Following are the steps to follow If your church is thinking of starting a Christian school, preschool or daycare:
A Christian school is a noble cause worth doing well. Starting a school requires much time, prayer, research, and commitment. In fact, starting a school, preschool or daycare should only be contemplated by an established Foursquare church that is equipped and able to focus a significant amount of energy, finances, and human resources on the process. In a similar way to planting a new church, opening a Christian school, preschool or daycare requires months of planning and preparation.
The Foursquare National Department of Christian Education stands ready to assist your church to plan for a successful Christian school. Contact us to get started.
Here is the checklist of characteristics that describes the best church situation in which to begin a Christian school, preschool or daycare:
The attached brochure contains important guidelines and a startup checklist.
Talk with your district supervisor to ensure you have his or her support. Also contact the National Church Office (213) 989-4258 along with Foursquare Insurance (213) 989-4408 in the early stages of planning.
Each state has its own regulations and guidelines governing schools, preschools and daycares. It is your responsibility to do thorough research so that you are aware of and prepared to meet every requirement. The Foursquare Church requires that Christian schools, preschools and daycares be in full compliance with all regulations, and maintain current licensing and registration with state and local authorities.
Once you have completed all state and local licensing requirements, you are ready to submit an application for Foursquare Church Board approval. This approval is necessary for a Foursquare Christian school , preschool or daycare to be legally identified by the IRS as a registered non-profit ministry of The Foursquare Church. No Foursquare church can operate a school, preschool or daycare without this approval.
The IRS requires schools, preschools and daycares to certify publically that they have a policy of racial nondiscrimination, and do not discriminate against applicants or students on the basis of race, color, or national/ethnic origin. Such a statement should be included in the charter of every Foursquare school, preschool and daycare. In addition, a statement of the school's policy of racial nondiscrimination must appear in all websites, as well as brochures, catalogs, handbooks and other materials published by the school. Finally, each school, preschool or daycare is required by the IRS to annually publish a notice of racial nondiscrimination, either in a local newspaper or via radio or television announcements.
Each fall, all Foursquare Christian schools, preschools and daycares are required to submit two reports: the Annual Report to Confirm Tax Exemption and the Annual Report of Financial Practices. Schools will receive an annual reminder that these reports are due, along with current copies of each report.
C.A.R.E.
Education
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