I
am happy you have considered me as your childcare provider. Please read through
the policies thoroughly. This handbook is an example of the contract that is
signed between Wendy Reynolds and the enrolled families.
Revised Dec. 2006
Philosophy
I
strive to create a nurturing, creative, and stimulating childcare. My goal is
to provide your child with an educational, safe, and comfortable home away from
home. My focus is on your child and their physical, emotional, intellectual,
and social well being.
Communication
between parents and providers is vital to your child’s development and
happiness. I encouraged you to speak with me regarding any changes in your
child or family that may affect your child’s behavior.
Experience
I, Wendy Reynolds graduated in 1996 from
I continue
to attend trainings throughout the year to better myself as a caregiver and a
teacher.
License
I am a group family childcare provider, licensed
by the state of
I am
required to hold a larger daycare license due to my coinciding foster care
license. My husband and I are licensed for on-call foster care, where we are on
a pager for ER’s every 5 weeks. We can get children of any age during that
time. We are also licensed to have permanent placements. The foster care
workers know that I do childcare, and try their best to place children whom
will fit in with our family and the childcare.
Hours of Operation
My
childcare business is open from
Daily Activities
I follow a
daily schedule that has become routine to the children. We do many activities
that include, but are not limited to; free play, circle time, art time, outside
or large muscle play, meal times and quiet time. I also help prepare children
for Kindergarten, and since I have low numbers I am able to help children on
more of a one on one basis.
Meals
I will provide breakfast (
Children
are not allowed to bring food, or have gum at the childcare.
Quiet time
Each child has their own sleeping area. Younger children
have their own pack-n-play and clean sheet and blanket. Older children have a
clean mat and blanket. Special blankets or stuffed animals may be brought from
home. The scheduled naptime is from
Field trips/Walks
We will be going on several walks throughout the
month, weather permitting. On days that children are in school, I may be
dropping some children off at their school, so all of the children will be
going with me at that time. We may also take a field trip to McDonalds Play
place, Apache Mall, Pip Squeaks, Pool, Rochesterfest,
Olmsted County Fair, Silver Lake, Library, etc. I will try to do this when it
will not interfere with pick-up or drop-off time. I may need to have you drop
your child off or pick your child up from wherever we are going for the field
trip.
Car
seats or seat belts will be used for all children. I have taken a Child
Restraint Safety Class and know the proper way to use car seats. Children are
in seats that are according to their weight. For example, children under
20-22lbs, will be rear facing. Children from 20-22lbs up to 30-40lbs will be in
a forward facing car seat. Once children reach 30-40 lbs, the will be placed in
a booster seat until they are at least 4 years old. Seat belts will always be
used for all children 4 yrs old or older, and may be placed in a booster seat.
I follow the guidelines of each car seat to determine which children at which
weight should use which car seat. Depending on the number of children in my
care at the time, I may need to use the front seat. I also know the proper way
to place a car seat into the front seat of my vehicle. This will only be done
when completely necessary. Rear facing car seats will never be placed in the
front seat. If by chance you need to get in touch with me while we're gone,
please call my cell phone. The signature of this contract, allows Wendy
Reynolds, or any other licensed driver to transport your child.
Celebrating Birthdays
Each of the children’s birthday will be celebrated
on or as close to the actual day as possible. We ask that you bring an age
appropriate treat for your child to share on his/her birthday. The birthday
child will be the special helper for the day, and will receive a birthday card
from his/her friends. I also give the children a balloon and a small gift. If
you choose for your child’s birthday to not be celebrated, please let me know
ahead of time.
Celebrating Holidays
We will observe several holidays throughout the
year. If these holidays have religious backgrounds, we celebrate the holiday
without celebrating the religious aspect of the holiday. If you celebrate any
special holidays that you would like to share with the children, please let me
know.
Toys
Children are allowed to bring toys from home as
long as they are willing to share. Please do not allow them to bring toys that
are easily breakable or dangerous to infants or toddlers. I am not responsible
for any lost or broken toys. Please be sure that your child does not bring
money, especially change, to daycare.
Pets
I have one dog. My dog is a white German
shepherd and is a very large dog. He has been around children from birth, so he
is very friendly. He can be intimidating due to his size, but he is very gentle
with the children. He has had all vaccinations and they are up to date.
Visiting
Parents are encouraged to come and visit at
anytime. Keep in mind that we do go on field trips and walks, sometimes at the
spur of the moment. If there is a special day that you would like to visit, please
let me know, we would love to have you.
Pick-up
Your
child must be picked up on time or there will be late fees (see charges) added
to your next payment. If your child is picked up early, you will be required to
pay for the entire time that your child is scheduled, whether s/he is in child
care or not. This is also true for children who are in a Preschool program, or
any other reason your child is gone for a few hours during the day. You will be
charged for the entire amount of time that I need to have an opening for them.
