Busy Bees Home Child Care
Parent Handbook
Policies and Procedures
The following packet consists of a brief outline of my
policies and procedures. Please read
the packet thoroughly and keep as your copy, so that you may refer back to it
when needed.
My Philosophy
Health
policies and procedures
Illness policies and procedures
Nutrition
Preschool program
Sample Daily Schedule
Your Child’s Personal belongings
Ten things I as a Provider expect from you the Parent
Copy of Your Contract
Health Policy
Busy
Bees Family Childcare home will not administer any medicines without a doctors
prescription and an AF Form 1055 (medication Permission Form) filled out by the
parent.
Children
requiring prescription medication for a contagious illness must stay home until
the child has been on the medication for a period of 24 hours. Some illnesses require the child to stay out
of care longer.
Parent(s)
will be notified immediately if their child is to become ill while attending
this program. Parent(s) will also be
required to pick their child up in a timely manner. If parent(s) can not be contacted then their emergency contact
will be notified and they will be required to pick up the child. If reasonable efforts are not made to pick
up a sick child, then this contract is subject to immediate termination.
Provider
must institute this policy for the health and safety of all concerned. If the child's illness becomes severe
enough, or after three hours, the child may be sent to a hospital, and parent
will be required to pay all resulting emergency costs to the related agencies
and possible substitute providers costs.
All health regulations will be complied within this childcare home.
Ill
children expose other children, as well as the provider, to the spread of the
illness and require additional care and attention that the provider is unable
to give.
Moreover,
sick children want care from their parent in the comfort of their own
home.
If
other children become ill due to exposure to your sick child, either because
he/she was returned to Childcare before recovery or because he/she was not
picked up promptly upon notice of being ill, other families will be
unnecessarily inconvenienced.
If
the provider or her family becomes ill due to exposure to a sick child, all of
the children may need to have alternate care.
This is disruptive to all.
Cooperation is extremely important on this issue.
Obviously,
it will not be possible to avoid the spread of all infectious illnesses. However, minimizing exposure and providing
good hygienic procedures in the childcare home are helpful means to limit and
control the problem. Accordingly, for
the benefit for all involved, the following illness policy will be strictly
enforced.
Illness Policy
In
general Children who have exhibited any symptoms of infectious illness in a
24-hour period are likely to be contagious and should remain at home.
Examples
of associated symptoms include, but are not limited to: fever of 100.6 or
higher when measured orally (rectal for infants), nausea or vomiting, diarrhea,
sore throat, loss of voice, hacking or continuous coughing, runny nose (other
than clear) draining eyes or ears, rash or lice.
Children
must have a signed statement determined by their Family Practice Provider
stating that they may attend care and as long as the child do not need special
medical treatment.
Children
with a fever 100.6 or higher must stay out of the family childcare home until
they are fever free for 24 hours.
Children
with diarrhea must remain out of the childcare home until they have had regular
stools for a twenty-four hour period.
Provider
is not allowed to administer medication for the first twenty-four hours of the
prescription medication for the childcare child, because of Air Force
regulations and the possibility of an allergic reaction.
Children
with a mild cold can attend care.
However, when the cold reaches the point that the child will not play,
cries, whines, wants to be held constantly, has a continuous cough, or the nose
secretions are not clear, then the parent will be required to pick the child up
and keep him/her at home.
If
your child is found by a physician to have pinkeye or conjunctivitis they will
not be allowed into the child care home until all medication has been taking,
and a doctors statement that allows the child to return to care.
The
provider reserves the right to determine whether a child should go home or
remain in childcare when illness is a consideration.
Extra
close supervision and more stringent cleaning precautions are taken whenever a
child has become ill so as to limit the number of sick children.
If
the provider or the provider’s child become ill, the provider will notify you
as soon as possible. The provider in
these circumstances will try to arrange back up care, but is in no way
obligated to find care.
It is strongly recommended that you have a
trusted neighbor, friend or relative as a back up or an emergency back up
provider prior to such a situation. I
will credit to your next childcare payment what you would have paid me for the
days missed due to my illness. Anything
over the usual daily amount that you pay me, will be your responsibility.
Understand
that you might have to pay extra when using a back up provider, because most
providers charge a considerable amount more than I charge my childcare
parents.
Meals
I
believe that children need to be on a schedule when it comes to everyday
activities such as meals. In Family childcare it is not always possible to
serve a meal at the same time each day, but I will do my best to keep the
children on a schedule. There may be
times that we have to adjust our meal schedule to accommodate other children in
my care.
Breakfast: 0730
AM
Snack: 0900
Lunch:
1100/1115
PM
Snack: 1520
Children
not present at these times will not be served. Please make every effort to feed your child prior to care if they
will not be present at the above times, as we are very busy between meals and I
do not have time to cook all day. If
you know that your child might be late for one of the above meals, please call
me and let me know and I might be able to save your child a plate. No food will be brought into the childcare
home from outside. So if you are
running late and your child might miss a meal please feed your child before
bringing them into this childcare home.
