Preschool Handbook 2024-2025

Philosophy and Goals

The center’s purpose is to provide a safe nurturing and stimulating environment for the enhancement of each child’s social, emotional, cognitive, spiritual and physical potential.  We do this by creating an environment that challenges the child to explore, discover and create.  We also believe in modeling the Christian values that the Catholic Church teaches by the words and actions that we employ while working with the children.  The center is viewed as a precursor to, but not a requirement of, the child’s enrollment at St. Sebastian Parish School.

The goals of the center are:

  • To instill a love of learning and a hunger for knowledge and creativity. 
  • To meet the individual child’s needs for spiritual, social-emotional, cognitive and physical growth.
  • To help prepare the individual child for the elementary school experience.
  • To provide parents with an opportunity to better understand their child’s development and how to encourage and foster the attainment of their child’s potential.

License

The St. Sebastian Center for Early Learning is licensed by the Ohio Department of Education, License # 052522.060962.  The program license and letter(s) of compliance are posted on the parent bulletin board in the main hallway of the preschool.  Parents may obtain a copy of the inspection reports by making a request to the director.  Parents may file a complaint about the program by calling the Ohio Department of Education, 877-644-6338.

Admission Policies and Procedures

A child is considered to be enrolled in the center only after the registration fee has been received, the administrator confirms the availability of space and the required paperwork is received.  This includes basic enrollment and health information.  Any change to this information must be communicated to the director immediately so that current information is always on file.  This is for the safety of your child.  A medical form signed by a physician, physician’s assistant, clinical nurse specialist or certified nurse practitioner is required to be submitted within 30 days of admission.  This medical form must be updated every 13 months from the date that the exam occurred. Healthchek services are available for families that are eligible for Medicaid.  Healthchek is Ohio’s Early And Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) Program.

It is a service package for babies, Kids, and young adults younger that age 21 who are in enrolled on Ohio Medicaid.

The Purpose of Healthchek is to discover and treat health problems early.  If a potential health problem is found, further diagnosis and treatment are covered by Medicaid.

Healthchek covers ten check-ups in the first two years of life and annual check-ups thereafter and offers a comprehensive physical examination that includes:

  • Medical history
  • Complete unclothed exam (with parent approval)
  • Developmental screening (to assess if child’s physical and mental abilities are age appropriate)
  • Vision screening
  • Dental screening
  • Hearing assessment
  • Immunization assessment (making sure child receives them on time)
  • Lead screening
  • Other services or screenings as needed

If your children are enrolled on Ohio Medicaid, Healthchek services are available to them.  If you are younger than age 21 and are also enrolled, you can receive Healthchek services, too.

If you are interested in more information about this service, please visit: http://medicaid.ohio.gov/FOROHIOANS/Programs/Healthchek.aspx

Registration Procedures

Online registration will begin on Sunday, January 28th during our Catholic Schools Week Open House.  Notices of registration will be placed in the Parish Bulletin prior to that date.  The director or teacher will meet with the “new” parents before registration is finalized.

Fees

A non-refundable registration fee of $150.00 per family is to be paid at the time of registration.   

Tuition
  • 4 and 5 year old full day students (M-F)         $377.08 per month /  $4525 per year  
  • 4 A.M.  (M-F)                                                   $216.67 per month /  $2600 per year
  • 3 A.M. (M-TH)                                                  $190.42 per month /  $2285 per year

Tuition for preschool is charged on an annual basis.  Payments may be made monthly beginning in July and ending in June. There is no deduction in tuition for days that the school is closed for holidays, snow days, or teacher in-service days.

Our Tax ID number is available upon request for those families qualifying for Child Care Credit on their income tax forms.

Rebates/Overtime Charges

If a parent pays tuition in advance and finds that he/she must withdraw their child early, the parent will receive a reimbursement of all “unused” time.  If a parent does not provide a two week notice of withdrawal, they will relinquish the equivalent of two weeks tuition.

Aftercare is available on school days from 2:30 – 5:30. Charges are based on daily attendance at rate of $12 per day for each child with an enrollment fee of $20.00. 

This rate includes siblings enrolled in the St. Sebastian School Aftercare program. Aftercare payments will be deducted from your FACTS Tuition Account on a monthly basis.

