Hands and Feet Childcare Parent's Handbook

Last Updated: March 11, 2011

Hands and Feet

Child Care

Picture courtesy of nowheremanphotos.com ©2009-2011.

Used with permission

Parent’s

Handbook

Making a difference, one child at a time!

Hands and Feet Childcare Page 1 Parent’s Handbook

Welcome to our family ................................ 2

Family bio’s ............................................... 3

Our extended family…you! .......................... 5

Our mission ............................................... 5

Our Belief ................................................. 5

Our Commitments ................................... 5

Welcome to our home .................................. 6

Parking ....................................................... 6

Hours of Operation ................................ 6

Major holidays ......................................... 6

Family Vacations ..................................... 6

Severe Weather ..................................... 7

Attendance ..................................................... 7

PAY IT FORWARD CREDIT ................. 7

Sick Children ............................................ 7

Our Sick Child Policy .............................. 7

Illness incubation chart ........................ 8

Provider’s Notice of Exposure ............. 8

Communication ............................................... 8

Calling the provider ................................ 8

Voice mail messages ............................... 9

Texting and Email ................................... 9

Written letter ......................................... 9

Safety and Security .................................. 10

Gaining entrance into the facility ..... 10

Visitor’s Log ........................................... 10

Identification ........................................ 10

Suspicious Activity ................................ 11

Mandatory Reporting ............................ 11

Emergency Procedures ................................. 11

Rates and Services ..................................... 12

Part-Time ................................................ 12

Rates and Services ..................................... 12

Drop-In ................................................... 12

Overnight ................................................ 12

Full-Time ................................................. 13

Registration and Reservation Fee ..... 13

Discounts for services......................... 13

Making Payments .......................................... 14

Items you need to supply .......................... 14

Mandatory Fieldtrip shirts ................. 14

Item of the Month ............................... 15

Car Seat .................................................. 15

Personal Hygiene Items ...................... 16

Medicine .................................................. 16

School Supplies and Carriers ............. 16

Items the provider will supply ................. 17

Character Building Instruction ................. 17

Wednesday Night Youth Group ......... 17

Singing ..................................................... 17

Lyrics ....................................................... 18

Disciplinary Actions ............................. 18

Character-building through discipline18

Rewards ................................................... 20

Biblical Principles, Values, and Ethics 20

Late pick up, cancellations and terminating

services ........................ 21

Late Pick up ............................................ 21

Cancelling a scheduled day ................. 21

Trial period and ending service ......... 21

Using us as a reference ....................... 22

Legal Stuff ................................................... 22

Application for services ............................ 24

References ................................................... 26

Table of Contents


Welcome to our family!

We’re glad you’re considering becoming an extension of our family. As

parents, my husband and I understand how important it is to get to know the

people who will have major influence on our children. Telling you about our

family members is a good place to start.

Our family has been in the Cedar Rapids area since 2005 and currently reside

on the southwest side, across the street from Wal~Mart. First and

foremost, our family is a family of faith. We believe in the bible and the

rules of character that it teaches. It is our passion, even the two girls, to

personify this in our own lives to others.

Almost everyone in our family is a student. While our three-year-old is still

learning about her world and preparing for life as a student, our older

daughter, myself, and even my husband are all full-time students. We believe

that it is our responsibility to instill a love for learning and strong character in

our children…and yours.

Hands and Feet Childcare ☺ 4040 33rd Ave SW Apt 8 ☻ Cedar Rapids, IA ☺ 52404 ☻ (319) 432-7929 ☺ (641) 351-8542

handsandfeetchildcare.webs.com

Shawna Ebbeson That’s me…your primary caregiver! I’m almost a native to Iowa, growing up in

Des Moines since I was three. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and,

at the ripe age of 9, I started my own business doing odd jobs for older

persons around my neighborhood. By the time I was

10, I was managing my first employee…my younger

brother. It should come as no surprise that I would

set out on my own as an adult and run my own pet

sitting business, or that, even now, I would join my

passions into one and open a 24-hour child care!

My experience with children runs deep, even though I

didn’t do a lot of babysitting as a teenager. As an

adult, I have taught 2 – 5 year-olds in Sunday school and mid-week youth

groups, paraded as ―The Story Lady‖ in costume for the church daycare every

Tuesday for a year. I was also a co-leader of a local Girl Scout troop, and

even homeschooled my older daughter through 4th and 5th grade. When our

youngest was born, our lives changed again and I found myself digging out my

old preschool busy books I used for my older daughter, and that was when we

truly began our child care endeavor.

When our youngest was about 3 months old, we started to watch another little

girl from our church that was 12 hours younger than she! She is the first in

our extended family. We still have the joys of watching not only her, but her

newborn baby brother also!

My other passion is learning. I completed my first Bachelor’s degree in

Organizational Communication from Kaplan University in July, 2010 and am

enrolled in Walden University to pick up a second in Early Childhood

Development with a concentration in psychology. From there, I want to pursue

a Master’s degree in Spiritual Formation and Leadership with a focus on youth

ministry.


