Early Childhood Education
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Child
Development Center
Parent
Handbook
Welcome
to the CR Child Development Center
Welcome to the College of the Redwoods Child Development
Center (CDC). The CR
Child Development Center is a unique program for children from one
year of age until kindergarten enrollment. The CDC provides child
care and development services for students enrolled in the college
and provides a training site for students in Early Childhood Education
and other college programs related to children and families.
We look forward to serving you and the child you care
for. This handbook will
provide you with information about the center=s
philosophy, goals, policies and procedures concerning your child=s
enrollment, attendance, and activities, as well as ways in which you
can be part of your child=s
child care and development program.
We invite you, the adult raising your child, to become
involved in the CDC by working closely with your child=s teacher, attending meetings, volunteering
in the classroom, helping to create curriculum or program materials,
or assisting in other ways that you and the ECE Program Specialists
and Associates believe would benefit the program. We hope that your
child=s experience at College of the Redwoods
Child Development Center is both pleasant and beneficial to your child
and your family. Our
policies are subject to change. You will be notified of every policy change in writing.
Program Philosophy
At the College of the
Redwoods Child Development Center we believe children are capable
and competent people. The
CDC staff is committed to maximizing children=s
potential and enjoyment of life. The CDC develops children=s
disposition for life long learning. Curiosity, resourcefulness, persistence, problem solving, and
creativity are encouraged. These
dispositions enable children to be active participants in their education
throughout their lives.
The CDC is a community
of learners where children and adults explore their world together. Children gain knowledge and develop skills in a play-centered
environment. A play-based
curriculum, inspired by the educational and developmental theories
of Piaget, Vygotsky, Dewey, and Malaguzzi, encourages children to
explore and experiment and construct knowledge from their play. The curriculum at the CDC is Achild
originated and teacher framed.@ Teachers provide a variety of experiences based on the interests
and development of each child as an individual and the group of children
as a whole.
The Child Development
Center supports the adults raising children and strives to strengthen
healthy relationships between children and their families. The staff work in collaboration with families to create an
atmosphere respectful of the varied needs of each child and family. Family members are welcome to become active participants in
our learning community. We
encourage enrolled parents to visit the CDC whenever possible and
to participate in ways that are comfortable to the family.
The CDC values all the
members of our diverse learning community, the children, families,
educators, College instructors, students, and College personnel. Together we are working toward a high quality, exciting educational
experience for children and those who care for them.
How the Program
Looks
The Child Development
Center is a place for children to grow and learn in the way children
grow and learn best, through play. The CDC will not look like Aschool@ in the traditional sense of the word. Children are provided opportunities to Aconstruct
their own knowledge.@ Jean Piaget, noted child development theorist, explained that
children learn through a constructive process. This is a dynamic interaction of children=s
current knowledge and their own efforts and initiative. They
constantly test their knowledge with real experiences and adjust their
thinking based on the results of that testing. Play provides children the wealth of new experiences needed
to test their existing knowledge and construct a deeper understanding
of the world.
Play allows the whole
child to develop. Children
grow intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally, and creatively
through play. Early childhood
educators, psychologists, physicians, and sociologists have documented
the value of play for young children and its contribution to later
school success through research. (This research is available to you.)
A play-based curriculum
for children does not imply that the teachers do nothing and children
have no structure to their day. A play-based curriculum requires that the teachers create an
environment, which encourages child exploration. The environment cannot be static; it must be adapted to respond
to the children=s
changing interests and increased developmental abilities.
Teachers observe and record
children=s
play and use these observations as the basis of development assessments, projects and other curriculum activities. This is what we mean when we quote Brenda Fyfe and George Forman=s
explanation of the curriculum as Achild
originated and teacher framed@. Teachers at the Child Development Center take the time to listen
to children and engage them in conversations, or closely observe the
ways they interact with peers, caregivers and parents, if the child
does not yet talk. Through
this attentiveness to children=s
play teachers discover the children=s
interests and current level of development. Teachers then provide activities and projects appropriate to
the interests and developmental levels of each child. The information gathered from observations of children=s
play are also used to complete developmental checklists. This enables teachers to identify potential development concerns
and make referrals (with parent consent) to appropriate resources
and agencies.
