Our philosophy…
We believe that each child is a valuable, unique individual created in God’s image. Each child benefits from a consistent, respectful, safe, loving and stimulating environment which will encourage all aspects of development. We affirm each child’s worth and seek to nurture them as individuals.
Our goal…
is to help each child feel secure in a nurturing environment as an extension of the security of the home and family. Our well-trained Christian staff strives to provide the kind of affection, respect, personal concern and care that reflects God’s love and a parent’s own love.
Classes
2-year old’s
Two-tsy Pops – 2-year old’s & Grownup
Preschool 3-year old’s
Gumdrops – Preschool 3-year old’s
Gummi Bears – Preschool 3-year old’s
Pre-K 4 & 5- year old’s
Gumballs – Pre-K Four & Five’s
Smarties – Pre-K Four & Five’s
Lollipops – Pre-K Four & Five’s
Jellybeans – Pre-K older Four & Five’s turning Five by Dec. 31st or for children already Five, but not ready for Kindergarten
Program Times
9:15 to 11:15 am (Two-tsy Pops)
9:00 to 11:30 am
12:30 to 3:00 pm
2024 – 2025
9:15 to 11:15 am (Two-tsy Pops)
8:45 – 11:30 am
12:30 – 3:15 pm
Fees
- There is a non-refundable registration fee of $100.00 for the first child and $50.00 for each additional child. The Two-tsy Pops non-refundable registration fee is $75.00.
- Tuition is due by the seventh of each month. Payments received after the 7th will incur a $20.00 late fee.
- Dismissals are at 11:30 for the AM classes and 3:00 for the PM classes.
- There is a $5.00 charge for every 5 minutes you are late for pick up.
- $25.00 NSF charge for each check returned.
- If tuition becomes delinquent after two months, you will have ten days from notification to meet your financial commitment. Failure to do so will result in the removal of your child from school.
- If your child misses preschool because of a trip, illness, etc. the tuition fee still must be paid to cover that period-of-time. The teachers, rooms, supplies and equipment are present and have been prepped for your child’s day. We view tuition as a contract between parents and the school.
Tuition is prorated for a nine-month school year. Fees are based on the number of days for each session (2,3,4 or 5 days a week) and are divided by nine months.
This process makes the tuition fee easier to remember. As a preschool, we are ready each day for your child to attend school.
Immunizations
The Washington State Department of Health requires that all preschool children be immunized before or within 30 days of starting school. Concur with the director regarding exemption approval.
Attendance And Health Policies
For the health and well-begin of your child and of others, keep your child home for the following reasons:
- Fatigue (for any reason), lethargic behavior
- A fever(a child should remain at home for 24 hours after the fever is gone and needed antibiotics should be administered for 24 hours before a child returns to school).
- Sore throat.
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea(child should remain home for 24 hours as well).
- Red, “crusty”, itchy eyes(conjunctivitis or pink eye is very contagious). The child must be kept at home for 48 hours while being treated with antibiotics and should only return to school is there is no discharge for the eyes.
- Persistent cough.
- A persistent runny nose.
You will be asked to come and remove your child from school if any of these symptoms exist while your child is present.
The parent or the person on the emergency contact list must always be accessible by phone during school hours. It is the parent’s responsibility to have someone available who can come to the school for emergencies or if a child becomes ill.
Please call if your child has a communicable illness or infestation, chicken pox, conjunctivitis, pin worms, fifth’s disease, mites or head lice so we can exercise additional control methods and notify other parents. Your child’s identity will always be protected.
Always notify the school if your child will be absent.
First Day Of Class
The first day of school is a condensed version of a standard day. Morning classes will run from 10:00 to 11:30. Afternoon classes will run from 12:30 to 2:00.
In addition to the condensed start time, we have chosen to incorporate the “Smart Start” program. This involves having half of the students in each class attend school one day and the second half attend the following day. This allows for a more one-on-one student teacher ratio where the instructor can guide and introduce daily activities in a smaller more interactive environment. This has proven to greatly reduce the level of anxiety often felt during those first days of separation.
Parent Participation
Parents are welcome and encouraged to participate in the classroom. This is subject to change due to COVID numbers. We ask that you prearrange with the teacher in advance so plans can be made to utilize parent availability. It is also important to limit the number of parents in the classroom on a given day. Parents are invited into the classrooms starting October 1st. This allows the children time to adjust, settle into a new routine and develop a level of trust and comfort with the teacher. Please make other arrangements for siblings when volunteering at school.
Parent/Child Separation
It is not unusual for a child to become teary when separating from a parent in an unfamiliar situation. Remember, this is a new environment with new faces. A child is bound to feel a little hesitant and uncomfortable. Adults often have similar experiences when put in a like situation. Be encouraging. Your smile, eyes, and body language communicate a lot. If a child senses any type of apprehension on your part, this enhances their own feelings of uncertainty. Separation is often harder on the parents than the child.
Annual Preschool Calendar
We follow the Evergreen & Camas School District calendars. All holidays will be observed in accordance with this school year calendar unless otherwise stated.
