203.255.1902
661 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824
[email protected]

School Policies
Absence from School
Please notify the school, either by phone (203) 255-1902 or by email, [email protected] when your child is absent.  Please include in your message, the reason for your child’s absence.
 
Administering of Medicine Policy
St. Paul’s Nursery School of Fairfield Inc.’s policy for administering medicine provides for the administering of injectable prescription medicine only in the case of a life-threatening allergic reaction.  All teachers are trained in the administering of oral, topical and inhalant medications to be used solely in life-threatening allergic or asthmatic conditions. Only staff specifically trained for this purpose will be allowed to administer medication.  Storage of medication and appropriate records are kept on the premises in accordance with sections 19a-79-9 of Connecticut state regulations.
 
Attendance and Promptness
All children are asked to be on time for school.  While we certainly understand an emergency, persistent tardiness is distracting and disruptive to other children and teachers.  Because our curriculum is planned with on-going activities for the children, we discourage poor attendance. Thank you for your cooperation.  For children arriving late, please wait until 9:30 to call the office (203) 255-1902.  It’s important to allow the 2’s to be welcomed into the school without interruption.  Go to the Old Post Road Door, ring the bell/call the office and you’ll be admitted into class.

Babysitting
Employees of SPNS are prohibited from accepting any employment from any client of SPNS, specifically but not exclusively for babysitting. This policy applies to paid and unpaid services the employee may be asked to perform for a client. For example, babysitting as a favor whereby no money is exchanged is prohibited.  The purpose of this policy is to mitigate the possibility of a conflict of interest.
 
Birthdays
If a child would like to celebrate his/her birthday at school, he/she may bring in a special snack and special napkins.  Please let your teacher know of your plans in advance.  It allows us time to discuss a preferred snack that can also be consumed by children in the class who may have food allergies. Also, by advanced arrangement with your child’s teacher, a parent may  schedule reading a story to his/her child’s class.  We do not allow games, gifts, balloons, etc., at school. Teachers cannot distribute birthday invitations during school.  Parents are welcome to do so before class or at dismissal.
 
Biting
In the instance of biting in any age group:  the parents of the biting child and the bitten child, while maintaining confidentiality, will be notified of the incident.  The child who has been bitten will be cared for both physically and emotionally.  For the first instance of biting, the teachers, in accordance with our discipline policy, will address the child who has bitten in an age appropriate manner.  For the second instance of biting, the child who has bitten will be immediately dismissed to parents or emergency caregivers.  A parent-teacher conference may follow.  The third instance of biting may, at the discretion of the teachers/director, warrant dismissal of the child.
 
Carpool Policy
Parents may elect to establish a Permanent Carpool or Daily Carpool for their student, with the appropriate forms completed and signed prior to dismissal.  In either instance, a parent or legal guardian must provide the school with the following information, in writing:  Full name (first and last) of parent, child and permitted driver, telephone number for the driver and driver’s relationship to child.  The driver must present a valid driver’s license to dismissing teacher.  Forms may be obtained from your teacher or downloaded from the website.
 
Cell Phone Policy
Parents and caregivers are expected to refrain from cell phone use and text messaging at arrival and during dismissal, as well as when attending a class event or chaperoning a field trip.
 
Child Abuse and Neglect Policy
All staff at St. Paul’s Nursery School have a responsibility to prevent child abuse and neglect of any child enrolled in our school.
  1. Definition:
Child Abuse includes:
  • Any non-accidental physical or mental injury
  • Any form of sexual abuse
  • Neglect of a child (i.e. failure to provide food, clothing, shelter, education, mental care appropriate supervision)
  • Emotional abuse (i.e. excessive belittling, berating, or teasing which impairs the child’s psychological growth)
  • At risk behavior (i.e. placing a child in a situation which might endanger him by abuse or neglect).
Child Abuse is defined as:
  • A child who has had
  • - Non-accidental physical injuries inflicted upon him
  • - Injuries which are at variance with the history given of them
  • - Is in a condition, which is the result of maltreatment, such as, but not limited to,
  • malnutrition, sexual exploitation, and deprivation of necessities, emotional maltreatment or cruel punishment.
Child neglect is defined as:
A child who has been: -
  • Abandoned
  • Denied proper care and attention physically, educationally, emotionally or morally
  • Allowed to live under circumstances, conditions or associations injurious to his wellbeing (CT statutes 46b-120)
 
2.  Staff responsibilities:
As childcare providers we are mandated by law to report any suspicion that a child is being abused, neglected or at risk.
 
