PRESCHOOL PROGRAM HANDBOOK
2008-2009
PLANT THE SEED …
NURTURE THE GROWTH…
EXPERIENCE THE AWE!  

OUR PHILOSOPHY:

The Salto Gymnastics Preschool program is focused on the total well being of each child. We believe that an active mind grows from a strong, healthy body. Gymnastics skills and life skills are developed in an atmosphere of Movement, FUN and Play!

OUR OBJECTIVES:

…to provide children with a multi-movement centered preschool education program. 

…to teach the children Fun, Fitness and Fundamentals as outlined through the Canadian gymnastics program.
 
…to provide a quality program of activities that will enable the development of the whole child.

PROGRAM GOALS:

Movement education and exploration thus enhancing balance, coordination, vestibular development, physical development, large and small motor skill development and athletic skills. Balancing health and learning. (Body and mind). Develop and improve image, confidence and esteem of self. Cultivate socialization skills (sharing, caring and helping). Introduction to music, creative dance and dramatic play.

Daily Classroom Schedule

Class Entrance & Hello!           5-10 minutes
Circle Time                              15-20 minutes
Gymnastics                             45 minutes
Snack Time                              20 minutes
Learning Time                         30/45 minutes (Tots /Tykes)
Cool Down & Good-bye           5-10 minutes

The circle times, activity centres and gymnastics curriculum are planned to include the following subjects during the preschool year:

Gymnastics & Movement: Fundamental movement patterns (FMP's): statics, landings, rotations, swing, spring, projection, receiving, rhythm & dance.  Movement education and exploration thus enhancing balance, coordination, vestibular development, physical development, large and small motor skill development and athletic skills.

ABC's & Prewriting: There will be a "letter of the week" each week through the “Animated Literacy Program”. The children will learn to recognize the letters and their sounds. Pre-printing activities will be offered on a regular basis. Tracing, recognizing and printing their names.

Language Art: Finger plays, nursery rhymes, poetry, stories and more are combined to enhance the child's vocabulary and encourage a love for books.

Science: Hands on activities encourage exploration of bugs, animals and rocks. Concepts such as weights and measures are discovered through play and at the sensory table.

Nutrition & Food: Snack time encourages good eating habits, learning and use of table manners.  Participating in the preparation of some snacks teaches simple math concepts such as measuring, observing how food is made and then, the best part, enjoying a snack the children have made.

Creative Drama: An example of creative drama at the preschool is dress up time. The Little Tykes kitchen and tool areas are favourite places for the children to experience role playing and creativity. They also learn social skills and how to interact with their peers in these areas.

Social Studies: These activities focus on learning about self, home, family, transportation and the community.

Art: Our art projects correspond with each week's theme. The projects encourage creativity as well as develop fine motor skills.

Bathroom Routine

Parents/Guardians are required to bring their child to the bathroom before class. Part of our daily routine will be confirmation from the child that a bathroom visit before class was performed.

Arriving & Leaving Preschool

Please be prompt when bringing your child to Preschool and picking them up at the end of the class. It is very important for your child to enjoy a successful day by being at school on time. No child will be allowed outside the classroom without either a parent or designated adult listed on the Registration contact sheet. Please notify the Preschool if there is a change in who is dropping off or picking up your child.

Late Pickups

Please call the Gym and notify us if you will be arriving late to pick up your child. A late pick up fee of $1.50/ min. after 15 minutes will be charged if a child is picked up past the designated class ending times.

Discipline Policy

Our Staff is instructed to use positive methods of discipline, encouraging the child to develop self control. We first try redirecting the child to another activity. If the problem continues, the child may be given e short time out. At the end of the time out, the director and the child will discuss the reason for the time out and how to make better choices. If the problem persists the parent, director and child will conference and a plan will be implemented.

Volunteering

While volunteering is not mandatory for the Salto Preschool Program, it is both greatly appreciated and extremely helpful in delivering outstanding programming.  Please sign up on the volunteer calendar on the bulletin board. Volunteer days will be posted in advance. Please let the staff know if you would like to volunteer on an ongoing basis.

Snack Time

Each child will be required to provide their own small snack (1·2 items max) and drink (juice or water) We are a peanut free facility - all food is to be nut-free!

Birthdays

The Preschool celebrates birthdays for children whose birthdays fall in that given month. Summer birthdays will be celebrated in June. A sign up sheet will be posted on the bulletin boards. On the child's Birthday Day, Parents of the b-day children may bring treats to share for the class.

Field Trips

You will be notified, in advance, of any field trips the Preschool is planning.  Volunteer parents will be required to provide a 1-5 ratio of supervision. Field trips take the place of regularly scheduled class times. The Gym club does not provide transportation. The child's parent(s) or other caregivers will provide transportation and we will meet at the Field Trip location. Fees for field trips will be announced and due prior to the field trip.

What Your Child Needs At Preschool

Please bring a small back pack containing an extra set of clothing, including underwear on each class day. Please mark the clothing with your child's name.  Your child will also use the backpack to bring home art projects and notes.

Items From Home

Toys or other items from home should not be brought to Preschool except for special, designated days.  Please make sure items are identified with your child's name.  There will be designated show & share days.  You will be notified prior to your child's day.

Health Policy

Please be careful and alert that your child is in good health when they are brought to class. Always notify the Gym if your child is going to be absent, stating the reason for the absence.

Please do not send a child who has these common signs and symptoms of illness:

• Thick or discoloured discharge/drainage from the nose
• Persistent cough or sneezing
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea within the previous 24 hours
• Headache
• Earache (disrupts equilibrium and balance)
• Rash
• Discharge from the eyes/pink eye
• All plantar warts or other foot ailments MUST be treated and covered completely during treatment.

If your child has been prescribed antibiotics they may return to class 24 hours after the first dosage.

If a child becomes ill while at class the parents will be contacted and asked to come take the child home. When the Preschool is unable to contact the parents we will then attempt the emergency contact as listed on your child's registration contact sheet.

In the case of an emergency the Preschool will take such measures as deemed necessary. Parents and/or emergency contact will be called immediately. If EMS is necessary 911 will be called first, the parent/emergency contact second.

The Preschool Staff holds current CPR and takes First Aid certification.

Calling The Gym

You may call the Salto Office at 449-1518 the office hours 9:00-4:30 M - F 8:30-2:30 Sat. or e-mail us at preschool@saltogymnastics.com.  You may also leave a message on the answering machine and your calls will be returned as soon as possible.

For a printable version, click here Parent Handbook (pdf)

• You and your spouse/partner are Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada and live in Alberta.
• You and your spouse/partner are currently working, attending school, looking for work or have special needs.
• Your children are aged (0-7) and are not yet attending Grade 1.
• You or your spouse/partner stay at home and have your child(ren) attend a Licensed Nursery School or other Early Childhood Development Program.