Hours

Noah’s Ark’s Preschool Program

AM Preschool is from 8:15 to 11:15am, Monday-Thursday. 

PM Preschool is from 12:00pm to 2:45 pm, Monday-Thursday. 

Noah’s Ark’s Nursery School Program

Monday/Wednesday class is from 12:00pm to 2:45pm

Tuesday/Thursday class is from 12:00pm to 2:45pm

Noah’s Ark follows the Sheldon Community School District calendar as closely as possible. 

Admission Criteria 

Noah’s Ark is an early childhood education facility organized to serve the needs of the 

community of Sheldon and surrounding communities.  It is committed to providing equal care and attention to all children. Our program extends enrollment to children ages of three and four.  All foster children are eligible. Children must have 

a complete application to be considered for preschool/nursery school and are accepted according to established guidelines. They must have a Certificate of Immunizations and a current physical to be in attendance. 

Admission Procedure: 

Follow the steps below: 

1.Complete the enrollment forms and emergency information.

 (Current phone numbers are important in case of emergency.)

2. Have your child’s physician fill out an original Certification of Immunizations and provide a signed copy of the child’s current physical.  (Must be signed by child’s physician.)

Address, Telephone Number, and Email Changes

Please notify Noah’s Ark with any address, home telephone number, work 

telephone number, cellular telephone number, or email changes as soon as they occur. This is essential in being able to contact a parent in case of an emergency. Noah’s Ark’s phone number is 712-631-0010.

Ratio

The maximum 3-year-old class size is 12 children.  A teaching staff-child ratio of at least 1:10 must be maintained.

The maximum 4-year-old class size is 18 to 20 children in each session based on square footage of the current location. A teaching staff-child ratio of at least 1:10 will be maintained at all times to encourage adult-child interactions and promote activity among children.

Inclusion  

Noah’s Ark provides for all children, including those with disabilities and unique learning needs. Modifications are made in the environment and staffing patterns in order to include children with special needs. Staff are aware of the identified needs of individual children and are trained to follow through on specific intervention plans. It is our belief that inclusion in our program will enrich the experience for teachers, students, other children and their families. Noah’s Ark’s facilities meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility requirements. Our local AEA provides occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech, and hearing-impaired services.

Who Works At Noah’s Ark

☑️Program Administrator – The East Elementary principal is designated as the program administrator supervising the preschool program. The principal meets all qualifications described in the Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards. 

☑️Program Teacher - A full-time teacher licensed by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners and holding an early childhood endorsement is assigned to each preschool classroom.

☑️Teacher Associate - A full time or part time teacher associate in the classroom carries out activities under the supervision of the teacher. The teacher associate will have specialized training in early childhood education (CDA or para educator certificate with early childhood) and will attend annual professional development.

Daily Activities 

A consistent daily schedule is planned to offer a balance of learning activities. Learning is both formal and informal. Play is planned for every day. Listening is balanced with talking, group activities with solitary time, indoors with outdoors, quiet play and noisy play. 

Lesson plans for each week are developed at least one week in advance and will be posted in the classroom and on the parent board showing how these activities are incorporated into the daily schedule. Weekly newsletters will be sent home to families letting them know more detailed information about their child’s week at preschool. 

Curriculum

Curriculum is a framework for learning opportunities and experiences. The Creative Curriculum is used by Noah’s Ark to assist our teachers in planning classroom and outdoor environments. A wide variety of learning materials with curriculum goals in mind are provided so that no matter where the children choose to play, they are learning. The materials are all at the children’s access level in containers or on hooks so children can get them independently and also are able to put the materials away again. Children learn through direct, hands-on experiences with people, objects, events, and ideas. Noah’s Ark staff, which understand how children develop and how to scaffold the important areas of learning in the preschool years, offer guidance and support. Activities are adapted to meet the developmental level of all the children. 

The environment is organized into a variety of interest areas, which might include: blocks, dramatic play, toys and games, art, library, discovery (science), sensory (sand, playdough, water, etc…), music and movement, cooking and outdoors. These areas support children’s development.

Noah’s Ark also teaches social/emotional awareness and skill building and uses Al’s Pal’s Social/Emotional Curriculum.  These skills are taught weekly and incorporated daily into all activities. 

