Nursery Policies and Procedures

The Highway Nursery School's program for three year olds assists children in separating from their parents while having fun and learning at the same time. The children learn to socialize, build their self confidence, enhance fine and gross motor skills, and gain knowledge of colors, shapes, numbers and letters in a fun, hands on environment.

Enrollment and Registration:

To achieve a close teacher-student relationship, enrollment is limited to 15 children for 3 year olds, and 18 for 4 year olds. Enrollment is based on a first come, first served basis. A non-refundable registration fee must accompany the application form. Children may be enrolled at anytime during the school year, providing space is available. An active waiting list is maintained and the child will be placed in the school as vacancies occur.

Certification:

Our facility and staff meet the requirements of the New York City Board of Health for Childcare Services. Our educational director and teachers are state certified. They are selected on a basis of their early childhood teaching experience, educational background and philosophy of early childhood education.

Tuition & Schedule:

Depending on your needs, we have two, three and five day schedules available including half day and full time. For our half-day students, we offer an extended hour for lunch.
For Programs, Registration Fee and Session Fees see the attached schedule. Checks or money orders (NO CASH) should be made payable to K.H.U.M.C. (Kings Highway Methodist Church) and should be mailed or hand delivered before the first of each month to the School Secretary. Tuition is due on or before the first of each month.

A late fee of $5.00 per day will be assessed. In addition, if the tuition has not been paid within one week after the first of each month, the child will not be permitted to attend school. The school secretary will make the necessary phone call to the parent that the child cannot attend school until the tuition, including the late fee, is paid.
No deductions can be made for absences. Make up days cannot be permitted due to strict Board of Health regulations. If a family withdraws its child, it is requested that notice be given.

If a teacher feels that a child is not benefiting from the program, or is a disruptive influence, the Educational Director may request his or her withdrawal. In that event, a pro-rated portion of the tuition will be refunded. The school also has the right to request an evaluation by the Committee for Preschool Special Education.

Health Rules:

All Board of Education medical and health requirements are necessary. A medical examination by a physician within 90 days prior to the start of school and a written Health Form (Immunization Record) must be submitted.

Please Note: A child is required to have the following shots before entering school - 3 Polio; 3 DTP; 1 MMR; 1 Hib; 3 Hep B and 1 chicken pox.

The school must be authorized in writing to obtain the necessary emergency medical treatment in the event the parent, guardian or emergency contact person cannot be reached. This authorization shall include admitting the child to the Emergency Room of the Beth Israel Medical Center Kings Highway Division at 3201 Kings Highway.

Board of Directors:

The Board of Directors is the governing body of the Highway Nursery School. It is responsible for establishing policies, rules and regulations, for hiring staff, for establishing tuition fees, etc. It supervises the Educational Director of the school, who supervises the teachers, aides and school secretary.

Calendar and School Closings:

The Highway Nursery School's calendar is based on the New York City Public School calendar for holidays, as well as for school closings. There may be some differences in days off such as Election Day. Please refer to "School Calendar" on the main menu for more information. In case of stormy weather, please listen to your radio or TV station for any announcements about school closings. If NY City Public Schools are closed for inclimate weather or emergencies, so are we.

Changing of Clothes:

Our policy is to have all children toilet trained before admission to school. It is a rare occasion when a child soils her/himself, but accidents do happen.

It is necessary for all children to have a full set of extra clothing in school at all times in case of an accident. Please leave your child's extra clothing, labeled with his/her name, in their book bag. If a child's clothing is to be removed so he/she can be cleaned and changed, this procedure will not be performed unless there are two school personnel present. Please sign the consent form to change your child in case of an accident in the back of this booklet.

Clothing:

Children should be dressed in sturdy, comfortable clothes, which give them freedom of movement. Clothing with buttons and zippers that the child can manipulate are the best. Rubber soled shoes or sneakers are safer for active play, and rubbers and boots should be big enough to put on easily. Kindly label all outer garments (coats, boots, gloves, hats, etc.) as well as the full set of extra clothing that is in your child's book bag.

Discipline:

Limits and controls vary for individual children as well as for a group, but the underlying principle is that there should be reasonable, well established rules that children can understand and that provide the security of knowing that adults are there to be supportive and helpful. In order for children to feel secure in their environment, children need to be given many opportunities to explore materials freely, to satisfy their curiosity, to discover and practice skills with minimum restrictions. When a situation occurs, children are encouraged to express their feelings verbally: "I don't like when you hit me." Teachers are there to be supportive and to intervene when necessary. A child may need to be redirected into another area of the classroom if a problem continues. Positive reinforcement is used to change behaviors that are undesirable. Time out is used as a last resort.

Escort Policy:

Our policy is to have all children signed in and out by the person who brings them to and picks them up from school each day. This is for the safety of your child. The Highway Nursery School office, as well as the teachers, should have a list of authorized escorts. If an emergency should occur and you need to make a change, please send us a note or call the office. Inform the designated escort to have ID available when he/she reaches the school. Please inform him/her of the sign in and out policy as well. We will not release any child to an unauthorized person.

Fundraising:

We have at least three fund raising events during the school year. Their success enables us to function on a sound financial basis, and promotes a healthy social climate. We greatly appreciate the cooperation and participation of all families.

Health and Safety:

Illness: Your child should be kept home if he/she has a runny nose, a cold, severe cough, fever, sore throat, earache, etc. If your child has experienced vomiting and diarrhea in the past 24 hours, this is a sign of a contagious flu virus and we ask that you keep him/her home. Also, your child should stay home during the incubation period of any contagious illness to which he/she has been exposed.

If your child has had a contagious illness, your doctor must certify, in writing, that he/she is no longer contagious and may safely return to school. Kindly notify the school secretary if your child has developed any contagious illness.

The school secretary will contact you if your child shows evidence of illness during the school session. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to have your child picked up from school as soon as possible.

Medication:

We are not permitted to administer any type of medication under any circumstances to any child.

Food Allergies:

Please notify the Nursery School Office and your child's teacher, if your child has any type of food allergy.

Late Arrival And Pick Up:

Being late has a great impact on your child. We encourage all parents to be on time for arrival. It is important for children to start their day together as a class. Upon late pick up, children feel scared and abandoned when they are left after other children have gone home. Additionally, there is a fee of $5.00 per fifteen (15) minutes that you arrive late to pick up your child. This fee is payable at the time of pick up.

Parent/Teacher Conferences:

Teachers do not get to spend as much time talking with you about your child on a day-to-day basis, as they may like. We will have 2 scheduled parent/teacher conferences each year, at which time you and the teacher will be able to discuss your child's progress. In some cases, additional conferences may be necessary.

Snack:

To help keep tuition costs down, parents are responsible for providing snack. The classroom teacher sends a calendar home on a monthly basis. Each parent will be asked to provide snack for the class approximately once every 4 weeks.

Visiting and Volunteering in the Classroom:

Parents are recognized as their children's first and most important teachers, regardless of individual and family circumstances. Therefore, it is our goal to capitalize on family strengths. Parents are welcome to visit the classroom at any time. Feel free to read a story, help with snack or to share a special talent. There are always art projects set up and toys and puzzles to help play with. Please notify the classroom teacher in advance to ensure there are not too many adults in the room at one time.