OTTER
CREEK CHILD CENTER
2002-03
PARENT HANDBOOK
WELCOME
TO OTTER CREEK CHILD CENTER!
CONTENTS
Page 1
Mission
Statement
Purpose
Philosophy
Mission
Goals
Programs
Child care programs
Page 2
The scholarship program
The resource program
Hours of Operation
Late Pick-Up Policy
Morning Enrollment
Afternoon and Full-Day Enrollment
Avoiding Late Pick-Ups
Page 3
Late Fees
Calculating late fees
Payment of late fees
Forms
Positive Identification
Page 4
Children's
Records
Payment Policies
Deposit
Tuition
Refund of Deposit
Health Policies
Keeping Sick Children Home
Page 5
Taking Sick Children Home
Immunizations
Health Guidelines
Fever
Page 6
Antibiotics
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Severe coughing
Conjunctivitis
Strep Throat and Impetigo
Chickenpox, Mumps, Roseola, etc.
Head Lice
Pinworms
Allergies
Page 7
Injuries
Medications
OCCC Harassment Policy
Philosophy and Procedure
Definitions
Page 8
Scope of Policy
OCCC Rights
Child Abuse and Neglect Policy
Daily Information
Signing In and Out
Clothing
Page 9
Food
Naps
Diapers
Page 10
Toilet Training
Celebrations
Walks and Field Trips
Fire Drills
Weather Emergencies
Page 11
Parents
Parents at the Center
Parents' Meetings
Parent Conferences
Page 12
Parent/Teacher Communication
Our Children
Children's Placement in Groups
Enrollment Contract
Children's Transition into Groups
Separation Anxiety
**********
Welcome TO OTTER
CREEK CHILD CENTER!
We are delighted
that you are interested in our program! We have developed this handbook
to explain our goals, philosophy, and program policies. We hope that the
information in this book will serve as a basic orientation to our program
so you will know what to expect when you come to the Center.
There is much to
learn and remember about a new program. Good communication and understanding
between parents, staff, and children are very important in keeping our
program running smoothly. We hope you will ask questions about things
you don't understand and make suggestions to us for ways in which you
think we can improve our program. We sincerely hope that your involvement
with Otter Creek Child Center will be a positive and rewarding experience.
The OCCC Staff
Services of Otter
Creek Child Center are available without regard to race, color, religious
beliefs, disability, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or marital
status.
MISSION STATEMENT
Purpose
To improve quality child care options available to the Addison County
community.
Philosophy
*Each child is an individual who deserves to be treated with love and
respect at all times.
*Feeling loved, cared about, and safe are the most important aspects of
good development.
*Children will let us know what they need to learn.
*In our very hurried world, children need time to be children in an unhurried
way.
*Helping children grow into healthy adults is a very important aspect
of shaping the future of the world.
*Discipline is an attitude, not just a variety of techniques one uses
with children.
*An integrated student body is essential to a healthy developmental experience.
*Family is the foundation of a child's well-being.
Mission
*To provide high-quality child care.
Goals
*To foster the intellectual, social, physical, and emotional well-being
of each child.
*To provide affordable child care within the constraints of fiscal solvency.
*To support families in meeting the needs of their children.
Programs
Child care programs
*Providing quality child care for children aged 6 weeks through age 5.
*Giving children a safe, healthy, clean environment with professional,
dependable supervision in a home-like atmosphere.
*Offering varied and creative programs allowing for differences in individual
developmental patterns.
The scholarship
program
*Providing financial aid to allow families of varied financial resources
to receive child care.
The resource program
*Maintaining a library of reference materials available for parents.
*Offering families referrals to various community services.
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HOURS OF OPERATION
Otter Creek Child Center offers Full Year Enrollment for child care.
The Center is open each weekday from 7:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. except on
the days listed in our calendar. In consideration of the staff and children,
we ask that the Center's hours be respected, as follows:
*To allow staff adequate set-up time in the morning, and because we are
only licensed to have children from 7:30-5:30, under no circumstances
may children be dropped off earlier than 7:30 A.M.
*Children in the morning session must be signed out by 12:30 P.M. in order
to maintain the proper teacher: child ratio for the afternoon group. Children
attending in the afternoon may be dropped off any time after 12:30 P.M.
