The purpose of Tender Times Child Care is to provide a nurturing,
stimulating and safe environment for children
and to encourage the child's intellectual, physical, social and emotional development
during those hours when parent's are at work, at school or otherwise engaged.
The following is a list of rules, regulations and expectations both of the parent and the provider.
Please read this policy thoroughly as it contains many important polices and procedures
that pertain to the care of your child.
If you have any questions or need clarification please ask.
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
Tender Times Child Care is licensed by the State of Wisconsin, Department of Children and Families.
I am licensed to care for no more than 8 children at any one time.
I am inspected regularly to ensure that I meet licensing standards.
I am required to maintain a current, accurate written record of daily attendance for all of the children.
Please assist me in meeting this requirement by signing your child(ren)
in and out of the center on the required Daily Attendance Record.
If you do not sign your child in or out you will be charged $1.00 per time that I must sign them in or out.
Tender Times Child Care will provide care for children between the ages of 1 week and 12 years.
Child care services are available without discrimination on the basis
of sex, race, color, creed, disability, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry.
Child care services will be provided between the hours of 5:00 AM and 5:00 PM,
Monday through Friday, January through December.
No services will be provided on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day,
The day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas.
All regualar fees will be charged for those holidays.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the center may be closed the previous Friday.
If a holiday falls on a Monday, the center may be closed the Monday following.
I will post the following items for your review:
- License certificate
- Any stipulations, conditions, exemptions or exceptions that affect the license.
- Results from the latest monitoring visit
(Department forms NONCOMPLIANCE STATEMENT AND CORRECTION PLAN
or COMPLIANCE STATEMENT). - Any warning letter or enforcement action - order, forfeiture,
temporary suspension - issued by the Department as soon as it is received.
These items will remain posted until the violation(s) has been verified as corrected and the action is closed.- Intake for Child Under 2-Child Care Centers (if applicable)
- Child Care Enrollment
- Alternate Arrival/Release Agreement-Child Care (if applicable)
- Health History and Emergency Care Plan
- First Week's Tuition/Enrollment Fee
- Contract
- Child Health Report-Child Care Centers (filled out by DR)
- Day Care Immunization Records or an electronic record of your child's immunizations
- WECA Food Program Forms
I will inform you of any updates that are needed and give you two weeks to submit the updated forms.
Children may be enrolled on a full time basis (daily, two or more days per week), or a part time basis (one day a week).
I do accept children for drop in care if prior arrangements have been made and space is available.A child may be discharged from the center for reasons such as, but not limited to:
- Failure to pay fees on time (grounds for immediate termination, without advanced notice)
- Lack of parental cooperation
- Repeated failure to pick up the child at the scheduled time
- Failure to complete and return required forms
I will give a two week written notice of my intent to discharge a child and try to
inform the parents of local resources that may be of help to them,
except when the discharge is due to parent’s failure to keep current with fees owed.
Should the parent remove the child during the notice period I initiated,
fees will be charged for the remaining unused days.Parents must give a two week written notice of their intent to withdraw the child (ren),
and will be required to pay for those two weeks whether or not children continue to attend. All outstanding fees must be paid.III. PAYMENTS AND REFUNDS
Fees are to be paid in advance on Monday each week for that week’s services.
If there will be a third party payment, as from an employer or the county,
a special payment schedule will be arranged.
Parents will be responsible for any specified co-payments or unpaid amounts.Tender Times Child Care does charge an enrollment fee.
An enrollment fee of $20.00 must be paid.
The enrollment fee must be paid with first tuition payment.I will establish a regular rate based on your child’s hour of enrollment.
Additional fees will be assessed for additional hours if care is part time or hours exceed contract weekly hours.A full time rate is offered for children who will be in care for more than two days per week.
An hourly rate is charged if children are considered drop in.
Hourly rates will also be charged for any care above and beyond regularly contracted hours.There will be an extra fee assessed for late payment or late pick up of a child.
Rates are higher for children under 2 years of age than for older children.
No refund will be given for days when children do not attend child care other than the specified vacation or illness days.
Weekly invoices will be emailed no later than Thursday of the prior week.