A daily schedule is planned and displayed on the parent board.  A large part of the child’s day is spent in play. This is because preschool children learn best by exploring, experimenting and creatively using their imagination. Through play, children also learn to make choices, learn to share, practice language, express emotions and develop muscles and coordination. 

Child Assessment 

It is the school district’s and Noah’s Ark’s belief that assessment of young children should be purposeful, developmentally appropriate, and take place in the natural setting by familiar adults. The results will be used for planning experiences for the children and to guide instruction. All results will be kept confidential and placed in each child’s file. 

Children will be assessed by the components of the Creative Curriculum Model and by observational data that will provide an ongoing anecdotal record of each child’s progress during daily activities. 

Assessment information will be shared formally with families of 4-year-olds during Parent Teacher Conferences twice a year. The preschool teacher will communicate weekly regarding children’s activities. Informal conferences are always welcome and can be requested at any time. 

Current Tuition Fees

There is a fee for 3-year-old 2-day program.  Please call Noah’s Ark for current tuition rates (712-631-0010).  Income based scholarships are available.

There is no fee for the 4-year-old program.  It is state funded with busing/transportation available.

Dismissal Policy

The center has a right to dismiss a child if the child: 

•is continually abusive to other children, staff, or property

•endangers their safety or the safety of others

•is habitually unresponsive to adult direction

•uses foul or abusive language or actions to other students or teachers

•if the parent fails to pay their billed fees or has inappropriate, repeated behavior while in our center

The parent will be notified by the administrator, if situations occur that could eventually lead to a dismissal if not remedied. This contact will be documented in writing. If the problem continues to occur, a conference will be held and a behavior plan will be established between the parent, preschool staff and preschool board members to correct the situation. 

If the plan does not succeed, the preschool center will give one-week notice of the termination of services to the child. 

Late Payment Policies (three year-old program only)

All accounts are supervised by the preschool’s board, and all payment arrangements must be approved by the administration. If a payment is not made as agreed, your account is considered delinquent; this is grounds for termination of services. Please talk to a staff member or board member if there are extenuating circumstances or if you would like to discuss payment requirements.

Scholarships Available (three year old program)

Nursery school tuition scholarships are available through Upper Des Moines. Please visit with the director if you would like to inquire about this scholarship. Students who fail to attend nursery school on a regular basis may lose scholarship funds.

Withdrawal

Parents are asked to give the preschool two weeks notice of withdrawal. This enables the Noah’s Ark to prepare your child and his/her friends for the transition and to fill the resulting vacancy. When withdrawing from nursery school, any tuition is due during the two-week notice period. 

Program Assessment 

Noah’s Ark Preschool implements the Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards. We receive verification and participate in annual desk audits to confirm that we are meeting these standards. Administrators, families, staff, and other routinely participating adults will be involved annually in a program evaluation that measures progress toward the program's goals and objectives. 

Noah’s Ark is fully licensed by Iowa’s Department of Human Services.

Supervision Policy

Before children arrive at school, the preschool teacherwill complete the following daily safety checklist indoor and outdoor: 

-All safety plugs and electric outlets covered, heat/AC, water temperature, and toilets, etc. in working order. 

-All cleaning supplies/poisons out of children reach and stored properly. 

-Classroom and materials checked for cleanliness/broken parts, etc. including playground. 

-Supplies checked - first aid kit, latex gloves, soap, paper towels, etc. 

-Daily monitoring of environment - spills, sand, etc. 

Upon arrival, each child sanitizes their hands and is observed by the teacher for signs of illness or injury that could affect the child’s ability to participate in the daily activities. 

No child will be left unsupervised while attending preschool. Staff will supervise primarily by sight.  Supervision for short intervals by sound is permissible as long as teachers check every two to three minutes on children who are out-of-sight (e.g. those who can use the toilet independently, who are in the library area, etc.) 

Child Guidance and Discipline 

Teaching staff will use positive guidance, redirection, planning ahead to prevent problems. They will encourage appropriate behavior through the use of consistent clear rules, and involving children in problem solving to foster the child’s own ability to become self-disciplined. When the child understands words, discipline will be explained to the child before and at the time of any disciplinary action. Teaching staff will encourage children to respect other people, to be fair, respect, property and learn to be responsible for their actions. Discipline will be consistent, clear, and understandable to the child. Staff will help children learn to persist when frustrated, play cooperatively with other children, use language to communicate needs, and learn turn taking. 

