Q: Does my child need to wear sunscreen before arriving to school?
A: Yes, all children must come to preschool with sunscreen applied, you will need to report the time applied to our check in system while checking in your child. Full time students (anyone that attends 4 hours or more) will have sunscreen re-applied before afternoon outside play. Please provide sunscreen if your child has sensitive skin or has allergies to certain sunscreen ingredients.
Q: Do I need to bring in snack/lunch for my child?
A: Yes, morning classes will need to have both a snack and lunch packed each day. We are offering the state free lunches this year that preschool children can participate in. You will still need to provide a morning snack. Those children that are here in our Pre-K for the full day will need to provide an afternoon snack. The Pre-K afternoon students will need a snack for the afternoon, lunch will not be served to afternoon Pre-K students. * Please note that we do not have access to a refrigerator or microwave so plan accordingly.
Q: What does my child need to bring to school?
A: Extra clothes, water bottle, and appropriate food based on schedule above.
Q: Is BASE (Before/After School Care) provided for preschool children?
A: Unfortunately, our BASE program is not licensed for children under the age of 5. They are only licensed to care for children that attend BFA Kindergarten.
Q: Do you follow the Ben Franklin Academy school calendar?
A: Yes, we do follow the K-8 school calendar. Please note that there is NO preschool on last Thursday and Friday of the May following Pre-K graduation.
Q: What curriculum does preschool follow for Pre-K?
A: Our Preschool Curriculum consists of six components:
- Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence
- Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA)
- Zoo-phonics
- Second Step
- Handwriting Without Tears
- Little Minds at Work Math Curriculum
** You can read more about each of these curriculum components in detail on our website.
Q: Do we need to meet volunteer requirements hours like the K-8 students?
A: No, preschool does not have volunteer requirement hours as we are tuition based. However, volunteer hours in preschool will count towards your requirements for older grades. There are opportunities during the year that parents can volunteer such as party/field day helpers, reading on your child’s birthday, career day.
Q: When should I keep my child home for illness?
A: Please refer to the medical policy, children must stay home for any fever, vomiting, diarrhea, undiagnosed rashes, and just does not seem well enough to participate in activities. If your child becomes ill at school, we will separate your child from the class and contact you to pick your child up immediately.
Q: My child as an allergy what do I need to do?
A: If your child has an allergy, please inform the directory and your child’s teacher. If your child has a life-threatening allergy your child’s physician will need to complete a health care plan. See the director for the appropriate paperwork.
Q: How do you celebrate my child’s birthday?
A: We celebrate your child’s birthday by making the day special for him/her. You can bring in a gift-wrapped book for the school that your child will be able to open and donate to the school. To even make it more special a parent/special guest can come in to read to the book to the class. Each classroom celebrates in their own way, please refer to your teacher’s PowerPoint for more details.
Q: How do I drop-off and pick-up my child?
A: Drop off
AM Preschool 3’s and Pre-K classes: Park in the north preschool lot, line your child up in their perspective classrooms. Beginning at 8:10 staff members will present to check your child in on our ELV app which will be located on your phone. Teachers will be taking the students into their classroom by 8:15. A staff member will remain at the door until 8:20, after that time your child will be late for school and will need to report to the front office to be signed in.
PM Pre-K 4’s class: Park in the main lot and bring your child to the preschool playground lot. Children will begin their day at 12:15 with recess. Staff members will be outside at 12:15 to check your children in at that time. PLEASE DO NOT LET YOUR CHILD PLAY ON THE PLAYGROUND UNTIL A STAFF MEMBER IS PRESENT. Children will be going into the classroom by 12:40, if your child arrives after this time you will have to report to the front office for your child to be checked in.
A: Pick- up
AM Preschool 3’s and Pre-K Part-time classes: Park anywhere in the main parking lot, wait by the north-east door. Your child’s class will be brought out to the door at 12:15 by their teacher. You will be able to sign them out with their teacher at that time. ALL CHILDREN MUST BE PICKED UP AND CHECKED OUT BY 12:20 TO AVOID A LATE FEE.
PM Pre-K 4’s class: Park in the north preschool lot, stand by the northeast door (nearest the turf field) Your child’s class will be brought out to you by 3:15. ALL CHILDREN MUST BE PICKED UP AND CHECKED OUT BY 3:20 TO AVOID A LATE FEE.
Full Day Pre-K class: Park in the north preschool lot, your child will be released from the preschool playground at 3:15. Your child’s teacher will check you out on the app at that time. ALL CHILDREN MUST BE PICKED UP AND CHECKED OUT BY 3:20 TO AVOID A LATE FEE.