Child Care Parent Policies

philosophy/purpose

The KCSS Child Care Center is designed to meet the social, psychological, physical, and intellectual needs of children, three years old to six years old whose parents are working, in an environment of love and respect. Patience, sharing, responsibility, compassion for others, and cooperation will be practiced through daily routines. The emphasis is on promoting self-esteem, independence, and learning through a balanced variety of active and quiet, indoor and outdoor, structured and non-structured activities.

enrollment requirements

Children must be between the ages of three years old through five years old.
Children must be toilet trained (no pull-ups).
There will be no discrimination by race, color, sexual orientation, country of origin, or creed.
The parent must fill out a primary admission form.
Prior to the child's admittance to the center, the following information must be completed and returned:
- Primary admission form
- Enrollment/health history form
- Immunization form
- Physical/health form
- Arrival/departure contract

The physical/health form shall be completed by a physician dated within one year or 90 days after admission. A subsequent physical exam is required at least once every two years thereafter.

acceptance

The child will be accepted into the program when all forms are on file and the parent has had a conference with the director and the teacher. An annual enrollment fee of $50.00 is also required.

termination of enrollment

A parent who wishes to withdraw his/her child from the program must notify the director in writing at least two weeks prior to the child's last day of attendance.
KCSS reserves the right to remove a child from the center for the following reasons:
- Determination that the program is not beneficial to the child.
- Behavior that causes harm to other children, themselves, or KCSS property.
- Failure of parent to pay fees.
- Parent's continual tardiness in calling for the child.
- Failure of parent to submit physical exam form.

schedule

KCSS Child Care Center is open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 12 months a year.
If a child is not picked up by 6:00 p.m., a late fee of $5.00 for the first five minutes and $1.00 for each five minutes thereafter will be charged.

delivery & pickup procedures

The parent will:
- Personally bring his/her child into the school.
- Take off child's outer clothing.
- Come into the center and sign the child in on the form provided, giving the following information:
  - Arrival time.
  - Parent phone number for the day, if it is different from the one on the enrollment form.
  - Estimated departure time.
- Help the child greet the teacher and relay any information or changes to the teacher concerning the child that day.
Pick-up Procedures:
- Release of the child is only allowed to previously authorized people.
- Sign the child out.
- Read over any notes on the Parent Board.
- Dress the child in outer clothing.
- Check child's basket for things to take home.
Parents are welcome in the center at all times, as long as your presence is not disruptive to the child's routine.
Please drop off your older children first before your younger ones. Please pick up your younger children first before your older ones. This cuts down on germs being spread between rooms.

Special Note: Only parents and authorized personnel are permitted in the center.

clothing

Dress your child in washable, sturdy, play clothes suitable to the weather.
Sandals, thongs, jellys, and dress shoes are not conducive to safe play, running, climbing, etc. The most practical shoe is a sturdy tennis or track shoe.
Bring an extra set of clothing for your child in case of emergencies. This set should include underwear, socks, shirt, and pants. These should be in a Ziploc bag labeled with the child's name and kept in the child's basket.
During the winter and early spring months, please supply hats, boots mittens, and snow pants daily.

personal belongings

Children are required to leave all food, money, trinkets, jewelry, and toys at home. The materials at the center are shared by all children. It is easier to learn to share toys when they are not special toys from home.

health of your child

Before bringing your child to school each day, please check for any signs of illness. If any signs are present, the child should be kept at home.
Please call the center by 8:00 a.m. if your child will not be attending child care.
A daily observation on arrival at the center will be made by a member of the staff. If signs of illness are apparent, you will be asked to take your child home.
If a child becomes ill while at the center, the parent will be notified to pick up the child immediately.
If a child has a bacteria-diarrheal infection, infectious mononucleosis, tuberculosis, or strep or staph infections, the local public health officer will be notified.
Your child must remain out of the center for 24 hours if any of the following conditions occur:
- Temperature more than 99 degrees.
- Intestinal disturbances (diarrhea or vomiting).
- Any undiagnosed rash.
- Sore or discharging eyes or ears or profuse nasal discharge.
All parents will be notified if their child is exposed to a communicable disease. Parents will be notified of the dates of exposure, incubation periods, symptoms, and treatment recommendations.
Children's records are confidential and available to the parents upon request.

