“The environment must be rich in motives which lend interest to activity and invite the child to conduct his or her own experiences.” Dr. Maria Montessori
Shining Stars Montessori Policies and Procedures
Shining Stars Montessori Days and Hours of Operation
Shining Stars Montessori will be open Monday to Friday 7:00 am to 6:30 pm please refer to holiday schedule for school closures)
Ages
Shining Stars Montessori will provide care for children 18 months to 6 years of age. All enrollment forms must be completed prior to the child’s first day of school, with current immunization records.
Arrival (Sign in/out)
An adult over the age of 16 must accompany your child to their classroom and sign your child in and out every day on the attendance sheet in the classroom.
Under no circumstances should a child be dropped off outside of the school building or classroom.
Class times are from
a) 7:00 am to 6:30 pm (full time)
b) 8:30 am to 12:00 noon, 8:30 am to 2:00 pm (part time).
c) We encourage parents to bring their child before 9:00 am to participate in all school activities.
Part time children must be picked up by 12:00 noon or 2:00 pm, and full-time children must be picked up by 6:30 pm. Please note that there will be a $1.00 charge for each minute beyond 6:30 pm.
Release of Children
Children will not be permitted to leave with ANYONE except those persons listed on the enrollment form.
If you are unable to pick your child, please provide written request, or call the school at 512-810-7827 to inform the class teacher who will be picking up your child. The person will be required to show a picture ID before your child will be released.
Registration and Material Fees
Annual Registration fees and material fees are payable at the start of each new school year. (These fees are nonrefundable fees.)
Tuition
Make checks payable to “Shining Stars Montessori”
School fees are due on the first working day of each month and no later than the 5th working day of the month. There will be a $25.00 LATE FEE charge if paid after the 5th of each month and a $35.00 return check fee.
Sibling Discount is: $50.00 per month. (Applies only to children registered full time).
Tuition is based on monthly rate not based on attendance. No refunds or credits will be given for holidays, absences, or illness.
Clothing and Personal Items
Each child must have one complete change of clothing for emergency use all articles of clothing should be plainly marked with the child’s name.
Clothing should be comfortable and suitable for indoor and outdoor activities.
For safety reasons, it is recommended that all students wear closed-toe shoes.
Please make sure the sleeping bags and blankets are washed every weekend before bringing them back to school on Monday.
Absences, Withdrawals, Dismissals
Please inform the school if your child is going to be absent.
If you decide to withdraw your child/children from Shining Stars Montessori prior to the end of the school year, you must provide written notice 30 days prior to your child’s last day.
The school reserves the right to dismiss any student who proves to be incapable of adjustment or for other circumstances becomes detrimental to the best interest of himself, herself, the other students, or the faculty. In such cases, the student will be required to withdraw from the school immediately upon Director’s notification.
The parent/guardian failure to pay fees according to policy will result in dismissal.
Contact Information
Any changes to parent’s personals information, please inform the school office immediately or email to info@shiningstars-montessori.com to update our records to contact you in case of an emergency. (Such as change in address, phone number or place of employment. It is very important that our files are kept current.)
Holidays
The school follows R.I.S.D. calendar.
Meals and Snacks
We encourage healthy snacks and meals for your child.
The lunch should be brought in a lunch box with an ice pack in it. Microwaves are available to heat any food that requires warming.
Safety
Parents must closely supervise the children in the parking lot.
Once the child is signed out of the school, it is parent’s responsibility to ensure the child’s safety.
Daily Health Check
Health check is defined as of a child to identify potential concerns about a child’s health, including signs or symptoms of illness and injury, in response to change in the child behavior since the last date of attendance. Observation of the child and communication with the child’s, parents or guardian is the key elements of the health check. Health checks are performed daily by the teachers, any changes in a child’s behavior or appearance are noted on the health check log. This documentation will be available to parents to view at any time.
Outdoor Policy
Weather permitting, outside play will be a minimum of three time per day.
Should the weather prevent us from taking the children outdoors, we will provide alternate indoor movement activities.
Outdoor play restrictions for a child must be in writing and accompanied by a doctor’s medical statement noting the reason for the restriction.