Challenging Behavior 

Noah’s Ark staff is highly trained, responsive, respectful, and experienced with children’s behavior. The teachers anticipate and take steps to prevent potential challenging behaviors. They evaluate and change their responses based on individual needs. When children have challenging behaviors teachers promote pro-social behavior by: 

-interacting in a respectful manner with all children. 

-modeling turn taking and sharing as well as caring behaviors 

-helping children negotiate their interactions with one another and with shared materials. 

-engaging children in the care of their classroom and ensuring that each child has an opportunity to contribute to the group. 

-encouraging children to listen to one another and helping them to provide comfort when others are sad or distressed 

Children will be taught social, communication and emotional regulation skills using the Al’s Pal’s Curriculum 

If a child displays persistent, serious, and challenging behavior, the teaching staff, parents, and AEA support staff will work as a problem-solving team to develop and implement an individualized plan that supports the child’s inclusion and success. 

Aggressive physical behavior toward staff or children will not be tolerated. Teaching staff will intervene immediately when a child become physically aggressive to protect all of the children and encourage more acceptable behavior. 

Prohibited Practices 

The program does not, and will not, employ any of the following disciplinary procedures: 

1. Harsh or abusive tone of voice with the children nor make threats or derogatory remarks. 

2. Physical punishment, including spanking, hitting, shaking, or grabbing. 

3. Any punishment that would humiliate, frighten, or subject a child to neglect. 

4. Withhold nor threaten to withhold food as a form of discipline. 

Biting Policy

Noah’s Ark’s policy for handling a biting incident is as follows:

1.  The biter is immediately removed from the group.  The bitten child is consoled and the bitten area is washed with soap and water.  If necessary, ice is applied.  The biter is not allowed to return to play and talked to on a level that he/she can understand.

2.  A written incident report is given to all parents involved.  We do not release the name of the biting child.

Staff watch the context of each biting incident for a pattern to prevent further incidents.  We try to make every effort to extinguish the behavior quickly and to balance our commitment to the family of the biting child to that of other families.  Only after we feel we have made every effort to make the program work for the biting child do we consider asking a family to withdraw the child.

Water activities 

We have a water table in the classroom for children to stand and play with their hands in the water. During water play children are involved in active experiences with science and math concepts. Children with sores on their hands are not allowed to participate with others in the water table to ensure that no infectious diseases are spread. Children are not allowed to drink the water during water play activities. 

Noah’s Ark does not participate in swimming pool activities.

Snacks/Foods and Nutrition

The preschool encourages families to donate a wide variety of nutritional snacks on their snack day to help children expand their tastes by at least trying a portion of the food offered. Homemade treats may only be given as a birthday treat. Only store purchased snacks or fresh fruit/vegetables may be used. We strongly encourage healthy nutritious snacks that are low in sugar. Please see the snack list given at fall registration for snack ideas.

Children with food allergies shall be protected from contact with the problem food. With family consent, the program posts information about the child’s allergies in the food preparation area and in areas of the facility the child uses to serve as a 

visual reminder to all adults who interact with the child during the day. 

Noah’s Ark’s children are in attendance less than four hours a day therefore meals are not served.

Outside Play and Learning 

We have daily opportunities for outdoor play as the weather permits and environmental safety conditions do not pose a threat. This allows children the opportunity to develop their large muscle skills, get exercise, and be active.

We use the Child Care Weather Watch guidelines produced by Healthy Child Care 

Iowa to determine if the Wind Chill Factor or Heat Index is safe for outdoor play. Parents are asked to provide proper outside clothing for their child.

On days when we cannot go outside (due to weather conditions) children are given the opportunity to use indoor equipment for similar activities inside and are supervised at the same level as outdoor equipment. 

Our program director completes the National Program for Playground Safety’s Suggested General Maintenance Checklist on a monthly basis. The checklist is displayed on our Parent Board.

