INTRODUCTION:

     Welcome to the Alphabet Academy Learning Center (ABC’s) in-home child care (Infant/Toddler, Preschool and Big Kid Program) child care. I am a child care provider, who has been operating since 1995.

     I have created this handbook to try to eliminate any misunderstandings. It’s hard to remember to tell every parent every rule and every procedure when we first meet. I have tried to cover everything I could think of from my childcare philosophies, business policies and expectations. Please read this hand book carefully, and feel free to discuss with me any questions that you may have.

 

OBJECTIVES:    
     Our goals at ABC’s is to build your child's self-esteem, promote a love of learning, and provide children and the parents with long-lasting educations benefits.
     Our preschool program offers age appropriate activities and play including: Phonics, Numbers, Art, Active play for cognitive and motor development, Puppet Shows, News, Dress up, General Knowledge, Problem-solving / Reasoning and Computers. We also have indoor and outdoor activities such as arts and crafts, field trips, nature walks and science experiments.

     Our childcare in-home centers environment provides all the apparatus needed for exercises in practical life, the senses, math and the enrichment of language.
                    
COMMUNICATION:
     We encourage open communication between parents and staff. If you have a questions please feel free to come to us and ask.  Charity is the head of all ABC’s facilities and is always ready to help address any situation.

     We provide an infant sheet daily at Little ABC’s simply so that parents will know how their little ones day went.  This helps in keeping communication open.

ENROLLMENT POLICy:

    The forms listed below must be filled out before your child can start.  Some of these forms will be updated yearly.

    -Child’s Enrollment and Authorization
    -Agreement on hours and price record
    -Transportation Form  (if applicable)
    -Shot Records for non school aged children
    -Scholarship form (if applicable)
    -Worker information (if applicable)
    -Signed copy of conformation parents have read Parent Hand Book
    -USDA Food Program

If you need any help filling out these forms, please feel free to ask.

 

TRIAL PERIOD:
     Your child's happiness is important to all of us. It is, therefore, agreed that the first two weeks (14 calendar days) of your child's enrollment in my child care will be considered the trial period.  At the end of this trial period we will come together and decide if  your child going to continue their care at my home. If things are not working out for either of us then either of us can give a two weeks notice.  This is to allow you time to find alturnitive care for your child and for us to fill that slot.  
                    

DAYCARE HOURS:
     ABC’s Child Care is open 24/7 hours a day at one or more of our facilities. However, we provide care for many families, it is important for you to stay on time for drop off and pick up according to our agreement.   Please make sure changes in your schedule is Texted for conformation to Charity @ 503-884-8777.  We have an open door policy for you to stop in and check on your child at anytime. Open door policy means that you may stop by at any time it doesn’t mean the door will not be locked. As a safety precaution, there are times when our doors are locked.   

     If you decide to stop by please remember we do go outside daily and if we decide to go off for a walk on the carriage roads we may not be available when you come by. So you may want to call on your way over to make sure we are here. We try to do daily outings and go to the play ground during nice weather. If you stop by and we are not home please read the sign on the door we usually have a note where we can be found.  Please try to refrain from coming at nap time 12-3pm. This is the time of day I try to keep the house quiet and visitors will only interrupt the sleeping children. Feel free to text Charity for an update on your childs day or for a picture of your child that day.  When available to send it she will be VERY happy to do so.

HOLIDAYS/VACATIONS:
The following is a list of the Paid Holidays that I will be taking each year:

          Thanksgiving Day             Day After Thanksgiving Day
          Christmas Day                  New Year's Day
          4th of July                         President’s Day
          Memorial Day                    Labor Day
          Veteran’s Day                   Martin Luther King Day

 

We are open all other holidays.

ABC’s child care price is based on 20 days of child care a month.  Any days that we work over the 20 days Iwe bank for a vacation day rather than charge you different prices each month.  So we work the additional days (beyond the 20) and use them later in the year for training or vacation.  

 

FEES:
     A $10 non-refundable registration fee (per family) applies to all new children enrolling in our child care.   The registration fee helps me cover the cost of printing out the hand books and forms that are required before your child starts and any supplies that may need to be purchased.

 

RATE CHANGES:
     If at anytime we decide to change our rates you will receive a 30 day advanced notice of all rate changes at that time we hope you choose to continue your enrollment in our child care or you can give us a 2 week withdrawal notice.

