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The purpose of this handbook is to provide you, the Parent/Guardian with an understanding of Red Trolleys Day Care policies and procedure.
AT Red Trolleys Day Care Center, our mission is to provide dependable childcare services that meet the needs of each child and family in a safe, educational environment.
IT IS THE GOAL of Red Trolleys Day Care Center to provide high quality, developmentally appropriate child care services to preschool children with the focus on the child’s age and ability to stimulate social, cognitive, physical, and emotional growth.
THE OBJECTIVE of Red Trolleys Day Care Center is: *To provide a curriculum which enables each child to develop new skills at their own ability levels. *To provide a variety of activities in a safe, friendly and supportive environment. The center is open from 6:30am to 5:30pm Monday through Friday, excluding days closed for holidays. While a full time schedule is offered part-time care is also available. Dropping off or picking up at naptime is disruptive and therefore discourage.
As an Early Childhood Education Program, Red Trolleys Day Care Center services children from 6 weeks to 12 years of age. Children are not allowed to attend the center for no more than 10 hours each day.
Prior to enrollment, the following forms shall be completed and received:
Children are admitted without regard to race culture, sex, religion, national origin, or disability. We do not discriminate based on special needs as long as a safe, supportive environment can be provided
RED TROLLEYS Day Care Center believes that children of all ability levels are entitled to the same opportunities for participation, acceptance and belonging in child care. We will make every reasonable accommodation to encourage full and active participation of all children in our program based on his/her individual capabilities and needs.
Each family is a child’s first teacher. We value families as partners in the growth and development of children in our program. We encourage parents and other family members to be involved in the program, visit children’s classrooms, participate in events, and provide feedback on the program. We offer a variety of ways in which families can participate in helping us establish and reach our program goals.
Daily Communications. Daily notes from center staff will keep you informed about your child’s activities and experiences at the center. Notes will be placed into your child’s cubby at the end of the day. Bulletin Boards. Located throughout the center, bulletin boards provide center news, upcoming events, holiday closing dates, announcements, etc. Newsletters. Quarterly newsletters provide center news, events, announcements, etc. These newsletters will be available on the center’s App. Email. We encourage you to provide an email address that you use regularly so that we may send you announcements, event invitations, newsletters, and general updates.
Occasionally, photos will be taken of the children at the center for use within the center or on our website. Written permission will be obtained prior to use of photographs. Unless the family indicates that they want their child to participate, we will not use pictures and names of children for publicity
We provide a rich learning environment with curricula that are developmentally appropriate to the specific ages in each classroom. We have a flexible day routine that allows children to advance at their own pace. We strongly believe that learning happens through play. Learning and exploring are hands-on and are facilitated through interest areas. Our program is designed to enhance children’s development in the following areas: creativity, self-expression, decision-making, problem-solving, responsibility, independence, and reasoning. We encourage openness to that which is different from us, and the ability to work and play with others.
Your child’s transition in child care should be a positive and exciting learning adventure. We will work with you and your child to ensure the smoothest possible transition occurs as new routines and new people are introduced
Our holiday policy encourages an enhanced understanding of and respect for different cultures and beliefs of children, families, staff, and community.
Payments are due on Mondays of each week by 6:30PM. Payments will be considered late if not received on time. A late fee of $10.00 will be added to each account after 6:30PM on Wednesdays.
Registration Fee: $50 Returned Check Fee: $25 Cash Only.
*All Rates are subject to change. *For those receiving CAPS, charges/payments will depend on scholarship(s). *If tuition has not been paid and no arrangement has been made with the office, your child could be withdrawn after 1 week. *No Fee adjustment for holidays.
Payments are due on Mondays of each week by 5PM. Payments will be considered late if not received on time. A late fee of $10.00 will be added to each account after 9AM on Wednesdays. Any payments made will be applied to the charges and late fees may still apply if the account is not paid in full by the next tuition due date. Repeated late payments will result in your family being required to set up automatic payments. All payment and fee processing will be completed through the center’s App. If you have a question or concern regarding a payment or fee, please contact administration. Families contract for a specific weekly schedule as indicated on the Enrollment Agreement Form. Payment for this contracted schedule is required every week year-round whether your child attends; this enables us to pay teachers a stable salary every week all year. No credits are given for sick or vacation days, holidays, staff training closure or closure due to inclement weather.
Late payments can pose serious problems for our programs and as a result, the center does not have the latitude to allow families to accrue a balance equal to more than one week of tuition.
