Multilingual-Kids Academy
Developing Our Future Global Talents!
Employee
Handbook
www.MultilingualKids.org
Tel:253-656-6844,253-802-1654 Fax:888-977-2858 Cell:206-769-5329
1048 W James Street Kent WA 98032
MULTILINGUAL-KIDS EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK 2016-2017
Welcome to the children’s center at Multilingual-Kids Academy!
As an employee of Multilingual-Kids Academy you will be expected to exemplify excellence and quality of service and care. By following the employee policy and procedures outlined in this handbook, you will be well on your way to meeting the goal of excellence and quality. This handbook is just a broad tool for conduct. You will be oriented on more specific policy and procedures through our on-going professional development to help guide decision-making and best practices. Be sure to always keep the Code of Conduct at the forefront of all decision making concerning children.
MISSION:
At “Multilingual-Kids”, we provide quality early education and learning in a Total Immersion Language Environment (TILE) or Dual Immersion Language Environment (DILE) by using loving, creative, and purposeful means to train and nurture each child in our care. Our concern is for the total personality of the child—physical, social, mental, emotional, and intelligent while simultaneously assimilating the languages and cultures.
Our highly-qualified teachers meet the following requirements:
Total combined 30 years of teaching experience
Hold a Bachelor or Master degree in Education
Multilingual in Mandarin, English, Spanish or French; TESOL (Teach English as Second Language) and TCFL (Teach Chinese as Foreign Language) international Certified
Have experiences working as a language instructor, Early Education teacher and Child Care Provider
Skilled in working with children at different ages and developmental needs
Will work with parents to accommodate their needs
Fingerprinted and background check clearance
CPR & First Aid certified and Washington Sate Food Handler permits
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
EMPLOYMENT
This handbook is prepared to provide you with information and guidelines. It is not a contract of employment between Multilingual-Kids Immersion Schools and Daycare and you, as the employee. You are not under contract for employment. Thus, employment Multilingual-Kids Immersion Schools and Daycare is not for a definite term. The Center or you may terminate employment at any time, for any reason or for no reason.
STATEMENT OF POLICY
Multilingual-Kids Academy strives for each employee to be treated with respect and in a fair and just manner. In keeping with this policy, all persons will be considered for employment, promotion or training on the basis of qualifications without regard to race, age, handicapping condition, color, creed, sex, or national origin.
Multilingual-Kids Immersion Schools and Daycare guarantees fair treatment of all employees. The Daycare strives to maintain a work environment in which all staff are free from harassment, and expressly prohibits any form of unlawful harassment of employees and co-workers on race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or the presence of handicaps or disabilities. However, all employees must be physically able to safely supervise young children.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at Multilingual-Kids Academy will be based on merit, qualification and ability. Multilingual-Kids Academy does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, physical disability or any other characteristic protected by law.
This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination and access to benefits and training.
Employees with questions or concerns about any type of discrimination in the work place are encouraged to bring these issues to the attention of the Director. Employees can raise concerns and make reports without fear of reprisal. Anyone found to be engaging in any type of unlawful acts and/or discrimination will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
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CONFIDENTIALITY
Due to the sensitive nature of information that you will know as a teacher of young children, it is imperative that you keep sensitive information confidential. Any information about children or their families must be shared on a “Need to Know” basis only. Thus, be very sensitive about discussing children’s developmental needs and family information in public places such as lounge or hallway. This does not exclude off premise discussions and/or conversations. Follow the Code of WAC and questions of major concerns should be forwarded to the Director. Protection of the interests of each child and family is vital in maintaining a standard of professionalism and privacy.
Also strive to be supportive of center efforts by avoiding negative or malicious discussions about center issues. Together we can achieve great child care and education for our parents and children. Stay positive and focus on the needs of the children in your care.
ACCIDENTS
All accidents must be reported immediately to the Director/Assistant Director. Accident(s) reports must be written, signed by an administrator, given to parents, and copied for the child’s file. Close supervision of children is the best anecdote to accidents. Use risk management to keep the environment safe and hazard free. Multilingual-Kids Academy strives to provide the best in equipment, that is kept maintained, and in overall good working conditions, so all children will be safe in the classroom or playground areas. Safety is a joint effort of all staff and employees requiring all of us to become risk managers.
STATE LICENSING RULES AND REGULATIONS
ALL staff is expected to be knowledgeable in The Minimum Standards for Child Care. Failure to adhere to these policies may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
Staff in our childcare center must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Note: A 16 year old that attends school can work as childcare assistant.
Each staff member must have current training in first aid with rescue breathing and choking and CPR for infants and children.
III. ADMISSION PROCEDURES:
1. Admission to the center is open to children 2.5 to 12 years of age.
2. Interested parents should call the Director of the daycare center to request that their child be enrolled. If there is no vacancy, the parents may pay the registration fee and place the child on the waiting list. When a vacancy occurs, the Director will notify the parents and arrange for a "pre-admission" conference if parents are still interested.
3. Each child should visit the center at least once immediately prior to his/her first day of regular attendance. Arrangements for this visit should be made with the Director during the pre-admission conference.
4. All required forms such as pre-admission, medical information, and parent agreement information must be completed and returned to the Director on or before the child's first day.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:
Multilingual-Kids Immersion Schools and Daycare (MISD) does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, or national or ethnic origin in admittance, education, or other administrative policies and extends to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally made available to students at the school.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE TEACHER
This is a very important position. The children in this group are between the ages of 2.5 to 6 years. They are learning about themselves and the environment. It will be your responsibility to help the young child grow in a positive way.
