Bethany Child Development Center
Bethany CDC is a ministry of the Bethany United Methodist Church offering a half day preschool serving children ages 2 years old (by September 1st) through kindergarten. We are committed to helping young children grow and develop socially, emotionally, intellectually, physically and spiritually in a developmentally appropriate environment. Our goal is to provide a safe, positive and nurturing environment where children can experience success and develop a love of learning.
Exciting Changes for the 2024 School Year
All classes will be held from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Children will bring a lunch from home to eat at school.
Our Mission
The mission of Bethany’s CDC is to provide a high quality early childhood program in a safe and nurturing environment which promotes the physical, social, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual development of young children.
Registration is held for the subsequent school year beginning in January. The registration process is completed using a mail-in “lottery” system. Priorities for registration are as follows:
1. Families who have children currently enrolled
2. Bethany UMC members
3. Families on the waiting list from previous year
4. Open registration (public)
Registration forms: All children must have a completed registration form containing all required information/signatures and a copy of the birth certificate.
Medical forms: A Health Record must be maintained for each child. This includes current health information and signed emergency release form. This form is on the back of the registration.
Immunization form: SC State Law requires that all children must have a current official SC Certificate of Immunization on file. These forms can be obtained from your family doctor or pediatrician. All returning students will be notified before school is out if immunizations are needed over the summer with a new form due before returning to school.
**No child will be allowed to begin school, or continue to attend, without up-to-date immunizations as required by DHEC.
Regular hours for Preschool and Kindergarten
All classes are held between 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
All CDC programs will observe the same schedule as the public schools in Dorchester District II in Summerville (including holidays and inclement weather closings) with the exceptions of annual program start dates and ending dates, the first day of the Flowertown Festival.
WEATHER & SCHOOL CLOSINGS/DELAYS
We believe outside play is an important part of your child’s day. We want to be able to take the children to the playground to run, jump and explore the natural world whenever possible. As long as the outside temperature is at least 40 degrees (taking the wind chill into consideration) we will go outside. Please make sure your child is dressed in clothing appropriate for the weather.
In the event of inclement weather Bethany CDC will follow whatever course of action Dorchester School District 2 chooses. Listen to the radio/TV reports for closings. We will not always be listed individually. Listen for Dorchester District 2. Whenever they are closed, we are closed.
*If Dorchester District II has a 2 hour morning delay, we will begin as usual at 9:00 a.m.
*If Dorchester District II has a 3 hour morning delay, we will be closed.
The South Carolina Early Learning standards guide our instruction. Our teachers provide opportunities to encourage and to support the development of the individual child by providing an ever-changing variety of developmentally appropriate materials and equipment which facilitate opportunities for discovery and exploration, critical thinking and problem solving at each child’s own developmental pace. Each day brings opportunities to play, to investigate, and to express ideas through center-based hands-on experiences in:
FAMILY LIVING/DRAMATIC PLAY:
Planning, working, and cooperative play in an organized experience fosters social skills, role playing, creativity and problem solving.
CREATIVE ART:
Self-expression through the use of paints, clay, crayons, and other media emphasizing the process of creating, not the product is important to children
LARGE GROUP:
Enjoying stories, verse, rhyme, song, finger plays, conversation and dramatization.
MUSIC:
Attending weekly music class in addition to daily music experiences including: responding rhythmically to singing, use of instruments, exploring different musical styles and composers.
BLOCK/ BUILDING:
Exploring spatial relationships, concepts of weight, symmetry and balance as well as cause and effect.
MANIPULATIVE/TABLE TOYS:
Providing opportunities to develop sorting, matching, classifying, patterning and eye-hand coordination skills.
SCIENCE AND DISCOVERY:
Providing opportunities for observation, inquiry, prediction, classification and comparison.
SENSORY:
Exploring physical qualities of a variety of materials such as sand, water, rice, shaving cream and “goop”.
HEALTH AND SAFETY EDUCATION:
Learning importance of good health habits and safety rules.
EATING TOGETHER:
Learning and practicing good table manners and self help skills, developing healthy eating habits.
ART CLASS:
Weekly art classes for the 4 Year Old classes featuring the study of famous artists and the elements of art.
