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Employee Handbook

Updated

November 2017

Kouts Christian Church

208 S. Polland Ave.

Kouts, IN 46347

219-766-3337

219-928-1628 You are expected to carefully read and adhere to all of the enclosed information. Your

compliance with the standards provided in this handbook will serve as the basis for future

salary increases. Doing your personal best will create a positive, pleasant working

environment for everyone.

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Table of Contents

Page 3

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL

EMPLOYEES

Page 4

RATIOS

PROFESSIONALISM

DRESS CODE

Page 5

CELL PHONES

HAND WASHING

CHILD ABUSE CONCERNS AND

HOTLINE

Page 6

GRIEVENCE PROCEDURES

COMMUNICATION IN

CLASSROOM AND DURING

THE DAY

TEACHER ABSENCE

EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINARY

PROCEDURES

Page 7

HEALTH AND SAFETY OF

EMPLOYEES

DAILY BINDER

CHECKPOINTS FOR OPENING

DAYCARE

CHECKPOINTS FOR CLOSING

DAYCARE

Page 8

SUPPLY REQUEST

EMPLOYEES WITH CHILDREN

PAY

PAY RAISES

EMPLOYEE VACATIONS

Page 9

CHILDRENS ILLNESS

FORMS

TEACHERS

Page 10

CLASSROOM

INFANT AND TODDLER CARE

Page 11

SAFETY

GENERAL

Page 12

FOOD

Page 13

EMPLOYEE AGREEMENT

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RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL EMPLOYEES:

1. The garbage should be taken out at the end of each day by the second-to-the-last

employee.

2. The solutions should be dumped on the clean-up cloth to soak over-night in the

plastic container. The bodily fluid solution should be kept until ALL children are

gone and then dumped.

3. Toilets in all restrooms should be sprayed and wiped off with the bodily fluid

bleach solution every day and ALWAYS on Thursdays.

4. Step stools in both bathrooms should be cleaned on Thursday with a scrubber and

cleaner.

5. Counter tops in the kitchen and the snack tables should be washed with bleach

solution after every snack and after lunch.

6. Wash the craft table downstairs as soon as you are done with your craft to keep

things from building up on it. It is difficult to get everything off at the end of the

week. Use HOT water to remove glue.

7. The floors in the bathrooms will remain cleaner if everyone keeps their hands

over the sink until they are dry. A staff member should be ready to hand a paper

towel to each child as he or she finishes washing hands. This keeps dirt from

shoes off the floor.

8. Cots should be stacked correctly after naps. No bedding can “flow” over the edge

of a cot. All cots should be stacked so they cannot fall over.

9. The floor in the multi-purpose room should remain clean at all times.

10. All food should be cleaned out of the sinks and the microwave.

11. Clean chairs off in multi-purpose room when dirty.

12. Nursery refrigerator and cabinets should remain clean on tops and inside. Clean

with solution (especially refrigerator) once a week.

13. The inside of the kitchen refrigerator should be cleaned at least once a week. If

you notice a spill, please clean it up right away.

14. Every Thursday the upstairs and downstairs needs to be swept. The person in

charge of school-age children should do the basement after lunch & an employee

from upstairs needs to sweep before leaving.

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RATIOS:

Age of Children Minimum Ratio of Staff to Children

2 weeks to 2 years 1 staff for every 4 children

2 years 1 staff for every 6 children

3 years 1 staff for every 8 children

4 years 1 staff for every 12 children

5 years to 10 years 1 staff for every 15 children

10 years and over 1 staff for every 20 children

PROFESSIONALISM:

Each staff member is a child care professional and is expected to act as such. The

following general guidelines for professionalism should be maintained at all times:

Arrive on time and stay entire shift, as needed.

Is not absent from work on a regular basis and finds a substitute when

necessary.

Dress appropriately for interaction with children.

Take directions, suggestions and criticisms, and follow through to improve

performance.

Respect confidential information regarding children, families, and co-workers.

Display a positive attitude toward the church, program, children, families and

co-workers; before, during and after work hours.

Show restraint in Social Media posts. You are always representing Kouts

Sprouts Preschool and Daycare

DRESS CODE:

Staff members are expected to observe the 3 C’s for appropriate attire at work as

follows:

COMFORTABLE – Staff is expected to play with the children and be down

at their level whenever it is appropriate. To do this, staff must be dressed in

comfortable clothes that allow free movement and activity. Staff members

should wear clothing they feel comfortable getting dirty or stained, as staff

members are expected to

participate alongside the children during all daily activities. Flip-flops and

sneakers are appropriate footwear.

