1. Health Requirements

The New Hampshire Department of Health requires that document of immunizations shall be on file for each child on the first day the child is in attendance at the center. A child health form, or equivalent record of physical examination shall be on file at the child day care agency for each child within 60 calendar days of the date of admission. For children ages 5 and under, physical examinations shall be updated annually. We also request your cooperation in keeping our school as healthy as possible. Do not bring your child to school with a contagious disease. If he/she contracts such a disease, please inform us immediately so that we may alert other parents. Do not bring your child to the center if he/she has a high temperature (101 degrees), upset stomach, or any other unusual symptoms. If your child has a cold, teach him/her to blow and wipe his/her nose and to dispose of tissues. If your child is ill while at the center, we will call you to come for him/her.

2. Injuries and Emergencies

During all operating hours there is a staff member present who is trained and currently certified in CPR and first aid. Parents shall be informed of injuries which require treatment to their child on the date that the child is injured, and when injury is more that a scrape or bruise, as soon as possible after the injury occurs. First aid supplies are available in several locations of the center. A plan is posted by telephones detailing procedures for managing injuries and emergencies.

3. Fire Drills

Throughout the year, we have nine fire drills during center hours. We also talk about fire safety at home. During fire prevention week in October, we ask a firefighter to visit the center and the Kindergarten classes visit the Sandown Fire Station.

4. Discipline

Our discipline practices follow the State of New Hampshire Licensing Rules which states that "discipline practices shall support the child's behavior with positive guidance as well as the setting of clear cut limits which foster the child's own ability to be self-disciplined. "Discipline shall include consequences which shall be related to misbehavior and enforced as soon as possible after the misbehavior has occurred." Corporal punishment will NOT be used. When a child continues to misbehave after several requests for self-restraint, he/she will be asked to sit on a chair in the school room for a short time-out. We ask parents to teach their children to respect the reasonable exercise of authority by administrators and teachers in maintaining discipline in school and at school-sponsored activities.

5. School Activities

Music

Children love music-singing, chanting, movement to music, action songs, keeping time to rhythm and making instruments. It is a wonderful avenue for children to learn letter sounds, numbers and patterning. We encourage parents to learn the songs your children learn, so that you can sing together. Learning songs encourages your child's listening skills and extends their attention span. From time to time, we have musicians come to our school to share their love of music. Currently, the wonderful Steve Blunt brings his guitar and other instruments to share with the children on a monthly basis.

Dramatic Play

Children love to use their imagination and create adult roles through costumes, hats, tools and equipment. After listening to storybooks, what better way to enhance their learning than to become the characters of the book. Cinderella comes to life, as does her Prince Charming. Each month a new dramatic play theme is prepared in both Preschool and Kindergarten. We bring to life a grocery store, a hospital, veterinarian center, Hawaii, Santa's workshop, a Space Center, a Post Office and lots of new themes each year.

Reading Corner

In addition to storytelling by the teacher in circle time, children may want to look at books by themselves. They might want to review a book a teacher has previously read aloud, or linger over the colorful illustrations. While some children like to be stimulated constantly, others may prefer more quiet time. We may make little books for children to take home or make big class books for use in the classroom. We will provide a "print-rich" environment to open up the exciting world of literature.

Cooking

At this age, girls and boys love to imitate Mom or Dad in the kitchen. We have a play kitchen where their imagination can run free. We also plan to use our real kitchen for creative cooking. The ability to produce a finished product from raw materials is a great source of pride and build self-confidence. We shall also make some of our own snacks.

Center Time

Constant structured activities does not allow for self-interests or for learning decision making. Each day the children will be able to choose an activity and we will encourage them to choose different areas of learning. Teachers also use this time to work with small groups of children.

Gross Motor

Even adults understand the value of outdoor activity to reduce stress and unload excess energy. Children need to run, jump, climb, swing, shout, skip, balance and play with outdoor toys. The sandbox is a great place to learn sharing through castle building or making construction sites. Outdoor games can provide opportunities for learning cooperation such as through team games or two-legged races.

