Medea’s House of Play 2011 Parent Handbook
Please read this ~Parent Handbook~ thoroughly, as it covers very important policies and procedures that not only govern our childcare contracts, but also pertain to the care of your child. There may seem to be a lot of information, if you have any questions regarding my policies, please don’t hesitate to ask. This copy is for you to reference back to in the future if needed. There will be a yearly revision to this Parent Handbook. All families will sign new contracts each year. We reserve the right to make changes to the policies and procedures, as we deem necessary. You will be notified, in writing, of any changes that may occur.
We look forward to a wonderful year at Medea’s House of Play!!!
Table of Contents
My Goals and Philosophy
Admission & Enrollment Procedures
Trial Period
Termination Policy
Annual Renewals
Tuition Payments & Fees
Hours of Operation
Open Door Policy
Daily Schedule
Attendance
Holidays & Vacations
Substitute Care
Signing In & Out
Arrivals & Departures
Meals & Snacks
Nap Time/Rest Period
Toys from Home
Behavior Management
Field Trips
Health & Illness Policy
Medication Administration Rules
Emergencies
Child Abuse Reporting
Minimum Standard Rules & Reports
Contacting DFPS
Daycare Information
My Goals and Philosophy
Medea's House of Playfocuses on problem solving, decision making and self-help, while promoting interpersonal communications. These are key elements which contribute to the child’s development, self esteem and confidence.We have a comprehensive curricula base on age-appropriate learning activities for every age level including infants, toddlers and preschoolers. And, of course, a well trained and caring caregiver. Medea’s House of Play is a safe and developmentally sound environment.
I understand the level of trust that you place in my home care and I’m very committed to providing a home felt environment that encourages infants and toddlers to learn and grow.
Medea's House ofPlay works hard to stay posted on the most up-to-date teaching methods. We are constantly changing our curriculum but maintain basic methods that we believe nurture children’s learning. Our methods are exemplified in the activities we do with the kids.
Our activities are in the fields of:
- Art
- Science
- Movement
- Music
- Outdoor play
- Sense related activities (smell, sight, feel)
We like kids to learn by doing things themselves and provide them with an endless amount of enthusiasm as well as tools to explore with. Our daycare is filled with toys, games, musical instruments and books. Your child will receive three nutrition meals and two snacks each day.
Each day, you will receive an evaluation of your child so that you are kept updated on how and what they did that day, how much they ate, and what their mood was like. Also, often you child will be taking with them a “home version” of a story or song we talked about during the day, so that you can repeat it with them at home.
Admissions & Enrollment Procedures
Medea’s House of Play serves children ages 6 months to 5 years. Medea’s House of Play FORBIDS DISCRIMINATION because of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, or handicap.
ENROLLMENT FORMS
Before a child is admitted for care into Medea’s House of Play, the provider must receive all required paperwork. We will not assume care of your child(ren) if necessary paperwork, fees, and supplies are not received. All information will be kept confidential and is for our records only. Below is a checklist of necessary paperwork and supplies you will need to bring with your child on his first day.
PAPERWORK
Two Week Trial Agreement Form
Enrollment Form
Admission Information Form
Discipline & Guidance Form
Park Permission
Immunization Record
Financial Agreement
Parent-Provider Agreement & Contract
FEES
Registration Fee ($35.00)
Supply Fee ($35.00) yearly
1 Week of Tuition
SUPPLIES
Complete change of clothes (weather appropriate). Two sets of clothing is required for children not yet potty trained.
Diapers/Pull-Ups & Wipes
Bottles & Nipples
Infant Formula
Baby Food & Cereal
HEALTH FORMS
Upon admission Medea’s House of Play must receive a completed Health Evaluation Form signed by a physician and a current copy of your child's Immunization Records. We do not accept children who have not received their vaccinations as prescribed by the Health Department.
SIGNED CONTRACT & POLICY HANDBOOK AGREEMENT
Before a child is admitted for care the provider must receive a signed Financial Agreement and Parent-Provider Agreement & Contract. Signed Contract and the Agreements are required before childcare can commence.
Trial Period
Your child’s adjustment is important to us at Medea’s House of Play. Some children have a hard time adjusting and/or may not be a good fit for Medea’s House of Play. Therefore, enrollment acceptance is based on a 2-week trial period. The first 2 weeks from the child’s enrollment date is a trial/adjustment period for the child, parents, and provider. During this period either the parents or provider may terminate care without notice. After the 2 weeks have passed, a two-week notice is required from either party.
Termination Policy
A two-week written notice minimum is required to withdraw your child from care. If less than two weeks notice is given, payment in full for two weeks is still expected.
