As a Professional Child Care Provider, my goal is to provide your child with a clean, safe,
comfortable environment where they can play and learn with guidance and loving care
while you are at work or attending school. In order to make our relationship as
enjoyable as possible the following are some mutually beneficial requirements
that are necessary to assure that there are no misunderstandings between either
party, that each party is aware of the requirements, and that these
requirements are carried out in a businesslike manner. There is a lot of
information here. Please read all of it. If any of my policies seem unfair or
unnecessary, please take a moment to think about that policy and how it would
apply to your current working situation… I’m sure it will make sense in that
light. These policies are enforced for the same reasons policies are enforced
in any job situation - for fairness and respect. If you have any questions
please ask.
Policies
For Enrolled Children
I will need to be notified at least 24 hours
in advanced in order for children to be accommodated, depending on the number
of available slots. Children will only
be accepted if all required paperwork is properly filled out and submitted no
later than the child’s arrival on the first day of care. These are the forms required by DEEC including child/ren’s medical
record/s. I do not provide sick
care. A late fee of $5.00 per child for
every 15 minutes or a portion thereof will be applied if child/ren is/are not
picked up on time.
Policies For Enrolled Children
At Little Explorers Family Child Care, you
are paying for a specific slot, NOT per hour or per day, so no discounts are
given if your child does not come to Care.
The policies listed below are set forth by
the Child Care Provider and are in accordance with EEC regulations. These
policies and accompanying contracts become effective upon acceptance by the
parent/guardian and the Child Care Provider.
I provide childcare from Monday to Friday
during your contracted working hours or school schedule. We will figure your
hours plus fair commute time and this will become your "scheduled hours".
Any changes to your schedule have to be discussed and re-scheduled based on my
ability to meet your new need with my schedule. For parents not attending work
or school, but needing care, we will discuss this together and determine hours
based on my present scheduling.
There is an extra fee of $5.00 per child for
every fifteen minutes or portion thereof if your child is dropped off earlier
than his/her contracted arrival time (without prior approval) and for children
not picked-up by their contracted pick-up time. Late arrival does not allow
late pick-up. Care will not recommence until such late fees are paid in full.
Please be on time daily.
To ensure the safety of your child, only you
or your designate(s) may pick up your child. Phoning me to let me know someone
other than yourself will be picking up your child is fine if I know the person
or your child can identify him or her.
Verification
of legal custody:
I must have a copy of the court order recognizing the parent who has legal
custody of the child, as well as visitation schedules. Otherwise, I have no
choice except to release the child to his/her parent.
If we are under severe or threatening weather
conditions I may be closed closed: tornados, blizzards, and severe wind chills
and/or temperatures.
Deposit
I will require a deposit for all
families.
The deposit will be the amount of two
weeks of your fees payable for the care of your child(ren). This will be
refunded towards your last week of childcare providing you give me proper notice
as required before termination of care, and have no other outstanding fees owed
to me. If you don’t give me proper notice and/or have fees outstanding, this
fee will not be refunded.
PLEASE NOTE: I will not start providing
childcare nor will your opening with us be reserved until this deposit is paid.
Before I will assume responsibility of
caring for your child I MUST have the following:
• Signed
Policy Handbook Contract
• Signed
Financial Agreement
• Paper
work as required by licensing regulations
• Emergency,
Permission and other general information forms
PLEASE NOTE: All forms must be updated
yearly.
Payments are due on or before the first day
of the week that your child comes to care.
If fees are not paid, your spot will be considered open and your deposit
kept as your notice. There are no
refunds in fees for absences due to a child’s illness or any other reason. Full fees are required regardless of whether
or not your child attends.
I realize the financial burden that childcare
places on parents, and hope parents understand that as a business childcare
places financial burdens on the provider. These include, but are not limited to
groceries, utilities, insurance, programming, toys and equipment. I also have a
financial responsibility to my family. If fees are not received when due, a
$5.00/per day charge will be applied to the amount owing. This charge will be
in effect until all monies plus late charges are paid in full.
Checks: There will be a $25.00 charge for all
checks returned N.S.F. (non-sufficient funds) plus any additional charges
incurred to me and/or by the bank. Parents who have two or more N.S.F. checks
will be required to pay by cash or money order.
Provider Holidays And Personal/Sick days
• I
will be closed on all Holidays, with pay.
