Parent and Policy Handbook
About Myself
My name is Charla Fielding and I am a single parent of a 5 year old boy whom I adopted at birth. I have been taking care of children since I was 11 years old. I took some college courses in early childhood development while I was working in a childcare center. I stayed there for two years and then I became a nanny for twins. I took care of them for two years when they moved out of state. I then went to work in aircraft. I was laid off in may of 2010. I have decided to return to my first love, which is taking care of children and being a part of watching them learn, play and grow.
Mission
My Mission as a childcare provider is to provide a safe, nurturing and educational environment where your child can play and learn with guidance and love while in my care.
Business Hours/Overtime
I provide childcare Monday thru Friday from 6:00 am to 12:00 am. My time is flexible according to parent’s needs. Overtime is calculated at $5 an hour over your contracted hours. There is a $5 late fee per child for every fifteen minutes or portion thereof that you are late unless previous arrangements have been made. Late arrival does not allow late pick-up. Care will not recommence until such late fees are paid in full. Please be on time daily.
To ensure the safety of your child, only you or your designated people may pick up your child. Phoning me to let me know someone other than yourself will be picking up your child is fine if I know the person or your child can identify them. I.D. will be required
Verification of legal custody: I must have a copy of the court order recognizing the parent who has legal custody of the child, as well as visitation schedules. Otherwise I have no choice except to release the child to his/her parent.
Registration/Renewal
A yearly registration/renewal fee of $25 per child is due with first weeks payment for each contracted year. This is used to help with arts and crafts supplies and any other supplies used by your child.
Deposit
A $50 deposit is required to hold a spot for your child up to two weeks before start date. This is non-refundable but will be applied towards your first weeks payment. If you want a spot held for longer than two weeks you are responsible for paying the weekly rate due upon the designated time each week. If payment is not received your spot will not be held.
Admission Paperwork
Before I will assume responsibility of caring for your child I MUST have the following:
· Signed Parent/Policy Handbook Contract
· Signed Contract and Rate Agreement
· Signed Guidance Policy
· Paper work as required by licensing regulations
· Registration and General information forms
· Photo Release Form
PLEASE NOTE: All forms must be updated yearly.
Payment And Late Fees
All payments must be received by the end of day Friday before each contracted week of care. You will be charged $10 a day per child for each day payment is late starting with Saturday. Your child may not return to care until payment is received in full. Payment is required regardless of whether or not your child attends each day of your contracted hours.
I realize the financial burden that childcare places on parents, and hope parents understand that as a business childcare places financial burdens on the provider. These include, but are not limited to groceries, utilities, insurance, programming, toys and equipment. I also have a financial responsibility to my family.
Provider Holidays/Vacation
I will be taking the following Holidays with Pay. If the Holiday falls on the weekend I will take the Friday before or the Monday after the Holiday.
· New Years Day
· Memorial Day
· Fourth of July
· Labor Day
· Thanksgiving Day and the Day After Thanksgiving
· Christmas Day and the Day After Christmas
I will be taking either a weeks paid vacation or two weeks at half pay per year. I will try to give at least a months notice but not less than two weeks notice of when I am taking vacation.
If I or my son become ill and I am not able to care for your child you will not have to pay for that day unless I provide a substitute then full pay is required.
Parent Vacations
Parents have the option of taking one week of vacation without pay or two weeks at half pay per year. A minimum of two weeks notice is required of when you plan on taking your vacation.
Arrival/Departures
Children are to arrive dressed, cleaned and fed (unless arriving before a meal time). I prefer that there are no pick-ups or drop-offs during the designated daily quiet time.
You must sign your child in and out every day. Do not allow your child to come to the door alone or leave the house without you. This gives us both the opportunity to discuss any schedule changes for the day or anything else.
Child Abuse/Neglect
It is law and also my responsibility as a childcare provider to report any and all suspected abuse or neglect performed on a child. Therefore, I will notify the Police Department and Child Protective Services when it appears that a child in my care has been physically, sexually, or emotionally abused, neglected, or exploited.
Termination
The first two weeks of childcare are to be an adjustment period. It’s my responsibility to let the parent know if the child seems unhappy or the arrangement is unsatisfactory for any other reason. It’s the parent’s responsibility to let me know the same. The parent or myself can terminate the contract in writing during the adjustment period on or before the 14th day after care starts.
