TLC Preschool

Introduction · Enrollment · Communication
Our School Day · Our Parents · Our Staff
Classroom Notes · Health/Illness · Emergency Procedures

Introduction

Philosophy
TLC Preschool is dedicated to providing the families of our community with a quality preschool in a joyful, loving environment.

Our purpose is to provide a place where spiritual, emotional, social, physical and intellectual development is encouraged; and to create a foundation for more formal education.

Goals
We will provide experiences that will enable your child to:

realize that he or she is special and unique.

feel safe and loved.

grow in awareness of God and His love for him or her.

learn and develop to his or her greatest potential.

learn to cooperate with teachers and other children.

bridge the gap between home and school.

Program
The daily program for students provides experiences that promote growth, well-being and age-appropriate development of gross and fine motor skills, language skills, cognitive skills, social and emotional skills, positive self-concept, curiosity, interest and exploration.

Students are provided with a routine yet flexible schedule so they have the security of knowing the frequency of daily activities.

Approach
TLC Preschool offers a child-centered, hands-on curriculum. We focus on a variety of daily experiences, such as art, music, movement, play centers, books, outside play and age-appropriate readiness activities for language arts and math.

Supplemental activities include cooking, science, field trips and more.

All classes enjoy a weekly chapel time.

We use a thematic approach to learning. For example, during October many of our activities revolve around pumpkins. Parents will be informed of our unit themes in advance through a newsletter or calendar. This is a fun way to teach and to learn!

Facilities
Presently, we use four large, bright classrooms with a bathroom close by.

Our fenced-in playground provides a pleasant place for much needed outdoor play.

We use the church’s Fellowship Hall on bad weather days.

Licensing
TLC Preschool is exempt from licensure and follows all Virginia State guidelines for Religious Exemption. These standards are strictly enforced to ensure that our students are safe and well cared for.

Insurance
Our preschool is covered by public liability insurance.

ENROLLMENT

Admissions Policy
TLC Preschool is open to anyone desiring a Christian, early education program for their child, subject to the preschool’s ability to provide such education without undue burden or expense, and without adversely affecting the educational experience of other students or the interests and capacities of the preschool staff. Subject to the above, the preschool will accept and serve children equally, without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or disability.

Preference for admission will be given as follows:

Children presently enrolled.
Siblings of children presently enrolled.
Children of Trinity Lutheran Church members.
Children new to our program.

Enrollment Policy
Enrollment begins in early January for the following year.

Children must be the appropriate age by September 30 and must be toilet trained.

Registration Fee
A non-refundable registration fee is charged when we place your child in our program.

Tuition
You have three choices for paying tuition. Yearly, three equal tuition installments, or monthly. Payments are due by the fifth of the month in which payment is due or incur a $10.00 late fee.

Tuition payment checks should be made payable to Trinity Lutheran Church Preschool and the student’s name should be written on the check.

Payments may be given to the Preschool Director or mailed to:

Trinity Lutheran Church Preschool
2315 Parham Road
Richmond, VA 23229

Refunds
Our budget is based on a yearly tuition. Therefore, no refunds will be made for days missed and you are obligated to pay the remainder of the school year’s tuition should your child leave our program; except for the following reasons:

Parents are transferred from the city. A month’s notice must be given.
The child becomes ill and your doctor recommends withdrawal. A note from the doctor is required.

COMMUNICATION

Registration Documents
Each student must have the following completed and signed forms on file in the Preschool Office:

Registration Forms
Medical Form ***
Emergency Authorization Form
Development/Information
Birth Certificate Identification Form
Field Trip Permission Form

***Medical records must be current and replaced each year. To comply with state and county health department requirements, we must have a copy of the immunization record and a doctor’s signature releasing each student for participation in activities.

Change of Information
Any change in address, telephone number, or work location must be reported promptly in writing to the Preschool Director.

Messages from Home
All important messages (such as a schedule change, a different person picking up your child, a child going home with a friend, etc.) must be in writing, dated, signed by a parent/guardian, and given to the teacher or Preschool Director.

Please let us know if something happens which may have a bearing on your child’s emotions. Having this information will enable our staff to help the child deal with his/her feelings.

Messages from School
Many important messages, reminders, etc. will be sent home in your child’s school bag. Please check its contents daily.

Newsletters
A preschool newsletter and/or calendar will be sent home with each student periodically. You are urged to read it carefully, as it will relay information concerning upcoming activities, units of study, special events, etc.

