What is the difference between a daycare and preschool?
A daycare or childcare center is designed to provide safe care for your child, while a preschool is intended to stimulate learning, creativity, and essential skill development to prepare your child for the classroom experience. Age is also a factor in the classification. Harris and Tucker is structured like a daycare for our toddlers and one’s, working on social skills and cognitive skills. Our 2 year old class is a hybrid of daycare and preschool and our 3 and 4 year old classes are designed like a preschool with our focus on kindergarten readiness. The foundation we create for our preschoolers has allowed our students to have a great first start when entering into their kindergarten classroom.
How do I determine which school will be best to educate my child and prepare him/her for kindergarten?
You first need to understand your goals for your child’s education. You should then visit several preschools to view the interactions and meet with staff in person. Look for a school that has been in business for a while to ensure both its stability and educational experience. You should also ask to speak with parents of current students. To help parents with this difficult decision, we have prepared a guide that outlines the questions you should be asking.
At what age should my child enroll in preschool?
Most children begin preschool at the age of three, but ultimately, the best answer is based on your child’s readiness, which an educator you trust or we can help to determine.
Most of our parents are working parents. We have children as young as 6 weeks.
How long has Harris and Tucker Preschool been in business?
Harris and Tucker Preschool opened in May1970.
What is your educational philosophy?
At Harris & Tucker the foundation of our education philosophy we draw on is a play-based philosophy using a Christian-based environment. The play-based philosophy allows children to choose activities based on their current interests. The term “play-based” is often interchanged with “child-centered.” The play-based classroom is broken up into sections, such as a home or kitchen, science, sensory, library, blocks, manipulatives, art, technology and other areas. Teachers encourage the students to play, facilitating and modeling social skills, language development and cultural integration along the way. The play-based program provides a hands-on environment where children can discover the world around them at their own level of development through a variety of learning opportunities which includes, but not limited to adult guided, informal and naturalistic activities. Throughout the day Harris and Tucker teachers strive to make sure that students are learning valuable skills, including, but not limited to important social skills and cooperation with others, early math, early literacy, and respect for others and things.Our teachers strive to implement curriculum that is thoughtfully planned, intentional, challenging, engaging, developmentally appropriate, culturally and linguistically responsive, comprehensive, and likely to promote positive outcomes for all young children.
Our goal is to provide a loving, happy place for young children to learn, grow and play as we bridge the gap from home to school, in a Christian-based environment. Our staff supports a positive self-image in each child while building social skills.
What days and hours are you open?
Our regular operating hours are 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:00am - 4:00pm on Friday. Children are dropped off in the morning between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and can be picked up any time before 5:30 p.m. We operate year-round, weather permitting. We close for regular Federal holidays, Professional Development training, Mid-Year break and Winter break. Operating hours are slightly shortened on days preceding the Thanksgiving, Christmas. Dates subject to change.
Can children attend part time?
Yes, but experience has taught us that regular participation produces much better results for children. They benefit and take comfort from the consistency of daily routines, acquire skills more effectively and don't feel "left out" of off-day activities. We do not offer a part-time programming.
How many children are there for each adult?
Under 3 years of age: 1:4,
3-5 years of age: 1-10
What items do I need to provide for my child?
Toddlers in the preschool program: pull-ups if not potty trained, wipes change of clothes, including underwear if trained or training, comfort object (i.e. pacifier, blanket, etc.), and lunch
Three (3) and older: change of clothes and lunch
In the Infant program we supply Breakfast, Lunch and Snack.
Do any of the teachers have their first aid/CPR certification?
All of our staff is required to obtain their First Aid/CPR certification
What qualifications do your teachers have?
Each of our classes is directed by a Lead Teacher who has had formal training in Child Development/Early Childhood and many years of successful experience. Our staff is always embarking upon the latest in educational progress. Most of our Leads have a Bachelor's degree or are currently working on it. Assistant Teachers work with and under the supervision of a Lead Teacher and have experience in early childhood education. Assistant teachers have no less than a Child Development Associate credential (CDA) or are currently working on it.
Is the staff background screened?
Yes. It is a requirement by the Office of Early Childhood and The Department of Children & Families.
How do parents participate in your program?
Currently the Parent Advisory Team (PAT) is encouraging parents to become a part of PAT. The goal is to have every parent participating in one of seven committees (Cleaning Bee, Special Events/Fundraising, Field trip and Future Readiness, Safety and The 55th Celebration) and to help with ideas and suggestions that will help guide the school in its continuous improvement plan.
What are your rooms like?
Our rooms are spacious and well equipped. The rooms are set up in learning/activity centers including such areas as Home Living, Library, Art, Science, Sensory Table, Manipulative/Blocks, Technology and a Preschool Culinary Arts Center. Equipment, supplies and room decoration are chosen to complement the Unit Theme of the week, reinforcing developmental goals. Room content changes regularly, presenting children with new opportunities for exploration and a change of pace.
Can I come for a tour?
YES! Visitors are always welcome; however, for an uninterrupted tour, we suggest you schedule a tour on our website or you can give us a call at 203-787-5087. This will allow you to better view the Center in operations.
What is your staff turnover rate?
Less than 10%. Our turnover rate is lower than the average because of our culture. We pride ourselves on creating a positive environment not only for our children, but also for our staff.
What types of activities do you offer for infants and toddlers?
We provide age-appropriate activities, both indoors and outdoors, to stimulate the minds of infants and toddlers, and to promote motor and social skill development.
What will my child be learning in your preschool?
Through play we introduce the fundamentals of Number, Math, Art, Pre-Reading, Music, Science and much, much more with Learning Beyond Paper. We also offer enrichment programs for Computers, all within a Christian-based environment.
How often do you clean the rooms and toys?
All of our facilities are cleaned once a day with ongoing daily maintanece. The changing tables are disinfected after each diaper change.
What is your policy regarding sick children?
In order to keep our children and their families, and our staff, as healthy as possible, we require that any child with a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or contagious disease be kept at home for at least 24 hours with out and symptoms. (See Health Policy)
Do you video monitor classrooms?
We have a video monitor in every classroom and outside so that we see all activities. While we do not allow parent viewing, we do use video for training.
What if someone other than my spouse/partner or me has to pick up my child?
In order to protect your child, we require that you provide the names of any individual who has permission to pick up your child. We require advance notice from you when someone other than a family member will be picking up your child and we will check identification. If we have any questions or concerns, we ask that you are available via cell phone to provide confirmation.
What security measures are in place to protect my child?
Your child’s safety and your peace of mind are of the utmost concern at Harris and Tucker School. Our entire facility is fenced in and the outside entrance is monitored throughout the day. All visitors must register, and we also maintain video monitoring in every classroom and on the playground.
What are your rates?
Please contact us and let us know the program you are interested in, we will gladly answer any questions.
