About Us Handbook
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Mt. Sterling Christian School and Daycare is to provide opportunities for children to develop an academic foundation, leadership abilities, character strengths, and interpersonal and social skills for the glory of God
PHILOSOPHY
Our goal is to provide all of the children in our care, a clean, safe, comfortable, loving environment where they can play and learn. Respect toward self, others and the environment will be emphasized. We believe in the value of both structured and flexible schedules. Our daily program consists of academic training, Bible lessons, creative activities, quite and group play, breakfast, lunch, snack and nap time routines. Each child, individually, is loved regardless of race, color, religion, or national origin.
COMMUNICATION
Good communication is of the utmost importance to us. When we accept a new family into our facility, we like to be sure that we can share openly about any concerns or questions that may arise. It is important that there is a similar philosophy between the parent and us. We welcome questions, feedback or discussions of any kind that oriented towards a positive outcome for your child.
ENROLLMENT POLICY
Each new student being enrolled in our Christian School or Child Care Program at First Church of God must complete at application packet and emergency information card or emergency sheet. The emergency information card/sheet will remain in the classroom with the teacher. The emergency information cards and sheets need to be kept current at all times. This is the teacher’s only resource to be able to contact you. Also, each child must submit a copy of his/her immunization certificate within thirty (30) days of enrollment. Failure to submit a current copy can result in termination of your child care. Each student enrolling in Kindergarten will need to submit a copy of their birth certificate, social security card, immunization record, eye exam and physical before the start of the school year.
At time of enrollment a non-refundable registration fee will be charged for each child. After school children will also be required to pay this fee if they do not attend our Christian School. Students entering four (4) year old Preschool and Kindergarten wil pay a non-refundable book fee. *Please see rate list for the current charges.
Please be aware that we continually have a waiting list for our classrooms. If you child is absent more than one week without prior notification or payment your spot automatically becomes available and we will filly it with the next person on the waiting list. Should you decide to return your child and your spot has not been filled youw ill be required to pay the enrollment fee again.
WAITING LIST
If your child is on our waiting list and a spot becomes available and you are not ready to fill the spot you may choose to pass the spot or make weekly payments to hold your spot. At no times will we hold a spot without a weekly payment of the required amount for that room. *See rate list for current fees.
TUITION/PAYMENT PROCEDURES
Weekly payments for the childcare (infants, toddlers, 2’s, 3’s & all-day preschool) are due no later than Monday for the current week unless other arrangements have been made. If payment is not received by the Friday of that week, a late fee will be assessed. *Please see rate list for current late fee. Repeated late payments will be grounds for termination. We ask you to consider how you would feel if your employer came to you on your expected payday and told you that your paycheck would be delayed?
Kindergarten and ½ day Preschool payments are due by the 1st of each month, beginning in August for the 10 month school year. Payments received after the 10th of the month will receive a $10 late fee charge. To avoid misplaced/lost payments please do not give payments to teachers or employees.
The success of our Center/School depends upon the prompt payment of tuition/fees in order to take care of day –to-day expenses that are encountered. Although tuition and fees may seem high, please keep in mind the amount that is returned directly to your child via food, supplies, and benefits from provider education, etc.
The Center/School accepts no responsibility for cash payments for which no receipt is given.
We would like all payments to be made with a check or money order. Payments should be placed in the black payment box which is located in the glassed-in area.
NSF CHECKS
There will be a fee assessed for a returned check. If this occurs more than one time, the parents will lose the privilege of payment by check and will be required to pay by money order. *Please see rate list for this fee.
HOURS OF OPERATION
The Center’s hours are 6:00 am-6:00pm
We maintain an open door policy for parents during operating hours. This means that parents are always welcome to call or drop in to see their children. We would appreciate your taking into consideration our schedule when dropping in or calling, and remember that visitors usually cause children to react in an excited manner that does not normally occur when we are alone with the children. If you call during day, please be aware that we may be busy with the children and may not be able to answer the phone. If you would leave a message, we will return your call as soon as possible.
