Parent Handbook
7039 10th st. N
Oakdale, MN 55128
651-730-0280
www.littleinspirationsmn.com
			Kelli Mauer; Jamie Kyes 
Thank You for choosing Little Inspirations Child Care! We are thrilled to meet the needs of your child(ren) and family.        
DAYS AND HOURS OF OPERATION
Little Inspirations will be open Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. During our hours of operation parents/guardians are welcome to stop by and visit at any time.
AGE AND NUMBER OF CHILDREN THE CENTER IS LICENSED TO SERVE
Little Inspirations will be licensed to serve 69 children. maximum; 10 infants (6 weeks through 15 months), 14 toddlers (16 months through 33 months), 20 preschool age children (33 months through 48 months), 10 Pre-K Children (48 months through kindergarten entry) AND 15 Schoolagers (5 years through 12 years)
CURRICULUM AND PROGRAMS
Little Inspirations is licensed under the state of Minnesota and will follow a specific curriculum.  The infant program is child-driven and based solely on each child’s unique and individual needs.  The curriculum is geared towards working on the child’s language development, Physical development, Social and Emotional development and cognitive development.  The toddler program is geared towards helping children develop routines and offers positive guidance to help give them build confidence to practice new skills and embrace new experiences.  The curriculum is based around expanding the child’s Language, Physical, Social/ Emotional, and cognitive development. The preschool program aims to prepare children for kindergarten.  Preschoolers are ready for more challenge and independence as they pursue their natural curiosity to explore and discover.  Our preschool curriculum focuses on literacy, math, science, computers, art, creative expression, large and small motor development, dramatic play, sensory, and social skills.  Little Inspirations is not affiliated with any religious, political, or philosophical programs.  Parents/guardians may request to see our curriculum/program plan at any time.  A copy will always be available in the Director’s office and in the classrooms.
PERSONAL BELONGINGS
If your child chooses to bring in something from home, Little Inspirations is not responsible for any items that become lost or stolen. 
Child Care Philosophy
Child care in a “home like” setting is the best alternative there is for working parents. It provides a small secure environment for children during the most important time of their development. Family child care offers a home away from home, providing children with “siblings” of all ages, to play, socialize, and learn from. Our goal in providing quality child care for your child is to provide…     
-A safe environment
-A nurturing environment
-A learning environment… learning is not necessarily the ABC’s and 123’s, but is also the learning of values. The learning of honesty, respect, self–reliance, and potential, self-discipline, and moderation, the values of being; dependable, love, sensitivity to others, kindness, friendliness and fairness are the values of giving.
-Communication is key to a successful child care arrangement. The parent and provider need to have a good working relationship so they can communicate and work together. Parent and provider need to exchange pertinent information in the child’s life such as changes in routine, special events, or activities, as well as changes such as death, divorce, separation, moving, visitors, etc. All this information can be important in understanding the child’s feelings, behavior, and well-being.
We invite you to share with us in writing, by telephone, or schedule an appointment to talk about you concerns on any area that you feel I am neglecting and I will do my best to improve in that area.
Typical Activities
Group Play:	Singing, dancing, play acting, games, reading, listening to tapes (story and music), circle time
Free Play: 	Children have a choice of - blocks, kitchen toys, dolls and accessories, Duplo’s/Legos, play sets, Household toys, pull/push toys, art materials, and may watch limited television or video tapes
Language:	Nursery rhymes, finger plays, stimulus pictures or objects to encourage verbalization, reading to the children, flannel boards
Dramatic play: 	Dress up, role playing, puppetry, etc.
Outdoor play: 	(weather Permitting) Swinging, climbing, riding toys, running, ball playing, gardening toys, trucks, strolling dolls, (please remember to dress your child appropriately for the weather, if in doubt, dress in layers or bring extra clothes)
Special Days: Include Birthdays/holiday parties, getting ready for holidays, and holiday.																	
Typical Daily Routines
Arrival and Greeting
Breakfast and clean up
Bathroom and/or diaper change and hand washing
Infants usually nap in the morning as well as the afternoon
Circle time (including calendar, songs, finger plays, story time etc.)
Arts and crafts or other learning activity
Bathroom and/or diaper change and hand washing
Outdoor play (weather permitting) or other large muscle activity
Hand washing
Lunch and clean up
Nap time
Bathroom and/or diaper change and hand washing
Snack and clean up
Free play
Parents arrive to pick up children
Note Bathroom and /or diaper change times vary to meet the child’s needs. This is a general schedule and is dictated mostly by the children’s needs and feelings each day. 
Potty Training:
Potty training shouldn’t be rushed; it is important that your child is psychologically and physically ready for training. Huggie’s Pull Ups (or other brand) must be provided by the parent/guardian during this transition period, no regular style training pants or underwear will be used until your child maintains 2 continuous weeks of bladder/bowel control; of course, if your child regresses after this 2-week period we will assess the next step.

