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Jacob’s Ladder
at
Central Synagogue of Nassau County
Early Childhood Director: Robyn Teigman
JACOB’S LADDER at CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Preschool is your child’s introduction to the world of school. This first time experience is an important milestone in a child’s life, as well as in the life of the parents.
Jacob’s Ladder provides a creative, safe and stimulating environment for each and every child. The strengths and weaknesses of each child are a major focus of our program.
Our philosophy provides a hands-on, experiential approach to learning. It is our belief that children learn best by “doing”. Our program provides a loving and nurturing atmosphere, allowing each child to develop individually and enjoy a positive attitude towards both himself/herself and school. We provide outstanding teachers, educational programs and materials in a clean, safe, secure and attractive facility.
Our facility includes an outdoor playground, as well as, a state of the art indoor gym to further enhance both gross motor skills and socialization.
REGISTRATION
Information on your child must be filed by the first week of school
• Provide necessary information on registration forms.
• Insure that the child’s immunizations are kept up-to-date, and provide the
immunization information, as well as, a medical health examination with physician’s signature as required by state regulations.
TUITION
• Tuition is continuous throughout the year and guarantees a reservation at Jacob’s Ladder at Central Synagogue.
• Tuition can be paid either in full at the beginning of the year, or in three payments on September 1, December 1 and March 1. Tuition is due in full on March 1.
• There are no deductions in tuition for absences, illness or vacation days observed throughout the year.
DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
At dismissal time, children are released at the classroom door solely to those persons who have been approved by the parent. A list of persons permitted to pick up your child must be on file in the office. If you are deviating from your normal pick-up schedule, you must send in a written note or phone in your changes for the day.
Persons unfamiliar to our office staff or classroom personnel must be prepared to show photo identification in the school office. A copy of any legal custody arrangements or legal restraining orders MUST BE ON FILE in the office! We will not release your child to anyone other than you without written consent!
At dismissal time, children are released at the classroom door solely to those persons who have been approved by the parent. A list of persons permitted to pick up your child must be on file in the office. If you are deviating from your normal pick-up schedule, you must send in a written note or phone in your changes for the day.
STAFFING
Our employment criteria for teaching staff adheres to or exceeds all state requirements including the established child/teacher ratios. Teachers are hired according to their education, experience in the field of early childhood education and their dedication to young children.
Our teachers and educational specialists continue to seek professional growth experiences either by continuing their formal education, by attending teacher professional development activities or through other professional enhancement activities. They are caring, nurturing individuals whose goal is to develop the whole child.
CURRICULUM
Our MOMMY and ME program is designed for children 18 months and older and provides a special time for mothers and children to spend time together without outside distractions.
Seldom do Moms have this uninterrupted time with their little ones.
This class allows Mom to focus her attention on playing, singing, sharing and loving together with her special little person. The class consists of gym time, free play, arts and crafts, snack and circle time.
The age of two is a very special time in your little one’s life. We offer two options for children of this age. Both classes are your child’s first experience in school without Mom. The TODDLER class is geared towards children under the age of 2 1⁄2 and our PLAYMATES class is for children 2 1⁄2 plus. The goal of both of these classes is to give the children the foundation for developing a positive attitude towards future schooling. The programs provide a gentle and gradual separation customized to the needs of each child and parent. The nurturing environment of these classes encourage each child to venture into the social/academic world on his/her own. He/she will encounter both group and individual activities focusing on perception, gross and fine motor skills, independence, socialization and language development. They will experience different craft activities, participate in musical activities, learn shapes, colors, holidays, etc. Most importantly, they will complete this class with a positive attitude about themselves as well as school.
Our THREE YEAR OLD PROGRAM is designed to further encourage each child’s development. The curriculum of this program utilizes a thematic, hands-on approach to learning. It is our belief that children learn best by “doing”. Various themes are selected throughout the year that incorporate “across the curriculum” learning - literature, music, crafts, science, etc. We offer as many hands-on experiences as possible, as that is how little ones learn best. Through individual and group involvement, the environment will provide a range of activities to promote social development as well as motor skills. The program is also designed to encourage expressive language development.
Our PRE-K program is designed to prepare the children for Kindergarten. Our hands-on approach integrates literature with creative and emotional development. All functions of language are encouraged. The curriculum continues to be thematic; however, each theme also focuses on a specific letter, and addresses all the various readiness skills needed for Kindergarten. We continue to focus on each child’s social development and encourage their individuality. Free play and gym or playground time are also an essential part of the four year old’s day, to further promote motor development and social skills.
APPROACHES TO POSITIVE CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE
Our philosophy is strongly based on positive approaches to classroom management. In order to provide your child with optimum learning opportunities, the classroom needs to be a stimulating and exciting environment within a well organized framework. Our teachers are committed to meeting both the needs of the individual child and the needs of the group. Their expectations for classroom behavior are based on appropriate developmental levels. Teachers are adult professionals and worthy of our respect. Any disrespect, physical or verbal, directed towards a staff member will not be tolerated.
