Parents’ HandBook

Treasured Footprints Daycare

Revised February 2024

Owner                                            

Nichole Reasoner                

20 Parker Hill Road                      

Gorham, ME 04038

207-329-3541


Welcome to Treasured Footprints Daycare. This handbook has been created to avoid any misunderstandings, and so that the parent(s)/  guardians are aware of the expectations and requirements of the daycare. This handbook covers our childcare philosophies, business practices/policies as well as our guidelines  to develop a smooth transition for you and your child(ren). Please ask  if any portion of this handbook   is unclear, it will be required that an acknowledgment be signed by you the parent/ guardian after review of the information provided.


Treasured Footprints Daycare is committed to creating a safe, warm, loving environment for children where they can learn and grow physically, emotionally, creatively, intellectually, and socially at their own pace. We want to help your child increase their confidence, and self- esteem  by treating them as unique individuals, and allowing them to express themselves in a variety of different ways. We strive to make your child's time here  the best experience for them as well as you, the parents.


Activities provided  for your  children we will follow a play- based  preschool learning philosophy. We will develop activities centered on stories, songs, math, fine and gross motor skills, circle time, science, music, and arts and crafts. We strive to prepare your children for their early school years by exposing them regularly to letters, numbers, colors, shapes, name recognition, and new vocabulary. 

We provide care for children ages from 6 weeks through age 12.  We are licensed  for 12 children.

 Throughout the year we offer  different opportunities for parent involvement  some of these include  cookouts, field trips, icecream socials and class parties and other chances to get involved. If you have other ways we may include you please feel free to let us know.

We also offer  assistance for Google Translate for any families in need of any extra assistance.

Medications: All medications are stored away from access. Children are not given any medication without the parent’s written consent. Written consent may only be on “Permission to Administer Medications” form and all medications must be in their original bottles with original labels. Staff must also indicate on the administering form the date, time,and dosage of medicine given at each administration, and then initial this information. For prescription medication, only the directions on the bottle will be accepted for administering the medication. In all instances staff needs to know when the child received his/her last dosage of the medication, to ensure medication is given at appropriate times consistently.  


Absences/Exclusion from Daycare: If a child is too sick to attend daycare, please keep him/her home. There is no sick room at the daycare, and the best place for a child to be recuperating from an illness is at home. A child is not able to attend if they have any of the following.

  1. Fever greater than or equal to 100 degrees F. 

  2. Any colored drainage from the mouth, nose, eyes, ears or skin

  3. Rash of any kind except diaper rash if not severe.

  4. Vomiting and diarrhea

  5. Head lice

  6. Contagious disease/illness


 If your child is sent to daycare with any of the above listed symptoms or develop during the day they will be sent home. Children should NEVER be medicated and then sent to daycare without notifying staff. If your child will not be attending daycare due to illness or any other reason, please let us know as soon as possible.  You should arrange for back up care when your child is sick.  Unfortunately there are no refunds or discounts for days that your child does not attend daycare.


In the event a child becomes ill during the course of the day, to the point that  they are not capable of participating in regular activities, the parents/guardians will be contacted immediately to come and pick up the child. If the parent/guardian can’t be reached within 15 minutes, the alternate emergency contact provided  will be notified  to come pick up the child. If any of the following conditions are present it is required that the children be excluded from daycare. Children may return to daycare when they are free of symptoms or are approved to return by a physician and/or the daycare owner.

  1. Pain- any unexplained or undiagnosed pain.

  2. Difficulty in breathing- wheezing or persistent cough.                                                                                   

  3. Fever- Child must be free from fever (without medication) for 24 hours before returning.

  4. Sore throat or trouble swallowing.

  5. Infected skin or eyes or undiagnosed rash.

  6. Severe body or scalp itching.

  7. Children with a known or suspected communicable disease/illness.

  8. Vomiting 2 or more times in 24 hours-may return to care after 24 hours without vomiting.

  9. Diarrhea- 2 or more times in 24 hours- may return to care after 24 hours without loose stools.

  10.  Just not feeling well. A child must be well enough to participate in the entire childcare day to be in daycare.

***Parents are required to inform staff of any serious illness or communicable /contagious disease with their child or within their family within 24 hours to allow other families within the daycare to be alerted. Children also must be up to date with vaccinations. We will need a copy of the immunization records before your child(ren) start daycare and kept current.