I will allow the children to go with parents or
emergency contacts only, unless otherwise noted. If you are sending someone
else to pick up your child, you NEED to let me know. Tell them to bring their
drivers license because unless I have met them before, I will ask for it. If I
have any doubt I will call you. This may seem extreme, but this will help us to
ensure the safety of your child.
Holding Your Place for Care
Any new family who would like me to hold a
daycare opening, for one month or less, will be required to pay for one week of
care as a deposit. This is a nonrefundable deposit and will be used as payment
for your first week of childcare. If you would like me to hold a place(s) for
longer than one month, payment for three days a week or 25 hours a week will be
required unless special arrangements have been made. These payments are
nonrefundable.
If
you are out of work for maternity leave, summer vacation, or any other leave,
you may continue to bring your child to daycare. However, if you choose not to
do so, the minimum weekly payment must be made in order for me to hold your
place for childcare. These payments are also nonrefundable.
Photographs
There are times when I will be taking photos to be
used in art projects, put in a memorable photo album, or given to parents and
children. Group photos with your child’s picture in it may be given to other
families. Signature of this contract allows photographs of your child to be
taken in a tasteful and legal manor.
Insurance
I do have homeowners insurance, but I do not
carry daycare insurance. This means that any medical charges that occur are the
responsibility of you and your insurance company. That also includes any and
all charges that occur from ambulance, fire dept, or police assistance.
I
am not responsible for any type of injuries that may occur, due to an accident
that happens while your child is in my care.
Emergency plans
Fire drills are discussed and practiced once a month.
In the case of a tornado, we will take shelter in the hallway of the basement.
Discipline
Infants are not disciplined in any way. Older
children are disciplined in a way that fits the behavior and age of the child.
Discipline is done in a non-punitive way, which may include: distraction,
reminder of appropriate behavior, a time-out from the situation, or a privilege
temporarily removed.
Unpaid/Paid time off
Clubhouse Child Care’s year is the fiscal year,
Jan.1 through Dec. 31. You are responsible for having back up daycare available
at all times.
There will be no child care on the following
days; Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and the day
after Thanksgiving. These are all paid days off. I am also closed for paid holiday from Dec. 24th
through Jan. 1st.
If
any of these holidays fall on a weekend, I will choose to be closed on
either the previous or following business day. You will be billed your normal
childcare rate for weeks containing holidays.
Each child has 10 days per year that can be used
as unpaid time off. You must give
me a two week notice for all paid time off. (One day is equal to the number of
hours your child is in care for a day.) All sick time or vacation time that
does not give me a two week notice, as well as any time off beyond the 10 days,
does need to be paid for.
I also have 10 days a year that I will be closed
for vacation time. The 10 days that I choose will be paid days off. You may not use your unpaid time off as my paid vacation. You will
receive at least a two week notice for any paid vacation time. Any other time
that I take off for sick or extra vacation time, will be unpaid time off.
Beyond my 10 paid days of vacation time, I am entitled to a
maximum of 5 paid days off per year
for funeral/grieving time. In the event that there is a death in my family or
among my friends, I will let you know as soon as possible how many days I will
need off of work due to the death.
Families, who are here the minimum per week, must include my
paid vacation/ holidays into there schedule for that week. Ex: If I am closed
on a Friday for paid vacation: Your child is schedule to come Mon, Tues, Fri,
you can not come on Thursday instead of Fri, or if you only work Mon, and Wed,
and use the 3rd day whenever you choose, Friday would be considered
your 3rd day.
Substitute Care and Closing Early
If I need a time off in the middle of the day, I
will provide a substitute. If I need to close the daycare early, you will need
to have someone pick your child up. If your child has been at daycare for over
5 ˝ hours, you will still need to pay for the entire day. If by chance I decide
to find a sub for an entire day that I take off, I will decide the cost for the
sub. You may then need to pay the substitute and me. The total of the
two payments will not be higher or lower than what you usually pay.
Illness/ Medications
Read
this section carefully.
Please
use your best judgment when it comes to how your child is feeling. He/she does not
want to be at daycare if they are miserable. I also can not give them the one
on one attention that they need when they are not feeling well. Be sure to keep
your children home when needed, or I will be forced to call you at work. They
need to be out of daycare for 24 hours or more (depending on illness) if they
have the following symptoms:
*
Temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or +
* Vomiting or diarrhea
*
Ear infection *
Pink eye
*
Strep throat *
Contagious rash
*
Influenza “flu” *
Chicken pox
*
Head lice *
Pneumonia
*Any other contagious
illness
According to the Department of Human Services,
you must notify me within 24 hours of the diagnosis of any contagious illness
or infection so that I can notify other parents to watch for this illness.
