Developmental Preschool Child Care Director: Sherri Solt 145 Ululani St. Hilo, HI 96720 Phone: 808-935-7141 ext. 103 ssolt@ywcahawaiiisland.org The YWCA is a licensed and accredited child care facility by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Overview

Welcome to the YWCA Developmental Preschool page and thank you for considering our program. We look forward to working with you to provide a positive and enriching learning experience for your child. The YWCA Developmental Preschool offers children various opportunities for expanding their knowledge about themselves, their world, and other people. Our warm, caring, and qualified staff comprised of the Childcare Director, lead teachers, teachers, and teacher's assistants provide a variety of comprehensive experiences in social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development. Based on the child's individual needs and abilities, she or he will have the opportunity to learn through carefully guided activities and discovery. Information regarding tuition and other important items are listed below. For more details, please contact Membership Services at 935-7141. For your assistance in preparing tax returns for child care expenses, our GE Tax Number is: W40394380-01 and our Federal ID number is: 99-0079763. Please keep receipts for your records. There is a $5.00 processing fee for copies of your child care expenses.

About the Program The mystery of “Who am I?” begins in the pre-school years – an important time in a child’s life and one that provides the foundation of trust and security. During these years, play becomes the child’s medium for self-expression and self-discovery; it gives the child a way of learning who she or he is, what he or she can do, and what the real world is like. As the child relates to people, things, and situations in the world, the foundation for positive growth and learning develops. Our accredited preschool program provides a variety of experiences to nourish and support the total development of each child. Activities are designed to assist children in their social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development. Some of the learning opportunities available are: large and small group times, activities that encourage large and small muscle growth, child-directed interest centers, language games, science, math, blocks, dramatic play, all forms of creative arts, water play, excursions, and swimming. Erik Erikson, psychiatrist and child development specialist, asserted that the first developmental task in the life of a young child is the development of trust. Prominent Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget also noted that children learn through real experiences, which help them to build mental images and concepts. Consequently, our program provides a safe, secure and caring climate that helps children to transition between the home and school settings. Our staff help foster an environment of trust where teachers communicate to each child that she or he is accepted and liked. The uniqueness of each child is respected, and at the same time, our staff assists children to become actively involved and engaged in activities that promote each child’s development to its fullest potential.

SAMPLE OF OUR MONTHLY CURRICULUM

> Sample of our Monthly Curriculum* Month          Shape          Color              Theme                     Bus Trip                       August Circle Color of child's group I'm Me, I'm Special Wailoa State Park September Rectangle Yellow My Family, My Friends Panaewa Park October Octagon Orange Safety First Fire Station November Square Brown Fall Harvest Hobby Garden December Star Red My Five Senses Prince Kuhio Plaza January Triangle Black The Wheels on the Bus Imiloa February Heart Pink If You're Happy & You Know It Hale Anuenue March Clover Green How does your Garden Grow? Umauma Botanical Gardens April Arch Rainbow Hawaii, Our Island Home Waimea Park May Trapezoid Grey Where the Wild Things Are Zoo June Raindrop Blue Down by the Bay Beach July Cone Colors of our Flag Fun in the Sun Liliuokalani Park *Please note that this is a tentative schedule and it is scheduled to change with or without notice

Important Tuition and Lunch Information Tuition A deposit of $290 is required upon registration. This deposit will be held for the entire duration of your child's enrollment. A current YWCA membership ($25 annually) is required for the entire time your child is enrolled. Program Dates, Hours, and Tuition Rates The program year is August 2008 through July 2009. Our program runs Monday through Friday, from 7 am to 5 pm. Part Time is only available if space permits. Monthly Tuition Full Time 7 am - 5 pm $575 Mornings Part Time 7 am - 12 noon $475 Afternoons Part Time 12 noon - 5 pm $475 Tuition Policies Tuition is due in full by the 5th working day of each month. If tuition is not received, a 10% late fee will be applied to the amount due. Tuition is NOT REFUNDABLE for holidays or absences due to illness, vacation, or withdrawal. A one month's notice of withdrawal is required for your deposit to be refunded, provided all outstanding balances are paid in full. Failure to give 30 days notice to the preschool will result in the loss of the deposit. Drop-Ins Drop-ins are not guaranteed and are available on a day-to-day basis. Drop-in cost is $50.00 per day; please call our preschool to ask about space availablility prior to bringing your child. Lunches and Snacks Lunches are NOT included in our enrollment fees. School lunch cards may be purchased in sets of 10 or 20 @ $3.50 per lunch. If you'd rather not purchase lunches, please be sure to pack your child's lunch each morning. A USDA approved breakfast and an afternoon snack are provided at no extra cost. Swim Days Swim days are scheduled and our children have the opportunity to swim in our solar-heated pool with staff and lifeguard supervision. We maintain a ratio of 1:8 at all times. Please make sure that your child packs a swimsuit, towel, and plastic bag for wet items on swim days. Children with long hair need to have their hair tied back into a pony tail.

History The YWCA Developmental Preschool opened in September of 1980 and served 20 pre-schoolers on a half-day basis. A year later, the program expanded to serve 30 children and provide care on a full-day basis. A fire in November of 1981 caused the pre-school program to be temporarily housed at the Hilo United Methodist Church. By September of 1983 the preschool was back on YWCA grounds using the recently renovated the Cottage building, once used as a young women’s residence, and using the newly constructed Activities building. In January of 1992, three rooms in the main facility were opened to accommodate two-year-olds, further expanding the program to 62 children. Today, the YWCA Developmental Preschool proudly serves approximately 75 children between two and five years old and their families.