INTRODUCTION
Tivy
Child Development Center welcomes you and your child!
This Parent Handbook is designed to answer your questions about operating
practices, policies, and to acquaint you with our developmental programs.
You are encouraged
to read it carefully. You will receive a written notice of policy changes
when they occur.
Although the Tivy
Child Development Center (TCDC) is provided through the Kerrville Independent
School District, it is a licensed day care facility and must follow
the legal requirements mandated for all licensed day cares in the state
of Texas. These requirements are known as the Minimum Standards. There
is a copy of the Minimum Standards available for you to view at the
Center during regular hours of operation.
We view child care
as a partnership between you as the parent, and the TCDC staff as your
child’s “away from home” caregivers. For the benefit
of your child, it is important that we all work together.
If you have any
questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to discuss them
with the Director.
MISSION
TCDC opened in August
of 1992 to care for children of teen parents while they continued their
education. Funding was made possible through the combined efforts of
the Kerrville Independent School District (KISD) and a grant entitled,
Pregnancy, Education, and Parenting. Since opening in 1992, TCDC has
extended child care to children of KISD employees, and when possible,
to community members. Some of our parents qualify for child care assistance
through the Child Care Delivery System (CCDS).
Our Mission is to:
• Provide
a loving, safe environment in which your child will thrive.
• Lay a foundation for each child to build upon physically, mentally, and
emotionally.
• Instill the love of learning and provide developmentally appropriate
opportunities.
ENROLLMENT
PROCEDURES
Priority is
given in the following order for enrollment:
1. Children
of teen parents.
2. Children of KISD employees.
3. Children who are direct relatives of KISD employees (such as grandchildren)
when staffing and numbers permit.
The following
information is required prior to the first day of attendance at TCDC:
• Completed enrollment forms, including consents and receipt of information
as required. If any information you have listed on the enrollment form changes
(address, phone, work information, medical information, authorized contacts,
etc.), it is important that you let us know immediately. You will be asked to
update your records occasionally.
• A copy of your child’s current immunization record. All immunizations
must be kept up-to-date. Please let us know when your child receives vaccinations
that are due. (For more information, see section entitled Immunizations.)
• Any information required by Minimum Standards, KISD, or TCDC Administration.
The following information is required as indicated:
• A
health form signed by the child’s physician stating he has
examined your child and found him•her able to participate in
our program. (This is due within 7 days of child’s first day
in attendance and must be renewed annually.)
HOURS, DAYS,
AND MONTHS OF OPERATION
TCDC is open
Monday—Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. If you must be
at work earlier than 7:30 a.m., arrangements can be made to bring
your child to our “early bird program” by speaking to
the Director. There is an additional fee for this service as indicated
on the tuition and fee schedule.
TCDC closes
at 4:30 p.m. A late fee will be charged when your child is picked
up past 4:30 p.m. (See the tuition and fee schedule. If you are a
KISD teacher or aide and your child will be picked up late due to
a school related meeting, please give the Center a courtesy call
to let the staff know. A late fee will not apply in such case.
Occasionally
it is necessary for TCDC to hold a staff meeting at the end of the
day. (Usually 4:15 or later.) When possible, notices will be posted
and•or sent home in advance asking you to make arrangements
for your child to be picked up by the designated time.
TCDC follows the KISD calendar and is closed for the holidays indicated on
the calendar as well as the summer months.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
If KISD is
closed due to inclement weather, TCDC will also be closed. Local
radio stations will be notified so they can make an announcement
regarding closure or late start.
ARRIVAL AND
RELEASE OF CHILDREN
ARRIVAL:
All children
must be accompanied into the building by an adult, signed in, and
left with a staff member. Messages for your child’s teacher
should be given directly to her or the caregiver in charge. Please
do not leave a note or medicine in your child’s diaper bag
or backpack.
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DEPARTURE:
All children
must be picked up and signed out by the parent, guardian, or an
individual authorized by the parent on the enrollment form. (Individuals
not listed on the enrollment form will not be allowed to pick up
your child.) Authorized adults who do not pick up your child on
a regular basis should bring a photo I.D. and be prepared to show
it to a TCDC staff member. This is done for your child’s
safety.