Inclement Weather/Calamity Days

Inclement Weather/Calamity Days:  On rare occasions, it may be necessary to close the center due to poor weather conditions or other occurrences beyond our control.  This information will be managed by the Instant School Alert System through local TV networks, by the Diocese of Cleveland Management System via text and the Bloomz communication app. If AKRON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS or AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS are closed, we are usually closed.  Anytime the principal of St. Sebastian School closes the school, the preschool is also closed. 

Hours and Days of Operation

The St. Sebastian Center for Early Learning follows the St. Sebastian School Calendar (see attached) with only slight modifications.  We will begin the school year one week later than the day school and will end one week earlier.

The hours of operation vary depending upon the class in which your child is enrolled.

  • 4 and 5 year olds, full day                 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.- Monday- Friday
  • 4 year half day                                  8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.- Monday-Friday                    
  • 3 year half day                                  8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.- Monday-Thursday

Aftercare is available from 2:30-6:00 Monday through Friday on school days.

Staff Child Ratios and Maximum Group Size

The center observes the following staff/child ratios and small group sizes which are required by law:

Staff/child ratios:                  

  • 3 year olds-1:6                                
  • 4 and 5 year olds-1:8                       

The ratios that the St. Sebastian Center for Early Learning maintains are lower than are required by law.  The average ratio overall is 1:6, with group sizes much lower than required.  This allows us to give your child more individualized learning opportunities.

Maximum group size is defined by the number of children in one group that may be cared for at any time.  Limitations do not include naptime, lunch time, outdoor play or special activities.

Supervision Policy

Supervision of Preschoolers:  At no time will a child be left unattended.  Staff will supervise children at all times, including naptime.  If a child becomes ill they may be isolated in a section of the room not in use, but within the sight and hearing of a staff member.

Arrival/Departure

A teacher’s aide will be at the door to greet children as they arrive and to usher them inside the building.  They will then enter the classroom to be greeted by the teacher.  If a child arrives after the normal arrival time, the parent is to ring the door buzzer to be admitted into the building and will present the child to the classroom teacher.

At dismissal, either the teacher or aide will walk the children out to the south facing door where parents will pick them up. 

Release of Child from Center

The release of a child from the center to anyone other than a parent or guardian or other specifically designated person will require written permission or verbal confirmation from the parent. Parents are asked to complete a form that allows them to list all persons permitted to pick up their child at dismissal or in case of illness.

Custody Arrangements

If specific court ordered custody arrangements exist, a copy of the document must remain in the child’s folder.  The center may not deny a parent access to their child without proper documentation.

Attendance

Teachers will note arrival and dismissal of child on the attendance form as each occurs.  Attendance forms will remain with the group at all times including outdoor play time, routine field trips, school programs or to anywhere the group may travel.

Child Abuse Reporting

All staff members are mandated reporters of child abuse.  If staff  have suspicions that a child is being abused or neglected, they MUST make a report to the local children’s services agency.  The safety of the children is always our first concern.

Field Trips/Transportation of Children

The center will not transport children in life threatening emergency situations.  If a child requires transportation, the parent or the emergency squad will be contacted.

The policy for transportation for routine trips, field trips or special outings:  The center will solicit volunteer parent drivers who have a valid Ohio Driver’s License and available working seatbelts for all children riding in their vehicle.  For those children who weigh less than 40 pounds, the parent will provide a car seat to be used.  A staff member trained in First Aid, CPR, and Communicable Disease will attend the field trip and will be responsible for carrying a First Aid Kit.  Before departing the center, a count will be taken of all the children using the teacher’s attendance form.  Upon arrival at the destination, attendance will again be taken with a periodic attendance taken during a prolonged visit.  The same attendance routine will be repeated for the return trip to the center.  Before any child participates in either a routine or field trip, the center will obtain written permission from the parent or guardian using the prescribed Diocesan Field Trip Permission Form.

