A Ministry of First United Methodist Church

400 Scurry

Big Spring, TX 79720

432-267-7511

CDO Parent Handbook 2

2011– 2012

 

 

     We are thrilled your family has chosen to be a part of the Children’s Day Out Ministry! We have been praying for your family and are excited to care, love, and teach your child. We pray that this ministry will be just that – a ministry to your family. We are here to serve you. 

     Enjoy your “day out” and be assured that your child is being well taken care of, loved and appreciated. We feel that “children are a gift of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3) and will partner with you so that each child will be “growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10). 

    Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, or comments. I am happy to help and feel so humbled to serve the Lord and each of you in this special ministry.

 

God’s blessings to your family,

Brenna Hoff

Director of Children’s Day Out Ministry

Church: (432)267-6394

CDO: (432)267-7511

Cell: (432)517-0606

Email: brennanoelhoff@sbcglobal.net

 For your child we pray…

CDO Parent Handbook 3

 

 

Children’s Day Out Ministry is a Children’s Ministry of First United Methodist Church. The purpose is two fold. We minister to parents, grandparents and guardians by providing a “day out” and time of refreshment. We also minister to the family and their children by providing a happy, loving, and Christ-centered environment for children. It is our goal for each child to increase in his or her knowledge of God, laying a foundation to live a life worthy of the Lord.

 

Our program provides a variety of positive learning experiences through loving relationships and happy times at church. Children will engage in daily activities such as art time, story time, music, Bible lesson, outside or gym play, and small age appropriate preschool lessons such as colors, shapes, numbers/counting, and the alphabet. Some materials used will be taken from Pinnacle Curriculum and the Wee Learn Curriculum.

The activities look a lot like play – the way children learn – but they also teach skills, spiritual truths and introduce children to the joy of learning!

 

Our teachers are committed to sharing Christ’s love with each child in our care and exhibit His love and devotion in all areas of life. They share in the heart of this ministry to love and care for the child/ family. All teachers are committed to meet each CDO morning to pray for daily needs, their students and fellow teachers.

As our program grows, additional teachers may be hired or moved into different classrooms to accommodate changing needs. Parents will be kept up to date on all changes and should know with confidence the very best are placed in teaching positions.

 

CDO will follow the public school calendar as best as possible.

Our program will operate on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm.

 

A supply fee is required once a year per child enrolled. This is a $35.00 fee per child and is non-refundable and non-transferable. To ensure a place for your child, early registration is wise, as enrollment is based on order of registration and availability for each age group. You may enroll your child for one day or for both days.

 

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Felicia Vela, our Financial Secretary, will be handling all CDO finances. Felicia’s office is located on the first floor and she is in the office Monday-Friday. Felicia will be available should you have any questions or concerns regarding your account. A “payment box” is located just outside my office on the second floor for payment drop off. Please place payment in an envelope labeled with child’s name and the amount enclosed before dropping it into box.

 

You can also mail payment to:

First Methodist Church

400 Scurry St

Big Spring, TX 79720

 

1.      Tuition will be due the FIRST school day of the month. 

2.     If tuition is not paid within first week of due date, a $5 fee will be charged.

3.     If tuition is not paid within two weeks of due date, a $25 fee will be charged.

4.      Returned check fee = $25

We will NOT be able to continue to carry your child if payments aren’t met and/or arrangements have not been made with Felicia in the financial office. 

 

Mother’s Day Out is a ministry to parents and children in our community. If any monthly assistance is needed for any reason, please contact the Director.

 

 

$125 per month – One child

$115 per month – Second child or more

$75 per month – One child

$65 per month – Second child or more

  

If for any reason you decide to withdraw your child from the program, please notify the Director immediately. We ask no less than two weeks notice given to the Director. Our budget is based on the tuition income, and advance notice will assist us in balancing the operating expenses.

 

We will make every effort to allow a child to attend for the day (drop-in) in an absent child’s place. The fee for drop-ins will be $25 per child, per day.

  

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Children are required to be signed in and out by the parent or guardian every day at the child’s classroom door. Drop off time is 9:00 am. Please do not bring your child earlier than 9:00 am. Teachers will be in a staff prayer meeting until class time as well as preparing for the day. They will be unable to care for your child prior to class time.

 

Please be prompt in picking up your child from CDO. Any child remaining after 3:00 pm will be kept by the CDO staff until the parent/guardian arrives. A late fee of $1.00 per minute will be charged every minute after 3:05 pm. 

