Parent Handbook | Adventure Academy WV

Adventure Academy Daycare & Preschool

2021 Parent Handbook

In order to make our relationship as enjoyable as possible and to prevent any misunderstandings; we have created this handbook. While I realize it is quite lengthy, please read the handbook thoroughly. Past experience has taught us that it is best to be as thorough as possible when explaining to a new family my philosophies, rules and expectations. Please feel free to discuss with me any questions or concerns you may have.

OUR CHILD CARE PHILOSOPHY

Our goal is to provide a safe and happy place for children where they can learn and grow at their own pace. We believe children learn through play and benefit from a structured, yet flexible schedule. Children will be taught to respect each other, adults, and property. Our goal is to teach your child to Communicate, Negotiate, Problem Solve and Get along. If he/she can learn these skills, then the rest will happen. Every day we offer your child the opportunity to play with puzzles, games, art materials, play dough, books, music, language and science to support the learning process. If this is the way you would like for your child to play and learn then this is the place for you! We support their play by providing them with the necessary language so they learn to express themselves appropriately and to become a positive addition to society.

ENROLLMENT POLICY

The following forms are required by West Virginia State law and need to be completed prior to placement.

1. The Emergency Information/Pickup Permission Form

(This sheet MUST be notarized before it is returned to me. It is the State Law.)

2. Parent Agreement Form

3. Child Health Assessment Form and Immunization Records

4. Photo & or Video Release Form

5. Signed Contract

A $50.00 non – refundable registration fee (this is due for Private Pay & LINK enrollment) along with a completed registration packet will be due at least 24 hours before your child can begin attendance. This allows us to be able to learn about your child before they arrive to our program. This Fee is Due Annually and to be paid at time of initial Enrollment & again every August to renew your Enrollment & Contract for your child's spot. This is due for Private Pay clients as well as LINK/CONNECT clients.

It is the parent's responsibility to keep the immunization form up to date. According to state regulations this form must be updated and returned to the provider within 24 hours of receiving shots.

You are required to keep us informed of any change in addresses, telephone numbers, and other pertinent information listed on any/all of the above forms.

Please inform us if your child has ever had fever related seizures, other serious medical conditions or food allergies.

DAYS AND HOURS OF OPERATION

Our daycare is open Monday through Friday from 6:45 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. with the exception of days off listed in this handbook and contract. When you enroll in our daycare we will ask you for specific hours you plan for your child(ren) to attend. Although we are open from 6:45 - 6:00, we base your fee on the hours you contract for. If you have contracted for a later arrival or earlier departure and need to leave your children later or bring them earlier, we are usually able to accommodate you. However, please be considerate and give us as much notice as possible. Also, if an early arrival or later departure becomes a fairly regular event, we may need to adjust your rate. Late arrival does not justify late departure.

Please notify us by your scheduled arrival time if your child will not be arriving for the day or if you will be late in arriving. We are up early so you may call us anytime after 5:00 a.m. Our day is scheduled around everyone's expected arrival time. While running 15 minutes may seem insignificant to you, it makes a big difference for me. If I know you will be running late (and occasionally several families may even be late on the same day) I can use that time to get something else done.

Children must arrive by their scheduled time each day or they will be counted absent for the day. All children must arrive by 10am or they will not be allowed to attend that day.

OPEN DOOR POLICY

Please keep in mind that during the early afternoon (12:30 - 2:30) it is our nap/rest time, and we prefer not to have any disruptions at that time if possible. Please do feel free to call at that time to check up on your child but please do not pick up your child during this time unless it is an emergency or can not be helped due to extreme circumstances. The children have a very busy morning and need their rest time to be uninterrupted.

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES

It is normal for some children to have difficulty separating from parents, or cry when being dropped off. Please be very brief (no more than 5 minutes) during drop-off times; the longer you prolong the departure the harder it gets. A smile, cheerful good-bye kiss, and a reassuring word that you will be back are all that is needed. In my experience, children are nearly always quick to get involved in play or activities as soon as parents are gone. Please be assured that if your child is having a difficult time settling down and is crying for a prolonged period of time, we will contact you.

Please be very brief at pick-up times also. This is a time of testing when two different authority figures are present (the parent and the provider), and all the children will test to see if the rules still apply. Some children have a rough time with these transition periods. Please help show your child that you respect us, the rules of our daycare, and our property by reminding them that the rules still apply when you are around. When you are here with your child, you are expected to discipline your child when their behavior warrants it. If you do not correct him/her, we will enforce our rules, and this is likely to cause a conflict.

Please bring your child dressed (in weather appropriate clothing) and ready to begin their day. Children should be transported to and from daycare according to state laws concerning car seats and seat belts. If there is a question as to who will be picking up your child, leave the car seat here at daycare.

