Table of Contents

I. Welcome

II. Child Care Center Overview

a. Philosophy

b. Curriculum Goals

c. Program Quality/ Standards of Excellence

d. Hours of Operation

e. Check-in/ Check-out Procedures

f. Visitor Policy

g. Child Release Policy

h. Child Custody Issues

i. Child Abuse & Neglect

j. Non-discrimination Policy

k. Confidentiality Statement

III. Procedures & Guidelines

a. Application Contract

b. Vacation Weeks

c. Holidays/Emergency Closing

d. Room Assignment

e. Cancellation of Contract

f. Waitlist

g. Fees & Payments

h. Tuition

i. Late Payment

j. Accounts

k. Lake Pick Up

l. House Rules

m. Classroom Guidelines

n. Attendance/Arriva/Absences

o. Naptime

p. Discipline/Guidance Methods

q. Birthday/Celebrations/Holidays

r. Bringing Items From Home

s. Children’s Clothing

t. Classroom Curriculum

u. Healthy & Safety

v. Accidents/Emergencies/First Aid

w. Hygiene

x. Illness

y. Medications

z. Meals

aa. Emergency Procedures/Drills

IV. Parents: The School/ Home Connection

a. TTCC Newsletter

b. Classroom Parent Information Board

c. Parent/Teacher Communications

d. Parent Policy Agreement

V. Appendix

a. Solution/Resolution Worksheet

HOURS OF OPERATION

Texas Tots Daycare Center is open from 6:30 AM until 6:30 PM Monday through Friday. No childcare will be provided on Saturday and Sundays

CHECK IN/ CHECK OUT PROCEDURES

All children must be signed in and out. We assume responsibility for your child/ren only while he/she is on our property. No child will be allowed to leave with anyone except the parent, unless indicated on the alternate pickup list, without written permission from the parent. Telephone permission will not do! Anyone unfamiliar to us will be required to show proof of Identification. Please make the alternate pick up person is aware of the requirements. It is normal for your child to cry on arrival, especially for the first few weeks. Please make your goodbye brief and tell your child exactly when you will be returning. The crying usually stops within seconds of your departure. You are welcome to listen outside the door. Never leave without telling your child goodbye. Please be in control of your child during drop off and pick up times. This is a time of testing when two different authority figures are present (parent and provider) and this situation will be tested at one time or another to see if the rules still apply. We will remind your child if inappropriate behaviors are being displayed. Children of all ages adjust to transitions from one activity to another differently. Most do not like to be too rushed and most do not like to wait too long once they are ready to depart. If the person picking up the child appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, another authorized person will be called to pick-up both the child and the adult. Court Order: If there is a court order keeping one parent or guardian away from the child, we must have a written note from the custodial parent or guardian in my file to that effect. Otherwise, we cannot prevent the non-custodial parent from picking up the child. 

VISITOR POLICY

Any visitor to Texas Tots Daycare Center must:

Sign in at the front desk & get a visitor’s badge.

Provide identification.

Have an approved purpose for a limited visit.

Be courteous of the classroom schedule and activities.

CHILD RELEASE POLICY

Texas Tots Daycare Center cannot release any child to an unauthorized person; therefore, we must emphasize the importance of keeping this information current and accurate for your child’s school records

Children are released only:

To an authorized parent/guardian.

To a person authorized by written permission from the parents.

To an authorized person with a picture I.D. and/or other identification.

To an authorized sibling 18 years of age or older.

State Licensing requires that any request for a new person to be added to your child’s

pickup list must be in writing and delivered by the parent to the Center.

CHILD CUSTODY ISSUES

It is the Center’s intent to meet the needs of children especially when the parents may

be experiencing difficult situations such as a divorce, separation, or remarriage.

However, the Center cannot legally restrict the non-custodial parent from visiting

the child, reviewing the child’s records, or picking the child up unless the Center has

been furnished with current legal documents. Copies of these court documents must

be kept in the child’s file.

CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT

If we suspect a child has been abused or mistreated, we are required to report it within

48 hours to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and/or to a law

enforcement agency.

