Welcome to Barb's Little Dumplins! The purpose of this handbook is to outline the policies and procedures under which I operate as a licensed child care provider. I give the children in my care opportunities to learn in a family-like setting with a mixed age groups, where they can feel safe and loved, and can begin to build a positive self image. Your child will receive quality personal and individualized care in a warm and loving home. Your child will have the opportunity to gain practice in language, fine motor, large motor & self help skills. Your questions and comments are important so we can achieve the very best experiences for your child. Children will not be denied enrollment on the basis of sex, race, religion or disability.
Hours of operation:
7:00 am to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Drop-in (hourly) care is provided from 7:00-12:00 and 2:30-5:00. Non-traditional hours are given on occasion.
Enrollment Procedures:
The following forms required by the state of Washington and need to be completed prior to placement.
1. Registration form signed by parent or guardian, which includes the date of last physical examination.
2. Complete record of immunizations.
3. Signed consent for child to receive medical treatment, medicine, and go on any trip off the premises
4. Signed Contract.
Note: All forms must be updated at least every year or sooner according to need. Also the registration/processing fees must be paid, prior to admission. A position will not be held if the above requirements are not made.
Trail period and Termination:
A period of 2 weeks trial is given for adjustment. After this time period the parents or the provider may decide to terminate care without prior notice.
* After the trial period, care can be terminated with 2 weeks written notice. Payment for two weeks will be accepted in lieu of notice. All final payments are to be paid at the time of notice. In cases of non-payment, legal actions may be taken and the parents will pay all legal fees incurred.
* I will also give two weeks notice if the child is to be terminated from care. Any abuse or violation of the rules/policies of the contract/handbook may be just cause for termination.
* Immediate termination can occur for behavior problems, or dangerous parental situations. If immediate termination is given by me for the above or any other reason to be at my discretion, any deposit will be forfeited.
Vacation and absences:
Daycare may be closed 2-3 weeks for vacation, and up to 3 professional training days per year. Notification of at least 4 weeks will be given prior to any closed days, with the exception of emergencies or illness. In the event that I will be away for a period of time less than two hours my husband Dan will provide substitute care.
* Parents are responsible for finding back-up care during provider absences.
* There are a limited number of spaces available therefore; weekly payments are not based on child's attendance. No refunds are given for late arrivals/early departures, parental vacations or exclusion due to illness.
Holidays:
Daycare will be closed for all federal holidays and the following days with pay (unless noted):
New Year's Day, - Martin Luther King Day, - Presidents Day, - Memorial Day, - Independence Day, - Labor Day, - Thanksgiving, - The Day after Thanksgiving (optional pay) - Christmas Day
* Please note if the holiday falls on Saturday (daycare will close the Friday before), if the holiday falls on Sunday (daycare will close the Monday after).
* If care is needed on a scheduled holiday the rate will be $5.00 an hour.
Rates for 2000:
Rates are based on a 45-hour week, if more hours are needed the fee will be adjusted. Your individual weekly fee is outlined in your signed contract. All rates may be reviewed and increased on Jan 1 of each year.
Definitions:
Full Time: Daycare contracted on a set scheduled time slot for 40-50 hours per week.
Part Time: Daycare contracted on a set scheduled time slot for less than 30 hours per week.
Drop-In (hourly): Self-explanatory. There is a $10.00 minimum.
Overtime: Overtime is considered any time outside the contracted time interval and, any time before 6:30 or after 5:00. I'm under no obligation to provide an extension of time. Late arrival does not justify late departure.
Other fees:
*Overtime Fee:
$3.00 per hour for prearranged overtime (with a 24-hour notice)
$5.00 per 15 minutes or any increment of 15 minutes when time wasn't prearranged.
*Late Payment Fee:
$10.00 per day that payment is not received. If fee isn't paid by Monday morning of the next week, your child will not be cared for until the outstanding balance in paid. Continued late payments will result in termination of our contract.
*Returned Check Fee:
$ 20.00 plus any additional costs I incur for a returned check. If two checks bounce in a year's time, cash will then be required.
*Registration Fee:
Part time, Full time care, Before and After school = equal to 2 weeks fee
Drop-in, Hourly, Short Term, Temp care = $30.00 for processing
** For Part time, Full time, B/A this fee is split up two ways. The first half is credited to your first week of care, the second half is for your last week of care if the required two-week termination notice is given. If care is terminated without the required two weeks written notice, the last week's fee will be forfeited. If necessary, you may pay the fee in 4 installments over the first 4 weeks of care.
**For Drop in, Hourly, Short term or Temp this fee is for processing forms and records.
All fees will be forfeited if enrollment is canceled, or care or is terminated within the first week.
Payment schedules:
Payment or CO-payment is due weekly by 5:30 on Friday or on the last day of care (in full). Exception to this is drop-in (hourly) care; payment is due the day of service.
