PARENT HANDBOOK

Welcome to the Anna Bing Arnold Children's Center. Since its' beginning in 1968 the Center has offered quality services for the children of student's, faculty, and staff at CSULA. The Children's Center is a place where children are valued as individuals, and where parents and teachers can share ideas, concerns, and information in order to provide the best of environments for young children.

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY

The educational philosophy of the Anna Bing Arnold Children's Center is based on the belief that each child is unique and deserves respect, consistency, caring, and challenge as they grow. Further, we believe that:

  • Children develop at their own pace. They do not acquire knowledge by force. They are motivated by their own desire to make sense of their world.
  • Children learn through interaction with the materials and people in their environment. Play provides this interaction and is the natural mode of learning for the young child.
  • Children learn self discipline as they learn respect for themselves, others, and their environment. Pride in their abilities, family, and culture adds to their developing self-esteem.
  • Children need a balanced program, which fosters independence, choice, and challenge. They also need structure and well-defined limits in order to feel secure.

Young children's developmental tasks are to build trust, learn social skills, begin mastery of academic skills, and develop positive self-esteem. These tasks are best supported by a program that provides developmentally appropriate activities, well-trained and consistent staff, and a safe and healthy learning environment.

OPERATING POLICIES

Information and Regulations

The Anna Bing Arnold Children's Center is a nonprofit organization licensed by the State of California'sDepartment of Health and Social Services to provide an enriched developmental program for infant, toddler, preschool and schoolage children. The Center is equipped and staffed appropriately for these ages and meets or exceeds all State, County, and City regulations for health, sanitation, safety, and teacher/child ratios. The Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The Center is owned and operated by Cal State L.A. for use by students, faculty, and staff of the University. Funding for the program is provided by the Associated Students, parent fees, and the State of California Department of Education.

The Center is open to children between the ages of four months and eight years who are ready for the type of group experience offered and who can benefit from the program. Children who are physically or developmentally handicapped are welcome in the program once parents and teachers determine that the Center can meet the individual needs of the child. The Center is operated on a nondiscriminatory basis, according equal treatment and access to services without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry. The program does not include religious instruction or worship.

Hours and Holidays

The Children's Center day program is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. During the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters the Center also offers an after-school and evening program Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Center operates on a yearround basis except for holiday closures and six in-service days per year. The Center observes all University holidays and additionally closes for two weeks at Christmas. A calendar of events and closures is provided for parents every quarter.

Admission Policies

The Center is primarily available for the children of students currently enrolled at Cal State L.A. Student parents must complete an application indicating their class schedule. Student applications are processed at the beginning of each quarter. Upon availability of space the Center will serve the children of faculty, staff and community. Applications are processed throughout the year after student parents have been served. No child will be enrolled for less than two days per week and four hours per day.

1. Grant Programs: The Children’s Center offers enrollment in two programs that are funded by the California Department of Education. These programs are General Child Care, which covers full day child care needs for any age group, and State Preschool,

a half-day, five day per week program for children from three to five years of age. Enrollment in either program requires that the parent establish income eligibility.

2. Preadmission application: Prior to admission, it is recommended that the parent and child visit the Center to become acquainted with the program and to fill out an application. An interview will be held with the parent to ascertain the individual needs of each child and his/her family prior to actual admission.

3. Admission and orientation: Children are admitted to the program when it is determined that space is available in their age group and that the program is appropriate to their needs. Parents will be notified by phone that their child has been admitted. After admission a mandatory orientation will be scheduled at which time the parent will be given complete information about the Center including policies, procedures, activities, services, hours of operation, and fee structure. An additional classroom visit for the child and parent will be scheduled to provide time to get acquainted with the teacher and make the initial transition into the program easier. Infants and toddlers will be scheduled for three visits to the classroom prior to their first day of care.

4. Registration fee: A nonrefundable annual registration fee of $50.00 per family is due upon admission to the program and thereafter on October 1st each year in which the child is enrolled. No registration fee is required for General Child Care or State Preschool enrollment. A non-refundable $50 application fee is required upon enrollment to the Summer Camp program.

5. Required forms: 6. Required immunizations (depending on the age of the child at entry):

Identification and Emergency Information - Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, (DTP or Td)

Family and Developmental History - Poliomyelitis

Physician's Report - Measles

Emergency Medical Authorization - Rubella

Consent for Supervised Walks & Photographs - Mumps

Statement of Parent's Rights - Tuberculin Skin Test

ChildCareCenter Contract - Hemophilus Influenza (recommended)

- Schedule Agreement-Hepatitis B

- Parent Handbook Receipt

- Parent Schedule of Classes

7. Student status: Determined by three quarters continuous enrollment per calendar year. Students who do not maintain continuous enrollment status may be dropped from the child care program and placed on the community waiting list. They may be re-enrolled when a community opening is available.

