Preschool / Parent’s Day Out2016-2017

Parent Handbook

Come Grow With Us!

IABC Preschool/PDO9507 Indiana Ave

Lubbock, TX 79424(806)748-8800

Hours: M-TH, 8:45am till 2:30pmSeptember – May

Our Mission

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Our goal at IABC Preschool/PDO is to show God's love to your children while educating them to their fullest potential; sharing with them our relationship with God and His Word, in hopes they will grow closer to Him.

Our Philosophy

Our program is a ministry of Indiana Avenue Baptist Church. The purpose of our program is to provide a safe, happy, nurturing, Christian environment where children can grow spiritually, socially, emotionally and cognitively. We believe that children learn best through play and activities that are appropriate for each child’s age and development.

Program Goals

*inspire an awareness of God’s Love *develop a love and respect for others*promote a positive self-image *encourage curiosity and creativity*develop a sense of responsibility *provide a safe, clean, Christian environment*introduce healthy habits * assist children in reaching their full potential

Curriculum

IABC Preschool and PDO uses both academic and developmental curriculum. Through structured and non - structured activities the children are exposed to a variety of hands - on activities and learning experiences throughout the day.

Our Infant and 1 year old rooms focus on developing a trust between the teachers and their children. The teachers concentrate on keeping your baby happy, safe and secure. Infants experience loving, nurturing interactions with their caregivers, individualized attention, and planned activities chosen from a Christian based curriculum.

Our toddler rooms use the same Christian based curriculum as our infants while introducing children to our Preschool curriculum programs. They have short circle times where academic concepts are introduced. Teachers then incorporate those concepts into their crafts, games and other daily activities.

Our Preschool classrooms use the Christian based curriculum for unit ideas and creative centers, while adding curriculum for Handwriting, Phonics, and Math. Each classroom has a morning and afternoon circle time which focuses on different academic subjects followed by centers alternating between play and learning. Each day is concluded with a review of the day’s activities.

Teachers are to use all curriculums as guides for their lesson planning. They are encouraged to adapt their lessons to meet the needs of their individual students. Every child does not learn at

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the same pace or in the same way. Teachers are trusted to adapt curriculum in order to teach on the children’s levels and according to their learning styles.

Enrollment/Registration

IABC accepts enrollment applications for the current school year, year round depending on availability. Children 8 weeks (with first set of immunizations) – 5 years, ages as of September 1st may participate in our program. Registration for the following school year for currently enrolled and church members, begins the first week of February. Registration for the public opens the second week of February. In order to hold your child’s place in the program, a registration form must be completed and a non-refundable registration fee been collected. All other forms (listed below) must be completed and on file before the first day of school.

*Completed Enrollment Forms *Physician’s Statement*Emergency Medical Authorization *Copy of Immunization Records*Signed Discipline and Guidance Policy

All forms must be on file before the first day of school. State licensing requires that we have all forms on all children entering our school before they may participate in our program.

To hold a spot in our infant room for an unborn child, the registration fee must be paid at time of enrollment and half their monthly tuition paid each month starting in September. If payment is not received monthly, their spot will be offered to a family on the wait list.

Hearing and Vision Screening

As stated in Texas Minimum Standards, children enrolled in our 4 year old program must have a vision and hearing screening in order to attend. This will be done by certified IABC staff.

Tuition Payment/Registration Fees

Registration Fees are a one-time payment made at enrollment. Your child’s place in our program is not guaranteed until the registration fee has been collected. The registration fee goes toward professional development for teachers, Christmas and graduation productions, and materials for the PK/PDO programs.Monthly tuition is paid each month. Tuition is due the 1st of each month. Tuition money goes towards staff pay, building maintenance, curriculum development, and daily operation.

Parent’s Day Out (6 weeks to 2 years) 8:45-2:30Days enrolled 1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days

Registration Fee $70.00 $70.00 $105 $140

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Monthly tuition $125 $150 $225 $275Preschool (3- 4 years) 8:45-12:00

Days enrolled 2 days 3 days 4 daysRegistration Fee $100 $130 $150Monthly tuition $155 $215 $250

Preschool Extended Care (3- 4 years) 12:00- 2:30

Payment OptionsPayment can be made by cash, check or online, please see office for more information. For parent’s convenience, a locked drop box is located outside the PK/PDO office. If paying cash, place cash in a sealed envelope with the child’s name written on the outside. Receipts will be given for all cash payments. All other types of payment will receive a receipt by request only. A $25 fee will be charged for any returned checks.

