Program At Discoveries Childcare, I believe: Children should feel like they are in a home setting where they feel safe and happy. Learning should happen through play Children learn to treat others with respect Parents and providers should work together for a positive experience Provider & Business Hello, my name is Sharyn and I'm the Owner/Operator of Discoveries Childcare. I've been married for 16 years to Jon, and we have two very beautiful children, Zakeri 14, and Alexys 10, I also have a step-daughter Kaylie who is 23, and a beautiful grandson Trystan who is 3. So you want to know what my qualifications are. In June of 2001 I opened the doors of Discoveries Childcare as a private childcare provider, but before that I was a teenage babysitter for many years. As a childcare provider I strive to be the best that I can possibly be, I'm continually taking childcare educational course through Job and Family Services, the Health Department, or the American Red Cross plus I attend several early childhood conferences a year. Discoveries Childcare is a privately owned in-home childcare where I only have six children in my care at one time with no more than three of those children being under the age of two, I offer a professional pre-school curriculum, organized activities, fenced in back yard, and a home environment fully equipped with pets. We are located just off route 33 in the River Valley Highlands Subdivision. Ages of Children Discoveries Childcare provides child care services to six children: Three Infant/Toddlers from 6 weeks to 2 years of age Up to Six Pre-school children from 2 to 5 years of age Registration Fee A yearly non-refundable registration fee of $25.00 per child will be required to hold any position(s). Non-refundable registration fee does not apply towards any tuition payment and is non-refundable if enrollment is cancelled. Waiting List Children will be placed on a waiting list for openings, on a first-come, first-listed basis. Openings will be filled from that list, however, with consideration for maintaining the balance of ages outlined above. Contract Agreement I ask that you sign a formal agreement giving Discoveries Childcare permission to care for your child during the hours that you specify. This agreement also indicates your willingness to abide by the policies set forth in this handbook. Enrollment Forms The following information needs to be filled out, signed, and returned to me before your child starts with Discoveries Childcare. **Childcare positions are not considered filled until I have your Letter of Intent and Enrollment Fee in hand. Letter of Intent to Contract Services Enrollment Fee Emergency medical authorization Health & Immunization Records Enrollment form/Authorization of alternate pick-up Travel permission Contract OTC Medication authorization All About Me Permission to participate in Water Play Supplies Needed Parents are asked to provide the following supplies, according to the child’s age, which will be kept in your child’s private cubby and used only by him/her. Complete change of clothes appropriate to the weather Disposable diapers Infant formula and/or baby food. 3 bottles for infants and/or a sippie cup to be kept here. Bottles will be steralized and washed on a daily basis. Notice will be sent home when more supplies are needed. If I have to purchase the items requested myself, you will be billed. What your Child May Bring A book and/or movie, as we will do reading or watching movies in the morning, if we are not outside playing, a complete change of clothes, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, toys that may be shared. Please explain to your child that if he/she brings a toy, they will need to share with the group. What Not to Bring Toys that are expensive or which your child has a sentimental attachment, these are best left at home – I cannot be responsible for these items. Coins, toy guns, or any object that may be swallowed, promotes violence, or whole original purpose was not intended for use as a toy will be taken and returned to the parents at pick-up time. Parental Withdrawal Two full weeks advance notice in writing is required to drop your child from Discoveries Childcare. Payment is required for these two weeks even if the child is not here. Termination by Provider Sharyn A. M. reserves the right to terminate this contract for any reason. Two weeks notice will be given under usual circumstances. However I reserve the right to the immediate termination of services under certain circumstances. Care can be terminated for the following reasons: Child is unhappy or unable to become comfortable with the child care home Disruptive behaviors (i.e. biting, hitting, breaking toys or personal property) Continual abuse of Discoveries Childcare illness policy Failure to communicate with provider for more then 2 days (No call/No show) Continual excessive absenteeism Failure to pay child care fees on time Routine abuse of drop off and pick up times You are occupying a part-time position and somebody needs a full-time position Hours of Operation Please contact me regarding my hours of operations. Currently I'm open Monday through Friday at 6:00a.m. Schedules If you are contracting for various times and days, I will need