The purpose of the District Preschool Program is to provide a high quality early childhood experience for your child in a safe, supportive and stimulating environment where children develop and progress through a developmentally appropriate curriculum. Our focus is to prepare children for Kindergarten, providing students a curriculum that promotes learning through intentional learning opportunities during the day supporting social and academic progress.

The District’s preschool standards (what we expect children to learn) are aligned with Colorado’s preschool academic standards, the Colorado Early Learning and Developmental Guidelines, and Kindergarten Standards. These standards and objectives set out a series of
learning readiness. These standards describe what children should understand and be able to do as a result of their preschool experience.

Preschool teachers use the Creative Curriculum® System for Preschool, a research based preschool curriculum, to create an environment that supports learning through play in a variety of interest centers, i.e. blocks, dramatic play, science/discovery, art, technology, library/quiet area, etc. This curriculum also helps teachers develop appropriate small and large group activities to enhance child growth in the classroom. Progress is observed and documented in the following developmental and academic content areas: Cognitive, Language, Social/Emotional, Physical, Literacy, Math, and Science.

Admission & Registration

Children with special needs/disabilities will be administratively placed through the Early Childhood Department in collaboration with the Special Education & Child Find Departments. All other children, Universal Preschool (UPK) eligible four-year old’s, three-year old’s before Oct. 1 on an IEP, tuition based and scholarship students are placed through the Early Childhood Department who will work as close as possible with parents for placements. Please check our preschool website for application and registration procedures.

Tuition children typically apply in the Spring and are admitted on a first come, first serve basis; however, procedures may vary depending on the needs of the school community. If there are tuition openings, applications are on-going throughout the school year. You may not enroll a child in more than one district preschool.

www.svvsd.org/preschool.

State and District policies require that we have your child’s file complete with all the forms and information needed before they may attend preschool.

This is a list of what is required:

• Preschool Registration Form including:
• Emergency contacts, authorized adults to pick up child, a photo/video release, doctor/dentist information, St Vrain Health Form, and proof of residency.
• Emergency Information Card (kept by Health Clerk).
• A copy of your child’s Birth Certificate.
• Immunization Record (must be compliant before they can start preschool).*
• A “General Health Appraisal Form” is required by Colorado State Law in order to attend preschool. It must be completed and signed by a medical provider annually, stating that your child is healthy enough to attend preschool (due within 30 days after the start of school and annually thereafter). If this document is not stating that your child is healthy enough to attend preschool (due within 30 days after the start of school and annually thereafter). If the document is not presented to the school it may affect your child’s attendance.
• A St. Vrain Health Form is a requirement of the school district.

*Parents will be notified if there is any child in your preschool class who is not immunized due to acceptable exemptions per state law. Confidentiality will be maintained. Identities will not be shared.

Tuition-paying students only:
The tuition agreement states that you understand the tuition policy and procedures, including no tuition refunds due to (but not limited to) unforeseen emergencies or inclement weather delays or closures, and must be signed on or before your child’s first day of preschool. We strongly suggest that families DO NOT prepay tuition.

For parents that claim preschool as a deduction on income tax forms, the District Tax I.D. number is 84-6014380. Tuition receipts are available upon request.

Tuition Rates for the 2024-2025 school year:

• 4 half-day classes (M-Th a.m. or p.m.) – $538.00
• 2nd half of full day (M-Th) –$404.00
• Full Day (M-TH) – $1,076.00

The St. Vrain Valley School District has 24 preschool programs located in elementary schools and Spark! Discovery Preschool serving children three and four years of age. Children must be of three and four years of age on or before October 1st of the current year to be registered. Children with disabilities must be served by age three, therefore they may be enrolled throughout the year at their 3rd birthday.

*The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) now offers FREE preschool programming up to 15 hours, but no less than 10 hours per week for ALL in district boundary four-year-old children going into kindergarten the following year (age cutoff is 4 on or before October 1st) and some funding for three-year old’s with a qualifying factor(s). Applications must be submitted through the district only for 3-year olds and both the district and Universal Preschool Colorado parent portal linked below for age qualifying 4-year olds. Four-year old with a qualifying factor can be considered for Full Day programming should funding be made available through UPK. Supporting documentation for qualifying factors are required for proof of qualification. Should you have questions about Universal Preschool, please reach out to our local coordinating Organization, the Early Childhood Council of Boulder County, at 720-548-3981.
https://upk.colorado.gov/

Preschools in the St. Vrain Valley School District work collaboratively with the District’s Special Education Department in the assessment, identification, and programming for children with disabilities. We work with parents, special education, and the preschool staff to determine the best program for the child based on individual needs. If you have a concern about your child’s development, please speak to your preschool teacher.

District transportation is not provided for preschool programs unless it is determined to be a related service for children with disabilities and addressed through the Individualized Education Plan (IEP), or special education administrative placement.

Consistent daily attendance is expected of your student to achieve optimal educational benefits. Missing school sets students back in their learning, and children learn best with consistency. Parents are expected to make all efforts to have their students at school each day with the exception of illness or a family emergency. Attendance is tracked and monitored for student’s continuation in the preschool program.

As part of the preschool enrollment process, every new preschool student will receive a developmental screening. This will help us to begin to know more about your student, providing the teacher with useful information in meeting your child’s individual needs. This will include vision, hearing, and dental screenings.

Typically developing children are expected to be potty trained while understanding accidents may occasionally occur. If a student has consistent toileting accidents, a meeting will be held to determine appropriateness of continued programming. In the event of an accident, we will help the child change and the soiled clothing will be sent home in a plastic bag. Please provide extra clothing daily in case of accidents. If no extra clothing is provided, the Health Clerk has limited clothing for emergencies. Please return the loaned clothing promptly after it has been washed.

In accordance with non-discriminatory laws and policies (Americans with Disabilities Act/ADA and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act/IDEA), children with disabilities will not be excluded from District preschools due to the lack of successful potty training. Diapering will be conducted according to state health department and child care licensing standards.

• 1 Box (10 ct.) Washable Colored Broad Tip Markers
• 4 Glue Sticks
• 1 Tray of Washable Watercolors
• 1 Box (16 ct) Crayons
• 2 Cans (3 or 4oz) of Play-Doh
• Box of Tissue (optional classroom donation)

Our aim is to promote a positive learning environment where all students can succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Out preschool classrooms utilize positive behavior supports and developmentally appropriate behavior guidance as supported with our social emotional curriculum, Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS). If you have any questions regarding these guidelines, please ask your child’s teacher. In challenging situations, teachers will use positive guidance, redirection, and logical/natural consequences.

Teaching staff will teach desired classroom expectations. Students will also be taught appropriate ways to express their needs and manage their emotions. Instructional and/or environmental changes along with individual student accommodations will be made in hopes to deescalate undesirable behaviors If a child displays a pattern of negative behavior or has a serious behavior, a meeting will take place with parents to colaborate and discuss next steps and as deemed appropriate, a Child Behavior Plan will be developed. The district has Early Childhood Coaches for supporting children and faculty in such situations. The district also employs behavior consultants or other specialists as needed, who may be asked to collaborate with the staff and parents.

Classroom teaching staff will ensure that each parent/guardian signs in their child upon arrival and departure from the classroom daily. Teachers will continuously monitor the presence of children throughout the preschool day in the classroom, on the playground, and on field trips. Children will have their name to face head count taken before and after each transition. Please assist them by following the school’s procedures at all times:

1. An authorized adult, 18 years or older, must sign children in and out of the classroom; children can be left after the teacher knows of his/her presence. The sign-out portion of the log and facility is checked at the end of each day before it is closed and vacated.
   
2. Authorized persons not known to the staff by sight will be required to provide a photo I.D. before the child will be released to them. Children will not be released to any person who has not been authorized in writing by the parent/guardian. Please notify the teacher of any changes in persons authorized to pick up your child.

It is critical for young children to come to school on time and be picked up on time. All parents must provide three emergency contact persons on their lists with current phone numbers and addresses.

1. Parents may not list themselves or their spouse as an emergency contact, nor should they list a distant relative. Contacts must be people who would be available to pick up a child in the event of an emergency. Persons picking up children must be 18 years of age or older.
   
2. School staff will attempt to make immediate contact with the parent. If the parent cannot get to school within a reasonable length of time, the staff and parent will discuss child pick-up.
   
3. If no contact is made with the parent, the school staff will call the emergency contacts immediately and involve the principal’s office. If necessary, the school staff will notify the Director of Early Childhood Education.
   
4. If all of the above steps have been exhausted and approximately 1 hour or more has passed, the school staff will then call the local law enforcement for assistance in locating the parents.
   

The preschool class will go outside daily for outdoor learning and physical development. In the case of severe, inclement or excessively hot weather conditions, the Principal will cancel or limit outdoor play and teachers will provide alternate activities inside the school.

