INTRODUCTION
I would like to welcome you to All About Kids Early Learning Center and thank you for choosing our center. We are located at 5750 Derry St. in Harrisburg, PA17111. Our phone number is 558-8001. Our hours are 6:30am to 6:00 pm. This handbook has been designed to answer questions that may arise while your child attends our facility. I understand other questions may come up that aren’t part of the handbook, so please don’t hesitate to ask.
PHILSOPHY
All About Kids Early Learning Center is committed to providing positive, safe learning environment in which all children are empowered to develop their potential to become lifelong learners. Each child is a unique individual and therefore deserves to grow at their own pace and in a loving, nurturing environment. We believe, in conjunction with the parents, we will be able to instill a foundation based on educational and moral values.
LICENSING
All About Kids Early Learning Center is a licensed child care center through PA Department of Public Welfare (DPW). We are annually licensed through the state and our certificate of compliance is posted in the entrance of the facility. To obtain a copy of the state regulations or to check the licensing history of our facility, you can contact the DPW licensing office at 1-800-222-2117.
We will strive to keep a low teacher/child ratio so that each child’s individual needs can be met. The state has set the following teacher/child ratios for each age group:
Infants 1:4; Young Toddlers 1:5; Older Toddlers 1:6; Preschoolers (3’s, 4’s & 5’s) 1:10
School-age 1:12.
ENROLLMENT
All About Kids Early Learning Center does not discriminate based upon race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age gender or disability. Our center provides childcare for children ages 6 weeks to 11 years. Families must complete an enrollment application and meet the enrollment requirements before care can begin. Enrollment requirements consist of a completed agreement form, emergency contact forms, Food Program forms, handbook checklist form and Health Assessment form. There is also a $50 nonrefundable registration fee for each child or $75 fee per family. The registration fee will keep a child’s spot secure for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks if the child is still not enrolled, the space will be open again.
Children will be accepted into the program depending on availability. If there is no space in your child’s age group you will be offered the opportunity to be placed on a waiting list. Children are accepted into the program on a first come, first serve basis.
CAREGIVERS AND TEACHERS
Our staff is hired in accordance to DPW regulations. Each teacher must have a minimum of 6 hours of child related training per year. The center also provides first aid/ CPR and
fire safety trainings. In addition, we participate in the Keystone Stars program, which requires additional teacher training hours yearly, and training in observation and health/safety yearly. For more information about this program, visit
In addition, our staff are qualified caregivers that will try to meet your child’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual needs to the best of their ability. We strive to set a positive loving environment to let your child explore and learn at their own pace. We feel that parent participation is crucial to your child’s development. Therefore, daily logs will sent home for younger children and every attempt to discuss new situations will be made by staff. Parent conferences are offered twice a year for all age groups. We also encourage parents to have a getting to know you meeting with their child’s teacher after enrollment. Please see the director or your child’s teacher to schedule this meeting. Parents are encouraged to discuss any concerns that may arise with teachers. In addition, if a parent has a concern about a specific staff member, please discuss these concerns with the Director. We will do all we can to meet your family’s needs.
INFANTS ages 6 wks – approximately 12 months
Infants can begin to come to the center at 6 weeks of age. In this room the babies are cared for in a warm, nurturing environment. Your child will not only be loved but stimulated during the day. Your child’s day will be filled with daily activities and a set schedule. Activities include listening to music, being held, rocked and snuggled. Age appropriate toys will also be introduced. When weather permits the children will be going for walks. Each baby will be on their own individual schedule for sleeping and feeding based on the information form filled out by parents. A daily report will be given to parents about their child’s day and any supplies that may be needed.
The following items are needed for your child’s stay and must be labeled:
*Diapers & wipes
*Any ointments
*2 sets of bedding sheets and any comfort item. These items will be sent home to be laundered every Friday.
*2 Changes of clothes
*Pacifiers
Due to DPW regulations, no items are permitted in cribs while child is sleeping, with the exception of a small blanket and pacifier.
If labeling is not done by parents, teachers will do this to any and all items.
TODDLERS ages approximately 15 months – 3 years
The toddlers are broken into 2 groups: young (12 months to 2 years) and older (2 to 3 years) toddlers. They too will follow a daily schedule which includes being challenged in both large/small motor skills and age appropriate activities. Learning about colors, shapes, numbers as well as self-control and rules will be intertwined into the daily schedule. Children will encounter singing, dancing, listening to stories, parallel play and art projects. We will also guide children in their beginning socialization with peers and self-help skills. All of this will be done while still allowing the child to grow at his/her own pace. When it’s time to attempt the potty we will work with parents to make this a very smooth positive experience. Daily notices will be sent home to let parents know about their child’s day.
