High Hopes Child Care - Statren Island NY

High Hopes admits children of any race, color or national ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to children at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race. Color or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies and admission policies.

Attendance Policy

We plan for your child to attend every day that he/she is scheduled. Therefore, if your child is going to absent from school, please call the office by am. THERE ARE NO MAKE-UP DAYS FOR ABSENCES. If your child becomes sick with a communicable disease listed in this handbook, you must have a doctor's note stating that your child may return to school, before he can resume attendance in the program. There are NO TUITION ADJUSTMENTS DUE TO ABSENCE OR FAMILY VACATIONS.

Tardiness: The staff plans for a full day of activities. When children arrive after the scheduled time, the day is disrupted for everyone. The staff's attention is drawn to the latecomer's needs to be assimilated as smoothly as possible into the groups. The result is the quality of our program is jeopardized. So please try to get your child here on time.

Arrivals and Departures

Arrivals:
All parents bringing their children to High Hopes must park their cars and accompany their child into the building and then to their child's classroom.

You MUST scan your child IN AND OUT every day in order to allow us to track attendance daily. The importance of this is for your child's safety and proper tracking during fire drills and for school dismissal.

Departures:
We are licensed by the Bureau of Daycare to remain open until 6:30pm. Our staff is paid ONLY until 6:30pm. Our closing staff have families and responsibilities which they must attend to at the end of their working day, Therefore, we urge you to pick your child up on time.

Early Departures:
If you are planning to pick up your child before his/her regularly scheduled departure time, please notify the school via letter. This will enable us to have the child ready when you arrive and it will cause little disruption to the regular program.

In the event of inclement weather please stay tuned to the local radio and television broadcast for Board of Education Closing. High Hopes will follow the same protocol for school closing. Occasionally storms forecasted for the day, develop with such intensity that it becomes necessary to close the school. Please inform us of your emergency plan via note to your teacher on that day. If it becomes necessary to close the school before our afternoon session, the afternoon parents will receive a phone call.
In the event of a school emergency (such as - heating problems etc.) you will be notified by a member of our staff.

Birthday Celebrations

Birthdays are regarded as milestones in our children's lives. We enjoy celebrating them. Please check with the classroom teacher when planning this event.

If you are planning a birthday party at your home, the classroom teacher or cubby systems may be used for party invitations only if all of the children in the class are being invited.

Children For Whom We Have Concern

High Hopes opens its doors to all children. Our staff is committed to providing an environment filled with patience, understanding, compassion and above all love to each child and his family. There have been times that we realize our program may not be the best program for your child. With this in mind, the following policies have been put in place.

1. We do not condone biting. We understand biting is a natural part of the developmental process, so we allow our toddlers and nursery children some latitude.
a. Toddlers - If your two year old child has become a chronic "biter" in the classroom, he or she may be asked to leave the program according the severity of the incidents. You will be notified if we suspect these incidents are becoming a problem. A meeting will be scheduled to discuss possible solutions.
b. Nursery - Parents of a three year old child will be asked to remove their child from the program following a third biting incident.
c. Pre-school - Biting incidents involving our four and five year old children will be handled on an individual basis.

2. Aggressive behavior which results in physically hurting another child will not be tolerated. We understand that some youngsters are highly energetic which is normal and can be delightful; but this energy must learn to be channeled. If for any reason we find that the child cannot control his aggressiveness, a meeting will be scheduled and the issue will be handled on an individual basis.

3. All children develop at their own rate and their own unique style, which makes each one of us so special. If we become aware that your child may have a special need, we will be happy to work with you and your child to help you to obtain the necessary care or program that should become necessary.

Communicable Disease

The center shall not permit a child or staff member with an excludable communicable disease, to be admitted or remain at the center, until a note from the child's or staff member's physician states the child or staff member has been diagnosed and presents no risk to himself or to others.

Table of Communicable Diseases

Respiratory Illnesses Gastro-Intestinal Illnesses
Chicken Pox Giardia Lablia
German Measles Hepatitis A
Hemophilus Influenza Salmonella
Measles Shigella
Meningococus
Mumps
Strep Throat
Tuberculosis
Whooping Cough
Contact Illnesses
Impetigo
Lice
Scabies

Communication is the key to success. We love to talk to you on a daily basis either when you drop off your child or when you pick him up. We can also arrange for conferences if you need more of a lengthy conversation. Several different forms of written communication is generated by the school and staff.
Incident and accident reports notes go home as needed. An accident report informs you that your child has a bump, scratch or minor injury that was taken care of by the staff. An incident report is written if a child hurts another child, or staff member, has an episode that disrupts the flow of the classroom, or if we see a pattern of disruptive behavior developing.

Parents are free to confer with our staff at arrival or departure times for a few minutes each day as needed. If either the staff or parent feel it is necessary to speak for more than a few minutes about a particular topic, a conference can be scheduled which is mutually convenient for both.
Conferences to discuss your child's progress will be scheduled during the month of February. June conferences are available at the parent's request.

Parent Participation

Parents are always welcome at High hopes. A nice way to visit with us is to volunteer for a class project or field trip. Our teachers will inform you of these events in their monthly newsletter. Sign-up sheets will appear on the hall bulletin boards so that you may volunteer.

Discipline Philosophy

We strive to provide a predictable, consistent, and secure routine and environment in the center in order to lessen the occurrence of inappropriate behaviors. Children are taught the language and social skills they need to express their desires and emotions. The children are guided to find appropriate ways to achieve their desire.
However, at times a child may display harmful or inappropriate behaviors. The child is asked what happened. A clear explanation as to why a specific behavior is inappropriate is given. The child will then sit for a few minutes, during which time a staff member will discuss with the child what appropriate action could be taken the next time. This form of discipline is known as "time-out".
Depending on the severity of the inappropriate behavior, the parents may or may not be notified. At no time will a child be hit, shaken, shamed or verbally abused, nor will food be denied.