OUR SCHOOL DAY

Hours of Operation
Preschool hours are from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. A staff member will greet your child from 9 am- 9:15am. If you arrive after that time, please walk your child to the classroom.

At 12:00 noon, we will have the students ready to be picked up. A student is released only to a parent or an adult designated by the parent IN WRITING.

Please be on time to pick up your child as children become anxious when they are not picked up promptly.

There will be a $5.00 late fee charged after 12:15 pm. After 12:30 p.m., $1.00 per minute will be added to the $5.00.

Carpool
Please line up behind the other cars waiting to pick up students beginning at the covered driveway to the preschool entrance parallel to Parham Road. Hold up the sign with your child’s name as you get close to the loading area. Drive up as far as possible to enable more cars to be loaded/unloaded at one time. PLEASE DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR CAR. We will load/unload all children on the RIGHT SIDE of the car, so that they do not have to pass between the cars. You may want to place your child’s car seat on the right side of the car.

Sample Daily Schedule

	9:00- 9:15	Quiet, independent activities such as puzzles, books or games
	9:15 - 9:30	Circle Time (Bible story, calendar, songs and prayer).
	9:30 - 10:45	Self-directed learning, Art Activities, Chapel, Music Class
	10:45 -11:30	Clean up, Wash Hands, Snack Time
	11:30-12:00	Outside Play
	12:00	Dismissal

Weather-Related Cancellations
Generally, TLC Preschool will follow the Henrico County School System scheduling for attending school during inclement weather. Please listen to local radio and television stations.

If Henrico County Schools are closed, TLC Preschool will be closed. If Henrico County Schools open one hour late, TLC Preschool will open one hour late. If Henrico County Schools open two or more hours late, TLC Preschool will be closed.

TLC Preschool reserves the right to make alterations to this schedule, at the discretion of the Preschool Director.

OUR PARENTS

Parent Involvement
Parents are always welcome to visit our school and to observe our classrooms.

Each school year offers many opportunities for parents to become involved. Volunteer activities include helping with special projects, cooking, holiday parties, driving for field trips, sharing hobbies, etc.

There will be a Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet at the Parent Orientation.

Parent Orientation
A parent orientation is held for all parents before the school year begins. At this time, parents are provided the opportunity to meet the teachers and visit the school and classrooms, as well as meet other families.

Back To School Night
A Back to School Night is held in October for parents and children.

Parent/Teacher Conferences
Conferences with teachers will be scheduled in early spring to discuss your child’s development and progress.

Teachers will schedule additional conferences as needed throughout the year.

Tips to Help Your Child’s Adjustment to Preschool

Prepare your child in such a way that he/she will want to attend school. Start by talking about what fun school will be and the friends he/she will make.
Give your child time to adjust to school. It may not happen overnight. Patience and a little time may be required for your child to get used to the new routine.
Let your child see that you are relaxed in the morning when you bring him or her, as it might help him or her to relax too. However, if your child is in tears or is apprehensive, do not linger. Give him or her a simple good-bye. The teacher will take good care of your child. We will call you if he/she remains unhappy.
Reassure your child that you will return to pick him/her up at the end of the school day. Being prompt will do much to alleviate any fears.
Show interest and pride in your child’s art and craft work. The child does each project. Our goal is not perfection, but fun and experience.
Children need reassurance, love, security, routing, and fun. Laugh with your children every day. Tell them that you like something they have done every day. Tell them that you love them every day.

OUR STAFF

Our teachers are hired based on their educational background and experience. Our staff is committed to seeing that each child is cared for in a loving and secure environment. We also participate in additional educational training during the school year.

Each staff member has a yearly physical and has been certified by a practicing physician to be free from any disability that would prevent him/her from caring for children.

Staff Development
Teachers and assistants attend at least eight (8) hours of professional development annually, consisting of in-service training programs, workshops, or conferences closely related to early childhood education.

CLASSROOM NOTES

Management of Behavior
We believe that most discipline problems can be avoided by keeping children busy and happy.

If a problem occurs, we will positively redirect the child to an area of play that suits his/her needs. Consistent limits will be maintained in order to help the children learn that self-control in a group setting is important. We will not allow a student to disrupt the teaching activities of the whole class. If a corrective measure such as “time-out” is enforced, you will be notified that day. The child’s self-esteem will be guarded, and any situation will be handled in a loving, positive manner.

