Little Giants Preschool information

Dear Parents/Guardians:

 

Welcome to Little Giants Preschool! We know that this is an exciting time your family's life, as your child prepares to enter the world outside your home. The staff at LGP is made up of individuals who know and love children. Their goal is to help your child grow by providing an exciting and stimulating program.

 

Participation in Little Giants Preschool is an opportunity for both children and families to explore new roles. The atmosphere is safe, caring, and encourages growth in families as well as children.

 

This handbook presents information that we hope will be helpful to you. It explains policies, procedures, and expectations that guide the functioning of Little Giants. Please review the section carefully for additional policies and procedures. 

 

We want you to be an ACTIVE PARTICIPANT in your child's education, because you, the parent/guardian, are your child's most important teacher. We will offer you opportunities to volunteer in the classroom, on field trips, and in many other areas. You are always welcome as an observer and a volunteer in the classroom. Teachers will welcome any questions, comments, or suggestions.

 

Our best wishes are extended to each of you for a successful and happy Little Giants experience. We are looking forward to serving your family. 

 

Sincerely, 

The Little Giants Preschool staff

1. Social Development and Emotional Development: Sense of self, responsibility for self and others, prosocial behavior
2. Physical Development: Gross motor skills (large muscle), and fine motor skills (small muscle)
3. Cognitive Development: Learning and problem solving, logical thinking, representation and symbolic thinking
4. Language Development: Listening, speaking, reading, and writing

1. Blocks: Children’s building goes through distinct stages. Children create designs and build what they see around them (i.e., roads, homes, and a zoo).
2. Dramatic Play: Pretend play is the way children make sense of their experiences. Children take on roles and pretend about a situation, use props, and play with other children.
3. Toys, Games, and Fine Motor: These materials teach cognitive skills, develop eye-hand coordination, and promote small muscle skills. Some are self-correcting and some are open-ended. 
4. Art: Children need time to explore and experiment with different art materials. Creative art is the way children express their own ideas and feelings.  Adults should not impose their own ideas and feelings. There are predictable stages in children’s artwork. 
5. Library: Children develop valuable literacy skills and a love for books. It is a quiet place to get away and enjoy books. 
6. Discovery (Math and Science): This is an area where children can make discoveries and experiment with materials. Adults can encourage a sense of wonder with children.
7. Sensory: These are soothing materials that calm children. There are scientific and mathematical discoveries children can make.
8. Music and Movement: Children develop coordination and learn concepts through songs. They develop listening skills and an appreciation of different kinds of music.
9. Technology: Technology is a part of everyday life. The apps selected engage children in active learning.
10. Writing: Children have the opportunity to develop early writing skills by exploring through the use of multiple tools and open-ended activities.
11. Gross Motor: Often gross motor time takes place outside, but during inclement weather conditions children have gross motor experiences inside. Children develop their large muscle skills and coordination.

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Speech Impairment
• Language Impairment
• Developmental Delay
• Emotional Disability
• Deaf or Hard of Hearing
• Specific Learning Disability
• Intellectual Disability
• Multiple Disabilities
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Other Health Impairment
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Blind or Low Vision
• Deaf-Blind

A field trip is an educational experience that helps a child learn about their community, experience new activities, and broaden their vocabulary. When educational field trips are planned for the children, parents/guardians will receive notification in advance. Permission slips for each field trip must be signed by a parent or guardian in order for the child to attend the field trip. DUE TO MARION COMMUNITY SCHOOL’S LIABILITY INSURANCE, ONLY LITTLE GIANTS CHILDREN, PARENTS AND ADULT VOLUNTEERS MAY GO ON FIELD TRIPS. All Little Giants children will ride school buses to minimize liability concerns. Volunteers are needed for most field trips. Please contact your child’s teacher if you can help with the trip. Every adult volunteer that wishes to attend a field trip must have a criminal background check completed. You may get a criminal background check form from the Little Giants staff member. 

Sometimes pets may be shared with the children. Parents/guardians need to inform their child’s teacher about any fears or allergy conditions their child may have. Before pets can be brought to the classroom, parents/guardians must contact the teacher so a special time can be planned. The State of Indiana requires that animals subject to rabies be immunized. Animals must be secured in a manner that prevents any possible injury to the children or animals. Turtles are not allowed.

