The goals for our Small Wonders daycare business are simple. To care for your child(ren), tend to their basic needs as well as provide an environment that is safe and "homey", while providing one that is apt for learning, sharing, respecting others and having fun. In my opinion, I feel  a home daycare setting is far more beneficially for your child's growth and nurturing. A home setting allows for a child to go about his day in a setting that is close to that of his own home. It allows, in my experience, for a more individual care approach.
We have an open door policy but would like you to keep in mind that this is also a family home. Please respect that by using common courtesy when entering our home. Our doors are kept locked at all times except for normal pick-up and drop-off times, for the safety of the children.
It is my responsibility to care for your child while you can not be with them. My day with your child, ends when your work day has ended. Please realize that this is a business. I rely on my income as do you. Running a family daycare means I am self-employed. Unlike other businesses, there is no room for growth or expansion due to licensing standards. I do not receive any of the benefits that most employees take for granted such as; health insurance, paid sick days, vacation days, personal days, workmen's compensation, retirement/pension plan, unemployment insurance, annual raises, bonuses or taxes being taken out of my salary. Therefore, this contract does allow for certain benefits.
Please respect and comply with the rules I have set forth in this handbook.
Understand that if you were taking your children to a daycare center, you would not have the flexibility that is allowed in a home setting. Please realize that I have a family of my own and enjoy spending time with them. Please give as much advance notice as possible if you are going to be arriving early or late.* Do not assume that because I have a child until a certain time that I remain open for ALL children. I am open to you according to our pre-arranged departure time. I may have made other arrangements with later parents for early departures and should not have to confirm with parents who do not normally leave at the later time. Bare in mind that I want to "get home" from my work day also.
The hours that are contracted for your child's care do not reflect all the additional hours spent shopping, cleaning, planning, researching and doing paper work. My hours for daycare start with the first child's arrival and end at 5:30 p.m.. No exceptions unless it is an emergency or has been pre-arranged. Just as you do, I schedule appointments around my scheduled work hours. I also have a family that needs me.

Tuition
Tuition is based on the state wide average. We provide quality care, a state approved meal program, and weekly monitoring by Catholic Charities.
Fees are due Friday of the care week.
A $5.00 a day fee will be added for each day that payment is late, including weekends and holidays. Unless pre approved by me.
A $30.00 charge will be charged for any check returned to me for NSF.

Fees
Full day care for infant**: $22.00 (5 hours and over)
Half day care for infant**: $12.00 (up to 5 hours)
Full day care for toddler up - school age: $19.00 (5 hours and over)
Half day care for toddler up - school age: $12.00 (up to 5 hours)
Before and After school care: $60.00
Registration Fee: $25.00 Non-refundable. The fee covers preparation costs for your child.
** infant = up to 18 months
** toddler I= 18 months - school age
This fee is applied each day Small Wonders is open for business regardless if your child is in attendance or not, as agreed with contracted hours (After three free sick days are used. See Children's Vacation and sick days.)
PART-TIMERS
Same rate applies to part-time care children however, I require 3 days attendance enrollment for part-time care and accept No less than 3 days pay.
Varying schedule days require my consent for enrollment.
Overtime
Any hours beyond the contracted hours that have not been scheduled in advance will be considered overtime. There will be an additional charge of $5.00 for each 1/2 hour or fraction of that deviates from
the contracted hours. This will not be applied in bad weather of course.
I would much rather you be prompt in arrival and departure than get overtime pay. I reserve the right to make changes in that fee due to excessive tardiness or abuse in arrival or departure time. Just call if you are going to be late.

Billing
Your bill will be the same each week unless vacation time or overtime is applied.
You will receive an itemized bill each Friday for care received that week. A $5.00 a day fee will be added for each day that payment is late, including weekends and holidays.
Maternity Leave I realize that it is important for your family to bond during this time, it also is a substantial lose of income to me if you choose to keep your child home with you. I understand that if you are not getting paid for your leave, it may be difficult to meet your expenses. However, I am not on leave and still need to meet my expenses. I ask that you pay a "holding fee" for your spot at Small Wonders. That fee will be $30.00 per week.
Daycare Children's Vacation and Sick Days
Sick days: Each infant/toddler will be given 5 "free days" per year. These may be used for "whatever."
Vacation Days: I allow for 1 "free" vacation week per year, and 1 week at half pay. I do require two weeks notice be given when taking vacation time. Vacation days WILL BE paid in full if 2 weeks notice is not given.
Daycare Provider's Vacation and personal days.
Vacation: I take three weeks vacation a year. Larry gets 7 and we compromise by me taking 3. Two weeks are paid at half rate.
Personal Days: I will take up to 5 personal days a year. Two will not be paid as they are generally for doctors appointments. Three will be paid and are for training and updating. As they pertain to Small Wonders, pay will be received.
Back Up care
I would recommend that you have a back up provider in case of emergency or on the days that I am not available. I do not provide back up care.

