Milpitas Child Care

And

Learning Center

Parent Handbook of Policies and Procedures

Revised 02/2015

www.milpitas-childcare.com

Inspiring Children to Imagine, Believe and Achieve

Table of ContentsWelcome4PHILOSOPHY5POLICIES5ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES6AGES SERVED6DAYS AND HOURS OF OPERATION6Registration and material fee6SIGN-IN SHEET7Tuition Fees7Late Payment7HOLIDAYS7MEDICATION8DIAPERING8PROPER ATTIRE8TOYS AND PERSONAL ITEMS8ILLNESS AND SICK CARE8DISCIPLINE10SMOKING11BIRTHDAYS11FIRE DRILLS PROCEDURES11HEALTH AND SAFETY11EMERGENCY12PARENT/CAREGIVER COMMUNICATION12LEARNING EXPERENCES AND PLAYTIME12A TYPICAL DAY AT: MCCLC13OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES13TOILET TRAINING13MEALS14NAPTIME15MISCELLANEOUS15Trail Period, Withdrawal and Termination of Services15Inspection Authority:16Publicity16Extra Attendance:16ABSENTEEISM AND ILLNESS16PERSONAL POSSESSIONS16HOUSE RULES17OPEN DOOR POLICY17

Welcome

Milpitas Child Care and learning Center

Website: Milpitas-childcare.com

Parents,

Thank you for choosing Milpitas Child Care and learning Center for your childcare needs. Enclosed you will find a copy of Parent Handbook. Please take the time to go over this handbook. If, at any time you have a question regarding my policies, please dont hesitate to ask. I want to always have an open line of communication with you. A new contract will be signed by all families at the beginning of each year. MCCLC reserve the right to make changes in policies when it is necessary. Parent will be notified, in writing, of any changes that may occur. Every attempt will be made to give at least a two-week notice of new changes.

MCCLC look forward to welcoming your child/ren into our childcare/preschool care.

PHILOSOPHY

Thank you for choosing Milpitas Child Care and Learning Center. Our goal is to provide a safe and happy environment for each child that will stimulate their physical, intellectual, social and emotional growth at their own pace. We at MCCLC offer loving care that focus on each child as a unique and wonderful individual and in doing so, builds self-esteem and respect for others. MCCLC believes that every child has the natural desire to learn and these early years are extremely important in each childs life. These years not only builds their future but their character too. MCCLC believes that children develop characteristics which will affect their lifelong love of learning. So we are committed to provide an enriched environment, which benefits their social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. We focus on their cognitive learning but we value their play need too so that we support the whole child. We follow the Montessori Method but at the same time we feel that sometime that little push and guidance (scaffolding) is required to achieve their full potential. So we follow the emergent curriculum to allow them to nourish their own interest and facilitate them so they do not get overwhelmed and frustrated in their journey of exploration. MCCLC believe that each family brings to the program their values, language, diversity, and traditional customs. We, therefore, recognize the importance of forming a partnership with parents to create a positive experience for all children.

POLICIES

For clarification purposes:

Regarding all statements in this policy book directed to the parent, the word parent shall mean parent or guardian or adult responsible for the childs physical and financial wellbeing.

All policies shall remain in effect as stated herein unless provider gives notice of change of any said policy in writing. Provider retains the right to enforce these policies at will. Lack of enforcement or a certain policy at any time does not indicate that the particular policy is no longer in effect.

The following are the rules and regulations which constitutes the policy handbook and financial agreement. Please read this handbook thoroughly as it contains many important policies and procedures that pertain to the care of your child. If you have any questions, please contact us.

ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES

All necessary forms must be completed, signed and submitted to the office upon registration. Please inform the office immediately of any changes.

Listed below you will find the required forms you need to return to Milpitas Child care and Learning Center upon your childs registration.

*Financial Agreement

*Information Form

*Food Program Form

*Medical Consent

*Birth Certificate

*Authorization to Leave Care

*Immunization Record (within 30 days)

*Discipline Form

AGES SERVED

MCCLC serves the children from 6 weeks up through school age. I am occasionally available for afterschool care for other siblings. But the arrangements must be made in advance. If you reserve a spot for an older child and they do not attend, you will still be required to pay the full time rate.

