My policy regarding sick children, including:
• Whether or not sick children are allowed to be in child care, and
• At what point I consider a child to be too sick to be in care:
The best place for a sick child is at home. Bringing a sick child to day care will not only prolong their illness, but cause the illness to spread to the other children as well as myself, causing even greater risk for your child to get sick again or lead to the day care closing for a few days, should I get sick. This being said, sick children will not be permitted in the day care.
My rule of thumb is that if your child has a temperature of 101 degrees or above they are sick. If they have had this fever and it has broken, please keep your child home for 24 hours to ensure that the fever is gone. If your child appears under the weather when (s)he arrives at my home, I will take their temperature before you leave. If they have a fever, you will have to take them home. If they develop a fever while in my care, I will contact you and you will need to make arrangements for their care for the remainder of the day.
My policy when my own children are sick:
Should my children become ill my husband will stay home with them in an isolated part of the house and they will have no interaction with the children in the day care until they are better. If he is unable to do this, we will close the day care for the day. This would be a last resort.
Please have a backup plan for these instances and please keep in mind the importance of keeping your children home while they are ill. It is important that all parents are considerate of the other children in the day care. Your consideration will, in the end, benefit your child(ren).
Please also note that I need proof of immunization for each child before care at my home begins. I also need notice from the parent of any allergies and/or medical conditions that your child(ren) may have so that I may better meet their needs. Should your child(ren) require daily medication while in my care, I will need written information regarding the medication and how to administer it provided by the parent as well as daily portions of the medication.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Cleanliness
I will keep my home clean and safe for your children and will sanitize toys on a weekly basis. I will also instruct the children in proper hand washing to insure the health and happiness of all of the children in my care. Please be sure that your children are clean and have clean hair and clothes upon arrival to my home.
I will keep a close eye on the toys during play time and any toys that any child may put in their mouths will be removed and sanitized that day.
Each child will have their own hand towel for hand drying and blankets, pillowcases, sheets, etc. These items will be cleaned weekly. If you would like to take your own blankets home to launder, please let me know and they will be returned to you each Friday.
I will keep a close eye on the toys during play time and any toys that any child may put in their mouths will be removed and sanitized that day.
Each child will have their own hand towel for hand drying and blankets, pillowcases, sheets, etc. These items will be cleaned weekly. If you would like to take your own blankets home to launder, please let me know and they will be returned to you each Friday.
Behavioral Expectations and Discipline of Children
Infants: Ages Birth through 11 Months:
Behavioral Expectations:
• They cry when under stress, expressing a need, or trying to communicate.
• They may cry when dropped off because they have separation anxiety.
• They put everything in their mouth because they explore through taste.
• They feel and touch everything because they learn and explore by using their five senses.
• They like to be held because it makes them feel secure.
• They become attached to family and caregivers because they trust them.
• They show pleasure when learning new skills because they enjoy praise.
• They become bored if they do not receive adequate attention or stimulation.
Discipline Methods Used:
• Infants need to be attended to when they are crying. This is because stress in infants releases a chemical called cortisol in their brain. Cortisol makes the brain vulnerable to a process that destroys brain cells and reduces the number of connections between brain cells.
• Infants in stress can be calmed by picking them up, singing to them or talking to them in a calm voice, using their name.
• Infants are not able to understand or benefit from time out.
• Redirecting infants to another activity, including by placing them in a different area if needed, is useful when there is a behavioral issue.
Toddlers: Ages 12 Months to 24 Months, and Two-Year-Olds
Behavioral Expectations:
Toddlers:
• They put everything in their mouth because they explore through taste.
• They feel and touch everything because they learn and explore by using their five senses.
• They may cry, hit, or bite to get their way, express emotions, or to communicate with others (they do not yet have the verbal skills to communicate their frustrations by talking).
• They may show signs of anxiety during change, and when their parents leave. This is demonstrated by withdrawing, crying, clinging, and wanting to be held.
• They enjoy exploring objects with others because they want to establish relationships.
Two-Year-Olds:
• They are discovering and learning to assert their independence, so they often say, “No!”
• They frequently use the word “mine” and are not yet able to share well. They want to play with others, but do not yet know how.
• They exhibit mood swings and are not yet able to manage their emotions.
• They enjoy peer play and joint exploration.
Discipline Methods Used
• For toddlers and twos, redirection is more effective than time out. Redirection means calmly redirecting children’s attention or moving children away from a problem area or activity to a new area or activity.
• If behavior problems persist, I will evaluate the environment to see if children are being over stimulated or if there is not enough space for the children. I will also check to see if more toys of the same kind are needed, because toddlers and twos are not old enough to understand sharing and taking turns with toys.
• Praise and positive reinforcement can also work very well with this age group.
• Another good way to help toddlers and two year olds learn how to play appropriately with other is for adults to model appropriate behavior.
Preschoolers: 3-5 Year-Olds
Behavioral Expectations:
• They have a desire to please adults.
• They are learning to take turns and share.
• They may have outbursts of emotions.
• They are independent, and do well when given choices.
• They often tell on others, to prove that they know the rule and because they want others to know they know the rules.
• They are learning social skills, like sharing and taking turns. They like to play in small groups, but may need some guidance doing this as they learn social skills.
• They have difficulty waiting very long, regardless of the promised outcome.
