TWINKLING STARS PRESCHOOL*

 

*Nominated to Business of the Year 2003 Awards

 

Mariann Asbury

Oregon Certified Professional

In Childhood Care and Education, Level 7.5

 

License – CF052047

Licensed for 16 children, but prefer a small group of 6-8

 

4832 Saunter LP N.E.

Salem, OR 97305

 

503-399-8068 & 503-999-3618

                                         

 

http://www.TwinklingStars.info

 

E-mail: momof99@gmail.com

 

Quality care & family services in an ideal child environment with open door policy.

 

Preschool Activities/USDA Food Program

 

 

PARENT HANDBOOK*

 

*Please do not copy without permission from author and owner, Mariann Asbury.

 

Introduction

 

As an Oregon Certified Professional in Childhood Care and Education, my goal is to provide quality, loving and safe care for all the children in my home. In so doing I hope to provide you with the peace of mind and an enjoyable partnership in your child’s daily growth and activities. If you have any questions or concerns according to the following policies or other, please talk with me so I best can meet the needs of you and your child(ren).

 

About myself

 

I am Mariann, born and raised in Norway, Scandinavia. My interest for working with children started when I was 14 years old. At school we had a scheduled work week and I picked to work at a daycare center.

 

Since I was growing up as number 2 in a family of seven children and an older sister suffering from CP, I early took on a lot of responsibility for my siblings and enjoyed it very much. Sometimes I was taken out of school when my mom had to go to the hospital for a new baby in order to clean, cook and meet the needs of my brothers and sisters.

 

When my youngest sister turned 4, my mom started a daycare of her own, so we can say it's kind of in the family.

 

I have also worked with children in Sunday School and Craft Classes in Church settings for several years before moving to the United States. I am an active member of a nondenominational church that started out in Norway and have local churches all over the world. One of them is located in the Macleay area where both my husband and I have worked with the children in craft & drama classes and children's meetings before we started a family of our own. (We have adopted 3 children after we had our first and only biological child.) I play guitar and some piano which is an excellent benefit in my daycare program.

 

In spite of my interest in working with children I ended up accepting a job offer with a patent law company right before I finished my education. I had worked there for 15 full years when I had to quit 2 days before my wedding.

 

After moving to Salem when getting married in 1998, I started working for my husband in his Auto Airbrush Touch-up company until I knew the language better, followed by voluntary work from January-September 1999 at the Mother/Baby Unit at Salem Hospital. Then our sweet, little Benjamin came around and I have stayed at home since. He was the reason why I finally decided to start a daycare of my own. I think I am fortunate to be a mom and be able to see him grow up and interact with the other daycare children. Since I started my daycare I have continually educated myself in the field.

 

Certificates, references etc.

 

I have excellent references available for viewing from my time in Norway. I can speak and write American, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish & some German.

 

I am certified by the State of Oregon with Provider Number CF052047 to care for a total of 16 children in my family home childcare with the help of a second provider. I have chosen to limit myself to caring for 10 children including my own when they are all over the age of 2. 2 of them are in school, so this means 8 children will by my total on school days.

 

I have received Certificates for a lot of child care related training and they are available for viewing at any time. They are also listed on my day care web page. I intend to keep my education going to reach my goal, the highest level in the Professional Development Registry.

 

I have been and currently am mentored through the Oregon Center for Career Development in Childhood Care & Education.

 

I am a member of Salem Home, an association where child care providers meet once a month to go over child care issues and learn about new rules and regulations and new classes offered in child care education. I am also a member on a daycare forum on the Internet and have listed my business on facebook and update about our day there as much as I have time for. Pictures of your children will not be posted there unless written permission from you as parents has been obtained.

 

I have excellent references available for viewing written by parents I have worked for, and receive enhanced rates from DHS due to the quality of my daycare and level of education.

 

My home is well organized and clean and is being inspected and approved by the Child Care Division and the Health Department on a regular basis. I have a very low illness rate among the children and in my family.

 

Open door & communication

 

Communication is a very important part of this business. My intention is to give parents the peace of mind knowing that I always have an open door and an open mind to openly and honestly communicate with the parents about their questions and concerns about the children and the kind of care they get. So if a child comes home and tells something that sounds strange or does not make sense, please do not jump to conclusions, but please pick up the phone so we can clarify the matter right away. I have learned that children do not always remember or comprehend the whole situation and can easily add some imagination.

