POLICIES/INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AT ADMISSION, 2005-06
- Children will range in age from three years to kindergarten entry.
- There will be 14 children in each group, with one licensed teacher and one assistant teacher or aide.
- The days of operation are Monday through Friday with each child attending either two or three sessions per week. The sessions are as follows:
- Monday, Wednesday, Fridayx 8:30-11:30 am (4&5 year olds only)
- Monday, Wednesday, Fridayx 12:30-3:30 pm (4&5 year olds only)
- Tuesday, Thursday 9:00-11:30
- Tuesday, Thursday 12:30-3:00 pm
First Lutheran Church at 912 Lake Avenue, Detroit Lakes.
218-847-5656
$40.00 due at the time of enrollment ($45.00 after August 1st). This ensures the child’s spot and covers some materials expenses throughout the year.
$120.00/month for the three day session or $80.00/month for the two day session. Tuition is to be paid at the beginning of each month. In the event your child misses a session (illness or vacation) no refunds will be granted; however, the session may be made up by attending another scheduled session.
Parents must provide transportation to and from school. It is not necessary to bring your child any earlier than five minutes before class starts.
Parents will be asked to provide a snack for the group (14 kids plus 2 teachers) on a rotating basis, about once a month or less. Drinks need to be milk or 100% juice as per USDA guidelines (HI-C, Kool-Aid, etc are NOT acceptable). Ideas for snack are crackers, cookies, fruit, cheese, etc. Juicy-Juice™, Disney™ or any kind of apple juice are good choices. I will schedule their snack day as close to their birthday as possible (summer birthdays are celebrated as close to their ½ birthday as possible). Cupcakes/cake are allowed on their birthday.
Parents of children enrolled may visit the preschool any time during the hours of operation.
In the event your child becomes ill, you will be notified by phone and asked to come for your child. The child will lie down on a mat and blanket provided, away from others, but under direct supervision of staff. In the event of a contagious illness, parents will be notified by a posted note or by phone. Parents must notify the preschool if their child should contract a contagious disease. Clearance from the child’s physician that they are no longer infectious is required before they return to school Please do not bring your child to school when she/he is ill. Children will not be allowed to stay if we suspect they are ill.
The school will provide first aid as needed. Staff is trained in CPR and First Aid. If there is an emergency situation or if an injury occurs requiring medical attention, EMS will be called. Syrup of Ipecac will be used if accidental poisoning should occur.
When Detroit Lakes schools close due to weather conditions, the preschool will also close. Tune into 1340 AM KDLM radio or other local stations for weather related announcements.
If the preschool plans to take a field trip, we will secure written permission from parents prior to each trip.
Parents may review KIDSFIRST program plan on file in the church office upon request.
A bag or backpack with an extra change of clothing and for carrying home any creations each day. Please limit the amount of personal belongings brought to school. Shoes must be worn at school at all times. Please do not allow child to bring toys to school.
Things will most likely be loud and active during drop-off and pick-up times, so if you need to talk with me, it may be best call me later that day or at home (before 8:00 p.m.!). If you would like to stay until you know your child is "settled in" on the first day, you are welcome to do so. I’ve found that we parents tend to worry more than we have to since most of our children will say "good bye" as soon as they enter the room! Do what feels comfortable for you. There are 14 children and two teachers in each class session. Some children will be sharing a cubby since we designed the room for only 10 kids. If you would like to share with a friend, please let me know ASAP! Otherwise, I usually put names in the cubbies from left to right order and alphabetically by first name. The classes will be color-coded as follows: the Monday, Wednesday, Friday AM class will be blue, the Monday, Wednesday, Friday PM class will be green, the Tuesday, Thursday AM class will be red, and the Tuesday, Thursday PM class will be yellow.
