Sunshine Academy Learning Center, Inc : Policies & Procedures

VACATION POLICY - The Center will give each child one free week of child care per year at the parent's request. The request must be made in advance. The child must be gone the entire week. The week cannot be split in any way. The child will earn this week after six months of enrollment time.

NUTRITION - A weekly menu is posted in the Center each week. The Center serves breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. a mid-morning snack may be offered, especially to the younger children, if the staff feels the children need the extra nutrition. We follow the State of Kansas Child Care Licensing Regulations when planning our meals. We also consult the Kansas State Board of Education Child and Adult Food Program guidlines when we participate in the CACFP Program. We always try to offer a well-balanced menu with a variety of foods.

MEDICATION - The Center staff will administer medication prescribed by a physician, but only to the child the medication was prescribed for and in the dosage stated on the prescription. Over-the-counter medication will be administered using the dosage recomendations on the medication. If your doctor wishes you to use the same medication for a sibling or if he/she changes the dosage of prescription or non-prescription medications, we must have a signed note from the child's physician to comply with the request. This holds true for medications that state "consult physician" for certain ages and/or childs' weight. Medication authorization forms must be signed before medication will be administered.

NAP PROCEDURES - A nap or quiet time is an important part of a growing child's day. Each child is required to rest for a time during the day. The length of the nap/quiet time will be based on the need of the individual child, State Regulations, and request by parents.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS - Your child may bring a favorite bedtime-type toy for nap time each day if he/she wishes. We will not be responsible for any lost or stolen personal belongings that are brought to the center.

PARENT CHECKLIST - This is a helpful list to remind you of what to bring to the Center on your child's first day:

Two complete changes of clothing (one set for school-age);
A small blanket for nap-time (small enough to fit into 6"x11"x16" cubby):
Diapers, wipes, and formula (if appropiate)

BIRTHDAY PARTIES - Parents are welcome to send treats and/or have a small party for their childs' birthday. Birthdays are a great way to let a child know how unique and special they are. Please discuss your ideas with your childs' teacher.

CLOTHING & TOOTHBRUSHES - Parents must provide two complete sets of clothing for their child while at the Center. This is necessary for all children until they start attending school. You may either leave two old sets of clothes (including socks and underwear) or you may bring them back and forth each day.

CHILDRENS' RECORDS - It is important that we have your current address and telephone numbers (home and work) on file at all times. Please notify the Program Director of any changes. It is Kansas State Law that we have your childs' current immunization records on file. If you take your child to update his immunizations, please let us copy your updated pink immunization card.

FIRE & TORNADO DRILLS - Fire and Tornado drills will be conducted on a monthly basis as required by State regulations. The children are instructed how to evacuate in case of fire, and the location of where to go in the event of a Tornado. Fire and Tornado routes are posted in each classroom.

ADJUSTMENT TO THE CENTER - We suggest that, if possible, the parents bring child(ren) to the Center for a brief visit before their first day of attendance. This visit may be 10-30 minutes and we encourage you to leave the room, reassuring your child that you will be right back. We recommend that you never suddenly disappear from your child's room. This can be quite distressing for your child. Tell your child you are leaving, that you will return, exchange hugs and kisses and quickly leave with a smile on your face. Forlorn or worried glances from parents convey to children that this may not be a neat experience after all. Almost all children who cry when their parents leave, stop crying within a very short time. Teachers are accustomed and trained in how to assist you and your child in separation issues. Feel free to call the Center to check on how your child's day is going.
OPEN HOUSE - The Center will hold an annual Open House for you and your extended family and friends in the fall. Our Center has an open door policy: you are always welcome to drop in unannounced to see how your childs' day is progressing. If you will be eating lunch with your child, please try to notify the Program Director at least a week in advance (exceptions can usually be made to this rule depending on the menu)

HEALTH PROCEDURES - Please do not bring your child to the Center if he/she is ill. It will be the parents responsibility to find substitute care in the event your child is ill. If a child becomes ill while at the Center, the will be notified and requested to pick up their child as quickly as possible. It is for this reason that your home and /or work addresses and telephone numbers must be kept current.Children should not be brought to the Center if any of the following exist:

Elevated axillary temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or above, or100 degrees Fahrenheit if other systems also exist,
Vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours,
A cold that is causing your child to be unusually irritable,
Any communicable disease such as chicken pox, measles, mumps, ect.,
Any contagious condition such as impetigo, ringworm, pinkeye, ect.,
Any parasite on/in your child such as tape worms, head lice, or the resulting eggs attached to the hair shafts called Nits.

Your child must be symptom-free for 24 hours following an illness in order to return to the Center. Each child and his/her symptoms will be evaluated by the staff and the Program Director before contacting parents. We understand the importance of your jobs and will resrespectfully keep all children whenever possible. If you have concerns about your child, or if you have concerns about other children who you feel may be exposing your child to a disease or condition, please talk with the Program Director.

EMERGENCIES - In the event of an emergency involving your child, we will take appropiate life saving steps and then notify you, the parent. If we are not able to reach you, we will contact one of the people listed as emergency contacts on your childs' enrollment form. If your child must recieve emergency medical treatment, a staff member will stay with your child until you are located and are able to be with your child. It is important that you complete all forms in a timely manner (i.e. health forms) and keep them up to date so we have appropiate information in your childs' file in the event of an emergency. There are specific Kansas regulations that requires the forms to be kept up-to-date.

DISCIPLINE POLICY - The staff of our Center concentrate on positive behaviors and positive approaches to teaching. "discipline" is an on-going process of helping children develop inner control so that they can manage their own behavior in a socially-appropriate manner. We use time-out when we fell a child is being dangerous to himself or others or repeatedly disruptive. The staff will also use redirection whenever possible, to make the situation into a teaching moment, so the child can learn an apporitate way to behave. We may also, in extreme cases, take away privleges if a childs' behaviors are not improoving with redirection, time-out, or other discipline techniques. Punishment is a negative reaction to any behavior and will be avoided whenever possible within our Center. The following forms of punishment are strictly prohibited at the Center:

CONFIDENTIALITY - All information that is known about your child and his/her family will be kept in strict confidence. It is important that you feel comfortable sharing improtant family-related issues (i.e. marriage problems, child behavior problems, ect.). So that we can properly care for your child. Everything that happens at home effects your child in all of his/her actions and if we know of circumstances that may effect his/her behavior we will better be able to handle such behaviors. Your childs' file is a confidential file and may only be accessed by employees of this Center for purposes directly to your child. The file may be accessed by others only with your written consent or by Court Order.