Denali Child Care Policies Handbook
Please read this handbook thoroughly, as it covers very important policies, procedures, and information. This may seem to be a lot of information, but it is all for the well being, safety, and better care for your child. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask! We will go over this handbook together, and you can reference back to this copy.
All families will agree and sign to these policies. I reserve the right to make changes to these policies and procedures as I feel necessary. You will get a 2 week written notice of any policy changes that may occur.
The goal of my daycare is to provide a fun, loving, and safe environment for your child while you are at work/school. It is important that we work as a team to best care for your child. Communication is the key! Thank you for your interest in finding the best possible care for your child!
About me
My name is Tiffany Wrightsman and I am the caregiver here at Denali Child Care. I have over 100 hours of child care training. I also have 2 ½ years of Child Care experiences working for “Child, Youth, and School Services” on Fort Wainwright Alaska, providing care at their CDC 2 building. My mother and grandmother both used to run daycares and I would assist them.
I also have about 1 year of experience providing care for RCPC’s parenting classes. I am trained and certified in CPR and First Aid.
About Denali Child Care
Here at Denali Child Care, your child will be enjoying many fun actives such as: Circle time, arts & craft, movement & exercise, indoor & outdoor play, themed weeks, holiday fun, puzzles, games, music, dance, dress up, baking, gardening, tons of toys, and so much more! I try to make every experience fun and educational!
As a helpful tool to parents, I give out monthly newsletters. Information in these will include: Calendar of events here at daycare and in the community, upcoming themed weeks, birthdays, helpful tips for parents, reminders, and any other fun and helpful information.
As another helpful tool to parents, we send home daily report sheets every day. These daily sheets let you know how your child’s day went, what they ate, how long they napped, and for younger ones it shows their diapering results. These sheets are also where we write down reminders for you, so please read these each day.
I like to keep parents/ guardians well informed of what is going on here at daycare and encourage communication between myself, parents/ guardians, and the children. I feel it is very important to have everyone “on the same page”.
Open Door
You are welcome to come and visit your child here at Denali Child Care at any time. Please knock at the door, and wait for it to be answered. We leave the door locked for safety. Please keep in mind your child may be upset or confused if you come to visit, and then don’t take them with you when you leave. For mothers who are breast feeding, please feel free to come and feed your child at any time.
When you arrive at Denali Child Care for drop off and pick up, please sign your child in and out each time on the provided sheet. Your sign in time should be the time you walk through my door for drop off, and your sign out time should be the time you are walking out my door after pick up. Please write the exact time. This is very important for my records, as well as the records for other daycare programs I may participate in.
Numbers and ages of Children cared for at Denali Child Care
I care for children ages 0 - 12 years upon availability. No more then eight (8) children will be present at any one time.
Smoking
There is NO smoking any where on the premises of Denali Child Care! Inside or outside. This is for the health and safety of the children, caregivers, and facility.
Pets and Plants in the Home
Here at Denali Child Care we have some family pets. We have 2 female dogs All pets are in good health, clean, and are current on all their shots. There are two poisonous plants on the property. One chokecherry tree in the front yard and one in the backyard. Children will always be under supervision when outside, the berries will be cleaned up every day before children are allowed to play in the backyard.
Nap & Quiet Time
Nap time/ quiet time is after lunch, around 1:00pm until 3:00pm. Children who don’t nap will take this time to do quiet activities. Infants/ toddlers will sleep in pack n play cribs, and others will sleep on mats. Blankets & sheets will be provided by Denali Child Care, although you are always welcome to supply your own blanket. If your child has a special toy, blanket, or teddy bear, they may bring that for nap time.
Provider Time Off
In the event that I am too ill to care for the children, or I have a planned vacation, or an emergency presents itself, I have a backup caregiver to fill in for me if his schedule allows it. My back up provider is my husband, Glenn Wrightsman. If he is unable to fill in for me, then Denali Child Care will close, and you will need to find other child care arrangements for that time. I will do my best to keep this from happening, but some things are unavoidable, and everyone needs a vacation! I will also do my best to make these times run as smoothly as possible.
Enrollment Fee
Registration / enrollment fee is $50.00 This fee is nonrefundable. This fee is a one-time charge per child enrolled. This fee covers enrollment paperwork and processing as well as supplies.
