Enchanted Acres Preschool

All Enchanted Acres staff are considered probationary employees for a period of 3 months. It is a period of adjustment and adaptation on both the personal level and the job requirement level. The employee is expected to meet or exceed the initial demands of the position during this time period. Also, it is a time period for adjustment to Enchanted Acres’ overall policies and work rules. If the employee fails to adapt successfully to the requirements of their position, the program or service component, or Enchanted Acres as a whole, employment will be terminated. Termination during the probationary period can be made without notice. If the director recognizes unsatisfactory progress before the 3 month period is over, director may decide to terminate employment without prior notice. Probationary employees will be evaluated at the discretion of the director. No increase in salary will be given upon completion of the probationary period.

The probationary period is designed solely for determining an individual's suitability for a position and his or her level of competence in performing the duties of one in such a position. Satisfactory completion of the probationary period will enable the employee to continue in that position only for the duration of the period stated in the contract, or for the period of time deemed necessary by Enchanted Acres for completion of certain tasks, or for as long as performance and behavior remain satisfactory, and funds remain available to pay for the position. In all instances, continued employment is solely at the discretion of the director.

These rules do not represent every conceivable type of offense, but reflect those most frequently encountered.
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Misconduct not specifically described in these polices will be handled as warranted by the circumstances of the case involved. Enchanted Acres may modify penalties imposed as a result of infractions of the rules when extenuating circumstances are found. Likewise, flagrant infractions of the rules of conduct may result in whatever action is deemed appropriate.

All employees are expected to conduct themselves according to the highest standards of integrity and ethics. Standards of employee conduct normally expected in any place of employment will be the standards of employee conduct at Enchanted Acres, whether or not such are in writing. As a basic standard of justice, employees are informed of the behavior expected of them through such avenues as job descriptions, personnel policies, and instructions of the director. Employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.
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Failure to conform one's conduct to reasonable requirements will result in disciplinary action. Written reports of all disciplinary action will be prepared and placed in the employee's personnel file. Disciplinary action will be taken as soon as the facts are known and a fair judgment can be made. The following disciplinary actions may be taken, depending on the nature of the offense and circumstances surrounding the particular case. Discipline may or may not be progressive.

Disciplinary action will be taken only after communication of the specific reasons for the proposed action to the employee by the director. Disciplinary actions are normally utilized in accordance with the severity of the infraction.
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Standards of behavior have been developed pertaining to employee conduct, performance, and responsibilities so that all employees can conduct themselves according to certain rules, good behavior, and conduct. The purpose of these standards is not to restrict the rights of anyone, but to help people work together harmoniously according to the standards that Enchanted Acres has established.
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**Enchanted Acres’ retains the right to random drug testing.** 

The following is a partial list of duties that may be required during an employee’s employment with Enchanted Acres. Job descriptions may change without prior notice. Employees are asked to remain flexible do to the ever-changing demands of providing excellent services to the children in our care.

*Ability to undertake all physical requirements involved with an early childhood setting including but not limited to: squatting, pushing, pulling, bending, trunk twisting, kneeling and standing or sitting for periods of time.

*Observe and monitor children's play activities. Including outside play.
*Keep records on individual children, including daily observations and information about activities, meals served, and medications administered.
*Instruct children in health and personal habits such as eating, resting, and toilet habits.
*Read to children, and teach them simple painting, drawing, handicrafts, and songs.
*Organize and participate in recreational activities, such as games.
*Assist in preparing food for children and serve meals and refreshments to children and regulate rest periods.
*Organize and store toys and materials to ensure order in activity areas.
*Dress children and change diapers.
*Help children with homework and school work.
*Perform housekeeping duties such as laundry, cleaning, dishwashing, and changing of linens. Sanitize toys and play equipment
*Accompany children to and from school, on outings, and to scheduled field trips
*Support children's emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts.
*Discipline children and recommend or initiate other measures to control behavior, such as caring for own clothing and picking up toys and books.
*Identify signs of emotional or developmental problems in children and bring them to parents' or guardians' attention.

