Kids’ Kaleidoscope Preschool
Of
Cypress Trails United Methodist Church
Parent Handbook

The School and Our Philosophy

Fully realizing that the early years of life are the most important for helping children know that they matter, Kids’ Kaleidoscope Preschool of Cypress Trails United Methodist Church exists as an extension of the Ministry of the Church.

Kids’ Kaleidoscope Preschool is a developmentally appropriate Christian learning environment that nurtures young children’s, social, emotional, physical and spiritual cognitive development.  You will find our school to be open and bright, while at the same time, safe, clean, warm and comforting.

We believe the most important benefits a child can gain from our school include:
     *A positive self image.
     *Confidence by experiencing success.
     *Experience in social interactions.
     *Love and appreciation of family and God.

Our primary focus is the child, and our goal is to enrich, integrate, and nurture three important focal environments, the child’s family, church and school.

We believe these three environments need to be a part of a communication network in order to provide support and encouragement for each.

Through appropriate practices of play, exploration of and experiences involving the senses, the curriculum will encourage the children to be actively involved in the learning process.  They will have the opportunity to experience a variety of developmental activities using designated materials, and also to pursue their own interests in the context of life in the community.

Kids’ Kaleidoscope Preschool will strive to integrate Christian principles throughout the curriculum.  Our goal is to enhance the child’s ability to cope with or manage the moral and spiritual aspects of his/her environment, from a Christian perspective, by learning more about:
     *God’s unchanging love.
     *The belief that each person is created in God’s image.
     *Thanking God for our blessings.
     *The changing seasons.
     *The importance of loving each other and our country.
     *Eternal life with God.
     *The importance of family.

Our program has been tailored to meet the needs of the children rather than expecting children to adjust to the demands of a specific program.

The concept of developmentally appropriate curriculum has two dimensions:
Age appropriateness – human development research indicates that there are universal and predictable sequences of growth and change that occur during the first nine years of life.  The predictable changes occur in all domains of development – physical, emotional, social, and cognitive.  Knowledge of typical development in children within the age span served by the program provides a framework from which teachers prepare the learning environment and learning experiences.
 
Individual appropriateness – each child is a unique person with an individual pattern and timing of growth.  Each has their own personality, learning style, and family background.   The curriculum and the adult interaction with children will be responsive to individual differences.  Young children learn as a result of interaction between the child’s thoughts and experiences with materials, ideas, and people.  Experiences need to match the child’s developing abilities, while also challenging the child’s interests and understanding.

In order to accomplish the stated goals of Kids’ Kaleidoscope , teachers are carefully chosen on the basis of their educational background and experience, as well as  for their personalities and the warmth and concern they exhibit towards the children.
The staff has a solid understanding and appreciation of children, relates well to them, treats them with respect and speaks with them in a positive manner.

Kids’ Kaleidoscope has developed a team of teachers who love and are committed to children.  They are educated in the needs and stages of the developing child.  The teachers use their knowledge to identify the range of appropriate behaviors, activities and materials for each age group.

Parents are welcome to visit the school and participate in school activities!  We encourage your comments and suggestion for ways of improving our program.  We believe in parents and teachers working together as a team.

Several opportunities exist for parent involvement, both within the classroom and within the school.  Some examples include: classroom parent (helps organizing special occasions, teacher gifts, etc), classroom volunteer (spends time in the classroom helping the children benefit from classroom instruction), serving on the fund raising committee, or serving on the school board.  Please speak with the director or assistant director if you have any interest in one or more of these opportunities, or if you have an idea for a different way to contribute.

Program/Classes

School Day          9:30am - 2:30pm
Early drop off      6:30am - 9:30am
  Late pick up       2:30pm - 5:30pm 

 Class Ratios
Student/Teacher

Pre-K 4's
(4 by Sept.1st)
12/1

Toddlers
(18-23 Months)
6/1

Two's
(2 by Sept.1st)
8/1

Three's
(3 by Sept.1st)
10/1

Admission/Enrollment/Withdrawal

We welcome all children to Kids’ Kaleidoscope.  There is no discrimination due to race, creed or national origin.

Age – Children must be 18 months of age to be eligible to enter our preschool program.  It is our intention to group the children by their ages as of September First of the current school year.  However, there is a certain amount of flexibility to allow changes in placement, based upon the development of each child.

Registration – Pre-registration will be held in the Spring of each year.  Current enrollees, siblings, church members and alumni will be given the opportunity to enroll their children before registration is opened to the general public.

A birth certificate is required along with our admission form, and the medical record page with up to date immunizations and signed by a physician.  These are required and must be on file before classes begin.

