CLASSES AND SCHEDULING

Three-year-old classes meet two times per week.  Four-year-old classes meet three times per week.  Each class session is approximately 2 ½ hours in duration.

Rabbit Creek Preschool (RCP) operates on the same calendar schedule as the Anchorage School District (ASD), following the Kindergarten/First Grade start dates.  All ASD vacations are observed, as are school closures.  RCP observes ASD “Snow Days” as posted at www.asdk12.org.   RCP does not observe dismissal for Parent/Teacher Conferences.

Closing of the Preschool for any emergency shall be at the direction of the Preschool Committee.

All classes are directed by two teachers and assisted by one parent.

The maximum class size for the three-year-old class is eighteen (18) students.  The maximum class size for the four-year-old class is twenty (20) students.

The teachers shall set the daily schedule for the children in each class.

The teachers will set the curriculum in cooperation with the Preschool Committee, including special projects and/or parties for the following:  Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and End-of-Year Ceremonies.

In coordination with the standing committees, special classroom presentations will be offered throughout the school year.

RCP ELIGIBILITY FOR PRE-SCHOOL

RCP follows the ASD guidelines for age group cut-offs.  A child entering the three-year-old class must be three by September 1^st.  A child entering the four-year-old class must be four by September 1^st.

The child must be toilet trained and self-sufficient in the bathroom.  A reasonable effort will be made to accommodate children with special needs.

RCP does not discriminate in admission on the basis of sex, marital statue, pregnancy, parenthood, race, religion, color, national origin, age, or physical handicap according to AS 18.80.230 and AMC 5.20.50.

I, as a participant or as parent or legal guardian of a participant in classes sponsored by the Rabbit Creek Community Association Preschool Program, 2011/2012 school year, recognize that some of the classes involve physical activities that have risks and injuries associated with participating in these classes including, but not limited to those of bodily injury, partial or total disability, paralysis, and death. Knowing that there is a risk of bodily injury, partial or total disability, paralysis, and death or personal property damage, I, named above, for myself, my heirs, administrators, executors and assignees, hereby waive, release, discharge, covenant and agree that I will never institute any demand, claim, or suit against the Rabbit Creek Preschool and Rabbit Creek Community Association, and or their employees, agents, and volunteers for any bodily injury, partial or total disability, paralysis, and death or personal property damage that might occur from any cause whatsoever as a result of my participation in the activities of the Rabbit Creek Community Association Preschool Program. I accept full responsibility for the cost of treatment for any injury suffered while taking part in the Rabbit Creek Community Association Preschool Program.

SEPARATION ANXIETY

Separation anxiety is a common issue associated with new experiences like preschool.  In many cases, it stops within 3-4 minutes after the parent leaves.  Often the child is fine after a quick good bye to the parent and then we are able to engage the child in an activity.  Teachers and parents will work together to ease anxiety and achieve student independence at preschool.  If the child is unable to remain at preschool independent of a parent within four weeks a determination of readiness for preschool will be made by the teachers and parents.

RCP DISCILINE POLICY

RCP strives to provide the best social and learning environment possible for all the children enrolled in the program.  Cooperative behavior and order in the classroom are essential to achieving this environment.  Therefore, the Rabbit Creek Preschool Parent advisory Committee has established this discipline policy for Dealing with disruptive, unsafe, and problem behavior within the classroom.

Step One: The teachers will talk with the child exhibiting inappropriate behavior to ascertain that the child knows what behavior is expected of him/her

Step Two: The teachers will utilize disciplinary action for repeated offenses.  The preferred method of discipline is the use of “Time-out”.  The “Time-out” place will be removed from the rest of the children, but not outside the classroom or facing the wall.  The goal is behavior change, not punishment.

Step Three: The teachers will notify the child’s parents if the behavior persists.

Step Four: The teachers and Preschool Administrative Assistant will conference with the parents if the above measures have been ineffective.  Parents will be notified of a one month time-line for the required behavior change to be effected.

Step Five: The child will be withdrawn from the Preschool Program if the necessary behavior change has not occurred within the one month time-line.

PICK UP POLICY

Only those individuals indicated on the child’s emergency card may pick up said child.  The emergency card may be updated by a parent or guardian at any time.  RCP cannot accept a note signed by a parent/guardian as proof that an individual not listed on said child’s emergency card is authorized to pick up said child.  The individual’s name MUST appear on the emergency card prior to that person retrieving the child. 