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE/ABSENCES
For security purposes you need to enter through the glassed-in area between 6:00am-6:00pm. All side doors are locked
It is essential that you be prompt in picking up your children at the proper times. Please be considerate of our staff and be on time. Our employees have families and other outside obligations and are ready to leave at 6:00pm.
A late fee will be assessed when picking up your child late. *See current rate list for fees. Habitual tardiness may result in termination of services.
Always be sure that a teacher upon arrival receives your child and during departure. PLEASE BE SURE THAT THE TEACHER KNOWS YOU ARE TAKING YOUR CHILD. Many times a teacher may have several parents picking up children at the same time. It is very important that you follow our sign out procedure and let us know when you take your child from the class.
A child may go home only with those names listed on the child’s emergency card or emergency sheet. If anyone else is to pick up your child you must let us know by calling the office or sending a note to your child’s teacher.
In order to avoid interruptions in your child’s daily routine, children should be picked up before 11:30 or after 2:30. This applies to children in our Nursery, Toddlers, 2’s & 3’s. Departures and arrivals during naptime disturb all the children. If it is necessary for you to bring or receive your child during this time, please inform us so we may have your child ready. During naptime we ask that you do not disturb our classrooms. If you are dropping a child off please bring them to the office and we will take them to the classroom.
There will be no refunds or adjustments made for days missed due to illness, holidays, or days off. A place has been reserved for each child that cannot be filled on a short-term basis.
Preschool class time is 8:00 am- 12:00pm. We ask that you make every effort to have your child in class by 8:30 am. It is very disruptive to the class when you bring your child in after classroom time has begun.
Kindergarten class time is 8:00am-3:00pm. Any student arriving after 8:30 will be considered tardy. Every three (3) tardies in each six (6) weeks will result in ½ day absence. Excessive absences may result in retention rather than promotion. If a student misses three (3) consecutive days they may have a Doctor’s excuse. Every time a child is absent, a note from the parent or doctor should be sent to the teacher. Any make-up work will be due the third day the child is back. No make-up work will be given for unexcused absences. A student arriving at 11:30 or later will be counted ½ day absent. A student who must leave prior to 11:30 will be counted one (1) whole day absent.
SIGNING IN/OUT
We ask all parents to sign in/out for pick-ups and drop off each day. This gives a written record of the child’s attendance, hours and the person who brought/picked up the child each day. It is a must that you sign your child out each day. Anyone, including a parent smelling of alcoholic beverages or any drug related substance, or showing any impairment that would cause them to drive unsafely, our employees have the right to retain that child in their care until a reliable person returns to puck the child up. The safety of your children is our only concern.
HOLIDAYS/VACATIONS/CLOSING
We will be closed on the following holidays:
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day (Thursday and Friday)
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
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Reminder fees continue to stay the same for these days
If a holiday falls on a Saturday the center will observe the holiday on Friday, if the holiday falls on Sunday we will observe the holiday on Monday.
The Child Care center recognizes that most parents have time off each year and enjoy being with their child. After your child has been enrolled in our center for six months as a year round student, he/she is entitled to two weeks of vacation. If a child attends during the school year of August-May they will be entitled to one week of vacation. If you are enrolled for ten months you are entitled to one week of vacation. Only those children using our center year round have two weeks of vacation time. For year round children vacation time will run from January-December. Please notify our office or yout child’s teacher in advance when you will be using your vacation time.
The Christian School yearly calendar will be give at the beginning of each school year.
If the center/school should need to close due to inclement weather this information will appear on Channel 27 (CBS), Channel 18 (NBC), Channel 36 (ABC), Channel 56 (FOX) television stations and will be announced on WMST radio station. It will be listed as follows Mt. Sterling Christian School and First Church of God Daycare.
