Parent Information

Welcome to Robin’s Nest. This policy was written in an effort to better acquaint you with Robin‘s Nest.

Mission Statement:

Encouraging children to be their best!

Philosophy

My goal is to provide quality, loving care for your child in a safe and family like setting while you the parent are away from your children. They will learn through a variety of theme based curriculum in developmental appropriate activities about the world around them and God who made the world loves and cares about them.

Robin’s Nest Christian Childcare Home

Welcome to Robin’s Nest. My name is Robin I am married to Jeff for 34 years and have been in business since August 1985 26 years. I am licensed for a family childcare home. My goal is to have six openings filled ages 2 – 5. Children ages first grade and older that have been growing up here within my license limits. I have two married daughters April and Crystal and one grandchild Joshua who is attends Robin’s Nest. In December Jeff will be retired and will be my helper.

Ages

Presently unless previously promised I am not excepting new children under the age of two years. The ages in the future will be 2 – 5 (kindergarten). Those children may continue here after first grade. However I can’t guarantee a slot for the summer because I only have six openings in the summer.

Prices

Full Time:
Under three: $175.00
Three to Five: $155.00
Six and older: $150.00


Part Time:
Under three: $42.00 day
Three to Five: $37.00 day
Six and older: $36.00 day


Before and after school
Age six and older in school full time
See Robin for current prices

The above is the daily rate the days the days scheduled will equal the rate example (Mon – Wed = the weekly rate. The days may not be exchanged if your child doesn’t attend.

My hours are 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, you may use some or all of the hours it is the same price. If you arrive earlier or later $5.00 fee for every $15 minutes is due for each child. These are only my child caring hours and don’t represent all my hours. Please keep your hours within 7 – 5. If there is a blizzard I will be closed, no charge. If I don’t have any power I will be closed and not be charging.

Parental Responsibilities

Info On Child To Be Filed Before First Day Of Care.
1. Provide necessary information on all registration forms
2. Insure that the child's immunizations are kept up to date, and provide the
immunization information and physicians signature as required by state regulations.

Tuition:

Fees must be paid on time each Friday (or the last day of your work week) on arrival when you drop off your child unless prior arrangements have been made. Or tuition paid the last day of my workweek if I am closed on the last day of the week. Otherwise No Pay No Play on Monday.

Comply With Program Rules:

1. Deliver and pick up child within times specified
2. Keep child home when displaying signs of illness
3. Arrange to get your child promptly if they become ill during daycare time
4. Notify Robin’s Nest immediately if your child has a communicable disease
5. Notify Robin’s Nest promptly any change for the day in attendance;
if your child isn’t coming for the day or will be late or early.
6. You will provide all diapers and wipes. Provide a complete change of clothes for ages 5 and under.

I agree to provide childcare for your children up to a contracted 10 hours per day
7:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday thru Friday with the exception of my vacations and paid holidays. All hours are scheduled.

Trial Period

After enrollment your children may stay here with a two-week trial period, after that I require a two-week written notice.

Capacity

I am a licensed Family Childcare provider in the state of Connecticut and I will comply with all the standards put forth by the State. I am licensed to provide care for six children with no more than two under the age of 2 and an additional 3 school age children during the school calendar year. During the summer months I am licensed for six children. However I have fewer children here and specializing in an older toddler to K ages.

Learning Program:

1. Weekly themes
2. Bible stories
3. Alphabet
4. Numbers 1 – 10
5. Colors and shape
6. Special celebrations

We have stories, songs, rhymes, art, messy table activities, flannel board stories, word cards, games, cooking lessons to go with our themes. I use a curriculum adapted from Preschool Palace and Kids Soup. Children enjoy very much playing with toys in a group and getting outside. We have the library come in once a week to read stories and sing songs. .

Open Door Policy

I have an open-door policy for parents during the hours in which childcare is provided. Parents are always welcome to drop in anytime. I keep the door locked so just knock. The doors are locked for our safety. The children are told not to open the door for anyone. They will get me. With the exception of older school age children they may open the door for their parents only.

