Policies and Procedures

106 Bratton Drive, Garner, North Carolina 27529

Sunflower Garden Montessori

"Where children blossom into thoughtful and creative learners!"

Parent Handbook : Enrollment

Sunflower Garden Montessori Preschool / Extended Day: accepts up to 24 children for enrollment, ranging in age from 3 years through kindergarten. This age range is traditional for a preprimary Montessori classroom. Children have plenty of time to master concepts at their own rate and also have the chance to be the "teachers" for the younger children. Our bright and cheerful classroom is 1800 square feet, so we have plenty of room to move around.

The Sunflower Seedlings is a new program for our school. It will have a small enrollment of 18 children to 3 teachers, and is open to children ages 24 to 42 months. Our youngest learners will focus on learning to enjoy school, making friends, and engage in group activities such as circle and story time. Self help skills such as toileting and caring for themselves are also an important focus. The children will also have a chance to work with classroom materials and actively explore their expansive environment. Another highlight of the day includes a visit form one of the preschool children. Both the youngest and oldest children at school love this special learning time together.

Sunflower Garden Montessori does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or religious affiliation. Enrollment in either program may occur at anytime there are openings available and are accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

To Enroll

In order to enroll your child, all registration forms must be completed prior to participation in the program and updated annually. These forms include:

Application for Enrollment
Immunization History (30 days to complete)
Discipline and Behavior Management Policy (Sample 1, two copies, keep one for your record(s)
Medical Information - Child

The above forms can be found and printed from and filled out on https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov

Additional school forms (below) are available in our classroom.

Sunflower Garden Montessori Emergency Form (purple handbook)
Sunflower Garden Montessori Policy Acceptance form

Hours and Holidays

Sunflower Garden Montessori is currently open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM year round. A separate Extended Day option 12:30 to 2:30 is also available with limited spaces. The school year officially begins September 1st, but your child may enroll whenever there is an opening. Our school will loosely follow Johnston County public school calendar for holidays, inclement weather and snow days. If possible, make-ups will be given for snow days.

The 2024-2025 school holiday schedule is as follows:

Labor Day: 8/30/2024 early release (1230) for teacher workday 9/2/2024 Labor Day
Thanksgiving: 11/27/2024, closed at 12:30 (Teacher workday until 3 pm.), 11/28/2024-11/29/2024
Winter Holiday: 12/23/2024-12/27/2024 Winter Break
12/31/2024 : Early Release 12:30
1/1/2025 New Year's Day
2/17/2025 Teacher Education Day or Snow Make up. TBA
4/16/2025 Early Release 12:30 Teacher WorkDay
4/17-4/18/2025 Spring Break
5/23/2025 and 5/26/2025 Memeorial Day
7/3/2025 and 7/4/2025 Independence Day

Fees and Billing

Children may be enrolled at Sunflower Garden Montessori in either a 2, 3 or 5 day option. SGM strives to make Montessori affordable to everyone. The rates for the 2023-2024 school year are as follows:

Morning Preschool or the Sunflower Seedlings

9/1/2024- 8/31/2025 2 Days a week $ 275/month

3 Days a week 405/month

5 Days a week $540/month

Extended Day Option (Including morning preschool)

2 Days a week $350/month

3 Days a week $525/month

5 Days a week $675/month

Extra days if available and Optional Yoga

Additional Charges

Morning: $35.00/day

Full Day (8:30 - 2:30): $45.00/day

Additional Extended Day: $15.00/day

Yoga for morning children one day a week (either Monday or Friday) $12.00 a month

Monday and Friday $25.00 a month Please add Yoga fees to current month's tuition.

Rate Change

Rate changes will be reviewed each June and will go into effect September 1st. A 30 day notice will be given in writing before a rate change may take effect.

Withdrawal

One month's notice or one month's tuition is required for withdrawal. There are no spaces reserved over the summer months.

Payment

Tuition payments should be made via PayPal and are due the first school day of each month*. Tuition will be considered late after the 5th of the month, and will be subject to a $25.00 late fee. Failure to pay tuition after two weeks is grounds for dismissal. A receipt for payment will be given out by January 15th for the total year tuition if requested. This will include information that you will need for the daycare credit on your taxes. If you need a receipt more often, please let me know.

* Alternative schedules can be arranged

Credit

There is no credit given for legal holidays, absences, or vacations.

Late Pick Up

After 12:40 late fees will be incurred at $1.00 per minute for each minute you are late.

