Childcare Program
Parent Handbook
2015-2016
Apollo Center
Gwen Fannon
Early Childhood Programmer
2029 North Milford Road
Highland, MI 48357
(248) 684-8245
Huron Valley Recreation and Community Education
Updated April 2015
INDEX
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………….3
Education & Curriculum……………………………………………………………………….….4
Family Involvement & Communication…………………………………………………………..5
Enrollment & Tuition Guidelines…………………………………………………………………6
Personal Items……………………………………………………………………………………10
Nutrition & Meals………………………………………………………………………………..11
Activities…………………………………………………………………………………………12
Behavior Management…………………………………………………………………………...13
Safety & Security………………………………………………………………………………...15
Health & Medical Guidelines……………………………………………………………………16
Licensing & Legal Regulations………………………………………………………………….21
Daily Routines…………………………………………………………………………………...23
INTRODUCTION
WELCOME
Welcome to the Huron Valley Schools Childcare Program at Apollo Center. We are self-sustaining through childcare fee collection and are licensed through the State of Michigan Department of Human Services.
PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
· To provide a safe and inviting learning environment.
· To communicate openly with parents and children.
· To recruit, hire and train qualified professionals.
· To provide developmentally appropriate experiences for children.
EARLY CHILDHOOD OFFICE HOURS AND LOCATION
The Early Childhood Registration office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday. The office is located at 2029 N. Milford Rd, Highland MI. 48357 and is open year round. The office will be closed when the Huron Valley School district is closed due to weather or building related concerns. For further information, visit www.huronvalleyrec.com or call 248-676-8496.
The office will be closed Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day, Good Friday, Monday after Easter, Memorial Day, and July 4th.
APOLLO CHILDCARE HOURS AND LOCATION
Apollo Childcare is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. Children may be combined in classrooms during the early morning or afternoon hours if needed to accommodate staff to child student ratio standards as outlined by State of Michigan Department of Human Services. Apollo Center is located at 2029 N. Milford Rd. Highland MI. 48357. The office phone number is 248-684-8245. To access any of our childcare classrooms you should dial 248-684-8245, and then listen to the prompts in order to reach the appropriate classroom.
CENTER CLOSINGS
We will provide a calendar each month which will indicate scheduled closings. In the event of inclement weather or a building related concern, Huron Valley Schools will make a decision on whether or not to close for the day. Apollo Center Childcare and the Recreation and Community Education office will be closed when Huron Valley Schools are closed.
EDUCATION & CURRICULUM
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
In conjunction with the family, Huron Valley Schools Childcare commits itself to providing enriching experiences for each child in an atmosphere conducive to the child’s maximum development of his or her potential. We strive to meet each child’s social, emotional, intellectual, physical, communicative and creative needs by providing a balanced variety of experiences. The program follows the fundamental premise that children are active learners who learn best from activities they plan and carry out themselves along with a predictable daily routine.
CURRICULUM
We are committed to providing your child with the highest quality early childhood education and care in an enriching environment. Our program is designed to encourage each child to reach their full potential and develop a love for learning through numerous activities and experiences throughout the day.
We believe that children learn best through hands-on experiences with people, real materials, events and ideas. Children and teachers follow a consistent daily routine that encourages open ended activities and interactions independently and as a group. We offer children the opportunity for hands-on learning each and every day, and the teachers have the freedom to plan lesson plans based on the children’s interest and choices.
HOME & CLASSROOM TRANSITIONS
A positive transition from home to our center is a collaborative effort between you and our teachers. As each child reacts differently to separating from their parents, it is important to meet the teachers in your child’s classroom and let them know if your child has a difficult time separating and what our teachers can do to ease the situation for you and them.
When the time comes for your child to transition up to another classroom we will contact you to discuss the move. The move will always be a collaborative decision between you and our teachers.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Teachers and Assistants receive a minimum of 24 hours professional development each year so that they are equipped with the skills and competencies to provide the highest quality education for your child.