Payment Requirements
Your monthly rate payments are due ON or BEFORE the 1st of each month. If you have not paid on the 1st, your child may not attend on the 1st until payments are made. If the 1st of the month falls on a weekend, your payment will be due the business day BEFORE the 1st. If you do not pay, this may be grounds for terminating your care here at Denali Child Care.
Your monthly rate will not be adjusted if your child is sick, on vacation, or simply not at daycare. You are paying for your monthly space here at daycare, not the hours and days you attend.
Drop in care is available by appointment only, when space allows. There is never a guarantee that space will be available, so please call or schedules ahead of time. Drop-ins include: extra days or times where care is needed, like emergencies, days where school is out, or for those who do not need a regular set schedule just occasional care.
Late Fees
A fee of $1.00 will be charged for every minute you are late after your agreed pick-up time.
Please pick your child up on time. You must understand I have a personal life too. Outside of contracted hours, the care of your child is your responsibility. So please don’t try to squeeze in “quick” stops on your way to pick up your child. If you happen to be late, please don’t put me in the uncomfortable position of asking you for this fee. You know when you are late, and so do the kids.
Drop off & Pick up for all care
I assume responsibility for your child when they are in my care. No child will be allowed to leave with anyone except the parent/ guardian, unless indicated on the alternate pick up list. Telephone permission is NOT acceptable! Anyone unfamiliar to me will be required to show proof of identification (unexpired State ID), to be matched to the name on the child’s pick up list. This is for the safety of your child. Always sign your child in and out each day on the provided sign-in sheet.
Absences & Late Arrivals
If your child is going to be absent, or exceptionally late for any reason (sick, vacation, appointment, etc.) please call or let me know ahead of time. This will help me plan our day, and is especially helpful in planning meals. Your child’s absence will not reduce your monthly fee. If you are exceptionally late and have not called, you could risk the chance that we may fill your space with a drop-in child that day… assuming you will not be coming. So please call and keep me informed. If you drop off your child late, this does not mean you can pick them up late, unless pre-arranged and approved ahead of time.
Health & Safety
I try my very best to at all times insure the safety and wellbeing of your child. Some features that help insure your child’s safety are:
- No smoking on the premises
- Fire extinguishers available
- Smoke Detectors & carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home
- Toys are safe and clean
- Electrical outlets are covered
- Knives, scissors, & other possibly harmful objects are kept out of reach of the children
- Cleaners and chemicals are kept out of reach
- Medications are out of reach
- We have two fully stocked first aid kits
- Caregivers are CPR and First Aid certified
- Animals are in good health, clean, & properly immunized
- Home is kept very clean & organized
- Good hygiene is stressed at all times
Germ Control
Germ control is a BIG priority of mine. All toys are washed, bleached, sanitized, and scrubbed down on a VERY frequent basis. Noses are wiped as soon as possible, and hands are washed very often! Clean hands are the #1 way to stop the spread of those yucky germs! /p>
All surfaces & floors are cleaned routinely. Carpets are shampooed every 6 months or sooner if needed. Cuts and scrapes must be covered with a bandage. Disposable gloves are worn when cleaning up messes, diaper changing, and bleaching toy.
Medications
No child will be given any medication, prescription or over the counter, unless the parent/ guardian gives written permission. The medication must be in its original container. If your child requires medication, I will have you fill out a medication form. Please write your child’s name on the medication.
For prescription medications, please bring a doctor’s note stating:
- What the medication is treating
- Is this child ok to be at daycare with other children
- How often to give the child this medication and how much
- Possible side effects
Medical Emergencies
Although supervision is constantly given, I cannot be by the child’s side at all times to prevent falls, tripping, bumps, and other accidents. If your child is injured in a non-life threatening way, I will assess the child and provide first aid. If the injury is more serious, the parent will be notified so the child can be transported to the doctor’s office or hospital-- either by ambulance, or by the parent (whichever is felt necessary) All costs associated with injuries to the child will be the responsibility of the parent or guardian.
In the case of a medical emergency, I will attempt to contact you immediately using all your numbers on the emergency contact card. If I am unable to reach you, I will start calling the people you listed as your emergency contacts. If I am unable to reach you or if I feel it is necessary in an emergency situation, I will call an ambulance, at your expense.
