BELA Staff
Our teachers and care givers are hired in compliance with state requirements and qualifications. They participate in orientation and ongoing professional development in the areas of child growth and development, healthy and safe environments, developmentally appropriate practices, family relationships, cultural and individual diversity, and professionalism. We hold our staff in high regard and commend their dedication to bringing learning to our classrooms. Our expectation is that families treat our staff in a respectful manner and engage in productive ways at all times. If at any time families have an unresolved concern they should immediately see the administration team.
We strongly discourage families from entering into employment arrangements with staff (i.e. babysitting). Any arrangement between families and our caregivers outside the programs and services we offer is a private matter, not connected or sanctioned by Berwyn Early Learning Academy.
Drop Off/Pick Up
Please ensure you are signing your child into our program each day at the kiosk as you enter the building. Parents must walk their children to the classroom and ensure the teachers know they have arrived. Children will only be released to those listed on the emergency contact form and must have a photo ID when they arrive at BELA. If there is an emergency and your child needs to be released to someone that is not on your emergency contact form we are able to do a one time verbal release request form. As you leave the center you should sign your child out of our program at the kiosk so that we have an accurate count of students at all times.
Classroom Ratios
Students attending BELA Children will be well supervised at all times. Our teaching staff participate in an active supervision professional development training during their orientation and our classrooms maintain the following standards for child to staff ratios:
| Age | Child to Staff | Group Size |
|---|
| <12 months | 4 to 1 | 8 |
| 13-35 months | 5 to 1 | 10 |
| 3 year-olds | 10 to 1 | 20 |
| 4 year-olds | 10 to 1 | 20 |
Curriculum and Learning at BELA
We believe that learning in young children is best done through play. Our classrooms provide a rich learning environment guided by a developmentally appropriate curriculum, Funny Daffer, to encourage young learners to question and explore. With a flexible daily routine and experienced teachers, children are encouraged to advance at their own pace facilitated through interest areas. BELA’s programs are designed to enhance children’s development in creativity, self-expression, decision-making, problem-solving, responsibility, independence, and reasoning. We look at every moment as a potential learning opportunity and seek to provide our students with the chance to grow into life long learners.
Please ensure that your child is ready for the day when they arrive! Our classrooms may at any time have a messy activity and while we do have smocks, accidents happen! Consider the clothing your child wears to school and whether you would be upset if something happened. Please also make sure your child is ready for a busy day of moving with their shoes. We prefer children to wear sneakers everyday for safety purposes. Children will not be allowed to attend with open toed shoes or slide shoes.
Assessments and Developmental Screening
Ensuring our students are meeting developmental milestones is an important piece of early learning. Teachers will perform a child observation within the first 45 days of enrollment, regardless of age with Ages and Stages Questionnaire. This assessment is designed to assist you and our staff to determine where your child is developmentally and identify any concerns. Our teachers will use work sampling to monitor your child' s growth and collect evidence of learning. You will receive quarterly updates of progress and new goals being worked towards, as well as having the option of meeting with your child' s teacher to share information. If at any time you have a concern you should schedule time with the teacher to discuss your thoughts. Please let the teacher know in advance so we can arrange classroom coverage as days get busy and it can be difficult to juggle a busy classroom and participate in meaningful conversations.
Special Instruction
If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), written plans, or special needs assessments we encourage you to share these with your child’s teacher so they can be working on goals and keeping you informed of progress. We also encourage you to include your child’s teacher in any IEP/IFSP meetings that include family members, an early childhood instructor, specialists, and an administrator so they may share observations and collaborate with our child’s team.
If during your child’s time at BELA there is a concern you/we feel needs to be addressed our staff will guide you in contacting outside resources to help your family address them and share all documentation (observation notes, documented incidents, developmental screenings) with partnering agencies. As a partner in your child’s education we work with families to ensure students have every opportunity to succeed.
Dual Language Learners
For families whose first language is not English, BELA will do their best to provide the following accommodations:
- Access a translator through our local ELRC to assist with the enrollment process, as it is important to us that families feel welcome at our center.
- Provide children’s screenings in Spanish and other languages if needed and available
- Intentionally incorporate professional development opportunities related to supporting DLLs and cultural responsiveness for our teachers.
- BELA’s classroom environments will provide many opportunities for the DLL child to learn.