Potty Training Policies: We strive to support your efforts of potty training throughout  the day. When your child(ren) are successful for one week of using the potty, we will continue those efforts here at daycare. However, there are some key signs to look for before we are able to help you potty your child. The key signs of readiness for potty training include the following:

  1. The child is able to pull down and up their pants and pull-ups on their own.

  2. The child is able to communicate to you when they need to go to the bathroom.

  3. The child’s diaper is dry after nap times and for long periods during the day.

  4. The child is able to hold their bowels or bladder until they get to the potty once they realize that they need to go.

  5. We do require the use of pull-ups while potty training.

  6. When your child is potty training we ask for two sets of clothes they can take down and pull up. 


Discipline Policy: Redirection and timeout strategies for unwanted behaviors are utilized. In the event that redirection has not been effective we will then use timeout strategy method.(1 minute per 1 year of age.) When child is placed in timeout staff will verbalize the unwanted behavior as the reason for them being placed in timeout. (A step away from group but visible to staff.)Then when the timeout period finishes the child will then be invited back to join the group.


Late Pick up: The daycare closes promptly  at 5:30 pm. If you are late picking up your child you will be charged $1.00 per minute past 5:30. which will be owed and added to your account to be paid by the following Thursday by 5:30. Late pickup fee will increase to $5.00 per minute after three late pickups.



Pick up Policy:  If someone else will be picking up your child please let staff know upon your arrival or as soon as possible. Photo ID will be required by the person picking up your child. Please let any individuals other than parents know, who may pick up the children that they will be asked to show ID in order to ensure the safety of all children. Children will not be released to unauthorized individuals. If someone shows to pick up child and staff wasn’t made aware of it, we will have to track you down to confirm that this in fact is permitted.   On our enrollment forms you will be able to add names of other individuals that will be allowed to pick up your children.


Child Abuse and Neglect: All daycare staff are mandated Reporters are required to report any and all forms of abuse or neglect. In the event any abuse/neglect is suspected we are required to report it to the state. In addition, No child/ren will be released to an impaired individual under any circumstances. If we have any reason to believe that the individual picking up your child/ren are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, 911 will be notifed to determine what is in the best needs of the child/ren. The incident will also then be reported to the state as a endangerment issue. 

 

Accidents and Injuries: The child will be assessed and 1st. Aide will be administered if needed or if more severe need 911 will be called. When care is transferred to EMS the parents will then be notified. Each injury/accident will be recorded on a incident report sheet. Staff will provide form for parent review and signature. Parent may request a copy if desired. Original copy form will be kept at daycare for our records.


Fire Drills- Practice fire drills will be conducted monthly and recorded regardless of season.  This is necessary throughout the year for the safety of children and staff. 


Meals and Snacks:  We serve  Breakfast, lunch and 2 snacks daily based on the USDA guidelines.  Meals include a protein, (meat or meat alternate), a grain, vegetable and or fruit or 100% fruit juice. We serve age appropriate milk with all meals/snacks. We also offer water throughout the day. Children will be assisted with washing hands before and after meals/snacks. Children are encouraged and supported in making choices and development of self help and social skills as a part of our curriculum . Mealtimes provide children with the opportunity to communicate and share ideas with others as a form of socialization and problem solving and emotional expression within a group.


Emergency Planning Procedures: Procedures are in place and reviewed by the State. Portions of the Plan are available to view upon request. 


Supplies for Infants: Parents will need to supply their children with diapers, wipes, three changes of clothes, formula or milk, or breastmilk,  3 labeled bottles that will be left at daycare, any kind of diaper creams or lotions. All items must be labeled. We do not allow Amber Necklaces. 


Supplies for Toddlers and Preschoolers:  Parents will need to supply diapers, wipes, two changes of clothes, items for naptime such as a blanket or a stuffed animal. Clothes that  are appropriate for the weather. We will be spending a lot of time outside and they will need proper attire. We will not allow Crocs. In Winter Play they will need  : snow pants, jackets, boots, hats, mittens/gloves.  In Summer Play they will need  sunscreen,  bathing suit and towel and proper footwear. All items should be labeled. For water play we have a water table and a sprinkler. 


Field Trips:  We will have field trips throughout the year. We will send out permission slips. If any parents wish to volunteer on a trip please feel free to contact a staff member so we can make arrangements.  We will be needing parents to leave their children’s car seats for the trips. There will be a staff member that will be at the daycare for any child that is not able to attend the trip.  We will start to take the children on trips when they are 2 or older.  The staff will have proper training and will have adequate vehicle  insurance.  We will use a rental or staff vehicles which will be properly insured and inspected on a yearly basis.


Toys: We will only allow toys to be brought to daycare for Show and Tell days which will be a part of our curriculum.  They will be left in cubbies until it is show and tell time. The Daycare will not be responsible for any lost, stolen or broken toys.


