1400 Bella Vista Dr
La Habra Heights, CA
90631-8410
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Learning Center Office
(562) 697-1785
Church Office
(562) 691-0514
Fax: (562) 691-0515
preschool@mylhcc.com
Director
Randy Lee Atanay
Assistant Director
Tammy Singdale
The Center is designed to provide a support system for children and parents. The Center's atmosphere of love and acceptance will enhance the self-esteem and health of the child, as well as the parent. The Pastors, administration and staff respect all children regardless of ethnic, cultural, or linguistic backgrounds.
Program Goals
Each child is recognized as an individual child of God with potential and ability. We offer a warm, caring environment combined with a well-trained staff. They are highly educated in social, emotional, physical, and language development of children.
It is our goal to:- Provide a stimulating environment where your child will grow intellectually, socially, physically, and emotionally.
- Provide an opportunity for parents to broaden their parenting skills through interaction with staff and members.
- Provide a vocational education site where students may practice their skills with the assistance of church staff.
- Provide child care, enabling the student, parent, and/or working parent who desire to pursue their educational and career goals.
Department of Social Services Inspections
The Department of Social Services (DSS), Section 101200 (b), states that DSS has the authority to inspect, interview children and/or staff, and audit the Center's records without prior consent.
Mandatory Reporting
Per California Penal Code Sections 11165 and 1174.3, all Center employees are classified as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse/Neglect.
Licensing
The State of California, DSS, licenses the Center. Infant license #198006171 / Pre-School license # 198011127
Non-Discrimination Policy
The Center is operated on a non-discrimination basis. No child will be refused enrollment based on race, color, religion or national origin.
Tax Identification Number
The Center's Tax Identification Number is 95-2638191.
Teachers and Staff
The teachers are experienced professionals, trained to guide your child's development and education. To maintain a high level of professionalism, the Center provides regular, ongoing training to its staff. In every classroom, team leaders plan your child's day of educational play and learning.
Teachers and staff assist team leaders, enabling your child to become familiar with people throughout the day. The ratio of teachers and staff to children in our Infant/Toddler program is one teacher for four children and one teacher for eight pre-schoolers. Your child will benefit from the relationship this interaction provides.
As parents, you may be as involved as you desire. However, no matter what your involvement level, you can look forward to regular conversations and conferences with your child's teachers and the Director.
Arrival and Pick Up
The person authorized to bring and pick up children must sign in/sign out the child every day. Once parents checked their child in, they must escort their child to their classroom and inform the teacher that their child is present. The Center is not responsible for the child until a teacher is present and acknowledges their presence. For each child's safety and liability concerns, parents must comply with the sign in/sign out procedures. This policy is required by the state. The only persons allowed to pick up children are those listed on child's information record. It is the parent's responsibility to ensure these records remain current. If someone other than those listed to pick up a child, parents must leave a written permission slip with the Director on the concerned morning. The representative will be asked to provide proper identification before the child is released to them.
If there is a divorced, the Center is required to maintain a copy of the legal custody report. As a safety concern, the Center maintains a file of persons authorized to pick up children in case of an emergency. The information is obtained from enrollment forms.
Emergencies
In case of an emergency, such as fire, weather, etc., it is critical that children respond in a safe, orderly fashion. Children practice and participate in regular drills so they are prepared for an actual emergency. Emergency procedures are posted outside the Director's office.
Earthquakes
The Center participates in an earthquake preparedness program conducted by local fire department personnel.
Health and Safety
Nutrition - The Center will provide a mid-morning snack and mid-afternoon snack. The Center will provide 100% whole milk for Infants, 2% for preschooler and 100% fruit juices.
Lunch - The Center offers a lunch program for an additional cost. Information and menus are provided to preorder monthly.
Accidents and Injuries
Children's safety at the Center is important and a high priority by the staff. However, accidents do happen, as they do at home. Minor scrapes, cuts, etc., will be treated with soap and water and tender, loving care. Children with a more serious illness are taken to the Director's office for observation and/or first aid. Parents will be notified of all injuries and the classroom teacher will complete an accident report.