 

If a lengthy conference is needed, please understand that we have to schedule that separate from childcare hours.

 

Your Child's First Day

 

The following forms must be on file the first day of enrollment

 

Contract

Child Information Sheet and 1 copy for vehicle

Emergency Consent

USDA Food Program Form

Certificate of Immunization Status

 

Please understand that there will be no credit for days already paid for and deposited, but I will commit to holding your slot for the paid days.

 

Discipline policy

 

I have 30 hours plus of training on discipline in childcare. Children who misbehave usually have a need they have not been able to express and therefore it has not been met. I will check to find out what it could be. I will reward good behavior with positive comments and give guidance and help with challenging behavior. I believe that children can learn from choosing different positive options to solve their conflicts. I will give them limits I believe they can handle which in return will help them feel safe. I do not usually believe in time-outs, but if nothing else works, it will be limited to 1 minute per year of the child. No child will be separated from the group and I do not have one certain spot for them to sit and gain self-control. I chose this in order to avoid displaying the “bad guy”.

 

Program

 

I believe that a child’s early years should be fun and carefree. Children learn through play. Play is a child’s work, his/her way of exploring the world. Everything I do will be child-oriented but I will give support and guidance as needed. An important part of the program is that the children learn consideration for others and respect for their feelings. I will teach the children listening skills, cooperation and resolving of conflicts in acceptable ways since this is important to a child’s development and self-esteem.

 

My program includes a lot of age appropriate, exciting varieties for the children, and we have a set, mildly structured, daily routine that I follow with a little bit of lead from the children.

 

I also believe in this true saying; it is not always what the children take home in their hands every day that matters, but what they take home in their hearts.

 

Toddlers, appr. 2-2 1/2 will be supported and guided in their exploration and learning. Language and social skills will be encouraged through interaction with the others and me. I have plenty of great, fun toys with and without sounds that will stimulate their brain and develop their skills. A wide variety of learning videos are available, but length of watching will be limited appropriately.

 

Preschoolers, developmentally ready, are offered appropriate activities with help and guidance from me. They will be introduced to letters, colors, numbers, shapes, computer learning games, sensory tables etc. As a teacher I believe in offering art materials and guide the children, but I do not believe in making or finishing their projects as they do not learn from that. For me to finish the project for everybody will take valuable time away from each child to learn more. I strongly believe in the process, not the product, even though we all know beauty will come with age.

 

I offer a wonderful choice through a learning system designed to help each child reach their full learning potential. Concepts are introduced in a step-by-step manner that allows each child to build self-confidence and mastering at their individual pace without frustration. In return they feel good about their abilities and get motivated to learn on their own down the road.

 

Kindergarten kids have access to computer games and age appropriate activities and are free to join in on whatever everybody else is doing. Toddlers and preschoolers are very excited about playing with the older children and are very happy when they come home from school. I also encourage my older daycare children to be along in the preschool teaching of the younger, which they enjoy very much.

 

Transportation & field trips

 

Some activities will involve transportation in daycare vehicles. Parent(s) or Guardian(s) must grant written permission for their child(ren) to be transported in the vehicles.

I can do some prearranged school transportation on a small scale, but my main job is teaching and caring for children around the facility. Field trips in the local area will generally be scheduled ahead of time, but sometimes a quick, unplanned trip to the park and such could take place. I will call or text all the parents to let them know that we are not here for part of the day if we leave the house. My cell phone will of course always be on my person and we always bring paperwork on each child with us in case of an emergency. I currently have 25 years of accident free driving experience and own one of the safest vehicle available on the market.

 

 

Meals, naps, extra clothing, toilet training.

 

I am with the USDA Food Program and provide all the meals included in the monthly tuition, but please have your child fed in the morning if arriving after 8.45 am as that is the cutoff for requesting breakfast reimbursement.

 

Weekly menus are available for viewing. We follow the rules about giving the kids balanced and nutritious meals with a good variety. Nobody is forced to eat and food will never be taken away from a child due to behavioral matters. If a child chooses not to eat what is offered, we will try again at next mealtime.

