Friends & Fun Family Daycare Policies

FRIENDS and FUN FAMILY DAYCARE
POLICIES

Many prospective daycare parents, other daycare providers & people in general ask me how I can do daycare and homeschool as well. I know lots of families where mom homeschools 4-6 kids at a time & I wonder how they do that!! But when you think of it, everyday life is a learning experience for young children. Things we think of as ordinary are extraordinary to them. So, when my son is doing his schoolwork the younger kids, many times, are learning along with him. They see him writing, working with manipulatives, doing science experiments or any other kind of schoolwork and they want to do it to! They’re exposed to things children in other daycare homes or even centers would never learn. And that benefits you & your child. Most parents looking for daycare search for one where their child will not only be happy but will be taught. They want something more than just a babysitter. That’s one of the great things that a homeschooling home provides.

So, we try to have “school” for the younger kids, too. In addition to planning learning activities through the week & interacting with them during their playtime, reading & coloring time, I will also have “preschool” two mornings per week. This will be a structured learning time when your child(ren) will be expected to participate. I don’t use curriculum with the younger kids because it provides a more spontaneous learning environment and allows us to explore areas of learning that they are interested in. I don’t mind if you’d like to refer to this as your child’s school. It is...they learn here and have fun at the same time! And it makes them feel very grown-up.

I also allow them plenty of time for free play. Sometimes, we as parents we get so accustomed to a busy lifestyle we forget that our children need large stretches of time in order to facilitate exploration, using imagination and learning through play.

During your child’s time with me it’s my hope that I would be able to 1) develop a close relationship with them, 2) provide a safe, secure and loving environment for them and 3) help them to develop and practice social and personal skills that will prepare them for their school years.

Now that I’ve shared some personal philosophy, let’s get into the stuff that days are made of!

ARRIVAL ROUTINE

Please advise me of any changes in your child’s regular schedule 24 hours in advance, if possible. If your work schedule is one with varying hours, please contact me by Sunday evening with your schedule for the following week. This helps me to better arrange nap spaces, activities & meal sizes.

Please be considerate when parking vehicles during drop-off and pick-up times. Make every effort to be sure you won’t be blocking other parents’ cars or neighbor’s driveways. If there is no room in my driveway you may use the sidewalk by the fence or by the pond.

You should use the driveway door entrance. I would ask that both you and your children remove wet, dirty or muddy shoes/boots when entering. Diapers bags should be stored under the coat rack where your child’s tag is. Car seats may be stored in the mudroom. Coats, hats, mitten, etc. should be left in the mudroom (you may use their cubby). There’s no need to knock before entering. During muddy, wet or snowy weather, parents please stay on the tiled or throw rug area near the entrance if removing your shoes is not convenient.

Please inform me of any changes in your child’s regular routine such as irregular pick-up times, special instructions (such as medicines, need for an early nap, etc.) first thing in the morning. If you will be dropping your child off later than your usual arrival time, you must call and advise me of that before 8:00 a.m., if possible. Neglecting to do this causes frustration at having to wait for your child’s arrival before participating in planned activities & outings. If you are late and I do not hear from you by the time we are ready to leave for any planned outing, I will assume your child will not be attending for that day and I will leave the house.

Your child should arrive fed, groomed & dressed appropriately for the day. During the summer, be sure to apply sunscreen before their arrival. Thank you - this allows us to begin our day as soon as the children arrive and enables me to begin Shawn’s school lessons on time.

Please try to limit the time with your child at drop off to around 5 minutes. If they have trouble separating, let me know beforehand so that I can plan extra measures of comfort for them. Even when they develop separation anxiety after having been in my care for a while it’s still best to make departure time brief. Spending a longer time with them generally just makes the parting even harder. You may stand outside the kitchen door to listen to them settle in or call once you get to work to check on them. And be assured that if they’re miserable and continue crying thoughout the day I will let you know.

