Welcome to

Thank you for enrolling in our center. At ABC Kiddie Kampus we do our best to create an environment that entices a fun and stimulating atmosphere. We realize that a child’s early years are crucial to lifelong learning. Our high-quality centers strive to lay the building blocks for your child’s future academic success. At ABC Kiddie Kampus, we consider it our privilege to accompany children as they embark on a journey of growth and exploration. Our early learning programs start with children 6 weeks old and continue through 12 years of age. On a daily basis, our children experience a world rich with discovery guided by skilled and insightful teachers who celebrate each child’s individuality. Through a creative curriculum and a compassionate staff, children who come to one of ABC Kiddie Kampus’s centers not only build a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning but also meaningful friendships that begin in infancy. We hope that the information provided in this Parent Handbook will inform and guide you during your family’s involvement in our childcare center. When you leave your children and walk out the door for the first time, we want you to feel at ease knowing you made the right decision. If you should have any questions or concerns about the information contained in this handbook, please feel free to speak with your center Director.

The ABC Kiddie Kampus Family

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Our MissionTo provide a safe and caring environment

where children can learn, through play, all essential social and academic skills neededto succeed during the next phase in their lives.

Our VisionTo continually develop high-quality childcare centersthat promote child safety, creativity, positive outlooksand effective learning, with the goal of strengthening

tomorrow’s generation.

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Our Educational Philosophy A child’s early years are of the utmost importance. Their minds are like sponges that soak up every bit of information that is presented to them. This is a major reason why our centers strive to present them with information that is equally diverse as well as creative. Our centers create a learning environment that is big, bright and exceptionally inviting. We make the comparison that everyday spent in our classroom is like another brick being added to your child’s foundation for success.

It is our understanding that children come to our centers with many different personal experiences, environmental factors, and in different stages of personal development. As educators of young children, we must recognize and value these differences in our children. While many children follow a general pattern of development, we’re aware of the fact that each child is unique. As a result, we make it a point from day one to understand each child’s individuality and progressively move them forward in the developmental process. During their time spent at ABC Kiddie Kampus, your children are encouraged to express themselves through verbal communication, written text, colorful pictures, creative play, and through imaginative art. We feel children learn best through manipulating objects in their environment, learning games, and discovering the world around them. It is through group play, role modeling, and through supportive teaching that children grow socially and emotionally. These group activities teach young children how to live, work and play together. We’ve created a curriculum that promotes exploration and problem solving, both independently and guided by our qualified staff. These skills enable children to become more independent learners. Over the years our administration has found that children need both independent and teamwork skills in order to prepare themselves for a lifetime of learning.

Enrollment and AdmissionsOur goal during the enrollment process is to take as much of the burden off our families as possible, in an attempt to ease the transition into our learning environments. If at any time during this process you have any questions or concerns please see your center Director.

Forms Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare require that certain forms be completed and on file prior to admittance into our program. These forms will be supplied to you before your start date and need to be completed prior to your child’s first day. PA DPW also requires mandatory review of your child’s file no later than every six months. This ensures our information is not only current but accurate as well. All information given to or shared with our centers are kept completely confidential between our centers management and yourself. Child records are available for removal or transfer, only at the enrolling parent’s request.

Scheduling It’s important that all families comply with your scheduled times as per your contractwith our center. We adhere to Pennsylvania state regulations regarding teacher-child ratios, therefore we staff according to our contracted hours with each family. If there is a time that you need extended hours, please notify the center as soon as possible so that we could make the necessary adjustments. We strive to accommodate all families’ needs. That being said, there are certain conditions that go into our decisions such as available space in your child’s classroom as well as sufficient staff in order to keep us within state regulations. If at any point you feel you may need a permanent change to your schedule, please notify the Center Director and we’ll do our best to assistance you and your family.

Licensing, Accreditation & Quality Standards We participate in Pennsylvania’s Keystone STARS program, a program that helps enhance and support quality improvement efforts at child care centers across the state. Child care centers choosing to participate in the Keystone STARS program earn a quality rating score from a STAR 1 to a STAR 4. At each level, centers must meet certain quality standards in four main areas: staff edu-cation, learning environment, leadership/management, and family/commu-nity partnerships. The higher the STAR level, the higher the quality standards at that particular early learning center. In addition all of our centers are licensed by the appropriate state agencies.

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AbsenteeismWe are under the assumption that your child will be here for all of his/hers scheduled days. If at any time your child will not be attending school for those scheduled days please make it a point to inform our center as soon as possible. Please note, tuition payment is due whether your child is in attendance or absent.

VacationAny child that attends ABC Kiddie Kampus for a minimum of one year will be entitled to one vacation week beginning day one of your second year of enrollment. During your vacation week, tuition for that week is not due. Your vacation week cannot be broken up, but instead needs to be taken in consecutive days.

Arrival and DepartureArrival at the Center Upon arrival at our center, we ask that all parents escort their child to their respective classroom. Once in the classroom, parents should put all personal items i.e. jacket, extra clothes, show and tell items, etc. in his/her personal cubby. After this, we encourage all parents to leave their children with a big hug and strong words of encouragement, as this helps get their day get off to a proper start. In addition, we ask that all parents encourage their children to wash their hands upon joining they’re classmates. This not only creates a good transition into the classroom, but also promotes good hygiene. After your child is settled into his/her classroom, this creates an excellent opportunity to touch base with his/her classroom teacher and/or Center Director. Informing us of an early pickup, whether or not he/she slept well the night before, or that your child wasn’t feeling well over the weekend are all details that help our teachers work with your child that day. This is an important time in your child’s life and one of the critical factors of your child’s success is strong communication between yourself and our teachers/directors. Starting with your child’s first day, let’s begin building relationships and creating strong lines of communication with one another. In addition, we ask that if your child is on any medication, it is important you supply the teacher/director with the proper information and medication at the arrival time (See Child Health). Before exiting the center we require all parents to sign their child in for the day.

Departure from the Center Children will be released from our centers only to adults specifically authorized by the enrolling parent as per the Emergency Contact form. Those picking up, who are on the Emergency Contact form, are required to supply photo identification to center staff before the child is released. In the event that someone not listed on the emergency contact form is be picking up that day, the enrolling parents will have to call the center to authorize a verbal request for pickup prior to release of your child. Pick up creates another opportunity for parents to touch base with their child’s teacher and/or Center Director. It’s important to find out how your child’s day went

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i.e. bathroom on potty for first time, learned a new letter, did or didn’t eat well that day, etc. These details are exactly what gets everyone on the same page and further improves your child’s progression and development. Before exiting the center we require all parents to sign their child out for the day.

Transportation Parents are responsible for all transportation to and from our centers. When arriving to and departing from our centers please make use of specific pick-up and drop-off points, pedestrian crossways, and safe routes. Please note, during the school year, the local school districts provide bussing to and from our centers to your child’s respective school.

Child Safety Child safety is a topic that is of the utmost importance to ABC Kiddie Kampus. We’re constantly taking advantage of the latest equipment and procedures in order to ensure your child’s safety and well being.

Emergency procedures Each center has emergency plans that provide detailed procedures for all types of emergencies. Included in these packets is the emergency contact information for each child in the center. This ensures our ability to reach out to the parent/guardian of each child in case of an emergency. The plans are reviewed every six months and are filed with the appropriate authorities. Please ask your Center Director about further center specific details.

Accident and Injuries While at play, children have a tendency to sustain minor injuries to themselves. Although accidental, these minor injuries could cause suffering to your child. In an attempt to ease their pain and give them a sense of comfort, each staff is trained in first aid and understands how to apply plenty of tender, love and care, otherwise known as TLC. An Injury Report Form will be presented to the parent/guardian at the time of pickup if an accident should occur. These reports are filled out by the teacher who witnessed the injury and then signed by the Center Director. For accidents that require emergency medical care, we will notify the parent/guardian immediately and 911 will be called. If the parent does not make it to the center before the ambulance arrives, a staff member will stay with the child until the parent is able to assume responsibility.

Clothing The clothing children wear while at one of our centers influences the quality of their experiences, as clothes can affect their health, safety, comfort, play and learning. This can relate not only to the types of clothes that children wear, but also when and how

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they are worn. The following are some things to take into consideration when dressing your children for a day ready to learn and play are:

• Temperature: It is important that children are not over or under dressed, and that clothing suits current weather conditions. The smaller the child, the more easily they can become chilled or overheated. Natural fibers such as cotton are generally cooler than acrylic fabrics.

• Footwear: Safe, comfortable footwear that fits well is essential. Shoes should provide support as well as protection for the feet. No flip-flops are permitted.

• Clothing types and accessories: It is important that the design and fit of clothes as well as all accessories are safe. For example, long hems can put children at risk of tripping. Items such as capes, scarves, necklaces, long drawstrings and ribbons also present strangulation or tripping hazards. We advise against any of those types of clothing.

An extra set of clothes, labeled with your child’s name, should be kept at the center at all times. Examples of clothing to be kept at the center are shirts, pants, socks, underwear, and sweaters.

