Daily Care Needs

Change in Care Notification

If care is not needed on a normal care day please notify Growing Together Child Care as soon as you know.

It is important to keep Growing Together informed in a timely manner, of any changes in your child’s home life, as it helps in caring for your child and supporting their development. Any change in the status of legal guardianship needs to be provided to Growing Together Child Care in legal form. This form will be maintained in the child’s record.

If, at any time I feel that a child’s safety is at risk by getting in a vehicle with a parent/legal guardian or individual designated for pick-up, I will attempt to talk to, delay or convince them to let me call someone else to come pick the child up. If the individual insists on leaving with the child, Growing Together cannot legally stop them. However, immediately upon their departure the police will be contacted. Notification of the vehicle plate number and direction that the individual was headed will be provided. Any actions regarding carrying out this policy will be documented in the child’s records.

Drop off:

Child’s parents/legal guardians are to take their child’s temperature either before coming to the facility or upon arrival at the facility. A child who has a fever of 100.40 F (38.00C) or above or other signs of illness will not be admitted for care.
Child’s parents/legal guardians will verbally confirm that they have completed the provided daily health check at home.
The provider will also do a visual inspection of the child for signs of illness which could include flushed cheeks, rapid breathing or difficulty breathing (without recent physical activity), fatigue, or extreme fussiness.
The parents/legal guardian will sign child in. The provider will note child’s parents/legal guardians response on daily health check.
Only the child will enter beyond the doorway/entry hall into the program space.
Outer clothes will be hung up and any bags from home stored on the provided shelf and/or cubby.
Children will go wash hands before touching anything within the facility.

Pick-up:

When parents/legal guardians are picking a child up they do not enter into the program space. They remain in the doorway/entry hall.
The provider will help each child prepare to leave the program.
Maintaining physical/social distance the provider will communicate with child’s parents/legal guardians about the child’s day.

To ensure the security of your child, they will only be released to a person for whom Growing Together has written consent by the parents/legal guardians. A parent/legal guardian may provide individual notices in addition to completion of Growing Together Child Care’s authorization for pick-up form. This form constitutes written consent. In emergencies, release of a child to someone on the written consent form with consent provided by a parent/legal guardian over the phone will be allowed. Photo identification for individuals other than child’s parents/legal guardians will be checked by Growing Together at pick-up.

Transportation:

Unless it is an emergency situation, whenever a child is transported off-site by Growing Together Child Care, it will only be with prior permission by child’s parents/legal guardians.

All vehicles that would be used to transport children are registered and insured. Current registration and proof of insurance documents are kept in the vehicles.
Drivers are licensed.
The required state transportation class will be completed before any transportation outside an emergency takes place.

Clothing

Multiple changes of clothing is required for all age groups.
These changes may be left here at Growing Together Child Care in a child’s cubby.
Clothes appropriate for outside play, especially in the winter, are expected daily, or may be left here on a weekly basis.
Soiled clothing will be bagged and sent home for cleaning.

Meals

Lunch and two snacks are provided daily at a regularly scheduled time, offering a variety of foods in child size servings. Food is served family style and we eat together with children serving themselves as appropriate. Supervising adult models appropriate serving method and amounts when serving children that are not developmentally able to self-serve. Children are taught to start serving each food they decide to eat in a smaller portion. They learn they can return for additional servings. This promotes both good table manners and socialization.
Child will not be forced to eat, but will be encouraged to try new foods when introduced. Growing Together Child Care uses a “taste bite” approach, where children are encouraged to try a bite with the knowledge that they can spit it back out on their plate if desired. Provider/supervising staff do not insist that children clean their plates.
There is no screen time during meals.
Breakfast is not provided. If parents/legal guardians choose to provide a simple breakfast for their child to eat here, it must be consumed by the end of the am snack time. The last food clean-up of the morning follows the finish of morning snack.
All meals and snacks provided meet the nutritional needs of young children. Menus are planned using the guidelines provided by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
Fresh water is available to children throughout the day. Water is from a private drilled well which undergoes annual safety testing following licensing regulations. Results are on file and can be seen upon request.
Juice and soda are not served.
No gum or candy is allowed during daycare hours.
Food is not used as a reward or punishment.

Insect Repellents Usage

Growing Together Child Care uses natural essential oils applied to clothing only. If a child’s parents/legal guardians want insect repellent used they need to provide it in its original container labeled with the child’s name. Repellent will be stored out of the reach of children.