your schedule no later then Friday for the following week of care. This is very important because it helps me plan for the week. If schedules are not received ahead of time, then I will assume that childcare is not needed for the week and make other plans, i.e. errands, taking other children for drop-in care, or even closing for the day if no other children are present. Attendance If your child will not be in attendance on his or her scheduled day, please notify me as soon as possible, if you know the night before you can call up to 10:30pm, if you are unable to contact me the night before, please make sure you contact me before your scheduled arrival time. Failure to notify me of attendance for two consecutive days will result in immediate termination of services. Daily sign in/sign out sheet will be provided; each parent/guardian must sign his or her child in and out on a daily basis. Extended Leave of Absence If you intend on being absent for more than 2 weeks, due to maternity leave, summer break, or extended leave from your job, you will be required to fill out a Letter of Intent and I will require ½ of your regular weekly tuition for the entire time of your absence to hold your child’s spot. I must receive at least a 2-week written notice. Vacation 5 days vacation time will be given after your 1st year of care and yearly after that, payment is not required for these days provided that you provide a 30 week written notice. Any days over your alloted 5 days per year will require a payment of 1/2 your normal contracted weekly rates. Vacations are to be taken between January and December of the same year. There will be no “roll-overs” to the following year. During the course of the year I will be allotted 15 days off for vacation, and 5 days personal/sick days without pay. It is your responsibility to have back up childcare available on my days off. Holidays The following holidays will be observed with pay. Please note if the holiday falls on a weekend than I will be taking the day(s) prior to or after the holiday. Discoveries Childcare will also be closed between the Christmas Holiday and New Year’s Day. Specific days for this holiday break will be in accordance to the Lancaster City School schedule. You will be notified in advance of this schedule. News Year's Eve New Year's Day Good Friday Memorial Day July 4th Labor Day Thanksgiving Day after Thanksgiving Wednesday December 24th through Friday, January 2nd, 2009 Back-up care & Substitutes I may employ a substitute caregiver, if necessary. The substitute caregiver will be familiar with the children before being left alone with them. It is also your responsibility to have back childcare available just in case of illness or vacation. Communication Communication is very important to me, as children pick up on changes and difficulties in they’re environment. Our conversations will be held in strict confidence. NEVER hesitate to contact me with any problems or concerns you may have regarding your child. Our communication, consistency, and mutual respect will allow your child to feel secure, thus producing a happy, well-adjusted child. Remember, complaints are just questions never asked. Guidance & Discipline I do encourage that all parents be on the same page of discipline as myself. This will make life a lot easier on you as well as me. Here at Discoveries Childcare we use redirection for children under the age of 2 when possible. This means that if a child is in a potentially harmful situation to him/herself or to another child, I will remove him/her and try to get the child interested in something else. For children 18 months and older a time out or quiet time is given. Time outs are usually no longer than the child’s age. However, there may be some times when minutes are added, but this is usually due to the child’s lack of cooperation during the time out period. Reasons for time outs given include; a child is losing control and refusing redirection; for example, acting aggressively, throwing a tantrum, complete defiance or not following the listed “House rules”. House Rules In order respect my business, my family and the other children the following house rules are in effect. Food and drinks are only allowed in the kitchen area, with the exception of infants, I usually feed them where I can be with the toddlers and preschoolers. Children and parents are only allowed in designated daycare areas only, which are the living room, kitchen, foyer, back yard and playroom, the dining room is for naps only. Bedrooms are off limits unless they are invited. No running, jumping or climbing on or off of furniture or steps. No yelling, screaming, calling other children derogatory names, no profane language, no back talking. I will not tolerate hitting, punching, biting, pillow fighting or wrestling in my house. If this becomes a consistent problem, I will have a talk with you, if the problem continues your child will be terminated immediately and the appropriate termination guidelines will be followed. Disruptive Behaviors This would be constant disruptions affecting other children’s daily routine or my capabilities to provide adequate care to the other children. For example, consistent crying, bullying of another child, or defiant behavior. You