ST. HELEN EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
We are pleased and proud that you have selected St. Helen Early Childhood
Center for your child. We are excited to embark on this new journey and hope
to make this the best experience your child will have. We will do all that
we can to ensure that your child will have a pleasant, stimulating and
learning year.
We have prepared this Handbook to acquaint you with our programs,
requirements, and policies. PLEASE REFERENCE IT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. Many
times throughout the year there may be other handouts or pages (such as
class lists) that can be added to the handbook at a later time. If
information you might need is not covered here, please feel free to contact
the Director or your child’s teacher.
ALL PAPERWORK MUST BE COMPLETED AND TURNED IN THE DAY OF REGISTRATION
LICENSING INFORMATION
A copy of the minimum standards is available for you to review and may be
viewed on line.
A list of these offices may be found on the PRS website:
www.tdprs.state.tx.us or by calling the Child Care information line at 1-800-
862-5252.
For information about local licensing offices look on the Protective and
Regulatory Services website at: www.tdprs.state.tx.us. The Child Care
information line at
1-800-862-5252.
The most recent Department of Protective and Regulatory Services Inspection/
Investigation Report, (compliance information is also available on the web
at www.tdprs.state.tx.us or from your local Licensing office).
The following are posted at the entrance to the Center on the bulletin board.
· Documentation of liability insurance that complies with Human
Resources Code, Section 42.0491.
· The most recent Fire Marshal’s Inspection Report.
· The most recent Health Department’s Sanitation Inspection Report.
· The most recent Gas Pipe Inspection Report.
· The Child-Care Center’s operational policies.
GENERAL INFORMATION
AGE CRITERIA
The age criteria for each classroom is as follows:
Turning 3-Must be 2 years 6 months of age on or before September 1 of the
year entering
Pre K —3-Must be 3 years old on or before September 1 of the year entering
Pre K —4 Must be 4 years old on or before September 1 of the year entering
Note: Under rare cases the Director has the right to place a child where it
will serve the child’s best interest. Generally a child will stay in the
class where they are placed in the beginning.
ALL PRE K -3 AND 4 CHILDREN MUST BE POTTY TRAINED IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE
FOR ENROLLMENT.
DRESS CODE
Standardized dress consists of specified solid color Polo shirts and
specified solid color bottoms. These may be purchased at Wal-Mart or any
other store that carries these separates.
Girls
Polo’s – hunter green, navy blue, red, white
Bottoms- may consist of jumper, skorts, shorts or long pants. They may be
black, navy, or khaki in color. Elasticized waists are required in Pre K-3.
JEANS,SWEATS, OR WIND PANTS MAY NOT BE WORN.
Socks must be worn with closed toe non-slip shoes, preferably tennis shoes.
No blinking/light-up shoes.
Shirts must be worn tucked in: belts worn if there are loops present on the
pant. We will not be responsible for lost items of value. Please do not send
your child to school with valuables. (i.e. jewelry, Ipods, sentimentals)
Boys
Polo’s- hunter green, navy blue, red, white
Bottoms- consists of long pants or shorts. They may be black, navy blue, or
khaki in color. Elasticized waists are required in Pre K-3. JEANS, SWEATS,
OR WIND PANTS MAY NOT BE WORN.
Socks must be worn with closed toe non-slip shoes, preferably tennis shoes.
No blinking/light-up shoes.
Shirts must be worn tucked in: belts worn if the child is self sufficient.
All students must be in standardized dress clothing while in attendance at
St. Helen Early Childhood Center.
Should your child attend school without being in standardized dress we will
take these steps:
1. A letter will be sent as your 1st official warning.
2. We will provide proper attire for the day.
Borrowed clothes-if not returned it may become necessary to access a
replacement fee.
Should you have an emergency or extenuating circumstances you must send a
note with your child to the Director stating the circumstance. It will then
be up to the Director to excuse your child.
FUNDRAISER
PLEASE NOTE: PARENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE E.C.C.