School Closures
If bad weather forces the Evergreen School District to close schools, then our preschool will be closed. If the Evergreen schools are delayed for two hours, our morning session will be delayed by one hour. The afternoon session will remain on schedule.
Please keep in mind that it is your choice to have your child attend school on these days. The conditions of rural roads can be very hazardous. The safety of both you and your child far surpass the risk that may be involved in transporting them for one day of preschool. We will make up days after your child’s session misses more than one week of class due to inclement weather.
Arrival And Departure
Please see that your child and/or carpool children use the restroom upon arrival before entering the classroom. For dismissal only, you will drive up to the main preschool entrance and your child’s teacher will place them in the car. You will pull into a parking space and secure them in their car seat. Each family is given two car name cards for the dismissal process. These cards are to be placed in the front window or other clearly visible location of your car. Please contact the school in advance if your child will be picked up by someone different or if your child will be going home with another child.
Prompt Pick Up
It is important and necessary for you to pick up your child/and or carpool child/children on time. A child whose ride is late experiences great anxiety and worry. We understand that emergencies happen. If an emergency occurs, take the time to give us a call, 360-696-9926. There is a $5.00 fee for every 5 minutes you are late.
Dismissal
All children are required by law to be placed in a child safety seat. If a child safety seat is not present in the vehicle at dismissal, we cannot place the child in that vehicle. You will need to park and pick the child up at the door.
Dress
Please label all sweaters, jackets, coats, school bags, backpacks, etc. with the child’s name. Often a child will have a garment identical to someone else’s in the classroom. Dress your child in comfortable, practical clothing for painting or playing outdoors. Tennis shoes are preferable. Dress-up shoes have slick soles and sandals, rubber boots, Crocs and flip-flops are dangerous gym attire. Children’s clothing should be uncomplicated so that they can independently use the restroom.
“Potty” Policy
Pullups® will not be allowed after the first 30 days of school.
Children participating in our preschool and Pre-K program MUST be able to use the restroom independently. If a child has a potty accident, we will change them into dry clothing. For legal reasons, your child will be verbally guided to clean themselves up independently. If a child has a bowel accident, the parent or emergency contact will be immediately notified and asked to come to the school if it is a situation that we cannot legally address.
Birthdays
Birthdays are special for children. Every child’s birthday is celebrated during our school year. Summer birthdays are called “unbirthdays” or “half-birthdays”. We ask you to provide a birthday snack to celebrate their big day. Please do not bring party invitations to school to be passed out by the teacher or put into cubbies unless you have one for every child in the room. Cupcake birthday snacks are discouraged.
Snacks
Each day the children enjoy time together around the table as they snack. Snack time teaches patience, manners, independence, helps with language development and nutrition. Parents are welcome to bring snacks throughout the year. Please involve your child when choosing the snack.
Due to nut allergies, we ask that you carefully read the labels on items you might be considering. Any product containing nuts or manufactured in a facility that handles nuts products cannot be brought into this facility.
Some suggestions are as follows:
- Cheese
- Graham Crackers
- Saltines
- Granola Bars
- Raisins
- Mini Bagels
- Rice Cakes
- Fruit Snacks
- Pre-popped Popcorn
- Ice Cream Cups
- Carrot Sticks
- Pretzels
- Cheez-its
- Ritz
- Fruit Pouches
- Wheat Thins
- Goldfish Crackers
- Fruit Roll-ups
- Milk or Juice
- Fresh Fruit
Share Time
Teachers will designate a specific “Share Day” for your child. This will be their special day of the week throughout the school year. Our program emphasizes peace, no aggressive toys are allowed (guns, swords, weapons, etc.). We encourage share items to be in relationship with our theme, family life or educational. Please label all items with your child’s name before sending it to school.
Discipline
Our discipline is age appropriate. It often takes the form of a gentle reminder or redirection. Choices are offered encouraging children to make appropriate decisions and to take responsibility for their actions. Time-outs, “taking a break” or a “pause moment” are used for limited time periods. We encourage a joint effort between the family and school if the above form of discipline is not working.
Field Trips
The children in our Pre-K classes have the opportunity to go on field trips throughout the school year. There are activities that require a fee to cover the event. Drivers for field trips are required to provide a copy of their license and proof of insurance, as well as signing our liability form.
Special Visitors
We encourage parents to share special talents, re: fire fighters, police officers, doctors, dentists, etc., to come and visit our classrooms during the year. The younger children feel more secure not leaving the classroom setting.
Special Events
Each month we try to incorporate a fun activity or event. Please check your child’s monthly calendar to stay informed.
Communication
Email is our main way of keeping you up to date. Your child’s teacher will also extend an invitation to you to join REMIND. This is a text messaging format app.
Each family will receive an annual calendar at the start of the year. Please utilize this information to set up your family calendar. There are important events that involve families throughout the school year.
Monthly calendars and newsletters will be emailed to you providing additional in-depth information.
It is important to stay informed.
Circle of Friends Preschool admits students of any race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.