Building KidzParent Handbook  

600 Grand Avenue         1950 Elkhorn Ct.           830 Rosita Rd.       South San Francisco           San Mateo                Pacifica               CA. 94080                 CA 94403               CA 94044           
650-837-9348              650-212-5439             650-557-1256     


*Mission Statement
*Goals & Objectives
*InfantCenter/Toddler Room
*Preschool Program Plan
*Daily Activity Schedule
*Registration/Admission/Enrollment
*School Schedule
*Tuition/Withdrawal
*Arrival/Dismissal
*Health/Safety/Nutrition                 
*Discipline and Biting Policy
*Potty Training
*Clothing
*Toys/Things from Home
*Teachers/Staff
*Parent Participation*Preparation Suggestions        
*Sample Menu
*Sample Performing Arts Schedule    

 Our Mission Statement To build a community in which parents and teachers develop a collaborative partnership that will foster a child’s growth and development.  If a child’s first learning experience is positive and exciting, it builds a foundation for life-long learning, making a difference in their lives and the lives of their families.   Goals and Objectives According to research, while early childhood education makes a major difference in children’s later successes, there are other aspects of early learning, like emotional, cognitive and social development, that can also be addressed by a well-rounded, quality infant center and preschool program.  There are so many important things that can and should happen in those early years, the foundation for literacy, the ability to attend to learning tasks and control emotions, the ability to get along with others. We at Building Kidz try: *To provide an environment for further knowledge of language development and to use that knowledge of how children develop and learn to provide opportunities that support language development in all children.*To acknowledge linguistic diversity, recognizing that children are best understood in the contexts of family and culture, and use that knowledge to support the oral language and literacy development of children from diverse backgrounds. *To develop the emotional, social and cognitive areas.*To use methods and materials that will cultivate and stimulate the oral and written language proficiency of each child.*To effectively utilize children’s learning abilities through constructive curriculum.*To demonstrate appropriate use of technology in an integrated program.*To plan and implement developmentally appropriate creative art activities and experiences.*To give a child the nurturing needed to feel comfortable when left in a new situation.*To give the child the space to explore*To provide the children with a sense of self and belonging.*To foster independence and creativity         

  Infant Center Our South San Francisco and San Mateo locations have an infant center, licensed for newborns to children 24 months old.  We ensure that our goals are met by providing spaces and opportunities for the little ones to explore, enrich sensory experiences, engage in “conversations” about objects and events surrounding them, and provide them with positive social interactions.  Infants are held, talked to, sung to and read to.  They will be given their “tummy - time” as they get stronger, they will be watched and encouraged as they become more mobile - rolling over, reaching, crawling, walking and climbing.  We play music throughout the day, ranging from lullabies to jazz.  We provide soft books for the babies to “read” and board books for the young toddlers to hold and play with.  Feeding and napping schedules are very flexible and are based on the child’s individual needs.   Goals and objectives for the infant center are: *To trust the infant to be an initiator, an explorer and a self-learner*Provide an environment that is physically safe, cognitively challenging and emotionally nurturing*Give the child a sense of self and a sense of belonging.*Provide warm, loving, supportive and consistent care.*Recognize and accept the infants’ unique temperament and respond in accepting and supporting ways. *Foster independence *Define motor coordination skills*Stimulate intellectual development*Help acquire and refine language skills*Enrich social interactions.  Toddler Room We also have a separate toddler area for 18 to 30 month olds.  In this room, we will continue to develop the emotional, social and cognitive skills by transitioning the children to a more routine schedule than in the infant center.  Here, the children will be exposed to new experiences before entering our preschool.  They will be taught in a “circle time”, “story time”, “art time”, etc.  They will also be exposed to our music classes.We will be introducing them to colors and shapes, as well as art mediums (paint, markers, crayons, playdough and glue).  The toddlers will also be given the space needed to explore and foster independence.         

