Updated August 2014

Mothers’ Day Out @Jerusalem Baptist Church

Staff Handbook

Arrival & Departure . . . . . . 4

Chapel . . . . . . . . 15

Child Abuse/Neglect . . . . . . 22

Classroom Arrangement . . . . . 8

Classroom Expectations . . . . . 6

Classroom Procedures . . . . . . 10

Criminal History Checks . . . . . 13

Discipline . . . . . . . . 10

Dress Code . . . . . . . 13

First Aid . . . . . . . . 13

Health Procedures . . . . . . 19

Health Screening . . . . . . . 20

Inclement Weather . . . . . . 5

Mailboxes . . . . . . . . 12

Medication . . . . . . . . 20

Ministry Atmosphere . . . . . . 3

Parent Communication . . . . . . 14

Playground . . . . . . . . 16

Play Time . . . . . . . . 15

Snack Time . . . . . . . 21

Staff Evaluations . . . . . . . 12

Staff Meetings . . . . . . . 12

Supervision . . . . . . . 18

Supplies & Equipment . . . . . . 14

3This handbook is for you to keep and use as a reference. Please keep in a place that you

can refer to it if you have a question. You are encouraged to bring any questions or problems to

me as soon as possible. I will work hard to make sure that your day runs as smoothly as possible

and that your time spent here is worthwhile and enjoyable. I ask that you pray daily for the staff,

the families we serve, and our students. With God all things are possible and He promises us

that if we ask in faith, than we shall receive. - Amy Andrews

MINISTRY ATMOSPHERE

It is important for each staff member to set a prime example for children in his/her

conduct with other staff members. Children are closely examining our behavior to learn

how people interact. It is their job to figure out how the world works and they look to

adults as the experts. When teachers are placed in a room together, it is to support and

encourage each other – not to criticize or critique each other. God also expects us to

depend on each other for support. That is one of the reasons that His design is for two

people to raise a child in a family. He doesn’t expect one person to know how to do it all,

nor does He want to see one person blaming another for all the mistakes. Each believer

has been blessed with certain gifts that are to be used together to accomplish ministry.

Please work together and plan together so that our witness will be strong to the children

and families we serve.

Mothers’ Day Out is a ministry. We seek to share God’s love, grace and truth with

children and their families. We do not seek a great name or financial gain. We believe that

all staff who work at MDO must be called by God to fulfill His mission. In this way, we

set ourselves apart from the world and its standards.

While Mothers’ Day Out is NOT a business, we seek to conduct our ministry in

an orderly fashion and with excellence. The guidelines presented in this manual are

expectations of all MDO staff.

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ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

Plan your morning so that you will arrive at JBC no later than 8:30 each

morning. Please make every effort to be prompt in your arrival. It is extremely

important to have teachers waiting in the classrooms as the children arrive. If for some

reason you are going to be late to school, you are to call the director and let her know.

If you suspect, due to family circumstances or illness, that you will be unable

to teach on a given day, you must contact and confirm your own substitute from the

list of substitutes and notify the Director before the designated day. It is your

responsibility to ensure that a substitute has all necessary plans and materials for

the day.

Lead teachers should check with assistants to determine his/her willingness to

accept the teacher’s responsibilities during an absence. In this case, an assistant would

receive the teacher’s rate of pay for that day. The substitute teacher would assume the

assistant’s responsibilities. If the assistant does not want to accept the teacher’s

responsibilities, this information must be shared with the substitute teacher – that she will

be assuming the responsibilities of the lead teacher for that day.

Consistent late arrivals will result in a conference with the Director and

Advisor. Acceptable circumstances for late arrival include car trouble, sudden illness and

family emergencies. Other circumstances are considered unexcused. Accumulation of two

(2) unexcused late arrivals within one month will result in a contract review with the

Director, Advisor and Pastor. If the staff member’s attention to this responsibility does

not improve after the two meetings, his/her contract will be terminated.

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Children will be received at the door by their teachers. Teachers should greet

each parent and child personally by speaking cheerfully to him or her. Get down on

the child’s eye level so that you can have eye-to-eye contact. Try to mention something

about the child individually, such as what he/she is wearing or something special that will

happen that day. Be sure to acknowledge the parent as well as the child. Gently help

parents say goodbye and leave without hanging on too long so that the child will be able

to make a smooth transition.