3. Specifics on reporting a suspected case of abuse or neglect
  • Call the Department of Children and Families (open 24 hours a day) at
              1-800-842-2288.
  • The reporter’s name is required but may be kept confidential.
               Information needed:
  • -Name of child/Date of birth
  • Address of child
  • Phone number of child
  • Name of parents or guardians
  • Address of parents or guardians
  • Phone number of parents or guardians
  • Relevant information such as: physical or behavioral indicators, nature and extent of injury, maltreatment or neglect
  • Exact description of what the reporter has observed
  • Time and date of incident
  • Information about previous injuries, if any
  • Circumstances under which reporter learned of abuse
  • Name of any person suspected of causing injury
  • Any information reporter believes would be helpful
  • Any action taken to help or treat the child
  •  Seek medical attention for the child – if needed
Mandated reporters must report orally to DCF or a law enforcement agency within 12 hours of suspecting that a child has been abused or neglected. Within 48 hours of making the report, the mandated reporter must submit a written report (DCF – 136) to DCF.
 
Staff are protected by law from discrimination or retaliation for reporting suspected abuse or neglect (CT General Statutes, Section 17a-101e).
 
All phone calls to DCF shall be documented and kept on file at the Center. A copy of all statements from staff and the DCF-136 shall also be kept on file.
 
4.  All staff members of St. Paul’s Nursery School sign a Zero Tolerance Child Abuse Policy upon hire.  The policy states that employment can be terminated if the employee doesn’t adhere to this policy.  He/she further acknowledges that their agreement to abide by this policy is a condition of my employment.
 
5. Staff is trained upon employment and before they work in the classroom. They are required to attend bi-annual training sessions as long as they are employed by St. Paul’s Nursery School.
 
6. Provisions for informing families of abuse and neglect policy:
A copy of this policy will be included in our parent handbook, on our website and a copy of this policy will also be posted on the parent
Bulletin boards.
 
When an accusation of abuse or neglect by a staff member is made, the Director must immediately inform the parents or guardians that a report has been made to DCF. Health care officials may need to talk to a child’s parents to access the cause of the child’s injuries and offer support and guidance.
 
Class Lists
Class lists are distributed among classes in August.  If you do not wish to have your information shared, please inform the office when directed to do so.  Class Lists are only to be used for school-related purposes like arranging carpools and play dates.  IT IS NOT TO BE USED FOR SOLICITATIONS.
 
Consultants
Pediatric Consultant: Laurie Rubel, APRN
Dental Consultant: Jason Scully, DDS
Education Consultant: Missy Barnhard
Social Services Consultant:  Rebecca Miller, LCSW
 
Diaper Changing for Threes, Fours and Fives
All four-year-old and Pre-K children must be fully toilet trained upon entry, unless prior arrangements have been made at the discretion of the Director. Children enrolled in three’s who are not toilet trained on a regular basis will need to be changed by a parent or parent substitute who will be called in the event that it is necessary, specifically in the case of a bowel movement. Diaper changing in our two-year-old program will be discussed later in this handbook.

Discipline Guidelines
The goal of discipline is to help the child develop inner controls so that he/she may move toward appropriate social behavior. Discipline shall be fair, consistently applied, timely and age appropriate.
  • Methods for resolving conflicts are:
    • Positive guidance
    • Setting clear limits
    • Redirection
  • During any disciplinary action,  children will be continuously supervised by staff.
  • We expressly prohibit any form of abusive, neglectful, corporal, humiliating or frightening punishment.
  • Children will never be isolated in a confined space.
  • Staff will never restrain or force a child to assume an uncomfortable position, unless physical restraint is necessary to prevent a child from running away or causing harm to himself.  If that situation occurs, staff will immediately call for additional assistance and notify a director.
 
