Welcome to Little Explorers Childcare.  We are a group child care home, licensed by the State of New York.  As such, we have been subject to fingerprint and background checks and our home has been inspected and approved for childcare.  We hold certifications in First Aid and Infant/Child/Adult CPR, and licensing regulations require us to accumulate an additional 30 hours of training every two years.  We are licensed to care for no more than 12 children full-time and an additional 4 children before and after school.  Our hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 7:00am - 5:00pm. 

            To facilitate greater understanding between us, we have created this handbook covering our childcare philosophies, business policies, and expectations.  We take our profession very seriously and strive to provide consistent quality care for your child and piece of mind for you.  Please read this handbook carefully and feel free to discuss with us any questions that you may have.

Our Child Care Philosophy

            As child care providers, our goal is to provide a safe and happy place for children where they can learn and grow physically, emotionally, intellectually, and socially at their own pace in a warm and loving environment.  Your child will receive quality personal and individualized care in a family atmosphere, and will have the opportunity to gain practice in language, fine motor skills, large motor skills, and self-help skills.  We believe that children learn through play and benefit from a structured yet flexible schedule.  Activities are offered which stimulate sensory motor development and social interaction.  Children are aided in developing a strong self-esteem and taught to respect each other, adults and property.

Communication

            An open communication between parents and providers is a vital part of the childcare relationship.  When we accept a new family into our care, we like to be sure that we can openly share any concerns or questions that may arise.  It is important that there is a similar childcare philosophy between us.  We welcome questions, feedback and discussions of any kind that are oriented toward a positive outcome for the children.  Sensitive issues will be discussed in private outside of regular childcare hours, either by telephone or conference.  Conferences will not be scheduled as a routine part of your child’s care; however, should you like to request one, you may do so at any time. 

We publish a monthly newsletter that will explain some of the activities we are doing, our current curriculum themes, events that will be happening throughout the month, our days off, and any other pertinent or fun information that may be of interest to you. Each day your child will bring home a care sheet describing his or her day.  This includes meals, diaper changes, naps, and activities.  School-aged children do not bring home a note, as they are able to discuss their day with you. 

You are encouraged to call any time between the hours of 6:30am and 9:00pm.  If you call during the day, please be aware that we may be busy with the children and unable to answer the phone.  If you leave a message, we will be sure to return your call as soon as possible.

Requirements for Enrollment

            When you enroll your child, there is some necessary paperwork to be filled out.  We will make all of this available to you and help with any questions.  All paperwork needs to be completed and returned promptly.

            The initial registration fee is $50 per child and is due at the time of enrollment.  Your child’s position within the daycare is not guaranteed until this registration fee has been paid.  This is non-refundable and is not applied to any childcare fees.  Its purpose is to hold your child’s spot and cover the cost of enrollment forms and supplies.

            The first two weeks of care are considered probationary and care may be terminated by either party during this time.

            No child will be denied enrollment on the basis of race, gender or religion.  We do retain the right to deny enrollment if all of our spots for the age group are filled or if we feel that we are not the right fit for your child.

Vacations/Sick & Personal Time/Holidays

            We take two weeks of paid vacation per calendar year.  You will be given a minimum of 30 days notice for our vacation time and you are expected to find your own backup care during this time.  Parental vacations may be taken with two weeks notice.  The first parental vacation of the calendar year is unpaid and any subsequent vacations will be charged at the full weekly rate.  You are welcome to try to schedule your vacations to coincide with ours to avoid having to find alternate care.

            We may also take up to 5 paid personal/sick/training days.  We will notify you of these days as far in advance as possible.  The following are considered paid holidays:

                        New Year’s Day                                 Veteran’s Day

                        President’s Day                                 Thanksgiving Day

                        Memorial Day                                    Black Friday           

                        Independence Day                             Christmas Eve

                        Labor Day                                          Christmas Day

                        Columbus Day                                    The Day after Christmas

At the end of each year, we send out a calendar listing all of the anticipated closing dates for the following year, including vacation dates.  Please keep this list handy for reference throughout the year. 

