parent handbook - little ones child care and preschool › uploads › 4 › 6 › 5 … · web...

Parent Handbook

Fellowship Church2555 Garfield Rd N

Traverse City, MI 49686

Phone: (231)947-1988

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.littleoneschildcaretc.com

Little Ones Child Care and Preschool

Parent Handbook

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction1. Purpose of Parent Handbook 32. Changes to Handbook 33. Confidential Information 34. Nondiscrimination Policy 3

General Information1. Hours of Operation 42. Licensing Notebook 43. Cubbies 44. Clothing 55. Nap/Rest-Time6. Toileting

55

Policies1. Employee/Volunteer Screening Policy 62. Intoxicated Parent Policy 63. Child Release Procedure 64. Inappropriate Parent Conduct 65. Absent Parent Policy6. Maintenance of Child Space

77

Health and Illness Policies

1. Illness Policy 2. Medication Policy3. General Preventative Measures

Safety/Emergency/Accident Procedures

1. General Safety2. Accident Reports3. Fire Drills/ Tornado Drills4. Child Release Procedure

899

10101010

1


Parent Handbook

Infant Section

1. Philosophy

Infant Policies and Procedures

1.Bedding2. General Sleeping Rules3. Feeding4. Breast Feeding5. Warming Bottles and Breast Milk6. Serving Semisolid and Solid Foods7. Adding Food or Medication to Bottles8. Parent Concerns and Communication9. Children Who Have Legal Guardians, Have Contact with Staff from Counseling

Offices, Social Service Agencies, etc.10. Diapering11. Discipline12. Hand Washing13. Illness14. Sanitation and Cleaning of the Environment15. Medication16. General Preventative Measures

Toddlers, Preschool and Pre-K Section

1. Philosophy 2. Curriculum 3. Chapel Time 4. Outdoor Play 5. Discipline

Nutrition and Meals

11

1212131313141414

1415151515151616

1717171717

1. Meal Procedures 202. Special Diets 3. Food Service Policies

2020

2


Parent Handbook

Updated September 2015

INTRODUCTION

1. Purpose of Parent HandbookThis parent handbook contains the policies and procedures of Little Ones Child Care and Preschool. It is meant to serve as a reference guide. It is not meant to cover every aspect of the child care program or every situation that may arise.

For the purposes of this handbook, “parent” means the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the child in care.

2. Changes to HandbookLittle Ones management reserves the right to add, delete or amend the policies and procedures provided in this handbook upon thirty days written notice to parent.

3. Confidential InformationEach child has the right to confidentiality. All information pertaining to the children in the program, including all reports, records, and data are confidential and used for internal purposes only. Information pertaining to children enrolled in the program will not be released to third parties without the express written permission of parent, unless required by statute, court order, or licensing mandate.

4. Nondiscrimination PolicyLittle Ones Child Care will maintain and conduct all practices relating to enrollment, discipline, and all other terms and benefits of child care services provided in a manner which does not discriminate against any child, parent, or family on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or handicap.

3


Parent Handbook

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Hours of OperationThe center operates Monday through Friday from 6:30am to 6:00pm. To help with our classroom ratio we ask all children to be dropped off by 9:00am unless staff is notified in advance. Little Ones will be closed on the following holidays:

1-2 Staff Professional Development Days (tbd) Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday Christmas Eve and Christmas Day New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

2. Licensing NotebookThe center is to keep a notebook that is available for review during regular business hours for all parents. The notebook must include the following information: all licensing inspection reports, special investigation reports, all related corrective action plans and a notebook summary sheet. All licensing inspection and special investigation reports from the past two years are available on the Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing Website (www.michigan.gov/michildcare).

3. Cubbies/ Mailbox/ FoldersChildren are assigned a small, labeled space for the storage of personal items. Please check this cubby every day for notes, calendars, newsletters, etc.

4. ClothingDue to the nature of some of the activities we offer for children, we ask parents to please recognize that children’s clothing may occasionally become soiled or damaged, although our staff takes all appropriate steps to prevent this from occurring. Parents should therefore bring children to the program dressed in play clothes.

Little Ones strives to bring the children outdoors for play on a daily basis. As such, parents must be certain that the child is dressed appropriately according to the weather conditions. This may include, but is not limited to: rain gear, jacket, sweater, long pants, hat, mittens, boots, snow pants, etc. If a child arrives at the center without appropriate clothing for outdoor activity, we reserve the right to call parents and ask that the appropriate clothing be brought.

