Parent Handbook 2021-2022
All forms must be completed in full and returned to the Pittsville Child Care Center Office. PCCC • 5459 Elementary Ave. Suite 2 • Pittsville, WI 54466 • 715-884-5240 April 1, 2021 Table of Contents
Welcome 5
About Us 6
Center Philosophy 6
Mission Statement 6
Policies 6
Open Door Policy 6
Hours of Operation 6
Conceal and Carry Policy 7
Parent Information Area 7
Student Parents 7
Administrative Structure/Delegation of Administrative Authority 7
Change to Parent Handbook/Policies 7
Parking/Building Entry 7
Arrival 8
Departure 8
Bus Arrival or Departure 8
Special Notes 9
Parent Visits 9
Family Engagement 9
Communication 9
Cell Phone Use 9
Religious Content 10
Grievance Procedure 10
Pets 10
Confidentiality 10
PCCC Parent Handbook 1 Child Abuse/Neglect 10
Enrollment of Children 10
Discharge of Enrolled Children 11
Items Provided by Parents 11
Vacation 12
Staff Orientation 12
Children’s Attendance Schedules 13
Child(ren) Absence 13
Program Fees & Payment Information 13
Wisconsin Shares 14
Daily Activities 14
Curriculum Planning Time 15
Inclimate Weather 15
Rest or Naptime 15
Infant Classroom 15
Toddler Classroom 16
Wood County Birth to 3 Program 16
Preschool Classroom 16
District’s Early Childhood Program 17
School Aged Classroom 17
Personal Belongings 17
Cell Phone and Chromebook Policy 17
Special Classes/Photography 17
Videotaping/Photographing of Program Participants 18
School Closings 18
Child Guidance Policy 18
PCCC Parent Handbook 2 Contingency Plans for Fire/Tornado/Missing 19 Child & Other Emergencies
Cleanliness Policies 20
Cleanliness Procedures for Staff and Children 20
Universal Precautions 20
Toy Sanitation 20
Diapering 20
Health Care Policies 21
Special Health Care Needs 21
Child Illnesses 21
Medical Log 22
Medication Policy 22
Non-Medicinal Products 22
Child Injury Procedures On/Off Center Premises 23
Emergency Vehicle and Emergency Supplies 23
Illnesses and Accidents Reported to Department 23
Emergency Contact Person 23
Emergency Numbers 23
Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) Prevention Training 23
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) 23
CPR 24
Toilet Training 24
Biting 25
Nutrition Policy 25
DPI National School Lunch Program (NSLP) 26
Free and Reduced Meals 27
Meal and Snack Rates 27
PCCC Parent Handbook 3 Parent Provided Meals and Snacks 27
Program Contacts 28
Daily Schedules 29
Infant Daily Schedules 29
Toddler Daily Schedules 30
Preschool Daily Schedules 31
School Age Daily Schedule 32
Before and After School Daily Schedule 33
PCCC Parent Handbook 4 Welcome
Dear Pittsville Child Care Center Families,
We want to thank you for choosing the Pittsville Child Care Center (PCCC) for your childcare needs. Our desire is to offer a safe, clean, loving, and educational environment for your child to grow, learn, and play.
The PCCC understands how difficult it can be for working parents to balance all of their commitments and responsibilities in their lives. For this reason, we strive to offer a program that will enrich your child’s development while putting your mind at ease.
We will do our best to assist your child in developing important values such as: good manners, caring, sharing, patience, responsibility, as well as communication and teamwork. We believe that children develop best through educational play, and we will implement these important values throughout our day. We also offer preschool activities such as learning the alphabet, shapes, colors, numbers; and we work on name recognition.
It is our goal to offer your family the quality childcare experience you deserve. Please feel free to openly discuss with us any problems or concerns you may have at any time. An open and honest relationship is the key to a happy childcare experience for everyone involved.
Please help us operate our childcare business in a professional manner by carefully reading the parent handbook and filling out all the necessary forms. It is very important that you are aware of and understand all our policies.
Thank you for choosing Pittsville Child Care Center as your childcare team. We look forward to providing your child with the best possible care.
Warm regards,
Tabitha Becker Center Director
PCCC Parent Handbook 5 About Us Center Philosophy The Pittsville Child Care Center is proud to be creating a safe learning environment for children of all ages to enjoy while exploring and developing. We will provide an atmosphere that embraces children’s love of learning and encourages creativity while having fun. Our goal is to partner together with parents to provide an educational and balanced approach to learning.
Mission Statement The Pittsville Child Care Center is in business to provide a safe, affordable, yet high quality and developmentally appropriate learning environment. Staff works hand in hand with parents to ensure every child has a positive learning experience. The PCCC is proud to be encouraging growth, development, self-esteem, and self-confidence in every child in our care.
Policies Open Door Policy Communication is the key to our success at PCCC. We encourage staff, guests, parents, volunteers, or anyone at our center to share concerns, suggestions, questions or ideas. Communication with you is crucial to enable us to help develop your child. The PCCC welcomes changes and suggestions on how to make your time here more enjoyable.
Hours of Operation The Pittsville Child Care Center will be open Monday through Friday 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from January through December. The PCCC is licensed by the State of Wisconsin, Department of Children and Families, and is operated under the Pittsville School District.
The Pittsville Child Care Center is licensed to care for no more than 47 children at any one time and will serve children ages 6 weeks to 13 years of age. We will never refuse to enroll a child on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, political persuasion, national origin, handicap/disability, ancestry or sexual orientation. We are inspected regularly to ensure that we meet State of Wisconsin licensing standards.
The center will be closed for the following UNPAID holidays:
New Year’s Day Memorial Day Fourth of July Labor Day Thanksgiving Friday after Thanksgiving Christmas Eve Christmas Day
PCCC Parent Handbook 6 New Year’s Eve
Conceal and Carry Policy (Please see details in Board Policy #832) For the protection of our staff, children and parents, firearms and dangerous weapons are prohibited on all property of the District. The prohibition includes firearms in vehicles on school property. Firearms and dangerous weapons have the definitions set forth in the following statutory provisions: WIS. STAT. §§ 120.13(1), 948.60, 605.61.
This prohibition does not apply where state law prohibits a school district from restricting any individual’s right to possess a firearm or other weapon in a location covered by this policy (e.g. on-duty, off-duty, and retired law enforcement officers possessing a firearm or other weapon on school grounds in the line of duty).
Parent Information Area The PCCC will post the following items for parents’ review: license certificate, a complete copy of the parent handbook, results of our most recent licensing monitoring visit, and a copy of the licensing regulations. These items can be found at the main entrance door and outside the infant, toddler and preschool rooms on the parent connection boards.
Student Parents For current Pittsville School District students who are also a parent, please speak to the Director in regards to child care options that are available.
Administrative Structure/Delegation of Administrative Authority Pittsville School Board ↓ Superintendent- Licensee - Rodney Figueroa ↓ PCCC Administrator/Director - Tabitha Becker ↓ PCCC Lead Teachers ↓ PCCC Teacher Assistants
Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises of the center, indoors or outdoors!
Change to the Parent Handbook/Policies The Center, at its discretion, may change any policy contained in the Parent Handbook. Parents will be notified two weeks in advance of any changes by email, HiMama, or written notice distributed to children’s cubbies or mailboxes.
Parking/Building Entry Parents or authorized adults are to use Entrance B for both pick-up and drop-off. You may park in either the main office parking lot or the high school student parking lot. Between the hours of 6:00 am-7:15am and 3:20pm-6:00pm, you are allowed to drive up to the overhang by Entrance B to pick-up or drop-off.