The following items are needed for your child’s stay and must be labeled:
*Diapers/Pull-ups (must be the kind that open and re-close at sides)
*Wipes
*Any ointments
*Blanket, sheet, a small pillow and any comfort item. These items will be sent home to be laundered every Friday.
*Change of clothes (including socks and underwear – if used) At time of potty learning several clothes may want to be brought in.
*Pacifiers (young toddlers only)
If labeling is not done by parents, teachers will do this to any and all items.
PRESCHOOL Age 3 – Kindergarten
The preschool program focuses on getting children ready for Kindergarten while still focusing on play. Children learn by experiencing many different activities in many different ways. Children will learn about a topic through storytelling, music, dramatic play, games, puppets, stories, Spanish and art. Teachers will also continue to guide children in socialization and self-help skills. Large/small motor skills will also be challenged. Children will also be introduced to the computer in the Pre-K/Kindergarten room. All of this will be provided in a relaxed setting. Children will continue to be able to grow and learn at their own pace.
The following items are needed for your child’s stay and must be labeled:
*Blanket and sheet, a small pillow and any comfort item. These items will be sent home to be laundered every Friday.
*Change of clothes (including socks and underwear)
If labeling is not done by parents, teachers will do this to any and all items.
SCHOOL-AGE 1st through 5th grade
The Before/After School program provides a fun and educational setting for school age children to relax. Children will be able to do homework, play games, socialize and participate in group activities. Children will be picked up and or dropped off by the school bus from Lawnton Elementary. Children who attend Rutherford and Southside Elementary can take part in our van services for a fee.
DISCIPLINE PHILOSPHY
All children have periods where their behavior is not appropriate. Although inappropriate behavior is undesirable, it is a part of normal development. At these times the teachers will remind the child of appropriate behavior up to 3 times and/or redirect their attention. If these attempts to not change behavior, child may be put into “time out” to cool off. The amount of time in “time out” is based on 1 minute for each year of the child’s life. If a more serious or consistent behavior problem occurs, teachers will discuss the situation with parents to resolve the issue. The staff may offer suggestions for methods of correcting the undesirable behavior so that a degree of consistency is achieved both at home and at the center. We may consider dismissal from the center for a child whose inappropriate behavior becomes habitual and uncontrollable.
FOOD AND NUTRTION
The center provides a catered hot lunch program, for no additional charge, for all children. A monthly menu is sent home. Children are allowed to bring a lunch if they don’t like what we are having that particular day. We will not force children to eat their entire meal. We will however encourage them to try all foods.
The center will, also, provide a morning and an afternoon snack and drink. Some examples of the type of snacks are pretzels, fruit, vegetables and crackers. Juice, water or milk will also be provided at snack. Please make sure the teachers are aware of any allergies. We have no problem if a parent would like to supply a snack for a special occasion or treat.
For the infants, we provide cereal, jarred food, juice and the current formula your child is on.
HEALTH ISSUES
Exclusion Policy
Your child will NOT be allowed to attend the center with the following symptoms:
1. The child does not feel well enough to participate in the usual activities of the program.
2. The illness requires more care than the child care staff are able to provide without compromising the needs of the other children in the group.
3. The child has any symptoms that indicate a contagious disease or an immediate need for medical evaluation, including but not limited to: a fever of 101 or higher, unusual drowsiness, persistent or excessive crying, wheezing, uncontrollable coughing, difficulty breathing, or complaints of severe pain. Your child may not return to the center until they have been fever-free WITHOUT medication for 24 hours.
4. The child will be excluded for the following contagious illnesses. They include, but are not limited to:
Pink eye/conjunctivitis-until 24 hours after treatment is started
Strep throat-until 24 hours after antibiotics are started
Lice or scabies-until 24 hours after treatment is started and the infestation is controlled. Proof of treatment is required.
Chicken pox-until all blisters are scabbed over and new blisters have not appeared for at least 6 days.
