Parent Handbook

We believe the ages of 0-5 offer a critical and unique opportunity for growth and development.  Our mission is to provide young children with a safe, fun,  and loving environment structured to create a future of lifetime learning.

Closings

New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Memorial Day (Fri & Mon), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving & Day After, Week for Christmas Break (Dec 25-Jan 1). The center will close for 2 additional days each year for Staff Development Days.  If child is out due to illness, holiday, staff development, disaster (flood, fire, earthquake, pandemic, state of emergency, etc) tuition remains the same.

Program Activities for Infant Center (6 weeks to 24 months) Include:

Sensory Activities, Story Telling & Finger Plays, Music & Movement, Fine & Gross Motor Skills, Art / Finger Painting, Spanish with the babies

Program Activities for Preschool (2 years to 6 years) Include:

Social / Emotional Development, Fine & Gross Motor Skills, Sensory Activities, Science & Nature, Art & Crafts, Music & Movement, Circle Time

For Infants & Toddlers we provide baby wipes (Costco unscented wipes), crib sheets, bibs, bowls, plates, silverware, napkins, and extra clothes as needed.

Parents provide diapers, diaper cream as needed, pacifier (if one is used), clean bottles daily, formula/breast milk or milk of choice, all food & snacks, extra clothes, sunscreen, hat, shoes/rainboots (optional).

Snacks

Since we do not know if infants are possibly allergic to certain foods, parents provide all the food and drink for children who are less than 2 years old.  After 2 years of age preschool provides 2 healthy snacks in mid-morning and mid-afternoon.  Parents provide a simple lunch for their preschooler.  

 Our sick policy

• Keep child home if they are vomiting more than one time until symptom free for 24 hours

• Keep them home if they have a fever of 100 degrees or more until fever-free for at least 24 hours

• Keep them home if they have diarrhea more than two times until symptom free for 24 hours

• If they have a body rash until the rash goes away or a doctor's note says it is not contagious

• Keep them home if they have lice or nits until there are none left in their hair on our inspection

• Keep them home if they have conjunctivitis (pink eye) until they start eye drop medication

As children are dropped off each day at our center, please let us know if they are not feeling up to par, haven't slept well, or anything that concerns their well-being.  We visually check each child to see if they appear to be their normal healthy self.  We may take their temperature if they don't look well.  The child is accepted and signed in when they appear to be in good health.  If your child becomes ill or injured at our center we will call you.  If they have one of the items listed above, we will expect you or someone you designate to come and pick your child up.

Covid-19 Exposure Policy

Some families with children enrolled in our child care center have older brothers or sisters attending school for in-person learning in the Napa Valley Unified School District.

If you have a school-age child attending in-person learning, and someone in their class has a confirmed case of Covid-19, the school will shut down that classroom for 14 days per Napa County guidelines.

The Preschool/Infant child that attends Children’s Cottage does not need to stay home unless a parent/sibling/someone in the home tests positive or unless they are in direct contact with someone who is infected.

(This is per Napa County Public Health for July 2020)

If a parent/sibling/someone in the home tests positive or is in direct contact with someone who is infected, the preschool and/or infant age child who attends Children’s Cottage must get a negative Covid-19 test or

quarantine the 14 days before returning to Children’s Cottage.

We highly appreciate the families that are already implementing this policy on their own and thank you for keeping our children, staff and families safe.

We want your child to have a wonderful early care & educational experience.  Try to have some "back-up" lined up in the event that your child is ill and cannot attend school. 

If your child is sick we do not want you to bring them to our center because they might get other children sick.

Late Pick-Up Charge

Late charge is $1 per minute after closing time.

Not Signing In or Out Charge

State regulations require children to be signed in and out while attending. If child is not signed in or out there will be a $5 fee charged for each occurrence.

 Discipline

Discipline is based on a state of California form called "Personal Rights." It is posted right outside of our office and you also get a copy of this form at enrollment.  One of the statements in this form says any child enrolled in a child care center should be "free from corporal or unusual punishment."  We agree that no child should ever be punished by hitting or spanking.  We try to redirect the children to more positive and constructive activities and practice "using our words" to resolve conflicts.  We like to "catch the children being good" and validate them.  ("I like the way that Johnny is lining up").

Transportation

We do not transport children or go on field trips with the children. We have community partners visit the school, such as firetrucks, children’s dentists, and reptile rescue presentations.

From time to time Children's Cottage may use images of the children for school brochures, E-Newsletters, or on the Children's Cottage website or Facebook page.  If a parent or legal guardian does not agree with this please let our Director know and we will not use your child's image in these ways. 

 After Hours work by Teachers

If a Children's Cottage employee performs work or services beyond their employment hours for a parent, guardian, client, or non-client of Children's Cottage, it is understood and agreed that the employee does not represent Children's Cottage in doing this work or performing these services and that Children's Cottage is in no way responsible or liable for this work, service, or the actions or behavior of the employee.  This may include, but is not limited to music lessons, babysitting, house sitting, transporting minors or others by car, bus, or public transit. 

