KFCCH HANDBOOK


*** This Parent Policy Handbook was designed to help things go smoothly in developing a good working relationship. The bottom line is: Ask me if anything is unclear. If any of my policies seen unfair or unnecessary, please take a moment to think about that policy and how it would apply to your current working situation. Im sure it will make sense in that light. These policies are enforced for the same reasons policies are enforced in any job situation-For fairness and respect.


Equal Opportunity Provider

KFCCH is an equal opportunity provider. Applications for enrollment are accepted without regard to race, religion, sex or national origin.

What I offer

• A safe and fun learning environment
• Story time
• Individual attention
• Healthy meals and snacks
• Music and games
• CPR and first aid certified
• High quality/low enrollment
• Arts & crafts
• Registered by the State of FL

Philosophy

I feel that children are most comfortable in a homelike environment. I like to keep a very flexible schedule.  KFCCH will provide your child with a safe and comfortable environment to play and learn with loving guidance. This is a play-based facility meaning that our “curriculum” is integrated throughout the day using arts and crafts, songs, stories, poems, games, indoor and outdoor play, occasional field trips and a variety of other activities that will help stimulate your child’s intellectual, social, creative, emotional and physical development. Please note this is NOT a preschool facility. During the school year we do a preschool type program however I am not a certified preschool teacher nor is it my intention to run an official preschool curriculum.

My goal is to provide your child with quality childcare that offers a well rounded program for infants, toddlers and Preschoolers, yet still have a homelike feeling with someone who will make your child feel loved when their parent(s) cannot be with them.

Communication

I am very open to all the questions and concerns that you may have about your child, drop off and pick up times are not the best times for the discussion. Please feel free to call me in the evening to discuss these matters.

Enrollment

Before enrolling your child in KFCCH, you must:

* Read through and become familiar with the Parent Handbook. You will be required to sign a form that indicates you have read, understand and agree to ALL the policies as outlined.

*Fill out and sign all appropriate forms PRIOR to admission.

*FL law requires that all children enrolled in child care must have signed, and up to date immunization forms kept on file at the day care. These must be completed before your child can be admitted into my care. If immunizations are not kept up to date, Public Health may be contacted. Further delay may result in termination of enrollment.

Enrollment Fees

The following fees must be received prior to your child’s first day. Care will not commence unless the stated fees below have been received.

Deposit equivalent to one week’s tuition fee
First Week’s tuition(Due by 6 PM Friday for following week)

* Deposit goes towards your last weeks payment . However, if you decided not to bring your child in my daycare after signing up, the deposit will be forfeited. Keep in mind that I am holding a spot for your child as soon as you register and pay the deposit.

Payment/Late Fees

Payment is due in full by 6 PM Friday each week for the following weeks care. Any payment not paid by that time will be considered late and a fee will be assessed. There is a $10 per day late fee.  If payment isn’t made until Monday morning, the total fees will be $30. If fees and full weeks payment is not made by drop-off time Monday morning, your child may not be allowed to attend daycare until all payments are caught up.

Hours of Operation

I will be open from 6:45 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday. Hours of care will be contracted from child to child.

Holidays / Birthdays

We honor major holidays and all children’s birthdays. Please inform me of any family / cultural traditions you would like me to include in my program. If you would like to bring a special treat for your child, please arrange this with me. You are more than welcome to participate in any activities we have planned.

The following are paid holidays that KFCCH will be closed:

New Years Day
Memorial Day - May 31st, 2010
Independence Day - July 5th, 2010
Labor Day - Sept 6th, 2010
Thanksgiving Day AND Friday after - Nov 25th-26th, 2010
Christmas Eve we will close at 4 PM
Christmas Day

* If the Holiday falls on Saturday, KFCCH will be closed friday and If the Holiday falls on Sunday, KFCCH will be closed on Monday.

Vacation

I will be closed for 2 weeks of vacation per calendar year. Both weeks will be unpaid unless I provide substitute. You will receive at least 2 weeks notice of my vacation. It is the parent’s responsibility to arrange for alternate care on these days if my substitute is not available.
         
Sick/Personal Days

I will notify each parent as soon as possible if I am not available to provide care due to family matters or professional training. This contract allows for three personal days, which are unpaid. It is the parent’s responsibility to arrange for alternate care on these days.

Children’s Absences/Tardiness

There will be no refunds or adjustments made to your childcare fees for your child’s time missed due to illness, holidays, or days off. A place is reserved for your child and cannot be filled on a short-term basis. In the event that your child is ill and needs to miss a day, please call 1 hour before arrival time. I require a two week notice of parent(s) vacation time and payment for that time in advance. Please inform me as soon as possible if your child will be arriving late.

