Policies

All of our policies can be found in the Family Handbook.


MISSION STATEMENT

Heritage Tree Preschool is a place where students and families can learn and grow in a loving, God-centered environment.  We pray together, learn together, and grow together. 


PHILOSOPHY AND APPROACH

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.” Psalm 127:3


At Heritage Tree Preschool, our primary purpose is to provide a safe and loving Christian environment that nurtures the spiritual, social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of each individual student. The teachers implement research-based, developmentally appropriate practices to guide students to learn through hands-on experiences. We are dedicated to fostering kindness, self-regulation, problem-solving, and decision-making in each of our students.

 

We believe that each student is a unique creation of God, filled with potential, to be treated with love, care, and respect.  We provide meaningful experiences that create excitement and joy for learning and a love for the Lord.


Our program has an open-door policy for all families. Families are welcome to stop by the office anytime. Additionally, we know it is important to have open communication with our families, please do not hesitate to come talk to us.



AGE REQUIREMENTS

Heritage Tree Preschool is a uniquely designed program for students 12 months up to 5 years of age. We have four classrooms:

Students will be placed in classrooms according to their age as of September 1st of the current school year.


CONFIDENTIALITY

Information regarding the students, families, and/or staff is privileged and confidential.  The staff is expected to keep information shared confidential and not discuss information in front of the students, other families, or other staff members. Information contained in a student’s record is privileged and confidential.  Families will have access, upon request, to their student’s record at reasonable times.  A written log will be included in a student’s record indicating any time the record has been released.


Families will receive photos of their students via the Brightwheel app. Occasionally, these photos will include other students or staff who have given permission to have their photos shared in Brightwheel. Group photos should never be shared on social media or any other outlet (text, email, in print) without permission from the students’ families or the staff member.



ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES

We have open enrollment throughout the current school year for new families. Enrollment opens for the upcoming school year in February for current families and March for new families. 


Fees

A deposit of $50 and a registration fee of $100/$125 will be collected with the registration form and enrollment agreement. Deposit is due upon registration to secure your student's spot.  Without a paid deposit, HTP will not consider a student enrolled in our program. The registration fee is due no later than 08/1/2024,  and is nonrefundable. The supply fee of $50 is due on 08/1/2024,  and is nonrefundable.


Enrollment Packet

The enrollment packet includes the enrollment agreement, the registration form, immunization records or exemption affidavit, copy of parent/guardian photo ID, and proof of service (military or first responder, for discount purposes). Without these documents, your student will not be admitted to preschool. All documents must be received by Open House, or if the student is registering after the school year begins, everything must be received before they may begin attending. 


Immunizations

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all students receive immunizations on a set schedule. A copy of your student’s immunization record or an exemption affidavit is required to attend HTP. This information will be confidential. HTP does not require influenza or COVID-19 immunizations for students.


ILLNESS

If your student is ill, please do not bring them to preschool.  We will send the student home if they arrive sick. If your student has had any issue within the past 24 hours, we will ask you to take them home unless you have a doctor’s note. If your student has been on antibiotics or has no symptoms for at least 24 hours, they will be accepted at Heritage Tree Preschool. Children with a fever of 100.4°F or above will be required to go home and will not be allowed to return until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication.  


The health policies are developed from guidelines set by the Texas Childcare Licensing. Your student is not admitted to school if they have any of the following symptoms:

Upon having the following diseases, a student must have a written consent from a physician to return to school:


TERMINATION OF ENROLLMENT

Enrollment may be terminated by the parent(s) or HTP at any time for any reason. A 30-day notice is required from families in the event they decide to terminate the contract. HTP will provide as much notice as possible, should enrollment termination become necessary. HTP may immediately terminate enrollment without any notice if tuition payment is not made on time. No refunds will be given for tuition, regardless of which party terminates enrollment.


TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES

Heritage Tree Preschool is not licensed through the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services; however, our policies are based on the Texas Child Care Licensing minimum standards. Our policies are set up with students' and families’ best interests in mind. Childcare workers are “mandated reporters” thus requiring us by state law to report suspected abuse. We are required to have the following abuse hotline number and website posted at all times for staff and families: 800-252-5400 and https://www.txabusehotline.org/