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Admission And Registration Of Children
Withdrawing A Child From School
Medical Exemptions For Immunization
Procedure For A Child Not Picked Up At All
Reporting Or Filing A Complaint About The School / Reporting Suspected Child Abuse
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SPECIAL NEEDS - No child will be denied placement in the center as long as we can fulfill the child's needs physically, socially, emotionally and academically. We will work with the parents, social services, therapist, and other relevant professionals prior to admission to ensure that all criteria can be met on the part of the center, and the special needs support group / family. Remember to read the ADA information posted on the parent information board. Back To Top
NAPPING - Since Young Child Science Discovery Center offers part time schedules for children who need to nap, we do not have a napping area. The class room environment is designed to allow tired children to rest comfortably if needed, and the staff is trained to respect the needs of tired children. All children who require a nap during the day must select a part time schedule. Back To Top
HOURS OF OPERATION - Young Child Science Discovery Center will be open from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. We offer a variety of part time scheduling options, and encourage parents to select the available time slot which best fits their needs. Back To Top
HOLIDAYS & CLOSURES - Young Child Science Discovery Center will be closed for all national holidays, and we will be closed over Winter Break and Spring Break at the same time as Boulder Valley Public Schools. Thanksgiving break will be a three day break only, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday - we will remain open on Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Remember to check your newsletter every month to remind you of upcoming holidays. Back To Top
SPECIAL FEATURES - Music will be offered during the week at scheduled times. Additionally, special art instruction will be offered throughout the year by children's art specialtists. Check your newsletter for upcoming special events. Back To Top
INCLEMENT WEATHER - We will close due to weather if Boulder Valley Public Schools close. Please listen to KBCO at 97.3 FM, local news stations, and check our web site if you are unsure of weather closures. In the event that extreme heat or cold requires modification of our daily schedule, a notice will be posted at the sign in counter, the parent information board, and on the web site notifying parents of the change. Back To Top
Tornado Alert: In the event of a tornado alert we will begin close monitoring of weather information on the radio, but not upset the children or "freak out." A staff member will calmly move all children indoors, close blinds, ensure dishwasher is turned off, and perform other standard safety procedures. Staff will gather appropriate emergency information on the children in preparation for a tornado evacuation.
Tornado Warning: In the event of a tornado warning all the children will be moved downstairs to the basement of the attached Photography Studio through the interior door only, where we will remain until an all clear is given. The route to our evacuation shelter does not go outside at any time. Int the basement shelter there is safely stored water, food, and sanitary supplies for three days for the staff and children. NOTE: Parents are encouraged to help maintain the supplies for our required emergency shelter. Parent newsletters will include donation requests for the emergency shelter.
Fire: Fire evacuation drills will be held monthly. Evacuation maps are posted by all outside exits. We will follow these routes at each drill. In case of an actual evacuation we will exit the building and take the children to the Senior Citizen's Center at 103 S. Iowa Avenue (approx 60 yds walk for the children). The teachers will check constantly for attendance while comforting and reassuring the children. Parents will be called from that meeting area utilizing phone numbers from the daily sign in sheet and the emergency cards. Back To Top
ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION OF CHILDREN - The admission of children to the center will require that the parent / guardian spend sufficient time observing the school and staff in order to determine if the philosophy and methodology of the center will meet their needs and requirements. Young Child Science Discovery Center will only enroll children after their parent / guardian has had an opportunity to ask questions, read policies, and understand our tuition and fee schedule. We will admit all children to the center, without question of race, religion, personal orientation, etc. Back To Top
WITHDRAWING
A CHILD FROM SCHOOL - The center reserves the right to disenroll
a child for reasons of :
1. persistent noncooperation by child or parent
2. delinquency in payment of fees
3. inability of the child or parent to adjust to the school program
4. persistent lack of cooperation by the parents
5. the center is unable to meet the needs of the child
6. continual late pick up
If a child withdraws from the program without finishing their school year
contract, the reasons for withdrawal will determine the financial obligation
to the school. Families who, in the opinion of the director, face catastrophic
hardship will be allowed to withdraw without penalty. Families who withdraw
for other reasons will be held responsible for payment of all tuition
owed for four (4) weeks past their withdrawal date, unless their spot
is filled by another child. Back To Top
SUPERVISION
OF CHILDREN - It is the policy of Young Child Science Discovery
Center to maintain complete supervision of all children at all times.
