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Snacks
The food children eat affects their growth and development, their ability to learn and their overall behavior. children develop attitudes about food early on in life. We have the opportunity to help children learn about foods, to enjoy a variety of foods, practice manners, serve themselves in a family style snack time, and see how food helps them to be strong and healthy.
A simple mid-session snack is served each day. Families provide the snacks, and a snack sign-up sheet is posted at preschool for those wishing to participate. Each child needs an unbreakable cup without a lid for use at snack time. Birthdays are celebrated, and children may bring their favorite snack at that time. If the child's birthday falls outside the school calendar, an unbirthday or half-birthday will be celebrated. Invititations to birthday parties that do not include the entire class may not be distributed at preschool.
We often have children with food alergies and request that those needs be taken into account when supplying the snacks. We will notify parents of food allergies. For more on food allergies, see the printed handbook or talk to the Preschool Director. High-risk foods that cause choking will not be served, including hot dogs, whole grapes, nuts, popcorn, raw peas, or meat larger than can be swallowed whole. Food is not a reward or punishment.
The Department of Human Services State of Iowa Guidelines state that nutritious snacks, that are purchased at a store, not homemade, must be provided. Click here to see requirements.
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Family Involvement
We encourage families to be involved in their child's education by visiting and observing when possible. Parents and legal guardians are always welcome to visit any time during class sessions. Due to the liability policy, siblings are not allowed to attend. There is an observation room for parents to use at any time. (In the event that Grinnell College students or faculties are performing an observational lab, we ask that they have first priority in the observation room.)
Weekly lesson plans are posted on the sign-in center, as you come in the south door. A note based on daily activities is placed on teh table near the sign-in center, to provide you with the information so you can talk to your child about his/her day at preschool. You can also become involved in one or more of the following ways, and we welcome other ideas as well:
| support your child's daily transition to school by sharing information about your child's interests and activities | return all forms on time | attend parent-teacher conferences | participate in field trips |
| keep the teaching staff informed of changes and events that might affect your child | help with special events | check your child's backpack and read all notes | help with art projects |
| take time to read inforamtion posted for parents | come in for birthdays | share ideas for the newsletter | take photos for us |
| share your talents, hobbies, crafts, music, cooking, your job, or items from trips you have taken | help with hand washing | help with tie dye in the spring | teach us new languages |
| share your families' cultural traditions, celebrations or customs | read books to the class | take dictation for children's stories | help with ideas for our workbench |
There will be a family night held during the school year. Family night is an opportunigy for your family to come to school and participate in fun and educational activities. We will work with the other community partners and Grinnell-Newburg Preschool to coordinate the plans for the family night.
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Family Communication
Grinnell College Preschool will promote communication with families by using written notes, conversations, phone calls, emails and a newsletter sent out approximately twice a month. These will be placed in the top part of your child's cubby or sent through e-mail. Important inforamtion about curriculum activities, upcoming events, field trips and important dates will be contained in the newsletter. Please read them carefully. Notes about upcoming activities are also posted outside the entrance door (south door). Parents are encouraged to maintain regular, on-going communication with the teaching staff in a manner that best meets your needs - phone calls, email, in person, or notes.
The Grinnell College Preschool will, to the extent possible, provide full opportunities for meaningful participation of families with children with limited English proficiency, families with children with disabilities, including providing information in an understandable format to the extent possible, in a language families understand.
The teaching staff will provide families with information about available community services and resources, so they may make connections in the community or be supported in making decisions about the services their child may need.
Open and honest communication between families and the preschool is a vital part of a high quality preschool program. If you ever have a question or concern regarding your child or any aspect of the preschool program, please contact the Director. A suggestion box is provided for you to help us assess how the program is meeting the needs of families and children. It also helps us identify strengths and weaknesses.
If your child will not be attending preschool on a school day, please notify the Director or call 269-3320.
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Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent- teacher conferences are held at the end of the first semester and at the end of the school year. Progress reports and progress folios are reviewed to show each child's growth and development during the school year. The preschool staff and families work together as a team to make a plan to continue to encourage each child's development and make the preschool experience beneficial for the child. We are happy to schedule meetings at any time upon family request.
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Parent Resource Area
There are parenting books, children's books and videotapes available for a two-week checkout period. A variety of topics are available. We will assist families to find information on any topic desired.
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Unlimited Acess
In accordance with the Iowa Administrative Code 109.5, parents are "afforded unlimited access to their children and to the provider caring for their children during the center's hours of operation or whenever their children are in the care of the provider, unless parental contact has been prohibited by a court order."
For additional information contact:
Karen Veerhusen-Langerud at veerhuse@grinnell.edu
or (641) 269-3320; 1207 Park Street, Grinnell, IA 50112.
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