"We've had our kids at EEDS for three years now, and we couldn't be happier with the quality of kindness and professionalism we've experienced at the school. The teachers and administrators are excellent; their genuine concern for the development and well-being of our children is indisputable. Both of my children LOVE going to school and spending time with their friends and teachers (my 2-year-old calls her teachers her 'best friends'!), which I think is a real testament to the sense of love and security the kids feel at EEDS."

Bethany       

Parent Handbook

School Philosophy

Emmanuel Episcopal Day School (EEDS) offers preschool education to children ages twenty months through five years and is dedicated to a quality educational program that respects the God-given worth of each student. The school welcomes children from varied backgrounds and abilities and is open to all. EEDS seeks to provide education within a warm, nurturing environment. Our goal is to promote all areas of development- emotional, social, physical, intellectual, and spiritual so that each child reaches their full potential. Monthly chapel services provide a distinctly Christian context to EEDS, though openness to other religious beliefs is practiced.

We are committed to serving the children in our care and helping them:

• Develop a positive self-concept in a safe and secure environment
• Develop positive relations with peers and teachers and be able to function as a member of a group
• Develop curiosity, creativity, imagination, and an ability to make choices and solve problems
• Learn to use language and communicate effectively
• Represent ideas and feelings through pretend play, music, movement, art, and construction
• Acquire knowledge and skills in a stimulating environment that provides developmentally appropriate materials and activities
• Feel all their efforts are valued, and not judged, as the process is generally more important than the product
• Become independent in managing their bodies and acquire physical skills, both gross and fine motor
• Gain an understanding and respect for social and cultural diversity
• Feel their families are an important part of school life and that their teachers and parents share a positive relationship

Play-Based Learning

We use a play-based curriculum, through the Creative Curriculum of art, music, science, and social studies that focus on executive functioning, gross motor, and fine motor skills. We use the Creative Curriculum learning model for planning the classrooms and teaching units. Following the standards and practices from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, we complete learning assessments for each child. Research strongly supports this approach for fine motor, gross motor, linguistic, reasoning, and problem-solving skill development for preschoolers.

Teacher/Student Ratio

(1:5) Young 2s                        (1:6) 3-year-olds

(1:6) Older 2s                         (1:7) 4-year-olds

Each classroom has a lead teacher with at least a BA degree and an assistant teacher with childcare experience. Small classes facilitate individualized attention and a close relationship with the teachers.

Sample Daily Schedule (2024-2025)

9:00 - 9:30 Free Play: children choose any center of the room to play and learn

9:30 - 10:30 Art: individual or small group project with the teacher, free art choice at the easel, and Centers: sensory bins, imaginative play, puzzles and blocks, etc.

10:30 - 10:45 Clean up and bathroom

10:45 - 11:00 Snack time

11:00 to 11:15 Circle time: large group

11:15 to 12:00 Outside play

12:00 to 12:15 Lunch

12:15 to 12:30 Free play and Pick up

2025-2026 School Year 

11:15 to 12:15 Outside play

12:15 to 12:30 Lunch

12:30 to 1:00 Clean up, Free play, and Pick up

School Hours 

The 2024-2025 school day is from 9:00 AM until 12:30 PM. Beginning August 2025, our school day will shift to 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM. 

Drop Off: Please bring your child between 9:00 and 9:15 so that they benefit from the entire day's activities.

Afternoon Dismissal: You may pick up your child between 12:45 and 1:00 PM. 

Children will be released to parents or persons previously designated by the parents/guardians. If someone else will be picking up your child, a dated note with the parent's signature must be sent in advance to the teacher. Anyone other than the child’s parents/guardians will need to show a photo ID at pick-up. 

There is a fee for picking up children late. Ten dollars per incident will be applied to your child's account. EEDS reserves the right to deny continued enrollment to any child who is continually picked up late.

The school building doors will be locked from 9:20 AM until 12:15 PM. For the 2025-2026 school year, doors will be locked from 9:20-12:45. If you arrive after 9:20, please use the doorbell and/or call the school. 