In the event Medea’s House of Play should ever find it necessary to end our agreement, the parent will be given a two week written notice. Except for reasons such as, but not limited to:
- Destructive, uncontrollable or violent behaviors
- Habitual tardiness in pickup of child
- Excessive late arrivals
- Excessive absences without notice
- Lateness of payment or nonpayment
- Lack of Parental Cooperation
- Covering a childs illness with Tylonal/Motrin
These situations will be grounds for immediate termination. If it becomes necessary for Medea’s House of Play will resort to legal action to collect fees, the parent(s) will be responsible for any legal fees incurred by Medea’s House of Play.
Annual Renewals
CONTRACT RENEWAL
Contracts will be renewed annually in December or January. Any changes that take place in your family should be reported and changes made on the childcare forms immediately.
POLICY HANDBOOK
Any time a change is necessary in the Policy Handbook parents will receive two weeks notice of the change and a new Parent-Provider Agreement & Contract will be required.
Tuition Payments & Fees
REGULAR PAYMENT
Childcare fees are due in advance on Friday’s at drop off /pick up; if fees are not paid on Friday you are taking a chance that your child’s spot may be filled by Monday. Clients should keep in mind that they are contracting for days and times to reserve a spot for their child for the next week and this time must be paid for whether or not it is used.
No deductions or refunds will be made for days your child is sick or absent.
Fees are due and payable in advance of care by the following pay schedule:
Weekly Tuition
Age Group / Fee (Day/Night)Infant
(6 mths to 18 mths & in diapers) / 135.00
Toddlers/Pre-school
(19mnth to 3 yrs old) / $110.00
Pre-School
(3 to 5 yrs old) / $95.00
After School (6yrs and older) / $75.00
Drop In Rates
(Mon- Thur/Fri-Sun) / $25.00/
$35.00
*A $10.00 per day late fee will be assessed if your regular childcare fees are not paid on the due date at drop off/pick up and giving that your child’s spot is still available that following Monday. Your child will not be accepted for care until your regular childcare fees plus any late fees are paid in full. Continued late payments will result in the termination of the childcare services.
PAYMENTS
Payments may be made by cash, money order (in office).
EARLY DROP-OFF/LATE PICK-UP FEES
Your child’s schedule is based on the days and hours agreed upon and listed in the financial agreement, NOT the hours we are open to accept children. If your drop-off earlier or pick-up later than your contracted hours you will be charged a $1.00 per minute, per child. One late pick-up is granted (with a legitimate reason) without a late fee charge. After the one late pick-up has been used, late charges will be assessed for tardiness.
This policy will be strictly enforced.
OVERTIME FEE
If you need care longer than 48 hours a week there will be an additional $5.00 minimum charge per hour, per child.
***If you need care outside your contracted time & if we can accommodate
your request there will be a $5.00 an hour fee***
SUPPLY FEE (NON-REFUNDABLE)
$35.00 yearly- This helps with the toys, equipment and curriculum the children use and is due yearly on your child’s anniversary date.
RATE INCREASES
Medea’s House of Play reserves the right to review childcare rates and to raise them periodically to accommodate increasing business costs. We will provide two week's written notice to parents in the event of rate increases.
RESERVATIONS
Parents who are searching for childcare weeks and months prior to the care may choose to reserve a childcare slot. To reserve an available slot parents must pay for ½ the week’s tuition and the supply fee that is non-refundable, but will be applied to your child’s first week of care.
Hours of Operation
Day time: Monday through Friday 6:00 am to 6:00 pm; latest scheduled pick up will be 6:15 pm
Night time: Monday through Friday 6:oo pm to 6:00 am; latest scheduled pick up will be at 6:15 am
Open Door Policy
Medea’s House of Play has an open door policy. You are welcome to come by unannounced during the hours your child is in our care. If you call and we are busy please leave a message and we will call you right back.
Daily Schedule
7:00 - 8:00 / Daycare Arrival; T.V. Time7:30 - 8:00 / Breakfast
8:00 - 9:30 / Free Play (Indoor/Outdoor)
9:30 - 9:45 / AM Snack
9:45 -10:00 / Circle Time
10:00-10:45 / Curriculum
10:45 - 11:00 / Music Time/Art Time
11:00 – 11:30 / Free Play Inside/Outside
11:30 - 12:00 / Lunch
12:15 – 2:30 / Nap Time
2:30 – 3:30 / Free Play (Inside/Outside)
3:30 – 3:45 / PM Snack
3:45 – 4:30 / Clean up time
4:30 – 6:00 / T.V. Time; Daycare Departure
6:30- 7:00 / Dinner
8:30-6:00 / Story Time; Bed Time
6:00-6:30 / T.V. Time; Daycare Departure
Children may watch educational television or child appropriate video tapes while the provider helps the children potty, wash hands, prepare meals, feed infants and clean up after meals. No more than 2.5 hours a day.
