Little Voices Early Care and Education

104 Needham Road
Hyde Park, Ma. 02136
Parent Handbook

Philosophy Statement

The purpose of Little Voices Early Care and Education is to provide high quality education and childcare for children between the ages of zero to six years old and their families in and around the greater Boston area. We also offer an after school program for children in elementary schools in the area. This program is devoted to providing quality childcare at an affordable price for parents.

Curriculum

Little Voices Early Care and Education is a program based on Developmentally Appropriate Practice. This means that children are developing at different rates and are in different stages of development based on age and ability. Current, ongoing research on Brain Development has proven that who we are today is already in place and mapped out by the time we are five years old. Our program offers a stimulating, safe, loving environment with age appropriate activities so children will develop positive self esteem. They will grow physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively at their own pace and with their own learning styles. In this program, we develop our curriculum by following the quality guidelines from the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Massachusetts standards for Preschool. Following an ant-bias curriculum we develop activities in the areas of math, science, language and literacy, physical development and the arts that are stimulating and appropriate for all children. We work with the community and appropriate agencies essential to children's health and learning.

Hours of Operation

Little Voices is open Monday through Friday, 7am to 5:30 pm.

Holidays and Vacation Days

Little Voices will be closed, observing the following holidays:

Fees

Fees are to be paid on the Monday of each week. There is an option for biweekly or monthly payments with prior arrangement.

Cash, money order or checks are accepted. All checks are to be paid to Little Voices Early Care and Education.

Vacation, snow days, illness, holidays or absence do not affect rates.

Trial Period

All children and families are accepted on a two week trial period. This gives the family and the program staff an opportunity to briefly work together on a trial basis. At the end of the two weeks, the parents and the Director will meet to assess and evaluate the appropriateness of the placement. If it has been decided the placement is inappropriate, the Director will help the parent find a new placement. If it is decided the placement is appropriate, a contract will be signed between the parents and the program.

Absences

Parents are asked to notify the program as soon as possible in the morning regarding a child's absence.

Sickness and emergency

All children get sick from time to time. All precautions will be taken to keep the environment and the children healthy. Bleach is used on all surfaces as well as on toys. Any mouthed toys are immediately taken from circulation and replaced when sterilized. The following is a guide to follow if children get sick:

If a child has a fever, he/she can return to the program when the child shows no signs of a fever for 24 hours.

If a child is vomiting or has diarrhea, the child can return to the program when he/she shows no signs of vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours.

Bacterial infections require 24 hours of antibiotic before returning to school.

Unidentifiable rashes require a doctor's attention before returning to school.

Head Lice must be treated and child must be nit free and checked by the Director before re-entering the classroom.

Conjunctivitis must be checked by a doctor and treated with anti-biotic ointment for 24 hours before returning to school.

Children, who become sick at school during the day, will be isolated from the other children at the discretion of the teacher until a parent arrives.

Parents will be notified of a child's illness and required to arrange for the child to be picked up from the program.

NOTE: Tylenol and Motrin only mask a fever or an illness and when the medicine wears off, the child is usually worse. It is recommended if a child needs these medications for something other than teething pain, the child should stay home.

In Case of a medical emergency, the parent will be notified and the child will be taken to the emergency room of the parent's choice.

If the parent cannot be reached the child will be brought to the emergency room listed on the registration form.

Child Abuse and Neglect

All children will be protected from abuse and Neglect while enrolled at Little Voices.

All staff members are mandated reporters of abuse and neglect. If abuse or neglect is suspected the teacher will make at least one written observation and notify the director immediately. The director and teacher will file a report of suspected abuse or neglect to the Department of Social Services.

The Director will notify the Office of Early Education and Care after filing a 51A. Little Voices will cooperate with any and all investigations of abuse or neglect including identifying parents currently or previously enrolled: providing consent for disclosure to the Office of information from, and allowing the Office to disclose information to, any person and/ or agency the Office may specify as necessary to prompt investigations of allegations and protection of children. Failure to cooperate may be grounds for suspension, revocation, or refusal to issue or renew a license.

In the event the staff member is in question, he/she will immediately be given a leave of absence until a full investigation has taken place. Any staff member abusing a child physically or verbally will be dismissed. In the event of physical abuse, the police will be notified.