Personal/Vacation Time:

Parents: May take their vacations when I do, if they choose other weeks; please pay in advance for the week(s) before you go. I will be paid for the following holidays unless in the middle of my vacation:

New Years Day Monday January 2snd 2012
Martin Luther King Day (third Monday in January)
Presidents’ Day (third Monday in February)
Good Friday
Childcare Appreciation Day (Friday before Mother’s Day)
Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
Labor Day (first Monday in September)
Columbus Day (second Monday in October)
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
The day after Thanksgiving

If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the childcare program will be closed Friday, If a holiday falls on a Sunday, the childcare program will be closed the next day (Monday). The client must pay for all paid holidays listed above if it is on their regularly scheduled day, regardless of any other term in this contract. I will not be providing care on the following personal days you will not be charged for these days. Tuesday August 21, 2012
The third Friday in September 16th 2011.

If I may have to take other personal days off notice will be given.
Vacation week is Christmas week December 26 – 30.
Two weeks in the summer.
One week during July 4th July 2 - 6
Week of the first Monday in August. August 6 - 10

Parents need to have a back up in the event I am sick or closed. Fees may be renegotiated if changing full time to part time. On or before and any changes will be effective on the following of that same calendar year with a two week notice. I may change rates or conditions with a two-week notice. Any change of schedule please put it in writing.

Health Information:

Each child is required by state regulations to have on filed a health statement, which includes a record of up-to-date immunizations and the signature of the child's source of medical care. If a child's health care summary is not complete at the time of enrollment or within thirty days after enrollment, the parents will be asked to withdraw their child from Robin’s Nest until such time as the required documentation is complete. Each child who has not had a physical within the last year must have one before childcare can be provided. A doctor or a public health nurse may do this physical. I must have on file a signed form authorizing emergency care. Emergency numbers for reaching parents or guardian and another authorized person must also be on file.

I do my best to maintain strict cleanliness and hygiene standards. Children’s hands are washed before and after meals, when we come inside from playing, after bus arrival and after toileting. Each child is provided with a hand towel and does not share with anyone else. The provider’s hands are washed prior to making meals and as needed throughout the day. Preschool table, low chairs, washed and sanitized on a regular basis or as needed. Sheets are laundered weekly or sooner if needed. The floors are sanitized with steam cleaner. Rugs in the play area are vacuumed daily. The changing table is disinfected with each BM diaper change. Children are taught to cough or sneeze in the bend of their arm.

Leave Of Absence:

In cases of your potential extended tuition is required for the entire time of your absence to hold your child’s position. Or no charge and take the chance that the opening won’t be filled. If you are a teacher I may have a school age child here that could fill the opening during the summer with no cost to you.

Mandated Reporter:

I am a mandated reporter of suspected child abuse. Your child’s welfare will always come first. If any child shows evidence of abuse, the Licensing Dept will be notified. If you ever suspect a child is being abused or neglected here, you may call 1-800-282-6063 to make a report. Please note as a licensed provider I am required to give you this number. When I am inspected they may contact you by a letter with many questions about the care I give. They will ask you if I gave you the telephone number.

Sick Children:

