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Welcome to Alicia's Loving Hands Daycare! The purpose of this handbook is to outline the policies and procedures under which we operate as a Registered Child Development Home-C. We are Professional Child Care Providers, not babysitters. We give the children in our care the opportunities to learn in a family-like setting with a mixed age group, where they can feel safe and loved, and can begin to build a positive self image. Your child will recieve 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 & self help skills. We are here to support you in the joyous yet serous task of raising your child, and hope to be your partners in this effort. Your questions and comments are important so we can achieve the very best experiences for your child. Working together we can set your child on the road to a healthy and happy cildhood full of wonder and the joy of learning. Chidren will not be denied enrollment on the basis of sex, race, religion or disability. Please contact me at any time with your questions.
The following forms need to be completed prior to placement.
1. Registration form signed by parent or guardian, which includes the date of last physical examination.
2. Complete record of immunizations.
3. Signed consent for child to receive medical treatment, medicine, and to go on any trip off the premises.
4. Signed Contract
Note: All forms must be completed at least every year or sooner according to need. Also the registration/processing fees must be paid, prior to admission. A position will not be held if the above requirements are not made.
A period of 2 weeks trial is given for adjustment. After this time period, the parents or the provider may decide to terminate care without prior notice.
* After the trial period, care can be terminated with 2 weeks written notice. Payment for two weeks will be accepted in lieu of notice. All final payments are to be paid at the time of notice. In cases of non-payment, legal actions may be taken and the parents will pay all legal fees incurred.
*We will also give two weeks 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 behavior problems, or dangerous parental situations. If we give immediate termination for the above or any other reason, to be at my discretion, any deposit will be forfeited.
Two weeks vacation per year by parents is allowed with each week paid at 1/2 the weekly rate. Any additional vacation is to be paid at the full rate. One-month vacation notice is required.
The provider will give parents one-month advance notice for her vacation. It is the parent's responsibility to arrange for alternative care during the provider's vacation. *There are no fees charged during the provider's vacation.
A substitute adult will be arranged for during the time the provider must attend to personal business away from the home. You will be given advance notice of who the substitute will be and during what hours the subtitute will be in charge. *Notification of at least 2 weeks will be given prior to any closed days, with the exception of emergencies or illness.
Scheduled daycare will be considered canceled if the child has not arrived within the first two hours, and full payment for that day is expected. Payment of childcare services will start at the time contracted for and cannot be adjusted for late arrival or early pickup.
• Overtime fees: $0.75 an hr in addition to your normal hourly fee. (with notice)
$5.00 per 15 minutes when time wasn’t prearranged.
• Late Payment fees: I realize the financial burden that childcare places on parents, and hope parents understand that as a business childcare places financial burdens on the provider. These include, but are not limited to groceries, utilities, insurance, programming, toys and equipment. I also have a financial responsibility to my family. If fees are not received when due a $5.00/a day charge will be applied to amount owing. This late charge will be in effect until all monies plus late charges are paid in full. If fee isn’t paid by Monday morning of the next week, your child will not be cared for until the outstanding balance is paid. Continued late payments will result in termination of our contract.
• Returned Check Fee: There will be a $25.00 charge plus any additional costs I incur for a check returned N.S.F. If two checks return N.S.F. in a year’s time, cash will then be required.
Payment is due on the designated date in our contract by 9:00 am, or on the last day of care (in full). Exception to this is drop-in (hourly) care; payment is due the day of service. Overtime is paid in the week it is made.
**D.H.S/Promise Jobs: I will accept payment through D.H.S/Promise Jobs. The application must be filled out and returned to D.H.S./Promise Jobs within 3 days of your child’s enrollment. Parent will be responsible for any charges not covered by D.H.S./Promise Jobs, such as over time, and late fees. Extra fees are paid the week they were made. In the event you are not accepted for these programs, you will be required to pay the weekly fees due. You are required on the last day of the month to sign the childcare statement so a claim can be submitted to D.H.S/Promise Jobs. I have to have all claims submitted on the fist of the month, if you don’t sign or don’t sign in time you will be responsible for all childcare fees.
