Adventures In Learning Child Care

Adventures In Learning Child Care

Handbook

I.Philosophy

Welcome to Adventures In Learning Child Care. It is the goal of this establishemt to give your child the opportunity to experience high quality educational care.

At Adventures In Learning, your child will build his/her cognitive, emotional, social, and physical skills through developmentally appropriate activities and play.

I am dedicated to helping each child reach his/her full potential. Your child's comforts and needs are always a priority. The care is personal and individualized to enhance your child's growth and self-esteem. Your questions, comments, and input are important so we can work as a team to achieve the very best experiences for your child.

Adventures In Learning is licensed by the State of Wisconsin - and is licensed to care for no more than eight (8) children at any one time - and it is inspected regularly to insure health and safety standards.

II. Hours Of Operation>

Hours of Operation Are From 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday.

III. Holidays, Vacations, and Snow Days

A. Religious & National Holidays: Parents who might have objections to recognition of religious or other holidays, such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, or Valentine's Day should so indicate to me so that proper arrangements can be made to respect you and your child's wishes.

B. Holidays: Adventures In Learning will be closed on the following days:

*New Years Day *Memorial Day *Good Friday *Independence Day *Labor Day *Thanksgiving and the Day After *Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and the day After

C. Vacations: Two weeks unpaid vacation will be taken every year (usually in summer). At least thirty days notice will be given to all parents.

D. Snow Days: Parents of full-time students will be required to pay for the scheduled care of their child/children who can not attend due to inclement weather.

IV. Admissions & Enrollment Adventures In Learning Child Care provides educational child care for children ages 18 months-6; and preferes full-time (more than six hours per day - five days per week) students, but will consider enrolling part-time students on an individual basis.

The following forms are requred by the State of Wisconsin and must be in your child's folder:

1. Registration form signed by parent or guardian
2. Complete record of immunizations
3. Written consent for child to receive medical treatment
4. A signed consent for a child to go on any trip off the premises, including walks.

V. Rates, Payments, Other Fees, & Written Notice

Adventures In Learning charges the following rates for all enrolled students ages 18 months - 6:

Anything over 30 hours per week is considered full-time and is charged at a weekly rate of $110.

Anything under 30 per week is charged at an hourly rate of $3.50.

You must still pay for your child's scheduled time - regardless of whether or not your child is here. Those days and times are reserved for your child . The only exception is when taking a vacation - or if you are on a layoff from your employment for more than two weeks - during those times - you will be charged half the weekly rate to hold your spot for your child.

B. Payments

Payments are due by the close of the business day each Friday for the current week's care. Bi-weekly payments are discouraged and will only be considered on a case by case basis. Social Service Child Care Funding payments will be accepted - the required co-payments will be payed in the same manner as described above. There will be a $5 a day late fee for each day payments are not received.

C. Other Fees

1. Registration: An initial non-refundable registration fee of $25.00 will be due upon enrollment.

2. Returned Checks. A charge of $30.00 will be assessed for any returned checks plus and additional late fee of $5 per day untill payment is made in full. Payments thereafter must be made by cash or money order.

3. Court Fees. Should it become necessary to go to court over non-payment of fees owed - court and attorney fees will be added to your bill.

VI. Probationary Period, Termination, and Written Notice

1. Probationary Period.- Every enrolled child is given a two week probationary period. If at the end of those two weeks either I or the child's parents believe the child is not benefitinq by being enrolled in the program - termination will take place with no penalties assessed to the parents.

2. Termination of Enrollment: for the following reasons:

A child may be discharged from the center for the following reasons:

*Failure of parent to pay
*Failure to complete required forms
*Lack of parental cooperation
*Failure of child to adjust to the center
*Failure to sign and date policy

Written Notice: Two weeks advanced written and paid notice is required if you wish to terminate your contract after the probationary period has expired. There will be no refund for early withdrawal. You will be given two weeks notice if it should become necessary to terminate your contract.

VII. A Typical Day (Times are approximate)

5:30-7:00 QUIET TIME: Children who arrive before 7:00 in the morning will be able to sit or rest quietly on their sleeping bags. They may do quiet activities and watch preschool programs.

7:00-8:00 BREAKFAST: All children arriving after 8:00 will be expected to have had breakfast before their arrival.

8:00-9:30 FREE CHOICE TIME: Can choose from a variety of activities and toys

10:00-11:00 STRUCTURED LEARNING TIME AND ART TIME: Activities during this period will be planned a week to week basis. Themes or skill based lesson plans will be posted and/or sent home on a weekly basis. Lesson plans will include carefully planned developmentally appropriate activities to help develop each child's growth in all areas. Circle time (group time) includes attendance, calendar, weather, alphabet, counting, sorgs, and stories. There will also be a daily art project that coincides with the weekly themes.

11:00-11:45 OUTSIDE TIME (Weather permitting)

11:30-12:30 Lunch

12:30-2:30 REST TIME

3:00-4:00 OUTSIDE TIME (Weather Permitting)

4:00-5:30 Free Choice Time & Departure

VII. Behaviour Management & Discipline Policy

When a child is having a difficult time following directions or treating others or equipment with respect, developmentally appropriate guidance techniques are used. These techniques are as follows:

A. Positive Reinforcement
B. Redirection
C. "When ... Then" Statements
D. "If .... Then" Stetements
E. Take A Break (Time-Out)

The Wisconsin Rules for Day Care Licensing state that punishment which is humiliating or frightening to a child, such as hitting, spanking, verbal or sexual abuse, with holding or forcing food or punishment for lapsing in toilet training and other forms of punishment are prohibited.

