TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Introduction.
Mission Statement
Philosophy
My family and back ground
My training and experience
Program description
Admission requirements and enrollment procedures*
Introductory visit
Deposit and Registration fees.
Admission forms.
Certificate of Immunization status*
Trial period
Rates and Payment plan*
Definitions – Full time, Part time and Drop-In.
Payment Plan, Penalties, and extra charges.
Vacations and Absences.*
Business Practices.
Sign in and Sign out procedures.*
Back-up Childcare.
Termination of Services*
Receipts and Taxes.
Items brought from home.
Insurance coverage.
Smoking.*
Hours of Operation and Daily Activity Schedule.*
Hours and Days of Operation.*
Holidays.*
Sample Daily Schedule.*
Television, Video and Computer Use
Special Activities.
Pets.*
Transportation and Field trips.*
Meals and Snacks.*
Meals Served/ Sample Menu*
Policies for meals brought from home.*
Permission for free Access.*
Child Abuse reporting.*
Behaviour management and Discipline.*
Non-Discrimination Statement.*
Religious Activities.*
Care of Young Children.*
Separation.
Diapering Procedure.*
Toilet Learning.*
Infant Feeding.*
Naps and Rest Periods.
Health care practices.*
Medical Emergencies.*
Medicine Management.*
Ill Children.*
Cleaning and Disinfecting.*
Hand Washing Practices.*
Injury Prevention.
Food Handling Practices.*
Infant Sleep position.*
Disaster Response Plan.*
Communication and Parent Conferences.
Parent/Provider Communication.
Parent/Provider Conferences.
Parent Involvement.
Check List of Child Care Supplies.*
Please read this handbook thoroughly. Items in the table of contents with asterisks (*) are required by Licensing to be reported to the parents in writing. Other items include necessary information about this Child Care, its business practices, and the caregivers. I have a copy of the Minimum Licensing Requirements available for review. I look forward to our very important relationship as parent, child and care provider. My home has been inspected by a state licenser and meets the minimum licensing requirements as required by Washington State Law.
Date: December 2007.
INTRODUCTION.
In the overpopulated, rapidly changing, highly technological world of the 21st century, survival of the fittest demands that each individual be physically fit, have a sound physiological constitution, and develop the intellectual and emotional capacity to succeed in an economically, geopolitically and biochemically threatening environment. If we can give our children a solid educational foundation today, they will become the leaders of a better, safer tomorrow.
MISSION STATEMENT.
Welcome to the 100% educational playground! Our home will provide a safe, nutritional, learning, and nurturing environment packed with fun for your child. We strive to surround the children with beauty, reality, nature, structure and order. Your child will be encouraged to move about freely and explore each step of his/her development and thereby inspire his/her emerging intelligence.
PHILOSOPHY.
Children learn by movement, discovery, repetition and satisfaction in their achievements. Organic Sprouts Daycare does not see a floor, but a landscape of opportunity for a developing infant, toddler and pre-schooler. Children need challenges, guidance and wholesome foods to energize their growth. Organic Sprouts Daycare will provide a balance of physical, intellectual, social and emotional awareness through routines, respect and consistency.
We believe in Children. We believe in parents. We are an extension of your values, morals and home.
MY FAMILY & BACKGROUND.
I was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. I have worked as an Import specialist/manager for 16 years, but have always had a passion towards working with children. I am now a mother of a 15 yr. old boy and two girls, 9 & 5 years of age. My husband is ferry pilot and we both believe in giving, supporting and always being a part of our community. We strive to teach our ‘sprouts’ by exposing them to all aspects of life and setting an example for them to live and love by.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE.
My son was in Special Education for 5 years as a ‘Shadow syndrome’ child. (This means he was diagnosed as having a touch of various disorders like ADHD). My husband and I were against medicating him and chose the alternative route. We read countless books on nutrition as it relates to behaviour and overall wellness, behaviour modification, positive discipline and time outs. Our family went all Organic and removed foods that contained Salicylates. He transformed overnight and now scores above average in almost all his academic subjects. Our middle daughter is a strong reader and loves math. She was recently diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome so our road of learning continues as we educate ourselves in order to help her. We did the newborn program with our youngest daughter who at 2 years of age had a full vocabulary and could speak in complete sentences.
My time is devoted to enhancing the lives of our kids to their full potential and I would enjoy nothing more than to pass on what I have learned to other children in our community.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION.