Understand the importance of applying sunscreen to assist in limiting children’s exposure to harmful UV rays. St. Vrain Preschool Programs will apply Rocky Mountain Sunscreen SPF 30 to all children prior to sun exposure on exposed skin, to include but not limited to the face, top of ears, nose, bare shoulders, arms and legs during the day before going outside for recess, as directed on the sunscreen label. Reapplication will occur in full day programs. Please refer to the attached Parent/Guardian Sunscreen Permission Form for specific guidelines and opt out options.

Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather each day. Any child that is well enough to attend school will be considered well enough to go outside.

Please do not send toys or money with your child. All personal belongings should be labeled with your child’s name.

St. Vrain Valley Schools follows guidance from CDPHE which is presented in the two page quick guide entitled, “In Care of Kids: How Sick is Too Sick?” by Children’s Hospital, attached as an addendum at the end of this handbook.

Parents will be contacted to immediately pick up their child if an illness develops during school hours. If a parent cannot be contacted, an emergency contact will be called to pick up the child. The ill child will be isolated from other children and supervised by a school staff member until the parent or emergency contact arrives. The child may not return to school until he/she is symptom-free for at least 24 hours.

School Health Clerks assist the preschool in giving first aid and determination of illness. Please keep the teacher and Health Clerk up to date on all of your child’s health concerns and current medications.

If a child receives an injury, parents will be informed of the incident/accident. The Health Clerk and teacher will call parents if deemed necessary, and a decision will then be made whether to come and pick up the child immediately or remain at school.

If a child acquires any cuts and/or scrapes, the area will be washed with soap and water, and a Band- Aid may be placed on it. We are not allowed to place medication of any kind on wound(s).

If an injury is serious, 911 will be contacted immediately and the parent will be contacted. If the illness or injury is severe and custody of the child is shared, both parents will be contacted. If the parents cannot be reached, an emergency contact will be called. If none of the emergency contacts can be reached, the Principal and/or Preschool Teacher will make the decision concerning emergency care for your child.

According to Colorado State regulations, District policy, and the Nurse Practice Act, medication given to a child at the preschool must be authorized with a written statement from the child’s doctor to the school with the knowledge and written consent of the parent/guardian for all prescription and nonprescription medications. This authorization must be renewed with each new prescription and in the case of long-term medication, on an annual basis. All medication will be kept in a locked container in the Health Clerk’s office and will be administered by a staff member that has been trained in Medication Administration.

All medication must remain in the original container bearing the original pharmacy label that shows: child’s name, prescribing doctor’s name, pharmacy name and telephone number, date prescription filled, expiration date, name of medication, dosage, how often to give medication and length of time medication is to be given. When no longer needed, medications shall be returned to parents or guardians.

In the event that the school must be closed due to an emergency before the normal dismissal time necessitating canceling preschool early, every attempt will be made to communicate with
parents as early as possible at their home phone, work phone, and through their emergency contact numbers. It is imperative that emergency contact numbers be up-to-date and not be the same number as the parent’s phone numbers.

Please be aware that in some emergencies the school phones may be temporarily out of service. If this happens, contact might be made from another phone. Our first priority in any emergency situation is the safety of the children.

In the event of a delayed start, morning classes will be canceled. Please refer to school procedures regarding delayed starts or closures. Should an unforeseen emergency or inclement weather necessitate a delayed start or closure, tuition payments remain the same with no refunds granted. Should there be more than six closures affecting a particular classroom, make up day(s) will be provided for each day past the sixth.

stvra.in/closures

Fire, Tornado, and Lockdown

All drill procedures are posted in the preschool classroom by the door. If you would like a more detailed description of the procedures, please talk with your child’s teacher or Principal. Preschools will participate in practice drills throughout the year.

Evacuation

Emergency procedures in the case of an off-site evacuation are posted by the classroom door. In case of an actual emergency, parents may be asked to pick up their children at an off-site location. Please talk to your child’s teacher about the designated off-site evacuation location.

Lost Child Procedure

Children are actively supervised during preschool; however, in the unlikely event a child is missing, the following emergency plan is put into effect:

• A thorough search of the school is conducted
• After ten minutes, parents/guardians and the police will be contacted
• The staff will start to search the area surrounding the school

We have an open-door policy at our preschools. If you would like to schedule a visit, please talk to your child’s teacher. Visitors must sign the visitor’s log in the school’s main office when entering the school with a visitor’s identification badge issued to you at this time. This badge must be visibly worn at all times. Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the classroom or on field trips.

Volunteers will be accompanied by staff at all times. A volunteer training will be provided for those volunteering on a consistent basis.

