Academics & Curriculum
Each age level will follow a daily lesson plan that includes: interest centers, developmentally appropriate activities, religion, snacks and lunch (full-day only), nap or quiet time (full-day only), large motor (indoor & outdoor) and centers. Specific goals and objectives will be implemented in each classroom and will coordinate with the daily activities. Our curriculum includes religion, letter recognition and identification, number concepts and math readiness, personal data, fine motor, identification of body parts, speaking skills, listening skills, self-reliance, social emotional, music and large motor. Your classroom teacher will keep a student portfolio for each child’s progress and mastery of the goals and objectives for each age level. (See student assessment for more detailed portfolio information).
Access to Information
All families are able to access the following information:
- Missouri Accreditation: We have achieved the
rigorous process of Missouri Accreditation. On December 17, 2010,
Assumption Early Learning Center achieved recognition of excellence
through Missouri Accreditation. This distinguishes it as an exemplary
program offering high quality programming to the children of Missouri.
- Missouri Licensing Rules: The office has a copy
of our state's guidelines. You are encouraged to look at this manual.
You may contact the Bureau of Child Care Safety and Licensure to review
our records at any time. Their location is 220 South Jefferson, St.
Louis, MO 63103.
- Your child's records: Pertinent information is
kept in your child's file in the office. You may request copies of any
of the information at any time. In addition, portfolios of current work
are kept on each child in their classrooms.
- Staff child abuse and neglect record forms: All
of our staff is registered with the Family Care Safety Registry.
- Program lesson plans: Lesson plans can be
reviewed in your child's classroom.
- Project Construct (our curriculum): The Project Construct Framework manuals are in the office/classrooms and available for you to review.
Adjustment/Parent Visitation
Going to school for the first time can be difficult for some children, where others may adjust with ease. When your child is enrolled we encourage parents to make at least three visits prior to their first day. During these visits, you will stay with your child or follow the lead of the classroom teacher.
After a few visits, please allow enough time to help your child make the adjustment from home and to his/her new environment. Never "sneak out" and always say "goodbye" reassuring your child when you will be back to pick him/her up. An appropriate length of time to stay in the morning is about five to ten minutes. This will give your child time to become involved in an activity. Staying longer will send mixed messages and will make their adjustment more difficult. You can expect to see tears the first few days, or weeks which is completely normal. Our staff is always available to assist you, and they are aware of techniques, which will alleviate anxieties. Parents need to relax also, as children will read into these emotions and will react accordingly. Keep in mind that we have an open door policy and you are always welcome.
When a child enters our program, it is imperative for us to get to know the parents, as well as the child. We would like to familiarize ourselves with the personal manner in which you interact with your child. Please be sure to read the handbook carefully and ask a staff member if you have any questions. All required documentation needs to be completed within thirty days of the child’s first day of school.
Arrival & Dismissal
The center will be open daily from 7:00AM to 6:00PM. Parking spaces will be reserved for drop-off and pick-up in front of the center. All Preschool parents are to use Basler Road for entrance and exit from Preschool. Please be careful of traffic from the full-day school; they start school every day at 7:45AM and dismiss at 2:45PM. Please be sure to sign your child in and out every day. It is very important that you bring your child into the building and sign them in and out daily. Also be sure to check your child’s cubby, classroom folder and bulletin board for parent notes and reminders.
Please do not leave children unattended in your car. If you need assistance, please contact the center office. Leaving your child unattended in a locked car is considered child abuse and we are obligated by law to contact the local police department.
Our full-day school day will start at 9:00AM and be completed at 3:30PM. Before school (7:00AM-9AM) and after school (3:30PM-6PM) the children will all be together on the first floor of the center or outside on the playground. You can check the before and after school location board located by the sign-in table. If you come during school hours, you will need to go directly to your child’s classroom. Please be sure to sign your child in and out every day.
Our half day school will start at 9AM and will be completed at 12noon. Please be sure to pick your child up promptly at 12noon. Please be sure to sign your child in and out every day.
Summer: Summer programs are available to all children; half-day or full-day options. Information is sent to parents regarding the summer program options in April.
PICK-UP PROCEDURES:
Children will be released from the school only to the child’s custodial parent(s)/guardian(s), and those listed on the child’s registration form as authorized to pick up the child. Any changes or additions to the authorization list must be made through our office in writing. At any time, you and/or the people on the authorized list may be asked to provide picture identification upon picking up your child. This policy is strictly for the safety of your children.
In the event that a court ordered legal custody situation develops, whereby a parent is not allowed to pickup the child (ren) without consent, we require that original court documents be submitted to the office verifying legal custody. The director will review this information and a copy of the information will be placed in the child’s file. Once reviewed and approved, pertinent information will be relayed to appropriate personnel at school. All information will be kept confidential.
