Munchkins Home DayCare Handbook


WELCOME:

My name is Nelli Savelieva. I am a mom of two and a teacher. I came with my family to Canada from Russia, where I used to work as a teacher in a high school. When we came to Canada my daughter was 3, so I decided to try working with small children. I got my ECE at Seneca College and had worked as an ECE teacher in a private school until my baby son was born. Now I want to stay with my children and apply my skills and knowledge in my Home Daycare.

The purpose of this handbook is to outline the policies and procedures under which I operate as a daycare provider.
Please read this handbook carefully, and feel free to discuss with me any questions that you may have.

MY CHILDCARE PHILOSOPHY:

As a childcare 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 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, cognitive, fine and gross motor development 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:

7:00 am to 5:00 pm

Yours specifically will be outlined in our wage and finance agreement.
I require 1 week notice if you need to change the hours required. I also reserve the right to terminate our agreement if the new hours will not work well for my childcare business.

I offer: Full Time

Before School

After School

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 children. 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.
I try to publish a monthly newsletter that will explain some of the activities we are doing, our current curriculum themes, events that will be happening during the month, my days off, and any other pertinent or fun information that may be of interest to you. You are always welcome to contribute to our newsletter.
Parents of infants will receive a daily note. Some typical things you may find on this paper would be feedings, BMs, schedule, temperament, and things to remember.
Parents of toddlers will also receive a daily note. Some typical things you may find on this paper would be things to remember, rest schedule, activities, temperament, and meals.
Parents of preschoolers and older will not receive a daily note unless there is an unusual reminder or a situation I need to make you aware of.
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

Immunization record

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.

SECURITY DEPOSIT:

Before your child is admitted into childcare, I request a 2-weeks security deposit. This deposit protects me from unexpected family departures from childcare. This deposit will be credited towards your last two weeks of childcare when you decide to leave my Daycare. I say credited because your rates may be higher when you leave our Daycare than when you initially enroll, so you may still owe an undetermined amount when you leave my services.

PAYMENT PROCEDURES:

Your specific rates will be outlined in your Contract and Rate Agreement form. Payment is payable each Friday afternoon at pick up time for the next week or the last day of the month for the next month.
Cash would be preferred, but 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 weeks notice of any increase in your childcare fee.
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 payments of fees will not vary.

OTHER FEES:

An overtime fee of $ 5.00 per 30-minute increment past 5:00 p.m./ or arranged in the agreement time will be charged. I have a very busy family schedule after 5:00, hence the fee is in place to discourage late pick up.

PROVIDER VACATION & ABSENCES:

Daycare will be closed for all statuary holidays.

The day care may 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.
Notification of at least four weeks will be given 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 will 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. I have five (5) personal/sick days in a calendar year for which payment of fees will not vary. If after five days I am still unable to provide care, no payment of fees will be expected. 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 VACATION AND ABSENCES:

Parents may take 10 days (2 weeks) per year vacation where payment of fees will not be expected provided two weeks advance notice is given. After these 10 days, I will require you to pay the regular weekly fee that your child is not in attendance.

EXTENDED LEAVE:

In cases of extended leave (children absent from the day care for more than the 10 days vacation, long term illness, etc.) I will require you to pay the regular weekly fee to hold a day care spot for your child. You also can cancel my services.Two-weeks notice is required in that case.

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.

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 behavior 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.

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 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 or while you are in the backyard. 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.

HEALTH MATTERS:

A parent should keep the child at home if the child has:

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:

Measles

Chicken pox

Mumps

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.

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. Depending on age there may be a preschool curriculum.
This is a general guideline only. Our schedule may vary due to infants in care, children's wishes, special activity days, school schedules, etc.

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:
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 me, 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.

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.

SPECIAL DIETS:

If a child has a particular dietary need, I must be informed. Substitute meals or snacks may then be brought from home.

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.

DIAPER CHANGES:

Diapers are checked and/or changed every 3 hours or more frequently if required.

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

Parents are responsible for supplying Diapers and Wipes; Weather appropriate change of clothes (2 changes of clothes); Swim suit, towel, and sunscreen in summer time; Blanket for rest time; fever and cold medication.

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, willfulness or carelessness, the parent will be required to replace it.

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.
Thank you for the opportunity to work with you and your child, and I look forward to the future.