preschool parent handbook - mercygate learning...

Parent Handbook

9627 Eagle Dr. Mont Belvieu, TX 77523

281-576-6845

www.mercygatecdo.com

Parent Handbook

2 Updated March 2017

Contents Welcome to MercyGate Learning Center ....................................................................................... 4

Curriculum ................................................................................................................................... 4

Administrative Policies .................................................................................................................... 4

Hours of Operation ..................................................................................................................... 4

Enrollment Procedures ............................................................................................................... 5

Tuition and Fees .......................................................................................................................... 6

Penalty Charges .......................................................................................................................... 7

Parent Responsibilities .................................................................................................................... 8

Sign In and Release ..................................................................................................................... 8

Parent Protocol ........................................................................................................................... 8

Clothing ....................................................................................................................................... 9

Personal Belongings .................................................................................................................... 9

Nap Time ..................................................................................................................................... 9 Toilet/Training……………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………8 Outdoor Play ............................................................................................................................. 10

Birthdays ................................................................................................................................... 10

Biting ......................................................................................................................................... 10

Parent Code of Conduct ............................................................................................................ 11

Parent Notifications .................................................................................................................. 11

Custody Situations .................................................................................................................... 11

Confidentiality ........................................................................................................................... 12

Questions or Concerns .............................................................................................................. 12

Parent Participation .................................................................................................................. 12

Parent Referrals ........................................................................................................................ 12

Discipline and Guidance Policy ..................................................................................................... 13

Attendance .................................................................................................................................... 13

Absences ................................................................................................................................... 13

Vacation Credit (Daycare Only) ................................................................................................. 13

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Health and Safety Policies ............................................................................................................. 14

Child to Staff Ratios ................................................................................................................... 14

Illness and Exclusion ................................................................................................................. 14

Medication ................................................................................................................................ 15

Procedures for Handling Emergencies ...................................................................................... 15

Inclement Weather Policies ...................................................................................................... 16

Emergency Plan ......................................................................................................................... 16

Surveillance System .................................................................................................................. 16

School Safety Policies ................................................................................................................ 16

Gang-Free Zone ......................................................................................................................... 17

Immunization Requirements .................................................................................................... 17

Tuberculin Testing Requirements ............................................................................................. 17

Hearing and Vision Screening ................................................................................................... 17

Food Service and Preparation ................................................................................................... 18

Transportation .......................................................................................................................... 18

Animals ...................................................................................................................................... 19

Photographs .............................................................................................................................. 19

Outside Employment ................................................................................................................ 19

Cyber Identity / Social Networking ........................................................................................... 19

Regulatory Items ........................................................................................................................... 20

Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers ............................................................................. 20

Compliance History ................................................................................................................... 20

Child Abuse Reporting Law Requirements ............................................................................... 20

Well Checks ............................................................................................................................... 21

Cell Phones ................................................................................................................................ 21

Revision Log .................................................................................................................................. 22

Parent Handbook


Welcome to MercyGate Learning Center The purpose of MercyGate Learning Center is to create a Christian environment equipped to stimulate early growth and development. Our program gives children ages 6-weeks through 12-years enriching opportunities to develop the whole child. We focus on learning through child-directed play experiences and curriculum time. We believe a balance of play and preschool enhances growth and development in all areas: spiritually, physically, socially, emotionally, creatively, and intellectually. This is achieved in a safe and loving environment with caregivers who are dedicated to enriching children’s lives. MercyGate Learning Center does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, or national or ethnic origin in admittance, education, or other administrative policies and extends to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally made available to students at the school. MercyGate Learning Center is licensed and regulated by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. The following policies are required by Child Care Licensing per The Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers 746.501.

Curriculum

MercyGate Learning Center uses the A Beka curriculum. Students master the material through our unique combination of spiral learning and cross-subject reinforcement, all built on time-tested traditional approach to education. MercyGate staff and faculty actively seek to carry out the school’s mission of honoring the Lord Jesus Christ by providing students an education based upon academic excellence and biblical values. The MercyGate Learning Center environment permeates the classrooms as students are integrated into school setting in a manner that allows them to thrive academically, socially, and spiritually

Administrative Policies

Hours of Operation Daycare: is open from 6:00am-6:00pm, Monday-Friday, year-round. We close to observe the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Full tuition is due for holiday weeks. Holiday rates will apply for school age students. (If student attendance is exceptionally low on other holidays observed, MercyGate Learning Center will make the decision to close and inform the parent).