• I will be taking four weeks vacation per year, two weeks of
which will be paid vacation. I will provide at least one months notice of the
dates.
• I will cover all other absences. When I do not have an
alternate, I will pay back the daily rate less 15% for operating costs.
• When I am providing an alternate child care provider in my
home and you wish to make your own arrangements for child care, you will not be
reimbursed as the only way I can afford to provide an alternate is through the
parent fees.
Please notify me as at least 2 weeks in
advance when you plan to take vacations. I expect full payment for all days and
hours your child is normally scheduled to be here. Payment is due prior to your
vacation. Even while you are on vacation I am still holding your child’s space.
In cases of your potential absence due to
maternity leave, summer, or extended leave from your job, I will require 2
weeks of your fees for the entire time of your absence to hold your child’s
position. I must receive at least a month written notice and the leave must be
for no longer than a 1 month period during the months September – June and no
longer than 2 months from July - August.
Children are to arrive clean and fed (unless
arriving before a meal time). I prefer that there be pick-ups or drop-offs
during the designated daily quiet time.
Please do not allow your child(ren) to walk
to the door by themselves at drop off. It is important to take a minute to walk
them to the door and greet me. This gives us both the opportunity to discuss
any schedule changes for the day or anything else. At pick up, please do not
let your child leave the house until you are leaving also.
It helps your child tremendously if your
child is aware that you will be arriving early (or late) in that they come to
expect regularity and thrive on it. I also have children put their coats and
shoes on in preparation for your arrival time. Please keep me informed so I can
in turn keep the child informed! Drop-off and pick-up times are not good times
to discuss serious problems. Little ears and minds hear and understand
everything. I am not comfortable discussing a child in the presence of anyone
but their parents. Topics that concern day-to-day events or light-hearted
discussion are fine.
Cleanliness/Hygiene
We do our best to maintain strict cleanliness
and hygiene standards. Children's hands are washed before and after meals,
coming in from outside and after toileting. If these skills are stressed at
home also your child may remain a good hand-washer when he/she gets older.
Please have your child bathed and dressed for play. A clean child is a healthy
child.
Infants sleep in separate cribs/Play-Pens
with clean blankets, used only by them. Beginnings at toddler age washable
sleeping bags or couches are used. Each child has a sleeping bag with blankets.
These are washed weekly (unless soiled, then they are washed as often as
necessary).
Toys are sanitized with a bleach
solution once a week.
The
first two weeks of childcare are to be an adjustment period. It is my
responsibility to let the parent know if the child seems unhappy or the
arrangement is unsatisfactory for any other reason. It is the parent’s
responsibility to let me know the same. The parent or I can terminate the
contract anytime during the adjustment period in writing on or before the 14th day after care starts.
Four weeks of written notice is required from
the parent. Fees will still be due if the parent withdraws the child before
notice is given, or at any given time during the notice. Four weeks of fees may
be paid in lieu of four weeks of notice. Termination notice will NOT be
accepted while provider or parents are on vacation.
I will provide the parents with four weeks
written notice if I am no longer able to care for your child. You are still responsible
for paying the weekly fees during this notice whether your child attends or
not.
I will terminate our childcare
arrangements immediately for any of (but not solely limited to) the following
reasons:
• Failure
to comply with the policies set forth in this book.
• Failure
to comply with the contract.
• Destructive
or hurtful behavior of a child that persists even with parent cooperation in
stopping the behavior.
• Non-Payment
of childcare fees or late and/or recurring late payment of fees.
• Failure
to show up for 5 days in a row without any communication.
• Failure
to complete required forms.
• Inability
to meet the child’s needs without additional staff.
• Blatant
disrespect towards provider or provider’s family.
• If
parents knowingly bring their child ill.
It is law and also my responsibility as a
childcare provider to report any and all abuse or neglect performed on a child.
I cannot turn my head on a child that has been abused or neglected. Therefore,
I will notify The Department of Child Care Services and the Police Department
when it appears that a child in my care is being physically, sexually, or
emotionally abused, neglected, or exploited.
Supplies
Parents are responsible for supplying:
• Bottles
• Diapers
& Wipes
• A
full change of clothing
• Any
other supplies your child may need
All personal belongings should be marked with
your child's name. It is not necessary to bring eating utensils, cups or
dishes, as they will be supplied.
