Yogarden Preschool Handbook for Parents

PreschoolPhilosophy

AtYogarden,ourjobistocarefullynurturequalitiesofcuriosity,sensoryawareness,
concentration,andcompassionsothatthechildrenmayfeeladeepsenseof
acceptancetowardsthemselves.Byfocusingonmental,physical,andspiritualaspects
ofdevelopment,wefosterthechildscognitiveandphysicalgrowthwhilestrengthening
theinnerqualitiesoflove,kindnessandjoy.Inthisway,thechildrennaturallydevelopa
senseofinnerhappinessandsuccess.

Thefoundationalyearsfrom06yearsoldareacriticalperiodinthedevelopmentofa
childslife.Duringthistime,achildsattitudeabouttheworldtakesroot.Thatiswhywe
atYogardenarecommittedtonurturingchildrenthroughdailymindfulnesspractices.

Thesmallclassroomenvironmentencouragesasenseofwonder,gratitudeand
reverenceforalllife.Anatmosphereofharmonyandjoyisbroughttotheclassroom
throughdailyrhythms,celebrations,andyearlyevents.Eachchildisencouragedto
developabalancedandhealthyimagination.Throughthepracticeofconcentration,
visualization,cheerfulness,andahelpful,serviceorientedattitude,thechildrenexpand
theirsympathiesbeyondtheirlittleselvesandlearntorecognizethehighestqualitiesin
themselvesandoneanother.

TheFoundationYearsoftheEducationforLifePhilosophyinclude:
Physicalmovement,exerciseandfreshair
Frequentwalksandoutingsinnature
Theuseofimagination
Yogaposturesandquiettimes
Cooperation,kindnessandhealthyhabits

Weofferdailyopportunitiestobeindependentandengageinprojectsbasedaround
nature,throughtheseasonsandwithcharacterdevelopment.Thechildrenflourishina
settingwheretheyhaveregularrhythms,freedomwithboundaries,positiveenergy
andartisticexpression,respectforoneanotherandrespectforthemselves.The
rhythmicalstructureofourclassroomdayprovidesasolidholisticframeworkforour
classroomstudents.


OurTypicalDailySchedule
Fulldayprogram8:30am5:30pm,MondayFriday

8:3010:00:Arrival,Garden/WorkTime|EnergizingCircleTime|Meditation|
Bathroom
10:0010:30:HealthyOrganicSnack
10:3011:00:InteractiveStoryTime|ExpressiveArts|MusicalCollaboration
11:0012:00:NatureExploration|MotorSkills|ScientificObservation|Bathroom
12:0012:15:YogaforChildren
12:151:30:CooperativeCulinaryArtsandLunchTime
1:303:00:Relaxation|Siesta|QuietReading|Bathroom
3:004:00:IndoorCooperativeGames|Movement|WorkTime
4:004:30:HealthyOrganicSnack
4:305:00:Outdoors|Playground|Art|Music|Story(rotates)|Bathroom
5:005:30:ClosingCirclewithSongs|Cleanup|PackUp|GentleTransitiontoHome

AtYogardenweofferasafeandnurturinglearningenvironment.TheYogarden
PreschoolerswilllearntheirABCsand123s,whilefosteringopportunitiestolearn
importantlifeskillsandvalues.Thewillguidepreschoolersinpracticesofhonesty,
respect,selfreliance,andpotential,selfdiscipline,andmoderation,dependability,love,
sensitivitytoothers,kindness,friendlinessandfairnessandgiving.

TypicalActivities

CooperativePlay:Singing,dancing,playacting,games,reading,listeningtomusic,
collaborativemusictime,expressiveartsplay,circletime,sensoryplay
Garden/OutdoorPlay:Gardenwatering,harvestingveggies,chickencare,outdoor
circletime,composting,givingtreestorytime,scavengerhunts,natureobservations,
insectdiscovery,swinging,running,andsports(pleaseremembertodressyourchild
appropriatelyfortheweather,ifindoubt,dressinlayersorbringextraclothes)
LanguageDevelopment:Spanishgames,nurseryrhymes,puppetplays,interactivestory
timetoencourageverbalization,readingnook,rhythm,andvocalizationgames
DramaticPlay:Dressup,roleplaying,puppetry,plays,imaginationplay
SpecialDays:Birthdays/holidayparties,gettingreadyforholidays,andholiday(please
sharewithusanyfamilytraditionsorreligiouspracticessothatwecanincorporateinto
ouractivities)

Parentalinvolvement

CommunicationiskeytoyourchildssuccessatYogarden.Wemusthaveagood
workingrelationshipsowecanworktogethertonurtureyourchildscuriosity,lifeskills,
andintellect.ParentsandtheYogardenteamneedtoexchangepertinentinformationin
thechildslifesuchaschangesinroutine,specialevents,oractivities,aswellaschanges
suchasdeath,divorce,separation,moving,visitors,etc.Allthisinformationcanbe
importantinunderstandingthechildsfeelings,behavior,andwellbeing.