The team teaching staff will never allow any
child to be unsupervised for any reason. Staff members are required to
communicate constantly in order to maintain constant supervision. Supervision
includes watching, listening, and maintaining a complete awareness of
all children at all times. Back To Top
DISCIPLINE - Young Child Science Discovery Center believes that positive redirection is the best way to handle discipline issues with children. We assist the children to work out their own solutions, encourage shy children to stand up for themselves, give aggressive children assistance to verbalize their needs, and help all children to understand one another’s actions. We help to empower the child to solve the problem themselves using tools that are understandable and meaningful to them. Back To Top
MEDICAL EMERGENCIES - If a medical emergency arises we will refer to your emergency form. If we are unable to contact you or your emergency persons we will call your physician or dentist as per your emergency form and medical treatment will be arranged by our staff.
IT IS VITAL THAT ALL EMERGENCY INFORMATION BE KEPT UP TO DATE.
Every effort will be made to locate you if your child is injured at the center. If your child is injured at the center, appropriate first aid will be given. A parent or guardian will be contacted if in the judgment of the director that medical attention is necessary. If the director or the on site director decides that the injury requires emergency assistance, the center will call 911 and again try to contact the parents. Back To Top
ILLNESS
- If your child should become ill while at the center, it is the parents’
responsibility to pick them up promptly and provide alternative care.
We will consider the child ill and isolate them in the isolation area
if the child displays one or more of the following
symptoms:
1. illness which prevents the child from actively participating in daily
activities.
2. vomiting
3. diarrhea
4. discharge from the eyes or ears
5.chicken pox or other communicable disease
The director or designated
person in charge shall contact the child’s parent / guardian. If
the parent or guardian cannot be reached, someone from the emergency list
provided by the parent will be called. In cases where no one can be reached,
the child
will remain in isolation until their regular pick up time. If the child
is very ill, the child’s physician or paramedics may have to be called.
The director or designated person in charge shall make that decision.
Any outbreak of a contagious
disease will be posted by the front door and by the sign in / out sheet.
If your child is ill and will not be attending school, please call the
office to tell us. If it is a contagious illness, be considerate and call
our office to report it so it can be posted for other parents. Posted
illnesses alert parents to watch for
specific symptoms in their child. Some contagious diseases require the
school to file a report with the Boulder County Health Department, and
Young Child Science Discovery Center will inform the parents of all reports
filed with the Boulder County Health
Department. When your child attends the center they must be well enough
to participate in all the activities indoors and out. An ill child prefers
the comforts of their own home. For further information, a copy of Colorado
State Rules and Regulations regarding illness
policies is included in your registration packet. Back
To Top
MEDICATION - If your child needs to take a prescribed medication at school, it must be in its original container with the pharmacy label which shows the prescription number, name ofthe medication, date fi lled, physicians name, child’s name, and the directions for the dosage.
The medication must be given to the teacher by the parent and parents must fill out a REQUEST FOR ADMINISTERING MEDICATION form which will be kept with the medication.
All medication will be kept
in a locked container in the refrigerator or cupboard above the refrigerator.
Only a teacher with medication skills training can administer the medication.
The director will personally delegate all medicine dispensation every
day. The Center will not administer a nonprescription medication unless
it is accompanied by a physicians written request with specific directions
on times and dosage. Even non prescription medicine must follow the specific
guidelines. The list of State requirements included in your registration
packet will help you ensure that your pharmacy includes all required information
so that we may administer necessary medication to your child. This is
a specific list, and we are allowed no leeway at all by the State of Colorado
regarding the
administration of medication.
Additionally, current regulations require a specifi c form from your child’s doctor in order to administer prescription and non prescription medicine. This extreme methodology of record keeping is designed to ensure every child’s safety. Back To Top
MEDICAL
EXEMPTIONS FOR IMMUNIZATION - If a medical exemption is requested
for your child it must be a written note from the parents stating the
reason for the exemption. It must also state that the child is in good
health. Colorado Regulations for Licensing state that the parents of the
other children attending the center be notified that a child is attending
without immunizations.