 

CHANGING YOUR CHILD’S SCHEDULE:
     If your child is attending part time and you would like to add a day and there is space available that’s fine.  If your child is attending part time or full time and you want to cut down on the amount of days your child is attending then we need a 2 week notice and you will be required to pay for the spots your child has reserved. If your child doesn’t attend all the days you have reserved for him/her for the remaining 2 weeks you will still need to pay for the contracted days.

 

LATE PAYMENT:
     Payment is expected per our arrangement.  If payment is more than 5 days late there will be a $25.00 late fee for the week and your child will not be able to return till paid in full, along with the late fees. If Payment is not received within 10 days, we may terminate services, without notice. Please keep in mind that this is our job and income… we depend on this money and expect to be paid on time. If you are late paying us then we are late paying our staff and bills.

 

LATE PICK UP:
     Late fees will be assessed for *$1.00 for every 5 minutes late starting at your expected pick up time.   If pick up becomes a big problem termination of services may result. The provider is under no obligation to provide an extension of time if such extension conflicts with the provider's own plans. Late arrival does not justify late departure.

 

BOUNCED CHECK CHARGE:
     A charge of $35.00 will be charged if a check is returned for insufficient funds. In the event of a second returned check, we will need to be paid in cash or money order, for the next six months. Otherwise your child care services may be terminated.

 

SICK/ABSENT:
     Parents are asked to call/text me at 503-884-8777 if there child is going to be dropped off later than there normal morning drop off time. If your child is scheduled to arrive at 7:30 am and will not be coming until 8:30 am please give Charity a text or call. If your child is not coming to care because they are ill or going to visit their grand parents, etc. Please Text/call Charity!  If your child is going to be late please text/call.  

 

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE:
     Your child is going to miss you while you can’t be with them. This is a very normal reaction. And all children respond differently. Some are hesitant while others cry.  It is normal for your child to cry on arrival, especially for the first few weeks. Try not to get upset over their crying it will stop within a few minutes after you leave. If your child does a significant amount of crying at drop-off time, please make your stay brief. It is harder on the child when you prolong your stay with too many hugs and kisses. A quick hug and kiss and let them know you will return is a great way to let them know you love them and yes you will be back. Usually within 5 minutes after a parent leaves the children are all playing and happy. If you are worried please give Charity a text/call and check on your child to make sure they are happy and content.                                             
     Children tend to act up a bit at departure times. This is normal since they are excited to see parents, and upset about leaving their friends. Please try to make sure your child is not throwing toys, hitting other children, running up the halls, etc during drop off and pick up times. This is a time of testing to see if they can get away with breaking the rules because mommy is here.

     Children of all ages adjust to the transition of going home differently. Most do not like to be too rushed (sometimes just a quick look at what they have been doing all day will make departure a lot easier for the child) and some do not like to wait too long once they are ready to depart. They may get angry if were trying to talk and there ready to go.

     You should hold your child’s hand upon entering and leaving ABC’s. Please do not let your child run wild in the drive.  Please do not ever leave your child without a staff greeting you at the door.  And remember to sign your child ren in and out daily.

     Please do not let your child run out to the car when you are leaving. There could be a car coming into the drive way and they may not be able to see your child.

     Please do not park in the drive way or block the drive way.

     If you ever have any questions please feel free to call and discuss it with Charity 503-884-8777.

 

PICK UP TIME:
     I can’t allow any child to leave with any one except the person on your child’s pick up authorization form. Unless you contact me or tell me in the morning that someone else is going to be picking up your child. They will have to get a written note from you  and bring their ID to pick up your child.  This, of course, is after you have contacting us letting us know someone different will pick up your child.

 

DRESS CODE:

     Please send your child in a dry diaper and dressed ready for play.  Please send you child in play clothes. We will be working with messy materials (such as painting) and other activities throughout the day. We can’t and don’t  want to worry about spoiling your child’s clothing. We also spend a lot of time outside. Children need to have sneakers to be able to climb and run with the other children. Children should arrive dressed for play.  Clothing should be comfortable for outdoor play. Make sure to include hats, mittens, boots and coats for cold weather.  Please wear shorts or pants under skirts and dresses. Each child must have a change of clothing in case of an accident. These clothes should be labeled with your child’s name. That way if the get misplaced and found later on I know who they belong too.

