Policies
Children's Supervision Policy
All children need to be escorted at all times when attending The Rinx Preschool. A parent or caregiver must escort their child to the classroom door and sign their child in and out each day. All children will be supervised by a Rinx Preschool Staff Member at all times during the school day until signed out by the parent. In accordance with regulations the staff will follow the requirements of the NYS Office of Children and Family Services to remain in compliance for supervising children in the following ratios:
Children/Adult Ratios
| 2 Year Olds |
3 Year Olds |
4 Year Olds |
5 Year Olds |
| 1:5 |
1:7 |
1:8 |
1:9 |
Safety and Security
Safety is our number one concern here at The Rinx Preschool Academy. Our doors are open during arrival and dismissal and locked at all times during the day. All visitors must buzz in at the door for approved entry when visiting the preschool during school hours. Vistors are required to show ID and sign-in at the Main Office.
Child Abuse Policy
All staff members of The Rinx Preschool complete appropriate training to become mandated reporters of child abuse. Mandated reporters are required to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment when they are presented with a reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or maltreatment.
Health Care Policies
The Rinx Preschool Academy Health Care Policies are developed according to New York State Office of Children & Family Services (NYSOCFS) regulations. The purpose of these policies are to protect the health of the children and maintain the safety of the environment. All current health care forms for staff and children are kept in a confidential file and are not disclosed to unauthorized persons.
Current medical and immunization forms must be completed by your child's physician and submitted to the preschool prior to admission.
Illness At Home
In order to help insure a healthy environment for all of the children, we ask you to please keep your child home when ill. When a child is absent due to illness, please notify the school as early as possible. In the event a child contracts a communicable disease, please contact the office immediately.
Illness At The Academy
If your child becomes ill while at school you will be contacted to make arrangements for your child's immediate pickup. Parents are expected to respond promptly in such an instance. It is essential that you provide a back-up care provider contact who is available at all times in the event you cannot be reached.
Medication
The Rinx Preschool Academy is a center for well children. Medication will only be administered in an emergency situation following the NY Office of Children & Family Services (NYOCFS) regulations. Written instructions from the parent and physician are necessary to administer medication.
A written order from a physician must be submitted to The Rinx Preschool Academy MAT trained staff member to administer any medication to a child, including both prescription and non-prescription medication. All medication must be in the original container, labeled with the child's full name, medication name, recommended dosage, times and method of administration and possible side effects. Please call and make an appointment to go over the paperwork and drop off the medication with our MAT trained personnel. A medication log is maintained for each child.
Chart of Common Illnesses
Below please find a chart of common illnesses and some cues to help determine when your child is well enough to return to The Rinx Preschool Academy.
| FEVER |
A child who has temperature elevation the night prior to attending school should be presumed ill and should not attend. If temperature is "normal" only with aspirin or acetaminophen, you child is probably still sick and should not attend. The school will send a child home who is acting ill and has a temperature. Your child may return 24 hours after temperature returns to normal without medication. |
| DIARRHEA |
If a child has a loose/watery stool during the course of the day, you will be contacted. Your child may return when bowel movements are normal for that individual child and fluid intake is good.
|
| VOMITING |
If a child vomits and shows other signs of illness he/she will be sent home. A child who has vomited in the preceding 24 hours, is listless, or has a poor appetite, should not be brought to the school. |
| UPPER RESPIRATORY ILLNESS |
Children who have congestion, large amounts of nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, listlessness, or an inability to keep up with the day's activities should remain at home. Allergic reactions and/or asthmatic-related conditions are excluded. |
| UNDIAGNOSED RASH |
Unless specifically diagnosed by your child's pediatrician as non-contagious, the school will send home any child who has or develops a rash during the day. |
| SEVERE COUGH |
Child may return to school after illness has subsided. |
| CONJUNCTIVITIS (PINK EYE) |
White or yellow eye discharge, redness, itching, and soreness could be contagious. Child may return to school 24 hours after treatment has begun if all drainage, excessive tearing and redness have subsided with MD proof that treatment was prescribed. |
| HEAD LICE |
Child may return to school 24 hours after treatment has started and all the nits are gone. |
| STREP THROAT |
Child may return after physician's diagnosis and 24 hours of treatment with antibiotic. |
| FIFTH DISEASE |
Child may return when fever is gone and rash fades. |
MEDICAL POLICIES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED!
(Adapted from US Health Department Guidelines and American Academy of Pediatrics)
Discipline Policy
We believe the best way to handle problems is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Our environment and programs are designed to build self esteem, confidence and success. Children's activities are age appropriate and each individual child will be nurtured to celebrate and build toward their strengths, and potential in a supportive environment.
Our staff reinforces desirable behaviors through positive direction and earned praise. Our low adult/student ratios provide more than adequate time of affirming interaction; consequently the demand for inappropriate attention is diminished.
To ensure everyone's safety, a child will be redirected in positive terms in the following situations:
- When a child is in danger of hurting himself/herself
- When he/she is about to hurt others
- When he/she is hurting the equipment or the environment
These limits will be reinforced with a short explanation at his/her developmental level. Wait time will be provided so the child can choose to respond in a positive manner. Only when necessary, the child will be removed from the situation and given some time with an adult nearby for discussion when he/she is ready. Upon returning to the situation the child will be given the opportunity to understand, reflect and make a choice to return to the situation and play in a safe environment.
Nutrition
In order to ensure the healthiest and safest meal times please provide nutritious food for your child.
All 2 Year Old children will have a small snack, juice, or water provided in their program.
All Two and 1/2 hour programs will have one snack time. We will provide either water or juice for your child. PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR CHILD WITH A HEALTHY SNACK THAT THEY WILL ENJOY.
All Mini Day Students will have lunch and a snack in the school. We will provide water, juice, or milk with lunch and water or juice with snack. PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR CHILD WITH A HEALTHY SNACK AND A HEALTHY LUNCH THAT THEY WILL ENJOY.
Please prepare your child's lunch to include the following according to the NYS Nutrition Regulations.
- Milk (provided by preschool)
- 1/2 - 2 ounces of protein (meat or meat alternative)
- 2 Servings of 1/2 cup each of fruits and/or vegetables
- 1/2 - 1 slice enriched bread/roll or 1/2 to 1 ounce crackers
Am or Pm Snacks should include any two of the following:
- 1/2 cup milk, fruit, or fruit juice
- 1 - 2 crackers or cookies
- 1/2 ounce of cheese
- 1/2 - 1 egg
- 1/3 cup cereal of 1/2 slice of bread
- 1/4 cup - 1/2 cup milk desserts
School Closings
In the event of a school closing due to inclement weather please check The Rinx Preschool Home Page, News12 Long Island, or The Rinx Preschool Facebook Page. We will also change the phone message in the event of any school delays or closings.
(631)232-3222 ext 260
Please remember that no question is ever too small or silly. Please contact the office, teachers, staff with ANY CONCERNS you might have. Thank you for entrusting your precious children with us. We will treasure them as our own.