kingdom’s blessing early learning center fileparticipate alongside the children during all daily...
TRANSCRIPT
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Employee Handbook
Updated
November 2017
Kouts Christian Church
208 S. Polland Ave.
Kouts, IN 46347
219-766-3337
219-928-1628 You are expected to carefully read and adhere to all of the enclosed information. Your
compliance with the standards provided in this handbook will serve as the basis for future
salary increases. Doing your personal best will create a positive, pleasant working
environment for everyone.
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Table of Contents
Page 3
RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL
EMPLOYEES
Page 4
RATIOS
PROFESSIONALISM
DRESS CODE
Page 5
CELL PHONES
HAND WASHING
CHILD ABUSE CONCERNS AND
HOTLINE
Page 6
GRIEVENCE PROCEDURES
COMMUNICATION IN
CLASSROOM AND DURING
THE DAY
TEACHER ABSENCE
EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINARY
PROCEDURES
Page 7
HEALTH AND SAFETY OF
EMPLOYEES
DAILY BINDER
CHECKPOINTS FOR OPENING
DAYCARE
CHECKPOINTS FOR CLOSING
DAYCARE
Page 8
SUPPLY REQUEST
EMPLOYEES WITH CHILDREN
PAY
PAY RAISES
EMPLOYEE VACATIONS
Page 9
CHILDRENS ILLNESS
FORMS
TEACHERS
Page 10
CLASSROOM
INFANT AND TODDLER CARE
Page 11
SAFETY
GENERAL
Page 12
FOOD
Page 13
EMPLOYEE AGREEMENT
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RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL EMPLOYEES:
1. The garbage should be taken out at the end of each day by the second-to-the-last
employee.
2. The solutions should be dumped on the clean-up cloth to soak over-night in the
plastic container. The bodily fluid solution should be kept until ALL children are
gone and then dumped.
3. Toilets in all restrooms should be sprayed and wiped off with the bodily fluid
bleach solution every day and ALWAYS on Thursdays.
4. Step stools in both bathrooms should be cleaned on Thursday with a scrubber and
cleaner.
5. Counter tops in the kitchen and the snack tables should be washed with bleach
solution after every snack and after lunch.
6. Wash the craft table downstairs as soon as you are done with your craft to keep
things from building up on it. It is difficult to get everything off at the end of the
week. Use HOT water to remove glue.
7. The floors in the bathrooms will remain cleaner if everyone keeps their hands
over the sink until they are dry. A staff member should be ready to hand a paper
towel to each child as he or she finishes washing hands. This keeps dirt from
shoes off the floor.
8. Cots should be stacked correctly after naps. No bedding can “flow” over the edge
of a cot. All cots should be stacked so they cannot fall over.
9. The floor in the multi-purpose room should remain clean at all times.
10. All food should be cleaned out of the sinks and the microwave.
11. Clean chairs off in multi-purpose room when dirty.
12. Nursery refrigerator and cabinets should remain clean on tops and inside. Clean
with solution (especially refrigerator) once a week.
13. The inside of the kitchen refrigerator should be cleaned at least once a week. If
you notice a spill, please clean it up right away.
14. Every Thursday the upstairs and downstairs needs to be swept. The person in
charge of school-age children should do the basement after lunch & an employee
from upstairs needs to sweep before leaving.
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RATIOS:
Age of Children Minimum Ratio of Staff to Children
2 weeks to 2 years 1 staff for every 4 children
2 years 1 staff for every 6 children
3 years 1 staff for every 8 children
4 years 1 staff for every 12 children
5 years to 10 years 1 staff for every 15 children
10 years and over 1 staff for every 20 children
PROFESSIONALISM:
Each staff member is a child care professional and is expected to act as such. The
following general guidelines for professionalism should be maintained at all times:
Arrive on time and stay entire shift, as needed.
Is not absent from work on a regular basis and finds a substitute when
necessary.
Dress appropriately for interaction with children.
Take directions, suggestions and criticisms, and follow through to improve
performance.
Respect confidential information regarding children, families, and co-workers.
Display a positive attitude toward the church, program, children, families and
co-workers; before, during and after work hours.
Show restraint in Social Media posts. You are always representing Kouts
Sprouts Preschool and Daycare
DRESS CODE:
Staff members are expected to observe the 3 C’s for appropriate attire at work as
follows:
COMFORTABLE – Staff is expected to play with the children and be down
at their level whenever it is appropriate. To do this, staff must be dressed in
comfortable clothes that allow free movement and activity. Staff members
should wear clothing they feel comfortable getting dirty or stained, as staff
members are expected to
participate alongside the children during all daily activities. Flip-flops and
sneakers are appropriate footwear.
