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Planting Seeds of Excellence
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Welcome to the UW-Eau Claire Children’s Nature Academy. Our program supports the healthy development of children; physically, emotionally and cognitively by nurturing children’s sense of wonder and exploration. The nature-inspired environment has been carefully designed to embrace childhood in our amazing park-like surroundings.
Working together is an essential element in providing quality child care. We acknowledge that you are the expert on your child and that through clear communication we can support one another. This handbook has been developed in order to provide you with basic information about our program. The Children’s Academy staff hopes that this handbook answers most of your questions and/or concerns about our day to day operations.
Over the years the Academy has noticed a pattern in the questions or concerns that are raised by families.
These questions have been addressed in our policies in order to provide clarity about our goals, mission and values. As you review this handbook, please do not hesitate to ask questions. We enjoy working with you as partners in your child’s care and hope that your understanding of the following areas will improve your child’s and your experience at our Academy! Upon completion of the handbook we have included a document for you to sign and return to our office. This is an important step in this process and is required in order for your enrollment to be complete.
Thank you for choosing UW-Eau Claire Children’s Nature Academy for your child care provider.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Wurzer, M.S.
Director, UWEC Children’s Academy
“Every child is born a naturalist. His eyes are, by nature, open to the glories of the stars, the beauty of the flowers, and the mystery of life.”
~R. Search
Table of Contents
Page / PagePhilosophy / Mission / Purpose / 4 / Late Pick Up / 16
History / 5 / Parking / 16
Collaborations / 5 / Nourishment and Food / 16
Admissions / 5 / Food Allergies / Health Concerns / 17
Child Care Programming / 6 / Tooth Brushing, Hand Washing, Self-Care / 17
Infant / Toddler Basics / 6 / Pets / 17
The Learning Environment / 7 / Appropriate Clothing / 18
Communication / 7 / Babysitting / 18
Nourishment and Food / 7 / Emergency Procedures / 18
Sleep and Rest / 7 / Security / 19
Diapering and Toileting / 8 / Custody / 19
Shaken Baby / SIDS / 8 / Child Abuse and Neglect / 20
Preschool 2’s, 3’S, 4’s and 4K
/ 8 / Confidentiality / 20Assessment / 9 / Concealed Carry / 20
Physical Activity / 9 / Separation / 20
Evening Program / 9 / Temperature / 20
School Age / 9 / Outdoor Play / 20
Enrollment / 10 / Water Play / 21
Contracts / 10 / Wood Ticks / 21
Cancelation / 10 / What to Bring / 21
Discharge / 10 / Birthdays / Holidays / 22
Required Forms / 10 / Rest / 21
Behavior Guidance / 11 / Toys / 22
Steps to Behavioral Success / 11 / Parent/Teacher Communication / 22
Biting / 12 / Health Care / 22
Cultural Diversity / 12 / First Aid / Accidents / 23
Non-Discrimination / 12 / Field Trips / 23
Ratios / 13 / Passive Media Viewing / 24
Grievance Procedure / 14 / Staff / 24
Holidays, Snow Days, School Closing / 14
Billing / 14
Refunds / 14
Vacations, Absence, Schedule Change / 15
Financial and Child Care Assistance / 15
Attendance / 15
Drop off and Pick up / 15
PHILOSOPHY
Research supports the fact that without a conscious effort to unite children and nature the health and wellbeing of future generations is at risk.
At UW-Eau Claire Children’s Nature Academy the connection between the indoors and out is one that flows naturally. Children are immersed in learning and discovery that is hands-on and utilizes the senses; listening to the birds, watching for the first leaf of spring, tasting garden produce nurtured by little hands, enjoying the smell after a fresh summer rain and touching the cool water as it trickles in the stream. Life’s most wondrous adventures are explored as we utilize the learning that our world has to offer.
