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Parent Handbook and Policies
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Parent Handbook
PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Parents play an important role in the success of my daycare. I encourage open communication between you and myself. I ask that parents keep themselves familiar with the daycare handbook and follow the policies that are included.
I require that all parents respect my profession, my sub-providers, my home, and me. The respect that you show towards my property and me will communicate itself to your child and make for better working relationship. I ask that each parent remind their child or children to show respect for my property and me and to enforce the daycare policies when you are present. By experience, I have found that children will often test the rules and policies once mom or dad arrives.
All children arriving after 7:00 a.m. must be completely dressed. All infants should have on a clean diaper and have been given a bottle. All children arriving after the scheduled meal times must be fed before arriving. (The meal schedule is included in your policies). We are required by law to feed at certain times. I cannot prepare additional meals because you were running late.
When you enter the daycare to pick up your child/children, they are no longer under my supervision. At this point, it is your obligation to control their behavior and insure for their safety. DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILD/CHILDREN TO RUN OUT THE DOOR EXCEPT ACCOMPAINIED BY AN ADULT.
Please use the side door for delivering and picking up your children. If you are elderly or handicapped this rule does not apply to you.
Please use the front door for dropping off children prior to 11:00am. The upstairs is my familys home and mine and I ask that you be respectful when dropping off your child and remain in the family room area.
Children must remove their shoes upon arriving at the daycare and wear house shoes. Shoes and belongings go in their bins at the bottom of the stairs.
You are welcome to drop in at anytime. I have and support an open door policy. If you need to pick your child up early please call ahead if it is going to be during rest time. (Again this schedule is included in your handbook).
INFANTS AND TODDLERS
Parents are required to provide all formula. I will provide all juice, cereal, and food, diapers, wipes and snacks. I do not allow infants or toddlers to carry their own bottle around the daycare. This is a health and safety measure and prevents the spread of germs. A sippy cup will be introduced around nine to eleven months at mealtime.
Each infant and toddler has his or her own sleeping place. Children under the age of 18 months will use a crib or playpen for sleeping. Infants will be placed on their backs to go to sleep unless I have a physicians statement stating a health reason why this should not be done.
As soon as toddlers show an interest in feeding themselves, I will allow them to do so. Children need the feeling of gaining independence and doing things for themselves. Consider this a great accomplishment in their development even if they do tend to be messy.
Additionally, infants and toddlers will not follow the same schedule as Pre-schoolers. They are not capable of sitting for any length of time. This is why we have a daily flexible schedule.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Annies Angels Daycare is open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. 7:30 p.m.
ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES
Before any child will be accepted into daycare the following criteria must be met:
1. All enrollment forms must be completely filled out and signed
a) childs emergency card
b) child in care statement
c) policies and procedures form
d) financial agreement
e) a signed contract
f) copies of the childs immunization records
g) registration fee paid
*Note: All forms will be updated prior to September 1st of each year. A position will not be help open if the above requirements are not met.
ENROLLMENT FEES
All parents will be required to pay a .00 fee at enrollment and by January 1st of each year there after. This will be a non-refundable fee and go towards the cost of insurance and supplies.
TRIAL PERIOD
There will be a two-week trial period for all new children enrolled in the program. During this two-weeks, either the parent or the provider can terminate the contract without prior notice. After the two-week trial period, care can only be terminated with two-week written notice. Payment for the two-weeks will be accepted in lieu of notice.
TERMINATION
Two-week notice in writing is required before childcare can be terminated. If no notice is given, you will be charged the two-week fee and it is due on your childs last day here at the daycare. In case of non-payment, legal action will be taken and the parent/guardian will be responsible for all legal fees to recover the debt.
I will also give you the courtesy of two-week notice if your child is to be terminated from care. Any abuse or violations of the rules may be just cause for termination.
In cases of disciplinary problems or injuries to another child or myself I reserve the right to terminate at will, with no advance warning.