CLEAN - All clothing should be clean with no stains, rips or tears, and must
smell appropriate. This also applies to personal hygiene.
COURTEOUS - Staff members interact with children and parents on a daily
basis and should dress professionally.Clothing may not contain alcohol, drug,
or cigarette references. Vulgar sayings or suggestions are forbidden.Certain
articles of clothing are never appropriate for the work environment, including:
halter tops, strapless “tube” tops, short skirts/shorts (must hit at fingertip
length or below), sweatpants, torn jeans/shorts, and low-rise jeans/shorts
which expose undergarments. It is expected that all staff members will
present themselves and Kouts Sprouts Preschool and Daycare in a
professional, respectable manner. Any staff member not adhering to the dress
code may be asked to leave and return dressed appropriately.
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CELL PHONES:
On a normal basis, at no time during an employees scheduled work day should
personal cell phones be used for personal calls, texts, or social media.
Cell phones MAY be left on the counter during the school day. We
understand that things happen during the day, and phones are needed. Usage
during this time is for EMERGENCY ONLY. “Quick calls or texts” are NOT
allowed during school/daycare time.
Breaks and lunch when another employee is watching the children is a good
time to use your phone for social media.
Please keep in mind that Kouts Sprouts is a ministry, a child care facility, and
a church. Parents do NOT want to drive by and see an employee on their
phone.
HAND WASHING:
Staff members must wash their hands at the following times:
Upon arriving at the center
After each diaper change
After helping a child use the toilet
After wiping a nose, coming into contact with saliva or any other bodily fluid.
Before preparing meals
Before and after meal times
Before and after using the sensory table
After removing gloves
After using the restroom
After returning to the center from a break
After coming indoors from the playground
-Frequent hand washing with soap and warm running water for at least 20 seconds is the
most effective way to reduce and prevent the spread of illnesses like diarrhea, the flu, and
conjunctivitis (pink eye).
CHILD ABUSE CONCERNS:
All Kouts Sprouts Preschool and Daycare staff members are mandatory child abuse
reporters. STAFF MEMBERS MUST INFORM THE DIRECTOR IMMEDIATELY OF
ANY SUSPESPECTED CHILD ABUSE CASES.
CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT HOTLINE
1 800 800-5556
Once the staff member informs the Director of the report they will decide whether or not
to inform the parents of the report. If a Kouts Sprouts staff member is accused of abuse
and/or neglect by a parent or co-worker, such an accusation will be reported
to the Director and a determination will be made as to whether there is reasonable cause
to suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse and/or neglect. If there is reasonable
cause, a report must be made to the Department of Human Services (DHS). Kouts
Sprouts Preschool and Daycare will cooperate with any DHS investigation. In addition,
the accused staff member will be informed of the allegations and be given an opportunity
to respond to those allegations. Termination of employment after a child abuse
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allegation is at the discretion of the Director.
GRIEVENCE PROCEDURES:
As childcare professionals, all staff members are expected to make reasonable attempts to
resolve conflicts directly with the individual(s) concerned. If a solution cannot be
reached, staff members should then seek assistance from the Director to resolve the
conflict.
Confidentiality is expected and required when grievances arise. Staff members who
discuss issues with other staff members not directly related to the situation may be
subject to the Disciplinary Procedure. This policy applies both during paid hours as well
as on a staff member’s personal time.
COMMUNICATION IN THE CLASSROOM AND DURING THE DAY
Open communication between staff members, parents, and children is crucial to a
successful program. Before leaving a classroom for any reason (bathroom, making a
copy, calling a parent) an employee should inform his/her cooperating teachers of the
reason he/she is leaving. Kouts Sprouts Preschool and Daycare is a ministry. Please
make sure that you are a good example at all times.
TEACHER ABSENCE:
If a staff member is ill and unable to work, the Director should be notified
immediately, by phone.
When possible, a staff member must assist in making arrangements for a
substitute.
Staff members will be supplied with an approved substitute list and phone list at
the beginning of each school year. Staff members are expected to use these lists to
find substitutes when unable to work for any reason (vacation, illness,
appointments, etc.).
One full-time staff member must always be in the classroom. Situations in which
all full-time staff members of a classroom are gone must try to be avoided.
