*PROGRAM DESCRIPTION*

Mt. Hebron Presbyterian Nursery School is a private, non-sectarian, non-profit school for three, four and five year old children. We offer classes 2 days and 3 days, per week, for 3 year olds. Children turning 4 before April may attend our 3 day 3 year old program. We also offer 3 and 5 day a week programs for 4 and 5 year olds. The morning sessions run from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and the afternoon sessions run from 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Class sizes are an average of 14 for our younger 2 day 3 year program with a teacher and a teaching assistant, an average of 16 for our 3 day 3 year old program with a teacher and a teaching assistant, and an average of 18 for our 4 and 5 year old program with a teacher and a teaching assistant.

Our facility is licensed annually by the Maryland State Department of Education Office of Childcare and the Maryland Board of Education. We have five large classrooms; a large hall for music, physical education and art; a kitchen/conference room for student and teacher use; a resource room; child-friendly bathrooms and a large playground which is completely fenced in. We have a wide variety of equipment and supplies in all of the aforementioned spaces.

School traditionally opens in early September and closes the Friday before Memorial Day.

*PHILOSOPHY AND MISSION STATEMENT*

Mission Statement:

Mt Hebron Nursery School is concerned with the development of the total child. Attention is given to meeting the specific needs of individual children in a group setting socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually.

Philosophy:

Mt Hebron Nursery School views the child as a unique person with individual strengths, interests and needs. It is our goal to help the child develop their full potential by providing a positive safe environment for exploring, problem solving, communicating and learning to become self sufficient all the while recognizing that children learn in a variety of different ways.

Program Goals:

Our goals are to help children:

• Develop an interest in words and reading

• Expand communication skills

• Develop beginning math concepts

• Develop an awareness of the world around them through their five senses

• Develop their physical skills, both gross and fine motor

• Develop an understanding and acceptance of others

• Learn to share with others

• Develop the ability to express emotions in constructive ways

• Develop creativity in a variety of mediums

• Develop self-help skills

• Learn to recognize and respect diversity in all people

In planning and implementing their curriculum the staff will be incorporating language arts, math, social studies, health and safety, dramatic play, creative activities, music, physical education, motor development and a myriad of other developmentally age appropriate activities into our program.

*WAIT LISTS*

"Waiting to Register Lists" will begin on THE FIRST MONDAY IN OCTOBER at 7:30 a.m. for class enrollment for September of the following year. (In the event school is closed on Monday, registration call in will take place the following Tuesday.) You may call 410-461-2773 to be placed on this list. YOU DO NOT NEED TO COME IN TO REGISTER. Children who are members of the Church are given first preference as well as a 10% tuition discount. Siblings of children currently enrolled in school will be given second preference. Siblings of children who have attended Mt. Hebron before will need to get on the waiting list as we cannot guarantee a space for all of our siblings as much as we would like to though we will make every effort to accommodate them. In-house registration will begin to take place the month of December, then in mid-January registration will open to the waiting lists.

*REGISTRATION AND ENROLLMENT*

Requirements:

• To register for the 2010/2011 3 year old program, the child must be 3 by September 1^st.  Once these slots are allocated, registration becomes available for children turning 3 by December 31^st, 2010.

• To register for the 2010/2011 3 day 3 year old program, the child must be 4 by April 1^st or have some previous preschool experience.

• To register for the 2010/2011 4 year old program, the child must be 4 by September 1^st, 2010.  Once these slots are filled, registration becomes available to children turning 4 by December 31^st, 2010.

• To register for the 2010/2011 5 day 4 year old program, the child must be 4 by September 1^st, 2010.

• In the event that openings are still available in the summer, we will open the program to children with later birthdays.  (These children would then be able to attend the 2 day 3 program, the 3 day 4 program and the 5 day 4 program before entering Kindergarten.)

PARENTS MUST HAVE MEDICAL FORMS COMPLETED NO LATER THAN THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - STATE REQUIREMENT.

A child is registered by filling out a registration form and paying the yearly registration fee, which is NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-APPLICABLE to the tuition fee.

It is advisable to speak to the Director in September, if there is a need for a dual enrollment of both a three and four year old for the following September.

*TUITION*

Tuition is due on the FIRST OF EACH MONTH. There are no monthly bills issued, so please put these due dates on your calendar.

The School is a nonprofit organization. If you are unable to make your payments on time, please contact the school office by the payment due date. Payments NOT received by the 10^th of the month will be assessed a $10.00 late fee.

We will not be able to reimburse due to illness. Expenses in running a school are continuous and we ask for your cooperation in this matter.