DROP OFF / PICK UP
Little Inspirations hours of operation are 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  If your child will not be in attendance, please call to let us know so that we are not expecting your arrival. For Toddlers and Preschoolers please have your child(ren) here by 10am so they can be in a routine.  If your child will be picked up by someone other than a parent/guardian on a particular day, picture identification will be required when they arrive for your child.  This person must be noted on your enrollment form as an authorized person to remove your child from Little Inspirations. If your child is in our care after 6:00 p.m. you are considered late to pick up your child. A fee of $1.00 per minute will be assessed and must be paid when you pick up your child
Vaccinations – Every child enrolled at Little Inspirations Child Care must be up to date on all vaccinations upon start date. With the exclusion of those who are medically unable to be vaccinated. Little Inspirations Child Care has the right to deny enrollment to those who choose not to vaccinate their children/child. Parents should be made aware that their child(ren) have the possibility to be around a child who is medically unable to be vaccinated.  
FIRST AID POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
If an injury is major and cannot be treated with simple first aid, then 911 will be called. If the injury is not life threatening or in need or immediate attention, but Little Inspirations cannot help with first aid, the parent/guardian will be informed immediately. If the parent/guardian is not reached the child’s emergency contacts will be contacted.

ADMINISTERING MEDICATION
Medication will only be administered by the Director or Assistant Director, and we will sign off that we have given the medication. Medication will be stored in the office, unless refrigeration is necessary, there will be an enclosed bucket in the kitchen. 
ADMINISTERING FIRST AID
Every staff member will be required to have first aid and CPR training, along with SIDS and Shaken Baby Syndrome training. This is to ensure that they can administer first aid to the best of their ability, until help is necessary. 

EMERGENCY REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION
If an emergency arises, Little Inspirations will contact 911 and emergency aid will come for your child.  In the meantime, if we can help by offering first aid, CPR or another form of aid to help your child we will do so until further medical attention arrives.
NAP AND REST POLICY
Infant
- A crib will be provided for each infant enrolled at Little Inspirations.  
-The safety of all cribs will conform to the Code of federal regulations. 
-Monthly Inspections will be done on all cribs.
-Each crib will have a firm mattress with a fitted crib sheet that fits tightly on the mattress, to ensure the sheet does not become dislodged by the infant pulling on the corner.
-Little Inspirations staff will not place pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskin, stuffed toys or other soft products in the crib with the infant. 
-Separate bedding will be provided for each infant in care.  Bedding will be washed weekly and as needed.
-All infants will be placed on their back unless documentation is provided by the parent/legal guardian that an alternative sleep position be used.
Toddler/Preschool
- Toddler and preschool children will be required to nap or rest. A child who completes a nap or rested quietly for 30 minutes will not be required to remain on a cot or in a crib.
- A quiet area will be provided for all children to nap and rest.
- The area will be separated from children who are engaged in an activity that would disrupt a napping or resting child.
-Both cribs and cots will be placed so there are clear aisles and access for both adults and children on at least one side of each crib or cot.
-Both cribs and cots will be placed directly on the floor and will not be stacked when in use.
-Separate bedding will be provided for each child.  All bedding will be provided for each child.   
Bedding will be washed weekly or as needed.  Blankets may be brought from home and will also be washed weekly.

