Parent Resources

Handbook

(If you have any questions or comments regarding this handbook, please feel free to contact us. Hardcopies with proper signature and initialization lines are available onsite.)

The purpose of this Parent Handbook is to outline the policies and procedures under which we operate as licensed child care providers. Please read and initial the bottom of each page signifying you have read and understand the rules and regulations. This contract will be re-evaluated and re-signed every year after enrollment. A rate increase or contract changes may go into effect the beginning of each new contract signing. A 30 day written notification will be given prior to any changes. The provider has the right to change any conditions of this contract at any time during the year, as needed, with a 30-day written notice.

State Licensing Requirements

Crystale’s Little Scholars is licensed and complies with all applicable licensing regulations and standards. These standards relate to our home, staff, health, safety procedures, nutrition, caregiver-to-child ratios, and record keeping. We believe that these standards are in the best interest of the children. Our home is subject to inspection by state and city health, fire, and licensing officials.

Termination Policy

The first two weeks will be regarded as a trial period, in which case either party may terminate the contract without notice. After the first two weeks of enrollment, one month written notice from parent or provider is required to terminate the contract, with the exception of gross misconduct on part of the provider, parent, or child. This is grounds for immediate discontinuation of service. In cases of non-payment, legal action may be taken, and the parents will pay all legal fees incurred.

Childcare Hours

Childcare is open Monday through Friday 7:30am to 5:30pm. Based upon extreme need and only if it works with the children we already have, these hours may be flexible through contract setup. Late fees will occur if pick-up is later than your contracted time, even if you are picking up within business hours.

We also have the following paid holiday exceptions:

Holidays

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• Presidents Day
• Memorial Day
• 4th of July
• Labor Day
• Veteran’s Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day after Thanksgiving (Unpaid Holiday Closure)
• Christmas Eve (Minimum day will close at 2:30)
• Christmas Day
• New Year’s Eve (Minimum day will close at 2:30)

Sick/Personal Days

As strong as our immune systems have become over the years, we unfortunately still get sick from time to time. Because of this we allot ourselves ten paid sick/personal days per year. We will, of course, give you as much of an advance notice as possible.

Vacations

We allot ourselves two weeks of vacation a year. These vacation days are not paid and tuition will be adjusted accordingly. Of course we will give you as much of an advance notice as possible.

Note: Parents are responsible for finding back-up care for their children during provider vacations, holidays, and sick/personal days resulting in the childcare being closed.

Deposit

A nonrefundable deposit equal to two weeks of childcare costs is due at time of enrollment. Your child’s spot is not secured until we have received both the deposit and the signed Parent-Provider Contract/Enrollment application. The deposit will be credited towards the last four weeks of your child’s enrollment. This deposit is non-refundable even during the four-week trial period.

Note: Please make checks payable to Crystale Barajas.

Payment Policy/Attendance

Payment is due on the first business day of each month or on the first day of the month attending childcare in advance of care. If received after the second business day of the month a $40 late fee will be charged. It must be understood that to hold your child’s space, payment must be paid whether your child attends or not. Payment is based on contract, not attendance. The following events can and will change your payment amounts: (1) When graduating from Infant/Young Toddler class (0–2 yrs) to Older Toddler/Preschool class (2 yrs +). (2) When changing contracted days of attendance. (3) Stopping and then restarting paid attendance in our daycare. In all scenarios your new payment will default to the current price of the newly enrolled schedule.

Fees

A nonrefundable deposit equal to two weeks of childcare costs is due at time of enrollment.

Admission and Termination

To ensure that your child receives the best possible care, the initial enrollment will be based on a trial basis for the first four weeks.  This will enable us both, as parent and provider, to see how well you and your child have adjusted to our childcare environment.  If at any time during the enrollment period we/you feel that your child or you are not adjusting well to our facility, we/you have the right to terminate this agreement effective one week after written notice has been given.

The provider may terminate this agreement immediately with cause under the circumstances listed below.  You as the parent will be responsible for finding alternative childcare at the time of termination.

At any time after the enrollment period, the provider may terminate this agreement without cause by issuing a written notice of termination.  You as the parent will be responsible for finding alternative childcare after the expiration of four weeks.

