Amanda’s Garden Childcare & Learning Center

Parent Handbook

Ravenna Location 6709 Cleveland Rd.

Ravenna, OH 44266

330.296.3934

330.296.4247-fax

Brittany Murdock-Director

www.amandasgarden.net

Hours: Mon-Fri 5:30 am-Midnight

Our Goals and Purpose

Amanda’s Garden is a privately owned childcare learning center. Our main purpose is to

provide a wholesome, loving atmosphere for children of working and non-working

parents, who need or wish to place their child in our care. We believe that children learn

through play and thus provide large blocks of uninterrupted time to allow the children to

choose an activity, have an idea, and carry out that idea. Opportunities are provided to

facilitate the social, emotional, intellectual and physical growth of the child. We want the

center to be a positive and enjoyable learning experience. Our center does not

discriminate in the enrollment of children on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex

or national origin.

Licenses

Amanda’s Garden Childcare is licensed by the Ohio Department of Human Services. At the end of the

handbook you will find an attachment about licensing, Please take the time to read it. The license is posted

in the office.

Staff/Child Ratios

The children are placed in developmental appropriate classroom groups organized to meet the individual

needs of the children. Ratios may be doubled for 2 hours at naptime as long as all children are resting

quietly on their cots and enough staff members are in the building to meet regular staff/child ratio, if there

is an emergency, our center limits the group size of the children and maintains a staff member to child ratio

as follows:

Infants: 6wks.-17mos.1: 5, 2:12, Toddlers: 18-30mos 1:7, Toddlers: 30-36 mo. 1:8, Preschool: 3-4yrs. 1-12;

Preschool: 4-5yrs 1:14, School Age: 6-11years 1:18

The law and rules governing licensure are available at the center. The center’s licensing record including

compliance report forms and evaluation forms from the health, building and fire departments are available

upon request from the Ohio Department of Human Services. The Ohio Department of Human Services has

a toll free number, 1-800-686-1581, which may be used to report a suspected violation of the laws and rules

by the center of Chapter 5104 of the revised code or Chapter 5101:2-12 of the Administrative code.

2

Enrollment and Registration

Students will be accepted first on a full time basis. If space permits, students may be accepted on a part

time basis. Part time spaces are available at the discretion of the Directors. There is a non-refundable

registration fee of $25.00. A tuition discount is given to families with more than one full time child

enrolled in the school. In all cases, the full rate will be charged for the child paying the higher tuition rate.

Amanda’s Garden reserves the right to dismiss a child without prior notice. An enrolled child is a child

that attends at least one day per month.

Admission

When your child is accepted to Amanda’s Garden you are required to do several things:

Pay a non-refundable registration fee as set on billing statement

Tuition is due when accepted.

Fill out and return an Emergency Authorization Form.

Have a physician complete a Child’s medical statement.

Fill out and return an income eligibility forms.

Fill out and return a Pick-up Policy.

Fill out and return an Application Form.

Read and sign Billing statement form.

Staff

All staff participates in a continuous program of in-service education and studies for professional

advancement in accordance with the state licensing department. This enables them to remain alert to the

ever-changing needs of today's families.

Each member of our staff meets the qualifications set by the state and is encouraged to stay current on child

development and early childhood education through in-service training and local continuing education

programs. Our staff realizes children learn through behavior modeling and respect must be shown at all

times for the children, other staff members, as well as the environment. We encourage open

communication for all staff, parents and children at all times.

Holidays

Amanda’s Garden will be officially closed on the following holidays if they fall on a week day: New Years

Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. You will not

be credited for holidays. Holidays that fall on Saturday will be observed on Friday and ones that fall on

Sunday will be observed on Monday. For parents that work New Years Eve and Christmas Eve we are

open until 6pm.

3

Fees-Overtime Charges

Amanda’s Garden program fees are charged in several different ways.