Dismissal
  • Parents are requested to pick up their child at the regular dismissal time.  In the event of an emergency preventing a parent from picking up a child on time, the school must be notified.  In such a case, two staff members, ages 18 or older, will remain with the child until a parent, or otherwise designated adult arrives.  Permission to dismiss the child to another adult must be made in writing, via email or over the phone in an emergency.
  • Anyone other than a parent picking up a child must have written permission from the parent and must present photo identification for verification at the time of pickup.  Carpool transportation is permitted if the carpool form is filled out in advance and filed with the school.
  • In the event a parent fails to notify the school of an event preventing a parent from picking up a child, two staff members will remain with the child and attempt to reach a caregiver from:  1) the emergency contact list, then 2) the permanent carpool contact list.  The police will be called after one hour if parents or other designated adults cannot be reached.  At that time the child may be released to the police. 
  • At time of dismissal, there is a transfer of responsibility from St. Paul’s Nursery School to the  parent/caregiver/carpool assignee picking up your child.
 
Dogs are not permitted on the St. Paul’s Nursery School campus, at arrival or dismissal locations.
 
Drop-Off
Children and parents will be met by teachers at the designated exterior door for arrival.  Teachers will be available 5 minutes before and 5 minutes following designated arrival time.  Children may not be left unattended by any caregiver.  Please share this policy with any caregiver who has drop-off responsibilities.  Late arrivals will go to the Old Post Road door, stand back until all 2 year olds are welcomed into the building.  After 2 year old arrival, at 9:30am, late arrivals may ring the bell or call the office (203) 255-1902 to be welcomed into the building/classroom.
 
Emergency Plan
Medical Emergencies
All staff at St. Paul’s Nursery School is trained in Infant Toddler First Aid and CPR as well as the Administration of Medication, including Epi Pen, Orals, Topicals and Inhalants.
 
All emergency Contacts for children are kept in the child’s file inside the teacher’s file box.  The Medical form is orange and the Emergency form is yellow.
 
In the case of an emergency:
  • A qualified staff member will attend to the first aide as needed.
  • The second teacher assigned to the class will attend to the rest of the children with the assistance of the support teacher.
  • In an extreme emergency the Director or Assistant Director first will call 911 and then call the parents.
  • Cathy Comstock, Curtis Farr or other church staff will be outside to direct emergency personnel to the emergency.  If the church offices are unattended, a member of the nursery school staff will meet emergency personnel to direct them.
 
If it is deemed necessary to transport a child to the hospital via ambulance, the Head Teacher or Director will accompany the child to the hospital.  The director will have the child’s emergency papers ready to accompany the child to the hospital, including the Medical Form, Emergency Form and in the case of medications kept at school, the authorization to administer medication forms as well as the child’s Plan of Action.
 
If a child becomes ill while at school, parents will be called and the child will be moved to the Director’s office, with a cot available. A staff member will remain with the child at all times.
 
Fire Emergencies
Once a year all emergency lights are tested, all sensors and the alarm system are checked, and all fire extinguishers are checked.
In addition, all staff is trained annually in the use of a fire extinguisher.
 
Fire extinguishers are located:
  • In the four-year-old art room near the water cooler
  • Right inside the furnace room door
  • Near the School Office
  • In the upstairs hall by the children’s bathroom
  • In the church kitchen
 
St. Paul’s Nursery School conducts monthly egress and relocation drills, unless we are experiencing and extremely cold, snowy winter.
 
In the event that a staff member smells smoke or believes there is a fire:
  • That teacher will notify the Director via intercom and then pull the fire alarm
  • The Director, or the person in charge as dictated by our Chain of Command will call 911 as a back-up and inform the church office.
  • The children will be escorted by their two teachers out to the playground according to the exit maps located in each room and will line up along the white fence. The teacher will carry her attendance clipboard and will count children before they leave the building and again when they have reached the white fence. Teachers should be sure to close all doors as you leave.
  • The Director will join everyone outside with a master attendance list. The Director will also have a cell phone
 
In the Event that the Alarm sounds:
  • As stated above, call 911
  • The children will be escorted by their two teachers out to the playground according to the exit maps located in each room and will line up along the white fence. The teacher will carry her attendance clipboard and will count children before they leave the building and again when they have reached the white fence. Be sure to close all doors as you leave.
  • The director will join everyone outside with emergency contact information for all children and staff as well as a cell phone.
  • If fire personnel declare the building unsafe, the staff will walk the children to Independence Hall and parents will be notified.
  • Teachers will stay indefinitely with the children until parents or authorized adults arrive.
 
