The Program

The program serves children who are potty-trained and who are between the ages of 2 years 9 months and kindergarten entrance. The enrollment includes children of faculty, staff, students and the community. Children attend daily or Monday/Wednesday/ Friday or Tuesday/Thursday schedules. Thirty children attend each morning with up to eighteen remaining through the afternoon. There is also a Monday/Wednesday/Friday afternoon enrichment program for 3 and 4 year olds. All full day children receive a hot lunch from the university cafeteria and rest or nap after lunch. Nutritional snacks are served in the morning and afternoon. Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Curriculum

The curriculum includes sequential activities and concepts as well as activities appropriate for each month. The center bases its curriculum on both teacher knowledge and what is meaningful for each child. Projects emerge from collaborations between teacher direction and children’s interest.

The program consists of a teacher-prepared environment with a variety of experiences that invite children’s active participation. Some examples of these classroom choices include a writing center, process oriented art, listening centers, science exploration, sensory activities, block building, dramatic play, puzzles, games, books, math readiness activities, language and print rich activities. Children are free to select any or all of the available activities each day. Adults circulate among the various centers to scaffold the learning.

In addition to this individualized approach, a time is set aside each day for group involvement. These circle times are devoted to helping the emergent child develop language and print readiness. During these circle times, teachers use various methods of meeting the learner by the use of storytelling, puppetry, creative dramatics, songs, finger plays, use of rhythm instruments, cooperative games, movement to music and discussions.

Hours, Holidays, Vacations

The Early Childhood Learning Center will be open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday for children enrolled full days. (A suggestion to parents—it’s a long day for young children to be away from home. Pick them up as early as possible!) For children remaining for the afternoon, a hot lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Simple mid-morning and mid-afternoon nutrition is also served.

Children enrolled for the morning only should arrive about 8:30 a.m. and no later than 8:50 a.m. They should be called for promptly at 11:30 a.m. Sometimes there is room for morning children to remain for lunch ($5) or lunch and the afternoon ($20), but this must be cleared with the school and paid on that day. Children enrolled in the afternoon program should arrive by 1:30 p.m. and be picked up at 4:30 p.m.

The parent or responsible adult must bring the child into the Early Childhood Learning Center, sign the child in at the table in the front entrance, and wait until a teacher has greeted the child. When the child is called for, she/he must be signed out. The sign-in sheets are kept for lunch count, attendance records, and legal purposes. California Community Care Licensing dictates that parents MUST sign their children in and out each day using full signature (initials are not allowed). The parents should check the child’s cubby daily for wet or soiled clothes or bedding, and the “take-home” buckets for art projects. Your child cannot be released to anyone not listed on your emergency form without your expressed permission.

Children need to be signed out and leaving the center by their program’s closing time (11:30, 4:30, or 5). Parents will be charged a late fee of $1 for every minute they are late due at the time of pick-up. The clock at the sign-in/out table will determine closing times. Parents who are repeatedly late will be asked to make other arrangements for pick-up.

Health

Each child must have a pre-enrollment examination by a physician and the pre-admission health evaluation form, signed by a physician, must be in our files on opening day or the child cannot be left at school. We must verify completed dates for all state required immunizations that are written/stamped on the California (yellow) immunization card. If the teacher greeting the child in the morning feels that she/he is not well, she may ask the parent to take the child home. Parents are asked to be considerate not only for their own child’s health and welfare, but also that of the other children and the teaching staff. Your child should be kept at home if she/he is experiencing any of the following:

• Sore throat or earache
• Swollen glands
• Sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, coughing
• Fever
• Vomiting or diarrhea during preceding 24 hours
• Unexplained rash or skin eruptions
• Flushed face, listlessness, headache, lack of appetite, etc.
• Any behavior signs that are noticeably out of the ordinary

The first three days of a cold are considered contagious. Even after that, children should not return to school if they have a temperature or their sinuses or coughing are not under control or if their participation in school activities would be detrimental to their physical state.

