Simi Community Church Little Becomers Preschool and Daycare

2000 Royal Avenue Simi Valley, CA 93065

(805) 583-8678

Little Becomers Preschool and Daycare was developed to serve the families of the church and the community. We do this by providing a fully qualified staff of teachers, a developmentally appropriate program, and an environment to enhance the growth and development of each child who attends. We are dedicated to the goal of growing each child cognitively, socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Welcome to Little Becomers Preschool. We are sincerely dedicated to making our school a loving, nurturing, happy and positive experience for your child. You are welcome to visit the school at anytime, an appointment is not necessary. If you have any questions, concerns, or special needs feel free to contact the Director at any time. GENERAL INFORMATION Little Becomers Preschool is a ministry of Simi Valley Community Church. Children who are fully potty trained from 2 years through 5 years of age are cared for in a loving, safe and secure environment by a dedicated and qualified Christian staff. Your child will be introduced to a well balanced curriculum that will focus on the development of their cognitive, social/emotional, physical and spiritual being. They will be introduced to science, math, creative art, language skills, social skills, and motor skills through a developmentally appropriate program. Enrollment-After visiting Little Becomers and touring the school, if you wish to enroll your child you will receive a registration packet. A $75.00 non-refundable registration fee will be required to hold a spot for your child. All forms and records received in the registration packet must be completed and turned into the Director by the first day of attendance. Tuition-Tuition is due on the 1st of each month. Tuition can be broken down into 2 or 4 installments if arranged ahead of time. After the tenth of each month, tuition is considered late and you will be charged a late fee of $25.00. If there is a balance of tuition unpaid by the end of the month, your child’s enrollment will be terminated unless arrangements have been made in advance with the Director. Checks are made payable to Little Becomers Preschool. No allowances will be made for Holidays falling within a given month. Holidays, Family Vacations and Sick days were all taken into consideration when fees were established. Parent Responsibilities-The adult bringing and picking the child up each day MUST sign the child IN and OUT using a full signature (no initials.) When a child has been received by a staff member the adult is free to leave. Please notify the Director in writing or by phone if someone other than the parent is going to pick up your child. Children will only be released to persons listed on your emergency form. A picture identification will be required from anyone picking up your child who is not familiar to the staff. Please call the school to let us know if your child will be absent or arriving late to school that day.

Lunch-All children will bring their own lunch. We have microwaves in each classroom, so reheating is not a problem. We would appreciate their lunch being sent in a lunchbox labeled with your child’s name. Nutrition plays an important role in the health of your child, therefore, we ask that you make sure that the lunch is nutritious and adequate in size. Please refrain from packing candy or soda in your child’s lunch.

Snacks-Nutritious snacks are provided by the school each day, one in the morning and one after nap. The snacks offered at school include: Crackers and cheese, fresh fruit, fresh veggies and dip, yogurt, granola bars and juice, water or milk. If you would like to bring in snack for your child’s class, a sign-up sheet is available on the clip board each month.

Birthdays-Birthdays are special days. If you would like to celebrate your child’s birthday by bringing in cupcakes or a special treat, please sign the snack sign-up sheet on the clipboard and let the teachers know that it’s for a birthday.

Nap Time-Nap time is from 1:00 to 3:00 daily for all full day children. We are fortunate to have a separate room used only for napping. The school provides each child with a sheet and cot. The sheets and cots are laundered/sanitized each week by the school. Your child may also bring a blanket, small pillow, and a stuffed toy to sleep with. If they need to take their blanket or toy home each time, just be sure and let their teacher know. We ask that the things brought in for napping fit into a paper grocery bag for storage. Please make sure that all of your child’s nap items are labeled.

Clothing-During the day at Preschool, your child will participate in a variety of activities. Please send your child to school in clothing that is comfortable, easy for the children to manage themselves and washable! Please make sure that all sweaters, jackets, and sweatshirts are labeled with your child’s name. Please make sure to bring in a change of clothing that can be left in their cubby in case they need to change during the day.

Bringing Things From Home-We would appreciate your help in keeping toys at home. Nappers may bring in a small stuffed toy or doll to sleep with but it must be kept in their cubby until nap. Parent Conferences-Please contact your child’s teacher if you desire a conference concerning your child. Pick Up After 6:00 PM-Please notify us if there is an emergency and you will be later than 6:00 PM picking up your child. Habitual late pick

up will result in a $1.00 per minute late charge due and payable that evening in cash. Health Program-We ask that all parents cooperate fully with Little Becomers health program. Our rules are designed to protect the well being of all children and staff. When symptoms of illness are present, and the child is not well enough to participate in group activities, arrangements must be made to care for the child at home. If a child becomes ill at school, the child will be isolated and the parent will be notified so they can make arrangements to pick them up as soon as possible. Exposure to a communicable disease should be promptly reported, so that the school may be alerted to early symptoms. The school will also alert parents when children have been exposed to an infectious disease. Medications-Only prescribed medication will be administered at school. The medication must be in a pharmacy bottle labeled with dosage and frequency to be given. All medications must come with a printout of possible side effects. There is a form in the office that must be completed before we can give any medication. All medicines will be kept in the office. Chapel-Our school has chapel once a week. The day will rotate throughout the month so that all children will attend chapel at least once a month. During chapel we sing songs, learn about Jesus and the world He has given us. We talk about good choices, manners, helping others and how much God loves each one of us. The teachers and Pastoral staff from the church take turns in presenting chapel. Communication-Our school works hard to communicate with our parents. Usually a teacher will communicate verbally about your child’s day or any concerns you may have. The teachers will also communicate with the afternoon teachers and let them know how the morning went. If you have any concerns, you may call the preschool at anytime. The Director and teachers are always available for your concerns. The clipboard with the sign-in sheets always has a calendar posted with monthly activities and each classroom sends home a monthly newsletter.

