Greenfield Hill Church Nursery School Susan Rippey , Director (203) 259-7597 1045 Old Academy Road Fairfield, CT 06824 The Greenfield Hill Church Nursery School, which was opened in 1954, is operated as a community service by the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church. The school is non-sectarian and has always maintained an open admissions policy.

Enrollment for the 2009-2010 school year will open on Friday, November 7.  Please contact us to determine program availability. 
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Our Nursery School program and philosophy:

The program for three to five year old children offers focused activities to stimulate and provide opportunities for growth and learning at each child’s individual and developmental level.

Our goals are:

• To create a warm and loving atmosphere where each child’s uniqueness and creativity are encouraged.
• To provide a balanced program designed to involve the child in the excitement and joy of learning through their play.
• To encourage the freedom of each child to follow individual interests while providing the opportunity to participate in group activities.

To accomplish these goals, the school provides a teacher-child ratio of 1-8.

PROGRAM INDEX

PROGRAM
THREE YEAR OLD PROGRAM
FOUR YEAR OLD PROGRAM
PRE-K PROGRAM
ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS
TUITION
HOURS
HEALTH
STAFF POLICY REGARDING DISCIPLINE
EMERGENCY CARE PROCEDURES
PARKING
TRANSPORTATION
SNACKS
CLOTHING
TOYS
SPECIAL DAYS
PARENT GROUP
SNOW DAYS
TRIPS
CONFERENCES
HOME SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

PROGRAM

The Nursery School recognizes that all children develop differently, at individual times, and have individual needs. Therefore, each teacher assesses her children’s levels of development, and plans her program within a framework that has evolved from staff discussion, workshops and common planning. This procedure not only provides continuity, but encourages a creative individualized program which reflects new educational theory and sound practices.

Large and small motor skills are developed through active learning. Language and concept imagery are explored through stories, poetry and nature investigations. The children are also introduced to a variety of art media and music.

THREE YEAR OLD PROGRAM

The three year old classes occupy separate rooms on the lower level and have special playground times. We strive for a gentle transition from home to school as this is often a child’s first experience away from home. Time is given for learning more about ourselves and each other, understanding feelings, and how to share. Security of a familiar environment and routine are important for three year olds as they learn respect for each other and independence through creative choices.

FOUR YEAR OLD PROGRAM

The expanding abilities and enthusiasm of four year olds is exciting. Our fours flourish in a program that broadens their horizons of skills and experiences through their play. A wider variety of activities is offered to encourage problem solving, a positive self image and the building of social relationships with their peers, stressing respect and cooperation.

Pre-K

Our Pre-K program offers an alternative to Kindergarten by giving our five year olds an extra year to grow socially and emotionally while continuing to learn in a developmentally appropriate setting.

ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS

The State of Connecticut requires a medical form on file for each child when the school opens. No child can be admitted without a form completed by his/her physician and on file with us. It is mandatory that all children are up to date with their inoculations. Emergency numbers are needed for our files in the event the parents cannot be reached at home or work. In addition to the parents’ home and work numbers, three emergency numbers are required. Medical forms must be renewed annually for both children and teachers. Connecticut State law requires that a child must be 2.9 months old the month of September in order to begin a 3 year old program. All 3 year olds must be trained in order to begin their school year. No diapers or pull-ups are allowed.

TUITION

At the time of registration, $50.00 will be required. This is the registration fee and is non-refundable. Following acceptance, a contract is signed and a tuition deposit of $500.00 is made. This is credited to the last tuition payment and is also non-refundable.

Tuition is made in three installments, May 15, November 15, and February 15. Once a payment is made it shall be non-refundable. Accounts fifteen days past due on any due date shall receive a late charge of $25.00. A $15.00 late fee for returned checks will also be added. In the unlikely event that the professional staff judges the child's behavior to be detrimental to the child, other children, or staff and withdrawal from school is necessary; tuition will be refunded on a pro-rated basis.

Payments are to be given (or mailed) to the Director.

HOURS

Doors open at 9:15am . It is important that teachers have time to meet and set up the classrooms before the children come to school. Children are to be brought to their classrooms or the playground for drop off and signed in. School ends at noon , Lunch Bunch, and after school programs end at 2:00pm . Each child needs to be signed out.

A child’s first few weeks in school are very important ones. When it is time to leave, it is good practice to say good-bye quickly and cheerfully, being careful to reassure the child that you will be there to pick him/her up at the end of the session. It is important to the child that the parent picks him/her up promptly.

HEALTH

If your child starts the day with a sore throat, stomach-ache, persistent cough, or fever, please keep him/her home. This is very important, since there is not a nurse present at the school. Should your child become sick during the school day, the teachers will call you so that you can take him/her home before further symptoms develop, or other children are exposed to infection. Children should be kept home until they are fever free for 24 hours.

STAFF POLICY REGARDING DISCIPLINE

We at Greenfield Hill Church Nursery School present discipline in a positive way. Inappropriate behavior is discouraged. The development of a positive self image is our goal. We insist that no child be allowed to physically harm another child. Our strongest disciplinary measure is to have a child “take a time out” by redirecting their attention. All physical punishment is forbidden, as well as any physical or verbal action that would be demeaning to a child.

