Tarleton State University’s
Child Development Center Programs’
Operational Policy Handbook
Wisdom Gym, Room 172
Box T-0380
Stephenville TX 76402
254.968.9788
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The Tarleton State University Child Development Center programs were established to provide quality child care program while nurturing educational milestones, aimed at helping parents fulfill work, study,and family responsibilities without sacrificing their occupational or educationalgoals or the quality of their family life. With that goal in mind the programs serve multiple roles for staff, faculty, and students at Tarleton. The mission of the Tarleton State University Child Development Centerprograms are to provide a pleasurable learning experience for children enrolled in these programs. The programs are designed to allow for field experience location for University students engaged in the study of child development and early childhood education.The programs and policies are designed to be consistent with the University mission as an institution of higher education, while placing at the forefront quality of care received by the children enrolled. This handbook will provide an overview of those roles as well as important information regarding program policies and activities.
One role of the programis to provide an environment that facilitates research and learning opportunities for faculty and students. This environment will not compromise the quality of the program that childrenexperience or intrude upon the privacy of children or their families. The staff of our programs may participate in research activities witha variety of faculty and students across campus.
An additional role of the program includes providing the community with a model of high quality, professional childcare. This model includes provision of a curriculum that reflects the current understanding of the best childcare practices. Professional staff of the programs are expected to be active in the childcare community by participating in professionalassociations and sharing their expertise with other child care groups in thecommunity.
The programs’administrative staff, teachers, and faculty work as a team to make recommendations concerning programming,planning, and other functions. We encourage parents to discuss their concerns with teachers and directors, whenever questions or problems arise. As part of the annual program evaluation of the program, parents are asked to complete a survey rating their satisfaction with various aspects of program operations. We look forward to working with you to provide a positive experience for children.
OPRERATIONAL POLICIES
ENROLLMENT
The Child Development Center will accept children ages 18 months-5 years of age. The After School Program will accept children enrolled in pre-k – 4ndgrades.
The Summer Program will accept children entering K-3th grades.
All enrollment and permission forms must be completed prior to the child’s firstday in the program. A current shot record verifying that immunizations are up-to date is required at the time of enrollment in the programs.
NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES
Parents are expected to notify the program staff immediately and in writing of any change in name, address, employment location, and/or phone numbers so they can be contacted in case of an emergency.
Without accurate information concerning your place of employment, we cannot inform you if your child becomes ill or has an accident. If the name and/or number of the child’s physician changes, this information must be provided to the program staff as soon as possible. A form for these purposes can be obtained from the office.
HOURS
The Child Development Center opens at 7:30am and closes at 5:30pm, Monday through Friday. There is a $5.00 per minute charge added to your bill if your child is not picked up by closing time.
The After School Program opens at 2:55pm and closes at 5:30pm, Monday through Friday during the school year. The program will operate on all school days. There is a $5.00 per minute charge added to your bill if your child is not picked up by closing time.
Summer program calendar will be issued annually.
REGISTRATION FEE
If enrolling my child(ren) for the first time, a one-time non-refundable processing fee of $25.00 per family is due with first payment.
TUITION
Child Development Center:
Part time is not available every semester; please consult with director for current semester availability.
Contracts are per semester and payments are due monthly:
Preschool/Pre-K class(older three year olds- five year olds)$500.00 per month for full time care, $200 per month for 2 days per week, and $300.00 per month for 3 days per week when available.
The Young Multi-Age class (18 months- younger three year olds, this age group can include children up 44 months of age). $575 full time, $350 3 day option and $225 for 2 day option, when part time is available. Fees include breakfast, lunch, and at least one snack while the child is in attendance.
All fees are subject to change however, 30 day notice will be given before the changes occur.Payments are due in FULL by the 1st of every month (or first working day of month). A late fee of $20.00 will be assessed if payment is not received by the 10th of the month. If the account becomes more than 30 days past due the child’s space will be forfeited and the account will be turned over to collections. It is further understood that should the account be placed with a collection agency for collection, the payer(s) listed on file, will be responsible for all collection costs.
An insurance/supply fee of $100 per semester for the fall AND spring semesters per full time child and $35.00 per part time child is due with the first month of the semester’s payment.
