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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a Parent Participation Preschool?
In a parent participation preschool (PPP), the parents contribute to the
administration of the school and spend time in the classroom (duty days)
under the direction of qualified teachers. Parents work together with the
teachers to create a positive, supportive and enriched educational environment.
It is an opportunity to take part in and enjoy your child's early educational experience.
2. What are the advantages of a Parent Participation Preschool?
· Parents are welcome in the classroom and may participate in the program
for as long as it takes for your child to be comfortable and ready to separate from you.
· The ratio of adults to children in a PPP is far better than in any other educational
situation you will meet in your child's entire school career. The sheer volume of
encouragement and support is a tremendous boost to a child just learning to function
outside the home environment. The child learns to accept other adult figures in
addition to the parents.
· The support of each family in their quest to find out what is best in and for their
child is unequalled in any other situation.
· The pool of talent available to you, your child and your family are truly enormous.
· The opportunity for your own development and education as a parent is one you should not miss.
It is a very rewarding experience.
· And lastly, and most important of all…participating and sharing is fun! Come and join us!
3. What will my child gain from being at Preschool?
· Confidence
· Social skills
· A chance to develop fully all the physical skills possible at this stage
· A broader outlook on the world than a home base alone can provide
· A much stronger self-image than can be discovered outside of such a group
· Playmates, playmates, and playmates!
4. What does the program involve?
· Brief Morning Circle to say "hello" and discuss the craft of the day
· Free play (45 minutes)
· Clean-up
· Snack time
· Learning Circle (may include songs, stories, show and tell)
· Outside playground (weather permitting) or a special indoor activity if the
weather is inclement
5. What makes Gingerbread House Preschool a special place?
· High adult to child ratio (1:4 in 3s class and 1:5 in 4s class)
· 2 qualified and experienced ECE teachers in each class
· Small class sizes: 16 in 3s and 18 in 4s
· Large indoor play space with a large quantity of indoor educational play equipment
· Large outdoor play area for our exclusive use
· Daily outdoor play time
· Simple, but nutritious snacks
· Play-based learning environment
6. How much time is involved in participating in a PPP?
· 1 or 2 duty mornings each month
· 1 evening meeting each month including both a business meeting and
1 ˝ hours of parent education
· An ongoing job which you will do all year
7. What is the Parent Education Program?
The Community Care Facilities Board recognizes that very
few parents are trained to be, or even feel comfortable as teachers,
but in a parent participation preschool, you are a classroom assistant
once or twice a month and have some responsibility for the safety and
well being of a number of the children. Parent Participation Preschools
are licensed to operate on the condition that the parent assistants have
10 hours of orientation prior to working in the classroom and 1˝ hours of
parent education each month of the school year.
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8. How do I get my 10 hours of orientation?
Information Night March 2 hours
Observation of Preschool 2 hours
Attending May and/or June General Meeting 2 hours each
Summer Coffee Parties 2 hours (max. 4 hours)
Orientation Workshop (held in Sept.) 3 hours
Review of Parent Manual 1 hour
Late Registrations can add the following:
Mock Duty / Classroom observation 3 hours
Review of Emergency Preparedness manual 1 hour
Other Parent Education Materials 1 - 2 hours
Parent Education throughout the year is a part of each meeting.
Topics of very broad interest to all parents are discussed.
A variety of excellent speakers are featured throughout the year
and the whole education program is very informative and enjoyable.
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9. What do I do on duty morning?
The teachers direct all the children's activities.
You are there to help supervise and encourage the children.
The parents and the teacher share the practical running of the classroom.
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10. Is there any flexibility as to when I am on duty?
Yes. A schedule is made for each upcoming month and you are welcome to
indicate days you are unavailable due to work or childcare needs. Also,
parents can exchange duty days to benefit each other.
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11. Is a Parent Participation Preschool an option for a working parent?
If circumstances make full-participation difficult, then parents may choose to be
partial participants. Please note that partial participating parents are limited to
3 families per class, provided that someone is willing to do extra duty days.
There is an additional fee of $40 per month for partial participation to compensate
the parent who does the extra duty days. You are still required to be complete the
10 hours of orientation, attend monthly General Meetings and hold a job within the preschool.
Another option is to have another family member or caregiver do the duty days.
We have had grandparents and caregivers participating in the classroom, and
we've also had mothers and fathers share their family's duty days.
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12. How is it decided what my portfolio (i.e. school job) will be?
We ask all parent participation members what their special interests are.
We also ask members to fill out a portfolio sheet. If a member would
like an executive position, then we ask them to indicate any position
that they are willing to be nominated for. The election for executive
positions is held at the May General Meeting. If a member would like a
non-executive position, then we ask them to indicate their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices.
These are assigned on a choice basis to the remaining members not elected to
an executive position at the May General Meeting.
Once portfolios are assigned, you will be given a folder with detailed
instructions on how to perform your duties.
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13. What kind of guidelines is there for doing each job properly?
There are folders covering all aspects of each portfolio.
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14. What happens if my child is not quite 3 years old (i.e. birthday is in October,
November, December or January)?
Children must turn 3 before Dec. 31st to start at the preschool in September.
Children who turn 3 years old between January 1st and June 30th can start at the
preschool in January if there is space in the 3s class.
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15. When are the fees due?
There is a non-refundable $65 deposit due with the enrolment forms.
Once received, this will confirm your child's spot for September and
will be applied to the annual registration fee and tuition.
The September tuition fee is due at the June General Meeting.
Monthly post-dated cheques are due at the first general meeting in September.
Cheques are dated for the first of each month.
Payment for May and June is required by the December cheque and can
be paid out in several ways. Further information will be provided at a later date.
Tuition fees cover the basic costs of running the school: teachers'
salaries, rent, school supplies, insurance, council fees, etc. The school
is a non-profit organization.
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16. What other financial commitment is required?
Each family is required to participate in the school's fundraising activities.
A variety of fundraising activities (e.g. chicken sales, Pub Nights, raffle tickets, etc.)
occur throughout the preschool year so that there is something for everyone to become
involved in.
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