Parent Handbook 2016-2017Summer Camp

Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.4601 Avocet Road Northwest Albuquerque, NM 87114

Director: Aileen Lopez-Prado 505-890-8885

Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare is an early childhood ministry dedicated to the nurturing of youth in a Christian environment.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES -

Purpose Mission Philosophy Non-Discrimination Statement Licensing Operational Policies

ADMISSIONS -

Age Requirements Registration Notification of Policy Changes Tuition Payments Fees

ATTENDANCE -

Center and Preschool Hours/ Address Arrival, Departure, Release Procedures &

Schedule

ACADEMICS AND PROGRAM OF STUDIES -

Curriculum Parent-Teacher Conferences/Daily

Reports/Progress Reports Confidentiality Policy Field Trips Water Activities Animals Breakfast/ Lunch / Snack / Rest Time

PARENT-CENTER PARTNERSHIP-

Open Door Policy Liability Disclosure

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont.)

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DISCIPLINE, GRIEVANCES, AND DRESS CODE -

Discipline Behavioral Issues Grievances Dress Code

HEALTH AND SAFETY –

Child Safety To and From School/Mandated Reporting Procedure Medication Policy Health Requirements and Services State Vaccine Requirements Emotional Crises Sickness, Contagious Diseases, and Emergencies Bad Weather / Closing of Center Fire Drills / Emergency Evacuations

HOLIDAYS, PARTIES, AND SPECIAL EVENTS -

Holidays Birthday Parties and Special Events

Policies and Procedures-

Photos Fire/Emergency Evacuations Missing Child/Possible Abduction Playtime Notification of Policy Changes Potty Training Supplies

APPENDIX –

New Mexico Immunization Requirements Healthy Snacks

PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES:

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Purpose : Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare will, in a Christian environment, partner with parents to help nurture, love, and care for their children as they explore the world around them and develop spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.

Mission: Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare partners with parents to provide a Christ-Centered education in a nurturing environment which helps children grow spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally, and physically with Christian character, values, and ideas based on the Word of God.

Philosophy: We believe each child is a precious gift from God, deserving the best of care that we can provide. God wants us to partner with parents to provide the most positive environment for children to maximize their potential as they learn and grow. Children should feel great love and self-worth as they see Jesus through our actions as we meet their needs and care for them each day. All children should have the opportunity to learn and develop at their own rate in their own way. Learning should be enjoyable with hands-on experiences that help children develop positive self-esteem. The whole child should be nurtured by providing ways to grow spiritually, intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically.

Non-Discrimination Statement : Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare admits children of any race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin and extends all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to children at the Center. Enrollment will be open to any child providing the school will be able to meet his/her needs.

Licensing: Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare is licensed by the state of New Mexico Children Youth and Families Department.

Operational Policies:

Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare follow the rules of the Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD) regarding the operations of our child care facility. To contact the local Licensing Office, Child Abuse Hotline, The CYFD Website, review minimum standards, and our child-care center’s most recent Licensing Inspection Report, please contact:

Child Care Services Bureau Metro Region3401 Pan American Freeway NE Albuquerque, NM 87107

Office Phone: 505-841-4825 www.newmexicokids.org

ADMISSIONS AND DISENROLLMENT:

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Registration Fee: This fee is $90.00 this is a yearly, non-refundable fee to be paid for each Child at the time of registration, and annually each August.

Age Requirements: Children entering Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare must be at least six weeks old through school age.

Disenrollment : Please Note: The Director has the authority to remove a child from the program at any given time. All children that disenroll the center forfeit their rights to A Beka Book curriculum. No refunds for curriculum will be given, and no material will be issued upon disenrollment.