Staff will not release a child to any person who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs or who appears incapable of transporting that child home safely. Another authorized person will be contacted to pick up your child. If any emergency arises, please notify the preschool office. Authorization by phone should be done in emergencies only. The person will be asked to show identification. For your convenience and emergency purposes, we have additional car seats for the safety of your child. Please see the office staff or a classroom teacher for assistance.
Late Pick-up Policy:
When you are late, our schedules are also affected. Please make other arrangements for someone to pick up your child if you cannot be here by 12:00PM (half-day) or 6:00PM (full-day). In addition, please notify our office or emergency phone. On your first occasion of being late, we will give you a written reminder. Any time after that, you will be charged $1.00 per minute late. If a parent is consistently late, they may risk losing their space in the program.
Attendance
Please check your child for signs of illness before leaving home. If your child will be absent for the day, please call the center office. Attendance will be taken daily every morning at 9:00AM. If you are not present by 9:30AM, an office staff will contact you at your home phone.
Out of respect for your classroom teacher and the daily schedule, it is important that your child is on time for the start of school. If your classroom teachers notice you are continually late, they will speak to you personally regarding this policy. Credits or refunds are not given for missed class days.
Children in full-time care (M-F; full-day only) will be given a one week vacation allotment without being charged the weekly fee. Days can be used sporadically or in a lump sum. Notification of days off must be given to the director in writing two weeks before using a vacation day or dropping from the program. Records of these days will be kept on file in the office. The vacation allotment renews every school year. Children beginning in the program later than the start of the school year will receive pro-rated vacation.
Due to State of Missouri licensing requirements, children are not allowed to utilize more than 10 hours of care per day.
Birthday Celebrations/Parties/Treats
We love to celebrate birthdays at our center. Each child will receive a special treat (crown, book or pencil; NO food items) from school on their birthday. Due to the increase with food allergies, you are not allowed to bring a treat for your child to school. This policy is implemented for the health and safety of ALL the children enrolled at AELC. If you do bring food items to school, they will be held in the office for parent pick-up. If you are planning a party away from school, please keep in mind that invitations may not be given out at school unless everyone in the class is invited. You may utilize your buzz book for classroom roster information or contact your classroom teacher. Teacher contact information is listed on the last page of this handbook.
Throughout the school year the classrooms will have parties. Room parents will plan and schedule all events. See additional volunteer requirements under the parent involvement section. If you would like to be part of that process, you may sign up outside the office to volunteer. A notice of party days will be on the monthly newsletters or notes from your classroom teacher. Siblings of preschool children are always welcome to attend the classroom parties.
Calendar
You will receive a copy of the school year calendar at the beginning of the school year. The calendar will indicate when the program is closed and center family events. Your teacher will also provide you with a classroom specific calendar.
Changes in Information
In the event of an emergency, we need to be able to contact you at any time. Any changes in personal data on your child’s registration form (i.e. address, phone numbers, marital status, authorized /emergency persons, medications, etc.) must be provided in writing to the office. In order for everyone to have accurate records, we will make changes to the child’s permanent file and pass to the classroom teachers.
Child Abuse
Assumption Early Learning Center is committed to the prevention of child abuse and assists those who are affected by incidents of child abuse. Assumption Early Learning Center is also committed to complying with legal requirements for reporting child abuse. Every teacher is a child abuse advocate and must follow all mandated laws by the State of Missouri. AELC performs a criminal record check and child abuse neglect screening on all AELC faculty and volunteers upon hire and every year in September.
Classroom Staff
Our teachers have appropriate training, certifications and degrees. Each teacher is selected for his or her commitment to early childhood education. Each teacher is responsible for writing and implementing meaningful lesson plans while following the Project Construct curriculum and the benchmarks for their age group. All teachers observe and evaluate the children’s progress and work as a team to provide a quality program for our families.
AELC is committed to professional development for all staff members. On-going training is provided to staff through classes, workshops, and seminars in all phases of child development and education. All teachers are registered with the Family Care Safety Registry and are First Aid and CPR certified.
The faculty and the director meet regularly to keep abreast of current educational interests and to collaboratively plan school events and address concerns. Meetings are usually held once a month in the evening after the center is closed.
Substitute Teacher Policy
When a teacher is not available, a qualified substitute teacher will be in the classroom. This would include the director of the facility or a qualified substitute for the appropriate classroom.
Use of Electronic Communications by School Personnel
The use of electronic and digital communications devices and applications can be effective means for accomplishing the work of the church and achieving the mission of the Catholic school. When using electronic communications devices and applications, directors, teachers and other school personnel must be aware they are representing the church and school and must exercise appropriate standards of professional and ethical conduct. The content of such communication must be consistent with the educational purposes and principles of the school and Archdiocese.