In the interest of all children, it is best to keep a sick child at home if they have any of the following conditions; diarrhea, rash a contagious disease, a fever of 101 or higher, lice or nits or any other illness that requires an excessive amount of individual adult attention. As a parent, you know best when it is more appropriate for your child to be comforted by you at home than being sent to a day care home. We don’t want sick children to share their illness with the other children. Sick children need extra attention and nurturing by a family member. When your child is sick, you should notify me by 6:30/7 AM in the morning, or the night before if possible before 8:00 PM. To make it easier you may text my cell phone at any hour 860- 933-1386. Payment is still required. If I am sick I will notify you by 6:00 AM I will not be paid for my sick day. When your child becomes ill in my home, I will notify you as soon as possible to discuss treatment and/or early or immediate pick up. Your child must be picked up within an hour whenever possible, unless a mutually agreed upon time is set. You agree to accept and trust my judgment of how sick your child has become while in my care. Your child will be separated from other children while they are waiting to be picked up. If your child is seen by a doctor for an illness, he/she must return with a note or let me know what he/she said of the type of illness, expected term of illness, medication child is on, and if illness is contagious. If your child begins taking an antibiotic, he/she must stay home for at least 24 hours after the medication has been started. As part of this contract, you agree to sign a medical information and permission form for your child(ren) and I will keep the form(s) accessible. To help prevent sickness children are served healthy meals lots of whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables a diet low in sugar. We also get outside and get exercise. I also have a small size childcare.

Pets:

We have one older cat Salem who is an inside and outside cat. Her vaccines are kept up to date. We also have one parakeet named Lemon. Salem likes to nap on the couch when children are napping on their mats. Lemon enjoys music time with the children they join in and will play their bells. Also it seems like when we say grace “thank you for the birds that sing… she is chirping away.

Field Trips:

We go for walks around the neighborhood daily weather permitting.

Parties:

Valentine’s Day. Each child brings in a card for all their friends, a list will be given. We have a special snack and small gift from me. St. Patrick’s Day, Children find the leprechaun lost gold and receive a reward. We have a special green snack. Easter, we learn about God’s love for us and have a special snack and gift. Flag day we have a special red white and blue cake snack and receive a small gift. On Halloween children come in PJ’s and have a special snack. Families may come in the evening I will have a special bag of treats for the children and take a family picture for all families here to see. At Christmas, Jesus Birthday Party; For Christmas time children may participate in a gift book swap of $5.00 to $10.00 . Please put on the gift who it is from. All children receive a gift from Robin’s Nest. We have angle cake for Jesus and sing Happy Birthday. Parents are welcome to come to our Christmas party. We celebrate each child’s birthday. Parents may provide their child’s favorite ice cream we will have it with brownies or the like. Friends may bring in a card. I will have a birthday gift for the birthday child. If their birthday is on a day I have am closed we will have the party after their birthday.

Discipline:

Acceptable behavior is encouraged by giving positive verbal rewards. This reinforces a child's good feeling about his/her behavior and serves as an example to the children to act in such a way as to receive this praise. Younger children under three I try to redirect them. Children age three and older I ask the child to stop and think about their behavior enables the child to work at self-control. Depending on the situation, one warning is usually given and the child reminded of Acceptable behavior. The next step would be a timeout. This timeout is not a punishment, but rather a time when the child may calm down, remember what behavior is acceptable, and decide when they are ready to rejoin the group with appropriate behavior. If timeouts are not effective, some sort of consequence will be imposed. This may range from a favorite toy being taken away for a period of time, to being excluded from a favorite activity. Naturally, parents will be advised. Toddlers who don’t have their speaking skills, being very independent and get frustrated easily at times act out with hitting, biting etc… I will do all that I can to help them develop self-control. If within a reasonable time I am unable to control a child from hurting others it may be best for the child to leave this childcare. Usually they stop within a couple of weeks. Corporal Punishment is not allowed here.

Rules:

Walk in the house, run outside Quiet voices inside louder ones outside Use your hands to be kind never hit only high fives and to be helpful and creative Use your words to be kind, don’t bite, tattle, and no name calling Sit on furniture, climb and walk on climbers outside Stay with your parents going to the car.

Communication With Parents:

Each month a news letter You will be given a daily verbal of how your child's day was. Two’s: You will have a journal please make any comments, or anything I should be aware of. Please return daily. If I don’t receive it back I tell you how you’re toddler’s day was. Parents are encouraged to drop in here at Robin’s Nest at any time during my business hours. If I am not free to speak with you when you come to visit or call, please understand that the children come first during times of operation. You can always call me.

