Dear Prospective Peer Parent,
Welcome to HSCD Preschool. Thank you very much for participating in the peer screening process. Please read through the following information. If you have additional questions about the program you can call the Preschool Office at 614-921-5050
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during a peer observation? The prospective peer must be able to separate and work individually with a teacher in a classroom. Each prospective peer will be assigned a half hour time slot. During the observation process, the teacher will ask the child to follow one-step and multi-step directions, answer questions, build with blocks, and draw. All prospective peers must participate in the peer observation process to be considered for a peer spot.
Is it necessary for a parent/caregiver to take off a day of work to attend peer observation? Parents may opt to have a child care provider, extended family member who is at least 18 years of age to bring the child to the peer observation.
What happens after my child participates in the peer observation process? Once a child has participated in the peer observation process, the preschool staff member will send a letter informing the parent one of the following outcomes:
- Your child has a three-four peer spot for the school year.
- Your child has a transition peer spot for the school year.
- Your child is on the waiting list for a three-four peer spot for the school year.
- Your child is on the waiting list for a transition spot for the school year.
- Your child is requested to return to the preschool to be re-screened. Please contact the preschool to schedule an appointment.
Do peers ride the school bus? Peers do not ride the school bus. The transportation is provided for preschoolers with special needs only. Peer parents are responsible for pick-up and drop-off of their child.
How is it determined whether the peer is assigned to a three-four class or a transition class?
Peers are placed in classrooms based on age.
Three/ Four-Year-Old Classrooms: All peers in the three-four year old classrooms must be 3 and 4 years old. Children with summer birthdays (June, July, August, and September) who are eligible for kindergarten the following school year will be placed in a three-four year old classroom. All three and four peers returning the following school year will be placed in transition classes.
Transition Classrooms: All peers in the transition classes must be 5 years old when school begins or turn 5 during the school year. Peers in transition classes may not return for another school year.
What if my child is a transition peer and I would like him/her to return for a second year? Peers in transition classes may not return for another school year. Our website contains a list of area private preschool programs for your reference.
What happens if my child is on the wait list? The wait list is only for one school year. Families may get called at any time during that school year if a peer spot becomes available. If a family declines a peer spot, the preschool staff will move to the next person on the list.
What happens if my child is accepted and has a peer spot? Parents will receive in the mail and/or pick-up at the preschool office the following information: 1) how to register the child with Hilliard City School District, 2) a tuition contract that will need to be turned into the preschool with a tuition payment deposit, 3) medical statement, 4) and all other required documentation. There will be a deadline as too when the paperwork and the tuition payment need to be completed. Families who do not complete the process by the deadline will lose their peer spot.
Accepted Peer Registration Requirements
How much is tuition? Tuition is $120 per month. This deposit will be applied to your September tuition. In the event your child does not attend HCSD Preschool, the district will only be able to refund 50% of this deposit.
Do I need to live in the district for my child to be a peer? Yes, all preschool students (children with special needs and peers) MUST be Hilliard City School District residents.
What happens to the peers in Three-Four Classrooms the following school year? All three-four peers returning the following school will be placed in a peer transition class.
When do Three-Four peer parents need to decide if their child is returning the following school year? Three-Four peer parents will have until the second week of November to decide. Parents who would like to have their child return will need to complete a tuition contract and deposit. Please be aware that families who decline a peer spot will be unable to get it back.
What happens to current peers and/or prospective peers who participate in kindergarten screening, register for kindergarten and/or the early entrance process for kindergarten? Parents who choose to have their child participate in a kindergarten screening, register for kindergarten, or apply and/or complete the early entrance kindergarten process will lose their peer spot for the following school year.
What happens if I want to wait another year for my child to attend preschool once my child is selected for the Peer Program? Parents who decide they want to delay the preschool peer program once a spot is offered will not be offered a new spot the following year.
Do siblings have preference on the application list? Siblings of currently enrolled students who are returning have preference on the application list.
Does my child need to be toilet trained? Yes, all peers must be completely toilet trained. He/She must be able to use the bathroom independently. Peers who are not toilet trained will be unable to attend the program. This will be part of the tuition contract.
When do the preschoolers attend school? The students at HCSD Preschool attend school Tuesday through Friday. The morning hours are 9:05 -11:35 and the afternoon hours are 1:00 – 3:30.
What is the preschool’s policy on arrival? Families must follow the school’s guidelines. The teacher will open the classroom door at 9:10/1:05 for children to enter the classroom to begin the day. It is important for students to be ready to start the day on time with their peers. Students should be in their classrooms by 9:15/1:010, so they are not missing critical instruction that is discussed for the arrival routine.
What is the preschool’s policy on dismissal? Families must follow the school’s guidelines. The teacher will open the classroom door at 11:45/3:40 and call children individually to leave the classroom. If a child is not picked up by 11:55/3:50 on two or more occasions, then the family may be asked to secure a different preschool program for the child.
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