What classes does ECP offer, and when do they meet?
What is the adult to child ratio?
Does my child need to be toilet trained?
What is the cost for attending ECP?
What school calendar do you follow?
What are my duties as a co-op parent?
Does ECP follow an approved curriculum which will prepare my child to enter Kindergarten at the age of five?
Can I see the classroom and meet the teachers before I register my child?
What Is a Typical Preschool Day Like?
Can siblings attend/participate in school activities?
My child has allergies. How will he/she be accommodated?
Does the co-op parent have to be the parent of the student?
What classes does ECP offer, and when do they meet?
ECP offers a three-day morning class for students turning 3 by December 31 of the current school year. The class meets Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9am to noon.
ECP offers a three-day morning class for students turning 4 by December 31 of the current school year. The class meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9am to noon.
ECP offers a four-day afternoon class for students turning 4 by December 31 of the current school year. The class meets Monday through Thursday from 1pm to 4pm.
What is the adult to child ratio?
There are two teachers and a parent in the classroom with the children at all times, creating a 1:5 ratio for the 3-day classes, and a 1:6 ratio for the 4-day classes.
Does my child need to be toilet trained?
Yes. All students attending ECP must be toilet trained upon starting class. However, the staff understands that children have accidents. The staff is very helpful and understanding about assisting children to remember to use the bathroom, or to change clothing after an accident.
What is the cost for attending ECP?
Please see the Tuition and Fees page for current tuition and fees.
What school calendar do you follow?
ECP follows the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Calendar. On rare occasions such as spring conferences and half days, ECP has a different schedule. ECP does not usually follow the HCPSS half day schedule.
What are my duties as a co-op parent?
Parents are required to co-op in the classroom on a scheduled, rotating basis about 5-7 times per year.
They are also required to:
Assist in classroom set up or clean up on a rotating, scheduled basis about 5-7 times a year (15 to 30 minutes per assignment).
Serve on a committee.
Work at least three hours toward the completion of a fundraising event.
Complete one, or more, Housekeeping rotation (about three hours on a Saturday) per year.
Attend a mandatory workshop (in October, for about three hours).
Chaperone at least two field trips per year (includes in-class and outside field trips).
Does ECP follow an approved curriculum which will prepare my child to enter Kindergarten at the age of five?
Yes, ECP uses the state-approved Little Treasures Pre-Kindergarten Curriculum. In addition to this curriculum, ECP teachers have developed many enrichment learning activities and projects which enhance the students’ overall interest level and enjoyment in preschool. Students are exposed to all core curriculum content areas, including Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, Physical Education, Music, Art, and Technology.
Can I see the classroom and meet the teachers before I register my child?
Yes, you can attend an open house advertised on the ECP webpage, or contact the Membership Coordinator to schedule a classroom observation. Additionally, the teachers are available to meet with prospective parents and students at the Office of Children’s Services Preschool Fair held in January at the Ten Oaks Ballroom in River Hill.
What Is a Typical Preschool Day Like?
Daily Schedule:
Arrival
Gathering Time: Calendar, Weather, Content Discussion
Music & Movement: Songs and physical activities relating to the content of the day
Story Time: Literature relating to the content of the day
Center Time and Supervised Play
Teachers and the cooperative parent direct students in content area centers related to the topic of the day. During each unit, these centers encompass the content areas of Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art, and Technology. During supervised play, students are encouraged to independently choose their play center. A wide variety of play materials are present, including opportunities for gross motor, fine motor, and imaginative play.
Independent Reading
Snack Time
Outdoor/Gross Motor Play
Weather permitting, students will be given time each day to play outside on a fenced, gated playground; during inclement weather, students will participate in gross motor activities inside.
Dismissal
Can siblings attend/participate in school activities?
The presence of siblings is and always will be a hot topic at a co-operative preschool, where families are intimately involved, and we hope to remain a family-friendly environment. To allow ECP students to get the most out of this early education experience, siblings or other non-enrolled children are not allowed. Students in the classroom will grow and enjoy their special time with their co-oping parents. As we are a strong community of friends, members will find ready and willing support among other parents in the class to watch and care for other siblings during a parent’s assigned co-op. We encourage members to take advantage of this opportunity and share care-giving responsibilities for siblings.
During co-op time, no non-enrolled children are permitted. Legally, we insure only those children enrolled in our school, not their siblings.
During field trips, only enrolled children are permitted.
My child has allergies. How will he/she be accommodated?
Children with severe allergies may be at risk of a serious allergic reaction in a preschool setting due to contact with, or ingestion of, the allergen. East Columbia Preschool is concerned for the health and safety of all children in our care. ECP is a nut-free school; for all allergies, we make every effort to accommodate families on a case-by-case basis. Accordingly, when an enrolling/enrolled child has a severe, life-threatening allergy, the following is required:
PARENT(S)/GUARDIAN(S) MUST COMPLETE AND/OR PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING:
- A signed copy of ECP’s “Authorization for Emergency Care for Children with Severe Allergies” and Maryland State Medication Authorization form OCC 1216.
- A signed copy of ECP’s “Release and Waiver of Liability for Administering Emergency Treatment to Children with Severe Allergies.”
- All equipment and medications needed by ECP to comply with the instructions set forth in the Authorization Form (including, but not limited to, a device such as the EpiPen, Jr.). The parent(s)/guardian(s) are responsible for ensuring that all medication is properly labeled by a pharmacist and replaced prior to the expiration date.
Does the co-op have to be the parent of the student?
No, a co-op can be the student’s mother, father, another family member, childcare provider or full-time caregiver who is with the student on a regular basis during school hours, is over the age of 18, and has passed a background check.