The best way for a parent to find out how their child learns while he or she is in school is by taking part in classroom and socialization activities.
In the classroom or during socialization groups, parents will be able to observe their child learning every day, and they will be able to continue teaching these new concepts at home. Children are most successful when their parents are involved in their early care and education.
HOPES CAP, Inc. Early Childhood Services receive Federal and State funds to support programs that serve children who turn 3 or 4 years old by September 30th in Hoboken, and those who turn 3 or 4 years by October 1st in Plainfield, at no cost to the families.
All Hoboken and Plainfield families are welcomed to apply to enroll their children in the HOPES CAP, Inc. Early Childhood Services Program; however, the program is required under Head Start regulations to offer priority enrollment to income eligible children, income eligible children with disabilities. In order to be income eligible, the family's gross income cannot exceed the Federal Income Guidelines for Head Start Programs. HOPES CAP, Inc. Early Childhood Program is permitted to include in its Head Start enrollment 10% of over-income families.
To be eligible for State Funded Preschool services, the child must meet the age requirements and must reside within the city limits of Hoboken and Plainfield. There are no income requirements for the State Funded Preschool.
Vouchers for Wrap Around Services (Early Morning and Extended Day) require families to qualify based on income and parent's employment status and/or school enrollment.
HOPES CAP, Inc. Early Childhood Program believes that parents are the most important influence on a child's academic as well as personal success.
With this in mind, parents are encouraged to participate in their child's preschool experience by volunteering as a team member in their child's classroom. Parents can further contribute by becoming involved in the HOPES CAP, Inc. Head Start Policy Council or serving on the HOPES CAP, Inc. Parent Committees.
HOPES CAP, Inc. Early Childhood Program has an open door policy. In addition, parents are encouraged to read the monthly newsletter and calendar distributed by the program so that they are made aware of all up-coming program events.
HOPES CAP, Inc. Early Childhood Program provides many opportunities for parents to share with and learn from one another.
Parents/Guardians are strongly encouraged to be their child's most powerful advocate both in school and outside of school. HOPES CAP, Inc. Early Childhood Program offers a forum for parents/guardians to ask questions and express their concerns about issues affecting the program and their children through monthly Parent Meetings. The meetings are held in the evening in order to accommodate working parents. Child care and a light dinner are provided at no cost to the families.
All parents/guardians of currently enrolled children are invited to participate in the Parent Committee and attend the Parent Meetings each month. Early in the school year, the Parent Committee elects officers to lead and facilitate the parent meetings and to plan fundraisers and activities for the children and families. Bilingual staff is present during the meetings to answer questions and give guidance to the parents/guardians.
Following the meetings, parents/guardians are encouraged to remain and participate in a Parent Workshop. Many topics relevant to the interests and concerns of the families are presented throughout the year. The following is a partial list of topics:
- Program Orientation for Parents/Guardians
- Early Childhood Development
- Effective Discipline
- Stress Management
- Cancer Awareness
- Domestic Violence
- Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention
- Basic Nutrition
- Menu Planning on a Budget
- Pedestrian Safety
- Basic Health Education
- First Aide
- Diabetes Awareness
- Asthma Awareness
For more information, or if you are interested in providing educational workshops to parents/guardians, please contact Yvette Ypelaar, Family & Community Partnerships Manager at 201-795-1576 ext. 14.
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Parents are required to bring their child to school on time and to pick him/her up on time.
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Parents must report their child's absences to HOPES CAP, Inc. Early Childhood Program no later than 8:30AM on the day of his/her absence by contacting the center in which their child is enrolled.
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Parents must submit a doctor's note for his or her child if the child is absent due to illness for three or more days.
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The Emergency Contact Form with the names, addresses and phone numbers of neighbors or relatives who can be contacted in an emergency, must be submitted to the HOPES CAP, Inc Early Childhood Program office at the time of enrollment, and updated as needed.
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Parents and/or authorized adults must be at the child's designated bus stop on time for both pick-up and drop-off.
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Parents are asked to dress their child in comfortable clothing so that they are prepared for a very active day.