If a child is disruptive, the teacher will attempt to redirect the child to more appropriate
behavior. Also, the teacher will offer the child a particular activity with absolute beginnings and endings. For example, put this puzzle together, or sort all the yellow pegs. This age appropriate activity will involve and engage the child physically, visually and cognitively. When the activity is completed, the teacher and child will discuss the activity and the troublesome behavior. This process allows children to calm down, to focus on the specific task, to gain control of the situation and of themselves. In the event that a child’s behavior repeatedly disrupts the class routine and prevents others from having a quality educational experience, the following steps will be taken:
• The teacher will call a conference with the parents. Sharing ideas will often be of help to the teacher.
• The Director will be informed of the situation and be called upon to confer with the parents and the teacher. Strategies for behavior modification will be developed.
• Removing a child from the preschool program either on a temporary or permanent basis will be considered if the above steps have been taken without success. This decision is at the discretion of the director. We are deeply committed to do all we can to make each child’s experience at our preschool an enjoyable and positive one.
We need your support and cooperation.
HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY
Central Synagogue has installed a security system at its entrance in order to insure the safety and security of the building. Every person who enters the building must announce themselves and where they are going before they can be buzzed in. It is essential for all concerned to cooperate in order to utilize this system properly.
Jacob’s Ladder is a nut free school. Due to the fact that peanuts and any foods containing peanuts or tree nuts are highly allergic and potentially very dangerous, no snack or treat containing these foods may be sent to the classroom. Please be aware of hidden ingredients. It is imperative to let your child’s teacher know if your child has any sort of food allergy. If your child has a prescription for an epi-pen, it is mandatory that we have permission from both parent and physician to administer the epi-pen. If your child eats lunch in school and will only eat a peanut butter sandwich, it is ESSENTIAL that you notify the classroom teacher. State law requires that all children present evidence of immunizations on attending school.
All medicals must be turned into the office by November. NO CHILD WILL BE PERMITTED TO ATTEND SCHOOL WITHOUT THESE FORMS.
If your child is going to be out for any reason, please contact the nursery school office. If your child has a contagious disease, we need to know in order to notify the rest of the class. If your child has a contagious disease or rash, we must have a note from the doctor stating that the child is in good health before being readmitted. Use good judgment in keeping your child home. Keep your children home if:
• they have not been fever free for at least 24 hours
• have vomited within the previous 24 hour period i have a bad cold
• have heavy nasal discharge indicative of infection
• have diarrheal symptoms
• have fussy, cranky behavior and are generally not themselves
In the event of a snowstorm or other unexpected school closing, your classroom teacher will contact you early in the morning or, if possible, the evening before. Closings will also be posted on Channel 12 and their website.
In the event of a school evacuation or other emergency, please provide us with an emergency contact who is close by, as well as cell phone numbers, beeper numbers, etc.
No child will be released to a person not authorized by a parent to pick the child up. We must have this information in writing or through a phone call to the office if a change is made. It is our responsibility to ask for proper identification if we do not know the person picking up your child, and this person must also sign in at the office.
Please be aware that in compliance with New York State regulations, each staff member is considered a mandated reporter and is required to report to Child Protective Services any suspicion of child abuse.
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent/Teacher conferences are formally scheduled during the school year. There will be a sign-up sheet mounted outside the classroom several weeks prior. Notices will be sent home in the child’s backpack to working parents who do not regularly drop off or pick up their child. Supplemental Parent/Teacher conference may be set up anytime during the school year by a parent, a teacher or the Director to discuss any concerns pertaining to the student.
FAMILY COMMUNICATIONS
Be assured that we deal with any family information shared in the utmost of confidentiality. The entire Early Childhood staff will support each of our families during the good times, as well as, during the most trying times they may encounter. Parents are welcome to visit and participate in their child’s classroom activities. All visits should be scheduled beforehand.
If a child has an accident or incident during the day, a parent will be called regardless how minor or serious the accident is.
PARENTS’ NEWSLETTER AND INFORMATION NOTICES
Jacob’s Ladder will make every attempt to advise parents of upcoming school activities. Along with monthly curriculum calendars, flyers are sent home via the student’s backpacks. Daily checks of school bags will assist in assuring that you receive all school communications. Important notices will be posted in the child’s classroom and in the school office. If there is a family situation where individual notices should be sent to each individual parent, kindly apprize the classroom teacher. Your request will be honored.
SUGGESTIONS AND CONCERNS
Jacob’s Ladder welcomes your suggestions and respects your concerns. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for open communication between parents and our staff.
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