Frequently Asked Questions
How do I enroll my child?
We welcome you to become a member of the Bethlehem Preschool family. Please call 518-463-8091 or e-mail us to schedule an appointment . We invite you to experience first-hand the warm and welcoming environment we offer our children and families. We also have a list of references from satisfied parents from our community.
Upon enrollment, a contract will be signed stating the registration fee, the tuition deposit and the weekly tuition fee. Other paperwork includes the physical form, the blue registration card, the USDA enrollment form, and the family questionnaire.
Specific information on tuition requirements, vacation/sick day credit, overtime charges and withdrawal information may be found in our parent handbook.
When should I keep my child home from BPS?
Children at Preschool will be excluded for the following:
- Any illness, or the child’s reaction to it requiring more care than the staff can provide, or an illness that compromises the health and safety of others.
- Significant fever, as defined as axillary (armpit) temperature of over 100°. The child must be fever free without use of medication for 24 hours before returning to Preschool.
- Persistent diarrhea or liquid stool (two or more bouts in the past 24 hours). The child must be free from diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to Preschool.
- Any vomiting accompanied by other signs of illness or dehydration, or vomiting two or more times in the past 24 hours. The child must be free from vomiting for 24 hours before returning to Preschool.
- Undiagnosed rashes.
Children at Preschool will also be excluded until a medical evaluation allows inclusion for the following:
- lethargy
- uncontrolled coughing
- persistent abdominal pain
- discolored urine
- refusal to eat or drink
- irritability
- persistent crying
- difficulty breathing
- wheezing
- green nasal discharge for more than 10 days
- eye discharge or extreme redness
If a child is prescribed an antibiotic for a contagious disease or infection, including, but not limited to, conjunctivitis or strep throat, the child must remain out of Preschool for 24 hours after the first dose of medication.
How do I make a tuition payment?
Tuition is due weekly on Thursday. If paying by check, please place the payment in the payment slot on the front desk. If paying by cash please give the cash to any staff member, who will write you a receipt. Please do not put cash in the slot at the desk. We also allow credit/debit payments on-line through Brightwheel.
How do I know how much I owe?
We do not print weekly bills. You should pay your contracted tuition rate each week. If your child is sick or on vacation, you may receive a tuition credit as stated in your contract. In addition, you may receive a charge for occasional field trips or in-school visitors. Account statements are emailed to families each Sunday, and are also available through their Brightwheel account.
What are your hours of operations?
The child care center is open from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 52 weeks per year, with the exception of certain holidays or scheduled staff training days.
Every effort is made to keep the early childhood education center open. Should we be forced to close due to severe winter weather or another emergency, the closing will be announced on timesunion.com.
What should I bring each day for my child?
Everything that you bring into Preschool must be labeled with your child”s name. Please see the parent handbook for specifics for your child’s age group. Please do not bring in toys from home unless the teachers have asked for special items for projects or a pre-arranged show-and-tell.
How do I contact a director?
We welcome your input into our program. Please feel free to stop into the office anytime between 8:30AM and 5:30 PM. We are happy to speak to you over the phone as well. You may leave us messages at the front desk, and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Let us know if there is anything we can do to ease your transition into the program.
When is BPS closed?
Bethlehem Preschool is closed for 10 holidays during the year: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving and the Friday following Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. In addition, the Preschool closes at 12:45 PM for staff training on two days during the year.
The dates for these staff training days are announced in September. A school calendar is available here.