It is not fair for the other children to see another childcare child
eating Mc Donald’s or some other type of fast food.
Allergies
If
your child has a food allergy, or requires a special diet, medical
documentation must be provided prior to the childcare provider supplementing
the child's diet.
Formula
If
your baby requires a special formula such as low iron or soy based formula but
not limited to. I will need a written
statement prior to accepting the child to care.
Also
if your baby is on Nutramigen you will be required to supplement the provider
with two cans a month, (the same type the provider uses such as powder or
concentrate), to off set the price of formula, because I will not be reimbursed
for the cost of this type of formula.
Busy
Bees Child care home will serve well-balanced meals approved by the USDA Food
program. A variety of fruits and
vegetables will be served at each meal, to include milk. I will try to serve Family Style Dinning as
much as possible. I have found that
children tend to try more unfamiliar foods when they can serve themselves. Family Style Dinning also provides great
relaxing conversation between the childcare children and the provider.
Supplies to be provided by the parent
The
following is a list of items needed for your child to use while in this child
care home:
Diapers (1large bag) provider will let
you know when it is time for more.
Extra change of clothing (2 if your child
are not potty trained).
Special blanket or teddy bear for nap
time.
Toothbrush
Slippers for inside wear, rubber sole
preferred.
Bottles and Nipples (one for every meal
your child will be eating here)
Each child will be provided his/her own
cubical for storing his/her belongings, so there will not be a need to have to
bring a diaper bag each day.
Children’s
personal belongings
I do not mind if your child brings toys to my home. But I ask you to talk to your child prior to
them bringing in toys to the childcare home and let them know that the
following rules will apply.
1. All toys brought into the childcare home
will be shared with all the children in the home. If the child refuses to
share, the toy will be placed in his or her cubby until the end of the day when
the parent arrives for pickup.
2. At no time will the provider be required to
keep tabs on the toy. It will be the
child’s responsibility to keep track of his or her toy.
3. Provider will not be held responsible for
broken or lost toys.
4. No weapons of any type will be allowed in
the childcare home.
5. Children will not be forced to share a
comfort toy/blanket, although there will be limits to how long and when the
comfort toy/blanket will be out of the cubby.
It can become a real safety issue when a child is dragging a blanket
around on the floor when other children are playing.
6. If your toddler/preschooler requires a pacifier
it will be kept in his or her cubby until rest time. This is for health and safety reason.
Preschool Curriculum
Here
at Busy Bees child care home each child ages two to five years are included in
a preschool curriculum that is provided to him/or her by the provider.
The
curriculum used is either Kapers for Kids or Star-Bright learning program or I
will use my own curriculum that I have collected from many different trainings
over the last seven years. The
curriculum will promote growth in all of the skill areas with a wide variety of
activities in music, science, creative art, language, movement and more. The program includes learning experiences in
social skills; cognitive powers; large muscle and fine motor development;
coordination and sequencing; and recognition of colors, shapes, numbers and
letters.
The
program is new and different each year, to keep your child interested and
enthusiastic. Many of the activities in
the bought curriculum include take home materials designed to include you in
your child's day-to day experiences.
When I use the Kapers or Star Brite program (which I have to pay for
each month) your child will bring home a "Parent Letter" explaining
the creative teaching themes and special days for the month.
There will be some weeks that your child
brings home papers every day, But there will also be weeks that your child does
not bring home any papers, it will all depend on the activities that we are
doing.
Just
because you are not seeing any thing in the way of papers does not mean that we
have not been busy all day. A lot of
our learning is done hands on with things like magnets, puzzles, books,
etc…
We
always need lots of recycled items such as the following:
1. Paper towel and toilet paper cardboard rolls
2. Juice cans lids
3. Empty milk cartons and plastic gallon
containers.
4. Roll on antiperspirant bottles
5. Shoe boxes
6. Empty spice jars for the kitchen center
7. Old shoes, ties, hats, etc. For the dramatic play area?
8. Scrap Material
Please feel free to donate, as much as you can, we will
definitely use every bit of it.
Busy Bees Home Childcare Philosophy
The underlying philosophy of my care is to provide a
happy, warm,
Caring, safe and interesting place for
children. I believe that the
Physical, emotional, social and cognitive
development of each child is
Unique and that each child progresses in this
development in his/her
Own way. I
believe that play is the primary route for children to
Experience, understand and learn about their world.
Therefore, I have set up an environment, which is
rich with " hands
On" learning experiences, where children can
initiate and direct much
Of their own activities whether it is alone or with
others. These activities
Around the playroom are mostly child initiated and
directed. Affirmation, cooperation,
communication and problem solving are values that will be encouraged. There will be times of free choice
Activities as well as more structured group times
together which I
Hope can be used for community building and
processing time.