Illness

State Law requires that every child in childcare setting have an updated health records. This is a requirement that we must be met prior to enrollment.  Please do not bring your child ill, your child will not be admitted. I will not provide care to children with the following symptoms:

Fever of 101 degrees or over
Contagious Diseases
Vomiting
Runny nose (not clear)  accompanied by cough
Diarrhea (2 or more loose stools)
Too tired to participate in any activities
Impetigo
Rashes that are weeping
Pink Eye

I will contact you to come and get your child in the event that she becomes ill. You will have one hour to get your child. In these cases, 24 hour without symptoms must passed before returning to childcare.

Injuries

I will make every effort to ensure the safety of your child while in my care. Unfortunately, minor accidents may occur. Parents are responsible for medical cost resulting from their child’s injury. I will notify you immediately of any illness or accident, which requires first aid treatment. In case of a serious accident or injury, I will make every attempt to contact you immediately. If I cannot reach either parent, I will contact the emergency contacts listed on the enrollment forms to make a medical decision for your child. If immediate intervention is required, I am certified in infant, child and adult CPR and First Aid and will take appropriate action including calling 911 and having your child transported to the nearest hospital.

Medications

I cannot administer medication (including over-the-counter) to any child without an instruction form signed by the parent and/or the child’s Doctor. Any deviation from the recommended dosage (prescription or over-the counter medication) must be authorized in writing by the child’s Doctor.

Withdrawal

A two week notice is required to withdraw your child from the daycare. Full tuition payment for two week notice is required at the time the notice of withdrawal form is submitted whether or not the child will be present during the final two weeks.

Signing In & Out

KFCCH requires your complete signature when you drop off and pick up your child. The sign in/out binder will be kept by the kid’s locker. Please be sure to sign in and out your child everyday.

Early Drop-off/Late Pickup

You are scheduled for childcare for the hours listed in your childcare contract. If you drop off earlier or pick up later than you’re contracted times, you will be charged an early / late fee. There will be a charge of $10.00 for every fifteen minute increment a child is left at KFCCH prior to or past your contracted time. Please understand that I have a family and enjoy spending time with them. If you need to arrange for extra hours before or after your regular scheduled hours, please speak to me.

Receipts

Receipts will be given for cash payments or upon request. I will also keep track of your payments throughout the year for tax purposes. Upon request, you will be provided with a Year End Tax Statement by the end of January with the total amount paid for childcare services from the previous year. I do not mail out Tax Statements. It is the responsibility of the parent to contact me to receive their Statement.

Returned Checks

A fee of $30 will be charged on all returned checks. Once a check is returned, service will be continued on a cash only basis.

Drop-In Care

We accept drop in care in our facility. We required 24 hour notice to schedule. Payment must be made prior to leaving your child for that day. I will not accept your child if you do not have money in hand at drop off time. I will only accept cash for drop in care. The drop off fee is $30 per day regardless of the amount of hours scheduled for your child that day. No deductions or refunds will be made should you schedule a day for care and not use the space.

Infant Care

For children 4 weeks to 16 months of age

The infant care program at the Daycare is based on tender, loving and individual care for each baby. I  emphasize communication through touch and speech with each infant many times throughout the day. I will talk to each infant at every opportunity, sing lullabies, and repeat the names of simple objects. Introductions to cup, spoon, and bowls are made at the appropriate times. Social interaction is introduced and supervised. My program encourage the development of dexterity and ability. I offer many "baby exercises". (This is done when they reach the appropriate stage of development.)

What to bring for Infant

* Package of Diapers
* Baby Wipes
* Blanket
* Change of Clothing
* Bibs
* Formula or Milk
* Bottles
* Baby food

If you are asked to supply more diapers and wipes for your child and you do not bring any in, you will be charged $1.00 /diapers.

Clothing / Supplies

We like to have fun! Having fun involves outdoor play and lots of messy activities, so make sure your child is dressed appropriately. Please do not dress your child in nice clothing and expect them to be spotless when you arrive to pick them up. Clothing should be comfortable and seasonally appropriate for outdoor play. Make sure to include shoes, jackets and/or coats for cold weather. You will need to provide a complete change of clothing for your child in case of an accident. For infants, please provide several changes of clothing and bibs. If your child wears diapers, you will need to provide them. I will provide everything your child needs for naptime, if your child has a special blanket or something they like to sleep with, please send it. In addition, please send an old t-shirt that your child can wear during our arts and crafts activities. Socks are required in our daycare to use daily.

