Little Big Minds Parents Handbook
Contents
LITTLE BIG MINDS – GENERAL INFORMATION .................................................................. 3
PRESCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION .......................................................................................... 3
EDUCATIONAL STAFF RESPONSIBLE FOR DAILY ON-SITE OPERATIONS ...................................... 3
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY .................................................................................................................. 3
AGE REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................................... 3
RULES/STATUTES......................................................................................................................... 3
CURRENT LIABILITY COVERAGE .................................................................................................. 3
LITTLE BIG MINDS SPANISH IMMERSION PROGRAM OVERVIEW ............................... 4
VISION & MISSION STATEMENTS ................................................................................................. 5
CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES & PRESCHOOL PHILOSOPHY ............................................................. 5
PIEZAS DEL MUNDO© ~ A WHOLISTIC APPROACH TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION .............. 5
ADMISSIONS PROCESS .................................................................................................................. 7
ENROLLMENT & DISENROLLMENT............................................................................................... 7
SPECIAL NEEDS ........................................................................................................................... 7
PRESCHOOL FACILITIES ............................................................................................................... 7
IN THE CLASSROOM ...................................................................................................................... 8
DAILY SCHEDULE ........................................................................................................................ 8
ACADEMIC CENTERS / DOMAINS .................................................................................................. 9
COMMUNICATION ....................................................................................................................... 10
CONFIDENTIALITY ..................................................................................................................... 10
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES ............................................................................................. 10
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT & DISCIPLINE POLICY.................................................................... 11
STUDENT PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES ........................................................................... 12
DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP ............................................................................................................. 12
CLOTHING .................................................................................................................................. 12
NUTRITION ................................................................................................................................ 12
PERSONAL BELONGINGS ............................................................................................................ 13
NAP ............................................................................................................................................ 13
BIRTHDAYS ................................................................................................................................ 13
FIELD TRIPS ............................................................................................................................... 13
HOLIDAYS, BREAKS AND SUMMER SCHOOL ............................................................................... 14
HEALTH AND SAFETY ................................................................................................................. 14
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES (CPS) POLICY ............................................................................ 14
INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONTROL ................................................................................................ 14
MEDICATION POLICY ................................................................................................................. 15
EMERGENCY CARD..................................................................................................................... 15
SAFETY CREDENTIALS ............................................................................................................... 15
SAFETY PROCEDURES ................................................................................................................ 15
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SUN SAFETY............................................................................................................................... 16
PARENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES .................................................................................. 17
PARENT GUIDELINES ................................................................................................................. 17
PARENT INVOLVEMENT .............................................................................................................. 17
WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD'S LEARNING ................................................................. 19
GIVING YOUR CHILD THE TOOLS FOR SUCCESS ......................................................................... 19
SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION ............................................................................................. 19
TUITION AND FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................ 20
TUITION ..................................................................................................................................... 20
FINANCIAL POLICIES ................................................................................................................. 20
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Little Big Minds – General Information
Preschool Contact Information
Address: 4601 N. 34th St. Phoenix, AZ 85018
Days/Hours of Operation:
Tel: (602) 910-4417
Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 5:30pm
Website: www.littlebigmindspreschool.com
Email: info@littlebigmindspreschool.com
Educational Staff Responsible For Daily On-Site Operations
Director: Pilar Kelley, M.A.Ed.
License State of Arizona
Little Big Minds Spanish Immersion Preschool® operates under a license issued by the Department
of Health Services of the State of Arizona.
DHS Location: 150 North 18th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85007
Tel: (602) 542-1025
Equal Opportunity
Little Big Minds Spanish Immersion Preschool places great value on providing a global and
multicultural environment for its students. We admit students of any race, color, national or ethnic
origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities made available to students at the school. It
does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its
educational policies, admission policies, or other school administered programs.
Age Requirements
Children must be 24-months (2 years old) by August 1st to participate in our program. Two yearolds do not have to be toilet trained but diapers must be provided by parents. Children who are three
years old by August 1st must be potty trained to enter a 3+ classroom.
Rules/Statutes
The facility is regulated by Arizona Department of Health Services Office of Child Care Licensure.
Inspections by Child Care Licensing for these classrooms are available for your review upon request.
All records related to licensing reviews are filed in the Preschool office filing cabinet and are of
public record.
Current Liability Coverage
Little Big Minds Spanish Immersion Preschool® carries General Liability Insurance that complies
with State of Arizona requirements.