 

The parent/guardian that enrolls the child in CDO and signs the agreement/release form has the right to say who may or may not pick up the child from Children’s Day Out. There is a place on the enrollment form to list all persons allowed to pick up the child. The CDO staff will verify names and valid driver’s licenses with the list.

 

Any changes needing to be made concerning the release of your child must be given to the Director by the parent/guardian. Your child will not be released to anyone other than the parent or guardian unless we are notified.

 

Only healthy children will be accepted to the CDO ministry. We are depending on your help to maintain this policy. We cannot accept a child who is suffering from any of the following:

Your child is to be symptom free or cleared by a doctor 24 hours prior to returning to CDO. For example, if your child experienced fever on Sunday morning but stopped having symptoms around noon, your child will not be allowed to return until noon on Monday.

 

If your child develops the above symptoms during the day, a parent will be contacted and asked to pick up their child immediately.

 

If your child’s illness prevents him/her from participating comfortably in CDO or results in greater need for care than the CDO staff can provide without compromising the health, safety and supervision of the other children, we ask that your child not attend. This is also for the health of other children, their families, teachers and their families.

 

Parents will be notified when their child has been exposed to a communicable disease while attending CDO. Parents/guardians should likewise notify the Director immediately when their child has been exposed to a communicable disease. The child will be restricted to attend until a doctor states that it is safe for the child to return to school.

 

CDO Parent Handbook 6

Each child is required to have a current immunization record. We must have a

copy of this record on file for your child. If immunizations are not current, they

must be completed as soon as medically possible to remain enrolled.

 

If medication needs to be dispensed during the day, a parent should hand deliver

all medications to the Director. The Director will dispense the medication only if

it is labeled and in the original container. A parent must sign the medicine

consent form when delivering the medication to the Director. All medicine

administered will be documented.

 

 

In case of serious accident or sudden emergency, the parent/guardian or the

persons listed on the enrollment form will be notified immediately. In extreme

emergency, the child will be taken to the emergency room at Scenic Mountain

Medical Center.

 

In case of minor injury while at CDO, there will be an accident report filled out

for you to sign at the end of the day. This report will remain a part of your child’s

file as long as he/she is enrolled in Children’s Day Out.

 

Please notify us with any changes to emergency contact numbers.

 

 

Each class will maintain a guideline of daily activities so the day runs smoothly. Your child will also grow to appreciate the routine. A schedule will be posted in the classroom as well as a copy given to the parents. Times are approximate.

 

A small snack will be provided mid-afternoon to toddlers and older. As organized by the teacher, a different child in the class is to provide a snack for all children on his/her assigned date. These snacks should be nutritious such as: fruit, variety of crackers, etc.

 

Children are to bring their own nutritious lunch. It should be finger foods or easy to eat items that do not need to be microwaved or refrigerated. Infants are an exception to this guideline. If your child drinks all that is sent with them for the day, apple juice or water will refill their cup unless we are otherwise notified.

 

CDO Parent Handbook 7

 

For One – Four Year Old classes, children will need a nap mat.  You may also provide your child a blanket and pillow, if need be. These items will be kept at school.

 

Children will be required to rest on their nap mats for the allotted time. They are not required to sleep, but required to rest quietly. On occasion, an appropriate G-rated movie may also be played during this time for older children.

 

 

Weather permitting, the children will have outside play each day. Please bring outerwear that is appropriate for the weather. If playing outside is not appropriate, children will have gym/playroom time or a special time to work on large motor skills.

 

 

Comfortable, washable, season appropriate PLAY clothes are requested. Please dress your child in easy to pull up and down pants.

 

A change of clothing including underwear and socks will be needed in case of any

accidents.  All clothing needs to be clearly marked with the child’s name. CDO cannot be responsible for items that are not clearly labeled.

 

Please send your child in season appropriate clothing and outerwear.

 

 

Please keep your child’s personal toys at home. This helps so that they do not become lost or broken. If a security item is needed during nap time, please limit it to only one item. Please also label all items brought (nap blankets, pillow, school supplies, drink cups, etc).

 

 

A list of supplies is requested for each child. These supplies aid in classroom

management and in art time. They also aid in keeping Tuition costs at an affordable price. Please clearly label all supplies as any unused supplies will be

returned at the end of the year.

 

All children must be potty trained before they are promoted to the 3 year old class. Those with children still in diapers need to provide ample supply of diapers and wipes. Diapers should be labeled with your child’s name.

