Preschool Information

Philosophy and Goals

Elsass Academy North Central is dedicated to providing high-quality, comprehensive services to children and their families, contributing to the development of confident, well-rounded individuals. We endeavor:

• · To promote the well-being of the whole child emotionally, physically, cognitively, socially and creatively by providing current, developmentally appropriate activities.
• · To provide a foundation of love and genuine concern for the development of the child's self-esteem, social competence and intellectual growth.
• · To promote interactions between children, staff and parents that are characterized by warmth, personal respect, individuality, positive support and responsiveness.
• · To provide a staff who understands the development of the young child and recognizes the unique needs of each child.
• · To provide opportunities for children to develop an understanding of self and others.

As Early Childhood professionals we realize a child learns and retains knowledge he\she has initiated the desire to learn. We also know and believe a young child learns through play. Play is the child's work. As a child expresses ideas and feelings in dramatic play, runs, jumps and climbs on the playground, creates in the art room, and builds a tower with the blocks, he\she is working. The child is learning.

Through DAP (Developmentally Appropriate Practice) educators have learned the process is more important and valuable than the product. Through play the child interacts with his environment, relates new concepts to familiar, makes his/her own deductions, hypotheses' and experiments, and finally assimilates knowledge to his\her being. Thus, play is the process for the child. This understanding of how children learn provides the basic premise for the Elsass Academy North Central Developmentally Appropriate Emergent Curriculum.

Ages & Hours

Elsass Academy accepts preschool children, infant through 5 years (pre-kindergarten). School hours are from 7:30 a.m. until 5:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. Rotations begin after 9:00 a.m. The Academy will also accept after schoolers and summer campers who are 5 years through fifth grade.

Registration

To complete registration, a $100 non-refundable/non-transferable fee is required. ($50 for after school care) There are several required forms which must be completed to enroll your child. There is an annual supply fee that is due in February of each year. For students starting late in the school year, the supply fee will be pro-rated.

Late Pickup

Elsass Academy closes at 6:30p.m. A $1 per minute fee will be charged. This fee is paid directly to the staff member. Please be prepared to pay this charge at the time you pick up your child.

Medication Policy

We will be glad to administer medicine prescribed by your physician. You must sign a medical permit authorizing us to dispense the medication. The medicine must be in the original container, clearly stating the prescribed dosage, child's name, date and doctor's name. Medicine is administered at noon and 3:00 p.m.. No over the counter medicine will be administered without a doctors note.

Pick-up

We understand that normally the same person(s) will pick up your child daily. If there is any change in this routine, we must be notified in person, by phone or in writing. State regulations require our asking to see identification of anyone unfamiliar to our staff. Please notify us of any unusual circumstances.

Illness Policy

We will send children home, and parents should keep children home for the following reasons:

• · Contagious disease
• · 100+ degree fever (must be fever-free for 24 hours or return with a doctor's note)
• · Vomiting or diarrhea
• · Rash (unless diagnosed as non-contagious with doctor's note )
• · Discharge from eyes or ears
• · Head Lice (No live lice)

If your child is not well enough to participate in school activities, he/she is not well enough to be at school. We do not have the additional staff necessary to watch recovering children.

Personal Belongings

Please send spare clothes to be kept in your child's cubby. Accidents do happen. Show and tell is on Friday. Toys should stay home on other days of the week. If your child needs something special for naps, label it and send it along.

Meals

A morning and afternoon snack will be provided for your child. For lunch, children need to bring a main course. We will provide a beverage and utensils. Please let us know if your child's lunch should be refrigerated. Items can be microwaved, if necessary. Please let the staff know if your child has any special allergies.

Parent Visitation

Our doors are always open for parent and visitors to watch classes or have lunch with their child. Please check in with the office.

Holidays

The following holidays are observed: Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the Friday following, Christmas Eve and Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day and Independence Day (July 4).

Icy Weather Policy

Elsass Academy will be closed on the days that the A.I.S.D. public schools are closed for inclement weather. Look for announcements

Bulletin Boards

Please check appropriate bulletin boards daily for important information, sign-up sheets or special messages.

First Days at School

The first days in preschool can be difficult for both parents and children. We like to handle it as carefully as possible to get the child off to a positive start. If you are not convinced that this will be a wonderful time for your child, then your child will not be either.

• 1) You are welcome to stay as long as possible. We encourage this.
• 2) When it is time for you to leave, say your goodbyes and leave without hesitation, as this will make it easier for the child.
• 3) Please feel free to call during the day and receive progress reports on your child's.

Parent Involvement

Throughout the year, there are numerous occasions for you to become involved with your child's activities. The Director and Staff are dedicated to the best school for your child. Comments and criticisms are welcomed. Parents who work with the program are the most valuable asset we have!