ITEMS TO BRING

These items are to be stored at my home:

1. At least a week’s supply of disposable diapers and wipes, no cloth diapers. Mark containers with child’s identification.
2. Infants’ bottles and infants’ pacifiers, if used. Please note that I will begin weaning children of these (if they’re not in the process already) at one year of age.
3. Portable crib for napping children about 2 1/2 or younger (if needed).
4. Car seat for children under 5 or under 40 lbs. Booster seats for children over 5 and above 40 lbs.
5. Each child (of any age) MUST have a complete change of clothing, including underpants, undershirt, stockings, etc. Each article should be clearly marked with the child’s name and put into a labeled shoebox or placed in their diaper bag each day.
6. Sunscreen in the summer.

CLOTHING

Please send children in comfortable play clothing. Clothing will become soiled by markers, paints, grass, dirt etc. so it’s best for them to wear play clothes.

For children still needing diaper changes during the day - PLEASE no bodysuits, overalls or side snaps - crotch snaps or pants with elasticized waists only for all children that are not yet potty trained.

Please anticipate the need for raincoats, extra shoes when it’s muddy, snowpants, mittens, hats, boots, etc. and send them in as the weather dictates. I make every effort to get the children outdoors for a lengthy period of time each day unless severe weather prohibits me from doing that.

COMFORT ITEMS

Comfort items, such as blankets, stuffed animals or dolls are encouraged for use during nap time as they make the children feel more at home. I encourage their use. Also, please let me know if there is anything specific that your child enjoys before naptime, such as a few minutes of rocking, soft music, etc.

Children over the age of one will be gradually weaned of the pacifier & bottle if they’re still using it when they enter daycare. Feel free to discuss this with me if you have questions. Children entering care before the age of one will also be weaned from the pacifier and bottle shortly after their first birthday.

If your child chooses to bring a toy from home they must be willing to share it with any of the children at some point. If they are not willing, I would ask that you encourage your child to leave it in the mudroom when they arrive. I will not be personally responsible for any toys lost, damaged or left behind. When your child brings in a toy in remember that it may present a choking hazard to the younger children. If it does I reserve the right to ask the child to leave it on the counter or in the mudroom.

POTTY TRAINING

When your child is of an appropriate age and we’ve agreed they’re showing signs of ability to potty train I would ask that you begin the process at home (introducing them to the potty & teaching them how & when to use it). Because of sanitation and time issues I will begin potty training here only after they’ve had their first successful potty session at home. Once this occurs, you may begin bringing them wearing Pull-ups or underpants, provided that you supply extra sets of clothing in case of accidents. Pants with elasticized waists are appreciated while your child is potty training. Do not bring them in pants that may be difficult for them to get off by themselves.

SUBSTITUTE CARE

If I will be closed due to sickness, vacation, doctor’s appointments, etc. the parent will be responsible for finding substitute care. You’ll want to be sure you have back-up caregivers.

MEALS AND SNACKS

Good eating habits develop at an early age, so it’s important to provide children with a wide range of healthy food choices. I am a member of the Provider’s Food Program. Provider’s Food Program partially reimburses me for the cost of meals and snacks that are served according to Federal guidelines of adequate nutrition.

I do not serve breakfast so your child should have one at home. Please have pity on me and don’t feed them sugary cereal/yogurts, doughnuts, candy, fruit snacks, cookies and the like for breakfast. Children entering daycare on a sugar rush can create chaos first thing in the morning and it significantly reduces their appetite for healthy snacks and meals. If they bring food with them for lunch or snack, please bring enough to share. If it meets federal nutritional guidelines, I will allow them to share it. Also, gum is not allowed.

I will provide meals and snacks at the times indicated below. If you are dropping your child off after daycare meal/snack times be sure they have already been fed.

A.M. Snack is served between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.
Dinner is served between 11:30 and 12:30 p.m.
P.M. Snack is served between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

NAPS AND REST TIME

Individual beds and bedding for napping or resting purposes may be provided. Please check with me to confirm whether or not you will need to bring these items. The children will be supervised while they are napping by checking on them periodically.