CLEAN - All clothing should be clean with no stains, rips or tears, and must

smell appropriate. This also applies to personal hygiene.

COURTEOUS - Staff members interact with children and parents on a daily

basis and should dress professionally.Clothing may not contain alcohol, drug,

or cigarette references. Vulgar sayings or suggestions are forbidden.Certain

articles of clothing are never appropriate for the work environment, including:

halter tops, strapless “tube” tops, short skirts/shorts (must hit at fingertip

length or below), sweatpants, torn jeans/shorts, and low-rise jeans/shorts

which expose undergarments. It is expected that all staff members will

present themselves and Kouts Sprouts Preschool and Daycare in a

professional, respectable manner. Any staff member not adhering to the dress

code may be asked to leave and return dressed appropriately.

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CELL PHONES:

On a normal basis, at no time during an employees scheduled work day should

personal cell phones be used for personal calls, texts, or social media.

Cell phones MAY be left on the counter during the school day. We

understand that things happen during the day, and phones are needed. Usage

during this time is for EMERGENCY ONLY. “Quick calls or texts” are NOT

allowed during school/daycare time.

Breaks and lunch when another employee is watching the children is a good

time to use your phone for social media.

Please keep in mind that Kouts Sprouts is a ministry, a child care facility, and

a church. Parents do NOT want to drive by and see an employee on their

phone.

HAND WASHING:

Staff members must wash their hands at the following times:

Upon arriving at the center

After each diaper change

After helping a child use the toilet

After wiping a nose, coming into contact with saliva or any other bodily fluid.

Before preparing meals

Before and after meal times

Before and after using the sensory table

After removing gloves

After using the restroom

After returning to the center from a break

After coming indoors from the playground

-Frequent hand washing with soap and warm running water for at least 20 seconds is the

most effective way to reduce and prevent the spread of illnesses like diarrhea, the flu, and

conjunctivitis (pink eye).

CHILD ABUSE CONCERNS:

All Kouts Sprouts Preschool and Daycare staff members are mandatory child abuse

reporters. STAFF MEMBERS MUST INFORM THE DIRECTOR IMMEDIATELY OF

ANY SUSPESPECTED CHILD ABUSE CASES.

CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT HOTLINE

1 800 800-5556

Once the staff member informs the Director of the report they will decide whether or not

to inform the parents of the report. If a Kouts Sprouts staff member is accused of abuse

and/or neglect by a parent or co-worker, such an accusation will be reported

to the Director and a determination will be made as to whether there is reasonable cause

to suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse and/or neglect. If there is reasonable

cause, a report must be made to the Department of Human Services (DHS). Kouts

Sprouts Preschool and Daycare will cooperate with any DHS investigation. In addition,

the accused staff member will be informed of the allegations and be given an opportunity

to respond to those allegations. Termination of employment after a child abuse

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allegation is at the discretion of the Director.

GRIEVENCE PROCEDURES:

As childcare professionals, all staff members are expected to make reasonable attempts to

resolve conflicts directly with the individual(s) concerned. If a solution cannot be

reached, staff members should then seek assistance from the Director to resolve the

conflict.

Confidentiality is expected and required when grievances arise. Staff members who

discuss issues with other staff members not directly related to the situation may be

subject to the Disciplinary Procedure. This policy applies both during paid hours as well

as on a staff member’s personal time.

COMMUNICATION IN THE CLASSROOM AND DURING THE DAY

Open communication between staff members, parents, and children is crucial to a

successful program. Before leaving a classroom for any reason (bathroom, making a

copy, calling a parent) an employee should inform his/her cooperating teachers of the

reason he/she is leaving. Kouts Sprouts Preschool and Daycare is a ministry. Please

make sure that you are a good example at all times.

TEACHER ABSENCE:

If a staff member is ill and unable to work, the Director should be notified

immediately, by phone.

When possible, a staff member must assist in making arrangements for a

substitute.

Staff members will be supplied with an approved substitute list and phone list at

the beginning of each school year. Staff members are expected to use these lists to

find substitutes when unable to work for any reason (vacation, illness,

appointments, etc.).

One full-time staff member must always be in the classroom. Situations in which

all full-time staff members of a classroom are gone must try to be avoided.

Staff members are expected to communicate with each other to ensure both

fulltime staff members are not absent on the same day.

EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE:

Kouts Sprouts Preschool and Daycare uses progressive discipline as a positive way to

correct unacceptable job performance. We pray that these steps will never need to be

used, however we must be ready for anything. Kouts Sprouts employees are “at will”

which means an employee can be terminated at the will of Kouts Sprotus for any reason

or no reason. The following are the steps, which are taken using progressive discipline.

STEP 1 Verbal Warning

If a staff member’s job performance is not meeting Kouts Sprouts standards, or if

a staff member is in violation of any policy stated in this handbook, he/she will be

informed of the problem and the possible penalties if performance does not

improve. Suggestions on ways to improve job performance will also be discussed.

After three (3) verbal warnings have been issued for any reason within a period of

six (6) months, a written warning will be issued.

STEP 2 Written Warning

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A written warning is given if a problem identified by multiple verbal warnings

has not been corrected. Written warnings will be recorded, discussed, and signed

by both the staff member, Director, and a witness. A staff member may receive

only one (1) written warning during a six (6) month period. After one (1) written

warning has been issued, any further issues or actions subject to the Disciplinary

Procedure may result in suspension or termination.

STEP 3 Termination

Termination may result when Step 1 and Step 2 have failed to remedy any

situation. Termination may be immediate.

Reasons for immediate termination may include, but are not limited to:

Commitment of child abuse under Indiana law

Abuse of a parent/guardian of a child or another staff member

Harassment

Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while at work

Theft

Possession of a weapon

HEALTH AND SAFETY OF EMPLOYEES:

Each Kouts Sprouts staff member must receive tuberculosis (TB) skin test.

HepB Test

These will be reimbursed by KSP&D AFTER the employee has worked 90 Days

DAILY BINDER:

Class attendance log

Class roster with parent and emergency contact numbers

CPR instructions/First Aid instructions

Allergies, health concerns

ANY/ALL accidents and incidents during the day

Any time a child is sick, hurt, or other and a parent is contacted

The Daily Binder is ALWAYS with a teacher and the class. It will be carried along with

the First Aid Kit.

CHECKPOINTS FOR OPENING DAYCARE:

1. Turn on lights

2. Change sign-in/sign-out sheets

3. Mix solutions for the day

4. Make sure all phone calls and parent instructions are written in notebook. If

someone other than the parent will be picking up a child, make sure parent notes it

in the sign-in book.

CHECKPOINTS FOR CLOSING THE DAYCARE:

1. Make sure the playground gate is locked.

2. Make sure the church doors are latched and not ajar.

3. Make sure all lights are off and windows closed and locked.

4. Check kitchen and bathrooms to be sure towels/toilet paper is supplied, sink

clean, water off, toilets flushed, etc.

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5. Check all rooms to be sure teachers have closed/locked windows and put supplies

away.

SUPPLIES REQUESTS:

Materials can be requested by listing the items on a sheet of paper and giving it to the

Director at least two weeks before the items are needed. They will be ordered or

purchased by the Director within the two week period they have been requested. Please

do not purchase items personally.

Special purchases such as new books, toys, etc. can be requested through the Director and

will be purchased as finances are available.

EMPLOYEES WITH CHILDREN:

Employees with children attending daycare will pay 50% tuition for each child.

Employees’ children will preferably be placed with a teacher other than the parent.

Please try to treat all children in your care equally.

PAY:

Employees will begin at a pay determined by the Director and Ministry Team. After 90

days, a job performance review will take place. IF the employee has developed the skills

necessary to work efficiently in the daycare, a raise will be decided upon at that time. If

it is found that the employee has not been able to meet the requirements, no raise will be

given and a probationary period will be decided upon, or a termination date will be given.

Another review will be done at the end of the probation period and a decision will be

determined about termination or a raise.

PAY RAISES:

Raises are determined by the Director and MinistryTteam. There are certain factors that

will insure a raise. They are, but not limited to:

1. Teaching effectively

2. Being in place to teach on time.

3. Complying with all requirements in the handbook.

4. Completing posted jobs.

5. Having lessons completed on time and in place for other employees

6. Having your supply list ready at least two weeks ahead of time

7. Being helpful and cooperative with all staff

8. Being innovative with children – always looking for new ways to

teach and discipline children

9. Keeping on task at all times (even when another employee is in the

room)

EMPLOYEE VACATIONS:

After working one full year, employees are entitled to a one-week’s paid vacation per

year. A vacation application must be submitted at least 3 months prior to any requested

vacation dates. The dates must have the Director’s approval. Vacation dates must also

not conflict when other employees are gone. Be sure to indicate if this will be your

“paid” vacation.

