“Your children will become who you are; so be who you want them to be.” be – Anonymous
School Year 2016- 2017
Vision Statement The Farmington Early Childhood Program prepares children for their next learning experience by instilling confidence, eagerness and the love of school.
Mission Statement The mission of the Farmington Early Childhood Program is to provide a safe and nurturing learning environment where students, staff and families embrace their diversities and develop a sense of self. We believe that all children should have the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential with a curriculum that is delivered in a developmentally appropriate way, instilling love of learning.
Commitment Statement The staff members in the Farmington Early Childhood Program are committed to: • Recognizing that the early childhood years are the most important years in a child's life and that the program forms the first relationship between home and school • Educating both children and parents and valuing parents as an integral part of their children's education • Developing strong, positive relationships with children and parents and respecting their perspective • Providing a rich, diverse learning environment filled with optimal opportunities for children of various developmental levels and experiences • Using instructional strategies that are discovery-based, hands-on, exploratory and child-centered • Embracing all children and families and valuing their unique differences • Providing structure, routine and a predictable environment with materials and activities that reflect the positive aspects of children’s homes and community cultures
Curriculum Philosophy Our programs utilize the research based High Scope Preschool Curriculum. This curriculum is aligned with the Michigan Standards for Early Childhood. It utilizes key developmental indicators to support teaching and learning in the early childhood classroom. The key developmental indicators address all domains of child development. The curriculum focuses on adult-child interaction, learning environment, daily routine, assessment, and active learning. Children construct their own models of reality, which develop over time in response to new experiences and exposure to other viewpoints. No one else can have experiences for the child or construct knowledge for the child. Children must do this for themselves. Active learning involves both the physical activity of interacting with objects to produce effects and the mental activity of interpreting these effects and fitting the interpretations into a more complete understanding of the world. As a result, children often come to their own conclusions, conclusions that, from the standpoint of adult thinking, may seem erroneous. Adults interacting with children should recognize that this type of thinking is part of the active learning process and should accept children’s non-adult reasoning –in time; children’s thinking will become more like adult thinking. Summarized from: The High Scope Preschool Curriculum. For more information, visit www.highscope.org .
The FPS District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, height, weight, religion, marital status or disability in its programs.
Tuition Programs Farmington Public Schools (FPS) offers tuition-based preschool programs for 2, 3 & 4 year old children. Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the FPS Early Childhood Program is one of only 12% in our nation to have successfully completed this voluntary accreditation process. Parents choosing an early childhood education program can be overwhelmed by trying to find the highest-quality program for their child. NAEYC Accreditation is the mark of quality that families are looking for. NAEYC Accreditation gives families the chance to make the right choice for kids. NAEYC: Early Childhood Program Standards are available on-line at www.naeyc.org. Our centers are licensed by the State of Michigan. • Days and hours vary by location. Age requirements apply. More information is available under Class Offerings on the registration page. • Classes may be subject to cancellation due to lack of enrollment. You will be notified if these instances occur and given a full refund.
Tuition Program Registration Children attending FPS Early Childhood Classes must register online every year. Registration payment is accepted at Alameda Early Childhood Center or Farmington Community School beginning in February. A non-refundable registration fee is charged every year.
Tuition Program Enrollment Enrollment will be on a first come, first served basis. A waiting list will be established in the event that more children register than the facilities are licensed to accommodate. The following items are needed to begin school: • The child's original birth certificate or passport • An Emergency Card completely filled out • A recent immunization record and health form, signed and dated by your physician • Complete, signed, Student Enrollment Information Form and Program Registration Form • Non-Refundable Registration Fee
Tuition Policy Tuition is paid according to the Fee Schedule on the registration page. We will accept FIA reimbursement, cash or checks. Payments can be made online at www.farmington.k12.mi.us. Children are not permitted in class if tuition is late. There are no refunds of tuition for field trips; for school emergency or weather closings; for student absences; for Farmington Public Schools scheduled breaks, or for personal vacations. There are no refunds for withdrawals made after April 1. Tuition paid after the due date will incur a $10 fee for each week the payment is late. Free preschool (Grant programs) are available for families who qualify; please contact our Family Support Specialists, Gloria VanDerLugt at 248-426-1005 or Jan Crockett at 248.426.1051 to see if you qualify.
Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) Checks Farmington Public School District will no longer accept checks from an individual if restitution is not made on a check returned by the bank for any reason. If two returned checks are received by the District from the same individual, the District will no longer accept checks from that party even if restitution has been made. The District’s returned check fee is $20.00. Please refer to District Procedure 5160, available on the District website, for further information.
Tuition Program Withdrawal Two weeks written notice is required to withdraw your child from school. No tuition refund will be made for these two weeks. There are no refunds after November 1.
Grant Programs (free preschool) Farmington Public Schools offers 2 grant programs (free preschool) for 3- 5 year-old children. These include Head Start and the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP). Eligibility requirements apply. Please call our Family Support Specialists, Gloria VanDerLugt at 248.426.1051 or Jan Crockett at 248.426.1005 for more information.
Child Find Farmington Public Schools offers intervention programs for eligible students, ages 0-6, who live in the Farmington Public School district. If you suspect your child may need special education services, please call Child Find at 248.785.2060 for more information. For those who reside outside of the FPS district, you may be referred to your home school district.
Before and After School Care Before and after school care is only available at Alameda. This program is available on days school is in session at an hourly rate. Time can be used in 15 minute increments. Pre-registration and payment are required. • Sunrise: start time 7:00 a.m. Sunset: end time 6 p.m.
Classroom Schedules Activity varies from classroom to classroom. The following schedule is a sample. 10 minutes Children are greeted/morning message 20 minutes Small group/planning time 45-60 minutes Choice or Work time 10 minutes Recall 15 minutes Snack/ tooth brushing (not all classrooms) 15 minutes Large group/Story and music 30 minutes Outside* or 15 minutes gym play if weather is inclement *Note: Licensing requires classrooms to go outside daily, weather permitting. Our policy includes temperature as a factor. Children will go outside if the temperature is above 10 degrees (including wind chill).
Toileting Policy Children are not required to be toilet trained for school entry. We will work with you to develop a plan for toilet training when your child is ready. • Have your child use the bathroom before school starts. • Dress your child to make it easy for them to use the bathroom independently. Be wary of clothes that are too difficult to remove (belts, overalls, snaps and buttons). • Please keep an extra set of clothing in your child's backpack, marked with name or initials. • Toilet learning/training shall be planned cooperatively between the child's teacher and the parent so that the toilet routine established is consistent between the center and the child's home. • If a child is still in diapers or pull ups, families must provide diapers or pull ups and wipes for their child. • All policies/procedures for diapering/toileting will be followed as stated by licensing rules for child care centers.
Preschool Code of Conduct Preschool is a place where young children have their first opportunity to be away from their homes. Part of being away from home includes learning to be engaged in activities with other small children and non-family adults. An important goal of the preschool staff is to provide a safe, secure place for children to explore being away from home without their family. Providing a safe place for children to discover their own self-confidence requires the development of pro-social skills. Pro-social skills are those which allow children to have positive interactions with their peers while permitting those around them to be comfortable also.
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Pro-social skills we expect in preschool include: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Respect for teachers and other adults in classrooms, school buildings and bus Following rules Demonstrating care for people, equipment, classroom pets Responding appropriately to others Initiating pleasant contact with others Learning and using socially acceptable behaviors, such as sharing, waiting for a turn, cleaning up, washing hands, covering sneezes/coughs, etc. These and other pro-social behaviors permit children to feel safe, to learn, to grow and to develop in a safe school environment. We understand that children develop at different levels and we will work with parents to support progress on these pro-social skills.
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How We Support Pro-Social Skills Our program uses positive guidance techniques which further children's development of self-control, responsibility and respect for self, others, and property. We emphasize language skill development and teach young children how to identify feelings, reduce anger, solve problems, get along with others and resolve conflicts with their peers. The Farmington Public School policy prohibits the use of corporal punishment.
Negative behaviors (such as hitting, biting, cursing, screaming, threatening violence, throwing things, destruction, etc.) are not conducive to a safe learning environment and we will actively work with students and families to address these behaviors.
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Children who demonstrate negative behavior will be subject to this procedure: 1.