1. Weekly rate with a maximum of 60 hours.

2. Daily rate with a maximum of 12 hours per day.

3. Hourly rate with a minimum of 10 hours per week.

4. Community preschool is paid monthly.

Any hours over the maximums will be charged an extra fee. Any late payments will incur a charge of

$10.00 a day. All monies paid will be applied to late fees first. Enrollment of your child may be dis-

enrolled due to late payment, if your child is dismissed, re-enrollment will be required and the registration

fee to be paid again. If you are on county subsidy, then your copay is due every Monday and the

$10.00 late fee and payments also applies. Your child is not allowed by the Government to miss more

than 10 days per 6 months if you are on subsidy. If you miss more than 10 days you will be charged.

Your child must be here the allotted time. We will also charge a fee of $40.00 for all checks/or credit card

payments returned for insufficient funds. We reserve the right to reject any future payments by check. If

paying by cash, please have the correct change. We close at midnight Monday-Friday if for any reason

you can not pick up your child, please have someone on your permission list pick him or her up. If you are

late and no one has picked up your child, be prepared to pay $10.00 for every 5 min you are late per child.

If you are more than 15 minutes late authorities will be called. If late pick-up becomes habitual, we will

ask you to withdraw your child. We realize there are times when true emergencies arise. Only the director

has the authority to change this policy. If you leave Amanda’s Garden and still owe us a balance you will

incur a finance charge of 5% per month until the balance is paid in full. You will also incur a $10.00 charge

for each missed punch when signing your child (ren) in and/or out. We accept Visa, MC and Discover

card.

Absence

If your child is involved in Title 20 you are required to give us a Doctor’s excuse for every day your child

misses unless you have given a vacation notice to the office. A doctor’s slip must be turned into the office

the day your child returns. If you do not turn in a slip –you will be charged the daily rate for the day/s

missed. Your child must be here for the hours allotted.

If you are parent pay--we will reduce your tuition payment by 50% if your child is out for more than 2 days

if the following conditions are met:

1. We must be notified on the first day of absence approximately how long your child will be absent.

2. The day the child returns we must have a doctor’s excuse.

3. We must be kept informed as to your child’s situation.

4. We must be informed the day before your child returns.

Medications

Medications, Food supplements, and modified diets prescribed by a physician will not be given to your

child unless it is a preventive medication that cannot be given around your working hours. We will give

Asthma treatments as long as it is short term. We will keep a medicine form on file to document times and

amounts of medication given for asthma treatments. Most antibiotics can be given at home around your

working hours. All medications must be in original container, stating age or weight of child on container or

packaging. School agers can carry inhalers but it must have an original label on the container. It must be

kept in their book bag.

4

Vacations

We must have written notification of a vacation NO LESS than 2 weeks prior to the start of the vacation.

Vacations of a full week or more will not be charged if the proper notice is given. Vacations of less than a

full week will not be discounted. A maximum of 3 weeks free vacation may be taken per year.

Withdrawal

If for any reason, you wish to withdraw your child (pregnancy, lay-off, or permanent) from Amanda’s

Garden, we require a two-week notice. We do not reserve your spot for your return. Another registration

fee will be required upon the child’s return.

Sign-In

Upon entry into the building daily, please make sure to login your child at the computer. Then proceed to

his/her classroom and make your child’s teacher is aware that he or she is there. You must take your child

to their classroom, even if they are school age. Do not leave your child unless someone is aware they are

here. If you do not log in/out your child you will be charged a fee of $5.00. If you receive title XX, it is

very important that you swipe your child/ren as you enter and as you leave. Please make sure that school

age children are previous checked out and in daily. If for any reason, your check in or out was denied,

please see the director or staff and let them know. If there are corrections to be made, they will be located

by the swipe machines including your name and corrections that need made. Please be aware that constant

non-check in or outs could result in a loss of your title xx coverage. See director for any questions.

