Child Development Partners, LLC
Parent Handbook
WELCOME !!
This handbook outlines procedures, policies, regulations and services vital to the care of your child while he/she is enrolled at CDP, LLC. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
HOURS OF OPERATION
This Center is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Children should arrive by 10:00 a.m. or after 2:00 p.m. as children need transitional and play time before their lunch and rest period.
The center is CLOSED for the following holidays:
NEW YEAR’S DAY
GOOD FRIDAY
MEMORIAL DAY
JULY 4TH
LABOR DAY
THANKSGIVING & FOLLOWING FRIDAY
CHRISTMAS EVE
CHRISTMAS DAY
*Closings due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances
will be announced on WVLN radio. Please note that when there is an announcement on the radio of KidZone closings, it is most likely preschool classes that are being cancelled. Daycare rarely closes due to weather. In the rare event that daycare closes, KidZone will have the radio specifically announce that daycare will be closed.
Child Development Partners, LLC, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion or disability.
Child Development Partners, LLC
D/B/A KidZone
Parent Handbook
Index
Page
I. Program 3
II. School Age Program 3
III. Transportation 3
IV. Summer Program 4
V. Admission Policy 4
VI. Discharge and Termination 4
VII. Discipline Policy 5
VIII. Health Policy 5
IX. Medicine 6
X. Medical Emergencies 6
XI. Meals 6
XII. Clothing 6
XIII. Rest Periods 7
XIV. Birthdays and Special Occasions 7
XV. Personal Items/Toys 7
XVI. Rates and Billing Procedures 7
XVII. Project Child Guidelines 8
XVIII. Arrival Procedures 8
XIX. Departure Procedures 8
XX. Parent Resources 9
XXI. Parent Program Evaluations 9
XXII. Child Evaluations 9
XXIII. Photographing/Video Taping 9
XXIV. Verification of Receipt 10
XXV. Photograph and Video Consent 11
Parent Handbook
Program
This center provides a comprehensive developmental childcare program for children six weeks through thirteen years. The center strives to make its program responsive to each individual child’s level of development, ability and learning style. At this center, children are provided a daily opportunity to learn to work and play with other children. An array of age-appropriate and constructive educational materials and toys are provided. Children are also able to work independently and choices are available through the learning centers.
Infants are provided with a loving and caring environment. Steps are taken to ensure consistency in staff, so that your child can bond with them. The center has a registered nurse check the nursery once a month for cleanliness.
Toddlers are provided opportunities to develop fine and gross motor skills through play and curriculum activities. Language development is facilitated through music, finger plays, reading stories and singing songs. Children are actively engaged in conversations throughout the day.
Preschoolers are provided with activities throughout the day. These activities include but are not limited to center time (where the children are allowed opportunities to choose what they would like to do), circle time (which consists of singing, calendar, weather, stories, etc.) and table time (which includes writing, patterning, and several fine motor skills). Small muscle skills are also developed through painting, cutting, manipulatives, finger plays, blocks, and play dough.
KidZone also offers an ISBE approved Pre-K Program for eligible children during the school year. A certified Early Childhood Education Teacher is on staff.
KidZone welcomes and encourages parents to visit their child’s classroom at any time. Parents may also choose to volunteer to read to the class or assist in class projects.
School Age Program
School age children are provided care before and after school, as well as full-time care on days when school is not in session and throughout the summer.
Tutoring and homework assistance is provided Monday through Friday.
Transportation
Children are transported to and from school by the school district at no charge. Parents are required to fill out transportation and schedule forms on all children attending before and after school. Parents are also required to notify the center if their child will not be attending on a regularly scheduled day, so the staff is aware of when and when not to expect them.
KidZone can provide transportation for children to practices, and other events for a fee of $2 per event. Transportation request forms must be completed and approved by a KidZone official. Requests will be filled on a first come first serve basis.
Summer Program
The summer program has appropriate indoor and outdoor activities including but not limited to city pool swimming weekly, field trips and picnics.
Admission Policy
This center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, religion, or national origin.
Applications for enrollment are available in the office of the Director of the center. Application does not guarantee acceptance. State regulations require the center to maintain medical records for each child. It is the responsibility of the parent to keep such information current and pertinent. The records must include the following: physical examination, TB test, lead screening test, and updated immunization form.
All enrollment forms must be completed prior to the child’s first day unless other arrangements are made. Enrollment forms will include a payment agreement signed by the parent and the Director. Subsidized care is available through Project Child.
The following forms are in the Enrollment Packet and must be returned to the Director:
1. Physical Form (TB, Immunization, Lead Screening)
2. Application
3. Receipt of Parent Handbook
4. Receipt of Topical Policy
5. Receipt of Discipline Policy
6. Emergency Information Form
7. Receipt of Licensing Standards
8. Signed Consent to Provider
9. Household Income Eligibility Form
10. CACFP Enrollment Form
11. Legal Birth Certificate
Discharge and Termination
Children will be terminated from enrollment if the child exhibits behavior that is detrimental or dangerous to the other children or staff. Children will be terminated if the center’s program is unable to accommodate a child’s needs to his/her maximum benefit. The staff will work with the parents to find alternative childcare for the child/children, though it is the responsibility of the parent to find alternative child care. Children that are absent for one week without notification will be terminated and will forfeit their slot. (PLEASE TELL THE DIRECTOR IF YOUR CHILD WILL NOT BE ATTENDING.)
*This center reserves the right to terminate any child for any reason.
Discipline Policy
Learning appropriate behavior in a group setting is an important part of any child care program. Teachers facilitate the development of self-control in children by using positive guidance techniques, such as modeling and encouraging expected behavior, redirecting children to a more acceptable activity, and setting clear limits. Teachers’ expectations match and respect children’s developing capabilities. There are times when “time out” may be necessary. The length of time a child may be in time out will not exceed his/her age in minutes (i.e., a three year old will not be put in time out for more than three minutes).
