Follow the Child Montessori School

Below is a list of frequently asked questions that will hopefully help you understand how FCM operates. All detailed information can be found in our Parent Handbook. If you have any questions or concerns, please ask any FCM staff member.

What will my child need on the first day of school?

All children should have a pair of indoor shoes or slippers and their school supplies. On your child's first day of 12:00-3:00 after school, please make sure s/he has all of her/his napping items: sheet, mattress pad, and blanket. On any day (including the first) your child is staying in the 3:00-5:30 after school program, please make sure you send a snack.

What time is drop-off?

The carpool lane opens at 8:15am. At this time a staff member will open the front gate.
The carpool lane ends at 8:25am. A staff member will place an orange cone in the crosswalk leading up to the gate as well as one at the entrance of the parking lot.
Please do not park in the carpool lane after 8:25am.
You may drop older children off in the carpool lane as long as you see that the gate is open and a staff member is standing inside the gate.
You may park and walk your child to the gate until 8:30am.
At 8:30am the gate is closed and you must park and walk your child to the office to obtain a late slip. For the safety of your child, you are then asked to walk your child to his/her classroom.

What time is pick-up?

Half day: 12:00 noon

Full day: 3:00 pm for Extended Day

Full day: 3:30 for Upper and Lower Elementary

After School: 3:00 pm or 5:30 pm

What is the procedure for the carpool lane?

Cars should pull up as far as you can. A staff member will guide you.
Please stay in your car.
A staff member will open the passenger side car door(s) and greet your child.
Please do not drop your child off unless a staff member is there to receive your child.
Upper Elementary students are available to escort young children to their classrooms.
Children may play on the playground under your supervision if you arrive prior to 8:15am.
During carpool times, there is no left turn into or out of the parking lot.

At pick-up, do we use the carpool lane?

Yes, for both the half-day and full-day pick ups.
5:30 After School (AS) parents need to pick-up their child in the AS classroom.

When is a child considered late for school?

If you arrive and the gate to the playground is closed you are considered late. Please escort your child to the office and ask for a late slip. You then proceed to your child's classroom to ensure your child is received by the classroom teacher. This procedure is for the safety of all children.

When is the office open? 8:15 am to 5:30 pm.

What do I do when I am here to visit my child's classroom?

All visitors must come to the office first so they can sign our visitor log.

What happens if my child is involved in an accident?

We will contact you immediately. Make sure you provide us with the most accurate information including your phone numbers (home, cell and work) and give us the names and phone numbers of people authorized to pick up your child if we cannot get in touch with you.

What items are encouraged in school lunches?

Nutritious, healthy foods that include foods from the all food groups such as fruits, vegetables, sandwiches or re-heatable entrees, yogurts.
Every classroom has a microwave for heating up lunches.
Utensils for lunch are provided in the classrooms.
In Children's House and After School, children have a choice of water or skim milk. In LE and UE children are expected to bring their own drink.
Lunch items should be packed in reusable containers that are easy for children to open successfully. "Gogurts" are not a good idea as they are difficult for young children to open gracefully and will be sent back unopened.

Is there a dress code?

No there is not, but we ask that all children be dressed in comfortable clothing that is easy to put on and take off and that is not a hindrance to their quest for independent functioning. For young children, belts, suspenders, and such will make it difficult for your child to make it to the bathroom "on time." Please be aware that all children enjoy playing outside and they may come home with dirty clothes. If you have clothes you do not want soiled, please do not let your child wear them to school.

What happens if your child needs to change clothes at school?

In LE and UE we have a few sets of clothes which students can borrow if they need to change for any reason. All Toddler House and Children's House students have a change of clothes in their classrooms. Please label each piece of clothing clearly with first name and initial of the last name.

A child must be fever, diarrhea, vomiting free for how long before they can return to school?

Children must be fever, diarrhea, and vomiting free for 24 hours, without medication. In case of a cold, we ask that you look at the condition of your child: how much energy does s/he have? Will s/he be able to function in a group setting? What color is the discharge? Children should not be sent to school if they cannot participate in Physical Education classes or if you ask that s/he does not go outside for recess.

