PARENT HANDBOOK

696 Johnson RoadNazareth, PA 18064

Phone 610-759-8761Fax 610-759-9832

holycrossdaycare1@ g mail.com

www.facebook.com/HolyCrossDaycare/

Cristina Chiarappa – Center Director

Nicole Miller - Assistant Director

TABLE OF CONTENTSPurpose, Philosophy, Objectives Page 2Groupings & Qualifications Page 2Hours of Operation Page 2

Registration Procedure Page 3Health Appraisal Page 3Release of Child Page 3Children’s Records Page 3Attendance Page 3

Late Parent Pick-up Procedure Page 4Tuition Page 4

Vacation Coupons Page 5Late Fee Page 5Entering the Classroom Procedure Page 5Holidays Observed Page 5

Snow & Emergency Closings Page 6Illness Policy Page 6Medication Page 6

Allergies Page 7Daily Schedule/Activities Page 7Field Trips Page 7

Electronic Games & Devices from Home Page 8Toys from Home Page 8Cleaning Page 8Classroom Inclusion Policy & Rules Page 8 & 9

Clothing & Cubbies Page 10Emergency Drills & Fire Drills Page 10Parent Bulletin Board Page 10Parent Involvement Page 10Parent / Teacher Conferences Page 10

Snacks, Birthday Treats Page 11Lunches Page 11

Withdrawal Policy Page 12Governing Body Page 12Grievance Policy Page 12

Parking Lot Policy Page 13

Nondiscrimination In Services Policy Page 14

Illness Policy Page 15

REVISED AUGUST 2019

1

HOLY CROSS DAYCARE CENTER & NURSERY SCHOOL operates in accordance with the State of Pennsylvania regarding the discrimination against any person because of race, color, gender, religious creed, lifestyle, handicap, ancestry, national origin, or union membership.

PURPOSEHoly Cross Daycare Center and Nursery School is a non-profit program and is licensed by the PA Department of Public Welfare. We have been established to serve the community in assisting parents by providing supervised and developmental care for their children. We participate in the PA KEYSTONE STARS program.

PHILOSOPHYChildren learn best through play and exploration in a warm and nurturing environment.

OBJECTIVESThe school age program of Holy Cross Daycare Center will strive to provide age appropriate activities so the children in our care can develop socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively. We will provide a relaxing and nurturing environment where children can learn and grow during before and after school hours, on no school days, and during the summer months. It is our goal for them to become responsible, caring, and contributing members of society.

GROUPINGSThe children are moved up according to the school district & must be of age for the room as of September 1st. The classrooms are divided as follows:

Infants – 4 weeks to age 1 Preschool – 3 year olds

Young Toddlers – 1 and 2 year olds Pre-K (Kindergarten Readiness) – 4 year olds

Older Toddlers - 2 and 3 year olds School Age – Kindergarten to 5th Grade

QUALIFICATIONS

This center is an Early Childcare Center that can accommodate children from 4 weeks old to 13 years old.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Holy Cross Daycare Center opens at 6:15. and closes at 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Full time and part time services are provided. For non-established children, there is a 2 day per week minimum enrollment requirement.

POLICIES

2

Policies & procedures are subject to review & may be interpreted at the discretion of the Center Director.

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE

Prior to registration, parent(s) and child(ren) are required to visit the Center to make observations, discuss the policies, and meet the staff.

Any student enrolled on or after September 1, 2019: The initial registration fee is $75. Annual registration fee is $50. Additional children in the family will be registered at $10 per child. Registration fees are non-refundable.

HEALTH APPRAISAL

All children are required to have a physical examination prior to entering. The Center’s Health Appraisal form or a public school physical needs to be completed by the child’s physician. It is the parent's responsibility to have the physician complete the form in its entirety. This is a requirement for licensing and must be updated every six months for infants, annually for children ages 1-5, and school age children follow the school regulations.