PCCC Parent Handbook 7 Please do not block the entrances or use any ‘no parking’ zones during regular school hours. Vehicles may be ticketed and/or towed.
The entry door is locked for the safety of the children and our staff. The PCCC uses a computer entry that is monitored by our district’s camera system. The doorbell for the PCCC entrance is located on the side of the building of Entrance B. This is the entrance located in the middle of the elementary school building.
You must identify who you are and state your purpose of coming into the building. Once your identity is verified, the door will be unlocked. Please do not hold the door open for anyone! Again, this is for security purposes so that we can monitor who is coming into the center and will help ensure that your children, and our staff, are safe. You must also be wearing your PCCC issued badge when entering the building. This will be given to you at the time of your child’s enrollment and must be returned at the end of your child’s enrollment agreement. There is a $10 charge for badges that are not returned or for those that need to be replaced.
Arrival Parents or authorized adults are required to bring children into the building and escort the child to their assigned classroom. Please assist your child with removing outer clothing and placing items in the child’s cubby/locker. Once in the room, your child’s attendance will be logged in on the Himama app. Please inform the teachers on any changes and fill out the daily report, if applicable. Your child will need to wash their hands before joining in on morning activities. Staff will take daily attendance several times throughout the day to know the names and number of children.
We ask that if you have more than one child in the center that you drop off the youngest last. This is a concern in the infant room due to the ‘No Shoes’ rule. Once your child is ready to start the day, please bring your child to the teacher and share any questions, concerns, or special instructions for the day, before saying goodbye. If a child falls asleep in a swing or car seat, the child must be removed from the swing or car seat and placed to sleep on his or her back in a crib.¹
¹ State of Wisconsin DCF 251 Licensing Rules for Group Child Care Centers with Commentary
Departure Valid photo identification is checked to ensure the proper people are picking up the children. ID’s will be checked daily (even for parents) for at least the first week of enrollment until the staff are familiar with the authorized pick-ups, and for all unfamiliar pick-ups thereafter. Children will not be released unless they have been signed out to a person listed on the child’s authorized pick-up form. In case of an emergency, consent for non-authorized pick-ups can be obtained by written permission by parent or guardian through email or the HiMama app. ID’s will be checked. Children will not be allowed to leave the building to walk or ride their bike home. Authorized pick-ups must be at least 18 years old. An “Alternate Arrival and Release Agreement” form must be signed and submitted in order for us to release your child for other school activities or arrangements.
When you arrive to pick up your child, please check the child’s mailbox to see if there is any correspondence to be taken home. Please take a moment to talk with your child’s teacher about the day’s events and let the teacher know you are leaving. We ask that if you have more than one child in the center that you pick up the youngest first.
Bus Arrival or Departure PCCC Parent Handbook 8 Children who are enrolled in the school district 4K program will be allowed to be bused in and out of the PCCC during the regular school year. This is included on the days when there is no 4K program. Bus services will only be provided on days of regular scheduled school days and when all prior bus services have been set up. Children will be signed in or out by their PCCC teacher.
Special Notes Children will only be released to previously authorized persons as designated on your enrollment paperwork. If anyone other than the child’s parent or guardian or someone listed on the enrollment form is to pick up a child, please notify the Director in advance by writing, email, HiMama or by phone.
The person picking up the child will need to show a driver’s license or other picture ID. If parents wish to allow a school-age child to leave for school activities; such as a practice or club, they must provide written authorization and have an “Alternate Arrival and Release Agreement” filled out. Adult supervision must be present.
Child safety is essential at the PCCC. If a parent or other authorized person arrives to pick up a child and that person appears to be intoxicated or under the influence, all reasonable steps will be taken to prevent the person from leaving with the child, including offering to call another person. While we cannot legally withhold a child from the legal guardian, PCCC will not hesitate to call the local authorities if we feel a child is in danger.
Parent Visits Parents are welcome to visit the center at any time during the hours of operation unless parental access is prohibited or restricted by a court order. If so, a copy of the order will need to be on file with the Director. Please understand that we can not legally limit access to a parent if there is not a copy of a court order on file at the center.
*Breastfeeding mothers are welcomed at anytime to feed their nursing infants and toddlers*
Family Engagement Family members are strongly encouraged to participate in any PCCC events that are held. Family members are expected to provide program/family/student feedback formally once a year.
Communication It is important that we communicate daily concerning the needs and interests of each child. If there are issues or concerns that need to be addressed, parents can discuss these with their child’s teacher at drop off/pick up or arrange a convenient time to talk with the Director either by phone or in person. To foster communication on a regular basis, PCCC teachers use the HiMama app for instant messaging and to update children's daily reports. Important information is also posted on the Parent Connection Boards that are located outside of each classroom. Each child will have a mailbox in their classroom so please check those daily for artwork and other paper forms of communications from the teachers or from the administration.
PCCC Parent Handbook 9 If a child will not attend on a regularly scheduled day, parents should make the Director or child’s teacher aware at least 1 hour prior to the child’s regular scheduled arrival time.
Cell Phone Use If you need to use the phone, please do so outside the center before coming into or after leaving PCCC. We ask that your time inside the center be spent talking with the teachers to communicate about your child’s day.
Religious Content We reserve the right to observe any or all religious holidays by way of art, music, cooking, books, discussion and celebrations. The PCCC will promote diversity by teaching about multiple cultures and ethnicities.
Grievance Procedure In the event a problem exists; the Center wants it corrected as quickly as possible. This can only be achieved if it is identified immediately. Parents with concerns should first discuss them with the classroom teacher, if the concern is not related to the teacher or staff member. If the classroom teacher is unable to resolve the concern independently and to the satisfaction of the parent, then the matter should be brought to the attention of the Director. If the center is not able to resolve your concerns you may contact the Pittsville School District Administrator, Rodney Figueroa.
Pets There will not be pets on the premises. If pets will be added in the future, a notice will be posted to inform parents in advance, and whether or not children will have access to the pet(s). Allergies children may have will be taken into consideration.
Confidentiality To protect each family’s confidentiality, PCCC will not share information about a child or a child’s family with anyone who is not authorized to receive this information. While at the PCCC, you may come into contact with information of a confidential nature. This information could include personal or medical information regarding another child or parent, facility information that is not disclosed to the public or information about an employee. Information that is overheard or discussed at the center should be considered confidential and not shared with anyone.
Child Abuse/Neglect Employees will be familiarized with the child abuse and neglect laws. Employees will know how to identify children who are abused or neglected. Childcare providers are mandated reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect and are required by law to report the abuse or neglect to child protective services or the local authorities.
Enrollment of Children It is mandatory that all parents and children meet with the Director to tour the center, discuss all child specific needs, and go over center policies before enrolling. The PCCC will make accommodations for a child with disabilities as specified under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
PCCC Parent Handbook 10 Parents/legal guardians may request access to their child’s file at any time by contacting the Director. The Director will inform parents when updates are needed, giving 30 days’ advance notice to submit updated forms.
All of the following items must be completed and returned to the center to be kept on file by the first day of attendance: ● Form DCF-62, “Child Care Enrollment” ● Form DCF-44, “Heath History and Emergency Care Plan” ● Form DCF-104, “Alternate Arrival/Release Agreement” (if applicable) ● Form DCF-56, “Child Care Center Transportation Permission” (if applicable)
● Form DCF-61, “Child Care Intake for Child Under 2 Years” (if applicable) ● Form DCF-59, “Authorization to Administer Medication” (if applicable) ● First week’s tuition and registration fee of $25 per child or $50 per family which is non-refundable. ● Free and Reduced Meals Application ● Family Agreement
Due within 30 days after child starts attending: ● Form DPH-4192, “Day Care Immunization Record” (not needed for enrolled school age children) ● Form DCF-60, “Child Health Report” or record signed by a doctor.
