- How do I enroll?
First, applicants must fill up pre-application form and
submit it to the Family Education office. Please note there is a two week
waiting period for the application approval process.
Within two (2) weeks of enrollment, children must have proof
of updated immunization for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles,
rubella, mumps, and hemophilus B influenza and tuberculosis (T.B.) clearance.
Attending guardians, caregivers, or parents must also have T.B. clearance
to participate in the program.
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- What are the tuition and fees?
There are no fees or tuition requirements. On occasion,
however, there may be a charge for an excursion or a special event. If
any, parents will receive prior notice.
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- What should I bring to Family Education?
Parent and caregivers should always provide the following:
- A list of current emergency telephone numbers including your doctor,
dentist, and an adult at home, or nearby.
- Supplies for your infant or toddler such as diapers, formula or baby
foods. A special area will be provided for those supplies.
- A change of clothes and a towel to be kept in each child's cubby.
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- What is not allowed to be brought to Family Education
(kapu items)? For the safety and welfare of all, the following items
are STRICTLY PROHIBITED at the Family Education
Program:
- Food, gum, candy, soda, and coffee
- Guns, knives, or any other sharp objects
- Any kind of toxic substances
- Valued personal items
- Toys (except at the request of teachers)
- Pets or animals (except at the request of teachers)
- Cigarettes, matches, or lighters
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- What should I wear?
Children and adults should come to Family Literacy dressed
comfortably. Bring children in play clothes that are easily washable.
Clothing for three to five years old should be easy for them to remove
and put on alone.
We recommend that children:
- Wear pull-on pants with elasticized waistbands.
- Save nice clothes and one-piece clothing (e.g. overalls, jumpers and
long mu’umu’us) for home use.
- Are required footwear. Slippers, labeled with child’s name, are
acceptable for normal school routines.
A change of clothes to keep at school is recommended for both adults
and children.
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- What should I wear for special occassions?
- Appropriate footwear is required (e.g. tennis or sport shoes).
- Participants may be asked to wear shorts for picnics, long pants for
hiking, etc.
- Participants should dress comfortably for all excursions. On occasion,
the teachers may request that you and your child wear a special T-shirt.
It helps to identify participants and with supervision.
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- What should I do if either my child or I are absent,
or both?
The best way for participants to learn is to be in school
regularly:
Help us stay informed by doing the following:
- If you know in advance that you will be absent, please let your teachers
know.
- If you or your child is absent due to illness, call the Family Education
office at (808) 259-0243 to let your teacher know about your situation.
It is important for us to know about illnesses since so many people
come together at our program.
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- Who is responsible for the supervision of the children?
Supervision of children at Family Education is the responsibility of both
the parent and the staff. It is important that you be aware of where your
children are. Many toddlers will need to stay close to you. A four-year
old might be able to enjoy activities at a nearby area. We hope you will
enjoy using the materials and visiting with your neighbors, as long as your
children are under your watchful eye.
Family Education areas are often large, and teachers rely on parents
and caregivers to help with supervision. If you see anything in the environment
that may harm children, such as a piece of glass, please help us by disposing
of it safely. Always point out unsafe situations to teachers.
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- What is the program's policy concerning diapering of
infants?
When children’s diapers need to be changed, please use the specified
diapering area and follow the printed procedures. In either situation, the
diapers need to be wrapped and disposed of in covered containers marked
for that purpose. Wash hands before returning to activities. We appreciate
your kokua in maintaining this important health and safety practice.
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- What if my child contracts a communicable disease?
Young children and caregivers are often exposed to many different illnesses.
If you or any of your attending children have any of the contagious illnesses
or health conditions, we ask that you remain at home.
Before you and your child may return, he/she must be free of symptoms,
or have a doctor’s clearance.
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- What is the ‘uku policy?
Throughout the year there are periodic cases of ukus among children.
Family Education is no exception. On occasion, the teachers and parents
will check all children to prevent the spread of these pests. If ukus or
nits are found, you will be asked to keep your child home until you have
been able to treat the condition. You are welcome back as soon as the child’s
hair and scalp are free of ukus and eggs.
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- Are adults required to provide the program with emergency
information?
