Operating Policies

While we are enormously proud of our school and welcome visits, unfamiliar faces can have a disruptive effect on the educational activities in a normalized* Montessori classroom. The children become distracted from the activities they have selected to work with and the normalized ambiance of the learning environment is interrupted. For this reason, visiting parents are asked to take a seat quietly at the side of the classroom and observe as unobtrusively as possible. We’re confident you will be impressed with what you see!

For the duration of the pandemic and in order to minimize traffic in our school as required by the county board of public health, tours of our facility will be conducted outside the classroom buildings without entry. Prospective parents will be invited to observe active classrooms through exterior windows.

*A normalized Montessori classroom refers to one in which the teacher and children have had sufficient time to settle into the roles and protocols as envisioned by Dr. Montessori. A large influx of new children might in some instances require a period of up to a month before that classroom becomes fully normalized.

OPERATING POLICIES

Hours

In order to comply with requirements that each classroom be a stable and unchangeable group of no more than 14 children with the same teacher(s), we are shortening our hours to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the Covid-19 pandemic. We realize this may be somewhat less convenient for some parents but ask your understanding in light of the extraordinary circumstances with which we are confronted. Upon lifting of the Covid-19 restrictions our hours will be restored as per usual.

Snacks and Meals

Fresh fruit will be provided by the school each day. Parents are asked to provide a wellbalanced meal for your child every day. We ask that you include utensils and two cloth napkins with your child’s lunch each day, with one to be used as a placemat. Please refer to the “What to Expect” manual for additional information about snacks and meals. We will continue to serve the children fresh fruit for snack, paying extra attention to thorough washing prior to distribution.

Absences and Vacations

Your tuition payment constitutes a reservation for your child in our school. The school year is from mid-August to mid-June (precise dates vary with each calendar year); Refunds cannot be given for illness or extended absences under ordinary circumstances. However, we do have a special refund policy for absences specifically related to COVID19 which the director will explain to you if you wish.

Tuition Payments

There is a non-refundable $450 registration fee due upon acceptance to our school. Tuition is due the first of the month and payable via our online processor Curacubby (Montessoripreschools.curacubby.com). A $25.00 late fee is assessed to your account if payment is not received before the 10th of the month. Late payment for two months may be grounds for dismissal from the school.

Tuition for International Montessori Academy is based on a 10- month school year. The school year runs from mid-August through mid-June. Tuition is not pro-rated during the school year for any reason. Enrollment contracts are a binding legal document and because our yearly budget is based on these contracts, we will enforce them. A service fee of $10.00 will be assessed to your account for any returned check. Upon receipt of two checks returned for insufficient funds, the school reserves the right to require payment in cash. Parents are responsible for full tuition and applicable fees at all times. Tuition fees and payment policies are subject to change.

Morning Arrival

Important. Our drop-off procedures during this Covid-19 period are quite different from normal. Please read carefully.

In order to minimize entry into our building, we are asking ALL PARENTS to use our drive-through drop off.

The drive-through is open from 8 – 9 am only. Please – Absolutely NO CELL PHONE USE during drop off and observe our 5 mph limit in the drive-through!

Enter through the rear driveway on Terrace Dr. (next to the Wells Fargo parking garage as shown in the photo below) and proceed around the building to the front door.

Our staff will approach your car and use a contactless, forehead thermometer to check your child’s temperature on arrival as well as asking about his or her health. A temperature of more than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit and/or any active symptoms consistent with Covid-19 will mean your child may not attend school.

Once his or her health is confirmed, you may sign your child into school using your cell phone and our QR codes, after which a member of our staff will deliver him to his classroom.

If you arrive after our drive-through gate is closed (9 am), please proceed on foot to the gate shown above and ring the doorbell. A staff member will be along shortly to check your child into school.

Afternoon Pick Up

Important. Our pick-up procedures during this Covid-19 period are quite different from normal. Please read carefully.

In order to minimize entry into our building, we are asking all parents to pick up your children at the small gate next to the driveway in front of the school shown above and ring the bell. Please wait at the gate for our staff to escort your child to you.

Note: Children will not be released to any person listed on the emergency forms. Identification may release of a child in some instances. In those cases parent does not have custody of a child in our

other than those be required for the in which one school, the custodial parent must provide the school with a court order for our files in order to ensure the child will not be released to the non-custodial parent.

Late Pick-Up Fees

A fee of $10.00 per quarter hour (of any fraction thereof) will be assessed for late pick-up of children. This fee will be added to the monthly tuition statement. Parents picking up late more than three times in any three-month period will be assessed a penalty of $20.00 per quarter hour—or fraction thereof—for all subsequent late pickups. Late pick-up costs the school in overtime and disrupts the personal lives of our staff. We thank you for your understanding and prompt arrival for pick up.