CLOTHING
Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately each day. Clothing should be comfortable and seasonally appropriate for outdoor play. When the weather is permitting and the temperature is above 50 degrees we will take your child outside for walks, play etc…. Be sure your child has a jacket, hat or whatever may be needed. When dressing your child please take in consideration the many activities that your child takes part in while at our center (running, jumping, and outdoor play). Flip flop/sandals are very difficult for some children to take part in these activities.
When dropping off your child in the morning your child may not be in their assigned classroom please take your child’s belongings to their classroom and place them on the appropriate hook or place them in their cubby. In the afternoon when picking your child up your child’s belongings will remain in their classroom. This will help avoid any belongings being lost or misplaced.
Because accidents often happen with young children, we ask that you send an extra change of clothing that may be kept in the child’s bag and/or cubby. Each piece of clothing should be labeled with the child’s name. If your child has an accident and there are no extra clothes in his/her bag you will be called to either pick the child up or to bring in extra clothes. We do not keep extra clothes on hand to handle these emergencies.
CHRISTIAN SCHOOL DRESS CODE
Modesty and common sense should be the rule. If you are in any doubt, please do not wear it. This will save embarrassment for the student and staff. Anyone asked to change clothes will be asked politely and confidentially.
PERSONAL BELONGINGS
We prefer that children do not bring toys from home unless it is something that can be shared with the entire group (i.e. books, videos, etc.). Little ones have a difficult time sharing with others, and it is even harder with their own special toys. If your child brings in a toy please note that they will be put away upon arrival and may be picked up at departure. Exceptions to this policy will be that a child may bring a favorite sleepy toy for naptime only, and toys may be brought for show and tell activities. We are not responsible for any loss or breakage or personal items. All personal items must be clearly marked with the child’s name.
SUPPLIES
You will be expected to supply your child with diapers or pull-ups and at various times may be asked by the child’s teacher for Kleenexes. Your child’s teachers may also have a supply list of items that are often needed such as glue, crayons, scissors, etc. Christian School/preschool students will be given a supply list at the beginning of each school year.
DAILY SCHEDULE
Young children, toddlers and babies enjoy a structured schedule that allows for flexibility. A schedule helps the day to flow more smoothly, allowing the children to anticipate coming events and aids in achieving a variety of goals. We will adhere to written schedule that is posted in each classroom to the best of our ability, keeping in mind that anything can happen when children are involved. There will be times when we have to make adjustments to the schedule. We appreciate families considering our schedule when picking up or dropping off their children. It is better if arrivals and departures do not occur during quiet/nap time.
Kindergarten and Preschool schedules are posted in each of their classrooms. Appointments can be made with the teacher of these classrooms if a parent/teacher conference is desired. These appointments need to be made before or after classroom instructional time.
Please be respectful of your child’s teachers as they cannot discuss lengthy concerns/issues while also teaching/supervising their class. They will make every effort to be available before class or after class to talk with you.
MEALS
Once children begin to eat table food, we provide all food at no extra charge. Meals consist of breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack. Children who arrive after meal times should be fed before they arrive. Menus and mealtimes schedules are posted in each classroom. We are not staffed to be able to feed your child one on one should you bring them in after scheduled meal times. We ask that you do not bring outside food and drinks in unless requested. If you choose to bring your child’s meals in then you will be required to sit with your child in the cafeteria until they are finished. Children tend to think the “grass is greener” when they see someone eating something different from them.
We are not allowed to eat in the gym area at any time. Please do not bring food in during the morning drop off time. If you choose to do this then you are expected to take your child to the cafeteria until they are finished.
Children are required to eat the meals we serve due to the fact that we are on the federal food reimbursement plans. This includes all children toddlers through kindergarten. If your child has allergies, and requires a modified diet we will need a completed medical referral form filled out with the signature of your physician. These forms are kept in the office and you may request one at time of enrollment. We will try to make appropriate substitutions, if possible. If a substitution cannot be met you mat be asked to provide your child’s food.