Definitely! All families need to indicate a preference of ambulance
service or other emergency procedures to be followed in case of any medical
emergency. This can be done when submitting your child’s medical information.
You are required to notify teachers immediately
if there is any change in:
- address
- home or business phone numbers
- emergency contact persons
- doctor or health care provider
- health conditions
This information is vitally important to us while you are at Family Literacy.
In the event of health or weather emergencies, accurate emergency numbers
are critical.
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- What is the program's policy on First Aid and Emergency
Care?
If a child is injured and requires medical attention, staff will assist
the parent or caregivers in providing appropriate First Aid and in accessing
additional urgent or emergency services if needed.
If your child needs to take any medication during the session, only you,
the attending parent, or the caregiver authorized by you may administer
it.
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- Can I bring pets to the program?
On occasion, the teacher may ask participants to bring household pets
to the program to share. An animal should be brought in a cage or on a leash.
Please plan carefully with the teacher for the protection of both the children
and your pet.
Under no circumstances may dogs or other pets be brought to the program,
even though you may feel that the animal poses no problem. Many animals
react differently with crowds of children in territory that is unfamiliar.
If animals are brought to the program that have not been requested and/or
planned for, individuals who brought the animals will be required to secure
them apart from the program, or will be kindly asked to leave the premises
immediately.
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- Should I bring as a morning snack for my child?
Participants will be served a nutritious morning snack. This snack is
not intended to substitute for a child's breakfast. Please
do not bring outside food to Family Education. Exceptions will only
be made if your child has a food allergy or requires a special diet. Please
talk it over with your teacher.
Parents are often asked to assist with serving snacks. Help us guard
everyone’s health by washing hands first, and wearing the proper
gloves.
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- Can I bring special treats if my son/daughter is to
celebrate his/her birthday at the program?
Special treats or potlucks are welcome for special occasions. All treats
and potlucks, however, should be arranged with the teacher in advance for
birthdays, holidays, etc. We encourage nutritious snacks, treats, and meals.
Family Education will not be responsible for any
resulting illness or medical problems, which may be related to food contributed
by parents/caregivers.
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- What are the program's Civil Defense Emergency Procedures
and Severe Weather Procedures?
In case of a Civil Defense emergency or alert situation, the teachers
will dismiss the session. Children will leave in the company of their parents
or caregivers. Standard public Civil Defense procedures should be followed.
For your information, these procedures are described in the front section
of the public telephone book.
In the event of state of island-wide emergencies, Family Education may
be closed. Such emergencies might include power failure, water outages,
or storms. The decision whether to close the program will be made by the
co-directors. Safety of the family is a primary concern.
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- What about caregiver interactions during the
program day?
Please feel free to talk with staff at any time. This free flow of communication
makes the learning program more effective for families. We encourage all
caregivers to feel free to talk to the staff at any time about any of the
five components that make up the program.
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- Where may I send any suggestions or comments?
On the sign-in table, there is a suggestion box for parents, guardians,
and caregivers to give suggestions about the program.
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- What can I do to help my child learn self-control?
FOR OLDER INFANTS:
Talk to babies. Meet baby’s needs. A hungry baby will cry. Babies
who are tired will become fussy. Many babies are overwhelmed when too
many people or things around them are unfamiliar. The best way to solve
these problems is to meet their needs.
Don’t expect your infant to be able to do what older children can
do. They will learn many things by observation and hands-on playing. Let
them handle, explore, even do some messy art activities.
Circle time is a long time for infants and young toddlers to be still.
It is okay to leave the circle and walk around with your infant or toddler.
FOR TODDLERS:
Help them learn about taking turns. It is a very difficult thing to learn.
Talk them through the event, so they will understand what you are asking
them to do, like this: “Lehua is painting now, and you have the next
turn. Now, Lehua is finished; it’s your turn.” Don’t be
surprised if they protest. To a toddler, the world and everything in it
should belong to him/her! Direct your toddler to another activity while
waiting.
Help children learn words by saying them many times, like this: “You
like red paint, don’t you? What a great red painting! You are turning
the paper all red. Now your hands are all red, too. Let’s wash that
red paint off your hands.”
FOR PRESCHOOLERS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 3 AND 5 YEARS OLD: