Philosophy

It is our goal at Kathy’s Little Apples Infant & Toddler Center to give each child enrolled in the Center the best QUALITY and loving care that they all deserve. We will provide QUALITY childcare, which enhances the social, emotional, physical and mental development of each child. We will also ensure that the children will be given praise and will build-up their
self-esteem and self-confidence. It is our Center’s belief that these areas are an essential ingredient in a child’s life. We will also teach self-discipline through positive guidance
and redirection. 

We respect parents as the primary and most important provider. We believe parents and teachers are partners when it comes to the children’s care. Our teachers are sensitive to each child’s needs and rate of development. All children will be respected as valued and unique individuals.

Mission Statement
 
Our mission is to provide QUALITY care, education and development for each child to
reach their greatest potential-mentally, physically, socially and emotionally.

• We are sensitive to both children’s and parent’s needs.
• We are child care professionals who maintain an attitude of continuous
• Improvement and are focused on the success of each child.
• We foster an atmosphere of confidence, trust and respect

Programs

Kathy’s Little Apples' program will be accomplished through a balance of creative play, songs, stories, structured activities, crafts and outside play. We offer fulltime care for ages 6 weeks through 2 year olds. Our hours of childcare are 24 hours/7 days per week, Monday through Friday. Saturday services include "Drop In Care" from 9:00am – 2:00pm.

Curriculum

We know the first five years of childhood are the most important in a child’s development and learning. The curriculum we use is the Creative Curriculum. The Creative Curriculum ensures that the children will be taught new material on each age level and that there will be sufficient review of old material each year. Children can progress steadily from year to year. This curriculum provides for much review in a variety of ways to ensure good learning.

Our teaching method is through learning centers, also. Preschoolers will choose from art, blocks, home living, puzzles and manipulatives where activities have been planned to help teach the children.

Vacation or Occasional Absences

No refunds shall be made for sick days or absences. Refunds, credits or make-up days cannot be granted. If your child is sick for more than two days, please call the center to let us know. It is helpful to the center and teachers to know if a child will be out more than two days.

Families in the childcare program are entitled to one-week vacation (five consecutive days, Monday-Friday). The one-week vacation can only be used during one calendar year, January 1 through December 31. A minimum of twelve (12) weeks of enrollment must have occurred prior to using the vacation time. A two-week notice must be filled out prior to the vacation time, so you will not be charged. 

Illness Policy

Please keep your child home if he or she displays any of the following symptoms:

1. A fever of 101.5 degrees or more, or has had a fever in the past 24 hour period.
2. A constant cough, wheezing, nasal discharge, sneezing, vomiting or diarrhea. 
3. A communicable disease. A communicable disease will have some or all of the following symptoms: sniffles, reddened eyes with a discharge, sore throat, headache and abdominal pain, accompanied by a fever. Please notify the Director immediately if your child does have a communicable disease. Your child must be on antibiotics for 24 hours (or had 3 dosages) before coming back to the center.
4. Redness of the eyelids accompanied by a discharge (pink eye).
5. Severe itching of body or scalp (lice). There must be no sign of nits for your child to return to school. 
6. Sore throat / Mouth sores with drooling.
7. Unusual spots or rashes.
   

A phone call to let us know why your child is absent would be appreciated. Children with a fever cannot return to our center until 24 hours after the fever is less than 99 degrees. Children with diarrhea cannot return to our center until they have had a normal bowel movement. If your child has one diarrhea bowel movement during the day, we will make a courtesy call to let you know. After the second diarrhea bowel movement, you will be asked to pick up your child. Children with a serious illness will not be allowed to enter our center without a physician’s approval (must be in writing). Kathy’s Little Apples Center reserves the right to override a physician’s note if your child still exhibits some of the above symptoms; the parent will be called to come and pick up their child. 

Should your child become ill during the day, you will be notified as soon as possible. Parents are required to promptly (30 minutes) pick-up their child from the center. Parents that are unable to pick-up their child in a timely manner, will need to have an authorized person on your child’s enrollment form come pick-up your child. It is your responsibility as a parent to update your enrollment form if needed. In the event of a serious illness or injury and we are unable to contact you or any person listed on your enrollment form, at the discretion of the Director, the paramedics will be called and your child will be transported to an emergency facility. 

Daily Health Checks are made on each child upon their arrival. If a child shows visible signs of being ill, or anytime during the day, the parents will be called to pick-up their child. 

Medication

A physician must prescribe all medication given to a child at our center. The parent will be required to fill out a medication release authorization form. All medication must be in the original container, indicating the child’s name, type and date of prescribed medication, amount and time of dosage and the length of time medication is to be distributed.  These forms must be updated EVERY MONDAY. All medication must be kept in the office. No over-the-counter medication will be given, unless a written physician’s prescription is presented with the medication. Again, the correct dosage and time of medication must be on the physician’s prescription. Medication will only be given at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, so please adjust your schedule accordingly. It is the responsibility of the parent to pick-up the medication from the Teacher / Director. Any expired medication that is not picked up by the expiration date will be discarded.

Enrollment
 
For your child’s safety and to comply with state regulations, all health forms and enrollment papers must be completed and on file at the Center prior to your child’s first day of attendance.  The following items must be submitted at the time of enrollment: 

- Form 3040 (yellow)-physical examination

- Form 680 or 681 (blue)-immunization record

- Enrollment Form

- One time Registration Fee (non-refundable)

- Copy of Parent’s Driver’s License

- Handbook Agreement Form

- Pick Up Form

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