License# C02LE0065 Let's learn!
TADA Preschool Handbook
Program Operations
(TADA Performing Arts Preschool, 1260 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, FL 32312 (850) 893-8754 Email: www.tadapreschool.com
TADA Preschool is owned and operated by Sarah Brown. The Program is certified as a child care program by the state of Florida License number CO2LE0065
Hours of Operation
We are open 7:45AM-6:00PM Monday- Friday. We follow the Leon County Schools Calendar except for Teacher Planning Days. We are open on Teacher Planning Days. We are closed for all major holidays. We are also closed for all weather related closings such as hurricanes and other sever weather.
Our Philosophy
We believe that all children grow and develop at their own pace and while it is important to ensure children are ready for kindergarten and for life experiences, we also feel they should not be hurried through childhood. Our goal is to provide a safe learning environment where kids can simply be kids.
We feel play is an essential aspect of young children’s lives… it is essential to their well-being and development. Our preschool program provides time for free play as children need these experiences. New concepts, new skills and new understanding come to children through play. In play, children learn to formulate and organize ideas and to become more flexible in problem solving. Children’s attention begins to lengthen when they play. Their imagination can take them anywhere they want to go. During play children learn to communicate their thoughts, feeling and needs to others. We feel by arranging our childcare areas to offer challenging, interesting play and learning choices at a range of developmental levels, children will learn through their play.
We balance play with many structured activities such as table time, circle time, open ended art activities, music, meals, clean up etc. We choose curriculum activities based on the needs of the children enrolled and where we feel they need to be for kindergarten. We feel it is important to help each child succeed at his or her own level and adjust projects to meet and challenge their current level of development. Teachable moments provide learning opportunities on any given day. Activities such as setting the table can be used as teaching opportunities. Children can learn counting, patterning, and one to one correspondence setting the table. Looking up a bug they may have seen on the playground teaches them not only the information about the bug (science), but that book, magazines, and computers are resources. We strongly feel that developing their love for learning and exploration is every bit as important as their care and safety!
We believe social skill and self-help skills are essential for each child to develop and we reinforce this through modeling responsibility, acceptance, caring, sharing and respect for all children and adults. We believe by truly listening and engaging in conversations with children provides numerous opportunities for the development of emotional, language and social skills as well as enhancement of self-esteem. We are sensitive to each child’s social, emotional, intellectual and physical needs. We strive to meet their individual needs as well as the group’s needs as a whole. We believe given these experiences and opportunities, children will develop a positive self-esteem and love of learning that will follow them throughout their lives.
Staff
Our staff is highly qualified and certified to care for your children.
Sarah Brown - Owner, Lead Teacher for 3&4 year olds, Art Teacher
Nancy Witter - Director, Lead Teacher for 3&4 year olds, Art Teacher
Cinda Shapiro - Lead Teacher for 2 year olds
Cleo Laroche - Afternoon Teacher
Tiffany Vaughn - Ukulele and Piano Teacher
Angel Andres - Violin Teacher
Parent Communication
Using Facebook, email and texting developing effective communication with parents and with extended family has become easier than ever. This, of course, is not intended to replace verbal communication but to enhance it and make it easier when you need to send me a quick note. Please do not hesitate to contact us at as your primary contact line.
We have Facebook posts with pictures of what the children are doing in our program often. (Permission for your child’s photo to be posted is your choice and you will need to fill out a photo permission slip.) We understand each family has personal preferences regarding Facebook and respect your decision about having your child’s pictures posted. Many parents love being able to see their children throughout the day, but other people are more private. It is totally your choice. Regardless please check out our page often to keep up with what your child is doing at school/childcare.
Arrival and Departure Routine
Toddler/Preschool age children must be accompanied by a parent or other authorized adult. (Authorized adults must be listed on your child’s Enrollment Form.) All children are encouraged to take care of their own belongings and to get their own shoes on/off as they are able.
ARRIVAL
● Please sign in using our Jackrabbit Care system
● Share any valuable information with staff (schedule changes, how the child is feeling, etc.) ● Drop off lunch box, water bottle, extra diapers, wipes, etc.
If your child is going to be arriving late or will be absent for the day please call or text us by 8AM so we can plan our day and won’t be waiting for your child to arrive. If you are going to be detained at pick up by more than half an hour OR after 6:00 PM, please notify us so we can reassure your child and plan for staff to stay with your child.