A seasonal change of clothing should be kept in the extra clothing space assigned to the child. Items should be labeled with the child’s name. The space should be checked and restocked routinely and adjusted seasonally as follows:

Spring/Summer – Pants or shorts, t-shirt, underwear, and socks. For water days, a swimsuit and towel are also required.

Fall/Winter – Pants, sweatshirt or sweater, underwear, and socks, as well as all appropriate clothing for playing outside in the snow.

4

http://www.michigan.gov/michildcare


Parent Handbook

Footwear should be serviceable for large muscle activities. Rubber-soled, athletic shoes are preferable to dress shoes and sandals. Slip-on shoes are best unless the child knows how to tie his/her own shoes.

5. Nap/Rest-TimeFor all children at Little Ones, a peaceful rest period is essential. Therefore, we implement the following procedures:

Children, ages 12 months to 2 ½ years, are permitted to sleep on demand and are allowed to wake on demand.

Cots are used for all children and parents are required to provide a small sheet and a blanket.

Nap items are sent home each Friday to be laundered. Quiet activities are provided for children who wake early or cannot fall asleep.

6. ToiletingLearning to use the toilet is an exciting milestone in your child’s life! The parents and caregivers will discuss when to begin the process of toilet training. In order for the process to be a success, the child must be ready developmentally and all adults must be using the same techniques.

We will ask you to bring: 10 pairs of pants 10 cloth underpants Several pairs of socks An extra pair of shoes

We will take your child to the bathroom every 30-40 minutes initially, then extend the amount of time gradually. We will communicate with you throughout this process. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you.

7. Transportation and field trips

The center will not transport children in emergency situations. If a child requires transportation, the parent or emergency squad will be contacted.

Field trips- Field trips will be taken periodically. We will use public transportation buses such as “Bata”. The buses will have a trained driver. Before departing the center, Attendance of all the children attending the field trip will be taken. Upon arrival of the destination attendance will be taken again. This process will be completed upon leaving the destination and arrival back at the center. During the course of the field trips, each staff member will have specific children that they are responsible for supervising. Before any children participate in a field trip, the center will obtain written permission form from the parent or guardian.

5


Parent Handbook

POLICIES

1. Employee/Volunteer Screening PolicyAll staff has gone through criminal background checks, including Internet Criminal History Checks through the Michigan State Police Department. Clearance from Central Registry, stating that they have not been involved in any substantiated cases of child abuse or neglect, must also be obtained before staff may come in contact with children.

Staff has received training in child development. Many have college degrees while others are pursuing them. Most importantly, our staff has chosen to work with young children, sacrificing benefits and better wages for making a difference in the life of a young child. They work long hours and are exposed to a multitude of germs. Please share your appreciation for them when you have the chance.

The State Of Michigan requires all staff to have a minimum of 16 hours of training annually. At Little Ones, we hold our staff to a high standard, requiring attendance and participation in in-service trainings as well as those held in the community. Our lead teachers and supervisors are certified in CPR and First Aid, and all employees have undergone blood borne pathogen training.

In providing the safest possible environment for your child, all unsupervised volunteers are required to undergo Internet Criminal History Checks through the Michigan State Police Department.

2. Intoxicated Parent PolicyOur first responsibility is to protect the health and safety of the children in our care. When an adult drops off and picks up children, we want to make sure the children are transported safely. When an adult transports children under the influence of alcohol/drugs, it creates an unsafe transportation situation for the children. If, in the opinion of the caregiver, a child cannot be safely transported to or from our center, the adult will be asked not to transport the child. The adult will either call someone to pick up the child from the list of people who are authorized to do so, or a cab will be called to pick the child and the adult. If the adult refuses to agree to one of those alternatives and insists on transporting the child, we will immediately call the police and report the unsafe driving situation.

3. Child Release ProcedureLittle Ones reserves the right to ask anyone, parents/guardians included, who may be picking up a child for picture identification. Refusal to show proper identification will result in staff refusing to release the child.

6


Parent Handbook

As a condition of receiving childcare services, the parent must supply the names of individuals to whom Little Ones staff may release the child in the event of an emergency. In cases where an enrolled child is the subject of a court order (custody order, restraining order, or protection from abuse order), we must be provided with a certified copy of the most recent order and all amendments thereto. The orders of the court will be strictly followed.

