Welcome
to Prince of Peace
Early Learning Center
We
believe that each child who enters our doors is a special person
and we want to be a part of helping him/her feel that way. The
school and the home must become strong partners in helping each
child reach full potential in all areas of growth. It is our
purpose and joy to assist parents in guiding their children
into successful, useful and purposeful Christian lives; and
to maintain the highest standard of education integrated with
the teachings of God's Word.
This
handbook should answer many of the questions that you have,
but we are available to meet with you personally to discuss
any specific questions.
School
and Staff
Our Early Learning Center was founded in 1975 by Prince of Peace
Lutheran Church as an outreach into the community. It is a Gospel,
Christ centered program helping little ones and their families
experience the love of God. The school has the use of three
classrooms and a large fenced-in play ground. Our maximum ratio
of one teacher or aide for every ten children in preschool ,
one to fifteen in Pre-K and Year-to-Grow and one to twelve in
Kindergarten helps us provide each child with individual attention.
We
have an experienced, qualified staff with degrees reflecting
studies in Early Childhood Education. They continue training
by attending workshops and conferences throughout the year.
The
director of the school is assisted in carrying out school policies
by the Preschool Standing Committee consisting of parents and
church members who are responsible to the Board of Education
of Prince of Peace Church.
Our classrooms are cheerful and bright. Like most preschools,
Prince of Peace is equipped with a wide assortment of materials
and educational toys for large and small muscle development,
reading and number readiness, art, science, music, dramatic
play, and other supplies to help develop each child's growing
physical capabilities and curiosity for learning. However, Prince
of Peace will also provide the opportunity for your child to
grow spiritually. We provide experiences which show him that
he/she is a child of God and is loved and important to God.
It is hoped that this will be the beginning of a rich and Spirit
filled life. Prince of Peace Early Learning Center is fully
licensed by the Bureau of Licensing of the New Jersey Division
of Youth and Family Services.
Eligibility
Prince of Peace Early Learning Center admits children of any
race, color, nationality, or ethnic group. All children in the
community regardless of religious affiliation are welcome to
enroll. Children may enter preschool within one and one-half
months of their third birthday providing they are completely
toilet trained. Kindergarten children must be five years of
age to enter Kindergarten. Children are accepted on a trial
basis.
The
Early Learning Center reserves the right to request the withdrawal
of a student, after consultation, for excessive late or non-payment
of tuition or for any reasons consistent with the best interests
of the student, other students and the center.
Philosophical
Statement
Prince of Peace Early Learning Center puts a strong emphasis
on nurturing the whole child. Toward that end, we will seek
to foster growth through active learning in the following areas:
Social, Emotional, Intellectual, Physical, and Spiritual.
To
achieve this, the child will be exposed to various kinds of
activities, experiences, and an environment that will allow
each child to develop an interest and joy in learning and to
work and play with others.
In
a Christian atmosphere, we will encourage creativity and self-expression,
develop a feeling of security and self-worth, and appreciate
the daily presence of Christ in his/her life. While respecting
each child's religious traditions, one of the important goals
will be to have the child learn about and feel the love of God
through Jesus Christ in his/her life. This will be taught in
a manner which is sensitive to the child's developmental level.
We will help the child select those experiences that will help
develop his/her capacities in keeping with the ideal of service
to God, others and self.
Hours
of Operation
Half day morning classes meet from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. Half day
afternoon classes meet from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. Full day kindergarten
meets from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Calendar
of Operations
Our school usually follows the county calendar for beginning
dates and holidays. A yearly calendar is given out at the beginning
of the school year.
Emergency closings for weather or emergencies will be announced
on WSUS-102.3 FM and WNNJ-1360AM. Delayed openings will be at
the discretion of the director. Delayed morning classes will
meet from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and will delay the afternoon
session which will then meet from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Make
Up Days
When school has been canceled for inclement weather conditions
or emergencies, a notice for scheduled make up days will be
sent home and posted. No adjustments will be made for missed
classes due to extended illness or family vacation.
Arrival/Dismissal
Please try to observe time schedules as closely as possible.
When each child arrives, the parent or the driver will accompany
them to the entry and remain with them until the teacher arrives.
When parents come to pick up children, they should also come
into the entry and wait for the teacher's signal for dismissal.
Please do not park in the circular driveway or before the first
stairway.
Parents
are expected to pick up children promptly at the end of each
session. At the discretion of the director late pick up fees
will be assessed as follows: $5 for being more than 10 but less
than 20 minutes late; $1 per minute for each minute after 20
minutes. If the parent or person authorized by the parents fails
to pick up the child an hour or more after the child's session
closing time and all attempts to contact parents or person(s)
authorized by parents are unsuccessful we are required to contact
the Division of Youth and Family Service 24-Hour Child Abuse
Hotline to seek assistance in caring for the child until the
parent(s) or authorized person(s) can be located.
