Parent Handbook
Everything PPK families need to know — policies, schedules, tuition, and day-to-day details, all in one place.
PPK Philosophy
Protestant Preschool & Kindergarten: where unique individuals are taught at their own level of development in a Christian atmosphere of warmth, acceptance, and love; and where competent and caring staff use Christian practices and principles to provide guided opportunities and experiences for each child to learn, grow and develop spiritually, emotionally, socially, physically, and intellectually.
Right to amend: PPK reserves the right to amend this handbook. Notice of amendments will be promptly communicated in writing to parents.
General Information & Governance
Protestant Preschool & Kindergarten (PPK) is a nonprofit 501(c)3, nondiscriminatory, professional Christian organization. Our program continually undergoes a comprehensive process of internal self-study, and our staff is kept up to date on all standards for high quality Early Childhood Programs. PPK welcomes children from families of all faiths. Christian songs, prayers, and Bible stories are taught from a general Christian perspective and are not specific to any denominational teaching.
PPK’s Board of Directors determines the policies of operation and provides support to the school in various ways. The Board’s structure allows for one staff member and two laypersons from each of the supporting churches. At-large members may also be included at the discretion of the Board. Board member names and contact information are available upon request from the school office. The Director of the school oversees the daily business and operations of the program.
Schedule & Weather
The school year begins in September and ends in May. Hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for preschool classes and 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. for kindergarten.
- Inclement weather: Decisions concerning closing or delaying school will be made no later than 7:15 a.m. Teachers will notify their class. If Wayne County Schools are affected by a weather-related delay, PPK may be closed or delayed as well.
- Make-up days: In the rare event that classes are canceled for 5 consecutive days, the Board of Directors will consider adding make-up days to the school calendar.
Entrance Requirements
PPK’s objective is to meet each child’s educational needs regarding the individual’s social, mental, and emotional development, not by a child’s age. Children who excel academically at a young age may not necessarily excel socially, and vice versa. Social maturity should be in place before entering kindergarten.
- 2-year-olds: may be considered for enrollment if their birthday occurs on or before August 31 of the enrollment year and they are potty trained.
- 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds: may be considered for enrollment if their birthday occurs on or before August 31 of the enrollment year and they are potty trained.
- Kindergarten: children ages 5 and 6 may be considered if their birthday occurs on or before August 31 of the enrollment year.
Potty training policy: A child’s bowel movements should be under control before enrollment, but Pull-ups are acceptable for a possible urinal accident. Should control of body functions become a chronic problem after the first few weeks of school, the child’s class status will be reconsidered. Children in 3- and 4-year-old classes should be fully independent in toileting.
Medical forms: The child’s immunization record must be current and on file in the PPK office within the first 2 weeks of enrollment or your child will not be able to attend class. It is the parents’ responsibility to update any changes on a child’s medical form.
Tuition & Fees
All payments (tuition, events, fundraisers, etc.) to PPK must be made by Bright Wheel, check, or money order. A non-refundable $50.00 registration fee plus first month tuition per family must be paid at registration to reserve a slot. The registration fee is not required for waiting list status.
| Program | Registration Fee | Monthly Installment | Yearly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Day | $50.00 | $225.00 | $2,025.00 |
| 3 Day | $50.00 | $295.00 | $2,655.00 |
| 4 Day | $50.00 | $350.00 | $3,150.00 |
| 5 Day | $50.00 | $380.00 | $3,420.00 |
| Kindergarten | $50.00 | $430.00 | $3,870.00 |
- Payment plans: one payment for the school year, or 8 monthly installments due by the 5th of October and by the 5th of each month thereafter, November–May.
- If a child attends PPK for any part of a month, the entire month must be paid in full.
- Sibling discounts: 10% for the second child, 50% for the third child enrolled simultaneously.
- Late payments: a $10.00 late fee applies after the 5th of the month. Families having difficulty should contact the Director — the school will make every effort to find a solution.
- Late pick-up: $10.00 per child at 5 minutes late and $5.00 per child for each minute thereafter, due the next day of attendance. Late pick-up fees are deposited in the Thomas G. Griffin Memorial Scholarship Fund.
- Returned checks: a $25.00 service charge must be paid within 10 days of notification.
