Enrollment/Hours of Operation/Tuition/Uniforms:
Enrollment: Students must be 3 years old by August 31st, and fully potty trained to enroll in the program. If a child will be 3 after August 31, parents have the option to have their child repeat either Pre-K class. *Please note: ACA & Public Schools of Robeson County have an age cut-off requirement; students must be 5 by Aug. 31 to begin kindergarten. We will not take any students after October 31st. Parents may enroll their child by filling out the application and paying the Registration Fee. Applications may be printed from this website or picked up at Antioch Baptist Church. Please call 910-739-9425 or 910-674-0598 for more information.
Hours: We operate August-May. We do not offer Afterschool or Summer Care. PreK: 7:15-2:00. Students must be picked up by 2:30. We begin our workday at 8:00. Our cut off time for arrival is 10:00 a.m. Please do not bring your child to school after 10:00 a.m.
*EARLY ENROLLMENT begins the first week in January. An application & registration fee will be required to hold a student’s spot. Once spots are full, a waiting list will be started. An application will be needed to hold a child’s spot on the waiting list. We offer enrollment to current students & families first, church family, & then to the community.
Please Note: ABC PreK follows ACA. When ACA is closed for holidays, weather, or other events, ABC PreK will be closed.
DROP OFF/PICK UP
Arrival/Absences/Tardies
1. Parents must park in the parking spaces located near the PreK Building & walk their child to their classroom door. Do not park at our door. For the health & safety of the students, parents are not allowed inside the classroom at this time. Teachers will be at the door ready to welcome your child each day. Temperatures will be taken daily.
2. Please have children here by 8:00 a.m. unless he/she has an appointment. We are preparing your child for school and do not want them to miss learning time. For security purposes, we lock our side doors at 8:15 a.m. If you are late, please text or call the teacher. Please do not bring your child to school after 10:00 a.m.
3. To make drop off a smoother transition, please do not linger. If a child cries in the morning, he/she will usually stop after a few minutes. Your child's teacher will text you during the day to let you know how your child is doing.
4. Early drop-off time is 7:15 a.m. If your child arrives to school before 7:30 a.m., he/she may bring their breakfast to eat at school. The school will not provide breakfast.
5. Please notify us if a different person will be picking up your child on any day.
Dismissal
ABC PreK begins dismissal at 2:00 p.m. Students must be picked up by 2:30. If we are outside on the playground, parents may enter the classroom, get your child's belongings, and pick them up from the playground. If we are not outside, you will knock on the classroom door and a teacher will bring your child to you.
Payments:
Tuition/Application Fee: $25 (non-refundable), $280 monthly. Unpaid tuition may result in termination of the program. We accept cash or check. Tuition is due by the last day of the month. If tuition is late, this could result in termination of the program.
1. Payments can be made in the classroom.
2. Full fees are due whether your child attends or not, including inclement weather, holidays, vacations, or any other reason.
3. Please make checks to ABC Pre-K not ACA. Returned Check Policy: After 2 returned checks, payments will only be accepted by cash or money-order.
4. Please give a one week notice before withdrawing your child from our school.
Uniforms: Khaki/Navy/Black bottoms & any color polo. Fridays are dress down days for PreK. Clothing that shows violence, monsters, anti-Christian logos are not allowed. Shoes must be closed toe with a back. Flip flops or high heel shoes are not allowed. Girls that wear dresses/skirts, must have shorts or leggings under them. Please no tank tops or sleeveless shirts. Fake tattoos or fingernails such as press on nails are not allowed. Long, dangle earrings are not allowed. There will be dress-up days for holidays and special events such as School Spirit Week & Dr. Seuss. In case of accidents, please bring a change of clothes to leave at school.
Clothing, lunch bags, and blankets must not have an anti-Christian logo, monsters, or violent characters on them. Child-friendly characters are permitted on lunch bags, & blankets. Please no backpacks.
Policies & Procedures:
Meals:
1. Children are required to bring their lunch & 2 snacks daily with 3 juices/water/milk. Each Friday, we allow the children to buy a snack from the vending machine. Snack prices range from $.60 to a $1.25.