Students are enrolled for the entire year unless special arrangements are made with the Director.  If for any reason you must withdraw your child, WRITTEN NOTICE MUST BE GIVEN TO THE DIRECTOR THIRTY DAYS IN ADVANCE, in order to allow adequate time to fill the vacancy.

The 1^st tuition payment of the school year, due annually on June 1^st, will not be refundable after June 15^th.

*SNACKS*

We provide a snack for the children each day. If your child has a severe food allergy, please confer with your child’s teacher to find a suitable arrangement for meeting their needs. Please be aware that children attending the nursery school may have allergies which could prove fatal.  We ask that you make sure  your child does not have peanut residue on their hands or clothing before coming to school.  Children will usually be given water with their snack each day unless it is a special occasion.

*HEALTH*

WHEN CHILDREN ARE SICK IN THE MORNING, THEY SHOULD NOT BE SENT TO SCHOOL. The health department requires children with fevers and or colored mucous be kept at home to prevent the spread of infection. Children are sent to the office when not feeling well. If a child has a temperature and is complaining of not feeling well, or is injured, his/her parents will be notified and will be asked to have the child picked up.  Please notify us of any communicable diseases so we can help prepare/notify others in your child’s class.

H1N1 VIRUS:

We are informed and aware that this could be an epidemic and are working with the school system and health department to prevent any potential outbreak.  We are asking parents to follow our new hand washing policy.  This policy asks that all parents (or adults dropping off students) make sure that every child washes their hands thoroughly upon entering the classroom.

TOILET TRAINING:

Children should be able to use the toilet independently by the time they are ready to attend school.

MEDICATIONS:

It is not the policy of the Nursery School to distribute medications to the children UNLESS in a life threatening cases (ex. EPI pens for bee stings or nut allergies).  Prior written permission from the child’s physician is required when medication is left on premises—see office for Medication Order Form. Medications may not be left without an accompanying form.

CHICKENPOX:

A child is excluded from school until all lesions are scabbed over.

CONJUNCTIVITIS (Pink Eye):

A child may not return to school until he/she has been on antibiotics for 24 hours.

HEAD LICE:

A child may return to school when he/she is free of lice and nits.

*GUIDANCE POLICY*

Our guidance policy is available in the School office for you to see at any time during school hours.

*PROGRAM ACTIVITIES*

This is flexible but will include the following:

* Greeting

* Fine Motor

• puzzles

• manipulative toys

• art activities

• tearing, cutting, pasting

• cooking experience

• playdough

• water / sand table

* Gross Motor

• large blocks

• housekeeping

• dramatic play

• climbing

• painting

* Group Times

• both large and small

• stories

• fingerplays

* Singing / Music

• In classroom

• Formal music program 20 minutes/week for all students

* Physical Education

• In classroom

• Formal PE program for 20 minutes/week for 3 and 5 day students

* Art Education

• In classroom

• Formal program for 30 minutes (every other week) for 3 and 5 day students

* Sharing

* Snack

* Outdoor Play

* Other

• movies/filmstrips

• area performers

• field trips

*ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL*

In order to insure their safety all students are to be picked up at their classroom door by an adult listed on the pickup authorization form. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU PICK UP YOUR CHILD NO LATER THAN 5 MINUTES AFTER THEIR SESSION AND DROP THEM OFF NO EARLIER THAN 5 MINUTES BEFORE THEIR SESSION. Please remember that we have two sessions running each day.  Changes in staff and classroom environment need to be made as well as opportunities for full day teachers to have lunch. Parents who have children with older siblings and bus conflicts, may want to bring children late after class begins or pickup early. Please confer with your child’s teacher so we can assure your child a smooth transition in either of these situations.

Other than in case of an emergency, changes or exceptions to this policy must be given to the teacher in writing and in advance.

*WHAT YOUR CHILD WILL NEED*

• Comfortable and washable clothing.

• Outdoor clothing appropriate to the weather. Our objective is to go outside everyday weather permitting: above 32 degrees, ground is not wet and it is not raining or icy (eg. hat, mittens, boots in winter weather).

• Please remember that tennis shoes work best. Sandals can often get caught in playground equipment so are not recommended footwear.

• Change of clothes including: long pants, shirt, underwear and socks.  Place these in gallon-sized plastic zip bag, with your child’s name on it and give to teacher on the first day of school. These will be kept at school in case of an “accident.”  Please remember to make changes in that spare set of clothes as the seasons change and your child grows.  You may update these at any time.

• A hand-grip type cloth bag to bring notes and artwork home from school.  Backpacks are difficult to send home easel paintings in as they are rolled and not folded. You may purchase bags from the Parent Group during parent orientation or anytime after school starts.  (These MHNS bags are available for $10.00)

• Please label all clothes, sweaters, jackets, totes, etc. with your child’s name.

