Parent Handbook
CITIZEN POTAWATOMI NATION CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Letter to Parents Dear Parents, Welcome! We are excited you have chosen Citizen Potawatomi Nation Child Development Center. You and your child are very important to us. We will work hard to provide the best possible environment for your child and we look forward to your involvement. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Child Development Center has one of the most exciting Child Development programs in the state: We offer music, computer, reading, prescience and whole language development as a part of our regular curriculum. We also have a variety of field trips and regular activities which the children in the Center find exciting. Each year we offer annual parties such as Halloween, Christmas and Easter. At these activities, every child receives presents and treats. One of my favorite times of the year is our graduation service in which the children receive diplomas.
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Our goal is to provide a positive atmosphere, in which cooperative play and developmental learning take place. We hope you and your child will love being here. Parents Conferences will be scheduled twice a year to help parents and teachers work together. If you feel additional conferences are necessary, please let us know immediately so we can serve you better. Parents are welcome to visit the Center at any time. If you need to visit with a teacher - please contact me so that I can arrange a substitute while you visit with the teacher. If you have concerns and suggestionslet us know. We want our program to be the very best. When we work together we can provide the best experience possible for your child in care. Sincerely, Donnette Littlehead And the Potawatomi Nation Child Development Staff.
Contents
(1) Location, Staff, License 1 (2) Children Accepted (Ages) 1 (3) Days and Hours of Operation 1 Attendance Policy 1 Holiday Schedule For Closing 2 Inclement Weather Closing Policy 3 The Snack Shack 3 (4) Fees and Payment Arrangements 6 (5) Age Level Program Descriptions 8 (6) Admission Procedures 10 Tribal Members, Private Pay, Vouchers and Co-Payments 10 Tribal Employee Discount 10 Health and Safety Admission Requirements 11 Children With Disabilities 12 Dropping Off and Picking up Children 12 Children’s Personal Belongings 13 What Your Child Needs to Bring 13 Sick Policies 15 Parent and Staff Communication 17 Transportation of Children 18 Children Who Arrive Late for Field Trips 19 Before and After School Transportation – Late Policy 19 (7) Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse 20 (8) Meals, and Snacks Including Birthday Parties 21 (9) Discipline Policy. 22 Child Support Enforcement, Paternity and Related Assistance
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Location
The Child Development Center is located at 1601 S. Gordon Cooper. Phone 878-4861
Staff
Director: Donnette Littlehead
License
The Citizen Potawatomi child Development Center is a Two Star enforced. Our License number is CPN001.
In the Director’s absence: Christie Williams, Assistant Director Jessie Hernandez, Program Coordinator Keyon Permetter, License Manager
The Program also complies with Federal Regulations identified in The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (CCDBG) as amended by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193) and the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 ( P.L. 105-33). [45 CFR 98 and 99] For the purposes of CCDBG grant the Tribe is a Non-Exempt Tribe and must offered a Certificate Program to income eligible families identified in the grant. Though the Child Development Fund the Center expends 5% of grant funding on activities to improve the quality and availability of day care. The Child Care and Development Funds (CCDF) are consolidated under the 102-477 Training and Related Services Plan of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.
Children Accepted
Children are accepted after they are 8 Weeks old.
Hours of Operation
6 A.M. TO 6 P.M. Monday through Friday
Children under the age of 13 are accepted into the School-Age Programs
Development Center – Children who miss ten days in a roll or Attendance Child ten days in a month may be moved to the waiting list so that services can be provided to a child needing full time services.
After School Program - Children must attend four out of five days each week during the month in order to maintain full time attendance. Children who are not attending full time may be moved to a waiting list so that services can be provided to a child needing full time services. Children are not eligible for field trips unless they are attending three or more days a week.
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Schedule
A daily schedule is posted in each classroom. Daily schedules vary based on the age group and developmental level of the children.
Sample Schedule: START FINISH PLANNED ACTIVITES 7:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Arrive, Health Screening, Breakfast, play 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Computer Activities 10:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Group Activities: stories, music, culture, art 11:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Lunch 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. Prepare for Rest Time 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Rest, naps and Quiet Time in the Center 3:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m. Snacks 3:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Outside Activities 4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Group Activities 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Group Activities and Departure
Holiday Schedule The Child Development Center is closed for the following & Weather Holidays: January New Years Day May: Memorial Day June: Friday of CPN Festival July: Independence Day July: One day for Employee Appreciation September: Labor Day November: Veteran’s Day Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday) December: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Scheduled Closing will be posted prior to holidays to alert parents. Parents are not charged when the Center is closed INCLEMENT WEATHER The Center may be closed during the business day when there is an imminent threat of danger for weather related reasons. When parents are aware of major weather events (example – forecasts of blizzards or tornados) they should call the Center to be advised about potential closings. Parents will not be charged when the Center is closed for weather. In the event a storm forces an early closing, parents will be charged for a partial day if the closing occurs before 1 p.m. After 1 p.m., parents will be charged for a whole day.
