Each family receives a Parent Handbook at the beginning of the school year or at the time of enrollment during the school year.  During Parent Orientation (the first day of class or at the time of enrollment during the year), the Director or a Staff Member will review each part of the Handbook with the parents and answer questions.  The Handbook should be kept as a guide during the school year.

Class Size

We follow the class size guidelines set up by the National Association for Young Children (NAEYC):

            3 year old class:  one teacher to 9 children

            4 and 5 year old class:  one teacher to 10 children

Guidance Practices

At Wesley Nursery School we guide and direct children, but do not act as their judge.  We first build a relationship in which a child has confidence in his/her teachers and know they are accepted.

We believe the child does not have the right to act in all ways they may wish.  We are responsible for not permitting them to act in undesirable ways such as hurting others or being destructive.  Therefore, we set limits for the child so they do not continue to build unacceptable behavior patterns.

Discipline Policy

Discipline is the on-going process of helping children to develop their controls so that they can manage their own behavior in socially approved / acceptable manner.  We will encourage social and emotional growth as we help the children learn to cooperate with their peers, learn to share and learn to respect each others belongings.

No child will be subjected to, under any circumstances, any form of corporal punishment, which includes hitting, spanking, swatting, beating, shaking, pinching and other measures including sexual content, intended to induce physical pain or fear.  The teaching staff will never use abusive or profane language or deprive children of food, rest or use of restrooms.  Children will not be punished for toilet accidents.

A child whose behavior is out of control, aggressive or disruptive, may be asked to sit with a teacher, or given a "time out" (removal of child from the area, for short periods of time, one minute per age of child over the age of two).  This could be on a chair out of the immediate area, but always with staff supervision. 

The parent is always notified of serious behavior problems.  The teaching staff and parents discuss and agree on a plan of action.

Confidentiality of Records

All student and staff personal files are kept in a locked file in the school office.  Staff members can review student files for information that relates to children in their class.

Confidentiality release forms specifying to whom information may be shared, must be signed by parents before student information is released.

Our licensing agency, the Illinois Dept. of Children and Family Services, and our accreditation agency, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, have the right to review records within the school office to verify meeting licensing and accreditation standards.