The Gingerbread Day Care Center ( GBDCC ) serve 8 children between the ages of 6 weeks and 10 years old. The center is open from 6:00 AM until 5:00 PM, Monday thru Friday, 12 month of the year. Policies are available to each family on the website. License and violations are posted at the bulletin board at the bottom of the steps. All notices will be posted on the front door as you enter, or on the daily sign in sheet. A child may be enrolled on a full time, or part time basis. Full time is 3 or more days per week. Full time is not to exceed more than 11 hours per day. We do accept drop-ins with a 24 hour notice and space permitting. Parents may view there child records at any time or receive a copy of them.
A sign in/out sheet is kept at the bottom of the stairs. Parents are to mark the time they drop off and pick up their children. A duplicate record will be kept by the provider to insure the number,names and where abouts of the children are known. Parents are to inform the center if a child will be absent, before the day of attendance. We will call parents if children do not show up for scheduled days. Please in form the center of any alternate arrivals or releases that will occur during the day. All personal information will be kept confidential. We are required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect to the CPS at Buffalo County Social Services..See DCF 250.04(8). No child can be released to any individual under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Our emergency medical source is Winona Health, located in Winona MN. In an Emergency 911 will be called. Parents will be notified to meet medical personnel at the hospital.
Page 2
Forms required upon admission.
Child enrollment and health history form - on first day of attendance.
Physical form - within three months of first day of attendance.
Immunization form - on first day of attendance.
Children under 2 years intake form - on first day of attendance.
A summary of DCF 250 shall be given to each parent of each enrolled child.
Parents and children are required to visit the center before admission. Parents are to provide a sleeping bag for children over 2 years of age. Parents must provide breakfast items if the children have not eaten before arriving at the center. Parents of infants and toddlers must provide diapers, formula, and baby food. The center will provide 2 snacks, lunch, milk for breakfast, wipes, and cloth diapers when needed.
We have an open door policy that parents may come to the center at any time during operational hours, unless access has been denied by a court order. The order must be on file at the center. A child may not be released to any person who has not been previously authorized to receive the child.
We have one dog who lives at the center. You must mark on the enrollment form that you have knowledge of the dog. The dog has separate areas to do its business, yet at times may interact with the children. Dog is not allowed where food is prepared or eaten by children. Dog is vaccinated on a yearly basis.
Authority shall be administered by the director during normal business hours of the center. In the absence of the director the center will be closed.
Page 3
Legal responsibility for complying with the statutory regulation under DCE 250, rest with the owner of the Gingerbread Day Care Center. The center carries both Liabilty (including pet insurance) and Home owner Insurance.
The center is closed:
The week of the 4th of July.
The week of Christmas , unless otherwise notified.
New Years Eve
New Years Day Martin Luther King Day
Presidents Day Good Friday
Memorial Day
Labor Day Columbus Day
Thanksgiving Day
Friday after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
All holidays are paid through the fee schedule. The center will not discriminate against parents or children because of age, race, sex, creed, disability, political preference, nationality, or ancestry.
Page 4
DISCHARGE OF ENROLLED CHILDREN
Children will be discharged from the center:
Mutual agreement
Non-payment of fees after two weeks.
Parents may unenroll their children at anytime for any reason, with a verbal notice.
FEE PAYMENT POLICY
Fees for service shall be collected in one of the following schedules.
Full payment on the Friday following the week of service.
Full payment every other Friday.
Full payment on the last Friday of the month, for part time children only.
Drop-ins must pay the day of service.
Full time children pay for 52 weeks/ year. Late charges may be assessed at $5.00/every 15 min. a parent is late after 5:00 PM, that special arrangements have not been made with the center. No refunds.
Page 5
CHILD EDUCATION POLICY
Daily program Transition
6:00 - 8:45 AM Free play, crafts, organized games, TV, computers, etc.
7:00 - 7:30 AM Breakfast
7:30 - 7:45 AM School age children get ready for school.
8:45 - 9:30 AM Clean up, calendar, wash up, snack, and toileting.
9:30 -10:30 Am Groups of 2-4 children have sit down learning experience or craft time. Other children, free play for other children.
10:30 - 11:15 AM Outdoor play or group exercise indoor when weather does not permit.