Child Nutrition Food provided in childcare has an important role to play in the growth and development of your children as well as their eating habits. At ABC Kiddie Kampus our menus aim to meet a considerable amount of a child’s recommended daily intake of nutrients. We strive to provide a variety of food, including a range of textures and tastes that are appropriate to the developmental stages of the various age groups throughout the center. During your child’s time spent at ABC Kiddie Kampus, you could rest assure that your child will get plenty of high-quality nutrition throughout his/her day. All meals are supplied by our centers and are included within the cost of your tuition. Therefore, we ask that no food is brought into the center, unless for a special occasion i.e. your child’s birthday, a holiday party or graduation. If food is brought in from outside the center we ask that you clear it with our Center Director, as this helps avoid allergic reactions. For your child’s safety, you are required to inform our center of any allergenic information about your child. Included in this information should be a list of all allergies and instructions for treatment should your child have an allergic reaction. If an EpiPen is required to be held at our center please notify the Center Director (See Child Health). All menus will be posted suitably at your center. These menus will be posted a few weeks in advance, allowing ample time for you to notify the center of any allergenic information that may concern you. During special events or holidays, families may be permitted to bring in snacks to celebrate the event. These items must be store bought and have an ingredient list on the package. In addition, the Center Director must be notified before bringing items in.

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Meal Time As a way to help develop healthy eating habits, our centers create a pleasant mealtime atmosphere that includes positive behaviors and pleasant attitudes by both the children and our center’s staff. Given the fact that children learn from others about food preferences and how to eat, we expect our children to be relaxed and happy and our teachers to encourage healthy eating patterns and positive attitudes toward food. In addition to the juice and milk supplied at meals times, water is readily available to your child throughout the day.

Hygiene Careful preparation of food and correct food handling techniques are extremely important to the health and welfare of your children and our centers. Therefore we conform to the following standards:

• Cooks and staff are trained in correct food service techniques • Correct food handling by staff • Adequate hand washing by staff and children • Correct use of serving utensils • Correct storage and reheating of food

Child Health ABC Kiddie Kampus’s foremost concern is for the safety and well-being of your child. Because this is so important to us, we implement specific rules and regulations throughout our centers in order to attain the highest health and safety standards in the industry. If at any time our regulations become an inconvenience to you or your family, please notify the Center Director and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. But please remember, these regulations are in place to protect the safety and well-being of your child, so please be mindful and in accordance of them at all times.

Child Medication ABC Kiddie Kampus will make reasonable accommodations, in accordance with State and Federal laws, to facilitate the administration of medication or supply a special diet that is prescribed by a physician. When medications or special diets are administered, the following requirements apply:

• A prescription or nonprescription medication may be accepted only in its original container. The medication will remain in the container in which it was received.

• Our staff will administer a prescription medication only if written instructions are provided from the individual who prescribed the medicine. Instructions for administration contained on a prescription label are acceptable.

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• Our staff will administer nonprescription medication only if written instructions are provided by the child’s physician and is signed and dated by the physician.

• The label of a medication container must identify the name of the medication as well as the name of the child for whom the medication is intended. Medication shall be administered to only the child whose name appears on the container.

• Medication shall be stored in a locked area of the facility or in an area that is out of the reach of children.

• Medication shall be stored in accordance with the manufacturer’s or health professional’s instructions on the original label.

• A parent must provide written consent for administration.• If a special diet is prescribed for a child and if the diet is administered to the

child, written instructions and the parent’s written consent must be retained in the child’s file.

In addition, our centers will maintain a medication log if prescription or nonprescription medication is administered. Our centers medication log will include the following information:

• The name of the medication.• The name of the child receiving the medication.• A requirement for refrigeration.• The amount of medication administered.• The date and time of administration.• The initials of the staff person who administered the medication.• Special notes related to problems of administration.

Hand Washing Proper hand washing plays a very important role in preventing our young learners healthy. In addition to preventing the spread of infectious diseases that may be transmitted through contact, hand washing also removes any dirt or soil that may have accumulated throughout the day. The sanitation and health of both our children and staff benefit from frequent hand washing. Hand hygiene practices are key prevention tools in averting the spread of illness and/or infection. Thus, ABC Kiddie Kampus enforces its children and staff to wash their hands during the following times throughout the day:

• Before and after mealtime• After using the bathroom• After blowing their nose or coughing• After outdoor activities• Upon entering their respective classroom

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Health Report We require families of an enrolled child to provide an initial health report no later than 30 days following the first day of attendance at ABC Kiddie Kampus. Health Reports must be written and signed by a physician, physician’s assistant or CRNP. The signature must include the individual’s professional title. In addition, the Health Report must also include:

• A review of the child’s health history• A list of child’s allergies• A list of the child’s current medications and the reason for the medication

State and Federal guidelines require parents to provide an updated health report annually. Your Center Director will give parents prior notice of when your child’s Health Report is due. Health report forms will be supplied by our centers to be completed by child’s physician.

Immunizations Our centers require up-to-date immunization records for each child. These records must be provided no later than 30 days following the first day of attendance at ABC Kiddie Kampus. New Immunization records, similar to health reports, must be updated annually by your child’s physician. In addition we require that ongoing vaccination be provided to our center upon completion. It is our understanding that there are occasionally instances in which children are exempt from immunizations due to medical reasons and/or personal beliefs. Exemptions from immunizations for medical reasons need to be written, signed and dated by a physician, physicians assistant or CRNP. Exemption from immunization for religious belief or strong personal objection equated to a religious belief must be written, signed and dated by the child’s parent or guardian. These records will be kept in your child’s personal file.

