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Sample Policies &
Contract
(The following is a copy of the
policies I had in my parent handbook in 1999. Each family was given a
handbook and I updated them yearly. I printed them myself and they had a
nice cover with my daycare name "Kelly's House" & logo on
it and they were bound with a plastic binding.)
I believe that all children are special and
unique. It is my goal to provide children with a safe environment
that nurtures self-esteem and security. I provide an educational
program that promotes learning through hands on play and discovery.
I encourage parents to discuss expectations they have and/or want for
their child and myself. I am always open to any feedback about
myself as a provider. It is important that parents and providers
communicate together and establish a good relationship, which is in
everyone's best interest... especially your child’s.
About myself:
(I put a bunch of bio info in here) + I am a member of
Providers Choice food program. I have and continue to attend
classes and seminars that provide specialized training for child care
providers. I am CPR certified and have First-Aid training.
I hold a Class A License
I am allowed to have 10 children:
Of those 10 no more than 8 can be under school age, of those 8 no more
than 3 can be infants and toddlers, and of those 3 no more than 2 can be
infants.
*My own children are included in that count.
My child care program is
semi-structured with individual activities, group activities, supervised
free time, and supervised outdoor play. In addition to daily
activities I provide a more formal preschool program for children
between the ages of 18 months and pre-kindergarten that focuses on early
learning skills.
Infants:
Each infant will be on an individual schedule, depending on the
infant’s needs and the parent’s desires. They will be provided
with an environment that stimulates small and large muscle coordination,
the senses, creative expression, and socialization. Infants will
be held during bottle feedings, bottles will not be propped. When
a child reaches the age of about 18 months or sooner if they show
interest, we will include them in our preschool activities.
Toddlers:
Toddlers will be encouraged to participate in the preschool
program. Other activities will be added that are age appropriate.
There maybe some activities that are above their capabilities and they
may be offered a substitute activity in its place. Many of the
activities we do work for all ages they just get different things out of
it depending on their age.
Preschool /School age Program:
1. Small muscle: coloring, puzzles, play dough, and a
variety of blocks and other activities. 2. Large muscle:
crawling, marching, running, jumping, dancing stretching, exercising,
and sports participation such as; bowling, softball, and kickball.
3. Creative play; (stimulate child’s imagination, and
language skills) play areas that may include; kitchen, store, doctors
office, post office, dress up, and puppets.
4. Arts & Crafts: projects emphasize creativity/technique and
most importantly '' trying'' rather than final outcome.
5. Music: daily use of songs, rhymes, poems, piano or recorded
music.
Opportunities to experiment with different musical instruments.
6. Science: activities that encourage investigations, observing,
discovering and problem solving.
Example: cooking, growing a plant, bug hunts, etc.
7. Math: counting is a part of every day. Other activities
involving concepts such as volume, size, shape, and measurements.
8. Language Arts: Story Time will occur daily. Children will
be encouraged to participate in group conversations, social
conversations, story telling, puppet play and role-play. Speaking
in full sentences, talking turns, expressing oneself fluently and being
an attentive listener will be encouraged.
9. Outdoor Play: We will go outside daily, weather permitting.
Please be sure your child is dressed appropriately. Activities for
outdoors will often be planned that develop large muscle coordination.
On days when we can not get outside we will have some activities planned
such as dancing, or our exercise video Teeny Time Tune-Ups.
10. Responsibilities: Each child will be responsible to perform
daily tasks such as clearing their own lunch and snack dishes, and
hanging up coats. Each child will have a special job for a day or
week depending on its age. No child will be "punished"
for not performing a certain task but rather rewarded for attempting
and/or carrying out the task.
This will help build self esteem and independence.
11. Computer Skills: There will be opportunity for all children to
gain some computer experience from various games or educational programs
they can play on the computer.
Behavior & Discipline:
I believe in positive discipline for children rather then
punishment. When children exhibit negative behavior I will:
a.) Tell them gently and firmly that their behavior is
unacceptable
b.) Redirect them (show them what is acceptable)
c.) Talk to the child about their behavior, reprimands will not be
public or frequent
d.) Loss of privileges or a time out will be used only as a last
measure. Time-outs often give the child a chance to cool off.