11:15 - 12:00 AM Clean up, wash up, lunch, and toileting.
12:00 - 12:30 PM Educational programming on TV, books, or listening to stories, and recordings.
12:30 - 2:45 PM Nap time, early risers watch TV, color, look at books, or do puzzles.
2:45 - 3:00 PM Wash up, snack, and toileting. School age children arrive at 3:30 PM and have snack.
3:45 - 5:00 PM Free play with above options.
Our educational program is designed for children to learn through play. We have mixed age groups so that younger children learn from older children. The same way a family works.
Page 6
We have specific units including, name recognition, colors, shapes, numbers, the alphabet, recycling, safety, and nutrition. Others may include hygiene, manners, cooperation, farms, transportation, holidays, emergencies, community helpers, personnel information, animals, and health. Most units incorporate some cultural diversity. We let parents know what unit we will be working on at the beginning of the unit. For infants and toddlers we follow their admission form to meet their needs. We are a non - sectarian center and embrace all religious cultures. We notify our parents that we may take a walk during the day on the admission form. The staff verbally talks to each parent at the end of the day concerning their child’s activities during the day.
Activities to enhance self - esteem Social Interaction
Name song ( Bingo tune) Noodle table
Farmer in the dell Building blocks
Treasure hunt Housekeeping area
Store Dress up
Restaurant Legos
Board games Woodworking
Page 7
Self Expression Creative Expression
Music Finger painting
Finger plays Modeling clay
Stories Drawing
Creative Dramatics Gluing
Puppet show, acting out stories Use of scissors
Large Muscle Equipment
Climbers Swings Sandbox
Tunnel Tire Course Balls
Jump ropes Frisbee Basketball hoops
CHILD GUIDANCE POLICY
The staff at the center will provide guidance and instruction at all times when working with the children enrolled. Since the staff members are the direct role models for the children, the staff will strive to maintain a positive attitude at all times when working with the children. Redirection of the
Page 8
children is to be used when a staff member feels a child’s behavior is headed towards a discipline problem. Staff is to provide an alternate activity. Alternate activities will be posted between the two classrooms. Discipline is only to be carried out by the classroom teacher. No other person on the premises, other than the parent of the child is to discipline any child enrolled in the center. Discipline should teach a child cooperation and good behavior. It is not to humiliate or frighten a child. ( Specific behavior that could cause a time out are: physical abuse to other children, throwing hard toys, or intentionally breaking center property.
Inappropriate behavior will be handled in the following manner.1st attempt - the child will be told to stop, with a brief explanation.
2nd attempt - the child will be told to stop, and redirected to another activity.
3rd attempt - the child will be told to take a seat near the teacher. The time out will not exceed more than one minute per year of age, not to exceed 5 minutes.
All children under the age of 3 years old will only be redirected.
When a child does comply with good behavior they are to be praised. Children should also be randomly praised though out the day for good behavior. If inappropriate behavior continues the parents will be called for a conference to determine what further steps can be taken. Preservation of the child’s self - esteem shall be kept in mind at all times during the guidance process. It is important that the child knows, it is the behavior that the staff disapproves of, not the child. A child is never to be physically, verbally, or emotionally, abused at any time while at the center.
Page 9
Fussy children shall be held, rocked, or given a quiet place to regain their composure. The child care worker will remain calm during periods of fussiness.
Since the children in the center move freely from room to room the worker will have a list of all children in the center each day. The worker will head count all day long.
Because our center is small, school age children will be incorporated in with the full time day care children. Our program is set up so that the time when school age children are at the center, it is free play time, or outdoor time. The older children will have the choice. School age children will not have to rest unless they would like to do so. They will have a choice of outdoor play, or indoor quiet activities during nap time.
CONTINGENCY & EMERGENCY PLANS
All children will be logged in daily by the parent when they drop them off in the morning. Periodically during the day head counts will be taken. Head counts will also be taken at each snack and lunch to coincide with the daily log. The evacuation diagram is posted between the two basement rooms. Both a primary and secondary route are indicated.
Page 10
Any Staff member will be trained in the evacuation procedure, during the first week of work. They will also be told what their responsibilities are at that time. This will be repeated at 6 month intervals. Documentation will be on their continuing education form. In case of a fire staff will take the children out the nearest exit, and meet at the climber in the yard. The director will have her cell phone on her and will call 911.
