The Daycare House Rules!

 

 Please discuss and go over the House Rules with your Children!


  1.  NO hitting, pinching, throwing, pushing, punching, hair pulling, biting, or otherwise hurting ourselves or others. Please review out Biting Policy further down. 
  2. NO intentionally breaking anything. 
  3. NO running, jumping, wrestling, climbing, etc., in the house or on the furniture. 
  4. NO picking up the babies, toddlers, or other children including one another's siblings. 
  5. NO leaving the house, yard (which is fenced in and locked) without permission. 
  6. NO climbing of trees, throwing rocks, or climbing the fence. 
  7. NO children will ever be aloud outside in the fenced in area or any other outside area with adult supervision at all times. 
  8. NO name calling, yelling, foul language, teasing, or bullying--everyone deserves to be treated with respect. 
  9. ALL food and drink will remain in the kitchen area, unless otherwise told or if drink is in a spill proof cup. 
  10. Please have children take off their shoes when entering the Daycare facility, and place them in their assigned cubby holes. Also please place of have them place their backpacks and coats (if any) on the hooks assigned to their cubby holes. 
  11. Older children please do not bring small things such as money, chap stick, etc. into the Daycare because these are dangerous items to have around our babies and toddlers. If small things like these (ex: chap stick) are needed please bring them to one of our staff member to keep and apply to the child as necessary. 
  12. ALL Children will wash their hands when entering the Daycare, before and after meals, and after playing outside.  

 **Please DO NOT allow your children to bring toys from their home to our Daycare Facility** If this should occur one of our staff members will confiscate the toy and put it away until the child is picked up. There are plenty of toys here at the Daycare Center for everyone, bringing toys home from a child home can cause jealousy issues and fights among the children. Our Children's safety comes first here at Precious Ones In-Home Daycare. Also please never send food of drink with you child unless you have enough for everyone at the Daycare, this does not apply to baby formula and baby food. Please DO NOT bring food or drink for everyone without clearing it with me first.


Picking Up Your Child from Precious Ones In-Home Daycare


When you filled out your child's application there was a section for you to list "APPROVED" people that are allowed to pick your child up in your absence. The people that you placed on your "APPROVED LIST" MUST SHOW A VALID STATE ID EACH TIME THEY PICK YOUR CHILD UP FOR YOU! 


NO ONE from your "APPROVED LIST" will ever be able to pick your child up from our Daycare without you informing our staff the morning you drop your child off at the Daycare or by calling the Daycare Center that day. The child will ONLY be released to his/her parent(s) or legal guardian in a regular basis.  


Please advise anyone that you put on your "APPROVED LIST" of our pick up policy. Please make sure you inform us that day if someone other then the child's legal guardian will be picking them up and that the person picking them have their Valid State ID with them and ready to present when picking up your child. If we are not informed and/or if the person picking up your child does not have or forgets their Valid State ID I WILL NOT let your child leave with this person and your will run the risk of having to pay that $2.00 per minute late pick up fee. This is the only way I can assure your child's safety at all times. 


Also if your family experiences a divorce or other legal issues that will effect the legal guardian status and of who can remove the child from our Daycare, then please notify us of this situation immediately along with the Court Order Paper or other Legal 

Papers stating who has sole legal guardianship of this child.


PLEASE NOTE THAT IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP YOUR CHILD PICK UP FORM CURRENT AND ACCURATE AT ALL TIMES!


SIGNING YOUR CHILD IN AND OUT OF DAYCARE


Each day the child's parents, legal guardian, or authorized person must sign the children in and out of our Daycare Center. Your must print the children's name, time arrived, time left, and then sign it each day your children come to Precious Ones In-Home Daycare. This sign out sheet is located at our front door when you first enter the Daycare. This provided a written record of your children's hours of attendance and who has dropped of and picked up the child each day that week.


PRE-ENROLLMENT VISITS


We believe that children, providers, and parents do best when everyone participates in a “get-to-know-you” sessions prior to the first day of care. This helps children get used to our staff and allows parents plenty of time to ask questions of our staff. It also helps everyone feel more comfortable with the situation. This benefits the child by allowing us to approach the first day of care with ease in which helps reduce stress for everyone. Children benefit from a stable, long-term care environment. My hope is that these visits will help reduce the number of misunderstandings that can inevitably arise, so we can develop a good working relationship and avoid the need for unnecessary termination of care. We will work with you to schedule as many pre-enrollment visits as possible, without any cost to you. These visits should only last about an hour or less, depending upon the number of questions you have. We would prefer that one of the first visits be without children present to limit distractions. After that, though, we would prefer to gradually increase our interaction with your child, taking cues from their comfort level. Some of these visits may be at your home, if you prefer, however visits should be in our home in order for your child to get used our Daycare home. 


