Gun Lake Child Care
~Parent Handbook~
I don’t wear power suits, make speeches, or drive a fancy sports car.
I’ve never talked on a car phone, made a big sale, or been elected to the Senate.
I don’t “do lunch”, have a big impressive office or carry a beeper.
I spend my days wiping away tears, giving hugs, and serving chicken nuggets.
A good day is when I go through a whole day without a temper tantrum, bite mark or a toilet training accident.
My “office” is a room full of brightly colored toys and laughing children.
You may not think that what I do is very important and you may even whisper behind my back “What a waste of a good mind.”
But I know better.
I make a difference because I’m changing the world one child at a time.
Everyday I’m getting the once in a lifetime chance to touch the future.
I’m proud to say, “I’m a childcare provider.”
~by Marti Doyle
Amanda Jackson~Director
12200 W. M-179 Hwy
Wayland MI 49348
269-795-7903 ext 60
Amanda@gunlakechurch.org
License Statement
Gun Lake Child Care is licensed by the Michigan Department of Human Services and either meets or exceeds their regulations for Child Care Centers. These regulations were developed to assure the welfare of your child.
We welcome up to 24 children ages 6 weeks to 7 years old. We do not discriminate on race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin. We provide care for all children, regardless of parental religious affiliation.
Enrollment
We do accept full time, part time, and drop in based on space availability.
Parents who currently have children enrolled have the first opportunity to fill vacant spaces. When the Center has reached capacity, a waiting list will be established. The director will keep in touch with families on a regular basis as to the status of their position on the list.
The following forms must be completed and on file by the child’s FIRST DAY of attendance.
1. Child Information Card
2. Health Appraisal
3. Parent/Provider Contract
4. Registration Fee
5. Signed Sick Policy
6. Signed Medication Form
7. Completed Allergy and Food Preference Sheet
8. Signed Activity Authorization Form
9. Signed Photo Release Form
10. Signed Water Play Permission
All the above forms are kept in confidential files and become the property of Gun Lake Child Care. They will be kept for 5 years, even if your child leaves the Center.
Parents agree to inform the Center of any changes in the information contained in any of the above documents, especially updated vaccination records.
Staff
All staff are chosen for their love for God, passion for children, experience and education. There is always one staff member in the toddler and infant room with early childhood education. All staff members must pass yearly background criminal checks, CPR and First Aid classes, interviews with the senior pastoral staff, and three reference checks.
Philosophy
Gun Lake Child Care is dedicated to a high standard of excellence in providing opportunities for the physical, mental, social, and emotional growth of each child. The environment and daily routines are carefully planned to provide challenging and interesting theme-based Christian activities for children at each developmental level. Time is allowed for meaningful play, music, literature, art, large and small motor activities as well as both adult and child-led activities that children experience daily.
Mission
We are a ministry of Gun Lake Community Church. We exist to provide a safe Christian environment for children of the community. Our goal is to support parents in their roles at home and to equip children with a solid biblical foundation.
Hours of Operation
The Center will be open from 7:00am until 5:30pm Monday through Friday. No childcare will be provided on Saturdays, Sundays, or the following holidays:
· Labor Day
· Thanksgiving Day and following Friday
· The week between Christmas and New Years Day
· Memorial Day
· The week of the 4th of July
Care will not be provided, but payment is due on the following holidays when they occur on a day your child (ren) is/are scheduled for care: Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after (Friday), Christmas Day, New Years Day, and Memorial Day.
One month notice will be given prior to any additional closed days, with an exception of emergencies. Please have a back up childcare provider in the event the Center has to close due to weather conditions, power outages, water loss, or heat loss. Gun Lake Child Care is not responsible for finding alternate care for your child. Gun Lake Child Care will remain open on school snow days. However, in the event of severe weather that we should close we will try to contact parents by phone, and it will be on Channel 8 News.
Payment Procedures
Family Discount
A 10% discount is provided to full time children who have a full time sibling enrolled from the same immediate family.
Fees
Early/Late Fee: $1.00 per minute that your child is dropped off early or picked up late.