Jordan McGuire Jordan loves everything about school. She loves the learning, interacting with

her friends, and also loves the teaching. Jordan

is a 7th grader at Wilson Middle School and is

active in chorus and wants to learn to play the

flute. She’s nearly a straight A student and

loves to bring her lessons home to the little

ones.

She has been instrumental in Kylie’s ability to

recite the alphabet, count and skip-counting, and

now Jordan is teaching her how to read and

write. Jordan takes great joy in presenting

bible lessons and crafts. We’ve picked up old

youth group curriculums from New Creation

church and St. Paul UMC for her to explore and

share.

Her favorite thing to do outside of watching her favorite shows on the Roku

box (a Netflix ready box) is to read. She has a book glued to her hand 24/7.

She currently reads at the 12th grade level. We began to read Jane Eyre

over the summer just to see if she could. It was a bit of a reach for her,

but she enjoyed the challenge.

She is so much fun to take on fieldtrips and loves asking questions with the

hopes it will manifest into a science project. Not only does she love working

with the kids, but she loves learning all about wherever it is we are going.

Her favorite places to go are museums and the Science Station…anywhere that

engages her to wonder.

As much as she is studious, she is also creative and imaginative. She loves to

pretend what it would be like to be different things or go different places.

Her most favorite thing to be is my little princess!



Harry Ebbeson, III That’s our kid-magnet! Everywhere we go, children gravitate to him. Harry

was born on the west coast and spent his early teenage years in Texas. Then

back to California in hopes of hitting it big in the music scene. Instead, he

decided to start a family. Harry’s love for kids is only second to his music.

He is an accomplished musician and

currently works as a music therapist on

contract with a wide variety of senior

living facilities. He has released 14 solo

albums. The title track to his most

recent release, God’s Promise, is available

for download through our online store.

Harry has also been able to meld his

passions together as well. Harry’s passion

for God has led him to seminary, pursuing

an Associate’s degree in ministry. He has

fathered a Christian band, Heavenwind

Ministries, by which this childcare is an outreach of. We’ve been an active

band since 2007, playing contemporary praise songs as guests at local churches

and community events. We also provide concerts, complete with powerful

PowerPoint Presentations for the lyrics. Maybe we’ll bump into each other this

summer!

Kylie Rynn Ebbeson Kylie is the youngest member of our family. A

near carbon copy of her father, she’s an

insatiably curious bundle of energy. She loves

God and loves her friends that come to play.

Kylie’s favorite things to do outside of

watching Backyardagains, Dora The Explorer,

and The Wonder Pets, are painting, helping

Mom in the kitchen, and the spur-of-the-

moment science projects that come from a

simple question she’s asked.


Our Extended Family…You!

Now that you’ve had a chance to get to know us a little better, let’s get to

the meat of things. As an extension of our family, it will be important for

you to know how we do things. You’ll need to know this before we start the

process of enrolling your children into our child care program. Let’s start

simple and work our way up.

OUR MISSION: Our mission is simple—to provide character-building child

care in a safe, nurturing environment to kids of all ages. Our broader mission

is to make a difference, one child at a time.

OUR BELIEF: We believe that strong character is learned and not instinctive.

We also believe that it is our responsibility to instill in them a moral compass

that will guide their choices into adulthood. We believe that the bible is an

imperative tool, a map, and a blueprint in building that moral compass. It is

important that you understand that this is what influences our attitudes and

actions and becomes the basis for why we do things the way we do.

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU: We understand that not everyone agrees with

our beliefs. Our commitment to you is that we will do our utmost best to

respect the beliefs, cultures, and customs of others, even when they differ

from our own.

OUR COMMITMENT TO THE CHILDREN: We will be respectful of thoughts

and feelings of all children in our care. We will provide a safe, loving,

nurturing and engaging environment that will encourage the children to grow

and advance. We commit to nurturing the children’s physical, mental,

emotional, and psychological needs and work hard to understand them and

their views.

OUR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY: Wherever we go, we will leave that

place better than we found it, even if it is just picking up a wadded up paper

and throwing it away where it belongs. We will be respectful of the

managers, helpers, and teachers that work in the places we visit.



Welcome to our home!

We have opened our home during the week in order to provide quality care for

local families. While we do advertise specific hours of operation, there are

certain considerations that we do make, such as early morning drop offs on

Monday or third shift pick up on Friday night into Saturday morning. We are

here to help. If you aren’t sure if your weekday schedule will fit, talk to us

and we’ll see what we can work out to accommodate everyone’s needs.

PARKING:

DO NOT PARK IN FRONT OF THE FACILITY DOORS! The complex issues

$50 tickets for vehicles parked in front of the doors. Drive to the red

dumpster and turn right. You may park at the end of the garages in any

parking spots to the right of the red dumpster.

HOURS OF OPERATION:

MONDAY – FRIDAY 24-HOURS (7 days a week for 3rd shift only)

We open according to the first child is scheduled to be drop-off on Monday

We will not close until the last child is scheduled to be picked up on

Friday (Saturday morning for 3rd shift families).

FAMILY VACATIONS

Our family will take two vacations each year: One weekend retreat and 2-

weeks of vacation time (not necessarily consecutive dates). The weekend

retreat will cause the facility to close early on Friday. We will provide at

least a 30 day notice of any closures of the facility due to vacation days so

you will have ample time to find an alternative as we do not use substitutes.