The verbal skills are being formed during this period. Each child will react differently.
Therefore, it is important to use proper English. When the child enunciates incorrectly do not tell them it is incorrect, instead just repeat it correctly.
The young child may have negative behavior when trying to express oneself. It is up to the teacher to speak gently yet firmly to the child who is being aggressive. Time out does not always work for this age group as tend to forget quickly. Encourage the children to express how they feel.
The teacher will take the roll as an observer who has created an environment for the individual child to grow and explore in a safe, positive manner.
Show the children how to put their work away, manners, pushing the chair in, how to walk up and down the stairs, primary colors number 1 to 5, recognize their name, etc. Share day can be everyday if you wish for this age group. Learn about their body parts, expressions, feelings and shapes.
The children are to work at their own pace. It is your responsibility to oversee the group and help when needed. If an activity needs servicing during work time and cannot be done while supervising the children, leave it until after the session but not where the child can get to it if it is a hazard.
A few ideas for this age group:
1. Create activities that are simple to begin. Have three activities over the amount of children in your group. Start increasing your activities after the two weeks. In this way the children will feel comfortable with you and the environment and will welcome new work. Return all work materials to the shelf at the end of each day.
2. They enjoy pouring (start with dry pouring and avoid rice). Make sure that what you use to pour is not too small where the child can put it in their ear, mouth, or nose. You need to keep on items that might be put into their mouth. Count the materials and make sure they are all there at the end of group time.
HOURS:
Morning Half Day (Monday- Friday) 9:00 AM to 11:30AM
Afternoon Half Day 12:00 PM to 3:30PM
Afterschool Enrichment 3:00PM to 6:00 PM
Full Day Dual Immersion 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Hourly drop-off (Monday- Friday) 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (2 hour minimum)
Weekends Enrichment and Care 9AM - 6:00 PM (Saturday & Sunday)
Evening and Overnight Care 8:00pm-6:00am
Weekday Evening Adults Class and Tutoring 6:30PM – 9:30PM
Our regular school year runs January through December of each year with year round enrollment, and we also offer a separate weekly summer/Spring camp program beginning in mid June and April.
HOLIDAYS:
MultilingualKids will be closed on the following holidays:
January 15 &16: M.L. King Day
February 18-22: Presidents’ Break
April 8- 12: Spring Break
May 28: Memorial Day
July 4: Independence Day
August 27 – August 31: End of summer camp (1 week)
September 3: Labor Day
November 22 & 23: Thanksgiving
Dec. 24& 25: Christmas
Dec31, Jan.1& 2: New Year Vacation
NOTE: MK basically follow Kent School District Calendar. If a holiday falls on a Saturday – the school will be closed on the preceding Friday and Saturday. If the holiday falls on a Sunday – Multilingual-Kids Academy will be closed on Sunday and the following Monday. Fees are not reduced during months/weeks that have holidays.
HOLIDAY PAY, VACATION AND ABSENCES
Fees are not reduced during months/weeks that have holidays. Tuition will not be adjusted or prorated due to the student’s absence It is helpful to think of your child’s schooling slot as something your purchase each week. It belongs to you whether you use it or not.
1. We will give you at least 4 week(s) advance notice of our vacation schedule.
2. Please call and inform us when your child will not attend due to illness or some other event.
3. Please advise us upon enrollment if you plan to remove your child from our school for any length of time (i.e., when you are on maternity leave with another child, etc.).
JOB DESCRIPTION FOR TEACHER:
1. Attainment of at least 18 years of age.
2. A teacher shall have completed with passing grades at least six postsecondary semester units of specified early childhood education classes. A teacher hired must complete at least two additional units each semester until fully qualified.
3. A fully qualified teacher shall have 12 postsecondary semester units in early childhood education from an accredited college and six months of work experience in a licensed child care center or similar program. The specified shall include courses covering child growth and development, child, family and community, and program curriculum.
4. A teacher shall complete 10 hours of annual STARS training.
5. Ability to comply with applicable laws and regulations.
6. Ability to follow directions.
7. Ability to listen to children.
8. Ability to repair/report hazards, if it doesn’t take away from the children.
9. Coordination with the head teacher or other teacher in the organization and direction of the daily curriculum.
10. Ability to be confidential.
11. Be of sound mental health and no physical limitations that would inhibit performing the duties and functions of a teacher.
12. Maintain the appearance of the school.
13. Evaluation of the students for parent- teacher conferences.
14. Help make early identification and remedial efforts of the children.
15. Follow the established standards for the use of materials.
16. Attend all staff meetings. The director will inform you of the requirement for each staff meeting, parent meeting, and special school events.
17. Communicate with parents, teachers, director and children on a professional level. Speak to the director before the parents. The director must be aware of conversations about the children. Must be able to write incident reports/maintain a copy for the director.
18. Consulting with the other teachers concerning matters of the children.
19. Caring for and nurturing the children at school.
20. Conducting a classroom consistent with the Montessori philosophy as well as the needs of the community. Follow the child’s needs not the parent’s needs.
21. Maintaining the educational environment, both in the classroom and on the school grounds, in a manner consistent with the policies and procedures set forth by our center.
22. Preparing and turning in your monthly lesson plan to the director by the 20th of each month.
23. Ability to share materials and ideas with other teachers.
24. Know the principles of nutrition, food preparation, storage, and menu planning. All snacks are to have two food groups. All food is to be covered when stored.
25. Know housekeeping and sanitation principles. Assume an equal share of the housekeeping duties and not when supervising children.