Child Development Center

Parent Handbook

Our parent handbook will answer your questions about the rules and policies of the Child Development Center.

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Mission Statement
Goals of the Indiana University East Child Development Center
Philosophy

Program and Parent Policies

 

Nurturing Positive Emotional Development

 

Health and Safety

 

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Mission Statement

To provide quality developmental childcare in a warm and nurturing environment that enhances the growth of the “whole child” cognitively, socially, emotionally, and physically.

 

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Goals of the Indiana University East Child Development Center

To provide an environment that is based on successful experiences, which encourages all children to develop a healthy self-concept and positive self-esteem.

To offer an environment that encourages children to develop their capabilities and interests at their own pace and according to their individual needs. To offer a program that recognizes the uniqueness of each child and provides positive encouragement for the child’s continued growth.

To provide an environment that facilitates the opportunity to learn by doing, moving from concrete hands-on experiences to more abstract concept development.

 

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Philosophy

At the Indiana University East Child Development Center we believe that each child is unique and should be provided with an environment that respects that uniqueness and allows him or her to grow, learn, and explore. We believe that our future lies in the hands of our children, therefore it is our responsibility to empower them with the tools to succeed.

Program and Parent Policies

 

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Admissions Policy

The Indiana University East Child Development Center admits children without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or ancestry. The parent of a child with special needs will be required to complete a “special care plan” in conjunction with the child’s physician. No child will be excluded because of disability or special needs unless the program is unable to comply with recommendations of the child’s “special care plan."

The Indiana University East Child Development Center will accept only those children who are at the stage of growth and development that enables them to benefit from the program.

The Indiana University East Child Development Center will not admit or maintain any child whose needs we obviously cannot meet or whose behavior would jeopardize the safety of the other children in the center. Explicit documented reasons for refusal to admit or provide services to will be provided in written form to parents.

 

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Enrollment

A preadmission conference with parent and child is required to acquaint each new family with the center's policies and requirements.

The following forms must be completed and submitted to the center director.

  1. Application for services—completed by the parent/guardian

  2. Health Assessment—completed by the child’s physician. A mandatory health examination including immunizations and Mantoux TB test is required for each child within three months prior to admission or within 15 days after admission. Verification of each child’s physical and immunizations must be recorded on the Health assessment form. Services will be terminated if the health assessment is not returned within the required time.

  3. Emergency Contact Information— completed by parent/guardian, this form must be updated whenever information changes.

  4. Special Care Plan—completed by parent/guardian and physician.

  5. Parental Agreement—completed by parent/guardian.

 

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Data Privacy and Confidentiality Policy

Confidentiality of information about child and family will be maintained. Enrollment forms and all other information concerning the child and family will be accessible to the parent/guardian, center director, staff and licensing agent. Information concerning the child will not be made available to anyone, by any means, without the expressed written consent of the parent/guardian.

It is the policy of this program not to disclose the names of the children who may have caused injury to another child or children while attending the center. This ensures each family’s data privacy.

 

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Termination of Care by Parent

When parents decide to terminate the childcare agreement, they must give one-week written notice to the program coordinator. In the great majority of cases termination of care by the parent is due to reasons such as relocation, child entering school, etc. However, we also recognize that not every situation is appropriate for every child. If, for any reason, this program is found to be unsatisfactory for any particular child, we will make every effort to discuss this with the parents in order to determine the cause. Sometimes, we can help the child make the adjustment. If this is not possible, the parent and/or program may choose to terminate the agreement on a timeline that is in the best interest of the child.