MAJOR HOLIDAYS IN WHICH THE FACILITY WILL BE CLOSED:

New Year’s Eve Easter Fourth of July

Christmas Eve Thanksgiving Christmas Day

Friday before Mother’s Day Friday before Father’s day


Only pay for the days you use

SEVERE WEATHER

Our facility will not close due to severe weather, even if the school systems

do. To find out if school has delays, closed early, or cancelled by visiting our

website at handsandfeetchildcare.webs.com. We WILL close under extreme

and unlikely events of loss of power and heat, extreme illness, and water

issues that would negatively affect the safety of the children and the indoor

environment of our home.

Attendance

PAY IT FORWARD CREDIT

We only charge for the days your child actually attends our childcare. Any

service is eligible for the PAY IT FORWARD credit and there’s only one

qualifier…notice. Keep me informed and let me know

as soon as something happens and provide at the very

least 24 hour notice and the fees for the day

cancelled will be credited to your next bill. It’s just

that easy!

SICK CHILDREN

We do not provide care for children when they are sick, which will affect

their attendance also. Illness does not always give a 24-hour notice, thus

this is one of the few times that you might still qualify for PAY IT FORWARD

credit without providing a timely notice. PAY IT FORWARD Credit will also be

determined by the illness in which the child was excused from childcare. See

the following box for a comprehensive rule of thumb that our childcare goes

by when readmitting and excusing children from care.

OUR POLICY ON SICK CHILD CARE

Children deemed too sick to attend daycare will be sent home. The

determination of when a child is too sick to attend daycare is at the sole

discretion of the provider. In the event the child is deemed sick, the parent

will be contacted and the child will be sent home. Sick children are expected

to be picked up within an hour of the provider’s initial phone call for the

safety of the staff and other children at the facility. Children may be picked

up by the parent or another authorized person. When I call, I will leave a

detailed message, including date and time, and follow it up by email. Late

fees apply to children who are not picked up within the hour of the provider’s

http://handsandfeetchildcare.webs.com/closings



When we can’t talk in person, a phone call is

the best means of communication

initial contact attempt. LATE FEES are charged as $5.00 per 15 minutes

until an authorized person arrives to claim your child.

NOTICE OF EXPOSURE

The provider will inform parents of risks to exposure to contagious illnesses at

the facility as soon as the provider is informed. All formats of written

contact will be exercised, including a printed hand out when children go home.

Communication Communication is very crucial to maintaining our flexibility. We understand

that some conversations, especially regarding billing and payments, can be

embarrassing and uncomfortable. We are here to help and are willing to work

with you through nearly any situation if communication is open and forthright.

but effective communication is essential.

Effective communication is even more critical

on time-sensitive information, such as late

payments, cancellations or illnesses. It’s a

two way street and here are some best

practices that we’ve put into policy to help

us stay connected:

ILLNESS INCUBATION PERIOD CONTAGION PERIOD Cold 1-5 days Onset of runny nose until fever is gone Viral Sore Throat 2-5 days Onset of sore throat until fever is gone Strep Throat 2-5 days 24 hrs after first dose of antibiotic or 2-3 wks after onset of sore throat w/o meds Whooping Cough 7-14 days 5 days after start of antibiotic Croup 2-7 days Onset of cough until fever is gone Bronchiolitis 4-7 days Onset of cough until 7 days Vomiting and diarrhea 2-5 days 24 hrs after symptoms stops Rotavirus 1-3 days 7 days after onset of diarrhea Fifth Disease 4-14 days 7 days Chicken Pox 10-21 days 1 day before leasions appear On the skin until all sores are crusted Pinkeye 1-3 days Onset of pus until 24 hrs on antibiotic drops _____________________________________________________________________________________ Source: Better Homes and Gardens, February 2006, p. 192


CALLING THE PROVIDER

While text messaging and email are great tools, they should be used as a

means to log or follow up on phoned in information or document transfers. You

may call your provider during regular business hours. Your provider will return

your phone call as soon as possible. Please keep in mind that your provider

may be busy with your child. Your phone call is very important to me and will

be returned as soon as possible. Be prepared to leave a detailed message.

VOICE MAIL MESSAGES

If you wish the provider to treat your phone call with priority, you MUST

leave a message. Any identifiable callers that do not leave messages will be

responded to within 24 hours. All voicemail messages will be returned as soon

as possible. Please be aware that your provider may be busy with the

children. Your phone call is very important to me. As soon as the children’s

needs are met, your call will be returned.

TEXTING AND EMAIL

Your provider commits to checking her email on a daily basis, but does not

babysit the inbox Email is a great way of keeping in touch and following up,

but should not be used as the sole means of communication, nor should it be

employed for time-sensitive information without a phone call prior to sending

it. Texting may be a proper form of communication, especially while you are

at work and cannot take formal phone calls. Email is a great tool for sending

a recap of phone conversations, updates to policies, rates and services,

document exchange, and confirmations.

