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request a copy, please contact the PreschoolProgram Manager at your program site.Lines Of AuthorityThe Prince William County Departmentof Parks, Recreation & Tourism has noresponsibility to communicate to otherlisted Authorized Adults when your childhas been picked up. The responsibility ofcommunication among Authorized Adultsremains among those individuals.If you have any concerns or questions,please consult the Lead Teacher of yourchild’s program. If the answer/actionis unsatisfactory, or you need moreinformation, please contact the PreschoolManager at your site.Student Arrivals andDeparturesTemperature checks for children and verbalhealth checks with the parent/guardian willbe conducted during arrivalsWhen departing, all children must be signedout daily. For safety and security reasons,you should be prepared to show identification. Children will be released outside theclassroom.Parents/Guardians must designate authorized person(s) to be responsible for yourchild. Your child will not be released to anyone other than those you designate on theregistration form. This information is kept inyour child’s file and will be referred to whenreleasing your child from our care.In an emergency, we will accept a writtennote, from the legal parent/guardian, givinganother adult temporary permission to pickup a child. It must be in writing in order forus to comply.Please remember, once you have identifiedAuthorized Adults for your child, we presume these are your wishes. If at any time,you want to add or delete Authorized Adults,please do so in writing. We cannot deny anAuthorized Adult from picking up the child.If there is a court order regarding the custody of a child(ren), then a copy of thecourt order must be on file at the programlocation. Preschool staff is not permitted todeny access of a parent to a child without acourt order on file. A custodial parent shallbe admitted into any child day program.6Such right of admission shall apply onlywhile the child is in the child day program(63.2-1813 of the Code of Virginia).What to bring/send withyour childPlease pack a spare set of clothes each day.Make sure your child is dressed in comfortable, easy to care for clothing that is appropriate for the prevailing weather.Please label all belongings brought toschool. Lost items will be kept in the classroom for a short time.Children are to wear closed-toe shoes everyday.Please do not bring personally owned toys toschool unless it is requested from your teacher.This can cause conflict in the classroom andteachers cannot be responsible for items thatmay be lost or broken.Late Pick Up FeesIf you are running late, please contact yourprogram site. Please make every attemptto be on time; the teachers have very littletime between classes. Repeat offendersmay be removed from the program at anytime at Preschool Manager’s discretion.If you are late to pick up your child/children at dismissal time, you will be chargeda late fee of 5. After 15 minutes, it is anadditional 5 per minute. Late fees must bepaid when you pick up your child.Due to other responsibilities that the teachers have, your child may be taken to theFront Office or Manager’s office to wait foryour arrival. If we have not received a phonePRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY PARKS, RECREATION & TOURISM

call from you, a teacher will make everyattempt to contact another parent, guardian or a listed emergency contact. If contactis unable to be made within 1 hour of dismissal time, the child will be turned over toPrince William County Police Department.Please keep your child home if he/she has: A temperature over 100 F (must be feverfree for 48 hours before returning to school) Recurrent vomiting or diarrhea (must bevomit/diarrhea free for 48 hours)This same procedure will be followed ifthe child is not picked up for emergenciesincluding but not limited to inclementweather or natural disasters. Any communicable diseaseClassroom VisitorsRashes, eye redness or discharge may besymptoms of a contagious disease andtherefore need to be identified by a physician. Children can return to class with adoctor’s note stating they are not or no longer contagious and include a date of return.Children on antibiotics must be on medication for 48 hours before returning to schooland symptom free.There will be no outside visitors allowed inthe classrooms.School ScheduleSee calendar below.Student HealthPreschool staff will do their best to maintaina healthy environment. Parents can contribute to this effort by keeping sick childrenat home. Please make sure to notify yourchild’s teachers if an absence is lasting threedays or longer. A combination of symptoms, that cannotbe explained via other health reasons,would disqualify the child from daily participation.All allergies or medical conditions, whichmay limit activities, should be brought to theattention of the staff. If your child becomesill while attending preschool, parents willbe notified as soon as possible so thatarrangements for child pick up can be made.Preschool Calendar 2021–2022September 7School BeginsNovember 11Preschool ClosedVeterans Day HolidayNovember 24–26Preschool ClosedThanksgiving BreakDecember 20–24Preschool ClosedWinter BreakDecember 31Preschool ClosedHolidayJanuary 3School ReopensJanuary 17Preschool ClosedMartin Luther King HolidayApril 11–15Preschool ClosedSpring BreakMay 27PRESCHOOL PARENT HANDBOOKLast Day of School7