Child abuse and neglect are against the law in Texas, and so is failure to report it.

CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE 1-800-252-5400

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

The Texas Tots Daycare Center does not discriminate against any child or family based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion or disabilities. Reasonable accommodations will be made to provide services to all children enrolled in our program.

CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT

Texas Tots Daycare Center maintains confidentiality and respects the family's right to privacy, refraining from disclosure of confidential information and intrusion into family life. However, when we have reason to believe that a child's welfare is at risk, we will

share confidential information with agencies, as well as with individuals who have

legal responsibility for intervening in the child's interest. Disclosure of children's records beyond family members, program personnel, and consultants having an obligation of confidentiality shall require familial consent (except in cases of abuse or neglect).

PROCEDURES & GUIDELINES

APPLICATION CONTRACT

All children must be enrolled at Texas Tots Daycare Center before attending. Once the decision to enroll is made, families must complete the following, sign where applicable, and return these to the Center prior to the child’s first day of attendance:

An annual registration fee, supply fee and building maintenance fee per child is

due upon enrollment and is renewable each year

Signed/Initialed Enrollment Agreement

Signed/Initialed Enrollment Information

Signed Parent Policy Agreement

Signed Discipline and Guidance Policy

Signed Dietary Agreement

Current Immunization record & Health Assessment with a physician’s signature

Child Nutrition Program Application

VACATION WEEKS

During the 12 month contract agreement, 2 weeks may be designated as vacation

weeks. Payment is required for these weeks at a reduced rate to hold your child/rens spot open with the Center at $50.00 per week-per child. The vacation time can not be used one day at a time; it must be used in 5 consecutive business day intervals. Texas Tots Daycare Center must have the vacation time off request submitted in writing 1 week prior to the child taking the actual time off.

HOLIDAYS/ EMERGENCY CLOSING

The Center will be closed for the holidays listed below and for possible inclement weather. These closings do not affect tuition payments. In other words, a full week’s tuition is due although the Monday may be Labor Day or Memorial Day.

New Year’s Eve *

New Year’s Day

Independence Day

Memorial Day

Labor Day

Thanksgiving

The day after Thanksgiving *

Christmas Eve *

Christmas Day

*If it happens where Christmas fall on a Saturday we will have the Friday before off and if it falls on a Sunday we will have that Monday off.  Holidays are paid holidays for Texas Tots Childcare Center. If TTCC is to watch your child/ren on the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and/or New Years Eve, you will need to give us written notice one week prior to that date so we will have enough staff at the Center.

An extra fee of $25.00 is due the Friday before the holiday or the child we not be allowed to attend the daycare.

ROOM ASSIGNMENT

Placement of a child in a classroom is determined by age and developmental level.

We want your child to be placed where his/her needs are met and their interest

challenged. While we do accept input from parents about room assignments, the

Texas Tots Daycare Center Director and Staffers will make the final decision based on what is best for the child, other children, Staffers and the Center.

CANCELLATION

Cancellation of the Enrollment Agreement must be:

Requested in writing

Two weeks prior notice

Approved by the Director

WAITLIST POLICIES

The Center reserves the right to take children on the basis of different priorities.

The order is as follows: 1^st siblings of current families. When an opening becomes available, the family will be notified and given 3 business days to respond. If the family fails to respond or the offer is declined we will move to the next family on the list and the child’s name will move to the bottom of the waitlist.

After a family has declined or failed to respond to an offer for enrollment 3

months the child’s name will be removed from the waitlist and the waitlist fee of $50.00 will be forfeited. A parent must reapply and pay the fee again before their child can be considered for enrollment. If the enrollment offer is accepted, the family will have one week to complete a contract and pay all applicable fees

All fees are to be paid by check or money order. There is a $35.00 fee assessed for any returned check. If this happens twice, the Center requires that payment be made with a money order only. All fees are non-refundable.

TUITION

Texas Tots Daycare Center tuition fees are charged weekly and these fees must be paid in advance of services being provided. Weekly tuition fees are due on Friday for the following week or the account can be pre-paid in advance for more than a week.