 Preschool Program Our objective is to provide a small teacher/student ratio (1-10) in order to provide an environment where teachers will love to teach and children will love to learn.  We are committed to meeting the needs of the children for better education.  We have an individual pace program.  It is determined by the child’s own growth and development.  For example, if a 3 year old is performing at a 4 year old level, that child will be placed in a class more suited to his/her needs.  This not only helps with stimulation, but deters from boredom.How do we do this?  We do observations routinely.  This helps us when we have our parent/teacher conferences twice a year.  Our teachers are trained to observe the children on their fine and gross motor skills (physical development), if they are loners, have one friend or are group players (social development), and how the child does with the academic curriculum (cognitive development).  We will never force a child to advance to the next level if they are not ready.  A child should be comfortable with his/her surrounding without adding any additional stress.Our academic curriculum will not only include the basics, colors - shapes - letters and numbers, but will also introduce beginning reading, writing and mathematics.Children from birth to age 8, learn chiefly through their senses: taste, smell, sight, touch and sound.  They build concepts through the concrete experiences they have.They love to experiment, to see what they can do with and to an object.  Our plan is to foster and nurture their natural curiosity and help children learn of their abilities through developmentally appropriate activities.Activity centers facilitate this learning and promotes problem solving, creativity and language development while building a child’s self-reliance, self-esteem and self-expression through open-ended exploration.  Opportunities to teach safety and health education (personal hygiene, nutrition, sleep/activity needs and illness prevention) will be incorporated into the child’s day.                        The following activity centers will be set up for their appropriate development: Make-Believe/Role Playing Area Art Center Puzzle and Games Area Blocks Center Library Area Outdoor Play Area Along with an academic program, we offer music, theater, dance and computer classes throughout the week.  Music and literature are universal - they speak any language.  We feel that for those children for whom English is a second language, these classes will help their self-esteem and build confidence.  

Daily Activities Schedule Building Kidz is open from 7:00am to 6:00pm, Monday thru Friday.Our schedule varies according to the day, depending on whether music, dance, theater or computer classes are given.  You will always find a calendar for the month on the Parent Bulletin Board located in the hallway, and a performing arts schedule on the preschool door. Basic Schedule:7:00am to 8:30am - Welcoming of children / free play8:30am to 8:50am - Music/Storytelling8:50am to 9:00am - Washing hands before breakfast     9:00am to 9:30am - Breakfast9:30am to 11:50am - Circle time/Academics/Arts & Crafts/Outside Play                        (Schedule varies according to class)11:50am to 12:00pm - Washing hands before lunch12:00pm to 12:30pm - Lunch12:30pm to 2:30 pm - Nap time/Quiet time 2:30pm to 3:00pm - Snack Time 3:00pm to 5:00pm - Science/Cooking/Dance/Computer/Outside Play                  (Schedule rotates according to day) 5:00pm to 6:00pm - Free Play/Dismissal Bathroom breaks and potty training are throughout the day.   Registration/Admission/Enrollment Building Kidz welcomes all children and does not discriminate against race, ethnicity or religion.There is a one-time only registration fee of $120.00 upon enrollment.  This fee is non-refundable.Before the first day of attendance in our program, all enrollment forms must be completed.  These include:*Registration Form*Tuition agreement form*Emergency contact information sheet*Emergency medical/dental forms*Physicians form(which can be completed within 2 weeks after enrollment)*Immunization record  School Schedule Building Kidz is a year-round school.  We are closed for all major holidays.  Tuition in full will still apply.   

Tuition and Withdrawals Tuition is based on your enrollment of a full or part-time schedule.  All tuition is due by the 1^st of the month.  We will allow a 4 day grace period for those whose schedule does not permit them to be in school on the 1^st.   There is a $25.00 late fee applied after the 5^th.   Three or more late payments will result in cash only payments, or dismissal from our program.  The school does not bill. Parents are responsible for meeting their chosen payment schedules.  No credit is given for time absent due to illness or vacation.  In a case of extended absence due to illness or hospitalization, please see the director.  Each situation will be given individual consideration and handled according to the discretion of the director.We have a 5% sibling discount and a 10% single parent discount.  Please speak to the director regarding these discounts.If you find that you need to leave our program, we ask that you give us six weeks written notice of withdrawal.  Exceptions can be made according to circumstance.Building Kidz reserves the right to terminate this agreement upon thirty-day written notice to the parents or guardians.   Arrivals and Dismissals Building Kidz opens at 7:00am and closes at 6:00pm.  We must ask that all children be escorted to and from our facility by an adult (must be at least 18yrs.old).  Please remember to sign your child(ren) in and out each day.  We are a State of California licensed facility and for that reason, a state inspector may come out at any time and ask for our sign in/out sheets to ensure that each child is accounted for and that we are at the proper teacher/child ratio.  Please sign with a full signature.When you are ready to leave, make sure you give your child(ren) a big hug, a kiss, and remind them that you or someone else will be picking them up at the end of their day.  NEVER SNEAK AWAY without saying goodbye, this will help with any separation anxiety.  If this is your child’s first daycare experience, or if your child just seems to be having a particularly hard morning letting go, please allow a teacher to take your child away from you in order to comfort them.  We understand how difficult these kind of situations are on the child and the parent, but we know it helps you both to get on with your day.  We will hold and comfort your child as long as is needed.  Your child’s welfare is our highest concern.If you think you will be late picking up your child, please call us as soon as possible, there is a late fee of $1.00 per minute after 6:00pm to be paid to the closing teacher.  If we do not receive a phone call, the teacher will call the persons on your emergency contact form.  If we do not get a response within 30 minutes, your child will be taken to the nearest police station to await pickup.We will give a written dismissal letter to those that abuse the 6:00pm closing time.        