DEPARTURE
• Please be sure to collect all belongings (bedding and purple folder on Friday) • Notify staff of any changes for the next day
• Sign out using our Jackrabbit Care system
Orientation to our Program/Separation Anxiety
Starting in a new setting is an exciting experience for a young child, however it can also be a difficult one initially. Even children who are very excited about “starting school” may suddenly realize that you are not going to be there. The apprehension that accompanies that realization is a normal reaction. We would like to offer several suggestions to help your child with the adjustment process.
● Relax! Children will sense your apprehension; therefore, it is important that you feel comfortable with the routine. If you have questions or concerns, please ask us.
● Come and visit with your child before the first day of attendance.
● Learn the names of your child’s future play mates and the teachers who will be caring for them. ● Go to our Facebook page, look at the pictures with your child. It will help your child become more familiar with the classroom before attending.
● In their first days, use Facebook pictures as a conversation starter with your child. What do you think you would like to do there? What did you play with today? Did you like the ____? etc. ● Actively listen to your child as (s)he talks about their day. This will give insight to help the next day. If you know they like the blocks, that might be a great direction to get them thinking about the next morning.
● Establish a “goodbye routine” and even practice it at home when leaving your child with a grandparent or spouse who typically doesn’t drop off. Try for example a special phrase like see you later alligator,
one hug and two kisses. Try not to get trapped in the “one more hug, kiss etc.” Kids are amazing at this game! Unfortunately, it usually just makes a tough goodbye, tough for an even longer period of time. ● Figure out what works best for your child. For most children a quick departure is best. It doesn’t prolong what they are dreading (you are leaving). Usually by the time parents have pulled out of the driveway, a crying child has stopped and is involved in playing.
● If you are wondering how they are doing, please call or text to see how they are doing. We don’t want you spending the day worrying about them and totally understand how difficult this transition is on parents as well as children.
Health & Medication
Your child’s health is important to all of us. Please inform us of any special health precautions, medications or other concerns you may have about your child. In accordance with state law Immunization records must be on file at the center within one month of enrollment for all children who are not yet in public school. If choose not to immunize your child, we must have a written record of this for our file. Please update records after each immunization.
Authorization for medical treatment must be completed and signed by a parent and be kept on file for each child enrolled in our program. Our emergency medical facility is typically Tallahassee Memorial Hospital unless another facility is dictated by your insurance carrier, you, or the severity of the emergency. In case of emergency, we will make every effort to contact the parent first. Children requiring emergency treatment may be transported by a teacher or EMS for minor injuries requiring immediate treatment.
Staff are trained in CPR, First Aid, and Basic Water Safety.
Illness: Parental cooperation is necessary to promote a healthy environment for all the children attending our program. Please do not send your child to the center if they show signs of illness in the morning. Your child may attend if they have regular cold symptoms, mild coughing or runny nose if they are able to participate in ALL childcare activities including outside play.
Parents need to have an alternative plan for illness of their child(ren) arranged in advance. When we call to inform you that your child is sick and needs to be picked up, we expect you or someone to pick up your child within 90 minutes.
Children should not return to the program until a full 12 hours after a fever has ceased (without the use of a fever reducer) and diarrhea or vomiting has stopped. In addition, children must be on medication for any communicable disease for 24 hours before returning to the center. I understand this is a hardship for working parents, but I must think of all the other working parents and the other children’s health.
Medication: Staff will dispense either prescription or non-prescription medication under the following conditions:
● Medication is in the original container which is labeled with the child’s name.
● An authorization to administer medication has been signed.
Please give all medications including cough drops to a staff member for storage and administration. You may choose to complete a form to authorize administration of non-prescription medication for minor occurrences (headaches, fevers, coughs, sore throats, etc.) For children in childcare, I would recommend sending a fever
reducer and cold medicine for minor symptoms that do not require removal from child care or so that your child may begin receiving relief before you are able to pick him or her up. Please label with your child’s name. Medications are kept out of reach in a locked box.
Safety for your Child:
● No child will be released to any person not listed on the child’s enrollment form without prior approval for the child’s parents.
● When someone other than normal pick up people comes to pick up a child, prior permission from parent is required. The child may identify familiar adults or ID will be required for unfamiliar adults. ● Playground and classroom equipment is cleaned and inspected regularly.
● Children and staff use proper hand washing procedures before and after each meal, toileting, diapering, etc.
● Child records are kept up to date and are located where all staff member can quickly access in case of emergency.
● A first aid kit, children’s emergency information and cell phone are located at pool and brought on any field trips.