You will
need to come into the Center to pick your child up. TCDC staff
members are not allowed to leave other children to accompany individual
children to the car.
HEALTH
POLICIES
Minimum
Standards prohibit us from caring for children who are sick.
Please do not bring your child to TCDC when:
• The
illness prevents comfortable participation in both indoor and outdoor
activities.
• The illness results in a need for greater care than we can provide without
compromising the health, safety, and supervision of other children.
• The child has one of the following:
• Oral temperature of 100.4 or greater.
• Rectal temperature of 101.4 or greater.
• Armpit temperature of 99.4 or greater.
• Symptoms and signs of possible severe illness such as lethargy, abnormal
breathing, two or more episodes of diarrhea within 24 hours, two or more episodes
of vomiting within 24 hours, rash with fever, mouth sores with drooling, behavior
changes or other signs that the child may be ill.
• A health-care professional has diagnosed the child with a communicable
disease, and the child does not have medical documentation to indicate that he•she
is no longer contagious. Please notify TCDC of any hospital stay or emergency
room visit your child has, and provide documentation of the diagnosis and when
the child is able to return to day care.
Should your
child become ill while at TCDC with the symptoms listed above,
you will be contacted to pick your child up as soon as possible.
Please respond promptly. If for any reason we are unable to reach
you, we may call other adults listed on the enrollment form authorized
to pick up your child.
Your child
must be fever free (without fever reducing medicine) for 24 hours
before returning to day care.
COMMUNICABLE
DISEASES:
A child
who has a communicable disease must be excluded from day care for
such a time as a doctor or health authority specifies. TCDC requires
a statement from your child’s physician before he•she
can be readmitted to day care.
CRITICAL
ILLNESS OR ACCIDENTS:
In
the event of a critical illness or accident, we will:
1. First,
contact the emergency medical services who will transport your
child to the nearest emergency room if deemed necessary.
2. Administer First-Aid or CPR if needed.
3. Contact you.
MINOR
ACCIDENTS:
In the event
of a minor accident or injury, your child will be given first aid
and you will be notified when your child is picked up form the
day care. Generally, the child will be able to continue the day
at the Center. If not, you will be contacted to come and pick your
child up. Please respond promptly.
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POLICY
ON MEDICATION
PROCEDURE
FOR DISPENSING MEDICATION:
In
order for medication to be administered to a child, Minimum Standards
require the following:
• Parents
must bring the medicine in the original container labeled with
the child’s full name and the date brought to the center.
(Please note that TCDC is not allowed to provide medication for
children.)
• Parents must sign an authorization and include times for Center employees
to administer each medication.
• Medication will be administered in amounts according to the label directions
or as amended in writing by a physician.
• Medication will only be administered to the child for whom it is intended.
(We cannot give medication to any child whose name is not on the bottle. This
includes siblings and relatives.)
• Medication may not be administered after the expiration date.
LONG
TERM MEDICATION:
If a child
has a recurring medical problem, Minimum Standards requires TCDC
to follow the policy below:
• The
parent or child’s health-care professional must sign a medication
authorization which allows us to administer the medication when
symptoms occur for up to a six-month period. (The authorization
must be renewed after the six-month period is over.)
• The authorization must include information on symptoms to watch for.
The parent
will be notified after the medication has been administered and
will document this contact with the parent.
IMMUNIZATIONS
The State
of Texas requires that each child enrolled in TCDC meet the immunization
requirements specified by the Texas Department of Health. A copy
of your child’s current immunization record must be kept
on file at the Center and replaced with an updated copy whenever
your child receives an immunization.
Exemptions
from immunizations may be granted by the Texas Department of Health
providing certain guidelines are met. For more information on this,
you will need to contact the Texas Department of Health at 1-800-252-9152
or you can contact them via email at: immunize@imm.tdh.state.tx.us.
Should you wish to contact them by mail, their address is: Texas
Department of Health, Immunization Division, 1100 W. 49th St.,
Austin, TX 78576.
Currently, children enrolled in TCDC are not required to have a Tuberculin
test. Should this change, parents will be notified in writing.