 Termination of Enrollment

If the center determines that our program is not meeting the needs of the child we terminate the enrollment.  Enrollment may also be terminated for non-payment of tuition, or if child is deemed a threat to the safety of other children or staff.  Parent may terminate enrollment with a 1 month written notice to center.  A state form known as the Physician's Report (Lic 701) is required to enroll.  We need that form signed by a physician before enrollment.  It covers such things as your child's hearing and vision development, language / speech, dental, allergies, asthma, etc.  Upon review of this form the Director and teachers will begin to understand your child's health and physical / emotional needs.  We will then be able to determine if our program is a good match to meet the needs of your child.  As your child progresses through the program we continue to assess that we a meeting their needs. 

 Administration of Medication and Incidental Medical Services (IMS):

Children’s Cottage will administer prescription and non-prescription medications. We must have written approval and instructions from the child’s authorized representative prior to administering any form of medication. Prescription medication must be prescribed by the child’s doctor and must be given according to the physician-written instructions. Non-prescription medication must have written direction for administration from the child’s parent/guardian. Documentation of all administered medication will be kept in the child’s file.

Children’s Cottage will enroll children that may need services for any of the following:

• Administering Inhaled Medication (Nebulizer & Asthma only)

• Epipen Jr. and EpiPen

• Insulin Administration

• Check child’s blood sugar

 Medication and Incidental medical Services Administration Policy:

The following requirements must be met before enrolling a student who may require administration of medication and or Incidental Medical Services:

1. Written authorization from the child’s physician and a valid prescription.

2. Written authorization from the child’s authorized representative. Parents/Guardians must complete the Parent Consent for Administration of Medications form that will be kept in the child’s classroom until medication is complete and then placed in the child’s file in the office.

3. Medication, supplies and equipment must be in original labeled container with the child’s name on it and must have an expiration date on it.

4. The school will maintain documentation of Medication and Incidental Medical Services on a log after every medication or service is administered.

5. Staff will wear gloves when dealing with blood or bodily fluids. Hands will be washed and gloves and any instruments will be disposed of appropriately.

6. The Parents/Guardians will show at least one staff member & Director how to properly administer all Incidental Medical Services. Staff members will be trained as child moves to new classrooms.

7. All medications and Incidental Medical Services will be transported with staff in the event of an emergency/disaster that requires relocation of the children.

The child’s authorized representative is responsible for providing all medications and supplies to the facility. Children should not transport medications to and from the facility, if it is necessary, the authorized representative must tell the staff so that all medication and supplies can be put out of reach of children and stored properly. (Transporting medications includes medication placed in a diaper bag, backpack, or lunchbox) School staff may not deviate from the written authorization from the child’s physician. Medications that have expired or are no longer being used will be returned to the child’s authorized representative.

 Care and storage:

All Incidental Medical Services and Medications in the facility will be stored in a secure, clean location that is inaccessible to children and will be stored according to the physician or pharmacist directions. Medications that require refrigeration will be stored in a designated area of the refrigerator that is separated from food and will be inaccessible to children.

Administration of Medication and Incidental Medical Services:

Once all the above requirement have been met the trained staff will administer the medication and Incidental Medical Services by utilizing the following:

1. Correct Child

2. Correct Medication

3. Correct Dose

4. Correct Time

5. Correct Routine

 Documentation:

Any Medication or Incidental Medical Services that are administered must be documented on a log by the staff member that administered it. Parent/Guardian will be informed on a daily basis of each occurrence when medication or Service was performed.

 If a child is administered any emergency Incidental medical Services the child’s authorized representative and 911 will be called immediately.

An unusual incident report will also be sent to the Department of Social Service

 Children’s Cottage Behavior Conduct Contract

In order to maintain a positive child care environment in which students feel protected, children are able to learn, and parents are at ease, it is necessary for Parents/Guardians to read and sign that the expectations are understood.

Examples of Expected behaviors:

• Keeps hands to ourselves and respect personal boundaries

• Use all Infant/Preschool equipment in a safe manner

• Shows respect for all children, staff and other adults

Examples of Unacceptable Behaviors:

• Consistently disrupting the class, activity or program

• Spitting, hitting, kicking, biting or other acts of aggression towards children, staff or other adults

• Inappropriate use of objects (ex. throwing rocks, chairs etc.)

• Endangerment of the health and safety of children, staff and other adults

• Use of profanity (beyond the normal experimenting we see with preschoolers)

• Urinating in inappropriate places on school grounds

• Any inappropriate conduct by a parent/guardian/pick up person towards children, staff or other adults

• Any behavior that requires the full attention of one teacher to keep them on track

1st Offense: 1. Written incident report to be signed by the parent/guardian    2.Discussions with the Director, or Teacher

2nd Offense: 1.Written incident report to be signed by the parent/guardian    2. Parents, Director and/or Teacher meet to discuss and develop a behavior plan to address the child’s specific needs within a group setting

3rd Offense: 1.Written incident report to be signed by the Parent/guardian 2.    Immediate pick up from school 3.Upon the third documentation of unacceptable behavior we will discuss whether or not removal from the program is an appropriate action. In some cases a two week notice will be given that we will need to terminate care. Depending on the severity of the incident, dangerous behavior will be cause for immediate dismissal and termination of care with Children’s Cottage.