Yogardeninvitesparentstosharewithusinwriting,bytelephone,orschedulean
appointmenttotalkaboutconcernsandtosetgoalsforyourchildsneedsand
development.

YourchildisreleasedtothecareofYogardenstaffafteryouleavethepremisesinthe
morning,andhe/sheisreleasedtoParent/Guardiancareassoonasyouwalkinthe
dooratpickuptime.

Payment,PoliciesandProcedures

RegistrationandTuition:Tuitionis$330/week,$1,200/month(discount10%off),
or$6,500everysixmonths(18%off)

TuitionRate&Payment:YoumaychoosetopayweeklyeachFriday,monthlyonthe
lastdayofthemonth,oryoumaypayahalfyeartuitioninSeptemberandpayin
Februaryfortherestoftheyear.Paymentscanbemadeviacash,personalcheck,or
electronicallyviaPaypal.

Pleasenote,paymentisbasedonthehoursofoperationofYogardenPreschool.Tuition
securesachildsspotatYogardenSchool,andmustbepaidwhetherornotthechildis
presentonagivenday.

Apersonalcheckwillbeacceptedforpayment,howeverifacheckisreturnedforany
reason,achargeof$50.00willbeaddedtothefollowingweeksfee,andallfurther
paymentsmustbemadeincash.Nonpaymentorconsistentlatepaymentsiscausefor
terminationimmediatelywithout2weeksnotice.

EmergencyClosures:IfillnessorotheremergenciesshouldariseforYogardenstaff
duringPreschoolhours,everyattemptwillbemadetohaveasubstituteprovidercare
foryourchildsothatwecanremainopenforchildcare.Intherareeventthata
substituteisnotavailable,youwillreceiveaphonecalltopickupyourchild.Wereserve
therighttocloseforanyreasoninwhichYogardencannotoperateinasafemanner.i.e.
lossofelectricity,water,heatorinextremecircumstanceslossofairconditioning,and
medicalemergencies.Childcarefeesarestillpaidforanyoftheseoccurrences.

PlannedClosures:Foryouconvenience,Yogardenwilldistributescheduledclosingsfor
vacationsandholidayswithinthefirstquarterofeachyearandeveryattemptwillbe
madetominimizeanychangesinthisschedule.Paidholidayclosings:NewYearsDay,
MemorialDay,IndependenceDay,LaborDay,Thanksgivingandthedayafter,
ChristmasEve,ChristmasDay.Pleasenote,whentheholidayfallsonaSaturdayor
Sunday,theacknowledgedFederal/Stateholidayprevails;i.e.ChristmasisonSunday
andtheacknowledgedFederalholidayisMondayDecember26th.

Vacationclosing:Yogardenwillclosefor10paidvacationdaysperyear;allother
vacationdaysarenotpaid,ifanyoccur.PleaserespectthatwhenYogardenisclosedfor


vacation,wearetakingtimetorestandtobewithfamilyortocatchuponhomeduties.
Justlikeeveryoneelse,ourstaffneedstimeofftomaintaintheenergylevelittakesto
giveyourchildthequalitycarehe/shedeserves.

Discipline

First,wehelpchildrentothinkbeforetheyspeakandact.Next,wedrawtheirattention
towhattheythemselveshaveexperiencedasaresultoftheiractionsandattitudes.
Always,thelessonsshouldbedirectedtowardencouragingrecognitionfromwithin.
Thechildmustbeleftwiththethought,Ilearnedthislessonallbymyself.
Whyshouldwebehonest,andnotdishonest?truthful,andnotuntruthful?
selfcontrolled,andnotselfabandoned?concentratedinourthinking,andnot
scattered?kind,andnotcallous?cooperative,andnotovercompetitive?Why?Not
becauseanyoneholdsouttheseexpectationsofus,butsimplybecausethepositiveside
ofeachoftheseequationsgivesus,intheend,whatwereallywantfromlife.Natural
lawitselfthelawofourownbeingissosetupthatonlybyharmonizing
ourselveswithitcanwe,inthelongrun,findourrealneedsservedeven,ifyoulike,
ourselfishneeds.Butrefusaltoharmonizeourselveswiththatlawinvariablyproves
disappointingtousintheend.