Reduction in Staff Policy
In the event that declining enrollment or financial constraints require a reduction in the teaching staff, priority will be given to maintaining the staff that meets the best interest of the students, as determined by the Director.
The Director shall make recommendations to the Pastor for staff reductions based upon the following factors (listed in order of importance):
- Performance as judged by annual evaluation and work history
- Qualification for teaching assigned subject area
- Length of service at Assumption
- Length of service at other parish schools within the Archdiocese.
Cleaning
The center is cleaned each evening after school hours by an independent cleaning company. The classroom teacher utilizes a three step procedure for sanitizing the classroom equipment and materials. These procedures are completed daily or weekly depending on the usage and age of the children. The maintenance for the center is completed by the parish maintenance staff. All non-teaching employees complete the same criminal record checks and Protecting God’s Children classes as mandated by the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
Clothing/Personal Items/Supplies
There is no formal dress code for the Early Learning Center. However, we encourage you to dress your child appropriately for daily indoor and outdoor activities. Remember that children are encouraged to participate in all activities (including daily art projects), so please do not dress them in anything that you do not want to get dirty. In order to be safe, all children MUST wear tennis shoes to school. Children without tennis shoes will borrow school tennis shoes for the day. Please remember to dress your child for cold days with coats, hats and gloves. We will go outside if the weather is between 32-95 degrees. During summer, please bring sunscreen and a hat for your child if they are susceptible to the sun.
Personal Items Needed: Because accidents do happen, we ask that you provide a complete change of clothing, which will be kept in your child's classroom. These items need to be marked with his/her first and last name. Be sure to check these items seasonally for fit and comfort. For those children who are not yet potty trained; there will be a diaper stipend assessed to your tuition of $25/month for full-day children or $12.50/month for half-day children. You will no longer need to provide diapers, pull-ups and wet wipes.
Classroom Supplies: Each year in August you will be asked to bring the following classroom supplies to school.
- 2 boxes Kleenex
- 2 boxes Crayola Washable Markers (Crayola brand so we can interchange the marker caps)
- 2 packages of wet wipes
- 2 tubes of Crest Kids toothpaste (full-day students only)
- 2 Rolls of Paper Towel
We discourage children from bringing toys or items from home. Please try to keep these items in the car. It is difficult to keep track of these items and we do not want them to get lost or broken. If a toy does show up at school we will try to send it home with the parent. We appreciate your cooperation.
Communication
Any family interested in the facility will first be invited to tour the center. Families will be shown the entire center and introduced to the center staff. To proceed further we will encourage interested families to go to our website and download the documentation needed for registration. Every January the center hosts an open house to the public following registration in February. All current enrollees will participate in pre-registration and have first choice at classes.
Once registration is completed, each family will receive a teacher welcome packet in July. This packet will provide parents with all the information that you will need for your child’s classroom. Every August we will host a parent meeting and an open house for the new school year.
Each child will have a classroom file that will hold all projects, notes, newsletters, etc. You are to check this file every week and remove all information. Every quarter a family newsletter will be sent home from the director and Parent Advisory Committee about related center, school and church activities. A monthly newsletter and calendar will be sent home from each classroom about specific classroom activities. Please pay special attention to calendar items; they will remind you of days off and special classroom events.
Ongoing communication is encouraged at all times. Please do not hesitate to contact your classroom teacher or the director whenever you have a question or concern, or need information. Classroom teacher phone numbers and e-mail addresses are located in the back of the handbook and on the school year buzz book.
Our Website Policy: Parental permission must be obtained in writing on an annual basis before a student’s photograph or school work can be posted on the Assumption Parish Website. The Assumption Parish School website shall not list any surnames of students.
Confidentiality
Photographs and videos will be taken during the school year. This assists us with individual and class experience stories, class books, photo albums, and documentation of your child’s work. Photographs and videos may also be taken during the year for release to the media, for the school website and parish website.
Parents will be asked to sign a photo/webpage release indicating their consent to have their child participate in photographs and videos. If you do not wish photos and videos to be taken of your child, please note that on the permission form.
Daily Schedule
We believe that children learn through play. By providing a variety of activities for children to expand their imagination & creativity, social skills, language & listening skills and cognitive skills, we believe that they will be successful in their learning.
Each child's day will include a variety of topics. Each classroom will include: time in interest centers, small and large group activities, developmentally appropriate activities, snack, outdoor play, lunch (full-day only), nap or rest time (full-day only) and religion. Children are encouraged to participate in all activities throughout the day.
