WELCOME:
The purpose of this handbook is to outline the policies and procedures under which I operate as a daycare provider.
Please read this handbook carefully, and feel free to discuss with me any questions that you may have.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Normal hours of operation are:
7:30 am to 6:00 pm
COMMUNICATION:
Communication is very important to me. When I accept a new family into my business, I like to be sure that we can share openly any concerns or questions that may arise. It is important that there is a similar childcare philosophy between us. I welcome questions, feedback, or discussions of any kind that are oriented towards a positive outcome for the children. It is only through parent/provider interaction that a goal of quality, nurturing care can be achieved. Sensitive issues will be discussed in private outside of regular childcare hours either by telephone or conference.
You are encouraged to call me at any time. If you call during the day, please be aware that I may be busy with the children and may not be able to answer the phone. If you leave a message on my voice mail, I will call you back as soon as possible. The best time to call during the day is early afternoon.
I am looking forward to a terrific relationship with you and your child!
ENROLLMENT POLICY:
There are several forms that I would like you to submit before I can assume the responsibility of caring for your child. The forms are as follows:
· Signed Contract and Rate Agreement
· Child Profile/Information Sheet
· Contact Information Sheet
· Authorization for Consent for Emergency Treatment
· Permission and Consent Form
· Immunization record
Please keep me informed of any change in addresses, telephone numbers, and other pertinent information listed on any/all of the above forms. If you have any questions regarding the completion of these forms, please feel free to ask.
SECURITY DEPOSIT:
Before your child is admitted into childcare, I request a 2-weeks security deposit. This deposit protects me from unexpected family departures from childcare. This deposit will be credited towards your last two weeks of childcare when you decide to leave my Daycare. I say credited because your rates may be higher when you leave our Daycare than when you initially enroll, so you may still owe an undetermined amount when you leave my services.
PAYMENT PROCEDURES:
Payment is payable each Friday afternoon at pick up time for the next week .
Cash would be preferred, but checks will also be accepted.
I will give you a minimum of two week’s notice of any increase in your childcare fee.
No refunds are given for late arrivals/early departures, or exclusion due to illness.
The day care will be closed for all statutory holidays and payments of fees will not vary.
OTHER FEES:
An overtime fee of $5.00 / 30min will be charged after 6pm, if no agreement had been reached in advance.
PROVIDER VACATION & ABSENCES:
Daycare will be closed for all statuary holidays.
Although I will make every effort to be available each day, there will be occasions when I am not able to provide service. You will be notified as soon as possible of any personal or family illness, funeral or emergency. I have five (5) personal/sick days in a calendar year for which payment of fees will not vary. If after five days I am still unable to provide care, no payment of fees will be expected. It will be your responsibility to obtain substitute care on such occasions. I will make every effort to ensure that services run smoothly all year round.
PARENT VACATION, ABSENCES AND EXTENDED LEAVE :
Parents may take 5 days (1 weeks) per year vacation where payment of fees will not be expected provided two weeks advance notice is given. In case of extended leave (child absent from the day care for more than the 5 days vacation, etc.) I will require you to pay the regular weekly fee for each week your child is not in attendance to hold a day care spot for your child.
If childcare is not required during the months of July and August, your security deposit will be held as a “holding fee” to guarantee your spot for September.
If a child should become ill, you will be charged full fee for the first 3 days of illness and 50% of the regular daily fee for each day thereafter for up to 7 additional days. If the illness persists for longer than 2 weeks, I invite the parents to discuss the circumstances with me and individual arrangements will be made.
TAXES
I will supply you with a year-end summary of all day care fees paid during the year for tax purposes.
This will be given to you in February of each year. You may request your receipt earlier if services have been terminated.
TRIAL PERIOD & GIVING NOTICE:
All new children will be cared for a two-week (14-day) trial period beginning on your child’s first actual day of care. During that time the parent or provider may terminate the childcare agreement with 24 hours notice.
After the trial period, a two-week‘s notice is required by either party to terminate the agreement. If two weeks notice is not given, the security deposit will be used to cover the last two weeks of care.
