|
~Parent Handbook~
Child's Name:______________________________________________________
Birth Date:__________________________________
Father's Name:__________________________________
Mother's Name:__________________________________
Address:__________________________________
City:__________________________________
Starting Date:__________________________________
The Following is a list of rules and regulations governing our Child Care Agreement. Please read this handbook thoroughly as it contains many important policies and procedures that pertain to the care of your child. If you have any questions or need clarification, please ask.
ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES
All necessary forms must be completed and returned to me before I will assume the responsibility for your child. NO EXCEPTIONS!! Please inform me as soon as possible of any changes. Listed below you will find the list of forms that you need to return to “Kids' Land DayCare” on or before you child's first day of care.
*Enrollment Form
*Child Care Contract
*Permission to Administer Medication
*Non-Prescription Medication Record
*Health Appraisal with Immunization Record
*Food Program Registration Letter
*Child Information Record
*Child In Care Statement
DAYS AND HOURS OF OPERATION
“Kids' Land DayCare” is open Monday-Friday, from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm. Child care is never offered on weekends, evenings, or holidays. Please remember that your fee is based on the hours that you contract for, not the hours that I am open. I will provide care for your child from ______ to ______. You are scheduled for child care at the above hours. If you drop off before or pick up after these scheduled hours you will be charged an overtime fee. The fee will be as follows: I will charge an overtime rate of $5.00 (per child) per every 15 minutes, beginning with the first minute, unless it is pre-arranged.
FEES
Your investment for daycare is $______ per week, whether your child is in attendance or not unless using vacation days. Payments are required on Monday morning prior to each work week. If payments are not received on Monday by closing time, a late fee of $5.00 per day will be charged. A fee of $25.00 will be charged for any returned checks. When fees are not current, children will not be allowed to attend unless arrangements have been made with me.
In the event that a court date has been set for collection, the parent/guardian will be responsible for any and all fees associated with this. This will include but not limited to late fees, additional staff costs (to attend court), and any court costs.
A year end statement of all daycare fees paid during the year will be given to you in January of each year for tax purposes. Please do not lose this statement. All records from the previous year are put into the history file and need to be rebooted to get an additional copy therefore a charge of $5.00 will be charged for a replacement copy.
SECURITY DEPOSIT
The security deposit is equal to one week of child care. If you are unable to pay the required deposit up front, you may add an extra $10.00 per week until the deposit requirement is fulfilled. This deposit will be used towards your last week of the two week notice required upon termination of this contract. This deposit will NOT be returned if the two week required notice is not given
.
HOLIDAYS
I will be taking 8 paid holiday's. They are:
*New Years Day
*Memorial Day
*July 4th
*Labor Day
*Thanksgiving
*Friday after Thanksgiving
*Christmas Eve
*Christmas Day
MEDICATIONS
If your child is on medication and it must be given while at daycare, the medicine must be in it's original container and labeled with your child's name, doctor, name of medication, dosage, and when it is to be taken. I will also have a form for you to sign giving us to permission to administer the medication to your child. If you need to bring over the counter medication, you must send along a signed and dated slip with your child's name, name of medication, dosage, and when it is to be administered.
PROPER ATTIRE
Child's play is messy work. Your child will be painting, playing in the grass, in the sandbox, playing with chalk and other various activities. Please do not expect us to keep your child's clothes clean and free from stains. Please dress children appropriately. I will not be responsible for “cute” clothes getting dirty. The children will participate in all activities regardless of how they are dressed. Children do not wear shoes inside. They must have socks or slippers on at all times. Slippers are required during the winter hours. Socks are also needed to play on the trampoline. The “no shoes” rule helps keep carpets clean and sanitary for crawling infants and playing children.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Our outdoor activities will include but not limited to using the playground equipment, riding bikes, roller blades and etc. Helmets, wrist guards, knee and elbow pads are required while riding bikes and roller blading. These items are provided by Kids' Land DayCare.
During the summer, much of the day is spent outside. Please bring a swimsuit that can be left here for the days that we play in the sprinkler. During the winter months we will go outside only if the temperature is above 20 degrees. Coats, boots, snow pants, hats, and gloves or mittens are required to go outside in the snow. If they are not prepared, they will not go out. Since I am the one that will care for them when they have runny noses and slight colds, every precaution will be taken.