Weather Emergencies:
  • On snowy days and for other hazardous weather conditions, St. Paul’s Nursery School is closed when the Fairfield Schools are closed.  When the Fairfield Public Schools have a delayed opening, St. Paul’s will have a 90-minute delay. If the Fairfield schools dismiss early due to weather, our Enrichment classes and Extended day classes will be canceled.
  • Weather related announcements will be sent by email, as well as posted on our website and Facebook page.
The FAIRFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL WEATHER HOTLINE NUMBER IS 203-255-TALK (203-255-8255)
 
Evacuation:
  • In the event that the school must evacuate for severe weather or another disruptive event, the children will walk with teachers to Independence Hall. The teachers will carry their cell phones and the Director will bring emergency contact information for all children as well as a laptop and cell phone.  Immediately upon arrival at Independence Hall, attendance will be taken by the teachers and parents will be notified by email and/or cell phone.
  • In the event that we have to evacuate further, parents will be notified as to the course of action, which will be determined by emergency personnel.  Signs will be posted to alert parents of the location of the children.
  • Two teachers will stay indefinitely with the children until parents arrive.  Each teacher will be responsible for the dismissal of the children in her class.
 
Lockdown:
St. Paul’s Nursery School is equipped with a keypad entry system. We control access and no one is allowed access to the nursery school unescorted and without proper identification.  Parents must knock or check into the office to enter.
Nursery School staff will be made aware of any suspicious persons immediately during school hours, or via telephone or email should an incident occur outside school hours.
 
Lockdown from external threats (i.e. gas leak in road, suspicious person in neighborhood):
  • Nobody will be allowed in or out of the school
  • Parents will be alerted by cell phone, email and signs on the doors
  • Parents will be instructed what to do (i.e. wait in car)
  • We will dismiss children as soon as possible
 
Internal Lockdown:
  • If there is an unescorted person or suspicious person in the building staff will be alerted and will remain in their classroom with no access or exit until the situation is deemed safe.
  • Any member of the staff or church staff can call for an Internal lockdown. This will be done within the school via intercom and from the church via telephone and The Director or Assistant Director will call 911.
  • Emergency provisions are stored in kitchen, supply room and office.
 
Media Management Plan
  • Staff are instructed to refer all questions, from the media or from parents, about an emergency to the Director or the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
 
St. Paul’s Nursery School is part of the reverse 911 system for the town of Fairfield.
 
Enrichment/Extended Day Programs
  • Threes Extended Day:  Running an Extended Day Program is at the discretion of the Director.  If we do run Extended Day for 3’s it will begin after October parent-teacher conferences.  Three-year-olds may be eligible to stay for Extended Day.  Children will have additional play time, snack (packed by parent, with cold pack as warranted) and outdoor play (weather permitting.) Parents may enroll children for the year and pay in advance, or they may choose to “Drop-in” and sign up daily. Email/phone directors to see if openings are available. Payment for drop-in may be left in the black mailbox or sent in your child’s tote.  You must be certain there is space available, Children must be fully toilet trained in order to participate. There are no refunds for absences due to illness or accident nor for cancellations due to inclement weather. The hours of Three-Year-Old Extended Day are 12:15-1:45.   Dismissal is from the Playground Gate or Driveway Door.  The Drop-in fee is $25.00
 
  • Fours & Pre-K Enrichment:  An Enrichment Program is available to children in the four-year-old and Pre-K classes.  Parents may enroll children in advance, for a fee, either for one, or a combination, or all of the 4 8-week theme-based sessions offered.  Children will also have additional play time, snack (packed separately by parent with cold pack, if warranted) and outdoor play (weather permitting.)  More information is available from the Director or Assistant Director.  Children must be enrolled prior to the start of a session.  Enrichment will be offered Tuesday and Wednesday.  There is no “Drop-in”.  Children must be fully toilet trained in order to participate.  There are no refunds for absences due to illness or accident nor for cancellations due to inclement weather.  The hours for Four-year-old Enrichment are 12:45-2:15; for Pre-K they are 1:00-2:15.  Enrichment begins the week of September 16, 2024.
 
