FEQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Do I have to be Presbyterian to enroll my child in the Preschool?
• What role does religion play at the Preschool?
• How often will I have to work in my child's classroom?
• Can grandparents or other caregivers participate for me in my child's classroom?
• What should I bring for snack when I'm the Parent Helper?
• What if my child has food allergies?
• Will I have to serve on a committee?
• What if my child is not yet toilet trained?
• What is your discipline policy?
• Do you offer a before or after school program?
• Who can use the Nursery?
• What if I have to withdraw my child from Preschool before the end of the school year?
• How can I become more involved in the Preschool?
  

Do I have to be Presbyterian to enroll my child in the Preschool?
No. Enrollment is open to any child, provided the Preschool can meet the needs of the child and provided the child is toilet trained. The Preschool does not discriminate based on race, religion, sex, or national origin.

What role does religion play at the Preschool?
Children may choose to join in saying a brief prayer to God prior to snack. They also have the opportunity to attend Chapel once each month. The Preschool does not discriminate based on race, religion, sex, or national origin.

How often will I have to work in my child's classroom?
The number of times you will need to work as a Parent Helper in your child's classroom will depend on the class.

Can grandparents or other caregivers particiate for me in my child's classroom?
Yes. Your child's adult relative or other caregiver may serve as the Parent Helper when it is your turn in the classroom. However, every Parent Helper must submit their negative Adult TB Test Result and two Background Check forms to the Preschool office before working in the classroom.

What should I bring for snack when I'm the Parent Helper?
We are committed to providing healthy snacks in order to help your child establish good eating habits to last a lifetime. We require that food be provided from two separate food groups (e.g., diary, fruit, vegetables, and grains). If snack items are home made, you must bring a list of the ingredients. All store purchased items must come in the original, unopened container. Parents of children with severe food allergies need to review the ingredient list to ensure their child's safety. Drinks can be milk, 100 percent fruit juice, or water, and must arrive at school in a sealed container. Foods that contain nuts of any kind, including peanut butter and food made at a plant where there may be a nut residue, and candy are unacceptable. There is no need for elaborate or costly snacks.

What if my child has food allergies?
If a child has a food allergy, the family reviews the snack and its ingredients daily and signs a form giving approval for the child to share in the snack. If a child cannot share in the snack brought for the day, the family provides an alternative snack for their child. Foods that contain nuts of any kind, including peanut butter and food made at a plant where they may be a nut residue, and candy are unacceptable at FPP.

Will I have to serve on a committee?
We do not require families to serve on a committee. However, we strongly encourage all families to volunteer on our Fundraising Committee or Teacher Appreciation Committee, or to help out with any number of our special events as they come up throughout the year.

What if my child is not yet toilet trained?
All children enrolled in Fairfax Presbyterian Preschool must be toilet trained by the start of the school year. We are neither equipped nor licensed to handle changing diapers or pull ups. Having said that, of course we recognized that our youngest students, in particular, may experience "accidents" at Preschool from time to time.

What is your discipline policy?
Teachers use positive reinforcement methods, redirection, and discussion to lead to self-discipline. For more information, read our Philosophy.

Do you offer a before or after school program?
We offer Extended Day through our "Lunch Bunch" program on Thursdays.

Who can use the Nursery?
The Nursery is provided, several days each week, for younger siblings of enrolled children when a parent is participating in the classroom. Click here for more information about the Nursery.

What if I have to withdraw my child from Preschool before the end of the school year?
In all cases of withdrawal, you must notify the Preschool 30 days in advance, except in cases of serious illness, accident, or death. If a student is withdrawing from the Preschool, the family must take the following steps:

• Provide the Preschool office with a 30-day written notice of withdrawal. This notice must contain the last date of attendance for the student. If the Preschool receives the written notice of withdrawal after January 1st, there is no waiver of tuition for the remainder of the school year.
• Pay the remainder of their account balance no later than the last day of attendance. If the last date of attendance is after January 31st, there is no waiver of tuition for the remainder of the school year.
• Inform the Fairfax Presbyterian Preschool Committee of their situation (i.e., proof of hardship or permanent change of residence that removes them from the Fairfax commuting area) to determine if the Preschool can grant a waiver of tuition.

How can I become more involved in the Preschool?
There are many ways that even highly scheduled families can pitch in and help out at the Preschool! We always appreciate help on one of our two committees: Fundraising and Teacher Appreciation. If you are available during the week, consider signing up to be a Paid Parent Helper, Substitute Teacher, or Nursery Worker. If you are only available on weekends, please volunteer to help out at special events, such as at Playground Clean Up Day in the fall or our Children's Consignment Sale in the spring.