Team Wiki - User contributions [en]

Inclusion

2026-06-04T15:57:24Z

Theresa.k: referred to the family handbook, and added staff-only information in.

[[Category: Sprouts]]

In accordance with the policy statement of the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Education, Brookline Sprouts Preschool and Daycare policy promotes inclusion while reducing suspension and expulsion.

Please see the Family Handbook on the parent resources page on the Brookline Sprouts website to read the public-facing inclusion policy at Brookline Sprouts.

For more information, read below:

Brookline Sprouts staff are encouraged to regularly provide information about local services, and to offer additional support and service recommendations and referrals when appropriate or if parents/families ask for assistance. Staff should check with administrators to ensure that their service recommendations and presentation of these offerings are appropriate if they are unsure. When these resources are shared, record of receipt of the resources are kept in childrens' files.

If children have established services which include support staff or therapists, they should be allowed into the building after stating their name and purpose for being there. Staff should then ask for identification, and encourage them to record their attendance via a visitor/therapist log, which are located near the Sprouts door and on top of the mailboxes in the upstairs classroom.

Professional development and special training is provided to all staff. Records of training can be found in staff files, meeting minutes from staff meetings, and in PA Keys. Information about common disabilities is also shared with staff on a regular basis on Slack channels that all staff have access to, and staff have access to community resources that are shared with parents. Staff are also encouraged to seek out additional education on their own, and to share educational opportunities with other staff members.

Parents/guardians are asked to provide copies of childrens' IEPS, and lessons are planned in accordance to attending childrens' IEP recommendations and needs. Staff are welcome to request administrator assistance with this task, and may go into the office and view the IEPS, which are stored in the child's files, at any time, provided that they do not break ratio to do so, and do not disseminate the childrens' private information inappropriately. Brookline Sprouts staff should also contribute to IEP meeting resource gathering by sharing information with special education teachers, parents, and other supportive professionals as needed.

If a staff member thinks that a general accommodation or modification should be added to a classroom, they should use their judgement in the moment to manage the children and classroom appropriately, then present this topic to an administrator or post a message in Slack as soon as they can.

Inclusion

2026-05-13T18:12:49Z

Theresa.k: Grammar and sentence structure, and some added information about what we do for inclusion

[[Category: Sprouts]]

In accordance with the policy statement of the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Education, Brookline Sprouts Preschool and Daycare policy promotes inclusion while reducing suspension and expulsion.

At Brookline Sprouts, we support the belief that every child and family, regardless of ability, has the right to participate in all activities. Brookline Sprouts believes that by giving children, with and without disabilities, opportunities and experiences it will create a sense of belonging, promote positive social relationships, and provide children the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. As teachers and caregivers, we are determined to provide access to high quality education, promote participation and support to all children in learning and social activities.

Access to high-quality education is the right of all children. We believe in providing a fun and safe learning environment for all families in the least restrictive environment possible.

We believe that providing access to information and helpful services is the first step to helping a family and early intervention for their child. Families are provided contact information for community agencies for further evaluations. Children and families are regularly provided information about local services, and are offered additional support and service recommendations and referrals if Brookline Staff notice opportunities to offer them or if parents/families ask for assistance. When these resources are shared, record of receipt of the resources should be kept in childrens' files.

If a child has a diagnosis, all reasonable established services and accommodations for the child shall be implemented with full acceptance by the teaching staff. If children have established services which include support staff or therapists, they will be allowed into the building and their attendance will be recorded via a visitor/therapist log.

The physical environment is set up to provide equal opportunities for all program activities. Curriculum and instructional strategies provide multiple ways of learning and expression of learning. Strategies that promote independent participation are provided.

Professional development and special training is provided to all staff. Records of training can be found in staff files, meeting minutes from staff meetings, and in PA Keys. Information about common disabilities is also shared with staff on a regular basis on Slack channels that all staff have access to, and staff have access to community resources that are shared with parents.