medications

Parents must complete and sign the center's medication administration form before any medications can be given.
Medicines must be supplied in the original container with the child's name and administration instructions clearly stated on the container.
Medication will be administered and recorded by the director or teacher in the classroom.
Medications will be stored in a locked cabinet. Medication requiring refrigeration shall be kept in the refrigerator in a separate, covered container labeled "medication". A written record will be maintained including date, time, name of the medicine, and the name of person administering the medication.
Medications given will also be recorded in the center's medical logbook immediately after administering.
If a teacher forgets to give a child their medication or there is an error in distribution, the parent is given a written note explaining the problem.

general nutrition

Nutritious meals and snacks are included at regular intervals during the day. Times are:
- Breakfast at 8:30 a.m.
- Lunch at 11:30 a.m.
- Snack at 3:00 p.m.
A monthly menu will be posted on the Parent Board in the center.
Mealtimes are designed to be relaxing, enjoyable experiences for the children. Table conversation will be encouraged. Children will help with table setting, serving, and cleanup.
Birthday treats are always welcome, but please do NOT bring cake (including cupcakes). Please check with the director or teacher as to what you would like to bring and the number needed.
No food, candy, or gum may be sent to school with your child.

naptime routine

Sleep/rest periods are part of each child's day.
There will be a supervised nap or rest period of one hour or longer for all children five years of age and younger.
Each child will be provided with an individual cot, which is placed at least two feet from the next cot.
The center is responsible for supplying a sheet and blanket for each cot.
Sheets and blankets will be washed by the center as often as needed or at least weekly.
It would be appreciated if doctor appointments, early pickups, etc. would take place before or after this quiet time.

educational program

We affirm that children learn most effectively through a concrete, play-oriented approach to early childhood education.

Play is the primary indicator of their mental growth. Play enables children to progress along the developmental sequence from the sensory motor intelligence of infancy, to preoperational thought in the preschool years, to the concrete operational thinking exhibited by primary children. In addition to its role in cognitive development, play also serves important functions in children's physical, emotional, and social development. Therefore, child-initiated, child-directed, teacher-supported play is an essential component of this developmentally appropriate curriculum.

Cultural diversity and individual differences will be reflected through stories, food, songs, toys, and games from other ethnic and cultural groups.

parental involvement

Parents should feel free to discuss information concerning their child on a daily basis.
Behavior problems will be discussed outside of the child's presence.
Parents are encouraged to set up conferences with their child's teacher to discuss their child's progress whenever needed.
Parents are encouraged to review any notes on the Parent Board or notes that are sent home and to check their child's basket daily.

snow day / no school day policy

On a "snow day" or "no school day", the child care center will be open. On a "snow day", please call the child care center as early as possible that day (you may leave a message if you call before 7 a.m.) to let the staff know if your child will be attending/not attending child care. You will be charged for these days if they are part of your contracted child care hours.

guidance policy

Children will be guided in ways that will enhance self-esteem, self-control, and respect for the rights of others.
A positive approach will be used. Children will be told what to do rather than what not to do.
There will be no physical punishment used.

child care fees

Fees are due at the end of each week (or the last day each week that your child is in attendance) for the following week's care or there is a $5.00 late fee charged.
There is an annual $50.00 enrollment fee also due.

holidays/vacations/sick days

Holidays and sick days are paid at full rate. Children enrolled full-time are allowed five vacation days/year after six months of enrollment. Vacation days may not be vested. Children enrolled part-time are allowed vacation days based on the number of days/weeks he/she is enrolled.

problems

Children and parents with problems, which cannot be resolved by KCSS Child Care Center, will be referred to the appropriate community agency. To aid in this is the Information and Referral Center in Outagamie County, which offers information on services, eligibility, and availability. The telephone number is 954-7200.

child abuse/neglect reporting

According to Wisconsin Rule HFS 48.981, every child care worker who comes in contact with children has received training in child abuse and neglect laws. Any cases of child abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual) suspected by directors, teachers, aides, or volunteers must be reported to Social Services.