I teach the children creativity, problem
solving, and pride in their skills. Sometimes these values get messy. Some days
we will be painting, so please send your child in appropriate clothing. Please
dress your child for real success. Their “work” here is play! If there is an
occasion that calls for special clothing please bring this clothing in an extra
bag and I will help your child change before you arrive for pickup. Provider is
not responsible for your child’s clothing or personal items brought into the
childcare home. I will let you know when I need more supplies for your child.
I provide a wide variety of playthings. I ask
that no toys be brought to daycare from home. Anything brought will be put up
safely until the child is picked up. This policy is for the concern of all children
in my care. Oftentimes children have a hard time sharing the toys they bring
from home.
The ONLY exceptions to this policy
are:
·
A
special blanket OR stuffed animal/Doll to be used during Nap Time. This will be
put away and ONLY used for the appropriate time. Please limit your child to one
thing.
·
At
times we will have a “Show and Tell” period. I will inform you ahead of time
when this may occur.
I will provide up to five meals a day as well
as whole milk for toddlers 12-23 mos. and 2% milk for toddlers 24 mos. and
older and fruit juice depending on the hours your child is attending. The meal
schedule I follow is listed below. If the child is here during those times,
they will be served up to three meals of your choice (breakfast, am snack,
lunch, early pm snack, late pm snack) per day. Children who choose not to eat
will not be served again until the next scheduled Meal or Snack. If the child
will be arriving after mealtime please feed them before they arrive. Children
arriving after the breakfast schedule must eat breakfast at home before
arriving.
Breakfast between 7:00 – 8:00
AM Snack between 9:00 – 10:00
Lunch between 11:30 – 12:30
Early PM Snack between
2:30 – 3:30
Late PM Snack between
5:00 – 6:00
If your child requires a special diet due to
allergies, medications, age and/or cultural or religious beliefs it will be the
responsibility of the parent to provide well-balanced meals for their child. No
junk food, pop, gum etc.
Under no circumstances should you bring your
child to care sick (fever of 100°f or higher, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat,
continuous coughing, runny nose, draining eyes or ears, unexplained rash, lice,
etc.) If you are not sure your child is well enough to attend childcare, please
call and discuss it with me.
Masking your child’s symptoms with
over-the-counter medications and bringing them to care is not allowed and could
be cause for immediate termination. It is also inconsiderate to all families
involved. A sick child should be allowed to recuperate fully at home after an
illness so that the other children and the provider do not risk unnecessary
exposure. If you are unable to stay home with your sick child it will be
necessary for you to make arrangements at your own expense. If your child is
out ill regular fees still apply.
Your child may be brought to care if they
have a common cold (unless his/her nose constantly runs as the secretions are
contagious); however I will call you if your child is just plain miserable (whining,
crying, repeatedly asking for you). Your child should not attend if they are
not feeling well enough to participate in our daily activities (i.e. a child
wanting to sleep all day, lay on the couch and watch TV etc.)
I will not admit any child into a
family childcare home that exhibits any of the following symptoms:
·
Fever
of 100°F or higher (unless related to teething or ear infections) – child must
be fever free for 24 hours without the aid of medication
·
Diarrhea
– child must be symptom free for 24 hours without the aid of medication
·
Vomiting
– child must be symptom free for 24 hours without the aid of medication
·
Runny
nose –check with doctor
·
Rash
– check with doctor
·
Discharge
from eyes or ears
·
Lice
– child needs to be treated and nits removed before return
·
Communicable
diseases – chicken pox, measles, mumps, conjunctivitis (pink eye), influenza
etc. The child may return when the incubation and contagious period is passed
and the child is well enough to resume normal childcare activities.
I have the right to refuse to care for a sick
child. If your child develops any of the above symptoms while in my care, you
or your alternate will be required to pick up your child immediately. If the
child is not picked up within an hour of my calling, a $5.00 for every 15
minutes or portion thereof charge may be assessed. If I have to call a parent
to pick up a child that has been dropped off for care too ill to participate in
the day, the child will also be required to stay at home the following day.
Your child may return to care 24 hours AFTER symptoms of illness end. I am
responsible for the health and well being of many children so I will closely
follow health department regulations when it comes to illness. I understand and
respect your need to be at work, but your cooperation is extremely important on
this.
If your child is on antibiotics he/she
continues to be contagious for 24 hours after the first dose of medication and
cannot return to childcare until this time period has passed.