Mission / Vision
Mission: The goal of the UW-Eau Claire Children’s Nature Academy is to provide a nurturing, accepting and intellectually stimulating environment for the campus community through the establishment of a program that is centered on the characteristics of a sustainable society:
· Teamwork
· Respect
· Diversity
· Heritage
· Cooperation
· Stewardship
· Purposeful Technology
PURPOSE
§ To support families by providing students, faculty and staff a quality program for children which is both affordable and convenient.
§ To provide a resource for faculty and their students that will both enhance existing university programs and extend educational opportunities at the University.
§ To instill a curiosity and love for knowledge that will give children a foundation for a lifetime of learning.
§ To promote physical and emotional health for the campus community.
§ To develop an understanding of and appreciation for the natural world and its many wonders.
§ To promote the values of sustainability and inclusion by connecting individuals with the natural world and each other.
HISTORY AND BASIC INFORMATION
The UW-Eau Claire Children’s Nature Academy began as The Children’s Center in 1974 in a house near the UW-Eau Claire campus. The Children’s Center moved to the Campus School in 1981. Its program continued to expand and in 2006 a local church was leased for the addition of infant and toddlers to the program. 2012 brought new adventures for the program and the Academy currently resides 3 miles from campus at the Priory. The move made it possible to house all ages served by the facility at one location. The facility is surrounded by abundant natural beauty that the program utilizes for its nature-inspired programming.
The Academy partners with the following organizations in order to maximize learning opportunities for all children:
WESTERN DAIRYLAND HEAD START
The UW-Eau Claire Children’s Nature Academy is a partner site for Western Dairyland Head Start. Information is available on the program and can be accessed from the Program Director. In order to qualify for the Head Start program you must meet income guidelines. Further information is available online. If appropriate you will be confidentially referred to the Academy’s Family Services Specialist for determination of eligibility.
EAU CLAIRE 4 TOMORROW
The Program is also a contracted Eau Claire for Tomorrow (EC4T) partner provider with the Eau Claire Area School District’s 4-year-old kindergarten program. Children enrolled must be 4 on or before September 1st. They must reside in the school district’s boundaries and meet minimum hour requirements to be eligible to participate. We continue to place first priority on children of university students, faculty and staff and then children from the community. The Academy registers those children who want 4K with extended care. The school district registers those children who want only 4K after the deadline date for priority enrollments. If a child resides in another Wisconsin school district that provides 4-year-old kindergarten, parents may apply for open enrollment before the February deadline of the preceding school year with their home school district. Please contact your home school district for their policy and procedures.
Eclipse
Eclipse, an AmeriCorps program, recruits UWEC students to work with some of the Children Academy’s children. Eclipse’s goal is to meet the needs of young children by providing partner sites with enthusiastic and well-trained young adults to assist in our classrooms. They provide children with one on one attention to build on the development of language, literacy, and social skills. Each school year the UW-Eau Claire Children’s Nature Academy partners with UWEC Eclipse to serve children who qualify for the program.
Additional collaborations have been established within various departments at the University. Volunteers, university student observers, student teachers and practicum students as well as personnel from the partnering agencies are seen at the Academy at various times throughout the day and year. Staff is always present when these visitors are with children. Exceptions occur to this only with signed and written permission from a parent for a specific activity.
ADMISSIONS POLICY
The UW-Eau Claire Children’s Nature Academy is licensed by the Department of Health and Family Services. The Wisconsin Rules for Licensing Child Care Centers is available next to the computer. It is also available online at http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/rl_dcfs/CommManuals/GCC-CommManual.HTM. Any violations will be posted below the license hanging on the wall across from the attendance computer. The Children’s Academy is one of the few Centers in Eau Claire accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, a division of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Registration priority is given to children of university students, making up 66% of the total slots. Faculty/staff members are allotted the remaining 33%. After July 1st of the respective year, any remaining student slots will be made available to the university community. Segregated fees from university students help to reduce tuition so that affordable care is available for students who are parents. The fee structure reflects this. Policies and other parent information are available online at http://www.uwec.edu/children/index.htm .
