschool. Give them a hug and exit

the classroom.

If someone other than the child’ s parents or legal guardian will be dropping off or picking

up your child please inform your child’s preschool teacher. Make sure the person

dropping your child off at preschool or picking your child up from preschool is on your

child’s emergency contact information. We will ask for picture identification if we do not

know the person dropping your child off or picking your child up. Please inform the

person dropping your child off or picking your child up of our strict identification policy.

The safety and well-being of your of your child is of utmost importance to us.

When picking your child up from preschool, remember to sign out on our daily attendance

rooster and include the departure time. Gather your child’s belongings and make sure you have

your child’s daily communication folder in your child’s bag. Check for wet or soiled clothes.

Make sure to greet your child’s teacher and briefly ask how your child’s day was. Do not expect

a long conversation with your child’s teacher as she will be busy teaching the other children in

the class. If you need to schedule a conference, contact your child’s teacher after class. Please be

very careful in the parking lot as other parents will be dropping off and picking up their children

at this time. Always hold your child’s hand when entering and exiting the building and in the

parking lot. Remind your child to use inside voices in the building as other church activities will

be on-going during our operating hours. Remember, we are in God’s house, so please be

respectful, quiet, and courteous when entering and exiting the building.

Discipline and Behavior Management Policy

At Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Preschool, we believe the redirection of a child’s behavior by

using positive reinforcement is the best discipline. We believe that all children should be treated

with respect, understanding, patience and love as we follow the example that Christ gave us,

treating others the way we want to be treated. The following policy on discipline has been set for

child care centers by the Division of Childcare Development and Early Education and will be

followed by all staff, parents, and visitors while on the premises of Little Chapel on the

Boardwalk Presbyterian Church.

At Little Chapel on the Boardwalk the safety, well- being and education of the children in our

care always comes first. If a child is a danger to the safety and well-being of other children or

staff at Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Preschool, the director of the program has the right to

dismiss a child from the program.

Praise and positive reinforcement are effective methods of behavior management of children.

When children receive positive, non-violent, and understanding interactions from adults and

others, they develop good self-concepts, problem solving abilities, and self-discipline. Based on

this belief of how children learn and develop values, this facility will practice the following

discipline and behavior management policy:

We:

1. DO praise, reward, and encourage the children.

2. DO reason with and set limits for the children.

3. DO model appropriate behavior for the children.

4. DO modify the classroom environment to attempt to prevent problems before they occur.

5. DO listen to the children.

6. DO provide alternatives for inappropriate behavior to the children.

7. DO provide the children with natural and logical consequences of their behaviors.

8. DO treat the children as people and respect their needs, desires, and feelings.

9. DO ignore minor misbehaviors.

10. DO explain things to children on their levels.

11. DO stay consistent in our behavior management program.

12. DO use effective guidance and behavior management techniques that focus on a child’s development.

13. DO use short supervised periods of time-out sparingly.

We:

1. DO NOT spank, shake, bite, pinch, push, pull, slap, or otherwise physically punish the children.

2. DO NOT make fun of, yell at, threaten, make sarcastic remarks about, use profanity, or otherwise verbally

abuse the children.

3. DO NOT shame or punish the children when bathroom accidents occur.

4. DO NOT deny food or rest as punishment.

5. DO NOT relate discipline to eating, resting, or sleeping.

6. DO NOT leave the children alone, unattended, or without supervision.

7. DO NOT place the children in locked rooms, closets, or boxes as punishment.

8. DO NOT allow discipline of children by children.

9. DO NOT criticize, make fun of, or otherwise belittle children’s parents, families, or ethnic groups.

Safety and Health Requirements

All students enrolled in Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Preschool must have the following

medical and safety forms on file at Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Preschool by the first day of

attendance at school. Children must be up to date on their immunizations.