RELEASE OF CHILD

We will not release a child to anyone other than the parents or guardians, or the emergency contact persons, unless signed written permission is given to the staff. The note needs to include the name, address, and phone number of the person picking up the child, the date, and whether the note is temporary or permanent. THE STAFF WILL ASK FOR IDENTIFICATION FROM THE PERSON PICKING UP THE CHILD.

CHILDREN’S RECORDS

The children’s records are kept confidential. Parents have access to them if needed. PA DPW Licensing Agents and select staff also have access to records. Emergency contact information needs to be updated every 6 months.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is taken daily. It is our policy for the parent to call the center and let the staff know if the child will be absent or arriving late. If there is no call, the staff is required to call the parent.

It is especially important for parents to notify the center if the child is not returning to Holy Cross on the school bus. If a child is scheduled and does not return, we need to call parents. This takes staff away from the group and often causes confusion at a very busy time of day.

3

LATE PARENT PICK UP PROCEDURE

If a parent is one hour later than the agreed upon pick up time and there is no word from a parent, we will call the parents. If a child is still at the center at closing time and there is no call from a parent and the parents cannot be reached, emergency people listed on the child’s Emergency Contact form will be called.

If no one can be located to pick up the child and it is 2 hours beyond the Center’s closing time, the office of Children & Youth will be called to report the child as abandoned.

A late fee of $15 for a child that is not picked up before the center’s closing time of 6:00 p.m. will be charged up to the first 15 minutes. $1 per minute will be charged thereafter. This fee will be given to the teachers that have to stay late and is to be paid in cash.

TUITION

We will follow a monthly billing cycle for every class except school age. You will be billed based on an average for a year. We will take your weekly billing amount, multiply by 52 weeks & divide by 12 months to get your rate. You are responsible for paying for ALL DAYS your child is SCHEDULED for whether they attend or not.

TUITION PAYMENTS ARE DUE PRIOR TO SERVICE. Tuition shall be paid on Friday before care is given. A two business day grace period will be allowed for payments, following which the account shall be considered delinquent and a late fee of $3.00 per day will be added to your tuition. If tuition is not paid by the Friday after the due date, your child will not be permitted to attend until full payment has been received including late fees. Please adhere to this policy.

A deposit of $50 shall be paid upon enrollment. This deposit will be applied to your child’s final week in the program.

Checks are payable to “Holy Cross Daycare Center” and should be deposited in the Tuition Box, which is located across the hall from the Pre-K classroom. Please indicate on your check the days, week, or month for which you are paying. We also accept cash, credit card and automatic payment processing.

All checks returned for non-payment will be assessed an additional surcharge of $30.00. All future payments of tuition must then be made in the form of cash or money order.

Parents must sign an agreement form which explains payment. Tuition is due for all days a child is scheduled to attend regardless of reason for absence. Tuition is not refundable unless approved under certain circumstances. Parents will receive an

4

invoice each month. Parents may pay weekly or monthly. Any adjustments to the invoice will be made following the additional hours.

VACATION COUPONS

Coupons are offered for a free day of tuition to be used when your child is absent from the center for a vacation day, illness, center holiday closing or other reason. You will receive coupons worth one week of your child’s schedule. Example: if your child attends 3 days = 3 vacation coupons, 5 days = 5 vacation coupons, etc… The coupon for the day(s) absent will be used to deduct from the following months’ tuition - unless scheduled in advance, before the new month is billed. Blank coupons will be located near the tuition check box in the main hallway. It is your responsibility to inform the director or fill out a coupon and leave it in the check box to use one and for it to reflect on your statement.

ENTERING THE CLASSROOM PROCEDURE

Before entering the classroom, children need to wash their hands and use the bathroom. Students should not be using the hand sanitizer for this purpose.

