PARENT HANDBOOK

ENVIORNMENT


My daycare is set up in an exclusive area of my basement, not shared by my living space.  I have a large learning area for the children.  Because play is a child's work I have organized the center to best accomodate their activities.  The large room is divided into the following "learning centers" listed below:  

Block Center

Literacy Center

Math & Science Center

Sensory Table

Computer

Circle Time Area

Library

Table Toys/Manipulatives

Listening Center

Arts & Crafts

Writing Center

Dramatic Play

This arrangement allows the children to make independent choices and work on fundamental skills.  I take pride in maintaining a well organized, clean and safe home.

Our outdoor area is fully fenced and allows children the space to run, hide, climb, throw, jump, pretend, and dream.

Every child has his/her own cubbie for their belongings and supplies.

CURRICULUM

I run a preschool curriculum for ages 2 to 5 years old.  Our program is a theme based program which helps children make connections across all developmental domains, learn new concepts, and vocabulary, and practice other early learning skills.

I feel it is important for the parents to be informed of our activites so each month you will be provided with a more detailed schedule of our monthly themes.

You will be able to receive pictures of your child participating in daily activities through our blog.  All children are assessed according to their age level throughout the year.  Parents will be given a copy of this assessment so you are aware of your child's success.  This will also ensure school readiness for your child.

We do celebrate holidays by having parties on Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, and Christmas.  We also have a Party for Dr Suess' Birthday. Thanksgiving is celebrated with a feast.  Children love to celebrate their birthdays and parents are welcome to bring a special treat on that day.

Keep in mind that our preschool starts at 8:30.  It is to your child's benefit to have them here when we start our activites at 9:15.  It is too difficult for your child to catch up with the class if he/she is late.

DAILY ACTIVITIES

Our daily activities consist of calendar, weather, Alphabet Fun, numbers & counting, colors & shapes, music movement & exercise, reading & language, creative art & writing, computer, science experiments, food & cooking, pledge, and group discussion regarding our theme of the day or week.  Small group activity and individual time, learning centers, and outdoor discovery (weather permiting) are also incorporated into our day.

NUTRITION

Your child will receive nutritious and balanced meals and snacks using the nutritional guidelines set by the KDHE.  If your child is here BY 9:00 there will be a morning snack.  If your child is here BY 11:00(for head count) they will have  lunch at 11:30 which consists of a meat, or protein, bread, two of the following, vegetable and or fruit, and milk.  Our afternoon snack is at 3:30.

Whether or not your child will like his/her fruit, veg, etc. every child receives the same food on their plate.  I encourage your child to taste the food, but I do not force them to eat it.

EXPECTATIONS OF YOUR CHILD 
  • Help others with clean up time.  Everyone is   encouraged to help their classmates.
  • No throwing or breaking toys.  No jumping on furniture.
  • Remove shoes at the front door.
  • Wash hands before and after meals/snacks and after toileting.  After playing outside use hand sanitizer or soap.
  • Participate in "quiet time" during naptime.  Whether or not your child comes late (due to over sleeping) they will still be required to lay down with the others.
  • Be respectful.
  • Refrain from physically or verbally aggressive behavior.  No rude comments.
  • Participate in circle time.
  • Clean up their napkin and or plate and cup during meals.
NEEDED MATERIALS FOR YOUR CHILD

  1. Change of clothing (if potty training more than one set).
  2. Childrens's pain reliever/medicine if needed.
  3. Blanket, small crib sheet, and/or small pillow.
  4. All paperwork on file before start date.
  5. Diapers or training pants and a box of wipes.      
It is of upmost importance that your child has a change of clothes, I have no spares.  Accidents do happen and I don't want your child embarassed or forced to wear soiled clothing.  Make sure the clothing you provide is for the appropriate season.

Please do not bring any toys to daycare.  I will not be responsible for lost or broken toys from your home.  This also causes too many problems between the kids.

Please do not bring any food, gum, or candy.  Please don't send your child in the door eating food, candy, etc.. or holding it in their hand.  This makes a hard situation for all the kids.  They want whatever your child has, and it's not fair for them to watch your child eat.  If you are wanting to bring something please make sure there is enough for everyone and we can share it at snack or meal time.

HEALTH & SAFETY
  • My daycare is governed by the Kansas Rules of family childcare.  Every year a criminal background check is done on me and all persons living in the home.
  • My daycare and home is smoke free.
  • All knives, sharp utensils, tools, medicines and cleaning products are out of the reach of young children.
  • All accessible outlets not in use are covered.
  • We practice fire and tornando drills.  I have a written plan for fire escape.  All children also know where to go in case of a tornado.
  • I also have a complete first aid kit, first aid training, and a fire extinguisher on hand.
  • I have done all I can to provide a safe environment for your child/children. 
 
