OPERATIONAL POLICIES
" Welcome to our Home Preschool and Child Care "Family "
HOURS OF OPERATION: CHILD CARE WILL BEGIN_____________________. Drop off at _______ a.m. Pickup by _________ p.m. Monday thru Friday. Please respect the hours agreed upon in the contract. Please respect these hours and do not come earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon, unless prior arrangements have been made.
DAYS PAY IS EXPECTED FOR: Tuition is due for provider sick/personal days, bereavement, professional days, bad weather days, vacations and all holidays listed in the contract.
MEALS/SNACKS: (For children 1 year and older) The Child Care Facility will furnish breakfast (7:30 a.m.) lunch (11:30 a.m.), and an afternoon snack (4:00 p.m.)
PEANUT OR PEANUT PRODUCTS: Peanuts and/or peanut products are used at this Child Care Facility. Allergies to this product in young children may not be known yet. Allergies to this product may present itself while at child care. If an allergic reaction does occur, all emergency procedures will be taken to assist your child. If you already know your child has an allergy to this product (or any other allergy) you need to inform the child care immediately.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS: Does the child have any medical conditions that the Child Care Facility needs to be aware of? Please list or write N/A:__________________________________________________________
SUPPLIES NEEDED: Please bring everything that your child will need during the day in regard to changes of clothes (in regard to the season), shoes, coat, bottles, formula, diapers, wipes, cream and /or powder. You may also bring a blanket, pillow and resting toy, for nap time.
SUBSTITUTE CARE: Parent’s/Guardian’s are responsible for substitute care when the provider is unavailable.
ILLNESS: Any day(s) that the childcare provider is ill and not able to care for your child, the childcare provider will contact you as early as possible, in order for you to find alternate child care for the day.
Every child will be observed for symptoms of illness. Any child showing symptoms of illness will be separated from the group; if his/her appearance warrants, the parents will be notified and the child must be picked up within one (1) hour.
If your child is running a temperature: Oral of 100.4, Rectal of 101.4, Armpit of 99.4 or greater, accompanied by behavior changes or other signs or symptoms of illness; such as: lethargy, abnormal breathing, uncontrolled diarrhea, two or more vomiting episodes in 24 hours, rash with fever, mouth sores with drooling, wheezing, behavior changes, then your child will not be admitted. This is required by Texas DFPS.
Children may not return to care until they have been free of symptoms, without medication, for at least 24 hours. If your child has had a contagious disease, you must also provide a release from your child’s physician before he/she may return for care. Fees for the full week will be due, regardless of attendance, since the space is held for your child.
ABUSE: If any child shows evidence of abuse, the childcare provider is required to report it to the Department of Family and Protective Services.
IMMUNIZATION: In accordance with state law, you will be required upon admission of your child to submit a statement certifying their immunization record, a listing of any special needs, and the name of your child’s physician. Your child must have or be in the process of obtaining all immunizations at the medically appropriate times.
MEDICATION: If your child needs prescription or over the counter medication administered, please sign the "Medicine List" stating the times and the amount of medicine to be given to your child. Also, the date of when brought to the Childcare Business. All medicine MUST be clearly labeled with the child’s full name and directions for the proper amount (dosage) and time(s) to be administered. Also, the medication Must not be expired.
MEDICAL EMERGENCIES: If a child is seriously injured or becomes seriously ill, the childcare provider will administer CPR and/or appropriate First Aid until EMT’s arrive. The childcare provider will call "911" immediately for assistance. The childcare provider will contact the parents or legal guardian as soon as possible with information deemed from the paramedics. While it is not required by TDFPS that the release form be notarized, ambulances and hospitals will not accept it, if it is not. If medical attention is needed, the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) will be responsible for all fees incurred.
RELEASE OF CHILDREN: Your child will only be allowed to leave with a person whose name is on file as a person authorized to pick up your child. A written notice or telephone call from an authorized person (prior to the child being picked up) stating the name of the person to pick up your child. Valid identification will be asked for upon their arrival before the child will be allowed to leave with them. This is strictly for your child’s safety and your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
PARENTAL VISITS: Once your child is enrolled, you are welcome to visit the child care facility any time during operational hours, and do not have to inform the child care facility of your visits in advance. Please be aware that if you drop in, and then leave without your child, she/he may be distressed. Please also be aware that the behaviors you see during a visit are often exaggerated by your presence - the children often put on a show for visitors.
If you choose to spend more than thirty (30) minutes at the child care facility, more than once a month, the child care facility will need to do a background check on you. Background checks are mandated by the state, and are intended for the protection of the children. You will also be required to have a TB test, with a negative reading. Please always feel free to discuss any concerns you may have.
DISCIPLINE POLICY: The goal of discipline for young children is to support their growing ability to handle situations independently, to make wise and safe choices, to promote feelings of competence and self esteem, to help children learn from their mistakes, and to promote positive behavior and social skills.