Is FCM allowed to administer non-prescription medication with your permission?

No. We are not allowed (Day Care Licensing restriction) to administer any non-prescription medication, including bug spray and suntan lotion. Children are not allowed to keep non-prescription medication in their possession. Feel free to come to school at any time and give your child medication.

Is FCM allowed to administer prescription medication?

We can only dispense medication if it is a prescription medication, in its original container, with the pharmacy label on it and with your written authorization. Medications should be brought into the office where they will be kept in a locked medicine box. Only Epi-pens are kept in the classrooms. Please make sure that the Epi-pen is clearly labeled with your child's name and that it has not expired.

What do all children wear on school field trips?

Children wear the school's purple mesh polo shirt with our logo on it. Only children from Extended Day through Upper Elementary need this shirt. It is purchased from Lands End.

How do I know if school is closed due to inclement weather?

Call the school. There will be a dated, recorded message on the school's phone (755-1150). This message is recorded first, so it is always the most current information.
Check the website (www.FollowTheChild.org).
Check WRAL.
Phone tree

What are the minimum ages for children to be enrolled in each of the following programs?

Toddler: 18 months

After-School 12:00-3:00: 2 years old and older

After-School 3:00-5:30: 3 years old and older

If I have a problem with how my classroom is being run, to whom do I go?

Always go to the Lead Teacher in your classroom first.

If I am not happy with the response I get, to whom do I go next?

Go to the Head of School.

When is tuition due?

Tuition is due by the 15^th of each month if you are on the monthly plan (Plan C). If you are on Plan B, it is due on June 15^th and November 15^th and if you are on Plan A, it is due on June 15^th.

Who are the teachers/staff in each class?

All classrooms and teachers can be found under the Contact link on our website.

Who are our current Board of Directors?

All Board of Directors can be found in the FCM Student Directory.

Who are the room parents for each classroom?

Classroom room parents will be noted in each classroom's newsletter at the beginning of the school year.

