Handbook

Patchwork Preschool Handbook 2026-2027

The 2026-2027 Patchwork Preschool Handbook serves as an essential guide for parents and families seeking enrollment for their children. It contains a large amount of important information, including details about classes offered, the school’s policies, and various other essential aspects that parents need to be acquainted with. The handbook helps ensure that families have a clear understanding of the preschool’s character, guidelines, and procedures, contributing to a harmonious and informed experience for families and their enrolled children.

Patchwork requires all families read the Handbook before enrolling!

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MEET THE TEACHER!

About Me:
I was raised in a house full of love, adventure, and just the right amount of crazy. A combination that led my three brothers and I to each become the amazing individuals we are today.

Growing up, I was the president of almost every club and the captain of my sport’s teams. I taught Sunday school, volunteered on a regular basis, coached soccer, choreographed for dance teams, and won more awards than I can count… but none of that has brought me the joy that Patchwork has. Teaching is my passion and Patchwork is my dream!

I am blessed with an incredible husband, Alex, my adorable son, Graham, and a mini Goldendoodle named Moose. I also have the privilege of being the Mommy to my sweet angel, Piper Kate, who graced us with 20 beautiful hours before passing due to Trisomy 13.

Some of My Favorites:
I enjoy photography, chocolate ice cream, hiking, hot chocolate with almond milk, “Present Over Perfect” by Shauna Niequist, Gilmore Girls, Philippians 4:6, cheese pizza, fall weather, anything Christmas, and spending time with my sweet husband, Alex.

My Education:
In 2014, I received the Charles J. McClain Presidential Scholarship from Fairmont State University. I soon became a member of the Honors Society, was selected to be an Ambassador for the Elementary Education Program, and served as a Student Government representative for the Faculty Senate. In May 2018, I graduated Summa Cum Laude, with honors, with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. I am a certified WV educator, hold multiple NASA certifications, and continue my education by keeping up with the most recent research-based strategies for early childhood education.

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GENERAL CLASS INFORMATION

• Patchwork’s class provides children with a safe, positive, learner-centered environment.
• Curriculum is based upon the West Virginia Universal Pre-K Standards.
• Curriculum also focuses on character, emotion regulation, positive social skills, effective communication, and Christian values.
• Patchwork helps children develop a growth mindset, view mistakes as opportunities, and exhibit good character.

Patchwork Jr.

• Patchwork Jr is for children who are two years of age. (Child must be 2 years of age by August 31^st of school year.)
• This class is all about learning through active play, exploration, and social interaction.
• Classes are Wednesdays from 8:00am-9:00am
• Tuition is $40/month. (See Contract and Rate Agreement for more information.)
• Potty training will be discussed on an individual basis.

PRE-K 3

• Patchwork’s Pre-K 3 class is open to children ages 3-4 (Child must be 3 years of age by August 31^st of school year.)
• Focus is on Play Based Learning & Social Emotional Development.
• Classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00am-9:30am.
• Tuition is $125/month. (See Contract and Rate Agreement for more information.)
• Enrolled students must be potty trained! (Potty independence is strongly preferred.)

PRE-K 4

• Patchwork’s Pre-K 4 class is open to children ages 4-5 (Child must be 4 years of age by August 31^st of school year.)
• Utilizes WV Pre-K Standards to provide kindergarten prep.
• Classes are Mondays through Thursdays from 9:30am-12:00pm.
• Tuition is $385/month. (See Contract and Rate Agreement for more information.)
• Enrolled students must be potty trained! (Potty independence is strongly preferred.)

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SICKNESS POLICY

Fever: If your child has a fever of 100°F or higher, please keep him or her home. Your child may return to preschool 24 hours after being fever free without medication. If your child develops a fever while at the preschool, you will be called to pick him/her up.

Coughs, Colds, and Flu: Cough and cold symptoms that warrant keeping your child home include, but are not limited to: Hacking or persistent cough, persistent nasal drainage, and/or productive cough with green or yellow phlegm being coughed up.

If a healthcare provider confirms that the cough is due to a non-contagious condition (such as allergies or asthma), a doctor’s note will allow an earlier return.

If your child has the flu, he or she should be kept home and may only return to preschool once he or she is symptom free for 24 hours without medication.

Diarrhea and Vomiting: If your child has diarrhea or is vomiting, please keep him or her home until 24 hours after the diarrhea or vomiting has stopped. If your child has any diarrhea/vomiting episodes while at preschool, you will be called to pick him or her up.

