Hours of Operation:

Daycare is open Monday –Friday 7:30am-5:30pm (early am drop -offs and late pick- ups can be arranged for an additional fee).  Childcare is also available on weekends , evenings and I am available for drop-in (as needed) care.  Please remember your fee is based on the hours you contract for, not the hours that I am open.  I will provide care for you child between the hours of 7:30a.m. and 5:30p.m.  You are scheduled for childcare @ the above hours.  If you drop-off before or pick-up after these scheduled hours, you will be charged an additional fee.  The late fee is as follows: I will charge an overtime rate of $1.00 per minute that you are late unless it is pre-arranged.  Any child that is here after closing time and I have not heard from their parents will be handled as follows: I will call the parents at 5:45, followed by the emergency contact at 6:00 and then at 6:30 the local police will be notified along with DSS. The fee for pre-arranged overtime is $10 per hour. This is to assure that your children are picked up on time.  Late drop-offs do NOT constitute late pick-ups.  I love my job but this is a job and my time is valuable to both your family and mine.

Your weekly rate is $200.00 payable on each Friday. This contract is valid from January 1, 2010-April 30, 2010.

Fees:

My fee for daycare is based on the contracted hours and is payable weekly on the last day of care for that week.  I require payments to be made attendance or not, no exceptions.  A late fee of $10.00 per day will be charged for payment not received until said payment is received. It is imperative that you make your payments on time. There is a $50 return check fee for any checks that are returned to me for insufficient funds.  In addition, the parent will pay for all expenses incurred to the provider’s account resulting from the returned check.  In the event of a second returned check, payments must be made in cash. 

A registration fee equal to one weeks pay, will hold a place for your child.  This fee will be applied to your last week of care when you decide to depart from Lori’s Family Daycare.  A year end statement of all daycare fees paid for the year will be given to you in January of the next year for tax purposes.

Trial Period and Termination:

A two week trial period will be given, upon enrollment, to determine the suitability of the arrangements.  If at any time during the two weeks, the arrangement has not proven workable, termination may be given.  If, however, you are happy with the care that your child is receiving and your child is settling in to his/her new surroundings, then we will enter into a permanent contract.  I do require a one month notice, in writing, if you intend to withdraw your child from my care.  The last week of this notice is paid in advance by your initial registration fee.  Examples of why I would terminate your child’s care include:

1. I decide to move

2. Failure of parent to pay

3. Failure to complete required forms

4. Lack of parental cooperation

5. Failure of child to adjust after a reasonable amount of time.

6. My inability to meet the child’s needs without additional staff.

You are still required to pay for the last 2 weeks even if your child does not attend daycare.

****Each calendar year a family may take 1 week vacation (5 days) at one half the weekly rate.  If no notice, or less than 2 weeks notice is given you will be charged the full weekly rate.  Additional weeks will be charged at the regular weekly rate regardless of how many weeks you are taking off. If I plan on taking any time off I will give you minimum one month notice so that you can find alternate care for your child. You will be required to pay for 2 weeks (10 days) of my vacation per calendar year. If I take any other time off aside from sick time you will not be required to pay your daily rate.

Sick Days will be handled as follows:

You will be required to pay for any days that your child doesn’t come to daycare.  Sick days are not an unpaid day.

Illness

I ask that you have a backup person that you can call if your child is sick and you are unable to stay home from work.  If I get sick I will let you know ASAP so that you can make other arrangements for your child.  I will try to call the night before, but sometimes that is impossible.  If I wake up sick, I will call you by 6:30 am.

I will not care for a child who is feverish, is vomiting, has diarrhea, or a constant runny nose or a cough of any kind.  If your child is not feeling well, he/she should remain at home until he is symptom free or has been on an antibiotic for 24 hours, to prevent the spread of the illness.  YOU MUST WAIT 24 HOURS.  All the children use the same restroom and they often “mouth” the same toys.  They are often affectionate with each other and it is very difficult as a provider to keep a sick child from infecting everyone else.  Illness is defined as: fever, conjunctivitis (pink eye) or “cold in the eye”, flu, unusual rash/bumps, severe cough, vomiting, yellowish skin or eyes, diarrhea, head lice or contagious illness of any sort which results in the child being too ill to participate in daily activities. 

