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Introduction
Welcome to Bright Beginnings Learning Center. We have created this handbook to try and
eliminate any misunderstandings. It is designed to provide a brief summary of information
regarding practices of Bright Beginnings Learning Center. Because circumstances change,
the center reserves the right to modify, amend, or revoke any of the procedures herein, at
any time without prior written notice. It’s hard to tell every parent, every rule and
procedure the first time we meet. We have tried to cover everything we could think of from
our child care philosophies, business policies and expectations. Please read this handbook
carefully, and feel free to discuss with us if you have any questions. You can reach Amanda
Hunt at (618) 841-2238
School Policy
We accept children 6 weeks to 12 years in age. The staff is made up of dedicated teachers
and aides, all concerned with the welfare of each child. We recognize and value the
uniqueness of each child at his or her own level of development. The children are divided
into age graded classes with music, stories and craft activities appropriate for their
developmental level. Since play is hard work, a daily rest period is needed. Each full day
child has a cot for an afternoon nap.
Bright Beginnings admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the
rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally available to the students. At the
center, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality or ethnic origin in
administration of our educational policies or payment programs.
Goals
Quality care of the children is our number one concern. We use the best developmental
tools to help the children learn how to relate with other children and adults, and how to
grow in their skills and abilities. All this coupled with Christian values
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Enrollment Policy
The forms listed below MUST be filled out and returned BEFORE your child can start.
Some of these forms must be updated yearly.
Application
Consent agreement Form
Physical form with shot record, TB test, lead test and Dr.’s Signature
Discipline agreement signed
Licensed standards signature page
Picture and video consent
CCRR application (if applicable)
Birth certificate (copy)
Food program application
Hours of Operation
Bright Beginnings Learning Center is open from 6:00 am – 5:30 pm Monday through
Friday. Children must arrive to the center prior to 10:00 am and leave no later than 5:30
pm. If you need to bring your child later than 10:00 am please call or text us prior to 8:30
am or they will not be permitted to stay. If your child is left at the center after 5:30 pm
there will be a $1.00 charge per minute, per child until they are picked up. NO EXCEPTIONS!!
Program Schedule
You will receive a calendar showing all days we will be closed. These dates are subject to
change and you will receive a 2 weeks’ notice in advance for these changes.
Also, a schedule will be posted in each classroom. You will be notified of any special themes
or activities by your child’s teacher.
Sick/Absent
Parents are asked to call and notify us if your child will be dropped off or picked up at a
different time than normal. If your child is scheduled to be here at 7:30 am and will not be
coming until after 8:30 am, please call. If your child is sick or is visiting with grandparents
and will not be coming, please call. Please remember that you are still responsible for
payment even though your child did not attend.
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Late Arrival
Should you need to bring your child to the center late, please call or text us. Children will
not be permitted to attend if brought in after 10:00 am unless we have been notified of a
valid reason. Sleeping in is not considered a valid reason for late arrival. If your child is
brought in after breakfast time which is served at 8:30 am or lunch time which is 11:30 am,
they will not be served. Please ensure your child has been fed prior to arrival
Tuition and Fees (Effective August 31, 2015)
6 weeks to 24 months - $33.50/day
2 years to 36 months - $28.50/day
3 years and older - $24.00/day
Before and after school - $12.00/day
Before school only - $6.00/day
Full days are defined as anything over 4 hours. We offer a multifamily discount. If you have
more than one child attending full time then you receive 10% off.
Payments
Private payments are due every Friday. If we are closed on Friday then payments are due
on the last day of the week we are open. There will be a $5.00 late fee each week your
payment is late. Co-Pay Parents’ Payments are due by the last day of the month. Balances
not paid by the 5th of the month will receive a $20.00 late fee per week. Please keep in
mind that this is a part of our family income as well as it is for our employees working here.
We depend on this money and expect to be paid on time. When you are late paying us, then
we are late paying our bills, which jeopardize the success of our center.
If payment is not made and there isn’t a payment arrangement on your account then your
child will not be allowed to attend until satisfactory arrangements have been made on your
account.
Returned checks will be charged a $25.00 fee and you will be required to pay to recover
the check, the returned fees and the next week’s fees by cash or money order before your
child will be permitted to come back to the center. IF PAYMENT AND FEES ARE NOT
RECEIVED IN 14 DAYS WE WILL TERMINATE SERVICES WITHOUT NOTICE.
Furthermore, collection activities will be pursued by an attorney and you will be
responsible for any and all costs associated with this collection.