Most children tire more quickly and easily with the excitement and stresses of group daycare. Therefore, the time that they are napped here may be earlier than their naptime at home or they may still need naps here when they are no longer taking them at home. I would ask that the decision of whether a child naps or not be left up to me. I will take into account your opinion when deciding if a child needs a nap or not but PLEASE don’t tell your child it’s up to them. For children that are beginning to nap more infrequently I will encourage a rest time to allow their bodies & energy levels to rejuvenate.

COMMUNICATION

It is important for us to keep the lines of communication open if this is to be a comfortable experience for you and your child. We will do this in a variety of ways.

I will verbally inform you at pickup time of your child’s activities for the day, any changes in schedule or physical symptoms that may be developing. Communication about your child’s development and/or concerns will take place verbally on an as needed basis. I will schedule periodic telephone conferences with you occasionally, if necessary.

You may check the bear poster for photos that capture highlights of the children’s days here. I no longer post a weekly “lesson plan” in the mudroom because of the time it consumes and the lack of interest.

News regarding days off, field trips, or other miscellaneous issues will be conveyed to you by a note on the mudroom door. You may check the bulletin board for interesting community information and other tidbits.

Newsletters will be issued periodically to relate important changes or news and information that my be of interest to parents.

Please do not consider any questions or concerns too trivial to mention or too big to address.

The Office For Children now requires that the parent and provider conduct an annual review of the child’s records. The following is a listing of information I will need at that time:

1. Proof of an annual physical examination.
2. Update of child’s immunization records.
3. Proof of an annual lead screening test. (This test must now be conducted annually until the child if four years old. The first screening is to be conducted at nine months of age or within one month of admission if the child being enrolled is not an infant.)
4. Signature on Annual Update/Review form.

SNOW DAYS

I make decisions about whether to close on snow days according to conditions. If driving conditions are safe enough, I will probably remain open for the day, although I may need to call a delayed opening (we have to be safely shoveled out for liability purposes). I will contact you on snow days when I will be closed. Generally, this will be the same days the schools close.

OTHERS PROVIDING CARE

Below is a listing of other people who may be providing care for your child, either assisting myself or substituting during my absence:

Jerry O., licensed as an approved assistant
Barbara T., my mother (in cases of emergencies)
Kathy O., my mother-in-law (in cases of emergencies)

DISCIPLINE

I devote a considerable piece of my handbook to this issue because it’s the subject where disagreements most frequently occur. I’ve outlined my techniques and philosophies because parents seem to have difficulty discussing & defining childrearing styles and I like to be clear about my techniques & expectations from the beginning.

I grew up in a family of seven myself and understand much more clearly now why my mom did things the way she did! The dynamics of a group of children is vastly different from the typical family that has only one or two children. But one of things I love best about family daycare is the way children play off one another. The younger children love to imitate the older ones and the older
children love to play advocate for the younger children! Our goal is to keep those interactions as positive as possible.

I’d describe my style of childrearing as somewhere in the middle between the culture in which I was raised and new parenting styles. I know that children are children and they are not matured in their thinking or behaviors. I don’t expect 100% from them at all times. But there are some basics that I do think are necessary for making the days as smooth as they can be. I do expect children to behave, respect and be polite to others, and practice self-control according to their age level. I also believe that it’s my job to try to be sensitive to their needs, emotions and troubles. I understand that children have their quirks and am willing to deal with those provided they do not cause a great disturbance or require excessive amounts of attention. I understand that you as the parent want to be assured that your child is loved and nurtured and I do that in every way that I can.

Many of the child psychologists now teach a new parenting styles which focuses mainly on the needs of the child & of his world. While it’s true that children are egocentric (and they should be) a daycare situation is a place where they’ll need to develop the ability to look beyond themselves. Daycare can sometimes be a difficult transition for a child who’s used to having no one, or perhaps one sibling, with whom they share the adults attention. I have to divide my attention between up to six children, one of whom is my son. But I firmly believe that they can learn something positive from this. They will learn unselfishness, patience, altruism and it gives them an opportunity to develop thinking and motor skills that they might not learn as early otherwise.