The teachers at the Child
Development Center will not be Ateaching@ your child colors, numbers, shapes, and letters. They will be providing activities to enable your child to construct
knowledge about seriation, classification, observation, comparison,
estimation and problem solving all of which are required for an understanding
of math and science concepts. Children will learn songs and finger plays, make up stories,
be encouraged to explain their ideas in words or describe something
they have seen, listen to stories, experiment with markers, paint,
clay and other mediums, have their stories written down, and will
be encouraged to Awrite@ in whatever way they can which all contribute to learning to read
and write.
The College of the Redwoods Child Development and Infant Toddler Centers
refrain from any religious worship or instruction.
The emphasis of the infant-toddler
program is the development of relationships between the children and
their families, classmates and caregivers. Infants and toddlers are at an age when the development of
trust and autonomy (a sense of self) are of primary importance. Children are assigned a primary caregiver to allow a trusting
relationship to develop. Even
very young children can explore their world and learn to solve problems
(such as tipping their bottle to get the milk.)
The Child Development
Center staff is committed to helping children develop a love of learning
that will last throughout their lives. We want children to understand that they can use their existing
knowledge to continue to learn. By empowering children to learn we are also contributing to
their sense of self-esteem. Children who experience real success feel a true feeling of
self-worth.
Program Goals
for Children
C Each child will develop a disposition for lifelong learning.
C Each child will be empowered to construct knowledge
about his/her world.
C Each child will develop the ability to solve problems
individually and as a member of a group.
C Each child will develop self-esteem by meeting appropriate
challenges.
C Each child will develop positive, collaborative relationships
with their families and with the adults and children at the CDC.
C Each child will represent his/her thoughts and feelings
with a wide variety of mediums.
C Each child will attain the highest level of independence
that is appropriate for his/her age.
C Each child will value the diversity of people in the
world
C Each child will develop physically, cognitively, socially,
emotionally, and creatively.
Program Goals
for Families
C Families will be active participants in their child=s
care and education.
C Families will develop collaborative relationships with
their child and their child=s
caregivers.
C Families will be able to leave their child at the CDC
with the knowledge that their child=s
developmental needs are being met in a caring, nurturing environment.
C Families will have the opportunity to gain knowledge
about child development and parenting.
C Families will have the opportunity to meet and develop
relationships with other families.
Staffing
The staff at the CDC have
education and training in child development and experience in early
childhood education. They
hold permits and/or credentials that meet or exceed the requirements
of our licensing and funding agency. In addition to the regular staff, there will be students from
the early childhood education program and other college disciplines
working in the center to master skills necessary to work with children. There will also be work-study students, family volunteers,
and students from HROP and JTPA working in the center. These additional adults allow us to maintain lower adult-child
ratios and provide more individualized attention to your child. Please address your comments, questions, or concerns to the
regular CDC staff, the ECE Program Specialist, Program Associates,
or the Director.
Days and Hours
of Operation
College of the Redwoods
Child Development Center operates on all college instructional days. The program opens for Fall Semester on the first day of classes. The CDC closes on all college holidays and during the semester
break. The center closes for the year at the completion of Spring
Semester finals week.
The CDC=s regular hours of operation are from
7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. (Hours may vary somewhat from semester to semester based on
enrollment.)
We answer the CDC telephone
during all hours of operation. The phone will not give you a busy signal if we are
on the phone when you call. The phone automatically switches your call to our voice mail. Please leave a message. We review messages regularly.
Admission Policies
Enrollment in the Child
Development Center is open to the children of College of the Redwoods
students, faculty and staff, and, if space is available, to community
members. Subsidies are
available for income eligible families.
Enrollment in the College
of the Redwoods Child Development Center State Preschool Wrap-Around
Program and the Infant-Toddler Program is based on the criterion set by the State Department of Education,
Child Development Division. In addition to the State guidelines the College gives enrollment
priority in the following order: CR student families, CR staff and
faculty families, and members of the community. Children enrolled in the State Preschool must be age three or four by December 2 of the academic (or fiscal)
year in which services are received. Infants and toddlers must be between the ages of one and three
years to be eligible for the State-funded program.
Subsidized child care
also is available for children,
ages one through five, whose families are enrolled in the CalWORKs
Program. Families must
have a demonstrated need for child care. The College of the Redwoods CalWORKs
staff determines eligibility.
Families paying for their
own child care, either with personal funds or vouchers may enroll
in the CDC if there is space available. There are some child care spaces set aside for families paying
for their own care.
