Attachments:

1. Discipline and Guidance Policy (TDPRSCCL 06/02/03)
2. Immunization Schedule (Figure 25 TAC §97.221)
3. Communicable Diseases (Minimum Standards for Child-Care Services)

"GETTING TO KNOW US"

Welcome to Kids of the Kingdom Lutheran Child Development Center. This booklet is designed to acquaint you more fully with our program.Hours of operation are 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. We are open January through December and follow San Marcos CISD School calendar for most holidays. We are licensed by Texas Family and Protective Services and meet and maintain the childcare standards set by the state law. The Minimum Standard Rules and Licensing Report as well as Licensing Inspections are posted on the information bulletin board in the hallway. Copies of the Minimum Standard Rules and Licensing Report may be requested. Kids of the Kingdom does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, nationality, ethnic origin or disability in administration of its educational policies and admission policies. Kids of the Kingdom is governed by the Child Care Board elected by the congregation of First Lutheran Church of San Marcos. A parent representative also serves on the Board. The Board meets monthly to make policy decisions and oversee the operation of the center.

We are delighted that you have chosen us to join with you in providing for the care of your developing child. All we expect of the child is that he/she come to school and be himself/herself. We expect parents to read t he policies in the handbook, notes, and newsletters that we send home from time to time. Please feel free to be a part of the school, offering suggestions, comments, and constructive criticisms, as well as financial and moral support.

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OUR SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

Kids of the Kingdom Lutheran Child Development Center is a Christian environment that enhances the love and care of home. We value the individual child and his/her potential, interest, and growth. We accept each child as being uniquely created by God. We provide a variety of activities in an enriched environment that fosters a positive self-image.

PROGRAM GOALS

The goals of Kids of the Kingdom are to provide a safe, loving, happy experience for the children and their parents. By providing an enriched environment, we allow each child to grow at his/her own pace intellectually, emotionally, socially, physically, and spiritually.

Specific goals include:

Intellectual

1. To develop a positive attitude toward learning in a relaxed environment.
2. To sharpen sensory awareness by exploring, observing, listening, touching, tasting, and smelling.
3. To encourage creative expression.
4. To provide experiences in math readiness skills (special relations, numbers, shapes.)
5. To allow discovery and exploration in the area of science (nature, seasons, our senses.)
6. To provide reading readiness and language development opportunities.

Emotional

1. To build a positive self-concept: each child valuing himself/herself as a unique individual created by God.
2. To give approval, praise, and affection to encourage each child to develop confidence in himself/herself and his/her abilities.
3. To help to develop confidence in others (children, parent, teachers.)
4. To help the child recognize and learn acceptable expression of all feelings.
5. To give opportunities for the children to respond to expressions of all feeling.
6. To encourage children to express themselves verbally.
7. To make aware that body motions express emotions (i.e. smile, frown.)
8. To provide a secure and stable environment.

Social

1. To provide small and large group experiences.
2. To provide opportunities for individual play experiences.
3. To develop a sense of sharing, caring, loving, and kindness.
4. To provide boundaries and set limits.
5. To provide opportunities for teacher directed and child initiated activities.
6. To encourage interpersonal skills.
7. To allow to participate as a leader and a follower.
8. To help children understand that others have rights.

Physical

1. To accept each child as God's creation and to be aware of each child's individual growth and development rate.
2. To meet all physical needs (feeding, changing, touching, holding, etc.)
3. To teach good hygiene habits.
4. To arrange rooms to allow for active and quiet, individual, and group activities.
5. To provide appropriate materials and equipment.
6. To keep rooms clean and sanitary.
7. To offer nutritious and appealing snacks and lunch.
8. To provide for a time and a place to rest.
9. To provide for stimulation through change of environment and activities.

Spiritual

1. To provide worship opportunities on the child's level.
2. To develop a habit of giving thanks through prayer for the things God gives us to enjoy.
3. To expose the children to good examples (sharing, helping, kindness, loving, etc.)
4. To increase the child's capacity to make choices between right and wrong.

DEVELOPMENTAL GOALS

Developmental goals are posted in each classroom to reflect age appropriate expectation. All children are evaluated developmentally twice yearly. Progress reports are sent home at that time. A parent-teacher conference will be scheduled during May of each year.

ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES

Enrollment packets must be completed prior to your child attending the center. A current immunization record that meets state requirements must be supplied prior to your child's attendance at the center. A copy of the record will be kept in your child's file and must kept up-to-date while enrolled at the center. A record of a hearing and vision screening is required for all children 4 years of age and older.

A Policy and Procedure Agreement must be signed at the time of enrollment. The policies listed in this handbook are subject to change and revision by Kids of the Kingdom. The parents will be notified in writing of any changes and have the opportunity to withdraw their child/children if not in the agreement of the revised policies.

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation from all SMCISD elementary schools is provided. We also provide transportation for all field trips. Field trips are limited to children ages 3 and older. Parents will be given prior written notification of the field trip.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

The center provides water activities during appropriate times of the year. Parents will be notified in writing of days that water activities will occur so that you can provide appropriate clothing for that day.

Sometimes animals may be brought to the center for special events or activities. Parents will receive written notification prior to the introduction of animals into a classroom. All animals will receive required health checks prior to entering the center and children will be required to follow proper sanitation procedures after handling animals.

DISCIPLINE

All discipline should be in a manner reflecting love. Good behavior is encouraged and recognized. The goal of discipline is to teach each child to be responsible for him/herself and his/her actions. This is achieved by setting consistent guidelines, encouraging verbal expression of feelings, and redirecting inappropriate behavior. Brief separation from the group activity will be used for disruptive or destructive behavior. This is always accompanied by communication of why this behavior is inappropriate and what would have been a more desirable reaction. If disruptive or destructive behavior is a consistent problem, a conference will be arranged with the child's guardian(s) to try to gain further insight and ideas.

We recognize and encourage good behavior. We have fair, consistent rules. We help children to understand why their conduct is unacceptable and what is acceptable in a given situation. Through all of the above and more, we hope the children develop self-control, self-knowledge, security, and future correct behavior.

QUALIFICATIONS OF STAFF

All staff members are dedicated to and trained in early childhood education, first aid, and CPR. All staff members, at minimum, meet current licensing requirements for yearly training hours. Here at Kids of the Kingdom, we ask our teachers to go above the state training requirement, thus staff members will either be CDA certified or be working towards their certification. As required by law, employees are required to have FBI finger print and criminal background checks.

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES

Children should arrive at Kids of the Kingdom by 9:00 a.m. each day. There are many reasons for this policy which include the following:

1. Children are served breakfast between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m., depending upon their age. Children who arrive late miss their snack and may be hungry (and fussy) for the rest of the morning.
2. Children lie down for rest and naps as a group. The child who slept in and arrives late is "out of sync" with the rest of the group for the remainder of the day and this can be hard for the child.
3. The children's morning has planned activity periods scheduled. Those who arrive late miss out on activity periods.
4. Children's nap/rest time is the part of the day when teachers prepare their activities for the next day.
Children who fail to sleep/rest make this very difficult to achieve.
5. Restless, noisy children disturb the rest/sleep of the other children.

As you can see, the policy is designed to meet the needs of each child, the group, and the center. When your child must be absent, please call and let the staff know when you expect to return. When a child is absent because of illness, the type of illness and whether a physician has made a diagnosis is important information for the center to have.

Each child must be brought into the classroom or assigned area each day by an adult (an individual at least 18 years of age.) The child must be picked up in the afternoon by their parent or another adult listed on the child release form. Each child MUST be signed out in his/her classroom each day by the parent or adult picking up the child. The teacher in charge must always be told the child is being taken home. Please NEVER allow your child to leave the building ahead of you. The parking lot is a dangerous place to wait.

A sometimes sensitive area for parents and teachers to deal with is the issue of responsibility for the child once the parent enters the facility. For example, a problem arises if a parent decides to allow his/her child to play alone on the playground while he/she talks to a teacher inside. These situations are often safety related so our position is that Kids of the Kingdom is still responsible for your child as long as the child is in the center and we must continue to enforce our policies. A related situation has occurred with parents wanting to remain on the premises to visit with other parents after closing time while children play on the playground or in the building. It is our position that this is inappropriate.