Full-Day children:
Naptime
State Licensing requires our children in the full day program to have a rest period during the course of the day. Our toddlers and preschoolers take their nap from approximately 12:30PM-2:30PM depending on the classroom and the age of the children. If after thirty minutes, a child cannot fall asleep, they may choose to do quiet activities alone on their cot at the discression of their teacher. All children are up by 2:45PM so that they can fall asleep at home at an appropriate time. During naptime, teachers have the lights turned off and soft music plays. The rooms still receive a good bit of natural light. All children will be required to keep their socks on during naptime in case of an emergency and the need to evacuate the center.
You will need to purchase a cot sheet for $15 in the office. Parents are responsible for a blanket, pillow or any other items to assist their child to be comfortable during naptime. We will send home all bedding on the last day in attendance for that week for you to launder. Please be sure to bring all items back the following week. We do not have extra bedding for each child. If your child does not have bedding for naptime we will have to charge $15 for a new cot sheet.
Emergency Procedures
Assumption Early Learning Center has made many preparations to deal effectively with emergency situations that could occur in or around the school while classes are in session. While we hope that a natural disaster or other serious incident never occurs, our goal is to be prepared for any potential emergency. At all times, our first priority is to protect all students and staff from harm.
We practice our emergency exit procedures and safety plans each month to ensure that the staff and the children are ready if an emergency should arise. Records of these drills are kept on file in the AELC office.
Your cooperation is vital to helping us protect the safety and welfare of all children and school employees. Therefore we ask parents to observe the following procedures:
- Be certain that your child’s emergency information is accurately filled out and returned to school. Any changes that are made during the year should be sent to school immediately.
- If possible, tell your child the name of the emergency contact person in case you are unavailable.
- In the event of an emergency do not telephone the school. We understand and respect your concern, but it is essential that the telephone system be available for emergency communications.
- Tune your radio to KMOX (AM1120) for emergency announcements and status reports. We will follow the same procedures for the Assumption Parish School. You will also receive instructions on where you should go and how/when you may pick up your child.
Do not come to school until instructed to do so. It may be necessary to keep the streets and parking lot clear for emergency vehicles. If evacuation is required, students may be transported to a location away from the school. You will be notified of this through media bulletins.
- Talk to your children and emphasize how important it is for them to follow directions from their teachers and school administration during any emergency.
- Support and reinforce the emergency procedure information you receive from the school. You may receive updates about our safety procedures from time to time.
- An earthquake would pose the most chaos with possible loss of communication, including cell phones. The staff is organized into response teams and we are ready to deal with circumstances until police or fire personnel would arrive.
We are proud that our school is safe, and we are doing everything possible to keep it that way. We appreciate your cooperation and support.
Please be sure to complete your child's emergency information and inform the office of any changes.
Family Events
Throughout the year, we will have planned events for our families. These events are paid for with your registration. At these events, all siblings are invited and encouraged to participate. We will give you advance notice of each event, noting them on your yearly school calendar. Events will be planned for different days and different times of days in order to make them accessible for our families.
Field Trips/Center Visitors
We will be inviting visitors/special events to school each quarter. Parent volunteers are needed to plan and schedule these events. Please sign up outside the office if you would like to volunteer. Your registration fee covers the cost for all special events/visitors and all siblings are welcome to attend.
Short walks may be added to our weekly activities around the Assumption campus. All teachers will take walkie-talkie and emergency backpacks to ensure the safety of all children when away from school.
Finances
Families interested in the center will pay a non-refundable registration fee per child every year. This will hold your space in the program. Weekly tuition will be due every Monday of that week for full-time children (full-days, 5 days/week) and due the first day of care each week for part-time children (full-days, 4 or less days/week). Tuition for half-day children (9am-12pm) will be due on the 1st of every month. Payments not made on time will be assessed a $5 per day late fee. Tuition is based on the weeks in that particular school year. All months during the school year will be charged tuition as a full month except December. This month will be the only month that we will pro-rate (only charged for weeks in session).
Assumption offers a CREDIT CARD PAYMENT as well as an option for Direct Withdrawal from a checking or savings account. The Credit Card Payment will be available for MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express, and will function in much the same way as the Parish Electronic Giving option through Stewardship Technology.
In order for us to maintain our budget projections each month, we must have all accounts paid in full by the first of each month. No balance should be carried over to the next. If you are having financial difficulties, a payment arrangement must be agreed upon, in writing. If delinquencies continue, children will loose their place in the program without any refunds and their records will proceed to our collections department. Written notice will be sent from the office when a check is returned. The account will be charged a $20.00 return check fee and a late payment fee of $25.00. Payments must be made by money order after the second returned check.