Children enrolled for at least 32 hours per week will be considered full-time. Part-time basis will be fewer than 32 hours per week. Parents electing part-time care will be advised that in the event a full time client wishes to enroll, the part-time client will be given the option of the full-time position, if declined; the center may offer a two-week notice to terminate care.
PCCC will accept children for drop-in care, if prior enrollment arrangements have been made, enrollment forms are on file, and space is available. Children will be enrolled for a trial period of 2 weeks. During the trial period, either the center or parent may terminate childcare without advance notice.
Discharge of Enrolled Children A child may be discharged from the center for reasons such as, but not limited to: ● Failure to pay fees on time (grounds for immediate termination, without advance notice). ● Lack of parental cooperation. ● Inability of child care program to meet the needs of the child. Staff will consult with the parent concerning how any problems might be solved before ending the care arrangement. The parent will be referred to other community resources. ● Repeated failure to pick up the child at the scheduled time or after the third pick-up of later than 6:00 pm. ● Failure to complete and return required forms (grounds for immediate termination, without advance notice).
PCCC will give a written notice of intent to discharge a child and try to inform parents or guardians of local resources or other childcare providers. Should the parent remove the child during the notice period initiated by the center, fees will not be charged for the remaining unused days. Parents must give a two week written notice (verbal will not be accepted) of their intent to withdraw the child(ren), and are required to pay for those two weeks regardless of attendance. All outstanding fees must be paid. Any accumulated vacation will not be honored during the two week notice. PCCC Parent Handbook 11 Items Provided by Parents (age specific and labeled with child’s first and last name)
Infant Classroom Pre-made Bottles (enough for every feeding throughout the day, labeled with child’s first and last name, contents, and date) Infant Foods Diapers Wipes Mini Crib Sheet (24" x 38")
Blanket Sleep Sack (signed authorization is required) Lotions (diaper rash creams, sunscreen, insect repellent, signed authorization is required) (2) Full Sets of seasonal clothing (including socks, underwear, pants/shorts, shirts) (2) Sets of shoes (soft sole classroom shoes and outdoor) Clothing suitable for outdoor play (coat/snow pants, shoes/boots, hats/mittens)
Toddler Classroom Diapers Wipes Crib Sheet Blanket Toddler Size Pillow Lotions (diaper rash creams, sunscreen, insect repellent, signed authorization is required) (2) Full Sets of seasonal clothing (including socks, underwear, pants/shorts, shirts) (2) Sets of shoes (soft or hard sole classroom shoes and outdoor) Clothing suitable for outdoor play (coat/snow pants, shoes/boots, hats/mittens)
Preschool Classroom Crib Sheet Blanket Toddler Size Pillow Lotions (diaper rash creams, sunscreen, insect repellent, signed authorization is required) (2) Full Sets of seasonal clothing (including socks, underwear, pants/shorts, shirts) (2) Sets of shoes (classroom shoes and outdoor) Clothing suitable for outdoor play (coat/snow pants, shoes/boots, hats/mittens)
School Age Classroom Crib/Flat Sheet (non school day/summer care) Blanket (non school day/summer care) Set of seasonal clothing (including socks, underwear, pants/shorts, shirts) (2) Sets of shoes (classroom shoes and outdoor) Clothing suitable for outdoor play (coat/snow pants, shoes/boots, hats/mittens)
Sheets and blankets will be washed by staff after every 5 uses or sooner if needed. If the child soils the sheet, they will be sent home that day to be washed and must be returned the next day of care.
PCCC Parent Handbook 12 Vacation Each year round full-time child will receive 5 vacation days to be used within the calendar year after 90 days of continuous care. Part-time children will receive vacation hours/days based off of their weekly attendance after 90 days of continuous care. These vacation days may be used for family vacations, sick days and holidays.
Staff Orientation Before any staff members or substitutes will be left to care for your children they will have an orientation to the center. The state orientation form will be used to document that this has occurred and all the areas on the form will be initialed by the worker.
Children’s Attendance Schedules Parents must meet with the Director and keep a current schedule for their child(ren) on file. Staff will be determined based on the schedules of the children so please keep your schedule up to date. If you need to make changes to your schedule please contact the Director. If you want to drop off or pick up your child(ren) outside of your scheduled time, arrangements must be made in advance with the Director and is subject to availability. If there is a time when you are running late, please call the center. Also, please remember that all children must be picked up no later than 6:00 pm or late fees will be incurred. PCCC reserves the right to contact Social Services or the Police Department, if children are not picked up by 6:30 pm and we have not been able to contact you or the child’s emergency contacts.
Child(ren) Absence If your child(ren) will not be attending due to illness or any other reason, please notify the center at least one hour prior to your normal scheduled arrival. PCCC’s policy will be, if a child has not arrived within 30 minutes of normal arrival time, the parent listed on the enrollment paperwork will be contacted. If the parent cannot be reached after 30 minutes, then the emergency contact person will be called. PCCC is extremely serious about keeping all children safe.
If your child(ren) are scheduled for the After School Program and they will not be attending, it is the responsibility of the parents to contact the PCCC office prior to 2:00 pm so that the site staff can be made aware of the absence. If a child does not arrive for the After School Program by 3:15 pm, parents, teachers and bus drivers will be contacted to ensure the whereabouts of the child. If the child has not been located within 30 minutes, local authorities will be notified.
Program Fees & Payment Information Fees are to be paid in advance by exact cash, check, or money order on Friday for the following week of child care. Fees can also be paid a month in advance for the following month’s care. A payment box is located outside of the toddler classroom for your convenience. There is an option to pay online with a credit or debit card through RevTrak (fees apply).
● If there will be a third party payment, as from an employer or the county, a special payment schedule will be arranged with the Director and a rate contract must be signed and an authorization must be in place before care can start. Authorizations must stay current to attend PCCC. ● Parents are responsible for any unpaid amounts and any unpaid co-payments involving county subsidy. ● No refunds will be given for days when children do not attend for illness unless you are applying your vacation time. PCCC Parent Handbook 13 ● Rates are higher for children under 2 years of age than for older children. ● There will be a $1/day reduction for two or more children in attendance with a maximum discount of $2/day, this will apply to the oldest child’s rate or oldest two if there are three or more children enrolled. ● There will be an extra fee assessed for late pick up of a child without notification to the Director of $15 for every 15 minute increment after 6 pm. ● There will be an extra fee of $25 per day assessed for late payment. If fees remain unpaid, PCCC reserves the right to immediately terminate care. PCCC will charge for any attorney fees or collection fees involved in the collection of a delinquent payment.
● There can be up to a $35 NSF fee for insufficient funds checks. If at any time a second NSF occurs from the same family, PCCC will only accept exact cash, cashiers check or money order and may terminate care immediately. PCCC will charge for any attorney fees or collection fees involved in the collection of a delinquent payment. ● PCCC reserves the right to review rates at any point and will provide at least a two-week advance notice of rate increases in writing. There will also be an annual review of rates and a consideration of a rate increase. ● PCCC charges a non-refundable registration fee of $25 per child or $50 per family annually. Summer only attendance will have a $20 registration fee per child or $40 per family annually, for part-time or full-time. The registration fee must be paid with the registration forms to complete the enrollment process. ● No refunds will be issued including parental error with scheduling or disenrollment of a child by either party. ● Snacks and meals are paid separately through the Pittsville School District Food Service.
