Carpenter's Kids
Frequently Asked Questions
What, Where,
When and Why?
Enrollment Questions
Cost of the Program
Drop Off and Pick Up Information
General Information
What, Where, When and Why? (top)
1. What is Carpenter's Kids?
Carpenter's Kids is a preschool program serving children ages 2-5. It is offered by the College Church of Christ in Searcy, Arkansas.
2. What is the goal of Carpenter's Kids?
Our goal is to provide quality care and instruction to children in a safe Christian environment.
3. When does Carpenter's Kids meet?
Carpenter's Kids meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school year, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Many of our staff members are Harding University students; therefore, we follow their schedule for holidays and Spring Break. Holidays and any days off will be pre-announced. The first day of school this year will be September 6, 2005.
Enrollment Questions (top)
1. Who can enroll in the Carpenter's Kids program?
Enrollment in Carpenter’s Kids is open to the entire community and is limited to the number we can serve most effectively.
2. What ages do you serve?
Tadpole classes are for children age 2-3 (born between 9-1-02 and 9-1-03). Tadpoles will have Bible lessons along with activities to enhance fine and gross motor skills and interaction with other children.
Frog classes are for children age 3-5 (born before 9-1-02). Frogs will have a structured Bible-based curriculum that corresponds with instruction in basic academic skills to prepare children for entering kindergarten.
3. Will my child be promoted to the next age group on her birthday?
No. Just as in a school system, children remain with their class throughout the entire school year.
4. My child is not quite two years old yet. May I still enroll them in Carpenter's Kids?
Unfortunately, we do not have classes for children under the age of two.
5. My child's birthdate just misses the cutoff for the Frog classes. May he attend the Frog class instead of the Tadpole class?
As a general rule, it is best to leave your child in the correct age group. The Frog curriculum is a two-year curriculum. If your child were to attend the Frog classes early, he will end up repeating the curriculum in his third year. However, if you feel strongly about this issue, contact the director. If all of the spots are taken by older children, your child will not be able to move up. But if there are openings without a waiting list, we will consider placing your child in the older class.
6. May I request that my child be placed in the same class as her friend?
Yes, so long as the two children's ages are close to the same. Please make this request when registering.
7. Does my child have to be potty trained to attend Carpenter's Kids?
Children do not need to be potty trained to attend the Tadpole classes. If your child is not yet potty trained, be sure to send along extra diapers or Pull-ups or underwear in case of accidents. However, children enrolled in the Frog classes should be day-potty trained.
Cost of the Program (top)
1. How much does it cost to attend Carpenter's Kids?
The fees for attending Carpenter's Kids are as follows:
$30 Annual Registration Fee (nonrefundable)
$135 Per-Semester Fee
The registration fee is due at the time of registering. Semester fees may be paid in full on the first day of the semester OR they may be spread out in three equal installments during the semester, in which case the first installment will be due on the first day of the semester. Checks should be made payable to the College Church of Christ.
2. Can my child only one day per week rather than two?
In order to reap the full benefits of the program, it is strongly suggested that your child attend both Tuesdays and Thursdays each week. However, you may request that your child only attend one day. When you register you must choose either ALL Tuesdays or ALL Thursdays. You may not switch back and forth. The cost of this will be the $30 registration fee plus $100 per semester, to be paid at the same times as listed above.
3. If my child misses a day of classes, will I still have to pay for that day?
The cost of running our program does not diminish with absences. Therefore, all fees must be paid whether the child is in attendance or not.
4. Do you offer financial help for those who need it?
We do have a limited number of full and/or partial scholarships available to low-income families who qualify. Please contact the Carpenter's Kids director if you are interested in applying.
Drop Off and Pick Up Information (top)
1. When and where do I drop off my child at Carpenter's Kids?
Carpenter’s Kids begins at 8:30 a.m. Please bring your child after 8:25 a.m. The entrance for the Tadpole classes is the glass door on the east side of the building, closest to the nursery. The entrance for Frog classes is under the covered area of the driveway on the west side of the building. Please DO NOT send your child into the building alone. Bring your child to his or her own classroom. Please do not block the drive-thru area.
2. What time do I pick up my child?
Please pick up your child in his room at 12:30 p.m. If you need to pick up your child early, you may. If your child's class is not in his room, come to the Carpenter's Kids office and we will locate him for you.
