ECEAP Family Information

We love our ECEAP (Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program)!

ECEAP is a state-funded, free preschool designed to provide a comprehensive early childhood program for preschool children and their families. We are proud to be part of The Snohomish School District and follow their policies and procedures (sno.wednet.edu) in addition to age-specific laws and guidance for young children through The Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) & Snohomish County’s Health and Human Services Division.

Our program provides a nurturing environment to increase your preschooler’s self-confidence and independence and to encourage responsibility in your child.  We offer educational experiences designed to help the children develop skills in the following areas:

• Social
• Emotional
• Problem-solving
• Gross/fine motor skills
• Cognitive
• Decision-making
• Creative thinking

Classroom curriculum is planned to create a learning environment that encourages reading, writing and math readiness skills through classroom work areas. Children can move at their own pace, learn to make age-appropriate choices and experience success as they use a wide variety of play materials.

Snohomish ECEAP Preschool offers nutritional and health services for your preschooler.  We offer meals and nutritious snacks daily and provide a variety of health screenings.

As a family centered program, Snohomish ECEAP Preschool provides a variety of opportunities for parent involvement as well as parent education.  Community resources and referral information are also available to assist you and your family.

The Snohomish School District ECEAP Preschool provides equitable growth and development opportunities to promote a successful future, starting with preparation for a smooth transition to kindergarten and comprehensive family support.  We are pledged to work as partners with families to meet each child’s developmental needs and to empower caretakers to advocate effectively for themselves and their children through active participation in federal, state, community, and school organizations.

We are committed to:

• Supporting positive learning environments that are equitable and developmentally appropriate.
• Offering a continuum of service options for families within their local communities.
• Developing caring relationships with families and caregivers respecting individual family cultures.
• Providing developmental information and support for all children through screenings and assessment.
• Upgrading each staff member’s skills and the program’s quality through staff development and teamwork.

Snohomish ECEAP at Central Primary Center- 221 Union Avenue- Snohomish, WA 98290

AM Class Schedule (117 days)
Monday- Thursday 9 a.m.- noon

PM Class Schedule (117 days)
Monday- Thursday 1-4 p.m.

Full Day Schedule (133 days)
Monday- Thursday 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Bathrooms are for students only. Adults may use the staff bathrooms located in the main office area.

Snohomish ECEAP Preschool abides by the Washington State Mandate Law which states that staff members must report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to Child Protective Services. All adults involved in ECEAP (including families) must be made aware of this policy and sign their acknowledgement at orientation.

To participate fully in preschool activities, it is important that your child is dressed ready for play! We go outside every day so please send a warm coat or sweatshirt.  Clothing and shoes should be suitable for running, jumping, climbing, painting, gluing, etc.

Clothes that help a child feel independent:

• Rugged clothing to protect a child from the cold and scratches
• Velcro fasteners on shoes
• Large zippers
• Large buttons
• Elastic waistbands on pants/skirts

Clothes that hinder a child’s independence:

• Patent leather shoes (slippery shoes)
• Party dresses
• Coats with broken zippers
• Tiny or hard to fasten buttons
• Belts or suspenders
• Overalls
• Sandals and flip flops

Please speak with your Family Support Specialist or Teacher if you need assistance getting clothing for your child.

We communicate with our families in several ways:

• Verbal reminders in person/phone calls/texts
• ParentSquare
• Automated phone notice through ParentSquare
• Facebook Reminders: Snohomish ECEAP www.facebook.com/SnohomishECEAP
• “Tuesday” folders-(paperwork, flyers, newsletters are collected all week and sent home on Tuesdays)

Teachers will meet with parents three times during the school year. These are good times to talk about your child’s successes and challenges at preschool and home. At the first visit teachers work with parents to set academic and social/emotional goals for each child. At subsequent visits, these goals are reviewed, and new ones are set as needed.

The Snohomish School District Complaint Policy is posted in the ECEAP office. The NSLP non-discrimination posters are posted anywhere that food is served. Community members can follow the steps on both documents to file complaints with Snohomish School District, Snohomish County ECEAP and OSPI. All documents encourage community members to first contact the ECEAP Program Manager who is also trained yearly to assist in documentation and moving through complaint procedures.

All records of children and families in Snohomish ECEAP are respected as confidential records.  This information can only be shared when we have a signed permission form from the parent/guardian of the child, stating that the information can be released (includes photo release). Parents may have access to their child and family records as requested. We ask that you physically bring in records or documents with identifying items (names, birth days) or have them faxed or shared over encrypted email.  We will not share your identifying information over unencrypted email.  

We follow the Creative Curriculum philosophy which believes that children learn through their play. We call this Active Learning.