Meals
I am a member of Day Care Resources Food Program. It is a government funded food program that furnishes a partial amount of the providers food cost. What does this mean for you? It means that I supply all the food given to the daycare All that is required is to fill out a form to enroll in the program, What a deal!
All meals are approved by the government and I am visited by a dietician every 6 months.
Treats
Please feel free to send a treat with your child to share with the others. I ask that you do not send treats unless there is enough for all for obvious reasons.

Nap Time
We try to take our nap or quiet time at the same time everyday. 1:00 - 3:00. It is understood that this does not always happen and we are fairly flexible with it as we are a small daycare. I do, however, feel that it is extremely important for your child (and me) to have a period of rest. Infants, of course, follow their own schedule and we work around that. You will find that your infant will fall into our routine quickly. If your child has a favorite sleeping object, you may want to send with them.
Discipline
I use Time-outs for discipline. According to new "rules" The amount of time given a child is based on whether or not the child agrees to not exhibit the improper behavior again. For example: Johnny is put in time-out for hitting Susie. I tell Johnny he may get up when he can play with out hitting. It is Johnny's responsibility to decide when he is ready to resume normal play. Now Johnny may decide immediately that he is ready. And if he gets down and begins the same behavior, the process is repeated. Here at

Small Wonders we never humiliate, degrade or ridicule someone for inappropriate behavior. It is always explained to the child what the offense was and why it was a bad choice. Then a right choice is given or shown. I do not believe in tattling or holding a grudge.
Supplies
I do not supply diapers, diaper wipes or formula. I would suggest bringing enough supplies for the week or month as a convenience to you. You may bring on a daily basis if you so wish.
I ask that each child leave here, a full change of clothes. We just never know what can happen. In the winter months an extra sweater or sweatshirt and slippers would be a good thing to send. The recroom can get chilly on very cold days.
Profiles
I have a profile on each child. Please keep me updated to any changes. The profile should be given to you when you agree to join Small Wonders.
Medical Forms
I require that all children in my care have current immunizations and provide a record signed by the doctor stating that this is true. Physical form.
I provide a medical release form to be filled out by you in the event any medical emergency arises. Please fill out and return these forms on the first day of care.

Illnesses

Children with minor cold symptoms (other than those described in this policy) may be allowed after morning health inspection, provided their symptoms do not worsen. Children who are unusually whinny, persistently crying or need to he held constantly are too ill to be in care. Be fair to your child and the provider and keep your child home.
No child will be permitted in childcare if the following health conditions exists
A fever of 100 or more - the child must be fever free for 24 hours after the fever has broken without the use of a fever reducing medication.
Diarrhea - Your child will not be permitted to return to child care until
they have normal solid stools for a period of 24 hr.
Any contagious illness, for example; chicken pox, lice or nits, strep throat, conjunctivitis (pink eye), cold/flu, cold sores, Rosella, mumps, measles, rashes, etc.
A runny nose with any color (milky white, yellow or green) or frequent clear discharge from nose sufficient to create unsafe sanitary environment.

If your child is prescribed antibiotics, he/she is not permitted to return to childcare until 48 hours from the original dose being administered.
I realize that sometimes this is an inconvenience but illness spreads so quickly in daycare that these precautions are necessary for a healthy daycare.
It is my experience that if we practice common sense with illness, we can prevent the spread throughout the daycare. And believe me, illness travels fast in a daycare.

Newsletter
I send out a newsletter every Friday (well most Fridays) with information about the weeks happenings and the upcoming weeks events. It also contains some funnies and articles that may interest you personally or with child care. Suggestions are always welcomed. The newsletter will be a great source of reference for you in the happenings at Small Wonders.
Transporting
During the 2000 school year, I am carpooling with another family. I depart from the house at approximately 7:50 A.M.  Each child is placed in a car seat or seat belt while traveling.
Insurance At this time I do not carry daycare insurance. Please make available your insurance information.