Discipline and Behavior Management Policy
Praise and positive reinforcement are effective methods of the behavior management of children. When children receive positive, non-violent, and understanding interactions from adults and others, they develop good self concepts, problem solving abilities, and self-discipline. Based on this belief of how children learn and develop values, this facility will practice the following discipline and behavior management policy.
WE DO:
1. Praise, reward, and encourage the children.
2. Reason with and set limits for the children.
3. Model appropriate behavior for the children.
4. Modify the classroom environment to attempt to prevent problems before they occur
5. Listen to the children.
6. Provide alternatives for inappropriate behavior to the children.
7. Provide the children with natural and logical consequences of their behaviors.
8. Treat the children as people and respect their needs, desires, and feelings.
9. Ignore minor misbehaviors.
10. Explain things to children on their levels.
11. Use short supervised periods of time-out (described below).
12. Stay consistent in our behavior management program.
WE DO NOT:
1. Spank, shake, bite, pinch, push, pull, slap, or otherwise physically punish the children.
2. Make fun of, yell at, threaten, make sarcastic remarks about, use profanity, or otherwise
verbally abuse the children.
3. Shame or punish the children when bathroom accidents occur.
4. Deny food or rest as punishment.
5. Relate discipline to eating, resting, or sleeping.
6. Leave the children alone, unattended, or without supervision.
7. Place the children in locked rooms, closets, or boxes as punishment.
8. Allow discipline of children by children.
9. Criticize, make fun of, or otherwise belittle childrens parents, families, or ethnic groups.
Time-Out
Time-Out is the removal of a child for a short period of time (3 to 5 minutes) from a situation in which the child is misbehaving and has not responded to other discipline techniques.
The Time-Out space, usually a chair, is located away from classroom activity, but within the teachers sight. During Time-Out, the child has a chance to think about the misbehavior which led to his/her removal from the group. After a brief interval of no more than 5 minutes, the teacher discusses the incident and appropriate behavior with the child.
When the child returns to the group, the incident is over and the child is treated with the same affection and respect shown the other children.
Childcare Services and Payment Contract
Our billing period is from Monday to Friday. Billing is completed on Monday for the previous week. Payment is expected on Monday. A late fee of $5.00 will be charged to accounts not paid by Wednesday. Children may not attend the remainder of the week until payment is received.
Illness
When possible we would appreciate a 24 hour advanced notice of a child's absence.
Drop-In
For your convenience we are able to take children on a drop-in basis. Parents need to fill out the proper enrollment information. We would also need to have a current physical and current immunization records on file. Drop-in care should never exceed the hours permitted by the Child Care Center and all the policies, including illness in this handbook do apply. Drop-in fee is $5.00 per hr. whether it be 1 minute or 60 min.
The Center would like a day notice for drop-in children. If your schedule becomes more consistent, you may wish to enroll in our regular program rather than utilize the drop-in care to assure placement within the Center when care is needed.
Withdrawal
If you desire to cancel enrollment you must give two weeks written notice. If a notice is not given as described, you will be charged for two weeks of fees, based on an average week or at the Director's discretion.
Health and Well Being
The State of Indiana requires that there be two medical forms in your child's file.
1. Medical examination Must be signed and dated by your physician
2. Indiana State Certificate of Immunization
Completed, up to date and signed by the physician and yourself. These forms are intended to protect your child, and we will appreciate your cooperation in keeping them current.
Illness
We strive to prevent the spread of illness, and your cooperation with our policies will be of great help. If your child has:
A fever of 100 or greater before child care, accompanied by behavior changes or other signs or symptoms of illness-until medical evaluation indicates inclusion in the Center
Symptoms or signs of possible severe illness, such as; uncontrolled coughing, irritability, persistent crying, unusual lethargy, wheezing, or other unusual signs
Strep throat until 24 hours after an antibiotic started
Diarrhea; runny, watery, or bloody stools within the last 12 hours
Vomiting 2 or more times in the last 24 hours
Rash with fever or behavior change
Scabies or other infestations
Impetigo 24 hours after treatment has begun
Chicken pox 5-7 days after blisters appear
Pertussis, mumps, rubella, shingles, herpetic gingivostomatitis
I hepatitis A- until 1 week after onset
Sore throat with fever
Eye discharge (white or yellow) or pink eye; until 24 hours after starting treatment; if treatment is not sought then when the discharge clears
Child is irritable, continuously crying or requires more attention from a caregiver than what they can provide without hurting the health and safety of other attending children
Mouth sores with drooling
Respiratory illness
please keep him/her home, in all fairness to all the other children.
