Through partnering with each child’s family, we come together to make this early learning experience a memorable and positive one. Please view the words of past and present families who took the time to share their success stories from Peapod.
Staying Connected
We are committed and delighted to take this journey with you and your family and want to stay connected. We do this through meaningful interactions upon arrival and dismissal. A daily effort will be made to communicate with parents verbally at pickup and drop-off, and electronically through our classroom Facebook pages and the learning genie app. These are private pages accessible only to parents and those they designate (immediately related to the child in the class, such as a grandparent.). A monthly newsletter is sent out informing parents of important days, reminders, and the learning that is taking place. We also provide activity and meal calendars and use Facebook to keep families informed.
You are the most important part of your child’s life, and to promote this we have several opportunities for you to get involved with our program. Peapod hosts celebrations, field trips (parents come too!), and parent involvement activities. If you have special talents or opportunities to offer us, please let us know.
Health and Nutrition
Meals at Peapod are a time to learn, enjoy a nutritious meal and have fun with friends. Both locations serve breakfast, lunch and a snack that meet the requirements of the USDA’s Children’s Food Act. The Preschool serves milk, and at the Learning Center we provide milk and formula for babies. Many of the meals are homemade with fresh ingredients from our garden. At the Preschool, the food is served family style. Family style meals provide real-life opportunities for learning about manners, respect of others, and becoming an independent thinker.
We offer each the child the opportunity to be a “Snack Star” each month. Learners can practice making healthy eating choices by selecting a delicious and nutritious snack to share with their friends at Peapod. We also provide a meal calendar to inform families of what is on the lunch menu each week.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are your hours?
We are open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
2. What ages do you serve?
We enroll children who are 6 weeks through 5 years of age.
3. What holidays are you closed?
As a state licensed center we observe all federal holidays. There is no deduction in tuition for holidays.
4. Can you go part-time?
We do our best to serve and accommodate all families and their varying schedules. Depending on our availability, we often take children part-time.
5. Are you licensed?
Yes, we are a state licensed center and we are accredited through Missouri Accreditation. Being licensed requires that we abide by strict sanitation and safety guidelines, along with health and program standards. We are frequently inspected by the state to ensure our facility meets the licensing regulations.
6. What is your educational philosophy?
At Peapod we are learning to play, and playing to learn! We recognize and embrace each child as a unique individual. We create a child-directed learning experience where the child can construct his/her own knowledge through teacher guided interactions with their physical and social environments. Our safe and nurturing atmosphere encourages children to actively discover and explore the world around them. Peapod values the importance of family in the growth of each child.
7. What is your caregiver to child ratio?
Infant Class: 1 adult to 4 infant/toddlers
2-3 year old class: 1 adult to 8 children
3-5 year old class: 1 adult to 10 children
8. What is your staffs educational background and experience?
Our director/owner has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Masters in Reading. Our lead teachers have a bachelors in Elementary Education, and assistant teachers have a minimum of 2 years college experience. All staff are CPR and First Aid certified.
9. What curriculum do you use?
We use Project Construct in the classroom as our curriculum. This is a developmentally appropriate curriculum that allows learners to construct their own knowledge through hands-on discovery of the world around them.
10. What type of activities do you do with the children?
To maximize learning and to reach all children, we provide a variety of learning environments at Peapod. There are opportunities for free and directed play, active and quiet time, large and small group activities and both indoor and outdoor experiences. Our daily schedule offers extended time for exploration and discovery in our learning centers and enrichment activities. These centers include age appropriate activities that focus on math, language, writing, art, science, sensory exploration, music, reading and drama. A designated time in the morning and afternoon is spent enjoying the outdoors.
Preschool Schedule
7:00-8:00 Arrival/Tabletop activities (greeting ritual, daily attendance, sign in station, jobs choice)
7:30-8:00 Breakfast (distributing of things, food experiences, etiquette)
8:00-8:20 Brain Smart Start/Group Meeting (discussions, movement, music, shared reading, shared
writing, working with data)
8:20-10:00 Learning Centers/Small Groups (creating with materials, exploration and experimentation,
food experiences, group games, independent reading,
independent writing, pretend play)
10:00-10:20 Large Group Time (movement, music, read aloud, art)
10:30-11:00 Outside/Gross Motor (environmental math, exploration and experimentation, group games,
movement)
11:00-11:30 Lunch (distribution of things, food experiences, etiquette)
11:30-12:00 Outside/Gross Motor
12:00-12:15 Read Aloud
12:15-2:15 Quiet/Rest Time
2:15-2:25 Snack
2:25-3:45 Learning Centers/Choice Time
3:45-4:00 Afternoon/Closing Meeting (discussions, distributing papers, newsletters, movement, music)
4:00-6:00 Outside/Gross Motor
11. When do children take naps?
We believe naps are an essential part of a child’s day.