*BIRTHDAYS*

Birthdays are a special time for all of us.  To celebrate your child's special day, you might send a special snack to school. Please limit this to 1 cupcake, 2 cookies or some other nutritious treat. (See handout from classroom teacher for additional birthday snack ideas.)

DO SPEAK TO THE TEACHER FIRST before sending any treats to school as there might be another party already planned.  The teacher will be able to inform you of any food allergies.  ALLERGIES can be fatal and are prevalent. You may want to call the parents in the class prior to bringing in a snack to be shared. PLEASE DO NOT SEND IN PARTY FAVORS (hats, gifts, etc.) TO TAKE HOME.  If you wish to invite only part of your child's class to a party, please mail the invitations in order to avoid hurting the feelings of those not invited.

*FIELD TRIPS AND SPECIAL GUESTS*

The nursery school recognizes the significance of following up on the abstract learning activities in the classroom with concrete field experiences. We are fortunate to have a wonderful Parent Group which designates a Cultural Arts Volunteer. Often times the Parent Group is instrumental in inviting guest performers for the children or sending the children on field trips. We invite many of our community helpers to visit us firefighters, police officers, nurses, dentists, etc. Also many of our parents come in and share their occupations, hobbies, talents, ways of celebrating holidays and family life with our students during relevant units.

For safety reasons, buses are our source of transportation for most school trips. However, the children go to Patapsco State Park in lieu of school at the beginning of the year by car. The Park is conveniently located in proximity to the school and this saves on the expenses of a bus. The four year olds in the 3 day and 5 day program have traditionally gone to the Baltimore Zoo and the Baltimore Aquarium. The three year olds have traditionally gone to a Farm by bus and to Toby’s Theatre in lieu of school. Bus transportation and admission fees for the children are provided by the school.

We can provide transportation for parents attending, but not admittance fees. Whenever possible we invite siblings to attend. (Please know that we CANNOT have strollers brought on the buses for safety purposes, but you may follow the bus in your own car.) There are times, however, when we feel the presentations are not age appropriate for younger siblings and in some cases, space and cost can be a determining factor.

Parents are neither required, nor expected, to attend all field trips. If you cannot come we will make every effort to make sure your child is appropriately supervised and has a parent chaperone assigned to them. To that extent, any parent attending a trip may be requested to help chaperone some one else’s child.

*INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY*

Our parking lot is ploughed by the County after the major roads and schools. We shall observe the same snow days as Howard County Public Schools which are announced over the radio or television.

If Howard County Schools are CLOSED, Mt. Hebron Nursery School will also be CLOSED.

In the event of a LATE START in Howard County, we will observe the following schedule:

• AM classes will go from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

• PM classes will go from 1:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please be alert to the weather. In the event that Howard County schools close while school is in session we will observe the Howard County School Systems school closing policy.

IT IS NOT THE POLICY OF THE NURSERY SCHOOL TO EXTEND THE SCHOOL YEAR DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER BEYOND OUR CONTROL. IN THE EVENT OF UNUSUAL WEATHER THE NURSERY SCHOOL BOARD WILL REASSESS THE POLICY.

*PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES*

In addition to the Parent Welcome and Orientation Night, we schedule a daytime (half-session) child orientation and brief parent preview prior to the onset of school year.

Additional conferences will be scheduled during the school year, which are indicated on the school calendar. School will be open on these days, but there will be NO CLASSES SCHEDULED. Childcare will be provided for children and their siblings while parents conference with their child’s teacher.

At any other time during the school year, conferences may be scheduled with the Teacher or Director, but we will be unable to provide childcare.

If you have a question, a concern or information to give to your child’s teacher,

PLEASE DO ...

• give the teacher a note with the information or with a request to call you, indicating the times you will be available.

• call the teacher or Director at school before or after each session.

• call the Director at school, during school hours (9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday).

• e-mail the teacher or Director with the information.

PLEASE DO NOT ...

• discuss your child in front of him/her or in front of other parents.

• talk with the teacher or assistant teacher about your child as school is beginning or ending.  These are inconvenient times for the staff as the students do need their attention.

• wait if something is on your mind.

Good communication between home and school is important for your child’s development. New ideas and constructive criticism are welcomed and valued.

*NEW PARKING LOT AND DRIVEWAY*

Please observe the ONE WAY signs.  Parents of children in Room 1 might park along fence outside playground.  Parents of children in Rooms 2, 3, & 4 may choose to park in larger parking area outside the playground.  Parents of children in Room 5 may choose to park near the exit area and church portico.  Remember to drive slowly as there are any number of young children crossing the parking lot.  Those persons with vans and SUVs need to be constantly vigilant when backing up.  It is imperative that we create a safe haven for our children even outside of our building.