VISION
AND HEARING SCREENING:
Minimum
Standards require that children who are four years of age by September
1st be screened for possible vision and hearing problems. The screenings
will be conducted at TCDC by a licensed or certified screener or
health-care professional. You will be notified prior to the screening.
We ask that unless your child is ill, you make every effort possible
to have your child in attendance at the time of the screening.
DISCIPLINE
AND GUIDANCE PROCEDURES
Minimum
standards require that discipline must be:
• Individualized
and consistent for each child.
• Appropriate to the child’s level of understanding.
• Directed toward teaching the child acceptable behavior and self-control.
Methods
of discipline and guidance must be positive and encourage self-esteem, self-control,
and self-direction. They should at least include:
• Using praise and encouragement of good behavior instead of focusing only
on unacceptable behavior.
• Reminding a child of behavior expectations daily by using clear, positive
statements.
• Redirecting behavior using positive statements.
• Using brief supervised separation or time out from the group, when appropriate
for child’s age and development, which is limited to no more than one
minute per year of the child’s age.
The following
methods of discipline and guidance or punishment are prohibited:
• Corporal punishment or threats of corporal punishment.
• Punishment associated with food, naps, or toilet training.
• Pinching, shaking or biting a child.
• Hitting a child with a hand or instrument.• Putting anything in
or on a child’s mouth.
• Humiliating, ridiculing, rejecting, or yelling at a child.
• Subjecting a child to harsh, abusive, or profane language.
MEALS
AND SNACKS
Children
enrolled in TCDC receive a breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack
that meet the nutritional requirements set forth by Minimum Standards.
Meals and snacks are served in the classrooms under adult supervision
in a pleasant, unhurried atmosphere.
If your
child requires a special diet, you must have written approval from
a physician or registered or licensed dietician. This information
must be given to the TCDC director. It is imperative that all allergies
be listed on your child’s enrollment form. Those requiring
food substitutions will need a physician’s statement.
The monthly
menu cycle is posted on the parent bulletin board. It is also sent
home with the first monthly newsletter of the school year. A copy
of the menu cycle will be given to you upon request. Information
regarding the menu cycle is given in each monthly newsletter.
The TCDC
kitchen is closed on the Staff Training days indicated on the KISD
calendar. If your child is in attendance on these days, you will
be required to send breakfast, lunch (including beverage), and
snack with your child.
FIELD
TRIPS
Field trips
are not only exciting to children, but also excellent learning
opportunities. For our infants, a field trip consists of rides
in a stroller or buggy and short walks—as weather permits.
While older children also enjoy walks, there are times that the
opportunity may arise for them to go on a more developmentally
appropriate field trip. On such occasions, the parents will be
notified in advance. Transportation is provided by the KISD Transportation
Department. No employee of Tivy Child Development Center is allowed
to transport children in their personal vehicle for any reason.
TCDC is
obligated to follow the adult-child ratio for off campus field
trips as set forth by Minimum Standards. Therefore, parent volunteers
are much appreciated on field trips. If there are not enough adults
who are able to help, the field trip must be cancelled. We hope
that each parent•guardian will be able to accompany us. It
will mean a great deal to your child. If you are unable to go,
perhaps a grandparent or other adult relative would be able to
help.
In order
for your child to participate in field trips, your signature is
required on the appropriate section of the enrollment form.
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ANIMALS
Occasionally
children like to bring their pets for show and tell. TCDC is required
by law to abide by the following policies concerning animals:
• The
Center must have documentation showing that dogs, cats, and ferrets
have been vaccinated as required by the Texas Health and Safety
Code.
• The Center must have a statement of health from a local veterinarian
for dogs, cats, ferrets, and other animals other than small rodents, such as
guinea pigs, mice, and hamsters.
• Children may not have contact with chickens, ducks, and reptiles (including
snakes, frogs, lizards, turtles, etc.)
• Children may not handle any animal that shows signs of illness.
CURRICULUM
According
to many educators, 50% of a person’s total knowledge is acquired
by the age of five. You can see how very important it is that your
child has the proper opportunities for learning from the very beginning
of life. We strive to have the best possible developmental environment
for your child.