Tuition Payments, Fees, and Discounts: Full Time Part-Time

(5 Days) (3 Days or 5 half-days)

Infant Room $180 Per Week $160 Per Week(Age 6 weeks to 12 months or mobile)

Toddler Room $175/165 Per Week $155/145Per Week(Mobile-18 months and 18- 24 Months)

Preschool Room $170/150 Per Week $150/130 Per Week(Age 2 Year olds and 3 Year olds)

K-4 Room $150 Per Week $130 Per Week(Age 4 Year olds and 5 Year old)Summer Program $125 Per Week $110 Per Week(5 Year old and Older)

*Room advancement is determined by academic school year and/or September 1 st .

Multi-Child Discounts: A 10% discount is available for families with more than one child enrolled in our program. This discount is only for the tuition fees of the second child or the child whose tuition is less.

Vacation/Sick/Court ordered Visitation Weeks : If your child will miss school for any reason, you must continue to pay the weekly tuition payment to insure your child’s space. If your child will miss an entire week of school due to vacation, sick, or court ordered visitation, you will be responsible for half the tuition for that week paid in advance.

PLEASE NOTE: At least two weeks of notice in writing is required.

Tuition Payments, Fees, and Discounts Continued:

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A yearly registration form and fee must be received in the preschool office for currently enrolled and newly enrolled children. To keep in compliance with licensing, additional forms must also be kept on file. These include the current year’s Enrollment Record, Medical Information Form, Medical Record, Treatment for Minors Consent Form, and Child Information Sheet. NOTE: Registration will not be complete until all forms are completed, signed with the required signatures and the yearly registration fee paid.

NOTE: If your child’s first tuition payment and registration fee has been paid and we have reserved a space in one of our classrooms, we will expect your child to be here for class. However, if he/she has not shown up as scheduled, we will make several attempts to contact you by phone or e-mail during the first few days of the scheduled start date. We will hold your child’s space in the classroom for one week after the first attempt of contact. At that time, if we haven’t heard from you regarding the status of your child and your intention for your child to attend, his/her reserved space will be given to the next child on our waiting list, and the registration fee will not be refunded.

Late Pick-up or early drop-off of Children Fee : Late/early fees are assessed for children dropped off or picked up before and after their scheduled pick up time. The late fees will be assessed at a rate of $1 per minute, per child. Please call the center Director if you foresee yourself being late to pick up your child.

Return Check Fee: For all returned checks there will be a return check fee of $25.

NOTE: If two checks with insufficient funds have been received, your child can attend Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare on a “cash only” basis. This means that your child can remain in our school if all fees are paid, by the due date, by either money order, or cashier’s check.

Withdrawal Fee : Parents must fill out a Withdrawal Form and give the Director two weeks. Please note full tuition is still due, when withdrawing your child from our preschool. This form must be reviewed and signed by the Director. If you fail to comply with this requirement, you will be responsible for the two weeks of tuition whether your child attends or not. All children that disenroll the center forfeit their rights to A Beka Book curriculum. No refunds for curriculum will be given, and no material will be issued upon disenrollment.

Late Payment Fee: Late fees of $25.00 will be assessed for all tuition payments and other assessed fees received after Monday for that current weeks tuition. Late fee payments must be made by the end of the current attending week in order for your child to remain in school.

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ATTENDANCE:

Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare Hours : The Center hours are as follow- Monday to Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We are located at 4601 Avocet Road Northwest Albuquerque, NM 87114.

Electronic Check In/Out: The daycare keeps records of student attendance through the use of the computer. These records are considered legal documents and are required by state childcare licensing. It is required that parents electronically sign their children in and out every day.

Arrival and Departure Times/Procedures/Schedule:

Each day, we work to provide a balanced approach to learning that helps prepare your child for school success. In order to ensure that we have adequate staff in classrooms on a daily basis, we ask that if your child won’t be here or will be late due to a doctor’s appointment please call or text to let us know. Note: Children in the two’s and threes room, cannot be dropped off no later than 9:30 am; K-4 are required to be in class no later than 9:00 am; both classes must be snacked before drop off times, ready and prepared to start the day.