Parents/guardians are asked to provide copies of childrens' IEPS, and lessons are planned in accordance to attending childrens' IEP recommendations and needs. Brookline Sprouts staff also contribute to IEP meeting resource gathering by sharing information with special education teachers, parents, and other supportive professionals as needed.

Meaningful Participation: All children learn from each other and Brookline Sprouts encourages and supports the development of real relationships and a sense of belonging. We provide experiences and routines that are adapted so that all children can participate in all activities. To ensure equal participation teaching strategies are intentional to provide scaffolding for learning, and models of instruction are tiered to meet the needs of all children. Brookline Sprouts uses strategies and tools to promote inclusion, such as: social stories written by Brookline Sprouts and from the Pyramid Institute, parent/teacher meetings, visual schedules, visual timers, countdowns to transitions, predictable and reliable schedules, opportunities for children to take a break in a calm area, songs that teach regulation strategies, adaptive seating, lesson planning and classroom setup that promotes inclusion and kindness, and multiple options for children with dietary or movement restrictions to participate fully.

Through relationships with local agencies and specialists, as well as access to a comprehensive Social/Emotional Curriculum, we strive to establish a system of services and supports for children with disabilities and their families. It is important to Brookline Sprouts that all children and their families feel included in every aspect of Sprouts' education and care offerings.

Mission

2026-02-16T18:23:11Z

Theresa.k: Added Brookline Sprouts' specific mission

[[File:251159_REALTV_4_071718.jpg|border|option]]
At Tree Of Life Church, we want to be REAL in all that we do. And not only does that mean being authentic to both Christ and each other, but to Restore, Activate, Empower, and Love. Furthermore, we make every effort to create a safe, encouraging fellowship of people who urge each other towards Christ and His likeness.

Brookline Sprouts' mission is to serve children in Brookline and other South Pittsburgh communities, providing stability, quality care, strong educational foundations, and good nutrition.

Curriculum

2026-01-26T23:03:30Z

Theresa.k: Added that we have formal lessons in schoolage on wraparound days now.

[[Category: Sprouts]]

'''Preschool'''

Each day the children engage in both formal lesson time as well as unstructured play and learning centers time, allowing them to be well-rounded through several modes of developmentally-appropriate learning (play-based, teacher-led, child-led, etc.). During the school year, we utilize Frog Street's pre-k curriculum as source material for our lessons. We encourage teachers to cater to their strengths when choosing which areas to highlight in the lessons. Incorporating additional activities and crafts is also welcome. There are paper FrogStreet curriculum books and materials, as well as a [https://portal2.frogstreet.com/login robust online portal] for songs, ebooks, etc. as well as a digital version of the curriculum books.

During the Summer Session, our staff, in accordance with [https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1cqgqIMNM6kvZxYfUndw5kFcXhk1QwuEh Pennsylvania’s Early Learning Standards and Kindergarten Readiness standards], creates our formal lessons. They may also use the Big Day for Prek curriculum resources to create lesson plans. Copies of each week’s lesson plans, and corresponding activities and instructions are in the “Lesson Plan” binder in each of the classrooms. They are also kept electronically in [https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/0AFCNgn2LMtm6Uk9PVA Google Drive.] You are encouraged to look ahead to see the lessons for the week. Preparation for the following day’s lesson can be completed during nap time or first thing in the morning during early drop off time. Teaching leads are given at least 1 hour weekly administrative time outside of ratios for Lesson Planning.

For both the Summer Session and the School Year, we encourage the use of Fundations products for extra early literacy skills. There is a Teaching Guide that can be used as a resource and for more information on how to use the flashcards, letter formation scripts, Baby Echo, etc.

If you need access to the Google Drive folder or Frog Street portal, please speak to Administration for access.

'''School Age'''

School age children during the school year follow a daily schedule, and there are Sprouts teacher-created lessons and themes on wraparound days. Teachers work collaboratively to create and lead lessons and activities around themes, which are shared with families and approved by administrators. These lessons follow PA standards, with the standards listed on the lesson plans and on the lesson calendars, which are to be posted on the wall in the school age childcare area, visible to parents and staff. Staff will help the children with homework whenever possible and the child is cooperative. However, there are formal lessons prepared for half days and in-service days following [https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1cqgqIMNM6kvZxYfUndw5kFcXhk1QwuEh PA Standards]. As with preschool, they will be printed in a Lesson Plan folder as well as stored electronically in Google Drive.