Diapers/Pull Ups

I require that a package of diapers or pull ups be left here for your child (I supply baby wipes). I will notify you when your child’s supply is running low. Please check the “Attention Board” daily for the reminders and announcements. If it becomes necessary for me to supply diapers for your child, the following fees will be added to the following week’s tuition. $1-diaper, $1.50 pull-ups

Behavior & Discipline

Discipline is a learning process and not a punishment. Misbehavior will be handled in a firm, consistent and POSITIVE manner.  No child will be handled roughly, shamed or humiliated. No corporal punishment will be used, even at request of parents.  Age appropriate time-out procedures work well. My philosophy on discipline is to help children gain respect for each other and to teach constructive and positive alternatives when conflicts arise.

Meals and Snacks

I provide nutritionally balanced meals and drinks for your child that includes breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack. If your child requires specific food, you will need to provide the food for your child. See our daily schedule for a list of meal times. If your child arrives after a meal or snack has been served, (s)he will have to wait until the next meal/snack time to eat. Meals and snacks are served family-style. Children are encouraged to use this time to share their experiences with each other. Manners are taught and practiced during this time as well. Please provide any food allergies that your child may have. I will not force a child to eat or finish their meal.

Nap/Quiet Time

All children will have an afternoon nap or quiet time each day. Babies will nap within their own schedule. We observe a nap or quiet time after lunch. I supply linens, portable cribs, and cots for children who nap. If your child does not nap, s(he) may spend this time reading, or playing quietly so as not to disturb the children who do sleep. Please try not to schedule pick ups or visits during this time to lessen any disturbance to the children who are resting.

Toilet Training

I will assist you in toilet training your child when your child is ready, with the understanding that it will be successful only if we work together. I will use cotton underwear or pull-ups supplied by the parent. Send your child in easy on / easy off clothing until they are able to completely undress and dress themselves. I require at least three (3) complete changes of clothing during toilet training. I do not launder soiled items. I will send all soiled items in a plastic bag. Please replace any clothing sent home for the following day.

Television

Television viewing is an important issue for parents. At KFCCH, TV time is limited and monitored. Viewing time may be allowed 30 minutes a day.. The programs that are allowed to be viewed will be educational.  If there are any objections to this, please let me know. I will make every attempt to honor parents’ personal rules about television viewing.

Safety

One of my primary goals is to provide a safe environment for children. My home will abide by all the fire and safety requirements mandated by the State. Children must abide by the house rules that have been established for my child care. These rules are essential to the safety and smooth functioning of my home. The general house rules include: no climbing, standing and/or jumping on furniture, no verbally abusive behavior, no biting, no pinching, no hitting, no hair pulling or spitting will be tolerated at any time. I will encourage the children to have respect for my home, my property, themselves and the other children in my care.

Toys from Home

Please do not allow your child to bring toys from home. Anything brought will be put away safely until the child is picked up. I encourage respect for others and this includes sharing. Oftentimes, children are having hard time sharing their personal toys with others and also, since children share toys anything from home would have the potential to be damaged. That goes with coins, and candies.

Damages to property

Willful destruction of property in my home will be charged to the parent at the cost to replace the item.

Child Abuse / Neglect

As a family childcare provider, I am a mandatory reporter for child abuse and neglect.

Smoking

This home is a smoke-free home. Smoking is not allowed on the premises or property and I would appreciate if you would not smoke or throw your butts on to my property.

Pictures

I will take candid pictures of the children at various times during the day.  Some of these pictures may be used on my web site, placed in photo albums that are viewed by prospective clients and in my home.

Parents Night Out

I offer PNO every first Friday of every month from 6:30pm-11:00pm with pizza, games, movies and popcorn offered to the children ages Newborn to 6 years old.  The PNO's fee is $15 per child. The payment is due 2 days before the PNO. I require a total of at least 4 children to watch in order to have PNO.

Expulsion

In the event I should ever find it necessary to end my service, I will also give a parent two week notice except for such reason (but not limited to)

Destructive, Uncontrollable or violent behavior
Habitual tardiness in picking up of child
Lateness of payment or nonpayment
Failure to maintain required supplies for child
Failure to comply with required enrollment and health forms

These situations will be grounds for immediate expulsion.

Monthly Newsletter

KFCCH produces monthly newsletter for all families enrolled. The newsletter provides you all the information related to our program such as field trips, lessons, special occasions, birthdays, holidays and childcare closings. The newsletter is my form of communication with parents. It is important that you read this each month

Change to Policies

I reserve the right to make changes to the policies and procedures, contracts or forms, as I deem necessary. You will be notified, in writing, of any changes that may occur.