Mother's Day out Policies
Absences
It is appreciated if parents notify the teachers ahead of time of planned absences. You may also leave a message with the church secretary if your child’s teacher is not immediately available. There will be no refunds or make-up days for absences.
^Top^Pragram Withdrawl
Parent must give 2 weeks written notice when withdrawing from the program. There will be no tuition refunds.
^Top^Drop-in Policy
Children currently enrolled in the program are welcome to “drop-in” when we have available spaces. Drop-in fees are $25.00 per day and are due at the time of service.
^Top^Locked Doors
For the safety of your children and our staff, the south and west doors of the preschool will be locked from 9:45 am until 2:15 pm. The main entrance doors to the church will always be open. Please enter these doors during the school day.
^Top^Drop Off and Pick Up
Parents of three and four year olds may choose to use our car line to drop their children off in the morning or park in the south parking lot and bring their child to his/her classroom. Car line will begin each morning at 9:30 a.m. Arrival time is from 9:30-9:40 a.m. After 9:45, please bring your child to the classroom. Please do not plan to arrive before 9:30 a.m., as the teachers need this time to prepare for the school day.
NEVER LEAVE AN UNATTENDED CAR RUNNING OR PARKED IN CAR LINE. This is for the protection of the children.
Parents of the one and two-year-olds may park in the west lot and take their children directly to their classroom.
Children can be picked up between 2:20 and 2:30 p.m. Please park and pick your child(ren) up inside. School is over at 2:30. We ask that you respect the teachers’ time and be punctual.
If you arrive more than five minutes late, your child will be in the Director’s office. If you are late for any reason, please call the office (340-0192). Children become anxious when their friends have left, and they think you may have forgotten them. Knowing that “you are on the way” will ease their fears. A late fee of $1.00 per minute/per child will be assessed and that amount will be added to your next month’s tuition.
Parents of the one and two-year-olds will need to sign their children in and out of school each day. Children will only be released to persons listed on the authorization / registration form. It is important that the person picking up your child shows proper identification; otherwise we will not allow your child to leave the premises without contacting you. In case of emergency or a change in the normal pick up procedure occurs, please contact the director as soon as possible.
If a child custody agreement exists that would restrict a biological parent from picking up their child, a copy of that agreement or court order must be kept on file in the Director’s office. Should the custodial parent agree to an exception, a note to that effect, listing the days or dates of the exception must be present before we will release to a non-custodial parent.
Lunch
Each child who will be in school through the lunch hour will need to bring his/her lunch (drink and eating utensils included) each day. Please label with his/her name clearly visible. Teachers will eat lunch with the children and model healthy eating habits and good manners. Children will be encouraged to eat in a positive and relaxed atmosphere. Please do not send food that has to be refrigerated, prepared, or heated. Red fruit juices are discouraged. Think about packing things that your child can manage independently as this will further develop his/her self-help skills as well as self-esteem.
^Top^Pizza/Spirit Day
Twice monthly, we will participate in “Pizza/Spirit Day.” Everyone is invited to wear their school t-shirt and have “all you can eat” pizza for only $2.50 per child. This is a mini fundraiser for our program and gives parents a well-deserved break from packing lunches. Please pay your child’s teacher on or before pizza days if you would like your child to participate.
^Top^Snacks
The preschool will provide a morning and afternoon snack for the children in our one and two-year-old classrooms. Children in the three-year-old and above classes will be on a rotation to bring snacks to share with their classmates. A list of appropriate snacks is available upon request. Parents and children may bring in a special birthday snack on a date near their child’s birth date. Please keep in mind that cake and cupcakes are often difficult for the children to eat. We would prefer a snack such as cookies, brownies, bars, etc… Remember, no nuts, please.
^Top^Holiday Celebrations
Traditions hold special memories for each of us. We invite you to share your family’s traditions with us during the year. Parents are encouraged to join in the fun as St. Mark remembers each holiday throughout the year with classroom parties and other activities. A sign-up sheet is available for parents who would like to participate.
^Top^Clothing
The teaching staff at St. Mark Lutheran Church values playtime during school. If your child’s clothes are dirty at the end of the day, this is a food indicator he/she was busy exploring and learning about his/her world. Please dress your child in comfortable clothing that can get dirty and doesn’t restrict him/her from moving about freely in the environment. We ask that children dress in a modest manner, reflecting our Christian environment. Therefore, please avoid spaghetti strap, halter, midriff-bearing, or muscle shirts and wear tights or shorts under skirts. Bring an extra set of clothing, including socks and underwear (in a large, labeled zip lock bag) for any accident that might occur.
Please send your child in tennis shoes or other rubber-soled shoes. Sandals, jellies, and flip-flops are fun, but hard to keep on when the children go outside. The playground wood chips bother their bare feet.