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Little Big Minds Spanish Immersion Program Overview
Little Big Minds is a Spanish Immersion Preschool designed to promote early
childhood bilingualism. The mission is to provide an exceptional academic
experience by:
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Engaging curiosity and a love for learning
Employing a rigorous and progressive curriculum
Providing balanced, dynamic, hands-on experiences
Growing confidence and independence
Nurturing cultural awareness
and...doing it all in Spanish!
Research confirms that learning a second language before age five significantly alters the brain's
structure. According to the Society for Neuroscience, increased brain activity is so prominent and
predictable that neurologists can identify bilingualism from a brain scan. The cognitive benefits
include reading proficiency, increased comprehension, greater flexibility in thinking, and improved
listening and problem-solving skills. The belief that learning two languages might confuse or delay
young learners has been consistently disproven. Rather, new studies show that learning two
languages before the age of 5 gives children the ability to scaffold fundamental skills and apply them
to both languages.
Little Big Minds Preschool® offers programs for 2 year-olds to 5 year-olds. Piezas del Mundo©
Curriculum is a comprehensive, cross-functional, and proprietary curriculum. Cross-curricular
teaching helps learners recognize natural connections between separate subjects. It brings together
concepts and skills from different domains/academic centers as a major concept or theme is
explored. When teachers collaborate with each other to teach and guide students in their study of a
common topic, they reinforce the fact that disciplines do not exist in a vacuum, nor should
learning. Everything is connected in some way.
This curriculum integrates the critical content of language, mathematics, science, culture, values,
music, art and kinesthetic learning through interactive, modifiable modules to provide the framework
to help students put the pieces of knowledge together.
While our first job as educators is instilling sound academic fundamentals, we believe it is equally
important to provide regular and meaningful enrichment lessons, interactive instruction in art and
music appreciation, hands-on eco-learning through gardening and recycling efforts, cultural
awareness activities, gross motor skill development through weekly PE and yoga and specialized
music and science instruction. It is our philosophy that this kind of cross-curricular instruction not
only serves to create a rich learning environment but it also makes learning fun!
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Vision & Mission Statements
Mission
To provide multilingual, multicultural and academic learning opportunities for preschool age
children that foster an appreciation for linguistic and cultural diversity. Parents, the school and the
community work in partnership to engage students in developing a global perspective on learning.
Vision
To provide an exceptional preschool education where students develop social, cultural, linguistic,
cognitive and academic skills as a multilingual learner.
Curriculum Objectives & Preschool Philosophy
We wholly believe that these are the formative years. In all we do, we
strive to insure that the Piezas del Mundo© Curriculum and our
classroom environments:
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Meet or exceed Arizona Department of Education Early Learning
Standards.
Validate a child’s effort and exploration.
Encourages and supports a child’s natural curiosity and desire to
learn about the world around him.
Help the child build confidence, independence and respect for others.
Offer age- and developmentally-appropriate lessons based on the Little Big Minds academic
progression and predetermined social/emotional standards.
Promote curiosity and facilitate opportunities to love learning.
Use established assessment and observation methods to meet individual child needs.
Promote discovery, critical thinking, problem-solving and Kindergarten-readiness.
Promote collaboration between parents and school to facilitate an individualized standard of
care.
Provide ready opportunities to engage all senses and encourage exploration and
experimentation.
Promote beauty and harmony; recognize and embrace individual learning styles, talents and
skill-sets.
Piezas del Mundo© ~ A Wholistic Approach to Early Childhood Education
The activities we plan for children, the way we organize the environment, select toys and materials,
plan the daily schedule, and talk with children, are all designed to accomplish the goals of our
curriculum, to prepare students for a successful elementary education. In broad terms, the Piezas del
Mundo© Curriculum addresses all areas of early childhood development every day:
Social
To help children feel comfortable in school, trust their new environment, make friends, and feel they
are a part of the group.
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Emotional
To help children experience pride and self- confidence, develop independence and self-control, and
have a positive attitude towards their work.
Cognitive
To help children become confident learners by letting them try out their
own ideas and experience success, and by helping them acquire learning
skills such as the ability to solve problems, ask questions, and use words
to describe their ideas, observations, and feelings. Further, to provide a
research-based academic progression based on Arizona Early Learning
Standards.
Physical
To help children increase their gross and fine motor skills and feel confident about what their bodies
can do. In addition to classroom activities and outdoor play, Little Big Minds offers weekly in-class
PE and yoga to help children develop coordination, balance and control.
