Policy
Policy Overview
Here you will find policies and procedures for Rainbow Cuties Childcare. I suggest taking some time to review each policy carefully and feel free to contact me if you have any clarifying questions or concerns. (Policies that are listed here are subject to change at owner's discretion.)
Emergencies
I must be able to reach someone, a parent or guardian at all times in the event of an emergency.
I also must be able to notify a parent or guardian, in the event that your child becomes ill and needs to be picked up from daycare.
In the event of an emergency at the daycare, we have an emergency evacuation plan on hand and will do periodic practice evacuations with all children in our care.
We keep first aid supplies, CPR masks, a fire-extinguisher, and other emergency supplies on hand.
Sick Policy
It is important that we try our best to keep everyone as healthy as possible.
If your child has a fever higher than 101.0 F or develops a fever of 101.0 F or higher, then your child must stay home.
Once your child is fever free for 24 hours she/he may return to daycare.
Staying home also applies to other highly contagious illnesses, such as excessive diarrhea, vomiting, flu, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and head lice/body lice.
If you discover head lice/body lice on your child, please notify the daycare immediately to help prevent the spreading to other children.
Other illnesses that will need to be assessed are persistent coughing, rashes, and a cold that persists for longer than two full weeks.
Drop Off & Pick Up Policy
Please plan on coming into the daycare to sign your child in and out during Drop offs and Pick ups, this is important for record keeping.
Only the custodial parent(s)/legal guardian or someone who is listed on the "Authorized Pick-up Person" form will be allowed to Drop off and Pick up your child. There are no exceptions as this is for the safety of all involved in your care plan.
An “Authorized Pick-up Person” who has not dropped off children previously and is picking up for the first time will be required to show proof of identification.
If you are going to be late for a drop off or pick up, please contact me by phone, or text stating so, as soon as possible, and also with an estimated time of arrival.
Medication & Immunization Policy
If your child takes medication regularly or when ill, I can administer medication that is in the original container either from the pharmacy or in the over the counter container, so long as I have written consent from the custodial parent(s), or legal guardian.
All medication must be delivered directly to me including proper documentation. And if refrigeration is needed will be placed in a marked container in the refrigerator.
EPI-PEN-If your child has an allergy that requires possible use of an EPI-PEN I will require that an additional pen be left at the daycare.
In effort to keep all children healthy, we require that all Immunizations be kept up to date and on file at the daycare. These are usually the ones that are administered at your child's well visits.
Termination of Care Policy
You are required to give at least a 30 day written notice when terminating your care. More advanced notice is greatly appreciated but this allows for the daycare to plan for childcare space that will be available to future clients.
I require that your 30 days be paid in full in order to terminate care, including any late fees that have been assessed.
Rainbow Cuties Childcare reserves the right to terminate care for any reason, at the discretion of the owner; including non-payment, questionable behavior that is physically or emotionally harmful to the children in care, the provider, or the provider's home, knowledge of drug or alcohol abuse, or if there is suspected child abuse and neglect.
Tuition Payments & Late Fee
Full tuition payment is due on or before your scheduled due date and according to the Parent/Guardian-Provider agreement you sign at the time of your child’s enrollment.
If your tuition payment falls on a weekend then tuition will be due at close of business (6 pm) Friday prior to your tuition due date.
The late fee for tuition that is not paid on time is $10 per day that it is late.
Vacation Time
I am a person who usually likes to plan out vacations in advance. So if I am going on vacation, you will have advanced notice and I will be sure to remind families as the time approaches..
If it is a smaller vacation those shouldn't affect your childcare as these usually are weekend trips when care is not needed for your child.
If I am on vacation you may need to make other arrangements for childcare. It is possible that I may higher a substitute childcare provider, but this is not guaranteed unless we schedule this in advance and in further detail.
Discipline Philosophy & Policy
"The Whole-Brain Child" has been an excellent source. In my experience, children respond best when the caregiver remains calm and demonstrates understanding. When we understand one another, we can find the easiest path to move forward.
Our Children's feelings, though at times may seem nonsensical, they are still real and important enough to address with nurturing and nonjudgmental listening.
It is important to connect with the right side of the brain and address a child's concerns while also redirecting offensive behavior with the left side of the brain, first and foremost in approaching discipline.
At times, using the "connect and redirect" method is important in acknowledging the behavior and redirecting the child to a better pathway.
Instead of a "command and demand" method, I prefer to use the "engage, don't enrage". By getting on a child's eye level and engaging you are then prepared to offer choices rather than demands.
In other cases, or special circumstances, such as when a child physically hurts another child or, demonstrates other disruptive behavior the custodial parent or legal guardian will be consulted, then parent, provider and child will develop a constructive action plan.
On occasion there may be need for minimal time-outs. I will always report to the parent if time-outs were needed and discuss further solutions.
The typical time-out would be in a time-out chair for an age appropriate amount of time.
Other discipline tactics may include loss of privileges, but is never to exceed ethical standards of care.
