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Frequently Asked Questions
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- Why do we have ‘helper days’?
- Why do we fundraise?
- Why do we have ‘jobs’ to do?
- Why do we have to go to the
Practical Workshop and Philosophy Night if I know we want to attend Lakehill
Preschool?
- What exactly do I have to have
completed to do the helper days and why?
- Can I bring siblings to my duty
day?
- Why are we required to go to
the monthly general meetings?
- What do I do if I can’t make
my helper day?
- What if I can’t do the duty
days because I work?
- Why do I feel overwhelmed?
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Why do we have ‘helper days’?
Helper days offer an opportunity to be in the classroom with
your child, and to watch him or her grow and learn things along the way.
Your job as parents in the classroom is to assist the ECE as an extra set
of eyes and hands--eyes for overcoming conflicts, and hands for helping
with what needs to be done. Parents are supervisory assistants who enrich
the program in many ways.
The fees each family pays do not cover all the operating
expense for our co-operative preschool. Each spring, when our budget is
presented, families vote on the fees that will be paid the following year.
Based on that information we will know how much of a shortfall there will
be. Fundraising covers this shortfall.
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Why do we have ‘jobs’ to do?
We, the parents, run the school and are responsible for its
day-to-day operation. Each family must take on one of the many jobs (from
paint and playdough to secretary) to keep the school running smoothly.
If you have any problems (i.e. the job doesn’t fit) you need to let the
executive member in charge of your job know so that he or she can help.
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Why do we have to go to the Practical
Workshop and Philosophy Night if I know we want to attend Lakehill Preschool?
The ECE will discuss developmental stages of preschoolers,
the value of learning through play and how an age-appropriate program facilitates
the intellectual, physical, social and emotional growth of your child.
The value of each area of the classroom, open-ended art activities, equipment
and balancing of the program will also be addressed. These components are
also required for the licensing of our preschool, and they must be completed
before you can have the opportunity to be in class with your child.
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What exactly do I have to have completed
to do the helper days and why?
2.5 hours of Observation: Allows you to observe a class in
session and to decide if our learning through play philosophy interests
your family.
2.5 hours May Meeting: This is your first taste of Parent
Education and an opportunity to get together with other parents. The business
meeting follows the speaker and you will have a chance to ask any questions
then.
2.5 hours of Philosophy: Philosophy night is a chance
for the ECE to discuss the developmental stages of a preschooler and the
value of learning through play.
2.5 hours Practical Workshop: Your ECE will go through
the daily routine. Where things are in the preschool, special events, snacks,
discipline, and tips to help you become an effective assistant in the class.
All these meetings are for the caregivers only. Please
find care for your child on these evenings, with the exception of nursing
babies.
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Can I bring siblings to my duty day?
No, it is important that on your helper day you focus on
the tasks at hand. It is also important to your child that he or she has
some special time with you, and another child would distract from that.
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Why are we required to go to the monthly
general meetings?
In addition to the observation, practical workshop and philosophy
nights you are required to participate, as a further condition of the Provincial
Child Care Facilities Licensing Board regarding parent assistants, in a
monthly parent education component. This takes place at our monthly general
meeting.
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What do I do if I can’t make my helper
day?
If every once in a while something comes up and you can not
do your duty day, just switch with another parent in your class.
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What if I can’t do the duty days because
I work?
This is a parent participation preschool, however that does
not mean that our philosophy does not fit your ideals. It is possible to
ask another member of your family or a close friend who is willing to do
the 10 hours of orientation to do your helper days for you; they must also
attend the general meetings, or you may choose to come to stay connected.
The family must also have a job within the preschool. Another possibility
is to talk to your employer about the possibility of taking one half-day
off approximately every 2 weeks, so you can come to the preschool and do
the days yourself!
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Why do I feel overwhelmed?
It’s easy at times when life is busy and you have an active
preschooler (and perhaps others?!) to feel overwhelmed, but you are not
alone! Support is available! If you are not sure who to ask, just ask anyone.
We, as a Cooperative, want everyone to feel supported and valued. You will
feel on track after you settle into the routine--it happens, really!
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