Parental Agreement / Policies & Procedures

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Thank you for your interest in Winston Academy! Winston Academy is a high quality center offering a strong Christian education based program. Our teachers are experienced and highly trained professionals; our lead teachers have a CDA or degree in early childhood education. With small teacher-child ratios, your child gets the attention and care that they need and deserve.

Learning is the most important accomplishment throughout the day, second only to superior care. Every classroom follows a curriculum to enhance each child’s skills in all areas; including math, science, social studies, and language. In addition to using High-Reach and Abeka Curriculums, we design an enhancement within the center and each teacher uses it in their own way to benefit the children in their classroom.

At Winston Academy we understand that most learning in the preschool age is done through play. Our classrooms are designed to stimulate their minds and encourage growth and learning. We also offer separate playgrounds so that the playground equipment is age appropriate and children of varying ages are not mixed.

We serve hot home-made meals throughout the day. Meals are served every two hours; they are breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and 5:00 snack. All meals are well balanced and nutritious and follow state guidelines.

At Winston Academy we take pride in our center. You will find that the center offers a clean, healthy, and safe environment for your child and you can rest assured you will feel comfortable leaving your child each day. We have security cameras throughout the entire building. Although these are not internet connected for security purposes, they are recorded, and you may watch your child on the monitors before/after pick-up/delivery. There is also a coded entry system to the door. Each parent is assigned his/her own code.

Our hours are 6:00am to 6:30pm Monday-Friday. Feel free to call or come by anytime if you have any questions. We will gladly answer any questions or give you any information you need. Thanks again for your interest!

Sincerely,
Angie Smith
Owner/Director

HOURS OF OPERATION/ADMISSION POLICIES:

The center will be open from 6:00am to 6:30pm Monday through Friday. With the exception of the following days:
New Years Day, January 1st
Martin Luther King Day, January 18th
Memorial Day, May 31st
Independence Day, July 2nd
Labor Day, September 6th
Thanksgiving Day and Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Holiday, Friday December 24th - January 1st

In addition to these days, we will close at 3pm on the following days so that our staff may travel safely to their holiday destinations:

Friday, April 2nd (Easter Weekend)
Wednesday, November 24 (day before Thanksgiving)

Except for the last week of Christmas Break, these are considered paid holidays, full week’s tuition will be charged.  Christmas Break is from Wednesday, December 24th through Friday, January 2, 2009.  The week of December 29th – January 2nd will not be charged tuition.  However, full tuition will be due for the week of December 22nd.
The center will have the option to close Friday or Monday before or after a holiday if the holiday falls on a weekend.

Children must arrive at the center by 8:30am, in order to decrease classroom interruption and to keep your child on target with their classroom. Anyone arriving after these times will not be allowed to leave their child for the day unless a doctor’s note is presented.

The center will be providing care for children ages 6 weeks through 11 years.
           
A fee of $5.00 per minute, per child, will be charged if a child’s is left in the center after 6:30pm. Local authorities will be called 30 minutes after closing if your child has not been picked up.

A non-refundable registration fee of $100.00 will be charged annually on August 1st per child. At this time you will also receive an updated copy of our parent polices as well as a Parent Questionnaire on Winston Academy to fill out and return to the front office with payments. Parents enrolling January-July will be prorated as follows: January $60, February $50, March $42, April $35, May $25, June $20, July $0.

The parent agrees to obtain evidence of age appropriate immunizations within thirty (30) days of child’s enrollment.

FINANCIAL POLICY:

By signing this agreement, you agree to the following:

I agree to pay $_____________per week. I understand the tuition is due on Friday of the preceding week. A late payment fee of $40.00 will automatically be charged if the tuition is not paid by 10:00 am Monday morning.

If you chose to pay by the month, payments should be based by the number of Monday’s in the month.

For your convenience, we offer Tuition Express payments that can automatically be withdrawn from your checking, savings, or credit cards on Fridays or monthly. By using the credit card option, you may also receive award points from your credit card company!

A post dated check (not marked post dated) must be received by Monday morning.
A post dated check can only be held until Wednesday.

There will be a $40.00 fee for returned checks or other payments, including Tuition Express. The center may then require cash.

Full tuition is due even if your child is absent from the center all week, except the last week of December. By signing this agreement, I agree that full week tuition is due weekly, with the exception of my one free week in December. No other exceptions. Please understand that we are holding a spot for your child if they are not here, and we still need to pay their teacher and utilities!