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CHILDREN’S ILLNESSES:

In any of the following situations, a child should be sent home:

1. Temperature over 100 degrees

2. Vomiting

3. Diarrhea

4. Head lice

5. or any contagious disease (see sample list below)

IN ALL CASES WHERE IT IS SUSPECTED OR CONFIRMED A CHILD HAS A

CONTAGIOUS DISEASE, HE OR SHE SHOULD BE SENT HOME IMMEDIATELY

(Measles, Chicken Pox, Pink Eye, head lice, etc.)

In case of contagious diseases, including head lice, a notice will be posted at

the front desk.

In all other cases when a child states they do not feel well, try to determine

need-rest, cool space, extra attention, etc.

FORMS: The following forms are used by Kouts Sprouts Preschool and Daycare:

Medication Forms must be completed by the parent in order to authorize us

to give medicine to a child. We do NOT give aspirin with or without a form.

F.Y.I. Forms/What we did Today Forms are used for relaying information

to the parent. IF a child has a minor injury, a bad day, has not felt well,

usually eats well and didn’t, needs diapers or wipes, etc.

Accident Forms must be completed when a major injury occurs. Please

notify the Director as quickly as possible if this happens. Parents must be

notified in writing about any minor injury. This is to be written and signed by

the person who witnessed the occurrence (the F.Y.I. form may be used for

minor injuries only.)

TEACHERS:

Only the children who are in your classroom for the day are your concern.

Please be sure to refer parents to the teacher who cared for their child when

they request information. Also, taking note of what is happening in other

classrooms when you should be caring for your own class will result in a

reprimand by the Director. Please focus on your own children at all times.

Teachers (care givers) are responsible for their rooms. They should be kept

safe and healthy at all times. They should be kept clean and supplies should

be put away when not in use. Items such as Lysol, that would be harmful to a

child, should NEVER be left in reach of children. Whatever your schedule,

supplies and equipment should be put away before you leave. If another

teacher or aide uses the room, it is their responsibility to get things out and put

them away. Lysol should be used sparingly in the presence of children.

Make sure parents are notified if children need extra clothes or a seasonal

change of clothes either by speaking to them or by using an FYI form.

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CLASSROOMS:

MAKE SURE ALL LESSON PLANS AND MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THEM ARE

WHERE A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER HAS EASY ACCESS TO THEM IN CASE YOU

ARE ABSENT FOR AN UNEXPECTED ILLNESS OR EMERGENCY.

The following activities and lessons should be covered. Frequency of the activities

depends on class age. Teachers should only use materials that are developmentally

appropriate in their classrooms. If there is a question in your mind about

developmentally appropriate practice, please speak to the Director.

1. Bible verses 10. Play acting

2. Bible stories 11. Drama

3. Science 12. Music

4. Numbers 13. Pledges (daily)

5. Letters 14. Painting

6. Crafts 15. Nursery rhymes

7. Art 16. Calendar (daily)

8. Games 17. Outdoor play (weather appropriate)

9. Exercise 18. Etc.

Make sure each child has a box with his or her name clearly written on it. Use

upper and lower case letters so the child can become familiar with the way he

or she should write his or her name. Make sure all names are spelled

correctly.

KEEP ALL YOUR PERSONAL POSSESSIONS IN A SAFE PLACE.

Make sure you are familiar with all restrictions for students.

DO not leave child information lists where they are visible.

DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK FOR I.D. If the person is legitimate, they will

not mind. If you do not know someone who is picking up a child in your care,

you must request I.D. and confirm it against the registration information or by

telephoning the parent. It is better to be over-cautious.

INFANT AND TODDLER CARE:

Baby bottles should always be held by the caregiver so the child sees you as security, not

the bottle. A child should never have a bottle without the teacher (caregiver) holding

him/her. Also, never put a baby in a high chair, crib or table with seats, with a bottle.

It is important to teach the babies what the word “no” means. A stern, but not angry

voice usually works best along with moving the baby away from the problem area. A

tap on the hand may also be necessary if repeated removal does not work for a baby.

Please do not totally “baby proof” a room. Children need to know what “no” means,

so if everything that is off-limits is removed from the room, the child will not learn

this. This simple disciplinary action used early in a child’s life will better enable the

child to listen to teachers as they grow older in the daycare setting. When re-directing

from being told “No,” please show positive options with a smile. For example, “This

is NO (stern face), but this is OK (happy face)!”