After this time a two week written notice will be required by the parent to myself. Payment is still required if the parent withdraws the child before notice is given, or at any given time during the notice. Two weeks payment may be paid in lieu of two weeks notice. Termination notice will NOT be accepted while provider or parents are on vacation.
I will provide parents with two weeks written notice if I am no longer able to care for your child. You are still responsible for paying the weekly fees during this notice regardless, of whether your child attends or not.
Reasons I would terminate our childcare agreement (but not solely limited to):
· Failure to comply with the policies set forth in this book.
· Failure to comply with the contract.
· Non-Payment of childcare fees or late and/or recurring late payment of fees.
· Failure to complete required forms.
· Blatant disrespect for provider or provider’s family.
Supplies
Parents are responsible for supplying the following:
· Bottles, Formula, Baby Food
· Diapers, Pull-Ups, Wipes
· A full change of clothing
· Toothbrush
· Any other supplies your child may need that I do not supply.
Toys
I provide a wide variety of toys for the children to play with. Please do not bring toys from home as the child often has a hard time sharing their toys with others. Exceptions to this are if your child has a special blanket or stuffed animal they need at quiet time they may bring it. It will be kept in their cubby until quiet time and returned to their cubby after quiet time.
Meals & Snacks
I will provide breakfast, lunch and two snacks depending on the hours your child is attending. The meal schedule I follow is listed below. If your child is here during those times, they will be served. Children who choose not to eat will not be served again until the next scheduled meal or snack time. If your child will be arriving after the scheduled meal times please feed them before they arrive. The menu plan is posted in the kitchen.
· 7:00-8:00 A.M. Breakfast
· 10:00-10:30 A.M. Snack
· 11:30-12:30 P.M. Lunch
· 3:00-3:30 P.M. Snack
If your child requires a special diet due to allergies, medications, age and/or culture or religious beliefs it will be the responsibility of the parent to provide meals and snacks for their child each day.
Child Illness
Under no circumstances should you bring your child to me if they are sick. If you are not sure if your child is well enough to attend childcare call and discuss it with me. If you are unable to stay home with your child make sure you have someone that can watch them for you. It is very important to have a backup person to take care of your child when they are sick or in the instance that I or my son is ill and I am unable to provide care. I have the right to refuse to care for a sick child. I would only do this if I thought it was in the best interest of your child and the other children in my care. If your child becomes sick while in my care you must pick them up within an hour after receiving my call. Your child may return to care after they are symptom free for 24 hours. A copy of the Health Department Guidelines for illnesses are included in the handbook.
Medications
If your child needs medication administered while in my care you must fill out and sign a permission to Administer Form. Medication must come in the original, labeled container.
Quiet Time
All children are required to lie down during quiet time each day. I will not force your child to sleep but they must lie down quietly as there will be other children sleeping. I use this time to catch up on paper work and to prepare for the afternoon activities.
Damages
It is expected that your child be respectful of my personal property and furnishings. A certain amount of “wear and tear” is normal, but if your child intentionally damages my property through destructive behavior or roughness, you will be liable for 100% of the replacement costs. This reimbursement is due with your next payment.
Open Door Policy
While your child is in my care, you can always be assured that the door is open to you. Open door does not mean that we keep our doors unlocked. For the safety of myself and the children doors are kept locked except for scheduled drop off and pick up times. Please feel free to drop in and check on your child, however, keep in mind that your child will want to leave with you if you pop in for a visit. I would appreciate your taking into consideration our schedule when dropping in or calling, and remember that visitors usually cause children to react in an excited manner that does not normally occur when I am alone with the children. Please keep in mind there may be times when I am unable to answer the phone. Simply leave me a voice mail and I will call you back as soon as I am able to.
Communication
Communication is very important to me. When I accept a new family into my home I like to be sure that we can share openly any concerns or questions that may arise. I feel that we are a team raising your child. If we can work together then your child can feel secure in knowing that they have two families who love them very much. I grow to love each child I keep very much and I am always glad to have a chance to be a part of their lives. It is important that there is a similar childcare philosophy between us.