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Snack Shack
Children are not allowed to bring toys or candy to the Center. Children may buy snacks from The Center Snack Shack after the 2:30 / 3:00 p.m. free snack time. The Snack Shack opens at 11 a.m. for employees and is operated after 2:30 p.m. by older youth supervised by Center staff. The Snack Shack operates as a part of the After School Program.
Fees & Payments FEES - FULL DAY OF CARE (Over 4 hours) AGE OF CHILD DAILY RATE FULL PART 0-24 MONTHS $14 $10 25-48 MONTHS $12 $8 49-72 MONTHS $12 $8 73 months -13 years $10 $6
MONTHLY RATE $303 $260 $260 $217
The fee for a special needs child is $25 per day. PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS Fees are due the First Monday of the month and may be paid in advance. Fees may be paid every two weeks when this is more convenient to a family. Past due Statements are mailed to delinquent parents. Fees may be paid in cash, check or money order, payable to the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Child Development Center. ADDITIONAL FEE PAYMENT POLICIES All payments must be made to the Center Director, unless another staff member is designated. Payments should not be left with a classroom teacher. All fees are due by the first Monday of each month. Receipts will be given for each payment and may be used for tax purposes. Co-payments must be paid on the first day of the month.
Make Checks to: Citizen Potawatomi Nation Child Development Center. 6 Child Development Center
LATE FEES Late Payment - A $5.00 late fee will be charged when payment is not received by the close of business on the first Monday of the Month. Over time Charge - When children are left past 6 p.m. there will be a $1.00 fee for every minute. After 6:00 p.m. the fee is $1.00 per minute. Children are not re-admitted for care until the late fee is paid. Please call the Center at 878-4861 if you are going to be late. Returned Checks - The charge for returned checks will be $15.00. After two returned checks, cash payments will be expected. Withdrawals - Please give two week notice when withdrawing a child. Drop In - Drop in child care is not provided unless the child has completed enrollment procedures and made a prepayment for care. Absence - If your child will not be coming on a particular day, please call and let us know as early as possible so we can plan accordingly. Illness - If your child has an extended illness, contact the Center Director to discuss financial arrangements. If a child is absent for 5 days without notice - then the child will be dropped from the enrollment. Fee Waivers - Under special circumstances, parents may request a one time waiver of fees during a family emergency. Fees can be waived for up to one month. Documentation of the emergency is required. See the Center Director for a fee waiver application form if you are experiencing a family emergency
Age Level - Program Discriptions
LOCATION The Child Development Center is located at 1601 S. Gordon Cooper. Phone 878-4861. All programs except field trips are carried out at that location. INFANT AND TODDLER PROGRAMS The daily schedule for infants is determined by each individual infant and will vary according to his/her needs. As infants transition to the toddler program, opportunities for self-help skills and making choices are introduced along with activities to facilitate children’s learning. Staff are required to be present in each room occupied by children at all times. To ensure consistency and stability in meeting the needs of infants, toddlers and twoyear-olds, care is provided by familiar staff members whenever possible. Children are: A. Removed from their cribs often when not sleeping B. Provided with play equipment during the intervals they may be awake in their cribs, and C. Provided opportunities to play freely on a clean, safe floor. Staff provides frequent nurturing stimulation in a variety of ways including talking to, playing with, and holding and rocking children. Language development is also encouraged by staff members through individual interaction with each child, e.g., singing, talking, reacting to the child’s sounds, naming objects, reading stories and playing musical games. The center provides opportunities for children to be outdoors. Staff members guard against allowing toddlers and two-year-olds to become over stimulated or too tired by alternating active and quiet periods about every 20 minutes. PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS Our goal is to provide the best environment possible for young children. Our curriculum and Center are set up to be a learning experience. What this means is that the children in the Center will be provided the materials, guidance and opportunity to learn at an appropriate pace for their level of development. In our planning sessions, staff utilize their knowledge and the Center resources to design activities that fit both the individual and group needs of young children. Staff plan and provide varied experiences that meet children’s needs and stimulate learning in all developmental areas, i.e., language, physical, social, emotional and intellectual, regardless of gender. Each child is viewed by staff as a unique person with an individual pattern of growth and development. We know that play is a young child’s work. Children learn best through hands on experiences and through active participation. The center has a variety of learning areas, e.g., areas for dramatic play, blocks, books, art and science. Children are provided opportunities to work individually or in small informal groups most of the day and permitted to choose staff-directed or self-selected activities or not to participate. Flexible Program Schedule A variety of activities are chosen that includes time for vigorous indoor and outdoor play, rest periods and meals. Large blocks of free play and shorter periods of teacher guided