HOLIDAYS OBSERVED

The Center will be closed for the following:

● New Year’s Day (or Friday if the holiday falls on a Saturday or Monday if the holiday falls on a Sunday)

● Good Friday

● Memorial Day

● Independence Day (or Friday if the holiday falls on a Saturday or Monday if the holiday falls on a Sunday)

● Labor Day

● Thanksgiving Day

● Black Friday

● Christmas Eve (if falls on a weekday)

● Christmas Day (or Monday if the holiday falls on a Sunday)

● We will close at 3 pm on New Year’s Eve.* A holiday schedule will be sent beginning of Fall each school year

SNOW & EMERGENCY CLOSINGS

5

In the event that the Center should need to be closed due to bad weather or other emergencies, the announcement will be made on TV WFMZ Channel 69 and on the internet at www.wfmz.com, we will send an email through HiMama and Facebook page is the quickest and most accurate source.

We will make every effort to remain open to serve the needs of our working parents. If we deem it necessary to close the center or delay opening, we will post as early as possible. We will also do our best to email families. Please make sure you check for weather updates throughout the day.

There is no credit for snow closings, however, we will re-evaluate after the winter season and consider offering vacation coupons to compensate for the closed days.

ILLNESS POLICY

When your child appears ill, we would appreciate that you not bring him/her to the center. Our interest is in the physical well-being of all the children and staff.

If a child becomes ill during the day, he/she will be checked by the staff. For a temperature of 101 degrees or more, and/or uncontainable body fluids, such as vomiting, diarrhea, oozing rash, etc., the staff will treat it as a contagious condition. For the comfort and safety of the contagious child, as well as the other children, the child will be removed to an area away from the other children, most likely in the hallway near the office. The parents or emergency contacts will be called to come and pick up the child. The child may not return to the center for at least 24 hours or until the contagious condition has passed. See symptom record at the back of this handbook.

When a child is absent because of a contagious disease, a written note from the attending physician is required, stating that the child is no longer contagious and may return to the center. Examples—Chicken Pox, Strep Throat, Scarlet Fever, Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), Flu. For more serious conditions, recommended protocol proposed by the Bureau of Health will need to be followed.

Letting us know why a child is absent will help us to be aware of illnesses going around and keep everyone informed of any pending problems. This is especially helpful for any children who are susceptible to illnesses.

MEDICATION

The staff may not administer medication of any kind without a note from the attending physician. This note must be dated and state: the name of the medication, the time it is to be administered, the amount to be given, and for what time period the medication is to be given. The parent must also complete the Center’s medication log

6

with the required information. All medication must be in the original container from the pharmacy. We prefer that medication be given at home. If a child requires a regularly scheduled medication, parents are responsible for providing us with an adequate supply. If that supply is not made available to the center staff, it will be at the discretion of the director to decide whether or not to provide care to that child.

ALLERGIES

Parents must inform the center staff, in writing, of any allergies a child may have developed. We will offer substitutions for children with specific food allergies. For severe food allergies, the Center reserves the right to request that parents provide snacks for their child. If parents decline, they will be required to sign a form acknowledging their refusal to do so. If a child requires an epi-pen, the parent must supply one to be kept at the Center.

NOTE - HOLY CROSS DAYCARE CENTER & NURSERY SCHOOL IS NOT A PEANUT-FREE ENVIRONMENT. WE USE PEANUT BUTTER AND PRODUCTS PROCESSED IN FACILITIES THAT MAY PROCESS PEANUTS AND OTHER TYPES OF NUTS.

DAILY SCHEDULE / ACTIVITIES

A daily schedule is posted in the classroom and on the classroom bulletin board. It is designed with flexibility in mind. Changes may be made to accommodate the best interest of the children.

The children will be taken outdoors to play on a daily basis when the weather permits. According to NAEYC standards, children are expected to go outside when the temperature/wind chill is above 25 degrees, the temperature/heat index is less than 90 degrees, there is no precipitation falling, and there is no air quality alert.

Children should be dressed appropriately for indoor or outdoor play. Shoes and sandals need to have straps that go around the heel of the foot to hold the shoe securely. Heels should not be more than one inch high. NO FLIP FLOPS OR CLOGS. Sneakers are preferred.

