P-CCS Early Childhood Program

Family Handbook

Allen Early Learning Academy

11100 N Haggerty Road
Plymouth, MI 48170
734.416.6190 (office)
734.927.6290 (billing)

http://www.pccsk12.com
Locations:
❖ Allen Early Learning Academy, 11100 Haggerty Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170
❖ Bentley Elementary School, 1100 Sheldon Rd., Canton, MI 48188
❖ Canton HS (Kiddie Kampus), 8415 N. Canton Center Rd., Canton, MI 48187
❖ Dodson Elementary School, 205 S. Beck Rd., Canton, MI 48187
❖ Eriksson Elementary School, 1275 N. Haggerty Rd., Canton, MI 48187
❖ Field Elementary School, 1000 Haggerty Rd., Canton, MI 48188
❖ Gallimore Elementary School, 8375 Sheldon Rd., Canton, MI 48187
❖ Hoben Elementary School, 44680 Saltz Rd., Canton, MI 48187
❖ Hulsing Elementary School, 8055 Fleet St., Canton, MI 48187
❖ Isbister Elementary School, 9300 N. Canton Center Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170

Class Options:
❖ 2 Year Old - Stay and Play classes (parent/familiar adult accompanies student)
❖ 3 Year Old - Half Day or Full Day w/Care classes
❖ 4 Year Old - Half Day, School Day (tuition-based or state-funded Great Start
Readiness Program/GSRP), or Full Day w/Care classes

Four year old classes maintain an adult:child ratio of 1:9; three year old and
combination three/four year old classes maintain an adult:child ratio of 1:8.

Two year old students attend class with an adult and are not required to be toilet
trained. Students who are 3 or 4 must be fully independent in a school restroom
situation which includes getting on and off the toilet independently, attending to
toilet needs, such as wiping and redressing themselves. Pull-ups and diapers are not
allowed as an alternative to restroom independence. Staff are not permitted to
physically assist students in the restroom, but can provide coaching and
encouragement. The exception to this may be students who are eligible for and
receiving Specialized Services and have documented the need for toileting assistance
in the Individual Education Plans (IEPs).

Enrollment Process Information

Initial registration takes place online (www.pccsk12.com search early childhood) with
additional documentation submitted to the Allen Early Learning Academy main office.
Documentation can be uploaded to the student MiStar account, emailed to our office
or submitted in person. Our office is happy to assist with making copies as needed.

Updated 8/22
Children must be two, three or four years old on or before September 1 of the
program year to be age eligible. Waivers are accepted for students who turn the
appropriate age for their class between September 2 and December 1.

The registration paperwork and a non-refundable registration fee (tuition classes) of

$100 (payable online) must be submitted to the office prior to the student starting
class.

Forms/Information Required for Enrollment (must be completed to start school):

❖ Create Preschool MiStar account (formerly called pre-enrollment)
❖ Eleyo Registration
❖ Updated Immunization Record
❖ Health Appraisal/Physician Form
❖ Certified Birth Certificate
❖ Parent/Guardian Driver’s License
❖ Proof of Residency (tax or utility bill with address listed) Please note -
residency in the Plymouth-Canton Community School District boundaries is not
required for enrollment in an Early Childhood class.

P-CCS Early Childhood Program Support Staff (offices at Allen Early Learning Academy)
Jennifer Benson, Office Paraprofessional pccspreschool@pccsk12.com 734.416.6190

Lisa Rasmussen, Program Secretary pccspreschool@pccsk12.com 734.416.6190

Tiffany Brindza, Billing Coordinator pccspreschool@pccsk12.com 734.927.6290

Dana Jones, Program Director dana.jones@pccsk12.com 734.416.6196

Updated 8/22
What We Believe…
❖ Each child is unique in terms of development, personality, learning style and
cultural background.
❖ The family is the primary influence in the development of the child and critical
as participants in the educational process.
❖ Student learning needs include those which are academic, emotional, social,
nutritional and physical in nature.
❖ Young children learn best through active, hands-on experiences at school, home
and within their community.

Program Mission Statement

The P-CCS Early Childhood Program promotes a positive preschool experience for
children and their families in a safe and secure environment while enhancing
self-esteem, personal growth, social responsibility and increasing parental
involvement opportunities in their child’s education. We promote lifelong learning
and value education for the students and their families.