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experiences will be offered throughout the day. A daily schedule is posted and followed with reasonable regularity. Materials will be available for self-expression such as: blocks, clay, water and sand. These materials lay the basic foundations for academic areas and school readiness. Puzzles, games, stories, singing and rhythm activities become foundations for Language Arts, Science, Math, Cultural Awareness and Social Studies. Television and videos, if used, are age-appropriate and used with discretion and selectivity. SCHOOL AGE PROGRAMS The school age program serves children before and after school and offers children opportunities to release energy, relax or complete homework with the assistance of a tutor. The program is designed to provide a balance of activities that includes: A. Opportunities for alternating periods of indoor and outdoor play, weather permitting; B. Alternating periods of quiet and active play; C. A balance of large muscle and small muscle activities; D. More than one option for an activity (individual, small group or large group) for children most of the day; and E. A variety of developmentally and age-appropriate activities and materials, including art projects, board games, reading and music, puzzles, and dramatic play. F. School age child may also participant in Drug Awareness, Gang Prevention and Self Esteem Building Activities designed to enhance school success OUTDOOR PLAY Out door time is planned daily unless the weather is severe. REST TIME Quiet times and activities will be scheduled throughout the day to provide rest for the children. The Center will have several areas available at all times if a child needs rest or just a quiet time out. A regularly scheduled rest period of 1 1/2 hours will be scheduled in the early afternoon. There will be more flexibility for those that need more rest. During this time, all children will be placed on cots and the Center will be quiet and conducive to rest. MUSIC SCHEDULE
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Toddlers 9:30 – 9:50 Two Year Olds 10:00 – 10:20 Five and Six 4:00 – 4:30
Three and Fours 9:30 – 9:50 Seven to Nine 4:00 – 4:30
Ten to Twelve 4:00 – 4:30
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Admission Policies and Procedures
Parents may pick up an Application Packet or have one mailed to their home address. An application packet must be completed on each child entering the Center. The packet will include: 1. Application 2. Copy of Parent or child CDIB 3. Copy of Immunization Record 4. Payment contract and verification of child care assistance. FOR POTAWATOMI TRIBAL MEMBERS and EMPLOYEES Vouchers or certificates: Day Care and School-Age Vouchers are issued based on family size and income using 85% of the State median income on a sliding scale. Income eligible Tribal members may request a voucher or certificate which may be redeemed at the Tribal Child Development Center or private provider of their choice. All providers must be registered with the Tribe and licensed with the State. Employees of the Tribe: Simply complete the application packet for services and return it to the Child Development Center. Include a copy of your tribal ID. Once the application is complete, it will be reviewed and approved by the Director.Two week must be paid in advance before child care can begin. FOR PRIVATE PAY CLIENTS Simply complete the application packet for services and return it to the Child Development Center . Once the application is complete, it will be reviewed and approved by the Director. One week must be paid in advance before child care can begin. PAYMENT FROM OTHER TRIBE (not Potawatomi) The Child Development Center Tribal Vouchers for day care services. Parents must bring a tentative co-payment agreement from the Tribe making the co-payment. Co-payments must be paid the first day of the month. FOR JOB TRAINING CLIENTS ( TANIF, 102-477, JTPA) Upon referral to the Child Development Center , Simply complete the application packet for services and return it to the Child Development Center . Once the application is complete, it will be reviewed and approved by the Director. Any fees for which
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the parent will be responsible will be identified and discussed at the Admission Conference. Welfare to Work clients may be required to complete separate Day Care Voucher Requests from the State and their Tribe to pay for services. All Applications for Assistance are reviewed within five working days and parents will be notified when their child should begin to attend. CPN EMPLOYEES RECEIVING EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT: Full-time Employees of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation receive a $25 discount per week on their full time child care. Fees are not discounted for less than full time care. The program is designed to provide $100 credit per month (per child) for full-time employees toward each employee’s child who stays in the CPN Child Development Center on a fulltime basis. [Full time day care children may not miss more than 10 times a month. After school participants may not miss more than 4 times a month. See the Attendance Policy on page 2. ] Part-time employees receive a discount of $50 per child per month. The $50 amount may decrease proportionately to the number of hours worked if an employee works less than 40 hours per pay period. Employee’s receiving an Employee Discount, who desire to leave their child(ren) in day care after their shift ends (or at any time while they are off duty) will be responsible for the additional hourly charges. These charges will reduce their employee discount. These charges will not exceed the age related daily or per-hour rate charged to non-employees for child care. All late fees schedules will apply to employees. HEALTH AND SAFETY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Health In accordance with Licensing Requirements, Parents must submit a statement certifying the date of the last physical examination of the child, an immunization record, and a list of any special health needs. The Center will also maintain an information file with the name, address and telephone number of the child’s physician. Immunizations Children admitted to the Center must be up to date on their immunization schedule. Parents must submit written proof that their child is up to date. Quarterly checks are made to insure that all children are up to date. An Immunization Schedule is included in the Appendix. Contagious Disease Parents are asked to notify the Center Director if a child develops a contagious disease or has been exposed to one. Daily Health Check Each day when children arrive they will be given a brief health screening to check for symptoms of colds, fevers, contagious disease, etc. Parents must remain with their child until the check is complete. Should a child become ill during the day - the child will be separated from the other children and the parent will be notified and requested to pick up the child as soon as possible. If the Center is unable to locate the parent, the emergence numbers provided by the parent will be called.