Childcare regulations prohibit me from giving
your child medication of any kind unless you have filled out and signed the
Permission to Administer Form. All medication must be in the original, labeled
container. Blank permission to administer medication forms are kept in your
family connection folder.
Minor bumps and scrapes are inevitable, but I
make every effort to keep your children safe through supervision and
childproofing. Minor injuries will receive appropriate first aid, and if an
emergency injury or illness occurs, you will be contacted immediately. If I am
unable to contact either parent, I will call the emergency contact numbers
supplied to me to make the medical decisions for the child. If necessary, your
child will be transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital. Parents are
responsible for costs involved in emergency medical treatment, including
transportation if required.
All children will be required to lie down for
a nap/quiet time each day. I will not force your child to sleep but they must
lie down quietly.
It is expected that your child be respectful
of my personal property and furnishings. A certain amount of “wear and tear” is
normal, but if your child intentionally damages my property through destructive
behavior or roughness, you will be liable for 100% of the replacement costs.
This reimbursement is due with your next monthly payment.
I will assist in potty training with the
understanding that it will only be successful if we work together. Your child
will not learn if they do not do it while in my care and at home. You must work
with your child at home, either during vacation or over a weekend before I will
begin potty training here. Clothing should be easy to manage to encourage
self-help skills. Buckles, belts, overalls and suspenders when in a hurry to
use the bathroom may create a problem. I also require that each potty training
child have 6 changes of training pants (for sanitary reasons I require plastic
pants to go over underwear or training pants) or pull-ups. Extra changes of
clothing are also necessary, including socks.
While in my care only positive encouragement
is enforced. Children will NOT be subject to spanking, hitting, kicking,
restraint, or to verbal, emotional, or physical punishment. I believe the most
effective ways of enforcing positive behaviors are: Praise, Respect,
Re-Direction, and Positive Re-Enforcement. I don’t play “REF”; I use strategies
to engage children in their own problem solving. During conflict it is
important for children to feel respected, secure, loved, important and special.
They need to know I am always available to listen and help, not to judge. My
goal is to coach the children so they can negotiate, compromise, brainstorm and
work it out together. I will only place
a child in time out if I feel that they are a threat to the safety and well
being of themselves or others. When this becomes necessary I make sure everyone
is all right, then I stay with the child.
If something of a more serious nature or a
persistent behavior should occur that is of concern to me or a threat to the
safety of others, I will need to discuss it with you so that we can jointly
decide on a course of action that is followed at home and in my care. If the
problem cannot be resolved, arrangements must be made for the child to receive
care elsewhere.
Revisions to policies and procedures,
contracts, and forms I make may be done with a minimum of 2 weeks notice UNLESS
it is a new regulation – these changes will take place immediately. Policies,
contracts, and forms will be reviewed periodically and updated, if necessary. I
will notify parents in writing of any changes. All previous forms will become
obsolete.
While your child is in my care, you can
always be assured that the door is open to you. “Open Door” does not mean that
we keep our doors unlocked. For the safety of the children and myself doors are
kept locked except for scheduled drop off and pick up times. Please feel free
to drop in and check on your child, however, keep in mind a child adjusting to
a new surrounding will want to leave with you if you pop in for a visit. I
would appreciate your taking into consideration our schedule when dropping in
or calling, and remember that visitors usually cause children to react in an
excited manner that does not normally occur when I am alone with the children.
Please keep in mind there may be times when it is not possible for me to run to
the phone (diaper changing, bottle feeding, etc.) If the phone goes unanswered,
please do not become alarmed, simply leave me a voice mail and I will call you
as soon as I am able. I also discourage
frequent and lengthy calls since they disrupt my care of the children.
Communication is very important to me. When I
accept a new family into my home I like to be sure that we can share openly any
concerns or questions that may arise. I feel that we are a team raising your child.
If we can work together then your child can feel secure in knowing they have
two families who love them very much. I grow to love children I care for very
much and I am always glad to have a chance to be a part of their lives. It is
important that there is a similar childcare philosophy between us.
I welcome questions, feedback, or
discussions of any kind that affect a positive outcome for the child. Sensitive
issues will be discussed outside of regular hours either by letter, phone or a
scheduled conference.
Parents of infants/toddlers/preschoolers will
receive a daily note/email. Some typical things that you may find on this note
would be daily activities, feedings/meals, diaper changes, naps/quiet time, and
things to remember or to bring.