  • Fours & Pre-K Extended Day: Available to children in the four-year-old and Pre-K classes.  Children will have additional play time, snack (packed separately by parent, with a cold pack, if warranted) and outdoor play (weather permitting.)  Parents may enroll children for the year and pay in advance, or they may choose to “Drop-in” and sign up daily, if openings permit.  Email/phone directors in advance to confirm availability.  Extended Day will be offered Monday, Thursday and Friday.  Payment for drop-in may be sent in your child’s tote or left in the black mailbox outside the Old Post Road Door.  You must call/email to be certain there is space available. There are no refunds for absences due to illness or accident nor for cancellations due to inclement weather. The hours for Four-year-old Enrichment are 12:45-2:15 and the hours for Pre-K Extended Day are 1:00-2:15. The Drop in fee is $25.00.  Four-year-old and Pre-K Extended Day begins the week of September 16, 2024.  Children must be fully toilet trained in order to participate.
 
  • For Enrichment and Extended Day programs, parents shall provide a ready-to-eat, nutritious snack.  This snack should be packed separately from lunch and labeled with your child’s name. Please avoid a second lunch box for snacks. Please no peanut or tree nut products. 
 
  • If a child is not having a successful experience in Enrichment or Extended Day, the Director has discretion to excuse that child from Enrichment or Extended Day.  A refund of tuition paid will be made.
 
Enrollment
St. Paul’s Nursery School of Fairfield, Inc. enrolls children without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, and sexual orientation, physical or mental disability.
 
Field Trips
  • Two-year-old classes may take walking field trips, near the school, at the teacher’s discretion.  There may also be in-house field trips appropriate to the age of the children. 
  • Three-year-old classes take walking field trips near the school.  There may be in-house field trips appropriate to the age of the children. 
  • There will be planned field trips for the four-year-old and Pre-K classes with parent participation.  At that time, parents would be welcome to chaperone some of  the class trips we take. 
  • The Directors and teachers choose the appropriate trips.  Siblings may NOT go on field trips. 
  • We rely on you to help us model respect and etiquette for the children by giving children and teachers your attention without distraction—avoid coffee and the use cell phones please.
 
Filing Complaints
If you have any concerns about your child’s class or the school, please don’t hesitate to discuss them with your child’s teacher, or with the Director, Margee Ready.
 
Firearms
Firearms of any kind are prohibited on the St. Paul’s Church and Nursery School campus.  On duty law enforcement officers must first notify and gain advance permission from the Church and school.
 
Health
Our Health Policy is based on consultation with Laurie Rubel, APRN and Dr. Susanna Jalkut.  If your child is unwell, keep your child home.  Please phone/email St. Paul’s Nursery School to advise us of the nature of your child’s illness.
 
Children should be kept home for:
·     COVID-19, diagnosed or presumed--Children should remain home until they are well and fever free for a full 24 hours without medication.  If children are lethargic, phlegmy, with headache or body aches, they should be kept home.  ·     Fever—until the fever has been GONE for a FULL 24 HOURS without medication.
  • Fifth Disease—often one doesn’t know that a child has this illness until the contagious period has passed.  Please let us know if your child is diagnosed with this illness, as it can be dangerous for unborn babies and pregnant mothers should be made aware.
  • Impetigo—is a superficial bacterial infection, which causes one or more coin shaped sores on the skin.  With mild impetigo, a child can attend school if the affected area is covered with a waterproof dressing.  If the impetigo is extensive, the child should take an oral antibiotic for more than 24 hours before returning to St. Paul’s.
·     Influenza—until the fever has been GONE for a FULL 24 HOURS without medication.  If children are lethargic, phlegmy, with headache or body aches, they should be kept home. 
  • Lice—the child may return to school 24 hours after treatment AND thorough nit removal at home.  We shall check children upon their return to school.  We shall send children home if we observe the presence of nits or lice.  We recommend and prefer that all children being treated make use of mousse, gel or the like; and that children with sufficiently long hair come to school with their hair tied back.  In fact, during an episode, we recommend all children throughout the school use hair product and keep hair tied back.
  • Mollescum contagiousum—is a very common wart caused by a virus.  Our pediatric infectious disease guidelines state that this does not need to prevent a child from attending school.  They do recommend that if possible, lesions be covered either by clothing or by a bandage. 
  • Pink Eye—until the child is on medication for 24 hours and oozing from the eye has stopped.
  • Rashes—children who have a rash and/or hives of any kind must bring a doctor’s note to school indicating the cause of the rash and/or hives and noting that they are not contagious.
  • Strep Throat—until the child has been on antibiotics for a FULL 24 HOURS.
·     If children are lethargic, phlegmy, with headache or body aches, they should be kept home. 
  • Vomiting and Diarrhea—until vomiting or diarrhea has been stopped for a FULL 24 HOURS.
 