Please let the center know if your child will be staying home with a contagious illness so that we can let the parents in your child’s class know that their child might have been exposed. (Your child’s name will not be used.) Also, if your child is at the center and starts to exhibit any of these symptoms, your child’s teacher will notify a parent or legal guardian to pick up your child. You will be expected to pick up your child within the hour. If we are unable to reach a parent or legal guardian, we will contact your emergency contact person. For this reason, please keep all contact numbers up to date. If we are unable to get in touch with either parent or emergency contact persons, your child may be expelled from the center at the discretion of the director or owner.
Every child’s health is extremely important to us, therefore please keep your child at home if he/she is sick. We would not want your child’s illness to be passed to other children and teachers in the center. The director/owner may request a doctor’s note stating that the child is not contagious and is well enough to participate in everyday child care activities before being allowed to return to the center.
SAMPLE DOCTOR’S NOTE TO RETURN TO SCHOOL (NOTE DOES NOT HAVE TO LOOK THE SAME AS THE SAMPLE, BUT MUST CONTAIN THE SAME INFORMATION)
Certificate to Return to School/Work
Doctor’s Name
Address
Phone #
Patient Name______
____Patient has contacted our office that he/she has been ill from
______to______
____Patient has been see in our office and was under our care from
______to______
Limitations/Restrictions______
______
______
Signature
Child Health Assessment
Upon enrollment into the facility, the state requires that all children must have a current health assessment on file within 60 days. The ages for when your child will need to have an updated assessment is based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and are as follows: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, 2 years and yearly thereafter. These must be completed by a licensed physician or CPRN and must include a review of child’s immunization records and any health problems or disabilities and recommended treatment. Immunizations must be up to date or the child may not attend.
Medication Policy
All About Kids will administer prescription medication to children with written approval of the parent and an order from a health provider for a specific child or a specific condition for any child in the facility. Because administration of medication poses an extra burden for staff, and having medication in the facility is a safety hazard, medication administration in child care will be limited to situations where an agreement to give medicine outside child care hours cannot be made. Whenever possible, the first dose of medication should be given at home to see if the child has any type of reaction. Parents or legal guardians may administer medication to their own child during the child care day. This medication may NOT be kept at the center.
All About Kids will administer medication only if the parent has provided written consent a long with a Doctor’s note, the medication is in an original labeled prescription container that meets the following safety requirements:
1. Child resistant container
2. Original prescription label with the name, strength of the medication and physicians directions for use.
3. Name of child on container is correct for both first and last names.
4. Current date on prescription label covers period when medication is to be given.
5. Name and phone number of licensed health professional who ordered medication on container or on file.
6. Instructions are clear for dose, route and time to give medication.
A physician may state that a certain medication may be given for a recurring problem, emergency situation or chronic condition. The instructions should include the child’s name, name of the medication, dose of the medication, how often the medication may be given, the conditions for use and any precautions to follow. Examples include Epipen, asthma inhaler and sunscreen.
A medication log will be maintained by the facility staff to record the instructions for giving the medication, consent obtained from the parent or legal guardian, amount, time of administration, and the person who administered the medication. Spills, reactions, and refusal to take medication will be noted on the log.
Accidental & Emergency Care
First Aid Kits will be located in each classroom, kept inaccessible to children and inventoried monthly. An appropriately supplied first aid kit will be taken on trips (walking or vehicular) to and from the facility.
The center can treat a child for minor injuries only. If a more serious injury occurs, emergency medical attention will be sought. A staff member will contact you, therefore please keep all contact numbers up to date. An employee of All About Kids will accompany your child to the hospital. With any injury, an incident report or boo boo report will be filled out and a parent or legal guardian will need to sign it. Major injuries requiring emergency room or hospital care will be reported to DPW.
All caregivers will have immediate access to a device that allows them to summon help in an emergency. The telephone numbers of the Swatara and PA State police, poison control, Child line, Dauphin County Emergency Management Agency, as well as the director and owner’s cell phones are located in each classroom. The list of emergency telephone numbers, copies of emergency contact information for each child, and authorization for emergency transport will be taken along any time children leave the facility in the care of facility staff.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Parents should enter and exit the center’s parking lot from either Derry St. or Lincoln Ave. All entering and exiting the building should use the 2nd door on the left. Children must then be taken to their appropriate room. Please call to let us know if someone other than a legal guardian is picking up your child. Any person picking up the child other than the parent or legal guardian will be asked to see proper identification. If they don’t have proper identification, we can’t release the child without contacting you first.