Parent participation Our best resource: Our parents! Parents are invited to put a little or a lot into our program. Please let us know if you have a special talent or connections for field trips, visitors or materials. (Once we had a fitness expert (mom) come in to give us a workout and a musician (dad) set up his drums and played for us!! The children love to have their parents participate in their school.) Fatima Pre-K is not a parent participation program, but parents may occasionally wish to spend a session with us. We ask that you wait until the routine has been established before making a request to join us (usually by October). If a parent(s) is coming to observe their child, siblings can come for the visit. However, a sibling cannot accompany a parents when they are volunteering as an aid which entails helping with a class project. In this case teachers are depending fully on the parents help and focus. Please make baby-sitting arrangements for siblings if you are staying for the session. If you have children enrolled at Our Lady of Fatima School a number of volunteer hours given to Fatima Pre-k are valid towards Fatima school’s parent participation credits. Check with Mme. Viola Punchak about the amount of hours as this is always changing.   Photographs We are very much interested in any pictures that you might take at Pre-K events. We would appreciate copies that we will pay for. Volunteer Cooks Volunteers are welcome during cooking activities or special occasions. Please watch for the sign up sheets on the bulletin board above the sign in book. Field Trip Transportation We rely on parent carpools for transportation. Our primary concern on a field trip is safety during travel time as well as during the event. We require that each child has his/her own seat belt and that no child sits in a seat equipped with an air bag. We also require volunteers to fill out a Driver Certification form. These forms must be filled out before the field trip and may be obtained from a teacher. (See Section III) Special Needs Our facility works closely with various community health professionals and families to make inclusion part of our program whenever possible. Children who are involved in an inclusive program are enriched with high socialization skills. These skills highlight qualities such as empathy, and seeing the value of each person and the gift they have to offer whether in a playgroup or in the larger community. Communications There is an opportunity for parents to communicate directly with the teacher upon arrival and dismissal of each class. At beginning of the program, so as not to take away teacher time with the children, there is a 15 minute period dedicated to addressing minor parent/teacher issues. If a more formal or private meeting is required, this can be arranged in person after school or by telephone. Newsletter and Calendar: Each month, your child will bring home a calendar and newsletter. Please take time to read them carefully. Put your Calendar where you will see it daily. It is very easy to forget about it otherwise. Keeping these items handy for daily referral will ensure that you are aware of any program changes, requirements or upcoming events. Children are very disappointed when they are missing items required for special events. Philosophy As Early Childhood Educators, we use all our training, intuition and resources of colleagues, parents and the children themselves to help each child reach his or her maximum potential. Families are respected for their individuality and needs. They also contribute many diversified skills and talents to further enrich our program. Our aim is to promote development of the whole child emotionally, physically, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Sessions for 4-year olds Sessions are 2 ½ hours per day, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, in either the morning or the afternoon. We are licensed for a maximum of 20 children per class. In the last three years, there has been a greater demand for 4-year old spaces. Sessions for 3 and 4-year olds Sessions are 2 ½ hours per day, every Tuesday and Thursday. Our experience with a mixed class has proven to be favourable and successful for both ages. We are licensed for a maximum of 20 children per class. Four year old children in the Tues and Thurs class have the option to join in the Mon., Wed. and Friday class fieldtrips. In this case the fieldtrip fees are to be paid for both the two sessions and three sessions program. Four year old children in the split class will participate in activities such as: the 4-year olds Christmas party, Grandparents' Tea, Year-End Farewell Party etc.