FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Purpose

Kid’s Crossing is a ministry of First United Methodist Church of Canton. It has been established to provide spiritual, social, and emotional growth in a Christian

environment, where self-discipline is learned and creativity is expressed. We

believe this program reaches out into the community as we strive to meet the needs of children and their families.

Goals

Teachers will provide activities to meet the following goals:

· To encourage each child’s expression of his/her feelings and needs in

constructive ways.

· To strengthen awareness of individuality, independence, and self confidence.

· To encourage each child to learn appropriate forms of cooperation with the other boys and girls and the teacher, while maintaining his/her sense of independence.

· To engage in large muscle movement and to provide opportunities to explore small muscle skills.

· To explore various play and structured learning activities such as blocks, books, art, music, movement and games; to sharpen observation skills while keeping the fun in learning.

· To provide parental involvement as an integral part of the educational program for young children.

· To provide each child with the opportunity to grow in awareness of the love of God and our natural world.

Curriculum

The school curriculum varies for each age level. At Kid’s Crossing, we strive to provide a developmentally appropriate curriculum.

Monthly themes have a biblical focus but will include holidays, seasons, our natural world, local and community events, as well as persons, places, and things relevant and important to young children. Each unit may focus on a first-hand experience with a field trip, a classroom visit by a resource person or classroom project. The first-hand experience will be reinforced in the classroom by individual and/or group activities involving secondary vicarious experiences, such as books, pictures, puzzles, storytelling, poetry, nursery rhymes, music, rhythm instruments, audio visuals, dance, creative movements, games, imaginative and dramatic play, puppets, blocks, science discovery, nature, sand and water play, cooking, creative art, woodworking, manipulatives, and work jobs. These activities serve not only to reinforce and build on the theme, but also provide opportunities for developing skills in language arts, mathematics, social sciences, natural sciences.

Every week each class will participate in a special chapel service and music & movement class that lifts up the biblical focus for that week and connects with the monthly theme. You may view a detailed description of the curricular focus for each age level on our website, or request a copy in the Kid’s Crossing office.

Staff

Our teachers are carefully chosen, not only on the basis of their educational background and experience, but also for their personalities, the warmth and concern they exhibit toward children and their involvement in a church family. The Kid’s Crossing staff has a good understanding and appreciation of children, relates well with children, treats them with respect and speaks to them in a positive manner. Each member of our staff will be evaluated on these and other criteria twice throughout the course of the school year. Each staff member has a criminal history background check before being employed by our program. All of our teachers participate in continuing education annually which may include attendance at workshops and conferences, reading professional publications, as well as attending monthly staff meetings. Our entire staff will maintain children and infant CPR and First Aid certification.

The School Year, Holidays, & Bad Weather

Classes begin on Wednesday, September 5th, and will end for the year on Friday, May 23rd. We will follow the CISD calendar for holidays and inclement weather.

Arrivals & Dismissals

The academic day at Kid’s Crossing is from 8:30am to 2:30pm. We offer extended care each day beginning at 7:30am and ending at 3:30pm. We ask that parents bring their children to Kid’s Crossing on time. We will not be able to supervise children before 7:30am as we are preparing for the day’s activities. Please, make every effort to have your child in class by 8:30am for it may be difficult for them to settle in once the other children have become involved in their activities.

Children must be signed in and out each day. Each child must be escorted to and from their classroom by an adult. Under no circumstances will a child be released to a person unless written authorization by a parent is given to the teacher or is on file in the office. Emergencies will be handled by the director/pastor on an individual basis. A completed Identification and Emergency Information Card and Admission Form must be on file with the school prior to the first day of class. When a child is picked up by an individual named on those documents, we will ask to see the individual’s driver’s license and make a photocopy for your child’s records.

Parents, please try to be on time when picking up you child. If you know you are going to be detained, please notify the school immediately so that we can reassure your child. There is an overtime charge ($5 for every 15 minutes) after 2:40pm.

Tuition & Fees

Registration Fee (due with registration form) $25

Supply Fee (due with registration and in January) $30

Tuition (per month) $170

Extended Care (per month) $40

Tuition is due monthly and credit is not given for a child’s absence. This includes childhood illnesses, family vacations and holidays. Payment is due on the first day of class each month. A late fee ($10) will be charged for fees not received by the 10th of the month. Your tuition may be mailed to the First United Methodist Church or you may bring checks directly to the Kid’s Crossing office. Please, make checks payable to “Kid’s Crossing at FUMC”

Two weeks prior notice, in writing, or two weeks tuition is payable upon the child’s withdrawal from the program.