Adult will approach calmly, stop any hurtful actions, assess the situation and offer choices or solutions to redirect the behavior. 2. Parents will be notified of persistent negative behavior and a plan may be developed with parents and school staff for modifying the behavior. 3. If the negative behavior continues, the child may be sent home. In the unlikely event these steps fail to meet the child's needs, referral to other resources can be made. It is possible a child may not attend preschool until a satisfactory course of action is implemented.
Complaint Procedure Our program has an open door policy and values dialogue with parents. If you have a concern regarding your child, classroom curriculum, or classroom schedules please contact the classroom teacher to discuss the issue. If you have programming/payments questions, please contact the school office. Parents are always welcome to contact the program coordinator or director for any reason. Farmington Early Childhood adheres to the Farmington Public Schools Board Policy 1312: Complaints Against School Employees and Board Policy 5150 Discrimination Complaints, when appropriate, and can be found on the main district website.
Parental Responsibilities •
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Clothing- Children should wear loose-fitting, comfortable play clothes to school. Many classroom activities are messy and, weather permitting, the children will be going outdoors to play every day. Tennis shoes or other shoes that fit securely are best for the children. Dress your children in clothes they can manage, limiting overalls, belts, buttons, etc. Please send an extra set of clothes in a bag marked with their name or initials that can be kept in school in case of spills or accidents. Supplies- Your child will need a large backpack or bag to carry school work and papers home and an extra set of clothes. It is the parent’s responsibility to check their child’s backpack daily for important information. Attendance- Parents must call the Alameda Early Childhood office at 248-489-3808 or the Farmington Community School Early Childhood office at 248-489-3373, as soon as possible, to notify us of their child’s absence for any reason. A message can be left 24 hours a day. Please specify the reason for the absence, especially if it is due to fever or communicable disease. Head Start and GSRP students must maintain an 85% attendance rate to preserve their enrollment in the program. Arrival- Please check with your child's teacher for specific arrival instructions. Please do not arrive more than 5 minutes before class begins. Wait for the teacher to open the door. It is important for your child to be on time so that they do not miss the beginning of the day classroom instruction. Tardiness - Please do not arrive more than 10 minutes after the scheduled start time. Excessive tardiness affects school readiness because your child may miss important pieces of their routine and curriculum. This can also affect their teacher and classmates by causing a disruption in their focus and attention during valuable instruction time. For this reason, some classrooms may develop policies which include not opening their classroom door until they have reached a transitional period that won’t disrupt instruction. If you arrive at school after the teacher has closed the classroom door, you are considered tardy and need to go to the office for a late pass before your child can go into the classroom. If your child is enrolled in a grant program and has more than 10 unexcused (no call) tardies, he or she may lose their spot in the classroom and be placed on the waiting list. Departure- Do not pick up your child from the playground. Please wait for the children to return to the classroom for the teacher to dismiss your child. If your child needs to leave more than 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time, authorized persons must sign your child out in the Early Childhood office and obtain a pass to give to the teacher. Parents must furnish in writing, on the emergency card, the names of anyone other than the parent who is authorized to pick up their child. A valid photo ID will be required before your child will be released into their custody. If the person is not listed on the child's emergency card, the child may not be released into their custody. Late pick up policy-Parents can be charged $1.00 per minute after the end of their child’s scheduled class time. Snacks and Lunch-.Parents provide a healthy snack for the class based on the classroom schedule. Snacks should be easy for children to eat and convenient to serve. We also ask for the snacks to be in the original unopened package, so that teachers can check the ingredient list in case there are any allergies. Any homemade items supplied to a classroom must include a list of ingredients. If your child has a cultural food restriction, make sure the school is aware. If there is a specific dietary allergy, please ask your teacher for an Allergy Action Plan. Our schools are designated “nut awareness areas”. We ask families not to send any food to school that contains nuts of any kind. This includes peanut butter, peanuts, and peanut oil. Community Education students staying all day bring a sack lunch from home. Hot lunches are NOT available. Label and date your child's lunch box and clean it daily. Birthday Treats: Cupcakes and other high sugar special treats are strongly discouraged and we encourage healthier options or donating a book in your child’s name. Please discuss other options to acknowledge your child's special day with your teacher. Some classrooms may not participate in individual birthday celebrations. o Snacks and lunch are provided by the GSRP and Head Start programs for their students Toys/Items from home- Please leave your child's toys at home. They may get lost or mixed in with classroom toys. Farmington Public School District and its staff are NOT liable for damage to or loss of personal property of students. It is suggested that items brought to school by your child and deemed by you to have substantial value be insured separately on your homeowner’s policy. Photographs- Do not take other children’s pictures without their parent’s written and/or verbal consent. If the pictures you are taking are for a purpose outside of the FCS or Alameda classroom or your home (course requirement, share at work, etc.), you need written permission from the other parents. This includes school and family events. You are more than welcome to take a picture of your own child/family member; however you must make sure no one else is in the photograph without permission. Siblings- Siblings may not accompany you and your child on field trips, on special days, or when you volunteer in your child's classroom.