CURRICULUM Our daily curriculum is devoted to meet both the needs and interests of the individual child and the group. Our objective is to provide a learning environment that encourages growth of the whole child. Group activities help children learn to share and listen effectively in an accepting Christian environment. Basic Christian and social principals are stressed such as sharing, manners, problem solving, making choices, taking turns and making friends. We strive to develop positive self concepts, social habits and attitudes that will help the children enjoy relationships with others. In our Pre-K classes, children are introduced to letters, numbers, colors and shapes in a group circle time. This cognitive circle is presented in a positive manner, often through an activity or a game. It is our belief that children learn through “play”. It is the desire of this Preschool staff to work closely with you to assure a quality learning experience for your child.

DISCIPLINE POLICY

Little Becomers Preschool desires to work with your child in a loving, nurturing manner in all areas of their personal growth. Each child is a unique individual that deserves the respect and understanding of those around them. In the area of discipline, we strive to teach young children acceptable behavior by means of redirection, encouraging the use of verbal skills and supporting them in gaining self control. Our program provides opportunities to interact with their peers, communicate their feelings by using their words, problem solve, learn to share, and behave harmoniously. We offer children appropriate alternatives to negative behavior. We support each child as they are encouraged to be accountable for their behavior.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

We at Little Becomers Preschool work together to communicate to your child a vision of a never-changing God. A God who sees us as an important part of His creation, and along with His Son, Jesus, loves us and takes care of us. We learn that through prayer we can talk to our Heavenly Father.

THINGS WE BELIEVE

The years of early childhood are the most crucial in the lives of our children, and experiences that are theirs at that time greatly affect their later development and behavior. All Children deserve the right to develop to their fullest potential. All children need to be themselves and to be accepted and respected for who they are. All children are unique individuals. They need to be given the opportunity to learn at their own pace, make discoveries, solve problems and to grow through their own trial and error. All children need ample opportunities to use materials freely and constructively so as to increase their independence, motor coordination, initiative and creative power. They need the freedom to explore and experiment with the things around them, in order to become more familiar with their environment. All children need and deserve the freedom to play. Play is their tool for learning. It stimulates the imagination, creates opportunities for group interaction and develops skills and concepts. Play provides a chance to use the large muscles of the arms, legs and bodies that are essential to molding strong, healthy bodies and wholesome attitudes about themselves. All children deserve supervision and guidance given by caring adults who are dedicated to providing them with the best Preschool experience possible.

WHY THEY ARE “JUST PLAYING

When they are playing with sand, they are learning… Math concepts: Conservation, weight distribution, volume and mass, measuring, geometry, numbers. Language: Comparative terms, requests for information, dialogue, names for things. Symbolic representation: Using sand in a make-believe way to represent abstract thinking and visualization. Social skills: Sharing, cooperating, problem-solving. Science: Exploring, observing, discovering.

When they are playing with water, they are learning… Math concepts: Fractions, volume, weight, equality difference, measurement. Science: Water as a power source, water conservation, water pollution, water management, evaporation, water cycle, properties of water and objects in water. Language: Vocabulary, phrases. Social Skills: Manners, sharing. Art: Food, paint color in water, mixing colors. Motor Skills: Pouring (coordinated movement).

When they are playing with manipulatives, they are learning… Math concepts: Patterns, ordering and sequence, number measurement, geometry, algebra, probability, logic. Representation: Using manipulatives to represent situations, problems. Self-direction: Making choices, making a plan and implementing it. Scientific method: Observing, making and testing predictions. Social studies: Using available resources or building, representing structures.

When they are engaged in dramatic play, they are learning… Language: Changing roles, creating a script. Representation: Using language and objects to represent situations in life. Problem solving: Human interaction, causing others to play cooperatively.

When they are playing with blocks, they are learning… Math/Science: Size shapes, weights, sorting, patterning, cause and effect. Reasoning skills: Problem solving, planning. Social skills: Cooperation, negotiation, conflict resolution. Literacy: Symbolic representation.

When they are engaged in art, they are learning… Representation: Using art materials to represent learning from other curricular areas. Creative expression: Using colors, line form, texture, shape to express themselves. Problem solving: Using available materials to create, using “mistakes” creatively. Language: Vocabulary, descriptive words. Cause and effect: Creating change. Task completion: Staying with a task and experiencing the feeling of satisfaction involved.

It may LOOK like child’s play, but they are very busy constructing

knowledge!!

Little Becomers Preschool and Daycare

Parent Handbook

“And the child continued to grow and become strong in spirit.” Luke 1:80 Little Becomers Preschool and Daycare A Ministry of Simi Community Church

2000 Royal Avenue Simi Valley, CA 93065

(805) 583-8678 Facility Number 561702288

Simi Community Church (805)526-8075 www.simicommunity.com