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DAHDAH Daycare Handbook/Contract
MY CHILD CARE PHILOSOPHY:
As a child care provider, my goal is to provide a safe and happy place
where children can learn and grow physically, emotionally, intellectually and socially at their own pace.
I give the
children in my care opportunities to learn in a family-like setting with a mixed age groups, where they can feel safe and
loved, and can begin to build a positive self image. Your child will receive quality personal and individualized care in a
warm and loving home. Your child will have the opportunity to gain practice in language, fine motor, large motor and self-help
skills.
I understand the needs of parents, being a parent myself, and I try to provide a day care situation that I
would want my own children to be apart of if I were still working outside the home.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Normal hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Please do not drop your child
off any earlier than 7:30 am or pick up your child any later than 5:30pm. Your specific hours will be outlined in your
Contract and Rate Agreement.
I require two weeks notice if you need to change the hours required. If those changes
need to take effect immediately, then two weeks at the regular fees rate will be required before the new fee schedule will
take effect. I also reserve the right to terminate our agreement if the new hours will not work well for my childcare business.
I offer both full-time and part-time care. Full time positions will generally be preferred over part-time positions.
I reserve the right to terminate a part- time position, if the position can be filled with a full time family. You may opt
to pay for a full-time slot in order to keep your part-time position.
Parent Initials:_____________
COMMUNICATION:
Communication is very important to me. 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 arise. It is important that there is a similar child care philosophy between
us. I welcome questions, feedback, or discussions of any kind that are oriented towards a positive outcome for the child(ren).
It is only through parent/provider interaction that a goal of quality, nurturing care can be achieved. Sensitive issues will
be discussed in private outside of regular childcare hours either by telephone or conference.
Conferences will not
be scheduled as a routine part of your child's care; however, should you like to have a conference, you may request one at
any time.
You are encouraged to call me at any time. 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 on my voice mail, I will call you
back as soon as possible. The best time to call during the day is early afternoon.
I am looking forward to a terrific
relationship with you and your child!
ENROLLMENT POLICY:
There are several forms that
I must have completed and in my possession before I can assume the responsibility of caring for your child. The forms are
as follows:
Signed Contract and Rate Agreement
Child Profile/Information Sheet
Contact Information
Sheet
Authorization for Consent for Emergency Treatment
Permission and Consent Form
Please keep me
informed of any change in addresses, telephone numbers, and other pertinent information listed on any/all of the above forms.
If you have any questions regarding the completion of these forms, please feel free to ask.
Parents Initials: __________
SECURITY DEPOSIT:
Before your child is admitted into childcare, I request a two-week
security deposit. This deposit is to hold your space for childcare before your child starts at Dahdah Daycare. and will be
credited towards your first two weeks of childcare when your child starts at Dahdah Day Care. Deposits are equal to your normal
weekly fee.
Parents Initials: ________
PAYMENT PROCEDURES:
Your specific rates
will be outlined in your Contract and Rate Agreement form. Payment is payable each Thursday afternoon at pick up time.
Cash
would be preferred, however checks will also be accepted. However, if a check is returned to me for non-sufficient funds,
you will be required to pay all fees that I incur as a result of the returned check. In addition, I will only accept cash
payment from you from that point forward.
I will give you a minimum of two week's notice of any increase in your childcare
fee.
There are a limited number of spaces available, and a space has been reserved for your child that cannot be filled
on a short-term basis. Therefore, weekly payments are not based on child's attendance. No refunds are given for late arrivals/early
departures, or exclusion due to illness.
The day care will be closed for all statutory holidays and civic holidays
and payments of fees will not vary. If your child would normally attend daycare on that day, you will be required to make
payment for that day.
Parents Initials: ________
OTHER FEES:
An overtime
fee of $5.00 per 30-minute increment past 5:30 p.m. will be charged. I have a very busy family schedule after 5:30, hence
the fee is in place to discourage late pick up.
Parents Initials: ________
PROVIDER VACATION
& ABSENCES:
Each year the day care will be closed for Christmas Holidays. These holidays will start the
week of Christmas and finish the day following New Years Day. You will still be required to pay for the stat holidays that
fall during that time, along with those that follow the rest of the year.
The daycare MAY also be closed for up to
three weeks vacation during the year. I try to base these vacation days in conjunction with the day care parents holidays
so as to be less disruptive to everyone involved with the day care.
I will try to give notification of at least four
weeks prior to any closed days, with the exception of emergencies or illness.
No payment of fees will be expected
for holidays that are pre-arranged by the provider.
