General Information

Confidentiality

The Child Development Center adheres to the Family Education Right to Privacy Act. Families have the right to have information regarding their child treated in a confidential manner.  You may not disclose or exchange any information regarding any child.  No one is allowed to take photographs or videos of the children without first obtaining written permission from the parent and verbal permission from either the director or lead teacher.

Family Communication

The center adheres to the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s Code of Ethical Conduct that states:

We shall not engage in or support exploitation of families.  We shall not use our relationship with a family for private advantage for personal gain, or enter into relationships with family members that might impair our effectiveness in working with children.

The staff will communicate with parents in a positive and supportive manner that encourages the parent-teacher relationship.  In the event of a divorce, separation or joint custody ruling, every effort will be made to treat parents equally.  Without legal documentation, the staff cannot act as though one parent is more fit than another, each having legal rights to their child.

Every effort shall be made to communicate with parents on a daily basis when they drop off and/or pick up their child.  If there has been an unusual or special circumstance during the day, this information shall be passed on to the parents verbally or in a written note.  Serious incidents that we feel may be upsetting to the parents shall be communicated verbally. 

This information must also be shared with the director or assistant director.

Every effort is made to communicate with parents in a meaningful, convenient way.  Please let your child’s teacher know if e-mails, notes or phone calls would work best for you.

A Parent Board is maintained in the front hallway to post center-wide information such as the weekly menus, upcoming events and holidays. 

Each classroom has a Parent Board near the entrance providing information about daily classroom activities, events and alerts.  A “Blue Book” or portfolio of your child’s goals and progress is available in his/her cubby. The Blue Books contain valuable documentation such as work samples, anecdotal records and pictures of your child’s progress toward curriculum and individual goals.  Look at it often. An art portfolio is also maintained for each child.  The Blue Book will remain in the center until your child leaves the center; however, the art portfolio will be given to you at the end of each year.

Information and materials that need your attention will be placed in your child’s cubby daily. Attendance book, medication forms and note pads to communicate with the teacher are available in the gray box near the classroom entrance. 

Evidence of classroom projects and children’s work are displayed in the classroom and on the bulletin boards outside of each classroom.

Behavior Management Policy

In accordance with the philosophy of the Child Development Center, as well as the state of Missouri, no physical or verbal abuse is allowed.

Teachers will provide limits in a calm and consistent manner allowing the child to grow in self-control and self-esteem.  Teachers and staff will work with children to develop conflict resolution skills necessary to solve their own disagreements in an appropriate manner.

Experienced teachers recognize potential problems before they occur and can redirect the child’s behavior before it becomes unacceptable.

• Teachers help children express and acknowledge their choices.
• Teachers help children evaluate their actions, verbalize alternatives and consider the perspective of others.
• Children are guided and supported as they learn to accept the natural consequences of their actions.

Should discipline problems arise that cannot be successfully dealt with in the classroom environment, the parents or legal guardians will be notified immediately.  All reasonable attempts will be made to work with the child and the family to resolve differences.  A conference including the teacher, director (if needed), and the parents will be convened to determine a plan of action and discuss possible community resources available.  Permission from the parents will be required to consult community resources.  Failure on the part of the family to work with staff members and community resource persons called in for assistance will constitute grounds for dismissal from the program.

Enrollment will be terminated if the child’s placement in the classroom compromises the health, safety and well being of the other children or staff members in the program.

Parents who do not agree with the teacher have the following recourse:

Should difficulties or problems arise that cannot be resolved through normal channels (e.g., parent-teacher conferences, three-way conferences with parent, teacher, and director), an ad-hoc committee will be convened to assist in negotiating the differences.  This committee will consist of the CDC director, assistant director, one CDC lead teacher not involved, the vice-president for human resources, parents, and invited community resources (if needed by parents or CDC).
 
A plan of action or determination will be provided and a timeline for re-evaluation will be made at that time.

Action Plan for Identifying Special Needs in Children

• Children exhibiting signs of the need for additional assistance are observed, and data is gathered defining their strengths and weaknesses.
• Parents are contacted and dialogue is established to discuss the concerns they may have as well as those of the teacher.  Strategies are brainstormed to strengthen weaknesses or refer for further evaluation.  (The parents and/or teacher may call a conference at any time deemed necessary.)
• Data is collected on the defined strategies.
• If further evaluation is needed, parents are referred to the Parents As Teachers Program for screening or to other community resources.
• Teachers attend I.E.P. (individualized education plan) meetings and collaborate with parents and special education professionals to develop appropriate education plans for the child.  Services are delivered in the child’s classroom whenever possible.
• The Child Development Center collaborates with the Developmental Disabilities Resource Board through a grant to provide necessary adaptive equipment and materials a child may need to be successful in an inclusive environment.

Field Trips

Field trips are utilized to enhance the curriculum and provide children with experiences available on campus.  Teachers frequently take children on short excursions to other areas of the campus.  Due to the varied and flexible scheduling of many of our families, we do not participate in field trips away from our campus environment.  Parents are asked to sign a permission/authorization for children to visit other areas of the campus.  

Outdoor Play

Parents should be aware of weather conditions and dress children accordingly, as outdoor play is an integral part of the daily schedule.  Children participate in outdoor play when temperatures are above 20 degrees (wind chill factor 10 degrees) and below 100 degrees.  Children do not participate in outdoor play on days when air quality is designated “orange or red.”  A physician’s statement is required for those children wishing to refrain from outdoor play for medical reasons.