Texting may seem quicker than email, but should not take the place as face-

to-face/voice-to-voice, real-time communication. Face-to-face and voice-to-

voice communication is highly encouraged and preferred.

WRITTEN LETTERS

Written letters or written notice is required when changing or breaking your

contract, changing service status, and leaving our care. Special fieldtrips may

also require written consent. Hand written letters received in the mail I will

treat as a personal phone call and will respond via phone at my earliest

convenience, depending upon the nature of the letter. All notices to end

service must be made in writing at least two weeks before your child stops

attending the facility.



Safety and Security

We want to give the highest level of safety and security to you and your

family, offering peace of mind inside and out.

GAINING ENTRY INTO THE FACILITY

First, you need to enter the outside doors before gaining entry into our home.

There are security key-pads on both outer doors which will dial up to the

facility. Follow these steps:

1. Come to either door and dial #-0-8.

2. Wait for an answer

3. The person wanting access MUST state

their name and the name of the child they

are claiming.

4. I will buzz or come down to the door

5. If I do not recognize the person

wanting access, be prepared to show identification 6. All persons entering and leaving the facility MUST sign in and out of the

Visitor’s Log

VISITOR’S LOG

Everyone who enters and leaves the facility MUST sign in and out of the

Visitor’s Log. There are no exceptions. Your child cannot leave the facility

nor be accepted into our care without the Visitor’s Log being completed (all

fields). Once the Visitor’s log is completed, we may proceed.

IDENTIFICATION

We reserve the right to check any person’s identification at the provider’s

discretion and at any time. Any suspicious attempts to enter the facility will

be logged with vehicle information as well as information from the

identifications provided.

DIAL 0-8

then wait for an

answer


SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY and MANDATORY REPORTING

As childcare providers, we are mandatory reporters. What this means to you

is that any suspicious activity or behavior will be reported to the proper

authorities, including, but not limited to attempted forced entry or abandoning

a child at the facility for any reason, physical bruising or injury, and changes

in behavior. We will cooperate fully with the police officers, social workers,

and other members of authority, being forthright and cooperative to the best

of our ability. For the safety and security of all children and our own family

members, any questionable activity that may jeopardize the child’s well-being

will be reported to the authorities as I am, by law, a mandatory reporter.

Emergency Procedures COMMUNICATION

In the event of an emergency, the provider will do everything in her power to

contact the parent. If the parent cannot be reached, the provider will

contact the person listed on the Emergency Information and Consent form as

the emergency contact person. In the event that neither the parent nor the

emergency contact person are able to be reached, the parent’s signature on

the Emergency Information and Consent form permits the provider to

temporarily make decisions to preserve the life and well-being of the child in

the parent’s absence.

INCLIMATE WEATHER

The child care facility will not close due to inclimate weather unless otherwise

alerted by the provider. The child care facility MAY close due to inclimate

weather if the nature of the emergency affects the indoor climate to where it

becomes a danger to the children (such as loss of heat in the winter, prolong

duration without clean water, sewer line break, or loss of electricity negatively

affecting the temperature of the home). In no way by our remaining open

does the provider encourage parents to forge inclimate weather, nor ignore

recommendations to stay inside.

Should weather prevent a child from being picked up, the child will be provided

for until the emergency is resolved or the parent comes to pick up the child.

Extended fees may or may not be charged in this instance at the sole

discretion of the provider.



Rates and Services Now the other information you REALLY want to

know about! Our rates and services. You may

have heard the terms already, but now we’re

going to define them a little bit more.

PART-TIME

Child care fees for "Part-Time" prescheduled

child care are $35.00 per day ($25 per day when

paid online through PayPal). Part-Time child care

is defined to be either upto 30 hours per week or

less than 4 days per week. Any schedule that

consistently runs 4 days or more for at least two

weeks may be upgraded to full-time status. Any

schedule that consistently cancels one or more

days per week for at least two weeks may forfeit

any applicable discounts, returning to the regular

rate.

DROP-IN

Drop-in or drop-off child care fees are $8 per

hour. Drop-in or drop-off child care is defined as

irregular, prescheduled attendance and is charged

by the hour. This service does not qualify for

online payment discounts; however gift

certificates may be purchased online, which does

reflect this discount.

OVERNIGHT

Child care fees for "Overnight" child care are

billed in addition to the regular fee status (full-

time, part-time, or drop-in). Overnight child

care is defined to be between the hours of 11pm

and 5am any given day. Shift differential fees is

your service status plus $2.50 per day.

Part-Time

30 hours or less per wk

Or

1-3 days per week

Rates are $35 per day

Full-Time

30 hours or more per wk

Or

4 or more days per week

Rates are $150 per week

Drop-in

Irregular Prescheduled

hours

Rates are $8 per hour

Overnight

Between 11p – 5a

Rate + $2.50/night

Registration Fee

$30


FULL-TIME

Child care fees for "Full-Time" prescheduled child care are $150.00 per week

($130 per week when paid online through PayPal). Full-Time child care is

defined to be either 4 days or more or more than 30 hours per week. Any

schedule that consistently runs less than 4 days or less than 30 hours for at

least 30 days may be reduced to part-time status.