2. Please do not bring candy, tea. or soda for snack or lunch.
3. All food, milk, and juice should be labeled daily with child’s name and date on it.
4. We do have microwaves and refrigerators.
Behavior & Discipline:
1. Physical harm such as biting, kicking, or hitting a child or teacher will not be permitted.
2. Cursing is not permitted.
3. Teachers will use positive reinforcement to direct misbehavior.
4. Short periods of time-out will be used to stop unwanted behavior.
5. Parent conferences will be used if a situation occurs.
Naptime/ Cot Covers:
1. The lights are turned off and soft music is played.
2. Each child is encouraged to rest quietly on his/her cot.
3. Cots measure 22”W x 52”L x 5”H. Please provide 2 beach/bath towels, 2 small blankets, or a roll up nap mat with child’s name on it. A small pillow & a small stuffed animal is permitted and will need to stay until Friday. These will be sent home on Fridays to be washed.
Parent Participation:
1. Open house will be held at the beginning of each school year for parents and children to meet the teachers.
2. We encourage parents to be cooperative.
3. We will have a Pre-K Graduation at the end of the school year.
4. Parents may request a conference with the Director or Teacher as needed.
5. Progress Reports are sent home for each child twice a year.
6. We will have holiday parties through out the year as well as birthday parties for your child.
Medicine:
1. Teachers must have a completed medicine form with a parent’s/doctor's signature prior to giving medicine to a child. The form is available from the teacher.
2. Parents must bring the medicine to the teacher in the original bottle, labeled with the child’s name and date on it and must be age appropriate.
Health: (Please see Covid-19 Health Guidelines)
1. An updated medical form and shot record is required by the state for each child within 30 days of the entrance date. Students will not be allowed to stay in the program without a medical form and shot record. This is a state rule.
2. We will call you to pick up your child if he/she has a fever, rash, diarrhea, or vomiting. You will be asked to keep your child at home for 24 hours before bringing them back to school.
3. Please DO NOT bring your child if he/she has the following symptoms:
a.) diarrhea-2 or more episodes within a 12 hour period
b.) pink eye
c.) head lice
d.) fever within the past 24 hours
e.) strep throat
f.) any contagious condition that has been diagnosed by a doctor
*Your child must be symptom free for at least 24-48 hours before he/she can return to school.
4. In cases of head lice, you must bring proof of the treatment used before your child can return to school. Please keep your child at home for at least 24 hours if he/she has been exposed to head lice.
Inclement Weather Policy:
If the school is delayed or closed due to bad weather, ABC Pre-K will follow the same schedule as Antioch Christian Academy. You can check our website or ACA’s website at www.acanc.org. Parents will be notified via text message if there are closings or delays.
Outside Play:
1. We take children outside for 30 minutes to an hour a day except in cases of rain, or extremely hot/cold weather.
2. If a child needs to stay inside, we must have a written note from the parent.
3. If a child must be kept inside for more than a day, we must have a doctor’s note.
Parties:
If you would like to celebrate your child’s birthday with special snacks, please let the teacher know in advance. All snacks must be store bought. We will have special snacks for holidays.
Photographs:
1. Individual portraits will be taken in the Fall for parents to purchase; class pictures in the Spring.
2. Teachers will take pictures during the year to use in a slideshow during Pre-K Graduation.
Messages:
All messages should be by phone, in person, or in writing. We cannot accept verbal messages from a child.
Child Abuse: We are required by law to report any suspected child abuse.
SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME
We, ABC PreK, believe that preventing, recognizing, responding to, and reporting shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma (SBS/AHT) is an important function of keeping children safe, protecting their healthy development, providing quality child care, and educating families. Background SBS/AHT is the name given to a form of physical child abuse that occurs when an infant or small child is violently shaken and/or there is trauma to the head. Shaking may last only a few seconds but can result in severe injury or even death1. According to North Carolina Child Care Rule (child care centers, 10A NCAC 09 .0608, family child care homes, 10A NCAC 09 .1726), each child care facility licensed to care for children up to five years of age shall develop and adopt a policy to prevent SBS/AHT2.
Procedure/Practice Recognizing:
Children are observed for signs of abusive head trauma including irritability and/or high pitched crying, difficulty staying awake/lethargy or loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, inability to lift the head, seizures, lack of appetite, vomiting, bruises, poor feeding/sucking, no smiling or vocalization, inability of the eyes to track and/or decreased muscle tone. Bruises may be found on the upper arms, rib cage, or head resulting from gripping or from hitting the head.
