Enrollment
The following must be completed in order to reserve your child’s space.
**It is important that immunization forms are kept current at all times and are updated as vaccinations are completed.**
Trail Period/Termination
A trail period of 2 weeks is given for adjustment. After this time period the parents or provider may decide to terminate care without prior notice. After the trail period, a written 2 weeks notice is required to terminate your contract for childcare. Any balances/payments that are due MUST be paid at time of written notice to avoid more charges.**Parents who fail to provide a written 2 week notice will be responsible for an additional 2 weeks of childcare. I will also give 2 weeks notice if the child is to be terminated from care. In certain circumstances, it may be necessary for me to decide to immediately discontinue a child's attendance. Such a decision would be based on whether it is in the best interest of that child. Every effort will be made to correct a problematic situation before a final decision is made. Immediate Termination of enrollment may be the result of the following:
Abuse of other children, staff or property
Disruptive or dangerous behavior
Violation of the rules/policies of the contract/handbook
The daycare's inability to meet the child's needs. In cases of non-payment, legal actions may be taken and the parents will be responsible for all payments/fees and legal fees incurred and my lost wages.
Sign-In and Sign-Out
Your child must be signed in daily with a full signature when dropped off and also at pick-up. You must use your full signature when signing in and signing out. This is to determine the length of time your child is in my care and is also required by the department of licensing. Continued failure to sign your child in or out may result in a fee of $3 per incident. If I incur any fines due to you not signing your child in or out, you will be responsible for those fees. The fees must be paid within 1 week or your child may not return to my care until balance is paid in full.
Arrival/Departure
Please send your child clean, dressed for the day, and fed if arriving after 7:30am. Please make your good-bye brief (no more than a few minutes). The longer you prolong departure the harder it gets. Never leave without telling your child good-bye, doing so will make it harder to depart the following day.
**No one other than the parents or authorized adults will be permitted to pick up your child without prior arrangement. The authorized person must be over 18 years of age and present a photo ID. I must be notified in advance and have a written and signed note with the person’s name and relationship to your child. NO EXCEPTIONS.**If there is a court order keeping one parent away from the child, I must have a written note from the custodial parent in my file to that effect. Otherwise I cannot permit the non-custodial parent from picking the child up. Your child may be dropped off no earlier than 10 minutes of our contracted drop off time and no later than 30 minutes of our contracted pick up time. Doing so, without pre-arrangements will result in overtime charges due within 3 days. Your child may not return to my care after 3 days until balance is paid in full.
Communication
In order to provide the best possible care, please feel free to communicate any wants, needs or concerns regarding your child. Through parent/provider communication, quality, nurturing care is achieved. A monthly newsletter will be provided to help keep you up to date on general issues and childcare happenings. I am happy to provide daily reports to parents of children infant-12 months and weekly/requested reports to all parents.
Late Fees (applies to all clients)
A $25 weekly late charge will apply if payment is not received within 5 days of our agreed payment arrangements. (monthly or weekly). Child will not be permitted to attend daycare or preschool until balance is paid in full. Continued late payments will result in termination of our contract.
Returned Check Fee:
A $40 fee, plus any other costs I incur, will be applied to all returned checks. After 3 returned checks, the family will be required to pay tuition/daycare with cash.
Overtime and Related Fees:
Overtime is considered any time outside of the contracted time interval and any time that has not been pre-arranged and pre-approved. I am under no obligation to provide time extensions. Late arrival does not justify late departure. Overtime is paid the week it was provided.
Overtime fees:
$7 an hour for prearranged overtime (within 24 hours).
$5 per 15 minutes or any increment of 15 minutes when time wasn’t prearranged.
Meals
Enchanted Acres provides 2 meals and 2 snacks daily. Please let us know upon enrollment if your child has ANY food allergies. Breakfast is served between 7:00-7:30am. Children arriving after this time will need to have been fed prior to being placed in my care. Please do not send in half eaten food or gum with the children. A typical lunch may consist of a turkey and cheese sandwich, a serving of vegetables and fruit and milk. Children are offered the food, not forced to eat it. Children who choose not to eat will not be served additional food until the next mealtime. Infants (12months and under) need to supply breast milk/formula and baby food.
