The Tot Spot Childcare 
        and Learning Center
           820 Page Dr
        Fargo, ND  58103
                701-232-6999
kariwallgren@thetotspotfargo.com

 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.

What your child will need while at the center
Infants – Parents are responsible for providing formula, diapers, 280 +/-  count wipes refill to be used in diaper wipe warmer or 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 wipe warmer or container to be shared with the room, up to 3 changes of clothing when potty training, paint shirt, blanket and small pillow for nap.
Preschoolers-Parents are responsible for providing sunscreen, a paint shirt, blanket and small pillow for nap.

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 Monday(or the first open day if Monday falls on a holiday).  All fees must be paid for the days and hours your child is registered – NO partial payments.  We charge for all absences including illness.  For vacation see the vacation section.  I do not plan to do bills and receipts, as I know this is something I just threw away with hardly looking at.  Your tuition should be the same every week(exceptions will be vacation/sick days) and I can give you a statement of payments if requested. Also, I will be moving the payment box to the entry way to make it more accessible for everyone.

ND Childcare Assistance/MN Childcare Assistance
We no longer accept ND Childcare Assistance, your child may still enroll in the program - you will just have to make the payment and receive reimbursement from the state/county.   We will continue accepting MN childcare assistance.  As a parent with childcare assistance you are expected to pay the difference between what the state will pay and what is owed just like regular tuition payments, every Monday.  If payment is not made, it will be assessed the normal $10/day late fee.

Late Payments
Tuition is due the first operating day of the week for that week of care.  Outstanding tuition balances will be subject to late fees that will be charged on a daily basis of $10.00 per day.  Your prompt payment is appreciated.  If your fees are not current on Wed, options need to be discussed with Kari or the director or your child may not be admitted to the program until fees are paid.  

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.  Also please remember to 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 will be due regardless if your child continues throughout the four weeks or not.  Vacation days will not be granted during this 30 day period.

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

The following holidays the center may be closed but will depend on attendance.
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving)
Christmas Eve
New Years Eve Day

Vacation
 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. 

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 over 100 degrees(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 Sport Center, Burger King.  There may be a small fee charged for these trips and a permission slip will be sent home ahead of time.  In the winter we may have some “field trips” come to us.

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 morning snack and lunch, Wed will be chocolate milk day, although white milk will be available if you or your child prefers. 
Infants are bottle fed by hand and never propped with a bottle. 

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 with sheets that are changed weekly or more often as needed.  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.

An application will be given apon tour of the center.