Policies & Procedures

Below are the policies and procedures shared with parents.

Child Daycare Supervision Policy

1. Staff-to-child ratios will be maintained at all times in accordance with state licensing regulations.

2. Staff will actively supervise children at all times, including during play, meals, and rest periods.

3. Staff will be present and attentive to the needs of the children in their care, and will be responsive to any concerns or issues that may arise.

4. Staff will not leave children in their care unattended or unsupervised at any time, including during field trips or other outings.

5. Staff will conduct regular head counts and visual checks of the children to ensure that all children are accounted for and safe.

6. In the event of an emergency, staff will follow the center's emergency evacuation procedures and ensure that all children are safely and promptly evacuated from the building.

7. Staff will be trained in first aid and CPR and will have access to a well-stocked first aid kit at all times.

8. Staff will report any incidents or accidents involving children to the center's director or designated supervisor immediately.

9. Parents and guardians will be notified of any incidents or accidents involving their child in a timely manner.

10. The center will maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all incidents and accidents involving children.

Monitoring Compliance and Contraventions

1. The daycare center will maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all policies, procedures, and regulations relevant to the operation of the center.

2. Staff will receive regular training on all policies, procedures, and regulations, and will be required to sign a statement acknowledging their understanding and compliance with these guidelines.

3. The daycare center will conduct regular audits and reviews to ensure compliance with all policies, procedures, and regulations.

4. Any contraventions or deviations from established policies, procedures, or regulations will be promptly identified and addressed.

5. In the event of a contravention or deviation, the daycare center will take appropriate corrective action, which may include additional training for staff, modification of policies or procedures, or disciplinary action as necessary.

6. The daycare center will maintain accurate and up-to-date records of any corrective action taken in response to a contravention or deviation.

7. The daycare center will report any significant contraventions or deviations to the relevant regulatory authority as required by law.

Sanitary Procedures Policy for a Daycare

1. The daycare center will maintain clean and sanitary facilities at all times.

2. Staff will be trained in proper hygiene and sanitation practices, including hand washing and the use of personal protective equipment.

3. Staff will follow proper procedures for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, toys, and equipment on a regular basis.

4. Staff will ensure that children wash their hands frequently, including before and after meals, after using the bathroom, and after participating in activities that may result in hand contamination.

5. Children will be provided with access to hand sanitizer and will be encouraged to use it frequently.

6. The daycare center will maintain a supply of cleaning and disinfecting supplies, including gloves, masks, and wipes, to be used as needed.

7. In the event of a communicable illness outbreak, the daycare center will follow all recommended guidelines and procedures, including exclusion of infected children and increased cleaning and disinfection efforts.

Sleep Supervision Policy

1. The daycare center will provide a safe and comfortable environment for children to sleep in.

2. Staff will be trained in safe sleep practices, including the proper use of cribs, mats, and other sleep equipment.

3. Staff will actively supervise children during nap and sleep times, including conducting regular checks on the children to ensure their safety and well-being.

4. Staff will be alert and responsive to the needs of the children, and will immediately address any concerns or issues that may arise.

5. Children will be placed on their backs to sleep, with no loose bedding or soft objects in the sleep area.

6. The daycare center will follow all state and local regulations and guidelines related to sleep supervision and safety.

Serious Occurrence Policy

1. A serious occurrence is any event that results in or has the potential to result in significant harm or injury to a child, staff member, or member of the public. Examples of serious occurrences may include, but are not limited to:

• Physical abuse or neglect of a child

• Sexual abuse or exploitation of a child

• Serious injury or illness to a child

• Death of a child or staff member

• Evacuation of the daycare center due to a fire or other emergency

2. The daycare center will have a written procedure in place for reporting and responding to serious occurrences.

3. Staff will be trained in the procedure for reporting serious occurrences and will be required to report any such incidents to the center's designated supervisor immediately.

4. The daycare center will report all serious occurrences to the relevant regulatory authority as required by law.

5. The daycare center will conduct a thorough investigation into any serious occurrence and will take appropriate corrective action as necessary.

6. The daycare center will maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all serious occurrences, including the steps taken to investigate and address the incident.

Anaphylactic Policy

1. The daycare center will have a written anaphylactic policy in place to address the needs of children with severe allergies.

2. Staff will be trained in the recognition of anaphylactic reactions and the proper use of epinephrine injectors (EpiPens).

3. The daycare center will maintain a supply of epinephrine injectors and will have at least one staff member on duty at all times who is trained in their use.

4. The daycare center will have a written emergency action plan in place for responding to anaphylactic reactions, including the steps to be taken to administer epinephrine and seek medical attention.

5. The daycare center will maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all children with severe allergies, including information on the specific allergens that may trigger a reaction and the child's individual emergency action plan.

6. The daycare center will work closely with the parents or guardians of children with severe allergies to ensure that the child's individual needs are met and that all necessary precautions are taken to prevent an allergic reaction.

Medication Policy

1. The daycare center will have a written medication policy in place to ensure the safe administration of medication to children in its care.

2. The daycare center will only administer medication to children with written authorization from the child's parent or guardian and a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.

3. Staff will be trained in the proper administration of medication, including the use of measuring devices and the storage and disposal of medications.

4. Medications will be stored in a secure, locked location and will be properly labeled with the child's name, the medication name, and the prescribed dosage.

