Parent Handbook
All About U Home Daycare

My Philosophy:
It is my goal to provide the best quality care for your child in a safe, loving, and stimulating home environment.

Description of Program:
I provide care for children in a family style, loving environment with a preschool atmosphere.  I incorporate a theme based curriculum program into our day for children ages 2-4 working towards school readiness. The curriculum includes hands-on activities, songs, puzzles, games, charting and arts and crafts, providing a balance of important preschool skills and experiences.  We balance our time between active play, theme based learning, group time and individual free play. I believe music, creativity, communication, in/outdoor play, and movement are very important parts of the healthy development of a child.

Objectives:
1.  To have a program that will meet the needs of both the parent and the child.
2. To provide a safe and sanitary conditions.
3. To help the children learn and develop in a happy, caring atmosphere.
4. To develop a good communication between parent and provider.

Hours of Operation:
I provide childcare during your contracted working hours only.
Services are provided weekdays between the hours of 7:30 am and 5:30 pm.
I do not charge a late fee but I do have a busy lifestyle outside of my daycare hours and also have appointments, commitments and children’s activities to attend so I require you to be prompt everyday.

RATES:
Flat rate of $175/week per placement. 

PAYMENT IS REQUIRED Friday of each week by 5:30p.m.  Post-dated cheques are encouraged.  Due to the small number of children in my care, rates cannot and will not be prorated for any reason. All payments and fees are due in full each week regardless of attendance.

Holidays:
Daycare services are closed on Statutory Holidays and payment is not required.
Daycare will be closed for a minimum of two weeks in the summer and one to two weeks between December-March annually. Parents are given an additional 2 weeks of holiday time where payment is not required (annually). My holidays will be posted 4 months in advance. (Payment not required). If any family books more than 2 weeks holidays (not including daycare closure) a payment of $87.50/week is required to hold the placement.

Christmas Holidays:
Christmas closures will be posted annually.

Arrival and Pickup:
Due to the emotional nature of leaving a child, I ask that when you bring your child in the morning you be as quick as possible in your departure.  It is much easier on the child when the impending separation is not long and drawn out. Likewise, in the afternoon, when you pick up your child, please understand that I may still be working and cannot visit.  Please do not hesitate to call in the evening or at quiet time if you have any questions or concerns. ph: - 739-0482.

Clothing and Supplies:
FOR CHILDREN IN DIAPERS – A full bag of diapers and a container of wipes may be stored at daycare.  (Be assured the diapers will only be used on your child.) Please dress your child in clothing appropriate for the weather including shoes, socks, hats and outerwear.  We are outside in all types of weather and if a child is not dressed properly the other children may miss out. I have a bin labeled for each child to store your child’s personal belongings. All sunscreen, bug spray, wipes and medication(s) when required are the responsibility of the parent. It is recommended that you leave multiple changes of clothing and seasonal spare items eg. hats, mitts, rubber boots etc.

Illnesses and Accidents:
This daycare can ONLY ACCEPT CHILDREN IN GOOD HEALTH. I am depending on you to help me maintain this policy. You must notify me if your child/ren has been exposed to or has a contagious illness and I will notify you if your child/ren has been exposed to a contagious illness due to another child in daycare. Do not bring your child/ren if vomiting, diarrhea, unexplainable rash, greenish discharge, pink eye or head lice.  In the event of an accident or illness at daycare you will be notified immediately and will be expected to remove the child/ren from daycare promptly.  They will be able to return to daycare according to our Posted Health Policy. Please have a back-up plan in case of an emergency call or your child needs to stay home due to illness.  Payments and Rates will not be prorated.  If you cannot be reached your contacts will then be called in the order you listed them to pick up your child. If you cannot be reached in the event of an accident your child will be transported to the hospital by ambulance.

If I am too ill to care for the children, payment will not be required. Proper backup will be required in case of illness.  I will give advanced notice as best I can. 

Medications:
No child will be given any prescription medication unless written permission is given by the parent. Prescription medication shall have the child’s name, name of medication, Doctor’s name, name of pharmacy, prescription number, date, and directions for administering. The medication must be in the original container as dispensed by the pharmacy. Administration of any medication will be logged on a “Medication Permission Form”.

Toys and Candy:
Please do not send toys, candy, or gum to daycare with your child. The other children will want these items and your child may not want to share. Special items like blankets or stuffed animals may be brought and used for nap time. This daycare cannot assume responsibility for the loss or damage to your child/ren’s personal items.

Child Abuse/Neglect:
I am required by law to report any suspected signs of child abuse and/or neglect. This includes any form of physical punishment by the parents in my home.

The Message Board:
A most important communication center is the message board. It is used to display holidays and messages, and other important information directed at parents. The message board, enrollment form, contract and this handbook all work together as the contractual agreement between parent and provider. There will be policy alerts posted on the bulletin board that become part of our contractual agreement upon posting.  Seasonal newsletters are sent home to help keep the lines of communication open between the parents and the provider.

Child Custody/Releasing Child to Others:
This daycare has no legal authority to refuse either parent the right to pick up their child unless a court has granted temporary or permanent custody to one parent. Your child will not be released to anyone other than the parents unless I have been notified.  Please help me by complying with this request.

Discipline:
In my own home and in this daycare, I prefer to use positive reinforcement, redirection and the time-out method (sitting in a quiet spot to reflect and settle – 1 min/year of age).
Please inform me of the discipline method you most prefer and working together we will ensure positive behavior.

Potty Training:
While I am here to help you, I feel strongly that the initiation process of potty training needs to be started at home first by the parents where you would have ample time for instruction.  In order to have success, the child needs to be showing more than one sign of readiness.  Once we start, I will be continuing to use a diaper for naptime until we have dry bedding for two consecutive weeks.
I will assist you in toilet training your child with the understanding that it will be successful only if we work together. I will use pull-ups, or pants supplied by the parent. Send your child ONLY in easy on/easy off clothing until they are able to completely undress and dress themselves. I required at least 3 complete changes of clothing during Toilet Learning. I do not launder soiled items and will send them home in a plastic bag. Please replace any clothing sent home by the next day.

DIET: I provide a nutritious lunch and two snacks per day.  It is the responsibility of the parent to notify the daycare of any known allergy or as you become aware and provide any other type of food or formula to any child not on regular table food. 
 
Emergencies:

Fire: In the event of a fire at daycare we have a plan to meet at the neighbor’s house. We practice on-going fire drills so the children will be prepared in the event of a fire.  

In the event of an evacuation we will leave the house and go directly to the McDonalds on the end of the street if necessary.

Termination of Care:
After a TWO-WEEK TRIAL PERIOD, either party can only terminate care with 2 weeks notice. I reserve the right to immediately end care for non-payment, failure to respect me, my home, behavior of the child, which is harmful to the physical or emotional well being of the other children, or failure to abide by or breach of policies. If you terminate care without giving appropriate notice, you will be responsible for payment of the final 2 weeks of care whether or not your child attends. Please be advised that you will be charged at your scheduled rate until you notify me that your child will not be returning.