PARENT CONFERENCES


Parent conferences will be scheduled periodically with the parent(s) and/or guardian(s). This will allow you to meet with our staff in a relaxed environment without the distractions of other children and parents, to discuss things such as your child’s development, discipline strategies, and needs. We would also welcome your feedback on our effectiveness as an educator and care provider, as well as other issues and concerns that may arise. By keeping the lines of communication open, we hope to foster a more stable and enjoyable working relationship with the families we serve. 


PARENTS COMMUNICATIONS


We have on the wall in the family daycare room a bulletin board. We have all emergency plans, licenses, and a copy of my 6-week rotation of menus.  Also an attendance book to sign your children in and out of Daycare (Please sign your child in and out of the Daycare each day) Also check your children s cubby holes for notes, etc. to take home, Please check daily for supplies and any notices. We have copies of our Daycare's monthly news on the bulletin board. All current closings and news are located on this Daycare Website www.preciousonesinhomedaycare.com . We also will send out reminder emails periodically to parents who have email addresses on file with us sometimes. We send out a weekly newsletter usually on Saturday's or Sunday’s that usually includes our next week’s plans. 


We also post updates & pic’s on what we are doing in our Daycare on our website when time permits . If Grandparents or other family & friends would like to keep updated on what the kiddos are doing then please have them add our website www.preciousonesinhomedaycare.com to their favorites, or have them add us a friend on Facebook as Precious Ones In-Home Daycare at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Precious-Ones-In-Home-Daycare/209031832474510


VISITS AND PHONE CALLS DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS


Parents or guardians are welcome to drop by unannounced at any time during the hours their children are in care. If you call and we are busy, we will call you right back . Please don’t hesitate to call us anytime. Best way to reach us during open hours is our Daycare home number. Please if we are busy with children, leave a message so we can return your call ASAP.


OUTSIDE PLAYTIME


We allow the children to have time to play outside in our fenced in playground for approx. 45 minutes in the morning and 45 minutes in the afternoon as long as it is not too hot, and not in direct sun light. Winter hours this time limit of 45 minutes may be reduced to a shorter play time due to the severity of the cold weather. NO CHILD WILL BE ALOUD OUTSIDE WITHOUT CONSTANT ADULT SUPERVISION. 


COMPUTER'S AND INTERNET


Children are not allowed to use our facilities computers, but we do have several computer games such as vetch, and other electronic game devices that are educational and are for the children of ages 3 and up. No child will be allowed or have access to our internet servers. 


 

 

SUPPLIES YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING


Please make sure that you use a permanent marker to write your child's name on all their clothing, bags, backpacks, etc..


  • Diapers/Pull-ups
  • Bottles, Nipples, & Bottle Liners if required
  • Infant Formula or Pumped Breast Milk
  • Any special milk such as Soy Milk if your child cannot have whole or 2% milk
  • Any and ALL prescriptions and over the counter medications
  • A complete change of clothing appropriate for the current seasons, please provide at least 3 complete changes of clothes if we are potty training. A Complete Outfit consist of Shirt, Pants/Shorts/Dress/, Socks, & Underwear.
  • Diaper Bag or Backpack 

Please Note - If you prefer not to leave these item here in the Daycare you  may bring them daily to the Daycare in your children's Diaper Bag or Backpack.


TIPS FOR SMOOTH TRANSITIONS AT DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP


Transition times can be stressful for some children. In the morning they may not want to say good-bye to you and at pick up time they may not want to go because they are involved with a fun activity. This is a natural occurrence and may vary with your child’s age and developmental stage. To ease the situation we encourage parents to take a minute to help their child feel comfortable and to adjust by offering positive statements. A parent who shows reluctance to depart only makes the transition harder for their child. Although parents should never sneak out without saying “good-bye” to their child, a brief good-bye usually works best. Crying will usually stop a few minutes after you depart. Whether you plan to stay for a while when during transition times or you prefer to keep transition times short, it is important that you establish a consistent routine and stick with it. Our Daycare house rules apply from the time they walk in until the time them walkout. This is a time of testing when two different authority figures are present (parent and provider), and this situation will be tested at one time or another to see if the rules still apply. We will remind your child if inappropriate behaviors are being displayed. Please be prepared to back us up. If your rules or desires are being tested, we am ready to back you up as well. Children of all ages adjust to transitions differently. Most do not like to be too rushed, or to wait too long once they are ready to depart. This is especially true during the colder months, when children may get uncomfortably warm once dressed in a coat, gloves and a hat. When leaving, please DO NOT ALLOW CHILDREN TO RUN OUT TO YOUR CAR WHILE YOU ARE STILL INSIDE! Our safety rule is “No one outside in front yard without a parent or guardian with them.” There may be other cars on the street and a serious incident could occur. Please be sure and sign your child in and out of Daycare in the attendance book.


