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OAKTON CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL
PARENT HANDBOOK
Oakton United Methodist Church 2951 Chain Bridge Road Oakton, VA 22124 703-938-1234
CODE COMPLIANCE STATEMENTSTo be in compliance with Virginia State Law, Section 63.1-196.3 of the Code of Virginia, the following statements need to be made public 1. Oakton Christian Preschool is exempt from licensure as a religious program; however, we are regulated by Social Services. 2. Our program is located in the upstairs and downstairs education classrooms. We use rooms three, four, and five. The Pre-K program uses the nursery on the lower level. We also use the fenced in playground consisting of slides, climbing toys, a sand box, sensory tables, and misc. toys. 3. All staff meets Oakton Christian Preschool qualifications. These include the love of children, successful work experience with young children, academic training or experience working in Early Childhood Education, and a positive attitude toward children. 4. Fairfax County permits our Oakton Christian Preschool program to enroll a total of 24 children per day. 5. Oakton Christian Preschool provides snack. We do not require kitchen use. 6. The staff is certified annually, by a physician, to be free from any disability that would prevent them from caring for children and also apparently free from any communicable disease 7. Oakton Christian Preschool is covered by liability insurance and accident injury insurance. 8. Hand washing is required by staff upon arrival, after diaper changes and before handling food at snack time. 9. Children are screened upon arrival to ensure good health. This is done to prevent sick children from attending as well as establishing a baseline for health changes. 10. Oakton Christian Preschool Director is trained to recognize signs of child abuse and neglect. 11. Oakton Christian Preschool staff is checked for criminal history and child abuse.
Oakton Christian Preschool GoalsDevelop an ability to communicate effectively with teachers and classmates and to understand and follow simple instructions.Develop a growing concept of the relationship of numbers, time, space, and form. Observe and understand basic weather and seasonal changes. Develop an awareness of music, an appreciation of sound and rhythm, and an ability to participate in some form of musical expression. Express self and learn about others through informal role-playing. Use art and craft materials and develop an increasing appreciation of form, color, and texture. Develop manipulative skills. Grow in assuming personal responsibility for self and others. Develop appropriate problem solving skills for each child’s particular age. Develop the ability to recognize printed letters and names. Understand that God loves everyone and speaks to the heart of each person. Express awareness that each person is worthy of God’s love and the love of other human beings. Experience the loving care of adults whose own lives
exemplify commitment to the Christian community. ADMISSIONS POLICYEnrollment in the OCP is available to children from the age of 2-4 years. We will accept no more than 24 children per morning in the center, located at 2951 Chain Bridge Road, Oakton, VA 22124. The center will observe the teacher/child ratios established by the state for religious exempt day care and nursery schools. As of July 1, 1993 law requires the following ratios: 1-4; 1-10. The program does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious affiliation or special abilities. Enrollment will be extended first to those who attend OUMC and Salem Korean Methodist Church then to students from the Oakton community. Registration for the ensuing school year is conducted in the spring of the year, and is to be coordinated by the director. Enrollments in the program are for a full academic year. The payment schedule for each year is to be established by the director, with the approval of the OCP board. Advance notice of 30 days is required for withdrawal of any child prior to the end of the full academic year. ELIGIBILITYChildren must be two years old by September 1st of the current school year. Children enrolling in the Pre-K program must be four years old by December 31st of the current school year. OAKTON CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL PROGRAM SCHEDULEOakton Christian Preschool will begin the school year on the first Monday of September following Labor Day. For the 2008/2009 school year that is September 8, 2008. The program hours are 9:30 AM to 12:15 PM. We will begin the day with free play and centers indoors. During this time we will work with each child individually on the art project or activity for the day. Next, we will come together in circle time. Here we will learn about the calendar, days of the week, and the weather. We will discuss our themes and any special topics we may be working with. During story time, we will read and talk about books. We will end the day outside with games and play if the weather allows. If not, we will end with games inside. A snack schedule will be sent out at the end of September. Each child will be assigned snack helper duties on rotating bases throughout the school year. Additionally, each class will meet once a week for 30 minutes to participate in their Kindermusik “ABC Music and Me” class. You will be informed in advance what day of the week we will have music class, and you will receive a home kit each month that will allow you to stay