Parent/Teacher Conferences are held twice a year to discuss child’s behavior, progress, and social and physical needs to include next step goals for promoting learning in the classroom and at home. Each preschool will have a procedure for assigning times for conferences. Individualized conferences may held at any time during the year at the request of the parent or the teacher.

Field trips may be planned throughout the year as a part of the curriculum. The times of the field trip may be different from the regular preschool day. Notices with all information will be sent out before a field trip is taken. The preschool policy on field trips is as follows:

• A permission slip signed by a parent/guardian is required for each field trip.
• The staff to child ratio must be maintained at all times and children will be actively supervised for the entire field trip.
• All field trips for every class will be on a District School Bus, unless the destination is within a safe walking distance.
• Parents who have other children will need to talk to the teacher about the preschool’s policy on bringing siblings on the trip.
• The District preschool will pay for the bus, however, parents may be asked to pay the entrance fee (if applicable).

Staff is required to bring a copy of the Emergency Card for each child on the trip. A list of all the children and staff on the field trip will also be kept at the office.

Late Arrival for Field Trips

The field trip time and place will be posted on the classroom door on the day of the field trip. If a parent arrives with a child after the class has left and would like to meet the preschool class at the field trip location, the parent/guardian should inform the school office. Supervision or transportation will not be provided by any of the other school staff. If the parent/guardian is unable to meet the class at the field trip destination, the child will have to stay with the parent/guardian for the day.

Bus Safety for Field Trips

The bus driver will review bus safety with the children before the bus departs for the field trip. Children are expected to stay in their seats at all times and use quiet voices. At a railroad crossing, the bus will come to a complete stop and the passengers will remain silent while the bus driver stops, looks and listens. Incase of an emergency on the bus, the adult closest to the emergency door, may have to open that door. Please talk with your child at home on how to stay safe on the bus.

Occasionally, the preschool class may watch a television program or video only as a special
learning activity that enhances the curriculum. The viewing material will always carry a “G” rating.

Our district will provide healthy nutritious snacks daily for preschool students. Please inform your teacher of any specific dietary needs of your student. The district requires the completion of the Free and Reduced Lunch application regardless of income. The application will be provided by your teacher. Parents must also sign in and out to include time of student drop-off/pick-up daily for compliance of the
food program.

Children in preschool programs that live in an elementary school attendance area are guaranteed a place in their elementary school kindergarten program. Preschool children from outside the attendance area are not guaranteed a place in the elementary school’s kindergarten. Parents must fill out an open enrollment application if they wish their child to attend kindergarten outside of their attendance area.

Student Retention
Conversations about concerns regarding a student’s progress and achievement should
typically begin in January. Any concerns regarding the consideration of retention by either the parent or the teacher require more than one meeting to discuss considerations and need to involve the Principal and Early Childhood Coordinator. Using input from parents and teachers and a body of evidence, the final decision regarding retention is up to building principal.

The following may be contacted if there is a complaint regarding the preschool:

1. The preschool teacher
2. The building Principal
3. The District Early Childhood Director
4. The Colorado Department of Human Services, Child Care Division at (303) 866-5958, X1575 Sherman Street, Denver, CO 80203
5. Colorado Department of Education (CDE) for children with disabilities

If child abuse is suspected, it must be reported to
the following agency:

Colorado Department of Human Services
Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Public
Awareness Campaign
1-844-CO-4-KIDS or 1-844-264-5437

Boulder County Social Services:
303-441-1240

All staff within elementary schools/preschool programs are mandated reporters.

If you plan to withdraw your child from preschool, please give a written two weeks notice to the preschool staff. Children are often on a waiting list. Our greatest wish is that the preschool experience will be a happy time for your family and your child. In the unlikely event that it becomes necessary to remove your child from the program, a conference with the teacher, principal and parent/guardian will take place before any final decisions are made.

Reasons for dismissal may include:

• Non-payment of tuition (for tuition paying students)
• Required paperwork not up to date
• If your child is absent from preschool for more than two weeks consecutively and no notice has been given to the school or preschool staff

• 2024-2025 Preschool Calendar (English)
• 2024-2025 Preschool Calendar (Spanish)

Please refer to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment’s guidance for routine decisions about when children and staff should stay home from school or child care. There may be situations where public health determines more stringent return-to-school requirements.

• How Sick is Too Sick? (English)
• How Sick is Too Sick? (Spanish)

The following forms must be filled out by parents/guardians and submitted to the school office:

• Emergency Medical Authorization (Spanish)
• Walking Field Trip Permission Slip (Spanish)
• Parent/Guardian Sunscreen Permission Form (Spanish)
• Handbook Acknowledgement Form (Spanish)