Parent Handbook Part 2

Infant Room	Toddler Room	Three, Four, and Five Year Old Room
School Age Program	School Age Summer Program	Your Child's Development
Toys	Discipline Policy	Field Trip Policy
Special Provisions	Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting	Appeals

Back to the top Infant Room (6 weeks to 18 months)

We are committed to you as your child's most important person, and we value your daily input. We welcome and encourage your visits at anytime.

In our infant room our emphasis is on the individual needs of each infant. We provide the utmost security, love and nurturance for the little one's in our care. Planned activities provide ample opportunities for exploration of a stimulating and safe environment. All of our materials are selected to provide a variety of natural learning experiences for your infant through manipulation and sensory awareness. Language development is emphasized with planned and spontaneous opportunities for communication between the staff and the children.

The center will keep a written record of each child's activities during the day in each of the following areas:

• the amount of time the infant has slept

• the diaper changing and any irregularities in the child's bowel movement

• and the achievement towards any developmental milestones.

Biting is common among young children and occasionally it happens while the child is at the Center. It can occur for the following reasons; teething, cause and effect, attention, imitation, stress, frustration, and independence. We know that is can be very

uncomfortable for both parties that are involved.

When a child bites we will do our best to properly treat it. An incident form will be filled out for the biter and an accident form will be filled out for the injured. The biter may also help comfort the injured, by holding the ice pack on the bite mark. This often teaches the biter that biting hurts and is unacceptable behavior.

If it occurs frequently and seem to get out of control, then the child may be placed in a "cooling off" pc; .1 away from the situation. If the biting occurs at times when the caregiver is busy. The child will be shadowed. This means that the child will be closely monitored by all caregivers. This may include being first in the highchair and the last to get out during the caregivers busy times. This preventative measure will be adapted according to various age groups and will help cut down on unexpected happenings.

I o prevent the spread of illness, all toys in the Infant Room are disinfected after each use. This is in accordance with state guidelines.

Families are to furnish the following items for their infant:

• infant formula, bottles, baby food, whole milk, juice

• disposable diapers, wipes, lotion

• blanket, crib sheet

• Pacifier (if needed)

• and a change of clothing. Please be sure to label your child's belongings.

SIDS Policy:
Please dress your infant in warmer clothes for sleeping. No blankets will be used in the
child's bed. No toys, pillows or boppy's are allowed in cribs. Your infant will always be
put to sleep on their back. No infant will be placed in a car seat, boppie, or bouncie seat
to sleep.

New research on Infant development states that infants need tummy time for brain development and muscle development. Kids Corner does not allow swings or saucers in the classroom.

If a child medically needs to be placed on their abdomen to sleep, then a written note from the doctor needs to be brought to the Center. With the reason why and the ending date.

We would like to keep the Infant Room sterile, so please cooperate with us by taking your shoes off (or using the shoe covers) before entering the room. No other siblings are allowed to enter this room for the safety of the other infants.

Back to the top Toddler Room (18 months to 3 years)

We provide a relaxed and loving atmosphere for our toddlers. Our consistent daily routine will help these young children become familiar with their surroundings. Our day consists of group time when we have a story and calendar time, and discuss many other topics. After morning snack we have learning centers where the toddlers are put into small groups. Learning centers provide your child with many different activities to promote growth with their large and fine motor skills. They are opportunities for your child to learn to count, identify colors, identify shapes, work with puzzles, play with blocks, string beads, play with play dough, paint and color.

We have time for music, finger plays, dancing, flannel board stories, and other games. We have a time to stretch our muscles either inside or outside with large motor activities. Naps are also part of the toddlers' day.

When signs of toilet learning are shown, we will provide patient guidance using appropriately sized facilities to help establish proper toileting habits.

Children 18 months and older will have their own cot for naptime. The sheets are laundered each week.

Families are asked to furnish the following item for their toddler:

• sheet and blanket

• toothbrush

• tooth paste (when requested)

• Kleenex (when requested)

• Diapers and wipes (if needed)

• Extra set of clothing Please be sure to label your child's belongings.

Back to the top Three, Four and Five Year Old Room

At Kids Corner we strive to provide your child with the best possible learning environment. These children also thrive for routine in their classroom setting. So their day consists of music, small and large motor activities, calendar time and also learning centers. At this age these children learn by doing. New skills are being developed everyday. They like to spend a lot of their time pretending. Dress-up clothes, pretend "prop" and puppets are a few of their favorites.

Lots of children at this age are very energetic and active. That's why large motor activities inside or outside are an important part of their day. Naps are also included in their schedule.

Your child's needs will be met by providing a daily schedule, which includes established routines, yet flexible enough to encourage spontaneity and take advantage of any new learning experiences.

