Being the
Parent of the Day

Responsibilities

Before class:

Ask if the easel or water table will be used.Fill with water, put newspaper underneath.

Check with the teacher for the activity of the day.

Fill the dishpan (3/4 full) on the floor in front of the classroom for the children to wash their hands.

Check paper towel, toilet paper and soap dispensers. Refill if necessary.

Check to make sure garbage has been emptied.

Fill juice pitchers for snack time.

Help greet children and assist with coats if needed. 


During class:

Lock the school building.Assist the teacher with activities.

Children will set up snack, and you may help serve.

Fill book bags with papers from the plastic bin labeled for your child’s class (during snack time).

Participate in circle time.

Help children with zippers, coats, hats, mittens, boots, etc.

Accompany children outside for recess. Bring toys outside.

Help children remain within proper behavior limits. If any situation is uncomfortable for you, please refer to the teacher.

Be calm, consistent, and child-oriented. Enjoy the children. 


After class:

Put away all toys and supplies. Wash out paint brushes, put away easel or water table.

Wash all tables. Leave chairs down but clean underneath them.

Vacuum and sweep all floors and carpets.

Check soap, paper towel and toilet paper dispensers. Refill if needed.

Wash toilets and floors around toilets. Use paper towels.

Wash sinks in both bathrooms.

Wipe doorknobs and handles in bathroom stalls.

Clean juice and water pitchers.

Check kitchen for cleanup.

Refill cleaning spray bottles.

Empty all trash cans and replace liners. Trash cans are outside by back entrance. Tuesday only: put recycling out on the sidewalk by the back door.

T/Th AM class set up tables with art activities for PM class.


Tips 

Dads are a welcome addition to the classroom.

Please arrive one half hour prior to the start of class. There is much to do to prepare the classroom for the day’s events. Please consult the list for a more detailed outline of duties.

Please provide a nutritious snack, with milk or fruit juice as a beverage.

A list of allergies will be posted by the first week of school. Please consult it when planning snacks.

Please plan on staying forty-five minutes after class ends in order to complete clean-up duties. Please bring a snack or lunch for your child – it’s hard to wait when you’re hungry.

Set up and clean up snack with the help of your child.

Assist teacher with preparations and implementation of the day’s activities.

Sit with the children in the assigned area, and guide the children through their activity.

Take an active role with the children.

Help children remain within proper behavior limits. No child is allowed to do anything to endanger his well being or that of another child. This includes emotional as well as physical behavior. The following steps should be employed when a child needs help in remembering limits:
     1.  Removal of the child from the area, clear explanation,
          return to the activity.
     2.  Removal, explanation, distraction to an alternate activity.
     3.  Removal, explanation, time out for a short length of time.

In all cases, be low-key, concise, consistent, calm, and child-oriented.

Try to provide the child with a choice, and the opportunity to see the logical consequences of his/her actions.

If any situation is uncomfortable for you to deal with, please defer to the teacher.

At all times, please respect and recognize the individual differences in each child.

Participate in circle times, sitting with the children. Encourage singing and participation.

Help children with their outer clothing and belongings, but always encourage self-help skills, even if it takes a little longer.

Please ask the teacher if anything is unclear about your responsibilities.

Have fun and enjoy the children.

Please note that the teacher is free before and after classroom hours to discuss any matter that is of concern to you as a parent, or as the parent of the day.