The first day your child attends child care, you must give your provider a copy of the attached Family Child Care Enrollment Contract. Without these completed documents, which must be updated annually, the provider cannot care for your child. This requirement ensures that the provider has all the important information and phone numbers he or she will need in order to provide the best possible care for your child.

We encourage you to maintain an open dialogue with your provider, as communication between parents and providers is the foundation for a solid working relationship, and a good child care experience. Before filling out your child enrollment form, please read the important information contained in the PARENT FACT SHEET below. Remember, OCCS is always available as a resource to both you and your provider.

A provider may only care for the number of children he or she has been licensed for. You can find out what your provider's licensed capacity is by checking the license, which is posted in the home. Please note that a provider may care for no more than three children under the age of two without an assistant. If you have concerns or questions about the number of children in your provider’s care, discuss the situation with your provider or contact OCCS.

Supervision is critical to keeping children safe. Child care providers must directly supervise the children at all times. This means that a provider must be able to see or hear the children without interference. Use of Assistants If approved by OCCS, a provider can have an assistant to help care for the child care children. A provider must also inform the child's parent or guardian of the name of the assistant and when the assistant will be helping the provider with child care.

Medical information about your child must be given to your provider within one month from the day your child begins care. There are three things your provider will need:

Please note: Your child's immunization record must be updated and given to the provider in accordance with the Department of Public Health's immunization schedule. Also, your child's lead screening report must be updated as required by Department of Public Health Regulations. This report must also be given to the provider. If your child is school age, the provider may accept from you a written statement that the required information is on file with the child’s school.

OCCS has a number of licensing standards related to safety in a Family Child Care Home. Most of these standards outline common safety precautions such as making dangerous materials inaccessible to children, covering outlets, having a first aid kit, practicing evacuation drills, gating stairs, windows, or heating elements, posting emergency numbers, and maintaining a clean, hazard-free indoor space. Also, the outdoor space must be safe and hazard free and there should be no access to a busy street, water, construction materials, rusty or broken play materials, debris, glass, or peeling paint.

The Provider is required by regulation to notify parents of certain information about the family child care home. These notifications include, but are not limited to; injury to a child, communicable diseases introduced into the child care home, identification of other caregivers, children being taken off the child care premises, presence of firearms, change in household composition, pets and infant sleeping positions.

The provider must carry out a routine that is flexible and responds to the needs and interests of children in are. The routine must include things such as; meeting the physical needs of children in care, thirty minutes of physical activity every day, child initiated and provider initiated activities and daily outdoor play, weather permitting. Additionally, the provider must develop a curriculum that engages children in developmentally appropriate activities by planning specific learning experiences. The curriculum must include things such as; learning self-help skills that foster independence, opportunities to gain problem solving and decision making competencies and leadership skills and opportunities to learn about proper nutrition, good health and personal safety. The Provider is also responsible for providing an environment that promotes cultural, social and individual diversity.

It is important to keep an open dialogue with your Family Child Care Provider, and to maintain an active role in your child’s care. Visit often, not just at pick up and drop off time, but at a variety of times during your child’s day. It is a parent’s right to visit at any time and in doing so; it will help promote a successful experience for your child. High quality child care is a benefit to your entire family. Remember, you can always call the Office of Child Care Services with questions or concerns about your child’s care.

This is a journey that doesn't end when they go off to school, it's a lifetime commitment. If I don't make a difference in each child's life then I did not succeed in doing my job as a daycare provider.

There will be a two week trial period before any child is considered enrolled. If the provider or parents find that the child is not adjusting or fitting in well with the group, care may be terminated by either party and as long as tuition is paid up to date, the deposit will be refunded. If the provider feels that the policies set forth within this handbook are not being followed as agreed, care will be immediately terminated by the provider without any refund of deposit. (See page 8-Grounds for Termination).

Child care is open from 7:00am to 5:00pm Monday-Friday. During the months of June, July and August, I will be closed at 4:00pm on Fridays.

