Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most common questions parents ask us about the Academy for daycare, preschool, or other programs.
Caregivers & Class Sizes
How many children are in each room?
Though it varies by age and group, we strive for a low teacher-to-student ratio. We adhere to Texas’ standards, and the Academy prioritizes small group sizes so caregivers can build strong, trusting relationships with every child. Through individualized attention and structured environment our caregivers foster growth and curiosity throughout the day.
What qualifications, certifications, or training do the caregivers have?
At the Academy, the heart of our program is an remarkable team of caregivers who have been brought into the fold for their warmth, professionalism, and genuine passion for working with children. Every staff member is trained and re-trained every year in childcare and early childhood development to provide for the unique needs of all children as they develop.
How does the staff handle discipline or behavioral issues?
Reasonable limits give children an opportunity to choose their behavior and become an independent person. Though a children’s misbehavior may be frustrating for some, we view it as an opportunity to teach, a chance to model self-discipline, and a means to develop character. Like intellectual development, emotional growth takes time and opportunities to learn. In our classrooms we take an affirmative approach:
– Rules are clear and consistent, and the consequences of not following to the rules are discussed with the children.
– Rules are few when possible. Some classrooms have only one basic rule such as, “You may not hurt yourself, others, or things.”
– Often, we offer choices like, “Do you want to clean up your puzzle now, or do you want to clean up after we read a story?”
– Tantrums are ignored, if they are not harmful, to help a child understand that they will gain nothing through outbursts.
Are teachers trained to handle children with special needs or developmental differences?
The Academy tries to be good stewards towards all children. Unfortunately, we do not always have the training or facility to accept children with special needs. If requested, the Director can meet with families to discuss the needs of the child to be successful at the Academy. If accepted we will review all the recommendation in Rule 743.2202 found in the Texas minimum standards.
Curriculum & daily Routines
Is there a learning curriculum, and if so, what is it based on?
We use the Fun Shine Express early leaning curriculum, whose writers and editors are leaders and experts in the field of early childhood education.
In addition to our wonderful teachers and curriculum, the academy includes many extracurricular activities – for example Spanish, music, and a movement program. The Academy also offers several additional parent paid activities.
How do you support social, emotional, and physical development?
Working hand-in-hand with parents, we strive to provide a warm, loving and responsive environment. Through careful lesson planning, our teaching staff offers a number of learning experiences each day to enhance the physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual growth of the child.
Do the children spend time outdoors every day?
We plan our days to allow for a lot of playtime. As with developmentally appropriate practices and active learning, years of
research illustrate the benefits of play for a child’s intellectual, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, and language development. All kinds of play are valuable, so we support it by providing space, opportunity, and materials.
The Academy promotes indoor and outdoor physical play. We provide two 30-minute sessions for children to receive physical play every day. We encourage parents to send their child in appropriate shoes and weather appropriate clothes for outside play.
Outside we have age-appropriate playgrounds. During this time, we will engage in various activities to promote their small and large gross motor skills. When weather does not cooperate, we use the gym.
How do you handle naps and rest times?
After lunch, a nap is provided for all preschool children. To protect the health of each child parents must provide a mat for their child. Parents can include a crib sheet, blanket, and pillow, which should be taken home every Friday to be cleaned.
Health, Safety & Nutrition
What are your safety and security policies?
The Academy follows state and federal guidelines in all the prescribed areas of health and safety standards. We have written policies and procedures for dealing with emergencies as well as an emergency evacuation plan. Academy staff conducts monthly fire drills with the children as well as periodic emergency drills such as severe weather drills.
Electrical outlets are kept secured, and medications and cleaning supplies are kept out of the reach of children. Our church’s Property Group and Academy staff make regular safety inspections of our building, grounds, and play-yards.
What is the Academy’s regarding children who are sick or ill?
Texas State Law requires parents to notify the Academy if their child develops a communicable disease, including head lice, so that the school may notify the parents of the other children in the class. Always ask your pediatrician if your child’s condition is a communicable one.
If a child will be late or absent for any reason, we ask for parents to notify the Academy. If a child is sick, we may notify other parents of children in your child’s room if necessary. Parents of afterschool children need to notify us before 1:00 pm, so we can notify pick-up drivers and caregivers.
How do you handle sick children or illness?
Children who are ill with a fever, contagious disease, or contagious condition may not attend the Academy. If the child becomes ill, the Academy Director or on-duty Administrator will determine if a child must be picked up. When the determination is made, parents will be notified. We ask that the child is picked up with 45 minutes. If a parent cannot be reached, the Academy will reach out to the child’s emergency contacts. If emergency contacts cannot be reached, the proper emergency agency will be contacted. Parents are urged to plan ahead for alternative childcare when their child is ill.
When can a child return after being sick or ill?
A child must be free of illness for 24 hours before returning to school. For example, if a child has been sent home on Monday with a fever, they cannot return to school until Wednesday.
Excluding a child with a fever, a child may be readmitted earlier than the 24-hour waiting period only with a written statement from the child’s doctor stating that the child has been examined, is not contagious, and is able to participate in all the school activities including play.
When a child returns to the Academy, they must be able to participate in all Academy activities including play indoors or outdoors. A child will not be kept inside separated from the other children. If a child is not well enough for play, they need more recuperation time at home.
What meals and snacks are provided, and how do you handle allergies or dietary restrictions?
The Academy provides all children with a morning snack and an afternoon snack every day. When bringing bring food from home, please be aware the Academy is a Nut Free environment. Any food you send containing any nuts will be sent home and you will be notified.
