Discipline is a form of learning to have self-control, setting limits, and learning to get along with each other. Positive reinforcement is used when a child is demonstrating acceptable behavior.
I do not discriminate in my enrollment practices or in the care of children because of race, colour, national origin, religion, or marital status or sexual orientation of parents.
I do reserve the right to select the gender of the children I take into my care.
Sick children are asked to stay at home to protect the health of other children and myself. I reserve the right to determine whether a child should remain in childcare when illness is a consideration.
I am careful to see that everything possible is done to prevent the spread of germs, but with the age of the children in my care, many toys go straight into their mouths. And of course, most of these children are too young to wipe their own noses and wash their own hands, so their little hands are germ ridden when they are sick.
Your complicance with this policy is appreciated, and your compensation is that all ill children will be kept at home.
Please keep in mind that even well children can be demanding, and sick children are even more demanding. To be fair to your child, and the other children in my care and to myself, do not bring your child to me when they are ill. If you are uncertain, please call me about your child's health. I really like to avoid calling you to pick up your child because of illness.
I advise you to have alternate child care in place before your child becomes sick. If you or a relative cannot care for him when ill, sometimes a neighbour can be enlisted to help you out on occasion.
I reserve the right to turn away any child I believe is ill/or call a parent to pick up a sick child. If a child is too fussy, sleepy or lethargic to participate because of illness or teething, a parent will be expected to pick him up.
If your child does become ill at home, please call me - the night before if possible - but at least the next morning as soon as you realize you will not be coming in. If your child becomes sick during his time here, you will be called and expected to pick up your child within the hour. He may be separated from the other children for the remaining time he is here. If a child is too fussy or unable to particpate in our daily routine they will not be allowed to stay.
If you, or any other member of your family have been sick during the night or over the weekend, please let me know so I can watch your child closely for signs of illness. As a courtesy, please notify me if you or any of your children have been exposed to diseases such as chicken pox, strep throat, pink eye, lice etc.
I will not accept a child with fever, or if they have had diarrhea or vomited within the last 24 hours. I will not accept a child with chicken pox, measles, pink eye (or any discharge or drainage from the eyes), head lice, flu, bad coughing or colds, open sores, persistant cough, cramps, nausea, severe itching, rashes, or any other communicable diseases. A child with a runny nose or mild fever MAY be accepted if it is due to teething. Other health problems not listed here will be addressed individually, but you get the idea - please don't bring your child while she is ill!
I will administer medication to your child for fever, teething pain etc. if instructed by you to do so. I will write down the dose and time of any medication given. You must provide medication if needed.
If you repeatedly attempt to bring in an obviously ill child, I may terminate child care services for your child. I understand that it may be difficult to assess your child early in the morning before they arrive here, but please do your best. I really don't like to call a parent to pick up a sick child. They want and need your one on one attention when they aren't well and I am not able or willing to give this when other children are in my care.
This is new: I will not accept a child into my care who has not been immunized. All immunizations must be kept up to date while in my care.
I provide minor first aid care to your child. I will make a judgement call if I think your child needs immediate medical attention. I may or may not be able to call you first. My first priority will be to get your child the care she needs quickly. Parents will take full responsibility for any medical fees, such as ambulance charges.
Normal wear and tear on toys and household items is to be expected. There will, however, be a charge for any breakage or damage that your child causes. The charge will be based on replacement value and/or full repair value and the price is determined by me.
Children are taught to learn and use good manners - to respect me and my children and the other little ones.
Children are restricted to the main floor of our home (with the exception of nap time).
I do not allow running in the house, jumping on the furniture, wrestling or horseplay. I don't allow screaming, yelling, or squealing in my home. I encourage children to use "indoor voices" inside, and they can be louder outside if they wish, but still no screaming. Screaming is reserved for times they are in danger or hurt. They can run around outside while in my yard. All children will squeal with delight when having fun... but I encourage them to learn to control the volume and use their indoor voice.
If we are on a walk they must stay close to me and hang onto my hand or the stroller when we cross a street. Running away from me while on a walk is not acceptable.
I have a zero tolerance for bullies. They go on the thinking chair right away, no warnings.
Children are expected to obey me - or accept the consequences. I will not threaten, and I always follow through. Disobedience will result in the thinking chair. Hurting someone else (on purpose) will always result in the thinking chair.
Everyone gets to play/all toys must be shared. As children get older they may have a favourite friend and intentionally leave someone out, or take all the toys so someone else can't have them. But at my house everyone gets to play, everyone gets to share (by taking turns or finding enough toys for everyone.)
No means no: even from other kids. Of course a "No" from me must be obeyed, but I also teach children that they must respect a No from other children as well. This is especially when it comes to touching another child or otherwise invading their personal space. Some kids don't feel like having their hair touched or being hugged all the time, and other kids have to respect that. They also learn to say No, especially for unwanted touching.
They don't set the agenda/or make the decisions, I do. As kids get older they expect things will always go according to our normal routine and will get grumpy if they change. But I sometimes change things around if needed and I try to teach them to accept this without whining or complaining.
There is no playing at the table after a meal. If a child finishes first, he learns to wait for the others to finish (within reason). Good table manners are required, please and thank you are necessary as soon as a child can talk.
Don't correct other children - they don't like it and neither do I. This is for older children, who sometimes think they are being helpful. But the little ones don't need too many people correcting them.
No tattle-taling (aka: I don't need to know everything.) I try to teach the difference between telling me things that are important or urgent (like when someone is going to get hurt), and things that are just trying to get someone else in trouble.
My rules may be different than the rules at home. I teach the kids that it's okay if they have different rules, but my rules must still be obeyed at my house.