OUR PHILOSOPHY
No one is more important to the world of tomorrow than the children of today. As adults, we can offer one great gift to the children in our lives, which will help build their character and demonstrate our love. Time is one of the most precious gifts to give to a child. The Young Scholars Child Care Center is committed to providing each child with caring and nurturing individual attention.
First, we think that children need a safe, clean, healthy and stimulating environment in which to grow and develop emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. Our center was built around that idea! We provide an environment that allows children to learn using all five of their senses: Vision, Hearing, Touching, Tasting, and Smelling. We also believe that children develop and learn by interacting with adults, with each other, and with the world around them. We spend individual time with each child. Children also learn valuable lessons by watching and interacting with other children.
By providing a healthy and safe environment, and the tools children need, each child can build a solid foundation that will carry them through a lifetime of growing and learning. Here at the Young Scholars Child Care Center, we emphasize the importance of giving each child the attention they need to grow by offering them a wide variety of child-oriented, growing experiences.
OUR ANTI-BIAS STATEMENT
Our anti-bias statement has been developed in accordance with that of the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs. This statement states that as a team of staff, we will strive to educate children of all races, religions, family backgrounds, cultures, gender, abilities, and ethnicity with equal respect and consideration.
Our child care program provides children of both genders with equal opportunities to take part in all activities. Books, dolls, toys, photos, art-work, crafts, and recording that reflect diverse images will be used in daily activities and events for education. We initiate activities and discussions to build knowledge of value in differences and a positive self-identity. Positive discussion is encouraged about each child’s physical characteristics and cultural heritage.
Cultural diversity is an American norm. Recognition of and respect for unique cultural heritage is essential. Culture provides a source of identity, a framework for interpreting the world, the basis for a feeling of belonging, and the basis for aesthetic values. With these statements, our child care center will make a firm rule that a person’s identity is never an acceptable reason for humiliation or rejection. We will strive to make adaptations for any special need, as well as work in partnership with any and all outside services.<./p>
Please help us to continue to broaden our knowledge and understanding of the personal identities and framework involved in our center’s families by filling out a background questionnaire.
Standard 10: Leadership and Management
Young Scholars effectively implements policies, procedures, and systems that support stable staff and strong personnel, and fiscal, and program management so all children, families, and staff have high quality experiences. Effective management and operations, knowledgeable leaders, and sensible policies and procedures are essential to building a quality program and maintaining the quality over time.
What to look for in the Young Scholars program:
Our administrative team have the necessary educational qualifications, including a degree from college and specialized courses in early childhood education, child development, or related field.
Our program is licensed and regulated by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Our program’s written policies and procedures are shared with families and address issues such as the program’s philosophy and curriculum goals, policies on guidance and discipline, and health and safety procedures.
Appropriate group sizes and ratios of teaching staff to children are maintained (for example, 4-year-olds—no more than 20 children in a group, with 2 teaching staff).
ADMISSION OF CHILDREN
- Enrollment is open to children age six weeks to twelve years. All children must be up to date with immunizations.
Required Forms:
- Enrollment Date Form
- Consent for Release of Information
- In Case of Emergency Form
- Emergency Medical Care Authorization
- Pick-Up Authorization
- Health and Social Form
- Health History
- Demographic Information
- ASQ Consent Form
- Transportation Release
- Family Handbook Agreement
- Confidentiality Agreement
- Consent of DCFS Child Care Pamphlet
- Original Birth Certificate of Student
- Report of Health Examination, including all immunizations up to date
- Registration Fee (Non-Refundable)
- Deposit Fee
STATE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Our center follows the Illinois state licensing regulations and standards. These standards relate to our facility, staff, nutrition, recordkeeping, staff to child ratios, safety procedures, and health documentation.
Our center is subject to inspection by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the city of Island Lake, the McHenry County Health Department, and the State Fire Marshall.
SIGN-IN & OUT PROCEDURES
When a child is attending our center, the parent or authorized person is required to sign the child in and out. The authorization for another person besides the parents to pick up your child should be given on the Enrollment form and must be updated in writing from time to time. At times a staff member may not recognize a parent or authorized person to pick up your child and will ask for identification before releasing the child. A photo ID is required.
If either parent wishes to place restrictions on the other parent or legal guardian, a copy of court orders or other legal documentation regarding rights must be submitted to the Director. This information will be kept in the child’s file and will abide by all legally authorized restrictions. Under no circumstance will a child be allowed to leave the center alone or with a sibling or relative under the age of 18 years.