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NOTE: In some cases, if the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, MercyGate Learning Center may close the day before or the day after the holiday. Parents will be updated on each year’s holiday schedule in January. Children’s Day Out: is open from 8:30am-3:00pm, Monday-Friday and will follow Barbers Hill school calendar. Children’s Day Out will be closed on all school holidays and the summer break. If Barbers Hill has half days, then Children’s Day Out will be closed. Full tuition is due for all school days that Children’s Day Out is scheduled open. Make-up days and/or switching of days are not allowed for days missed due to vacation, illness or school closings (i.e. holidays, inclement weather, etc.). MercyGate Learning Center shares space with MercyGate Church. Secured doors are provided to ensure the children at the learning center are safe throughout the day. The classrooms are used for Wednesday and Sunday services as well as special events.

Enrollment Procedures Upon selecting MercyGate Learning Center to meet your child’s educational needs, all enrollment paperwork is required before the child can start our program. Incomplete paperwork will not be accepted. Paperwork required for enrollment includes:

- Enrollment Form - Physician’s Statement (health care statement from doctor stating the child is healthy to attend a daycare) - Immunization records - Infant Feeding Preference (if applicable) - Photo release form (located on the enrollment form)

Parents will be notified within 30 days of any policy change in writing. Signatures from parents may be required.

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Tuition and Fees

MGLC provides several convenient ways to pay your tuition and fees. You may pay with our online system, through text pay or automatically by electronic funds transfer directly from your bank. Cash or checks will not be accepted. Headmaster is one way you can pay your child’s tuition, registration, and view your account.

• Go to www.mercygatecdo.com. Click on Parent Corner, then Headmaster. This will take

you to your login screen. If you do not have your login you can contact

[email protected]

• On your phone: search the app store for “Headmaster”, the icon is a green apple. Use

your Headmaster login.

Text 281-789-6555 to Pay Text the amount of your payments along with the appropriate hashtag to 281-789-6555.

• For tuition payments use #MGLCtuition. For example, if you are paying $145 then text

as follows: 145 #MGLCtuition

• For registration payments use #MGLCreg. For example, if you are paying $75 then text

as follows: 75 #MGLCreg

• For lunch payments use #MGLClunch. For example, if you are paying $25 then text as

follows: 25 #MGLClunch

EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) EFT automatically deducts the amount from your checking or savings account on the frequency you choose.

• Login to or create your access ACS account at:

https://secure.accessacs.com/access/memberlogin.aspx?sn=111636

• Go to the “GIVING” tab in the left-hand corner.

• Click “GIVE NOW” tab to make a payment or click “MY SCHEDULED PAYMENT”

tab to manage your scheduled payments. Note: this will be applied to account as

payment.

• To set up Electronic Check payments click “MANAGED PAYMENTS” in the right

top corner.

o Enter a nickname for your account. For example, Robert’s checking

account.

o Make sure Checking or Savings is selected in the Account Type field.

http://www.mercygatecdo.com/

https://secure.accessacs.com/access/memberlogin.aspx?sn=111636

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o Enter your account number and ACH routing number. For help with

locating these numbers please contact your bank.

o Enter the name associated with the account just as it is displayed on the

check. For example, if you go by John Smith, but your check displays John R

Smith; you would enter John R Smith.

o Enter an e-mail address to associate with the account.

o Click Submit New Payment Method.

E-mail Trent Hanley at [email protected] with any questions. Weekly tuition is due on Monday on the week of service. Tuition is considered late if not paid by end of day Friday and a $10 late fee will be added to your account. All tuition must be paid prior to attending MercyGate Learning Center. A prepayment of one-week tuition is required at the time of enrollment. This prepayment will be held and applied to your last week of enrollment if you give MercyGate Learning Center a 2-week notice of withdrawal from our program. There are no refunds for days missed due to illness, vacations or school closings due to inclement weather. A non-refundable annual registration fee is due at the time of enrollment. During summer months and holiday times, an activity fee may be charged. Activity fees are for additional activities outside our normal planned curriculum. Parents will be notified in advance of all activity fees. An annual supply fee of $25 is due at time of registration. The supply fee will cover cost for additional materials needed for classroom projects and activities throughout the year. Party fees are to be paid the week before the party. Valentine’s - $5, Easter - $5, Halloween - $5, Christmas - $5 There will be a graduation ceremony for all pre-k students, to commemorate their completion of our program. There will be a fee of $25, to be paid on or before March 15.