RELEASE OF CHILDREN

Children will only be released to persons authorized by the parent. Parents give this information at the time of enrollment. At least one person other than the parents must be named who can immediately pick up a child in an emergency when the parents cannot be contacted. A person who is not on the release list may not pick up a child unless the parent writes a note that is signed and dated beforehand. If a call must be made, we may ask for driver's license number to verify identity. The parent who wishes to add someone to the release list for their child may do so in the main office by filling out a form in advance.

All adults who pick up children must adhere to the policies in these matters.

LATE PICK UPS (After 6:00 p.m.)

The center closes at 6:00 p.m., however a staff member will stay until all children are picked up. Late pick up of children will result in the paying of a late fee. The late fee is $1.00 PER MINUTE, PER CHILD. Failure to pay late fees within one week will result in review of enrollment by the Board for possible termination.

After three late pick ups (after 6:05 p.m.) In a six month period, the child(ren) will be suspended from Kids of the Kingdom for up to five days. After the fourth late pick up, enrollment will be reviewed by the Board for possible termination. Parents will be advised in writing when either suspension or termination is imminent.

COMMUNICATION

The young child is very vulnerable to his environment and to those people in his life to whom he feels close. Sometimes there are occurrences in the home that may disturb or temporarily upset your child. These kinds of things create tension to which your child may react. Tension-creating incidents are not necessarily unpleasant; they could be something exciting. Sometimes it might not have been anything anyone else did at all. A child might become upset simply because they do not like the color of shirt they are wearing. Whatever the cause, if you notice your child seems unusually tense, please try to let us know about it. Likewise, if your child's teacher feels it's necessary, she will leave you a note. Please have close communication with your child's teacher for your child's sake. Please read the parent newsletter and calendar, the parent bulletin board in the hall and notes posted in classrooms to stay informed.

We are looking forward to working together with you and your child so the Kids of the Kingdom will be a very pleasant school experience.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Please feel free to visit the center any time without prior approval. We do require you to stop by the office and sign the visitor sheet and a get a visitor tag prior to visiting your child's classroom and then sign out as you leave.

Volunteers are always needed for parties, programs, field trips, and other special events. We are also always in need of repairs. We welcome any parent who is handy in this area to volunteer their time for small projects. Parents are also welcome to volunteer their time in the classroom or help with special projects (such as sewing) at home. We are required by licensing to submit a background check on any parent who plans on visiting a classroom for longer then 15 minutes or those planning on attending field trips. Please visit the office to fill out a form for the background check well in advance to the planned event. These forms must be submitted yearly.

NUTRITION

We serve breakfast; a hot, nutritious lunch with milk; and an afternoon snack. Menus are sent home monthly, but are also posted on the parent bulletin board. The center must have the written approval of a physician, a registered nurse, or licensed dietician for special or therapeutic diets. We also require you to fill out a form for the Federal Food Program we participate in. Please DO NOT send food unless prior approval is given.

BIRTHDAYS

We celebrate birthdays during snack period or after lunch for half-day children. You may send anything that you and your child desire to make this a special time. Please consult with your child's teacher for suggestions and advice on quantity.

WHAT TO WEAR

Please think of your child's comfort and provide simple clothing free of complicated fasteners. Please think of your child's feet in the rocks and provide sensible shoes for running and playing. We do not allow your child to wear flip-flops or thongs. Also, think or our messy art material and other messy activities and provide washable clothing that is sturdy. For your child's health, provide him/her with a hat and jacket or coat when needed. We play outdoors each day unless the weather is intolerable. Children who are too sick to go outside are too sick to be at the center. It is much easier to remove an unneeded item than to need something you do not have. Please send appropriate clothing for each range of temperature that may occur. Finally, think of our collection of unlabelled, unclaimed clothing and other articles, and put names on all items. All children should have a change of clothes left in their cubby at all times in case of accident. Shorts should be worn underneath dresses or skirts. See-through clothing and clothing with offensive printing or designs are not allowed.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

TOYS, FOOD, MONEY, AND PERSONAL BELONGINGS ARE TO REMAIN AT HOME.

