Family Handbook Revised 12-13
Shining Stars Preschool & Childcare Center, LLC
3900 Cedar Court Suamico WI 54313
Phone: 920-865-3900 Fax: 920-865-3901
4275 Hillcrest Drive Hobart WI 54155
Phone: 920-965-7769 Fax: 920-965-7132
Shiningstarschildcaregreenbay.com
Family Handbook – Revised March 2017
Welcome: Please take the time before your child’s first day to read the following Family Enrollment Policies. It is important that your child’s transition to Shining Stars be a happy and stress-free time. By reading and agreeing with the policies, you can help make the experience enjoyable.
Philosophy: We believe that all children are shining stars. Each child has particular talents that we wish to expose and develop. We also encourage the children to view each other as shining stars with unique facets to be sought out and celebrated.
We believe children learn best through play. Research has proven that children are smarter and more compassionate when exposed to nature and through mixed age grouping. Often the children will play outdoors with other classrooms. All children will have access to natural materials throughout the day. All the staff is trained in developmentally appropriate practices, using NAEYC’s reference book titled Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs. We use this knowledge in implementing a program that assists the children in learning. Although each child maintains the right to not participate in an activity, the teachers will try to provide a wide range of activities and present them in such a way that the child will want to join in the fun. Each teaching team (we provide 2 teachers for each classroom) will tailor their pre-school program based on the readiness skills and interests of the children in the classroom at that time. Weekly calendars will be posted detailing all pre-school activities.
We also train our teachers in the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards, which ask the teachers to assess, set goals and record the progress of the children in their group in four main developmental areas, health and physical development, social/emotional skills, language and communication, and approaches to learning.
To foster as sense of family connections at Shining Stars we practice continuity of care. Your child will transition, with his friends and teachers, to the next classroom, each June. (Few exceptions may occur). Please watch for detailed information on the move starting in April.
Portfolios: We prepare portfolios using the principles highlighted in the book titled Six Simple Ways to Asses Children.. Using the assessments from the book we form a base and then set goals for your child. We then transfer the goals to a lesson plan and record the results. We will attach examples and share these portfolios at conference and at your request. We will send home the portfolios annually, upon termination of care, or as requested. In addition, you will be asked, at least annually, to complete an Ages & Stages Questionaire or sign a waiver.
History: Shining Stars Suamico was formed as an LLC for the purpose of providing education oriented care solely for the children, by highly qualified staff. We became licensed October 2nd, 1998 and we are currently licensed to serve 56 children between the ages of 6 weeks to 12 years. We were NAEYC Accredited from 2005 through 2010 and now participate in YoungStar.
Shining Stars Hobart opened September 1, 2014 and is licensed to serve 125 children between the ages of 6 weeks to 12 years. Shining Stars Hobart also participates in YoungStar.
Hours / Days of Operation:
Shining Stars Suamico is open year round from 4:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Shining Stars Hobart is open year round from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Both centers will be closed the following holidays with no reduction in fees.
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
July 4th
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
The day after Thanksgiving Day (Friday)
Christmas Eve closed at noon
Christmas Day
New Year’s Eve Day closed at 3pm
If the holiday lands on a Saturday, the center will be closed Friday. If the holiday lands on a Sunday the center will be closed Monday.
There will be times when it will be necessary to change the center’s hours or close the center during a holiday period (i.e., the day after Christmas or any holiday when the enrollment does not warrant having the required 2 staff members). There will be no reduction in fees for these days, but you will receive prior notice, so you will be able to make alternative arrangements.
The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families requires all child care employees to attend a minimum of 25 hours, per year, of continuing education. If an early childhood conference or training should be offered on a weekday, the center may be closed for up to 2 days with a month’s prior notice given. There will be no reduction in fees for this day.
Secure Facility: For the safety of your child and Shining Stars, the key code you are given, for entrance to the school, is for you only. Please do not share with your child or any others who do not require access to our facility. There is a doorbell for those who need to occasionally pick up your child.
Severe Weather: We rarely close school but in the case of extreme weather, please listen to the local radio stations for announcements about the center closing and arrange to pick-up your child as soon as possible. It is in the best interest of the children not to be on the roads in bad weather, as their body temperature regulation is still developing.