There are many moments during the day that will allow me to help develop your child’s social skills. Of course, we work on encouraging them to share but I also teach the children how to negotiate by offering something in return for another’s child’s toy, or taking turns, or being sure to get permission before using something that another child has been using. We work at making sure the children understand a bad situation that has happened between them and another child and always try to be sure that they practice forgiveness or play together nicely afterwards. They learn to respect each other and to be kind. They learn manners and learn about the difference between respectful and disrespectful behavior. I’ll work with you in teaching them skills of independence - such as washing their hands, potty training, brushing teeth, etc. Children in daycare need to be capable of skills of independence according to their age level and the group dynamic may require more from your child than you require from them at home. But children are very adaptable and most children do well fitting into a group settting.

I also believe that children need to be taught limits and need to be taught to respect adults. I do expect, after an initial adjustment period, that the children (if they’re of an age to be capable of this) become accustomed to doing what is asked of them without a lot of intervention from me. I want the child to learn to respond immediately; many times it makes the difference between problems/accidents happening or not happening. There have been parents who felt this is harsh. It’s not; it’s just a reality of group daycare. I’m responsible and liable for their safety and well-being.

The environment that try to provide for the children concerning rules of my home is both nurturing and firm. I’m not one-sided about this, either. Both my son and I follow the same rules that I expect the kids to follow (though my son is allowed more freedom and responsibility since he is older and this is his home). We do have a daily schedule in regards to toileting, snacks & meals, naps and activities. I’m not rigid about it but it just makes it easier -there’s much less resistance when the children know what to expect.

Some of our ground rules are:

1. We respect one another’s bodies, feelings and toys.
2. We practice manners in general, table manners and consideration for others.
3. Inappropriate language (such as swearing, name-calling, use of slang words for body parts & functions and toilet-talk) are not allowed. Please discuss with your children that we do not allow words that may be offensive to other families and let me know if there are any pet peeves of yours in regards to inappropriate language.
4. I do not allow running, jumping, yelling or climbing on furniture indoors. Appropriate opportunities where/when they will be allowed are provided. The reason they are not allowed is that they are either dangerous (to themselves or others) and very disruptive. If you do not discourage these rules at home, please let me know so that we can make an extra effort to work with your child in providing them with consistency between your home & mine.

I will use discipline in a consistent way based on the child’s individual age and development. I believe that discipline is a necessary part of any child’s upbringing because it enables them to develop self-control through understanding.

The following are some forms of discipline that are commonly used:

1. Providing consistent routines and a predictable schedule. Providing instruction in a field of behavior that a child may be unfamiliar with.
2. Physical intervention if a child does not respond after they’re first spoken to.
3. Avoiding opportunities for misbehavior by providing adequate amount of toys, book, puzzles, etc. and having a “lesson” plan for each day.
4. Explaining expectations of appropriate behavior and the effects of inappropriate behavior.
5. Encouraging, praising and rewarding acceptable and kind behaviors.
6. Avoiding conflicts by 1) helping children verbalize their feelings or frustrations, 2) discussing alternatives to inappropriately handled conflict, 3) having a variety of back-up activities, games, etc. for distraction and 4) using distraction techniques with infants and toddlers.
7. Offering children opportunities to be “helpers” during the day which encourages good behavior and helps children to feel valuable.
8. Separating children when/if conflicts consistently occur during the day. If a child consistently and continually creates conflicts with another child they will be separated until a time when they may be more willing to cooperate and interact with that other child.
9. Removing privileges for older children and asking the parent’s assistance in helping the child to understand the inappropriate behaviors and the alternatives to them.
10. Time-outs are never used as a form of punishment. I find them highly ineffective. I will use a time-out only in an instance where a child is particularly cranky or frequently misbehaves within a short period of time. Time-out is not a punishment but an opportunity for the child to have some time alone to read or play without other children nearby.
11. Making sure that the end result of most conflicts is reconciliation and forgiveness.
12. On the occasion of prolonged disorder, I would have all the children find a spot on a chair or couch where they must either quietly look at books, listen to audio tapes or participate in some other quiet activity.

BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS

In the younger age groups, and with newcomers, most behavior problems are either a result of inadequate understanding of what’s expected or what the rules are. These problems are usually dealt with between myself and your child and normally take only a few weeks to resolve. Sometimes they are just due to environment and take care of themselves when enrollment or schedules change. When there is a continuing behavior or attitude problem, please be aware that it is my personal opinion that I should try to work that out with the child first before discussing it with you. The reason I do this is because it helps to create a bond of trust and understanding between your child and myself. It is not because I don’t want to inform you. It is not because I think that I can deal with a problem better than the parent. I am simply trying to develop a trusting and respectful relationship between myself and your child. If there is a problem occurring with your child and I’m unsuccessful in solving it on my own after a short period of time, I will discuss it with you and enlist your help.

If yours is an older child I will probably come to you right away to discuss the problem. Please do not feel as though I am picking on your child or bringing up negatives. I have just found by experience that a child around the age of four or older respects their parents’ instruction more readily, even when they’ve been with me since infancy.

In the case of prolonged and repetitive behavior which is threatening or disruptive to myself
or the children, I will:

Monitor the child’s behavior for a short period of time and identify the problem & it’s occurrences, taking into consideration the time of day, certain activities, or problems with particular children. I will keep an informal log with dates, times and descriptions of the behavior. Any actions that may help to alleviate the problem will be taken and recorded before I bring the behavior to you. If our efforts are not successful, I will then talk with you to enlist support. If, after all measures have been taken, there is little reduction in the disruptive behaviors, the child may be excluded from daycare.

DAMAGE/REPLACEMENTS

Due to a past history of costly incidents, I feel it in the best interests of myself and other parents to change my policies in this area. Any damage to toys, books, other’s clothing, household items, etc. of mine, or of another daycare child’s, that occurs as a result of abusive or inappropriate use will necessitate a payment for repair or replacement. I will take into account that occasionally a child is too young to understand proper care for books, playthings, etc. and I will take into account normal wear and tear. It would be helpful if you would discuss with your child the care they should use when handling the property of others before they enter my daycare. FYI: Also, please inform your older age children that there is a “Hands Off My Toys” policy that has been issued by my son. We do try to alleviate this by making sure he picks up all his things the night before but do make your children aware that they need to ask before using Shawn’s toys. Most of the time Shawn doesn’t mind sharing, but like everyone else he has his off days and prefers his things to be left alone even when he’s brought them down into the daycare area.

FRIENDS & FUN FAMILY DAYCARE
FINANCIAL POLICIES

Please keep this information is an easily-accessible place. You will need to refer back to it in the future.

The following agreement is made between:

__________________________________ and _________________________________
Mother/Legal Guardian Father/Legal Guardian

and Lisa O. for the care of:

__________________________________
Child’s Name

Basic Rates and Payment Policies:

The payment fee shall be $ ___________ per week or $ ___________ per day or $ _________
per hour.

Weekly and daily payments are expected on the Friday before the week that care is provided. There will be an overdue charge of $10 if payment is not made as arranged.

Hourly payments are expected on the Friday before the week that care is provided. There will be an overdue charge of $10 if payment is not made as arranged. Payments made per hour will be based on the time the child is dropped off and the time they are
picked up and will be calculated by the provider.

If you experience a sudden loss of income or are experiencing financial difficulties, please advise me and we can work out alternate arrangements.

Overtime Fees:

For the purpose of this agreement, overtime will be considered any time when a child is dropped off or picked up earlier or later than the times arranged below unless previous arrangements have been made. If previous arrangements have been made the child may stay overtime at the basic rate. If a parent has not informed the provider that she/he will be arriving earlier or later than the agreed upon times, I will charge an overtime fees of $5.00 per fifteen minutes.

Parent/Guardian arrival/departure times:

Monday _________________________________

Tuesday ________________________________

Wednesday ______________________________

Thursday _______________________________

Friday __________________________________

Special considerations for overtime rates:

If a parent has not made pick up within 30 minutes of scheduled pick-up time and cannot be reached, I will call the emergency backup names as provided and release the child to his/her custody.

Schedule Changes:

Schedule changes must be discussed in advance. If you anticipate a change of job, preschool/kindergarten enrollment, maternity leave, etc. please let me know as soon as you do.

