FAQ

Little Lights Christian Preschool recommends that children be potty trained upon entering our three year old preschool program. We are aware that this is not always possible and will gladly help families with the potty training process. Each of our classrooms is equiped with its own child sized bathroom and children will be encouraged and reminded to use this facility throughout the day. Newly trained children sometimes have “toileting accidents”. Staff members reassure the child that everyone has accidents sometimes and will help the child to change into spare clothing. If your child is in diapers/pull-ups we are fully set up change them and will ask you to supply us with the necessary items, which will be kept in an bin with your child's name on it your child's classroom. We ask parents to send in extra clothing to keep at school.

This is not uncommon. In our Learn & Play Nursery, Pre-school and Pre-Kindergarten classes, most children are ready to separate after a few weeks. On the first day of class in September, all of our classes have an orientation during which the parents stay for the entire classes. Classes are shortened for this day. After that day each Learn & Play Nursery and Preschool class will have a third teacher for the first three full class sessions, this allows us to spend more time getting to know the children individually and thus create the bond necessary for successful separation. We are always happy to work with our families in any way that we can, to allow for a successful first school experience for your child. Each child’s separation process will be addressed individually by the teacher and family creating a plan that works best for the child.

Yes. We have a discount for siblings, twins and triplets.

Our Learn & Play Nursery classes have ten two years olds, a Head Teacher and an Assistant Teacher. Our Preschool classes have approximately 14 three year olds, a Head Teacher and an Assistant Teacher. Our Pre-K classes have approximately 16 four year olds, a Head Teacher and an Assistant Teacher.

There is a child sized bathroom located in each classroom. Hand washing sinks are in the classrooms, just outside the bathrooms.

No, we do not. Parents provide transportation. By doing so, parents have the opportunity to see their child’s teacher. Each day, at the end of class, the teacher will come out before the dismissing the children to tell the parents about the activities of the day. For safety, the children are then dismissed to their parents, one at a time.

Classes all include center time, circle time, active music, fine motor activities, art, free play, playground or gym, snack and story time. The length of time and level of each activity increases with each age group.

We cover recognition and writing of letters and numbers, counting and other beginner math skills , along with our yearly calendar. We also have weekly Show & Tell or Super Person . We use a multi-sensory approach to learning. Each month a different science or social studies unit is discussed and reinforced, with a variety of sensory activities. In all subject areas we strive to create independent, creative and scientific thought processes among our students.

Yes, we have a beautiful graduation ceremony each June. We use our Fellowship hall with a stage, and children graduate in caps and gowns. Each child receives a personalized Pre-School Diploma. Family and friends are all invited to attend.

Parents are required to complete paperwork prior to their child starting school. We ask for detailed health information, including food allergies. All allergies and special health issues are noted in the office and each classroom. Little Lights Christian Preschool will enforce a strict “NUT FREE POLICY” to accommodate children with severe peanut and nut allergies when necessary.

It is mandatory for all of our staff to be trained in first aid and CPR and updated biyearly.

Yes, the office is open Monday- Friday from 8:30 am to 3:15 pm.

Even though we have an "open door" policy for parents to visit the school, we keep our doors locked. While school is in session all visitors enter through our main entrance and office staff escort all visitors throughout the building.

Before a child starts school, parents are required to fill out a Student Release form. This lists the names of people that are permitted to pick up their child. When someone other than the regular parent comes to pick up the child, they must produce a picture identification which matches the name listed by the child’s parents. The person then signs the child out with the child’s teacher.

Parents will be provided with additional release forms by the classroom teacher for a one time pickup or play date release.

Yes, our teachers perform name to face head counts throughout the day. When classes go to the gym or chapel, teachers count the children before they leave the classroom, when they arrive at the gym or chapel, before they leave the gym or chapel, and when they arrive back in the classroom. Face to name headcounts are also done in the same manner during routine fire drills and during playground time.

Yes, all of our employees are required to undergo a thorough background check that is conducted by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, prior to employment at Little Lights Christian Preschool.

Our Summer Camp program is staffed by the same preschool teachers that teach your children throughout the year.

Yes, our playground is surrounded on three sides by our school building with a chain link fence across the front. There is direct access to our playground from each of our classrooms and each class is designated its own time out on the playground daily. Both teachers accompany the children while out on the playground.

Yes, all classrooms have a telephone which contains an intercom to the office.

Yes, our building has central air- conditioning.

Yes, we have a large indoor gymnasium that the children use daily during inclement weather. Our gymnasium is fully equipped with a large variety of age-appropriate gross motor activities to provide them with multiple opportunities for climbing, riding and various other gross motor development.