TABLE OF CONTENTS
Philosophy/Admissions………………………………………………………………………….2
Daycare Program/Part-time guidelines…………………………………...... 3-4
Our Center Goal…………………………………………………………………………………….4
Our Staff…………………………………………………………………………………………………5
Supervision Procedures…………………………………………………………………………5-7
Child Guidance Policy//Hitting & Biting Policy……………………………….8
Parent Participation……………………………………………………………………………….8
Children Absent/Center Operations………………………………………………..8-9
Holidays Closed/Typical Daily Schedule………………………………………….9-13
What To Bring From Home………………………………………………………………. 14-15
What Not To Bring From Home……………………………………………………….15
Management of Illnesses…………………………………………………………………… 16-17
Children Re-admittance……………………………………………………………………… 17
Specific Re-admittance Policies……………………………………………………….18
Administration of Medications/Modifications……………………….….… 19
Nutrition/Safety Policy……………………………………………………………………….19-21
Field Trips/Outdoor Play…………………………………………………………………….22
Dismissal Procedure/Emergencies/Accidents……….……………………….23-24
Financial Information/Late Policy…………………………………………………….24
Vacation Policy……………………………………………………………………………………….25
Tuition Fee Schedule…………………………………………………………………………..26
PHILOSOPHY
KidsAdvancingAcademy believes that the beginning years of a child’s life
will provide a base for their future growth. The educational program is
designed to meet the developmental needs of children 6 weeks to 11 years of
age. The program provides a learning environment to enhance each child’s
social, physical, cognitive, language, and emotional development appropriate
to their age and stage of development.
We believe the use of Biblical principles to promote character building
and value system are of great importance.In light of this, we use Bible stories and materials from A Beka Christian publishers as a core part of our curriculum. We accept each child as a unique individual and are committed to assisting each child to develop at his or her own rate of maturity.
We respect parents as the most significant providers of care and
nurturance. We are pleased to serve as extended family members and we believe that the time children are away from Mom and Dad should be positive. KidsAdvancing Academy’s motto is “Where Learning and Fun are One”.
ADMISSIONS
A child is considered to be enrolled in the center only after the registration fee has been received, the administrator confirms the availability of space and the required paperwork is received. This includes basic enrollment and health information. Any change to this information must be communicated to the office immediately so that current information is always on file. This is for the safety of your child. A medical form signed by a physician or certified nurse practitioner is required to be submitted on the Child Medical Statement form prior to your child attending the center. This medical form must be updated annually. If this form is not updated each year, your child will not be permitted to attend until a current medication statement is on file.
Kids Advancing Academy admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship, loan programs, athletic or other school administered program.
Kids Advancing Academy’s purposeis to provide a safe and enjoyable
atmosphere that will benefit the child, the parent, and the community.
This program will allow infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school age children a myriad of learning experiences to assist with their development. This center will make available to the children play materials and equipment for the purpose of providing both quiet and active play suitable to the age levels and abilities of the children attending the center. We will provide representatives of the following categories for each age group specified.
Part-Time Guidelines: KAA offers part-time care for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-agers. At any time, KAA reserves the right to ask part-time recipients to increaseto full time. Once notice is given, if not negotiated, the spot may be given to a full time need.
1.Infants
Dramatic play materials, language arts and auditory equipment, sensory
perceptual motor materials, manipulative materials, art supplies, and
gross motor activities
2. Toddlers/Preschool Children
Art supplies, blocks and transportation toys, language art materials,
content standard based curriculum, dramatic play materials, gross
motor equipment, manipulative materials,musical equipment, science-
nature materials, and sensory motor equipment
3.School-Age Children
Art supplies, blocks and transportation toys, language art materials,
dramatic play materials, Sports and gross motor equipment,
manipulative materials, musical equipment, science-nature materials,
and sensory motor equipment
OUR GOAL IS TO ALLOW ALL CHILDREN A
QUALITY AND STIMULATING CHILD CARE EXPERIENCE
Infants- Our daily program provides first-rate care for your infant as well as constructive experiences through educational materials, stories, music, and games, according to the developmental stage of your child. Of course there is lots of cuddling!
Toddlers- Our daily program encourages children to explore through a variety of hands-on activities to enhance learning. Toddlers at this age are working towards independence, social awareness, and verbal communication.
