DOES THE STATE INSPECT OUR PROGRAM?

This post is part of a series responding to some of the most frequently asked questions. I am grateful for the opportunity to share responses that reflect the culture and values of New Creation Preschool. -Ms Kristin

One of the most frequently asked questions is: Does the state inspect your program?

Yes. We are reviewed annually by both surveyors from Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM). Follow up question: Can anyone see the findings? Yes again. There is a link below.

message from KDHE surveyors — KDHE surveyor message, November 2021

_{From November 2021:}

I worked really hard to be ready and to also Feel ready for the annual state survey.

These are unannounced visits where everything is checked: from every child’s file to the details of the volunteer orientation I provide, from what the children drink water out of to our plans for a chemical leak, from continuing education hours to the temperature of the refrigerator, from attendance records to square footage of the classroom, from our discipline plan to the random missing date on a form, from start dates for each human on site to lesson plans).

It paid off. No violations.

Ever grateful for all those who carried the day while I was engaged. The smell of oranges, slow wandering of little people and kind voices from 4 other adults was a fair representation of how things go. This message from the surveyors felt good to read and I am glad we’re done for the year.

*Behind this door, there were two surveyors who spent the morning reviewing files after checking our facility*, September 2022

_{From September 2022:}

Our classroom stayed busy and constructive while they worked. The surveyors remarked to me more than once what wonderful interactions they observed between our volunteers and the children.

I join them in their findings and bow in gratitude for the kind investment so many have in this program. That includes you, dear families. Here’s to another annual survey done!

KDHE STATE INSPECTION: We are reviewed annually by KDHE surveyors. These visits happen during preschool hours and are unannounced so therefore we are not able to alert you ahead of time about their visit. We do our best to carry on with our preschool routines, but Kristin is often pulled to the side for answering questions. Findings from inspections will be shared with families and can be found by visiting this link.

A preschool license in the State of Kansas must meet the same requirements as Child Care Centers and Head Start facilities. For your information, here are the 22 pages of items we must be in compliance with:

ccl-203-child-care-centers-self-audit-survey-tool-pdf Download

STATE OF KANSAS FIRE MARSHAL INSPECTION: Each year, we are reviewed twice by State of Kansas Fire Marshal (once for the preschool and once for the church). Findings from inspections will be shared with families and our current approval letter is posted. A licensed preschool in the state of Kansas must meet the same requirements as Child Care Centers and Head Start facilities with the OSFM (Office of State Fire Marshal). Additionally, we check our fire extinguishers monthly and have them inspected/maintained yearly by Dragon Slayers, a local agency.

DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO BE POTTY TRAINED?

One of the most frequently asked questions is: Does my child need to be potty trained?

No.

As a preschool that welcomes children in any stage of their “toilet learning” journey and varying abilities, we are aware that some preschoolers will require more bathroom help than others. It is not unusual for preschoolers to attend preschool in diapers and Pull-Ups. We are intentional about teaching children that diapers and wipes are not “just for babies” and that people of all ages use them. Please let us know about any bathroom supplies your child uses. If you choose, you can send them along from home or preschool can provide supplies.

Our steady bathroom work yields plenty of supplies for toilet paper tube art • 2012

Parents/guardians are asked to communicate their preschooler’s bathroom needs with Kristin including what terms are used for the toilet, urine and feces as well as how the child usually uses the bathroom (sitting, standing, forwards, backwards, help with wiping, etc). We usually use “potty, bathroom, pee, pee-pee, poop, etc”, the general term of “bottom” and more scientific terms of “penis, testicles, vagina, vulva, etc” as is appropriate and natural in conversation. Parents/guardians are notified whenever help is given during bathroom time (wiping, clothing, changing, etc).

Furthermore, children are allowed to go to the bathroom anytime, 2011

In accordance with state regulations, the only 2 adults who assist with toilet needs are Kristin Neufeld Epp (Director/Lead Teacher) and Brenda Mays (Classroom Assistant). Preschoolers use the bathroom connected to our classroom. With the door open, the toilet and sink are visible from the classroom. Preschoolers are allowed to keep the door open or closed when they are alone. Staff will not enter the bathroom unless a child has requested help in which case Kristin or Brenda will attend to the child and alert the other.

If a child becomes agitated at using the bathroom alone or with staff near, parent/guardian is notified. According to state regulations, we are not able to wash or rinse soiled clothes so when a child has an accident, soiled clothes are bagged up and sent home. There is no shaming or disappointment expressed in cases of accidents, as we recognize the normalcy of them.

sign hanging in the bathroom at New Creation Preschool

DO WE USE TIME OUT?

One of the most frequently asked questions is: Do you use “Time Out” as a discipline technique?

No. We use all conflict as an opportunity to connect further rather than isolate or separate. This means we don’t use nor do we threaten Time Out or exclusion from experiences and activities.

Children at New Creation Preschool are helped to not hurt themselves, others or things while we act from the belief that all behavior is either an act of love or a call for love. Our classroom management and discipline style is a fundamental pillar of our program. Kristin has presented “The Rainbow Way” to other early childhood educators which summarizes seven important elements of the classroom management style at New Creation Preschool. You can read it here.

