Handbook of Policies

Introduction: Country Kids Child Care is a professional daycare which you are purchasing a loving, caring, childcare service from. In order for us to have a successful placement for your child you must read and fully accept the policies and terms in our handbook and contract.

Goal: Our goal is to provide the children a clean, safe, comfortable, environment where they play and learn. Respect toward self and others will be emphasized. We believe in the value of both structured and flexible schedules. Structured activities include preschool, reading time, crafts, etc. Outdoor play, free play, holiday parties, and educational-style videos are some of the more flexible activities.

Ratio: Licensing requires a 1/6 adult/child ratio. If six or less children are present only one caregiver is required. Assistant caregivers are required to be 14 years old or older.

Reserving Spots: Your child’s space will not be reserved until all paperwork is turned in. The child must begin daycare within five working days. If you wish your child to begin after a longer period of time you will be required to pay a nonrefundable cash deposit equal to one weeks fee. This deposit will apply to your first week once the child begins. If your child does not begin regardless of reason your deposit will not be refunded.

Leave of Absence: A leave of absence will be granted if a family will not be attending daycare for three or more consecutive weeks. During a leave of absence you are required to pay 1/2 your normal weekly rate. If you choose not to pay 1/2 the weekly rate we will accept other children to fill the vacancy. We do not provide drop in care during any leave of absence. Vacations are not considered a leave of absence. In the event the leave of absence does not last three weeks all back fees will be owed. Pay during a leave of absence is due the beginning Monday of each week.

Drop In: You may stop in any time during daycare hours. Please remember, it is often difficult for a child who’s parent/guardian arrives at daycare and departs without them.

Changes: Please remember to notify us of changes in working hours, employment, etc. We may not be able to accommodate your needs if you go from full to part time, or part time to full time. All changes must be given in writing.

House Rules: There is no running in the house, no standing or climbing on stairs, furniture and/or tables, no obscene, derogatory or disrespectful language. Respectful treatment of other people and all property, toys, and furniture is expected. Willful destruction of property will be charged to the parent at the cost to replace the item.

Children must arrive dressed, clean, and ready for the day.

Children must be dressed according to the weather.

Children need to keep at least one spare change of clothing in their locker, including a jacket or sweater.

All clothes worn by children are considered PLAY-CLOTHES.

Parents are to keep a minimum of two to four weeks supply of diapers and wipes.

No skirts or dresses are allowed unless shorts are worn underneath.

Solid shoes are a must, no sandals or crocks are allowed as they are a hazard in the play area.

Children wearing sandals will not be allowed to use the play equipment. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Until a child can tie their own shoes, they must wear slip on or velcro shoes.

Arriving and Departing: Please use the back door and remove shoes and gear on the porch. Help your child learn responsibility and respect by having them put their gear where it belongs.

Elementary aged children prepare for school on the porch and immediately go outside to the bus stop house. Once the bus is in view they proceed to the end of the driveway. When the bus has stopped and the driver instructs the children, they cross the street and board the bus. Upon arriving back to daycare the children enter the porch, remove their gear and enter the house.

Preschooler children cannot be walked to and from any bus. These children prepare for school in the backroom and wait on the rug. When their bus arrives we open the porch door and watch the child until they board the bus. Upon arriving back to daycare the bus releases them to come to the door and let themselves in. We often find it necessary to continue other tasks at this time but monitoring your child regularly as they remove their gear will be a priority. We cannot accommodate any preschool bus that does not enter the driveway.

Parents are responsible to pick up on time. Please be aware that a phone call for being late does not alleviate late fees. Arrivals and departures should be a quick transition time for the child taking no more than 3-4 minutes.

In cases of separation/divorce we must release the children to any parent arriving to pick them up. If there is a reason that a noncustodial parent cannot pick up the children we must have a copy of the court order. Each parent, may provide their own pickup list naming persons allowed to pick the children up on their scheduled days.

It is not acceptable at any time for an adult including a parent to pick up a child under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You/they will be asked not to take the child. Once the adult leaves with or without the children, the proper authorities will be contacted. Should this happen this person (including a parent) will no longer be acceptable as a responsible adult and another responsible adult will need to be appointed to pick up the children.

If you are going to be absent please call. Once a child is 30 minutes late without a phone call they will not be counted for that days meals.

When arriving and departing your car must be turned off and keys must be removed from the ignition. This slight inconvenience plays an important role in the safety of the children. If your car leaks fluid of any kind, you are asked to park on the gravel, not the cement.

All coats and extra clothes are to be placed in the porch closet. Diapers and wipes are stored in the house.