 

I might ask the parents to bring a packed snack or lunch for planned field trips but please do not let your child arrive with half eaten breakfasts, gum or candy in the morning, due to problems that will occur inbetween the children. If you want to give your child a treat, please hand it to me, and I will serve it to share at a fit time. I will provide sippercups for those who need it (so please do not bring).

 

Good morning hygiene is appreciated. It is parent's responsibility to have child(ren) cleaned up, dressed and ready for the day upon arrival. I will understand and know the difference if you happen to have a morning surprise delay. If you arrive with your child(ren) earlier than 7.00 a.m., I accept them coming straight from bed with pajamas on. I will do what I can to help with socks, shoes and coats for arrival and departure, but please understand that I can not leave other children unsupervised in order to do that.

 

I practice shoes off by the door in the morning in order to keep the carpets as clean as possible and to avoid owies if someone gets stepped on.  Please mark your children's white socks to help get the right ones back. They tend to come off  unknowingly to me. Not a must but a big help would also be shoes with velcro for the ones who have not learned to tie yet. That will reduce the time it takes to transition from inside to outside and back in.

 

Time will be set aside for naps and rests, and it will be a healthy routine with quiet sleep in playpens in the rooms or on cots in a supervised area depending on what your child is accustomed to.  All children under the age of 6 are required by Oregon law to have a rest period. No child is forced to sleep, but must remain quiet. Please do not bring blankets unless they are very dependent on it for naptime. I have blankets and pillows for everybody.

 

At any given time I might accept one child at the time down to 18 months of age if a sibling is enrolled in the preschool. I will help out with toilet training when it is initiated at home and the child is ready. The professional toilet trainers state that around the age of 22 months is the best time and the earliest time you should start. If you wait until then, you will be most successful and could be done as fast as within 3 days. Written detailed information will be handed out when you and your child is ready. Please always leave an extra change of clothes in case of toilet training accidents etc. Also a set of outdoor clothes and shoes fitting the weather conditions at the time of the year. A shirt for messy activities should also be kept at daycare.

 

Disposable diapers and wipes need to be provided by the parents. Please provide diapers and wipes for at least one week or more at the time as I will mark the owner's name on them. Please also bring labeled diaper rash ointment and sunscreen to keep at daycare.

 

Toys

 

I am sorry I can not be responsible for toys or other items brought from home if they get broken, stolen or lost. Therefore the best thing is not to bring them. Please make sure your child does not bring small toys, coins or things in pockets or purses. When they fall out without my knowledge, somebody smaller may put it in his or her mouth.

 

 

Persons authorized for pick-up of children

 

The provider or possible substitutes will only allow authorized persons to pick up the child(ren) from care. Authorized persons may be called to pick up children if parents or guardians are late, can not be reached when child is sick or when the provider is unable to continue care. Authorization papers need to be signed before the child(ren) enter(s) daycare. Please tell me in person on the day when someone else will be picking up your child.

 

If there is a Court Order keeping one parent away from the child, I must have a written note from the custodial parent to that effect on file in order to prevent the non-custodial parent from picking up the child.

 

Please be here before pick-up time if you have something to address etc., so I can fulfill on time the needs of my family and other commitments that I have made.

 

It is very normal that children kind of forget about the daycare rules when their parents come around. They also tend to act without respect to see who will say something first. Please be in control of your child when present. This way you can help show your child that you respect my rules, my property and me. I might also remind and correct if needed.

 

Health/Illness policy

 

I believe it is in every parent's interest to know that their child will not be exposed to sick children when in care. Therefore, do not bring your child with fever or fever reducer taken in the morning, rash, conjunktivitis (congested eyes) or diarrhea, if child is vomiting or has any visible signs of illness or lice. If your child becomes ill while in care, you will be called immediately and asked to pick him/her up within the hour. The rules set by the State on illnesses are very strict and has to be followed by everyone. Details on rules are given to all parents when signing the Contract.

 

Please keep child's immunizations and records current.

 

 

Medications

 

If your child requires medication during the day, you must sign an authorization form, which includes name of medication, dosage and times to be given. Medication must be left in its original, labeled container. If dosage changes,  papers need to be changed accordingly. Please always hand the medication to me. Do not leave it in the diaper bag.