EMERGENCY CARE PROCEDURES

In the event of an emergency, appropriate first aid care will be given (as indicated in the Red Cross First Aid Course). 911 will be called, urgent life-saving care will be given first and then the parents will be notified. The child’s physician or the physician-on-call will be consulted and his/her instructions will be carried out immediately. If indicated, the Town of Fairfield ’s Rescue Squad will provide ambulance transportation to the child’s hospital of choice or the nearest hospital. Parents are responsible for paying the ambulance transportation fee. The nursery school is staffed with several individuals certified in first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

PARKING

Parking can be a problem at our school and is always a concern. There is no parking or entering the parking lot at drop off or dismissal, because it is too small and with the large SUV’s children are hard to see when backing out. Parking is available by the church, on the school side of Old Academy Road , or along Bronson Road . Please For the safety of the children, parents are requested to walk their child directly into the classroom. Please hold your child’s hand once you leave the building or your car. Do not leave children or infants unattended in your car.

TRANSPORTATION

Many of our parents share transportation to and from school. If someone other than a child’s parent will be picking up your child, the school must be notified in writing. It is important that your child be picked up promptly.

SNACKS

Each child brings a healthy snack. Juice is provided by the school. Snacks should be labeled. We are a nut free environment.

CLOTHING

Children should come to school dressed for play both indoors and out. We work with materials like paint and play dough, so your child should wear comfortable, washable clothes. Children are encouraged to dress themselves; therefore, it is wise to select clothing that is easy for them to manage. Sneakers or rubber soled shoes are safest in the classroom and on the playground. Open- toed sandals and crocs are not allowed.

Clothing for outdoor play is necessary year-round as we go out every day, provided it is not raining. Jackets, hats, mittens and boots should be provided in the colder weather. All outerwear and extra clothing must be clearly labeled with child’s name.

TOYS

We do not encourage children to bring toys to school, since the school has excellent equipment and a great variety of media with which to work. Books, tapes and CDs, however, are always welcome.

We urge parent s to set limits. NO GUNS, WAR THINGS OR OTHER TOYS OF DESTRUCTION – are allowed at our school.

SPECIAL DAYS

Holidays are important to children and provide new themes for creative and dramatic play – pumpkins for Halloween, clay menorahs for Chanukah, glitter decorations for Christmas, paper hearts for Valentine’s Day. Each class celebrates with special snacks and/or crafts provided by the parents. Birthday parties at school should be simple. Let your child’s teacher know in advance, if you plan to bring a special treat. Please do not bring favors for the children.

PARENT GROUPS

The Nursery School has an active parent support group, the goal of which is to foster interaction, communication, and support between the parents and Nursery School. Nursery School committees include the school newsletter, A Visit with Santa, Scholastic Book Club and the Wine and Cheese Silent Auction – a fundraiser.

SNOW DAYS

We follow the Fairfield Public School System for school cancellations due to bad weather, snow or weather emergencies. We will not broadcast on the radio for bad weather conditions. If the public schools have a delayed opening, we will delay our opening until 10:30am . If the public schools have an early dismissal, pick-up is at noon and all after school programs are canceled. Listen to WICC 600AM, WEZN 100FM, or WEBE 108FM, or call 255-TALK, for information about delays and cancellations.

TRIPS

Trips for the four’s and pre-k’s can be an important part of the school’s educational program and contribution to their curriculum. The children will go with their teachers to visit places of interest in the community. Parents may be asked to drive and help escort the children to their destination. For safety reasons, siblings are not allowed.

Parents will be notified in advance. Room mothers will be asked to help the teacher arrange for drivers and collect money when necessary. Car seats are mandatory for every child. Teachers may not drive.

Permission slips must be signed by a parent prior to taking a trip. All school sponsored field trips must depart from and return to the school at the designated times.

The threes do not take trips away from school. We feel it is very important for them to become secure in the nursery school environment before they venture further a field.

CONFERENCES

Conferences are very helpful to both teachers and parents. Formal parent conferences are scheduled in January by the teachers to give parents a picture of their child's progress. Should there be any reason for a teacher to discuss your child with you, she will call you at once. Don't hesitate to call for a conference with teachers or the Director whenever you feel a need for one. You are invited to visit the school during the year to observe your own child, the activities of the group and the nursery school procedure. To be certain that only one visitor comes at a time, please check with your child's teacher in advance.

HOME SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

In order to work effectively with your children, we (parents and staff) need to work together and to communicate honestly. We encourage parents to keep in close touch with us and we attempt to communicate freely with parents. We welcome telephone calls and are available for conferences whenever necessary. Should there be any reason for a teacher to discuss your child with you, she will call you at once. Formal parent conferences are scheduled in November. Parents are welcome to come to school to observe at any time.

The parent group committee works closely with the Director in order to channel ideas and questions and to facilitate communication. Parent educational programs are offered during the year to provide opportunities for parents to get to know each other and to learn about areas of family life and child development.