**Printable pdf of handbook coming soon**

This handbook has been prepared to acquaint parents with policies and procedures of Chestnut Grove Child Development Center. Please feel free to ask questions about any of the enclosed information. The Day School exists to provide a quality, educationally appropriate program for a child’s physical, social, intellectual, emotional and spiritual growth.

     We follow the maturationist viewpoint. We know children grow in a continuous manner, perceiving the world differently as they progress. Each child has an individual pattern and rate of growth. As growth and maturity occur, these are the characteristics that are universal to young children.

• Young children view the world with themselves as the center.
• Young children learn differently than older children
• Young children learn through discovery, exploration and repetition.
• Young children learn from direct experience
• Young children’s ability to use words often precedes their understanding of the ideas those words convey.

     Given those characteristics of young children, it follows that any body of information (i.e., a unit of study) can be presented to children in relation to their level of comprehension. In fact, a unit of study can be presented to three-year-olds, and again to four-year-olds, and again to kindergarteners: the children will absorb something different each time according to how there are perceiving the world at that time. Therefore, the children learn through seasonal changes as well as many other areas of interest relevant to their maturational level.  Our children choose their own activities under the guidance of the teachers. We follow the assumptions of Gessell and Erikson, with the emphasis on the development of the whole child.

Relationship/Accreditation
     The Chestnut Grove Child Development Center is a non-profit church-related program of the Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church. The Day School is accredited by the National Association for the Education of the Young Child. (NAEYC). The Day School follows the standards established by the Maryland State Department of Education for non-public nurseries and kindergartens. The school is staffed by trained professionals experienced in early childhood education or an allied field. The Day School seeks to nurture young children by providing an environment of love and acceptance. The school philosophy emphasizes the development of the whole child.

 Admissions
     We admit children regardless of race, color sex, religion or national origin, who are two, three or four by September 1st of the year they enroll. (Fall birthdays are admitted on a case by case basis.) Children progress through our program at their own pace. Three-year-olds logically become four-year-olds and some four-year-olds with late birthdays remain for our five-day/full day program.

Termination
     The school retains the right to dismiss a child. This is done after a reasonable length of time, and conferencing with the parents. Cause may be, but is not limited to, developmental delays, behavior issues, failure to submit tuition as contracted, or other concerns that may indicate the child is not ready for the program or group activities.

Registration
     Registration is in January for in-house families. Parents may enroll children and any siblings who will enter school in the fall. There will be a
non-refundable registration fee due to process the registration forms. Upon completion of in-house registration, priority for remaining spaces is then given in the following order:

1. Children of members of Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church
2. Returning school families (Families who previously had children attend Chestnut Grove, but currently have no one enrolled)
3. Children who attended Open House and expressed an intent

Special Needs Policy

Chestnut Grove welcomes children with special needs using the following protocols:
Full disclosure by the parents in regard to diagnosis, evaluations and special requirements.
Release of Information signed so the director/teacher may have the opportunity to conference with the therapists and special educators working with your child.
Scheduled conference reviews at monthly intervals to determine if the placement at Chestnut Grove is working for the child.
Final decisions regarding inclusion in the program rests with the director.

Discipline Policy for Children

The goal of guidance at Chestnut Grove is to encourage children to learn self discipline. This includes learning in a safe environment and demonstrating respect for the property and feelings of others. Our techniques focus on what to do rather than what not to do. All matters of guiding children will be in compliance with the licensing of the Maryland State Department of Education and the philosophy of Chestnut Grove.

The faculty and staff will:
Set clear, consistent limits for children
Offer praise and encouragement freely
Redirect and apply logical consequences
Use time-out as necessary
Discuss consistent problems with the parents and director to implement a specific action plan.
All final decisions regarding inclusion in the program remain with the director and will be determined on a case by case basis.

Financial Policy

There is a non-refundable registration fee due with the registration forms. A deposit is required by April 1st. This deposit will be forfeited if the registration process is completed but the child fails to enter school in September. If the child starts school in the fall and later withdraws for any reason, a prorated tuition refund will be made for all additional tuition paid – less  1 month- if the school receives 30 days written notice. If the school does not receive 30 days written notice of withdrawal, 2 months’ tuition will be forfeited. There will be no refunds for school missed due to holidays, inclement weather, or illness.

There will be a 5% tuition discount for the second child when 2 children are enrolled concurrently. Tuition payments made after the 15th of the month will incur a 5% late fee.

If tuition is not paid by the first of the following month, a letter will be sent requesting that the child be withdrawn from school, unless a special request has been made for other arrangements. Problems can always be solved. Please do not hesitate to contact the office administrator should the need arise.

Privacy Rights
     Any records kept by Chestnut Grove Day School and/or its teachers relating to a child are kept confidential. These records are released to other agencies only upon receipt of a written request by the agency and the written approval of the student’s parent.