Staff members are expected to communicate with each other to ensure both
fulltime staff members are not absent on the same day.
EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE:
Kouts Sprouts Preschool and Daycare uses progressive discipline as a positive way to
correct unacceptable job performance. We pray that these steps will never need to be
used, however we must be ready for anything. Kouts Sprouts employees are “at will”
which means an employee can be terminated at the will of Kouts Sprotus for any reason
or no reason. The following are the steps, which are taken using progressive discipline.
STEP 1 Verbal Warning
If a staff member’s job performance is not meeting Kouts Sprouts standards, or if
a staff member is in violation of any policy stated in this handbook, he/she will be
informed of the problem and the possible penalties if performance does not
improve. Suggestions on ways to improve job performance will also be discussed.
After three (3) verbal warnings have been issued for any reason within a period of
six (6) months, a written warning will be issued.
STEP 2 Written Warning
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A written warning is given if a problem identified by multiple verbal warnings
has not been corrected. Written warnings will be recorded, discussed, and signed
by both the staff member, Director, and a witness. A staff member may receive
only one (1) written warning during a six (6) month period. After one (1) written
warning has been issued, any further issues or actions subject to the Disciplinary
Procedure may result in suspension or termination.
STEP 3 Termination
Termination may result when Step 1 and Step 2 have failed to remedy any
situation. Termination may be immediate.
Reasons for immediate termination may include, but are not limited to:
Commitment of child abuse under Indiana law
Abuse of a parent/guardian of a child or another staff member
Harassment
Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while at work
Theft
Possession of a weapon
HEALTH AND SAFETY OF EMPLOYEES:
Each Kouts Sprouts staff member must receive tuberculosis (TB) skin test.
HepB Test
These will be reimbursed by KSP&D AFTER the employee has worked 90 Days
DAILY BINDER:
Class attendance log
Class roster with parent and emergency contact numbers
CPR instructions/First Aid instructions
Allergies, health concerns
ANY/ALL accidents and incidents during the day
Any time a child is sick, hurt, or other and a parent is contacted
The Daily Binder is ALWAYS with a teacher and the class. It will be carried along with
the First Aid Kit.
CHECKPOINTS FOR OPENING DAYCARE:
1. Turn on lights
2. Change sign-in/sign-out sheets
3. Mix solutions for the day
4. Make sure all phone calls and parent instructions are written in notebook. If
someone other than the parent will be picking up a child, make sure parent notes it
in the sign-in book.
CHECKPOINTS FOR CLOSING THE DAYCARE:
1. Make sure the playground gate is locked.
2. Make sure the church doors are latched and not ajar.
3. Make sure all lights are off and windows closed and locked.
4. Check kitchen and bathrooms to be sure towels/toilet paper is supplied, sink
clean, water off, toilets flushed, etc.
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5. Check all rooms to be sure teachers have closed/locked windows and put supplies
away.
SUPPLIES REQUESTS:
Materials can be requested by listing the items on a sheet of paper and giving it to the
Director at least two weeks before the items are needed. They will be ordered or
purchased by the Director within the two week period they have been requested. Please
do not purchase items personally.
Special purchases such as new books, toys, etc. can be requested through the Director and
will be purchased as finances are available.
EMPLOYEES WITH CHILDREN:
Employees with children attending daycare will pay 50% tuition for each child.
Employees’ children will preferably be placed with a teacher other than the parent.
Please try to treat all children in your care equally.
PAY:
Employees will begin at a pay determined by the Director and Ministry Team. After 90
days, a job performance review will take place. IF the employee has developed the skills
necessary to work efficiently in the daycare, a raise will be decided upon at that time. If
it is found that the employee has not been able to meet the requirements, no raise will be
given and a probationary period will be decided upon, or a termination date will be given.
Another review will be done at the end of the probation period and a decision will be
determined about termination or a raise.
PAY RAISES:
Raises are determined by the Director and MinistryTteam. There are certain factors that
will insure a raise. They are, but not limited to:
1. Teaching effectively
2. Being in place to teach on time.
3. Complying with all requirements in the handbook.
4. Completing posted jobs.
5. Having lessons completed on time and in place for other employees
6. Having your supply list ready at least two weeks ahead of time
7. Being helpful and cooperative with all staff
8. Being innovative with children – always looking for new ways to
teach and discipline children
9. Keeping on task at all times (even when another employee is in the
room)
EMPLOYEE VACATIONS:
After working one full year, employees are entitled to a one-week’s paid vacation per
year. A vacation application must be submitted at least 3 months prior to any requested
vacation dates. The dates must have the Director’s approval. Vacation dates must also
not conflict when other employees are gone. Be sure to indicate if this will be your
“paid” vacation.