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Parents are responsible for providing a change of clothing for children (including undergarments).
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All children must have completed physical and dental examinations, as required by Head Start Performance Standards.
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An updated immunization record must be submitted before starting HOPES CAP, Inc. Early Childhood Program (as required by the regulations of New Jersey State Department of Health Sanitary Code, Immunization of Pupils in Schools.)
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Parents have the right to inspect and review all education records relating to their child by making request to their Family Advocate.
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Parents have the right to be treated with respect and dignity.
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Parents have the right to be welcomed into their child's classroom.
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Parents have the right to expect guidance for their child/family.
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Parents have the right to be informed about their child's progress.
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Parents have the right to participate in policy making committees.
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Parents have the right to learn about the operation of the program.
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Parents have the right to be informed about community resources.
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Parents have the right to participate in parent meetings and workshops.
At the time of registration, parents/guardians must complete the Pick-up Authorization/Emergency Contact form to provide HOPES CAP, Inc. Early Childhood Program with the names and telephone numbers of at least three (3) individuals who will be responsible/authorized to pick-up the child in case of an emergency.
Should an accident or illness occur in the classroom, the teacher or a teacher assistant will take the injured/ill child immediately to the office. The office staff will assess the nature of the child's injury/illness and notify the parents. In the event the child needs to be taken to the hospital, the Health Specialist, school nurse or office staff will call 911 for the Police and/or Ambulance.
The child's health record and Emergency Consent Form will be taken to the hospital. The Parent will be notified immediately and be asked to meet their child in the hospital.
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No child is to be left alone or unsupervised.
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Children must be brought to school and picked up from school by an authorized parent/guardian or person listed on the Emergency Contact form.
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Fire drills are conducted on a twice-monthly basis.
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In the event of a fire, the children must leave the building with Head Start staff by using the exits designated on the Emergency Exit Floor Plan.
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All children going on field trips must have a signed permission slip prior to the trip. First aid kits and signed Emergency Medical/Dental Consent forms must be taken.
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New Jersey law requires any person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect, shall report it immediately to the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS, N.J.S.A. 9:6—8:10).
All parents and/or authorized individuals must sign the child's time in and out of the building each day.
In the event the parent or other authorized person does not pick up the child at the end of a session, HOPES CAP, Inc. Early Childhood Program follows this procedure:
- Office staff contacts the individuals listed on the Emergency Contact Form.
- In the event the office staff is unable to reach anyone from the child's Emergency Contact Form within one hour of the scheduled closing time or there is no one available to pick up the child, the office staff will notify the Manager on call. The child will remain in the classroom supervised by teaching staff. HOPES CAP, Inc. office staff will continue to attempt to contact an authorized adult.
(In the event the child is not picked up from HOPES, the manager on call will contact the Division of Youth and Family Services.) - Parents who are late picking up children from the Extended Day program (after 5:30pm) will be charged a late fee. On the third occurrence the family will lose the privilege of using the Extended Day Services.
Upon Arrival at HOPES CAP, Inc., the parents or the adult dropping the child off must sign the child into care on the sign-in sheet located in the classroom. Children are required to be escorted by their parent or the adult dropping them off, to their designated classroom. Parents are required to help children wash their hands before entering the classroom, put away their outerwear and get settled for the day.
Children are expected to arrive in their classrooms by 8:30 AM each day. Any parent arriving after 8:45am will be asked by the teacher to speak to the office staff before the child is accepted in the classroom. The parent and the child will be sent to the site office.
The office staff will document lateness. Parents will be asked to sign the "lateness log". On the third occurrence of lateness, the parent will not be permitted to leave the child at school for the day.
For more information about HOPES CAP, Inc. please contact:
HOPES CAP, Inc. Early Childhood Program
In Hoboken:
301 Garden St, Hoboken, NJ 07030 Phone: (201) 795-1576x10
In Plainfield
7-9 Watchung Ave, Plainfield, NJ 07060 Phone: 908-754-1830 x10
E-Mail: info@hopes.org