Parents have the choice of direct deposit through childcarepay.com.
The cost is $1.00 per occurrence.For current fees, see the attached Rate Sheet.
IV. CHILD AND PROVIDER ABSENCES
A. Child Absence
If your child will not attend on a regularly scheduled day please let me know
within one hour before your child’s scheduled arrival time.
Feel free to text the information to me.If a child who is scheduled to arrive at the center does not arrive within 30 minutes after
the specified time on the written agreement signed by the parent,
and I have not been notified in advance of the child’s absence,
I will attempt to contact the parent or guardian to determine the child’s whereabouts.If a child is expected to arrive at the center from someplace other than home (e.g. school, head start, ect.) and does not arrive as scheduled,
I will immediately attempt to contact that facility, and the parent if necessary,
to determine the child’s whereabouts.I will not transport children who attend school.
After a child has been enrolled for 6 months, I will allow 5 days off per year (3 for part time) with no fee required.
I will also allow 3 days off per year for illness (1 for part time).
After these days are used, I will require full payment for any absences, for the rest of that year.
Full time enrollment for vacation consists of 1500 hours or more per year.
Parents must request these days in writing.
Other than illness days, days off are required two weeks in advance.In the event of an immediate family members death (child, sibling, mother, father) I will allow 5 days off with no fee required.
In the event of a death of an extended family member (grandparent, aunt, uncle) I will allow 2 days off with no fee required.B. Provider Absence
I will take 7 days of vacation each year.
I will let you know of this time off at least two weeks in advance so you and your family can make alternative arrangement.I will also receive a total of 12 days paid for personal/sick.
There may also be times that I will be required to take days off due to trainings,
these are also paid. I will give you advanced noticed of the required trainings.
I am required to have a minimum of 15 hours per year.In the event of an immediate family members death (child, sibling, mother, father) I will allow 5 days off.
I will require payment. In the event of a death of an extended family member (grandparent, aunt, uncle)
I will allow 2 days off. I will require payment.In the event that I become ill, I will notify the parents of all regularly scheduled children no later than 6:00 AM that the center will be closed.
Typically I will text message all parents at the same time.
If this is not an option please notify me.In case of an emergency situation that requires my immediate attention, I will call Mike Storm or Sue Root.
My emergency back-up person will come to the center to stay with the children during my absence.
Parents may be called to pick up their child as soon as possible,
and should do so within one hour of receiving the call.
I will provide my emergency back-up person with a brief orientation that will include the names and ages of children present,
arrival and departure information for each child including names of people authorized to pick up the child,
the location of the children’s files including emergency contact information,
consent for emergency medical treatment and any special health care needs and the procedures to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
Regular tuition fees will be charged when I am closed because of an emergency.In the event that I am scheduled to be gone, families are to find their own alternate care.
IV. HEALTH
A. Child Illness/Injury
Children who are ill are not to be brought to the center. The following are examples of children who are ill:
- A temperature of 99.9 degrees F or higher
- Vomiting or diarrhea has occurred more than once in the past 24 hours
- A contagious disease such as chicken pox, strep throat or pink eye
- An unidentified rash
- Has not been on a prescribed medication for at least 24 hours or continues to have symptoms of illness
- Has a constant, thick, colored nasal discharge
Symptoms must not be masked by a medication unless prescribed by a doctor.
If the child has had a doctor check due to the illness I will require a written notification prior to return.
If the child is sent home with a suspected contagious disease a doctor’s release is required to return.
Children should be picked up within one hour.
If the child is not picked up within one hour, the emergency contact on the child’s enrollment form will be called.Children may return to the center when they are symptom free,
have been appropriately treated or have been given medical approval to return to child care.
I will follow procedures on personal cleanliness and communicable diseases
in accordance with licensing rules and the guidelines for exclusion of children from child care as adapted from the Division of Public Health.I will report all communicable diseases, when required,
to the local health department and to parents of all enrolled children.
Parents of enrolled children will be notified when their child has been exposed to an illness other than a communicable disease.I have not been authorized by the licensing agency to provide care of mildly ill children.
Superficial injuries will be washed with soap and water and covered with a bandage or treated with ice.