LATE PAYMENT

A late fee of $25.00 will be assessed on Tuesday by 12:00 noon when payment is past due. Failure to pay on time may result in termination of your child’s enrollment and if an account is past due, enrollment contracts cannot be renewed. (There are no

discounts/reimbursements for days missed due to illness, absences, vacation, or the

Center being closed for holidays or emergencies.)

ACCOUNTS

Parents will be informed of current rates when children are enrolled. If there is

an increase in rates, parents will be given one month’s notice regarding the new rates.

Parents are responsible for making payments every Friday and for keeping the

account current. At the end of each calendar year the Center will furnish a report, for income tax purposes, of all tuition and fees paid for each child.

LATE PICK UP

Late fees are assessed if you fail to pick up your child on time. The fee is calculated at

$15.00 for any part of the first 5 minutes, an additional $10.00 for any part of the next

5 minutes, and $1.00 for each additional minute after 6:45 p.m. Repeated failure to

pick up your child on time can result in enrollment termination.

If we have not heard from the parent and we have not been able to contact other

authorized persons listed on the child’s enrollment form by 7:00 p.m., we are required by law to consider a child abandoned and to call the police.

CLASSROOM GUIDELINES

The teaching staff develop individual relationships with children by providing care that is

responsive, attentive, consistent, comforting, supportive, and culturally sensitive.

HOUSE RULES

No hitting, biting, pinching, throwing, pushing, hair pulling, or otherwise hurting ourselves or others.

No intentionally breaking anything.

No running, jumping, wrestling, climbing, etc. in the center.

No picking up babies or toddlers.

No leaving the house or yard without permission (no one is allowed outside without adult supervision, even when parents are here).

No name-calling, yelling, fouls language or teasing—everyone deserves to be treated with respect.

ATTENDANCE/ ARRIVAL/ ABSENCES

Toddler and preschool classrooms begin curriculum instruction at 8:15 a.m. In

order for children to receive the full benefit of our program and to participate with

the group activities, we ask that you have your child here by this time. * Please do

not ask the Center or the staff to hold breakfast for your child after 7:30 a.m.

If there is a special circumstance such as a doctor’s appointment requiring arrival

after 10:00 a.m., please check with the Center/Staff and receive special

permission for late arrival before brining your child to the Center.

Do not drop your child off during naptime at the Center. (1:00 pm – 2:30 pm)

Call the Center (281-354-8689) no later than 10:00 a.m. if your child is going to

be absent that day (10:00 a.m. is the time the daily lunch count is made).

A full week’s tuition is due even if a child is absent one or more days during the

week.

NAPTIME

We must provide a supervised sleep or rest period after lunch for children 18 months

or older (www.tdprs.state.tx.us). Children under the age of 18 months most often

sleep according to their individual schedules.

DISCIPLINE/ GUIDANCE

 No child will be hit, spanked, belittled, or otherwise intimidated at Texas Tots Childcare Center-even with parental permission. No corporal punishment will be used. Children will be treated with courtesy, respect, and patience. Guidance will be according to age and understanding level. Younger children, babies and toddlers, will be redirected to another activity. Older children will be given time outs depending on the severity of the offense (almost always 1 minute per year of age, never to be more than 15 minutes). If a child becomes a persistent behavior problem, we will address it with you and we will try to resolve it together. Staff will keep parents informed of the progress made.

AT NO TIME WILL A CHILD BE SUBJECTED TO PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT OR SHAMING, FRIGHTENING OR HUMILIATING METHODS BE USED, OR ANY TYPE OF VERBAL ABUSE, THREATS, DEROGATORY REMARKS, OR DEPRIVATION OF A MEAL OR ANY PART OF A MEAL BE USED. NO CHILD WILL EVER BE PUNISHED FOR TOILET ACCIDENTS.

BIRTHDAYS/ CELEBRATIONS/ HOLIDAYS

The Center celebrates the children’s birthdays in age-appropriate ways in the

classroom. The birthday celebration, however, is purposefully kept simple and child centered.

