Why We are Unique
FMPS is privately owned by Christine Boatwright. Mrs. Christine also takes an active role in the day-to-day operation of the school. At FMPS we provide your child with a “home away from home” setting in hopes that your child will feel relaxed and content in his/her surroundings. Each child is personally greeted when they arrive and leave the center, making them feel special. With our low ratios, we’re able to provide individual attention along with a small group social setting.
Our ratios are MUCH lower than State Requirements. It is our small class sizes that enable us to practice our philosophies each and every day! Children that are a part of a lower ratio, feel secure; giving them confidence to experience and try new things! Teachers feel relaxed and enjoy having the opportunity to teach. FMPS is dedicated to maintaining our class sizes, as this is where the quality of our program begins.
Philosophy
We believe that the purpose of Fort Mill Preparatory Cooperative Preschool is to provide a positive educational atmosphere for learning, so that students may experience the joy of learning and may become fulfilled, aware, and caring human beings, capable of using their skills to successfully continue advancement in these areas.
We believe that the learning experiences offered by FMPCP should be of adequate to satisfy the curiosity and intellectual growth of all who attend. We see each child as an individual and therefore the organizational arrangement for instruction and teaching methods must be varied. We view each student as a unique person. We believe that his/her physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and moral development is continuous and ever expanding. Also, we recognize each student as having basic needs.
This program is viewed as an integral part of the child’s overall school experience. It is designed to provide opportunities for children to learn through various experiences and in a socially centered environment. This program recognizes the unique needs of each child and will provide learning opportunities according to these varied needs, abilities, and interests. This program will strive to prepare each student to function successfully in a scholastic, social, and individual way.
Ratios
We strive to keep the overall daily enrollment at approximately 75% of our total capacity. This provides your child with space, which we feel is important in the overall development of your child.
| State Requirement | Fort Mill Prep School | ||
| Infant 6-12 month Lambs and Chicks |
1 teacher per 5 | 1 teacher per 3 - 4 (2 teachers 8 infants) |
|
| Toddler 12-24 Seahorses and Starfish |
1 teacher per 6 | 2 adults for10 students | |
| Age 2 Polar Bears and Penguins |
1 teacher per 8 | 2 adults for 12 students | |
| Age 3 Bears and Chipmunks |
1 teacher per 12 | 2 Adults for 18 Students | |
| Preschool1 young 4 Bumblebees and Butterflies |
1 teacher per 17 | 2 Adults for 20 Students | |
| Pre- Kindergarten Lions and Tigers |
1 teacher per 20 | 2 Adults for 20 Children | |
| After School | 1 teacher per 23 |
|
Creative Curriculum/ The Project Approach
A child’s day will include a variety of hands on activities, which may include: clay projects, cooking, nature walks, science experiments, and more. They may learn sign language, a foreign language and use their imagination while dictating a story about their picture. Our Gym gives the children areas to exercise their large muscles in inclement weather. We also provide a place for the children to play along with a variety of musical equipment for the children to explore. Our child-sized library allows the children to explore different books, books on CD, and explore computers. Your child will be exposed to a stimulating environment with new materials and toys throughout the center. Our large supply allows us to rotate these items on a monthly basis. We also incorporate long term projects that may take a week to one month complete, allowing the children to see the progress and learn the sequence of events.
Teachers
The strength and experience our staff offers gives your child many opportunities to create ever lasting relationships and bonds. Many of our teachers have different educational backgrounds, but all show a desire and passion to work with children. These dedicated teachers go through an extensive hiring process to insure the quality of the teacher, along with an intense in classroom training with senior staff members.
Teacher meetings are scheduled every month. These meetings focus on keeping consistency, learning new teaching methods and brainstorming on new and fun activities for the children. Our Annual Teacher Conference takes place each year and teachers are provided with an abundance of information and materials regarding early childhood development. Team building exercises, brainstorming and role-playing activities are also part of the day long agenda. Teachers are also given the opportunity to attend a variety of professional workshops and seminars throughout the year at the expense of FMPS.