If court orders and/or restraining orders that involve a parent or guardian are in place, RCP must have a copy on record at the preschool in order to honor them.  RCP will abide by documented court orders in a child’s file but is not responsible for enforcing them.  RCP is most concerned with providing a non-threatening, nurturing environment for all of our students.  For this reason, parents/guardians who use RCP as a “battle ground” in custody and related matters may be asked to withdraw their child from the program immediately without refund of May tuition.

In the case of shared custody, RCP will assume equal parental responsibility unless written instruction is provided and signed by both custodial parties.

LATE PICKUP POLICY

If you are running late please call the preschool at 345-1888.   For the morning classes late charges will begin accruing at 11:56 a.m. (10 minutes after the end of class) following a phone call from the parent or guardian picking up said child.  Late charges will begin accruing at 11:51 a.m. (5 minutes after the end of class) if no phone call is received.  For the afternoon classes late charges will begin accruing at 3:26 p.m. (10 minutes after the end of class) following a phone call from the parents or guardian picking up said child.  Late charges will begin accruing at 3:21 p.m. (5 minutes after the end of class) if no phone call is received.

Note:  If you know you are running late you can arrange for another child’s parent to supervise your child in the coatroom until you arrive.

Late charges will accrue at the following rates:

$1.00/minute for the first occurrence

$3.00/minute for the second occurrence

$5.00/minute for the third occurrence

A fourth occurrence will result in the immediate withdrawal of the child from the preschool, without the refund of May tuition.

The responsible adult retrieving the child will receive a form documenting the late minutes and the charges accrued.  Late charges stated on the form are due no later then the 10^th of the month following the occurrence.  Failure to pay late charges in a timely manner as stated above may result in the removal of the child from the program without the refund of May tuition.

RCP OUTDOOR PLAY POLICY

All children will go outside for outdoor playtime properly clothed for the weather.  Parents of children not able to play outside must make arrangements to collect the child before outdoor playtime.

10 degrees F and above with no wind chill factor is the minimum acceptable temperature for outdoor play.  Children will not have outdoor play if it is too icy, windy, rainy, or if the teachers feel other conditions are too hazardous for children.

A ratio of one adult to 10 or fewer children will be maintained at all times.

RCP AVENUES OF COMMUNICATION

The following are formal methods that parents, teachers, the preschool advisory committee, and the administrative assistant can use to communicate with each other.

Direct Communication:  any member of our community, parent, guardian, etc., may bring an issue or issues they perceive to the teachers, administrative assistant or a committee member at any time.  Open communication is encouraged, and the Preschool Committee will address issues as quickly as possible, with the involvement of all parties including the Rabbit Creek Community Association Board of Directors as appropriate.

Monthly Advisory Committee Meetings: The agenda for the upcoming meeting as well as the minutes of the last meeting will be posted on the bulletin board.  Meetings are held on the First Tuesday of every month at 7p.m. and open to all parents.  See guidelines for further information.

Seasonal Newsletter: Fall, Winter, and Spring Newsletters will be distributed in hardcopy to each student’s communication file and sent electronically to the e-mail addresses provided.

Parent/Teacher Conferences: Conferences will be held by parents’ request in the Three-Year-Old Class.  Conferences will be held in the Spring for the Rabbit’s class only.  The conference days will be determined by the Committee and teachers.  Sign-up sheets with available time slots will be posted for families to choose from.

Abuse Reporting:  Alaska State Statutes and Anchorage Child Care Center Regulations require that all licensed and/or certified child care providers report all incidents of suspected or actual child abuse and neglect of children regardless of whether they occur in or are related to the facility.  RCP is therefore obligated by law to report such incidents within 24 hours to the child Care Protection Office of Children’s Services (Alaska Department of Health and Social Services) at 1-800-478-4444.

Centers are required to notify the Municipal child and Adult Licensing Office of incident which alleges a child was abused or neglected when the center is responsible for the child.  Municipal Child and adult Care Licensing Office: 343-6730.

 is the agency responsible for complaints involving child care centers.  This agency supervises, monitors, and investigates complaints involving child care centers.  They can be contacted at  

Juneau, Alaska 99811-0500 .

Phone number: 907-465-8707  

Email: melora.gaber@alaska.gov.

RCP REGISTRATION POLICY 

Registration for currently enrolled families will open the First day of February and continue until the classes are full.   Registration for previously enrolled RCP families will open the second week of February and continue until the classes are full.  Registration for new students will open the Third week of February and continue until the classes are full.

