About Our Program
REGISTRATION FOR AUGUST 2024 - MAY 2025
All classrooms are full for the 2023-2024 school year. Please email the director at Brenda@goodnewschurch.life to get on our waiting list.
Registration for current & returning students, for siblings of current students, and Preschool and Church employee students: Forms and fee due Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Registration for waitlist church members opens on Monday, April 1, 2024 and forms are due by Friday, May 3, 2024
Registration opens for waitlist students based on availability: Monday, May 6, 2024
“Mini Tour” Dates Spring 2024: "Mini Tours" are for perspective families who are on the waiting list and for those who would like to be on the waiting list. The "Mini Tour" is 15-20 minutes and the prospective child is welcome to attend. Please leave older siblings at home. Meet Preschool Director, Ms. Brenda, in front of the preschool building. The tour will start promptly at 10:30 AM. No need to sign-up, just show up! Attending a mini tour is highly recommended if you want a placement for your child.
Monday-Wednesday, April 15-17, 2024 @ 10:30 AM
Private Tours: Given to families when a spot is available for their child
Additional information required by state regulation is available in the preschool office. This includes the Flu brochure and “Know Your Childcare Facility” brochure.
Operation Time:
2023-2024 Orientation: Thursday, August 10, 2023 @ 11:00 AM
2024-2025 Orientation: Monday, August 12, 2024 @ 11:00 AM
School Year:
2023-2024: Monday, August 14, 2023 - Tuesday, May 21, 2024
2024-2025: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 - Tuesday, May 20, 2025
We follow the Walton County School Schedule for Holidays and Teacher Work Days.
School Day (Regular Hours):
All Classrooms PreK-2, PreK-3, and PreK-4: 8:45 AM to 2:00 PM
“Early Drop” (ED) offered from 7:45-8:45 AM for $10 per day
“Late Stay” (LS) offered from 2:00-3:00 PM for $10 per day
Monthly discounted rates offered for ED and LS for prior sign-up & prepayment
Daily Curriculum Used: ELLM/Plus Curriculum
In addition to the daily curriculum, we provide large & fine motor skill development; an extracurricular activity such as music, art, exercise; social and emotional development; relationship development; and Christian Curriculum daily. We may offer culinary classes 3-4 times per year and encourage and request parent volunteers. The students may perform recitals during the school year.
General Information:
We use Brightwheel Childcare Software
5-Day Placement is Monday-Friday
4-Day Placement is Monday-Thursday
3-Day Placement in PreK-4A is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
3-Day Placement in PreK-3A is Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
3-Day Placement in PreK-2B is Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
2-Day Placement is Thursday/Friday (if available)
Student-Teacher Ratio in our PreK-2A & PreK-2B rooms (not potty trained, ages 24-36 months) is 10:2
Student-Teacher Ratio in our PreK-3A room (potty trained) is 11:2
Student-Teacher Ratio in our PreK-3B room (potty trained) is 12:2
Student-Teacher Ratio in our PreK-4A room is 12:2
Student-Teacher Ratio in our Prek-4B room is 13:2
The Preschool Director is on-site daily.
The students in PreK-2 sleep for ~ 90 minutes each day (we provide the mat).
The students in PreK-3 & 4 sleep/rest for ~60 minutes each day (we provide the mat).
You pack a healthy snack & lunch for your child each day.
You pack a spill-proof water cup/bottle for your child each day.
All classes may have pizza day periodically; $8 each (pizza, crackers, fruit & paper products).
We offer a “special event” some months; Charge & RSVP may apply.
Student drop-off is from 8:45-9:00 am and student pick-up is from 1:45-2:00 pm daily.
All classes may “field trip” to the church Sanctuary and/or church café for either periodic indoor active play, periodic culinary class and/or Chapel.
Registration Fees, Supply Fees, and Tuition Fees for 2024-2025
Payment billed through Brightwheel or payment by check or cash
Registration and Supply Fees are non-refundable annual fees.
PreK-2A & PreK-2B: Accepting 2-year-old children as of August 1 (Not Potty Trained)
PreK-3A & PreK-3B: Accepting 3 year old children (Potty Trained)
PreK-4A & PreK-4B: Accepting 4 & 5-year-old children (Potty Trained)
Helping children build their lives on the reality of Jesus Christ. Please contact the director for payment options and possible scholarship opportunities.