Parents or guardians must
complete and return all required forms and documentation prior to
the child=s
admission into the CDC. These
forms include:
CD 9600 Application (To
be completed in the CDC office with CDC staff)
Birth Certificate or Baptism
Certificate
Proof of Income
Immunization Record (all
immunizations must be up to date)
Child=s Physical Exam
Emergency Form
Student Agreement and
Tentative Child Care Hours
Parent Agreement
Child and Family Information
Sheet
Child Care Food Program
Eligibility Form
Racial and Ethnic Data
Form
No family or child shall
be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, ancestry, ethnicity,
religion or belief, gender or sexual preference or national origin.
Children who have special
developmental needs (Aphysically
handicapped, mentally disordered, or developmentally disabled@)
may enroll provided that the CDC is able to meet the individual needs
of each child. (Child
Day Care Licensing Requirements, Title 22, Division 12, Ch. 2, Sect.
101319).
We want to be sure that
the CDC is the best possible program for every child enrolled. To ensure this, the CDC allows both the families and the teaching
staff a period of two weeks to assess if the CDC is an appropriate
placement for a child. If
at any time during those two weeks you, as your child=s
parent/guardian, or the ECE Program Specialist and Associates determine
that the CDC cannot meet your child=s
needs effectively, you can withdraw your child (or be asked to withdraw)
without the normally required two week notice.
We want you involved in
your child=s
education. To help you
become familiar with the CDC we ask you to attend a family orientation
meeting held on the Friday prior to the first week of classes each
semester.
No child will be allowed to attend the CDC without documentation
confirming the child has received all immunizations required by State
regulation or a personal belief affidavit signed by you confirming
that all or some immunizations are contrary to your beliefs.
Children may attend the
CDC when their enrollment file is complete and you, as parent or guardian
receive a copy of your signed contract verifying your enrollment.
Applicants for child care
and development services will
receive a Notice of Action to Parent/Guardian from the CDC notifying
them of acceptance or denial of services including the reason for
denial. A Notice of Action
form will also be given to the parent or guardian when there is an
enrollment change or the family is terminated from the program.
Children shall be enrolled in the College
of the Redwoods Child Development Center subsidized programs based
on the following criterion established by the State Department of
Education, Child Development Division and the College of the Redwoods.
State Preschool
Wrap-Around Services
1. Children of College
of the Redwoods students who are (in priority order):
a)
Children referred by child protective services.
b)
Four years of age by December 2 of the academic or fiscal year in
which the family is requesting services.
c)
Four year olds with lowest adjusted monthly income are admitted first.
d)
Three years of age by December 2 of the academic or fiscal year in
which the family is requesting services.
e)
Three year olds with lowest adjusted monthly income are admitted first.
2. Children of CR staff and faculty who are (in priority order):
a)
Children referred by child protective services.
b)
Four years of age by December 2 of the academic or fiscal year in
which the family is requesting services.
c)
Four year olds with lowest adjusted monthly income are admitted first.
d)
Three years of age by December 2 of the academic or fiscal year in
which the family is requesting services.
e)
Three year olds with lowest adjusted monthly income are admitted first.
3. Children of the local community who are (in priority order):
a)
Children referred by child protective services.
b)
Four years of age by December 2 of the academic or fiscal year in
which the family is requesting services.
c)
Four year olds with lowest adjusted monthly income are admitted first.
d)
Three years of age by December 2 of the academic or fiscal year in
which the family is requesting
services.
e)
Three year olds with lowest adjusted monthly income are admitted first.
Infant-Toddler
Program
1. Children of College of the Redwoods students, ages one to three,
who are (in priority order):
a)
Children referred by child protective services.
b)
Infants and toddlers with lowest adjusted monthly income are admitted
first.
2. Children of CR staff and faculty, ages one to three, who are
(in priority order):
a)
Children referred by child protective services.
b)
Infants and toddlers with lowest adjusted monthly income are admitted
first.
3. Children of the local community, ages one to three, who are
(in priority order):
a)
Children referred by child protective services.
b)
Infants and toddlers with lowest adjusted monthly income are admitted
first.
When the subsidized programs
are full, the CDC will maintain a waiting list. In order to be placed on the waiting list a family must complete
an application packet.
Families on the waiting
list will be enrolled as openings occur based on the established enrollment
criteria. Enrollment
from the waiting list shall not be first come, first served.