Special Diets
If your child has a special dietary need, substantiated by a medical evaluation, I must be informed and given a doctors note. Substitute meals and snacks may then be brought from home.
Infant Feeding
Infants will always be held when being bottle fed, never propped or left unattended. Babies old enough to start solids will sit in a high chair when fed. Mothers who nurse may stop by anytime during the day to do so, or can provide breast milk with warming instructions.
Toilet Training
I am happy to assist with potty training provided that it is not done prior to the child being ready and the training has already begun at home. Once initiated at home for 3-5 days, parents must then supply pull-ups for their child. Please remember that although your child may use the potty at home they may not at daycare or vise versa. The important thing is that we keep the lines of communication open and we work as a team providing consistency and encouragement.
Diaper Changing
I check and change diapers every 2 hours or more frequently if required. Every child will also be changed immediately following nap time. My procedure is to change each child on a disinfected, nonabsorbent surface, discard the diaper in a lined, covered container. Hands and surface are washed and disinfected between each child.
Care of Young Children
I follow current guidelines for prevention of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). I 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. I will also not allow any stuffed animals, loose blankets or clothing items to be placed in the crib/playpen with an infant. No Exceptions.
Supplies Needed:
Parents are responsible for supplying diapers and wipes, pull-ups, weather appropriate change of clothes (2 changes of clothes for infants and children being potty trained), a blanket for rest time and any other necessary items (powder, ointment)(signed consent to apply any powder, ointments or medications.). Children in diapers/pull-ups cannot be placed in my care without a days supply of diapers/pull-ups and wipes. You will be asked to take your child and pick up needed supplies and then return. NOTE: Parents are asked to bring in enough diapers and wipes to last one week. I will notify you when your child’s supply needs to be replenished. Parents are also required to provide a small emergency pack upon enrollment. This kits must include the following placed in a gallon size zip lock bag: 2 bottles of water, 2 granola/cereal bars, 2 ready to eat meals and a spoon, a individual size can of fruit, juice box, emergency blanket, poncho, small flashlight with batteries (separate batteries) and a special note and photo from home. Parents of babies will need to provide an additional zip lock containing 10 diapers, travel case of wipes and a one piece outfit. Parents of infants 12 months and under will need to provide a small can of formula.
What your Child May Bring In From Home
Toys should not be brought from home. Toys that are will be placed in my possession until parent pickup. If your child needs a special toy or item for sleeping, it will be allowed but will be put away upon arrival. I cannot be held responsible for lost, stolen or broken toys brought from home. Should a child deliberately destroy my toys or other property through willfulness or misuse, the parent will be required to replace it.
Birthdays
Birthdays are special and important occasions. You are welcome to bring cupcakes or cookies to share with your child's friends. Please make arrangements with your child's teacher for any special plans to make your child's birthday one of a kind.
Lost and Found
Please mark all items of personal property. I will make every attempt to locate and return lost items. This task is much easier if your child's name is on the items. I cannot be responsible for any personal items that your child may bring to daycare.
Medication
All medications need to be given to children by their parents prior to and after business hours. Any medications that are required by a physician to be taken within business hours will be administered by myself or my assistant provided that medication is in original, prescribed container and is accompanied by a signed and dated letter from the child’s physician including administrating instructions. I, myself, and any volunteers working in my daycare will not be held responsible for any reactions your child may have due to the medication given.
Illnesses
Colds, flu and other contagious diseases seem to occur frequently and spread easily among young children. To help protect your own child's health and to minimize the possibility of contagion at daycare, please keep your child at home if you observe any of the following symptoms:
Nasal discharge that is green or yellow
Complaints of ear pain
Productive cough
Severe sore throat
Eyes that are pink, burning or itching or producing discharge
Fever
Diarrhea
If these symptoms of possibly contagious conditions are observed in your child during the day, you will be called to come pick up your child immediately.
When your child has a fever, please keep him/her at home an additional 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal. This will help to ensure that the illness has actually passed and that your child will be well enough to resume childcare activities.