FIELD TRIPS

Field Trips are considered an important part of the educational program and will be taken if economically feasible. Parents will be informed when and where the class will be going. A field trip release form will be issued prior to the field trip. The release form must be signed by the parents or guardians of the child may not participate in the field trip. Parents are responsible for paying the cost of field trips (admission &

7

transportation fees). If we are not able to take field trips, every attempt will be made to plan for programs and/or entertainment to come to the center.

ELECTRONIC GAMES & DEVICES FROM HOME

Electronics are allowed in the school age classrooms based on teacher discretion. Holy Cross Daycare and teachers will not be responsible for any damaged or lost items.

TOYS FROM HOME

We ask that no toys be brought to the Center except for a small soft toy for rest time. There may be designated days that toys may be brought in. You will be notified by your classroom teachers.

CLEANING

Nap time items will be sent home every Friday to be washed. Please also check your child’s extra supplies each week as well. If your child is running low, the teachers try their best to notify each parent.

REST TIME

All classrooms have rest time after lunch. Please send in a small blanket and crib sheet. INCLUSION

We welcome children of all abilities and are committed to providing developmentally appropriate early learning and development experiences that support each child. We believe that each child is unique and work in partnership with families and other professionals involved with the child to provide the support every child needs to reach their full potential. We support the teacher’s participation in Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. Staff will make every attempt to make any adaptations or modifications necessary to meet the needs of the children. Schedules, routines and activities are flexible and early childhood educators will work with therapists, special educators and other professionals to integrate individual accommodations, strategies and tools into classroom routines and activities. These action plans will be created with and reviewed with parents. Training and support is provided to ensure that all staff are comfortable, confident and competent to meet the developmental and educational needs of all children. All staff receive an orientation on inclusion policies and complete trainings focused on effective inclusion and/or other disability topics whenever possible. The director and assistant director also provide support and resources as appropriate.

SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION AND CLASSROOM RULES

8

All children are enrolled on a trial basis. If a child does not adapt to the program routine within a reasonable amount of time, the situation will be discussed with the parent(s). If a resolution cannot be met, the parent(s) will be asked to withdraw the child from the program. Any prepaid tuition will be refunded.

Our CLASSROOM RULES are:● Use walking feet

● Use inside voices

● Use gentle touches

● Use kind words

● Use helping hands

Our staff use positive redirection and give positive verbal rewards to promote acceptable behavior. This reinforces a child’s good feelings about his/her behavior and serves as an example to the other children. Asking a child to stop and think about his/her unacceptable behavior enables that child to work at self-control. Redirection is our main method of encouraging problem solving and positive behavior. Corporal punishment is never used.

If a child is not cooperating in a group, the child will be seated near a teacher and reminded about acceptable behavior. Separation from the group for a “cool down” period is the next tactic used for a child who continually demonstrates unacceptable behavior. This time-out is not a punishment, but rather a time when the child may calm down and reflect on what behavior the teacher expects, and for him/her to decide when he/she is ready to join the group.If behavior problems persist, the parents are asked to a conference. It may be suggested that the child be involved in a behavior modification program, with the parent having the option of being involved in the process. If a resolution cannot be met, or if the center does not receive the cooperation of the parents, the parents will be asked to withdraw their child from the program. In some cases, a community resource person may be called in to observe and provide input with parent authorization. This support is to provide different strategies and tools to help the child and teachers.

Deliberate destruction of property will become the financial responsibility of the parents.

TRANSITIONS

There are a number of transitions your child will make in these early years from one learning environment setting to another. We aim to make these changes as smooth as possible and develop a caring, professional and respectful relationship between our children, their families and their teachers. Children are transitioned into new classrooms according to space availability, age, as well as physical, social and

9

emotional development. When we prepare children for their new classroom, we will discuss with parents the changes that will occur such as: routines, structure, napping and meal times. We will begin having them spend some time in the classroom to explore and become familiar with the environment to allow the teachers to gauge when and if your child is ready to move up permanently. We will continue to communicate as we do this.

