"Quality childcare isn't expensive, it's Priceless"
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WELCOME!
I look forward to caring for your child and working with you to provide the best experience possible in childcare. To facilitate greater understanding between us I have created this handbook. It covers my childcare philosophies, business policies and expectations. In order to make our relationship as enjoyable as possible, the following pages contain mutually beneficial requirements, which are necessary to ensure that there are no misunderstandings between us. Please read this handbook carefully and feel free to discuss with me any questions you may have. *If enrolling your child, please make a copy of this entire handbook for your records as you will be responsible for the knowledge of its contents*
My Childcare Philosophy
As an in-home childcare provider, my goal is to provide a safe and happy place for children where they can learn and grow physically, emotionally, intellectually and socially at their own pace. I believe children learn through play and benefit from a structured yet flexible schedule. Activities will be offered which stimulate sensory motor development, language development and social interaction. The development of strong self-esteem is also a major goal. Children will be taught to respect each other, adults and property.
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 childcare philosophy between us. I welcome questions, feedback, or discussions of any kind that are oriented towards a positive outcome for the child. Sensitive issues will be discussed in private outside of regular childcare hours either by phone or conference. Please note that discussing your child at drop-off/pick-up is not permitted due to the lack of privacy and lack of time. You may request a conference with me at any time.
Daily Progress Reports
Parents of infants will receive a daily report. Some typical things you may find on this report would be feedings, diaper changes, sleep schedule, and things to remember. These daily reports are given daily until your child reaches 1 year of age.
Contacting me
You are encouraged to call me at any time between the hours of 7:00am--5:00pm. 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 leave a message on my voice mail, I will call you back as soon as possible.
Enrollment Policy
There are a few forms that must be completed and in my possession before I can assume the responsibility of caring for your child. There are No exceptions. I ask that parents initially sign for 12 months with me if possible.This minimizes "turnover" in my daycare & helps regulate schedules throughout the year. After 12 months, parents may decide to sign for a minimum of 6 months or longer. You are required to keep me informed of any changes in address, telephone numbers, and any other pertinent information on these forms as they arise, including notifying me of additional childhood immunizations. A new set of forms must be filled out once a year if we decide to renew our agreement.
Deposits are not refunded
When I have an opening available I conduct visitations with parents and I usually have several families interested in the spot. When I accept a new child into my care I try to choose the best fit for my group, this means I have to let the other interested parties know I filled the spot. They then continue their search for a provider. If a family decides they want to change their mind for whatever reason after paying their deposit, I have lost the potential to have one of the other families place their child in my care. By that time, they have usually secured a spot for their child elsewhere. For this reason, I do not refund deposits. There is the option for parents to bring their child for a total of (10) days M-F consecutively to use their deposit.
Teachers
If you are a teacher and you would like to keep your child's spot during summer break, you have the option of bringing your child (2) days per week with your tuition rate reduced to $100 per week until the new school year begins. This option helps keep your child familiar with the environment as well as keeps them on the daily schedule and avoids them having to transition all over again. This option also keeps me from having to start the process of enrolling a new child to take your child's spot and you having to find a new provider for your child for the school year.
Holding A Space/Deposits
If it is decided that your child will enroll in Frisco In-Home Professional Childcare, a deposit of the first & last week of childcare tuition is required in order to secure your childs' space. I will hold a space for one (1) month at no charge. After one (1) month, I will require a fee of $100.00 per week to hold your space until your child starts. If you are securing a space for several months in the future and your child will be starting as another child is leaving, there would be no "holding a space fee". Only in the event that I have a space available, and you want me to hold it for your child, would you then need to pay the "holding a space" fee described above.
Start Date
When we agree on the date that I will begin caring for your child, I will expect your child to start on that date. Please make sure of your child's start date when signing the necessary paperwork.
