NA           MISSION, PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS

The mission of the ESDS Child Developmental Center is to provide early education benefiting the child and parent, the staff and the community with cultural pride.

 

The philosophy here at ESDS CDC is based on our belief that all children share certain needs and have a drive to be self-confident, self-motivated individuals, seeking out an understanding of the world around them.

 

It is our goal to provide a learning environment which will empower children and enhance self-esteem by creating an atmosphere where social, emotional, physical and cognitive development can take place.

 

This goal is met by providing a variety of purposeful activities and meaningful learning experiences which allow the child to be creative, curious/discover, and to solve problems with their newly developing cognitive/sm./lg motor skills. We will accept all children regardless of race, color, creed, sex, religious, or ethnic background.

NB           EARLY EDUCATION STANDARDS

The ESDS CDC follows the South Dakota Early Childhood Standards.

NCA         DATE AND HOURS

The General CDC business days and hours are Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 5:30pm during the school year.  Summer business days and hours are Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.  With the exception of the listed Holiday’s, the Center will be open all year round.

NCAA      HOLIDAYS, LEAVE, CLOSINGS

We will be observing the following Holidays: New Year’s, 4th of July (1 week), Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Memorial Day.  Reminders for closings will be posted one week prior to the closing.  Weather related late openings and other closings will follow the Enemy Swim Day School policies and procedures.  Please call the Center if you are unsure of the official open or close times due to these unexpected issues/events. 

NCB         ADMISSION

The ESDS CDC application and all forms required for enrollment are to be completed and returned to ESDS CDC before admission. This includes:

 

1.) ESDS CDC general daycare application

2.) Copy of Child’s birth certificate 

3.) Updated immunization

4.) Payment agreement form 

5.) Child and Adult care food program for infants 11 months and under

6.) Policy and Procedures  

7.) Medication Authorization 

8.) Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals 

 

*Please ask for a State Assistance Application if needed.

NCBB      ADMISSION TERMINATION

The first month of childcare is an adjustment/transition period. It is our responsibility to let the parent know if the child seems unhappy or has a hard time adjusting. It is the parent’s responsibility to let us know the same. The parent or daycare can terminate the daycare arrangement anytime during the adjustment period.  A consistency of Attendance is required for enrollment and accountability purposes.  If a child is not in compliance of this requirement an official letter notifying the Parent will be sent of their “Drop” date.  They need re-apply for admission.  

NCC         PAYMENT AND FEES

All payments are due every two weeks.  ESDS CDC rates are as follows: $2.00 per hour for youngest or only child; for each additional child $1.75 per hour.  There will be a service charge for all checks returned NSF plus any other charges incurred by ESDS CDC. State and tribal payments are sent in once a month.  Payroll deduction will apply for Staff.  There is an extra fee of $5.00 per every 5 minutes that your child is here past 5:30pm or 5pm in the summer.  A late arrival does not allow for late pick up.  We will consider three (3) attempts to collect payment on delinquencies.

1.)  Verbal notification

2.)  Written/Newsletter notification

3.)  Suspension of Childcare services until balance is current

4.)  Should it become necessary, all outstanding accounts will be processed in court and/or collections.  

NDA         IMMUNIZATIONS

A copy of the child’s updated immunizations is required initially consistently.

NDB         CHILD ILLNESS

The Health Department regulations prohibit the admittance of any child into a childcare that exhibits any of the following:

 

FEVER- 100 degrees or higher at home - the child needs to be fever free for 24 hours without the aide of medication upon returning.  100 degrees or higher suddenly at CDC – child’s Parent will be contacted and sent home.   

 

DIARRHEA- Foul odor with yellow or light green color.  First (1st) incident we will contact the Parent/Guardian to make aware of their child’s current health.  Second (2nd) incident the Parent/Guardian will be contacted and dismissed until the child is symptom free for 24 hours without the aid of medication.

 

VOMITTING – At home - the child must be symptom free for 24 hours without the aid of medications.  Sudden vomiting at the CDC – an observation of the child’s appearance and general health will be taken into consideration before notifying their Parent for pick up. 

 

RUNNY NOSE with green/neon green discharged --- check with doctor.

 

DISCHARGE from eyes or ears.

 

Head lice- the child needs to be treated and nits removed before returning.  An incident report will be sent home with the Parent and a copy will stay in Child’s file for reason of dismissal. 

 

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE - chicken pox, measles, mumps, conjunctivitis (pink eye), influenza, or any contagious disease. The child may return when the incubation and contagious period has passed and the child is well enough to resume normal childcare.  If there are further health concerns the school nurse may be consulted. The “Authorization of Medication” form must be filled out if your child is prescribed medicine that needs to be taken daily.

 

In case of sudden illness or an occurrence of Child’s well being, an Accident/Illness report will be filled out by witnessing Staff.  Due to the fact that we need to be supervising ALL children, we ask that if your child does not feel well, to keep him/her home until it passes. 

 

Latex and/or vinyl gloves are utilized when handling body fluids. 

 

Parents are required to notify the daycare staff of any known allergies their children have.

NDC         MEDICATIONS

If your child is on antibiotics, he/she may continue to be contagious for 24 hours after the first dose of medication and cannot return to the childcare until this time period has passed. 

