CDM Annual Parent Handout - General Information
- Academic Year: The academic year of the School begins in August and runs to May of the following year. The school year is based on a minimum of a 175-day school calendar.
- Sessions: There are several alternative sessions for the Preschool. Parents of Preschool children may choose from either a 3-day-a-week program (9-3) or a full 5 day-a-week program. Kindergarten is a full five day program. CDM is open from 7:15 to 5:30.
- Admissions: Children between the ages of two years, nine months and potty-trained to six year will be admitted into the Preschool/Kindergarten Program irrespective of their color, race, or religion.
- Withdrawals: A parent may withdraw a child from CDM after submitting a written request of withdrawal made one month prior to the date of such withdrawal. If a refund is deemed necessary, it will be given on the withdrawal date.
- Rights of the Licensing Agency (Title 22 Section 101219): The Department of Social Services or licensing agency shall have the authority to interview clients, including children and staff, and to inspect and audit client facility without prior notice. You will be asked to sign an acknowledgement form regarding this right of the licensing agency.
- Holidays: Holidays will be observed as set in the public schools in the Placerville area. Each parent will receive a yearly calendar when their child is enrolled.
- Holiday Childcare: Arrangements will be made to accommodate working parents during holiday breaks, provided an adequate number of children need care. A separate fee is charged for holiday care. Holiday care will be offered at the School with appropriate adult supervision.
- Immunizations: The State of California mandates that children may not be admitted into school without all the proper immunizations. Parents seeking waivers will have to meet the new State requirement.
- Tuition Payments: Tuition payments are made in 10 monthly equal installments. The first installment is payable prior to the beginning of the school year. The tenth and final payment is due in May. There will be a late charge for any payment received after the 5th day of the month unless other arrangements have been made. A non-refundable program fee is due at the time the application to CDM is submitted. There will be a $25 “returned check” fee. See CDM Tuition Schedule.
- Parent Co-op: Parents are expected to take an active role in the education of their child. For this reason, parents are invited to join the Parent Club and participate in their mandatory 30 hours of time to the School a year, or may make a donation of $300.
- Parent Information/Special Person: A monthly calendar will be printed by the school to keep parents informed of events for the coming month. On each day, we will provide the name of our "Special Person". Children love the opportunity to be the special person and are encouraged to bring an item or two ( hopefully related to our studies) in to share with their class. They also provide are responsible for providing snack for their classmates. Special bulletins and Parent Club Newsletters are printed as activities dictate.
- School Pictures: School pictures are taken twice a year; once in the Fall and again in the Spring. Purchase of school pictures is optional.
- Clothing: A student must be dressed daily in appropriate clothing. Shoes must be easy to run and play in, for example no heels or boots. When the weather is cold, jackets must be worn to school. Please mark all clothing. A complete change of clothes must be at the school at all times.
- Visitors: We welcome parents and family members at our School. Please let us know in advance if you are coming to visit.
- Cancellation Days: If for any reason, CDM has to cancel school (snow, power outages, etc.); you will be notified by phone/text as early as possible. KCRA T.V. (Channel 3) and KAMI (950 AM) will carry closure updates.
- Health: Sick children are not allowed at school. Your child must be free of symptoms for 24 hours before returning. There will be NO MAKE-UP classes due to illness. Report all absences to the school. There is no refund of tuition for days absent nor are there makeup days for days missed. The school will notify you if your child has been exposed to any contagious disease. If your child becomes ill at school, you will be promptly notified. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to see that the sick child is picked up within a reasonable amount of time.
- Fieldtrips: Fieldtrip transportation will either be done by parents or by rented school bus. When transportation is provided by parent chaperones, CDM will need finger print clearance, copy of valid license, DMV print out and copy of insurance. When transportation is done via rented school bus, the parent club will split the rental cost with parents. In both cases, a signed permission slip is needed. Please note that the school will close on Field Trip days.
- Documentation: Please document on all checks what the check is covering. Such as tuition and annual fee or two months tuition and field trip money – please be detailed.
- Payments: Any monies collected (e.g. fieldtrip) should be the exact amount requested and in an envelope with the child’s name clearly visible.
- Napping: Napping is not a mandatory part of the school day. However, if YOU would like your child to nap, please notify the school and we will see that he/she naps. Children who nap need a blanket and a crib sheet. A crib-sized pillow is allowed. All items should be clearly labeled with your child’s name. Children are not to bring stuffed animals with which to sleep. Parents will be given their child’s napping items every Friday to wash. It is the responsibility of the parent to return napping items on Monday morning.
- Accidents: Parents will always be notified if their child has had an accident at school. If first aid is applied, parents will also be asked to sign the accident report. All CDM teachers are First Aid and CPR certified. In the event that of a dire emergency, 911 will be called.
- CDM Medication Policy: If your child is in need of medication while attending school, the medicine must come in its original pharmaceutical container, with your child’s name and directions for administering the medication on the label. PLEASE DO NOT send medicine in your child’s lunch box. Always give medicine directly to your child’s teacher. If your child needs daily medication, please ask CDM for a medication slip which will be filled out by you and your doctor. No “over the counter” drugs will be dispensed at school unless a physician writes a prescription for the medication and the dosage.
- Sign in / Sign Out Policy: Any adult escorting a young child to school must sign him/her into school and accompany that child into the classroom or appropriate area. If your child arrives at 9:00 am and/or leaves at 3:00 pm, a teacher will be outside to hand you the sign in/sign out sheet. For adults dropping their child off prior to 8:55, they must additionally sign the child into the “daycare” log per state guidelines. If someone other than the designated parent/guardian is going to pick up your child, you MUST notify the school prior to pick up and that person must be listed on the emergency contact form.
- Discipline Policies: No corporal punishment/violation of personal rights. Redirection, logical consequences, and opportunities to regain self control are routinely practiced.
- Dismissal: Grounds for dismissal falls into two categories. A child may be dismissed as a result of lack of payment. A child may be dismissed when staff and parent/guardian decide that CDM is unable to meet the emotional, social, physical or academic needs of the child.
- Admission Policies: The following forms must be signed and returned to CDM prior to the start of school.
- Copy of Admission Agreement
- Personal Rights Form
- Child’s Preadmission Health History
- Physician’s Report
- Notification of Parent’s Right Form
- Identification and Emergency Information
- Consent for Emergency Medical Treatment
- Immunization Record
- DSS (Department of Social Services) Form