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
In acting with compliance with the American with Disabilities Act and other federal laws pertaining to the provisions of services with children with disabilities; our goal is to meet the individual needs of the child within the structure of the program, while maintaining a healthy and safe environment for all children and teachers.
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT & COMMUNICATION
OPEN DOOR POLICY
Parents are always welcome visitors. We encourage you to visit your child in their classroom, on the playground, even for lunch. Parents are always welcome when we have special events and activities. We encourage your active involvement and input into our center’s programs, goals and improvements.
PARENT AND RECALL INFORMATION
The center recall board along with other posted health and safety concerns will be located on the wall directly in front of the main entrance. Parent information boards will be posted outside your child’s classroom and will contain information such as lunch choices, monthly calendar, weekly lesson plan, and any other information pertinent to families. Please make sure to check this on a daily basis.
DAILY SCHEDULES
The daily schedule will vary depending on the age and classroom of each student and will be posted in the classroom. It will provide you with information on what your children will be doing both in and out of the classroom.
COMMUNICATION
In an effort to keep our parents informed about what is happening in our classrooms, once a month, teachers will distribute newsletters. They will contain information about current child/parent topics, home activity ideas and information about our curriculum.
CONFERENCES AND DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES
Conferences will be held in the fall and spring for all students. These conferences are designed for parents but please share any appropriate information with your child. Your child may be very curious about your visit with his/her teacher. Parents may also request additional parent/teacher meetings at any time throughout the year.
SCHOOL PICTURE DAY
We participate in the Huron Valley Schools picture program each fall. Your classroom teacher will have details on specific dates and times.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST / BABYSITTING
In an effort to maintain the professional status of Huron Valley Schools Early Childhood Programs and prevent any potential conflict of interest, babysitting by center staff for center children is strongly discouraged by Huron Valley Recreation and Community Education. However, if you choose to have one of our staff members babysit your child, services must be outside the center premises and with the understanding that such arrangement and payment for services are solely between you and the person who is caring for your child. The arrangements are not sanctioned and no liability is assumed by the center, the client sponsor, or Huron Valley Schools.
ENROLLMENT & TUITION GUIDELINES
ENROLLING YOUR CHILD
When you enroll your child, you are expected to complete our Enrollment Packet. These forms give us important information about your child so we can provide the best possible care. It is vitally important for your child’s health and safety that these forms are completed accurately. Our Director will review the packet with you to ensure all the needed information is included.
ENROLLMENT & WITHDRAWAL GUIDELINES
Enrollment is open to children six weeks of age to kindergarten. Pre-registration is required with an annual non-refundable enrollment fee of $50.00 per child or $75.00 per family of two or more children. A registration form must be filled out as well.
All children must have proof of up-to-date immunizations and a signed health appraisal by a licensed physician before they may attend. Enrollment packets may be obtained from the Early Childhood office or at www.huronvalleyrec.com. After registering and paying the enrollment fee, the following forms must be completed and taken to childcare on or before your child’s first day of attendance.
Enrollment Checklist:
· Schedule Confirmation
· Child Information Record
As part of your Enrollment Packet you will find a Child Information Card. The State of Michigan Office of Child and Adult Licensing require that each child have information cards on file and that these cards are updated yearly. If your personal information or work information should change throughout the year please be sure to update your child’s card so that we may have the most accurate contact information.
For the health and safety of your child it is imperative that the cards are accurately completed and submitted before your child begins school with us. You will be asked to provide telephone numbers where you can be reached immediately. Please notify us as soon as any of these numbers change.
You will also be asked to provide us with the name and telephone numbers of at least three other individuals that you authorize to pick up your child from the center. Please let these individuals know that we cannot release your child to them without valid government issued identification. Please note that the name that you list should 100% match their identification.
· Health Appraisal (Physician Signature on back)
Before your child’s first day of attendance we must have on file a completed, current health appraisal, including your child’s immunization record. You will find the health appraisal form in your Enrollment Packet.
The state requires that health appraisals be completed annually for children birth through 2 ½ years of age and every two years for children 2 ½ through 5 years of age.
Validated proof of immunizations should be submitted as soon as your child receives new immunizations or booster shoots.
If you choose to waive certain or all immunizations the Health Department requires that a waiver be completed by the parent/ guardian or doctor (if for medical reasons). This waiver must be kept on file at the center and a copy will also be submitted to the local Health Department. The waiver can be obtained from the office and must be resigned yearly.
· Medication Form (If Applicable)
· Enrollment Contract
WITHDRAWAL
If it is necessary to withdraw a child from the program, a two week advance notice must be given in writing. Tuition will be due for the two week time frame and any paid tuition will not be refunded. We reserve the right to dismiss a child due to parent’s failure to adhere to school policies and procedures or when a child’s inappropriate behaviors prevent staff from providing adequate care to the group.
CUSTODY DOCUMENTATION
It is our policy to avoid interference with custody issues with regard to the children in our care. Without court documents to the contrary, we assume both parents/guardians have equal rights to pick-up/drop off, visit, or request documents about their child.
It is the parents/guardian’s responsibility to provide us copies of court documents and/or legal parent agreements clarifying the rights and responsibilities regarding the time your child is in our center. We follow the last court documents on file, without prejudice, with regard to either parent or guardian.
TUITION/SCHEDULING/FEES
1. Child Care Fees are due by the 10th of every month for that month OR can be made in four installments monthly (the 1st, 7th, 14th and 21st).
2. Child Care Fees are:
a. $47 per day for INFANT care; $42.30 for HVS Employees & Full Family members of Huron Valley Pools & Fitness Centers
b. $43 per day for TODDLER care; $38.70 for HVS Employees & Full Family members of Huron Valley Pools & Fitness Centers
c. $38 per day for PRESCHOOL care; $34.20 for HVS Employees & Full Family members of Huron Valley Pools & Fitness Centers
i. $28.50 for a PRESCHOOL partial day from 6:30am-1:00pm OR 11:30am-6:00pm
ii. $25.65 for a PRESCHOOL partial day from 6:30am-1:00pm OR 11:30-6:00pm for Full Family members of Huron Valley Pools & Fitness Centers and Huron Valley School Employees
3. Families with 2 or more children enrolled will receive 5% of their total tuition
4. No Minimum Sessions required
5. Child Care Fees are determined by the schedule you have provided to us in writing.
6. Schedules should be submitted directly to Apollo, in writing, by the 20th of each month for the following month. (Do not send to the early childhood office).
7. Families who do not submit their schedule by the 20th of the month will receive a $10 Late Scheduling Fee.
8. Bills for the month will available no later than the 1st. When paying, please put payment (along with your bill) in your family envelope and drop in the DROP BOX outside the main office. Please do not take Child Care Fee envelopes home.
9. Your bill (stamped ‘paid’) will be returned to your envelope each month. This will be your only receipt unless you’ve paid by credit card. It is extremely important to keep this receipt for tax purposes as no other payment information will be issued.
10. You may request to ADD days, in writing, at any time. If there is available space, we will put your child(ren) on the schedule. Verbal requests cannot be accepted.
10. Due to child day care licensing rules concerning staffing, we cannot allow students to attend without being scheduled in advance.
11. Your child’s space is reserved when you have submitted your schedule. When your child is absent, there will be no credit, refund or swapping that day for another day.
12. Accounts with balances on the 21st of the month will be assessed a late payment fee equivalent to 10% of the total due. Please note that payments must be in the early childhood office by this date. If they are on-site at the program, they will be considered late.
13. Checks should be made payable to ‘Huron Valley Schools.’ Visa, MasterCard and Discover payments are also accepted. ALL INFO should be clearly written and communicated, including: card number, expiration date, CVU code, and billing zip code. Payments with incomplete information will be returned and may be considered late.