Open Door Policy
I maintain an open door policy. This means you are always welcome to call or drop in to see your child at any time during regular hours. This does not mean that my door will always be unlocked. For children's safety, I would not want unwanted or unexpected visitors to enter without my knowledge. I also do not want little ones leaving the house unsupervised. Your child's safety is my first priority. I would appreciate your taking into consideration my schedule when dropping in or calling and remember that visitors (even parents) usually cause the children to react in an excited manner that does not normally occur when I am alone with them. Please understand that I am taking care of children and may not have time to sit and talk on the phone or in person. Please do not be offended if I am preoccupied with the children. Simply call me later or I will call you as soon as I have a free moment.
Bringing food items If a child in care has allergies
If I have a child in my care that has a food allergy, bringing in food from outside would not be allowed, except for baby foods. The reason being If a child brings food from an outside source it may contain an ingredient that another child is allergic to. If the child who brings the food spills or drops a portion of the food, and another child who is allergic eats or ingests it, we could have a serious life threatening situation on our hands and we do not want that to happen to any child. If you are bringing your child after specified feeding times due to a Dr.'s appointment, please feed your child before you drop them off. **Doesn't apply to infants**
Nap Time
During the hours when infants & toddlers are sleeping is important in how they will behave and react throughout the remainder of their day. Nap time usually begins at different times for infants until they adapt to our regular schedule. The toddlers in my program typically "go down" for nap at 12:45 after lunch and will usually sleep until 3:00 or later. Please schedule doctors appointments, early pick up's/drop off's before 12:45pm or after 4pm.
Trial Period
There is a 1 week trial period beginning on your child's first day of care. This document is included in your paperwork for both parties to sign & date. This period has been established to make sure your child is adjusting to the new environment and everything is going smoothly with no issues. If the new environment does not work out for either party, both parties agree to give a one week notice of removing the child from my care.
Arrivals/Departures
Please send your child clean, well rested & fully clothed for the day. No pajamas or bed clothing is permitted. (children who are walking need to have shoes on every day as we go outside frequently). If arriving after 8:00am or 12:00pm, you will need to feed your child before you drop them off, as breakfast is between 7:00-8:00am and lunch is between 11:00am-12:00pm. I am required to feed the children at designated times as required by my food program sponsors. NOTE: Your child will need to arrive by 8:20am to be accepted into care for the day. Dropping your child off later will have to be approved by the provider. Dropping your child off later than 8:30am is disruptive to the program. Please bring your child around the same time every day as to get them prepared to be on the schedule and ready for the day. It is normal for some children to have difficulty separating from parents at drop off or not wanting to leave when it’s time to go home. Please be very brief during these transition times. The longer you prolong the departure the more difficult it can get. Children are almost always quick to get involved in play or activities as soon as parents are gone. This is also a time of testing when two different authority figures are present (the parent and the provider). Sometimes children will test to see if the rules still apply. During drop off it is best to be brief and not continue to come back to console your child if they are crying, it only makes the situation more difficult for you, your child and the provider.
Sign-In/Out Sheet
I am required by the State of Texas Childcare Licensing Laws to have all parents sign in/out their child. The sign-out sheet/pen is in full view on my counter. Please sign your child in/out every day. I appreciate every parents’ cooperation.
Written Permission
If someone else is to pick up your child, please notify me ahead of time. I must have written permission to release your child whether or not they are on your contact list. Please Note: If there is a court order keeping one parent away from the child, I must have a copy to put in the child's file. Otherwise, I cannot prevent the parent from picking up the child.
Fees
Your specific rates will be outlined in your contract. Tuition is due on Friday in cash no later tha 5:00pm and before Friday if we know your child will not be attending on Friday I do not accept checks or money orders or CCMS. I make out weekly receipts for tax purposes. In January, I will prepare a statement for you showing your annual childcare payments with my tax I.D. printed clearly on the statement. Tuition is due even if your child is absent anytime during the week. Your child's tuition is for the purpose of keeping his/her space and it will not be given to another child. If your child is ill, or on vacation, tuition is still due on or before Friday as stated in our agreement. *Failure to pay tuition on Friday as agreed upon is grounds for termination of services. Friday morning is preferred but is up to the parent if they want to pay tuition on Friday evening rather than Friday morning. Trying to locate an ATM on Friday in traffic has caused parents to be late. If you are late for this reason you will be asked to please pay tuition on Friday morning.
