Pre-School Registration

Dear Parents:

Welcome to Pacific Christian School’s Pre-School!

We are pleased that you have chosen to find out more about us.

Pacific Christian School was started in 1960 by a group of parents determined to provide their children with a quality education from a biblical perspective. Our vision is to “nurture students in Christ-like living, critical thinking and joyful service, to become effective members of the Christian community in God’s world.”

Registration in PCS Pre-School is open to children of committed Christian parents who agree with the school’s religious and philosophical principles as expressed in the V.C.E.S. Constitution and who are regularly attending a church. Parents and students are expected to demonstrate, by their lifestyles, their belief in Jesus Christ as Saviour, Lord and King.

Registration at Pacific Christian School’ s Pre-School normally follows these steps:

1. Complete the Pre-School’s Registration Form for each child you would like to enroll. Attach a non-refundable registration fee of $25.00 per family. Make cheques payable to V.C.E.S. Pre-School.

2. Please return to the Elementary School Office:

- The completed registration form(s)
- The registration fee
- The Legal Residency of Parent Form
- Birth Certificate
- A copy of your child’s health passport including immunization dates
- A copy of any court order pertaining to your child(ren)
- The Pastor’s Reference Form (if you don’t already have other children at P.C.S.)
- The Parent Commitment Sheet (after you have read the Constitution)

3. Each Pre-School child will be on a one month probation to assess the Pre-School’s ability to meet his/her needs.

4. After the New Parents Information Seminar, interviews will be conducted to determine eligibility for acceptance. Please bring the completed Parent Commitment Sheet to the interview.

5. When the interview is successful your child(ren) will be admitted or placed on the wait list.

Thank you for your interest in our Pacific Christian Pre-School. We look forward to meeting you.

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ADMISSION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

PHILOSOPHY
Research recognizes the need for a holistic approach to child care in a safe and respectful environment. The P.C.S. Pre-School staff therefore believe that:
- each child is unique
- each child deserves respect
- each child is entitled to an education
- children learn through play, modeling and experience
- a strong and healthy Christian family life is essential to the child’s well being.

MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the P.C.S. Pre-School is to “nurture students in Christ-like living, critical thinking and joyful service, to become effective members of the Christian community in God’s world” by:
- providing the child with a safe and respectful environment
- providing the child with developmentally appropriate challenges
- seeking to meet the needs of the whole child
- modeling age appropriate expectations
- providing consistent and clear discipline and guidance methods.
Parents are encouraged to join in the daily activities or to observe. Please check with the Pre-School Teacher.

HOURS OF OPERATION:
3-year old morning program:    2 mornings (Monday & Wednesday) 8:30 - 11:00 a.m.
4-year old afternoon program:  3 afternoons (Monday/Wednesday & Friday) 12:30 - 2:55 p.m.

The Pre-School will be closed when the Elementary School is closed.

Please phone the PCS office (479-9365 ext. 2) if your child is going to be late or absent.

CONDITIONS FOR ADMISSION:
- Minimum required age for admission – 3 years or 36 months.
- Admission Dates: September 1 and January 1(if space is available), or when your child turns 3 (as space is available).
- Children must be toilet-trained

CLASS SIZE:
There will be a maximum of 20 children per class (with a teacher plus a teacher aide).

ABOUT YOUR PRE-SCHOOLTEACHER:
The staff-child ratio is in keeping with the Community Care Facilities Act (ChildCare Regulations). The Pre-School Teacher is licensed to practice in B.C. as an Early Childhood Educator. The Pre-School Teacher and all volunteers, practicum or work experience students are required to submit to a Criminal Records Search and to have a current First Aid Certificate.

LICENSED AND INSPECTED BY:
Capital Health Region ChildCare Facilities Licensing Program, Provincial Child Care Facilities Licensing Board, Saanich Municipal Building Inspector, Saanich Fire Marshall.

DISCIPLINE AND GUIDANCE:
The Pre-School recognizes and respects each child’s individuality and uniqueness. Therefore, the Pre-School Teacher will provide the child with the freedom to explore, experience, problem-solve and learn though play. The teacher will address the unacceptable behaviour rather than the child when assisting the child in finding appropriate ways of expressing feelings.

The teacher will use re-directions as a primary method of discipline and guidance. Positive “time out” will be used as a “cooling off” period from which the child can return when s/he feels ready to rejoin the group.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:
- all fees must be paid prior to your child’s first day in class
- notify the office of any changes to the original registration form
- your child must be signed in and out every day s/he is in attendance (sign-in book will be at the entrance)
- your child needs a healthy snack
- your child needs one complete change of clothes and a pair of indoor shoes/slippers
- your child needs sunscreen and a hat from April to June.
All items must be clearly marked with your child’s name. P.C.S. Pre-School is not responsible for any lost, damaged or stolen personal property.

HEALTH AND SAFETY:
The Pre-School is committed to provide a safe and healthy place. Therefore, when a child displays the following, parents are asked to make alternative care arrangements:
* has a persistent fever of 38.8 C or higher
* has symptoms such as unexplainable rash, vomiting, diarrhea, chronic cough or pink eye
* becomes ill at the school or develops new symptoms
* is too ill to enjoy the activities.

The Pre-School must be contacted within 24 hours when your child contracts a communicable disease (i.e. chicken pox) or a parasite (i.e. lice). Other parents will be made aware of the presence of such disease or parasite. After a suspected or confirmed communicable disease or parasite, a child may only return to the school with a written medical consent.

MEDICATIONS:
First Aid will be provided without any form of medication. An attempt will be made to contact the child’s parent/guardian or the alternative person (emergency contact) prior to any medical treatment by a medical professional. Parents/guardians are encouraged to administer medication at home. The teacher will only administer medication at the written request of the parent and according to the doctor’s orders as noted on the original pharmacist dispensed container. Non-prescription medication must be pre-approved in writing by your family doctor. The teacher will have blank forms available. All medication is kept in a locked box in the fridge and any administration of it is promptly recorded.

Children who are taking medication orally may only return 24 hours after the start of the medication and when the child has not displayed any adverse reaction to the medication. Medication that is added to a container of liquid will not be administered by the teacher.

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P.C.S. PRE-SCHOOL FEES

The fee per child for Pre-School is $105.00 per month for two classes per week (recommended for 3-year-olds), $135.00 per month for three classes per week (recommended for 4-year olds). We must receive a pre-authorized form for preschool fees at the Business Office prior to the commencement of pre-school.

Subsidies may be available from the B.C. Government. For more information please contact your nearest Human Resources Office. It remains the parent/guardian’s responsibility for all accounts payable to the P.C.S. Business Office. Any amount outstanding from the previous month will result in care being suspended until payment in full has been received.

Please notify the P.C.S. Business Office if you foresee a delay in payment.

Parents/guardians are required to give a minimum of one school month’s notice of a child’s withdrawal from the Pre-School. In lieu of one month’s notice the parents/ guardians will be charged one month’s fee when due notice is not given. Failure to notify us before June 1 that your child is not returning in September will result in a charge for September fees.

David Bolink
Director of Operations

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