Late Payment Fee: Any payment not received Friday by 5:30 pm for the week of services will incur a $20.00 late fee.
Returned Check Fee: $25.00 plus any additional cost that the Center may incur for a returned check.
A registration fee is required $30 per child or $50 per family.
Fees may be subject to change.
Tuition Rates
Age 6 weeks-30 months old (2 ½ years old)
$36 per day
Age 30 months-7 years
$28 per day/ $140 week
Preschool and Kindergarten Wrap-Around
$24 per day
Hourly Rate (If space is available)
$5 hour
Full Time students will receive a 10% discount for second full time enrolled child.
Registration fee $30/child or $50/family
Matters of Money
All payments are due by Friday at 5:30pm of the week of service. After 5:30pm, a late fee will be assessed. If payment is not made within 3 days at drop off, your child will not be accepted into care until payment, including fees, is made. If a period of two weeks passes without payment received, the contract between the Center and parent will be terminated, the position filled, and the collection process begun.
We are licensed through the Department of Human Services (DHS) of the State of Michigan. If you receive supplemental payments for childcare through the DHS you will be responsible for any charges not covered. (Your payments for DHS difference will be billed to you bi-weekly).
Childcare tuition is due regardless of whether or not your child attends. You are paying for a position, as well as a service.
All childcare services will be contracted. The contract is a legal document obligating the Center to provide a service for you and obligating you to pay the Center for that service. There are other requirements in the contract. You are urged to thoroughly read the contract and realize that it is legal and you will be held liable for each item of the contract. By signing it, you are accepting it in all terms.
Daily Procedure
Drop off/Pick up:
· You must come in with your child.
· Please do not allow your child to play near vehicles at any time.
· The Center will assume responsibility for your child only while he/she is on the property and properly signed in.
· No child will be allowed to leave with anyone except the parent, unless indicated on the alternate pickup list, or without written permission from the parent. Telephone permission will not do.
· Anyone unfamiliar to the staff will be required to show proof of identification. Please make alternate pickup person aware of the requirements.
· If the person picking up the child appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, another authorized person will be contacted to pick up both child and adult.
Court Order
If there is a court order keeping one parent or guardian away from the child, the Center must have a copy of the court order in the child’s file. Without it, the Center cannot prevent the non-custodial parent from picking up the child.
Open Door
You are always welcome to visit Gun Lake Child Care anytime your child is present. You are asked to avoid visiting during rest time as much as possible. Our rest time is from 1:00-3:00. Parents are also free to call the Center at any time to check on your child. If no one answers the phone, please leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible.
Sick/Vacation Days
In the event your child is ill and needs to miss a day, please call the Center at least one hour before your normal arrival time.
When you go on vacation we do ask that you write a note and put in the payment box at least 2 weeks prior.
Payment is still due when your child is sick or on vacation.
Maternity Leave
If you plan to keep your child home with you while you are on maternity leave you will have to pay to guarantee your spot, or you may Discontinue Child Care and re-enroll when you would like to return. You will not be guaranteed a spot while you are dis-enrolled and you may have to wait for an opening.
Classroom Management
· Respect and appropriate use of classroom property is required.
· Respect and appropriate behavior to child care staff and students is a must.
· No guns, knives, or weapons of any kind will be permitted in the school.
· No swearing, biting, hitting, pinching, or kicking is allowed.
Discipline is handled with kindness and understanding, with the best interest of the child always kept in mind. When a verbal reminder and/or warning does not solve a problem situation, a child will be asked to sit apart from the group for a short time with the teacher. Our staff will never use any methods that may frighten, shame, or humiliate children, nor will any type of verbal abuse, threats, derogatory remarks, or deprivation of meal or snack be used. No child will ever be punished for toilet accidents. We will work with parents regarding individual discipline if the need arises. However, in serious incidences, we reserve the right to ask parents to pick up their child immediately if any of these problems occur.
Meals and Snacks
During lunch period, children are encouraged to use this time to share their experiences with each other. Manors are taught, and practiced during this time as well.