*The Center closes at 5:30 promptly. We recommend that, to avoid late
fees, parents arrive no later than 5:20, to allow themselves adequate
time for greeting their child, gathering his or her belongings, and chatting
with teachers. To help parents with on-time pick-ups, staff will, whenever
possible, prepare children by getting them dressed if parents have not
arrived by 5:20.
The policy for late pick-up times is listed below.
Late Pick-Up Policy
Teachers will assess late fees if parents fail to meet the following requirements.
Morning Enrollment.
For families enrolled for the morning only, children must be signed out
by 12:30 P.M.
Afternoon and Full-Day Enrollment.
For families enrolled for the afternoon or all day, parents and children
must be out of the building by 5:30 P.M. All times are determined according
to the front hall clock.
Avoiding Late Pick-Ups. If you know ahead
of time that you are going to be late, you should make arrangements with
your emergency contact, another family member, or someone else to take
your child home, and then fill out a Pick-up Authorization Form for that
person in the morning (see the section Positive Identification).
Late Fees
Calculating late fees. Families signing out
or leaving late will be charged late fees on a per-minute basis determined
as follows:
First occasion: $1 per minute; Second occasion: $1.50 per minute; Third
occasion: $2.00 per minute. Subsequently add $.50 per minute for each
additional occasion.
Payment of late fees. Notice of a late fee
will be posted in the child's cubby as soon as possible after the late
pick-up occurs. Payment of the late fee is due with the family's next
tuition payment. All questions and concerns about fees or the late pick-up
policy should be taken up with the Director within a week of the charge
being incurred.
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FORMS
Each child attending the Center must have the following forms completed,
signed, and on file at the Center. New forms must be updated each year
of the child's enrollment.
1. Enrollment and Registration Contract.
Read this form carefully. It details your family's financial obligation
to the Center. It also includes the Emergency Medical Permission form.
2. Child Admission Form. This form includes
family information, phone numbers, emergency contacts, doctor's name and
number, and the names of people authorized to pick up your child. There
are also questions regarding your child's development, immunization record
(a state requirement), and habits. No child will be allowed to attend
the Center unless these forms are completed and on file.
3. Membership Application.* As a non-profit
corporation, under the laws of the State of Vermont, and a tax-exempt
501 c 3 organization, we need to have parents apply to become members
who then have certain rights, Including the right to attend the annual
meeting of members and elect the Board of Directors. *Membership is by
choice, not mandatory.
These forms will
be filled out prior to the child's attending the Center. It is essential
that the information on these forms be kept up-to-date. This could be
critical in an emergency. Changes in address and phone numbers should
be reported at once to the teacher or the Director.
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POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION
Only those people listed on the Child Admission Form will be allowed to
pick up your child from the Center. Please arrange a time for the staff
to meet them so we will be able to recognize them. You must fill out a
Pick-up Authorization Form each time someone other than you is to pick
up your child. These forms are available from the teachers. If, in a real
emergency (such as an accident), you must have someone else pick up your
child and you are unable to fill out a Pick-up Authorization Form, we
must have your verbal authorization, as well as a description of the pick-up
person's appearance and a password that will identify him or her for us.
This state regulation is for your child's protection! We understand that
things do come up on short notice for everyone. However, except in a real
emergency, we will not release a child to anyone other than the parents
until we have this authorization in writing.
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CHILDREN'S
RECORDS
Regulations regarding children's records were adopted by the State of
Vermont in 1976. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure parents'
rights of confidentiality, inspection, and amendment of children's records.
A folder containing application forms, permission slips, and developmental
forms is kept on file for each child enrolled at the Center. These records
are kept confidential. Parents may request to review these records and
request additions or corrections through the Director at any time.
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PAYMENT
POLICIES
All questions related to payments can be directed to the Director.
Deposit
A deposit equal to a biweekly tuition payment must be paid upon execution
of the enrollment and registration contract, prior to a child's attendance
at the Center. This deposit is applicable to the last biweekly payment
of the contracted enrollment period.
Tuition
It is expected that all tuition will be paid on a biweekly or monthly
basis, in advance. In cases where tuition is not received in advance,
the deposit will be applied to any tuition not paid within five days of
the due date. In addition, a $20.00 late fee will be assessed in order
to cover the administrative costs of recalculating the status of the account,
the time needed to contact the parents to inform them of the overdue account,
and, in general, to discourage late payments.