PAYMENT PROCEDURE
You may pay by cash or check. This is completely up to you. However if a check is returned, I will notify you and ask you to pick up the check and pay all service charges to my bank along with a 20.00 returned check fee to the daycare. After the second returned check, only cash will be accepted as payment. Fridays are paydays from now on. If the bill is not paid on Friday, you will be charged 5.00 a day until you pay the bill. All checks must be paid in the morning on Fridays. Only cash will be accepted after 10:00am.
Daycare fees are charged on a weekly basis. (The weekly fee for part time care will be based on the families requested hours of care per week multiplied by the part time hourly rate. Any hours beyond the contracted hours will be added at the hourly rate). Each family is required to pay the weekly fee whenever the center is open, whether or not the child is in attendance. This weekly fee insures that the childs spot will be help open for him/her on a permanent basis. Drop in care will continue to be charged on a daily basis.
Whenever the center is closed due to personal reasons and a sub is not provided, you are not required to pay. If a sub is provided and you choose not to bring your child, you will still be responsible for payment for that day.
. I will also require you to pay for the following holidays (Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July
LATE FEES & OVERTIME
If you are late picking up your child, the charge will be 20.00 per hour or 5.00 per 15 minutes. This applies to those situations in which you do not call ahead of time. (You must notify me that you will be running late at least one hour before your scheduled pick-up time) In addition Late is defined as anything past your scheduled pick up time or time you have said you will be picking up, regardless of the amount of time your child has been in care for the day. The late fee is due and payable upon arrival to pick up your child. If lateness continues to be a problem your child will be terminated from care here at Annies Angels. Please understand that there are other parents who need to drop off their children and cannot do so if your child is still in their spot as well as I may have family plans that have to be postponed because we are waiting for a parent. You know what time you get off work please extend the same courtesy to me.
1. There will be a 5.00 per day late charge on late payments
2. Overtime will be charged at the rate of 3.50 per hour for arranged ahead of time care
3. Overtime will be charged at 20.00 per hour for non-notice time, and will be charged in 15-minute increments. (You get paid overtime on your job; I will expect the same courtesy).
ILLNESS
I ask that you have a back up (Someone that you can call if I am sick or if your child is sick). I will let you know as quickly as possible so that you can make other arrangements for your child. I will try to call the night before, but sometimes that is impossible. If I wake up sick, I will call you immediately.
I reserve the right to determine when a child is too ill to be cared for in my home.
I will not care for a child who is running a fever 100 degrees or higher. If they have thrown up or have diarrhea within the last 24 hours please keep him/her at home. Any illness requiring antibiotics is contagious to all. For that reason, a child must be on antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to daycare. Please do not give your child Tylenol to mask a fever. When the drug wears off, the child will still have the fever and infect the other children. This sets up a vicious cycle of passing the germs back and forth to each other. All children share the same bathroom, play with the same toys, and are very affectionate to one another and it is impossible to keep a sick child from infecting everyone else.
I will require a doctors note for re-admittance of any condition that is highly contagious (strep, RSV, head lice, pink eye)
ILLNESSES ARE DEFINED AS
ï‚· Fever
ï‚· Conjunctivitis
ï‚· Flu
ï‚· Unusual rash
ï‚· Severe cough
ï‚· Rapid or labored breathing
ï‚· Vomiting
ï‚· Yellowish skin or eyes
ï‚· Diarrhea
ï‚· Head lice (children will not be allowed back without a doctors statement)
ï‚· Any contagious illness (chicken pox, RSV, etc.) (requires a doctors statement to be re-admitted)
ï‚· Strep throat or any sore throat (requires a doctors statement for re-admittance)
If a child becomes ill with any of the symptoms listed above, I will remove them to a place away from the other children and call for them to be picked up. Parents have one hour from the time of notification to come and pick up their child.
MEDICATION
If your child is on medication and it needs to be administered while he/she is at daycare, the medicine must be in the original container and labeled with the childs name, doctors name, name of medication, dosage, and when to be taken. A medication form is included in your packet, please save it and fill out when the need arises. Medication will be administered at the time or with the meal you specify and a written record kept.