Bringing these items to Kids of the Kingdom creates conflict among children. Prized possessions may be lost or broken which causes stress for the child. The exceptions to this are "security objects" which may be part of the child's napping ritual or a specific item that a teacher has requested for that particular day.

ILLNESS

To insure the health of all children, we do not keep children that have symptoms of a contagious disease. If your child is sent home with symptoms, the child will not be readmitted until 24 hours has passed and the symptoms are gone without the use of medication or a note is brought from the doctor saying that your child is not contagious. Children will be excluded from school for various symptoms noted in the health policy that follows.

Children who are not able to participate in daily activities, including outdoor play, should not come to school that day.

If your child is found to be ill, you will be called. You are expected to pick up a sick child within one hour of being called. The center is not equipped to care for sick children. It is unfair to the child to be left in an environment where treatment can not by provided. If three incidents occur within a 12 month period in which a child is ill and is not picked up within one hour of the parent being reached, the family will be asked to seek childcare elsewhere.

HEALTH POLICIES

All children are required to meet state guidelines on immunizations at the time of enrollment and must stay current in order to attend the center. A copy of the current immunization record must be kept on file. Hearing and vision screening is required for children 4 years of age and older. A copy of the screening will be kept on file.

The following guidelines are used to determine whether or not to send a child home:

1. If a child has an oral temperature over 99.9 (armpit temperature of 98.9) or is unable to participate in daily activities.

2. If a child has the following, the parent will be asked to take the child home:

   1. Vomiting - After first episode
   2. Diarrhea - Two loose watery bowel movements
   3. Chicken Pox - Slight fever, fine blisters appearing on scalp, face or body
   4. German Measles - Slight head cold. Swollen glands at back of the neck.
   5. Measles - Runny nose, water eyes, high fever, cough, blotchy rash on body
   6. Mumps - Pain in cheeks, swelling over the jaw and in front of the ear
   7. Eye infections - Red eyes, discharge from eyes, crusted eye lids, bumps on lower lid.
   8. Streptococcal infection - Fever, sore throat
   9. Scarlet Fever - Fine, red rash over body
   11. Rash - Any undetermined rash will need to be diagnosed by a doctor
   12. Head lice
3. A teacher will call a parent if a child's behavior indicates that he is ill (listless, crying, excessively sleepy.)
4. A child may attend school after the following conditions have been treated:
1. Lice - After having a shampoo treatment and all nits are removed
2. Ringworm - After medicine applied and sores are covered
3. Impetigo - Must be being treated and covered
4. Pin Worms - After fingernails are cut and medication begins.
5. Children sent home because of any of the following communicable diseases might return when:
1. Chicken Pox - Sores are dried up or crusted and no new blisters are appearing
2. Diarrhea and Vomiting - Symptoms are gone for 24 hours
3. German Measles - Rash has faded
4. Measles - Rash has faded and child is free of fever for 24 hours
5. Mumps - Swelling is gone.
6. Eye infections - Redness or discharge disappears
7. Streptococcal Infections - 24 hours after antibiotic has begun
8. Scarlet Fever - Rash has gone

EMERGENCIES AT THE CENTER

In case of critical illness or injury during school hours, the child's parents will be contacted immediately. If the parent can not be contacted, EMS will be called.

MEDICATIONS

Medications are kept out of the reach of children. They are stored in the Kids of the Kingdom office at all times. We must keep medications requiring refrigeration separate from food. There is a container in the office refrigerator for medication. We will return medications when no longer used or outdated.

Kids of the Kingdom agrees to administer medications if the following standards are met:

1. Prescription medications must be in the original container labeled with the child's name, date, directions, and the physician's name. We will administer the medication as stated on the label directions. We will not administer medication after the expiration date.
2. We must ensure that nonprescription medication is labeled with the child's name and the date the medication was brought to the center. Non prescription medication must be in the original container. We must administer it according to label directions if approved in writing by child's parent. If label directions are not given for the age of the child that medication is to be administered to, then a physician must approve it in writing.
3. No medicine will be administered by staff without written permission from the child's parent or guardian. Instructions and the name of the medication must be signed in daily on medication authorization sheet on the refrigerator door.

