Program Information
Curriculum
At Smart Start Academy we follow the Reggio Emilia Approach to education. The
Reggio Emilia Approach is based on the following concepts:
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Children must have some control over the direction of their learning;
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Children must be able to learn through experiences of touching, moving,
listening, seeing, and hearing;
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Children have a relationship with other children and with material items in
the world that children must be allowed to explore and;
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Children must have endless ways and opportunities to express themselves.
We believe that each child posses the ability to actively investigate the world that
surrounds them. We acknowledge and respect that children have the right to ask
questions, express their ideas and interest in the classroom. At Smart Start
Academy, children are encouraged to explore their environment and opportunities
are given for them to express themselves.
Our early childhood teachers seize every opportunity to promote cognitive
development by creating a learning environment that encourages our students to
ask questions, express ideas and explore their surroundings.
Our environment and programs are carefully planned to meet the needs of each
child. We encourage each child to develop their abilities by providing
developmentally appropriate activities that will advance their cognitive, physical
and emotional development. The curriculum is flexible and recognizes the
importance of each child as a unique personality, developing at its own pace.
However, there is a regular, constant sequence of daily activities and arrangement of
materials and equipment.
Representational Development/ Seven Multiple Intelligences Theory
The Reggio Emilia approach calls for the integration of the graphic arts as tools for
cognitive, linguistic and social development, which is consistent with Howard
Gardner's notion of schooling for multiple intelligences. Presentation of concepts
and hypotheses in multiple forms of representation such as print, art, construction,
drama, music, puppetry, and shadow play, are viewed as essential to children's
understanding of experience.
At Smart Start Academy we believe that no one set of teaching strategies will work best
for all students at all times. Therefore, we follow the seven multiple intelligences
theory.
 Linguistic – verbal/think in words;
 Logical/Mathematical- reasoning;
 Spatial – images/pictures;
 Kinesthetic – somatic sensation;
 Musical – rhythms and melodies;
 Interpersonal- bouncing ideas off other people/cooperative groups;
 Intrapersonal – deeply within themselves.
Registration Policy
The Student Registration Forms must be filled out completely in order to validate
your child’s enrollment. Your child’s enrollment will be secured upon receipt of the
completed forms and a non-refundable registration fee of $100.00, which must be
paid by certified check or cash.
Payments
A one-month security placement payment is required upon registration and
credited to your account for your child’s last month of the academic school year
(June).
Withdrawal
S.S.A requires a full academic school year commitment. If it is not met, security
placement (deposit) is forfeited. Deposit is not refundable and will only be applied
to the last month of the academic school year.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Half-Day Session:
Morning:
Drop Off: Parents may drop off their children starting at 8:30am. Please sign in your
child at the front desk.
Pick Up: Pick up time is from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please sign your child out at
the front desk.
Afternoon:
Drop Off: Parents may drop off their children at 2:30 p.m. Please sign in your child at
the front desk.
Pick Up: Pick up time is from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. If you will be late for pick up,
you must notify the school. Please sign out your child at the front desk.
Academic Session:
Drop Off: Parents may drop off their children at any time between 8:15- 8:30 a.m.
Please sign in your child at the front desk.
Pick Up: Pick up time is from 3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. If you will be late for pick up, you
must notify the school. Please sign out your child at the front desk.
Full Day Session:
Drop Off: Parents may drop off their children at any time between 7:30 a.m. - 8:30
a.m. Please sign in your child at the front desk.
Pick Up: Pick up time is from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. If you will be late for pick up, you
must notify the school. Please sign out your child at the front desk.
After School Sessions:
Drop Off: Parents may drop off their child at any time after 3:30 p.m. Please sign in
your child at the front desk.
Pick Up: Pick up time is from 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. If you will be late for pick up you
must notify the school. Please sign out your child at the front desk.
Additional charges may apply.
We must have the name and picture of anyone allowed to pick up a child, and
this person has to show legal identification. (Maximum two people per
student)
Holidays
We have 15 Legal Holidays during the School Year, which usually coincides with
the Public School Calendars. Please check the calendar that will be given to you at
the time of Registration and according to the program that your child attends. We
also have 3 Professional Days in which the teachers are expected to attend
workshops and the school will be closed.
School Closings
If the Public School in Jersey City is closed due to inclement weather, we will also be
closed. Please listen to the radio for details.
ALL TUITION IS EXPECTED TO BE PAID IN FULL (EVEN DURING
HOLIDAYS/WORKSHOPS OR INCLEMENT WEATHER)
Food at School
Lunch: Students are required to bring their own lunch. We encourage parents to
send food that is nutritious. No junk food or sodas are permitted at lunchtime.
Please remember: There are students at our school with severe food allergies,
which is why nuts and nut products are not allowed at school.
Snack: For an additional fee, we will provide the children with breakfast and two
nutritious snacks per day. These snacks include oatmeal, whole grain cereal, fruits,
vegetables, yogurt and cheese. If your child has food allergies notify the teacher
and please provide your own snack.
Birthdays and Special Celebrations
Our school shares your desire to make your child’s day special; however, birthday
celebrations can be over stimulating and we ask that some limitations be observed.
