Our Policies

St. Peter School Policy
St. Peter Early Childhood Center is administered cooperatively with St. Peter School.

Enrollment in the Early Childhood Center allows parents to participate in the Elementary School in-house pre-enrollment process in the spring. However, participation in the Early Childhood Center does not guarantee automatic acceptance into the school.

Please read, sign and return the Parent Agreement Form.

Admission Policy
Schools of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Admit Students of any Faith, Race, Color and National or Ethnic Origin.

Children, age 3 through kindergarten (must be 3, 4, 5 by September 30; all children must be toilet trained, excluding handicapped children) are eligible for admission. Preference in preschool admission is given first to parish members, then to Catholics from other parishes, and space permitting, to all others.

St. Peter Early Childhood Center values every learner regardless of ability. Therefore, we will provide an opportunity for every learner to reach his or her fullest potential and benefit from the values of our Catholic centered education using our fullest resources.

A thorough physical exam by a licensed physician and satisfactory immunizations are required. A physical exam is required for each preschool child within 30 days of admission. Lack of required physical may result in grounds for dismissal.

The State requires the following forms on file [these are word documents, please complete the form, print it then return it to the ECC office with your payment if applicable]:

Authorized Pick-up [pdf]
Emergency Transportation
Medical History
Physical Form [every 12 months]
Birth Certificate
Baptismal Certificate

Withdrawal Policy
If the parent(s) and the Preschool Coordinator determine the child is not socially/emotionally ready for the program or is not completely toilet trained, the tuition fee shall be prorated (daily rate x number of days in the program). If after consulting with the Coordinator and no agreement is reached, the parents have a right to appeal to the Pastor. If the child is withdrawn from the program for other reasons, the full monthly fee shall be charged. Parents are required to submit in writing to the preschool office a two week notice.

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Discipline
The purpose of discipline is to help a child retain control of her/his emotions and actions, not to stop the expression of feelings and moods. Above all, a child needs love, patience and understanding.

The only worthwhile discipline is prompted by motives from within. We ask parents to assist the Center in guiding our children in the acceptance of responsibility and in teaching them early and consistently to accept the consequences of their actions.

Discipline will be handled by each child's teacher. In the event this is insufficient, the Coordinator will assist the teacher. If there is any misunderstanding in a disciplinary problem, please confer with the Coordinator. The Coordinator will be available to aid parent or teacher with any disciplinary problem.

Parents are urged to instill in the child an appreciation of the moral values which are nurtured in the Center's environment. Respect for self, others and surroundings will be stressed.

No child will be humiliated, shamed or frightened. There will be no cruel, harsh or unusual punishment including but not limited to spanking, pinching, shaking, biting or the use of physical restraints. No child will be placed in an enclosed area such as a closet, box or similar cubicle. No discipline will be delegated to another child.

Discipline will not be imposed on a child for failure to eat, sleep or for toilet accidents. Discipline will not include withholding food, rest or toilet use.

No child shall be subjected to profane language, threats, derogatory remarks about himself or his family or other verbal abuse.

Separation, when used as discipline shall be brief in duration and appropriate to the child’s age and developmental ability and the child shall be within sight and hearing of a preschool staff member in a safe, lighted and a well-ventilated space.

Nap Room Policy
All Full-time and Extended Day children are required to nap or rest on a cot during nap period.

Visitors
Parents are always welcome to visit. Parents who want to observe are asked to call the office one day in advance, to make sure there aren't any other conflicts. All visitors including volunteers, are asked to check in at the office. Other visitors, (for example, college students), will be accompanied by a school official through the building to the spot of their observation.

School’s Right To Amend
St. Peter Early Childhood Program retains the right to amend the handbook for just causes and that parents will be promptly notified in writing if changes are made.

Food Provided By Parents
The Ohio Department of Education REQUIRES that St. Peter Early Childhood Center provide all parents with written information concerning the quantities of food needed to be served to meet one third (1/3) of the child’s recommended daily dietary allowance.

The Center encourages parents to use St. Peter School breakfast and lunch program. Parents do have the option of providing their child’s breakfast and lunch. Snacks will be provided by the Preschool. The snacks will be nutritious, providing nutritional value in addition to calories and at least one from two of the four basic food groups.

Parents who pack a child’s breakfast should include at a minimum, one food from the milk group, one food from the bread group, one from the fruit and vegetable group. A drink (milk) should be included. Parents who pack a child’s lunch should include, at a minimum, one food from the meat group, one food from the bread group, one food from the milk group and two foods from the fruit/vegetable group. A drink (milk) should be included.

Most foods contain not one but several families of nutrients. Foods that are rich in many nutrients are sometimes called basic foods. They are grouped together in the four basic food groups mentioned above. If you chose a variety of foods from the Basic Four Food Groups your nutritional health will be good. Eating a variety of food is important because each food differs a little in the nutrients it provides. It is also fun to try new foods! Eat healthy and enjoy.

The Department of Health mandates that sipper cups be labeled with the child’s name. If these are needed with your child’s breakfast or lunch, please label them and put them in a bag or box before bringing your child into school. To minimize the spread of germs we prefer juice boxes or milk cartons.

Absences
Please call the school before 9:00 a.m. when your child will be absent. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Extra Clothing
Please bring an extra set of clothes (underwear, socks, pants and shirt). The clothes will be kept at school in case of accidents. These clothes should be brought in a ziplock bag with your child’s name and teacher’s name clearly labeled. Please be sure the change of clothes is appropriate for the season!

Toys
Please do not send toys from home. They may be broken or lost. Children in the Full Time Program may bring one soft toy, blanket and/or pillow for naptime use, labeled with child’s name.

Birthdays
Children enjoy sharing their birthdays with school friends. We welcome you to bring a snack to share on or near your child's birthday. Please limit the birthday celebration at school to snack only. Please give us advance notice. Parents are welcome to come in and share the special day with their child. If your child has a summer birthday, we encourage you to select a day during the school year.

Parent-Child Roster
Names and telephone numbers of families enrolled in your child's class will be available to the other families. The roster will not include any parent/guardian who requests in writing not to be included.

Field Trips
Fieldtrips are planned with great care. Walking fieldtrips include visits to the Huber Heights Shopping Center, to the public library or shops. Field trips needing transportation will be provided by school buses or parents driving private automobiles. Parent volunteer drivers must furnish the Preschool Coordinator proof of insurance and a valid driver’s license. For those parents who volunteer to help on a field trip, it is up to the discretion of the teacher on whether siblings may participate.

For your child to participate on a field trip a permission slip must be filled out and on file. A first aid kit will be taken on all field trips, along with emergency medical release forms.

Single Parent/Other Relative Considerations
In case of legal separation of parents, the school needs documentation of who has temporary custody. In case of divorce, the school needs a notarized copy of the custody section of the divorce decree. The school needs to be informed if the non-custodial parent has the right to pick up the child.

School officials will discuss the child’s progress with parents or those they designate. Privacy Acts prevents discussing a child’s/ren’s progress with aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents or other persons.