Emergencies: In case of an emergency, Shining Stars Suamico has permission from St Edward & Isadore Church to use their building as a safe haven. We will walk there as a group if necessary. It is approximately ¼ mile on County Road M. Shining Stars Hobart can evacuate to Hillcrest Elementary School by use of the walking path that connects us.
In an emergency we will make sure all children are safe and accounted for and then use the emergency cards to call you to pick up your children. If you are not available, we will call the emergency contact you listed on the enrollment form.
Please note, windows do open, so we can function without the air conditioning if necessary. In addition, we have central air and use it regularly in the summer. Please dress your children accordingly.
In the case of a power outage, we have flashlights and a generator available.. We will use a cell phone to call you to pick up your child ASAP if the power outage lasts longer than is safe. (This will vary upon the situation and time of year). If your power is out, we will call your emergency contact.
Enrollment: Enrollment is based on availability. All children, over the age of 6 weeks and under 13 years old are eligible for enrollment. To enroll your child please make arrangements to visit the center and speak with the Director. Per State licensing code, before your child can be accepted into the program, the following forms must be completed:
1. Child Care Enrollment form
2. Health History & Emergency Care Plan form (updated every 6 months)
3. Transportation Permission form (for children 2 years and older)
4. Day Care Immunization Record
5. Child Health Report (updated every 6 months until age 2, Not required for children 5 years and older)
6. Permission Page
7. Household Income Statement
8. CACFP Enrollment Hours/ Infant Meal Notification From (complete for 12 months and under)
9. Intake Form (all children under 2 years of age & updated every 3 months)
10. SIDS Policy Form
In cases of joint custody and non-custodial parents, you must submit a copy of the court order with the case number clearly displayed. We also require a copy of the court ordered visitation schedule as it pertains to the center.
Note: Only the custodial parent must sign the enrollment forms.
All enrollment forms and other personal information will be kept in the Director’s office and is filed by the Director. No one else will have access to these files, except the legal guardians of the child, the teacher, and state licensing, unless permission is granted through the Director. In legal matters, documented papers will be required. Child Intake forms will be kept in the classroom as a reference for the teachers.
Items needed: Please provide the following items for an infant:
● A change of clothes. Labeled (Sometimes even 2 changes are recommended.)
● Diapers and wipes as needed. Labeled
● Appropriate outside wear (see clothing list below) Labeled
● All formula/breast milk, if you choose to not use our brand, labeled with name and date.
● Note: Infants do not need sleeping bags. We provide a bottom sheet in the crib, which is changed after every 5 uses. Infants sleep on their backs without a top blanket. Research has shown that if the Infant is dressed appropriately a top blanket is not needed and could actually prevent SIDS.
Please provide the following items for your toddlers and preschoolers:
● A change of clothes. Labeled (Sometimes even 2 changes are recommended.)
● A sleeping bag, enclosed on 3 sides. Labeled
● Diapers and wipes as needed. Labeled
● Appropriate outside wear (see clothing list below) Labeled
● Toothbrush
School-age children will need the preschool items, with the exception of a sleeping bag.
Clothing: Children learn best through play and sometimes that play can get very messy. (i.e., painting, mud, glue etc.) Please dress your child in washable, comfortable, clothing. An extra set of clothing that is labeled, should be kept in the child’s locker at all times.
Children prefer outdoor play to indoor play almost 100% of the time. Every day, weather permitting, we will spend time outdoors. Please make sure your child has a heavy jacket, snow pants, boots, hat, and mittens for winter play and a swimsuit for summer play. Tennis shoes or sturdy rubber soled shoes work best in this play environment. Jelly shoes, sandals or other open toed shoes, cowboy boots, and most dress shoes are inappropriate and will not be encouraged in the center. Rain boots are advised for rain and mud play.
Please mark all your child’s clothes with their name or initials. We cannot be responsible for lost items. We keep the thermostats at 68 degrees, so please dress accordingly.
Health Requirements: Before your child can be admitted to the center, they must have a physical on file from a licensed physician, which is not more than 6 months old or which will be completed within 90 days of enrollment for all children not enrolled in public school. Your child’s physical must be renewed every 6 months if they are less than 2 years old and every 2 years after their second birthday. Your child cannot remain in the center without a current physical on file. The parent or guardian is responsible for keeping this requirement current and getting copies to the center. Failure to comply will result in termination of the child.