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
“Kids' Land DayCare” is proud to offer a preschool program September through May. The program targets children 3 to 5 years of age. We are currently using the High Reach Program that consists of theme, shapes, numbers, colors and other activities. We are not teachers nor do we claim to be, however this program provides a teachers manual each month for us to follow. We also have puzzles and books along with many, many other activities. Remember... children actively learn while playing!
ILLNESS AND SICK CARE
The health and well being of all the children here is of the utmost importance to us. It is for the protection of your child that I must insist on a strict adherence to my Health Policy. Please read it carefully. If you have any questions or doubts, regarding it's contents, please discuss it with me now. Do not wait until your child is sick to think about what is best for all concerned. Even with all our precautions, children do get sick. Due to our concern for all the children enrolled, there are certain guidelines that I require all clients to observe. In some cases, you will be required to submit a written report from your doctor before your child may return to daycare. This is to ensure that a child does not return to daycare when he or she may be in danger of exposing someone else to an illness. Some contagious illnesses are no longer contagious after the child has been on medication for 24 hours. I am requesting that ALL children who are on this type of medication do not attend childcare until the FULL 24 hours of medication has been given.
There are a number of immunizations required by law before your child may attend childcare. Upon enrollment you will be asked to fill out a health appraisal. Please make sure that all immunizations are up to date.
There are also some illnesses that by law exclude a child from attending childcare. Some of these illnesses are but not limited to:
*Infectious Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
*Infectious Diarrhea
*Impetigo
*Chicken Pox
*Hepatitis A
*Scarlet Fever
*Scabies
*Lice
*Ringworm
*Strep Throat
*Vomiting
*Fever over 100 degrees (unless teething or etc.)
DISCIPLINE
The following methods of discipline will be used at Kids' Land DayCare:
*Encourage children to solve the problem themselves.
*Intervention and discussion
*Re-direction
*Loss of privileges
*Time Out
If I feel that there is a chronic behavioral issue that needs attention I will let you know so that you and I are handling it in the same manner and the child then has continuity in their discipline. These types of behavior may include such things as biting, use of bad words, chronic hitting, intentional destruction of property etc.
BIRTHDAY'S
Each child's birthday is his/her special day. We will celebrate everyone's birthday and each child will receive a gift. It will be the parents responsibility to provide the treats.
PERSONAL POSSESSIONS
Please label your child's possessions with their names. I am not responsible for replacing lost or broken toys. Children may bring no more than one toy per day. Children will be expected to share anything they bring from home. If they just want to “show and tell”, the item will be kept in their basket for the remainder of the day.
EMERGENCY
In case of an EMERGENCY, necessary first aid will be administered by myself or one of the other staff members. If necessary, the Gratiot County EMS will be called and your child will be transported to the hospital. YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY. Myself and all staff members have been fully trained in Community First Aid, Infant, Child and Adult CPR.
PARENT / CAREGIVER COMMUNICATION
We will maintain an open stream of communication with you regarding your child and issues surrounding childcare by means of daily discussion when necessary as well as a monthly newsletter. Any news involving change of policies will be communicated in writing.
LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND PLAYTIME
Attending “Kids' Land DayCare” should be an enjoyable experience for the child as well as the parent. While here, your child will be exposed to many kinds of learning experiences including but not limited to:
*Arts and Crafts
*Music
*Large and Small Muscle Play
*Self Initiated Play
*Numbers and Counting
*Letter Recognition
*Monthly Themes
*Monthly Shape, Number and Color
*Computer Time (3 1/2 yrs. and older)
Parents can be confident their children are being well cared for in a cheerful environment. Parent involvement is encouraged and maintained through an OPEN DOOR POLICY. Parents may visit at any time (with the exception of Quiet Time 1:00 pm-3:00 pm)
MEALS
To meet the nutritional needs of your child, I serve well balanced meals and snacks. All meals must be approved by the Michigan Department of Education. Breakfast is served to children that arrive at or before 7:30 am. Lunch is served from 11:00 am to 11:45 am. Afternoon snack is at 3:15 pm. If your child is not here by these times, I will assume they have eaten at home. Everyone is served the same meal. I do not make more different meals for different children. Those who do not choose to eat at these mealtimes, will not be able to eat until the next meal or snack is served.