District Mission
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools will develop capable, involved citizens who
recognize that they are citizens of the world, use critical thinking skills and are
lifelong learners.

District Vision
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools will deliver an innovative educational
experience which propels each student to excellence.

Non-Discrimination Statement
It is the policy of the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools that no person shall on the
basis of sex, race, color, national origin, or handicap be excluded from participation
in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any of its programs
or activities.

Diversity Statement
The P-CCS Early Childhood Program values diversity within the student population,
staff and community. Diversity includes race, ethnicity, disabilities, sexual
orientation, gender, religion, culture, function, hierarchy, physical ability, physical
appearance, language, lifestyles and geographical origin. It is mandatory that all
P-CCS Early Childhood Program staff demonstrate cultural responsiveness in their daily
work and interactions with students, families and colleagues.

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Dear P-CCS Early Childhood Program Family,

Welcome to the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Early Childhood Program. We

are excited to partner with you as we strive each day to provide all of the
components of an outstanding early learner experience for your child and family.

We believe that you will find our program to be of a high quality and a wonderful
beginning to your child’s PreK-12 journey. Our caring, highly trained and experienced
staff combined with a research-based curriculum and classroom practices will provide
your child with the opportunity to grow and develop at his/her own pace in a safe and
nurturing environment.

In addition to maintaining high standards of quality through our teacher certification

requirements, all P-CCS sites participate in program evaluation through Great Start to
Quality. We are committed to utilizing this process to continue to improve
programming for students and families as we strive for excellence.

These early years are some of the most important in terms of your child’s growth and
development. We look forward to working together to support your child and family
during this significant time in your child’s life.

Sincerely,

Dana Jones, Director

Updated 8/22
Staffing Requirements and Professional Learning
All staff have met clearance requirements of Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
which include fingerprint screening. Staff working in the Early Childhood Program
have met additional screening requirements required by the Michigan Department of
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) which include additional fingerprint screening,
safety training and current CPR and First Aid certification.

All lead teachers are required to hold a State of Michigan teaching certificate with
certification and/or degrees and experience in Early Childhood/Child Development,
endorsements in Early Childhood or a Child Development Associate degree.

All lead and assistant teaching staff in licensed programs are required by the State of
Michigan to complete a minimum of 16 hours of professional development training
each year. In accordance with the Great State to Quality rating system, through
which all of our 3 and 4 year old classrooms are star-rated, P-CCS Early Childhood
Program staff members are required to go beyond the state-required 16 hours and
complete 24-30 hours of professional development each year. Topics include: child
development, cultural and anti-bias awareness, curriculum, assessment,
social/emotional learning, communication, health and safety, nutrition, and licensing
regulations.

What will my child learn at preschool?

The curriculum and methodologies used result in daily experiences designed to
provide opportunities for children to develop and learn:
❖ A positive self-concept and self-confidence
❖ To interact effectively with children and adults
❖ Expansive use and understanding of expressive and receptive language
❖ Independence in caring for themselves, self-advocacy
❖ To explore and adapt to their expanding environment
❖ To explore a variety of art and play materials
❖ To have an interest in listening to/reading a variety of types of texts and songs
❖ To recognize basic colors and shapes
❖ The use of school tools such as pencils, crayons and scissors
❖ Concepts of numeracy such as counting and number identification, grouping
❖ Pre-literacy skills including rhythm, rhyme, letter and sound identification
❖ To ask questions and seek information from a variety of sources

The P-CCS Early Childhood Program uses the Michigan Department of Education Early
Childhood Standards of Quality, supported by the Teaching Strategies© Creative

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Curriculum, a research-based curriculum, designed to encourage learning through
exploration and play. Teaching Strategies© GOLD is the assessment tool used to
monitor student progress and program effectiveness throughout the school year.

Cultural Competence Plan

The purpose of this cultural competence plan is to share why cultural competence is
important to all children, families and staff, the tools and resources that may be used
within the program, how the plan is designed to meet the needs of children, families
and staff and how the information will be shared.

It is important that the policies, procedures and practices of the Early Childhood
program reflect a respect and valuing of the cultures of our children, families and
staff and allow for the demonstration of cultural competence.

Each year the staff development plan will include new and updated learning around
cultural competence. Staff will be asked to consider and reflect on various topics and
look for opportunities to infuse understanding around cultural competence into their
daily interactions with students and families.