Strong emphasis is placed on each child's unique
ideas and ways of
Doing things.
Educational Purpose of Play
Have you ever been curious about what educational
learning is going
On when your child plays with blocks, cooks up a
batch of play-dough,
Dress up and play Mommy and Daddy, paint a picture
with just lots of
Beautiful colors but maybe no identifiable objects,
pour water from
Here to there for an hour, place puzzle pieces
carefully or colored pegs
In random order, or just any kind of play?
Knowledge is not something that is given to children
as though they
Were empty vessels to be filled? Children acquire knowledge about
The physical and social worlds in which they live
through playful
Interaction with objects and people. Children do not need to be forced
To learn; they are motivated by their own desire to
make sense of their
World (taking from Developmentally Appropriate
Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children From Birth Through Age
Eight, NAEYC, 1990).
Following is a summary of some of the serious
learning that is
Happening when it might appear to us adults that our
children are
"Just playing".
Blocks and other building materials encourage the
expression of
The child's creative resources as an art
medium. These materials
Help the child reproduce places and experiences in
his/her own world.
They also help develop eye-hand coordination and
motor control, as
Well as special relationships. They assist in discovering and working
Out mathematical and scientific findings for the
child.
Cooking activities build autonomy and understanding
of the adult world.
These activities aid in the development of small
motor coordination and
Introduce pre-math and reading readiness.
Props, costumes and puppets encourage dramatic
play. Through
Dramatic play the child has the opportunity to try
various roles he/she
Sees in our ever-changing world. It allows for social interaction among
Peers and provides opportunities for verbal
communication.
Opportunities to play with plants, animals and other
things in the natural environment aid the child in his/her growing
understanding of the world of nature.
Field trips aid in building and clarifying concepts
in the world of work,
people and nature.
Art/Craft experiences include painting, cutting,
pasting, and molding, drawing and much more.
These activities provide a way for the child to express feelings and
ideas. They help develop fine motor
control and skills in handling tools.
They also provide endless opportunities to choose and create. The process of the art activity is far more
important than the product!
Table games, puzzles and other manipulative
materials encourage eye-hand coordination and the seeing of similarities and
differences in color,
Size and shape.
They also help develop visual memory, practice in
Classification and individual activity and
self-reliance.
Story time is a time for quiet and relaxation. It is a time used to broaden
The child's knowledge of his/her world and to aid in
the understanding of his/her feelings and the feelings of others. Story time helps promote recall,
classification and differentiation, the enjoyment of books, awareness of left
to right progression and the proper use and care of books.
Water and sand play provides the opportunity to
develop small muscle coordination and eye-hand coordination. It also provides for cooperation and
stimulates verbal communication. It is
an activity, which allows for the relaxation of tension.
Education/Experience
I have been providing care on the United States
Airforce Academy for
the last seven years. And in that time I have completed the Early Child Development
modules, (15 in all), that are required to do care on a military
installation. I also must have and
maintain Infant and Child CPR, Adult CPR and Standard First Aid. We are required to complete at least
twenty-four (24) hours of profession training a year to include
Child Abuse Training.
I have also completed a course of Childcare
Management that is worth forty-five (45) hours training which is also
recognized by most major universities.
I am
currently going through the process of having my child care home accredited
through the National Association For Family Child Care. In the future my plans are to get my Child
Development Associate through the National Association for the Education of
Young Children.
Shelley Emig
Busy Bees Childcare Owner
The following is a sample schedule of how our day
might go. By all means this is not set
in stone.
Busy Bees Schedule
0710-0725
Greet parents and children
0715-0730
Wash hands
0730-0800
Breakfast
0800-0825
Clean up, wash hands, and brush teeth transport to school
0830-0930
Preschool and morning nap for babies
0930 0945
Clean up and wash hands
0945-1000
Morning snack
1000-1015
Clean up and wash hands and brush teeth
1015-1100
Free play (outdoor play weather permitting)
1100-1115
Clean up and wash hands pick up school children
1115-1200
Lunch
1200-1215
Clean up and wash hands and brush teeth
1215-1230
Story time transport to afternoon classes
1230-1430
Rest time
1430-1445
Put mats away and wash hands
1445-1500
Afternoon snack Clean up wash hands and brush teeth
1500-1515
pick up school children
1515-1600
Computer time
1600-1615
Clean up wash hands and prepare to greet the
parents.
Sunscreen
Release form
I
give Shelley Emig permission to apply sunscreen to my child
__________________.
Parents Signature _____________________ Date ____________
I
will provide Shelley Emig with one bottle of sunscreen on the or before the
first day of care. The SPF will be at
the minimum of 30 SPF.