Please dress your child for the weather (in layers if in doubt). We go outside unless it is raining, under 45 degrees or there is a severe wind chill.
Diapers (1 & 2 year olds only)
Every family is required to supply diapers for their child/children. If your child runs out during the day, we will supply diapers for you at a rate of $2.50 per diaper.
^Top^Potty Training (2 year olds only)
When a child is albe to communicate that he or she needs to go potty, we consider them potty trained. When a child is not able to communicate that they need to go potty and they must be taken to the restroom frequently so there are no accidents, we do not consider them potty trained. We are more than happy to help you in the potty training process, but we do ask that you respect our point of view.
^Top^Labeling
Please label all personal items that your child wears or brings to school. St. Mark is a small program, but that doesn’t mean things can’t be lost. We will do our best to ensure your child’s belongings make it home. If items are clearly labeled, they are easily returned to the rightful owner.
^Top^Toys
Please do not send toys to school with your child. The preschool will not be responsible for the loss or damage of any items brought from home. Also, they can cause conflict when other children want to play with the new toy. A comfort toy is acceptable to help with separation and for naptime. Parents will be notified if there are “show and tell” days. Toy guns, knives, or any other item, which could be considered disruptive and/or dangerous, are not allowed at school.
^Top^Sunscreen
Please bring your child to school with sunscreen applied. Teachers will not apply sunscreen to your child. We will go out every day and want the children to be safe from the danger the sun can cause.
^Top^Illness and Injury
If a child becomes ill while at school, parents will be contacted immediately. If parents cannot be reached we will call emergency contacts. The child will be given a comfortable place to rest until parents or emergency contacts can arrive.
If your child has any of the following symptoms within 24 hours of the school day, please keep him/her home for his/her own protection as well as that of the other children:
*Fever, over 100 orally, for any reason. Your child must be fever free without medication for 24 hours.
*Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea for any reason. Your child must be free from vomiting and/or diarrhea for 24 hours.
*Excessive cough
*Any symptoms of diseases such as flu, measles, scarlet fever, strep throat, etc.
*Chicken pox: From the initial onset of chicken pox the child is to be kept form school for seven days and until all sores are dry scabbed over.
*Inflammation or discharge from eyes (redness, matting, etc.). Your child must be on medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
*Head lice
If your child is too ill play outside, please keep him or her at home.
Health and Safety
Any staff member, parent, or visitor must be aware of personal bags or purses that might contain medication or other items that would be hazardous to young children. All purses, bags, diaper bags, backpacks, etc. must not be accessible to any child.
^Top^Immunizations
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^Top^Medication
St. Mark Preschool does not recommend that our teachers give any type of medication during school hours. If a doctor insists that medication be given during school hours, the medication must be in the original prescription bottle with the name of the child, doctor, and dosage to be given. The parent must administer. One exception to this policy is the use of an epi-pen for children with severe allergic reactions. A medical release form must be filled out. For any other circumstances, please se the Doctor.
^Top^Allergies
All know allergies must be listed on the enrollment form. Teachers should be made aware of any kind of new allergies. Any severe allergic reaction that would require medical intervention should be noted with a plan on what should be done should the need arise.
^Top^Head Lice
If your child is found to have head lice, you will be called to pick up your child. You must shampoo your child’s hair with shampoo formula for head lice and ensure that all nits have been removed before returning to the preschool. It is recommended that children not be allowed to return until all nits are gone. You will be required to bring in the label or top off of the “lice” shampoo as evidence that the treatment has occurred. A repeat shampooing is required one week later. The preschool will notify parents of children in the infected child’s’ class and the staff members who have worked closely with the child. Our “No Nit’ policy is encouraged by the Oklahoma City Health Department.
^Top^Chapel
Pastor Mark Erler will lead us in Chapel once a week from 9:45 until 10:00. We welcome you to join us anytime. Pastor Erler leads this time of praise and worship, along with a Bible story and short application message. It truly is a “child-centered” time, lasting approximately ten minutes.
^Top^Programs
During the school year, the children will perform two themed programs. All family members are welcome to join us for this fun and fellowship. Everyone will be given ample notice of when these programs will be so that the can make any necessary schedule changes with their home church.
^Top^Inclement Weather Plan/School Closings
We follow the Edmond Public School Policy in regard to inclement weather. Cancellations for Edmond Schools are announced on all three local television stations and on several radio stations. In other words, if Edmond schools are closed, so are we. Snow days will not be refunded, but the school calendar may be adjusted for excessive missed days.
^Top^Fire & Severe Weather
St. Mark is equipped with an electronic fire alarm system. Evacuation plans are posted in each classroom. Fire and severe weather drills are carried out routinely.