Daily Procedures

Each parent will receive a copy of our schedule once a month. Our day includes a time for structured play,

free play, crafts, arts, language, science, cognitive activities as well as music, large and small motor skills

activities. We will have outside play, weather permitting. Please dress your child accordingly. Each child

is required a naptime of 1-2 hrs. You will be required to supply a small blanket, or sheet and/or a small

pillow for your child. If your child has a favorite blanket this will be a time they can use it. You must take

home your child’s nap items every Friday, or the last day of attendance for the week and return with clean

ones the following Monday. Evening children lay down at 9pm the same rules apply for blankets/pillows

as noted above. They will need a toothbrush/toothpaste, towel and washcloth, and PJ’s. All items need to

have the child’s initials on them. Please, bring no other toys from home to school; we have sufficient

toys and equipment here at daycare for everyone to share. A toy that is “Mine” provokes quarrels.

We will make an exception for the first few days to help ease your child’s transition from home to

daycare. We do separate the older boys/girls into separate sleeping areas in the evening. We will make

exceptions to this rule if ratio is low-allowing 1 teacher to stay in the classroom with the sleeping children.

Pick-up Policy

Release of a child from the center to anyone other than a parent, guardian, or designated person will require

a form to be filled out by the parents on the morning that they will be unable to pick up their child. The

person authorized to pick up the child must show proper I.D. before we can release the child to them. They

will also be required to know the child’s security code.

5

Visiting Schedule-Conferences-Parent Involvement

When you enroll your child in our daycare, we assume the responsibility of giving you assistance with

helping your child develop mentally and physically. Amanda’s Garden seeks to give them an enjoyable

experience of time away from you. If you have any special concerns in relation to your child’s

development, adjustment, or progress, please let the director know so we can schedule an appointment. We

will have conferences at least once a year to discuss your child’s development and progress, more often if

you request them. We at Amanda’s Garden would like you to feel free to visit anytime. Any custodial

parent, custodian or guardian of a child enrolled in our childcare is permitted unlimited access to our center

during its hours of operation for the purpose of contacting their child (ren), evaluation of the care provided

by the center or evaluation of the premises. We only ask that you stop by the director’s office and inform

us of your presence. Parental involvement is welcome; grandparents, too! The directors’ hours are posted

on the office door. If the director is not available you can schedule an appointment during business hours.

Clothing

Your child’s comfort is of utmost importance. Please provide simple clothing that is free of complicated

fastenings. Remember that your child will be engaged in messy art activities and will be playing

outside. If your child is potty training please do not send them in a shirt that buttons by the diaper, and

please do not have potty trainers wear belts. Provide clothes appropriate for the weather. Please send hats

and mittens for winter activities. No open toed shoes or flips flops will be permitted due to our pea gravel

and the possibility of stubbed toes. Label all clothing.

Birthdays

We celebrate birthdays during the snack period. Parents are welcome to send a special birthday treat and/or

drink, but please discuss this with the Director or your child’s teacher first. Because we plan snacks

everyday, we will need at least 2 days to be ready for your child’s treat. Birthdays are very important times

for many children. We ask you not to bring anything chocolate, or with peanut butter in it because many

children are allergic to it. We prefer cookies or cupcakes, as they are easier for the children to handle.

Healthy snacks are always welcome!

Safety & First Aid

Every possible measure is taken to make the atmosphere at Amanda’s Garden a safe one. It is our policy

that no child is to be left unattended. In the event of an accident, staff members will call you or your

designated contact. If we feel medical attention is necessary we will also call for emergency assistance. A

staff member will accompany your child to the hospital if you are not present to be with them. It is our

policy that at least one staff member present is trained in first aid and CPR and a complete first aid kit is

available at all times. In case of dental emergencies, the staff will locate the missing tooth and follow the

directions posted. When an accident or injury occurs or any other incident that necessitates the

administration of syrup of ipecac or the emergency transportation of a child, the center will complete an

incident report and a copy of the report will be provided to you on the day of the incident. Parents will be

asked to sign a copy of the form to be kept on file for a period of one year. Spray aerosols are not used at

the center during business hours.

Disenrollment Policy

If we feel that your child is not a good fit for our center, we may require you to move them to a new center.

We will notify you in writing and give you a 2 week notice unless it is an emergency.

