Children are to arrive clean and dressed for the day. I will try my best to send your child home with a clean and would appreciate the same consideration when you drop off.

I prefer that there are no pick-ups or drop-offs during the designated daily naptime/quiet-time, but if it is necessary, please be as quiet and brief as possible. Children who arrive during naptime will be expected to remain quiet (that may read quietly) until naptime is over, so that the others will not be disrupted.

It is normal for some children to have difficulty separating from parents or cry when dropping off. Please make your drop off brief, the longer you prolong the departure, the harder it gets. A smile, cheerful good-bye kiss, and a reassuring word that you will be back are all that is needed. In my experience, children are nearly always quick to get involved in play or activities as soon as parents are gone.

Please be brief at pick-up times as well. This a time of testing, when two different authority figures are present (the parent and the provider). All children will test to see if the rules still apply. During arrival and departure, I expect parents to back up our rules (see House Rules), but if you do not, I will remind the child that their behavior is inappropriate and take action to correct, if needed. Please be in control of your child during pick-up times.

Drop-off and pick-up times are not good times to discuss serious problems. Little ears and minds hear and understand everything. I am not comfortable discussing children in the presence of anyone, but their parents. Topics that concern day-today events or light-hearted discussions are fine.

VISITATIONS

Punkin Patch Family Child Care maintains an "open door" policy during childcare hours. Parents are welcome to call or drop in to see their children. However, I ask that you take into consideration our schedule when dropping in or calling; and unless necessary, avoid disturbing the children's naptime/quite-time (12:30 - 2:30). Remember that visitors usually cause children to react in an excited manner that does not normally occur when I am alone with the children. If you call during the day, please be aware that I may be busy with the children and may not be able to answer the phone. If you would leave a message, I will call you back as soon as possible.

Open door policy does NOT mean that our doors will be kept unlocked. I believe that it is extremely important to keep the doors locked for the safety of the children. We do not want unwanted or unexpected visitors to enter without our permission or knowledge. We also do not want little ones leaving the house unsupervised.

ACTIVITIES & CURRICULUM

The main goal of Punkin Patch is to have fun, improve social skills, and encourage creative expression. We will utilize a variety of activities to accomplish this goal. Freeplay, reading, arts and crafts, music/singing, dramatic/pretend play, puzzles and educational TV/videos are just some of the activities we will be doing.

Television will be used as a tool to help children unwind and relax. We usually watch no more than an hour or two of television per day, and some days none at all. The exception may be on rainy days, or if we are having a particularly difficult day. Viewing will be limited to educational TV and child-friendly, educational-style videos. Occasionally we may watch a Disney movie. I carefully screen everything the children watch by either watching along with the children or making sure the video is one that I have previously viewed.

Children will have a variety of toys readily available to them including many educational toys readily available to them including many educational toys. The children may also participate in small chores such asa helping set the table, clearing the table, helping to prepare some lunches and snacks, and baking cookies. During the summer, children also enjoy gardening and watching things grow. Studies have shown that these types of activities nurture a sense of well being and belonging in children, and contributes towards the development of self-esteem.

Children ages 2.5 and older will participate in a year round, daily preschool curriculum. This will include a variety of activities ranging from art and craft projects to games, songs, fingerplays, storytime, science and much more. The goal of the preschool activities is to have fun, and provide a little extra learning stimulation for the older children. It will not be a rigorous academic program as young children still learn best from participating in and observing the environment around them. Younger children will be able to use the computer with supervision until they are capable of using it on their own.

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