When you sign your child up for Bright Beginnings Learning Center you are required to
tell us the days your child will be in attendance. You are responsible for paying for these
days regardless of attendance. NO EXCEPTIONS!! The form you sign stating that you
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have read and understand the handbook will be our contract that states you agree to this
policy.
Withdrawal/Discontinuing Services
WE DO REQUIRE A 2 WEEK NOTICE IF YOU PLAN TO WITHDRAW FROM THE CENTER.
THIS NOTICE MUST BE FILLED OUT AND SIGNED AT THE CENTER AND WITNESSED
BY AN EMPLOYEE. Charges will continue to accrue on your account until this form is
signed
Arrival/Departure
It is important that your child be brought and picked up at a scheduled time in order for us
to follow state guidelines and maintain a safe environment. Please be prompt in calling for
your child so that they do not feel deserted and so the staff can fulfill their own
responsibilities.
Upon arrival: Sign your child in each day, escort your child to his/her classroom. Assist
your child in putting away their belongings. Make sure the teacher is aware of your child’s
arrival, and notify them of any special needs/arrangements
. Upon departure: Make sure your child’s teacher is aware of his/her departure. Help
collect your child’s belongings and check the parent information board for any notices.
Sign your child out prior to leaving the building. Any child left signed in at the end of the
day will be logged out at 5:30pm. This will result in you being charged extended hours
charges if applicable. Also, if you receive CCRR they WILL NOT pay for hours past your
scheduled time and therefore YOU will be responsible for payment of these charges
A fee will be assessed to parents who are habitually late picking up or early bringing in
their child. This untimeliness is unfair to the children, the staff members, and to other
parents who are on time. This fee will be assessed after the third time parents are over 10
minutes late in arriving to pick up their child or early dropping off their child. The fee will
be $1 for every 5 minutes late/early. You will be given notification by notice in your child’s
cubby that this fee will begin. As stated before, any child left after 5:30 pm will
automatically be charged $1.00 per minute for every minute after this time
Clothing
The children at our center play outside every day as long as weather permits. Please dress
your child in seasonal appropriate clothing. They should also wear appropriate shoes. The
center must have an extra set of clothing in a zip-loc bag with their name on it in case of
accidents.
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Supplies Needed to Stay at the Daycare
Dependent upon age the following items need to be kept at the daycare. They include:
Diapers, wipes, pacifiers, bottles, formula, a change of clothes, blanket and pillow. Please
do not bring seats and diaper bags. This is for the safety of all our children as well as staff.
Your child’s teacher may request you bring other items to stay at the center such as
bathing suits, painting shirt, etc. Please send these items promptly as we are not able to
supply these to all. Failure to send necessary items will cause your child to be excluded
from certain activities.
Toys
We ask that children do not bring toys from home as this usually causes fights. It is also too difficult to keep track of what toy goes with what child.
The only exception is our school age classroom. They are permitted to bring handheld
games, ipods, tablets, etc. They must have ear buds or keep sounds turned down or off. We
also have a no share/no bring policy. Your child must be able and willing to share their item
with the class or they should leave them at home. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR DAMAGED DEVICES.
Meals
If your child has allergies and or requires a special diet, then you will need to provide a
note from your child’s doctor. We serve Breakfast – 8:30 am, Lunch – 11:30 am, Snack 3:00
pm. The Cook, Jeanette Barger, prepares food that is nutritious and that the children enjoy.
CHILDREN ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BRING IN ANY FOOD OR DRINKS (INCLUDING
SIPPY CUPS)!
Quiet/Naptime
All children will have a rest period from 12:15 – 2:15 pm every day. No child is forced to
sleep; however, they must remain quiet.
Illness
One of the most serious challenges in a group care for young children is preventing illness.
We use the following guidelines to protect your child as well as others from contagious
illness. We realize that this can sometimes be an inconvenience for families, 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.
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Fever of 100 degrees or higher during the last 24 hours
Rash combined with a fever
Unusual listlessness, tiredness, irritability, persistent crying, difficulty breathing
Diarrhea
Vomiting in the past 24 hours
Mouth sores associated with child’s inability to control his/her saliva
Pink eye
Impetigo
Strep throat
Head lice
Scabies
Chicken pox
Whooping cough
Mumps
Measles
Symptoms which may indicate a serious or communicable disease
We have a 24 hour symptom free rule. It states: The center requires your child to be
symptom free for 24 hours before they are allowed to return and if they have a serious
disease then a note of release from the doctor must be brought in upon your child’s return.
