This is a partial listing of topics in the Parent Handbook.

Enrollment Procedure There are state required forms to be completed before your child's first day, including basic information, emergency contacts,child's medical report,and immunization records. All information will be kept confidential. Tuition for the child's first week is due on the first day of enrollment. We do not charge an enrollment fee. DSS subsidy vouchers are accepted. Cubbies are provided for each child to store their personal belongings.

Change of Information Any changes in address, phone numbers, or place of employment must be given. It is very important in case of an emergency,to be able to contact you.

Hours of Operation Although licensed to be open all hours, we are currently operating only Monday thru Friday, from 6am till 5:30 pm.

Arrival and Departure Starting in a new setting is an exciting experience for a young child, but initially it may also be difficult. Even children who are very excited about ‘starting school’ may suddenly realize that their parents, the most important people in their world, are not going to be there. The apprehension that accompanies that realization is a normal reaction. Please make every effort to have your child arrive prior to 9:30 am.These morning hours include breakfast, and usually planned group activities. Normal procedure is to release the child only to his or her parents or someone else the parents designate. If someone other than the parent is to pick the child up, please notify us ahead of time. A verbal notice is fine on that day if this person is on the list of those authorized to pick up your child. If the person is not on that list, we must have written permission to release your child. One of the forms required for enrollment, designates who may pick the child up,or if there is an emergency and you can not contact us. Please make sure those listed are persons with whom you would allow your child to leave. Those on the list should also be people we could call in the event you were unable to pick up your child. Please inform your emergency contacts that if I do not know them and the child is too young to recognize them ("Hi, Grandma!"), that I will ask for identification.

Late Pick up Please make every effort to pick your child up on time. Children may become upset when their friends have been picked up and they have not. Please be prompt.

Ages Accepted We accept children 6 weeks old and older. Care for school age children up to twelve years old for before and after school care or full time summer care, may at times be available. Our license from the Division of Child Development is for 12 children.

Attendance Regular attendance is expected of all children enrolled full time. As a courtesy, we ask you call if you will not be bringing your child,or bringing your child in late. We do ask that parents bring children to daycare in time for morning activities, or by 9:30. We know that from time to time schedules may not permit. Full payment is expected regardless of missed attendance.

Part Time On occasion, we take children two years and older, on a part time basis. Parents need to fill out enrollment information, including a current physical and current immunization records just as they would for a full time child. Understand that part time care is for parents only working a few days a week. If your schedule becomes more consistent, you may wish to enroll full time to assure a spot. Part time childcare occupies a full time position. Should a potential new parent need the last available full time position, notice may be given to the part time parent, with the option of that parent paying the full time rate to preserve the child’s slot. Daycare can only be guaranteed to children paying full time rates.

After School Care On occasion, we take children on a before and/or after school basis. We give children the opportunity to get their energy out after a long day at school.After arrival and a snack, they can choose from a variety of activities including playground, crafts, board games, blocks, legos,or free play. We also provide a space where quiet activities such as homework or reading may be done.

What your child will need Infants will need their bottles labeled with name and date each day, diapers, and extra clothes. All children will need a full change of clothes, including socks, for the current weather season. Children's clothing should be comfortable, allowing freedom of movement,washable,and suitable for daily indoor and outdoor activities.

Parking Park in the three car wide driveway in front of the house. Every effort will be made to be sure the driveway and walkway around the side of the house are clear during inclement weather.

Payment Policy Tuition for the child's first week is due on the first day of enrollment. We do not charge an enrollment/registration fee or an annual fee. Accepted payment methods are cash and checks. Tuition is paid weekly, or monthly if you are paying a DSS assistance co-payment. No payment or fee will be prorated. Full payment for the week is due regardless of child's missed attendance,including sickness, bad weather, or personal vacation.

Tax Receipts You will be given a year-end summary for tax purposes, in January, for fees paid during the previous year.

Discipline/ Behavior Policy In cases of disciplinary measures, we use re-direction first, and if necessary, the time-out method. Time-out is removing the child from a situation, placing him or her by themself for a period of one minute for each year of the child. WE DO..... praise, reward and encourge, reason and set limits,model appropriate behavior,try to prevent problems before they occur,listen to the children,provide alternatives for inappropriate behavior,ignore minor misbehaving,,use short term "time out" WE DO NOT.......spank,shake,push,pull,make fun of,shame, deny food or rest,or leave children alone,

Transportation Child pick up and return currently not available. Bus pick up for children in the Fallston school district is available.