Please send your child clean, dressed for the day, and fed (if arriving after 7:45). Please make your goodbye brief (no more than a couple minutes, the longer you prolong departure the harder it gets. Never leave without telling your child goodbye. Please be in control of your child during pick up times.
• Please DO NOT allow your child to leave our home or yard without you. When parents arrive children tend to push the rules please show your child that the rules still apply when you are here. If you need to talk to us longer you may call later at a more convenient time.
• No one other than the parents or designated person will be allowed to pick up your child without prior arrangement. I must be notified in advance and have a written note with the person’s name and relationship to the child.
• 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.
• Sign In/Out- You must sign your child in/out everyday. If you have someone else pick your child up please make him or her aware of the process of signing your child/ren in/out. You must initial beside your sign in and out times.
Please do not park in or block our neighbors’ driveways. Please be aware that on my side of the street there is a NO PARKING sign. There is to be NO use of my driveway between the hours of 7:30am- 8:45am and 2:00 pm-4:00pm. There will be a $10.00 fee assessed to your bill if you are responsible for any tardiness to my family.
To provide the best possible care, please feel free to communicate any needs, wants and or concerns regarding your child. It is only through parent/provider interaction that a goal of quality, nurturing care can be achieved. A monthly newsletter will keep you up to date on general issues and what we are doing, but we will give you daily reports about your child. Daily meals will be posted on the dry erase board above the sign in/out sheet.
Depending on the needs of the children, schedules are flexible and may very.
6:30-7:30 Arrival, quiet time, Education TV
7:00-7:45 Breakfast
7:45-9:15 Free play- examples: folder games, coloring/cutting, toys, and music
9:15-9:30 AM Snack
9:30-10:30 Pre-school program/Story, Circle time, Singing, ABC’s, Crafts & Snack
10:30-11:15 Free play, outside play or walk (weather permitting)
11:15-11:30 Clean up
12:00-12:30 Lunch
12:30-2:30 Nap/rest time*everyone participates*
2:00-2:30 Wake up (quit play, example looking at books)
3:00-3:30 Snacks
3:30-6:15 Homework, Free play, Educational TV,
6:15-6:45 Dinner
6:45-8:00 Board Games, Reading, Showers
8:00-8:15 PM Snack
8:15-8:30 Bedtime
Age appropriate activities are scheduled with flexibility, allowing response to the needs of the individual child/baby. I provide a preschool curriculum from September through May for children age 2-5. My schedule is the same as the public schools. If they are not in session for any reason (i.e., snow days, conferences, etc.) then preschool will not be in session either, however, daycare will continue. The activities include daily circle time with, letter, shape, color, and number recognition, singing and story reading. We will have crafts and projects a few times a week and a lot of social interaction. I provide daily opportunities for physical activity so that children develop confidence and enjoyment in moving and being active.
We allow limited TV viewing consisting of PBS, the Disney Channel, Toon Disney, Noggin and Nick Jr. On occasion we let the children pick a child appropriate video to watch. Children are NEVER required to sit and watch TV, and TV is not offered in place of Free Play or Learning Activities.
Please provide a blanket and pillow for your child/ren. No child is forced to sleep; however they must respect the needs of other children in my care and be quiet during rest time. Children under the age of one year are placed on their backs for sleeping unless otherwise authorized in writing by a physician.
Our philosophy is that you use discipline to teach a child. We achieve this through love, consistency, and firmness. Children will NOT be subject to any corporal punishment. The children are explained the rules of the daycare 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:
1. Positive Reinforcement: The child will be encouraged when he/she is demonstrating acceptable behavior.
2. Redirection: The child is redirected to another activity and given an opportunity to try again at another time.
3. 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 behavior or hurting self, others, or equipment. When the child shows that he/she is ready to demonstrate acceptable behavior, they are encouraged to join the rest of the group and try again.
4. Last Resort: When a child’s behavior 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.
* 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 us, the rules of our house, and our property by reminding them that the rules still apply when you are around. We will also remind them of the rules and, correct them if needed.