If you would like to change your child's schedule, please notify the Director, in writing, at least 30 days in advance of the requested change. Requests are granted only if there is availability. Part time schedules may only be changed to full time if there is a full time slot available.
Requests for additional days and/or hours of care must be submitted in writing to the Director at least one week in advance. Temporary changes may not be in effect for longer than one week. Families will be charged additional tuition for childcare during times that are not part of the child's regular schedule. Requests will only be approved if space is available. Requests made due to emergency situations and/or Program holidays falling on regularly scheduled days can be accommodated only when space is available and with the approval of the Director. Part time is not available for all semesters.
After School Program:
The After School Program is located at:
Room 106, Wisdom Gym, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX 76401
(255) 968-9788
Tuition for the After School Program is $50 per week ($25 supply fee per semester) and is due the first day your child attends each week. This fee includes an afternoon snack when your child is in attendance.All fees are subject to change however, 30 day notice will be given before the changes occur. Operation time for the After School Program begin when the ISD bus arrives at Wisdom gym and the program staff takes custody of the childrenuntil 5:30pm.Payments are due in FULL on the 1stday of every week. A late fee of $20.00 will be assessed if payment is not received by the 3rd day of the week. If the account becomes more than 30 days past due the child’s space will be forfeited and the account will be turned over to collections. It is further understood that should the account be placed with a collection agency for collection, I, we or either of us, will be responsible for all collection costs.A two-week (14 calendar days) notice is required prior to the withdrawal of the child from the center for any reason. Fees must be paid for the two-week period, even if the child does not attend the program during that period. There will be no deductions for illness, vacation, holidays, or other days that the programs may be closed. Exception: Summer and After School Programs will not charge for Holidays when the University and/or ISD is closed for Holidays.
Summer Program:
The Summer Program is located in room 106 in Wisdom Gym, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Tx.
Tuition for the Summer Program is $100 per week ($25 supply fee per summer) and is due the first day your child attends each week. This fee includes a morning and afternoon snack when your child is in attendance.All fees are subject to change however, 30 day notice will be given before the changes occur. Operation hours 7:30am til 5:30pm.Payments are due in FULL on the 1stday of every week. Fees can be made in advance by making monthly payments on the first business day of each month June and July. A late fee of $20.00 will be assessed if payment is not received by the 3rd day of the week. If the account becomes more than 30 days past due the child’s space will be forfeited and the account will be turned over to collections. It is further understood that should the account be placed with a collection agency for collection the payer on account will be responsible for all collection costs.
DROP IN CARE (when available)
Children may attend the After School Program as a “drop- in” or as-needed basis. Please contact the program staff prior to the day your child will attend. Requests will only be approved if space is available. Requests made due to emergency situations can be accommodated only when space is available and with the approval of the Director. Children that attend as a “drop-in” will be charged $30.00 per day. Payment is due when your child leaves for the day.
MEALS(CDC)
Child Development Center:
Two meals and up to two snacks are served daily. Please make every effort to have your child arrive by 9:00am. Additionally, if your child arrives breakfast has been served and has not eaten please notify staff, we will provide a small healthy snack. We believe full bellies make way for learning minds. Children who are hungry tend to have a difficult time focusing, often display challenging behaviors and do not interact with peers in a positive way. Foods high in sugar (ex: pop-tarts, sugar coated cereal and donuts) do not prepare children for a day of learning. Lifelong eating habits are developed during the earlychildhood years. Children here will learn to eat a well-balanced and healthy diet. Weekly menus are posted and in advance forthe convenience of parents. Whenever possible, these menus are followed. Whensubstitutions are made, the parents are informed on the menu posted by the frontdoor. TSU Child Development Center takes into consideration recommendations fromthe United States Department ofAgriculture recommended meal patterns and portion sizes for preschool children as a guide.Copies of these guidelines are available at usda.gov. Healthy, nutritiousfoods are emphasized. No artificial juice or fruit flavored drinks are served.Foods and beverages sweetened with NutraSweet or other artificial sweeteners are not served. USDA standards will be met for all meals and snacks that are regularly scheduled. Low sugar and low sodium items are offered daily. Fresh fruits & vegetables and whole grains will be included as often as possible. Children are encouraged, but not forced, to eat the foods that are offered.Teachers eat with the children to set an example for desirable social conduct andprovide information about nutrition and eating habits.Children should not bring food to the center. Food exceptions will be made only inthe case of allergies or a special diet prescribed by a physician or religious dietaryrestrictions. Parents must file a request for special diets that fit theseexceptions.