8. We have three enrollment categories:

1) Cal State L.A. student

2) Cal State L.A. faculty and staff

3) Community (no Cal State L.A. affiliation).

If the parent affiliation to Cal State L.A. changes during enrollment in our program the family must change to the appropriate category for their new status. For example, enrollment status may change due to finishing school or changing jobs. All student and staff parents who have changed status must fill out a new application for a community spot if they wish to continue to receive child care services. If no community openings are available the family will be given priority on the community waiting list.

8. Grant Funding: Families that are income and/or need eligible may qualify for funding from the California Department of Education for either General Child Care or State Preschool grants. Enrollment priorities for these two programs are as follows:

a. General Child Care:

Families qualifying for assistance from the California Department of Education General Child Care grant must demonstrate both need and income eligibility according to the guidelines set forth by the state. Children served under the General Child Care grant will be enrolled in the following order of priority as space permits:

  • Children receiving care from Child Protective Services
  • Income eligible – student parent
  • Income eligible – other

b. StatePre-School:

Families qualifying for State Preschool must be income eligible, but are not required to demonstrate need. Children may be enrolled in State Preschool in the following order of priority:

  • Children receiving care from Child Protective Service
  • Eligible 4 year old* – student parent

Eligible 4 year old – other

  • Eligible 3 year old* – student parent
  • Eligible 3 year old – other

(* Age of eligibility is defined as child who will be three or four on Dec.2 of the contract year.)

c. Within each category the applicants will be prioritized by income. Families with the lowest adjusted income shall beadmitted first, or when warranted, the following priorities may be applied:

  • A child with exceptional needs who’s IEP identifies State Preschool or General Child Care as being an appropriate placement.
  • Children from families whose special circumstances may diminish the child’s opportunity for normal development.
  • When two or more families have the same income the family that has been on the waiting list the longest shall be admitted first.

9. Confidentiality: All information you provide as a part of the admission process will be kept confidential. Thisinformation will be used by the office and teaching staff as necessary to serve your child. At no time will it beshared with other parents or agencies without your permission.

10. Class schedules and emergency information: Each parent must have an accurate record of his/her class schedule on file, as well as other emergency information. It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the director of any changes in regard to class schedule and

location, address, or phone number.

11. Termination of child care by the Center: Occasionally, a child does not adjust to the Children's Center environment. In this event every attempt will be made to work with the parent to resolve the difficulty. However, the Director reserves the right to terminate a child from the program, after parent involvement, if the child is not benefiting from the services offered. Other reasons for termination include: three late pick ups, the family falls more than one month behind in fees, non-cooperation of parent, or the child's behavior threatens the mental or physical health of other children at the center.

Sign-In/Out Procedures

Each parent (or designated adult over 18 years) is responsible for recording entrance and departure time by signing the attendance sheet.

1.Arrival: When arriving at the Center, sign your child in at the front desk, note the time of arrival, and deliver your child to the teacher. You are responsible for your child until he or she is acknowledged by a staff member and accepted into the program.

2.Departure: Sign your child out, note the time, and MAKE SURE to tell a staff member that you are picking your child up from the Center. Parent mail folders are located next to the signin sheets. Please check daily for written information from the office or teachers.

3.Contract Signature: All parents who receive child care funding must additionally sign their contract attendance sheet daily.This form requires a full signature that matches the contract signature. This form is located under the daily sign-in sheet for your child’s class.

4.Infant/Toddler Parents: After signing in at the front desk take your child to their classroom. Once there fill out a daily intake form. Schedule at least 10 minutes for dropping off and picking up your child each day so that you leave in a relaxed manner. Please change your child’s diaper before leaving. This will provide one special intimate moment for parent and child before separating for the day.

5.Authorization to pick up child: No child will be released to anyone who is not on the child's authorized list for pick up without written notice from the parent.

6.Late pick ups: If the parent finds it impossible to pick up their child it is his/her responsibility to contact someone who is authorized to pick up their child. Late pick ups are not allowed. If there are more than three late pick ups per quarter the child will be subject to dismissal from the Center.