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Admissions Process
Enrollment & Disenrollment
To complete an application to Little Big Minds Spanish Immersion Preschool® you must submit the
following materials:
Checklist:
 Registration Form
 Registration Fee
 Blue Form - Emergency Information and Immunization Form
 Birth Certificate (copy)
 Current Immunization Records
 Photo and Directory Release
 Financial Policy
 Smart Support Consent Form
 Confidential Form
 Credit Card Authorization Form
Please note: Incomplete registration packets will not be accepted. We cannot add your child’s name
to the enrollment list or “hold” spots with partially completed packets. You must turn in ALL of the
above information to be added to the registration list.
Completing the above paperwork does NOT guarantee acceptance. Little Big Minds Preschool will
accept students based on space available and parents will be notified by phone or email of
acceptance. Students will be placed on a first-come, first-served basis with priority placement given
to returning students and siblings of returning students.
Parents who wish to have their child added to the waitlist for the next academic year can do so by
going to www.littlebigmindspreschool.com > Join the Waitlist. If space becomes available, parents
will be contacted and all the above information must be provided prior to admission.
Special Needs
The Preschool can accommodate children with special needs. The child’s parent, in agreement with
the Director, will determine if our facilities are compatible with the particular special needs and if
the child’s needs can be met by the Preschool.
Preschool Facilities
Little Big Minds Spanish Immersion Preschool® is operating this branch on the Biltmore Preparatory
Academy campus. The classrooms are designed to facilitate academic centers/domains providing
art, math/science, world cultures, creative movement and dramatic play. The outside playground
provides for activities such as: gardening, sand play, riding bikes and tricycles, running games,
jumping and climbing activities and swinging.
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In the Classroom
Daily Schedule
The Preschool program provides your child with a variety of activities. The activities include a
balance of whole group, small-group differentiated instruction, and individual learning opportunities,
indoor and outdoor play, child-centered and teacher directed activities. A sample daily schedule
follows:
ACADEMIC DAY
Lunes
Monday
Martes
Tuesday
Miercoles
Wednesday
Jueves
Thursday
Viernes
Friday
9:00am
Circle Time
Circle Time
Circle Time
Circle Time
Circle Time
9:30am
Math/
Matematicas
Snack/
Outdoor Play
Literacy/
Literatura
Free Play
Art/
Arte
Snack/
Outdoor Play
Musica y
Movimiento
Free Play
Art/
Arte
Snack/
Outdoor Play
Musica y
Movimiento
Free Play
Math/
Matematicas
Snack/
Outdoor Play
Literacy/
Literatura
Free Play
Cultural Friday
Lunch
Caring
Circulo
Adios Ninos
Lunch
Caring Circulo
Lunch
Caring
Circulo
Adios Ninos
Lunch
Caring
Circulo
Adios Ninos
Lunch
Caring Circulo
10:10am
11:00am
11:40am
12:15pm
12:45pm
1:00pm
Adios Ninos
Snack/
Outdoor Play
Artist of the
Month
Free Play
Adios Ninos
ALL DAY
Time
7:00 - 9:00am
9:00am to 1:00pm
1:00pm to 3:00pm
3:00pm
3:00pm to 5:30pm
All Day Schedule
Early drop-off. After a warm welcome, your child will have a choice of
activities including playing and exploring different learning centers or
doing teacher-directed crafts and activities.
See Academic Daily Schedule above
 Naptime for children under 3. Please bring a sheet or blanket and
small pillow.
 Enrichment programs - Little Big Minds directed and outsourced
programs (ie…soccer, dance, music)
 LBM Aftercare
Snack, wrap-up and dismissal of extended day students.
Self-selected learning, planned activities, and outdoor play.
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Academic Centers / Domains
Young children learn through active exploration of materials and hands-on play. Through play
children explore their world, find out how to get along with others, test their skills and muscles, try
out new ideas, and feel confident enough to try new and different activities. Some of the areas or
centers your child will explore and experience are:
Literacy
The Piezas del Mundo© Curriculum utilizes Spalding standards for basic introduction of letter
formation and development. Our classrooms also incorporate the Lindamood-Bell LiPS® Phoneme
Sequencing program for pre-reading, letter sound production and letter sequencing.
Mathematics
As part of our ongoing commitment to professional development, Little
Big Minds teachers have participated in Creative Mathematics®
Workshops, a quality and research-based program designed to teach
teachers how to teach math and science. Our teachers leverage this
training in coordination with Arizona Department of Education (ADE)
Early Learning Standards and activities set-forth in Nubaris to round out
our math program.
Science
Science is experiential and exploratory and the Piezas del Mundo© Curriculum is designed to weave
basic science concepts throughout our lesson plans. We teach our
students to ask, "Why?" and we invite them to develop hypotheses.
Again, ADE standards provide the framework for our curriculum but we
also partner with the Arizona Science Center - Science on Wheels
program to provide regular, hands-on, in-classroom enrichment activities
based on our monthly themes.
