Parent handbook final updated

International Kids Academy LLC

PARENT HANDBOOK

Statement of Acknowledgement of

Parents Handbook, Health Care Policy,

Disaster Plan, and Pesticide Policy

OPERATING PROCEDURES

Mission Statement

20042 19th Ave NE Shoreline, WA 98155 T (206) 535 8183 Cell (206) 533 3333 [email protected]

International Kids Academy is committed to providing high quality care for toddlers and preschoolers in a safe, stimulating, and bi- or tri- lingual environment. We believe children reserve to be respected, nurtured and cared for by well-trained caregivers.

Philosophy

We believe children learn through play. We pride ourselves on setting up the environment to allow children to explore and learn at their own pace. Individual learning styles are respected and diversity is celebrating. Our curriculum is based on developmentally appropriate practice as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Hours of Operation

The classrooms are open from 7 am to 6:30 pm. There is a late fee of $5.00 for every 5 minutes of overtime.

Enrollment

There is a $50.00 onetime registration fee per child, which is nonrefundable, for new parents.

Admission Requirements

Child’s parent must fill out and provide the following forms prior to enrollment in International Kids Academy:1. Certificate of Immunization Status2. Emergency contacts’names, addresses, and all phone numbers3. Special diet requirements, allergies, and special diseases4. Child’s medical history5. Permission to pick up child (children) by certain family members or friends

Disaster Plan

Information, which parents provide on these forms, should be updated by parents as soon as any changes occur. Additional forms may be asked by International Kids Academy if needed.


Tuition

Tuition is due on the 1st of the month and late on the 3th of the month, unless prior arrangements are made. We do not offer make up days for less than two weeks long absences. For absences two weeks or longer, we prorate existing days.

Child Abuse Reporting

Our staff is mandated to report of suspected abuse and will report any abuse or suspicions of it to CPS without parents’consent.

Non-Discrimination Policy

We do not discriminate in employment practices and client services on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

Withdrawal

Please inform us in writing a month prior to your child withdrawal from International Kids Academy in order to prevent forfeiting one month’s tuition.

Grievance Procedure

The director will handle grievances. We encourage the head teacher to initially handle grievances. After that a meeting would be set up between parent and the director.

Closures

International Kids Academy is closed on following holidays, same as Shoreline School District is: New Years Day


New Years EveMartin Luther King Jr. DayPresident’s DayEaster Good Friday gets closed at 3 pmMemorial DayIndependence DayThanksgiving DayChristmas DayLabor Day

We follow the Shoreline School District closures for inclement weather. You can call our school and listen to our voicemail for more specific information. Anyway, vacation days may change if enrollment is low. Changes will be posted.

Staff Qualifications

Our staff is carefully selected and qualified by both experience and education. We make every effort to hire career minded staff who respect and value child development. All staff has all current classes and conditions required by the state. We also have monthly staff meetings and require continuing education related to early childhood education.

Our staff is available for any questions regarding your child’s needs, growth, and development. International Kids Academy& Preschool’s staff consists of a director, several teachers/caregivers, and professional music instructors.

Ratios

There is one adult for every 7 toddlers and one adult for every 10 preschoolers. These ratios are in accordance with Washington Administrative Code, chapter 388-150, DSHS 22-004.

ARRIVAL

Arrival Sign in/out Books


Our classes have sign in and out book. It is very important that you sign in and out each day with your full legible signature. This is also where you will find class work, daily reports, announcements, and tuition billing.

AbsencesIf your child is going to be absent please inform us as soon as possible. If you are planning to go on vacation please let your child teachers know in advance. Absences often affect staffing and it is helpful to have absence notice.

Separation

Your child builds her or his trust and sense of security from your actions and confidence towards her/his caregiver. As you leave, reassure your child by saying good-buy with confidence and love. Prolonged good-buys tend to be hard on the child and on the staff. You are always welcome to call and to check in after you have left.

Open Door Policy

International Kids Academy has an open door policy as long as it is stress free on the child and other children in our care. Certain times during the day may be more appropriate than others. Please speak with your child’s teacher about this.

If anyone besides the parent/primary caregiver is going to be visiting your child at International Kids we need, at least 24 hours in advance, written consent, which states visitor’s name, relationship, time of arrival, and length of stay. Visitors will need to present ID.

DURING THE DAY

Daily Schedule


International Kids Academy daily schedules are moderated by individual needs and only reflect a daily general routine and variety of activities. Attached you will find the general order of activities

Field Trips

International Kids Academy does not provide trips out of the facility boundaries.

Religious Activities

International Kids Academy encourages children to participate and nurture families’religions and cultural background. Based on every parent’s wish, we will or will not talk to children about such religious holidays and traditions as celebrating Christmas, Easter, Passover, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Birthdays, etc.

What to Bring

Parents need to provide a complete change of clothes, crib size sheet, blanket, and a small pillow. Check with your child’s teacher for any additional needs. Blankets and sheets should be washed by parents at the end of the week and returned the following week.

