Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions. We would love to meet you and help you experience the benefits or our wonderful programs. Schedule a visit.
The office number is 412-440-0019 or email Michelle at [email protected].
What time does school start?
Morning session begins at 9:00 am.
Afternoon session begins at 12:30 pm.
What time is school dismissal?
We dismiss at 11:30 for the morning session and 3:00 for the afternoon session. The morning 2's dismiss at 11am. At dismissal time please wait in the hall along the side of your child's classroom door. It is important to be prompt.
What if I am going to be late for dismissal?
If you are going to be late, please call the school at 412-440-0019 and let us know.
What if someone else is picking up my child?
If you know in advance that your child will be picked up by another adult, please let us know in writing by adding them to the Pick-up & Release form. If it is a one-time pick-up, please call the office so that we can add that person to the pick-up & release form. These forms are kept on file in your child's classroom.
Does my child need to be potty trained?
It is preferred that children be potty trained for entrance into the 3 year old class. We will always help change any wet accidents. In the event of a bowel movement, a parent or guardian will be contacted and asked to come change the child. They do not need to be potty trained for the 2 year old class.
What is your school closing policy for bad weather and emergencies?
We follow Mt. Lebanon School District's cancellation policy. If they have canceled school for the day, we will cancel also. If they have a 2 hour delay, we will have a 10 a.m. start and finish at the usual time. On days with a 10 a.m. start, the two year old class will dismiss at 11:30 with the rest of the school. There are no changes to the afternoon classes if there is a 10 a.m. start.
If it is necessary to cancel classes due to bad weather or other emergencies, it will be posted on our Facebook page and the Director will send an email. Two snow days have been built into our school schedule.
When is tuition due each month?
Tuition payments are due by the 5th and late by the 10th of each month, except the first month's tuition payment, which is due around August 20th.
A $25.00 late fee will be incurred if payment is not received by the 10th of the month. A reminder will be sent out if payment is not received. Please see the Director if you have any questions about this procedure. There is a payment box for your convenience in the Nursery School office.
Applications for scholarships can be made to the Sunset Hills Board of Directors through the Director.
Can I pay my tuition for a whole semester or the entire year?
Yes, you can easily do this. Tuition is based on an annual amount. We break it up into monthly payments for convenience. You can pay full year, half year, or monthly. We do not offer any discounts for payments paid up front.
What is your policy for withdrawals?
Please notify the director, one month in advance, if a child is to be withdrawn. A tuition adjustment will be made for the balance of the school year or any part thereof. Temporary withdrawals for vacation or illnesses are not reasons for refunds.
The Director reserves the right to require withdrawal of any child whose needs she believes cannot be met by Sunset Hills Nursery School. The Director also has the authority to move any child to another class should she deem it necessary for the welfare of the child and/or the class.
Can my child bring toys from home to school?
Please leave toys from home in your backpack. They can easily be damaged or lost here at school. Transitional items are different and may be used during the year if needed. Please talk to your child's teacher.
Science and nature items are always welcome in the classroom to be shared with all the students.
Do you hold parent-teacher conferences?
Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled once each year in late January. Teachers will have a sign-up sheet for you to schedule a conference before that time arrives. Sunset Hills Nursery School will have babysitting available, for no charge, during this time for those that need it. There are no classes during the conference week.
Can I visit or volunteer in the class?
Parents are welcome and encouraged to volunteer in their child's classroom. You can come read a story, prepare a snack, help with an art project, carve pumpkins etc. Please talk to your classroom teacher. Please make arrangements for siblings when volunteering in the classroom.
If other commitments make it difficult to come into the classroom, there are many ways you can help: make play dough, send in ingredients for a cooking project, donate tissues, hand sanitizer, cleaning products, or paper towels to the classroom. Talk to your classroom teacher. They would love the help and your child will love that you are helping in their classroom.
What is your discipline policy?
We at Sunset Hills Nursery School use a positive approach to help children behave appropriately in the classroom setting, as well as encouraging them to share and resolve conflicts with their peers. If there is a rare occasion that a child cannot or will not follow the rules of the classroom, that are clearly defined, they will be asked to sit in a designated area set aside for "thinking". The teacher will spend a moment with them talking about their behavior and a more appropriate action that can be taken.
What is your food allergy policy?
If your child has an allergy it is the parents' responsibility to provide a snack for their child each day. It may be easiest to provide a multiple number of snacks that the teacher can leave in their cupboard, labeled with your child's name. Also, please provide the teacher with a detailed list of the items that are safe for your child to have so they can have the same snack as the other children as often as possible. Our school is NUT FREE.
Please no tree nuts or peanuts, peanut butter or products that contain nut oils. Please read the labels.
What if my child is sick?
Please do not send your child to school if they have any of the following:
The staff is not permitted to dispense any type of medication to children under any circumstances. Please do not send any medicine to school with your child. If your child is in need of medicine of any kind during the school day, it has to be administered by the parent.