TUITION AND FEES
Tuition can be paid every week, every two weeks, every four weeks, monthly, or annually. Tuition is due the first day your child attends of each week, two weeks, monthly, or annually. If tuition is not paid at the close of the first day in attendance, a late fee will be applied. Any account past due by one week may result in dismissal of your child.
1. I agree to pay a Registration fee at the time that I return my child’s application papers to the Young Scholars Child Care Center, Ltd. This registration fee is stated on the tuition sheet and is non-refundable. All paperwork and the registration fee must be submitted prior to enrollment. When paperwork is completed and submitted, availability of care will be evaluated, not prior.
2. I agree to pay a deposit of one week’s tuition on/or prior to the first day my child attends the Young Scholars Child Care Center, Ltd. This deposit is not including my child’s first week’s tuition payment and may be held until my account is paid in full at the time of withdrawal of my child from this facility.
3. I agree to pay each week, on the first day my child attends, the Tuition fee, as stated on the Tuition sheet. If tuition is not paid in full at the close of the first day your child attends, a Late Payment fee will be added each week your child is scheduled to attend.
4.Tuition must be paid in full without deductions for absences. This is because our staffing and other operational expenses are arranged on the basis of fixed enrollment levels and must be met on a continuing basis. Few of the operating costs of the facility are eliminated when a particular child is absent. There will be no refunds for days absent; this includes holidays, illnesses, and vacations. Each family will be allowed one week of absence; this includes months of enrollment with no charge. Absences for one week or more require a 30-day notice and director approval. A fee or charge may be applied.
5. The child care facility is open whenever possible, but should it be absolutely necessary to close because of severe weather conditions or a utility or telephone failure, the staff will contact families through our parent messaging application before regular opening hours.
6. I agree to pay by draft directly from my checking account by check, credit card, or in cash. If the funds are not available, a Returned Check fee will be charged. The fee is standard for each returned check. If more than one check or draft is returned, a payment plan by cash must be discussed and approved with the Director. Your child is subject to dismissal with any tuition and fees past due by one week.
7. In case of withdrawal of my child from this facility, I agree to give the Center two weeks written notice prior to withdrawal. The full two weeks tuition will be charged whether my child attends or is absent for this time. My deposit will only be returned four weeks after account is paid in full. If your account has a balance upon withdrawal, any credit due will be applied. This statement must be paid within 30 days. If the balance is not paid in full by the end of 30 days, your account will be given to a designated collection agency or attorney in order to collect funds due.
8. An authorized contact or legal authorities may be contacted for children left at the center more than 30 minutes after closing time of this facility. The center is not responsible for children left at the center more than 30 minutes after closing time and given to the authorized contact for pick up on your child’s file. A Late Pick-Up fee will be added. If your child is picked up late three times your child will be disenrolled. I agree to pay a Late Pick-Up fee that will be charged, per child, after the designated closing time.
OPEN DOOR POLICY
We encourage family to participate in projects, family traditions, hobbies, or special events of your child’s daily routines. Parents are also encouraged to become a part of their child’s world through participating in the child’s interests. When taking the time to communicate a child’s interests with him/her, a parent can become more aware of his/her development. The child benefits when parents help bridge the gap between home and the child care center. We welcome parents to visit at any time; identification may be requested.
HOURS OF OPERATION
The Young Scholars Child Care Center, Ltd. hours of operation are from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on a daily basis from Monday through Friday, twelve months a year.
HOLIDAYS
The Young Scholars Child Care Center, Ltd. is closed these nine days each year: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, and one In-Service Day. If one of the above holidays lands on a Saturday during a calendar year, the Friday prior will be considered a holiday and school will be closed. If one of the above holidays lands on a Sunday during the calendar year, the Monday following will be considered a holiday and school will be closed. For New Year’s Eve, school will be dismissed at 3:10 p.m. A late pick-up fee will apply to parents who pick up their child after 3:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
ABSENCES
Parents should message the center through the parent messaging application in advance of their child’s absence. Your child’s tuition does not fluctuate for missed days. A missed day may not be exchanged for an additional unscheduled day. Refer to the individual enrollment agreement for the fee schedule. Prior notice serves four main purposes:
- 1. Class activities may be influenced by the absence of a child or children.
- 2. An opening in a position allows room for another child to use their position for that day.
- 3. Children in your child’s classroom inquire about your child’s absence. Informing the other children in your son/daughter’s class is helpful.