Classroom staff will regularly audit materials used within the classroom to ensure that
a diverse array of cultures are depicted or provided through which the students can
learn and explore as well as see their own culture reflected. It is important that all
stakeholders are valued and affirmed for who they are and the uniqueness that they
bring to our program.

Information about cultural competence expectations will be provided within the

program handbook and is also available in the policies and guidelines adopted by the
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools via the district website.

Daily Routine
Each day children are involved in a variety of activities as a part of the class
structure. While the daily routine and structure are predictable, a variety of
materials and activities are utilized. Activities are both student-directed and
teacher-directed. Classroom instruction is hands-on and inquiry-based, allowing
children to question, explore and experiment.

Updated 8/22
Daily components include:
❖ Large Group
❖ Small Group
❖ Literacy (read aloud, self-selected reading, writing, etc)
❖ Snack(s)
❖ Choice/Center Time
❖ Outdoor/Gym Play
❖ Large Muscle Movement
❖ Lunch & Rest Time (for School and Full Day programs)

Classes typically experience outdoor play each day, weather permitting. The district
policy allows for outdoor play when the temperature with the windchill is 15 degrees
Fahrenheit or higher. When the temperature with the windchill is between 10 and 15
degrees Fahrenheit a modified or shorter outdoor play period may occur. Students
remain indoors if the temperature with the windchill is lower than 10 degrees
Fahrenheit.

Clothing, Bedding Needs & Backpacks

Students should come to school dressed in clothing that will allow them to move
freely, enjoy potentially messy art and outdoor play activities and allow them to be
independent when using the restroom and preparing to go outdoors. Per
licensing/district regulations and ratios, staff are not permitted to assist in toileting,
and pull-ups are not permitted to be worn to school.

All students should have a complete set of clothing that remains at school or in the
student’s backpack to be used in case of a spill or bathroom accident. In the case of
a bathroom accident involving urine, students will be prompted to change their
clothes and the soiled clothes will be sent home. In the case of a bathroom accident
that requires more clean up, a parent/guardian or emergency contact person will be
contacted for assistance.

Students should bring a tote bag or backpack to school. It should be of a size and
design that students are able to utilize with ease in order to bring projects and
artwork home. Teachers may have suggestions based on storage space restrictions in
the classroom. Some families prefer to have a separate bag of outdoor clothing for
the winter months which includes snow pants, boots, hats, gloves and scarf. The
outdoor clothing bag may come back and forth between school and home or remain at
school, whichever you prefer. Please label these items with your child’s name.

Updated 8/22
Students who are enrolled in a School Day, Full Day or GSRP preschool class are
required (per state licensing) to have a rest period each day as a part of the daily
schedule. Families are asked to provide preferred bedding for their child’s use during
the day. Crib sheets, small blankets and pillows and/or a small stuffed animal (not
the bedtime favorite!) can be sent to school in a tote bag. Bedding will be sent home
at the end of each week for laundering purposes.

Students are most successful during this portion of the day when they are used to
having a rest or quiet time built into their regular schedule. We encourage families to
work towards building their child’s stamina for having a quiet time midday by
adopting this practice at home if it is not already a part of their routine. We are able
to supply books and other quiet materials for this portion of the day, but they will
need to remain quietly on their cot during this time period.

Toys
The classrooms are well-stocked with a variety of school materials and equipment. It
is preferred that students leave their personal toys and belongings at home. Teachers
who opt to have sharing days, when students may bring items from home, will provide
this information in their regular home/school communications.

Field Trips
Throughout the school year, your child’s teacher may plan one or more field trips for
the class. Families will receive written notification of the details of any field trips in
advance. A parent/guardian is expected to drive the student to and accompany the
preschooler on the trip. These special excursions are designed to enhance classroom
learning and to provide a special time for the preschooler and parent/guardian.
Please make other arrangements for siblings. The cost for attendees will be
communicated by your child’s teacher and is the responsibility of the family.

Arrival/Dismissal/Parking
Start times and traffic patterns at all of our locations have been designed to ensure
the safety of every child at arrival and dismissal times. It is important that all
parking, driving and walking patterns designated at the building level be strictly
followed. Please be extra alert and patient in our parking lots. The safety of all is
important to us. Please keep your child close to you and hold their hand when in the
parking lot.