All teachers must complete the following training: CPR, Communicable Diseases, First Aid, Child Abuse Prevention and Recognition.
Schedule & Flexibility
FMPS is opened Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 6:00pm. FMPS offers a variety of full time and part time options. In our infant program we offer five, three, or two full days. With all our programs, we offer full day and half day programs. We are flexible on which days you choose, but we ask that the days stay consistent. Tuition prices and availability can be obtained from the school Business Manager or Program Coordinator.
Cleanliness
FMPS is committed to maintaining a clean and healthy environment for your child. We are required to follow specific guidelines in regards to cleaning, sanitizing, and hand washing.
Hand washing is the most effective practice in preventing the spread of germs. Teachers are required to wash their own hands, as well as the hands of the children before and after many food and art activities throughout the day.
Teachers are required to disinfect all areas that children come in to contact with after each use. In addition, all toys are disinfected the prescribed way and toys that children put in their mouth are cleaned and disinfected between each use.
FMPS cleans the entire center twice a day. Once mid day when the children are napping and then once in the evening once the children are picked up. Cleaning twice a day gives the start of each morning and afternoon a clean and fresh start for the children and staff.
Leadership is an integral part of any company, big or small. FMPS is proud to offer an excellent leadership team, providing continuous support and expertise for their staff and families. All 4 administrators work together on the hiring and training of new teachers and collaborate on many projects. Their experience, expertise, education and dedication make them an incredible management team!
Sincerely,
Christine Boatwright
Owner/Administrator
Parent Involvement-
We believe that parents are the primary educators of their child. Fort Mill Cooperative Preschool offers the opportunity to actively participate through parent education workshops and classroom parent helping.
Every family is required to have parent volunteer hours. Parent responsibilities include:
- Attend orientation
- Help in the class 1 time a month/ or take a job home.
- Actively serve on a team and perform a job for the school.
- Participate in one weekend school cleanup and one maintenance work party or project each year.
- The Fort Mill Cooperative Preschool is a nonprofit organization. Parent board members are elected to manage the school.
Classrooms
Our facility includes 5 spacious classrooms. They are well stocked with art supplies, stimulating toys, theme areas for imaginary play and an indoor reading lofts/playhouse.
Play Area
The large, fenced play area adjoins a wooded area and it includes playhouses, a sandbox, swings, slides, climbing toys, garden boxes and a natural barnyard observation area with miniature horses, goats and bunnies.
Tuition
Fort Mill Preparatory School offers Full and Part Time enrollment. Part Time enrollment is available for 2, 3 or 4 day a week programs.
- Full Time Students
-
- Lambs & Chicks (6 weeks -12 months): $200 weekly
- Seahorses and Starfish (1 year olds): $185
- Polar Bears & Penguins (2 yrs.): $175 weekly
- Bears & Chipmunks (3 yrs.): $165 weekly
- Bumble Bees & Butterflies (4 yrs.): $150 weekly
- Lions & Tigers (4 - 5 yrs.): $150 weekly
- Part Time Student: 2 or 3 day week programs
- After School: $75 weekly
Tuition Information
Tuition is due on the beginning of each week dated weekly, bi-weekly on Fridays. The check is deposited every Monday. Any family that participates in a tuition assistance program will be responsible for any charges or tuition that is not covered by their assistance program by the 15th of the month. Fort Mill Preparatory also requires a $100.00 activity fee for children participating in the Summer Camp program. This included children in summer camp that goes to kindergarten the following year.
Late Payment Fee
Tuition is due in advance on Friday of each week. Tuition must be paid in full regardless of attendance with the exception of one allotted vacation week, per calendar year. Any payments received after the close of business on Mondays will result in a late fee of $10.00 per day. If payment is not received within one week of the due date, the child can not attend the program until all balances have been paid and are up to date. Any unpaid balances will be forwarded to a collection agency. All returned checks will incur a fee of $35.00 and future payments must be made by cash or money order.
Late Pick Up Fee
A fee of $1 per minute past the Center's closing time of 6:00pm will be charged for late pick up. The fees will be added to your tuition account and are due that Friday.