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SAFTY PROCEDURES Fire Procedures Specific procedures are provided for the Center Staff and children to follow in case of fire. These procedures are posted and are practiced through regular fire drills. Exit routes are clearly marked in the Center. Parents will be notified in case of an emergency. Tornado Procedures Specific procedures are provided for the Center Staff and children to follow in case of a tornado warning. These procedures are posted and are practiced through regular tornado drills. Parents will be notified in case of an emergency. CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES Parents of children with disabilities are requested to supply the following information regarding the child’s special needs:
1. Instructions for routine care including: eating, sleeping, toilet training, diapering, communication and positioning. 2. Special needs such as behavior or guidance. 3. Adaptive devices or special equipment (care and use) 4. Medication, treatment or therapy. 5. Individual medical emergency plan. 6. Permission to consult and coordinate services with appropriate health and child development professionals Reasonable adaptations will be made to enable a child with disabilities to participate in program activities. Each teacher who care for a child with a known disability will receive individual instruction for that child including a review of all material provided by the parent. When placing a child with disabilities in an age group, the Center will consider all areas of the child’s development. Guidance will be appropriate to developmental age and type of disability rather than chronological age. DROPPING OFF AND PICKING UP YOUR CHILDREN Parents are required to enter the Center in order to Sign In or Sign Out their child. Failure to sign your child in or out can result in a full day charge for day care. Please do not leave your car running when you are picking up or dropping off your child.. The best
procedure is to turn off the engine and Lock your car. The Child Development Center is not responsible for any items stolen from your car while you are signing in your child. If someone other than an approved person is to sign out and pick up the child, the parent/guardian must notify the Center in writing. Presentation of a picture ID will be required to substantiate that the correct person is picking up the child. NON CUSTODIAL PARENTS Non-custodial parents will NOT be allowed to pick up children from the Child Development Center without prior written consent from the custodial parent. Parents who have court ordered custody and require Center staff to monitor restricted pick-up orders must provide the Center with Court Custody documents showing that a non-custodial parent is not allowed to remove a child from the Center. NOTIFICATION WHEN CHILDREN ARE LATE RETURNING Parents will receive prompt notification when children on a field trip will not arrive back at the Center as scheduled. CHILDREN’S PERSONAL BELONGINGS All items of a personal nature must be clearly marked with your child’s name and stored in their personal Cubby. From time to time Center announcements concerning field trips and activities will be placed in your child’s Cubby. Children should not bring toys from home. Home toys get broken and lost. Please check your child’s pockets and backpack before leaving home. Home toys will be put in the Director’s office and returned to the parent at the end of the day. Your child may want to bring a stuffed animal to have for rest time, these will be kept in the child’s cubby until rest time.