 

SUPPLIES (Please make sure I have the items listed below):
Infants: Diapers, wipes, pacifier, bottles, formula, baby food (until child eats table food), bibs, and a complete change of clothes (as they get soiled we will leave them in a plastic bag in your child’s box to be taken home and cleaned).

Toddlers & Preschoolers: Diapers, pull-ups, wipes and complete change of clothes (as they get soiled we will leave them in a plastic bag in your child’s box to be taken home and cleaned). Be sure to have leggings or shorts under skirts/dresses.

Please write your child's name on all belongings. Please do not bring other toys to child care.

 

DONATIONS:
If you have any of the items below and would like to donate them to us for are projects it would be greatly appreciated.

    Egg cartons, toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, etc.
    Magazines for cutting. Any that has lots of pictures of people, children, or animals.
    Paper of any kind, brown, white, colored, waxed, foil, etc.
    Crayons, markers, play dough, or any misc. art supplies
            Unused Diapers – your child has out grown
    Old shirts, pants, snow pants, mittens, coats, hats, socks, etc. (sizes newborn to size 6)

MEALS:
     We participate in the USDA Child Food Program. You have been give one of their forms that will need to be filled out by your child’s first day of daycare so we can get that right in the mail to them. They reimburse me towards some of the food that we use to feed the children. It ensures your child receive proper meals.

If your child has allergies, and requires a special diet, then you will need to provide what your child is going to eat (unless otherwise discussed).  

     I never force a child to eat what is on his/her plate. We give them choices and offer more of the food they enjoy.  We encourage tasting in fun unique ways allowing children a larger variety of liked foods.

 

MEAL TIMES:

Breakfast 8 A.M.          Snack 10:15 A.M.
Lunch 11:30 P.M.         Snack 3:00/3:15/3:30 P.M.
Dinner 5:30 P.M.          Snack 7:15 P.M.

 

CLEANLINESS/HYGIENE:
     We do my best to maintain a clean house and clean children. We have the children wash their hands after they go potty and before meals and snacks.  
Infants and toddlers sleep in separate cribs or pack and plays. Beginning around  1.5-2 years old children are placed on mats.

 

FIELD TRIPS:
     Throughout the year we take many field trips. Parents are welcome to join us anytime, but are not required to. Some additional fees might be required but we keep it to a very minimum.

OUTDOOR PLAy:
     Part of every day will be spent outside. We will go for walks, hikes, play outside in the fenced in play area or go up to the play ground in the summer we may drive or walk more. The children should be dressed appropriately to stay warm and enjoy being outside. If your child isn’t feeling well enough to play with the other kids or go outside then your child is too sick to be in child care that day. If your child is brought and they are not able to participate you will be called to come and get them.  Children not feeling well will be much happier to be at home in familiar surroundings.

 

ILLNESS:    
     Sick children will not be accepted into child care. If a child was sent home on Wednesday because they were ill then they will not be able to return for 24 hours. So please do not bring your child back before Friday or they will not be permitted to stay. Under no circumstances will parents be allowed to bring a sick child to child care. Sick children need additional care that we can not provide. Not only that they want to be home (in their own bed) when not feeling well. They want the comfort of their own “Mommy”. Plus all the other children and then their family’s become exposed to your child’s germs.

 

The following illness policies will be strictly enforced, for the health, well being and safety of all concerned.

Examples of associated symptoms include, but are not limited to:

1. Fever (100 F. higher)-Child needs to be fever free for 24 hours
2. Nausea or vomiting
3. Diarrhea: runny or watery stools, or 2 or looser stools within last 4 hours.
4. Sore throat, loss of voice, hacking or continuous coughing, runny nose with colored discharge
5. Runny and/or Crusty Eyes: Watery, matted, and/or red/pink eyes are not acceptable in childcare.
6. Unexplained Rash
7. Excessive Crankiness: Child is irritable, excessive whining or crying, wants constantly held, or requires more attention than we can provide.
8. Lice (may not return child to care until no more nits are spotted)
9. Communicable diseases (chicken pox, roseola, conjunctivitis, mumps, measles, influenza, etc.)

     This benefits your child and the other children. Your help at keeping your sick child home is appreciated.