● Monthly fire drills are held at various times of the day using different exits. Fire extinguishers and wired/battery fire alarms are installed and inspected regularly.
● State Fire Marshal inspects premises before each license renewal.
● State licensing inspector visits the premises each year. This is an unannounced visit. Additional unannounced visit by food program inspector takes place 4 times a year.
● Staff are mandated reporters of suspicion of child abuse or neglect.
General Manners and Expectations:
● Children will learn to say please and thank you regularly.
● Children will learn to say excuse me when appropriate.
● Children will learn to share and take turns as developmentally appropriate. (Preschoolers will not be able to do this at all times – this is a goal to work towards.)
● We do not allow children to exclude anyone who wants to play with them. (they can have alone time, but we try to eliminate the “I only want to play with _____”)
● Children are expected to help clean up the classroom at clean up times. We also encourage children to get in the habit of putting things away when they are done playing with it.
● Children are expected to use a gentle touch, we discourage rough play and pretend guns. ● Children are expected to be respectful of their teachers and other children.
● Children are expected to take care of their own things. They put their things away in their cubbies. They put papers in their folders. Clean up their own messes.
Potty Learning
We believe that potty learning is different for each child and each child will exhibit signs of readiness at different ages. Because of this, we do not require your child to be trained before starting preschool. We have experience and training in potty learning. We will be glad to assist in potty training with the understanding that it will only work if we work together. When your child is showing signs of readiness, you must work with your child at home and we'll work with them here. Children should have some consistent success at home before we start with them at school/childcare. This typically means several days with only one accident and interest in staying dry.
Preschool Program
We are a unique program in that we provide our students with music, dance and art lessons every day in addition to their preschool curriculum. Our 18 month to 2 year olds participate in Jingle Jam music class and Creative Movement Dance Class. Our 3 and 4 year olds participate in private ukulele, piano and violin lessons as well as ballet, tap, acro and yoga classes. All students receive a daily art class.
Social Skills- (manners, kindness, playing cooperatively, taking turns, compassion, respect, handling emotions).
Gross Motors Skills- (climbing, running, hopping, jumping, balancing, catching and throwing balls)
Fine Motor skills- (puzzles, Lego’s, blocks, manipulative toys, lacing beads, drawing, coloring, writing, cutting, play dough.)
Math Skills (counting, patterns, simple addition and subtraction, one to one correspondence. We use a wide variety of manipulative activities and incorporate math during our daily activities and circle time.)
Literature-based Activities (circle time, stories, charts, finger plays, songs, beginning reading and writing skills and dictating their own stories).
Letter and Number Explorations (activities including letter books, fun tactile activities, games, and a rich print environment.)
Handwriting Without Tears (handwriting program teaches proper letter formation from the start, yet in fun, easy ways designed for preschoolers to develop good fine motor skills)
Science (hands on explorations about our environment, animals, and nature)
Social studies (learning about our community)
What to bring
Nap roll for nap time
Extra clothes including socks, shoes, underwear if potty trained
Diapers / Pull ups
Wipes
Lunch each day
One snack for half day, two snacks for full day
Labeled water bottle
School Year Schedule
7:45 School opens… self directed play in the playroom
8:45 Table or special activities
9:15 Group time Calendar, games, finger plays, counting, stories, games and activities 10:00 Story time
10:15 Snack time
10:30 Jingle Jam 2 year olds, Music lessons 3/4 year olds, Dance
11:00 Art / Outside play
11:30 Academics
12:00 Lunch
12:45 Nap / Rest Time
2:45 Wake up and playtime
4:00 Afternoon snack
Playtime until pick up
Tuition and Fees
Tuition: Tuition is based on enrollment (a reserved slot), not attendance and payment will be expected whether or not the child is in attendance.
Registration Fee: A one-time $200.00 registration fee per family is required upon enrollment of child. This fee covers preparations for your child’s arrival, such as setting up a cubby, reviewing and entering records into computer files, and filing forms, as well as holding their spot until the time care is scheduled to begin. There are no annual fees.
Materials Fee: An annual $225.00 materials fee per student is required upon enrollment of child. This fee covers dance wear, musical instruments, classroom supplies, art supplies, special activities, etc.
Current rates are as follows:
2 year olds
7:45-3:00 $715/month
7:45-6:00 $968/month
3-5 year olds
7:45-3:00 $660/month
7:45-6:00 $935/month
Annual Materials Fee: $225/student
One time Registration Fee: $200/student
Tuition: Tuition payment is due on the first day of each month.