RELEASE OF CHILDREN

Your child(ren) will not be released to anyone except those indicated on the enrollment form. If there is an exception in the case of emergency, you must call us. Identification will be checked.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

The first month of care considered probationary. Either the parents or the day care provider may terminate the initial agreement at any time during this period. After the probationary period ends, a two-week's notice is required by either party to terminate the agreement (See Termination Policy). In the event of any violation of any article of our contract, provider reserves the right to terminate the contract without notice.

TERMINATION

After the probationary period, two weeks notice is required for withdrawal by the parents. Parent will be required to pay the full two weeks regardless of the child's attendance for those two weeks. For termination by the daycare provider for reasons other than contract violations, two weeks notice will also be given. Any violation of any article of our contract will be just cause for immediate termination. Any child that hits or attacks a caregiver in any physical form will be terminated from our daycare immediately and you will be asked to come and pick them up. Any child that physically hurts another child will also be terminated from our daycare immediately with the same rule. We simply will not tolerate this kind of behavior.

Any Disrespect from a parent consisting of raising your voice, yelling, name calling to staff, acting out in a physical manner (ex: slamming stuff around), using foul language in our facility, on our property in front of our daycare children, being disrespectful on the phone or acting in any other hostile manner will not be tolerated. If this behavior happens from any family enrolled the family will be terminated immediately from our childcare program and no longer allowed on our property. There will be no exceptions to this rule.

FEES/PAYMENT PROCEDURES

Payments are due the first day of attendance each week or if paying monthly no later than the 5th of each month. Payments are not based on attendance they are based on holding a space for your child. Payments are due weekly even if your child is not in attendance in order for them to remain enrolled at Adventure Academy. LINK/ Connect payments will be made Bi- weekly when invoices are created for the two weeks of attendance prior to the invoice date.

Your specific rates will be outlined in your Contract and Rate Agreement that we will have ready for you on the first day of enrollment. If fee is not paid when due, a late fee of $10.00 per day will be assessed. If payment is not received by Friday morning of that week, child(ren) may not be permitted to return until all fees have been paid in full. Payments may be made by check or cash. (NOTE: If we receive a bad check, you will be required to pay in cash from that point forward.) You will receive a receipt at year end for tax purposes, all you need to do is request one.

Childcare Providers depend on their income just as you do, so please do not be delinquent. All rates are to be paid weekly by the due date, no exceptions.

Parent is responsible for payment of all charges incurred due to bounced checks. After a check is bounced, the required payment method will be cash. If any charges and/or late fees are unpaid at the time of termination, all legal fees and court costs necessary to collect the outstanding charges will be the responsibility of parents/guardian.

VACATION AND HOLIDAYS

Please give us the courtesy of at least two weeks' notice when you are planning your vacation. Once you have given me notice of upcoming vacation, I will revise our scheduled activities. Daycare may not be available if your plans change. You will still need to pay your tuition even if your child is not in attendance in order to hold their spot at our Academy.

No daycare services will be provided on the following holidays:

HOLIDAYS & PROVIDER VACATION DAYS ARE PAID DAYS

New Years Eve,

New Year's Day,

Martin Luther King Day,

March 29- April 2 (Spring Break Putnam County),

April 2- 5th (Easter Break),

April 21st - 23rd (Mandatory Provider State Training)

May 28th- June 1st (Memorial Day Weekend),

July 2- 5th (Independence Day Weekend),

September 3- 6th (Labor Day Weekend),

November 24- 26th (Thanksgiving Break),

December 23-31st (Christmas Break)

PROVIDER VACATION DAYS 2021

To be announced.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

We are following the Putnam County school severe weather closings and delay schedule. If public schools are Closed or Delayed due to severe weather conditions we will be on the same schedule.

BACK UP CARE

When choosing Family Child Care it is imperative that you have reliable back up care available. In the event that your child becomes ill and cannot attend our facility it is the responsibility of the client to arrange alternate care.

SICKNESS POLICY

According to state regulations a provider may not allow a child to enter or remain in care if the child is exhibiting symptoms of acute illness. A child who has a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, rash or other condition contagious to other children, or needing close attention is to be kept at home. Any fever over 100 indicates a transmissible illness and the child must be kept at home. Furthermore, a child with a frequent, active cough and/or a very runny nose needs to be at home. Children who are lethargic, generally not "acting themselves", or are unable to participate fully in our daycare routine, should be kept at home. Your child must be symptom free (without the use of medication) for 24 hours before returning to daycare. Please notify provider any time your child has a contagious condition that they may have exposed another child in provider's care to.