In the event two families
have equal eligibility families will be enrolled based on the earliest
submission of a complete application packet. Complete application packets will be date-stamped for wait
list purposes.
If it is necessary to
displace families, families will be displaced in reverse order of
the admission criterion.
CalWORKs
Program
1. Children of CR students
from age one to five (Kindergarten entrance) whose families are CalWORKs
recipients.
At least one parent of
families receiving child care through the CalWORKs program must be
a student at College of the Redwoods. If there are two parents in the family, the second parent must
have a demonstrated need for child care (i.e. work, school or disability).
CalWORKs families are
enrolled on a first come-first served basis. In the event it becomes necessary to disenroll families, they
will be disenrolled on a last-in, first-out basis.
Families enrolling in
State Preschool must enroll a minimum of two day per week. All children must be enrolled at least 6-1/2 hours per day including
the hours from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Infant Toddler and CalWORKs families may enroll the hours they need care as long
as the enrollment includes at least six hours per week in at least
two days per week.
Children receiving subsidized
child care and development services are expected to attend all the days they are enrolled. In order for absences to be excused the child must have missed
school because of illness or
quarantine of the child, illness or quarantine of their parent, family
emergency, court ordered visitation, or a reason which is clearly
in the best interest of the child.
A family
emergency is defined as follows:
C Death of, or attendance of funeral of immediate or near
immediate family members
C Institutionalizing or incarceration of child, parent,
or immediate family member
C Loss of auto due to disrepair for a period not to exceed
5 days at a time
C Family crisis
C Natural disaster
C Theft
C Fire
C Or similar situation
Final determination of acceptance of excuse shall
be made by the program director.
If an absence is due to court ordered visitation,
a copy of the court order must be on file at the Child Development
Center.
An absence considered in the best interest of the
child is defined as follows:
C religious holidays
C vacation
C time with relatives
C special programs with family or friends
Absences in
the best interest of the child may not exceed ten days per academic
(fiscal) year.
In order for the absence
to be considered excused by the State, you, as the parent or guardian,
must complete an absence form (available from the CDC Clerk Typist)
which explains the specific reason for the absence. (Sick or illness is not enough to clarify the reason for the absence. A specific illness must be given, such as flu,
cold, fever, or sore throat.)
Any absences that do not
meet the criteria listed above are considered unexcused absences. A family will be terminated from subsidized services if the child exceeds ten (10) unexcused absences in one
academic year.
If your child misses three
days at the CDC without notification from you concerning the absence,
we will consider the child to be voluntarily withdrawn from the CDC. Services will be terminated on that basis.
Enrollment Agreements
- Fee-For-Service Program
You will sign an enrollment
form (CD 9600) that specifies
the days and hours of enrollment and the daily rate for each child. There is a six-hour-per-week in two days minimum enrollment
requirement. This enables the child to develop a relationship with
caregivers and peers. The
contract is valid for the entire semester. Since class schedules change, you must complete a new contract
and emergency information form each semester or when there is any
change in schedule.
If you need to change
your child care hours during the semester, you must complete an enrollment
change request form. Families
can increase child care hours if space is available and staffing is
adequate. Schedule changes must be for a minimum of two weeks at a time. You will receive a written notification verifying the schedule
change. Schedule changes
go into effect when you receive verification.
Reduction in child care
hours or termination of child care services requires that the parent
submit a written notification two weeks prior to the reduction or
termination.
Faculty/Staff fee
for service rates are available. Please visit the Child Development
Center or call 476-4337 to obtain further information on this program.
Fees and Payments
Fees for full-cost child
care service at the CDC vary according to student status, time of
the day, and age of the child. Hours of enrollment, rather than attendance, determine the
fees for child care. Enrollment
determines our program budget. You
are billed for your contracted child care hours even if your child
is ill or does not attend for any reason. Our expenses do not vary when your child does not attend. Fees are as follows:
Regular Day Time Hours (7:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.)
Age 12-18 Mo. Age
18-36 Mo. Age
3-5 Yrs.
Students (6 units
or more)
Full Time (6-1/2 -
10-1/2 hrs/day) 34.39
28.33
20.23
3/4 Time (4 - 6-1/2
hrs/day) 25.79
21.24
15.18
Half Time (under 4
hrs/day) 18.92 15.58
11.13
Community Families
Full Time (6-1/2 -
10-1/2 hrs/day) 45.25 37.27
26.62
3/4 Time (4 - 6-1/2
hrs/day) 33.94 27.95
19.97
Half Time (under 4
hrs/day)
24.89 20.50
14.64
Faculty & Staff
- Call or visit the Center for rates.
