 |
The Child Development Center has several policies that the center abides by below:
Admissions Policy
Applications are accepted regardless of client's race, creed, or ethnic background.
Children will be considered for admission to the program based on the following criteria:
- Children must be between 30 months and 12 years of age on the first day of attendance.
- A child's parent/legal guardian must be currently enrolled at the University of Memphis.
- Parents must complete and sign all necessary enrollment and authorization forms promptly.
- Children 30 months to 5 years of age must have a current record of immunizations signed
by a physician.
- Children will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis per semester.
- Children will be admitted on the program's ability to meet their needs.
- A mobility aid must be provided for children that cannot walk due to disabilities.
- The center must have an official copy of the parent's class schedule.
- The center is available for drop-in use. You must have the required enrollment forms
on file ahead of time and call in advance to confirm there is space. School aged children
will not be allowed to drop in during the day when the schools are out during the
regular school year.
Arrivals/Dismissals Policy
Parents must clock their child in and out at the computer located at the front door.
If a child is not picked up within 30 minutes after their scheduled pick up time,
without prior notice, the following procedure will be implemented:
- Contact parent(s).
- Contact emergency person .
- Contact Police
Withdrawal Policy
A parent may withdraw his/her child within the first full week of classes with written
notification. After the first full week, the parent will be responsible for the full
semesters tuition. The University of Memphis Child Development Center reserves the
right to withdraw a child for any of the following reasons:
- Parental disregard of rules as stated in this handbook.
- The center is unable to meet the child's needs.
- A child is physically or verbally abusive to other children and/or staff.
- Non-payment of fees
- More than 3 consecutive unexplained absences without prior notice.
Emergencies Policy
In the event of a medical emergency, the director and/or lead teacher may attempt
to obtain medical care for your child. These steps may include, but are not limited
to the following:
- Administration of emergency first aid treatment.
- Notification of parent and/or emergency contact.
- Contacting the child's physician.
If unable to contact the parent, other listed emergency contact, or the child's physician,
we will call another physician or call an ambulance. The child will be accompanied
by a staff person. All expenses are the responsibility of the child's parent or legal
guardian.
Clothing/Toys Policy
To ensure the comfort and safety of the children, please adhere to the following:
- Each child must have an extra change of clothing, including underwear, that is kept
in a zip lock bag with the child's name on it, left at the center.
- Children must wear shoes. Rubber soled shoes are best for running and climbing. Flip-flops,
wedges, and shoes with high heels should not be worn.
- All clothing and belongings should be labeled with the child's name
- Do not allow your child to bring toys, games, or other items to the center, unless
requested by the teacher
The center is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings.
Nutrition/Food
What we feed our children in their early years and during childhood can influence
eating habits and body weight in later life. Young children need energy and adequate
amounts of certain nutrients for normal growth and development. In order for children
to receive quantities and combinations of foods that provide nutrients in proportion
to the amount of their day spent at the center, we participate in the Child and Adult
Food Care program.
The Child Development Center serves a light breakfast (8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.) lunch
(11:30a.m.) afternoon snacks (2:00p.m. and 3:30p.m.) and evening dinner (6: 30 p.m.)
to the children who are enrolled during this time. Milk is served at all meals.
The Center has its meals catered and the center must call in the meal counts daily.
In order to provide an adequate count parents must notify the center when their child
will be late or not attending. If a child has not arrived within 30 minutes of their
scheduled arrival time, the child is considered absent and will not be included in
the meal count. It is then up to the parent to provide that meal.
The weekly lunch and dinner menu as well as the snack menu are posted on the Parent
Board each week. Parents are encouraged to view the menus in order to know what foods
are served during their child's stay at the center.
Health Policy
The center is a place for well children. Children who become ill at the center will
be moved to a quiet area and will receive the necessary attention until you can be
notified. Please try to pick up your child as soon as possible to protect the health
and well being of other children. A child who contracts a communicable disease will
be excluded from attendance until he/she is no longer contagious.
Illnesses necessitating the temporary removal from the center are as follows:
- Diarrhea
- Fever of 101 degrees or more
- Vomiting
- Severe cough
- Pinkeye (conjunctivitis)
- Infected skin patches and fever: crusty, bright yellow, dry or gummy areas of skin
- Any condition that keeps the child from feeling well enough to participate with his/her
class
An ill child with any of the above symptoms should be symptom free for 24 hours before
returning to the center. When children return, he/she should be well enough to go
outside and participate in all activities.
Staff are trained in emergency first aid and CPR.
When minor accidents (bumps, scrapes, scratches, bites) occur, we will treat the injury
and attempt to let you know the circumstances. A written accident report form will
be sent home with your child.
Medication Policy
Children taking medication at the center must have a medication form completed daily
by the parent and given to the child's teacher along with the medication. All medication
must be labeled with your child's name and written instructions on the original container.
Medication will not be given if any of the following occur:
- The authorization has not been completely filled out and signed
- The medication is prescribed for someone other than your child
- The non-prescription medicine has been given for three days, unless there is a doctor's
note directing its continued administration
In case of adverse medical reactions, the parent will be notified immediately. If
you cannot be reached, we will call the emergency numbers listed by the parent. If
the situation is critical, we will call 9-1-1.
Policies regarding Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and
other Blood Borne Pathogens are as follows: The University of Memphis makes every
effort to protect its children, parents, and employees from any communicable disease.
Blood borne viruses have not been found to be transmitted by casual contact. They
are not spread by wiping noses, sharing mouthed toys, hugging, coughing, sneezing,
using common utensils, or touching common surfaces used by someone infected with a
blood borne pathogen.
Routine precautions, such as rubber gloves, hand washing, proper cleaning of wounds
and careful disinfecting of all surfaces, etc., will be taken when dealing with incidents
where there is blood or body fluid involvement .
If the victim of a blood borne virus is in a stage where open lesions occur in the
mouth or other parts of the body, and/or displays a biting behavior, he/she will be
considered too high risk to participate in our program.
The University of Memphis Child Development Center will provide information in the
form of printed material and educational seminars upon request to alleviate any concerns
staff or parents may have.
Field Trips
Field trips are an important part of our educational program for children. Outings
into the community, nature walks, trips to the library, and so on, help to enhance
the classroom activities. Parents are encouraged to go with the class whenever possible.
You will be notified about trips and outings as they are planned. The exceptions are
the neighborhood park and library.
Permission slips will have to be signed for all trips!
Discipline/Positive Behavior Guidance
Behavior is managed in a positive manner according to the child's age. Teachers
use guidance techniques to direct children's behavior. Physical punishment or verbal
abuse by an adult, including parents, is not allowed on center property.
Our goal of discipline is to help children learn an inner control over their own behavior.
This is best done by helping children express emotions using words, rather than physical
force.
Teachers create a positive environment for children by having clear and consistent
rules. Teachers encourage positive behavior by doing the following:
- Redirecting children to another area of the classroom when their behavior is inappropriate
- Encouraging and reinforcing specific positive behaviors by children.
Rest Time Policy
All children, up through the age of five, will have the advantage of an afternoon
rest period. The rest time is usually 12:15 pm to 1:45 pm. Children will be provided
with their own cot/mat and sheet/blanket. We will create a very pleasant atmosphere
for the children.
With this in mind, we will not allow children to be picked up or dropped off during
rest time.
|
Facebook 
YouTube 
Twitter