- Baskets: each child must have a basket to carry items to and from school; baskets are available for purchase at the school office.
Special Circumstances
- Temporary withdrawal: full tuition for each month must be paid during the child’s absence to maintain class enrollment status.
- Withdrawal: a withdrawal form must be completed and a 30-day advance notice given to the Director; otherwise parents are responsible for another month of tuition.
- Verbal/physical threat policy: children or parents who verbally or physically threaten another student or staff member will be immediately removed from the classroom. Continued enrollment is at the discretion of the Director after a parent/Director meeting. There will be no exceptions to this policy.
Arrival & Dismissal
- Classrooms open at 8:25 a.m. for kindergarteners and 8:55 a.m. for preschoolers. Care is not provided earlier than these times.
- Parents are required to escort the child safely to the classroom teacher and exit upon the teacher’s acknowledgement. Children should arrive on time, if possible.
- Dismissal is at 12:00 p.m. for preschoolers and 12:30 p.m. for kindergarten; children are picked up from the classroom.
- Children will only be released to individuals listed on their emergency cards — no exceptions. Photo identification is required for any adult other than a parent.
Clothing, Shoes & Snacks
Children should be dressed in comfortable play clothes that allow them to take care of bathroom duties quickly. PPK cannot be held responsible for clothing during “creative” times (paint, markers, glue, etc.). Children play outside daily if possible — jackets or coats should be provided every day during cool weather, and mittens rather than gloves unless a child can put them on independently. A complete change of clothing (shirt, pants, underpants, shoes, and socks) should be provided for all preschoolers.
Shoes: rubber-soled shoes every day. No hard-toed shoes, flip flops, or Crocs are allowed.
Snacks: parents should provide a light, nourishing snack each day in a lunch box the child can open. Do not send glass containers. PPK is a peanut free school — peanuts and snacks with peanut ingredients are strictly prohibited. Popcorn, candy, carbonated drinks, gum, and Cheetos/Doritos are not allowed. Grapes, Vienna sausage, and similar items should be cut into small pieces to reduce choking risk.
Illness & Medications
Please keep children at home with any of the following symptoms. The staff reserves the right to refuse entrance or send a child home with the best interest of the child and classmates in mind:
- 100.4° or higher fever
- Profuse nasal discharge
- Persistent cough
- Rash
- Vomiting
- Communicable (contagious) conditions
- Any of the above within 24 hours prior to class time
Medications: no medication or sunscreen will be administered to a child by staff. Sunscreen should be applied at home prior to the school day, and any medication should be handled by parents or medical professionals outside of school.
Field Trips & Emergencies
Parents will be notified in advance of all class trips. Current North Carolina seat belt and child restraint laws must be followed, and a parent contract must be signed and on file. Off-campus field trips require a parent/guardian to be present and to provide transportation — PPK staff are not authorized to provide transportation, and parents are responsible for the safety and supervision of their children during field trips.
Fire drills and emergency procedures are practiced during the school year. In the event of an unplanned early dismissal or a medical emergency, staff will notify parents immediately. Please keep phone numbers and names on your student’s emergency card up to date.
Parties & Sharing
Birthday parties are held only during class and may be celebrated with a special peanut free snack provided by a parent and coordinated in advance with the teacher. Clowns, balloons, pinatas, and favor bags are not permitted. Invitations to private parties may be placed in children’s baskets only if the entire class is invited.
Books, tapes, or CDs appropriate to the age group and program may be shared with the class; toys should relate to the unit of study. All items should be labeled with the child’s name and given to the teacher immediately upon entering the classroom. No toy weapons or sharp objects are allowed under any circumstance.
Conferences & PPK Plus
Parents may schedule a conference at any time during the school year, and planned conferences for all students are scheduled as well. Conferences offer a developmental update; children are not allowed in the room during the conference. Open and frequent communication between staff and parents is encouraged.
PPK Plus morning hours are 8:30–9:00 a.m. Monday through Friday; afternoon hours are 12:00–1:00 p.m. (may differ on Fridays). The fee is $3 for every 30 minutes, due at time of use unless otherwise arranged with the office. The registration form is available in the hallway across from the office.
Questions? We’re happy to help.
Contact the school office Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.