Carissa's Cozy Corner
Family Daycare
About Myself
Hello! Welcome to Carissa’s Cozy Corner. My family consists of my husband Marlon Smith and three daughters Marissa (5), Ashley (3), and Jasmine 19 months). I decided that I wanted to have a family home daycare so that I could stay at home and spend more time with my children. I also want to provide affordable quality childcare in an atmosphere that is familiar to home. I have experience working in a family daycare and childcare centers. I graduated in May 2004 from Central Connecticut State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. I have also received Red Cross certification in Infant and Child CPR and First Aid. I will provide a loving home environment that will foster your child’s developmental needs and help your child to learn how to develop positive relationships with adults and their peers. You will feel confident that your child will be safe and happy here. I want to work with you to help your child develop physically, emotionally, and mentally. I look forward to working with you and your child. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, and concerns.
Philosophy
Each child is different and therefore should be treated as an individual. Therefore children should be given the ability to learn at their own pace through their own experiences. I believe that young children need concrete hands on learning experiences. Developmentally appropriate materials are essential for a productive learning environment for young children. Children also learn better when placed in small environments where they are able to receive more one on one attention. This small group setting also makes it easier for children to learn and develop positive relationships.
Program
Full Day Child Care is available between 7:30 am-5:30pm for children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. During the day children will be engaged in a variety of activities (arts and crafts, cooking, etc). We will try to spend as much time outside depending on the weather.
I will be incorporating a preschool curriculum into our daily activities for fun and to prepare the older children for school. This is done at no additional cost to you. This is a theme based curriculum set up on a weekly basis, but if a theme is of particular interest to the children we will spend extra time on it. Activities include arts & crafts, stories, music, games, etc. These activities will allow your child (ren) to be successful and feel good about themselves, use and develop language skills, use their motor skills, learn new ideas and skills and expose the child (ren) to a variety of cultures. The program will also encourage creativity and imagination through the use of various materials. Please feel free to share information on your culture to share with the students.
Before and after school care hours are for school age children up to age 12 they are arranged but are not to extend no later than 5:30pm.These children will receive breakfast and an afternoon snack. They will be encouraged to complete homework and will receive assistance if necessary.
Schedule
7:00am-9:00am Arrival/Breakfast/Free Play
9:00am-9:15am Bathroom
9:15am-9:40am Circle Time
9:40am-10:40am-Planned Activity/Free Choice
10:40am-11:30am Outside Time
11:30am-12:00pm Lunch
12:00pm-12:30pm Clean Up/Bathroom/Story
12:30pm-3:00pm Nap Time
3:00pm-3:30pm Snack/Bathroom/Clean Up
3:30pm-4:30pm Outside
4:30pm-5:30pm Free Choice/Pick Pick Up
*Schedule is subject to change*
Hours
-Full Day Child Care 7:00am-5:30pm
-Before/After School hours are arranged but are not extend no later than 5:30pm.
Carissa’s Cozy Corner will be closed on the following holidays:
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day and the day after
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
These holidays are paid holidays except where noted. If a holiday falls on a weekend (Sat. or Sun) I will take the Friday before or the Monday after as a paid holiday. I will take 2 weeks paid vacation in which parent’s will pay ½ their child’s weekly rate. The two weeks are not to be consecutive, with four (4) weeks written notice. Alternate child care will be the responsibility of the parents. Any other days I take off are unpaid. Parents are responsible for providing their own back up care for illness, holidays, provider's vacations, provider's illnesses, emergency and personal days. I will not be responsible for providing back up caregivers.
Registration and Enrollment
Before your child can attend all forms must be COMPLETED and RETURNED. A completed medical form with up to date immunization records are required to be completed by your child’s physician and returned. This is my policy and a state requirement. Please notify me immediately of any changes in addresses or phone numbers. Your child’s medical form will be returned when your enrollment ends upon request. All other forms will be kept on file for one year after the child is no longer enrolled at Carissa’s Cozy Corner, at which time they will be destroyed. All forms are kept confidential except in an emergency or upon request of the Department of Health, Police, or DCF, or unless the parent of the child gives the provider and staff written permission to release. Forms will be updated annually.
Trial Period
There is a two week trial period at the start of care, if we feel things are not working out for whatever reason, I reserve the right to terminate care at that time and your deposit will be refunded at that time.
Payment Rates, Fees, and Deposits
Deposit
Before care will start, a two week advance deposit must be made. This two week deposit will be used towards your child's last two weeks of care, whenever that may be down the road. The fees for the final two weeks of care are to be paid in advance at the beginning of care or you can have this fee added to the weekly fees over the first 8 weeks of care in equal payments. This amount will be noted. If you choose to remove your child from my care and give the required two weeks written notice the final fees will be applied to your last two weeks of care. If you fail to give two weeks written notice the deposit will not be refunded.