Fees for child care are
due every two weeks prior to care being received. You receive a bill, every two weeks, which is due, and payable
upon receipt. Make payments
at the Business Office in the Administration Building.
You are expected to bring
your child to the CDC only during the hours he or she is enrolled. Early drop off or late pick-up penalties are charged at the
rate of $3.00 for each 15 minute interval for any time beyond the
child=s
contracted hours. This
penalty is charged per child. In addition to the above penalties your child care services
could be terminated if you bring your child early or pick your child
up late. This penalty
is not a child care fee and is required of all parents, regardless
of the services or subsidies their child receives.
Failure to pay child care
bills can prevent you from registering for classes in the following
semester or from receiving transcripts from College of the Redwoods. Failure to pay fees for child care services will cause termination
of services. Any parent
who is more than two weeks behind in their fees will receive a two-week
termination notice. If
fees are not paid in full prior to the termination date, the child
will not be allowed to attend the CDC.
Parents enrolled in any
child care payment program (such as HCCC, GAIN, Re-Hab, etc.) must
sign their vouchers daily. Any
child care fee amounts not covered by the agency become the responsibility
of the child=s
family. (Assistance to
pay the family share of cost may be available through the CARE Program
in the EOPS Office.)
Although there are no
fees for the State Preschool, families may have a share of cost fee
for the Infant-Toddler and wrap-around preschool services. These fees will be determined by the CDE-CCD fee schedule. The CalWORKs Program has no fees.
If child care fees increase,
you shall be given written notice 30 days prior to the change.
Termination of
Services
The College of the Redwoods Child Development Center
may withdraw child care services for the following reasons:
1. Failure to provide required documentation as mandated by the
government, funding and licensing sources, and the CDC, including
but not limited to validation of income (check stubs, prior year tax
returns), copy of court orders related to payment or receipt of child support or custody and visitation.
2. Provision of fraudulent information to establish or maintain
eligibility for services at the CDC. The CDC may verify employment, income, residence, and family
size.
3. Failure to provide verification of a child=s
physical examination within thirty (30) days of enrollment in the CDC. Failure to provide updated immunization
records.
4. Failure to pay
fees for services, penalties, including early drop off or late pick
up fees, and for paying fees with a check returned by the bank due
to insufficient funds.
5. Failure, at the end of the semester, to submit re-enrollment
forms for the following semester.
6. Failure to update
emergency information each semester or more often if necessary.
7. Three early drop offs or three late pick-ups within one academic
semester.
8. The child has more than ten (10) unexcused absences.
9. The child=s
absences from exceed ten (10) days Ain
the best interest of the child.@
10. Three days of
absence from the State Preschool Program or CalWORKs Program without
notification will be considered voluntary withdrawal by the parent.
11. Failure to adhere to CDC policies or comply with Community
Care Licensing or State Department of Education requirements.
12. In the unusual case when the CDC is unable to meet the needs
of a specific child and the child is a danger to her/himself and/or
others, the CDC staff will work closely with the parents and local
community service providers to find a more appropriate placement for
the child. Termination
of services at the CDC may be required to ensure the safety of all
children and staff. In
this case termination will be immediate.
A Notice of Action (State Preschool) or a termination
letter will be given or mailed to you as parent or guardian indicating
the reason(s) for termination.
Safety and Licensing
Your child=s safety is very important to us. We want you to feel comfortable with your child=s
child care and development center. We encourage you to visit the center at any time. Appointments to visit the center for enrolled parents and guardians
are not necessary. The teaching staff put the children=s needs first. They may not be available for a lengthy conversation with you
when you are dropping off or picking up your child. They are happy to talk to you at a time convenient to both
of you. If you need an
opportunity to talk privately with a teacher, please request a time.
You will complete an Emergency
Form that instructs CDC staff whom to contact in the event of an emergency. This form will include the names of people you authorize to
pick your child up from the CDC. The staff will not release your child to anyone not listed
on this form. If the
staff are not familiar with the person you have designated to pick
up your child they may require that person to show some form of identification. Please update this form as needed.
All the staff at the CDC
are legally mandated reporters of suspected child abuse and neglect. If a staff person suspects abuse, law requires her/him to report
the suspicion to Child Welfare Services at the Humboldt County Department
of Social Services and/or to law enforcement.