Clothing, Labeling, and Supplies 

Your child will be learning through creative, active play that can sometimes be messy. Your child should wear comfortable, washable clothing as well as rubber-soled and closed-toe shoes to school. While we encourage the use of paint smocks or shirts during art projects, we can’t guarantee that spills or stains will not occur. 

Clothing should be free of words, graphics, or pictures that are profane, immoral, illegal, or disruptive in nature. * Families of 3-year-olds are asked to provide an extra set of clothing for their child in case of an “accident”.*

Please clearly label the clothing with your child’s name to reduce the possibility of mistakes. 

Toilet Learning

Parents are encouraged to have their child toilet trained before attending nursery school and preschool.  If a child is not toilet trained, we ask that they are sent in a pull-up and have an extra pull-up and clean clothes in their backpack.

If staff need to change a wet/soiled pull-up, they will follow guidelines in the IQPPS 5.5.

All diapering is done in a designated diaper area.  Food handling is not permitted in this area. 

Our DHS child/staff ratio might require several children to be with the staff member while they are changing a pull-up.

Classroom Animals and Pets 

No live animals are to be in any Noah’s Ark classrooms at any time. 

If you, as a parent or legal guardian, want to bring your family pet to share with your child’s classroom you must receive permission from the teacher to do so.

Communication with Families

Noah’s Ark promotes communication between families and staff by using written notes as well as informal conversations, weekly and monthly newsletters, SeeSaw messages or e-mail. Families are encouraged to send written notes or SeeSaw messages with important information so all the staff who work with the child 

can share the parent’s communication. Parents are encouraged to maintain regular, on-going, two-way communication with the teaching staff in a manner that best meets their needs – SeeSaw, email, in person, written notes, or phone calls. 

A large parent board, located at the bottom of the stairs, displays different resources and opportunities for families in our community.  

Open Door Policy 

Parents and legal guardians are always welcome to visit the preschool classroom. Parents are encourages to volunteer in the classroom. We also encourage you to get prior approval from the teacher before volunteering or visiting in case a special activity is planned.

Arrival and Departure of Children

When bringing your child to school, we ask that you park your car in the designated parking areas to keep the west driveway open for the buses. Please hold your child’s hand as you enter the building to decrease the possibility of an accident. Parents or legal guardians must either accompany children to the classroom at the beginning of the day or leave their child in the care of one of the teaching staff. 

Please do not arrive before the usual starting time – the teachers need time to prepare for the day. When you pick up your child, please be prompt. No child will be permitted to leave the building without an adult. 

In the interest of students’ safety, parents/guardians/authorized individuals are requested to report directly to the classroom when picking up their child rather than waiting in the car. 

Children are only released to those listed on their permission form. Please send a written note to or make a phone call to your child’s teacher to notify us of changes in pick-up.

Transportation

Transporting preschool children is available to parents. We can transport 4-year-old children on Sheldon Community School District buses in the morning to preschool for our 8:15 am start. Parents are responsible to get their child to one of the district’s designated pickup points. 

The Sheldon School District will provide transportation at the 11:15 am dismissal to licensed in-home daycares, public daycares and homes at least one mile away from the school.

Parents need to fill out a transportation request form and it must be approved by the transportation director to receive permission for their child to ride the bus.

Field Trips 

The Sheldon Community School District buses are used for these field trips. Parents 

will be informed of each field trip through a newsletter and/or SeeSaw message well in advance. A parent or legal guardian must sign a general field trip consent form at beginning of the school year. Please let the preschool teacher know if you do not want your child to participate in a particular field that is planned. Adult family members are asked to volunteer to go on these trips to provide increased supervision and adult/child ratios.

Attendance

Students who are enrolled for classes at Noah’s Ark are expected to be in school for the full session and are expected to be punctual in their arrival and departure. Students are not expected to be absent any more than is necessary for health reasons or appointments. Please call Noah’s Ark (712-630-0010) or message your child’s teacher to let staff know if your child is ill or going to be absent.

Ethics and Confidentiality 

Staff follow an important code of ethics to guide their involvement with children and families. It is essential to protect the confidentiality of all information concerning children and their families. Maintaining a professional attitude includes being responsive to the needs of children and their families while balancing the need for confidentiality. No information about any particular child shall be shared with another child’s parent. We continually strive to model patience, tolerance, cooperation, acceptance, understanding of others, and enthusiasm for children as well as for other adults.

