I believe that young children learn best through play and loosely structured guided activities in a carefully planned environment. My goal is to provide a clean, safe, comfortable environment where children can play and learn with guidance. We will be integrating curriculum, arts and crafts, and a variety of skill development activities during our days, but my first priority for the children will be FUN!!

My background is as follows: I have a bachelor's degree in education and am licensed to teach preschool through third grade. I have taken additional course work in infant and toddler care. I am currently certified by Columbia County to provide day care for up to five children. This may include three children under the age of seven and two children over the age of seven in addition to my own child.

The following is a list of rules and guidelines governing our day care contract agreement. Please read this handbook thoroughly, as it covers very important policies and procedures that pertain to the care of your child. If you need clarification, please let me know.

HOURS OF OPERATION:
Wee Care Family Day Care is open when children are scheduled to be here. If no children are scheduled to be here, we are closed. Hours are negotiated on a client-by-client basis to fit each client's work schedule. If you need care outside your contracted hours, you must first discuss it with me. Additional fees may apply. Based on the recommendation of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), I do not allow children to remain in my care longer than 10 hours in any 24-hour period.

ENROLLMENT POLICY:
All necessary forms MUST be completed and returned to me by your child's first day. Exceptions are the Child Health Report and the Immunization Record, which must be returned within 30 days. Caring for your child without these forms would be considered a violation of state law.

TRIAL PERIOD:
Your child's adjustment is important to both of us. It is therefore agreed that a two-week trial period will exist before arrangements for continued care become final. At the end of this period, I will discuss with you how the child has adjusted to the new setting, realizing that this varies from child to child. At this time, either party may terminate care without consequence.

TERMINATION:
After the trial period, a two-week written notice is required by either party to terminate care. If the parent terminates care, payment is required for these two weeks whether or not the child attends. I reserve the right to terminate any child or family from the program for reasons including, but not limited to, not abiding by the policies set forth in this handbook, non-payment, failure to complete required forms, and the inability of the program to meet the child's needs. I may terminate without two weeks notice for non-payment of tuition.

PAYMENT PROCEDURES:
Payment is due Friday of each week or the last day of services. If Friday is a holiday, then payment is due Thursday before the holiday. Payments can be made in the form of cash, check, or money order. A $20 charge will be assessed for a returned check. If your check is returned for any reason, future payments may be required in cash.

OVERTIME AND LATE FEES:
Wee Care Family Day Care is open during your contracted hours. If you pick up your child more than 15 minutes past your contracted pick-up time without previous approval, there will be an overtime charge of $5.00 for every 15 minutes. If you have not called or arrived to pick up your child by 30 minutes past your contracted pick-up time, I will begin calling the emergency contacts listed on your enrollment form.

Please keep in mind that prompt payment is required, as this is part of our family income. A late fee of $10.00 per business day will be charged for payments not made by the close of business Friday. If payment is not received by the start of the business day on the following Wednesday, the child will not be accepted into care until payment and late fees are received.

EXTENDED LEAVE:
Payment of 50% of the weekly rate will be charged for any extended leave due to illness, maternity leave, etc., in order to keep the child's slot open. You are welcome to send your child for a period of time equal to the payment received.

ABSENCES:
Child's Absence: Please notify me by 8:00 A.M. if your child will be late or will not be attending that day. No deductions will be made for child sick days, as you are paying for a specific slot, not per hour.

Provider's Absence: Although I will attempt to be available every day, there may arise a situation which prevents me from providing care. It is the parent's responsibility to obtain alternate care arrangements. In the event that care cannot be provided, you will be credited that day's amount.

HOLIDAYS AND VACATIONS:
The following are PAID holidays on which Wee Care will be closed:
New Year's Day
Memorial Day
4th of July
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

On the following days, Wee Care will be closed WITHOUT pay:
The day after Christmas
Christmas Eve
The day after Thanksgiving

Provider's Vacation leave: I may take up to two weeks of vacation per year. Parents will be given one month written notice. It is the parents' responsibility to obtain substitute care during such times. Payment is not required for times when the provider is on vacation.

Child's vacation leave: Two weeks written notice is required if your child will be absent for vacation. Each family is allowed 2 weeks non-payment vacation per year. Paid holidays may not be counted as vacation days. If your vacation is more than 2 weeks, you will be charged 50% of the weekly rate to hold your child's position.