Classroom doors will open promptly at the designated start time. Prior to that time,
teachers and assistants are busy preparing for the day’s activities and are not

Updated 8/22
available to monitor students. Students must be signed in and out of their classroom
each day by a responsible adult who is listed in Eleyo and MiSTAR as an authorized
drop-off/pick-up.

It is important that parents/guardians be prompt when picking children up after

school. Children can become anxious or frightened when not picked up at the
appointed time. Late pick ups result in late fees added to the billing account.
Children will not be released to anyone other than a parent/guardian or adult
designated on the emergency card. Picture identification will be required if the staff
member does not recognize the adult picking the student up from school. Please
know that we sometimes have substitutes in our classroom who may request to see
identification even if you regularly pick up.

Classroom Volunteers
Family members are encouraged to volunteer in the P-CCS Early Childhood Program
classrooms. Please note how your child’s teacher structures volunteer opportunities
and then communicate any wishes to volunteer to the teacher. Siblings are not able
to accompany family members when they volunteer. Family member volunteers are
not required to complete I-CHAT forms as they are not in classroom situations alone
with children.

At the Canton High School - Kiddie Kampus site, because of the large number of high
school students who work in each of the classrooms, family member volunteers are
limited to special occasions as communicated by the classroom teachers.

**2022/23 - The ability to utilize volunteers and/or high school students in classrooms
will be monitored and determined throughout the year according to current pandemic
conditions in our area.

Kiddie Kampus at Canton High School

This unique and long-standing program is designed to serve two purposes:

1. To offer preschool experiences for young children

2. To train high school students in an Early Childhood setting

The high school program is a multi-year program that is designed to allow young
adults to gain skills in adult-child interactions and understand basic child
development. This learning is achieved through in-class workshops, the planning of
preschool activities, assisting in the preschool classroom and observing how young

Updated 8/22
children learn and develop. The high school students are closely supervised and
well-prepared for their time in the preschool classroom. During the times of the day
when the high school students are present, children receive additional attention and
support within the classroom.

Home/School Communication
Communication between the home and school is on-going. All families will have
access to the use of the Seesaw app which teachers will use for on-going
communication. In-person classrooms will each maintain a communication bulletin
board with up to date information available for families, as required by LARA licensing
guidelines.

To the extent possible, staff will utilize Google Drive for communication to support
ease in translation of written communications.

For P-CCS Early Childhood Program information and updates, you may wish to set up
district web alerts in order to be notified whenever the website is updated. This is
typically for registration and school closing information. Additional program
information will be sent home via email from the school office.

Classroom teachers will monitor student progress using observation, small assessments
embedded throughout the school day and a variety of other methods to gather
progress data. These data will be recorded in the Teaching Strategies© GOLD
Assessment System and results will be shared with families during Student Progress
Conferences scheduled in November and March. Families may contact their child’s
teacher for additional information at any time.

Please know that our staff of teachers is committed to providing timely responses to
family inquiries and messages. In order to maintain a healthy balance of home and
work life and due to the focused nature of the teachers’ work with their students
during class time, we will endeavor to return calls and emails within 24 business
hours.

Participation in Site Schoolwide Events

The P-CCS Early Childhood Program has classes in a variety of school settings;
elementary schools, the early learning academy and a high school. Each of these
settings may host a variety of schoolwide or evening activities. Please rely on
communications from the classroom teacher regarding which events may be
appropriate for Early Childhood Program students to attend, unless, of course,

Updated 8/22
attending with an older sibling who is a student at the school as well. This includes
but is not limited to back to school open house events and Parent/Teacher
organization-sponsored events. The Early Childhood Program typically schedules
Family Visit events at the start of the school year, separate from other building open
house events.

Student Behavioral/Social/Emotional Support

The Early Childhood Program staff strives to encourage children to respect
themselves, other people and property. Interacting positively, sharing, taking turns
may be new experiences for preschoolers that must be taught and practiced over time
before students may become adept at using such skills. Reinforcing appropriate
behavior and choices while redirecting less appropriate behavior and choices provides
feedback for students as they develop new skills. Children are encouraged to problem
solve and express their feelings and needs in response to conflicts which may arise.

Please communicate with your child’s teacher if there are any significant issues or
changes that may impact your child’s emotional state and therefore, his/her behavior
at school. This will allow us to support your child in the most beneficial and
appropriate manner throughout the school day.