FIELD TRIPS:
Visiting points of interest in and around the community to help the child establish appreciation of people who contribute to his life and to extend learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
PURPOSE / OBJECTIVES:
Our goal is to provide a kindergarten program in which learning is both enjoyable and purposeful based on clearly defined goals.
Bethany’s objective is to help each child develop a positive self-image and to be ready for entrance into the first grade.
At Bethany we are committed to helping young children grow and develop socially, emotionally, intellectually, physically and spiritually in a developmentally appropriate, Christian atmosphere. Our staff strives to provide a warm, nurturing, and safe environment where the individual child is provided a positive learning experience.
KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM
The Bethany CDC kindergarten curriculum is centered on the developmental needs and interests of five-year-olds and aims to foster independence and growth in the areas of social, emotional, spiritual, physical and academic development. We understand that young children learn best through hands-on experiences in a nurturing environment, so we strive to create an engaging, positive classroom environment where students feel valued and supported. The South Carolina College and Career Ready Standards, provided by the SC Department of Education, guide our instruction in early literacy, math, science and social studies. (A complete listing of the SC kindergarten standards can be found by visiting the SC Department of Education website at ed.sc.gov).
Research supports the value of small class sizes and low student to teacher ratios like we have at Bethany CDC. In addition to facilitating effective large group activities, our small class size and low student to teacher ratio provide opportunities for small group and individual instruction as needed. Our academic program is supported by a variety of high-interest learning centers that encourage creativity, teamwork and problem solving. The kindergarten classroom at Bethany CDC provides a wide variety of high quality academic materials that facilitate learning and exploring. Each child’s individual needs are honored throughout our instructional day and creative expression is encouraged in all areas.
Our kindergarten program provides several opportunities for enrichment beyond academic instruction including monthly field trips, guest presentations, fine arts classes and time outdoors. Our monthly field trips to local farms, theaters, libraries, plantations/gardens, museums, etc. give students the opportunity to explore the community and learn in unique ways. Weekly art classes introduce our kindergarten students to famous artists and the elements of art as the children enjoy the process of creating their own masterpieces. Music classes are held twice a week and incorporate movement and singing while students learn about musical genres and instruments. Children spend time outdoors daily playing, exploring and building their small and large motor skills.
Spiritual education is a cornerstone of our kindergarten program. The inclusion of prayers, Bible stories and monthly chapel lessons help the children develop an appreciation for the presence of God in our lives and the understanding that each person is one of God’s special creations.
Kindergarten attendance is required in the state of South Carolina. In the event of an absence, a written excuse is required.
Registration fee: A registration fee is required for each child at the time of registration which cannot be refunded if the child is withdrawn from the school. Your child will not be officially enrolled until this fee is paid in full.
Tuition Policy:
* Tuition is due by the 1st of each month.
* After the 5th a late fee of $25 will be added to your balance. An additional $25 late fee will be added to your balance if payment is not made by the 10th of the month.
* A $25 fee will also be charged for any checks returned to the CDC by the bank.
* A letter along with a copy of Bethany CDC’s tuition policy and a current statement, will be sent by the CDC Director when an account is more than 30 days late from the original due date.
* Children will be suspended from the program when an account is delinquent for 45 days from the original due date.
* Children will be removed from the program and their spot filled from the waiting list when an account is not at a zero balance by day 60 from the original due date.
* Future enrollment for children removed from the program due to non or insufficient payment is subject to all delinquent tuition and fees being brought to a zero balance and is also subject to availability based on Bethany CDC’s registration policy. At the time of re-enrollment, the first month’s tuition must be paid in advance.
* School policy prohibits the refund of any tuition or registration payments with the exception of military transfers or deployments.
* Discounted tuition for multiple children in a family is not available; however lunch bunch rates are discounted for siblings.
* Tuition is calculated based on a yearly total and divided into 10 equal payments for your convenience. That means that holidays, in-service days and vacations (fall, winter and spring) do not change the monthly tuition rate. Since our program costs remain ongoing, fees are not reduced for days missed, including weather closings or absences of children due to illness or vacation.