6

Accident and Emergency Plans

The center has devised several procedures to follow in the event that an emergency occurs. In the event of

a fire or tornado, Staff will follow the procedures that are posted in each room. Tornado and Fire drills are

held monthly at varying times and records of these are maintained at the center. Fire and weather alert plans

are posted in each room. If we need to evacuate the building for any reason a sign will be posted on the

front door of where your child will be and parents will be contacted as soon as possible to come and pick

up their child. If you can not be reached we will call your emergency contacts.

Child Abuse and Neglect

Staff members are also trained in the recognition of child abuse and neglect and are required to report any

suspicion under section 2151.421 of the Revised Code

Meals

We serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 2 snacks. Meals are served at no charge. Breakfast is served

between 7:30-8:30 am, lunch is served between 11:00am-12:00pm, snack is served at 2:30pm, and dinner is

served 6:30 pm and evening snack is served at 8:00pm. If your child is not here between those times, you

will need to feed your child/ren before bringing them to daycare. Menus are posted in the kitchen and by

the main door. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture Policy, This institution

is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file

a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of civil rights, Room 326-w, Whitten

Building, 1400 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and

TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Outdoor Play

Research has shown that children stay healthier when they have daily outdoor play. Based on this

information and state requirements, outdoor play will be included in our program on a daily basis. We will

limit the amount of time outside when temperatures are very warm or cold. Children will not be taken

outside when the temperature (wind chill and heat index factored in) drops below 20° or rises above 90°.

On days that they cannot go outside, we will include time for gross motor skills indoors. Please send your

children with the proper clothing so they may be comfortable and safe whenever we are outside. If your

child is too sick to go outside, they should not attend.

Supervision of School Age Children

School Age children may run errands inside the building or use the restroom alone or in groups of no more

than six children without an adult supervision as long as the following conditions are met:

Children are within hearing distance of a teacher.

The teacher checks on the children regularly until they return.

The restroom is for exclusive use of the center.

One group of no more than six children, fourth grade or older, may engage in activities which pose no

physical threat to their safety in a room without a child care staff member as long as the teacher can see or

hear the children at all times and checks on the children regularly.

Parent Issues/Complaints

If you have an issue with the staff or anything else here at Amanda’s Garden, Please talk to the director. If

the Director does not remedy the situation to your satisfaction, you can call Rob or Linda at 800-923-3690,

Leave a message and we will get back to you.

7

Illness/Communicable Disease Policy

If your child is ill, but is not showing signs of communicable disease, such as a cold, stomachache,

headache, etc., they may attend the center as long as they are able to participate in daily activities. We

reserve the right to send a child home because of a non-communicable disease illness. A person trained to

recognize the common signs of communicable disease or other illness shall observe each child daily as he

or she enters the group. A “person trained to recognize the common signs of communicable disease”

means any person trained in prevention, recognition, and management of communicable diseases as

required by rule 5101:2-12-31 of the Administrative Code. The center will, at all times have at least one

employee present in the building trained in the common signs of communicable disease. The Ohio

Department of Human Services Communicable Disease Chart is posted in the kitchen. In the event the

person trained to recognize the common signs of communicable disease or other staff suspects a child

having a communicable disease, the center shall immediately notify the parent or guardian of the child’s

condition. We also will send home any teacher that shows signs of communicable disease and call in a

substitute teacher. If we have an instance of communicable disease we will post a notice on the parent

information board.

A child with any of the following signs or symptoms of illness shall be immediately isolated or discharged

to his or her parent or guardian:

*Diarrhea (more than one abnormally loose stool within a twenty-four hour period)

*Temperature of 100 degrees or higher accompanied by other symptoms

*Severe coughing, causing the child to become red or blue in the face or make a whooping sound

*Difficult or rapid breathing

*Yellowish skin or eyes

*Vomiting

*Conjunctivitis

*Unusually dark urine and/or gray or white stool

*Stiff neck

*Unusual spots or rashes

*Sore throat or difficulty in swallowing

*Evidence of lice, scabies, or other parasitic infection

If your child has lice they cannot return until he/she has been treated and is nit and egg free. (See lice

policy below.) If your child has a communicable disease (chicken pox, measles, etc.) he or she may not

attend the center without a doctor’s written permission. Re-admittance following a communicable illness

requires that a child be free of symptoms and have a doctor’s excuse. All items used by the child will be

disinfected before use by another child. Decisions regarding whether the child should be discharged

immediately or at some other time of the day shall be determined by the administrator and the parent or

guardian. Parents shall be notified of any instance of disease affecting the children at the center, plus, we

will immediately report such disease to local health officials. From time to time we will also distribute

educational literature dealing with children’s health issues. Please be considerate of the children by making

other arrangements for your child when you suspect he/she may be sick. It will help us to keep all of our

children healthy.