If the tuition deposit
is not restored and the late fee not paid, another late payment will render
the child ineligible for child-care services immediately.
Parents are responsible
for all enrolled hours even if the child does not attend.
Refund of Deposit
If a child is withdrawn from the Center before the expiration of the time
period contracted for, the Center will retain the deposit unless the Center
is able to enroll another child in the group that the child was withdrawn
from by the date of the withdrawal. If the slot is filled on time, the
Center shall refund the deposit, less $50.00 to cover the administrative
costs incurred in finding a replacement.
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HEALTH POLICIES
Keeping Sick Children Home
We understand that working and trying to raise a family is a very tough
job. Parents are sometimes caught between the conflicting demands of family
and work responsibilities. The stress of maintaining this balancing act
when children are sick is difficult at best. We recommend that you have
an emergency back-up plan for days when your child cannot attend OCCC
due to illness. We ask that you help us keep everyone as healthy as possible
by abiding by our health policies. We expect and appreciate your help.
There have been times
when parents have brought their children to the Center and asked that
they remain inside for health reasons. We do not have the staffing to
accommodate such requests. Children need to be able to participate in
all Center activities while they are here. If your child is too sick to
play outside, then your child is probably too sick to be at the Center
and we ask that you keep him or her home.
If your child is sick and will be staying home, we ask that you call us
before 8:00 A.M. so we can plan for the day. OCCC's phone number is 388-9688.
Taking Sick Children Home
Should your child become ill or injured during the day, we will call you
to come for him or her. If we cannot reach you, we will call the emergency
person you have given us. Therefore, it is essential that your emergency
person know that this will be an expectation and be someone who is close
by and able to take care of your child on short notice. You or your emergency
person are expected to come within an hour to get your child.
Immunizations
It is the Center's policy that all children must be immunized on a regular
basis. A copy of each child's immunization record is kept in each file.
Parents are responsible for keeping staff informed of updates to the immunization
record.
Health Guidelines
The health and well-being of everyone at the Center is of great concern
to us. Colds and flu do occur with greater frequency in a child care situation.
Therefore, we have developed health guidelines to help ensure that both
children and staff have as healthy a time as possible at the Center. We
also follow recommendations of the Vermont State Licensing Regulations,
which are available in each classroom.
A family must notify
the Center whenever the child has a communicable disease. The Center reserves
the right to send a child home or to refuse to allow a child to remain
at the Center if the condition of his or her health warrants it.
*Fever. A
child having a fever of 100 degrees oral/auxiliary or 101 degrees rectal
must stay home until he or she has been fever-free for 24 hours. If a
child develops a fever while at the Center, the teacher will contact you
to pick up the child. If a fever is somewhat above normal but lower than
the above reading, the teacher will call to let you know, re-check the
child in about an hour and then call again if the child still has a fever.
If your child has a fever at home or is sent home with a fever, they may
not return until they have been fever-free for 24 hours. PLEASE DO NOT
ASK TEACHERS TO BEND THIS RULE! A child who has been ill may look well
and act well in the morning, but can become tired and develop symptoms
by the afternoon. This policy protects your child from developing further
infections when their system is already under stress.
An exception to the above statement will be considered by the Center if
the child has a fever of 100 degrees or less from teething. It is very
common for children to run a low-grade fever due to teething and this
will be taken into account if the child appears healthy.
There may be other times when a child does not have a fever but seems
too sick to be at the Center. In situations like this, the Center reserves
the right to send the child home and will contact you. Childcare is stressful
and hard work for children; even more so when they are not feeling well.
A child who may seem well at home may just not have the energy it takes
to get through a day at Otter Creek. Having a child in this state of health
in the group puts an undue burden on the teachers and the other children.
*Antibiotics. A child with a contagious condition for which antibiotics
have been prescribed may not attend the Center until he or she has been
treated for approximately 24 hours with this medication.
*Vomiting. A vomiting child must stay home. The child will be sent
home if he or she becomes ill while at the Center. The child may not return
until the vomiting has stopped.
*Diarrhea. A child having three loose stools beyond what is normal
for that child within a 24-hour period or a child having loose stools
persisting for more than 48 hours must stay home until he or she is symptom-free.
Exceptions will be considered if the diarrhea is due to a reaction from
medication or food, as long as the child appears healthy and is in no
danger of dehydration.
