Child Care Policies and Procedures
We want you to feel comfortable and welcome in our program! Our goal is to provide the highest quality of care for your child in a family-based environment. Our child care polices and procedures will give you an insight into your child's day at Amy & Kids Co. and let you know what we do to provide the highest quality care.
Caring
Caring for children is our chosen profession. We truly enjoy talking and playing with each child, and meeting his or her physical and emotional needs. Your child will be loved and treated as a uniquely special person.
Communication
Daily communication about the needs and interests of your child is a vital component of quality care.
Feel free to contact us to see how your child is adjusting; what kind of day he/she is having, to share good news, and the like. Please also share your thoughts with us, both positive and negative as both are important to us and help us to provide quality care for your child. If you have special concerns we will be happy to work with you to arrange a convenient time to discuss these issues by phone or in person. Please understand that naptimes and evenings will usually be the best time for us to give the uninterrupted attention that your concern deserves. Information about your child's experiences in child care will be shared with you on a daily basis. Parents of children under the age of four will receive a "My Day" sheet which will include information about he child's eating and sleeping patterns as well as any other important information. Parents of children four and older will be verbally informed about their child's day at pick-up time, and through written notes when necessary. We will be happy to fill out a "My Day" sheet for a child of any age - just ask if you'd like to receive one for your child.
Confidentiality
All information about children and their families will be kept strictly confidential. If a communicable illness occurs, each family will be told of possible exposure, but not the name of the sick child. Please do not ask us any questions that could be a breach of confidentiality. If you need information about another family, please speak directly with that family.
Child Guidance
Courtesy and respect for others and for property are values we believe in and teach to the children. Our guidance and discipline are preventative, not punitive. Please see our Child Guidance page for more information.
Enrollment
Admission to Amy & Kids Co. is open to all children aged two weeks to twelve years, regardless of race, gender, color, religion, political persuasion, national origin, handicap, ancestry, or sexual orientation.
Parents seeking to enroll their child must meet with us to discuss their child's specific needs and to review program policies and information about Amy & Kids Co. A tour of the premises will also be given during the initial interview. An "Enrollment Intent/Acceptance" form must by completed and signed by both provider and parents, and the enrollment fee must be submitted in order to reserve a child care space. All of the necessary enrollment forms, including "Your Guide to Licensed Child Care" will be given to parents when they submit the enrollment Intent/Acceptance and enrollment fee. Enrollment is considered to begin on the date stated on the Intent/Acceptance form, providing all enrollment fees and forms have been received. In order to make sure each child's file is complete and accurate, no child can be accepted into the program until all forms and fees have been received. If a parent is under age 18 a cosigner must sign the contract to act as guarantor to the contract, and agree to be bound by all financial terms.
Experience
Studies have shown that high quality early childhood educators accumulate significant amounts of both education and experience. We have provided quality child care in our home for over thirteen years, and have cared for more than thirty-five children. In addition, Amy has earned a Bachelor degree in Music Education, an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, has taught children in grades K-12 for several years, and has been a parent since 1988.
Hours of Operation
Amy & Kids Co. is open from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Amy & Kids Co. is closed for the following paid holidays: Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the Friday following, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Yea' Day. When a holiday falls on a Saturday Amy & Kids Co. will close the previous Friday, and when a holiday falls on a Sunday Amy & Kids Co. will close the following Monday. Amy & Kids Co. may also be closed for up to five paid days each year for "Provider Day Off", which is often used to obtain continuing education.
Open Door
Parents are always welcome at Amy & Kids Co, unless restricted by a court order. If there is a court order restriction, we will need a copy of the order. Feel free to stop by any time, but be aware that during Quiet Time your child will most likely be napping.
Orientation
Starting in a new setting can be an exciting yet scary experience for a young child. Even children who are looking forward to child care may become apprehensive when they realize that you are not going to be there all day. This feeling is a normal reaction. Since children often sense parents' apprehension it is important for both parents and children to be comfortable with the new routine. We will be happy to help you and your child through the orientation period as necessary. Although we do not have a formal trial period, please recognize that it may take 2-3 weeks for your child to fully adjust to his/her new routine.
Professionalism
Although our child care program is home-styled, we strive to be professional in all areas.
We are licensed in the state of Wisconsin to care for up to eight children at one time. We follow all licensing rules and regulations and are visited regularly by a state Licensing Specialist to ensure that we continue to meet licensing standards. Our licensing certificate and the results of the latest monitoring visit are posted on the bulletin board. Amy earns at least 15 hours of continuing education each year, has attended conferences at the local, state and national level, and has presented workshops at the local and state level for several years. She is also an active member of the following professional organizations: Valley Association for the Education of Young Children, Wisconsin Family Child Care Association, Wisconsin Early Childhood Association, and National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Safe Environment
Because the health and safety of each child is very important to us, we make every effort to maintain an environment that is childproofed and safe for your child, according to Wisconsin licensing regulations. For this reason, no person with symptoms of illness, communicable disease, or whose behavior gives reasonable concern for the safety of the children will be allowed on the premises. Please see our child care safety policies for complete information.
Vacation-Provider
Studies have shown that lack of benefits contributes to burn-out and a high rate of turnover in the early childhood education field. In order to ensure that this program remains available to you and your children, Amy & Kids Co. will be closed for up to two weeks each year for provider vacation. Parents will be given at least two weeks' notice before vacation is taken. Because we are a professional program with many years of experience, the regular fee will be charged for these weeks.
Waiting List
A waiting list is maintained and used to fill vacancies. Parents wishing to be placed on the waiting list need to provide information for the waiting list. When an opening becomes available families will be notified in the order that they were put on the waiting list, with priority given to siblings of children already enrolled and those families whose child care schedule most closely fits the available opening. Parents must submit a completed enrollment Intent/Acceptance and the enrollment fee within 24 hours of being notified, or the opening will be offered to the next family on the list.