Current fees appear on rate sheet, attached to handbook, not available online
Wisconsin Shares For families who need assistance on paying full fees, we highly encourage you to apply for Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy. An acceptance letter must be submitted with your enrollment forms. ● Go to www.access.wi.gov to check for your eligibility for Wisconsin Shares Child Care subsidy. ● Click on the link “Am I Eligible?” ● Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Next” to start the process. ● Provide all the information requested.. ○ If the Result Page shows that you may be able to get Wisconsin Shares, then click on “Apply for Benefits” to initiate your Wisconsin Shares application. ○ Processing times vary and can take up to 30 days to get established.
*If you have any questions or need help filling out the application, you may contact the PCCC Director at 715-884-5240.
Daily Activities
PCCC Parent Handbook 14 Staff will have information about Developmentally Appropriate Practices and we will review this information at least annually. PCCC staff will plan activities and provide children with a variety of experiences including but not limited to; for Language Development: books for reading, writing materials, music, games, finger plays, poems and flannel board stories. Math and Science Development: items to explore nature and science concepts, practice their problem-solving skills and improve their hand-eye coordination by sorting counters and participating in other similar activities. Large muscle skills: balls, basketball hoops, bubbles, running, jumping, dancing and outdoor play. Small muscle skills: puzzles, art and craft activities, manipulative toys and blocks. Creative expression: dramatic play props, musical instruments and movement activities. Practical life skills: cleaning up after ourselves, helping with mealtime preparation, and dressing ourselves.
Curriculum Planning Time Teachers are expected to plan activities to enhance each child's development and learning. Developmentally appropriate teaching practices encompass a wide range of skills and strategies that are adapted to the age, development, individual characteristics, and the family and social and cultural contexts of each child served. To assist and encourage that planning, PCCC will allow staff two hours or more each week out of the classroom to gather materials, do research, or change classroom arrangements. Learning through educational play is a major component of our program. Enough time, materials and space will be provided for children to actively explore the world around them. Children will have an opportunity to use a variety of art materials, manipulative tools, math, science, and practical life equipment. Our curriculum will provide exposure to a variety of cultures through music, stories, games and art, and we will celebrate how we are all the same and how we are all different from one another.
Inclement Weather Children, including infants and toddlers, will go outdoors daily when weather permits. PCCC has a large outdoor play area that is fenced in for safety with balls, ride on toys, slides, and climbers. Children 2 and older will be kept indoors if the temperature is below zero degrees including the wind chill. Children younger than 2 years will be kept indoors if the temperature, including wind chill, is below 20 degrees. Children will also stay indoors when it is raining or when the temperature is above 90 degrees. If the inside temperature rises above 80 degrees we will provide fans or air-conditioning. During the winter season, if it falls below 67 degrees, we will call for furnace repair and contact parents to come for their children.
Rest or Naptime The State of Wisconsin Licensing requires a rest period for all children younger than five years of age who are in care for more than four consecutive hours. Children who do not sleep may get up after 30 minutes, and children who awaken early will be allowed to get up and do quiet activities. Cribs or playpens are provided for each child less than one year of age. Children over the age of one year will sleep on a sheet covered nap cot.
Infant Classroom (Children Under 18 Months of Age) Our infant classroom accommodates non-mobile or crawling infants in a peaceful environment. Here, the infant safely explores, feeling secure in the presence of loving adult caregivers. The environment includes developmentally appropriate furniture and materials. Safety is paramount and specially designed furniture supports your child’s budding independence, including bars for pulling up, mirrors to reflect body
PCCC Parent Handbook 15 movement, and child-sized tables and chairs rather than high chairs. Our infant classroom focuses on helping children learn to socialize and interact with each other. Lesson plans include fine and gross motor activities, comparison skills using art, science and discovery, hands-on learning through a variety of sensory activities and the start of practical life skills.
There shall be no specifically scheduled nap time for all infants as a group. As children begin to mature, a child’s schedule will be changed to slowly eliminate the a.m. nap and slowly integrate the child into the center schedule. Priority shall be given to the individual eating and sleep needs of the child.¹
Electronic daily reports will be maintained on our HiMama App. They will include documentation of what each child ate, when they slept, and when they wet or soiled diapers, potty training attempts and activities that the child participated in. Parents and/or guardians can use the HiMama App to share information with
us about the child’s night and morning activities and disposition. There is also a morning written report that must be filled out by parents and/or guardians at drop-off.
SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants aged one month to one year. ² Being a SIDS conscious facility, no blankets, toys, bumper padding or other objects will be allowed in a crib. Swaddling will be prohibited unless by doctors’ orders with a note on file. Blanket sleepers or sleep sacks are the only approved sleeping attire for children sleeping in cribs. Parents must supply one winter and one summer blanket sleeper or sleep sack if they wish for them to be used. Written permission must be indicated on the child’s Intake Form or stated in a signed note that will be kept on file until it is no longer needed.
Over the age of one, pacifiers and blankets are allowed at nap time only. If a child is having a difficult drop off, we will permit the child a short time to adjust before having to put away the pacifier or blanket.
¹ State of Wisconsin DCF 251 Licensing Rules for Group Child Care Centers with Commentary ² The CJ Foundation for SIDS
Toddler Classroom (Children 18 Months to 3 Years of Age) Our Toddler classroom safely supports your child’s drive to do things alone, developing confidence and a sense of competence. The environment is language-rich, with adults using proper nomenclature rather than baby talk so that the children are exposed to and develop a broad vocabulary. Adults also support toddlers in communicating with each other. A range of books allows children to explore on their own or read aloud with an adult.
In this learning environment, children work independently, observe others, explore freely, and express their curiosity and creativity. A self-care area fosters toilet awareness and independence in maintaining personal hygiene (such as learning how to wipe one’s nose and wash hands independently). A sleeping area with individual floor beds/mats that allows toddlers to exercise autonomy in preparing for rest and allows them to get up independently once rested. There is also an area for gross motor activities to help children coordinate their movements, and low tables that enable them to help prepare, serve, eat, and clean up their snacks and meals.
Our toddler classroom introduces children to letters, numbers, colors and shapes. Lesson plans include language development, learning the alphabet, recognizing numbers and learning to count. Learning Centers use blocks, puzzles, creative art, and books. At this stage, toddlers are becoming more PCCC Parent Handbook 16 independent and our teachers promote practical life skills like hand washing, picking up toys and sharing with friends.
Wood County Birth to 3 Program The PCCC will partner with any families who currently receive or would be eligible for services through the Wood County Birth to 3 Program. If you need more information on this early intervention program, contact the Director.
Preschool Classroom (Children 3- 5 Years of Age) Our preschool classroom will give children the opportunities to play and explore their surroundings. They will be given many learning experiences in a variety of developmental areas that are age appropriate. Weekly activities will include math, science, fine and gross motor, art and literacy and practical life skills.
We occasionally take walks around the center. Emergency information for each child will be taken whenever the children leave the premises, as well as a two-way radio. You will be notified in advance of any field trip requiring transportation.
A schedule of daily activities is posted on a bulletin board outside each classroom. Groups of children may be combined at the beginning and at the end of the day. Activities at the beginning of the day and at the end of the day will be designed for a wide age range of children working and playing together. Activities are planned a week in advance and prepared by teachers that work directly with the children and are based on the themes chosen as well as children’s interests. Lesson plans are available for parents to review. Curriculum will celebrate cultural diversity as well as individualism in all children.