In the event of Distance Learning/Remote Learning days, staff will make an effort to help children on to their calls, complete their work, and adhere to their school's schedule. Meal times for the class at the center must be followed regardless of online schedules. (For more information on this topic, staff can refer to the technology and distance learning policies signed upon enrollment by families.)

During summer, daily lessons are scheduled, similar to in-service/drop-in days for the children.

Organization Operated Social Media Accounts

2025-12-29T19:51:12Z

Theresa.k: /* Ownership */

=Organization Operated Social Media Accounts=
==Ownership==
The Organization maintains ownership of all social media accounts managed by the name of or brands operated within the church. Listed below are the official social media pages of the church:
*'''Facebook Pages:'''
**[https://www.facebook.com/pittsburghrevival Pittsburgh Revival]
**[https://www.facebook.com/brooklinesprouts Brookline Sprouts]
**[https://www.facebook.com/SPOAC412 SPOAC412]
**[https://www.facebook.com/RecoveryChurchOrchard Recovery Church Orchard]
*'''Linked In:'''
**SPOAC
*'''Indeed:'''
**Indeed Link
*Instagram
**[https://www.instagram.com/brooklinesprouts/ Brookline Sprouts]
*Next Door
**https://tinyurl.com/nextdoorpage123
*TikTok
**https://www.tiktok.com/@brooklinesprouts?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Google:
https://share.google/Vitw8JSqMGgZBM40m (Tree of Life)
https://share.google/8GUAy4c4NfOIsobKy (Sprouts)

==Administrators==
*It is required that the '''Senior Pastor''' and the '''Director of Operations''' have administrative privileges on all social media accounts.
*Staff members are not permitted to create other social media accounts without the explicit permission of the Senior Pastor.
==Publishing Policies==
*In order to maintain a cohesive marketing message across all platforms, specific publishing policy requirements may be established for different brands operated by the church.

Continuing Education Policy

2025-12-01T21:11:43Z

Theresa.k: /* Staff Education and Career Development Policy */

=== '''Staff Education and Career Development Policy''' ===
Brookline Sprouts is committed to supporting the continued education and professional growth of all staff. We believe that investing in staff development directly impacts the quality of care and education we provide to children and families.

'''1. Commitment to Education and the PA Keys Career Pathway'''

Brookline Sprouts uses the '''Pennsylvania Keys Career Pathway''' as the framework for staff development. All staff are encouraged to set individualized education goals that align with the Career Pathway and their role within our program. All staff are required to obtain at least 20 continuing education credits per year.

'''2. Career Planning and PDO Partnership'''

We partner with the '''Southwest Regional Professional Development Organization (PDO)''' to help staff:

* Develop personalized '''career plans''' that include credit-bearing coursework in Early Childhood Education (ECE).
* Access '''tuition assistance''' through programs such as '''TEACH Early Childhood® Pennsylvania''' and '''CDA Voucher Programs'''.
* Identify appropriate '''college pathways''', including participation in the '''Carlow University Apprenticeship Program''' or similar partnerships.

'''3. Professional Development Access and Scheduling'''

* Directors collaborate annually with staff to '''determine professional development needs''' based on performance reviews, Keystone STARS standards, and each individual’s career goals.
* '''On-site or virtual professional development sessions''' are scheduled to align with these training needs and staff availability.
* Staff are provided access to '''CCEI (ChildCare Education Institute)''' courses for CEUs, which may be completed at their own pace for additional learning and professional growth. All staff have '''unlimited, on-demand access''' to CCEI’s full library of professional development courses. Team members are encouraged to take '''as many trainings as they’d like, whenever it fits their schedule''', to support continuous learning and advancement.

'''4. Advanced Certifications and Leadership Growth'''

Staff pursuing advanced credentials are encouraged and supported through:

* The '''Pennsylvania Director’s Credential Program''' or other approved leadership training.