At any time after the enrollment period, the provider may immediately terminate this agreement, with cause by issuing a written notice of termination under the following circumstances:

1. Failure to pay childcare fees on time as stipulated in this contract.
2. Failure to pay late fees on time as stipulated in this contract.
3. Failure of the child or parent to refrain from violent or verbally offensive behavior.
4. Failure of the child or parent to refrain from destroying personal property.
5. Failure of the parent to pick up child at the scheduled hours.
6. Failure of the parent after notification to pick up an ill child from the childcare facility.
7. Failure of a parent to refrain from bringing an ill child to childcare, or not disclose that the child was sick the evening before.
8. Failure of a parent to notify the provider where they can be reached during the day if it is different from the normal routine.
9. Failure of parent to abide by the terms of this agreement.

Provider reserves the right to suspend or terminate care of any child without notice, should it be deemed necessary for the overall safety and wellbeing of the child and other children in care.

Non Sufficient Checks

Due to the inconvenience of NSF checks, a $50 fee will be charged for NSF checks.

Late Pickup Policy

If your child is picked up after the time you are contracted for there will be a late charge assessed of $2.00 for every one minute (unless prior arrangements have been made). Please be courteous and arrive on time. After hours is time with our families.

Health Matters

For the health and safety of your child and all of the children in our childcare, please do not bring your child to childcare sick. We in turn may become sick, making it difficult to care for the children at the high standards that we have set for ourselves. We can only care for children with mild cold-like symptoms that are otherwise feeling and acting well. Mild cold-like symptoms include clear runny nose, slight cough, and a slight or no fever. If you are not sure if your child should be brought to daycare, then please call and check with us. If a child becomes ill during daycare hours the parents will be contacted to pick up their child. Parents will need to pick up their children within one hour of being notified. If parents are not available, the child’s emergency contact will be notified.

Note: Once the child is removed from daycare due to illness, they may not return to daycare until symptoms requiring removal are no longer present. The child must also be void of any contagious disease, unless accompanied by a doctor’s note stating the illness in question is not contagious, and the child is otherwise feeling well enough to participate in our daily schedule.

Guidelines For Children Requiring Exclusion From Childcare

A child with any of the following illnesses must be completely free of any symptoms before returning to childcare. If the child is taking antibiotics for an illness, the child may return to daycare after the initial 24 hours of beginning antibiotics as long as he or she has a slight to no fever (under 100F under the arm), no longer contagious, and is otherwise feeling well enough to participate in our daily schedule. Signs of illness include the following; unusual lethargy, irritability, persistent crying for no reason, runny nose (more than clear), cough (more than slight), difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, mouth sores, rashes (note from doctor stating non-contagious is ok), pink eye, chicken pox, mumps, measles, roseola, hepatitis A, impetigo, lice, ringworm, scabies, strep throat, scarlet fever, tuberculosis, shingles, and any other contagious disease or rash. Any child with a fever of 100 degrees or above, orally (in the mouth), or axillary (under the arm), may not attend daycare. State law requires that we notify parents of children who have been exposed to certain contagious diseases. Please notify us if your child becomes infected, so a note can be posted.

Note: A fever in and of itself is not a cause for worry (given that it is not too high). A fever is the body’s natural way of trying to protect itself against whatever virus or bacteria is attacking it. Many illnesses that cause fevers cannot live in our bodies’ abnormally hot environment. However, a fever is an obvious indicator that the child is sick and possibly contagious, therefore requiring exclusion from daycare.

Child’s Absences and/or Vacations

If your child will not be attending childcare due to illness or other, please let us know as soon as possible so the day’s activities won’t be held up waiting for your child to arrive. Also, we need to know how many children we need to prepare meals for. No discounts will be given for your child’s absences due to illness or vacations. If your child will not be attending childcare for whatever reason any given day, said day is still paid under contract. If there is an extended period of time (up to 3 months maximum) wherein your needs for childcare will be reduced, your child’s spot can be held if you pay a minimum amount equaling to payment for three days per week. You are free to bring your child for any and all of those three days.

