Early Childhood Policies

Our program accepts children who:

• are 3 or 4 years old as of October 1st of the current school year.
• meet the criteria for eligibility guidelines through federal, state, district, and/or Department of Education 

Our goal is to meet each child where they are, with skilled educators who create a learning experience tailored to each child's developmental stage and individual needs.

Sometimes, after the school year begins, it becomes clear that a child's current schedule may not be the best fit. In these cases, a shorter day, or change in placement, may provide a more supportive and successful experience. Teaching teams will assess individiaul needs and may recommend changes in hours or programming to ensure each child thrives.

• Families and childcare providers transporting children are required to walk children to the classroom before school and meet children at classrooms after school.
• Children who ride the bus will be signed in and out by classroom staff
• Licensing requires that an adult sign a child in and out of school each day and only be released to a person at least 18 years of age. 
• Families must notify the center when an emergency prevents them from picking a child up on time.
• In the case of an emergency, families are asked to make arrangements for someone else to pick up the child at school. Your child will only be released to individuals listed on the child’s emergency card and are at least 18 years of age.
• Teachers will ask adults for photo identification prior to releasing the child.
• If a child is not picked up within 15 minutes of dismissal, we will attempt to contact you as well as emergency contacts listed on the emergency card. If a parent cannot be reached within 30 minutes of the pick-up time, appropriate authorities (Loveland Police or Department of Social Services) will be contacted.
• In custody cases involving restraining orders, a copy must be provided to the school and will be securely kept on file at the early childhood site.

Important Information for Children That Ride District Bus:

• Parents must designate one primary pickup and one primary drop-off contact, one alternate drop-off contact, and two emergency contacts.  
• Designated contact changes must be submitted as a new or modified request.  
• If appropriate supervision is not available with the designated drop off contact, the child will be taken to the child’s preschool center and efforts will continue to connect with a designated contact.  
• If the parent or emergency contacts cannot be reached within 30 minutes, appropriate authorities (Loveland Police or Department of Social Services) may be contacted.

The Thompson Integrated Early Childhood Program values regular attendance, as children thrive when in school daily. Consistent routines help children feel secure, and attending every session strengthens relationships with teachers and peers.

Attendance Policies must be followed in order for your child to participate in the Thompson Early Childhood Program:

1. All children are expected to attend regularly.
2. All families are asked to notify the school by 8:30 am each morning of a child’s absence. 
3. If we do not hear from you, a staff member will contact you for any unreported absences.
4. Our Program requires an 85% or better attendance to be in compliance with requirements for funding. If you child falls below 85% attendance, your child may be disenrolled from our program.
5. If required health information is not in your child’s file, they may be excluded from attending class until current information is provided.

Services are only available as long as the family resides in the Thompson School District boundary areas. Moving outside TSD boundaries could result in disenrollment.
 

• Classrooms will go outside everyday all year long unless the temperature falls above or below safe levels as determined by our Child Care Weather Watch Chart.  
• Conditions that may keep classrooms from playing outside include the following: temperature falling below 20 degrees, rain, lightning, high winds.
• When classrooms are unable to play outdoors due to inclement weather, we will have indoor large gross motor activities.

School Closure Line: 970-613-6788

• Children are encouraged to use the bathrooms throughout the day as needed.
• Teachers monitor healthy bathroom habits such as flushing and hand washing.
• Children are never left unsupervised during toileting.
• Diaper changing takes place in a manner that meets health and safety guidelines.
• When toilet accidents require a change of clothing, children are changed into dry clothing. Soiled clothing is placed in a plastic bag to take home.
• If your child comes home in borrowed clothing, we ask that you wash and return the clothes as soon as possible.
• Families are asked to supply diapers and wipes as needed. 

All TSD early childhood classrooms integrate active supervision into their daily routines to maintain the safety and well-being of each student. This involves regularly counting students, monitoring all areas of the classroom and playground, observing student behavior, and actively listening.

Classroom Guidelines:

• Each student must be signed in upon arrival
• Classrooms will post the number of students present
• Children will  only be released to authorized adults as noted on the enrollment card
• Adults picking up children must bring identification 
• Children will not be released to anyone under the age of 18
• Each student must be signed out upon departure 

Parents are responsible for transporting preschoolers.

School transportation is limited and is not guaranteed. There is a separate application process for children in Head Start and Special Education Program.

Transportation will be determined on an individual and space availability basis.

• All school district buses transporting children to and from Early Childhood centers will have an aide on board. 
• Transportation maintains proper staff/child ratios as required by the State of Colorado Licensing regulations.  
• All children will be restrained in approved child restraint systems while transporting students.
• All children will be signed on and off as they board or leave the bus by transportation staff on each trip.  
• Children will only be released to individuals who have been authorized in writing by parent/guardian.
• Buses will provide curb-to-curb transportation and it will be the responsibility of parents and staff to bring the children to the bus at the curb.

• Video or television viewing may be planned as part of a Creative Curriculum Unit of Study.
• All videos or television programs will be previewed by classroom staff.
• Only materials that are age appropriate and non-violent will be shown.
• Children are always offered an option of other activities during viewing time.  
• Screen time will be limited to no more than 30 minutes per week.

• Visitors and Volunteers are required to check-in at the Elementary School. 
• All visitors must sign the Visitor Log Book located in the preschool classroom.  
• Classroom volunteers must register on the Thompson School District website using the online registration process.  
• Volunteers receive an Early Childhood name badge to wear in the classroom and to scan their volunteer hours.
• Volunteers and teachers partner to find convenient times for the volunteer to be in the classroom.

• Parent Teacher Conferences will be offered two times a year.  This is an opportunity for teachers and parents to partner and share information about the child’s progress at school and home.  Together, parents and teachers create a learning plan and determine goals for the child’s preschool education experience.

Our centers are subject to inspection by state and city health, fire, and licensing officials.  If you have concerns regarding a violation of a licensing regulation, please contact any Early Childhood member.  If you would like to file a complaint, please contact:

Office of Early Childhood, Division of Early Care and Learning Licensing
1575 Sherman St, Denver, CO  80203
(303) 866-5948

If child abuse is suspected within our program, please contact our local County Child Protective Services Department:

2555 Midpoint Dr. Suite F, Fort Collins, CO 80525

Call 970-498-6990 or Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-844-CO-4-KIDS (1-884-264-5437)