4. Inappropriate Parent ConductParents must be aware that adults serve as role models for children. Additionally, Little Ones is not only responsible for protecting the children in our care but also providing a safe workplace for all staff members. Therefore, it is critical that, while on church property, a parent conducts himself or herself in a professional and rational manner at all times. Little Ones management reserves the right to immediately terminate the child care agreement if the parent behaves inappropriately.

5. Absent Parent PolicyIf a parent does not arrive to pick up the child by 6:00pm, the following procedure will immediately be followed:

a. Staff will remain with the child and contact the Director or Assistant Director.b. Staff will begin calling persons listed on the child’s information card in an attempt to locate

parent.c. If staff is unable to locate parent, attempts will be made to contact another individual

authorized to remove the child from center care.d. If by one hour after closing, parent has not been contacted and no authorized person has

been reached, DHS and CPS will be notified that Little Ones has an abandoned child in its custody.

e. The Director or Assistant Director will follow the procedure described by DHS and CPS.

6. Maintenance of Child Space As a condition of providing childcare services, absences more than 5 days in length that are not due to a scheduled vacation or absence will result in termination of care.

7


Parent Handbook

HEALTH AND ILLNESS

1. Illness PolicyIt is our policy that sick children must be kept home. Diseases spread rapidly in a group of children, even in clean environments such as ours. Little Ones works closely with the Health Department and Child Care Licensing, when creating and revising health policies. This is the reason all children who attend Little Ones must be vaccinated for the protection of all of our children.

Guidelines for Excluding Sick Children – this includes a child who may become ill on the way to child care and preschool. Please keep your child home if they develop any of the following within 24 hours of coming to the center.

Fever over 101.0 degrees Vomiting Diarrhea (more than 2 times) Eye discharge Excessive cough and/or nasal discharge (green or yellow in color) Any unidentified rash or open sore(s) Lice (nits and/or mature lice) Ear ache and/or fluid leaking from child’s ear Any other communicable disease

When a Child May Return to the Center The child’s temperature has been below 101 degrees for 24 hours without medication. The child who has been diagnosed as having a bacterial infection and has been on an

antibiotic for 48 hours. They must also have a letter from a physician stating they are safe to return to group care.

It has been 24 hours since the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea without medication. The nasal discharge is not excessive, thick, yellow or green. Eyes are no longer discharging, or the condition has been treated with an antibiotic for 24

hours. The rash has subsided or the physician has determined that the rash is not contagious. The child sent home for nits/lice has been fully treated for lice and there are no signs of

mature lice. Nits that are more than an inch away from scalp are most likely dead. This is in accordance with the CDC recommendations.

Any child being treated for a communicable disease must have a letter from their physician stating when it is safe for them to return to group care.

If the child becomes ill at the center and/or has a temperature 101 degrees or higher, the parent will be notified. We may ask you to pick up your child within the hour.

8


Parent Handbook

In the event a child in our care has a communicable disease (other than a cold), a note will be posted to alert the parents that their child may have been exposed. The posting will include the name of the communicable disease as well as the symptoms.

We are early childhood professionals, not medical personnel, so we must have health policies in place and occasionally ask you to consult your physician. It is the parent’s prerogative to seek medical attention or not. The only exception to this rule is when there is a known medical condition in our community that is highly contagious such as pertussis or measles. If you choose to take your child to physician the same day they are sent home, and the physician feels that your child is safe to be in group care and will state this in writing, you are welcome to return your child to the center for the remainder of the day.

2. Child Medication (prescription/non-prescription) PolicyMedication must arrive in its original container. Prescriptions must be labeled for the specific child. A medication permission form must also be filled out by the parent that includes specific instructions for storage and administration. These forms are located at the front desk. Medication that can be stored at room temperature will be kept in the tub located in the first aid cupboard along with the permission form.

3. General Preventative MeasuresWe make every effort feasible to combat the spread of infections within our center. We employ stringent and mandatory sanitizing and cleaning of any and all objects that come into contact with children.

Toys that have been sneezed on, placed in a mouth or otherwise exposed to germs will be stored in a container until it can be sanitized. All toys will be sanitized regularly using our four step process:

1. Wash the toys with soap and water in one sink2. Rinse with clean water3. Submerge, wipe or spray with sanitizing solution (1 t. of bleach per gallon of water)4. Air dry

Tables, table legs and chairs are wiped down before and after meals and snacks with soapy water and a rag. The floor is vacuumed and/or swept after meals and snacks. Floors are washed daily.

