Policies

Age

My school licensing requires that students be age 4 before September 1st.  However, I recommend they turn age 4 by July 1st. These students are more prepared emotionally, physically, and socially for my preschool.  But I will yield to a parent’s discretion. All students must be potty trained.

Wait List

If our enrollment is full I can add you to a wait list.  Should an opening become available I will contact those on the list in the order their name was given.  Openings can occasionally become available even after the school year has begun.

Toys at School

I strongly recommend students leave all personal toys at home.  Personal toys can lead to distraction, disagreement, and disruption.  If a child brought one without your knowledge it will be placed in the backpack until pick up time.  Many students who are anxious benefit knowing there are rules and that they are followed.  

Deposit & Tuition

To secure your preschool spot a deposit of $210 will be due at enrollment. This deposit will serve as your last month’s tuition (for May 2026.) Your deposit is fully refundable until August 10, 2025.

Pay by check or Bill Pay to “Sunny Start Preschool”.

You may pay by Venmo for an additional business fee of $5 to cover the fees Venmo charges me. Your tuition or deposit would be $215.

Your tuition fee is for your preschool spot. If you choose to be out of town or your child is sick your tuition rate is still the same. Parents pay for an average of 14 preschool days per month. I build in an extra 4 days in case I get sick or have a family emergency. (Most years I have no needed to use any of them.)

Tuition is due the first of each month.  I will send a reminder text when payment has not been received by the 5th.  Payment is considered late on the 10th and a fee of $10 may be assessed.  Returned check fee of $25 will be assessed.

If there is a family situation please talk to me. I have had parents pay half the tuition twice a month, a portion weekly, and whatnot–just communicate with me please.

Pick Up & Drop Off of Students

For drop off: I will open the front curtains when I’m ready for students (usually about 4 or 5 min early.) You can walk them up or just send them up when they feel comfortable. I will be watching for them!

For pick up: please remain outside or in your car until we open the door and come out. I will bring students out at 12:00. 

Please put away your phone during pick up time.  These few moments are an important time to reconnect and allow your student to share about their school experience.  

Please pick up your child on time. Students often worry if a parent isn’t there right away! Also, I may have appointments or responsibilities a short time after preschool.  If there is one pick up that is over ten minutes it will be recorded. Subsequent late picks up will be charged $5 after ten minutes.

If your child has an appointment and will be picked up early please let me know so we pack up their backpack and have them ready. 

You are welcome to park in my driveway. Two cars should fit. But please do not park perpendicular to the driveway which would block others from pulling in. Always exercise caution in parking & pulling away around the property as children can be impulsive.

Staying Healthy at School

We wash with hand sanitizer as the students arrive & leave, before and after snack time, and any additional times needed.  If your child is allergic to standard hand sanitizer please notify me. I will regularly review washing hands after using the bathroom.  Tables and the bathroom–including door knobs are sanitized daily. Toys we play with are sanitized and/or set aside for at least 72 hours before we play with them again. 

If your child has been home sick and still has sniffles I ask that you have them wear a mask the first couple days they return to school as it resolves. If your child is sniffing or coughing a lot I will provide a mask for them and/or call the parent to come get them.

If I have been sick you will see me wear a mask as well. I may remove it during circle time when I am seated further from them so they can be sure to hear me clearly.

Parents should have a back up plan should things change quickly. Take time before the school year starts to make a plan for your child’s care when they are suddenly sick. If your child get sick during school, I will separate them from the other students and call you to come pick them up quickly.

Sick Policy

Each student’s health is very important to me!  Please respect the other students and their families by not bringing sick children to school.  When in doubt please keep them home. I am happy to provide a packet of activities for bored sick kids for you to pick up.  Preschoolers get sick more often than adults as they build up their immune system!

Do not allow your child to come to school if they have had: 

• Fever over 99.5 or chills
• Diarrhea
• Pink eye
• Deep cough
• Green mucus
• Vomiting or unusual nausea
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue or body aches
• New loss of taste or smell

Your child must be free from these symptoms for 24 hours before returning to school.  

If you’re feeling unsure whether to send your child or not–you should keep them home.

Notify me if your child develops chicken pox, head lice, pink eye, impetigo, or other serious contagious illnesses so I can notify other parents and do a special, deep cleaning. 

Discipline

Preschoolers are at a valuable stage when they are learning to control their emotions and behaviors.  

My first line of discipline is prevention.  Creating clear and reasonable expectations, providing structure, having a reward system, giving praise, and getting to know your child all are important first steps to discipline.  

The next step of discipline are clear reminders, redirection, giving choices, or distraction.  I will notify you when the problem persists.  

Physical punishment is strictly prohibited.  

Some children misbehave because of illness, something happening at home, or being overly tired.  Remember a four year old still needs 10-12 hours of sleep each night. Please tell me if there are big changes or problems occurring at home which may affect your child at preschool.  This allows me to understand the situation better.

What does Christian-based Preschool look like at Sunny Start Preschool?

I am a Christian and some of my lessons touch on non-denominational Christian beliefs. This is not a main focus except for two lessons a year. The first lesson at Easter time is focused on Jesus being resurrected and remembering new life. We also do a resurrection craft, read a picture story, etc. The first Christmas lesson in December is “What is Christmas?” and we discuss the Nativity story, act it out, and do a craft of the nativity.

Most of the subsequent Christmas lessons I will point out briefly how it is a Christmas symbol that points back to Jesus Christ–the Christmas wreath, Christmas lights and candles, Christmas bells, etc. We do have a lesson about Santa and I talk briefly about how Santa wants to show love for all the children in the world to celebrate Jesus Christ’s birthday by giving gifts.

Most of the year we just discuss it as it comes up. For example, when we discuss emotions I may discuss what the children can do when they feel scared and one thing I mention is that they can pray if they are scared. Occasionally a child might discuss how a loved one–like a grandparent–has died and I will say their loved one still loves them, is happy where they are, and that they will get to see them again one day.

We don’t pray as a group but-believe me-I pray for these little ones!

Drop Out Policy

Please provide a 30-day notice to withdraw your student.  During those 30 days you must still pay tuition allowing me time to fill the spot.

I reserve the right to deny ongoing enrollment at our preschool if at any time there is an issue I feel requires the removal of a student.  Prorated tuition for the month as well as your deposit (tuition for May) will be reimbursed.

Questions/Communication

Please always feel free to talk to me about any concerns or questions–I want to be a help & resource for you and your child!!!  (You may talk to me at pick up time, text, call, email, whatever works best for you!)  

Please be sensitive to all the students–a quick comment at drop off or a quick text during class is fine but please limit it so I can focus on all the students during school hours.