Kids Corner | Parent Handbook

Parent Handbook Part 1

Introduction	Center Organization	Days and Hours of Operation
Enrollment	Child Staff Ratio	Attendance
Child Caregivers	Snow or Other Bad Weather Cancellations	Registration Fee and Tuition
Childcare Services and Payment Contract	Illness	Discharge Policy
Drop-In	Withdrawl	Health and Well Being
Illness	Medication Policy	Child Accident Form
Child Incident Form	Authorizing Individual to Pick Up Your Child	Arriving and Leaving the Center
Meals	Family Involvement	Volunteers
Clothing	Donations	Fundraisers
Emergency Plans	Waiting List	---------------

Dear Families,

Welcome to Kids Corner Child Care & Learning Center in Winthrop Iowa. We are happy that you have chosen us to care for your children. We hope that this handbook will help introduce you to Kids Corner and answer many of your questions. Whether it is for infant, toddler, 3, 4 or 5 year old or school age care, we are here to meet your needs.

Our mission is to provide Child Care and a Learning Center that serves the families of Eastern Buchanan County with child care services focusing on the developmental needs of the children.

Our goals are:

• To provide affordable, convenient, dependable childcare services

• To create a child care setting for social, cognitive, and physical development

• To provide a nurturing environment

• Provide learning experiences for our children

• Incorporate childcare with the HeadStart program

• Provide a facility for the existing Preschool program

• Provide a before and after school and summer program.

Our staff of warm, caring, professional childcare providers maintains a positive and stimulating atmosphere where your child is cared for and respected. Your child is very special, and it is our goal to attend to all of his/her needs, personal and developmental. You are an important part of our "Kids Corner family."

Sincerely, Kids Corner Staff and Board of Directors

Back to the top

Center Organization

Kids Corner Child Care & Learning Center is a non profit organization. It is licensed for 71 children through the Department of Human Services. We comply with all child care regulations set forth by DHS. The Child Care Center will perform in a professional manner in all areas of its operation. Kids Corner staff will develop all program areas to meet the individual needs of the children.

Days and Hours of Operation

Kids Corner Child Care & Learning Center is open year round Monday through Friday from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. We do observe certain holidays: New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day we will be closed for.

Enrollment

The following must be completed to enroll your child:

• Child Health Exam form

• Permission and release form

• Immunization card

• Pick-Up Permission form

• Child & Adult Care Food Program Meal Application Form

• Classification of Federal Data

• Signed Kids Corner contract

Back to the top Child Staff Ratios

Age of Child	Ratio
6 weeks- 2 years	1 caregiver to 4 children
2 years	1 caregiver to 6 children
3 years	1 caregiver to 8 children
4 years	1 caregiver to 12 children
5-12 years	1 caregiver to 15 children

Children 18 months and older may be intermixed with varied age groups. The child/staff ratio will meet the age of the youngest child for children 3 and under. The child/staff ratio of children ages 4 and up will be based on the majority age of the children. Age groups will be intermixed in the mornings and late afternoons when ratios are low.

Attendance

Schedules: All schedules are due by noon on Thursday for the following week. Blank schedules are available in the Director's office. Schedules are important to fill out, since it determines the hourly rate and the times you will be charged. Hours not scheduled by noon on Thursday are assessed an hourly $2.50 fee per child for drop-in care.

Back to the top Child Caregivers

Each caregiver receives on-going in-service training through staff meeting and at early childhood conferences and workshops held throughout the year. All of our employees are trained in Pediatric CPR, First Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogens.

Your child will remain with the same caregiver throughout most of the day in order to develop a close loving relationship. We strive to be available to share information each day with you and to allow time for concerns and questions.

Please feel free to call your child's caregiver and/or the Director at anytime.

Snow or other Bad Weather Cancellations

If the Director of Kids Corner decides prior to opening hours not to open the facility, families will be notified by telephone, radio or television broadcast on 95.3 KQMG and KWWL Channel 7. If the facility must close during operating hours because of snow or storm, the Director will notify families by telephone.

Back to the top Registration Fee and Tuition

A non-refundable registration fee is charged each year to cover the paper work and other costs involved in registering each child. The current registration fee is $20.00 and $15.00 renewal fee each year. The child care rates are on an hourly basis. Breakfast and lunch are billed separately. A breakdown of the fees is included in the registration packet.