Cots are sanitized after nap every day. Cot sheets and blankets are sent home with parents every Friday to be laundered.

Tables, counters, floors, sinks, and toilets are cleaned daily using sanitizing solution. Sanitizing requirements involving diapering and potty chairs are posted in all diapering and potty-training areas.

Resource: Managing Communicable Diseases in Child Care Settings

9


Parent Handbook

SAFETY/EMERGENCY/ACCIDENT PROCEDURES

1. General SafetyProviding a safe and healthy environment for the children entrusted in our care is our number one priority. We take many precautions to ensure that this commitment is realized every day. These safety and health measures include:

All lead caregivers and supervisors trained in CPR and First Aid Open-door policy for parents Regular visits by city and state officials Consistent, daily cleaning and sanitizing of all classroom, kitchen, and restroom surfaces Daily inspections by classroom staff to identify and correct any potential safety hazards

2. Accident ReportsIn the event a child is hurt in any way, the parent will be notified immediately for serious or potentially serious cases (head injury, excessive bleeding, broken limb, seizure, etc.), or at the end of the day for non-serious injuries/incidents. In all cases a written report will be shared with the parent by the end of the day.

3. Fire Drills/Tornado DrillsEach room has emergency plans, routes, and procedures posted. Drill procedures are regularly practiced. Staff are also trained in these procedures during their orientation.

4. Child Release ProcedureLittle Ones reserves the right to ask anyone, parents/guardians included, who may be picking up a child for picture identification. Refusal to show proper identification will result in staff refusing to release the child.

As a condition of receiving childcare services, the parent must supply the names of individuals to whom Little Ones staff may release the child in the event of an emergency.

10


Parent Handbook

Philosophy for Infants Ages 3 months -11 months

The early years are crucial years in your child’s development, so we have carefully considered all aspects of our infant program. Infants need warm, responsive adults who are flexible and can meet the needs of the children in their care. Our caregivers are carefully chosen and have been trained in child development issues regarding infants, including Shaken Baby Syndrome, SIDS, and CPR/First Aid.

We have woven many aspects of the High Scope philosophy and curriculum into our infant program. In order for infants to have a desire to explore and learn from the world around them, they must have consistent caregivers who have provided a sense of predictability and can be flexible to their needs also. With this type of security in place, infants will be able to develop physically, intellectually, socially and emotionally.

Great care has been taken to prepare an environment that is homelike, has a variety of materials to encourage development in all areas, and has the safety needs of infants in mind.

We follow the needs of the individual infant when approaching eating, sleeping, and daily care schedules. Caregivers interact and provide direct care of no more than four infants, which is what is required by childcare licensing. We have a part-time caregiver available to when we have three or more infants present and this same caregiver will remain with children after the primary caregiver leaves for the day.

11


Parent Handbook

In your packet is a list of items needed. Below is a further explanation of the items and the policies regarding such, in order to meet the DHS licensing requirements.

1. Bedding: Soft objects such as pillows, bumper pads, stuffed animals, blankets, etc. may not be placed in cribs. We encourage you to bring in a thin, small blanket for your child to use for snuggling.Blankets cannot be draped on a crib when there is a child in it. Please provide a sleep sack or swaddle sack, which is permitted in the crib and will be used in place of a blanket during sleeping.You may choose to leave 3-5 crib sheets at the center, or we will provide sheets for you. For the safety and health of all infants, cribs will be washed daily using the three-step cleaning process at the end of the day or if a child has excessive spit-up or becomes ill. The sheet will be removed at the end of the day or sooner if it becomes soiled. The caregiver will place a clean sheet on the mattress every morning.A tightly-fitted bottom sheet must cover the entire mattress. Mattress pads or other bedding may not be used. The caregiver will notify the director if bedding loses its elasticity so they can be replaced.All occupied cribs must be placed near the door in a way that provides direct, unobstructed route to the exit. Cribs must be spaced at least 2 feet apart.