RELEASING YOUR CHILD
I will only release your child to the person/persons specified on your childs application for enrollment form. If someone new will be picking up your child, please specify in writing. Please inform the person picking up your child that I will ask for identification if I do not know them and the child is too young to recognize them. I do not mean to offend them, but this is for the safety of the child. Also, I do require photographs of parents with their child to be used on our pick up board. In addition my daycare computer program also has photo identification on it of parents.
TOILET TRAINING
When a child reaches the age of (two for girls, two and a half for boys), I require that they bring pull ups and training pants to begin the potty training process if not already started. Until they can fully communicate that they need to use the potty, I will require that they have:
ï‚· 3 complete changes of clothing including socks
ï‚· 5-ply training pants (6 per day)
ï‚· plastic pants (6 per day)
When accidents are only happening once every other week, training pants will be used without the plastic pants.
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I also ask that during potty training that you dress your child in simple clothing that can be easily removed. Try to avoid really tight clothing, pants with zippers and snaps, and overalls as often as you can.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Obviously, you are not going to be present with your child the entire time that they are in daycare (you work, that’s why I am watching your child!). There are many ways that you can be involved in their program. You are welcome and encouraged to participate in any or all of the activities. Some ways that you can help are:
ï‚· chaperoning on field trips
ï‚· lending a talent or skill in your free time
ï‚· help with parties
ï‚· participating in fund raisers
ï‚· donating snacks or supplies
Naturally, you are welcome to drop in and visit or observe any time that your child is in care. (Remember that children act differently when parents are present)
PICKING UP YOUR CHILD
1. Children need to be picked up on time
2. If you are going to be late, you need to make arrangements for someone to pick your child up.
3. If you are over 30 minutes late, or if your lateness causes me to exceed State requirements on the number of allowed children, you will have to contact The Genesee County Sheriffs Department or The Genesee County Department of Social Services to find the whereabouts of your child (this is under instructions from Family Daycare Licensing)
4. It is not my responsibility to find someone to pick up your child
5. I will not take time away from the other children to find you or someone to pick up your child.
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OUTDOOR PLAY
While engaged in outdoor play children will:
1. Be supervised by an adult at all times
2. Be dressed according to the weather
3. All appropriate measures will be used to insure their safety
AUDIO/VISUAL
Only television shows and videos for children will be allowed. Television will be limited to special occasions.
INSURANCE
There is a 20.00 yearly fee per child to cover the cost of insurance. This will be a yearly fee and due on January 1st.
TELEPHONE USE
My telephone at the daycare is a business line, and as such I pay for every call going out. Please do not ask to use my phone for any reason. (Except for cases of emergencies)
ACTIVITIES
Every effort will be made to work with your child on age appropriate activities (ABCs, colors, counting, and kindergarten basics).
September-May
2, 3, 4, & 5 year olds have a preschool program daily which is included in your daycare fee (a 5.00 per month, per child fee for supplies will be charged)
Year round activities include
1. fire safety
2. home safety
3. say no to drugs
4. dont talk to strangers
5. child abuse
Music is an important part of the learning program. This is not pushed on the children nor are they required to participate. Somedays this consists of background music. Others we do movement with our singing. Arts and crafts are done frequently when the children want to do them. This is also an area that is not forced on the children. Children learn when they are ready and encouraged to participate, but if they show hesitation, I will allow them to choose another activity.
PERSONAL ITEMS
1. All items sent from home need to be labeled with your child’s name
2. No food or drinks allowed
3. No soft drinks allowed
4. No toys are to be brought from home, unless it is for show and tell days.
5. Do not bring blankets or bedding from home for sanitary reasons.
BREAKAGE POLICY
There are many fine toys and games and equipment in the daycare. These are to be shared by everyone. They are also to be taken care of by everyone. If your child is overly physical with the daycare materials and they are rendered useless, you will be required to replace them. This applies to cases of deliberate abuse, not regular wear and tear. All children are responsible for cleaning up their own playthings. I do not pick up after the kids, that is their job. With all the toys available at the daycare, I feel it is not necessary to bring additional toys and dolls from home.