Medications
In order for us to administer medication, we must adhere to the following: All medicine
must be in the original container. The container must be labeled with the child’s name. If it
is over the counter medicine it must state the amount to be given. All medicine must be
labeled with a date. The medicine can only be given to the child 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 the directions must follow the label
Emergency Procedures and Drills
Bright Beginnings Learning Center places a high priority on being prepared for
emergencies. We have set up an emergency plan as follows.
Stayed informed and monitor alert messages of any kind on a daily basis. When an
alert is heightened for weather or otherwise, the radio and internet are checked
regularly for breaking information.
Assess the situation and act. Upon receiving pertinent information and/or official
notification a decision is made to move to a predetermined safe area of the building,
evacuate or conduct a shelter in place.
Evacuation – Fire & Tornado evacuation drills are held monthly, Earthquake drills
are held every 2 months. These practice drills are supervised and documented.
Evacuation routes are posted in each classroom
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Discipline
Knowing what behavior is appropriate or acceptable in a situation is an important skill. We
are committed to helping your child learn to express feelings appropriately, to consider
others feelings and to negotiate their own conflicts. If a child exhibits continually disruptive
and unsafe behavior that is not resolved through appropriate behavior management
strategies the teacher will discuss the situation with a supervisor and a family member to
develop a behavior modification plan. If a family refuses to work with staff in order to
resolve the problem and it persists, resulting in a chronic situation requiring greater need
for care than what we can provide, then the child’s enrollment may be subject to
termination
Injuries
No matter how much we watch and how careful we are, accidents are going to happen
occasionally. Minor cuts and bruises suffered while at daycare will receive proper care. If a
serious accident should occur you will be contacted. All injuries are documented and you
will be asked to sign an injury report.
Suspected Child Abuse
The State of Illinois requires that all members of a daycare be on the lookout for suspected
child abuse. We are mandated reporters and are required to report any suspected cases of
child abuse and/or neglect to the State for further investigation.
Confidentiality
All records and information concerning your child will be held confidential. 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 and
neglect)
Communication
Teachers will speak to the parents daily and report any unusual occurrences during the
day. Some may also receive a written report. A monthly newsletter will be distributed to
help parents stay informed. Please keep in mind we strive to keep a cell free zone in our
classroom. Should you need to speak to your child’s teacher, please call the center (618)
841-2238. Keep in mind we are very busy during the day working with the children to help
them learn and grow. We may not be available to speak with you immediately. You are
always encouraged to leave a voicemail or text us at this number. We will get back to you
just as soon as our schedule allows. We strive to give our children 100% of our attention.
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Pest Control Policy
It is the policy of Bright Beginnings Learning Center to be free of all pests; we will achieve
this goal by the following practices.
Prevent access to the interior of the building.
All opened food will be kept in an air tight container.
Kitchen will be cleaned daily, counter free of food debris and spills.
Floors and counters will be cleaned and sanitized daily.
Daily Inspections will be performed of the center to insure that it is free of pests. In the
event of visual signs of pests present, the following procedures will be performed.
Pest control will be contacted.
We will follow all recommendations as long as they are safe for the children and
caregivers.
If pesticides need to be used the center will contact parents 24 hours in advance,
they will be informed to what is being used and where.
All insecticide applications will be done while the center is unoccupied, and remain
for a period of no less than the time required by the pesticide label use of directions
Center will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Bright Beginnings Learning Center Contract
Child’s Name ________________________________ Date of Birth _______________
The Charge for care of child $_________ per week. This fee is due on Friday each week.
There is a $25.00 fee for all returned checks. The parent agrees to pay all costs or costs of
attempting to collect delinquent payments, including all attorney fees. Fees will be added
to all overdue payments.
Contracted Hours:
Monday _______________________ to ________________________
Tuesday _______________________ to ________________________
Wednesday ____________________ to ________________________
Thursday ______________________ to ________________________
Friday _________________________ to ________________________
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Please call and let us know ASAP if your child will not be attending that day. There is a
$5.00 per week late fee added to your account for all unpaid balances.
This contract may be terminated by parent filling out the proper termination form with a 2
week notice. If you wish to terminate without notice, 2 weeks fees are due at the time of
notification. The days your sign up for are the days you will be charged for, regardless if
your child is in attendance. You will be allowed 5 personal days per calendar year. These
days can be used any day that your child is not here, but must be scheduled. After you use
these days you will have to pay regardless of attendance.
I, _______________________________, have read The Parent Handbook and will comply with
this contract agreement between myself and Amanda Hunt/Bright Beginnings Learning
Center.
____________________________________ _______________________
Parent/Guardian Date
____________________________________ _______________________
Provider Date
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