820 Page Dr, Fargo ND 58103 701-232-6999
Parent Handbook
and Application
The Tot Spot Childcare and www.thetotspotfargo.com , kariwallgren@thetotspotfargo.com Kari Wallgren Morehouse/Owner Lic # 09-85-6244-C Jill Herman/Director Leah Wallgren/Assistant Director 701-232-6999 Early Childhood development is a process that is continually changing and expanding, therefore both structured and unstructured activities are needed for children to learn, grow, and make choices. We believe that children learn through play and we have structured the environment to reflect that belief. This does not mean that the program is not carefully planned. Teachers are encouraged to be flexible and to allow the children freedom to learn at their own pace. All activities are steps to growing and developing physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Children learn in different ways, with all their senses. Varied experiences and materials will be provided for multi-sensory and whole brain learning. Cognitive learning is not overemphasized, but rather children are exposed to a variety of activities and involved in tasks designed to help them develop a positive self-image. Practice in motor skills is encouraged. Children learn independence, self-help and turn-taking skills, and how to interact with others. The outdoor play environment is an extension of the classroom, requiring the same level of adult planning, supervision, and involvement with the children. Families are considered an integral part of our program. Daily communication and collaboration between families and teachers are strongly encouraged. Together we make the Tot Spot a great place for our children that we can all appreciate. Information for Parents -The Tot Spot will be open -The rates are as follows for childcare with a max of 10 hrs per day. Infants 0-24months are $165. Drop In Care : (full 10hrs/half-5hrs) Toddlers age 2-3 are $145. Infants 0-24mos: $35/25day Preschoolers age 3- 4 are $135. Toddlers 2-3: $30/20day Age 5 and up are $125. Pre-school 4-up: $25/15 **Rates are as of Feb 2009 **Anything after a 10hr day is $4/hr. **There will also be a fee of $1 per minute for every minute after -There is an enrollment fee of $50 per child, $70 per family due at the time of enrollment. This is non refundable and will not be charged again unless your child is withdrawn from the center and then returns. **Also at the time of enrollment, you must pay the first weeks tuition. This along with the application fee will hold your spot. *If you have more than one child at the center, you may deduct 10% from the oldest children’s tuition. Our Learning Program – We have purchased a program called Kidcrafters which is a comprehensive learning program that is divided up into the months of the year and can be used for children 18 months and up. Each month focuses on a theme or themes, usually 2-3 letters, a number, a color, a state, and a shape. Lesson plans are full of theme based ideas for arts, crafts, cooking, science, finger plays, music, large and small motor activities and dramatic play. I think this will be a great program for both the toddler and the pre-K room and will make learning fun for the kids. Feel free to check out the program at www.kidcrafters.com. We have purchased all of cycle 2 and a few months of cycle 3. The Baby Tots room is 0-12mos, the Mini Tots room is 12mos-2, the Little Tots room is 2-3 and the Big Tots room is 3-5. The ages are a guideline but kids will be moved up to the next room as they become ready developmentally and emotionally. Program and Activity Schedule Little Tots and Mini Tots Room Activity Schedule 7-8 Freeplay, Greet children and parents 8-8:30 Breakfast 8:30-9 free play 10:30-11 Music 11-11:30 Outdoor play(weather permitting) or large motor activity 11:30-12 Lunch 12-12:30 quiet time – read a book or watch a short movie 3: Snack and diapers Diapers @ Big Tots Activity Schedule 7 – 8 Meet in the toddler room 8-845 Breakfast, clean up, bathroom breaks 10:15-10:45 Outdoor play/walk 10:45-11 Storytime 11-1130 music 11:30-12 bathroom breaks, group discussion or story 12-12:45 Lunch, cleanup 1– 3 Nap or rest 3-3:30 Snack 3:45-4 Storytime 4-6 Freeplay, outside, pickup toys What your child will need while at the center Infants – Parents are responsible for providing formula(unless you chose the formula provided by the food program which is Sams Members Mark Formula with lipids), diapers, 280 +/- count wipes refill to be used in container to be shared with the room, diaper rash ointment, a blanket, and at least one complete change of clothing. Toddlers- Parents are responsible for providing sunscreen, diapers or pull ups, 280 +/- count wipes to be used in a container to be shared with the room, up to 3 changes of clothing when potty training, blanket for nap. Preschoolers-Parents are responsible for providing sunscreen, and a blanket for nap and a change of clothing for accidents. Tuition and Payment Policy This program operates solely on the tuition fees from each child. Therefore, it is essential that your fees are paid promptly and regularly. Tuition is due each FRIDAY(or the first open day if Friday falls on a holiday). All fees must be paid for the days and hours your child is registered – NO partial payments. Late fee’s will accrue if payment is not received by the end of the day Fri. We charge for all absences including illness. For vacation see the vacation section. I do not do bills and receipts, as I know this is something most parents just throw away without hardly looking at. Your tuition should be the same every week(exceptions will be vacation/sick days). I can give you a statement of payments if requested and you will get a year end statement in Jan. ND Childcare Assistance/MN Childcare Assistance