Saturday, July 31st, 2010

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Policies


Creative Years Child Development & Learning Center, is licensed by the State of New Hampshire’s Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Child Care Standards and Licensing, and complies with all of the standards put forth by these Departments.

Admissions

Children who are between six (6) weeks old up to twelve (12) years of age are eligible to enroll. Enrollment is on a rolling basis.

Procedures

Admission requirements and enrollment procedures are as follows:

  • When you register your child a non-refundable fee is due.
  • The registration fee is an annual fee due in August of each year.
  • All children must have a application form on file completely filled out with emergency contacts and numbers.
  • Updated health forms are also required.

Parents must review and up-date their child’s registration form yearly or as situations change.

Cell Phones

We ask that you please refrain from using cell phones inside the Center. Please finish all calls before entering the building or ask to use the staff room. We see the excitement of each child as his/her parents arrive to pick them up. They have so much to tell you and we do not want you to miss out on this very important part of the day.

Birthdays

A birthday is a very important and exciting day in a child’s life. If you wish, you may send in cupcakes, cookies, ice cream or any other treat for your child to share with his/her classmates on this very special day.

Behavior Guidance Plan

Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS)

Creative Years uses PBIS as its school-wide behavior management program. Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) is a national behavior management system that is currently in place in many schools and early childhood settings across the country.

PBIS is “a sustainable, proactive process that improves social, behavioral and academic outcomes through positive, preventive evidence-based strategies and data-based decision-making” (Muscott & Mann, 2003). More simply, PBIS focuses on the positive. We want children to feel capable of handling their behaviors and to do so in a positive way.

Creative Years has three school wide rules (behavioral expectations): Be Safe, Be Kind and Treat Our Things with Care. These rules are directly taught to the students, consistently reinforced and rewarded and re-taught as necessary. In order for children to feel confident and capable of handling their own behaviors we must first teach them what is expected and not assume prior knowledge. For example, during the first week of school the children may learn how to safely play on the playground. At the appropriate time, the classroom teacher will take out his/her students to the playground where a mini-lesson will be taught on what types of behaviors are expected on the playground. The children will practice these behaviors and positive behaviors will be reinforced.

What makes this program successful is the collaboration of parents and teachers. By using consistent language, consequences and reinforcements the children quickly learn what is expected of them. Our staff is always willing to support our parents in this process by providing information, answering questions and giving suggestions. Throughout the year we have a few Parent Information Nights along with Parent / Child breakfasts with Mrs. Sprout (our school mascot).

Referral Process

Our staff is well trained to educate and care for each child. Part of this process includes detecting developmental delays and/or suggesting special services that might be in the best interest of the child. If such a situation should arise we would follow the procedures listed below:

  • Teachers regularly observe every child. If a teacher notices behavior that is of concern they will make written note of such behaviors.
  • Teachers will notify parents of the behaviors they have witnessed.
  • With parental consent, the teacher, Director and/or outside specialist will conduct further observations.
  • All parties involved will discuss their observations.
  • A meeting is held with the parents to discuss findings and suggest appropriate services if necessary.
  • Regular observations and meetings are held to review the case.

Staff Qualifications

All staff working with children are required by State law to conform to specific guidelines. At Creative Years we employ highly qualified staff, many of which have degrees above and beyond what is required. All staff attend Early Childhood trainings throughout the year to keep abreast of any and all information new to the field.