Late Fees
There is a $30.00 per day late fee including weekends for not paying tuition on Friday by 5:00, or as outlined in our agreement. The late fee will need to be paid before your child is allowed to return to care. Tuition days will be adjusted when it is a holiday week and will be due before the holiday. I have set a fee of $5.00 per minute for arriving after 5:00pm or picking up your child later than our agreed upon time. This rate has been set in place to discourage late arrivals. Excessive late arrivals other than our agreement time may lead to termination of services. Please make sure you pick-up/drop-off by the agreed upon times. It doesn't make since to choose a provider who isn't open between the hours you need, (respectively). Please allow yourself enough time to commute and for traffic/weather.
Vacation
I currently take a one week paid vacation per "contract year". I will give a 2 month notice of when I intend to take off. You will need to arrange for alternative care during this week. *Vacation pay is due on the Friday before I take off and tuition for the week I return is due on Monday Morning upon my return. Your child will not be able to attend until tuition is paid. * Note: Vacation eligibility begins at enrollment of each new contract and would be due before your child leaves my care (if I have not taken my vacation). This is your "final" payment due on the Friday before your child's last week of care, (unless I have already taken vacation for the contracted year). *Vacation pay is always the regular weekly tuition $180.00 including during teacher option.
Holidays
The following holidays are considered paid holidays and I will be closed on these days: Day before New Years Eve, New Years Eve, New Years Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Presidents Day, Day before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day & Day after, Day before Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. When a Holiday falls on a weekend, I will be closed on the Friday before and the Monday after. I always close for (4) days at Christmas and (3) for New Years Eve & Day. Occassionally I adjust this schedule and will always have my calendar filled out for the new year on January 1st for parents to view throughout the year.
Program Goal
I will provide a loving, learning environment where the intellectual, social and developmental potential of each child can be realized in a positive, stimulating and creative manner that is consistent with effective teaching practices, with a heavy emphasis on love & laughter! We prepare for preschool! We work on basic shapes, numbers, colors, ABC's, lacing, puzzles and memorization of familiar songs books & dancing! We also work on and introduce manners such as "please", "thank you," & "sharing" while we bond with one another and build strong relationships. I will also provide a safe environment where children can feel comfortable playing, resting, eating and learning. Children will spend time outdoors when weather permits, as well as indoors. They will be allowed to play in the rooms in my home that have been adequately prepared to accommodate children's activities. Structured learning activities that are developmentally appropriate, stimulating and fun for each child will also be utilized. Children will be able to learn through using manipulative materials, creative dramatics, music, art and movement on an individual and small group basis. An ample supply of toys, books, materials and equipment are available for children to use. Children will also be guided in developing appropriate social, communication and home living skills.
Meals
A nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack will be provided every day for children. I am a participant in the USDA CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) which is funded by the Department of Aggriculture. Children enrolled must arrive by 8:20am to be accepted into care and have breakfast. The usda reimbursement program helps me offset my taxes, for this reason I require all children participating in my program to attend all meals provided. I provide Gerber baby foods such as vegetables, fruits, infant cereal, 100% juices, biter crackers and infant snacks at 8 months of age until 12 months of age. Parents provide formula/breast milk. Please bring breastmilk in 3 seperate bottles in a bottle bag for the day. If using infant formula you may bring 3 bottles of water and a canister of formula to leave here, You may also choose to just bring 3 empty bottles for the day and the provider will use filtered water to make the bottles.
Supplies Needed
Please bring disposable diapers, wipes, pull-ups, ointments, etc. Your child will be designated his/her own cubby for personal belongings. Please bring any ointments, teething gel, change of clothes etc. that your child may need during the day. Please bring a roll of bags for soiled clothes. All walking children must bring shoes for outside activities.
