Policies

                                    POLICES

Here is a look at a few of my policies from my "Parent Handbook"

The child care is enter through the back yard at the back door of Pam's split-level home.
Drop off and pick up must occur in the presence of Pam or a staff member. Pam and/or staff must be aware at all times of every child’s arrival or departure from the house or yard every day. 

A child's presence in the child care must be documented on a daily basis by the child's parent or guardian or authorized person by using the sign-in and sign-out procedure for each child in  attendance.                                                                            

ENVIRONMENT                

             There is a mixed age group of children here at Pammy's Tots.  Pam believes this teaches children to take care of each other and them-selves. This is not a class- room setting but a natural learning environment.            Pam takes the time to teach your child/ren new concepts each and everyday, some are structured, some are not. These learning tasks are sometimes determined by what happens during our day, either by the weather, or by what might be happening with our school age children.

The home setting offers children a variety of activities. Self-directed play offers children an opportunity to do what interests them in a loving environment.

           Provided daily are developmentally appropriate and activities and materials in the required quantity and variety to meet the needs and interests of children being served.  Are  daily schedule  promotes;  Social skills, Positive self-concepts, Language and literacy, Physical development in both indoor and outdoor settings,  Creative expression and appreciation for the arts. Strengthening large and small muscles and encouraging eye-hand coordination body awareness, rhythm and movement. Individual, small group and large group activities , with opportunities for success through open- ended activities.

There is an environment of respect for individual and cultural diversity, as well as opportunities for children to solve problems, initiate activities, experiment and gain mastery through learning by doing. Opportunities to explore science, dramatic play, music, language arts and mathematical concepts, last but not least infants and toddlers have ample opportunities to move about freely in a safe area.                                                        

T. V. T I M E                                         

(Screen time means watching, using or playing television, computers, video games, video or DVD players, mobile communication devices, and similar devices as defined by the DEL.)
According to the America Academy of Pediatrics, it is recommended that children under the age of 2 not watch TV or be on a computer at all, children 2-8 years old watch less than 2 hours, combined with computer time, per day. Here at Pammy’s Tots, we try to abide by this. There is no computer here for the children to play with.

There is a TV in one of our playrooms. Most of the time, the TV is not out or on.  At naptime, those children not napping might watch something chosen by Pam and/ or staff. The TV might also be turned on toward the end of the day before parents arrive around 5:00 to quiet those children waiting for pick-up.  All TV or videos watched is age and developmentally appropriate for the youngest child in the room.  Age-appropriate alternatives to television are available for those children whose parents prefer them not to watch TV at all.
When the weather is nice, we are outside more and watch even less TV.  I have been known to go without TV for months without complaints from the children.                                                                                                                             

HOLIDAYS                                                            

Pammy’s Tots will be closed for the following holidays;

                       New Years Eve Day,  New Years Day

                       Martin Luther King Jr. Day

                       Memorial Day

                       July 4th

                       Labor Day  

                       Thanksgiving and the Friday After

                       The week of Christmas,sometimes

          See parent handbook of other days effected.

We follow the Renton  School District. We are open when it snows and school is not. Some day cares /child cares close when this happens.                                

 PAYMENT IS REQUIRED FOR ALL THESE DAYS  IF THEY ARE YOUR NORMALLY SCHEDULED DAY FOR CHILDCARE.

 LAST  DAY      

A two (2) week notice is needed in WRITING  and payment for these days are required.                                  

LATE FEES / OVERTIME

Late fees / overtime are in effect at 6:05, if your child is scheduled to pick up by 6:00 or sooner.

 If we have set up at time to pick up your child / children after 6:00 then there is no grace time and you need to be here when you said or late fees will be effective. These fees are $1.00 ever minute that you are late. Calling me to inform me that you will be unavoidable late done not waive your late fees, it just make’s you a responsible parent, and helps so your child / children are not scare or mad.  

PLAY   AREA                      

Inside there are two rooms;

            Each are the required size, and furnishings are developmentally appropriate to the ages and number of children being served to actively engage in recreational and informal educational activities. Each room has windows for emergency exit or rescue.            

          The first is our rug room 24 x 14. This is our main playroom, it has a rug wall to wall, most of the toys are in here, appose to having them in the other room, we have more toys put away than out and rotate them as needed. This is the room where naps are also taken. 

Rooms can be used for more then one purpose if it does not interfere with use of the room for another purpose.

        Your other room we use has a parquet floor; this room measures 18 x 13. This is the main entrance to the child-care; there also is a kitchenette in here for us to use, we also do art projects and have our quiet time during naps in here.

