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Guidelines

TRIAL ENROLLMENT/SECURITY DEPOSIT
After an interview and mutual agreement based on these guidelines, your child may be accepted into care for a one month trial period to allow the child, other children, provider, and parents time to adjust to and evaluate the arrangement.

A security deposit of one weeks fee is required at enrollment. The security deposit will be applied to the last week of enrollment. One month written notice is required by either party when altering or terminating the enrollment or financial agreement. Notice of less than a month will forfeit security deposit application to last week of enrollment. A discontinuation of payment will result in the cancellation of enrollment and forfeiture of deposit.

LATE PICKUP POLICY
Susan's Garden Childcare closes at 5:45 pm. There is no "after hours" childcare provided. My family's evening plans begin at 5:45 pm. Call if you will be late. If you know you will be later than 5:45 pm, please arrange to have a family member, friend or neighbor retrieve your child. If this person is not on file as an emergency contact or an alternate pick up person, please call with their name. Keep your emergency contact list updated. If I have not heard from a parent who is late, emergency contacts will be called at 5:45 pm, to collect a child that has not been picked up.

PARENTAL VISITS
Parents may visit unannounced any time their child is in care at Susan's Garden

PAID HOLIDAYS, VACATIONS,PROFESSIONAL DAYS AND PERSONAL DAYS
I am CLOSED with pay on the following days:

PAID ANNUAL VACATION- One week. One month of notice will be given before days are taken.

PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL DAYS: up to 2 a year. Professional days are used to attend conferences to keep current with DCFS regulations. I will provide notice in advance for any days taken.

HEALTH POLICY
Upon entrance to the program, children must have a medical form completed by a physician, with complete immunization and health information. Each child must be re-examined every two years.

It is DCFS regulation that a child who is ill with the following symptoms can not attend daycare. While minor colds are permissible.

PLEASE KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME WHEN HE OR SHE HAS:

Your child may return to care when they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours. Medication may be administered if it is given to me in the labeled bottle from the pharmacy, (with child's name, physician, prescription number, date and instructions) and with written permission from parents. Over the counter drugs must have the child's name on the bottle, plus the instructions written out, signed and dated. Payment is expected for days scheduled whether your child is present or not.

If your child develops any of the above symptoms while at Susan's Garden you will be contacted and your child will need to be taken from care, as soon as possible. Please have a plan in place for your child's possible sick days when he or she will not be able to attend childcare.

PROVIDER SICK DAYS
If I become so ill I cannot function properly, or my own child is sick with a contagious disease, I reserve the right to an emergency closing with pay for up to 3 days per year.

ACCIDENTS
While all possible care will be provided via a safe environment and attentive supervision. Please understand that very young children are very unsure on their feet (hence the name toddlers) and minor bumps and bruises probably will happen. If an emergency occurs, I will first call 911- then you -then emergency contacts that you have provided. Until the arrival of the parent, emergency friend, or paramedics, I will make necessary decisions about the care of your child. An up-to-date list of emergency contacts needs to always be on file. I am trained in CPR and First Aid.

NAP TIME/ PROVIDER BREAK
There will be a nap time each day after lunch. This is not an optional part of your child's day, children need to rest and I need to be off active duty for a period of time. Children will be expected to sleep or quietly rest on their cots or Port-a-crib for a portion of the afternoon. This will be a regular time period so your child will become accustomed to sleeping at this hour. The day is long and I need time to have a meal and a rest break, so that I can resume caring for your child refreshed. The children also need a break from each other. It is an Illinois Labor law that all workers have a duty free break during a work day that is longer than 7 1/2 hours.

FOOD
Filtered water is always available. Children will be served meals that meet the USDA Child Care Food Program requirements: Morning snack- grain, fruit, milk or water Lunch- Milk, protein, fruit or vegetable, grain After noon snack- grain or protein, and milk or water

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Parents supply the following items:

Parents are responsible for applying sunscreen in the morning during the summer. Children should wear comfortable clothes that are suitable for "messy" play, we will be doing art and playing outside. Velcro shoes are the easiest for quick removal and putting on. All children's clothes should be labeled with their name. Children may bring personal items from home provided they are safe for other children.

COMMUNICATION
Parents can feel free to discuss their child with me at any time. I will return any messages left on my answering machine or e-mail as soon as possible. Communication is very important and welcome.

CHILD BEHAVIOR CODE
Harmful behavior by your child, including but not limited to, biting and hitting other children, is not acceptable. After the first incident parents will receive a notice. If the behavior continues parents will have to find other day care arrangements.

For more information or to schedule a visit, please send me an email.