The Sunny Times
Policy Handbook
Learning | Movement | Self-Esteem | Character | Social Skills | Music
Behavior Goals
I will encourage children to act in age-appropriate social behaviors: 1) Patience, taking turns, sharing (as appropriate to age), 2) Listening to instructions / Acting on the first call, 3) Keeping hands and feet to themselves, 4) Allowable behaviors for indoor vs. outdoor activities, 5) Respect for property and person, 6) Correct table manners, 7) Cooperative Play, and 8) Appropriate behaviors during independent activities.
Not Allowed
The following are deemed dangerous to the children and are therefore NOT ALLOWED: 1) Wrestling / Karate / Play fighting, 2) Hitting, pushing, Kicking
Jumping on/off furniture, 3) Excessive running in the house, 4) Throwing toys inside, and 5) Vulgar language and profanity.
Discipline Goals
Discipline is meant to teach and re-enforce the rules, act as a deterrent for incorrect behaviors and encourage correct behaviors.
Deal with each child individually according to her/his age and level of development.Be fair and consistent.
Consider the following: 1) Distraction (take their mind off it), 2) Increase consistency (don’t get lax), 3) Structure environment (time to do something else), 4) Control situation (time to get involved), 5) Involve child (kids don’t like feeling left out, 6) Planning time with child (a little one on one never hurt anyone) 7) Letting go (some kids need to be by themselves), 8) Ignore misbehavior (let them work it out), 9) Notice positive behaviors (sweeten them up a little), 10) Exclude with time out (time to think about it, always where we can see them)
Time Out Procedure
Time out is used in situations where the child is hurting themselves or others, deliberately destroying property, being disrespectful or breaking rules.
Time out is separation from the current activities until the child agrees to cooperate and rejoin the group. The child will always be in sight.
Time out may begin with children at 2 years of age, depending on the individual child.After time out; shortly discuss in a positive manner what child could have done differently and praise of good behavior or qualities.
Toilet Learning
This facility will not participate in toilet learning before a child is ready due to the stress involved for the child, typically close to age 3.
Toilet learning will usually be initiated at home. After reasonable success at home and a true interest by the child, the provider will assist with positive encouragement.
Due to sanitation issues, a potty chair will not be used at this facility.
Simple elastic waist, user friendly, pants are required during training.
Disposable training pants may be used until they are reasonably reliable at going potty on the toilet. However, we have found, switching directly to underwear speeds up the transition.
Regular underwear will be used only when the provider agrees. Training underwear with plastic underpants are recommended.
Toilet / Bathroom Procedures
Only one child is allowed in the bathroom at a time.
Potty trainers will be monitored only until able to use the toilet efficiently by themselves.
Any needed help will be given until they can do it themselves.
Any child still in the bathroom, after 5 minutes, will be checked on.
Home Provisions
Parent/Guardian is required to provide
Disposable diapers and wipes for children needing them.
Formula and any special baby foods they prefer for their child.
Changes of clothes in case of accidents.
Please bring children comfortably dressed for the day in clothes appropriate for the weather and vigorous play. Remember, children need to enjoy the activities of the day without concern for getting messy.
Toys from home are not allowed, without provider approval. This facility will not be responsible for loss or damage of anything brought from home.
Child Illness Policy
For the health and wellbeing of all during these times when we are fighting a global pandemic and until further notice, if your child is sick please keep them home until they are well or arrange for a back up caretaker in the event that your child becomes ill. There will be a daily screening before the child is admitted to my care each day. For attendance, they must be free from the following symptoms:
Contact or exposure to someone known to have Covid
Fever
Cough
Sore throat
Body Aches
Loss of taste or Smell
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Symptoms of Illness
Other symptoms that your child must be free of to attend here include, but are not limited to the following:
Infected eyes
Mouth Sores
Infestation (lice, pinworm, etc.)
Strep throat
Chickenpox
Rash
Other signs of possible illness, including but not limited to lethargy, irritability, persistent crying
My goal is to stop the spread of dangerous viruses and illnesses that have taken lives. As these times are challenging and stressful for everyone, I appreciate your honesty in reporting and in doing your part in protecting the wellbeing of others. There is an automatic $20 fee if your child has symptoms of illness when they arrive and I have to call to have you return and collect them. It must be paid before their next day of care.
I will be wiping down surfaces repeatedly during the day and doing all I can to keep your child safe and healthy while in my care. Even when all precautions are followed, it is possible that Covid may affect those in my care. If there is a positive case, it is agreed and essential that we shall notify each other immediately to help stop and control it’s spread. Please be aware that it is possible that we may have to close for a period of time, depending on the health regulations and situations regarding the health of children and caretakers.
Sick Children
Parent/Guardian will keep the child home if he/she is sick or not feeling well enough to participate in activities.
Parent will follow exclusion guidelines that include waiting until the child is free from symptoms for 3 days after any Covid symptoms are completely gone or two weeks after possible exposure (whichever is greater) Cold symptoms must be completely cleared for 48 hours if they are not Covid symptoms. These are stressful times for all families and children do need to be well to attend.
If a child exhibits signs of illness upon arrival – child may not be allowed to remain.
If a child exhibits symptom of possible illness while in my care, child will be secluded. Parent or emergency contacts will be notified to pick up the child as soon as possible. If the child isn’t picked up within a reasonable amount of time (30 min-an hour), late pick-up fees will be assessed.
Under no circumstances will the parent give medication to hide symptoms of illness and drop of a child. This is grounds for dismissal.