NO Food brought from home will be excepted. Parents may bring

cake/cookies/cupcakes that are store-bought and labeled with the ingredients (this is a

Texas Child Care Licensing Minimum Standard Rule (www.tdprs.state.tx.us). These

will be served during afternoon snack and parents are welcome to join the children.

The child’s birthday observance at the Center is not intended to take the place of

each family’s special observance at home. If you do decide to provide a birthday

treat for the class, be mindful that:

No gifts are to be exchanged

No treat bags or party favors are to be distributed in the classroom.

Birthday party invitations for parties away from the Center may be distributed at school

only through the classroom teacher. If you do not want your child’s birthday celebrated,

please notify the Center in advance in writing.

Texas Tots Daycare Center does observe traditional, national, cultural and seasonal holidays with activities that are child-centered, educationally oriented and developmentally appropriate. Every effort is made to be culturally sensitive.

Please share with the Center staff any celebrations that are important to your family,

so that these too may be included in our classroom planning.

BRINGING ITEMS FROM HOME

We do discourage children from bringing toys from home; although, some teachers

will allow items of comfort, such as a soft cuddly stuffed animal, to be brought to

school to help a child sleep more comfortably (please check with the staff first).

When a child brings a toy from home, it is sometimes difficult for them to share and

the toy could get lost or broken. The staff will not be responsible if these items are

lost or damaged. The Center does not allow at any time toys of violence like guns, swords, or violent action figures.

CHILDREN’S CLOTHING

Your child should be dressed in play clothes that are durable, comfortable and

appropriate for play and for the season. We will go outside daily, weather permitting.

Because a wide variety of activities take place at our Center, we recommend clothes

that allow for freedom of movement. Many of your child’s favorite activities may

tend to be a little messy, like finger painting and digging in the dirt, so again make

sure the child’s clothes are suitable. At Texas Tots Daycare Center children’s safety is of great concern, therefore, we ask that you send your child to school wearing a sturdy shoe that supports the foot properly and protects the toes. Sneakers with socks are the best. Children are not permitted to wear open-toed sandals, clogs, and boots or flip-flops on the playgrounds because they are dangerous for running and climbing.

We ask that you provide a complete change of clothing for your child to be left at school, including shoes and socks. In order to avoid confusion and lost items, label each article of clothing.

HEALTH & SAFETY

ACCIDENTS/ EMERGENCIES/ FIRST AID

Texas Tots Daycare Center works hard to provide a safe environment for the children at all times. However, part of growing up can include bumps and bruises. Our Center is equipped with simple first aid supplies and if a child has a minor accident the staff will provide appropriate first aid to the child.

When injuries do occur, we make two copies of a written report to inform parents

about the accident. One copy is for the parent and the other copy is to be signed by

the parent and kept in the child’s file. Texas Tots Daycare Center Injury/Accident policy and form complies with the Texas Administrative Code and the rules of Minimum Standards (www.tdprs.state.tx.us)

If a child has a serious injury, a trained staff member will provide first aid and you

will be contacted to pick up your child. If there is an emergency requiring immediate

medical attention, 911 emergency personnel will be called and the parent and/or the

child’s physician will be notified. If a child needs to be transported by an ambulance,

a staff member will accompany your child if the parent is not available. When the

parent is unavailable, alternate names in the child’s file are contacted as well.

Texas Tots Daycare Center Consent for Emergency Treatment policy complies with the Texas Administrative Code and the rules of Minimum Standards. Each parent will be required to sign the form.  (www.tdprs.state.tx.us)

HYGEINE

Every effort is made by the Texas Tots Daycare Center staff to prevent the spread of germs. We strive to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness, which includes required hand washing for children and teachers and instruction in hygiene to help minimize the spread of germs.

ILLNESS/ ‘SYMPTOM FREE’ RULE

One of the most serious challenges facing group care situations for young children is

preventing illness.