Additional fees may be assessed to cover admission costs for field trips and for special programs.

Registration

Registration for the next year will be in February. Families of Canton FUMC and families with children in the current program are eligible for early registration. Registration is then open to the public.

A non-refundable registration fee and fall supply fee must accompany the registration form. When the classes are full, names will be placed on a waiting list to be called when a vacancy occurs.

Parent Involvement

The parents of Kid’s Crossing are a very important and special part of our program. We encourage you to be involved in you child’s experiences with Kid’s Crossing. Your involvement gives you the opportunity to become acquainted with other parents, volunteer to help with school special events as well as help in the classroom.

Parents are welcome to visit the classroom at any time. We simply ask that you let the director and/or pastor know that you will be visiting upon your arrival. Parents are also encouraged to contact the appropriate staff any time they have a concern regarding their child or the school. As a program licensed by the state of Texas, we have a copy of the minimum standards and our most recent Licensing inspection report available for parents to review at any time. They are located in the Kid’s Crossing office.

Kid’s Crossing is very happy to have parents help with parties and field trips. However, we are not able to allow younger siblings to attend field trips or class parties. We are very concerned about the safety of all children and parent volunteers must be able to give their full attention to the children in their care. We will regularly have sign-ups for parental support for special events, programs, and field trips.

In our commitment to maintain connection between children, teachers and parents, we encourage each of our teachers to update you daily on your child’s activities. We will also send home a monthly newsletter and calendar to let you know what is going on at Kid’s Crossing.

Orientation

A parent/child orientation will be held on Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 7:00pm. The purpose of this meeting is to answer any questions that the parents might have about the school and classroom policies, curriculum plans, schedules, and allow you to see all of the exciting additions and updates we have made to the facilities at Canton FUMC. It will provide an opportunity for you and your child to meet with the teachers and become acquainted with the parents of your child’s school friends. We will have a notary public available to assist you in completing your child’s paperwork.

School Records

Identification & Emergency Information Card: Be sure names of persons authorized to pick up your child are included on the card. We ask that your first emergency contact be someone who is in Canton. It is important to inform the office of a telephone number or address change.

Admission Form: The medical report portion of this form must be completed by the child’s physician and parent and returned to the school, it includes all immunizations and must be signed by your doctor. Please, keep the school office informed of new immunizations and current health information pertaining to your child. No child will be admitted to class until this form is on file.

Confidential Information Sheet: The “Introduce Us to Your Child” form is for confidential use of the teachers working with your child. It helps us to understand your child and we appreciate the time you spend completing it.

Permission to Participate in School Activities and to Receive Emergency Medical Care: This form must be completed, notarized and returned to the school before the first day of class. No child will be admitted to class until this form is on file.

Child’s Health

Your child’s health is a matter of major importance to us. Precautions are taken at all times to safeguard the health of all of our participants at Kid’s Crossing. This includes refusing to admit sick children in to the class and isolating children who become ill during school hours.

Please, keep your child home if they

· Have a fever or have had one during the past 24 hours.

· Have been on an antibiotic for less than 24 hours.

· Have had a cold for less than 5 days.

· Have heavy/discolored nasal discharge.

· Have a constant cough.

· Are fussy/cranky, and generally not himself/herself.

· Have symptoms of a possible communicable disease.

Parents should notify the director of Kid’s Crossing when children have a communicable disease so that other parents may be notified. We will maintain confidentiality in these circumstances.

Parents should notify their child’s teacher if their child is experiencing any type of traumatic or emotional period. This may be as minor as losing his/her “security blanket.”

Please, keep your child at home until he or she has been free from fever, vomiting, diarrhea or any other symptoms for 24 hours before returning to Kid’s Crossing.

Medication

It is the policy of Kid’s Crossing that our staff will not administer medication to children in our care.

Emergencies

Minor accidents occurring during school hours will receive the prompt and careful attention of staff members. In the event of illness or serious accident, the family is notified at once and arrangements are made for the child to be taken home or to his or her local physician.

When an accident does occur, the staff will file a written form stating what happened and the action that was taken. This form is placed in your child’s file in the office and a copy will be sent home.

