Parent's Handbook

Parent’s Handbook

What you need to know before your first day

Preschool Hours

Abundant Life Preschool’s hours of operation are 6:45am until 6:00pm Monday through Friday.


What to wear

Your child should dress for an active day. We suggest comfortable, washable play clothes. Sneakers and socks are best for active play.


What to bring

Please bring a small blanket, a water bottle/sippy cup, their lunch, and 2 snacks for morning snack and afternoon snack. It’s also a good idea for your child to bring a small backpack or tote bag to carry art work home. Abundant Life Preschool provides school supplies for children. Your child needs a complete change of clothes at the center (shirt, shorts/pants/skirt, socks, and underwear). Be sure to write your child’s name in each piece of clothing. Give the clothes to your child's teacher.


Release of children

No child will be released to persons not authorized by a parent or guardian.


Illness

Children who are ill will not be admitted to the center.


Behavior Guidance

Our program uses a variety of positive guidance techniques to help children learn appropriate behaviors and develop self-control.


Toys from home

Children are encouraged to leave their toys at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What if my child is sick?

    If your child is ill, please keep your child at home. Be sure to let us know why he/she will be absent. If your child becomes ill during the day, we will call you.

  • What school supplies does my child need?

    All supplies are provided by the Center. It is not required, but it is very helpful if your child has a backpack or tote bag to carry home artwork and other papers.

  • Do you teach the children anything?

    Preschool children learn in unique ways, so our activities may not always look like “school”. Our teachers plan activities that help children increase their thinking and creativity skills. Children’s experiences will strengthen their literacy skills and encourage them to investigate the world around them. In other words, we’re teaching early reading, math, science, social studies, health, music, art, and more!

  • Can my child bring a toy?

    We prefer that children leave their toys at home. We have so many here for them to enjoy!

Tuition Payment

Direct Debit from your checking or savings account

  • Rates are based on weekly pre-payment.
  • The charges will be processed at noon on Wednesday.
  • The funds will be removed from your checking/savings account that Friday.
  • To keep your monthly bill consistent and low each month, our annual budgeted cost is divided by 12 months and not calculated monthly. Because we must hold your child’s spot during an absence, we do charge a normal daily fee for absences and days that the preschool is closed for holidays. This, and the holiday time has been dispersed over the rest of the year.

Attendance

Our program is open from 6:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The preschool is closed on these following days: New Year’s Day, Spring Break, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, August Center Cleaning/Training Day, Labor Day, the day before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, and the day after, and Christmas Weeks. I understand that my normal tuition payment is still due for these holidays.

  • Late Pick Up

    Abundant Life Preschool closes at 6:00 p.m. Two things happen when you are late picking up your child. First, your child becomes anxious about why you are late. Second, staff (who have responsibilities after children depart) may have to stay at school past their scheduled time and are late for their evening commitments.


    A late pickup fee of $5.00 per minute for every minute after 6:00 pm will apply. A note will be placed in the sign-out sheet to notify you of a late charge and will be due the next day. Please understand that repeated lateness will jeopardize your child’s enrollment in the Abundant Life program. Child Protective Service will be notified after a half-hour has passed or if we are unable to contact you or any of your emergency contacts.

  • Daily Sign In

     I understand that, per Arizona State requirement, I will complete the sign-in/sign out form each day my child attends. Complete signatures are required. Initials are not allowed. The sign-in/sign out sheet is located in the appropriate alphabetical book located in the school entrance. No child will be able to attend school without an adult accompanying them to the classroom

Disenrollment Policy

If you decide to terminate your child's enrollment for any reason, a two-week notice is required. If you terminate your child's enrollment without notice, you remain responsible for two weeks of child care fees. Abundant Life Preschool reserves the right to cancel the enrollment of a child for any of the following reasons:


  1. Non-payment of tuition.
  2. Not observing the parent's Enrollment Agreement.
  3. Physical or verbal abuse of staff or children.
  4. Chronic disruptive behavior.

Staff

Staff members are selected, not only on the basis of education, qualifications, and experience, but also on the basis of attitude. Teachers are chosen who exhibit real dedication to teaching, and genuine concern for children. All teachers have experience with early childhood education and/or special skills that qualify them to teach.

Curriculum

  • Lesson Plans

    The lead teacher of each classroom will plan and post a weekly lesson plan and send out monthly newsletters letting you know what they are learning in the classroom in the upcoming month.

  • 1's Goals & Development

    Support and equip them with their rapidly changing Gross/Fine Motor Skills, Cognitive and Social Development.