Each year we carefully review our teacher to child ratio to make sure all children are safe and to operate our facility in the most efficient way possible. This review is based on the information we receive when registration forms and days and times are selected by our families. If you chose to make changes to your original registration of days and times or remove your child from our program, you must give the Director a 2-week written notice. Changes will be approved by the Director and a penalty will apply per the discretion of the Director.
Financial Assistance:
Financial assistance is available to families who qualify through Division of Family Services Child Care Assistance. For more information, please contact our office. AELC is a self-sustaining program and does not provide financial assistance from the parish and/or school.
Child Care Income Tax Credit:
Many parents may be able to claim a credit against their federal income tax for a portion of the fees paid to “AELC”. The income tax credit is generally available to taxpayers if the childcare expense is incurred to enable parents to work, or look for work.
There are various limitations and restrictions on the amount of the credit which can be claimed on your federal income tax return. Upon request, “AELC” will provide parents with an annual statement indicating the amount paid for childcare. These statements are sent every January. If you have any questions concerning whether or not you might qualify for this tax credit, please consult your tax advisor or the internal revenue service.
Some parents may be entitled to exclude from their income, payments made by their employers for childcare, under a dependent care assistance plan. You should contact your employer to determine if your employer offers a dependent care assistance plan.
Health Care
Upon entering preschool, children must have all immunizations as required by Missouri State Law. All Students at any age not complying with state regulations for immunizations will be referred to the director. Admittance to school may be refused if immunizations are not current 30 days after the first day of school.
If your child becomes ill or contracts a contagious illness while at school, the center director will notify you immediately. We will provide a quiet area for your child to rest until you can arrive. We will also inform you of any possible exposure to any communicable diseases. Once a parent or guardian has been called, your child must be picked-up within 90 minutes.
If your child is ill, they must be Tylenol-free & fever-free (fever being 100 degrees or more when taken under the arm) for at least 24 hours and 48 hours for pink eye before they return to school. If your child has more than one episode of diarrhea, he or she will be sent home and may not return until the condition has been stabilized. We reserve the right to send any child home if we feel they are showing signs of illness or a contagious disease and may ask for medical permission to return to school. There will not be any reduction of tuition due to absences or illnesses.
The following symptoms could indicate a contagious disease:
- Fever/Pain/ Extreme Fatigue/ Nausea or Vomiting
- Diarrhea/Skin Eruptions or Open Sores/Rash
Red/Weeping or Glassy Eyes
- Constant Sneezing/Constant Coughing
- Swelling and/or Redness of the Throat
Staff cannot administer any prescription or non-prescription medication without the provided release form signed by the child’s parent. All prescribed medication needs to be in the original bottle with the child’s name and dosage clearly marked. All medications administered will be recorded and kept on file.
In the event that a child is injured, an accident report will be filled out and will need to be signed by the child’s parent and kept on file. Small scrapes or bumps will be cleaned and dressing will be applied if necessary. If an injury requires further treatment and the child needs to go to the hospital, the parent will be notified immediately. If the parent cannot be reached, we will attempt to contact someone on the emergency list. We will take your child to the hospital you requested on your enrollment form or will follow the directive of the Emergency Medical Service Professional. The center Director and/or classroom teacher will accompany your child to the hospital.
Medication that is to be kept at school for emergencies only (ex. asthma, bee sting, peanut allergies, etc.), must include special instructions. They must be submitted in writing from parent.
Inclement Weather
If it becomes necessary to cancel school before it starts or to start later due to inclement weather, announcements will be aired on TV stations FOX, KMOV and KSDK. Watch for “Assumption Parish School-South County” or “Assumption Mattis” to be closed. You can also check the news channels for on-line lists of school closings.
If the announcement says snow schedule, school will open at 9:30AM for full day children and for half-day children. A regular closing will still be at 6:00PM. Once school is in session there will be no early dismissal for inclement weather. If you choose to pick your child up early if weather begins to deteriorate, you must notify the school office and sign your child out. Carpool children will only be allowed to leave with you if their parents have given prior written permission. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL OFFICE OR THE RECTORY FOR THIS IMFORMATION.
**Credit or refunds will not be given for inclement weather.
Kindergarten
Mehlville School District- 314-467-5302
Lindbergh School District- 314-729-2400
St. Louis Archdiocese- 314-792-7000
Lost & Found
A lost and found box will be in the lobby and we will keep items for one month. Unclaimed articles are then sent to St. Louis Crisis Nursery for donation. It is highly recommended that all articles be marked with the child’s name to eliminate lost articles.
Marketing (of Assumption Early Learning Center)
We all market our school. What we say about each other and our school matters. All employees, parents, and students are charged with the responsibility to talk positively about our school to each other as well as outsiders. Our behaviors and actions set the tone and atmosphere of our school. Do your part to keep our school’s reputation positive. Do your part to invite and recruit new families.