Overdue TuitionTuition is due the 1st of each month. If the 1st falls on a weekend, tuition is due the next school day. IABC will not charge a late fee if arrangements have been made with the office before the 10th of the month. A late fee of $15 will be assessed if payment is received after the 10th and no arrangements have been discussed. If the office staff has not heard from you before the 10th of the month late fees will automatically be assessed and your child will be dropped from our roll.

Withdrawal from IABC Preschool/PDO

IABC Preschool/PDO requires a two week notice for leaving our program. Our registration fee is non-refundable. However, monthly tuition can be prorated if your child is leaving in the middle of the month. If two week notice is not given, IABC Preschool/PDO cannot prorate tuition. Please inform the office if your child will be withdrawing from our program as soon as possible. This will prevent our teachers/staff from unnecessarily worrying about your child/family and give another child the opportunity to join our program.

Policies and Procedures

Arrival/DismissalIt is mandatory by State licensing that you check your child in and out each day. There are computers located in the foyer near the office for check in/out. You will need to enter your child’s four digit code to check your child in and out each day. In the morning the computers will print a name tag (first month only) and drop off label. The drops off labels are given to your

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Days enrolled 1 day 2 days 3 days 4 daysRegistration Fee $25 $25 $25 $25Monthly tuition $25 $30 $55 $70

teacher for their attendance. This same procedure will be repeated when you arrive to pick up your child. You will not be able to drop off or pick up your child without a label. Our regular Preschool/PDO hours are 8:45am-2:30pm. Children may arrive for school at 8:30 for our early drop-off. Our school day begins promptly at 8:45am. Children must be accompanied by their parent/guardian at drop off time. Children may not walk themselves to class.

Release of ChildrenAbsolutely no one other than the parents will be allowed to pick up a child from school unless:

The person is listed on your pick up authorization form, photo identification is verified by the office and copied.

If you need someone to pick up a child and they are not on your authorized pick up form, an email (sent from your email address), txt message sent from your phone or handwritten written letter given to the PS/PDO office that morning must be provided. The person will only be allowed to pick up your child that day unless you add them to your pick-up authorization form.

Late Pick-up Our school day ends at 2:15 and children need to be picked up by 2:30. Children still in our care will be taken to the Director’s office. If children are checked out after 2:30 a late fee of $1 per minute will be assessed. If the child is checked out at 2:45 or later a late fee of $15.00 will be assessed. With respect for your child and our staff we ask that you are prompt for drop off and pick up times.If your child is enrolled for our Preschool without extended care they need to be picked up by 12:00. If children are checked out after 12:00 a late fee of $1 per minute will be assessed. If the child is checked out at 12:15 or later a late fee of $15.00 will be assessed.

Field TripsField Trips are only taken by our Preschool programs. Field Trips are planned at least a month in advance and parents have to give permission for their child to go on Field Trips. Our Field Trip permission form is part of your child’s enrollment forms. Even when parents have given permission on the enrollment forms, parents will be given detailed information for each field trip and given the opportunity to refuse their child’s participation. Field Trip expenses are not included in tuition. Parents will be asked to send any additional funds needed for their child to attend. In order for children to ride in the church bus, parents must provide a car seat labeled with the child’s name the morning of the field trip and taken home that day at pick-up. Any child that does not have a car seat will remain at the school instead of attending the field trip. If on the day of the field trip a child refuses to listen to their teacher or will not follow directions, they will be left at the school and not taken on the field trip.

AnimalsAnimal visitation is discouraged due to licensing requirements. Animals are not allowed at IABC Preschool/PDO without one week advance notice and clearance from the office staff.

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Documentation of vaccinations must be brought to the office prior to the visit. If teachers have scheduled an animal visit, such as a police dog, parents will be notified in advance. Children’s allergies will always be a top priority.