Registration Fees for 2024-2025: due at time of registration and is non-refundable
*Current/returning students: $100
*New student and new sibling registration: $200
Annual Supply Fees for 2024-2025: Pay the full amount by June 20 or Pay 1/3 of the supply fee by June 1, 1/3 by July 1, and final 1/3 by August 1 and is non-refundable
Supply Fees for 2024-2025: Due Annually Prior to School Beginning
5-day-per-week program: $475.00
4-day-per-week program: $450.00
3-day-per-week program: $425.00
2-day-per-week program: $400.00
Tuition Fees for 2024-2025: PreK-2/PreK-3/PreK-4 (8:45 am - 2:00 pm)
Pay full price tuition each month from August through May
5-day-per-week program (7:45 am – 3:00 pm): $910.00
5-day-per-week program (8:45 am – 2:00 pm): $740.00
4-day-per-week program (8:45 am - 2:00 pm): $665.00
3-day-per-week program (8:45 am – 2:00 pm): $590.00
2-day-per-week program (8:45 am – 2:00 pm): $515.00
Daily Rate (8:45 am – 2:00 pm): $75.00
Daily Rate (7:45 am – 3:00 pm): $95.00
Early Drop (ED): is offered from 7:45-8:45 am for $10 per day
Late Stay (LS): is offered from 2:00-3:00 pm for $10 per day
ED & LS are offered to all students, but is based on student acclimation.
ED & LS Fees: $10 per day each or monthly rate available to prior sign-up and prepaying students
Monthly discounted rates for ED and LS for prior sign-up and prepayment:
5-day-per-week program ED or LS only: $85.00; 5-day-per-week program ED & LS: $170.00
4-day-per-week program ED or LS only: $75.00; 4-day-per-week program ED & LS: $150.00
3-day-per-week program ED or LS only: $65.00; 3-day-per-week program ED & LS: $130.00
2-day-per-week program ED or LS only: $55.00; 2-day-per-week program ED and LS: $110.00
Daily Rate ED or LS for $10.00 each per day or both ED and LS for $20.00 per day
Medical Forms for your child’s school file are due within 30 days of enrollment. The 2 forms are the child’s Florida Immunization Record (Form 680) or Religious Exempt Form (Form 681) and the Florida Physical Form (Form 3040). All forms can be obtained during a well-child check-up at your pediatrician’s office or contact the Walton County Health Department for additional information.
Beginnings Preschool at Good News UMC Discipline Policy as stated in our Parent-Student Handbook. A full copy of the handbook is posted here.
Discipline: Beginnings Preschool uses positive reinforcement and conflict resolution to promote appropriate behavior. Children will never be denied outdoor/active play as a result of misbehavior. Children will be encouraged to work out disagreements. In the event that the teacher’s attention and/or intervention is needed, the child/children will be directed to another activity or sent to the “Safe Place” established inside each classroom or on the playground. The “Safe Place” may be a reading area, chair, wall space, bench, or other designated quiet area either inside the classroom or on the playground. Upon continual disruptive behavior, the child will be sent to the director’s office to “cool down”. In extreme circumstances, the director will notify the parent to remove the child from school for the rest of the day. Sometimes our program does not meet an individual’s needs and the preschool reserves the right to determine if our program is appropriate the child. In accordance with state regulations: Children shall not be subjected to discipline which is severe, humiliating, or frightening; Discipline shall not be associated with food, rest, or toileting; and Spanking or any other form of physical punishment is prohibited.
Bite Policy: A child who bites another child or staff member 4 times may be subject to dismissal from the program.
Hitting/Pushing Policy: A child who hits or pushes another child or staff member 4 times may be subject to dismissal from the program.
Tantrum/Behavioral Policy: A child who throws a tantrum or behavioral fit that endangers the safety of themselves, another student, or staff member 4 times may be subject to dismissal from the program.
Termination of Services/Expulsion Policy: There may be situations in which termination of service to an individual child or family is initiated by the Preschool. Although each circumstance is unique, efforts will be made by the parties concerned to improve the situation prior to a termination decision. Should termination become necessary; a two-week written notice is generally provided.
Nutrition Policy - Preschool Classes: We are not a peanut fee school, and it is your responsibility to tell us if your child has a peanut allergy. Beginnings Preschool reserves the right to accept or deny a child into our program due to a food allergy.
