Daycare Handbook

Please read this ~Handbook~ thoroughly, as it covers very important policies and procedures that not only govern our childcare contract agreement, but also pertain to the care of your child. There may seem to be a lot of information, if you have any questions regarding my policies, please do not hesitate to ask. We ill go over this book during your intervie , but this copy is for you to reference back to. There ill be a yearly revision to this ~Handbook~ and the accompanying contract. !ll families ill sign a ne contract each year. " reserve the right to make changes to the policies and procedures, as " deem necessary. #ou ill be notified, in riting, of any changes that may occur.

D$!% P!%$&T', What " as a provider should e(pect from you, the parent) *pen communication. $(plain clearly and carefully your ishes and e(pectations about ho your child ill be cared for. !lso provide updates on problems and progress that you child is making. +ood communication helps us ork together in the best interest of your child. !greement on Terms or !rrangements. #ou should fully understand the terms of the contract and the policies and procedures that you as the parent are agreeing to. Honesty and Trust. This includes being honest about ho you believe the arrangement is orking. !lthough you need to be vigilant in order to safeguard your child, you should trust me as your childcare provider to do the best for your child. 'ho you trust by asking questions rather than ,umping to conclusions hen apparent problems develop. Pick up on Tme. &o later than -)./ pm please, unless other ise agreed upon before hand. *f course " do reali0e things happen that can1t be helped. %espect. %eali0e that taking care of children is a ,ob and that not only am " a orker, but also a orking parent. %ecogni0e that this is not an easy ,ob. " am not 2,ust a 3aby4sitter5. 6ast but not least. " am only human7 "8m not 2super oman5. Please don8t e(pect me to do things that you yourself ould not ant to do. Philosophy We believe a child8s early e(periences enrich and stimulate future gro th. 9hildren deserve to be treated and respected as individuals in an

environment that elcomes reason, e(ploration, question, and imagination. We respect each child8s need for love, security, acceptance, armth, and stimulation. +oals While in my care your child ill have the opportunity to participate in a ide variety of activities, hich promote all aspects of development. :amily childcare provides for children the comfort and e(perience of belonging to an e(tended family. " provide a home like setting7 therefore " do not follo a strict routine. ;y approach to childcare is child centered and child directed. 9hildren are offered choices henever possible. <ust because you are not seeing anything in the ay of papers does not mean that e have not been busy all day. Hours of *peration
6ittle 3lessings Daycare is open from =)// !; until -)// P; ;onday through :riday. Hours of care ill be contracted from child to child. &o childcare ill be provided on 'aturday and 'undays or on the follo ing holidays) New Years Eve (close at 1:00 PM) New Years Day Independence Day (close at 1:00) Thanks !v!n "hr!st#as Eve (close at 1:00 PM) "hr!st#as Day

"n the event that " ill be a ay for a period of time less than three hours >Doctor appointments, errands, etc.? substitute care ill be provided by my Daughter4in4 la , Dede.

Payment Procedures) %ates) per child

$%ll T!#e) @=/.// per eek . yrs.and up $%ll T!#e) @-/.// per eek A yrs.to = months Part T!#e) @BA.// per day. yrs.and up $%ll T!#e) @C/.// per eek infant - eeks4 D months &e'ore()'ter *chool) @A=.// per eek Drop Ins) @BA.// a day " ill talk to you about my prices during our intervie . +ate Pay#ent $ee) @=.// if payment is not paid on the day it is due. Enless payment arrangements are made prior to day fee is due. De'!n!t!ons)