If your child has one of the above-mentioned illnesses or any other illness that may be contagious, they must remain out of school until they are well.  The Director must be notified if your child is diagnosed with/treated for any of the above.  Please notify us if you think your child has been in school while unknowingly contagious.  We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.  We all want your children to remain healthy.
If your child becomes ill at school, with what is considered to be a contagious illness, he/she will be isolated in the Director’s office and the parents and/or emergency contacts will be notified by phone to pick up the child.  The Director or another staff member will remain with the child until said contact has arrived.  A notice about the presence of a contagious illness in a class will be emailed to the parents of all children in that class.  In the case of an incidence of lice, a notice will be emailed to all parents of children enrolled in the school.
 
It is now state law that your child must be properly vaccinated against influenza annually, between August 1 and December 31 in order to attend our school.  See Immunization Verification Form tear-out in the back of this booklet.
 
Parents can provide signed and notarized Medical Exemption only (beginning Sept. 2020) from vaccinations to the school.  The Medical Exemption form can be downloaded through the Connecticut Office or Early Childhood or our website (www.stpaulsnurseryschool.net)
 
State law provides: “Children with medical exemptions shall be permitted to attend a licensed childcare program or school except in the case of an outbreak of vaccine-preventable disease.”  In that case, a non-vaccinated child shall be excluded from our school until the outbreak has passed. (See exemption forms.)
 
Holiday Celebrations
Holidays are exciting but can be overwhelming and stressful for young children.  St. Paul’s recognizes many popular holidays, typically in an understated  “St. Paul’s” way, keeping in mind our philosophy and what we know to be age appropriate.  For example, we do celebrate Valentine’s Day with songs and snacks and art activities.  We do not exchange Valentines.  For Halloween, only 4-year-old and Pre-K children will participate in Halloween costume parades.
 
Home Toys in School
Frequently, children enjoy bringing a toy or book to school.  Sometimes we can use the book if it is appropriate for group use.  However, we discourage use of toys from home and will ask the child to put his/her toy in their cubby/tote after it has been shown.
 
Children often have difficulty sharing “home” toys.  Parent and teacher time is ill spent looking for misplaced toys that children bring into school.  We ask that you leave toys from home in the car or at home.  We have much for the children to do at school.
 
Hours of Operation
Between the months of September-May, the school is open Monday – Friday (except holidays and school closings) from 9:00 – 2:15, although actual class arrival and dismissal days and times will vary.  The campus closes to after-school play at 2:30.  For a list of school closings and holidays, please see calendar at the back of this handbook. Please also see the website for calendar, bulletins and for further information: www.stpaulsnurseryschool.net.  During the summer months, the office is open on a modified schedule, at the discretion of the Director and Assistant Director.
 
Lunch/Snack Policy
St. Paul’s Nursery School is a PEANUT AND NUT ALLERGY aware
school. Please read all labels carefully to be sure the food is free of nuts and
nut products such as oil. When bringing lunch or snack to school please
eliminate all peanut and tree nut products. Please exclude any food items that have been manufactured in a facility that processes products that contain nuts.
 
Three-year-old, four-year-old and Pre-K children at St. Paul’s will have
lunch/hearty snack during their regular school day. Please send in your
child’s ready to eat lunch, which shall include all food groups. We would like
the children to be self-sufficient. Please pack food in easy to open
bags/containers. Prepackaged snacks are fine although some can be harder to
open. All fruits/vegetables must be washed and prepared at home. Teachers
will not peel, reheat or slice in school. USDA’s CACFP guidelines suggest
that a lunch includes all food groups for young children, and that snack should
include two food groups.
 
Put your child’s name on his/her lunch bag. AN ICE PACK MUST
ACCOMPANY ANY PERISHABLE SNACK/LUNCH. Children who stay
for Extended Day or Enrichment should bring an additional snack
packed separately from their lunch. Please avoid a second lunchbox for the
snack.
 