* Tuition payments can be mailed or dropped off at the CDC office or in tuition pockets outside each classroom. Cash payments must be made in the CDC office so a receipt can be issued. Parents may also make credit or debit
payments using the Smartcare Parent Web Portal or App. An automatic convenience fee of 2.93% will be added to all credit card payments.
* All accounts of children currently in the program must be paid in full prior to registration in order to be considered eligible to begin the registration process.
* A registration fee is required for each child at the time of registration. Your child will not be officially registered until this fee is paid in full.
* The first preschool payment is due by July 1 to reserve your child’s place in the program. A late fee of $25 will be assessed on the 5th of July and the child will be removed from the program on July 10th if the tuition has not been paid. The tuition is non-refundable. The remaining 9 tuition payments begin in September.
* The first kindergarten tuition payment, along with the kindergarten activity fee, is due by June 1 to reserve your child’s place in class. It is not refundable in the event of withdrawal. The remaining 9 tuition payments begin in September. A late fee of $25 will be assessed on the 5th of June and the student will be removed from the program on June 10th if the tuition has not been paid.
Please make checks payable to Bethany Child Development Center.
For a complete listing of tuition and fees see the current year’s Fee Schedule Supplement.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Bethany CDC has a Scholarship Fund to assist families of children already enrolled who meet with unexpected financial difficulties during the school year. A Tuition Assistance application is available in the CDC office. The completed form will be submitted to the CDC Board of Directors for review. All decisions will be made at their discretion.
If you would like to contribute to this fund, you may do so through memorials, honorariums, remembrance gifts such as birthdays, graduations, births, anniversaries or special occasions.
Lunch
All children will bring a packed lunch to school each day. Lunches should be ready to safely eat. This means that all foods need to be cut to an appropriate size and foods that are choking hazards should not be included. Please label your child’s lunchbox with their first and last name and include all utensils, etc. they will need. Due to severe allergies, we are a peanut free school. If your child brings a sandwich with Sun Butter or another peanut alternative, please label it. Foods containing peanuts will not be opened and will be sent back home. We cannot heat or refrigerate lunches. If your child’s lunch needs to stay cold, please include an ice pack.
WATER BOTTLES
Please send your child to school with a fresh bottle of water each day. SC DSS requires that all water bottles/cups are labeled with your child’s first and last name. Please do not send drinks other than water in your child’s water bottle.
Safe Sanctuary
To prevent abuse of children and youth in our church and to “demonstrate our absolute and unwavering commitment to the physical safety and spiritual growth of all our youth”, Bethany United Methodist Church and the CDC adhere to all Safe Sanctuaries policies as outlined in the “Child and Youth Prevention Policy of Bethany United Methodist Church (April 20, 2015).
CDC / Drop-off Pickup
CDC families should park in the back parking lot where the portico is located. Handicapped spaces are available along the side of the lot. Please do not park in front of the church Welcome Center or on the memorial bricks in front of the Sanctuary.
Please enter the building through the double doors under the portico and walk your child to their classroom. Classes begin at 9:00 am and teachers will be ready to greet your child beginning at 8:55 am.
After 9:10 am the doors will be locked and will remain locked during the school day. Families that arrive after 9:10 am will need to call the phone number on the door to be let in and stop by the CDC office to sign in prior to going to the classroom.
In the afternoon, please park in the back parking lot and walk to your child’s classroom to pick them up. All classes will dismiss at 1:00 pm. Your child’s safety is important to us, so we will be requiring picture IDs until we get to know each of you personally.
If you need to pick your child up early, please stop by the CDC office to sign them out before going to the classroom. You will be given a pass to give the teacher.
If someone other than the child’s parents will be picking up, they must be on the child’s authorized pick-up list, and they will need to stop by the CDC office before going to the classroom. The child’s pick-up list will be checked, and the adult will be asked to provide a photo ID. All changes to your child’s pick-up routine must be sent to the CDC office in writing.
Parents who are late picking up their child must come to the CDC office to sign their child out. Late pick-ups can be unsettling to young children. Therefore, anyone who is more than five minutes late picking up their child will be given one free late pick-up. After that, habitual late pick-ups are subject to a late pick-up fee of $1.00 for every minute they are late more than five minutes.