DAYS AND HOURS OF OPERATION

Child care is open MondayFriday From 7:30a.m. To 6:00p.m. Parent can choose the suitable nine hours of the day. Child care is never offered on week-ends, evenings or holidays. Please remember that your fee is based on the hours you contract for, not the hours that I am open. You are scheduled for child care @the above hours. If your child is picked up after the contracted hours, a charge of $20.00 per quarter will be assessed. If you are late three times in one month, the late fee is tripled ($60.00 per quarter).If you are late more than three times in a month, your admission may be reviewed by the administration. Late drop-off does not constitute late pick up.

Registration and material fee

A non-refundable registration fee of $100.00 and $165.00 annual material fee per child is payable at the time this agreement is signed and returned.

SIGN-IN SHEET

Parents will be required to sign-in and sign-out your child on the sheet provided for each child, upon arrival and departure

Tuition Fees

Tuition is payable in advance, on the first day of each month. In case your child starts in the middle of the month, tuition will be pro-rated. You are paying for a contracted spot for your child. So if you decide to go on a vacation, you have to pay. In case of involuntary withdrawal, the tuition owed will be calculated up to the last day of attendance and any money paid in excess will be refunded.

Late Payment

Parents are given a grace period for payment until the 4th of each month. After the 4th of each month, a late fee of $20.00 to the account balance will be charged. There will be a $30.00 fee for each returned checks. If two checks are returned from the bank, tuition will only be accepted in the form of cash or money order. When fees are not current, children will not be admitted. In the event that a Court Date has to be set for collection the Parent/Guardian will be responsible for any and all fees associated with this. This is to include but not limited to Late Fees, Loss of wages and any Court Costs.

HOLIDAYS

Milpitas Child Care and Learning Center will be closed on the days listed below. If the holiday falls on a weekend, then we will be closed the next working day. There are no discounts in the tuition for all Holiday Breaks.

New Years Eve and New Years Day

Memorial Day

July 4th

Labor Day

Thanksgiving, and Friday after Thanksgiving,

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Two Eid Muslim holidays per year (will notify in advance)

Two Break Weeks for staff (will notify in advance)

(If you choose to take vacation during one of these holidays, we will still receive pay for the holiday).

MEDICATION

If your child is on medication and it must be administered while at child care, the medicine must be in the original container and labeled with the childs name, doctor, name of medication, dosage and when it is to be taken. I will also have a form for you to sign giving me permission to administer the medication to your child. Medication will be given at the time or with the meal you specify and a written record kept.

DIAPERING

Hands of the child and care giver are washed thoroughly. Diapers are changed as needed and are checked often. Creams, ointments and powers are not routinely used. On occasion that these products are needed it will be discussed with the parents before applying. We very seldom have a problem with diaper rash. Most cases occur because of the child having been on certain medications or teething.

PROPER ATTIRE

Childs play is messy work. Your child will be painting, playing on the grass, in the sandbox, playing with chalk and other various activities. Please do not expect me to keep your childs clothes clean and free from stains. Please dress the kids appropriate. I will not be responsible for Cute clothes getting messed. The children will participate in all activities regardless of their dress.

Children do not wear shoes when inside the home. They must be taken off in the entrance and put on the shoe tray. This helps to keep the floor more sanitary for crawling infants and children.

TOYS AND PERSONAL ITEMS

Toys brought from home will be place in their childs cubby until it is time to go home. I am not responsible for broken toys.

ILLNESS AND SICK CARE

Our Child Illness Policy is based upon the standards developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. MCCLC understands that it is difficult for a parent/guardian to leave or miss work; therefore, it is suggested that alternative arrangements be made for occasions when children must remain at home or be picked up due to illness. Exclusion from the center is sometimes necessary to reduce the transmission of illness or because the center is not able to adequately meet the needs of the child. Mild illnesses are common among children and infections are often spread before the onset of any symptoms. In these cases, we try to keep the children comfortable throughout the day, but will find it necessary to exclude them from the child care setting for the following reasons:

Illness that prevents the child from participating comfortably in program activities.

