FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CHICKPEAS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CHICKPEAS

What’s special about Chickpeas?

Chickpeas is a parent-run cooperative preschool, in which parents perform administrative and other tasks and teachers fulfill educational responsibilities. We like to think that a range of children and families can feel welcome here. Our emphasis on learning through play, social development, and creativity allows children to develop at their own pace within a supportive setting. The children are all part of one inter-aged group.

Where can I get more information about the educational program and philosophy?

Information is available at: www.chickpeas.org, as well as on the current brochure. An important way to learn about Chickpeas is through a tour, which takes place during the school day.

How long is the school year?

Our school year runs for eleven months, from September through the end of July. In general, Chickpeas has fewer days off than the public schools. A school year calendar can be viewed on our website. In recent years, families have had the option to sell their days in July to other members of the Chickpeas community, including alumni families.

What do parents have to do?

Each family is required to work one job. In addition, one parent per family must attend a meeting one evening per month. Parents also participate in Fundraising and Recruitment events, as well as occasional clean-up activities.

What are the different types of jobs that parents do?

The jobs range from various administrative tasks, to maintaining the physical facility, to teaching Movement or Music. The Executive Committee is comprised of two Co-Coordinators, three Treasurers, a Secretary, a UPK Coordinator, a Teacher Liaison, a Health Department Liaison and a Grants Writer. Other jobs include Fundraising, Indoor/Outdoor Coordinators, Alumni Communications Coordinator, Recruitment, purchasing Snacks, purchasing Supplies and serving as Trip Coordinator.

Do parents have to be available during the school day to do their jobs?

No. The only jobs that require availability during the school day are teaching Music (one hour per week), teaching Movement (one hour per week), and Trip Coordinator (approximately one morning per month, to accompany the group on trips).

About how much time does each job take?

Some jobs have a regular flow, while others are more seasonal. Families who buy Snacks, for example, do so on a regular basis. The Recruitment job, in contrast, has a busy period in the winter, but requires less time in the fall. The Co-Coordinators are responsible for monitoring how the jobs are going, and can adjust requirements or get more help as needed. So it’s difficult to say exactly how much time each job requires—and being a Chickpeas parent does require putting time aside to work. But there are safeguards in place to ensure that no job gets too overwhelming.

Does Chickpeas offer “buy-out” options for families who wish to pay higher tuition instead of taking on a job?

No, at this time all families are required to take on jobs, with no “buy-out” options available.

How are jobs handled by families in which the parents live in more than one household?

Chickpeas requires one job per family, regardless of living arrangements or family composition. In families with more than one parent, the family can decide how to approach jobs—whether one parent per family will take full responsibility, or if work roles will be shared among two parents, etc.

Who makes the rules at Chickpeas?

In general, administrative decisions are made by the parents, often after consultation with the teachers when relevant. The director/head teacher is generally responsible for educational decisions. An open system of communication among parents and teachers allows for a useful exchange of ideas. The parents are considered the Board of Directors. We follow a set of By-Laws and policies that are documented in our Parent Handbook. Parents vote on new policies and procedures as situations arise. Parents are also involved in hiring of new staff, as needed.

Who are the paid staff at Chickpeas?

The paid staff consists of the Educational Director, a Head Teacher, a Teacher, and an Assistant Teacher. In addition, an After School Assistant works five afternoons per week, from 3:00 until 6:00 pm. Substitute teachers are available in the event of teacher absences.

Alexandra Ferguson is our Educational Director. She is a certified Early Childhood and Elementary Education teacher with a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Education, New York University. In addition, she completed course work towards a Master’s degree at Teacher’s College, Columbia University in the area of Educational Administration. Her student teaching internship included working in the 6/7’s class at Bank Street School for Children. Before pursuing a second career as an Education Law attorney, Alexandra taught in an American elementary school in Athens, Greece for a year followed by three years as Teacher/Director at the Greenhouse Preschool in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Alexandra also was a Kindergarten teacher at P.S. 39 right here in Park Slope. As an attorney, Alexandra continued to focus on Education through her work at Advocates For Children, the New York City Department of Education, and as a Visiting Professor and Acting Director of the Special Education Law Clinic at Rutgers School of Law.

Carolyn Lyons is our Head Teacher. She joined Chickpeas in 2002. She holds a B.A. degree in Sociology from West Chester University in Pennsylvania and an M.S. Ed. degree in School Counseling from Hunter College. Before joining the Chickpeas staff, she worked as a tutor and summer school teacher for the the Bell Foundation in Harlem. After completing her Master's degree, Carolyn worked in the counseling departments of P.S. 506 and P.S. 120 in Brooklyn. She later went on to be a Child and Family Therapist at Joseph J. Peters Institute in Philadelphia. Carolyn has over 10 years of experience working with children in both educational and therapeutic settings.

Lizzi Mazal has worked with young people of all ages in the Park Slope area over the past 7 years; at Spoke the Hub as a movement teacher and in other artistic roles such as a Children's Service Leader at Park Slope Jewish Center and "spreading" the gospel of compost (and worms!) at Brooklyn Botanic Garden sponsored events. Lizzi recently graduated with honors from Brooklyn College earning a BA in Anthropology and has just returned to complete a Masters in Early Childhood Education. In addition, Lizzi is a Chickpeas alumni parent; her daughter Emma Rose is now in 4th grade at the Brooklyn New School.

Yliana Gonzales has been a full-time Assistant Teacher at Chickpeas for over seven years, having begun here as a substitute teacher. Yliana’s Peruvian background comes alive at Chickpeas through her teaching of Spanish. She has babysat for many Chickpeas over the years.
Maria Colon assists the afterschool program at Chickpeas. She has also worked since 2007 as a Teachers Aid for the Independent School Placement Program at Boys' Club of New York. She babysits for many Park Slope families and volunteered at Chickpeas from 2001-2002.