Time-outs will not exceed one minute per year of age and the child will
not be left unattended.
**If there is a major behavior problem with a child, the parents will be
informed and a conference may be scheduled to devise a plan to help the
child overcome the behavior.
Sleeping & Rest Arrangements:
All infants will
have a crib or portable crib to sleep in. Toddlers and older
children will have a bed, mat, or sofa to sleep or rest on. Each
child will be given clean separate bedding in accordance with the
Minnesota Day Care Licensing Rule. Every day we have a quiet time
and children will lay down to rest or nap. Preschool children who
do not nap will be given quiet activities to do like looking at books,
but they must observe the quiet time also.
Toilet Training:
When a parent feels a child is ready and a child shows readiness I
will assist parents in the toilet training of their child. Parents
will need to bring extra clothing and the type of toileting products
they prefer such as Pull Ups. I will not force children to sit on
the potty and will use only
positive encouragement in order to promote using the potty. I
believe a child will start using the potty or trying to use the potty
when he or she feels they are ready. This is often a frustrated
time for everyone. Remember… Every child will learn it
eventually!
Meals & Snacks:
Nutritionally
balanced meals and snacks will be served. The children are offered
the food and encouraged but not forced to eat. I participate in
the Food Program and weekly menus are available for review.
Meals and Snacks are served at the
following times:
7:30am Breakfast
10:00am Morning Snack
12:00pm Lunch
3:00pm Afternoon Snack
4:00pm School Kids Snack (their opt.)
Food and bottles brought from home must
be labeled with child's name and will be refrigerated when necessary. **
As of October 1998 the Food Program requires Caregivers to offer
families with infant’s iron fortified infant formula. If parents
prefer a different formula for their child then families must provide
their own formula.
Daily Schedule:
6:00am-7: 00am Quiet Time
7:30am Breakfast
10:00am Morning Snack
12:00pm Lunch
1:00pm Quiet Time
3:00pm Afternoon Snack
4:00pm School Kids Snack
***Please be aware of these times!
If a child comes after a mealtime please be sure they have already been
fed. Please note our Quiet Times and come and go quietly.
Children that arrive during these Quiet Times should be made aware that
they will be expected to observe the Quiet Time.
Supplies:
Each child will have a designated
space for their personal items. Please mark names on children’s
things. Please bring the following things for children to have
available:
1. Toothbrush
2. A complete change of extra clothing (may need to be sent
often)
3. Paint shirt - an old shirt from Mom or Dad is fine
4. Diapers, baby wipes, pacifiers
5. Special blanket or toy for resting with
6. Sun-block, insect repellant, etc. (only be used if form
is signed)
***Please note.... We go outside every day – children need to be
dressed accordingly. Also we often do messy activities and clothes
can get dirty.
*Parents are encouraged to bring extra outdoor clothing such as hats,
mittens, light weight coats, etc. to keep at day care.
Illness:
I can not always give a sick child the attention they need and
deserve when they are ill. **It is in everyone's best interest
that a sick child stays home. If a child has any of the symptoms
listed below, they will not be permitted to attend day care until 24
hours after the last incidence of fever, vomiting, severe diarrhea, or
until 24 full hours after medical treatment has begun as prescribed by a
physician.
1. Fever of 100 or more
2. Severe diarrhea (cannot be contained by the diaper or toilet)
3. Unexplained rash (child will not be allowed to come to Kelly's
House until a medical exam has indicated it is not a communicable
disease.
4. Vomiting
5. Pinkeye or eye drainage.
6. Chickenpox- until all blisters have dried and formed scabs,
about 6 days after the onset of the rash.
If a child becomes ill while at
Kelly's House, parents will be notified and he/she must be picked up
within one hour.
MN. License
Rule requires that a child's parents notify the provider within 24 hours
of the diagnosis of a serious contagious illness or parasitic infection.
The provider must then inform the parents of each exposed child the same
day the provider is notified of the positive diagnosis.
**If one of my own children is sick and I
will not be able to provide care to other children I will notify parents
as soon as possible before daycare and parents will need to have backup
child care for that day. There will be no charge for that day. If
one of my own children becomes so ill that I can not provide care for
other children during child care hours I will notify parents and
children will need to be picked up within one hour.