In the event that the
Community Care Licensing staff conducts an investigation of the CDC,
we will cooperate with them in their investigation. According to the California Health and safety Code Section
1596.853, AThe
Department ... shall have the authority to interview children, or
staff, and to inspect and audit child or facility records without
prior consent. The licensee shall make provisions for private interviews with
any child(ren), or any staff member; and for the examination of all
records relating to the operation of the facility. The Department ... shall have the authority to observe the
physical condition of the child(ren), including conditions which could
indicate abuse, neglect, or inappropriate placement, and to have a
licensed medical professional physically examine the child(ren).@
Discipline Policy
The CDC staff use positive
guidance techniques that allow the children to learn from mistaken
perceptions and difficult situations. The purpose of discipline is to teach children to function
successfully in society. We
do not want to break children=s
will. We want to give
them the problem solving skills that will help them resolve conflict
throughout their lives.
Initially we work at preventing
potentially difficult situations
by creating a child-centered environment. We make rules clear and logical for children. When we are unable to prevent a problem, we work with the children
to help them see what is causing conflict. Children are assisted to evaluate situations and come up with
their own solutions to problems. The consequences of children=s
behavior flow logically from behavior. Children=s
feelings are respected. Time
out is not used. Corporal
punishment is never used. Children
are not humiliated as a disciplinary measure.
Children who display violent
or aggressive behavior will first be Apartnered@ with a staff member. This
means the child will stay with the staff member for the amount of
time it takes the child to regain the self-control needed to participate
in group activities. Any
further aggressive incident, which endangers him or herself, other
children or staff will be cause to send the child home immediately. The CDC staff in cooperation with the parent will develop an
Individual Needs Plan (INP) as soon as an appropriate team can be
assembled.
Outside resources such
as County Schools, County Mental Health, diagnostic services, parenting
support groups, Child Welfare Services, etc., may be contacted to
help develop the INP. With
input from these resources, the INP can be modified until effective
strategies are found. There may be occasions when it is determined that the CDC is
not the appropriate placement to meet the needs of the child.
Health Policy
We recognize that children
in child care centers are exposed to contagious illnesses. Caring for ill children is beyond the scope of our services
as a child care facility. We
request that you keep your child home if she/he has a contagious illness
or infection, or is not feeling well enough to participate fully in
the child care program. The
ECE Program Specialist and Associates have the authority to send a
child home based on her/his assessment of the child=s
health. We recognize
that it is difficult, but important, for you to arrange alternative
child care when your child cannot attend the CDC prior to any illness
your child may develop during the school year.
The ECE Program Specialist
and Associates make an assessment of each child each day to determine
if the child is well enough to attend the CDC. You must take your child home if the teacher determines that
the child is not well enough to participate that day. If your child becomes ill during the day, we will contact you. You are required to pick up your child promptly after receiving
notification. Your child
will be isolated from the other children while waiting for you or
your designee to arrive.
We make every effort to
prevent the spread of illness at the CDC. Staff and children wash their hands regularly. We wash toys, tables and chairs regularly. We cover all open wounds with bandages. Staff wear disposable latex gloves when in contact with bodily
fluids or secretions.
We request that you keep
your child home if she/he has:
*severe cold or flu symptoms
*vomiting or diarrhea
*fever of 101E or higher or 98E or lower (rectally), or 100E or
higher or 97E or lower (orally or axially)
Your child may return
to the CDC 24 hours after symptoms cease. If your child has had a serious illness or injury, the CDC
may request a release from your physician stating that the child is
well enough to return and participate in an active child care program. If your child has one of the following specific illness/infections,
they may return to the CDC as outlined below:
Chicken
Pox: One week after rash first appears if all remaining spots
are crusted, no blisters or new spots.
Conjunctivitis
(Pink Eye): 48 hours after treatment with antibiotic eye drops
has begun if eyes are clear and without discharge.
Impetigo: Twenty-four hours after treatment has begun and area is crusted and
dry.
Rashes: After physician=s
release or when rash is gone.
Bacterial
Infections (Strep throat, ear infections, etc.): Twenty-four hours
after treatment with antibiotics has begun.
Head Lice: After treatment including removal of all nits, and home environment
is treated.
Scabies: One week after treatment if no new spots have appeared and home
environment is treated.