What to Bring
It is very important that all equipment (bottles, pacifiers, etc), clothing and other personal belongings of your child are labeled with a permanent marker. INFANTS The Center is not able to wash bottles. If you child needs five bottles a day, you must bring five bottles. The child’s needs for the following day will be marked on your supply sheet that you will receive every day when you pick up your child. Clothes –Bring a daily change of clothes with socks and make sure your child’s name is written on their clothing. Diaper Bag - Please bring some type of diaper bag each day. This helps get your child things home each day. Sheets – You must take infant’s sheets home each day. Bottles - Please bring plastic bottles, which have been prepared in the proper amount for feeding. Bottles are only used for one feeding to protect your child from the dangers of bacteria. When sterilized bottles and formula are no longer needed, you may send powered formula and the Child Development Center Staff will mix it. Diapers - Please provide all diapers, non-alcoholic baby wipes and any other diapering supplies your child will need. Babies need about 8 diapers a day. (babies use about 2
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containers of baby wipes a month). If you do not provide Wipes there will be a minimum charge of $5.00 a month added to your bill. Food - Parents are required to bring all food items for their children until they are one year of age. Please remember, it important to be consistent once a child starts on baby food and you will need to bring baby food every day. INFANT SCHEDULE 8:00 – 9:00 Arrival and breakfast 9:00 – 9:30 Diaper Check and Clean-up 9:30 – 10:30 Playtime, Music / Naptime 10:30 – 11:00 Story Time / Diaper Check 11:00 – 12:00 Lunch 12:30 – 1:30 Nap Time / Bottle 1:30 – 2:30 Diaper Change / Out Side 2:30 – 3:30 Bottle / Snack Time 3:30 – 4:30 Diaper Check / Group Time 4:30 – 5:30 Prepare to go home 6:00 - Late Charges begin TODDLERS AND OLDER CHILDREN Clothing – Children will be involved in many creative experiences and are encouraged to explore and discover in many situations. Be sure the clothing they wear does not inhibit this freedom. The following suggestions may be helpful in selecting appropriate clothing • Be easy for the child to put on and take off. Check snaps, buttons and zippers • Be loose enough to provide freedom of movement • Be durable enough for vigorous outdoor play • Be inexpensive enough that soiling, damage or loss will not be a concern. Please bring at least one set of extra clothes, including socks. Please mark all clothes with a permanent marker before bringing them to the Center. Optional Rest Time Items If requested by your child’s classroom teacher - you may need to provide a sheet and light blanket for your child to use at rest time. They will be returned to you every Friday to take home and wash and should be returned on Monday. TWO’S DAILY SCHEDULE 6:00 – 8:00 Arrive / Eat Breakfast 8:00 – 8:30 Bathroom, diapers, brush teeth 8:30 – 9:00 Free Play 9:00 – 9:45 Outside Time / group time 9:45 - 10:00 Bathroom / Diapers 10:00 - 10:30 Class time 10:30 – 10:45 Group time 10:45 - 11:00 get ready for Lunch 11:00 – 11:30 Lunch 11:30 – 11:45 Clean up / get ready for rest time 11:45 – 2:-00 Rest Time
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2:00 – 2:30 Wake up time, put away mats / bathroom / diapers 2:30 – 3:15 Snack time, clean up 3:00 – 3:30 Outside time / group time 3:30 – 3:45 bathroom / diapers 3:45 – 4:00 Color Sheets 4:00 – 4:30 Free Play 4:30 – 4:45 Bathroom / diapers 4:45 – 5:00 short video / get ready to go home 5:00 – 6:00 switch rooms / departure 6:00 Late Charges begin GENERAL DAILY SCHEDULE FOR THE CENTER 9:00 – 9:15 Planning Time 9:15 – 10:15 Work Time 10:15 – 10:30 Recall Time 10:30 – 11:00 Outside Play 12:00 – 2:00 Rest Period 2:00 – 2:30 Snack Time 2:30 – 2:50 Large Group 2:50 – 4:00 Small Group 4:00 - 4:30 Outside Play 4:30 – 4:45 Return to Class 4:45 – 6:00 Departure 6:00 - 6:05 Late Charge SICK POLICIES Please remember temporary treatment will be provided to your child while in our care. However, treatment will need to be continued while child is at home. The health and well being of all the children here are of the utmost importance. It is for the protection of the children that the Health Policies are strictly enforced. Please read over our new policies. If you have any questions or doubts, regarding the statements it contains please discuss them with the Director, or Asst. Director. Even with all of our precautions children do get sick and/or hurt. If your child needs to be seen by a Doctor you will be required to submit a signed Doctor’s note from your Doctor before your child can return to the Child Development Center. This is to ensure that a child does not return to childcare when he/she may be in danger of exposing someone else to an illness. Children with minor illness (e.g. cold, allergies, cough that is not associated with fever or difficulty breathing) may attend childcare at the Director discretion. it is important to realize that if a child is unable to participate in the normal routine or needs more care than can be provided without neglecting the other children, that child must stay home. There are times when a child needs to be with the parent for both physical and emotional comfort.