No
one other than the legal guardians will be allowed to pick up
a child unless the Early Learning Center is notified in writing
by a parent. Emergencies are the only exception. If a legal
guardian or designated driver arrives at the school to pick
up a child and is deemed unfit to drive by the staff, other
arrangements will have to be made before the child is released.
Registration
Fee and Tuition
Children are accepted on an annual basis. A non-refundable registration
fee is due at the time of registration and is non-refundable
unless the child is not accepted. Tuition for September will
be due on August 1st. Each following tuition installment will
be due on the first of each month from September thru May. Tuition
will only be refunded if a program is discontinued by the school
or the child moves out of the county. If it becomes necessary
for the child to discontinue, 30 days written notice is required.
Payment
Plans
1.
Payment in Full
2.
Payment monthly: Annual cost is divided by ten months. The first
installment is due on August 1 preceding the start of the school
year. The remaining installments are due on or before the first
of the month beginning in September and continuing through May.
A late charge of $25 will be after the fifth day of the month
in which payment has not been received unless previous arrangements
have been made with the director. Excessive late or non-payment
of tuition constitutes reasons for withdrawal of the student
after consultation.
Please
contact the school office if you need to make special arrangements
for an alternate payment plan.
A
church member in good standing will receive a 20 percent discount
on tuition.
If
you have a second child enrolled you will receive a 10 percent
discount on the tuition for the second child.
No
adjustments are to be made to tuition for holidays, sick, vacation
or when school is closed.
Delinquent
Accounts
When all previous efforts fail to elicit a payment response
and an outstanding balance is 90 days overdue, the school, having
exhausted all avenues may then consider legal action.
Health/Medical
Emergencies
The New Jersey State Department of Health Standard School/Child
Care Center Immunization Record IMM-8 and medical form confirming
your child's fitness for school must be returned and approved
by the director before he/she may attend.
Parents will be notified immediately when the child becomes
ill, has an accident, or has been exposed to a communicable
disease. If the parents or emergency contacts cannot be reached
and the staff deems it necessary, the child will be taken to
the hospital closest to our facility by emergency personnel.
Illness
Policy
Even the healthiest child is likely to have days when he/she
is too sick to go to school. A child should not be sent to school
unless they are well enough to participate in all activities.
This includes outdoor play.
1.
Children must be free of fever, diarrhea, or vomiting for 24
hours prior to returning to school.
2.
Children should be kept home for any undiagnosed rash, sore
throat, discharge from eyes, or severe cough.
3.
Children will be sent home following symptoms of fever of 101
degrees or more, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes or discharge from
eyes or ears.
4.
Please notify the school immediately when an illness is diagnosed
as contagious so that any necessary steps may be taken to protect
the other children who may have been exposed.
5.
If a child develops a communicable disease such as chicken pox,
strep throat, head lice, or scabies, the child may not return
until they are symptom free or can provide the director with
a physician's note authorizing the child's return.
Medications
We prefer not to administer medications. They will only be administered
under the following conditions:
Kindergarten
Curriculum
Language
Arts
Children will acquire an understanding of letters and sounds
incorporated into a whole program designed to take them from
readiness to reading and writing. Unit instruction will include
seasons, foods, animals, holidays, weather, etc.
Math
This manipulative program explores the basic concepts of counting,
addition, subtraction, graphing, telling time, using money,
measurement and patterning.
Science
Children will enjoy science by observing, classifying and measuring
as well as predicting, making models and interpreting data.
Religion
Kindergartners
will experience God's word from Creation to Pentecost through
puppets, videos, songs, weekly memory verses, prayer time and
chapel.
School
Trips
The children will travel by parents' cars for short distances
and by bus for longer distances. Permission slips will be sent
home with your child prior to the trip. The permission slips
must be signed, returned and fee paid before your child can
accompany the class.
All parents volunteering to drive must have a valid driver's
license, registration, inspection and insurance card in the
vehicle and enough seat belts for the number of children in
the vehicle.
Snack
Time
A snack calendar goes home monthly. Each child will have a turn
brining snack in for the school year. The number of times will
depend on the enrollment that year.
Visiting
We encourage all parents to visit the school and participate
in the program with their various talents at any time during
the year. To share your special gifts, talents and hobbies with
us, please make arrangements in advance with your child's teacher.
A Back to School Night will be held for parents to become acquainted
with their child's teacher and classroom. Parent-teacher conferences
are held in the Fall and Spring. Special programs are held several
times a year.
Prayer
Please pray regularly for continued blessings for our school,
children, and staff.
Feel free to call The Early Learning Center with any questions
you might have at 827-5080.
