Welcome to Creative Beginnings Preschool!
Thank you for considering Creative Beginnings Preschool as a learning environment for your child.  I’m sure you will be pleased with the learning outcomes at this facility.  Here, your child will be able to learn through play in an environment that caters to children’s curiosity, assists in the development of self-esteem and gives them the opportunity to explore through hands on learning in a Montessori enhanced program.  We teach the children how to care for themselves as well as the world around them by using the Montessori materials and theme based teaching.  If you have not had a tour of the facility or had the chance to meet the Educators, we encourage you to do so before your child enters the program or by contacting us for the date of our next Open House.     

Your child will be registered for the class and a space in our centre will be guaranteed, once you have submitted your $50.00 non-refundable registration fee, registration package and 10 post dated cheques starting with September 1, 2009 and ending with June 1, 2010.  Post-dated cheques are to be made out to “Creative Beginnings Preschool” and should accompany your registration forms, which should be mailed to the above mailing address no later then May 1, 2009.  Registration is accepted on a first come – first serve basis, therefore, when you register please state what your preferences are in order and we will do our best to accommodate you.  Forms should be complete when submitted.  Should you cancel registration before your child starts in this facility and after August 1/09, you will be charged the first month’s fee.
 
Classes will start gradually the first week to help your child adjust to the new environment.  Your child's gradual entry schedule will be listed in the registration package. Our gradual entry consists of a tour of the school, some play time, circle time and snack. Please ensure that your child has a snack for these days as well as a change of clothing in their backpacks.

The following week of classes will commence at regular scheduled times (9:00-11:30am and 12:00-2:30pm).  We ask that you drop your child off on time each day and pick up promptly.  There is absolutely no parking, drop-offs or pick-ups under any circumstances in the school turn around at the front of the school.  Therefore, please either park along the street or in the upper parking lot when dropping off and picking up your child.  The school has asked that preschool parents enter the school with their child through the classroom outside door which is located towards the back on the left hand side of the school, rather than the school hallway doors.  This elevates any congestion in the hallways and disruption for their students.  The classroom will open 5 minutes prior to the beginning of class.  Please wait with your child outside the classroom door until that time.  When dropping off and picking up your child you will be responsible to sign in and sign out your child.  This form will be located inside the door of the classroom. 

If you are sending someone that I have not met to pick up your child, they will need to be on the child release form in the registration package that each of you filled out as well as have picture ID with them, before I will release your child to them.  Please let them know about the sign in/out board. 

Your child will need a pair of “runners with Velcro straps” for indoor shoes that will be worn in the classroom during our wet times.  Please explain to your child that these are to stay in the classroom and they will be able to take them home at the end of the year.  Please do not send slippers, as these will not keep their feet dry in the event of a fire drill during wintry conditions.    We encourage children to dress themselves upon arrival and departure, as this helps increase self-esteem when they can do this on their own.  Each child will have their own coat hook and cubby in each class.  Shoes will be stored in the bottom of their cubbies.  As they will be sharing the cubby space with other children from the other classes, please ensure that all clothing, backpacks, belongings and shoes are labelled well.  A change of clothing in case of an accident should be left in their backpacks at all times.    
         
Please pack snacks that meet Canada’s Food Guide and keep in mind that this classroom is a “Nut free” zone.  It is very important to read labels, as we cannot allow a child to eat a snack that contains “traces of nuts” in the classroom.  In the event that a snack is sent that contains nuts or traces, it will be sent home unopened and your child will be offered goldfish as a replacement snack.  

If your child is ill or will be away, please let the teacher know in advance or call the preschool and leave a message on the answering machine.  The phone number for the preschool is 377-8700.  However, you may reach me at 372-2917 (home) or 318-7737 (cell) if need be. 

You will receive a large Ziploc bag for your child.  This will be his/her back and forth bag.  We also use this bag for sending home artwork and newsletters, so it is important that it comes to class daily.  Any notes for the staff or show and tell items should be in their bags. 
Please label all personal belongings.

Children often like to bring toys from home to preschool.  I highly discourage this to ensure that their toys are not lost or damaged here.  Should they bring a toy they will be asked to keep it in their backpack or cubby until home time.  We have assigned times for show and tell days in our preschool and we ask that you send your child with something unique. Science related or a nature item rather then a toy or jewellery. These should be packed inside their back and forth bags and will be left there until show and tell.  Show and tell runs during the months of November & February.  Watch for your child’s weekly show and tell schedule in mid-September. 

The sign up sheet for parent helpers will be posted on the back of the sign in/sign out board.  Please sign up if you would like to help out, it is not mandatory.  To avoid an overwhelming number of adult helpers for the children, I do ask that only one parent sign up per day unless we need extra help and in that case it would be posted.  Unfortunately, siblings are not able to join on these days due to regulations.

Please feel free to arrange a meeting with myself at anytime throughout the year to discuss your child’s learning experience/goals, etc.  This gives us the opportunity to work together and provide your child with the best learning environment possible.  I may also be reached at any of the above numbers.  I will try to keep you informed about what we are working on in the class through frequent newsletters that will be sent home with your child.  Preschool email is usually checked nightly, so you may also email me with any questions.
 
I am looking forward to working with your child over the next school year.  We will be working on a variety of themes that will enhance your child’s learning experience.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me anytime. 

“Teacher Irene”
Irene Wende
Early Childhood Educator