A one time holding fee (deposit) equal to your weekly tuition fee is required to be paid on or before your child’s first day of care which will be applied to the last week’s payment or forfeited if the child does not come as agreed for care. A spot will not be held for your child until your deposit and a completed contract is received by the provider.

There will be a $30.00 charge for any checks returned from the bank.

Your weekly tuition fee is your standard weekly rate and that fee will be charged each week regardless of absence for HOLIDAYS, SICK DAYS, SNOW DAYS, VACATION DAYS OR EARLY PICK UP. Tuition must be paid in full on or before your child’s last day of care of the week. Example: if your child’s scheduled days are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, then your tuition payment will be due on Wednesday of each week. If a holiday or vacation day happens to fall on your payment day, tuition is due on the previous day. There will be a charge of $25.00 per day for late payments. Please make checks payable to: Patricia Coward.

A 3% discount will be given to those parents who have children in full time care and wish to pay their tuition on a monthly basis. Monthly tuition is due on the 1^st of each month.

A 10% discount off the older child’s tuition is given when 2 or more siblings are enrolled in full time care at the same time

Our daily schedule is a structured one, however, there are days when we do not follow the schedule, I take into consideration the children's likes/dislikes/attitudes for the day, in some cases we may need to rearrange things so that everyone participates and is having fun. Preschool Curriculum runs from September to May so our schedule is more lax in the summer months to allow more time for outdoor activity.

Diapers, formula, baby wipes, infant/baby food, ointments, over the counter medications, sun block, insect repellents etc.

Carefully consider travel time to and from home and work when choosing hours of care for your child. If your child is dropped of earlier than 5 minutes prior to his/her scheduled starting time or picked up later than 5 minutes after their scheduled pick up time you may be charged $5.00 for every increment of five minutes as follows:

10 Minutes Late or Early = $10.00 Flat Fee

15 Minutes Late or Early = $15.00 Flat Fee

20 Minutes Late or Early = $20.00 Flat Fee

25 minutes Late or Early = $25.00 Flat Fee

Etc.

It is extremely important to communicate with the provider when you know you will be arriving late to pick up your child. If you are late and I have not heard from you within a reasonable period of time, I will call your emergency contact to come pick up your child.

If a parent/guardian has made prior arrangements with the provider and would like to add additional hours to a day, or would like to contract for more than 8 hours per day, a child may stay overtime for an additional fee of $10.00/per hour. If a child comes to care late or is picked up early, missed hours cannot be exchanged for additional hours.

The days that you have chosen for care may be switched for other days as long as it has been discussed with the provider in advance and there is ample space available for that day. Your normal daily contracted rate will be charged for the day(s) you would like to switch to. Holidays and vacation days cannot be switched for other days, however, if you would still like to add a day to your week, you may do so at an additional charge. If care exceeds 8 hours per day, an additional overtime fee may also apply. Ask your provider for details. Payment for any additional day(s) is due the week of service on your normal payment day.

Child care is a big adjustment for a child, even if he or she has been in child care before. Sometimes, no matter how hard a provider or parent tries, a child may not be happy with the arrangement. If this is determined and the parents and I have tried different remedies to subside your child’s ill feelings, and if the child is still uneasy, doesn’t get along with others, cries most or all of the day, and shows that he/she is not adjusting well, child care arrangements may be terminated for the benefit of the child.

A stuffed animal, doll or special blanket frequently helps make the transaction from home easier for children. Books, tapes or videos that the child wants to share with his/her group are also welcome. Please encourage your child to leave all other belongings at home. I supply an ample amount of play equipment and toys for the children. Toys brought from home may be lost, broken or fought over between children.

The following items are not allowed at the daycare for safety reasons:

Toys

Small barrettes, jewelry of any kind, clips or pins

Plastic bags of any type

Coins

Children’s Purses

Diaper Bags

If a parent wishes to suspend or take a leave of absence from child care for an extended period of time (2 weeks or more), due to illness, maternity leave, employment layoff, death in the family or personal issues, you must give the provider 4 weeks prior, written notice of your intentions. If your child will be returning to care and you wish to reserve his/her spot, you must pay a weekly, non-refundable holding fee of $25.00 for each day that you would like held for your child. His/her spot can be held for up to 8 weeks. Your first holding fee payment is due on the date of your withdrawal and on Monday of every week thereafter. The normal contracted tuition rate will be charged up until the time of your child’s withdrawal and during the 4 week notice period. A child’s spot cannot be held for more than 8 weeks. It is optional for you to pay the weekly holding fee but failure to do so could result in a loss of space and your child may not be able to return to care. Missed or late holding payments will terminate this agreement.