Inclement Weather ScheduleDPRT Preschools do not automatically follow Prince William County School closuredecisions. Decisions will be made internallybased on actual weather conditions or expected forecast for closures, late openingsor early closings. DPRT will make every effort to communicate a decision by 8 pm thenight before for closings or late openings.Health & SafetyOther policies and procedures we have implemented to reduce the risk of corona virusexposure include, but may not be limited to: Children with existing health conditions or compromised immune systemsshould not attend. Groups will be smaller with a lower totalnumber of participants and a higherstaff-to-child ratio. Drop-off and pick-upprocedures will be adjusted. Intermingling between groups will beminimized and when possible, participants will not share communal suppliesor toys. All activities will be structured to minimize contact between participants andsocial distancing will be continuouslyencouraged. Participants will spend more time engaged in play outside during appropriateweather conditions. We will have frequent hand washing andstrictly enforced designated hand-washing times. Staff members are required to wear facecoverings indoors and anytime 6ft distancing cannot occur when outdoors. Additional cleaning and sanitation practices will be implemented. Temperature checks for children andverbal health checks with the parent/guardian will be conducted daily in the8morning. f a child develops symptoms associatedwith COVID-19, they will be isolated, andthey will have to be picked up immediately. Failure to comply with COVID-19protocols can result in dismissal from theprogram. The way we operate may continue tochange throughout the year as the Commonwealth and our local public healthofficials offer additional guidance.MedicationIf your child requires prescription and/ornonprescription medication, a MedicationAuthorization form must completed by aparent/guardian and/or physician. A qualifiedPrince William County Department of Parks,Recreation & Tourism staff will administer allage-appropriate medication in accordancewith the labeled instructions and theMedication Administration Training (MAT).Over The Counter Medication (OTC) that willneed to be administered for less than 10days requires parent/guardian authorizationon the Medication Consent form. OTCmedications and prescription medicationsPRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY PARKS, RECREATION & TOURISM

that will need to be administered for morethan 10 days require authorization fromboth parent/guardian and a physician onthe Medication Consent form.When authorization for medication expires,the staff shall notify the parent/guardian thatthe medication needs to be picked up within14 days or the parent/guardian must renewthe authorization. Medications that are notpicked up within 14 days will be appropriately disposed of by the Preschool Manager.All medication must be: In the original container with the prescription label or direction label attached. Labeled with the child’s name, the nameof the medication, the dosage amountand the time/times to be given. Any utensils needed to administer mustbe labeled with child’s name.Policy For Over-The-CounterSkin ProductsThe staff does not administer Sunscreen,Diaper Ointment/Cream or InsectRepellent. If you feel your child needs anyof the above items applied, it must be donebefore they arrive.Behavior ManagementIn order to promote the child’s physical, intellectual, emotional, social well-being andgrowth, staff shall interact with the child andone another to provide needed help, comfort,support and:in nature, age and stage appropriate, andshall be intended to redirect children toappropriate behavior and resolve conflicts.Forbidden Staff ActionsOur program staff is forbidden to do thefollowing: Use physical punishment, such as: strikinga child, roughly handling or shaking achild, restricting movement through binding or tying, forcing a child to assume anuncomfortable position, or using exerciseas a punishment; Enclose a child in a small confined space orany space that the child cannot freely exithim/herself; however, this does not applyto the use of equipment such as cribs, playyards, high chairs, and safety gates whenused with children preschool age or younger for their intended purpose; Allow punishment by another child; Separate a child from the group so thatthe child is away from the hearing andvision of a staff member; Withhold or force food or rest; Use verbal remarks which are demeaningto the child; Punish a child for toileting accidents; Punish a child by applying unpleasant orharmful substances. Respect personal privacy; Respect differences in cultural, ethnic, andfamily backgrounds; Encourage decision-making abilities; Promote ways of getting along; Encourage independence and self-direction; and Use consistency in applying expectations.Behavioral guidance shall be constructivePRESCHOOL PARENT HANDBOOK9

