-Author Unknown
Just Playing
When I’m building in the block area,
Please don’t say I’m “Just Playing”.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
About balance and shapes.
Who knows, I may be an architect someday.
When I’m getting all dressed up, setting the table, caring for the babies,
Don’t get the idea I’m “Just Playing”.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I may be a mother or a father someday.
When you see me up to my elbows in paint, or standing at an easel, or molding and
shaping the clay, please don’t let me hear you say, “He’s Just playing”.
For you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m expressing myself and being creative.
I may be an artist or an inventor someday.
When you see me in a chair ‘reading’ to an imaginary audience,
Please don’t laugh and think I’m “Just Playing”.
For you see, I’m learning as I play.
I may be a teacher someday.
When you see me combing the bushes for bugs,
Or packing my pockets with choice things I find,
Don’t pass it off as “Just Playing”.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I may be a scientist someday.
When you see me engrossed in a puzzle or some plaything at my school,
Please don’t feel the time is wasted in “Play”.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.
When you see me cooking and tasting foods,
Please don’t think that because I enjoy it, it is “Just Playing”.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to follow directions and see differences.
I may be a cook someday.
When you see me learning to skip, hop, run, and move my body,
Please don’t say I’m “Just Playing”.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse, or an athlete someday.
When you ask me what I’ve done at school today, and I say, “I Just Played”.
Please don’t misunderstand me.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to enjoy and be successful in my work,
I’m preparing for tomorrow.
Today I am a child and my work IS play.
Welcome to Building Blocks Preschool,
Our goal as a preschool is to provide the “building blocks” or foundation for learning.
We hope to build on what you as a parent have already taught your child in your home. In
other words, we try to prepare your child socially, academically, emotionally and physically
for the years of learning ahead.
Socially: Children will learn to play, share and resolve conflicts. They will learn to be polite
by using good manners (please, thank you, no thank you) and by listening while others are
speaking.
Academically: Children are introduced to shapes, colors, and numbers to ten, beginning
sounds, letters of the alphabet, special days such as holidays, months and seasons. They
learn to listen and respond to stories and music. Some skills we work on include holding a
pencil properly, cutting, gluing, painting, drawing, and completing puzzles. We incorporate
science whenever we can during many of our themes.
Emotionally: Preschool can be a wonderful time for your children to grow emotionally. Often
it is the first experience where your child is apart from family. We try to help children feel
accepted and loved, and we encourage friendships with other children.
Physically: We have free play time during which your child is free to explore climbing
equipment, skip rope, chase friends and play actively. We also play group games during
preschool time.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Education has published a Play and Exploration Guide in
April 2008 which outlines the philosophy and goals of prekindergarten programs. “The aim of
the Guide is to promote high quality; age appropriate play based learning experiences for
3-5 year old children. It offers a new perspective on how educators are evolving their view of
children. It is now understood that play has a more important role in children’s development
then most adults realized in the past. Brain research confirms the importance of play in
children’s development. Parents and educators are encouraged to interact with children”.
The Guide is based on the Reggio Emilia approach to early education. You are welcome to
look through a copy of this resource which we are implementing at Building Blocks
Preschool.
Many of the skills learned in preschool are taught just as you would teach at home, one on
one with your child. We work with children individually on number formation, counting and
printing their names etc. Usually your child will bring home a piece of paper with something
they’ve worked on, Any positive reinforcement you as a parent can give your child with any
of these skills helps them to master preschool skills.
To help you as families extend learning in your home, we offer Storysacks for you to borrow
from Preschool. In each sack you will find books to read, games to play, and crafts to do
with your child(ren). Each storysack has a different theme and many activities for children at
all levels. It is meant to be enjoyed and to help spark an interest in a new topic for your child.
You may borrow it for a week; do as many or few activities as your child wants then return it
to preschool.
Children grow and mature at different rates, as do their learning ability. Not all children are
mentally ready to learn certain concepts or skills, but they come with time and repetition.
When a child is ready, learning new concepts and skills comes quickly. Meanwhile, we
anticipate a wonderful fun-filled year of learning together.
Marg Wassenaar
Preschool Teacher
Location
• Osler Community Hall – 508 1st Street – Phone Number 239-4224

Times
• AM Class – Arrive no sooner than 9:25 am Parent Helper
o Class begins at 9:30 am
o Done at 11:30 am As a parent helper in preschool you will...

Schedule
• PM Class – Arrive no sooner than 12:55 pm
• Assist in the classroom on a pre-arranged rotational basis.
o Class begins at 1:00 pm
• Parents will be assigned the following minimum required days:
o Done at 3:00 pm o Once a week Preschooler – a minimum of 4 slots during
school year
o Twice a week Preschooler – a minimum of 6 slots during
Parent Communication school year
• Monthly Calendar – outlining themes, items to bring, parent helper • You will be scheduled as close as possible to your child’s Birthday.
schedule • Please make arrangements with another parent if you are unable to
• Monthly newsletter work on your scheduled helper day. Another family member may
• Bulletin board – the latest information will be posted as well as take your place if necessary.
other useful information • If you are still unable to help, there is a $20.00 helper fee to cover
• Table – forms for field trips, paper to communicate with teacher, the cost of finding another helper.
questions, comments, other.
• White Board – daily activities are listed Being a Parent Helper
• E-mails sent by the Preschool Administrator, such as reminders, • Come in to preschool 15 minutes earlier and plan to stay 15 minutes
requests for extra help, other. after class to help with set up and clean up.
• Parents may contact the Preschool Administrator with questions • Setting up may include: mixing paints or preparing craft materials,
or requests at oslerpreschool@gmail.com clean up will be wiping tables with disinfectant, sweeping floors,
checking bathrooms, etc.
• Parents will be given a specific job to do. This may include working
Teachers with a small group or with individual children at a game/skill/craft.
• Marg Wassenaar 239-2270 • Parents who are unable to be parent helpers are asked to help with:
• Katelynn Bergen 225-4616  Washing toys
 Snack program
 Coordinate a fundraiser
 Bake
Organizational Structure  Help with making craft supplies
• Preschool is run under the umbrella of Osler Family Resource
Centre (OFRC)
• OFRC board implements the policies and procedures of Building
Blocks Preschool