What is an appropriate snack for my child to bring to school?
Snack time is a very important time of the school day. It brings about an awareness of good nutrition, helps develop good table manners and social skills, as well as provides a great opportunity for socialization with classmates as well as the teachers.
Each child will have many opportunities to bring the snack in during the school year (you will be given a schedule monthly by your child's teacher). It is important to make them a part of this ritual. Helping cut up fruit or picking out their favorite cracker at the store is a great way for you to help encourage healthy snack choices in your child.
Here is a list of appropriate healthy snack choices for school.
What is appropriate dress?
Please dress your child appropriately for playing and learning by getting messy. All coats, hats, and mittens should be labeled with your child's name. Velcro shoes are great for kids (and teachers) during school! Tennis shoes are much safer for kids in the Big Room when they are climbing and riding bikes, please do not send your child in sandals or flip-flops.
Please put a complete change of clothes (season and size appropriate) in your child backpack. You never know when we'll have an unexpected mess or spill.
How do you celebrate a child's birthday?
Your child's birthday is a very special day, and we always love to celebrate here at school. Remember our school is NUT free when choosing your special birthday snack. If you have a summer birthday, check with the teacher for a date when you can bring in your birthday snack. No cupcakes please.
Please do not send in birthday invitations to be passed out at school unless the whole class is invited. There will be a school directory handed out soon after school begins with everyone's home address, phone and e-mail for your convenience.
What if my child is thirsty during the day?
Please send your child to school each day with a clean water bottle filled with water. I can be reusable or disposable.
What is the recipe for Play Dough?
Please make this recipe twice - doubling it makes is very hard to stir.
Measure ingredients exactly (or it won't turn out.)
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 cups water
2 TBS. Vegetable oil
1 TBS. Cream of tartar
Food coloring (the color of the month)
Mix all ingredients together in a pan (making sure it gets the lumps out).
Stir constantly over medium heat until it forms a ball.
Dump the dough out of the pan and allow it to cool a bit.
Knead dough until smooth.
Store in the air tight container when completely cool.
Does not need refrigeration.
The office number is 412-440-0019 or email Michelle at [email protected].
What time does school start?
Morning session begins at 9:00 am.
Afternoon session begins at 12:30 pm.
What time is school dismissal?
We dismiss at 11:30 for the morning session and 3:00 for the afternoon session. The morning 2's dismiss at 11am. At dismissal time please wait in the hall along the side of your child's classroom door. It is important to be prompt.
What if I am going to be late for dismissal?
If you are going to be late, please call the school at 412-440-0019 and let us know.
What if someone else is picking up my child?
If you know in advance that your child will be picked up by another adult, please let us know in writing by adding them to the Pick-up & Release form. If it is a one-time pick-up, please call the office so that we can add that person to the pick-up & release form. These forms are kept on file in your child's classroom.
Does my child need to be potty trained?
It is preferred that children be potty trained for entrance into the 3 year old class. We will always help change any wet accidents. In the event of a bowel movement, a parent or guardian will be contacted and asked to come change the child. They do not need to be potty trained for the 2 year old class.
What is your school closing policy for bad weather and emergencies?
We follow Mt. Lebanon School District's cancellation policy. If they have canceled school for the day, we will cancel also. If they have a 2 hour delay, we will have a 10 a.m. start and finish at the usual time. On days with a 10 a.m. start, the two year old class will dismiss at 11:30 with the rest of the school. There are no changes to the afternoon classes if there is a 10 a.m. start.
If it is necessary to cancel classes due to bad weather or other emergencies, it will be posted on our Facebook page and the Director will send an email. Two snow days have been built into our school schedule.
When is tuition due each month?
Tuition payments are due by the 5th and late by the 10th of each month, except the first month's tuition payment, which is due around August 20th.
A $25.00 late fee will be incurred if payment is not received by the 10th of the month. A reminder will be sent out if payment is not received. Please see the Director if you have any questions about this procedure. There is a payment box for your convenience in the Nursery School office.
Applications for scholarships can be made to the Sunset Hills Board of Directors through the Director.
Can I pay my tuition for a whole semester or the entire year?
Yes, you can easily do this. Tuition is based on an annual amount. We break it up into monthly payments for convenience. You can pay full year, half year, or monthly. We do not offer any discounts for payments paid up front.
What is your policy for withdrawals?
Please notify the director, one month in advance, if a child is to be withdrawn. A tuition adjustment will be made for the balance of the school year or any part thereof. Temporary withdrawals for vacation or illnesses are not reasons for refunds.
The Director reserves the right to require withdrawal of any child whose needs she believes cannot be met by Sunset Hills Nursery School. The Director also has the authority to move any child to another class should she deem it necessary for the welfare of the child and/or the class.
Can my child bring toys from home to school?
