Category: Announcements

What will the classrooms be like~

All class sizes will be no larger than 15 students for the time being. Children age 5 and under, and teachers are required to wear masks at school. Teachers will remain a constant and not be in other classrooms or groups. Classrooms will continue to be prepared learning environments for our students with added changes; children will have their own set of art materials, the chairs and tables have additional space between them to off more social distancing, and the classroom will be sanitized several times though out the day, with a focused thorough cleaning every night by our janitorial company.

How will Drop offs/Pick ups be handled~

• • One parent can drop off and pick up their child. Most often, it will be outdoors, or at the classroom entrance. Parents will not be inside the school building at this time. No siblings outside of vehicles please.

 

• We will remain at our 7:30 opening time, but extend back to 5:25 p.m. closing time.

 

• If a child, or any family member is not feeling well, the child should stay at home until symptom free for 48 hours.
• Children will be signed in by a teacher after being health screened (temperature taken), hand sanitizer given.
• Children are required to have a labeled: 

 Lunchbox,  Back pack  and  Water bottle  daily, and we ask that these items not change and are sanitized at home nightly.

What is our Tuition responsibility~

We will continue to bill monthly, the first Friday of the month. Upon receipt of your invoice/contract, we are requesting all first semester monthly checks to be post dated and submitted to the school office by Friday August 21, 2020. Any and all changes will need to be submitted to the office with a minimum 30 day notice during this time. There are no prepayment discounts available, or reduction for school closure, absence or illness.

Countryside Montessori Preschool will continue to align with, and follow all protocols communicated with administration from the Public Health Department, City and State Licensing. Our commitment remains dedicated to each child, family and staff member for the best environment both emotionally/mentally and physically. We appreciate your support, and partnership. The CMP community is strong.

• Dig out that introduction letter you got from us (generally a month before school) with details about classroom entrances, backpack, timetable, healthy lunches, school supply list, etc. and make sure you are organized in advance, so that you are not unduly stressed on the first few days. Make sure the back pack and lunch box you choose are easy to manage and think about the best clothes for your child to wear. That doesn’t mean their Sunday best. It means clothes your child can play in, without fear of paint splashes and clothes that are easy to manage when visiting the toilet.  Closed toe, easy to put on, shoes are always a must.
• Talk to your child about preschool but resist the temptation of hyping it up too much as the child might be totally underwhelmed with the reality. ( We suggest visiting the library for some great first day books too) Refer to the teachers – who you’ve most likely already met – by their first names and tell your child about the other children, the painting, the play dough and the kind of activities you know that will interest them. Many children have already visited the preschool in advance of term start!
• In the week before the start day, explain to your child that you or another loved one will be dropping and collecting them from preschool and how that will work. Tell your child the two things you, or your minder, will do while they are at preschool to give the child a sense of the short time involved, like going to the bank and preparing lunch. It’s not too long and not long too short – in fact just enough time to have fun before being collected!  It is okay to sound excited for your “work time” as should they…
• On reaching the door each morning, smile and treat teacher like a friend. Relax and don’t fuss and let your child know that you’re confident that they can manage. Remember that your child is alert to the emotional messages you send out, so don’t panic and don’t let the child see you crying.
• If your child is fine going in on the first day, just walk away and don’t look for problems where none exist. The majority of children will sail in, no problem. Treat yourself to a cup of coffee and a little treat – this is a big day for you too!
• If your child does cry going in, follow the lead of the teacher. Often children who come in the door crying are okay and laughing five minutes later. Rest assured that your child is in kind, nurturing, and capable hands!
• Make sure to return for pick up on time as children can fret when they see other children leave before them.
• Don’t expect the teacher to give you detailed feedback in the first two weeks when the whole group is really settling in.
• After the day, ask your child about the sand, the books, the “works/lessons” and the other children. If your questions are specific, you’ll get more information.