Fine Arts
The arts nurture the imagination and creative spirit of all children. Sensory awareness (sight, sound,
touch, smell, taste) is the foundation for all imaginative activity and creative expression. At Little
Big Minds, we place great emphasis on the importance of the arts and the process of creating rather
than the end result.
Cultural Studies
A core value at Little Big Minds is teaching children to embrace the
world around them. Our curriculum includes Composer of the Month,
Artist of the Month and Region of the Month. In each of these modules
students learn about masterpieces rich in history and heritage. Through
the Piezas del Mundo© Curriculum, students will discuss, listen to and
mimic the rhythm and beats of composers like Bach, Handel, Vivaldi and
Purcell and they will attempt to replicate artwork by Picasso, Matisse and
Cézanne. They will watch and emulate African or Japanese dances,
sample ethnic foods, build adobe houses, weave rugs or uncover ruins.
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Social Emotional Skills
We believe that children who learn to empathize with others, accept and
celebrate individual differences, communicate their feelings, and resolve
conflicts in constructive ways, learn to love becoming contributing
members of the community. We work with children to leverage their
strengths and we love and encourage them through their weaknesses and
challenges. There is no better time to learn independence and selfconfidence than during the preschool years.
As a foundation for these valuable social lessons, Little Big Minds utilizes the Kindness Curriculum
in all of its classrooms. This program allows us to provide experiences that strengthen the building
blocks of positive character development. Children enjoy the freedom of expression the activities
encourage and the playfulness the program provides as they learn about love, feelings and empathy,
gentleness, self-control, respect, friendship, and conflict resolution. Each month children discuss and
explore a new value and through the Kindness Curriculum, children are able to role-play and learn
from one another.
Kinesthetic Development
Each year, Smart Support® consultants evaluate our classrooms and they
help teachers to refine the physical space based on age and
developmental ability. All the spaces in our classrooms are intentional,
safe and productive and play/academic areas are designed to provide
students with opportunities to hone fine and gross motor skills.
Communication
Little Big Minds will send a monthly newsletter through Constant Contact. If you do not receive the
newsletter on or before the first day of each month, please stop by the office to verify your email
address.
Every Friday, teachers will send classroom updates and pictures through Schoology. Classroom
posts through Schoology are PRIVATE and by invitation only. You must register with Schoology
using the classroom code provided by your child’s teacher.
Please take time to check your child’s classroom folder every day. Our little ones have worked hard
on their projects and it means a lot to them that you recognize their effort.
Confidentiality
All child and family records are kept in locked file cabinets to assure confidentiality. Records are
only sent to other educational agencies at the written request/permission of the parent.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Teachers carefully monitor every student’s progress throughout the year. Parent/Teacher conferences
are optional and held twice a year. We believe that the parent is the child's first teacher. Your
observations and knowledge about your child are of utmost importance to us. As your partners in the
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education of your child, we will be able to respond to your child’s needs together. Please do not
hesitate to contact your child’s teacher if you have any concerns or questions at any time.
Classroom Management & Discipline Policy
Little Big Minds Preschool uses Love and Logic® techniques as the basis for classroom management
and discipline. We have found that this program provides simple and practical tools to help foster an
atmosphere of mutual respect while giving children the opportunity to learn from their mistakes.
This is not a punishment-based approach. Rather, this approach teaches children to think about their
decisions and learn from natural consequences.
Love and Logic helps teachers:
 Build positive student-teacher relationships
 Set limits in the classroom without anger
 Help students own and solve their own problems
 Build strong connections between home and school
 Manage disruptive students
 Make teaching and learning more fun and productive
 Get and keep students' attention
 Bully-proof children, diffuse power struggles, and handle difficult people
It works because:
 It gives students responsibility for their own actions.
 The student has to think of ways to solve their own problem.
 When students have to think, they learn that decisions have consequences.
 When students have to deal with consequences, they learn to think.
 When we allow the student to deal with the consequences, they learn to think before they
cause a problem.
 When the student learns to ask themselves, "How is my behavior going to affect me?" they
have learned self-control.
If you would like to learn more about Love and Logic and how you can implement these techniques
at home please visit: http://www.loveandlogic.com/
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Student Processes and Procedures
Drop-off and Pick-up
You must park in the Biltmore Preparatory Academy school parking lot and
walk your children to the preschool through the Biltmore Preparatory campus
for drop-off and pick-up.