Your child may return when:
1. When the above suggestions are meet
2. They are fever or symptom free for at least 24 hours before returning to daycare
3. They have been treated by a doctor or a doctor permits them to return to the daycare
If your child becomes ill while in our care, then you will be called to come pick up your child within 2 hours.
Exposure to communicable diseases and any infectious illness should be reported promptly to the center, so our staff can look for any early symptoms. One of our staff will notify parents when a child has been exposed to an infectious disease.
Medication Policy
Medication prescribed or ordered by a physician or dentist will be administered during the time the child is at daycare. Parents will need to give written authorization and instructions by filling out a Medication Permission Form. This form needs to be filled out before the child will be given any medication at the center. All medications brought to the center should be in its original container. They need to be properly labeled
with the child's name
medication name
and amount to be administered.
Child Accident Form
Our staff take every effort to ensure the safety of your child. Unfortunately accidents do occur. In case of that event, an accident form will be filled out by St Andrew Daycare Ministry staff for every detected injury that occurs. A copy with your signature will be retained for your child's file. A child coming into St Andrews with injuries may require an accident form, so that both the parent and Daycare staff are aware that it did not occur at the Center.
Child Incident Form
An incident form will be filled out by Our staff if your child exhibited behavior that is not acceptable and who do not adhere to the classroom discipline policy. A copy of this form with your signature will also be kept in your child file.
Authorizing Individuals to pick up your Child
On the enrollment form, you will find a line asking for the names of the individuals who are authorized to pick up your child. You may authorize as many individuals as you wish in writing on your form. You must leave a written note in the morning or tell the staff member if such a situation arises. We will not allow your child to leave with an unauthorized person, this is for the safety and protection of your child. We will check the ID of the person listed to pick up your child. Please remember to keep this form updated with your current phone number and address changes.
Arriving and Leaving the Center
It is required that all children be escorted inside the daycare and that the arrival time is recorded on the attendance sheet. When picking up your child please be sure to notify a staff person and record the departure time on the attendance sheet. It would be appreciated if the center is notified when your child will absent from the center.
Family Involvement
There will be a monthly Child Care & Learning Center Newsletter. Look for that in your child's Folder. It will include information upon upcoming events and information about activities. It may also include messages or requests for families.
Informal parent participation in the daycare is always welcome. Parents are invited to visit at any time. On some occasions, such as field trips, parent's help may be requested..
Volunteers
St Andrew Daycare Ministry encourages volunteers! Volunteers are important and can often serve as a mentor in your child's life. All volunteers are required to have a criminal records check.
On occasion there may be students who are in need of training for required courses. These students will be doing extras for your child, such as reading stories, art activities, and helping with your child's development. We welcome parents and grandparents to observe at any time. They may even share an interest with the children such as a hobby or a book.
Clothing
Please dress your child according to the weather with appropriate hats, mittens, and coats during the winter months. Mark all items with your child's name. Be sure your child has indoor shoes to wear. This helps keep the carpet clean!
Dress your child in appropriate clothing so that they feel free to participate in all activities. We are not responsible for damaged clothing.
Donations
St Andrew Daycare wants to be affordable for all parents. It also wants to maintain good caregivers to provide for your family. St Andrew Daycare Ministry opens its doors to donations of toys, books, etc. All donations will be noted and appreciated.
Fundraisers
St Andrew Daycare may do a fundraisers to raise money for needed toys, supplies, and educational materials. The Daycare hopes for your support during our fundraisers. Fundraisers are a positive way to show community support and family support for early childhood education.
Emergency Plans
Emergency plans for fire and tornado are posted by each exit door in each classroom and are practiced monthly, so that your child is familiar with the drill and not alarmed in case of a real emergency.
Other plans such as intruder, intoxicated parent, are practiced routinely and/or they are gone over by staff. This prepares them in case the need should arise.
In the case of a medical or dental emergency the parent of the child will be notified.
Center Payments and Procedures Policies
Our billing period is from Monday to Friday. Billing is completed on Friday Payment is expected in full by Monday. A late fee of $5.00 will be charged to accounts not paid by Wednesday. Children may not attend the remainder of the week, until payment is received, unless arrangements have been made.
A $25 charge is assessed for non-sufficient fund checks. After 3 such occurrences, we will accept Cash, Money Order, or Cashiers Check ONLY
Any changes (i.e., change in hours, attendance, etc.) requires that you initiate the change.
THE ABOVE WRITTEN POLICIES ARE PROVIDED TO YOU AS A CONVENIENCE AND TO AVOID ANY MISUNDERSTANDINGS. IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND ANY POLICY OR PROCEDURE, PLEASE ASK.