Toilet Training Policy

Toilet training usually occurs between the ages of 2 and 2.5. Toilet training should be based on the child’s developmental abilities. Some signs are ability to verbalize when they need to be changed, ability to dress and undress self, and if their diaper is staying dry for longer periods of time. If your child is showing these signs please talk to your child’s teacher. We’d like training to be consistent at school and at home.

Clothing

All clothing at International Kids Academy should allow freedom of movement and be easily washed. Creative children get dirty. For safety of children we suggest providing flexible non-slippery soled shoes. Clogs, thongs, and long dresses are restrictive and potentially hazardous.


In emergency cases, we provide additional clothing necessary to a child for that day. Parents may bring slippers or inside change of shoes.

Labeling

It is very important that everything you bring to International Kids is labeled. Extra clothes, bedding, utensils, etc.

Things from Home

We request toys not be brought to school because they get lost, broken, and can be disruptive. If you allow your child to bring a toy to the school anyway, International Kids does not responsible for its loss or breakage. There are certain items that help a child’s separation from their parents, such as animal or blanket. We allow these items during separation period and then they are kept in your child’s cubby until nap-time.

Things that are acceptable to bring and shape anytime are: favorite books, tapes, CDs, art objects and anything that relates to the current theme.

Communication

We strive to develop a strong partnership with each parent. This will help us get to know your child. Each room has its own daily reports that will keep you informed about your child’s day. Parents are welcome to visit and call at any time. Each classroom also has bulletin board. It will be posted with items for both children and parents including notices, special events, curriculum info and sign up sheets for various activities.

Discipline

Discipline and guidance at International Kids Academy are consistent and based on developing a child’s positive self-confidence and self-control. The children are encouraged to solve their own problems rather than become dependent on someone else stepping in. The teacher’s role is to facilitate and model the development of a child’s problem solving. When children act inappropriately, we help redirect their activities and energies in a positive manner. There are times when children become disruptive or hurt other children. In this case,


we would remove the child from the situation, discuss other choices he/she could have made and then direct the child to a quite activity for a short period of time, which counted in accordance with the child’s age –one minute per child’s age year.

International Kids Academy reserves the right to discontinue service to a child by giving a written notice to his/her parents, if it is determined that a child’s placement with us is inappropriate and/or potentially harmful to the other children or staff. In these rare cases, every effort will be made to ease the transition and refer the family to a center that would be more appropriate.

Our staff is trained to help children develop a positive self-image. Physical punishment, sarcasm, humiliation, and discrimination are not practiced at International Kids Academy.

Birthdays

We encourage the celebration of children birthdays. Please give an advance notice to your child’s teachers so they can prepare. Parents can bring cake or any other appropriate food and festivity items to celebrate. Soda drinks are not encouraged by IKA.

Sick Policy

To prevent the spread of illness and disease please keep your child home if he or she:

Has a fever of 101°F or higher. Child must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.Has vomited on two or more occasions within the past 24 hours. 24 hours symptom free before returning to school.Has had diarrhea three or more times in the past 24 hours. 24 hours symptom free before returning to school.Has eye discharge or red-eye. 24 hours symptom free before returning to school.Has lice or nits.Has contagious disease such as chicken pox, mumps, measles, or contagious skin disease.Has major cold with green or yellow discharge and/or persistent coughRequires one on one care.


Illness

Children need special care when they are ill and International Kids Academy is not equipped to provide that special care. Parents must make arrangements of alternate care if your child becomes ill. Please allow your child to have a complete recovery before returning to school.

Contagious Diseases

In cases of contagious disease, please notify International Kids Academy immediately. This is so we can warn other parents of the symptoms and potential hazards. Children known to have contagious diseases cannot return to school without written note from their doctor. International Kids Academy will post medical alerts in the classrooms affected.

Medication

Prescription and non-prescription medication require authorization form signed by the parent. Prescription meds require a doctor’s note with details on administration and original bottle.

Emergencies Procedures

Emergency phone numbers are posted by all phones throughout the center. In case of a life-threatening emergency of a child in our care, we will follow these procedures:

• A staff member will stay with the injured or ill child and take appropriate steps for the injury or illness.

• The child’s teacher will call 911• A staff member will have gather the child’s file and have it

available• The teacher will contact the parent(s) as soon as possible• A staff member will accompany the child and stay with the

child until the parent arrives• An accident report will be filled out• One copy will be given to the parent and one copy will be

kept in the child’s file at the center.• Injured children will be transported to NorthwestHospital

Emergency Room.


TYPICAL ACTIVITY SCHEDULE

7:00 - 7:30 drop-offs, welcome children, free-play and/or structured-play, trains, story-time, etc.