'''5. Ongoing Monitoring and Support'''

Directors track staff progress toward educational goals annually, provide coaching to staff to assist them in their educational pathways, celebrate achievements such as CDA completion or degree attainment, and update pay rates in alignment with the current pay scale.

Additional Information about Education Benefits can be found here: [[Education Reimbursement Policy]]

Parent Feedback Policy

2025-12-01T20:19:15Z

Theresa.k: few things: i would remove timing intervals so we do not overcommit ourselves. You also need to add that we do general survey periodically add something that says we will not make accommodations that violate any contract or regulations with DHS, ACHD, USDA, etc.

At Sprouts, we value parent feedback and input. We believe that parents and our staff are part of a large community-based team, raising our community's children together. To support this, we take communication with parents seriously. We send surveys to parents regularly, and incorporate parent feedback gathered through these surveys into policies and procedures regularly. Further, we do our best to honor parent requests, making reasonable changes and accommodations in accordance with parent requests.

Parents are encouraged to make requests through Brightwheel messaging, although verbal requests may be accepted as well.

When a request has been made, employees should post the request in Slack, wait for approval from an administrator, then implement the request to the best of their abilities after it has been approved by an administrator.

Administrators should post the request in the administrators' channel, then if the request is not deemed unreasonable, administrators should inform staff and parents that the request may be honored. Staff should ensure that the request is honored.

If the request is deemed unreasonable by administrators, a meeting must be set between an administrator and parent to discuss the request and offer reasonable accommodations to fulfill parent wishes to the best of Sprouts' ability.

Common reasonable parent requests that Sprouts has or currently does fulfill include things like: Adding a particular child-friendly song to music and movement time, allowing a child to wear a watch, reminding a child to drink water at regular intervals, hanging extra family pictures in the classroom, and reading particular favorite books during story time.

No requests that violate contracts or requirements dictated by agencies such as DHS, USDA, ACHD, or other regulatory body will be considered a reasonable accommodation. An example of an unreasonable request may be: Not requiring a child to stay on their cots during naptime, not taking a child outside at all, not allowing a child to drink water all day, allowing a child to bring a weapon to the program, etc.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Parent Feedback Policy}}
[[Category:Sprouts]]

Parent Feedback Policy

2025-12-01T16:54:48Z

Theresa.k: Created the page

At Sprouts, we value parent feedback and input. We believe that parents and our staff are part of a large community-based team, raising our community's children together. To support this, we take communication with parents seriously. We will do our best to honor parent requests, making reasonable changes and accommodations in accordance with parent requests.

Parents are encouraged to make requests through Brightwheel messaging, although verbal requests may be accepted as well.

When a request has been made, employees should post the request in Slack, wait for approval from an administrator, then implement the request to the best of their abilities after it has been approved by an administrator.

Administrators should post the request in the administrators' channel, then if the request is not deemed unreasonable within 24 hours, administrators should inform staff and parents that the request may be honored. Staff should ensure that the request is honored within the week.

If the request is deemed unreasonable by administrators, a meeting must be set between an administrator and parent to discuss the request and offer reasonable accommodations to fulfill parent wishes to the best of Sprouts' ability.

Common reasonable parent requests that Sprouts has or currently does fulfill include things like: Adding a particular child-friendly song to music and movement time, allowing a child to wear a watch, reminding a child to drink water at regular intervals, hanging extra family pictures in the classroom, and reading particular favorite books during story time.

An example of an unreasonable request may be: Not requiring a child to stay on their cots during naptime, not taking a child outside at all, not allowing a child to drink water all day, allowing a child to bring a weapon to the program, etc.

Category:Sprouts

2025-12-01T16:31:44Z

Theresa.k:

[[Category:Manual]]
Sprouts Information
[[Index.php?title=Category:Parent Feedback Policy|Parent Feedback Policy]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Parent Feedback Policy}}

Category:Sprouts

2025-12-01T16:29:57Z

Theresa.k: parent feedback policy added

[[Category:Manual]]
Sprouts Information
[[Category:Parent Feedback Policy]]

Dual Language Learners

2025-11-04T20:35:21Z

Theresa.k: added details

[[Category: Sprouts]]

We believe in embracing diversity and creating a climate that is strength-based.