Illness that results in a greater need for care than our staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children.

Illness that poses a risk of spreading harmful disease to others.

Fever (100 axillary (armpit), 101 orally, 102 aural/ear)* and behavior change or other signs and symptoms such as sore throat, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, irritability, constant crying, or difficulty breathing.

Diarrhea more watery stools or decreased form of stool that is not associated with change of diet. Exclusion is required for all diapered children whose stool is not contained in the diaper, and toilet-trained children if the diarrhea is causing accidents. Diapered children with diarrhea will be excluded if the stool frequency exceeds two or more stools above normal for that child.

Blood or mucus in the stools not explained by dietary change, medication, or hard stools, and/ or uncontrolled, unformed stools that cannot be contained in a diaper/underwear or toilet. Special circumstances that require specific exclusion criteria include the following: Toxin-producing E. coli or Shigella infection, until the diarrhea resolves and the test results of two stool cultures are negative for these organisms. Salmonella serotype Typhi infection, until diarrhea resolves. In children younger than 5 years with Salmonella serotype Typhi, three negative stool cultures are required.

Vomiting more than two times in the previous 24 hours unless the vomiting is determined to be caused by a non-communicable condition and the child is not in danger of dehydration.

Mouth sores with drooling unless the childs medical provider or local health department authority states that the child is noninfectious.

Abdominal pain that continues for more than two hours or intermittent abdominal pain associated with fever, dehydration, or other signs of illness.

Rash with fever or behavioral changes, until a medical provider has determined it is not a communicable disease.

Purulent conjunctivitis (defined as pink or red conjunctiva with white or yellow eye discharge) until on antibiotics for 24 hours.

Impetigo until 24 hours after treatment has been started.

Strep throat (or other streptoccol infection) until 24 hours after treatment has been started.

Head lice until after treatment and all nits are removed.

Rubella, until six days after the rash appears.

Scabies until 24 hours after treatment has been started.

Chicken pox, until all lesions have dried or crusted (usually six days after onset of rash).

Pertussis (whooping cough), until five days of appropriate antibiotics.

Mumps, until five days after onset of parotid gland swelling.

Measles, until four days after onset of rash.

Hepatitis A virus, until one week after onset of illness or jaundice or as directed by the health department (if the childs symptoms are mild).

Tuberculosis, until the childs medical provider or local health department states the child is on appropriate treatment and can return.

Any child determined by the local health department to be contributing to the transmission of illness during an outbreak.

DISCIPLINE

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

Please keep in mind that there WILL be disagreements between children. Young childrenespecially, 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 I 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

* Redirection to another play area

* Loss of privileges

* Turtle technique

If I feel there is a chronic behavioral issue that needs attention, I will let you know so that you and I 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, use of bad words, chronic hitting, etc. Together, we will try to find a solution. You may be called to remove your child if his/her behavior prevents me from being able to properly care for the other children. If problem continues, other arrangements for the care of the child will have to be made, for the safety and wellbeing of all.

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES will there be any spanking, physical abuse, verbal abuse, name calling or isolation used. Neither food nor sleep will ever be withheld from children as a means of punishment. As a Child care provider, I have a responsibility by law to recognize and report any evidence of child abusephysical or emotionalor neglect. This is strictly for the benefit of your child.

SMOKING

This is a non-smoking home and there will be no smoking anywhere on the premises. Cigarette butts are not to be discarded in the driveway, yard, planters, etc. Please respect this.

BIRTHDAYS

Each childs birthday is his/her Special Day. We will celebrate everyones birthday by responsibility to provide fruit and yoghurt and treats if required.

