Philosophy
At our dayhome, we believe that it is through play that children learn best. We feel it is our role to provide quality, interesting and stimulating materials and equipment to facilitate this play. We will provide materials that meet a range of developmental levels. This creates an environment for each child to grow and learn at their individual pace, because each child is different and therefore grows and learns in their own unique way.
A lot of our "programming" occurs in the moment, taking advantage of simple every day learning opportunities. We strive to keep our focus on the children’s interests and will take our cues from them when planning our Program.
Loving Guidance
We believe that loving guidance centers around respect and responsibility. Each child is expected to be a respectful, responsible member of our group. This ranges from children cleaning up to using manners and politeness when speaking with others.
The only rules are those that are required to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all the children in our home. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES will any form of physical punishment or any form of abuse EVER be used!
To help in preventing problems, clear, consistent and simple limits will be established. These limits will be stated in a positive manner (ex. "please walk inside" rather than "don’t run"). In every instance ample time will be allowed to give children time to respond to the limit set, and the focus will be on the behavior not the children (ex. "running is not a safe way to move inside" rather than "you’re a bad boy - stop running!"). And of course, when the children are doing well we reinforce these appropriate behaviors both verbally and through gestures (ex. "it’s great to see you walking inside, being so safe!" or giving a high five).
Time-away (‘missing out’) may be used as loving guidance method.
Persistent refusal to follow the defined limits at times requires the child to be removed from the group. It is explained to the child as "when you cannot be safe with yourself and your friends/when you cannot play nicely, you cannot be a part of the group".
The child will be removed from the group and asked to go sit on the couch or at the table. They will be asked to sit for a few short minutes(a minute per child’s age) to calmdown, think about what behaviors are OK, and to let us know when they are ready to rejoin the group. Before rejoining the group we will briefly discuss what appropriate behavior is needed to be used to be a part of the group again.
Hours of Care
The Day home is opened from 7:00am to 5:30pm. Monday - Friday.
Our door is always locked for safety precautions, but Parents/Guardians are welcome to drop in at anytime. Please keep in mind that if you choose to stop in during the day to check in on your child(ren), you will be taking them home with you. It's confusing and unfair to them to have a parent/loved one arrive and then leave without them. Nap time is between 1:00pm and 2:30pm (or longer if needed) and we ask that you refrain from picking up your children during this time. It is unfair to all the children, to be woken up early from their naps.
Field Trip Policies and Procedures
A general daily outings/field trip form will be given to each parent to sign. This form states our daily walks, park trips, school runs, and all field trips. We either walk or take my vehicle. Prior to each outing the children will be told where we are going, what the boundaries and limits are, and what to do if they find themselves lost. Children not in a stroller will either be holding the stroller or using the "buddy system".
If the outing requires vehicle transportation each child will be buckled into their own seat belt or an appropriate car seat. Parents can provide their own car seat or can use ours. The Providers, Dana & Angela Campbell and family members will be released of liability for any injury or accident or illness occurring during travel times and field trips
Daily/Field trip and transportation agreement forms will be filled out.
Child sick/ Illness
-No fevers (without the aid of medication)
-No diarrhea
-No vomiting
-Lice (no nits or bugs present)
-No Pink eye or other eye infections
-Acute cold (fever, sore throat, green/yellow runny nose/eyes etc.)
-Hand/Foot/Mouth Disease - no sores/blisters present upon returning to care
-Must be away for 24 - 48 hours before returning and may need a doctor's note to return.
-If your child is to sick to go to school/preschool then they are too sick to be at the dayhome.
-Children who become sick through the corse of the day, parents will be getting a phone call and the child will need to get picked up right away. Please do not mask your child's symptoms with fever medication.
In the event we are unable to reach parents, we will go down the emergency contact list until someone is reached and able to pick up your child(ren). Parents ignoring our request to pick up their sick child(ren), may risk an immediate termination letter waiting for them at the end of the day.
For prescription medication, only the directions on the bottle will be accepted for administering the medication. In the event we should be administering medications a medication record form will be filled out. With any prescription medication children may not return to care until they have had a full 24 - 48 hours of dosage, to ensure there are no reactions to the medication and are well on the road to recovery. Prescribed medication that is not brought, your child will be refused at the door, until medication is brought. Full fees are still required when your child is sick or has been sent home sick or has been sent home because the medication has not been brought.
The Provider will use her discretion when excluding children from care.
I understand and respect your need to be at work, but your cooperation is extremely important on this.
Accident/Incident
Minor injuries will receive appropriate first aid. The Parent/Guardian will be informed of the minor injury upon arrival of picking up the child. A child leaving or arriving to the dayhome with large bumps, bruises and/or cuts will also be documented on an Accident/Incident form and both parties will sign it and receive a copy.