Backpacks are stored on the porch.

Personal Items From Home: We do not allow personal items such as toys, blankets, pillows, etc. brought from home. The first couple of weeks we do allow a security item until the child makes the adjustment. We are not responsible for repairing, replacing or locating items brought from home.

Activities: We offer a variety of activities: free play, reading, arts and crafts, music, singing, dancing, dramatic play, pretend, puzzles, and educational TV/ videos. Tactile and sensory projects are also a part of our program. Television will be used to help children unwind and relax. Viewing will be limited to child-friendly, educational-style videos or TV. Preschool is offered two to four times a week.

Indoor play: We provide a variety of age-appropriate toys. During free play each child may select one or two things at a time to play with. They will be shown how to put those things away before selecting something else.

Outdoor play: We have two large wooden playsets, a play house, several riding toys, a sandbox, and an in-ground swimming pool. Due to the height of the wooden play sets, children three and under and children with less developed motor skills are not allowed to use it. This is for their safety and their turn will come as they grow and develop better motor skills.

Children are told what we will be doing outside and are expected to follow all directions. If a child disobeys these directions, and after two time outs they are sent inside with the other caregiver. Please remember, when children are outdoors they play hard and get dirty. Do not send them to daycare in their best clothes.

Field Trips: Occasionally, we take field trips and you may be asked to pay a fee associated with the trip. You will be required to sign a permission slip that we will carry with us. If you do not wish for your child to participate in the field trip please notify us in writing.

Field trip participants are chosen on a behavioral basis. "Good You Go", "Negative Behavior You Don’t". Participants showing signs of aggression, argumentive, not getting along, not following rules, etc will be left at daycare even if a permission slip has been signed.

Toilet Training: Our help in "assisting young children with toilet skills" is JUST THAT, "assisting". Toilet skills are best started and enforced at home prior to daycare when the child is ready. Usually around 24 months of age.

We do not relate "toilet learning" to being a "big boy" or "big girl". We also do not believe in high praise every time they use the toilet. We do however believe in encouragement throughout the process.

Once your child has been accident free at home for a period of one month, they may begin wearing triple ply underpants to daycare. We do not accommodate pull-ups, they are nothing more than a diaper with an elastic waist. Recurring accidents will require plastic pants regardless of child’s age. Children using the potty must be able to remove their clothing as necessary, wipe themselves and place their clothing back on in an appropriate manor in order for us to consider them potty trained. We will assist in hand washing.

When children begin using the potty they must wear loose, removable clothing, elastic waist and no bib overalls. Girls should not wear dresses as they often think the dress has to be removed to use the potty. Children with onsies, snaps and buttons get discouraged very quickly and often revert back to accidents.

Bathroom use is open to the children as they feel necessary. Even though the children are allowed bathroom use whenever they feel the need, we still have designated bathroom times to make sure everyone is actually using the bathroom throughout the day.

Naps: Children are down for naps by 12:30/1:00 and sleep to 2:30/3:00. The children need their rest time (as do caregivers). If you are picking up your child during naptime, please be respectful of the children that may be sleeping.

Parent Responsibilities: Parents must provide formula, baby cereal and baby food for infants until they reach one year of age. All meals meet the USDA guidelines.

If your child is going to arrive after a meal is scheduled to be served, you must feed them prior to bringing them to daycare.

Children with dairy or milk allergies must have a note from the doctor, parents will be required to bring a milk substitute recommended by the doctor. If your child has allergies, and requires a modified diet, we must be notified of this in writing. We need to have a physician’s written instructions describing any foods the child is not permitted to eat. An appropriate substitution will be made, but if a child has so many allergies that he/she cannot eat from our menu, we may require the parents to provide his/her lunch and snacks.

Discipline Policy: We believe discipline is helpful as guidance and support for the children. Discipline is always handled on this belief: The child is a good person; it is his/her behavior that may be unacceptable.

Rules are an important part of good discipline and we hope these same beliefs are practiced at home. We have as many rules as needed to maintain order, but not so many that children feel burdened and restricted. Our basic rules are:

1) Use your inside voice.

2) Walk while inside.

3) Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.

4) Respect others.

5) Respect the property of others.

We feel these rules help minimize the primary causes for disruption; however, from time to time, new rules are introduced to address specific behavior needs. When this occurs, we explain why we have the rules and children are given time to learn them.

1. Positive Reinforcement: The child will be encouraged when he/she is demonstrating acceptable behavior. An occasional reward/treat may be given. This reinforces a child’s good feeling about his/her behavior and serves as an example to the other children to act in such a way.