  • 2’s and 3’s Goals and Development

    Focus on learning opportunities to develop individually on social, emotional and cognitive experiences. Enhance concepts in order to be ready for Pre-K.

  • Pre-Kindergarten Goals and Development

    Each Pre-K student will be assessed twice a year to determine individual strengths and needs on Social Emotional Development, Self-Care & Personal Responsibility, Fine Motor skills, Gross Motor Skills & Cognitive Development. These assessments will be shared with the parents at Parent/Teacher Conferences in the Spring.

  • Curriculum

    Abundant Life Preschool is dedicated to providing each child with interesting, challenging and age appropriate activities that engage the imagination and enhance cognitive skills. We strive to equip your child with the emotional, social, and academic skills necessary to be successful in Kindergarten. This is achieved through play such as music and rhythm, language, fine and gross motor activities, dramatic play, cooking, science, creative media and outside experiences that are brought into the school. We also help to enhance and promote each child’s sense of positive self-image, individuality and creativity. Every child is encouraged to participate in all types of play.


    Abundant Life Preschool offers a center-based activities program. “Choice” centers children can choose from are:


    • Listening and Audio
    • Pretend Play
    • Writing
    • Reading
    • Math
    • Science and Sensory
    • Art
    • Small Manipulative Skills (beading, puzzles, matching, peg boards, card and board games)
    • Large Manipulative Skills (cars, dinosaurs, animals, blocks and building tools)
    • Bible Lesson

    The alphabet is practiced daily. Children learn numbers, days of the week, months, seasons, shapes, colors, and much more. Our activities help children develop patience, cooperation, boundaries, respect, and tolerance of others as well as encourage good manners, personal hygiene, social development, and personal growth. 


Transportation & Field Trips

We do not provide transportation to or from Abundant Life Preschool. Field trips are not a part of our curriculum. We bring special events and community resources to the school to enrich the program.

Chapel Time

Our 2's, 3's and Pre-K classes integrate Chapel Time into their daily routine. The children gather each Tuesday morning in the Children's Auditorium for Bible songs and a Bible story.

Health

  • Ilness

    Your child may contract colds and other contagious diseases during the preschool year. Eight or nine colds are common among children who are playing in groups for the first time.


    For the good of all children and the teachers, please keep your child at home if he/she is ill. If symptoms appear during the day, we will call you to pick up your child immediately.


    If your child is exposed to a contagious illness, we will post a notice at your child’s classroom door. Please let us know if your child has been exposed to a disease away from school so that we can watch for symptoms.


    State regulations require that children with the following symptoms be excluded from child care: 

    • Fever of 100 degrees or more
    • Diarrhea (2 or more watery stools which are not contained within clothing)
    • Vomiting (within the last 24 hours) 
    • Rash that is not obviously associated with diapering, heat, or allergic reactions to medications
    • Sore throat if associated with fever or swollen glands in the neck
    • Severe coughing leading to gagging, vomiting, or difficulty breathing
    • Pink eye
    • Untreated scabies, head lice, or the presence of nits 
    • Ringworm 
    • Impetigo

    If your child is sent home due to illness, he/she cannot return to preschool until he/she has been free from symptoms for 24 HOURS without the use of a fever reducer. This is to allow your child ample time to recover and stop the spread of illness to the other children and staff.

  • Immunizations

    A photocopy of the child’s current immunization record is required at the time of enrollment. Please remember to provide a new copy if your child receives additional immunizations during the school year. 

  • Medication

    Our program staff does not administer medication to children.

  • Injuries

    Minor injuries will be treated with appropriate first aid and you will be informed about them on an ouch report. Ouch reports are placed in Parents sign in/out book for parents to pick up.


    You will be called to the center immediately if your child sustains a more serious injury. In cases that we perceive to be potentially life-threatening, we will call an ambulance to transport your child to a medical facility and will direct you to meet the ambulance. All costs for the ambulance and medical fees are the responsibility of the child’s family.

  • Nutrition

    In an effort to help keep your tuition lower, we no longer provide morning or afternoon snack. Please bring a lunch and pack 2 extra snacks in your childs lunch box for their morning and afternoon snack.


    Food Allergies: Please notify your child’s teacher if your child has food allergies.

  • Rest

    Children are offered an opportunity to rest after lunch. Children have sleeping mats labeled with their names. Clean sheets are provided weekly, or more often if needed. Please bring a small blanket from home to make the children feel more comfortable. Children are not required to sleep, just rest.

  • Outdoor Play

    Outdoor play is not just recess but is an extension of our indoor learning opportunities.

