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. Please feel free to 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 of 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.
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