How do you manage medication administration?
In order to give your child prescription or over-the-counter medications, we must receive a completed and signed Medication Form. If medications are ongoing, a Medication Form must be provided on Monday every week.
All medications must be handed to Academy staff. Children are never allowed to carry any kind of medication in the classroom, backpacks, diaper bags, or any other belonging.
Prescription medicines may be given only if (1) the prescription label carries a current date and (2) the full name of the child to whom it is to be given.
Over-the-counter medication must be (1) in the original bottle, (2) labeled with the child’s name, (3) be recommended for the child’s age, and (4) have directions and dosage on the label. If the over-the-counter medication is recommended for an age that is not the child’s, a doctor’s note approving the administration of the drug and dosage information must accompany the medication.
When possible, we limit giving medications to two times per day only: the child’s lunchtime and at 3:00 P.M. No medication will be given “as needed”. We must be given exact times to give all medication.
What are your cleaning and sanitizing procedures?
Cleanliness as a preventive measure has a high priority for the Academy. Frequent and vigorous hand washing by staff and children is encouraged. Staff wear disposable gloves when changing diapers, cleaning a cut or a bloody nose, removing clothes soiled by blood or body fluids, and when feeding an infant-drinking breast milk. Toys, play equipment, infant beds, children’s nap mats, and table surfaces are sanitized daily with a broad-spectrum disinfectant. In the Toddler rooms, toys are sanitized all through the day. The diaper changing area or pad is sanitized after every use.
Parent Involvement
Can parents visit or observe during the day?
We invite you to drop in at any time. Stop in and visit whenever you wish. We ask to limit visits to 10 minutes. If you choose to stay longer or visit regularly, we will request a background check.
For planned school activities (parties or holiday programs), parents visiting must notify administrators and teachers in advance that they plan to attend and then sign-in in front office with a picture ID.
Parent Communications
How do you communicate with parents about a child’s day or progress?
We use the Home Room app to share notes or photos of class activity. Upon enrollment, we will provide parents only with access.
How do you handle emergencies?
Lockdown: Teachers will have children sit against the wall away from the door. All doors will be locked until further notification.
Fire: Teachers will follow evacuation procedures posted on the wall in the classroom. If an actual fire occurs children will be escorted to the Spring Valley Police Department. Parents will be called to pick-up the children immediately.
Flood: Children will be taken to the balcony in the Sanctuary and parents will be notified.
Tornado: Teachers immediately take children to the lunchroom, library, or bathroom. In case of damage to the building, we relocate children to The Spring Valley Police Station.
1025 Campbell Rd
Houston, TX 77055
Parents will be notified if location is changed.
Hurricane: The Academy will be closed.
Toxic Fumes or Chemical Release: Upon notification from local authorities (police, fire department, etc.) the children will be loaded in the van or bus and taken to the nearest public facility (Public School, Red Cross, or hospital) out of the danger zone. The parent will immediately be notified to pick-up their children.
In all cases, the teachers bring the classroom backpacks with the attendance binder, children’s information binder, first aid kit, and flashlight
Fees & Policies
What is the cost of tuition?
Infants: $1655 per month for 5-day work week
Toddlers: $1460 per month for 5 days per work week, $965 per month for 3 days per work week, or $675 per month for 2 days per work week
Toddler Twos & Threes: $1350 per month for 5-day work week, $850 per month for 3 days per work week, or $570 per month for 2 days per work week
Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K): $1350 per month for 5-day work week
Afterschool (Kindergartener through 5th Grade): $475 per month for 5-day per work week, $370 per month for 3 days per work week, or $245 per month for 2 days per work week
Are there any other fees?
Registration fees are $1000 for infants ($500 for church members), $150 for toddlers, $250 for pre-kindergarteners, $150 for afterschool, and $150 for summer camp. Registration fees are paid after a Visit/Tour and only after we confirm schedule availability with you. Please note that all registration fees are non-refundable.
Supplemental programs and activities are available like Soccer Shots, Dance, or Spanish. The fees for those programs are extra, charged by the vendor, and vary by age.
Late pick-ups after 6:00 pm incur a $40 charge plus $1 per minute after 6:10 pm.
Do you offer any discounts?
We offer sibling discounts of 10% for the second and third child in the same family, which applies to the lesser tuition fee. Church members also receive a discount of 20% in addition to all other discounts.
What are the payment policies?
Tuition is due on the first of the month. A payment plan on the 1st and 15th can be arranged if requested. We do allow for a 5-day grace period on late payments. After grace period, a fee of $40 will be charged plus $10 for each day after the grace period until the balance is paid in full.
What is the policy for absences?
Tuition is not based on attendance. It is per month and account for school holidays, school closings, and Academy teacher work days.
What is the policy for vacations?
A one-week vacation credit is available for children enrolled for a full year. A request must be made in writing, and the child must be absent during the requested vacation week.
What is the policy for withdrawals?
A two-week notice is required for a child’s withdrawal from the school. Failure to give a two-week notice will result in an additional fee for the two week period.
State License
Does the Academy have a state license?
Texas Health and Human Services license Spring Branch Presbyterian Academy. We undergo regular inspections by this agency and by the Harris County Public Health Department and the local Fire Marshall. We follow state and federal guidelines in all the prescribed areas of health and safety standards.
Current and past inspection reports are available on our information board located in the hall between the school offices, or online at www.hhs.texas.gov.