connected to your child’s learning. The home kit includes a full-color family guide, a home CD of the music we are learning, and a new instrument every other month. A personalized report will also be sent home each week to let you know how your child participated, what songs and activities we did, and to explain the significance of each lesson to his or her development. BRIEF CURRICULUM OUTLINEUnits of study during the year will include the seasons, weather, holidays, colors, shapes, numbers, other cultures, home and family, community, music, and many more. A monthly calendar will be sent home with our themes and other information that will contribute to continued education and understanding at home. Our weekly gazette will also let you know what your child is learning. ATTENDANCE GUIDELINESIf your child is going to be absent, please call the church office before arrival time. This allows for any planning adjustments that may need to be made. Please inform the teachers if your child will be consistently missing certain days. If you know that you will be late picking up your child please call to let the teachers know. FEESTuition for the school year will be $230.00 per month for three days a week, $170.00 per month for two days a week, and $330.00 per month for five days a week due on the 15th of each month. Late fees will be assessed in the amount of $5.00 on tuition not paid by the 25th of the month. Make checks payable to Oakton Christian Preschool and bring them to the church office. Please do not send checks to the classroom with your child. If you are late picking up your child, you will be charged $5.00 for every 10 minutes past 12:20 pm. HEALTHNo child may attend school that is visibly ill, running a temperature, coughing excessively, or secreting thick yellow or green nasal discharge. A child who has a fever may not return to school until 24 hours after the fever breaks. If a child becomes ill or is injured at school, we will try to contact you. If we cannot contact you, the child will be isolated and cared for until you arrive at the regular pick up time. If there is an emergency situation, we will call the contacts you provided on your enrollment form and, if necessary, we will utilize the emergency medical release you provided with your enrollment papers. We will make every effort to observe good health practices at school. SAFETYAny allergies must be in writing on the information sheet in the enrollment papers. If your child needs to be excused from any normal activity, please put it in writing so it can be added to your file. Children must be brought to the classroom with a parent and checked out by a teacher before leaving. No one will be released to an unauthorized person. If someone other than a parent will be picking up your child please let the teachers know, and that person must be listed on your enrollment papers as an authorized person. We will ask for identification if we are not familiar with that person. CLOTHING AND POSSESSIONSPlease provide an extra change of clothing, including underwear and socks, in case of accidents. Mark all items your child brings to school with his or her name. Comfort items may be brought if needed. Dress your child in clothing that is comfortable and durable. Since we go outside all year whenever possible, dress your child accordingly. Select shoes, which give support and allow freedom of movement. Loose sandals, cowboy boots, and shoes that slip off easily inhibit safe activity. Guns, ropes, knives, or weapons of any kind are not permitted at school. Pets, interesting nature items, etc. may be shared on specific days. Please make arrangements ahead of time with the director. SNACKSParents are asked to provide snack on a rotating schedule. You will be assigned a week and asked to provide snack for that entire week. Please do not send any food, gum, or candy to school with your child. Drinks are fine if they are in a spill proof cup with your child’s name on it. Birthdays are very special and you are welcome to bring in treats to celebrate at school. Please let the teacher know a few days ahead of time. VISITATION AND CONFERENCESYou are always welcome to visit the classrooms. Since the teachers’ first responsibility is to the children, do not expect a conference while school is in session. Conferences can be arranged at mutually convenient times. Changes at home do affect a child’s behavior at school. Please share with us any information that will make us more sensitive to your child’s needs. INCLEMENT WEATHERIn the event of inclement weather, we follow Fairfax County Public Schools for cancellations. If Fairfax Co is closed or opening two hours late, we are closed. If Fairfax Co. is opening one hour late; we will open one hour late. An early closing in Fairfax Co. will not affect our program. FIRST DAY PREPARATIONS Help your child have a happy first day of school. Talk about school in a positive way, name specific activities for your child to look forward to. Plan your schedule so that your child will be rested, unhurried, and relaxed about the first morning. Provide a nutritious breakfast on the first day and every day. Expect your child to go to school happily and to have a great time. Your own insecurity will be sensed quickly. If your child does cry as you are leaving, it is best to smile and keep your good-bye quick and simple. The longer you linger, the harder it may be on your child. The teacher will certainly call you if your child is unable to calm down in a reasonable time. |