I do not take families with ND assistance. I will do the paperwork for you at the end of the month but you must make weekly payments and ND can send you the check. This may vary based on family. At this time I will continue to take families with MN childcare assistance. Late Payments Tuition is due the Fridays for the upcoming week. Outstanding tuition balances will be subject to late fees that will be charged on a daily basis of $5.00 per day. If payment is not made by the end of the day Fri, you will be assessed a $5 late fee for every day it’s late. NO EXCEPTIONS. Your prompt payment is appreciated. The only way I can pay staff, by food, etc is if you pay your childcare. A $30 fee will be charged for all NSF checks. Methods of Payment Please make your check or money order out to the Tot Spot and to ensure proper credit, please put your childs name in the memo section. If you prefer to pay in cash, please put it in a marked envelope and place in the lock box or give to Kari or the director personally. Arrival and Departure from the Center We require that a parent or another authorized adult drop off and pick up your child from the center The parent must walk their child to their classroom and sign your child in and out. Persons Authorized to Pick Up Your Child At the time of enrollment please notify us of the person(s) authorized to remove your child from the center. We will release children to authorized persons only. For the safety of your child we may ask for a photo ID before we release your child. Withdrawal from Services We require a one month written notice for termination of services. Full tuition for the four week period following your written notice will be due regardless if your child continues or not. Note, vacation days can not be used after you have given your thirty day notice. Termination of Services If the program staff does not feel that it is meeting the needs of your child, or if a child’s behavior or health issues affect the safety, health or general well being of other children or staff, the center reserves the right to terminate the care on a timeline that is in the best interests of the child or children. Other reasons for termination may include but are not limited to: -Non payment of services or lack of adherence to our tuition payment policy. -Lack of cooperation by the parents with the programs efforts to resolve the differences and/or the child’s needs, Through parent/staff communication or meetings. -Abusive behaviors and/or verbal threats by parents toward center staff or other parents-this will result in immediate termination. Holidays Tuition will remain the same during periods that include closing for holidays. The Tot Spot will be closed on the following holidays but full tuition will still be charged. Memorial Day Fourth of July Labor Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day New Years Day **If a holiday falls on a weekend, the Tot Spot will close Fri or Mon to observe the holiday. The following holidays the center will stay open and staffed as needed depending on attendance. We will have a sign up sheet for these days and your child has to have been signed up to come. Good Friday Easter Monday Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) *Christmas Eve (until 1, lunch will not be served). New Years Eve Day Staff Inservice Day The center will also close on a Monday in June for staff inservice and preparation for relicensure which occurs every July. Date to be announced. Vacation(for full time children only) After 6 months of full time enrollment, I will allow 5 days vacation a year to be used as you like,. If they are used for sick time, I will credit your following weeks tuition, you can adjust your payment by 20% per day of vacation used. But you need to let me know when you turn your payment in the following Monday that this is what you want. You will accrue these days after 6 months of care. They can not be rolled over to the next year. If not used by Dec 31st you will lose them and gain 5 more Jan 1st. You can also use vac for holidays or the staff inservice day. Also, if planning to terminate services, vacation can not be used in the last 30 days. Weather Related Closings In the event of severe or hazardous weather, or an internal emergency the center may close. This decision will be made by Kari or the director in charge. The staff will notify you by phone if the center will close during the day, otherwise the Tot Spot will go by the Fargo Public Schools closings(not their bus schedule). Communication with Parents The staff will communicate with parents in a positive and supportive manner. Personal information regarding family issues will be handled confidentially. Every effort shall be made to communicate daily with parents when the drop off and pick up their children. Parents of infants and toddlers will also get a written report of their day. There is also a bulletin board in the entry way with the menu and other information. I will also have the sign in sheets out there so please sign your children in and out. From time to time I will also put handouts for the parents in the child’s cubbies or box. Policies and Procedures for Parental Feedback or Suggestion If parents have concerns, complaints or suggestions please feel free to talk to Kari or the director personally, call or email. kariwallgren@thetotspotfargo.com Medications A permission to administer medicine form must be signed by the parents each time medication is needed. Medication also includes Tylenol or any other over the counter medication. We will not administer medication without a written parents order. Parents are required to bring their own supply of medication and it must be in its original container. All medications are kept in a secure area so that