Cozy Corner
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
“Since 1993”
5329 Ramsey St. #33 ~ Fayetteville, NC 28311 ~ 910-488-2259
Jump Start University
EARLY LEARNING CENTER
“Since 2007”
107 University Ave. ~ Fayetteville, NC 28311 ~ (910) 487-4578
PARENT HANDBOOK
Revised – August 2013
Dear Parents,
Welcome to Cozy Corner and Jump Start! We recognize the choice of early childhood programs for children are one of the most important decisions parents/guardians will make for a child. Our entire staff is committed to providing a rewarding experience for children and their families.
Cozy Corner Child Development Center and Jump Start University Early Learning Center has chosen the Creative Curriculum because it provides a balance between teacher instruction and child exploration, and is based on sound child development standards and proven practices. The design of this curriculum program allows teachers to choose the activities that best meet students’ needs and interests.
Family involvement is vital to every child’s development and we encourage parents/guardians to spend time talking with their child about his/her day. On occasion, we provide at-home activities to extend the learning experience.
This handbook is designed to help you understand the goals and daily operation of our facility. We encourage you to refer to it when you have questions. We welcome your suggestions and active participation in center activities. Please feel free to contact our administration if you have concerns, questions, and/or suggestions.
Thank you in advance for staying consistent with our policies at home to assure a productive and successful school experience. We value and appreciate your choice to partner with us.
Sincerely,
Cozy Corner Child Development Center and Jump Start University
Owner, Administration, & Staff
Mission Statement:
It is our mission to:
· Provide a safe and loving, environment for young children to develop and enhance their social, emotional, academic and physical needs
· Provide a work environment that promotes unity, excellence, personal and professional growth
· Provide support and assistance to families through quality childcare, exposure to resources and affordable “market” rates
Parent Engagement
Our facility has an open door policy to the families we serve. We encourage families to take an active role in our activities as your schedule allows. Here are some suggestions of ways you may choose to become involved:
· Become a member of A.S.A.P (currently at Cozy Corner) – Active Supporters and Parents is an in-house organization parents, guardians, and staff members who are committed to making a difference. The purpose is to establish support that would assist in the enhancement of the overall program at Cozy Corner. This support may be given through community service, classroom improvements, fundraisers, etc.
· Lunch with your student – When your schedule allows, just let your childs teacher know
· Reading to your child’s class
· Attending field trips
· Parent / Teacher Conferences – May be requested at any time by all parents and will be scheduled at least twice between September and June.
· Attend/assist with our Annual Family Fun Day – Held in September of each year
· Donate items to the class for special projects – celebrations and cooking activities take place monthly
· Participate in class activities – Read a story, help a child with an academic challenge, and so much more. Just ask your childs teacher how you can help.
· Visit our website: www.cozy-jsu.weebly.com for resources and more information. Like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/cozyandjsu) and follow us on Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/cozycornercdc) for more ways to be involved.
Research shows that everyone benefits when parents are actively engaged and participates in their child/rens development and childcare program.
WE STRONGLY BELIEVE IN THE “PARTNERSHIP APPROACH”
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Our program is designed to meet the developmental needs of children ages 6 weeks to 12
years of age. Through our program, we provide experiences that will enhance a child's
cognitive, language, social-emotional, physical, and creative development.
This is accomplished in a positive, professional, and fun environment for the children and staff. We operate using Christian principals. We include Christian and/or wholesome concepts and activities in our program such as music, blessings at mealtime, manners, respect. Because state funded programs prohibit instructional lead religious activities, NC Pre-K classrooms do not have teacher lead religious activities during the NC Pre-K instructional day.
Within the daily schedule each child has opportunities to create, explore the environment,
learn problem solving and personal interaction skills and learn concepts through first hand
experiences. Opportunities for solitary play, group activities, and teacher directed activities
are provided. Using the Creative Curriculum, our students learn through play.
Our well trained staff serves as positive role models and provides care that is supportive and responsive to each child's individual needs.
We respect parents as the primary provider of care and believe parents and teachers are
partners in children's care and education. We are pleased to have you share our responsibility of developing and educating young children.
This is a responsibility that is taken very seriously and we are proud to have dedicated, educated, and talented staff to assist us in accomplishing our mission.
PROGRAM / CURRICULUM
Cozy Corner CDC and Jump Start University ELC have traditional early child care classrooms not exceeding the N. C. Division of Child Development child / staff ratios. Emphasis is placed on the growth and development of each individual child while focusing on meeting each area of development; language, physical, intellectual, emotional, and social. A daily schedule for each classroom is posted on the parent board. Our daily learning program is designed with activities, which stimulate cognitive development, encourage problem solving, and positive social skills.
Our program is designed to provide high-quality educational experiences to enhance school readiness. The program and curriculum requirements are built on the premise that to be successful academically, children need to be prepared in all five domains of the developmental domains (approaches to learning, emotional and social, health and physical, language and communication, and cognitive development). Each domain is critical to whole child’s development. Movement education involves planned activities that will aid your child to develop fine (small) and gross (large) motor skills. Music opportunities are provided through games, CDs, songs and rhythm activities. During work-play children will encounter a large variety of math, language, science, social studies, and art materials that will encourage manipulation, creativity, social skills, and problem solving skills. Teachers will provide guidance and direction, but the children have ample time to focus on areas of interest.
Our NC Pre-Kindergarten (NCPK) is a State-funded, community-based pre-kindergarten program designed to provide 4-year-old children, who may not otherwise be served, with a valuable educational experience. It is a part-day program operates from 7:00 am to 2:00 and follows the Cumberland County (traditional) calendar. Our program offers family support regarding health, nutrition, and developmental screenings.