Our program is unique! We strive to develop and nurture your newborn child’s full potential
Infant/toddler will be taught to communicate through sign language. Infant/Child will be taught through sensation and its importance to movement.
Infant/child will be provided with the means to expand (their) fine and gross motor skills.
Infant will be encouraged to develop dominant brain hemisphere.
We will work on language development and comprehension.
Infant/child will be exposed to foreign languages and many cultures through music/ poetry/ pictures and books.
Children will be taught the importance of making good nutritional choices.
Children will learn about their bodies and the importance of the development of a healthy self-concept.
They will develop coping skills through inner resources.
** Program will be discussed in greater detail in chapter 5 **
Teaching a baby in all kinds of cultures and societies when he or she is most receptive to learning, able to acquire knowledge without effort, and enjoying every moment of learning gives babies the very best opportunity to develop the physiological constitution, the fitness, and the intellectual skills to excel in our highly complex world. Never again in life will your baby’s brains have the learning capacity that they enjoy in the first five years after birth.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND ENROLLEMENT PROCEDURES*
Introductory visit.
Each new family needs to visit our home at least 1 time prior to enrollment.
Please call in advance to schedule a visit.
Deposit & Registration fees.
Deposit: Your child’s position is reserved upon receipt of 2 week’s tuition deposit. This deposit will be applied to 2 weeks of care.
Registration fee: I require a non-refundable registration fee of $25.00 to cover administration costs.
Admission Forms.
Before your child’s first day at Organic Sprouts Daycare it is mandatory to have submitted to me the following documents:
- Child Home Care Register – this form includes:
Consent for Medical Care and Treatment of Minor Children.
- Signed Tuition Agreement.
- Immunization Form.*
- Health History Form.
- Child Pick Up Form.
- Field Trip Consent Form.
Certificate of Immunization Status.*
A CIS form must be used. Form must be current and updated yearly (more frequently for infants). All Children must be current on their immunizations. If there is a signed exemption to immunizations, the child may be excluded from childcare if there is an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease for which the child has not been immunized.
Trial Period.
The trial period will be three weeks. This period is used to observe the child’s adjustment to care and to talk about concerns. Please feel free to communicate any concerns to me. After a three week trial period, we will determine if the childcare services are satisfactory to everyone. If any problems cannot be resolved, the care will be terminated and the deposit will be refunded.
Rates and Payment Plan.*
Rates are evaluated and will be raised every year in January.
If other adjustments are needed, a three month notice will be given.
Rates are:
DAYS INFANTS (0-2 yrs) PRE-SCHOOL (2-5)
1 DAY $350.00 / month $325.00 / month
2 DAYS $595.00 / month $575.00 / month
3 DAYS $935.00 / month $890.00 / month
4 DAYS $1,240.00 / month $1,000.00 / month
5 DAYS $1,330.00 / month $1,120.00 / month
Occasional Day $12.00 / hour $10.00 / hour.
Definitions:
1. Care is provided Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 5:30pm
2. Occasional Days are defined as days that are not a regular schedule and are billed at an hourly rate.
Payment Plan, Penalties, and Extra Charges.
Payment Plan:
We must receive your tuition between the 25th and the 1st of every month.
Example: for the month of September you will pay between August 25th and September 1st. If the first day of the month falls on a weekend, you will be required to pay before the weekend.
Late Payment fee:
We expect all parents who enroll their child at Organic Sprouts Daycare to be prompt with their payments and if tuition is not paid by the 5th day of each month you will be required to pay a $25.00 late fee.
NSF Checks.
The fee for NSF checks is $30.00 plus any bank costs incurred by Organic Sprouts Daycare. Cash payment is required for returned checks. You may be put on a cash basis after the second NSF check.
Late Pick-Up fees.
While we enjoy having your child with us, we also expect you to be on time to pick up your child; you will be expected to pay $1.00 per minute starting at 10 minutes after assigned pick up time that will be due with next monthly payment.
Extra Charges:
Any extra charges for Field Trips and/or Special occasions will be discussed and agreed upon in advance.
Field trips will be kept to a minimum.
Vacation and Absences:
Vacations, Sick days, and Absences – Tuition will not be credited for such days. This helps guarantee your child’s time slot.
BUSINESS PRACTICES.
Sign-in and Sign-out Procedures.*
Arrival and Pick-up instruction:
When arriving, the parent, guardian or authorized person must sign the child in, and sign out at pick up time with a full signature, date and time. The sign-in/sign-out form is located just inside the entrance. Shoes and coats should be removed and placed in the child’s cubby..
