Parent Handbook
Welcome to Growing Tree
We are a private non-denominational preschool and do not discriminate, on any basis, when enrolling children.
There are several State Licensing requirements to be completed by both Growing Tree and our parents:
Parent responsibility:
A set of enrollment forms must be completed prior to your child beginning school: emergency contact information, authorization for others to pick up your child, parents’ health history for your child, consent for emergency medical treatment, physician’s health report, as well as immunization records.
Please notify us immediately if your child has any serious allergies. Epi pens, inhalers, etc. are kept in the office and are clearly labeled with your child’s name and full instructions on usage. We have a specific allergy form for children with severe allergies.
Growing Tree responsibility:
To supply all families with the following: teacher background check process, notification of parents’ rights, notification of children’s rights, location of local licensing office, and to display our State license.
Growing Tree has an “open door” policy: Parents are welcome to stop by any time and spend time in their child’s classroom.
All children must be signed in and signed out each day. Rosters for this purpose are in each classroom. Please sign your full name, not initials.
General information about Growing Tree:
In case of emergency: We will call 911 and we will make an immediate effort to reach you – We ask all parents to have your cell number in your child’s file. If we are unable to reach you, we will call those authorized to pick up your child. A director or other designated staff member will remain with your child at all times. If your child must leave the premises, the director, or other designated staff member, will accompany him/her, and will take your child’s file.
Your child will not be released from school to anyone who is not authorized by you and noted in your child’s file. We must have verbal or written permission from you in order to make any changes.
The sign in sheet in each classroom can be used to reserve any drop-in hours you would like for the day and any changes in pick-up arrangements.
Medical Procedures: Each child is greeted at arrival at which time any questions/concerns we or you have can be addressed. If your child exhibits signs of illness during the day, we will contact you, or if we cannot reach you, we will contact those authorized to pick up your child.
Any medicine you give us will be dispensed if it is in the original container. Please note the dosage and time to be administered.
We ask that you keep your child home if: she/he has had a fever in the past 24 hours, or has other flu/cold symptoms: diarrhea,vomiting, heavy nasal discharge, a constant cough, or is simply not feeling up to participating in school activities.
Please notify us as soon as possible if your child is exposed to any communicable disease.
Sick Day Policy: If your child is sick for one full week or more,
A 10% tuition discount per week (up to 20% discount) may be credited to your account. Please let the office know the dates of your full weeks absence so we may post the credit to the following months statement. We are licensed for a specific number of children each day and so cannot implement a make up day policy.
Vacation Policy: No discounts/credits or make up days for missed days due to vacation.
Extended Absences: Half payment may hold a space (9-12:30 time) for up to one month or more IF there is no one on waiting list to fill the opening.
Morning Program Drop In Policy: You may request to have your child drop in for the morning program on a specific day. We will try to accommodate you IF THERE IS SPACE AVAILABLE THAT DAY. These drop in days must be scheduled through the office. Parents may not “exchange” days among themselves.
Extended Day Drop In Policy: Early drop in (8:00-9:00) or afternoon drop in (12:30-4:30) does not need to be scheduled through the office. Write any unscheduled extended hours or pick up arrangements in parent note area by sign in sheet in each classroom.
Discipline: The only acceptable methods of discipline are redirection, distraction, time with a teacher, or, for the older children, a “time out”. All employees know that corporal punishment, rude or abusive language or discrimination are grounds for immediate dismissal.
Clothing: Each teacher will let you know if they would like you to bring a change of clothes to be kept at school. Activities at school are often messy as well as fun – so send your child in clothes that can get dirty!
PLEASE LABEL ALL ITEMS BROUGHT TO SCHOOL!
Toilet training: We do not require that children be out of diapers before attending Growing Tree. As your child progresses through the process of toilet training, we will continue at school whatever you are doing at home, just let us know.
Comfort items: Whatever your child needs to help him/her feel more secure and comfortable are welcome at school.
Birthday Treats: Parents are welcome to bring a special treat for snack on their child’s birthday (or VIP or Superstar day!). We do ask that you keep the treat simple and nutritious (or at least simple)! Please let your child’s teacher know in advance that you will be bringing a treat!
Holidays: Growing Tree follows the public school vacation schedule with a few exceptions; our break schedule is posted in the office, on our website, and is noted in the monthly newsletter.
Snacks: Due to the severe allergies of some of our children, we provide nut free snacks. The older classrooms provide space at the lunch table for nut free lunches. The younger classrooms will request that you pack peanut free lunches for your child if there are children with peanut allergies in class.
Tuition: Tuition is due on the first day of the month. Tuition and ourstanding drop in fees paid after the 10th are subject to a late fee (5% of total outstanding balance greater than $150.00). We set our tuition rates based on 9 1/2 school months. There is no pro-rated amount for school vacations.
Tuition fees overdue by more than 30 days are subject to additional restrictions.
All Tuition must be cleared prior to classroom graduation dates.
Your monthly schedule may be altered after October 1, however no billing changes may be made mid month. Any billing changes in schedule will go into effect on the first day of the following billing cycle. The monthly deadline for billing change requests is the 21st of every month.
Class Communications: You and your child are greeted each morning upon arrival. Feel free to discuss any questions or concerns with your child’s teacher at this time. Notes filling you in on fun activities your child has done during the day are sent home each month. We do a comprehensive end of year evaluation for each child, however your child’s teacher is available for a conference at any time during year!
General Communication:
A director is always available for your questions. Our office number is 925-376-8280. Your child’s teacher is available to you each morning at 9:00-9:15 drop off and at 12:30-12:45 pick up.
Our website is www.growingtreepreschool.net. It is updated monthly with current events, director’s and class newsletters and our school year calendar.
Parent Events: We have a family friendly open house before school starts. We also have a family fun house around Halloween, a family valentine party and a family picnic at the end of the school year!
If you have any questions or concerns about our policies, we maintain an open door policy for the office as well as the classrooms – please come in and see us.
Lysbeth , Linda and Terri