Childcare Services and Payment Contract

Our billing period is from Monday to Friday. Billing is completed on Monday for the previous week. Payment is expected in full by Tuesday. A late fee of $5.00 will be charged to accounts not paid by Wednesday. Children may not attend the remainder of the week until payment is received.

Illness

When a 24 hour advanced notice of a child's absence is given there will be no charge for that time. This applies to illness, bad weather and all other absentee times.

Back to the top Discharge Policy

Your child may be discharged if:

• A problem continues which negatively affects other children in attendance at Kids Corner, such as threats directed towards children, staff or self

• There has been no payment for the previous week

• Failure to meet Kids Corner's policies

Drop-In

On occasion we are able to take children on a drop-in basis. Parents need to fill out the proper enrollment information. We would also need to have a current physical and current immunization records on file. Drop-in care should never exceed the hours permitted by the Child Care Center and all the policies, including illness in this handbook do apply. For a copy of our current drop-in rates see the 'Other Fees' form.

The Center would like a day notice for drop-in children. If you schedule a drop-in reservation, and for some reason your child does not attend, the center requires a day notice of cancellation, or your account will be billed accordingly. If your schedule becomes more consistent, you may wish to enroll in our regular program rather than utilize the drop-in care to assure placement within the Center when care is needed.

Withdrawal

If you desire to cancel enrollment you must give two weeks written notice. If a notice is not given as described, you will be charged for two weeks of fees, based on an average week or at the Director's discretion.

Back to the top Health and Well Being

The State of Iowa requires that there be two medical forms in your child's file.
1. Medical examination Must be signed and dated by your physician
2. Iowa State Certificate of Immunization

Completed, up to date and signed by the physician and yourself These forms are intended to protect your child, and we will appreciate your cooperation in keeping them current.

Back to the top Illness

We strive to prevent the spread of illness, and your cooperation with our policies will be of great help. If your child has:

• A fever of 100 or greater before child care, accompanied by behavior changes or other signs or symptoms of illness-until medical evaluation indicates inclusion in the Center

• Symptoms or signs of possible severe illness, such as; uncontrolled coughing, irritability, persistent crying, unusual lethargy, wheezing, or other unusual signs

• Strep throat until 24 hours after an antibiotic started

• Diarrhea; runny, watery, or bloody stools within the last 12 hours

• Vomiting 2 or more times in the last 24 hours

• Rash with fever or behavior change

• Scabies or other infestations

• Impetigo 24 hours after treatment has begun

• Chicken pox 5-7 days after blisters appear

• Pertussis, mumps, rubella, shingles, herpetic gingivostomatitis

• I hepatitis A- until 1 week after onset

• Sore throat with fever

• Eye discharge (white or yellow) or pink eye; until 24 hours after starting treatment; if treatment is not sought then when the discharge clears

• Child is irritable, continuously crying or requires more attention from a caregiver than what they can provide without hurting the health and safety of other attending children

• Mouth sores with drooling

• Respiratory illness
please keep him/her home, in all fairness to all the other children.

Your child may return when:
1. When the above suggestions are meet
2. They are fever or symptom free for at least 24 hours before returning to daycare
3. They have been treated by a doctor or a doctor permits them to return to the Center.
You can return with a signed doctor's note.

If your child becomes ill while at the center, then you will be called to come pick up your child within 2 hours.

Exposure to communicable diseases and any infectious illness should be reported promptly to the center, so our staff can look for any early symptoms. The center will notify parents when a child has been exposed to an infectious disease.

Kids Corner Child Care & Learning Center has the final say about when your child can return. We reserve the right to have precedent over the physician.

Back to the top Medication Policy

Medication prescribed or ordered by a physician or dentist will be administered during the time the child is at daycare. Parents will need to give written authorization and instructions by filling out a Medication Permission Form. This form needs to be filled out before the child will be given any medication at the center. All medications brought to the center should be in its original container. They need to be properly labeled

• with the child's name

• medication name

• and amount to be administered. Over the counter medication will be given according to the instructions on the label. Over the counter medication can only be given 5 consecutive days at the Center.

Back to the top Child Accident Form

Our staff take every effort to ensure the safety of your child. Unfortunately accidents do occur. In case of that event, an accident form will be filled out by Kids Corner staff for every detected injury that occurs. A copy with your signature will be retained for your child's file. A child coming into Kids Corner with injuries may require an accident form, so that both the parent and Kids Corner's staff are aware that it did not occur at the Center.