 Health     Keep a child home if he/she has an elevated temperature, is vomiting, has diarrhea, or if the child shows any signs of infection. A child should remain at home when manifesting nasal discharge or with a heavy cough. Please inform the office by email (hdoyle@chestnutgrovechild.org) if your child will be absent. As soon as you know, inform the office if your child has a contagious disease such as chicken pox, strep throat, lice, or pink eye. Children are to remain fever free for 24 hours (without medication) before returning to school.  Health forms must be returned before or during the 1st week of school. A child may not continue in school without the health reports completed by your family pediatrician.

Carpools
      Please inform the teacher of dismissal arrangements. If a new caregiver is picking up, even for one day, we must be notified. We will not allow a child to leave with a stranger. This must be in writing.

Clothing
     Children should come to school dressed for play. Sneakers or
rubber-soled shoes are suggested. Children should wear clothing that they are learning to manage by themselves. Since we go outside every day, clothing appropriate for the season is required. Replenish the child’s shoebox with seasonal clothing or clean clothing as required.

Arrival/Dismissal
Punctuality is important at both arrival and dismissal. Please wait in the stairwell until a staff member opens the door. Accompany your child to the cubbie and assist them if necessary.
     At the end of the school day,
children are dismissed from the cubbie by  their classroom.
When the door is open, please go to your child for pick-up. If someone unknown to the teacher is picking up your child, please call the office in advance or leave a note with the director and/or teacher. If you must be late picking up your child, please call the office. Children
become frightened and the teacher should be aware of your delay in order to reassure the child.

Morning Arrival – 9:15a.m.
Morning Dismissal – 12:30p.m.

Extended day - 12:30p.m.

Full day and Extended Day Dismissal – 3:00p.m.

Snow Emergency Closing

            -If Baltimore County Schools are two hours late, then Chestnut Grove is two hours late with Extended Day beginning at 12:30p.m.
            -If Baltimore County Schools are closed, Chestnut Grove is closed.

Procedure:  In the event we need to close school after classes have begun, homeroom parents will be called to initiate the phone chain. 
All children will be kept at the school until a designated adult picks up.  If you receive a call, your child must be picked up as soon as possible.  This is for the safety of everyone.  You may pick up your child early if you are concerned about the weather or road conditions.

• Announcements are made on WBAL RADIO, 1090 AM when required.
• Check the voice mail message on the school phone – 410-592-9122

Safety:
All doors into Chestnut Grove are locked during the school day. If you arrive late or need to retrieve your child early, please press the buzzer to the office. Once you are identified on the video camera, you will be admitted to the school.

Drills – Students and teachers practice for fire and weather-related drills. All staff are trained in CPR and basic first aid should a need arise.

Parent Back to School Night: An evening for parents to meet the staff and other parents and learn about school activities. Parents will visit the classrooms in a relaxed atmosphere.  Teachers are on hand to discuss curriculum, general educational and social goals and answer questions.

Field Trips:
Trips are are determined by curriculum, time allotment and availability of activities.  Information on each trip is on the calendar and is preceded by a permission slip.  Parents accompany their child and children must have a signed permission slip before attending.

Elf Shop:  This is a Parent Board activity held in early December where the  children “shop” for Christmas gifts for immediate family and household pets.  Donations of gently used items or dollar store items are requested for the shopping. The funds raised are donated to the ARK school in Baltimore City. 

Dads Activities:

Dad’s Week – late February – dads of three and four-year-olds are invited to join their child for part or all of the class day.  Dads join in all  activities.
Dads Week – Two and You – late April – Dad attends the class with  his two-year-old and helps the children prepare gifts for Mother’s Day.

Moms Activities:  Early May – Three-year-olds hold a tea.
Fours prepare a brunch, present a musical program and honor Mom for Mother’s Day. Invitations are distributed in late April/early May depending on the calendar.   The children do all the preparation and make special gifts.

Spring Fair:  End of April – This is a Parent Board event.  Parents are asked to volunteer and be a part of a fun day.  This event raises funds for the school.  Information is distributed by the board and sign-up posters are on the parent bulletin board in the stairwell.

Birthday Book Celebrations
     We have a tradition of celebrating children’s birthdays at Chestnut Grove. Parents often choose to donate a “Birthday book” in their child’s honor.  The child opens a wrapped book and presents it to the school.  The birthday book is read in that child’s class and then the child may take it home for a week.  When it is returned, it is officially cataloged and shelved in the school’s library.
     You may choose a book from the “Birthday Book” box located in the office or buy your own.  We will place a nameplate in the cover with your child’s name, birth date and year of presentation.  Volunteers will wrap it for presentation. 
     Please leave the book you have chosen on the director’s or office administrator’s desk with an enclosed note stating your child’s full name, birth date, and date you would like to celebrate, and include your payment if you have chosen a book from the drawer.  Check may be made out to Chestnut Grove CDC.  Note Birthday Book in the memo section.  Cash may be left in an envelope with the information. 
     In most books, you will find the cost on the inside cover in the corner: left or right page. The school passes along their savings and only charges the actual cost for the book.  The school saves the tax and is able to purchase books at lower cost than in the book stores. This savings is passed along to parents. 
     “Two and You” children can participate in this tradition by celebrating in their own classroom.   These books will be placed in the “Two and You” library.
     Please speak with the office staff for more information.  Summer children may do a book at any time during the year. 
     Your support of the Chestnut Grove CDC Library enriches the school and fosters a child’s love of reading in meaningful and enduring ways.