3. Who is allowed to pick up my child?
A space on the registration form is provided for you to list those who are allowed to pick up your child from Carpenter's Kids.
4. What is your password security system?
We will use a password system to ensure that the wrong person does not pick up your child. A password will be provided to you in your Parent Guide book. If someone other than the parent will be picking up your child, that person must give the teacher the password. Make sure that anyone picking up your child knows that word, even if their name is already authorized on the registration form. This is an extra security measure to ensure that your child will be safe.
General Information (top)
1. What do the children do while they are at Carpenter's Kids?
Frogs - Children enrolled in the Frog program have a structured Bible-based curriculum that incorporates basic skills that will be needed before entering kindergarten. They learn a letter of the week that corresponds with a Bible lesson and a memory verse that starts with the letter of the day. Colors, shapes, and numbers are also integrated into the lessons. Devotionals and puppet skits encourage good social behaviors. Art and Music classes encourage creativity. Play time promotes interaction skills along with motor skills. Throughout the school year we will invite special visitors to talk to the children (such as the police, firemen, ambulance, doctor, dentist, and vet). We will also plan to go on 2 or 3 field trips throughout the year.
Tadpoles - Flexibility for the younger ages is important, so this program remains a bit less structured. Teachers are equipped with a suggested curriculum but will be flexible enough to allow for the children's personalities and moods of the day. Teachers also have a box of teaching materials that are used throughout the year to enhance fine and gross motor skills. Children will learn Bible stories as well as basic academics (such as colors, shapes, letter recognition, etc.) They will also be given plenty of time to learn social interaction skills with teachers and with each other.
2. What do I need to send with my child?
All children need to bring a packed lunch each day. Please DO NOT send carbonated drinks or drinks with red coloring.
Tadpoles need to bring a change of clothes and extra diapers, pull-ups, or underwear each day. Frogs may bring an item that starts with the letter of the day for Show and Tell.
3. May I send special snacks for birthdays or holidays?
You may send special snacks whenever you wish. Please contact your teacher in advance for the number needed.
4. What if my child needs to be absent?
Please notify us if your child will be absent for more than two weeks. If your child needs to drop out of the program, please let us know as soon as possible.
5. If my child is sick should I still bring him to class?
If your child is sick, please do not bring him/her. If your child becomes sick while at school, we will notify you immediately. Please notify us by telephone if your child has a communicable disease (such as chicken pox). If you do not wish your child to play outside, please send a note stating the reason and period of time.
6. What do you do when the weather is bad?
We generally will close for bad weather when the Searcy Public Schools are closed. We will have this notice on local radio stations as soon as possible on the days necessary. We will also announce the information on this website.
7. What if I will not be at home during the hours of Carpenter's Kids?
If you do not plan to be home during the hours of Carpenter’s Kids, please let the teacher know where you will be and how to reach you in case of an emergency.
8. What should my child wear when attending Carpenter's Kids?
Children will be participating in crafts and will be playing outside in good weather. Therefore, it would be best to let your child wear play clothes to Carpenter’s Kids. Please print your child’s name on extra clothing such as coats, sweaters, etc.
9. What type of discipline is used at Carpenter’s Kids?
Children are expected to show respect for other people and property. For the children’s safety, and to teach appropriate behavior, we do not allow: running in the building, playing roughly with other children or toys, or any form of fighting. Teachers may suspend privileges or place a child in “time out” if they will not behave. If the problem cannot be handled within the classroom, the child may be sent to the Carpenter’s Kids office for a time out. Continued disruptive, disrespectful, or other misbehavior may result in dismissal from our program.
10. Can my child bring toys from home to Carpenter's Kids?
Other than Show and Tell items in the Frog classes, please do not send toys from home. We cannot be responsible for toys that are broken or lost.
11. If I would like to volunteer to help with the program, what should I do?
We can always use extra volunteers who are willing to help as substitute teachers or in preparing teaching materials. Please contact the director if you are interested.
12. If I have other questions or concerns, how do I contact you?
Any time you have questions or need information, please feel free to call the director, Ruth Simpson, at 305-4428; or, you can email her at carpenterskids2005@yahoo.com. If you need to contact her during Carpenter’s Kids hours, you may call the church office at 268-7156 and ask to speak to her. If no one is in the Carpenter’s Kids office when you call, please leave a message on the voice mail and she will call you back.