If openings become available in any class, they will be filled from the waiting list.  If there is no waiting list, openings will be advertised on the Rabbit Creek Preschool Website and locally.  No new students will be entered after April 15 for the current year.

RCP POLICY REGARDING PAYMENT OF TUITION

Tuition is due the first of each month if tuition is not received by the tenth of the month a late charge of $25.00 will be collected for the first and second time a payment is past due. The late fee will increase to $50 if there is a third offense and will be brought to the RCP Boards attention which could result in removal of student from program.   There will be a late charge regardless of circumstances (vacation, illness, etc.)  All monies collected from the late charges will be utilized for the good of the preschool.  Because of the nonprofit basis of the Preschool, this policy will be strictly observed.  Payment may be left in the locked payment box at the Preschool, mailed to or dropped off at the Rabbit Creek Community Association Office.  Parents will respond in a timely manner to notices from RCP regarding past due balances. Failure to do so could result in removal of student from program.

Rabbit Creek Community Association  

Attn: Rabbit Creek Preschool

RCP WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND OF TUITION POLICY

The parents shall submit 30 days written notice to the Chairperson, Administrative Assistant, and Teachers in advance of the withdrawal of a child from Preschool.  May tuition will be applied to the last month of attendance if 30 days written notice has been given.  Parents will be responsible for the payment of tuition 30 days from the date of withdrawal if 30 days written notice is not provided and May tuition will be forfeited.

If withdrawal occurs after the first of the month, tuition will not be prorated; full tuition must be paid for the month. 

RCP NO SMOKING POLICY

RCP maintains a smoke free environment, including any vehicle used to transport children.  Smoking is prohibited throughout Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church’s facility, the RCP classrooms, the play yard, and surrounding grounds.  There is no approved smoking area at this facility.  Child care personnel may not smoke while responsible for the care of children and they may not expose children to second-hand smoke.

LIABILITY INSURANCE

RCP maintains comprehensive general liability insurance as mandated by the Municipal code.

TV and VIDEO

Television and video viewing are not a part of the RCP curriculum.

ANIMALS

RCP does not keep animals with fur or feathers on site.  If an animal is coming to the classroom (e.g. as part of a presentation), parents will be notified in advance.

FIELD TRIPS

Occasional field trips maybe scheduled during non-school hours.  Parents are responsible for transportation and supervision of their child(ren).

 EMERGENCY EVACUATION RELOCATION SITE 

 In the event of emergency requiring evacuation of the classroom and building children will be escorted by teachers outside a safe distance from building. If it is deemed unsafe to reenter the building the children will be escorted by the teachers to the Alaska Laborers/AGC Training School located at 13500 Old Seward Highway. Teachers will begin contacting parents to pick up their children from this location once they are settled and accounted for. Please call 907-441-7574 during such emergencies to speak with the administrative assistant as the classroom number will not be of use.

MEDICATIONS

RCP follows the Anchorage School District guidelines with regard to all medications dispensed at school.

Nonprescription medication:   Rabbit Creek Preschool does not administer non-prescription medications.  Parents must give written permission for the use of lip balm. 

MEDICATIONS (continued)

Prescription medications:  no medications can be administered without specific written permission and instruction from both the child’s parent/guardian and physician.  Instructions must include identification, quantity, purpose and possible side effects.  A separate and designated amount/dosage in a container with a pharmacy label must be provided and left at school.  The pharmacy label must include:  student’s name, dosage, health care provider, pharmacy, date issued and prescription number (this includes all prescription medications such as inhalers, epinephrine, etc.).  Preschoolers are not permitted to keep any medication in their cubby, backpack or on their person.  Parents must discuss all medication (including inhalers, epinephrine, etc.) with one or both teachers to insure that there is no risk to any child involved in the program and all appropriate forms must be completed (see attached examples).

RCP CLASS HELPER and EVENT OR PARTY VOLUNTEER POLICY

Class Helpers are required to assist in the classroom on a rotating basis.  The number of times that each family is required to assist depends in part on the number of students actually enrolled in the class.  If the classes are full, 3’s can expect to assist a minimum of four (4) times a year, or about once every ten weeks.  4’s families can expect to assist a minimum of six (6) times a year, or about once every seven weeks.

Select and sign up for your Special Days to volunteer on the calendar.  The special day calendar is posted on the bulletin board located in the coatroom. The special requests list is for families to use to let the liaisons and the secretary about schedule constraints (e.g. work or volunteer commitments that prohibit assisting on certain days) or special events or days for which the family would like to assist in the classroom. 