Parents are encouraged to supply the provider with the following items: bibs, a full change of clothes, including underwear and socks. It is a good idea to leave a light sweater or jacket at the daycare at all times for unpredictable weather. If you leave clothes at the daycare, please be sure that the clothes are appropriate for the season. Please label all of your child’s belongings.

Parents must provide disposable diapers and wipes for their child. You will also need to provide baby bottles if your child is still using them. Parents will be notified when their supply runs low.

During the hot summer months, please send (or leave at the daycare) your child every day with a bathing suit and sun block. A permission slip is required if your child wishes to use the small daycare pool, water table, slip n slide or sprinkler. Also, please apply sun block in the morning and be sure to sign the permission slip so I can reapply it during the day.

Regulations require that children play outside, every day, weather permitting. This includes winter months. Please make sure your children are properly dressed to be brought outside at all times. If possible, please leave an extra hat and a pair of mittens at the daycare for your child. If snow is present please also bring snow pants and boots.

According to Licensing regulations, any use of trampolines by child care children is prohibited.

According to Licensing regulations, any use of the above ground pool by child care children is prohibited.

All children will be required to lie down for a nap/quiet time each day. I will not force your child to sleep but they must lie down quietly. This is my “coffee break” during the day, my time to re-charge.

As a childcare professional and a state licensed daycare, I am required by law to report any form of physical, sexual or emotional abuse of any child in my care. I have been trained in the recognition of all forms of child abuse. If I notice any signs of abuse at any time, I will alert the child's parent(s) immediately, both verbally and in writing, along with a full description of the symptoms (bruising, sores, sudden extreme behavioral changes, etc). I will document the same information for myself and, if necessary, the proper authorities will be contacted. This includes forms of neglect, such as not using a proper child restraint in a vehicle and not seeking adequate medical attention.

I will assist in toilet training with the understanding that it will only work if we work together. Your child will not learn if they do not do it while in my care and at home. You must work with your child at home, either during vacation or over a weekend before I will begin potty training here. Clothing should be easy to manage to encourage self-help skills. Buckles, belts, overalls and suspenders when in a hurry to use the bathroom may create a problem. I also require that each potty training child have 4 changes of underwear. Extra changes of clothing are also necessary, including socks. If a child is still has several accidents each day, I will require pull-ups to be worn for health reasons.

Under no circumstances should you bring your child to care sick. If you are not sure your child is well enough to attend child care, please call and discuss it with me. A sick child should be allowed to recuperate fully at home after an illness so that the other children and the provider do not risk unnecessary exposure. Your child may be brought to care if they have a common cold (which means a slight cough, clear runny nose, sneezing); however I will call you if your child is crying or repeatedly asking for you. Your child should not attend if they are not feeling well enough to participate in our daily activities.

Temperature or Fever, a child with a temperature of 101° F. or more cannot be kept at daycare.

Vomiting, stomach viruses are very contagious.

Conjunctivitis, infection of the eye. Common symptoms are a yellow discharge and tearing.

Diarrhea, that cannot be contained in a diaper.

Impetigo, a contagious infection of the skin. Common symptoms is crusted sores usually appearing the first time in the facial area. Children cannot return until they have a regime of antibiotics and the lesions have dried.

Strep Throat, common symptoms include a rash, fever and sore throat.

Draining Nose, other than clear.

Unexplained Rash, if rash persists, a doctor’s note may be required to let your child back into care.

Head Lice, a child cannot return to care within 7 days of being diagnosed and must have appropriate Head Lice Hair Rx Treatment(s) before returning. Ask your provider for samples of this Rx Treatment.