Children may engage in water play and will be closely supervised to ensure safety. PCCC may offer wading pools in the summer and parents will be notified in advance. Children will be transitioned from activity to activity in small groups or as they complete their activity to prevent long waiting times and each classroom will offer activities for children to engage in if a waiting period occurs.
District’s Early Childhood Program If it is noted that your preschooler would benefit from the District’s Early Childhood Program you will be notified and more information will be available for you.
School Aged Children During the school year, children will have a quiet place to study or relax, access to appropriate materials and activities, and will have ample time for large muscle activities.
If your child belongs to a student club or other after school activities that meets on school grounds during the After School Program, parents MUST notify the Director and fill out an Alternate Arrival/Release Agreement for each activity. Children must have prior parental approval to attend after school functions.
Summer care will have a flexible curriculum that is developmentally appropriate for the ages of the children enrolled. There will be plenty of indoor and outdoor enrichment activities.
Personal Belongings
PCCC Parent Handbook 17 School age children will be responsible for all of their belongings (jackets, backpacks, lunch boxes, etc.). Items left at the end of the day will be placed in the school’s lost and found. Parents are encouraged to frequently check the lost and found.
Cell phone and Chromebook Policy Children are not permitted the use of their cell phones during program hours. They should keep their cell phones in their backpacks or designated locker area.
School age children will be allowed to use chromebooks during homework time and quiet activity. The use of chromebooks will be at the discretion of the teacher and the Director.
Special Classes/Photography PCCC may offer special classes such as music lessons, language lessons, tutoring for school age children, and photographs of your children. Parents will be notified in advance if there will be additional
fees associated with these services. Most special services will have additional fees and those charges will be explained when the classes/ photography are offered. Participation is completely voluntary.
Videotaping/Photographing of Program Participants At various times throughout the year, authorized individuals may want to videotape or photograph groups or individuals for public relations or educational purposes. If you do not want your child to appear in any videotapes or photographs that may be used for public relations or educational purposes please indicate it on the Enrollment Form.
School Closings In the case of severe weather conditions, the PCCC will be OPEN even if the Pittsville School District is closed. There might be times when the weather is too severe and the PCCC will close early to make sure all the children, families and staff can get home safely.
Child Guidance Policy
Children’s behavior will be guided by setting clear limits or rules for children. Staff will talk with children about expected behaviors and model those behaviors consistently for them. Staff will state positively what children can do, using specific terms (e.g., “you need to walk” rather than “don’t run”). Undesirable behavior will be redirected to another activity. Children will be given a wide variety of age-appropriate activities to choose from and will be given the attention they need before they demand it. Behavior management will be for the purpose of helping children develop self-control, self-esteem and respect for the rights of others.
When a child is crying, fussy or distraught, staff will work to calm and comfort the child in ways that are appropriate for the child’s age and personal disposition. This may include stroking, cuddling, rocking; offering a drink, acknowledging the child’s fear, separation sadness, or conflict. Distracting or redirecting to another activity or talking calmly with the child about how s/he is feeling about what has happened may ease the situation. If the unhappiness persists, we may contact a parent to share what is occurring, and inquire if this might indicate onset of an illness.
PCCC Parent Handbook 18 PCCC recognizes that no single technique will work with every child every time. If a child exhibits unacceptable behavior, the staff will request a conference with parents to consider how to deal with the behavior. If the behavior continues, the next steps may include referrals to appropriate community resources, and / or discharge of the child from care.
In accordance with “Wisconsin Rules for Group Child Care Centers,” actions that are aversive, cruel, humiliating, and actions that may be psychologically, emotionally or physically painful, discomforting, dangerous or potentially injurious are prohibited. Prohibited actions include spanking, hitting, pinching, shaking, slapping, twisting, or inflicting any other form of corporal punishment on the child; verbal abuse, threats or derogatory remarks about the child or the child’s family; physical restraint, binding or tying the child to restrict the child’s movement or enclosing the child in a confined space such as a closet, locked room, box or similar cubicle; withholding or forcing meals, snacks or naps; punishing a child for lapses in toilet training. These forms of punishment will never be used, even at a parent’s request. Time-outs are not supported and will not be allowed at PCCC as a means of discipline. If behavior issues persist, a parent conference will be held with the parents and a correction plan will be put in place.
Contingency Plans
Attendance will be kept in each classroom daily and arrival/departure times recorded. During early AM arrival and late PM pick-up, teachers will be kept aware of children they are responsible for, as rooms are condensed and staff leaves the center for the day. Teachers will know the names of each child and their whereabouts at all times.
Fire evacuation plans will be practiced monthly. Tornado evacuation plans will be practiced monthly from April through October. The Director will document dates of fire and tornado drills and check the smoke detectors monthly on a form provided by the state. Intruder training will be conducted using the protocol of the Pittsville School District.
During the following emergency procedures, these are the steps that will be taken. Fire- In the event of a fire, pull the nearest fire alarm and call 911. ● Turn off lights and close windows; follow the fire evacuation map on the classroom wall. ● Lead Teacher will evacuate the children out of the building taking the class list with them. A roll call and headcount will be performed once outside. ● Infant teachers will use the evacuation cribs to evacuate the children outside of the building. ● Children will stay in line and go outside away from the building; evacuate the building to a least 500 feet away. ● Keep class together while outside. ● The remaining teacher will grab the emergency bag, do a classroom sweep and shut the doors, leaving them unlocked. ● Re-enter when told by the school principal, PCCC director or the fire department. ● If inclement weather, staff should move students to their designated evacuation sites: ○ Crossroads Church (262-716-7612)
Tornado- If the local weather stations have issued a Tornado Watch or Warning. ● On hearing the signal, all children in the building or outside will report with their teacher to the assigned tornado shelter areas (posted in classrooms by door).
PCCC Parent Handbook 19 ● Lead teachers will walk the children to the shelter area, taking the class list with them and do a roll call and head count once in the tornado shelter area. ● Infant teachers will use the evacuation cribs, if necessary to move the children to shelter areas. ● The remaining teacher will grab the emergency bag and do a classroom sweep and then head to the assigned tornado shelter area. ● Students should sit cross-legged, bend forward, and cover their heads. ● During times of weather warnings, children will be kept in their shelter areas beyond normal dismissal times where staff will remain with them. ● All students and staff may leave shelter areas and resume normal activities when the weather service issues an “all clear” signal and attendance has been taken.
Missing Child- In the event of a missing child. ● The director and all available staff will conduct a full search of the building and outside playground areas. ● The Superintendent will be notified and called to assist in locating the child.
● If the child cannot be located, the local authorities will be called. ● Parents of the child will immediately be notified to come directly to the center or designated area. ● The Department of Children and Families will be notified within 24 hours of the incident.
Other Emergencies- For all other emergencies; such as, chemical spills, bomb threats, utilities emergency, lockdown or disturbance that might involve a weapon, please refer to the School District of Pittsville Emergency Procedures Guidelines booklet for steps and how to carry them out (located in every classroom by the door). All staff will be trained on these procedures during orientation.
Cleanliness Policies
Cleanliness Procedures for Staff and Children Cleanliness and sanitation are of primary importance for PCCC. Staff and children are required to wash their hands upon arrival and after taking a break or anytime you re-enter any classroom or kitchen area, after using the restroom, diapering, or any other time their hands become soiled. Staff working with children shall wash their hands with soap and warm running water before handling food, and after assisting with toileting and after wiping bodily secretions from a child with a disposable tissue.