Penalty Charges

Our program is open Monday through Friday from 6:00am to 6:00pm. MercyGate Learning Center is licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to care for children during these specified times only. If you are late picking up your child, a $1 PER MINUTE late penalty will be charged to your account. Late penalties must be paid to MercyGate Learning Center before the child can return to care. For the Children’s Day Out late fee will start at 3:00 for $1 PER MINUTE.

mailto:[email protected]

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A late payment penalty of $10.00 will be charged to all accounts on Friday at 6:00pm and every Friday thereafter as long as the account is delinquent. MGLC reserves the right to discontinue services if tuition is three weeks or more delinquent. A penalty of $25 will be charged for (NSF) Non-sufficient funds.

Parent Responsibilities

Sign In and Release

Per Texas state laws, parents have a right to access their child at any time. In the event that a parent is unable to pick up their child, they may authorize another legal adult to pick up. Children will not be released to a minor. Authorized adults must be listed on the enrollment form to pick up and the authorized adult must bring a picture ID. Children will not be released to adults without a picture ID. Children must be signed in and out by the custodial parent or adult person approved by the parent(s). This will be done though our electronic system located in the front lobby. If the electronic system is unavailable, then a signature is required. Please understand that due to liability issues and for the safety of your children, staff members of MercyGate Learning Center are not permitted to take children home from our center.

Parent Protocol

There are several ways you can help us maintain the best possible teaching atmosphere for your child:

➢ Communicate any concerns regarding our program or your child immediately by filling out a parent concern form located at the receptionist desk.

➢ Pick up and read the notices and information left for you in your child’s folder and/or posted outside your child’s classroom, at the reception desk, or in e-mail.

➢ Pick up your child’s papers/projects daily. Their work is very important to them and provides another means of communication between parent and child and helps the parent share in the child’s day.

➢ Please be aware of the scheduled meal times of breakfast and lunch and make sure your child arrives in time to be included in those meals, as applicable. It is very difficult to try and feed a child later than the scheduled mealtime, and causes a disruption in the classroom schedule, which affects all of the children in the classroom.

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➢ Please do not allow your child to bring gum or candy to the classroom. We STRONGLY

encourage you to allow your child to eat what we are serving that day, unless, of course, food allergies are a concern. In that case, we ask that you bring a note from your physician. Any food brought from home will only be served at the same time that the other children are eating and MUST be taken home at the end of the day.

➢ Periodically check on your child’s supply of extra clothing. Please take home soiled clothing promptly.

➢ In order not to confuse school toys with a child’s personal property, we ask that children not bring playthings from home. MercyGate Learning Center staff cannot be responsible for lost or broken personal toys. Two exceptions to this are a stuffed animal for use during naptime by full-day preschool children and for Show & Tell purposes. Your child’s teacher will notify you if and when the class will have Show & Tell.

➢ Mothers who breast feed may use the infant room to sit and breast feed or provide breast milk for their child while in care.

Clothing

Preschool children must have a complete change of clothing, clearly marked with the child’s name, left at MercyGate Learning Center. Preschool children need to be dressed for the weather. Caps, mittens, and warm clothing must be worn during the cooler seasons for the daily outdoor playtime. Accidents can happen, even for the older preschoolers, when they wait too long before going to the bathroom, or if they get wet on the playground.

Personal Belongings

Parents must supply all bottles, toddler training cups, diapers, wipes, and diapering accessories for their child. Please label everything with your child’s first and last name. We use washable crayons, markers and paint during art time, but the children’s clothing may get stained from just being kids! Please dress your children in play clothes since PLAY is what we do!! Please leave all valuable items at home since MercyGate Learning Center cannot be responsible for broken or lost items.