Colds/Sickness/Fever
I must provide a healthy environment for all children participating in my program. For this reason, a child will not be allowed to attend if he/she is ill or begins to exhibit certain symptoms of illness. If a child becomes ill, the child will be separated from the other children and the parents notified immediately. You will need to pick up your child no later than 1 hour after you have been notified of your child's illness. If the illness is serious, necessary medical steps will be taken and or 911 will be dialed, (9-1-1 only in an emergency). * If your child is running a fever you will need to keep your child home until the fever is gone for 24 hours, without any fever reducers*. NO EXCEPTIONS. If your child is already in my care, and I detect the fever, you will be notified at once, and will then need to come for your child as soon as possible. This procedure also applies if you or I suspect your child has a contagious illness such as but not limited to: Diarrhea, Pink Eye, Mumps, Chicken Pox, Strep-throat, Common cold/flu with colored nasal discharge, Lice etc., or is suffering from a painful ear infection. **Upon returning from your physician, I will need a statement from the attending physician stating your child is able to return to daycare**
Medicine
I do not administer any medications other than an EpiPen (only administered if EpiPen has child's name on the pen) in cases of extreme emergencies. If a child needs fever or pain reducers they are obviously in no condition to attend care. If your child has received immunizations and your child's physician has advised you may administer "Tylenol" at your discretion, you are more than welcome to administer the Tylenol to your child before you drop them off. If your child needs a prescribed medication, such as an antibiotic, please have your child's Physician prescribe a medication administered twice a day as it will need to be administered by the child's parent before and after attendance to childcare. A registered home must comply with the law, rules and regulations regarding immunizations, and reporting accidents. Standard forms have been developed and must be filled out completely for my files to meet these requirements When your child receives an immunization I will need an updated copy of the shot record for my files as required by childcare licensing.
Discipline
An abundance of love, kindness and encouragement is what all children need and parents want them to have. Children can never suffer from too much positive reinforcement and support. No child will ever be "spanked" or physically reprimanded while at Frisco In-Home Professional Childcare. Age appropriate disciplinary actions will be introduced, such as "No-No" & "Time-Out". Usually, the child’s "time-out" session is according to their age; 18 mo’s-1 ½ min’s; 2 yrs of age-2 min’s.; 3 years of age-3 min's etc.. "Redirection" will also be used as a form of discipline. NOTE: * The following is a listing of reasons that may lead to termination of services including but not limited to: Biting, scratching, hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, pulling hair, spitting, inconsolable crying all day, climbing/jumping on furniture, destruction of property, lack of respect from parents, non- payment of tuition or any action which compromises the health & well-being of another child or me.
Childcare Hours
700: am To 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Remember to notify me at the earliest possible time that you know your child will not be coming or will be arriving late.
No-Call/No-Show
If for some reason I have a parent who fails to contact me that their child will not be attending that day, or decides their child will not be returning (breaks our agreement) after 24 hours of not being notified, by telephone, I will consider this your voluntary notice. At this point your child's remaining tuition will be due and payable at once. Should this occur, after 30 days all/any past due account(s) will be reported to a Delinquent Childcar Collection Agency. Please keep in mind I have to take necessary steps to protect myself as well as my business. *Note: e-mails, text messaging etc. will not be acceptable methods of contact regarding attendance*. Parents will be given my home phone number as the main contact and a backup number for power failures.
Rate Increase
I will give a two week notice in the event that I raise tuition rates. If your rates are increased they will not be increased more than once while your child is in my care.