Texas Tots Daycare Center uses the following guidelines to protect your child as well as others from contagious illness. We realize that this can sometimes be an inconvenience for parents but we trust that you will understand the necessity for such a policy. If any of the following conditions occur, while your child is in attendance, you will be notified and

your child must be picked up from the Center as soon as possible:

The child has one of the following:

א Fever, armpit temperature of 99.4 degrees or greater

א Vomiting

א Diarrhea

א Head Lice

א Symptoms of an infectious disorder such as ringworm, pink eye, etc.

א Communicable disease, (refer to the Communicable Disease Chart for

Child Care Centers @ www.tdprs.state.tx.us).

א Any other condition deemed necessary by the Director/Staff for the

well being of your child and the other children enrolled.

The illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in facility activities.

The illness results in a greater need for care than the staff can provide without

compromising the health, safety, and supervision of the other children.

One of the best ways to prevent the spread of disease is to have strictly enforced

standards regarding the exclusion of ill children. We need your help for this.

Do not bring ill children to the Center and if your child becomes ill at the

Center, please pick the child up immediately.

If your child is diagnosed with a communicable disease, please notify the Center. It is

important for us to be aware of what children may have been exposed to so that we

can communicate this with other parents.

THE 24-HOUR ‘SYMPTOM FREE’ RULE

The Center’s policy requires that your child be free of symptoms of illness: fever,

diarrhea or vomiting for at least 24 hours.

Fever-free means without medication for fever reduction.

Please keep in mind that if we send your child home because of illness, the child will

not be admitted to the Center the next day because the 24-hour period will not have

elapsed. Do not rush a child’s return to school following an illness. The Center

reserves the right to require a doctor’s statement before the child can be re-admitted

to the Center.

MEDICATIONS

In order for Texas Tots Daycare Center staff to administer medication we must adhere to the following: (www.tdprs.state.tx.us)

All medicine must be in the original container.

The container must be labeled with the child’s name.

If it is over-the-counter medication, it must state the amount to be administered by

child’s age and/or weight.

All medicine must be labeled with the date (if prescribed) or the date brought to

the Center.

The medicine must include directions on how to administer the medication.

If the medication is prescribed, the name of the physician prescribing the

medication must be on the container.

All medications must have an expiration date and we cannot administer

medication after the expiration date.

The medicine can only be administered to the child for whom it was intended.

The parent has to sign an authorization form and include the dates and times for

the Center to administer the medication and these directions must follow the label

directions. These forms are available at the Center.

MEALS

We provide nutritionally balance meals and snacks for your child. Please do not send any food or drink with your child without prior approval through the provider. Meals and snacks are served family style. Children are encouraged to use this time to share their experiences with each other. Manners are taught and practiced during this time as well. Please list on the allergy form any food your child/ren should not have. If your child needs a special diet, the parent must furnish these foods.

Weekly menus are carefully planned to meet the nutritional guidelines of the state

child food program. Copies are posted on the parent board in the front lobby and a copy is sent home with each child.

Breakfast is served from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Children must arrive no later than

7:30 a.m. in order to eat breakfast at the Center. * Please do not ask the Center or the

staff to hold breakfast for your child after 7:30 a.m. If a child arrives at the Center

eating his or her breakfast, the parent will be asked to supervise the child away from

the other children until he or she is finished.

We begin serving lunch at 12:00 pm. and the lunch count is based on the number

of children at the Center by 10:00 a.m. Please call the Center if you are going to

be late. The Center does enforce a no candy rule in the classrooms. Our goal is to maintain the quality of the child’s daily nutrition and we ask that parents join us in this effort to promote healthy children.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES / DRILLS

The Texas Tots Daycare Center places a high priority on being prepared for a variety of emergencies that may arise. We have set up an emergency plan as follows:

Stay informed. Texas Tots Daycare Center staff monitors alert statuses of any kind on a daily basis. When an alert is in a heightened state (for weather or otherwise), the radio and Internet are checked regularly for breaking information.

Communicate. Mobile phones will be located in the Center enabling communication

throughout the emergency. Each classroom maintains an emergency contact list with pertinent information for each child. In the event of an emergency and after the necessary actions are taken, Texas Tots Daycare Center staff will call parents to inform them of the status of the children and the situation.