MEALS
Infant:  Parents are to bring their infant's bottles prepared; Little Inspirations is prohibited to provide any formula or make bottles unless it is an emergency. We are happy to provide Rice cereal, puffs, infant snacks and baby food. 
Toddler/Pre-school Age:  Little Inspirations get lunch catered in daily by Tinucci’s restaurant in Newport, MN. Lunches follow all USDA guidelines and that of the MN dept. of health. Little Inspirations also provides Breakfast and snack for your child.  Children will be served milk with every breakfast and lunch; Written dietary instructions for each child are required upon child’s start date.  Special snacks may be store bought and brought in for the children, however, please first verify with Little Inspirations if allergies are a concern. Staff will supervise meals at all times. . All sanitary procedures will be followed before serving food at the center.

BEHAVIOR GUIDANCE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
We maintain a positive discipline policy, which focuses on prevention, redirection, love, consistency and firmness. We will ensure that each child is provided with a positive model of acceptable behavior.  We will work to prevent problems, provide immediate and directly related consequences, redirect when appropriate, discuss inappropriate behavior, encourage making amends when the behavior involves another person, and sometimes withdraw privileges based on the principle of "natural consequences". All discipline measures will be tailored to the developmental level of the child.  If a child’s unacceptable behavior persists staff will observe and document the behavior as well as their actions taken to correct the behavior.  Teachers will develop a plan to address the behavior documented in consultation with the child’s parent and with other staff persons and professionals when appropriate.
FIELD TRIPS
Little Inspirations will incorporate in house and off premises field trips into your child’s programming. We will never take your child out of the center property without your written permission. A permission slip will be sent home each time a field trip is planned.  This permission slip gives Little Inspirations the authorization to take your child off the property to the planned destination on the date and time listed on the permission slip.
PARENTAL PERMISSION
Little Inspirations will obtain written parental permission before each occasion of research, experimental procedure, or public relations activity involving a child.

CONFERENCES
Little Inspirations will hold conferences semi-annually in October and May. A written portfolio will be shown to the parents/guardians at this time. Portfolios will cover child’s intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development.
PRESENCE OF PETS
Pets are not a part of your child's program at Little Inspirations. If a pet is brought into the center permission will be required by the Directors before they arrive. All precautions will be taken and all families will be informed.
REGISTRATION FEE (non-refundable) 
There is a registration fee of $100.00 for one child and $150.00 for families of two or more children, due prior to your start date. 
FINANCIAL POLICY
There are many costs included in providing the quality care that Little Inspirations will provide.  The rates you pay not only cover our services, but also is used for food, toys, books, learning materials, art supplies, additional insurance, professional training, and much more.  With this into consideration Little Inspirations will charge the below tuition.
TUITION INFORMATION
AGE		5-DAYS	4-DAYS	
INFANT	$285.00	$255.00	
TODDLER	$235.00	$205.00	
PRESCHOOL	$205.00	$185.00	
DISCOUNT
We offer for families of two children a discount of 5% and families of three or more receive a 10% discount, along with any families in the military will receive a 10% discount as well.
PAYMENT INFORMATION
If you have questions and/or concerns about your payments, please do not hesitate to speak to Kelli Mauer or Jamie Kyes regarding your concerns.
Tuition may be paid on a bi-weekly or monthly basis.   
Tuition will be charged for all absences.
Tuition is due the Monday your child will be in attendance.  Tuition that is not received Monday morning is considered late.  An additional $10.00 will be assessed for each and every day your tuition is late.
A $20.00 fee for each non-sufficient fund returned check will be assessed.  All future tution payments must be made in a cashier’s check.
 If tuition is more than a week late your child will not be able to attend Little Inspirations without proper payment.  
Two weeks’ written notice is required prior to the last day of attendance. If you do not give proper notice, you agree to pay any fees or full tuition that your child's attendance may be due for the final two weeks regardless of personal needs.
SNOW DAYS
If severe weather occurs and schools in the area are closed, Little Inspirations will determine if the building will be open for care.  Little Inspirations will make sure you will be notified immediately. We will also have our center on KSTP's weather alert. If the weather is that bad, we do not want you and your child out in it.  No refund for snow days will be given.
HOLIDAYS
Little Inspirations will be closed for the following Holiday’s however; tuition will be required as usual.  If a Holiday falls on a Saturday, Little Inspirations will be closed the Friday before.  If a Holiday falls on a Sunday Little Inspirations will be closed the following Monday.
 
