Parents Page

PHILOSOPHY
Play, once considered to be the opposite of education, is now regarded by early childhood specialists as the extraordinary educational process by which preschool children become introduced to a world filled with new and exciting discoveries. Play is the primary concern of the preschool staff because it is the primary concern of the preschool child. Encouraging children to express themselves freely, to communicate with others, and to follow their natural instincts of discovery are all goals of the BTPD preschool programs. The Bourbonnais Township Park District staff, committed to a philosophy of "learning through play," are qualified to lead children through this exciting life period.

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
This is a great time to meet the teachers, see the classroom environment and introduce yourself and your child to future classmates and their parents. Teachers will be available to answer questions and meet your child. Students can also become acquainted with preschool surroundings for the first time. Attending the open house is a great way to ease both parent and child fears and worries about their first days of separation. Our first day of school begins with a short one hour classroom visit. A parent must accompany the child on the first day. The parent and child will leave together at the end of the meeting. Parents will need to complete required medical information/emergency form on the first day of class. A child may not begin preschool programs without all completed forms on file.

DISCLOSURE POLICY
All personal information is confidential and will be released only to parents and other authorized professionals with consent of parent(s). The Bourbonnais Township Park District respects participants' right to privacy.

WHAT TO WEAR
Please send your child dressed for play, with comfortable, loose fitting clothing they can manage themselves. Gym shoes or play shoes should be worn. Children should come to school with appropriate outerwear, as there are often planned outdoor activities.

EMERGENCY CLOTHING
You may supply a clean change of clothing in your child's backpack for emergency purposes. Please remember all children are required to be completely toilet trained before attending preschool programs. For health and safety purposes, teachers are NOT able to enter bathroom stalls for any reason.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Please be punctual when arriving and picking up your child. Teachers have a limited time to prepare the classroom for daily program activities, so anyone arriving more than 5 minutes in advance will need to wait in the lobby. In the same manner, teachers have limited time at the end of class to prepare for other programs. Any parent picking up their child more than 10 minutes after their session has ended, will be assessed a $1 per minute charge up to $25 per day.

PICK UPS AND PARKING
Children are not released to anyone other than his/her parents or an emergency person unless the teacher is given specific permission by the parents. A note of explanation must be sent with your child in such a situation. Identification (driver's license) will be requested before a child is released to anyone other than his/her parent(s) or emergency person. In extreme cases, the teacher may call the parent before a child is released. We ask that you use the parking spaces provided in the parking area, and use the main facility entrance on Lasalle St. All other entrances will be locked for participants' safety.

SEPARATION ANXIETY-WHAT TO DO?
Although your child may cry when first coming to preschool, be assured that our staff is prepared for these situations and will make every effort to comfort your child. Our experience shows that most children will stop crying within minutes of parents' departures and will quickly become involved in preschool activities. Please remember, as difficult as the first few days may be, you are doing the best thing for your child. Outlined below are steps parents can take to ease separation anxiety. Discuss going to preschool often with your child. Tell them what their day will be like. Be excited about it! Never leave your child without saying good bye. Reassure them that you will be back in a little while. Smile, say good bye and GO! Don't allow time for hesitation to transfer to anxiety for your child.

MAY I OBSERVE PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS?
Parents are welcome to observe their child's preschool class. Please make arrangements by contacting the preschool teacher to schedule an observation date. Please remember that preschool is a busy place, therefore your teacher may be unable to talk with you during your visit. Please feel free to talk briefly after your visit or arrange a conference. Observation is limited to 30 minutes.

SNACKS
Parents are asked to occasionally provide nutritious treats and juice. A monthly snack calendar will be sent home with an assigned snack day. Birthdays will be put as close to the actual date as possible.

LUNCH
We have an Early Learning Station lunch program! Your child will be served a well-balanced meal for $2.25 per day when enrolled in two or more sessions in a month or in the Play and Learn programs. Menus will be sent out at the beginning of the week. A lunch buddy program will allow a child to be here for lunch and stay till 12:15 or come at 11:45 and go to their 1:00 session after lunch. The cost of this program is $4. Lunch can be brought or bought for $2.25.
*prices are subject to change

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
A newsletter is sent home weekly with the children. This newsletter provides important communication between teacher and parent and should be of help in planning activities at home that complement the preschool program. We suggest you keep and post your newsletter to review upcoming monthly activities. Special notices between newsletters will be posted on the classroom bulletin board. The newsletter will also list any holiday school closings.