If a child cries when arriving, try to assure the parent that the child will be fine in

a few minutes. Let the child kiss the parents goodbye. Encourage parents to say goodbye

and let the child know that they are leaving rather than sneaking out. Assure the parents

that you will do your best to help the child adjust and that the Director will also assist. If,

after a given amount of time, a child has not adjusted, the Director may call the parent.

When the parent arrives to pick up the child at the end of the day, mention how well the

child transitioned after they left.

Please review the application papers for each child in your class regularly. Take

special note of food allergies and persons allowed to pick up the child from school. As

children enter the classroom, please ensure that all of their personal belongings are

labeled. If you notice something lacking a label, please place an adhesive sticker on the

item or mark with a permanent-marking pen. If the parent is present, ask him to do this

before leaving. Be sure to mention to the parents the importance of proper labeling.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

In the event of inclement weather, we will follow FCPS decisions. Teachers are

expected to report to MDO on days that FCPS schools are delayed by 10:30am. Teachers

are paid at half rate for days schools are closed due to bad weather.

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Teachers will escort children to the dismissal room no earlier than

12:45pm and no later than 12:55pm. Backpacks and lunch boxes are to be placed

in the hallway against the wall, outside of the dismissal room. Children should be

instructed to sit on the floor – not on furniture or chairs. Lead teachers will remain

with children in the dismissal room and escort each one – as called by the Director – to

the parent outside. During this time, one teacher must remain in the dismissal room at all

times. During dismissal time, Assistant teachers will complete chores as assigned by the

Director.

Lead teachers and Assistants will be assigned daily and/or weekly tasks by the

Director. You are free to leave as soon as all of your children are picked up, weekly

chores have been completed and all of your materials put away. If after 1:15 a child is

still not picked up, please let the Director know and she will contact the parents.

Staff is not permitted by law to fasten children into car restraints.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

NO CHILD SHOULD EVER BE LEFT ALONE

AT ANY TIME FOR ANY REASON!!

￢ As children enter the classroom please ensure that all of their personal belongings are

labeled. If you notice something lacking a label, please place an adhesive sticker on the item or

mark with a permanent-marking pen. If the parent is present, ask him to do this before leaving.

It is important that children are sent home with clean faces and hands. If clothes have become

dirtied during the morning, change them into the spare clothing before parents arrive for pick-up.

If possible, attempt to rinse the soiled clothing and place in a plastic bag to send home.

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Transitioning from one activity to another can be difficult for small children.

Take care to arrange for a smooth transition. Before changing activities, announce to the

class just a few minutes beforehand that activities will change. “In two minutes we will

clean up and have snack.” This will help them to feel secure and transition more easily.

￢ Teachers will speak to children in complete sentences. Model language wherever and

whenever interacting with children. This will boost their language development and help

them to express themselves verbally.

￢ Daily lesson plans are expected to include free play time, academic exploration,

outdoor play, art or craft activity and Bible lesson/story. Please keep your written plans in

a place where a Director or Advisor can review them during the day when they visit your

classroom

￢ Each teacher must submit a "substitute" lesson plan which will be kept in the office

to be used in the event that a teacher will not be able to attend MDO and is unable to plan

her absence. This lesson plan should be "generic" in the sense that materials are readily

accessible in the resource room. Example: Provide ready cut shapes in different colors to

be painted with Q-tips that allow for easy cleanup. Suggest a favorite book that is

available in the room. Include a song or finger play as well as some coloring pages.

￢ Please review your contract for additional terms of employment.

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CLASSROOM ARRANGEMENT

Each teacher will be responsible for the decor, upkeep and general appearance of

the classroom to which he/she is assigned. Preparing your "own" room should be a fun

experience. It should reflect your personality and later the personalities of your students.

Your room should reflect an inviting and fun place where socialization and learning take

place.

Here are some areas to consider when arranging your room:

￢ Make sure the space for each activity is adequate for the number of children.

￢ Provide at least one large open area for blocks or movement.

￢ Designate specific areas for specific activities. Keep quiet centers separate from noisy

centers, etc.

￢ Label cubbies using upper and lowercase letters with children's names and pictures.

￢ Label toy bins/shelves with words and pictures to help children learn that each toy has

its designated place.