Arrival: Each morning please electronically sign in your child/children. Parents are encouraged to visit and call at any time to check on their child. Teachers will serve breakfast brought from home until 9am. If you come after 9am, please ensure that your child has already had breakfast.

Departure: All children will remain in the building until an authorized adult arrives and the child is electronically signed out. Once an authorized person has signed out and taken possession of the child, that child then becomes their responsibility. Please check your child’s cubbie for any projects that need to be taken home, soiled clothes or blankets that need to be taken home and washed, and the daily report sheet (infant/toddler only).

Release Procedures: Children are released only to their Parents or other persons designated on the enrollment forms. It is our policy to ask for the Driver’s License or photo state Identification card to verify the identity of any authorized person that our staff does not know. Please add all persons who might be asked to pick up your child. If their name is not on the list, your child will not be released to them. NOTE: Persons designated to authorize medical treatment must also be on the authorized pick up list.

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ACADEMICS AND PROGRAM OF STUDIES: Curriculum by A Beka Book: Our curriculum is Christ-centered and Bible-based,

supporting our objectives of Christian education as outlined in the mission and philosophy statements. The Christian faith is taught as a way of life. They are taught letter recognition, language development, sight words, pre-reading skills, number recognition, math skills such as patterns and one-to-one relationship, and calendar.

The curriculum is center-based and developmentally appropriate. It is designed to meet the individual needs of the children enrolled in our program. It provides a preschool education in Spiritual and Social living (self-help skills, relationships, morals, values); Communication arts (speaking, listening, reading, writing), Expressive arts (art, drama, movement, music); Wellness (health, nutrition, safety, fitness); and Discovering the world (math, sensory, science).

We believe that growth and learning occur through play in settings such as centers, the playground, and classroom activities. These allow your child to have hands-on opportunities for individual and group exploration, experimentation, discovery, and social interaction. Children participate in activities such as creative art, sand/water/sensory play, drama, and block construction.

Field Trips: Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare will have in house field trips by bringing visitors and exhibits to the children at our school. And on offsite field trips. When special days and visits are planned, parents will be notified well in advance if they wish to attend. *Background check required to participate on field trips, parents are encouraged to see the Director if you would like to attend.

Animals : Occasionally there may be animals at the school. In this event parents will be notified in advance of the type of animal and which day the animal will be present. Any animal that is brought into the preschool will have all necessary vaccinations on record and will not be of an undomesticated, dangerous or vicious nature. Some examples would include but are not limited to raising butterflies, Service animals and Fish tanks. If a child should ever touch an animal while at the school, they will be required to wash their hands immediately with soap and warm water or use hand sanitizer immediately after. Animals will NEVER be allowed into the Infant room.

Confidentiality Policy: We at Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare greatly care about all matters of a sensitive nature. We will never share any personal or privileged information with anyone not directly affiliated with your child.

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ACADEMICS AND PROGRAM OF STUDIES CONTINUED: Parent-Teacher Conferences/Daily Reports: Parent/Teacher Conferences will be

held in the spring, at your request, so we can review your child’s individual goals and needs. In certain circumstances, Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare may require a conference with a parent to discuss behavior issues or other early intervention options. To further keep parents informed, we will send home a brief daily or weekly report to let you know how your child’s day/week went (Infant/toddler only).

Water Activities: In the spring and summer there will be a designated day each week for each class to have water play. This water play consists of, spray hoses and water toys, wading pools or water toys will be allowed. This day requires child to be towels, suits, water shoes/sandals with a back, sunscreen, and a dry change of clothes. You have already agreed or disagreed to give permission for your child’s participation through a form that was part of the enrollment packet.

Withdrawal: For extenuating circumstances, parents can withdraw their child(ren) with two week’s (ten working days) notice to the center director in writing. Until the notice is received in writing, tuition charges will occur.

Breakfast/ Lunch / Rest Time / Snack Time: Breakfast: Each child is allowed to eat breakfast that is brought from home from

time of drop off until 9:00am.