The one exception to the above rule is that parents may drop their children off at
the back gate (Highland and 34th Pl.) between 8:40 and 8:55am during the academic year. Parents
may NOT park and walk children to their classroom from the back gate. Instead, parents must stay in
their car. Teachers will collect the children from the car and usher them to their classroom. This is a
service offered for your convenience. Please help us continue to make this service possible by
respecting the rules and insuring the safety of all students.
In the afternoon, parents are required to park in the parking lot and meet their child at the door of
their classroom. This is a special time for the children. They are excited to see you and to share with
you what they have been doing all day. Please make appropriate arrangements to be at school on
time and to meet your child at the door.
We ask that parents call the office if they are going to be late for pick-up for any reason.
Children not enrolled in After Care will wait for their parents in the office.
Clothing
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Please do not send your child to school in his or her best clothes. In preschool we play with
glue, paint, sand and water. Messy, fun activities are a part of every day.
We encourage rubber-soled, close-toed shoes that are safe for running and
climbing. (Please, no “flip-flops”.)
Children are required to have a change of clothes in their cubbies at all times
in case of emergencies. Please bring them with you the first day of class in a
clearly labeled Ziploc bag. Remember to change your child’s extra clothes with the change in
weather. If your child has a bathroom accident and has no extra clothing, the parent will be
called to come pick up the child, or to bring a change of clothes.
Please label all personal items.
Nutrition
Our little BIG minds get hungry! Each day all children should have a nutritious snack. Little Big
Minds encourages families to participate in the collaborative snack planned for their child’s
classroom. Once a month, each parent is asked to provide a healthful snack
for the whole class.
Little Big Minds is
a NUT-FREE
Each parent must send their child to school each day with a healthy lunch.
school.
Please remember to provide a re-fillable water bottle so that your child is
able to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Snacks and lunch are served family-style (children and adults sit at tables together). This is a special
time for children and teachers to communicate with one another. Children help with activities such
as setting the table, passing food to others, and cleaning up. Children also have the opportunity to
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participate in monthly food experiences or activities. Children are encouraged but never forced to
taste any food.
If your child has any food allergies please bring a note from you or the doctor stating the nature of
your child’s food allergies. For our classroom parties parents will participate by bringing special
treats to school for the special event. Please provide your child with an alternative treat that is safe
for them to eat.
School is open for All Day students from 7:00am to 5:30pm. For students that participate in the All
Day program, parents may send their children to school with breakfast and they will be permitted to
eat their breakfast in the Before-Care classroom from 7am to 8am. Afternoon snack is served at 3:00
and it is “parent-provided” so please send your children to school with plenty to eat!
Personal Belongings
We request that children do not bring candy, gum, snacks, or personal items from home. Valuable
or breakable toys or other items may be lost or damaged and these items often cause distraction or
conflict. Every Wednesday throughout the year is “Show and Tell” day. Your child is invited to
bring one item to share with the class on this day only. The item must be left in the“show and tell”
box until circle time and returned to the box until pick-up. Toys and other items brought to class on
other days, will be held in the Preschool Office for safe-keeping and parents can retrieve them there.
Nap
All children staying after 1pm are required to bring a nap bag to school if they are going to nap. All
children under 3 years old are required to go to the nap room. The nap bag should contain a blanket
or sheet, pillow and stuffed animal for your child to snuggle with (optional). All nap bags will be
sent home at the end of the week to be washed and returned to school the following Monday.
Birthdays
Birthdays may be celebrated at school. Please contact your child’s teacher to schedule a
time that will work for you. Keep it simple and remember that Birthday snacks must still
adhere to food guidelines (ie…no nuts).
Field Trips
Field trips are a wonderful opportunity for the child to experience the community in which they live
and to extend their classroom experiences. On field trips:
1. You will be asked to give your written permission for your child to participate in
activities outside the classroom (such as field trips) prior to the planned activity.
2. In the event of off-campus field trips, teachers will need parents to assist in
chaperoning.
3. Teachers will leave a written notice on the classroom door with information
including time of departure and return, field trip location and phone number.
4. Preschool children will be provided snacks on field trips when necessary.
5. Younger siblings may only attend if their parent is in attendance and teacher
agrees that all children can be transported and watched safely.
6. Volunteers/siblings must follow all Preschool policies when attending field trips.
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7. Our preferred mode of transportation for field trips is by school bus, subject to insurance,
availability and cost.
Holidays, Breaks and Summer School
Little Big Minds follows the Creighton School District Academic Year Calendar. The school is
open for the Fall and Spring break only for families enrolled in the All Day Program.
The Preschool offers Spanish Immersion Summer Camp on a week-by-week basis. Families
enrolled in the All Day Program have the option to enroll in Summer School at the same monthly
tuition rate and schedule as that of the regular academic year.