CLOTHING & CUBBIES

Children should be dressed suitably for indoor and outdoor play. We try to take the children outdoors daily (weather permitting).

Each child will have a cubby assigned to him/her. Check this daily for personal articles and notes from the staff. Please encourage your child to keep his/her cubby tidy since they are located in the hall and other people may be in the church. You may want to keep extra clothing in your child’s cubby for an emergency change. Please label.

EMERGENCY DRILLS & FIRE DRILLS

These drills are conducted on a monthly basis. The purpose is for the children and staff to become familiar with room/building evacuation strategies in the event of an emergency. The days and times of these drills will vary.

PARENT BULLETIN BOARD

The Parent Bulletin Board is an important communication center. It is located next to the door entering your child’s classroom. It is used to display the snack menu, messages, the daily schedule, weekly lesson plans, a copy of the monthly newsletter and calendar, etc.There is also a Center Wide Parent Board where we’ll post info not related to a specific classrooms such as fundraisers, inspection results, community events, etc...

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Parent input and participation is important and welcome. Please use the Advisory Board suggestion box in the hall for your use. Parents are invited to help with special activities, field trips, lead an activity, share a hobby or special talent, present information to the class, read a story, have lunch with their child, or just visit. If you will be volunteering in a classroom, you will need to provide us with clearances. See the office for more information.

PARENT / TEACHER CONFERENCES

10

Conferences will be offered twice a year. You may also request a conference at any time.

SCREENING AND ASSESSMENTS

Throughout the year, teachers will document informal and formal observations. Observations are used to improve the implementation of the curriculum, adapt teaching practices and the environment to children’s individual needs and provide opportunities for growth.

Teachers will complete a 45 day screening tool, Ages & Stages, to share with parents for new students. This helps us determine if there are any developmental delays that might affect a child’s overall potential for success in school. The screening tool covers developmental, sensory and behavioral concerns in the child’s visual, cognitive and gross motor functioning.

Teachers will also complete formal assessments twice a year (coinciding with the parent/teacher conference schedules). Our progress reports are based on the learning goals of the curriculum and formal observations and assessments in the classroom. Parents are given an opportunity to voice questions, concerns and discuss the child’s development during conferences as well as throughout the year.

SNACKS AND BIRTHDAY TREATS

A snack is provided each morning. A copy of the snack menu is posted on the Parent’s Bulletin Board. We try to provide healthy snacks and promote good eating habits.

Parents may provide simple birthday treats. The staff should be informed a few days in advance. Half year birthdays are celebrated for children who have summer birthdays.

Food that comes from home for sharing among the children must be either whole fruits or commercially prepared packaged foods in factory-sealed containers. We discourage large cupcakes, if you must, please bring in mini cupcakes or muffins or small cookies. Other foods might include: fruits, yogurt, veggies & dip. Please think outside the box – your birthday “treat” doesn’t have to be edible, kids get excited about all kinds of stuff…stickers, bubbles, tattoos, & other cheap trinkets. We want birthdays to be about CELEBRATION, not sweets.

NOTE – HOLY CROSS DAYCARE CENTER IS NOT A PEANUT-FREE ENVIRONMENT.

WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SERVE POPCORN, HOT DOGS (whole or sliced into rounds), WHOLE GRAPES, NUTS, HARD PRETZELS, RAW PEAS, CHUNKS OF RAW CARROTS OR MEAT (larger than can be swallowed whole), AND SPOONFULS OF PEANUT BUTTER TO CHILDREN UNDER 3 YEARS OLD.

11

LUNCHES

Each child must bring his/her lunch. We will refrigerate or microwave lunch components as needed. However, please make sure it is a microwaveable container and that it only takes 1-2 minutes to warm up. Please pack a napkin and utensils if necessary. Please put all refrigerated items in a gallon size labeled Ziploc bag & send it back daily so that teachers only have to put the bag in the refrigerator.