- Incorporate sign language to help support DLL learners.
- Utilize a picture board to encourage communication and choice making in the classroom as our DLL students build vocabulary.
- Facilitate family engagement activities that invite all families to participate.
Required Daily Items
All children must have 2 sets of clothes (weather appropriate) including underwear and socks in case of accidents, spills, etc. Please ensure that clothes are weather appropriate, comfortable and labeled with your child's name. Children should wear shoes appropriate for moving and running. NO FLIP FLOPS, OPEN TOED SHOES OR SLIDES, please.
*Infants: (6 weeks-12 months) -- crib sheets, bibs, burp cloths, bottles(all bottles must be labeled), pacifier, food, formula, diapers, & wipes. Please do not bring blankets since we are not allowed to use them for children under 12 months.
Toddlers: (12-36 months) -- Blanket, crib sheet, sippy cup. If your child is currently potty training, we ask that you please bring in multiple sets of clothes.
Pre-School:( 3-5 years) -- Blanket, crib sheet. If your child is potty training, we ask that you please bring in multiple sets of clothes.
Please make sure all items are labeled with your child’s name. We are not responsible for items that are not labeled and lost.
Toys From Home
We request that you do not allow your child to bring toys from home into the center unless they are part of a show-and-tell activity. BELA is not responsible for toys that are broken or lost.
Breakfast and Lunch
Families are responsible to provide breakfast and lunch items for their children. Our classrooms will have breakfast times from 7-8:15 am. If your child arrives after that time please ensure they have eaten at home. WE ARE A PEANUT FREE FACILITY FOR SAFETY REASONS. All foods must be ready to serve. Teachers will not be able to heat items so please plan accordingly.
BELA will provide a healthy and nutritious AM and PM snack for children in our toddler, 2’s, and preschool programs. Please ensure that you inform us of any allergies your child may have.
Rest Time
All classrooms (with the exception of the infant classroom) will have a scheduled rest time following lunch. Families are asked to provide a crib sheet and blanket for this time. All nap items will be sent home on Fridays to be laundered and should be returned Monday. If a child has difficulty sleeping, the teacher will place the child away from others and give quiet activities to help pass the time (books, stuffed animals, or coloring).
Potty Training
The most important factor in making the potty training experience successful and as low-stress as possible is a family/teacher partnership that supports the child. Research indicates that children cannot successfully learn how to use the toilet until they are physically, psychologically, and emotionally ready. We are committed to working with you to make sure that potty training is carried out in a manner that is consistent with your child’s physical and emotional abilities and your family’s concerns. When everyone has agreed to a potty training plan please send in multiple pairs of clothing in preparation for accidents.
Outings and Field Trips
Our preschool program will utilize field trips as a way to celebrate our learning. Whether it is an onsite event, a trip to the library, or an off campus adventure, BELA aims to provide our students with events that create memories. Permission slips for trips off campus must be signed by the child’s family in order for them to attend. Please dress your child appropriately for the event and ensure they are wearing sneakers. We also encourage a parent to join us when they can. We do ask that you not bring siblings on trips as you may be asked to help us supervise other children.
Outdoor Play
Our classes will go outside each day given the ‘feels like’ temperature is between 25 and 90 degrees. Please ensure your child is dressed properly to participate in this part of their day.
Transitions
When your child is ready to transition to the next classroom based on their readiness and available space, BELA teachers will collaborate to prepare your child for the move. They will initially visit the new classroom with their teacher for short periods of time to become comfortable in the new environment. Next they will spend time in the classroom for short periods of time without their teacher and participate in classroom activities. Please keep in mind that transitions can be difficult. The amount of time it takes to transition to a new room will vary from child to child. When it is time to transition we will notify you and provide time for you to also see the new classroom and meet the teacher(s). Transition into our Pre-Kindergarten program will only occur at the beginning of the new school year. Children in the room MUST be 3 by September 1st to participate in the program.
When your child is heading to kindergarten their pre-k team will hold a readiness meeting with you to go over where your child is in their development so that you may share that information with the kindergarten team at the new school. If your school requests records please let us know and we would be happy to provide those. If your child leaves BELA to attend another pre-school program we will be happy to provide you with any documents requested by the new school as long as your account is in good standing.