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Day Care Policy Statement

Of Playful Pals Daycare

New York, NY

Philosophy / Mission Statement

The purpose of Playful Pals Daycare is to provide a safe and nurturing environment while meeting the needs of working parents.

Personal Background / Qualifications

Childcare will be provided by the following Gera Hampton:

  • Elementary teacher for 3 years
  • Health & Safety 5 hour class

Age and Number of Children Accepted

Playful Pals Daycare will care for a maximum of 16 children. This is based on the indoor and outdoor square footage of the childcare facility as well as the number of childcare providers on staff.

Playful Pals Daycare Provides care for a child between the ages of 6 weeks and 12yrs old. In order to provide quality childcare services, Playful Pals Daycare has established limits on the number of children in each group.

Playful Pals Daycare strictly complies with childcare regulations regarding child-to-staff ratios.

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday: 6:00am to 7:00pm

Saturday - Sunday: 7:00am to 5:00pm

Drop-in care is available from 10:00 am.

Cut off time to drop child off is 10:00 am for normal operations of hours unless child has a doctor’s appointment parent must notify the provider and must bring in doctor’s letter.

Evening and weekend childcare may be available occasionally through special arrangements.

Fees

Childcare fees are strictly based on the schedule hours of contracted childcare services. Playful Pals Daycare will not adjust childcare fees for late arrival, early pickup, or missed days.

AgeWeeklyDailyPart-Day
Under 2$400$80$53
2yrs$350$70$47
3-5yrs$325$65$43
6-12yrs$289$60$40

Saturday and Sunday prices are the same but are not included with weekly fee Monday – Friday covered by HRA this is an out-of-pocket fee/ Drop-in fee. Overnight prices are the same price.

Past Due Payments

Parents must pay childcare late fees on or before the child is dropped off the following day upon arrival. Payments may be made by cash and credit card. Credit cards which will be accepted are CASH APP and ZELLE.

If fees are not paid in full and on time, parents must pay a $5.00 per day late fee. If fees are not paid within 2 days of their due date, the child will not be allowed to attend the program until all amounts due are received in full.

Overtime Fee

Playful Pals Daycare will charge an overtime fee of $3.00 per min per child if a child is not picked up by the scheduled time. If a child is not picked up at the scheduled time, the late fee will start accruing from the scheduled pickup time.

Termination of Childcare Services

Childcare may be terminated by the provider or the parent only by providing the other party with 1-week advance written notice. If the parent fails to provide 1-week advance written notice, payment for 1 week or portion of such 1 week after is still required.

Playful Pals Daycare retains the right to terminate a child’s enrollment without notice for the following reasons:

  • A child’s behavior is destructive, uncontrollable, violent, or threatening to themselves or other children or providers at the program. The determination is made in the sole discretion of the provider.
  • A parent’s behavior is threatening or abusive to the other children or providers at the program.
  • Childcare fees are 5 days or more delinquent.
  • A child is absent for 3 days without a reasonable explanation or payment from the parent.

ALL terminations of this type can be made effective immediately.

Holidays, Vacations, Miscellaneous Closings

Playful Pals Daycare will NOT provide childcare on the following federal holidays:

  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Washington's Birthday
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving

Playful Pals Daycare will be closed for the provider’s vacation on the following days. The parent is responsible for arranging alternative childcare during the provider’s vacation.

The parent is responsible for arranging for alternative childcare for closings when the provider is attending training classes and for emergency closings due to severe weather.

The parent must provide Playful Pals Daycare with 2 weeks advance written notice of expected family vacations.

Meals

  • Breakfast: 6:30am
  • Mid-Morning snack: 9:30am
  • Lunch: 12:00pm
  • Mid-afternoon snack: 1:30pm
  • Dinner: 5:00pm

Parents should inform Playful Pals Daycare of their child’s favorite foods. Playful Pals Daycare may include these foods into its menu. Parents are not to send gum or candy.

Playful Pals Daycare will provide meals for children with special dietary requirements.

All meals provided by Playful Pals Daycare will comply with the United States Department of Agriculture’s nutritional guidelines.

Infants

Infants will be fed either formula or breast milk, both of which are to be supplied by the parent. The parent is responsible for providing baby food for as long as necessary.

Parents should provide Playful Pals Daycare with information regarding feeding times and other feeding instructions.

Diapers are checked on a regular basis and changed whenever reasonably necessary. After the diaper is changed, the diaper-changing area will be sterilized, and the provider’s hands washed.

Toilet Training

Playful Pals Daycare will assist with toilet training. However, the parent should first initiate the training at home. When training has started, the parent must supply training pants, pull-ups, or underwear.

