Enrolled Students
We thank you for choosing Miss Barbara's and want you to know that we value our relationship with you.  This booklet was compiled to answer just a few of the questions parents usually pose.  Please feel comfortable to call with any questions, comments or concerns.   Working together, we can create a positive, valuable growth experience for our children.

The First Day of School
Many children feel anxious about the first day of school, and understandably, so do many of our parents.  In our experience, separation can be made easier if we follow a few basic guidelines:

1. Dress your child in familiar comfortable play clothes.
2. Keep parent child goodbyes brief.  If your child is upset and crying, please leave and trust us to comfort them.  Please be assured that we will call you as soon as possible to inform you of their adjustment.
3. Do not plan to take “1^st day photos” at the beginning of the school day, wait until dismissal.
4. Name tags will be provided, please have your child wear their name tag the entire month of September.
5. Provide us with a gallon size Ziplock bag with a complete change of clothes.  These clothes will remain in the building for the school year.
6. Please do not allow your child to bring toys, blankets or pacifiers to school.

Arrival and Dismissal
M-W-F AM Session
Arrival 9:00am to 9:15am
Dismissal 11:45am to 12noon

T-TH AM Session
Arrival 9:00am to 9:15am
Dismissal 11:15am to 11:30am

Please adhere to the above schedule when dropping off and picking up your child.

Release Policy

1. You must present photo ID when picking up your child
2. Anyone other than a parent picking up your child must appear on our Emergency Release form and show Photo ID. If they are not on the form, we will not release your child.
3. Please inform the school in writing that someone other than a parent/guardian will be picking up your child.
4. After photo ID has been checked, you will be let into the building and receive a card with your child’s name written on the front. Present that card to the teacher dismissing the children from our block room.

Good Neighbor/Parking Policies
We are a commercial building in a residential area. Please inform all individuals transporting your child to and from school.

1. Do not block our neighbor’s mailboxes or driveways.
2. We like our parents to get to know one another; however please leave the area immediately after dropping off and picking up your child.
3. Do not park in the school driveway or in front of the driveway
4. ALL U-TURNS MUST be made at either corner at the end of the block. For the safety of all children, DO NOT make U-turns in the middle of the block.

Calendars
An Annual Calendar with holiday closings will be distributed at the beginning of the school year.  In addition, each month you will receive a Monthly Activity Calendar.  The monthly calendar is mainly sent home to eliminate the necessity of sending “request messages” to you.  It lets you know what your child needs to bring to school, when your child needs to wear a certain color, or when we are expecting a special visitor. It is also a useful tool for the teachers because it reinforces their planned educational program. Please know this is just a basic calendar and not our entire curriculum. Future newsletters and teacher communication will keep you better informed.

Class Parents
Each session will have class parents.  A volunteer notice will be distributed in September.  Class parents will be chosen in a random drawing.  Responsibilities will include:

1. Creating a friendship list with phone numbers and emails for your session
2. Help with parties and special event days
3. Help with our Annual Food Drive and Winter Coat Drive

Snacks
A small snack is provided daily during classroom time.  Due to many different allergies, we do not allow outside food to be brought into the school.  If your child has a food allergy, please call the school for details and procedures relating to food and your child.

Birthdays
If you would like to celebrate your child’s Birthday in school, please inform one of the teachers to reserve a specific date. We do not allow outside food.

You may send your child’s favorite book to be read in class, we will sing Happy Birthday and your child will receive a Birthday Crown. We make it a special day for them.

Illness
Please do not send your child to school if he/she has the following symptoms

• Runny nose
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

If your child develops any of the above symptoms while in school, they will be separated from the other children and we will call you to pick up your child. You will be referred to your healthcare provider for further evaluation.  The areas that the child occupied will be cleaned and disinfected following the guideline set forth by the DOH and CDC.

There are no make-up days due to absenteeism.

Tuition
Tuition is an Annual Fee broken into a 10-payment plan for convenience.  Tuition is based on the number of school days per year.  The monthly payment amount does not represent the perspective month it is made. There is no reimbursement for holidays, sick days or emergency school closings.

Payment #1 is received with registration; the remaining nine payments are due the first of every month from September thru May.  These payments are automatically due, we do not send bills.  Any payment received after the 10^th  of the month will incur a $25.00 late fee.  Returned checks will be charged a $30.00 Bank Fee and must be replaced with cash, money order or certified check.  Miss Barbara’s Preschool reserves the right to discontinue providing service for non-payment of tuition. 

Emergency Closings
In the event of inclement weather, closings will be posted on LongIslandNews12.com.  We do not follow the school district for emergency closings.

Parent/Teacher Communication
It is our practice to communicate with parents through the use of newsletters/notices and calendars.   Annual Parent/Teacher Conferences are held in March.  If you have any concerns prior to conferences, we encourage you to call or email the school.  The safety and welfare of each child is our utmost priority; therefore, the teachers are unable to confer with parents during the regular school session or arrival and dismissal.  If you have a specific concern, we can set some time aside before or after school.

Keep Us Informed
Please be sure to let us know if something happens that may affect your child emotionally.  Events such as a neighbor moving, a family member being ill, or the loss of a pet are subjects that can easily be opened for discussion in school.  It gives all the children the opportunity to talk about situations that can be confusing and can often cause them to feel uncomfortable about being away from home.

We are looking forward to a wonderful school year.