All families are required to assist.  Three-year-old families must have helped a minimum of once by January 1^st with a total of three days before April 1^st or their child may be withdrawn from the program with no refund of May tuition.  Four-year-old families must have helped a minimum of twice by January 1^st with a total of five days before April 1^st or their child may be withdrawn from the program with no refund of May tuition.

Families with more then one child enrolled in the preschool are required to work the above number of days per child.

If a family cannot help on the day they have signed up for, the parent must try to arrange for a substitute.  If unable to find one through their own efforts, they should contact the class liaison or another Committee member as soon as possible.  If no substitute can be arranged, the family is still responsible for providing the snack.

Parents are required to volunteer their time to help with one school event during the school year. This can be as a member of a school party committee (Halloween, Christmas, or Valentine’s Day) or helping with a fundraising event (Christmas Towne Bazaar or annual Spring Fundraiser). These duties do not require much from parents and are essential to the preschools operation and ability to provide fun activities for the students to look forward to throughout the year.

CLASSROOM HELPER DUTIES

The classroom helper should arrive ten minutes before class and be prepared to stay fifteen minutes after class for clean-up time.

The classroom helper is responsible for providing a nutritious snack including 2 food groups and beverage: water, 100% fruit juice, or milk).  Napkins, 5 oz cups, and other service items as needed must be provided.  Special treats, such as mini cupcakes, may be brought on a child’s birthday.  In addition to any special treats, a nutritious snack must be offered first. 

The classroom helper’s child will have a time for Show and Tell (Sharing).  Have him/her bring one favorite toy, book, photo, or talk about a special interest.

The classroom helper will not bring other children, siblings, etc. on his/her day to help.

GENERAL PARENT RESPONSIBILITY AT RCP

Parents should arrive, supervise the child in the coat room until they are invited into the classroom, and pick up your child on time. The time before and after class is used by the teachers for class preparation.   Please limit your visiting to the coatroom before and after class. Younger siblings must be supervised at all times. 

Do not drop children off at the front door.  Parents/Guardians will escort their child into the classroom.  Parents/Guardians should ensure that the child removes his or her outer wear and has shoes on for class.  Children must wear shoes at all times in the classroom.

Parents will label all outer clothing, including shoes, with their child’s name.  Parents should be sure that all their child’s clothing goes home daily.  Parents will provide appropriate outer wear for outside play (coats, hats, boots, mittens, snowsuit, etc.). RCP will not be responsible for loss or damage to personal property.

Each child will need a bag that will hang on his/her coat hanger to hold hats, mittens, papers going home, etc.  During the winter season please take snow pants out of the bag and hang them on the coat hook in order to expedite the process of putting on outdoor clothing. 

With the exception of assigned show and tell, toys should not be brought to school.

Parents should provide teachers with written notice of vacation or other extended absences.

Parents will provide current physical and immunization records following any change or update throughout the school year.  

Parents will not send their child to school if he/she is sick or has any sign of a communicable disease.  Notify the teachers of a communicable disease (please see the attached list provided by the Municipality of Anchorage) and a child who has been ill with any of the listed diseases cannot return to school without a Doctor’s note indicating the child is healthy. 

There will be a “Where Abouts” list on the bulletin board where special instructions can be left for that day- such as a different contact number or whether someone else will be picking up your child on that day.  The person picking up MUST be listed on the Emergency card prior to picking up the child.  RCP will not release a child to any persons not listed on the Emergency card.

Each child MUST be signed in and signed out of every class meeting.  The Sign In/Sign Out sheet is posted on the bulletin board located in the coatroom. 

Parents should read the current newsletter and check the bulletin board for current information.

Parents should not hand out Birthday invitations at school.  They may be placed in the communication files.

Code of Ethics and Confidentiality:  If a classroom helper learns something of a personal nature about one of the students while in the classroom, the information must be kept confidential.  Teachers and staff are also held to the same standard of confidentiality with regard to students and their families.

SUBSTITUTE TEACHER POLICY

When a teacher is absent, an effort will be made to find a parent substitute for the teacher.  The parents who substitutes for the teacher must be a volunteer; parents are not paid to substitute.

If a parent cannot be found to substitute, the administrative assistant may substitute for the teachers for a limited number of times each year.  The number of times the administrative assistant can substitute for the teachers is set out in their contract.

In the event of a long-term absence of one of the teachers, efforts will be made to hire a qualified substitute teacher.