Suspected Child AbuseAll preschool staff members are familiarwith the procedures for identifying andreporting child abuse and neglect. Per ourstate licensing requirement all preschoolstaff are deemed mandated reporters,so by law we are obligated to report anysuspicion of child abuse or neglect to theSocial Services Office.Discipline Policies andProceduresAll students are expected to abide by theCode of Conduct (page 11). If behaviors thatare not in compliance with the Code of Conduct are observed by the staff, the followingbasic steps will be followed.For Non-Physical Misbehavior: (examplesinclude yelling at teachers, grabbing toysfrom other children, repeatedly not following instructions): We use the quiet thinking time system.We will explain to the child why they arein the quiet thinking time, count 1-2-3,and then quietthinking time isused. If it happens morethan once duringthe day, we willnotify the parent.For Physical Misbehavior (examples include hitting, kicking,biting): Immediate notification of parent(serious bite could mean immediate dismissal from program). Conference with Lead Teacher and parentalong with written warning. PreschoolManager will also be notified. Subject to dismissal by both PreschoolManager and lead teacher.10NOTE: Any of these steps may be modifiedbased on the severity of a child’s behavior.Program Suspension and DismissalPolicyDismissal from the program may result whenserious disciplinary challenges such as, butnot limited to, failure to abide by Code ofConduct such as; hitting, biting, inability toparticipate within established ratios, or unableto stay with the group. In these types of situations the following procedure will be followed: First Offense – Written Warning (Teacherwill talk to child & notify parent) Second Offense -Conference with parent,child, Teacher, & Preschool Manager Third Offense – Determine next course ofaction up to and including suspension ordismissal from the program.This policy can be modified at the discretionof the Children’s Program Manager and/orPreschool Manager based on the severity ofa student’s behavior. Refunds will be deniedfor such circumstances.Dismissal fromprogram mayalso result whencustomers arerepeatedly late withmaking paymentsand/or non-paymentof program fees.Payment is expectedby establishedregistration dates(see page 5 for“Procedures andPayment”). Preschool staff will give parentsa verbal and written reminder that paymentis past due. If payment is not made by thefirst of the month, Preschool Manager makesone more contact to collect fees. If paymentis not made from that communication, yourchild’s place in our preschool program will beforfeited.PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY PARKS, RECREATION & TOURISM

Teaching of replacement skills. Conflict resolution /Problem-solving techniques. Providing logical and natural consequences for children’s actions. Removing children from the situation untilindividual counseling is possible.Unacceptable behaviors are Biting Hitting Destruction of property Inability to stay within group/classroomPreschool Code of ConductWe understand that all behaviors, positiveand negative, have a function. Children exhibiting inappropriate behaviors are usuallytrying to escape something (i.e. an activitysuch as circle time) or to obtain something(i.e. a toy or attention from a classmate orteacher). It is important to our teaching staffthat we determine the reason for a child’sbehavior so that we can teach an appropriate replacement skill to help the child gethis/her desired result.Preschool staff will take the time to speakwith children about their feelings that led tothe inappropriate behavior. Preschoolers willbe encouraged to use their words to expresstheir feelings and solve their problems. Staffwill help children verbalize their feelingsand facilitate conflict resolution and problem-solving when necessary.Preschool staff uses a variety of age-appropriate, research-based behavior interventionstrategies including: Maintaining realistic expectations of children.Providing clear and simple limits.Preventive practices.Modeling appropriate behaviors.Positive redirection.PRESCHOOL PARENT HANDBOOK Non-participationPreschool staff strive to maintain consistent and open communication with familiesregarding the progress of their students.You may be notified of minor behavioralincidents in the following ways: email, telephone, written communication or in person. A disciplinary report will be requiredfor more serious incidents. In this case, youmay be asked to come in and discuss theincident with your child’s teacher and theProgram Manager.Should a child’s behavior become a consistent challenge, the parents/guardianswill be contacted to schedule a conference where next steps will be defined.Extreme behavioral situations that continue, despite all efforts, will be referred tothe Program Manager and the Children’sProgram Manager.Preschool Managers reserve the right tosuspend or terminate a student from thepreschool program if the child cannot meetthe basic participation skills or violates thecode of conduct. Every effort will be madeto provide appropriate accommodations.The Preschool Manager reserves the rightto forgo the Disciplinary Action Process andcommence immediate suspension/dismissal of a student based on the severity of thebehavior.11

Sharron Baucom Dale CityRecreation Center14300 Minnieville RoadDale City, Virginia 22193703-792-86508/2021Chinn Aquatics &Fitness Center13025 Chinn Park DrivePrince William, VA 22192703-792-8600Veterans Memorial Park14300 Featherstone RoadWoodbridge, Virginia 22191703-792-8794

13025 Chinn Park Drive Prince William, VA 22192 703-792-8600 Veterans Memorial Park 14300 Featherstone Road Woodbridge, Virginia 22191 703-792-8794. PRESCHOOL PARENT HANDBOOK 1 2 Welcome 2 Child Records and Registration 3 Our Staff 3 Curriculum and Philosophy 3 Participation Skills 4 Inclusion 4 Daily Schedule and Daily Curriculum .