Parents of a child with a diagnosed contagious condition (measles, head lice, pink eye, mumps, chicken pox, etc.) are asked to notify Charity as soon as possible so that she may alert parents to watch for symptoms in their own children.

 

MEDICATION:

     If your child is on medication and it needs to be taken while he/she is at daycare, the medicine must be in the original container and labeled with the child’s name, doctor’s name, name of medication, dosage, and when to be taken. If medication is to be taken only twice a day, i.e. (morning & night) then it will need to be done at home. A medication form will need to be filled out that morning so please make sure you have a few extra minutes. We are unable administer medication until it has been given by the parent/guardian at least for 24 hours. If a child is going to have an allergic reaction to the medication it should happen in those first 24 hours sometimes up to 48 hours. But if they are still fine after 24 hours we will feel better about them coming to child care.  

 

INJURIES:

     No matter how much we watch and how careful we are accidents are going to happen occasionally. Minor cuts and bruises suffered while at daycare will receive proper care -- they will be washed with soap and warm water and properly bandaged.

     If a serious accident should occur you will be contacted for instructions; unless this would endanger your child’s life. In that case we will take necessary steps and (call the hospital, doctor, poison control, etc.). All injuries need to be documented. You will be asked to sign an injury(ouchie) report.

 

FIRE/Emergency:

     In the event of a fire/emergency, we would evacuate the house immediately and gather together outside on the corner of the facility. This will be practiced at least once a month (usually more) so the children are familiar with what to do.

 

TERMINATION OF SERVICES:

     We may terminate care if the terms of my daycare contract and my child care policies in my hand book are not followed.
Some are examples are below (but not limited to):
*Registration fee not paid.
*Forms not filled out.
*Constantly late
*Child not adjusting to daycare (crying a lot, biting, hitting).
*Weekly Childcare not paid on time

GUIDANCE:
     Our goal will be try to teach children with a positive approach on how to get along with their friends.  What is socially acceptable behavior and how to use their words and understand feelings.

Here are some example of our word usage:

Child is running inside.  - I would say “Please Walk Ryan” “Thank you”
Child is standing on a chair - I would say “Sally can you please sit on the chair” “Thank you”
I try to point out what they should be doing. Please walk, please use your indoor voice, etc.

     Redirection - Sometimes it will be necessary for me to try and redirect one child away from another child; such as they both want the same puzzle. I would simply point out that there are more puzzles lets go and find one. That usually works great.
                                
     Time Out: If the redirection doesn’t work than I may move on to a pause;  we call the child/ren over to sit next to us.  Continue what we are doing for a few moments then we will talk to them about what had happened and why.  We think of ways to handle the problem the next time. We aim to teach children to think about what their doing and what they could of done instead.  Such as Ally picked up the doll Lindsey was playing with. So Ally hit Lindsey. I would say what could you of done instead of hitting? Why do you think she took your doll? Do you think maybe she wanted to play with you? Maybe you could have said if you give me back my doll we can go and try to find you one? We try to teach the preschoolers ways to work things out.        

     Removal of Privilege: If children are throwing sand or trying to run over another child with a toy carriage. Then I will immediately remove the problem, such as the carriage will be put up and the child throwing the sand will be removed from the sand box for awhile. Usually we separate them from the problem for about 2-5 minutes and this usually works pretty well. They can not touch the doll carriage for 2-5 minutes while they other children can. Or they can no longer go into the sand box. I will remind them after the 2-5 minutes is up,  that they can not throw the sand it hurts others and if they can go into the sand box and use the sand correctly and safely with their friends than great but if not they will be asked to leave again.
                                                
     If your child is chronically misbehaving than you will be notified. Between us maybe we can come up with a way of handling this behavior.  The type of behavior I’m talking about is biting, use of bad words, chronic hitting, etc. Together, we will try to find a solution. If the solutions are not working then you will be called to remove your child if his/her behavior prevents me from being able to provide quality care for the other children. If the problem continues then I will have no other choice but to terminate care, for the safety and well being of all.
                                                
Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES will there be any spanking, physical abuse, verbal abuse, name-calling or isolation used. Neither food nor sleep will ever be withheld from children as a means of punishment.
    
Please sign your enrollment check off list once you have fully read and understood this Parent Handbook.