VIII. Meals and Snacks

A. Mealtimes: Well-balanced lunches, mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks will be provided. All children arriving prior to 8:00 will be offered breakfast.

B. Menus: Monthly menus will be posted and/or sent home with the child.

I am a participant in the USDA WECA Food Program.

IX. Health and Safety Practices

A. Handwashing. Hands will be washed before and after meals, after bathroom use, after nose blowing and wipirg and after handling an ill child.

B. Toys and Equipment: Toys will be sterilized daily or as needed with the recommended bleach solution.

C. Fire Drills: Practice drills will be conducted a minimum of once monthly and recorded on record sheets.

D. Accidents and Injuries: First aid will be administered to a child needirg care. Each accident will be recorded in an accident log and report. Serious accidents will be reported to the Department of Social and Health Service.

E. Insurance: Adventures In Learning Child Care and it's premises is covered by liability insurance.

F. Release of Children: Children will absolutely NOT be released to anyone except those authorized to pick up the child on the enrollement form. In the event you wish another adult to pick up the child, it would require that you give written permission in advance or a phone call to verify.

G. Reporting Child Abuse: Wisconsin State Law and Licensing states that child care facilities are required to report immediately to the police and child protective services any reason to suspect child abuse, neglect, or exploitation. I am not obligated to inform parents/guardians of this report.

H. Medical Emergencies: In the event of a medical emergency, 911 will be called first, then the parents or guardian will be contacted as soon as possible. If the parent/guardian can not be reached the directions on the enrollment form will be followed.

Medication may be administered under the following conditions:

A. Consent: Written parental consent is required to administer any medication.

B. Prescription Medication: All prescription medication must be in its original container and properly labeled with the child's full name, date prescription was filled or medication's such as manufacturer's instruction or prescription label.

C. Non-Prescription Medication: The following classifications can be given with written parental consent only as to the dose, duration, and method of administration specified on the manufacturer's label for the age or weight of the child needing medication. The following is a list of acceptable non-prescription medication:

1. Antihistamines
2. Non-aspirin fever reducers/pain relievers
3. Decongestants
4. Anti-itching ointments or lotions
5. Diaper ointments and powders
6. Sun screen

XI. Sickness/Ilines:

In order to provide the best possible care, and to minimize the risk of spreading infection and illness, parents are asked not to bring a child if he/she is vomitting, or has any contagious illness, severe cold, or diarrhea. Parents are responsible for supplying children's medicines. If your child becomes ill, he/she will be isolated within sight or sound and you will be notified immediately - and you may be required to pick the child up - depending upon the circumstances. Children not well enough to go outside should not be at the center with other children. Parents must notify the center if the illness is contagious (ex. pink eye, strep throat).

Keep your child at home if he/she has:

1. Rectal temperature over 101
2. Pink Eye
3. Croup or Bronchitis which can begin with hoarseness, cough and a slight elevation in temperature.
4. Rashes that you cannot identify or that have been diagnosed by a physlican.
5. Impetigo of the skin.
6. Diarrhea
7. Vomitting
8. Sever cold with fever, sneezing, and discolored nose drainage>
9. If a doctor diagnosis an ear or throat infection, for example, and places the child on an antibiotic, the child should not be brought to the center until he/she has been on the medication for 24 hours.
10. Head lice

XII. Field Trips

Written authorization is required for parents to fill out before their child may attend a field trip including walks. Parents are always welcome and encouraged to attend.

XIII. Adjustment

A. What Is Normal: it is normal for your child to have some fears and misgivings about being away from you. Children, like adults, need time to get used to new situations. Try to prepare your child for the changes as for in advanced as possible. Discuss any concerns. Talk about some of the new people your child will meet and the new things your child will do. If you are enthusiastic, soon your child will be too.

B. First Experience: If this is the first time your child has been separated from you, it is natural for him/her to be hesitant. A cheeful good-bye kiss, a smile and a reassuring word that you will be back after work or school is all you need to do. Usually the child will settle down shortly after you leave.

XIV. Children's Supplies and Visitations

A. Children's Supplies: Parents are requested to supply those items necessary for the proper care of your child:

1. Two complete sets of clothing with child's name
2. Wipes (if needed)
3. Diapers (if needed)
4. Necessary medications
5. Crayon box with: crayons, markers, scissors, glue sticks
6. Sleeping Bag

B. Toys From Home: I prefer that children do not bring toys from home to play with at the center - especially new toys.

C. Visitation: We have an "open door" policy. Parents have free access at all times to all areas used by children and are encouraged to visit.

D. Absence Of Teacher: In cases where I will be abscent - my husband Lyle will be the emergancy back-up provider. In a cases where an emergancy arises that requires bothmyself and my husband parents willbe notified as soon as possible in order that they can make other arrangeemts for care for that time period.

E. Complaint Policy: If a parent has any concerns whatsoever about his/her child's participation in the center's program, parents are welcome to talk freely with me at anytime when appropriate. The policy of this center is to provide an open communication system between parents and myself that will be beneficial to the child's happiness

XV.Summation

All children enrolled in this facility are treated with love and respect - and are provided with the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of activities. My most fundamental objective is to provide for your child a safe, clean and loving environment, in which each child will feel that he/she is loved, valued and wanted.

I have read and understand the above to be the policies of Adventures In Learning Child Care.

Parent/Guardian

Parent/Guardian

Date

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