Parents will be notified about the minor injury when the child is picked up at the center or delivered to the parent or other authorized person.I have received training in first aid.
I will follow standard emergency medical procedures for treating injuries.
A head injury will be treated as a serious injury, and parents will be notified as soon as possible.
I have a current certification in infant and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) including training in the use of automated external defibrillator (AED).If there is a need for emergency medical treatment, 911 will be called and the child will be taken to Amery Regional Medical Center.
Should an ambulance be needed, parents will be responsible for any costs.
Parents will be contacted as soon as possible after contacting 911.
If possible, I will ask that your child be taken to the emergency medical facility that you designated on the child enrollment form.All medication administered, accidents or injuries occurring during the time the child is in my care,
marked changes in behavior or appearance and any observation of injuries to a child’s body received outside of my care will be entered into the center’s medical logbook.
As a licensed child care provider, I am required to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the local authorities.B. Medications
I will administer medications. Prescriptive and non-prescriptive medication will only be given to children
if parents have completed the authorization form provided.I will not exceed the age-related dosage on the label of any medication without a written doctor’s authorization.
Blanket authorizations, such as dispensing Tylenol at my discretion, are not allowed.Prior to applying sunscreen or insect repellent to a child, I will obtain written authorization from the child’s parent.
The authorization shall include the brand and the ingredient strength and be accompanied by the sunscreen or insect repellent.C. Smoking
Smoking is not permitted within the fenced in area of the child care center during licensed child care hours.
Please extinguish all items in the provided receptacle prior to entering.D. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
To reduce the risk of SIDS I will do the following:
- Children under one year of age:
- Child will be placed to sleep on his/her back in a crib, unless the child’s physician authorizes another position in writing.
- Child will not sleep in a crib or playpen that contains materials such as sheepskins, pillows, fluffy blankets, bumper pads, or stuffed animals.
- Children under two years of age:
- Cribs and playpens shall contain a tight fitting mattress and any mattress coverings shall fit snugly over the mattress. Waterbeds shall not be used.
- Sheets or blankets will be tucked tightly under the mattress and shall be kept away from the child’s mouth and nose.
- If a child falls asleep in a swing or car seat, the child will be removed from the swing or car seat and placed to sleep on his/her back in a crib
VI. NUTRITION
I will follow a USDA guideline when planning our menus.
No child will go without nourishment for longer than 3 hours.
I will offer the following meals and snacks to all children in attendance at the times identified in the daily schedule:
Breakfast, Lunch, PM SnackParents are not to provide their children’s meals unless otherwise discussed in the interview.
If your child has a special dietary need (medical condition or personal choice) or has food allergies,
parents must notify the center in writing on a provided USDA form.Monthly records of meals and snacks are available
for your review posted on the parent bulletin board or online at ttchildcare.com/menu.Tender Times Child Care does participate in the USDA Child and Adult Food Program.
School-age children will be offered an afternoon snack upon arrival from school.
Children younger than 12 months must be served formula or breast milk unless written direction is on file from the child’s health care professional.
I will provide Enfamil formula.
All bottles and commercial baby food must be labeled with your child’s name.VII. DAILY ACTIVITIES
I do include religious instruction or practices in my daily activities.
We do offer a religious education program or curriculum (teaching children about other cultures and holidays). We celebrate the following occasions: Valentine Day, Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Kwanzaa, Hanukah, and each child’s birthday.
I will plan activities and provide children with a variety of experiences. Some of the activities will include:
- Language development: books, music, story, finger plays, flannel board activities
- Large muscle skills: Balls, hula hoops, bean bags, outdoor play
- Small muscle skills: Arts/crafts, stringing beads, pegboards, blocks
- Creative expression: Dramatic play, puppets, music, flannel board
- Self-help skills: Assist with mealtime preparation, dress self for outdoors
- Literacy skills: Books, story board
PLAY is the major component of our program.
Enough time, materials and space will be provided for children to actively explore the world around them.
Children will have an opportunity to use a variety of art materials and manipulative and housekeeping equipment.Children, including infants and toddlers, will go outdoors daily when weather permits.
