School Policies

 Lakewood Little Lynx Preschool

5207 N Tischer Rd, Duluth MN 55804

lakewoodlittlelynxpreschool@gmail.com

218-336-8870 ext 2603

SCHOOL INFORMATION

(a full list of our policies and procedures and handbook can be requested at any time)

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HOURS OF OPERATION

The Preschool is open during the isd 709 calendar school year, Monday-Friday from 7:30 am until 2:15 pm. The preschool offers half and full day programs. Half-day is 7:30 am - 11:30 am and full day is 7:30 am - 2:15 pm.  The first and last day of school are the same as ISD709.

DROP OFF AND PICKUP 

Preschoolers may be dropped off at school at 7:30 am inside the Main Entrance of the building. Parents should make direct contact with the teacher present upon dropping off their child. Students will go with their teacher(s) to breakfast from 7:30-7:45 am. The preschool program will begin at 8:00 am. Students attending the half day program will be dismissed at the same spot inside the Main Entrance to the building at 11:30 am. Parents needing to pick up their child outside of scheduled times need to write a note on the sign-in sheet, email Elicia or Jakki at lakewoodlittlelynx@gmail.com, or call the Lakewood secretary, Jerrie at 218-336-8870.

TUITION

Tuition is to be paid in full at the beginning of each month.  Each month's tuition is the same regardless of days attended (sick, vacation, or holidays).  A fee of $40 will be added to the next month's invoice if tuition is not received by the 15th of the month.  

 

Monthly Rates:

                         5 full days - $750

3 full days - $450

3 half days - $280

SICK POLICY

Children who are ill must stay home. Students with a fever, diarrhea or vomiting must stay home until they are symptom free for at least 24 hours without medication. Little Lynx Preschool will use the CDC to help guide decision making about contagious diseases and COVID-19.

Children who have a contagious illness such as strep throat, chicken pox, pink eye, lice, etc. must be treated and on antibiotics for at least 24 hours before returning to school. Please notify the school as soon as possible so we can properly notify families of the exposure.

If your child develops symptoms at school we will contact you as soon as possible and you will be expected to come pick up your child and you will take them home immediately.  

MEALS AND SNACKS

Children enrolled in Full day preschool will bring lunch from home. Lunch will be kept in the coat room in their backpacks; please keep this in mind when packing the lunch and include ice packs or thermos as needed. We do have a microwave to warm up leftovers as well.

Meals from home must follow USDA food guidelines. All lunches from home must include the following: protein, grain, fruit, veggie and dairy. If a child does not have one of the required items, LLLP will supply food item(s) up to two times. After that, a charge of $1 per item will be added to your statement. This charge will not happen until we have verbally talked to the parent.

Snacks will be provided by the preschool twice a day. Snacks will be healthy fruits and vegetables and whole grain items plus milk. Volunteer snack sign-ups will go out once the school year is underway.

WEATHER

Little Lynx Preschool will follow the ISD 709 school related closing due to weather. Follow WDIO news for school closing. If there is a two-hour weather related late start, Preschool will start at 10:00 am.  If severe weather comes during the school day, you will be notified of any closures and be expected to come get your child from school.

HEALTH INFORMATION

The preschool maintains the personal health information of all students for licensing purposes as well as emergency situations. Health information is shared on a “need-to-know” basis among the teachers of the preschool and with medical service providers in an emergency. The preschool teachers make every reasonable effort to maintain the privacy of the personal health information of the students.

PHYSICAL MOVEMENT

All children in the preschool have regular opportunities for safe, developmentally appropriate, physical movement that supports their overall health, growth, and learning. Children will participate in a minimum of 90 minutes of physical activity each day, divided between indoor and outdoor environments. Activities may include free play, guided games, movement songs, gym equipment, an indoor climber, the outdoor forest trails, obstacle courses, and other gross motor experiences. Outdoor play will occur daily weather permitting. In cases of inclement weather, equivalent movement opportunities will be provided indoors using safe, open spaces and appropriate materials. All physical activities will be supervised by qualified staff who ensure children are safe, engaged, and using equipment appropriately. Teachers will strive for children to never be seated for more than 20 consecutive minutes.

