School Policies

Our preschool is a 10-month school year program open from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Friday. With permission from the Director, morning care can be arranged beginning as early as 7:30 AM. We follow the Cheshire Public School calendar and are closed on major holidays, during the December break, and on days that are cancelled due to severe weather conditions. We are open on days such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Election Day, and Cheshire Public School professional development days.

Our regular preschool program is closed during school vacation weeks, but child care is available at an additional cost in our multi-age Optional Days Programs. During the summer, we offer a separate 9-week summer program. For further details regarding these programs, please refer to our school calendar.

1st Church Preschool has an Open Door Policy. Parents and legal guardians are welcome to visit the school at any time during regular operating hours.

All children must be picked up by 5:30 p.m. A $10 late fee is charged for pick-up after 5:30 p.m. A penalty late fee of $10 will be charged for each additional 15 minutes late. Late fees will be doubled after 2 late pickups. If a child is not picked up by 6:00 p.m and a parent has not been reached, the Cheshire Police Department will be notified.

Upon entrance to the program, a current medical and immunization record signed by a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse documenting an examination completed within one (1) year prior to enrollment is required for each child.  Medical assessment forms must be updated yearly from the date of the initial physical examination. An updated form must be on file and up to date while in attendance at school.  Attendance is not permitted if a current form is not on file. If  such examination is contrary to the religious beliefs and practices of the child or the parent(s) a waiver shall be submitted and maintained in the child’s health record. Such statement shall be signed by the parent(s). The parent(s) shall certify that he or she accepts complete responsibility for the health of the child and that, to the best of the parent’s knowledge, the child is in good health.

If your child has any of the following conditions or symptoms you will be called to pick up your child from the Program within one hour of notification. Your child will also be kept separate from the group in order to keep illness from spreading further.

• Fever of 100° F or greater or chills
• Colds accompanied by excessive nasal discharge
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chest Pain
• Fatigue
• Pale skin
• Bluing around lips and/or nail beds
• Viral Type Rash
• Muscle or body aches
• Abdominal Pain
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat or mouth sores that are open
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Conjunctivitis, (Pink Eye) pinworms, or other infestations
• Scabies, head lice (we have a no nits policy!)
• Contagious childhood diseases, such as chicken pox, mumps or impetigo
• Any illness that affects your child’s participation in regular program activities

Your child may return to the program:

• After taking any prescribed antibiotics for a full 24 hours
• When free from fever, cough, vomiting or diarrhea for a full 24 hours (one full day home) WITHOUT administration of any fever reducing medication (Tylenol, Motrin etc.) or other symptom-altering medicine (e.g. cough suppressants)
• When free of infestations and/or open, oozing skin conditions
• When able to participate comfortably in all program activities including going outside.

It is very important, and in the long run to your advantage, to keep your child home, away from the group when ill, as illnesses otherwise often go around again, becoming re-infected from germs that were spread to the group sometimes because of lowered resistance from not being fully recovered.  We are aware of working family demands but need your cooperation to keep illnesses down, especially during the winter, so children and staff can be fully involved within the program.

Posting of Infectious Disease

Notice of infectious diseases which have been reported to the school will be posted as a Medical Alert on the bulletin board located at the Parent Sign In table. When necessary, the school’s nurse consultant will be contacted for additional information regarding these illnesses. The preschool will contact the public health department to report and obtain advice when outbreaks of communicable disease occur.

Medication Administration

Only authorized staff, successfully having completed a Medication Administration Training, will administer medications. At least one teacher at all times is trained in Child & Infant CPR and First Aid, and trained to administer an asthma inhaler or EPI-Pen injection for medical emergencies.

We do not administer medication here except for an asthma condition or for severe allergic reactions requiring an Epi-Pen injection in response to anaphylactic shock symptoms.  A release form and proper medical forms must be on file along with the needed medication. This means we are not allowed to give any medications orally or topically to your child while they are at school.

The first dose of any medication must be given at home to be sure that the child does not have an unexpected reaction to the medication. Parents or guardians may administer medication to their own child during the school day.

State Law makes all Child care workers mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect, including any unusual or unexplained physical injuries to the child.  Parents and the Department of Children and Families will be notified if so warranted.

Child Abuse & Neglect Policy

Morning and afternoon snacks are provided. Children bring a lunch from home. Please send nutritious lunches. A thermos can be used to keep lunch food warm. Please know that teachers cannot heat lunch foods. Cooking activities are regularly included in our curriculum and recipes are posted. Our weekly snack menu is posted on our Parent Information Board.

All children who attend the program after 1:00 pm. will have a rest period.  Please send in a small pillow, blanket and stuffed animal (please label). Cots and cot sheets are provided. Cot sheets are sent home weekly to be laundered and need to be returned the following week.

We accept children in our program who are not toilet trained in September; however, the family is responsible for initiating the toilet training of their child during the fall months. Children will be encouraged and supported in their efforts at school to be toilet trained by January.

Parents of children wearing training pants must provide and keep a supply of disposable training pants and wipes in their cubby. Teachers will notify families as more are needed. We will work together in helping each child move toward toilet use, and work in partnership with parents to maintain consistency in supporting their child’s efforts and progress.

In the Pre-K Rooms, toilet expectations for children are for developing independence and privacy. Children are supported to take care of all of their own bathroom needs in preparation for going off to Kindergarten.

All field trips require written permission for a child to participate. With approval from the Director and notification to the parents, teachers may plan off-site trips in the Pre-K Rooms. Blue and Orange Room (3-year-old) children will only participate in neighborhood walking trips.

1st Church Preschool follows the Cheshire Public School schedule for weather related delays, early dismissals and closings. If Cheshire Public Schools are delayed, dismissed or closed, we will do the same. Please have alternative plans in place for closings, delays, and early dismissals.

Closing:
If Cheshire Public Schools Closed:
1st Church Preschool Closed

Delayed Opening:
If Cheshire Public Schools 2-hour Delay:
1st Church Preschool will delay only 1 hour.
– Open 8:30 a.m. for early arrivals
– Open 9:30 a.m. for preschool program
– Kindergarten children must arrive by 9:15 a.m. for busing from 1st Church

Early Dismissal:
If Cheshire Public Schools Early Dismissal:
1st Church Preschool will close at 4 p.m.

If we are expecting severe weather, we ask parents to keep an eye on the weather conditions during the day and make arrangements for early pick-up. If weather begins to worsen, we ask that parents make arrangements to pick-up as soon as possible. We will notify parents by email and/or phone calls if we make a decision to close before 4 p.m.

Also, when possible, delays, early dismissals, and closing information are emailed to families. This information is also posted on the television stations and the websites of NBC Connecticut, WFSB Hartford/New Haven, and Fox CT.