FAQs

All full day 8:30-3:00pm have naptime from 12:45-2:30pm except the upper pre-kindergarten classrooms which nap from 12:30-1:30pm.  Classroom lights are off and soft/classical music plays in the background.  Morning naps are available for the infant/toddler classrooms.  All classes rest either on cribs, pack and plays, or mats.  Crib sheets and blankets are sent home weekly to be laundered and brought back.  Children who do not fall asleep after 20 minutes may do “quiet” work until the majority of children are up.  Children who do not nap learn to remain quiet and respect others who are napping.  Children who fall asleep are allowed to wake up naturally.

It is our goal to keep each child with a food allergy safe and to honor identified food restrictions to best of our ability.  The teachers will post all food allergies in the classroom in clear view along with the child’s photo.  In order to best meet the children’s special dietary needs, it is essential that the center staff and parents work closely together.  Parents should discuss it with the Director and the child’s teachers upon enrollment.  Parents must submit written documentation with specific guidelines for addressing each special type of dietary need and food allergy.

If the child’s physician prescribes an Epi Pen, parents are responsible for providing this in a zip lock bag with the child’s first and last name clearly labeled, as well as the medication’s expiration date.  The Epi Pen will be stored in the classroom emergency bag, 5 feet above the floor in a visible location.  If the child’s allergy status changes, parents must notify the staff and Director of these changes and update the child’s posted allergy sheet in the classroom.

Normal hours are from 8:30am-3:0pm Monday through Friday.  We have early drop off at 7:30am and late pick up at 6:00pm should parents need to extend regular school hours. 

We serve children from 9 months through 5 years of age. 

We typically determine the placement of your child based on age; however, we consider many other factors upon deciding the make up of a classroom.  Such factors would include:  boy to girl ratio, different personalities, age, readiness, social emotional development, etc…

Enrollment is on-going and a child may enter at any time during the year.  We do not have a potty-trained prerequisite for two or three years old.  Parents can email admissions@brookfieldschool.com to find out about availability and space.

Notes are posted in Brightwheel for parents on a daily basis.  These daily notes include information such as: mood of child, amount of food/lunch child ate, books read, songs and music sang, diapering and potty schedule, activities, outdoor play time, etc…  Pictures and even videos are sent to parents!! 

The first few days of school are known as “Phase-In.”  During a transition period children will meet their new teachers and classmates, and are gradually familiarized with school and classroom routines.  Parents or guardians will receive a specific schedule for your child's transition.  If you are in doubt as to whether you should leave the classroom ask your child’s teacher.  One parent is expected to be available for portions of Phase-In to meet their children’s teachers and to fill out appropriate forms.  The length of time it takes before your child attends a full schedule will depend on the age and the individual child.  Children are all unique.

Never try to sneak out while your child is engaged in an activity.  Always give a kiss or hug and say “goodbye” and most importantly, always say that you’re coming back.  Teachers and Director are available to help any child who is having a particularly tough transition and teachers will provide necessary feedback to parents during the process.

Separation anxiety is a normal developmental stage where children experience anxiety when they are separated from their parent.  Separation is a process.  Some children have no separation anxiety and some children experience anxiety for several weeks.  It is important to comfort the child and let them know it is okay to cry or feel upset.  Teachers manage separation by utilizing proven strategies to lessen the unknown, such as classroom visitation, consistent schedules and routines, bringing familiar items from home, and creating a open and honest communication with parents.

Discipline is a process of learning self-control, respect for others, and responsibility. Positive methods of discipline will be practiced at all times so children are aware of an acceptable code of conduct at school. Efforts to help students understand behaviors that are allowed, accepted, and encouraged (including individual charts, plans, and contracts) will be used. Other stop-and-think strategies that lead to positive results through positive reinforcement, good role modeling and redirection will also be used. For any on-going issues, teachers will communicate with parents so that school and home are working together with a child’s best interests in mind.

To help children learn to manage their actions and feelings, teachers will model sharing, waiting, taking turns, solving problems, controlling impulses, and expressing ideas through words.

Infants/toddlers typically do not follow a set schedule; however, we aim to place each child onto a similar schedule each day to help parents establish a routine.  Each child will partake in the following activities listed below throughout the day.

• 7:30-8:30 Before School Care
• 8:30-9:00 Centers/ Art/ Music
• 9:00-9:30 Snack
• 9:30-9:50 Foreign Languages, Music and Movement
• 9:50-10:15 Outside Walk/Play
• 10:15-10:45 Centers/ Art/ Music
• 10:45-11:15 Snack
• 11:15-12:15 Centers/ Art/ Music
• 12:15-12:45 Lunch
• 12:45-2:45 Grow Time
• 2:45-3:00 Snack
• 3:00-3:15 Closing Circle/Pick Up
• 3:15-4:45 After School Care
• 4:45-5:15 Snack
• 5:15-6:00 After School Care
  • Food must be offered every 2 hours, Diapers must be changed every 2 hours
     

• 7:30-8:30 Before School Care
• 8:30-8:45 Morning Welcome Circle
• 8:45-9:15 Phonics, Letters
• 9:15-9:30 Fine Motor/ Music and Movement
• 9:30-9:50 Snack
• 9:50-10:10 Foreign Languages/Music and Movement
• 10:10-11:00 Outside Play
• 11:00-11:30 Math
• 11:30-12:00 Small Group instruction and centers
• 12:00-12:30 Lunch
• 12:45-2:30 Grow Time
• 2:45-3:00 Snack
• 3:00-3:15 Closing Circle/Pick Up
• 3:15-4:45 After School Care
• 4:45-5:15 Snack
• 5:15-6:00 After School Care
  • Food must be offered every 2 hours, Diapers must be changed every 2 hours 

• 7:30-8:30 Before School Care
• 8:30-8:45 Morning Welcome Circle
• 8:45-9:30 Phonics, Literacy
• 9:30-10:00 Music/ Handwriting
• 10:00-10:10 Small Group instruction and centers
• 10:10-10:40 Foreign Languages, Music and Movement
• 10:40-11:00 Snack
• 11:00-11:30 Math
• 11:30-12:00 Outside Time
• 12:00-12:30 Lunch
• 12:45-1:45 Grow Time/ Quiet Centers
• 1:45-2:00 Snack
• 2:00-2:30 Social Studies
• 2:30-3:00 Science
• 3:00-3:15 Closing Circle/Pick Up
• 3:15-4:45 After School Care
• 4:45-5:15 Snack
• 5:15-6:00 After School Care
  • Potty should be offered every hour