The Center does not provide lunch, therefore, parents will need to provide a well-balanced and nutritious lunch, including fruits and/or vegetables and a beverage (milk or juice… NO SODA) and no candy/gum. The Center will supply two nutritious snacks in the morning and afternoon. They will both consist of two food groups. The children will wash their hands and say prayer before eating lunch together. A refrigerator is available to keep lunches cool and our staff will use a microwave to heat lunches if needed. We also provide all forks, spoons, cups, and bowls. Please label all lunch sacks and include a dated note with a list of items inside.
We ask that you send no meals that require more than 3 minutes of heating time.
Nap and Rest Time
Infants: Each infant will have their own crib and make their own nap schedule according to individual needs. If your child is under 1 year you will need a crib sheet labeled with your child’s initials. No blankets or stuffed animals will be allowed in the crib with your child, you may provide a sleep sac for your child to sleep in. If they are over a year old they will need a labeled crib sheet, they may also have a blanket or toy/stuffed animal.
Toddlers: Licensing regulations require that we provide a rest time for children attending all day. GLCC provides cots for children to nap on and parents are required to provide a labeled crib sheet to cover it, and any ‘blankies’ or pillows your child may want to snuggle with.
Bedding/nap items must be taken home at the end of each week to be laundered. Cribs and cots will be sanitized daily by GLCC staff.
Dress Code
Please dress your child appropriately. The activities may be messy. Do not send your child in clothing that you do not want stained. Weather permitting; we will spend daily time outside. In the winter months, please make sure you send snow pants, boots, hats, gloves, and coats so that your child can enjoy winter play. If your child is too ill to play outside they are too ill to attend childcare. In the summer make sure you send a swim suit and towel for sprinkler time and water activities (balloon toss, water table, etc). You will also need to supply a compete change of clothing in case of accident.
Toys
Children may bring a small toy or stuffed animal for their daily nap (except infants). However, to avoid hurt feelings about broken, lost, or envied toys, please do not send toys to the Center with your child. Gun Lake Child Care assumes NO responsibility for lost, stolen, or broken toys from home.
Rest Time
All children 5 and under are REQUIRED by the Michigan Daycare law to have a rest period. No child is forced to sleep; however, they must remain quiet. Older children, and those who wake early, will participate in a quiet activity until rest time is over. All children will rest on their cot with their individual linens. When rest time is over bedding will be put away in individual bedding bag and the cot will be sanitized.
Toilet Training
The staff at Gun Lake Child Care will assist you in toilet training your child with the understanding that it well be successful only if we work together. The Center will use cotton underwear or pull-ups supplied by the parent. Send your child ONLY in easy on/off clothing until they are able to completely undress and dress themselves. We will require at least five complete changes of clothing during Toilet Training. The Center will not launder soiled items and will send them home in a plastic bag. Please replace any clothing sent home the next day.
Child Abuse/Neglect
We are required by law to report any suspected signs of child abuse and/or neglect. We cannot turn our heads on a child that has been or appears to have been abused or neglected. Therefore, the Center will contact the Child Protective Services when it appears that a child in our care is being physically, sexually, or emotionally abused, neglected, or exploited.
Policy Revisions
Changes may be made to these policies as needed with 2 weeks’ notice. The policies, contracts, consents, and forms will be reviewed and updated, if needed. The Center will notify all parents in writing of any changes. All previous forms will then become obsolete.
Confidentiality
The information that you supply to Gun Lake Child Care will be kept confidential. We will, at all times, respect your privacy. Before any of the information is released to outside persons, parents will sign a release form.
Daily Supplies
All supplies must be labeled with your child’s name. You will need to provide the following things to be left at the Center:
· A complete change of clothing (more if we are toilet training) to be left here. This includes shirts, pants, socks, and underwear.
· A jacket or sweater if needed.
· Special toy or blankey, if needed at rest time.
· Any over the counter medicine that you may wish to be used. This must be labeled with the child’s name. (You must sign a permission form before we can administer any medication).
· In the summer you will need to supply sun block and bug spray if you want it to be used on your child.
For children younger than 18 months (and those not yet potty trained and/or weaned from the bottle)
· Diapers or Pull-ups, 1 full package. They will be stored in your child’s bin and you will be notified when the supply is low.