Anytime a school age child is in the center for a full day, there will be $25.00 per day charge over the weekly after school rate, but not to exceed the regular full time rate. Half day’s will be charged at $12.50. Reservations MUST be made ahead of time with the front desk for these days in order for Winston Academy to schedule proper staffing. If you do not sign up by the deadline set by the front desk, your child will not be able to attend on these days.

A child will not be allowed to enter or leave the center without being escorted by the parent, person over the age of 18 authorized by the parent or center personnel.

HEALTH, SAFETY, ILLNESS AND EMERCENGY MEDICAL POLICES:

As of February 1, 2006, Winston Academy will no longer administer over the counter medication without a written medical authorization from your family physician stating a diagnosis and amount to be administered.

Medication is given only at lunchtime, except for documented medical reasons. We ask that you administer all medications at home when possible. Our teachers are busy interacting and teaching your children, and having to stop and administer medication only interrupts the classroom.
Before medication is dispensed, the parent must provide written authorization which includes: date, name of child, name of medication, prescription number, and dosage. Medication will be in the original container with the child’s name clearly marked on it. Authorization for medication is limited to no more than two weeks unless written authorization from the physician is received.  This includes breathing machines.
No medication shall be in a diaper bag, including prescription or over the counter.

The center agrees to keep parents informed, and the parent agrees to keep the center informed, if any incident, including injury, adverse reactions to medications, etc,, which involves their child. The center will also inform the parent by written notice of any communicable disease. The parent must also inform the center of any communicable disease.

Children who have been diagnosed with a communicable disease as defined on the chart of communicable disease, which is posted in the center, will be excluded from the center. Child will be readmitted according to the chart’s recommendations.

Children with an oral temperature of 101 degrees or higher plus one other symptom (such as diarrhea, sore throat, etc,) will be excluded from the center and not allowed to return for 24 hours.

No staff or others who knowingly have a contagious disease or present symptoms of fever/diarrhea shall be allowed in the center.

A child showing signs of illness will be removed to the office/sick bed area. Parents will be notified if child requires professional medical attention or experiences moderate discomfort. Parent’s specific instructions will be followed until child is picked up or is able to return to the group. If you are notified your child is sick, you must make provisions to pick up your child within the hour. Your child is considered well enough to return to school when he/she has been symptom free for 24-48 hours without aid of medications that can mask the symptoms (Motrin, Tylenol, etc.) If a physician sees your child, you must bring in a note form the physician stating that your child is not contagious and may return to school. If you do not bring a note with you, the child will not be permitted to stay.

Parents will be notified no later that the end of each day concerning minor injury or illnesses than moderate discomfort.

In the event of serious injury or death of a child, emergency personnel (911) and parents will be called and if deemed necessary by medical personnel, child will be transported to Douglas General Hospital. Until medical personnel arrive, trained Winston Academy staff will administer first aid. Winston Academy will not impede delivery of emergency care services. The parent will assume responsibility of payment.

FOR YOUR CHILD(REN)’S BEST EXPERIENCE:

Each child must have a change of clothing marked with his/her name, to be left in the Center for emergencies. At Winston Academy, we are here to play while we learn so we ask that your child wear comfortable play clothes that you don't mind getting dirty (not pajamas). Although we try very hard to keep your child clean, we will not be responsible for any clothing soiled during playtime or eating. For your child's safety, proper fitting shoes must be worn (please wear rubber soled, safe shoes). No hard soled or open toed shoes, such as cowboy boots, sandals or jelly shoes (that can easily trip a child). Also for the safety of your child and other children we are asking that all children under the age of 3 years do not wear any jewelry bows, barrettes or beads that are smaller than a half dollar. They are a chocking hazard. If your child (any age) removes their hair accessories at any point during the day they will be placed in your child's cubby for the remainder of the day.

Please do not allow your child to bring personal items or belongings from home, except for show n tell days. The Center will not be responsible for these items brought to the Center-

Breakfast will be served from 8:00 am until 8:20am. The kitchen will be closed at 8:20 am. NO EXCEPTIONS. A hot lunch will served from 11:00 am until 12:00 noon. A snack will be served in the afternoon and late afternoon. Food may not be brought from home except with a documented medical reason. Weekly menus will be posted in the Center.

The parent will furnish all baby food, prepared formula, diapers and wipes for their infant or toddler until eating table food or until potty trained. All bottles must be prepared and labeled with the child's name and dated with current date. Any remaining formula will be returned to the child's parent at the end of each day.

A written feeding plan (furnished by Winston Academy) is required to be completed by the parent for any child under the age of one (1) year. They will be given out the last Friday of each month to be returned to Winston Academy the following Monday.