Lunch: Each child should bring a lunch and a drink from home in a lunch box or paper sack. Lunch is served at 11:30 am for the infant/toddler class and 12pm for the preschool class. All foods should be ready to eat like sandwiches, peeled and cut up fruit, cut up cheese, crackers, etc. Glass containers are not allowed. Children should bring a lunch drink in a spill proof cup or thermos. Box drinks are also recommended and should be in a hard box holder or pouch. These are easier for the children to handle.

o Candy and Carbonated soda drinks are NOT allowedo Re-freezable cold pack will avoid spoilage. o We highly encourage nutritional food. (See Appendix)o We will warm Infant bottles in a bottle warmer.

Snack Time: Each child will be offered an am snack at 9:00am and then again after they awake from nap approximately around 2:30pm for toddlers and 3:00pm for preschoolers. These snacks need to be nutritional and peanut free. You may provide a drink during this time; otherwise your child will be offered water.

Because the church does not have a kitchen yet, the health department will not allow the child care center to provide any type of meals or snacks to the children during the day.

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ACADEMICS AND PROGRAM OF STUDIES CONTINUED:

NOTE: All food including baby bottles, lunch boxes, paper sacks and snacks must have the child’s First, and Last name written on the food with the current date, or have a label affixed to any food item, formula or breast milk bottle with the child’s first and last name and the current date.

Rest Time: Nap cots are provided for all children who are ages 12 months to 5 years old. Children under 12 months will be provided a crib with a mattress and sheet. These will be labeled with your child’s name. Your child may bring a small pillow and/or small blanket for naptime. If the mat, blanket, or pillows are too large to accommodate, they will be sent back with you and you will be asked to obtain something smaller. Blankets, towels, and pillows should be taken home at the end of each week for laundering. Cot sheets will be washed weekly and crib sheets washed weekly or as needed at Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare center. Naptime for children provides an essential break from an active morning schedule. No one is forced to “nap” but many of them fall asleep after an exciting morning. It is a state licensing requirement that each childcare center at least offer a 45 minute nap/ rest time to each child.

PARENT-CENTER PARTNERSHIP:

• Open Door Policy: A parent may visit the school at any time. We highly encourage a parent to call or visit the school at any time to check on their child. The Center Director is available most days and times; however an appointment may be needed on occasion.

• Liability Disclosure: Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare Center does NOT carry liability or accident insurance coverage for your child. This is a state requirement in the state child care licensing regulations.

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DISCIPLINE, GRIEVANCES, AND DRESS CODE: Discipline: Discipline is not punishment but rather a teaching of self-control,

Christian attitudes, and orderliness. Children model the behavior they see around them. We as parents and teachers must model the values and behaviors we want our children to develop.

o In the classroom, the teacher is the primary disciplinarian. The teacher's attitude toward each child will show respect and care for that individual. Harsh words, angry voices, and physical force will not be used to discipline your child. Positive choices of behavior will be discussed with the children.

o Each school year will begin with a discussion of the classroom rules. This will be done for the first few weeks and periodically thereafter for the remainder of the year. The teachers are familiar with those actions that are acceptable for the age level they are teaching. Inappropriate actions will be redirected to stop any behavior that interferes with learning.

o If a certain unacceptable behavior persists, the child may be asked to sit in the “Thinking Time” chair for a few minutes. If more action is needed, the child may be removed from the classroom and sent to the Directors Office. Parents will be informed of this action. If the same behavior is repeated, a conference will be set to include the parent(s), teacher, and/or Director. A report of the incident will be documented on an incident report form, which is signed by the parents, teacher and the Director.

Student Aggression : Teachers will provide constant supervision to help ensure as much safety as possible. Should a child be injured, the policy is to see to the physical needs of the child first and then to his/her emotional needs. A report is filed with the daycare director, and the parents of the child (ren) involved, Should a student begin to show a pattern of aggression towards other students, parents will be notified in writing about the daycare’s concern and a meeting will be set up to establish a plan to help the child with his/her aggression issues. If the aggression is not curbed, the child may be dis-enrolled from the daycare as a safety precaution for other students.

