Our Philosophy and Goals
To provide an environment which promotes the development of the child's inner resources - the capacity to think, create, problem-solve, to learn, to have courage, to risk failure, to be curious, to trust, to like himself/herself, and to care about others.We Believe That Children
* Learn best by discovery and experimentation
* Use materials such as blocks, clay, paint, sand and water to promote the discovery process
* Use arts as a medium for self-expression, communication and visual thinking
* Need an environment which is both permanent and flexible, stretching imaginations through field trips and visitors
* Need a positive way to express their feelings
Parent Participation
Parents are encouraged to visit and observe the school activities. After the second month of school appointments may be made for conferences regarding your child. Yearly March conferences will be announced in February for scheduling.We have a committee of parents to help the program run smoothly. Some policy issues as well as fund raising are some of the responsibilities of the group. If you would like to be involved, we would love to have you on our committee. We meet periodically for about 1 hour to discuss changes or additions to the program to better serve our families.
Discipline Behavior- Guidance
Our approach regarding discipline is to re-direct, guide and provide the child with words in order to help him/her problem solve. Using guidance, we encourage working with the child's individual needs. On rare occasions, we implement "time out" in order to allow the child an oppurtunity to reflect.Staff Training
All staff is required to be certified in CPR and First Aid yearly. All staff are also required to take 18-30 hours of ongoing training per year in childcare, Early Childhood Education and topics related to the age or characteristics of children for whom care is planned.Snacks
We wish to inform all parents that because the program is part of Temple Shalom, the only prepared foods designated as kosher are allowed in the building. Therefore, snacks are provided, we also avoid the use of sugar in any recipes and substitute honey instead. Meat, of any kind, is not permitted in the building.The school is happy to observe your child's birthday. If you want to send in a special treat, just let the teachers know when you would like to celebrate. Super Shaw's Bakery in Auburn is approved by the Temple.
Below are the Kosher Symbols that can be found on food packaging:
Special Needs
To afford individuals with disabilities the opportunity to participate in the program, we will make reasonable modifications to our policies and practices to include children, parents and guardians with disabilities, unless to do so would be a fundamental alteration of our program.Toys/Show and Tell
Please do not send in toy guns or any violent toys or weapons of any kind. Show and tell is on Thursday and Friday. Please send in only items that pertain to the week's theme. Of course, books are always welcome!Pick-Up and Drop-Off Time
We expect parents to pick up their children. If another person will be picking up your child please let us know.Pick-up and drop-off times are at 9:00 and 12:00. For the extended hours program pick-up and drop-off times are at 8:00 and 2:00 pm.
A 5-10 minute grace period is presently allowed for pick-up and drop-off of the children. The following policy will apply to parents who drop-off or pick-up beyond the presently allowed grace period: $5.00 charge will be added to your bill for the first 15 minutes and $1.00 for each minute interval thereafter.
For the safety of our children it is important for you to park in the lot rather than in the U-shaped driveway. This regulation is from the Auburn Fire Department.
Clothing
Your child will need extras of the following to be left at school: change of clothing and shoes (or slippers in winter), proper outdoor clothing and a paint smock. If your child needs a sunhat or sunscreen, send that along too.Please mark all items so they don't end up in the "lost and found".
Abuse
The Nursery School staff has a mandated responsibility to report reasonable cause of suspected abuse or neglect.Field Trips
Field Trips within our community will be planned throughout the year. At the time of registration you will be given a permission slip to sign. You will be notified in writing before each field trip. You will need to provide your child's car seat or booster as required by law. Most field trips will have a small cost which parents will have to provide. Parent drivers will need to have a motor vehicle background check to transport children on field trips. If we do not have enough parents to drive we will have to cancel our field trip.Illness
No child will be allowed at school with signs of illness; fever, nausea, severe coughing or with a communicable disease.Immunizations
At the time of enrollment you will need to provide a copy of your child's record of immunizations to be kept in their file. The exceptions to this state rule are those families that are exempt for religious, medical or conscience reasons. A letter of exemption will be needed for the file. If there should be an outbreak of communicable disease, state law requires that child be removed from the program until the outbreak no longer exists.Maine's Lifetime of Good Health :
At Birth: HepB
2 months: HepB+DTaP+PCV+Hib+Polio+Rotavirus
4 months: DTaP+PCV+Hib+Polio+Rotavirus
6 months: HepB+DTaP+PCV+Polio+Influenza+Rotavirus
12 months: MMR+Varicella+PCV+Hib+HepA
18 months:HepA+DTaP
4-6 years: MMR + DtaP +Polio + 2nd Varicella
For more information contact: The Maine Immunization Program : 1-800-867-4775
Medical Emergency
In case of a medical emergency, staff will attend to the child while the parents are being contacted and 911 called if so needed. The child will be transported to the hospital designated by the authorized forms signed by the parent at orientation or the first day of school.Medicine
Please inform the teachers if your child has any allergies, health concerns or contagious illnesses. Teachers cannot administer medications to your child. Please have all medications given at home. The only exception will be those that are needed as a part of the child's ongoing medical regimen, such as Epipen, inhalers or insulin.Toileting and Potty-Training
Children always have access to the bathroom for toileting. Assistance will be given to children who need it. Children are required to be potty-trained to attend nursery school.Fire Drills/Evacuation Site Plan
As required by the State Fire Marshall's Office, fire drills will be conducted monthly. Children will be instructed what to do in case of fire and will practice drills. In case of a fire in the building or other emergency that would require us to leave the building, we would meet at K-Mart and contact parents immediately.Typical Schedule:
Arrival Time 9:00 am (Extended Hours Arrival 8:00 am)
Free Play 9:00 - 9:40 am
(Games, Table Toys, Small group activities)
Pick-Up Time 9:40-9:45 am
Circle Time 9:45-10:10 am
Snack Time 10:10 - 10:30 am
Interest Centers/ 10:30 - 11:15 am
Art Room/
Craft Projects
Clean Up Time 11:15-11:20 am
Story Time 11:20-11:35 am
Outside Play/ 11:35-12:00pm
Social Hall
Large Motor Activities
Departure Time 12:00pm
Extended Hours:
Lunch 12:00-12:30 pm
Free play 12:30-12:45 pm
Rest 12:45-1:00 pm
Free Play 1:00-2:00 pm
(Games, Table Toys, Group activities, Art, Outside play)
Departure 2:00 pm