Staff VaccinationsWe ask our staff to be vaccinated against flu and pertussis. Lubbock County does not require childcare staff to have a tuberculosis shot.

Security

Our doors will be unlocked from 8:25am-8:50am for drop off and from 2:10pm-2:35pm for pick-up. The doors will also be unlocked from 11:45-12:05 for half-day preschoolers. If you arrive at any time other than the above stated times, the doors will be locked, please press the intercom button located on the wall to the left of the door. We will check our surveillance system and “buzz” you in. If we are unable to visually identify you due to glare or any other reason we will ask for you to verbally identify yourself and the reason for your visit. Please keep in mind that these measures are in place to keep your children safe.

Discipline and Guidance

For our younger children (infants and toddlers) discipline is more about setting limits. The teachers are working to help the children understand right and wrong, follow rules, cope with frustration and develop self-control. When children misbehave they are redirected in a calm voice and simple wording. Teachers will use facial expressions (sad face/happy face) to discourage unacceptable behavior and promote acceptable behavior. It’s important to remember that at this age the children are still learning how to behave and it is the teachers place to assist them in this adventure.

IABC Preschool believes that children need to be given the chance to learn through discipline. Every effort must be made to clarify expected behaviors with the children and when misbehaviors occur, the opportunity will be taken to teach the child to problem solve while learning sympathy for others. The child may be given choices for correcting his/her behavior or a consequence explained before given so that the child can correct the behavior on his own. It is the goal of the IABC Preschool to help the children learn to handle frustrations and maintain self-control when dealing with a problem.

If needed, a “quiet time” may be used to produce acceptable behavior. The child will be removed from the situation that caused the behavior and asked to sit quietly in order for the child to calm down and regain self-control before resuming activities. The “quiet time” will be no

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more than 1 minute per year of child’s age. If these steps are not effective the director will be called to the room or the child taken to the office to speak with the director. At this time, the parent may be asked to conference with the teacher and the director to discuss the child’s behavior and work together for solutions.

Every effort will be made to ensure your child adjusts to our program, feels welcome and enjoys his/her days here. IABC staff will inform parents if negative behaviors persist. We will work together to correct these behaviors; however, if a solution cannot be found then the child will be released from the program. If a child is violent towards other children or IABC Preschool/PDO staff then he/she will be removed from the program for the safety of our students and staff.

IABC Preschool /PDO will not allow corporal punishment. Any form of physical punishment will not be allowed, and will result in immediate termination of the staff member inflicting such punishment.

Bite Policy

If a child bites another student and it does not break the skin, the parent will be notified. If the child bites again that same day the parent will be called and asked to pick up their child. When a child bites a friend or staff member they are separated from the class while the victim is treated. After the victim has been cared for, the biter will be spoken with and explained that biting hurts others and is not acceptable. If a child bites at school and breaks the skin of a friend or staff member the child will be sent home immediately. If biting becomes habitual the student could be released from the program or suspended.If your child has been bitten by a classmate and it does not break the skin, an ouch report will be sent home with your child. If they are bitten and it does break the skin, we will call and notify the parent immediately.

Emergency Action Plans

The safety of the children is our number one concern. We have our emergency action plans in place to ensure your children will be safe in any situation. Fire/Fire DrillsWhen an alarm is sounded, the teachers will gather the children together calmly in the room. The teacher will count her children to make sure all are accounted for. They will exit through the preferred exit (posted on the wall in their classroom) and continue out away from the building. Once at their location, the teacher will again count her student and make sure all are accounted for. The director and assistant director will close all classroom doors and check to see that everyone is out of the building. No one will re-enter until the “all clear” is given. Fire drills will be performed once a month.

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Inclement Weather/Inclement Weather DrillsAn alarm will sound if a severe storm is approaching. Children and staff will report to Green 12/13 which is a tornado safe room. The teachers will count their class and make sure everyone is accounted for. The director and assistant director will close all classroom doors and make sure all rooms are empty before reporting to Green 12/13. The tornado safe doors will then be closed until the storm has passed. Parents are encouraged to stay home and not come get their children when they hear the warning, thus placing both the parents and children in danger. Please understand that when the doors to the Tornado Safe room are closed that there is no cell phone service until the doors have been re-opened. Parents will be contacted as soon as the storm has passed. Inclement Weather drills will be performed once every three months.

