Summit Familes - Frequently Asked Questions

or 'Why Do We Do What We Do at The Summit Children’s Program!'

• Why do different teachers greet the children each morning? (early childhood program)
  • From 7:30AM to about 8:30AM, The Summit Children’s Program (SCP) schedules staff based on how many children attend and their arrival times. All of the staff know all of the children and are experienced with all age groups. This flexible scheduling permits us to maximize the availability of our fulltime staff for the majority of time that the children are in their classrooms. In addition, for parents who only do drop-off or pick-up, it allows them to meet the different staff who work with their children.
• What is Keystone STARS and why is it important? (early childhood and SAC program)
  • Keystone STARS is an important part of Pennsylvania’s early learning system. The program provides resources (such as professional development and technical assistance) to assist in improving quality, recognizes quality early learning and afterschool programs, establishes standards for performance, and provides financial incentives to programs. Keystone STARS also provides parents with a framework for identifying quality early learning programs. The SCP is currently at STAR level II out of IV and we anticipate receiving a STAR III designation this spring.
• Where do SCP/SAC kids go on fieldtrips? (early childhood and SAC program)
  • The short answer is: everywhere we can have fun!!! In the neighborhood, Carpenter’s Woods, Allen’s Lane Playground, Henry School yard, Weaver’s Way Co-Op and the Blue Marble Bookstore are some of our favorites. In the broader community we visit cultural, arts, and educational places. Our trips are part of our program and have several goals related to social, emotional and cognitive development. They are an opportunity for children to stretch their skills and understanding as they increase their experiences.
• Is there a role for volunteers at SCP and, if so, can you tell me more? (early childhood and SAC program)
  • YES! Volunteers are always welcome. There are several types of volunteers: parents, specialty, regular and one-time/occasional. Parents can participate in the program of the SCP and SAC by assisting the teachers and/or sharing the details about their jobs, interests and experiences. In addition, parents are welcome to chaperone trips and even join us on our walkabouts in the neighborhood. We encourage parents with specific skills or hobbies to share them with our children, too. And don’t forget about volunteering to join or assist the Board!
  • Non-parents can volunteer in the program as well. They can volunteer individually or through Meghan LeCates at After School Activities Partnership (www.phillyasap.org), a citywide volunteer clearing house. We have volunteers who work weekly in the SAC program and offer activities like chess, arts and crafts, and non-competitive sports. These are often high school or college students and are required to have medical and all other mandated State clearances. Occasionally, we have a volunteer who wants to join us once to share or assist, and we evaluate each offer on its merits and contribution to the program. Volunteers are supervised by Summit staff at all times.
  • Please join us and share your talents and your self.
• How does the pre-k curriculum prepare children for kindergarten? (early childhood program)

  The pre-k curriculum as with all of our classes, is grounded in the philosophy that children learn through play at a rate that is appropriate for each of them. It is the responsibility of the staff to provide these opportunities through activities for the children to acquire the behaviors and skills to achieve at their highest potential.

  The pre-k curriculum incorporates the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards and the Kindergarten Transition handbook principles in a seamless manner. Most of both documents are commonsense. Our goal is to have children eager to enter kindergarten. This means children who are creative thinkers, are curious about themselves and the world around them, are compassionate and respectful of others’ feelings, are good listeners, can follow directions, love reading and being read to, ask questions, and have mastered the basic skills of name and letter recognition, counting, etc.

  We hear back from the schools that our children have entered, and they are thriving and contributing to their new programs.

• How do staff handle bad language in the preschool and SAC? (early childhood and SAC program)
  • Hurtful language is not tolerated at the Summit Children’s Program. When bad language is used, we create a learning opportunity out of the situation. First, we comfort any child who may have been “hurt” by the words. Then, we evaluate the circumstances to determine context and if the child understands what was said.
  • In the preschool, especially with the toddlers and young preschoolers, it usually means paraphrasing how words have impact and can hurt their friends’ feelings. We ask them to apologize which can be with words, a hug, a gentle touch, or sharing a toy. As the children get older and their comprehension increases, we may ask what the word means. Often their explanation is not related to the actual bad language or they say, “I don’t know”. We attempt to handle each situation at the child’s developmental level. Persistent use of bad language or graphic and inappropriate age knowledge is shared with the parents. Our intent is not to overreact or attribute comprehension, when in fact the words were just that: “words”.
  • In SAC, once we have assessed the situation as explained above, we get all the children involved together and discuss the details. We attempt to determine if hurt was intended, what the words mean to the child, why the words were said and how to properly have the children resolve the situation. Often times, the school-age children are trying out new behaviors in a “safe and controlled” environment. Parents are informed about the situation and subsequent resolution.
• How is each year’s tuition determined? (early childhood and SAC program)
  • The Summit Children’s Program depends almost exclusively on tuition. We also recognize that to maintain the high quality program we offer, we must be able to attract and retain exceptional staff. We consider fixed expenses like rent, telephone, maintenance and cleaning and attempt to identify the increases. We then review employee wages and project the greatest increase we think we can afford. We project health benefit costs and factor in supplies and equipment to reach the first draft of expenses and project a minimum cost of living increase for tuition. We contact other child care programs of comparable size and quality and obtain their current tuition rates. Then we crunch the numbers. We make every effort to keep expenses realistically low and, thereby, tuition increases as low as possible.

