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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