The children may be kept indoors during inclement weather such as any of the following:- Heavy rain
- Temperatures above 90 degrees F
- Wind chills of 0 degrees F or below for children age 2 and above
- Wind chills of 20 degrees F and below for children under age 2
There is an outdoor play space on the premises of the center.
If I choose to provide a wading pool for the children,
I will be outside providing sight and sound supervision when the wading pool contains water and is present in the outdoor play space.I do have a swimming pool on the premises.
The center will not use an off premises pool, wading pool, water attraction or beach for the children. Infants and toddlers (children under two years of age) will have a flexible schedule which reflects the child’s individual needs.
They will be given individual attention including lots of time for talking.
The body position of non-mobile infants and their location in the center will be changed frequently.
I will provide safe, open spaces for children who are creeping and crawling.
Infants and toddlers will be encouraged to play with a wide variety of safe toys and objects.School-age children will have a quiet place to study or relax, access to appropriate materials and activities,
and will have ample time for large muscle activities and to participate in food preparation.Night Care
I am not licensed to provide care between the hours of 5:00 PM and 5 AM
Rest or naptime will be provided for all children younger than five years of age who are in care for more than four consecutive hours.
Children who do not sleep may get up after 30 minutes, and children who awaken early will be allowed to get up when they awake.
I will help awake children find appropriate activities.
The parent will launder bedding/sleeping bags after every five uses or sooner if necessary.A crib or playpen is provided for each child under one year of age.
Children over the age of one year will sleep on a sleeping bag or 2” thick mat.
The sleeping bag or mat will be provided by the parent.I will not allow children to watch television including DVDs or VHS. Children may not bring VHS or DVDs from home.
We occasionally take walking trips around the neighborhood.
Emergency information for each child will be taken whenever the children leave the premises.A schedule of daily activities is attached.
VIII. CHILD GUIDANCE
Tender Times Child Care believes in the philosophy of positive guidance for children.
The goal of all guidance in the classroom is to assist each child to learn the social skills and
necessary competencies to become well-adjusted and self-controlled individuals.The teacher has the primary responsibility for guiding children’s behavior and ensuring the safety of all the children and adults in the classroom.
Developmentally appropriate behavior guidance techniques may be used in each specific situation. These are clearly outlined below:Children’s behavior will be guided by setting clear limits or rules for children.
I will talk with children about expected behaviors and model those behaviors consistently for them.
I will state positively what children can do, using specific terms (e.g. “you need to walk” rather than “don’t run”).
Undesirable behavior will be redirected to another activity.
Children will be given a wide variety of age-appropriate activities to choose from and will be given the attention they need before they demand it.
Behavior management will be for the purpose of helping children develop self-control, self-esteem and respect for the rights of others.I understand that there will be times when a child will become distraught, fussy or won’t quit crying.
My first action in these situations will be an attempt to determine the cause of the distress.
It may be related to a basic need such as hunger or comfort, or it may be that the child just needs some extra time and attention.
I understand that crying is normal, and that all babies will have times when they cannot stop crying.
At these times, I will stay calm and will do whatever I can to soothe your child.
Sometimes this may mean just allowing the child to cry for a few minutes and then trying again.
However, there may also be times when I need your advice or assistance, and I won’t hesitate to call you if I feel that it is necessarily.I do use “time outs” to deal with unacceptable behavior.
A “time out” or “take a break” may be used when other techniques have not been successful.
A time out will be used to remove a child from a situation that has gotten out of control before a child can hurt himself or others.
Time outs will never exceed five minutes and will not be used with children under three years of age.
When used, the time out will immediately follow the behavior.
I will stay with the child and talk about what behavior was unacceptable, and what else she/he might have done or said instead.
Rather than use a specific time-out chair or corner, I will have the child “take a break” near the others so the emphasis is on relax/cool down rather than isolation and punishment.
The child will be praised after completing the time out and will be helped to rejoin the group.Crisis Intervention when Child Behavior is Unsafe
If methods of positively guiding children’s behavior have been unsuccessful and the child’s behavior threatens the safety
and well being of him/herself or others, crisis intervention techniques may be used.
Parents will be notified when crisis intervention is implemented with their child.