Children over 36 months of age must be completely toilet trained.  The three year-old classrooms do not have in classroom toilet facilities or staffing to change and clean children who have frequent accidents.  Caregivers in the toddlers and two year-old classes will work closely with parents to help each child accomplish toilet training.  Children are encouraged and praised for their successes.
We must be able to be contact parents or caretakers by telephone in case of an emergency.  Written authorization for emergency medical care must be provided before acceptance.

Waiting List – A waiting list for each class will be maintained for those interested in enrolling, should space become available.  No fee will be charged for the waiting list.  The waiting list is for one school year only, and will not apply for future school years.

Discontinuation of Enrollment – Occasionally, questions arise concerning a child’s developmental or behavioral needs not being met.  We recognize that a child may benefit from either a different type of preschool structure or a school that will address the special needs of the child.  When a concern arises, it will be discussed in detail with the parents.  Changes may be made in the child’s classroom and/or schedule.  Parents will be kept informed of their child’s progress through conferences with Teachers and the Director.  If sufficient progress is not shown over time and there are developmental needs or ongoing disruptive behavior that are significantly interfering with the other students’ ability to learn and/or the teacher’s ability to teach, the family will be advised to discontinue enrollment.  We will try to assist with finding a more suitable preschool setting.

Withdrawal – To withdraw your child’s enrollment at our school, we require one week advance written notice.  If you are unable to provide us with this notice, that month’s tuition remains due in full.

Special Services

Screenings – Vision and Hearing screenings are required by the State of Texas for all four and five year old children.  As a service to our families we have a specialist come to our facility to perform Vision and Hearing screenings.  A fee is charged for this service.  If you elect to have the screenings done outside our facility we must have documentation of the screenings for your child’s file.

Special Needs – A child with special needs will be evaluated by parents, consultants, and staff to see if our program will be beneficial to him/her.  The director will recommend to the Board of Directors action to be taken on each request of enrollment.

Tuition Assistance – Funds may be available for families needing tuition assistance.  Contact the director for further information.  An application can be submitted to the KK Board for approval on semi-annual bases.  Tuition assistance is based upon the need/situation of each family and the availability of funds. 

Arrival and Pick-Up

Attendance - Regular attendance allows children to fully experience the curriculum that has been designed for them by caring teachers.  Please keep absences for reasons other than illness to an absolute minimum.
Arrival – Arriving on time ensures that the children will be experiencing the day’s rhythm as it is intended.  The outside doors will open at 9:25.  Arriving late can be disconcerting to the child and disruptive to the teacher and class. Your child must be registered for the morning extended care program in order to arrive before 9:25. If you child is dropped off before 9:25 and is not registered for early care you will be charged $1.00 per minute. Payable at drop-off.

Pick up – The school day officially ends at 2:30 p.m. each weekday.  A grace period of 10 minutes exists when prompt pick up cannot be achieved.  Children remaining at 2:40 p.m. will be escorted to our aftercare program and parents will be charged $1.00 per minute unless your child is registered for the extended care program. This late pick up fee is payable immediately upon pick up. This late fee also applies to children in extended care who are not picked up by 5:30.

Extended care arrival and pick up – Drop off and pick up your child at the back door near the playground.  For safety purposes, the door will remain locked.  Please ring the doorbell and a staff member will arrive to escort you and your child.

Only parents or authorized persons may pick up a child.  In accordance with state law, if someone other than a parent (or person on pre-authorized list) is picking up a child, the teacher and/or director/administrator must be notified in advance in writing.  That person will be asked to show proper identification. 

If you cannot get to the school by pick up time due to emergency, please call the office to make arrangements for your child.

Inclement Weather – If Spring ISD publicly announces cancellation of classes due to inclement weather, Kids’ Kaleidoscope will coincide with Spring ISD school closures.

Fees and Tuition

The registration fee, reservation fee (May tuition), and monthly tuition amounts are set by the Board of Directors.  Cash, checks, and money orders are acceptable forms of payment.

Registration Fee: The registration fee must accompany each registration form and is non-refundable if there is a place for your child.  This fee is refundable only in the case of space not being available for a sibling.  The family will be notified, and the sibling will be placed on the waiting list.

Reservation Fee: A reservation fee equal to one month’s tuition is due by July first to assure a place for your child.  This fee becomes the tuition payment for the month of May (or your child’s last month) and is also non-refundable.

Tuition: Tuition is due the first of each month.  Any tuition outstanding after the fifth will be assessed a $10.00 late fee.   There is no tuition due in May if your reservation fee was paid.  Full tuition will be collected for every month during the school year. A family falling behind in tuition payments will be removed from the program. Please contact the school office if tuition will be paid after the due date. Tuition must be paid in full.
Returned Check Fee: Checks returned for insufficient funds will be assessed a fee of $35.00.  After 2 returned checks, we will no longer accept checks as a form of payment. Cash or money order will be required

School Procedures

Discipline and Guidance

Kids’ Kaleidoscope’s discipline philosophy emphasizes a positive approach in which the child is gradually led toward an experience of self-discipline.  We attempt to avoid behavior problems by having clear, consistent, age appropriate rules.  The positive is stressed – sharing, loving, and being kind to our friends.  Students will be approached in a respectful and dignified manner, and will be redirected and/or asked to comply with the schools standards of behavior.  On the rare occasion when disciplinary action is required, a child will be temporarily removed from the stressful situation for a few minutes.  This is done in the spirit of love and concern for the child, and the child will continue to be supervised by an adult.
Specifics Regarding Discipline

Under no circumstances will corporal punishment be tolerated within the school by staff or parents.

Any humiliating or frightening punishment is forbidden, such as: spanking, slapping, hitting, shaking, or any form of physical punishment.  In addition, no forms of verbal abuse, threats, or derogatory remarks about the child or his/her family will be tolerated.  Withholding or forcing meals, snacks, or naps is forbidden.

Biting and hitting are sometimes used by young children to express their frustration.  Should this occur, the director will discuss the behavior with the parents so a solution can be reached to change the child’s behavior. 

Behavior Management

The staff at Kids’ Kaleidoscope understands the developmental stages that children experience and will do everything possible to help a child exhibiting problematic behaviors. We will set up parent conferences to establish a plan of action to help the child alter his/her behavior.  Children must be able to participate as a member of a class, handle group dynamics, and be able to join in the routine preschool activities for a successful experience. 

The following behaviors are unacceptable and may be grounds for the child being sent home:
     *Physical abuse of another person (child or staff). 
     *Verbal abuse of another person (child or staff).
     *Foul language or gestures.
     *Throwing dangerous objects.
     *Repeated temper tantrums that interrupt the group.
     *Misuse or abuse of equipment or facilities.
     *Leaving the premises or the playground without permission.
     *Biting.

Keeping each child’s wellbeing in mind, we believe that children repeatedly exhibiting any of the behaviors listed above would be better served in a different environment.

Health and Emergency Information

Current medical information and up to date immunization records must be completed on your child’s admission form and signed by a physician.   This information must be on file before your child attends school.  Emergency information must also be completed and kept current throughout the school year.

Please honor your child’s sleep needs so he/she benefits fully from our program.  The school day is a full and strenuous one.  Ten to eleven hours of sleep are generally recommended for preschool-aged children. 

All ill children should be kept at home:  A child who has a fever that is one point above normal (99.6) or higher may not attend school.  Your child must be fever-free for 24 hours without taking any fever reducing medication before returning to school.  Please call the school office at 281-353-5437 to notify us that your child is ill.

Please report any communicable diseases to the school office so that we can inform the other parents as appropriate.

If your child has a green nasal discharge, please keep him/her at home as this may be contagious.

If a child becomes ill during the day, a parent or other authorized adult will be called to pick up the child immediately.  The school cannot administer any medications such as Tylenol or cold medicine. 

However, if your child has an on-going medical need that requires medication to be dispensed during school hours, your child’s needs can be met upon agreement by the Preschool Board, the director, and your child’s physician.

All cuts, bruises, falls, etc. will be reported to parents.  More serious injuries will be reported immediately.  Minor accidents, such as skinned knees, will be shared with parents at the end of the day.  First aid is administered for all minor injuries, and the incident is documented.

In the event of a serious injury or sudden severe illness  (such as convulsions, loss of consciousness, etc.) an ambulance will be called immediately.  Parents will be notified and asked to meet the child at the hospital.  The child will be accompanied by a staff member who will communicate information about the incident with the medical staff and parents.

Pesticide treatments are performed on a regularly scheduled basis after school.  A list of treatment dates and who is performing the treatments is available in the office.

Disaster Preparedness

The safety of the children is of utmost importance.  We take every precaution to ensure their safety.  A school-wide fire drill is performed monthly.  Inclement weather and obstructed fire drills are conducted twice a year. 

In the unusual event that the facility needs to be immediately evacuated, the children will be taken by available private vehicles to Klein United Methodist Church, 5920 FM 2920, Spring, Texas 281-353-8202. 
Should conditions at Kids’ Kaleidoscope force closure of the school, parents or another authorized adult will be notified by phone and/or e-mail.  Children must be picked up within one hour of notification.  Failure to pick up your child will necessitate the school’s placing them in the care of proper authorities (i.e. the Sheriff’s Department or Constable’s Office).
 

Clothing and Equipment

Clothing should be warm and dry, neat and clean, modest and functional.  Immodest clothing can cause children to be distracted from learning.  Please keep clothes simple and functional. Rubber sole, closed toe shoes are recommended for running and climbing on the playground.  The school will not be responsible for damage done to clothing during school activities.  Unless the weather is rainy, we will have outside time each day.  Please label your child’s outer clothing with his/her name.

All children need to carry an extra change of clothes in their backpack, including socks

Toddlers and two-year-olds should bring a bag/backpack with disposable diapers.  Always have a complete change of clothes in their bag.  Toddlers should bring their own “sippy” cup with a lid, marked with their name.

All children should bring a backpack to school each day.  It should be roomy enough to hold work done at school.  However due to limited space backpacks may not have handles or wheels.

Bringing toys to school is strongly discouraged.  When a child brings a toy from home it can cause problems in the classroom.  The school will not be responsible for any damage to or loss of a toy from home.  An exception is a “lovie” needed at rest time (please see below).

All children are required to have a rest time after the noon meal (by the Texas Dept. of Protective and Regulatory Services).  No one is required to sleep, but we will close the classroom door, turn out the lights, and play quiet music to make the room more conducive to resting.  If your child needs a “lovie” to rest, please be sure to include it in his/her bag.  Each child is required to bring a rest mat.  Mats are to be “comfortable”, of a washable surface, of fire retardant material, and must be at least 1” thick.   The mats must be taken home at the end of each week to be cleaned.

  Nutrition   

Meals occur at regular times during the day.  Breakfast is not served, however, if you send a clearly marked breakfast, your child will be allowed to eat between the hours of 7:00 to 9:15.

Lunch time is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  You will need to send your child’s lunch each day.  Lunch should consist of nutritious finger-foods that your child enjoys and a drink (juice, milk, or water in a box or thermos).  Please do not send sodas.  Sodas will be sent home and your child will be provided with water.

Snacks are provided for the children each day mid-morning and after school.  Some days the children will prepare special snacks.  Because of this, it is very important for us to know if a child has any food allergies.  A snack menu will be posted weekly.

Birthdays are happy occasions and may be celebrated at snack time.  Please make arrangements with your child’s teacher if you would like to bring a special snack that day.  In addition to being messy, frosted cupcakes are seldom eaten by the children.  We suggest a decorated cookie, fresh fruit and dip, or fancy crackers and spreads.  Summer birthdays may be celebrated during the year as “pretend” birthdays.  Just let your teacher know when your child would like to celebrate.

Class Parties: Every class will celebrate Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and the end of year with parties in their room.  The room parent will organize the parties.  Ways to help will be posted on the classroom door the week before the party.

Enrichment Programs are set up throughout the school year.  There will also be special dress up days to support monthly themes during the school year.  At this time we do not take field trips off campus.

Calendar

Kids’ Kaleidoscope follows the holidays and closings of the Spring Independent School District.  However, please note that our opening and closing dates are different. We also will be closed two days in February so the staff can attend the Early Childhood Methodist Conference.

Parent Communication

Parent to Teacher

Your relationship with your child’s teacher is very important.  Your child’s teacher wants to communicate with you.  Please take time to write a quick note about any changes at home (new baby, illness, , deaths), or anything that might affect your child’s emotional wellbeing.

A conference will be scheduled in the spring for each child.  We will be happy to schedule additional conferences with the teacher and/or the director upon request.
                                  

Newsletter

Our monthly newsletter can be viewed on line at our website     www.kidskaleidoscope.org. 

You will receive notes and a weekly email from the teacher keeping you informed about your child’s classroom.

We at Kids’ Kaleidoscope are glad that you have chosen this school for your child.  We plan to make this an exciting year for your child, you, and our staff.  If you ever have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to discuss them with the director, assistant to the director or your child’s teacher.  We also hope that the information in this booklet will be helpful and has answered most of your questions.  Please feel free to contact us anytime with questions or comments.

Thanks for sharing your child with us!!

Parent/Child Separation

If your child has been in school before and seems very comfortable in the school environment, tell him you are leaving and will pick him up in a few hours.  A marker of time your child might understand is, “I will pick you up after rest time”

If your child does not seem at ease:
   Let him move away from you as he is ready.  If you are apprehensive about his clinging, he will be apprehensive about leaving you.  Please do not insist or rush him.
   A teacher will help your child move away from you and toward an activity.  Each child is different and will move away at his own speed.  Teachers will work with you and your child according to your individual needs.  When we feel your child is ready, we will ask you to tell him you are leaving.  This will vary depending on your child.  It could mean returning in a few minutes, at snack time, at outside time, or at the end of the school day.  Our staff is well trained and will work with you to develop the best plan for your child.  Tell the teacher where you will be in case we need to reach you by phone.  Our goal is to help your child make a happy, smooth transition from home to school.
Sometimes a child will cry when his parent leaves and stop the minute the parent is gone.  He may begin crying as soon as he sees you again.  This is very normal.  It is his way of saying “I didn’t want you to go”.  When you return you can say, “See, I told you I would be back!”.   Act very matter-of-fact about going and coming.  If you are upset or disturbed by his crying, your child will detect it.