Mission Statement
FMPCP is dedicated to providing children with a warm, loving, consistent environment designed to foster physical, social, intellectual and emotional development while recognizing that each child is unique. Our school strives to offer high-quality childcare services which are supportive and sensitive to parent/family needs and diversity.
GENERAL GOALS
1. To create a "Home like/classroom atmosphere" so children may become aware of themselves as the unique individuals that they are.
2. To accept peers as persons with their own worth, regardless of real or imagined differences.
3. To help children accept mature authority and loving interest outside the home.
4. To work and play well with other children, in-group settings.
5. To create an atmosphere in which a child may develop self-confidence and independence.
6. To make choices, think, and problem solve, for one’s self, and live with those choices.
7. To learn what it means to be part of a classroom setting/group.
8. To speak and express self clearly.
9. To develop an appreciation of literature, and the arts
(music, drama, poetry, art, and more).
10.To provide an atmosphere of co-operation in which parent, teacher and child can learn together.
SPECIFIC GOALS
1. Develop Gross Motor Skills- Young children need opportunities to develop their bodies and coordination by running, jumping, climbing, lifting, pushing, and pulling. Physiological readiness precedes other learning.
2. Develop Fine Motor Skills- Small muscle, hand-eye coordination. Young children need opportunities to practice with things to put in, take out, match, fit, connect, and disconnect. The environment provides the developmental materials- (manipulative, puzzles, pegs, play-dough, beads, etc.)
3. Develop Language Arts- Children learn vocabulary and the rhythm of speech through listening to their own peers and other languages as they are spoken and sung in many forms. Classroom libraries, storytelling, self-expression (puppets, telephones), games, alphabet letter, calendar, recognition (name, address, phone number,) expression through show and tell are only a few of the means of communication which are vital to both personal and academic success.
4. Develop Social Concepts- Social-dramatic play helps a child to progress from solitary role-playing, to sharing and understanding rules and limits. Through housekeeping, dress up, blocks, field trips and snack, the child begins to feel secure in himself, family, and community.
5. Develop Creative Expression- Experimentation, discovery, the experience itself, is the value of arts and crafts at an early age. They learn about basic colors, and shapes, through painting, coloring, cutting, gluing, play-doh, and sand/water play. Children learn to control the medium and satisfaction comes with learning the creation of something that is uniquely their own.
6. Develop Science and Nature- The more the young child knows and understands about their world, the more independent and confident they can become. Learning about seasons, weather, bodies, senses, health and nutrition are only a part of the concepts.
NON DISCRIMINATORY POLICY
FMPCP admits and does not discriminate students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, religion, or disability in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, in administration of its educational and admissions policies, scholarships, or other school administered programs.
ORGANIZATION
NAME:
SPONSORSHIP: Fort Mill Cooperative Preschool, as a non-profit, non-sectarian, interracial, and non-political institution, FMPCP is open to anyone in the community; our doors are open to everyone.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Policies are handled and directed at a quarterly Board of Directors meeting of FMPCP. The Board consists of: Director, Financial Officer, PTA President. All parents and teachers are welcome to all board meetings and are welcome to participate. The time of our Board meetings will be posted on our calendar page.
LICENSE: FMPCP is licensed by the Dept. of Social Services (DSS), which is posted in the preschool office and reflects the number of children licensed to serve. The law and rules governing child day care are available at the school for review upon request.
HOURS AND ENROLLMENT
Hours are from 7am-6pm Mon-Fri
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
1. When FMPCP will be closed, please call the school by 6am to hear a recording.
2. The director’s cell phone # is 803-487-0850 Christine Boatwright.
3. Of course, parents have the final decision as to how safe it is to travel, even when school is open.
4. Tuition is due for snow days and days we are not in session such as all holidays and teacher workday. There are no adjustments to tuition for the days that school is not open.
DROP OFF AND PICK UP OF YOUR CHILD
When you are dropping off your child, come to the office and clock your child in on the computer. Then take your child to their drop off area. When you are picking up your child, come to the office and clock them out on the computer and then go to pick up your child.