Illness

            In the interest of all children, it is best to keep a sick child at home if they have any of the following conditions: a contagious disease, a fever of 100 or higher, or any illness that requires an excessive amount of individual adult attention.  As a parent, you know best when it is more appropriate for your child to be comforted by you at home.  Please bear in mind, when making this decision, that illnesses are easily spread among children and remain courteous to the other children and their parents.  If any of the following symptoms are present, your child must remain at home:

~fever over 100                                    ~vomiting

~conjunctivitis (pink eye)                      ~yellowish skin or eyes

~flu                                                      ~diarrhea

~unusual rash                                        ~head lice

~severe cough                                      ~severe cold

~rapid or labored breathing                   ~any illness which results in the child being too

                                                              ill to participate in daily activities.

Please notify us as soon as possible if your child will not be attending for the day.  If your child becomes sick while in care, we will notify you as soon as possible to discuss treatment and/or pickup arrangements.  In the meantime, your child will be separated from the group and kept as comfortable as possible.  If your child begins taking an antibiotic, he/she must stay home for 24 hours after the medication has been started.

Injuries & Other Emergencies                                 

            Minor cuts and abrasions suffered while at daycare will be washed and properly bandaged.  Treatment will be logged and we will tell you when and how the injury occurred.  We are required to log any significant injuries we observe on your child which have occurred outside of child care.

            If a medical emergency arises, we will try to contact you first, unless doing so endangers the life of a child.  In that case, we will contact emergency services first.  If need be, one of us will accompany your child to the emergency treatment facility and remain with him/her until you arrive.  If a parent is unable to be reached, we will call your emergency contacts.

            In the event of a fire, we will evacuate the house immediately and gather at a designated meeting place.  We practice monthly fire drills so the children are familiar with the steps to follow.

            If a child becomes lost, a thorough search of the house and grounds will be made.  If the child is not located on the premises, the police and parents will be notified and a neighborhood search begun.

            If we become incapable of caring for the children during the day due to an emergency, the children will be left in the care of a competent and trusted adult until they can be picked up.

Arrival & Departure

            Breakfast is served at 7:15 am & 8:30 am.  If your child arrives after 8:45 am, please be sure to feed breakfast at home.  It is easiest for the children if you keep your goodbye brief and cheerful.  Prolonged departures create more anxiety for the children.  Please be prepared to pick up your child on time.  An additional fee of $5 per 15 minutes may be charged if you are excessively late.  In the event of an emergency, please notify us as soon as possible to let us know the circumstances and when to expect you.

            Our normal procedure is to release the child only to the parents or another party designated by the parents.  Please notify us ahead of time if someone else will be picking up your child.  One of the forms you are required to complete upon enrollment designates who may pick up your child if there is an emergency and you cannot be reached.  Please make sure those listed are persons I can call in the event that you do not show up to pick up your child.  Please inform your emergency contacts that if we do not know them, we will require identification before releasing the child.

Curriculum

            We incorporate a preschool curriculum into our daily routine for fun and to prepare the children for school.  We concentrate on different themes every week throughout the school year.  We also focus on learning our letters, numbers, colors & shapes.  Many of our activities, stories and craft projects revolve around the weekly themes.  We do not do preschool activities on the days when our school-ages friends are here.

Guidance Policy

            We try to stress two main patterns of behavior: respect for people & respect for property.  Consequently, we do not allow children to physically or verbally abuse other children.  We also stress that they treat material possessions, ours and theirs, with respect.  There is a difference between playing hard and using a toy for a purpose for which it was not intended.  When a child is having difficulty following directions or treating people or objects with respect, developmentally appropriate guidance techniques are used.  These techniques include positive reinforcement, redirection, “if…then” statements, and when all else fails, time out.  The length of the time out is dependent upon the child’s age: 1 minute per year.  When the time out is over, we will discuss with the child why the behavior was inappropriate.  If a toy is continuously being misused, the toy may be removed from the individual or the group for a period of time.

            Children are NEVER reprimanded for lapses in toilet training or accidents.  Physical punishments will NEVER be used.

            Sometimes, at pick up & drop off, when both parent and provider are present, children tend to forget the rules or test the boundaries.  Please help show your child that you respect the rules of the daycare by helping us enforce them in your presence.

Child Abuse

            As licensed providers, we are considered to be mandated reporters of child abuse or suspected abuse.  This means that we are required by law to call the child abuse hotline for any suspected physical, emotional, or sexual abuse or neglect.