Termination of Care by the Program

As stated above, the child’s adjustment to the program and the appropriateness of this particular care agreement for an individual child may cause concern for the child’s well-being. If the program staff does not feel that it is meeting the child’s needs, we reserve the right to terminate the care agreement on a timeline that is in the child’s best interest. Other reasons that may result in the termination of a specific care agreement are as follows:

  1. Non-payment for childcare services and/or lack of adherence to our tuition payment polices.
  2. Lack of parental cooperation with the program’s efforts to resolve differences and/or to meet the child’s needs through parent/staff meetings or conferences.
  3. Abusive behaviors and/or verbal threats by parents toward the program staff or other parents (immediate termination).
  4. Child exhibits special needs or needs related to serious illnesses that the program cannot meet. In this case, the program staff will make every effort to involve the parents, and possibly other persons (as appropriate), in order to decide on the best course of action for this child, prior to any termination.
 

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Absences

All fees must be paid for the days that a child is registered to attend. If a child is absent, fees are still due in full. If you are a parent receiving assistance from the YWCA, this agency will not pay for sick or vacation days. It is your responsibility to adjust your payment accordingly.

 

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Holidays

The IU East CDC will be closed on the following holidays:

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Holiday (Wednesday before, Thanksgiving Day, and Friday after)
  • Christmas Holiday (Christmas Day to New Year’s Day)
 

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Parent Involvement

Parent-Center Communication

You will be regularly informed of the program’s plans through posted weekly lesson plans (including menus), quarterly newsletters, and memos. Special events including conference schedules may be posted on the parent bulletin board or sent home in a memo. Parent mailboxes are located in the hallway of your child’s classroom. Please acquaint yourself with its location as it will be our main source of communication.

Field Trips/Transportation

Transportation has always been our biggest problem with field trips. If anyone would like to serve as a volunteer, please stop by the coordinator’s office.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Conferences will be held twice a school year or as needed. Every six months, your child will be evaluated cognitively, emotionally, physically, and socially to determine his/her developmental progress.

 

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Visitors

We have an “open-door policy” at our program; all parents/guardians of children are welcome to visit and participate at their convenience. Visitors other than parents/guardians of enrolled children are asked to sign the visitor’s log, and obtain a visitor’s pass at the front office.

 

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IU East Child Development Center Programs

Two Riffic Twos

Two-year-olds are at a unique state in their lives; they are no longer infants and are beginning to exert their independence. This program teaches children appropriate ways to assert themselves, by supporting their individuality and by introducing social guidelines. The use of words to express feelings is emphasized, and the environment provides opportunities for the child to be in control and participate in group activities.

Tres-Mendous Threes and Pre-K Programs

These programs assist children ages three to five years old in becoming enthusiastic learners, as well as enhancing their growth socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically. The program is designed to help children make the transition toward independence, establish self-confidence, and develop the desire for lifelong learning.

Summer Enrichment Program

The summer enrichment program is for children ages 6 to 12. The program is available Monday through Friday from 7a.m.–6p.m. for faculty, staff, university students, and community. The program is set in a separate classroom upstairs from the Child Development Center. Each week, theme-based activities take place, and tutoring from the America Reads program is available. The staff are experienced and trained in elementary or secondary education. Weekly field trips are planned and an end-of-the-year zoo trip is planned as well. Field trip costs are included in the weekly rate. Please see the coordinator for rate information.

 

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Interest Areas in the Room

Dramatic Play

This area empowers the children to “role play” and expresses their feelings about what they observe in their world on a day-to-day basis.

Library Corner

Appreciation and love for books and reading can mean success in school. This area provides a wide variety of books available for children to enjoy. The staff also read to the children throughout the day.

Blocks and Manipulative

Blocks and other fine motor materials help children develop a better understanding of sizes, shapes, and numbers. We hope the children will discover how objects stack differently on different surfaces and can be combined creatively with materials throughout the environment.

Music and Movement

Because young children are so open to hearing, making, and moving to music, it is an important ingredient of early childhood. Music actually becomes another language through which young music makers learn about themselves and others. This area will include simple musical instruments and other sound-generating material that will allow the children to experiment with a variety of sounds and vibrations, problem solve, and build their own creations.

Creative Arts

Opportunities for creative activities are very empowering for young children if they are offered "the true spirit" of discovery and creativity. Our center will NEVER provide patterns for children to duplicate. Their "creations" will be inspired by their own imaginations and offer them personal satisfaction.