SICK CHILD POLICIES

  

This daycare is a well child family daycare facility. This means that if your child is not feeling well, for any reason, you will need to find alternate care. Please do not bring your child if he/she has a contagious illness or exhibits any of the following symptoms: You need to pick your child up after I call you within 1 hour.


      · Fever of 100 degrees or above 

      · Vomiting, in excess of typical infant spit-ups 

      · Diarrhea that is excessive 

      · Conjunctivitis ("pink eye") 

      · Consistent complaints of ear or stomach pain 

      · Bleeding other than minor cuts and scrapes 

      · Excessive greenish nasal discharge, indicating possible infection 

      · Head lice 

      · Any other Contagious disease


In general, if your child is too sick to go outside and play, then your child is too sick to attend childcare. If your child becomes ill during daycare, you will be phoned at work and asked to pick your child up immediately. (No later than 1 Hour from when we notify you of child’s illness) If you cant pick up your child, you will need make arrangements for someone else to pick up your child. If not on emergency list you will have to notify me who will be picking up your child.


If your child has a common cold (slight cough, sneezing, clear runny nose and/or a temperature below 99 degrees) your child may attend daycare. However, if your child reaches a point when he/she requires constant attention, will not play, cries continuously, whines and wants to be held constantly, then your child will need to stay home. 


Any child requiring prescription medication will need to be kept at home for a period of at least 24 hours until no longer contagious, unless accompanied by a signed note from the child's medical practitioner. 


Please dispense all medications at home whenever possible. For times when this is not possible, a Medicine Consent Form must be filled out in order for our staff to dispense any medications. All prescription and over-the-counter medications must be in their original container(s), and prescriptions must display the pharmacist’s label with the doctor's name. In addition, a signed note must accompany all prescriptions prescribed from the child's parent. If you have any questions, please feel free to discuss them with me at any time.


Please notify us ASAP if your children or family members get any contagious disease. I am REQUIRED to report to DHS some contagious diseases that children in our daycare have. 


HOLIDAYS, VACATION AND PROVIDERS SICK-DAYS


Although we will do our very best to be available every business day, it is conceivable that we may be forced to close occasionally due to vacation, illness, or other emergencies. If you cannot ever tolerate our vacation time and rare, but possible lapses in care, you should consider placing your child in a daycare center, or make arrangements for backup coverage. We realize your need for reliable daycare and will attempt to give as much notice as possible whenever we must close our Daycare home for any reason. In order to spend quality time with our own families we will be closed on the following major holidays Highlighted Yellow:


~New Years Day 

~Memorial Day 

~ July Forth  

~ Labor Day  

~ Thanksgiving Day We will be closed from that Thanksgiving Thursday and that following Friday.  

~ Christmas Eve 

~Christmas Day 


Each year we will be closed for 10 business days for our Vacation. We will try to give you a written notice of at least 3 months in advance of when we plan to take out Vacation. This should give you plenty of time to obtain other temporarily child care services. 


FOOD OR DRUG ALLERGIES


Please alert my staff to any suspected food sensitivities or allergies so that we may attempt to accommodate your child’s dietary needs. Also, if you avoid any foods or combinations of foods for religious, cultural, or health concerns please let us know your needs and we will attempt to accommodate your requests for your child. An additional fee may apply if your child’s dietary needs require us to purchase special food or beverage items. Also please request a form to fill out allergies and sign /date this form. We will also need a a meal substitute form filled out from your physician for the USDA food program.


MEALS AND SNACKS


Precious Ones In-Home Daycare participates in the Child Care Links Food Program.  This is a program that monitors our menus and nutrition and reimburses based upon compliance with USDA requirements.  What this means for your children is that a well-balanced, nutritious, home cooked meal can be expected every day.  Milk, fruit/vegetable. ,protein, vitamins C and A, iron and bread requirements will be met daily as well.  Menus are available to download online, or you can ask for a copy at the daycare. All allergies will be taken into account.  Infants formula, cereal and jar baby foods will be provided by you if your child is on these food items. I serve breakfast, lunch and snacks at no additional costs.