FIRE DRILLS PROCEDURES

We have monthly fire drills. The children are instructed to go outside until everyone is outside. If there is a fire the children will be moved to safety and the fire department will be called. We will all remain there until it is safe to return to the child care area.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

If your child becomes ill while at child care, he/she will be isolated from the other children and one parent will be called immediately. If I am unable to contact a parent I will call the designated emergency contract person on their emergency card. The child will be unable to remain in child care if ill and I will expect them to be picked up WITHIN the hour. No exceptionsIF a child is not picked up with one hour you will be billed a late fee of $1.00 per minute.

If your child is unable to go outside or participate in daily activities, please inform me. Special needs required by one child restricts the activities of all the children. Prolonged requests for special treatment may result in a request to keep the child home until they are able to participate in normal activities. Should your child require a modified diet due to recovery from an illness or injury, please inform me. You may be requested to supply the necessary foods required.

EMERGENCY

In case of an EMERGENCY, I will administer necessary first aid. The Milpitas Police Department or Paramedic Unit will be called and your child will be transported to the hospital. YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY. If an ambulance is called to transport your child, the cost of the ambulance will be covered by the parent or guardian.

PARENT/CAREGIVER COMMUNICATION

Communication is very important to me. When I accept a new family into my child care, I like to be sure that we can share openly any concerns or questions that may arise. It is important that there is a similar child care philosophy between us. I welcome questions, feedback, or discussions of any kind that are oriented towards a positive outcome for the child(ren). Sensitive issues will be discussed in private outside of regular child care hours either by telephone or conference. Please feel free to talk to me but I would really appreciate if you do that during drop of and not pick up time. Because in the evening I may have other engagements.

LEARNING EXPERENCES AND PLAYTIME

Attending Milpitas Child Care and Learning Center should be an enjoyable experience for the child as well as the parent. While at child care, your child will be exposed to many kinds of learning experiences including:

Arts and Crafts

Music and finger play

Story and listening adventures

Poems, books, flannel stories

Computer time (4 yrs. and older)

Large and small muscle play

Self-initiated play

Numbers and counting

Letter recognition

Social development and kindergarten readiness

Individual play time

Weekly themes

Parents can be confident their children are being well cared for in a cheerful environment.

A TYPICAL DAY AT: MCCLC

7:30-8:30:Children arriving and breakfast being served.

8:30-10:00 Breakfast cleaned up/free playtime.

10:00-11:00 Begin class time with good morning song. Weekly theme projects (Colors, shapes, numbers, arts & craftsalternate days).

11:00-11:45 Group play, free play, music, story-time.

11:45-12:15 hand washing, clean up time.

12:15-12:45Lunch preparation time/Lunch Time.

12:45 1:15Clean Up Routine/Wind down time

1:15- 3:15Quiet time. All children will be expected to rest at naptime.

They may quietly look at books or watch a movie occasionally.

3:15 -3:30Wake up time, hand washing.

3:30-5:15 free play, large muscle play, flannel stories. Close to closing, wind-downtime. Pick-up

(This schedule is typewritten-it is not set in stone. This is an idea of what we do during the day).

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Our outdoor activities will include using the playground equipment in the backyard, riding toys and playing organized games. Children, no matter the age, will NOT be allowed outside to play unsupervised.

During the summer most of the day is spend outside. During the winter, children will go outside if the temperature is above 15 degrees. If your child is too sick to play outside he is too sick to attend child care. If your child is not appropriately clothed for the weather, you will be required to return to child care with the correct attire. Please be sure your child is prepared to start the day.

TOILET TRAINING

You Can Lead a Toddler to the toilet, but you cannot make him pee

MCCLC believes there learning to use the toilet is a big event in a young childs life. Forcing your child to train before he/she is ready can result in bedwetting, frequent accidents, constipation or regression, in times of stress. Please keep in mind that often children show a readiness and have success at potty training at home before the signs are seen at daycare. There may be a period of time that your child is potty trained at home but not at child care. That is perfectly normal and has been seen quite often. I cannot emphasize enough that patience is the key thing here. Potty training occurs for all the children in their life- there is no right or wrong age!