Science and Discovery

The activities offered in these areas are both sensory and discovery based. They give the children a chance to experiment with materials such as sand, food coloring, shaving cream, rice, corn, potting soil, magnets, plants, animals, and water. The focus of these activities is not the end product but what the children can discover as they work through the process.

 

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Nurturing Positive Emotional and Physical Development

Discipline and Guidance policy

All staff will use only positive guidance, redirection, and the setting for clear-cut limits that foster the child’s own ability to become self-disciplined. All staff will encourage the child to be fair, respect property, and assume personal responsibility as well as responsibility for others. Discipline involves teaching character and self-control. Because people differ in how they approach discipline, parents and staff must discuss the goals of discipline and the methods that will best achieve the goals for the child. However, physical punishment or abusive language will not be used at any time, as these approaches teach children to respond in kind. Staff will guide children to develop self-control and orderly conduct. Aggressive behavior toward staff or children is unacceptable. Staff will intervene immediately to protect all children and encourage more acceptable behaviorif a child becomes physically aggressive. Staff will show children positive alternatives rather than just saying "no." Staff will use discipline/guidance that is clear, consistent, and understandable to the child.

 

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Permissible Methods of Discipline

For acts of aggression or fighting: (i.e., biting, hitting, etc.)

  • Separation of the children involved
  • Immediate comfort for the individual who was injured
  • Care of the injury suffered by the victim involved in the incident
  • Notification to parents of child involved in incident

Physical restraint will not be used except as necessary to ensure a child’s safety or that of others, and then only for as long as necessary to gain control of the situation.

Medicines or drugs that affect behavior will not be used except as prescribed by a child’s health care provider and with specific written instructions.

"Time-out" may be used selectively for children. The "time-out" period will be just long enough to enable the child to regain control of him/herself.

 

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Prohibited Practices

  1. Corporal punishment or any type of physical punishment is not permitted. This includes hitting, spanking, beating, shaking, pinching, grabbing, or any other measures that produce physical pain.
  2. Withdrawal or the threat of withdrawal of food, rest, or bathroom opportunities is not permitted.
  3. Abusive, profane, or derogatory language, including yelling and belittling, is not permitted.
  4. Any form of public humiliation, including threats of physical punishment, is not permitted.
 

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Multicultural Policy

Our program is committed to multicultural education. This means we share a commitment to human rights, dignity of the individual and social justice. We strive to create a program that truly reflects the lives of our children, families, staff, and community. By recognizing the impact culture plays on families, we will make every effort to provide culturally responsive childcare by affirming human differences and the right of people to make choices about their own lifestyle. We seek to recognize, appreciate, and respect the uniqueness of each child by:

  • Recognizing the beauty, value, and contribution of each child.
  • Fostering high self-esteem and positive self-concept.
  • Teaching children about their own cultures.
  • Introducing children to other cultures.
  • Providing children with a positive experience exploring similarities and differences.
  • Encouraging children to respect other cultures.
  • Increasing children’s ability to talk to and play with people who are different from them.
  • Helping children to be group members.
  • Talking about racism and current events regularly with children.
  • Helping children live happily and cooperatively in a diverse world.
  • Helping children notice and do something about unfair behavior and events.
 

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Health and Safety

Health Plan

Immunizations will be required according to the current schedule recommended by the State Health Department. Routine preventive health services will be required according to the recommendations of the State Health Department. Documentation of an age-appropriate health assessment should be obtained before, but is required no later than two weeks after the child starts receiving care. Parents are responsible for assuring that their children are kept up-to-date and that a copy of the child’s health assessment is given to the program. A visit to the doctor for a special health assessment or new documentation is not required for admission if documentation of an age-appropriate health assessment is provided. Questions raised about the child’s health will be directed to the family or (with parental consent) the child’s health provider for explanation and implication for childcare.

The director or designee will review child health records and will also check with the public health department for updates of the schedule for routine preventive health services annually.