Payment Rates
Full Time Weekly Rate for Infants up to age 2 years $180
Full Time Weekly Rate for children age 2 years and up $160
Before/After School Weekly Rate $80
A cash payment or money order is to be made in full every Monday and a receipt will be issued. If payment is not made by Wednesday a $35 late fee will be added to your overdue balance. If 2 weeks payment plus the late fee is not made by the following Monday childcare will be terminated and legal action may be taken. Care 4 Kids is also accepted.
A late fee will be applied if you pick up your child passed the schedule pick up time. $5 for the first 15 minutes $15 for each additional half an hour and any part there of (i.e. if you are 20 minutes late your fee will be $20). Please realize that you are cutting into my "family" time with my own family every time you are late. To save any of us any embarrassment, please don't make me ask for it; just add it on to your payment for that Monday. Excessive late pick-ups will result in me terminating this contract agreement.
When a child is out for any reason (sickness, vacation, etc) for a week or more, the fee will be half the regular fee.
At the end of the year each family will receive a year end statement of payments made for the year.
Pick Up/Drop Off
Please schedule your child’s drop off time before 9:00 am, this way your child will have ample time to come in have breakfast, if necessary, and settle in before the morning activities start. For example, if circle time has started and your child has a hard time settling in, it would be difficult for me to leave the other children to assist you and your child. Please sign your child in and out along with the time daily. If someone other than the parent will be picking up your child, I to know ahead of time. Please make sure their name is on the pick up list to avoid any confusion and let them know they may be asked to show ID.
Open Door Policy
Carissa’s Cozy Corner maintains an open door policy. Parents are welcome to visit our day care at any time during business hours. You are welcome to observe our program for as long as you wish., however, keep in mind a child just adjusting to new surroundings will want to leave with you when you – “pop-in” for a visit. A child going through separation anxiety will most definitely react by a parent coming in to the child care and not taking them with them when they depart. Morning drop-offs and evening pick-ups are made easy by my allowing you self-entrance into my home between the hours of 7:30am-9:00am and 4-5:30pm. During these times I will try to keep the door open so parents may come in and drop off or pick up their child without having to wait for the door to be answered. Please give the children and myself the courtesy of a short knock and then enter on your own. This prevents any shocked or potentially scared children by the sudden appearance of an adult in the home. Please understand that I will not be available to give you my undivided attention. I will continue with our normal schedule while you are present. DO NOT ENTER MY HOME FREELY IF IT IS BEFORE OR BEYOND THE CHILD CARE WORKING HOURS.
Lunch/Snack
I will provide a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack for you child at no extra cost. A monthly menu will be provided but is subject to change at my discretion. A microwave is available to reheat your child’s lunch if you choose to send lunch with your child. I will often use snack time as a chance for the kids to help in food preparation. Please be sure to note any food allergies or restrictions on the registration form.
Nap Time
Please provide a blanket for your child to use during nap time. They are also welcome to bring their favorite stuffed animal. Every Friday I ask that you bring home your child’s blanket to be washed and returned on Monday. If your child does not nap they will be encouraged to lie down and have a quiet rest period before engaging in quiet activities.
Daily Note
An important factor in education is the communication between parent and teacher. I will provide a short letter telling you about what they did that day, how they ate, and if they took a nap. For infants the note will be a little more detailed. If you have any questions do not hesitate to call.
Bathroom Time
Please provide a toothbrush for your child (and toothpaste if you wish) so that they may brush their teeth after lunch.
I will help with potty training but remember the Potty Training process is most successful when BOTH the parent and provider play an equal part in it!! Potty training is a two way street. I will do my best to encourage young children to use the toilet but I expect parents to do the same. It will not work if reinforcement is only coming from one side. I also ask that all potty training children wear clothing that is easily handled. Elastic waist pants are the easiest and the most practical. Extra sets of spare clothes (bottoms) will be needed during the training period.
Please be sure to provide pampers for your child and any diaper cream that you use. Please complete the appropriate form for the administration of nonprescription topical medication (which includes diaper changing ointment free of antibiotics, antifungal, or steroidal components; medicated powders; teething medication; sunscreen; and bug spray). I will supply the wipes.
Illness/Incidents
A child may be considered ill and will be sent home for one or more of the following:
*cannot participate in daily activities
*a fever of 100o F or higher in an infant under four months; a fever of 101o F or higher in an infant four to twenty-four months; a fever of 102o F or higher in an infant over twenty-four months
*vomiting
*diarrhea
*signs of a contagious illness (such as chicken pox,
If your child becomes ill in my care you will be notified as soon as possible to discuss treatment and/or early or immediate pick up. If your child requires immediate pick up then they must be picked up within an hour unless a mutually agreed upon time is set. I will also provide a form with all the steps taken and a list of your child’s symptoms.
