Miss Susie's Home Daycare Policy & Procedures
Thank you for considering my home daycare for your child!
I try to create an atmosphere of warmth and acceptance so that your child will feel as comfortable as if he or she was in
their own home. At the same time, this is my business and I will try and run it in a professional manner.
I hope this policy statement will help answer many of your questions.
In order to avoid confusion and to provide guidelines for my daycare, the following policies apply for each child for
whom service is provided. Any deviations from these policies must be agreed upon in advance and need to be in writing.
I can provide you with a list of references in which you are welcome to contact. The State Health Department has inspected
my home for safety and they have done both a criminal and personal background check on myself and my husband.
My license is displayed in plain view for any visitor to see. As a licensed provider I am First Aid and CPR certified.
I am required to have numerous credit hours of further education to maintain my license. I am also subject to surprise
inspections as well as renewal visits annually.
The State requires that all necessary forms (medical, informational, emergency, and releases) be completed, signed and
returned to me before care is provided. I must be made aware of any change in information on these forms such as immunization
record changes an contact information changes. Please provide me with written notice of any changes or updates.
If anyone is to pick up your child other than the parent(s) or the listed "back up," then prior notification.
must be given by the parent specifically stating who will be picking up their child and when. I will not release the child
to anyone I sense is under the influence of drugs or alcohal; rather I will notify the police.
HOURS
My hours are 6:30a.m.- 5:00p.m.
Since I need to ensure myself a consistent income, NO deductions from your full rate will be allowed for the following
circumstances:
a child arrives early or departs earlier than their regularly scheduled time
a child has a sick day or a vacation day on a day the daycare is open for service
the child is ending their time at this home daycare... two weeks notice is required or fees for up to two weeks total are due.
I reserve the right to terminate care for your child if other children or myself feel threatened by the child or a parent.
If a parent is unable to meet the financial agreement and I am not able to make other arrangements, either two weeks notice
will be given or immediate termination and a bill will be issued.
Please keep me informed of any schedule changes including early pick-ups so that I am prepared.
Circumstances and bad weather can make lateness unavoidable on occasion. My schedule is often tight,
so please be considerate and give me a call. Utilize my answering machine if I do not answer, leave a detailed message and
know that I need to minimize interruptions and will call back at a safe and appropriate time. If you or your emergency
contacts are unable to pick up your child I will certainly feed them dinner and keep them occupied.
You will be charged according to the fee schedule below.
My daycare will be closed on the following holidays during the year and regular fees are still due. This schedule may change
if a holiday falls on a weekend.
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day and the Friday following
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
In the event of sickness or a death in my family I will make every effort to have a substitute at my home. You will be
made aware of any vacation plans of mine far in advance and will not be responsible for payments any of that time.
If your family is going to be out town or your child will not be in the daycare regular fees are still due.
FEES
Payment by check or cash is expected on the first day of your week unless other arrangements have been made.
I will keep a record of your payments so that tax time will go smoothly. If you have a reimbursement plan at work,
please provide the necessary forms and I will fill them out and sign them. The weekly rate is $180 for one child.
On the occasion of late payment, there will be a $5 per day charge until payment is received. It is common for a daycare
to charge for late pick-ups as well. Starting at 5:15p.m. I will charge I will charge $5 for every 15 minutes you or your
emergency back-up is late. School age children are welcome to attend on days off or after school.
The daily rate for them is $25. Feel free to ask questions if you are needing more specifications on fees.
These fees do not go straight into my pocket, there are taxes to be paid and supplies to be purchased.
FOOD
The children will receive nutritious snacks and meals. If your child is not used to fruits and vegetables
they will become so with our routine. Let me know of any food sensitivities or allergies. Please work with me to help
encourage good eating habits at home and at daycare. I will warn you on days that we will have major desserts especially
on days of celebration.
CLOTHING AND SUPPLIES
I will provide an area for storage of extra clothing, diapers and miscellaneous supplies. Please ensure I have one
extra outfit for emergencies as well as a hooded sweatshirt or fleece so that we can add or subtract clothing as the
weather often fluctuates. I would love for each child to have a paint/mess shirt as well that is large enough to cover
their top and hang some to cover their pants.
I will keep Desitin diaper rash cream on hand as well as waterproof sunscreen, and kid friendly OFF in the event
that it is needed ok with the parents. It is always helpful to have the children all lathered up before they are dropped
off on a hot, sunny day: ) I will try my hardest to avoid giving children any medications when they are in my care
but with clear written directives from the doctor I am qualified to do so. If your doctor indicates that an over the
counter medicine be given in the event of headache, teething, aches and pains I ask that they indicate per the parents
request such medicine will be given for these certain situations. It is recommended that the parents bring in these specific
medications rather than assume I have each one on hand.
ILLNESS
Parents should notify me if the child has been ill during the evening, early morning or weekend before returning to my home.
Care can not be provided if your child has a fever within the last 24 hours, has vomited, or had intense diarrhea.
Because of this policy, you will need to arrange for emergency backup care (relative or friend) or be able to take of time
yourself. I will work my hardest to limit the spread of germs. It is a team effort to keep the kids well rested,
nutritiously fed and in a clean environment.
If I am too ill to operate the daycare you will receive a call ideally before bringing your child. Please know this has
happened about once a year when the stomach flu makes it impossible to be with your child. My immune system is rather
strong and I am the last to throw in the towel: ) I do work very hard to keep germs under control. In the event that
my own children are very ill I will utilize my relatives and husband to care for them on the first floor of our home
while we are on the second floor. I also make every effort to have our medical and dental appointments at the end of the day
so parents can pick up their child a tad early rather than miss a lot of work.