Toxic SpillIn the event of a Toxic Spill, all centers and schools are to be notified by their local Fire Department. They will then give us information on evacuation procedures. Notification may also come through the emergency broadcasting network. In the event the spill is too close to prevent evacuation, windows and doors will be kept closed and blankets, rugs, etc… pushed against door bottoms and window sills to prevent contaminated air from entering the building. If the toxic spill happens inside the building the children will be evacuated in the same manner they would in a fire drill. Poison Control and the Fire Department would be notified along with the parents.

Alternate Pick-Up SiteThe following facility will be used as an alternate pick up site in the event of an emergency:

IABC Northeast Parking LotThe children will walk with their teachers to the Northeast parking lot. Parents will be notified if their child will need to be picked up at the Northeast Parking Lot. Children will be counted at the departure of the school and arrival at this site. Teachers will carry their roll sheet and first aid kits which include emergency information cards. The director (assistant director in her absence) will be responsible for carrying all authorizations for emergency care forms.

Health Policy

IllnessIt is important to keep all of the children in our program as healthy as possible. We ask that parents keep their child home if they show signs of illness such as:

*temperature of 100.2 or higher *vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hrs*Symptoms of unusual childhood diseases *croup*sore throat *skin infections such as ringworm*eye infections such as pink eye *mouth sores with drooling*active lice infestation * inability to participate in class activities*difficulty breathing

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If a child develops any of these symptoms while in our care a parent will be called and asked to pick up their child. If the parents cannot be reached the emergency contact will be called. The child will be removed from their classroom and taken to the office to minimize exposure to the other children. The child may return to our program if they have a doctor’s note or have been symptom free for 24 hours. – If your child will be absent, please notify the office.

MedicationAll medications are kept in a secure location and administered by the Director or Assistant Director. All medication forms must be filled out completely before the medication is dispensed. Prescription medications must be in the original container with specific instructions. We will give non-prescription medication with parent’s permission and instructions according to the label. Or as amended by a physician. All medications (oral and topical) must not be expired, labeled with the child’s name, and the date brought to the facility. Diaper Ointment and sunscreen can be applied without a medication sheet (implied consent), if the ointment or sunscreen has the child’s name on it. IABC Preschool and PDO will not give a child acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Accidents/InjuriesIABC Preschool/PDO work very hard to make our school and safe place, but know that accidents and injuries can happen. If your child is hurt/injured while at school, you will receive an Ouch Report, when picking up your child. This form will explain how your child was injured, who was in charge when the injury occurred and the actions taken. This form is filled out by the teacher and initialed by the Director. If the injury requires medical attention an Incident Report will be filled out by the teacher and signed by the director.

Medical EmergencyIf a child needs medical attention, the parent will be called. If we are unable to reach the parent then the emergency contact will be called upon. If we are unable to reach a parent and the child worsens or needs immediate medical attention the director (or assistant director in her absence) will act on the child’s behalf by either transporting the child to the nearest medical facility or calling an ambulance, depending on the severity. The person who was with the child at the time of the accident, or when he/she became ill will document all information on the Accident Report form, noting who administered treatment and what actions were taken.

IABC Preschool/PDO School Delays or Cancellations

IABC Preschool/PDO follows LISD and Lubbock Cooper school delays or cancellations. If either of the school districts delay, our facility will open 30 minutes later. For example, If LISD delays until 9:00 our facility will open at 9:30. If both districts delay we will begin our school day thirty minutes after the latest delay. For example, if LISD delays until 9:00 and Lubbock

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Cooper delays until 10:00, our facility will open at 10:30. If either of the districts cancel school we will cancel our school day as well.

Parent/Teacher Communication

IABC Preschool/PDO knows that communication between parents and staff is extremely important for every child in our program. No one knows a child better than their parents.

