Days/Hours and fees
My hours of childcare are from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Evening late fees begin at 5:31 p.m. $15.00 per 15 minutes per child. Tuition will be paid by 5:30 pm on Friday so that I may prepare for the following week. BI-weekly payment arrangements can be made as well. The tuition will be paid regardless of absences (including illness and / or family vacations). In order to keep an opening for your child and to run a fully functional childcare business with a paid childcare assistant, (when applicable) your weekly tuition is due even if your child misses daycare.
A non-refundable registration fee of $75.00 is required at the time of enrollment to secure your child’s space. Method of payment is either check or cash. Tuition paid in cash shall be issued a receipt upon request; otherwise receipt will be issued at the end of the year.
Returned Checks
If a check is returned by the bank, there will be a $20.00 handling charge from Itsy Bitsy’s, $10.00 a day late fee until tuition is paid in full in cash, plus any charges that may have been acquired by Itsy Bitsy’s banking institution. If a pattern of returned checks continue of 2 or more times cash payment is expected there after and only cash. The child may not return until all dues have been paid.
Trial period
If for any reason the provider or parents feel that The Itsy Bitsy Academy Daycare isn't the right daycare for your child, we’ll have the first two weeks to decide. If decision is made after the two weeks a two-week written notice shall be required and payment will be due as well, whether or not the child attends.
Paid closed Holidays
Itsy Bitsy Academy will be closed: (these are to be considered paid holidays.)
- New Year’s Day
- Presidents’ Day
- Easter
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Veterans’ Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- The Academy will be closed the last two weeks of December resuming care on Jan. 4th, 2010. These two weeks are considered paid vacation time. It will be your responsibility to find Daycare for your child during this time.
The day after Thanksgiving, we will be closed at no-charge to you.
alternate care must be found.
Note:
If the holiday falls on a Saturday daycare will be closed the Friday before. If the holiday falls on a Sunday daycare will be closed the Monday after.
Vacation
During the year I might schedule time off to attend functions with my family. During this time the center will remain open due to the fact that I have adequate staff to care for the children. Either way a two week notice will be sent out to parents informing you of my absence.The paid vacation time is the last two weeks of December as stated above.
Toddler Care
Parents must provide diapers and wipes for their toddler, with the child’s name printed on it. Please leave a bag of diapers or bring enough so that I may keep your infant dry. Please estimate 1 diaper per hour. If your child develops a rash, parents must provide their own ointment. Also refer to Toddler Diaper Bag checklist.
Diaper bag checklist/special needs
- Diapers; estimate 1 diaper per hour that the child is in the child care home or leave a bag of diapers child’s name on the bag. Parents will be notified when diapers are running low.
- wipes
- Rash ointment, if needed
- Spare change of clothing/extra spare change of clothing for potty training, including socks.
- Favorite blanket, no larger than the size of a receiving blanket, if necessary
- Sunscreen, if necessary
- Medications, if necessary
Play activities and photos
Children learn a great deal from our daily play activities. Playing in circle time, storybook time, dancing, singing songs, ABC’s and 123’s, shapes and colors. Other activities include our daily curriculum and holiday theme parties. Some photos taken during parties or daily activities are selected for advertisement. If you wish not to have your child’s face shown in any advertisements please request a NO PERMISSION TO PHOTO form, otherwise by signing this contract and acknowledging the policies you are giving me permission to use your child’s photo for all advertising purposes.
Meals and snacks
I plan nutritional, wholesome meals and snacks. I offer either Soy or Dairy products. I do however ask that no outside food be brought in to the center. This is for the safety of your child in order to keep any food allergies at bay. You can rest assured your child will be fed healthy nutritious meals.
Special Diets: If your child has any particular dietary needs resulting from being a vegetarian, or having allergies, religious beliefs, or non religious beliefs, etc, then we must be informed, and when applicable given a doctor’s note stating to the fact. Certain meals and different types of foods can usually be substituted in order to fulfill the dietary requirements. However, if a viable solution can not be reached between parent and provider, then all of the child’s meals and snacks will have to be provided by the parent.
Discipline Policy
I will reinforce appropriate behavior by identifying the desired behavior rather than punishing negative behavior. I will use behavior guidance that is fair, reasonable, and suited to the age of your child.
If your child exhibits a severe behavioral problem (such as regular biting, hitting, or breaking of toys), I will discuss this with you and ask for your cooperation in solving the problem.
Nap/rest time
Children in my care usually take regular naps. Children generally sleep in the afternoon after lunch. If the children do not go to sleep, I still require that they lay-down for rest time and look at books quietly. Children nap on padded mats with a , please do not bring pillows to the childcare home. Special security blankets may be brought for nap/rest time and will be washed every Friday.
Illness Policy
Please advise the daycare prior to 8:00 am if a child will not be attending daycare due to illness.
Parents agree that a child who is ill, (e.g. fever (100.1) or more, infection, diarrhea, communicable disease, or any other type of illness that may be passed on to others, with the exception of the common cold.) Will be kept at home to protect the wellbeing of my family and other children in my care. The parents further agree should a child become ill while in care that immediate arrangements will be made to remove the child from the daycare. Children will not be allowed to return to daycare until they have been symptom free for at least 24 hours. In some cases, a note from a doctor may be necessary.