2. General sleeping rules: Children must be placed in cribs to sleep. Bouncy chairs, swings, car seats, the floor or any other area is not an acceptable sleeping area.Infants and toddlers up to 18 months of age will be allowed to sleep on demand.Only one infant or toddler will be placed in a crib.Infants will be placed on their back for resting or sleeping. Infants that cannot roll from their stomachs to their backs and from their backs to their stomachs, will be placed on their backs when found in the face-down position.When an infant can move from their back to the stomach and vice versa easily, the caregiver will still place the infant on their back to sleep. If the infant moves to their stomach, the caregiver will allow him/her to stay in that position. An infant’s head shall be uncovered at all times except during breastfeeding by his/her mother.Written permission from the infant’s licensed healthcare provider must be provided for infants who, due to illness or disability, cannot be placed on their backs to sleep. This written permission will be placed in the child’s file. Little Ones will make the necessary accommodations for infants who have special needs. The caregiver will closely monitor infants who are sleeping. She will check their breathing, sleep position, and bedding frequently for signs of distress. The caregiver will remain in the room except when using the bathroom or on break. Another staff member will be present during the primary caregiver’s temporary absence. Soft lighting will be used so the caregiver can easily access the children in the case of an emergency and to monitor them while they sleep.

12


Parent Handbook

3. Feeding:Little Ones keeps the individual needs of the children in mind in all aspects of our program, and this is carried over to the feeding policies and procedures as well:

The developmental stage of the infant will be considered a priority when providing an infant with beverages and food.

Cultural preferences will be honored and considered as much as possible as long as the preferences are not in direct conflict with the policies mandated by DHS and CACFP. We are licensed by DHS and must abide by their rules and regulations.

We will accommodate special dietary needs and work in cooperation with the parent and the licensed healthcare provider.

We want each feeding period to be a pleasant and joyful experience for your child. Our caregivers hold babies while feeding them (we cannot prop a bottle), sing songs to them or recite nursery rhymes. Babies that can hold their own bottle and do not want to be held during feeding will be placed in a bouncy-seat or high chair, next to the caregiver. Licensing does not allow us to have bottles or cups in sleeping equipment. We ask that you supply Little Ones with ready-to-feed bottles each morning. You will need to have enough on hand at the center that will allow for feeding an entire day. The caregiver will rinse them after use and return them to you when you pick up your child. If a bottle has been used for one hour or more from the beginning of a feeding or has been unrefrigerated an hour or more, it must be emptied and rinsed out. If the infant is being fed from a larger size bottle or contains a larger quantity of milk or formula and doesn’t finish it, the caregiver may ask you to supply us with smaller bottles so formula or milk is not wasted. Unused formula will be discarded in 48 hours, unused cow’s milk will be discarded in 24 hours.

4. Breast feeding: We respect a mother’s choice to breastfeed her child and have provided quiet places within our building for your comfort while you breastfeed or express milk. These areas will be shown to you during your tour of the facility. If you choose to provide breast milk for your child, it must arrive in clean storage containers such as freezer bags designed for breast milk and/or fully prepared bottles labeled with your child’s name and the date it was collected. The caregiver will store the bottles and/or bags in the fridge or freezer immediately upon arrival to the center.Please provide enough bottles, nipples, and disposable inserts (if used) to allow for feeding for an entire day. The caregiver will rinse bottles after use. Bottles and nipples will be washed using a three-step process and then sterilized before they are filled the next day.

5. Warming bottles and breast milk: The caregivers will use a bottle warmer before feeding your baby. Breast milk will be warmed under running water.

13


Parent Handbook

6. Serving semisolid and solid foods: Little Ones will provide all semi-solid and solid foods for your baby. The food will be transferred from the container to a separate dish for feeding. Uneaten food that remains on a dish from which a child has been fed will be discarded. Food that remains in the original container can be stored covered in the fridge, labeled with date and time of opening, and used within 48 hours. “Iron-fortified cereal, if not already provided by 6 months of age, shall be provided when the iron-fortified formula is discontinued, unless otherwise recommended by the parent or the child’s licensed health care provider. A written statement will be kept on file indicating this exception” (Child Care Center Rules Technical Assistance Manual). Best practices at this time indicate that infants should not be introduced to semi-solid or solid foods prior to six months of age due to the increase in potential allergies and digestive health problems. However, Little Ones will comply with the written and signed directions from the child’s parent and/or licensed healthcare provider.The serving of semi-solid and solid food must begin with pureed food, then progress to ground food, then finely mashed, then finely chopped. Infants will not be fed large chunks of meat or cheese cubes, crackers, popcorn, chips, hot dogs, raw carrots, peas, hard pretzels, marshmallows, peanut butter, etc.Your child will be fed “on demand” until they are 18 months of age. This is important as they will learn to trust the caregiver will respond to their emotional needs and have their nutritional needs met as well.