If a child becomes ill during the day, the parent (or adult indicated on the emergency form) will be called. The child will rest in the isolation room while waiting to be picked up. The school is equipped and staffed to care for well children only.

Please call to report the first day of a child’s absence. Report any contagious diseases immediately so other families can be informed.

In case of an accident, the parent will be called immediately. If the parent cannot be reached, the next step will be decided according to the circumstances or seriousness of the situation, which will include any or all of the following:

• Contact person listed by parent on emergency information form.
• Call the doctor listed by parent on the emergency information form.
• Call the university physician or nurse.
• Take the child to the nearest emergency hospital, or hospital listed by parent on the emergency information form.

An authorization for emergency medical services form signed by the parents must be on file at school. The parent will accept full financial responsibility for any services needed. It is the parent’s responsibility to keep the school informed so that names, addresses and phone numbers on the child’s identification and emergency information form are kept up-to-date.

First aid supplies are kept at school for simple cuts, scrapes and abrasions.

Lunch

Children staying all day will be provided a nutritionally sound hot lunch. If your child has any allergies, the center needs a written list of allergies. Accommodations will be made according to the child's health needs. We encourage all children to try new foods. Group eating provides a great opportunity for exploration of new foods. No sack lunches from home will be allowed.

Portfolio Assessment of Children

Each child's development is documented in an individual portfolio for each school year they are enrolled in the Center. The portfolio is a collection of children's work telling a story of what the child is learning and how the learning occurred. Portfolios contain actual samples of work that children have done as a part of the ongoing classroom activities. Portfolios include samples of writing, drawing, photographs of social development, records of teacher observations and checklists of skills.

Communications

Parents should watch the table and the bulletin board in the entrance for announcements. Parent newsletters and weekly teacher letters will keep you informed of school happenings and reminders. refer to the attached school calendar for holiday recesses, school closings and many important dates that take place monthly.

The teacher’s time and attention belong to the children. Please limit conversations on arrival and departure to necessary information or instructions for the welfare of the child. We do need to be informed of changes and happenings that may affect the child’s emotions or behavior during the day. For lengthier consultation, conversations or conferences, you may make an appointment with the director and/or teachers or they may request a conference with you concerning the child’s growth and progress. The observation room is available to parents as well as university students.

Two fall and one spring parent education evenings will be presented on topics of interest to parents of young children.

University students from child development courses, psychology, education etc., observe children from the observation rooms. Other students have special assignments (such as child study, nutritional analysis, language development, speech assignments, etc.) and may occasionally request some information from the parents. It is hoped that parents will be willing to cooperate and assist the students in their understanding of children and family life and in their preparation for careers in working with children. Some students carry out mini-research projects and these are all approved by the academic director. The children enjoy these planned experiences and individual attention.

Guidance and Discipline

The Early Childhood Learning Center team is strongly committed to helping children grow socially and emotionally and to develop a positive self image. This is done with positive language and redirection. The children at the Early Childhood Learning Center are taught conflict resolution skills and teachers help guide children in working out conflict with others. Safety and the rights of the children are always our first concern.

Clothing

Children should be dressed in self-help clothing or clothing they can manage with a minimum of help. Too many layers of clothing or difficult fasteners make it hard for the child to be independent in his/her toileting and are conducive to more accidents.

Dress children to be comfortable for play indoors and out. Sturdy, washable clothing is practical. Children should wear shoes that are appropriate for climbing and running. (No loose sandals or flip-flops.) Children climb, crawl, paint, etc. at school. If little girls wear dresses they will be comfortable wearing something more than thin panties underneath (i.e., colored shorts), as they sit in the sand and on the ground, as well as climb and tumble. Weather often changes during the day, so the child should always have a sweater or jacket for walks or outside play. Put the child’s name in any sweater, coat, or removable garment brought to school to lessen loss and mix-ups. Show the child where you put the name.