Nap Time

Supervised rest periods are provided for all children under five years of age who remain at MercyGate Learning Center for six or more hours a day, and for all other children who show a need for a rest time. Please provide a clean mat, blanket and pillow for naptime. All nap mats,

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blankets, and pillows will need to go home every week to be washed, per Texas Minimum Standard 746.3407.

Toilet Training Mandatory: Students enrolled in a CDO program (ages 3 & 4) must be toilet trained. This will ensure the teachers are spending quality time on constructive teaching. Please bring extra clothing and undergarments in case of an accident. Toilet training usually begins when the child is around 2 years of age. We have teachers that will help assist you in this training process. Although we are here to assist, we will need the parent to engage and be fully committed to the process. Please bring plenty of undergarments, pull-up, and clothes. This can sometimes take a while, and the teachers need to have access to these essential items. If the child has soiled their nap mat, it is the parent’s responsibility to take it home to wash.

Outdoor Play

Outdoor play is a regular part of the daily routine. Children should be prepared to play outside some part of every day. Please do not request that your child stay indoors. Per the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, children too sick to go outside should not be at school. Children may not wear flip-flops due to the danger these shoes may cause on the playground.

Birthdays

Most children enjoy celebrating special events with their preschool friends (birthdays, new babies, and holidays). Parents may send a “store bought” treat to share with the class. Please make arrangements with the teacher several days in advance. (Food must have ingredients listed for food allergies.)

Biting

Biting is a common issue in early child development. The best way to deal with biting is consistency between providers and parents. Biting could occur for multiple reasons. Proper communication will help determine why a child is biting. MercyGate Learning Center will work with parents when biting becomes a problem. We will make every effort to solve the issue as soon as possible.

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Parent Code of Conduct

Please understand, young children are present in our building. Some adult language is not appropriate for young children. MercyGate Learning Center prohibits swearing or cursing on our property. Threatening staff, children, or other parents will not be tolerated per Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. MercyGate Learning Center has the right to terminate care in the event of disruptive behavior from a parent or guardian. MercyGate Learning Center must follow particular rules on discipline and guidance as outlined in the Texas Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers. All adults, including parents, must follow these rules while on our property. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services does not allow smoking on the premises, either indoors or outdoors.

Parent Notifications

Open communication with parents is very important to children’s success. MercyGate Learning Center has multiple ways of communicating with parents. In some situations, parents may be asked to sign documents acknowledging that communication has taken place. Listed below are ways that MercyGate Learning Center may communicate with parents:

- Remind text - Bulletin board located in the lobby - Through email notifications - Written memos placed in your child’s weekly folders - Social media site such as Facebook - Verbal communication with the child’s teachers and director - MercyGate Learning Center website

Custody Situations

MercyGate Learning Center prefers NOT to get involved with custody disputes. MercyGate Learning Center will follow a court order exactly as written. If your family has a court order on file, please provide us with the most recent copy. PLEASE NOTE: PER STATE LAW, IN THE

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ABSENCE OF A COURT ORDER, BOTH PARENTS HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS. It is imperative that all enrollment forms are completed with both parents’ information. A copy of a child’s birth certificate may be requested at the Director’s discretion. In the event that a custody dispute takes place on our property, the local police will be called and asked to handle the dispute. Our staff will not be placed in the middle of such disputes. If a custody issue creates a risk for our facility or staff, MercyGate Learning Center has the right to terminate care.

Confidentiality

While your child is enrolled in our program, parents may come across confidential information about our program, our staff, and sometimes other children. All information received from MercyGate Learning Center must remain confidential at all times. Breaching confidentiality may lead to disenrollment.

Questions or Concerns

If parents have questions or concerns about our program, we encourage you to have open communication with your child’s teacher and the Center Director. Through open communication, we can ensure that all parties are well informed and working as partners in the child’s education. A parent concern form is available at the front desk for you to fill out and return. The director will contact you to resolve the issue.

Parent Participation

We encourage parent involvement, especially helping with class parties. Also, if you have a concern, please schedule a time to meet with the classroom teacher and/or the director of the facility.

Parent Referrals

We greatly appreciate your business and know that you will be so pleased with our service that you will tell all your friends and acquaintances about us! If one of those families decides to enroll their child(ren), we will credit your account the amount of one-week tuition after that family has been with us for 90 days. Our greatest advertising asset is you!!