7.Nonrelease of child: If a parent or designated adult arrives to sign child/ren out while he/she is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the police will be called immediately and will deal with the situation as they see fit.

Building Rules

1.The Children’s Center parking lot is designated for CSULA Faculty/Staff parking and requires a permit for use. Parents who are not staff may park at the green curb-side for drop-off and pick-up only. If you plan to be at the Center for a longer visit with your child or their teacher you may use the designated thirty-minute parking stalls. For visits requiring longer than thirty minutes please ask for a temporary parking pass from the office. Please do not park in the lot while attending classes, as all unauthorized cars will be ticketed.

2.Do not park in the handicapped area unless you have the required handicap parking permit visibly displayed.

3.Before delivering your child to the classroom, or after picking up, you are responsible for your child's safety.

  • Please do not allow your child to run in the hallway or to exit the building without you.
  • Please stay with your child and help them to use the front stairs appropriately, and to cross the parking lot safely.
  • Please do not allow your child to slide down handrails or climb on planters.

4.No smoking is allowed at any time in the building or play yard.

ATTENDANCE AND BILLING

Child attendance is scheduled based on parent request at the beginning of each quarter. Contracts reflect thescheduled attendance for the quarter. Quarter schedules may not be changed after the first week of each quarter. During the first week every effort will be made to accommodate schedule changes, though openings in all timeblocks cannot be guaranteed.

1. Contractual agreement: All parents are required to sign a Child Care Contract upon admission. Contractsreflect the child's enrollment days for the quarter. Tuition is charged based on the contracted hours, extra hours,and penalty charges for late pick up. There is no refund for holidays, absenteeism, vacation, or unreportedchanges of hours.

Fees will be reduced in the following circumstances only: Christmas Holiday closure the Center closes for twoweeks during the fall to winter quarter break. There will be no tuition charged during this closure; Child extendedillness the fee will be reduced fully for days missed beyond the first week of illness with a written excuse from aphysician. No discount is allowed for the first week of a child's illness.

2. Grant Applicants: Income and/or need eligible parents may apply for General Child Care or State Preschool funding.

  • Applicants must show proof of currentCSLA enrollment, work schedules if employed, and submit evidence of income in order to determine eligibility.
  • Assistance is based on annual family income using the California Department of Education guidelines.
  • Once grant eligibility is determined parents will receive a Notice of Action, detailing their child’s schedule and the amount of award. It is the parent’s responsibility to inform the Center immediately of any changes in employment, school schedules or income.
  • Changes affecting schedule and eligibility may affect child enrollment in the Children’s Center.

3. Attendance Policy: Attendance is required for the agreed-upon child schedule unless there is an excused absence. The parent must inform the school of the reason for absence on the day it occurs. Parents must call the office at the beginning of the day to provide information for an excused absence. Families who are not on grants should inform the Center whenever their child is to be absent, however there is no limit to the number of excused absence days. There is no tuition reimbursement for vacation or other time absent except in the case of documented extreme illness as stated in number one above.

4. Annual absence limit: Absences for family emergency and/or best interest of the child are limited to a total of ten days per contract year. There is no limit to excused absences due to illness.

5.Excused Absence: Absences shall be excused for family emergencies, illness and for circumstances that are in the best interest of the child as defined below:

  • Illness: Children may be excused for illness when parents notify the Center that their child is ill and specify the type of illness. A doctor’s note may be required for excessive absence due to illness or for absence beyond three days. Acceptable reasons for excused absence are: fever, vomiting, stomach ache, diarrhea, cold symptoms, flu, cough, infectious illness, rash, physical injury, bloody nose, asthma, bronchitis, lice, headache, hives, ear infection, pink eye or surgery.
  • Family Emergency: Acceptable reasons are as follows: death of a close family member, family crisis (divorce, child or spousal abuse, loss of home) car accident, home disaster, natural disaster, parent incapacitation, injury or illness of a sibling, no transportation, attending a family funeral, car problems, doctor or dentist appointment, therapy appointment, family member in hospital, parent illness.
  • Best Interest of the Child: Time spent with parent for special event or court ordered visitations with parent.

6.Unexcused Absence limit: The Center shall allow up to 10 unexcused absences per contract year. Unexcused absences in excess of twenty per year will be grounds for termination from the subsidized program. Termination of subsidized services may also result in termination of enrollment in the Children’s Center if no non-subsidized openings are available. If there is a non-funded opening available the terminated subsidized parent may opt to stay at the Children’s Center and pay full fees for child care services.