Parent/Guardian Handbook Owens Community College Child Care Technology Lab School 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Mission Statement 2 Philosophy 2 Child Centered Learning 2 Confidentiality Statement 2 Child Care Center Staff Information Staff 3 Staff Training Plan 3 National Accreditation 3 Staff Child Ratios and Group Size Classroom Ratios 4 Licensing 4 & 5 Center Information Hours of Operation 6 Emergency Closing Policy 6 Arrival Time 6 Inclusive Policy 7 No Smoking Guidelines 7 Release of Children 7 Field Trips 8 Enrollment Information and Tuition Requirements Termination of Enrollment 9 Withdrawals 6 Billing and Payment Procedures 9 Delinquent Accounts 10 Late Pick Up Charges 10 Classroom Information Infant Room 11 Toddler Room 11 Diapering Guidelines 12 Toilet Training 12 Preschool Rooms 12 School Age Rooms 13 Transitions 13 Napping 13 Outside Play 14 Guidance and Discipline 15 Guidance Methods 15 Guidance Statements 15 Guidance in the Toddler Classrooms 16 Guidance in the Preschool Classrooms 16 Parents and Discipline 16 Parent/Guardian Handbook Owens Community College Child Care Technology Lab School 2 MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Owens Community College Child Care Center is to prov ide quality, affordable child care for the children of faculty, staff, st udents and community. The center serves as a college lab school in which an academically di verse group of college students and community members can develop professionally. Our progra m is devoted to enhancing the lives of young children through a developmentally appropriate curriculum, and to serve as a role model and an advocate for quality childcar e throughout the community. PHILOSOPHY Our philosophy includes the following beliefs: That each child is a unique individu al with special gifts and talents. That the needs of the whole child must be considered and nurtured when planning any activity or environment for young children. That parents are the primary educators of th eir children and that we serve to support the family in its child-rearing role. That children must be nurtured and respecte d as they go about th eir everyday role of work through play. We acknowledge that growth during the early years is uneven and that each child learns at his/her own pace. As such, developmentally appropriate curriculum is planned to meet the needs of each child. Hands on experience for young children are th e best teachers. Emphasis is on learning by doing, rather than by being told. At all times the health, welfare and happiness of the child and family must be respected. CHILD CENTERED LEARNING We believe in a "CHILD CENTERED" learning en vironment. We follow the guidelines for developmentally appropriate practices as describe d by NAEYC. Strong emphasis is placed on learning through play with the ca regiver as the facilitator, role model and listener rather than "teacher" in the traditional sense. Caregivers constantly look for the "teachable moment" when the child is developmentally ready to absorb and learn a particular concep t. Learning is more meaningful for the child when there is a high leve l of interest. Children learn best when they are actively involved in the learning process. Learning centers are set up throughout the classrooms and children select activities that are of interest to them. Multiple and diverse opportunities are provided for artistic expression and representation in our classrooms, as well as in the Art Studio. Children are encouraged to explore and develop in all areas to provide a well-rounded experience for each child. CONFIDENTIALITY The Center treats all information provided by families as confidential. Parents have an opportunity at the time of en rollment to give permission fo r their names to appear on a Classroom Parent Roster. There are specific ti mes when your child’s enrollment forms may be reviewed by the following people; State Lice nsing Representative, NAEYC assessor, Center Health Consultant, Public Health Department, Heal th and Safety Officials and Child Care Health Provider. If there is an occasion when some one other than center staff does review these forms we will inform parents. Parent/Guardian Handbook Owens Community College Child Care Technology Lab School 3 CHILD CARE CENTER STAFF An Excellent Staff A qualified staff member is the most essential el ement in a quality childcare program. Teachers must possess a good mix of theory and practice to maintain a nurturing setting while developing a creative educational program. In addition to their educational training, our staff combines on- the-job experience with a genuin e passion for what they do. Each classroom uses a team teaching approach. Each team includes full-time teachers who have a two or four year degree in early childhood education (or a related field) and practical experience ranging from student teaching, to year s of experience in the child care field beyond their degree. The team also includes student workers who serve as teacher assistants and are selected based on enrollment in the ECE