Nap and Rest Periods

Nap time is as follows: 1:30pm to 3pm but if a child will not nap he or she may have quiet time reading or watch some tv. It is helpful if parents do not drop off or pick up their child during scheduled nap times.

Supplies

The parent is responsible for providing the following items to Playful Pals Daycare for the benefit of the child whenever reasonably requested by Playful Pals Daycare: Diapers, wipes, pull-ups, changing clothes.

In addition, Playful Pals Daycare may request that the parent supply a specific item for the benefit of the child from time to time. If the parent has failed to supply the item within a reasonable period of time, then Playful Pals Daycare may purchase the item and charge the parent for the reasonable cost of the item.

Medical Care Information

The parent must provide Playful Pals Daycare with updated medical information regarding his or her child every 6 months such as information regarding the child’s medical problems, immunizations, allergies, regular medications. Information should be provided as to whether the child has had measles, chicken pox, mumps, whooping cough, or any other contagious disease. This information should be given to Playful Pals Daycare prior to the child’s first day.

In case of a medical emergency, Playful Pals Daycare will obtain the necessary emergency medical care for the child, including but not limited to transportation to an emergency room. The parent will be responsible for all costs and expenses incurred in connection with any medical care provided to the child, including the cost of transportation.

Sick Child Policy

The goal of Playful Pals Daycare is to keep both the children and the caregivers healthy. Therefore, if a child exhibit any of the symptoms the child will not be allowed to attend the childcare program until the symptoms are no longer present and the parent has obtained a statement from the child’s doctor that the child is not contagious. The final decision as to whether a child will be admitted to the program will be made in the sole discretion of the Provider.

Emergency Preparedness Policy

Purpose

The safety of children and staff is our top priority. This Emergency Preparedness Plan ensures all staff are informed, trained, and ready to respond quickly and calmly during emergencies.

Types of Emergencies Covered

  • Fire: Evacuation procedures and fire drills.
  • Severe Weather: Shelter-in-place protocols for tornadoes, hurricanes, or severe storms.
  • Lockdown: Response to potential threats outside or inside the facility.
  • Medical Emergencies: First aid and emergency medical procedures.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Director/Lead Staff: Oversees emergency procedures, ensures drills are conducted, and communicates with families.
  • All Staff: Know and follow emergency protocols, assist children, and stay calm and collected.
  • Families: Keep contact information current and follow communication procedures during an emergency.

Fire Emergency Procedures

  1. Sound the Alarm: If you discover fire or smoke, activate the nearest fire alarm.
  2. Evacuation: Guide children calmly to the nearest exit and lead them to the designated meeting point outside.
  3. Roll Call: Take attendance and ensure all children are accounted for.
  4. Do Not Re-Enter: Remain outside until emergency personnel say it is safe to go back inside.

Severe Weather Procedures

  1. Weather Alert: Monitor weather reports and follow local advisories.
  2. Shelter-In-Place: Move children to designated safe areas (interior rooms away from windows).
  3. Comfort and Reassure: Keep children calm and engaged until the weather threat has passed.

Lockdown Procedures

  1. Initiate Lockdown: In case of a potential threat, announce a lockdown through the intercom or a designated signal.
  2. Secure Rooms: Lock classroom doors, close blinds, and keep children away from windows.
  3. Stay Quiet: Maintain a calm and quiet environment until an all-clear announcement is made by authorities.

Illness Policy

To ensure the health and safety of all children, please adhere to the following guidelines: If a child is sent home due to illness parent will be notified and asked to pick up their child within 1 hour.

Policy Regarding Doctors Notes

Please be advised that while a doctor’s note stating that your child is cleared for daycare is acknowledged, it does not guarantee acceptance into our childcare. We adhere to our own policies and regulations.

Symptoms and Exclusion Criteria

If your child has two or more symptoms keep your child home to rest. Children will not be accepted if they have a fever, vomiting, trouble breathing, diarrhea, runny/crusty nose, eyes, rash, or unable to participate in activities.

Illness During Daycare

If a child vomits or has diarrhea while at daycare, they will be sent home after the first incident. They must stay home for 24/48 hours after the last episode. Children must be fever-free without medications for 24 hours before returning to daycare.

Communicable Illness and Daycare Closure

If a virus is spreading among the children, the daycare may be closed for extra cleaning. Parents will be notified and asked to pick up their child. The child will be isolated from other children and provided with special attention until parent arrives.

Siblings

If your child has a sibling attending, please keep both children home to help prevent the spread of illnesses.