· A pacifier is used, please leave one pacifier and fastener at the Center.
· Formula or Breast Milk, if applicable. Please date and label with your child’s name and current date. If you send formula it must be premixed in your child’s bottle.
· Two changes of clothing (t-shirt, sleeper, outfit, socks). Pay careful attention to maintain current size left at the Center.
· Any cream or powder you wish us to use.
· Baby Tylenol or Orajel, if you wish it to be used. With signed permission form.
If you prefer, you may send them daily in a diaper bag. The option of leaving these items here is for your convenience and is not required.
Family Communication
Communication is very important to Gun Lake Child Care. When we accept a family into our Center, we like to be sure that we can share openly any concerns or questions that may arise. We feel that we are a team raising your child. Each staff member grows to love each child that they have in their care and are always glad to have a chance to be a part of their lives.
We welcome questions, feedback, or discussions of any kind that affect a positive outcome for the child. Sensitive issues will be discussed with the Director by a scheduled conference. Feel free to call anytime during a normal business day and a staff member will take a message or you can leave a message with the Director at 269-795-7903 ext 60.
Parents of infants and toilet training children will receive a daily note. Some typical things that you will find on this note include: daily activities, feeding/meals, diaper changes, nap/quiet time, and things to remember to bring.
Parents should also check their child’s cubby area for notes, art projects, soiled clothing, and other items to be taken home. Please make sure to do this daily.
Please give written notice of any changes that may occur, especially name and address, or updated immunizations.
Sign In and Out Procedures
Parents must accompany their children to his/her classroom and sign in on the attendance sheet. You are also responsible to make sure your child’s coat, boots, lunch, etc are settled in the appropriate place. When picking up your child, the parent must sign the child out for the day. Children can only be released to authorized persons, no exceptions.
Health Issues
Under no circumstance is a sick child to attend Gun Lake Child Care. The children should be allowed to recover fully from illness in the comfort of their own home. Then other children aren’t exposed to any disease your child may bring to the Center. If you are unable to remain home with your child, it is your responsibility to make substitute childcare arrangements.
It is not possible to prevent the spread of all illness; however, minimizing exposure and providing good hygienic practice in the childcare center are means by which we can limit the problem and the resulting inconvenience. Accordingly, for the benefit of all involved, the following policies will be strictly enforced:
· Children who have exhibited any symptoms of infectious illness within the proceeding 24-hour period are likely to be contagious and should remain home.
Examples of associated symptoms include, but are not limited to:
· Fever 100 or above
· Nausea or vomiting
· Diarrhea
· Sore throat
· Loss of voice
· Hacking or continuous coughing
· Yellow or green runny nose
· Draining eyes or ears
· Rash
· Head lice
· If fatigued or is not feeling well enough to participate in regular activities.
The center reserves the right to determine whether a child should remain in the Center where illness is a consideration. Parents of children who become ill during the day will be promptly notified and are expected to arrange to pick up their child immediately. The sick child, if possible, will be isolated from the other children to minimize exposure. If the parent cannot be reached, the person designated as the emergency contact will be notified.
Returning after an illness
Your child must be out for 24 hours after they are sent home…. not just until the next morning.
Your child must:
· Be fever free without fever reducing medicine for 24 hours.
· Be on antibiotics for 24 hours.
· Had no vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours.
· Have eased cough, nasal discharge is not thick, yellow or green.
· Have no eye discharge or have been treated with antibiotic for 24 hours.
· Have minimal rash or determined by doctor not to be contagious.
Parents need to make alternate care arrangements for those occasions when a child is sick and unable to attend the Center.
The Center reserves the right to request a notice from the doctor pronouncing the child is able to return to the Center.
Communicable/Contagious Disease
Children may not attend if they have a communicable illness. Notification of the disease or problem will be communicated to all parents and may be sent to the Health Department. Children may return when symptoms are not longer apparent or with a doctor’s written permission.
If you have found that your child has a communicable disease (i.e. chicken pox, head lice, etc), please contact the Center at once. Sanitation procedures will be taken immediately and all parents notified. Confidentiality will be observed at all times.