Sick Policy
For the protection of all children a child should STAY HOME if he or she has any of the following symptoms, (if the child is sick in school, parents will be notified to pick up the child immediately)
a) Fever of 100 or more
b) Throwing-up
c) Diarrhea
d) Possible contagious disease (head lice, chicken pox, measles, mumps, flu, pink eye.)
e) A doctor’s statement may be required before the child can return to school.
Medicine and Medical Emergencies
Medication will not be given without parent’s written authorization. The school will only apply diaper rash ointments, lip balm, bug spray and sunscreen if necessary.
No prescription medication will be given to children at the school (parents are free to come and give prescribe a medication to the child during school hours)
If critical illness or injury requires immediate medical attention, the following will occur:
a) Contact emergency medical services
b) Administer first-aid or CPR if needed
c) Contact the child’s parents
d) Contact the physician identified in the child’s record.
Guidance and Discipline
Shining Stars Montessori will follow the discipline and guideline policy recommended by the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services provided in the minimum standards for childcare centers.
Complaints
If a parents/guardian have any questions or concerns regarding the care provided at the school, parents/guardian are requested to speak with the child’s teacher or director.
Should you feel the issue should be brought to the attention of Texas Child Care Licensing, they can be reached at (512) 834-3195. www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Care/Search_Texas_Child_Care/.
If you do suspect that your child has been abused, report the situation to the toll-free child abuse hot line number: 1-800-252-5400 or the Local licensing office listed above.
Parents Involvement
Parents can visit the school at any time.
Other responsibilities for involvement may include sharing a cultural background and/or language, reading a story or singing with children or simply spending time during free play. Please contact your child’s teacher if any of these activities are of interest to you.
Parents Teacher Conference
The lead teachers at Shining Stars Montessori offer parents an opportunity to attend a parent/teacher conference at least once per year.
Sign-up sheets for parent teach conference will be posted in each classroom February to April each year with times available.
We encourage parents to sign-up for these meetings to witness your child’s development, achievements and obtain parent feedback.
A teacher may schedule a meeting with parents if she has concerns or issues with a child. The staff strives to keep open communication with all parents.
Vision and Hearing Screening
The Vision and Hearing Screening program, Chapter 36 of the Health and Safety Code requires that all children enrolled for the first time in any licensed care program be screened or have a professional examination for possible vision and hearing problems. This is an annual requirement for each child enrolled aged 3 years and older.
While not required by the Health Department, we encourage screening for ALL children, even younger than 4 years of age. Therefore, the school requires that all Children, age 4 and above, have a hearing and vision screening within 90 days of enrollment. The school will require a copy of the screening for our file.
For more information, please contact:
Department of State Health Services
Vision and Hearing Screening – Mail Code 1918
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, Texas 78756-3199
512-458-7420 (phone)
512-458-7125 (fax)
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/vhs/
Weather and Emergency Procedures
Shining Stars Montessori follows the Round Rock Independent School District (RISD) decisions regarding bad weather. If RISD closes or delays school start times due to bad weather, the Montessori school will close, and parents will be notified that the child is being dismissed. You may tune-in to the radio or TV for more information regarding the weather.
We practice monthly fire and severe weather drills so your child will not be traumatized by any unexpected emergencies.
During an emergency, if we must evacuate the building (for a minor incidents) all children will be taken to North Wood Club House at 14216 Tyburn Trail, Austin TX 78717. In case of a major fire evacuation all children will be moved to Rutledge Elementary School at 11501 Staked Plains Dr, Austin, TX 78717. (Both locations are on Staked Plains Drive).
CPSC Recall List
Shining Stars Montessori is responsible for reviewing the United States, consumer product safety commission recall list. You may also view all current and past recalls through their web site at www.cpsc.gov.
Provision for Breast Feeding Mothers
Mother have the right to breast feed or provide breast milk for her child while in Shining Stars Montessori Building comfortably. Provisions will be made within the center for breast feeding, mother please inform the office and arrangements will be made.
Emergency phone numbers for Shining Stars Montessori 512-997-8238, 512-996-9937 (In case of bad weather or power blackout, please call the above number).
We hope that this handbook has answered all your questions. Should you have any question or concern please feel free to check with the Director.
Owner and Managing Director: Mrs. Vinodani Fernando
Main Contact Number: 512-810-7827
Email: info@shiningstars-montessori.com
Thank you for choosing Shining Stars Montessori.
“The greatest sign of success for a teacher… is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.’”. Dr. Maria Montessori