TRANSPORTATION
Children will be properly restrained while in a vehicle. Children under the age of two years will be in a car seat and children over the age of two will be in a booster seat depending on their size. No child will be allowed to hang out of windows or not be under a seat belt.
BIRTHDAYS
If it is your child’s birthday, you may send a special snack to celebrate at the daycare. All I ask is that you let me know ahead of time.
CHRISTMAS
We will have a party with a gift exchange. We have a .00 limit on the gift amount. The children will draw names in November for this so that you may have plenty of shopping time.
VACATIONS
Each year, I will take a one-week vacation. This will fall the week following Christmas and will be an unpaid vacation. This will coincide with the majority of the parents vacations and during plant shut downs.
CUSTODY ISSUES
1. All custody issues must be resolved outside of daycare
2. Problems between custodial and non-custodial parents will be immediate cause for termination. Additionally, the two-week non-notice fee will apply.
3. I must have custody papers showing in writing the terms of custody and visitation
NON CUSTODIAL PARENTS
1. Non custodial parent’s must call and make an appointment to visit the daycare. The custodial parent must state in writing the terms of the visit and allowable times.
2. The above policy also applies to phone calls
3. Non custodial parents that cause problems when picking up their child at the daycare will be permanently barred from the premises. If you show back up, you will be charged with trespassing.
4. Do not call and ask me for information about your child. You will have to obtain this from the custodial parent.
5. Do not call and ask if your child is in care. I am not at liberty to divulge this information to anyone than those authorized on the child’s forms. If you want this changed then go through the custodial parent for authorization. I am a daycare provider, not a mediator for custody issues.
PHOTOGRAPHS
From time to time the children are photographed at various times throughout the year. These pictures will be used in local papers and for advertising purposes. You will always be told when your child’s picture will be used. If you don’t want your child’s picture used, please state so in writing. Children will never be identified by name with out prior notification.
NAPS & REST TIME
All children are required by law to have a rest time or naptime. This varies upon the needs of the children. Our nap and rest time is between 1pm and 3pm. Children arriving during this time period need to come in quietly and be prepared to rest. I run an 18-hour day and the rest time is important to my being able to accomplish things that are required to be done. Additionally children do much better physically and emotionally after a rest period. I do not require them to sleep during this time, however I require them to be quiet and respect the needs of those that are sleeping.
MISCELLANEOUS
1. I am required by law to report all suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to The Department of Social Services
2. I am required to have copies of the current immunization records of all children in care
3. Please read postings on the bulletin board. This is your way of keeping up to date on closings and various news that affects your child’s schedule. I will post upcoming events, rate changes, changes to policies, field trips, and any other information that you need to know.
4. Any person causing trouble for the daycare through slanderous statements, etc., because of a custody issue, child’s termination, or non-payment will be charged and prosecuted according to the law.
5. Just because a rule is not in effect today, does not mean that the rule no longer exists
6. I reserve the right to enforce the rules at will
7. I reserve the right to change policies, procedures, and rates with a two-week written notice
ITEMS THAT YOU CHILD WILL NEED
1. Complete change of clothing(several if potty training)
2. Toothbrush in a holder
3. toothpaste
4. comb or brush
Meal serving times: Annie’s Angels Daycare
8:30am-9: 00am Breakfast
10:00am-10:30am Morning Snack
12:00p-12:30p Lunch
3:00pm- 3:30pm Afternoon Snack
6:00pm-6:30pm Supper
8:00pm-8:30pm Evening Snack
DAILY SCHEDULE
7:30A-8: 30A Children arrive
8:30a-9: 00a Breakfast is served
9:00a-10: 00a Quiet free play (morning naps for little ones)
10:00a-12: 00p Preschool
10:30a-10: 45a morning snack
12:00p-12: 30p Lunch
12:30p-3: 00p Afternoon naps (quiet time for those that do not sleep)
3:00p-3: 30p Afternoon snack
3:30p-4: 30p Outdoor play or inside activities
4:30p-5: 30p quiet time (free play for the kids)
5:30p-6: 00p Story time (quiet play)
6:00p-6: 30p Supper time
6:30p-7: 30p All children should be picked up (television time while we are waiting for parents)
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