Student Misbehavior : The teacher will use disciplinary techniques that he/she has incorporated within his/her individual classroom. Some examples are: redirection, better choices, elevation of warnings, withdrawing the child from the group or activity. If the misbehavior still occurs, a parent/teacher conference will be called to discuss alternative methods of solving the problem. If the child continues to ignore the alternative methods and the parents are unwilling to cooperate, the school will be forced to remove the child via suspension or permanent removal from the program. The following disciplinary practices are prohibited: physical punishment; withdrawal of food; rest or bathroom opportunities; abusive or profane language, or any form of humiliation including

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threats of physical punishment; unsupervised isolation of the child; and any other type of punishment that is hazardous to the physical or mental health of the child.

DISCIPLINE, GRIEVANCES, AND DRESS CODE CONTINUED: Biting: After three biting incidents from a child, there will be a meeting with the

parents to help us put an action plan in place. If biting continues after this plan is put into action, disenrollment in the program will be an option. The Director has the authority to remove a child from the program if it is deemed necessary.

Behavioral Issues: You will be contacted to pick up your child if he/she:

o Displays disruptive behavior which interferes with classroom management o Needs constant one-on-one attention to behave.o Displays behavior that could be harmful to the teacher, fellow students or

themselves.o Displays severe temper tantrums and is out of control.

PLEASE NOTE: The Director has the authority to remove a child from the program at any given time.

Personal Items: Please do not let your child bring personal items from home unless approved by the teacher. We are not responsible for loss or damage of personal items brought to Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare. Special opportunities to bring items from home for show and tell will occur throughout the year at the discretion of your child’s teacher. If a child brings a personal item from home, the teacher has the right to take it and hold it until the child goes home.

o Please be aware that within the first 30 to 90 days, we might be able to tell if we are not the best fit for your child. Also see note above.

Grievances: Following the Matthew 18 principle (Matthew 18:15-20), the handling of all grievances begins first between the two people involved. If no solution can be reached, the Director should be informed of the problem in an attempt to reach a solution agreeable to both parties. The decision of the Director is final.

Dress Code: Think of your child's comfort by providing simple clothing that can be laundered and is easy for your child to remove for the bathroom. Keep in mind that art materials as well as playground activities can be messy. Provide clothing that is both sturdy and washable. No open toed shoes are allowed for the safety of your child except for water play in the summer where water sandals may be worn.

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NOTE: Remember that Albuquerque weather is changeable [sunny and bright in the morning and cloudy and cool in the afternoon]. It is much better to remove an unneeded item than to be cold and get chilled. All removable clothing needs to be labeled with your child’s name.

DISCIPLINE, GRIEVANCES, AND DRESS CODE CONTINUED: Good grooming and proper dress contribute positively to the climate of our center

and to the emotional attitude of your child. Children are expected to be dressed in accordance with health and safety standards as well as in good taste. Rubber-soled shoes are recommended for your child's safety, especially on the playground. Please no slippers, flip flops or open toed sandals.

NOTE: All removable clothing (sweaters, jackets, hats, etc.) must be labeled with your child's name. A complete change of clothing for your child (including shirt, pants, underwear, socks, and shoes) stored in a labeled, ziplock bag, should be kept at Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare center at all times. Please realize that if children are on the playground and playing creatively, clothes and skin can get dirty quickly. We will try to have your child reasonably clean when you arrive at the end of the day.

The center keeps a limited number of extra pieces of donated clothing on hand for children, so when your child comes home in something belonging to Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare center, please launder it and send it back as quickly as possible.