Lice

If your child is sent home with lice you may come back in 24 hours after treatment and have your child

rechecked. If your child still has lice you will be required to keep your child out of the center for 1 week.

After you return from that week off your child will be rechecked for lice. If your child still has lice you

will be dismissed from the center.

8

Clean Air

Amanda’s Garden feels strongly about the air your child breathes. Smoking is strictly prohibited in/or on

the center property. We also ask that you use appropriate language around the children. As you are aware,

children quickly pick up the words we speak!

Discipline

We use the following four checkpoint questions in evaluating how we discipline your child.

1. Is the child hurting her/himself?

2. Is the child hurting someone else?

3. Is the child misusing a learning material?

4. Is the child disrupting the environment?

Discipline will be the responsibility of the staff member directly in charge of the group of children or child.

Children will never be punished for not eating, sleeping, or for toilet accidents. Cruel, harsh or unusual

punishment such as withholding food shall never be used. There will be no physical restraints or

confinement of a child. Positive reinforcements and verbal rewards will be used. Spanking is absolutely

prohibited. Time-out will be used as the approved method of discipline. A conference with the parent will

be called if repeated time-outs are used unsuccessfully. We may then request you remove your child. If

this happens you forfeit any monies for that time period.

Custody Arrangements

If there are custody issues with your child, you must provide the center with court papers indicating who

has permission to pick up the child. The center may not deny a parent access to their child without proper

documentation.

Transitioning

You will be notified when your child is ready to move up to the next classroom. As part of this procedure,

Center staff will develop a transition plan. This plan will include the beginning and ending date of the

transitioning period and include a schedule. The parent will sign the plan. Parents may also request to

have their child transitioned. These requests will be accommodated if it is in the best interest of the child

and Space is available in the new room.

Toddlers

Biting is to be expected due to limited vocabulary, however, repetitive biting will constitute a conference

with parent in which a plan of behavior change will be discussed in conjunction with the home and school

to deter this behavior. If after an acceptable time period and biting continues, your child may be dismissed.

Communication and dialogue with parents is very important. daily charts are given to parents inspection

as to what the child learned, ate, enjoyed, how they behaved, and schedule of bowel movements.

9

Children arriving to the center from other programs

At times it may be necessary for a child to arrive at the center from another program; School, Head start. If

a child is scheduled to arrive and does not, we will first contact the parent to confirm that the child is

scheduled to attend that day, and then we will contact the program that they were to arrive from. We will

then consult with the parent to determine further actions. For this reason, it is very important that

parents contact the center when their child is not going to be attending.

School Delays/Cancellations

Our program will operate a full day program for schoolagers when school is closed for vacations, delays,

and/or cancellations. Closing is up to the Director and only for the safety of your children, during

inclement weather.

Evening care

Our evening child care program has some additional policies. These apply only to the children that attend

after 7pm. For security reasons, Access to our center is limited to only parent/guardians after 7pm. No

other persons will be permitted in the building. Please do not let any unauthorized person in to the center

when you pick up your children.

To assure those children will be appropriately and safely cared for:

All staff will remain awake and children will always be supervised at all times.

There will be adequate lighting so all children can be seen at all times.

The parking areas and hallways will be lighted for safety and security. If you see anything that

you have concerns about, please share this with the administrator so that it may be addressed appropriately.

The evening schedule will be adjusted as needed for individual children’s needs. We will devise a schedule

for each child in consultation with the parent so that bedtime routines are followed on a regular basis. Each

child will have time to brush teeth, wash up, and get ready for bed if parents provide the materials needed.