Do the teachers have training in CPR and first aid?

All three full-time teachers are certified in CPR. Carolyn is CPR and first aid certified

What are the scheduling options?

Children may attend three, four or five days per week. Parents may designate their scheduling preferences on the application. (We appreciate hearing from families with flexible schedules.) Children who turn four by December 31 are eligible for our Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program*, which requires full-time enrollment of five days per week.

Can my child join in on field trips and other special activities even if s/he is not scheduled to attend on a particular day?

Yes. Children may attend field trips, Music class, Movement class and other special activities on any day, even if they are not scheduled to be at Chickpeas on that day.

How does the after school program work?

It’s flexible. Parents can decide on a pick-up time for their child on any given day. Children can be picked up at 3:00 pm, or may stay until any time between 3:15 pm and 6:00 pm, for an additional charge. This year, the cost of the after school program is $7.00 an hour, based on actual usage. Families may use the after school program as often as needed.

How does the buy/sell system work?

Families may buy and sell days within the Chickpeas community. If a family wishes for their child to attend an extra day on a given week, for example, they may request to buy that day from another family who may be selling it. Conversely, if a family knows that their child will not be able to attend on a particular day, they can offer to sell the day to an interested family.

How does the Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) system work?

Children who turn four by December 31 are eligible for enrollment in our UPK program. Through a grant from the New York City Department of Education, families of UPK children receive a significant tuition reimbursement. Children must attend five days per week.

If we’re interested in UPK, do we have to submit a separate application to Chickpeas and for UPK?

No. Families of UPK-eligible children only have to submit an application to Chickpeas. Once children are enrolled in Chickpeas, the families will be given the necessary paperwork for the Department of Education.

Is the UPK a separate program?

In keeping with the Chickpeas orientation, all of the children are part of one inter-aged group, including UPK children.

*We are currently operating with a grant for
UPK from the DOE. Our UPK contract for
2010-2011 is up for renewal. We are not able
to guarantee that the tuition for UPK eligible
children will be subsidized next year and UPK
scheduling may change.

When do parents pay tuition?

Parents pay tuition in monthly installments. A deposit equivalent to one month’s tuition is required when parents accept a space.

When is your age cut-off for each year?

We follow the same age cut-offs as the New York City Department of Education. Children must turn three or four by December 31 of the year they enroll to be eligible to attend Chickpeas.

My child is born in January, but seems like s/he would fit in well with the older children, born before December 31. Any chance s/he can enroll early?

Sorry, but no. Given our relationship with the New York City Department of Education, from whom we receive a UPK grant, the cut-off dates are strict.

Can I apply for my twins [or siblings]?

Yes. Just be aware that the children are part of one inter-aged group, so you might want to consider whether you want your children to be part of the same class. Feel free to talk to us about special circumstances; we’d be happy to arrange for you to consult with the teachers as well. If you are applying for twins or siblings, we require only one application fee.

How does Chickpeas make admissions decisions?

Our priorities are creating a balanced, diverse group of children, particularly because they are part of one inter-aged group of twenty children per day. Similarly, we seek a parent community that can uphold the values of the cooperative, and that is able to perform the range of tasks that are needed.

What is the admissions timetable?

Applications for September 2010 are due by February 2, 2010. We plan to mail notification letters by the first week of March. The notification letters will indicate whether we can offer a space to families, or if their children’s names will be kept on our waiting list. We ask that parents inform us about their decision to enroll by March 8th, 2010. Our waiting list will move as soon as we hear about available spaces. Applications received after February 2nd will be kept on a second-tier waiting list, with no application fee required at the time of application.

If we’re interested in Chickpeas, should we schedule a tour?

We strongly encourage you to schedule a tour. Even if you have attended an Open House, we think it’s important that you see Chickpeas “in action” during the school day.

If I receive a waitlist letter, is there any hope of enrolling my child for September?

Our experience tells us that yes, waitlists do move, and many current and former Chickpeas families were admitted through the waitlist.

Does my child have to be toilet-trained?

No, it’s fine for children to be using diapers at Chickpeas.

Are children served food at Chickpeas?

Snacks are provided at mid-morning, in the afternoon, and in the after school program. Children bring their own lunches, which are stored in the refrigerator. Food for lunch can be heated in the microwave oven. The Parent Handbook contains guidelines for providing nutritious food for lunches. Children who arrive early may also bring breakfast

How does Chickpeas handle food allergies?

Food allergies are handled on a case-by-case basis. Feel free to talk to us for more information.

Does Chickpeas accommodate special needs children?

Chickpeas has collaborated with local special education programs to accommodate children who receive special services during the school day. Feel free to talk to us for more information.

Does my child need to be vaccinated to attend Chickpeas?

Yes (but please see below for information about exemptions). Chickpeas is a fully licensed day care center for children between the ages of 2.9 and 5.7 and must comply with the legal requirements of the New York State Department of Health. Every child must provide a record of immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP or DTP); poliomyelitis (OPV/IPV); mumps, measles, rubella (MMR); Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib); hepatitis B (Hep B), and varicella (aka chicken pox). Parents can call 311 or check the Health Department's website for details about school immunization requirements.

Are there any exemptions to the immunization requirements?

A child may be exempt from the required immunizations for medical
or religious reasons. A medical exemption is a certificate from a
physician that states one or more immunizations may be detrimental to
the child's health. A religious exemption is a written statement
stating that the parents object to their child's immunization due to
sincere and genuine religious beliefs which prohibit the immunization
of their child. This statement must be approved by the Bureau of
Day Care.