School Administration

The Church employs a Director for Emmanuel Episcopal Day School. The Director works with the Church and Advisory Board to carry out the mission of the Day School in all its operations. The Rector, who serves ex-officio, appoints the Advisory Board members. Members of Emmanuel Church, Vestry persons, interested parents, and educators comprise the Advisory Board. The Director has general supervision over the academic and administrative operations of the Day School. Parental input is important to the success of Emmanuel Episcopal Day School. All suggestions and other responses to the program including curriculum, personnel matters, fees, and activities should be addressed to the Director. 

Office Hours

The Director is available to meet with parents between 9:00 AM and 1:30 PM Monday-Friday. Please email/call for an appointment.

Tuition

There are a total of ten tuition payments due for each school year. The first month's tuition plus supply fee is due May 1 and must be paid promptly to hold your child's spot. The remaining nine tuition payments are due the first of each month beginning in August. The last payment is due April 1. Tuition may be paid monthly, by the semester, or for the year. There is no discount for prepayment. Illness or travel does not impact the monthly tuition amount. The full month's tuition must be paid each month to continue enrollment. There is no reduction in tuition for families with more than one child enrolled.

There is a non-refundable fee of $150 due with your application. This fee is due within five business days of registering to hold your child's spot and will be applied to your first month’s tuition payment. If not received within five business days, your child will be moved to the waitlist. Any family whose current tuition is in arrears must bring tuition up-to-date to be able to register. 

Annual Supply Fee

Instead of a supply list, we will charge a one-time supply fee per student based on the number of days they attend per week. This fee will offset the rising cost of classroom cleaning supplies.

Monthly Tuition                              Annual Supply Fee

2 days a week...$200...............................2 days $40

3 days a week...$300...............................3 days $60

5 days a week...$400...............................5 days $100

Checks should be made payable to Emmanuel Episcopal Day School. Please write the child's name and specify the month of the tuition payment in the memo.

*Any child whose registration tuition payment is not received by May 1 will be moved to the waitlist. 

*All classes are subject to change or cancellation based on interest and enrollment.

Late Fees 

Emmanuel Episcopal Day School reserves the right to refuse enrollment or dismiss any student for chronically delinquent tuition payments. A $20 late fee will be applied for any payment received more than five days late. If the payment remains in arrears past the first of the following month, the previous month's late fee will be added to the base tuition and an additional $20 fee will accrue. This will continue on the first of each month until the delinquent tuition is paid in full. In addition, a $15.00 penalty will be assessed for any check returned by the bank.

Registration 

Registration will begin on January 1. 

Priority of Acceptance

Applications will be accepted on the following basis provided they are received on the specified registration date:

• Currently enrolled students
• Siblings of currently / formerly enrolled students and children of parishioners
• Those who have toured

Registration will open to the public on January 15. 

*Students must reapply every year. Applications do not automatically carry over.

Age Requirements

Children will be grouped by their age as of September 1 of the year of their entrance.

Health Requirements 

A Health Summary form (provided by the school) must be completed and signed by your child’s physician.

Immunization Form 3231 must be completed, signed by your physician, and submitted to the Day School before your child may attend school. As required under Georgia Code (OCGA §20-2-771) your child may be excluded from school or childcare if this information is not received by the Health Department.

We will only consider medical exemptions. These exemptions must be reviewed by the Director, Rector, and Advisory Board and are subject to approval by the Health Department. Exemptions must be approved before your child attends school. Please contact the Day School office as early as possible to begin the review process.

Withdrawals

EEDS requires a month's notification when withdrawing from the program. If a child is to attend a portion of a month, the full month's tuition must be paid. If a child is removed without notification, there will be a one-month tuition penalty. August's tuition will be reimbursed if notice is given 30 days before the first day of school, less the non-refundable $150 registration fee. 

Illness Guidelines

When your child does not feel well or is unable to participate in regular activities please keep them home. We use the American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools to determine when a child should stay home or return to school. Please review the guidelines listed below for when to keep your child home. 

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting 2 or more times in the previous 24 hours
• Rash with fever or behavior change
• Any irritation or drainage from the eye(s) accompanied by fever that prevents the child from engaging in usual activities.
• Mouth sores with drooling that cannot be controlled
• Severe mouth pain while eating or pain that prevents the child from engaging in usual activities
• Skin sores that are weeping fluid and are on an exposed body surface that cannot be covered with a waterproof dressing.
• Impetigo, until 24 hours after treatment.
• Strep throat, until the child has received an appropriate antibiotic for 12 hours.
• Head lice, until the morning after the first treatment.
• Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye), until the child has received an appropriate antibiotic for 24 hours.
• Excessive nasal discharge that is cloudy, yellow, or green may need an evaluation by a physician or result in more care than the staff can provide.
• The child has any of the following conditions: fever, lethargy, irritability, persistent crying, difficulty breathing, or other signs of illness.