Admissions Policy
The Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, or creed. We are available to children, age birth to entering into kindergarten. Children are separated by age and encouraged to interact with each other.
Health and TB screening is required for all preschoolers. A pre-enrollment packet is given to each family to be completed before their child is able to attend the center.
Child's File - Must have to start:
- ___ Enrollment Agreement
- ___ Lic 613A Personal Rights
- ___ Lic 627 Consent for Emergency
- ___ Child Information card
- ___ Lic 700 Identification and Emergency Information
- ___ Lic 701 Physicians Report (must have within 2 weeks)
- ___ Lic 702 Child Preadmission
- ___ Individual needs plan
- ___ Lic 995 Notification of Parents Rights
- ___ Lic 9166 Nebulizer
- ___ Blue Card, Immunizations (a copy is also needed)
- ___ Child Profile (2 pages)
- ___ Parent Directory
- ___ Kodak Moment
- ___ Earthquake Preparedness - bring in kit
Financial Policy
Tuition - Upon enrollment, the registration and first month fees are due. Monthly fees are due in advance on the 1st of the month thereafter. The Center is a non-profit organization. All fees are a monthly flat rate only. Discounts are available for 2nd and 3rd child.
Holidays - The Center is closed during the holidays listed below. Most other employees are paid for these holidays and our teachers receive pay as well. Therefore, childcare fees will remain the same for the weeks and months that include these holidays:
- New Year's Day
- Presidents Day
- Memorial Day
- July 4th
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving - Thursday & Friday
- Christmas - December 24, 25, 26
Positive Discipline
Positive discipline is a technique used in the classroom that teaches children to solve their own problems and learn from their mistakes. Guidance rejects the practice of 'disciplining' children for behavior mistakes or punishing them for having problems they cannot control or solve.
Teachers positively set limits to guide children in developing self-discipline, while recognizing a healthy expression of growing self-identity.
Manner Of Handling Discipline
- Redirect to avoid a problem.
- Recognition for positive behavior or achievement.
- Time out if a child cannot handle a given situation, or if the child needs time to calm down. Time out involves removing the child from the group for a short period of time. Time out consists of one minute per year age of the child.
Example: A 24-month-old child may receive a maximum of two minutes time out. - Removal of a privilege.
- If a problem becomes serious or continuous, the parent will be contacted. We expect the parent's support and cooperation during these situations. It may be necessary to remove the child for the remainder of the day.
The Center's desire is to provide a safe, secure, happy environment for all its children. If a problem exists that is detrimental to the well being of other children or the school, or the child does not appear to be adjusting to the Center or the teachers, it may be in the child's best interest to remove them from the Center.
Corporal punishment, humiliation, or frightening techniques are never used at the Center. Punishment is never associated with food, rest, isolation, or toilet training. There are a variety of disciplinary methods used that honor and respect the children.
- Children are actively involved in setting the stage for positive discipline. It is this concept that helps them understand the consequences for their behavior.
- Simple rules in the classroom include listening to others, keeping their hands to themselves (self-control), respecting property, etc.
- Correcting the misbehavior by redirecting and providing alternatives are provided.
- In some cases, time away form the group may be necessary, but treated as 'thinking' time that ends as soon as your child is ready to return in a cooperative manner.
- Encouraging children to learn skills of negotiation and verbalizing their feelings.
Getting Started
Going from the safe and familiar surroundings of home to the structure of a classroom is a big step for any child or parent. However, there are some things you can do to make the transition an easy, happy occasion.
Pre-Enrollment Tour
It is required that all children visit the Center at least once prior to enrollment. Parent and child will both have a chance to meet the teachers, classmates and observe new surroundings. Talk to your child about what you and they observed and heard. Inform your child about their future at the Center so they will be prepared and anticipate fun time during childcare.
Ask the Director about activities planned during their first week. If possible, you are welcome to visit on a second occasion!
Paperwork
Before children joins the Center, each family is required to complete an enrollment application, parent agreement, medical forms, notarized custody declaration (when applicable) and other forms required by local and state government.