Children should be dressed in comfortable, casual, everyday clothes so that they may able to enjoy their day to the fullest. Buttons, belts, suspenders and snaps are often difficult for little ones to manage especially during bathroom time. Please dress your child in slip on style clothes. Please discourage your child from wearing jewelry to school. We can not be responsible for lost or broken items. Please keep an extra set of clothing in your child's book bag or classroom in case of emergency. All personal items and clothing brought to school must be labeled with your child's name.

The emergency form is the only means to insure direct communication with our parents. It is extremely important to keep this information current.

High Hopes in compliance with our licensing agreement with the State of New York practices fire drills on a monthly basis. Evacuation maps are located in each room for all to follow.

According to the State of New York, the center must follow the following regulations.
1. A center serving well children shall not permit a child who has any of the illnesses or symptoms of illness specified below to be admitted to the center on a given day unless medical diagnosis from a licensed physician, which has been communicated to the center in writing, or verbally with a written follow-up, indicates that the child poses no serious heath risk to himself or herself or to the other children. Such illness or symptoms of illness shall include, but not be limited to, any of the following:
2.
· severe pain or discomfort
· acute diarrhea
· acute vomiting
· elevated temperature of 101or higher
· soar throat or severe coughing
· yellow eyes or jaundice skin
· red eyes with discharge
· infected untreated skin patches
· difficult rapid breathing
· skin rashes
· swollen joint
· visibly enlarged limp nodes
· stiff neck
· cold with discolored discharge from the nose
2. Once the child is symptom free for 24 hours or a licensed physician indicates that the child poses no serious health risk to himself or to other children, the child may return to the center.
3. If a child who has already been admitted to the center manifests any of the illnesses or symptoms of illness specified, the center shall remove the child from the group of well children from the room until he or she is picked up.

Please note: These guidelines must be followed in order to ensure the safety of every child in our program.

Medication Policy

During the year it may become necessary for your child to receive medication during the day. We can administer prescription medication with a signed consent form from the parent. The medication must be in the original bottle with your child's name, name of medication, the date it was prescribed or updated and directions for its administration.

High Hopes will administer non-prescription medication ONLY with a signed consent form from the parent AND note from the doctor (on prescription pad) stating the exact dose and frequency of administration. (Doctors notes can be faxed to the office).

Release of Children

Everyone picking up a child at High Hopes will have their identification checked, especially at the beginning of the school year. Please carry your drivers' license or something that may be used for identification purpose when coming to pick up a child. In our application package you will receive a form to be filled out by the custodial parents to be kept in your child's file. Everyone listed on that form must have a photo copy of their drivers license attached. NO CHILD WILL BE RELEASED TO ANY OTHER PERSONS NOT LISTED ON THAT FORM. If there is a custody dispute involving the children - we will need a copy of court papers designating the custodial parent.
If someone other than you will be picking your child up you must notify the teacher via letter. At that time the name will be checked against your authorized pick-up list. If that person in NOT on your pick-up list - WE CANNOT RELEASE.

In accordance with the Department of Health, medical records must be maintained at the school. No child will be permitted to attend High Hopes unless a current medical is in his/her file.

Section 47.21 of the Health Code states:

No child shall be admitted to a service unless he/she (1) has received a complete age appropriate medical examination including but not limited to a history, physical exam, developmental assessment, nutritional evaluation, lead poisoning screening, and screening tests for: dental health, tuberculosis, hearing, vision, and anemia. This exam must be completed within 90 days prior to admission for children two years of age or older, and within 30 days of admission for children under two years of age. (2) Has received prophylaxis against dyptheria, tetanus, pertussis, polimelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, hemophilus, influenza type B and such additional immunizations as the Department may require. Exceptions from specific immunizations may be permitted for medical contraindications or on religious grounds according to Department of Health guidelines.

The licensed health professional shall furnish to this service a signed statement containing a summary of the results and past medical history (form will be provided to you). Each child shall have periodic exams according to the schedule of health care maintenance developed by the Department of Health. These schedules require exams at 2,4,6,9,12,18,24 and 30 months of age, and 3,4,5,and 6 years of age.

In an effort to maintain accurate records, High Hopes has instituted a Time-Clock System. Upon registration you will be given a scanner card. Please attach this card to your key chain. Upon arrival to school, please swipe the card through the scanner. This will log your child in for the day. Take note of messages which will be displayed on the monitor. When you pick your child up at the end of the day, please swipe your card once again and this will sign your child out for the day. It is very important that you do not forget to swipe in or out. If you are not signed out for the day - the computer will generate a bill recognizing your child as staying extra hours.

If your child is scheduled to attend High Hopes from 9am - 11:30am, it is important that you do not sign your child in too early. If you swipe your card at 8:45, the computer will recognize this as extra hours. Please stay as close to your scheduled times as possible.

It is very important to notify the office of lost cards - your code will be changed and you will be issued a new card.

Tuition and Fee's

Tuition is paid monthly. All tuition is due two weeks in advance for the upcoming month (i.e. September's tuition is due no later than August 15th.) Please bring the tuition payment with you when you bring your child to school. You will not be billed. Since our program and licensing regulations require us to engage staff based upon the number of children enrolled. We cannot refund tuition for the days your child is absent. If you should withdraw your child from the program, written notification must be given to the program director. Tuition already paid will not be reimbursed to you. If you are past due on tuition - you will be required to satisfy all bills.

Late charges: It is expected that you pay your tuition on time. When your tuition is ten or more days late additional charges will be added in the amount of $25.00 for each late payment..