State regulations require providers to maintain a medical record on each child in care. Each child must have a physical examination upon admission and once per year after that. A new medical form must be completed by your child’s pediatrician after each physical which includes your child’s record of immunizations. Your child will not be permitted into care if 30 days have passed beyond your child’s renewal date and the provider does not have updated medical records or a doctor’s note explaining why your child cannot be examined and/or immunized at this time.

Every child in Massachusetts must be tested at ages 1, 2 and 3. Four year olds who live in a high-risk community for childhood lead poisoning also must be tested. I am required to keep a copy of these lead test results on file. If your child is 1 year old or older, I must have a statement signed by a physician or employee of a health care agency stating that your child has been screened for lead poisoning. If your child enters child care prior to being 12 months of age, he/she must be screened before reaching the age of 13 months old.

It is expected that your child be respectful of my personal property and furnishings. A certain amount of “wear and tear” is normal, but if your child intentionally damages my property through destructive behavior or roughness, you will be liable for 100% of the replacement costs. This reimbursement is due with your next weekly payment.

You will be asked to complete several permission forms upon enrollment, such as taking your child with me if my children need to be driven to or from school, or the bus stop, walks around the neighborhood and things of this nature. You will not be asked to sign a permission slip to take your child on errands with me. For safety reasons, it will not be that often that I will need to take your children in the car with me.

My sister, who is CPR and First Aid Certified, is my backup when I need to leave the daycare for important reasons, such as doctor appointments, dentist appointments, school meetings etc. You will be notified ahead of time when I need to use my backup person and you will always be given the choice to leave your child at the daycare or pick them up early that day. Whenever my backup person is available I will use him/her so that parents do not have to miss work and/or use their vacation time.

I will close for two vacation weeks each calendar year (or 10 week days) for my vacation. You will be given ample notification of these weeks (or days) to make arrangements. THE NORMAL CONTRACTED RATE WILL BE CHARGED FOR THIS VACATION TIME.

I will close for 2 personal days each calendar year for doctor and dentist appointments. You will be given ample notification of these two days to make arrangements. THE NORMAL CONTRACTED RATE WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE TWO PERSONAL DAYS.

Parents will pay THE NORMAL CONTRACTED RATE for any parent vacation(s) and you must give the provider at least two weeks prior notice of your vacation date(s). A child may not come to care during your scheduled vacation time, for any reason.

Tuition is due for the following holidays in which the daycare is closed:

Parents may visit this family child care home unannounced at any time during the hours that your child is in care.

According to state regulations, monthly fire drills are required. This acquaints the children with evacuation procedures, which are posted by the doorway. We will alternate going out the front door and back door and meeting at our designated meeting place. Our goal is to exit in under 3 minutes.

For the safety of the children, I do not accept telephone calls during business hours to discuss the welfare of your child. If there is any cause for concern, or if your child becomes ill, I will call you immediately. My full attention must be on the children at all times. Phone calls also interrupt important aspects of your child’s day such as Circle Time, Learning, Stories, Arts and Crafts etc. If you need to contact me to let me know of your whereabouts, or if you will be arriving early to pick up your child, please leave a message on my machine and when the children are napping I will retrieve my messages.

In order to reduce the risk of SIDS, my sleep position policy is that all infants will be put to sleep on their backs unless there is a written physician’s order that specifies otherwise.

Child Care may be terminated by either parent/guardian or provider by giving two (2) weeks written notice in advance of the ending day. Payment by parent/guardian is due for the notice period; weather or not the child is brought to the provider for care. The provider may terminate the contract without giving any notice if the parent/guardian does not make payments when due. Failure by the provider to enforce one or more terms of the contract does not waive the right of the provider to enforce any other terms of the contract. By enrolling your child, parent(s)/guardian(s) agree to abide by and fully understand the written handbook/policies of the provider. The provider may amend the handbook/policies or tuition rates by giving the parent(s)/guardian(s) a copy of the new or changed handbook/policies at least two (2) weeks before they go into effect.

Child care arrangements may be terminated for any of the following reasons without refund of deposit (but not solely limited to):