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Discipline and Guidance Policy MercyGate Learning Center staff members are trained to use a positive method of discipline and guidance that encourages self-esteem, self-control, and self-direction. Just a few examples used in this situation are: praise and encouragement of good behavior instead of focusing only upon unacceptable behavior; reminding a child of behavior expectations daily by using clear, positive statements and redirecting behaviors. There may be times during the day when a supervised separation time is needed. This is a “time-out” and is used according to the child’s age and development and limited to one minute per year of the child’s age. MercyGate Learning Center staff will never use Corporal Punishment or negative discipline that may hurt or humiliate a child. Research has shown that positive guidance teaches children skills, which help them cope in their physical and social environment. The aim is to develop personal standards in self-discipline, not to enforce a set of inflexible rules. Giving children understandable guidelines and redirecting their behavior helps them to develop internal control of their actions and encourages acceptable behavior. MercyGate Learning Center reserves the right to terminate care of a child for discipline problems at any time.

Attendance

Absences

If your child will be absent from school, we ask that you notify the front office by 9:30am each day. To ensure the safety of your child, MercyGate Learning Center will attempt to call parents that have not reported an absence.

Vacation Credit (Daycare Only) MGLC may extend one week of Vacation Credit per calendar year after 12 months of being enrolled in the center. Parents may request a vacation credit form available at the front desk. This request form must be submitted 30 days in advance in order to get approval from the director. The Vacation Credit form is available online in the Parent Corner. If you choose to keep your child home for the summer, one fourth (¼) of their normal weekly tuition is due in addition to the registration fee in order to hold their spot for the fall when public school resumes. This helps MercyGate Learning Center maintain a higher staff retention rate.

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Health and Safety Policies

Child to Staff Ratios

MercyGate Learning Center provides teacher/children ratios that are equal to or less than required state ratios in all classrooms. From time to time, we may follow state ratios, but will never be non-compliant unless under emergency situations. State ratios for each caregiver:

Age Number of Students per Teacher

0 – 11 months 4

12 – 17 months 5

18 – 23 months 9

2 years 11

3 years 15

4 years 18

5 years 22

6 - 8 years 26

9 – 13 years 26

Illness and Exclusion

Children who are ill should not attend preschool. MercyGate Learning Center observes the standards set by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services for ill children. The most common standards for exclusion are:

a. Illness that prevents the child from participating in childcare activities, including outdoor play.

b. The illness results in a greater need for care than caregivers can provide without compromising the health, safety and supervision of the other children.

c. Oral temperature of 100.5 or armpit temperature of 100.

d. Symptoms and signs of possible severe illness such as lethargy, abnormal breathing, uncontrollable diarrhea, 1 or more vomiting episodes in 24-hours.

If a child becomes ill while in our care, we will contact the parent immediately. We will care for the child apart from the other children with proper supervision and give extra attention to hand washing and sanitation practices.

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Parents need to pick up children within 1 hour of notification. In the event of severe illness or injury, or if a parent fails to pick up their child within a reasonable amount of time, MercyGate Learning Center may call for an ambulance at the parent’s expense. If a child is sent home sick from our program, they may not return until the child is symptom-free for 24-hours.

Medication

Please inform your physician that your child is in full-day or part-day preschool and that you prefer to give medications at home, morning and evening. Knowing this, many doctors will order longer acting medications. Limiting medications dispensed away from home prevents medication errors. Please remember, MercyGate Learning Center is designed for well children. If medications need to be administered at school, the following conditions must be met:

Form 7238 Authorization for dispensing medication must be filled out and turned in with all medication.

Prescription medication will be accepted only if it is in the original container and hasn’t reached its expiration date.

Nonprescription medication, including sunscreen and bug spray, may only be administered by following the manufacturer’s recommendation on the label. Medication must be in an unopened container and accompanied with Form 7238.

Medication must be taken home after the last date that the medication is administered.

