Frequently Asked Questions
1. How old does my child have to be to start nursery school?
Children may start when they are 32 months and day toilet trained.
2. What time are the sessions and drop off and pick up times?
DROP-OFF:
Morning session begins at 9:00am. Afternoon session begins at 1pm. Plan to arrive approximately five to ten minutes before the start of class. This gives your child time to remove his coat and hang up his backpack in one of the blue cubbies. Please wait with your child in the common area just outside the Nursery School doors until the teacher "officially" opens the doors at 9am and 1pm respectively. Government regulations require that you sign your child IN and OUT before and after every session. Please initial the sign up sheet with the time of drop off / pick up.
PICK-UP:
Please arrive at promptly at 11:30 and 3:30 respectively, and sign your child out on the IN/OUT sheet. It is important that you notify us if you are going to be late and/or if someone else is picking up your child. Only persons whose names' are written on the "safe release" form may pick up your child. To add or delete a name from your child's list, we require a written note.
3. How many children are in each session?
We are licensed for 20 children, but we limit our class size to 15.
4. How many staff are present during a session?
We have at least 2 teachers in the classroom and gym at all times. (We often have 3 teachers if we have a child in a class who needs additional support)
5. How much does it cost per session?
It is $5 a session (Government subsidy is available to any family who qualifies)
6. How is payment made?
E-transfer is preferred: (sent to bnsacctspayable@gmail.com,) or you may use post-dated cheques (dated the 1st of each month, given at the fall open house.)
7. What is Brandon Nursery School daily Schedule?
Arrival Time
Children place jackets and backpacks in locker of their choice, put on indoor shoes on and wait on the carpeted room until the teacher opens the door to the nursery school room.
Free play
Children enter the nursery school room and are free to participate in the art activity in place or play in numerous learning centres throughout the classroom. Each center is designed for certain play activities and promotes different areas of development.
Clean- up
All the children are encouraged to clean-up the play materials.
Snack Time
The children will take turns washing their hands before they sit down for snack. They will sit down at the tables with their teachers and enjoy a nutritious snack. The children wash their hands when they are done snack and sit down with teachers and read books until everyone is ready.
Gym Time
Children have lots of energy and need time to run, skip, jump, climb and play active games! We will spend each day developing these gross motor skills through various activities and gym games.
Circle Time
Sing songs, greet friends, talk about upcoming events on the calendar and read stories. The child who brings snacks for the class can bring a special item to show and tell with the other children.
Home Time
The teachers will open up the door to the nursery school room and will call the children to come as we see his or her parent or pick up person.
8. What does my child need to bring to nursery school?
Please send a backpack with a snack and drink, a change of clothes, and indoor shoes.
9. Do we need to bring our own snacks?
Yes, after Covid-19 the school transitioned to parents supplying their child with a daily snack.
10. Are parents expected to volunteer?
Parents will be asked to voluntarily clean the nursery school room once per school year.
Parents can become a board member and or attend board meetings. Parents can help by participating in our fundraising events throughout the year; there are many opportunities for parents to help if they are able.
Parent involvement is very important in order to keep the nursery school running and helps enhance the program.
11. Do you teach school readiness skills?
Yes, school readiness skills are taught in a fun interactive learning centres. They are taught with repetition overtime; without pressure throughout our daily program including out circle times.
12. Are parents informed of their child`s progress?
Yes, parents can expect ongoing verbal communication from the teachers. Pictures of the children playing in the learning centres and in the gym are displayed for the parents to view. Parent-Teacher interviews are scheduled halfway through the school year. Parents can email, call or meet with the teachers anytime throughout the year.
13. Are parents informed of Nursery school activities and upcoming events?
A monthly newsletter is emailed to parents and posted on website. Information is also posted on the bulletin board.
14. How do I register my child?
Registration is accepted first come first serve basis. Registration forms must be filled out completely and then dropped off or mailed to the school. Once the forms are in, your child will be registered in the program. Before your child`s first day of school the director will email a fee schedule and a parent newsletter.
15. When do I register my child?
You can register your child anytime throughout the year. Prospective families can visit anytime. You can set up a convenient times to visit the nursery school by contacting the director. We also have two scheduled open houses.