Evaluations & Parent Conferences

Your child’s teacher will personally delivery him or her to you upon pick-up each day for the first two weeks in order to provide you insight into how he or she is adapting. Further formal written evaluations of your child’s progress are presented during the parent conferences twice each year. These conferences may be virtual depending upon the COVID-19 precautionary guidance provided by the department of health at the time. In any event, they will provide objective descriptions of the children’s accomplishments, strengths and weaknesses, as well as specific information regarding those activities, materials and lessons with which the child will be working in the near future. In those instances where they are warranted, the evaluations may recommend certain home activities to complement the school curriculum.

Babysitting Policy

Head teachers and their assistants are prohibited from babysitting for children under current enrollment as it can create concern about and/or the appearance of favoritism and inconsistent treatment of children during the school day.

Naps

A quiet time is provided for those children who require a nap. The school supplies cushioned sleeping mats. However, you are asked to provide a favorite blanket and sheet — labeled with your child’s name — if you feel this will make your child’s rest more comfortable. These items should fit into a shoebox-size plastic box, labeled with our child’s name. The school will launder these items once a week at no charge.

Change of Clothing

A change of clothing—marked with your child’s name—should be left at school in a ziplock plastic bag.

Potty Training

It is ideal that children already be potty trained by the time they begin school. However, if children have begun the potty training process and are nearly able to use the restroom on their own we will help to complete the process for the duration of three months. Teacher’s assistants and daycare staff will assist children during the process and your child will be encouraged to sit on our real, child-size toilets, not plastic port-a-potties. Have your child in easy-to-wear clothing and front-Velcro diapers. If the child refuses, we will not force her. A daily report on your child’s progress will be provided by the staff. The school provides a changing table, changing table paper and sanitary latex gloves, but diapers and wipes are to be provided by the parents. The pull-up / diaper changing fee is $40.00 per month.

Illness and Medication

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced changes in the way all institutions like ours address illness, many of which are likely to remain in place indefinitely. More than ever before, we implore parents to keep children who show any signs of illness, however, slight, at home until free of symptoms for at least 48 hours. If your child becomes ill at school you will be notified promptly and will need to make arrangements to take your child home. If your child requires prescribed medication, please sign the medical release form, including instructions for administering the medication. Please do not send medications in your child’s lunch box. Instead, you are asked to give it personally to the director. All medication must be in its original container and only enough medication to fulfill a single day’s dosage should be brought to the school. Over-the-counter medication can be administered—according to the same rules and regulations regarding prescription medication—with a doctor’s written authorization.

*IMS-We also administer medications which include Epipen and Inhaled medicines. Facility #198009436

GUIDELINES FOR WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD AT HOME

The COVID-19 emergency has resulted in heightened precautionary policies that will remain in effect until further notice.

TEMPERATURE: Do not send your child to school with even a slight fever. Your child must be fever-free for 72 hours before returning to school.

VOMITING: Your child must not have vomited for 48 hours prior to returning to school.

NASAL DISCHARGE: Continuous nasal discharge increases the risk of illness to other children and staff. Please keep your child at home.

TROUBLESOME COUGH

DIARRHEA

CONTAGIOUS DISEASES: Your child must stay home when showing symptoms of a contagious disease such as strep throat, pink eye, impetigo, ringworm, coughing or rash. If you are not sure and have questions please call the school.

YOUR CHILD WILL BE SENT HOME IF HE OR SHE COMES TO SCHOOL WITH ANY OF THE SYMPTOMS LISTED ABOVE.

A DOCTOR’S NOTE IS REQUIRED TO RETURN TO SCHOOL IF YOUR CHILD HAS HAD ANY CONTAGIOUS DISEASE.

Thank you for your cooperation in following these health guidelines to protect your child, school staff and other children from COVID-19 and other illness.

Termination Policy

International Montessori Academy reserves the right to terminate a student at its sole discretion and at any time if we find the program not meeting the needs of your child. Whenever possible a two-week written notice will be given. This does not apply to termination due to failure to pay tuition, late payment of tuition or excessive late pickups.

Forms on File

In accordance with the requirements of the California Departments of Health and Social Services, no child may be admitted to school unless all required forms, including medical forms signed by the physician with updated immunization records, are on file at the school. You will provide these forms upon registration. Immunization records must be updated every year. It is imperative that you advise the school any time personal information—including phone numbers, addresses, medical information, etc.—changes in any way so that your forms can be brought up to date.