Westerly
Preschool
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School Handbook
Orientation
Before the start of school an orientation is scheduled for all children. During orientation, while parents are oriented to the program, the children will have the opportunity to play and become acquainted with their classmates and teachers.
Classroom Management
The Director will be responsible for the management and overall operation of each classroom in compliance with all DCYF regulations.
Hours of Operation
Westerly Preschool is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We follow the Westerly Public Schools calendar for holidays and vacations, with a few exceptions.
Tuition
Rates are calculated based on your child's weekly schedule and session length. We suggest a minimum attendance of two days per week for consistency. Families can customize their schedule with a blend of full and half sessions. A one-time $75.00 registration fee applies, and families with multiple siblings enrolled receive a 10% discount. Monthly payments are due on the 1st, structured over a ten-month period from September to June. Please note that monthly tuition remains consistent regardless of absences or holidays, as your child's placement is reserved for the full term.
Clothing
We ask the children to wear comfortable clothes and require closed toe shoes for safe playing indoors and outdoors. Please label all your child’s clothing which will help avoid confusion. Also, please be sure children always have an extra set of clothes in their backpack. Thanks!
Bad Weather
Please tune into Channel NBC 10 or turnto10.com for updates. We will also post it on our Facebook page as well as send out a group email.
Rest Time
If your child is attending during rest time, please provide your child with a small blanket. They may also bring a stuffed animal.
Show and Tell
A show and tell calendar will be sent home at the beginning of each month. When your child’s name is on the calendar, they can bring in a show and tell day, and they will also be the special helper of the day! Please refrain from having your child bring in toys from home unless it is their show and tell day. Your help with this is greatly appreciated.
Snacks
Each child will bring in their own nut-free snack and water bottle daily. If your child stays for a full day, please be sure they have a morning and afternoon snack as well as their lunch. Snacks should be separated from their lunch and put in a labeled plastic bag. If your child is attending for half of the day, they will just need one snack and a water bottle. The children are welcome to bring in a special snack on their birthdays. It must be nut-free and store bought.
Illness
Colds, flu and other contagious diseases seem to occur frequently and spread easily among preschool children. To protect your own child’s health and to minimize the possibility of contagion at school, please keep your child at home if you observe any of the following symptoms:
• Nasal discharge that is green or yellow
• Complaints of ear pain
• Productive cough
• Sore throat
• Eyes that are burning, itching, reddened, or producing a discharge
• Fever
When your child has a fever, please keep them at home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal. This will help to ensure that the illness has passed and that your child will be well enough to resume school activities.
Absent
If your child is going to be absent, please call the school or send an email to westerlypreschool@gmail.com and report your child absent for that day.
Medical Emergency
The Westerly Preschool will contact 911 first and then a parent depending on the severity of the situation. The staff are all certified in CPR and have recertification every two years. The child’s pediatrician will need to be called as well. A supervised quiet area will be provided for all ill or injured children until a parent, or an ambulance arrives. If a medical emergency warrants transportation to a hospital, the Westerly Hospital is the nearest facility.
Discipline Policy
We stress the importance of sharing, caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. We help each child understand the importance of rules and that they must be followed to ensure safety for everyone. Each teacher will follow rules about acceptance behavior that reflects realistic expectations for the age and development of children.
Program Evaluation
To maintain high-quality programs for young children, it is essential to establish systems and timetables for regularly assessing program impact. Information should be sought from as many sources as possible, including evaluation instruments and feedback from children, parents, staff, and child outreach programs that our Westerly public-school department offers. Evaluation procedures are essential to gather information and then move forward with a plan from the information obtained. When the results of assessments are known, all parties involved meet to determine how to best use the data to improve the program and help the child. Regular evaluation provides the means for staff to provide parents or guardians with the information and they, in turn, can be a part of the process of growth and development in their children’s lives.
Evaluation of Children
Parent-Teacher conferences are held once the evaluation process has been completed. A schedule is given to all parents/guardians to make an appointment for a conference. Parent-Teacher conferences occur in February; however, one can be requested at any time.
Release of Children
The Westerly Preschool is legally responsible for ensuring that each child leaves only with an authorized adult. Children will be released only to the person listed on the authorization to release form and the emergency form in the student files. We will not release a child to an adult without a parent/guardian written or oral permission. The adult must have a photo I.D. to be able to pick up the child.
IN AN EMERGENCY ONLY
If the parent listed on your child’s emergency form is not available, a parent must call and give oral permission along with a brief description of the person who will be picking up their child. They will have to show their driver’s license to pick up the child and sign a child release form.
Supervision of Children
Children are always under the direct supervision of the childcare staff. The children shall be supervised by designated staff members throughout the school day.
Child Abuse/Neglect
Westerly Preschool is required by law to report any apparent incidence of child abuse or neglect defined as “non-accidental infliction or threat of infliction of physical, emotional, or mental harm to a child. All such reports must contain the name and address of the child, the name and address of the person responsible for the care of the child, and any other pertinent information.
REPORTING ABUSE/NEGLECT
If you know or suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, report it immediately to DCYF. As a matter of fact, the law requires that you do so within 24 hours. The Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-742-4453) is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by professional Child Protective Investigators.
Receipt of Parent Handbook
RECEIPT OF PARENT HANDBOOK
I have received a Parent Handbook for Westerly Preschool. I have read the policies and procedures outlined in this handbook and agree to abide by them. I have also read the Covid-19 Plan for Westerly Preschool and agree to abide by the policies and procedures.
Parent or Guardian’s Signature & Date