A Member of the Texas State University System

Lamar University A Member of The Texas State University System

Early Childhood Development Center A Laboratory School

Parent Handbook

Revised: May 2009 1 Parent Handbook

TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome Classroom Guidelines ...Pg. 12 Overview Arrival History Naptime Discipline/Guidance Methods Educational Framework …Pg. 4 Birthdays/Celebrations/Holidays Mission Children’s Clothing Philosophy Bringing Items from Home Core Values Curriculum Goals Curriculum …Pg. 14 Programs Offered Assessments Program Quality/Standards of Excellence Referrals Technology Interaction Guidelines …Pg. 6 Outdoor Participation Ratios Field Trips NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct Statement of Commitment Health & Safety …Pg. 15 Hygiene Operations …Pg. 7 Illness Hours 24 hour ‘Symptom Free’ Rule Checking IN/OUT Medication Parking Immunizations Child Release Policy Nutrition & Snacks Child Custody Issues Emergency Procedures/Drills Child Abuse & Neglect Non-discrimination Policy Parents as Partners …Pg. 19 Confidentiality Statement Classroom Information Board Parent Conferences Procedures & Guidelines …Pg. 8 Face-to-Face Interactions Eligibility Program Survey Waitlist Applications Parent Meetings/Classes Enrollment Applications ECDC Advisory Board Parent Complaints Holidays Parent/Teacher Communications School Calendar Child & Family Support Services Early Dismissal Parent Policy Agreement Emergency Closing Room Assignment Promotions to Other Classes Withdrawal Procedures Semester Breaks Discontinuing Service University Students

Fees & Payments ….Pg. 11 Tuition Accounts Late Pick-up Registration Fees

Revised: May 2009 2 WELCOME

Dear Parents,

Welcome to Lamar University Early Childhood Development Center. We are excited that you have enrolled your child in our program. We want you to be a partner in your child’s education. We ask that you read the parent handbook and keep it at home for future reference.

The purpose of the Parent Handbook is to provide an organized source of detailed information specifically related to ways that families can partner with the Center to ensure a high quality experience for everyone involved in the education of your child. The Center has policies concerning the program and classroom practices. These guidelines have been developed to comply with state licensing standards and national accreditation criteria. The policies and procedures described in this booklet are written to provide a clear description of what parents may expect of Lamar University ECDC and what Lamar University ECDC expects of parents. Our goal is to provide exemplary child care services to Lamar University families.

We hope that your experience at our Center is positive and you feel secure leaving your child in our care. We invite each family to become actively involved in all aspects of our program. We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Margaret Swope Director

Campus Address: 950 East Florida Mailing Address: P.O. 10127 Beaumont, Texas 77710 Telephone Number: 409-880-8212

Revised: May 2009 3 OVERVIEW

The Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) on the Lamar University Beaumont campus has a rich history of university and community support. Early consideration of a possible child care center for children of Lamar students was in response to the insistence of members of the Beaumont chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). This association was interested in helping parents who wished to attend college by providing quality child care for young children. Along with the AAUW, there were many other organizations and church groups that supported the child care facility which opened in 1978 on Highland Avenue and was known as Baby Redbird Day School. In 1980, Baby Redbird opened on the Lamar University campus. The rapid need of quality child care soared in the spring of 1986 and an expansion was greatly needed. Lamar University Early Childhood Development Center opened in the fall of 1986 and continues to operate under the direction of the College of Education and Human Development.

Role of the Laboratory The Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) is a facility maintained for the education of university students who are learning to work with young children and is committed to quality education and care of young children. The Lab provides “hands-on” and observational experiences with the children and supervision for students in various instructional programs.

Educational Framework Mission The mission of the Lamar University Early Childhood Development Center is to provide an exemplary early childhood learning environment for children of students, faculty and staff of Lamar University by offering a program that enhances the quality of a child’s daily experiences while building a foundation for successful future learning.

Philosophy The Early Childhood Development Center is committed to the belief that children can develop their highest potential in a nurturing atmosphere which fosters mutual respect and an appreciation for the uniqueness and capabilities of the individual.

Core Values Standards of ethical behavior in early childhood care and education are based on commitment to core values that are instilled in the field of child care and development. At Lamar University ECDC we have committed ourselves professionally to:

 Appreciating childhood as a unique and valuable stage of the human life cycle.  Continuing professional growth based on current knowledge of child development.  Acknowledging and supporting the close relationship between the child and family.  Respecting the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual child, family member and colleague.

Revised: May 2009 4  Helping children and adults achieve their full potential in the context of relationships that are based on trust, respect and positive regard.  Fostering an appreciation for and building a natural connection between the arts and learning.  Fostering language acquisition that considers family and community perspectives.

Curriculum Goals The early years in a child’s life lay the foundation for future learning. Our curriculum is designed with specific objectives for each age level and child; however the following goals are incorporated into every classroom:

 Developing safe and healthy habits in young children.  Fostering positive self-esteem.  Providing opportunities for creative expression.  Supporting the development of social skills.  Stimulating cognitive problem-solving skills.  Strengthening communication skills necessary for listening, reading, writing, and speaking.  Enhancing fine and gross motor skills.  Assessing the individual needs of each child.