REGISTRATION FEE AND RESERVATION DEPOSIT

A non-refundable application or registration fee of $30 must be submitted

upon approval of a completed child care application. Without this fee, an

application is considered incomplete and will not be approved until it is

complete. This fee will guarantee your child’s position at our facility for upto

14 days. This does not hold your child’s position should a change in status

occur (part-time to full-time, change in attendance days).

A $150 non-refundable deposit will be necessary to reserve a position for all

new (or changes in already established) families. This deposit is required when

the a new family’s start date is more than 14 days from the date of signing

this contract. This deposit will also be required when any change in status for

an established family is forecast more than 30 days into the future. The

application fee and reservation deposit will be applied to the final billing cycle

when services end.

There are certain situations to where the non-refundable application fees and

deposits will be waived while still maintaining the child’s position in the

daycare. Situations including, but not limited to maternity/paternity leave,

active duty leave, bereavement leave, family emergencies, and hospital stays

will counter the requirement for this deposit.

DISCOUNTS FOR SERVICES

Any fee or deposit may be waived or discounted at the discretion of the

provider at any time without notice or application to all attendees. Some

specific discounts will apply to all attendees, or by election into a specific

program. These discounts are as follows:

Online Payment Discount: Save $20 off weekly rates and $10 off

daily rates with the possibility of other promotions.



Multiple Child Discount: First child is at full rate. Second child is

reduced by 40% of the status rate. Each additional child is reduced by

50% of the status rate.

Referral Discount: All attendees who refer a new family will receive a

free day of childcare once their referral completes their first billing

cycle.

$30 APPLICATION/REGISTRATION WAIVED

$150 NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT WAIVED

Making Payments Each family has their own specified payment schedule. This schedule is

decided and agreed upon by both the parent(s) and the provider and is

specified in your contract. Your payment schedule can be negotiated and

modified without penalty at any time per your request.

ACCEPTABLE PAYMENT METHODS

There are many payment options available to you. Check, debit cards, and

credit card payments are only accepted via PayPal online. The only payments

acceptable in person are paid in cash.

LATE PAYMENTS AND RETURN CHECKS

It is not our policy to accept traditional checks for payment, however, the

provider may, at any time and for any family, allow this type of transaction.

There will be a $35 fee assessed for all returned checks (this could be upto

three times). There will also be a $35 fee assessed for each week a payment

is past due unless arrangements have been made with the provider in advance.

Items You need to Supply Many supplies will be available for you, however, there are some things that

the provider will not provide. Here we will break it down for you.

INDENTIFYING ACTIVEWEAR

Each child will be issued a fieldtrip t-shirt and a fieldtrip

sweatshirt upon completing registration. These shirts are

required for your child to participate in any activity away

from the facility. There will be a $50 charge to your first

billing cycle to cover the costs of these shirts. These


shirts your children may keep, even after services stop. Activewear may be

ordered in any color except black. This color is reserved for the fieldtrip’s

team leader.

The childcare will provide a special shirt that is geared to be a one size fits

all to identify the team leader of the field trip. Every child will have the

opportunity to be a team leader, however, the

activewear associated with the team leader position

belongs to the child care facility.

Identifying activewear is mandatory for all staff,

parents, and volunteerrs assisting or accompanying a

child to any activity away from the facility. A variety

of activewear is available for purchase through the

CafePress Shop on our website or by placing an order with your childcare

provider. The sizes range from baby onsies to Adult 4XL. Activewear may be

charged to the next billing cycle for accounts that pay online or payment will

be due when the activewear is ordered.

ITEM OF THE MONTH

Every month the children will participate in a featured activity. There will be

a specific item each child will need to provide in order to complete the month’s

activity. These activities are posted on our

News link on the website and the featured item

is available in the online store for the entire

month. The item to be purchased may vary

from $5 up to $20 and will be announced by the

last week of the month prior. There will be at

least 14 days notice of the next Item of the

Month with fee information, the activity

associated to it, and when the item needs to be purchased by. No child will

be withheld from participating in the monthly featured activities because they

cannot purchase the item required to complete the activity.

CAR SEAT

The provider does not provide car seats your child may need in order to leave

the facility to participate in activities and events. It is your responsibility to

provide the proper car seat for your child’s safety. In the event that a child

No child will be excluded from participating

in the featured activity just because they

cannot purchase the item of the month



doesn’t have a carseat on a day of an outing, the provider may decide to

purchase a carseat so your child is included in the outing. Any purchases will

be solely at the provider’s discretion and added to your next billing cycle.

Events and activities will not be cancelled or postponed because a child does

not have a car seat.

The car seat will need to be dropped off and picked up every exchange that

your child stays at the facility or one can be left at the child care facility

with your child’s name on it and used when needed.

PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS

You will need to supply the following personal hygiene items as they pertain to

your child:

Diapers, pull-ups and wet wipes

Swimming diapers (as requested only)

Baby food and formula

Bottles, pacifiers, infant silverware

Specialty medicine dosage items (such as oral suspention syringes)

One complete change of clothing (shirt, pants, underpants, socks,

and shoes)

A brush or comb and something to tie long hair back.