The Department of Public Welfare, who monitors our center, recommends that each child bring a serving from each of the following food groups:

● Dairy milk products, cheese, yogurt

● Protein meat, fish, poultry, dried beans & peas, nuts, peanut butter

● Fruits/Vegetables fresh vegetables and/or fruits are recommended

● Grains whole grains & enriched products such as bread, cereal, pasta, crackers, rice

If you send a beverage, please send milk, water, or 100% fruit juice. Drinks such as Hi-C, Kool Aid, Hawaiian Punch, and Capri Sun contain mostly sugar, food coloring, and very little nutrition. Do not send iced tea or carbonated drinks. If you do not send a beverage at lunch, we will offer your child water. Children may not eat hard candy or chew gum while at the center.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY

Parents are asked to give the director two week’s notice in writing prior to withdrawing a child from the program.

GOVERNING BODY

Holy Cross Daycare Center and Nursery School are governed by an Advisory Board. The Advisory Board is responsible for overseeing the finances which includes preparing a yearly budget, bus transportation, utility costs, accounts receivable, accounts payable and approving staff hires. Some other things the Advisory Board is responsible for is reviewing staff salaries, personnel policies and procedures handbook, parent handbook, fundraising, planning fun events for the children and families, putting together the summer camp program, etc.

The Advisory Board meets a minimum of eight times a year. Please check the Advisory Board Bulletin Board for future dates. The Board may be comprised of parents and

12

community members. All interested persons are welcome to attend the meetings. All information is posted on the bulletin board next to the coat racks in the main hallway. Underneath, there is a suggestion box where you can place any comments, questions, or concerns. Please feel free to also email at holycrossdaycareboard@gmail.comGRIEVANCE POLICYAny issues of concern or problems should be brought to our attention immediately. The matter can be addressed to the attention of your child’s Lead Teacher, the Center Director or Assistant Director. If parents feel the matter has not been handled to their satisfaction, they may then bring the matter to the attention of the Daycare Advisory Board. The dates of the Board meetings are posted on the door entering the center. You can also mail a letter of concern to:

Holy Cross Daycare Advisory Boardc/o Holy Cross Daycare Center696 Johnson Road Nazareth, PA 18064

PARKING LOT POLICY

Please slow down & come to a COMPLETE STOP at the Stop sign. Please turn your car off while in the parking lot. You may not leave your car on while you drop off or pick up your child if nobody is left in the car. Please park only in the lot in front of the daycare entrance. Parking on the side of the building is not permitted during school hours.

If observed disobeying our parking lot rules, you will receive a Violation Notice. After the first offense (warning), you will be charged a fee on your tuition statement.

13

HOLY CROSS DAYCARE CENTER & NURSERY SCHOOL696 Johnson RoadNazareth, PA 18064

610-759-8761

Subject: Nondiscrimination in ServicesTo: Parents / ChildrenFrom: Cristina Chiarappa, Center Director

Admissions, the provisions of services, and referrals of clients shall be made without regard to race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin (including limited English proficiency), age, or sex.

Program services shall be made accessible to eligible persons with disabilities through the most practical and economically feasible methods available. These methods include, but are not limited to, equipment redesign, the provision of aides, and the use of alternative service delivery locations. Structural modifications shall be considered only as a last resort among available methods.

Any individual/client/student (and/or their guardian) who believes they have been discriminated against, may file a complaint of discrimination with:

Holy Cross Daycare Advisory Board696 Johnson Road, Nazareth, PA 18064

Department of Public Welfare PA Human Relations CommissionBureau of Equal Opportunity Harrisburg Regional OfficeRoom 223, Health & Welfare Bldg. Riverfront Office CenterPO Box 2675 1101 S. Front St. 5th FloorHarrisburg, PA 17105 Harrisburg, PA 17104

Department of Public Welfare US Dept. of Health & Human ServiceBureau of Equal Opportunity Office for Civil RightsNorthern Regional Office Suite 372, Public Ledger Bldg.331 Scranton State Office Bldg. 150 S. Independence Mall West100 Lackawanna Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19106-9111Scranton, PA 18503

14

15