Hidenwood Presbyterian Preschool Policies

CHURCH SPONSORSHIP:  Hidenwood Preschool has been an outreach of Hidenwood Presbyterian Church for over 50 years and is governed by a Board composed of church members and at least one parent representative.  The Board meets on a regular basis with the Director of the Preschool and oversees school policy and operations.  The Preschool is covered under the insurance policy of the Church. 

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:  Children must be 2, 3, or 4 years old on or before September 30th to be placed in the 2, 3, or 4 year-old-class.  An original birth certificate must be shown at registration.  Personality and emergency forms must be completed.  The two-year-old program is a co-op program.  One parent (or adult designated by parent) will help in the 2s classroom each day.  Parents must sign an agreement to take their turns in order to participate in the program.  It is not expected that the 2s will be toilet trained, but it is expected of the 3s and 4s.

REGISTRATION, TUITION AND FEES:  Children currently enrolled and their siblings, children and grandchildren of the Preschool staff, and children and grandchildren of members of Hidenwood Presbyterian Church have priority registration.  After the two-week priority period, open registration begins.  The director of the Preschool will decide, based on space and requests, which classes will be formed.

Registration, supply and activity fee and one month’s tuition are due at the time of registration.  Tuition is due September 1st and the first of each month thereafter through April 1st.  A $15 late fee will be charged if tuition is not received by the 15th  of each month.  Payment must be made every month or your child will lose his/her place in the classroom.  There is no refund for the absence of a child.  Please put checks, made payable to Hidenwood Presbyterian Preschool, in the special envelope in your child’s tote bag or send checks to the Preschool office.  Statements are not sent. Because this a non-profit program, supply and activity fees and monthly tuition reflect the costs of paying staff a fair wage and purchasing the supplies necessary to have a quality program.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS:  The Commonwealth of Virginia School Entrance Health Form, available from the office of your child’s physician, is required before your child enters the Preschool.  A child is not permitted in the classroom with a contagious disease, fever, or any signs of an infection that might spread to the other children.  Children must be kept out of school at least 24 hours after disease symptoms (fever, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) have disappeared.

WITHDRAWAL:  The registration fee is NOT refundable.  If written notice of withdrawal is received by May 31st, tuition and the supply and activity fees will be refunded.  If written notice of withdrawal is received by July 31st, tuition will be refunded.  No refunds are given after July 31st.  If withdrawal is necessary during the school year, thirty days notice is requested.

ORIENTATION:  School begins on the Tuesday after Labor Day.  During the week prior to the opening of school, there will be a Parent Orientation Night and a brief morning visit for children to see their classroom and meet their teachers.  More details are sent around August 1st.

CLASS SIZE:

Class               *No of Students        Teachers
2 year olds             10                       Lead and Assistant (and parent helper)
3 year olds             14                       Lead and Assistant
4 year olds             15-18                  Lead and Assistant
*These are the maximum numbers in each class.  Minimum enrollment is at the discretion of the Board.

SCHOOL HOURS:  The school day begins at 9:15.  Dismissal for 4s is 12:15.  The 3s will be dismissed at 12:00 unless riding with 4s.  The 2s are picked up at the classroom at 11:45.

CLASSROOM VISITATION:  You are welcome!  Advance appointments for observing should be made with the preschool office.  We do ask that parents not confer with teachers during school hours as this distracts the teachers from their responsibility for the children’s safety.  All visitors report to the preschool office and sign in before going to the classroom.

COMMUNICATION:  Please call the office if you have any questions, or contact the teacher if you have concerns about your child.  Day to day messages (for 3s and 4s) are to be sent in the special envelope provided.  Verbal messages from the children cannot be accepted by the teacher.

SNACKS:  The 3s and 4s will bring a nutritional snack each day with a drink.  The parent helper for the 2s will bring snacks and drinks for the entire class; teachers will give additional instructions.

BIRTHDAYS:  Children’s birthdays are recognized in the classroom, and parents should contact the teacher in advance to arrange for a simple treat to share.  Birthdays are also acknowledged in chapel, and families are invited.  Books or puzzles may be donated to the preschool to honor the birthday child.

CONFERENCE DAYS AND FAMILY EVENTS:  Conferences, not report cards, are used for reporting and are scheduled in October and January.  Additional conferences are scheduled as needed.  There are several opportunities during the year for families to attend school events in the evening.

FIELD TRIPS:  As part of our learning experiences, classes of 3s and 4s may visit various places in our community.  The school is not held responsible for the safety of children as they are transported on field trips.  Drivers with proper insurance will be needed in order to make these trips.  As of July 1, 2007, Virginia Law states that children under the age of 8 must be properly restrained in a child safety seat or booster seat.  Since the passage of this law, we are limiting field trips and trying to have special visitors come to us.

WEATHER CLOSURE:  When the Newport News Public Schools are closed because of inclement weather, our Preschool will be closed also.  If NNPS open one hour late, we will open at 10:15 a.m.  If NNPS open two hours late, we will not have school that day.  If there are more than two inclement weather days during the year, we will try to make them up.  For information on closings, watch WAVY TV-10.  In inclement weather you are welcome to pick up your child early.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES:  Fire drills and shelter-in-place drills are held regularly.  Preschool staff will notify parents by phone in a real emergency.

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION:  A Christian atmosphere is a primary characteristic of our school.  Although most students are from Christian families, we have children from homes of other beliefs and children from other cultures.  We do not try to make them Presbyterians, but neither do we refrain from expressing our Christian beliefs.  Parents are always welcome at our chapel services, which include birthday recognitions.

DISCIPLINE:  Children who have difficulty following rules, especially those who bite, are aggressive, disrespect the rights of others, disrupt the classroom, or touch inappropriately are subject to disciplinary action.  It is important that all children are kept safe and are in an environment where learning can occur.  Teachers use positive proactive discipline techniques and redirection.  They remove the children from the upsetting situation as appropriate and make sure there are consequences for actions.  They consult with parents and/or the director as needed to help the children learn self-control.  Parents are encouraged to talk with the teachers and/or director to give their input to situations.  Children who are constantly disruptive may be sent home.  Parents may call the parent liaison on the Preschool Board to discuss discipline.  We advocate family counseling as needed.

SPECIAL NEEDS:  Our staff has limited training to include children with special needs.  Contact the Director if you have questions.  We may be able to accommodate children with mild disabilities and/or special needs.

CONFIDENTIALITY:  Only the child’s teacher and preschool office staff have access to a child’s screening and assessment results.  These files are kept locked in the preschool office.  Preschool staff members do not share information about a child with anyone without parental consent.  Confidentiality procedures allow staff to share information on any children with other staff members on an as needed basis but do not allow staff to share this information with all parents.  We believe that parents and staff should have and show respect for children by not discussing their problems in the community.  The director may always be contacted if there are any concerns.  

EXTENDED DAY:  On the days a child attends school, parents may register him/her for before and/or after school care.  Information and forms are available in the preschool office.  A state-mandated hour rest time is observed. 
 

 
We welcome parents and children to observe our classes—just contact the Preschool office between 8 a.m.-2 p.m. to arrange a convenient time for your visit: 757-595-8351, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it