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Parent Involvement-Children who are successful in school have strong and positive connections between family, school, and community. Parent involvement in the learning process strengthens learning at home and is linked to positive child outcomes. Parents are always welcome and encouraged to participate at the level they are most comfortable. We encourage parents to be involved by: o Volunteering- Parents are always welcome in our programs. Parental assistance and involvement is very much appreciated. There are many ways in which a parent may become involved: You are invited to spend the day by helping in the classroom, playing, reading to children, or sharing a talent or interest. Or you may provide one or more of many services to the program without leaving your home such as making play dough, typing a directory, composing a newsletter, etc. All volunteers must sign a Child Abuse and Neglect affidavit as is required by our licensing agency. Regular volunteers must fill out a Farmington Public Schools volunteer application and complete a criminal history background check to receive a volunteer badge. There will be volunteer orientations offered throughout the school year. Please check the school calendar for these dates. When volunteering in the school, volunteers must sign in and out of the Early Childhood office and wear their volunteer badge. In compliance with our licensing regulations, volunteers are able to interact with our preschool students BUT will not be left unsupervised by staff. o Field Trips- Depending on the program, parents may provide transportation or school buses will be used. o Parent Teacher Conferences- Staff will conduct two conferences with the family of each enrolled child per program year. The results of COR scoring and the child’s general progress in all areas will be shared with the parents during these conferences. Parents will be given ample time to ask questions, share suggestions and address concerns. Staff will make every attempt to schedule conferences at a time that is convenient to families. Families may request an informal conference at any time during the program year. o Home Visits for GSRP/ Head Start- Teaching staff conduct two home visits for each child each program year. The purpose of the home visit is to show children that teachers and parents work together for their benefit. During the home visit, families and teaching staff get to know one another and children become familiar with teaching staff. This helps ease the transition from home to school. Teachers will have plenty of time to answer families’ questions and address their concerns. Staff will make every attempt to schedule home visits at a time that is convenient to families. o Parent Training- Parent trainings are held regularly and are planned based on the interests of our current group of parents. Parent trainings are a wonderful way to network with other parents, gain knowledge about community resources, and contribute your ideas. o Policy Committee for Head Start and GSRP- All families are invited to serve on our Policy Committee. The committee meets once per month to help develop, revise, and approve the program policies and procedures. Parents who serve on the Policy Committee develop an in-depth knowledge about the program, our surrounding community, and the resources available to families. o PTA Alameda-The PTA is a great way to support the school. You can volunteer your time in a variety of capacities or serve a member on the PTA board.
Accidents and Emergencies In case of accidental injury, we will make an immediate attempt to contact the parent. If necessary, we will call 911. Until the arrival of the parent or the paramedic, staff will make the decisions about the care of your child.
Student Medical Insurance Farmington Public School District does NOT provide health or accident insurance for injuries incurred by your child at school. Since children are particularly susceptible to injuries, we encourage you to review your present health and accident insurance program to determine if your coverage is adequate.
Allergies and other Medical Conditions All medical situations affecting a child's safety at school must be documented by your physician. A Medical Action Plan must be completed and returned before your child is allowed in class. Many schools are designated as nut awareness schools. Allergies- If your child has an allergy, your child's doctor MUST complete an Allergy Action Plan available from the secretary. A completed packet will include current documentation of allergy, specific instructions relating to safety for the teacher and detailed instructions for emergency care. This packet must be turned in to the office before your child will be allowed to attend class. Medication- Written orders from a physician must detail the name of the drug, dosage, and time interval that the medication is to be taken and diagnosis or reason for the medication to be given. The Farmington Public Schools authorization for medication form must be completed by the parent or guardian. All medications must be in the original container and must be given directly to the Early Childhood secretary/clerk. If your child requires ANY medication at school, prescription or over-the-counter, you are required to complete a medication authorization form for each medication. Seizure- If your child has a seizure condition, your child’s doctor MUST complete a Seizure Action Plan. All State of Michigan licensing and Farmington Public Schools Health policies apply.