After School Program:
Snack will be provided daily.
Summer Program: children will be provided one snack per afternoon. Children are required to bring lunch from home. NO SODA is allowed.
REST (CDC)
Children at the CDC will be given an opportunity to nap or rest each day. Children who do notsleep will be encouraged to rest quietly for at least 45 minutes. Children who donot fall asleep after this time will be offered quiet alternative activities. Rest time is part of the daily scheduleposted in the each classroom.
Each child will need to bring a travel size pillow or pillow pet and a blanket that fit into a singular backpack. All bedding items are to be taken home each week to be laundered.
CLOSINGS
Child Development Center:
The Child Development Center will be closed on days when the University is closed. Days that we will be closed are posted outside the classroom at all times. Please be aware that the University can close early or unexpectedly. The CDC will not operate on Good Friday each year, one week in August and one additional day in December. These days are reserved for center maintenance and professional development.
After School Program:
The ASP will be closed during ISD holidays and closures. The program will operate on district early release days when room 106 in Wisdom is available, a calendar will be provided to parents each semester. Availability of space is dictated by the university calendar and use of instructional space. An additional fee of $10.00 per child per day will be required for extended day attendance.
Summer Program:
The Summer Program will operate Monday through Friday in June and July. The Program will be closed in observance of July 4th.
FIELD EXPERIENCE
University students may conduct observations of the children enrolled in the programs. Interdisciplinary Studies, Kinesiology, Nursing, and/or Psychology studentsmay conduct observations and/or interact with the enrolled children. At no time will a non-staff member, volunteer or observer be left alone with the children. All volunteers or observers must complete a background check, participate in orientation and continue to take training or course work that applies to early childhood.
POLICY CHANGES
Parents will be notified in writing prior to any policy changes. Changes in fees will occur at the beginning of a Fall semester and parents will receive prior notification before any changes are made.
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
The programs will accept children who will benefit from the group experiences provided. The programs reserve the right to determine if the program and/or facility can be adapted to meet a child’s needs. Enrolled children who are identified as having special developmental, educational, or behavioral needs may be referred for evaluation. Additionally, the center reserves the right to determine if the needs of the child can be met by the program or refer the child to a program better suited for said need(s).
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HEALTH
The goal of the programs is to provide child care to healthychildren. Neither the physical facility, nor the staffing is designed to care forchildren who are sick. Sick children need closer supervision than we can provide. Lack of separate ventilation systems mean that having ill children in the programpresents the possibility of infecting others. We understand that parents need to be at work without interruption and that TSUstresses the importance of employees reporting to work in a dependable manner. However, if we take a child who is ill and that child infects other children, workschedules of many people can be interrupted. We use the guidelines developed bythe American Academy of Pediatrics and The American Public Health Associationto protect the children and to minimize the inconvenience to parents. Parents whorepeatedly fail to follow policies related to the exclusion of ill children from theprogram may be required to withdraw their child from the program.
Employee Immunization policy: All employees of the programs are encouraged by policy to take part in vaccinations. The programsencourage employees to be vaccinated for: pertussis, and the flu, meningitis, and hepatitis B.These are not requirements instead recommendations for a healthy work place.
WHEN SHOULD A CHILD STAY HOME?
1. Fever
The child’s temperature should be normal without medication for 24-hours
before the child is brought to the program (this includes temperatures due to
teething and/or ear infections). If your child has a fever in the evening, he/she should not be brought to the program in the morning, even if his/her temperature
is normal. Temperatures often are lower in the morning and rise again in the
afternoon.
FEVER is defined as an oral temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater, rectal temperature of 101.4 degrees or greater, or armpit temperature of 99.4 degrees or greater
2. Vomiting
If your child vomits during the night, he should not be brought to the program
the next day, unless you are confident that the vomiting was not due to an