Over time is paid in the week it was made.
**D.S.H.S: I will accept payment through DSHS. The application must be filled out and returned to DSHS within 3 days of your child's enrollment. If care is started in the middle or end of the month, CO-payment is paid at enrollment for that month. A fee of 1 week's payment will be required by at the time of enrollment, this fee will be for the last week of care. Parent will be responsible for any charges not covered by DSHS, such as overtime, and late fees. Extra fees are paid the week they were made.
Arrival and departure:
Please send your child clean, dressed for the day, and fed (if arriving after 7:45). Please make your goodbye brief (no more than a couple minutes), the longer you prolong departure the harder it gets. Never leave without telling your child goodbye. Please be in control of your child during pick up times, and don't allow them to play on, in, or around the planters or rocks.
*No one other than the parents or designated person will be allowed to pick up your child without prior arrangement. I must be notified in advance and have a written note with the person's name and relationship to the child.
*If there is a court order keeping one parent away from the child, I must have a written note from the custodial parent in my file to that effect. Otherwise, I cannot prevent the non-custodial parent from picking up the child.
Communication:
To provide the best possible care, please feel free to communicate any needs, wants, and or concerns regarding your child. It is only through parent/provider interaction that a goal of quality, nurturing care can be achieved. A monthly newsletter will keep you up to date on general issues and what we are doing, but I will give you daily reports about your child.
A Typical Day:
Depending on the needs of the children, schedules are flexible and may very.
6:30 - 7:30 Arrival, quiet time, Education TV
7:30 - 7:45 Breakfast
7:45 - 9:00 free play
9:00 - 1030 Pre-school program/ Story, Circle time, Singing, ABC's, Crafts
10:30 - 11:15 free play, outside play or walk (weather permitting)
11:15 - 11:30 Clean up
11:30 - 12:00 Lunch
12:00 - 2:30 Change diapers/potty, Nap/rest time - everyone participates
2:00 - 2:30 Wake up
2:30 - 3:00 Change diapers/potty, brush hair, Barney
3:00 -3:15 snack
3:15 - 5:00 free play, Educational TV - Departure
Activities:
Age appropriate activities are scheduled with flexibility allowed responding to the needs of the individual child/baby. I provide a preschool curriculum from September through May for children age 2-5. My schedule is the same as the public schools. If they are not in session for any reason (i.e., snow days, conferences, etc.) then preschool will not be in session either, however, daycare will continue except for listed holidays and vacation. The activities include daily circle time with, letter, shape, color, and number recognition, singing and story reading. We will have crafts and projects a few times a week, and have a lot of free play. There is a supply charge of $ 5.00 a month per child due on the 1st of each month.
TV viewing:
I allow limited TV viewing consisting of Channel 9 and the Disney Channel only. On occasion I let the children pick a child appropriate video to watch. Children are NEVER required to sit and watch TV, and TV is not offered in place of Free Play or Learning Activities.
Nap/rest time:
All children under the age of 5 are REQUIRED by Washington law to have a rest period. No child is forced to sleep; however they must remain quiet. No child is to be dropped off or picked up during this time, it has proven to be very disruptive to the other children. If you have to make an appointment for your child, please make it before 12:00 or after 2:30.
Behavior Management & Discipline:
My philosophy is that you use discipline to teach a child. I achieve this through love, consistency, and firmness. The children are explained the rules of the daycare frequently so that they know the guidelines. Once a child understands the rules and disobeys them, hurts others or property, the following developmentally appropriate guidance techniques will be used. These techniques are as follows:
1. Positive Reinforcement: The child will be encouraged when he/she is demonstrating acceptable behavior.
2. Redirection: The child is redirected to another activity and given an opportunity to try again at another time.
3. Time out: The child is separated from the group for a child-regulated period of time. This technique is used only when a child is exhibiting temper tantrum type behavior or hurting self, others, or equipment. When the child shows that he/she is ready to demonstrate acceptable behavior, they are encouraged to join the rest of the group and try again.
4. Last resort: When a child's behavior is continually upsetting or dangerous to others, or myself a conference will be called with the parents. If the problems can't be resolved, arrangements will have to be made for the child to go elsewhere for care.
*Sometimes, if both a parent and a provider are both in the same area (ex. drop-off, pick up, parties, etc.) a child may forget the rules, or test the boundaries. Please help show your child that you respect me, the rules of my house, and my property by reminding them that the rules still apply when you are around. I will also remind them of the rules and, correct them if needed.
Child abuse:
I am required by law to report to the local Social Services Office of any suspected physical, emotional, sexual or suspected abuse or neglect.
Meals:
I participate in the Federal Child and Adult Care Food Program. Breakfast, for children arriving prior to 7:45am, lunch and afternoon snack will be served. The children are offered the food, not forced to eat. Children who choose not to eat will not be served additional food until the next mealtime. Please do not send food (half-eaten breakfasts, candy found in the car, ect.) or gum with the children. Infants need to provide formula/breast milk and baby food until age one when table food is started.