Children’s Records 

Student records containing personally identifiable information, except for directory information, are confidential. Only persons, including employees, who have a legitimate educational interest are allowed to access a student's records without the parent's permission. Parents may access, request amendments to, and copy their child's records during regular school hours. Parents or guardians will be asked to sign a release of information form should they or the school request information be shared with another agency, stating to whom the information is to be released, the reason 

or purpose for the release of information, when it expires, and ways the parents can withdraw permission if they choose to do so. 

Preschool Board

Noah’s Ark has a preschool board composed of parents, school staff, church members and other community members interested in the preschool program. This group meets bi-monthly to provide feedback on services that meet children and family needs. They also serve as a sounding board for new ideas and services. 

Grievance Policy 

Open and honest communication between families and the preschool program is an essential component of a high quality early childhood program. We want you to be confident that your child is being well cared for and is having a quality experience. If there is ever a time you have a concern regarding your child, we want to encourage you to address your concern to your child’s teacher or program director.

Family Involvement & Volunteers 

Noah’s Ark encourages families to be very involved in their child’s education by volunteering to help in the classroom and by communicating openly with their child’s teacher. Family members are welcome to visit at any time during class sessions. For safety’s sake, if a volunteer will be working with children, he/she will be expected to execute and submit an affidavit of clearance from any and all crimes against a child or families. In addition, no person with a substantiated report of child abuse or neglect will come in contact with children in the program or have responsibility for children. 

Home Visits

Home visits are conducted at the beginning of the school year for children in our 4-year-old program. This is an opportunity for the preschool teacher to get to know you, your child, and your family and for you tobegin to create a partnership between home and school in order to best meet your child’s needs. This is a great time for you to share what makes your family unique, how you prefer to communicate with the teacher, and share your knowledge about your child’s interests, approaches to 

learning, and developmental needs. You can help the teacher understand what your goals are for your child and whether you have any concerns you’d like addressed. Parents are encouraged to share these preferences, concerns, and questions at any time with either the classroom teacher or director. 

Parent Orientation/Communication/Conferences

At the beginning of each school year, a “Visit the Teacher” is held to introduce children to their classrooms and to orientate families on policies and procedures.

 Staff communicate with families on at least a weekly basis regarding children's activities and developmental milestones, shared care-giving issues, and other information that affects the well-being of their children. Family- teacher conferences are held in both the fall and spring, as well as when either party requests. During the conference the teacher will share results of classroom assessments and samples of your child’s work.

At least one Family Night is held during the year. 

Although in-person daily contact cannot be replaced, preschool staff also rely on SeeSaw messages, written notes, emails, phone calls, newsletters, and bulletin boards as alternatives means to establish and maintain open, two-way communication. 

Non-discrimination Statement 

It is the policy of the Sheldon Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or physical disability in its education programs, activities, or employment policies as required by Title VI or VIII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, and the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 

Transitions

Making a change from one program to another can sometimes be difficult for a young 

child whether the transition is within the same building or in another location. Teaching staff will partner with the family to make the transition as smooth as possible by connecting family members with the next program’s staff. Preschool staff will provide information about enrollment policies and procedures, program options, and arrange for a classroom visit whenever possible. 

Registration for the next year’s program is sent home with all parents.

Physical Exam

Physical examinations are required.  A copy of a current physical signed by a physician must be in each child’s preschool file.

Immunization Certificates  

All preschool children must submit documentation of proper immunization prior to enrolling at Noah’s Ark.All children must have their immunizations up to date and turned in to allow for attendance.  Religious exemption is available if necessary.

Dental Exam 

All enrolled preschool children are encouraged to have a dental examination to ensure proper dental health. Students entering kindergarten are now required 

to have a dental exam prior to enrollment.

Caring for an Injured Child

Staff is trained in First Aid and CPR and will treat minor injuries immediately.  Parents will be notified based on the seriousness of the injury. For more severe injuries requiring medical attention, the child will be taken to the designated hospital while the parents and family physicians are being notified. 

Staff will follow at First Aid and CPR protocol.