Child Incident Form

An incident form will be filled out by Kids Corner staff if your child exhibited behavior that is not acceptable and who do not adhere to the classroom discipline policy. A copy of this form with your signature will also be kept in your child file.

Back to the top Authorizing Individuals to pick up your Child

On the enrollment form, you will find a line asking for the names of the individuals who are authorized to pick up your child. You may authorize as many individuals as you wish in writing on your form. You must leave a written note in the morning or tell the staff member if such a situation arises. We will not allow your child to leave with an unauthorized person, this is for the safety and protection of your child. We will check the ID of the person listed to pick up your child. Please remember to keep this form updated with your current phone number and address changes.

Arriving and Leaving the Center

It is required that all children be escorted inside the center and that the arrival time is recorded on the attendance sheet. When picking up your child please be sure to notify a staff person and record the departure time on the attendance sheet. It would be appreciated if the center is notified when your child will absent from the center.

Back to the top Meals

Menus will be posted in each of the classrooms. All meals served at the Center meet the nutritional guidelines set by the Department of Human Services. We participate in the Child & Adult Food Program from the Department of Education. This means we follow specific requirements for the kinds of foods served and the way they are served. Breakfast, snacks, and lunches are prepared by our Kids Corner cook. We ask that parents fill out the Meal Application Form so we may determine each parent's eligibility category and receive proper reimbursement from the State of Iowa.

Parents are welcome to eat lunch with their child by notifying the Center that morning. T here is a $2.00 charge to cover the cost of the meal. Arrangements can be made to bring in food for children with special dietary needs established by the physician.

Birthday, holiday treats, or special treats are permitted. Please check with your child's teacher so you know how much to bring and what is an acceptable treat.

Family Involvement

There will be a monthly Kids Corner Child Care & Learning Center newsletter. Look for that in your child's cubby. It will include information upon upcoming events and information about activities. It may also include messages or requests for families.

Informal parent participation in the center is always welcome. Parents are invited to visit the center at any time. On some occasions, such as field trips, parent's help may be requested.

A volunteer Board of Directors provides leadership and direction for Kids Corner. This board meets monthly and consists of community members and parents. If you would like to be a member of this board please contact the Director of Kids Corner.

Back to the top Volunteers

Kids Corner encourages volunteers! Volunteers are important and can often serve as a mentor in your child's life. All volunteers are required to have a criminal records check.

On occasion there may be students who are in need of training for required courses. These students will be doing extras for your child, such as reading stories, art activities, and helping with your child's development. We welcome parents and grandparents to observe at any time. They may even share an interest with the children such as a hobby or a book.

Clothing

Please dress your child according to the weather with appropriate hats, mittens, and coats during the winter months. Mark all items with your child's name. Be sure your child has indoor shoes to wear. This helps keep our center clean!

Dress your child in appropriate clothing so that they feel free to participate in all activities. We are not responsible for damaged clothing.

Back to the top Donations

Kids Corner wants to be affordable for all parents. It also wants to maintain good caregivers to provide for your family. Kids Corner opens its doors to donations of toys, books, etc. All donations will be noted and appreciated.

Funraisers

From time to time Kids Corner may do fundraisers to raise money for needed toys, supplies, and educational materials. Kids Corner hopes for your support during our fundraisers. Fundraisers are a positive way to show community support and family support for early childhood education.

Back to the top Emergency Plans

Emergency plans for fire and tornado are posted by each exit door in each classroom and are practiced monthly, so that your child is familiar with the drill and not alarmed in case of a real emergency.

In case of a real fire the children will be taken to the school and parents will be contacted immediately, if phone lines are operable.

Other plans such as intruder, intoxicated parent, are practiced routinely and/or they are gone over by staff. This prepares them in case the need should arise.

In the case of a medical or dental emergency the parent of the child will be notified.

Back to the top Waiting List

In an event that an age group should be full at any time, the child's name would be placed on a waiting list. As vacancies occur, pre-registered children would have first priority. In an event that an expectant mother is pre-registered and there is an opening prior to her starting, the opening may be filled by a temporary child. Full-time children have priority over drop-in children when space is limited or full.

Parent Handbook Part 2
Parent Handbook Part 3

Created By Brandi Crawford and Jeanna Sullivan
East Buchanan Community School Tech Team