Our Guidance Practices:o In safety – Staff and students are expected to enhance and maintain a

safe physical, social, and emotional environment during all phases of the school day.

o Students come first.o That positive play is a strong opportunity for learning.o In lifelong learning – learning begins in infancy.  Students and Leaders

will concentrate on continued learning through social and physical interactions.

o That learning is largely experiential – children need a variety of experiences to create memories for future reference in the life process.

o In active participation – students and parents are encouraged to participate in the problem solving processes that affect the child’s learning.

o In opportunities for success.o That individuality needs to be respected – diversity and differences are

valued and fostered through social interaction and varied learning experiences.

o Positive self-esteem – through respect for each other and opportunities to problem solve, self-respect grows.

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o In teamwork and citizenship – through social interactions and respect for others, students will learn to be part of society which will enhance the quality of their lifelong learning experience.

HEALTH AND SAFETY: Child Safety To and From School/Mandated Reporting: It is important for your

child to be seat-belted going to and from school. It is also required by law. If someone else is picking up your child, who does not have a car seat, you may leave yours here with the name of your child, your child’s room, & person to pick up child. We have areas to keep your car seat during the day. PLEASE NOTE: For the added protection of your child and because Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare is a mandated reporter, if our staff notices that your child or children are not seat belted when they leave our facility or if we notice any signs of possible neglect or abuse we will first notify you and then notify child protective services as we are required to do so by state and agency laws.

NOTE: No parking is allowed in red zones or in front of the sidewalk near the entrance doors.

Emotional Crises: Because a child's mental health affects his or her learning ability and classroom behavior, teachers and caregivers appreciate knowing of any emotional crisis (e.g., serious illness in the family, separation/divorce of Parents, death of a pet, extended separation due to work, illness, vacations of child and either Parent, etc.) in order to be better equipped to help your child through these situations. Professional privacy is maintained at all times.

Medication Policy: If your child requires medication while at school, you MUST come see your child’s teacher or the Director’s, fill out a medication administration sheet giving us permission to administer it. Medications will be accepted, only if it is prescribed and dose needs to be given during school time, must be in its original container with directions if your child requires an epee pen due to severe allergy issues, again you must come to the office and inform the Director and fill out the correct form. The medication will be kept in a locked box.

Health Requirements and Services : The State requires a health form and immunization record be on file by your child's first day of school. These must include a validated history of all required immunizations, or the equivalent physician’s statement stating that you have chosen to not administer immunizations to your child at this time.

State Vaccine Requirements: A complete listing of these can be found in the Appendix.

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HEALTH AND SAFETY CONTINUED: Sickness, Contagious Diseases and Emergencies: An ill child will not be admitted

for care if one or more of the following exists: o The illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in facility activities. o The illness results in a greater need for care than the staff can provide without

compromising the health, safety, and supervision of the other children. o Forehead temperature of 100°F or greater; or armpit temperature 99°F or

greater. Any symptoms and signs of possible severe illness (such as lethargy, uncontrolled breathing, uncontrolled diarrhea, vomiting, rash with fever, mouth sores with drooling, wheezing, behavior change, lice, pink eye or other unusual signs) until medical evaluation indicates that the child can be included in the facility's activities.

NOTE: Children diagnosed with a communicable disease must be kept at home until medical evaluation determines that the child is no longer communicable and is able to participate in the daycare's activities. Please notify Faith Kids so that other parents may be notified. (i.e. chicken pox, fifth disease, untreated head lice, measles, bronchitis, pneumonia, strep throat, RSV) WE REQUIRE THAT CHILDREN BE FREE OF FEVER (without the use of fever reducing medications like Tylenol), VOMITING, and/or DIARRHEA FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS BEFORE RETURNING TO SCHOOL.