Medicine

Prescription medication will be dispensed with a doctor's order on the original bottle and a signed permission form with instructions. Forms will be provided to parents as needed.

Behavior/Discipline

Little Voices encourages children to use problem solving skills taught and modeled throughout the child's enrollment. Behavior management techniques such as having children use their words and verbalize their feelings are used throughout the day. Children are offered choices and learn to develop self control through redirection, understanding limits and developing empathy towards others. They also help develop their rules when appropriate.

Little Voices shall prohibit:

• Spanking or any other forms of corporal punishment of children

• Subjecting children to cruel or severe punishment such as humiliation, verbal or physical abuse, neglect, or abusive treatment

• Depriving children of meals or snack

• Force feeding children or disciplining a child for soiling., wetting or not using the toilet; or forcing a child to remain in soiled clothes or forcing a child to remain on the toilet, or using any other unusual or excessive practices for toileting.

Termination and Suspension

No student shall be terminated or suspended unless all methods of communication with parents are exhausted. Reasons may include lack of follow through with a referral; parents break a contract or failure to abide by the policies upheld by Little Voices staff.

Children's Records

All records belonging to children are personal and confidential. They will not be accessible to anyone or any organization without written consent of the parent. Little Voices will notify the parent if the child's file is subpoenaed.

Upon written request, the parent has access to the child's file at all reasonable times.

A log of information released will be held in the file and parents can have access to that information as well.

The parents have the right to add relevant information or correct objectionable material in the child's file with a conference with the director.

Referral Services

After observing a child, a teacher feels the child has an issue; the teacher will notify the Director of the concerns and share any written observations. The teacher should have at least two completed observations. The Director will address the teacher's concerns with a follow-up observation. If written observations have yet to be completed the teacher will do so. The parents will be asked to come in for a conference with the teacher and the director. The observations will be shared with the parent and a request for a pediatrician's input discussed. The parent will also be provided with a list of the most appropriate referral agency available. In the case of infants/toddlers Early Intervention will be notified. For children over three, Childcare Choices of Boston will be called.

Parents will be provided with a written statement of their rights and no referral will be made without a parent's consent.

Little Voices will maintain all records, including parent conference and results.

Contracts

Parents must adhere to the signed contract and its' times. Days can only be substituted at the discretion of the teacher in order to remain in compliance. Contracts will be signed each September for the new school year.

What children need to bring

Parents are responsible for bringing the following items:

• Diapers

• Formula/breast milk

• Extra clothing (appropriate for the season)

• Boots, hats and mittens in cold weather

• Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen and a hat in hot weather

If laundry is sent home, /please replace it the next day.

The Community

We love to go outside and we love to take walks to the park and take trips. Permission slips will be sent home for field trips. Proper car seats will be used at all times if trips are taken.

Meals

Beginning 2/1/07 Little Voices will provide 2 snacks and drinks throughout the day. Children should eat a healthy breakfast and bring a healthy lunch from home. Please remember children will want to eat less nutritious foods first so these foods can be saved as a treat at home. Nutritious foods can include:

Your child's teacher can offer other ideas.

A food service will also be available for an additional fee. See a teacher for details.

Nap

Naps will be taken after lunch. Younger children have their own schedules which will be accommodated. Older children enjoy a nap or a rest after lunch. Children can bring a blanket or a special stuffed toy from home or one will be provided. All children have their own pillows, blankets and beds.

Communication

Communication with parents is essential. Communication is ongoing by way of phone conversations or a few minutes at the end of the day. Newsletters and communication boards are all modes of communication. Please feel free to stop by and speak to one of us or call if necessary. A telephone answering machine is checked regularly to answer your calls.

Parent/ Teacher conferences will also be held twice a year to evaluate your child's progress. At the conference, the teacher will have a prepared evaluation to share with the parent. This written evaluation will be kept in the child's file with a copy provided to the parent.

For children with disabilities, conferences will be held every three months. Any special issues will be brought to the parent's attention as they arise.

Parents will participate in the development of goals and objectives for their child at the end of these conferences.

Little Voices has an open door policy and parents are welcome any time during the day.

Little Voices Early Care and Education will not discriminate against anyone based on race, creed, ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation or ability.