1. Do not bring your child more than 5 minutes early. Please be sure to pick up your child promptly when your child’s class is dismissed.  
2. You must come in to sign your child in at the beginning of their session and out at the end. Please sign both your first and last names and write down a telephone number where you can be reached during the class session. Older siblings may not bring a Preschool student into the school.
3. Your child will be released ONLY to the individuals on the Pick-up Authorization form. If your child is going to be picked up by someone not on the Pick-up Authorization form, your child’s teacher must be notified in writing. To add someone by phone to the Authorization for Pick Up list, you must provide your family’s password to a Little Giants staff member. You will choose a password when filling out the form.
4. Please make sure to keep your Pick-up Authorization form up-to-date.
5. A child will not be released to anyone who appears to be intoxicated or impaired.
6. PLEASE TURN VEHICLE OFF AND PARK IN A DESIGNATED PARKING SPOT WHEN YOU PICK UP/DROP OFF YOUR CHILD. ALWAYS HOLD YOUR CHILD’S HAND WHILE WALKING IN THE PARKING LOT. 

1. Volunteer time to the Little Giants program.
2. Attend parent / guardian meetings.
3. Attend parent / guardian education workshops.
4. Accompany your child to doctors and dentists.

1. Ensure that your child’s arrival and departure times adhere to the school schedule
   • Morning classes: 7:30 to 10:40 a.m.
   • Afternoon classes: 11:25 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.
   • Full-day classes: 7:30 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.
2. Inform the school concerning absences.
3. Inform the school immediately concerning changes in your address and/or phone number.
4. Participate in parent/teacher conferences.

• Pants with elastic waist
• Belts with small buckles (child should be able to open) 
• Shoes with rubber soles
• Sweaters or coats with large buttons
• Jacket or sweater in warm weather, heavier coats for cold weather, hats, mittens, or heavy socks (Keep in mind the temperature and dress accordingly.)
• If dresses are worn in cold weather, girls should have their legs covered (tights or leggings)

If the above discipline techniques are not effective, then a behavior plan will be developed by a team composed of any or all of these people: parent, administrator, teacher, nurse, and mental health coordinator. Options of community resources will be presented to parent(s)/guardian(s) as an additional resource of support for their student.

If a child is endangering him/herself or others, it may be necessary for a staff member to move the child in order to keep everyone safe. When a child is engaging in behavior that creates an unsafe environment, a phone call will be made to the mental health coordinator, mental health support specialist, the preschool director, or the building principal or assistant principal. They will give direction as to the next steps.

 

If necessary, a parent will be called.

 

If all interventions are unsuccessful, based on the circumstances, a decision will be made to have the family come to the school and be with the child in class or take the child home. If the child goes home, the mental health coordinator or support specialist will follow up with the family as needed.

 

If the unsafe behaviors become a pattern, the mental health coordinator will work with the teacher and parents to develop a plan for the student. Once the plan is in place, they will meet again in two weeks to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan and make changes as needed.

 

The mental health coordinator will also utilize other community resources as needed. 

Some children may not be developmentally ready for our preschool schedule. Because of this, we have developed a safety contract for our families to sign. 
 
Your child’s teacher will discuss your child’s behavior if there are any concerns. If your child’s teacher is seeing a pattern of behavior that is not safe and as a result limits your child's learning or that of the other students in the class, the following plan of action will be set in place.

* After the second or third meeting, options of community resources will be presented to parent(s)/guardians(s) as an additional resource of support for their student.

This process may be shortened if the director and mental health coordinator assess the behaviors to be unsafe to the point of needing to reduce the day more immediately.

Little Giants Preschool believes in early intervention and prevention. Children grow rapidly during the preschool years. Your child will be screened for speech and hearing after they have been coming to school for a few weeks. If there is concern with your child’s hearing or speech, staff members will talk to you about a more formal evaluation.

An important part of early intervention and prevention is maintaining up-to-date immunizations. By state law, all students must be properly immunized in order to enroll in school. Click here to view the Health section of this handbook for more information on specific required immunizations.

Head Start believes that every child must be healthy to take full advantage of our program. To promote good health, the Health Coordinator screens and monitors your child’s health during the Head Start year.
 
To ensure children’s health, each child is required to be up to date on physical and dental examinations by a doctor BEFORE entering the program. Preschoolers should have a well-child exam done by their doctor every year and a routine dental exam every 6 months by their dentist. A Head Start physical and dental form was given to you at orientation. Contact your doctor and dentist to fill out a form from the most recent visit or to schedule an appointment, if needed. Head Start must receive your completed forms for your enrollment to be considered complete. After the forms are received by our office, our Health Coordinator will review the forms and take note of any follow-up work that your child needs. The Health Coordinator or Social Services personnel will discuss your child’s needs with you.