will first be given a warning with a 2 week time period to try and correct this behavior, then after the 2 weeks it will be up to my judgment to terminate childcare services or not. However this is my livelihood and if I have complaints then I will have no other alternative then to terminate my child care services immediately in writing and the usual two weeks notice of termination can be waived at my discretion. Damages Small repairs and accidents go with the territory when running a in-home day care. However, parents/guardians will be held financially responsible for damages that cannot be classed as accident or fair wear and tear. (Such as deliberate breaking of toys, poking holes in furniture etc). Mandated Reporter I am required by law to report any suspicion of child abuse and neglect to Children Services and Job and Family Services. So if your child falls and has unusual bruising please let me know. Please also be aware that this does include failure to properly secure your child in safety restraints when leaving my care, I am required to report you to the proper authorities for this. Pets Please be advised that there are animals on the premises and the children will be exposed to them. All animals have been tagged and are current on all vaccinations and are treated monthly for Fleas, Ticks and Heartworm. First Aid/Medical Emergencies I will notify you immediately of any illness or accident, which requires first aid treatment. In case of a serious accident or injury, I will make every attempt to contact you immediately. If I cannot reach either parent, I will call the emergency contacts listed on the enrollment form to make the medical decisions for your child. If I feel the injury is life threatening, I will call "911" or take your child to the nearest hospital. Illness Sick children may not attend day care. This is a state regulation. Sick children make the other children sick too. “Sick”, according to the regulations is any child that may be running a fever, has a rash, unexplained symptoms, or who appears to be less that healthy. It will be up to my discretion to decide if a child is too sick to be at day care. If a child becomes ill at day care, the parents will be notified and expected to pick up the child. Ill children will be isolated from the rest of the children. If your child is sent home due to illness, he/she must meet the criteria listed below before returning, or the criteria provided by the Fairfield County Health Department. Fever - fever free (without Tylenol) for 24 hours or doctor’s note stating that treatment is being given or is not required. Upper Respiratory Infection - must be seen by a doctor and return with a doctor’s note stating that treatment is being given or is not required. Diarrhea/Vomiting - no diarrhea for 24 hours or doctor’s note stating that treatment is being given or is not required. Lamed Eye - must be seen by a doctor and return with a doctor’s note stating that treatment is being given or is not required. Skin Infection (of unknown origin) - must be seen by a doctor and return with a doctor’s note stating that treatment is being given or is not required. Communicable Disease Prevention Your child must be current on all immunizations Each child will be observed daily for illness Hand washing before and after diapering, toileting, eating, handling and preparing food, and handling contaminated materials. Diapers will be changed regularly and immediately after a bowel movement Diaper area will be sanitized after each use Bedding will be laundered as needed or once a week. Any child with a communicable disease will be kept isolated from other children as much as possible. Medication I will not administer prescribed medication to any child without an instruction form signed by the parent and/or the child’s doctor. Any deviation from the recommended dosage, (rather prescription medication or over-the-counter), must be authorized, in writing, by the child’s doctor. Fire To reduce the threat of fire, smoke detectors are installed in each room and checked regularly to make sure they are in working order. In case of fire, the children will evacuate the designated childcare areas as noted on the fire escape chart. Storms or Tornado In case of severe storms or tornado, the children will meet in the foyer or main enter way and then we will go to the inner most wall of the basement, where there are no windows. Home Safety The following safety measures are frequently checked or administered to ensure a safe learning environment for the children in Discoveries Childcare. Play area is fenced and free of dangerous objects All equipment is safe and in sound working order Smoke detectors are in all areas of the home and in working order Broken toys will be immediate disposed of 1st Aid kit is easily accessible and completely stocked Electrical outlets are childproofed All Toxic supplies and medications are out of the reach of children All cooking is done away from the children Rates Effective October 2007 to October 2008 Infants NB-18 months Toddlers 18mo - 3yrs Preschool 3yrs – Kndgtn School Aged 1st to 6th grade Full-time 25 to 50 hours Please call for current rates Part-time 8 to 24.9 hours Hourly Rate 1 to 7 hours Rates are guaranted regardless