If your child becomes ill while in our care, will make the determination as to whether or not the parent is to come for the child. Each case is different and new situations may arise, but in general, aside from obvious symptoms of illness (fever, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) if your child is acting sick, lethargic or too uncomfortable to participate in our normal daycare routine, we will be calling you to come get your child. Please know that when we make that call to you we have done everything we can possibly do, and we have reached a point where parental care is needed. Please do not try to make us feel guilty if and when we do have to call you to come and get your sick child. If you are called to come for your sick child, you must pick him/her up within one hour.

We strictly enforce the sickness policy. This is for the well-being of all the children and the parents as well as our own children. Exposing other children in our care to your child's illness starts a cycle of passing the illness throughout other daycare families, causing many parents to have to miss work to care for their sick child. At one time or another you will be inconvenienced by your child being sick. It happens to everyone, but you must understand that when your child is sick, they are not allowed to be in our daycare. We cannot offer sick child care. This is a state law. Please remember to save some vacation days and have a backup provider or family member on hand just in case you need to stay home with your ill child.

MEDICATION

Written parental consent is required to permit me to give medication of any kind. If your child will be needing medication while in our care you must request a Medication Permission Slip from us and fill it out. Please try to give medication at home whenever possible. Please do not send medication in a bottle or cup of milk, juice, etc. to daycare with your child. There is no guarantee your child will finish this drink and get all of their necessary medication. Also, if there are other little ones around, they may accidentally pick up your child's drink and take medication not meant for them. All medication must be provided in the original container and include written instructions as well as your child’s name. If it does not have your child’s name on the container or prescription bottle we will not give them the medication. We are permitted to give only one dose of non-prescription medication per illness, except acetaminophen (Tylenol) and topical medication. We will not administer the first dose of any new medication to your child. The first dose is to be administered by you at home with several hours for parental observation of a possible allergy.

TOUCH POLICY

It is the policy to inform parents of the nature and type of routine physical contact their child(ren) will experience while in our care. There is NO physical punishment at our daycare at any time. It is our belief and practice that children need nurturing, adult physical contact for their care and healthy development. This contact can be described in three ways:

1). Nurturing: This includes hugs and non-intimate kisses, hand holding, gentle tickling, caring and cuddling. This type of contact is never made against the expressed wishes of the children.

2). Safety and Guidance: This includes restraining children from harmful situations, separating physically conflicting children, directing children by leading or guiding them and administering first aid to injuries.

3). Hygienic: This includes face and hand washing, assisting with bathroom duties (as appropriate to the age of the child), diaper changes, examining rashes or unusual marks, nose blowing, applying sun screen and assisting with or conducting necessary clothing changes.

It is also our belief that it is normal and healthy for children to express affection with their peers. This includes hugs and non-intimate kisses and hand holding. This type of contact is never made against the expressed wishes of the children.

NAP/REST TIME

All children are required to stay on their cot for a rest period in the afternoon. All children must nap, rest or read quietly during this period. You are required to bring a blanket and sheet for your child and we will furnish a cot or pack n play. Blankets and sheets are sent home on Fridays to be washed. Although our nap time may vary depending on our activities on a particular day, usually it is from 12:30pm - 2:30pm. Rest gives everyone a much needed break during the day. If your child has a special blanket or stuffed animal he/she sleeps with please feel free to send it along. We would ask that you please avoid picking up or dropping off your child during nap time, as it disturbs the other children's rest period. If you cannot avoid coming at nap time, please be quiet and considerate of the children who are resting.

ACTIVITIES & CURRICULUM

The main goal of this child care is to learn while having fun and improving social skills. We will be utilizing a variety of activities to accomplish this goal. Free play, reading, arts and crafts, music/singing, dancing, pretend play, puzzles and educational TV/videos are just some of the activities we will be doing.

Using the computer as a tool, your child will learn things such as hand/eye coordination, letter and number recognition and colors. We have a variety of preschool programs we use to let the children learn at their own paces.

We have a fenced in yard complete with all the equipment necessary to improve large and small motor skills, balance, coordination, & imagination.

TOILET TRAINING

We are happy to assist in potty training. If possible, it is best for you to initiate potty training over a weekend or vacation. Please do not begin training before your child is ready. If potty training is begun when your child is ready, the task is easy and quick. When the time is right for your child and until he/she is totally successful in his/her toileting, he/she should wear clothes that promote his/her independence. The best items are shorts and pants with elastic waists, or dresses. Try to avoid really tight clothing, pants with snaps and zippers and belts, overalls and onesies. These are difficult for children to remove "in a hurry". Please send 2-4 extra outfits while potty training.

While training, children must wear training pants with plastic pants over them or pull-ups. If your child seems to be doing fine with no accidents during the day at home (with no prompting from you to use the potty) and remaining dry at naptime, then he/she can wear underwear here. (Remember that sometimes the level of play here tends to make children "forget" to stop and go to the potty.) Please be considerate of our facility and our belongings and do not send a child in underwear that is not ready!