• What are staff/child ratios and what does it mean for programming?
  • The Summit Children’s Program is licensed by the Department of Public Welfare (DPW). The regulations stipulate how many staff must be present to assure adequate supervision and the safety of pre-school and school-age children. The type and location of the activity, such as napping and water play, is also factored into the staff/child ratio. Included in the staff/child ratio regulation is the requirement that children are always accompanied or supervised by an adult.
  • You can read more about staff/child ratios and other DPW child care regulations at: www.pacode.com/secure/data/055/chapter3270/chap3270toc.html.
• Why do we have daily sign-in and sign-out sheets?
  • We are required to maintain daily sign-in and sign-out sheets to verify how many children are present and ensure that only parents and parent-approved escorts accompany the children. Although this may be inconvenient for some families, this is both a legal and logical procedure.
• What does Summit provide as snacks, and when can children have them?
  • We provide snacks high in taste and nutritional value and low in sugars and salt. It is our way of responding to the rising rate of childhood obesity, high blood pressure and cholesterol. We provide daily fruits and/or vegetables along with chips, graham crackers, etc. Water is always available and drinking encouraged.
    Children can have as much snack as they can eat. We promote “conscious eating,” which means that we will ask about seconds and thirds to make sure that the child is really hungry and not just “eating.” We discourage children from bringing candy and cake from home, but they are welcome to bring in their own healthy snacks (such as raisins and granola bars).
• We've gotten many notices about fundraising - why are we raising money?
  • We have both short - and long-term needs that we expect to meet through fundraising. Our aim is to achieve a blend of activities through which we can reach our goals in ways that are fun and helpful to families. In terms of short-term goals, we are excited about making improvements to the outdoor spaces including planting flowers, herbs and shrubs. Longer term, we are beginning discussions about a series of improvements that we think would make SCP even more fun and enriching for children. Keep an eye out for details. Board member Don Gordon is developing our fundraising strategy.
• Why is there staff turnover at Summit?
  • Unfortunately, child care workers are among the lowest paid professionals in the education field. Salary and benefits packages are generally tuition-driven and smaller than compensation in other fields. Thus, staff turnover at Summit is similar to the high rate of turnover at other centers locally, regionally, and nationally.
  • Summit works hard to attract and retain its staff. We offer an excellent salary structure and benefits package, and try to make each new staff member feel welcome and part of our team. We are fortunate to have so many staff who have been here 3 or more years including Joanne (23 years), Maria (13 years), Betty (8 years), and Stephanie and Marie (4 years each).
• Is there a set curriculum for Toddlers, Preschoolers and Pre-K’s?
  • We have a philosophy of learning based on play and on each child’s developmental level. Our focus is on providing an environment where children learn about themselves and how they fit in with their family, their friends, and the natural world. We emphasize caring and nurturing one another. The staff develop monthly calendars and meet weekly to review and discuss the daily schedule and the children. Our children “learn” by doing and experiencing.
• Does SAC have a homework policy?
  • Yes, SAC has homework assistance available one hour daily except Fridays. We do not force children to do homework unless the parents specifically request their children’s participation. We also will not prohibit children from participating in enrichment activities at the end of the hour, even if their homework is not complete.
  • Parents may ask that homework be checked for accuracy. Summit staff will do this; however, we suggest that the parents’ eyes should be the last to see the completed homework and check for accuracy.
• How does Summit communicate with parents?
  • Summit staff try to keep in continual contact with parents. Different parents prefer different communication methods, so administrators and teachers use a combination of daily notes, posted notices, flyers in folders, e-mail messages, formal meetings, and informal conversations. Parents are encouraged to initiate communication with Summit staff and let us know if they favor one communication method over another, want feedback in specific areas related to their children, etc. Board member Gala True is spearheading communication strategies and protocols.
  If you have additional questions you would like answered, either personally or in a future issue of “Commonly Asked Questions, please relay these to Executive Director Shelly Brick.