7. Adding food or medication to bottles: Semi-solid or solid food such as infant cereal, or medication, cannot be added to the child’s bottle containing milk, juice or water. Little Ones will not do this even with parental permission as this poses a choking threat.

8. Parent concerns and communication: Your infant’s caregiver will record daily observations on your child’s mood, eating and sleeping habits and bowel movements. The information will be sent home daily. She will also record written observations on your child’s development. She will address concerns with the director in a timely manner. The director and caregiver will discuss the concerns and brainstorm activities or exercises that they could do with the infant to encourage development. Of course, we will share these concerns, activity plans, and progress reports with you, the parent. Concerns of a more serious nature will require a meeting with the director and caregiver. As a parent-center team, we may decide to consult a professional who specializes in the area of concern. We are fortunate to have some very wonderful and educated support professionals in our community with whom we maintain close relationships.

9. Children who have legal guardians, contact with staff from counseling offices, social service agencies, etc.: We realize there are very specific reasons why a child would have a legal guardian other than a parent. We will do our best to treat this situation with a high level of sensitivity and confidentiality. The entire staff at Little Ones signs a “Confidentiality Statement” upon accepting a position at our center. Sometimes we learn more about the special circumstance as we meet and encounter counselors and social workers who work with the family. The caregiver will continue with the daily notes and communication. A communication log will be created so all info shared by the social service professionals, legal guardians, as well as any communication with the birth parents (if permitted), will be located in one place.

10.Diapering:

14


Parent Handbook

Little Ones offers a diaper and wipe service. We will provide the supplies so you don’t need to worry about bringing them to the center each week. An insert has been included in your parent packet. Costs, which will be added to your weekly invoice, are included on the insert.If you choose to provide diapers and wipes, we ask that you label the packages and bring at least a week’s supply at a time. The caregiver will store them in a clean and organized manner. If you run out of supplies, your invoice will be charged. See insert for details.Cloth diapers are allowed and licensing has very specific rules regarding the use of them. You must supply enough cloth diapers and covers for the entire week. When a cloth diaper is soiled, the outer waterproof cover must be changed as well. A clean waterproof cover must be put on with every clean diaper. Feces can be dumped in a toilet (down the hall) but cannot be rinsed at the center. Each cloth diaper will be placed in a plastic bag and sent home at the end of the day, to be washed and dried by the parent.

11.Discipline: Infants are too young to be disciplined. The caregiver will do her best to provide a stable, predictable environment responsive to their needs. This predictability will help your child feel safe and secure, which prevents most fussiness or undesirable behavior. If a child bites their caregiver or another child, the caregiver will firmly say that people are not for biting, or something to that effect. The caregiver will then give the child something more appropriate to bite such as a textured toy.

12.Hand washing: Our caregivers wash their hands upon coming in to work, before caring for your child, before and after feeding, before and after diapering and so on. Hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of illness. Our caregivers must wash your child’s hands before and after feeding and diapering.

13.Illness: We check every infant’s temperature upon arrival, before the lunchtime feeding and as needed. We do this to keep a handle on illnesses. If your child develops an illness at the center, you will be called to pick your child up within the hour. Illnesses spread quickly in a group of children, even in clean settings such as ours. For this reason, we cannot care for ill children.You may be asked to provide a signed statement from your child’s licensed health care worker before your child can return to the center. Please see our Illness Policy for further detail.

14.Sanitation and cleaning of the environment: It is important to us to have a clean environment. All surfaces are cleaned throughout the day using soap and water and an antibacterial cleaner such as bleach or Lysol according to childcare licensing rules. Surfaces must be allowed to air dry. When a child places a toy in their mouth, the caregiver places it in a dish tub as soon as the child is done with it so another child doesn’t use it. The toys are kept out of circulation until they can be washed using a three-step process.

The diaper-changing pad and the surrounding area will be cleaned using a three-step process between each child. Cribs are washed daily as are the counter and hand-washing sink.

15


Parent Handbook

Carpets and rugs are vacuumed daily. We ask that you do not wear shoes into the infant room so we can keep the infant’s environment as clean and safe as possible.