In case of a tornado or severe weather the staff will remain in the basement area away from the sliding glass doors with the children. A portable radio and flashlight are located on the refrigerator. The director will use the cordless phone or cell phone if 911 needs to be called.
Missing children will be dealt with by searching the center grounds and buildings. If a child is not found parents will be notified and 911 will be called to help search efforts until the child is found. All other children will remain with the staff in the building until child is found or their parent picks them up.
Swimming pool area is locked and cannot be used by children in the care of the center.
Page 11
It is the directors responsibility to make sure all fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, flashlights, and radios are in working order. Extinguishers are inspected yearly. Smoke detectors are checked on a monthly basis. Fire drills are conducted randomly each month. Tornado drills are conducted monthly ( April thru September). Safety checklist completed monthly.
Inside building temperature is to be maintained at 68 degrees. During extreme outdoor temperatures children are to be kept indoors. Loss of utilities will be handled by the owner. If necessary parents will be notified to pick up children due to utility problems that last longer then 2 hours.
No child will leave the building with anyone other than the parent unless the parent has given permission by phone or note. Child must recognize the person coming to pick them up if the staff does not know the person or they must present an ID. Upon arrival of the school bus from school, any child who is scheduled to be at the center, and is not present, will have their parent called by the director.
Emergency contact people are listed in the front of the children’s log book.
HEALTH CARE POLICY
It is the intention of the center to provide a safe and healthy environment for the children in our program.
Page 12
1. Daily Inspections - Upon arrival each child will be observed by the staff on duty for symptoms of illness. If a child is ill upon arrival they will be sent home with the parent. If the child shows signs of unusual bruises, contusions, lacerations, or burns, it is to be reported to the director immediately and recorded in the medical log. It is the directors responsibility to report the alleged abuse to the county Dept. of Human Services.
2. Illness - During the course of the day, if a child becomes ill, the child shall be isolated on the couch in the center. The staff shall contact the child’s parent or person designated when the parent cannot be reached to pick up the child. The parent is to pick up the child as soon as possible.
3. Communicable Diseases - Upon the detection of a reportable communicable disease or a report from a parent, all parents are to be notified of the exposure of their child. When a child has contacted a communicable disease, they will be readmitted to the center when they have been absent the required amount of time determined by their physician, so they are no longer a health threat to themselves or any other child.
4. Medication - Center will not administer any prescription or non-prescription medicine unless the following requirements have been met.
A. A signed, dated, written authorization from the parent on file.
B. Prescriptive medicine is in the original container with the child’s name, dosage, directions, date and physicians name on it.
c. Non-prescriptive medicine is to have the child’s name, dosage, and directions on it.
Page 13
When a medicine is given to any child, it is to be recorded in the medical log and in the child’s permanent record. Included in the report, should be type of medication, dosage, time, date, and name of person administering the medicine.5. Personnel Hygiene- To help prevent the spread of disease, all children’s hand are to be washed before and after eating and after using the toilet. Children’s faces are to be washed after eating. Soap and water are to be used at all times. For the washing of children’s hands and faces. All people working with children are to wash their hands before handling food and after helping children with toileting. Children’s individual toothbrushes and combs are to be kept in their private cubbies. These articles are to be sent home every two weeks to be cleaned. Each child is to have a change of clothes. These clothes are to be current with the season and the child’s size. Children's hands will be washed before and after diapering.
6. Accidents or injury- If an accident or injury should occur to a child at the center the procedure is as follows.
A. Minor injury- wash the cut with soap and water and put a bandage on it. Staff will carry a small first aid kit to handle any off site injuries, and a cell phone to notify 911 if necessary.
B. Serious injury - make the child as comfortable as possible, call 911, and call the hospital that a child is enroute. Notify the parents as to the child’s injury and where the child is being sent. All children will be sent to Winona Health Care in Winona for treatment. All accidents and injuries
Page 14
are to be recorded in the medical log, and in the child’s permanent record. A review of the accidents by the director and staff shall occur every 6 mo. This review is to determine preventive measures that need to be taken.