Hand Washing Procedures • Upon entering the classroom, please assist your child in washing their hands. • All staff and volunteers must wash hands prior to the start of the school day. • Children and staff will wash their hands each time they transition into the classroom. • Have a single service towel available. • Turn on the water to a comfortable temperature between 60 degrees and 120 degrees. • Moisten hands with water and apply soap. • Rub hands together vigorously until a soapy lather appears and continue for at least 20 seconds. • Rinse hands under running water until free of soap and dirt. Leave water running while drying hands. • Dry hands with a clean, disposable paper or single use cloth and use it to turn off the water (if applicable). Hands shall be washed with soap under running water. The following are not approved substitutes for soap and running water: • Hand sanitizers • Water basins • Pre-moistened cleansing wipes
Handling Bodily Fluids The center will use precautions when handling bodily fluids as instructed in the blood borne pathogen training. Steps used will include: • Staff will put on gloves. • Clean up bodily fluid/diaper. • Wash area with soap and water, rinse and sanitize area. • Wash hands of child. • Take off gloves and wash hands.
Cleaning and Sanitizing The following steps are to be followed for cleaning and sanitizing: • Wash area/surface with warm water and soap /detergent. • Rinse area/surface with clean water. • Submerge, wipe, or spray the article or surface with a sanitizing solution. • Let area/surface air dry • Commercial sanitizers chosen by our school district which are specified on the label to be safe for food contact surface and are used according to the manufacturer's directions.
Controlling Infections • Toys that are mouthed will be removed and washed, rinsed, and sanitized. Other toys and equipment will be washed immediately if dirty, or on a daily basis. • Bedding will be stored so that it does not come into contact with other children's bedding. Cots/mats will be washed daily if used by different children or weekly if used by one child. • Children who have any type of communicable disease/condition will be removed from care and may return to care only with a doctor's note. • Children who become ill will be moved away from other children until they are picked up.
Health Resource Oakland County Health Division-Department of Health & Human Resources www.oakgov.com /health
Immunizations All students are required to be immunized pursuant to the provisions of Michigan Public Health Code (MCL 333.9201-9229). Students not meeting the immunization requirements of this code shall be excluded from school as required by provisions of state law and Oakland County Health Status Code. Parents may opt to waive immunizations. Please see an Early Childhood secretary for more information.
Student, Staff and Volunteer Illness Please contact the school office before 9:00 am if your child is home sick or injured. We have a 24-hour a day voice message system for you to leave a message stating your child’s name, classroom number or teacher name, and the reason for the absence. No child with a contagious illness or injury that endangers the health and/or safety themselves or other children may be brought to the facility until the Early Childhood office receives a doctor’s note clearing them to return to school. The parent is responsible for picking up the child who becomes sick while at the facility. Children who become ill while at school will be provided a safe, comfortable area in the office until the parent or authorized emergency contact arrives. Children recovering from an illness must be fever free, without medication, for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
Communicable Diseases- The following symptoms suggest a communicable disease. Should any of these symptoms are noted while children are in school, parents will be contacted immediately: 1. Red eyes or eyes with discharge 2. Colored discharge from the nose 3. Coughs, particularly if persistent or productive 4. Sores and crusts on the scalp face or body particularly if red, swollen or draining 5. Any skin eruptions or rash 6. Sore throat 7. Swelling and tenderness of the glands, particularly about the face and neck 8. Fever 9. Nausea and vomiting 10. Diarrhea and persistent abdominal pain We ask that all staff and volunteers follow the same guidelines and the school reserves the right to request a staff member or volunteer leave if symptoms are noted and there is no doctor’s clearance. Please visit the Oakland County Health department website at www.oakgov.com/health for more information about communicable diseases.