Outdoor time is provided during several intervals each day as the weather permits. We have a wide assortment of material to further encourage all areas of development. Time is also spent dealing with emotions and how to effectively communicate feelings. A variety of materials are used to encourage positive self-concepts and successful problem solving.
Field trips and visitors add to our curriculum. Special events and field trips are scheduled periodically and throughout our summers. Special programs for the parents and children are also offered throughout the year. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to have lunch with their child as well as join them on field trips. All parents/guardians are invited to share personal interest, including hobbies, talents, and cultural background ideas, favorite recipes, skill or talents (example: crafts, baking, reading, etc.) with the classes.
Motto
“Childcare is our business, excellence is our standard”
Scripture
“Lo, Children are a heritage of the Lord”
(Psalm 127:3)
Professional Staff
The professional staff of Cozy Corner CDC and Jump Start University ELC works with dedication to excellence. Commitment to the Early Childhood profession is very important to our program. We attempt to hold our teacher to the following qualifications:
· Have the minimum of the North Carolina Early Child Care Credential Certification (or enrolled in an AA degree program for Early Childhood). Our NC Pre-K teachers will have earned or is working towards a BK teaching license and the assistant will have earned or working towards an AA degree in Early Childhood. These teachers will work directly with the children and will not serve as the Program Director. The Program Director holds a BS degree in Business and a Level III Early Childhood Certification.
· The ability to convey love and patience to and with children
· The ability to provide effective leadership for children
· The ability to work with and under the leadership and guidelines of our company policies as well as DCDEE
· The ability to maintain a wholesome and God-Like working relationship with colleagues
· The ability to communicate effectively and establish rapport with parents
· To maintain the annual required number of continuous early childhood training hours, based on their individual educational level.
Our teachers make the difference!
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
HOURS- Cozy Corner and Jump Start operate year-round Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. except on scheduled holidays. The centers close at 6:00 p.m., however, and children should be picked up no later than that time. Individual childcare services will consist of 10 hours per day. Families receiving assistance from outside sources are to honor the hours set by the various agency. The hours for our NC Pre-K program are 7:30 am until 2:00 pm and follow the CC School schedule.
ENROLLMENT- Cozy Corner and Jump Start care for children 6 weeks through 12 years old. We value diversity and therefore accept applications for enrollment and employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national and ethic origin. We will keep and honor a waiting list; however, siblings of enrolled children will be given priority consideration.
Enrollment is contingent upon: a pre-enrollment visit in which a tour of the classroom will be given, questions will be answered and more information will be given about our facility, meet our staff, completion of all required paperwork as well as our ability to meet the individual need of each child. We strongly encourage both parents to attend the pre-enrollment visit.
Eligibility and priority for the NC Pre-K program is determined by NC Pre-K County Contractors who will use the eligibility tool as a guide. When families apply for the NC Pre-K program at our site, priority will be given to children who have received no prior early education services outside the home in a group setting. However, continuity of care will be taken into consideration for our eligible 4 year old children moving into a NC Pre-K classroom that we currently serve.
We must have an updated shot record (prior to enrollment) and a current physical (within 30 days) for all students. School age students will not need a physical. For students applying for the NCPK slots, we must also have a copy of the child’s certified birth certificate, social security card, the parents ID and pay verification.
All students (except school-age) will need to leave two (2) changes of clothes to be used in the case of an accident. We suggest that these clothes not be name brand as we are not responsible for any lost or damaged clothing. A towel or small (crib size) blanket for nap will also need to be left at the center. Our students that are still in diapers will need to provide diapers, and wipes. Please speak with your child’s teacher for the current system that is being used for receiving these items.
To assist our non-English and limited-English speaking families, we will seek a translator to assist the parents in communicating with the staff. We will also use translation dictionaries, on-line translator programs or Apps, and picture books in the classroom to aid the child’s understands and learning
SCHEDULE- A copy of our daily schedule is posted in each classroom. This schedule may vary somewhat depending on the children’s needs, special activities planned, or weather.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE:
· The centers open at 5300 a.m. No child may enter before 5:30 a.m.
· Parents are to accompany their child to the bathroom to wash his or her hands upon arrival and then to the classroom teacher. Parents are to pick their child up from the classroom at the end of the day.
· Parents should hold their child’s hand when arriving and leaving the classroom and building. Children are not to be left alone (unsupervised) at any time while inside the facility.
· Parents are to acknowledge and let the teacher know that their child has arrived or is departing.
· The center closes at 6:15 p.m. Parents who do not arrive by the close of the day, or by the end of their service time (families with set hours through subsidy and NC Pre-K), will be charged a late fee and the emergency contact person will be called to pick up the child / children if necessary.
· When bringing or picking up a child, the parent or authorized adult must sign the child “in and out” daily. Please sign the child / children in when bringing them in and out when picking them up. Please do not pre sign your child in or out.
· If both the mother and father are listed on the application in the designated space for “parent”, neither “mother” nor “father” can be removed from a child’s application without a court order.
Only adults previously specified in writing by the parent will be allowed to pick up a child from the center unless the parent has notified the center in writing. All approved adults will need to bring picture identification in order to pick up a child.
ABSENCES AND LATE ARRIVALS- Routines are important to children and the effective operation of the program; therefore we ask that parents have their child at the center no later than 9:30 a.m. (9:00 a.m. for NCPK students). If your child must arrive later than 9:30 a.m. or will be absent, you will need to call the center prior to 9:30 a.m. If no phone call is received the center has the right to deny service for the day. This assures that ratios are maintained and drop-in care to be provided, as well as helps us to stay on schedule and prepare for the day. If a NC Pre-K student is absent for 3 consecutive days, a written note must be given to the office.