Beginnings Preschool at Good News UMC
License #CO1WA0012
Brenda Ousley, Director
Director’s hours ~ when school is in session: 7:45 A.M. – 3:15 P.M.
(850) 622-9191
#4747 US Highway 98 West
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Information for School Year 2019-2020 (FY20)
Mission Statement:
Beginnings Preschool strives to provide a caring and Christian based educational environment to promote the growth of each child.
Philosophy:
Beginnings Preschool believes that learning in the first 5 years of life is vital to future successes in education and society. Students will be taught a Christ-centered, Florida Department of Education approved curriculum using center areas in the classroom and outdoor play. The qualified staff aims to promote the five child development theories of growth through teacher directed lessons and facilitated independent play. The five areas of development are social & emotional, physical health, motor development, language & communication, and cognitive development. Beginnings Preschool will celebrate and focus on the true meaning of all Christian holidays. Teachers will adapt fundamental Christian beliefs into everyday lessons. We encourage parent involvement and ask parents to pray for the school each day. A newsletter will be posted monthly on the preschool website to keep parents informed of the exciting updates of Beginnings Preschool.
REGISTRATION FOR AUGUST 2020 - MAY 2021
Re-registration for current/returning students: Forms & fee due Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Registration for siblings of current students: Forms and fee due Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Registration for church members: Forms and fee due Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Registration opens for new students/families on Wednesday, April 1, 2020
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“Mini Tour” Dates Spring 2020: Mini Tours are for prospective families of Beginnings Preschool. Meet Brenda in the lobby of the main church building for an information and site tour of Beginnings Preschool. No need to sign-up, just show up!
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday, February 3, 4, 6, 7 @ 10:30 AM
Private Tours: Given to families when a spot is available for their child _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Additional information required by state regulation is available in the preschool office. This includes the Flu brochure and “Know Your Childcare Facility” brochure.
Operation Time (2019-2020):
Open House/Orientation: Tuesday, August 13 @ 11:30 AM
School Year:
Wednesday, August 14, 2019 - Wednesday, May 20, 2020
We follow the Walton County School Schedule for Holidays and Teacher Work Days
School Day (Regular Hours):
All Classrooms PreK-1, PreK-2, PreK-3, and PreK-4: 8:45 AM to 2:00 PM
“Early Drop” (ED) offered from 7:45-8:45 AM for $6 per day
“Extra Early Drop” offered from 6:45-7:45 AM for an additional $4 per day
“Late Stay” (LS) offered from 2:00-3:00 PM for $6 per day
“Extra Late Stay” offered from 3:00-3:30 PM for $4 per day
Monthly discounted rates offered for ED, LS, Extra ED, and Extra LS for pre sign-up & prepaid
Daily Curriculum Used: ELLM/Plus Curriculum
In addition to the daily curriculum, we provide large & fine motor skill development, an extracurricular activity such as music, art or exercise, and Christian Curriculum 5-days-per-week. We offer culinary classes 3-4 times per year and encourage and request parent volunteers. The PreK-3 and PreK-4 children will perform recitals each school year in the church Sanctuary.
General Information:
Student-Teacher Ratio in our PreK-1 rooms (not potty trained, ages 12-24 months) is 10:2
Student-Teacher Ratio in our PreK-2 rooms (not potty trained, ages 24-36 months) is 10:2
Student-Teacher Ratio in our young PreK-3 room (potty trained) is 11:2
Student-Teacher Ratio in our older PreK-3 room (fully, independently potty trained) is 12:2
Student-Teacher Ratio in our PreK-4 rooms is 13:2
In addition to the classroom teachers, Staff Assistants and Preschool Director are on-site daily.
The students in PreK-1 & 2 sleep for ~ 90 minutes each day (we provide the mat)
The students in PreK-3 & 4 sleep/rest for ~60 minutes each day (we provide the mat)
You pack a healthy snack & lunch for your child each day
You pack a spill-proof water cup/bottle for your child each day
PreK-2 & 3 & 4 may have pizza day periodically; $6 each (pizza, chips, fruit & paper products)
We offer a “special event” most months and charge at least $5 per family for the event
For parent convenience, we provide a drive thru student drop-off and pick-up car line from 8:45-9:00 am and 1:45-2:00 pm daily.
All classes “field trip” to the church Sanctuary, church choir room, and/or church cafe for either periodic indoor active play, periodic culinary class and/or daily Chapel and car pool routine.