TUITION AND HOURS

My childcare fees are very competitive and I have excellent references available.  At Little Foxes Childcare you are paying for a specific spot, NOT per hour or per day, so no discounts are given if your child does not come to care.  Weekly hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:15am to 5:30pm.  Little Foxes Childcare rate is $125.00 per child per week.  On the first of every month there is a $10.00 additional charge for preschool items.

DISCIPLINE

Discipline provides an opportunity to enable a child to develop self-control.  When a child is having a difficult time following directions or treating others or property with respect, developmentally appropriate guidance techniques will be used.  These techniques are as follows;
  1. Providing an example for children by speaking and interacting with them in a positive manner.
  2. Rewarding acceptable behavior.
  3. Redirecting a child to an alternate activity.
  4. Brief separation from the group.
I do not use nor do I believe in using any forms of physical or emotional punishment in dealing with children's misbehaviors.

ILLNESS POLICY

In order to ensure the health of the other children in my care and the attention given to them, I CANNOT CARE FOR SICK CHILDREN WHO ARE ILL/CONTAGIOUS.  PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR CHILD if (in the last 24 hours) he/she has had a fever higher than 100 degrees, vomiting, diarrhea, severe cough or excessive discharge from the nose or eye, unidentified rashes or any other contagious illness.  Ear infections are not contagious.  Strep throat is no longer contagious after the child has been on medicine for 24 hours.  Please check with me first.  The provider will notify the parent if the child shows any symptoms while in care and the parent will have one hour from time of noticiation to pick their child up.  Masking your child's symptoms with over-the-counter medications and bringing them to care anyway is not acceptable and could be caused for immediate termination.

Your child needs to be well and rested enough to participate in the normal activities of the daycare.  He/she cannot do this if he/she is not "feeling well".

It is not fair to the sick child that needs constant care to be at daycare where there are other children for the provider to care for.  Also, it is not fair to the other children.  Please take into consideration other families involved.

DO NOT SEND YOU CHILD if he or she has been diagnosed with a serious illness, infectious disease, or high fever.  You are required to notify me of the illness within 24 hours of the diagnosis so I may notify other parents.  When your child is 24 hour free of this they may return to care.

Separate towels, drinking cups, bedding, and personal articles are used for each child.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

Minor bumps and scrapes are ineveitable, but I make every effort to keep your children safe through supervision and child proofing.  Minor injuries will receive appropriate first aid, and if an emergency injury or illness occurs, you will be contacted immediately.  In the event of a life-threatening medical emergency, the provider will call 911 and then the parents.  If the parents cannot be reached, the provider will then call the persons listed on the Emergency Contact Form.  Parents are responsible for costs involved in emergency medical treatment, including transportation if required.

POTTY TRAINING

I will assist in potty training but it is your responsibility to start your child and continue his/her training while at home. Clothing should be easy to manage to encourage self-help skills.  Buckles, belts, overalls, and suspenders when in a hurry to use the bathroom may create a problem.  I also require that your child has thick training pants (not regular underwear) during this process.  When a child wears regular underwear and has an accident itgoes right onto the carpet/floor.  This is very unsanitary and unhealthy.

I will be happy to work with your child when he or she is ready and willing.

DONATIONS

Donations help me keep costs down so if you have any of the following items on hand and are willing to donate them, it would be greatly appreciated.  This is not mandatory.
  • Dress up clothing, costumes, hats, shoes, etc.
  • Magazines for cutting, especially ones like National Geographic that depict other cultures, or any that have lots of pictures of people, children, or animals.
  • Paper of any kind.  Brown, white, colored, waxed, napkins, etc.
  • Crayons, water color paints or any misc. art supplies such as fabric scraps, glitter, pipe cleaners, paper plates, buttons, etc.
  • Anything extra relating to our different themes. 
  • IDEAS!  We welcome any ideas that you may have for fun activites or crafts!!!
There is a lot of information here, thank you for taking the time to read the policy.  If any of my policies seem unfair or unnecessary, please take a moment to think about that policy and how it would apply to your current working situation.  These policies are enforced for the same reasons policies are enforced in any job situation-for fairness and respect.  If you have any questions please ask.

Now I ask of you, please do not drop your child off early or pick them up late.  Just as you, I also have a family, and after working 10 hour days, I continue my other chores and want to spend time with my husband and children.  I realize there may be a time when something happens that you can't control and you cannot be here on time so please call me as soon as possible.

Thank you and I look forward to working with you and the care of your child!

 

I/We have read and understand this daycare policy.

Parent Signature                                                                           Date                                                 

Parent Signature                                                                            Date                                                 

Childcare Provider Signature                                                       Date                                                

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