PLEASE AVOID: Peanuts and tree nuts, dessert foods, fruit snacks such as
fun fruits/fruit roll-ups, candy, & cookies
Possible Allergy Triggers: Peanuts & tree nuts, Dairy products, Eggs & So
 
Open Door Policy
Our school has an open door policy and parents are welcome at any time. That being said, we ask that you consider the effect that visiting your child and separating again may have on them. These situations can also be disruptive to the classroom, and we ask that you consider the other children as well. When parents visit, children are expected to follow classroom rules.  No parent will remove a child from the classroom or school without first notifying the classroom teacher.
 
Outside Play
Outside play is an important part of our program.  This year students will have 45 minutes on the playground each day, as weather permits.  Your child should wear appropriate clothing for this play.  If the ground is damp, he/she should wear boots or waterproof shoes.  A teacher cannot stay inside with a child; all children go outside for some part of the day unless it is excessively cold, icy or wet.  If it is excessively cold or our playground is unsafe due to ice or snow, we stay inside.  Weather appropriate clothing and rubber soled shoes or sneakers are encouraged for outdoor play.  Crocs, clogs, loose sandals, flip-flops, jelly shoes and shoes with slippery leather soles are unacceptable footwear.
 
Parent Conferences
Formal parent/teacher conferences are offered twice per year, in the fall and in the spring.  A parent may request additional conferences at any time.  This year, we’ll offer in-person conferences.  Parents may also request a telephone conference.
 
Parent Participation
Parent participation is encouraged in a variety of ways.  We rely on volunteers for our fall and spring scholarship fundraising events.  We welcome you into the classroom to join us for cooking activities, sing-a-longs, arts & crafts, story reading and to visit with the class.  We also invite you to join us on 4 year-old and Pre-K field trips.  When visiting in the classroom or acting as field trip chaperones, please note that these are NO CELL PHONE ZONES and COFFEE FREE zones.  We rely on you to help us model respect and etiquette and safety for the children by giving children and teachers your attention without distraction.
 
Parent/Teacher Communication
Communication between us is vital and occurs in a variety of ways-monthly newsletters and curriculum will be shared via email and hardcopies may be distributed via tote bags and/or by email. As some communication can occur by email, head teachers will check email once per weekday. For any urgent communication, please contact your head teacher by phone.  Their phones are listed in this handbook, or you may leave a message with our office.  In addition to offering 2 formal conferences, they may also be scheduled by request, at any time, by a parent, teacher or director.
   
Parking
Parking is available on Old Post Road, and in the lot behind First Congregational Church (across the street).  When on Old Post Road, safety dictates disembarking and loading your children via the passenger side of the car.  IT IS IMPORTANT TO USE CROSSWALKS PROVIDED.  Children may not be left unattended in the car.  It is a Class A Misdemeanor.  Please park legally, without blocking neighbors’ driveways, or occupying designated handicapped parking.  You and your caregivers may not park near crosswalks.  Please observe signage. Please do not park in the school’s driveway during school hours.  Town Hall Parking Lot is not available to SPNS parents.  Any illegally parked parents/caregivers may be asked to move their car to legal parking prior to drop off/pickup of their child.
 
Pre-K
St. Paul’s Nursery School offers a Pre-K class.  Typically, it is comprised of children eligible for kindergarten and in some cases, older 4-year-old children. We may discuss Pre-K placement with parents of children whose social-emotional development might benefit from another year of play-based curriculum as may be found in our preschool setting.  Formal and informal parent teacher conferences may be opportunities for parents and teachers to explore a Pre-K option. 
 
Registration
We begin our enrollment in mid-September of the preceding school year, e.g., registration for the 2025-2026 school year begins in mid-September 2024.  Beginning in 2024-2025 school year, new students must be 2, 3, 4, 5 by August 31 in order to attend that class.  Connecticut has changed kindergarten cutoff to that date, and we will be bringing our program into alignment with that cutoff.  We will grandfather currently enrolled students.
 
We first register children of current and returning families, as well as children of families who are members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.  Priority of class preference is considered based on a points system—a family earns a point for each year that each child is/has been enrolled in our school, as well as for being a member of the parish.  The Director reserves the right to consider other factors when making class assignments such as, but not limited to, family needs, class dynamics, financial concerns, etc.  At the time of registration, a non-refundable $200.00 registration fee is collected.  There is a one-time $250.00 credit for concurrently enrolled siblings, if your children remain enrolled for the entire school year. 
 