Responding to: If SBS/ABT is suspected, staff will Call 911 immediately upon suspecting SBS/AHT and inform the director. Call the parents/guardians. If the child has stopped breathing, trained staff will begin pediatric CPR4. Reporting: Instances of suspected child maltreatment in child care are reported to Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) by calling 1‐800‐859‐0829 or by emailing webmasterdcd@dhhs.nc.gov. Instances of suspected child maltreatment in the home are reported to the county Department of Social Services.
SUMMARY OF NC CHILDCARE LAWS
Summary of the North Carolina Child Care Law and Rule for Child Care Centers
The law defines child care as:
• three or more unrelated children under 13 years of age
• receiving care from a non-relative
• on a regular basis, at least once a week for more than four hours
per day but less than 24 hours.
It is only when all of these conditions exist that regulation is required. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for regulating child care. This is carried out through the Division of Child Development and Early Education. The purpose of regulation is to protect the health and well-being of children while they are away from their parents. The law defining child care is in the North Carolina General Statutes, Article 7, Chapter 110. The North Carolina Child Care Commission is responsible for adopting rules to carry out the law. Some counties and cities in North Carolina also have local zoning requirements for child care programs.
*Child Care Centers
Licensing as a center is required when six or more children are cared for in a residence or when three or more children are in care in a building other than a residence. Religious-sponsored programs are exempt from some of the regulations described below if they choose not to be licensed. Child care centers may voluntarily meet higher standards and receive a license with a higher rating. Centers will be visited at least annually to make sure they are following the law and to receive technical assistance from child care consultants.
Two through Five Star Rated License
Centers that meet the minimum licensing requirements will receive a one-star license. Programs that choose to voluntarily meet higher standards can apply for a two through five-star rated license. The number of stars a program earns is based upon the education levels their staff meet, the program standards met by the program, and one quality point option.
*Child Abuse, Neglect, or Maltreatment
Every citizen has a responsibility to report suspected child abuse, neglect or maltreatment. This occurs when a parent or caregiver injures or allows another to injure a child physically or emotionally. It may also occur when a parent or caregiver puts a child at risk of serious injury or allows another to put a child at risk of serious injury. It also occurs when a child does not receive proper care, supervision, appropriate discipline, or when a child is not in a safe environment. North Carolina law requires any person who suspects child maltreatment at a child care facility to report the situation to the Intake Unit at Division of Child Development and Early Education at 919-814-6300 or 1-800-859-0829. Reports can be made anonymously. A person cannot be held liable for a report made in good faith. North Carolina law requires any person who suspects child abuse or neglect in a family to report that to the county department of social services.
*Parental Rights
• Parents have the right to enter a center at any time while their child is present. • Parents have the right to see the license displayed in a prominent place.
• Parents have the right to know how their child will be disciplined.
*How to Report a Problem
North Carolina law requires staff from the Division of Child Development and Early Education to investigate a child care center when there has been a complaint. Child care providers who violate the law or rules may be fined, issued an administrative action, and may have their licenses suspended or revoked. Administrative actions must be posted in the facility. If you believe that a child care provider fails to meet the child care requirements, or if you have questions, please call the Division of Child Development and Early Education at 919 814-6300 or 1800-859-0829.
*Licensed centers must, at a minimum, meet requirements in the following areas:
*Education and Training
The administrator of a child care center must be at least 21 and have at least a North Carolina Early Childhood Administration Credential or its equivalent. Lead teachers in a child care center must be at least 18 and have at least a North Carolina Early Childhood Credential or its equivalent. If administrators and lead teachers do not meet this requirement, they must begin credential coursework within six months of being hired. Staff younger than 18 years of age must work under the direct supervision of staff 21 years of age or older. All staff must have current certification in CPR and First Aid. All staff must complete health and safety training and a minimum number of ongoing training hours annually, ITS-SIDS training is required the administrator and any caregiver that works with infants 12 months of age or younger. One staff member must complete the Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training and plan.