FUNDRAISERS OR PAY THE $175.00 BUY OUT FEE FOR THE YEAR.
Please note: We are prepared for each child each day whether your child
attends or not. There will be no refunds for days absent. REMINDER: Tuition
is a full school year amount broken into ten monthly payments. You may pay
in full or make the monthly payments.
The school is under no obligation to furnish parents or another educational
program with any records of a child no longer in the program if all
financial obligations have not been met.
NO CHILD WILL BE GUARANTEED ENROLLMENT UNTIL ENROLLMENT FEES ARE PAID IN
FULL AND PAPERWORK IS RETURNED COMPLETED.
FEES CONTINUED
2 Day 3 Day 5 Day
Registration Fees:
$131.00 $142.00 $163.00
Extended Day Enrollment Fees:
$50.00 $55.00 $60.00
Activity Fee: All Students
$57.00 Please supply a separate check.
Cleaning Supply Fee: All Students
$40.00 Please supply a separate check.
Returned Check Fee: Please note: If a check is returned with insufficient
funds a $30.00 fee will be charged to you. It is our policy not to accept
any checks for the next three months. Payment will be accepted by cash or
money order for those next three months. If a second insufficient check is
issued to us, cash or money order will only be accepted for the rest of the
school year.
Late Pickup Fee: There is a late fee for all children who are left after the
2:00 p.m. dismissal time. The charge is $10.00 after 5 minutes grace and a
$1.00 per minute there after.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to personnel and paper work processing cost all fees are
non-refundable.
No child will be guaranteed enrollment until the Enrollment Fee is paid in
full and all paperwork is returned completed, including all immunizations
records from birth until present.
New students enrolling during the current school year will pay in full a
month’s tuition if they enroll from before the 15th of the month. If they
enroll after the 16th of the month, a half-month’s tuition payment will
apply.
IN HOUSE FIELD TRIPS
An activity fee provides for two major in house field trips in the fall and
the spring, with mini activities each month. We try our best to schedule one
on M/T class days and one on W/TH/F class days. All children are entitled to
attend all field trips. Due to liability issues we are unable to participate
in off campus field trips, according to Diocesan Guidelines.
CLEANING SUPPLY FEE
Due to a lack of storage space, we are now assessing a fee of $40.00 for
cleaners, paper towels, hand soap, and baby wipes for the school year. The
school will purchase these items as needed.
EARLY WITHDRAWAL
As previously stated, enrollment is presumed to be for ten months (August
through May). Two weeks written notice is required in the event it becomes
necessary to withdraw your child prior to the end of the school year. If
notice is not given an amount equal to one-half of the monthly tuition will
be due and payable in addition to the current month’s tuition.
By the fact of enrolling your child in our school, we assume your agreement
and cooperation with our policies, rules, and approaches. However, we
realize there can be questions or differences in opinion.
In the event of any major or continuing conflicts, and with joint
consultations failing, this school reserves the right to suspend enrollment
for the current year (refunding a pro-rated portion of the month’s tuition
paid in advance), and/ or to refuse registration for any subsequent year(s).
Likewise, if the Director and teacher feel that the school is not meeting
the needs of a specific child, whether emotionally, physically, or
intellectually, we would ask that the child be removed from our program for
his/her benefit.Upon termination, a pro-rated amount of the Enrollment Fee
may be refunded.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT OUR EMERGENCY PROCEDURES:
** In the event of school closing due to inclement weather we will follow
the Pearland Independent School District. Please watch a local TV station
for the announcement.
In the event of school closure due to any other circumstances in the course
of the day we will notify you according to the list of telephone numbers you
have provided.
In an emergency/disaster situation we may be forced to go into a SHELTER IN
PLACE. Please know in this instance all of our teachers are certified in
First Aid/ CPR and that we have enough water, food, and first aid provisions
on hand if needed. In this instance we will contact you if possible.
We will be happy to provide you with a complete disaster plan if requested.
SAFETY DRILLS
As a precaution, we prepare by having regular fire and tornado drills, as
well as lock down drills for other on campus emergencies on a regular basis.