Although I will make every effort to be available each day, there
may be occasions when I am not able to provide service. You will be notified as soon as possible of any personal or family
illness, funeral or emergency. No payment of fees will be expected during these times. It will be your responsibility to obtain
substitute care on such occasions. I strongly suggest that you have a family member, a friend, or a substitute provider lined
up for the times that I am closed due to illness or emergency.
Parents are responsible for finding back-up care during
provider absences.
Parent Initials: ________
PARENT VACATION AND ABSENCES:
Parents
of full-time daycare children may take ten days per year vacation where payment of fees will not be expected
provided two weeks advance notice is given. After these ten days, I will require you to pay the regular weekly fee for each
week that your child is not in attendance.
Parents of part-time daycare children may take five days per year vacation where payment of fees will not be expected
provided two weeks advance notice is given. After these five days, I will require you to pay the regular weekly fee for each
week that your child is not in attendance.
If your child is away from the daycare ill, the daycare provider will
still require full payment.
*If childcare is not required during the months of July and August, you will be required
to pay the full time rate per child for a minimum of 2 days per week. The regular 10 or 5 vacation days for each year will
not be available to you from DAHDAH Daycare as you will be requiring time off through the summer months.
Parent Initials:
________
TAXES
I will supply you with a year-end summary of all day care fees paid during
the year for tax purposes. This will be given to you in February of each year. You may request your receipt earlier if services
have been terminated.
Parents Initials: ________
TRIAL PERIOD & GIVING NOTICE:
All
new children will be cared for a two-week (14-day) trial period beginning on your child's first actual day of care. During
that time the parent or provider may terminate the childcare agreement with 24 hours notice.
After the trial period,
a two-week's written notice is required by either party to terminate the agreement. If two weeks notice is not given, the
security deposit will be used to cover the last two weeks of care.
I will also give notice if the child is to be terminated
from care. Any abuse or violation of the rules/policies of the contract/handbook may be just cause for termination.
Immediate
termination can occur for behaviour problems, or dangerous parental situations. If I, for the above or any other reason to
be at my discretion, give immediate termination, your deposit will be refunded.
Parents Initials: ________
ARRIVAL
AND DEPARTURE:
Please send your child clean, dressed for the day and fed. Please make your goodbye brief (no more
than a couple of minutes). The longer you prolong departure the harder it gets. Never leave without telling your child goodbye.
Please be brief at pick-up times also. Sometimes if both a parent and a provider are both in the same area (ex. drop-off,
pick-up, parties, etc.) A child may forget the rules, or test the boundaries. Please help show your child that you respect
me, the rules of my house, and my property by reminding them that the rules apply when you are around. I will also remind
them of the rules, and correct them if needed. Please be in control of your child during these times.
Please do not
allow your child to run out to your car while you are still inside. The safety rule is 'no one goes outside without their
parent with them'.
My normal procedure is to release the child only to his/her parents or someone the parents have
designated. If someone other than the parent is to pick up the child, please notify me ahead of time. A verbal notice is fine
on that day if this person is on the list of people who are authorized to pick up your child. If the person is NOT on that
list, I must have written permission to release your child. Please inform emergency contacts, or people designated to pick
up your child, that if I do not know them, I will need to ask for photo identification. I do not mean to offend them. This
is simply a measure taken for your child's protection. I will not let a child leave without a parent's verbal permission even
if that person is listed as one of your designated pickup people.
If there is a court order keeping one parent away
from the child, I must have a written note from the custodial parent in my file to that effect. Otherwise I cannot prevent
the non-custodial parent from picking up the child.
Parents Initials: ________
HEALTH MATTERS:
A parent should keep the child at home if the child has: - a fever
- Conjunctivitis or pink
eye or any type of eye infection, which is highly contagious.
- Impetigo or any rash until it is identified as not
being contagious.
- Diarrhoea, which is watery or greenish runny bowel movement that looks different and is more frequent
than the child's usual stool.
- Vomiting which is more that the usual spitting up.
- A severe cold with fever,
sneezing and nose drainage.
With the following contagious diseases the child must be kept away from Day Care:
-
Fifths
- Measles
- Chicken pox
- Mumps
- Roseola
- Scarlet fever
If a doctor
diagnoses an ear or throat infection and places the child on an antibiotic, the child must remain away until he/she has been
on the medication for a minimum of 24 hours.
These guidelines have been established by day care associations and are
quite reasonable. I cannot realistically care for a sick child and give proper care to other children in my group. These guidelines
are also made with the children's best interest in mind.
