Parent's Booklet 2008-2009

OUR PURPOSE

The purpose of our Preschool program is to guide children who are 3, 4, and 5 years old in successful, enriching experiences, so they feel good about who they are based upon Christian principles, positive reinforcement and caring.

OUR GOALS

• to cultivate creativity and self expression

• to improve communication skills

• to develop large and small muscle coordination

• to have fun and enjoy learning

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CLOSINGS

As soon as we know that we will be closed for bad weather, we will contact WQEL (92.7 FM).  Listen to the radio on days with questionable weather, or call the YMCA.  Please do not call the teachers or Preschool Administrator.

DISCIPLINE POLICY

The Bucyrus YMCA Preschool shall adhere to the following policy regarding discipline:

1. If a child becomes a discipline problem, the teacher (or teachers) shall speak with the child about the problem and direct him/her away from the problem area.

2. If the first step taken does not resolve the problem, a conference shall be scheduled with the parent and the child with the teachers.

3. If the above steps prove to be fruitless, and no solution to the situation can be found, the child will be dismissed from the preschool.

Physical punishment or physical restraint will not be used as discipline.

PARENTAL PARTICIPATION

Parents are encourages to participate in our program.  You will be asked to help organize our holiday parties, chaperone our field trips, and help with swimming.  There will be special events scheduled throughout the year for parents and families to attend.  Please don’t hesitate to suggest activities for our program.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact a teacher or the administrator.

OUR PROGRAM

Each daily schedule will include periods of free play, games, circle times (stories, show and tell, singing, etc.) large muscle development (gym, swimming, outdoor play), creative art, computer experience and snack time.

SWIMMING

Our swim program is led by YMCA aquatic Staff personnel.  The YOUNG CHILDREN teachers are also in the pool assisting in the swim class.  We need the assistance of parents in the water.  If you are able to assist, please contact the preschool teachers.

We feel it is important that each child have fun and enjoy the water.  During the pool time we hope to cover these components: personal growth, personal safety, and stroke development.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Gym time is scheduled for one day a week.  Tumble Gym will focus on tumbling and basic gymnastic skills.  Basic athletic fundamentals and other large muscle activities will be taught during gym.

FIELD TRIPS

There will be several field trips during the preschool year.  Signed permission slips will be needed for each trip.  Parents will be asked to help transport children on the outings.

SNACKS

Each day we will serve a snack to the children.  We ask that each family provide the snack occasionally during the year.  We strongly recommend snacks that are low in sugar.  Please do not bring cupcakes, ice cream, or sugary beverages.  Special treats are welcome on birthdays or special holidays.  When it is your turn to bring the snack, please bring enough for the entire class, along with drink, napkins, and cups.

ABSENCES

We will not refund or credit for days missed except for prolonged illness. We do need to emphasize with the prolonged illness statement that we need a doctor’s note indicating permission to return to a group situation as stated in the communicable disease policy.  Our understanding is that each child enrolled will be with us for the full school year.

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YOUNG CHILDREN – Off To A Great Start! is a fully licensed preschool.  A copy of the state laws and rules governing child day care, Chapter 5104, Ohio Revised Code; and 5151:2-12, Ohio Administrative Code is available from:

                                                              Child Daycare Licensing Section

                                                              65 East State Street   5^th Floor

                                                              Columbus , Ohio 43215

                                                               PH # 1-800-686-1568

OR, you may read the YMCA’s copy, available from the Preschool Administrator.

Our license is posted inside the YOUNG CHILDREN classroom.  We are licensed to serve twenty-eight children in each class.

The Department of Human Services toll-free number is 1-888-635-3748.  This number may be used by any person to report a suspected violation by the center.

The administrator and each employee of the center are required under section 2151.421 of the revised code to report their suspicions of child abuse or child neglect.

Parents are welcome to visit the YOUNG CHILDREN classes any time their child is in the program.

Rosters of names and telephone numbers of parents or guardians of children attending the center are available upon request.  The roster will not include the name or telephone number of any parent requesting that they not be included.