Negotiating Differences
We are all here to make this a pleasant experience for you and your child, but on occasion, difficulties may arise. We ask that you follow the following protocol when addressing any grievance. Please talk with your child’s teacher first. If you are unable to come to an agreement over a situation, please talk with the Director of Childcare Services, Shelley Michael or the Program Coordinator, Julie Coughlin. Lastly, if a situation cannot be resolved we will meet with our Pastor. Each director can be reached at (314) 487-7970 with extensions and e-mail addresses listed on the last page of the handbook.
Notice of Parental Responsibility
A notice of parental responsibility needs to be signed by every parent before his or her child enters the program. The Notice of Parental Responsibility is a required form by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services stating that we are operated by a religious organization.
The notice states that we: are a facility that is mandated by The State of Missouri and is a License-Exempt facility.
- Are inspected by fire, health, and sanitation requirements.
- Comply with requirements by an inspection by Bureau of Child Care, Fire Safety, and Missouri Department of Health/Sanitation.
- Comply with ratios that are set yearly during annual inspection.
- Do background checks on each caregiver in the facility and are done every two years thereafter.
- Comply with a disciplinary philosophy.
- Comply with an educational philosophy.
*All licensing and child files are open and accessible for parents to review in the office. Please contact the office to make an appointment.
Open Door Policy
You are encouraged to come to school at any time and we welcome your presence in the classroom. You also may call at any time to speak with your child’s teacher; numbers are listed on the last page of the handbook. If a longer conversation is necessary, the teachers may ask to call you back at a more convenient time or to set up a parent/teacher conference.
Organization of the Center
A. Pastor
The pastor is the spiritual leader of Assumption Parish. By virtue of his position, he is responsible for those matters within the center, which affect worship, the ministry of the Lord, and the spiritual welfare of the students. The Pastor is the chief administrator.
B. Director of Childcare Services
The Director of Childcare Services is responsible to the pastor and to the community for all center matters. The Director of Childcare Services oversees the AELC and ASAP programs and implements all the program policies.
C. Program Coodinator
The Program Coordinator is responsible to the Director of Child Care Services. The Program Coordinator works daily at the center and oversees the AELC program and implements all program day to day activities.
D. Teachers
All teachers are responsible to the Director of Childcare Services and the Program Coordinator.
Parent Advisory Committee
A Parent Advisory Committee is composed of volunteer parents and school representatives. This committee acts in an advisory capacity for our program providing recommendations for improving services and operations. Parents interested in serving on this committee should inform the Director.
Parent Involvement
We know that our parents are great resources! We hope that you can volunteer in our classrooms in some capacity. It is appropriate for young children to experience a variety of activities at their center rather than taking them on buses for field trips. Throughout the year, teachers will schedule guests and/or parents to come talk with our children about specific topics of interest.
In the past we have had a fireman, a policeman; a dentist and more come in and talk with the children. We encourage you as a parent to volunteer your time and expand on the classroom experience. We encourage you to share your talents with us with such activities as becoming a room parent, reading with a small group of children, doing an art activity with your child, attending walking field trips, sharing a special hobby or skill or anything else you might think of! Please talk with your child’s teacher about how you can be an asset to your child’s classroom.
An update on classroom parties: In the past, we have been allowed to invite all parents and friends to our parties. As our program has grown and the volunteer requirements have been improved, some changes had to be put into place. Although we would love having everyone take part in these special events, it is just not possible. In order for us to provide a safe environment for your children, your room parents have taken time to complete necessary trainings and criminal abuse record checks. With this said, we are only allowed to invite those room parents who have completed the training in the school during party days. I am sure that you are thankful that we take these precautions for the safety of your children.
Parties:
Classroom parties by the room parents are scheduled for Halloween and Christmas. Party times are 10:00am-11:00am. Teachers organize the Valentine’s Day party.
Volunteer Requirements
All volunteers are subject to school policies and rules which are aligned with archdiocesan policy, especially those involving:
- Child protection
- Witnessing the Catholic faith in word and conduct
- Appropriate confidentiality concerning students
- Money handling
- Maintaining the learning atmosphere
If you are interested in becoming a first time volunteer, please visit the “Forms” section on this site. In that section you will find Documentation Required for Volunteering. All of the paperwork is online. In addition, you must attend a Protecting God’s Children Class. If you have volunteered with us before and have filled out the documentation and attended the PGC class, we only ask that you complete a few forms to update your file. Please contact the office and we will be happy to help you through the process.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Formal parent-teacher conferences will be held twice per school year; December and April. Each parent is assigned a 15-minute conference with his or her child’s classroom teacher. Visits by parents at other times are always welcome. Teachers are always available for phone conversations during various times throughout the day.