Ill Child
I operate a “well-child” daycare. Children with VERY MINOR illness may attend daycare, at the caregiver’s discretion. This strict policy will protect all involved. Your compliance is appreciated, and you will be compensated with the assurance that all ill children will be kept home. Please keep in mind that healthy children are demanding and sick children even more so. Please be fair to your child, the other children who come to my childcare facility, and to me. Do not leave your child with me when they are ill. Please do not load them up on medication and then bring them to daycare so they appear to be feeling fine.
I understand that you need to work or go to school, job hunt, etc but it is extremely important that we work together in keeping our children healthy. One child’s cold or runny nose may be another child’s bronchitis, asthma attack, or worse. We all must be over-cautious to protect all the children.
If at any point symptoms become excessive, child becomes extremely irritable, child is unable to participate in our regular activities, or I believe that I am unable to provide quality care to ALL of the children with the sick child present; parent(s) or guardian will be called to pick the child up.
If at any time your child has three (3) or more lose stool (Diarrhea) you will receive a phone call to come and pick up your child.
30 minutes will be given for the ill child to be picked up, after the allowed 30 minutes -- late fees will be charged ($1.00 per minute).
Please do not bring your child if they have the following symptoms, anything similar, or worse:
- Any contagious or infections (Strep Throat, pink eye, diarrhea, flu, ring worm, lice, croup, chicken pox, scabies, scarlet fever, impetigo, MRSA, hepatitis A, and infectious conjunctivitis, etc.)
- Sneezing constantly, or sneezing flying snot
- Fever 101.1 or higher within the last 24 hours (5 months and older)
- Fever 100.0 or higher within the last 24 hours (0-4 months)
- Vomiting (any vomiting within the past 24 hours)
- Diarrhea (any diarrhea within the last 24 hours)
- Persistent cough followed by green or yellow goopies seeping out of eyes, nose, ears, or mouth
- Extreme crankiness, clinginess, excessive crying, or not acting their normal self
If your child had a fever: They may return to daycare after the fever has been gone for 24 hours without the aid of Tylenol or any other medications.
If your child was vomiting or had diarrhea: They may return to daycare after they are vomit, diarrhea, and fever free for 24 hours without the aid of any medications.
If you are unsure about bring your child to daycare due to illness, please feel free to call me and ask. Keep in mind how you would feel if another parent brought their sick child to daycare to play and exposed your healthy child.
Be considerate of the other children in care, and the caregivers. If you repeatedly attempt to bring your ill child to daycare, or give them medications so they ‘appear’ well enough to be at daycare, this will be grounds for termination of your childcare services.
This is in the BEST interest for ALL of the children, INCLUDING yours. When our babies are sick the best medicine is mom or dad or a loving family member.
Television, Movies, & Video Games
Here at Denali Child Care, we use television and movies as an educational tool. Viewing times are limited to a max of 1 ½ hours per day. I use these for educational purposes and special occasions. I coordinate them with themed weeks and lesson plans. Children are never required to sit and watch TV, but it is available at certain times for another type of learning experience. Some examples: PBS shows, children’s movies, Disney movies, Signing Time, Baby Einstein, etc.
Firearms
There are NO firearms at Denali Child Care
Potty Training
I will assist you in toilet training your child with the understanding that it will be successful only if we work together. Training takes both home and daycare participation. Please send your child in easy on easy off clothing until they are better trained, and better at dressing themselves. Also send a few extra spare clothes. Soiled clothing will be sent home in a bag to be washed. Please bring more spare clothes the next day. No child will ever be punished for toilet accidents. Children will be rewarded with stickers to put on their ‘I Went Potty Chart!’
Outside Play & Field Trips
When weather permits, we will play outside every chance we get, especially during the summer time! Please send appropriate clothing and outdoor gear, labeled with your child’s name. If your child does not have all their appropriate outside gear, you will receive a phone call requesting that you provide some. Please be understanding in this, if one child does not have their appropriate outside gear, that means all children in care cannot go outside as there is only one caregiver and I cannot be in two places at once.
Field trips may be taken very occasionally, depending on the number of children and the destination. We will request written permission for trips outside the facility, and will always notify you in advance of trips coming up. Field trips are not something we do often. We will mainly be walking to Denali Elementary School playground. We will not transport children in a vehicle; anywhere we go will be within walking distance, unless Denali Child Care has express permission from the parent/ guardian of each child in care.