Insurance

Parents are required to list their health insurance information on the emergency contact form. The state of Iowa does offer insurance through it HAWK-I insurance program with low premium insurance options for families that cannot afford regular insurance costs. See the parent resources for an I-HAWK brochure. 

St. Paul Lutheran carries liability insurance that covers Noah’s Ark Preschool.

Blood Borne Pathogens 

In accordance with regulations governed by OSHA, all persons handling any item contaminated with body fluids will wear rubber gloves. For example: clothing soiled with urine, stool, vomit or blood. All staff are required to be trained annually in Universal Precautions.

Head Lice 

Any student found to have lice would be excluded from school from the time of discovery until after the first treatment with an appropriate pediculocide and removal of nits. 

Emergency Contact Information

Current health and safety information is required at the beginning of each school year. The information is confidential, but is immediately available to administrators or teaching staff who have consent from a parent or legal guardian for access to records; the child’s parent or legal guardian; and regulatory authorities, upon request.

Illness Policy and Exclusion of Sick Children 

For the health and safety of all the children, it is mandatory that sick children not be brought to school. If your child has any of the following symptoms during the night, he or she will not be admitted the following morning for the safety of the other children:

•fever greater than 100 degrees F 

•vomiting 

•diarrhea 

•pink eyes with drainage 

•cough with congestion and excessive nasal discharge 

Noah’s Ark’s established policy for an ill child’s return:

•Fever free for 24 hours without medication

•Strep: 24 hours after initial medication

•Vomiting/Diarrhea: 24 hours after last episode

•Conjunctivitis: 24 hours after initial medication or when without drainage

Upon arrival at school, each child is observed by teaching staff for signs of illness or injury that could affect the child’s ability to participate comfortably in the daily activities. Children will be excluded when a child is not able to participate comfortably.                                        

When a child develops signs of an illness during their day at preschool, parents, legal guardians, or other person authorized by the parent will be notified immediately to pick up the child. For this reason, please be sure that we have current, accurate phone numbers for you, your authorized emergency contact person and your child’s pediatrician. 

Reporting Communicable Diseases 

Staff and teachers provide information to families verbally and in writing about any unusual level or type of communicable disease to which their child was exposed, signs and symptoms of the disease, mode of transmission, period of communicability, and control measures that are being implemented at the program and that the families should implement at home. (Medication Policies and Procedures IQPPS 5.10)

Health Needs & Administering Medications

If your child’s condition requires that a staff member give prescribed medications or treatments, you must bring it in the original container from the pharmacy or doctor’s office. The container must be clearly marked with the child’s name, frequency 

and amount to be given. Parents must fill out a signed “School Medication Authorization and Instruction Form” prior to staff giving medication. A form is available from a staff member. Medication is kept in a locked container and will not be handled by children. Staff handling medication have been trained in Medication Administration.

Over the Counter Medications

Over the counter medications will only be given with a statement from your doctor.

You must fill out a signed “School Medication Authorization and Instruction Form” prior to staff giving medication. A form is available from a staff member.

Cleaning and Sanitization 

Noah’s Ark will be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition following the Cleaning & Sanitization Frequency Table. Spills will be cleaned immediately. Toys that have been placed in a child’s mouth or that are otherwise contaminated by body secretion or excretion will be removed immediately and disinfected after they are cleaned with soap and water. This also applies to other surfaces in the classroom. Toys and surfaces will be disinfected using the proper non-toxic solution. 

Staff has been trained in cleaning techniques, proper use of protective barriers such as gloves, proper handling and disposal of contaminated materials, and information required by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration about the use of any chemical agents. 

Hand Washing Practices

Children and adults wash their hands: 

•upon arrival for the day; 

•using the toilet 

•after handling body fluids (e.g., blowing or wiping a nose, coughing on a hand, or any touching of mucus, blood or vomit); 

•before meals and snacks, preparing or serving food, or handling any raw food that requires cooking (e.g., meat, eggs, poultry); 

•after playing in water that that is shared by two or more people; 

•after handling pets and other animals or any materials such as sand, dirt, or surfaces that might be contaminated by contact with animals.