Discipline policy

Sunflower Garden Montessori follows the discipline and behavior management policy set forth by the State of North Carolina. Please read the form, sign and return. An extra copy is included to remain with your records for future reference.

When appropriate, the child will also be given the chance to "right the wrong" for example: holding an ice cube to an injury

Children who prove to be a serious discipline problem will be asked to leave the school if meeting with the parents and establishing a course of action fails. Grounds for dismissal include, but not limited to: inflicting injury or harm on other children, teachers, class pets, or the environment. I ask that materials that are willfully broken be replaced.

Daily Schedule

Sunflower Garden is designed to allow the child to participate in many activities during the day. These activities enhance social, cognitive, motor development, and art and music appreciation. The classroom is well equipped with both the Montessori, Waldorf, and Froebel materials. A sample of the daily schedule would be as follows:

8:30 - 9:15

Arrival and morning work time. Children arrive and are able to choose from activities on the shelf. The shelf materials consist of activities enhancing language, math, science, engineering, art, practical life, puzzles and manipulative skills.

9:15 - 9:45

Morning circle, greetings, songs, and presentations of materials and curriculum themes.

10:15 - 11:45

Snack is provided by the school and consists of two healthy food groups. An example might be a slice of cheese and apple wedges. Children are welcome to bring in a healthy snack to share with their classmates. Fruit salads are always popular. We also provide bottled water for your child to help themselves to throughout the day

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Celebrations / Birthdays

Sunflower Garden Montessori encourages the celebration of other cultures and countries. These celebrations are incorporated into the program through activities, books, and special cooking projects and meals. Please let me know if you would like to share a special celebration with us.

Each child is encouraged to celebrate their own birthdays by bringing in pictures that show special events in their life, how much they have grown, and a healthy treat to share. Popular treats have been fruit kabobs and muffins. Please try to limit sugar! Treats high in sugar, fat and/or artificial coloring will not be served. The children are mostly happy with the thought of sharing as opposed to what they bring.

Health / Accidents

According to Daycare Licensing, your child should remain at home if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:

Inability to participate in regular activities regardless of the symptoms
Temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit when taken orally, or 100 degrees when taken under the arm. Children may return to school after they have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications.
Sudden onset of diarrhea
Two or more episodes of vomiting within a 12 hour period. Due to the spread of Norovirus, children must remain home for 48 hours following the last bout of either vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Red eyes with white or yellow discharge until 24 hours after treatment
Tuberculosis, until a health professional states the child is not infectious
Strep throat, until 24 hours after treatment started
Pertussis, until 5 days after appropriate antibiotic treatment
Hepatitis (a virus infection), until one week after onset of illness
Impetigo, until 24 hours after treatment
When a physician or other health processional issues a written order that the child must be separated from other children
If your child becomes sick at the Sunflower Garden Montessori, you will be notified immediately. The child will rest quietly until you pick them up. Since SGM is currently a half day program, no medications well be administered. The exception would be an EpiPen or Asthma inhalers with a doctor's written orders. If your child receives a minor injury such as a cut, scrape, bump or bruise, you will be notified by note or verbally. The only first aid that can be administered is soap and water, ice packs, band aids, and TLC. If your child needs medical treatment, I will contact you by phone as to what to do. If you cannot be reached, I will proceed to follow information filled out on your child's medical form. Please make sure all emergency phone numbers and allergies to drugs information are kept up to date and are reviewed annually.

Dress / Weather

Children enjoy art and other "messy" activities. Please send your child ready to participate by wearing clothes that can stand up to their busy day without getting ruined. Children must also have socks to wear or "inside" shoes. Please remember this in the Summer when children often come to school in sandals!

It's important for each child to have a complete change of clothes in case of accidents or water play. These should be placed in a labeled, Ziploc bag and left at the Sunflower Garden Montessori. Please make sure they fit and are seasonally appropriate.

Animals and our environment

Sunflower Garden Montessori will have various classroom pets visit throughout the year. Our pets help teach care, understanding, and compassion. Some of our class pets are able to be taken home for a long holiday, all supplies included! Sunflower Garden also strives to teach how to walk lightly on our planet. If at all possible, organic food will be served and cleaners will be eco-friendly and cruelty free. We will also practice the three R's. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle! When packing lunches, let's teach our children to be good stewards and pack lunches with the minimum amount of packaging materials. Items such as fruit cups that can be recycled, will be sent home in your child's lunch box. Organic whole milk is provided at lunch.