PRE-SCHOOL HANDBOOK

NORTHWOOD DAY CARE CENTER

June 1, 2002

PHILOSOPHY

We believe that parents are the primary educators of their children - emotionally, physically, spiritually, and intellectually.
We believe the Bible to be the only inspired, infallible, authoritative Word of God.
We believe God loves, cares for, and is concerned for children, and He equips workers for ministry to children.
We believe that Northwood Day Care Center should cooperate with and support the parent's efforts to "train up a child in the way he should go . . ." (Proverbs 22:6)

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The administration and staff of Northwood Day Care Center purposes to:

Provide Christ-centered care for children of our community in the absence of their parent(s).
Provide quality child care at affordable rates.
Provide employment opportunities for Christian workers with the talents and professional qualifications necessary to train children.
Provide developmentally appropriate opportunities for children to learn.
Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to the children and their families.

AIMS

Emotionally - by encouraging participation and cooperation in group activities which will help build the child's sense of security and confidence in their abilities.
Physically - by offering experiences which will develop large and small muscle coordination and motor skills.
Spiritually - by inclusion of God's Word interspersed in daily activities led by staff that model Christ-like character.
Intellectually - by exploring and using first-hand experiences which help to build enthusiasm for learning.

AUSPICES

Northwood Day Care Center is an extension ministry of Northwood Assembly, Inc., under the organizational control of Northwood Academy, and is registered (#286) with the South Carolina Department of Social Services.

HOURS OF OPERATION

6:30 AM - 6:00 PM Monday through Friday

BUSINESS OFFICE HOURS

7:30 AM - 4:00 PM Wednesday and Thursday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM Friday

During the summer for three weeks (typically the week following June 15 through the first week of July), the business office opens to serve the public on Fridays only (7:30 - 6:00). This period coincides with the ending/beginning of our fiscal year. The business office is closed Christmas week.

HOLIDAYS

The center is closed for the following holidays:

New Year's Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
July 4
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day and Friday following
Christmas week (NOTE: the week that includes Christmas Day)

Notices of closure will be prominently posted in advance of the holiday. There is no charge for service during Christmas week closure.

ADMISSION

Northwood Academy and Northwood Day Care Center have an open admission policy with regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin. No discrimination is permitted against any student on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs, athletic, and other school administered programs

South Carolina law requires a copy of each child's immunization record (DHEC #1148) be on file at the day care center. This is to be provided before the child starts day care and updated with each new immunization.

VACATION

Two weeks of vacation are available each pre-school year (June 1 - May 31) for nursery and pre-school children. Vacation is for absences of 5 consecutive service days and may be used for illness. A credit will be applied to the account when vacation is registered in the business office.

FEES/BILLING

Current rate schedules and business office policies are available from the business office, located on the lower school campus, building E, first floor.

PROMOTION

The director reserves the right to place a child in the group determined to be the most developmentally appropriate for the child. Normally, promotion occurs at the end of each school year, around the first week of June, for all children. Promotion from Northwood Day Care Center into Northwood Academy kindergarten is not automatic. Each child enrolled in the day care center and eligible for either K4 or K5 will be evaluated for school readiness by school staff.

FOOD SERVICE POLICY

Generally, all food must be provided from the home. Milk is available at an additional charge. "Emergency" breakfast, lunch and snack items are available at an additional charge. Microwaves are available for lunch heat-ups for all day care pre-school groups. All food containers, including baggies, should be labeled with the child's name. Glass containers and sodas (including iced tea) are prohibited in the pre-school day care center.

The following applies to all groups other than Infants:

Breakfast is served in the cafeteria at 7:30 for school students and at 8:30 for pre-school children. Disposable spoons and bowls are available. Suggested items include: instant oatmeal or grits, cereal (box or baggie), cheese toast, fruit, etc. A drink must be sent, or milk will be provided at an additional charge. Hot water is available for staff to prepare instant breakfast cereals. NOTE: Studies confirm our belief that a nutritious breakfast contributes significantly to a child's school success. Sugar-laden breakfast (donuts, etc.) is discouraged.

