FAQs
1. How much time is really involved participating in a Parent Participation Preschool?Your commitment is:
- approximately 1 to 2 duty mornings or afternoons each month
- being ‘on call’ as an emergency parent in case the duty parent cannot come (approximately once a month)
- 1 evening meeting (with parent education) the first Wednesday of each month from 7 pm- 9:30 pm
- an ongoing job, such as secretary for the meetings or helping to maintain the play equipment for the preschool, which you do all year
- to provide refreshments (e.g. veggies and dip, cookies, juice) and help set up one of the evening meetings during the school year
- to support fund raising activities or make a proactive donation to the preschool (for which a receipt is issued for tax purposes)
- to assist with the end of year clean up
The Community Care Facilities Board recognizes that very few parents are trained to be, or are comfortable as teacher assistants. In a Parent Participation Preschool (PPP), parents on duty act as teacher assistants. PPPs are licensed to operate on the condition that the parent assistants have at least 10 hours of orientation prior to working in the preschool and 1.5 hours of parent education each month of the school year. This parent education is part of your membership in the school. The topics and speakers chosen are very relevant and helpful for preschool parents. Some examples of parent education topics include: Sibling Rivalry, TV and Preschoolers, and Building Self-Esteem.
3. Why do parents choose PPP?
Belonging to a PPP gives you access to your child’s education. As a preschool parent you are able to work in the classroom along with the teacher and your child. Every child loves being the “duty boy/girl” with their Mom or Dad! You are able to be part of those early, first school experiences.
Working alongside a preschool teacher is also a wonderful opportunity to watch and to learn new techniques and ways to interact with preschoolers in general, and with your child in particular. The Parent Education evenings are also a great source of information on topics of interest to preschool parents.
4. Is there any flexibility as to when I am on duty?
Yes. The duty schedule is posted on our website and you are asked to sign up for your preferred times. Also, parents can exchange duty days to benefit each other.
5. What do I do on a duty morning / afternoon?
The teacher directs all the children’s activities. You are there to help supervise and encourage the children and to provide the snack. The parents and the teacher share the practical running of the classroom (set up and clean up). There is a detailed list of tasks to do while you are on duty.
6. Can anyone else do my duty day?
Members can appoint an alternate caregiver (e.g. grandparent, nanny) to perform duty days. Any parent or caregiver wishing to do duty days must complete the orientation to the preschool and monthly parent education by attending the education portion of the meeting or an alternate form of parent education. In addition, if the caregiver is not a parent of a child enrolled in the preschool, they must have a Criminal Record Check.
7. How is it decided what my job will be?
One of the forms in your package asks what your talents and special interests are. Another sheet lists all the jobs available and asks you to indicate your preferences. In the late spring, a group of parents form a committee to assign jobs for the coming school year, trying as best they can to give you the job you requested, or one that will appeal to your talents and interests.
8. What guidelines are there for doing each job properly?
Each job has a detailed job description. At the September meeting you will meet in a small group with other parents who have similar jobs and there will be an opportunity to review and discuss each job.
9. What is Early Entry?
If there is space in the 3 year old class, early entry allows a limited number of children who turn 3 years old between January and June of that year to register in the 3 year old class at the discretion of the supervisor and the executive. These young 3 year olds accepted in January will return to the 3 year old class the following year.
10. What is the difference between a regular preschool and PPP?
In regular preschools parents may/may not be involved in the administration and running of the preschool. There is usually 1 teacher plus 1 to 2 assistants who are hired to staff the preschool. Parents are not involved as the assistants and therefore do not do duty days or parent education. The ratio of adults to children is lower than in a PPP. Also, registration fees are higher in a regular preschool.
11. My child’s name is on the waitlist. Will it automatically be moved to the next year’s waitlist?
No. You will need to call or email the enrollment parent on September 1 of the year prior to the new program beginning to renew your interest. This will be done on a first-come, first-served basis. For example, your child is on the waitlist for the 2s program starting in 2009. They do not get a spot during the school year. You want your child on the waitlist for the 3s program starting in 2010, so, you need to contact the enrollment parent on September 1, 2009 to renew your interest.