Clothes:

Please dress your children in clothes that they can play in. No two day’s are completely a like we make snacks, paint, glue, use markers, go for walks sometimes even jump in puddles (in warmer weather). We enjoy our days. Children wearing diapers must have their diapers covered with clothing for those messy diapers. We need to keep it sanitary.

Shoes:

Please dress your child in easy to put on shoes, zipper, Velcro’s, slip on. Tying shoes I feel is something they should learn at home. So they don’t have to wait too long because there are six little ones going out. Also it is physically difficult for me to put shoes on your child. This is very much appreciated.

Tote Bag:

Please bring only what you need including a complete change of clothes for your child.

Outside:

In The Winter:
Above freezing including wind chill we go outside and play in the snow. Please bring coats, snow suit, hat and mittens that fit easily. Fleece with Velcro’s has the best fit for children. We need to get out as quick as we can so they don’t over heat. We go out once a day.
In the Spring and Summer:
Late spring and summer bring sunscreen. We go out twice a day. During the summer maybe three times a day. In the fall:
Early fall twice a day, late fall once a day.

Potty Training:

Potty training is an important milestone for toddlers and young preschoolers. The process of learning to recognize when they have to go, getting to the bathroom on time, unfastening clothes, wiping, refastening clothes, flushing and washing hands is quite long. This is not a simple process. It takes a lot of patience on the part of everyone involved - parent, providers and most importantly, the children. Signs your child may be ready to use the toilet are an awareness of what is happening, the ability to communicate, and the motivation to be out of diapers. Children should stay in diapers until potty training has progressed to the point of just a few accidents. The more accidents that are in the childcare, the more difficult it is to keep it sanitary. We will continue to encourage those children beginning toilet training by giving them the opportunity to visit the bathroom. To introduce the children to the potty, I have them sit down on the toilet for a short period of time to get used to the idea of sitting there. I repeat this every so often. If your child is consistently using the toilet, please try to avoid "onesies" as these can make it more difficult for children to get out of and can be frustrating if your child is in a hurry. Unless your child is consistently using the toilet and staying dry, please do not use "Pull-ups," the time required to completely undress and redress your child after wetting or soiling takes away from the daily activity and programming. Elastic waist paints, regular t-shirts and beltless pants make toilet training easier and more successful for your child. I give rewards of stickers. Toilet training it is time consuming to undress and redress a child. Following these guidelines will make toilet training a more positive and rewarding experience for your child and allow us adequate time for our activities and outside play. Criteria for wearing underpants is after two weeks of no accidents. Of course a few accidents are expected, but continued accidents will require the return to diapers. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions regarding this policy. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation!

Other:

Please inform me of your child's favorite games, things to do, etc. Also inform me if your child has any allergies, special routines for naptime, fears, (i.e.: scared of dark, shut doors, etc.). Or anything else about your child's likes and dislikes (such as foods) that you feel would be helpful to me. I'd like to do whatever is possible to make your child's time here more comfortable and fun. The more I know about your child, the better I can help him or her adapt to their new daycare. Other sibling family members: Please do not bring your child that isn’t enrolled in Robin’s Nest to stay and play at drop off or pick up. If I don’t have more than five children here they may come in and stay but not play while you pick up your child. My license limits is six. I am not able to have neighborhood children, friends or childcare providers with their children and enrolled children siblings who are not enrolled going over my limit.

Termination Of Contract/Care:

Provider; written notice by me. I would give two week notice unless parents have not paid for care. Parents; please have a written notice giving me at least two weeks’ notice. I am open to any suggestions; we can talk about it on arrival or departure, call me before 8 PM or email me at robinsnest1985@cox.net

Thank you for being a part of Robin’s Nest. If you miss place this policy it is or will be soon posted on my web site: www.robinsnestchildcarehome.com Robin’s Nest can make any changes to this policy and contract with a two week notice.