MORNING DROP OFF PROCEDURES
· Enter through church driveway
· Pull up outside carport
· Parents must stay in car at all times for safety as well as smooth
flow of drop off line.
After 8:55 parents must park and bring child upstairs. After 9:00
a.m. you will need to sign-in as tardy in the office.
· Teachers will be there to take child from car at 8:35 to 8:55
Sign your child in
Exit thru the back parking lot
AFTERNOON PICKUP PROCEDURES
· Enter through church driveway
· Display pickup sign in window
· Pull all the way up at pickup spot (to enable us to load 4 cars at
REMAIN IN YOUR CAR AT ALL TIMES for safety as well as smooth
flow of traffic.
Please pull out of line to buckle your child in
Proceed to exit between FLC and Pavilion out to back parking lot.
RAINY DAY PROCEDURES
· Enter through church driveway
· Pull under carport on rainy days
· Parents must stay in car at all times
· Exit thru the back parking lot
PARENTS ARE NOT TO DRIVE UNDER THE COVERED DRIVE ON GOOD WEATHER DAYS.
PARKING AND DROP OFF OR PICK UP
Basic procedure is that you enter from the driveway nearest
the church and proceed straight ahead to form two drop-off/
pick-up lines. Display pick-up sign. Remain in your car. Then
after receiving your child, pull through to the back parking
lot to buckle your child and exit. ALL TRAFFIC SHOULD BE
EXITING THROUGH THE BACK DURING SCHOOL HOURS.
The Catholic School enters on Msgr. Way (the entrance in
front of the Catholic School), drops off in front of school and
exits to the back. If you have children in both schools, the
cones have been placed to allow traffic from the Catholic
School to merge into the ECC RIGHT Lane for pick-up of a
preschooler.
The cones are in place to prevent any Catholic school traffic
from exiting through our entrance driveway and causing an
accident. Please bear with us as we work with the positioning
of the green cones to allow you right of way and still keep
people attempting to exit blocked.
The carport will remain as the only pick-up spot for inclement
weather.
EXTENDED DAY DROP/OFF-PICK/UP PROCEDURES
Please feel free to park by the grotto to bring your child up
for extended day, but we ask that you follow the same traffic
patterns in the morning as well and, exit through the back
parking lot.
Please do not park in front of the carport or anywhere marked
by the red lines as these are FIRE LANES and you will be
ticketed by the city.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES:
The health guidelines necessary for state licensed schools will be required
for all children attending our Center. Please see the form included with
this Handbook. All health requirements must be met before your child can
begin class.
Parents will be notified immediately if their child becomes ill during
school hours.
In case of an emergency you will be contacted and if necessary, the
physician that you have designated will also be notified. If you and/or your
child’s physician are not available, the school will contact the physician
of its choice.
Please do not send your child to school if you suspect that he/she is
becoming ill. In addition to exposing others, your child may become more
infected due to low resistance.
By State Law if a child has an oral temperature 100.4 degrees or greater;
under the arm temperature 99.4 or greater you will be notified immediately.
A CHILD MUST BE FREE FROM FEVER, VOMITING, AND/OR DIARRHEA FOR AT LEAST A
FULL 24 HOUR PERIOD BEFORE RETURNING TO CLASS!
Health problems that need a doctor release include the following:
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Chicken Pox
Impetigo
Strep
Fifths Disease
Ringworm
Hand Foot Mouth Disease
PLEASE SEE LINK FOR COMPLETE LIST.
Teachers are not permitted to give medication of any kind prescription or
non-prescription. The Director or Office staffs are also not permitted to
give medications of any kind, unless a physician requests in writing stating
that there is a need for such medication. If the medication is Benadryl,
please provide individual benadryl tabs or individual liquid dosage due to
space restraints. The doctor’s statement must be accompanied by written
permission of at least one parent.