ILLNESSES:
Please do not bring your child if he or she is sick. This includes children who exhibit the following symptoms:
Fever of 101 degrees F or higher
Diarrhea
Discharge from eyes or ears
Vomiting
Communicable diseases (chicken pox, roseola, conjunctivitis, mumps, measles, flu, head lice, etc.)

If your child develops any of these symptoms while in my care, you will be required to pick up the child immediately. Your child will be moved to a room away from other children but within sight and hearing until you arrive. When returning, your child must be free of all symptoms for 24 hours or be accompanied by a doctor's note. This benefits both your child and other children.

If your child is determined to have a reportable communicable disease transmitted through normal contact (such as chicken pox, German measles, infectious hepatitis, measles, mumps, scarlet fever, or meningitis), the local health department and parents of all enrolled children shall be notified.

MEDICATIONS:
If your child needs medication, please be sure to sign a release to administer medication form. All medication must remain in the original container, labeled with the child's name, the dosage, and directions for administration. Please deliver medications directly to me so they may be kept out of reach of children.

TOILET TRAINING:
When your child shows readiness for toilet learning, this will be done in a relaxed manner and in cooperation with you. If your child has frequent accidents or is just learning to use the toilet, you will need to provide plenty of extra clothes and underwear. I also ask that children who are being potty trained wear clothing they can handle successfully on their own- no onesies, no overalls, no belts. Elastic waist pants or shorts are most appropriate.

DISCIPLINE:
My goal in discipline is to help children develop self-control, self-esteem, and respect for the rights of others. I believe that discipline should be based on natural consequences and developmental readiness. Children learn what the natural outcomes of their behaviors are and learn to take responsibility for their actions. Children are partners in solving problems. In the event that a time-out is used, it shall not exceed 5 minutes, or one minute for each year of age, whichever is less. Children under the age of three will NEVER be given a time-out. Punishment that is humiliating or frightening to a child, such as hitting, spanking, shaking, verbal or sexual abuse, withholding or forcing food, or punishment for lapses in toilet training and other forms of physical punishment, are prohibited. These forms of punishment will NEVER be used, even at the request of the parent. Persistent disciplinary problems may constitute grounds for termination of care.

NON-FURNISHED ITEMS:
You will need to provide the following items:
complete change of clothing
proper outerwear for outside play
diapers and wipes
bottles and formula- enough for the day
blanket or sheet and pillow (if appropriate) for rest time
baby food (if appropriate)

CLOTHING AND ATTIRE:
Being a kid is messy. We will spend a lot of time outside and doing other fun messy activities. Please dress your child appropriately, as I cannot guarantee that clothes will not get stained.

TOYS:
I have a wide variety of toys, games, and arts and crafts materials. Feel free to bring toys from home, if your child wishes. However , we cannot be responsible for lost or broken toys. Toy guns or other weapons are not permitted.

DAILY ACTIVITIES:
Activities offered will depend on the ages of enrolled children. They will include experiences that will:
encourage use and development of language
develop large and small muscle skills
encourage creativity, cultural awareness, and imaginative play
help develop a positive self-image
provide indoor and outdoor play
provide active and quiet activities
provide group and individual activities.

NAPTIME:
All children will have nap/rest time after lunch. Each child will be provided with a rest mat or other appropriate resting place. Older children will have the opportunity for quiet play after a short rest. Infants and toddlers will rest according to their own schedules.

MEALS:
A nutritious lunch and two snacks will be served to children 12 months and older, using USDA nutritional guidelines. Meal and snack times will be regularly scheduled so that food will be offered at least every three hours. If your child arrives after mealtime, please be sure he or she has eaten prior to arrival. Please inform me of any dietary concerns or strong likes/dislikes. Infants will be fed on demand.

OPEN DOOR POLICY:
You are welcome to visit Wee Care any time your child is present. Please avoid coming during rest time, if possible. Please also feel free to call at any time. If I do not answer the phone, leave a message and I will return your call when we have finished the current activity.

INSURANCE:
Wee Care Family Day Care has liability insurance through our homeowners policy.

DEFINITIONS:
Full-time: Child care contracted on a set schedule, 6 or more hours per day, 4-5 days per week.
Part-time: Child care contracted on a set scheduled time slot, less than 6 hours per day or 3 days per week or less.
Drop-in: Child care contracted on a temporary basis, subject to availability of slots in program.

*Wee Care Family Day Care does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, or disability.*