Special Diets:
If a child has a particular dietary need, substantiated by a medical evaluation, I must be informed and given a doctor's note. Substitute meals or snacks may then be brought from home.
Potty training:
I will be more than happy to help with potty training provided that it is not done before the child is ready. Parents are asked to initiate the training at home (on vacation or weekend) before starting it at daycare. Once training is initiated, parents are to supply 5 ply-training pants with plastic pants or pull-ups. I have a great handout available, which lists the signs of readiness as well as tips on potty training.
Diaper Changes:
Diapers are checked and changed every 1 1/2 - 2 hours or more frequently if required. Exception, each child will be diapered after waking up from their nap. Hand washing of myself and child is performed after each change.
Supplies needed:
Parents are responsible for supplying Diapers & Wipes, Weather appropriate change of clothes (2 changes of clothes for children who are being toilet trained). *Swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen (summer time only), *Blanket for rest time *Fever and cold medication *Any other necessary items (powder, ointment)
NOTE: Please provide enough diapers, and wipes to last one week. I will notify you when your child's supply needs to be replenished.
Toys:
No toys should be brought from home. If your child needs a special toy or item for sleeping, it will be allowed, but it will be put away when they first arrive. I take no responsibility for lost, stolen, or broken toys brought from home. Should the child deliberately destroy my toys or other property through misuse or willfulness, the parent will be required to replace it.
Transportation and field trips:
We will be going on outings such as field trips or local places in the general area. Generally all trips are scheduled, however, there will be times that quick local trips are unplanned.
*It is not mandatory that your children attend these trips, but you will be required to provide back-up childcare for your child if your child cannot attend. Of course, all children will be restrained in seat belts (over 4 years) or in approved car seats (under 4 years.)
Health Matters:
Please do not bring your child if he/she is sick; I can only care for children with mild cold like symptoms (clear runny nose, slight cough, and no fever). Per Health Department regulations children will not be allowed to attend the daycare if they exhibit symptoms such as:
*Rash *Fever (100 F. higher) *Excessive cold and/or cough *Vomiting *Diarrhea *Lice or nits *Discharge from eyes or ears *Unusual drowsiness *Persistent or excessive crying *Communicable diseases (chicken pox, roseola, conjunctivitis, mumps, measles, influenza)
If they become ill during daycare hours - parents will be contacted immediately to remove their child within 1 hour of being notified. If parents are not available, the emergency contact person will then be notified. Once the child is removed from daycare due to illness, they may not return for a full 24-hour period, or be accompanied by a doctor's note.
Note: This sickness policy applies to my family or myself as well. If I am unavailable due to illness, you will be notified by 6:00 am. Payment for the days that I am not available is not required.
Medication:
I can administer medication if needed, but only if the Medication Consent Form has been signed. All medicine must be in the original container with the child's name clearly written on it. Written instructions with the child's name, dose and times, needs to accompany the medication.
Medical emergencies:
In case of a serious accident or sudden illness requiring medical attention, the following procedures are followed:
1) A phone call is made to 911.
2) Child's parents (or emergency contacts) are called.
3) Child and health records are taken to emergency service at Whidbey General hospital.
4) In all cases, an emergency report is completed and a copy given to parents as well as the Department of Public Welfare.
* It is extremely important, especially in instances of illness or emergency that the emergency contact information is up to date and all information is correct. Please report any changes immediately to keep your emergency contact information current.
* For minor injuries like bumps and bruises, I will provide home first aid. If the injury is more serious, (I.e. needs stitches, broken arm, or dislocation, etc.) the parent will be notified immediately. Parents will be responsible for all costs involved in emergency medical treatment, including emergency transportation if required.
Animal Health:
I have 2 dogs, Lady is 2 1/2 years old and Luke is 1 years old, both Lhasa Opso. They are very gentle and have minimal contact with the children. They are registered with the county and all of their vaccines are up to date. We also have a 10 week old kitten named Libby. Hand washing follows the handling of the animals. Parents who have children with known allergies to furry animals must tell me immediately. Animal droppings are cleaned daily.
Referrals:
Referrals from a client is one of the biggest compliments I can receive. As a special thank you, I offer families a free day of care for each referral that enrolls. Your free day will be deducted from your weekly fee after the referred child has attended for 4 weeks.
A final note:
I am always open to suggestions and feel communication a very important part of this business. If there are any problems or concerns, I encourage you to talk to me about it. If a lengthy conference is needed, a time that is convenient to both of us will be scheduled, as the other children still need my attention during business hours. Thank you for the opportunity to work with you and your child, and I look forward to the future.
I retain the right to enforce these policies at will. Lack of enforcement of a certain policy at any given time does not indicate that the particular policy is no longer in effect.