Preschoolers- Our programs foster socialization with classmates as well as development of cognitive and language skills. The summer program consists of eleven weeks of learning experiences loaded with fun activities.
School Age-Our daily program throughout the school year provides a safe and enjoyable environment for elementary school age children. This program allows time for homework and developmental appropriate enrichment programs. Our summer program consists of eleven weeks of fun. The children participate in field trips, nature study, art and crafts, music and outdoor games.
We select our staff carefully in order to provide the best possible care and education for the children. We employ people who are warm and nurturing, who understand child development, who can apply their knowledge in the classroom, and who respect each child as an individual. We seek employees who value working as a team with parents, colleagues, and volunteers.
Each staff person has on file three written references which attest to the staff person’s suitability for employment at the center. We require a criminal history search based upon fingerprints submitted to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation as well as a physical examination.
Continuing education is an important part of working at Kids Advancing Academy. Each staff person attends training in First Aid, CPR, and other safety classes as well as child development and teaching methods. Staff members are required to attend at least fifteen hours of training per year.
SUPERVISION PROCEDURES
The center observes the following staff/child ratios maintained for each age group. Maximum group size is defined by the number of children in one group that may be cared for at any time. Limitations do not include naptime, lunch time, outdoor play, or special activities.
Infant
1:5 or 2:12 (less than eighteen months)
Toddler I
1:7 (eighteen months, but less than thirty months)
Toddler II
1:8 (thirty months, but less than three years)
Preschoolers
1:12 (three to five years)
1:14 (four or five years, and not attending school)
School-age
1:18 (Kindergarten to 5th graders)
Custody Agreements
If there are custody issues involving your child, you must provide the center with court papers indicating who has permission to pick up the child. The center may not deny a parent access to their child without proper documentation.
Transitioning
You will be notified when your child is ready to move up to the next classroom. When it is time for your child to transition, the center staff will develop a transition plan. This plan will include the beginning and ending date of the transitioning period and include a transition schedule. The plan will be signed by the parent. Parents may also request to have their child transitioned. These requests will be accommodated if it is in the best interest of the child and space is available in the next room.
Child Abuse Reporting
All staff members are mandated reporters of child abuse. If a staff member has suspicions that a child is being abused or neglected, they MUST make a report to the local children’s services agency. The safety of the children is always our first concern.
Arrival/Departure
Parents are required to bring their child into the classroom and to sign in their child. Any special messages, medications, special pickup notes, etc. are to be given to the teacher. The parent must make contact with the staff before departing, and upon picking up their child. The child should not be signed out until removed from the classroom by an authorized pickup person. Please remember to sign your child into and out of the computer. Please do not drop off your child during naptime as this is disruptive to other children who are napping.Our cutoff time for drop offs is 10:00 a.m. If your child is in a preschool classroom, the cutoff time for drop offs is 9:30 a.m. Please do not enter the building before 6:30am and please exit the building by 6:00pm.
Supervision of Infants/Toddlers/Preschoolers
At no time will a child be left unattended. Staff will supervise children at all times, including rest time. If a child becomes ill, they may be isolated in a section of the room not in use, but it will be within the sight and hearing of a staff member.
CHILD GUIDANCE POLICY
We believe that children have the right to be safe and comfortable. In order to ensure these rights, the children, staff and parents must observe requirements of Rule 5101: 2-12-22 .
- Setting clear limits with child by staff.
- Redirecting the child to an appropriate activity.
3. Showing children positive alternatives.
4. Modeling the desired behavior.
5. Reinforcing appropriate behavior.
6. Encouraging children to control their own behavior; cooperating with
others and solving problems by talking things out.
- When necessary, the teacher will implement a behavior management plan in writing which the parent or guardian must sign.
- If a situation arises where a child is consistently endangering himself, peers, or staff, it may become necessary to remove the child from the center. Everyattempt will be made to work together with the parents and the child to correct the behavior.
HITTING/BITINGPOLICY
Children that hit their teacher or responsible caretaker more than three times in a 24 hour period will be sent home. The child will be given a disciplinary action sheet to take home for parents to do with them prior to returning the next day. This policy is tentative, based on the age and cognitive development of the child.