• To explore actively with all the senses.
• To discover relations through direct experience.
• To manipulate, transform and combine materials.
• To choose materials, activities, and purpose.
• To acquire fine motor skills with tools and equipment.
• To develop large muscle skills.
• Care for one’s own needs.
• To practice decision making and exercise problem solving skills.

In a well-planned classroom, children choose their own activities from work centers such as:

• Art                              
• Woodworking
• Blocks                        
• Library/Writing
• Music                         
• Science/Sensory
• Drama                        
• Sand/Water play
• Table toys- (games, small manipulatives)

ECEAP does not allow suspension or expulsion due to challenging behaviors.

For many children, it can be challenging to learn self-control and acceptable social behavior.  We use a positive guidance approach to assist children in learning the skills they need to get along with others, meet their wants and needs, and be successful in a classroom community. This area of learning is just as important as learning academic skills.

We provide children with experiences and opportunities to practice these skills by carefully planning our classroom environments and by following the three steps listed below when the children misbehave or have conflicts.

1. Adults help children express feelings, wants and needs by using words. Adults may give the child the words to express themselves if necessary.
2. Adults tell children the specific behaviors that are acceptable and unacceptable.
3. Adults redirect the child to a different activity or a more appropriate situation.

We believe that at no time is it appropriate to spank, strike, shake or otherwise use physical force or use words that cause humiliation to discipline a child. All ECEAP Staff and Volunteers are trained yearly on appropriate conduct and ECEAP PAO-27:

Our ECEAP Child guidance policy prohibits any person on the premises from using:

• Corporal punishment, including any means of inflicting physical pain or causing bodily harm to the child.
• Holding, grabbing or moving the child in an aggressive manner to cause them to comply.
• Verbal abuse, such as yelling, shouting, name calling, shaming, making derogatory remarks about a child or the child's family or using language that threatens, humiliates or frightens a child.
• Using or withholding food or liquids as punishment or reward.
• Child guidance policy must prohibit any person on the premises from the use of a physical restraint method injurious to the child or any closed locked time-out room.

The goal is to try to re-involve the child in the group as soon as possible to experience success in using appropriate behavior.

Snohomish ECEAP Preschool will follow the emergency procedures of Central Primary Center, where we are located.  Emergency procedures will be practiced regularly during class.

Fire

Children and staff exit through the classroom door. Go outdoors, down ramps, towards the back corner of playground with the supervision of ECEAP staff and classroom volunteers. We gather at ECEAP Classroom signs on the play field.

Alternate escape route is to go out of a classroom window and follow the same route.

Earthquake

During the shaking, children inside the building should get under tables. Children outside of the building should move away from the buildings.  After the shaking stops, we will follow the fire drill procedures.  Children will remain outside until the Snohomish ECEAP Staff determine whether it is safe to return inside the building.

Lockdown/Shelter in Place

For student and staff safety against unwanted intruders, regular lock down drills will be practiced.

To ensure the safety of all children we will close the preschool on days in which heavy snow or hazardous road conditions exist.  The Snohomish School District announces closure or changes in starting times on the major radio and television stations.

Contact will also be made by phone and/or e-mail through Parentsquare. Information is posted on the district website: www.sno.wednet.edu and on the district’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/snohomishschooldistrict.

If there is a late start or a school closure day in the district, all AM and PM ECEAP classes will be cancelled, and FULL DAY will attend at the same time as the K-12 students. Any missed days will be made up at the end of the year. If you do not hear Snohomish School District mentioned on the stations, you may assume that the Snohomish schools will be operating on schedule.

ECEAP Families are involved in the placement of their children in their ECEAP classroom. All Families can work with Family Support to determine if a half day or full day class is the best fit for their child.

All children are enrolled in priority order according to ECEAP Performance Standards using DCYF’s Early Learning Management software (ELMS)

Throughout the school year, the preschool family service specialists will formally meet with families three times. These visits provide a link between home and school.  These are casual visits that encourage communication between staff and parents.  Family goals are set, ideas for supporting your child’s learning at home are shared, and resource information is always available from the family service specialist.

Various field trips may be planned later in the school year.  These are intended to give children firsthand experiences outside the classroom to reinforce and expand learning.  Parents will be given advanced notice of these trips, and a signed permission form will be needed for your child to participate. Please note that these field trips are designed for you to enjoy with your ECEAP student. Other arrangements should be made for the care of siblings. Adults who accompany students on field trips must have completed the District Volunteer procedure at least two weeks before.