Sickness, Contagious Diseases and Emergencies Continued:o If your child becomes sick during the day, he or she will be isolated; and you

will be notified as soon as possible and asked to pick up your child promptly. Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare does not have a school nurse on duty nor do we have the facilities to keep a sick child.

o Minor injuries will be promptly treated. An incident report will be placed in your child’s cubbie. Please check your child’s cubbie daily. In such cases where the injury has been caused by another child, an Incident report will be completed and given to the parents of both children involved. If your child becomes sick while at school, you will be notified promptly via telephone and will be required to either pick your child up or have an authorized person pick up your child within 45 minutes of the initial contact.

o Our staff is trained in CPR and first-aid procedures and will give treatment as needed, outlined by Minimum Standards. In case of an accidental injury, we will make an immediate attempt to contact you. If you, or the other persons you have designated as emergency contacts, cannot be reached, we will call your child's physician.

o Only in extreme circumstances and if absolutely necessary, we will call an ambulance. Until the arrival of a parent, the physician, or an ambulance, the Director or staff member in charge will make all decisions concerning the care

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of your child. You are expected to assume the responsibility for the resultant expense. The center maintains a signed parental consent form, Treatment for Minors and Medical Emergency Consent which shows that you are in agreement with this provision.

o It is in your child's best interest to keep the Center updated on current phone numbers, emergency numbers, and other pertinent information.

HOLIDAYS, PARTIES, AND SPECIAL EVENTS: Holidays: Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare will be closed or closed at

1pm for the following holidays:

o New Year’s Eve (December)o New Year’s Day (January)o Martin Luther King we will close at 1:00 pm (January)o Presidents Day we will close at 1:00 pm (February)o Good Friday we will close at 1:00 pm (March/April)o Memorial Day (May)o Independence Day (July)o Labor Day (September)o Columbus Day we will close at 1:00 pm (October)o Veterans Day we will close at 1:00 pm (November)o Thanksgiving Day and the Day After (November)o Christmas Eve (December)o Christmas Day (December)o We will have at least one in service staff training days per year and

parents will be notified of these days in advance.

NOTE: If the holiday falls on a weekend they will be observed the Monday after or Friday before. Holidays where attendance was low, will be considered for closure. *Subject to change

Birthdays, Parties, & Special Events:

We at Faith Kids are respectful of any personal preference to celebrate or not celebrate certain holidays. We make every effort to teach a variety of holidays in order for each child to feel welcome and accepted. Please speak with the center Director and your child’s classroom teacher if you have an issue with any specific holiday being talked about and/or celebrated in your child’s class and/or throughout the center.

o Birthdays: Birthday party invitations should be personally delievered to those children being invited to any birthday party taking place off of our premises.

o If you wish to provide a special birthday snack for your child's class, please contact the teacher ahead of time. We allow only store bought foods such as cookies, cupcakes, or

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muffins for a birthday treat. These treats may be given out during their regularly scheduled snack time.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: Bad Weather/ Center Closure : In the event of severe bad weather where it would

be harmful to our teachers, parents, and children to commute to the center; we will have a school closure or delay. In this event you will state if such a closure or delay will take place, on channel 4 or 7.

Fire Drills/Emergency Evacuations: Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare will follow local regulations regarding such drills. Fire and severe weather drills are conducted monthly and documented. Detailed escape routes are posted inside the door of each classroom. Children are moved to an outside area a safe distance from the building in cases of fire. You will be contacted if an actual emergency evacuation is necessary. If an off-site evacuation is required the entire center will walk to Planet Fitness Located at 4665 Irving Blvd Albuquerque, NM 87114, (505) 899-3707. When all children and staff have made it to the safe location, parents will be notified of the location and will be asked to come for immediate pick up of their child(ren). Faith Kids Preschool and Christian Childcare will make any and all necessary accommodations for children or adults with special needs and/or disabilities which may include special transportation requirements.

Missing Child/Possible Abduction: In the event that an enrolled child who has been signed in, becomes missing while in the care of a Faith Kids staff member, the staff member will immediately notify the Center Director. The Director will then call the main office of Church Alive and will ask for the site to be placed on immediate lock down until the child can be located. Any available staff not needed to maintain state ratios will be called to assist in relocating the missing child. If the child is not located or a suspected abduction has taken place, Faith Kids will follow protocol for notifying Albuquerque Police Department. The child’s parents will be notified immediately as well as the New Mexico State Childcare Licensing Authority.