SPECIAL FEATURES
The preschool takes advantage of other BTPD facilities; the Exploration Station Children's Museum, Perry Farm and Willowhaven Interpretive Center. The facilities allow for unique educational learning opportunities. Many concepts and themes can be supplemented with hands-on-activities.

FUND RAISERS
The BTPD preschool usually has two fund raisers per year. Parents support for these events are always encouraged and appreciated. The Family Fun Fair is being planned for February. Parent volunteers are welcome.

CLASS PICTURES
Children have their individual and class pictures taken each year. Flyers regarding packages and prices will be distributed.

FIELD TRIPS
The four/five year old classes take several field trips during the preschool year. These are educational trips, which help the children understand concepts being taught in the classroom. A small fee may be necessary depending on the location of the trip. The three year olds will visit Exploration Station and Willowhaven a few times during the sessions.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Birthdays are special occasions at preschool. Children are welcome to bring a take-home treat for the class to celebrate their birthdays.

PARTY DAYS
There are several holidays that are celebrated. Parents are asked to contribute snacks or trinkets for the parties. Additional information will be included in monthly newsletters.

HEALTH
If your child shows signs of not feeling well, PLEASE keep him/her home from class. We ask that your child be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to class. If your child becomes ill while at preschool, we are equipped to make him/her comfortable until a parent or the emergency contact on file can be called. Therefore; if you know you will not be able to be contacted while your child is in preschool please confirm that the person at the emergency number on file can be contacted during these hours. Your anticipated cooperation is appreciated. Parents are requested to notify the teacher immediately when their child contracts a communicable disease so that other parents may be given necessary information. Chicken pox is the most common communicable disease we encounter in the preschool program. The Illinois Department of Public Health requires a child who has contracted chicken pox to be excluded from school for one week from when the first eruption appears. Your adherence to this requirement is appreciated.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
If you wish to talk to your child's teacher, please feel free to call the Bourbonnais Township Park District at (815) 933-9905 and leave a message. The teachers will gladly return your call and schedule a time to meet with you.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Please report change of address or telephone numbers to the Park District promptly.
• Unless requested, please do not send your child to preschool with toys, candy, food, money, or toy weapons. The BTPD is not responsible for lost or broken items.
• In the event of Bradley Elementary public school closings due to inclement weather or any other emergency, preschool programs will also be canceled. Emergency days will not be made up and refunds will not be given for any missed days.
• Please remember all children are required to be completely toilet trained before attending preschool programs. For health and safety purposes, teachers are NOT able to enter bathroom stalls for any reason.

INSURANCE
Participants in BTPD programs are not provided with special accident insurance. Those desiring such coverage might wish to see that it is provided for in their personal family policies.

BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT
When a child is uncooperative or misbehaves, our policy is to take the child aside to explain that what she/he was doing was not right. The BTPD preschool believes in positive reinforcement techniques. However; in extreme cases, the child is given a time out from the group and told to sit quietly until she/he settles down. The sitting out time is one minute per age of child.

STUDENT DISMISSAL POLICY
Every attempt is made to meet each child's individual needs. However, if a child shows an inability to benefit from the BTPD preschool program after all areas of guidance have been exhausted, or his/her presence is detrimental to the classroom environment, the child shall be withdrawn from the preschool program. No program refunds will be given if a child is dismissed from a program for behavioral reasons.

TUITION PAYMENTS
Program tuition payments are due before the first day of each session. Children will not be able to attend class unless payment is made each session.

TRANSFER/REFUND/CREDIT VOUCHER POLICY
Persons wishing to withdraw from a program may transfer to another program, receive a refund, or receive a credit voucher for future use in a program PROVIDED that the withdrawal was issued at least 48 hours prior to the start date of the program. No transfers, refunds or credit vouchers will be given if a withdrawal is made less than 48 hours prior to the start date of a program. After a program has begun, a transfer, refund or credit voucher will be issued only for medical or unavoidable circumstances (i.e., job transfer, change in working hours, death in family, etc.) Some type of written proof may be required. Requests must be made within 7 days of your first absence from a program. Refunds will be processed and mailed out within twenty days of such verified requests. Transfers, refunds or credit vouchers will not be issued to those participants who misbehave and have left a program.

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