it is out of reach of the children. Treatment of Illness, Accidents and Emergencies Children who are defined as being sick at the center will have their parents called(or the emergency contact if the parents cannot be reached). The child will then be separated from the group and supervised until the parent arrives. The child may be offered a cot to rest on, a blanket or just a quiet area to wait. Parents will be notified of a contagious illness by a posting on the door. Parents are required to notify the center within 24 hours if their child has a contagious illness such as pink eye or strep throat or communicable disease such as lice, scabies, impetigo, ringworm, or chicken pox. Children will not be admitted or will be sent home if: -Fever 101 degrees and up(teething does not cause fevers of over 100) -Respiratory Symptoms – difficult or rapid breathing, severe coughing, high pitched bark(Croup) or whooping sounds(whooping cough) -Diarrhea – an increased number of abnormally loose stools lasting more than 24 hrs. If your child has 3 or more diarrhea diapers at the center you will be notified and are required to pick up your child. They must then stay home until their stools are firm. -Vomiting – two or more episodes of vomiting within the last 24hours. -Sore throat – especially when fever or swollen glands are present. -Skin Problems – Rash when accompanied by crusty yellow or green drainage, itching, and pain that cannot be covered by a bandage. -If a child looks or acts “not like themselves”, unusually tired, pale, yellow(jaundice), confused, no appetite, irritable, or difficult to awaken. Accidents and Emergencies – the staff are all trained in CPR and first aid. Numerous first aid kits are maintained and kept in designated locations in the center. Emergency response procedures and telephone numbers are posted in many areas throughout the center. Enrollment of Special Needs Children Children with special needs are welcome at the Tot Spot however, parents will be asked to discuss special needs with the director and teachers who will be involved with the child. The Tot Spot does not train staff to deal with every special need. Therefore, a trial period is needed to be determine if the center, its staff and the parents feel comfortable with the type of care the Tot Spot is able to offer. Transportation At this time the center does not have means of transporting children. Field Trips The center is within walking distance to many places and I will tentatively plan to take a field trip every month during the spring, summer and fall, weather permitting. Places may include – Chuck E Cheese, the bowling alley, Dairy Queen, Skateland, the Meals Breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack will be served daily. The meals will be prepared by the Tot Spot staff. Menus will be posted each month but may vary from day to day. Please notify staff if your child has special diet needs or allergies. Milk will be served for lunch and occasional afternoon snack, Naps and rest time/ Sleeping Space Naps and rest are necessary for children 5 and under. No child will be expected to sleep but every child should rest quietly for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes the child may read, color or play quietly. Each child will have his or her own sleeping space. Each infant shall have his or her own crib/playpen and each toddler or preschooler will have his or her own cot. Discipline Discipline is age appropriate, constructive and educational in nature. It is important to set clear boundaries that children can understand. Discipline may include the following: *Guidance and Modeling – redirection of unacceptable behavior to an acceptable behavior through teacher and peer modeled appropriate behavior. *Diversion – turning the child’s attention to something else *Separation – removing the child from the situation or the problem, not a time out. Repetition of diversion and separation. If diversion and separation fail to correct the behavior, isolation(time out) may be used. Time outs will be brief and age appropriate, number of minutes never to exceed the childs age. The child will be asked to sit at a table by him/herself, in an open area within sight of his/her teacher. Verbal abuse, profane language or derogatory remarks about the child, the child’s family, race, religion are not used when addressing children or in the presence of children. Disregard for the above discipline rules by any of the staff members will be grounds for dismissal. Extra Clothing Each child should have an extra change of clothing not just for bathroom accidents but spills happen and children get dirty while having fun outside. Personal Belongings Children should not bring personal belongings or toys to the center unless it is their “share day”. The Tot Spot is not responsible for missing or stolen personal items. Child Abuse and Neglect Any suspected child abuse or neglect will be documented and reported to the Cass County Social Services. Staff will document and discuss concerns with the owner or director and follow recommendations. If probable cause is determined that an employee has abused or neglected a child, their job will be terminated immediately. All employees are required to have a background check apon hire and each year there after which is reviewed by the ND Dept of Human Services and the owner and director of the center. Visitors Our childcare center has an “open door” policy for parents. Parents are welcome to drop in at any time. Visitors other than the parents of an enrolled child must check in at the office immediately apon entering the center. Health and Fire Inspections Health and fire inspections will be done annually and are completed by local authorities. The results are kept on file.
