Registration for current & returning students, for siblings of current students, and Preschool & Church employee students opens on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 and forms and fee due Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Registration for waitlist church members opens on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 and forms are due by Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Registration opens for waitlist students based on availability: Monday, April 7, 2025 and forms are due by Friday, May 2, 2025

“Mini Tours” are for perspective families who are on the waiting list and for those who would like to be on the waiting list. The “Mini Tour” is ~20 minutes and the prospective child is welcome to attend. Please leave older siblings at home. Meet Preschool Director, Ms. Brenda, in front of the preschool building. The tour will start promptly at 10:30 AM. No need to sign-up, just show up! Attending a mini tour is highly recommended if you want a placement for your child.

Monday-Wednesday, April 7-9, 2025 @ 10:30 AM

Private Tours: Given to families when a spot is available for their child

2024-2025 Orientation: Monday, August 12, 2024 @ 11:00 AM

School Year:

• 2024-2025: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 – Tuesday, May 20, 2025
• We follow the Walton County School Schedule for Holidays and Teacher Work Days.

School Day (Regular Hours):

• All Classrooms PreK-2, PreK-3, and PreK-4: 8:45 AM to 2:00 PM
• “Early Drop” (ED) offered from 7:45-8:45 AM for $10 per day
• “Late Stay” (LS) offered from 2:00-3:00 PM for $10 per day
• Monthly discounted rates offered for ED and LS for prior sign-up & prepayment

We use the ELLM/Plus Curriculum

In addition to the daily curriculum, we provide large & fine motor skill development; an extracurricular activity such as music, art, exercise; social and emotional development; relationship development; and Christian Curriculum daily. We may offer culinary classes 1-3 times per year and encourage and request parent volunteers. The students may perform recitals during the school year.

• We use Brightwheel Childcare Software
• 5-Day Placement is Monday-Friday
• 4-Day Placement is Monday-Thursday
• 3-Day Placement in PreK-4A is Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
• 3-Day Placement in PreK-3A is Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
• Student-Teacher Ratio in our PreK-2 room (not potty trained, ages 24-36 months) is 10:2
• Student-Teacher Ratio in our PreK-3A room (potty trained) is 11:2
• Student-Teacher Ratio in our PreK-3B room (potty trained) is 12:2
• Student-Teacher Ratio in our PreK-4A room is 12:2
• Student-Teacher Ratio in our Prek-4B room is 13:2
• The Preschool Director is on-site daily.
• The students in PreK-2 sleep for ~ 90 minutes each day (we provide the mat).
• The students in PreK-3 & 4 sleep/rest for ~60 minutes each day (we provide the mat).
• You pack a healthy snack & lunch for your child each day.
• You pack a spill-proof water cup/bottle for your child each day.
• All classes may have pizza day periodically; $8 each (pizza, crackers, fruit & paper products).
• We offer a “special event” some months; Charge & RSVP may apply.
• Student drop-off is from 8:45-9:00 am and student pick-up is from 1:45-2:00 pm daily.
• All classes may “field trip” to the church Sanctuary and/or church café for either periodic indoor active play, periodic culinary class and/or Chapel.

All forms can be obtained during a well-child check-up at your pediatrician’s office or contact the Walton County Health Department for additional information.

A child who bites another child or staff member 4 times may be subject to dismissal from the program.

A child who hits or pushes another child or staff member 4 times may be subject to dismissal from the program.

A child who throws a tantrum or behavioral fit that endangers the safety of themselves, another student, or staff member 4 times may be subject to dismissal from the program.

There may be situations in which termination of service to an individual child or family is initiated by the Preschool. Although each circumstance is unique, efforts will be made by the parties concerned to improve the situation prior to a termination decision. Should termination become necessary; a two-week written notice is generally provided.

Each child is required to bring a personal snack including food and water in a spill-proof cup each day they attend Beginnings Preschool. Please pack the snack in a brown paper bag labeled with the child’s name and date or send in a reusable lunch box labeled with the child’s name. Write a special note to your child on the bag or in the box and the teacher will help them read the note. Healthy snacks & meals are essential for your child to perform to the best of their ability.

Healthy Snacks include, but are not limited to granola, trail mix, fruit or fruit cups, dried fruit, healthy cereal, cereal bars, cheese, yogurt, crackers, pretzels, goldfish, and water.

Unhealthy Snacks include, but are not limited to air-heads, candy, chocolate, cookies, cup cakes, gummies, potato chips, candy bars, fruit roll-ups, full-sugared juice, full-sugared pop-tarts, sugared cereal, brownies, etc.

Each child is required to bring a personal lunch including food and water in a spill-proof cup each day they attend Beginnings Preschool. For all items needing refrigeration, please include a “cool-pack” in the child’s meal/lunchbox with the child’s name written on it.

Forbidden Food as stated in the Florida Childcare Facilities Rules and Regulation Guidelines: “Foods associated with young children’s choking incidents must not be served to children under 4 years of age, such as, but not limited to, whole/round hot dogs, popcorn, chips, pretzel nuggets, whole grapes, nuts, cheese, cheese cubes/sticks and any food that is of similar shape and size of the trachea/windpipe. Food for infants must be cut into pieces 1/4 inch or smaller, food for toddlers must be cut into pieces 1/2 inch or smaller to prevent chocking. This applies to all food, even food provided by parents/guardians.”

• No refrigerator or microwave will be provided for student use.
• For health and safety concerns, all used and eaten food will be thrown away daily.
• Please remember to pack a utensil and napkin if needed.

Pizza Day may be held periodically. Look for the dates on the Director’s Newsletter and/or Teacher’s calendar. The cost is $8.00 per pizza day and can be included in your tuition statement or the student can bring cash on pizza day. The charge covers pizza, crackers, fruit, plate, and napkin. Parents are not required to participate in pizza day and can send a regular lunch on pizza day. Parents send a snack for their child on pizza day.

Birthdays are very important to you and your child and Beginnings Preschool is happy to help you celebrate. We will celebrate during snack time or lunchtime. You may send a special treat such as store bought cookies, brownies, or mini cupcakes. We prefer small portions and sizes of sugary sweets. Only store bought, unopened packages of treats can be served. You are welcome to join us on your child’s special day. Please send party invitations to school only if every child in the class is invited.

Please do not bring hard candy, gum, nuts or peanut butter products for celebrations! You can send peanut products for daily lunch and snacks.

By order of the Walton County Health Department: No homemade foods of any kind can be served to the students of the preschool. All celebration food must be store bought and/or prepared at the preschool.

Most classes may partake in periodic culinary classes throughout the school year. The classes may include, but are not limited to, Pumpkin Bread Baking, Pumpkin Carving, Cookie Baking, Cupcake decorating, Resurrection Rolls (crescent roll baking), Dye hard-boiled eggs, and/or homemade pizzas. Each parent is required to sign a consent form, allowing your child to partake in the culinary classes.