TRIAL PERIOD

Your child's adjustment is important to the both of us.  There will be a 1 week trial period before a commitment is made by either the parents or me.  It is appreciated that a child does not always adjust easily to a new situation.  This will give the child, me and the other children in my home an opportunity to discover one another.  In this manner, we can determine if there is a working relationship for all involved.  Both parties agree to give 1 week to see if the child (ren) can bond with other children and the provider.  After 1 week if either the childcare provider or the parent does not feel the child is adjusting, either have the right to leave. You must notify Right Start Family Childcare in writing that your child will not be returning before the next week tuition is due and payable.  Childcare services will not be available until the parent can obtain another childcare. Right Start reserves the right to discontinue care at any point during care if the child(ren) purposely causes harm to himself, caregiver or other children or is disruptive to the other children in care. Tuition will not be refunded for days of non attendance even if asked to leave daycare.

ENROLLMENT

Upon enrollment, the parent shall complete and return all forms with payment for the first week of care.  

The Enrollment Forms include: About Your Child Form, Registration Forms, Health Forms, Parent Handbook and an Immunization Card. It is required by the state of Colorado that the General Health Appraisal Form be completed and signed by your child's physician prior to the first day of care. An updated copy of your child's Immunizations is required. The General Health Appraisal Form and a current copy of your child's Immunizations must be updated on a yearly basis. The Enrollment Forms must be completed before care is to begin for your child. The above mentioned forms must be in receipt of Right Start, along with the first week of tuition, prior to the first day of enrollment.

RATES AND FEES

The cost of childcare will vary from child to child.  Your weekly rates will be based on the hours and days your child attends.  A minimum rate is charged to hold your opening in my home.  This rate is subject to change as deemed necessary. Tuition, tuition paid in advance, registration fees and or any type of monies paid to Right Start Family Childcare are non refundable.

All services are PREPAID and will be made on Friday for the next week of care.  No post-dated checks will be accepted.   Parents are welcome to pay multiple weeks if they wish.  There will be a $10.00 charge for each day the payment is late, including times when a back-up provider is used.  Checks returned for insufficient funds, closed accounts, or similar reasons will be rectified immediately by a cash payment plus an additional $35.00 service fee.  From that point on all payments must be made in CASH.

There will be an overtime charge for all children dropped off more than 15 minutes before their scheduled time or for every minute picked up after their scheduled time.  My intent is not to increase my income, but to have my opening and closing times respected so I may follow through with family plans and commitments.   Overtime is charged at a rate of $1.00 per minute before drop off time and $1.00 per minute after pick up time.  This is payable at time you pick up your child the same day as the occurrence.  The provider has the right to waive the overtime charges as deemed necessary.  If your payment is late, you may be asked to withdraw your child from the Childcare Home.

The rate you pay is based on the hours you have contracted for childcare only.  Additional time can only be arranged providing an additional fee or late fee is paid and depending on space availability.  I will not watch your child for extended time if it causes me to operate over my license capacity.   Contracted hours will be respected.

You may be asked to provide small amounts of spending money and entrance fees for field trips.

If your child purposely damages any childcare property, such as toys, books, or equipment, you will be expected to replace that item or pay for the replacement or repair. 

A $10.00 per week additional fee will go into effect while your child is being potty trained.   Potty training periods will be discussed and approved by both the parents and the provider at a prior conference.  Children must exhibit all signs that they are ready for potty training prior to commencement.  This fee will be in effect from the first day your child wears training pants until he/she can use the potty unassisted for at least one full week. This fee may be waived at the discretion of the caregiver.

ARRIVAL/DEPARTURES

If an emergency makes it impossible to pick up your child at your usual pick up time, I need a phone call.  You will still be charged overtime.  I will expect a phone call if it is necessary for you to be early/late either in the morning or the evening.  If your child will not be attending childcare for the day, I will expect a phone call by 8 a.m. that morning.  Parents must notify me if your child will be arriving or leaving at a different time than normal.  This will ensure that we do not miss each other.  Parents are expected to pick children up right after work.   I feel that children should spend as much quality time as possible with their children.  It minimizes social, emotional and behavioral issues.  I request that parents keep their good-byes to a minimum.  If your child does not cry, please don't continue the good-byes until he or she does.