First Aid Kit 

A first aid kit is located in each classroom. It is inaccessible to children, but readily available for adult use. It is fully equipped according to guidance from Healthy Child Care Iowa. The first aid kit is taken to the outdoor play areas as well as on field trips and outings away from the site. 

Fire Safety 

A fire extinguisher is installed in each preschool classroom with a tag indicating its annual service date.. Smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors are tested monthly. A written log of testing dates and battery changes is maintained and available upon request. 

Fire and Tornado Drills 

Noah’s Ark will conduct monthly drills within their setting so students completely understand the necessary safety procedures. Drills are conducted monthly and recorded on a log displayed on the Parent Board. 

Medical Emergencies and Notification of Accidents or Incidents 

Noah’s Ark has in place a “Safety Procedures Booklet” that describes the following situations and procedures to follow: 

√Emergency phone numbers 

√Fire procedures 

√Utility Failures (electric power failure, water line break, gas line break) 

√Severe weather 

√Bomb threats 

√Physical Threats/Armed Intruder 

√Evacuations 

√Crisis Intervention Plan, Crisis Intervention Steps, and Media Procedures √Accidental Injury or Illness procedures for life threatening and non-life threatening situations 

√Accidental Injury or Illness procedures for life threatening and non-life threatening situations 

Inclement Weather

•If the Sheldon Community Schools have a late start, there will be no morning preschool classes.  All afternoon classes will be held as usual.

•If the Sheldon Community Schools dismiss early, Noah’s Ark will dismiss 30 minutes prior to the district’s dismissal.

•If the Sheldon Community Schools are closed, Noah’s Ark will also be closed.

Please check your SeeSaw app or our Facebook page for weather related announcements.

Protection From Hazards and Environmental Health  

Staff will protect children and adults from hazards, including electrical shock, burns, or scalding, slipping, tripping, or falling. Floor coverings are secured to keep staff and children from tripping. The building has been tested for lead, radon, asbestos, and other hazards that could impact children’s health with documentation on file.

Smoke Free Facility 

In compliance with the Iowa Smokefree Air Act of 2008, Noah’s Ark Preschool and grounds are smoke free. A “No Smoking” sign meeting the law’s requirements is posted at the entrance to the preschool building to inform people that they are entering a non-smoking place. No smoking is allowed on the school grounds.

Child Protection Policies 

An applicant or volunteer for temporary or permanent employment with Noah’s Ark involves direct interaction with or the opportunity to interact and associate with children must execute and submit an affidavit of clearance from any and all crimes against a child or families. In addition, no person with a substantiated report of child abuse or neglect will come in contact with children in the program or have responsibility for children. 

Noah’s Ark staff members are mandatory reporters and are required to report child abuse and neglect.  They are required to comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and report all suspected incidents of child abuse, neglect, or both by families, staff, volunteers, or others to the appropriate local agencies. Staff who report suspicions of child abuse or neglect where they work are immune from discharge, retaliation, or other disciplinary action for that reason alone unless it is proven that the report is malicious. All teaching staff complete “Mandatory Reporter: Child and Dependent Adult Abuse” at least every five years and within six months of employment. 

Access Policy

Parents must list on the registration form the names of all persons who are permitted to pick up their child.  We require parents to notify staff in writing if someone else will be picking up their child.

If an unauthorized person arrives to pick up a child, the child will remain under the supervision of the teacher at Noah’s Ark.  If difficulties arise, all reasonable efforts will be made by Noah’s Ark staff to ensure the safety of the child and other children, this includes the possibility of contacting local police.

Noah’s Ark complies with all court-mandated custodial orders. Staff must release a child to either biological parent, unless we have a copy of the custody order or court 

document on file. If there is no court document available and if there is any doubt that the child should leave with the parent, staff may choose to call the custodial parent/guardian/entity and/or the police department. 

It is in the best interest of the child that parents notify us immediately of any family changes that could be a potential problem. We are bound by confidentiality policies not to discuss or give out information on children to anyone else, but we do ask parents confide in us when necessary. 

Substance Abuse 

Persons under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be permitted on the premises of Noah’s Ark. At no time will children be released to a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 

Contact Information

•Phone 712-631-0010

•Email noahsark@nethtc.net

•Facebook Page

•SeeSaw App