Visitation
     We have an open door policy and visitation is encouraged. Please call the office or speak to your child’s teacher to determine a suitable time and day.  For safety, please inform the office of your arrival. You are always welcome to visit or call the office.

Conferences
     Formal conferences are held in January, but teachers are avaiable to conference at any time about your child.

Field Trips/Cultural Events
     We have a limited number of field trips and we use either private vehicles or buses. You will always be informed prior to each trip. Cultural events featuring performers of different media are also held at the school. Information regarding these events can be found in the monthly newsletters or special flyers.

Vision and Hearing Screenings
     Screenings are done by the Maryland Society for Sight and a private audiologist. Permission slips and results are sent to parents.

Holiday Celebrations
     Holiday celebrations are planned with the help of room parents. Further information is published in the newsletters or with the use of a phone chain.

Volunteer Help
     The director and teachers of Chestnut Grove are always eager for volunteer help. Although Chestnut Grove is not a co-op, we believe that it is beneficial for the children to see their parents take an active interest in their school life and their school. There are a number of ways in which parents can participate in our program with their child, such as classroom assistance, library help, cooking assistance, and help with the repair of various pieces of equipment. Please feel free to speak to the director about your desire to be a volunteer.

Room Parents
     Room parents are requested for each class. A meeting is held in September for volunteers to go over the areas where a room parent can be of assistance.

Community Helpers

     Local professionals, such as dentists, doctors, firefighters, chefs and others, come to talk with the children about their services and functions within the children’s environment and/or local community. We welcome parents’ participation if they wish to share their talents or professions. Please plan ahead with the director.

Newsletters
     Newsletters are distributed monthly. Please read these carefully as they contain important information regarding school activities, closings, special events and calendar.

Summer Camp
     Camp currently runs for three weeks. The scheduled dates are flexible due to the calendar and enrollment. We encourage the use of summer camp as an introduction to nursery school for incoming children, a fun time for those who have experienced school and a positive way to spend part of the summer. Registration begins in March.

Extended Day
     Extended Day is a service provided to the parents by Chestnut Grove. It is a planned program held daily from 12:30p.m. to 3:00p.m. Sign-up is on an as-needed basis, first come, first served. Payment is due at the time of sign-up. Please refer to calendar and newsletter for further information and please do not hesitate to see the office administrator if you have any questions.

Substitutes
     A permanent list of substitutes is maintained; however, parents who wish to be substitutes are welcome to leave their names with the director.

Typical Day
Arrival – Children greet teachers and put their possessions in cubbies. Three-year-olds go to classrooms to use manipulative equipment, read books, listen to music or to converse with their teacher and classmates. Four-year-olds proceed to the “big room” with their teachers for an opening group activity. In January, the three-year-olds join the fours for opening.

Developmental Task – Teacher sets tone and theme for the day’s specific lesson. Teachers and children may talk about any one of a number of topics – shapes, sizes, animals, holidays, self-esteem, safety, art-language, science, math, seasonal activities, and interests. A five to ten-minute discussion is followed by a related activity which involves eye-hand or small muscle coordination, or a small skill such as cutting, pasting, drawing, painting, stringing, sorting, -- all helping to build perception and encourage developmental areas of learning.
Music – Large group activity in “big room”. Rhythm instruments, finger plays, dramatic play, singing, and dancing.
Bathroom – At appropriate time – not by groups.
Snack time – Nutritional snacks are served. Parents are welcome to send in snacks or the ingredients to make something special. Parents are also welcome to send in special treats for holidays, birthdays, special occasions.
Gross Motor Skills – Big blocks, sand and water table, wheel toys and climbing
Classroom Activities - Circle time, literature, listening, or activity of teacher’s choice
Clean up and outdoor play, weather permitting.

Faculty
Chestnut Grove teachers must meet NAEYC requirements. Continuing education for all teachers and assistants, as well as the director is required. Fingerprinting is required as well and faculty are to maintain basic first aid and CPR certification.

Day School Boards
The school is incorporated and has a Board of Directors consisting of the Pastor, President of the Parent Board, a member of Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church, a Member at Large and the director. This board is in place to assist the director in the operation of the school and to act as an advisory board to the director.
The Chestnut Grove Day School has a volunteer Parent Board, which is responsible for fundraising, helping to equip the school and maintain the playground in conjunction with the professional staff. This Board also acts as a liaison between the faculty and parents.  The Board consists of parents and a member of Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church if available.  The Board works closely with the director to provide information to parents and special activities for the children. The director sits on the board as a non-voting member and keeps the board informed of policies, procedures, activities and staffing.