15.Medication: Please bring a few standard medications to have on-hand at the center, such as general pain relief for teething. (Keep in mind that we cannot treat a fever at the center.) The medication must have the child’s name on it, be in its original container, and include a measuring spoon or dropper. If your child takes a prescription medication, it must be prescribed for the specific child and arrive in its original container. If the medication requires administration via special equipment such as a nebulizer, allow enough time at drop-off to train the caregiver on its use. You will also need to allow enough time to fill out a permission form for the medication kept on hand or brought to the center for temporary use. The caregiver will fill in the rest of the necessary info when she gives your child the medication. Sources: Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Department of Human Services (DHS), The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and their publications online. The USDA’s Handbook: Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children: Provider Handbook for the Adult and Child Care Food Program.

16.General Preventative Measures:

WASH YOUR HANDS AND THE CHILDREN’S HANDS OFTEN. Hands must be washed before and after caring for a child (wiping nose, changing diaper or pull-up, applying a bandage, etc.) and before serving food. (See further general preventative measures on pg 10.)

Philosophy for Toddlers, Preschool, Pre-KAges 12 months-6 years

1. Philosophy

16


Parent Handbook

We believe each child is a unique individual and we will strive to develop positive self-concepts and a sense of belonging. We will also strive to work with you to promote the healthy growth and development of your child during the special years of early childhood.

2. Our CurriculumWe will introduce your child to a well-structured program where there will be many opportunities for active, hands-on learning to promote growth in social, physical, spiritual, and cognitive development. Our center implements High Scope Curriculum. You may find out more about this curriculum by going to www.highscope.org. The curriculum used in each classroom is designed specifically for the children in that age range.

All classrooms provide a literacy-rich environment, with stories read to children in small groups and individually. Music and movement activities are done at the daily circle time and throughout the day. Located within each classroom are learning centers: sensory, library, manipulatives (math games, puzzles, etc.), large muscle (blocks, vehicles, etc.), dramatic play, creative art, and science.

The Preschool and Pre-K classrooms use the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum. This is a program that promotes hand-eye coordination and teaches correct handwriting strokes that will prevent bad habits from forming. The letters are not taught A-Z, but according to the strokes needed to form the letters. Children this age learn to write capital letters first. Many of the public schools use this curriculum.

3. Chapel TimeEvery Wednesday, the older toddlers, Preschool, and Pre-K classes attend Chapel. The teaching staff takes turns leading chapel which includes a brief Bible Story told with actors, props or puppets. Christian music is played and children dance and/or do movements to the music.

4. Outdoor PlayChildren enjoy two outdoor play periods every day, weather permitting. During the spring and summer months we play outdoors if the temperature is 84 degrees (including humidity) or less. Our playground has lots of shady areas and each child is required to bring a water bottle which is replenished often. During the fall and winter months, we play outdoors if the temperature is 10 degrees or above (including wind chill). We will splash in puddles on rainy days, so please bring rain boots and a rain coat for your child.

The playground is our “outdoor classroom,” with an art area and sandbox for sensory play. New playground equipment was installed in 2011, and fresh sand and woodchips in 2015.

5. DisciplineThe goal of our discipline and guidance policy is to provide a safe learning environment and encourage self-control as well as higher functioning skills such as problem solving, self-esteem, and cooperation. Little Ones implements Conscious Discipline by Dr. Becky Bailey and all staff have been trained in this curriculum and continue to receive training.

Conscious Discipline is a comprehensive social and emotional intelligence classroom-management program that is based on current brain research, child development information, and effective educational practices. Conscious Discipline uses everyday life events to teach these skills (among many others):

Self-Control

17


Parent Handbook

When considering the need for teaching self-control, each classroom has age-appropriate goals. Setting simple, easily achievable goals will help set children up for success. Some basic strategies we implement to assist children in learning self-control include the following:

Taking Breaks - When a child experiences a frustrating situation, we encourage the child to take a break. Conscious Discipline further encourages teaching the child to take slow, deep breaths. Another strategy we implement is creating a “safe place” in an area of each classroom where the child can remove him or herself from the angry or frustrating situation and regain control. It is NOT a time-out.

Recognizing and Understanding Feelings - When children have a hard time verbalizing their feelings, they tend to act out. Talking through feelings with a child will better equip him/her to know what to do when the situation arises again.