Lights are out by 9 PM on school nights and 9:30 PM during summer. Boys and girls in separate rooms if

over 12 children in a room.

FYI We offer Dental Screening, Vision and Hearing Screening in August for all our Pre School children, free or

low cost to the parent. We can also help with information on Child Care Assistance, Wic etc. We have

many contacts in the community for any concern or problems you may encounter. If you would like more

information see the Director.

We offer Preschool classes. Your child must be 3 years old and potty trained to be in a Preschool class.

Both of our Preschools run consecutively throughout the day 6a-6p. Our preschool classes follow the

Learn Every Day Curriculum. We also offer community Preschool that is part time.

All preschool children must be FULLY potty trained. There will be no bottles or binkies allowed in the

preschool room. A cup may be brought to keep in the cubby filled with water for if the child gets thirsty

throughout the day. But, the water fountain is available all through the day to all children.

10

Infants and Non-Toilet Trained Toddlers

Parents are responsible to supply enough disposable diapers for their child daily.

The parents will supply their own diaper wipes. Please mark their name clearly on container.

Each child shall have at least 1 complete change of clothes, also marked with name or initials.

We will need written instruction from the parent or guardian for any food served to infants. Amanda’s

Garden will supply Tippy Toes Advantage with Iron for the infants. If your child needs to use another

formula, you will need to provide it and have it brought in daily. It must be clearly marked with the date

and time it was prepared. If you would like the center to prepare it, the formula needs to be brought in a

new, original container. All bottles must also be labeled with the child’s name. We must have a can of

formula to be left at center in case we need it. If we run out of your supplied formula we will use Tippy

Toes Advantage with iron as a replacement.

Each child will use the same crib daily. If your child is only part-time, they will share the crib with another

child (sheets will be changed between children.)

The following charges will be added to your weekly bill if we have to supply the following items.

Diapers $1.00 per diaper

Diaper Wipes .25 per sheet

DONATIONS

Sometimes children have accidents and need an extra pair of pants to wear for the day. If you have any

extra pants that you would like to donate to the center, please bring them in to your child’s teacher. Also, if

you have any art supplies or any supplies that might be of use in the classroom, all donations would be

greatly appreciated.

SCHEDULES

All parents are required to give us a weekly or monthly schedule that you MUST follow. If you need to

switch hours or days you must call and get it approved with the Director. We schedule staff according to

your schedule so you must give us the right schedule. If you continue to give us schedules that you do not

follow, we have the right to terminate your daycare.

Updated 1/16

11

Daily Schedules

Inchworms/Ladybugs Our infants make their own schedule according to what the parent requests.

We take time to interact with each infant every day.

We use developmentally appropriate activities daily according to your child’s development.

We document our activities daily on an infant sheet so you are aware of what your child is doing

throughout the day.

Open communication is the most important part of our day. Please feel free to ask about your child’s day.

See our welcome sheet for more information on this room

Itsy Bitsy Spiders 18-30 mos. 9:00-9:15 Transition

9:15-9:30 Circle Time & Activity

9:30-9:45 Blocks

9:45-10:00 Singing, Dancing

10:00-10:30 Free Play/Outside

10:30-10:45 Puzzles

10:45-11:00 Table Toys

11:00-11:30 Lunch

11:30-12:00 Clean up, Potty

12:00-2:00 Nap

2:00-2:30 Potty Break

2:30-3:00 Snack

3:00-3:15 Circle Time

3:15-3:30 Activity

3:30-4:00 Free play outside

4:00-4:30 Potty Break

4:30-4:45 Story

4:45-5:00 Blocks

Busy Bee Schedule 30-36 mos. 6:00-7:30 Opening

7:30-8:30 Breakfast

8:30-9:00 Potty

9:00-9:30 Circle Time/Activity

9:30-10:00 Dancing/Singing

10:00-10:30 Free Play/Outside

10:30-11:00 Potty

11:00-11:30 Lunch

11:30-12:00 Clean Up/ Cots

12:00-2:00 Nap

2:00-2:30 Potty

2:30-3:00 Snack

3:00-3:30 Circle Time/Activity

3:30-4:00 Free Play/ Outside

4:00-4:30 Potty

Follow evening schedule same as Spiders and combine as ratio decreases.