7. Physical exams- upon admission to the center, each child is to have a physical exam. The center will accept exams administer six months prior to enrollment. A physical must be in the child’s permanent record within three months of their admission date. A child must have a physical every two years after that.Children under 2 years need a physical every 6 mo. The director shall initiate these follow up physicals. Each child shall have an up to date immunization record on file with the month and year of each immunization that was received for the following diseases: Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Poliomyelitis, Mumps, Measles, Rubella, HIB, and Hepatitis B. This statement must be on file prior to the child’s admission.
8. Staff health Qualifications- all staff must have a physical within 30 days of hiring. A prior physical will be accepted within 6 months of beginning work. This physical is to state the person is able to work with children and is free of illness.Staff are to have a TB test on file at the center. No staff, volunteer, visitor, or parent may enter the center with symptoms of illness or communicable disease. No person shall work at the center with a health history of typhoid, paratyphoid, dysentery, or other diarrheal disease.
Page 15
All diapers will be thrown away daily and soiled clothes or bedding will be washed on site at the end of the day.
Children under 5 years old will be required to rest in the afternoon. They do not have to sleep, but will be required to lay quietly for up to 30 minutes so others may sleep. If a child does not fall asleep they may get up and play quietly.
Toys for toddlers are sanitized with a 10/1 water/bleach solution on a daily basis. Other toys are sanitized on a as need basis.
This center does not use gloves.
Infants are placed on their backs to sleep with nothing in their cribs. All staff will/has been trained in SIDS and Shaken Baby Syndrome.
All staff must review intake forms for any special needs a child may require. Any special health care needs are to be passed on by the parent to the child care provider.
NUTRITION POLICY
The Gingerbread Day Care Center will provide lunch and two snacks per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Menus are posted on the bulletin board, at the bottom of the stairs. Any child who arrives before 7:30 am may bring their breakfast, provided
Page 16
by the parents. We will provide milk. Menus are posted on the board below the steps. Meals may be repeated during the month but not during the week. Snacks will include milk or juice, and one other food group. Lunch will include one dairy, one meat, one grain, and two fruits or vegetables. Children may have extra of any of the food groups.
All special diets or food allergies are to be relayed to the center on the child’s physical form, which is kept in the child’s permanent record. Any special diets or food allergies will also be posted on the refrigerator for easy access by the food service personnel. If the special diet can not be incorporated into the daily food menu, the parents will be asked to provide snacks and meals for the child.
When lunch is served, each child will be served by the staff. The children will be allowed to set the tables and clear places to allow for social interaction. The staff will sit with the children while they are eating.
Infants and toddlers will be fed on their individual schedule, with formula and food provided by the parents.
It is the directors responsibility to purchase and check all food served, for it’s freshness and wholesomeness. Any food not meeting sanitary standards is to be thrown out. All food brought into
Page 17
the center is to be kept in original or air tight containers. All dishes and food containers and food contact areas are to be washed using the three step manual procedure.
1. Wash in soap and water between 110* - 125*.
2. Rinse in clean hot water.
3. Sanitize for 2 minutes in sanitize solution.
4. Then allow to air dry.
Refrigerator temp. is to be 40* and freezer temp. 0*.
It is the centers philosophy that uneaten nutritious meals are as useless as an eaten unnutritious meal. We will make every effort to serve nutritious, well liked foods. We will introduce new foods on a weekly basis that will be above the food requirement for the day. We do not participate in the USDA food program, but we do follow the guidelines of the USDA.
Our food staff will read the state requirements for food handling in the state day care policies manual. They also will be required to take food and nutrition classes. They must have at least 4 hours continuing education in this area.
Page 18
ORIENTATION OF NEW STAFF VOLUNTEERS
The center will orientate each staff member or volunteer on the first day of employment.
The director will cover all information on the staff orientation checklist for family child care centers
Orientation of Back-up Provider
Before a back-up provider may be left alone withchildren the following must be covered.
1. Names and ages of children in care.
2. Arrival and Departure information of each child and names of people who are authorized to pick up that child.
3. Location of children's files including emergency contacts,consent for medical treatment, and any special health care needs.
4. Procedures to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, for children under one year of age.
Page 19
The center director will call the Dept. of Children and Families within 1 business day of an investigation of neglect or abuse. Material used by the center for orientation meetings will be from the departmental resource sheets and center owned materials.