Procedures for Handling Emergencies

In case of minor injury or accident, the staff will administer basic first aid. All injuries or illnesses not requiring immediate parental notification will be documented and reported to parents when the child is picked up at the end of the day. In case of medical injury or illness requiring immediate professional care (emergency), the staff will call 911, giving location and nature of emergency. As appropriate, the staff will administer CPR or first aid measures. Parents will be notified immediately. If parents are unavailable, those individuals designated as emergency phone contacts will be notified. All children must have an emergency medical release form on file (enrollment form) in case of such an emergency.

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If a child ingests or comes in contact with a poisonous substance the staff will contact the Poison Control Center 1.800.222.1222.

Inclement Weather Policies

MercyGate Learning Center will open most days during inclement weather. Please check the following for announcement of closing

• Remind text

• Home page of website www.mercygatecdo.com

• FaceBook page MercyGate Learning Center

• Email

In case of serious emergencies such as hurricanes, fire, storms, or loss of power/water, parents will be notified, if possible, and children will be cared for until parents or emergency contacts arrive. There are no refunds for days missed due to inclement weather.

Emergency Plan

In the event of a fire or severe weather evacuation, all children are taken to their rally points, then, relocated to the parking lot of Barbers Hill Kindergarten Center. When all children are accounted for and safe, parents will be contacted to pick up their children.

Surveillance System

MercyGate Learning Center has closed circuit cameras in all classrooms. The privacy of the children is very important to us. For this reason, the cameras are not available over the Internet.

School Safety Policies Parents need to personally escort their child(ren) inside the building to sign in and out when their children enter and leave the facility. Each classroom has a window in the door for viewing activity. Parents are welcome to visit the center any time during the day to observe their child without prior approval. However, if you would like to stay and spend time with your child

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during activities, please see the office a week prior so we can do a proper criminal history check, as required by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Our facility is equipped with a fire sprinkler system and fire drills are practiced monthly. You will be notified of any incidents other than minor scrapes or bumps with a phone call. A written report will be given to the parent at pick up time. First aid will be applied to minor incidents. In the event medical attention is required, we will notify you immediately. Parents are responsible for all medical fees.

Gang-Free Zone

Under the Texas Penal Code, any area within 1000 feet of a child care center is a gang-free zone, where criminal offenses related to organized criminal activity are subject to a harsher penalty. MercyGate Learning Center is a GANG-FREE ZONE.

Immunization Requirements

Immunization records must be current for all children enrolled in MercyGate Learning Center. A copy must be in the child’s file. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that your child’s immunizations are current. Failure to keep children current on immunizations may lead to disenrollment. From time to time MercyGate Learning Center may have children enrolled that have not received immunizations due to personal belief. A notarized affidavit must be on file for these children. Immunization records must be current for all employees. Employees are not required to have a flu shot.

Tuberculin Testing Requirements

Based on local health department guidelines, proof of TB testing is not required in order to be enrolled in our program.

Hearing and Vision Screening

Hearing and Vision Screening for possible vision and hearing problems is required by the Special Senses and Communication Disorders Act, Texas Health & Safety Code, Chapter 36, for children

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who are 4-years old. MercyGate Learning Center will schedule annual screenings at our school for an additional fee. Parents may also bring in screening proof from their local pediatrician.

Food Service and Preparation

MercyGate Learning Center will provide breakfast, snacks and lunch to our daycare children at no additional fee. Children’s Day Out will provide snacks only. Parents need to supply a lunch or you may pre-purchase a hot lunch for an additional fee. Parents need to supply cereal, baby foods, and iron fortified formula for infants. Parents are asked to complete an “Infant Feeding Sheet” at the beginning of each month. This instructs us on how to feed your baby according to your directions. MercyGate Learning Center provides breakfast for all children ages 0-Pre-k, present by 8:00am. Breakfast for school age children ends at 7:10am. Lunch is served between 11:00am and noon. A morning and afternoon snack will be served. The school-age kids are served a snack when they arrive after school. Menus are sent home at the beginning of the month. Important: Please advise the center of any allergies. If your child has an allergy, please fill out an Action Plan form located in the office. This will help staff with immediate action to treat your child if necessary.

Transportation

School-age children will be transported to and from Barbers Hill ISD by the Barbers Hill bus system. State law requires:

➢ Vehicles transporting children shall be in safe operating condition and drivers shall have a current Texas Driver’s License.

➢ Children shall be loaded and unloaded at the curbside of the vehicle, or in a protected parking area.