Late payments will result in the imposition of late payment fees. Failure to pay child care payments will result in child care services being terminated
When you arrive each morning, you must walk your child into the building and sign in at the designated area. You will follow the same procedure each evening when your child is picked up. Your Child will only be released to you or one of the (2) persons that you have listed as alternates. If they are other circumstances that may requires another person to pick up your child, make sure that the name is listed on the child enrollment form. We will deny anyone not listed on the registration form. It is very important that your child be picked up by 5:30PM. A late charge of $5.00 per five (5) minutes will be assessed to the account after (30) thirty minutes of the center closing. If we do not hear from the Parent/Guardian nor are we able to contact any of the emergency contacts listed in the registration packet, we will call local authorities for advisement of how to proceed with the child.
Please let us know when your child will be absent. Charges will remain the same when your child is absent.
The Center shall be given a two (2) weeks notice in writing prior to removing the child from the attendance roster. If required notice is not given, the parent/guardian will be billed for the two (2) weeks fee amount.
Vacation days only apply if your child is normally scheduled to attend on those days. Each child is given 5 Sick/Vacation days each calendar year.
Georgia State Law requires that all staff members report any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the Georgia Department of Human Resources.
RED TROLLEYS reserves the right to terminate enrollment of any child if: 1) The parent does not disclose any changes in the child’s circumstances that might have a negative impact on the child’s health or otherwise endanger the child while in the care of the center. 2) The parent does not keep the child’s immunization certificate current. 3) The child is absent from the center for five (5) days without prior notification. 4) Fees are not paid according to RED TROLLEYS procedures. 5) The child’s behavior becomes disruptive to the program through ongoing physical or verbal abuse of any child or staff member. 6) The parent is not supportive of the center’s policies and procedures or if the parent does not cooperate with the center’s staff in addressing unruly and/or disruptive behavior of a child. 7) The parent is found to be verbally abusive to any staff member
HOLIDAYS: **no fee or tuition adjustment for holidays RED TROLLEYS will be closed in observation for the following holidays:
Parents are expected to notify the center immediately in writing of any changed in name, address, and employment location and/or phone numbers so they can be contacted in the event of an emergency. In the event your child’s physician changes this information must also be provided to the center as soon as possible.
Children will not be allowed to leave the center with anyone other than those people listed on the emergency and registration forms. Please inform those authorized to pick up your child that picture identification will be required. Written notice will also be accepted from parents for individuals with temporary authorization (visiting relatives, etc.) to pick up a child. In emergencies, permission may be given over the phone for an alternate pick up person.
Your Child’s First Day—We want your child’s transition to go as smooth as possible. We suggest that you bring you child for an initial visit to become familiar with staff, room and other children. Upon arrival on the first day, please settle your child quickly and leave as soon as possible. Even for the most outgoing child, prolonged goodbyes generally cause anxiety. Children usually cry for about few minutes before they are off exploring. If however, your child does not adjust after a reasonable length of time, the center will contact you.
Your child will engage in many activities during the day. Each day will involve indoor/outdoor activities that could possibly stain or soil your child’s clothing. We ask that you do not send your child to the center in what you would consider their “nicer clothes” as anything could happen to them throughout the day. As you dress your child for the day, consider the weather and temperature changes that may take place. Dress your child appropriately. It is recommended that during seasons of varied temperature changes, please clothes your child in layers. Keep an extra sweater or jacket for your child at the center in case of unexpected weather changes. We request that you consider your child’s toilet skills as you dress him/her each day. Pant zippers, buttons and belts may delay and cause wet clothing. Children should be able to manage their clothing with assistance from the staff, as this will promote independence and self-esteem Always have at least one (1) complete change of clothing at the center for emergencies. Please check your child’s cubby/bucket each day to ensure that you still have a change of fresh clothes on hand. Flip-flops are not permitted as they create a safety hazard in the classroom and outside on the playground. All children’s shoes should have a covered toe and a strap at the back of the heel to secure that the shoes will stay on during outdoor activities Children in diapers/pull ups should have at least seven (7) disposable diapers available to the staff daily. Parents are responsible for providing a sheet and a blanket (1 years and up) for nap time. These articles are to be taken home on Fridays to be washed and returned to the center on Mondays. **PLEASE MARK ALL OF YOUR CHILD’S ITEMS WITH THEIR FIRST & LAST NAME TO PREVENT ITEMS BEING SENT HOME WITH THE WRONG FAMILY. The center is not responsible for lost or damaged items.