**If we have a medical emergency I will get back up care immediately and
parents will then be notified and will need to pick children up ASAP!
Health:
A health care summary must be
completed by a physician prior to enrollment for infants and toddlers.
Pre-school children's health care summary must be completed within 30
days or admission. I must have immunization records for each
child. Parents will be asked to keep these records updated.
I will do my best to maintain a healthy
environment for the children although no environment can be made germ
free; keeping their numbers low can lessen the harmful effects of germs.
The #1 way to reduce the spread of germs is by thorough and frequent
hand washing. I will follow all hand and equipment washing rules
as stated in the Minnesota Day Care License Rule. I will encourage
the children to wash their hands often and require hand washing before
eating and after toileting.
Written permission is required before any
medication, diapering products, sunscreens, lotions or insect repellants
can be given. All medications must have the child's name and
dosage on the label.
All parents must sign a consent form for administration of Syrup
of Ipecac which will only be given after the provider calls the Poison
Control Center and is directed to do so.
Safety:
Our house is set up as a safe environment for children.
Safety checks are conducted monthly. We have emergency fire and
storm procedures. A monthly log provided by the county, and
practice drills will be completed regularly.
Pets:
Currently we have 1 cat, Whiskers, who is inoculated in
accordance with Minnesota Day Care License Rule.
Television Viewing:
Television viewing is an important issue for parents. At
Kelly's House TV time is very limited and monitored. Viewing time
may be allowed in early mornings (6-7), 1/2 hr. prior to lunch, and at
after 4:00pm while waiting for parents. This can amount to 1/2 to
2 hrs. Per day depending on when your child is here or if they want to
watch. The programs I allow them to view at Kelly’s House are
shows like Magic School Bus, Arthur, and Blue's Clues. If there
are any objections to this please let me know. I will honor
parent’s personal rules about television viewing. We
occasionally watch children’s movies most of which are rated G.
If there is a PG movie I believe is questionable I will ask for parents
permission first.
Field Trips:
Parents will be notified in advance as to when a field trip is
being planned. A child may not participate on a field trip unless
parents have signed the travel authorization form. All children
will be transported according to MN. Licensing requirements.
Miscellaneous:
I am a non-smoker. Smoking is not allowed during day care
hours in my home. I will not discriminate in relation to admission
on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, or sex.
I carry liability insurance as mandated by Wright County. This
contract will be revised in May 2000.
*A complete set of the Minnesota
Day Care Rule is available upon request, as mandated by Wright County.
Days & Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 6:00am-4: 30pm
Drop of and pick up
times will be stated in the contract. A late fee of $5.00 per
half-hour or portion of will be charged for pick up time greater than
normal. **Please note I reserve the right to choose whether
or not to add this fee to an individuals bill. If a child/ren are
drop off later then normal, pick up time still remains the same.
**Parents should notify me if they will be bringing children later
then normal or not at all. This just helps keep our routine
running smoothly. Parents should also let me know if they
will be picking up children early so we can be sure to allow enough time
for projects and such before children must leave. I believe it
makes the transition easier too if children know what to expect.
Rates:
** These rates are based on hourly fees however they should be looked at
as if a “daycare spot” were being purchased, so to speak, in my
child care.
Full time care -35-40 hour per week
Infants (2-12months)…$100.00
Toddlers (12-24 months)…$90.00
Preschoolers (24-kind.)…$85.00
Kindergartners ………… $80.00 Or $16.00 per day
*School age…$45.00
*Children who will need full time care when school is out.
*Summer care…$85.00
*School vacation days add $8.00 per day
Part time care -15-35 hours per week.
Parents will need to let me know the maximum number of hours per week
that care will be needed. That amount times the hourly fee will be
the weekly fee.
Infants…$3.00 per hour
Toddlers…$2.25
All other ages…$2.10 per hour
Drop in care -less then 15 hours per
week
…$3.00 per hour (and your spot is not guaranteed)
Prearranged
overtime rates: A $3.00 per hour overtime fee will be charged any
prearranged overtime. It must be prearranged or it is subject to
the late fee. Prearranged means parents ask me about it at
least 1-2 hours if not more (I would prefer a day ahead of time) before
scheduled pick up time. Not 5 minutes before normal pick up time.
