Preschool

About Our School

Palms Preschool & Childcare

Palms Preschool and Childcare Center has been established for the following purposes:

To provide an academic and personal care setting integrated with a Christian view of God and the world.
To offer a program which will meet the spiritual, intellectual, physical, social, cultural and artistic needs of the children.
To help children mature in such a way that they will develop lives of useful service to their families, church, and community.

Our goal is to provide an environment that nurtures a positive learning experience, one in which the preschool child may feel secure and happy away from home and provide an opportunity to build and maintain a positive self-concept so that he/she may develop to his/her greatest potential – intellectually, physically, socially, spiritually and emotionally.

NAEYC

ACCREDITATION

We are proud to be accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs. NAEYC accreditation is a rigorous, voluntary process by which early childhood programs demonstrate they consistently meet national standards of excellence. The accreditation process considers provisions of health and safety, staffing, staff qualifications, administration and physical environment but the greatest emphasis is on the children’s relationships with the staff and how the program helps each child grow and learn intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally.

CURRICULUM
Our curriculum is designed to enhance the age-appropriate progress of students attaining the Florida school readiness performance standards adopted in 2002. Objectives are met through the use of the Creative Curriculum®, a developmental, thematic curriculum, which is enhanced through the use of various health and safety curriculum programs developed by professional organizations. Classrooms are set up with learning centers in order to provide hands-on, creative activities that support children’s choice. The Creative Curriculum® is rooted in educational philosophy and theory as well as practice. It builds on Erik Erikson’s stages of socio-emotional development, Jean Piaget’s theories of how children think and learn, on principles of physical development, and an appreciation of cultural influences. In our three and four-year-old classes we utilize the E.L.L.M. (Early Literacy & Learning Model) curriculum, developed by the Florida Institute of Education at the University of North Florida. Spanish and music are taught weekly, and a monthly Preschool Chapel service is provided by Palms clergy.

STAFF
Each classroom has two assigned staff members. All of Palms teachers are required to have a professional credential in early childhood education/child development. Eleven of our fifteen staff members have these credentials. We have two permanent floaters who assist in all classrooms. All staff participate in ongoing training and/or continuing education courses, and are certified in CPR/First Aid.

HOURS

& ATTENDANCE

Palms Preschool is a full-day child development center which operates from 7 AM to 6 PM daily, Monday through Friday. Our program operates year round; beginning in August of each year and ending the following August. The Preschool is closed for ten holidays throughout the year and five days for training at the end of the school year.

TUITION

& FEES

A non-refundable registration fee of $35 is due prior to entry into Palms Preschool and Childcare Center, and at the beginning of each year thereafter. A $50 supply fee is also due each year.

The annual tuition is divided into a bi-weekly collection schedule. Tuition is due every other Monday in advance of the two weeks child care. The current tuition rates are as follows:

2-year-olds to 3-year-olds - $8,670 annually ($340 bi-weekly)
3-year-olds to 5-year-olds - $8,415 annually ($330 bi-weekly)

Tuition is due regardless of your child's attendance in the program. Palms Preschool is closed one week each year, in August, for staff training and no childcare is provided during this annual training week. There is no tuition due during the annual staff training week.

Palms Preschool also participates in the Voluntary Pre-kindergarten program offered through the Early Learning Coalition for children that turn 4 years of age before September 1st.

EXTENDED

DAY PROGRAMS

After School Care: $65/week
Before & After School Care: $73/week
Hours: 7 AM - 6 PM
Ages: Kindergarten through 5th Grade
School Age Summer Camp Program: Three 3-week sessions are offered.
Hours: 7 AM - 6 PM
Ages: Entering 1st grade through 6th grade *prices include AM & PM Snack & all Field Trips
Palms Preschool & Childcare Center follows the Duval County Public School (DCPS) calendar.

FOOD

NUTRITION FOR THE DAY

A nutritious morning and afternoon snack is provided daily along with weekly cooking/science activities. Preschool children bring their lunch.

CLASSROOM

DISCIPLINE

It is the policy of Palms Preschool and Childcare Center to use only positive disciplinary techniques with children. Our center supports redirection of a child's activity or interest, logical consequences, and/or loss of learning center privileges. When needed, separation from group activities is used. This gives the child the opportunity to regain control.