Snack: Each child is required to bring a personal snack including food and water in a spill-proof cup each day they attend Beginnings Preschool. Please pack the snack in a brown paper bag labeled with the child’s name and date or send in a reusable lunch box labeled with the child’s name. Write a special note to your child on the bag or in the box and the teacher will help them read the note. Healthy snacks & meals are essential for your child to perform to the best of their ability.
Healthy Snacks include, but are not limited to Granola, Trail Mix, Fruit or Fruit Cups, Dried Fruit, Healthy Cereal, Cereal Bars, Cheese, Yogurt, Crackers, pretzels, goldfish, and water.
Unhealthy Snacks include, but are not limited to Air-heads, Candy, Chocolate, Cookies, Cup Cakes, Gummies, potato chips, candy bars, fruit roll-ups, full-sugared juice, full-sugared pop-tarts, sugared cereal, brownies, etc.
Lunch: Each child is required to bring a personal lunch including food and water in a spill-proof cup each day they attend Beginnings Preschool. For all items needing refrigeration, please include a “cool-pack” in the child’s meal/lunchbox with the child’s name written on it.
Forbidden Food as stated in the Florida Childcare Facilities Rules and Regulation Guidelines: “Foods associated with young children’s choking incidents must not be served to children under 4 years of age, such as, but not limited to, whole/round hot dogs, popcorn, chips, pretzel nuggets, whole grapes, nuts, cheese, cheese cubes/sticks and any food that is of similar shape and size of the trachea/windpipe. Food for infants must be cut into pieces 1/4 inch or smaller, food for toddlers must be cut into pieces 1/2 inch or smaller to prevent chocking. This applies to all food, even food provided by parents/guardians.”
No refrigerator or microwave will be provided for student use.
For health and safety concerns, all used and eaten food will be thrown away daily.
Please remember to pack a utensil and napkin if needed.
Pizza Day: Pizza Day may be held periodically. Look for the dates on the Director’s Newsletter and/or Teacher’s calendar. The cost is $8.00 per pizza day and can be included in your tuition statement or the student can bring cash on pizza day. The charge covers pizza, crackers, fruit, plate, and napkin. Parents are not required to participate in pizza day and can send a regular lunch on pizza day. Parents send a snack for their child on pizza day.
Birthdays/Special Occasions/Celebrations: Birthdays are very important to you and your child and Beginnings Preschool is happy to help you celebrate. We will celebrate during snack time or lunchtime. You may send a special treat such as store bought cookies, brownies, or mini cupcakes. We prefer small portions and sizes of sugary sweets. Only store bought, unopened packages of treats can be served. You are welcome to join us on your child’s special day. Please send party invitations to school only if every child in the class is invited.
Please do not bring hard candy, gum, nuts or peanut butter products for celebrations! You can send peanut products for daily lunch and snacks.
By order of the Walton County Health Department: No homemade foods of any kind can be served to the students of the preschool. All celebration food must be store bought and/or prepared at the preschool.
Culinary Days (Cooking in the Café): Most classes may partake in periodic culinary classes throughout the school year. The classes may include, but are not limited to, Pumpkin Bread Baking, Pumpkin Carving, Cookie Baking, Cupcake decorating, Resurrection Rolls (crescent roll baking), Dye hard-boiled eggs, and/or homemade pizzas. Each parent is required to sign a consent form, allowing your child to partake in the culinary classes.
Field trips: No off-site field trips are planned at this time. Beginnings Preschool will invite and encourage community leaders to come to the school for special events. All classes take periodic “mini field trips” throughout the church building. The areas include, but are not limited to, the lobby, Sanctuary, café, family restroom, women’s restroom, etc.
Distracted Adult Brochure: During the 2018 legislative session, a new law was passed that requires child care facilities to provide parents, during the months of April and September each year, with information regarding the potential for distracted adults to fail to drop off a child at the facility and instead leave them in the adult’s vehicle upon arrival at the adult’s destination.
Flu Brochure: During the 2009 legislative session, a new law was passed that requires child care facilities, family day care homes and large family child care homes provide parents with information detailing the causes, symptoms, and transmission of the influenza virus (the flu) every year during August and September.
Registration papers: Registration papers will be available through Brightwheel when we have an opening for your child. Registration fees will be collected only if we have a space available for your child.