I will not accept the child for care if any of the above symptoms are present or have been present within the last 24 hours.  If the child shows or develops any of the symptoms while in care, I will remove him/her from the group and notify the parent or authorized adult to pick up the child.  Parents will have one hour from time of notification to pick up the child.

The child may return 24 hours after the temperature has returned to normal, 24 hours after the child is no longer vomiting, or 24-48 hours(depending on the illness) after the first dose of an antibiotic. 

Medications that need to be administered while your child is at daycare must be in the original container and labeled with the childs name, doctors name, name of medication, dosage and when to be taken.  I will also have a form for you to sign giving me permission to give this medication to your child. Medication will be administered at the time or with the meal you specify and a written record will be kept.

Injuries & Other Emergencies

Minor cuts and abrasions suffered while at the center will receive proper care—specifically, they will be washed with soap and water and properly bandaged.  Treatment will be logged and I will tell you how and when the injury occurred.  I am also required by law to log any injuries I observe on your child which have occurred outside of my care.

If a medical emergency arises, I will try to contact a parent first, unless doing so endangers the child’s life.  In that case I will take necessary steps, putting the child first (calling 911, the hospital, doctor, poison control, etc).  If a parent is unable to reached I will call the next person on your emergency contact list.

If I become unable to supervise the children during the day due to sudden illness, my backup will be my sister in law, Roselyn.  She is often here and is familiar with my home, my business and most importantly, the children.

Releasing Your Child

My normal procedure is to release the child only to his/her parents or another adult designated by the parents.  If someone other than the parent is to pick the child up, please notify me ahead of time.  A verbal notice is fine on that day if this person is on the list of those authorized to pick up your child.  If the person is not on that list, I must have written permission to release your child, no exceptions.  One of the forms you are required to complete designates who may pick the child up if there is an emergency and you cannot contact me.   Please make sure those listed are persons with whom you would allow your child to leave with if that person showed up at my door and said, “I need to take Johnny with me.”  Those on the list should also be people I could call in the event something happened and you did not show up to pick up your child. 

Please inform your emergency contacts that if I do not know them and the child is too young to recognize them (“Hi, Grandma”) that I will ask for identification.  I do not mean to offend them.  This is simply a measure taken for the child’s protection.

Adjustment

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 and unfamiliar situations.  Try to prepare your child for the changes as far in advance 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.  If this is the first time your child has been separated from you, it is natural for him/her to be hesitant.  A cheerful good-bye kiss, a smile, and a reassuring word that you will be back after work is all you need to do. 

Common Behaviors:

1. Clinging to you and refusing to let go
2. Having tantrums
3. Forgetting their toilet training
4. Not eating
5. Waking up at night or having bad dreams
6. Thumb sucking
7. Bed wetting
8. Expressing desire to stay home

What to do:  Usually these problems are temporary.  If your child is treated lovingly but firmly, this behavior should go away.  Please feel free to e-mail (Lori1079@aol.com) or call me throughout the day to check in. 

Daily Schedule

Infant’s schedules are individualized to meet the child’s needs. Infants will not necessarily follow the same schedule as the toddlers and preschoolers as they are not capable of sitting still for circle time, may need a morning nap, etc. Infants are always fed on demand and toddlers/pre-schoolers usually eat meals and snacks at a designated time.  For this reason among others, out daily schedule is not “set in stone.” While the older children engage in free play or nap I try to take some time to play with the infants and toddlers (especially the infants—toddlers often play alongside the older children).  Feeding times and diaper changing times are good times for interaction with infants and toddlers. Of course, children develop differently, and whenever the “wee ones” wish to join in with the older children (unless it is not a safe activity for them), they will be allowed.

The following is an example of our typical day:

Early Morning

7:30-9:00 Children arrive.  Breakfast is served to those that need it.  Those who don’t need breakfast will take this time to do a quiet activity.  Diapers are changed, potty is used and hands are washed.