Attendance
Please be sure to prearrange any changes to your schedule with Medea’s House of Play at least 48 hours in advance if possible. If Medea’s House of Play is not informed in advance of the child's tardiness or early arrival, there is a possibility that we may not be able to accomodate you. In this event, you assume responsibility for your child's care and there are no refunds if this occurs. Never leave your child at this property alone to wait for the group to return. Two consecutive No-shows/No-calls are grounds for immediate termination. You will be billed for two weeks tuition. Please be courteous and notify Medea’s House of Play if your child
will be absent or late for the day.
Holidays & Vacations
Payment is expected for holidays. If the holiday falls on a Saturday, Medea’s House of Play will close in observance of the holiday the Friday before. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, we will close the following Monday. Payment is expected for these days.
Medea’s House of Play will close in observance of the following holidays:
- New Years Day
- Good Friday
- Memorial Day
- Fourth of July
- Labor Day
- The day before and after Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Please understand we will not under any circumstances be able to watch children on our paid holidays.
PROVIDER’S VACATIONS/PERSONAL DAYS
Each calendar year Medea’s House of Play will close up to two weeks for provider’s vacation and up to 5 illness/personal days. Parents will be given as much advance notice as possible, with a minimum of 30 days notice for vacation. Parents are responsible for making other arrangements for childcare when Medea’s House of Play is closed for vacation/personal days.
PARENT VACATIONS
Please notify Medea’s House of Play at least two weeks in advance if your child will be absent due to family vacation. Full payment is required for any days your child is absent and must be made prior to the scheduled leave.Remember, you are paying to reserve your child’s childcare space.
Substitute Care
Parents are responsible for providing their own back up care for illness, holidays, provider’s vacations, provider’s illnesses, and provider’s personal days. Medea’s House of Play will do it’s best to provide proper advance notice whenever possible.
Signing In & Out
A daily SIGN IN & SIGN OUT Sheet is kept at the front door. Parents must remember to sign their child/ren in and out each day.
Arrivals & Departures
The center opens at 6:00 am. Please accompany your child into the playroom after signing them in for the day. The same procedure should be followed at pick up time.
Occasionally you may wish to send someone other than yourself to drop off or pick up your child for the day. Be sure to notify any persons doing so of the Arrival & Departure procedure. Always notify Medea’s House of Play should there be someone other than you dropping off or picking up for the day.
Any persons taking your place for drop off/pick up times should be listed on the Admission Form under “Persons Authorized to pick up my child”. If they are not listed a written authorization from you are required to notify us and a photo ID will be required if we do not know this person. Medea’s House of Play will not release the child without your approval for both the protection of your child and the center.
- Communication: Though we are very open to any questions or concerns you may have about your child, drop-off and pick-up times are generally not the best times to discuss these concerns in depth. Instead, please feel free to phone us in the evenings when we are able to give you our undivided attention.
- Separation: It is normal for some children to have difficulty separating from parents in the morning or not wanting to leave when it’s time to go home. Please be very brief (no more than 5 minutes) during these transition times. The longer you prolong the departure the harder it gets and we need to focus our attention on the other children. A smile, cheerful good-bye kiss, and a reassuring word that you will be back are all that is needed in the morning. In our experience, children are nearly always quick to get involved in the activities as soon as the parent leaves.
- Boundaries: This is also a time of testing when two different authority figures are present (the parent and the provider). All the children will test to see if the rules still apply. During arrivals and departures, we expect parents to back up our rules. If you do not, we will remind the child that their behavior is inappropriate and take action to correct if needed.
- Safety: Please be in control of your child during arrivals & departures. At departures, please do not let your child leave the house until you are leaving also. Children are not permitted to go outside unattended.
Meals & Snacks
Medea’s House of Play is enrolled with Childcare Group Food Program. Through this program we are provided with nutritional training that helps us serve nutritious meals to your child. Each child in our care is enrolled in this program.
Well-balanced breakfasts, snacks and lunches will be provided. Food will be offered to your child, but your child will not be forced to eat. Children will be encouraged to finish the food served to them before seconds are offered.
If your child will not be arriving until after the scheduled mealtime, please feed them before they arrive. This helps the day to run smoothly. Our meal schedule is as follows:
Breakfast:7:30 – 8:00
AM Snack:9:30 – 9:45
Lunch:11:30 – 12:00
PM Snack:3:30 – 3:45
Dinner:6:30-7:00
*If your child requires a modified diet, we will need a physician’s written instructions.
FOOD FROM HOME
Please do not bring food, drink, gum, or candy from home. Food brought from home will be put away until it is time to leave. If you would like to bring a snack to share with everyone, please notify Medea’s House of Play ahead of time so that we may plan it with the day’s meals.
Nap Time/Rest Period
All children are required to have a rest period while at daycare. Our rest period is from 12:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. In orderto avoid disturbing the children who are napping, please do not schedule visits & drop-offs between 12:15-2:30.If you must pick up your child during quiet time please notify Medea’s House of Play in advance so that we may wake your child and have him ready for your arrival.