$%ll T!#e) 9hildcare contracted on a set scheduled time slot D hours or more per day or D 4 = days per eek. Part T!#e) 9hildcare contracted on a set scheduled time slot D hours per day or more . days per eek or less. &e'ore()'ter *chool) "ncludes afternoon snack. 9are ill not begin before =)// !; or end later than -)// P;. any day that school is not in session, a full day rate ill be charged. No *how) "f your child ill not be attending 6ittle 3lessings Daycare, a one4hour notice of absence ould be appreciated. Drop Ins) " do e(cept children if " have the open spot for them. ,pen Door) #ou are invited and elcome to visit 6ittle blessings Daycare anytime your children are present. #ou are asked to avoid visiting during %est Time as much as possible. Please knock first. Parents are also free to call little 3lessings Daycare at any time. "f " do not ans er the phone, please leave a message, and e ill call you back as soon as e are finished ith the current activity. Matters o' Money: !ll payments are due by -)// P; on :riday or at time of pick up. !fter -)// P;, the late fee ill be assessed unless arrangements have been discussed prior, " do understand that sometimes things come up that can1t be helped. 9hildcare fees are due regardless of hether or not your child attends all eek.>some e(ceptions ill be made? #ou are paying for a position, as ell as a service. &o refunds are given for late arrivals or early departures. !ll childcare services ill be contracted. The contract !s a le al doc%#ent o-l! at!n #e to prov!de a serv!ce 'or yo% and o-l! at!n yo% to pay #e 'or that serv!ce. There are other re/%!re#ents !n the contract. I %r e yo% to thoro% hly read the contract(hand-ook and real!0e that !t !s le al and yo% w!ll -e held l!a-le 'or each !te# o' the contract. &y s! n!n !t1 yo% are accept!n !t !n all !ts ter#s.

Da!ly Do!n s
Drop ,''(P!ck 2p) " assume responsibility for your child only hile heFshe is on my property. &o child ill be allo ed to leave ith anyone e(cept the parent, unless indicated on the alternate pickup list, ithout ritten permission from the parent. Telephone permission ill not doG !nyone unfamiliar to me ill be required to sho proof of "dentification. Please make the alternate pick up person a are of the requirements. "t is normal for your child to cry on arrival, especially for the first

fe eeks. Please make your goodbye brief and tell your child e(actly hen you ill be returning. The crying usually stops ithin seconds of your departure. #ou are elcome to listen outside the door. &ever leave ithout telling your child goodbye. Please be in control of your child during drop off and pick up times. This is a time of testing hen t o different authority figures are present >parent and provider? and this situation ill be tested at one time or another to see if the rules still apply. " ill remind your child if inappropriate behaviors are being displayed. 9hildren of all ages ad,ust to transitions from one activity to another differently. ;ost do not like to be too rushed and most do not like to ait too long once they are ready to depart. "f the person picking up the child appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, another authori0ed person ill be called to pick4up both the child and the adult. 9ourt *rder) "f there is a court order keeping one parent or guardian a ay from the child, " must have a ritten note from the custodial parent or guardian in my file to that effect. *ther ise, " cannot prevent the non4 custodial parent from picking up the child. *!ck(3acat!on Days) "n the event that your child is ill and needs to miss a day, please call B hour before arrival time. Parent agrees to provide A eeks notice prior to any vacation time. Parent agrees to pay half of the normal childcare fees to hold child8s position during any vacation time or e(tended leave due to illness etc., up to A eeks per year. Payment must be received hether or not child attends on your regular due date. Telev!s!on) " allo limited TH vie ing consisting of &ickelodeon, P3' and the Disney 9hannel only. *n occasion " let the children pick a child appropriate video to atch. 9hildren are &$H$% required to sit and atch TH, and TH is not offered in place of :ree Play or 6earning !ctivities. 4%!dance) 'ome people call it discipline. " prefer guidance. &o child ill be hit, spanked, belittled, or other ise intimidated at 6ittle 3lessings Daycare44even ith parental permission. &o corporal punishment ill be used. 9hildren ill be treated ith courtesy, respect, and patience. +uidance ill be according to age and understanding level. #ounger children, babies and toddlers, ill be redirected to another activity. *lder children ill be given time outs depending on the severity of the offense >almost al ays B minute per year of age, never to be more than B= minutes?. "f a child becomes a persistent behavior problem, " ill address it ith you and e ill try to resolve it together. !T &* T";$ W"66 ! 9H"6D 3$ 'E3<$9T$D T* PH#'"9!6 PE&"'H;$&T *% 'H!;"&+, :%"+HT$&"&+ *% HE;"6"!T"&+ ;$TH*D' 3$ E'$D, *% !&# T#P$ *: H$%3!6 !3E'$, TH%$!T', D$%*+!T*%# %$;!%I', *% D$P%"H!T"*& *: ! ;$!6 *% !&# P!%T *: ! ;$!6 3$ E'$D. &* 9H"6D W"66 $H$% 3$ PE&"'H$D :*% T*"6$T !99"D$&T'. Meals)