Some readiness signs to look for are (1) language skills, the ability to say potty or some other term which shows that your child needs to use toilet. (2) An interest in staying dry or clean. (3) Self-help skills, the ability to dress and undress themselves. (4) Staying dry for longer periods of time throughout the day.

If your child comes to childcare and has 2 accidents in a short period of time, I will put up a diaper or pull up on your child and we can try again another day when he/she shows signs of being ready at child care.

We dont put children into underwear until they have been COMPLETELY accident free HERE for two full weeks. This is an absolute non-negotiable policy. In order of the potty training to be successful, we request to follow these guidelines:

You child should be wearing loose fitting clothes so that it is easy to pull them up/down.

NO overall, or onesies or pants that require the use of belt should be worn.

A supply of clothing no less than 3 change of clothes including socks should be kept at day care in case of everyday accidents.

Inform us if your male child needs to go bathroom sitting or standing.

2 or 3 training pants, Keep a small supply of pull-ups and wipes at day care until your child has shown the naptime dryness for a week.

We do not rinse out or wash the soiled clothing, so any clothing that becomes soiled during the day will go home in the evening.

MEALS

To meet the nutritional needs of your child, we serve well-balanced meals and snacks that meet the guidelines of the Federal Government Food Program. Breakfast is served any time before 10:30 AM. Lunch is served at l2:15 p.m. and we serve a dinner at 4:30p.m. We believe mealtime should be a pleasant time; therefore, children are always offered food but are not forced to eat it. Children, who choose not to eat, will not be served food until the next meal or snack.

NAPTIME

All children are to lie down for a rest period in the afternoon. Even older children will benefit from a short period of Quiet Time. Parents are responsible for providing crib size sheet and blankets. We would ask that you please avoid picking up your child during naptime, as it disturbs the other children quiet time. Please come before 1:30 or after naptime around 3:30.

MISCELLANEOUS

1. Please make sure to send along extra clothes, to be kept here, in case their clothes soiled. (Marked with their name).

2. Please help me to keep floors clean and safe for the children by removing your shoes if they are wet or muddy or wait on the rug that I have provided.

3. Please call me in the morning if your child will not be coming that day.

4. Be prompt in picking up your child after work.

5. Please share information with me that will help me better care for your child. For example: child complaining of tummy ache, throwing up over the week-end, etc.

6. Please respect me, my profession and my home. The respect that you show me, including my home, furnishings, equipment and yard will communicate itself to your child and will make for a better working relationship.

7. IF your car leaks oil, please park in the street.

Trail Period, Withdrawal and Termination of Services

Families may withdraw their child for any reason after giving a 30 day notice to the center. Families are responsible for the tuition up through the 30-day notice. Outstanding balances must be paid prior to a childs last day. There will be a trial period of one week after which either party can choose to continue or terminate services. After the trial period has expired the 30 day withdrawal notice will take effect. Also, Milpitas Child Care and Learning Center will reserve the right to ask parents to withdraw their child for any reason if our center feels that the need of the child cannot be met. This includes but not limited to issues with regard to safety, health and welfare of any persons connected with our operation, any of our financial policies regarding tuition and any actions endangering the ability of the school to function. Services may be terminated at any time without notice.

Inspection Authority:

The Department of Social Services shall have the authority to interview clients, including children, or any staff, and to inspect and audit client or facility records without prior consent.

Publicity

By default, as a participant of any event, class, activity or program, to grant full permission to Milpitas Child Care and Learning Center to use your name and any photographs, video, or other recordings of your child for any publicity and promotion purposes without obligation or liability to me. However, parents can choose to deny this by requesting a media form from the office.

Extra Attendance:

Pre-approval from the administrative office is required and necessary before attendance can occur. For attendance in excess of contracted time, i.e. extra hours or extra days, a commensurate fee will be charged.

ABSENTEEISM AND ILLNESS

MCCLC continues to provide service regardless of attendance, so no deductions, credits or refunds can be made for absences, vacations, or holidays. If you plan to keep your child home or want to send late due to any reason. Please notify us at 408-957-0662 no later than 8:00am on that day. If you are having someone else pick up your child, please let me know in advance. I will need to know the name of the person picking up your child, and please let them know I will be asking for some form of I.D. I will not let a child leave without the parents written permission.