For an injury that requires immediate medical attention, wewill call 911 and administer any necessary first aid. The Parent/Guardian will be notified ASAP. If the Parent/Guardian cannot be reached, we will contact the emergency contact person listed. An Accident/Incident form will be completed and signed by the Parent/Guardian and Provider.
Parents are responsible for all costs involved in medical treatment obtained for their child, including but not limited to transportation to hospital or medical facility.
Snacks and Meals
Two snacks (morning and afternoon) and hot/cold lunch is provided. Although breakfast is NOT generally provided,we will often present a basic continental breakfast such as; toast, fresh fruit slices, milk and juice. Parents may also bring a breakfast, if their children are arriving before 7:30am and have particular tastes. Children that are still on baby formula and baby food, parents will need to provide it.
Drop Offs/Pickups
It is normal for some children to have difficulty separating from parents. Please make your drop off brief, the longer you prolong the departure, the harder it will be for your child. Children are always quick to get involved in play or activities as soon as parents are gone. Drop offs will ONLY be done at the dayhome.
Children dropped off early (before their scheduled contract time) or not picked up (by their scheduled contracted time) or by closing (which ever comes first) will be charged an overtime fee of$10/child/hour. Overtime fees are charged because we have family commitments that will be scheduled around each child's departures and that requires our dayhome to be closed on time.
In the event the Parent/Guardian will not personally be picking up the child; identification will be required for persons that the caregiver has not met before, for safety/security reasons.
Attendance
In the event that your children will be absent from the Day Home, please be courteous and call. If your child(ren) has/have not been dropped off within one hour of your contract drop off time and no previous arrangements have been made, your child(ren) may risk not being accepted into care that day as we may have activities planned that might prove to be too disrupted. Full fees are due regardless of your child(ren) being absent.
Nap/QuietTime
Nap/ Quiet time is between 1:00 pm and 2:30pm (or longer if needed) and we ask that you refrain from picking up your child(ren) during this time. It is unfair to all the children, to be woken up early from their naps. If your child does not nap, they are still required to have quiet time. Quiet time includes books, puzzles, coloring or watching a movie. In the event that your child falls asleep during this time. We will let them sleep and not attempt to wake them up. If your child still requires a morning nap, one will be provided.
Policy/Contract Changes
If any changes or adjustments are made to our dayhome policies; we will give notice ASAP, filling out a change of Policy/Contract form with both parties signing it. In the event that the Parent/Guardian would like to change their contract hours/days, Parents/Guardian needs to discuss changes with us ASAP and if we are able to accommodate them, a Policy/Contract form will be filled out with both parties signing it.
At our dayhome, we believe that it is through play that children learn best. We feel it is our role to provide quality, interesting and stimulating materials and equipment to facilitate this play. We will provide materials that meet a range of developmental levels. This creates an environment for each child to grow and learn at their individual pace, because each child is different and therefore grows and learns in their own unique way.
A lot of our "programming" occurs in the moment, taking advantage of simple every day learning opportunities. We strive to keep our focus on the children’s interests and will take our cues from them when planning our Program.
Loving Guidance
We believe that loving guidance centers around respect and responsibility. Each child is expected to be a respectful, responsible member of our group. This ranges from children cleaning up to using manners and politeness when speaking with others.
The only rules are those that are required to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all the children in our home. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES will any form of physical punishment or any form of abuse EVER be used!
To help in preventing problems, clear, consistent and simple limits will be established. These limits will be stated in a positive manner (ex. "please walk inside" rather than "don’t run"). In every instance ample time will be allowed to give children time to respond to the limit set, and the focus will be on the behavior not the children (ex. "running is not a safe way to move inside" rather than "you’re a bad boy - stop running!"). And of course, when the children are doing well we reinforce these appropriate behaviors both verbally and through gestures (ex. "it’s great to see you walking inside, being so safe!" or giving a high five).
Time-away (‘missing out’) may be used as loving guidance method.
Persistent refusal to follow the defined limits at times requires the child to be removed from the group. It is explained to the child as "when you cannot be safe with yourself and your friends/when you cannot play nicely, you cannot be a part of the group".
The child will be removed from the group and asked to go sit on the couch or at the table. They will be asked to sit for a few short minutes(a minute per child’s age) to calmdown, think about what behaviors are OK, and to let us know when they are ready to rejoin the group. Before rejoining the group we will briefly discuss what appropriate behavior is needed to be used to be a part of the group again.
Hours of Care
The Day home is opened from 7:00am to 5:30pm. Monday - Friday.
Our door is always locked for safety precautions, but Parents/Guardians are welcome to drop in at anytime. Please keep in mind that if you choose to stop in during the day to check in on your child(ren), you will be taking them home with you. It's confusing and unfair to them to have a parent/loved one arrive and then leave without them. Nap time is between 1:00pm and 2:30pm (or longer if needed) and we ask that you refrain from picking up your children during this time. It is unfair to all the children, to be woken up early from their naps.
