Our Goal
We seek to provide opportunities for children to grow…
Spiritually, by sharing God’s love for them through the introduction of Biblical truths; prayer; worship and praise;
Physically, by providing a variety of activities indoors and out, helping develop large and small muscle skills;
Socially, by offering them opportunities to develop a positive self-image, to look for the good things in others and to respect and care for our surroundings;
Emotionally, by helping develop appropriate emotional outlets as they work and play together in a loving environment;
Intellectually, by expanding areas of knowledge through providing developmentally appropriate activities, encouraging language and problem solving skills, facilitating enjoyable creative expression through music and art activities and sensory experiences.
We Believe
We believe every child is a gift from God, and He has blessed each and every one of them with unique and special qualities that deserve affirmation and celebration. We consider it a privilege to be a part of the forming and shaping of the delicate lives of children, and recognize our role in serving both our children and their families in ways that will honor God.
We believe that the motivation to learn is intrinsic in every child. We view learning as an interactive process and believe that children acquire knowledge about themselves, each other and the world in which they live through active exploration with other children and in and through the guidance of skilled, devoted teachers.
We believe that play is the primary vehicle for learning during preschool years and recognize the value in providing experiences where children can enjoy activities relevant to their specific interests and developmental needs.
We believe in incorporating a spirit of cooperation, not competition in and among children; all social interactions are viewed as opportunities for learning to care about one another and ourselves.
Our Purpose
The purpose of Westwood Preschool is to provide opportunities for children to learn and grow socially, emotionally, physically, intellectually, and spiritually in God’s grace, spilled out to them through people and programs that foster and nurture God’s love for them.
Westwood Preschool is a Christian preschool affiliated with Westwood Community Church. The staff, all members of this church, strive to teach the values of the Christian faith to the children through guided conversation, spontaneous teachable moments along with Bible stories and songs. The teachers pray with the children and model Christian attitudes and outlooks in their daily classroom activities. The staff is eager to lend a listening ear to parents about the needs of their children. It is our goal to establish relationships with each family, walk alongside them, and support them in nurturing their children during these important preschool years.
Westwood Preschool is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services to meet the needs of children ages 3 to 5 with a maximum capacity of 108 at any time. Children must be 33 months by September 1 and toilet trained to enroll. We are dedicated to serve all children, regardless of their race, creed or religious affiliation. We will enroll special needs children if we can safely and adequately meet the child’s needs through an individually developed care plan stipulated by Rule 3.
Questions regarding licensing can be directed to the licensing division of the Department of Human Services, 651-296-3971.
Westwood Preschool utilizes several tools to insure the highest of standards are met: NAEYC, Minnesota’s Early Learning Standards, Creative Curriculum Goals and Objectives, and Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale are referenced for program planning and evaluation on an on-going basis. Parent input is also valued.
Welcome
Please select an item from the list at the right to browse the Westwood Preschool Handbook. Hard copies of the Handbook are available from the Preschool Office.
A Day at Preschool…
Each day offers very purposeful and productive time carefully planned and implemented by qualified staff. Children will be most ready to learn and have fun if well rested, fed, and comfortably dressed. Washable play clothes (we do get messy here!) and tennis shoes are best for our active program. Label clothing, coats, boots, hats, mittens, etc. to assist in managing the many items handled throughout the day. Boots and snow pants will only be needed on specific days as requested in advance by the teacher.
Each day’s events occur in a predictable order in the classroom. The following activities are included in every room:
Circle Time: Music, calendar, weather, literature, theme introduction, and sharing time are some components of this time used to develop language, listening, turn-taking, problem-solving and social skills.
Center Time: Children are offered a variety of enrichments to support all aspects of development in what they lovingly called “play!” Teachers may offer opportunities for free choice or may encourage participation in certain activities according to their goals for the children during this time. Creative expression is a vital part of early childhood and many times is a process they experience with sand, finger paint, play dough, water play, shaving crème, goop, etc. Messy can be good at preschool!
Large Muscle Activities: While the weather is favorable we enjoy our state of the art outdoor playground. Once boots, coats and mittens are needed, we utilize what we call our “motor room” and bring out the parachutes, tumbling mats, balls, scooters,and even bikes for a wide variety of equipment for free-play and teacher facilitated activities.