 

Childcare regulations prohibit CDC personnel from giving your child medication of any kind unless you have filled out and signed a permission form. All medications must be in the original labeled container.  Medication will be kept refrigerated or out of children’s reach. 

 

NDD         MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

Minor bumps and scrapes are inevitable, but we make every effort to keep your child safe through supervision and childproofing the classrooms. Minor injuries will receive appropriate first-aid and, if an emergency injury or illness occurs you will be contacted immediately. If we are unable to contact either parent, we will call the emergency contact numbers provided to us to make the medical decisions for your child. If necessary your child will be transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital.

 

Parents are responsible for cost involved in emergency medical treatment, including transportation if required.

 

In case of sudden illness or an occurrence of Child’s well being, an Accident/Illness report will be filled out by witnessing Staff.

NEA         NOTIFICATION OF PICKING UP CHILDREN

If someone other than the designated person on record is going to pick up your child, you may call us with the information. However, written notification is preferred whenever possible. The person designated by telephone or written notification will be required to provide identification when picking up the child.

 

If we do not receive notification by phone or written authorization we will not allow the child/children to leave with anyone other than the person designated on our records. There will be no exceptions.  Authorized pick up person will need to be at least 16 years of age.  If ANY Authorized person is suspected of being under the influence of Alcohol/drugs, the release of that child will NOT be permitted.  Appropriate actions will be taken. 

 

If you are running late, please notify the center with a courtesy phone call.

NEB         DISCIPLINE

We maintain a positive discipline policy based on the Conscious Discipline Model, which focuses on prevention, redirection, loving and firmness. We stress two main patterns of behavior: Respect for self and other people and respect property. The children are explained and modeled the rules of the Center frequently so they are all familiar with the guidelines. Non-verbal children have a hard time expressing their opinions/thought/feelings.  At times there WILL be disagreements amongst themselves.   Sometimes they hit, throw toys, bite or scratch.  We will try our best to prevent conflicts of interest, redirect when appropriate.

 

Under No Circumstances will there be any spanking, physical abuse, verbal abuse. Neither food nor sleep will ever be withheld from children as punishment.  Timeouts will be considered upon their age.  (1 min per year)  While in timeout we will engage in conversation relating to what is appropriate behavior, what had just occurred and what we could do differently next time. 

 

You may be called if your child’s behavior prevents the CDC staff from being able to properly care for your child or other children. A parent conference will need to be held if the problem continues. The development of a positive behavior plan may be needed or other arrangements for the care of the child will have to be made for the well being of all.

NEC         BITING

If a child has broken the skin on another child or has bitten other children more than twice in a given day, the parent will be called to pick up that child. A positive behavior plan must be developed to assist the child.  If the biting continues a child will be suspended.  A Human bite (broken skin) can be very dangerous.  Therefore, the bitten child’s Parent will also be notified to take necessary precautions.

NED         CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT

It is Mandated by law our responsibility as a childcare provider to report any and all abuse.  We are required to notify child abuse/neglect authorities when it appears that a child in our care has been physically, sexually, or emotionally abused, neglected or exploited.   It is Mandatory that Witnessing Staff fill out a report form.  Proper actions will be taken. 

NFA         SUPPLIED BY PARENT

Parents are responsible for supplies: diapers, wipes, powder, and diaper rash cream, weather appropriate changes of clothes (2 changes), sunscreen in the summer, and a blanket for rest time.  Children are allowed to feed themselves, do art, play outside and discover on their own (age appropriate and supervised).  You will need to bring soft tissue if you prefer.

NFB         DIAPER/CHANGES

Diapers are checked and/or changed every two hours or more frequently if required.

NFC         POTTY TRAINING

We will assist in potty training with the understanding that it will only work if we work together.  Please supply the Center with the appropriate items needed. 

NFD         TOYS

For newly enrolled children a comfort toy is permissible until the child has transitioned completely.  Otherwise, NO personal toys will be allowed.  This will lessen quarrels amongst children.  Also, unaware some pieces may fall off or break posing as a choking hazard.  We take no responsibility for lost or broken toys brought from home.

NFE         NAP/QUIET TIME

All children are required to lie down for a Quiet/Nap time each day.  Usually quiet time is generally after clean up from lunch until 3:00 pm daily.  Interruptions are kept to a minimum during this time.  Please utilize the East entrance for infants and mobile infants and West entrance for toddlers and Preschool aged children.  This decreases traffic flow and overwhelming children with unfamiliar faces. 

 

NG           TIME SCHEDULE

Meal and times of meals are scheduled and coordinated with the Enemy Swim Day School food service program. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks, as well as 2% milk and fruit juices, will be provided. The meal schedule is:  8:30am - 9:30am Breakfast, 11:30pm - 12:30pm Lunch, 3:00pm - 4:00pm snack. If the child is here during those times, they will be served. Children who choose not to eat will not be served again until the next scheduled meal or snack. If the child will be arriving after a mealtime, please feed them before they arrive.

NGB         SPECIAL DIET

If your child requires a special diet due to allergies or medications it will be the responsibility of the parent to provide a well-balance lunch and snack for the child. No junk food, pop, gum, or candy etc.  Please bring in your Doctor’s note to keep in your child’s file.  All Staff must be informed daily of changes when child arrives.