*Severe coughing. A child whose cough is constant, causes difficulty
in breathing (for example, causes the child to turn red or blue in the
face), or is associated with breathing problems related to croup, whooping
cough, asthma, or pneumonia, must stay home until the condition is taken
care of.
*Conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis ("pink-eye") is an infection
of the eye in which the white of the eye becomes pink or red and the eye
produces a discharge. Conjunctivitis can be either bacterial or viral.
Bacterial infections must be treated with an antibiotic. Viral infections
will go away by themselves. Please see a doctor to distinguish which type
your child has, otherwise the Center will not allow the child to attend.
This is a highly contagious disease. A child with conjunctivitis may attend
the Center after being seen by a doctor and treated with antibiotics for
24 hours.
*Strep Throat and Impetigo. A child with a strep infection may
exhibit some of the following symptoms: sore throat, cold, runny nose,
cough, fever, headache, stomachache, earache, and swollen lymph nodes
in the throat and neck. Impetigo is a common skin rash in children. The
rash looks oozy, red, and round and may have a flat, honey-colored crust
to it. The child must visit a doctor to be given antibiotics and follow
the 24 hour period (see Antibiotics). The Center will notify all parents
if strep cases have been reported in the Center.
*Chickenpox, Mumps, Roseola, etc. A child who has an infectious
disease must stay home until all contagion is gone; that is, when all
the sores are scabbed over. With roseola, by the time the rash appears
and the fever is gone, the child is no longer contagious. Please inform
the Center if your child has been exposed to an infectious illness.
*Head Lice. As in all schools, occasionally there may be outbreaks
of head lice at the Center. This is not an indication of poor hygiene,
either at the home or at the Center. In the event of such an outbreak,
detailed instructions as to how to deal with the problem will be distributed.
*Pinworms. Pinworms are one of the most common intestinal parasites
in children. Luckily, they are more of a nuisance than a problem. Symptoms
can include itching around the anus, especially at night, restlessness,
and irritability. If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, please
see your doctor. The child may return after 24 hours of treatment.
*Allergies. Allergies are a frequent problem with young children.
If your child has any known allergies, please fill out the appropriate
questions on the Child Admission Form and discuss the allergy and reaction
with your child's teachers. In this way, we can do everything possible
to ensure that your child does not come into contact with these substances
while in our care. We will also know the course of action to take if he
or she does.
*Injuries. In the event of a minor mishap, teachers will administer
basic first aid (cleaning, ice, kisses, and Band-Aids). In the event of
a major accident, the rescue squad will be called. The head teacher or
teacher will accompany your child to the hospital and wait until you arrive.
Medications
We ask that parents try to schedule medications so that they can be given
at home. If this is not possible, medications that are prescribed by your
physician may be administered at the Center. Please give all medications
to the teacher. We would also appreciate knowing if your child is receiving
any medications at home, as this often has an effect on the child's behavior.
The following guidelines
apply to all medications, including non-prescription drugs, such as Tylenol.
The center may dispense medications only under the following conditions:
*The prescriptions must be in writing and must specify the date, child's
name, time, and dosage to be administered.
*All medicine containers must be labeled with the child's name.
*Parents must sign an authorization for the Center to dispense medications.
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OCCC
HARASSMENT POLICY
(ADOPTED JANUARY 1998)
Philosophy and Procedure
It is the right of all people to enjoy freedom from abusive and threatening
behaviors. OCCC provides an environment that protects this right because
harassing behavior is unacceptable. If a parent harasses a staff member,
the subject of the harassment should convey to the offender her/his desire
for the behavior to stop. The staff member should report this behavior
to the Executive Director or the Board President. If the behavior continues,
an investigation will be conducted. The Board of Directors will determine
the action to be taken by OCCC.
Definitions
Harassing behavior is any action taken by one person toward another that
is offensive, threatening, intimidating, coercive, disruptive and/or causes
fearfulness. These behaviors include, but are not limited to:
*Unwanted physical
contact
*Foul language
*Badgering
*Slander
*Stalking
*Physical aggression
or force
*Threats of force
*Offensive or
derogatory jokes, remarks, and gestures
*Contacting
staff member at home after staff member has requested that parent not
call
Scope of Policy
This policy is intended to protect all OCCC staff members or anyone who
is conducting OCCC business on or off premises.