The children are not allowed to walk from the parking lot alone, please hold your child’s hand- The director is very serious about this! If someone comes to pick up your child up from school, please call to inform us. They will have to come to the office and show I.D.
RELEASE OF CHILDREN
A parent/guardian consent form is kept on file at the school. For the child to be released to anyone other than parents/guardians, the names must be listed on this form. Notify the school if anyone other than an authorized person is sent to pick up the child. List the name of anyone who is NOT allowed to pick up the child. Please make the teacher/administrator aware of any potential problems.
CUSTODY
If there is a custody issue involving your child, please inform the director. If legal custody is given to only one parent, the preschool will need to have copies of the court agreement. If one parent is not permitted to pick up your child, we will also need copies of that court agreement. Unless we have legal documentation saying you are the custodial parent, we cannot keep the noncustodial parent from coming to the school. If a problem arises during school hours, the
TERMINATION OF ENROLLMENT
The school reserves the right to recommend the withdrawal of a child from the preschool program for reason of immaturity. This decision is to be made within the first two months of school. Children may also be removed from the program for behavioral problems. The teacher and admin team of FMPCP will always discuss specific behavioral problems wit the parent.
SAFETY
The teachers in charge of a child, or group of children, are responsible for their safety. In order to insure the safety of each child in their care, teachers adhere to the following regulations:
1. The teachers are responsible in governing the arrival and departure of the child, and are aware of each child’s presence at school at all times. One teacher greets children at the door, while the other teacher greets children in classroom..
2. The staff has access to school phones at all times including their own cell phone so that they can call the office at any time. The schools emergency plan is posted in the office.
3. Should an accident or injury occur, an incident report is duplicated with a full description of the incident with signatures of the teacher and given to the parents on the day of the injury.
4. The school has monthly fire and weather alert drills. With a plan placed in the office notebook for action of the alert. The children are moved to the designated safe area posted.
5. Any threat to the safety of the children due to environmental situations and threats of violence will be handled by having a lock down, all doors and windows closed and locked.
6. In case of loss of power, heat or water, the parents are called.
7. A staff member by law must immediately notify York County Children Services if they suspect that a child has been abused or neglected.
10. Emergency medical plan is in the office.
OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS
We like to have our parents involved with running the school. This gives an opportunity for parents to help with the education of their child.
1. Representative on the School Board- Responsible for attending a quarterly meetings to discuss various aspects of procedures, goals, planning, etc. of the Preschool.
2. Fund Raising- The Preschool holds fund raising projects during the school year. The intent of these events is to provide equipment as needed to improve our facilities. The responsibility of this committee is to plan these fund raising events.
3. Room Mother/Father- To call other parents during your assigned month, and plan and help with holiday parties during the school year.
More information on these committees will be available by request
SCHOOL VISITATIONS
Prior to your child starting we encourage you to let your child visit the school and classroom, the school visit gives the child a chance to become acquainted with the teachers in the school. This will help the child find a familiar person in a strange, new environment. The children will be given a name badge at visitation to wear during the first couple of weeks of classes.
A parent roster will be made available to parents (upon request). Parents are under no obligation to have their names, etc. on this roster. This list is available to only the families in that particular class. This list can help parents begin to make carpools, if desired.
PARENT/EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION POLICY
The staff of the Preschool is available to meet with parents any time. The directors cell phone number is also listed on the children’s class list. If you would like to set up a time to meet in person with your child’s teacher, please call the admin team any time during school hours. The school office hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The admin team is available any time for calls, drop-in meetings, etc. If parents or employees need further assistance with any problems or concerns, please contact the director.
CLASSROOM ROUTINES
LEARNING CENTERS- Children will have an opportunity to choose a variety of activities (free play) every day, including manipulative, dramatic play, blocks, listening center, library, science corner, and cooperative play. This time is also for the creative activity of the day, connected with the day’s lesson plan.