Kindermat and blanket for naptime

Blanket and pillow for overnight stays

All blankets and pillows will be laundered on Fridays. If your child has a

sensitivity to a specific laundry soap, please inform your provider and the

bedding will be sent home each Friday.

MEDICINE

You will need to supply any medicines, prescriptions and over-the-counter

medications that your child may need. You must fill out and sign a medication

form for all new and continuing medications your child will need to be given.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

You will need to supply your own child’s supplies if they are attending regular

school while in our care, including:

Lunch boxes

Backpacks

Notebooks


Any items required that are not provided by you may be purchased by and at

the sole discretion of your provider and added to your next bill for

reimbursement.

Items the Provider will Supply

TRANSPORTATION

Any fees or charges acquired due to providing transportation for your children

will be the responsibility of the child care provider, including parking fees,

toll, gasoline, and car repair expenses.

PERSONAL HYGiENE

Your provider will provide the following for all children in our care:

Personal toothbrush for each child

Toothpaste, soaps, bathing needs if necessary

MEALS

The provider will provide upto three meals and three snacks through the

course of the hours the facility is open, including:

Breakfast, lunch, and supper

Morning, afternoon, and evening snack

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS

The provider will provide cots, air mattress, or other item for children

enrolled in overnight care. In the event that bedding sent home has not

returned, bedding will be provided. Lights out is between 7:30 – 8 pm, with

the exception of Wednesday nights.

Character-building Instruction and Activities

WEDNESDAY NIGHT YOUTH GROUOP

As you learned through our bio’s, we are a bible-believing family. Every

Wednesday night, our family attends youth group and bible study classes at

St. Paul UMC from 5:15pm until 7:30pm. Any children in our care on

Wednesday evenings will join us. We will eat supper at the church.

SINGING

Make a joyful noise…..sing praise. We do! All the time! We have

inspirational songs for mealtime and many specific learning activities. Here

are the lyrics to a few:



MEALTIME LYRICS:

Be present at our table, Lord. Be here and everywhere adored. Thy

creatures grant and bless that we, may feast in fellowship with thee. We

thank thee Lord for this our food. For life and health and every good. By

thine own hands may we be fed. Give us this day our daily bread. Amen.

LEARNING OUR DAYS OF THE WEEK LYRICS

This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made, that the Lord has

made. We will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in in.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. We praise God

on Sunday, because these are the days He’s made.

BUILDING CHARACTER THROUGH DISCIPLINE

We firmly believe that discipline is central to the safety and security of all

children. It is through discipline that children are allowed to test boundaries

and learn where their safety net is. It is by discipline that children learn to

trust us that we will keep them safe. Good character comes out of consistent

discipline.

Kids will be kids and will display the typical emotions of selfishness and non-

sharing, greediness by taking something they want away from someone else,

expressing anger by physically harming someone else, and temper tantrums.

There are many behaviors children employ to express themselves, both positive

and negative. We use positive reinforcements, rewards, redirection, compare

and contrast, time-out, and discussion. This helps the child understand why

the behavior was unacceptable, guiding children towards understanding and

empathy.

When a child is angry towards another child, we try to redirect and get them

thinking about something else…another toy like the one they’re wanting, a

different activitiy altogether, allowing a special unplanned activity to dissolve

the conflict, or putting the item of aggrevation in a place where no one has

access to it for the day.


UNAPPROPRIATE PHYSICAL CONTACT

Our primary goal is to foster a feeling of safety and security for all children

attending our facility. In the event that other solutions are ineffective,

stronger measures may be required to maintain safety. The process we

engage is:

Parents are contacted and solutions are discussed

Parents will be contacted to pick up their child

Consistent issues may result in terminating services for that child

The Think Spot is a hard, wooden bench that my children have decorated. By

allowing them to paint and color on it and put their own stickers on it, it

becomes theirs in the possessive sense of the word. This encourages the

children to take responsibility for ―their own‖ actions when they associate

something –they- have done with the think spot they helped make. Calling it

the ―THINK SPOT‖ tells them what they should be doing while seated in the

spot. Think about it.

The aggetated child is placed in the think spot for 1 – 3 minutes or (for older

children) privledges are restricted. We ask character-building questions

affirming they understand what they did wrong and include them in deciding

how they can fix it. We also talk about what they did right during the

conflict. If the child is not sorry for the harm caused to another child, the

child sits for another 1 – 3 minutes. If the child does not show remorse for

what they did wrong, we talk again then a consequence is handed out (no movie

during quiet time or no treat after lunch, for instance, or a phone call to the

parents).

There are key questions asked to help instill a sense of awareness of their

actions and teach them to own it (it was their action and attitude, nobody

made them do it):

What did you do wrong?

What upset you?

Why did you do what you did?

Are you sorry?

How can we tell someone we’re angry without being mean?>

Now, what did you do wrong?

Now, what can you or should you do differently?



