Graham Memorial Preschool Policies
Our Basic Ground Rules
Accidents
We write an Ouch Report for every bump or bruise a child may incur while on campus. The report describes the event, including where and when it occurred, and what the preschool provided to comfort the child, such as an ice pack, a cold compress, or TLC (tender loving care). We wash scrapes with clear water and cover them with Band-Aids. We contact parents by phone to notify them should anything more serious happen on campus.
Apparel
Comfortable, casual clothing that can become soiled without causing stress to parent or child is best. Pants or shorts with elasticized waists aid toileting independence. Belts, buckles, and overalls can frustrate little fingers struggling at the last moment. We like to foster success!
Dresses and tights inhibit full participation in Motor Lab, so we request that girls wear pants on Thursdays and Fridays.
We require children to wear socks and closed-toe shoes while engaged on the playground. We prohibit sandals and other open-toed shoes, cowboy boots, and smooth-soled shoes.
To help the preschool return abandoned outer wear items to their owners, we request that parents affix to each item a label bearing the child’s name.
Arrival and Dismissal
We require parents to deliver children and pick-up children promptly. Outside each classroom is a clipboard for recording the first and last names of those who drop off and pick up each child every day.
The preschool office as well as each classroom maintains release / emergency records, in which all parents / guardians list names and contact numbers for those authorized to pick up preschoolers. We will permit only those authorized on these forms to pick up and take children from the preschool. Parents and guardians may edit release / emergency records at their convenience during preschool office hours.
Birthdays
The preschool allows each child to have one day to celebrate a birthday during the regularly scheduled snack time. Parents of the birthday child supply a simple treat, excluding anything chocolate, for each child in the class. Cupcakes are an excellent choice. Parents hosting a birthday party off the preschool campus should distribute invitations to the entire class or selectively invite guests privately, outside the classroom.
Discipline
Graham Memorial Preschool prefers the word guidance to discipline. Teachers design class environments that promote a community feeling through activities that encourage free expression within boundaries of pro-social behavior. This guidance helps children to become happy, fully functioning individuals who can make decisions and direct themselves.
We remove from any group a child who repeatedly struggles to manage his behavior or who infringes upon the rights of others. When the child feels able to control himself, he is free to return to the group.
Graham Memorial Preschool prohibits use of corporal or verbal punishment.
Illness
A child who is not well enough to be outdoors is not well enough to attend preschool. Staff and children must be free of fever or vomiting for at least 24 hours before returning to the preschool after illness. Children with heavy coughs or nasal passages draining thick mucus should remain at home until symptoms subside.
Parents / guardians must notify the preschool whenever the following conditions exist:
• a child has a communicable disease, including skin diseases
• a child is taking medications that could influence coordination or behavior
Parent Visitation
The preschool invites all parents / guardians to visit without prior notice at any time during school hours. We warmly welcome extended family members, too!
Graham Memorial Preschool teachers gladly schedule parent conferences to allow them to express concerns or ask questions. Parents may schedule a teacher conference with either the preschool office or the teacher.
Preschool Communications
Graham Memorial Preschool directors publish a monthly newsletter named the Graham Cracker. Once a month, children take home this publication that announces upcoming events and changes to the annual calendar. Look for it!
Record Keeping
To ensure child safety, our own standards are as strict as California State licensing when it comes to current, complete, and accurate preschool records. The office relies upon prompt parent / guardian compliance in completing and returning all forms. Whenever release / emergency contact information changes, the preschool office must know immediately.