Our licensing records, compliance report forms, and evaluation forms from the Health, Building, and Fire departments are available on request.

Enrollment of children in our center will not be based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

SAFETY POLICY

The Bucyrus Area YMCA Preschool shall adhere to the following policy regarding safety:

1. A staff member is always in charge of a child or group of children and responsible for their safety.  No child or group of children will ever be left alone or unsupervised.  

2. Each child must be escorted to and from the classroom each day by a parent or other authorized individual.  Eye contact is to be made between parent and teacher when the child is dropped off and picked up.  Any exceptions to this rule must be arranged in advanced with the teacher.  

3. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each school day.  

4. No child shall be released to an unauthorized individual.  If the child is to be picked up at the end of the school day by anyone other than the child's parent, the parent must communicate to the Preschool teachers in writing prior to them being picked up.  

5. Emergency telephone numbers for all children are on file in the preschool room. There is a phone available at all times at the YMCA Service Desk.  Emergency Authorization Forms are on file and are taken on all Field Trips outside the YMCA.  

6. Fire drills and tornado drills are held on a regular basis.  Emergency procedures for these drills are posted in the classroom. The Administrator is to be informed of all fire and tornado drills.

7. A fire emergency and weather alert plan and diagram of evacuation routes is posted in the classroom 

8. First aid kits are available at the Service Desk and in the Preschool room.  A first aid kit will accompany the class on each field trip outside of the YMCA.  A person trained in first aid will be available on the trip.

9. On field trips, each child shall have identification attached which includes the Preschool's name, address, and telephone number.

10. Use of spray aerosols is prohibited when children are in attendance at preschool.  

11. When an accident or injury occurs or when any other incident necessitates administration of syrup of ipecac (following verbal instructions of the poison control center or a licensed physician) or the emergency transportation of a child in accordance with rule 5101:2-12-49 of the Administrative code, the center shall complete a report to be given to the parent or guardian on the day of the incident.   

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

In case of severe emergency or accident:      

1. Administer first aid - pull child's file.   

2. Call emergency medical transportation.    

3. Contact parents  

MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

The preschool teachers are trained in prevention, recognition and management of communicable diseases as required by the State Department of Health.  

In management of communicable diseases we will follow these steps:    

• The recognition of the following signs of illness:    

  • Diarrhea (more than one abnormally loose stool in one day.)    

  • Severe coughing, causing child to become red or blue in the face or to make a whooping sound.    

  • Difficult or rapid breathing    

  • Yellowish skin or eyes    

  • Conjunctivitis    

  • Temperature of 100 degrees F, taken by axial method, when in combination with any other sign of illness.    

  • Untreated infected skin patch.    

  • Unusually dark urine and/or gray or white stool    

  • Stiff neck    

  • Unusual spots or rashes    

  • Sore throat or difficulty in swallowing    

  • Vomiting    

  • Evidence of lice, scabies, or other parasitic infestation  

• If your child shows any signs of illness, the following actions will be taken:

  • Child will be moved to the sick room where he will lay down on a cot and be provided with a blanket.    

  • No child will ever be left alone or unsupervised and an adult will be within sight or hearing of child.    

  • Our center will promptly discharge the sick child to parent, guardian or person who has been designated by the parent.  

• The communicable disease chart will be posted in the preschool room.  

• Our center will immediately notify the parent or guardian when a child has been exposed to a communicable disease in preschool by verbally announcing it to parents as they drop off or pick up their children from preschool and by posting it on the bulletin board outside the classroom.  Parents are asked to notify the center when the child has been exposed to any communicable disease outside of preschool.    

• Parents will bring physician's permission slip to return the child to our center.  

• No medication, vitamins, or special diet will be administered at our preschool.

• Our center will allow "mildly ill" children to attend class. A mildly ill child is a child who is experiencing minor cold symptoms or does not feel well enough to participate in strenuous activities that might worsen conditions.