Lunch is served in the room or in the cafeteria, depending on the child's age. Time schedules for lunch are available from the classroom teacher. Pre-schoolers' lunch items requiring heating must be sent in a securely sealed, microwaveable container. Spoons and bowls are available. Suggested items include: "lunch bucket" type meals, sandwich, fruit, left-overs, yogurt, and other nutritious foods. A drink must be sent or milk will be provided at an additional charge. No dessert items are served during the lunch period. Frozen dinner-type (size) meals are not allowed due to time and space limitations. K3 students will have fast-food type lunches offered during the school year. These can be ordered in advance and an additional charge applies.

Afternoon snack is served after nap time. Disposable spoons are available. Suggested items include: pop-top fruit or pudding, crackers, cheese, fruit, snack cake, etc. A drink must be sent, or milk will be provided at an additional charge.

INFANTS ONLY

All food and drinks for infants must be provided from the home. Bottles must be prepared and ready for use; un-used bottles will be sent home at the end of the day. NO GLASS BOTTLES will be served. A box of infant cereal and a container of juice (to fill "sippy" cups) may be stored in the infant room refrigerator. Baby food may be sent in its original jar; it will be served from disposable bowls. Food must be sent daily; leftovers will be returned home each day. Infants using the day care center must be willing and able to take a bottle. Mothers desiring to nurse during the day may sign the infant out to nurse and back in upon their return to the infant room.

EXCLUSION FOR HEALTH

Northwood is a well-child facility and as such will exclude a child who:

Has a fever of 100F or greater.
Has diarrhea or vomiting.
Has conjunctivitis (pink-eye)
Has other communicable issues (ring worm, head lice, etc.)
Children who are sent home from the day care center after becoming ill are required to be treated and/or symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to the center. Children who are returning after chicken pox are required to be cleared by the director, normally 7 - 14 days after initial breakout. Parents called to pick up an ill child are expected to make necessary arrangements within the hour. NOTE: A child may be excluded from the Day Care Center if they appear unable to participate in the activities of their assigned group.

MEDICATION

Medication will be administered consistent with its labeling. Only medication prescribed by a physician will be administered at the day care center. Over the counter type medicine require a physician's prescription or note for administration, including the child's name, dosage, and frequency. A refrigerator is available for storage of medication. All medication is to be handed directly to the attending teacher for securing.

NAP TIME

All children in K5 and below are required to have an assigned rest time. Children in the Infant room will be assigned a crib for nap times. Other children will nap on a KinderMat, available at local discount stores. If one is not sent from home, one will be issued at additional cost. Mats will be replaced if they are torn, etc., exposing the foam rubber pad. Children are encouraged to bring a pillow case (king size) to slip over their mat as well as a small blanket for nap time. A baby-size pillow is also permitted. Sleeping toys are not permitted. All personal nap items are to be stored in a small, zipper-type bookbag/backpack. Linens are to be taken home each Friday for laundering and should be returned each Monday. All linens are to be clearly labeled with the child's name. Generally, nap time for toddlers through early threes is from 12:00 until 2:30; nap time for older threes through K5 is from 1:00 until 3:00. Children may not be signed into day care during nap times.

CLOTHING/DRESS CODE

Children should be comfortably dressed according to weather conditions. Flip-flops are not permitted; sandals are discouraged but are permitted provided they have an ankle strap. Gym-type shoes with socks are best. Slogan t-shirts bearing inappropriate messages are not permitted. Jewelry and hair beads are discouraged and, if a choke hazard, will be removed. A complete change of clothes is to be available in case of accidents.

LOST AND FOUND

Non-labeled clothing and other items left in the day care center will be taken to the lost and found rack in the gymnasium. If not claimed, items will be donated to a local charity.

