Operational Policies

Welcome............................................................................................................................................................................. 3

Hours of Operation........................................................................................................................................................... 4

Staffing............................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Organization and Governance......................................................................................................................................... 4

Enrollment Decisions............................................................................................................................................................. 5

Children with special needs.............................................................................................................................................. 5

Family Involvement........................................................................................................................................................... 5

Fees..................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Registration Fee.............................................................................................................................................................. 5

Tuition.............................................................................................................................................................................. 5

Activity Fee...................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Late Tuition Charges....................................................................................................................................................... 6

Late Pickup Fees............................................................................................................................................................. 6

Confidentiality of Files....................................................................................................................................................... 6

Required Forms................................................................................................................................................................. 6

Immunizations............................................................................................................................................................... 6/7

Arrival & Departure Policies and Procedures................................................................................................................. 7

Authorizing Persons to Pick-up........................................................................................................................................ 7

Arrival and Departure...................................................................................................................................................... 7

Checking Photo Identification............................................................................................................................................ 7

Custody Changes............................................................................................................................................................ 7

Sign In/Out Daily.............................................................................................................................................................. 7

Late Pick-Up Policy.......................................................................................................................................................... 8

Health Policies and Procedures...................................................................................................................................... 8

Illness.............................................................................................................................................................................. 8

Medication.................................................................................................................................................................... 8/9

Accidents and Medical Emergencies................................................................................................................................ 9

Food Program.................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Food Allergies................................................................................................................................................................. 9

Alternative Meals............................................................................................................................................................. 9

Birthdays/ Special Occasions........................................................................................................................................... 9

Closings............................................................................................................................................................................. 9

Inclement Weather........................................................................................................................................................... 9

Holidays..................................................................................................................................................................... 9/10

Absences....................................................................................................................................................................... 10

Safety Policies................................................................................................................................................................. 10

Staff................................................................................................................................................................................ 10

Children......................................................................................................................................................................... 11

Families.................................................................................................................................................................... 11/12

Withdrawal....................................................................................................................................................................... 12

By the Family................................................................................................................................................................. 12

By the Center................................................................................................................................................................ 12

Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse....................................................................................................................... 12/13

Emergency Evacuation................................................................................................................................................... 13

Miscellaneous Matters.................................................................................................................................................... 13

Cleaning Schedule (Daily, Weekly, Monthly)............................................................................................................... 13

Solicitation of Babysitting Services.................................................................................................................................. 13

Visiting the Center.......................................................................................................................................................... 13

Lost and Found ............................................................................................................................................................ 13

Non-Discriminate Statement........................................................................................................................................... 13

We are pleased that you have chosen the Living and Learning program of the White Rock Child Development Center (hereafter referred to as CDC) for your child. This handbook has been prepared to answer questions you may have concerning our policies and program.

Please read this handbook carefully and in its entirety; then keep it in a convenient location for future reference. You are responsible for reading and understanding all information detailed within and will be held responsible for upholding center policies and procedures. If at any time you have questions, concerns or suggestions, please feel free to share them with our center’s staff. Our office telephone number is (919) 683-1649. We also have an email address, cdc@whiterockbaptistchurch.org, and website at www.whiterockbaptistchurch.org.

Please sign and return the bottom portion of this page that includes the White Rock Child Development center Statement of Acknowledgement and Understanding of CDC Operational Policies prior to enrollment.

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Statement of Acknowledgement and Understanding

WRCDC Operational Policies and Procedures

I acknowledge that I have received, read and understand the policies described in this handbook. My signature verifies that I or anyone else authorized to drop off or pick up my child will comply with the policies described. Furthermore, I understand that when this book is updated, I will receive the appropriate new/revised information and will acknowledge that I have received, read and understand it.

Print Name_______________________________

The White Rock Child Development Center offers a full time year round program. We are open Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 6:00pm for ages 3 and 5 year olds. The CDC has an open door policy for families to stop by for an unannounced visit at anytime during the day or you can reach the office by calling (919) 683-1649 or (919) 688-8136 ext. 20. Normally, if there is no answer you can leave a message and your call will be returned ASAP. In the case of an emergency and you are unable to get an answer please press *8 to transfer the extension to Blue Room (22) or Yellow Room (23). The church office is ext. 10 and you are welcome to leave a message there.