*Criminal Background Checks
Criminal background qualification is a pre-service requirement. All staff must undergo a criminal background check initially, and every three years thereafter.
*Staff/Child Ratios
Ratios are the number of staff required to supervise a certain number of children. Group size is the maximum number of children in one group. The minimum staff/child ratios and group sizes for single-age groups of children in centers are shown below and must be posted in each classroom. A sample staff/child ratio chart can be found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents and Forms”.
Curriculum and Activities
Four and five-star programs must use an approved curriculum in classrooms serving four year old children. Other programs may choose to use an approved curriculum to earn a quality point for the star-rated license. The Division website maintains a list of approved curriculums for four-year-old children. Activity plans must be available to parents and must show a balance of active and quiet activities. A written activity plan that includes activities intended to stimulate the developmental domains, in accordance with North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development. Rooms must be arranged to encourage children to explore and use materials on their own and have choices.
Age
0-12 months
12-24 months
2 to 3 years old
3 to 4 years old
4 to 5 years old
Teacher: Child Ratio
Maximum Group Size
10 12 20 25 25 25
1:5 1:6 1:10 1:15 1:20 1:25
5 years old and Older
Centers located in a residence licensed for six to twelve children may care for up to
three additional school-age children, depending on the other children in care. When the group has children of different ages, staff-child ratios and group size must
be met for the youngest child in the group. Staff/child ratios for multi-age
groupings are outlined in the child care rules and require prior approval.
*Health and Safety
Children must be immunized on schedule. Each licensed center must ensure the health and safety of children by sanitizing areas and equipment used by children. Meals and snacks must be nutritious and meet the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care. Food must be offered at least once every four hours. Local health, building, and fire inspectors visit licensed programs to make sure standards are met. All children must be allowed to play outdoors each day (weather conditions permitting) and must have space and time provided for rest. They must provide age-appropriate toys and activities. Centers must complete the Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training and plan.
*Transportation
Child care centers providing transportation for children must meet all motor vehicle laws, including inspection, insurance, license, and restraint requirements. Children may never be left alone in a vehicle and child-staff ratio must be maintained.
*Discipline and Behavior Management
Each program must have a written policy on discipline, must discuss it with parents, and must give parents a copy when the child is enrolled. Changes in discipline policy must be shared with parents in writing before going into effect. Corporal punishment (spanking, slapping, or other physical discipline) is prohibited in all centers. Religious-sponsored programs which notify the Division of Child Development and Early Education that corporalpunishment is part of their religious training are exempt from that part of the law.
*The law and rules are developed to establish minimum requirements. Most parents would like more than minimum care. Child Care Resource and referral agencies can provide help in choosing quality care. For more information about choosing quality child care, parent resources and/or the in North Carolina law and rules, contact the Division of Child Development and Early Education at 919 814-6300 or 1-800-859-0829; or visit our homepage at
www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov
This summary shall be posted for the public to view in accordance with G.S. 110-102
Division of Child Development and Early Education NC Department of Health and Human Services
333 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27609
Child Care Commission
https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Home/Child-Care- Commission
Revised January 2021
Reviewing Facility Information
From the Division’s Child Care Facility Search Site, the facility and visit documentation can be viewed http://ncchildcaresearch.dhhs.state.nc.us/search.asp?lang=English
A public file is maintained in the Division’s main office in Raleigh for every licensed center. These files can be viewed during business hours (8am-5 pm) by contacting the Division at 919-814-6300 or 1-800-859-0829 or requested via the Division’s web site at www.nchildcare.ncdhhs.gov.
ABC Pre-K Behavior Policy
At ABC Pre-K, we want a fun, safe, & loving environment for students and staff. We want to teach behaviors that are Christ-like. Having rules and guidelines in place is an effective way to create a positive learning environment. The following behaviors are not permitted at ABC Pre-K.
Behavior & Discipline:
1. Physical harm such as biting, kicking, or hitting a child or teacher will not be permitted.
2. Cursing or disrespecting a teacher or student is not permitted.
3. Bullying is not allowed.
Consequences.
- Teachers will use positive reinforcement to direct misbehavior.
- Short periods of time-out will be used to stop unwanted behavior.
- Parent conferences will be used if a situation occurs.
- Continuous misbehaviors may result in termination of the program.