Example destinations: Denali Elementary School Playground, Library, Pioneer Park, etc.
Cold Weather Policy
If it is zero degrees or colder we will not be going outside. We will not be going outside if it is raining, hailing, or smoking.
Meals & Snacks
I provide nutritionally balanced healthy meals and snacks for your child. If your child arrives after a meal or snack has been completed, he/she will wait until the next meal or snack time to eat. Please keep this in mind when you drop your child off. Snacks and meals are served about the same time each day, only varying if we have a special activity going on.
Breakfast - 8:30
Lunch - 12:00
Afternoon Snack - 3:00
We will teach the children table manners during meal and snack times. I will sometimes read stories while the children eat. Whenever possible, the kids help serve, set up, and clean up meals and snacks.
| Sample Breakfast | Toast, Banana, Milk |
| Sample Lunch | Spaghetti, Meatballs, Green Beans, Peaches, Milk |
| Sample Snack | Cheese, Crackers, Juice |
| Sample Drinks | Milk, water, apple juice, grape juice, orange juice |
Behavior Guidance
We use positive behavior management techniques to help children learn appropriate behavior. With all age groups I encourage positive behavior. I like to stop and point out when a child has done something great, to encourage them & others to continue that behavior. I like to reward positive behavior whenever possible.
Age Group -- Techniques for discipline
| Infants | Re-directing the child to another toy, area, or activity. Tell the child, “that is a No No”, if they are doing something dangerous or harmful such as hitting or biting. |
| Toddlers | Re-directing the child to another toy, area, or activity. Time out for the same number of minutes as their age (ex. 2 years old = 2 minute time out) Then I explain to them, in short terms, why they were given a time out. |
| Preschool/Child | Re-directing them, and explain to them why they shouldn’t do what they did. Time out for the same number of minutes as their age (ex. 4 years old = 4 minute time out) Then I explain to them why they were given a time out. |
| School Age | Re-directing them, and explain to them why they shouldn’t do what they did. Time out for the same number of minutes as their age (ex. 6 years old = 6 minute time out) Then I explain to them why they were given a time out. |
Trial Period & Termination
A two-week trial period will be in effect starting on the first day of care. During this trial period either party may choose to discontinue child care services with written notice, no reasons needed.
Parents will only be changed for the day(s) the child actually received care during that trial period. Registration fees are nonrefundable.
After the two-week trial period either party may choose to terminate child care services. Parent/ Guardian must give two weeks notice for ending services. Payment by parent/ guardian is due for the two week notice period, even if you choose not to bring your child during this time.
Supplies
All supplies must be labeled with your child’s name. You will need to provide the following items to be left here at daycare, or brought daily:
- A complete change of clothes (more if they are potty training). Soiled clothes will be sent home in a bag to be washed -- new spare clothes will need to be brought the next day. Every child must have a full set of spare clothes, regardless of their age.
- Any medications your child may need. A medication form must be completed.
- Appropriate gear for outside play (label items with their name!) Winter gear must go in a duffel bag of some sort to keep items together, organized, & easy to transport between home & daycare.
- For children not completely potty trained, please bring diapers or pull ups. You may bring a large pack of diapers to keep here, a box of wipes, & any cream or powder you would prefer me to use. I will notify you when your supplies get low so you can bring more in.
- Baby foods, baby cereal, formula, breast milk (Milk will be provided after they are 1 year of age)
- Pacifiers & bottles (enough for one full day, or I can wash them if you want to keep some here)
- Favorite blanket, teddy bear, etc. for nap time
Hours & Days of Operation
| Days | Hours |
| Monday | 7:30am - 5:30pm |
| Tuesday | 7:30am - 5:30pm |
| Wednesday | 7:30am - 5:30pm |
| Thursday | 7:30am - 5:30pm |
| Friday | 7:30am - 5:30pm |
After hours are available by appointment only. This would include: evening care, weekend care, if you are in need of a ‘babysitter’ for an evening, emergency care, etc. After hours rates are the same as drop-in rates.
Holiday’s Denali Child Care is Closed
- New Year’s Day
- Memorial Day
- July 4th
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving
- Day After Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
- New Year’s Eve (close early at 2:00pm)
If any of these Holidays fall on a weekend, I may decide to take the following Monday off. I will give everyone a handout at the beginning of each year, letting them know the days we are closed, or close early for Holidays.