Infants sleep on demand. As infants grow and become toddlers, we will work with parents to establish a comfortable sleep routine.
Preschoolers rest after lunch.
12. What meals do you serve?
We serve breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack. All food served is in compliance with the USDA’s Child and Adult Food Program. We serve more fresh fruits and vegetables, more whole grains, and less sugar, salt and processed foods. Many of our nutritious meals are handmade using organic, garden fresh fruits and vegetables.
Formula and baby food are provided for infants. Milk is provided for toddlers and preschoolers.
13. What is your outdoor space like?
Peapod values the importance of the outdoors in the learning process. Children at both locations have several opportunities to be outside during the day. During this time, children are exposed to sensory, art, and free play activities, and have the opportunity to improve their gross motor skills.
14. What supplies do you provide?
At Peapod, we provide all food, formula, milk, and hypoallergenic wipes. Parents are responsible for diapers and/or pull-ups, diaper creams, extra change of clothing and nap bedding.
15. What educational materials do you have available?
We provide a rich variety of developmentally appropriate materials, toys and games for the children. Our classroom is sure to peak the interest and curiosity of all our unique learners!
16. What is your potty training policy?
When you and your child are ready to begin toilet learning, we will work with you to develop an appropriate plan to meet the needs of your child. This plan will be built on the child’s interest and physical ability to control his/her body. Children will never be admonished, punished or demeaned for toileting accidents. Parents are encouraged to bring extra changes of clothing during this process.
17. What is your sick policy?
Children who have been ill are asked to stay at home until they have been fever and symptom free for at least 24 hours. Please see our handbook for a list of symptoms and/or illnesses that would exclude your child from care.
18. What is your safety plan in case of emergency?
Each location has regularly scheduled drills to practice what actions to take in case of an emergency. At each location we have a fully stocked safety bag, class rosters, and weather radio. Staff follows procedures laid out in our emergency plan packet. You are welcome to view this at any time.
19. How do you handle discipline?
Peapod provides a safe and respectful environment for children through the integration of Conscious Discipline in the classroom. Conscious Discipline is a program that is based on positive teacher-student and student-student relationships. It allows children to take responsibility for their choices and the natural consequences of them. Our curriculum, Project Construct, focuses on social development as well. The staff at Peapod integrate these social skills into their daily activities.
Peapod staff will help students develop the conflict resolution skills needed to solve their own problems and disagreements. In an effort to help children grow in self-control, and self-esteem, teachers will set reasonable limits in the classroom.
Staff will be alert, and acknowledge potential situations before they turn into a problem by redirecting the child. Teachers will help students reflect on their choices.
- Help children express and recognize their choices.
- Help children evaluate their actions, discuss alternatives, and think about the perspective of others.
- Help children learn to accept the natural consequences of their actions with teacher guidance and support.
20. What type of extracurricular activities do you provide?
Peapod students are offered several options for enrichment activities and classes on site, weekly and monthly. Each week we have designated times in every class for art studies, cooking classes, music class, Spanish, nature study, splash days, dance, yoga, and soccer. Monthly we have a zoo class, library class, and community guests who present learning opportunities to our students. In the past we have had special guests from the Conservation Department, Fire/Police/Ambulance or health care professionals, a beekeeper, a professional fisherman, local farmers/producers, local artists, and local chefs. If you have any suggestions or requests for guests, please let us know!
21. What is your tuition?
Fall 2017 Rates: (August 2016-July 2017)
Classroom |
Part-time |
Full-Time |
| Seeds (0-24 months) | $80.50/day | $300/week |
| Sprouts (24-36 months) | $80.50/day | $225/week |
| Peapod Preschool (36 months-6 years) | $80.50/day | $230/week |
22. How do I register?
To register your child for Peapod, simply click on the “Contact Us” button on our home page.
Fill out the appropriate information, and the director will contact you as soon as possible. We look forward to speaking with you and your child.
Policies & Procedures
- Parent Handbook 2016-2017Handbook
Calendar
Weekly Newsletters
- Parent Handbook 2016-2017May 23 Peapod Tattler
- January 26 Peapod Tattler
- February 2 Peapod Tattler
Enrollment Papers
Ages 24 – 66 Months:
- Enrollment Form
- Medical Exam Report
- Medical Authorization
- Family Contract
- Handbook Verification
- Multimedia Release
- Technology Acceptable Use
Ages 0 – 24 Months:
- Enrollment Form
- Medical Exam Report
- Medical Authorization
- Feeding Plan
- CCFP Enrollment Form
- CCFP Infant Feeding Preference
- Family Contract
- Handbook Verification
- Multimedia Release
- Technology Acceptable Use
All Forms:
- Enrollment Form
- CCFP Enrollment Form
- Medical Exam
- Medical Authorization
- Feeding Plan
- CCFP Infant Feeding Preference
- Family Contract
- Handbook Verification
- Multimedia Release
- Technology Acceptable Use