Parent Visitation
Going to school for the first time can be difficult for some children, where others may adjust with ease. When your child is enrolled we encourage parents to make at least three visits prior to their first day. During these visits, you will stay with your child or follow the lead of the classroom teacher.
After a few visits, please allow enough time to help your child make the adjustment from home and to his/her new environment. Never "sneak out" and always say "goodbye" reassuring your child when you will be back to pick him/her up. An appropriate length of time to stay in the morning is about five to ten minutes. This will give your child time to become involved in an activity. Staying longer will send mixed messages and will make their adjustment more difficult. You can expect to see tears the first few days, or weeks which is completely normal. Our staff is always available to assist you, and they are aware of techniques, which will alleviate anxieties. Parents need to relax also, as children will read into these emotions and will react accordingly. Keep in mind that we have an open door policy and you are always welcome.
When a child enters our program, it is imperative for us to get to know the parents, as well as the child. We would like to familiarize ourselves with the personal manner in which you interact with your child. Please be sure to read the handbook carefully and ask a staff member if you have any questions. All required documentation needs to be completed within thirty days of the child’s first day of school.
Philosophy
We believe that when children are given the necessary components for learning that they will be successful. By providing a Christian environment full of dedication and love we feel that we have a head start in learning. Our program is packed full of age-appropriate lesson plans with goals & objectives and teaching the message of Jesus. As always in early childhood education, we will focus on discovery through play. Children will be challenged daily in their creativity and individuality through many opportunities. Choosing from self-guided interest centers, daily academics, large and small group activities, the day is packed full!
Our goal, along with the parents, is to unite children as people of God and to encourage them to be life-long learners.
We the teachers at Assumption Early Learning Center look forward to providing a preschool where your child’s mind will grow daily in a developmentally appropriate learning and spiritual environment!
Professional Development
AELC is committed to providing on-going opportunities for our staff. We will be closed for two days in March for the classroom teachers to attend Conference of the Young Years at Lake of the Ozarks. This professional development weekend is paid for by the fundraising efforts of the families of AELC and Parent Advisory Committee.
Professional Organizations
We further our professional development by being affiliated with many different professional organizations. These organizations include: Child Daycare Association, (CDCA), Missouri Accreditation (MOA), and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Nurses for Newborns and St. Louis Crisis Nursery.
Program Staff
Our teachers have appropriate degrees and certifications and are trained in the Project Construct curriculum. All teachers are also First Aid and CPR certified and participate in professional development opportunities throughout the year. A dedicated on-site team of administrators, administrative support, classroom teachers and support staff provides daily operations. Members of our teaching staff are qualified with appropriate degrees and training and meet all licensing and accreditation requirements.
Project Construct Curriculum
Project Construct is a developmentally appropriate framework that is also the curriculum of our district. By keeping the same curriculum, we help make the transition to kindergarten smoother. Project Construct is based on four guiding principles:
- Children have an intrinsic desire to make sense of their world.
- Children actively construct knowledge and values by acting upon the physical and social world.
- In their universal effort to understand the world, young children’s thinking will contain predictable errors. These errors are necessary to the learning process.
- Children’s development is an interactive and interrelated process and spans the Sociomoral, Cognitive, Representational and Physical development domains.
Your classroom teacher or the Director will talk with you about our curriculum. We encourage you to visit and ask questions about Project Construct.
Security
All new families will receive two entry cards per family. There is a $5 lost key replacement fee. Key cards are not interchangeable and are for parent or guardian use only; passing key cards to relatives or other family friends is STRONGLY PROHIBITED. All guests must ring the doorbell and be buzzed in by an AELC staff.
Separated or Divorced Parents
The center will honor all legal documents regarding child custody and parental visitation. If one parent is to have limited access to the child, we must have a copy of the custody ruling on file in the office. The center will not intercede on behalf of one parent if the custody decision has not been specifically defined. We cannot refuse a parent the right to take a child from the center unless that parent has legally been denied permission to do so. In case of emergency, both parents will be notified. The custodial parent will receive the first call. Responsibility for tuition must be determined between the parents. The center will not become involved with requesting payment from an ex-spouse.
Snack/Lunch Program
All full-day children will receive two snacks and lunch every day. All half-day children will receive one snack in the morning. All snacks and meals are nutritious and will follow the Missouri Department of Health Nutrition Standards and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Calories, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, vitamin A and vitamin C levels are all dictated based upon the age of the child. School menus are analyzed to assure the daily allowance of the guidelines is strictly followed. A list of Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) is available in our office for your review.