No staff member shall be permitted to use corporal or other cruel, harsh, or unusual punishment or any frightening or humiliating method to control the actions of any child or group of children. Punishment shall not be associated with food, rest, or toilet training. The staff has been directed to use positive methods of discipline. Staff cannot and will not grab or hold children for discipline purposes.
Continual and/or serious problems are reported to director and parents. If it is the opinion of the Director that a child’s behavior is inappropriate, dangerous or disruptive and/or uncontrollable, the center reserves the right to dismiss the child immediately.
Property damage is the responsibility of the child’s parents.
*This center reserves the right to terminate any child for any reason.
Health Policy
The Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers states that a medical report has to be on file for each child. The following information must be in each child’s file: a physical examination, TB test, lead screening test, and updated immunization form.
The initial medical report shall be dated less than six months prior to enrollment of infants, toddlers, and preschool children. School age children, must have a copy of the most recent regularly scheduled school physical (may be more than six months old) or the day care center may require a more recent medical report by its own enrollment policy.
If a health problem is suspected, the center may require additional documentation of the child’s health status.
If a child transfers from one center to another, the medical report may be used at the new center if it is less than one year old. In such a case, the center the child is leaving shall maintain a copy of the child’s medical form and return the original to the parent.
For the protection of all children, your child must be kept home if he/she shows signs of the following symptoms: temperature, diarrhea, rash, nasal discharge, and/or eye or ear discharge. If your child has any of the above symptoms and is not contagious, he/she may attend. Otherwise, the center cannot accept a child with any of the above symptoms.
If live lice are found on your child, he/she will be sent home immediately. If your child is sent home for this reason he/she must be treated and must have proof of purchase of treatment before returning to the center.
A child must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to the center after an illness.
If your child has been exposed to a contagious disease, he/she should be kept home and their condition reported to the center’s Director. Strep throat, viral ear infections, measles, mumps, chickenpox, and scarlet fever are among those conditions categorized as “highly contagious”.
Medicines
Both prescription and non-prescription medication shall be accepted only in its original container.
Prescription medications shall be labeled with the full pharmacy label.
Over the counter (non-prescription) medication shall be clearly labeled with the child’s first and last name. The container shall be in such condition that the medication name and directions for use are clearly readable.
Please hand your child’s medicine directly to the teacher or aide along with instructions to place it in the refrigerator or medicine cabinet. The parent must fill out all necessary information on the Medicine Chart. If the Medicine Chart is not completed the medicine will not be given.
If a child becomes ill during the day, they will be isolated from the other children and the parent will be notified to immediately pick up the child. In case of a high fever, with the parent’s permission, the center can immediately dispense an over the counter pain reliever/fever reducer, such as Tylenol or an equivalent, to the child before the parent arrives to pick them up. If at all possible, medicine should be given to your child at home. Please try to limit sending over-the-counter medicines (for example: Tylenol). If your child has a fever, they need to be at home.
Medical Emergencies
In the event of a medical emergency or an accident, the center will contact the parent(s) and the doctor of the child. If it is not possible to reach either and should emergency treatment be required, transportation will be arranged to take the child to the Emergency Room. Your authorization to contact your child’s physician and to take any necessary action is required as part of the parental release.
Meals
This center meets the child’s nutritional needs by providing a light breakfast, a well-balanced lunch and an afternoon snack. If your child has any food allergies or is on a special diet, a doctor’s order is required in order to accommodate special requests regarding the child’s meals. Children are not allowed to bring in their own breakfast or lunch.
Clothing
Please dress your child in play clothing that is comfortable, easy for them to manage (elastic waist, buttons in front) and washable. Please remember that we paint and glue as well as play outside. There is at least one outdoor activity (weather permitting) scheduled daily. In Illinois “weather permitting” means temperatures between 25 and 90 degrees, taking into consideration heat advisory and wind chill. Since outside play is also an important part of our day, please remember to dress your child appropriately. Each enrolled child should have a complete change of clothes in a plastic bag in their room and their name should be marked on it. The center has extra clothing in case a child needs a change of clothing. If a child borrows clothing from the center, please launder and return it as soon as possible. The center is not responsible for ruined clothing.
Rest Periods
The Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers states that children attending daycare and under six years of age who are not enrolled in kindergarten or elementary school, are required to have an opportunity to rest. Naps shall be for no more than two hours. Each child is provided with their own cot or crib and bedding.
Birthdays and Special Occasions
Parents are welcome to send treats to share with their children’s class on their birthday or other special occasions. Commercially prepared foods may be brought in as part of such celebrations. Food brought in for this purpose must arrive unopened as packaged by the bakery or manufacturer or it cannot be accepted.
Personal Items/Toys
The center provides a wide variety of play equipment that makes it unnecessary for children to bring toys from home. Occasionally, on a pre-announced and show and tell day, a child may bring something in to share with the other children. Parents should send the article in a bag with the child’s name on the outside. The article will be taken out of the bag at a designated time to share with the class. Guns or violent toys are not allowed. The center cannot be responsible for any toys or personal items.
Rates and Billing Procedures
The current fee schedule is provided with the admission packet or may be obtained from the office.
Pre-Pay: Payments must be made in full at the beginning of every week. As a pre-pay family, you must pay for the entire week, regardless if your child attended every day of that week. This guarantees your child a spot at KidZone. In the event you fall behind on your payments, you may be asked to enter into a contract with KidZone and ordered to pay extra weekly payments in order to catch up on your bill. Failure to keep current on your balance may lead to termination, reporting to a collection agency, or legal action.