bronx child care

Hand Book Page 3

. Enrollment Requirements Before enrolling your child in my Day Care Home there are several things you must do: *Read through and become familiar with the Policies. You will be required to sign a form that indicates you have read, understand, and agree to ALL the Policies as outlined. *A complete physical must be on file. This form must not be dated earlier than 6 months prior to admission. YOUR CHILD WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN MY CARE WITHOUT THIS DOCUMENTATION, AS WELL AS PROOF OF ALL IMMUNIZATIONS AND A TB TEST, ON FILE WITH ME WITHIN 1 WEEK OF THE DATE OF YOUR ENROLLMENT. The medical report will be valid for two years, except that subsequent examinations for school age children will be in accordance with the School Code. Please be sure to give updated proof of immunizations as they occur, as your child cannot attend if he/she does not have the appropriate immunizations up to date and on file. If your child is school age, you may supply me with a copy of the most recent physical obtained for school. * All appropriate forms must be filled out, signed, and on file PRIOR to admission. All necessary forms/consents will be given to you in your admission package. * All required supplies must be brought within 2 weeks of your child's first day. If you do not bring the required supplies, I will purchase them for you and you will be responsible for reimbursing me the full cost. Termination of Care After a TWO-WEEK TRIAL PERIOD, either party can only terminate care with 2 weeks notice. I reserve the right to immediately end care for non� payment, failure to respect me, my home, my neighborhood, behavior of the child, which is harmful to the physical or emotional well being of the other children, or failure to abide by my policies. If you terminate care without giving appropriate notice, you will be responsible for payment of the final 2 weeks of care whether or not your child attends. Please be advised that you will be charged your scheduled rate until you notify me that your child will not be returning. Child Abuse/Neglect I am required by law to report any suspected signs of child abuse and/or neglect. This includes any form of physical punishment by the parents in my home. Supplies All supplies must be labeled with your child's name. You will need to provide the following things to be left here Quantity Item(s) 1 Complete change of clothing (more if we are toilet training) to be left here. This includes shirt, pants, socks, and underwear. 1 Jacket or sweater to be left here. 1 Special toy or blankie, if needed at sleep time n/a Any over the counter medication that you may wish to be used. This must have the child's name on it. Remember, I will always ask your permission before administering 1 Box Box of baby wipes, at least 80 - 100 count. Please bring a refill box the first time and then refill packs as needed. n/a FOR CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 18 MONTHS: (and those not yet potty trained and/or weaned from the bottle) 2 bottles and 1 pacifier and pacifier fastener to be left here. It will not be necessary for you to send bottles daily. Formula or breast milk, and Baby Food, if applicable. Please date and label with your child's name. If you prefer (and I do prefer), you may send concentrated/powdered formula and I will mix and store the formula for you. As with the diapers, I will notify you when the supply is low. In this case, it will not be necessary for you to make and bring bottles of formula daily. 2 Changes of clothing (T-shirt, sleeper, outfit, socks). Careful attention must be paid to maintain current sizes left here. I will launder these as needed and notify you when more ore needed. 1 Any cream, powder, etc. that you wish me to use. If your child will be here for night care, I ask that you either send a set of pajamas daily or send at least 2 sets to be left here. I will be changing the child into pajamas before bed. 2 Full size bibs 2 If your child will be here for night care, I ask that you either send a set of pajamas daily or send at least 2 sets to be left here. I will be changing the child into pajamas before bed. Note: If you prefer not to supply these items to be left here, you may send them daily in a diaper bag. The option of leaving these items here is for your convenience and is not required. However, all of the above items are required for me to care for your child, so they will need to be brought daily. Again, if you choose not to supply me with the required items, I will purchase them for you and you will be responsible for the cost. Health Matters Illness Under no circumstance is a sick child to attend the daycare. The children should be allowed to recover fully from an illness in the comfort of their own home. The other children in care are exposed to any disease your child may bring into the home. If you are unable to remain home with your child, it is your responsibility to make substitute child care arrangements. Obviously, it is not possible to prevent the spread of all illness. However, minimizing exposure and providing good hygienic practices in the daycare home are means by which we can limit the problem and the resulting inconvenience. Accordingly, for the benefit of all involved, the following policies will be strictly enforced: *Children who have exhibited ANY symptoms of infectious illness within the proceeding 24-hour period are likely to be contagious and should remain at home. Examples of associated symptoms include, but are not limited to; fever of 100F measured orally or 101F measured rectally, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, loss of voice, hacking or continuous coughing, draining eyes or ears, rash, or head lice. *I reserve the right to determine whether a child should remain