POLICIES & PROCEDURES
Observation and Conference Procedure
It is our policy at Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care that child observations are complete within 45 days of program entry. These observations are conducted a total of three times during a year; once in the beginning, once mid-year and one at the year’s end. The results of these observations are used for curriculum, individual child planning and referral to community resources. After completion of the mid-year and year-end observations, conferences are offered to discuss the child’s progress and behavioral, social and physical needs. In addition, a written report of the child’s progress is provided. Parents unable to attend the offered conferences will receive a copy of the written report.
Personal Belongings
To ensure that your child has the best possible experience with Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care, please provide the following items for your child:
· A labeled sheet and blanket for nap time to be taken home each week (for laundering)
· A labeled toothbrush(if applicable)
· A full set of labeled, seasonally appropriate, clothing including pants, shirt, underpants and socks
· If applicable: diapers & wipes, bibs, pacifier, bottles/sippy cup with labels
· A labeled art shirt or smock for painting
Toys from home are not permitted in classrooms unless for a scheduled show-and-tell activity
Please make sure all items are labeled in black permanent marker with your child’s full name.
Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care cannot be held responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items.
Hours of Operation
Our center is open based on the needs of the parents in the community. Hours of operation are posted on our bulletin board. A subsidized/funded child cannot attend more hours than approved.
Holidays/Closings
Please see Calender for more up to date events.
· New Year’s Day
· Martin Luther King Day
· Memorial Day
· Fourth of July
· Labor Day
· Thanksgiving / Black Friday
· Christmas Day
· In addition, the state has a designated number of in-service days
(SEE CALENDER FOR MORE INFORMATION)
Scheduled in-service days are used to provide employees of Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care with additional training. Parents will be notified of in-service dates at least 30 days in advance.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care is an equal opportunity provider. Applications for enrollment and employment are accepted by Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care without regard to race, religion, creed, gender, national origin (including those with limited English Proficiency) or disability.
Child Abuse/Neglect Policy
Physical and verbal abuse of any kind will not be tolerated. According to the law, we are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the local Department of Human Services or the local law enforcement agency. Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care follows state/federal mandated reporters requirements.
Drop Off & Pick Up Policy
Parents must sign their child in/out each day upon arrival and departure and accompany them to their classroom. Confirm that your child’s teacher acknowledges that your child has joined or is leaving the group. Children may never be left unsupervised in the center. For your child’s safety, he or she will only be released to his or her parents or individuals designated on the emergency contact form (valid photo ID must be provided).
In an emergency, the Director/Administrator may be contacted by phone and a verbal release will be accepted. A photo driver’s license or ID is required of the specified person before the child will be released from the center.
· If your telephone number, address or emergency contact information changes please update your records.
Center Visitation & Parent Participation
Upon enrollment, recommendation, results of in-house observation, or need; parents will conference with the Center Director and caregiver. This is to discuss social, health and educational concerns when support is required and they will be referred to the appropriate resource agency. A “Let’s Get Acquainted” meeting is offered within 60 days of enrollment.
Parents are welcome to observe a child’s classroom at anytime during hours of program operation. All visitors are required to sign in and immediately speak with a classroom teacher to present to them the nature of their visit. Please refrain from engaging teachers in any activity that would distract from supervision. If you would like to arrange a parent conference, please contact your child’s teacher and Center Director to arrange a time.
Our center has a Parent Bulletin Board posted for any upcoming events and/or scheduled activities. Parents can be involved through center programs, parent meetings and volunteer opportunities. We encourage parents to take time out to volunteer. All volunteers must have a current Tuberculosis test on file at the center, as well as child care clearances.
Admission
A designated staff member will assist parents with all necessary enrolment forms (vary from state to state). The Director will meet with your child(ren) prior to admission and parents will also be given a tour of the center. All required documentation must be completed prior to the child’s first day of attendance. See your Center Director for details.
Attendance
In order for your child to establish a relationship with his/her caregiver, we ask that you keep your child enrolled. Likewise, your child will benefit most from out educational programs is his/her attendance is consistent. Routine and structure are critical to a child’s brain development. To maximize your investment, we suggest that your child’s day with Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care begin no later than 9am, when we formally begin our learning plans for the day.
On those rare occasions when your child is absent, please notify your Center Director.
Termination Policy
To ensure consistent, quality care, we ask parents to provide a minimum of 10 days written notification of any intent to withdraw their child(ren) from Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care, for any reason other than funding termination. Otherwise, we will need to charge for an additional 10 days.
Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care reserves the right to suspend or terminate services for the following:
· Failure to pay weekly fees/co-payments
· Disruptive or inappropriate behavior by the child, the parent or the parent representative
· Repeated pick-up past the Center’s designated closing time
· Any action deemed inappropriate which could cause harm to the children to staff, damage to the Center or could cause the center to be non-compliant with state regulations
· Sporadic attendance incongruent with contracted days
Emergency Contact
So that we can contact you in case of an emergency, please provide current phone information on where you can be reached while your child is in our care. In addition, please provide at least one alternative contact in case you cannot be reached. This information should be updated every 6 months or whenever a change may occur.
Guidance Policy
The staff of Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care shall incorporate and administer developmentally appropriate, positive methods of discipline at all times. The staff will encourage self-discipline through positive guidance.
· Staff is prohibited from using all forms of corporal punishment; this is grounds for termination.
The behavior that a child displays will be assessed on a developmental and age appropriate level. If a child bites, damages property, throws objects and/or is aggressive with other children or staff, the parents will be informed. If the situation continues, then the parents will be contacted for a conference. Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care will try to work with families that are experiencing discipline problems with their children.
Parents will be asked to remove their children from the center if he/she endangers any staff member, child or self at the center, if the child becomes a threat to others at the center, if the child destroys center property, or if it is determined that it is not the best situation for the child, the parents and Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care.
Meals
Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care provides a nutritious snack for the children on a daily basis. We do ask that parents provide the child with a healthy breakfast and lunch daily.
Individualization
Children with varying abilities and disabilities are encouraged to participate in all aspects of Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care services and programs. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable children with disabilities to participate in the group child care experience.
A written individual plan is to be provided for each child with special needs. If applicable, activities appropriate to meet the IEP (Individual Education Plan) or IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) and other special health and development plans are implemented in order for us to plan well and partner with you to meet your child’s needs. We request a copy of your IEP/IFSP or special health plan. It should consist of written instruction for any procedures necessary for the health of the child, written permission for the center to contact providers of additional services and the nature of the required special procedures. Parents of the children must sign and date the special needs IEP or IFSP, along with the Center Director/Administrator and staff member(s) primarily responsible for the child. Parents must have physicians written recommendation that a child is or is not appropriate for group care.
Safety Policy
It is our policy to provide a safe and healthy environment for all children enrolled at Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care. It is also our policy that no child(ren) will ever be left alone or unsupervised at anytime. The parent must always accompany child(ren) to their designated area, sign them in/out and inform staff of his or her child(ren)’s presence.
Drills
To ensure your child’s safety, Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care hold mandated fire drills and severe weather evacuation practices on a regular basis. During these drills, your child will be taught how to react in a safe and calm manner in the event of an emergency. If you happen to be dropping off your child during a drill or an evacuation, please wait with your child until ‘all clear’ is given.
HEALTH & MEDICAL
Sick Policy
Our goal is to ensure the health and safety of all children in our care. In order to do this, children will need to be picked up by an authorized person if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:
· Fever of 101.5 or higher
· Episode(s) of vomiting
· Diarrhea
· Symptoms of contagious conditions such as unexplained rashes or other illnesses
· Symptoms of illness which preclude the child from participation in daily activities
Health Appraisal
A physician’s health appraisal must be completed prior to your child’s start date and again for:
· Infants - 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months
· Toddlers – 15,18 and 24 months
· Preschoolers- every year on their birth date
Reports
Parents/guardians are required to complete a pre-existing injury report upon arrival if your child(ren) has sustained an injury (cut, bruise, laceration, etc.) prior to entering the center.
In the event of an accident, the child’s parent(s) is/are contacted and asked to report to the center. A staff person will remain with the child to administer appropriate medical care.
If the accident is a medical emergency, the staff will call 911. The child will be transported to the nearest hospital. The staff member will accompany the child and take a long the child’s medical emergency transportation form and health record. The parent(s) will be notified to report to the hospital.
When an accident or injury occurs, an Incident Report is completed within 24 hours. A copy is given to the parent(s) to be reviewed and signed. The signed original will be given to the parent and a copy is retained for center files.
Communicable Disease Policy
All staff of Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care practice proper hand-washing and disinfecting procedures. No staff member will attend the center if they exhibit signs of communicable disease which may threaten the health of children in their care. Parents will be notified of exposure to communicable disease by center postings and/or parent letters.
If a child is suspected of having a communicable disease, the Director/Administrator will evaluate whether the child will be discharged or remain in Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care. If a child becomes ill during the day they will be supervised in a separate area and must be picked up upon request.
The Mini Me Performing Arts Child Care staff are trained in detecting the signs and symptoms of communicable disease.
If a child is absent from the center with a suspected communicable disease, he/she may not return to the center without a note from a physician indicating that the child is no longer contagious and free of symptoms.
If your child is diagnosed with a communicable disease, we ask that you please report it the center immediately.