In case of an outbreak of a disease that can be immunized against, the
child without immunizations will be asked to leave the center and not
return until 21 days from the last outbreak. Tuition will not be reimbursed
and will be made payable on the agreed program. Back
To Top
LOST
CHILD PROCEDURES - In the event of a lost child, staff will immediately
notify local authorities. Additionally, Young Child Science Discovery
Center maintains linkages with the community which will be activated immediately
after notifying appropriate authorities. Strategically selected neighbors
will be called and notified to stand outside their homes and look for
the missing child in order to aid authorities. In this fashion, the entire
area surrounding the school can be quickly alerted to the situation, and
assist as needed. Parents of the missing child will be notified immediately
after the linkages to the community, and the school will keep all parties
informed as to the ongoing crisis. We feel it
important to note that in the over thirty years combined experience of
the two primary staff members, no child has ever been lost. We are extremely
careful regarding child safety, and this policy reflects all Preschools’
need to plan for everything. Back To Top
TELEVISION
AND VIDEOS - Television and videos are not a regular part of the
curriculum at Young Child Science Discovery Center. Periodically throughout
the year we may bring in a television
in order to show specific videos, such as dinosaur education films, holiday
thematic shows, or videos of the children at plays and other performances.
We do not have a television on site, and any television event will be
for a specific purpose, and all parents will be notified via the monthly
newsletter prior to any television usage. Back
To Top
FIELD
TRIPS - All field trips will be announced in the monthly newsletter,
and reminders will be posted on the parent information board, sign in
sheet, and by the front door. Young Child Science Discovery Center will
utilize parent volunteer drivers for field trips, and all volunteer drivers
must show proof of insurance, vehicle registration, and be trained by
the staff in field trip procedures and child safety. Young Child Science
Discovery Center will follow all state laws regarding car seats, air bags,
and young child safety. On
the day of the field trip a detailed map and description of the field
trip will be posted on the front door in order to enable late parents
to drop their child off at the field trip. Parents who utilize the late
drop off procedure must still sign their child in on the sign in sheet,
which will be carried by the director during the field trip. Once a late
child has arrived, all staff members must immediately update their master
lists of all children present at the center. In anticipation of a late
drop off, emergency forms for all children, whether in attendance or not,
will be carried by the director during field trips. Back
To Top
ARRIVAL
AND PICKUP - Young Child Science Discovery Center’s hours
are 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Young Child Science Discovery
Center closes at 5:00 p.m. If you are going to be detained, please call
us with your updated pickup plans. We CANNOT and WILL NOT release a child
to anyone whose name is not on the emergency pick up authorization form.
There is a late fee for children picked up after 5:00 p.m., but we do
understand inclement weather, traffic, etc. A call from you also helps
to ease any anxieties your child might display when you do not arrive
as scheduled. If you select a schedule other than 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
then your pick up time will be as you have selected.
Late fees will accrue for any late pick up, regardless of hours of operation.
Back To Top
SIGN IN AND OUT - You must accompany your child into the building. The sign in sheets are posted on the sign in podium by the cubbies. Please sign your name by your child’s name, write the time you arrived, phone number where you can be reached while your child is at the center, and who you expect to be picking up. When you return for your child, sign your name and the time you picked up. There is a column for parents to list medications their child is taking, including over the counter medication.. This keeps us informed as to why your child’s behavior may be “off” for the day.
It is vital that you sign your child into the center each day. Colorado State law is very specific about sign in procedures, and we are allowed no leeway at all with these procedures. Thank you for your attention to sign in and sign out procedures.
No child will be released to a person not authorized by the parent to pick up the child. We must have verbal confi rmation or written authorization from the parents or guardian for all pick up changes. The authorized person MUST have a picture identification at the time of pickup. The center WILL NOT RELEASE a child to someone without proper identification or proper release forms. In the event that an unauthorized person attempts to pick up a child, the appropriate authorities, and parents will be notified. This is for the safety of your child. Back To Top
PROCEDURE FOR A CHILD NOT PICKED UP AT ALL - In the event that a child is left at the center beyond their scheduled time, the safety and comfort of the child will be the primary concern for staff members. Staff will utilize all emergency numbers, beginning with the primary care giver, in an attempt to locate the appropriate adult to pick up the child. If all attempts to reach anyone are unsuccessful, the director will make the decision of how long to wait. If needed, the appropriate authorities will be notified of the unattended child, and social services will take custody. Back To Top
LOST AND FOUND - A box will be kept outside the main entry door to hold all the lost and found items. At the end of the calendar year and the end of the school year all unclaimed items will be donated to charity. Back To Top
CHILDREN’S BELONGINGS - Every precaution will be taken to protect your child’s belongings. The center will not be responsible for the loss or breakage of items brought to school by the children.
We insist that all guns, knives and weapons (toys included) be left at home. School is not a gun place, school is not a fighting place.
