Frequently Asked Questions
What are the age requirements to enroll my child in LS?
Children must be 2 years and 6 months to enter the program.
How large is a class size and what is your staff:student ratio?
LSA strives to have small classes in order to promote the one on one teacher/child interaction that is so important in early childhood development. Our two year old class typically has 15 children to 1 lead teacher and 2 aides. In our other preschool classes, we average about 16 to 18 children to 2 teachers. Our kindergarten classroom is staffed with a teacher and an aide for up to 18 students
Are naps required in preschool?
Yes, a nap-time is required by California law and LSA allots a two-hour schedule in the afternoon. Children who may not need a daily nap have an afternoon quiet time. Children may bring a favorite blanket and comforting stuffed animal if desired.
Does my child need to be potty trained to start?
No. Potty training is not a requirement to attend if your child is in the 2.6 -year-old class. Children must be in the process of being potty trained and in pullups. There is an additional $35 monthly charge for potty training assistance. For all other classrooms, children must be potty trained.
What are the hours for the preschool session?
The center is open from 7 am to 6 pm. Preschool hours run from 8:30-3:30 all day or 8:30-12:00 for the morning session and 12-3:30 for the afternoon session. We also offer morning and evening extended care for working parents.
My child does not speak English, is that a problem for your school? How do you handle this?
We have had several children at LSA who did not speak any English when they first came to us. We have found that they learn very quickly. Our teacher and parents are sensitive to their needs, and have not had any serious difficulty in communicating with them.
We have often been amazed by children who do not speak or understand a word of English in September, and are communicating in it quite fluently by the spring! We very much enjoy having families from other countries and cultures. We also try to be considerate of parents who are still learning English themselves.
Communication with preschool children, even those speaking English, is often done in a nonverbal manner. Children show us by their faces, hands, and other nonverbal cues what they want and need. Our teachers are very sensitive to this type of communication. Children quickly learn English by listening to other children and by teaching, modeling and caring of the teachers.
How are individual academic and social needs met if children need extra help or if they are ready for a more advanced curriculum?
All four classrooms will run on the same block schedule and if a teacher identifies that a child needs to join an older or younger class for a particular subject area, this will be coordinated with the other teachers so that each child's strengths and areas of need are addressed on an individualized basis.
What if I want to take the summer off, do I still have to pay?
The monthly tuition is payable whether your child is present in school or not. This includes the summer months if you are planning to continue enrollment in the fall. There will be no refunds nor can the child make up missed time. If you withdraw your child for the summer months, you will need to reapply and may run the risk of not having a spot available when your child returns. It is best to schedule a meeting with the Director prior to making any extended travel plans so that you are able to make an informed decision regarding placement
Can I send my child to school with a favorite toy?
We ask that you reserve this for Sharing Day as we do not want your child to misplace their favorite toy during a regular day. Your child's teacher will inform you of what day has been assigned for your child to share a toy with the class. Please label all toys with your child's name.
What should my child wear to school?
Clothing which allows freedom of movement and can easily be laundered without worry about staining is most suitable. Pants that are easily managed for toileting encourage independence and help avoid accidents.Shoes that are comfortable, easy to put on and take off and safe for climbing are most suitable.
What if my child has an accident at school?
Each child should come to school with a set of extra clothes in a bag clearly labeled with his/her name. These will be kept at school and will be used in the event of an accident. You will be notified in the daily parent log of the accident.
How does your preschool celebrate children's birthdays?
Each child's birthday is celebrated as a special day - if you would like to send in a special treat, please talk with your child's teacher at least one week before the birthday. Remember that some of our children are on special diets and have allergies that we have to plan around
Are any family events scheduled throughout the year?
Yes, we have Back to School Family Picnic, Halloween Festivities, Thanksgiving Meal and Holiday Show. We also have classroom parties and events throughout the year that we invite parents and families to. For the current events calendar, click here.
Does LSA encourage parent involvement?
Absolutely! We wouldn’t be the warm, nurturing preschool that we are without the support and involvement of our parents. We have a variety of committees that are all volunteer driven. Parents are welcome and encouraged to help out in their child’s classroom, help in the office, lead and staff volunteer events for our children such as the Thanksgiving Day Meal, Holiday Show, Mother’s Day Tea, Father’s Day Picnic and School Carnival. We need (and love) involved parents!
How are parents kept informed about their child's progress?
We take great care to communicate with parents on a daily basis at drop off and pick up times. The Learning Springs' staff does two evaluations per year and offers a parent conference each time. Daily sheets are sent home each day with pertinent information from the day. Parents are welcome to schedule a teacher meeting any time they want to speak about their child, or any issue in their child's classroom.
|