Parent Communication Folders will go home daily with each child in our program. There is a section in these folders for parent/teacher comments. Please make sure to read all notes sent home and return the folder each day. Parents will also receive monthly newsletters letting them know what their child is learning in their classroom. Please keep in mind that teachers cannot discuss confidential information about your child at drop off or pick up. If there are concerns please schedule a conference time with your teacher or write a note in their folder. We value all information/feedback given from our families. It is vital to our children that parents and teachers work together to ensure the children are getting the best care possible. We always want to know if there are areas we can grow, in order to help your child/family in any way. The IABC Preschool/PDO office is always available to hear any concerns you have. The IABC Preschool Office will use telephone calls, posted signs, emails, txt messages and notes sent home with students to communicate with our parents.

School Visits

Parents (family) are always welcome to visit our facility at any time.

Parties

BirthdayParents may send a special snack with your child for the class to celebrate their birthday. Please make prior arrangements with your child’s teacher. If your child is planning a birthday party or playgroup please keep the following in mind:

We can only give phone number and addresses for families that have given permission. If invitations are being given at school then all children in the class need to be invited. It needs to be clear on the invitation that it is a personal party and is not sponsored by the

school in any way.

Class PartiesClassrooms will have special activities planned for Christmas, Valentines, Easter and End of School. Teachers will plan the activities and ask parents to provide any needed items/snacks. Please keep in mind that food served and activities planned will be age appropriate for all children and free of any classroom allergies. If any activity requires class-wide participation

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(book/ puzzle or Valentine exchange) notes will be sent home with all students requesting the needed item.

Water ActivitiesWater Activities may be offered to all children at IABC PDO/Preschool. All Children may have water days including sprinkler play or water table activities.

Wading/splashing pools are not allowed for children in our PDO program. Our PK program may include wading/splashing pools in their plans as long as they do not exceed 2 feet in water depth and teachers receive prior approval from the office.

School Supplies

IABC Preschool and PDO uses registration fees to pay for supplies needed throughout the year. However we do ask that each child bring:

1-2 day ProgramChildren, Preshool

2 boxes of Kleenex, 150 count each Children, Infant – 2 years

4 packages of wet wipes, 80 count each

3-4 day ProgramChildren, Preschool

4 boxes of Kleenex, 150 count each Children, Infant – 2 years

8 packages of wet wipes, 80 count each

Teachers greatly appreciate any donations of: crayons, markers, pencils, colored pencils, playdough, tempura paint, water colors or dry-erase markers.

Daily Supplies

All items mentioned below need to be brought from home daily and clearly marked with the child’s name.

Toddler – Preschoolo Nap-mato Backpack large enough to hold their daily folder and supplies

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o Non-breakable/spill-proof water bottle labeled with first name and last initial

o Healthy lunch in a lunchbox with cooling packs if neededo Change of clothes – including socks and underwearo 5 diapers or pull-ups labeled with first name if in 2s or younger

Infantso Diaper bago 5 diapers labeled with their nameo Bottles labeled with first name and last initial with breastmilk or formulao Pacifier (cannot be the kind with attached stuffed animal)o Snacks and baby food o Change of clotheso Written feeding instructions updated every 30 dayso Sleep Sack (non-swaddling) - if needed

If your child has a special blanket or item they sleep with or comforts them please send it to school with them. These items will remain in their backpacks until naptime and returned to their backpack at the end of their nap. If a child needs the item during the day, please let the teacher know.A mother is welcome to come up to the school to nurse her child in our mother’s room across the hall. Licensing does not allow a baby to be in a crib with anything other than the fitted sheet and a pacifier. Babies are not allowed to be swaddled or given a blanket or stuffed animal while sleeping in a crib until the age of 1. However, a Sleep Sack may be used as long as it is not a swaddling Sleep Sack.

Lunch

Each child should bring a well-balanced lunch each day. If the child’s food requires refrigeration, please include a cool pack in your child’s lunch bag. We do not refrigerate or microwave any food. Please send your child with water only to drink. IABC does not take responsibility in ensuring that children’s lunches contain adequate nutritional value or meet the child’s lunch needs. The infant and 1 year old rooms are equipped with refrigerators and bottle warmers. Children in our PDO eat lunch in their individual classrooms with their teacher. Our Preschoolers eat in the Rotunda.

Snacks

Children under the care of IABC Preschool between the hours of 8:45 and 12:00 will be offered one snack provided by the school. Each days snack will be noted on their monthly newsletter. If

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parents have a concern about snacks offered please provide an alternative snack for your child and notify the Preschool/PDO office as well as their teacher.