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Health and Safety
Child Protective Services (CPS) Policy
Little Big Minds Preschool staff and volunteers are required by Arizona Law (HB2293) to report
any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the Child Protective Services Agency. As a part
of each daily health check and throughout the day, children will be routinely observed. Be
assured that normal bruises or scrapes and/or mood swings will not alarm our trained staff.
However, they may ask for clarification on how an injury occurred or why a child’s behavior has
changed. Please do not feel threatened by this procedure. It is the Preschool’s way of assuring
you that caring and supportive adults are meeting your child’s needs. All inquiries give parents
and staff an opportunity to work as a team in supporting a safe and healthy environment for each
child.
Infectious Disease Control
Teachers are trained in health and safety procedures including signs and symptoms of illness.
For the health and safety of your child and/or the other children in the class, your child will be
sent home if she/he shows any signs of illness such as:
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Fever over 100°
Red/infected eyes
Green runny nose
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Sore throat
Diarrhea
Upset stomach/vomiting
According to Arizona Child Care Regulations, any child with a contagious illness may not stay
in the preschool. If your child becomes ill during class time, you will be contacted to pick your
child up immediately. To prevent contagion, the child will be held in the office until you are able
to pick him/her up.
The Preschool requires each child to:
 Have proof of current immunizations prior to the first day of class or
 Have a completed blue emergency card (updated as needed).
Age-appropriate health education is integrated into ongoing classroom activities (including
washing hands regularly, brushing teeth and eating nutritious foods).
Head Lice Policy
Symptoms:
 Child scratching head
 Child reports itchy scalp
Little Big Minds has adopted the No Nit policy as the best safeguard for all the children. The No
Nit Policy consists of the following procedures:
1)
Surveillance: Teachers will check for symptoms periodically and may do head checks if
an infestation is suspected.
2)
Temporary Dismissal: Children with suspected or clear evidence of lice infestation (nits
and or head lice) will be removed from the classroom and sent home upon notifying the
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3)
4)
5)
parents. In addition, we will require the child to be nit and lice free before returning to
school. We ask that the child not return to school for a minimum of 72 hours while steps
are taken to get rid of the nits or lice. If a parent believes that the child is rid of nits or lice
prior to the 72 hours we ask for a doctor or lice-specialist certification that the child is nit
and lice-free.
Parents will be provided with louse control instruction/information.
Infested children will not be readmitted until verification by the director that the child is
free of any lice or nits.
We will notify school parents for prevention with postings on the school boards while
maintaining the confidentiality of each child.
Medication Policy
Medication will be administered upon the written direction and consent of the parent. Medication
prescribed by a doctor must be labeled with the original prescription and specific instructions. If
your child takes two or three doses of medication daily, please give the medication to your child
at home before and after school. Only when absolutely necessary will the staff administer
medication. The parent must fill out a medical consent form before medication is administered.
All medicines will be kept in a locked cabinet in the Preschool Office. Medical consent form can
be found online at www.littlebigmindspreschool.com or in the Preschool Office.
Emergency Card
A child will not be admitted unless the Blue Form/Emergency Card is on file. Parents are asked
to come to the preschool office to make any changes to the blue card. Make sure you note any
and all allergies on your child’s emergency card and make sure that phone numbers and
emergency contacts are up-to-date.
Safety Credentials
Be assured that our staff has met all of the following requirements:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Fingerprint clearance
License with the State of Arizona to work with preschool-aged children
First Aid/CPR Certification
TB test and proof of current Immunizations on file
Visitors will not be admitted in classrooms without the office first checking on reasons for the
visit and requesting the visitors to sign-in.
Safety Procedures
1) All accidents or injuries are documented. Teachers will assess the injury and
apply first aid. The staff will contact you if urgent attention is needed. If the
injury is minor (a scratch or bruise), you will be informed when you pick
up your child through an “Ouch Report.”
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2) If an injury or serious illness occurs which requires immediate medical treatment, we will
attempt to contact the parent at the number listed on the emergency card after we contact
emergency personnel or the child’s physician. If a parent cannot be reached for consultation,
the child will be taken to the medical facility identified on their Blue Card.
3) Parents are responsible for the supervision of their non-Preschool children at all times while
at the Preschool.
Sun Safety
Little Big Minds Preschool will schedule limited outdoor time when necessary
due to extreme weather conditions. Little Big Minds Preschool will provide
parents, upon request, a sun safety checklist for clothing, hats, sunglasses,
sunscreen and more detailed information on sun safety.
