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This handbook is a basic reference concerning policies and procedure, privileges and opportunities, and obligations and responsibilities affecting the employees, volunteers, student workers, work study students, and enrolled families of the ULM Child Development Center. Information contained in this handbook does not create any contractual rights for employees, volunteers, student workers, or enrolled families. Policies contained in this handbook do not increase or diminish the legally enforceable rights of the University and its employees. The misapplication or failure to follow any specific provision in this handbook should not be grounds for setting aside or modifying any employment or enrollment decision when it has been determined by appropriate administrative authority that the decision was fairly made and in the best interest of the ULM Child Development Center and the University. Because the ULM Child Development Center is the initiator of change and is subject to various external legal and regulatory forces requiring change, the information in this handbook will be revised as the ULM Child Development Center and the University determines that conditions warrant.
University of Louisiana, Monroe Child Development Center Mission
The ULM CDC is a laboratory setting providing quality care and education for young children. The center provides practical experiences to prepare professionals for various early childhood careers.
Educational Goals of the ULM Child Development Center
Goals of the Program:
1. To serve as a model program, implementing a developmentally sound learning environment for children.
2. To provide college students with the opportunity to learn about how children grow and develop.
3. To prepare teachers of young children.
4. To serve as a resource center for parents and teachers.
5. To provide a healthy environment where both individual and group needs are met in a developmentally appropriate setting.
6. To provide parents with information regarding parenting skills and developmentally appropriate learning practices.
7. To meet the observation and participation needs of students from Family and Consumer Sciences, as well as other degree programs offered here at the university.
The laboratory program attempts to provide development for the whole child while taking into consideration the physical/motor, cognitive, social, and emotional areas of development. Each child is a unique individual and the center strives to meet each child’s individual needs as well as that of the group as a whole.
Welcome
Welcome to the ULM Child Development Center Staff! The following staff policies and procedures will guide you through your daily routines and enable the center to be a safe and smooth running center. All employees serve as character role models through their actions, words, and deeds for the children for which the center cares.
Upon Hire
Immediately upon hire, all forms must be completely filled out and all supporting documents must be provided. The ULM CDC requires that medical physical documentation must be turned in no later than one week after hire. All Louisiana Class A Minimum Standards requirements for staff must be met. All new staff are considered on probation for the first four weeks. At the end of this period, the Director will review and evaluate your performance. If your performance is satisfactory you will become a regular member of our staff.
Upon hire you will participate in orientation that will cover Class A Minimum Standards, Sanitary Code, this staff handbook containing policies and procedures, Parent handbook. Your responsibility is to read through each document upon receipt so that you are familiar with the guidelines that govern the center.
Schedule
Lead staff (non student staff) will be scheduled 9 hours per day. This includes two 15 minute breaks and a 30 minute lunch break. Employees may roll their break and lunch together for a total of one hour. This hour can be taken during an employee’s shift or at the end of the shift depending on staffing. Please notify the director at the beginning of each semester when you will use your breaks and lunch so that staffing can be determined for your room. Upon hire student staff you will provide the center director a copy of your school schedule and the director will work with you to schedule your hours according to your work study award. The maximum student workers are scheduled to work is 14 hours per week. Once all staff schedules are made for the semester your work schedule does not change each week you will work the same time and days throughout the semester.
Employment
Pay Scale
The Lead fulltime staff of the ULM Child Development Center pay scale is based on education level and certifications and employee annual reviews. Student staff pay scale begins at minimum wage and each semester of employment the student staff member will be evaluated by their supervising teacher. If they are awarded “acceptable” then they will receive a .25 raise for the upcoming semester.
Federal Work Study Employees (04 classification)
The ULM Financial aid office will administer the awarding of the 04 Federal College Work Study (CWS) Program. Students must file a FAFSA form on a yearly basis and request CWS on the application. Awards are made on first come, first serve basis. Funding is limited. Awards are based on eligibility not to exceed amounts set by the CWS program. The projected hours that the ULM Child Development Center plans to schedule employees is based on the scheduling needs at the center and the dollar amount awarded per student classification.
State Student Work Employees (03 classifications)
The ULM Controllers office will administer the awarding of the 03 State funded College student worker program. Students must file a FAFSA form on a yearly basis and request CWS on the application. Awards are made on first come, first serve basis. Funding is limited. Awards are based on eligibility not to exceed amounts set by the University for each Department. The projected hours that the ULM Child Development Center plans to schedule employees is based on our scheduling needs and the dollar amount budgeted to the FCSC department.
Pay Schedule for 03 and 04 employees
All work study and student worker checks are direct deposit. If you do not have a checking account, Capital One, the university partner can open up a free checking account for you. Upon direct deposit to your account, the funds will be available on the check disbursement date. Employee time sheets will be placed in you mailbox. The date due and instructions will be attached to the time sheets. Timesheets submitted late will be held until the next scheduled payroll period for processing.
All fulltime staff and student staff are required to follow the employment policies of The University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Full Time Lead staff benefits (non student staff):
The following staff benefits are available to all Lead Staff; Employee Health Insurance, paid annual leave, paid sick leave, child care benefit of $1200 per year (if an employee does not use the child care benefit then the $1200 rolls into their salary), Retirement, bonuses based on merit/achievement or education, tuition reimbursement to the university in the form of a fee wavier (employees are eligible for this benefit when they have been employed by the university for two years), and paid membership to the Louisiana Early Childhood Association.