A support plan may be developed in collaboration with the parent, teacher, and additional relevant individuals. Crisis intervention may include:Separation from the Group – The child will be directed in a non-humiliating manner, to a part of the classroom that is remote and non-stimulating, in order to inte
rrupt the child’s unacceptable behavior. They will be seen and heard continuously by a staff person.
The teacher will identify to the child, the unacceptable behavior and that the child needs to “take a break” to calm themselves down and have a safe body.
This break should last no more than one minute per year of age.Physical Intervention – Sometimes it may become necessary to physically intervene to keep a child from harming themselves or others.
Physical intervention will be used as a last resort. Physical intervention occurs when a child is held briefly in order to calm or comfort the child, a child’s hand or arm is held to escort the child from one area to another,
a disruptive child is moved when they are in danger to themselves or others, or a fight is interrupted.
Physical intervention occurs until the child begins to show that they are calming and the child’s unsafe behavior has stopped.
Artificial restraints and/or any prohibited practices will never be used.Dismissal from Program for the Rest of the Day – A child with unsafe behavior will be dismissed from the
program for the rest of the day after the separation from the group and physical interventions have been unsuccessful.
A support plan may also outline additional conditions for a child’s dismissal.Highly recommended professional services – A child, who demonstrates repeated aggressive/unsafe behavior in the classroom, even after support plans have been written and implemented, may benefit from a,BR>dditional professional services.
These services may include school district, medical, and/or mental health.
The support plan will clearly outline the professional services recommended.Enrolled but NOT attending Tender Times Child Care - Our goal is to work with families to resolve a child’s repetitive unsafe behavior.
We will make every effort to assist families, however,
if the following issues occur then temporary alternative means of serving the child and family must be considered:- Parent unwilling to be involved in the development/approval of support plan
- Little/no change in unsafe behavior has occurred
- Professional services are highly recommended but parent has not followed up as indicated and contributes to little/no change in unsafe behavior
This “enrolled but not attending” period offers a last opportunity for issues to resolve.
The child may not attend the classroom but will continue to be enrolled.
Exceptions or future re-enrollment may occur in consultation with the director of Tender Times Child Care.In accordance with DCF 250 Licensing Rules for Family Child Care Centers, actions that may be psychologically, emotionally or physically painful, discomforting,
dangerous or potentially injurious are prohibited. Prohibited actions include spanking, hitting, pinching, shaking, slapping, twisting,
throwing or inflicting any other form of corporal punishment on the child; verbal abuse, threats or derogatory remarks about the child or the child’s family;
physical restraint, binding or tying the child to restrict the child’s movement, enclosing the child in a confined space such as a closet, locked room,
box or similar cubicle; withholding or forcing meals, snacks or naps; actions that are cruel, aversive, humiliating or frightening to the child; or punishing a child for lapse in toilet training.
These forms of punishment will never be used, even at a parent’s request.IX. TRANSPORTATION
I do not provide transportation.
X. PETS
Tender Times Child Care has four dogs, one cat, two alpaca and a miniature horse on premises.
Only the cat will be allowed in areas accessible to children during the hours of operation.
Tender Times Child Care does have liability insurance that includes coverage for pets.
All pets for which there is an effective vaccine against rabies have been vaccinated.
Prior to adding pets to the center, I will notify parents in writing.If your child has pet allergies, please inform me verbally and also be sure to write them down
on the Health History and Emergency Care Plan under the non-food allergies section.XI. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
I do not provide care between the hours of 5:00 PM and 5:00 AM.
Fire drills shall be practiced with the children every month, and completion of the practices will be documented.
In addition, tornado drills shall be practiced during the tornado season which is April through October.In case of an emergency that would require an evacuation, children will be evacuated through the nearest safe exist.
The attendance form and list of phone numbers for parents and emergency contacts will be taken along to ensure that all children are accounted for and all families are notified.
Children will be assembled at the South East corner of the playground furthest from the house.In the event of a tornado warning, the children will be taken to the back hallway.
Blankets and a portable radio and flashlights, with extra batteries for both, are kept in the tornado shelter area at all times.