Parents
Signature ___________________ Date _____________
Busy
Bees Expectations
10
Things I as your Provider should except from you, the Parent
1. Open
communication. Explain clearly and
carefully your wishes and expectations about how your child will be cared
for. Also provide updates on problems
and progress that your child is making.
Give me the provider information about your child's routine, activities
and preferences. Good communication
helps the provider and parents work together in the best interest of the child.
2. Agreement on terms or arrangements. You should fully understand the terms of the
contract and the policies and procedures that you as the parent are agreeing
to.
3. Honesty and trust. This includes being honest about how you believe the arrangement
is working, weather your child is happy with the care that I as your provider
am given and whether you are. Although
you need to be vigilant in order to safeguard your child, you should still
trust me as your child care provider to do the best for your child. Show your trust by asking questions rather
than jumping to conclusions when apparent problems develop.
4. Advance notice of and agreement to any
changes. I as a Provider have to earn a
living too, so I deserve advance notice if you are going to stop using my
service, take a vacation during which I will receive no pay. I will in turn give you the same respect.
5. Pick up on time and follow through on all
agreements. I as your Provider has a
personal life too, and should be able to expect that you will pick up your
child at the agreed upon time. If it
takes you longer to get home than you expected, or if you find it more
convenient to stop at the grocery store before picking up your child, which
makes you 30 minutes late three times a week. We will need to work out a new
agreement or you must find a way to abide by the original agreement.
If you
agree to provide diapers, wipe or any other supplies you should bring them
before they are needed.
6. Please do not send a sick, hungry or overly
tired child to care. Agreement must be
made prior to bring a sick child to care with the provider. Never bring a child whom you know is not
feeling well enough to be away from home and family. Likewise you should not expect your child care provider to cope
with a child who has not had breakfast or who went to bed four hours late last
night.
7. Payment on time and no "rubber"
checks. I as your child care provider
has to pay bills and buy food too, so make arrangements to see that I am paid
on time.
8. Respect.
Realize that taking care of children is a job and I as your child care
provider is a worker, and a working parent, just as you are. Recognize also that this is not an easy job. I as your childcare provider am not
"just a baby-sitter". I am
one of the most important people in your child's life and in yours, too. If you have a day off than give your
Provider the day off too.
9. No
jealousy. Try not to be jealous of your
child's attachment to me (your child care provider). Children who spend several hours each day with their child care
provider come to love that person. That
love though does not diminish the love the child feels for you. Do not feel that you have to compete with me
(your child's child care provider) for your child's affection.
10. No
surprises. I as your child care
provider should not learn on Friday that you have decided to take next week off
from work so you will not need me or pay me either. Also if you choose to
terminate your contract with me, please give me the common courtesy of the
two-week (Monday through Friday) paid notice.
As your childcare provider I do not like surprises any better than you
as the parents do.
Thank
you for your cooperation.
Busy
Bees Child Care
This form must be filled out prior to
care so that I will be more aware of your
Child's needs before care begins
All about me
Child's Name __________________________
1.
Is your child on a bottle yes/no?
2.
If your child is on a bottle what type of formula/milk do you use?
___________________________How
much/often___________
___________________________________________________
3.
What type of bottle/nipple do you currently use? ________
___________________________________________________
4.
Is your child on solid food yes/no?
5.
If your child is on solids I need to know that foods the child has
Already taken so that I do not
introduce a new food without parents
Knowledge.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
6.
How often is solid food offered and at what time(s) of the day?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
7.
Is your child potty-trained yes/no?
If you answered no is there a
Particular baby wipe that you want to
be used on your child? ______
_______________________________________________________
8.
Is there a particular food (pork) that you do not want your child to
have due to religious belief yes/no?
If the answer is yes I will need some type of statement to the fact.
9.
What is your child's favorite food? _______________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
10.
What food(s) does your child dislike? ______________________
_______________________________________________________
11.
Do you currently offer juice to your child? ____ How often? _____
_______________________________________________________
12.
What time(s) does your child take a nap at home?
Morning nap ________________ Afternoon
nap_________________
13.
Is there a special blanket/teddy bear that your child uses for?
Comfort?
_________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
14.
Does your child have any fears that you are aware of? _______
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
15.
Do you have any problems with child celebrating any holidays?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
16.
What is your child's favorite activity? _______________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
17.
Is there an activity that you do not want your child to participate in?
______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
18.
What is your child's favorite color? _________________________
19.
Are you aware of any allergies to food that your child might have
yes/no?
If so please
explain________________________________________
I will need to have a doctor's
statement on file for this child.
20.
Do you have any problems with me transporting your child in
My van for field trips, errands,
kindergarten, etc.... Yes/no
21.
If you answered yes to the above question I need to know what
Arrangements you have made for your
child while we are away from the childcare home.
_____________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
22.
The parent will be required to pay for any back up care while
We are away and will also be required
to pay the provider.
X___________________________
Date________________