Please be aware I may not be able to accommodate all requests.
Payments for
services are due in full every Friday by 5:00pm. A late fee of
$5.00 per day will be added to unpaid childcare bills. Parents
should add this in when payment is made.
If a payment is returned
to me for insufficient funds there will be a $20.00 charge added to the
next weeks child care bill and children will not be allowed to return to
care until the check is cashable or other arrangements have been made
with me.
Trial Period:
There will be a two-week trial period for all children starting at
Kelly's House. The contract may be terminated by either myself or
the child's parents during this two weeks if either party feels there
are reasons to do so with out the need for a two-week notice.
Terminating child care:
After the trial period a two-week notice must be given prior to
terminating childcare services, or to make changes in the contract (i.e.
need to change hours or days care is needed). Parents will be
responsible for paying for the two weeks after notice is given
regardless of whether parents choose to keep children in care or not for
those two weeks. If I feel that the requirements of the contract
are not being met or if there is a conflict in caring for a child I may
choose to terminate the contract. I will give families a minimum
of a Two Week Notice and assist in any way I can to help families find
new child care.
Holidays, Vacation, & Time Off:
I will have the following holidays off with pay: Memorial Day, July
Fourth, Thanksgiving Day, The day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day,
Christmas Day, New Years Day, and Labor Day. I will take two weeks
(10 days) unpaid vacation time off per year and a few personal days off
per year. A 2-3 week notice will be given when possible so that
you can secure other childcare.
*All Children will be allowed one unpaid week off per year. A two
week notice must be given to qualify as the unpaid week off. A two
week notice must also be given if a family expects a change in the hours
or days that care is needed. A new contract will need to be
written up and signed. I reserve the right to terminate care if I
don’t feel I can agree with the changes.
*** If care is needed for children at a
time that is different than those stated a families contract parents
must request it from me prior to the day the care is needed. I
would appreciate a minimum of a 24-hr. notice. I do understand
that situations come up and I will try and help out however I can,
parents need to be aware that I may not always be able to grant
requests.
*** If I can not care for children for some unexpected reason i.e..
Illness, death in the family, etc. I will try to give parents as much
notice as I possibly can. If I can arrange substitute care I will
try do to that. Families will need to have their own back up care
for those times when I can not possibly give care, there will not be a
charge for those days.
Communication:
The purpose of these policies is to keep misunderstanding from
happening. I hope it provides parents with a clear picture of the
expectations I have for them and that they may have for me. If at
any time a parent has a question concerning any part of this contract I
urge them to talk to me about it immediately. I often write notes
to keep parents informed on what is going on with their child. If
there is something I believe we need to discuss I may give a parent a
note asking them to call me. It is much easier to discuss things
after day care hours. Communication between parents and providers
I think is the key to each child getting the best care possible.
The care they deserve!
**These policies are subject to change! A two week notice will be given
when a policy is changed, added or revised.
(Here is a sample of my contract)
Kelly’s House
Licensed Family Child Care
1999 Contract
Child care will be provided for the
following child/ren:
1. ________________
2. ________________
3. ________________
4. ________________
Days and Hours care will be needed (drop
off and pick up times)
Monday: Drop off time =_____ Pick up time =_____
Tuesday: Drop off time =_____ Pick up time =_____
Wednesday: Drop off time =_____ Pick up time =_____
Thursday: Drop off time =_____ Pick up time =_____
Friday: Drop off time =_____ Pick up time =_____
Total Hours: _______
Weekly Fee: _______
Other Fees:
Late Pick Up:
$5.00per half hour or portion of will be applied if pick up time is
greater then 15min. past normal pick up time.
Late Payment:
$5.00per day for payments made after 5:00pm Friday
Prearranged Overtime: $3.00 per hour
Insufficient Funds: If
a check for child care is returned to me or not cashable due to
insufficient funds there will be a $20.00 charge. If this happens more
then once I will require payments made in cash.
A two week written notice must be received in order to make changes to
or terminate this contract.
Other conditions of this contract:
I/We have read the Kelly’s House Child
Care Policies and agree to all terms and conditions.
Signed:
Date:
Signed:
Date:
Provider:
Date:
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