Head Lice
This is a very common occurrence in young children. This has nothing to do with cleanliness. They are very easily transmitted by leaning back in an upholstered chair where someone had previously sat who had head lice, sharing caps or helmets, hair accessories, brushes, combs, even sitting close and touching heads. Random lice checks are conducted by daycare personnel. If head lice is found on a child, the following steps are taken:
Parents are notified and child must be picked up from daycare.
That child's head must be treated with a product formulated to remove head lice.
Nits must be removed with a special nit comb included in product.
The child will be excluded from daycare the following day.
Upon returning to daycare state health laws require examination of hair and scalp by personal before returning to daycare
A handout of additional information regarding lice is given to parents at the time of pick-up.
To avoid infestation, it is important to inspect all family members for two weeks and treat if infected. Nits on the scalp may be seen more easily on the hair at the back of the neck and above the ears.
Please be assured that we will do everything possible to prevent infestation in our center. With your support, we will stop the lice from spreading.
Health Care Practices
I will use sanitized surfaces and utensils when preparing and serving food. I will label, date and store foods in the freezer and refrigerator. I will keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. I wash my 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. I also help the children wash their hands before and after toileting, before and after eating or cooking activities and after playing outside.
Medical Emergencies
In case of a serious injury, accident or illness requiring medical attention, the following procedures are followed:
I will call 911 and administer first aid and CPR if needed.
I will notify you as soon as possible and tell you where your child is being treated.
For minor injuries (bumps, bruises, etc) I will provide First Aid. f the injury is more serious (stitches, broken bones, discoloration, etc) the parents will be contacted immediately. Parents are responsible for ALL costs involved in medical treatments, including medical transportation.
If any injury results in medical treatment and or hospitalization, I am required to immediately contact and submit and Injury/Accident Report to the Department of Social and Health Services Licenser and child’s social worker, if any. You will be given a copy of this report.
**It is imperative that all emergency contact information given to me is correct and up to date. Please contact me immediately when any changes are made in contact information.
Field Trips/Transportation
During the year we may go on field trips to help enhance your child’s learning experience. Information and permission slips will be given for each field trip planned. Volunteers are always needed, so if you can help please let us know. Most trips are scheduled, however, there will be times that quick, local trips are unplanned.
It is not mandatory that your child attend these trips or local outings, but you will be required to provide back up childcare for your child if you do not wish for your child to participate.
All children will be placed in the back seat only. Infants 12 months and under and under 20 pounds will sit in rear facing car seats. Children 12 months and older will be placed in approved car seats or booster seats and all will be restrained in seat belts. I abide by all WA State Laws concerning child restraint regulations.
Discipline Policy
Preventive Measures To Produce Acceptable Behavior:
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.
If your child’s behavior is continually dangerous or upsetting to others, including myself, a call will be made to the parents. If the problems/concerns cannot be resolved, parents will be asked to find alternate care for their child immediately. This voids the 2 week notice agreement.
Child Abuse
I am required, by law, to report any suspected physical, sexual, emotional or suspected abuse, neglect and/or explortation to the Social Services Office.
Biting
As with any behavior, how biting is dealt with depends upon the ages of the children involved, the reason for the biting (if it can be determined), frequency of the biting and many other specific circumstances. General guidelines for biting include:
Helping the bitten child feel better or providing appropriate first aid, if warranted.
Completing an ouch report for the parent of the bitten child.
Discussing the situation with the biter's parent.
Depending on the ages and circumstances involved, additional actions might include:
Discussing a better solution with all children involved.
Separation of involved children.
Showing/giving the biter something appropriate to bite (teething ring).
Ensuring that the environment provides enough challenging activities.
Carefully observing the involved child to identify precipitating events and prevent recurrences.
Maintaining a log to track when the behavior occurs. Conferences with parents to discuss the child's actions at home, parental discipline techniques, search for outside resources, etc.
Just as any other behavior issue regarding a child is confidential, the name of the child that has bitten is also confidential, in order to ensure the privacy of the child and family and prevent bias from others enrolled in the center. We will keep you informed as to what steps are being taken and if bites are from the same or a different child. Informative handouts are given to parents regarding biting.
Children who bite 3 times in the same day will be sent home.
