Policies & Procedures
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Arrivals
Morning classes begin at the following times:
- 9:00am for the Two-and-a-Half, Three and Four- year-olds
- 9:15am for the Two-By-Two class
Although the teaching staff is in the building earlier, this time is used to prepare the day's activities and occasionally to meet with the Director. Parents are asked not to drop their children off until someone is at the side door to greet them. A parent who prefers to walk into the building with his/her child is welcome to do so as long as the child's presence is acknowledged by a staff member.
Afternoon classes begin at the following times:
12:15 for the Four-year-olds
12:30 for the afternoon Three-year-olds
Dismissals
Morning classes are dismissed at the following times:
- 11:15 Two-By-Two and Three year olds
- 11:20 Two and a Half year olds
- 11:30 Four year olds
Children in the morning classes that participate in Extended Day program are dismissed at the following in times:
- 12:50 Three year olds
- 1:00 Four year olds
Afternoon classes are dismissed at the following times:
- 3:00 Three year old class
- 3:25 Four year old class
Children enrolled in Two-By-Two and the Two and a Half year old programs are dismissed from their classrooms.
Three and Four year olds are always dismissed from the side door entrance for parent pick-up.
Birthday Policy
Birthdays
Parents are welcome to send in a special snack to celebrate their child's birthday at school. Please be sure to notify the teachers in advance when you would like to celebrate, and inquire about any allergy issues. In addition, please keep it simple.
Unbirthdays
For those children whose birthdays are celebrated during school vacations or in the summer months, we happily observe "unbirthdays". Parents should discuss celebration dates with the teacher.
About Invitations
If parents are planning a birthday party outside of school and would like to distribute the invitations at school, they may do so, as long as each child in the class receives one. This also applies to Halloween and Valentine parties and holiday cards. Little feelings can be fragile.
DVD and Video Policy
The teaching staff will introduce, on occasion, a program related DVD as a part of an integrated unit theme experience. All DVD's are previewed by the Director for age appropriate content. DVD's will be incorporated into the program by classroom teachers only at the discretion of the Director. A video experience is used as a complement to the curriculum.
Field Trips
Children in the Three and Four-year old classes participate in field trips to points of interest in the community throughout the school year. These field trips are designed to complement individual class programs. Parents are required to sign a permission form at the beginning of the school year regarding their child's participation in field trips. Notification about particular trips is always sent home prior to scheduled dates.
Parents are often asked to drive on field trips, and we hope that every parent would be willing to help provide transportation at some time throughout the school year. Children must always be secured in car seats when being transported to and from school.
The safety and well-being of our children is our primary concern. Parents can be assured that every precaution will be taken to provide a safe and enjoyable field trip for our children.
Health Policy
Illness
Parents should use their good judgment when making the decision to send their child to school. In general a child should not be sent to school if they are feeling too sick to participate in the day's activities. If the director and staff determine that a child is unable to take part in and enjoy the day's activities, a parent or authorized caregiver will be notified to take the child home.
Children should not come to school if they present the following symptoms:
- Cold symptoms with fever, malaise, cough, discolored nasal drainage
- Diarrhea and/or vomiting
- Eye drainage (profuse and/or thick)
- Fever (for any reason)
- Rash (undiagnosed - not seen by and MD)
Your child may return to school when:
- his/her temperature has returned to normal for 24 hours after stopping Tylenol or Ibuprofen
- diarrhea and/or vomiting has stopped for 24 hours
- rash has been seen by M.D. (must bring a note to school)
Parents should notify the school Director when their child has contracted a communicable disease. Any questions regarding incubation and contagion can be directed to the Town of Greenwich's Department of Health.
Medical Forms
Complete medical immunization information must be on file for each child enrolled in the Nursery School program. Medical examinations are valid for one year. The school nurse will notify parents when new medical information is needed.
Allergies
If a child has a history of food allergy and/or any other health concern which require special consideration: the parent is required to provide pertinent information, medical history, and/or medications to keep their child safe and healthy while at school. Our nurse consultant will assist parents, provide the required permission and release forms, and be available for inquiries.