We will have a Teacher Talk
Day every week. At that time the children can bring a special item related
to the theme of the week. The special share must be able to fit into their
cubbies. Please send in only items that all the children can touch, do
not send in
breakables or family heirlooms. Remember that children do not need money
at school for any reason. Please do not send your child to school with
money or other choking hazards. Back To
Top
CLOTHES - School can be a messy, dirty, wet and muddy place. Please dress your child accordingly. Boots, dress shoes, patent leather shoes, clogs, sandals and flip flops make it difficult for a child to run, jump, climb, and ride tricycles. Please leave these items at home. An extra set of seasonally appropriate clothes is a must. When you bring in your child’s extra clothes please give them to any staff member who will then place the clothes in your child’s labeled clothes bag. Accidents can happen whenever we use water and other messy mediums.
Remember to LABEL, LABEL, LABEL. If your child brings in an item without a name we will label it with masking tape and permanent marker. We do go outside whenever possible even if it is only for ten minutes, so please dress your child for the weather. Colorado weather is such that your child may need a sun hat, snow hat, sunglasses, and snow clothes all on the same day. Help your child be prepared for Colorado weather. Back To Top
LUNCHES - Lunch will be eaten at 11:35 a. m. every day. Each child will bring their own lunches to school. Please remember to pack a cold pack or freeze a box juice to help keep your child’s lunch fresh. Back To Top
BIRTHDAY
TREATS - Birthdays are a special time. Feel free to share your
child’s birthday treats with the class. Small muffins and non sweet
treats are likely the best choice. If your child has
specific dietary restrictions, plan ahead by giving the school a selection
of treats appropriate for your child. If another child’s birthday
treat is restricted for your child, we will give your child the “special”
treat you left specifically for this purpose. Back
To Top
SNACKS - A thematic healthy snack will be offered in the morning and afternoon every day. At Young Child Science Discovery Center snack is a curriculum choice during free time. Children will be encouraged to eat snack throughout free time, but we will not have a forced simultaneous snack time for everyone at once. If your child has any dietary needs or restrictions inform the staff immediately, as you become aware of specific needs or restrictions. Be sure to give added attention to the food section on our enrollment forms. Back To Top
CONFERENCES
- Young Child Science Discovery Center performs formal parent conferences
twice a year, and all parents must participate in these two conferences.
The center will keep a
record of all conferences which includes the date of the conference, staff
members present, and parent / guardian present. Parent conferences include
an opportunity for parents to give feedback and address any concerns or
preferences about their child with the staff. Our conference forms include
all aspects of a young child’s development, including but not limited
to: activities, academics, social emotional development, physical development,
and any issues that the parents wish to discuss. Additionally, regular
daily feedback and opportunities to communicate with staff will help parents
understand all aspects of their child’s experience at Young Child
Science Discovery Center. Back To Top
REPORTING OR FILING A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SCHOOL / REPORTING SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE -
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Your child was recently enrolled in a child care program that is licensed
by the Colorado Department of Social Services. The license indicates that
the program has met the required standards for the operation of a child
care facility. If you have not yet done so, pleases ask to see the license.
Most licensed facilities make
every effort to provide a safe and healthy environment for children. Unfortunately,
on rare occasions, an incident of physical or sexual abuse may occur.
If you believe that your child has been abused, you should seek immediate
assistance from your County Department of Social Services. The telephone
number to report child abuse for the Boulder County Department of Social
Services is (303) 441-1240. This is a 24 hr. Hot Line which is manned
by Boulder County Social Services
during business hours. After business hours a recording at this number
will refer you to the Boulder County Sheriff Department at 303.441.4444.
Colorado law requires that child care providers report all known or suspected
cases of child abuse or neglect.
Child care services play an
important role in supporting families, and strong families are the basis
of a thriving community. Your child’s educational, physical, emotional,
and social development will be nurtured in a well planned and run program.
Remember to observe the program regularly, especially with regard to children’s
health
and safety, equipment and play materials, and staff. For additional information
regarding licensing, or if you have concern about the child care facility,
consult the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care
1575 Sherman St. Denver, Co.
80203-1714 Phone number 303.866.5958.
Sincerely,
The Staff at Young Child Science Discovery Center
REPORTING ABUSE - The center will report suspected abuse to the director. The director in turn will investigate and then report to the County Department of Social Services. Parents suspecting child abuse at the center should refer to their Parent’s handbook for information on how to report suspected child abuse or sexual assault. Back To Top
