As a parent of a child enrolled in our preschool and as a student enrolled in the Parent Education Class you have certain requirements to fulfill. It is necessary that you:

• Pay a yearly registration fee of $50 ($40 for Chickadees).
• Pay a quarterly fee of $32 for your Olympic College registration.
• Pay your monthly tuition to Kingston Coop Preschool ($60 for Chickadees, $100 for Owls/Woodpeckers, and $190 for Eagles). Tuition is due by the 1st of each month and must be paid in the form of check or money order. Tuition received after the fifth of the month will be charged a $25 late fee which will go toward a KCP scholarship fund.
• Pay a one time supply fee of $25 for Owls/Woodpeckers and $50 for Eagles.
• Attend one Parent Education Class per month.
• Work in the preschool classroom at least two, sometimes three times a month. (Chickadees excluded).
• Fulfill Volunteer Hour commitment
• Participate in our largest fundraising event, the Annual Auction, and provide three donated or solicited items for the event or $150 in lieu of items.
• Participate in a cleaning crew once during the year that will take place one hour before a regularly scheduled Parent Education Class.
• Keep your child at home if he/she has any signs of a communicable illness, including colds.
• Arrange for your own substitute in case of unavoidable absence on scheduled workdays and make the necessary changes on the work schedule posted in the preschool.
• Give two weeks written notice to the AR Treasurer before withdrawing your child from our program. No refund of fees or tuition will be made except for unused tuition if all fees and parental obligations have been fulfilled up to date of withdrawal.

Throughout your involvement in our program, we hope you strive to:

• Develop realistic age level expectations from knowledge of typical childhood behavior and growth.
• Clarify child rearing values and attitudes and explore methods of positive child guidance.
• Learn about the physical needs of family members including nutrition, safety, first aid, childhood illnesses, exercise, and stress management.
• Experience and understand the role of parent involvement in maintaining quality learning environments for children.
• Develop skills and practice in teaching young children in the following areas: art, science, concept development, language, music, motor skills and cooperative play.
• Share support, consultation and resource information concerning childrearing and family life.
• Develop skills in group organization and leadership.
• Develop and/or increase confidence in managing the demanding role of parents in a changing society.
• Strengthen family communication and positive family growth.

• Cultivate a calm attitude when talking to or working with children. A quiet manner helps prevent excitement and over-stimulation.
• Rules are simple and basic. A child is free to explore as long as he/she: does not hurt himself/herself; does not hurt others; does not hurt equipment or the environment.
• When giving directions, be sure that the child understands. As you talk with children, get to their level both in your choice of words and by bending down.
• Children are not forced to participate.  Some children need an opportunity to observe before they are willing to try a new activity or participate in a group experience.
• Suggest the next specific act when a child dawdles. Ask, “Where is your paper towel?” when a child continues washing hands too long.
• Give the child a choice of action when feasible. Ask, “Where would you like to put your train, here or there?” This gives the child a personal interest in the situation and develops his initiative and independence.
• Offer the child a choice only when you can accept his negative reply. Don’t say “Do you want to wash your hands for snack?” when it is time to do so.
• Let the child learn by experience. Encourage her to help herself and offer assistance only when it is necessary to avoid a feeling of failure or discouragement. Perhaps you could do it faster and better for her, but through doing it herself, the child is learning.
• Encourage the child whenever possible, especially after a disappointment or infraction of the rule. “We’ll try again tomorrow” gives hope. “That was hard work, but you certainly kept trying” recognizes effort, regardless of the product.
• Children may need help in learning how to use items like paint, paste and water. When possible however, let them experience it in their own way. Avoid making models or samples for the children to copy. Judgments of the final product aren’t necessary.
• Use “do’s” instead of “don’ts”. Say, “Eat over your plate Molly” instead of “Quit spilling your food all over the floor.”
• Give the children fair warning before interrupting their activities.
• When children are in social conflict, let them work it through, if they can. Remember that sharing is a foreign concept for small children.
• Most importantly, relax and enjoy yourself.

A cooperation of efforts among the teacher and the working parents is what keeps our school running smoothly. While working in the classroom you will participate in each of these positions on a rotating basis:

• Snack Parent – prepare snack upon arrival (chop, pour into bowls, assemble etc.) and unload the dishwasher; clean tabletops with yellow sponges and bleach/water solution in spray bottle; set out placemats and bowls; pour water into small pitchers placing a pitcher on each table; assist child helpers with placing napkins and paper cups; distribute snacks on serving plates or bowls with serving spoons or tongs; load dishwasher with dishes and utensils (excluding water pitchers). PM classes should start the dishwasher; sponge tables with bleach/water solution; wipe chairs with soapy water; sweep floors, hallway and bathroom (mop when necessary); empty trash in classroom, bathroom and music room.
• Paint Parent – put out paint and brushes; suggest to each child that they wear a paint smock; label projects with child’s name and date; hang paintings and/or elevate completed projects to cabinet tops to dry; assist with and participate in group time and teacher directed activities; assist and supervise during outdoor activities; wipe up paint and/or glue spills; remove old and place new newspapers on easel; wash paint brushes and paint cup lids; wash paint containers when necessary; put away paints and various art supplies into art supply basket; clean paint smocks; clean bathroom; replace soap and paper towels as necessary.
• Classroom Helper Parent – check classroom to see that toys and materials are neat and orderly; assist children during general play and/or supervise an activity as directed by teacher; assist and participate with group time and teacher directed activities; assist and supervise during outdoor activities; take out the riding toys during snack; check outdoor area for safety before children go outside; put all toys and materials away; vacuum classroom, hall, music room and bathroom as needed.