Minimum
Standards requires that your child’s teachers receive 15
hours of annual training in the areas of child care and related
topics. Since TCDC is a provider for CCDS (Child Care Delivery
System), our teachers are required to attend an additional 5 hours
of training, bringing the total to 20 hours per year. Your child’s
teachers use the knowledge they have gained from these trainings
as well as other resources when developing lesson plans for the
children. Lesson plans include opportunities for Language Development,
Social Development, Physical Development, and Mental Development.
Lesson plans are posted in the classroom and summarized in the
monthly newsletter.
CLOTHING
Young children
learn through “hands-on” experiences. At TCDC, your
child will have many opportunities to use their senses (touch,
sight, hearing, tasting, and smelling) to learn about their world.
This means they are going to be using their hands and feet to experiment
with various media—paint, baking•cooking ingredients,
etc. It can be very messy. Please do not expect your child’s
clothing to stay “spotless”. Dress your child in clothes
that are comfortable, but clothes that can get dirty.
In order
for children to develop large motor skills, they need to participate
in large movement activities, which is readily available outdoors.
All children
(infants included) will go outside when weather permits. Please
dress your children according to the weather. Your child will likely
need a jacket in the morning, but will need short sleeves for the
warm afternoons.
For the
safety of the children, flip-flops and cowboy boots are not allowed.
Please dress your child comfortably and in shoes they can run and
climb in.
WHAT
TO BRING FOR YOUR CHILD
Listed below
are the supplies you are required to bring for your child. If you
have any questions, please speak to your child’s teacher(s)
or the Director.
INFANTS
• Diapers.
Bring more than you expect your baby to use each day. You may send
enough for several days if you would like. We will let you know
when you are running low.
•Formula/food.
Have all bottles already made and covered with
a cap. Label all bottles, caps, and pacifiers
with your baby’s name. Bring more than
you expect your baby to eat during the day.
Please put your child’s bottles in the
refrigerator in the area marked with his/her
name. We will warm the bottles when your baby
is ready to eat. TCDC Staff is not allowed
to mix cereal with formula in the bottle. We
feed cereal to babies from a bowl and spoon
because it is difficult for babies to suck
if cereal is mixed with the formula. If your
doctor wants cereal in the baby’s bottle,
we will need a doctor’s note authorizing
us to do so.
•An
extra change of clothing for your child needs
to be left at the Center at all times. Please
replace the extra clothing whenever it is sent
home.
• Bring
a package of baby wipes once a month.
• If
you choose to send a blanket with your child,
it must be a receiving blanket.
• (Optional)
You are welcome to bring pictures of your baby
and family to put inside the crib.
• Please do
not overdress your child. This can cause your baby to become too warm,
which has been linked to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
• Two
boxes of Kleenexes. (One at the beginning of
each semester, or during the first week of
attendance if enrolled late in the year.)
Please
note the following:
• Meals
and snacks are provided for children in the older infant classes
who are eating table food.
• Parents
must update the feeding schedule every
month for infants who are not eating table
food.
• For the
safety of our infants, if you have an older child enrolled in TCDC,
please take him/her to their classroom before bringing your baby to
the room. At the end of the day, please pick up your baby first.
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YOUNG
TODDLERS/OLDER TODDLERS:
• Diapers
or pull-ups if used by your child. Bring more than you expect your
baby to use each day. You may send enough for several days if you
would like. We will let you know when you are running low.
• An
extra change of clothing (including socks and underwear) for your child
needs to be left at the Center at all times. Please replace the extra
clothing whenever it is sent home.
• Bring
a package of baby wipes once a month if your child will be needing
them.
• A
blanket if a special one is required by your child for sleeping. (Do
-not send a blanket larger than crib-size. It must fit in your child’s
cubby at the Center.)
• Two
boxes of Kleenexes. (One at the beginning of each semester, or during
the first week of attendance if enrolled
late in the year.)
PRESCHOOLERS:
• A
blanket if a special one is required by your child for sleeping.