Evacuation – Fire and evacuation drills are held monthly to acquaint the children with

evacuation procedures. These practice drills are supervised and documented by the

Center’s Diector and Owner. Evacuation routes are posted in each classroom and in the Texas Tots Daycare Center lobby.

If the Texas Tots Daycare Center site must be evacuated, the children will be directed to a safe area or in the event of inclement weather conditions, the Staff will await further instructions from the proper authorities.

Shelter-in-Place – In the event of a shelter-in-place decision, each room is equipped

with an emergency supply kit that includes all of the items recommended by the

Department of Homeland Security. Each room has a step-by-step manual on what to

do in a variety of situations.

Severe Weather Emergency/General Procedures

Stay inside away from windows.

Assume protective posture.

Keep calm and do not get excited.

THE CENTER/HOME CONNECTION

Parents’ involvement in their child’s education is encouraged at Texas Tots Daycare Center in both formal and informal ways. It is important for parents to know what is happening in their child’s classroom as well as at the Center. Please make every effort to stay informed; you are your child’s advocate and their most important teacher.

TEXAS TOTS DAYCARE CENTER NEWSLETTER

The Center publishes a monthly Newsletter as a way to maintain communication with

parents.

CLASSROOM PARENT INFORMATION BOARD

There is a bulletin board located in the classrooms that contains both general and

specific parent information. Please make a point to stop by and check the information

on the board each day. This will help with the process of communication and

connecting parents with the Center.

PARENT/ TEACHER COMMUNICATIONS

When you have a concern, please remember…..

The Staff wants parents to be satisfied with the care their child is receiving.

Please give the Staff a chance to correct minor issues.

On the other hand, don’t allow concerns to build up. As concerns occur, share

them with the Staff. It is disturbing to find out "later" that a parent had a

number of concerns and never expressed them.

Sometimes we cannot make the changes you may request due to other restrictions,

but we ALWAYS want to hear your suggestions. We promise to consider them

seriously and respond to you in a timely manner.

If at anytime a parent wishes to meet with their child’s teacher to discuss issues

that may arise, he/she can contact the teacher to schedule a meeting.

We do ask that you schedule a conference with your child’s teacher to discuss

issues in depth, and not try to discuss them during drop-off and pick-up times.

Texas Tots Daycare Center Parent Policy Agreement

As a Texas Tots Daycare Center parent, I have met with the

Center’s Director and reviewed the Texas Tots Daycare Center Parent Handbook.

 I agree to:

Comply with and support all TTCC policies and procedures.

Be financially responsible, keep my account current and pay late fees if it is

not current.

Pick up my child no later than 6:30 p.m. and pay late fees when I do not.

Check my child in and out on the sign in sheet everyday.

Adhere to the Center’s ill child policy and the 24 hour “symptom-free” rule.

Pick my child up promptly in case of an injury or illness while at the Center.

Follow medication dispensing regulations and complete all necessary forms.

Keep my child’s immunizations current and provide copies of any updates to

the TTCC office.

Attend all parent conferences and/or meetings requested by the Staff.

Read all information provided/shared with TTCC parents.

Keep all telephone numbers, emergency information and other enrollment

information current.

Be willing to learn and grow as a parent and increase my knowledge of child

development.

Provide the Center with diapers, formula, breast milk, baby food, special

foods, change of clothing or anything else necessary for my child’ care.

Discuss my concerns and keep open communication lines with my child’s

teacher and the Center seeking to avoid problems and misunderstandings.

Respect all TTCC staff.

*I understand that failure to abide by TTCC policies and procedures may result in my

child’s enrollment termination. Disregard of Center policies can include: ignoring state

licensing rules and regulations; not keeping your account current; aggressive, loud and

argumentative interactions with a Center Staff member; sexual harassment; hostile phone calls, voice mails, faxes or email communications.

Above all, TTCC reserves the right to maintain a harmonious and safe

environment for the children. Our goal is to bring about collaboration

between the home and school in ways that enhance your child’s development.