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. Children are very special to us and their well-being is our main concern. 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 while in our care.

Communication

Quality care is promoted through open communication between parent and provider. Child Care Policies - Communication Feel free to contact us to see what kind of day your child is having, to share good news, and the like. Please also share your thoughts with us, whether positive or negative as both are important to us and help us to provide quality care for your child. 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 three 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 three 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.

Conferences

We are always eager to speak with families about their child's daily experiences, growth, and development, or any other topic you may wish to discuss. Although Amy & Kids Co. does not hold formally scheduled conferences, information about your child's growth and development will be shared on an on-going basis. 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 nap time and evenings will usually be the best time for us to give the uninterrupted attention that your concern deserves. Feel free to request a conference at any time if you have a concern or feel that we need time to talk face to face without interruptions.

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.

Entrance Area

The entrance area is an important source of information. The bulletin boards display the center's licensing certificate, the most recent results of the licensing specialist's visit, the current weekly menu and monthly lesson plans. Above the cubbies are the Registry certificate, the most recent newsletter, disease/illness notices and other information. Please take a moment to look around when you drop off or pick up your child.

Experience

Child Care Policies - 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 fourteen years, and have cared for more than forty-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 eight paid days each year for "Provider Day Off", which is often used to obtain continuing education.

Insurance

As with all professional businesses, Amy & Kids Co. carries general liability insurance on the premises, the cats, and any vehicles used for child care. Professional liability insurance is also carried for substitute and additional caregivers as well as for the business itself.

Open Door

Parents are always welcome at Amy & Kids Co to visit, observe, or to stay and play, 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 nap time your child will most likely be sleeping.

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. Child Care Policies - Professionalism 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.

Substitute Caregivers

Occasionally there will be a need for a substitute caregiver; at these times Amy & Kids Co. will arrange for a substitute caregiver. This person will be experienced in caring for children, familiar with the policies at Amy & Kids Co., and will have fulfilled at least minimum licensing requirements. Each substitute provider will receive an orientation following the state required orientation form, and will sign that each area on the form was covered.

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.

Volunteers

Parent, grandparent, other family member and family friend volunteers are welcome at Amy & Kids Co. Each volunteer will receive an orientation following the state required orientation form, and will sign that each area on the form was covered. No volunteer will be left alone with children unless he or she has fulfilled the licensing requirements for a substitute caregiver.

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.