Pacifiers (not attached to the child), diaper bags, etc should be labeled with the child's name. Pacifiers after infant stage are not allowed in the classroom during class time. Wobblers may have them at naptime only. At this age, toddlers drop them and other infants are quick to pick them up and put into their mouths!

Parent must keep the Center informed as to changes in telephone numbers, work location, emergency contacts, child's medical information, infant feeding plans, immunization records, etc. Parents must also furnish the Center with an emergency medical authorization furnished by Winston Academy.

Winston Academy is a Smoke-Free Environment. No smoking is allowed on premises by staff, parents or visitors.

STATE RULES & REGULATIONS:

Parents are welcome to visit the Center any time their child is present, but not to interrupt our program. Parents have access to the following information: business license, copy of D.H. R. rules and regulations, D.H.R. current evaluation, communicable disease chart, statement of parental access, names of persons in charge, current weekly menus, emergency plans for severe weather & fire and a visitors statement.

The Center is required to report any suspected child abuse, neglect, exploitation or deprivation to the Department of Family and Children's Services. The Center is also required to report any suspected case of notable communicable disease to the local health department.

No staff or others (including parents) shall be under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance on Center premises any time children are present

The Center must have written authorization from the parent before any child will be allowed to participate in field trips or water-related activities (more than 2 feet deep).

Children will have outdoor play1ime daily as required by the state, except in inclement weather. If a child has been sick and must be kept inside, the Center must have a signed note from a physician. Please dress for outdoor playas the state requires us to go out even in cold weather.

GUIDANCE & DICIPLINE PROEDURES:

Disciplinary actions used to correct a child's behavior; guidance techniques and any activities in which the children participate or observe at the Center shall not be detrimental to the physical or mental health of any child. Time away from the group is our primary disciplinary technique. Loss of activities for older children is also a technique. No type of corporal punishment will be used for disciplinary purposes with your child, nor will punishment be associated with food, napping or toileting. There will be no loud, profane or abusive language, threats or derogatory remarks made by or about your child or his/her family.

In order to keep disruption to a minimum in our classrooms, we have a strict 3 strike behavior policy that can lead to a child's dis-enrollment by management that we must enforce. A copy of this policy is available for your review at the front desk.

PARENT/TEACHER COMMUNICATION:

We believe that ongoing open communication is the critical key in helping your child benefit fully from Winston Academy. Daily Sheets, Monthly Newsletters, personal conferences, progress reports and our website are just a few ways we communicate with our parents. Winston Academy staff and administration work closely with our parents to ensure the best care for our children.

Parent/Teacher conferences will be held January 16th and April 24th. Parents may also schedule conferences with teachers at any time to discuss concerns, progress, input, etc.

Parent/Teacher Meetings are held every second Tuesday in March, June, September and December at 7pm. These meetings are important to you as a parent, your child and the staff at Winston Academy to make Winston Academy the right and best place for your child. Please make plans to attend these.

Spring Flings, Fall Festivals, Thanksgiving Dinner and Program, as well as a Christmas Program are all part of our vision to involve our families.

TRANSPORTATION:

Winston Academy will provide transportation to and from the following schools:
            Winston Elementary             Mirror Lake Elementary   South Douglas

If your school is not listed above, please ask if we are able to pick up at your school. Parents/Guardian must sign a Transportation Agreement authoring Winston Academy to Transport your child to and from the schools listed above.

Winston Academy will offer field trips at different times throughout the year, a Field Trip Permission Slip will be sent home prior to the day of the field trip and must be signed in order for your child to participate.

EMERGENCY/EVAVUATION PLANS:

Winston Academy is equipped with sprinklers and smoke detectors for your child's safety. In case of fire, gas leak, or bomb threat, teachers should evacuate the building following the plans posted in each room. A head count is done as everyone leaves the building and attendance is taken as soon as everyone is outside to assure everyone is accounted for.

In the event of physical plant problems such as loss of utilities or structural damage, parents will be notified to pickup children. Until parent arrives children should be kept calm in the classroom if possible or area designated by director.

Drills are conducted monthly.

In case of inclement weather, Winston Academy childcare Center follows Douglas County School System closings due to bad weather, power outages or any other emergency. Please watch WSB-TV beginning at 6:30 am to see if we will be closed. If we do have to close- a full week's tuition is still required.

This agreement will be terminated after a one (1) week notice if my child is unable to adjust to the Center's program, by manager's request.

A full two (2) weeks written notice must be given if you are removing your child from the Center's enrollment.

Full two (2) weeks tuition will be charged without written notice.