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The Teacher will notify you and the child will need to be picked up within 30minutes if: • Child has fever of 101 and higher • Develops a rash of unknown origin • Diarrhea (3 times during the day) • Has head lice or nits (eggs) No nit policy dead or alive All lice and nits need to be removed upon returning • Vomiting (2 times during the day) • Eye discharge (thick mucus or pus draining from eye) • Child is irritable, continuously crying, or requires more attention than can be provided without compromising the health and safety of the other children • Persistent cough • Any body fluids cannot be contained by bandage The Center operates a sick room in which children can be isolated until a parent picks them up. KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME - if the ABOVE symptoms are occurring while your child is in your care PLEASE keep child home. READMISSION AFTER AN ILLNESS If a child has to be sent home for fever, diarrhea, or vomiting 2 days in a row; a Doctor’s note is required in order for your child to return to childcare. If a child has to be sent home for symptoms of any communicable disease (e.g. eye discharge, unknown rash, head lice) a Doctor’s note will be required the following day in order for your child to return. The Doctor’s note must contain what the child was treated for and when they are allowed to return to daycare. Your child must be on antibiotics 24 hours before returning due to any allergic reactions or possibility of exposing our well children. We realize you cannot always keep your child home the day after immunizations. However, we highly recommend you keep him/her home the rest of the day after they have had their immunizations. Circumstances surrounding the well being of the children will be different in every situation. If the Dirictor feels your child needs to be sent home to protect them or other well children, you will be notified to pick your child up. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES In case of an accident or acute illness, an immediate attempt to contact the parent will be made using the emergency contact information provided by the parent at enrollment. If a child must be transported to the hospital, before a parent can be located, the following address will apply Unity Hospital 1900 Gordon Cooper Shawnee, OK (405) 273-2240 If the child is taken to the hospital, Center Staff will remain with the child until a parent arrives and is informed of the situation. If a child becomes sick on a field trip, a decision will be made whether to return the child to the Child Development Center or take them directly to an Emergency Room. Field trip personnel will notify the Center and immediate efforts will be made to contact the parent. It is the Parent’s responsibility to contact insurance carriers and/or to pay for any
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medical expenses, which were caused by normal, play activity. GIVING MEDICATIONS All medications brought to the Center must have a label with the child’s name and date. All medications at the Center are stored in a locked cabinet out of the reach of children. Medication requiring refrigeration is stored inside of a marked container. The teacher is responsible for giving medication to the children. If the teacher is not available, the director will dispense medications. Every time a child requires medication • Parent must fill out and sign a medication authorization form • Prescription Medication must be clearly labeled with the child’s name and dos age instructions. • Over the counter medications will be given when all of the above are followed • If the prescribed dosage is different than printed recommendations, a doctor’s statement should accompany the medication. • Children should not be returned to the Center until they have been on medica tion for 24 hours due to the possibility of allergic reactions. PARENT AND STAFF COMMUNICATION The Child Development Center has both a verbal and written system for sharing dayto-day happenings, changes in a child’s physical or emotional state, how the child ate, a special achievement of the child or information regarding any known cuts, burns or injuries that may require evaluation. The Center also has posted schedules, menus, field trips and other information on bulletin boards which parents may read. IN ORDER TO FURTHER IMPROVE COMMUNICATION: (1) Parents are welcomed in the center at all times, e.g., to observe, eat lunch with a child or volunteer in the classroom. Parents of enrolled children are permitted reasonable access to all parts of the center during hours of operation (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.). (2) Parent Conferences held at least once a year and at other times as needed to discuss children’s progress, accomplishments and difficulties; (3) Parenting resources such as books, pamphlets, videos and articles on parenting are available. The DHS publication “Choosing Quality Day Care” is made available to parents upon their child’s enrollment. (4) Parent meetings with guest speakers or special events, e.g., open house, family potluck dinners, Easter Egg hunts and other children’s programs are family oriented. (5) Parents are informed of the center’s programs through a parent’s bulletin board, regular newsletter, and this parent handbook. (6) Parents may be requested to participate in program and policy development through planning meetings or questionnaires. An annual public hearing is conducted between April 1 and June 15 each year. (7) The Child Development Center maintains a public record of substantiated parental complaints and makes information regarding such complaints available to the public on request.
Transportation
Whenever transportation, including field trips, is provided by paid staff or volunteers, the Child Development Center Program complies with the following transportation requirements: (1) The vehicle and operator of a vehicle used to transport children are in compliance with all applicable state laws. The seating capacity of the vehicle is never exceeded. (2) Written permission from parents or guardian for transportation of their child is on file at the center. (3) Parents receive prior notification of each field trip. Written parental permission is required for participation in all field trips. (4) All trips begin and end at the Center. ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE (1) Children will not be loaded on or off the vehicle from the street. (2) Children will enter and exit the vehicle from the designated space at the Child Development Center . (3) Children will not be dropped off or picked up where they must walk between, in front of, or behind other vehicles. (4) An incident report is submitted to the coordinator immediately following the trip should any incident occur which involves unsafe child behavior (unbuckle seat belt, arm out the window, etc.) . (5) When a child is dropped off at their designated drop off spot, the child will be watched until they enter the building, or are picked up by an individual designated by the parent. All drivers, including volunteers: (1) are at least 18 years old and have an operator’s license appropriate for the vehicle that will be driven; and (2) have no conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or other impaired driving offense within the last three years. (3) All drivers and adult passengers must use seat belts. Staff-child ratios during transportation: (1) When transporting children under four years of age, proper staff-child ratios are maintained without counting the driver.