CHILDCARE PROGRAMMING
The program at the UW-Eau Claire Children’s Nature Academy is based on the wonder of childhood through play and discovery. The program is organized into groupings (pods) that support the development of children from infancy through preschool. School age programming is offered during summer months and on days that school is not in session. Challenges are presented according to the unique development of each child so that children grow and learn according to their needs. Schedules vary between classrooms to accommodate developmental abilities and the use of shared spaces. Schedules are available on the Children’s Academy website and are posted on the parent board located outside of each classroom.
During University interim and summer periods classrooms in the same developmental area may be combined due to lower attendance numbers. A school age program will be added to the program during these time periods.
Transitions. Classroom teachers and assistants recognize that transitions for children are often difficult. In order to minimize waiting time and ensure child success, activities are incorporated into these transitions. The children may be playing simple games (like Simon Says) or actively participating in music and movement activities. When children’s minds are engaged these transitions can be a purposeful time of each day. Development of the child dictates the appropriateness of transitions. Therefore, lines and large groups are discouraged for young age groups.
Infant and toddler program
Basic Information. The Children’s Center was awarded a CCAMPIS (Child Care Access Means Parents in School) Grant in the fall of 2005. The grant is renewable on a yearly basis for 4 years to provide infant and toddler care for low income university student parents. The program began in January of 2006. The purpose of the grant is to support the participation of low income students in postsecondary education by providing infant and toddler care for the children of Pell Grant eligible university students.
The grant requires the program to serve the children of low income university student parents who qualify for a Pell Grant. Openings beyond those required to be filled by the CCAMPIS grant are available for students, faculty and staff of the University.
Enrollment is available to student parents with the greatest need. Priority is given to students using a point/criteria system, as follows:
1. Low income, qualifies for Pell grant
2. Full -time student (12 credits per semester)
3. Single parent
4. Multiple children needing childcare
5. Junior or senior classification (60+ credits completed)
6. Students with an equal number of points will be prioritized by date/time of application.
The Learning Environment. Emphases on activities will be given to play as a learning and growth experience. Since each child’s schedule is unique to his/her development, programming is also individualized. Each day your child will be nurtured through:
1. The integration of language in routines, songs, and spontaneous interactions.
2. Physical contact.
3. Outdoor experiences (see outdoor activities).
4. Tummy-time for non-mobile infants.
5. Purposeful positioning throughout the classroom.
This supports the research that brain development during this formative stage of life is greatly enhanced through the purposeful actions of the adult caregiver.
Communication. Parents and teachers work together to communicate changes in: scheduling of meals and feedings, types of food introduced and timetable for new foods, toileting and diapering procedures; sleep and nap schedule, child’s method of communicating and being comforted, and developmental and health history. This is done through daily meetings, informal reviews and by the updating of the daily intake for a minimum of every three months. A daily communication form is sent home with the parents each day.
Staff is trained in infant and toddler first aid and CPR.
Nourishment and Food. A menu of food provided by the Academy will be available for each age group of children. The menu will follow USDA guidelines. Parents who wish to provide supplemental or their own food will be given literature on developmentally appropriate child nutrition and will be asked to follow recommendations. Likewise, if parents follow a specific diet, (i.e.: vegetarian, kosher) they are more than welcome to bring in the food they would like their child to eat.
The classroom teacher or assistants will feed each infant or toddler on the child’s own feeding schedule, including early a.m. and late p.m. feedings if necessary. Staff will gather information from parents about their wishes with feeding schedules. Children will be encouraged to experiment with self-feeding with their hands and spoons. High chairs, infant seats, or other developmentally appropriate seats for feeding will be provided.
All food and formula brought from home will be labeled with the child’s name and dated and refrigerated if required. Regulations for throwing opened food and expiration dates will be followed.
Drinking water will be available for the children at all times and offered periodically. Formula provided by the parents will be commercially prepared, iron enriched, and prepared according to manufacturer’s directions. Formula or milk will be discarded after each feeding.