*PLAYGROUND SAFETY*

Playground  Rules:

• Children must be supervised at all times while on the playground

• Keep gates locked

• It is not okay to push or shove friends

• It is not okay to run with sticks

• Trees are young and not for climbing

• Keep sand in sand box – it is not okay to throw sand

• It is not okay to throw mulch or remove mulch from safety zone on playground

The school continues to invest large amounts of money in replacing sand and mulch.  This would not be necessary if children learn to respect their environment and follow playground safety rules.

During School:

Children are supervised by staff on playground when school is in session.  If you are volunteering, we would like you to assist as well with playground monitoring as well.  All other parents need to remain outside the play yard until the bell rings.  This eliminates confusion and helps to make sure that all children are accounted for.

Before and After School

Please make sure your child(ren) are supervised and are observing the playground rules.

*STUDENT SAFETY*

The staff is trained in emergency preparedness.  The school is periodically inspected by the Fire Marshall.  Unannounced Emergency Evacuation Drills will take place every month.

In the event of an emergency which would require an evacuation, we will evacuate across the parking lot to Hebron House.  When possible, e-mail alerts/notices will be sent to parents.  We would advise that you keep e-mail addresses and emergency phone numbers current.

As stated earlier, we will be following Howard County School Closings in the event of inclement weather.  There may however be times when the nursery school might have to make its own emergency announcements.  In this case, those emergency announcements can be heard by listening to WBAL radio.

*EMERGENCY CARDS*

Emergency card information for each child is to be kept current.  It is imperative that we have an emergency card for each child and the school be informed immediately of any change in address or telephone number(s).

*CHILD SAFETY PROTECTION*

The school will fulfill its legal obligation to any child for the well being of said child.

• The law requires that all childcare persons report suspected cases of child abuse to Protective Services.

• In the event an intoxicated parent comes to pick up a child from school, the law obligates us to release the child to the parent thus holding the childcare person  accountable. Therefore, we are obligated to notify the police with the license number, make and model of the intoxicated person’s car.

• In the event of a legal separation or divorce we are obligated to release a child to either parent unless we have legal documentation affirming said persons legal guardianship.

• Please help us keep all our children safe.  Make an effort to properly close security doors throughout upon entering and exiting building.  Be aware of any strangers in the facility or on the school grounds and please inform us of their presence.  The safety of your children is a major concern to us. Please do not hesitate to keep us advised of potentially dangerous situations.

*PARENT INVOLVEMENT*

COME SHARE: a talent, a pet, a career, information pertaining to our units.

COME AID: in cooking, art education, computer skills or by chaperoning on a field trip.

Please do not bring a sibling with you when coming to assist. Teachers need your help which can become compromised when your attention is diverted. Your preschool child will value this quality time you spend with him/her.

We are always in need of recyclable items. Occasionally, we will post notes or send home notes, asking for specific items. If you know of good resources for obtaining usable materials, please let the Director know.

Talk to the Teacher, Parent Group President, or Director if you would like to be involved in any way.

*NURSERY SCHOOL PARENT GROUP*

We have a very active and supportive Parent Group at Mount Hebron Nursery School and hope that new parents will be a part of this and returning parents will continue to be supportive. They traditionally have two fund raisers throughout the year to bring in monies to purchase extra items such as: playground equipment, indoor play equipment, toys, books, etc. They also do many “extras” for the staff in thanking them for doing such a terrific job: Teacher Appreciation Week; flowers on their birthdays, End of the Year "Thank You" Luncheon and sportswear sale, just to name a few!  All of the things that they do during the year take a lot of time, energy and people power.  They always need and appreciate volunteers.

You may contact your Parent Group President after school starts to find out where the needs may be. You will be informed of your new officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer) at the Parent Orientation Meeting.

The Parent Group sponsors the Spring Fair and Gala Event.  We encourage all of our parents to become involved.  You will find the interactions with other parents immensely rewarding.

*ROOM MOTHERS*

If you are a Room Mother the following job suggestions may be of help:

• To call/e-mail parents with reminders about special snack and parties.

• To begin a telephone tree/e-mail distribution list for getting information to class members as needs arise.

• Teachers always enjoy receiving mementos from individual children.  Class gifts and gift cards are always appreciated as well.  Oftentimes, Room Mothers will serve as class liaison and collect monies.  You many choose to support that cause, but please don’t feel obligated.

*PETS*

Pets are not allowed in the school yard or to be brought into the school or classrooms at any time.  This restriction is due to animal allergies and fears of some children.