Learning Environment: There are many resources utilized to support the developing child. Some of the enrichments used are: Blocks, Music & Movement, Dramatic Play, Manipulatives, Games, Construction, Creative Art, Discovery, Science, Library, Sand, Water Play, Vehicles, Games, Puppets and More!
Snack Time: A simple snack and juice or milk are provided. Peanut butter or foods containing nuts are avoided due to allergies. Adjustments will be made to insure safety for children with severe allergies. Photo documentation of children with severe allergies will be posted for teachers in each classroom and food preparation area. Devotion is included here, in addition to prayer times shared through the day.
Cooking activities will be enjoyed by children as part of thematic planning. Children will be encouraged to assist in preparation as appropriate and be part of the snack menu.
Birthday treats are welcome. Please make arrangements in advance with the teacher. Treats must be purchased from a store or bakery and packaged in original containers in order to comply with licensing regulations. Summer birthdays may be celebrated at any time if desired. Please remember to make sure there are no nuts, nut ingredients, or peanuts in these treats.
Chapel: Held weekly on Mondays at the beginning of each session, the entire group gathers for lively worship through music and movement followed by a brief age-appropriate message to share God’s word. Puppets will be a big part of learning stories throughout the bible. We encourage parents to talk about the bible verses to help enhance learning.
Field Trips
Special events off campus will be scheduled as appropriate. Consistent with our safety first philosophy, these decisions will be based upon the children in our care, the number of parent volunteers available, and the specifics of the desired destination. Consistent with our developmentally appropriate practice criteria, there may be variation among the classes.
These events will be promoted well in advance. Written permission must be received from parents for each event. Permission slips will be provided that indicate the date, time, place and any necessary details.
On-site special events will also be scheduled and enjoyed by all! Parent participation is encouraged for these, too.
Program Information
Morning classes are from 9:00–11:30AM
Afternoon classes are from 12:30–3:00PM
The following options are available:
2 Day: Monday / Wednesday; Tuition: $130 per month
3 Day: Monday/Wednesday/Friday; Tuition: $180 per month
4 Day: Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday; Tuition: $230 per month
The first month’s tuition must be pre-paid in July to insure fall enrollment. The remaining 8 payments are due the first preschool week of each month; September through April. Payments may be mailed, dropped off, or placed in an envelope in the child’s designated preschool bag. Coupon sheets as tuition reminders are available online or outside the preschool office for your convenience.
All fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. Enrollment is for the full nine month school term. Thirty days notice is required prior to withdrawing a child. Tuition cannot be deducted for holidays, illness, vacations, extended absences, inclement weather, or un-anticipated church events such as a very large funeral.
There is an annual fee of $50 for registration and $30 activity and material fee per child. Registration may be done on-site or through the website. Contact the office at 952-224-7426 for forms, tours and information regarding availability prior to registering.
Currently enrolled children and siblings are provided an opportunity for early enrollment beginning the second Monday in January. Open enrollment begins the last Monday in January. If demand exceeds openings, a random selection process will be used in accordance with our spirit of non-competition. Parents will be encouraged to clarify a first and second preference for programs so every effort can be made to accommodate the enrollment. Waiting lists will be maintained. All paperwork must be completed and returned along with full payment of the necessary fees for enrollment to be complete and placement secured in the program.
Lunch Bunch is offered from 11:20–12:45 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The cost is $8.00 per pre-registered time, $10 for drop-in. Bring sack lunch from home (peanut free.) Pre-registration and payment are due in advance. Confirmation of dates reserved are sent home for reference.
Calendar Information
Westwood Preschool most closely follows District #112 Chaska school district’s calendar. Please note there are variations in order to complete the desired number of days for the year. The entire calendar is available on the website. Newsletters and emails will also be provided for reminders.
School Cancellation
Westwood Preschool follows the weather related cancellation policy as implemented by Chaska school district.
In case of inclement weather, please listen to KTIS (98.5 FM) or WCCO for details. The website for the church and preschool will have updates also.
While it is Westwood’s intention to maintain the integrity of the preschool schedule, there may be the rare occasion of a large scale event such as a funeral that would cause the preschool to cancel. Advance notification would be done via email, voicemail, and website.
Carline, Arrival & Departure Procedures
- At 8:55AM/12:25 PM preschool staff will be stationed at the upper level entry.
- Parents are to enter the campus on West 78th Street and proceed carefully along the sidewalk toward the front entrance.