Children will not be excluded for failure to immunize for up to 30 days after enrollment unless the health of others in the facility is at risk. A child whose immunizations are not kept up-to-date will be dismissed after three written reminders to parents. The State Health Nurse will check the facility’s records to be sure each child’s immunization and other routine preventive health services are current. Parents will be reminded to provide documentation of health assessments.

 

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Health Consultation

A licensed physician will provide ongoing consultation to the Indiana University East Child Development Center. He or she assists in the development and approval of all written policies relating to health and safety. The health consultant will visit the facility at least quarterly to review and give advice on the health component. The health consultant will provide advice about accommodations required for children with specific health problems, design and review surveillance systems for injury and illness, assist with staff and parent education, and be, source of contact with the health care community.

 

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Health Education

Health education will be a part of the curriculum for staff, parents, and children. Topic areas for staff and parents may include nutrition, stress management, exercise, child development, prenatal care, management of chronic disease, substance abuse, safety, first aid, control of infectious disease, and other topic areas based on community needs and interests.

All health education activities and materials for children will be developmentally appropriate. Health practices will be integrated into daily routines and focused on such topic areas as physical health, dental health, social health, emotional health, safety, and first aid.

 

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Admission and Exclusion

Most children with a mild illness do not need to stay home from childcare. Usually the child has already exposed others before seeming sick. Other illnesses (e.g., impetigo, conjunctivitis) stop being contagious shortly after treatment is started. Guidelines depend on the specific diagnosis or symptom. Therefore, there is no reason to exclude a mildly ill child or those being treated unless:

  • The child does not feel well enough to participate comfortably in the usual activities.
  • The staff cannot care for the sick child without interfering with the care of the other children.
  • The child has the following:
    • Axillary temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher, and/or changes in behavior or other signs or symptoms of illness.
    • The child has signs or symptoms of a possible serious illness.
    • Uncontrolled diarrhea. (more than one time in a day)
    • Vomiting more than once. (24 hours until the vomiting stops or a health professional determines that the child may be in childcare)
    • Actively running nose, deep cough, or spasms of coughing.
    • Earache or draining fluid from ear.
    • Mouth sores with drooling (unless a health professional determines that the child’s illness is not from a communicable illness).
    • Rash with fever or behavior change (until a health professional determines that the child may be in childcare.)
    • Pink eye with white or yellow eye discharge (until 24 hours after treatment is started).
    • Scabies, head lice, or other infestation (until 24 hours after treatment is started and the child is nit free).
    • These contagious diseases (until a health professional determines that the child may be in childcare):
      • tuberculosis
      • strep throat
      • impetigo
      • mumps
      • chicken pox
      • hepatitis A
      • shingles
      • measles
      • pertussis
      • rubella

Inclusion or exclusion of children with noncontagious conditions such as a disabling injury or illness, asthma, or failure to thrive must be determined by the program’s capacity to provide proper care for the child’s special needs. Each case will be considered individually.

 

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Medication Policy

This facility will administer only prescribed medication to children for whom a plan has been made and approved by a licensed physician. Because administration of medication poses an extra liability for staff and having medication in the facility is a safety hazard, parents are asked to check with the child’s physician to see if a dosage schedule can be arranged that does not involve the hours that the child is in the care of the facility. Parents are welcome to come to the center and administer medication to their own children during the day.

 

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Procedures

A staff member will administer medication only if the parent has provided written consent, the medication is available in its original container and properly labeled, and the facility has on file the written instructions of a licensed physician to administer the specific medication.

  1. Parents will provide staff with the medication in the original, child-resistant container that is labeled by a pharmacist with the child’s name, the name of the medication, the date of the prescription, the expiration date, and the administration, storage, and disposal instructions.
  2. Medication will not be used beyond the date of expiration. Medications with instructions to administer as needed will not be administered by this facility.
  3. A medication log will be maintained to record the instructions for giving medication, parental consent, amount, the time of the administration, and the person who administered each dose of medication. Spills, reactions, and refusals to take medication will be recorded in this log as well.
 