This is a decorated ice cream pail that I will begin giving to children on a rotating basis throughout the year. When you get this please look to see what is inside the pail. If there is a colored piece of paper in there, you and your child get to find objects (can be toys) around your home that fit inside the pail and are the same color as the paper. I will do the same with letters where you find things that begin with the letter that is in the pail. We use the share pail during circle time as our "show and tell" time so when your child gets it, please fill it and bring it back on their next school day.
Please bring a two pocket folder for your child sometime within the first week of school. These will be kept at school for us to collect various items in throughout the year. You will treasure these journals when you get them at the end of the year!
This is a per choice activity where I will mention to the children that there is a new homework page available and whoever wants to take one can. They can bring it back to me if they wish or they can keep it for themselves-whatever they choose. This is to be a fun, learning, no stress experience for them.
These are laminated strips of paper with each child’s name typed on it that will be available at the writing center at any time for them to practice with. Children who will be entering kindergarten the following year will have "required" writing practice. We will be using the Handwriting Without Tears writing curriculum. Curriculum: Weekly lesson plans will revolve around a theme of the week. Activities will be prepared to stimulate all areas of a young child’s development. We will be using some components of the Brain Gym Program (movement that stimulates the brain) during our Rec Room time. The "Handwriting Without Tears" writing curriculum will be used in preschool to coincide with what the Detroit Lakes school district is using in Kindergarten.
The Parent Information board is on the wall to your immediate right when you enter the classroom. There you will find posted the monthly calendar, the weekly lesson plan, and any pertinent information. We put any new information in each child’s cubby for you to take home. Book orders will be included with monthly calendars if you wish to purchase books. For each book purchased, the preschool gains points for free books and other classroom materials.
We participate in the We Care program at Central Market so save your receipts! We get 1% of the submitted total and have been able to purchase toys and equipment with this extra money.
Since "congestion" will be an issue in the doorway of the room during pick up times, you and your child are welcome to exit out of our emergency door which is located on the South wall. The children will be instructed to wait IN THE ROOM for you to come in and get them. This is for safety reasons so that the teachers know that everyone has been accounted for. Please do not allow your child to push the handicap buttons in the doorways. I understand that they are exactly at the child’s level but it is very hard on the system. We will also remind them routinely. There are many activities that happen at the church during the day (quilters, funerals, meal prep etc.) so please make an effort to park in the lot. We need to keep the entry area free and clear-thanks. I follow the DL school district’s schedule so when there are breaks or cancellations due to weather, we do the same. Phone calls are transferred into the preschool room if you need to call during the day. Please pick your child up promptly after his/her class time is over!
The telephone number for the Department of Human Services is 218-723-4905 . Richard Bauer, Human Services Licensor.
KidsFirst preschool is covered by General Liability Coverage.
No otherwise eligible child shall be excluded from admission on the basis of race, sex, creed, color, national origin, or source of payment. (Scholarships may be available).
Parents will be informed of child’s activities daily in addition to a written progress report that will be prepared in December and April. Private conferences will be offered at these times.
Prior to admission, KidsFirst preschool must have the following information:
- Immunization form
- Health Care Summary (within 30 days)
- Admission form completely filled out-two sides
- $40.00 registration fee paid
Statement on Discipline
KidsFirst preschool uses discipline as a means of helping children learn acceptable ways to deal with their feelings and desires. Our goal for discipline is to help children develop self-control or self-discipline. We teach children to show respect for themselves, others, and property. KidsFirst preschool does not punish children. Rather, we direct children towards acceptable ways of behaving.
Guided by the individual needs of each child and family, the methods we use include:
- Praising and encouraging positive behavior.
- Setting clear, reasonable, consistent rules and explaining these to children.
- Having properly planned activities and environments.
- Ignoring minor behavior.
- Offering directions for more acceptable behaviors. Giving choices rather than threats.
- Encouraging problem solving skills in children.
- Separating a child from the problem.
- Working with parents to build strong home-school relations.
"I hope I have answered some of your questions. Please feel free to call me at home or work or e-mail. Thank you for sharing your children with me!"
Beth Gailfus