Information and Policies
STAFF
All of the classes gain the benefit of certified early childhood teachers and experienced classroom assistants. The staff gains 24 hours of professional development each year to maintain their knowledge about new and developing areas of early childhood education.
EARLY LEARNING STANDARDS
CLASS SIZES
Chestnut Ridge strives to keep the size of PreK classrooms at a level that allows optimum opportunity for the students to grow. Each class has at least one instructor and one teaching assistant.
AGE REQUIREMENT
Students must be 4 years of age on September 1, 2022.
Students who are age eligible for kindergarten are encouraged to enroll for kindergarten.
INCOME VERIFICATION FOR PRE K COUNTS
Families with incomes within the 300% Federal Poverty Level qualify for PreK programming. This can be determined using multiple sources of proof of income. Some examples include pay stubs, or 2020 tax forms.
SELF HELP SKILLS
Our PreK students are expected to have self help skills that allow them to put on their coats and shoes with minimal assistance. We help with zipping, buttoning and tying shoes and encourage the children to become self sufficient when possible. Staff members also expect children to be able to use the restroom with little adult intervention. We do not have diaper changing facilities.
WAITLIST
Because we strive to keep the classes sizes for PreK students at a size that promotes optimum opportunity wait lists sometimes occur. A wait list will be started when the class size has reached a full enrollment status. Students are placed on the waitlist until an opening occurs.
All programs follow the Early Learning Standards developed by the Office of Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). These standards follow the Infant and Toddler Standards and precede the Kindergarten Standards. These standards set benchmarks of development for young children.The Early Learning Standards may be viewed at http://websites.pdesas.org/ocdel/2010/4/30/47302/page.aspx .
CURRICULUM
The Chestnut Ridge Pre-K program utilizes the “Three Cheers for Pre-K” preschool curriculum, which provides skills-based experiences and purposeful play to initiate learning around quality children’s literature. This curriculum includes elements of social-emotional learning and emergent literacy skills through the use of weekly trade books to promote kindergarten readiness through developmentally appropriate practices. In addition, the Pre-K program also includes the Hetterty Phonemic Awareness Program. This program teaches students how to isolate, blend, segment, and manipulate sounds. These skills are crucial to developing literacy skills.
PARENT/CHILD ACTIVITIES
All families are invited and encouraged to participate in parent and child activities during the school year. Parent and Teacher Conferences are held in November. Grandparents' Day is in the fall. We have 7 Luncheon and Learnings for parents. We have an ongoing volunteer program. A field trip is usually held in the winter. Spring Extravaganza is a family event on a Saturday in the Spring. A parent program is offered in the evenings in the fall and again in the spring. A standards based report card is distributed at the close of the 9 week marking period.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation is provided both to and from school. Transportation is not provided if you do not live in the school district.
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
Students receive free breakfast and lunch each day. The meals are provided by the PreK program. Appropriate substitutions are made for children with medically diagnosed allergies. To provide substitutes due to food allergies. A doctor’s note is needed.
All families are invited and encouraged to participate in parent and child activities during the school year. Parent and Teacher Conferences are held in November. Grandparents' Day is in the fall. We have 7 Luncheon and Learnings for parents. We have an ongoing volunteer program. A field trip is usually held in the winter. Spring Extravaganza is a family event on a Saturday in the Spring. A parent program is offered in the evenings in the fall and again in the spring. A standards based report card is distributed at the close of the 9 week marking period.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation is provided both to and from school. Transportation is not provided if you do not live in the school district.
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
Students receive free breakfast and lunch each day. The meals are provided by the PreK program. Appropriate substitutions are made for children with medically diagnosed allergies. To provide substitutes due to food allergies. A doctor’s note is needed.
PROGRAM HOURS
- 8:15 to 2:45 p.m.
CLASS SIZES
Chestnut Ridge strives to keep the size of PreK classrooms at a level that allows optimum opportunity for the students to grow. Each class has at least one instructor and one teaching assistant.
AGE REQUIREMENT
Students must be 4 years of age on September 1, 2022.
Students who are age eligible for kindergarten are encouraged to enroll for kindergarten.
INCOME VERIFICATION FOR PRE K COUNTS
Families with incomes within the 300% Federal Poverty Level qualify for PreK programming. This can be determined using multiple sources of proof of income. Some examples include pay stubs, or 2020 tax forms.
SELF HELP SKILLS
Our PreK students are expected to have self help skills that allow them to put on their coats and shoes with minimal assistance. We help with zipping, buttoning and tying shoes and encourage the children to become self sufficient when possible. Staff members also expect children to be able to use the restroom with little adult intervention. We do not have diaper changing facilities.
WAITLIST
Because we strive to keep the classes sizes for PreK students at a size that promotes optimum opportunity wait lists sometimes occur. A wait list will be started when the class size has reached a full enrollment status. Students are placed on the waitlist until an opening occurs.
PREK POLICIES
REQUIRED HEALTH FORMS