" provide nutritionally balance lunch and snacks for your child. )ct!v!t!es) !ge appropriate activities are scheduled ith fle(ibility allo ed to respond to the needs of the individual child and day. " ill offer times for outside play, crafts, stories, instruction, and naps appropriate to the child1s ages, interests, and abilities. " ill provide your child ith tender loving care, understanding, patience and guidance in a happy family setting. " provide preschool curriculum, developing large and small motor skills. We do many arts and crafts here the focus is on the process, not the product. :ree play is an important part of a child1s early years. "t is here that they learn social skills that ill be needed the rest of their life.

House %ules B.&o hitting, biting, pinching, thro ing, pushing, hair pulling, or other ise hurting ourselves or others.
A.&o intentionally breaking anything.

..&o running, ,umping, restling, climbing, etc. in the house or on the furniture. D.&o picking up babies or toddlers. =.&o leaving the house or yard ithout permission >no one is allo ed outside ithout adult supervision, even hen parents are here?. -.&o name4calling, yelling, foul language or teasingJeveryone deserves to be treated ith respect. C.!ll food and drink ill remain in the dining roomFkitchen area.
Dress "ode) Please dress your child appropriately. The activities may be messy. Do not send your child in clothing that you do not ant stained. Weather permitting7 e ill spend time outdoors. #ou also need to supply a complete change of clothing in case of an accident7 " do not supply clothing for day care children. Water Play) " have sprinkler for summer ater play. " require a permission slip signed before the child is allo ed to play in the ater if " use a small ading pool. ! s imsuit ill be requested for these days.

5est Per!od)

!ll children under the age of = ill have a rest period. &o child is forced to sleep, ho ever they must remain quiet. *lder children, and those ho ake early, ill participate in a quiet activity until %est Time is over. Please try not to schedule pick ups or visits during this time to lessen disturbance to the resting children. !ll children ill rest on their mats ith individual linens. To!let +earn!n ) " ill assist you in toilet training your child ith the understanding that it ill be successful only if e ork together. " ill use cotton under ear or pull4ups supplied by the parent. 'end your child *&6# in easy onFeasy off clothing until they are able to completely undress and dress themselves. " required at least = complete changes of clothing during Toilet 6earning. " do not launder soiled items and ill send them home in a plastic bag. Please replace any clothing sent home the ne(t day. 6ol!days(&!rthdays) We honor ma,or holidays and all children8s birthdays. "f you ould like to bring a special Treat for the children, please arrange this ith the provider. #ou are more than elcome to participate in !&# activities e have planned. 6o%se "lean!n ) ;y house is not al ays spotless. ;y main concern is the care of the children. " clean my house during %est Time, if all are asleep, and during non4business hours. The children ill help clean up toys before meals and naps. ,ther 4ood!es "on'!dent!al!ty) The information you supply to 6ittle 3lessings Daycare ill be kept confidential. " ill, at all times, respect your privacy. 3efore any of the information is released to outside persons, the parents ill sign a release form. "han es to Pol!c!es) 9hanges may be made to these policies as needed ith A eeks notice. The policies, contracts, consents, and forms ill be revie ed and updated, if needed, yearly in <anuary. Please give ritten notice of any changes that may occur, especially of name or address, or medical information. Enroll#ent 5e/%!re#ents) 3efore enrolling your child in 6ittle 3lessings Daycare there are several things you must do) B.%ead through and become familiar ith the Policies. #ou ill be required to sign a form that indicates you have read, understand, and agree to !66 the Policies as outlined.