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(2) For children four years old and above, the driver may be counted toward meeting the staff-child ratio. Additional Procedures: (1) A schedule showing accurate route and itinerary is planned and kept at the center to show approximately where the vehicle is at all times. However, if the vehicle is equipped with a mobile communication system, route information is not maintained. (2) The driver is provided with: A. a copy of the scheduled route; B. the name, address and telephone number of the child care center; C. names of children being transported; D. a method to contact the children’s parents in case of an emergency; and E. Emergency medical cards or information on each child. (3) Attendance is checked whenever children are boarding and exiting the vehicle. (4) Doors are locked, Children remain seated while the vehicle is in motion, and no part of a child’s body is allowed to extend from the windows. (5) Vehicles containing children are never left unattended. (6) The use of tobacco products is prohibited while children are being transported. (7) A first aid kit is maintained in the vehicle. (8) In the event there is an emergency during transportation, the Driver will contact the Child Development Center Director, leaving the Assistant to supervise the children. The Child Development Center Director will arrange to contact parents. At no time will children be left unattended. USE OF SEAT BELTS AND CAR SEATS Parents must provide a car seat for field trips with their child’s name marked on it. Children who are being transported in a passenger car, station-wagon, van or bus are properly secured in a child passenger restraint system (car seat) or seat belt. However, older children in buses with a capacity of 10 or more passengers, that meet state and federal requirements for school buses, are not restrained. Children under four years of age and weighing less than 60 pounds are properly secured in a child passenger restraint system (car seat), and children four and five years of age are protected by use of a car seat or seat belt. After children enter the vehicle, the assistant will walk to the rear of the vehicle and visually inspect that all seat belts are fastened tightly. Children under the age of three will be fastened in a car seat which has been correctly secured in the vehicle. Vehicles used by the Tribe to transport children are covered by medical and liability insurance as required by Oklahoma law. CHILDREN WHO ARRIVE LATE FOR FIELD TRIPS Parents will be notified approximately one week in advance when a field trip is planned. Each child must have a permission slip and be on time in order to make the trip. Child who do not have a permission slip or who arrive late, will remain at the Center with the teacher in charge. Meals and snacks will be served as scheduled. TRANSPORTATION FOR BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL Routes begin at 7:30 a.m. Child must have finished breakfast and be in the departure area by 7:30. Bus Routes vary. Request a current schedule at the reception desk.
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Parents must notify the van drivers if their child is not riding the van from school to the Center. When a driver waits and the child does not ride – it makes the van late for the next school. If a child is not riding the van and prior notification has not been received by the staff, the parent will be responsible for transporting the child for the following four days. BUS DISCIPLINE Children who misbehave on the bus will be corrected by the bus driver and parents will be advised. In the event that the problem is not solved and a child misbehaves three times, the child will be suspended from the bus for four (4) days. One additional incident and the child will not be allowed to ride the bus. Once a child is suspended from the bus, parents must provide all transportation for their child to school and to the after school program.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse What is Child Abuse? Oklahoma statues define child abuse as harm or threatened harm to a child’s health or welfare by a person responsible for the child. This includes non-accidental physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or neglect. Neglect is the failure of a parent or caretaker to provide a child with basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care, protection and supervision. Who Must Report? Every person, private citizen or professional who has reason to believe that a child has been abused, is mandated by law to promptly report suspected abuse. A person making a report in good faith is immune for civil or criminal liability. The name of the reporter is kept confidential. How is Abuse Reported? A report may be made to any county office of the Department of Human Services or to the 24-hour statewide Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-522-3511. Pottawatomie County (405) 878-8083 Lincoln County (405) 258-1680 Payne County (405) 372-1941 Oklahoma County (405) 841-0817 Cleveland County (405) 321-1434 Child Development Center Staff will make a report when there is reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused or neglected.
Meals and Snacks
Meals. Children remaining in the center over a four-hour period are served a balanced meal which provides at least one-third of their total daily nutritional requirements. Milk is provided for all children. Second servings are available for children. Children are encouraged, but not forced, to eat. Safe drinking water is freely available to children at all times. The Center’s food service plan and sample menu reflecting the required food service are filed with the Department of Human Services. Current weekly menus of food provided by the center are posted at all times. The Center currently contracts for meal service. Only non-potentially hazardous food items may be brought from individual homes for consumption by a group of children. MEALS ARE SERVED AT THE FOLLOWING TIMES: BREAKFAST: 7:00 a.m. to :9:00 a.m. (Children arriving after 8:45 should eat before coming). If you bring breakfast with your child please go directly to the kitchen to eat. Do not take food into the classroom. LUNCH: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. SNACKS: 3:00 p.m. A weekly meal schedule is posted each week. When field trips are scheduled, a sack lunch will be prepared for each child. If your child has special dietary needs (medical or religious) - you will be requested to supplement the Center meals. If you would like to come to the Center to eat lunch with your child please inform the staff in the morning so that we can prepare enough food. The parent lunch fee is $3.00 per person. Please observe all Center policies while visiting. SNACKS – include Hot Pockets, Jello, Yogurt, Cheese Crackers, Pizza Rolls, Fish sticks, Fruit, grilled Cheese, ice cream sandwiches, taquitos, Oreo cookies, fruit roll ups and milk. BIRTHDAYS Birthdays are very special events for young children. If you wish to plan a special snack or treat, please check with the Center Coordinator one-week in advance on how many treats to bring. All birthday treats and celebrations will take plan at 3 p.m. Due to health regulations, only Bakery purchased or pre-packaged items may be served to the children. CLASSROOM BIRTHDAY PARTIES Parents may purchase a Center arranged Birthday Party for their child. The Center will provide a cake, fun hats for the class, and a small wrapped present for the child being honored for $25.