Incorporating a deep respect and appreciation of the young child we trust the child’s ability to learn to problem solve and embrace their ability for self-discovery. Our discipline approach is heavily influenced by Conscious Discipline® and the Magda Gerber’s Educaring® Approach.

THE BASIS OF OUR APPROACH: Respect is the basis of our philosophy. We respect children and demonstrate our respect every time we interact with them. Respecting a child means treating even the youngest as a unique human being, not as an object.

AN AUTHENTIC CHILD: An authentic child is one who feels secure, autonomous, and competent. We work to help a child to feel secure, appreciated and that “somebody is deeply, truly interested in me.”

TRUST IN THE CHILD’S COMPETENCE: We have basic trust in the child to be an initiator and an explorer eager to learn what they are ready for. We provide the child with only enough help necessary to allow the child to enjoy mastery of their own actions.

SENSITIVE OBSERVATION: Our method, guided by respect for the child’s competence, is observation. We observe carefully to understand the child’s communications and their needs. The more we observe, the more we understand and appreciate the enormous amount and speed of learning that happens during the first few years of life.

CONSISTENCY: We establish clearly defined limits and communicate our expectations to develop discipline. When a child is outside of the limits, we meet them with immediate goals of safety for all children and an understanding of why/how.

CAREGIVING TIMES: During care activities (bathroom, snack time, shoes/jackets/etc.), we encourage all children to become active participants rather than passive recipients of the activities. We create opportunities for interaction, cooperation, intimacy and mutual enjoyment by being wholeheartedly with the child during the time we spend together anyway.

THE ENVIRONMENT: Our role is to create an environment in which the child can best do all the things that the child would do naturally. The more predictable an environment is, the easier it is for them to learn. We give the children plenty of time for uninterrupted play. Instead of trying to teach new skills, we offer opportunities for them to learn those skills through play.

PROHIBITED PUNISHMENT FOR ALL LICENSED DAY CARE HOMES, CENTERS AND PRESCHOOLS: According to K.A.R. 28-4-427 (d) (2), punishment which is humiliating, frightening or physically harmful to the child shall be prohibited. Prohibited methods of punishment include: corporal punishment such as spanking with the hand or any implement, slapping, swatting, pulling.

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected in Kansas, please contact the

Kansas Protection Report Center (KPRC) at 1-800-922-5330.

Telephone lines at the Kansas Protection Report Center are staffed 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Every call is taken seriously and every effort will be made to protect your identity. In the event of an emergency contact your local law enforcement or call 911.

DO WE DO A.L.I.C.E. TRAININGS?

One of the most frequently asked questions is: Do you do A.L.I.C.E. trainings?

No, we do not (if you aren’t familiar with these, you can click here to learn more).

Ms Kristin pretending to listen for thunder on a sunny day in the Shelter Hallway, March 2022

However, we DO practice the skills necessary for children to participate in lockdown or evacuation situations without using the language to suggest specific scenarios of intruders or “bad guys.” For instance, we practice sitting quietly and very still, gathering in new spaces, coming quickly when a teacher calls, getting small on the ground, running to a specified location, etc. These skills are practiced during our regular preschool day and can then be put to use in any real time crisis.

Here is an example of the fruit of our labors from 2022:

TODAY WAS A SURPRISE TEST…and they passed with flying colors!

Today we walked to the playground by following our line leader. (success #1)

When we got closer I could see a loose dog in the playground and called for all the children to step away from the gate so I could lock the dog in the fence. (success #2)

Then I told the children to stay on the sidewalk outside of the fence with Ms Brenda and Grandma Mona and watch while I went in to get the dog. (success #3)

A neighbor came in to help and the children made a path for her to come in. (success #4)

Ms Brenda ran in to get a key for the gate at the top of hill and the children still stayed on the sidewalk with Grandma Mona without climbing the fence. (success #5)

The neighbor got the dog and brought it through our gate. The children moved from one side of the sidewalk to another so there was a path for them. (success #6)

The children followed the safety instructions to not touch the dog. (success #7)

Grandma Mona stayed with the dog outside of the fence and the children were free to run and play while I called 911. (success #8)

After a few minutes we paused our play to call out thanks to the Animal Control worker who came. She was very friendly and assured us she was going to help the dog find its home. After waving goodbye and getting back to snow baby building, she called teachers to the fence with a question: Could she give the children a stuffed animal? The answer was yes!

So once again, the children followed every direction to come back to the top of the hill, to stand on the sidewalk, to take turns getting a stuffed animal and expressing thanks in word or smiling eyes or sign. (successes #9-12)

Our time with our Animal Control Worker Friend was made even sweeter when she offered to turn her red and blue lights on for us. Amazing!

Here is what today showed me: these children KNOW HOW to follow directions in times of crisis. So much of our preschool day is spent with the normal and healthy testing of limits. We are constantly turning every moment into a teachable one in hopes of making a connection so strong that they can participate as a unit. It is the ultimate goal for a safe school and I am delighted to have seen it.

We were very proud of these children and relished in seeing the fruit of our labor.

Click here to read the entire post on our SAFETY PLANS and PROCEDURES