Registration and Other Fees
An annual, non-refundable registration fee of $50.00 per child and $85.00 per family is required upon registration. The annual registration fee will be due the beginning of every September thereafter and monthly fees are due the first of every month. Families enrolling during mid-month will have their fee prorated for that first month.
Programs
The Center is designed to meet the growth and developmental needs of young children, age birth to five years, and prepares them for kindergarten. The children will experience creative arts and crafts, science observation, music, sharing, Bible reading and activities, free play and other structured activities.
Daily Activities - Infant/Toddler Program
The infant program is organized into small groups that facilitate warm, secure relationships between the caregiver and child. The Center offers sensitive care and strives to build open and regular communication with parents.
The majority of the day is planned around crucial, but important routines of feeding, diapering, comforting and sleeping. These routines are used by the caregiver for interaction, learning and language development. Ongoing study and research reveals that children develop an attachment to their primary caregiver, such as the one developed between the mother and infant. This provides the trust they need to explore, play and communicate, enhancing their growth and development. Our program is uniquely designed to enable children to bond with the same caregivers during their early years.
Through close observation, the caregivers will identify each child's unique personality and abilities. Regular documentation by the caregiver will help reveal the child's likes and dislikes, such as the child who enjoys being rocked to sleep, who needs to be encouraged to sit up, etc. Use of daily documentation is a tool for determining changes in the child's habits.
When working with infants, it is necessary to have a flexible schedule along with some predictability. Once structure is achieved, the teacher will provide one or more special activities daily. The children are provided with many choices that will vary. The teacher will plan a weekly theme to give their daily activities some direction.
Talking, singing and reading are very important activities that support language development. Children of all ages love books - even babies! Brain research reveals that one of the most important things we can do for infants is read to them daily.
Daily Activities - Preschool Program
The preschool program emphasizes learning activities that are fun. They build character, self-confidence and self-esteem. Children are taught values, discipline, letters, colors, shapes and numbers. Our goal is to have the pre-school child prepared for kindergarten.
Our curriculum is based on six developmental areas that are important to success in kindergarten and beyond. They are:
- Social and emotional development - Children who feel good about themselves and their ability to learn possess confidence and will explore new situations.
- Approach to learning - Children with a positive approach to learning are curious, work independently, focus on difficult tasks, listen attentively, comprehend, follow through and take pride in a job well done.
- Language development - Children learn language by listening, speaking, putting words together and responding to people around them.
- Physical well-being and motor development - Children who exercise and engage in physical activity regularly improve motor skills and health.
- General knowledge - Children who are encouraged to discover the world for themselves become inquisitive learners.
- Teachings of Jesus - Children are taught about Jesus and learn how Christianity will affect their lives, family and friendships.
Schedule for Infants
| 6:30 am | 7:45 am | Arrival/Classroom Activities |
| 7:45 am | 8:00 am | Care Routine |
| 8:00 am | 8:30 am | Breakfast |
| 8:30 am | 9:00 am | Clean Up/Exploration and Activities |
| 9:00 am | 10:00 am | Free Choice Play /Music |
| 10:00 am | 10:20 am | Snack |
| 10:20 am | 10:45 am | Care Routine |
| 10:45 am | 12:00 pm | Outdoor Activity/Stroller Walks/Activities |
| 12:00 pm | 12:30 pm | Lunch |
| 12:30 pm | 2:30 pm | Naptime/Music |
| 2:30 pm | 3:00 pm | Care Routine |
| 3:00 pm | 3:20 pm | Snack |
| 3:20 pm | 3:30 pm | Clean up/Story Time |
| 3:30 pm | 4:30 pm | Explorations and Activity/Gym Play |
| 4:30 pm | 5:00 pm | Care Routine |
| 5:00 pm | 6:00 pm | Free Choice/Departure |
Daily Schedule for Preschoolers
| Arrive to Gym | ||
| 6:30 am | 7:15 am | Table or Floor Activity |