￢ Place posters and pictures at children's eye level.

￢ Everything placed on walls must be at least 2 feet from the ceiling.

￢ Nothing may hang from the ceiling.

Remember to be flexible and sensitive to the needs and interests of your students.

If something isn’t working, change it. Keep things fresh by taking away something that

isn’t being used and getting something else. Please clear all counter tops and tables at the

end of the day. This will make the classroom ready for the next teacher/class using the

room.

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Please post a schedule outside the classroom door that includes times and activities

for each day.

Example:9:00-9:15 Arrival and table toy play9:15-9:25 Morning assembly - pledge, songs, prayer9:25-9:35 snack time9:35-9:45 Circle Time9:45-10:15 Center time 10:15-10:45 Art Activity10:45-11:15 Outdoor play11:15-11:40 Music & Movement11:40-12:00 Bible Lesson & Activity12:00-12:30 Lunch12:30-1:00 Story time and preparation for dismissal

The Bulletin Board in the main hallway will be used to post the monthly

newsletter, parent reminders, student photographs, and other pertinent information for

parents. Please submit items to be posted to the Director. Teachers are encouraged to

display student work inside the classroom and in the hallway. Please include a small sign

indicating the class and the project description. Example: "Tootsy Tulips by Mrs. Amy's

Frogs class"

Toys that children have placed in their mouths must be properly sanitized.

Patiently and gently remind the child that toys are not to be put in mouths and that you

will need to wash the toy. After gently retrieving the toy from the child, please place it in

the plastic crate for washing at the end of the day.

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CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

￢ Plan your schedule to alternate active and quiet activities.

￢ Outline a space on the wall or bulletin board for children’s work and keep it current.

￢ Use lots of positive comments and talk in a quiet tone.

￢ Clean the tables before classes start, prior to snack, after snack, at the end of the day,

and any other time as needed.

￢ Once you have established a daily schedule, stick to it. Stability in a sequence of

events gives children a sense of security and order. Make sure there is adequate time

for washing, toileting, rest, indoor and outdoor play, and mealtimes.

￢ When you leave your classroom with your class, turn off the lights.

￢ Teachers will count students before they transition to another area of the school, upon

arrival at their destination within the school, before they leave to return to their

classrooms, and upon return to their classrooms.

DISCIPLINE

NO CHILD SHOULD EVER BE SPANKED OR THREATENED BY A STAFF MEMBER!!

Discipline will be constructive in nature. Methods will include the following: fair

and consistent limits, positively worded directions, providing reasons for limits,

redirection and modeling acceptable behaviors, assistance with verbal expressions of

feelings and frustrations, arranging materials, equipment, activities, and schedules in a

way that promotes desirable behavior.

If a particular child becomes especially challenging, do not hesitate to ask the

director for assistance. All of us have days that particular situations are more challenging

than normal. We all have different talents and gifts. Please remember that we are a team

working together to provide a high-quality Christian environment for young children.

There will never be any cruel, harsh, or unusual punishment or treatment of

children while in our care. No teacher or staff member may yell, shake, bite, pinch, or hit

the children. No child will ever be spanked, forced to assume an uncomfortable position,

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forced to stand on one foot, made to keep arms raised above or horizontal to the

body, be restrained to restrict movement through binding or tying, enclosed in a confined

space, box, similar cubicle, or forced to exercise as punishment. We will never permit the

use of any physical punishment. Nor will humiliation of the child or his family be used as

a form of punishment. The teachers will not associate punishment with food, or toilet

training. If a child is resisting, teachers will be careful when trying to pick them up,

lifting them from under their arms or by their torso, never pulling them by the hand or

arm.

If you say "No," to a child be ready with an immediate positive re-direction.

"Time out" will be limited by age (2, 3, 4, or 5 minutes) to allow the child a rest period to

think. Children will be encouraged to use words to solve interpersonal difficulties.

Teachers will suggest and model words that students may use, such as, "When you are

finished may I have a turn?" or "Can I share with you?"

When a child misbehaves, we do not blame or shame the child, or make him feel

guilty. Please make sure you separate the child from the misbehavior he is displaying.

State directions in a positive, rather than a negative form. In this way, you are letting the

child know what he can do rather than what he cannot do.