STAFFING

The Teachers

Our Teachers are fully responsible for curriculum, family communication, safety, health and well being of your child. Their qualifications include formal education, extensive in-service training, continued education, and many years of experience.

Our Assistant Teachers work in each classroom in full support of the classroom teacher and assume responsibility in the absence of the teacher.

Floater

Our Floater is not assigned to any one room or tasks. He/she assists the classroom teachers and director whenever and wherever needed. The Floater does cover a.m staff breaks (15 minutes) and rest time planning period and staff breaks throughout the year. The Floater also is the first choice of substitute staff when your child’s regular teacher is absent.

Substitutes

In the absence of the teachers or assistants, qualified and experienced substitute staff, capable of assuming full classroom responsibility, will be present in your child’s classroom.

ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNANCE

A volunteer governing Board consisting of families, members of White Rock Baptist Church and members of the local community governs the White Rock Child Development Center . The Governing Board sets policies for the center and adopts the annual budget. There are two spaces held on the governing board for families of children currently enrolled – please see the director if you are interested.

Children who have reached their third or fourth birthday are toilet trained and have current immunizations are eligible for enrollment. To enroll a child, families are required to meet with the director to share information about the child, discuss Center policies and procedures, tour the facility and complete the necessary applications and forms.

Applications for enrollment can be made at any time during the year. If there are no vacancies at the time of application, the child will be placed on the waiting list. Vacancies will be filled in the order in which enrollment applications are received and at the discretion of the Director pending receipt of a $40.00 registration fee.

Children with physical, mental, emotional and/or behavioral special needs will be permitted to enroll in the Center unless the special needs child requires additional equipment or staffing or extraordinary use of existing staff time to manage the special needs condition. Also if it is determined by the Director that the center is unable to meet the child’s needs. The Center’s Director will seek consultation with identified Board members and/or consultants before refusing to accept a child or before terminating a child due to a handicapping condition.

Family involvement is a major goal of the center. Family involvement may include attending family meetings, serving on the Governing Board, helping with special events and projects, preparing materials for classrooms, attending parent-teacher conferences, chaperoning field trips or outings, attending a community workday, providing snack for children, or staffing the classroom for staff meetings.

Families are encouraged to share information regarding their child with the teacher as often as possible. If you have questions or concerns that you feel cannot be addressed satisfactorily with the child’s teacher, the Center Director will be glad to talk with you at an agreed upon time. If the family is not fully satisfied after talking with the director, you may contact the Chair of the Governing Board. This name may be obtained from the Director. Family-Teacher conferences may be scheduled at an agreed upon time by the teachers or families.

There is a $40.00 non-refundable annual registration fee due for the first child and $30.00 for each additional child. Registration fees are due prior to enrollment to ensure your child’s space in our program.

There is weekly fee of $150.00 for the first child and $140.00 per week for each additional child. Fees are to be paid in advance weekly, every two weeks or monthly. Families should indicate at the time of enrollment a payment schedule. Fees are to be paid on the first day of the period. Payments may be made by check or money order made payable to the White Rock CDC. As families last names may be different from their child’s please be sure to include your child’s name on the check or money order. Receipts will be issued by 4:00pm on Tuesdays and any payments received after that time will be assessed a $6.00 per day late fee. Please save all your receipts.

Activity Fee

There is an annual fee of $50.00 per child to cover the costs of field trips and special events throughout the year. There is no credit or refund given if your child does not participate in the year round program.

The CDC does not bill families for tuition. You are responsible for paying on the schedule you have chosen upon enrollment. A late tuition charge will be assessed on any payments received after 4:00pm on Tuesday’s for weekly and bi-weekly payments or after the 1^st Tuesday of the month for monthly payments. A late fee of $6.00 per day will be charged to families who do not pay their tuition and fees on time. A fee of $25.00 will be charged for all returned checks. Families will be expected to pay by money order if there are more than two checks returned from their bank.