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FACILITY EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Smoke and fire alarms are tested monthly. Fire drills are held monthly to keep the children acquainted with proper conduct. Fire evacuation plans are posted in each classroom. In the case of ice, snow, or flooding, we follow SMCISD emergency school closing recommendations. In the case of hazardous weather prior to opening, check with local media for closing notice. We have annual fire, gas pipe, and sanitation inspections. These are posted on information bulletin board in hallway.

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PARKING

Please park In designated parking spaces when dropping off and picking up your child. Please do not park next to the sidewalk, mailbox or drive-through. The front and side drive-throughs may be used only on rainy days. Please do not stop for conversations if you are blocking the drive-through. Please do not leave keys or valuables in your car when you come in. Do not leave your car running unattended. Do not leave small children in the car unattended. Please do not park behind the van when it is loading and unloading.

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GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

If a problem with the center comes up, the parent should talk about it with the appropriate staff person. Concerns about children or a child's teacher should first be discussed with the teacher. If this does not take care of the matter, it is then discussed with the Director.

Concerns about policy matters should first be discussed in a timely manner with the Director and, if need arises, then with the Kids of the Kingdom Board of Directors. Efforts will be made to settle concerns to the satisfaction of the clients. This must occur, however, within the framework of existing guidelines and center policies, essential to the continued operation of the center. One parent is chosen to be a voting member on the Board to represent the needs and concerns of all parents. Please feel free to contact your parent representative or any other Board member if there are issues that are not able to be resolved with the Director. Any feedback that you may have (positive or negative) and any suggestions you may have are always welcome. The pastor should not be expected to resolve issues regarding Kids of the Kingdom, as he is not part of the governing body.

Contained at the back of the policy guidebook is a list of contact numbers and e-mail addresses.

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VIOLATION OF CENTER POLICIES

The center policies and procedures are designed to comply with accepted procedures for implementation of a developmentally sound children's daycare program. Termination of enrollment may result if any of these policies are not followed. Any parental action that could jeopardize the center's standing with the Department of Family and Protective Services may also result in termination. This listing of reasons for enrollment termination is not all-inclusive. Termination may occur for any reasonable cause, whether specified in the policy handbook or not. Termination of enrollment may be appealed by the parents, in writing, to the Kids of the Kingdom Board.

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KIDS OF THE KINGDOM CONTACT INFORMATION

Director: Pam Clay 353-5437

Assistant Director: Tracy 353-5437

Kids of the Kingdom Board:

President - Laurie Butler 1-830-401-0262
Vice President - Vacant
Treasurer - Beth Roles
Secretary - Wendy Sivilay
Parent Representative - Jo-An Jentsch 1-830-625-3169
Church Council Representative - Mikki Coles
Board Member - Bill Ricker
Board Member - Jo Starr
Additional Contacts:
Local Childcare licensing - (512) 753-2233
Family Protective Services Abuse Hotline - 1 (800) 252-5400
Family Protective Services Website
First Lutheran Church - (512) 392-2064
First Lutheran Church Website

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KIDS OF THE KINGDOM POLICY AND PROCEDURE AGREEMENT

It is important to us that you read and understand the Policy Guidebook we have provided to you. Please initial on spaces provided to verify that the information is correct and then please sign and date at bottom of page.

________ I have read and understood the policies and procedures outlined in the Kids of the Kingdom Policy Guidebook.

________ I have had the opportunity during the enrollment procedure to ask questions about any unclear policy and procedure information.

________ I agree to adhere to these policies and procedures as an enrolled client of the Kids of the Kingdom Child Development Center.

________ I have read and understood the Discipline and Guidance Practices that was provided in the Policy Guidebook.

I understand that these policies are subject to change and revision by Kids of the Kingdom. The parents will be notified in writing of any changes and have the opportunity to withdraw their child/children if not in agreement to the new policies.

I understand that information given to the center regarding my child's status (i.e. physician diagnoses) or my family status, must represent complete and accurate information.

I also understand that providing false information to the center constitutes a violation of center policy.

_________________________________________	_________________
Parent's Signature	Date
________________________________________	_________________
Center Staff Signature	Date

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101 W. Holland St. | San Marcos, TX 78666 | (512) 353 - 5437 | directorkokpclay@yahoo.com

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