We provide an environment that contributes to the formation of lifelong healthy eating and physical activity habits. Foods served to children meet the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and promote acceptance of a variety of foods. The daily schedule promotes a relaxed and adequate period for meals and snacks. Breakfast, a.m. snack, lunch, afternoon snack, supper, and p.m. snack are served daily (see schedule for times). Children eat meals “Family Style”, children decide how much and which foods they will eat. The children are offered the food, not forced to eat. Children who choose not to eat will have to wait till the next mealtime. If children do not like what is being served they may have a peanut butter sandwich Please do not send food (half eaten breakfasts, candy found in the car, fast food, etc.) or gum with the children. On special occasions families may bring a healthy snack to share with all the children. Please let us know in advance. Infants need to provide formula/breast milk and baby food until age one when table food is started.
If a child has a particular dietary need, substantiated by a medical evaluation, we must be informed and given a doctor’s note. Substitute meals or snacks may then be brought from home.
All children with teeth will brush or have their teeth brushed once a day, we encourage you to have your child brush their teeth two times at home. We brush our teeth with children’s fluoride toothpaste after lunch. We us dry brush method to brush our teeth.
We will be more than happy to help with potty training provided that it is not done before the child is ready. Please provide your child with pull-ups for naps and plenty of changes of clothing. If you choose to not use pull-ups your potty training child is required to wear plastic pants over their underclothing until they have mastered the skill of potty training (for sanitary reasons). Please put your child’s name on their underclothing this helps to identify the owner, as underwear seems to be similar or the same. Clothing should be easy to manage to encourage self-help skills. Buckles, belts, overalls, and outfits that snap between the legs when in a hurry to use the bathroom may create a problem.
Parents are responsible for supplying diapers and wipes, weather appropriate change of clothes. *Swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen (summer time only), *Blanket for rest time, * Tooth Paste (children’s fluoride only) * Bike helmet, * Fever and Cold medication, *any other items (powder, ointment).
• Please provide enough diapers and wipes to last a month. I will notify you when your child’s supply needs to be replenished.
• Please send an extra outfit for your child to be placed in their cubby. Due to a lot of your child’s “work” being messy accidents do happen.
• In the winter your child will be going outside to play. Your child will need the following: A hat, gloves/mittens, snow pants, winter coat (not a jacket- we will be out longer than a few minutes), boots, and extra socks. I have a Child Care Weather Watch chart on the bulletin board inside the door. Those are the guidelines I use in deciding if we go outside to play or leave for an outside field trip.
• Your child will need to have a brush or a comb kept in their cubby. Please remember to label everything with your child’s name. In a zip lock bag (with your child’s name) you can provide hair accessories for your child’s hair.
Inside the back door your child will be furnished a cubby. Please go through your child’s cubby on a regular basis to help it stay organized. Please remove any soiled/wet clothing, papers and any unnecessary items. Since space is limited I ask that you not bring a daily diaper bag. Please keep your child’s cubby well stocked. Please help your child locate their hook and hang their coats up.
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 in their cubby until naptime. I take no responsibility for lost, stolen, or broken toys brought from home. Should the child deliberately destroy my toys or other property through misuse of willfulness, the parent will be required to replace it.
Your child may ride one of my bicycles during the summer months. In order to ride a bicycle your child will need to bring his/her own child safe bicycle helmet, he/she will not be allowed to ride without it. All children are required to wear shoes not sandals or bare feet when riding the bikes. Your child will also need your written consent to ride. Please discuss with your child the importance of bicycle safety. If your child cannot follow bike safety they WILL NOT be allowed to ride the bikes.
We will be going to the pool regularly in the summer. Your child will need to bring money along or a pool pass to be able to swim. I will provide other activities there if this is not possible. The fee could also be applied to your statement (you must arrange this prior to going to the pool).
Wadding Pool/Slip & Slide- Your child will need written consent to use our small wadding pool and slip & slide. Children will have adult supervision at all time.
We will be going on outings such as field trips or to local places in the general area. Generally all trips are scheduled; however, there will be times that quick local trips are unplanned.