Choices– Choices empower children by enabling them to be a part of decision-making processes or the order of events. Choices can be given in the moment or provided ahead of time to prevent behavioral overreactions. It is also very important while staff implements this example of Conscious Discipline to maintain their composure during a child’s meltdown or outburst instead of giving in to the child. This lets the child know that the behavioral overreaction is not an effective method for obtaining what he or she desires.

Appropriate Rewards – Providing children with positive praise and attention by stating the specific behavior he/she exhibited well lets the child know what behavior is desired and increases the likelihood that it will occur again.

(If you would like to learn more about Conscious Discipline, please see the center director. You may also visit the following website for more information: www.consciousdiscipline.com)

The following actions are never allowed by staff or volunteers: Hitting, spanking, shaking, biting, pinching or inflicting any other forms of corporal

punishment. Inflicting mental or emotional punishment to include: humiliating, shaming, shouting or

threatening a child. Depriving a child of meals, snacks, rest or necessary toilet use. Confining a child in an enclosed area.

NUTRITION AND MEALS

Little Ones is proud to offer delicious, healthy and nutritious food (breakfast and snacks between meals are provided daily) to children in our care as well as their caregivers. This is an optional service we choose to provide that is included in the children’s tuition and as a free benefit to staff. Our food service staff and center director participate in trainings geared to providing food in a child care center.

18

http://www.consciousdiscipline.com/


Parent Handbook

Currently, our nation’s children are at risk for obesity and early onset of diabetes as well as other health threats. It is our responsibility to develop food service practices to prevent against these health concerns.

1. Meal ProceduresIn Pre-K, we serve our breakfast and snacks “family-style” -- the children help themselves. A common bowl or plate of each item will be passed from child to child and staff may assist them in placing a serving on their plate. They will pour their own milk from a small pitcher into a cup. Other classes will be given servings by their teachers.

Staff will sit with a small group of children and eat with their group. Staff will talk to the children about current events, as well as the shape, texture or taste of the food. Manners will be strongly encouraged. If a child spills, he/she is encouraged to clean it up.

Children will pray before each meal and snack. If a child chooses not to pray but is quiet, that is fine. No child will ever be shamed for not praying.

If a child is unsure about a food that is new to them, they will be encouraged to take a small “no-thank-you bite”. If they try it and like it, they may have a full serving. If they try it and do not like it, they will be praised for their effort. If they choose not to try it, a teacher may choose to say nothing or offer encouragement. “You might not be ready to try that yet. That’s OK, maybe next time.” We will never shame a child though if they do not want to try a new food. However, we will not make something else for the child. They will be encouraged to eat other items on their plate and be reminded that another meal or snack will be coming soon. Snack food is available on-demand in the classrooms for between meal times.

Children will not be forced to finish a meal or snack. Once they have had sufficient time to finish the food, staff will let them know that they are “excused from the table.” The child then will take their plate to the garbage. Books and puzzles are available to children while they wait for their friends.

2. Special DietsPlease inform us if your child has any food allergies. We will accommodate that child and make sure that that child’s food is modified to prevent any allergic reactions.

3. Food Service Policies

Food Portion and Serving Size - A portion is the amount of food that you choose to eat for a meal or snack. It can be big or small-you decide. A serving is a measured amount of food or drink, such as one slice of bread or one cup (eight ounces) of milk. Childcare licensing, as well as the Michigan and U.S. Departments of Agriculture, determines our serving size and we are responsible for following these rules. Children will not be offered “seconds” of the main entrée. If there are fruits and or vegetables remaining, they may have additional portions.

19


Parent Handbook

Children will NEVER be shamed at any time for not praying or if they are not ready to try a new food. This is considered child abuse and will not be tolerated.

Assigned Seats – In Pre-K, children and staff have assigned seats indicated by a place card labeled with their name. Place cards are washed and sanitized (both sides) after each meal and snack. A child’s picture or symbol (High Scope letter links) will be included on each place card.

Open Snack Procedures - A small snack will be provided in the classroom that is available between the hours of 7:00 am and 8:00 am, 10:00 am and 10:45 am and 4:00 and 5:45 pm.

Water - Water is available to the children at all times. Water bottles or cups and a water pitcher are kept in the classroom and replaced daily or washed. During warm weather, water bottles are taken outdoors for the children to have access to.

20

parent handbook - little ones child care and preschool › uploads › 4 › 6 › 5 … · web...

Documents