Please keep in mind that we serve the daily requirements and nutritious foods that your children require to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Parents of infants will supply all formula, breast milk and baby food. It is our belief that infants should be fed on demand. If parents have another feeding schedule in mind, we will need to discuss it, so that at all times your infant’s needs are being met. Bottles must be labeled and the nipple covered. Your infant will be held and fed. Only children that can support his/her own bottle will be allowed to feed themselves.
At all times we encourage our staff to eat meals with your children. This encourages proper table manners, stimulates conversations, encourages self-help skills and allows children the encouragement to try new foods.
TOILET TRANING
When you feel your child is ready for toilet training, we ask that you begin this teaching at home during a weekend or vacation. We will follow through and encourage your child while our care. Toilet training will be done in a relaxed manner with cooperation of the family. We require that the child must be at least two (2) years old, and must be showing signs of readiness. When a child is ready, the process should go pretty quickly. The child must be kept in pull-ups at all times. Putting a child in diapers part time, and pull-ups part time can be confusing and delay the training process. Please keep in mind that the activity level here can distract your child from responding to an urge to use the potty, more so than at your home. Therefore, we will continue to use diapers or pull-ups until your child can and will announce that he or she must use the bathroom (not just at home, but here, as well) and can control his/her bladder and bowels for a few minutes beyond that announcement.
Parents need to supply pull-ups, plus a couple of extra changes of clothing each day during the training process (don’t forget the socks).
Do not bring your child in panties or underwear until he or she has naptime and bedtime control established.
During toilet training, we ask that the child be dressed in “user friendly” clothing, as much as possible. Try to avoid really tight clothing, pants with snaps zippers, and overalls. These are difficult for children to remove in a hurry.
Your child will not be promoted to the three year old classroom until they are completely potty trained.
NAPS/QUIET TIME
There will be a designated nap/rest time each day. All children must nap, rest, or read quietly during this period. Rest time gives everyone a much-needed break, during the day. Without rest time, some children are argumentative in the afternoon, short tempered with others, and not real happy when they go home in the evening.
ILLNESS
First Church of God is a “well-child” care facility. At no time do we provide sick care. The following illness policies will be strictly enforced, for the health and well being of all concerned.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MAY A PARENT BRING A SICK CHILD TO DAYCARE. If a child shows any signs of illness or is unable to participate in the normal routine and regular program you will be called to pick your child up. Sick children expose other children, as well as staff, to the spread of their illness and require additional care and attention that we are unable to give. Moreover, sick children want care from their parents in the comfort of their own homes. If other children become ill due to exposure to your sick child, either because he/she was not picked up promptly upon notice of becoming ill, other parents will be unnecessarily inconvenienced. Every effort is taken to reduce the spread of illness by encouraging hand washing and other sanitary practices.
In the even a child becomes ill and needs to be picked up, the parent (s) will be called and are expected to come pick the child up within one hour (60 minutes). If the parent(s) cannot be reached, or have not arrived within an hour, the emergency contact person will be called and asked to come pick the child up.
A sick child will not be permitted to return to care for 24 hours after condition has returned to normal. The child may return 24-48 hours (depending upon the illness) after they have received the first does of an antibiotic. If a child receives an antibiotic for an ear infection, he or she may return immediately if the child has been free of other symptoms mentioned for at least 24 hours. If you aren’t sure about whether or not to bring your child in for care, please call us to discuss it. Allergy related symptoms, and non-communicable illnesses do no require exclusion.
· Fever: Fever is defined as having a temperature of 99/100 degrees or higher taken under the arm, 101 degrees taken orally. A child needs to be fever free for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to school/daycare, that means that the child is fever free without the aid of Tylenol, or any other fever reducing substances.
· Fever and soar throat, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, earache, irritability, or confusion.
· Diarrhea: runny, watery, bloody stools, or 2 or more loose stools within last 4 hours
· Vomiting: 2 or more times in a 24 hour period
· Breathing trouble, sore throat, swollen glands, loss of voice, hacking or continuous coughing.