Each Child will be assigned a cubby. This is a place to store all items brought from home. To avoid lost items, make sure everything is labeled in permanent marker with your child’s name.
Please bring:
Things you should not bring to the center:
Newbies/Crawlers/Cruisers: Room is set up to be a warm and nurturing environment. Lesson plans are implemented daily to encourage the natural cycle of development.
Walkers / Talkers / Active Explorers: Room is full of discovery and exploration. Lesson plans are implemented to encourage hands-on exploration and learning. Children are engaged in activities that assist them in memorizing letters, numbers, shapes, and colors, while focusing on social, cognitive, physical, and emotional development.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks are served daily.
Food prepared for or at the center will be properly planned, prepared, and portioned according to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/care/) and the state requirements for food service
If your child has a food allergy, you must notify us in writing so that we can make appropriate substitutions. The written notification should list appropriate food substitutions and must be updated at least annually. Food allergies can be life threatening and each child with a food allergy should have an action plan for emergency care completed by the family physician
CHILDREN must be present during mealtime to participate in the meal program. Please advise the center with a doctor’s statement if your child possesses any allergies to certain food. No food/ drink can be held from your child during meal without a doctor’s statement.
INFANTS Each parent of an infant will be asked to fill out an INFANT FEEDING PLAN upon registration. This plan is to be followed at the center exactly as written. Before any changes can take place regarding a child’s feeding plan, parents must write a new plan or make additions/deletions to the current plan. Parents are required to bring clean bottles daily with ready-to-feed formula (including breast milk).
Infant feedings follow these procedures
Before and after school child care participants will be offered a light snack at each session. These snacks are not a meal. If your child will be arriving before 7AM, arrangements can be made to serve your child breakfast.
Prior to enrollment, parents must fill out all medical information regarding their child. Update the center on any changes as they occur. Inadequate file information can be critical in a medical emergency.
All children are required by Georgia State regulations to provide a current CERTIFICATE OF IMMUNIZATION (State Form 3231) at the time of enrollment. You will be notified by the center 30 days before the certificate expires. Failure to provide updated records could result in termination of your child’s enrollment.
Children are not allowed in the kitchen area or to climb on tables, cabinets, bookshelves, or stacked chairs.
***Re-direct the child’s attention to another direction. ***Talk to the child in a normal, yet firm voice about their behavior. ***Time out from the group (1 minute for each year of age); A time out chair is separated from the rest of the group but within the view of staff at all times.
No child shall be denied bathroom privileges, food, rest nor be confined in a certain area for an extended period of time. Staff should not use any form of verbal or mental abuse. When a child’s behavior becomes such a problem that it interferes with group activities, or the child is a danger to him/herself, director will request meeting with the parent as soon as possible. Infants are never placed on their stomach for naps. Bottles are not to be placed in the microwave for any reasons. Staff will hold children who cannot hold their own bottle or sit alone. An infant feeding plan shall be displayed for each child. After each use, high chairs and any classroom equipment should be cleaned and disinfected. Diapers should be changed at least every two (2) hours. This should be documented on the Diaper Changing Form
Red Trolleys has many activities involving water thought out the year. These include, but not limited to: Water Sensory Table; Water Bottles; Sprinkles.
Communal, unsupervised water play is prohibited. Supervised children are permitted to engage in water-play. Precautions are taken to ensure that communal water-play does not spread communicable infectious disease.
Safety is a major concern in child care and so daily safety inspections are completed inside and outside the center area in order to prevent injuries. First aid will be administered by a trained caregiver in the event that your child sustains a minor injury (e.g., scraped knee). You will receive an incident report outlining the incident and course of action taken. If the injury produces any type of swelling or needs medical attention, you will be contacted immediately. Each classroom is equipped with a first aid kit meeting the state regulations.
In the event of a serious medical emergency, the child will be taken to the hospital immediately by ambulance, while we will try to contact you or an emergency contact.
Biting is a normal stage of development that is common among infants and toddlers – and sometimes even among preschoolers. It is something that most young children will try at least once
When biting happens, our response will be to care for and help the child who was bitten and to help the biter learn a more appropriate behavior. Our focus will not be on punishment for biting, but on effective behaviors that address the specific reason for biting.
Notes will be written to the family of the child who was bitten and the biter’s family. We will work together with the families of each to keep them informed and to develop strategies for change.
All children and families will be treated with respect and dignity. In return, we expect the same from all of our families. We will not tolerate hostile or aggressive behavior. If this occurs, we reserve the right to ask you to control your behavior or to remove your children from our care.
