Topics on this page:

crayon squiggle

Home Visit

Each year before the start of preschool, the Director/Lead Teacher and Assistant Teacher make a home visit to each child's home. This helps with the transition to preschool. The children get a chance to meet their teachers, and families have an opportunity to ask questions and return the necessary paperwork. Photographs of the child, his/her house and family will be taken for use on the family bulletin board, which is another way of easing the transition to preschool.

[ Top ]

What to Bring

  • Each child will need a backpack labeled with your child's name to carry home art projects, newsletters and memos. These items will be placed inside the plastic tub in the top of the cubby for you to take out at home.
  • Each child will need a small unbreakable cup without a lid for snack time.
  • A favorite thing from home to share on "Show & Tell" days (beginning in October, the last day of the week for your session).
  • If you have questions about medications during preschool hours, visit our Health page or talk to the preschool Director.
  • In the winter, please send coat, boots, snowpants, hats, and mittens that are labeled with your child's name.

What to Leave at Home

  • Gum is not allowed at preschool.
  • Except for the toys that are used for "Show & Tell" (on the last day of the week beginning in October), we ask that you leave your child's toys in the car or at home. These special things may get lost during the preschool day.
  • Guns, weapons, war toys or superhero toys are not allowed at school. Preschool is a safe place for children and these toys do not agree with that belief.

[ Top ]

How to Dress

  • Parents are encouraged to dress their children in simple play clothes which are easily laundered. Preschool provides many activities that can sometimes be messy! We offer vinyl paint smocks during projects, but we cannot guarantee that spills or stains will not happen.
  • Label shoes and jackets with your child's name.
  • Clothing should be free of words, graphics, or pictures that are immoral, profane, or disruptive in nature.
  • In the winter, please send coat, boots, snowpants, hats, and mittens that are labeled with your child's name.

[ Top ]

Dropping Off & Picking Up Your Child

Please enter the alley from the South (7th Ave.) and go North (8th Ave.) to cut down on traffic congestion. Please do not park on the grass, block in any cars parked in the parking spaces, or block the driveways in the alley.

Your child must be accompanied by an adult when entering and leaving the building. Please enter using the South door and exit using the North door, to ensure safety and eliminate congestion near the cubbies. All doors except the South door at the top of the ramp will be kept locked during preschool sessions. Please do not allow your child to go into the alley alone, as cars travel very fast through the alley. According to Iowa law, when leaving preschool in a vehicle, your child must be buckled in an approved car seat.

Please sign your child in and out daily on the form as you arrive and leave. A child will only be released to the parent, guardian, or persons listed on the authorized release form. Additional names may be added to the list at any time during the school year; notify the Director in writing of any changes. If there is an occasional change in personnel to pick up or drop off your child, please notify the preschool Director in writing, giving the name and date the person will be picking up or dropping off your child. This person may need to present identification if the preschool staff does not know them. A certified copy of any court orders regarding visitation or pick up of your child must be on file in case of a custody situation.

[ Top ]

Separation Support

Sometimes children need support in separating from their parents. Suggestions to ease the separation are listed below.

  • Establish trust -
    You could tell your child, "school is a fun place to play and the teachers will take good care of you until I come back."
  • Acknowledge their feelings -
    You could tell your child, "I know you are upset because I am leaving, but in a little while you will want to play with the toys and the teacher will stay with you and help you find something to play with."
  • Mean what you say -
    Tell your child you will need to leave in three-five minutes and you can play with them with a toy until then. When the time is up tell your child it is time for you to leave and you will be back when it is time to go home. Give your child a hug and kiss and leave, you can wave to each other at any of the windows. We will help get the child involved in an activity. If the child does not stop crying, we will contact the family. 
  • Please see the Preschool Director for more information if needed.

crayon squiggle

For additional information contact:

Karen Veerhusen-Langerud at veerhuse@grinnell.edu
or (641) 269-3320; 1207 Park Street, Grinnell, IA 50112.

[ Top ]