· Runny nose (other than clear), draining eyes or ears
· Frequent scratching of body or scalp, lice, rash, or any other spots that resemble childhood diseases, including ringworm.
· Child is irritable, continuously crying, or requires more attention than we can provide without hurting the health, safety, or well being of the other children in our care.
Many times a child will be blamed for the illness of another child, meaning that we have “allowed” sick children to come here. Parents may not stop to think that when sick children are brought here, our entire facility is also at risk for exposure. How would you feel if another parent brought their sick child and exposed you child. We STRESS this again---if you are not sure whether or not it is okay to bring your child, please call ahead to ask us. We may require a doctor’s decision as to whether or not the child is contagious. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
MEDICATIONS
Parents will provide any medications needed by the child, including over-the-counter and prescription medicine. This also includes diaper rash ointment and sunscreen. We cannot put anything on your child without permission. Written authorization is needed for us to administer ANY medication, prescription or over-the-counter. All medicines must be in their original container with pharmacist or manufacturer’s label, child’s name, dosage instructions, current date, name of medication, and times to be administered clearly written. We will not accept medication that is not labeled and has child’s name on it. A medicine sheet needs to be filled out and given to your child’s teacher. Your child’s teacher will have these in the classroom. Without this document filled out completely your child will not receive their medicine. Any medicine that requires refrigeration will be located in the refrigerator in the classroom unless that room does not have one, then it will be placed in the refrigerator in the classroom unless that room does not have one then it will be placed in the refrigerator in the director’s office. All other medicine will be kept in locked cabinet in the child’s classroom. The teacher will document date, time and who administered to child daily. At the end of each day these forms will be placed in the office to be kept in the child’s permanent file.
First Aid kits are located in each classroom. The kits contain liquid soap, adhesive bandages, sterile gauze, medical tape, scissors, thermometer, flashlight, cold pack, first aid book, CPR mouth guard and disposable gloves. At no time is there to be anything else in this kit per state regulation.
DISCIPLINE
The State of Kentucky does not allow physical discipline, even with the parent’s permission. We will be using behavior modification in the form of time out. We have found this to be successful in most circumstances. If a child displays unacceptable behavior, he/she will be sent to a time out chair for a short period of time. Uncontrollable running, foul language, biting, hitting, and disrespect for the staff will not be tolerated in a child of any age.
At this time we do not have a written policy on biting. Biting normally occurs between the ages of thirteen and thirty months. Biting often happens when a child becomes frustrated and does not have the words to express him/her self adequately. We will make every effort to control this problem if and when it arises.
At all times teachers will make every effort to be firm, fair, and consistent. Accidents will happen. When they do staff will fill out an accident report and parent will have to sing document. Parents will be given a copy upon request. All original accident reports are kept on file in the child’s permanent records.
Kentucky State law requires any person who knows or has reasonable cause to believe that a child is neglected or abused shall immediately make an oral or written report to a local law enforcement agency, the Kentucky State Police or the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. At any time should an employee suspect child abuse and/or neglect it is their responsibility to report it to the appropriate authorities.
SAFETY
At all times we want to provide the safest facility possible for children and staff. The only entrance available throughout the day for parents is the glassed-in entrance. These doors are unlocked at 6:00am –6:00pm. All other doors will remain locked. At no time should a parent or guardian eve use the doors in the gym to enter or to exit. This is for safety purposes and lets the children know not to ever open the gym doors to anyone. If you or someone picking up your child is asked to provide I.D. please do so without complaint. The staff person’s only concern is the safety of your child. The playground is an extension of the classroom and all safety procedures will be followed.
Ratios, as determined by licensing regulations are poster in each classroom.
All staff that is employed at First Church of God Child Care and Mt. Sterling Christian School has completed the necessary background checks and required training in order to be employed in our facility.