OCCC Rights
If, at any time, an employee of OCCC is the subject of harassment by a
parent, OCCC maintains the absolute right to require the immediate withdrawal
of that family from its program. The Executive Committee of the Board
of Directors, or the full Board of Directors, will make final decisions
regarding such a withdrawal.
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CHILD
ABUSE AND NEGLECT POLICY
Child abuse is against the law. All teachers at the Center are chosen
very carefully and are required to have references on their file attesting
to their suitability to work with young children.
The law requires
that all people working with children and families report suspected or
confirmed child abuse and neglect to the Vermont Social and Rehabilitation
Services, reporting suspected abuse or neglect to. Otter Creek Child Center
staff must abide by these state regulations.
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DAILY
INFORMATION
Signing In and Out
Parents are responsible for signing their children in and out of the Center
each day. There are sheets placed outside each of the rooms for this purpose.
It is essential that parents remember to do this. It is also a State fire
safety requirement and it is our only record of who is here in case of
a fire.
Clothing
Children should come to the Center comfortably dressed in play clothes
that are easy to fasten and unfasten for toileting. We do a lot of messy
activities each day, so it is important to send your child in clothes
that can get dirty!
Since children will
be going outdoors to play on most days, please dress your child appropriately,
especially in the colder weather.
All children need
to have two complete changes of clothing suitable for the season. It is
especially important to have extra shirts, socks, pants, and underwear.
During the winter,
snowsuits, boots, hats, and mittens (attached to the coat) are necessities.
During the summer,
children must have appropriate clothing for water play. Toilet-trained
children need a bathing suit. For sanitation reasons, children in diapers
must have waterproof "swimming" diapers or plastic diaper covers.
For older children,
these clothing changes can be kept in their cubbies. We ask that parents
check cubbies daily to be sure there are adequate changes for their child.
PLEASE LABEL ALL ITEMS WITH YOUR CHILD'S NAME! Indelible markers work
well for this purpose.
Food
Please send a prepared lunch you are fairly certain your child will eat.
Suggestions on workable bag lunches include: yogurt, a cup of fruit, last
night's dinner, cheese, slightly cooked vegetables, etc. Very young children
tend not to do well with sandwiches and very thin soups, but again we
know there are many individual differences. You can place lunch bags and
boxes (with your child's name on them) in the refrigerator in your child's
room. If your child will be attending for a particularly long day, please
include enough protein-rich food for the whole day.
Breastfeeding is
strongly encouraged and supported. If you are expressing milk, please
let the teacher know if it is fresh or frozen when you leave the bottle.
Formula must be pre-mixed and brought to the Center in bottles clearly
marked with the child's name. Please supply enough formula and clean bottles
for your child for the day. This is very important because state law prohibits
us from preparing formula at the Center. We prefer not to let infants
fall asleep with bottles unless they are being rocked to sleep. Please
let the teacher know your preference. Pacifiers will be given to any child
whose parents supply them.
Naps
We will arrange naps for whenever children are tired. Infants will be
sleeping in cribs and older children on washable mats. As infants get
older, teachers will work toward a regular naptime after lunch. Individual
variations will be happily accommodated. We welcome your suggestions about
ways to help your child fall asleep.
Parents of older
children need to provide bedding for napping purposes. Children are not
allowed to sleep directly on the mat surface so you will need to provide
two blankets, a blanket and a sheet, or a sleeping bag. If your child
is in the Sea Pup group, you need to provide two crib sheets and a blanket.
These must be taken home each Friday to be washed. This is a state sanitary
requirement and we depend on you to follow through in this area. Please
be sure your child's name is clearly marked on blankets and sheets.
Diapers
If you choose to use cloth diapers, please bring an individual diaper
pail or medium-sized plastic bags with your supply of cloth diapers. You
must take this home and return it daily, as teachers cannot wash out the
diapers.
Our ordinary procedure is to wash the child's bottom with clear water,
or soap if needed, and put on fresh diapers. We prefer not to use powder
but will use whatever you request and supply for redness.
Toilet
Training
Children at Otter Creek are at varying stages of toilet training. Communication
between parents and staff are key to successful toilet training, keeping
in mind that it is the child, not the adults, who will ultimately determine
when he or she will be trained.
