Preschool

Highest Rating: Preschool is an Award-Winner

The State of Ohio awarded the preschool program at Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church a three-star rating in 2006, the highest honor bestowed upon early care and education programs.

HPCUMC Preschool History

HPCUMC Preschool was founded in 1967 as a mission of Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church. The women who began the school felt that area children needed a loving, supportive environment in which to play while gaining a good foundation for life. This is still the focus of our school’s program.

Our preschool continues to be a mission of the church. The church extends services, supplies, classroom and play space to the school. Preschool staff members are employed by the church. While being church-supported, our preschool does not advocate any one religious tradition. We welcome and affirm children of any religion, national origin, gender; children with disabilities are also welcomed.

Since our school’s beginning, tuition scholarships have been offered to ensure that socio-economic background is not a barrier to attendance.

The preschool is guided by the Preschool Committee, which is comprised of the school’s director, church members and parents of preschool children who are not church members.

HPCUMC Preschool is licensed annually by the State of Ohio and the City of Cincinnati. We have received Step Up to Quality designation--awarded by the State of Ohio--and we achieved Three-Star program status. The staff is certified in first aid/CPR, communicable disease and child abuse recognition and prevention.

HPCUMC Preschool Philosophy

  The program is designed to meet the developmental needs of young children 3-5 years of age. It provides experiences that enrich and enhance each child's cognitive, language, social, emotional, physical and creative development.
  Within the school's daily schedule, each child has an opportunity to create, explore the environment, learn problem-solving and personal interaction skills and learn concepts through first-hand experiences. Children develop a positive self-concept through a balance of self- and teacher-directed activities.  Opportunities for solitary play as well as group activities are provided.
   The staff is a continual witness of God's love and care through example as they strive to make each day a positive experience. We respect parents as the primary and most important providers of care and nurturing, and we believe parents and teachers are partners in their children's care and education.

About the HPCUMC School Day

(Hours of Operation: 8:30-11:30 AM & 12:15-3:15 PM)   

Registration and Enrollment

Children are enrolled in HPCUMC Preschool in the order of their application regardless of sex, color, religion or national origin.  During the spring enrollment period, returning children, children of church members and siblings of previously-enrolled children are given preference and may enroll prior to the general public. After the spring enrollment period, all applications are processed in order of date of application regardless of previous status. Current registration information is annually updated on the registration form.

HPCUMC Preschool accepts children from 30 months - 5 years of age. (must be 30 months by September 1, 2008)

Conferences

Part of the preschool curriculum includes observation of children, developmental assessment and conference with parents. You will have the opportunity to review the completed written evaluation before you meet with the teachers.

Tuition

Tuition for the 2008-2009 school year (mid-September until Memorial Day) is:

2 day is 1300 per year
3 day is 1500 per year
4 day is 1700 per year
5 day is 2100 per year

Tuition is due July 1st and January 15th. The first tuition statement will be mailed on June 1st. The other statement will be distributed in December. All accounts 30 days past due will be subject to a $50.00 late fee. Payments can be made by mail or dropped off at school. Checks should be made payable to HPCUMC Preschool.

All parents pay a non-refundable registration fee when they enroll. Church members and committee members may take a 10% discount from their bill.

Preschool Scholarships

HPCUMC Preschool and the church’s Commission on Missions award scholarships to children of families in economic need. The preschool committee administers the scholarship program. Please contact the preschool director if you need tuition assistance.

Potty Training

Children who are still in diapers or pull-ups are welcome at our school. Parents of these children may wish to be contacted to come in to change their child for the comfort of the child and to maintain class order. Please discuss the school’s potty training policy with the preschool director if this may be an issue for your child.

Management of Communicable Diseases

HPCUMC Preschool provides children with a clean and healthy environment. However, we realize that children become ill from time to time. If this is your child's first group experience, it is possible that they may encounter more frequent illnesses at the beginning of the school year before their immune system becomes more active. We observe all children as they enter the classroom to quickly assess their general health. We ask that you do not bring a sick child to school. 

No medication will be given by the staff to the children at school. If, however, an allergy is present, a written order may be given to the teacher to administer medication. Copies will be kept in the child's file in the office as well as the classroom. Medication will be secured in the child's classroom and a notice on the wall notifying teachers of the allergy in that room and where medication is kept.

Communicable disease policies and procedures will be reviewed annually with the entire staff. Training in communicable diseases and proper sanitary procedures will be provided to the staff periodically as city and state requirements dictate. Staff members are trained in first aid, communicable disease and CPR by a registered nurse, a physician or the American Red Cross.

Discipline Policy

Discipline is the responsibility of the teacher and/or the assistant teacher or the one responsible for the safety of the children at that time. Constructive developmentally appropriate child guidance and management techniques will be used at all times, and will include such measures as redirection, separation from problem situations, talking with the child about the situation and encouragement of appropriate behavior.

Record-keeping

Children's records are kept in the Preschool office. Parents are required to file medical information, emergency information and authorization for medical emergency care prior to the first day of school. Your child's forms must reflect a physical dated within one year of the present time. You will be asked to update the physical form during the year if it is time for a physical.

The Preschool Staff

Director: Sherry Cristancho scristancho@hpcumc.org

Teachers:

Lori Betts

Meghan Fronduti

Lindsy Gibson

Allie Goodman

Mischelle Hafner

Sally Hinkle

Dee Hoekzema

Lisa Locy

Jo Louis

Susan Ricciardi

Brenda Robben

Ellie Stefani

Beth Wessel

Parent Participation

Parents are welcome and encouraged to participate in school activities. Each class needs help with story recording, assistance with field trips, materials development or even sharing personal interests or cultural background.

Please discuss your ideas with the teacher. The preschool committee is comprised of parent volunteers, both those who are church members and those who are not. The committee oversees the operations of the school and many other school-sponsored activities such as Carve a Pumpkin with Dad.

HPCUMC Preschool Committee

2007-2008

Director Shery Cristancho 979-8191

Acting Chair/Treasurer Carolyn Bigger

Secretary Carolyn Adam

Health Forms Elaine Peters

Book Orders Pam Kaising

Fundraising Susan Riccardi, Teacher Liaison

Other Board Members:

Lynn Scherer

Maureen Lintz
Cheryl Hartley
Kristin Walters
Brooke Behnfeldt
Cydney Frye