- Make sure the colored car sign is visible on the front window on the passenger side.
- Children will be assisted from the passenger side of the vehicle only. Self-help skills are vital to minimize the need for lifting children!
- The first 4-6 vehicles will be assisted by staff. Vehicles must be occupied at all times during this process. If you need to come in for any reason, please park in the lower lot and use that entrance.
For efficient transitions, once children are settled in car seats for pick up, please pull forward 5-6 car lengths, stop and finish fastening safety belts. This allows for the next group of children to be delivered to their cars at that time.- TANADOONA must be used to exit the campus at all times to prevent collisions. Please be diligent in this practice and advise others that may be providing transportation for your child.
- In the event of an emergency and there is a delay in picking up, children will be brought to the director’s office at 11:45am / 3:10pm.
- In the event of a funeral or church special event, the lower level entrance may be used for carline. Website and email notification will be provided with specific information pertinent to that particular event.
Parent Involvement
Westwood Preschool encourages an open-door atmosphere for parents. It is our goal to establish relationships with each family, walk along side them and support them in nurturing their children during these important preschool years.
Frequent communication will be encouraged through the website, email, phone conversations, and newsletters. We welcome the opportunity to have face to face conversations with parents as much as possible. Carline is a great convenience that results in needing a little more creativity for effective communication between home and school. You are welcome to observe and learn about all the wonderful things happening here at school. The door to the director’s office is always open throughout the day and evenings by appointment.
Volunteer opportunities will be coordinated through classroom teachers. Let us know what areas of expertise/enthusiasm you would care to share with us!
In compliance with church policies, pets are not allowed in the building without prior approval. Special events may include animals outside as appropriate.
Policies to Ensure a Safe & Healthy Experience
Behavior Guidance
We believe in incorporating a spirit of cooperation, not competition. All social interactions are viewed as opportunities for learning to care about one another and ourselves. When an occasion arises that requires behavior guidance, the staff at Westwood Preschool uses the following methods in this order:
- Talking to the child using a positive approach.
- Re-directing the child to a different activity.
- Modeling appropriate behavior.
- Rewarding desirable behavior.
- Removing the child briefly from the group but within sight of the teacher. Corporal punishment or emotional abuse will never be used with any child. If a child needs separation from the group the following guidelines will apply:
- The director will be contacted.
- The separation will be noted in a log book.
- If a child is separated from the group three or more times in one day, the child’s parents will be notified and it will be noted in the log book. Conferencing will be held to coordinate supporting and guiding the child.
Health and Safety
Child Abuse Reporting: Staff are mandated by State law to report any instance of observed or suspected child abuse or neglect.
Department of Human Services Licensing Maltreatment Intake Line can be reached by calling 651-297-4123 to report suspected abuse or neglect in a licensed facility.
The state requires the following to be on file for each child when school begins:
- an emergency medical consent card
- a Health Care Summary filled out by the child’s physician
- an immunization form including documentation of current immunizations.
Parents are required to keep sick children at home for their own protection as well as for the health of others. Please refer to the handout entitled “Health Exclusion Policy” to determine how long to keep your child at home.
If a child becomes ill during the day, he/she will be in the director’s office. Parents will be notified and asked to pick up the child. The child’s file will include the parents’ numbers and two other emergency numbers in case the parents cannot be reached.
Parents are asked to notify the school within 24 hours if their child contracts a communicable illness. Communicable illnesses will then be reported to all parents of the children in the ill child’s classroom the same day the information is received. The staff will send a note home with each child describing the illness, incubation period, early signs to watch for and exclusion recommendations. The school will notify the Public Health Department at 952-351-5230 within 24 hours should a “reportable disease” occur.
Reasonable precaution is taken to prevent accidents or injuries of any kind. In the case of a minor cut, bruise or fall, staff will administer first aid. The incident will be recorded in an accident log and reported to the parents.
Parents are asked to notify the preschool of any allergies, especially food allergies. Allergies will be posted in the classroom and food prep area.
Staff will not administer any medications. If there are any circumstances where exceptions should be noted for your child, please discuss these issues with the director.
Emergency care plans will be developed for children with epi pens.
In case of a medical emergency during a session, an ambulance, if necessary, will take the child to Waconia Hospital. Parents and /or the child’s doctor will be notified immediately. Parents are financially responsible for the emergency transportation of the child. The staff is trained in First Aid and CPR as required by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Should accidental ingestion of poisonous substance occur, the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 will be called and procedures will be followed.