9:00-9:30 Children choose books that they want read during “circle time”.  This is also when we talk about the day’s weather and touch on the theme we are concentrating on for that month. 

9:30-10:30 Children will participate in a group activity such as arts and crafts, painting, drawing, etc.

10:30-11:30 Free play and prep for lunch.  Diapers are changed, potty is used and hands are washed.

11:30-12:00 Lunch will be served family-style and conversation. Clean-up.

12:00-2:30 Everyone (except, perhaps, for a baby who just woke up) has a rest period.  Pre-school children who can’t sleep rest with a quiet activity, such as a book.  As children wake up, diapers are changed, potty is used and hands are washed. 

Afternoon Activities

2:30-3:00 Children have a snack together. 

3:00-4:00 Active indoor or outdoor play(weather permitting).  Personal cleanup follows to prepare for going home.

Late Afternoon/Evening

4:00-4:45 Free play

4:45-5:00 Group story time, singing or quiet activity

5:00-6:00 Children depart at staggered times.  Projects are assembled and diapers are changed.  Free play until parents arrive.

If your child will be arriving late or not attending for any reason, you must call by 9:00 am to inform me so that I am not looking for or waiting for your child to arrive. Also, late arrivals are a distraction to the routine and to your child.  I will track attendance and any illnesses will be recorded.

Outdoor Play

Please dress your child appropriately for the current weather and in clothes that are designated as “play clothes” for outdoor activities.  When the weather cooperates we will spend time outdoors.  I take reasonable precautions to keep the children as clean as possible and to keep their clothing from becoming damaged.  Daily outdoor activity is very important for young children and is a regularly planned activity.  A child who is well enough to come to daycare is well enough to play outdoors. I will not keep the children indoors because one child isn’t feeling well, that is simply unfair so please do not ask or assume that.  You can help your child enjoy outdoor activities by making sure that he/she is dressed properly for the weather.  Children will play outside everyday, weather permitting. This provides fresh air and movement needed daily for your child’s general well being and healthy development. 

What To Bring/Not Bring With Your Child Each Day:

Children are to be neatly dressed, groomed and in clean clothes (and diapers) upon arrival.  Bringing items from home is strongly discouraged-except for naptime accessories.  These things get lost, broken and the children tend not to want to share things from home. Blankets and pillows used for naptime will be sent home at the end of the week for laundering.  The following is a list of things your child should come to daycare with each day:

1. a spare set of clothing (3 sets if toilet training), labeled with child’s name
2. enough diapers/pull-ups for the day
3. sippy cup labeled with child’s name or baby bottles
4. naptime necessities such as their special blanket or teddy bear
5. formula and baby foods for infants

Nap and Rest Time

All children participate in rest or nap time in the afternoon.  Please do not ask me to keep a child awake during naptime.  If the child falls asleep then he/she must need the rest.  If at any time your child is not sleeping at night, or he doesn't seem ready to go to bed and you feel it is because he sleeps too long here, don't hesitate to mention it to me and I can try waking him up a little earlier than he is used to getting up.

Each child will have a cot (or pack n play for infants) and will be encouraged to rest quietly.  Children are welcome to have their security objects from home if needed.

Meals and Snacks

I serve breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack each day as part of my program. Breakfast is a bread product, fruit, and milk. Lunch consists of a meat, bread product, vegetable, fruit, and milk. Each snack includes food or drink from two of the above mentioned groups. Sweets may be included occasionally. Please do not send snacks or candy with your child to day care unless prior approval has been given. If your child does not finish eating at home before he/she comes in the morning, remember we eat breakfast no later than 9:00 a.m.

If your child has an allergy to a specific food, please let me know and I will try to make an appropriate substitution. If a child has so many allergies that he can not eat from the menu, I may require the parents to provide his lunch and/or snacks.

I participate in the Child Care Food Program, which means I am reimbursed a certain amount for each snack and meal I serve. One requirement for the program is I must plan a menu that meets the nutritional requirements. I will e-mail a copy of the menu to you each week.  