• It is not mandatory that your children attend these trips, but you will be required to provide back-up childcare for your child if your child cannot attend. Of course, all children will be restrained in seat belts (6 years and older) or in approved car seats (5 years and younger).
Iowa Has a New Child Passenger Safety Law
Effective July 1 2004
1. Children must ride in an appropriate rear facing child safety seat until one year of age and at least 20 pounds.
2. Children must ride in a child safety seat or a booster seat through the age of 5 years. (Seats must be used in accordance to manufacturer’s directions)
3. Children ages 6 through age 10 must ride in a booster seat or a seat belt.
We are a smoke/tobacco free home. Please refrain from smoking or using tobacco products while dropping off or picking up your child/ren. This also includes my outdoor play area.
PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR CHILD IF HE/SHE IS SICK; we can only care for children with mild cold like symptoms (runny nose, slight cough, and low fever). Per Health Department Regulations, children will not be allowed to attend the daycare if they exhibit symptoms such as:
*Rash *Fever (100 F. higher) *Excessive cold and/or cough
*Lice or nits *Unusual drowsiness *Persistent or excessive crying
*Discharge from eyes or ears *Communicable diseases (chicken pox, Rosella, conjunctivitis, mumps, measles, influenza, scabies, etc.
• If they display ANY of these symptoms during daycare hours-parents will be contacted immediately to remove their child within 1 hour of being notified. If parents are not available, the emergency contact person will then be notified. Once the child is removed from daycare due to these symptoms, they may not return for a full 24-hour period, or be accompanied by a doctor’s note.
• This symptom policy applies to my family and myself as well. If I am unavailable due to illness, you will be notified by 6:00 am. Payment for the days that I am not available is not required.
*My sick room is located in my master bedroom- in the event that parents or emergency contacts cannot be contacted in a reasonable time.
We can administer medication if needed, but only if the Medication Consent Form has been signed. All medicine must be in the original container with the child’s name clearly written on it. Written instructions with the child’s name, dose and times, needs to accompany the medication.
In case of a serious accident or sudden illness requiring medical attention, the following procedures are followed:
1. A phone call is made to 911
2. Child’s parents (or emergency contacts) are called.
3. Child and health records taken to Skiff Medical Center in Newton, Iowa
4. In all cases, an emergency report is completed and a copy given to parents and DHS.
• It is extremely important, especially in instance of illness or emergency that the emergency contact information is up to date and all information is correct. Please report any changes immediately to keep you emergency contact information current.
• For minor injuries like bump and bruises; I will provide home first aid. If the injury is more serious, (I.e. needs stitches, broken arm, or dislocation, etc.) the parent will be notified immediately. Parents will be responsible for all costs involved in emergency medical treatment, including emergency transportation if required.
We have three dogs Slater, Katie & Simon, they are boxers. They are all very gentle and have supervised contact with the children. They are registered with the city and are current on all vaccines. We also have a cat named Meeko. Meeko is a very friendly and social cat. We also have a guinea pig named Nutmeg. Children are asked to respect all animals while they are here, because this is their home. Parents who have children with known allergies to animals must let me know immediately. Animal waste is cleaned up regularly.
I offer to provide weekend childcare; I do not have children all the time. We have a more relaxed routine on the weekends. On weekends please do not just walk in when dropping off your child like during the week, you must ring the bell and wait for someone to answer.
I will do all that I can to protect your family's privacy and will abide by the state privacy law. I will keep records and information about your child and your family private and confidential, unless I have your written permission to reveal specific information. I also ask that you respect the privacy of my family by not sharing any informantion you learn about my family without my permission.
Referrals from a client is one of the biggest compliments we can receive. As a special THANK YOU, we offer families a free day of care for each referral that enrolls. Your free day will be deducted from your weekly fee after the referred child has attended for 4 weeks.
We are always open to suggestions and feel communication is a very important part of this business. If there are any problems or concerns, we encourage you to talk to us about it. If a lengthy conference is needed, a time that is convenient to both of us will be scheduled, as the other children still need our attention during business hours. Thank you for the opportunity to work with you and your child, and we look forward to the future.
• We 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 no longer in effect.