A person who is authorized to pick up your child will be asked for identification when picking up your child. Please identify on the Child Care Home Register who is authorized to pick up your child.
If there are any changes on your child’s arrival or departure times and special needs, please fill out the Special instruction form found in the sign-in/sign-out folder. A fee of $7.00 per hour will be charged for extra care.
PLEASE endeavor to be consistent to the agreed hours. Do not assume that if you bring your child into school late that you can pick him/her up late.
Back-up Child Care.
I recommend that you have access to an alternate childcare arrangement. You may need care if I am ill or when I am on vacation. If I am ill you will be notified as soon as possible so that you may make other arrangements. It is always your responsibility to find back-up childcare. For a childcare referral please call:
Child Care Resources – (206) 329-5544.
For any days in which I am unable to provide childcare due to my illness or unplanned absence, there will be no charge.
Termination of Services.*
PLEASE give me 30 days notice of your intent to terminate childcare, or you will be required to pay one month’s tuition. Organic Sprouts Daycare sole source of funds to support the operations of the daycare comes in the form of tuitions.
Services will be terminated by Organic Sprouts Daycare:
If the child and parent(s) cannot adjust to the daycare environment, we will ask the parent(s) to withdraw the child. Parents will be given a weeks written notice prior to your leaving. The following are conditions that will cause the child care to be terminated:
a. Continual late payments.
b. Child behaviour problems that are unsafe to other children.
c. Not respecting child care settings and policies (children and/or parents)
d. Continual late pick-ups.
Certain instances may occur when we would make this an immediate withdrawal.
Receipt and Taxes.
Organic Sprouts Daycare will give you a payment receipt when you pay for the childcare.
Items Brought from home.
Items parents supply.
- Diapers. 6-8 changes.
- Plastic Pants.
- Bibs.
- Bottles and Nipples. 2 to 4 sets.
- We use Horizon Organics Formula. Feel free to supply your own if so
desired.
- Change of clothes. 2 if possible to keep in Child’s cubby, in case of spills,
toilet accidents, etc.
- Coat, raincoat, sweater appropriate for the weather.
- Boots or water resistant shoes.
Toys from home are not encouraged. Children may bring a ‘security’ blanket or stuffed toy to aide them when taking their naps.
Items which should not be brought are:
- Candy or gum.
- Anything small enough to be swallowed.
- Toy weapons of any kind.
- Make up, nail polish, perfumes.
- Action Toys that promote violent and abusive behaviour.
- Toys with sharp, pointed parts.
- Bats, sling shots, umbrella’s, yo-yo, ropes.
- Bikes.
- Movies.
Insurance Coverage.
Supplemental auto insurance: Each child is insured for field trips.
Liability Insurance: We do not carry additional liability insurance. Organic Sprouts is owned and operated by Organic Sprouts Daycare, Inc.
Smoking.*
Smoking is not permitted on my property, Indoors or outdoors.
Hours of Operation and Daily Activity Schedule.*
Childcare is closed for the following holidays*:
Holiday Day, Date, Comments.
New Years Day January 1
President’s Day February 15th
Memorial Day May 31st.
Independence Day July 4
ORGANIC SPROUTS WILL BE CLOSED MONTH OF JULY!!
Labor Day September 6th
Thanksgiving Day November 25 & 26th
Christmas Break December 23 through Jan 1st
PLEASE NOTE: TWO WEEKS TUITION WILL BE REQUIRED FOR MONTH OF JULY.
Sample Daily Schedule*: INFANTS.
The sensory program: seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting and smelling.
These pathways will become, by six years of age, reading, understanding and sophisticated tactile perception. Since these are entirely one-way paths into the brain, we must feed them by means of stimulation. The front half of the brain and the spinal cord is compromised of the motor pathways. Their purpose is to act upon the information that the brain has received through the sensory pathways. These motor pathways are mobility, language, and manual competence. They are also vital to the child because they will later become walking, talking, and writing.
The Visual Program:
Objective: To establish, improve, or reinforce the light reflex.
This is achieved with the use of a flashlight and the constriction of the pupil will be observed. As we continue to stimulate this reflex and the auditory and tactile reflexes, you will see that each of them become more and more consistent. Each time the light is shone, we will use a loud, clear voice and say “light”. This provides your baby with the auditory stimulation and teaches him/her the word “light”.