• They exhibit negative and positive behavior in order to get attention.
Discipline Methods Used:
• Preschoolers benefit from having a few simple classroom rules. For example:
o Walk inside.
o Take care of toys.
o Use words when there is a problem.
• When a behavior problem arises, adults can use this a teaching opportunity and calmly remind children of classroom rules.
• Positive reinforcement and redirection also works well with this age group. For example, if a preschooler is throwing blocks, even after being reminded of the rule, he or she can be required to leave the block area and choose a different activity for now.
I believe that children need a loving environment that helps build their self confidence in order to thrive. I understand of the limits that come with their ages as well as the understanding of themselves that they develop as they grow older.
Behavioral Expectations:
• They cry when under stress, expressing a need, or trying to communicate.
• They may cry when dropped off because they have separation anxiety.
• They put everything in their mouth because they explore through taste.
• They feel and touch everything because they learn and explore by using their five senses.
• They like to be held because it makes them feel secure.
• They become attached to family and caregivers because they trust them.
• They show pleasure when learning new skills because they enjoy praise.
• They become bored if they do not receive adequate attention or stimulation.
Discipline Methods Used:
• Infants need to be attended to when they are crying. This is because stress in infants releases a chemical called cortisol in their brain. Cortisol makes the brain vulnerable to a process that destroys brain cells and reduces the number of connections between brain cells.
• Infants in stress can be calmed by picking them up, singing to them or talking to them in a calm voice, using their name.
• Infants are not able to understand or benefit from time out.
• Redirecting infants to another activity, including by placing them in a different area if needed, is useful when there is a behavioral issue.
Toddlers: Ages 12 Months to 24 Months, and Two-Year-Olds
Behavioral Expectations:
Toddlers:
• They put everything in their mouth because they explore through taste.
• They feel and touch everything because they learn and explore by using their five senses.
• They may cry, hit, or bite to get their way, express emotions, or to communicate with others (they do not yet have the verbal skills to communicate their frustrations by talking).
• They may show signs of anxiety during change, and when their parents leave. This is demonstrated by withdrawing, crying, clinging, and wanting to be held.
• They enjoy exploring objects with others because they want to establish relationships.
Two-Year-Olds:
• They are discovering and learning to assert their independence, so they often say, “No!”
• They frequently use the word “mine” and are not yet able to share well. They want to play with others, but do not yet know how.
• They exhibit mood swings and are not yet able to manage their emotions.
• They enjoy peer play and joint exploration.
Discipline Methods Used
• For toddlers and twos, redirection is more effective than time out. Redirection means calmly redirecting children’s attention or moving children away from a problem area or activity to a new area or activity.
• If behavior problems persist, I will evaluate the environment to see if children are being over stimulated or if there is not enough space for the children. I will also check to see if more toys of the same kind are needed, because toddlers and twos are not old enough to understand sharing and taking turns with toys.
• Praise and positive reinforcement can also work very well with this age group.
• Another good way to help toddlers and two year olds learn how to play appropriately with other is for adults to model appropriate behavior.
Preschoolers: 3-5 Year-Olds
Behavioral Expectations:
• They have a desire to please adults.
• They are learning to take turns and share.
• They may have outbursts of emotions.
• They are independent, and do well when given choices.
• They often tell on others, to prove that they know the rule and because they want others to know they know the rules.
• They are learning social skills, like sharing and taking turns. They like to play in small groups, but may need some guidance doing this as they learn social skills.
• They have difficulty waiting very long, regardless of the promised outcome.
• They exhibit negative and positive behavior in order to get attention.
Discipline Methods Used:
• Preschoolers benefit from having a few simple classroom rules. For example:
o Walk inside.
o Take care of toys.
o Use words when there is a problem.
• When a behavior problem arises, adults can use this a teaching opportunity and calmly remind children of classroom rules.
• Positive reinforcement and redirection also works well with this age group. For example, if a preschooler is throwing blocks, even after being reminded of the rule, he or she can be required to leave the block area and choose a different activity for now.
I believe that children need a loving environment that helps build their self confidence in order to thrive. I understand of the limits that come with their ages as well as the understanding of themselves that they develop as they grow older.
Pets
We own one cat named Gandalf. He is up to date on his vaccinations and is completely harmless. In fact, he usually just sleeps through the entire day. We also have a small puppy named Chu Chu. He is also completely up to date on his vaccinations and is the sweetest, most gentle dog imaginable. He absolutely loves children.
Transportation of Children
At this point in my child care business, I choose not to provide transportation for the children. As time goes by, this may change. You will be informed when that change occurs.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Best Birthday Present Ever!
I celebrate my birthday tomorrow and got a wonderful early birthday present today - my license came in the mail!!! Eight months of hard work and we're now official! I'm so excited to get started and couldn't think of a better time for everything to come together.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Almost There!!!!
After months and months and months of work we are THIS close to being ready to go! All of the paper work is in and my state inspection was today and I passed it with flying colors - in fact they told me that it was one of the best inspections they've had!! I should have my license within the week and from there will start taking kids!
I have 5 openings - up to 1 infant, up to two toddlers, and up to 5 preschoolers. I have an exciting curriculum ready and am excited and ready to go!!
I have 5 openings - up to 1 infant, up to two toddlers, and up to 5 preschoolers. I have an exciting curriculum ready and am excited and ready to go!!
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