of attendance. Hourly rates apply after you exceed your contracted weekly hours or your child is in attendance less then 7 hours per week. Registration Fee A yearly non-refundable registration fee of $25.00 per child will be required to hold any position(s). This fee does not apply towards any tuition payment and is non-refundable if enrollment is cancelled. Tuition Payments Tuition payments are due on the first day of your scheduled care for the week and no later then your scheduled pickup (unless special arrangements have been made). Checks should be made to Sharyn Mastel or of course, cash is always accepted. (See Below) Special Arrangements (if any)_____________________________________________. If your child is Absent Failure to notify me of attendance for two consecutive days will result in immediate termination of services. If your child is absent excessively on a monthly basis, I reserve the right to terminate services at my discretion. If your child participates in another program (for example, dancing, piano, sports or stays with a relative for the day) and is absent from the child care program, you are still be required to pay your full weekly contracted rates. The fee covers pre-school curriculum, arts & craft supplies, and meals and snack. Insufficient Notice Because insufficient notice affects my ability to plan meals and activities properly for the children, there is a $10.00 fee for giving insufficient notice for attendance, non-attendance or any changes in your schedule. This includes failure to provide your weekly schedule by the close of business Friday. Unless an emergency arises, drop-in care and all changes to your regular schedule require a written, 24-hour notice. If I do not receive proper notice for attendance, non-attendance or schedule changes, the insufficient notice fee is in addition to your regularly contracted fees. Late Fees $10.00 per day added for each day that your tuition payment is late including Saturday and Sunday. Children may not attend the daycare unless FULL payment and ALL late fees have been paid up to date. THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE. Persistent late payments are grounds for immediate termination. Clients are responsible to pay for all late payments, late fees and two weeks notice even after termination of childcare services, Clients will also be held responsible for all court, attorney and collection agency fees involved in collection of late payments, late fees and two weeks notice. Late Pick-up/Drop-off Late pick up charge: After 5:30 p.m. late charges will be added at the rate of $5.00 for every fifteen minutes. If you know you are going to be late, please call. This fee also applies to early morning drop off, i.e. if you have made arrangements to drop off before my opening hours and you are late these fees will apply. Returned Check & Overdraft Fees Returned Check: $35.00 & Overdraft Charge: $40.00. These fees are non-refundable and must be paid in cash along with your tuition payment n of childcare services. Child care positions will be lost after two weeks of non-payment. (Late fees will still accrue until the account is paid in full). Rate Change Evaluation Rates are re-evaluated on or before your child’s birth date or once per year. If there are any rate changes you will be given 30 days notification. Naps/Quiet Time Nap time is 1:00 – 4:00. ALL children are expected to respect this “quiet time”. The children need this rest time and I need the quiet time to be able to clean up and prepare for the afternoon’s activities, catch up on paperwork etc. Please be reminded that I do not get “breaks” and “lunch breaks” as in other jobs! Nap time is my only time to relax a little in a 12+ hour workday! Parents are discouraged from visiting, dropping off or picking up during nap time. It is very disruptive to the other resting children. They do not understand why one child can get up and play and yet others have to have quiet time. Outdoor Playtime Fresh air, new worlds to explore, and a wider field of play is important for children so WEATHER PERMITTING children will play outdoors, some of the reasons not to play outside, Ozone/Atmosphere advisories, too wet or temperatures below 52 and above 100 degrees. In the event that we do not play outside, adequate indoor activities will be provided, such as musical chairs, duck, duck goose, music and movement, exercise videos etc. If a child is too ill to go outside, he/she is too ill to be at my home. Clothing With the exception of infants, all children must be dressed appropriately, (no pajamas) when they arrive in the mornings. This program is designed to keep children active - both indoors and out. Children should wear appropriate clothing to accommodate the activities they will be involved in. I will take reasonable precautions not to allow children’s clothing to become "damaged" during messy activities. Make sure an extra set of clothing is left for your child for accidents to occasionally happen. I am not responsible for lost or damaged clothing. Meals Discoveries Childcare is involved with the Child and Adult Care Food Program through the Children’s Hunger Alliance. This program helps family child-care providers serve nutritious food to children in their care.