We will serve a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and meat each day. Children will eat lunch between 12:00PM and 1:00PM depending on their age and classroom schedule. Meals are served family-style with classroom staff eating with the children encouraging a relaxed environment. We encourage and discuss manners, good hygiene, self-help skills, and nutrition information before, during, and after meals. Please be sure your child’s teacher is aware of any concerns you have with certain foods relating to your child’s likes and dislikes. In addition, be sure to list any food allergies on your registration form.
For the health and safety of all children, we are a peanut-free school. No snacks or meals provided will contain peanuts or are prepared in a peanut processing plant. A pictorial snack and lunch menu are posted by the sign-in table located by the front door of the Center.
Special Needs
All children exhibiting signs of a possible developmental delay or disabling condition in the areas of speech, language, hearing or vision, cognition, behavior, fine and gross motor will be handled with the utmost sensitivity. Documentation (observation, interviews, screenings) of all behaviors will be kept by the classroom teacher to use as a tool in communication with parents and other special education providers. All documentation and information about any child must have written consent from the parents before sharing with any service provider. All children will be referred to their corresponding school district to obtain information about qualification for classroom or community based services.
Children in the center who have special needs will be serviced through an individualized education plan (IEP) or an individualized family service plan (IFSP). The IEP/IFSP will be developed by a special education provider, director, classroom teacher and the child’s parents in order to make appropriate decisions regarding the services needed. The IEP/IFSP will be used as a plan of action to meet the needs of the child for the placement in the program. Open communication between the special education provider, Assumption center staff and the parents is encouraged. Special services designed in the IEP/IFSP will be delivered within the child’s daily routine and administered by the child’s classroom teacher. A center–based IEP/IFSP may also be used with a child who has not been diagnosed with a disability and may need some modifications to their school environment.
Due to our private school status, we do not have early childhood special education professional staff to assist with implementation of any special educational plans. Parents needing special education professional support need to contact their public school district.
Early Childhood Special Education Programs Referrals
ADA Information Line - 1.800.514.0301
National Information Center for Children with Disabilities - 1.800.695.2001
School District Contact Numbers:
Affton School District ECE/PAT - 314.989.8376
CDCA (Child Daycare Association) Inclusion Services - 314.531.1412
Fox School District ECE/PAT- 636.282.1476
Lindbergh School District ECE/PAT - 314.729.2400
Mehlville School District ECE/PAT- 314.467.5302
PS Kids, LLC Positive Support for Kids - 314.845.7751
St. Louis Public Schools PAT - 314.361.5500
Staffing
A one to eight teacher/child ratio will be maintained or exceeded for the toddler classrooms and one to ten teacher/child ratio will be maintained or exceeded in the preschool classrooms at all times. Volunteers, practicum students, and parents may also be working in the classrooms, but do not figure into the ratio.
Standard of Behavior
Children at Assumption Early Learning Center are expected to behave in a Christian and courteous manner treating each other and the staff with respect to keep discipline to a minimum. We encourage children to use their words to express their feelings and respect the feelings of others; this in turn will assist in helping children succeed in developing problem-solving skills. If a discipline problem occurs, children will first be re-directed from the adverse behavior. If the behavior persists, the child will be removed from the area, asked by the classroom teacher to take a break to cool-down and they will discuss the problem afterwards.
Other disciplinary actions may include but are not limited to: teacher-child-director conference, teacher-child-parent-director conference or including the pastor in the conference. If necessary and appropriate, children may be dismissed from the program. The director will determine the seriousness of the offense and the corresponding disciplinary action will be taken.
Student Assessment
Developmental Screening:
Each child will be tested two times per year with the Brigance screening by the director and/or other AELC faculty. The test takes about 10 minutes and provides information for the classroom teacher and parent about progress of their child. Parents refusing their child to be tested are required to contact the center at the beginning of the school year.
Observations:
Your child’s teachers will observe and assess your child during the school year. They will be taking anecdotal notes and will follow the Project Construct Curriculum for goals and indicators that are developmentally appropriate for your child. We want to provide you with the best possible, up-to-date information about your child. The teachers will find it helpful when parents share their observation about a child’s activities at home with their child’s teachers.
Portfolios:
A portfolio will be kept of your child’s work during the school year. This will serve as a record of your child’s abilities and accomplishments. Each teacher has developed their own style with their portfolios. Portfolios may include a developmentally appropriate checklist, the developmental screenings, your child’s work samples and teacher observations. This portfolio will be kept on your child the entire time your child is in our program and your child will take it home when they leave the program. We hope you will ask your child to share their portfolio with you on occasion.
Toilet Training
In order to make toilet training a positive experience for you and your child, we have incorporated a plan to assist in achieving this goal. We have devised an agreement for the parent and the classroom teacher to follow. Parents interested in starting the toilet training process need to speak to their classroom teacher to sign and begin the agreement.
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