Welcome to Amee's Preschool. I would like to have your child's experience with education, exciting and positive. I use a number of different teaching methods as I work with the children. I create an atmosphere where learning can take place and provide a frame work in which children can use their creativity and learn appropriate social skills through interaction with other children. Responsibility and self-motivation will develop as the children are allowed to make decisions concerning their own needs, interests, activities and playmates. The foremost goal of this preschool is to help each child have a positive experience in a school setting. Preschool is a place to have fun, meet new friends, learn about ones self, learn to share, trust, explore, accept others, take responsibility and to acquire basic skills essential for future development and growth. Please remember that in most cases, the 3 turning 4, years old, main focus will be social skills. Be patient with them if they seem uninterested in learning numbers and letters, and writing. Four years old seems to be the magical age with most children. Everything will all of a sudden click in! It is so exciting to observe. :) They suddenly become interested in learning more.
Tuition
Tuition is due the first day of class each month. A late charge of $5 is charged for tuition paid after the 10th of the month, and also $10 is charged for any returned checks. Tuition is pro-rated for the year. I add up the days/hours of attendance and the charge is less than $3.50 an hour for the Pre-k class and just over $4.50 an hour for the younger class, due to the fact that some months are shorter/longer than others, and the monthly Holidays. Please note that we take about two weeks off for the Christmas break , and about a week off for Easter break. I use the "traditional calendar school year" for all other holidays. Examples: UEA, Thanksgiving, National holidays etc.
Attendance
No credit is given for days missed-my expenses are the same when your child misses, inasmuch as materials have been prepared.
Health
Please do not send your child when they have signs of illness. If a child has a fever, red eyes, green running nose, or severe coughing, or any symptoms which indicate illness, parents will be called immediately to pick them up. Rule of thumb, would you want your child to be exposed by another child with the symptoms your own child is showing. (question to ask yourself when wondering if you should send your child to school) :)
Monthly Calendar
I send home a calendar just before the first of the new month, please keep it in their folder or a place to which you can refer to it often. It is important that parents be a part, and aware, of what we are doing at preschool. It is also important that your child is included in the activities such as show and tell. They will bring something to show, twice a week. When you forget, your child may feel left out and cannot fully participate in planned activities of the day.
School Supplies
Please send a backpack with your child every school day. There will be days when it comes home empty, but is good practice for kindergarten. I will supply the crayons, markers, paint, scissors etc. We do a lot of painting, (washable). So don't be alarmed if it gets on their clothes. :) Please don't allow your child to bring toys or food to school unless they are requested to do so. This can sometimes cause problems with other students, and also, their toy may get mixed in with my toys, and then we can't find it, and we then have a very unhappy child. :(
Special Leader
Each class time, we have an appointed leader (student), who will basically be in charge for the day. They will get to lead the class in all the calendar events, and be responsible for cleaning/wiping/setting up the snack tables and providing a healthy snack for each student. I know this is not too fun for the parents, but the kids absolutely LOVE this! I will send home (if i don't forget :)) with your child, a class leader bucket, when it is their turn. The schedule is also on the monthly calendar. Please be sensitive to those with peanut allergies, or any other allergies in the class. I always have at least one child affected. Thank you!!
Drop-off/pickup
Please do not drop off your child earlier than five minutes before class starts. Cars enter the driveway on the south end, and exit on the north end. Please pull as much forward on the driveway as you possibly can. I would like to have all the cars be able to stay off the street. If you do have to park on the street, please stay on the east side and face north. This will prevent children from having to cross the street. Mostly, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, drive slowly! I get neighbors expressing their concern on drivers going to fast down the street.
Rules
Rules are tools! Here are some specific rules I use in the classroom. Respect the rights of others One person speaks at a time (raise hand until called on) Use inside voice when indoors Always walk indoors, no running No touching others. Keep our hands to ourselves. No hitting, pushing, kicking, etc. At recess time, we are only allowed on the grassy areas and sport court. Speak kindly to others. Please and thank you are my favorite words!
No potty words allowed
As a form of discipline, I use the time out chair. If behavior becomes concerning to me, I will call parent.
Field Trips
We go about four times a year. Parent must come with student, or make arrangements with another parent to take responsibility of child.
I sincerely hope and want to make everyone happy and I welcome any advice, comments, or concerns you may have, to help me be the best teacher for your student. I promise to provide a fun, safe, and loving environment for your child. Please never hesitate to call, email, or visit me anytime.