Children’s hands shall be washed with soap and warm running water before and after meals and snacks, after toileting or diapering, and anytime they re-enter the classroom. Children’s hands and face shall be washed after meals. Washing in a common bucket or pan is allowed after certain activities such as finger painting, if this preliminary washing is to eliminate excess paint and is followed up by individual hand washing under running water with soap.
Infants' hands may be washed with a fabric, cloth, or paper wipe containing soap and water. Children aged one and over must use soap and running water to wash.
Universal Precautions PCCC’s staff adopt universal precautions when exposed to blood and blood-containing body fluids and injury discharges of children. Persons shall wash their hands immediately with soap and warm running
PCCC Parent Handbook 20 water, if exposed. Single use disposable gloves will be worn if there will be contact with blood-containing body fluids or tissue discharges. Hands shall be washed with soap and water after removal of gloves. Gloves will be discarded in plastic bags. For spills of vomit, urine, feces, blood or other body fluids, the center staff shall clean and disinfect the floors, walls, bathrooms, tabletops, toys, kitchen countertops and diaper changing tables.
Toy Sanitation Toys that have been in a child’s mouth will be picked up as soon as the child lets go of it and placed into a basket to be washed, sanitized, and air-dried. Toys requiring laundering, such as stuffed dolls or animals, will be laundered daily. Shelves and other toys will be sanitized daily and left to air dry.
Diapering Before changing a diaper, the staff will wash his/her hands. Latex free gloves may be worn by staff during diaper changes and discarded after the diaper has been removed. Following the diaper change, the soiled diaper will be disposed of in a plastic-lined, foot-activated diaper pail. Wet or soiled clothing will be
put into a plastic bag and tied. Hands of both the child and the staff member will be washed. Changing pads will be cleaned and disinfected after each child.
Health Care Policies
We regret any inconvenience caused by the strict adherence to these guidelines. Our concern for all the children dictates a very aggressive approach when dealing with health matters. Because of conflicting medical opinions about the advisability of re-admitting children receiving treatment who still appear ill, PCCC will be vigilant on safety when making such decisions and ask for your tolerance and understanding.
Special Health Care Needs When a child is known to have any special health care needs, that information will be shared with those staff who are assigned to care for that child, but will otherwise be treated with confidentiality. Such special needs, including dietary requirements, will be posted on the inside of the staff cabinet door, where medication and medical log books are stored. When specialized equipment is needed, such as a nebulizer or epinephrine device, the child’s parent or a medical professional will train staff in correct procedures. After an epinephrine device is administered, 911 and the child’s parents will be immediately notified. Proper hand washing procedures will be followed to prevent the spread of disease. Hand washing procedures will be posted at all of the sinks.
Child Illness Children who are ill are not to be brought to the center. Examples of children who are ill: ● Fever (rectal, ear or temporal artery temperature of 101.4°F, oral 101°F or 101°F or armpit temp of 100° or higher). ● Vomiting more than once in the past 24 hours ● Diarrhea more than once in the past 24 hours ● Contagious disease such as but not limited to: ○ COVID-19 (14 days after exposure, or 10 days after symptoms started with a positive diagnosis AND fever and symptom free for 24 hours) PCCC Parent Handbook 21 ○ Chicken pox (until 6 days after onset of rash or sores have dried) ○ Pertussis/whooping cough (until on antibiotics 5 days) ○ Mumps ○ Hepatitis A ○ Measles - red or German ○ Head Lice (until 1st treatment is initiated) ○ Scabies (until after all treatment is completed) ○ Strep throat (until 24 hours of treatment and fever is gone) ○ Pink eye (until 24 hours after treatment has been initiated) ○ Colds with severe runny noses ○ An unidentified rash ○ Has a constant, thick, colored nasal discharge
Children may return to the center when they are symptom free and/or off medication for at least 24 hours. If on a prescribed medication, they must be on it for at least 24 hours or have medical approval to return to childcare and are able to participate in the daily activities.We will follow procedures on personal cleanliness and communicable diseases stated in licensing rules and the guidelines for exclusion of children from childcare as adapted from the Division of Public Health.
Parents will be informed whenever their children have been exposed to a communicable disease. Certain diseases must also be reported to the public health department and to our licensing specialist.
If a child should become ill or seriously injured while at the center, parents will be contacted immediately. Sick children will be isolated within sight and hearing and made as comfortable as possible. Ill children should be picked up as soon as possible. If the child is not picked up within one hour, the emergency contact person on the child’s enrollment form will be called.
***PCCC adheres to any Pittsville School District Changes that occur due to any Pandemics***
Medical Log All employees shall maintain a medical log book for all accidents, injuries and medication dispensed to a child. The medical log book will have stitched bindings and pages that are lined and numbered. Pages may not be removed or lines skipped. Each entry shall include the date of occurence, description of accident, injury or medication name and dose given, and signed or initialed by the person making the entry. The medical log is reviewed every 6 months by the PCCC Director.
Medication Policy The PCCC staff can administer prescription or non-prescription medication to a child only under the following conditions: ● An Authorization to Administer Medication form must be filled out and returned to the PCCC Director prior to administering medication. ● The medication is in the original container and labeled with the child’s name and the label includes the dosage and directions for administration. ● A written record, including type of medication given, dosage, time, date and the name or initials of the person administering the medication, shall be made in the center medical log book on the same day that the medication was administered. PCCC Parent Handbook 22 ● If your child has an inhaler, allergy medication or other medication that must be kept with them, please notify us of the location so we can find the medication in an emergency. Please make the program aware of any serious medical conditions or special needs. ● All other medication and refrigerated medication shall be stored, in a labeled medication container, so that it is not accessible to the children. ○ All non-refrigerated medication containers are located in each classroom’s cabinet. ○ Infant and Toddler refrigerated medication containers are located in the refrigerator in the closet between their classrooms. ○ Preschool and School Age refrigerated containers are located in the refrigerator in the School Age classroom.
Non-Medicinal Products Sun screen, insect repellent, lip balm, diaper creams and other non-medicinal products will only be used on a child when signed authorization is on file, and the specific products are supplied by the parent and labeled with the child’s name.
Child Injury Procedures On/Off Center Premises If a child becomes injured while on the center premises, the following procedures will take place: ● Superficial wounds will be cleaned with soap & water only and protected as necessary. If soap & water are not available, cleansing wipes found in the first aid kit can be used until soap & water are available. Parents or guardians will receive a digital accident report on HiMama on this minor injury and the injury will be documented in the classroom medical log book. ● If the injury does not appear to be serious or life threatening, but may require medical attention, the parent or guardian will be notified and asked to determine the necessity of medical attention. ● If the injury does appear to be serious or life threatening, (i.e. any restricted breathing, profuse bleeding, suspected bone breaks, loss of consciousness of any kind, fevers exceeding 105 degrees, seizure, cardiac arrest, lack of pulse and including but not limited to any fatal wound) the PCCC reserves the right to call emergency services at the parent’s expense and without first obtaining permission from the parents. ● In case of a medical emergency, all children and staff will be transported to MARSHFIELD MEDICAL CENTER. If possible, children will be transported to location identified on enrollment forms. Any medical or contact information provided to the PCCC will be sent with the child. Parents will be notified after 911 is called. ● Medical logs are kept and all accident records are reviewed by the PCCC Director.