School Closing for Inclement Weather (including Delayed Opening & Early Dismissal)
When the Fairfield Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather we are also closed.  St. Paul’s Nursery School will not make up any closings due to inclement weather.  Announcements about closings are provided on our website: www.stpaulsnurseryschool.net and Facebook page as well as by eblast. If Fairfield Public Schools close, we close.  Fairfield Public School announce closing on their website (www.fairfieldschools.org) and their hotline: (203) 255-TALK. When the Fairfield Schools have a delayed opening, St. Paul’s will have a 90-minute delay. 
 
Smocks and Art Projects
We encourage the wearing of play clothes.  We want the children to feel free to have fun and explore inside and on the playground.  Although we try to keep clothing free of paint with smocks, accidents do occur.  “Good, dressy” clothes may be ruined.  Lestoil is often good at removing paint from clothing.
 
Social Media Policy
If St. Paul’s Nursery School staff members are users of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or other social media, they are prohibited from “friending” parents of children currently enrolled at St. Paul’s Nursery School.  Any postings by said staff, and pictures related to work, school or children at St. Paul’s Nursery School, or their families is prohibited. 
 
We have a St. Paul’s Nursery School Facebook Page.  The Director, with parent permission, may from time to time, post images of school activities.  School closings or delays will also be posted on Facebook.
 
Student Withdrawal and Termination
  • Requested Withdrawal of a child from School by a parent:
If your child is withdrawn during the year at the parent/guardian’s request, the parent/guardian is liable for the year’s tuition until the place is filled.  A withdrawal form must be filled out and signed by the parent/guardian.  Registration fees, deposits and tuition at St. Paul’s Nursery School are non-refundable.  If you withdraw between June 15 and the start of school, up to 2 month’s tuition will be forfeited.  The Board, on a case-by-case basis will review special circumstances.  There is no provisional enrollment.
 
  • Requested Withdrawal of a child by the School:
St. Paul’s Nursery School reserves the right to terminate the enrollment of any child. Termination will take place only as a last resort, when all other avenues have been exhausted.  When a termination occurs, parent/guardians will be responsible only for the tuition incurred through the month the child is in attendance.  The decision to terminate a child rests with the Director of the School, together with the Board of Trustees and shall be final.  All rights of privacy will be respected.
 
Tuition and Fees
We offer three tuition payment options.
PLAN A:  Full tuition paid up front and due by May 15, 2024
PLAN B: Pay by semester –
         50% of tuition due for the “Fall Semester” by May 15,  2024
         50% of tuition due for the “Spring Semester” by November 15, 2024
PLAN C: Monthly payments
Tuition may be paid in 10 equal consecutive installments due the 15th of each month, beginning May 15, 2024, and ending February 15, 2025.
 
Any other arrangements must be made with the Director.
 
No tuition refund is made for illness, accident, vacations or cancellations due to inclement weather.  The school reserves the right to assess a $20.00 late fee for any payment received more than 30 days after the due date.  The school reserves the right to assess a $35.00 fee will be charged for checks returned for insufficient funds. 
 
Scholarships or Tuition Assistance may be available to families in need.  Scholarships are awarded in June preceding the start of the school year.  Tuition Assistance may be awarded during the school year.  Please direct inquiries to the Director or Assistant Director for consideration by our Scholarship Committee.  Applications for scholarships and assistance remain confidential. 

Two Year-Olds—Additional Policies Specific To This Age Group
Diapering
If the need arises, children enrolled in the two’s classes will have their diapers changed by teachers, in accordance with state regulations as listed in our “Required Diapering Procedure” posted over the Diaper changing table. Authorizations for the Administration of Medication by Child Care Personnel Forms will be distributed in August if parents wish us to administer diaper creams.  Without the proper forms, signed by parents, we will be unable to administer creams in the instance of diaper rash, etc.
 
Sippy Cups—all parents of children in a two’s class will supply a labeled clean sippy cup each day which will be returned at the end of the day.  We will ask parents to supply a spare sippy cup to be stored with the child’s extra change of clothes.