Children will be released only to their parents and people authorized by both parents.  The parent must submit written authorization for any person to collect the child.  Signed faxes or email from a known email address is acceptable.  All people authorized and unknown to me will be required to show ID when they come to collect the child.  I ask that you bring any authorized people to meet me before they call to get the child.

VACATIONS /HOLIDAYS

Parents are required to give a written 2 week notice before any vacation is taken.  This assists in preschool/activity planning and avoids over expenditures of food and supplies.  Tuition is still due while the parent(s) is/are on vacation.  If parents are in town, the child may still attend their contracted schedule if the parents wish to sustain the child(s) daily routine.

The provider may take 2 weeks (10 days) of paid vacation each year.  During the provider’s vacation, the parent may opt to use another licensed childcare provider.   It is the parent’s responsibility to choose an alternate provider.  If the parent chooses to use another childcare provider, it is the parent’s responsibility to pay for alternative care as well as the regular weekly fee to Michele Johns. 

The provider may take 5 days of paid personal and/or professional paid days to attend conferences, or to attend to personal needs. 

The following days are the holidays which I am closed and are regarded as paid holidays.  New Years Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.  If a holiday falls on a Sunday, I will take the following Monday off with pay.  If the holiday falls on a Saturday, I will take the preceding Friday off with pay.  In addition to these holidays, if either parent has additional holidays, the child will not be expected in attendance on those days.

ABSENCES/SICK DAYS

I will be fully compensated for any day your child is not in my home due to illness of your child.  If I become ill and unable to care for your child, I will notify you as soon as possible and inform you of arranged backup care or to have you pick up your child.  I will be fully compensated for any time missed due to illness when backup care is provided.

EMERGENCIES

I must have numbers where parents can be reached, plus the number of a personal physician or clinic.  It is extremely important that these numbers be kept current so that I may reach you when necessary, not just during emergencies.  The numbers may be checked from time to time to verify their accuracy.  In case of emergency, I carry a cell phone when I’m not at home.  My cell phone number is 303-990-0187.   Parents must sign an emergency medical treatment form. This form must be notarized.   In the event of a medical emergency concerning your child, I will make every effort to contact you.  If you cannot be reached, or time does not allow an attempt, the release form will be used.

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

Accidental Poisoning: The provider will call the poison center, determine what the child got into, follow the poison center’s recommendations, call 911 and alert one of the parents of the incident.

Blizzard:   During a blizzard, all parents will be notified to pick up their children early while roads allow travel.  Car Accident: Should the provider be involved in a car accident, she will attend to the needs of the children, find alternate transportation home if necessary, and notify all the parents of children in care.  If the provider is incapacitated, she will have records on file in the vehicle to aid the rescue crew.

Child Not Picked up By Closing:  If a child is not picked up by closing time and the provider has not been contacted, she will try to call both parents and then the other people listed to pick up on the enrollment application.  As required by the State, if no one can be reached, the provider will call the police and report the child (ren) as abandoned. 

Earthquake:  During an earthquake all children will be moved to the utility room. 

Electrical Storms/High Winds/Hail:  During electrical storms children will be kept away from windows and electric devices.  All electric devices not required will be turned off. 

Fire: We have three door exits from the main level and four windows.  In case of a fire, the children will be taken out the nearest safe exit.

Flood: In the case of a flood, all children will be moved to the highest level of the home.  The master bedroom will be used. 

Gas Leak/Neighborhood Evacuation/Power Outage:   In case of a neighborhood evacuation for whatever reason, I will load the children up into the car and go to a location at least five miles away.  Once there, I will notify all the parents as to our condition and location and wait for them to come and pick up their child (ren).

Injured Child: Small bumps, scrapes and cuts will have first aid administered per doctor’s recommendations on the health form and the parent will be notified at pick up time as to what happened.  For injuries more severe, the provider will call 911 and then notify the parents.  Should the child need transported, the provider will relay the parent’s choice of hospital as indicated by intake records.

Lost Child: If a child is lost, all children will be gathered in one area while the provider checks the remainder of that floor of the building, then other floors will be checked.  We’ll also check outdoors and up and down the street.  If the child cannot be found, the police and parents will be notified. 

Tornado Watch/Warning: Once we’re aware of a tornado watch or warning, the children will be moved to the utility room. 

HEALTH/ACCIDENTS

The State of Colorado requires that every child in a Child Care Home maintain a current physical exam.  The parent is required to provide the Child Care Home with a physician's statement certifying the child's health PRIOR to the first day of enrollment and must be updated annually.  Additionally, the State of Colorado requires written permission from a physician to allow a Child Care Home to administer any drugs to your child.  These regulations apply equally to both prescription and over the counter drugs.  Written permission from the doctor may be sent to the childcare home via email.  Until the written authorization to give medication is received, no medication will be given per Colorado Law.  All drugs and medications must be provided in their original containers and display their prescription labels.  The Child Care Home reserves the right to determine when a Sick Child Re-admittance Form must be signed by the child's doctor indicating the diagnosis and when the child is not contagious to return back into child care. 

Please inform me of any allergies your child has.  I will accept children with runny noses, and minor ailments that are not contagious for a maximum of 3 days.  The following rules apply to illness your child may get during his/her stay at the childcare home.

Children who have an IEP plan need to give the childcare home a copy at enrollment and each time it is updated.

Children who are on daily medication must get a medical health plan from their doctor for the childcare provider to keep at the childcare home.

Children with the following conditions will not be allowed into the daycare home:

* Runny nose or cough for more than 3 days.

*Diarrhea.

* Vomiting - If child is vomiting please don't bring the child.

*Temperature - no temp. over 100 degrees.

*Ear infection / sinus infection - child must be on medication at least 24 hours before admittance.

* Pink Eye / conjunctivitis - Child must be on medication at least 24 hours before entering home.

* Childhood illnesses such as chickenpox, measles, mumps, etcetera.

If you are in doubt, please call me and we will make a joint decision.    Please be honest to limit illness being spread throughout the childcare facility and all the student’s families.

If a child should become ill during the day, you will be notified immediately.  The child will be isolated from the other children and you will be expected to pick up your child immediately (within 45 minutes from conclusion of the phone call).  Failure to pick up within 45 minutes may result in immediate termination.   Please notify me at once if your child has a contagious illness, so that I may respond appropriately.  I will notify you if your child has been exposed to any contagious illness.

MEALS

I provide nutritious breakfast, lunch and snacks as outlined by USDA guidelines for young children.  Parents should inform me of any allergies or special diets needed for their child. Formula and baby food will be provided by the parents.

Special arrangements may be provided for birthdays.  You may bring a cake or special treats to help celebrate.  Please let me know of any special plans you may have, and I will try to schedule them.

REST PERIODS

All full-time children will have a rest period of at least 1 hour as required by Colorado Rules & Regulations.  The child does not have to sleep, but will be required to have a quite time without disturbing the other children.

CLOTHING

The parent will provide the following: A change of clothes, car seat/booster seat, playpen, diapers, plastic underpants, sunscreen, diaper ointments, wipes, infant formula, bottles, pacifier, and baby food to be kept at the Child Care Home.  Parents will dress their children in clothing appropriate to the season and to the weather.  A swimming suit and sunscreen is needed during the hot summer months.  I also ask the children be dressed in clothes that can get dirty so that the child is free to play outside or on the floor.  The childcare home is not responsible for misplaced or mislabeled articles of clothing or personal belongings.

