“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.”
Chinese Proverb
Parent Handbook
Staff: The Nursery School Director works with 3-5 high school students in the nursery school. The students plan all activities under the direct supervision of the classroom teacher.
Allergies: We work hard to ensure that our classroom and school are a safe environment for all the children. When there is a child with allergies in our class, we will be sure to pass that information on to you. If you plan to send snacks to Nursery School for a special occasion, please contact the director beforehand so we can review the ingredient list together.
Clothing: Please dress children in play clothes. Being ‘dressed up’ can prevent children from participating fully.
-Children should have a pair of shoes for indoor use and we suggest that they be left in the child’s cubby. Shoes are essential for safe play and fire drills.
-Please bring a change of clothes for your child that can be kept in his/her cubby. Sometimes it is necessary for a child to change clothes that become wet or dirty. All clothes, shoes, boots, and outerwear should be clearly labelled with your child’s name.
-When time and weather permit, we like to play outside. Please bring appropriate outer wear for your child. I will try to let you know in advance when such outings are planned.
Bulletin Boards: Please check the bulletin board beside the Nursery School door as you drop off and pick up your child. One of the duties that the high school students have is to create a ‘Parent Bulletin’ which will outline all the activities that are planned for the day. You can use this information to prepare your child for nursery school as you drop them off as well as ask them questions about their day when you pick them up.
-The larger bulletin board on the opposite wall is where you will find samples of art work and pictures of our adventures in nursery school.
Themes: Each day activities are planned for the children related to a different theme. We would encourage parents to prepare their children by letting them know what the theme of the day is and follow up by asking questions and discussing the theme. Please refer to the Theme List for all important dates, including holidays and in-service days.
-We sometimes include a show-and-tell activity based on the theme and will ask that children bring something from home to show the group. When this is the case we will provide a notice in your child’s cubby with all the relevant information. Generally though, we ask that the children not bring objects from home to school. It is too easy for things to get lost or damaged.
Attendance: When you drop off your child, there will be a student holding an iPad who is responsible for marking off the children as they arrive. Please check in with that person before you leave.
-The classroom door will be locked until 9:00 am. This allows the students time to set up their activities before the program begins.
-It is helpful for us to know when your child is away due to illness or a vacation. Please notify us if your child has been exposed to or is sick with a communicable disease. The Nursery School staff can be reached, or a message left, at 204-482-6926, ext 3240.
-Please listen to the radio for storm days; if the school division is closed, the nursery school is also closed.
-Please don’t drink and drive! If you come to pick up your child and we suspect that you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the RCMP will be notified immediately.
-If for any reason you have to withdraw your child, we require one month’s notice to ensure that the spot can be used by another child. In lieu of such notice, payment of fees will be expected for the month in question.
Observation Booth: Our Nursery School is run as an essential part of the Family Studies courses. In addition to helping, planning and implementing activities, the students’ learning involves observing and recording children’s behaviour as it relates to classroom assignments. For this reason, our observation booth is equipped with one-way mirrors and a sound system.
Personal Information: Changes to a child’s regular home routine, such as serious illness, moving, birth or death in the family, or a separation, can really affect that child’s needs and behaviours at school. If you have something to discuss, please don’t hesitate to call or speak to the Director after nursery school.
-The registration questionnaires are accessible to the Family Studies students and are used in planning the activities and getting to know the children. If you have private or personal information which you do not wish to share, please talk to the Nursery School Director.
-Please remember to notify us if someone other than the regular person will be picking up your child.
Parking: The Nursery School parking area is in the back of the school near our main entry door. The area directly outside our doors can be used as a short-term pick-up and drop-off, but please be aware of large trucks coming and going as this is also a receiving area. The numbered parking stalls are reserved for school staff.
Book Orders: Every couple of months I will provide you with leaflets from the Scholastic Book Club and you will have the opportunity to order books for your family. These books are a great value and the company offers a large selection to choose from. Our nursery school is rewarded with free books and supplies such as puzzles and games with each order we place. Please note that while we appreciate the products this company offers, ordering the books is voluntary. When orders come in I will place the books in your child’s cubby to be picked up.
Objectives of Nursery School
Generally, the main objective of nursery school is to provide a nurturing environment that helps to meet the needs of children, and to promote their physical, intellectual, social and emotional development.
We can expand on that objective with some more specific goals:
- To help children develop a comfortable self image.
- To encourage self expression through the use of materials, movement, music and language.
- To stimulate language development.
- To encourage independence as is suitable.
- To stimulate a thirst for knowledge and problem solving through questioning, exploration of the environment and first had experience.
- To develop their knowledge about the world.
- To encourage a positive attitude to teachers, school and learning.
- To provide for growth and development of small and large muscles.
- To help children learn to care for their bodies.
- To help children develop healthy outlets for expression of feelings.
- To help children grow in their capacity to respect the feelings and rights of themselves and others.
Behaviour Management Policy
- Following the principle that appropriate behaviours are encouraged through guidance and reinforcement, the environment of the Child Care Nursery School is supportive and positive. Children are encouraged to interact appropriately with each other and with staff.
Specifically, to guide appropriate behaviour:
a) Predictable routines are seen as important tools in helping the children to feel secure and to know what is expected of them.
b) Expectations of children’s capabilities are realistic and sensitive to each child’s developmental progress and individual needs.
c) Expectations are communicated to the children and the children are supported in their efforts to conform to these expectations.
d) Children are given opportunities to make choices and are encouraged to be independent. Allowing each child to make decisions encourages him/her to accept responsibility for his/her own actions.
2. Disputes among children are resolved by:
a) Substituting another toy or activity
b) Redirecting a child’s activity
c) Discussing the rights of others and the importance of respecting other’s needs
d) Explaining and demonstrating the benefits that result from positive interactions.
On occasion a child may need to be apart from the rest of the group. This child would be assisted by the Director and encouraged to join the group when ready. If the child refuses, cannot follow directions to re-join the group or becomes aggressive, the parent or caregiver may be called to come and pick up the child. Discussions would take place between the family and Nursery School Staff to support the child and review appropriate, acceptable behaviour.
If a problem persists, further discussions would occur and arrangements may be made for some outside support (e.g. Child Development Clinic).
Continuation of the program will be determined by the following criteria:
a) consider the needs of the child – e.g. is the child ready for a group situation?
b)consider the needs of the group –e.g. are the staff taken away from the group for extended periods, is the routine of the center being disrupted?
c) consider the safety of the child, the group, and the staff – is the child physically aggressive with self or others?
3. Physical, verbal and emotional abuse are absolutely not permitted.