Parent Handbook & Policies

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

We support and encourage parental involvement in the program and activities at Creek. Social gatherings are planned several times a year to provide families with an opportunity to become more familiar with each other and the Center. Creek is open to parents for visits and we welcome helpers for field trips, lunch visits, or special occasions. The Board of Directors serves as a channel for interested parents to become involved in the decision-making policies at Creek. Meetings are held monthly and are open to all parents.

Parents are required to perform 5 hours of volunteer service for Creek annually. This can be accomplished through attendance at parent workdays, assisting on field trips or in the classroom or helping with special projects as needed. A fee will be charged to families who choose not to participate in these activities.

Parents are informed of the activities at Creek through a daily classroom report, regular newsletters and a monthly activity calendar. On the Parent Information Board there is information pertaining to Licensing including the last licensing visit report, minutes from past Board of Director’s meetings, USDA food program information and the weekly menu, and other program information.

A copy of Creek’s DHFS childcare license and the City of Madison Accreditation certificate are posted in the Playroom.

Daily activity policies

CLOTHING

Parents must send a complete extra set of clothing, labeled with the child’s name, and replace it as needed. These will be stored in the child’s cubby. Soiled clothing will be returned for your care.

We suggest that children attend wearing play clothes in which they will be comfortable as they proceed through an active day. Creek provides opportunities for exploration which are stimulating, but may be messy. We feel that such activities are important at this age and ask that children be dressed in clothing that they will not have to fear soiling. We do provide smocks, but accidents happen. Shoes are particularly important. Comfortable shoes with ties or straps provide more safety as the children go through an active day which includes running and climbing.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

We ask that children refrain from bringing toys from home. There is a rich supply of materials and toys available to children at Creek. Learning to share materials and play together is an important part of a child’s development, and a difficult task.  Having personal items sometimes results in unnecessary conflicts.

We are not responsible for lost toys. We discourage war play at school. Toy guns, knives and other weapons are not allowed at school.

REST TIME

Children will have a nap each afternoon.  Children who wake early or are awake after resting for 30 minutes will be allowed to choose quiet activities. Families will provide a blanket for naptime which will be sent home weekly for washing. Children can also have a comfort item for naptime.

OUTSIDE PLAY

We play outside each day as part of our daily routine.  Please provide clothing that is appropriate for the weather.  We use the following guidelines for outside play:

Winter

1. The temperature (including wind chill) must be above zero degrees.

2. Children will be dressed to ensure that they stay warm and dry.  Please provide jacket, snowpants, hat, scarf, and waterproof mittens.

Summer

1. Children will not play in direct sunlight if the temperature is above 90 degrees.

2. Children will be protected with sunscreen (provided by parent) and protective clothing and hats when playing outside.

FIELD TRIPs

Currently we are not back to going on external field trips that require transportation. We support the community by inviting outside sources to visit our school to perform activities with the children.

HEALTH POLICies

To keep the environment healthy for the children and staff at Creek we follow these precautions:

1. Hand-washing before and after meals and snacks, and whenever dirty.

2. Preventing the transmission of airborne germs through the use of tissues for wiping noses or coughing and washing hands afterwards.

3. Hand-washing after handling pets.

4. Sanitizing toys on a regular basis (immediate removal if mouthed).

5. Sanitizing classroom surfaces when they become dirty.

6. Staff will follow universal precautions as defined by OSHA when exposed to blood or any bodily fluid.

ILL CHILD

Children who are ill are not allowed to be in attendance. Any child who shows symptoms of illness while at Creek will have their emergency contact called.  Arrangements must be made for the child to be removed from the Center within 1 hour.

Guidelines for exclusion from the Center are vomiting, diarrhea, any communicable disease (such as pink eye, strep throat, chicken pox) fever over 100 degrees, or the inability of the child to participate in daily activities.

Children may return to the Center when they are symptom-free without the use of medication for 24 hours.

ABSENCE

Families are required to notify Creek when a child will be absent. If you have not notified the Center within 2 hours of the regular drop-off time, a staff member will call you at the designated notification number.

CHILD EVALUATIONS

Formal evaluations of children occur bi-annually.  Conferences are scheduled to provide a time for the teachers and families to meet and discuss goals and share information regarding the child. Care is taken to ensure that information regarding children and families is treated confidentially.  Staff are readily available to families to provide information about their child. We encourage families to use the staff as a resource regarding their child’s development and behavior.

PROBLEM RESOLUTION

In the event of a complaint of a licensing regulation violation or a conflict regarding the procedures of Creek Day School, the director will meet with the Complainant within 24 hours to discuss the concern. A solution to the problem will be resolved using the Day Care Licensing Regulations, Chapter HSF 46 and the Creek Policy Manual as references. In the absence of the Director, the Complainant will give the Board President a written notice of the complaint. The Board of Directors will be responsible for the satisfactory resolution of the problem within one week of receipt of the written complaint. A copy of the written complaint will be sent to the Licensing and the City Accreditation units.