ChildsHealth

Yogarden(andtheStateofNewJersey)requiresthatanageappropriatephysicalbeon
fileforeachchildenrolledwithin30daysfollowingadmission.Physicalexamsshallbe
certifiedbyyourchildsphysicianornursepractitionerandshallbeupdatedyearlyupto
theageof5.Weabsolutelyrespectparentsrightstochoosemedicalcarefortheir
children,butwesimplywantacertifiedrecordofhealthforeachchildenrolled.
Parent/guardianmustalsocompleteamedicalemergencycardentitledChild
InformationCardandupdateasnecessary.

Inaccordancewithourpolicy,yourchildcannotattendYogardenPreschoolwith
symptomsofillnessasspecifiedbelow;unlesswrittendocumentationfromalicensed
physician,orverbal(withwrittenfollowup)statesthechildhasbeendiagnosedand
posesnoserioushealthrisktothechildortootherchildren.Shouldyourchildhave
symptomsrequiringhim/hertostayhome,parent/guardianwillbenotifiedimmediately
topickupyourchild.Therecanbenoexceptionssinceillnessspreadsquicklyamong
children.OurfirstpriorityistoensurethehealthandsafetyofallYogarden
Preschoolers.
Thesymptomsofillnessrequiringimmediatepickupfromschoolshallinclude,butare
notlimitedtoanyofthefollowing:
TheillnesspreventsyourchildfromparticipatingcomfortablyinthePreschool
environment,
TheillnessresultsinagreatercareneedthanIcanprovidewithoutcompromising
thehealthandsafetyoftheotherchildreninmycare,Or
Thechildhasanyofthefollowingconditions:Temperature:
Oraltemperature101degreesorgreater;axillary(armpit)temperature

100degreesorgreater;accompaniedbybehaviorchangesorothersigns
orsymptomsofillnessuntilmedicalevaluationindicatesinclusioninthe
facility.Oraltemperatureshallnotbetakenonchildrenyoungerthan4
years(oryoungerthan3yearsifadigitalthermometerisused).Rectal
temperatureshallbetakenonlybypersonswithspecifichealthtraining.
Symptomsandsignsofpossiblesevereillness(suchasunusuallethargy,
uncontrolledcoughing,irritability,persistentcrying,difficultybreathing,
wheezing,orotherunusualsigns)untilmedicalevaluationallows
inclusion;
Uncontrolleddiarrhea,thatis,increasednumberofstools,increased
stoolwater,and/ordecreasedformthatisnotcontainedbythediaper
untildiarrheastops;
Vomitingillness(twoormoreepisodesofvomitingintheprevious24
hours)untilvomitingresolvesoruntilahealthcareproviderdetermines
theillnesstobenoncommunicable,andthechildisnotindangerof
dehydration;
Mouthsoreswithdrooling,unlessahealthcareproviderorhealthofficial
determinestheconditionisnoninfectious;
Rashwithfeverorbehaviorchange,untilahealthcareprovider
determinesthatthesesymptomsdonotindicateacommunicable
disease;
Purulentconjunctivitis(definedaspinkorredconjunctivawithwhiteor
yelloweyedischarge),until24hoursaftertreatmenthasbeeninitiated;
viii.Scabies,headlice,orotherinfestation,until24hoursafter
treatmenthasbeeninitiated;
Tuberculosis,untilahealthcareproviderorhealthofficialstatesthatthe
childcanattendchildcare;
Impetigo,until24hoursaftertreatmenthasbeeninitiated;
Strepthroatorotherstreptococcalinfection,until24hoursafterinitial
antibiotictreatmentandcessationoffever;