Compare and contrast helps introduce your child to ―What if…‖ scenarios and

helps them reason, building the moral character and helps to discern and

practice virtues and values that lead to proper action. Conversations go like

this:

―If you want –this- to happen, then –this- is the proper way to behave, If

you continue –this-, then –this- is what will happen. Is that what you want?‖

―I’m proud of you for doing –this-, but –this- disappoints me. What could you

have done differently? What would be the right thing to do? Is it hard to do

the right thing? Things that are hard to do become easier the more you

practice them. Let’s practice –this- throughout the day today.

REWARDS AND POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

This is my favorite. Stickers and egg timers are mighty motivators at our

home. For example, using an egg timer, the timer is set for 3 minutes and

the children must work together to pick up toys in order to get all of their

three stickers. If I don’t have to keep prodding them to help, they gain a

sticker. If they don’t fight and bicker, they gain a sticker. If they try

really hard to do it fast, they gain a sticker. If a child shows kindness when

helping another child, they gain another sticker. We are big on positive

reinforcement. Children are rewarded for desired actions and attitudes

through stickers, extra free-time, or other things that are important to the

specific child and makes them feel proud of themselves and encouraged.

Words of affirmation are used in rewarding as well as in disciplining the child.

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES, VALUES, AND ETHICS

We use many biblical and principles of virtue. It would be difficult to detail

every instance in which these values are applied. It is important that you

understand and acknowledge that this style of instruction will naturally flow

over to the children within my care. Children enrolled in our child care will

naturally be influenced by these character-building instructions as well as

academic instruction. It is a natural form of guidance our child care program

puts into practice. Our child care is non-denominational and is not affiliated

with any organized church or religion.

By enrolling in our childcare, you are acknowledging acceptance into our

chidlcare program is contingent on your permission to this style of instruction


and guidance and express that you permit your child to participate. Should

you disagree with any specific method used in guiding your children, you are

encouraged to discuss it and we can work together on implementing a method

that is acceptable to both parties. This by no means guarantees a change in

action on the part of the provider.

Late Pick-up, Cancellations and Terminating Services

When you need to cancel or totally stop services, we understand and there are

a few things that you’ll need to know to make sure the process goes as

smoothly as possible. We understand that life happens while you’re making

other plans, and we can accommodate only when these issues are

communicated.

LATE PICK UP

The Parent(s) agrees to pay overtime fees of $5.00 per 15-minute interval if

the child(ren) is not picked up by the scheduled time as noted above or arrives

earlier than the scheduled time noted above without notice. This overtime fee

shall be applied to the next scheduled payment.

CANCELLING A SCHEDULED ATTENDANCE DAY

Advance notice is required for all cancelations and requests to stop services.

Any cancellations of scheduled attendance must be made 24 hours in advance

in order to qualify for PAY IT FORWARD CREDIT to avoid being charged for

the full rate of the time missed. Specific instances may arrise that will waive

this requirement while still qualifying for PAY IT FORWARD CREDIT:

Hazzardous Weather

Bereavement – a death of an immediate family member or close

friend

Extreme family emergencies

Maternity/Paternity Leave

Sudden illness

As determined by the sole discretion of the Provider

A two week notice is required, a 30 day notice preferred, for ending services.

No exceptions. Persons failing to provide notice forfiet any items and credits

left at the facility and on account and a negative reference will be given to all



inquests. Should the provider need to cancel or close the daycare, full credit

for the days/hours closed will be credited to the next billing cycle.

Children who miss 4 scheduled attendance days without notice may be

considered withdrawn from child care services and may be charged a re-

enrollment fee of $50 when the child returns for services.

TRIAL PERIOD AND ENDING SERVICES

The first two weeks. of enrollment in Hands and Feet Childcare is considered

a "trial period." Child care may be terminated by either the Provider or the

Parent(s) during this trial period without advance notice. After the trial period

has passed, child care may be terminated by the Provider or the Parent(s)

only by providing the other party with two weeks advance written notice. If

the Parent(s) fails to provide two weeks advance written notice, the Parent(s)

agrees to pay the regular scheduled fees for the full scheduled attendances

upto two weeks immediately effected by the cancellation.

USING US AS A REFERENCE

We will be more than happy to provide a written letter of reference to anyone

who has employed our services. Due to the distractability of phone calls, only

letters of reference will be given. Scheduled phone interviews may be

permitted at the provider’s descretion. Any services ended without notice will

receive a poor reference.

HANDS AND FEET CHILDCARE RETAINS THE RIGHT TO CANCEL AND

NULLIFY ANY CONTRACT FOR SERVICES AT THE PROVIDER’S

DISCRETION.

LEGAL STUFF

. MODIFICATION OF TERMS. Hands and Feet Childcare shall be entitled to

change any of the terms in this Contract, including but not limited to fees,

by providing the Parent(s) with 30 days advance written notice of such

changes.

DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Children are expected to treat all property located

at the facility with respect, including but not limited to toys and furniture.


The Parent(s) agrees to pay for the accidental or willful destruction of any

property located at the facility, whether owned by Hands and Feet Childcare or any other person, at the replacement cost, if such destruction was, in the

sole opinion of Hands and Feet Childcare, caused by the child.

DISCIPLINE. Hands and Feet Childcare reserves the right to discipline a

child when necessary. Discipline consists of: time-outs, setting and redifining

limits, or redirecting the child's attention. Discipline may lead to contacting

the parents, sending the child home, and possibly terminating services.