Pin Worms: Forty-eight hours after treatment has begun and home environment
is treated.
The CDC wants to keep
all families informed of any contagious illnesses to which your child
may have been exposed while in attendance. We request that you notify us within 24 hours if your child
is diagnosed with a contagious illness, infection, or parasite. We then post notices for all families explaining the name,
symptom, incubation period, and any other helpful information about
the disease. Your cooperation
in this process contributes to the health of all the children and
staff at the CDC.
Please call the CDC if
your child will not be attending the center. This will enable the ECE Program Specialist and Associates
to plan more effectively for the children in attendance.
Medication Policy
The CDC will administer
prescription medicine to your child if the medicine is in the original
container with her/his name on it and if the parent has completed
and signed a request for the CDC staff to dispense the medicine. Non-prescription drugs, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), may
be administered if you provide us a written statement from your physician
and a signed parental release.
Please give the medication
to the teacher before you leave to ensure that the staff understand
the dosage and time to administer the medication.
CDC staff, who are trained
in the use of Nebulizers may, after the parent completes the Nebulizer
Care Consent Form, assist the child in the use of the Nebulizer.
Emergency Medical
Care
If an emergency should
arise and if time permits, the following steps will be taken:
1. Staff will attempt to reach the parents by phone or through
the campus security office.
2. Staff may attempt to reach the persons listed on the child=s
emergency form as Aadditional
persons who may be called in an emergency@.
3. Staff may call the child=s
physician.
4. Staff may call Campus Security.
5. Staff may call 911.
If the staff person in
charge at the time of the emergency does not believe there is time
to make these calls, the child will be taken by ambulance to the emergency
room and phone calls will be made from there.
Nutrition Program
The CDC participates in
the Child Care Food Program. The CDC serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack at no cost
to your family. You are
required to complete a Child Care Food Program Eligibility and the
Racial and Ethnic Data Form required by the Child Care Food Program. The food program is part of the curriculum and is an opportunity
for children to learn concepts in areas such as nutrition, math, science,
and language.
If your child is at the
CDC during snack or meal times she or he will be served the foods
as indicated on the posted menu.
If your child has a food
allergy or intolerance, please provide us with a statement from your
child=s
physician stating the nature of the allergy and suggested alternatives
to that food.
Naps
CDC staff will put your
child down for a nap at your request. Please talk to your child=s
teacher to set a nap schedule.
Late Pick-Up
Policy
All children enrolled
in the Child Development Center must be picked up by closing time. Late pick-ups are upsetting for children who are waiting for
to be taken home. Late
pick-ups are also disruptive to the CDC staff. The late pick up of a child may affect the staffing ratios
or may prevent a staff member from going home at the end of her/his
shift. All families enrolled
in the CDC will follow the policy for the payment of late fees as
described below.
You are expected
to bring your child to the CDC only during the hours he or she is
enrolled. Early drop
off or late pick up penalties are charged at the rate of $3.00 for
each 15 minute interval for any time beyond the child=s contracted hours. This penalty is charged per child. In addition to the above penalties your child care services
could be terminated if you bring your child early or pick your child
up late. This penalty
is not a child care fee and is required of all parents, regardless
of the services or subsidies their child receive.
Parents are expected to arrange for a back up person
to pick up their child in the event of an emergency. If a parent,
or her/his back up person has not arrived by closing time, the following
procedures will be followed:
1. The site director or
teacher in charge and one additional staff member will remain with
the child.
2. The staff person in
charge will try to contact the parent by phone or through campus security.
3. The individuals listed
on the child's emergency card will be called and asked to pick up
the child.
4. If no one can be reached
or if the people listed on the emergency card refuse to come pick
up the child, the staff members will stay with the child at the center
for one hour and continue to call the phone numbers on the child's
emergency card.
5. If no one has picked
up the child one hour after closing time, the staff members will contact
the center director or the ECE Program Specialist to develop a plan,
which may include:
a. If
the parent or person on the emergency card is home but has no transportation
the staff person may drive the child home. The staff member must have a valid California Drivers License
and a record of current
automobile insurance. The child must be placed in a seat belt during
transportation. A staff
member is under no obligation to drive a child home or to an alternative
location.
b. If
the staff member is unable to contact any adult responsible for the
child, the staff member may call Child Welfare Services or the Humboldt
County Sheriff to pick up the child.
6. All parents who are
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