2. Redirection: The child is redirected to another activity and given an opportunity to try again at another time.

3. At times, we may choose to ignore the misbehavior, as long as the behavior is not harming the child, other children, or caregivers.

4. Time out: The child is separated from the group for a child-regulated period of time, until the child is calm and ready to try again. We explain that the child needs to "take a little break and settle down." This is only used when the child is exhibiting temper tantrum type behavior or hurting self, others, or property. When the child shows that he/she is ready to demonstrate acceptable behavior, he/she is encouraged to rejoin the group and try again.

5. Last Resort: When a child’s behavior is continually upsetting or dangerous to others or caregivers, you will be called to come and get your child. We have more than one child to care for and if all our energy were spent on one child it would not be fair to the other children.

6. We reserve the right to terminate any contract if a child’s behavior becomes unsafe to the other children, themselves, or caregivers.

NOTE: Sometimes, when parents bring their children or pick their children up from daycare, a child may forget the rules or test the boundaries. Please help show your child that you respect us, the rules of our house, and our property by reminding them that the rules still apply when you are around.

Inappropriate Behavior: If we witness your child participating in any form of inappropriate touching, inappropriate sexual language or actions we will remove your child from the area. You will be contacted immediately to come and pick up your child and we will issue you a written description of their behavior. Depending on the individual action we will decide if your child may return to daycare prior to medical intervention.

If your child has inappropriately touched another child or asked another child to inappropriate touch them, we will request in writing that you contact your physician for advice. We will require a written statement from the physician stating his findings in regards to the child’s behavior before the child may return to daycare.

At any time we feel your child is a threat (verbally, physically or sexually) to any other children in daycare, your child’s care will terminate without notice and the proper authorities will be contacted.

Suspected Abuse or Neglect: If we suspect any type of abuse or neglect we are required by the State of Michigan Licensing Division to file a report with Child Protective Services. Upon filing such a report you would be contacted directly by the appropriate state facility. We are not responsible to inform you prior to contacting the authorities nor are we responsible for any outcome once the authorities have been contacted.

Illness Policy: Children with infectious diseases MUST stay home. These include, but not limited to: Chicken pox, Hepatitis A, Impetigo, Conjunctivitis, Infectious diarrhea, Lice, Ringworm, Scabies, Strep throat & scarlet fever, pink eye, shingles, and Vaccine-preventable diseases.

Other symptoms that require a child to remain home are fever, the child is feeling/acting ill, vomiting or upset stomach, diarrhea more than twice a day, runny nose, pain, if too sick to fully participate or go outside.

If an infant is running a fever or has diarrhea we cannot associate it with cutting teeth and the child must remain home.

Parents are obligated to report any time the child is ill. The parent must also report to the daycare if the child has been exposed to a contagious illness.

At no time are parents allowed to mask illnesses or conditions by giving the child medications or fever reducers and then bringing the child to daycare. If an "ill" child is knowingly brought to daycare and the child vomits or has leaked diarrhea the parent will be responsible for all janitorial cleanup services and sanitation fees. We understand that a child may arrive well and later become ill. In these situations we do not hold the parent responsible for cleanup services.

24 Hour Policy: Your child must be symptom free for 24 hours before returning to the daycare (Example: if I call you at 1:00 p.m. for a pick up, do not bring your child back any earlier than 1:00 p.m. the next day). The child must be fever free without taking any medications or fever reducers for 24 hours. Your child must be able to eat and hold down all fluids for 24 hours. Your child must be clear of diarrhea for 24 hours. All rashes and anything contagious must be gone.

If one of your children remains home due to an illness, all children in your household must stay home.

If you arrive to daycare to retrieve a sibling for a doctor appointment or any other appointment, all children from that family must leave at the same time.

There are no deductions in fees when your child is absent due to illnesses. Fees are still due and payable in full and on time. Keeping this in mind, monitoring your time off work is suggested. We have parents get upset when their child could not attend daycare due to an illness because the parent had taken excessive days off work earlier in the year and their job was now in jeopardy. This is an issue between the employer and the parent, not the parent and caregivers.

We do not allow medications to be brought from home. We supply infant and children’s fever reducers and cold medications, either Tylenol or the store brand.

Bumps and Bruises: Minor bumps and scratches are inevitable, but we make every effort to keep the children safe through supervision and child proofing. Minor injuries receive appropriate first aid, and if an emergency injury or illness occurs, you will be contacted as soon as possible. If necessary, your child will be taken to the nearest hospital where you will be asked to meet us. If you are not going to be at your usual place of employment, please make sure that we have a number where you can be reached.