- 4. Resources such as therapists, counselors, case workers, coaches, or extracurricular activities may be scheduled and need to be informed.
ILLNESS
The Young Scholars Child Care Center, Ltd. understands childhood illnesses are a part of growing. If and when there is a communicable disease affecting the children, we will post a notice near classroom doors. Children who are ill with a contagious disease may not attend for the period of time the child is contagious. If your child becomes ill during attendance, or if your child is suspected of an illness, he/she shall be isolated from the group immediately. A staff member will notify you upon suspicion of an illness. Therefore it is essential that we have an accurate schedule or list of phone numbers and emails to be able to contact you when needed. A child who is suspected of a contagious illness cannot remain in the facility more than two hours. If a parent fails to pick up their child in this time period, the Young Scholars Child Care Center will make arrangements to have the child seen by a doctor. The child will then be disenrolled. Any child who is ill may not be readmitted unless they are fully recovered from the illness.
RELIGION STATEMENT
Here at our center we open our curriculum to many religious holidays. We will give the students the opportunity to experience religions of all cultures through holiday foods, art projects, music, readings, circle time, and more. By signing the agreement you understand and allow your child to partake in these activities. Please feel free to write us about the religion of your family. We enjoy learning about every student and family religion.
SOCIAL/FAMILY GATHERINGS
The Young Scholars Child Care Center, Ltd. will have two or three social/family gatherings a year, such as book fairs, family nights, fundraisers, graduation, and curriculum night. These gatherings are planned to provide an opportunity for family and staff to get together and socialize in a relaxed environment. Parents and family are encouraged to attend. Refer to Yearly Events in the Appendix on page 24.
CONFERENCES
Individual conferences will be offered two times a year with your child’s teacher(s) during these times: Mozart, Picasso, Shakespeare in October and April; Franklin, Einstein, Galileo in November and May. Communication is encouraged by both parent and teacher. An individual parent-staff conference helps the parents understand the program, their child’s development, and how the child relates to the program. Conferences can also be scheduled any time teachers or parents feel there is a need. If any type of individual plan is needed, a conference must be held to complete the expectation plan.
ASSESSMENTS
The Young Scholars Child Care Center uses the ASQ-3, ASQ-SE, and the Teaching Strategies Gold Assessment Program in line with the Creative Curriculum for developmental assessments on a regular basis. The data collected by teachers is used to better create lessons to further development of all children.
PROMOTING COMMUNICATION
When you or your child has a concern with our center, staff, or with your child’s development, it is important that you communicate your concern with the teachers or Directors. Your child’s total development is important to us. Our center relies on your feedback and communication to keep our program running well. Young Scholars encourages communication through telephone, email, or parent messaging application.
Contact Information:
BE A PART OF THE LEARNING PROCESS
- We encourage you and your family to be involved in your child’s learning and development. Your child is exposed to many learning opportunities at our center. Take time to talk with your child about the enjoyable activities your child was involved in and find ways to extend the concepts at home. There is a lending library of activities you can work on at home with your child. If you need ideas, you can ask your child’s teacher. Learning can be enjoyable and rewarding.
FIELD TRIPS
- Field trips are an important part of education. The Young Scholars Child Care Center, Ltd. does participate in field trips. Walking trips, library visits, or planned off-campus field trips will be offered. Parents are welcome to join and help plan any field trip. Parents will be notified in advance about the details of each planned off-campus field trip and a permission slip will need to be signed. Fees, if applied, must be paid in full prior to the day of the event. By signing this handbook you, as the parent, understand that Young Scholars takes walks to and from Cotton Creek School and Maple Ridge Park in the neighborhood adjacent to us. Young Scholars does not have the staffing to allow children to stay at the center during their class field trips.
SUNSCREEN RELEASE
- The classroom teacher will apply topical sunscreen, provided by you, to your child’s exposed skin on an as-needed basis. Sunscreen will only be applied to children older than six months of age. Each parent is responsible for notifying the Director of any allergies to any sunscreens known. Parents should label sunscreen brought in with your child’s name. If no sunscreen is brought in by the parent, Young Scholars Child Care Center may provide and apply sunscreen to your child.
DIAPER OINTMENT RELEASE
- The classroom teacher will apply topical diaper ointment, provided by you, to your child’s diaper area on an as-needed basis. Each parent is responsible for notifying the Director of any allergies to diaper ointments known. Parents should label diaper ointment brought in with your child’s name.
