Crestwood High School Child Care Program

Introduction

The Crestwood Child Care Center has three main objectives. Our first objective is to enhance the total development of the children in our program. We will give young children opportunities to develop physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually. We will encourage this development by providing a variety of activities.

Materials in the program will be safe and age appropriate for the child. Through the use of learning centers, the child will be able to choose activities in the areas of art, math, science, large motor, small motor, dramatic play, music, language arts, cutting skills, play table, and computer lab. The child will, during creative playtimes, move from area to area to satisfy his or her own interests. The children will develop initiative and self-direction as they acquire information about the world around them, both through self discovery and teacher guidance.

The Center's second objective is to provide students in Crestwood High School's Vocational Child Care and Guidance classes experience in the observing and participating with preschool children. Students are given opportunities to gain insight into human development, to gain experience in planning and assisting with activities of young children, to become aware of the responsibilities and privilege of one's future role as a parent, and to develop skills and attitudes necessary to prepare them for a career in early childhood education, elementary or secondary education.

Admission Policy

1. The Crestwood Child Care Center is available only to residents of the Crestwood School District.
2. Children chosen to participate in the Center are selected on the basis of data application.
3. A child is eligible for enrollment if his or her third birthday is on or before December 1st of the school year.
4. All Children enrolled must be toilet trained.
5. Vacancies will be filled from remaining applications of file. Your child will be registered until withdrawn.
6. A two-week notice must be given to the teacher to withdraw a child. This allows time for a new family to be contacted and schedule a physical examination and initiate Parent/Child/Teacher conference.
7. The Center reserves the right to cancel the enrollment of any child should it be necessary, either for the good of the child, or for the program as a whole. These would be exceptional cases.

Health Policy

1. A health record of the child completed by a physician is required before the child can be admitted to the Center. Green health forms will be provided.
2. Children information cards will be provided, and must be completed with ALL necessary information before the child can be admitted to the Center. Each child will need two information cards.
3. Parents must inform the center immediately if their child has contracted a communicable disease and keep their child home during illness.
4. To prevent the spread of infection, parents should observe their children BEFORE sending them to school and to keep them home if any sign of illness are shown. The child may not return to the Center until he or she is able to participate in a normal school day.
5. The Center cannot assume the responsibility of administering medication to your child. If the child is ill enough to receive medication, he or she should remain at home.
6. If your child should become ill during the day, you will be contacted by phone and asked to pick the child up as soon as possible.
7. In case of an accident where medical treatment is necessary, the Dearborn Heights's Fire Department will be called and you will be notified immediately. If the child must be taken to the hospital, an adult will accompany the child.
8. A written report of all injuries will be filed by the teacher.

Discipline Policy

1. The staff at the Crestwood Child Care Center uses only positive teaching methods in the area of child discipline. If a discipline program arises, the teacher will first discuss the problem with the child. If the problem continues, the parents will be notified immediately.
2. The Center does not administer emotional or physical punishment.

Attendance Policy

1. Parents are required to notify the Center when their child will be absent. The Center's phone number is: 1-(313)-278-0558.
2. The Child must be brought to the center and pick up at the scheduled time.
3. A parent or other responsible adult must accompany the child to and from the Center. No child may be released to enter the parking lot without an adult in attendance.
4. For the child's protection, the child will not be released to anyone other than the parent and the persons listed on the child information card.

Food Service and Nutrition Policy

At the Snack Table, the center will provide an individual container of juice or milk for each child, plus a nutritious snack. Each month a Snack and Activity Calendar will be distributed to our families. Our snack menu is designed and provided by Lori Squire, Food Service Director, of the Crestwood School District. Examples of nutritious snacks we serve are: fresh vegetables and dip, fruit, cheese and crackers, bread sticks, bagels and cream cheese, cookies, pretzels, rice krispie treats, sherbet, cheerios and bananas.

For birthday and special party days parents may bring in store bought items. No homemade baked goods are allowed.

Appropriate Dress

1. Comfortable, durable, play clothes are suggested. Children may get paint on their clothes, so please remember this when dressing your child for school.
2. Each child should have a complete change of clothing, labeled with name in a bag. This change of clothing will be kept at the Center for emergencies. The clothing will be returned to you at the end of the year.
3. Dress your children appropriate for the weather.
4. Children should wear gym shoes or shoes with rubber crepe sole for safety reasons.
5. If your child should wear boots to school, please have a pair of shoes in your child's tote bag.
6. Gum, candy and toys should be left at home, and not brought to school.

Daily Crestwood Child Care Time Schedule

Days of Operation

1. The center will be open three days a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Morning Session begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 10:30 a.m. The afternoon Session begins at 11:30 p.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m.
2. The Center follows the Crestwood School District's school calendar.
3. In case of snow days or similar weather emergencies, the Center will be closed when the Crestwood School District and the Livonia School District are closed. Listen to Radio Station WWJ 950 AM, local television station and cable for school closing information.
4. During either a tornado watch or warning, students would be dismissed at normal times. During a warning, a tornado sighted in the area, we will dismiss students when it is determined safe to do so, in consultation with weather and emergency authorities.

Curriculum Outline