The childcare provider uses the following appropriate discipline procedures:
• Positive reinforcement of desirable behavior
• Encouragement
• Ignoring non-dangerous behavior
• Re-direction
• Separation
• Time-out (only in very unique situations)
The Family Child Care setting is a safe place for children. Inappropriate disciplinary procedures are not acceptable. Examples of inappropriate discipline are corporal punishment of any kind or any type of behavior which shames or degrades, or threatens the child or his family. Discussion is to focus on the behavior and not the child as a person. Parents may not administer any type of physical punishment while in the Family Child Care home.
Parents are contacted and asked to attend a conference when negative behaviors persist. Any child deemed unmanageable may be asked to leave the Family Child Care home.
INFANT SLEEPING POSITION: Infants not yet able to turn over on their own must be placed in a face-up sleeping position, unless the child’s parent presents written documentation from a health care professional stating that a different sleeping position is allowed and will not harm the infant.
PETS: The Child Care Facility has a dog present. Vaccinations are current.
FIRE/WEATHER DRILLS: The Child Care Facility will conduct fire drills once a month, and a severe weather drill every six months.
NON-MEDICAL EMERGENCIES: In the event of an emergency, where we are forced to evacuate the premises, we will go to McDonald’s at Highway 287 and Walnut Creek, until we are allowed to return. You will also be notified if this occurs.
ITEMS FROM HOME: Items from home are not allowed, please do not bring them.
POTTY TRAINING: The parent/guardian and the provider must agree the time is right, and work together to potty train children. Once training has started, children will need to wear pull-ups, and the parent/guardian will provide two complete changes of clothing.
ABSENCES/LATE ARRIVAL: Please inform the Child Care Facility if your child will not be attending, or will be arriving late. This helps the Child Care Facility to plan activities and meals. Your child must be here before 7:30 a.m., in order to have breakfast. If your child is eighteen months or older, the childcare provider begins preschool at 9:00 a.m.. Also, at 9:00 a.m., the babies take their morning nap. So, should you arrive after 9:00 a.m., please bring your child in quietly, so not to disturb the others.
ACCIDENT’S/INCIDENT’S: Parent’s/Guardian’s will receive a report of any accidents/incidents that occur while your child is in the care of the Child Care Facility. Parent’s/Guardian’s must sign and date the report. The report will be kept in the child’s file and parents/guardians will receive a copy.
MOTOR VEHICLE TRAVELING: Parent’s/Guardian’s understand that in an emergency, the provider or emergency personnel must transport the children. By signing the policy form, they are giving their consent for Emergency Transportation from the Child Care Facility. When the child is in the motor vehicle, safety restraints must be worn. The vehicle must have minimal insurance coverage required by the state and must be current. As long as these precautions are taken, this relinquishes the child care provider from any liability in case of a motor vehicle accident.
TELEPHONE/ANSWERING MACHINE: If the phone is not answered when you call and the answering machine picks up, there is nothing wrong. The provider is just too busy to answer. The provider will return your call as soon as possible.
PHOTOGRAPHS, WEBSITE ADVERTISING & VIDEO TAPING: The Parent’s/Guardian’s understand that the child will be photographed or video taped occasionally by the provider. That the photos or videos are sometimes used for training, website advertising and community purposes, without compensation. The child will not be identified by full name in any public showing.
DEVICES NOT ALLOWED IN CHILDCARE CENTER: Cell phones, cameras, video cameras, video recorders, tape recorders, electronic devices equipped with cameras and recording features regardless of whether the instrument is self contained or incorporated into one or more of these devices.
HOLIDAYS CHILDCARE IS CLOSED: FULL PAYMENT IS DUE FOR WEEKS THAT INCLUDE HOLIDAYS.
(If holiday falls on Saturday=childcare will be closed Friday in observance of holiday)
(If holiday falls on Sunday=childcare will be closed Monday in observance of holiday)
Good Friday
Memorial Day / July 4th
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day/Friday after
Christmas Eve/Day
New Year’s Eve/ New Year’s Day
TERMINATION: If it becomes necessary for you to withdraw your child from the Child Care Facility, two weeks paid notice is required, even if your child does not continue to attend during that time. Similarly, if it becomes necessary for the Child Care Facility to stop caring for your child, the Child Care Facility will give you two weeks notice to find alternate care. The Child Care Facility retains the right to terminate child care immediately if continuing care is detrimental to anyone at the Child Care Facility, or if your fees are not paid.
HOW TO CONTACT CHILD CARE LICENSING : For any questions, information or concerns, you may contact Child Care Licensing at any of the ways listed below.
1. Internet (www.dfps.state.tx.us)
2. Local office (817)792-4539
3. Department of Protective & Regulatory Services (817)321-8000
1501 Circle Drive Suite 310, Fort Worth, TX. 76119
4. PRS Child abuse hotline 1-800-252-5400
Parent’s/Guardian’s may at anytime have access to review minimum standards, most recent inspections and current insurance policy.
Mother/Guardian Signature_____________________________________Date_______________
Father/Guardian Signature______________________________________Date_______________
This must be notarized when Parent’s/Guardian’s sign.
State of Texas, County of _________________________Sworn to and subscribed before me on the _______day of__________________,__________.