Registration Fees, Supply Fees, and Tuition Fees for 2019-2020
Registration and Supply Fees are non-refundable annual fees
PreK-1: Accepting 1-year-old children as of 7/1/19 (not potty trained)
PreK-2: Accepting 2-year-old children (not potty trained)
PreK-3 (young) Accepting 3 year old children (Potty Trained)
PreK-3 (older) & PreK-4: Accepting 3, 4 & 5-year-old children (Fully Potty Trained)
We love all of God’s children. Please contact the director for payment options and possible scholarship opportunities.
Registration Fees for 2019-2020: due with registration papers and is non-refundable
*Current/returning students: $50
*New student and new sibling registration: $100
Registration Fees for 2020-2021: due with registration papers and is non-refundable
*Current/returning students: $75
*New student and new sibling registration: $150
Annual Supply Fees for 2019-2020: Pay the full amount by June 20 or Pay 1/3 of the supply fee by June 2, 1/3 by July 5, and final 1/3 by August 3 and is non-refundable
Supply Fees for 2019-2020:
5-day-per-week program: $300.00
4-day-per-week program: $250.00
3-day-per-week program: $200.00
2-day-per-week program: $150.00
1-day-per-week program: $100.00
Tuition Fees for 2019-2020: PreK-2/PreK-3/PreK-4 (8:45 am - 2:00 pm)
Pay full price tuition each month from August through May
5-day-per-week program (7:45 am – 3:00 pm): $750.00
5-day-per-week program (8:45 am – 2:00 pm): $600.00
4-day-per-week program (8:45 am – 2:00 pm): $500.00
3-day-per-week program (8:45 am – 2:00 pm): $400.00
2-day-per-week program (8:45 am – 2:00 pm): $300.00
1-day-per-week program (8:45 am – 2:00 pm): $150.00
Daily Rate (8:45 am – 2:00 pm): $40.00 Daily Rate (7:45 am – 3:00 pm): $52.00
Tuition Fees for 2019-2020: PreK-1 (8:45 am -2:10 pm)
Pay full price tuition each month from August through May
5-day-per-week program (7:45 am – 3:00 pm): $900.00
5-day-per-week program (8:45 am – 2:00 pm): $750.00
4-day-per-week program (8:45 am – 2:00 pm): $600.00
3-day-per-week program (8:45 am – 2:00 pm): $500.00
2-day-per-week program (8:45 am – 2:00 pm): $400.00
1-day-per-week program (8:45 am – 2:00 pm): $300.00
Daily Rate (8:45 am – 2:00 pm): $80.00 Daily Rate (7:45 am – 3:00 pm): $92.00
Early Drop (ED) is offered from 7:45-8:45 am & Late Stay (LS) is offered from 2:00-3:00 pm.
ED & LS is offered to all students, but for PreK-1 and PreK-2 students it is based on student acclimation.
ED & LS Fees: $6 per day or monthly rate available to pre-paying & pre sign-up students
Monthly discounted rates for ED, LS, Extra ED, and Extra LS for pre sign-up & prepaid:
5-day-per-week program ED or LS only: $75.00; 5-day-per-week program ED & LS: $150.00
4-day-per-week program ED or LS only: $60.00; 4-day-per-week program ED & LS: $120.00
3-day-per-week program ED or LS only: $45.00; 3-day-per-week program ED & LS: $90.00
2-day-per-week program ED or LS only: $30.00; 2-day-per-week program ED and LS: $60.00
Daily Rate ED or LS: $6.00; Daily Rate ED and LS: $12.00
Extra Early Drop: Begins at 6:45 am and is an additional $4 per day
Extra Late Stay: Ends at 3:30 pm and is an additional $4 per day
Medical Forms for child’s school file: By the end of August, you must give the Director your child’s medical forms. The 2 forms are the child’s Florida shot record and Florida physical form. Both forms can be obtained during a well-child check-up at your pediatrician’s office. The Walton County Health Department can provide the official FL SHOT record and can be contacted at 850.892.8031.
Beginnings Preschool at Good News UMC Discipline Policy as stated in our Parent-Student Handbook. A full copy of the handbook is posted on-line at www.goodnewsumc.com.
Discipline: Beginnings Preschool uses positive reinforcement and conflict resolution to promote appropriate behavior. Discipline will not be associated with food, rest, or toileting and children will never be denied outdoor/active play as a result of misbehavior. Children will be encouraged to work out disagreements. In the event that the teacher’s attention and/or intervention is needed, the child/children will be directed to another activity or sent to the “Safe Place” established inside each classroom or on the playground. The “Safe Place” may be a reading area, chair, wall space, bench, or other designated quiet area either inside the classroom or on the playground. Upon continual disruptive behavior, the child will be sent to the director’s office to “cool down”. In extreme circumstances, the director will notify the parent to remove the child from school for the rest of the day. Sometimes our program does not meet an individual’s needs and the preschool reserves the right to determine if our program is appropriate the child. In accordance with state regulations: Children shall not be subjected to discipline which is severe, humiliating, or frightening; Discipline shall not be associated with food, rest, or toileting; and Spanking or any other form of physical punishment is prohibited.