FIELD TRIPS

The Child Care Home will not be going back and forth to school on a daily basis.  We may go on field trips by car or on foot.  As required by law and human services rules and regulations, all children will be in either an infant car seat, booster seat or fastened by seat belts. 

ACTIVITY POLICIES

Television Viewing - The television may be used at this facility.  When in use, the television will be on one of the following children’s channels: Channel 6, 12 Nickelodeon, Nog/N, or the Disney Channel.  Any programs or DVD’s shown will be rated P or PG.

Computer Usage – When a computer is available, the computer is limited to one hour per child per day.  Software will be limited to age-appropriate educational, nonviolent games.  This software will be used in conjunction with the preschool curriculum or used to develop fine/gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive (thinking) skills.

MISCELLANEOUS

·       I ask that you let the child bring a security toy or blanket if the child feels in need of one for naptime.  Please leave other toys in the car or at home - If your child does bring in other toys, food, etc. he/she will be expected to share them with all of the other children (except for infant toys). Please do not bring candy, coins or items that are easily broken.   I will not be responsible for damage to any toys brought into my home.

·       Please do not place medication and over the counter drugs in the child’s backpack or diaper bag.  Hand them to the provider directly.

·       For my childcare home to exist peacefully in my neighborhood, I ask you to respect my neighbor's driveways.  Please park only in legal spots, and do not double park.  Help me to maintain good relations with my neighbors.

·       During snowstorms, and after, if the driveway has not been cleared of snow--please do not park in it. It's hard to clean the packed snow off.  Please bear with us at these times.  We will have the driveway cleared of as soon as possible.

·       Childcare is a legally deductible expense and I will be happy to provide you with receipts or a year-end total for your income tax purposes.  A year-end receipt and W-10 form will be not be given to any parent in arrears in their childcare tuition payments.

DISCIPLINE

I believe in positive discipline.  I try to reward children for correct behavior.  If the child's behavior is not acceptable,  I use logical and natural consequences, redirection, substitution, and role modeling.  The child may be required to sit away from the activity for a short period of time.  If need be, a conference may be required to discuss ongoing problems.  As changes in a child's life may effect his or her behavior, I ask that you inform me of any major changes, i.e. divorce, death, unemployment etc.  You, as parents, are expected to back me up at all times for misbehavior.  Failure to do so will result in immediate termination.

CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT

By Colorado Law, I am required to report any signs of abuse or neglect of children in my care to Social Services, and I will Promptly do so.  I am liable, as a childcare professional, for this responsibility and can be fined or jailed for failing to do so.

TERMINATION OF CONTRACT

Termination of this contract must be in writing and the intent to terminate must be given to the child-care home 2 weeks before the child is to leave the childcare home. Failure to give 2 weeks notice, will result in the normal fee being due and payable to cover the 2 week period.  Tuition will not be refunded for days of non attendance once tuition has been paid. 2 week notice shall be given and payable for a full 2 week period. If using a deposit or prepaid tuition for 2 week notice, an additional week of notice is required and due.  Tuition, tuition paid in advance, registration fees and or any type of monies paid to Right Start Family Childcare are non refundable.

CLOSING

I am a self employed Child Care Provider.  I have tried to be fair in setting up these guidelines to help us both see what we can do for each other.  The financial arrangements are there for my family to maintain a monthly balance we depend on and you can budget.  I do expect the respect and consideration you would give any other professional.  Please remember my business is necessary for the support and well being of my own family.  Changes in the agreement form should be fully discussed and agreed upon.

Your child's well being is very important to me, and I want to keep communication open.  Please ask for a conference at any time.  If necessary, I will ask the same of you.  Please feel free to bring me any complaints or compliments.  As required by regulation, I am listing the number to Social Services.  You may reach them at 303-866-5860. My caseworker is Keisha Minor and her telephone number is 303-914-6100 x 3063.

Right Start Family Childcare

I/We__________________________________________ have received the Parent Handbook, revision date 7/22/08.

________________________________                                                               ______________________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian                                                                                                   Signature of Parent/Guardian