Policies and Procedures

 

Section 1: Supervision and Protection of Children

I am present or have a trained substitute present on-site at all times while children are in care.  I provide direct supervision at all times by being within earshot of children and close enough to intervene while indoors.  If children are not where I can see them (i.e. in another room), I visually check on them as needed.  I actively supervise children while playing outdoors.  I do regular headcounts to make sure all children are accounted for, especially while changing locations (i.e. coming in from outdoors).  For infants, I stay in the same room as them unless they are in age-appropriate equipment.

For off-site activities, I keep all children within my sight at all times. 

I keep track of each child’s attendance by having their parent sign them in and out on the sign-in sheet near the door. 

Section 2: Sick Children

If a child becomes sick while in care, I notify parents, and keep the child in an isolated, supervised area where they can rest until parents can pick them up.

Children are not allowed to be in care if they are sick with any of the following:

Cough, sore throat, fever, excessively runny nose, diarrhea, rash, or any other communicable illness.   

Child will be allowed to return to care at provider’s discretion.

Section 3: Transportation of Children

I do not provide transportation to or from school or home.  Parents are responsible for dropping off and picking up their child.  Parents must come inside with their child and sign them in on the sign-in sheet.  Parents must also come inside to pick up their child and sign them out.  Children will only be sent home with those persons listed on the enrollment form (please let me know if you need to update this list)
The only transportation provided will be for off-site activities (walks, field trips, etc.) during care hours, and possibly to run errands with me.  Children will not be transported in a vehicle without prior permission from a parent, and all children in vehicles will be buckled in a child safety seat or booster appropriate for child’s age and size.

Section 4: Behavioral Expectations and Discipline of Children

Behavioral Expectations	Discipline Methods Used
Infants: age birth through 11 months	Infants: age birth through 11 months
·         Cry when under stress, expressing need, or trying to communicate ·         May show separation anxiety ·         Explore their world by putting things in their mouth ·         Like to be held because they feel secure ·         Enjoy praise when learning new skills ·         Become bored if not given enough attention or stimulation	·         Infants will be attended to when crying by being picked up, talked to, sung to, fed, or put down for a nap ·         Redirection to another activity may be used for behavioral issues ·         Infants will be given plenty of provider interaction to stimulate their social development
Toddlers: ages 12 months through 2 years	Toddlers: ages 12 months through 2 years
·         May still explore by putting things in mouth ·         Explore the world using five senses ·         Because verbal skills are still developing, toddlers may hit, bite, or cry to get their way ·         May show separation anxiety ·         Discovering independence; may say “no” often ·         Learning to play with others ·         Enjoy being with peers	·         Redirection will be used for most behavioral problems, as toddlers are not yet able to understand time out ·         Praise and positive reinforcement for good behavior are used frequently ·         Modeling appropriate behavior is also used to help toddlers learn how to play appropriately
Preschoolers: 3-5 years old	Preschoolers: 3-5 years old
·         Learning to take turns and share ·         Developing social skills ·         Independent, and like to make their own choices ·         Are learning to control emotions, but may have sudden outbursts ·         May tell on others who break rules ·         Have difficulty waiting very long	·         This age of children will be expected to follow simple rules ·         Redirection and positive reinforcement will be used ·         Time outs may be given if redirection does not work
School Age Children: over 5 years old	School Age Children: over 5 years old
·         Should be willing and able to cooperate and keep rules ·         May struggle and misbehave from feeling frustrated with skills ·         Enjoy having friends ·         Like to find out how things work ·         Like to make their own decisions	·         May be involved in making rules ·         Rules will be consistently enforced ·         Time outs or other consequences may be given for misbehavior ·         Provider will explain why the behavior was wrong and remind child what is expected