Parents Initials: ________
ACTIVITIES
& CURRICULUM:
Age appropriate activities are scheduled with flexibility allowed to respond to the needs of
the individual child/baby. The main goal of this childcare is to learn while having fun and improving social skills. We will
be utilizing a variety of activities to accomplish this goal. Free play, reading, arts and crafts, music/singing, dancing,
pretend play, puzzles, games and educational TV/videos are just some of the activities we will be doing. The activities include
a daily circle time with, letter, shape, color and number recognition.
This is a general guideline only. Our schedule
may vary due to infants in care, children's wishes, special activity days, school schedules, etc.
Parents Initials:
________
TV VIEWING:
I allow limited TV viewing consisting of Channel 2 (TVO) and Channel 63
- Treehouse (selected shows). On occasion I let the children pick a child appropriate video to watch.
Parents Initials:
________
BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT AND DISCIPLINE:
My philosophy is that you use discipline to teach
a child. I achieve this through love, consistency and firmness. The children are explained the rules of the day care frequently
so that they know the guidelines. Once a child understands the rules and disobeys them, hurts others or property, the following
developmentally appropriate guidance techniques will be used. These techniques are as follows:
Positive Reinforcement:
The child will be encouraged when he/she is demonstrating acceptable behaviour.
Redirection: The child is redirected
to another activity and given an opportunity to try again at another time.
Time Out: The child is separated from the
group for a child-regulated period of time. This technique is used only when a child is exhibiting temper tantrum type behaviour
or hurting self, others or equipment. When the child shows that he/she is ready to demonstrate acceptable behaviour, they
are encouraged to join the rest of the group and try again.
Last Resort: When a child's behaviour is continually upsetting
or dangerous to others, or myself, a conference will be called with the parents. If the problems can't be resolved, arrangements
will have to be made for the child to go elsewhere for care.
Parents Initials: ________
MEALS:
The children are offered food, not forced to eat. Children who choose not to eat will not be served additional
food until the next mealtime. Please do not send food (half-eaten breakfasts, candy found in the car, etc.) or gum with the
children. For infants, you need to provide formula/breast milk and baby food until the age when table food can be served.
Parents Initials: ________
SPECIAL DIETS:
If a child has a particular dietary need,
I must be informed. Substitute meals or snacks may then be brought from home. I cannot guarantee that my home will be free
from peanuts.
Parents Initials: ________
POTTY TRAINING:
I will be more than
happy to help with the potty training provided that it is not done before the child is ready. Parents are asked to initiate
the training at home (on vacation or weekend) before starting it at day care. Once training is initiated, parents are to supply
several pairs of underwear and changes of clothes or pull-ups.
Parents Initials: ________
DIAPER
CHANGES:
Diapers are checked and/or changed every two hours or more frequently if required. I can also use Cloth
Diapers if preferred.
Parents Initials: ________
SUPPLIES NEEDED:
Parents are
responsible for supplying; Formula (if your child still prefers it), Milk (if you wish for your child to drink it in the daycare),
Diapers and Wipes; Weather appropriate change of clothes (2 changes of clothes); Swim suit, towel, and sunscreen in summer
time; fever and cold medication. You may leave belongings here at the daycare, or if you wish, pack them in a bag daily.
Parents Initials: ________
TOYS:
No toys should be brought from home. If your
child needs a special toy or item for sleeping it will be allowed, but it will be put away when they first arrive. I take
no responsibility for lost or broken toys brought from home.
Should a child deliberately destroy my toys or other
property in my home through misuse, wilfulness or carelessness, the parent will be required to replace it.
Parents
Initials: ________
PETS:
After the passing of our beloved dog Bailey in January 2008, we all missed having a canine
companion, so in December 2008 we chose a Puggle (Beagle x Pug) named Juno to join our family. She is a little dog who loves
nothing more than getting lots of fresh air and exercise with the kids...she really thinks she is one of the kids too.
Parents
who have children with known allergies to furry animals must tell me immediately.
Parents Initials: ________
REFERRALS:
Referrals from a client are one of the biggest compliments I can receive. As a special thank you, I offer families
a free day of childcare for each referral that enrolls. Your free day will be deducted from your weekly fee after the referred
child has attended for four weeks.
A FINAL NOTE:
I retain the right to enforce these
policies at will. Lack of enforcement of a certain policy at any given time does not indicate that the particular policy is
not longer in effect.
I/We have read, understand, and agree to comply with the provider's handbook.
Parent's
Signature _________________________ Date _________________________
Parent's Signature __________________________
Date _________________________
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