Supplies

            Parents are responsible for providing diapers, wipes, toothbrush & labeled toothpaste, weather-appropriate change of clothing, a blanket & small pillow for rest-time, slippers and extra changes of clothing during toilet training.  In the summer we also ask that you provide a swimsuit & towel for water play and labeled sunscreen and insect repellant.

            Parents of infants are also expected to provide formula or breast milk and baby food until all foods have been introduced and allergies discovered.

Toilet Training

            When you feel that your child is ready for toilet training, we ask that you begin the process at home, preferably over a weekend or vacation.  We will follow through and encourage your child here at daycare.  Please keep in mind that the activity level here can distract your child from responding to an urge to use the potty more so than at home.  During toilet training, we ask that parents provide at least 3 complete changes of clothing (socks included) and diapers or pull-ups for rest time.  Please dress your child in user friendly clothing as much as possible.  Children enjoy the independence of pulling up their own clothing, and tight pants, onesies and overalls make this difficult, as well as present a time-consuming obstacle during potty “emergencies”.

Hygiene

            Good hygiene is imperative to a healthy child care environment.  Children play hard and germs are spread easily.  In order to keep your children as healthy and safe as possible, hand washing is done before & after meals, after bathroom use, after nose blowing, when coming in from outside, and whenever they are soiled.  Toys & equipment are washed & sterilized weekly with a bleach & water solution, and toys that have been in a child’s mouth are put away until they can be sanitized.

Meals & Snacks

            We serve breakfast, lunch & an afternoon snack each day.  If your child has an allergy to any foods, please be sure that we know this so we can make appropriate substitutions.

            We participate in the Child & Adult Care Food Program, which is a government program that reimburses us for a portion of each nutritionally sound meal and snack we provide.  A requirement of this program is that we must submit menus that consist of nutritionally appropriate foods.

Naps

            After lunch, we have a rest time.  Infants, toddlers, & preschoolers are required to take a nap.  Older children are allowed to play with quiet toys and activities.

Outdoor Play

            Please dress your child appropriately for the current weather, and in play clothes, with shoes that will adequately protect their feet.  If your child wears open-toe shoes or flip flops, please send in sneakers for active playtimes.  We spend time outside whenever the weather cooperates, year-round.

Indoor Play

            We provide a variety of age-appropriate toys for the children to play with, which are rotated often for variety.  Since the ages of the children in our care vary, all accessible toys are appropriate & safe for our youngest friends.  We do have toys specifically for the older children to play with, but they are kept out of the reach of the children and will be brought out upon request.  If your child wishes to bring a toy from home, please be sure it presents no choking hazard for the little ones, and please make your child aware that he/she will be expected to share the toy with their friends.  We will not be responsible for toys from home that get broken or lost at daycare.

Transportation

            There may be times when it is necessary for us to transport your children in our vehicles.  Upon enrollment, you will be asked to give your permission for us to do so.  We may ask you to leave a car seat for your child.

Termination of Care

            If you decide to stop bringing your child to daycare after the probationary period, we require a 2 week written notice.  Payment is due for the two week notice period whether the child attends or not.  Any outstanding fees must be paid on or before the child’s last day of care.  If it becomes necessary for us to resort to legal action to collect fees, you will be responsible for the legal fees incurred on our part and for any incurred late fees.

            If we can no longer care for you child, we will give at least 2 weeks notice.  Examples of why we may terminate care include, but may not be limited to:

~Failure of a parent to pay

~Failure to complete required forms

~Lack of parental cooperation

~Failure of a child to adjust after a reasonable amount of time

~Our inability to meet the child’s needs without additional staff

~We have the opportunity to replace your part-time position with a full-time position

(It pains us that this is the case, but financially, preference must be given to full-time clients.  In this situation, you will be given the option of retaining the spot by converting to a full-time position)

Revisions to Handbook & Contract

            We reserve the right to make changes in the rates and policies as we deem necessary.  Parents will be notified in writing of any changes that may occur.  Contracts are renewed every January, regardless of the child’s start date.  Lack of enforcement of a certain policy at any time does not indicate that the policy is no longer in effect.

Last Updated 09/13