Health, Safety and Nutrition Your child’s health and safety is of the utmost importance to us.  Please call us if your child will not be attending school for the day, especially if they are sick.  We must advise the other parents in case of any contagious diseases, including but not limited to, fevers, rashes, vomiting and/or diarrhea.  Children must stay home for 24hrs. after the onset of a fever.  Children should not be brought to school if they have heavy nasal discharge (especially if turning green or yellow), persistent “barking” or croupy cough, or symptoms of a possible communicable disease (reddened eyes with mucus discharge, sore throat with trouble swallowing, abdominal pain with fever and/or diarrhea).  Upon your child’s return, if they are still in need of medication, we must have written permission from the pediatrician and will only administer the dosage prescribed.  We will also have you fill out the information on our medication log.  If you would like us to give your child an over-the-counter medicine, you must also fill out our medication log.  Again, we will only give the dosage recommended on the bottle, no matter what the parent wants us to give the child.  Under no circumstances will any medication be administered if not in original container.  We reserve the right to refuse to give any medication if we feel it is unjustified.  If your child becomes ill at school, you will be contacted immediately and your child will be put in an isolated area for their safety and comfort.   Nutrition is considered an important part of a child’s health.  We provide breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack every day.  All health and safety regulations dealing with food preparation are abided by.  We serve only nutritious, well-balanced.  All efforts are made to serve preservative-free food.  We would like to ensure the meals are easily digested.  The use of sugar, sodium and excess fats is limited.  All food allergies, as well as any religious factors, will be respected.  Please note these on your child’s medical form as well.  Please notify the director or your child’s teacher with regards to birthday parties.  We have a limit as to how much or what type of “goody” each child should have.  Discipline Policy Our policy is to provide positive guidance, re-direction and the setting of limits.  We do not use time-outs.If a child is having a difficult time, we will first try to find out what the problem might be, maybe frustration with a task, or a conflict with another child.  Then we will try to have the child resolve the issue on their own.  If this doesn’t work, we will try re-direction and see if the child is willing to move on to something else.  If further action is required, the child is to sit in a designated quiet spot in the classroom until he or she is able to rejoin activities in a positive manner.  The staff will always exhibit positive behavior.  No ridicule, yelling or physical action will ever be used.More important than discipline, is understanding.  It is very important for the teachers to understand why a child acts in a disruptive manner, such as biting, hitting, kicking, throwing things, defying, or running away.  Behaviors such as these may be caused by a variety of things, including: fear, jealousy, loneliness, fatigue, confusion, anger, boredom or even hunger, to name a few.  These situations must be met in a competent manner.  Our teachers are prepared to deal with them by remaining alert to the total situation and attempting to foresee and forestall trouble. 

In spite of the limits that are set, difficult situations will arise.  These situations must be met in a competent manner.  Each outburst will be noted in order to find a pattern.  The teachers will then inform the director in order to be advised on when or how to have a conference with the parent, guardian or caregiver for further alternatives or guidance.                  We hope to encourage shy children to stand up for themselves while teaching aggressive children to verbalize.  All children will be taught to use words to express themselves.  Children will be taught to understand each other’s actions.  This will give them the ability to understand that when other children treat them negatively, it may be because of a fault within them.  This will give them the skills of understanding and sympathizing with others in order to function in society.The children are not allowed to strike other children or teachers.  They will be told that this behavior is unacceptable.  This behavior will also be noted.  Building Kidz Biting Policy For Preschool Children As with any behavior, how biting is dealt with depends upon the ages of the children involved, the reason for the biting (if it can be determined), frequency of the biting and many other specific circumstances.  General guidelines for biting include:* Helping the bitten child feel better and/ or providing appropriate first aid* Completing an ouch report for the parent of the bitten child* Discussing the situation with the biter’s parentAdditional actions might include:* Discussing a better solution with all children involved* Separation of involved children* Showing/giving the biter something appropriate to bite (a teething ring, for example,  if age appropriate)* Ensuring that the environment provides enough challenging activities* Carefully observing the involved child in order to identify precipitating events  and prevent recurrences* Maintaining a log to track when the behavior occurs* Conferences with parents to discuss the child’s actions at home, parental  discipline techniques, possibly search for outside resources, etc. Just as any other behavior issue regarding a child is confidential., the name of the child that has bitten is also confidential, in order to ensure privacy of the child and family and to  prevent bias from others enrolled in the center.  We will keep you informed as to what steps are being taken and if bites are from the same or a different child.  Informative handouts are given to parents regarding biting.The teacher or director will also fill out a “behavior report”, which must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.  A copy of this report will be kept in the child’s file.  It is the parents or legal guardians responsibility to talk to the child and explain why it is not acceptable to bite.  If there has been a total of three biting incidents within a period of two weeks, the child will be suspended from school for one week.  We strongly believe that it is in the best interest of your child that you restrain from any fun activities or treats during the suspension period and use this time to talk to your child about biting and the proper use of their teeth.  Please feel free to speak to the teachers or the director with any concerns or questions you might have.   