Expect respect as the teacher in the classroom. When a limit is set, it should be

clearly defined and consistently maintained. When giving directions to a child, be sure

that he obeys. If the directions are not important, then they should be excluded all

together.

When you feel that you have exhausted your measures, or if a child has a behavior

problem that you are unable to improve please bring it to an administrator's attention. If

necessary, the child’s parents will be contacted to discuss the problem. The

administrators MUST be informed ahead of time and be involved in this process.

It is suggested that a child’s behavior not be discussed at the end of the day with

other parents around to overhear. A phone call later at home or a note in the child’s bag

with a follow up call works well. You may also ask the parent to wait for you after the

other children are gone to discuss something about school.

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MAILBOXES

Each class/age group will be assigned a staff mailbox in the MDO office.

Teachers are expected to check their mailboxes at the beginning and the end of the day

for announcements and other information. It is important that all papers/items be

removed from the mailboxes at the end of each day. Please be considerate of the staff

mailboxes. A mailbox is considered personal space. Just as you would not enter another

person’s office and take items out of his desk drawer, please do not take items out of a

mailbox unless it is your own.

STAFF EVALUATIONS

One or more administrators (MDO Director, MDO Advisor or the Pastor) will

evaluate all staff at least once each school year. Evaluation criteria include the guidelines

presented in this handbook as well as the appropriate job description and the Staff

Employment Agreement (contract). Opportunities to discuss an evaluation report will be

made available by appointment only. Staff may be invited to renew contracts for the

following year upon the discretion of the Director, Advisor and Pastor.

STAFF MEETINGS

We will hold regular staff meetings from 1:15-2:00 on the last Thursday of each

month. Additional staff meetings may be scheduled on non-program days. These

meetings are not optional and are important to the continuous running of our program.

We will be discussing upcoming events, planning upcoming events, and spending time in

prayer. We will meet together as a staff to discuss concerns, curriculum, policies, and

procedures.

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DRESS CODE

Please keep in mind that your personal appearance is a reflection on our ministry.

A professional appearance is expected and people tend to judge our professionalism by

our dress.

All staff members are expected to dress in an appropriate manner. You are

encouraged to wear clothing that will allow you to play with children, run outside, and sit

on the floor to interact with children.

While comfortable attire is encouraged, please do not dress in a sloppy manner. It is not

permissible for any staff member to wear indecent attire such as the following:

￢Skirts or dresses that are too short or too constrictive.

￢Low cut tops or spaghetti straps (without an additional covering shirt).

￢Pants or jeans that are so low-waisted that undergarments show when bending over.

CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS

This center will be found in compliance with Section 63.1-198.2 of the Code of

Virginia which requires criminal record checks for prospective employees, volunteers,

and any person involved in the operations of the facility in which the center is located.

Sworn disclosure statements are also required for prospective employees.

FIRST AID

In the event of injury to a child, staff will complete an Accident Report that

describes the event and the response given by the staff member(s). One copy of this

report will be given to the parent and one copy will be kept in the child's file. These

reports must be complete and signed by the parent before the end of the day. Please bring

any accident or injury to the Director’s attention immediately.

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PARENT COMMUNICATION

The Director will prepare a monthly newsletter for parents. This will include

information about special events and classroom happenings. Teachers are expected to

provide information, anecdotes or photographs of classroom events to the Director for

publication in the newsletter.

Any parent note initiated by a teacher, should be sent to the Director or Pastor

prior to sending it home with the children. Please do not send any notes home with the

children unless a copy has been given to an administrator. The administrators must be

knowledgeable of what each class is planning in order to answer questions from the

parents. This pertains to any scheduling changes as well. When notes, newsletters, etc.

are sent home, please write each child's name - especially those who may be absent - on

the papers to ensure that each student receives the notice. This also helps to identify those

stray papers that are left on the ground after dismissal.

SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

All supplies/equipment are to be kept in the resource room or in a supply closet.

You are asked to return any items used to their proper storage area. MDO teachers are

expected to return unused supplies in a timely manner to the proper storage area.

Supplies are shared among many church ministries and must not under any circumstance

be kept where other teachers are unable to use them. A small amount of items such as

pencils, pens, crayons, scissors, markers which are used daily, may be kept in the room

for all ministries to use. If all of the staff is considerate of the supplies we have and

replaces them where they were found, our resource room and cabinets will stay organized

with little extra effort.