Nutrition Our school follows the district policy for nutrition standards. The District shall ensure that reimbursable school meals meet the program requirements and nutrition standards found in federal regulations1. The District shall encourage students to make nutritious food choices. The District shall review all food and beverages sold or served to students including those available outside the federally regulated child nutrition programs such as, but not limited to, vending, school stores, fundraising & classrooms. The District shall consider nutrient value and portion size of food and beverages made available to students. 1 Title 7 – United States Department of Agriculture, Chapter ii – Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, Part 210.10 – National School Lunch Program.
Safety Our program will practice the appropriate safety drills such as tornado, fire, and take cover per district and licensing policies. • During school hours, all visitors and volunteers must report directly to the front office, sign in and wear a volunteer or visitor badge. This includes parents who will be taking their child to our playground before class starts or after the morning class dismissal • Children must be walked into school by an adult. Always hold your child's hand and keep them near you. Please do not leave young siblings in the car unattended. • Only persons on the child's emergency card are allowed to pick the child up at dismissal time. • Please enter the school at designated entrances. Park in lots, not in the bus lane. • An evacuation plan for fire and tornado are posted in the classroom along with instruction. The children have periodic practice drills during the school year. • All children must be visible and heard by classroom staff at all times (except when toileting they will be given privacy, but still within hearing distance of an adult).
Child Abuse and Neglect To comply with the child protection law, any teacher, other school employee, or volunteer who suspects that a child's physical or mental health or welfare is being adversely affected by abuse or neglect shall immediately report such suspicions to Child Protective Services.
Emergency Closing Inclement Weather- As part of the Farmington Public School District, Farmington Early Childhood Centers are included in the decisions regarding school closings. The decision to close schools because of weather is made in cooperation with state, county and local authorities. The decision is normally made prior to 6:00 am, but it may have to be made later if there is a sudden change in weather. For school closing information, check the Farmington Public School District web site at www.farmington.k12.mi.us or tune in to one of the following radio or television stations: RADIO – 760AM, 950AM, 95.5FM, 101.9FM TV STATIONS - Channel 2, Channel 4, Channel 7 Mechanical Failure- When it is determined that a mechanical failure in a building cannot be repaired within a timely period, school will be cancelled at that building for that day. Local radio and TV stations will be notified. If a mechanical failure occurs during the school day and cannot be repaired within a reasonable time, classes will be cancelled for the remainder of the day. You can also sign up for the District listserv to receive email notification of emergency closings.
Holidays and Vacations Our Early Childhood Centers follow the Farmington Public School vacation calendar. Should you go on a vacation during scheduled school days, tuition must be paid to hold your child's spot in the class. You may withdraw your child from school to avoid paying tuition; however, there is no guarantee that a spot will be available in the same class upon your return. There will be no tuition refunds after November 1. A current school year calendar will be provided the first week of school.
Holiday and Birthday Celebrations One of the most amazing aspects of Farmington Public Schools Early Childhood Programs is that we are so diverse and we respect all children and their families. Our goal is for all families that enter our school to feel comfortable and welcome. We will embrace all families regardless of income, family make-up, religious or cultural beliefs/ backgrounds, or child’s developmental level. We proudly use the HighScope Curriculum, which is used throughout Oakland County, and based on brain research and child developmental theory. The HighScope Curriculum requires that the teaching staff follow the children’s interests rather than using pre-planned thematic units or holidays as the focus for learning. We embrace all children and families in ways that are developmentally appropriate, ways that will maximize their learning, and in ways that include all families and children. When following children’s interests, the topic of the holidays/birthdays may be explored; however, it will be explored within the consistent daily routine.
Homework/Worksheet Policy The HighScope curriculum provides guidelines for the implementation of meaningful and developmentally appropriate work in a preschool classroom. Young children learn best through age-appropriate hands-on experiences and interactions with others. We foster learning and active engagement in student’s educational experiences, so you will not see traditional worksheets coming home. Feel free to contact your child’s teacher and read the classroom/school newsletter for ideas and activities to do at home.