PARENTAL PARTICIPATION & INVOLVEMENT
1. Parents/guardians (only) have unlimited access to the center.
2. If parents have a concern or need assistance with problems related to
the child development center, they may discuss the issue, if
applicable, with the staff involved. If they are not satisfied, they may
discusstheir concerns with the childcare director. Parents/guardians
(only) are invited to participate in or observe any of the activities
scheduled at the program.
- Teachers meet with individual parents to review each child’s progress
throughout the year. If you would like to schedule a conference with your child’s teacher, please speak to the director so that she can make arrangements in order for the conference to take place.
- Parents are always invited to accompany the center on field trips and
help with any special events.
CHILDREN ABSENCE/TRACKING
- Parents must notify the center when a child will be absent. We ask that absences are called in by 9:00 am.Also please notify administration whenever there is a schedule change (drop-off/pick-up) or employment change.
- Payment must be made for all days scheduled, even days not attendeddue to illness or vacation (unless you qualify for a vacation discount). THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS (except for a vacation discount if a two week written notice is provided to administration).
- Excessive absences are not permitted. We ask that parents be consistent with their children’s schedule. Parents on county voucher may be penalized with an enforced withdrawal upon child(ren) missing 10 or more days within 6 months.
CENTER OPERATIONS
The program is open from 6:30am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday. We
ask that parents with fluctuating schedules inform us in a timely manner.
Schedules are due in writing the Monday prior to the week of service. To run a smoothoperation, we appreciate cooperation in this regard. Please do your best to be out of the building by 6:00pm.
Our learning portion of the program begins at 9:00am. We ask that you have your children dropped off by this time; otherwise, they miss out on a vital part of our learning curriculum. Please do not drop off your child at naptime as this is disruptive to other children who are sleeping. Be aware of the lunchtime in your child’s classroom. If you drop off after this time, then please make sure your child eats before you drop them off.
Due to hazardous winter weather conditions, Kids Advancing Academy may be unable to open. We do not always close when Lakewood City Schools close. Please watch channels 3, 5, & 8to see if our school is closed.
HOLIDAYSTHECENTERWILLBECLOSED
- New Year’s Day
- Good Friday
- Fourth of July (closed on nearest weekday if it falls on the weekend).
- Memorial Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Day after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
- New Year’s Eve- close at 3:00pm.
We may be closed on other days depending on what days of the week each holiday occurs. Please check the current school calendar for updates.
TYPICAL DAILY SCHEDULE
KidsAdvancingAcademy is an educational program and not just for play. The learning part of the program begins at 9:00am. It is important for your child to be on time in order to receive the full benefit of the program. We ask that all absences be called in by 9:00am. Infant schedules are at the baby’s preference.An example of a daily schedule, for groups,is as follows:
(Infants)
6:30-9:00 / Arrivals, warm greeting, individual activities-explorationof materials (breakfast- parent provided)
9:00-9:30 / Snack (individual feeding schedules are followed through-
out the day)
9:30- 9:45 / Clean up & diaper checks (individual nap schedules are
followed throughout the day)
9:45-10:15 / Small group time (flashcards, educational items)
10:15-10:30 / Music or story
10:30-11:00 / Preparation for lunch