program. By combining teachers and teacher assistants with varying levels of experien ce, a mentoring relationship can develop that will increase the strength of the teaching team. Each team is responsible for developing curriculum that is thoughtful and thought provoking. All teachers contribute to weekly planning sessions, and attend scheduled staff meeting. Staff Training Plan Regardless of previous education and experience, staff at the Child Care Center is encouraged to continue in the study of, and training in ea rly Childhood Education, to keep abreast of new research and knowledge. This could in clude a review of books, Young Children journal, and other literature, attendance at profe ssional meetings and conferences, membership in a professional early childhood education organization, or enrollme nt in college courses. Mandatory training for staff members includes the student of First Aide for Child-Care Workers, Preventing Infectious Diseases, and Child Abuse Recognition and Preven tion. These classes must be renewed every three years as required by state licensing regulation s. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques are reviewed during first Aide classes. Staff is encouraged to become members of an early childhood education professional organization. The Owens Communit y College Child Care Center has a tuition reimbursement plan that encourages continued pursuit of a degree in higher education by reimbursing at varying rates based on grades achieved. Many staff ta kes advantage of this benefit to enhance their skills and achieve an advanced degr ee in early Childhood Education. National Accreditation The Owens Community College Child Care Center received accreditation by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, a division of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC ). This prestigious recognition has been achieved by approximately 7% of early childhood programs nationwide. NAEYC a ccreditation is a rigorous voluntary process by which early childhood programs demonstrate that they meet national standards of excellence. The process carefully considers all aspects of a program including health and safety, staff qualifications, and physical environment. The grea test emphasis is on the children’s relationship with the staff and how the program helps each ch ild grow and learn inte llectually physically, socially and emotionally. The center was first accredited in 2001. Parent/Guardian Handbook Owens Community College Child Care Technology Lab School 4 STAFF/CHILD RATIOS AND MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE Classroom Infant 1:4 (0-18 months) Toddlers 1 1:6 (18 months-36 months) Toddlers 2 1:6 (18 months-36 months) Preschool 1, 2, 3 1:10 (36 months- until eligible for Kindergarten) School Age (summer months) 1: 15 (eligible for school) Ratios to toddlers and preschoolers may be doub led for 1 ½ hours at naptime as long as all children are resting quietly on their cots and enough staff are in the building to meet the regular required staff/ child ratios if there is an emergency. The maximum group sizes are as follow: 8 Infant Room 12 Toddler Room 20 Preschool Room 30 School Age Room Licensing The facility is licensed to operate legally by th e Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The license is posted in the hallway of the center. The toll free telephone number is listed on the facility’s license and may be used to report suspected violations of the licensing law or admi nistrative rules. The licensing law and rules governing childcare are available for review at th e facility upon request. The licensing capacity may also be seen on the li cense posted in the center. The administrator and each employee of the facili ty is required under Section 2151.421 of the Ohio Revised Code, ORC to report their suspicions of child abus e or child neglect to the local public children’s services agency. Any parent, custodian, or guardian of a child enrolled in the faci lity shall be permitted unlimited access to the facility during all hours of operat ion for the purpose of co ntracting their children, evaluating the care provided by the facility or evaluating the premises. A parent of a child enrolled at the center who is not the child’s re sidential parent shall be permitted unlimited access to the center and be offe red the same rights as the resi dential parent unless there is a court documentation limiting access and conditions of the nonresidenti al parent. It is up to the residential/custodial parent to provide the ce nter with the proper documentation. Upon entering the premises, the parent, or guardian shall notify the Administrator of his/her presence. Rosters of the names and telephone numbers of the parents or guardians of the children attending the facility are availabl e upon request. The parent roster will not include the name or telephone number of any parent who requests that his/her name
Posted on: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 15:20:45 +0000
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