Licensing and Credentials All of our Early Childhood Centers are licensed by the State of Michigan and staff is required to have the following credentials: • FIA Clearance cleared of any substantiated abuse and neglect charges. (updated every 2 years for staff) • Criminal history check • Current First Aid and CPR training • Access to ongoing professional development activities commensurate with their responsibilities • A licensing binder is available to parents during regular business hours For more information, please visit: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dhs/Child_Care_Center_Rules_419095_7.pdf
Staff/Child Ratios are maintained as follows: • • •
2-year-old, 1 staff/ 4 children. Teaching staff are able to see and hear all infants and toddlers at all times. 3-year-old, 1 staff/ 8 children 4-year-old, 1 staff/ 9 children
Developmental Screenings and Assessments Developmental Screenings: • What is it? We use screenings for the purpose of informed classroom instruction. This means that our trained staff screens children for the purposes of developing activities that fit the developmental needs of the students. Farmington Public Schools Early Childhood department collaborates with Oakland Intermediate School District to provide free online developmental screenings for all of our children. • Classrooms may use either or all of the following screening tools for the purposes of informed instruction, as deemed relevant by the teachers or program director: ASQ (Ages and Stages Questionnaire)- The Ages and Stages questionnaire completed by grant program teachers or online by parents enrolled in tuition programs. http://agesandstages.com/ ASQ-SE (Ages and Stages-Social Emotional) http://agesandstages.com/ DECA (Devereux Early Childhood Assessment) - This screening is completed by Head Start staff for children enrolled in our Head Start and Head Start/GSRP Blend program http://www.centerforresilientchildren.org/preschool/assessments-resources/ • •
Vision and hearing done by the Oakland Health Department Height and Weight measurements performed by our school nurse for Head Start and GSRP
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Sharing Results: Staff will provide parents/guardians the screening protocol and have relevant materials from the screening prepared to deliver in a confidential manner with the parent/guardian typically at the first conference. After explanation parents will be able to address concerns and questions they may have. Staff will always provide activities for families to promote their child’s growth If any delay is suspected, a referral for follow-up will be recommended. Any recommendations for referral will require parental/guardian permission. If families choose to accept or refuse additional services this will be documented in the child’s file. A family is able to change their decision at any time.
Ongoing Assessment: • What is it? A process in which the teaching staff observes and records information about the child’s level of development and/or knowledge. We use researched and standardized assessments that are valid, reliable and bias free and aligned with our curriculum. Assessment is used for the purpose of individualized instruction. Assessments are not used as a way to compare or “grade” young children. • How this is accomplished: Anecdotal observations are written about what children are learning and doing on a daily basis. • Assessment Tool Used: COR Advantage 1.5 (Child Observation Record) http://www.highscope.org/Content.asp?ContentId=113 AEPS (Assessment Evaluation and Programming System)* www.aepsinteractive.com *Used in special education classrooms
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How often progress is reported throughout the year? Communication between parents/guardians and staff is ongoing in regards to child development. Individual developmental profiles will be shared formally with parents/guardians through conferences and home visits, as well as informally during drop-off/pick-up times, communication folders or e-mails.
Student Confidential Records: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Farmington Board of Education policy states the District will protect the confidentiality of student records and comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. For more information, go to: http://www.farmington.k12.mi.us/district/board/policies/5000/5125.1%20P.pdf
Transportation-Preschool Special Education and Head Start* only Every student enrolled in a Special Education classroom or Head Start classroom may be transported to and from school, unless otherwise indicated by the District’s transportation department. Each child has the responsibility to follow the bus rules. Parents are requested to review these rules with their children: • Observe the same conduct as in the classroom • Remain seated • Keep heads and hands inside the bus • Parents must be with their child at the bus stop at least 15 minutes before scheduled pick up and drop off time because busses can run early. Please remember bus drivers will only release to those persons indicated on the emergency card. • Parents must be waiting outside at the pick up and drop off area. • Parents must call the transportation department at 248-489-3700 when their child will not be riding the bus as scheduled. Bus students may be denied transportation temporarily or permanently (depending upon the circumstances involved) if behavior is detrimental to the safety of the bus operation. Transportation policies of the Farmington Public Schools are very clearly defined. Children are expected to arrive and leave school according to their regular means of transportation. Students will be brought back to school or the transportation department if a parent is not at home to receive their child. Transportation will be provided on a consistent schedule within the attendance boundary. There may be a different location for pickup and delivery but each must remain the same every day. For example, the student may be picked up at home every day and dropped off at the sitter’s house on the established route every day. Please be aware there are several reasons busses can run late, so be prepared to wait at least 15 minutes beyond the scheduled time.
*Head Start parents also refer to the bus statement. SEPTEMBER 2016