Bite Policy: A child who bites another child or staff member 4 times may be subject to dismissal from the program.
Hitting/Pushing Policy: A child who hits or pushes another child or staff member 4 times may be subject to dismissal from the program
Tantrum/Behavioral Fit: A child who throws a tantrum or behavioral fit 4 times may be subject to dismissal from the program
Termination of Services/Expulsion Policy: There may be situations in which termination of service to an individual child or family is initiated by the Preschool. Although each circumstance is unique, efforts will be made by the parties concerned to improve the situation prior to a termination decision. Should termination become necessary; a two-week written notice is generally provided.
Nutrition Policy - Preschool Classes: We are not a peanut fee school and it is your responsibility to tell us if your child has a peanut allergy. Beginnings Preschool reserves the right to accept or deny a child into our program due to a food allergy.
Snack: Each child is required to bring a personal snack including food and drink each day they attend Beginnings Preschool. Please pack the snack in a brown paper bag labeled with the child’s name and date or send in a reusable lunch box labeled with the child’s name. Write a special note to your child on the bag or in the box and the teacher will help them read the note. Healthy snacks & meals are essential for your child to perform to the best of their ability.
Healthy Snacks include, but are not limited to Granola, Trail Mix, Fruit or Fruit Cups, Dried Fruit, Healthy Cereal, Cereal Bars, Cheese, Yogurt, Crackers, pretzels, goldfish, raisins, Water, Water Flavored Juice, 100% Juice, and Milk.
Unhealthy Snacks include, but are not limited to Air-heads, Candy, Chocolate, Cookies, Cup Cakes, Gummies, potato chips, candy bars, fruit roll-ups, full-sugared juice, full-sugared pop-tarts, sugared cereal, brownies, etc.
Lunch: Each child is required to bring a personal lunch including food and drink each day they attend Beginnings Preschool. For all items needing refrigeration, please include a “cool-pack” in the child’s meal/lunchbox with the child’s name written on it.
No refrigerator or microwave will be provided for student use.
For health and safety concerns, all used and eaten food will be thrown away daily.
Please remember to pack a utensil and napkin if needed.
Pizza Day: Pizza Day may be held periodically. Look for the dates on the Director’s Newsletter and/or Teacher’s calendar. The cost is $6.00 per pizza day and can be included in your tuition check or the student can bring cash on pizza day. The charge covers pizza, chips, fruit, plate, and napkin. Parents are not required to participate in pizza day and can send a regular lunch on pizza day. Parents send a snack for their child on pizza day.
Birthdays/Special Occasions/Celebrations: Birthdays are very important to you and your child and Beginnings Preschool is happy to help you celebrate. We will celebrate during snack time or lunchtime. You may send a special treat such as store bought cookies, brownies, or cupcakes. We prefer small portions and sizes of sugary sweets (like mini-cupcakes). Only store bought, unopened packages of treats can be served. You are welcome to join us on your child’s special day. Please send party invitations to school only if every child in the class is invited.
Please do not bring hard candy, gum, nuts or peanut butter products for celebrations! You can send peanut products for daily lunch and snacks.
By order of the Walton County Health Department: No homemade foods of any kind can be served to the students of the preschool. All celebration food must be store bought and/or prepared at the preschool.
Culinary Days (Cooking in the Café): The PreK-3 & PreK-4 classes will partake in periodic culinary classes throughout the school year. The classes may include, but are not limited to, Pumpkin Bread Baking, Pumpkin Carving, Cookie Baking, Cupcake baking, Resurrection Rolls (crescent roll baking), Dye hard-boiled eggs, and/or homemade pizzas. Each parent is required to sign a consent form, allowing your child to partake in the culinary classes.
Field trips: No off-site field trips are planned at this time. Beginnings Preschool will invite and encourage community leaders to come to the school for special events. All classes take periodic “mini field trips” throughout the church building. The areas include, but are not limited to, the lobby, Sanctuary, choir room, family restroom, women’s restroom, etc.
Registration papers: Can be filled out once you are notified of an opening for your child in our program. You can also turn in completed registration papers to accompany your child’s name on our waiting list. Registration fees will be collected only if we have a space available for your child.