Photographs: Occasionally we photograph the children during their activities. We use these photos for arts and crafts projects or to place in a scrap book. If you prefer your child not be photographed please notify us in writing. Occasionally we will post the photos on our website, submit to a local newspaper, and/or forward them to you via the internet so you may see what your child is doing at daycare on a chosen day or special activity.

Weekly Fees: During the interview we will establish a flat weekly fee. If you reserve a spot for your children from 7:30 - 4:30, you are considered early if your children arrive prior to 7:30 and considered late if you arrive after 4:30. A fee of $5.00 per five minutes applies if your child arrives early or leaves late. This is regardless of the hours we are open. Late drop offs do not constitute late pick ups.

If your child leaves daycare for a portion of the day you will be charged for a full day. The same applies if your child arrives late or leaves early for any reason, including preschool. We do not discount school age children until they begin 1st grade.

Once a child reaches 12 years old we will no longer provide care even though younger siblings may still be attending our daycare.

Daycare is open 52 weeks a year and your fee will apply all 52 weeks. Exceptions: the two allowed vacation weeks at

1/2 rate or if we close for a weeks vacation. We do allow two weeks a year that you are allowed to pay half rate. These two weeks must be used when the children will not be attending.. They cannot be used during the following holiday weeks: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years or during spring break. They cannot be used two weeks in a row nor can they be used on a daily basis. The two weeks at half rate are designed for summer vacations when your family is planning on being away. These weeks cannot be used toward weeks of a termination or toward a leave of absence.

To qualify for the two weeks at 1/2 rate, your children must be full time throughout the year.

Families must have attended daycare for one full year prior to eligibility for the two weeks at half rate.

Families that attend only during the summer months must pay the full summer rate if they are absent due to vacation.

We have a "no pay, no stay" policy. Children will not be allowed to attend daycare if fees are not current - no exceptions. Daycare may be terminated with no notice if fees are continuously late.

There is a $10.00 per day late fee for nonpayment including Saturday and Sunday. This late fee also applies for every day you ask us to hold your check prior to cashing. There is a $25 fee for all returned checks. If payments are not made and the caregivers must resort to collection or court action, all fees necessary to collect will be the responsibility of the parents and added to the outstanding debt.

Teachers Families: Teachers families must pay all weeks in full during the school year regardless of how few days a week that may be. If school starts on a Wednesday or any other day of the week, the week is paid in full, if school ends during the first part of a week that entire week is paid in full. This is regardless of how many days the children may or may not attend.

Teachers families are responsible for paying in full all vacations, sick days, non school days during the year due to snow days or other circumstances, etc as well as holidays that may fall during the school year schedule.

Reserving your spot over the summer is optional but may cause your spot to filled with an new family.

DHS Families: If the DHS is paying your children’s daycare we must have a copy of the approval letter before the children can begin. You are responsible for any portion of the fee DHS does not cover. The DHS does not cover unexcused absences so you will be responsible to pay absent days in full. DHS does not pay for absences due to preschool, Head Start, Imagine Station, etc. DHS does pay for absences due to illness and holidays. DHS pays for the legal holidays we are closed if the children attend the day before and the day after the holiday.

DHS only pays a portion of daycare 50%-95%. This percentage however, is based using their cap. The average daycare charge is higher than the DHS cap, you will be responsible for any fees not paid by DHS. EXAMPLE: we charge you $120 a week for 9 hours a day, this calculates to $24 a day or $2.60 per hour. The DHS will pay a maximum of $2.10 per hour ($18.90 per day), so if you are approved for 95%, they only pay 95% of the $18.90.

Terminations: If you decide to stop bringing your children we require a minimum of three weeks written notice. Payment is due for that period whether or not the children attend. Any outstanding fees must be paid the Monday before your children’s last day. If we can no longer provide care we will give a two or three week notice. You are responsible for payment for those weeks even if your child does not attend.

Closed Memorial Day (paid in full) all families, no exceptions

Closed Good Friday (paid in full) all families, no exceptions

New Years Eve and New Years Day (paid in full) all families, no exceptions

Sunday New Years Day closed Friday before, Monday and Tuesday (paid in full)

Monday New Years Day: closed Friday before, Monday and Tuesday (paid in full)

Tuesday New Years Day: closed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (paid in full)

Wednesday New Years Day: closed Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, (paid in full)

Thursday New Years Day: closed Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (paid in full)

Friday New Years Day: closed Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (paid in full)

Saturday New Years Day: closed Friday, Monday, Tuesday (paid in full)