Arrival and Pick-Up Guidelines

In order for the children to receive the maximum benefit from the curriculum at Starbright it is essential that the activity flow at Starbright be uninterrupted.

Morning Drop-off:

• Starbright opens at 7:00 a.m.  We like the children to arrive by 8:45 a.m. so they can participate in the all the activities.

• If your child needs special attention during good-byes, arrive earlier than 8:45 to allow the child time to ease into the morning routine. This is especially important for the younger children, who may need time in a teacher’s arms or lap at drop-off time.

• If your child needs a lot of outdoor activity, be sure to arrive by 8:30 so your child will have plenty of time to play outside.

• Conversation between parents should take place outside the classroom on the deck or in the yard.

• During morning circle, Eurythmy, Spanish, birthday circles, beeswax, watercolor painting and afternoon circle do not enter the classroom.  Drop your child off quietly at the door.  It is distracting and interrupts the children when parents come inside during these special activities. Leave lunchboxes, etc.  in the child’s cubby if you arrive late.

• After 8:45 do not engage the teachers in conversation.  Leave them a note on the sign-in sheet. You may request a short conference time or a phone conference time with your child’s teacher to discuss current issues.

• During indoor play the child is in a creative, imaginative mood. During this time adult conversation in the classroom must be at an absolute minimum. Parents should not linger in the classroom at this time.

• Parents who pick up before nap should not linger as this contributes to all the children missing their parents and the nap transition becomes very hard for the children.

Afternoon Drop-off:

• Arrive at 2:30:  Your child will benefit the most from the afternoon program if they arrive on time to take part in the indoor play, craft & activities, and special group activities.

• Remember, at 2:30 there are children going home and many different tasks that the teachers must accomplish before 3:00.

All Attendees:

• Always take your child to a teacher upon arrival so they know you are there.

• Never leave your child inside the school if their class is outside.

• Mini conferences and consultations should not be attempted when the teachers are engaged with the children in group activities. They need to be able to focus on the group without interruption so they can gently, unobtrusively, lead the children as they dreamily go through the day.  The teachers’ undivided attention is essential to avoid disharmony among the children.

• Always enter the school through your child’s deck and classroom. Do not use the Star Garden as a way to enter the Rainbow room.  Rainbow parents and children using the restrooms should be unobtrusive, quiet, and not linger in the Star Garden space.

• Do not let your child or younger sibling linger in a classroom and get toys out to play.  The teachers need to be able to set up their room for the day’s activities and to know that things will remain set up.

• All messages for the teachers and the office should be put in writing.  There is a place for messages on each classroom’s daily sign in sheet.

• Information for the office needs to go directly there in writing.  Do not tell the teachers.  There is not an easy time in their schedule to relay information to the office.  Many times they are so very busy that the information never makes it to the office, often to the dismay of both the office and the parent.

• You may schedule a conference / consultation with the teachers or the director any time during the year as problems, issues or concerns arise.

Early 2:30 pickup:

• Arrive between 2:20 and 2:30 so you can have your child ready to leave by 2:40 so you don’t interrupt the afternoon program.  Remember the afternoon activities are planned for the afternoon and the long day children.  Do not linger to join activities before leaving.

• If your child is still asleep at 2:30, you will need to wake him/her up or carry them out asleep or wait quietly for them to wake up.

• It is the parent’s responsibility to help the child pack up nap time bedding.   If necessary you may ask the teacher to pack up your child’s bedding.

• Usually both the morning and afternoon program spaces are full.  Your child can stay later only if there is someone absent or on vacation.

• If you want to leave your child later than the 2:30 pickup time, you must get approval in advance from the office not from the teachers.  Be aware that it is possible that you will not receive approval for a late stay due to the number scheduled to attend.  Be aware that sometimes there is no one available in the office to give this approval.

• Remember if you pick-up late you are responsible for aftercare fees.

6:00 pick up:

• The pick up time is 6:00.  The staff leaves the school at 6:00 or shortly thereafter.

• There is a $15.00 fee per every 15 minutes after 6:00 that you pick up your child.

General Pick-up Information:

• Be aware that during inside activity time the teachers can not engage in a long discussion.  They need to be focused on the activity and the children.

• When the children are outside in the afternoon the teachers are generally available to briefly discuss your child’s day.