Support for Students with Special Needs

The purpose of the special needs plan is to help children, families and staff
understand why such a plan is important, what tools and resources may be used
within a classroom or program, and how this plan will meet the needs of children,
families and staff. The information about the plan is shared via our program
handbook and through staff and family communication and planning.

Approximately 80% of all student academic and social-emotional needs are able to be
met through the typical curriculum and teaching methods and strategies used within
the classroom. Some students may require additional support. Talking with your
child’s teacher is the first step if you have a concern and may lead to a review of
classroom data, anecdotal records or other observations.

If a parent or teacher finds that a student may require additional support in order to
reach their potential, a Specialized Services evaluation may be requested. Students
may qualify for Specialized Education services for speech and language, motor or
cognitive development support. Families may contact the Infant and Preschool
Program office (IPSEP) at 734-582-6820 for more information or to schedule an
evaluation.

Updated 8/22
The P-CCS Early Childhood and IPSEP programs work in tandem to support the needs
of preschool children in a manner that will be most beneficial and within the scope of
the Early Childhood Program. Depending on the support needed, students may
receive services within their Early Childhood classroom, outside of the classroom in a
therapy setting or in a self-contained Special Education classroom. The goal is always
to provide the right amount of support in the least-restrictive environment for the
student.

English Language Translation Services

P-CCS subscribes to Language Line services, a telephone-based translation service
that can be used for registration, student progress or other scheduled meetings. Staff
may suggest this service or families can request it if it is felt that translation would
support a successful dialogue between staff and family.

Nutrition
Early Childhood Nutrition Plan - The purpose of this plan is to provide information to
staff and families regarding the importance of good nutrition, the guidelines that are
used to establish meals for the Early Childhood Program, how we intend to meet the
nutritional needs of our students and how we will communicate this information to
staff and families.

It is important that all stakeholders in the Early Childhood Program understand how
good nutrition is connected to human development and learning. Access to healthy
and balanced meals is an important component of equity within the Early Childhood
Program, allowing all students to enjoy a variety of foods that contain the nutrients
they need to grow, develop and thrive. Staff receive training about the importance of
introducing a variety of foods to children and strategies for providing many and varied
opportunities for students to gain familiarity with many types of healthy foods.

Plymouth-Canton Community Schools maintains a Food and Nutrition Services

department. Qualified staff including a district certified nutritionist provide guidance
in menu development to ensure that weekly menus meet the nutritional guidelines
established by the USDA for the School Breakfast Program and the National School
Lunch Program.

The district nutritionist in conjunction with the team of school nurses, teaching staff
and families support the development and implementation of school health plans for
any students who have distinct dietary requirements.

Updated 8/22
Information regarding school and program nutrition plans and procedures are
available in the program handbook. Individual classroom teachers may send home
additional information for particular classroom situations or restrictions. Monthly
menus are sent home to families and are always available on the P-CCS district
website.

A nutritious snack will be provided for each child daily (1 for half day students; 2 for
school or full day students). Our snack menus are prepared by the P-CCS Food &
Nutrition department nutritionist and are based on guidelines from the State of
Michigan Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs, Children and Adult Licensing
and the USDA. Families are responsible for providing our program with information
about special dietary needs or allergies. Families may supply their child’s snack if
preferred. All foods supplied by families must comply with allergy restrictions posted
in the classroom.

Students who attend school or full day preschool classes will either bring lunch or may
purchase lunch from the school. Monthly snack and lunch menus will be posted in
each classroom and are available on the P-CCS website on the Food & Nutrition page.
Free and reduced cost meals are available to students meeting eligibility
requirements. Families may apply online at the P-CCS website on the Food &
Nutrition page. Applications are submitted to the Food & Nutrition department and
families will be notified if eligible.

The Food & Nutrition and Early Childhood Program staff members are responsible for
what is presented to students to eat and the manner in which it is presented. The
children are responsible for how much and whether or not they choose to eat.

We are unable to accept any food for sharing with the class due to the prevalence of
dietary restrictions and health concerns involving various foods. This includes
birthday treats. Please refrain from sending in food items for distribution to the
class. Classroom teachers may have a special way for birthdays to be recognized or
students may wish to donate a book to the classroom library or send something small
and non-edible such as stickers for each classmate. Please do not send goody/gift
bags for each child to the classroom.