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You may not be reimbursed for supplies that you purchase without first

getting approval from the director. If you are in need of something, fill out a supply

request form as early as you can. The earlier the director is aware of your need, the easier

it is to have it donated. You must have a receipt if you purchase something and want to

be reimbursed.

CHAPEL

Chapel will be held on the third Tuesday of each month. Please prepare your class

ahead of time by talking about listening carefully, not talking when Pastor is talking,

folding hands to pray, etc. Older children may benefit from a brief discussion of what

happens in a sanctuary - prayer, Bible reading, singing, etc. You may even want to take a

mini field trip to visit the sanctuary beforehand so that the children will be familiar with

proper behavior in the sanctuary. Lambs students who attend only on Wednesdays or

Thursdays will be invited to attend Chapel services on Tuesdays with a parent.

PLAY TIME

Many young children have difficulty sharing toys with their peers. Often children

on either side of the struggle will cry to express their desires. When this happens

encourage children to use words rather than shouting or crying. Model polite requests and

encourage the would-be-sharer to offer his toy to the friend when his turn is done. Also,

praise children when you see sharing or other kind and friendly behavior. In this way, we

are helping children express themselves in more socially acceptable manner.

Please encourage children to keep toys out of their mouths. If a teacher sees a

child putting a toy in his mouth, the teacher should gently remind the child of the rule.

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Ask the child to relinquish the toy and explain that it must be washed to protect

against germs. You may find it helpful to place a basket on a high shelf for depositing

toys to be sanitized (washed with hot water and soap) at the end of the day.

It is important that we instill in the children that we must take care of our

equipment. Please do not allow any child to abuse the equipment. Children should be

taught and encouraged to help clean up their own spills and toys. Encourage younger

children to “help you” as you clean up. Praise them often as you see them acting

responsibly with toys and materials. Encourage the children to play with one toy at a time

and return it to its place before selecting another. This is especially important with the

youngest children because this is when they are learning good habits. Report any

damaged or broken equipment to the director. Be sure to report any damage to the

building as well.

PLAYGROUND SAFETY

As you leave the building be sure to pick up the first-aid bag. When walking to

the playground teachers are expected to have their class under control. Children should

never run across the parking lot. Encourage children to hold hands with teachers while

walking. Please be especially diligent on Thursdays when the seniors meet as there is

more activity in the parking lot.

Teachers must be on the playground with their class in order to supervise the

children and provide a safe environment. If an incident arises, i.e. a child needs to go to

the bathroom or needs medical attention, please ask the accompanying staff member to

help supervise your class while you attend to the needs of the child. No child should ever

be without adult supervision on the playground.

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Please make sure the children DO NOT play on the playground with clothing that

has drawstrings around the neck. There have been deaths reported due to a drawstring

being caught in the playground equipment.

Teachers will maintain active supervision of the playground. This means teachers

will not stand or sit in an assigned location. Teachers are to be up and moving around the

playground. Always remember to stand in a position facing the children. Never turn your

back to them.

Please encourage children to use the playground equipment safely. Discuss the

following rules:

• Children will slide feet first down the slide.

• No headfirst or backwards or stomach sliding.

• Use the phrase, "Up the steps and down the slide" as children play. One child on

the slide at a time.

• Children will not climb on or shake fences.

Only two classes are permitted on the playground at the same time. Riding toys

are available for use outdoors on the blacktop only. When using the riding toys set up

cones for the children to indicate the boundaries or use the AWANA game square lines as

the boundary. Upon returning from the playground, children should wash their hands.

Hand wipes are sufficient if closely monitored by teachers. All classes should return to

the building by 11:55 to wash up and be ready for lunch.

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APPROPRIATE SUPERVISION

NO CHILD WILL EVER BE LEFT ALONE FOR ANY REASON!!

There will always be one teacher present with the children at all times.

No staff member is permitted to make or accept calls on his/her cell phone

or another phone during MDO contract hours.

The needs of the children are the first priority in every situation at our school. All

children will be treated lovingly and fairly while being guided through their various daily

activities. No child should ever be neglected. If you feel that a situation is not being

handled properly by a teacher please let the director know.

