Absences
The school should be notified if a child will be absent for any reason. A message may be left at the school phone number: 480-219-9049.

Activities & Programs
The Carebear Preschool program includes math, science, phonics, language arts, circle time, arts and crafts, computers, free play, and snack time. Special weekly activities include music and gym time.

Authorization To Pick Up A Child
Only individuals on the blue emergency card are authorized to pick up your child. In the event that someone else would need to pick up your child, written authorization must be provided to the office and that individual will be required to show identification.

Backpacks
Please send your child to school with a backpack labeled with your child's name. Remember to check it each day for school work and information.

Celebrations & Birthdays
Parents are welcome to send store bought treats for snacks to celebrate your child's birthday. Please discuss your plans with your child's teacher well in advance and feel free to ask for suggestions.

Checking In & Checking Out Procedures
Parents are asked to drop off and pick up their children on time in the classroom. Parents will be asked to sign their child in and out every day.

Clothing
Children's clothing may get messy and dirty while participating in preschool activities. Please dress them appropriately. In order to help your child with dressing and using the bathroom, clothes should be easy to put on and take off. Please bring a labeled bag with a complete change of clothing (including socks and underwear) to use in case of need. Please remember to update for growth and seasonal changes.

Communication Between Home & School
Working together to support your child's development depends on clear and frequent communication. Please check your child's backpack daily for notes sent home by the teaching staff. Regular parent teacher conferences are an integral part of the Carebear Preschool program. Conferences provide important opportunities for summing up and setting goals together. Please plan ahead so that you can be sure to attend.

Discipline
Discipline will be handled in a positive manner in order to help children develop a positive self-esteem, self-control, and respect for others. Redirection and verbal communication will be the method of discipline used in order to encourage the child to change the behavior. If these are not successful, time-outs will be given for a period of one minute for the child's age (e.g. 3 minutes for a 3 year old child). Parents will be notified in cases of extreme disciplinary problems and teachers will work with parents to resolve the behavior issues.

Drop Off & Pick Up Schedule/Procedures
Out of respect for our teachers' time, we ask that parents do their best to be on time for drop off and pick up. Classroom doors will open at the assigned time. Students will be ready for pick up at the assigned time. A $10.00 late fee will be added to tuition for every 15 minutes a parent is late for pick up.

Emergency Procedures
IN THE EVENT OF FIRE.... All classes will proceed to their designated area and remain in a single file line until the ALL CLEAR is sounded. Teachers will take role of their students as soon as they have reached their waiting area and again when returning back in the classroom. In the event of fire, parents will be notified as soon as possible to come and pick up their children. Fire drills will be carried out once per month. There will be maps in each room detailing this procedure.

IN THE EVENT OF SERIOUS INJURY OR ACCIDENT... When a serious injury or accident occurs, 911 will be called immediately. The injured child will be attended to as needed by the staff personnel until rescue workers arrive. Parents will be notified immediately after 911 is called. A staff member will accompany the child until parents arrive. The director and all other staff members are CPR trained and First Aid Certified. We will only administer syrup of ipecac if emergency personnel ask up to administer it.

MINOR INJURIES... Soap and water will be used to clean superficial wounds and a bandage will be applied for protection. An injury report will be posted.

Homework
Homework is not mandatory for 3 year olds but is mandatory for early kindergarten students. Please take the time to assist your child in completing their homework and returning it to school on the designated days.

Nutrition Policy
A daily snack will be provided. Parents will be assigned a snack day once a month to provide snacks for the 12 children in their child's class.

Parking Safety
You may only park in marked spaces throughout the parking lot. Please do not stop in front of the school for pick up or drop off as your could be ticketed and will be asked to move. Please drive slowly and safely through the parking lot and observe the speed limits.

Parents In The Preschool
We love to have parents at our Preschool as parents play an important role in the preschool program. Each parent has a unique set of talents and interests so don't be shy about offering your assistance. Siblings are not allowed in the classroom when you are volunteering your time. There are a number of ways you can assist us in providing your child with the best possible education at preschool. *Supporting and encouraging your child's development; *Working with your child at home (very important); *Discussing any problems or worries directly with the teacher; *Visiting the Preschool and volunteering in the program; *Offering to share any hobbies, interest or expertise you may have with the children (e.g. playing an instrument, pottery, cooking, culture, language, etc.)