Rash: Please do not send your child to preschool with a rash until the doctor says it is okay, as it may be a sign of an illness.

Strep Throat: If your child has strep throat, he or she should be kept home. He or she may return to the preschool 24 hours after the first dose of antibiotics.

Lice: If your child has live lice, he or she should be kept home and is not permitted to come to the preschool without appropriate treatment. Your child must have no live lice upon returning to the preschool.

Pink Eye: If your child has pink eye, he or she is not permitted to be at the preschool. Your child may return 24 hours after the first does of medication and if no drainage is present.

Scabies: If your child has scabies, he or she may only return to the preschool 24 hours after prescribed treatment.

Please do not send your child to preschool if they have any of the following:

• Ringworm
• Chicken Pox
• Hand Foot Mouth Disease
• Mumps
• Impetigo
• COVID-19

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EMERGENCY POLICY

1^st Priority: Safety of the Children.

2^nd Priority: Reunification of Parents and Children.

If an emergency occurs during preschool hours:

• Miss Katie will contact parents as soon as possible.
• Do not drive to the preschool unless it is safe to do so and/or you have been directed by Miss Katie to pick up your child.
• Parents should check the following sources for information and status reports:
  • Text Messages
  • The Preschool Facebook Page: Patchwork Preschool WV

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INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

• In case of inclement weather, Patchwork Preschool will follow the Harrison County School closings.
• If school is delayed two hours, Pre-K 3 is canceled and Pre-K 4 begins at 10:00am.
• If school is delayed three hours, Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 are canceled.

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CLASS CANCELLATION POLICY

• Patchwork Preschool reserves the right to cancel a class (or classes) at any time.
• If Patchwork Preschool is closed due to weather, power outages, or other acts of God, a refund, credit, or make-up class will not be offered.

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DROP-OFF / PICK-UP INFORMATION

Drop Off Information:

• The glass double doors of the church will be unlocked at 8:00am for the Pre-K 3 class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 8:00am on Wednesdays for Patchwork Jr, and at 9:00am for the Pre-K 4 class on Mondays through Thursdays.
• Children will not be admitted inside the building before this time.
• Please refrain from venturing into the building during morning drop off to avoid exacerbating separation anxiety and to allow the children to begin their day.
• It is important that your child is on time, so he/she has the opportunity to participate in all the day has to offer.

Pick Up Information:

• Children in Patchwork Jr are to be picked up at 9:00am.
• Children in the Pre-K 3 class are to be picked up between 9:25am-9:30am.
• Children in the Pre-K 4 class are to be picked up between 11:55am and 12:00pm.
• Verification will be required for anyone who does not regularly pick up the child. Individuals should have their photo ID with them at pick up.
• Children will not be released to any individual not listed on the approved pick-up form.

Additional Information:

• Repeated failure to pick up/drop off your child at scheduled times can result in the termination of your contract.
• Monthly tuition payment can be given directly to the teacher at the door.
  • Payments made in cash must be sealed in an envelope and clearly marked with your child’s first and last name.
  • Checks must be made payable to “Patchwork Preschool.”

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“Our Week”

In an effort to help you better connect with your child, Patchwork has a password protected page on the preschool website titled, “Our Week.” This webpage is updated weekly with information about your child’s preschool adventures – special activities, books read, topics discussed, skills assessed, etc. It also includes a few images throughout the week for you to enjoy. As this page is “protected,” it will require a four-digit password to access the information. Each week Miss Katie sends out the new password in a text.

After reading about your child’s experiences, go beyond “how was your day?” and consider asking some of the following questions:

• What was the best thing that happened at preschool today?
• What is something that made you laugh today?
• Could you tell me about what you read in class today?
• Can you show me something you learned today?
• What part of preschool is your favorite?
• What are you looking forward to at school tomorrow?
• Who was nice to you today?

I hope that you find this new method of communication benefits your relationship with your child and their preschool experience!

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CONTRACT & RATE AGREEMENT (Patchwork Jr.)