| 7:15 am | 8:00 am | Breakfast & Clean up (by 8:15 am) |
| To Room C or D | ||
| 8:15 am | 8:45 am | Potty & Outside Time or Gym |
| Pre-K Goes to Class | ||
| 8:30 am | 9:00 am | circle time: bible, Calendar, language |
| 9:00 am | 9:20 am | Snack |
| 9:20 am | 10:00 am | Centers & one to one time (writing) |
| 10:00 am | 10:10 am | Clean up & potty |
| 10:10 am | 10:50 am | Art & Music |
| 10:50 am | 11:20 am | Table activity: Math, science, games |
| 11:20 am | 12:00 am | Lunch set up, prayer & lunch |
| 12:00 pm | 12:15 pm | Clean up, potty & make beds |
| 12:15 pm | 12:45 pm | Outside Play |
| 12:45 pm | 3:00 pm | Nap Time |
| 3:00 pm | 3:20 pm | Potty & put away beds |
| 3:20 pm | 3:40 pm | Prayer & snack |
| 3:40 pm | 4:10 pm | Catch up work or free play |
| 4:10 pm | 4:20 pm | Clean up |
| 4:20 pm | 5:00 pm | Outside play |
| 5:00 pm | 5:30 pm | Classroom play |
| Gym Activity | ||
| 5:30 | 6:00 | Wash up & table or floor activity |
| NOTE: Every child will have an opportunity to go potty, as he/she needs on an individual basis. | ||
Infant Nap Time
The need for napping and length of time is based on input from the parent and caregiver. Nap time is a relaxing, pleasant, quiet time for your child. Music, rocking, dimming lights and stories, are some methods used to comfort the child during nap time. A blanket and cuddly toy can be used to provide warmth and security for your child to help them sleep.
Because the children are young, nap time varies and many of the children will be allowed to nap at will. Once your child reaches the age of one year and above they will nap from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Preschool Nap Time
The Center will provide a sleeper mat for each child. Parents provide a small blanket and crib sheet with child's name on it for naptime. Items are sent home at the end of each week for laundering.
Parent Involvement
It is important that a good relationship is established with the parent, child and caregiver. This begins with the first conversation concerning enrollment. In this meeting, the program, family values, expectations and other concerns are discussed. During the interview, parents are given the opportunity to set goals for their child and provide the caregiver with critical information regarding their child's development. Parents, can also help the caregiver understand their child's cultural and ethnic background. By communicating to the staff any special needs or circumstances the child experiences at home, we will be better equipped to assist the child with their transition and better adapt to the Center. Parents are encouraged to visit the Center at any time without prior notice (see Parent's Bill of Rights).
Volunteering
The Center is a non-profit organization that relies on parents to periodically volunteer with special events, such as fundraising. We plan three fundraising events per year.
PARENT'S BILL OF RIGHTS
Parents/Guardians, upon representation of identification, have the right to enter and inspect the child care facility their child attends without advance notice to the provider. This right can only be exercised during the facility's regular operating hours, or at any time the child is receiving care in the facility.
Parents/Guardians have the right to file a complaint against the facility with the licensing agency.
Parents/Guardians have the right to review, at the facility site, licensing reports of facility visits and substantiated complaints against the facility. The facility is not required to maintain this information beyond three years. Only information available in the public file of the local licensing agency is to be made available to parents/guardians at the facility. Public information regarding inconclusive complaints is only available at the local licensing agency.
The law prohibits discrimination or retaliation against any child or parent/guardian should the parents/guardians choose to exercise their right to inspect the facility or to file a complaint against the facility.
The law requires that parents/guardians be informed of their rights (see numbers 1, 2, and 3 above).
The law requires that this notice be posted in the facility in a location accessible to parents/guardians.
The law authorizes the person in charge of the child care facility to deny access to a parent/guardian if:
- The parent/guardian is behaving in a manner that poses a risk to the children in the facility, OR,
- the adult is a non-custodial parent, and the custodial parent has requested, in writing, not to permit access to the non-custodial parent.