Medications
No child will be given any medication, prescription or over the counter, unless written permission is given by the parent. Prescription medication shall have the child’s name, name of the medication, Doctor’s name, name of pharmacy, Prescription number, date, and directions for administering. The medication must be in the original container as dispensed by the pharmacy. Administration of any medication will be logged on the Medication form.
Exception: As your childcare provider, we will administer Syrup of Ipecac if instructed to do so by poison control or emergency medical services.
Medical Emergencies
We make every effort to keep your child safe through supervision and childproofing, however minor bumps and scrapes are inevitable. Minor injuries will receive appropriate first aid, but if an emergency injury or illness occurs, you will be contacted immediately. If the Director is unable to contact either parent, they will call the emergency contact numbers supplied to the Center to make medical decisions for the child. If necessary, your child will be transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital. Parents are responsible for costs involved in emergency medical treatment, including transportation if required.
Withdraw Policy
If you chose to withdraw your child from Gun Lake Child Care, you are required to notify us in writing with two weeks’ notice. Tuition will be charged regardless of whether or not your child is in attendance during their final weeks.
We reserve the right to terminate any enrollment at Gun Lake Child Care due to the following reasons:
· Failure to comply with the policies set forth in this book.
· Failure to comply with contract.
· Abuse of children, staff or property.
· Non-payment of childcare fees or late and/or recurring late payment of fees.
· Failure to show up five days in a row without any communication.
· The center’s inability to meet the child’s needs.
· Failure to complete forms.
Emergency Procedures/Weather Closings/Power Outages
In the event of a fire, children will be accounted for, evacuated from the building, and remain by the shed in the parking lot. Fire drills will be held at least four times throughout the year.
In the event of severe weather or a tornado warning, children will be evacuated from the classrooms to a designated safe space. Severe weather drills will be held every spring.
In either situation, if you choose to pick up your child, the child will only be able to be released to a person listed on the emergency card.
Occasionally the Center needs to close due to a power outage. Public Health Code dictates that we cannot remain open. When the Center does decide to close you will be called immediately and will be required to pick up your child within one half hour. No tuition refunds or reductions will be given.
Classroom Management
· Respect and appropriate use of classroom property is required.
· Respect and appropriate behavior to child care staff and students is a must.
· No guns, knives, or weapons of any kind will be permitted in the Center.
· No hitting, biting, pinching, throwing, pushing, hair pulling, or otherwise hurting others or themselves.
· No leaving the building or playground without an adult.
· No name-calling, yelling, foul language or teasing-everyone deserves to be treated with respect.
Daily Routine
7:00 Center Opens
7:00 Free Play
8:45 Table Time
9:15 Breakfast Snack
9:35 Story Time
9:40 Circle Time
10:00 Outdoor Time
11:00 Center Time
12:00 Lunch Time
1:00 Nap/Rest Time
3:15 Afternoon Snack
3:30 Craft Time
3:45 Free Time
4:15 Outdoor Time
5:30 Center Closes
Curriculum Development
Gun Lake Child Care will assist young learners in building knowledge, passion and skills for Christ. The child care will enable them to become more eager learners, creative thinkers, confident problem solvers, and sensitive, compassionate children of God.
Our goals include:
· To introduce children to God’s love and grace.
· To respect the dignity and character of each child.
· To preserve and nurture the natural creativity of each child.
· To allow each child to question, explore and develop at his or her own rate.
· To be active partners in their learning process.
· To help each child move toward their optimal potential for spiritual, social, intellectual, emotional, and physical growth.
· To encourage independence.
· To develop trusting relationships.
Your child will have the opportunity to learn in many ways. All children learn through a multitude of experiences. Some children are auditory learners, some kinesthetic, and some visual. This means they are all “individuals.” They will be able to experience daily learning through arts and craft projects, cooperative learning activities, music and movement, group games, individual teacher time, and specialized games and initiatives. We encourage cooperative learning instead of competitive learning.
Through our learning centers, we develop creative play and cooperative learning. The games and activities are designed to encourage individual learning and success.