A Day Care Immunization Record is also required before your child can be enrolled in the center. All immunizations must be recorded. Included in this document is the date your child had the chickenpox or the date your child was immunized with the varicella shot. A copy of all updated shots must be brought to the office as soon as possible. Your child cannot remain in the center with past due records. If shots are not administered due to health or religious beliefs, a written waiver, signed and dated by the appropriate persons, must be filed with the office, before the child is admitted into the program.
Upon enrollment please note any allergies or other health situations, which may need special attention by completing the Health History and Emergency Care Plan form. We require a signed doctor’s note detailing any allergies which the information will then be posted in the appropriate places (i.e., kitchen, room affected, snack areas). Teachers and staff will be alerted and trained in how to work with special needs when appropriate.
Illness: Our goal is to provide childcare so that parents can work and/or attend school, and also keep children as healthy as possible. For the health and safety of everyone, children who are ill may not attend school. Upon arrival, please take your child to their classroom where a health check will be conducted for signs of illness. Your child will not be admitted if any of the symptoms listed below are found. If during the day any of the following symptoms are noted, your child will be isolated, within sight and sound of a staff member and you will be called to pick up your child. If you cannot be reached, the emergency contact you have listed will be called.
The symptoms are:
● A temperature of 101 or higher
● Vomiting
● Diarrhea
● Unexplained rash
● Lice and /or nits
● Inflammation of the eye(s)
● Suspicion of any communicable or contagious disease.
Please report any contagious disease to the center as soon as possible. A contagious disease includes: measles, chicken pox, lice, strep throat, conjunctivitis (pink eye), etc... A note for the exposed communicable disease will be placed on the parent information board with the date of all exposures listed and will be left up until 15 days after the last exposure is noted. All communicable diseases will be reported to the Health Department immediately. Your child will be excluded from the center during the incubation period of a communicable disease, however may be readmitted after the Health Department’s designated period of time has passed. As a general rule if your child is not well enough to play outside, they are not well enough to come to school.
- Keep children home with a fever until their temperature is normal for at least 24 hours and your child is able to participate in normal daily activities.
- Do not return with a spreading rash or rash with a fever until a physician determines the cause and recommends returning to school.
- Do not return with pink eye until no discharge is present.
- Do not return with chickenpox until lesions have dried and crusted.
- Do not return with ringworm until treatment has begun.
- Do not return with strep throat until 24 hours after treatment is begun and not fever present. We need a doctor release.
- Do not return with lice until no nits or lice present. (Staff will do a lice check prior to child entering the classroom).
- Do not return with vomiting or diarrhea until the child is free from vomiting for 12 hours and is able to keep food down. For diarrhea the child must have a solid stool before returning.
Medication: No prescription or non-prescription medicine can be given to your child by staff without the following:
●A signed and dated consent form must be completed. Please see your child’s teacher for a copy of the “Authorization to Administer’ form.
● Prescription medication must be in its’ original container with the child’s name, directions and dosage clearly typed. The name of the drug and physician’s name must also be included.
● Measuring spoons or droppers must be provided with the medication and also labeled with the child’s name. This will be sent home nightly to be washed.
● Medication will be sent home as soon as the date on the prescription is met. Please remind staff if you need to take home nightly.
●Non-prescription drugs must be in the original container and labeled with the child’s name. These medicines will be given according to the doctor’s written authorization or in the absence of a Doctor’s authorization, as indicated on the bottle or chart located in each room.
● Give all medications and consent forms to a staff member. Do not leave in your child’s locker or with the child.
● All medication will be kept in a locked and labeled box out of reach of children. The medication given to your child will be recorded in a special lined and numbered medical logbook. Please let us know if medicine is to be refrigerated. A special marked container will be used.
Child Abuse/Neglect: By law, staff is mandated to report all suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the Brown County Social Services Department. All staff are trained through a certified class and are required to update their training every two years.
Emergencies / Accidents: The following steps will be taken in all accidents:
●Minor injuries will be cleaned with soap, water, and bandage; ice will be applied to bumps. This will then be noted in the Medical Log book.
●Serious injuries will be brought to the attention of the director, who will contact the parents and determine whether the licensor needs to be notified. This too, will be noted in the Medical Log book.
●The most serious injuries will be treated with emergency first aid and 911 will be called for transport to St. Mary’s Hospital. Parents will immediately be notified and directed to the hospital.