Please
note that in the case of all illnesses, giving your child medication may make
them feel better, but does not get rid of the illness, or prevent them from
being contagious. If there is a chance that your child may be sick, please do
not expose the other children or me to the illness. If the illness continues to
spread I will be forced to close the daycare until everyone has recovered.
All
prescription medication needs to come in the original prescription bottle. I
cannot administer the medication if it is not in the original bottle. I also need a signed permission slip to give
these medications.
I
do not supply any non-prescription medications. If you want me to give your
child medication, please be sure that you have signed the "Permission to
Administer" form. You will need to supply the medication. Please bring
your nonprescription medication in its original bottle, and make sure to label
it with your child’s name. I also need to know if you have given your child any
medication before coming to childcare.
Reporting Abuse and Neglect
As a licensed daycare and foster care provider,
I am required to report any suspected physical, sexual, or verbal abuse or
neglect to Olmsted County Department of Social Services.
If
you are feeling overwhelmed or experiencing more stress than you can handle,
you are encouraged to ask for help. Some resources are Crisis Nursery,
287-2020, or child protection, 285-8416.
Non-Discrimination
I do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex,
creed, national origin, religion, or disability. I will also not tolerate this
behavior from any of the children or parents.
Non-smoking
Smoking is not permitted in my home at any time. If you
smoke, I ask that you discard of it before you come to pick up your child.
Daily
Rates;
*Minimum is 3 full days or 25 hours per week, except school
aged
Full time (5 ˝ - 10 hrs)
Rates
vary depending on the child’s age. Please contact Wendy for more specific
information.
Part
time (under 5 1/2 hrs)
Drop
in (over 10 hrs, beyond regular schedule or those who do not meet wkly minimum)
After
Hours (if I choose) (I do sleep at night,
after the children go to sleep)
Drop in rate for Evening hours
Regular full day rate for overnight hours
Late pick up
$5
per hour if you called to confirm
$5
for every unscheduled 15 minutes (reasons other than bad road conditions,
stopped by a train, left work 5 min. late)
Late
payment
$5
if paid after
$5
a day (including Saturday and Sunday)
Returned
checks
$15
fee
+
Reimbursed check
+
Any fee that is caused to me due to your returned check
After two returned checks, in one year, I require cash payments.
Scheduling
If you have a rotating schedule or a schedule
that varies, I need to get the schedule as soon as you receive it. This is
important because it affects my daily schedule as well as the openings that I
have. If your schedule changes for any reason, you must let us know as soon as
you know. This also includes sick time or being late. You must call in the
morning or as soon as you find out. You will still be charged your regular
rate.
You
will be charged for all of the days and/or hours that you scheduled plus any
extra amount of time that you schedule later.
A two week notice is required to end care, or to
change from one status to another. (Ex. Full time to part time) If you end care
or change statuses without a 2 week notice, you must pay your original fee for
those 2 weeks.
Payments
All checks should be made out to Wendy Reynolds.
Childcare payments need to be made every Friday or last business day of the
week, by
Before childcare can start
Before daycare can begin, you need to initial
each page of the contract and sign the last page. You also need to fill out all
of the paperwork that I have given you. The most important thing is that I must
have emergency numbers to call. They will be posted and also brought with me on
field trips. These records must be kept up to date in order for
me to continue childcare. This information is important and any changes should
be given to me immediately.
I
need an extra set of clothes, including socks, labeled and kept at
daycare. Dress children in clothing and in shoes that may get dirty or stained
due to outdoor play, art projects, and/or messy eating. Please dress children
in clothing that allows them to play freely and creatively. I am not responsible for any ruined clothing.
If you have
a child in diapers, you must supply them. I suggest that you bring a package,
and I will let you know when your child is running low. You will also need to
supply diaper ointment; please label some and bring it to be kept at the
childcare. I supply baby wipes, but if your child needs a certain brand, please
bring some to be kept here.
If
your child uses bottles or pacifiers, please label 2 or 3 and bring them
to be kept at the daycare.
If we have
not had our second meeting by the first day of daycare, please plan on either
coming early or staying for a few minutes when you come to pick your child up.
You will need to bring these things to the second meeting or bring them on the
first day of care: both parents address of employment and phone number,
Emergency contacts (if I can not reach you), their address and phone number,
Physician’s name, address, and phone number, Insurance companies name and
child’s policy number, dentist’s name address and phone number, and
your
child’s immunization records.
Grievance Policy
If you become unhappy with
my services, or have a complaint to make, please inform me immediately. That
way, hopefully we can resolve it as soon as possible. If you feel uncomfortable
talking to me, please write me a letter. If we are still unable to solve the
problem, and you feel strongly about it, please write or call my daycare
licensor, Angie Jensen.