Parent Engagement Policy At ABC Kiddie Kampus we know the importance of building and maintain strong relationships with the families of our children. By giving you the ability to voice your opinion, ask questions, and have consistent awareness of your child’s daily progress, it creates a partnership environment, which we consider the building blocks of our centers. In order to attain this we’ve made parent suggestion boxes part of our center. They’re placed in the entrance of our centers, are easily accessible, and are kept anonymous. We feel this gives you a simple way to share feedback and offer new ideas without feeling pressured. In addition, parent/guardian evaluations are done on an annual basis. This is another opportunity to put into words your thoughts on specific topics such as center child nutrition, curriculum, and center practices. Your thoughts and analysis are a welcomed supplement to our decision making process.

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Illness Policy Getting sick is inevitable. It is especially inevitable in young children for several reasons. For one, young children have a much weaker immune system than adults. As your child grows, he/she will strengthen their immune system and build up immunity to many common infections. It’s been noted, through studies, that it is normal for young children to have six to eight upper respiratory tract infections and two to three gastrointestinal infections each year. Secondly, children have the tendency of putting their hands and other objects into their mouths. Although we do our best to curve this behavior, it’s not something that happens immediately. Through positive reinforcement, this behavior gradually stops over time. In addition, our centers have a policy that if any object (toy, book, etc) enters any child’s mouth, it’s placed in a “dirty toys” bin. Before the next school day these toys are washed thoroughly and disinfected before their placed back into the classroom.

Identifying Ill Children The diagnosis and management of a sick child is an important part in preventing not only further illness but the spread of the infection through the center. Therefore, we take certain precautions when it comes to illness in a child. Through our years of experience, we have developed guidelines that help our parents and centers get on the same page regarding child illness. Should a child become ill or sick from the following ailments during the school day, you will be notified immediately. If the parent is unavailable or fails to pick up within an hour of contact, we will go to the next person(s) on the Emergency Contact Form until we reach someone who can pick up your child.

• A spike in body temperature i.e. Fever of at least 100 degrees • An unexplained rash, hives or skin outbreak• Vomiting• Two loose bowel movements• Discharge or leakage from the eyes• Head lice and/or hair nits• Uncontrollable cough• Severe colds

Once a child is released from our centers from one of the previously listed ailments, we require your child not return to our center for 24 hours or until your child is free and clear of that ailment for 24 hours without medication. While we understand that having a sick child is a hardship for most families, it’s important that parents apply the Golden Rule (do unto others as you would have them do unto you) when making decisions regarding your sick child. Surely you wouldn’t want your son or daughter playing with a sick child who exhibits certain illnesses. The same holds true for other families at our centers as well. As a result, please use proper

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judgment regarding not only your child’s health but the health and welfare of all families at centers.

Termination of Care ABC Kiddie Kampus does its best to accommodate the needs of every family. It is our duty to put the health and safety of our children, staff, and families first. We understand circumstances arise that cannot be avoided nor can they be tolerated. Therefore, ABC Kiddie Kampus reserves the right to terminate the service of any family at anytime, without prior notice.

Payment Policy Tuition is charged in accordance to the rates scheduled for that year, which can be found in the Tuition Rate Sheet. Please note the following payment policies:

• Tuition is due in advance of service rendered. Payment will be made no later than the first day of attendance for each week.

• Tuition is due for all days that you are contracted for. Payment is due whether your child is in attendance or not. In addition, payment is due if the center is closed, delays, or dismisses.

• Tuition payments received after the close of business Wednesday, the week service is rendered, will carry a 10% late fee.

• A late pick-up fee of $25.00 per half-hour will be assessed when a child is left beyond the center’s operating hours. The late pick-up fee does not constitute an agreement to provide after-hours service.

• A nonrefundable annual registration fee of $20.00 is due annually at a date specified by the Center. If the child has withdrawn from the center and subsequently re-enrolls, a new registration fee is due at that time.

• Two weeks’ written notice is required prior to the last day of attendance. If Parent does not give proper notice, Parent agrees to pay any fees or full tuition that may be due for the final two weeks regardless of child(ren)s attendance.

Please refer to the Enrollment Agreement for a complete list of our Payment Policies. ABC Kiddie Kampus reserves the right for these rates to change at any time without prior notice.

Withdrawal from CenterParents/guardians must submit notification at least two weeks prior to withdrawal from our childcare centers. Full payment will be due to ABC Kiddie Kampus until date of withdrawal.

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ABC Kiddie Kampus is an equal opportunity provider and employer.