Chickenpox,untilatleast6daysafteronsetofrashoruntilallsoreshave
driedandcrusted;
Pertussis,until5daysofappropriatetreatment
Mumps,until9daysafteronsetofparotidglandswellingandalicensed
physicianstatesinwritingthechildmayreturn;
HepatitisAvirus,until1weekafteronsetofillnessorasdirectedbythe
healthdepartmentwhenpassiveimmunoprophylaxis(currently,immune
serumglobulin)hasbeenadministeredtoappropriatechildrenandstaff
andalicensedphysicianstatesinwritingthechildmayreturn;
Measles,until6daysafteronsetofrashandalicensedphysicianstatesin
writingthechildmayreturn;
Rubella,until6daysafteronsetofrashandalicensedphysicianstatesin
writingthechildmayreturn;
Unspecifiedrespiratoryillnessifitlimitsthechild'scomfortable
participationinactivitiesorifitresultsinaneedforgreatercarethancan


beprovidedwithoutcompromisingthehealthandsafetyofother
children.;or
Herpeticgingivostomatitis(coldsores),ifthechildistoouncomfortable
toparticipateindailyactivities

Injuries

Yogardenwillsuperviseyourchildcloselyinanattempttopreventinjuries,but
accidentsresultingininjurydooccur.OurstaffhasbeentrainedinfirstaidandCPRand
willfollowtrainingifdeemednecessary.Wearealsotrainedinnaturalremedies,sowe
mayasktosafelyuseessentialoilsandhomeopathicremedies.Iftheinjuryisminor
(requiringonlyabandaidorice)ourstaffwillinformyouaboutitwhenyoupickup
yourchild.Ifitisserious,Iwillcallyouandmayevensuggestthatyoutakeyourchildto
thedoctororemergencyroom.Ifaninjuryisverysevere,Iwillcall911.IfIcannot
reachyou,IwillcalltheemergencycontactslistedonyourChildInformationCard
(Pleaseremembertokeepthiscarduptodate).Wemaintainliabilityinsuranceto
releaseallliabilityforincidentsandinjuriesoccurringonsite.

ChildsMedication

1. AMedicationlogmustaccompanyalloverthecountermedicine.Overthecounter
medicineisusuallygivenforshorttermhealthconditions;theaveragelengthof
timeis5days/
2. Prescriptionmedicinemust:
a. bedatedwithinthepast30days
b. havechildsnameprintedclearlyonthelabel
c. havedosageamountandtimes
3. Prescriptionmedicinemustalsobeaccompaniedbyamedicationlogwhich
mustinclude:
a. Date
b. Childsname
c. Doctorsnameandphonenumber
d. Pharmacistnameandphonenumber
e. Nameofmedication
f.
Dosageamountsandtimestobeadministered
g. Routeofmedication,i.e.oral,eye,etc.
h. Whymedicationisneeded
i.
Datemedicationistoend
j.
Specialdirections,i.e.takebeforeeating,etc.
k. Parentssignature

Days/HoursofOperation
YogardenPreschoolisopenMondaythroughFriday8:30am5:30pm,withthe
exceptionofclosingsasreferredtointhishandbook.Actualdaysandhoursare
determinedbytheparent/guardiansindividualneeds.PleasecommunicatewithJamie
andourstaffwhenyourchildwillbeabsent.

Earlydropoff

Pleaseunderstandthatthe8:30amdropofftimeisimportantbecauseweplanourday
aroundthecollectivetimeframeofeachchildandourmorningroutine,butwe
understandthatunforeseencircumstancesmayarise.Wemaybeabletoacceptearlier
dropoffswithpriorarrangement.

Anycareneededpriorto8:30amwillneedbescheduledaheadoftime.Earlycarewill
beanadditionalfeeof$15.00per30minutes,tobepaidbytheendoftheweekfor
eachweekearlycareisrequired.

LateDropOffandPickUp

Our5:30pmpickuptimeisequallyimportantsothatwecanestablisharhythmand
routinewiththechildren.PleasecommunicatewithJamieandourstaffifyouoryour
childcareproviderwillberunninglate.

Weunderstandthatthingscomeup,butifpickupisconsistentlylaterthan6:00pm,a
$15.00feewillbeaddedtothatmonthstuition.

Nutrition

Childrenarefedahealthy,organiclunchandprovidedseveralhealthysnacks
throughouttheday.Thelunchtimeisacooperativeexperienceincludingshare
responsibilitiesforpreparation,cooking,serviceandcleanup.

PottyTraining

Duetothenatureofactivities,allYogardenPreschoolersmustbeintheprocessofpotty
training.Weunderstandthatpottytrainingshouldntberushed,anditisimportantthat
yourchildispsychologicallyandphysicallyreadyfortraining.PullUpsmustbeprovided
bytheparent/guardianduringthistransitionperiod,noregularstyletrainingpantsor
underwearwillbeuseduntilyourchildmaintains2continuousweeksofbladder/bowel
control.