Clothing
Our program promotes exploration and direct experiences of many kids, so please send your child in durable, WASHABLE clothing that will not be ruined in active outdoor play or with art materials. As careful as we are, paint mishaps occasionally occur. Rubber-soled shoes and tennis shoes are best for active young children. For safety, we discourage flip-flops, jellies or cowboy boots at school. All removable clothing such as sweaters, coats and hats should be labeled with your child’s name. Each child will need a complete change of clothing, appropriate to the season, to keep at school.

School Bag
Each student should have a roomy bag that is easy for him/her to use. Backpacks are too small for some art projects, so we prefer open bags. Please mark your child’s bag with his/her name.

Snacks
You will be responsible for providing snack for your child each day. Please send a healthy snack in a baggie marked with your child's name. You will be asked to provide a roll of paper towels and cups periodically throughout the year. Water will be provided and is always available.

Birthdays
Your snack day will coincide as close as possible to your child’s birthday, in case you would like to do something extra. Some ideas might include: Jello jigglers, Rice Krispy treats, big cookies, brownies, fun fruits, plain cupcakes, etc. Please do not send cupcakes with icing. We have found most children do not eat them.

Field Trip Policy
Classes may take several field trips during the school year. A signed Field Trip Permission Form will be required for each trip. Parents driving on field trips must be insured, licensed. Children must ride in the back seat of automobiles equipped with airbags. All children will need their car seat.

HEALTH/ILLNESS

If a child is absent due to illness, a note from the parent indicating the nature of the illness is requested before the child can be readmitted to class.

All children must have an immunization record from their doctor on file in the school office before school begins.

A child should be kept at home or will be sent home when:
The child has the following symptoms the night before or the day of school:

	Chills	Headache (severe)
	Unusual Cough	Red, Swollen Joints
	Diarrhea	Listlessness
	Ear Ache	Nausea or Vomiting
	Inflamed or Swollen Eyes	Skin Rash or Sores
	Flushed Face or Sore Throat	Unusual Color
	Complaints of pain	Fever- 99.2 or more
	Pink Eye	Head Lice
	Colored discharge from nose or eyes

Child has a viral or bacterial infection:

Child should stay at home if there is excessive nasal discharge or cough
Child should be without a fever for at least twenty-four hours.
Child should feel well enough to be in a group and play outdoors when weather permits.

Child has been exposed to a communicable disease:

If the child is due to become contagious within a 24 hour period, he/she should stay at home.

Special Care Provisions to Prevent the Spread of Disease
You will be notified if your child is exposed to a potential contagious disease while at school. Likewise, parents should notify the school if their child has been exposed to or is suspected of having a contagious disease such as conjunctivitis, head lice, ringworm, chicken pox, etc.

General Allergy Plan
Any child with allergies (food or otherwise) will have an individual plan created just for them. If your child has an allergy of any kind, please notify the office so that we can set up an Individual Allergy Plan for them.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

At least one staff member certified in First Aid and Infant/Child CPR will be on-site at all times. Should an emergency occur, staff will provide immediate care, call EMS, call the parent, and call the child’s physician. You will be asked to fill out an Emergency Medical Form. This gives the doctor permission to treat your child in an emergency situation if you cannot be contacted.

You will be notified if your child receives a minor injury requiring more than “a hug and a kiss” so that you will be aware of the incident.

Emergency Evacuation Plan
In the event of an emergency situation that requires an evacuation of Trinity Lutheran Church Preschool, the following plan shall be implemented. In all evacuating situations, the Preschool Staff shall:

Take an accurate attendee list.
Account for all children and staff as they board/depart vehicles.
Bring any necessary medications/supplies and emergency records.
Take a cellular phone if available to be used for emergency notifications.

If the emergency environment is confined to the immediate area of the preschool, e.g. fire or toxic fumes and the children cannot stay on the premises, the children will be taken to Jackson Davis Elementary School, by Henrico County School Bus where they will remain accompanied by preschool staff while family/guardian/emergency contacts are notified of the situation and arrangements are made for either the transporting home or care taking for the remainder of the day. Jackson Davis Elementary School’s phone number is (804) 527-4620.

In the event of a major environmental hazard that necessitates a larger area evacuation such as several neighborhoods, a city/town or geographical area, due to a large non-confined hazard, e.g. earthquake, hurricane, etc., children will be transported to a Red Cross designated mass shelter by Trinity Lutheran Church Vans and Preschool Staff vehicles where they will remain accompanied by preschool staff while family/guardian/emergency contacts are notified and arrangements are made for their pick up.

Preschool Staff will remain with and care for the children at all times during an event. Attendance will be checked whenever children are moved. Staff will bring necessary medications, supplies and emergency records.