If you enroll your child in a public/private preschool program the basic rate will remain the same in order to hold that spot for your child. It’s impossible for me to find someone to fill those hours.

When it comes time to enroll your child in kindergarten I should be able to accommodate that schedule & your rate will change to a 1/2 day rate.

You will not be expected to pay your basic rate during the first two week’s worth of summer camp for your school age child. After that, payments will remain at the usual rate for school age child care whether your child is in care or not.

If a new work schedule will reduce the number of hours your child will be in care it is my usual policy to continue caring for them only if I have the opening or I can find another child with a co-ordinating schedule. If I am unable to do that you may continue to hold the spot for your child by paying your full basic rate.

If we decide your child will continue daycare on a part-time schedule please understand that should I become full and in demand and you are only paying part-time rates I may ask that you either pay the full basic rate or let me terminate our contract so that I may fill that slot with a full time person.

Rates Regarding Holidays, Vacations and Other Absences:

1. The following are unpaid holidays. If they fall on a weekend I will take off either the Friday before or the Monday after.

New Year’s Eve               12 noon closing day before Thanksgiving
New Year’s Day               Thanksgiving Day
Good Friday                    Christmas Eve Day
Memorial Day                    Christmas Day
July 4th                                day after Christmas
Labor Day

2. During the first two consecutive days of a child’s illness there will be no payment due. After that, regular charges apply.

3. There will be no charge during the provider’s illness and the daycare will be closed.

4. There will be no charges related to the provider’s scheduled vacation. I always take Yankee Homecoming week off, which starts the Sunday is July. I will take an additional week off during the year and will give you at least four week advance notice.
I also take two extra days in September sometime during the 2nd or 3rd week.

5. Parents/Guardians will be charged 1/2 of the basic rate during their scheduled vacations.

6. If a child will be spending the day with a parent, grandparent, sibling, friend, etc. and is normally scheduled to attend that day, regular charges still apply.

The provider and the parent will each give 4 weeks advance notice of scheduled vacation or other leave.

Other Charges:

1. There will be no charge for meals served. The provider is a member of a Federal Food Program which partially covers the costs of meals and snacks served according to federal guidelines. Of course, any contributions of nutritional foods are always greatly
appreciated since our funding has been cut by 1/3 - 1/2.

2. There will be an extra charge for the following supplies when not provided by the parent: wipes, diapers, topical ointment or cremes, over-the-counter medications and/or:

________________________________________________________________________________

and for activity fees/expenses for ________________________________________________

3. A deposit of one week’s basic rate is required to be paid on ________________ which will be applied to the first week’s payment and forfeited if the child does not attend as agreed.

4. Additional Fees: ______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Termination Procedure:

This contract may be terminated by either parent/guardian or provider by giving four weeks written notice in advance of the ending date. Payment by parent is due for the notice period in advance, whether or not the child is brought to the provider for care
and is non-refundable. If you should become suddenly unemployed, please discuss the matter with me and I can work out an alternate payment arrangement.

The provider may terminate the contract without giving any notice if the parent/guardian does not make payments when due, if the contracts and policies are consistently violated or if there is a serious behavior problem with their child. Failure by the provider to enforce one or more terms of this contract and policy pages does not waive the right of the provider to enforce any other terms of this contract and policy pages.

Signatures:

By signing this contract, parent(s)/guardian(s) agree to abide by the written policies
and contracts of the provider. The provider may amend the contracts/policies by
giving the parent(s)/guardian(s) a copy of the new or changed policies at least three
weeks before they go into effect.

Provider’s Signature ______________________________________ Date __________________

Mother/L. G. Signature ___________________________________ Date __________________

Father/L.G. Signature ____________________________________ Date __________________

FRIENDS & FUN FAMILY DAYCARE
HEALTH CARE POLICIES

Thank you for entrusting me with the health and well-being of your child. The following health policies are meant to protect your child and the other children in care. Please feel free to discuss them with me at any time.

