Contry Home Day Care Handbook con't-pg4

HOLIDAYS / VACATIONS

Country Home Day Care will be closed each year on the following holidays:

1 New Year's Eve & New Year's Days (closed)

2 Memorial Day

3 Labor Day

4 Thanksgiving Day and the day after

5 Christmas Day, day before and day after (3 days)

6 Independence Day

I also take 5 days for Personal / Illness

Tuition will not be adjusted for these holidays. When one of the above listed holidays falls on a Saturday, Country Home Day Care will be closed the preceding Frida. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, Country Home Day Care will be closed the following Monday.

SUBSTITUTE CHILD CARE

Parents are responsible for providing their own back up care for illness, holidays, provider’s vacations, provider’s illnesses, and provider’s personal days. I will do my best, and to give enough advance notice.

HOUSE RULES

Please respect my profession, my home, and me. The respect that you show me, including my home, furnishings, equipment, yard, and other children will communicate itself to your child and will make for a better working relationship. There are certain house rules that all children will be taught and expected to follow. This is for the safety and well being of everyone.

There will be no running or yelling permitted in the house. Hitting, pushing, biting, grabbing, kicking, spitting, or pinching will NOT be allowed . No standing, jumping or climbing on chairs, tables or furniture. There will be no use of obscene, derogatory or disrespectful language.

Children may not walk around the house with food, cups or bottles. Respectful treatment of other people and all property, toys, and furniture is expected. Willful destruction of property will be charged to the parent at the cost to replace the item.

My home is a smoke-free home therefore smoking will not be permitted on the premises.

My home is a no shoe home. If there is a need to walk around in my home for any reason, you must remove your shoes. I have a certain pair of shoes that I wear only in the house, so they remain clean at all times.

Children and families are welcome in any areas of the home that are used for childcare purposes.

INDOOR/OUTDOOR PLAY

Indoor Play: We have a large playroom area designated for the children to play in. This room has plenty of toys and floor space for each child to play together with the other children or by themselves if they choose. With the exception of meals and outside play, the children will spend most of their day in the playroom as it is easier to monitor and safer for the children to be in one area of the home. The children will be expected to clean up as needed throughout the day.

Outdoor play : We will be playing outside everyday that weather permits. Please make sure that your child is appropriately dressed for outdoors play at all times. During the colder months, our outdoor play will probably range from 15-30 minutes, and in the warmer months, we are normally outside for 1-2 hours each day. Outside activity and exercises for children are important for stimulation and exploration. They will only be permitted to play outside when the weather is dry. When the weather is over 90 degrees, outside activity will be limited as the health of the children is foremost.

DISCIPLINE

I maintain a positive discipline policy, which focuses on prevention, redirection, consistency and firmness. The children are explained the rules of the childcare home frequently, so they are all familiar with the guidelines. Please keep in mind that there WILL be disagreements between children. Young children frequently have a hard time expressing their feelings. Sometimes they hit, throw toys, bite, etc . Although teaching children appropriate behavior is enforced, 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

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES will there be any spanking, physical abuse, verbal abuse, name calling or isolation used.

If a discipline problem arises that does not respond to the above-mentioned techniques, I will communicate this to the parents. Together, we will try to find a solution. If the problem continues, other arrangements for the care of the child may have to be made, for the safety and well being of all . As a home care provider, I have a responsibility by law to recognize and report any evidence of child abuse, physical or emotional neglect. This is strictly for the benefit of your child.