SCREEN TIME

At Little Lynx Preschool we believe that early childhood is a time for exploration, imagination, and hands-on learning. To support healthy development and meaningful social interaction, we have a no-screen policy. This means:

• Children will not use televisions, tablets, computers, or smartphones during school hours.

• Learning and play will be facilitated through hands-on activities, outdoor play, creative arts, and interactive group play.

• Occasional use of digital media for administrative purposes (taking photos for parent updates) will be done by staff only and not for entertainment purposes.

We encourage families to support this approach at home and help children develop a love for active play, reading, and creative exploration.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

1. In the event of an accident or injury, your child will be brought to St. Luke’s Hospital, unless you have provided an alternate care facility. Parents will be notified immediately. 

2. All teachers are certified in CPR, AED, and First Aid Training. 

3. Staff and children perform monthly fire drills. (Meeting place: the back driveway behind the school.  We also have to do lockdown drills with the school, this is where we play “hide and seek” from Dr. Sheldon and we shut off lights, lock doors, and close window blinds.

4. Staff will conduct tornado drills in the spring months. Children are directed to the hallway or gym during tornado drills and warnings. 

MEDICATION

If students have medication that needs to be administered, there must be a signed doctor's note accompanied with medication in its original bottle.  Over-the-counter medications cannot be administered by staff at preschool. If sharps are needed, there will be a sharps container in a safe location.

CONFERENCES

Parent conferences/meetings are conducted 2 times throughout the school year. The first conference will occur the two days before school starts.  You will be assigned a half hour time slot where we will discuss your child, their needs, and goals for the year.  In the early Fall you will also get an assessment sent home that will consist of a checklist of age-appropriate skills that your child’s teacher is observing. The second conference will be a sit-down meeting with your child’s teacher in the Spring. There will be a sign-up available for meeting times. If you have questions, comments or concerns throughout the year, please talk to one of the preschool teachers. 

VISITOR/VOLUNTEER

Parents, guardians, friends, and family members are wonderful additions to the preschool classroom and welcomed mostly any time. The main entrance to the school is secured during the day. All visitors will need to request entry and sign in at the Main Office upon arrival at Lakewood School. Volunteer opportunities will be communicated by teachers and scheduled ahead of time.

LICENSE CAPACITY

The current license allows for up to 20 students ranging from 33 months to kindergarten age (5 years old).  There is a 10-1 students to staff ratio.

PET POLICY

If families would like to share a pet with the school, please consult with the teachers and an appropriate plan will be determined that works for all the students in the classroom, the school, and the visiting pet. If pets do visit the school, they will be kept in the main entrance of the building only and out of the classroom.

SMOKING

Smoking or tobacco use is NOT permitted in the building, near a doorway, on the Nature trail, or on the playground. 

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

Qualified teachers are called to substitute in case of a teacher absence, emergency leave, or personal time. We also have other aids that can accompany a licensed teacher if needed as well. 

CHILD FILES

The children’s files will consist of the Enrollment form, Health Care Summary and Immunization Records, tuition policy, emergency contacts and health form, progress reports, conference sheets and observation notes. 

BEHAVIOR

Lakewood Little Lynx Preschool has the expectation that all students remain safe, respectful, responsible and kind. Students will be expected to follow the rules and direction of the preschool staff. Severe behavior will be addressed by the teachers to the parents to come up with an appropriate plan. If rules and expectations are not being met, the school has the right to terminate your enrollment.

COMPLAINTS

Parents or guardians who have a concern, complaint, or question about Lakewood Little Lynx Preschool, its staff, students, or parents, should first address concerns with Ms. Jakki and Ms. Elicia. If you don’t feel comfortable bringing up issues with them, please contact the President of the Foundation to address concerns. Phyllis Makila - rutabaga39@gmail.com. If further action is needed, contact the Department of Human Services - Division of Licensing at (651) 431-6500

ABUSE/NEGLECT

All staff at Little Lynx Preschool are mandatory reporters of suspected abuse and/or neglect. Reports regarding incidents with children will be made to St.Louis County Social Services (218) 726-2012. Staff will call the police (911) or (218) 726-2340 if a child is in immediate danger.