 | 1st Class Early Learning Center |
This policy and contract was put together to inform each family how I operate as a licensed child care provider. I respect and appreciate the trust that you have placed in me caring for your child. I hope that the following will provide information as to what you can expect from me, what I expect from you and your child, and how we can work together to make this a comfortable; fun; safe; learning environment for your child.
Back Up Providers/Vacation/Sick Days/ & Holidays Policy:
With a small group size, your child will receive specialized attention, as well as lots of love and care. My goal is to nurture and strengthen each child throughout their early childhood. I realise that it is extremely important for you as parents to be able to rely on your childs' child care to be open and available during your work schedule outside the home. I make every attempt to give as much notice as possible in the case of my absence.
Day care will be closed during the following holidays:
Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the day after, New Year's Eve and New Years' Day.
I take my career choice as a home child care provider very seriously and expect you as parents to do the same. Therefor, I allow myself 2 weeks vacation per year, and 6 sick/personal days to be used as needed. Without allowing myself personal time, I feel that, as in any career, there would be a risk for "burnout." My goal is to provide quality child care for several years until such time that I retire. I attend several classes and training conferences throughout the year to further enrich my career with children and on occasion may need to close day care for this scheduling, You will always be given as much notice as possible prior to closing. As stated previously, there are 2 back up providers who will be providing child care in my absence on occasion so that day care will remain open as much as possible.
Behavior Management and Discipline Policy:
I believe that discipline is helpful as guidance and support for children to achieve self-control and acceptance. Discipline is handles on this belief: The child is a good person, it is his/her behavior that is unacceptable and needs to be changed or guided to a more acceptable means of expression. The basic rules at daycare are as follows:
1) Use your inside voice and talk to others with respect.
2) Walk when indoors.
3) Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
4) No throwing.
5) Use your words.....this is repeated throughout several different situations to teach the children to use their words instead of actions when they are angry, sad, upset, etc. Behavior that is harmful to your child, other children, or their surroundings (toys, furniture, etc.) will be interrupted. The child will be told why the behavior is unacceptable and asked not to repeat it. If the behavior persists, the child will be placed in "time out" and then redirected to another activity. Parents will be notified if the behavior continues to be considered unacceptable. If after you have been notified, the behavior continues for any length of time, your child will be dismissed from this childcare!
**NOTE: Sometimes when parents bring or pick up their child from daycare, a child may forget the rules or just test the boundaries. Please help show your child that you respect me, the rules of this childcare, and our property by reminding your child that the rules still apply when you are around.
Indoor Activities:
Toddlers (babies that can walk) will be encouraged to sit and participate with the group but will never be forced. They will be permitted to engage themselves in self-directed play, as well as group time (circle time), or toddle back and forth.
Preschool age activities:
A preschool program will be done almost daily. The activities incluse daily circle time, learning colors, shapes, numbers, letters, phonics, and theme related activities such as games, crafts, color sheets, learning papers, etc. Every child is guided throughout the day with positive reinforcement in all activities, and always encouraged to try or to try again. I try to instill in evry child to simply "do their best."
Children learn a great deal through daily play. Playing with playdough, painting, drawing, coloring, singing, reading books, dramatic play, building with blocks or Legos, are some of the activities in which your child will be participating in.
Outdoor Activities:
I have a large yard that the chikdren enjoy playing in. We have a club house, sand area, swings, slides, climb on equipment, outdoor toys, etc. At times the children will get dirty and even muddy. This is all part of their play. I will try to keep the children from getting overly dirty but at times this can not be prevented. It is child care policy that all children are outside daily, even for a short amount of time, during appropriate weather conditions. At times, this may consist of simply playing in the driveway area using ride on toys, sidewalk chalk, blowing bubbles, splashing in water puddles, etc. Please do not ask that your child have to remain indoors and no child may be left indoors alone.
Nap and Rest Time:
All babies will be placed on their back to sleep in a crib, playpen, or port-a-crib. The American of Pediatrics, SIDS Alliance, and Association of SIDS and Infant Mortality Programs all recommend this sleep position to reduce the risk of crib death also known as SIDS. So, for the safety of your baby, I will follow this recommendation. Your baby/toddler will be checked on often during rest time.
All children not attending Kindergarten or higher grade levels are required (by state law) to have a rest peroid each day. I will provide a safe, warm, quiet place for your child to rest. I will provide sleeping cots and bedding. No child is forced to sleep, however, they must remain quiet and on their cot. Children who wake up before the others will be offered a quiet activity or suitable television viewing until all children are awake and snack is served.
Illness Policy and Communicable Disease:
I will care for children with common illnesses such as recovering cold, allergies, etc. If a child is thought to have a communicable disease such as: temperature over 101 degrees, vomiting, diarrhea, pimkeye, or rash of unknown origin, the child will be made comfortable and seperated from the other children in a safe environment. The parent ( or approved alternate in the instance that a parent can not be reached) will be notified to pick up their child. The child can not return to child care until no longer contagious. This means that the child must be fever free for 24 hours, on medication for 24 hours, or have a doctors written note stating that the illness is not contagious. This is for the health and safety of all exposed, including myself.
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