We will make every effort to work with parents on the toilet-training
process, but may sometimes request that a child we feel is not developmentally
ready be left in diapers until a later time. This is not a reflection
on the age at which you plan to train your child, only the reality of
needing to care for a group of children so that we cannot devote full
time to the training of one.
Celebrations
We encourage you to join your child's group on birthdays or other special
family times. If you would like to provide a special snack for these occasions,
please let us know. We ask that birthday snacks be healthy snacks, such
as muffins and fruit breads, carrot cake, and dried fruits. Be creative!
Help us encourage good nutrition by providing healthy birthday treats!
Walks and Field Trips
Walks provide children with interesting experiences outside the Center.
Walks are a regular part of the daily schedule and the Center has developed
specific guidelines to ensure the safety of the children while they are
away from the Center. Children may go to the municipal gym, the library,
the downtown area, or the college.
Special field trips
to the orchard, fire station, etc., will be scheduled occasionally. Parents
will be notified ahead of time of these outings and will be asked to sign
a special permission slip so their child may attend. Any field trip that
requires children to ride in cars will require a permission slip and teachers
may ask parents to leave car seats or to help with the driving. Please
let us know if you would like to be involved in any of these trips. Your
help is always appreciated!
Fire Drills
We are required to have fire drills periodically throughout the year.
This will be done with as few children present as possible, since the
alarm can be frightening to young children. The Center is equipped with
a complete fire alarm system and a sprinkler system. We have in place
an emergency fire escape plan that the staff will use in case of an emergency.
Weather Emergencies
On days when the schools are closed because of hazardous road conditions,
OCCC will make every effort to be open. The number of children we can
accept on those days, however, is contingent on the number of teachers
present at the Center. Parents can listen to WFAD (1490 AM), to find out
if we will be closed. Parents can also call the Center after 6:30 a.m.
to listen for a special message on the answering machine.
If we are open, parents
must call the Center to see whether there is room for their child at that
time. The teachers who are present will make the decision about how many
children can come using the State of Vermont adult/child ratio guidelines.
Given the fact that groups may be mixed on those days, it is safe to say
that we will be able to take four or five children for each teacher present,
depending on the ages of the children.
If we already have
the maximum number of children for the teachers present and there is a
chance that another teacher will make it to work, we will put any additional
children on a waiting list to be called when the next teacher arrives.
If you arrive at
the Center without calling ahead, you may be asked to stay with your child
until we have enough staffing to accommodate him or her. Also, if conditions
during the day become hazardous, the Center reserves the right to close
early. In such a case, parents will be called and expected to pick up
their children.
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PARENTS
Parents at the Center
Parents are warmly encouraged to spend as much time as possible at the
Center. Your children, especially if they attend full time, spend many
hours at Otter Creek. We feel that it is crucial to develop a strong link
between the Center and home in order to provide the best possible care
for all of the children.
If you can, spend
time with your child's group occasionally. Participate in the activities,
talk with the teacher. It is important for you to know what your child's
day is like at child care and it is important for us to know how your
child is at home. Good communication means good childcare! We strongly
encourage your participation in our program and welcome your suggestions
and comments.
Parents' Meetings
We plan parent meetings throughout the year. They include discussions
on topics of interest and concern, speakers, and an opportunity to be
involved in planning Center activities. We hope that you
will be involved in these meetings.
Parent Conferences
We schedule conferences at the beginning, middle, and end of each session.
This is the time to sit down with your child's teacher's to discuss your
child's growth and development. Conferences can also be scheduled at any
time during the session when there is a concern or if you just want to
talk with your child's teacher's about how your child is doing. Teachers
will always make time for these conferences.
Parent Participation
Each year, the Center organizes two "Parent Help Days." The
work might include seasonal cleaning (such as washing windows and shampooing
rugs), painting, small construction projects, or caring for the children
who come with their parents. We expect each Otter Creek family to contribute
to two (2) such days per year. This is one way we can all help the Center
keep costs down, and it is also a way for parents to get to know one another.
Please sign up to do your share.
Parent/Teacher
Communication
If parents have issues to discuss with teachers, often it is better to
make an appointment to discuss them, rather than try to find time during
drop-off and pick-up; arrival and departure times tend to be hectic and
teachers need to focus their attention on the children at those times.
Parents can also leave a note; there are message centers in each program.