Toys for Learning

Toys will be provided which we feel are stimulating and fun. We have lots of blocks for imaginative building and periodically we will introduce new toys or materials which will stimulate measuring, sorting, touching, pounding, comparing, pouring, collecting or transforming.

Computer Education

The center has three computers available for the children to use. They are taught to use the keyboard to play educational games which focus on phonics, counting, reading, directionality, colors, shapes, matching, memory games and art design.

Show and Tell

From time to time, we may ask your child to bring in something from home to share with their friends. It may be a favorite toy, something of nature or a pet (small ones, please...). Please do not let your child bring in something fragile or dangerous to children.

6. Arrivals and Departures

Parents of children in day care will bring their children into the daycare facility. Children arriving for preschool or Kindergarten will be met by a staff person in the driveway. The staff person will assist your child leaving the car and will bring he/she into the center. If possible, please have your child sit on the right side of the car. Under no circumstances should a child be dropped off unless you are sure a staff person is present to assist the child. At the beginning of the year, your child may want you to bring them into school for the first few days. Please park your car out of the line of traffic and come into school with your child.

7. Clothing Suggestions

We suggest that your child wear clothes that he/she can manage independently. We ask parents to help their child dress and appear so as to meet fair standards of propriety, safety, health and good taste. It is helpful if outer clothing is marked with your child's name as many items are misplaced and left in school during the year. Occasionally, two children have the same clothing item in the same size and color. In the colder months, you may want to leave a pair of slippers or extra pair of sneakers in school which will obviate the need for bringing footwear in and out each day.

Your child should not wear clothes which will hinder his or her ability to engage in play activities. Play clothes is best. The school will provide an art smock for each child for art activities.

8. Birthdays

Birthdays are celebrated in school. We ask parents to provide a special snack for their child and their friends in school. We light a candle and sing "Happy Birthday to the birthday child.

9. Staff - Child Ratios

We follow the State of New Hampshire regulations which state the maximum number of children per teacher. In preschool, there are 12 children and two teachers. In Kindergarten, there are 14 children to 1 teacher. These ratios are less that the maximum defined by the state. The director is also available to assist in any classroom where extra help is required.

10. Parent Involvement

While we do not require parents to help out in the classroom, we encourage any parent who wishes to be part of their child's classroom experience to come into school. If you have a special interest or career which you would like to share with your child's class, we would welcome your participation.

11. Separation Anxiety

It is natural for most children to have some anxiety about starting school, leaving a parent for even a short time and entering a strange environment and interact with strangers. In order to allay some of these fears, we encourage you to visit the school as often as necessary for your child to feel comfortable in their new surroundings. Some children may need to have Mom or Dad with them a few times while they are adjusting. When you are BOTH ready to separate, it may be the best for the teacher to meet you at your car and not prolong the time of separation. If your child feels that you are confident in their ability to do well in this new environment, they will feel confident. See excerpt from Nancy Balaban on Learning to say Goodbye

12. School Closings

The preschool and kindergarten programs generally follow the Timberlane Regional School District calendar. A school calendar is made available at the beginning of the school year. If Sandown North Elementary and Sandown Central schools are closed, our school is closed. Some exceptions are: we remain open when these schools hold professional development days. When the elementary schools have a delayed opening, we start at our usual time. Occasionally, we decide the weather if too dangerous to have parents out for afternoon classes and we close. If in doubt, please call the school. Often, when preschool and kindergarten is closed, our daycare is open for our parents who still need to be at work.

13. School Policies

There are rules that our school has set to create a positive learning environment. One of them is that children are asked not to chew gum in school. We ask parents to please leave gum at home and not allow their child to bring gum to school.

14. Confidentiality

The confidentiality of information about the children and their families is extremely important to the staff and administration at Playmates Learning Center.  We will keep any information confidential, unless the parent has given written permission to release the information.  Staff will be informed on a need to know basis.