Policies

All child information is confidential and will not be released either orally or in written form unless Pilgrim Community Nursery School has received written permission from the child's parents / guardian.

Pursuant to Illinois Department of Children and Family Services regulations, all snacks sent to school must be store bought and in the original sealed containers and cannot be homemade. We strive to be a peanut-free environment.

These guidelines will help make your child's school experience more enjoyable:

• Simple play clothes make it possible for children to enjoy all school activities. Children are encouraged to climb and to freely use such materials as paint, clay, water and sand. Clothing should be roomy enough for freedom of movement and easily washable. Shoes should have a nonskid sole.
  
  
• In order to encourage independence, children's clothing should be easy for them to manage.
  
  
• Outdoor play happens daily, weather permitting. Dress children every day as if the class will be going outside.
  
  
• Boots are easier to put on if they are large enough. If snow boots are worn to school, children should have shoes or slippers to wear while inside.
  
  
• Please label all clothing.
  
  
• Please provide a complete, seasonal change of clothes for your child which can be stored at school. A shoe box is a great container.
• Send your child to school with a bag for papers and artwork

Pilgrim Community Nursery School views each child as an unique individual and attempts to create a classroom environment in which children feel free to explore new and appropriate behaviors. In order for children to be able to grow in positive ways, they must feel that they are in a setting that respects their individuality while providing an environment that is emotionally and physically safe. Limits and consequences of inappropriate behavior will be made clear to each child and enforced calmly and kindly.

Should a child show inappropriate behavior at school. The teachers will take steps to help the child who is having difficulties. The techniques teachers use may involve: (1) redirecting the child with a positive statement to an appropriate activity, (2) providing verbal cues and problem-solving words that the child may use to communicate how s/he is feeling and what s/he wants in resolving a conflict with a peer, (3) holding a child until s/he regains composure or (4) accompanying the child to a quiet area to do an activity together until the child is ready to return to appropriate play with his/her classmates.

Pilgrim Community Nursery School views discipline as a teaching opportunity. The word "discipline" is translated from the Latin word meaning "to learn." It is a mechanism to help children develop self-control and to assume responsibility for their actions. In working with children, teachers will never use demeaning or abusive language, corporal punishment, humiliation or shame tactics or withholding snack as punishment.

Teachers will consult with parents about recurring difficult behaviors and develop a plan with them to help the child develop appropriate behavior.

No child will be allowed to hurt others, themselves or equipment. In extreme cases of misbehavior, after exhausting other efforts and in consultation with the director, teachers have the option of calling the parent and sending the child home for the remainder of that class session.

Pilgrim Community Nursery School provides a group setting for young children. It is assumed that children enrolling in Pilgrim's program will benefit from and be able to successfully function in the appropriate group setting.

Pilgrim Community Nursery School reserves the right to decline to enroll or to terminate enrollment of a child if it is determined by the director, the teachers and the family that an individual child:

1. will not benefit from our setting, or
2. requires closer supervision than is possible in a group setting, or
3. is potentially harmful to other children and staff.

If such a situation arises, the director will attempt to identify the appropriate resources and alternatives available to the family. Parents will be asked to sign the Enrollment Release Form.

Pilgrim Community Nursery School shares parents concerns about the health and safety of children and continually strives to provide a safe and healthy experience for students at all times.

Please communicate any health problems or concerns to the director or the child's teachers. Pilgrim Community Nursery School will let you know if we observe any changes in your child's health while s/he is with us. A sick child will not be permitted to attend classes for his/her protection and for the protection of others. We ask that parents keep their child home when an illness is present.

Health Education

To help develop good hygiene habits, classroom routines will include frequent hand washing and reminders to cover mouths while sneezing or coughing.

PLEASE CALL IF YOUR CHILD IS ILL FOR ANY REASON.

This helps Pilgrim Community Nursery School alert other parents and staff if your child has a communicable illness or has been exposed to a contagious illness. The following are highly contagious:

• Chicken Pox
• Conjunctivitis
• Fifth Disease
• Head Lice
• Impetigo
• Measles
• Mumps
• Pin Worms
• Ring Worm
• Scarlet Fever
• Strep Throat

If a child becomes sick while at school, Pilgrim Community Nursery School will notify the parent / guardian immediately and ask him/her to come for the child as quickly as possible. Sick children will be removed from the classroom and stay with the director or school secretary until a parent / caregiver is notified and can come to pick up the child.

Pilgrim Community Nursery School will call the parent and ask them to pick up the child if s/he has any of the following symptoms:

• a fever
• vomiting or diarrhea
• a rash
• discharge from nose, ears or eyes
• if the child seems very uncomfortable or lethargic or complains of a headache, stomachache, sore throat or earache

If a child has vomited or had diarrhea any time within 12 hours before a school day, Pilgrim Community Nursery School asks that parents keep him/her at home. If a child is sent home from school with a fever or diarrhea Pilgrim Community Nursery School asks that the child be kept home for 24 hours after the temperature has broken and diarrhea has stopped.

The staff cannot give a child a nonprescription drug. Only emergency medication will be dispensed by the school staff. This medication will be given only after the parent(s) or guardians meet the requirements stipulated in the "Consent Release Form" obtained from the school office. Parents are encouraged to discuss specific health concerns with their child's teachers and the director.

Emergency information is kept on file for each child. Please inform the school of any changes in phone numbers and/or addresses of contact people.

Ice, Band-Aids or cold compresses will be administered for minor accidents.

In the event of a more serious accident, the parents or contact person will be notified and arrangements will be made for transportation either home or to the hospital.

Staff will complete an incident report sheet in duplicate. One copy will be sent home and the other will go in the child's folder. Teachers may also call parents to answer any questions or to check on the child.

There are teachers in both the morning and afternoon sessions who are trained in Infant/Child First Aid and CPR.

Mandated Reporter

The State of Illinois requires that all staff of child care agencies be alert for signs of child abuse and neglect. All staff are mandated to report suspected cases of abuse to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-25A-BUSE) without prior notification of the parent / guardian.

Pilgrim Community Nursery School expects parents to supervise their own children at school-wide events. Children need to have an adult with them at all times. Please feel free to ask teachers for guidance regarding school rules.

Pilgrim Community Nursery School will close if the Oak Park Elementary Schools (District 97) are closed due to weather conditions.

If Pilgrim Community Nursery School needs to be closed because of bad weather (but District 97 is open) or we have a building equipment difficulty, parents will be notified by our Room Parents as soon as possible.

School days missed for the above reasons are rare and are not made up.