We believe that the
key to having a happy and well run Center is direct and open communication
between people, so please ask about anything and everything. Often the
way we do things in a group setting is not the way you might do things
at home. If you have a concern, we encourage you to speak directly to
your child's teacher about it. We welcome the opportunity to explain why
we do things a certain way and to learn about other ways that you have
found successful.
If you need support in approaching your child's teachers, you can ask
the Director for help. Should you still have questions after speaking
with your child's teacher's and the Director, a meeting will be arranged
with the chairperson of the program committee.
Vermont's toll free number for parental concerns regarding day care is
1-800-540-7942. This service has been established to assist parents with
major concerns.
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OUR
CHILDREN
Children's Placement in Groups
Children at Otter Creek are placed in one of four groups, shown below:
Group Typical Age Range
Sea Pups: Infants and Toddlers
Otters: Older Toddlers
Tigers: 2 to 3-year-olds
Eagles: Preschoolers (3 to 5-year-olds)
Although children
are placed in the groups based generally on the above age ranges, age
is not the only factor used to determine a child's placement. Other factors
include a child's developmental age, social skills, peer interaction,
the current groups of children, and prior experience in child care.
In addition, the
changing dynamics of each of the four groups from year to year plays a
role in a child's placement. For example, placing an 18-month-old as a
Sea Pup or an Otter might depend partly on the average ages of the two
groups at that time. If most of the Sea Pups are around 18 months old,
the child will probably fit well in that group. But if most of the Sea
Pups are under a year old, that child might fare better as an Otter.
Children are placed
in groups at the Center's discretion, based on the above criteria, although
we welcome your thoughts and feelings in the process. Placements are usually
final, but they can be changed if circumstances warrant it.
Enrollment
Contract
Once children are placed in a program at Otter Creek, the space is non-transferable
to another child or family.
Children's Transition into Groups
It is important to note that some children have more difficulties adjusting
to a group situation than others. They may exhibit disruptive or aggressive
behavior. Or they may appear withdrawn and shy. Each child has his or
her own individual way of expressing stress.
If this situation persists for longer than what is considered a usual
period of transition, teachers will arrange a conference with the parents
to discuss the situation. Our goals in a situation such as this are to
lower the stress that the child is experiencing, to facilitate his or
her transition into the program, and to work together with the parents
to provide the best care possible.
Several courses of
action may be pursued, including, but not limited to, suggesting limited
hours of attendance, encouraging more parent involvement in the child's
daily program at the Center, offering community resource referrals, or
changing the child's group placement.
If the above measures fail to alleviate the child's stress, the Center
reserves the right to limit the child's hours of attendance in order to
facilitate his or her transition into the program. In some cases it may
be in the best interest of the child to find another child-care placement;
the Center would then recommend this course of action.
Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety can be a difficult issue for both parents and children,
especially if this is the first time that you and your child will be separated
from one another. It is just as difficult for parents to leave a crying
child as it is for the child to be left. In fact, it may be even more
difficult for parents; the child soon stops crying and becomes involved
in activities at the Center, while Mom and Dad are at work not knowing
how their child is doing. Take heart: separation anxiety is normal and
will stop in a short time after the child begins to feel comfortable in
his or her new environment.
Here are some things
that you can do before your child starts attending Otter Creek to ease
the transition between home and child care and prepare your child for
his or her stay:
*Talk to your child about
Otter Creek before you start coming. Even nonverbal children benefit from
this.
*Explain to your child that you will be at work and will pick him or her
up afterwards.
*Drive by the Center before you start coming and tell your child that
he or she will be going there while you are at work.
*Talk about the type of day your child will have at Otter Creek (for example,
"You will play games, paint a picture, sing songs, have lunch, and
take a nap").
*Talk about the people who will be taking care of your child. Say their
names so your child will know them when you arrive.
*Tell your child how much fun Otter Creek will be.
*Visit the Center with your child before he or she starts attending.
It may help your peace of mind to know that the teachers are trained and
prepared to help a child with separating from his or her parents. Also,
feel free to call from work to see how your child is doing; that can ease
your mind while you are apart. We are always happy to help in any way
we can to help with your family's transition to child care.
Finally
Welcome to Otter Creek!
We look forward to your family's participation in our program. We strive
to make this a comfortable, welcoming place for everyone! We sincerely
hope to be able to serve you in the best way possible.
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