Families are asked to provide the following items for their 3, 4 or 5 year old:

• sheet and blanket

• toothbrush

• tooth paste (when requested)

• Kleenex (when requested). Please be sure to label your child's belongings.

Back to the top School Age Program

Kids Corner provides a special program for school-age children. Activities are planned around the special interests of the children involved, such as, arts and crafts, board games, and sports.

Before and after school care will be provided as well as full day care when school is not in session-- or on in-service days, winter and spring breaks and holidays that the center is open.

A breakfast (for a minimal fee) and a daily snack after school will be provided to the children.
We request that the children observe the same rules as during school and use courteous manners at all times.

Kids Corner staff will take the children to school and pick them up. Please notify Kids Corner by phone or in writing when your child will not be in attendance on any given day.

Back to the top School Age Summer Program

We want to know what your children like to do, because we want to make this summer special. How about swimming, arts and crafts, reading, cooking, computer games, and field trips!

More details upon the summer program will be provided at a later date.

Back to the top Your Child's Development

Your child's development is important to us. We want to work with parents to make this the best experience you child can have. Resources are available to parents to help with promoting healthy development or child-rearing. Feel free to discuss any topic of concern with your child's teacher, we are here to help. Parent/teacher conferences are offered as requested.

Written curriculum plans are posted, as well as daily schedules in each room. Ask your child's teacher for further details. Our curriculum plans are based on developmentally appropriate practices and individual learning styles and needs.

Our daily schedule provides a balance of quiet and active, indoor and outdoor activities and child and adult initiated activities, as well as promoting gross and fine motor skills. Our planned activities take into account the development of the children. A general schedule for the Center is as follows:

6-7:15 am	Free Play
7:15-8 am	Breakfast
8-8:45 am	Free Play
8:45-9 am	Pick up and transition to circle time
9-9:30 am	Circle time Stories, calendar, weather, songs
9:30-9:45	Snack Books/Puzzles
9:45-10 am	Sharing/Stories
10-10:45 am	Art Activity Learning Centers
10:45-11:30 am	Large Motor/Outside time
11:30-12:00 pm	Lunch
12-12:15	Brush teeth
12:15-12:45 pm	Quiet Activity
12:45-2:30 pm	Rest Time
2:30-3:00 pm	Snack
3:00-3:15 pm	Snack
3:15-6 pm	Free Play Outside

Back to the top Toys

Please do NOT send toys from home as they may get lost or broken. Books and CD's/tapes that a child wishes to share with the class should be marked with the child's name and given to the teacher. If your child's class has a "sharing day" you will be notified. Toy guns and weapons are not allowed at Kids Corner at any time.

Back to the top Discipline Policy

We use positive guidance techniques such as modeling and encouraging expected behavior, redirection, and setting clear limits. "Time Out" is used when necessary, with one minute per year of age used as the maximum time away from the regular activities. Children feel comfortable and confidant knowing their child care teacher's expectations match and respect their developing capabilities.

Intentional property damage is a serious matter. Any cost for repair or replacement for damage done to the building, furniture, or toys will be billed to the child and their parents. If it is not possible to determine who is responsible, the cost of replacement or repair will be assessed equally to all children and their parents.

Incidents of aggressive behavior towards other children or staff will be reported to families in writing After two incidents, the Director will call the family. After the third incident, a conference will be held with the family, childcare staff, and Director. If incidents continue, or when the child's behavior requires a 1: 1 staff ratio for that child (to ensure safety of other children)

• the parent may pay the wages of the extra staff person or

• child care services will be canceled.

Back to the top Field Trip Policy

Kids Corner believes that field trips are an important part of the program. However field trips assume a great deal of responsibility for paid staff using their own vehicles. Due to this, field trips will be limited, unless alternative transportation can be used. Families will be notified in advance of where, when, and any additional cost.

Kids Corner will provide a program of guest speakers, special activities being brought to

our program, along with occasional walks to nearby areas as a substitution for limited field trips.

If a field trip is going to be part of the program the following procedure will be followed.

• All children will be placed in a seatbelt and will not be seated in the front seat of the vehicle

• Parent authorization must be obtained

Back to the top Special Provisions

When circumstances require special diets, equipment or staffing, there will be additional charges for those items. T his will be discussed with parents before implementing. Please inform the Director of any special provisions.

Back to the top Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting

Under Chapter 235 of the Iowa Code employees of a licensed Child Care Center are mandatory reporters of child abuse and must report it immediately to the Department of Human Services when in the course of working with a child, the employee has the reason to believe that the child has suffered a non-accidental injury as a result of abuse or willful neglect.

Appeals

Families shall have the right of written appeal with regard to settlement of controversy or disagreement with decision of the Director or Center. The Director will be given a copy of the written appeal and will set up a meeting with the Board of Directors. The decision of the Board will be final.

Parent Handbook Part 1
Parent Handbook Part 3


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