Please advise the school immediately if your child contracts a communicable
condition and/or disease, such as the following; Ringworm, Chicken Pox, Head
Lice, Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), Impetigo, Hand Foot and Mouth Disease,
Strep Throat, Fifths Disease. Etc. Parents will be notified in the event
their child has been exposed to any of these while at school.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
St. Helen Early Childhood Center follows the Catholic Calendar, Pearland
School Calendar, in addition to several school holidays exclusive to the
Early Childhood Center.
Please note that we are not a year round facility, but instead conduct
classes only through the school year.
CLASS LISTS
Class lists will be distributed soon after school begins. These will give
the students and parent’s names, addresses, and phone numbers. Besides
social contacts these may aid in car-pooling, etc.
If you do not want your address and phone number listed, you must notify the
Director before the first class day. We will revise this list as needed.
PLEASE NOTIFY THE CENTER IF ANY CHANGES IN ADDRESS, HOME PHONE NUMBER,
CELL PHONE, AND EMPLOYMENT, ETC. OCCUR SO THAT WE MAY ALWAYS HAVE THE
CORRECT INFORMATION IN YOUR CHILD’S FILE AT ALL TIMES.
CELEBRATIONS/ROOM PARENT
Celebrations are 4 times a year on Halloween, Christmas, Valentine, and
Easter.
Volunteer room parents facilitate pre-determined menus and activities. If
you wish to sign up to be a room parent or if you would like to help or
provide something for the celebrations, please contact the office. We welcome
any and all help for the celebrations.
Please get with teacher for birthday parties in classroom. Birthday parties
are kept to a minimum with cookies, cupcakes, or muffins.
Invitations to parties will only be given out if the whole class is invited,
otherwise they need to be mailed.
NO LATEX BALLOONS OR OTHER ITEMS DUE TO LIFE THREATENING ALLERGIES
Note to Room Parents: Please make sure all correspondence is reviewed and
approved by Mrs. Licarione before distributing to the class. Email to
terri@sthelenchurch.org.
NEWSLETTERS
You will receive a monthly newsletter prepared by the Director giving
information as to our past month’s accomplishments, events of the coming
month with any special activities noted.
PLEASE READ AND KEEP IT AVAILABLE FOR REFERENCE
LUNCHES
Parents have an opportunity to purchase Hot Lunches from our Catholic school
and for this reason we have no input on the menu choices and the menu is
subject to change without prior notice. The menu is done on a bi-weekly
basis; otherwise parents must provide lunch for their child.
Lunches from home must be nutritious and contain easily eaten finger foods
including a drink.
THEY CANNOT BE HEATED AT SCHOOL.
If your child comes to school without a lunch, it will be provided and
a “Lunch Voucher” for the cost of the lunch will be sent home.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to Diocese guidelines and for the safety of the
children all left over food and opened containers/bags will be disposed of
after lunch. Any unopened perishable foods will also be properly disposed
after lunch. We know that many parents like to see what food is left over at
the end of the day. We are sorry that we cannot do this anymore but will
advise you of their eating habits via our daily logs. With this in mind
also, please send an appropriate size lunch for your child so that food will
not be unnecessarily wasted.
All lunchboxes will also be sent home INSIDE YOUR CHILD’S BACKPACK.
A BACKPACK MUST BE ABLE TO HOLD THE DAILY FOLDER, EXTRA
SET OF CLOTHING, SMALL PILLOW, BLANKET, AND LUNCH BOX.
We have discovered many backpacks have unnecessary items inside that
prevent the lunch boxes from fitting. (i.e. toys, too large a pillow or
blankets, etc.). With “loose” lunch boxes, many sometimes do not find their
way back home.
We are also asking that you NOT send extra drinks or snacks to
school in the backpacks. This for one takes up precious space in the
backpack and many times the staff is unaware of how long it has been in the
backpack. Please rest assure that we provide adequate snacks and drinks
during class and in the afternoon Extended Day. If you pack it because you
may not be going home right away, then we ask you to keep those snacks with
you or in your car. I again want to state that we provide plenty of liquids
for the children when they need or want it.