Growing Together Child Care will follow the AAP and the EPA recommendations when using insect repellents:

Apply repellents only to exposed skin and or clothing. Do not use under clothing.
Never use repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
Do not apply to eyes or mouth, and apply sparingly around ears. When using sprays, do not spray directly on face, spray on hands first and then apply to face.
Do not allow children to handle the product. When using on children apply to your own hands first. Do not apply on children’s hands.
Use just enough to cover exposed skin, heavy applications do not work better. If a thin film does not work, you can apply a bit more.
After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water. Also wash treated clothing before wearing again. (Check product label for further instructions.)
If a child develops a rash, stop using the product, wash with mild soap and water and call poison control or your doctor for guidance.

Pets

Outside the family pets, the decision to have pets in Growing Together Child Care is made with great care. Pets of any kind require good care and their enclosures require cleaning. Some pets bite and scratch or are frightened of children. A new child in the facility may have allergies that require the pet be removed from the facility. All these issues require consideration before deciding to have a pet in our program.

Parents/legal guardians will be notified if a new pet is planned for the facility.

Animals are chosen carefully for temperament and safety.
Pet enclosures are not placed near areas where children eat or food is served.
Children and adults wash their hands after handling or feeding animals.
Children do not clean cages.
All animals are properly cared for and provided clean water, appropriate food, clean cages, and vaccinations.
Animal food is stored separately from human food. Animal food is kept tightly closed to prevent insect infestations.
Uneaten food is removed from cages.

Materials & Equipment

Equipment and materials for indoor and outdoor play have all been carefully chosen for the ages of the children using the equipment. Inappropriate equipment (too tall or not appropriate for the skills of children) is made inaccessible to children who should not use it.

All equipment is checked for loose or broken parts and that bolts and screws are receding or are covered with plastic caps.
The play dirt area is bleached and turned over regularly for extra prevention.
Children are actively supervised and visible to present adult while playing outdoors.

Growing Together Child Care supports the importance of children having the opportunities to participate/experience “risk” in a supervised/supported environment. Without these opportunities a child’s normal development can be negatively impacted. With changes to the Family Child Care Licensing Rule that covers play equipment Growing Together Child Care has decided to further address possible concerns by having parents/legal guardians sign an extended Usage of High-Risk Equipment permission form. This form will be updated at least annual, but can be changed at any time by parent/legal guardian request and will be maintained as part of your child’s record.

Air Pollution

Pollution, including tobacco smoke, mold, carbon monoxide, ozone, particles from burning materials, chemical vapors, smoke, soot and dust particles in the air may be harmful to children who breathe them. Pollution can cause burning eyes, a stuffy nose, and trouble breathing, including asthma episodes, in children and adults. Growing Together Child Care supports a healthy environment by:

Opening windows and doors to provide fresh air from outside.
Properly maintain any air filtering systems.
Vent the clothes dryer to the outside of the building.
Have exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens.
Make sure art materials meet ASTM standards.
Insure appropriate ventilation when using art materials.
Check local media alerts for days when children should play indoors, such as days when there are ozone alerts.
Promptly repair roof, pipe, and basement leaks.

Smoking, Prohibited Substances

There is no smoking or use of prohibited substances allowed on the premises of Growing Together Child Care at any time. This is a Smoke Free Zone.

Pesticide Policy

Growing Together uses the least amount of chemical control of pests on the premises in order to provide the healthiest environment. In the event that pesticides are used, parents/legal guardians will be notified.

Preventative measures taken include:

Keeping grounds clear of food and rubbish.
Cleaning trash cans regularly.
Taking out trash weekly or as needed.
Storing food in sealed plastic or metal containers.
Cleaning and sanitizing all dishes, utensils, and surfaces used for eating or food preparation after meals and at the end of the day.
Preventing pest entry into facility by sealing cracks and holes, using and repairing window screens and door sweeps.
Moisture control by maintaining plumbing and water drainage systems.

On-Site Sewage System (Septic System)

The septic system is pumped yearly.

To help with the general maintenance of our septic system, we:

Do not flush strong chemicals such as drain cleaners, paint thinners or floor cleaners
Keep cars and heavy equipment off the drain field
Fix all leaks on faucets and toilets
Reduce water usage
Monitor for signs of failure such as foul odors inside or outside, gurgling sounds in the plumbing, sewage on the ground, backed-up sewage inside the building and slow draining fixtures

If our septic system fails, we will notify the local health department and our licensing specialist.

Guns

There is currently hunting materials in storage on the premises. Storage meets licensing guidelines. Guns and ammunition are stored separately in locked containers. They are stored in areas that the children do not have access to.