in the home where illness is a consideration. Parents of children who become ill during the day will be promptly notified and are expected to arrange to pick up their child immediately. The sick child will, if possible, be isolated from the other daycare children to minimize exposure. *If the parent cannot be reached, the person designated as the emergency contact will be notified. This means if a child is sick throughout the night, the child CANNOT attend the daycare. Also if a child is too sick to go to school, the child is also to sick for daycare. Medications (NYS LAW) No child will be given any medication, prescription or over the counter by child provider. EXCEPTION: As your childcare provider, I will administer Syrup of Ipecac if instructed to do so by poison control or emergency medical services. Medical Emergencies Although supervision is constantly given, I cannot be by the child's side at all times to prevent falls, tripping, bumps, blows from other children, etc. If the child is injured in a non life-threatening way, I will assess the child and provide home first aid. If the injury is more serious, the parent will be notified so the child can be transported to the hospital or doctor's office. (I.e. needs stitches, broken arm, or dislocation, etc.) All costs associated with injuries to the child will be the responsibility of the parent, unless I have been found to be negligent. In case of a medical emergency, I will attempt to contact you immediately. If I am unable to reach you, I will start calling the people designated as your emergency contacts. If I am unable to reach you or your emergency contacts, I will transport your child to his/her doctor or to the hospital, if necessary. If immediate intervention is required, I will take appropriate action including calling 911 and having your child transported to the Hospital. You or your family insurance is/are responsible for the cost of medical help or treatment due to accidents or illness while in childcare. Guidelines for Infant Care I am aware that newborns rarely have a fixed feeding and sleeping schedule. They will be fed when hunger is indicated and rest as needed. A sleepy baby will be allowed to rest, and an alert baby will be removed from his/her crib. As the baby develops a schedule (around six months), meals and naps will be more consistent: breakfast, morning nap, lunch, afternoon nap, and snack. It is not practical in a group setting to expect an infant to be held continuously. It is also not beneficial to the baby. Infants are included in- group activities whenever possible: sitting in my lap for story time, playing on the floor during free play, rocking during quiet time. AT NO TIME WILL I ALLOW, EVEN AT PARENTAL REQUEST, AN INFANT, ESPECIALLY A NEWBORN, TO *CRY IT OUT*. ALL BABIES WILL BE HELD OR ATTENDED TO WHEN THEY INDICATE THE NEED. Infants will be fed formula or breast milk only (supplied by parents) for the first 4 months, unless directed otherwise by a doctor, All babies will be held during bottle feedings until they are able to hold the bottle on their own. Between six and eight months. I will start feeding the babies solid foods provided by the parents. You will also need to supply bottles/cups. A cup can be introduced around 6 months if desired. All formula, bottles, and food will be labeled with the child's name and date. Formula will be discarded in 48 hours if not used. Jar food will be kept for 24 hours before discarding the unused portion. I prefer you to send powdered/concentrated formula to be left here and replenished as needed. I will mix and store the formula (with careful attention paid to not waste formula). I also prefer you to leave two bottles here to be used. This will make it easier on you as you will not have to prepare and pack bottles/diaper bag daily. Everything needed for the care of your baby will all ready be here. However, the choice to do this is up to you. If you prefer to make and send bottles/formula for the day that is perfectly acceptable to me. Diapers will be changed every 11/2 to 2 hours or more often if necessary. If the use of creams, powders, or ointments is requested, you will need to supply those. The children will be diapered on an individually provided pad that will be sanitized after each use. My hands will be washed and sanitized after each diapering. Infants will be allowed to nap in a crib, playpen, or portable crib. The bedding will be washed when needed and twice weekly. Infants who can not move around will be kept on a clean blanket when awake. Other children will not be allowed to walk on the blanket or play with the toys to reduce germ transfer. They will NOT be confined to a crib/playpen while awake. The baby will be moved about throughout the day to different areas, or be rocked, held, or carried about to prevent boredom. Older children are NOT allowed to pick up or roughhouse with the baby. The use of hugging, snuggling, rocking, singing, and smiling will be abundant. Infants who can crawl or "scoot" will be allowed to do so freely in the living room or main play area. Playpens will not be used to discourage this time of exploration and movement. If an activity (such as painting or movement) is planned that is not appropriate for an infant, they will be placed in the exersaucer, jumper, swing, or high chair to play. This is for the baby's safety. We try to play outdoors every day, weather permitting. Infants will be placed in an appropriate area (swing, exersaucer, etc.) outdoors, in the shade whenever possible. Please dress your child for the predicted weather, including socks/shoes and outer covering (jacket, sweater, hat, and mittens). Older children enjoy field trips, but trips away from home can be difficult for babies. Therefore, we try to schedule trips when your infant is not here. " " "