Backyard

 I provide a variety of age appropriate play equipment outside of sufficient quantity for children. As well as any toys from inside that are as a big as a child’s hand, this giving all children a lot of choices for outside play. The back yard adjoins the indoor premises (by a hinged swinging type door that fully opens from inside without using a key). There are no latches or dead bolts or security chains used during childcare hours. The yard is on a slope and is fully fenced  the fence has a latch on the inside at the top.   This provides a safe and securely area. This prevents child access to roadways and other dangers, and from authorized exit or entry. This fills the requirement by the state that this is an enclosed outdoor play area and has been approved by my licensor.

There is a jungle-gym with a climbing area on the upper

area (installation was installed as required by the manufacturers instructions and is maintained in good condition) sitting on several inch’s of cedar chips which we try to add to every two or three years. I do this to keep the depth of chips that is needed to keep children safe; we also have a little tyke’s house off to the side.

Front………..

There is a circle of trees in front of the house on this cul de sac road. There are sidewalks through out all the neighbor-hood for us to go for walks on.

The children  are taught to use the sidewalks and not to walk or play in the street.

Sometimes we might play in the front yard while we wait for a parent to arrive. Children are never alone while in the front, sometime we do fire drills and end up out  

here.                                                    

SICK LEAVE MINE                     

This is not something planned. If I get sick and can't have childcare then I'm really, really sick and you won't want me around your children. (This has only happened three times in 33 years).

            I’m sorry for the inconvenience this might cause. I will try to call you by 6:00 A.M. and let you know that  my childcare is closed for the day. The fee already paid for this day is not returned, it will still apply. It will be up to you to find child care for this one day. I would not take any more than six days off in a year.  If I’m not sick I don't take time off.      

SICK  CHILD  /  CHILDREN  ABSENCES 

Please call within an hour of your time you are expected at my home if you are not coming. If you show up later there my not be a spot here for your child / children at my childcare and or I care could be closed.

            If for some reason you plan to keep your child / children  at home, even if they ‘re not sick, because grandma wants them for the day or you the parent / guardian do not what to bring them  or  your sick  or  you can’t  fine transportation for them so your child/ren are not at childcare,  fees are still required.  Please expect to pay for that day without resentment. You are paying of a time in a slot my overhead and budget remains the same whether your child/ren are present or not.

             I know how difficult it is to take time off of work when your child/ren are ill. Please, if your child/ren has an  fever  over  *100 don’t bring them to childcare; they are contagious to the others. When a child is that sick they only want their mommy. If said child/ren are not well enough or willing to play with the other children because they don’t feel well then please have them stay home.

            Children with a slight cold can still come to day-care, a little cough or a little runny nose is ok. You’re welcome to send some cold medication along with them,  (I have forms to fill out each time medication is given). Fees are still charged for the one or two days of illness. If longer illness happens fee charges can be discussed. (1)  time-saving space (2) fee at less of a charge.

If your child becomes sick while at daycare he / she will be separated from others. I will place your child in one of the rooms or outside (weather permitting) away from the other children so others I hope won’t get sick. At this time you the parent will be called. After calling we will discuss what should be done with your child till you can get here. Your child can not come back until the day after they go home. (24hrs).                                        If anything serious were to happen 911 would be call first then you.           

PLEASE PHONE IF YOUR CHILD IS NOT COMING                                                                                                     

VACATION   

If Pammy’s Tots Child Care is to stay in service year-round scheduled time-off is necessary. 

These are important times of rest and respite which allow us to continue providing your child with our best possible care.  Everyone who is employed needs time away from their jobs at some point.  The same thing applies for Pammy’s Tots.

Since we work long hours with little or no breaks in order to provide the services that care for your child, we occasionally take time off to avoid burn-out.  Pam works 12 hour days, Monday through Friday, plus weekends for shopping, paperwork and activity planning for the week to come as well as meetings and classes.  In addition, Pam choose to be available 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week for questions, concerns and emergency situations to better serve you and your families.

Pam sometimes takes one week off at Christmas. Other vacation time differently every year.  We will do our absolute best to give all parents notice two weeks in advance when a scheduled day off is to occur. If a full week is to be scheduled for closure, parents will receive a month’s advance notice.   If there is an assistant that can work in Pam’s absence (and child care can remain open) and we can achieve the correct child-staff ratio, we will do our best to arrange this. This is on a case-by-case basis, and regardless of our efforts, it is the parent’s responsibility to have back up child care lined up.