A change of (labeled) clothing should be in the child’s cubby in case of accidents or spills. Include underwear, pants, a top and socks folded and placed in a plastic baggie and tape the child’s name on it. The plastic bag is then used for soiled or wet clothes that need to go home. Please return clean clothing promptly for the next emergency use.

Children who stay for nap/rest time will in addition need a small blanket, crib sheet, small pillow and small stuffed animal. Please label each item. All of these items need to fit in the child’s cubby and be taken home at the end of each week to be cleaned.

Sharing

Children may bring items from home to share with their classmates. The item a child brings to school will depend on the curriculum theme in his/her classroom. 

Little cars and toys that fit in pockets should be left at home to be played with there. They often get lost, get into other children’s pockets and are a source of conflict. Bringing toys from home can become a status symbol and can be used to manipulate friendships. We ask that children not bring toy weapons of any kind to the center. Please do not bring gum, candy, money, fragile items or biting animals. Pets are very welcome but please speak to the teachers to plan for this.

Birthdays

Children enjoy celebrating their birthdays with school friends. The celebrations are kept appropriately simple. The child may “share” by passing out cookies, cupcakes or other treats. A party napkin may be included. Always plan to serve three-dozen children so each class may be included. If you wish your child to celebrate at school, please speak to the teachers a few days ahead of the date. Do not distribute invitations to home parties at school unless every child is invited.

Children’s Work

Every child's cubby needs to be emptied every day. Children’s creative art or craft work usually represents serious effort on the child’s part and it is important to treat it that way. The children will experience many materials, media and much joy through this activity. We encourage but do not stress the finished product. Emphasis is on the process and what happens to the child during the process, rather than on the product. Look for this work so it doesn’t stack up at school. Part of the experience is the child’s satisfaction and pride as she/he shows it to the family or sees it displayed at home.

Preparation for School

Entering school is a big step for the child (and sometimes the parent). Children react to it in different ways. If the child cries or clings, do not be upset, but be calm and reassuring. Sit down with the child until she/he is more confident or interested in other children or activities. The teacher will help to guide you in the separation. When children do cry, they rarely continue after the parent leaves.

Sometimes when the first excitement wears off, some children have a delayed reaction to the separation and there may be some tears or fussiness or hesitancy, but it is transitory. Usually a simple statement, (i.e., “This is the day you go to school; You’ll stay home on Saturday”) is more effective than pleading or arguing. Then change the subject. At the same time you can be observant to see if there is a reason for the reluctance—is he/she tired, too rushed, coming down with something, jealous of a sibling, afraid of missing something at home or upset about a school friend or situation? Please feel free to talk to the teachers or directors about your concerns.

Talk about school but don’t talk too much. Help your child to know that going to school is a wonderful part of growing up. If you are confident that it is a good place for your child to be, she/he will take cues from you. Don’t let older siblings or neighborhood children scare or threaten your child by saying, “Your teachers will…,” or “At school you’ll have to…” etc. Do not talk about what you are going to do while they are at school. The child might want to do it with you or might feel you are anxious to get rid of him/her. Be glad to see your child after school, and enjoy any happenings, learnings, songs, etc., that may be shared with you; however, some children seem to keep their school world private and don’t talk much about it. Sometimes these children will talk as a delaying tactic at bedtime, if you are a good listener.

If you have been on a more relaxed summer schedule, begin ahead to put your child to bed earlier. On school days, see that the child gets up early enough to get dressed and eat breakfast without rushing or stress or strain—on your part or the child’s. The child will have a better day at school and your day will be better too!

We are anxious to know both parents and children. We know that your child is a very special person whom you have watched and loved and cared for from infancy. Thus, you are an authority and will have valuable insights to share with us. We will see him/her in a more objective way, with a background of training and experience with many young children. We need each other. The best insurance for happiness and adjustment throughout the school years is the close cooperation of teachers and parents. Remember, we give our very best for your very best.