Basic Information

• RECORDS

All children must have a current and updated immunization record prior to entering the daycare. Parents are responsible to keep their children’s shots up-to-date. If your child is not immunized due to religious beliefs, consent forms must be filled out prior to care.

• MEALS

Our daycare will provide the following: Breakfast, A.M. Snacks, Lunch, and P.M. Snacks.

Parents can rest assured that only nutritious food will be provided to your children since our daycare will be under a nutrition program. Furthermore, the meals provided will be fresh and home cooked daily.

Since our meal times are well planned accordingly to the daily schedule, we ask that your child is well-fed if he/she happens to arrive after a meal time.

To be consistent with our healthy, nutritious eating habits, please do not allow children to bring candies, chips, and/or sodas to the daycare. This is not only unhealthy; it may also create conflicts amongst other children.

• CLOTHING

Each child must bring at least two (2) pairs of clothing. This means 2 shirts and 2 pairs of pants, also extra diapers, or underwear, if the child is potty trained. Please take into account the weather condition and dress your child accordingly. To avoid unnecessary injuries, children must wear closed-toe shoes (i.e sneakers) during playtime outside in the yard. Sandals and slippers will not be permitted in the yard. 

• PLAYTIME

Children in our daycare are encouraged to play together. This will help children develop their social and language skills thru interactions with one another. Furthermore, play is also an important part of learning. It allows young children an opportunity to learn to live with not knowing. We learn better thru trial and error, and play is a non-threatening way for young children to cope with the new learning and to “try” without the fear of failure. Therefore, at least twice a day, the children will be outside for freetime, weather permitting. During this time, the children will engage in spontaneous play, meaning they are free to explore and use their imaginations.

When children play by themselves or with one another, their play is at the actual stage of development. However, with adult interactions, their learning and development will be extended. This will be achieved when the children are engaging in activities and/or obstacle courses in which our daycare will plan accordingly to the children’s level of development.

• DISCIPLINE

Corporal punishment is against the policy of this daycare and will not, under any circumstances, be administered.

Guidance will be given according to the child’s appropriate age and understanding.

Infants and Toddlers
*“No” will be used sparingly
*Redirect child away from undesired activity towards a better choice
*Ignore the behavior, if it’s not dangerous or causing harm to others
*Off limit items will be removed

Preschool Age Children
*Tell child what he/she can/should do instead of what he/she can’t do
*If disagreement is between preschool age children, allow them to sort it out, as long   as no one is in danger
*Give child an opportunity to make the right decision, help child by making    suggestions
*Time-out will absolutely be the last resort for the amount of time equivalent to the child’s age (i.e. if child is 2 years old, time out time will be for 2 minutes).
*Time out spot will be supervised
*After time is up, discuss why time-out was given, and what the appropriate choice should have been, followed by a hug.

• TOYS

Our daycare will provide age-appropriate toys that will stimulate your child’s mind and body.

Toys will be disinfected daily to ensure cleanliness and avoid illness.

Children will not be allowed to bring toys from home. This may create jealousy amongst other children and we cannot be held accountable for loss or damaged toys.

Children can bring a comfort blanket and/or pillow or a stuffed animal for naptime. These items will be kept in cubbies or diaper bags until nap-time.

• POTTY TRAINING

We believe consistency is a key to a successful potty training, but ONLY when the child IS ready. 

We will work in conjunction with parents to help a child who is ready to be potty trained.

At this point, please provide pull-ups to avoid any confusion. We will work with you, not for you.

• ATTENDANCE

Please let us know by 7:30 a.m. on the day that your child will be absent, or will be arriving earlier or later than the pre-arranged time.

Parents are still financially responsible for any absences and/or late arrivals since payments are based on the pre-arranged time you agree to use childcare and NOT on the actual hours of attendance.

• PICKUP

 Parents must call to give us prior notice if your pickup time will be later than usual.

Please provide the daycare with a written permission signed by the parent(s) if an unauthorized person not indicated on the registration form will be picking up your child.

This person must provide a valid I.D as proof of identity.

• HOLIDAYS

Our daycare will be closed for the following holidays

o    New Year’s Day
o    Martin Luther King Jr. Day
o    Presidents Day
o    Memorial Day
o    Independence Day
o    Labor Day
o    Veteran’s Day
o    Thanksgiving
o    The day after Thanksgiving
o    Christmas Eve
o    Christmas Day
o    The day after Christmas
o    New Year’s Eve

These are paid holidays; therefore, parents are financially responsible when they fall on a day regularly scheduled for care.

 If you need care during any of these holidays, prior arrangements can be made to determine if we can accommodate your child. 

• VACATIONS

Parents must notify our daycare at least 2 weeks prior to the actual vacation date.

In order to maintain a spot in our daycare, you are financially responsible for your child’s weekly rates.

• SUMMER RECESS / PROVIDER'S VACATION

Summer Recess will be the 3rd week of July each calendar year.

Daycare will be closed for 1 week (5 business days) during Summer Recess.

Summer Recess is considered as Provider's Vacation NOT paid holidays.

You will NOT be financially responsible for our vacation time during the week of Summer Recess.  

An effort will be made to provide care in the same location or to help refer and find alternative care during this time. These alternative care options will be at your discretion. 

• TRIAL PERIOD

A 1-month trial period is given before actual enrollment. A contract will be provided and will expire 1 month after the child begins care. 

After 2 weeks, a scheduled meeting will be setup for the provider and parents to decide whether or not care should continue.

In the unfortunate event that both parties feel incompatible, the remainder 2 weeks will allow parents to find another childcare provider, AND the provider to seek a substitute for the child.

• ENROLLMENT

Once both parties have agreed to continue daycare after the trial period, parents will be given a 6-month contract to sign.

Our daycare contracts are based on a 6 month period. At the end of the 6 months, both parties will have an option to either terminate the contract or renew it for another 6 months.



• ILLNESS POLICY

For the safety of all children, parents must keep their child/children at home and/or arrange for alternative care, if the child is NOT well enough to participate in the daily activities of the daycare and/or if they are contagious in any form including but not limited to the following examples:

-Fever greater than or equal to 100.5°F
-Skin rashes unless diagnosed by a physician as harmless
-Severe abdominal pain
-Vomiting
-Diarrhea
-Sore Throat or trouble swallowing
-Severe itching of body and scalp
-Chicken pox
-Pink Eye
-Lice or nits

Parents must inform the daycare provider within 24 hours of a diagnosis of a serious illness or a contagious disease for the safety of all concerned.

Parents agree that a child will be symptom free, without the aid of any medications such as Tylenol for a full day (24 hours) prior to returning to the daycare. We reserve the right to ask for a note from the family doctor depending on the nature of the illness/disease


CARE OF A SICK CHILD
If your child becomes ill while in the daycare, we will make the child feel comfortable in a quiet place where he/she can rest and be closely monitored.
If your child is seriously ill, you must pick up the child IMMEDIATELY. If we cannot reach a parent, we will call the emergency contact or physician as indicated on your registration form.

MEDICATIONS:
Prescription medications will only be given to your child with prior agreement and only if:
The child’s full name is on the prescription bottle
The prescribed amount of medication can be left at the daycare for a given day with written permission and full instructions.
We prefer all over-the counter medications to be administered by the parents. However, under special circumstances, by mutual agreement, medication will be dispensed if:
It is in a resealable sandwich bag with your child’s full name
Written permission and signature as well as time to administer is included