HOURS
Preschool Building
Time: 7:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday Fall/Spring Semesters
Time: 7:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday 7:15 a.m. – 12:00 noon Friday Summer I and II
The center is closed in conjunction with ULM’s scheduled holidays and semester breaks.
Illness
If illness occurs overnight that prevents you from working the next day, I need you to call me immediately at my cell 801-1546 any time day or night. Emergencies will be handled on a case by case basis. YOU must report in personally unless your condition is so grave that you cannot physically do so yourself.
Change of Schedule
If you need a one time request to have a schedule changed (Example: One of your classes is going on a trip out of town for course work), you will need to fill out the Request for schedule change located in box next to office over the water fountain. Requests must be submitted no later than 48 hours prior to change. Request must be hand delivered to the director. Note if your schedule change leaves only one staff member at the center, your request will be denied. However if you are trading work time with another staff member for this time fill out the bottom of the form and the person you are trading with must sign by his/her name so that I know the person is aware of and has agreed to the change. Upon review of schedule, the request will be approved or denied and posted on the staff board to the left of the office door.
Babysitting Policy
As sometimes happens, because of your specialized experience as a caregiver, you will be asked to care for children of family or friends outside of your obligations in working with the ULM Child Development Center. As a ULM Child Development Center faculty or staff member realize that if you accept a baby-sitting job that you do so as an independent contractor and not as an employee of the ULM Child Development Center. The ULM Child Development center cannot be held responsible of be held liable for actions or incidents that occur when an employee is engaged in work outside their employment with the ULM Child Development Center. If a parent wishes for you to pick up a child from the center then the parent must place you on their approved pick up list.
Staff Corrective Action
From time to time, all of us make mistakes or have an oversight. When this occurs, the director will bring the issue to your attention; discuss the error, and how to avoid it in the future. This will solve most problems. If problems repeat, or are sufficiently severe in their first occurrences, more serious discipline, up to and including discharge, is warranted. The decision as to the level of discipline will be determined by the director. If we strive to use common sense and good judgment on the job, we can avoid this situation.
Adverse Performance Action
During the duration of your employment, your responsibility is to learn, know, and adhere to, at all times, the rules and regulations of all the agencies that affect our center. Any violation that harms a child or other staff member may result in immediate termination and a report to the authorities for further action. All violations of policy are documented and will result in a disciplinary conference, possible probation, corrective action, and/or termination.
Fair Employment Policies
Employees
All employees will be treated in a fair manner to ensure that matters do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, national origin, or disability.
Employees are hired on the basis of their merit and ability to perform the essential duties assigned to their job. Positions will be filled without regard to race, sex, national origin or disability. This policy extends to all employment practices including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, training, promoting, compensation, and benefits for all employees.
Non-Discrimination Policy Children
The ULM Child Development Center does not discriminate against children based on race, color, creed, sex, national origin, handicapping condition, ancestry or children being breastfed.
Workplace Harassment
Employees are entitled to work in an environment that is free of harassment from fellow employees, supervisors, parents, vendors, or others. Failure to comply with this policy will result in immediate employment termination. If you feel you are treated unfairly, an appointment with the center director should be scheduled. Policy is further defined with procedures for resolution in the university policy manual.
Code of Ethics
Those of us who have selected Early Childhood Education as our profession follow an important code of ethics that guides our involvement with children. We expect each of the staff, students, and volunteers who work in our center to be similarly committed to maintaining ethical behavior. The following guidelines relate particularly to staff, students', and volunteers' involvement in the child care center.
1. Remember to have these children and parents to talk with and observe is a privilege; they are people who deserve respect. This respect is conveyed by a variety of behaviors, including active and sincere valuing, patience, tolerance, and acceptance. Please remember that while children may respond in ways that are "funny" to adults, to smile or laugh is appropriate only when expressing happiness or delight. In other words, laugh with them, not at them.
2. That we protect the confidentiality of all personal information concerning our children and their families is essential. Therefore, use the children's names in discussions occurring during lecture and lab only, but not in situations other than these. Such conversations can be very beneficial. Observations can be discussed in light of others' experiences and the knowledge and experience of your instructors.
3. During staff meetings, an observation or discussion of a child's behavior is acceptable: "Sarah has been hitting several children today," or "Joe has been playing by himself a lot today." To make evaluative comments is not acceptable: "Sarah is little toot," or "Joe is really a wallflower."
4. Evaluative comments are unprofessional in nature, and, if overheard by the child or parents, can have serious consequences for the child and the program.
5. Remember that children are people who deserve respect. This respect is conveyed by a variety of behaviors, ranging from sensitive to "active" listening to protecting children from their own impulses or the aggression of others.
6. Remember to maintain your own self-respect. You can be a kind," friendly adult without allowing children to abuse or manipulate you: "I'm tired of running, I'd like to rest now," will help children understand the limits of their expectations of others.
7. Maintaining a professional attitude includes being responsive to the needs of teachers, peers, and children. Staff continually serve as role models for children, as well as for other adults, thus such qualities as patience, tolerance, cooperation, and enthusiasm are highly desirable.