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➢ A child shall not be taken on field trips unless a parent or guardian has signed

permission forms.

Animals

From time to time, MercyGate Learning Center may have classroom pets that meet the requirements by Texas Child Care Licensing. A notice to parents will be posted outside any classroom door when a pet is present.

Photographs

MercyGate Learning Center believes in the benefit of using real life pictures in our educational program. Parents are required to fill out our photo release form at the time of enrollment. We will use these photos of the children for our website, Facebook, and other advertisement with parent approval. Please note: during certain parent events, such as Pre-K graduation, Christmas programs, and carnivals, photographs may be taken. If you wish for your child to not be photographed, you may want to remove them from these events.

Outside Employment

Employees of MercyGate Learning Center are prohibited from outside employment with parents of the organization. This includes, but is not limited to, babysitting and/or nanny- type jobs.

Cyber Identity / Social Networking

Cyber identity and social networking is very exciting these days. However, please understand that employees of MercyGate Learning Center are prohibited from participating in social networking with children that are enrolled in our program. This includes, but is not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

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Regulatory Items

Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers MercyGate Learning Center is licensed and regulated by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and we follow the Texas Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers. Parents may review of a copy of these standards in our front office or view the standards online at www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Care/Child_Care_Standards_and_Regulations/default.asp

Compliance History

MercyGate Learning Center encourages parents to view our compliance history with Child Care Licensing. Our most recent inspection is posted on our parent communication board or at www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Care/Search_Texas_Child_Care/ppFacilitySearchDayCare.asp Parents may also contact our local child care licensing office at 214-583-4253.

Child Abuse Reporting Law Requirements

MercyGate Learning Center staff are REQUIRED by Texas State law and licensing requirements to report immediately to the police or Child Protective Services (CPS) any instance when there is reason to suspect the occurrence of physical, sexual, or emotional child abuse, child neglect, or exploitation. Our staff receives annual training on recognizing and preventing abuse and neglect, including sexual abuse. MercyGate Learning Center has made a commitment to help increase awareness and prevention techniques to employees and parents through trainings, memos and monthly newsletters. MercyGate Learning Center will also coordinate with community organizations on strategies to prevent abuse and neglect. The staff may not notify parents when the police or CPS are called about possible child abuse, neglect, or exploitation, except on the recommendation of CPS or the police when they are called. Some examples of abuse and neglect are: leaving a child in a vehicle unattended, not securing a child in a seat belt or booster seat, unexplained marks or bruises on opposite sides of the body, and child hygiene issues.

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If parents feel they need assistance with possible child abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse, we encourage you to get help. Please call the National Parent Hotline at 1-855-427-2736 or visit www.helpandhope.org/find-help.html The statewide Abuse & Neglect phone number is 1-800-252-5400, if you would like to report any suspected abuse or neglect.

Well Checks

MercyGate Learning Center staff will do a visual check of the children upon arrival each morning. If a staff member notices anything unusual they are required to point this out to the parent at that time. If your child has an accident overnight, please notify staff members when dropping off so that we can assist in watching the child for side effects.

Cell Phones Proper parent communication is imperative when working with young children. It is difficult to communicate when cell phones are in use. Effective December 1, 2010, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services passed new regulations prohibiting the personal use of cell phones in classrooms. Please help us stay in compliance with this new standard. We, at MercyGate Learning Center, know that you trust us with your most valuable treasure, your child, and we strive to serve our families the absolute best in preschool education and childcare. We believe that excellent early childhood development is the foundation for a bright future for our children at MercyGate Learning Center.

Parent Handbook


Revision Log Revision Revision Date Revised By

Columbus Day (New) 3/7/2017 Kathy Harrison

Parent Concern Form 3/7/2017 Kathy Harrison

Tuition and Fees (Online only) 3/7/2017 Kathy Harrison

Penalty Charges 3/7/2017 Kathy Harrison

Curriculum 3/7/2017 Kathy Harrison

Parent Notifications – Remind Text

3/7/2017 Kathy Harrison

Inclement weather policy 3/7/2017 Kathy Harrison

Allergy Action Plan /Food Service and Preparation

3/15/17

Kathy Harrison

preschool parent handbook - mercygate learning...

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