Giving Notice
A one month notice is required that you will be removing your child from my care. In our agreement I ask that you please sign for at least 12 months if possible. This helps minimize "turnover" in children as well as having to fill a space too often. Two months before our agreement expires, we will discuss if your child will be remaining in my care for an additional length of time. If so, we may agree to sign for 6 months or longer. If and when you decide to give your notice of withdrawing your child from my care, a one-month notice in writing is required on a Friday . When a parent gives their one month notice, there will be four weeks tuition remaining, to be paid out weekly as usual. The last week of care was included in the deposit which means the last week of care was paid in advance. The Friday before your child’s last week of care, vacation pay will be the "final" payment (unless I have already taken vacation for the year). In the event that you break our agreement (for whatever length of time we agreed on) your remaining four weeks tuition will be due on the day you give your one month notice. In the event I terminate services for non payment, no deposits will be refunded and no last week's tuition paid in advance will be honored.
Renewal of Agreement/Contract
Our agreement will remain valid for one year to the date of signing our contract and then we will need to sign a new agreement with a new time-line of how long your child will be remaining in my care on or before the date our contract expires.
Change of Policies/Procedures
When/if I make additions or deletions to our agreement, I will give a two-week notice before the change goes into effect. Parents also will be required to let me know of any changes that will affect our agreement or me.
Caregiver Personal Appointments
I allow myself (5) personal days off per year for doctor visits, funerals, emergencies and or illness etc. I will try to schedule doctor/dentist visits on Saturdays but some things are only available on weekdays M-F. Parents would need to plan for a backup sitter or have a family member available to provide care for their child. These 5 days will be included in tuition therefore will be considered paid personal days.
Preparing Infants For New Environment
Please understand that an infant who is breastfeeding must be introduced to and eating from a bottle at least two weeks before starting care. Your baby will need to be eating from and familiar with a bottle on a regular basis before I will be able to care for him/her. Introducing a breastfeeding baby to a bottle/nipple can be very difficult. In order for our daily routine to continue as usual, and as a childcare provider, caring for other children, parents will need to make sure their baby is comfortable nursing from a bottle before care is provided.
Potty Training
My program is an infant and toddler program. Children are usually leaving my care for pre-school at the time they are ready to start potty training.
Biting
If a child bites another child, both parents will be notified immediately and the proper steps for cleaning the bite will be taken. If the same child bites a second time based on the severity of the bite, at Frisco In-Home Professional Childcare's discretion, a decision to terminate care may be necessary. No parents want their child to bite or be bitten. Fact is biting another child can do irreversable damage. We will work together to try & resolve this problem and do what is best for everyone involved.
Weather Closings
When snow or sleet/ice has accumulated/fallen on the streets, my program will be in accordance with the FISD schedule of closings. If FISD is closed my program will be closed as well for safety purposes. If FISD is not closed and or FISD is closed for the holidays and sleet/ice/snow has fallen, hours/closings will be determined by myself the provider. I will determine hours of operation according to the weather and may be opening later/closing earlier. In the event that the weather could become too dangerous for driving on the day tuition is due, and if the news has advised of possible severe weather conditions please make your tuition payment in advance.
*Minimum Standards are available for viewing at any time at the request of any parent.
It is of the utmost importance that parents as well as their children feel comfortable with me and while in my home/care. Please feel free to ask any questions about anything you may have a concern with, I am very flexible and patient. I take great pride in providing a safe, healthy, learning environment for children. Your child's growth & happiness is very important to me and your child will always be my first priority. Open communication between the parents and provider are crucial in satisfying the needs of everyone involved. Please feel free to contact me to discuss any matter of importance! I look forward to our new relationship and getting to bond with your child over the next year!
Miss Kimberley
CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT * Texas Law on child abuse & neglect requires suspected child abuse or neglect to be reported to the Texas Department of Protective & Regulatory Services at: www.tdprs.state.tx.us or 1-800-252-5400.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL ATTENTION * In the event of an emergency, 911 will be dialed and all proper procedures will be followed. My childcare licensing representative will be contacted immediately at www.tdprs.state.tx.us or 1-800-582-6036 to report the accident or illness.
**EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN** provided to parents of enrolled children**
email~kimjones22@yahoo.com
Contact Me...
Parent Handbook
"Shaded Texas Summer Fun!"
Contact by phone (972) 335-3930
Frisco In Home Professional Childcare