Dress

Children should dress in comfortable, washable clothing that allows for freedom of movement. Non-slip shoes (tennis shoes, not sandals), and warm coats (for cold weather) are a must. Although we try to protect clothing, accidents can happen with paint, so children should dress appropriately.

“Emergency Clothing” should be provided for your child. Please, be sure that all articles of clothing are clearly marked with your child’s name.

Meal & Snack Time

All children in our program will need to bring with them each day a nutritious snack (including a drink) and a nutritious lunch (including a drink). Children enrolled in our extended care program should bring a second snack (with drink) that will be served in the afternoon. Teachers will ensure that children do not share food (this can be a health hazard because of allergies).

Since parents are providing all food that is served to their children while in the care of Kid’s Crossing, the staff of Kid’s Crossing is not responsible for the nutritional value or for meeting the child’s daily food needs.

We encourage you to carefully consider what you provide for your child’s nutrition. You can find a “Food Guide Pyramid” at the end of this handbook to help you in making those decisions.

What To Bring

Each child needs to bring the following items to school:

· A nutritious lunch (that does not require heating) with drink. (Children 18 months and younger are the only children who may have food/bottles warmed.)

· One nutritious snack and drink in a separate labeled bag (for 8:30-2:30 participants)

· Two nutritious snacks and drinks in separate labeled bags (for extended care participants)

· A complete change of clothing—labeled, for all ages

· Adequate number of disposable diapers—if needed

· A nap mat/blanket (only the roll-up kind ~ everything attached) AND crib sheet

· A comfort item to be used at nap time—for Parent’s Day Out class (if needed)

What Not To Bring

· Candy or chewing gum

· Toys (unless for nap time or for “show and tell”)

· Expensive or sentimental items such as jewelry

· Glass containers in lunches

· Money

· Guns, war toys or other toys of destruction

Behavior Guidance at Kid’s Crossing

The staff will provide each child with guidance that helps the child acquire a positive self-concept. Discipline and behavior guidance used by each caregiver will at all times be constructive, positive, and suited to the age of the child.

The following rules and standards will apply for the children in our care.

1. To prevent unacceptable behavior from occurring, the staff will:

a. Model appropriate behavior for the children

b. Arrange the classroom environment to enhance the learning of behaviors that are acceptable

c. Use descriptive praise when appropriate behavior is occurring (i.e., “Look how high you are building the blocks! Let’s count them.”)

2. When unacceptable behavior is occurring, the staff will use:

a. Redirection: substituting a positive activity for a negative ac tivity

b. Distraction: change the focus of the activity or behavior

c. Active listening: to determine the underlying cause of the be havior

d. Time out: separation from the group is used only when less intrusive methods have been tried and the behavior of the child is dan- gerous to himself or the other children. In the event that a time out is used, the child will remain in sight and hearing of the staff. The child will be separated from the group for a maximum of two minutes.

e. A child may visit the Director’s office if the child or the class needs time alone to settle down. This time is spent talking about alternative actions and calming the child down. Parents will be notified if their child has visited the office during the day. If the child has to visit the office twice in one day, parents will be called to pick up the child.

f. Phone and/or personal conferences will be held to form a team ap- proach (parents, teacher, director, pastor). If a misbehavior is serious, every effort will be made to develop an individual plan that rewards good effort and improvement and is reinforced by all those working with the child.

g. If a child’s behavior does not improve and other children are being hurt, we may ask the parents to come and get their child from school

for the remainder of that day.

h. If the aggressive behavior has not improved we may ask the parents to remove the child from our program.

3. Holding and rocking of the child will be done if necessary.

The program complies with all federal, state and local laws which prohibit corporal or abusive punishment in child care settings. The staff is expressly prohibited from using unproductive or shaming methods of punishment.

Parents and our staff must work together to deal with persistent behavioral issues such as biting, or unusual or dangerous aggression on self or others. If a child appears to be unusually stressed, anxious, or otherwise motivated to engage in negative behaviors, a parent will be consulted.

Vision and Hearing Screening

All children who are four years of age or older will need to have vision and hearing screening within 120 calendar days of enrollment (September 5th). Kid’s Crossing will offer this screening at some time in the fall semester, but if your child is not present, he or she will need to be screened by a licensed or certified screener or health-care professional and the results of this screening will need to be brought to the Kid’s Crossing office.

Rest Time

All children will have a rest time during the course of the day.