5. The daycare center will maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all medications administered to children, including the date, time, and amount of medication given.

6. In the event of an adverse reaction to a medication, the daycare center will immediately seek medical attention and notify the child's parent or guardian.

Program Statement Implementation Policy

1. The purpose of this policy is to ensure the consistent implementation of the daycare center's program statement across all programs and services.

2. The program statement outlines the daycare center's mission, values, and goals, and serves as a guide for the delivery of high-quality care and education to children and families.

3. All staff will be familiar with the program statement and will be responsible for aligning their work with its principles and goals.

4. The daycare center will regularly review and update the program statement as needed to ensure its continued relevance and alignment with best practices in early childhood education and care.

5. The daycare center will provide ongoing training and support to staff to help them understand and implement the program statement in their work.

6. The daycare center will periodically evaluate the effectiveness of the program statement and make necessary adjustments to ensure that it is meeting the needs of children and families.

Staff and Provider Training and Development Policy

1. The daycare center is committed to providing ongoing training and professional development opportunities to its staff and providers to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality care and education to children and families.

2. Staff and providers will be required to complete a set of core training modules upon hire and will be required to complete additional training on an ongoing basis to meet state licensing requirements and the daycare center's policies and procedures.

3. The daycare center will provide a range of training opportunities, including in-person workshops, online courses, and mentorship opportunities, to help staff and providers stay current on best practices in early childhood education and care.

4. The daycare center will regularly review and update its training offerings to ensure that they meet the needs of staff and providers and reflect the latest research and trends in the field.

5. The daycare center will encourage staff and providers to pursue additional training and professional development opportunities outside of the center, and will provide support as needed to help them achieve their goals.

Police Record Checks/Vulnerable Sector Check Policy

1. The daycare center is committed to the safety and well-being of the children in its care and will take all necessary steps to ensure that its staff and providers are suitable to work with children.

2. All staff and providers will be required to undergo a police record check/vulnerable sector check prior to hire and at regular intervals thereafter as determined by the daycare center.

3. The daycare center will ensure that all police record checks/vulnerable sector checks are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

4. The daycare center will consider the results of the police record check/vulnerable sector check, along with other relevant information, when making hiring and retention decisions.

5. The daycare center will maintain confidential records of all police record checks/vulnerable sector checks and will not disclose the results to any unauthorized persons.

Standing/Recreational Bodies of Water Policy

1. The daycare center is committed to the safety of all children in its care and will take all necessary precautions to prevent accidents and injuries related to standing or recreational bodies of water.

2. The daycare center will assess the potential risks and hazards associated with any standing or recreational bodies of water on the premises and will take appropriate measures to mitigate these risks.

3. The daycare center will ensure that all standing or recreational bodies of water are properly secured and fenced to prevent children from accessing them unsupervised.

4. The daycare center will provide appropriate supervision and monitoring of children when they are near standing or recreational bodies of water, and will ensure that children are never left unattended in or near such bodies of water.

5. The daycare center will educate children on water safety and will teach them how to recognize and avoid potential hazards associated with standing or recreational bodies of water.

Written Fire Safety/Evacuation Procedures

1. The daycare center will have a written fire safety/evacuation procedure in place to ensure the safety of all children, staff, and providers in the event of a fire or other emergency.

2. The daycare center will conduct regular fire drills to ensure that all staff and providers are familiar with the evacuation procedure and know what to do in the event of a fire or other emergency.

3. The daycare center will have a designated evacuation route and assembly area for each room or area of the facility, and will post clear signage to guide staff and children to the nearest exit.

4. Staff and providers will be responsible for escorting children to the designated assembly area in the event of an evacuation and ensuring that all children are accounted for.

5. The daycare center will maintain a well-stocked first aid kit and will have a designated staff member trained in first aid and CPR to provide medical assistance as needed.

6. The daycare center will report any fires or other emergencies to the appropriate authorities immediately and will follow all recommended guidelines and procedures.

Waiting List Policy

1. The daycare center maintains a waiting list for children who are not currently enrolled but who are interested in attending the center in the future.

2. Parents or guardians may request to be added to the waiting list by contacting the daycare center and completing the necessary enrollment paperwork.

3. The daycare center will prioritize enrollment based on the date of the request and the availability of spots in the appropriate age group.

4. Parents or guardians on the waiting list will be notified when a spot becomes available and will have a set amount of time to accept or decline the spot.

5. If a parent or guardian declines a spot or fails to respond within the allotted time, the spot will be offered to the next child on the waiting list.

6. The daycare center will maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the waiting list and will periodically review and update the list as necessary.

Parent Issues and Concerns Policy and Procedures

1. The daycare center values the input and feedback of parents and guardians and is committed to addressing any issues or concerns they may have in a timely and effective manner.

2. Parents and guardians are encouraged to share any issues or concerns with the daycare center's staff or management as soon as possible.

3. The daycare center will have a designated staff member or supervisor responsible for receiving and addressing parent issues and concerns.

4. Parents and guardians may submit issues and concerns in person, by phone, or in writing.

5. The daycare center will make every effort to address issues and concerns in a timely manner and will provide a response to the parent or guardian within a reasonable timeframe.

6. In the event that a parent or guardian is not satisfied with the daycare center's response to their issue or concern, they may request a meeting with the center's director or designated supervisor to discuss the matter further.

Policies Revised on 2022-12-27