First United Methodist Preschool

First United Methodist Preschool has been providing an inviting learning environment for over 30 years and is committed to helping each child discover, affirm and develop the marvelous gift of his or her life. The preschool helps three and four year old children build self-confidence through interaction with others and discovery. A positive attitude toward learning is developed by presenting tasks for the children which they can enjoy and master. Children are encouraged to respect the rights and views of others while making decisions for themselves.

Blocks, puzzles, paints, play-dough, climbing equipment, stories, songs, rhythms and dramatic play all contribute to a day of learning and growth. Activities are held in the classrooms, activity room, and outdoors. In keeping with the Christian environment, religious songs and prayers may be included in the curriculum.

The Preschool meets three days a week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The classes are offered mornings and afternoons.

Children must be either three or four years old by September 1 of their enrolling year. Preschool classes usually begin in early September and end in the mid-May. Vacations coincide with those in the Downers Grove Public Schools, District 58.

All teachers and premises meet or exceed the guidelines for preschools by Illinois DCFS and the Illinois Health Department. All teachers are First Aid and CPR certified.

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Purpose

The staff of the preschool strives to help young children build self-confidence through sharing and relating to others while making discoveries for themselves. A positive attitude towards learning is developed by providing tasks that children can master and enjoy at the same time. Learning takes place in a loving and relaxed atmosphere. Children are encouraged to respect the rights and views of others while making decisions for themselves. Learning to get along with others is vital for success in the early school years. Children participate in a program which maintains a balance of structured learning and play activities. Blocks, puzzles, paints, playdough, climbing equipment, stories, songs, rhythms and dramatic play all contribute to a day of learning and growing for the 3 and 4 year olds. The classroom, the gym and the outdoors are all used in the program.

Age Restrictions

Children in the 3 year old program must be 3 years of age by September 1st of the school year for which they are enrolling. Children in the 4 year old program must be 4 years of age by September 1st of the school year for which they are enrolling and be eligible for public school kindergarten the following year.

All children must be toilet trained.

School Hours

Threes	8:45 a.m. - 10:45 T. W. Th. 12:15 p.m. - 2:15 T. W. Th.
Fours	8:45 a.m.—11:00 T. W. Th. 12:15 p.m.— 2:30 T. W. Th.

Arrival/Departure/Calendar Year

Children are asked to arrive no earlier than five minutes before the starting time. Vacations are the same as those in the Downers Grove Public Schools, District 58. Preschool classes will begin in early September, 2007 and will end mid-May of 2008.

Pick Up Time

Pick up time is strictly adhered to. Student not picked up 10 minutes after dismissal time, will go to preschool office with staff member. At that time, efforts will be made to contact the parent. A parent must come to preschool office (room 101) to sign child out. Excessive tardiness can be grounds for dismissal.

Tuition

A $100.00 fee is required when a child is registered for enrollment. This $100.00 fee does not apply toward tuition, nor is it refundable, but does include a tote bag. Preschool orientation takes place in April, and at that time you will be required to pay the first months tuition. That first months tuition is refundable until July 1st. After July 1st, should you withdraw from the program, your first months tuition will be forfeited. The tuition is $140.00 each 4-week period for Church member families and $160.00 per 4-week period for non-church member families. Please make all checks payable to First United Methodist Church Preschool (or FUMPS).

Payments should be sent to school with your child. Tuition is due on or before the first day of preschool in September and every 4 weeks thereafter according to the tuition schedule you will receive in the Fall.

Since the expenses of the school continue even when a child is absent for an extended period of time, the tuition must be paid. Non-payment of tuition is cause for dismissal of the child.

If the family moves from the community, or on the basis of consultation between the parent and the director of the school it seems advisable to withdraw the child, the tuition obligation will cease. Tuition charges for families entering the program after the beginning of the school year will be determined according to the day of entry.

Physical Examinations/Vaccinations/Absences

Your child must have a medical examination not more than 6 months before the starting date of school before he/she may attend preschool. All vaccinations must be up to date — including chicken pox. Results of lead screening and T.B. must be included. It is a State law that we have a medical form for each child attending preschool in our files at all times.