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Parent Policies and Procedures
Parent Guidelines
To provide a safe and happy learning environment for your child, we ask that you follow the
guidelines listed below:
1. A parent or authorized person (16 years or older) must sign the child in and out of school
using our fingerprint scanning system. All authorized individuals must be identified on the
child’s Blue Form/Emergency Authorization form. We do not accept telephone
authorizations for pick up. We will not release your child to anyone who is not on the Blue
Form/Emergency Authorization Card.
2. To release a child from the classroom we must have a receipt from the
fingerprint scanning system which indicates that the child has been properly
signed out.
3. Please notify the director of office staff if you need to make changes in telephone
numbers, addresses, and/or emergency contacts. For the safety of your child, it is
your responsibility to insure that our files are always up-to-date.
4. If your child must be absent from school, please call the Preschool office between 7:00am
and 9:00am. Please let the office staff know the reason for the absence. If your child is sick
with a contagious illness, we will notify other classroom families so that we can prevent
additional contagion.
5. In the event you need to pick up your child early, please let the teacher know at drop-off.
Please go to the office and a staff member will retrieve your child from their classroom to
prevent undue interruption.
6. Parents and visitors are required to sign in at the office desk before participating in the
classrooms.
7. Please let the teachers know of any changes in the family such as death, illness, divorce,
separation, company in the home or if the child is on any medication. This helps the teachers
understand any sudden changes in the child’s behavior at school.
8. During special occasions, siblings are welcome to attend with a parent, (i.e... field trips,
petting zoo, transportation day, classroom parties, etc.) with the understanding that the parent
will supervise their visiting child.
Parent Involvement
We have many fun activities planned for this coming school year! There will be endless
opportunities for you and other parents to lend a helping hand. Your early involvement with
your child’s education will promote future success in growth and development. We truly pride
ourselves on the fact that parent involvement (at any level) is an integral part of our culture. It is
a meaningful part of who we are, and not only do the children take notice, but it strengthens our
community in a meaningful way.
There are many ways for you to be involved at the preschool and your input is always
appreciated and encouraged. Following is a list of just some of the classroom, PTO and campus
volunteer opportunities that help shape the culture of our school community.
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
Classroom Coordinators: Do you want to be your child’s Classroom Coordinator?
Parent coordinators help teachers organize volunteers for classroom parties (Valentines,
Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) and events and they serve as liaisons between parents and
teachers. We will provide you with a list of upcoming events and classroom needs and
our hope is that you will serve as an "Ambassador," communicating needs, organizing
events, and recruiting parents to make these events a success.

Cultural Fridays: We are all citizens of the world and we would love for you to
come and share with us the wonders of your heritage or your special talents
(ie...guitar playing, pottery or gardening).

Library Volunteer: We need a volunteer to help us enrich our library
based on our weekly themes. Books are needed by Mondays and they will
be return to you by Friday.

LBM Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) an Arizona Nonprofit Organization
o Scholastics Book Fair Committee
o Special Gala Event Committee
o Community Events Committee (Unity Day, Valley Youth Theater, etc.)
For the health and safety of all children, volunteers must follow Preschool guidelines. All Parent
volunteers must sign-in in the Little Big Minds office prior to entering the classrooms.
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Ways to Support Your Child's Learning
Giving Your Child the Tools for Success
You can support your child's success in school in the following ways:
1. Bring your child to school on time each day.
2. Be sure your child has a good night's sleep.
3. Be sure your child is healthy.
4. Dress your child so he or she is free to play and explore.
5. Pick up your child on time each day.
Remember, as parents, you are your child's first and most important teachers and model for
appreciation for other languages and cultures. Read to your child every night in English or
Spanish (we can help). Take him or her to the library. Let your child participate in decisions
and have responsibilities at home. Spend time each day listening to your child. The teachers and
staff may be able to help you with ideas or resources.
Second Language Acquisition
Each child learns in his/her own unique way and at his/her own individual pace. We encourage
you to practice the following when working with your child in acquiring another language:
1. Learning Should Be Fun
The more fun it is to learn a language, the more engaged a child will be. Learning while
playing creates emotional attachments, and emotion is the door to learning.
2. Practice at Home
It is important to listen and reinforce the Spanish Language at home through the Take Home
Material and suggested activities sent with your child periodically. Children like what is
familiar to them and need a lot of repetition. If children and parents are learning together then
results will follow.
3. Play in Spanish
When learning a language, interaction with others is the most critical component to acquiring
effective communication skills. Remember that you don’t need to speak the language fluently
yourself, however, you should make an effort to incorporate key vocabulary words into your
daily routine. Do not hesitate to ask us if you need help with pronunciation.