Section 63.1-196.B of the Code of Virginia requires the establishment and

implementation of appropriate supervision of all children in care, including daily intake

and dismissal procedures to ensure the safety of children. The code Compliance

Statement reads as follows:

“Appropriate supervision” means compliance with proper staff/child ratios as outlined in the Code of Virginia and implementation of procedures to ensure safety of children. Supervision includes training and oversight of staff to assure protection of the children and that the center’s procedures for oversight and supervision are carried out.

Teachers will insure that all children are within sight and sound of a responsible

adult at all times. All staff will receive training in appropriate supervision procedures.

Remember to count the children before leaving the room, upon arrival at the destination,

before leaving the destination, and upon return to the classroom. Please take care to

assure the proper staff/child ratios at all times. If a teacher needs to leave the classroom,

he will contact the Director or his assistant. The Director and/or his assistant will provide

oversight of staff to assure protection of the children.

Cell phones may NOT be used by our staff during MDO hours. While this is

permissible before and after children arrive, it is never acceptable while children are in

our care. It is of utmost importance to be carefully supervising children at all times. It

only takes a moment to take a call, but in that same time an accident could occur. If it is

absolutely necessary for you to have your cell phone at MDO because you are expecting

an important call or need to be reached in the case of an emergency, please leave your

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phone with the director at the check-in desk. She will contact you and take your place in

the classroom if needed. Otherwise, she will take a message for you.

HEALTH PROCEDURES

Remember that the care of the children is our first priority. Following these

procedures will protect both you and the children. Section 63.1-196.B of the Code of

Virginia requires the establishment and implementation of hand washing procedures. The

code Compliance Statement reads as follows:

The center must establish and implement procedures for hand washing by staff and children before eating and after toileting and diapering.

Hand washing is the most important means of interrupting the transmission of infection among staff and children. While the law requires hand washing before eating and after toileting and diapering, health professionals also recommend hand washing upon return from outdoor play and when the hands have been in contact with any body secretion (e.g. nasal, oral secretions). Hand washing should also occur before preparing and serving food and after handling any unclean surfaces.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends a specific hand washing method. These procedures are posted near the sinks in our center as a reminder.

When changing diapers or assisting older children with toileting, teachers must

wear gloves. Gloves must be changed after each use. They may not been worn for

multiple diaper changes or while assisting multiple children with toileting. Please monitor

the amount of toilet tissue placed in the toilet to prevent back-ups.

Teachers are responsible for making sure diapers are changed in a timely manner.

Every child should be changed at least once during the morning. Please make sure that

NO child is ever left in soiled/wet pants for a prolonged period of time. Children must not

be sent home in wet/soiled diapers. Diapers are to be placed in diaper pails only – never

in regular trash receptacles. Diaper pails must be emptied after each session.

Teachers must have on file a negative TB test and a physician's note of approval

before MDO begins.

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MEDICATION

All medication for children must be given to the director in the original bottle to

be stored in the office. We must have a written parent’s authorization that shall expire

after 10 working days. If there is a need, the parent may renew this authorization for ten

more days by signing the form a second time. Long-term prescription drugs or drugs

necessary for emergency use must have a medication authorization form, signed by the

child’s physician on file in the office.Teachers are required to store purses on top of

cabinets in classrooms. This prevents children from exploring your purse for "candy"

and finding brightly colored medications to eat.

HEALTH SCREENING

Section 63.1-196.B of the Code of Virginia requires the establishment and

implementation of procedures for a daily simple health screening and exclusion of sick

children. The observation is done by a staff member who has obtained instruction in

performing the daily health observation of children from a health care professional. The

Code Compliance Statement reads as follows:

Daily health screening is a health observation of children to promptly identify changes in a child’s pattern of behavior or physical appearance that might alert staff to an illness or upset. Appropriate action may then be taken both to protect the ill child fromavoidable health risks and to prevent exposure of well children to an illness, which might be contagious.

The daily observation may be completed by one or all of the following examples: looking at and touching the child’s hands, cheeks; running the fingers behind the ears and down the neck glands for any sign of fever or swelling; looking at the eyes; and by noting any unexplained bruises.

The health observation also may assist in the identification of other conditions, such as vision, hearing speech/language, tooth problems that may indicate the need for parents to consult their family physicians for possible treatment or referral to a specialist.

