DAYCARE POLICIES

     GENERAL POLICIES

• Bethel Daycare is open Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  
  
• Bethel is closed for the following holidays:
  
  
  • New Year's Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Fourth of July
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving and the day after
  • Christmas Day.

If any of these fall on a Saturday, we will be closed the Friday before.  If they fall on Sunday, we will close the Monday after.  Adjustment in fees will not be made on these days.

• Parents must not bring a child to the Daycare if the child shows any signs of illness or is unable to participate in the normal routine and regular program of the Daycare.  Should such illness be contagious, the parent needs to inform the Daycare and must secure a physician's written release prior to returning the child to the Daycare.  Should the child become ill during attendance, the parent will be contacted and must come for the child within an hour of contact.
  
  
• The vacation policy allows parents freedom from full payment a maximum of two weeks annually (September through August).  There is a nominal charge for a vacation week.
  
  
• Breakfast, a morning snack, lunch and an afternoon snack are provided.
  
  
• Diapers are provided for those children who are not potty-trained.
  
  

     ADMISSION POLICIES

• Children are eligible for enrollment at Bethel Daycare if they are between the ages of walking one year old to age 12 provided programming and enrollment space exists.  We will enroll only those children who are at a stage of growth and development which enables them to benefit from the care and educational program.  We cannot provide service to any child whose needs cannot be met or whose behavior endangers other children.
  
  
• The parent is responsible for completing all enrollment forms prior to the child's attendance and returning these to Bethel with a registration fee.  The physical and immunization forms must be completed by a physician and returned within 30 days once a child begins at Bethel.  In cases when enrollment space is unavailable, children will be placed on a waiting list and will be contacted when space is available for enrollment.  Once a date to begin has been given to you for your child and you have accepted the space available, your registration fee is then nonrefundable.
  
  

     POSSESSIONS

• Bethel Daycare Ministry provides all food, along with play and developmental learning materials for children while in attendance at the Daycare.  We ask that you provide a complete change of clothing to be kept in the child's cubby.  Soiled clothing will be placed in a plastic bag and put into their cubby.  We ask that you remove the soiled clothing at the end of the day and replace the change of clothing the next day.
  
  
• The Daycare cannot be responsible for lost articles of clothing, blankets or toys but can minimize such loss if parents mark all possessions.
  
  
• Each child needs a blanket for nap time.  A special comfort item such as a stuffed toy, may also be brought for nap time.  The blanket should be taken home and washed at the end of each week.
  
  
• Each child may also bring one toy that fits into their cubby.  They can play with it during free time at the teacher's discretion.  Fighting toys such as guns, knives or swords are not allowed at Bethel.
  
  
• Please do not bring your child to the Daycare eating or drinking food from home or chewing gum or candy.
  
  

     CELEBRATIONS
Families are welcome to celebrate special events such as birthdays, by bringing in store-bought treats for their child's classmates.  This is optional and is open to the desires of individual families.


     SCHEDULES
Daily schedules are posted in each classroom.  We encourage you to ask questions about your child's day.  Visits to the classroom are allowed at any time.


      WHAT TO BRING TO LEAVE AT BETHEL

• a weather appropriate complete change of clothes
  
  
• a blanket
  
  
• a quiet sleep toy
  
  
• a swimsuit and towel (seasonal)
  

 BITING POLICY
The following procedures will be implemented when a child age 1-12 bites another child at the Daycare:

• The first time a child bites another child, an incident report will be filled out by the teacher, signed by one of the office staff and a copy given to the parents of both children.  The child who bit will be put in time-out for a period of one (1) minute per year of age.
  
  
• The second time a child bites another child, an incident report will be filled out by the teacher, signed by one of the office staff and a copy given to the parents of both children. The child will have one drop of liquid soap placed on their tongue and they will then be put in time-out as described in step 1.
  
  
• The third time a child bites another child, step 2 will again be implemented and the parent will be called to set up a conference with the Director and the child's teacher.  At the conference, a plan of action will be developed with the input of those present.  This plan will be followed in the event that the child bites again at the Daycare.
  
  
• If the Daycare continues to have problems with the child after following the plan developed at the conference in step 3, the Director may terminate the child's enrollment at Bethel Daycare.
  
  
• Bethel Daycare Staff will not proceed to step 2 unless it has been less than two (2) weeks since the first incident of biting.  Depending on the age of the child involved, they may not remember the consequences of their actions. In these cases, the staff will start over with step 1.
  
  

Please call 489-3650
with any questions.