Health
Early Childhood Health Plan - The purpose of a health plan is to provide information
about the importance of efforts towards health and well-being for students, our
process for updating and tracking immunization records and health appraisals, support

Updated 8/22
for families in regards to staying up-to-date on well-checks and immunizations and
information available about local health providers and opportunities.

Promotion of health and well-being is connected to students' ability to participate and

thrive in the school setting as well as maintain public safety and health. Our
classroom staff members as well as our support staff members work with families to
ensure that all student requirements are met and that families have the access they
need to obtain support and services in regards to their children’s health.

Families are asked to provide health information, immunization records (or waivers)
and health appraisals for children as a part of the enrollment process. Families are
informed that providing this documentation is a condition of enrollment. Our
enrollment office staff works in conjunction with district nursing staff to follow up on
any outstanding documentation, difficulty obtaining appointments or documentation,
delayed appointments and exclusion procedures. Individual health plans are
developed for any students who have chronic conditions that require support during
the school day.

The program works in conjunction with the Wayne County Health Department (WCHD)
and provides families with information regarding immunization clinics and well-check
appointments. The program also coordinates with WCHD for annual vision and hearing
screenings for all four year old students.

Health and safety procedures have been updated to reflect COVID-19 mitigation
measures and requirements.

The State of Michigan requires that every child have a physical examination (health
appraisal), complete with up to date immunizations prior to attending preschool. It is
also encouraged that students receive regular dental check-ups. The Early Childhood
Program staff will encourage and remind students to wash hands before meals and
after toileting.

Four year old students will have vision and hearing screenings provided by Wayne
County. Teachers will notify families when screenings are scheduled to take place
during the school day. Families will be notified by Wayne County if any additional
follow-up is needed after the screenings.

Updated 8/22
Illness
Students should remain home from school if any of the following symptoms present:
● Fever
● Earache
● Sore throat
● Runny eyes
● Rash of any kind
● Diarrhea/vomiting
● Persistent coughing
● Cloudy/green discharge from nose
● Other communicable disease

Please note that students must be fever, vomit and diarrhea-free for 24 hours without
the use of fever-reducing medication before returning to school. Please contact your
child’s teacher by phone or email if your child will be absent from school. If your
child has received a diagnosis, please let the teacher know. The teacher will contact
the Early Childhood Program office and if warranted, an illness-specific cleaning
protocol will be administered by the maintenance team overnight.

If your child becomes ill at school, a parent/guardian is responsible for transporting

the child home. Please make sure we always have up to date contact information for
such emergency situations.

Absence Reporting
It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to inform the classroom teacher in the
event of illness or other necessary absence of a student. Please email the teacher or
call the classroom phone and leave a message including the child’s name, your phone
number, the reason for the absence and the anticipated date of return.

Medication Policies
Staff will not administer any medication to a student unless the following procedures
are followed. Arrangements for the administration of medication must be made
through the Early Childhood Program office as follows:

1. Family obtains Medical Authorization Form from office or website

2. Doctor prescribing medication completes and signs the form
3. Family contacts the Early Childhood Program office to indicate that they would
like to bring the form and medication (in the original labeled prescription

Updated 8/22
 bottle or package) to the school and meet with the teacher and program
director to detail the plan for administering the medication.
4. The Early Childhood Program reserves the right to contact the prescribing
doctor if needed.

This plan must be followed for any medication including prescription and over the
counter medications, inhalers, cough drops, supplements and essential oils.

Medical Emergency Procedures

Classroom teachers will inform the family of any minor injuries that may occur during
the school day. Ice and bandages will be utilized as needed. When an accident or
injury occurs which requires professional medical attention, a parent/guardian or if
necessary, another individual listed on the emergency card will be contacted. The
staff present for the incident will complete a written accident report. A copy will be
sent to the family and also to the Early Childhood Program office.

Sunscreen and Insect Repellent

Sunscreen should be applied by parents prior to arrival at school. If additional
sunscreen is needed throughout the day, families can utilize one of the following
options:
● Students may self-apply a stick sunscreen; must have a Medication
Self-Possession form on file
● Staff may assist with a spray sunscreen; must have a Medication Authorization
form on file

If a student requires the use of insect repellent, the Medical Authorization form
should be completed and submitted with the insect repellent.

Emergency Cards
A completed emergency card listing contact numbers for parents/guardians as well as
any family members or friends who are permitted to pick up the student in the case
of an emergency must be on file for each student. Our are created pulling from
information entered into the billing and MiStar systems.