Each staff member will be trained to perform a daily health observation of

children upon arrival.

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SNACK TIME: CHILDREN ARE TO EAT SNACKS PROVIDED BY

PARENTS TO AVOID ALLERGY REACTIONS

Schedule your snack time no later than 10:00. Past experience has shown that a

later snack results in children not eating their lunches. If you choose to prepare snacks

ahead of time, please cover with a napkin until serving.

All teachers will wash their hands before serving foods or beverages to children.

Teachers will ensure that all children wash their hands before eating. Please demonstrate

healthy and socially responsible behavior by eating or drinking with the children around

the table. This is the best opportunity to demonstrate and discuss table manners.

Children can be encouraged to serve others without handling food. Snacks may be

served on a tray or in a basket allowing the recipient to take one. Teachers should assist

children in this case reminding them that they must take the first one they touch. You

might even want to model this for the first few weeks of school.

Encourage children to eat the snack served – even if they don’t like it to at least

taste it. Teachers will never force a child to eat any food he does not want. Always serve

two kinds of foods for snack. This is a great opportunity to introduce polite requests and

refusals (Yes, please or No thank-you) When serving snack remember that a small

amount is best. Children may ask for more snack if they desire. Snack will be served in

the classroom.

22CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

All staff will be able to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect. Section 63.1-248.2 of the Code of Virginia defines an “abused or neglected child” as “any child less than eighteen years of age:

1. Whose parents or other person responsible for his care creates or inflicts, threatens to create or inflict, or allows to be created or inflicted upon such a child a physical ormental injury by other than accidental means, or creates a substantial risk of death, disfigurement, or impairment of bodily functions;

2. Whose parents or other person responsible for his care neglects or refuses to provide care necessary for his health. However, no child who in good faith is under treatment solely by spiritual means through prayer in accordance with the tenants and practices of a recognized church or religious denomination shall for that reason alone be considered to be an abused or neglected child;

3. Whose parents or other person responsible for his care abandons such child;4. Whose parents or other person responsible for his care commits or allows to be

committed any act of sexual exploitation or any sexual act upon a child in violation of the law; or

5. Who is without parental care or guardianship caused by the unreasonable absence orthe mental or physical incapacity of the child’s parent, guardian, legal custodian, or other person standing in loco parentis”

This center will be found in compliance with Section 63.1-248.3 of the Code of Virginia relating to reporting of suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. The Code Compliance statement is as follows:

Section 63.1-248.3 of the Code of Virginia states that, “…any teacher or other person employed in a public or private school, kindergarten, or nursery school, any person providing full or part-time child care for pay on a regularly planned basis, …any person associated with or employed by any private organization responsible for the care, custody, or control of children who has reason to suspect that a child is an abused or neglected child shall report the matter immediately, …to the local department of the county or city wherein the child resides or wherein the abuse or neglect is believed to have occurred … Any person required to file a report … who fails to do so within seventy-two hours of his first suspicion of child abuse or neglect shall be fined …”

Daily Health Checks

You should continually look for changes in behavior or appearance that may indicate a change in a child's health. The sooner a sick child is identified, the soonerhis or her health needs can be addressed. Early identification can also reduce the spread of illness or disease.

When to Check Children

Perform a health check: ￢ When a child first arrives at a child care setting ￢ Periodically throughout the day

How to Check Children

In order to check a child, ask yourself the following questions: ￢ Does the child behave or look different from normal? ￢ Does the child complain of not feeling well? ￢ Does the child have skin rashes, discoloration of the skin, itchy skin, or scalp?￢ Does the child appear to have a fever? If so, is his/her temperature above 38

degrees C (100 degrees F)? ￢ Does the child refuse to eat or drink as much as usual (especially when

offered favorite foods)? ￢ Does the child vomit? ￢ Does the child have an abnormal stool (white bowel movement, gray bowel

movement, or diarrhea)? ￢ Does the child seem less active than usual? ￢ Does the child seem irritable or easily angered (even after comforting)? ￢ Does the child have severe coughing? ￢ Does the child fail to urinate? ￢ Does the child appear to have less energy, or is the child sleepier, than usual?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, the child may be ill. Caregivers should notify the child’s parents. Parents may need to consult the child’s health provider about what to do.