Guidance Policy

St. Sebastian Center for Early Learning staff believes that helping the child to learn self-control is very important.  Our hope is that each child will learn self discipline through careful guidance.  Your child will be treated with love and respect.  If children are treated with respect, they in turn learn to respect the teachers and their friends.  Our expectations will be kept within the child’s capabilities and the child will be made aware of these expectations.  Positive reinforcement (commenting on children doing the “right” thing) and positive redirection (removing the child and giving them an appropriate activity) will be used.  A child may be asked to sit for a short period of time to give the child a chance to regain control if they are having a difficult time.  Time outs or Thinking Time will be age appropriate in length and done within the classroom.  A teacher will ask the child if they are ready to return to the group.  Staff will not impose punishments for failure to eat, sleep or toileting accident.  This discipline policy applies to all staff and parents while they are at the center.

If the child demonstrates behavior that requires “extra attention” from the staff member, we may choose to develop and implement a behavior management plan.  This plan would be developed in consultation with the parents and could be consistent with the requirements of Rule 5101:2-12-22 OAC.

If for some reason the child becomes a true danger to himself or others because of his/her ongoing actions the parents may be asked to withdraw the child from the program.  This would be most extreme case and would occur after conferences with the teacher, director and parents.  The school principal would also be involved in this decision.

Behavior Management/Discipline Policy

The following policy is mandated to be added to the Parent Handbook.

A preschool staff member in charge of a child or a group of children shall be responsible for their discipline. 

The center shall have a written discipline policy describing the center’s philosophy of discipline and the specific methods of discipline used at the center. This written policy shall be on file at the center for review.  (See above “Guidance Policy”)  Constructive, developmentally appropriate child guidance and management techniques are to be used at all times, and shall include such measures as redirection, separation from problem situations, talking about the situation, and praise for appropriate behavior.

The center’s actual methods of discipline shall apply to all persons on the premises and shall be restricted as follows:

  • There shall be no cruel, harsh, corporal punishment or any unusual punishments such as but not limited to, punching, pinching, shaking, spanking or biting.
  • No discipline shall be delegated to any other child.
  • No physical restraints shall be used to confine a child by any means other than holding a child for a short period of time, such as in a protective hug, so the child may regain control.
  • No child shall be placed in a locked room or confined in an enclosed area such as a closet, a box, or a similar cubicle.
  • No child shall be subjected to profane language, threats, derogatory remarks about himself or his family, or other verbal abuse.
  • Discipline shall not be imposed on a child for failure to eat, failure to sleep or for toileting accidents.
  • Discipline shall not humiliate, shame, or frighten a child.
  • Discipline shall not include withholding food, rest or toilet use. 
  • Separation, when used as discipline, shall be brief in duration and appropriate to the child’s age and developmental ability, and the child shall be within sight and hearing of a preschool staff member in a safe, lighted and well-ventilated space.
  • The center shall not abuse or neglect children and shall protect children from abuse and neglect while in attendance in the preschool program.

 The parent of a child enrolled in a center shall receive the center’s written discipline policy.  (See above “Guidance Policy”)

All preschool staff members shall receive a copy of the center’s discipline policy for review upon employment. 

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Daily Schedules

Four and Five Year Old Class – Full Day Pre-K  (Monday through Friday)

  • 8:00-8:45                         Arrival/Free Play- fine motor manipulatives, small group  activities, social skill development/Art- creative                                                       expression and fine motor development
  • 8:45-10:00                    Circle Time (calendar, weather, prayer)Music and Movement- motor skills, songs, creative expression through                                                 dance and movement, follow directions, group learning activity.
  • 10:00-10:30                 Outside Play (physical fitness, gross motor development, exploration and exploration of nature)
  • 10:35-11:00                  Story time- Language Arts emphasis
  • 11:00-12:00                  Lunch
  • 12:00-1:00                       Rest Time/Quiet Time with Music and Stories
  • 1:00-1:30                         Teacher Directed Activities- Journal activities, table activities such as Weekly Reader and paper, pencil,       
  • 1:30-2:00                         Outside Play- see above
  • 2:00-2:10                         Snack
  • 2:10-2:25                         Closing Circle- recall details of the day
  • 2:30                                Dismissal 

 

Four Year Old Class – Morning (Monday - Friday)

  • 8:00-9:00                               Free Play-fine motor manipulatives, small group activities, social skill development/Art-creative expression and                                                  fine motor development
  • 9:00-9:30                               Circle Time with prayer, calendar, weather chart, current events topic/question of the day, song, story
  • 9:30-9:45                              Snack
  • 10:00-10:30                          Outside Play (physical fitness, gross motor development, exploration and exploration of nature)
  • 10:30-11:00                          Small Group Learning Activities and Seat Work. Includes: science, Weekly Reader, Religion, letter of the week,                                                 language arts, math