We will provide sanitized mats for rest time. Infants (children under the age of 18 months) may need to bring a blanket or “lovey,” and we will maintain contacts with parents so that we follow their sleep schedule. We ask that our students bring a roll-up nap mat and pillow case (3’s class) or crib sheet (PDO & 4’s) for their rest time. All items will be sent home every other week to be cleaned.

Splash Day

During the last week of school, we like to celebrate a great year with the children by offering a “Splash Day.” On this day only will we allow the children of Kid’s Crossing to participate in sprinkler play and splashing around in shallow pools (no deeper than 8 inches of water), but there may be times during the year that we allow “water table” play.

Transportation

We do not provide transportation to or from Kid’s Crossing. There may be occasions for field trips for the Preschool 3’s and 4’s in which children will be transported in their own safety car seat (marked with their name) under the supervision of their teacher, Kid’s Crossing parents and volunteers. On the occasion of field trips, all children are required to ride in the appropriate safety restraint system. Children under 49” height must ride in at least a booster seat.

Field Trips

On the occasion of a field trip for Preschool 3’s and/or 4’s, we will notify parents in advance of all trip details. Should you choose to not let your child participate in the field trip, you will need to arrange for alternative care for your child. We encourage all parents to join us for these special occasions, but we cannot allow other siblings to join us for our outing.

Emergency Drills & Evacuation

We will have a fire drill each month throughout the year, and a severe weather drill each semester. We will take every precaution to ensure that all children are safe in our care at all times, in all circumstances. We will devote time in each class in October to focus on fire safety and we will encourage families in our program to have a plan in their homes for emergencies.

Should we have a major disaster that calls for evacuation of our facility, we will be in contact with our local police officers. With their assistance and the cooperative efforts of the entire staff of the First United Methodist Church and Kid’s Crossing, we will relocate all children to the Homemade Gourmet offices (1000 Homemade Way, phone# 903-287-1000, Vicky Slaughter, contact).

Reporting Child Abuse

Texas law requires caregivers to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Service or law enforcement. You can call 1-800-252-5400 to make confidential reports. The website for the TDPRS is www.tdprs.state.tx.us. Failure to report suspected abuse or neglect is a crime. Employers are prohibited from retaliating against caregivers who make reports in good faith.

You may contact our local licensing office by visiting the website of the Department of Family and Protective Services, www.dfps.state.tx.us, or by calling 903-533-4173.

Governing Body

Kid’s Crossing is a ministry of the First United Methodist Church of Canton. Kid’s Crossing, as with other programs of First United Methodist Church, is under the governance of the Church Council, Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) of the church, the pastors and the director. To help in this supervision, we have an Advisory Board which helps in advising the Church Council, SPRC, pastors and the director in regards to the staff, operational policy and programs of Kid’s Crossing. This board will consist of both church members, parents of children enrolled in the program (church member and non-members), pastors, and director. Any suggestions or concerns need to be addressed to the pastors or director, and if needed, to the Advisory Board.

Fundraisers

Kid’s Crossing is a non-profit ministry of the First United Methodist Church. All tuition and fees help to sustain our program and pay our exceptional staff. We need additional funds to add to our equipment and teaching resources as we constantly seek to better our ministry. However, we are not in the business of candy, cookie dough or wrapping paper sales ~ our primary focus is our children and their families. Therefore we have two main fundraisers in the year that we count on everyone to support: 1) Individual and group pictures in the fall and spring each year; 2) the Annual Art Auction.

Lifetouch comes to our facility each fall for individual pictures and each spring for individual, graduation and group pictures. We begin our picture time at 7:30am so that older school-age children can also participate in the pictures. The final product has been excellent and a portion of the funds raised is returned to our program.

Our Annual Art Auction is a fun and lively event where each child has created two original works of art that are put up for sale in a live auction with a real auctioneer. The more friends and family you invite to this event, the better! It is important for parents to remember that even if you don’t win the art ~ YOU have the artist! The classes also perform throughout the auction and we have activities for kids and refreshments for all. This year the Art Auction will be on Saturday, February 23rd.

Changes in Policy

Should we have a change in any part of this policy, the change will be sent to you in writing in a timely manner along with a form for you to sign that verifies that you have been informed of the change and understand the policy.

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Please, sign the form on the last page acknowledging that you have read the parent handbook and understand the policies at Kid’s Crossing. Return this completed form with your other forms by the beginning of the school year. Please, keep your parent handbook on file so that you may refer to it from time to time. Additional copies are available for you in the Kid’s Crossing office.

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