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CHILDREN’S ILLNESSES:
In any of the following situations, a child should be sent home:
1. Temperature over 100 degrees
2. Vomiting
3. Diarrhea
4. Head lice
5. or any contagious disease (see sample list below)
IN ALL CASES WHERE IT IS SUSPECTED OR CONFIRMED A CHILD HAS A
CONTAGIOUS DISEASE, HE OR SHE SHOULD BE SENT HOME IMMEDIATELY
(Measles, Chicken Pox, Pink Eye, head lice, etc.)
In case of contagious diseases, including head lice, a notice will be posted at
the front desk.
In all other cases when a child states they do not feel well, try to determine
need-rest, cool space, extra attention, etc.
FORMS: The following forms are used by Kouts Sprouts Preschool and Daycare:
Medication Forms must be completed by the parent in order to authorize us
to give medicine to a child. We do NOT give aspirin with or without a form.
F.Y.I. Forms/What we did Today Forms are used for relaying information
to the parent. IF a child has a minor injury, a bad day, has not felt well,
usually eats well and didn’t, needs diapers or wipes, etc.
Accident Forms must be completed when a major injury occurs. Please
notify the Director as quickly as possible if this happens. Parents must be
notified in writing about any minor injury. This is to be written and signed by
the person who witnessed the occurrence (the F.Y.I. form may be used for
minor injuries only.)
TEACHERS:
Only the children who are in your classroom for the day are your concern.
Please be sure to refer parents to the teacher who cared for their child when
they request information. Also, taking note of what is happening in other
classrooms when you should be caring for your own class will result in a
reprimand by the Director. Please focus on your own children at all times.
Teachers (care givers) are responsible for their rooms. They should be kept
safe and healthy at all times. They should be kept clean and supplies should
be put away when not in use. Items such as Lysol, that would be harmful to a
child, should NEVER be left in reach of children. Whatever your schedule,
supplies and equipment should be put away before you leave. If another
teacher or aide uses the room, it is their responsibility to get things out and put
them away. Lysol should be used sparingly in the presence of children.
Make sure parents are notified if children need extra clothes or a seasonal
change of clothes either by speaking to them or by using an FYI form.
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CLASSROOMS:
MAKE SURE ALL LESSON PLANS AND MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THEM ARE
WHERE A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER HAS EASY ACCESS TO THEM IN CASE YOU
ARE ABSENT FOR AN UNEXPECTED ILLNESS OR EMERGENCY.
The following activities and lessons should be covered. Frequency of the activities
depends on class age. Teachers should only use materials that are developmentally
appropriate in their classrooms. If there is a question in your mind about
developmentally appropriate practice, please speak to the Director.
1. Bible verses 10. Play acting
2. Bible stories 11. Drama
3. Science 12. Music
4. Numbers 13. Pledges (daily)
5. Letters 14. Painting
6. Crafts 15. Nursery rhymes
7. Art 16. Calendar (daily)
8. Games 17. Outdoor play (weather appropriate)
9. Exercise 18. Etc.
Make sure each child has a box with his or her name clearly written on it. Use
upper and lower case letters so the child can become familiar with the way he
or she should write his or her name. Make sure all names are spelled
correctly.
KEEP ALL YOUR PERSONAL POSSESSIONS IN A SAFE PLACE.
Make sure you are familiar with all restrictions for students.
DO not leave child information lists where they are visible.
DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK FOR I.D. If the person is legitimate, they will
not mind. If you do not know someone who is picking up a child in your care,
you must request I.D. and confirm it against the registration information or by
telephoning the parent. It is better to be over-cautious.
INFANT AND TODDLER CARE:
Baby bottles should always be held by the caregiver so the child sees you as security, not
the bottle. A child should never have a bottle without the teacher (caregiver) holding
him/her. Also, never put a baby in a high chair, crib or table with seats, with a bottle.
It is important to teach the babies what the word “no” means. A stern, but not angry
voice usually works best along with moving the baby away from the problem area. A
tap on the hand may also be necessary if repeated removal does not work for a baby.
