Q. What does “parent-run preschool” mean?
A. Pomme d'Api is a non-profit, parent-run preschool. Each family is required to contribute an average of 2-4 volunteer hours per month or 20-40 across the year. Volunteer roles are assigned prior to school start each year and span practical, administrative, and liaison duties. Parents’ volunteer efforts enable the school to operate on a daily basis and to keep our tuition fees as low as possible while fostering a sense of community within the school. We entrust our teachers to teach our children and let them use their expertise to do so, and the parent community runs the rest of the school. This way the teachers’ main focus is always on our children.
Q. What qualifications do the teachers have?
A. Our teachers are licensed Early Childhood Educators or Early Childhood Educator Assistants and hold current First Aid and CPR certificates. The teachers continually engage in professional development and receive specific training on dealing with any health issues such as allergies that may be present in our student group. They have worked professionally with children in a number of settings.
Q. At what age can my child start preschool?
Your child can enter preschool when they are 30 months but they must turn 3 years old (36 months) by December 31 of the same year. This means children must be 32 months of age as of September in the school year in which they begin attending Pomme d’Api.
Q. How long is the wait list?
A. Our wait list varies from year to year. Sometimes there is no wait list. Sometimes there is a wait list, but spaces become available throughout the year. We encourage all interested families to contact us at any time for information about the registration process and the wait list at at registrar@pommedapi.org.
Q. Does the school serve snacks?
A. No, the school does not provide the children with snacks. There is a snack time each day, and each family is responsible for packing a healthy snack for their child. On special occasions the class will have potlucks, where each child is encouraged to contribute to a shared snack. Pomme d'Api is a nut- and allergy-aware preschool. We ask that no nuts be brought into the preschool. At the start of the school year, families are provided with a list of foods that are prohibited at Pomme d’Api due to allergies among the current student body.
Q. Is there anything other than a snack that I should send with my child?
A. Every child needs a pair of indoor shoes as well as a spare set of clothing. Even though children are toilet-trained, they are asked to have a spare set of underwear as accidents are not uncommon, especially in the first couple of months with the excitement of a new school and routine. Each child should also have a water bottle. Parents can also send markers, pencil crayons, scissors, and a glue stick if they would prefer their child to have a personal set of supplies.
Q. Is there playground and outdoor time?
A. Yes. Pomme d’Api has a wonderful fenced space outside of the classroom. Children are asked to be prepared to go outside each day. You will often see the children running and having fun outdoors. There are many toys and activities for all the children to partake in while on our playground.
Q. Are there field trips?
A. Yes, there are field trips and in-school events that are spearheaded by the teachers and organized by the parents. Trips and events change from year to year. In the past, children and their parents have visited the Pumpkin Patch, Maplewood Farm, the Maritime Museum, a scavenger hunt and picnic at Trout Lake, the Vancouver Art Gallery, and a local fire station. At the school they have engaged with capoeira lessons, powwow dance, Mike’s Critters, and an African drum ensemble.
Q. Are there professional development days?
A. The preschool generally does not close for professional days like elementary schools do. Our teachers are encouraged to participate in many professional development activities, as we believe it is important for them to stay as current as possible with early childhood research and activities. Professional development activities occur after school hours.
Q. How long and when are the winter and spring breaks?
A. Pomme d’Api follows the Vancouver School Board's holiday schedule.
Q. How are statutory holidays handled?
A. The school is closed on all statutory holidays.
Q. How do parents communicate questions and concerns?
A. Parents are encouraged to discuss issues with the teachers or any of the board members. They can send an email to arrange to meet for a consultation. Parents may also present issues in writing or as guest speakers at monthly board meetings.
Q. How does the school communicate with the parents?
A. The preschool sends out a monthly calendar and newsletter by email to keep parents appraised of what is happening. The Board and parent volunteers also send out communications as needed.
Q. Is there gradual entry for new students?
A. Yes, there is a gradual entry. This transition helps the children immensely in getting used to their new preschool (or getting back into the school routine) as well as adjusting to their peers. The full schedule will be sent to each family with the times and dates that are specific to your child .
Q. Are there books or CDs I can buy to introduce French at home?
A. Yes, we have a song book and CD created by a former Pomme d’Api teacher. This book includes many of the songs and vocabulary used each season within the school. We also have an excellent bilingual game that reinforces French vocabulary in a fun and interactive way. Please contact the teachers to purchase.
Q. What if my child is not fully toilet-trained before starting preschool in September?
A. Your child needs to be toilet-trained. The teachers do not change diapers. However, accidents happen, and the teachers will help a child change if necessary. Some children wear pull-ups as backup protection for the first few weeks of school.