A child must be kept home under the following conditions: a contagious disease, a fever (as described above), diarrhea, vomiting, or any other illness that requires an excessive amount of individual attention.
If a child becomes ill with a contagious
disease in my care a letter will be sent home to all parents informing them to
what their child has been exposed to and the symptoms they should look for.
Please notify me within 24 hours of the diagnosis or exposure of any
seriously contagious diseases. I will then notify all the other parents here.
All children in my care MUST have the appropriate immunizations for their age.
A child can return to my care after being seen by a physician and a doctor’s
note is brought in.
Prescription and nonprescription medicine can only be administered by the parents.
When a child is out sick for a week or more the fee will be ½ the regular weekly fee. If your child attends for part of the week you will be charged the full weekly fee.
An incident log detailing the incident and actions taken will be issued when an accident or unusual behavior occurs. Minor cuts and abrasions suffered while at the day care will receive proper care, specifically; they will be washed with soap and warm water and properly bandaged. Injury and treatment will be logged and I will tell you how and when the injury occurred. I am also required to log any injuries I observe on your child which have occurred outside my care.
Appropriate Dress
Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately to go outside everyday. Please provide an extra set of weather appropriate clothes for your child. We will try to go outside in the snow, please provide appropriate outdoor clothing for these occasions. Do not send your child in dressed in real good clothes. Kids love to get dirty and I won't be responsible if their clothes get dirty.
In the summer, please bring a swimsuit, water shoes, and beach towel that can be left here the whole summer. (And labeled, please) We often use the sprinklers on the spur of the moment. This way your child will never be left out if a suit is forgotten at home. Extra clothes will not be used for swim suits.
Emergency Policies
In the event of an emergency requiring me to leave Reshima Mead-Richmond will stay with the children until I return or closing.
Please be sure to complete emergency forms and inform me of any changes immediately.
If a medical emergency arises I will try to contact a parent first, unless doing so endangers the child's life. In that case I will take necessary steps, putting the child first (calling 911, doctor, poison control, etc.). If need be, your child will be transported to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and I will contact you from there. Parents are responsible for all costs involved in emergency medical treatment.
Behavior Goals
At Carissa’s Cozy Corner I try to stress two main patterns of behavior: respect for other people and respect for property. As a result I do not allow hitting, pushing, biting, kicking or pinching other children. As well as no throwing or purposely breaking daycare property. Obscene language is not allowed. I also stress that they treat material possessions (both mine and theirs) with respect. To reinforce these behaviors I use the following procedures. Rules are first explained, and then followed up with plenty of reminders and lots of positive reinforcement. For children age 3 and older, redirection and "time-out" are the only methods of discipline used when it is necessary. In a time out situation the child will be separated from the group. The child will sit in an appropriate place for 1 minute per year of age, not to exceed 5 minutes. When "time-out" is up, I will talk to the child and try to explain why that behavior was inappropriate. The child is encouraged to give the offended party an apology and assist in "fixing" whatever went wrong, to the best of their ability. Children under the age of 3 years will not be given "time-out" and will be corrected with redirection.
If something of a more serious nature or a persistent behavior should occur that is of concern to me, I will need to discuss it with you so that we can work together to decide on a course of action that is followed at home and in my care. If the problem can not be resolved arrangements must be made for dismissal from my care..
Child's Dismissal from Daycare
It is unfair to the other children in my care, and to me, if a child
is misbehaving and gets out of control continuously. That would require too much
time spent with that child, taking away time from the others who should have an
equal amount of quality time with me. If the child is continuously unruly, rude,
misbehaving, or disrespectful toward myself or the other children, and continues
to act in this manner after a two-week warning to the parent, he/she will be
dismissed from my care at the end of the two-week warning period.
Other reasons for dismissal include but are not limited to non payment of fees, failing to accurately complete and update (when necessary) all forms, and excessive late pick-ups.
Child Abuse and Neglect
As a child care provider, I am obligated by the state of Connecticut to report all known or suspected cases of child abuse and/or neglect. Your child's well being is my first and foremost concern, I can assure you that I will not ignore what I see or hear if I suspect your child is being abused and/or neglected.
Other Policies
Please, for the sake of the carpet, clothes,
and hair, don’t bring gum.
Please do not bring any toys from home. It saves trouble from having
the kids fighting over it all day, and it saves a lot of heartache if another
child accidentally breaks it or loses it.
If your child breaks an item or creates damage in my home, you the parent(s) will be expected to pay for that item and/or damage, with-in (1) week time depending on the value or cost to you.
***Please note that policies are subject to change and that I will notify you of these changes. I will notify you in advance and your signature will be required at time of notification.***