Medication

If your child needs to be medicated in order to get through the day and be able to comfortably participate in our classroom activities, then it is quite possible he or she may be too sick to attend daycare. We will however give certain doctor-prescribed medications to the children (of course given that they are no longer contagious) and only if the medication consent form has been signed. We must have handwritten instruction from your child’s physician to administer any medicine.  Examples of these would be: antibiotics for ear infections and the like, and Tylenol for teething or pain associated with bumps or bruises (not to bring down a fever) and asthma treatments. If you’re not sure if we will administer a certain medication or not, please feel free to ask.

Reporting Child Abuse

We are required by law to report any suspected incidents of possible child abuse or neglect. Your child can be questioned by child protective services at any time without your consent.

Medical and Dental Emergency Procedures

Emergency information is kept on file at the childcare. In case of illness or injury this information will be used to notify you or the person designated by you, of your child’s status. If your child is injured while at childcare, first aid will be administered. If treatment by a doctor is necessary, we will make every effort to contact you or the doctor you have chosen to treat your child. In all cases, an injury report is completed and a copy is given to the parents as well as the Department of Social Services. Authorization for emergency treatment must be signed at the time of enrollment to ensure that in the event of an emergency, we can make sure your child receives the necessary emergency treatment he or she needs. It is very important that all emergency contact information is kept up to date and correct. Please inform us immediately of any changes to keep your information current. Parents are responsible for all costs involved in emergency medical treatment, including emergency transportation if required.

Note: In case of a serious accident or sudden illness requiring immediate medical attention, the following procedures will be followed.

1. A phone call to 911 is made.
2. The child’s parents (or emergency contacts) are called.
3. The child is separated from the other children and appropriately cared for.
4. The parent, provider, or ambulance takes the child and health records to the doctor or hospital.

Evacuation Procedures

Crystale’s Little Scholars has written policies and procedures for dealing with emergencies and natural disasters. Evacuation plans are posted in the childcare center. In the unlikely event of an evacuation, the children will be taken to an emergency location and you will be notified as soon as possible. Our emergency location of choice is the park on Landmark circle. If that location is unavailable, the Lincoln Crossing clubhouse is our backup location. Notice will be posted at the daycare with all information on the alternative site. Directions to the park are as follows: Turn right out of the driveway, left on Landmark Circle, then follow the curve and the park is on the left. To the clubhouse, take a right from the driveway, a left on Landmark Circle, then follow the curve and take a right onto Landmark Drive.  Then take a left on Stanmark Drive and a right onto Groveland Lane. The clubhouse is on the left after the Ferrari Ranch intersection.

Toilet Training

We are more than happy to encourage potty training as long as the child is ready (typically between 2 and 3 years old). The initial start needs to be done at home for at least two weeks with success before it can be effectively started at daycare. Parents will be required to supply pull-ups and wipes. Children will be allowed to come to daycare in cotton training pants/underwear after they have been accident free for at least two weeks in pull-ups. Communication between parents and the daycare provider is imperative for a successful transition from diapers to toilet.

Toys

We have well organized, separate, age appropriate toys for the toddler and infant class. Infants will not be allowed to be around or play with small objects and toys. During the initial adjusting period we encourage your child bring a piece of home with them; a special blanket, toy, or teddy can be very comforting. Photos of family members, neighbors, and pets can be left with us to help remind your child of familiar people if he or she feels lonely during the day. However, please do not bring your child’s toys to daycare except on designated sharing/show and tell days. As much as we try to encourage sharing, this seldom works when it is the child’s personal toy. Problems often arise between them and the other children. Also, please never send a child to daycare with toy weapons.

Miscellaneous

• We do not transport any child by car or any moving vehicle, unless a medical emergency requires us to do so or there is an arrangement for special activities or field trips. At that time a consent form must be signed by the parent and kept on file.
• Please understand that your child may be included in classroom evaluations by State Licensing officials, Head Start Program, CDA Nutrition, and other parents observing their right to our open door policy.
• Please understand that your child may be included in pictures connected with our daycare program, unless otherwise specified by you.

