POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

GENERAL POLICIES

All toys and personal items must be left at home.

Toys, Games, Equipment -We have a large selection of materials at the centers for children to play with and ask that you do not let your child bring any from home. The exceptions would be a comforting stuffed animal or security item for prekindergarten and kindergarten, and on special activity days.

Field Trips - Parents will be notified in advance and asked to sign a permission form prior to the field trip. Purchases of snacks and souvenirs are not permitted to be made while on a field trip.

Birthdays - We are happy to celebrate the child's special day. Parents may bring in a treat to share with the group on the birthday.

Outdoor Play - Children will go outside for a walk or play on any day that the weather permits - when it is not very cold or wet. Please send adequate outdoor clothing every day so your child will be comfortable outdoors. If a child is not well enough to go outdoors, perhaps the child needs more recuperation time at home. Mittens (not gloves) for prekindergarten children are recommended.

Confidential Information - Parents may have access to information files which are kept for each child. These files may include anecdotal records of the child's progress in the child care program.

Legal Documents - If you have legal documents restricting visitation or the transporting of your child, please furnish a copy to your child's Center Supervisor.

ADMISSION POLICIES
Enrollment is open to all children age 4 through grade 5 provided the program can meet the needs of the child and space is available. Not all centers include a Prekindergarten or Kindergarten program. Prekindergarten children must be four years of age before October 1at of the school year in which enrollment is requested. Children must meet the same age requirements for grade levels in the Child Care Program as in the District. In the spring of the fifth grade year, parents and students will be contacted and invited to an orientation hosted by the middle school. During this orientation at the middle school, academics and after school activities are explained.

ADMISSION PROCEDURE
The philosophy, goals and policies of the Bethlehem Area School District Child Care Program and general information concerning the child shall be shared between parent/guardian and staff prior to child's entry into the program.
Completed forms including an Emergency Information Form shall be submitted to the Center Supervisor accompanied by an annual one week advanced payment. This amount will be credited against the tuition charge for the final week that the child is enrolled in the program if the Center Supervisor is given ample advanced notice. Completion of these forms and payment of fee constitutes registration.
Health appraisal is required at time of admission for all students as mandated by the State Department of Public Welfare. In addition, an age-appropriate health assessment shall be conducted and reported to the Centers according to the recommended schedule for routine health supervision by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The schedule requires a health assessment at the age of 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, and 12.

RE-ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES
All paperwork in each child's file must be complete and updated at the beginning of each school year. Incomplete files may require withdrawal from the program.
All children, including those being re-enrolled, are required to submit a non-refundable one week advanced payment which will be credited towards the charge for the last full week of school year care. This advanced payment may be given to the Center Supervisor as early as January 1, 2005 but no later than May 31, 2005 in order to guarantee a space for the 2005-2006 school year.

WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURE
When withdrawing your child from the program, please inform the Center Supervisor in writing, at least two (2) weeks in advance. This is especially important when an advanced fee payment has been made. Two weeks notice insures that the advanced payment will be properly credited and not forfeited.

STAFF QUALIFICATIONS
All staff meet the requirements in their individual positions of the Department of Public Welfare which licenses our Centers. Each Center Supervisor has a degree in early childhood education, elementary education or the human services field. Assistant Center Supervisors and Aides have had extensive experience working with children. All staff are required to participate annually in a minimum of six classroom hours of training in addition to Basic First Aid training, and Fire Safety. Basic Water Safety is required for summer employees.