Please respect my illness policy. If a child is not well enough to go outside to play or attend school, they are not well enough to attend daycare.
Head Lice
If your child has been exposed to Head Lice please notify your childcare provider, the local Elementary School, (if necessary) all of your children’s play pals and anyone your child may have been in contact with immediately!
I have a No Nit Policy at the academy that means no dead or alive eggs or bugs. Unfortunately your child will not be allowed back in until all trace of lice/nits have been removed.
Immunizations
In accordance with state law, you will be required upon admission of your child to submit a statement certifying their immunization record, a listing of any special health needs and the name of your child’s physician. Your child must have or be in the process of obtaining all immunizations at the medically appropriate times. Exception will be made for religious purposes and/or doctors orders. Both these options will need proper documentation.
Medical emergencies
All medical information will be provided prior to the first day of enrollment. As a certified CPR and First Aid day care provider, I will do my best to make competent decisions in the event of a natural disaster or injury accident. If an emergency occurs with your child and assistance from our local Paramedic/Ambulance are needed, the Parent and/or Guardian are responsible for all dues that are owed for this service. And as always, all Parents will be notified immediately in case of an emergency. Itsy Bitsy academy’s Disaster Emergency Plan will be provided.
Birthday parties and special holidays
If you wish to celebrate your child’s birthday at daycare, parents are welcomed to bring cupcakes and treat bags to pass out. Please let me know if you wish to celebrate so that I can let you know how many children will be attending that day. I also celebrate seasonal holidays like Valentines Day, Easter, Christmas, Halloween, etc, etc. If there is ever an instance where you do not want your child to be a part of these festivities, please make me aware.
Holiday parties/Festivities
Valentine’s Day all children bring cards for all other children. Names of the children will be provided.
St. Patrick’s Day - all the children wear green
Easter - We’ll have an egg hunt on the Friday before Easter Sunday
Independence Day – The day before July 4th, we’ll have a theme party. Please dress your child in Red, White, or Blue or all three colors (optional). The children will receive flags.
Halloween- children are welcomed to bring in costumes. (Friendly costumes only please) nothing scary. Children will be given treat bags.
Christmas Party – Gift exchange with secret Santa’s (gift value not to exceed $5.00).
Attendance and late arrivals
Please kindly call me by 9:30 am if your child will not be attending or if you’ll be running behind. I will have a general idea of what time to be expecting the children. But, if you'll be running late make sure that your child has an appropriately timed meal at home. (no child may be dropped off during naptime- 1-3 pm.)
Please keep in mind that the show must go on! I have written a brief schedule of Itsy Bitsy Academy’s meals and activities for your reference. As your day care provider, I want to always insure your satisfaction with my services. In doing so, I carefully plan meals, activities, and most importantly my staff.
Itsy Bitsy’s daily schedule
Monday -Thursday
7:00 - 9:00-am drop off time/planned table activity/inside play
9:00-9:30am breakfast
9:30 am-9:45am diaper changes
9:45-10:45am—inside/outside playtime
10:45 am—11:25 am circle time/spanish time
11:25 am – 11:30 am wash hands
11:30 am - 12:00 pm lunchtime
12:00 pm - 12:15 pm diaper changes
12:15 pm - 3:00 pm nap/rest time
3:00 pm - 3:15 pm diaper/potty time
3:15 pm - 3:45 pm snack time
3:45 pm - 4:15 pm art time
4:15 pm - 5:30 pm outside/inside play
5:30 pm pick up time for children
Friday is Free choice day---"G" rated movie might be played.
Enrollment Requirements
Before your child can be in my care I require the following paperwork to be done and complete prior to the first day of care.
1.Identification and emergency form (Lic. # 700)
2. Child's preadmission health history(Lic. # 702)
3. Consent to medical treatment(Lic. # 627B) 2 copies
4. Additional children in care(Lic. # 9150)
5. Personal rights(Lic. # 613A)
6. Notification of parent's rights(Lic. # 995A)
7. Initialed, signed and dated parent and provider agreement.
8. Copy of yellow immunization card. (Child cannot start care without it.)
9. Parent handbook agreement. (Last page of this book)
A respectful policy
I respect and adore the children who I care for and I understand that it may take longer than two weeks for a child to adapt to a new atmosphere. However if for any reason a child with continual behavior problems becomes physically and/or verbally abusive towards other children or staff I will have to terminate our contract. I have a no tolerance for disrespecting others by continual hitting, biting and inappropriate language. Children with special care are welcomed as long as my staff and myself can meet and accommodate their needs.
This parent handbook and financial contracts will be updated yearly. The Itsy Bitsy Academy will also take a "cost of living: increase in childcare fees annually beginning June 1st of each year. Parents will be notified of the amount of increase annually and will be given 30 days notice prior to taking effect. Parents will be required to sign and update new forms each and every year.
Note:
By signing the Parent-Provider Contract/Enrollment Application, it is understood that all of the policies and procedures of The Itsy Bitsy Academy Home Daycare handbook are understood and agreed upon.