Teachers and Assistants are responsible for the care and handling of the students in their individual classes in the event of an emergency. Once the students have been evacuated to their designated place of safety, the teacher will communicate to the director that all children are accounted for. Procedures specific to emergencies are as follows:
Fire Evacuation: Remove the children from the building by the primary or secondary exits depending on fire location (see emergency evacuation map posted in each classroom). The first aid kit and emergency information will be taken outside in case of injury. The Chanhassen Fire Department will respond to any fire emergency. They have established procedures and provisions
for shelter if necessary. Children and staff will practice fire emergency evacuation procedures monthly. Fire drills will be recorded in the Emergency Logbook and kept in the Director’s office.
Tornado or Blizzard: Storm shelters are noted on the emergency evacuation map in each classroom. Students will be instructed to cover their heads as appropriate. A battery operated radio and flashlight will be available for use. Tornado drills will be recorded also.
Utility Failure: Each classroom has a flashlight and the church has emergency lighting in the hallways. The Chanhassen Fire Department will respond to any prolonged utility emergency. They have established procedures and provisions for shelter if necessary.
Missing Children: The Director or her designee will be notified. A thorough search of the building and grounds will be conducted simultaneously with the notification of police and parents.
Missing Parent: If unable to reach parents or emergency contact within one hour, police will be notified.
If You Have a Specific Concern
Should a situation or condition in the classroom cause you or your child concern, it is important to deal with it quickly and openly. Upon hearing of a grievance, the Director and/or teacher will respond within 5 (five) working days. The following steps by the parent will be taken:
- Discuss the problem privately with the teacher clearly and sincerely. Describe the specific behavior and how it makes you feel or why it is a problem.
- If the problem is still unresolved after the first step, speak to the Director. She will investigate the issues involved and/or facilitate further discussion.
- If the problem is still unresolved after the second step, speak to the Executive Pastor, Jim Anderson. He will investigate the issues involved and facilitate further discussion.
Identifying and communicating a grievance will help achieve change. If you have concerns about suspected abuse or neglect of your child at preschool, you may file a report with the Department of Human Services, Licensing Division, at 651-296-3971.
Liability Insurance
Westwood Preschool has $1,000,000 of liability insurance and $100,000 of vehicle insurance under the policy of Westwood Community Church.
Carline Instructions
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Carline Arrival & Departure Procedures
1. At 8:55am / 12:25pm preschool staff will be stationed at the upper level entry to receive children. After 9:10am / 12:35pm parents will need to bring children to the classroom.
2. Staff focus is on attending to the safety of children so preferably call or email important messages.
3. Vehicles should enter the campus on West 78th St/Westwood Dr; proceed carefully along the sidewalk to entrance.
4. Make sure the colored car sign is visible on the front window on the passenger side for arrival and departure.
5. Children will be assisted from the passenger side of the vehicle only. Child’s self-help skills are vital to minimize the need for lifting children. Please have children unbuckled and “loves” given before the staff arrive. Please keep place in line and avoid going around slower vehicles.
6. The first 5-6 vehicles will be assisted at once. If children are having difficulty separating return to the end of the line and try again, or park in the lower lot and bring your child into the preschool. We will be happy to help support a quick departure from that point. Vehicles must be occupied at all times during this process. Use the lower lot for coming into the building.
Departure Procedures
7. Children are brought to the entry way at 11:30am / 3:00pm. Teachers will bring child in hand to the vehicle.
8. Once children are settled in car please pull forward 6-8 car lengths to stop and finish fastening safety belts. This allows for the next group of children to be delivered to their cars during for efficient transitions.
9. TANADOONA must be used to exit the campus at all times to prevent collisions. Please be diligent in this practice and advise others when providing transportation for your child.
10. In the event of an emergency and there is a delay in picking up, children will be brought to the director’s office after 11:45am / 3:10pm. Please respect the grace that is given for emergencies and be prompt otherwise.
11. In the event of a funeral or major church special event, the lower level entrance may be used for carline. Website and email notification will be provided with specific information pertinent to that particular event.
NO CELL PHONES PLEASE! Patience is appreciated; avoid pulling out around slower moving vehicles.
Thank you! |