• A rate of $40/month will be charged for my child who is two year of age.
  • If you wish to pay tuition via Venmo (@PatchworkPreschool) there is a $5.00 convenience fee, making the total fee $45.00.
• This rate will be charged regardless of my child’s attendance and is due before pick-up time on the first day of class each month. 
• I understand that I will be billed $15/day for each day my payment is late beginning with drop-off time of my second contracted day of care regardless of my child’s attendance.
• I understand that I will be billed $35 plus bank fees for insufficient bank funds.
• I understand that a one-time, non-refundable fee of $50 will be charged at registration to reserve my child’s spot.
  • If you wish to pay the registration fee via Venmo (@PatchworkPreschool) there is a $5.00 convenience fee, making the total fee $55.00.
• I understand that a $20 supplies fee will be charged once a semester and will be due the first contracted day of care each semester.
  • If you wish to pay the supplies fee via Venmo (@PatchworkPreschool) there is a $5.00 convenience fee, making the total fee $25.00.

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CONTRACT & RATE AGREEMENT (PRE-K 3)

• A rate of $125/month will be charged for my child who is from three to four years in age.
  • If you wish to pay tuition via Venmo (@PatchworkPreschool) there is a $5.00 convenience fee, making the total fee $130.00.
• This rate will be charged regardless of my child’s attendance and is due before pick-up time on the first day of class each month. 
• I understand that I will be billed $15/day for each day my payment is late beginning with drop-off time of my second contracted day of care regardless of my child’s attendance.
• I understand that I will be billed $35 plus bank fees for insufficient bank funds.
• I understand that a one-time, non-refundable fee of $50 will be charged at registration to reserve my child’s spot.
  • If you wish to pay the registration fee via Venmo (@PatchworkPreschool) there is a $5.00 convenience fee, making the total fee $55.00.
• I understand that a $30 supplies fee will be charged once a semester and will be due the first contracted day of care each semester.
  • If you wish to pay the supplies fee via Venmo (@PatchworkPreschool) there is a $5.00 convenience fee, making the total fee $35.00.

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CONTRACT & RATE AGREEMENT (PRE-K 4)

• A rate of $385/month will be charged for my child who is from four to five years in age.
  • If you wish to pay tuition via Venmo (@PatchworkPreschool) there is a $5.00 convenience fee, making the total fee $390.00.
• This rate will be charged regardless of my child’s attendance and is due before pick-up time on the first day of class each month. 
• I understand that I will be billed $15/day for each day my payment is late beginning with drop-off time of my second contracted day of care regardless of my child’s attendance.
• I understand that I will be billed $35 plus bank fees for insufficient bank funds.
• I understand that a one-time, non-refundable fee of $50 will be charged at registration to reserve my child’s spot.
  • If you wish to pay the registration fee via Venmo (@PatchworkPreschool) there is a $5.00 convenience fee, making the total fee $55.00.
• I understand that a $45 supplies fee will be charged once a semester and will be due the first contracted day of care each semester.
  • If you wish to pay the supplies fee via Venmo (@PatchworkPreschool) there is a $5.00 convenience fee, making the total fee $50.00.

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TERMINATION POLICY

The following are causes for immediate termination:

• Failure to uphold or not cooperating with the preschool policies.
• Frequently disruptive behavior by a child which interferes with the staff’s performance or the daily class activities.
• Use of obscenities by the child or the parent/guardian.
• Rude or inappropriate conduct, behavior, or attitude directed at the preschool, staff, or other clients/children by a child or parent/guardian.
• Failure to pay tuition within the required tuition due date and/or late tuition charges as per the preschool policy.
• Repeated failure to pick up/drop off your child at scheduled times.
• Failure to show up for 5 consecutive days without any communication.
• A parent/guardian knowingly bringing their child ill.
• False information given by a parent/guardian either verbally or in writing.

By enrolling your child you agree that you have read and understand the causes for immediate termination. You also understand that the director of Patchwork Preschool has the right to terminate services on grounds other than those stated above.

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REGISTRATION 2026-2027

• Priority Registration for returning students and families opens January 30th, 2026.
  • This includes families who are enrolling siblings of past Patchwork Preschoolers and children who have previously attended Patchwork events.
• Registration for new students and families opens February 1st, 2026.
• To register your child, you must have read this entire handbook and must complete & submit all parts of the “Registration Form.”
• You must pay the $50.00 registration fee AFTER receiving a confirmation e-mail by
  • Mailing cash/check to Patchwork Preschool’s mailing address: 390 South 22nd Street Clarksburg, WV 26301
  • Delivering cash/check to Miss Katie during the preschool’s operating hours.
  • OR If you wish to pay via Venmo (@PatchworkPreschool) there is a $5.00 convenience fee, making the total fee $55.00.

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If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email 
patchworkpreschool@aol.com or contact Katie Ratcliff at 1-304-677-2901.