    All children will play outdoors every day, weather permitting. The length of outdoor playtimes is adjusted according to the weather. Factors such as temperature and wind are considered in determining whether children will be able to play outdoors and how long they will stay out.


    Please dress your child for the weather, especially cool mornings in fall and spring. Sneakers with socks, or other similar shoes, are best for running, climbing, and enjoying the outdoors.

Safety & Emergencies

  • Security Card Policy

    Security is an important part of our program, so we will issue each family 2 key fobs to gain entrance into the ALP building between the hours of 6:45 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday thru Friday. The fobs allow access to the main entrance door and the south entrance to the playground. Just flash the fob in front of the security box to engage the door and gain entrance.


    If you need additional fobs to allow other designated persons to drop off or pick up your child you will be charged $5 per fob. All key fobs are assigned to your child. If you lose your fob and need a replacement, you will be charged $5.


    When you withdraw your child from Abundant Life Preschool, you are required to return all fobs assigned to you. Thank you for your adherence to this procedure.

  • Front Door Policy

    • Do not allow anyone other than yourself, or persons you have personally brought, to enter the door along with you.
    • Do not allow others (even if they are a familiar face, or you feel you know them) to enter the door via your key fob. (This includes perceived Staff of ALP)
    • Do not give out your key fob to anyone else. These are assigned to you as a person. If you need additional fobs, please see Suzie or Hannah in the office. 
  • Release of Children

    Your child will be released only to those persons whose names you have listed on the blue emergency card. Please advise ALP if any person other than those listed is authorized to pick up your child. 


    Abundant Life Preschool employees will require proof of identification from any person arriving to pick up your child if the office staff or teacher has not met them previously.

  • Emergency Procedures

    Evacuation procedures for fire and other emergencies are practiced monthly. When severe weather is in the area, the director monitors weather reports and alerts staff to be prepared to make decisions to keep everyone safe.


    All Abundant Life Preschool staff members are certified in First Aid and CPR. Parents will be contacted by a staff member if there is an emergency.

  • Snow Day Procedures

    Abundant Life Preschool will strive to provide consistent daily child care. We do not follow the Flagstaff Unified School District snow day closings and schedules. However, on days that are exceptionally hazardous, the following options may be taken: a delayed start of the school day or a full day closure. Please check our snow closures page, to find out if there is a change in schedule, check our Facebook page, or listen specifically for the Abundant Life Preschool information on KAFF (92.9 FM, 930 AM). If no change is listed, we are on a regular schedule.

Children's Needs

  • Clothing

    Children in our program are active and creative. In order for your child to fully participate in all the activities, please follow these guidelines when dressing your child for school. 

    • Clothing is washable and durable enough to permit vigorous play. 
    • Clothing is inexpensive so that soiling, damage, or loss will not cause great concern. 
    • Shoes are sturdy and protect the child’s feet. Sneakers (with socks) are the best choice. Flip flops, sandals, and open toed shoes can be hazardous, so for this reason please leave them at home. 
    • Clothing is appropriate to the weather conditions. Children will spend time outdoors every day. Be sure to send jackets, sweaters, coats, gloves, hats as needed. Please make sure that all clothing is labeled with the child’s name.

    Change of clothes at school. Every child must have a complete change of clothes at school (socks, underwear, shirt, shorts/pants). Please check periodically to see if your child’s change of clothes needs replacing. If a change of clothing becomes necessary during the day, the soiled clothing will be placed in a bag with your child’s name on it, and be placed in the tub under the sink in your child’s classroom.

  • Cubbies

    Children are provided with cubbies as a means of keeping their belongings together. Please check your child’s cubby each day for notes from your teacher, art projects, and other items that need to go home.

  • Toys

    Please discourage your child from bringing toys from home. We will have special days when children may bring something and we will notify you of these days. If a toy is brought from home we cannot be responsible for returning it. Teachers will ask your child to give the toy to you to take home. If the child is unable to do this, we will ask them to show it to their friends and then place it, for the rest of the day, in the office to be picked up on the way home. 

  • Birthdays

    We will celebrate birthdays during snack time. Parents are invited to bring a special snack, purchased from a licensed bakery or grocery store (not prepared at home per ADHS regulations).