If your child has any symptoms of sickness or cold, please keep him/her home. If a child becomes ill at school or develops symptoms of illness, the school will notify you and isolate him or her from the other children until the child can be taken home.

If your child will be absent, please phone the school. Our voice mail works 24 hours: call 968-7120, ext 121. Let us know in advance of an absence if you can. If your child should be injured and need emergency care, the Downers Grove Paramedics will be called.

Discipline

Discipline measures shall be designed and administered in such a way as to help the individual child develop his own self-control and to assume responsibility for their own acts. Simple and understandable rules that set the limits of behavior required for the protection of the group and individuals within the group shall be established and followed. Personal discipline shall be relevant to the particular child and problem involved.

If a child’s disruptive behavior warrants discipline by the staff, the Director will contact parents. Every effort will be made to work with the child in the preschool setting However, for the safety of ALL students, excessive/disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and student will be dismissed.

Religious Songs and Prayers

Since our preschool is set in a Christian environment, religious songs and prayers may be included in the curriculum.

Permission Slips

Each parent will be asked to sign one permission form for all field trips. You will be notified of each trip before the trip is taken.

Confidentiality

Before any confidential information can be released about a child, the parent must submit a written authorization.

Birthdays

When your child has a birthday, you may wish to send a treat for the class. Please arrange the day of your child’s celebration in advance with the teachers. If your child has a summer birthday, you might like to arrange to bring an “un-birthday day” treat.

School Day Attire

Children should be dressed comfortably in play clothes and should feel free to enter any activity, especially painting. Dress your child according to the weather. We plan to go out everyday. Make certain boots are marked and that your child can identify all other “take-off” clothing. Any belongings easily lost or broken should not be brought to school. All items should be in a bag. Each child is encouraged to carry the preschool tote bag to school each day. The tote bag is provided.

Transportation

The preschool provides no transportation. In some areas car pools have been formed by parents. The list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of the children, provided to you, should help you to locate families who live near you.

Due to volume of traffic on Maple Avenue, please adhere to drop off/pick up procedures. If a car line extends out on Maple, please pull into parking lot.

Car Pools

A car pool card should be on file for your child, naming those persons who may pick up your child on a regular basis. Please send a note if another person is to pick your child up on a given day. All persons picking up any child must sign the form provided.

Parent/Child Involvement/Participation

The First United Methodist Preschool provides the following opportunities in which the preschool child and his/her family may participate:

1. Spring Orientation;
2. School visit with preschool staff member in the Fall;
3. Open House/Ice Cream Social in the Fall;
4. Mom’s Day at Preschool;
5. Two scheduled conferences with a staff member in November and April;
6. Dad’s Day at Preschool in February;

A Family Open House and Ice Cream Social will be held on a Sunday evening in the Fall. Families are encouraged to visit their child’s classroom, meet the preschool staff, and enjoy refreshments. The children and their mothers participate in a session of preschool on a weekday during Mom’s Day. On a Saturday in February, the children and their fathers participate in a session of preschool.

Each parent is asked to sign up to help with one of the parties during the year. These are Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Last Day. Parents are needed to act as hosts and hostesses and provide refreshments for the Open House in the Fall.

Parents help us with field trips and on some occasions assist us during school. You will be asked to indicate your preference after orientation.

• Monthly newsletters of school activities are sent home; don’t forget to mark your calendar
• No guns allowed at preschool
• Commitments to preschool activities are important

Thank you for choosing our program for your preschool child. It is our goal to create an atmosphere that he/she may experience spiritual, emotional, social, intellectual, and physical growth while with us.

Please feel free to phone the preschool about any questions or problems you might have regarding preschool. The church number is 968-7120 x121.

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Preschool Staff

Clockwise from top left: Deb Howard (Director), Sue Fink, Karen Dortwegt, Beth Schloss, and Jenni Robinson