The Nursery School maintains a peanut free environment.
Staff Training
The nursery school staff will maintain current certification in First Aid, Infant/Child CPR and annual training for the dispensation of medication IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS ONLY according to doctor prescribed protocol.
Notes from Parents
A note from the parent is always necessary when there is a change in the child’s daily schedule. If someone other than a parent will meet the child upon dismissal, parents must provide the teacher with a signed and dated note that morning. If parents are going to be away for an extended period of time, the Director should be informed and changes in the child’s schedule sent to the teacher. If a caregiver will be picking up the child regularly, parents are asked to introduce him/her to the Director and staff so that they may become familiar with him/her.
Changes in the home situation (new baby, visiting grandparents, a death, etc.) often can affect a child’s attitudes about nursery school. We encourage parents to share this kind of information with the Director and staff, if necessary. Any personal information will be kept strictly confidential.
Nursery School Dress Code
The Nursery School requests that parents dress their children in sensible and safe clothing for school. Sneakers or rubber-soled shoes are most appropriate for running and climbing on the playground. Please do not send your child to school in Crocs or open-toed shoes. Comfortable clothing like jeans or overalls provide maximum movement for active children. Outdoor clothing as the season demands should include: hats, mittens, scarves, and warm jackets for winter, snow pants or snowsuits for extra cold and snowy days, and boots for rain, mud and snow.
Each child should bring a complete change of clothes to be kept in school in case of spills or accident. A smock or oversized shirt is also needed to protect clothing during art activities, water play, and easel painting. These items are kept in the child's cubby and should be clearly labeled with the child's full name.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Conferences for three and four year old classes are held twice yearly in December and March.
These conferences provide parents and teachers with the opportunity to share their thoughts
and perceptions regarding the children's progress. The Three Year Old Skills Evaluation and
Four Year Old Skill Evaluation forms focus on areas that include Emerging Literacy, Social
Skills, and Fine and Gross Motor Skills. Parents who wish to arrange for additional conferences
should contact the Director or teacher to schedule a convenient time.
Safety Rules
The safety and well-being of our children is the primary concern of the First Presbyterian Church Nursery School. We ask parents to be aware of the following rules:
- Please do not leave a child unattended anywhere in or around the Nursery School building. It is important to make sure the child's presence is acknowledged by a staff member before leaving the classroom.
- Please do not leave cars unattended on nursery school property during arrival and dismissal times. There is parking on the street and in the municipal parking lot in front of the nursery school.
- Please turn off your car engine when waiting in the pick-up and drop-off lines.
- Please use designated turn-around areas in the nursery school parking area.
- Please make sure that children are safely secured in car seats before leaving the parking area.
- Please be aware of pedestrian traffic. Little children often cannot be seen from the driver's side of the car.
- Please refrain from cell phone or PDA use while on school grounds.
- Please be patient, especially on Friday's when the greatest number of children are arriving and being dismissed at the same time.
School Closings and Delayed Openings
If the Greenwich Public Schools are closed or are opening late due to inclement weather, the Nursery School will be closed or have a delayed opening time. This information is always available by 6:30am on WGCH 1490 AM radio and Channel 12 Cable Television on the day in question. School delay and/or closing is at the discretion of the Director.
School Closings:
If the Greenwich Public Schools are CLOSED, the nursery school and "Two-by-Two" will be CLOSED for the day (am and pm programs).
School Delayed Opening:
If the Greenwich Public Schools are delayed ONE HOUR, the nursery school and "Two-by-Two" will open at 10:00am. Dismissal will be at 11:15am, 12:50pm, or 1:00pm depending on your child's individual am schedule. Afternoon classes will begin and end at the regularly scheduled time.
If the Greenwich Public Schools are delayed for 90 MINUTES or TWO HOURS, the nursery school and "Two-by-Two" will open at 10:30am. The only exception will be on Friday, when we will close due to our half day schedule.
**Please note that if the Greenwich Public Schools close at 1:15pm because of impending inclement weather, all afternoon classes will be cancelled (parents will be contacted by phone or e-mail) and an announcement will be made on WGCH 1490am.
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