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Discipline Policy
The Center uses forms of discipline, which will not embarrass the child in front of the other children or cause harm to their self-esteem. Our goal is to promote the skills of self-control, the ability to make appropriate choices, learning to identify their own feelings and those of others. Physical punishment, withholding of food, yelling and threatening are not allowed in the Center. If a child exhibits unacceptable behavior, the staff will respond in the following manner:
• Get on the child’s eye level • Talk in a soft calm but firm voice • Help the child explore more appropriate ways to solve conflicts (What might work better than hitting, yelling, throwing?) • Staff may redirect the child into other activities. • Staff may allow the child to “self chose” to separate from the group • Staff may use role modeling to encourage appropriate behavior. When these do not work, the staff may use Time Out based on one minute times the age of the child. [1 minute X 6 years = 6 minutes time out] However, no form of discipline works, the parent will be called and will be expected to come to the center and help discipline their child or remove the child from the center. The Center will not tolerate a child hitting, biting or throwing things at the teachers or other students. The childs parents will be call immediately. We expect the parent to come within 30 minutes. BITING AND HITTING No parent likes to pick up their child and discover a bite mark or a small bruise on their child caused by being hit by another child. The Center maintains a high square foot floor space per child so that children have plenty of room to play. Our ratio is nearly twice the State recommendations. This reduces the incidents of hitting and biting. Still, things happen. Toddlers sometimes bite or hit to communicate their needs or wants. Everything is done to prevent this but toddlers are very fast and can bite another child before an adult can stop it. Discipline is dealt with in a fair and consistent manner. Toddlers do not realize that their behavior is wrong or that they can hurt one another. Staff use Time Out and Removal from the area to treat biting and hitting. Children will also be verbally corrected in a calm firm voice. Parent consultations are required when a child continues to hit or bite. If the problem can not be corrected in a timely manner - the child will be dismissed from the program (minimum of 30 days) for the benefit of the other children and parents. BUS DISCIPLINE Children who misbehave on the bus will be corrected by the bus driver and parents will be advised. In the event that the problem is not solved and a child misbehaves three times, the child will be suspended from the bus for four (4) days. One additional incident and the child will not be allowed to ride the bus. Once a child is suspended from the bus,
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EXEMPTIONS FROM IMMUNIZATIONS Exemptions from the immunization requirements are authorized in Oklahoma law for medical, religious and personal reasons. Exemption Procedures. Certificate of Exemption forms (ODH 216A) are available from the Immunization Division of the Oklahoma State Department of Health for parents and guardians claiming an exemption for their children. In documenting a medical exemption, the parent or guardian is responsible for obtaining the signature of the physician. For other exemptions and for family emergencies, the parent/guardian must complete the form Child Support Enforcement, Income and Related Assistance The goal of the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) Program, which was established in 1975 under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, is to ensure that children are financially supported by both their parents. The Tribe is willing to provide necessary assistance to State and Federal agencies to ensure that children receive the support due them: The Citizen Potawatomi Nation will respond to requests from State and Federal CSE programs and, if requested, will provide registries of parent employees to those agencies. Potawatomi Tribal members with questions concerning child support and paternity should go to the Indian Child Welfare and Child Protection offices located at 1901 S. Gordon Cooper. The Indian Child Welfare (ICW) and Child Protection Worker (CPW) will provide information to families on how to establish Paternity and the community resources to assist them. These resources include phone numbers, days of service and transportation to genetic testing, legal aid, and the court system. The CPW and ICW offices will also advise parents concerning penalties, such as driver license revocation , seizure of assets and possible interception of income tax refunds, which can occur when child support obligations are not met. Failure to support a child for more than 12 months may result in a termination of parental rights. When a client is receiving services from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the TANF worker will provide information to the enrolling parent concerning available Child Support Enforcement services which are available automatically for families receiving assistance under the new TANF programs. Parents who are not receiving TANF can be provided information, from the TANF Office, concerning how applying for such services may benefit their child
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