Withdrawal Policy
• One full month’s notice must be given in writing to the Preschool
Administrator on or before the first day on the last month in which
the child will attend classes. This letter must state the last day the
child will attend the Preschool.
• All cheques dated thirty days from the last month’s notice will be
returned.
• If the Preschool Administrator receives notice after the first day of
the month, then two month’s fees will be forfeited. For example, a
letter received on November 3rd would forfeit payment until
December 31.
• Upon withdrawal, the child is entitled to attend school until the end
of the thirty-day notice period. If the letter states that the child will
definitely not attend school after the notice is given, then the
child’s place will be filled. If there is a waiting list, then the next
child on the list will fill this position.
• No refunds will be made in the case of a child missing an
inordinate amount of school. Regular withdrawal procedures must
be followed in order to obtain a refund.
All unused cheques will be returned to the parents upon request, or will
be destroyed.
Things to Bring to Preschool
A. Snack
• Children are responsible to bring their own small snack and drink
(drink in a re-useable container).
• Due to allergies, please be sure to provide nutritious nut-free
snacks.
B. Indoor Shoes – Rubber / non-slip footwear
C. Bag or Back Pack
Field Trips
• Field trips will be scheduled throughout the year and parents will be
notified in advance of all trips. Special Excursion forms are filled out
for trips that require travel by vehicle.
Show & Tell
• Children are encouraged to bring something from home to share
with the class, occasionally related to the theme of the day.
Birthdays
• Each child’s birthday will be recognized.
• If you would like to, you may provide the class with a nut free treat.
• If you are able to be a parent helper, you may request to be
scheduled on or as close to your child’s birthday as possible.
Clothing
• Appropriate play cloths should be worn.
• Children will be painting, using bingo dabbers, and other messy
activities on occasion.
• Please dress your child appropriately for the weather, as we may
have an adventure outdoors.
Storysacks
• Parents may borrow the storysacks for one week use.
• Parents are responsible to be with the child as they learn and play
with the items in the storysacks
 Preschool Fees
Insufficient Funds Policy
Registration fee
• $20.00 non-refundable registration fee to assist the preschool with
start up costs, due at time of registration.
• Your child’s spot will not be held until we receive payment of the
registration fee.
Tuition
• Due the first day of the month.
• Once a week - $40.00 per month/ Full Year $320.00
• Twice a week - $70.00 per month/ Full Year $560.00
Payment Options
• Pay tuition in full for the preschool year
o Once a week full payment - $320.00
o Twice a week full payment - $560.00
• Monthly post dated cheques, for the 1st of each month
• Cheques should be made payable to the Building Blocks
Preschool.
o Sep./Oct. - $60.00(once a week), $105.00 (twice a week)
o November - $40.00 (once a week), $70.00 (twice a week)
o December - $40.00 (once a week), $70.00 (twice a week)
o January - $40.00 (once a week), $70.00 (twice a week)
o February - $40.00 (once a week), $70.00 (twice a week)
o March - $40.00 (once a week), $70.00 (twice a week)
o April/May - $60.00 (once a week), $105.00 (twice a week)
• Money orders or equivalent made out to the
Building Blocks Preschool.
• Cash payments made to Preschool Administrator.
• Any variation to payment schedule will require the written approval
of the Preschool Administrator.
• Where cost is a barrier to participate, families are encouraged to
discuss possible payment options with the Preschool
Administrator. The Administrator will provide information
regarding alternate funding sources where appropriate.
• Your child is NOT registered for Preschool and cannot attend
until all forms and fees are received at the Town Office.
• Registration forms may be picked up and dropped off at the Town
Office on or before the registration date. We cannot guarantee a
spot for forms received after the registration date.
• The Preschool Administrator will contact payer immediately in the
event there are insufficient funds to cover a cheque. Payer will be
expected to provide payment within one week of notification.
Administrator will document this notification and payer’s plan to
make payment.
• In the event that any payers submits two cheques for which there
are insufficient funds, there will be a $20.00 handling charge and all
future payments will be required in the form of cash, money order or
certified cheques.
Overdue Accounts Policy
• The Preschool Administrator will make personal contact with any
payer whose account is 30 days in arrears. The Administrator will
document this discussion noting any agreements made to settle the
account.
• The Preschool Administrator will write a letter to persons whose
account is 30 days in arrears, requiring payer to discuss any
concerns or difficulties with the Administrator so that a payment
arrangement can be made and service can continue.
• No further service will be provided when accounts are 30 days
in arrears without the express permission of the OFRC board.
• At the discretion of the OFRC board collection activities to settle
outstanding accounts will be undertaken.
Other
• There is no reduction or refunds due to absence, vacation or
emergency weather days. Make-up days will be provided when
possible.
Fundraisers
• Parents are required to put in 3 hours of fundraising
• Money goes towards general preschool costs
• A full list of fundraisers will be provided at the beginning of the
school year
• A $50.00 cheque postdated for June 1 (of the following year) is
required with the registration fee.
• Cheques will be returned upon completion of Preschool year
 Receipts
• Will be issued with each payment, and can be picked up at the
Town Office.