• When the children are outside the teacher is responsible for the safety of the group and is supervising many children from their position in the yard.  They need to be available to assist a child and help with any problems that arise. They cannot give you their total attention.

• Be aware that in the afternoon during outside play time all the teachers are supervising both classes.

• The children should be under the parent’s direct supervision if brought inside at pickup.

General Guidelines for Interacting with Other Children:

• As a rule of thumb, let the teachers handle squabble and problems.  Let the teacher know what you observe.

• For safety issues, always intervene.

Nap-Time Entry:

• To attend a parent conference for either class you may enter through the front (ramp) Star Garden door and go directly to the office or lunch room.

• To drop off anything at nap time: leave it on the classroom deck with a note.  Entering the classroom at nap time can wake up the children.

• Unless it is a dire emergency, the teachers prefer that children NOT be dropped off at nap time.  It is hard for a child to have to immediately lie down upon arrival.  It can be disruptive to everyone to have a difficult drop off at that time.

Suggestions to Make the Transition Smoother:

There are times when dropping off can be a tearful experience. This is hard for the child, parent and the teachers. One thing to remember is that it is perfectly normal and developmentally appropriate for young children to have difficulties with transitions. Of course we want all of our children to be happy and there are ways to ease the morning and afternoon drop off. Here are a few suggestions that may help.

• Develop a dropping off routine and stick to it.

• At home or in the car talk about what your child does at school. You can talk about the day’s activities from the calendar or about the child’s favorite toy at school, favorite songs, etc… Encourage them to talk about the fun things they do.

• Bring your child early. Arriving by 8:30 should allow sufficient time to play and to adjust before the morning routines start. For afternoon drop off arrive at 2:30 so your child doesn’t miss any activities and the teachers have time for your child.

• Spend some time on the playground with your child before leaving. Dig in the sandbox or push your child on the swing for a few minutes before saying good-bye. Have fun together for a few minutes at the start of the school day.

• When it is time to say good-bye. Take your child to a teacher, say goodbye and leave. Lingering only makes the goodbye harder for your child.

• A sense of comfort can come from a goodbye song, a picture of family to look at, a doll or stuffed animal (no TV toys or electronics please).  Whatever works best for your child.

• Tell your child that you have to go to work, etc and that you chose Starbright because you know it is a safe and fun place. You could let them know it is OK to be sad and that you will miss them too, but that they will have fun at Starbright. Assure them that you will come back and talk about what you will do after school. If a parent is unsure and worried about leaving a child, then the child will be unsure and worried as well. Children pick up on parent feelings very quickly.

You can call any time to check on your child. If we do not answer the phone leave a message and staff will call you back. Also know that the teacher will call you if your child cries consistently or is having a hard time. We want every child to have a positive experience at Starbright and will do everything we can to make that happen.

Communication Guidelines

Email: Jean (jdordek@swbell.net)

Office starbrightpreschool@hotmail.com

Office:

• Notify the office about illnesses, absences or vacations.

• Requests for an extra day or late pick up must go through the director or assistant director. Teachers cannot authorize extra days or late pick up. There is not always someone in the office.  Please make your arrangement in advance, except in a case of emergency.

• Notify the office about changes of address, phone numbers, immunizations and other paperwork

• Tuition payments and payments for special activities, book orders etc, need to be turned into the office.  If paying in cash, you give it to an office staff person and get a receipt.  The cash should be in an envelope with the child’s name, amount of money and the name of activity on it.

• Place all payments in the appropriate envelope on the office door.  Do not hand it to a staff member or leave it on the desk.

• Communicate with the office regarding problems arising relating to staff, child care, etc. not resolved through communication with teachers.

Teachers:

• Once the daily activities have started you need to communicate in writing.

• Use the message space on the sign-in sheet.

• Communicate directly with the teachers about medications.  Be sure to fill out a medication authorization form.  Starbright cannot administer any medication without this legal document.

• Communicate directly with the teachers about your child’s immediate health issues and concerns.

• Communicate directly with the teachers about your child’s personal items.

• Communicate directly with the teachers about your child’s day/week.

• Communicate directly with the teachers about scheduling your child’s birthday circle.

• Communicate directly with the teachers regarding specific behavioral issues concerning your child.