Three Year Old Class – Morning (Monday through Thursday)

  • 8:00-9:00                         Arrival/Free Play/ Art- fine motor manipulatives, small group activities, social skill development / Art-creative                                                expression and fine motor development
  • 9:00-9:30                          Snack
  • 9:30-10:00                        Prayer, Calendar, Weather, Pledge
  • 10:00-10:25                     Outside Play (physical fitness, gross motor development, exploration and exploration of nature)
  • 10:30-11:00                     Story time- Language Arts emphasis Songs, Music/Movement/Group Games
  • 11:00                               Dismissal

Meals and Snacks 

The noon meal, which parents must provide, must include food from the basic food groups which supply 1/3 of the child recommended daily dietary allowance.  The noon meal will be served to every child present at the center from 11:00 to 1:30 inclusively.  A snack which includes 2 of the 4 basic food groups will be served during the time posted on the schedule for the individual classrooms.  Parents will send in boxes or bags of healthy carbohydrates on a rotating basis.  Notices will be sent home.  The preschool will provide water, fruit or fruit juice.

For those students bringing their lunch, one third of the daily dietary allowance would include nutritional food from the following food groups:  protein, grain, and two foods from the fruit/vegetable group.  A milk product is also required and may be purchased at the center.  All food items must be stored in the refrigerator.  If a lunch does not meet the nutritional requirements then the center is mandated to provide the additional food(s).  If a child’s lunch is frequently supplemented by the center, a charge of $1.00 per item will be charged.

Accidents/Emergencies

School safety drills will take place at intervals throughout the year.  Staff provides students with strategies to utilize in the event there is an unsafe situation or individual in the school setting.  As is any other emergency, students, staff, and guests will be expected to follow the directions of the school officials.  These plans are filed with local and state emergency and government offices annually.

The school has devised several procedures to follow in the event that an emergency would occur while a child is in the center’s care.  In the event of a fire or tornado, staff would follow the written instructions posted in each classroom, describing emergency evacuation routes, and the procedures to be followed to assure that children have arrived at the designated spot.  In order to prepare children for the unlikely need to evacuate, the school does conduct monthly fire drills and periodic tornado drills.  Both students and staff participate in school safety drills at intervals throughout the year.  Should we need to evacuate due to fire or weather conditions, or the loss of power, heat or water to the center, our emergency destination is the school gymnasium located across the street on S. Hawkins Ave. (Byrider Hall).  School communication systems will be utilized to inform you of the location where you can pick up your child.  Parents will be contacted as soon as possible to come to pick up your child.  If a parent cannot be reached, we will contact the emergency contacts as listed on your child’s enrollment information.  A copy of your child’s emergency transportation authorization is included in the St. Sebastian School Emergency Kit. 

There is always at least one staff member present that has received training in First Aid/Communicable Diseases, CPR, and Administration of Medication.  In the case of a minor accident/injury staff will administer basic first aid and TLC.  If the injury would be more serious, first aid would be administered and the parents would be contacted immediately to assist in deciding an appropriate course of action.  If any injury is life threatening, the EMS will be contacted, parents will be notified, and a staff member will accompany the child to the hospital with all available health records.  Staff may not transport children in their vehicles.  Only parents or EMS will transport. 

An incident/injury report will be completed and given to the person picking up the child on the day of the incident/injury, if any of the following occur:  The child has an illness, accident or injury which requires first aid; the child receives a bump or blow to the head; the center has to administer charcoal (for poisoning); the child has to be transported by emergency squad; or an unusual or unexpected event occurs which jeopardizes the safety of the child.  If a child requires emergency transportation, the report shall be available within twenty-four hours after the incident occurs.

Management of Illnesses

St. Sebastian Center for Early Learning provides children with a clean and healthy environment and teaches children basic hygiene and self care.  However, we realize that children become ill from time to time.  If this is your child’s first group experience, it is possible that they may experience more frequent illness at the beginning before their immune system becomes more active.  We observe all children as they enter the program to quickly assess their general health.  At all times that the center is open to children, one or more staff members will be trained in recognizing illness and communicable disease.  Please plan ahead and have a back up care plan in place if you are not able to take time off from work/school.