Please assist by making sure that there is room in your voicemail for messages from
the school in case of an emergency. We often find that families have full voice
mailboxes when we try to leave messages about students who have become ill, or
have experienced an injury or a restroom accident at school. Please be sure to notify

Updated 8/22
your child’s teacher as well as the program office if there are any changes in your
home address, phone numbers or other contact information. The school office can
also assist with updating emergency contacts if needed.

A school nurse may contact your family to discuss any medical issues to ensure that
we have a health plan if needed. This plan would be shared with classroom staff
working with your child.

Tuition Agreement
A $100 non-refundable registration fee is required in order to secure a spot in a
tuition-based class. This fee is paid online when completing the initial registration
form.

The tuition for the academic year is billed in 10 equal monthly installments. The
number of school days varies each month depending on the number of days in the
month, holidays and scheduled professional development and student progress
conferences.

Tuition payments are due according to the payment installment schedule below:

July 15 November 15 March 15

August - no payment unless December 15 April 15

registering in August

September 15 January 15 May 15

October 15 February 15

Families can make tuition payments in two ways, using the link that comes on the
invoice each month or enrolling in AutoPay. Families who use AutoPay will be billed
on the 15th of each month.

Late payment accounts will be assessed the following fees and penalties:

1 - 7 days late - $25 fee added to account

8 - 14 days late - additional $35 fee added to account
30 or more days late - disenrollment process begins

Updated 8/22
A disenrolled student will not be able to return until the tuition account is made
current. We strongly encourage the use of AutoPay to avoid late payments and fees.
There will be a charge of $30 for any check returned or AutoPay payment declined
due to insufficient funds.

Waiting lists will be maintained for all fully enrolled classes. As openings arise,
families will be contacted, in the order they signed up on the waiting list, to
determine if they wish to enroll their child at that time. Tuition fees for midyear
enrollments will be prorated. We are unable to hold spaces for students who have
been disenrolled due to late or non-payment of tuition. Any such available spaces
will be offered to families on our waiting lists.

Enrollment in the preschool program reserves time, space, staff and provisions for
your child, whether in attendance or not. No tuition adjustments are made for daily
absences due to weather, illness, vacation, opting out of a field trip or extended
absence due to time spent out of the country. Please review the program and P-CCS
calendars which include a number of days when there is no school due to professional
development for staff and student progress conferences.

Classes will be canceled when Plymouth-Canton Community Schools are closed. There
are many ways to be notified or to determine if school has been canceled including
district app alerts, the district web page and local news. Exceptions may be made
due to the current COVID-19 situation; decisions will be based on the best information
available.

Late Pick-up Policy

Program guidelines state that children must be picked up on time each day. At the
end of the preschool classes staff are setting up for either the pm class or the next
day, so attention to this issue is appreciated.
● A charge of $1.00 will be applied for every minute the adult picking up the
child is late.
● The classroom clock is the official timepiece of the class.
● The Early Childhood Program teacher or assistant will issue a late fee form to
the parent and forward a copy to the billing office. The late fee will be
applied to your Early Childhood Program billing account. The late fee must be
paid by the next invoice due date.

Updated 8/22
If your child has not been picked up and we are unable to make contact with a
parent/guardian or others listed on the emergency card, it may be necessary to enlist
the assistance of the local police department.

Program Withdrawal
If it becomes necessary to disenroll your child, the Early Childhood Program office
must be notified, in writing/email, two weeks prior to the student’s last day of
attendance. A final billing statement will then be issued for the remaining fees owed,
including the final two weeks of attendance. Due to our use of monthly installments,
when truing up accounts, sometimes families will owe the program money and
sometimes the program will owe a refund, depending on when this truing up occurs in
the calendar year and billing cycle. It is important to remember that payments are
program installments, not payments that coincide with the exact monthly class
sessions.

Occasionally a student must be involuntarily disenrolled from preschool. Grounds for

disenrollment include but are not limited to:
❖ Unpaid fees or account consistently in arrears
❖ Non-compliance with policies of the P-CCS Early Childhood Program
❖ Failure to provide up-to-date health and immunization records or other
required documentation
❖ A pattern of late pick-up at the end of the school day

Licensing Notebook
All P-CCS preschool classrooms, with the exception of the Stay and Play class, are
licensed by the State of Michigan and are required to maintain a licensing notebook
which includes all licensing inspection reports, special investigation reports and any
related corrective action plans (CAP). The notebook must include all reports issued
and CAPs developed on or after May 27, 2010 until the license is closed. The
notebook is available for families to review during regular business hours.