If a child brings a lunch/snack from home the parent understands the
school is not responsible for its nutritional value or for meeting the
child’s daily food needs.
SNACKS
Snacks will be provided in the morning. They will consist of juice, milk or
water,low sugar cereals, fruit, vegetables, cheese, etc. Menus will be posted
weekly for your convenience. You may pack a special snack to be eaten only at
lunch.
Children with severe food allergies may be required to provide their own
snack.
INFORMATION BINDER
At the beginning of the school year, each child will take home a binder.
This binder will hold any correspondence between the Center and home. Please
look each day for any information or work for the day. Please remove them
from the binder and return it to the backpack.
You may also send tuition, book orders, etc., in the binder to the Center.
The staff will check each day and turn in any correspondence to the office.
Please note: These binders must stay in your child’s backpack.
PROGRESS REPORTS/ CONFERENCES
Student progress is assessed on a daily basis by teachers to provide
continually challenging and developmentally appropriate curriculum. These
findings are collected and compiled into individual portfolios and relayed to
the parents through progress reports and conferences through the year. While
we have a Report/ Conference schedule in place for the year, teachers are
available to meet with you face to face at any time parents feel necessary.
Progress Report Schedule
• 1st assessment - August & September – Baseline
• Report goes home –October
• 2nd assessment – December –Early January
• Report goes home – January –Early February
• 3rd assessment- February- March
• Parent Teacher Conference in April will cover-
1. Progress report for year
2. Assessment for Kindergarten Readiness (Pre K 4 only)
3. Readiness for next level ( T-3, and 3’s )
4. Strategy and work to continue through summer
You will be given an evaluation of your child's progress
not only in academics, but also group and individual behavior and physical
dexterity. Parents are welcome in our building at any time during operating
hours, but the Parent-Teacher conference period in April provides special
time for happy visiting and interfacing. There will be no classes held on
these days.
DISCIPLINE
Most times a child will do what he or she can to please others, especially
in a group situation. When a child does something inappropriate we would
like to assume that he/she might not realize this is not correct, or maybe
reacted without thinking. If this does occur the teacher will take a
stepwise approach to correct this behavior as follows:
· His or her teacher will first talk with the child and give a warning
· If the behavior or action is repeated, the child may have a “Take 5”
as a redirect for a calm down. This is not a time out or isolation.
· The first two steps may occur more than one time per day
· If necessary, the child may come to see the Director, so that a
quiet more removed area may be more effective
Occasionally there are certain infractions that may warrant a child being
sent home
· Acts of extreme violence against the teacher and/or another students
· Attempt to run away causing concern for his/her safety
We will not under any circumstances, hit, spank, jerk, or otherwise
physically punish a child!
OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES
We will apply product for application by the teacher before outside visits,
unless you object, “Off Skintastic Cream” will be used.
HOURS OF OPERATION
St. Helen Early Childhood Center is a school year program beginning in
August and ending in May. (Closed during the summer)
Class schedule for the children is 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Extended Day is
7:00 to 9:00 a.m. or 2:00 to 5:30 p.m. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30
p.m., Monday through Friday.
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Please call 281-485-0496 to contact St. Helen Early Childhood Center for any
reason. The Director will usually be available from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.,
Monday thru Friday. If you cannot reach the Director at these times, please
leave a message with the secretary or the CCE staff. If there is a problem,
you are unable to get through and it is necessary, you may call the Director
at her home after school hours at 281-412-9181.
The home phone numbers of your child’s teacher will be available after the
children are assigned to classes. We ask you to please use discretion in
contacting any school personnel at home.
DEPARTURE POLICIES
For persons other than those normally bringing and/or picking up a child,
they will be asked to show identification when requesting a child. A VALID
DRIVER’S LICENSE MUST BE SHOWN AND WE ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO RECORD AND
RETAIN SOME INFORMATION FROM THE LICENSE. We know you understand this is for
the safety of your children. Though we may have been informed in advance of
the name of the individual, we need to make certain that the person who is
calling for your child is actually whom you specified. Please inform any
friends/relatives of the policy if you ask them to pick up your child. It
will save additional time and embarrassment for all concerned.