Notification of Policy Changes: If there are any policy changes during the year, the parents will be notified of the change via a memo given to each parent and signed off by each parent upon receiving.

Personal Items: Personal belongings become easily lost so we ask parents to label jackets, blankets, books, lunches, etc. Each child will have a place for his/her belongings so check their cubbies daily. Please do not let your child bring personal items from home unless approved by the classroom teacher. We are

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not responsible for loss or damage of personal items brought to Faith Kids. Special opportunities to bring items from home for show and tell will occur throughout the year at the discretion of your child’s classroom teacher. Please, absolutely no play guns, war toys, or any toys of this nature. If a child brings a personal item from home, the classroom teacher has the right to take it and hold it until the child goes home.

Policies and Procedures CONTINUED: Photos: As part of our curriculum, art projects and the personalization of our

classrooms and cubbies, we ask for permission to take photos of your child. These photos will only be used for educational and personalization purposes.

Potty Training: The daycare is happy to work with parents on potty training, but is not responsible for potty training children. Potty trainers who are no longer wearing Pull-Ups are required to have two changes of clothing and a spare Pull-Up to be used after the second accident. This will help ensure the health and safety of the rest of the children in the daycare.

Children who are newly potty trained need clothing they can manage with minimal help from adults (pull-downs with elastic around the waist are easiest). Accidents happen sometimes because children can't get their clothing undone soon enough. Some jeans also are hard for the child to snap or unsnap. Belts are not recommended.

The daycare is not able to allow for private/alternative potty training toilets brought from home to be used in the center. Faith Kids is not equipped with the ability to properly sanitize these types of potty chairs after each use, and this would pose a health and safety risk to other children in the daycare.

Supplies : Parents are required to supply diapers/Pull-Ups, diaper wipes, and ointment as needed for their children who use them. Parents are also responsible for supplying baby bottles, sippy cups, and a clean change of clothing that can be kept at the daycare. Any clothing that is soiled will be rinsed and placed in a bag for the parent to take home and clean. A clean set of clothing should be returned the following day. In addition, parents will need to supply the following items to be used by all children when needed: tissues, Baby Wipes, hand sanitizer, Lysol, and Clorox Wipes.

APPENDIX:NEW MEXICO IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS ONLINE

The law allows (a) physicians to write a statement stating that the vaccine(s) required would be medically harmful or injurious to the health and well-being of the child, and (b) parents/guardians to choose an exemption from immunization requirements for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. The law

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does not allow parents/guardians to elect an exemption simply because of inconvenience.

For children needing medical exemptions, an official document signed by the physician should be submitted to the school

NUTRITIONAL SNACKS FOR KIDS: SNACK CONCERNS - Please send nutritional snacks for your child. We prefer

that any snack that children eat during snack time should have a nutritional value. Please be mindful of this when you are preparing snacks for your children and classmates. Healthy snacks help your child focus and concentrate. We appreciate your cooperation and your support.

Examples of healthy snacks to send:

Goldfish Graham crackers Soda crackers Granola bars Fruit bars (with no nuts) Non-messy sliced fruit (apple, raisins) Cereal (Cheerios, Kix, Life) Pretzels Animal crackers Carrot sticks, Celery sticks 100% Fruit juice Animal Crackers Gogurt Jell-O Grapes (are allowed for children age 3 or older)

Examples of snack foods NOT to be sent:

Carbonated Drinks of any kind Messy fruit (plums, nectarines, peaches) unless cut up Grapes (for all children 2 years and under) Hot Dogs ANYTHING WITH PEANUTS OR PEANUT BUTTER

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If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 505-890-8885.

Please note: Subject to change

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