Licensing inspection reports and special investigation reports from at least the last
two years are available on the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website
at www.michigan.gov/lara.

No Smoking/Vaping Policy
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools prohibit smoking and vaping on school property.
This includes both in the school buildings as well as on school grounds.

Updated 8/22
Pictures/Videos
Taking pictures and/or filming during class is strictly prohibited. This is for the safety
and privacy of all students.

Child Abuse and Neglect Statement

The Child Protection Law requires that a teacher, school administrator, nurse, social
worker, or duly regulated child care provider, “who has reasonable cause to suspect
child abuse or neglect must immediately by telephone or otherwise made an oral
report or cause a report to be made of the suspected child abuse or neglect, a written
report shall follow.” Parents/guardians may or may not be informed of the report,
depending on the nature of the situation and the direction given by Child Protective
Services. If you ever suspect abuse or neglect, you should call 855-444-3911 (24 hour
hotline) to make a report. The school is unable to make a report based on a third
party observation or suspicion.

Emergency Procedures
Fire and tornado emergency procedures are posted in all classrooms. Students will
learn safety procedures to use in the case of a fire, tornado or the need for
evacuation or lockdown.

Each school site will conduct fire, tornado and intruder emergency drills as required
by the State of Michigan. Training for drills is provided under the supervision of the
P-CCS Safety and Security director and in cooperation with local law enforcement.
Staff are trained annually on procedures for various drills and emergency scenarios.

Security Measures
Staff will greet families at the start of each preschool session, escorting children to
the classroom. Late arrival and early pick up situations should be communicated to
the classroom teacher so that the staff can facilitate these arrivals and pick ups.

Issues Involving Custody - According to the Michigan Department of Child Day Care
Licensing: “Until custody has been established by a court action, one parent may not
limit the other from picking the child up from your (preschool program) care. It is not
within your (preschool program) legal right to withhold a child from a parent, unless
there has been a court action which limits one parent’s right to the child.” A copy of
any such court action must be on file in our office in order to prevent a non-custodial
parent access to their child.

Updated 8/22
Confidentiality
Information regarding your child and family is kept in strict confidence. This includes
written documentation and personal information about your child and his/her
progress in school. Information concerning enrollees and their families will be limited
to purposes directly connected with the administration of the program. Staff will
respect each family’s right to privacy. No other use of a family’s personal information
shall be made without prior written consent from the parent/guardian.
Parents/guardians will have access to information in their child’s school records.
Classroom volunteers are also expected to respect the same confidentiality standards
as staff.

Questions/Resolution of Issues
Should you ever have a question about your child’s preschool experience or a
classroom issue that requires discussion and resolution, it is important to first speak
directly with your child’s teacher. If you are unable to reach a successful resolution,
the next step would be to contact the program director for additional assistance.

COVID-19 Addendum
If the district is engaged in in-person K-12 teaching and learning, the Early Childhood
Program will be operating in-person as well.

Families are always encouraged to keep sick children at home. During a pandemic
situation this is even more critical for the safety and well-being of all students, staff
and families. If a student is experiencing any of the following symptoms, they must
be kept home until the symptoms subside or written clearance is obtained from a
physician:
● Fever (100.4 degrees F or higher)
● Sore throat
● New, worsening or uncontrolled cough
● Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
● Stomach ache, vomiting and/or diarrhea
● New onset of severe headache, especially with a fever

It is recommended that families obtain medical documentation regarding any chronic

conditions that may cause symptoms that mimic those of COVID-19. This will help to
avoid unnecessary school exclusions.

P-CCS and the Early Childhood Program will follow the latest guidelines provided for
schools and childcare facilities from the LARA, the State of Michigan, the Centers for

Updated 8/22
Disease Control and Prevention and the Wayne County Health Department (WCHD).
Please see the Return to School Roadmap for information about how possible
exposures will be handled. We will follow the guidance listed with the support of the
district nursing team and the WCHD. The district nursing team maintains a COVID-19
Toolbox on the district website for additional and updated information.

Regarding situations that may arise regarding billing and possible quarantine
requirements, we will handle each situation on a case by case basis, using the most
relevant information available at the time.

Updated 8/22