Please do not totally “baby proof” a room. Children need to know what “no” means,
so if everything that is off-limits is removed from the room, the child will not learn
this. This simple disciplinary action used early in a child’s life will better enable the
child to listen to teachers as they grow older in the daycare setting. When re-directing
from being told “No,” please show positive options with a smile. For example, “This
is NO (stern face), but this is OK (happy face)!”
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SAFETY: The Entire Daycare facility (including the parking-lot and playground) is smoke-free and
alcohol free. It is prohibited to use either of these substances on our grounds or around
the children which includes during field trips or any activity when children are not on the
grounds.
Use or possession of illegal substances, or misusing other legal toxic substances (i.e.
sniffing paint or glue for the purpose of getting high) at any time or using tobacco or
alcohol while working, are grounds for immediate dismissal.
Fire Drills:
Fire drills will be held once a month and logged.
During a fire drill, you should exit with your class by the nearest exit per your
evacuation map. Make sure you bring all your children and your attendance
sheet so that attendance can be confirmed outside. The meeting place for all
classes is the playground.
The exact same procedure should be followed for Drills as for the real
event. If the fire is in an area where you are exiting, do not use that exit – go
to the next closest exit.
Tornado Drills:
Tornado drills require everyone going to an inside wall in the basement and
squatting down with your head down and your hands over your head for
protection. Make sure you bring all your children, and your attendance sheet
so that attendance can be confirmed when the emergency or drill is over.
The exact same procedure should be followed for Drills as for the real
event.
AT NO TIME SHALL A DOOR BE BLOCKED BY A COT/CHILD/PLAY
GROUP/TABLE/CHAIR OR ANYTHING. Each classroom shall have easy exit
aisles.
Please be careful with children. Do not allow them to jump on you or hang on your
legs. This may catch you off guard and you may fall hurting the child and/or
yourself. PLEASE BE CAREFUL.
GENERAL:
Children are NOT permitted to hold infants.
Lunch table should be as quiet as possible and a pleasant experience. All
children should taste everything in their lunch. It is impossible to force a
child to eat. Teachers should make decisions based on the child. Encourage
slow eaters to eat, etc. If a child does not eat in ½ an hour, he or she probably
will not. All staff should help during lunch time. Your focus should be
towards the children during this time. You may eat your lunch after the
children are laying down for a nap.
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Snacks are optional, however, children who take snacks, should eat them.
Remember, you should not force children to eat.
Discipline is “time out” served in a safe place. Hurting a friend and bad
language are not permitted. Rough play is not permitted by the children or the
staff.
Time-out should be used for older children; (3 - up) and should be done for no
longer than the child’s age (example: a three year old for three minutes, a four
year old for four minutes…) When removing a child from a situation because
he or she is harming someone can be done repeatedly, for the length of time
listed above.
Any child under the age of three is not actually in “time out”, but rather is
taking a break from the situation.
A well-informed parent hearing the words “time out” applied to their child
under two sees this as inappropriate. If you are discussing experiences that
took place during the day to a parent with a child age two or under, please say,
“He or she had to take a break from the situation because…”
Classroom doors without windows should be open at all times.
Indoor play equipment may be utilized by classrooms on bad weather days.
Please share and be considerate of other classes. No big room play is allowed
during times when lunch is being served.
All children, except infants, should have outdoor play daily (weather
permitting). There will be a schedule posted at the beginning of each seasonal
use.
Equipment available for indoor and outdoor play at the present time are:
parachute, balls (basketball, volleyball, large balls, dodge balls...), hoola
hoops, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and playground equipment.
During summer months, water play will also be available.
FOOD:
Schedules should be followed as closely as possible to avoid problems in the
lunch room area.
A.M. snack takes place according to the posted schedule. Lunch is at 12:15.
At 1pm children four and under will have snacks. At 3:30pm children five
and older will have snacks.
Children will be bringing their own lunches while the daycare will provide the
morning and afternoon snack.
Snacks will include two of the main food groups (i.e. milk and crackers,
cheese and carrot sticks…) BE AWARE OF ALL FOOD RESTRICTIONS
FOR CHILDREN.
If possible, your lunch should be eaten after children are laying down for their naps.
If it is necessary for you to eat during the lunch time, you should be seated at a table
with a group of children so you can assist them while you eat. Posted jobs should
also be completed during lunch/nap time.
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REMEMBER: We are part of a church ministry. People are an EVENT! When you
greet someone, use a pleasant voice and a concerned attitude. That will go a long way
to make a person’s day.