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SAFETY: The Entire Daycare facility (including the parking-lot and playground) is smoke-free and

alcohol free. It is prohibited to use either of these substances on our grounds or around

the children which includes during field trips or any activity when children are not on the

grounds.

Use or possession of illegal substances, or misusing other legal toxic substances (i.e.

sniffing paint or glue for the purpose of getting high) at any time or using tobacco or

alcohol while working, are grounds for immediate dismissal.

Fire Drills:

Fire drills will be held once a month and logged.

During a fire drill, you should exit with your class by the nearest exit per your

evacuation map. Make sure you bring all your children and your attendance

sheet so that attendance can be confirmed outside. The meeting place for all

classes is the playground.

The exact same procedure should be followed for Drills as for the real

event. If the fire is in an area where you are exiting, do not use that exit – go

to the next closest exit.

Tornado Drills:

Tornado drills require everyone going to an inside wall in the basement and

squatting down with your head down and your hands over your head for

protection. Make sure you bring all your children, and your attendance sheet

so that attendance can be confirmed when the emergency or drill is over.

The exact same procedure should be followed for Drills as for the real

event.

AT NO TIME SHALL A DOOR BE BLOCKED BY A COT/CHILD/PLAY

GROUP/TABLE/CHAIR OR ANYTHING. Each classroom shall have easy exit

aisles.

Please be careful with children. Do not allow them to jump on you or hang on your

legs. This may catch you off guard and you may fall hurting the child and/or

yourself. PLEASE BE CAREFUL.

GENERAL:

Children are NOT permitted to hold infants.

Lunch table should be as quiet as possible and a pleasant experience. All

children should taste everything in their lunch. It is impossible to force a

child to eat. Teachers should make decisions based on the child. Encourage

slow eaters to eat, etc. If a child does not eat in ½ an hour, he or she probably

will not. All staff should help during lunch time. Your focus should be

towards the children during this time. You may eat your lunch after the

children are laying down for a nap.

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Snacks are optional, however, children who take snacks, should eat them.

Remember, you should not force children to eat.

Discipline is “time out” served in a safe place. Hurting a friend and bad

language are not permitted. Rough play is not permitted by the children or the

staff.

Time-out should be used for older children; (3 - up) and should be done for no

longer than the child’s age (example: a three year old for three minutes, a four

year old for four minutes…) When removing a child from a situation because

he or she is harming someone can be done repeatedly, for the length of time

listed above.

Any child under the age of three is not actually in “time out”, but rather is

taking a break from the situation.

A well-informed parent hearing the words “time out” applied to their child

under two sees this as inappropriate. If you are discussing experiences that

took place during the day to a parent with a child age two or under, please say,

“He or she had to take a break from the situation because…”

Classroom doors without windows should be open at all times.

Indoor play equipment may be utilized by classrooms on bad weather days.

Please share and be considerate of other classes. No big room play is allowed

during times when lunch is being served.

All children, except infants, should have outdoor play daily (weather

permitting). There will be a schedule posted at the beginning of each seasonal

use.

Equipment available for indoor and outdoor play at the present time are:

parachute, balls (basketball, volleyball, large balls, dodge balls...), hoola

hoops, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and playground equipment.

During summer months, water play will also be available.

FOOD:

Schedules should be followed as closely as possible to avoid problems in the

lunch room area.

A.M. snack takes place according to the posted schedule. Lunch is at 12:15.

At 1pm children four and under will have snacks. At 3:30pm children five

and older will have snacks.

Children will be bringing their own lunches while the daycare will provide the

morning and afternoon snack.

Snacks will include two of the main food groups (i.e. milk and crackers,

cheese and carrot sticks…) BE AWARE OF ALL FOOD RESTRICTIONS

FOR CHILDREN.

If possible, your lunch should be eaten after children are laying down for their naps.

If it is necessary for you to eat during the lunch time, you should be seated at a table

with a group of children so you can assist them while you eat. Posted jobs should

also be completed during lunch/nap time.

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REMEMBER: We are part of a church ministry. People are an EVENT! When you

greet someone, use a pleasant voice and a concerned attitude. That will go a long way

to make a person’s day.

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EMPLOYEE AGREEMENT

I have read the Kouts Sprouts Preschool and Daycare Employee

Handbook and do hereby agree to adhere to the guidelines outlined

in the manual.

Signed: ________________________________

Date: _______________