All foods will be cut into safe-size pieces and served in child-sized portions. Children are expected to try one bite of any food served, unless the child has an allergy or sensitivity to that food. If, after trying a bite, the child does not like that food, he/she will not be forced to eat anymore of it at that meal. I have found that children often like foods they did not initially want to try, once they have been exposed a few times. Children may have second helpings of any or all foods upon request after taking one bite .No child will be required to eat more than one bite of anything. It is my experience that children will eat when they are hungry, and will get all of the nutrients they need when consistently presented with a variety of healthy choices. We have joined USDA food program and our sponsor is Child Care links http://www.childcarelinks.org.


ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES


I will not administer any type of medication, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, without a signed consent form. Please fill current medications form in Childs booklet and keep updated.


This form can be filled out when you drop your child off and must include:

 


 The child’s name, age and current weight

 The name and phone number of your child’s doctor

 The name and phone number of the prescribing doctor (if different)

 The name of the medication

 The dosage amount and frequency

 Possible side effects

 Reason for needing the medication

 Instructions for proper storage and preparation of the medication

(Such as should it be refrigerated, shaken, mixed with water, etc.)?


 

 

All prescription medications must have been prescribed recently, and be clearly labeled with the pharmacies information. Also, the medication must be in a clearly labeled childproof container. I would prefer if you also bring the medication in a small sack or baggie labeled with the child’s name, so as to avoid any possible confusion. Please provide any necessary droppers, medicine spoons, or other dosing aids. Inhalers should be in their original outer package (carton), Labeled with your child’s name. Although My staff and I are trained in infant and child CPR, basic first aid, and recognition of communicable childhood diseases, We do not pretend to be a doctor, and will not under any circumstances provide any medications, including vitamins. Medications should be given at home by parents/guardians whenever possible. You must provide any and all medications for your child.


Please list on the long-term medication form in booklet:


*Permission to give your child /ren Tylenol / Motrin or any generic form as needed. 

*Sun screen or bug repellant as needed.

*Neosporin or any other bacterial cream as needed.

*Or any medication your child takes long term.


You can date from time of care as in contract. This will be so you and I will not have to fill a form each time these items need to be given to your children. This will be so you and I will not have to fill a form out each time you children needs to be given one of these items. Thanks for your help and support!

 

 

 

 

PHOTOGRAPH POLICY


Because your kids are away from you for extended periods of time, we like to try and photograph them for you throughout the day. This is especially true for “firsts.” Also, some of our special craft activities (Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, etc.) may require a photograph. These pictures may also be posted on our website, Face Book or used in advertising. No identifying information will be posted or printed regarding your child. You may share these photos with friends and family. Parents may choose to not have their pictures posted on our website and or advertising materials. The form for permission or to decline permission is in your child information booklet.


OUR BITING POLICY


Unfortunately when groups of small children are together biting inncendce will occur occasinally.One of our primary goals is to provide a safe and loving learning environment for children. When a biting incident occurs, there are many upset feelings. When it does occur we take it very seriously and try to find the reason why the child bit and try to extinguish the behavior as quickly as possible and assist in developing positive social skills. Biting is not uncommon. It causes more upset feeling than any other behavior in-group settings for young children such as learning centers and day cares. Parents of the child who was bitten, parent’s of the child biting, and for daycare providers all want the behavior to end as quickly as possible. As we know, young children up to two years of age learn through mouthing objects and people. Typically this does not continue after the age of three.


Why do children bite? Children will bite for many different reasons. Some of them include:


· Experimental biting·Jealosy · teething discomfort · becoming independent, · Child with delayed speech / communications often

  bites 

· Is learning to play with other children, is frustrated in expressing his/her needs or wants, or is threatened by new or changing 

  situations such as a mother returning to work, move to another home, a new baby, or parent’s separating. An adult or another

 

  child made game with play biting.  


When a child bites another child, we will,


· Intervene immediately· Help the child who was bitten TLC, ice and apply Neosporin etc · Talk briefly to the child who bite and

  remove the child from the situation for a brief period of time. I will tell the child in a calm but firm voice, “No biting, biting\

  hurts.” Or “I do not like it. We will fill out an incident report for both children's parents.


When you bite people. You hurt him/her. She’s crying.” Reinforce positive behaviors·  Notify parents of all children involved.


· Talk with the parent’s of the child who is biting· Send home notice verbal / and in writing to both parents·Document biting child

  with, date time, child bitten, area bitten and area of body bitten on child· Try to shadow closer the child during free play when

  biting ofter occurs


While using all of these techniques, most children resolve the biting behavior. However, should this continue without any improvement, Then we must take further steps to ensure the safety of the children in our care? Therefore, we may require that the child that is bitting find another daycare environment that will meet his/her individual needs.