Staff will wash hands:

• After toileting & upon entering the classroom
• After coming into contact with body fluids
• Before food preparation
• After assisting students in the restroom or with diapering

Children will be directed or assisted to wash hands:

• At arrival to school
• After toileting
• Before meals or cooking activities
• After outside play
• After contact with body fluids
• Limited hand sanitizer may be used with teacher supervision if parents sign a release allowing for its use

"Keep your wits, not your nits"

If your child has head lice and nits (louse eggs):

• Buy a lice treatment that kills both lice and nits.  If you receive medical coupons, ask your doctor to prescribe lice treatment and your medical coupons will cover the cost of the treatment.
• Apply shampoo or crème rinse to the entire scalp.  Follow the directions exactly.  One treatment may not kill all the nits and a second treatment may be needed one week later.
• After rinsing, comb hair with a fine toothed comb to remove all nits.
• Wash all clothing, bedding and linens in hot water (at least 130°F) for 20 minutes and dry in a hot dryer or press with an iron.  Items that cannot be washed may be dry cleaned or set aside in tied plastic bag for 30-35 days (the life cycle of the louse).
• Do not allow other people to use the same comb, hat, coat or towels.
• Hang coats on separate hooks or hangers.
• Inspect all family members daily for at least 2 weeks and treat anyone who is infested.
• Vacuum all rugs, mattresses and upholstered furniture used by the infected child.  Mattresses may also be turned over.  Discard and replace the vacuum cleaner bag.
• Don’t forget to vacuum the inside of your car!

Notify your preschool/childcare if your child or other family members have lice.   Do not allow the child to return to preschool/childcare until he/she has been treated with medication. 

One of the objectives of Snohomish ECEAP Preschool is to ensure that all preschoolers are physically healthy.  In addition to completing physical and dental exams there are opportunities for the children to learn about preventative health and dental practices as well.

In order to honor the family culture of each student, we ask that birthdays are celebrated at home with family. It is not necessary to bring treats to school for birthdays or at any time, but if the child wants to bring a special treat to preschool, we ask that the child bring nutritious snacks such as:

• Fruit                        
• Cheese and crackers
• Low sugar snacks such as granola bars, small muffins, 100% fruit juice boxes, fruit juice popsicles                    
• Or stickers, bubbles, pencils, dollar store treats

If you wish to bring treats, please discuss this with your child’s teacher ahead of time.

**It is Snohomish School District policy to accept only commercially produced food for sharing at school parties or events.  Any food items must arrive at our school in its original store wrapping.  This will help us ensure that all of our students are as safe as possible as they enjoy shared foods.  We encourage children and parents who want to share homemade items with classmates to create cards or other arts and crafts items.

Our classroom curriculum focuses on seasons rather than specific holidays.  Please see Program Manager, for specifics about ECEAP Performance Standards or if you have a special tradition you would like to share with your child’s class or Parent Groups.

Minor Injuries

Staff trained in first aid and CPR will take appropriate steps in administering first aid and refer to the District First Aid Guide.  Parents will be informed of an injury/illness that occurred with their child while at school.  Entry is made in the Accident, Illness and Medication logbook.

Major Injury

Detailed emergency procedures are posted.  First aid is provided, and the parents/guardians are contacted.  In major life-threatening emergencies we will call 911 for assistance.  If the parent cannot be reached, the staff will call the emergency back-up person listed in the child’s file.  If the child needs to be transported to a hospital an ECEAP staff member will accompany the child.

If your child is taking medication regularly, please include this information on the enrollment forms.

The preschool staff can only give medicine prescribed by a physician.  If your child must take medicine while at school, it must be brought in the original container with the doctor’s directions noted.  You will be asked to have your doctor complete an “Authorization for Medication” form. Please ask your family service worker for this form.

The prescription drugs will be stored in a locked cabinet along with the authorization form.  A daily record of the medication administered will be logged in the Accident, Illness, and Medication Logbook.

The Snohomish ECEAP Preschool will meet the nutritional requirements set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Food and Nutrition Program regarding meals.  We are an equal opportunity provider.

Meals are served “Family Style” at the preschool.  Children serve themselves, help each other and assist in cleaning up their tables which encourages independence, manners, and responsibility.

The Central Primary Center kitchen will prepare meals each day for the Snohomish ECEAP Preschool.  Each food service worker and ECEAP staff have Food Handler Permits and will also meet all sanitation requirements.

Families will receive a copy of the menu each month in Tuesday folders. We invite your suggestions for menu ideas. 