The attendance form and emergency contact information will be brought along.In the event of a lost child, I will check all areas of the center.
If the child cannot be found, the child’s parents and/or emergency contact and the police will be notified immediately.
I will notify the Department within 24 hours after the occurrence.If the center should lose the use of heat, water or electricity before the center opens,
I will decide the best action to take at the time.
It may involve closing the center until the utility is reinstated.If the center should lose the use of heat, water or electricity while children are in attendance,
I will decide the best action to take at the time.
It may involve contacting all parents to have children removed as soon as possible.In the event that local schools close due to severe weather, the center will not close.
If we are unable to re-enter the building after a necessary evacuation, I will contact parents for immediate pick up.
In the event that the center receives a threat to the building or its occupants (e.g. bomb threat, bodily injury threat, ect) law enforcement
and the parents will be immediately contacted to advise them of the threat. Depending on the nature of the threat, evacuation and/or closure may be required.XII. ITEMS TO BE PROVIDED
A. Parent Provided
Disposable diapers, baby wipes, lotions (need written authorization to apply), labeled sleeping bag/mat,
bottle for formula, full change of clothing including underwear and socks, sunscreen, insect repellent, clothing suitable for outdoor play for each season.B. Provider Provided
Cubby, Crib/playpen, supply bag, family folder, monthly newsletters, monthly menus, annual picnic, conferences
I have the right to amend policies at any time. Written notification will be sent home in the family folder.
A copy of an updated policy book will be available to view at any time.
A new copy will be sent home every December to be reviewed and for your child to re enroll.
Contracts run from January 1 – December 31 of each year.
Parents will receive a pamphlet; "You're Guide to Licensed Child Care"
which is a summary of child care licensing regulations, as a part of an enrollment packet.Parents are welcome to visit my child care program at any time during the hours of operation
unless parental access is prohibited or restricted by a court order.
If so, I will need a copy of the order.
Please understand that I cannot legally limit access to a parent if there is not
a copy of a court order on file at the center.Children will only be released to persons on the enrollment form.
If anyone other than the child's parent or someone who is listed on the enrollment form is to pick up a child,
I need to be notified in writing or by a telephone call in advance.
The person picking up the child may be required to show a driver's license or other picture id.If parents wish to allow a school-age child to leave or arrive at the center unescorted,
they must provide written authorization for this activity.
School-age children who leave the center unescorted must be traveling to home,
school or another activity where adult supervision is present.If the parent or authorized person arrives to pick up a child
and that person appears to be intoxicated or under the influence of drugs,
all reasonable steps will be taken to prevent
the person from leaving with the child, including offering to call another contact person.
While I cannot legally withohold a child from the legal guardian,
I will not hesitate to call the local authorites if I feel this child is in danger.It is important that we communicate daily concerning
the needs and interests of your child.
If there is an issue or concern that needs to be discussed,
please work with me to arrange a convenient time to talk on the phone at
naptime or in the evening so we can give the issue the attention it deserves.
To foster communication, on a regualr basis Tender Times Child Care provides
scheduled conferences, written newsletters, parent bulletin boards and daily sheets.To protect each family's confidentiality, Tender Times Child Care will not
disclose personal information regarding a child or facts learned about a child or a child's family to anyone who is
not authorized to receive this information.Tender Times Child Care is covered by liability insurance for my operation.
All child care providers are mandated reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect.
If a child care provider supects a child has been abused or neglected,
that employee is required to report the abuse or neglect to child protective services or the police.Please keep my floor clean by either staying on the dark brown rug or removing your shoes.
No child may be in my care for longer than 11 hours in any 24 hour period.
When you enter the center to pick up your child,
they are no longer under my supervision.
At this point it is your obligation to control their behavior
and insure for their safety. Please continue to abide by my rules.II. ENROLLMENT AND DISCHARGE OF ENROLLED CHILDREN
All children will be enrolled for a trial period of two weeks.
During the trial period either the provider or parent may terminate child care
without advanced notice.Parents must meet with me to discuss their child's needs and to review program policies.
I will make a reasonable accomidation for a child with a disabilityThe following items must be completed and returned to the center three days prior to attendance: