Preschool Policies
2024-2025 Handbook
MISSION STATEMENT | Topeco Church Christian Preschool is a licensed outreach ministry of Topeco Christian Church and Topeco Church of the Brethren that provides an opportunity to spread God’s word as well as an early childhood education for children within the community, to prepare them for entrance into kindergarten. The purpose shall be accomplished within a Christian atmosphere in which spiritual values and the Bible are emphasized.
OBJECTIVES | In order to accomplish the mission statement, the following
objectives are set forth:
• To expose each child to Bible lessons and spiritual values.
• To lead each child to recognize that he/she has positive worth in the sight of God and school.
• To lead each child to understand the power of God’s love for us.
• To lead each child to understand they are loved and to share love equally with all students.
• To teach each child the importance of parental, spiritual, social, and self-discipline within his/her life.
• To prepare each child to recognize letters and numbers.
• To teach each child the basic skills of communication with other children and adults.
• To provide each child and opportunity to express himself/herself through music, language, and art.
• To lead each child to know how to interact appropriately in large and small groups.
DISCIPLINE | We recognize the uniqueness and individual rights of each child entrusted to our care. In a group setting such as ours however, the rights of other students are also important and need to be respected. The purpose of our discipline is to encourage and train children to behave appropriately.
Our staff has developed a list of rules that we feel are appropriate and necessary for us to fulfill our mission. On occasion, when a child has broken a rule, needs time to calm down, or is being disruptive, we do use a “time-out” chair. No form of corporal punishment is ever used. We also utilize positive reinforcement (verbal praise, stickers, stamps) to encourage good behavior. If your child does not have a “hand stamp” when you pick him/her up from preschool, you may want to talk with the teacher about his/her behavior that day.
GENERAL RULES
No running, fighting, or throwing anything
Always show respect for teachers and classmates
Always use kind language
Sharing is a must
Respect others space by keeping your hands and feet to yourself
Everyone helps clean up
Inside voices
No gum or candy.
Child may bring a special toy with them, but must share with classmates, if toy can’t be shared child will be asked to put it in cubby.
In extreme cases of behavioral problems, parents will be asked to conference with the preschool staff. Strategies to be tried at home and at school to help correct the behavior problems will be discussed and written down. If, after a reasonable period of time, the behavior has not improved, the staff will meet with the Preschool Committee to discuss whether there is need for further action (termination of enrollment). If needed and desired, efforts will be made to help and/or counsel with the family.
COMMUNICATION | A monthly calendar/newsletter will be sent home during the first week of each month. Included will be information regarding topics being studied, birthdays and other special activities and important dates. Information regarding special events at the church, which you are invited to participate in or attend, will be included.
A school handbook will be sent home at the beginning of the school year. Please read it carefully, ask questions if needed, and then tear out, sign, and return the last page in the handbook to school. Should you need to contact the preschool during the day, you may call the church phone number, 540-789-2703. Should you need to contact preschool staff or the Preschool Committee chairperson, their numbers are as follows:
Director-Teacher
Shalena Conner 540-789-3022 or 540-239-2479
Preschool number
540-789-2703
Preschool Committee Chairperson
Denna Harris (540)239-9102
Please put any message for your child’s teacher in writing and hand it to the teacher in the morning.
A list will be kept of those designated to pick up your child. If someone other than those already designated is to pick up your child, you will need to notify us in advance.
IF YOU DESIRE CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS NOT BE ALLOWED TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD, PLEASE INFORM US IN WRITING. HOWEVER, WITHOUT A COURT ORDER, WE CANNOT KEEP A LEGAL PARENT OR GUARDIAN FROM LEAVING THE PRESCHOOL GROUNDS WITH HIS/HER CHILD.
Checklist to indicate your child’s progress will be sent home twice a year October and May. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Director and make arrangements for a conference to discuss these areas.
CLOTHING | Please dress your child in comfortable play clothes for preschool. Clothes should allow for freedom of participation in activities such as running, floor play, painting, using clay, etc. Tennis shoes are preferable for active play. “Crocks” or sandals can be dangerous for playground and running activities.
Each child will have his/her own cubby for keeping coats, jackets, sweaters and book bags. Please check there daily for completed work and take home papers. Note that both the 3’s and 4’s use the same cubby. The 4’s name is the top name and 3’s is the bottom name. If there are papers laid on top, make sure your child’s name is on them before you pick them up.
Please have a complete change of clothes at preschool by the end of the first week of school. You may want to send both long pants and shorts, a long sleeve and short sleeve shirt, underwear and socks. Please put these in a plastic Ziploc bag with your child’s name in permanent marker on the outside. If your child uses these extra clothes, please send replacements.
Preschool employees are given permission to provide necessary hygiene care for children. This includes the changing of soiled/wet clothing, and the cleaning of children due to accidents related to going to the bathroom.
BIRTHDAYS | If your child is celebrating a birthday, you may want to provide refreshments for the occasion. Please notify the staff in advance so that we may put it on our calendar. This will prevent having more than one party on the same day. We feel that this is an important day for your child and we try to celebrate only one at a time, even if this means celebrating a birthday on another date close to the actual birthday.
Mini cupcakes, cookies, fruit, small doughnuts, mini-muffins, vegetables and dip are wonderful ideas.
MEDICAL |
Although, we certainly want your child to attend preschool regularly, we do not want them to come to preschool sick. We realize that this is sometimes a “judgment call” on your part, but most of the time there are clear indicators that your child should not attend that day:
• fever in the last 24 hours
• diarrhea and/or vomiting in the last 24 hours
• eye discharge
• coughing and nasal discharge
• irritability about coming to preschool in a child who is normally excited about attending
If we learn that children at preschool have been exposed to a contagious disease (chicken pox, head lice, etc.), you will be notified in writing on the next day your child is at school. The appropriate cleaning will be completed in the preschool classroom.
Medications will be given only in emergency situations (inhalers, epipens, etc) Please see the director if your child is to be given medications on a regular basis.
SCHEDULE | Four year olds will attend preschool three days a week-Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. All three year olds will attend Tuesday and Thursday.
Preschool hours are from 9:00 a.m. until 12 noon. You may bring your child no earlier than 8:55 a.m. and pick them up at 12 noon. We thank you for being prompt. We will open the door to signal that we are finished for the day. Please wait until then to pick your child up. Make sure you tell anyone picking up your child to wait until the door has been opened.
Preschool operates Monday through Friday except for designated holidays.
Sept. 2nd-Labor Day
Nov. 27-29- Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 23-Jan. 3rd- Christmas Break,
April 18-21-Easter
May 15th- Graduation
We are OPEN on Election Day and MLK, Jr. Day
The school closing policy for inclement weather is as follows: When Floyd County Public Schools are closed, preschool is closed unless otherwise notified. Please watch WSLS, Channel 10 for school closing information. We also now have an automated calling system for information such as weather related closing or reminders for field trips or other important information. To opt in by texting ALERT to 22300. When Floyd County Public Schools are on a delay, preschool is on a delay. That means that if Floyd County Public Schools are an hour late, preschool is an hour late. If on a two-hour delay, preschool is on a two hour delay.
If preschool is on a one hour delay our day begins at 10:00 a.m. and ends at 1:00 p.m. If preschool is on a two hour delay our day begins at 11:00 a.m. and ends at 2:00 pm. On such days please bring your child’s lunch. Preschool does operate on Floyd County teacher workdays, as well as Election Day.
ENROLLMENT | Enrollment in the preschool is open to children of all denominations and ethnic backgrounds.
A 3 year old must be three by October 1 of that year and a 4 year must be 4 by October 1 of that year.
Applications for enrollment may be picked up at the preschool or by calling the director or the church. You may now register online. Once the completed application and fee is received the child will be added to our list.
Applications are accepted year round. Acceptance is on a first come, first served basis. We will add names to waiting list and will contact when we have a vacancy.
We enroll 20 students in the 3 year class as well as the 4 year class each year. You will be notified by mail when we have received your application and application fee of $25.00.
TUITION
| Tuition is collected on a monthly basis for your convenience and is due on the first class each month. Please be prompt in making your payments each month. Tuition rates are subject to change, and a late fee may be applied if payments are not received by the 15th of each month, unless prior arrangements have been made. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
$65-3’s
$85-4’s attending MWF
$65-4’s opting for choice of two days
Tuition payments should be handed to Ms. Shalena. We are not accepting online payments at this time.
Checks should be made payable to Topeco Church Christian Preschool and receipts will be furnished for cash payments.
If you are having difficulty making a particular month’s payment please see the director. We will work with you in any way that we can.
The Topeco Christian Preschool admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and other school-administered programs.
STAFF | Background checks are conducted on all of our staff.