How Do I Know If My Child Is Ready For Preschool?
Although we accept children as young as 24 months, every child is different and some children simply aren’t ready for preschool until they are a little older.
Children who have begun showing signs of being independent—who have demonstrated they can handle certain responsibilities, such as eating lunch without help and washing their hands after using the toilet—are good candidates for preschool.
Other things to consider are your child’s readiness to play with other children and her physical stamina. If she still needs two naps a day, you may want to hold off on enrolling her in preschool until she’s down to one. But if she’s okay following a predictable routine and loves to work on projects on her own (like colouring or playing with playdoh), now is a great time to introduce her to preschool.
Whether or not your child has spent time away from you isn’t usually an indicator of her readiness for preschool. It’s true that children who have attended daycare or have been cared for in the past by a babysitter or relative usually think nothing of being dropped off at preschool—but not always. And many children who have never been away from their parents find the transition to preschool more challenging, but some have no problem adjusting at all.
The important thing to remember is that hundreds of children have come through our doors over the years, so we have plenty of experience dealing with separation anxiety. We’ll work with you to ensure your child’s separation issues are handled in a caring and supportive way.
Eventually, she will get used to the routine and come to see preschool as a fun place to spend time with friends.
Can My Son Attend Preschool If He Is Not Toilet Trained?
Yes. We recognize that children of preschool age train differently and some take a little longer to get the hang of it. We’ll encourage your little one to use the toilet and teach them how to practice good bathroom hygiene.
Can I Volunteer in the Classroom?
Not right now. Preschool is your child’s first education experience and we encourage you to be a part of it by volunteering in the classroom as often as you’d like; however, due to restrictions on the number of people permitted in our space at once, we cannot have any parent volunteers at this time.
Once we’re permitted to have classroom volunteers again, you’ll be required to undergo a Police Vulnerable Sector Check before you start volunteering. You can complete this process directly through Niagara Regional Police Services.
You’re eligible to volunteer in the classroom as soon as we see proof that the paperwork has been submitted (in the form of a receipt). Once you receive your completed Vulnerable Sector Check from the police, we need a copy to keep with your child’s file at school.
What If I Already Have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check?
If you’ve already completed a Police Vulnerable Sector Check within the last 6 months, you don’t need to repeat the process; however, we need to have a copy of your police check on file. You’ll also be required to sign an Offence Declaration Form to attest that there have been no occurrences since the Police Vulnerable Sector Check was completed.
Does The Preschool Offer Financial Assistance?
The preschool itself does not have the resources to offer financial assistance, but you can apply for a licensed child care subsidy through the Region of Niagara using this link.
If your application is successful, the subsidized amount will be transferred to us automatically each month. Please note subsidies are provided at the Region’s discretion; we are not involved in the process.
Do I Have to Pay for Sick Days?
Yes. We plan staffing, meals, and activities based on anticipated attendance. When you register your child to attend on certain days, we expect they will be at school. If you know your child will be absent (for example, you’ll be away on vacation), you won’t be charged for missed days as long as you let us know at least two weeks in advance.
In the event the school is closed due to inclement weather, fees paid for that day will be refunded on your final invoice in June.