Transportation to and from the center is the responsibility of the parent. Transportation for school excursions will be via a professional bus or van service. These special outings will be planned as much in advance as possible.
Seagull Schools Inc. maintains a general liability insurance policy. Special risk insurance is provided to all children hurt on the property during school hours of operation.
A gradual orientation and transition into the classroom strengthens the child's emotional security. This is especially true and recommended for very young children and children who have experienced recent changes in their lives (new sibling, new home, new school, parents return to work, divorce, etc.). Ideally, we recommend that the first two days orientation be for half a day (8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.). On the third day the child may feel comfortable enough to stay for a full day. We recommend verbal assurance by positively sharing the day's events.
The teaching staff will discuss promotions and advancements with parents when there is an opening at the next level. A notice from the school will officially inform parents of the promotion date and new classroom/teacher.
When a child moves into a new classroom, staff and parents cooperate together to inform and orient the child to the new location.
With written consent from the parent, evaluation forms and records are made available when the child leaves the center.
A graduation ceremony is held for children moving on to kindergarten.
Seagull Schools Commitment to Quality: To maintain a quality environment for children, those who work directly with the children (Teachers, Assistant Teachers, Aides, Volunteers, Substitute Teachers) follow standards that are based on the best available advanced knowledge and practices. The staff is committed to maintaining professional standards, rather than relying on personal predilection, common sense or folk knowledge.
The centers cannot accommodate "ill" or "mildly ill" children. We lack the facilities and staff necessary for such a program.
If a child becomes ill during the day, care will be provided until a parent or responsible adult arrives. Parents will be asked to make arrangements for the child to be picked up by a responsible adult as soon as possible . All emergency and other information must be kept current in the event we must contact someone if your child is sick or injured.
We require parents to accompany their children to the classroom and be released to the classroom teachers. Children must be signed in and out . Those who are authorized and not familiar to the teaching staff must present photo identification.
The centers provide meals to all enrolled children at no extra cost. To insure we receive a maximum reimbursement rate under a U.S.D.A. contract, it is important that parents, complete the U.S.D.A. Income Eligibility form required for maximum government reimbursement. Forms are distributed, updated and filed annually.
Volunteers are highly valued and appreciated for their support and enrichment of our programs. If you would like to volunteer with Seagull Schools, please call the Center Director at the location you are interested in serving. It is fun and rewarding.
Parents are an important part of our programs; their time, suggestions and contributions help to enrich our activities. Throughout the year, parents are involved in a variety of activities, meetings, workshops, potlucks and fundraisers. Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled twice a year.
Parents may also phone the classroom and talk with their child's teacher. Contact and re-assurance can be positively maintained in this way. Lunch hour parent-teacher meetings may also be arranged at parent's convenience. Parents are encouraged to visit and observe the program and to contribute in any way.
Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled twice during the school year. These conferences are a special opportunity for the parents and teachers to share:
The conferences will be an information sharing opportunity to support each other in growing and learning about each specific child. The staff strives to provide experiences which will encourage children's growth and learning as an individual.
To maximize parent's time and allow teachers to maintain the day's schedule for the children, conferences are limited to 30 minutes. If parents require additional time to share information, concerns, problems, etc. additional time may be scheduled to meet another day. Conferences may be scheduled whenever it is felt necessary.
Seagull Schools has made prior arrangements with the State Dept. of Health Nursing Office -Public Nurse R.N., State Dept. of Health -Epidemiologist, and a Pediatrician to consult on health issues. Speech and behavior referrals will be provided with parent's written request. A child's special needs will be determined through the parent's questionnaire, doctor's comments and conferences held with the parent.
In the early years, children are learning about the world around them and how they fit into it. Children need adults to help them develop self-control and empathy. The ultimate goal is for all children to be able to control their own behavior and to understand how it impacts others.
It is a natural process for children to test limits that adults set for them. The center's staff will use positive guidance techniques including re-direction, anticipation of and elimination of problems, positive reinforcement, natural and logical consequences and encouragement rather than competition, comparison or criticism. An important part of this process is providing children with the support they need to learn to express their feelings and needs in acceptable ways. We abstain from corporal punishment or other humiliating or frightening disciplinary techniques.
Young children occasionally bite, hit, kick, scratch or throw a toy at others out of anger or frustration. In normal situations, staff will use positive guidance techniques to address the behavior. Time out will only be used in extreme situations.
On-going incidences of toddler biting are addressed as a separate issue within the context of the developmental stages of the child.
Children causing consistent harm to others (hitting, biting or exhibiting consistently disruptive behavior) will be isolated. The teacher will notify the parents of the children directly involved the same day the incident occurs. Parents may be called to remove the child from the center for these actions. It is our policy to meet with parents of children with challenging behaviors to work together to support the child's development of self-discipline. We may require the family seek counseling to consider continued enrollment.
The administration of Seagull Schools reserves the right to suspend or unenroll any child that poses an on-going threat to others. We believe every one has a right to feel safe at school.
We foster quality care for all children, by doing the following:
The Schools adhere to the State Child Protective Services child abuse reporting law and are legally and ethically required to report all suspected cases of child abuse and/or neglect.
All information regarding individual children, parents and/or guardians will remain confidential. Disclosure of any information to cooperating agencies will be granted only with written parental consent.
All complaints or concerns regarding policy and/or program operations must be submitted (verbally or in writing) during school hours or by appointment with the appropriate staff person.
Seagull Schools recognizes the principle that complaints or concerns should be expeditiously settled at the lowest level possible. To implement this principle, complaints or concerns should be submitted/appealed to staff in the following order:
First - Classroom Teacher (submittals only)
Second - Director (submittals and appeals)
Third - Director of Operations (appeals only)
Fourth - Executive Director (appeals only)
Fifth - Seagull Schools Board of Directors (written appeals only)
Seagull Schools is a private, not-for-profit organization that reserves the right to admission.
Children on the waiting list will be admitted by the earliest date of the application based on availability. Enrollment is complete when the registration, consent, emergency information, and medical forms are on file.
Health regulations require current TB clearances, physical examinations and immunizations. (see School Health Policy). Please report any allergies, health concerns or questions to the Teacher.
The State of Hawaii Form 14 (Student Health Record) medical card and Form 908 (Early Childhood Pre-K Health Record Supplement) is to be submitted upon enrollment of all children. The Form 14 is obtained through your child's pediatrician.
State licensing regulations require that the following forms for each child be completed and filed at the center upon enrollment. They are to be submitted as accurately and completely as possible.
Form 14
Form 908
Application Form
Release of All Claims
Authorization to Consent to Treatment to a Minor
Emergency Referral Card
Attachment to Child's Emergency Referral Card
Health Data Form
Photo and Video Release Form
Children with special needs are considered on an individual basis. Assessments may be provided through the use of various resource persons such as a psychologist or a speech therapist. Special needs children may be admitted if staff are adequately trained to support the child's needs. Staff must be able to continue to carry out their regular duties.
It is the school's policy to comply with all local, state and federal laws and in particular, the A.D.A. Civil Rights Law for persons with disabilities. Children are accepted with disabilities within reasonable boundaries if it does not result in undue hardship for the staff and other children of the center.
Patch is Hawaii's statewide childcare resource and referral agency. Childcare resource and referral (R&R) agencies are located throughout the country. R&R services have evolved from grassroots efforts to help parents find childcare, to well-developed systems that support parents, providers, and local communities in finding, planning for, and providing quality childcare. (808) 839-1988