Field Trip Policies and Procedures
A general daily outings/field trip form will be given to each parent to sign. This form states our daily walks, park trips, school runs, and all field trips. We either walk or take my vehicle. Prior to each outing the children will be told where we are going, what the boundaries and limits are, and what to do if they find themselves lost. Children not in a stroller will either be holding the stroller or using the "buddy system".
If the outing requires vehicle transportation each child will be buckled into their own seat belt or an appropriate car seat. Parents can provide their own car seat or can use ours. The Providers, Dana & Angela Campbell and family members will be released of liability for any injury or accident or illness occurring during travel times and field trips
Daily/Field trip and transportation agreement forms will be filled out.
Child sick/ Illness
-No fevers (without the aid of medication)
-No diarrhea
-No vomiting
-Lice (no nits or bugs present)
-No Pink eye or other eye infections
-Acute cold (fever, sore throat, green/yellow runny nose/eyes etc.)
-Hand/Foot/Mouth Disease - no sores/blisters present upon returning to care
-Must be away for 24 - 48 hours before returning and may need a doctor's note to return.
-If your child is to sick to go to school/preschool then they are too sick to be at the dayhome.
-Children who become sick through the corse of the day, parents will be getting a phone call and the child will need to get picked up right away. Please do not mask your child's symptoms with fever medication.
In the event we are unable to reach parents, we will go down the emergency contact list until someone is reached and able to pick up your child(ren). Parents ignoring our request to pick up their sick child(ren), may risk an immediate termination letter waiting for them at the end of the day.
For prescription medication, only the directions on the bottle will be accepted for administering the medication. In the event we should be administering medications a medication record form will be filled out. With any prescription medication children may not return to care until they have had a full 24 - 48 hours of dosage, to ensure there are no reactions to the medication and are well on the road to recovery. Prescribed medication that is not brought, your child will be refused at the door, until medication is brought. Full fees are still required when your child is sick or has been sent home sick or has been sent home because the medication has not been brought.
The Provider will use her discretion when excluding children from care.
I understand and respect your need to be at work, but your cooperation is extremely important on this.
Accident/Incident
Minor injuries will receive appropriate first aid. The Parent/Guardian will be informed of the minor injury upon arrival of picking up the child. A child leaving or arriving to the dayhome with large bumps, bruises and/or cuts will also be documented on an Accident/Incident form and both parties will sign it and receive a copy.
For an injury that requires immediate medical attention, wewill call 911 and administer any necessary first aid. The Parent/Guardian will be notified ASAP. If the Parent/Guardian cannot be reached, we will contact the emergency contact person listed. An Accident/Incident form will be completed and signed by the Parent/Guardian and Provider.
Parents are responsible for all costs involved in medical treatment obtained for their child, including but not limited to transportation to hospital or medical facility.
Snacks and Meals
Two snacks (morning and afternoon) and hot/cold lunch is provided. Although breakfast is NOT generally provided,we will often present a basic continental breakfast such as; toast, fresh fruit slices, milk and juice. Parents may also bring a breakfast, if their children are arriving before 7:30am and have particular tastes. Children that are still on baby formula and baby food, parents will need to provide it.
Drop Offs/Pickups
It is normal for some children to have difficulty separating from parents. Please make your drop off brief, the longer you prolong the departure, the harder it will be for your child. Children are always quick to get involved in play or activities as soon as parents are gone. Drop offs will ONLY be done at the dayhome.
Children dropped off early (before their scheduled contract time) or not picked up (by their scheduled contracted time) or by closing (which ever comes first) will be charged an overtime fee of$10/child/hour. Overtime fees are charged because we have family commitments that will be scheduled around each child's departures and that requires our dayhome to be closed on time.
In the event the Parent/Guardian will not personally be picking up the child; identification will be required for persons that the caregiver has not met before, for safety/security reasons.
Attendance
In the event that your children will be absent from the Day Home, please be courteous and call. If your child(ren) has/have not been dropped off within one hour of your contract drop off time and no previous arrangements have been made, your child(ren) may risk not being accepted into care that day as we may have activities planned that might prove to be too disrupted. Full fees are due regardless of your child(ren) being absent.
Nap/QuietTime
Nap/ Quiet time is between 1:00 pm and 2:30pm (or longer if needed) and we ask that you refrain from picking up your child(ren) during this time. It is unfair to all the children, to be woken up early from their naps. If your child does not nap, they are still required to have quiet time. Quiet time includes books, puzzles, coloring or watching a movie. In the event that your child falls asleep during this time. We will let them sleep and not attempt to wake them up. If your child still requires a morning nap, one will be provided.
Policy/Contract Changes
If any changes or adjustments are made to our dayhome policies; we will give notice ASAP, filling out a change of Policy/Contract form with both parties signing it. In the event that the Parent/Guardian would like to change their contract hours/days, Parents/Guardian needs to discuss changes with us ASAP and if we are able to accommodate them, a Policy/Contract form will be filled out with both parties signing it.