I never force a child to finish what is on his plate, but I do encourage each child to try one or two bites of everything. Sometimes they are surprised by what they like! Occasionally I have had problems with children who only wanted to eat chips or fruit, etc. When this occurs on a regular basis I may give that child just the main dish and vegetable on his plate to start, adding the other elements when a few bites of the main dish and vegetable have been tried.

I do not always start claiming children on the food program until they can eat table food, so until this time I ask that the parents provide the child's food and milk or juice, if the child is not claimed. There are a couple of reasons this decision might be made:

1. The child's pediatrician has a different time schedule for introducing different types of food than the Food Program outlines.
2. The parents prefer to provide all the child's food in order to know exactly what brand of everything went into the baby's system and exactly how it was fixed.
3. The child is having a real hard time with allergies, etc., and has to keep changing his formula and/or foods.

Toilet Training

When you feel your child is ready for toilet training, please let me know.  I ask that you being teaching this at home and I will follow through and encourage your child while in my care.  Please keep in mind that the activity level here can distract your child from responding to an urge to use the potty, more so than at your home.  Therefore, I will continue to use diapers or pull-ups until your child can and will announce that he/she must use the bathroom (not just at home, but here also) and can control his/her bladder and bowels for a few minutes beyond that announcement.  When the child has reached this point, training pants with plastic pants may be used. 

During toilet training parents will need to supply:

1. 3 complete changes of clothing
2. 6 training pants
3. 6 plastic pants
4. diapers or pull-ups for naptime

When accidents are only happening every other week or so, training pants will be used without plastic pants.

Discipline

I try to stress to main patterns of behavior: respect for people and respect for property.  As a result, I don’t allow children to hit or shove other children or verbally abuse them.  I also stress that they treat material possessions (mine or theirs) with respect. There is a difference between playing hard, and using a toy for a purpose for which it was not intended.  For example, books are for looking at, not tearing pages out of, and toy brooms are for sweeping, not for bashing the kitchen set with.

Occasionally, children do not behave in respectful ways.  I first remind them of the proper behavior.  If the behavior is repeated, a “time out” is used.  The amount of time a child is in a “time out” varies according to age.  Most experts agree that one minute per year of age is the most affective length of time.  When the “time out” is up, I talk to the child and try to explain why that behavior is inappropriate.  I might ask “What might happen if we continue to throw toys?”  The appropriate answers usually come out: something might get broken, the toy might break, someone might get hit by the toy.  If a child still has not calmed down or is really belligerent at this point I try to separate them from the other children with a quiet activity.  If a child continues to abuse a certain toy the privilege of playing with that toy may be taken away from him for a period of several minutes up to the rest of the day. If the whole group of children is engaged in this, the toy will be considered "closed" for a while. For example, one day I caught the boys throwing the tools and climbing on the workbench. I reminded them that the workbench was not to be played with in this way, and they continued by turning it upside down and climbing on it that way. The workbench was "closed" for the rest of the day, and the next day we had no problems with it.

If a child continues to behave inappropriately, I will talk to you about it. Hopefully these two types of behaviors are ones you want your child to adopt, too, so they will be reinforced at home. If that is the case, we shouldn't have any major problems!

Children are never punished for lapses in toilet training or for accidents (spilled milk, for example). In the case of the latter, I will have the child help me clean up, if possible, not for punishment, but to help teach responsibility.

Positive reinforcement and redirection will also be practiced. The child will be encouraged when he/she is demonstrating acceptable behavior.  The child will be redirected when exhibiting unacceptable behavior; this gives them another opportunity to demonstrate acceptable behavior before a “time out” is used.

Communication

Communication between parents and the provider is essential if your child is to receive consistent, nurturing care.  When I accept a new family into my business, I like to be sure that we can share openly any concerns or questions that may rise.  It is important that there is a similar childcare philosophy between us.  I welcome questions, feedback, or discussions of any kind that affect a positive outcome for the child.  Your child will be happy to have the experience of the special people in his life working together and getting along with each other.  This will allow your child to develop a sense of security and will allow us to develop a closer relationship.  I am willing to work with you regarding any special needs or situations with your child.  Please feel free to call me evenings until 9pm to discuss any problems or concerns. Any information you share with me will remain confidential.