Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs – Praise and Leadership Schools in Peoria IL

At what age can my child attend PALS?

PALS admits children 6 weeks – 6 years of age. We also offer a Summer School Age Program for children 6-10 years old at our Downtown Location. We also offer a limited Holiday School Age Program throughout the school year.

What is PALS’ admissions policy?

PALS admits student of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship, and loan programs and athletic or other school-administrated programs. However, we are not equipped or licensed for children with physical or emotional or severe behavioral problems, and therefore cannot accept children with any known exceptions of this nature.

Is there a waiting list?

Because of limited class sizes, PALS frequently has a waiting list for students applying for particular school years. Our policy gives first priority to students with a sibling already attending PALS, and thereafter uses the date of application to assign a waiting list sequence. To be placed on the waiting list, there is a non-refundable enrollment fee of $50 per child (with a maximum of $50 per family).

What is the drop-off/pick-up policy?

Children should be dropped off and picked up in the child’s classroom. Parents, or the assigned adult (named on the pick-up list), are responsible for signing in and signing out their child from the school daily. Parents are expected to drop off and pick up (their children) at the times indicated on the child’s application. These hours are not to exceed 10 (ten) hours per day.

Does PALS provide meals and snacks?

PALS provides a hot lunch for each child daily. Mid-morning and afternoon snacks are also provided by the school. Menus generally will be posted monthly in each classroom; these are planned in accordance with the state health/nutrition requirements for school-age children and preschool children. All PALS meals are low in fat and sugar content, but high on taste and nutrition; we serve food parents approve of and children like to eat.

If your child has a food allergy, a form will need to be filled out and a copy posted in the kitchen. Parents of infants will supply formula and baby food for their children at feeding times. If your child has any special nutritional needs, please notify a staff member in writing and we will do our best to see that it is met. However, we will not be able to make exceptions due to food dislikes. Children under two will not be fed berries, candies, raisins, corn kernels, raw carrots, whole grapes, hot dogs, nuts, seeds, popcorn, raw peas, or peanut butter, per DCFS licensing standards.

Can I bring treats for special occasions, like my child’s birthday?

You are welcome to bring food for special occasions, however, it must be purchased at a store and arrive unopened in the bakery container per DCFS standards. We also ask that you check in advance with your child’s teacher for food allergies and the number of children in the classroom.

Are there scheduled activities?

Yes, we have a daily schedule that is posted outside the door, and we follow that so the children are familiar with the daily routine. But we also are flexible for special events or a spontaneous learning activity that occurs.

Do you ever take field trips?

Yes, we take several trips during the year to places that children will enjoy, and to give a variety of experiences to your child.

What is PALS’ holiday schedule?

The following days are paid holidays and Institute Days for our faculty. Tuition fees are due for these days. There is no school on these days: Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Teacher Institute Days (3) (see calendar for further details).

What are “Teacher Institute Days”?

Institute days are used for teacher training and classroom preparation. On these days, our Curriculum Coordinator often presents relevant curriculum information, as well as innovative approaches to meeting our curriculum objectives in the classroom. PALS also regularly hires outside experts to come speak to our teachers on a variety of education topics as needed.

Does PALS offer “flex-time” for student attendance?

Due to available space, PALS in not able to offer part-time attendance that allows flexible attendance from week to week. Since we have a set number of spaces in each classroom, “flex-time” presents the possibility that too many children could show up on any given day. Parents of part-time students are required to reserve in advance which days of the week their child will attend PALS.

How can I find out what my child does each day?

We have memo boards outside classrooms to let parents know what happened during the day, and there are daily notes that go home with each child. Notices and other information are put on the bulletin boards at the entrance, and we often place information in your child’s cubby. PALS teachers are also happy to talk with parents at drop-off or pick-up time, and will gladly arrange a special appointment if you have a specific concern.

In addition to the daily notes, teachers also create a portfolio for each child containing anecdotal records, photos, work samples and other milestones in their development. You are welcome to see your child’s portfolio and discuss it with his or her teacher at any time.

For in-depth updates on how your child is progressing at PALS, we schedule parent conferences twice a year. Finally, after reading the big classroom note and your child’s individual note, we encourage you to use that information to ask your child about her day. This generates wonderful conversation for the ride home or at family dinner time.

Education is important to me … will my child be doing something besides playing?

Educating each child is important to us at PALS also, and we want to develop the whole child: his social, emotional, physical, and intellectual skills. While we individualize the curriculum to help your child learn at his stage of development, children at this age learn these skills through playing; it’s a very important part of your child’s growth.

Why is play so important?

Young children learn through active experience. They cannot comprehend abstract concepts without experiencing them, so they need to feel a cat’s fur to find out it’s soft, or pour water into a container to see how it becomes full. Children also need to use their imagination and work through and sort out events in their lives by role playing them. They learn social relationships, how to cooperate, and how to solve their own problems. We provide a stimulating environment, give them choices, and then support and extend their learning through play.

What is your policy on discipline?

At PALS, we use Conscious DisciplineTM by Dr. Becky Bailey. Conscious Discipline makes each child feel a part of their school family. Through conflict resolution, children are encouraged to think of ways to solve their own problems when conflicts arise. If necessary, we re-direct a child toward another activity, or, if a child is beyond control, they may choose to go to the Safe Place where they use techniques to calm down. Our goal is to teach self-discipline and responsibility.

Does PALS offer education for children beyond Kindergarten?

We do offer a school age program for ages 6-10 years throughout the school year and summer months.

Are PALS’ schools built for children’s needs?

PALS’ buildings are environmentally designed to accommodate children. Our facilities feature classroom and bathroom components scaled to the children in each class, and architectural layouts that meet PALS’ curriculum needs.

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