Please leave toys from home in your backpack. They can easily be damaged or lost here at school. Transitional items are different and may be used during the year if needed. Please talk to your child's teacher.
Science and nature items are always welcome in the classroom to be shared with all the students.
Do you hold parent-teacher conferences?
Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled once each year in late January. Teachers will have a sign-up sheet for you to schedule a conference before that time arrives. Sunset Hills Nursery School will have babysitting available, for no charge, during this time for those that need it. There are no classes during the conference week.
Can I visit or volunteer in the class?
Parents are welcome and encouraged to volunteer in their child's classroom. You can come read a story, prepare a snack, help with an art project, carve pumpkins etc. Please talk to your classroom teacher. Please make arrangements for siblings when volunteering in the classroom.
If other commitments make it difficult to come into the classroom, there are many ways you can help: make play dough, send in ingredients for a cooking project, donate tissues, hand sanitizer, cleaning products, or paper towels to the classroom. Talk to your classroom teacher. They would love the help and your child will love that you are helping in their classroom.
What is your discipline policy?
We at Sunset Hills Nursery School use a positive approach to help children behave appropriately in the classroom setting, as well as encouraging them to share and resolve conflicts with their peers. If there is a rare occasion that a child cannot or will not follow the rules of the classroom, that are clearly defined, they will be asked to sit in a designated area set aside for "thinking". The teacher will spend a moment with them talking about their behavior and a more appropriate action that can be taken.
What is your food allergy policy?
If your child has an allergy it is the parents' responsibility to provide a snack for their child each day. It may be easiest to provide a multiple number of snacks that the teacher can leave in their cupboard, labeled with your child's name. Also, please provide the teacher with a detailed list of the items that are safe for your child to have so they can have the same snack as the other children as often as possible. Our school is NUT FREE.
Please no tree nuts or peanuts, peanut butter or products that contain nut oils. Please read the labels.
What if my child is sick?
Please do not send your child to school if they have any of the following:
- A fever of 100° or higher (Must be fever free for 24 hours.)
- Has vomited in the past 24 hours
- Has symptoms of conjunctivitis (Pink eye)
- Has an unidentified rash (Please make sure they have been seen by a doctor - many contagious childhood illnesses begin with a fever and/or a rash.)
- Has had diarrhea in the past 24 hours
The staff is not permitted to dispense any type of medication to children under any circumstances. Please do not send any medicine to school with your child. If your child is in need of medicine of any kind during the school day, it has to be administered by the parent.
What is an appropriate snack for my child to bring to school?
Snack time is a very important time of the school day. It brings about an awareness of good nutrition, helps develop good table manners and social skills, as well as provides a great opportunity for socialization with classmates as well as the teachers.
Each child will have many opportunities to bring the snack in during the school year (you will be given a schedule monthly by your child's teacher). It is important to make them a part of this ritual. Helping cut up fruit or picking out their favorite cracker at the store is a great way for you to help encourage healthy snack choices in your child.
Here is a list of appropriate healthy snack choices for school.
- Cut-up fresh fruit
- Pretzels
- Dried fruit
- Crackers
- Vegetables
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Jell-O
- Non-sugar Cereals
- Cheese
- Granola Bars
- Mini-bagels
- Mini-muffins
- Raisins
- Pudding
- Vanilla Wafers
What is appropriate dress?
Please dress your child appropriately for playing and learning by getting messy. All coats, hats, and mittens should be labeled with your child's name. Velcro shoes are great for kids (and teachers) during school! Tennis shoes are much safer for kids in the Big Room when they are climbing and riding bikes, please do not send your child in sandals or flip-flops.
Please put a complete change of clothes (season and size appropriate) in your child backpack. You never know when we'll have an unexpected mess or spill.
How do you celebrate a child's birthday?
Your child's birthday is a very special day, and we always love to celebrate here at school. Remember our school is NUT free when choosing your special birthday snack. If you have a summer birthday, check with the teacher for a date when you can bring in your birthday snack. No cupcakes please.
Please do not send in birthday invitations to be passed out at school unless the whole class is invited. There will be a school directory handed out soon after school begins with everyone's home address, phone and e-mail for your convenience.
What if my child is thirsty during the day?
Please send your child to school each day with a clean water bottle filled with water. I can be reusable or disposable.
What is the recipe for Play Dough?
Please make this recipe twice - doubling it makes is very hard to stir.
Measure ingredients exactly (or it won't turn out.)
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 cups water
2 TBS. Vegetable oil
1 TBS. Cream of tartar
Food coloring (the color of the month)
Mix all ingredients together in a pan (making sure it gets the lumps out).
Stir constantly over medium heat until it forms a ball.
Dump the dough out of the pan and allow it to cool a bit.
Knead dough until smooth.
Store in the air tight container when completely cool.
Does not need refrigeration.
© 2008 - 2010 Sunset Hills Nursery School. | 900 Country Club Drive Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228
Phone: 412-440-0019 | Email: [email protected]