Families who do not pick up their children on time will be charged late fees as follows. Fees will be charged based on the time that appears on the centers clock.

It is the policy of the White Rock Child Development Center to assume that in cases where a child’s families are separated or divorced, the family who is responsible for the payment of the child’s tuition is the custodial family who is enrolling the child into the Center. This family will provide all official information and all necessary parental signatures and permissions. The child’s file containing the records of this family will be held in confidence.

Be sure to keep this information current

Immunizations

North Carolina state law requires that we maintain a medical record for each child. The child must have a physical examination within three months prior to enrollment. The completed medical form including the required immunizations must be in our office prior to the first day of enrollment. Physical and immunization records should be updated yearly.

Every child in North Carolina shall be immunized against the following diseases by the specified ages:

Birth Hepatitis B

2 months DTP, Hib, OPV, Hep B

4 months DTP, Hib, OPV, Hep B

6 months DTP, Hib, OPV, Hep B

12 months DTP, OPV

4-6 years DTP, OPV, MMR

DTP= diphtheria/ tetanus/ pertussis Hib = Haemophillius influenzae b Hep B = Hepatitis B

OPV = oral polio vaccine MMR = measles, mumps, rubella

Please notify the center when your child receives a new immunization so we can update our files.

It is essential that families come into the building with their child, and leave the child with the appropriate teacher. Likewise, at pick up, the teacher must see you and know that you have picked up your child. Persons bringing and picking up children should sign in and out. The child will only be released to authorized persons. Identification will be required. Cars unloading and picking up children should be parked in designated parking places. Do not park in spaces designated for church personnel. Children are not to cross the parking lot alone. It is our recommendation that all children be transported to and from school in a child safety seat. If your child meets NC Motor Vehicle requirements to be transported only wearing a seatbelt, we recommend that children ride only in the back seat of the vehicle!

According to state licensing regulations we cannot release your child to anyone other than yourself or someone over 18 who you have authorized on your application or emergency contact form in writing. You may update this list at any time in the office. At least three local persons should be listed. These people serve as your emergency back up should your child become sick and you cannot be reached. They need to be able to provide transportation for your child. On any day that someone other than yourself is picking up your child please leave a note in the memo notebook at the sign-in area with your signature.

If CDC staff does not recognize an adult picking up your child they will ask to see a photo I.D. Please inform persons picking up your child of this requirement. Persons may be asked for an I.D. several times depending on who is on duty when they arrive.

If your family situation changes and it involves any change in custody, visitation or pickup arrangements you must talk to the director to assure that communication is clear. Any relevant restraining orders must be in your child’s file in the CDC office. The Center may not be used as a site for supervised visitation.

Our caution and clarity have given us a 100% record for safety and well-being thus far.

Clearly sign your child in and out of the Center daily. It is a licensing requirement and a safety precaution. Inform anyone who picks up or drops off your child of this requirement. The Center’s responsibility for your child ends when your child leaves the building with you or someone else whom you authorized to pick up your child.

You are “late” if you pick up your child after 6:00pm . Families who do not pick up their children on time will be charged late fees as follows. Fees will be charged based on the time that appears on the Center’s clock.

*If your child is not picked up by this time, you will be reported to the Department of Social Services (DSS).

Families will be required to pay the late fees in cash to the director or designee by the close of the school day. Collection of late fees will be strictly enforced!

Repeated late pickups or more than one incidence of picking a child up more than ½ hour late in any 6 month period may be grounds for dismissal from the Center.

Whenever your child is well enough to participate in all activities, including going outside, he/she should attend the Center. We are not staffed to care for sick children for long periods. Please refer to the chart below that includes signs that indicate your child should not be brought to school. There also may be other situations not listed below. Families will be called to pickup their child should he/she become ill while in the center.

Symptoms that mean a child cannot attend school When a child may return to school

Fevers greater than 101 degrees No fever for 24 hours

Diarrhea (at least 2 loose stools) No diarrhea for 24 hours or a firm stool

Vomiting No vomiting for 24 hours

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) other eye infection &n