Teachers and the Office:

• Communicate with both teachers and the office about long term health issues, concerns and long term medication administration needs.

• Communicate with both the teachers and the office and with Jean for advice and/or problem solving regarding child development issues and strategies for behavioral management and discipline/guidance.

Jean: if Jean is not on the premises please call her at home about issues not resolved with the staff.

Outdoor Play and Cold and Rainy Weather

• Children play outside everyday, even in cold and rainy weather.  Unless the weather is extremely cold (less than 35 degrees) or extremely wet (raining in torrents or thundering and lightning), the children will play outside everyday (usually at least one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon if possible).

• At least this much outside time is what the experts consider beneficial for the children’s good health.

• Children must be dressed appropriately for the weather.

• We cannot loan other children’s clothing to your child.  The extra clothing bins can not always keep up with the demand of cold and wet weather.

• You will be called if your child does not have appropriate clothing.  We will expect you to return to Starbright to provide us with needed clothing.

• Label everything; we cannot keep track of unlabeled clothing.

• Make sure your child has plenty of clothes in their box (you may need to restock it daily in wet weather) and a raincoat and rain boots

• The only children who can stay inside on cold days are children who are having problems with asthma – usually there is a teacher who can stay indoors.

• The teachers do check to see if a child is getting cold and will bring them in to play when necessary.

• It is developmentally appropriate and necessary for children to have daily exercise, fresh air and the opportunity to participate in gross motor activities, which can only be accomplished outside

On Cold Days:

• The children should be dressed in at least three layers. As the day warms up we can peel off layers, like a little cabbage!

• A warm coat with a hood that fits tightly or a hat to protect the ears.  The children prefer hats so they can see.

• Mittens

• Two pairs of socks or insulated shoes and one pair of socks.

• Two layers on the legs, for example, jeans and long johns, leggings or tights, or leggings over tights for children who insist on dresses.

• At least two layers on the upper body in addition to the coat.  For example, a shirt or dress with a sweater, sweatshirt or flannel.  It is important to have a layer between a t-shirt and the coat because wind can blow up under the jacket and make the child cold.

Teacher Appreciation

At Starbright we like to honor our teachers who work so hard every day to provide a loving, caring place for each and every child.  Over the years, teacher appreciation has varied in how it is shown. Some years, we have had a teacher of the month from each class. some years, we have had several appreciation extravaganzas quarterly.  The basic idea is to shower the teachers with appreciation.  Appreciation can take the form of small things or the form of having something special done for the teacher.

• A card, a picture drawn by your child, a special note of thanks.

• A treasure from your child.

• A small present, a flower, some candy.

• A basket of goodies – the teachers all have a sweet tooth and love tea and coffee.

• Something homemade to eat.

• Lunch.

• (If you want to splurge) a gift card.

• Anything your heart desires.

• Of course, I have wild ideas, such as: organize a chorus and serenade them, or hang a banner on the deck about how wonderful they are. Wash their car.  Let your imagination run free.

At the beginning of the month in December, for many past years, a parent has organized a Holiday Bonus for the teachers.  This is given to them before winter break, usually at the Holiday Party.  Again, this is based on parent suggestions, similar to elementary and other preschool practices.  It is optional, also.  Someone will contact you in late November or early December about this.

Thoughts on Television and Computers

• Starbright asks that NO television be watched or time spent on the computer before arriving at school.

• Recent research has found that television can be detrimental to a young child’s developing brain.  It can over stimulate the child and detract from a small child’s creative energies and attention span.  Children’s brains are different from adult brains.  The young child needs hands on, experiential, interactive activities to learn. 

• Time spent with television and computers takes away from the child’s active time and displaces the child’s creative time.  It can have a limiting effect on the child’s wonderful imagination.  This imagination provides the foundation for learning and growth.  Television limits the time spent reading and being read to.  This can make the child slow to learn to read.

• Starbright wants to limit the violence that comes to school from the TV.

• Starbright recognizes that television is in the domain of the family and that it is up to the parent(s) to decide for each child.

• Starbright encourages you to explore alternatives with your child: artistic and craft activities; cooking and baking; building and constructing with blocks, trains, Lego’s; housekeeping tasks with parent(s) such as picking up, cleaning, laundry; books and storytelling; gardening; imaginative play at home: dress ups, puppet plays, dolls.