LINKS

Specially trained Teachers
UMC Outreach
Learning Activities
Registration Policy

Frequent and Warm Interactions

Communication with Parents

Safe and Healthy Environment
Program Descriptions

The Preschool at St. Andrew
has specially trained teachers.

• We have 22 staff members. Some have been with us 10+ years, most at least 3 years, and a few are new each year.

• Staff members are required to have at least 16 hours of additional training each year.

• Most of our lead teachers have a degree in education. Some leads and assistants have degrees in related fields. All leads have at least 3 years experience. Several have a master’s degree.

The Preschool at St. Andrew
is a community outreach of
St. Andrew United Methodist Church.

• The preschool is a ministry of the church designed to assist families with education, parenting, and faith development.

• We have chapel for 30 minutes each week. The children sing and have a short Bible story. We promote simple faith lessons with the underlying theme that ‘God loves us and expects us to do good things.’ We avoid any complicated theology.

• We practice prayer hands before snacks and lunch. Classroom projects may include fun activities that promote values and faith lessons.

• We welcome families of all faiths and cultures who are comfortable with our approach.

• We conduct 2 consignment sales yearly in conjunction with the church Children’s Ministries that benefit community, church and preschool families. Preschool parents are encouraged to participate as sellers, shoppers, and as helpers during the sales.

• About 1/3 of our students and teachers are members of St. Andrew. Information about the programs at St. Andrew such as VBS, Exercise Classes, Women’s Circle meetings and special events are shared with all our Preschool Families.

The Preschool at St. Andrew
plans learning activities that are appropriate
to the child’s age and development.

• We have established goals at each age level that are developmentally appropriate and designed to prepare the child for kindergarten experiences. We have made a special effort to coordinate our goals with the GA Performance Standards.

• We believe in learning through play. We structure our activities to be directed learning that is fun for the students. Children play in centers, have short group activities, read lots of stories, learn songs and finger-plays, have snack, & play outside.

• All our children spend 20-50 minutes each week with our music teacher. Our 4’s spend a special time each month with our art teacher.

• Our activities are experienced based and hands-on. Each child completes a fun project every day with the teacher that focuses on learning goals.

• Extended day is available on W, Th, and F from 12 – 1:00 for 2’s and young2’s when they are mature enough to enjoy a longer day. Parents are billed $3 for each day their child attends. Students in the 3’s and 4’s classes stay until 1:00 on these days at no additional charge. Students bring a lunch from home.

The Preschool at St. Andrew
has established registration policies.

• Parents pay a registration fee and 1 month’s tuition at registration. The registration fee is not refunded.
• The registration fee for 2010-11 is $60 for 1 day classes, $100 for 2 and 3 day classes, and $110 for 4 and 5 day classes.
• Tuition rates per month are $80 for 1 day, $140 for 2 days, $180 for 3 days, $200 for 4 days, and $220 for 5 days.
• If the child will not attend, the advance tuition is refunded if the preschool is notified in writing by July 16.
  The Preschool at St. Andrew insures frequent
  positive and warm interactions among adults and children.
• All of our groups have 2 teachers. Ratios are small in all classes – 2:9 in classes for 2’s and under. 2:12 for 3’s, 2:16 for 4’s/5’s.
• An adult supervises each child by sight and sound at all times. There are always enough adults to respond to and nurture individual children.
• All staff members complete a workshop that emphasizes NAEYC standards for developmentally appropriate interactions with young children.

The Preschool at St. Andrew
communicates regularly with parents.

• Student goals are shared with parents. A mid-year conference reviews progress.

• Each month parents receive a calendar listing the themes for the month & important dates. Parents receive frequent notes from teachers and a monthly newsletter.

• Parents are always welcome. They are requested to help with at least 1 party during the year. Some participate as a ‘mystery reader’ or in other volunteer activities. Parents of 3’s and 4’s provide transportation on field trips.

• We conduct some fundraising activities but they are optional. They include using Kroger cards, collecting ‘Box Tops for Education’, and purchasing Pizzas and Cookie Dough. Parents  participation in the SCRIP program is also encouraged.

• A pre-enrollment tour is available to parents. Parents are invited to a Parent Open House and Student/Parent Open House before school starts.  The open house dates are scheduled for August 11 & 12, 2010.

• A Parent Survey is conducted each year to evaluate the program’s effectiveness.

• Families receive a Parent Handbook each year that describes our procedures and contains contact information for other preschool families.

The Preschool at St. Andrew
is a safe and healthy environment.

• We are accredited by NAEYC, the organization that sets the national standards for early childhood. We experience periodic visits to assure that we are continuing their standards.

• We are also certified by the N GA Methodist conference as a ‘Program of Excellence’.

• We follow accepted guidelines for disease prevention including regular disinfections of surfaces and toys, hand washing, and gloves for diaper changing and food preparation.

• We conduct fire drills and tornado drills and have a plan for other emergencies.

• Our staff is up to date on CPR and First Aid.

• All staff members have a background check.

• We serve nutritious snacks and teach children to make good choices about health.

• Our new playground was planned with the assistance of a Certified Playground Inspector and meets all safety standards.

• Discipline is established through the classroom structure, a regular schedule, and simple classroom rules. A regular routine and redirection help children learn to get along successfully in the classroom environment. Short time-out is used occasionally.

• We believe that children should feel safe in school. Children who continue to be physically aggressive may not continue in our program.

Program Descriptions

Young 2’s Classes MW class, TTh class, or F class
This program offers children a first opportunity to spend a few hours a week away from mom. Students may attend 1 or 2 days and will be in a class with 2 teachers and 9 students. Children have a regular schedule of fun, developmentally appropriate activities each day they attend. Parents usually walk their children in and pick them up from class.

Two Year Program MW class, TTh class, or F class
Children in this program attend 2 days a week. Classes are limited to 9 students with 2 teachers. Students must be 2 by September 1. A regular schedule of play activities is designed to help children meet established goals. Students usually enter and exit from the carpool. Parents may elect to add the Friday class to a two day class.

Younger 3’s Program MW with F option; TTh with F option
The children in these classes most often have late spring, summer and fall birthdays and will be 3 by Dec. 31. Not all students will be potty-trained but parents are urged to help them meet this milestone before school starts.

Three-day-3’s Program MWF or TThF classes
Children in this program must be 3 by September 1. Nearly all will be potty-trained before school starts. Groups are limited to 12 with 2 teachers.

Younger 4’s M – Th class Children in this program must be four by December 31. Most will spend another year in our preschool. This class of young 4’s has no more than 14 students.

Four-day-4’s Program M-Th classes
This program is designed to prepare students for a successful experience in kindergarten. Many pre-academic goals are introduced and mastered. We accept 16 students per class.

Young 5’s or Five-day-4’s Programs M – F classes
Students in these classes are ready for a full week of preschool. Class activities for both the four and five day classes are similar but the 5 day groups will have an extra day of fun learning opportunities. Students who turn 5 before December 31 have priority for the young 5’s class. Each class has 16 students.