Note: A child is not actively potty training unless they are removing clothing and using the potty completely by themselves. If a child is not doing this they are not ready. We will remind children to go potty but will not be sitting them on the potty or helping with clothing.

ITEMS BROUGHT FROM HOME

As of right now, we do allow the children to bring a special item from home if they would like. If your child has a special blanket or stuffed animal they sleep with they are welcome to bring it. However, we do not encourage children to bring their toys to daycare. Some children are just not ready to share their special toys. We are not responsible for lost or broken toys brought from home.

SUPPLIES NEEDED

Parents are responsible for supplying formula, baby food, disposable diapers and wipes, ointments, etc. You must also supply at least one COMPLETE change of clothing appropriate for the weather.

We also ask that each parent bring the following supplies by the 5th of every month or a $5.00 charge will be added to your bill for that month.

1 package of baby wipes

1 box of tissues

1 roll of paper towels

1 can of spray Lysol or (off brand)

These items are needed by all children with all of the face and hand cleaning that we do with meal times and crafts. They can be picked up at your local dollar store for under $5.00 each month and by receiving these items monthly it helps us to keep your childcare cost low.

MEALS

As of March 1, 2021 we have changed our Meal & Snack policy. We will no longer be serving meals or snacks on site. it is each parents responsibility to feed their child Breakfast before arrival and pack a Lunch and 2 small Snacks each day. These meals and snacks need to not require refrigeration or heating. If a child does not bring their Lunch and Snacks parents will be called to pick them up for the day. Note: We are not allowing fast food to be brought in as meals or dropped off.

ATTENDANCE

No Call/ No Shows for 2 days or more with no explanation or message to me will result in immediate termination of your contract and your space will be filled with another family.

Tuition is due weekly/ monthly regardless of if your child is in attendance or not in order to hold their space at our Academy.

We must have each child's scheduled drop off times & pick up times for the following week by Friday of each week. If we do not receive a schedule your child will not be placed on the following weeks attendance schedule & cannot attend.

Children must arrive by their scheduled time each day or they will be counted absent for the day. All children must arrive by 10am or they will not be allowed to attend that day.

NOTE: If you have LINK or CONNECT you may not bring your child unless you are going to work. This is policy and can cause you to have to private pay us if you are not going to work for the day or possibly lose your subsidy coverage for not following their rules.

No children under the age of 2 can attend our program unless they are enrolled in and attending a Full Time Schedule.

DISCIPLINE

Our philosophy is that you use discipline to teach a child. We achieve this through love, consistency and firmness. We stress two main patterns of behavior: respect for other people and respect for property. The children are explained the rules of our child care facility frequently so they are all familiar with the guidelines.

Please keep in mind that there will be disagreements between children. Young children, especially, who are not adept at communication, have a hard time expressing their feelings. Sometimes they hit or throw toys, etc. Although teaching children appropriate behavior is what we will be doing, remember that this behavior is normal in most cases.

The following methods of discipline will be used;

Encourage children to solve problems themselves

Intervention and discussion

Re-direction to another play area

Loss of privileges

Time out

If we feel there is a chronic behavioral issue that needs attention, we will let you know so that you and our staff are handling it in the same way and your child has continuity in discipline between our homes. These types of behavior might include such things as biting, chronic hitting, etc. Together we will try to find a solution. If your child's behavior prevents me from being able to properly care for the other children, you will be called to remove your child from daycare. If the problem continues, other arrangements for the care of the child will have to be made, for the safety and well being of all.

As child care providers, we have a responsibility by law to recognize and report any evidence of child abuse-physical, emotional or neglect.

REVISIONS TO HANDBOOK AND CONTRACT

Parents will receive at least one weeks notice concerning changes/updates in this handbook UNLESS it is a new State or County regulation that we have no control over, in which case the change will take place immediately. We will notify parents in writing of any changes.

If an emergency should arise and the daycare provider is unable to contact either parent or other authorized person, the daycare provider will use her discretion in the seeking of medical aid and the parents will be responsible for payment.

Any violation of these guidelines (Daycare Contract/Rate Agreement and/or Parent Handbook) will be cause for immediate termination of care.

Provider reserves the right to enforce any part of this contract, without voiding the whole contract.

REMEMBER time spent with your child is precious and passes by quickly. Please pick up your child promptly after work.

PICTURES/VIDEO

Pictures will be taken of the kids at play. We use these for many things including but not limited to: emailing parents, on our website, on our business Facebook page, our daycare Instagram, memories, sharing with families, posting on daycare walls to generate a feeling and sense of belonging.

Adventure Academy Daycare Is operated on a nondiscriminatory basis in regard to race, color, sex, religion, marital status of the parents and disability, except when the child’s needs cannot be met by the facility.