PERSONAL POSSESSIONS

* Please label your childs personal possessions.

*We encourage children to come in comfortable shoes so that they can enjoy their playtime. Please be certain that boots slip on and off easily, zippers zip, etc. as the malfunction of these things can hinder and frustrate the child learning to dress him/herself. No open toe shoes are allowed.

*Please encourage children to take responsibility for their own belongings.

* I am not responsible for replacing lost or broken toys. This is why I request you keep such Items home. If toys are brought, they will go into their cubby.

* Accepting responsibility for their own possessions is an important skill for a child to learn.

HOUSE RULES

Please go over this section with your child so they may also know what is expected of them while at child care. I expect all children (age taken into consideration) to know the rules of the house. These I assume are quite similar to the ones you have in your own home. I dont intent for these to sound as though I dont allow the children to play and enjoy themselves, but I feel it is important with the number of children in a child care setting to follow these rules to insure safety and lower maintenance of my home.

* No hitting, biting, pushing, kicking etc.

*No throwing or intentionally breaking anything

*No running, jumping, wrestling in the house

*No picking up babies or toddlers

* No leaving the house or the yard

*No name calling, teasing etc. Everyone is treated with respect

* No food or drink brought into the home. NO GUM

Sometimes at pick-up time, the children may get rowdy because someone else is here (you). Your child has listened to my rules all day. Please show your child that you respect me and my rules by reminding them and enforcing them while you are here. Believe me, when they get older, you will thank me

Please remember there are times we have places to go or appointments that we have to meet at the end of the day. For this reason, please dont be late.

OPEN DOOR POLICY

At Milpitas Child Care and Learning Center, you can always be assured that the door is open to you. Please keep in mind there may be times when it is not convenient for me to run to the phone. (i.e. diaper changing, bottle feeding, etc.) If the phone goes unanswered, please do not become alarmed, simply leave me a voice mail and I will call as soon as I am able. You may also communicate with me via email. There may be those times when something comes to you at work that you dont want to forget to relay to me. If you have an email, please feel free to drop me a line and I will generally replay during rest time. (email:sabrinasheikh@gmail.com)

Appendix : Registration Form

MCCLC Application Form 1

Affidavit Regarding Recovery Law Suit Form

Milpitas Child Care and Learning Center LIC # 434409875

Photo Copy of California I.D. Card or Drivers License

(Print Name)

Arrears: Accounts seven days in arrears may result in immediate termination of contract; however, upon payment, enrollment may be reinstated upon space available. If this unfortunate event should occur you must repay all registration fees. {Accounts in arrear left unpaid will be grounds set forth to small claims court. You are fully responsible for the balance of your account therefore agree to be bound to pay all court/administration fees, pay $800.00 each day that the provider site for business is closed, agree to wavier your rights and allow the court to garnish your work wages automatically the day of the hearing, property lean, court judgment against credit, & anything/everything, associated with the collection of your account}. x__________

Counter Law suit Claim: I/We Parent(s)/ Guardian(s) Agree in the event our claim finding is not in our favor , we agree to pay in a Court Of Law double the amount we ask in our claim, $800 per day childcare site is closed. agree to wavier personal rights and give the court full authorization to garnish work wages, have a judgment against credit, property lean, $500,000 each (slander law suit) against the reputation of Sabrina Sheikh as a person and The business name Milpitas Child Care and Learning Center, pay all attorney expenses/fees, court expenses/fees, administration fees, & anything/everything associated with the claim against Sabrina Sheikh /Milpitas Child Care and Learning Center as finial restitution. x________

In Signing I acknowledge that I have read fully and completely, understand and agree to have my rights wavier and bound to all terms that is stated in this Affidavit Document & have received a copy. x_________

___________________________________ ______________________

(Parent/Guardian Signature) (Date)

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