Early Childhood Academy
2011-2012 Parent Student Handbook
The Early Childhood Academy consists of half-day Pre-K1 and Pre-K2 programs, and full day Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 programs. In the ECA program, the focus is for the students to become familiar with the routines and structure of a school setting, to learn appropriate social skills and to develop their receptive and expressive English language skills. Children will participate in activities which develop fine and gross motor skills, early literacy and numeracy concepts and will gain exposure to the arts in their daily programs and also with specialty teachers during scheduled dance and music classes. They will also take part in a Chinese language class. Students are exposed to activities which appeal to all types of learners and which provide hands-on and tactile experiences. Creative play is an important part of learning at the Early Childhood Academy.
Specialty Rooms at the Academy:
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| Sand and Water room | Science and Discovery | Dance/Music room | Library | Lunch room |
Special Events and Activities:
| ECC activities | TIS whole school activities |
| Monthly assemblies | United Nations, |
| Monthly theme days | Walk-a-thon |
| Halloween | Chinese Culture Day |
| Sports Day | Book Fairs |
| Pizza Days | Winter Show |
| Picnic Days | Summer Show |
| Water Day | Free Dress Days |
Policies and Procedures
Class distribution
To enroll in the Pre-K1 program, students must be 1 year of age by September 1st, or be an active independent crawler.
To enroll in the Pre-K2 program, students must be 2 years of age by September 1st.
To enroll in the Pre-K3 program, students must be 3 years of age by September 1st.
To enroll in the Pre-K4 program, students must be 4 years of age by September 1st.
Arrival: 8am
Classrooms will be open at 8am. If you arrive earlier than 8am, please wait in the entrance hallway. Parents are welcome to stay and participate in the class if their child has difficulty adjusting initially. Then, gradually, in order to build independence and confidence in your child, we ask that parents keep their time at the school during morning drop-off to a minimum. Maintaining consistent routines and boundaries, which include helping your child unpack and saying good-bye at the door, will help your child adjust more quickly and successfully to his/her school environment.
Departure:
Pre-K1: 11:45 to 12 pm
Pre-K2: 12 pm
Pre-K3: 2:45 pm
Pre-K4: 2:55 pm
Classes will be taken to the first floor entrance of the ECC Building. A teaching assistant will supervise children until 3:15pm. If you arrive after 3:15pm please go to the teacher’s office to pick up your child.
All parents are asked to wait in the entrance hallway to pick up their child. Please do not go to the classrooms. If there is any change in plans and you or the usual guardian is unable to pick up your child, please inform the classroom teacher earlier in the day. If your child is going home with a peer, the teacher needs either a written note from the parents or the office should be contacted PRIOR to pick-up to convey this information to the teacher.
The person picking up your child needs to bring with them your child’s identification card; otherwise your child will not be permitted to leave with them.
Illness:
If your child is sick with a fever (temperature >37.8 C), a common cold (i.e. sneezing, coughing, runny nose ), has a suspicious rash/spots, is vomiting, has diarrhea, or is not feeling well in general, i.e. cranky, crying or not his/her usual self, he/she should stay home.
Children displaying any of the above mentioned symptoms will be sent to the nurse’s office and their parents will be contacted in order to pick them up. A student who has had an ongoing fever must be “fever free” and have a normal temperature of 37 degrees or lower for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
If your child is taking antibiotics for an infection, they may ONLY RETURN TO SCHOOL 24 HOURS AFTER TAKING THE INITIAL DOSE. Please be aware that the school does not administer medication to children and that medication is not allowed in the classrooms or cubbies. Finally, please inform the appropriate classroom teacher if your child is home with a contagious illness or is not coming to school.
In addition, if there has been any change in your child’s life that may impact the child’s day at school (i.e. visitors in the family, upcoming travel or parent travelling/not at home, death in the family, special cultural holidays) please let the teacher know in order to be aware of the situation and supportive of your child’s conversation and behavior.
Clothing:
In the Early Childhood Academy, the needs of the students are different from those of the Primary students. To accommodate these needs, we have a “uniform optional” policy. You may send your child to school in uniform, since this is a very convenient option, or you may send them in other clothes of your choosing. Please keep in mind that the clothing they wear from home must be weather appropriate and comfortable. Your child will participate in activities that could be messy, and we want them to feel free to do so without having to worry about ruining their outfits. Please do not send your child in costume; we would like you to reserve these ‘fun’ clothes for our Spirit Days. Uniforms are still required for school when your child moves up to Kindergarten. They are also required to have two changes of clothing kept at the school. Please ensure that your child wears shoes that s/he can easily take off and put on independently (i.e. no laces) and provide protection for outdoor play (no open toe sandals). Children will also need to have a pair of indoor shoes (not slippers).
Meals:
Meals are not provided by the school. Please prepare a balanced snack and lunch and send it to school in two labeled square containers. Lunch can be warmed up at school. Cutlery and plates are available for use at the school.
Water bottles should be taken home daily to be washed. They can be filled up with water at school if you wish. Filling up the same bottle day after day without washing it with soap and warm water can cause harmful bacteria to grow in your child’s water bottle.
Outdoor Play:
Please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately each day for an outdoor play period. As well, we ask that you provide sunscreen (which can be left at school) for your child’s protection from the sun.
Toilet Training:
Children entering the Pre-K3 classroom are expected to be toilet trained. There are no diaper changing facilities in Pre-K3. We strongly encourage parents to toilet train their child in Pre-K2.
Communication:
The ECC staff will keep in close contact with parents and encourages brief updates and/or inquiries when you bring your child to school each day. If you would like to discuss a particular concern at greater length, please make an appointment to discuss with your child’s teacher. Following this meeting, if the need is required, you are asked to see the Head of Department of the Early Childhood Center. Finally, if the need still exists, a meeting can be arranged to discuss your concerns with the primary principal.
Homework:
It is important to spend some time reading to your child each day. Having children listen to stories is very important for their understanding of language structures, their vocabulary development and in building their knowledge. Reading to your child in English and in your mother tongue is both beneficial and encouraged. For ESL students, please request ‘receptive and expressive vocabulary lists’ from your child’s teacher. This resource will promote consistency between the language that is being used at school and at home in order to assist with your child’s adjustment to the academy.
Student Requirements:
Pre-K1 and Pre-K2
· Diapers
· Baby wipes
· Comfort toy
· Pacifier (if child uses)
· 4 boxes of tissue
· 1 pair indoor shoes
· 5 hand towels (same design)
· 2 changes of weather appropriate clothing (pants, shirt, socks, and underwear if needed)
· Family pictures with child
· Please keep fingernails well trimmed
Pre-K3 and Pre-K4
· 1 small pillow and 1 small blanket (for naptime)
· 4 boxes of tissue
· 1 pair of indoor shoes (with Velcro fasteners)
· 5 small towels (same design)
· 2 changes of weather appropriate clothing (pants, shirt, socks and underwear)
· Family pictures with the child
Please take the time to LABEL all of the items your child brings to school, such as uniforms, water bottle, lunch and snack containers, etc.
Contact Us
For more information, please contact admissions at Teda International School
Phone: 86-22-6622-6157 or 86-22-6622-6158 Extension 6988