	Parents > Frequently Asked Questions < Parent Participation Parent Education Parent Lending Library Tuition Assistance More Resources	Frequently Asked Questions Below is a list of frequently asked questions that will hopefully help you understand how FCM operates. All detailed information can be found in our Parent Handbook. If you have any questions or concerns, please ask any FCM staff member. What will my child need on the first day of school? All children should have a pair of indoor shoes or slippers and their school supplies. On your child's first day of 12:00-3:00 after school, please make sure s/he has all of her/his napping items: sheet, mattress pad, and blanket. On any day (including the first) your child is staying in the 3:00-5:30 after school program, please make sure you send a snack. What time is drop-off? The carpool lane opens at 8:15am. At this time a staff member will open the front gate. The carpool lane ends at 8:25am. A staff member will place an orange cone in the crosswalk leading up to the gate as well as one at the entrance of the parking lot. Please do not park in the carpool lane after 8:25am. You may drop older children off in the carpool lane as long as you see that the gate is open and a staff member is standing inside the gate. You may park and walk your child to the gate until 8:30am. At 8:30am the gate is closed and you must park and walk your child to the office to obtain a late slip. For the safety of your child, you are then asked to walk your child to his/her classroom. What time is pick-up? Half day: 12:00 noon Full day: 3:00 pm for Extended Day Full day: 3:30 for Upper and Lower Elementary After School: 3:00 pm or 5:30 pm What is the procedure for the carpool lane? Cars should pull up as far as you can. A staff member will guide you. Please stay in your car. A staff member will open the passenger side car door(s) and greet your child. Please do not drop your child off unless a staff member is there to receive your child. Upper Elementary students are available to escort young children to their classrooms. Children may play on the playground under your supervision if you arrive prior to 8:15am. During carpool times, there is no left turn into or out of the parking lot. At pick-up, do we use the carpool lane? Yes, for both the half-day and full-day pick ups. 5:30 After School (AS) parents need to pick-up their child in the AS classroom. When is a child considered late for school? If you arrive and the gate to the playground is closed you are considered late. Please escort your child to the office and ask for a late slip. You then proceed to your child's classroom to ensure your child is received by the classroom teacher. This procedure is for the safety of all children. When is the office open? 8:15 am to 5:30 pm. What do I do when I am here to visit my child's classroom? All visitors must come to the office first so they can sign our visitor log. What happens if my child is involved in an accident? We will contact you immediately. Make sure you provide us with the most accurate information including your phone numbers (home, cell and work) and give us the names and phone numbers of people authorized to pick up your child if we cannot get in touch with you. What items are encouraged in school lunches? Nutritious, healthy foods that include foods from the all food groups such as fruits, vegetables, sandwiches or re-heatable entrees, yogurts. Every classroom has a microwave for heating up lunches. Utensils for lunch are provided in the classrooms. In Children's House and After School, children have a choice of water or skim milk. In LE and UE children are expected to bring their own drink. Lunch items should be packed in reusable containers that are easy for children to open successfully. "Gogurts" are not a good idea as they are difficult for young children to open gracefully and will be sent back unopened. Is there a dress code? No there is not, but we ask that all children be dressed in comfortable clothing that is easy to put on and take off and that is not a hindrance to their quest for independent functioning. For young children, belts, suspenders, and such will make it difficult for your child to make it to the bathroom "on time." Please be aware that all children enjoy playing outside and they may come home with dirty clothes. If you have clothes you do not want soiled, please do not let your child wear them to school. What happens if your child needs to change clothes at school? In LE and UE we have a few sets of clothes which students can borrow if they need to change for any reason. All Toddler House and Children's House students have a change of clothes in their classrooms. Please label each piece of clothing clearly with first name and initial of the last name. A child must be fever, diarrhea, vomiting free for how long before they can return to school? Children must be fever, diarrhea, and vomiting free for 24 hours, without medication. In case of a cold, we ask that you look at the condition of your child: how much energy does s/he have? Will s/he be able to function in a group setting? What color is the discharge? Children should not be sent to school if they cannot participate in Physical Education classes or if you ask that s/he does not go outside for recess. Is FCM allowed to administer non-prescription medication with your permission? No. We are not allowed (Day Care Licensing restriction) to administer any non-prescription medication, including bug spray and suntan lotion. Children are not allowed to keep non-prescription medication in their possession. Feel free to come to school at any time and give your child medication. Is FCM allowed to administer prescription medication? We can only dispense medication if it is a prescription medication, in its original container, with the pharmacy label on it and with your written authorization. Medications should be brought into the office where they will be kept in a locked medicine box. Only Epi-pens are kept in the classrooms. Please make sure that the Epi-pen is clearly labeled with your child's name and that it has not expired. What do all children wear on school field trips? Children wear the school's purple mesh polo shirt with our logo on it. Only children from Extended Day through Upper Elementary need this shirt. It is purchased from Lands End. How do I know if school is closed due to inclement weather? Call the school. There will be a dated, recorded message on the school's phone (755-1150). This message is recorded first, so it is always the most current information. Check the website (www.FollowTheChild.org). Check WRAL. Phone tree What are the minimum ages for children to be enrolled in each of the following programs? Toddler: 18 months After-School 12:00-3:00: 2 years old and older After-School 3:00-5:30: 3 years old and older If I have a problem with how my classroom is being run, to whom do I go? Always go to the Lead Teacher in your classroom first. If I am not happy with the response I get, to whom do I go next? Go to the Head of School. When is tuition due? Tuition is due by the 15^th of each month if you are on the monthly plan (Plan C). If you are on Plan B, it is due on June 15^th and November 15^th and if you are on Plan A, it is due on June 15^th. Who are the teachers/staff in each class? All classrooms and teachers can be found under the Contact link on our website. Who are our current Board of Directors? All Board of Directors can be found in the FCM Student Directory. Who are the room parents for each classroom? Classroom room parents will be noted in each classroom's newsletter at the beginning of the school year.