7:30 - 8:00 breakfast, clean-up/wash-up

8:00 - 8:30 circle-time

8:30 - 9:30 arts and crafts, story-time, various learning games

9:30 - 10:30 music, song and dance, tumbling exercises, English/Russian languages,

10:30 - 12:00 outside play-time

12:00 - 12:30 free-play and/or structured-play

12:30 - 13:00 lunch time, clean-up/wash-up and get on mats

1:00 - 3:00 rest-time and/or quiet-time

3:00 - 3:30 afternoon snack, clean-up/wash-up

3:30 - 5:30 free-play and/or structured-play, puzzles, books, various learning toys, etc.

5:30 - 6:30 pick-ups, outside play (depending on season), coloring, play-dough, toys, story-time, etc.

Daily schedule varies, but not much .


GENERAL CURRICULUM AREAS

Art - We use a variety of materials so the child may experience the joy of creating by cutting, gluing, coloring and painting. Art may also be used for instructive purposes such as identification of shapes, learning to follow oral instructions, sequencing steps and learning various skills, such as cutting and pasting. Activities are geared to the child’s level, and are concerned with the process of creating instead of the final product.

Science - A variety of science materials will be out for exploration by the child in learning centers, books and group experiments will be done frequently. Science study increases vocabulary and general knowledge, encourages curiosity, helps the child discover natural laws, and helps the child become more aware of his/her surrounding world.

Music - Music is used to express emotions, reinforce subject material, and as a source of joy. We use tapes, CD’s, records, rhythm instruments, scarves, ribbon sticks, singing, clapping, and body movement.

Group Time - This is a period of 15-30 minutes, which serves as a vehicle for teaching a wide variety of subjects. It often includes finger plays, stories, games, songs, and discussion centered around one topic. This topic is the basis for our weekly themes, which may include Zoo, Food, numbers, forest animals, etc. Monthly and weekly themes are posted for your information.

Small Muscle - Through manipulative table toys, games, and other activities, small muscle coordination grows. A variety of small motor toys are offered and changed weekly to coordinate with the weekly theme.

Large Muscle- Children received large muscle coordination through outside play, going for walks, or indoor play in the


Commons room. Depending on the weather children is offered large muscle play two times a day.

MEALS AND SNACKS EXAMPLE

FOR TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS

Breakfast - Cup of milk with cereal and banana or American Cheese on a Bagel with Orange Juice

Lunch - Homemade chicken noodle soup, with broccoli, bread, milk, or juice

Snacks - Yogurt, bagel, fruit with or without milk, crackers, cheese

Dinner - Chicken Nuggets, Macaroni & Cheese, Mixed Vegetables with sausages

Please note that International Kids Academy provide Organic food only.

FEES AND PAYMENT PLANS

See tuition chart below. We except state subsidized payments. Your responsibility as a parent is to make co-payment required by state in a timely manner. Seek days do not discounted unless it is a long time illness, which is longer than 2 weeks.


For absences longer than two weeks, we prorate existing days. For absences longer than one month, the International Kids Academy and Preschool does not hold a position for the absent child and it has a right to accept another child for this child’s position.

Your payment begins on the 1st of each month and ends on the 3rd of each month. You can pay by check, cash, or money order. If your payment is late, you will be charged $15.00 for every extra day following the 3rd of each month. If your check returned unpaid, you will be charged extra $35.00. There is $5 fee for every 5 minutes of overtime. Fees can be changed with age and given written notice at any time. Parents are responsible for making timely tuition payments.

Tuition Chart

Class 3 DAYS 5 DAYS

Early Toddler, 2,5 - 3y.o.

$ 975.00 $ 1200.00

Toddler, 3 – 5 y.o. $ 895.00 $ 1100.00

After school program 6-12 y.o starts at $35 per day.

Daily rates start at $50 per day depending on age.

1st month special $950

$50 Registration fee per child (non-refundable, one time fee).

$15 Late payment fee for every day following the 3rd, if tuition paid later than 3rd of each month.

$35 Fee for bad check returned back.

$5 Overtime fee for every 5 minutes of overtime.

For absences longer than two weeks, we prorate existing days.

Child cannot be at the day care for longer than 10 hours a day.


VACATION CREDIT

If you want to hold your child’s spot for the vacation time, it is a flat rate of $300.00 will reserve their spot.

I, (print name)__________________________________ certify that I have read and fully except policies stated in the following plans:

Parents Handbook, Health Care Policy, Disaster Plan, and Pesticide Policy. Also, I understand that I have to read the Handbook and to follow its terms and conditions.

I also understand that Parents Handbook is intended to be a source of information and general statement of International Kids Academy policies. I understand that this Handbook may be changed by International Kids Academy at any time and without notice. Any such changes made by International Kids Academy will immediately supersede the current contents of this Handbook.

Dear Parents, for liability purposes International Kids Academy installed the cameras all over the facility.


Parent’s Signature__________________________

Date__________________


Parent handbook final updated

Education

Transcript of Parent handbook final updated