Transportation

Wemaybetakingwalkstotheparkandaroundtheneighborhood,soitwillbeveryrare
thatweshouldeverneedtotransportyourchildinanautomobile.However,inthe
instancethatyourchildmayneedtorideinavehicle,suchasafieldtrip,wewillaskfor
writtenpermission.

ReleaseofChildren


Itisimportantthatweprotectyourchildbyensuringthathe/shedoesnotleave
YogardenPreschoolwithapersonyouhavenotauthorizedonyouChildInformation
Cardtopickupyourchild.Pleasecontactuswhensomeoneelsethatyouhave
authorizedonyouChildInformationCardwillbepickingupyourchild.Evenin
emergencysituations,wemusthaveyourpermissiontoreleaseyourchildtosomeone
otherthoseauthorizedontheChildInformationCard.Oncewehavethepersons
name,theymustshowapictureIDbeforewecanreleasethechildfromourcare.

Supplies

Parent/guardianwillprovidediapersorpullups,wipes,awaterbottle,andachangeof
clothesincludingsocksandraingear.Toeliminatethedailyshleppingofbags,youmay
bringapackageofeachlabeleditemtoleaveattheschool.Likewise,allwaterbottles
andpersonalitemsshouldbeproperlylabeled.

Wewillsupplysleepingmats,yogamats,pillows(ifageappropriate),blanketsand
sheetsforyourchild.Ifyourchildhasafavoritesleepingblanketorstuffedtoy,he/she
maybringthemtosleepwith.

Withdrawing

Parent/Guardianwillgivetwoweekswrittennotice,andtwoweeksfullpaymentto
withdrawyourchildsenrollmentinYogardenSchoolregardlessofcompletionofthose
twoweeks(withtheexceptionofthetrialperiod).Iftwoweeksnoticeisnotgiven,
Parents/Guardiansarestillfinanciallyobligatedforthetwoweeksofchildcarefeesand
latepayments;twoweeksfullpaymentstillapplieswhennoticeisgiveninconjunction
withYogardensscheduledclosingsand/orvacation.

ObservationandTrialPeriod

Sothatwecanfosteracooperativeandpeacefullearningenvironment,thereisatrial
periodof4weeksfromthedatethechildofficiallyentersYogardenSchool.Wewill
observeandworkwitheachchildforthefirstmonth.Wewillworkdiligentlyandwisely
toensurethatthechildsneedsaremetinaharmoniousmanner,andthatparentsare
wellinformedaboutthefirstmonthsprogress.

However,iftheobservationtrialperiodshowsthatYogardenenvironmentisnot
wellsuitedforthechildorviseversa,eitherpartycanterminatethisagreementwitha
onedaynotice.However,allregistrationfeespaidarenonrefundable,exceptthose
parents/guardianspayingthehalfyeartuitionupfront.Insuchcases,amonthandahalf
($1500)tuitionwillbechargedandtherest($3500)willberefunded.

AFewFinalHappyThoughts

Thehandbookisaformalitytogiveyoualltheinformationaboutyourchildscarewhile
atYogardenSchool&Kitchen.Aboveall,thisHANDBOOKmeansthatYOURCHILDISIN


GOODHANDS.Andastheirparent/guardian,werecognizethatsthemostimportant
thingaboutchoosingchildcareforyourlittleones.
AsaYogardenParent,weaskthatyou:

TakeaninterestinyourchildsactivitiesanddevelopmentatYogarden,andshare
yourchildshabits,fears,andconcernswithus.

Readallcorrespondencegiventoyou,andthoseposted.Promptlysignandreturn
thoseformsneedingtobesigned.

Rememberthatyouarestillresponsibleforyourchildwhileonpremisesof
YogardenSchool&Kitchensopleaseremainincompletecontactwithyourchild
duringthattime.

Sendatreatfortheclasstosharewhentheresabirthdayorspecialcelebratory
occasion!

Callus,textus,oremailusatanytime9086729344.Yourconcernsand
feedbackareveryimportanttous!

________________________________________________________________________
(Pleasesignanddetach)

I,_______________________________________(NameofParent/Guardianthe
undersigned)havereceivedacopyoftheYogardenSchool&KitchenHandbookand
understandthepoliciesandexpectationsoutlinedherein.

SignatureofParent/Guardian:______________________________________

NameofChild:__________________________________________________

Date:______________

SignatureofJamieBusch,YogardenDirector:_______________________________

Date:______________

SignatureofEmmanuelaMujica,YogardenDirector:__________________________

Date:______________