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Head Lice Policy

  1. IU East Child Development Center has a NO NIT policy; nits (eggs of the head lice) are small, yellowish-white, oval-shaped eggs that are “glued” at an angle to the side of the hair shaft.
  2. Head lice are passed from one person to another by direct contact or on shared objects (combs, towels, head phones, etc.). Parents should check every member of the family. Look for tiny white eggs (nits) on hair shaft near the scalp (especially at the nape of the neck) and behind the ears. Head lice themselves are small grayish-tan insects without wings. The most common symptom of infestation is intense itching on the back of the head or neck.
  3. This problem is easily managed. Follow the directions on over-the-counter lice shampoo. Remove all lice and nits by combing or picking them out after treatment. Wash all bedding and clothing in hot water and dry in a hot dryer. Also clean combs and brushes in hot water (over 130 degrees) for 10 minutes. Items not machine washable must be dry cleaned or stored at room temperature in a tightly sealed plastic bag for at least two weeks. Vacuum mattresses, upholstered furniture, pillows, carpets, car seats, etc. Head lice cannot survive without a host. They cannot survive on family pets.
  4. As soon as a child is spotted with head lice, parents will be notified to pick the child up as soon as possible. The child may not return until hr or she is nit-free.
  5. All other children in the center at the time of infection will be checked for nits to make sure no one else is infected.
 

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Toy Policy

Children are not permitted to bring toys from home to the center, except on scheduled “show and tell” or sharing days. The purpose of “show and tell” is to encourage interest in life, build self-esteem, self-image, self-discovery, awareness, and social skills, and enhance vocabulary knowledge.

Staff will designate show and tell days, and mark them on the calendar for parents. On their day each child may bring something to the center.

 

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Guidelines for Birthday Celebrations and Birthday/ Holiday Treats

Children enjoy celebrating their birthdays in the classroom with their friends. You may want to send a special snack for the day of your child’s celebration or for a holiday celebration. If you do plan to send a special treat to the center make sure it is store bought and not homemade. We suggest something nutritious:

    Chewy granola bars
    Prepackaged crackers and cheese
    Teddy Grahams/graham crackers
    Fresh fruit
    Animal crackers
    Trail mix
 

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Outdoor Play Policy

Daily outdoor activity is very important for your children and is planned whenever possible. In the winter we will go outside as long as the weather is permitting and the temperature does not go below 25 degrees. It is our policy that children who are well enough to come to the center, are well enough to go outdoors. Children will not be excused from this portion of the program without a doctor’s written statement describing the illness or condition preventing the child from playing outdoors. If children are dressed properly, the weather should not pose any health risk. Please supply the appropriate clothing for the weather extremes found in Indiana. In winter, children should have available to them mittens, boots, shoes, hats, and snowsuits, or snow pants with coats. In the summer they should have available to them: cool tops, sandals, towels, swimsuits, and shorts.

 

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Meals/Snacks

The CDC serves nutritious meals and snacks; we participate in the Child/Adult Care Food Program mandated by the state. Our menus must adhere to strict guidelines. Children receive breakfast, a morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack. Menus for lunch and weekly snack menus will be posted on the bulletin boards outside the classrooms. Monthly lunch menus provided by Reid Hospital will be put in the parent’s mailbox on a monthly basis.

 

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Nap/Rest Periods

Play, dining, and napping will be carried out in the same room (exclusive of bathrooms, kitchen, hallways, and closets). A rest period will be provided daily, and each child will be provided with a separate cot for sleeping. Parents must provide blanket a and pillow for sleeping and it must be taken home to be laundered each Friday.

Please note: No child will be forced to nap, sleep, or lie down. We are required by childcare regulations to provide a rest period or quiet time.

 

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Authorized Caregivers

Each program maintains files that include the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals whom parents have authorized to care for the child, to pick up children for them, and take children out of facility. Also listed in these files will be those individuals who are not authorized to pick up, care for, or remove the child from facility.