If teachers or aides are ill a substitute will be asked to fill in for them.

Parents are asked to keep their child home from the center if they feel their child is ill or exhibits the following symptoms.  The following symptoms will also require isolation and discharge from the center if the onset is during the school day.

  • Temperature of 100 degrees F – in combination with any other signs of illness
  • Diarrhea (more than three abnormally loose stool within a 24 hour period)
  • Severe coughing (causing the child to become red in the face or to make a whooping sound)
  • Difficult or rapid breathing
  • Yellowish skin or eyes
  • Redness of the eye, obvious discharge, matted eyelashes, burning, itching
  • Untreated skin patches, unusual spot or rashes
  • Unusually dark urine or gray or white stools
  • Elevated temperature with a stiff neck
  • Evidence of untreated lice, scabies, or other parasitic infestation
  • Vomiting
  • Sore throat or difficulty swallowing

Any child demonstrating signs of illness not listed above will be isolated and carefully observed for symptoms.  The parent will be notified.  If a child does not feel well enough to participate in center activities the parent will be called to pick up the child.  Anytime a child is isolated they will be kept within sight and hearing of a staff member.  The cot and any linens used will be washed and disinfected before being used again.

Parents will be notified by written note if children have been exposed to a communicable illness.  Children will be readmitted to the center after at least 72 hours of  being free of fever and other symptoms.  If they are not symptom free a doctor’s not will be required stating that the child is not contagious. The ODHS Communicable Disease Chart is located in the main hall of the center.

Medications

The center will administer medications to a child only after the parent completes a request for Medication Form.  All proper sections must be completed and the medication handed to the teacher each day.  Medications will be stored in a locked container and may NOT be stored in the child’s cubbie or bookbag. 

Prescription medications must be in their original container and administered in accordance to instructions on the label.  Over the counter medication must also be administered in accordance to label instructions.  If parents request any different dosages or uses, a physician must provide written instructions on the Medication Form.  Over the counter medications will not be administered for more than three days without instructions from a physician.

Food Supplements or Modified Diets

If your child requires a food supplement or a modified diet, you must secure written information from your physician regarding this.  Please speak with the administrator for more details regarding this.

Outdoor Play

Outdoor play time is included in the child’s daily schedule.  We will limit the amount of time outside when the temperatures are very warm or very cold.  Children will not be taken outside when the temperature (wind chill and heat index factored in) drops below 20 degrees or rises above 90 degrees.  If the situation requires it we will also adjust outdoor time due to rain, threatening weather, ozone warnings, etc.  On days that outdoor play is not provided due to these conditions, we will include a time for indoor gross motor activities.  Please send your children with the proper clothing so they may be comfortable and safe whenever we are outside.  This includes snowpants, hats, mittens, and boots in the winter time.

Parent Participation

If a parent needs assistance with a problem or complaint related to the child care program, the parent is asked to first talk to the teacher if it is directly classroom related. 

If the problem or complaint is still not resolved, the parent can then talk to the St. Sebastian School Principal.

Parent participation is welcomed in the classroom providing that the participation is approved by the classroom teacher in advance.  Parents may be asked to assist in holiday celebrations or special events.

Parents are asked to meet with teachers after the 2:30 dismissal if they have questions regarding their child’s progress or to exchange information about the program and/or their child.  We ask that parents respect the time that teachers are scheduled to be with the children in the classroom.

The center provides scheduled parent/teacher conferences to discuss the child’s behavior, progress, social and physical needs or any other pertinent matter.  These conferences will occur in the fall and spring of each year.  Parents or teachers may request a conference at any time.

Daily notes to the teacher should be handed to the teacher’s aide at the door at the time of your child’s arrival or handed to the teacher if the parent walks the child into the center.

Any parent of a child enrolled in the program shall be permitted unlimited access to the school during its hours of operation to contact a child, evaluate the care provided by the program, the premises, or for other purposes approved by the director. Upon entering the premises, the parent shall report to the school office.

Birthdays

Children love celebrating their birthday and we love celebrating with them.  In order to not “overdue the day” we keep the celebration simple by asking you to send in a special treat for your child to share at snack time.  Please make arrangements with the classroom teacher in advance of the special day.