Open Door Policy

Please feel free to come and go at anytime throughout the day to visit your child. However, please keep in mind that in doing so it can prove to be disruptive to the other children in our care. During times like these the other children have a hard time listening and following our directions. Furthermore, if you or any other part of your family (i.e. grandparents) would like to come and visit or play with the child for an extended period of time, please take the child in question out of the childcare, to places such as your home, a park, or on a walk, etc, after which you may feel free to bring the child back to childcare.

Behavior Management & Discipline

We believe that the discipline of a child is achieved through patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. We also try and teach the children in our care manners, kindness and to be respectful to others. One of the ways in which we do this is by the example we as providers set. We understand that our actions and reactions speak much louder than our words. The children are explained the rules of the daycare frequently, so they know what is expected of them. Once a child is old enough to understand the rules and disobeys them by, exhibiting inappropriate behavior (hitting, aggression, etc), hurts others, or property, the following developmentally appropriate guidance techniques will be used. These techniques are as follows:

1. Positive Reinforcement: The child will be encouraged when he or she is demonstrating acceptable behavior.
2. Redirection: The child is redirected to another activity and given an opportunity to try again at another time.
3. Last Resort: When a child’s behavior is continually upsetting or dangerous to others, a conference will be called with the parents. If the problems cannot be resolved, arrangements will have to be made for the child to go elsewhere for care.

Note: Sometimes if both a parent and a provider are both in the same area (examples would be during drop-off and pick-up times) a child may forget the rules or test the boundaries. Please help show your child that you respect us, the rules of our house, and our property by reminding them that the rules still apply when you are around. We will also remind them of the rules and correct them if needed.

Cleanliness

We take the well-being of your child very seriously and work hard to provide an environment that is as healthy as possible. We are committed to keeping our home and the children in it as clean as possible, in order to help minimize and/or prevent the spread of germs. Our home is kept clean and disinfected at all times. We thoroughly clean surfaces that children come into close contact with using soap and water, a bleach and water solution or Lysol. The high-chairs are cleaned between each use, and the diaper changing tables are cleaned and disinfected between each diaper change. Toys are cleaned and disinfected often, and water-play tables are cleaned and disinfected before being filled with water and carefully supervised when in use. Hand washing is the single most effective practice in preventing the spread of germs. We wash our hands many times throughout the day, as well as the children’s hands before and/or after engaging in a thorough list of activities.

We wash our hands:

• Before beginning work
• Immediately before handling food or feeding children
• After using the toilet, helping a child use the toilet or after changing soiled clothing or diapers
• After coming into contact with any bodily fluid, such as a wet or soiled diaper, runny nose, spit or vomit
• After handling a pet or pet equipment
• Whenever hands are visibly dirty
• After cleaning a child, the room, toys, or bathroom
• Before giving medication or applying ointment
• After work

Children wash their hands:

• Immediately before and after eating
• After using the toilet or having soiled clothing or diaper changed
• Before and after using water tables
• After using play-dough or other substances
• After playing on the playground
• Whenever hands are visibly dirty
• Before going home

Arrival and Departure

Please send your child clean, dressed (no pajamas, unless you don’t mind your child wearing their pajamas all day), fed and ready for the day, as well as all of your child’s necessary supplies needed for that day’s care. Please make your goodbye brief (no more than a couple minutes): the longer you prolong departure the harder it gets for the parent and especially for the child. Please make sure never to leave without telling your child goodbye. Please be in control of your child during drop-off and pick-up times. No one other than the parent or person designated by you will be allowed to pick up your child without advanced written permission indicating the person’s name and relationship to your child. If there is a court order keeping one parent away from the child, we must have a written note from the custodial parent in our file to that effect. Otherwise, we cannot prevent the non-custodial parent from picking up the child. If for some reason your child’s transportation home is unsafe we may refuse the child to leave care; in a situation such as this, we will call an emergency contact or other authorized persons to come get the child. Examples of such a circumstance include picking up the child and driving while intoxicated or lacking proper safety seats, safety belts or other safety regulations. Late charges will apply if your child must stay past their contracted time for this reason or any other. 