 

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Sign-In/Sign-Out Procedure

The adults who bring the child to and remove the child from the facility will sign children in and out of the facility.

 

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Emergency Plan

First-Aid Kits:

First-aid kits will be located in each program room (inaccessible to children) and will be resupplied following use to maintain the supply of items. A first-aid kit will be taken on trips (walking or vehicular) to and from the facility.

Program caregivers will check the contents of the first aid-kits and replace missing or expired items monthly.

Emergency Phone Numbers:

The telephone numbers of the Fire Department, Police Department, Hospital, and poison control will be posted by the phone. Emergency contact information for each child and staff member will be kept readily available.

Lost or Missing Children:

If it is determined that a child is lost or missing, we will immediately notify the authorities, the program director, and parents.

Child Abuse:

See Discipline.

Injuries or Illness Requiring Medical or Dental Care:

  1. The caregiver who is with the child will provide first aid as taught by the American Red Cross.
  2. The director or designee will contact the Emergency Medical System when immediate medical help is required.
  3. A staff member will accompany the child and remain with the child until the parent assumes responsibility for the child. Staff-to-child ratios will be maintained at all times for the children remaining in the facility.
  4. The caregiver will complete an incident report as soon after the incident as possible. The form will be signed by the parent, then copies distributed to the parent, the child’s record at the facility, and the facility’s injury log.
  5. _________________________________________ is the licensed provider who has agreed to accept emergency dental referrals of children and to give advice regarding a dental emergency unless otherwise indicated by the parent.

Dental injuries will be given first aid as in 1 above. If emergency medical or dental care is required, a staff member will accompany the child and remain with the child until the parent assumes responsibility for the child.

Serious Illness, Hospitalization, and Death

The director or designee will immediately notify the authorities of serious illness, hospitalization, or death of a child or staff member that occurs during or related to childcare.

 

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Evacuation Plan and Drills

  1. Evacuation Procedure:
    1. Staff-to-child ratios will be maintained and the children will be evacuated to the parking lot.
    2. The director will ensure that each staff member knows a specific evacuation route.
    3. The caregiver will carry the attendance and emergency contact information from the facility to the new site to be sure that no children or staff have been left behind.
    4. If re-entry to into the building is not possible, children will be evacuated to the Vocational School building or Connersville High School.
    5. Parents will be notified by telephone.
    6. Evacuation procedures will be posted in the facility in each program room.
  2. Fire Procedure:
    1. Anyone who discovers smoke or fire will activate the fire alarm and notify the Fire Department by calling 911.
    2. Staff will follow the posted Evacuation Procedures posted in their program rooms.
    3. The director will check that all areas of the building have been evacuated, and will close the doors of every room.
    4. Anyone who discovers a fire may use the fire extinguisher where necessary and safe.
    5. The director will report the fire to the childcare licensing agency within 24 hours.
    6. Fire drills will be held monthly in accordance with instructions of the local fire authorities. The timing of the drills will be varied to include early morning, mealtimes, and nap times.
    7. At least one drill per year will be observed by a representative of the fire department.
    8. All new staff will receive preservice training on the evacuation plan.
  3. Power failures:
    1. Caregivers will comfort the children, explain the situation, and urge them to remain calm.
    2. Director or designee will discover if the power outage is confined to the facility or inclusive of the neighborhood.
    3. Director or designee will activate the emergency power lighting system.
    4. Unless power failure is accompanied by a emergency situation requiring evacuation, children will remain inside.
    5. Director or designee will notify the local power facility and request assistance.
    6. If the weather conditions do not permit the maintenance of safe temperatures within the facility parents will be notified by telephone.
  4. Weather-Related Closing of the Campus

    5. Should snow or storm require the facility to close during operating hours, parents will be notified by telephone and /or radio broadcast.

  5. Other Weather-Related Situations

    6. Staff will follow the appropriate posted emergency procedures for the situation and wait for authorities to arrive.

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