Clothing

Clothes worn to school should be comfortable and weather appropriate. We ask that children wear comfortable sturdy shoes. The children have recess daily and PE on a regular basis.Please provide a complete change of clothes, including shoes and underpants, for your child that is labeled and weather appropriate. This should be in the child’s backpack every day in case of spills or accidents. If your child is potty training you will need to send multiple changes of clothes. When you feel the time is right for your child to start potty training we want to do everything we can to support you in this endeavor. We do however ask that the child be showing some interest and having some success when at home. Please do not send children to school in plastic underpants while potty training. Communication between parents and teachers is vital during this time of learning. Our goal is to make this step as easy as we can for the child, parents and teacher.We love to see children dressed up for school; however, our teachers plan many art activities that involve paint, glue, markers and other mediums. We use washable paints/markers and smocks when needed; however, we cannot guarantee paint/marks won’t end up on children’s clothing and even washable paint/markers do not come out of all fabrics.

Nap time

Infants will be allowed to maintain their own sleeping and wake patterns.All other classrooms have scheduled nap times, where all children lay down and rest for no more than 2 hours. If children do not fall asleep after one hour of lying quietly, an alternate quiet activity will be given to the child until the naptime is complete. Young children nap in cribs until they are in our 1 year old rooms and walking, at which time they are transitioned to a nap mat. Children in our three year old program nap in Room 12/13. Children in our 4 year old program nap in the Kid Zone. Toddlers nap in their individual classrooms.Children are supervised at all times during nap.

Special Classes

IABC Preschool and Parent’s Day Out both receive recess and Music/Movement daily. Our 2 year old classes and Preschoolers attend Chapel twice a week. Our Infant and young toddlers remain in their classroom during Music and Movement. Our older toddlers and Preschool children go to a separate classroom to participate in these classes. Music and Movement classes include but are not limited to rhyming, dancing, hand plays, simple instruments, acting out rhymes/stories, moving their bodies to music, playing games, participating in relays, learning about teamwork, pretend play, teaching the difference between healthy and unhealthy habits. Chapel is held twice a week in the Kid Zone at 9:15 and taught by the Director. In chapel the

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children recite the pledge to the Bible and Christian flag. They are taught stories from the bible with real life applications. They learn fun Christian songs which are sung throughout the year. The fall semester focuses on the Old Testament leading up to Jesus’s birth. The spring semester focuses on Jesus and his teachings.

Gang Free Zone

Under the Texas Penal Code, any area 1000 feet from a childcare facility is a Gang-Free Zone, where criminal offenses related to organized criminal activity are subject to harsher penalty.

IABC Preschool/PDO Licensing

The latest inspection of our facility performed by the Texas Licensing board is on file in the office and is available for parental review at any time. A copy of Minimum standards is kept in the office and is also available for the parents to review at any time.

Lubbock Childcare License Office5121 69th Street A4 Lubbock, Texas 79424(806) 698-5510

DFPS Child Abuse Hotline1-800-252-5400

DFPS Websitehttp://www.dfps.state.tx.us/

2016-2017 Indiana Avenue PDO/Preschool Calendar

Open House: August 25th @ 6:30 pmFirst Day of School: Wednesday, August 31st

Last Day of School: Thursday, May 18th

September 5th Labor DayOctober 24th Student Holiday

November 21st – November 24th ThanksgivingDecember 15th – January 5th Christmas

January 16th MLK Jr. DayFebruary 6th Student Holiday

March 13th -March 16th Spring BreakApril 10th Student Holiday

Indiana Avenue Preschool and PDO is a ministry of Indiana Avenue Baptist Church.If we can be of any assistance to you or your family, please contact us.

Indiana Avenue Baptist Church Main Office – (806) 797-9704

Senior Pastor Steve McMeans

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………………………………………………………Executive Pastor …………………………………………………..

Tommy Martin

Children Minister …………………………………………………

Brenda Loftus

Preschool/PDO Director ………………………………………

Bianca Foley

Preschool/PDO Assistant Director ……………………….

Donna Edwards

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