12

BUTTERFLY/CATERPILLAR SCHEDULE 7:30-9:00 Breakfast/Free Play

9:00-9:30 Circle Time

9:30-10:00 Activity

10:00-10:30 Free Play

10:30-11:00 Outside (weather permitting)

11:00-11:15 Clean up/wash hands

11:15-11:40 Story/Read books

11:40-12:15 Lunch

12:15-12:30 Clean up/get on cots

12:30-2:30 Nap/Quiet Time

2:30-3:00 Snack

3:00-3:15 Circle Time

3:15-3:30 Activity

3:30-4:00 Free Play

4:00-4:45 Outside (weather permitting)

4:45-5:15 Clean up/wash hands

5:15-5:30 Combine with other rooms to get ready for dinner

School Age Schedule 10:00 Circle Time

10:15 Science/Math Activity

10:45 Outside

11:15 Clean-up/wash hands

11:30 Lunch

12:00 Movie/Quiet Time

2:00 Outside

2:30 Snack

2:45 Music/Movement

3:15 Group Activity

4:00 Outside

4:30 Free Play

5:15 Group Activity

6:00 Free play

6:15 Clean Up/ Wash Hands

6:30 Dinner

7:00 Combine Classes

Night Owls Schedule 4:30-4:45 Music

4:45-5:00 Large Muscle

5:00-5:30 Potty

5:30-5:45 Clean Up

5:45-6:00 Clean Up

6:00-6:30 Story Time

6:30-7:00 Dinner

7:00-7:30 Clean Up/Potty

7:30-8:00 Free Play/Outside

8:00-8:15 Clean Up

8:15-8:30 Snack 2

8:30-9:00 Potty, PJ’s, Brush Teeth

9:00-12:00 Bedtime

13

Things your child will need on their first day of attendance.

A small pillow or blanket for nap.

A complete change of clothes with name inside.

Diapers and diaper wipes-enough for each day with child’s name clearly marked (Infants/non-toilet trained

toddlers).

Parents of infants must be sure we have a feeding schedule on file.

Bathing suit for water play-(no 2 piece suits)-summer.

All forms completed-plus your first weeks tuition and registration fee.

We must have your child’s immunization record before they can start.

Children here after 7:00pm will need the following items in addition to the above list.

1. Wash rag and towel with child’s name on them. Must be taken home daily and returned each day.

2. Toothbrush and toothpaste to stay at center.

3. PJ’s and clean underwear or age appropriate items.

Occasionally blankets, shoes, cups etc. will get lost—by putting your Childs’ name on their items it is

much easier to find them.

14

Center Parent Information

Required by the Ohio Administrative Code

This Facility is licensed to operate legally by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. This

license is posted in a conspicuous place for review.

A toll-free number is listed on the facility’s license and may be used to report a suspected violation of the

licensing law or administrative rules. The licensing law and rules governing child care are available for

review at the facility upon request.

The administrator and each employee of the facility is required, under section 2151.421 of the Ohio

Revised Code, ORC, to report their suspicions of child abuse or child neglect to the local public children’s

services agency.

All employees must follow Ohio Rule 5101:2-12-22 "Child Guidance and Management in Licensed Child

Care Centers."

Any parent, custodian, or guardian of a child enrolled in the facility shall be permitted unlimited access to

the facility during all hours of operation for the purpose of contacting children, evaluating the care provided

by the facility, or evaluating the premises. Upon entering the premises, the parent, or guardian shall notify

the Administrator of his/her presence.

Rosters of the names and telephone numbers of the parents or guardians of the children attending the

facility are available upon request. The parent roster will not include the name or phone number of any

parent who requests that his/her name and telephone number not be included.

The licensing inspection reports and complaint investigation reports for the current licensing period are

posted in a conspicuous place in the facility for review.

