10 Most Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are we affiliated with the 1st Congregational Church?
We are a separate, incorporated, not-for-profit program, housed in the
Church. We are organized and operated as a separate entity with some
resource support given from within the greater Church community.
2. Is religion taught as part of our curriculum?
No. We have a rich developmentally appropriate preschool curriculum which
does not include any religious education. We include a diverse population of
beliefs in our classrooms.
3. How is discipline handled?
It is the responsibility of adults present to set clear limits and expectations,
giving information of why certain behaviors are unacceptable and give
appropriate alternatives and support. Simple language, caring, patience and
consistency are keys to developmentally appropriate discipline procedures.
4. How are children chosen for acceptance into the preschool
programs?
In the late fall, brochures and applications are sent out and family visits
scheduled to learn about our program. Applications are accepted from within
the current preschool community in December and then from new families on a
first come basis beginning in January. Each group has a certain number of
boy/girl and full-day/morning program spaces to be filled. After applications
are received, final confirmation of acceptance into the program is sent out in
March for the following school year.
5. Is there a financial assistance policy?
For families with more than one child in our program, we provide a 10% sibling
discount which is applied to the lower tuition fee. We also strive to provide
hardship tuition discounts for families if the need should arise and the program
is financially able to do so.
6. Do we follow a certain prescribed preschool curriculum?
Our teachers use the 30 Performance Standards set by the Connecticut Early
Childhood Council to create an emerging developmentally appropriate
curriculum incorporating seasonal themes.
7. Do we go outside?
All students go outside daily, both in the morning and afternoon, except in
severe weather (heavy rain or temperatures below 10 degrees) on our
wonderful multi-area playground. In winter months, full snow gear is brought
daily by each child. Outside time is a part of our daily schedule and everyone
is expected to go out.
8. What about snack/lunch?
We provide a morning and afternoon snack each day. Children eat together as
a group in their classroom each day at noon. They bring their own lunches
from home daily whether here for Morning Program or Full Day. Lunch items
may be stored in the school refrigerator or ice packs may be used in lunch
boxes. We do not heat lunch foods, but a thermos can be used to keep foods
warm.
9. Do all children have a rest time?
We find that it is very important for all children, even five year olds, to have
some quiet down time to shift focus after a busy, full morning program. All
children in the 3’s and 4’s classrooms who attend the program after 1 PM will
have a rest period on a cot of at least one hour a day, and may sleep up to two
hours as needed. We’ll be glad to wake children if sleeping more than one
hour is a problem. Children can rest quietly during the first hour and then do
quiet activities if they are not sleeping. Children in the 5’s class have a 30
minute rest time. Having no rest time is not an option.
10. Do children need to be toilette trained to attend school?
We do accept children in our program in the 3’s Room who are not toilet
trained in September and the family is responsible for initiating the toilet
training of their child during the fall months. Children will be encouraged and
supported in their efforts at school and should be well on their way to
underwear by January.
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