Please contact the office any time your child has an infectious illness so that we can notify other parents in the class. The identity of the child will remain privileged.

Inclement Weather

EEDS will follow Clarke County School District for inclement weather days. When CCSD schools are closed or on a delayed schedule EEDS will be closed.

Special Situations

Emmanuel Episcopal Day School reserves the right to remove any child from the program due to disciplinary issues. Any child with special needs or developmental delays must complete an evaluation process to ensure the child is being placed in the best possible situation.

Playground Rules

Please adhere to these rules whenever using our playground. This will reinforce the safe use of the playground at all times.

• Slide down feet first on the slides.
• Return toys to the storage container.
• Do not throw sand.
• Use caution when jumping off play equipment as it may cause serious injury.
• Bring your trash and belongings with you when you leave. To keep ants away, only water is allowed on the playground. No food allowed.
• Our playground is for children only. No pets.

*Please do not allow your child to walk up and down the stone ledge by the stairs leading up to the school. We know it’s tempting and can be fun, but it is a safety risk and we would hate for someone to be seriously injured if they were to fall off.

Visitors 

You are welcome to come and observe your child in school. Please make arrangements with the teacher before your visit. Only registered children may attend school. Friends and out-of-town guests may not attend for the day.

Solicitations 

The Director must first approve any notice that you would like to post on our bulletin boards or distribute to other parents in the school.

Parking

Parents may use the parking lots on either side of the church.

Clothing

When dressing your child for school, keep in mind that many of our art projects are fun but messy and require casual dress. Comfortable shoes must be worn at all times. Shoes such as clogs and flip-flops are hazardous on the stairs and on the playground. Your child will be going outside every day and must be dressed appropriately for the weather. Please remember to label all coats, hats, and mittens with your child's name.

Potty Training

Children in the 3s class must be fully potty trained and independently using the bathroom by January 1. 

Lunch

Please send a nutritious lunch each day with your child. Keep lunchboxes on the small side if possible. Ice packs should be included to keep food safe and fresh until lunchtime. We are not able to microwave lunches.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Communication between parents and teachers is important. Scheduled conferences for the three and four-year-old classes will be held in the Spring. If you would like a conference before the Spring, please make that request with either your child’s teacher or the Director. We are happy to meet with you anytime. There is time for brief exchanges of vital information when dropping off or picking up children. However, the teachers' prime responsibility during this time is to attend to the children in the classroom and a prolonged conversation at the door is almost impossible.

History

Emmanuel Day School was founded to serve the community by providing a quality half-day preschool with a Christian education component. In 1982, the church vestry approved a two-class program for the 1982-1983 school year. The Williams Rhodes Gifts Committee supported the expansion of the program. In the fall of 1985, an administrator was hired to work along with the assistant rector to expand the program. In 1988 the parent-teacher organization was formed to provide support and parental involvement for the school. In 1992 we became part of the National Association of Episcopal Schools and our name changed to Emmanuel Episcopal Day School. 

2025-2026 CALENDAR 

August 13 - Open House: Meet Your Teacher 

Students & Family Drop-In, 5:30-7:00

August 14 - First Day of School

September 1 - Labor Day, No School

October 9-13 - Fall Break

November 24-28 - Thanksgiving Break, No School

December - Cookie Swap & Hot Chocolate Holiday Outreach

Students & Family are invited to stay after pickup to shop the bake sale, 12:45-1:45

December 17 - January 3 - Christmas & New Year’s Break, No School

January 6  - School Resumes

January 19 - MLK Jr. Day, No School

February 16  - No School

March 12-13 - No School

March  - Spring Picture Days

April 6-10  - Spring Break, No School

April - EEDS Family Fun Night

April  - 3‘s Musical Performance

May 15 - Last Day of School & 4’s Graduation

*Calendar is subject to change with notice.

This Handbook is intended to serve as a guide to the policies and procedures of our school. It may not address every possible situation. For further clarification or questions, please contact the Director.