4. Use Videos as a Supplement to the Curriculum
Videos provide children with much-needed interactive listening activities, a view of aspects
of the culture that they wouldn’t have an opportunity to learn about in the classroom. It also
provides language models with a variety of regional or national accents and the visual
reinforcement of concepts learned in class.
5. Model Appreciation for Other Cultures
Little Big Minds Preschool encourages your child’s interest in language and in other cultures.
Involvement shows the child that you value the ability to speak a second language. Becoming
bilingual is a special gift parents can offer their children. If your child sees you making an
effort to play in Spanish he/she will develop a willingness to learn and a deeper sense of
appreciation for languages, culture and all the diversity the world has to offer.
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Tuition and Financial Requirements
Tuition
Days/
Week
All Day
7:00 – 5:30
Extended Day Academic Day
9:00 – 3:00
9:00 – 1:00
Pre-K
9:00 – 2:30
5 (M-F)
$925
$750
$575
$750
3 (M,W,F)
$800
$550
$475
X
2 (T/TH)
$700
$425
$350
X
Financial Policies
Little Big Minds Preschool is an independent, private preschool. Our operations are not
subsidized by a sponsoring organization and our income derives solely from tuition fees and
fundraising efforts. Our budget constraints mean that every family has a responsibility to pay
their tuition in full and on-time. An explanation of the schools fees and refund policies follows:
Registration Fee: Annual Registration fee is paid once each year to cover the cost of initial
supplies, special projects and our customized language take-home materials. The registration fee
for all classes is $200 and it is nonrefundable and nontransferable.
Tuition Payment: Tuition is payable on the first of each month of the school year, August
20XX tuition is due August 1st, 20XX. Monthly tuition is due the 1st of each month through
May 1, 20XX of the academic year. Monthly Tuition Costs are paid for 10-months, including
December. Only the All Day Programs include Fall and Spring break.
Late Charges: Tuition payments received after the 10th day of the month are deemed late and
subject to a late charge of $25.00. Any payment received will first be applied to any outstanding
late fees, then to the outstanding tuition balance. Late pickup is $1.00 per minute after 5:45pm.
Teachers will report late pickups to the Director and families will then be invoiced. A charge of
$25.00 is also assessed on a check returned by the bank.
Non Payment: If a family experiences a change in circumstances or is otherwise unable to meet
their payment obligations, it is the responsibility of family to contact the Director to work out an
acceptable arrangement. If a family remains in arrears and a satisfactory arrangement cannot be
reached, the Director may require that the child(ren) be withdrawn from the school and a
payment schedule will be made until all owed is paid in full.
Withdrawal: After the beginning of the year, should unforeseen circumstances arise, parents
must provide the Director with 30 days prior written notice of withdrawal and shall be liable for
tuition for a period of 30 days from the date notice is given to the school. Parents withdrawing
children from one or more of their classes for personal reasons other than transferring into a class
where they were on the waiting list and an opening occurred are also responsible for tuition 30
days after notice.
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Temporary Absences: No refunds will be made for temporary absences due to family
vacations, illness, accidents, health notices, etc. In the event of special circumstances, a parent
may apply in writing to the Executive Committee of the Preschool Board of Directors for special
consideration.
Multi-Child Discount: In the event a family has two or more children enrolled in the school
during the same school year, the family will receive a 10% discount on the tuition for one
additional child. (The discount applies to the child in the family with the lowest tuition.)
Teacher/Staff Discount Creighton District: Any teacher or staff member under contract with
the district will receive a discount of 10 % on the tuition for any child(ren) enrolled for that
school year. The 10% discount will be applied after the multi-child discount, if both are
applicable.
Care Beyond your Program: Early Drop off between 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. is $6.50/hour.
Care beyond your program will incur a charge: One child: $6.50/hour. Two children:
$10.50/hour. Three children: $14.50/hour. Hourly costs are not prorated. A full hour will be
charged after 15 minutes. Care beyond your program fees are payable on the first of each month
with monthly tuition. Monthly Tuition Costs are paid for 10 months, including December.
Payment Procedures:
 Automatic Credit Card payments are accepted and encourage. Please complete the credit
card authorization form available in the Preschool office to avoid late fees and missed
payments.
 Cash and check payments are to be dropped off at the Little Big Minds Preschool office
or sent to Little Big Minds Preschool at: 4601 N. 34th St. Phoenix, AZ 85018. Please
make sure to include child’s name on the check. A charge of $25.00 is also assessed on a
check returned by the bank.
If you have any questions about billing, please call the school office at 602-910-4417/ or email
tkelley@littlebigmindspreschool.com
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