Brookline Sprouts strives to provide support for dual language learners to help promote their academic achievement. Brookline Sprouts believes that:

• Families are our partners, and childrens' home languages are deserving of respect

• Bilingualism is a strength that is to be fostered

To support children and families who use languages apart from English, Brookline Sprouts uses the following methods:

* Visuals and learning materials that support and reflect the languages and cultures of the children in the program are provided and displayed in classrooms

* Specialized Training for all staff is available
* Communication with parents who speak multiple languages is conducted both in-writing and face-to-face to ensure as much understanding as possible
* Parents are encouraged to disclose whether or not their child speaks/uses a language besides English
* All staff are made aware of children who utilize languages besides English
* Staff are encouraged to use languages besides English with the children in their care, often incorporating languages besides English into their daily interactions with children
* Childrens' books in languages other than English are incorporated into all classroom libraries, and flash cards in multiple languages can be found in both the schoolage and preschool areas.
* Children should be encouraged to communicate in their home languages whenever possible, and other children are encouraged to learn from their multilingual friends, teachers, and other community members who they come into contact with during their time at Brookline Sprouts.
* Segregation or teasing on the basis of multilingualism is not tolerated, and any instances of this from staff, children, parents of children in our program, or anyone else during center operational hours should be reported to administration immediately

Employee Breaks

2025-11-04T18:38:29Z

Theresa.k: added that breaks may be built into schedules, and added information about break room

[[Category:Sprouts]]

Sprouts Classroom Staff:

The center will at all times maintain ratios/staffing according to PA state regulations for each classroom as well as for the center as a whole. This means that you may not be allowed to leave the building, even while on break. If you would like to leave the building during a break time, this requires Administration approval to ensure that center-wide ratios are maintained.

30-45-minute unpaid breaks are given when a teaching staff member is working greater than 6 hours in a day. 15-minute paid breaks are given as needed to staff who are working less than 6 hours. Additional times to step out of the classroom, planned or unplanned, (such as bathroom breaks) are arranged via float and/or administration in order to maintain required ratios at all times. If a staff member needs to leave the room but doing so would violate ratio requirements, they should call float using a nearby classroom phone or their cellular device, wait for relief to arrive, then the relief that was called in should supervise children until the staff member returns. Childrens' tags should be transferred to the relief person, then transferred back to the original staff member upon their return, and a name-to-face check should be completed with each handover of care. There will always be a person available to receive these float calls/relieve staff members when necessary.

30 or 45-minute employee breaks may be reflected in employees' posted schedule in the employee portal. If a staff member is scheduled to work longer than 6 hours in a day and a break is not reflected in their posted schedule, staff members are responsible for choosing the time of their break, and responsible for asking other staff to cover their post during the break if necessary to maintain proper classroom supervision and state-required adult/child ratios.

Other Employees:

Office staff and administrators who are not in the classroom may take a 30-minute break at a time when it does not interfere with the workflow of the organization. For example, a staff member should not take a break during a scheduled staff meeting, but around such times. If a staff member's meal break needs to be at a designated time of day, it will be reflected in their employee portal schedule. Staff scheduled more than 6 hours in a day on the employee portal without an assigned break time are responsible for managing their own 30-minute break, with it logged in their Brightwheel hours appropriately.

Break Room:

All employees are welcome, but not required, to take breaks in the downstairs teachers' office/ break room. This room is stocked with reading materials, drawing materials, snacks, drinks, and fidgets. Employees are responsible for keeping the space tidy, and notifying administration if supplies require restocking. Employees may store their personal items in this space (purses, jackets, glasses, etc), but please be considerate of the shared space and leave room for others' belongings as well!

Employee Breaks

2025-11-04T18:24:14Z

Theresa.k: Expanded on procedure, changed "zenefits" to "employee portal"