  • Guidance & Discipline

    Our goal is to help children learn acceptable behavior and develop self-control. Our program is designed to promote positive and enjoyable learning experiences and to build trusting respectful relationships. A well-planned schedule, classroom arrangement, and curriculum, along with a well-trained staff, significantly reduces instances of inappropriate behavior. However, when children do make mistakes in behavior, we use the following guidance techniques:

    • Tell the child what he/she CAN do.
    • Give choices whenever possible, but only when the child really has a choice. 
    • Support children in learning to solve their own problems and work out conflicts. 
    • Re-direct a child to another activity. 
    • Help children learn how to play with friends.

    Limits of Behavior 

    • You may not hurt others. 
    • You may not hurt yourself. 
    • You may not hurt toys and equipment.
  • Chronic Disruptive Behavior

    We will make every effort to work with the parents of children having difficulties in our school. We are here to serve and protect all the children. Children displaying chronic disruptive behavior, which has been determined to be upsetting to the physical or emotional wellbeing of other children in the class, may require to be disenrolled.


    PLEASE NOTE: Abundant Life Preschool reserves the right to withdraw any child who demonstrates a threat to the safety and learning environment of the other children enrolled. A parent will be called at work anytime the child exhibits uncontrollable behavior that cannot be modified by the teachers. The parent will be asked to take the child home immediately.

  • Potty Training

    Abundant Life Preschool staff cannot assume the responsibility for potty training your child but is willing to work and support you in this endeavor. 


    For a child to be considered potty trained and to be allowed to come to preschool in underwear, the following minimum requirements must be met:


    1. The child must start out using pull-ups with the Velcro tabs on the side at preschool, which are much easier on the teacher who has 8 children to care for. 


    2. The child must be using underwear at home on a daily basis for a minimum of two weeks with limited accidents. 


    3. The child must be able to initiate going into the bathroom on their own as needed. 


    4. The child must be able to know how to pull up and down their own pants.


    Abundant Life Preschool staff will help with buttoning and wiping. We ask that you talk with your child’s teacher regarding your goals and requests for potty training and that you do not send your child to preschool in underwear before they can meet the minimum requirements. After potty training, if your child has three or more accidents a day for two or more days while wearing underwear at school, you will be asked to return them to pull-ups (with Velcro tabs) until a second two week period of meeting the above requirements is achieved. Please make sure and bring at least 3 sets of extra clothes during potty training.


    Your child’s teacher is limited in how they can assist you in potty training because of the significant amount of dedicated time required in this endeavor. The Abundant Life Preschool Director will discuss this policy with you upon request.

  • Separation

    The first few days at ALP will be an adjustment period for you and your child. Some children adjust to a group setting without any apparent difficulty, others will cry and cling to parents. Some children will be unusually quiet and will not join in activities. Other children may become overstimulated and act out aggressively. 


    Here are some suggestions for things you can do to help ease the adjustment period:

    • Visit the center with your child prior to leaving him/her for the first time. 
    • Children are not always sure that parents will be back to pick them up. Even if they do understand parents will return, children do not always understand about timing. Please explain to your child in advance what will happen when you dorp him/her off and reassure the child that you will be returning. 
    • Talk to your child positively about and the things he/she will be doing. Place emphasis on what your child is going to do at the center rather than what you will be doing while away from your child. 
    • See that your child is involved in a specific activity or is under the care of a teacher before you leave. 
    • Avoid long good-byes. The staff is very capable of dealing with upset children and it makes their job much harder when parents linger.
    • Do not hesitate to discuss adjustment issues with your child's teacher or the center director. 

Family & Staff Partnership

  • Confidentiality

    All information about children and their families is considered confidential. Staff members will maintain the confidentiality of each family and of each child’s educational records.

  • Communication

    There are a number of ways to ensure communcation between the center and your family.

    • Talk to your child's teacher at drop-off and pick-up time. 
    • Read posted weekly lesson plans and daily schedules.
    • Read special event notices posted near the sign-in sheet.
    • Enjoy the photos, children's work, and other documentation of childen's activities. These are posted in your child's room and throughout the center. 
    • Check your child's cubby or sign-out sheet for notices.
    • Emails sent to you from the center Director.
    • Visit the center! You are welcome to drop by any time. 
  • Daily Arrivals & Departures

    A parent or authorized adult must accompany children into and out of the center at all times and must sign children in and out.


    If your child is going to attend preschool for the day, they must be here by 10 am. 


    Drop-off and pick-up times are opportunities to exchange information with our staff. As staff members are greeting children, parents often have lots of information to give us. Please help us do a good job – if it’s important for us to know, write it down and hand it to a staff member.

  • Licensing & Inspections

    Abundant Life Preschool is licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services. Department of Health Services Child Care licensing and inspection reports are available upon request. Please see the preschool Director.

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