^Top^Disaster Plan
In the event that the preschool would need to be evacuated for any reason, the children will be walked to the Aspen Athletic Club. The children will remain there until an all clear has been established. Reasons for evacuation might include: electrical outages in the building, gas leak, plumbing leaks, etc. Children will remain in the supervision of their teacher until all parents are notified and have arrived to pick up their children.
^Top^Student Behavior Policy
It is the goal of our program to ensure a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for young children. We know that all children are different and strive to me the individual needs of each and every child enrolled in our school. We feel strongly that it is a team effort between our staff, and you, as parents, and will keep you informed about your child’s behavior during school hours. If we feel that you child is having difficulty in any area (behavior, keep up with the daily routine, etc.), we will let you know immediately an make efforts to assist each child. We reserve the right to send children home when we feel they are not acting in a safe or healthy manner and are not making an effort to change their behavior. At time it may become necessary to remove a child from our program. Making sure that our school is safe for all children is crucial. Please understand that not all children are ready for group care and each child learns/behave within their own limitations and experiences. If there is a recurring problem, such as biting or hitting, your child’s teacher will first ask for a conference with you to discuss and find solutions to the problem. It if continues, another conference will be held with you, your child’s teacher and the preschool Director. After a third time, you will be asked to keep your child at home, until such a time, as the problem is resolved. No credit will be given when this occurs. We reserve the right to expel children from the program any time we feel it is necessary.
^Top^Child Abuse Notification
Any staff member who has reason to believe that a child has been abused is required to promptly contact the county office of the Department of Human Services or the state-wide toll-free Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-522-3511. Staff members are required to cooperate fully in the investigation of any allegation.
^Top^Environment
St. Mark Lutheran Preschool is a non-smoking environment. We strive at all times to create a loving, nurturing and safe environment. Should any adult act verbally or physically in such a way as to disturb that environment, it shall be cause to refuse service to that family immediately and without notice.
^Top^Children With Special Needs
As educators, we recognize that there are developmental concerns that arise during the early childhood years. We believe in educating the whole child; however, our facility and staff may not be equipped to assist all children’s needs. We want the best environment for the children currently attending our school, as well as the least restrictive environment for the child with special needs. Therefore, it is the policy of St. Mark to make reasonable accommodation for the children with special needs. It is our intent to integrate children with special needs into the program to the extent feasible, given each child’s limitations. Our program may not provide the least restrictive environment if accommodations result in significant difficulty or expense to the program; or if the child’s condition will pose or does pose a significant threat to the learning, health, or safety of other children or staff in the program, and there are no reasonable means of removing the threat. The Director may request documentation that the child is receiving proper outside services. After consultation wit the parents, the child, the teachers involved, and, if necessary, the child’s doctors and/pr therapists, the Director will make a case-by-case decision whether St. Mark is capable of meeting the needs of the child with special needs. If we are unable to assist your child, we will attempt to direct you to the proper resources.
^Top^Solicitation
Solicitation in general has a propensity to lead to or can create an uncomfortable atmosphere for the ministry at St. Mark MDO/Preschool. Additionally, left unchecked, solicitations can result in an awkward and unprofessional relationship. Subsequently, the following guidelines will be strictly enforced.
Parents seeking to engage in solicitation of employees of St. Mark MDO/Preschool will be immediately directed to the MDO/Preschool Director so that this policy my be explained promptly and in a timely manner.
Solicitation of parents of children attending St. Mark Preschool, other teachers employed by St. Mark, St. Mark congregational members, or any other person affiliated either directly or indirectly with St. Mark Lutheran Church and Preschool for fundraisers is not authorized without prior written consent of the Preschool Board and the Church Council of St. Mark Lutheran Church.
No employee of St. Mark Lutheran MDO/Preschool will utilize a personal source of income to solicit parents of children attending St. Mark Preschool, other teachers employed by St. Mark, St. Mark congregational members, or any other person affiliated either directly or indirectly with St. Mark Lutheran Church and Preschool.
Babysitting
On occasion, parents will ask an employee to baby-sit. If baby-sitting does occur, St. Mark Lutheran Preschool will not become a party to it and therefore will not take responsibility or liability for incidents arising from this situation. As stated above, no employee of St. Mark Lutheran MDO/Preschool will utilize a personal source of income to solicit parents of children attending St. Mark Preschool.
^Top^Compliance File
As a parent, you have the right to review the childcare licensing monitoring reports and licensing correspondence from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. A compliance file is located in the Director’s office and is available to you at any time.
We thank you for choosing St. Mark Lutheran Church and Preschool for your family. We look forward to sharing many special moments with you throughout the year. We have an open door policy and invite you to call or visit any time. Please call your child’s teacher or the Director if there is anything we can do to make this a positive and joyful year for your child and his/her family.