Supplies Needed at Childcare

Parents are responsible for supplying the following items: diapers/pull-ups, wipes, diaper creams, sunscreen, tooth brush, weather appropriate clothes and a change of clothes, jacket, and shoes that lace-up or Velcro and/or stay on feet (no flip-flops please), pacifier (if needed), and a swimsuit and your child’s own sunscreen. For infants please supply:  Diapers, 2 Bottles, Formula, Baby Food if you prefer a specific brand, a full change of clothing, and any other supplies your infant may need. We apply sunscreen every day to any child playing outside but parents must provide their own sunscreen for their child. For the older children sleeping on a mat: a crib sheet, a blanket, and a pillow are needed. If necessary a comfort object may be used for rest time, and anything else your child may need. Your child’s crib sheet, blanket, and pillow should be taken home every Friday and washed and returned to daycare the following Monday unless you prefer us to keep and wash them for you. If we do keep blankets or sheets we are not responsible for any damages they may receive. There is a good possibility your child will get dirty throughout the day because of food, paint, markers, dirt, bubbles, etc. So please dress your child accordingly for play. We will wash the children’s clothing, or you may take your child’s clothing home to be washed if you prefer. We are not responsible for replacing stained or soiled clothing. Furthermore we suggest that you write your child’s name on the tags of their clothing (especially socks and underwear) in order to prevent any clothing mix-ups.

Note: Please periodically check your child’s locker/cubby to make sure they still have all of their necessary items needed at childcare. Furthermore, as the weather changes throughout the year and so do your child’s items needed at daycare. We greatly appreciate your adherence to this subject, as it helps the child-care day run more smoothly to have all of necessary belongings at childcare. This way we can care for your child in the best possible manner.

Meals/Snacks

Each day we provide three nutritious and well balanced meals. We provide morning breakfast at 9:00am, lunch at 12:30pm and afternoon snack at 4:00pm. Milk or juice is served with all the meals and snacks, and water is offered throughout the day. We also provide baby food for infants. Below you will find a menu, showing an example of the different types of food we serve throughout any given week. The meals and snacks for each week constantly vary in order to ensure the children receive a well-balanced diet. The children are offered the food, but they will not be forced to eat. It is our goal to offer nutritious meals and snacks to the children in our care, as nutrition is a vital part of a child’s health. Children need to eat well-balanced meals in order to meet his or her daily energy needs and to help them build a strong body and mind. We know that the good food habits a child develops will help them prevent cavities, iron deficiency anemia, and obesity, etc – all common nutritional problems in young children.

Special Diets

If your child has any particular dietary needs resulting from being a vegetarian, or having allergies, religious beliefs, or non religious beliefs, etc, then we must be informed, and when applicable given a doctor’s note stating to the fact. At that time it will be determined if your child can participate in the CDA program. Certain meals and different types of foods can usually be substituted in place of, in order to still fulfill the dietary requirements of the CDA Program. However, if a viable solution can not be reached between parent, provider, and the CDA Program with regards to their rules and regulations, then all of the child’s meals and snacks will have to be provided by the parent.

Learning and Fun

We know that children also learn through play; because of this, we do not underestimate its importance on a growing child’s mind and body. Therefore, the children under our care receive lots of both free-play and structured play throughout each day. During structured play we primarily have only one group of toys or activity out at a time in order to allow the children to concentrate fully on each thing they do. Age appropriate activities will be scheduled with the flexibility allowed to respond to the needs of each individual child and their various ages. Activities that we and the children participate in, include, but are not limited to the following. Indoor activities include: books and story-time, Legos, circle-time, tumbling exercises, Lincoln Logs, Kids-K’nex, music and dancing, dress up, play food, interactive stuffed animals, cars/trucks/planes, arts and crafts, puzzles, flash cards, animals/dinosaurs, trains, musical instruments, balls, dolls and Barbies, various learning toys, musical instruments, various games, Mr. Potato Head, bean bag toss, blocks, beads and string, song games, play dough, coloring, sing along story books, painting, science, board games, puppets, Simon-says, and singing. Outdoor activities include: climbing, sliding, jumping, running, balls, jump rope, racing, water balloons, parachute, catch, bubbles, follow the leader, squirt bottles, ride-on toys, wagons, tunnels, safe water toys, various games, water table, painting, neighborhood walks, exploring nature/weather, and soccer. As you know, children play hard and will get some bumps and bruises from time to time. We do our best to limit the amount of times this occurs with constant supervision. Due to the safe environment/toys we have surrounded ourselves with, we hope to prevent any injuries before they can happen. During the summer months (June, July and August) we allow for more outdoor activities and creative art projects. Weather permitting, we play outdoors every day.