Potty Training We make every attempt to provide potty training with the cooperation of the parents.  Please see that there is plenty of extra clothing in your child’s cubby in case of accidents.  We will take your child to the potty as often as possible.  Toilet training is an important part of a child’s growth, often not realized.  Humiliation is neither a compassionate nor an effective teaching tool.  Accidents will be treated lightly, with encouragement for the future.  We will not force your child to go if they are resistant to the idea.  This would not help with the positive reinforcement needed to succeed.We will praise your child each time they use or attempt to use the toilet.   Clothing Please dress your child appropriately for the weather, as we try to go outside at least twice a day.  We ask that no open-toed shoes or sandals be worn to school, because as we all know, children love to run and jump, but are not the most coordinated.  The children will be working with different art mediums (glue, paint, markers, etc.) and spills are also inevitable, so washable, durable playwear is ideal for school.  Please send a complete change of clothing, labeled with your child’s name, in a zip-lock bag, in case of spills or accidents.We also ask that you not have your child come to school with jewelry.  We understand that “Aunt Susie” gave “Little Susie” a beautiful gold bracelet for her birthday, but just think how awful “Little Susie” would feel if it accidently got broken or lost.Boys, more so than girls, like to dress in their favorite super-hero clothing, this is OK, as long as they do not “act-out” any inappropriate or aggressive behavior.  We will talk to the child about the appropriate behavior and if disruptive behavior does not stop, we will ask that the clothing not be worn anymore.  Toys/things from home We ask that you leave your child’s toys at home or in your car.  You will be notified when children can bring in “show & tell” items.  Please do not bring in guns, war toys, swords or other toys of aggression or violence at any time.  Teachers and Staff Our teachers are chosen carefully.  They normally exceed the qualifications as outlined by the State of California.  The director and teachers have extensive training in the field of Early Childhood Education and are highly qualified for their positions.  Each of them were selected not only for their education, but for special qualities, talents or skills they possess, which is needed to make up a well-balanced, quality school.  Their goal is to achieve harmony through respect, tolerance, patience, trust and honesty, not only for the children, but also amongst themselves.  Our aides are equally special, they  are chosen for their energy and love for the children.The relationship between the teachers and children is very important.  We try to make each child comfortable with the teachers at our school by making them accessible.  The teachers will treat each child equally, as individuals, without favoritism.

We are proud of our staff because of the hard work they do to make our program and outstanding educational experience for the children, parents and community.  Parent Participation The most important teachers in a child’s life is their parent(s).  Parents are always welcome to become involved and participate in projects and special activities to the extent that no disruption, detrimental effect, favoritism or punishment occur.  We hold various “special” days throughout the year in which you will be asked to sign up or volunteer.  Parents will be informed at least two weeks in advance of up-coming events.  Preparation Suggestions The following suggestions may encourage your child’s anticipation or soothe his/her anxiety concerning the first day of school: *Get plenty of rest, be sure your child approaches the first day of school well rested.  Fatigue could hinder a totally positive experience.*One week before school begins, put your child to bed at the same time (depending on age, no later than 8 o”clock) every night and wake your child at the same time (as if you were already going to school) every morning.  This will help their “internal” clock.*Tell your child that you ( or whoever), will be walking them into school and that a teacher will help them get settled in for the morning.  Let them know you will be returning at the end of the day.*Don’t forget a big hug and a kiss upon leaving.  Don’t sneak away.*Feel free to call us to check up on how your child is doing.  We understand that a new situation is just as difficult for the parent, as well as the child.*Take time to share your child’s school experience - cultivate an interest in the materials your child will be bringing home.                   

WEEKLY MENU FOR BUILDING KIDZ(Sample Menu)       

PERFORMING ARTS SCHEDULE(Sample Only - schedule varies by school location)