CUSTODIAL ISSUES
The policy at St. Helen Early Childhood Center regarding custodial or non-
custodial issues is that St. Helen Early Childhood Center cannot hold a
child from a parent without a court order on file. If you feel this may
become an issue, you may wish to consider other options.
PRE K -4 GRADUATION
At the end of the school year, the Pre K -4 will participate in a Graduation
Ceremony. The children will perform in a musical program before receiving
their diplomas. Caps and gowns may be purchased for the graduate by his/her
parents at a specific time. We feel that the children have really
accomplished the many steps it takes to become a more independent child
ready to begin kindergarten.
Please note: All Tuition and Extended Day Fees must be paid in full prior to
Graduation in order for a child to participate.
EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
St. Helen ECC Extended Day Program is open to all students enrolled at St.
Helen Early Childhood Center only.
PHILOSOPHY
The Extended Day Program is part of the Early Childhood Center and provides
before and after school care to the children enrolled at the Center.
Extended Day seeks to see children achieve a balanced growth physically,
mentally, and intellectually by creating a trusting and loving environment.
It is the desire of Extended Day to be an extension of both the home and
school. We hope to reinforce the values and character development that are
taught at school and in the home.
PURPOSE
The Extended Day Program was established as a service to the families and
children of St. Helen Early Childhood Center. Our purpose is to provide an
environment that is safe and conducive to good health where children can
assemble, work and play together. All children enrolled are welcome
regardless of race, color, or religion. The Extended Day Program offers a
flexible program that includes time for free play, games, creative arts and
crafts, science and nature observations, music and a snack. We want the
children surrounded by a Christian atmosphere of respect and loving
appreciation for each other and for the wonders of God’s world.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Extended Day has a morning session from 7:00 — 9:00 a.m., Monday through
Friday. The afternoon session is open from 2:00 — 5:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday. Extended Day is only open on regular school days. There is no
Extended Day on holidays or weekends. There is a late fee for all children
left at Extended Day after there enrolled dismissal time. The fee is $10.00
after 5 minutes grace and a $1.00 per minute there after.
ENROLLMENT FEE
The Enrollment Fee is $50.00 for M/T, $55.00 for W/Th/F and $60.00 for 5-day
children.
TUITION
Annual Monthly
2 Day 3 Day 5 Day 2 Day 3 Day 5 Day
A.M. 7-9 $500.00 $660.00 $850.00 $50.00 $66.00 $85.00
A.M. 8-9 $300.00 $400.00 $530.00 $30.00 $40.00 $53.00
P.M. 2-3 $300.00 $400.00 $530.00 $30.00 $40.00 $53.00
P.M. 2-4 $500.00 $660.00 $850.00 $50.00 $66.00 $85.00
P.M.2-5:30 $790.00 $1060.00 $1400.00 $79.00 $106.00 $140.00
Note: We reserve the right to cancel the Extended day program at any time if
there are not enough enrollments.
ARRIVAL AND PICK-UP
The only people allowed to pick up a child are the parent, legal guardians,
or those listed on the Extended Day registration form. If a different person
plans to pick up your child, the Director must be notified ahead of time. A
photo ID will be required to release your child to someone the Extended Day
staff is not familiar with.
Adults picking up children must come into Extended Day to pick them up. Each
child and adult should be wished a good day by staff member before leaving.
(This is to assure a staff member has seen the child leave with the proper
adult).
SNACKS
Snacks are provided during the afternoon session only. We ask you to please
make sure breakfast is eaten before they arrive for class. Breakfast MAY NOT
be brought to Extended Day!
SUPPLY LIST FOR EXTENDED DAY
We ask that each child enrolled in Extended Day supply the following:
1 package Manila paper
3 assorted construction paper
1 set watercolor paints
3 regular glue sticks