If your child has a fever of 100 degrees or more, he/she cannot come to Little Giants Preschool. Your child’s temperature must return to normal (96 to 99 degrees) without the use of medication, and stay at that temperature for 24 hours before your child returns to school. If your child’s fever is 104 degrees or higher, call your doctor immediately.

• Diarrhea (more than one abnormally loose stool within a 24-hour period)
• Conjunctivitis (reddened, swollen, matted, itchy eyes)
• Temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit
• Vomiting

• pain
• rash, redness
• chicken pox
• cough
• itching
• pink eye
• bad stomach ache
• fever (100 or above)
• ringworm
• diarrhea or vomiting
• lice
• scabies
• sore throat    

The Little Giants Staff cannot give any medication without signed permission from the parent/guardian and written authorization by a doctor. Click here to view the Health section of this handbook for more information on in-school use of medication, including how to provide such permission.

1. Don’t panic, and don’t blame your child.
2. Check the scalp of all other household members. This is a difficult task and requires time and patience. A flashlight and magnifying glass may be helpful. Treat family members accordingly.
3. Read the directions and use the product as directed.
4. Be sure to discard all brushes, combs, and hair accessories.
5. Remove the nits from the hair. This is a very difficult task and requires time and patience. There are products that help loosen the nits from the hair.
6. Strip all beds and wash blankets, sheets, and pillows in hot water.
7. Wash all coats and hats.
8. Put stuffed animals in a plastic bag and tie shut for two weeks.
9. Sweep all carpets, sofa, chairs, and car seats.

Arriving to school on time each day is very important. Children are expected to be on time when they arrive at school. The morning class and full day class begin at 7:30 a.m. and the afternoon class begins at 11:20 a.m. Children arriving after 7:50 a.m. in the morning class or 11:35 a.m. in the afternoon class will be considered tardy.  

Ensuring children arrive at school on time each day is very important. It is also very important that children are picked up on time each day. Each session has a stated dismissal period, and all children should be picked up during this time each day. Little Giants Preschool does understand and recognize that emergency situations arise and will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to share this policy with all people that will be picking up children from Little Giants Preschool. 

All information about families and children in the Little Giants Preschool Program is strictly confidential. Staff members and parents/guardians are not permitted to discuss facts about the families or children outside of the program. Being confidential protects not only yourself, but also the rights of others. All Little Giants Preschool student information is kept in locked files.

Parents/guardians are the most important influence on their child’s development. An important part of every Little Giants Preschool program is the involvement of parents/guardians in the operation of the program. Parents/guardians are encouraged to become involved in family events, parent workshops, and assist Little Giant staff members in the classrooms. 

• Family Events
• Parent Workshops

• Preparation work for the teacher; such as cutting, stapling, coloring, etc.

• Parent Meetings
• Policy Council 

• NO SMOKING OR VAPING IN LITTLE GIANTS PRESCHOOL BUILDINGS
• NO SMOKING ON PLAYGROUNDS OR WHERE CHILDREN CAN OBSERVE ADULTS SMOKING OR VAPING
• NO SMOKING OR VAPING ON BUSSES
• NO SMOKING OR VAPING ON FIELD TRIPS
• NO SMOKING OR VAPING ON ANY MARION COMMUNITY SCHOOLS PROPERTY

• To be age-eligible, children must be 3 years old
• Must live in Grant County
• Little Giants Preschool serves children with disabilities

• Funded by the Federal Government
• Families must meet income guidelines
• Child must be at least 3 years old and not age-eligible for kindergarten
• Child must live in Grant County
• Classes are at the four Marion elementary buildings

• Funded by a State Grant
• Families must meet income guidelines
• All adults in the home must be working or attending school
• Child must be 4 years old by August 1 of the school year
• Child must live in Grant County
• Classes are at the four Marion elementary buildings
   

• Federal funds allocated by Marion Community Schools
• $400/year registration fee for full day, $200/year registration fee for ½ day
• No income guidelines
• Child must be at least 3 years old by August 1 of the school year
• Child must be planning on attending Marion Community Schools for kindergarten
• Classes are at the four Marion elementary buildings
       

• Must be 3 years old
• Child must live in the Marion Community Schools district
• Child must qualify through MCS Special Services