Educational studies and research verify that the early years are the most important years in the social, emotional, physical, mental and spiritual development of a child. Education is a lifelong process that begins at birth and continues until death. Although parents are the child's first and long range teacher, preschool and pre-Kindergarten programs are strong contributing factors to a young child's learning.
 
The purpose of the Zion Lutheran Preschool & Young Fives program is to assist parents in the God-given responsibility of raising their children by providing an environment conducive to learning. A developmentally appropriate curriculum is established to meet the needs of the whole child in the areas of spiritual growth, social relationships, emotional growth, vocabulary development and physical activity.
 
The goals of the Zion Lutheran Preschool and Young Fives Program are:
1. To provide opportunities for Christian learning of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior through formal lessons and worship, and informal living and learning experiences.
2. To nurture the development of a healthy self-concept in each child and the appreciation of the talents God has given to him/her.
3. To provide a variety of experiences and activities which will stimulate growth in the child's spiritual, emotional, social, intellectual, and physical development.
4. To provide guidance as the child becomes more independent and starts taking part in small group and large group activities.
5. To provide interests and experiences which broaden the child's aptitude for future academic programs.


PROGRAM OFFERINGS
We are offering three sessions. Maximum class size will be twenty (20) students with one teacher and two aides.

The Preschool Program is intended to provide a variety of experiences to enlarge the children's view of the world in which they live. Through social interactions, children will see themselves as members of a larger family and a part of God's creation. Children enrolled in the 3-Year-Old class must be three years of age by November 1st and potty trained.  Children enrolled in the 4-Year-Old class must be four years of age by November 1st.
3-Year-Old Class = Tuesday & Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
4-Year-Old Class = Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

The Young Fives program is more structured with continued emphasis on learning through experience and observation.  The class is offered for the child who will benefit from a growth year before entering Kindergarten. It is considered a pre-Kindergarten class. Children must be five years old by November 1st .
Young Fives = Monday - Thursday 11:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.
 
 
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Zion congregation views its early childhood program as an integral and important element of its ministry. Under the supervision of the Board of Christian Education, Zion congregation is committed to supporting this ministry by:

1. Providing and maintaining facilities for the programs including utilities and maintenance services.
2. Providing the ministry of its professional staff to the children and parents enrolled in its programs.
3. Encouraging its members to remember the early childhood program through memorials and special gifts to the program.


TUITION AND FEES
Zion Lutheran Preschool/Young Fives operates as a self-supporting, educational, non-profit agency of Zion Lutheran Church. It is financed by tuition receipts. Tuition rates for the 2013-2014 school year have been set as follows:
3-Year-Old Class = $50.00/month
4-Year-Old Class = $75.00/month
Young Fives Class = $100.00/month
Payments are due the first Tuesday of each month. A $5.00 late fee per week will be charged for tuition past due. Tuition that is more than 2 weeks late will automatically terminate your child from school. (see financial agreement.)  A $40.00 non-refundable REGISTRATION is required at the time of registration to hold a place for the child. ($65/family)


ENROLLMENT POLICY
Application for enrollment is not limited to children of Zion Lutheran Church, but is open to all families who want their children to have Christ-centered instruction. Admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis in the following order of priority:

1. Children of Zion Lutheran Church and School members.
2. Children of parents who are actively pursuing membership at Zion.
3. Children of other Lutheran parishes.
4. Children who are not prospective members but whose parents wish them to learn about their Savior.

All children must be completely toilet trained.
Zion Lutheran School makes no discrimination in admission or determination of enrollment on the basis of race, sex, color, or national origin.


ADMISSION AND WITHDRAWAL POLICY
Registration for the fall program will be accepted in the spring. Students will be accepted during the course of a year as vacancies occur. The director should be notified two weeks in advance if a child is going to be withdrawn from the program.

Zion reserves the right to allow the removal of a child from the program, upon the recommendation of the teacher and the Board of Education should the child be considered a detriment to other children or the preschool program.

HEALTH AND SAFETY
The State of Michigan requires that we have a Health Appraisal (green form) and emergency card on file for each child. Immunization records must be up to date and recorded on the green health form. These are to be filled out and returned to the school before classes begin. Please report any new immunizations your child receives while enrolled with us.


TRANSPORTATION; ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Responsibility for transportation of students rests with individual parents. No Student should arrive more than 10 minutes before class time as the teachers are busy preparing for the day and early children cannot be supervised.  


DISCIPLINE
Staff shall use positive methods of Christian discipline, which encourage the development of self-control, self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperation. Rules of the classroom will be clear and concise and the children will be expected to follow them. Verbal reminders and encouragement will be made when necessary to help the child see the need for the rule. If behavior persists, a "time out" period will be observed followed by a discussion with the teacher. Conferences with parents may be requested by the teacher if behavior of a child in the classroom is interfering with the total learning process.


FIELD TRIPS
Throughout the year, special experiences outside the classroom will be planned for your child. These trips provide opportunities for firsthand learning. Notes will be sent home prior to each trip detailing all the necessary information so you know what to expect. Written permission from the parent is required of all students making such trips.

Parents who are asked to drive for a field trip are required to have a valid drivers license and provide a seat belt for each child. A first aid kit will be provided for each car.


SNACK POLICY
Nutritious snacks will be provided for each child. This child care center is a participant in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program. The CACFP provides cash reimbursement to child care centers for nutritious meals and helps children develop healthy eating habits. The CACFP is administered by the Michigan Department of Education.

Through the Child and Adult Care Food Program you can be assured that your child is getting balanced, nutritious meals and developing healthy lifelong eating habits. Proper nutritious during the early years ensures fewer physical and educational problems later in life.

As a participant in the CACFP, your child care center receives reimbursement for serving nutritious meals and snacks. Meals and snacks must meet the USDA meal pattern requirements.

In accordance with Federal law and USDA policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.


BIRTHDAYS
If you plan to send in a special nutritional treat, and we encourage you to do this, we appreciate simple individual treats. Your child enjoys this ego building privilege of sharing.


WHAT YOUR CHILD WILL NEED
1. Tennis shoes or rubber soled shoes are recommended for activities that will occur in the classroom and the gym.
2. Please dress your child in comfortable play clothes.
3. Please have your child bring a tote bag or book bag to school each day for taking home art projects and parent notes.
4. Please label your child's clothing and boots with name tags.


SCHOOL CLOSING
In the event that inclement weather forces a school cancellation, the closing will be announced over WLEW and the automated phone system called Rapid Notify. Our school will be closed if the Harbor Beach Public Schools are closed.
 

FIRST DAY
Often it is more difficult for a parent to say goodbye on the first day than it is for the child. Make it brief, but reassure him/her that you will be waiting in the hall when the class is over. Please do not stay with your child the first day. The adjustment is much easier if you do not. There may be tears, but those pass quickly when he/she finds all of the new things to play with and all of his/her new friends.
 

PROGRESS REPORTS AND CONFERENCES
A report of your child's progress and readiness for Kindergarten will be given through a parent/teacher conference in March. In the spring the Gessel Developmental Assessment will be administered by the teacher to students in the preschool program. Parents wishing to consult with the teacher may do so after any class session or request arrangements for a special conference time.


HOME VISITS
The teacher will visit all homes before the first day of school. She will call and make an appointment.