Parents may provide cupcakes and juice for snacks and may order pizza for the class
that day. No favors or bags will be allowed, unless you wish to buy each child in the
class a book or a coloring book. (Many ties we get small items that can be dangerous
for children.) NO CANDY.
All celebrations must be limited to the times allowed by the classroom teacher and
only the parents, grandparents and siblings of the child will be allowed to come in.
Parent/Staff Conferences
We will schedule 4 conferences during the school year. Please try attending these
meetings. It is very important for you to speak with your child’s teacher regarding
your child’s progress throughout the school year.
Health Forms
Every child must have a health form completed and signed by a physician and kept
on file in the center. We must also have a copy of all the up to date vaccinations
given to the child.
Sick Policy
When a child is dismissed from school because of a contagious illness, a doctor’s
written permission is required for your child to return to school. If medication is to
be administered, an authorization form will have to be completed by the parent. We
will not dispense Tylenol or Vitamins. There are many reasons why a child may be
sent home from school and they are listed in our General Health Policy for
Children Sheet.
Returned Check Fees
There will be a $35.00 Service Fee applied to all checks returned to us by the bank
as Non Payable. After the first returned check you will be asked to pay in Cash and
we will be happy to give you a receipt.
School Safety
The safety of all children at our school is our primary focus and we do everything in
our power to ensure that we provide a hazard free environment. In order to do so,
we have established the following policies:
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Always have an adequate number of adults to supervise every group of
children, whether in the classroom or at the playground. No child is ever
left alone without supervision.
Every classroom and playground area is inspected regularly to eliminate
or correct any equipment or situation that may cause injury to the
children.
When a child is involved in an accident requiring medical intervention,
the parent or guardian will be notified promptly. If the parent is unable to
come to the center to transport the child, a staff member will accompany
the child to the medical facility indicated on the child’s information form.
If help is needed immediately, the nearest response team will be called.
An incident report form will be filled out by the attending teacher and the
director. One copy will be placed in the child’s file and the other given to
the parent. The director and staff will review the incident and determine
whether some preventive actions need to be taken.
Reasons For Dismissal
Our school is committed to the well being of each and every child, order to provide a
safe, loving and stimulating environment, we expect a certain degree of cooperation
from each child and parent. At SSA, we use a positive approach to discipline our
students. We focus on solutions rather than punishment. By providing opportunities
to help the child and using effective communication, we believe that any issue is
solvable.
Causes for Expulsion
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Child is at risk of causing serious injury or other children or
himself/herself
Parent threatens physical or intimidating actions toward staff members
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Parent exhibits verbal abuse to staff in front of enrolled children
Parental Actions for Child’s Expulsion
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Failure to pay or habitual lateness payments
Failure to complete required forms including the child’s immunization
records
Habitual tardiness when picking up your child
Verbal abuse to staff
Child’s Actions for Expulsion
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Uncontrollable tantrums/angry outbursts
Ongoing physical or verbal abuse to staff or other children
Excessive biting
Smart Start Academy
462 Central Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07307
(201) 461-6161
General Health Policy
If a child is sent home with a communicable disease, he/she can only return with a
note from their physician. This note has to state that the child is no longer
contagious and may be safely involved in-group activities.
If a child displays any of the symptoms listed below, he/she will be isolated from the
other children and the parents will be contacted.
YOU MUST PICK UP YOUR CHILD WITHIN ONE HOUR OF THE CALL
ALL TELEPHONES MUST BE UPDATED MONTHLY.
Symptoms of special concern are:
Diarrhea
Severe Coughing
Difficult or Irregular breathing
Yellowish skin or eyes
Pick eye (eye does not necessarily have to be pink but may be discharging mucus.)
Sore throat
Unusual Spots or Rashes
Vomiting
Severe itching of body or scalp (lice/insect bites)
Fever of 100 degrees
Extreme or Unusual Behavior
Crying (More than ½ hour) Kicking and Throwing Objects, which presents a danger
to another child or to a teacher.
Biting or Hitting will not be allowed and the child will be immediately removed from
the class.
Smart Start Academy
462 Central Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07307
(201) 461-6161
Allergies Disclosure Form
If my child has any known allergy to any food or medicine, I give permission to
Smart Start Academy to disclose it and place a warning paper in the kitchen to
prevent anyone from feeding the child that particular food.
Dated: ___________________
Signed: ______________________________________
Smart Start Academy
462 Central Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07307
(201) 461-6161
Picture Taking Permission Form
I give permission to Smart Start Academy to take pictures or videos of my child
____________________________ while in school or while engaging in school activities.
Dated: ___________________
Signed: ______________________________________
Smart Start Academy
462 Central Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07307
(201) 461-6161
Walking Field Taking Permission Form
I give permission to my child ______________________________________ to attend field trips
to the park and to participate in fire drills that will take him/her out of the building.
Two adults will supervise the children during the entire time.
Dated: ___________________
Signed: ______________________________________
Smart Start Academy
462 Central Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07307
(201) 461-6161
Safety Shoes Acknowledgement Form
I understand that for the safety of my child _____________________________________, he or
she is not allowed to wear sandals or open shoes to the school. A child must wear
sneakers or rubber shoes at all times.
Dated: ___________________
Signed: ______________________________________