A.!ll appropriate forms must be filled out, signed, and on file P%"*% to or brought the day of admission. ..!ll required supplies must be brought ithin A eeks of your child8s first day. Ter#!nat!on o' "are) 9are can only be terminated ith A eeks notice by the parent. " reserve the right to immediately end care for non4payment, failure to respect me, my home, my neighborhood, behavior of the child, hich is harmful to the physical or emotional ell being of the other children, or failure to abide by my policies. "f you terminate care ithout giving appropriate notice, you ill be responsible for payment of the final A eeks of care hether or not your child attends. Please be advised that you ill be charged the &o 'ho :ee in addition to your scheduled daily rate until you notify me that your child ill not be returning. KProvider has the right to terminate a contract ithout notice in the case of harm to other children or a dangerous situation due to that child has caused intentionally or other ise. *%ppl!es) !ll supplies must be labeled ith your child8s name. #ou ill need to provide the follo ing things. B. B complete change of clothing >more if e are toilet training? . This includes shirt, pants, socks, and under ear. A. !ny over the counter medication that you may ish to be used. This must have the child8s name on it. %emember, " ill al ays ask your permission before administering. $,5 "6I+D5EN Y,2N4E5 T6)N 17 M,NT6* >and those not yet potty trained andFor eaned from the bottle? B. Diapers or Pull4ups, B full package. They ill be stored in your child8s cubby and " ill notify you hen the supply is lo or you may bring them daily. A. B4 bo( of baby ipes. .. A 4 bottles and B pacifier and pacifier fastener. D. A4 changes of clothing >T4shirt, sleeper, outfit, and socks?. =. !ny cream, po der, etc. that you ish me to use. -. 3aby Tylenol or *riel, if you ish it to be used. &ote) "f you prefer not to supply these items to be left here, you may send them daily in a diaper bag. The option of leaving these items here is for your convenience and is not required. Ho ever, all of the above items are required for me to care for your child, so they ill need to be brought daily.

6ealth Matters
Illness)
"h!ldren who have e8h!-!ted )NY sy#pto#s o' !n'ect!o%s !llness w!th!n the proceed!n 9:;ho%r per!od are l!kely to -e conta !o%s and sho%ld re#a!n at ho#e. E8a#ples o' assoc!ated sy#pto#s !ncl%de1 -%t are not l!#!ted to1 'ever o' 100$ #eas%red orally or 101$ #eas%red rectally1 na%sea or vo#!t!n 1 d!arrhea1 sore throat1 loss o' vo!ce1 hack!n or cont!n%o%s co% h!n 1 yellow or reen r%nny nose1 dra!n!n eyes or ears1 rash1 or head l!ce. I reserve the r! ht to deter#!ne whether a ch!ld sho%ld re#a!n !n the ho#e where !llness !s a cons!derat!on. Parents o' ch!ldren who -eco#e !ll d%r!n the day w!ll -e pro#ptly not!'!ed and are e8pected to arran e to p!ck %p the!r ch!ld !##ed!ately. The s!ck ch!ld w!ll1 !' poss!-le1 -e !solated 'ro# the other daycare ch!ldren to #!n!#!0e e8pos%re. I' the parent cannot -e reached1 the person des! nated as the e#er ency contact w!ll -e not!'!ed.

Med!cat!ons) &o child ill be given any medication, prescription or over the counter, unless the parent gives ritten permission. Prescription medication shall have the child8s name, name of medication, Doctor8s name, name of pharmacy, prescription number, date, and directions for administering. The medication must be in the original container as dispensed by the pharmacy. " have Permission to !dminister ;edication forms to be filled out each time your child ill need medicine to be administered. Written permission is required in order to use diapering products, sunscreen lotion and insect repellents. $L9$PT"*&) !s your childcare provider, " ill administer 'yrup of "pecac if instructed to do so by poison control or emergency medical services. Med!cal E#er enc!es) !lthough supervision is constantly given, " cannot be by the child8s side at all times to prevent falls, tripping, bumps, blo s from other children, etc. "f the child is in,ured in a non life4threatening ay, " ill assess the child and provide home first aid. "f the in,ury is more serious, the parent ill be notified so the child can be transported to the hospital or doctors office. >".e. needs stitches, broken arm, or dislocation, etc.? !ll costs associated ith in,uries to the child ill be the responsibility of the parent, unless " have been found to be negligent. "n case of a medical emergency, " ill attempt to contact you immediately. "f " am unable to reach you, " ill start calling the people designated as your emergency contacts. " ill also have the child transported to the $% if need be.