LEARNING AND ACTIVITIES
Although your child will be cared for in a home environment and not a daycare center, I do believe in maintaining an
educational program. Naturally, the program will vary according to the ages and interests of the children.
I have found great success utilizing educational supplies from the local teaching stores and donated items from the school
system. I am determined to help your child excel socially, emotionally, mentally and physically. I will teach preschool level
material on up as the children often become able to absorb more complex material. My college coursework and years of experience
working with children of all ages have given me a good foundation to build upon as I teach these kids. Throughout the entire
year they will have fun and interactive lessons to help them master letters, numbers, shapes, colors, days of the week,
and months of the year. From there they learn also to recognize and spell common words , read a clock, and know various
personal information. Even as young as two, children can be capable of identifying some of the states, coins and say such
things like the Pledge of Allegiance and the days of the week! I believe in active learning especially at this age yet
employ a balance of structure and routine considering their age. It is a perfect age for developing their creativity through
crafts and art in general. We find almost every month there is a Birthday, Holiday, or seasonal change to celebrate!
We will have learning activities, games, free play, reading time, outdoor play and walks as the weather permits.
Everyday the youngest children nap and the older children partake in "quiet time." There is a school playground and
picnic area across from the local Community Garden which we visit routinely. Just down Main Street we have been attending
Family Story Time put on by local Librarians. It is a great time to see how they adapt to a different authority, new people
and a different structure. The object of each day is to have fun, develop their intellect, get along with others, feel loved
and encouraged to grow. I am committed to having them mentally and socially prepared for school.
I am a rather patient and flexible person and try hard to help children express themselves and learn we all have our feelings
and wants. Here we use a TWO MINUTE policy from the time they are really young... two minutes until it is someone else's turn...
and two minutes of a time out to think, separate from the group, or two minutes of privelage lost. As needed we use a behavior
chart as well. It is so important to be consistent with the kids here and at home. They hold onto our every word so we must
follow through on what we say. Our rules and boundaries actually are vital to their security.
POTTY TRAINING
I love to see the kids move out of diapers with confidence to be independent using the potty. Please note, kids in my
home will need either underwear, a pull-up, or a diaper on at all times. Help ensure that they have back-up clothing and
undergarments during this process especially. I don't want them to worry about extra clothes but rather focus on staying dry.
I will work hard with them during the day but need you to continue at home for real success... it will be much quicker the more
we are consistent. In the beginning WE are the ones in training:) All the children acknowledge each others success on the potty
and find it such a confidence booster! I due utilize a sticker chart, a special prize for BIG moments, and sometimes m&m's or a
little sucker as needed.
COMMUNICATION
Please keep communication lines open. Discussing problems, feelings and ideas only can help your child thrive. Do not hesitate
to talk to me about anything related to the care of your child as I will do the same. Sometimes it is best to talk after hours
by phone if daycare is still in full swing.
MISCELLANEOUS POLICY NOTES
I will have a release for special activities or programs outside of my home which will need to be signed. On minimal occasion
we do make a trip across town to a special park, restaurant, or event and you will be given detail of these occasion and be
asked to help with transport or to make their car seat available for me.
If your child is does have Special Needs I will work with you and the physician to customize a Care Plan to help ensure their
needs are met and their independence is maximized. We will refer to the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure proper
regulations are followed.
If you wish for your child to have their skateboard, scooter, or bike here I ask that you provide their needed safety equipment.
I post my license, evacuation map, disaster plan, and do utilize our basement in the event of a severe weather. I will keep the
front door unlocked and attempt to alert families once we are safe and secure in the basement. It is your personal choice to
pick up a child during bad weather, I will do my part to adhere to all warnings signs and work to keep all children comfortable
and safe. If you have questions or concerns for the Colorado Department of Human Services their number is posted by my license.
In the event of an emergency I keep the children's personal information by my upstairs phone in a yellow document container and
in a handmade emergency information book.
In the event that my family's property or possessions are damaged or stolen we will have to be fairly reimbursed. I ask for
minimal fancy and expensive clothing to be worn during daycare hours and to avoid bringing items from your home to mine.
A special blanket or cuddly is allowed especially during those first two or three years. I try to introduce sippy cups after
six months and strongly encourage limiting the bottle after one year. You can bring their favorite cup to keep here or I will
certainly have them pick from our supply. During rest time I will supply their bed, mat, or crib. I do not allow any smoking or
use of drugs in our home. As far as media is concerned, during arrival time a PBS cartoon may be playing in the background and
one age appropriate video may be played up to once a day. I do not have cable upstairs, just a DVD player. I do enjoy taking
photos of the kids and make them available to your family for their collection. If you are against their photo being on
our blog: saunders-snippets.blogspot.com or occasionally on Facebook; I will ensure they are appropriate and respectful.
I love for your family and friends to get a glimpse at our days at Miss Susie's.
MEDICAL RELEASE
I do accept non-immunized children permitted the doctor has completed the proper forms.
In the event of a unforeseen emergency I will start First Aid or CPR as well as call 911. If you are against these interventions
you must indicate so on this form.
I ask that at least one of the parents per child review this document as alterations may have been made as time has passed.
By signing below, I hereby agree to all of the statements, rules and procedures of the above Daycare Policies Document for
Miss Susie's.
____________________________________________________________
(Parent or Guardian) (Date)