The licensing record including compliance report forms, complaint investigation reports, and evaluation

forms from the building and fire departments are available for review upon request from the Ohio

Department of Job and Family Services. The department’s website is http://jfs.ohio.gov/cdc .

It is unlawful for the facility to discriminate in the enrollment of children upon the basis of race, color,

religion, sex, or national origin, or disability in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,

104 Stat. 32, 42 U.S.C. 1210 et. seq.

* This information must be given in writing to all parents, guardians, and employees as required in 5101.60

of the Ohio Administrative Code.

15

This day care facility participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a Federal program that provides healthy meals and snacks to children receiving day care. Each day more than 2.6 million children participate in CACFP at child care homes and centers across the country. Providers are reimbursed for serving nutritious meals which meet USDA requirements. The program plays a vital role in improving the quality of day care and making it more affordable for low-income families. Meals CACFP homes and centers follow meal requirements established by USDA.

Breakfast Lunch or Supper Snacks (Two of the four groups)

Milk Fruit or Vegetable Grains or Bread

Milk Meat or meat alternate Grains or bread Two different servings of fruits or vegetables

Milk Meat or meat alternate Grains or bread Fruit or vegetable

Participating Facilities Many different homes and centers operate CACFP and share the common goal of

bringing nutritious meals and snacks to participants. Participating facilities include: Child Care Centers: Licensed or approved public or private nonprofit child care Centers, Head Start

programs, and some for-profit centers. Family Child Care Homes: Licensed or approved private homes. After School Care Programs: Centers in low-income areas provide free snacks to School-age children

and youth. Emergency Shelters: Programs providing meals to homeless children. Eligibility State agencies reimburse facilities that offer non-residential day care to the following children:

Children age 12 and under, Migrant children age 15 and younger, and Youths through 18 in emergency shelters and after school care programs in needy areas. Contact Information: If you have questions about CACFP, please contact one of the following:

Sponsoring Organization/Center Ohio Department of Education Nondiscrimination: The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers,

employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complain Form, found online at http://ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866)632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202)690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800)877-8339; or (800)845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

Amanda’s Garden, Inc

6709 Cleveland Rd

Ravenna, OH 44266

CACFP Consultant

25 S. Front Street, MS 303

Columbus, OH 43215-4183

614-466-2945

16

GUIDELINES FOR PRIMARY CAREGIVING FOR CHILD CARE CENTERS

Primary Caregivers/Teachers;

A model for Quality Child Care

Why is a Primary Caregiver Model Best for

Children?

According to this model of care, a teacher has a primary responsibility for an assigned number of children

within the larger classroom group. One goal is to ensure the continuity of adults who work with children,

particularly infants and toddlers. This principle is important enough to be included in the criteria for high

quality early childhood programs. As stated in the Accreditation Criteria & Procedures of the National

Academy of Early Childhood Programs (the department of NAEYC that administers the accreditation

system):

Each staff member has primary responsibility for and develops a deeper attachment to an identified group

of children… Young children develop optimally through close, affectionate relationships with other people,

particularly adults. The development of relationships is particularly important for infants. Staff should be

able to emotionally bond with children while recognizing what the child’s primary attachment is with the

parents (pg. 24).

Primary Care giving makes sense based on what we know about the development of young children. Their

efforts to establish a trusting relationship with the world around them are enhanced by creating significant

relationships with a few caring adults. By focusing primarily on a designated group of children in the

classroom, teachers can best stimulate the infancy, although clearly toddlers and preschoolers can also

benefit from some system of primary care.

Giving up their young child’s care to another person requires a parents a significant level of trust. That trust

in best cultivated by establishing with them a one-to-one, parent-to-teacher relationship. This primary Care

giving arrangement maximizes each family’s connection to and comfort with our child care program. It

also reassures them that there is someone who will be especially focused on their child’s developmental

progress and needs.

Will We Still Work in a Team?

Primary Care giving in no way should replace the team approach in any classroom. By assigning children

to a particular teacher, we are asking that individual to assume primary responsibility, not total

responsibility.