GROUP TIME- Periods of quiet alternating with periods of activity, pledge of allegiance, weather, calendar, story time, show and tell, games, records, songs, musical instruments, finger plays, conversations, and other activities for the group together.
ARTS AND CRAFT - Challenging gross and fine motor activities, hand-eye coordination with all kinds of painting (easel, finger, water color, feather, string etc.), cutting, gluing, pasting, including collage items. Activities with play-doh, water play, games, and small manipulative play, which includes readiness activities (basic colors, shapes, math skills, matching, and change of seasons).
OUTDOOR PLAY/GYM- Teachers encourage outside play, weather permitting. A variety of equipment is provided for children to develop their bodies and coordination with climbing, crawling, and sliding. Sandbox, circle cycle, and snaps crawl set develop gross motor skills. The GYM is used when the children are unable to go outside. We will not go out if it is raining, snowing, or too cold. The staff will decide to limit outdoor play due to weather or safety concerns.
RESTROOM, HANDWASHING & SNACK TIME- Children can go to the restroom any time during the day. Teachers take all children to the restroom before snack, to make sure all hands are washed.
Snack time gives children an opportunity to talk together as a group, have prayer, practice manners, pass snacks, share, and clean up. Nutritious snacks will be provided each day. There will also opportunities for the children to do cooking projects.
Birthdays will be celebrated during snack time. On this day, you may provide snack for the class.
POSTED ON THE BULLETIN BOARD- Teachers will post monthly newsletters and lesson plans so parents may know what stories and activities are taking place in their child’s classroom. Newsletters are written and sent home with students at the beginning of each month. Please read newsletter for important dates.
MEDICAL POLICIES
Children’s records must be in each child’s folder on the first day of school. FMPCP requires that all parents grant permission for transportation for emergency treatment. All records are kept confidential. The admin team will always go over all forms that are required by state during enrollment of a child and orientation.
Sometimes it will be necessary to not admit a child because of health problems. This is for their safety, as well as the safety of others. Please do not send your child to school ill.
Parents MUST notify FMPCP of any changes of address or phone number, work, cell or home. It is essential that the school be able to contact parents at any time for emergencies.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND ILLNESS
1. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL IF THE CHILD SHOWS THE FOLLOWING
SIGNS OF ILLNESS: Symptoms observed which require isolation and immediate discharge: A child with any of the following signs, or symptoms of illness shall be immediately discharged to their parent/guardian:
(a) Temperature of 100 degrees (auxiliary), in combination with any other sign or symptom of illness.
(b) Diarrhea (3 or more abnormally loose stools within a 24 hour period).
(c) Pink or red swollen, itchy eye, seeping eye.
(d) Untreated infected skin patches, unusual spots or rashes.
(e) Evidence of lice infestation, scabies, or other parasitic infestations.
(f) Vomiting more than 1 time, when accompanied by another symptom.
2. IF A CHILD SHOWS ANY SIGNS OF ILLNESS/OR MILDLY ILL WHILE IN SCHOOL:
(a) The parents will be contacted and asked to take the child home. If the parent or guardian is unable to come, the child will be discharged to the next person designated on the form. The child will be isolated until they can be picked up. The child will be within the sight and hearing of an adult at all times.
3. The communicable disease chart is posted on the door of the Office Parents will be sent a notification if their child has been exposed to any communicable disease.
4. A child may be re-admitted to school:
(a) As soon as all signs of illness are gone.
(b) A doctor has examined the child and given permission for the child to return.
GUIDANCE AND DISCIPLINE
We believe in discipline and structure in our classrooms. We do use “Time Out” only as a last resort. The child is set on a chair in the room for a few minutes depending on their age and the teacher lets the child know why they have to sit in “Time Out.” The staff will recognize, encourage and praise children. They will be positive and constructive. They will use consistent and fair rules. They will communicate clearly their directions and expectations. They will assist the children with problem solving. They will encourage children to control their behavior and cooperate with others. They will help the children feel successful at tasks, and give options for other tasks if those chosen prove too difficult. They will notify children of a change in activity prior to, and allow for a comfortable transition. We will also protect the children from abuse and neglect. When the behavior is unacceptable, the staff will use developmentally appropriate techniques suitable to the child’s age and circumstances. They will redirect the children to another activity, talk to the children about the situation, state alternatives, and use separation from the situation only as necessary. We speak to the children so that they understand what is unacceptable is the behavior, not the children themselves, or their feelings. The staff will communicate with the parents if so necessary.