Philosophy
The mission of Carebear Preschool is to provide a nurturing, creative and positive classroom and overall school environment. Our philosophy is to develop a positive self-image through a healthy balance of self-directed and teacher-supported activities. Carebear Preschool is dedicated to providing innovative, quality education services that support and contribute to the success and well being of our children and their families. We are committed to encouraging learning through fun, skill-based activities for children 2 through 5 years of age. Our qualified, talented teachers structure daily activities designed for each child to learn at his or her own rate. IT is our daily mission to offer children an enriching experience that enhances their cognitive, social, emotional, language, physical and creative development. It is our goal to give each child a strong, secure foundation on which to begin his or her educational journey.

School Closing
Carebear Preschool will notify parents by 8:00 a.m. the morning of preschool, should the school need to be closed due to emergency weather conditions or otherwise. Please remember to notify us when you change your home or cell phone numbers or address.

School Year
The preschool programs will run according to the 2007-2008 Carebear Preschool calendar.

Sharing Information
As a part of our school family we welcome you and invite you to share any family news with us whether bad or good, happy or sad. The sharing of information helps to create community and an increased understanding of the behavior patterns of the children. Additional excitement or stress can markedly affect children's behavior. It may help if we are informed. Any information of a confidential nature will be treated as such.

Show & Tell
Show and tell is an important part of your child's preschool experience allowing them to learn to speak in front of other children and share something important to them. Please remember your show and tell days. Thursdays for the T/Th classes and Fridays for the M/W/F classes. Please, no violent toys. Toys from home should only be brought to school on your child's show and tell day.

Sick Policy
Please do not send your child to school if he or she is ill. Children with cold symptoms should stay home. In addition, please do not send your child to school with any of the following conditions: *temperature of 100 degrees or higher; *Vomiting or severe diarrhea; *A rash of unknown origin; *Discharge of the eyes or ears. If your child should become ill at school, he or she will be isolated within sight and hearing of an adult staff member and every effort will be made to keep him or her as comfortable as possible until parents or authorized persons can come to get the child. The child should be picked up within 45 minutes of notification. Your child may return to school 24 hours after he or she is symptom-free. If your child has a communicable disease such as chicken pox, he or she must remain at home until no longer contagious. No medications will be administered by staff members during preschool hours. It is important that staff members are notified of any allergies. THIS INCLUDES FOOD ALLERGIES. Any contagious illnesses reported in the school will be posted.

Spanish
The course will be divided into modules that address familiar themes and vocabulary and allow students to begin to understand and communicate basic concepts. These concepts and vocabulary will then be revisited and incorporated into successive sessions, building a foundation for further learning. Each class will contain a maximum of 10 students, to ensure that each student is getting opportunities to participate and practice the language during the activities. Class times and prices to be determined.

Statement of Services
We educate children ages 2-5 years of age. We are open from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Parents are required to complete registration forms, sign contracts, and submit an immunization form for enrollment. Dis-enrollment requires a two week written notice and the $130 registration fee is nonrefundable. Carebear Preschool reserves the right to deny enrollment of any individual. State inspection reports are available upon request. This facility is regulated by the Arizona Department of Health Services, 150 North 18th Avenue, Suite 400, Phoenix, Arizona 85007, phone #602-364-2539. Carebear Preschool is covered by Thomco for liability insurance.

Tuition
Tuition is due on the first day of every month. If tuition is not received by the fifth day of the month, there will be a $15 late fee. Please see the director if you are having financial difficulties in making payments. A two week written notice is required if you must withdraw your child from the program for any reason. The school will be closed on holidays and breaks according to the Carebear Preschool calendar and fees will not be reduced for these holidays.

Weekly Special Activities
Music: Wednesdays and Thursdays
Show & Tell: Thursdays and Fridays