Vacation and Absences
Every year, the daycare/preschool may be closed for 2-3 weeks for vacation and up to 5 days for professional training and or sick days. Notification of at least 2 weeks will be given prior to any closed days with the exception of illness or emergencies. The first week of my vacation is a paid one and you are required to pay for your child’s slot for one week as well as the training and sick days. The other 2 additional vacations weeks you will not be charged. All holidays that the daycare/preschool are closed are paid holidays as well.
**In my absence, I plan to provide an experienced, fully qualified assistant(s) to provide care in my daycare. Parents will be notified when possible when I will be off the premises and when an assistant will be taking my place. I do plan on being here the majority of the time.**Each year a family may take a 1 week vacation after being enrolled for 1 consistent year. A minimum 2 week written notice is required or payment will be due in full for that week.
Parents are responsible for finding back up childcare during provider absences.
There are a limited number of spaces in my daycare available, therefore, weekly/monthly payments are not based on child’s attendance. No refunds are given for late arrivals, early departures, parental vacations or exclusions due to illness.
Holidays/Vacation Closures
Enchanted Acres is closed for all federal holidays with pay.
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day, Day Before and Day After
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Day After
New Years Eve, New Years Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Presidents Day
Spring Break (usually first week in April) TBA
Memorial Day
Independence Day
1 week personal vacation, 5 training/sick days per year
**Please Note: If the holiday falls on a Saturday, daycare will close the Friday before. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, daycare will close the Monday after. Special arrangements may be possible on some of these days with prior notice and a fee of $45 a day, however, I am under no obligation to provide care on the days listed above.
Calendar is subject to change
There is no payment credit allowed for these days.
Typical Daily Schedule
My schedule is flexible and may vary depending on the needs of the children. Your child will need to be dressed appropriate for outdoor play everyday. Outdoor play will be part of our daily routine, weather permitting. In the case of inclement weather I will provide the children with a kids exercise video and other opportunities for gross motor development.
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
Activities
Age appropriate activities are scheduled daily with flexibility to help me respond to the individual needs of the children placed in my care. I provide a preschool curriculum for children ages 3-5, September through May. I also follow the Peninsula School District colander for closures such as holidays, professional development days, etc. I follow the South Kitsap School District schedule for closures due to inclement weather (snow days, conferences, etc.) Preschool will not be provided on those days but daycare will still be in session as long as it is safe for travel to and from my home. When possible I will let you know when I’m closed ahead of time and in cases of inclement weather where I need to close I will contact you immediately. Daily activities include: circle time, letter of the week, numbers, shapes, singing, arts and crafts and story reading. We also celebrate most religious holidays (Christmas, Easter, etc). All other religions are welcome to share their religious activities as well.
TV Viewing
I do allow limited TV viewing during daycare hours. Usually in the morning and maybe during the day. I limited the total amount to no more than 3 hours per day. All videos shown will be kid-appropriate, educational or have some type of moral/value lesson. On Fridays we will watch a movie (usually Disney) and have popcorn. Children are never required to sit and watch a movie. Other quiet activities will be provided for children not wishing to watch TV and TV is not offered in place of free play or learning activities.
Nap/Rest Time
By WA state law, all children under the age of 5 are required to have a rest period. Children are not forced to sleep but they must remain quiet during rest time. Children are not to be dropped off or picked up between the hours of 12:00-2:30pm as this is very disruptive to the children napping. If you need to pick up your child for an appointment please do so before 12:00 or after 2:30. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Disaster Preparedness
Enchanted Acres Preschool and Childcare has an emergency disaster plan in place. Staff members are 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 up to 72 hours. This kit includes: bottled water, non perishable foods, first aid supplies, flashlight, blanket and garbage bag. I will also have a battery operated radio, fire extinguisher, flashlight and extra batteries, emergency documents and phone numbers and the children‘s individual emergency kits. The children will practice emergency procedures and evacuation on a regular basis.
Pets
I currently have 2 birds, 2 dogs and 3 cats. In most cases I will try and keep my pets separated from the children. However, I cannot guarantee separation. All pets are kid-friendly and updated on all vaccinations. Animals will not relieve themselves in outdoor play areas or other childcare areas. Please let me know if your child has any allergies.
No Smoking
Smoking is prohibited on the premises (home, yard, motor vehicles) during business hours.