Holidays/ Vacations The daycare will be closed 15 days in the year for paid holidays and vacation.........New Year Day.......Memorial Day.......Good Friday and Easter Monday.......Fourth of July (all week)........Labor Day.......Thanksgiving ( 2 days) ........Christmas ( 3 days)

Snow Day Policy We make every effort to be open and stay open for as many hours as possible. Driving conditions are a primary factor in closing. We need to ensure that the children can return home safely at the end of the day. The daycare will not be open if we have don't have electricity or water. Cancellation of daycare, delayed opening or early closing is a possibility. Call in advance to be sure.

Substitute Teacher Should Cheryl or Donnie have to be away from the daycare for an extended time, we would have a substitute teacher here that is state approved. You would be notified as soon as possible.

Quiet Time / Naps We provide a cot,cot sheet, and blanket for each child that is laundered as needed. Children are required to lie down for a rest period in the afternoon. 11:30-2:00. Children nap, rest, read or play quietly during this period. Children who do not sleep will be offered a quiet activity after an hour of quiet rest time. Rest time gives everyone a much-needed break during the day. Without rest time, some children are argumentative in the afternoon, short-tempered with others, and not real happy when they go home in the evening. If your child has a special blanket or stuffed animal that he/she sleeps with, please send it along. We would ask that you avoid picking up your child during nap time, as it disturbs the other children's rest period.

TV Time TV time is early morning and late afternoon.Viewing is limited to PBS, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr, and Playhouse Disney. Some of the shows we watch are Clifford,Dragon Tales, Max & Ruby, Dora, Blues Clues, Teletubbies,and Barney. Programs will be age appropriate. We may watch an age appropriate movie.

Photographs / E-mail Taking photographs allows us to document your child's stay at daycare. Included with your handbook is an authorization form stating whether you do/do not authorize us to take photographs of your child while at daycare and post on this website. You also have an option for an e-mail address to have photos e-mailed to you. Photographs will be taken while your child plays, during special projects and learning events.Individual photographs will be posted on our "Picture Perfect" board at daycare as well as e-mailed to share with their family. NO photographs will be taken while children are using the bathroom or changing clothing.

Handwashing Procedures We will wash our hands before and after the restroom,before and after eating breakfast,lunch or snack, when returning from outside , and anytime there is a need.

Potty Training When you are ready to help your child begin potty training at home, we will be glad to help at daycare. Signs that toilet training can begin: Stays dry for at least 2-3 hours at a time during the day. Dry when waking from a nap.Is uncomfortable with soiled diapers and wants to be changed. Can walk to and from the bathroom, and undress himself. Can get on and off the toilet by himself. Able to sit still for at least 5 minutes at a time. Asks to use the toilet. Can say and understand one word statements like "wet", "dry", "potty", and "go". Has regular bowel movements. Understands the association between dry pants and using the potty.

Injuries & Other Emergencies Minor cuts and abrasions suffered while at the center will receive proper care -- specifically, they will be washed with soap and warm water and properly bandaged. Treatment will be logged and I will tell you how and when the injury occurred. We are CPR and First Aid certified. If a medical emergency arises, we will contact a parent first, unless doing so endangers the child's life. In that case we will take necessary steps, putting the child first (calling hospital, doctor, poison control, etc.). If need be, I will take your child to Cleveland Regional Hospital, then try to call you when we arrive. If a parent is unable to be reached, we will keep trying until he or she is available. In the event of a fire, we evacuate the house immediately, (2 exits are available) and gather in the open field next door. Fire drills are practiced so the children are familiar with what to do. If severe weather arises and a tornado alert is issued, we will go to the center of the restroom, where the children will crouch and cover their heads. If a child would become lost, a search of the house and grounds would be made. If the child were not located, police and parents would be notified and a neighborhood search begun.