Emergency Contact Information

Health Inventory (including substances to which your child is allergic) form signed by a

doctor

Immunization Record signed by your child’s doctor

Proof of Medical Insurance for child

Children must be signed in and out each day on the attendance sheet. Parent or guardian must

include the drop off and pick up time daily. Children will not be released to anyone besides the

parent or guardian without prior notification. Written notice of someone other than the parent or

guardian must be given to the director prior to a child being released. All authorized emergency

pick-up or drop-off people must be listed on the Emergency contact information sheet. Picture

identification will be required for a child to be released to anyone besides the legal parent or

guardian.

For the safety and well-being of everyone in our preschool please keep children home if they are

exhibiting any signs of illness. It is our policy that children be fever free for 24 hours before

coming to preschool.

It is up to the discretion of the director to notify you of any health symptoms your child exhibits

which makes it necessary for your child to be picked up from preschool.

Our preschool program is not authorized to administer medication to children in our care.

An accident report will be completed by the staff on each child who experiences a significant

injury at preschool. You will also be contacted if possible if an accident occurs that your child is

involved in. The accident report will be shared with you and your signature will be required.

Tuition

Registration Fee: $75.00 registration fee per child (non-refundable)

Registration fee includes: School bag, Little Chapel on the Boardwalk T-shirt, smock, and

necessary supplies.

Monthly Tuition Fees:

$275.00 per child: 5 day a week program 8:30AM - 12:00 Noon

$190.00 per child: 3 day a week program 8:30AM - 12:00 Noon (Monday, Wednesday & Friday)

$150.00 per child: 2 day a week program 8:30AM - 12:00 Noon (Tuesday & Thursday)

Lunch Bunch (optional):

5 days a week - $40.00 a month: 5 days a week (Monday – Friday) 12:00 Noon –

12:30PM; Parents bring a bag lunch including a drink!

3 days a week - $25.00 a month: 3 days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) 12:00

Noon – 12:30PM; Parents bring a bag lunch including a drink!

2 days a week - $20.00 a month: 2 days a week (Tuesday & Thursday) 12:00 Noon-

12:30PM; Parents bring a bag lunch including a drink!

Due to our rules of operation we are not allowed to operate our preschool for more than four

hours a day. This makes picking up your child on time imperative. If you are going to be late

due to an emergency, please contact Little Chapel on the Boardwalk as soon as possible. We

will charge a late fee to insure that children are picked up on time.

If you pick up your child past 12:00 Noon and are not signed up for lunch bunch your child will

be served a lunch or snack. You will be charged $5.00 for late pick up between 12:00-12:30PM.

If you pick up your child past 12:30PM you will be charged $5.00 for every 5 minutes you are

late. This is necessary due to the North Carolina State licensing regulations. Your cooperation

with our rules is greatly appreciated.

Tuition is due no later than the first day of each month. If you have not paid your tuition by the

5th

day of each month you will be charged a late fee of $25.00. If your tuition is not paid by the

15th

of each month your preschool space will no longer be held for your child. Please talk to the

director about extenuating circumstances. The safety, well–being, positive development,

education, socialization and positive self–esteem of your child always is our #1 priority. We look

forward to serving you and your child this year. We are praying for a wonderful pre-school

experience for your child and your family at Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Preschool. We are

happy to welcome you and your family to Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Preschool and Church.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of God

belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14) and so we welcome the Little Children to Little

Chapel on the Boardwalk!

Parent Agreement Form

I have read and agree to adhere to all the rules, regulations and policies stated in the Parent’s handbook

for Little Chapel on the Boardwalk. I have included my child/children’s registration forms. I am

including my registration fee and first month’s tuition payment.

I agree to pay the monthly tuition amount of___________

I have paid the registration fee amount of _____________

Lunch Bunch included for the month of________________ in the amount of ____________

Child Name:_________________________________________________

Parent’s Name:______________________________________________

Director’s Name:______________________________________________

Parent’s Signature:__________________________________________ Date:______________

Director’s Signature: ________________________________________ Date: _____________

Witness’s signature _________________________________________ Date:______________

Included:

____ Emergency Information

____ Health Inventory (including allergies)

____ Immunization Form

____ Medical insurance information form

____ Lunch Bunch sign up form

____ Photo Release form