Harmful Substances
Under no circumstance will any person on the premises be allowed to use tobacco, alcohol at any time. The use of prescription medication in amounts known to compromise responsible judgement is also forbidden.
Parents/guardians are also required to abide by these rules. Please do Please do not engage in these activities prior to drop off or picking up child. Anyone arriving impaired to pick up children will be immediately reported by calling 911.
I am required by law to report suspected neglect or abuse.
No sexually explicit materials will be allowed on the premises.
Due to caretaker’s asthma and sensitivities, to the smell of cigarette smoke, it is very important that those picking up or dropping off children do not come in the house after smoking. This may be grounds for dismissal.
Holidays, Vacations and Other Absences
The following are holidays for which we will be closed:
January: New Years Day
May: Memorial Day and the Friday before
July: Independence Day
September: Labor Day and the Friday before
November: Thanksgiving Day and day after
December: Christmas Eve through New Years
Up to 10 working days during the year, with at least two weeks advanced notice when possible (My family needs vacation time as well).
Parent/Guardian is responsible for finding alternative care when this facility is closed.
Full time pay parents are allowed 5 days each year of unpaid absent days. This is to help with these challenging times during the Covid-19 pandemic, knowing that your child may miss days due to illness. Any additional absences will be charged. Parent may begin using these days after the child has been in our care for 4 months. Please get approval before using unpaid absences. If possible, use them for consecutive days.
Please notify me 24 hours in advance, when possible, if your child will not be attending that day.
If parent/guardian does not arrive when expected, provider may assume that the child is not coming that day. If you will be late, please notify the provider of the situation before the expected time.
Quiet Time
- Quiet Time is typically between the hours of 1pm-3pm.
2. When visiting this facility during quiet time please remember children are sleeping and enter quietly.
3. All Children will rest during quiet time. After a suitable amount of time, older children who do not nap will be provided with a quiet time activity. Al children must remain quiet and still during this time.
Payment Policy
The payment fee is noted on the payment agreement form.
The fee includes the following services:
Reliable and dependable care
Quality, safe, developmentally appropriate care
Preschool curriculum as applicable
Meals and snacks served within meal times
A loving, learning environment
A trained, caring provider
Open communication
Parent/Guardian provides diapers, wipes and formula as required.
Payment obligation is based on the time Parent/Guardian agrees to use our services, not on actual hours or days attended. It is a fee, or tuition, for the slot your child occupies.
Payment is expected in advance.
There will be a late charge for every day after the agreed payment date.
A fee will be charged for any reversed payments. After a reversed payment, only cash will be accepted.
Overtime Rates
Parent/Guardian may make prior arrangements with the provider for overtime care. An additional fee will be applied. For the purpose of this agreement, overtime will be considered as hours other than those indicated on Child Care Agreement Form.
If Parent/Guardian arrives later for pick up than the agreed upon time, there will be substantial late fees. This fee will be paid before the child may return to this facility.
Other Charges
In the event of damage to equipment or property by your child, it will be Parent/Guardian responsibility to pay for replacement or repair.
Child Transportation
This contract gives any affiliate of Sunny Times permission to transport their child for approved outings and in case of an emergency.
When transporting your child in our vehicle, we will:
Use safety restraints
Carry a copy of your child’s contract with emergency contacts.
One person in the vehicle will have CPR/First Aid training.
Missing Child
If a child goes missing while in my care I will:
Quickly search the house and yard
Call the parent to make sure they didn’t pick them up
Call 911
Medical Intervention & Child Health
Medical Intervention & Child Health
Highly Serious/Life Threatening:
Call 911 for emergency assistance.
When assistance has been obtained and situation is under control, call parent.
If parent cannot be reached, call emergency contacts.
Locate substitute in the event I must accompany child to the hospital.
Serious but not life threatening:
- Call Parent to take the child to the doctor or clinic
- If Parent is unavailable, call emergency contacts.
- If all parties unavailable, call doctor/clinic on contract and proceed as directed.
Needs first Aid Attention:
(Does not require medical attention)
Render First Aid necessary.
Notify parent/guardian at pick up of minor injuries (bumps and scrapes).
Reporting Accidents & Injuries
All injuries requiring medical assistance must be documented.
Parent/Guardian must sign injury documentation at the time child is picked up.
Life threatening injuries requiring 911 or hospitalization will be reported.
Copy of statement will be kept in my files.
Immunization:
Parent must provide current immunization documentation for child.
Immunization documentation must be kept current and documents must be provided.
Any physical or mental health conditions must be provided to caretaker on the family information sheet in this contract and any supporting documentation provided. This is the parents/guardian’s responsibility to report and provide the information.
Medications Procedures
Under no condition is it acceptable to drug and drop a child. Administering medication for fever or illness to a child and false reporting that the child is well and healthy at drop off is grounds for immediate termination. Any prescription or over the counter medication must be in the original or pharmacy container, have the original label with the child’s name and instructions for administration. A medical release form must be filled out by parent for each prescription and over the counter medication on which medication administered will be logged by provider.
Termination Procedures
All new clients will start on a 4-week trial bases to allow for adjustments by both parties. During this period no notice of termination is required by either party. No refunds will be given during this time.
After the initial trial period a 2-week notice with pay will be required to terminate care.
This facility may terminate this contract without notice if the Parent/Guardian does not abide by the policies in this contract or if the safety of other children in care is in question. Failure by facility to enforce one or more terms of this contract does not wave this facility’s right to enforce any other terms of the contract.
Policy Compliance Authorization
By filling out this form I agree that I have read the above policies and reviewed it with an affiliate of Sunny Times. I understand and agree to abide by the policies in this contract.