Nap Time

The infants sleep in provided cribs and the toddlers sleep on provided mats. Our goal is to have the two different age groups (24 months and older, younger than 24 months) sleeping on the same afternoon nap schedule. Nap time for children 18 months and older is during the time between 1:30pm and 3:30pm each day. Typically children 18 months and younger will take a morning nap as well, moving toward a one nap a day schedule between 12 and 18 months. Typically children 6 months and younger may need a third nap during the day, which can be incorporated into their late afternoon schedule. The State of California requires that all children under the age of five have at least a two hour rest period every day. No child will ever be forced to sleep, but they are encouraged to remain quiet and on their mat during this time. For the older, toddler age children sleeping on mats, please send a crib sheet, pillow, and blanket that can be kept at the daycare for your child.

Daily Schedule

This schedule is meant to give you an idea of your child’s day. Actual times and activities may vary depending on time of the year, weather, age and temperament of the children. Age appropriate activities are scheduled with the flexibility allowed to respond to the needs of each individual child and their various ages.

Schedule

• 7:30 – 8:30 drop-offs, welcome children, free-play and/or structured-play, trains, story-time, etc.
• 8:30 – 9:30 breakfast, clean-up/wash-up
• 9:30 – 10:00 circle-time
• 10:00 – 11:00 arts and crafts, story-time, various learning games
• 11:00 – 11:30 music, song and dance, tumbling exercises
• 11:30 – 12:30 outside play-time as long as weather permits
• 12:30 – 1:30 lunch time, clean-up/wash-up, brush teeth, and get on mats
• 1:30 – 3:30 rest-time and/or quiet-time
• 3:30 – 4:00 free-play and/or structured-play, puzzles, books, various learning toys, etc.
• 4:00 – 4:30 afternoon snack, clean-up/wash-up
• 4:30 – 6:30 pick-ups, outside play, indoor play (depending on season)
• 6:30 and later is open and activities are determined on a case by case basis

Guidelines – What Is Asked Of Children

1. All food and drinks must be kept in the kitchen area.
2. No playing in the bathroom.
3. No coloring on anything but paper.
4. Name calling and foul language or yelling is not allowed.
5. No hitting, kicking, pushing, pinching, biting, spitting or pulling hair.
6. No pulling or picking of plants, grass, trees, or flowers.
7. No picking-up, pulling, poking or squeezing of babies.
8. All kitchen and bathroom cupboards are off limits to daycare children.
9. Take turns and share.
10. Help clean up.
11. Laugh, smile, play be happy and have fun.

Communication

So we can provide the best possible care, please feel free to communicate any needs, wants and/or concerns regarding your child. It is only through good parent/provider interaction that good quality nurturing care can be achieved.

Contract Adherence

This is our home as well as our business, so please be respectful of our family and home by adhering to the policies and procedures outlined in the parent handbook. We realize this is a lot of information to absorb. Because of this, please keep your parent handbook accessible so you can periodically review our policies and procedures as necessary. We reserve the right to amend any portion of the Parent-Provider Contract/Enrollment Application, hours of operation and Parent Handbook at any time. If and when we do make a change to the contract you will be given a copy.

A Final Note

It is important that you feel comfortable with our policies and procedures. If you do not understand something, have a concern, or you feel uncomfortable with one or more of our policies and/or procedures it is important that you express that to us before enrolling your child in our childcare. We are always open to suggestions and feel communication is a very important part of a quality daycare. If there are any problems or concerns in the future, we encourage you to talk to us about them. If a lengthy discussion is needed, a time that is convenient for both of us will be scheduled, as the other children still need our attention during business hours. Thank you for the opportunity to work with you and care for your little one. We look forward to a future of keeping your child smiling and safe.

Note: By signing the Parent-Provider Contract/Enrollment Application, it is understood that all of the policies and procedures of the Crystale’s Little Scholars handbook are understood and agreed upon.