Emergency Vehicle and Emergency Supplies The Pittsville School District has school vans on premises that could be used in the event of an emergency. The Pittsville Fire Department is located less than 5 minutes away and is equipped with emergency medical vehicles that would be available at all times. All classrooms have emergency supplies (flashlights, blankets, radio, extra batteries) and a safety bucket (contingency situations equipment).
Illnesses and Accidents Reported to Department The PCCC will report any situation that pertains to the Department of Children and Families found in sections DCF251.04(3)a-n.
PCCC Parent Handbook 23 Emergency Contact Person Located by the phone and posted by the door is the list of Emergency Contacts and the number of District Administrator, Rodney Figueroa, who is available to assist the child care program at any time and can reach the center within 5 minutes.
Emergency Numbers All emergency numbers are posted by the classroom phone and in the Emergency Procedures Guidelines booklet located by the main entrance door of every classroom.
Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) Prevention Training Staff, including substitutes and emergency back-up providers, must have attended an approved training in the identification and prevention in Abusive Head Trauma (AHT), Shaking Baby Syndrome (SBS), the period of PURPLE Crying, strategies and challenges of soothing a baby, coping with frustration, and having a plan and educating others before being allowed to work with children.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) To reduce the risk of SIDS staff will do the following with any child under the age of ONE year:
● All infants will be placed to sleep on their backs, unless the child’s physician’s authorizes another position in writing and a parent signs a legal release of liability form ● Soft objects will be removed from the crib ● No blankets, toys, bumper padding or other objects will be allowed in a crib ● Sheets will be tight fitting ● If a child falls asleep in a bouncer, swing or car seat they will be moved to their crib ● Staff will ensure that awake, non-mobile children have time each day to spend in a prone position (“tummy time”) ● Staff members and substitutes will be trained on these procedures before they begin working with any children ● Swaddling will be prohibited unless by doctors’ orders with a note on file ● Blanket sleepers or Sleep Sacks are the only approved sleeping attire for children sleeping in cribs. Permission for this request must be indicated on the child’s Intake Form or a signed note on file before they can be used. Parents must supply their own blanket sleeper or sleep sack and it will be laundered weekly or as needed at PCCC.
CPR Employees in regular contact with children shall obtain and maintain a current certificate of completion for infant and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator use from an agency approved by the department within 6 months after beginning to work with children.
Toilet Training Toilet training should be a positive experience in your child’s life. It is very important that parents be the one to initiate this process and not the provider. After successfully testing at home with your child, for more than one week, if you feel your child is ready and is able to verbally communicate their need to go, then you can ask the teachers to help assist you in the process.
Toilet training is as individual and rewarding as learning to walk. There is no right age by which children should be toilet trained, however the State of Wisconsin Licensing will not allow us to toilet train children PCCC Parent Handbook 24 under the age of 18 months. Once we all see and agree on the stages and signs in your child’s progress and parents have initiated training at home successfully, then we can try toilet training your child for 10 working days. If your child shows no interest, is showing signs of fear or having too many accidents, we will discontinue training until we feel s/he is ready to start again.
PCCC will be closely coordinating with the child’s family attempting to use terminology and procedures that are as consistent as possible at home and at the center. Accidents are to be expected, and will never be cause for punishment or humiliation. We will never use food or candy for a reward system. Wisconsin Health regulations state that staff are not able to wash out soiled clothes however, feces will be discarded if possible (clothes will be placed in a plastic bag and sent home). Each child will always be accompanied by the teacher. To help in the process; please dress your child in loose fitting clothes for them to pull up & down.
Keep two full sets of extra clothing in their lockers or cubbies at all times (pants, shirts, underwear, socks and shoes). Training will start with disposable training pants to avoid damage to furniture/carpeting; this is
also for hygiene purposes. When the child has gone two weeks in disposable training pants without any accidents we can try underwear.
Biting Children biting is one of the most common and most difficult behaviors in group child care. It can occur without warning, is difficult to defend against, and provokes strong emotional responses in the biter, the victim, the parents, and the caregivers involved. No matter what the cause, biting in a group situation causes strong feelings in all involved. It does help, however, to be aware of the potential problem before it happens, and to form a plan of action if it does occur.
When a child is bitten there are steps to follow for the biter and the victim: ● The biter is immediately removed with no emotion, using words such as “Stop, that is not okay” ● The caring attention is focused on the victim ● The biter is not allowed to return to play and is talked to on a level that the child can understand. “I can see that you want that truck, but I can’t let you hurt him to get it. We need to wait for our turn.” ● Redirect the child to other play ● Staff will record the incident in the medical log book and in HiMama.
For the victim: ● Separate the victim from the biter ● Comfort the child ● Administer first aid ● Staff will record the incident in the medical log book and in HiMama.
Pittsville Child Care Center policy if biting becomes severe in nature: ● Talk to the parents to determine any triggers that may be causing the behavior.
PCCC Parent Handbook 25 ● Have staff working in the classroom document the behaviors including time of day, date, what the child was doing prior to the bite, and what the child was doing when the bite happened so that we can identify any possible triggers in the classroom. ● If after meeting with the parents and documentation does not eliminate these behaviors, outside sources may be consulted for observation and evaluation. (Birth to 3 for children under age 3 and the appropriate school district employee for children age 4+) ● If the outside agency does not determine that services are warranted, PCCC will then meet with the parents to outline that from this point forward a three strikes rule will be put in place. This means that if three separate biting incidents occur within one week the child will be placed on a one week suspension. After there have been three separate suspensions and no improvement in behavior, the child will be dismissed from the center.
Nutrition Policy
PCCC will serve breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks to all children in attendance at the times identified in the daily schedule. School-aged children will be offered an afternoon snack right after school. If your child has special dietary needs (medical condition or personal choice) or has food allergies, parents must notify the center in writing. Information on children with special diets or food allergies will be posted in the kitchen and in the PCCC classrooms. All staff will be informed of special diets and allergies at orientation and whenever a new diet or allergy is introduced. We will make accomodations for children with special diets or food allergies.
Children younger than 1 year old must be served formula or breast milk, unless written directions are on file from the child’s health care professional. All infant foods and bottles must come prepared ahead of time and must be labeled with your child’s name, date, and contents and will be served on the child’s schedule. Babies will be held for bottle-feeding. Bottles will never be propped up, and unused formula or breast milk will be disposed of an hour after the bottle is warmed. All bottles will be rinsed and sent home for sanitation.
For children who are 6 months and older, starting solid foods will be at the discretion of the parents or guardians. All infant teachers will be familiar with baby led weaning but also familiar with which foods to slowly start introducing. PCCC will provide “Introducing Solids” handouts when a child is showing signs of being developmentally ready.
No child will go without food for more than 3 hours. Children will eat family style and will be allowed to serve themselves. Each child will be asked to take a small amount of each item served and encouraged to try everything but the children will not be forced to eat items they do not like. Mealtimes will include meaningful conversation and will promote social interaction, encourage good table manners and develop sound nutritional habits. Teachers will eat with the children to model the behavior that is desired. Children will be praised for trying new things and they will be encouraged to clean up after themselves.
Eating surfaces will be sanitized before meals and snacks and everyone will wash their hands before and after eating. Meals will not be withheld as a form of punishment. Food will be stored off of the floor and once opened, in airtight containers. Refrigerators (40 degrees or colder) and freezer temperatures (0 degrees or colder) will be properly maintained.