 

If you do not bring sufficient medicine for days needed, I will call you to pick up the child if child suffers and gets hard to deal with. A bottle of Tylenol or other pain killers can be kept at daycare for sudden needs, but I will always call for permission to administer.

 

Emergencies

 

Please immediately inform the Provider of any changes in the emergency information.

 

In case of severe emergencies, 911 will be called first and then the parents or other persons listed on the child information sheet. Your child's welfare is the first priority. I will provide home first aid for bumps and bruises, but for more serious matters like broken arm etc., the parents will be notified. Parents will be responsible for all costs involved in emergency medical treatment, including emergency transportation if required.

 

In case of evacuation of the house, I will notify the parents ASAP and leave a note with information if access to the house is unavailable and I can not reach all the parents in time.

 

We will practice 911 situations, evacuation and talk about fire safety, stranger awareness and Mr. Yuk several times a year. 911 is posted by the phone both up- and downstairs and also the number for Oregon Poison Center. All medicine and chemicals are behind safety locks.

 

Child Abuse

 

I am required by law to report to the Services to Children and Families office any suspected physical, emotional, sexual or negligent abuse that might have occurred.

 

 

Availability

 

The daycare will be closed on the following days;

 

New Years Eve & New Years Day

Good Friday

Memorial Day

July 4^th weekend

Labor Day

October 19^th (my birthday)

Veteran’s Day Weekend

Thanksgiving & the following day

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

2 paperwork days with notice, if any

 

It is well known that the child care business can easily cause burnout of the provider since she works and lives from home, and as a result it is not a good situation for the provider or the children in care. Twinkling Stars Preschool appreciate the parent’s understanding of this and the provider will have personal vacation time off with the family for a total of 10 business days per year. The provider will give a good advance notice so parents can choose to take the same time off if they wish to avoid having to pay for substitute care.

 

Substitute care arrangements

 

Please always have a back-up care provider for sick-days, vacations, not available days and emergencies, and someone to pick up a sick child when you can't.

 

Fees

 

The fees agreed on at the interview and listed on the Contract is for the reserved times and days also listed on the Contract. Please remember to include travel time. If you want to reserve different times or days in addition, an additional, reasonable fee will be charged accordingly. This is due to ratio and the need for a second provider if more children will be present.

 

According to the terms of the Contract I am entitled to a guaranteed wage, and therefore will be paid at the regular rate for the following circumstances:

 

Child's absence due to any reason

Parent’s or child's vacation or time off

Late drop-off and early pick-up

The days mentioned in availability policy

Circumstances or emergencies that require closing of the daycare home.

 

 

I will credit for personal days with less than a 24 hour notice. 

 

Postdated checks will be required if your vacation time is around the 1^st of the month. Please give at least a 2-week advance notice about your vacation.

 

Please do not assume that an early pick-up or late drop-off one day will cover a late pick-up another day. I am pretty flexible so if you need to change your regular schedule on occasion, just give me an 8-hour notice so I can let you know if I am able to authorize the change. I consider it important to know what my schedule is looking like day by day.

 

Planned field trips may require a small $-amount to cover some of what we are doing.

 

I may ask for a small $-amount now and then to cover some of the preschool material. It will never be more than $10 per month.

 

If you decide to terminate the Contract and have to take your child out immediately, the fees for the termination period will be due immediately paid with cash or money order.

 

A returned check, for which from when cash or money order will be requested, min.          $ 15.00 will be charged and limited up to the total cost for the provider due to the provider's bank charges.

 

Late payment policy

 

Please understand that your payments are my paychecks. I base my budget on predictable cash flow like everybody else. After 4 days late you risk losing your daycare spot(s) without warning. Failure to pay within the 4 days period could also result in suspension of service until ALL fees are paid.

 

Contract

 

The Contract and the USDA Food Program Form are subject to review and renewal upon request. (Required by USDA). The provider may update the policies more often, but with at least one-month advance notice to the parents before it goes into effect.

 

 

I  might authorize exceptions to my policies, but lack of enforcement does not mean that my policies are no longer in effect.