Discipline problems are at a minimum because our teachers are well trained and the number one requisite is that each teacher understand and love children. A child does not intentionally and maliciously disobey one whom he loves. The policy of love and understanding by the teachers will give the child the boundaries he needs to feel secure and set the freedom he requires to become himself.
The teachers will guide themselves by the belief that “busy children are happy children.”
If a child’s discipline becomes a problem, the parents will be notified and the problem will be discussed and worked out with them. Childcare staff members assigned to supervise a child or group of children shall be responsible for their guidance and management. Specifications of the Guidance and Management Rules apply to all employees of FMPCP.
DRESS CODE
Your child will be a very busy child during their day at school. Remember that each day your child will be given the opportunity to use paints, clay, sand, and sometimes water; therefore, please do not dress him in good clothes, which may become soiled. Children should wear clothing appropriate for preschool activities. Washable play clothes are best. As pretty as lacy dresses and fancy shoes are, they are not appropriate for daily preschool wear. Children should wear clothes easy for them to manipulate themselves. Tennis shoes are the best shoe for preschool play. Please do not put belts on your child unless they know how to manipulate them. (The same with overalls.)
During the winter, please dress the children warmly. We can always take off a sweater or sweatshirt if the child gets too warm. Dress the children in warm coats, or sweaters in the fall and spring, to go outside to play.
MARK ALL CLOTHING WITH YOUR CHILD’S NAME.
VISITATION
Parents may feel free to observe a child’s class at any time. There is no need to call for an appointment. The staff at FMPCP wants everyone to feel welcome at anytime. We greatly encourage parent involvement. However, we ask that when coming in to observe, that you confer with the teacher before the class begins.
WAYS PARENTS CAN HELP
Preschool experiences are not a substitute for the home or parents. Rather, they should complement the child’s growth within the family. Thus, FMPS Preschool welcomes a close relationship with our children’s parents.
One parent-teacher conference is scheduled each year. A “Family Night” (Open House) takes place in the fall, so family and friends may visit the child’s school and meet the staff. If at any time a parent would need assistance with any problem or complaint related to the school, call the administrator for a conference. The matter will be taken to the Preschool Board for review. The Board will then have a conference with the parent, the teacher, and the administrator.
A casual, reassuring attitude from the parents goes along way towards helping a young child accept and profit from the exciting adventure of preschool. Time taken to show an active interest in anything the child brings home and requests to “tell me about it” are so very important.
Promptness and good attendance will impress children with the importance of their school day. Parents should help their children observe Show and Tell Days. At other times, children should not bring any toys, food, gum, etc. to school. Toy guns and knives are not permitted at school at any time. Invitations for personal birthday parties in the home should be handled through the mail. If the entire class is being invited, parents may send them into school, and the teacher will see that they get put into the children’s school bags.
FIELD TRIPS
Field trips are for children age 4 and above if they are on a non-parent/ class only field trip. For all other field trips on the day of the field trips, Parents, children, and staff will all meet at the field trip destination at the time the field trip is scheduled. Parents will be responsible for only their child. Siblings are welcome to attend. The administrator will send home a form with each child to notify the cost, where, time, and to ask if you will be attending the field trip. If you are unable to attend and would like your child to go, the school will give you a list of parents’ phone numbers in your child’s class. You may call a parent and work out an arrangement with them. The staff is not responsible for the children, only the parents are responsible.
RATES
Please refer to the tuition agreement.
TUITION: Payment Information: Please ask the Business Manager as all aspects of school finance are handled by her.
WITHDRAWAL: Parent/Guardian must give a two week written notice if you plan to withdraw you child.