PHILOSOPHY
It is the philosophy of First Baptist Day School that early childhood should be a time of fun, warmth, security, exploring, and discovery. Preschool children are creative and receptive; the staff strives to nurture and encourage these qualities in the children who attend.
PURPOSE
The Day School’s purpose is to minister to the total child, meeting his physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual needs on an individual basis; to teach basic concepts in all curriculum areas; to consider the parent a vital part of the educational roll, offering opportunities for participation; to offer Christian education in a Christian environment by Christian teachers; and to develop the child with age-appropriate activities and guidance.
STANDARDS
First Baptist Day School’s operation is governed by a volunteer Preschool Committee of First Baptist Church and a paid Preschool Director.
SCHOOL HOURS
The Day School follows the public school calendar with the exception of the beginning being the first Tuesday after Labor Day. The last day of school will be published in the school calendar and will generally fall one week prior to public school closings. All classes meet Tuesday and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. No child is to be brought to Day School before 8:50 a.m. Children must always be left in the care of an adult and must never be left at school without a teacher present. No child is to be picked up later the 2:10 p.m.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE ARRANGEMENTS
Children in the older two, three and four year old classes may be dropped off and picked up on the east side of the church under the portico. A teacher will be on duty to receive and deliver children. Younger twos and toddlers must be brought directly to the classroom in the mornings and picked up at the classroom in the afternoon. If you should need to pick your child up before 2:00, please come by the director’s office first, or send a note to the child’s teacher that morning. (Additional carpool information was given out at Open House. If you need more information, please contact the director.
HEALTH INFORMATION
Each child is required by state regulations to have on file a record of up-to-date immunizations with the signature of the child’s source of medical care. If a child’s medical summary is not complete within thirty (30) days after enrollment, the child will be excluded from the program. Each child must have on file a signed Permission of Health Care form authorizing emergency care at the local hospital. Emergency numbers for reaching the parent or guardian and another authorized person must also be on file. A child who arrives at day school noticeably ill, with a rash, or with fever will not be admitted for that day. Should a child become ill during the day, the parent is notified immediately and is expected to take the child home. In the event a child contracts a communicable disease and exposes the other children, parents will be notified when they pick up their children. The ill child will not be allowed to return to preschool until the period of contagion has passed. In case of medical emergency during day school hours, first aid will be administered by the staff. A staff member certified in CPR will be in attendance at the school at all times. The parent or guardian will be notified as quickly as possible. If medial attention is required, the staff will call the local ambulance service, who will transport the child to the local hospital. Every effort will be made to contact the child’s own physician.
FIRE & WEATHER PROCEDURE
We have a fire and tornado drill procedure worked out for the day school. All staff is instructed about duties during fire drills. Smoke detectors are tested regularly and the Fire Marshall’s office does unscheduled inspections of the entire facility. A fire and weather drill plan is posted in each room and Tupelo Fire Department inspects our facility.
TORNADO PROCEDURE
In case of a tornado warning, or sever weather you child will be safe here at First Baptist Church. As soon as we hear of a warning we will take all children to our basement area. It is an approved Red Cross Emergency Shelter. We will stay there until the warning has been lifted.
EVACUATION PROCEDURE
In the event of a disaster and the building of First Baptist Church has to be evacuated, we will transport the children by walking or church vans and private vehicles to First Presbyterian Church (across Church Street from First Baptist).