PCCC Parent Handbook 26 Dishes will be washed and sanitized in accordance with licensing regulations, in a commercial dishwasher and air dried in racks, baskets, or on drain boards. Equipment and utensils shall have smooth, hard surfaces, be easily cleanable, in good repair, durable, non-toxic and free of cracks, seams, chips and roughened areas, and shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Food preparation tables shall be durable, and surfaces shall be smooth, non-absorbent and easily cleanable. After cleaning, utensils shall be stored in a clean, dry place and protected from contamination. Kitchen utensils and food contact surfaces used for preparation, storage or serving of food shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each use.
Birthday and holiday store bought treats are allowed. We will inform any parents of food allergies that are present in our center. No made from scratch treats can be permitted. Please make teachers aware when treats are to be brought in.
DPI National School Lunch Program (NSLP) The PCCC uses the Pittsville School District’s NSLP to provide meals and snacks for children age 1 and older. This is a separate fee from our child care rates and is billed through our School District.
USDA guidelines are followed when planning our menus. Menus will be posted outside the kitchen, on all classroom Parent Connection Boards, and on the School District Website. If a menu must be changed for any reason, the food substituted will be noted on the posted menu. Menus will be kept on file for three months. Meals and snacks are prepared at the center. All kitchen staff receive the appropriate training in food service procedures.
For children who are under 1 year of age, parents must provide all infant formula or breastmilk and foods (subject to change based on USDA guidelines). These must be labeled with the child’s name, date and time the food was prepared. Children under 1 year of age are not eligible for the NSLP. Once the child has reached their first birthday, they will be able to be enrolled in the program.
Free and Reduced Meals For all children, a Free and Reduced Meals Application will be included in your child’s enrollment package. Families must apply every year to determine eligibility for the program.
Meal and Snack Rates (subject to change as required by DPI)
PCCC Parent Handbook 27 Parent Provided Meals and Snacks Parents have the option to provide their child’s meals and snacks, if they wish to not enroll in the food program. The snacks and meals must be USDA approved foods (see District website for USDA list of allowable food or get paper copies from the Director).
*Refrigerators and Microwaves are available for storing and heating up meals*
Program Contacts
Feedback and questions are always welcome regarding the programs. All correspondence should be directed to:
Pittsville Child Care Center Tabitha Becker, Director 5459 Elementary Avenue, Suite 2 Pittsville, WI 54466 Phone: (715) 884-5240 Email: [email protected]
PCCC Parent Handbook 28 Daily Schedules
INFANT DAILY SCHEDULE
***** Subject to change to meet the children’s individual needs. *****
6:00am – 8:00am PCCC opens, Free Choice, Work on Large Motor Skills Individually
8:00am – 9:00am Breakfast (center serves at 8am) and Bottles, Tummy time for Non-Mobile
Children, Outside Time, Walks
9:30am – 11:00am Staggered Naptime, Singing, Fingerplays, Large and Fine motor skills
Individually, Art
11:00am – 12:30pm Lunch (center serves at 11am) and Bottles
12:30pm – 2:00pm Staggered Naptime, Sensory Activities, Large and Fine Motor Skills Individually,
Tummy Time for Non-Mobile Infants
2:00pm – 3:30pm Snack (center serves at 2pm) and Bottles, Outside Time, Walks
3:30pm – 4:00pm Read Books and Sing Songs
4:00pm – 6:00pm Free Choice, Tummy Time for Non-Mobile Children, Pick-up
PCCC Parent Handbook 29 TODDLER DAILY SCHEDULE
***** Subject to change to meet the children’s individual needs. *****
6:00am – 8:00am PCCC opens, Free Choice, Work on Skills Individually
8:00am – 9:00am Breakfast (center serves at 8am), Clean-up, Diapers/Potty Break
9:00am – 9:15am Circle Time, Morning Greeting, Singing, Dancing
9:15am – 10:15am Free Choice of all Interests Areas
10:15am – 11:00am Gross Motor Skill, Outside or Gym play
11:00am – 12:00pm Lunch (center serves at 11am), Clean-up, Diapers/Potty Break, Reading Time
12:00pm – 2:00pm Nap Time, Quiet Activities
2:00pm – 2:45pm Snack (center serves at 2pm), Clean-up, Diapers/Potty Break
2:45pm – 3:00pm Music and Movement
3:00pm – 4:00pm Free Choice of all Interests Areas
4:00pm – 5:00pm Outside Play, Gym/Multi-purpose room
5:00pm – 6:00pm Snack (center serves at 5:00pm), Free Play, Diapers/Potty Break, Pick-up
PCCC Parent Handbook 30 PRESCHOOL DAILY SCHEDULE
6:00am – 7:50am PCCC opens, Free play, Centers, Table Activities, Books/Puzzles
7:50am – 8:00am Bathroom and Hand washing
8:00am – 8:40am Breakfast (center serves at 8am) and Clean up
8:40am – 9:10am Circle Time, Daily Job Chart, Morning Activity
9:10am – 10:00am Free Choice in Learning Centers
10:00am – 10:10am Bathroom and Hand washing
10:10am – 10:50am Outside/Gross Motor
10:50am – 11:00am Bathroom and Hand washing
11:00am – 12:00pm Lunch (center serves at 11am), Clean up, and Bathroom
12:00pm – 2:00pm Nap, Quiet time (children may get up after 30 minutes for quiet activities), and
bathroom as children awaken
2:00pm – 3:30pm Snack (center serves at 2pm), Clean up (after school children get snack as they
come into the room)
3:30pm – 3:40pm Bathroom and Hand washing
3:40pm – 5:00pm Outside/Gross Motor
5:00pm – 5:10pm Bathroom and Hand Washing
PCCC Parent Handbook 31 5:10pm – 6:00pm Free Choice (Music, Tape Stories,
Books, Table Activities, Learning Centers),
Late Snack at 5:30pm, Clean up, Pick-up
SCHOOL AGE DAILY SCHEDULE
6:00am – 7:50am PCCC opens, learning areas and table top toys/games
8:50am – 8:00am Clean up, Bathroom and Hand washing
8:00am – 8:45am Breakfast (center serves at 8am), Clean up
8:45am – 9:45am Free Choice of Learning Centers
9:45am – 10:00am Bathroom and Handwashing
10:00am – 10:50am Outdoor/Gross Motor
10:50am – 11:00am Bathroom and Handwashing
11:00am – 12:00pm Lunch (center serves at 11am), Clean up
12:00pm – 2:00pm Rest time, Quiet reading, Movie, Bathroom and Hand washing
2:00pm – 2:30pm Snack (center serves at 2pm), Clean up
2:30pm – 3:15pm Group Activity (Science, Math, Writing, STEM, Art)
3:15pm – 4:15pm Free Choice of Learning Centers
4:15pm – 5:30pm Outdoor/Gross Motor
5:30pm – 6:00pm Late Snack at 5:30pm, Clean up, Pick-up
PCCC Parent Handbook 32 BEFORE SCHOOL PROGRAM DAILY SCHEDULE
6:00am - 7:20am Check-in, Free Choice
7:20am - 7:30am Clean up, Check-out, Report to Homeroom Classroom/Playground/Gym
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM DAILY SCHEDULE
3:10pm – 3:30pm Check-in, Snack, Clean up
3:30pm – 3:35pm Bathroom and Hand washing
3:35pm – 3:50pm Gross Motor/Team Building Activity
3:50pm – 4:15pm Group Activity (Science, Math, Writing, STEM, Art)
4:15pm – 4:45pm Homework and Reading Time
4:45pm – 5:15pm Outdoor/Gross Motor
5:15pm – 6:00pm Free Choice, Clean up, Pick-up
PCCC Parent Handbook 33 PCCC Parent Handbook 34