NAP / QUIET TIME
All children that are not in school will lie down for nap time at 1:00 pm. Older children are required to play outside or watch a movie, read a book or lie down quietly during this time. We provide cots, pillows and blankets. If your child needs a special “blankie” he/she sleeps with you may send it along. Please remember to have it labeled. I would ask that you avoid picking up your child during nap time, as it disturbs the other children. Please come before 1:00 pm or after nap time at 3:00 pm.
ABSENCE AND ILLNESS
If your child is ill or for any other reason will not be here for the day, please call in the morning to let us know. If you know the night before, please call
Before 9:00 pm. I would appreciate this courtesy.
If you are having someone else pick up your child, we need to know this in advance. We will need to know the name of the person. Please let them know that if we do not know them, we will be asking for identification for first time pick ups. I will not let a child leave without parental permission. There will be absolutely NO EXCEPTIONS!!! This is a safety measure for your child. I am legally responsible for any child that would leave with an unauthorized person, therefore this rule is strictly enforced.
DAYCARE EXPECTATIONS
Please go over this section with your child so that they may also know what is expected of them while at Kids' Land. I expect all children (age taken into consideration) to know the rules. These I assume are quite similar to those you have in your own home. I do not intend for these to sound as though I do not allow children to play and enjoy themselves, but I feel it is important with the number of children in a daycare, to follow these rules to insure their safety.
*No hitting, biting, pushing, kicking, etc.
*No throwing or intentionally breaking anything
*No running, jumping or wrestling inside
*No picking up of babies or toddlers
*No leaving the daycare or yard without permission
*No name calling, teasing, etc. Everyone is to be treated with respect!
*No food or drink brought into the daycare without our knowledge. NO GUM!
Sometimes at pickup time the children may get rowdy because someone else is here. Your child has listened to my rules all day. Please show your child that you respect me and the rules by reminding them that they still apply until after they leave here.
OPEN DOOR POLICY
At Kids' Land DayCare, you can always be assured that the door is open to you. Please feel free to drop in and check on your child, however, keep in mind a child adjusting to new surroundings will want to leave with you if you pop in for a visit. Also, please remember that there may be times that we may not be able to go to the phone (i.e., diaper changing, outside, etc.). If the answering machine comes on, don't be alarmed or assume we are not here. Leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible. You may also communicate with me via E-Mail (kidsland@childcare.net). There may be times that something comes to you at work that you don't want to forget to relay to me. If you have e-mail, please feel free to drop me a line and I will reply if necessary at nap-time.
SERVICES
Member of Association for Child Development
Member of Michigan Association for Family Child Care
Member of National Association for the Education of Young Children
Attend seminars and child development classes on a regular basis
Completely smoke-free environment
Pre-School Program at no additional charge
Monthly summer field trips
Outdoor playground
Age appropriate toys and activities
Regular fire drills
All staff in certified in Community First Aid and Infant/Child and Adult CPR
Diapers and wipes included in infant rate
School bus pick-up and drop-off
Monthly Newsletter
Full and Part time employees (no need to worry about a provider calling in sick)
Daycare is completely separate from living space
In business since 1985
MISCELLANEOUS
*Please send extra clothes to be kept in your child's basket if he/she has accidents.
*Please be prompt when picking up your child after work.
*Children must be brought into and picked up in the daycare so we are sure of their whereabouts
*Please share information with us that may help us to better care for your child. For example: complaining of a tummy ache or sick over the weekend.
SPECIAL NOTE
The children that I care for in my home are all long term. I would like for you to know that at no time will your child be released from care without a good reason. Usually it is a reason stated under the “Termination” section of the contract. However, I reserve the right to terminate care for any reason that I feel would better serve your child. Because this is a business, I have to look out for the best interest of all the children in my care. This policy will insure all parents the quality of care their child is receiving. This will also give you peace of mind when you go to work, as to the type of environment your child will be cared for in.
Please treat me as a PROFESSIONAL, this is my career choice! I am a Child Care Provider (with training to boot). I am not a “babysitter”.
I look forward to caring for your child and establishing and continuing a good relationship with you. If there is ever a time that you would like to discuss anything with me, I am always available.
Thank you for your time and understanding,
Tama Beeson
Kids' Land DayCare
|