Screen Time: We will have very limited screen time. It will only be used for Educational Purposes or for Rainy Day Fun. 




Internet Use:   Written permission will be obtained for any child’s faces to be used on the Treasured Footprints Website. 


Camera Use: Photos of children are taken by authorized daycare staff only to record learning and development or for projects within the daycare setting. Employees are Not allowed to take photos/videos with personal cell phones. Parents will not be permitted to take photos of their child/ren with another child/ren using their personal cell phone without consent of all parties involved.




Emergency Closing:   In most cases the daycare will remain open however, if  an unforeseen circumstance occurs before or during daycare hours, and we have to close such as for evacuations , power outages, or not enough staff.  Parents will be notified by email or phone.  


Fire Arms: In accordance with Maine State Licensing Regulations, we ask that you please refrain from bringing any firearms, or weapons of any kind into the daycare.


Professional Training:  Staff are required to attend and are provided many opportunities for continued education, workshops, seminars and training. All staff members must maintain a current CPR/First Aid certification, as well as explore updated techniques in the child development field. 


Serious Injury/Child Death Policy:  If a child is injured while in childcare, he/she will be checked for life threatening situations. If a child is seriously hurt 911 and/or the police will be called and CPR/First Aid will be given. Parents will then be contacted. Child will be kept calm and comfortable until medical services arrive. If a child death occurs, police and 911 will be called as well as parents /guardian. Other children will be kept calm and death will be reported to Licensing Office as soon as possible. 


Expulsion/Suspensions: Unfortunately, there are sometimes reasons we have to ask that a child be removed from our program either on a short term or permanent basis. We want you to know we will do everything possible to work with the family of the child(ren) in order to prevent this policy from being enforced. 

WHEN A CHILD IS HAVING A PROBLEM IN THE CLASSROOM

  1. Staff will try to redirect child from negative behavior.

  2. Staff will reassess classroom environment, appropriate of activities, supervision.

  3. Staff will always use positive methods and language while disciplining children.

  4. Staff will praise appropriate behaviors.

  5. Staff will consistently apply consequences for rules.

  6. Child will be given verbal warnings.

  7. Child will be given time to regain control.

  8. Child’s disruptive behavior will be documented and maintained in confidentiality.

  9. Parent/guardian will be notified with a Discipline Report that may lead  to expulsion.

  10.  The director and staff will have a conference to discuss how to promote positive behaviors.


Schedule of Expulsion:  If after the remedial actions have not worked, the child ‘s parent/guardian will be advised verbally and in writing about the child’s or parent’s behavior warranting an expulsion.  An expulsion action is meant to be a period of time so that the parent / guardian may work on the child’s behavior or come to an agreement with the daycare. The parent/ guardian will be informed regarding the length of the expulsion policy. The parent/ guardian will also be informed about the expected behavioral changes required in order for the child or parent to return to the daycare.


Parental Actions for Child’s Expulsion: 

  1. Failure to pay/habitual lateness in payment.

  2. Failure to complete required forms including the child’s immunization records.

  3. Verbal abuse to staff.

  4. Parent threatens physical or intimidating actions toward staff members.


Child’s Actions for Expulsion:

  1. Failure of child to adjust after a reasonable amount of time.

  2. Uncontrollable tantrums/angry outbursts.

  3. Ongoing physical abuse to staff or other children.


A Child Will Not Be Expelled: ( If a child’s parent)


  1. Made a complaint to the Department of Health and Human Services regarding a daycare policy violation of the licensing requirements.

  2. Reported abuse or neglect occurring at the daycare.

  3. Questioned the daycare regarding policies and procedures.

  4. Without giving the parent sufficient time to make other child care arrangements.


Enrollment Requirements:  Before your child can be officially enrolled you must complete and provide the following documents.

  1. Signed Parent contract and Rate Agreement.

  2. Complete Child Profile and Copy of Immunization Records.

  3. Signed Consent Forms.

  4. Registration fee of 25.00.

  5. First and last week of care deposit.  

  6. If you leave before you give your 2 week notice you will forfeit your deposit.


Spaces will not be held by verbal contract. Registration fees and deposit must be made in full in order for a spot to be held for your child. We do require that the parent/ guardian and their children visit the daycare prior to enrollment. This process allows your child(ren) to become more familiar with our daycare and staff.







Conclusion:  Thank you for choosing Treasured Footprints Daycare. We look forward  to working with the whole family making these important years a positive and successful experience for the child as well as for the family. Your child’s needs are extremely important to us and we promise to strive to help your child/children to reach their full potential.