The poisons in secondhand smoke are especially harmful to infants and young children’s developing bodies, therefore the indoor and outdoor center environment and vehicles used by the center are non-smoking areas at all times. The use of tobacco in any form is prohibited on the center’s premises.
The use of alcohol or illegal drugs is prohibited on the center’s premises. Possession of illegal substances or unauthorized potentially toxic substances is prohibited.
Any adult who appears to be inebriated, intoxicated, or otherwise under the influence of mind-altering or polluting substances is required to leave the premises immediately.
A dangerous weapon is a gun, knife, razor, or any other object, which by the manner it is used or intended to be used, is capable of inflicting bodily harm. Families, children, staff or guests (other than law enforcement officers) possessing a dangerous weapon will not be permitted onto the premises.
In cases that clearly involve a gun, or any other weapon on our premises, the police will be called and the individual(s) involved will be immediately removed from the premises. This policy applies to visible or concealed weapons.
Without a court document, both parents/guardians have equal rights to custody. We are legally bound to respect the wishes of the parent/guardian with legal custody based on a certified copy of the most recent court order, active restraining order, or court-ordered visitation schedule. We will not accept the responsibility of deciding which parent/guardian has legal custody where there is no court documentation
We are required by law to report all observations of child abuse or neglect cases to the appropriate state authorities if we have reasonable cause to believe or suspect a child is suffering from abuse or neglect or is in danger of abuse or neglect, no matter where the abuse might have occurred. The child protective service agency will determine appropriate action and may conduct an investigation. It then becomes the role of the agency to determine if the report is substantiated and to work with the family to ensure the child’s needs are met. Our center will cooperate fully with any investigation and will maintain confidentiality concerning any report of child abuse or neglect
In the unlikely event that a child becomes lost or separated from a group, all available staff will search for the child. If the child is not located within 2 minutes, the family and the police will be notified.
Our center is fully equipped with all fire safety features including alarms, rolling cribs etc..
Our fire evacuation plan is reviewed with the children and staff on a monthly basis
In the event your child needs to be transported due to a medical emergency, if no other authorized person can be contacted and the need for transportation is essential, an ambulance will be called for transportation. A proper escort will accompany and remain with the child until a family member or emergency contact arrives.
Upon arrival at the center, you child’s health status will be checked. Any symptom of illness or injury will be documented and monitored throughout the day. Should it be necessary, you will be notified if your child needs to return home.
We understand that it is difficult for a family member to leave or miss work, but to protect other children; you may not bring a sick child to the center. The center has the right to refuse a child who appears ill. You will be called and asked to retrieve your child if your child exhibits any of the following symptoms.
--DIARRHEA: If your child has two (2) incidences within one (1) hour or three (3) incidences within two hours, you will be contacted to pick your child immediately regardless of possible reason for the diarrhea.
--TEMPERATURE ELEVATION: Regulations prohibit children with an oral temperature of 99 degrees (or 100 degrees auxiliary) to remain at any day care center. If your child has a 99 or above, you will be called to pick up your immediately. Any child with a temperature of 99 degrees or higher must remain out of the center for at least 24 hours. The director’s office can request a doctor’s statement saying that the child is not contagious. Upon return the child must be fever free. The temperature may be taken by staff member upon return to ascertain the temperature of the child.
--COMMUNICABLE DISEASE: If it is suspected that your child has a communicable or contagious disease, you will be contacted to pick up your child. You are required to notify the center as soon as possible of your physician’s diagnosis. State regulations require centers to notify other parents once a diagnosis has been confirmed. Red Trolleys can request a written release from your physician for your child’s readmission following a communicable disease or serious illness.
--SERIOUS INJURY OR ILLNESS: In the event of a serious injury or illness requiring profession medical attention, the center will contact you immediately. If you cannot be reached, the emergency numbers that you provided will be called. If no one can be reached, Red Trolleys staff will travel with your child by ambulance to SOUTH GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER. It is very important for you to keep all contact numbers accurate for emergencies.
This is not an all-inclusive list.
We will try to keep your child comfortable but he/she will be excluded from all activities until you arrive
**FIRE: In case of a fire, the children and staff will quickly exit the building based on the emergency evacuation notices posted in each room. All children and staff are moved across the street from the center.
RED TROLLEYS encourages all levels of parental involvement. We want to address quickly any questions or concerns you may have about your child while they are at our center. Please feel comfortable to address your concerns with the director. Thank You for choosing Red Trolleys Day Care Center. We appreciate your confidence in allowing us to provide quality program for your child.
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