I will also give notice if the child is to be terminated from care. Any abuse or violation of the rules/policies of the contract/handbook may be just cause for termination.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE:
Please send your child clean and dressed for the day. Please make your goodbye brief (no more than a couple of minutes). The longer you prolong departure the harder it gets for your child.
Please be brief at pick-up times also. Sometimes if both a parent and a provider are in the same area (ex. drop-off, pick-up, parties, etc.) A child may forget the rules, or test the boundaries. Please help show your child that you respect me, the rules of my house, and my property by reminding them that the rules apply when you are around. I will also remind them of the rules, and correct them if needed. Please be in control of your child during these times.
Please do not allow your child to run out to your car while you are still inside or while you are in the backyard. The safety rule is “no one goes outside without their parent with them”.
My normal procedure is to release the child only to his/her parents or someone the parents have designated. If someone other than the parent is to pick up the child, please notify me ahead of time.
HEALTH MATTERS:
A parent should keep the child at home if the child has:
· Conjunctivitis or pink eye or any type of eye infection, which is highly contagious.
· Impetigo or any rash until it is identified as not being contagious.
· Diarrhoea, which is watery or greenish runny bowel movement that looks different and is more frequent than the child’s usual stool.
· Vomiting which is more that the usual spitting up.
· A severe cold with fever, sneezing and nose drainage.
The child must stay home if he is diagnosed with any of the following contagious diseases:
· Measles
· Chicken pox
· Mumps
· Scarlet fever
If a doctor diagnoses an ear or throat infection and places the child on an antibiotic, the child must remain away until he/she has been on the medication for a minimum of 24 hours.
These guidelines have been established by day care associations and are quite reasonable. I cannot realistically care for a sick child and give proper care to other children in my group. These guidelines are also made with the children’s best interest in mind.
BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT AND DISCIPLINE:
My philosophy is that you use discipline to teach a child. I achieve this through love, consistency and firmness. The children are explained the rules of the day care frequently so that they know the guidelines. Once a child understands the rules and disobeys them, hurts others or property, the following developmentally appropriate guidance techniques will be used. These techniques are as follows:
1. Positive Reinforcement: The child will be encouraged when he/she is demonstrating acceptable behavior.
2. Redirection: The child is redirected to another activity and given an opportunity to try again at another time.
3. Time Out: The child is separated from the group for a child-regulated period of time. This technique is used only when a child is exhibiting temper tantrum type behavior or hurting self, others or equipment. When the child shows that he/she is ready to demonstrate acceptable behavior, they are encouraged to join the rest of the group and try again.
4. Last Resort: When a child’s behavior is continually upsetting or dangerous to others, or me, a conference will be called with the parents. If the problems can’t be resolved, arrangements will have to be made for the child to go elsewhere for care.
MEALS:
It important for me to offer your children healthy and well-balanced meals. Please do not bring foods such as candy, chocolate, gum, etc. to the daycare. Of course birthdays are an exception! You are welcome to bring treats on your child's birthday, but please discuss this with me in advance, to make sure that the treats you bring are OK for everybody to eat.
For infants, you need to provide formula/breast milk and baby food until the age when table food can be served.
SPECIAL DIETS:
If a child has a particular dietary need, please let me know. Substitute meals or snacks may then be brought from home.
POTTY TRAINING:
I will be more than happy to help with the potty training. Parents are asked to initiate the training at home (for example on a weekend) before starting it at day care. Once training is initiated, parents are to supply several pairs of underwear and changes of clothes or pull-ups.
DIAPER CHANGES:
Diapers are changed as required to keep the children clean at all times.
SUPPLIES NEEDED:
Parents are responsible for supplying Diapers and Wipes; Weather appropriate change of clothes (2 changes of clothes); Swim suit, towel, and sunscreen in summer time; fever and cold medication as required.
TOYS:
No toys should be brought from home. If your child needs a special toy or item for sleeping it will be allowed, but it will be put away when they first arrive. I take no responsibility for lost or broken toys brought from home.
A FINAL NOTE:
I retain the right to enforce these policies at will. Lack of enforcement of a certain policy at any given time does not indicate that the particular policy is not longer in effect.
Thank you for the opportunity to work with you and your child!