Teachers will assist children as needed in their toileting needs. For those currently being potty trained, please share with the teacher special needs and requests.

CDO Parent Handbook 8

 

 

We will celebrate Fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Spring and the End of the Year with a party. Teachers will be coordinating all the details for their class. A sign up sheet provided by the teacher will help coordinate the needed items. Parents are welcome to attend. Teachers also welcome any parent who would like to serve as a helper in the party.

 

Birthdays are very special especially to children. If your child wishes to bring a treat to share with the class, it is welcomed. Snack Time is the recommended time to celebrate. Please arrange all details with the teacher.

 

Throughout the year, we will participate in outreach projects in some form. The

children, taking an active role in helping others, will experience first hand the spiritual truths taught such as giving, loving others and putting others first.

Ministry project information will be sent home in the monthly newsletter.

 

 

Our main objective is to love your child as Jesus does. Our discipline will be positive and will encourage children to make good choices instead of focusing on the negative. Should a problem arise, corrective measures of a verbal reminder, restriction of privileges, or a brief timeout period will be used by the teacher. Should a child demonstrate a more aggressive or disruptive behavior the parent will be contacted, and the CDO staff will work together with the parent to solve the problem.

 

Aggressive or disruptive behavior must not be overlooked because it sends a message to the other students in our care that this behavior is acceptable. A child needs to know that it is never “okay” to hurt another child or adult. If at any time the CDO staff observes behavior that puts the child, another child or the staff’s physical safety or wellbeing in jeopardy, CDO reserves the right to remove that child from the program.

 

If you do have any concerns about your child, please feel free to talk with the teacher or the Director. We will refrain from talking about the child in their presence but will be happy to coordinate a set aside time to discuss any issues.

 

 

We strive to work with your family in partnership to love and teach your child. Please feel free to talk with your child’s teacher or the Director.

 

A monthly newsletter from the Director will be sent home with upcoming events and important information. This is the primary means of communicating information. 

 

A daily class news report will also be sent home from the teacher with what the class is learning or special events.

 

CDO Parent Handbook 9

 

 

With any concerns you may have with the program or with your child, please talk with either the child’s teacher or the Director so issues can be quickly resolved. Your suggestions are welcome as well, as we seek to constantly improve.

 

 

During these infant and preschool years, it is normal for children to show signs of

separation anxiety, which is the most common fear in children. Typically beginning about 9 months through age 2, many children begin to exhibit signs of separation anxiety if left for any period of time with others or even another parent.

 

At Children’s Day Out, because so many of the children enrolled are cared for daily by a parent or grandparent and have not been exposed to the full-time daycare environment, many children will be anxious, cry and be upset when left. This is common for the first couple of days a child attends. We assure you that we will care, love and reassure your child. You will be notified if you child does not calm down within 15 minutes. The following are tips given from therapists from Purdue University Anxiety Clinic when dealing with children who are experiencing separation anxiety. They are just suggestions that should help.

 

• Always accompany your child to their class room. Give them the opportunity to enter alone while you wait outside the door.

 

• Leave quickly after reassuring and goodbyes. Lingering around or staying in the

classroom will only prolong the situation. Hand your child over to the teacher

and know he or she is in good hands.

 

• Compliment your child’s brave behavior.

 

• Talk to your child about what is going to happen beforehand. Spend some time

talking to your child about what to expect, assuring that you will return.

 

• Establish a ritual. When leaving, try to do the same things every day such as a

hug, kiss, and saying, “See you later, alligator!”

 

• Push the positives. Talk to your child about the fun things that happen at CDO

such as story time, lunch with friends, snack time, art, etc.

 

• Make sure your child gets enough rest. If tired, your child may be cranky and

even more clingy. On average, preschoolers require 12 hours of sleep.

CDO Parent Handbook 10

 

• Know the crying will stop. Most of the crying stops within minutes of the parent

leaving, so take comfort in that reality. Teachers are trained to engage your child

in a fun activity or to begin playing with friends.

 

• Take perspective. Give your newly established routine two weeks. Most children

will have adjusted in that amount of time and find they love playing with new

friends, new activities and love their teacher. The separation can be harder on

you than on your child, but short periods away from your child will leave you

feeling more refreshed and balanced. Enjoy your time!

  

 

CDO Parent Handbook 11

 

 

 

Parents, please read, sign/date and detach for our records:

 

CDO Parent Handbook 12