Safety Fire drills are practiced monthly. There are no guns or firearms on premises. Fire extinguishers are maintained properly. Toys are age appropriate and in safe manner. Electrical outlets are covered. Pens, pencils and office supplies are out of reach. Knives and scissors are kept out of reach. Cleaners and chemicals are out of reach. The hot water heater is regulated at 110 degrees. Medications are out of reach. A first aid kit is near.

Medications We will give children prescription medicine only if a state approved consent form is complete and correct on file.The form must have the child's name, name of medicine,dosage, time to be given, date to be given,in the original container with the label on the medication, and the parents signature. Non-prescription medications such as Tylenol must also have an authorization form filled out and signed by the parent. Administration is not to exceed the instructions on the label. All medication must be in the original container labeled with your child's name, with a legible manufacturer's label, and a valid expiration date. A medication spoon for liquid medication should be provided with the child's name.

Diaper Cream / Sunscreen A medication form has to be completed with name of product to be applied, time, place to be applied, frequency, and signed by the parent. We can only apply the exact product that is listed on the form. If you bring a new product, ex. Balmex instead of Desitin, a new form must be filled out. Duration of administration not to exceed 1 year for sunscreen and insect repellents.

Infection Control We are unable to accept a child with a diagnosed communicable disease or obvious acute illness. Please do not send your child to the daycare when he/she is sick or has signs of possible contagious disease. Please keep him/her home until the symptoms have subsided and the child feels well enough to participate in activities. An unhealthy child is not comfortable in an active environment. We will report to the parent any observed changes in your child's health or any accidents that their child may have been involved in. We will observe and make you aware of any unusual signs in your child's behavior or any of the following symptoms: pale or flush skin color, unusual number of bowel movements, headaches, stomach aches, ear aches, rashes, hives, bumps, running nose, elevated temperature, wheezing, coughs, vomiting, gagging, lack of energy during play or any sign of distress (excessive crying). Not all cases will lead to dismissal for the day, but will be monitored and recorded for future reference. We must maintain verification of children's immunization and health status. Children must be immunized on schedule. Your child is too sick to come to daycare for any of the following ......diarrhea, strep throat,high fever,lice,ringworm,hepatitis A,scabies,chicken pox, pink eye, impetigo, vomiting more than once, any other contagious sickness. If your child develops any of these symptoms after arriving at daycare, we will ask that you pick up your child. Ear infections are not contagious. They are common between the ages of one month and six years and most common under age three. Every attempt is made to keep toys and play area sanitized.

Allergies Part of the enrollment application is to notify us about any food or environmental allergies your child may have.

Biting Biting is a normal stage of development, commonly seen in infants and toddlers. The following steps will be taken if a biting incident occurs: The biting will be interrupted with a firm "No…we don't bite!" We will stay calm and will not overreact. The bitten child will be comforted. We will remove the biter from the situation. The biter will be given something to do . The wound of the bitten child shall be assessed and cleansed with soap and water. The parents of both children will be notified of the biting incident. Confidentiality of all children involved will be maintained. The bitten area will continue to be observed.

Gum/Candy Please do not bring your child to daycare eating candy or chewing gum. It is not fair to the other children who have none. There is no gum or candy at daycare. The only exceptions will be party treats and birthdays.

Termination Policy If the need should come to terminate the childcare provider arrangment, we will give you a five day notice. Any tuition is still due for that week. Reasons for termination of your childcare----- Non-payment by parent/guardians,failure to complete and sign any required forms,lack of parental cooperation,child is unable to adjust to child care environment after a reasonable amount of time,gross misconduct on the part of the parent or child.

Child Custody We have no legal authority to refuse either parent the right to pick up their child unless a court has granted temporary or permanent custody to one parent or to a third party and we have been furnished with a copy of the court bearing the court's signature.

Mandatory Reporter As a childcare provider, we are required by law to report cases to the appropriate authorities if we have reasonable cause to believe or suspect a child is suffering from abuse or neglect, or is in danger of abuse or neglect. The appropriate child protective service agency will then determine appropriate action and may conduct an investigation. It then becomes the role of the agency to determine if the report of abuse or neglect is substantiated.

Revisions to the handbook
	There may be occasional revisions to the handbook. You will be notified of any changes that may occur.

(704) 482-5764