(Do -not send a blanket larger than crib-size. It must fit in your
child’s cubby at the Center.)
• Two
boxes of Kleenexes. (One at the beginning of each semester, or during
the first week of attendance if enrolled late in the year.)
WAYS
YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD
There
are many ways in which you can help your child have a positive
experience at TCDC. Here are a few suggestions:
• Be
patient with your child in his adjustment to the daycare experience,
especially if this is his first experience away from home. Some
children seemingly have no difficulty adjusting to a new environment,
new situations and experiences. Others, however, may need longer
periods of time to accept new surroundings and people.
• Talk
with your child about the daily program of the
preschool, what happens each day and his feelings
toward classmates and teachers. Talk about the
many positives and fun experiences of their day.
Ask your child questions that require more than
a one-word answer. (Example: “Tell me about
the picture you drew.”)
• If
your child has an upsetting experience, such as the death of a pet
or illness in the family, please let us know. We want to help your
child work through his difficulty. Your child’s total development
is important to us.
VISITATIONS
AND PARTICIPATION
You are
always welcome to visit your child at TCDC. However, for safety
reasons, please be careful not to engage your child’s teacher(s)
in conversation that would distract them from supervising the children.
If a question or concern arises that would require a detailed conversation,
please make an appointment with the teacher and•or director.
This policy is in place for the safety of the children.
The Young
Toddlers’ Classroom and Preschoolers’ Classroom is
equipped with a one-way observation window. If your child is in
one of these classrooms, feel free to observe your child’s
class. You do not need to let us know in advance, but we do ask
that you announce your arrival to the Director or person who is
actively in charge. The teacher(s) does not need to be made aware
of your presence.
Here are
some other ways you may want to participate in your child’s
classroom:
• Come
and read a story to the children. (Please make arrangements with
the teacher).
• Volunteer
to help with an art project—especially when it involves painting!
• Volunteer
to go on a field trip.
BIRTHDAYS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Parents
are welcome to bring treats for birthdays and special occasions.
Older infants and children often celebrate the holidays with a
party. Teachers will have a sign up sheet for parents to bring
refreshments. Do not feel obligated to bring something every time.
This is optional.
Due to nutrition
guidelines that TCDC is obligated to follow, some foods are not
allowed. Please check with your child’s teacher before bringing
edible goods.
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EMERGENCY
PROCEDURES
TCDC has
emergency plans and procedures according to Minimum Standards and
KISD policies. You are welcome to look at the emergency plan for
the Center.
In the event
that TCDC must evacuate (such as in the case of a bomb threat,
gas leak, etc.) the children and staff will
be transported by KISD Transportation
Department or authorized emergency personnel to the Children’s Teaching
Center (housed at Calvary Temple Church) located at 3000 Loop 534. In case
of a tornado, all infants and children will take shelter in designated areas
in the main building.
GRIEVANCE
PROCEDURES
Through
frequent communication with your child’s teacher(s), a good
relationship will develop that is beneficial to you as a parent,
your child’s teacher, and most importantly—your child!
If you have
a concern that needs attention, please make an appointment to meet
with your child’s teacher. Talk honestly and sincerely about
your concerns. There is a good possibility that together you and
the teacher or the person with whom you have a concern can resolve
the problem.
After talking
with the teacher, if the situation is not resolved, please make
an appointment to meet with the Center’s Director. We believe
that keeping the line of communication open is one of the most
vital steps in your child’s success at
TCDC HELPFUL
INFORMATION
Below you
will find how to contact agencies that work closely with child
care facilities:
- Texas Child
Care Licensing (local division): 257-8111, 819 Water Street, Suite
#204, Kerrville, TX 78028
- Child Abuse
Hotline: 1-800-252-5400
- Texas Department
of Protective and Regulatory Services: 1-800-862-5252, or visit
their website at www.tdprs.state.tx.us and www.dfps.state.tx.us
The
parent bulletin board in the main building contains a variety
of information, including recent licensing inspection reports,
safety inspection reports, health permits, and health inspections.
If you would like to view a copy of the Minimum Standards for
licensed day cares in Texas, please ask the Center’s
Director.
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