All Snohomish School District ECEAP Staff are required to be trained in non-discrimination policies yearly. All ECEAP and Food Service staff must train yearly in anti-discrimination policies related to Food Service as part of the National School Lunch Program. These trainings are done online and documented by both the School District and ECEAP Annual Learning Plans

Snohomish School District Statement:   Non-Discrimination Statement

The Snohomish School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination, and all are located at 1601 Avenue D, Snohomish, WA 98290: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator – Darryl Pernat, 360-563-7285, darryl.pernat@sno.wednet.edu; shantel.strandt@sno.wednet.edu; Student ADA and Section 504 Coordinator - Wendy McCulloch, 360-563-7308, wendy.mcculloch@sno.wednet.edu; Applicant and Employee ADA Coordinator – Shantel Strandt, 360-563-7229; and Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Coordinator – Jennifer Harlan, 360-563-7375, jennifer.harlan@sno.wednet.edu.

In addition to Snohomish School District policies, Snohomish ECEAP does not discriminate based upon health, family configuration, sexual orientation, gender expression, culture, veteran status, stages of child development including toilet learning or public assistance recipient status.

Should a member of our community feel discriminated against, they are encouraged to contact our ECEAP Program Manager who will assist them in documenting their complaint and moving through both the Snohomish School District and Snohomish County ECEAP Complaint Procedures (see section: Complaint Procedures)

Parent Advisory Committee, Nutrition Advisory Committee, and Parent Equity Group

Parents are invited to be involved on the Parent Advisory Committee which meets monthly.

As a family-centered program, Snohomish ECEAP Preschool believes parents are their children’s primary teachers.  To achieve the best results from early childhood education it is important that parents play an active role in their children’s educational process.

Some areas of involvement include:

• Goal setting
• Parent Advisory Committees
• Parent Education nights
• Family Events
• Take home projects
• Office help
• Classroom volunteer
• Field trip chaperone
• Advocating in Olympia and leadership opportunities

A Classroom Volunteer

• Listens to the children and shows genuine interest.
• Speaks to the children at eye level by kneeling or sitting beside the child.
• Reads books to the children.
• Assists the children when needed with:  zipping coats, tying shoes, cleaning up after meals.
• Allows the children plenty of time to perform, clean up and to change his/her activity.
• Gives positive directions: “Thank you John, for helping pick up the blocks.”
• Respects the children’s growing desire for independence, helping them when needed, and allowing the children the challenge of trying things on their own.
• There are ways to volunteer in the program without being in the classroom: office help, project prep at home, setting up family nights, etc. Please contact the office if you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities
• Volunteers must do the Snohomish School District volunteer application process and may have to do DCYF’s portable background check procedure.

In the event of a concern with ECEAP services or Snohomish School District, please first contact the Program Manager. We have an established complaint procedure through both Snohomish County ECEAP and Snohomish School District.

The parking lot is for staff use only except for the two Handicap Accessible spots. These are available for use if you have an Accessible Parking Permit. Parking in the marked pull-through zone and the crosswalk areas is not permitted. Please plan to arrive at a time that allows you to find street parking.

The county ECEAP program has a Policy and Advisory Council that meets in Everett, the first Tuesday of each month, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM, from October through May, via Zoom. Parents from all the ECEAP programs in Snohomish County attend these meetings in Everett. Parents in our program will vote on representatives for our program.

If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact the ECEAP office. We look forward to working together.

What is SafeVisitor Solutions?

SafeVisitor Solutions is a visitor and volunteer management system developed specifically for K-12 schools and also used by districts in our surrounding area. This system is designed to strengthen safety and security in our schools.

Adults are welcome to visit our schools to promote communication and mutual understanding about student progress and the district's educational programs. Community members are also encouraged to visit.

• The system will check visitors and volunteers against the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR).
• The system will NOT check driving or other criminal records.
• The system will NOT check for legal residency within the United States.

What to expect

First time visitors will scan their Washington state driver’s license in the office before entering the building and will have their photo taken in the Central office. After this, please have your approved SafeVisitor badge, or government issued ID with you each time you visit campus. For ECEAP, this means at:

• Drop-off time and early pick-up
• Meetings
• Conferences
• Volunteering

What if I do not have a driver’s license?

Please check with the school office staff. Other forms of identification may be accepted. While safety is of the utmost priority, we want our schools to be welcoming and accommodating to all families.

Information about SafeVisitor

District safety information

The Snohomish ECEAP Preschool makes an effort to identify the individual needs of your child.  During the year your child will receive a variety of health screenings including developmental, hearing, vision, and dental.  You will be notified in writing of the screening results when all screenings are completed.

If concerns about your child’s development arise, your child’s teacher will contact you to explain the concern and, if necessary, further testing will be arranged and referrals given.

We ask that children do not bring personal possessions including candy, gum, toy guns, money, little toys, balloons. 

We cannot be responsible for lost items.  We do encourage children to “show and tell” their projects that are completed during our work time activity.  This enhances verbal skills and encourages children to take pride in their work and build their self-esteem.

Snohomish School District- Is your student too sick for school?

Health and Illness information