CARE FOR THE MILDLY ILL

These policies may seem strict but I’ve found them to be necessary. Winter time is difficult enough without adding sick children to the equation. And once one child is sick the whole household, including me, becomes sick. For the sake of myself and the other children in my care I’d ask that you please respect these policies. Be sure that you prepare backup care in the winter. It’s much easier for one parent to keep a sick child out of care and keep the others from being sick than for every parent to have to find sick care for their child and then have to find care again when their provider becomes sick! Preventative measures on your part may help, too (i.e. extra vitamin C and frequent hand washing for you and your child, keeping their hand out of their mouths while in public places until they wash their hands, proper bedtimes so they don’t get run down, etc.).

In the case of a common cold, your child will normally be excluded from care. The only sign of sickness that will be allowed is a runny nose if it looks to be related to teething (is clear and not continuous) or a running nose if the worst of the cold (fever, sneezing, coughing) is over and the only remaining symptom is a clear, runny nose. You must administer at least two doses of decongestant (one before bedtime & one upon waking in the morning) before returning them to care at the end of their cold & they must have access to an additional dose, if needed. Please find alternate care for your child when they have a runny nose in combination with fever, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, etc., or if you are sick with similar symptoms.

The constant running noses (and the children's propensity of wiping them with their hands or picking at them with their fingers) just creates a situation in which it's almost impossible for me to keep the germs from spreading. Administering nasal decongestant will make your child more comfortable and will also reduce your child's risk of conjunctivitis or ear infections. Many tissues will be provided (you can provide them too, if you like).

If your child has the flu, you must obtain alternate care.

If your child is having loose bowel movements, with NO other symptoms and they do not appear fussy (as though they’re developing something), you may bring them to daycare with the understanding that you need to provide extra diapers and wipes, or in the case of potty-trained children, a supply of Pull-Ups.

Fevers must be checked by a pediatrician. If the child has no other symptoms, including fussiness, they may enter daycare. If they develop any other symptom during the day, I will contact you at work for pick up.

In the case of provider illness substitute care may or may not be available to you.

If your child develops any signs of illness - rash, fever, diarrhea or vomiting during the day, I will call you. The child must be picked up within 45 mins. I will care for the child accordingly until arrangements can be made for the child to be picked up. No child will be admitted for care until they have been free from vomiting for about 16 hours.

For conjunctivitis, your child will be able to re-enter daycare 24 hours after they have had their first administration of eye drops/ointment.

I state that I will:

1. practice frequent and monitored hand-washing with anti-bacterial soap during cold and flu season and after potty time, frequent disinfecting of hard surfaces and toys, and the frequent use of Lysol and/or a bleach mixture on hard surfaces such as doorknobs, faucet handles, tables, storage units during the winter.
2. Inform parents of any symptoms or exposure to contagious disease within the group or the children's families.
3. Take necessary precautions when handling dirty diapers or blood (i.e.: gloves/handwashing, separate disposal bags).
4. Make every attempt to include your mildly ill child in care.

Requirements on your part are:

1. That you return the Medical History and Immunization form to me within thirty days of your child's enrollment. Failure to do so will result in immediate termination.

2. That you report to me any communicable disease exposure within your family.

MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASE

Any child who has a combination of temperature of 100 degrees or above, a suspicious skin rash, a chronic cough and runny nose, vomiting or diarrhea shall be supposed to have a communicable disease and cannot be brought to daycare without a doctor’s note stating they are free from communicable diseases.

When a case of communicable disease is reported, a written notice will be posted.

In the case of certain highly contagious ailments or serious illness, a doctor's note may be requested stating the child is free of symptoms and the date he/she may return to daycare.

Medication will be given provided the doctor's name, the child's name and the prescribed dosage are on the original bottle and the proper form has been filled out and signed by a parent. Non-prescription medicine will require written parental authorization before being administered.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

If your child should incur serious injury while in care, they will be transported to the hospital by the provider or, if necessary, by ambulance. You will be contacted before your child is transported to the hospital. If neither parent can be contacted, I will contact the emergency numbers listed on your child's Enrollment Form. The child's entire records will be brought to the hospital.

CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:

To assure adequate care of _____________________________________, the following is agreed upon:

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