PERSONAL ITEMS/SUPPLIES NEEDED

Parents of infants are required to provide adequate supplies of the following:

Disposable diapers (minimum of 8 per day)
Diaper wipes
Diaper ointment/powder
Change of clothing (2 per day)

Bibs, crib blanket, burp cloths, washcloths, and crib sheets are provided.
Parents of toddlers and two year olds are required to provide adequate supplies of the following:

Disposable diapers (minimum 5 per day)
Diaper wipes
Diaper ointment/powder
Change of clothing

Bibs and washcloths are provided.

All children, K3 - K5, should have a complete change of clothes in case of an accident. Children may not bring toys from home except on their assigned "show & tell" day or on special, announced occasions. All personal items should be clearly labeled with the child's name and must be picked up at the end of the day. Northwood Day Care Center is not responsible for damage or loss to personal property.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Special events, such as holidays, birthdays, etc., are recognized and celebrated throughout the year. Parents are invited to participate and encouraged to coordinate their participation with their child's teacher. As a Christian day care center, our emphasis for holidays such as Christmas and Easter is on the birth and resurrection of Jesus. We do not recognize or celebrate holidays such as halloween.

POTTY TRAINING

The staff of the day care center will assist the parents in the potty training process. Several changes of clothes must be sent in case of accidents. Potty training will be undertaken at the center when the child is able to ask to go to the bathroom. Children will not be left on the toilet or potty seat for a protracted period in hopes of "using" the potty. Positive approaches to training are utilized. Child-sized toilets are located in each classroom. Modesty and personal hygiene are encouraged as children are trained to finish dressing while still in the bathroom and wash their hands when done. Children must be able to manage their own clothing during the training process; items like belts and tights make this difficult and may be removed.

DRIVING AND PARKING AT NORTHWOOD

Safety for the children and consideration of other drivers are the basis for our policies related to driving and parking on the Northwood campus. Parking spaces are clearly marked and the speed limit is "one foot on the brake." Be vigilant for children to do the unexpected. Carports are designated safety zones and are off-limits for parking, even in the rain. Cars are never to be left parked and running and children are never to be left in a parked car.

ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE PROCEDURE

Parents or other responsible adults are to sign their child in upon arrival and sign them out upon departure from the day care center. Parents are responsible to ensure the attending staff member is aware of arrival/departure. Children may arrive and depart at any time during the day with the following exceptions:

Children may not be signed into day care during nap times.
Children (school-age) needing breakfast service must arrive by 7:30.
Children (pre-school) needing breakfast service must arrive by 8:30.

AUTHORITY TO RELEASE CHILD

Only the custodian (parent/guardian) may determine who may pick up the child from day care. A pre-approved list is provided on the Student Registration form and may be updated, in writing, as needed. If a special circumstance arises, verbal or written permission may be given to a staff member in person or by phone by the parent. Children will not be released to anyone without specific consent of the parent and validation of I.D. (drivers license, etc.). Children will be released to non-custodial parents with a court order or with the custodial parent's permission. If the care, custody, and control of the child is defined by court order, the pertinent portions of the order must be made available to the center.

CONTACTING PARENTS

Parents will be contacted in the event of an emergency, accident, sickness, behavioral difficulty, etc., using the phone numbers listed on the Student Registration form. It is imperative that the parent/emergency contact information be current; it must be updated with moves, job changes, etc. Failure to provide accurate/current information needed for the appropriate care of the child will be grounds for termination of the service.

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

Briefly, children are expected to be able and willing to obey instructions and be kind to others. We believe children learn these behavior expectations precept upon precept, line upon line (Isaiah 28:10). A system of rewards and consequences accompany consistent, positive instruction. Dismissal for behavior is rare but may occur for failure to meet specific behavior expectations or correct specific behavior deficiencies.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

Generally, Northwood will close or delay opening in conjunction with tri-county schools. Announcements of any decision to close or delay opening of Northwood will be made through the following avenues in addition to our internal voice mail system. All announcements made for Northwood Academy apply to Northwood Day Care Center.

Radio Television

WKCL FM 91.5 WCBD-TV Channel 2
WTMA AM 1250 WCIV-TV Channel 4
WCSC-TV Channel 5