CONSTRUCTION. Words and phrases in this Contract shall be construed as

in the singular or plural number, and as masculine, feminine or neuter gender,

according to the context.

SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Contract is found invalid, the

parties agree to sever the invalid portion of the Contract while the remainder

of the Contract remains valid and enforceable.

BINDING EFFECT. This Contract shall be binding on and shall inure to the

benefit of the parties and to the executors, personal representatives, heirs,

and successors of the parties.

AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, AND WAIVER. Except for changes

initiated by the Provider as permitted in this Contract, no amendment,

modification, or waiver of any condition, provision, or term in this Contract

shall be valid or of any effect unless made in writing, signed by the parties,

specifying with particularity the extent and nature of such amendment,

modification, or waiver in a reasonable amount of time.

MERGER. Prior agreements made by the parties are deemed to be merged

into this Contract, including verbal and electronically signed/consented

agreements.



ASSIGNMENT. Neither party may assign its interest under this Contract

except that the Provider may assign its interest to an entity controlled by

Hands and Feet Childcare.

GOVERNING LAW. This Contract shall be construed and enforced in

accordance with the laws of Iowa.


Child Care Application * All fields are required Information.

Parent’s Full Name: _________________________________________ Today’s Date: ____________

Address: _________________________________________________ Apt/Lot #: _______________

City: ________________________________________ State: IA ___ Zip Code: ________________

Primary Phone: ________________________________ Is this a cell phone #? Yes No

Email: _______________________________________ Expected start date: ______________________

Child’s Name : ________________________________ Age: _______ Birthday: _________________

School Attending: ___________________________ Grade: ______ In school activities? ________





Any special needs I should be aware of? Yes No _____________________________________

Employer: ____________________________________ Supervisor: _____________________________

Address: _____________________________________ City/St/Zip: ____________________________

Phone Number: ________________________________ Years employed: ________________________

Your Job Title: ________________________________ May we contact this employer? Yes No

Hands and Feet ChildCare 4040 33rd Ave SW Apt 8 ♥ Cedar Rapids, IA ♥ 52404 ♥ (641) 351-8542

Picture courtesy of nowheremanphotos.com ©2009-2011. Used with permission

Parent Information

Child(ren) Information

Employment Information



This information is required and must be provided in order for your application to be considered. All references will be verified. Please provide professional references, with at least one being a former child care provider, other than friends or relatives.

Name: _______________________________________ Relationship: ___________________________


Phone Number: ________________________________ Years acquainted: _______________________

When we contact this reference, what do you think they will say about you?









Do you plan to use the child care assistance grant (eligibility will be verified)? Yes No Unsure

Select the days per week you require care: Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri Varies

What shift do you need care for (please select a shift and time, even if your hours overlap or vary):

1st Shift 2

nd Shift 3

rd Shift Before School After School No School Days

Drop-off time: ________________________________ Pick-up Time: __________________________

Select the status of childcare you will require: Full-time Part-time Drop-in Overnight

Will you require transportation to and from school and activities? Yes No

Will you require lunch to be prepared for your child(ren) to eat at school? Yes No

Professional References

Service Information


Will you require full-time childcare on no school days? Yes No If yes, Different rates may apply.

Does the attending school(s) participate in early out Wednesdays? Yes No If yes, different rates

may apply.

I certify that my answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge.

If this application leads to child care enrollment, I understand that false, withheld, or misleading

information in my application, contract for services, or interview may result in terminating services.

I understand that this is an application for services and does not constitute a contract for services

(expressed or implied).

I understand that my child will receive training in Christian principles and values while attending this

child care and, by signing below, I consent to my child’s participation.

I agree to pay a $30 application/registration fee upon my application being approved in order to

guarantee my child’s place at the daycare. I understand that, without this fee, my application is

incomplete and services cannot begin. I understand this fee is non-refundable; however it will be

applied to my first billing cycle.

I would like to schedule an orientation meeting and tour for Date: ___________ Time: __________

Parent’s signature: ________________________________________ Print: ________________________

Provider’s Signature: _____________________________________ Print: Shawna Ebbeson

App Status: App Fee rec’ved: All Forms Complete: Enrollment date:

Start Date: Mode: CRate: Char:

Deposit rec’ved: Service Status:

Ref 1 comments: Ref 2 comments: Ref 3 Comments:

Agreement and Consent

Office Use Only



HANDS AND FEET CHILDCARE 4040 33

rd Ave SW Apt 8 * Cedar Rapids * Iowa * 52404

Provider References

Nate and Meeka King Current Child care clients Meeka: (319) 350-1766 Nate: (319) 929-4929

Dave and Dawn Young Business Network Dawn: (319) 540-9800 Dave: (319) 929-4929

Steve Melchior Superior HomeChoice Senior Care Marion, IA (319) 363-2721

Picture courtesy of

nowheremanphotos.com

©2009-2011. Used with

permission.

Hands and Feet Childcare Parent's Handbook

Documents

Transcript of Hands and Feet Childcare Parent's Handbook