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
4thof July
 Labor Day
 Thanksgiving
Friday after Thanksgiving
Day before Christmas OR Day after Christmas
Christmas Eve Day
Christmas Day
Good Friday
Teacher workshop days in Spring and Fall 
*Please note that these dates are subject to change with at least 2-3-week notice, we will do our best to give the most notice we can. *
SICK POLICY  
Little Inspirations requires immunization records to be provided on or by your child’s start date and a health care summary within the first 30 days of care.  Per state licensing guidelines, if Little Inspirations does not receive your child’s immunization records prior to or on their first day of care, Little Inspirations will not be able to provide care until it is received.  Per state licensing guidelines, if Little Inspirations does not receive a health care summary within 30 days of your child’s start date, your child may not attend until it is received.  
If your child has any of the following symptoms or has had in 24 hours, you will have to make other child care arrangements.  
1 incident of Vomiting or 3 incidents of diarrhea all day, 2 incidents of diarrhea in an hour, or 1 uncontained diarrhea incident, Temperature above 100.4 orally, 99.4 auxiliary, Rash other than diaper or heat related, Any communicable diseases, Sore or discharging eyes, ears,  If your child is unable to participate in activities with reasonable comfort, If your child requires more care then Little Inspirations can provide without compromising the health and safety of the other children in our care.
You are required to notify us within 24 hours of any serious or contagious illness.  We will then notify the other parents/guardians as well.
There will be no refund for sick days.
 A minimum of 24 hours’ antibiotic treatment or 48 hours with oral medication for pink eye, impetigo, and strep throat, is required before returning to childcare.  Any other situations requiring the use of antibiotics also require 24 to 48 hours before returning.  
If possible, adjust your schedule so medications can be given at home.  If this is not possible you will have to sign a permission slip allowing Little Inspirations to administer the medication. It will have to be labeled with child's name and specific instructions will have to be in written form and given to center staff before any medication will be administered. Only one of the Directors will administer medications. 
 If your child is in the care of Little Inspirations and has any of the symptoms listed below, the   parent/guardian or emergency contact will be notified and must pick your child up immediately.  A sick child will either be brought to the Director’s office to lay on a cot or they will remain in the classroom on a cot separated from the other children until their parent/ guardian arrives. All parents will be notified as an illness arises.  This will be posted in the front lobby on the parent’s information board. The parents in the sick child’s classroom will be notified either verbally or written on their daily sheet.  A group email is also sent out to all parents when an illness arises. 
CLOTHING AND SUPPLIES
 Disposable diapers, diaper wipes, and ointment will be marked with your child’s name and will be near the diaper table in their own area.  These things must be provided to use for your child’s use only.    Children should wear play clothes suitable for outdoors.  Children have a tendency to get dirty and have accidents so it’s good idea to always have an extra set of clothes at school just in case. During the winter months please make sure your child comes with boots, mittens, hat, scarf, and snow pants or snowsuit.   During the summer months please make sure your child comes with a swimsuit and towel. Parents/guardians must supply any “special care” items such as a pacifier, nap time pillow and blanket, etc.  If your child has a pacifier, please provide two that can stay at the center. We also ask that two bottles could also be provided to stay at the center.
BUG AND SUNTAN LOTION
Little Inspirations will apply suntan lotion at minimum twice daily in the summer months and bug spray on demand.  If your child requires special lotion or spray, please let us know and provide this for your child. We ask that all families provide a suntan lotion and bug spray to be shared throughout the summer months.
CHILD ABUSE REPORTING
Minnesota law requires all teachers, social workers, and childcare providers to report any suspected abuse or neglect of any child, as written in the Minnesota statues, section 626.556.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Telephone number of the Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Licensing (651-431-6500)

Parent / Provider Contract
Child(ren): _________________________________________________________
I have read the Little Inspirations Childcare Handbook and agree to comply with all policies and procedures. 
I have read the Little Inspirations Childcare Handbook and agree to comply with all policies and procedures except as noted below and discussed with provider: 
Parent Signature__________________________________		
Date___________
Parent Signature__________________________________		
Date___________
Director Signature__________________________________		Date___________