11:00-11:15 / Diaper checks
11:15-1:00 / Nap time/ quiet activities for those awake
1:00-2:00 / Snack/ small group activities
2:00-2:15 / Diaper checks
2:15-3:15 / Group play
3:15-3:45 / Outdoor play/ Indoor gross motor activities
3:45-4:15 / Small group activities
4:15-5:00 / Diaper checks/ preparation for departure
5:00-6:00 / Individual activities/ music
(Toddlers)
6:00-8:15 / Arrivals, warm greeting, supervised free choice time breakfast (provided by parents)8:15-9:00 / Free play /Diaper checks/Toileting for older children
9:00-9:15 / Circle Time
9:15-9:30 / Snack
9:30-10:00 / Art/ Diaper checks/Toileting for older children
10:00-10:30 / Structured Learning (math, science, language arts, social studies)
10:30-11:00 / Outdoor/ Indoor Play
11:00-11;15 / Wash hands & Prepare for lunch
11:15-11:45 / Lunch
11:45-12:00 / Storytime/ Diaper checks/ Toileting for older children
12:00-2:45 / Rest Time/ Quiet Time
2:45-3:15 / Table Activities/ Diaper checks/ Toileting for older children
3:15-3:30 / Snack
3:30-4:00 / Storytime/ Music
4:00-5:00 / Outdoor play/Indoor play
5:00-5:15 / Diaper checks/ Wash hands/ Snack
5:15-6:00 / Free Play
(Preschool I)
6:00-8:30 / Arrivals, breakfast (downstairs)8:30-9:00 / Diaper checks/ Potty/Free play
9:00-9:15 / Snack
9:15-9:45 / Circle time/Music
9:45-10:00 / Art
10:00-10:30 / Diaper checks/ Potty/Structured learning (math, science, language arts, social studies)
10:30-11:00 / Outdoor/Indoor play
11:00-11:15 / Wash hands & Prepare for lunch
11:15-11:45 / Lunch/cleanup
11:45-12:00 / Diaper checks/Potty/ Storytime
12:00- 2:30 / Rest Time/ Quiet Time
2:30-3:00 / Diaper checks/ Potty
3:00-3:15 / Snack
3:15-4:00 / Structured learning (math, science, language arts, social
studies)
4:00-4:45 / Outdoor Play/ Indoor Play
4:45-5:00 / Diaper checks/ Potty
5:00-6:00 / Table Activities in the Toddler Room
(Preschool II)
6:00-9:15 / Arrival/ Table Activities/ Teacher’s Choice9:15-9:30 / Clean up/ Wash Hands for Snack
9:30-9:45 / Snack
9:45-10:00 / Circle time/ Story
10:00-10:15 / Structured learning (math, science, language arts, social studies)
10:15-10:30 / Art
10:30-11:00 / Timed Centers
11:00-11:30 / Gym Time
11:30-11:45 / Handwashing/ Potty Time
11:45-12:15 / Lunchtime
12:15-3:00 / Nap/ Rest time
3:00-3:15 / Snack/ Potty Time
3:15-3:30 / Snack
3:30-3:45 / Story/ Reading/ Clean up
3:45-4:15 / Table Activities
4:15-4:45 / Indoor/ Outdoor Play
4:45-6:00 / Departure/ Table Activities/ Teacher’s Choice
(Pre- K III)
6:00-9:00 / Arrivals, warm greeting, free play, breakfast (provided by parents)9:00-9:15 / Wash hands & Prepare for Snack
9:15-9:30 / Snack/ Potty
9:30-10:00 / Circle time
10:00-10:30 / Art
10:30-11:00 / Structured learning (math, science, language arts, social studies)/Centers
11:00-11:30 / Indoor Play/Outdoor Play
11:30-11:45 / Wash hands & Prepare for Lunch
11:45-12:15 / Lunch
12:15-12:30 / Storytime/ Potty
12:30-3:00 / Rest Time/ Quiet Time
3:00-3:15 / Potty
3:15-3:30 / Snack
3:30-3:45 / Storytime
3:45-4:30 / Structured Learning (science, social studies, math, language arts)/Centers
4:30-5:00 / Indoor Play/Outdoor Play
5:00-6:00 / Free Play
(Pre- K IV)
6:00-9:00 / Arrivals, warm greeting, free play, breakfast (provided by parents)9:00-9:15 / Free Play
9:15-9:30 / Potty/Wash hands & Prepare for Snack
9:30-9:45 / Snack
9:45-10:15 / Circle Time
10:15-10:30 / Art
10:30-11:00 / Structured learning (math, science, language arts, social studies)/Centers
11:00-11:30 / Indoor Play/ Outdoor Play
11:30-11:45 / Wash hands & Prepare for Lunch
11:45-12:15 / Lunch
12:15-12:30 / Potty/ Storytime
12:30-3:00 / Rest Time/ Quiet Time
3:00-3:15 / Potty
3:15-3:30 / Snack
3:30-3:45 / Storytime Structured Learning (science, social studies, math, language arts)/Centers
3:45-4:30 / Structured Learning (science, social studies, math, language arts)/Centers
4:30-5:00 / Indoor Play/Outdoor Play
5:00-6:00 / Free Play
WHAT TO BRING FROM HOME