Professional attire is expected at all times. This includes casual pants or jeans. Sweatpants, short shorts, belly shirts, low cut tops, tight jeans and worn out or stained attire is not allowed. Text on clothing must be appropriate to the preschool setting. A neat and clean appearance is expected at all times.

Smoking is prohibited on the premises (home, yard, motor vehicles) during business hours.

Babies must always be held when being bottle fed, never propped or left unattended. Babies old enough for solids must be placed in a high chair when being fed.

Enchanted Acres’ employees must follow current guidelines for prevention of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Teachers will put infants to sleep on a firm mattress in a crib or playpen. Infants will be put to sleep on their backs unless parent provides a signed statement requesting a different sleep position Teachers will also not allow any stuffed animals, loose blankets or clothing items to be placed in the crib/playpen with an infant. No Exceptions.

Colds, flu and other contagious diseases seem to occur frequently and spread easily among young children. To help protect your own health and to minimize the possibility of spreading, please stay home if you observe any of the following symptoms:

Any abuse of sick days or frequent absences will result in termination of employment/contract.

At Enchanted Acres‘, the teachers' primary responsibility is to the children, therefore, personal calls should not be made or received while in a classroom. Cell phones may be kept with you as long as you do not abuse the phone policy. Employees may not use computers during their shift. Computer use must be approved by director and may only be used during lunches and or breaks. Employees must not invite friends, family or others to the preschool. Doing so may jeopardize the safety and well being of the children in our care and could result in revoke of our license. Emergencies will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Employees will use sanitized surfaces and utensils when preparing and serving food. Foods will be labeled, dated and stored in the freezer and refrigerator. Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Employees must wash their hands before and after preparing or serving food, after toileting, before and after diaper changes, after coming in contact with bodily fluids and before and after eating. Employees may also help the children wash their hands before and after toileting, before and after eating or cooking activities and after playing outside.

In case of a serious injury, accident or illness requiring medical attention, the following procedures are followed:

If any injury results in medical treatment and or hospitalization, employees are required to immediately contact and submit and Injury/Accident Report to the director.

In order to maintain a happy, healthy, disciplined environment, the children are taught the importance of safety, care of property, good habits, rules of conduct and consideration and respect for others. Our main focus on discipline (teaching/training) is preventative in nature, as we aim to build self-discipline in the child.

When a child exhibits unacceptable behavior or attitudes, he/she is instructed as to what is wrong and then directed to a positive alternative approach/behavior. Along with these new attitudes and behaviors, the child is guided in the direction of self-discipline by encouraging him/her to make as many decisions as possible within limits. Spanking or any form of corporal punishment is prohibited by anyone on the premises.

CHILD ABUSE

Enchanted Acres Staff is required, by law, to report any suspected physical, sexual, emotional or suspected abuse or neglect to the Social Services Office. Employees must also report suspected abuse to the director.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Enchanted Acres Preschool and Childcare has an emergency disaster plan in place. Staff members are to be First Aid and CPR certified and prepared to handle an emergency. I have prepared my home for evacuating the children and have emergency supplies for 10 adults up to 72 hours. The children will practice emergency procedures and evacuation on a regular basis.

HOLIDAYS and VACATION CLOSURES:

Enchanted Acres is closed for all federal holidays.

Director may take a vacation and highest qualified assistant will be assigned and responsible for fulfilling director’s duties.

Age appropriate activities are scheduled daily with flexibility to help respond to the individual needs of the children placed in care. We provide a preschool curriculum for children ages 3-5, September through May. Most activities are planned by the director. However, assistant teachers may also be required to plan and implement activities.

7:00-7:30 Arrival, Breakfast, Quiet Time

7:30-9:00 Free Play and Educational TV, diapers, potty break

9:00-11:40 Preschool Program (ages 3-5)-Circle time, Stories, arts and crafts, ABCs, 123s, Colors, Shapes, Outside time…

11:40-12:00 Lunch

12:00-2:30-Nap/Rest Time (diapers/potty prior to nap)

2:30-Wake up, diapers, potty break

2:30-3:00 Snack, Educational TV, Books

3:00-3:30 Outside Play (weather permitting) or exercise video

3:30-5:00 Diapers, potty break, free play, parent pick-up

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