AVERAGE DAILY SCHEDULE


6:00 AM to 7:15 PM Children Arriving. We wash hands first thing when parents drop off their children. Children can watch educational TV programs and free choice of games, toys, blocks, and/or books.

 

 

7:15 AM to 7:30 AM Restroom and Wash Hands

 

 

7:30 AM to 8:15 AM Eat Breakfast

 

 

 

8:15 AM to 9:00 AM Free Choice Play 


 

9:00 AM to 10:45 AM Outside Play Time

 


10:45PM-11:45 PRESCHOOL/LEARNING TIME - the children will watch videos, do work sheets and hands activities, weekly themes, shapes, letters, colors, music, worksheets, art projects and etc., while Lunch is being Prepared. 

   

11:45 AM to 12:00 PM Restroom and Wash Hands


 

12:00 PM to 12:30 PM Eat Lunch

 


12:30PM to 12:45PM Restroom and wash hands


12:45 PM to 1:00 PM Story/ Quiet Time


1:00 PM to 3:00 PM   Nap Time


3:00PM to 3:15 PM Restroom and wash hands


3:15PM to 3:45 PM Snack time


3:45 PM to 5:00 PM   Free choice play/ outside play weather permitting


 

5:00 PM to 5:30 PM Clean up and get ready to go home. Parents  picking up their child/ ren.

This schedule is subject to be changed at the Child Care Provider’s discretion and is dependent on the kid’s moods, weather, how many children are in attendance, etc.


 


Fire safety will be done every month also tornado safety will be done April - September of each year. We also work daily on shapes, colors, letters, children's names and calendar. 


 

If your child will be late to our daycare, we would appreciate a call/email or Face Book message  early to notify, so we can plan for meals.

 

 

If you are off work, and want to bring your child late. PLEASE bring your child before 9:00 AM, when you allow your child to sleep in, they will disturb whole group during nap time. Also when they arrive in middle of our preschool time, is VERY distracting to everyone. This causes your child, other children and our staff un necessary stress.  Is understandable for late drop offs when you have scheduled doctor’s appointment. Still we would appreciate a call to let us know.


TERMINATION OF CARE


Either party may terminate our contract at any time for any reason with proper notice (2 weeks notice). According to the contract, proper notice will consist of written/verbal notice to the provider not less than two weeks prior to the child’s last day of care. 

If you choose to terminate care with less than proper notice, you agree to forfeit the entire deposit. In addition to the deposit, regular tuition charges will apply for the remaining time your child is in care. If at any time, after consultation with the parent or guardian, I feel that you or your child pose a safety risk to myself or any of the children inour care, I will give you as much written notice as possible that care is terminated. This action will be reserved for extreme cases only, and I will first attempt to resolve any issues with you before resorting to termination of care. Under these conditions, forfeiture of the deposit will be at my discretion.

All new contracts are under a 2-week trial period (unless other wise stated in contract) that either party can cancel. 


I reserve the right to terminate for the following reasons (but not limited to):


* Lack of compliance with handbook regulations

* Failure to pay or pay on time

* Failure to complete required forms

* Lack of parental cooperation

* Disrespect 

* False information given by parent either verbally or in writing

* Consistent late arrivals disrupting our routine

* Failure of child to adjust to the child care after a reasonable amount of time

* Physical or verbal abuse of any person or property

* My inability to meet the child's needs

* Serious illness of child or provider


I appreciate as much advance notice as possible when terminating, and will give the same courtesy in return. You are required to give two-week's notice when you decide to terminate childcare per our contract. Likewise, I will give two-week's written notice of termination for which full tuition is due, whether or not your child is in attendance. I reserve the right to give written notice of immediate termination where there are extreme circumstances that affect the well being of myself or other children in attendance. REVISIONS TO HANDBOOK & CONTRACT There will be a yearly revision to this handbook (Every January or before) and the accompanying contract on renewal date. All families will sign a new contract each year. I reserve the right to make changes in rates and policies, as I deem necessary. You will be notified, in writing, of any changes that may occur. Prices changes will not change during your contract.


Late Pick-up fee/ Early Arrival 


WE DO NOT want to work over time, while we love spending time with your children; we also want to have time for our family. Standard late pick-up or early arrival fee in our area and for our policy is $2.00 per minute per child. Continuous tardiness/earliness will result in losing your child’s placement. If you need to adjust your hours you need to clear them first with me. If you are going to be late picking up your child you need to phone us that your child will be picked up by someone on your pick up list. If after 15 minutes you do not show up to pick up for your child I will call your emergency contact to pick up your child. The late fee would have to be paid in cash before any more care is given. Under certain circumstances if one hour goes by and nobody can be reached I might be forced to call the authorities.