Programs Offered Service Program Education Program Toddler I: 18 months-24 months Pre-Kindergarten I: 3 years Toddler II: 2-2 ½ years Pre-Kindergarten II: 4 years Toddler III: 2 ½ -3 years Pre-Kindergarten II: 4 years Pre-school I: 3-3 ½ years (potty trained) Pre-school II: 3-4 years SuperKids Summer Program Pre-school III: 4-5 years 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade

Service Program  Provides full time care for children 18 months – 6 years  Teachers have a two year Associate Degree in Child Care and Development  Year round program from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. except for scheduled holidays  Children must be in class by 10:00 a.m.  Curriculum is based on Learning Centers which focuses on children’s development  Discounted rate for the children of Lamar University students, faculty, and staff

Education Program  Available for 3 and 4 year olds (must be 3 or 4 by September 1st)  State certified 4 year degreed teachers  Program offered late August through May  Program hours are 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  Children must be in class by 8:30 a.m.  Care is available before 8:00 a.m. and after 3:00 p.m.  Curriculum is based on the Texas Early Education Model (TEEM)

Revised: May 2009 5 SuperKids Summer Program  Summer enrichment program for children entering 1st, 2nd , & 3rd grade in the fall  State certified 4 year degree teachers  Program offered for 4 weeks  Program hours are 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  3 courses (units of study) are offered each week

Program Quality/Standards of Excellence Children who experience a high quality early childhood education are more likely to have greater academic success, high self-esteem, and increased self-control. Lamar University ECDC aligns the program and curriculum with federal and state guidelines, is licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and is currently working on accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). For more information about program quality you can visit the following websites:

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) www.dfps.state.tx.us

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) www.naeyc.org

Texas Education Agency (TEA) www.tea.state.tx.us/curriculum/early/prekguide.html

Interaction Guidelines Ratios Lamar University ECDC maintains developmentally appropriate teaching staff-child ratios within group size to facilitate adult-child interaction and constructive activity among children. Teaching staff provide ongoing personal contact, meaningful learning activities, supervision, and immediate care as needed to protect children’s well-being.

NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct offers guidelines for responsible behavior and sets forth a common basis for resolving the principle of ethical dilemmas encountered in early childhood care and education. Lamar University ECDC staff adheres to the NAEYC standards and uses the following Statement of Commitment as a professional guide for interactions.

Statement of Commitment As individuals who work with young children, we commit ourselves to furthering the values of early childhood education as they are reflected in the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct. To the best of our ability we will:

 Ensure that programs for young children are based on current knowledge of child development and early childhood education.  Respect and support families in their task of nurturing children.  Respect colleagues in early childhood education and support them in maintaining the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct. Revised: May 2009 6  Serve as an advocate for children, their families, and their teachers in the community and society.  Maintain high standards of professional conduct.  Recognize how personal values, opinions, and bias can affect professional judgment.  Be open to new ideas and be willing to learn from the suggestions of others.  Continue to learn, grow, and contribute as a professional.  Honor the ideals and the principles of the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct.

Operations Hours Lamar University ECDC operates Monday through Friday. The hours are 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except for early dismissal days. The Center is closed on all Lamar University scheduled holidays and emergency closings.

Check IN/ Check OUT Procedures  Children must be brought into the Center and checked in on the computer at the front office, using the assigned PIN code.  Children then should be escorted to their classroom and released to the staff. *Be sure the classroom staff sees you and greets your child before you leave.  When children are picked up from the Center, you must check them out on the computer at the front office, using the assigned PIN code. *Inform the classroom staff that you are taking your child. If the child’s parent is on the Lamar University ECDC premises, the parent is responsible for his/her child.

Parking If you are dropping off or picking up your child you may park in the yellow zoned area in the circle drive but not for an extended time period. For the safety of you and your child, your child must exit on the passenger’s side.

Child Release Policy Lamar University cannot release any child to an unauthorized person; therefore, we must emphasize the importance of keeping contact information current and accurate.

Children are released only:  To an authorized parent/guardian.  To a person authorized by written permission from the parents.  To an authorized person with a picture I.D. and/or other identification.  To an authorized sibling 18 years of age or older. State Licensing requires that any request for a new person to be added to your child’s pickup list must be in writing and delivered by the parent to the Center.

Child Custody Issues It is the Center’s intent to meet the needs of children especially when the parents may be experiencing difficult situations such as divorce, separation, or remarriage. However, the Center cannot legally restrict the non-custodial parent from visiting the child, reviewing the child’s records, or picking the child up unless the Center has been furnished with current legal documents. Copies of these court documents must be kept in the child’s file.

Revised: May 2009 7 Child Abuse and Neglect If we suspect a child has been abused or mistreated, we are required to report it within 48 hours to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and/or to a law enforcement agency.

Child abuse and neglect are against the law in Texas, and so is failure to report it. CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE 1-800-252-5400

Non-Discrimination Policy Lamar University ECDC does not discriminate against any child or family based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, political belief, or disability.

Confidentiality Statement Lamar University ECDC maintains confidentiality and respects the family’s rights to privacy, refraining from disclosure of confidential information and intrusion into family life. However, when we have reason to believe that a child’s welfare is at risk, we will share confidential information with agencies, as well as with individuals who have legal responsibility for intervening in the child’s interest.

All staff, students, and volunteers working at the Center sign a confidentiality agreement.

Procedures and Guidelines Eligibility Lamar University ECDC enrolls children, ages 18 months to 5 years. Only children and legal dependants of students, faculty, and staff are given priority enrollment eligibility.

Waitlist Applications The Center is required to accept children on the basis of different priorities. The order is as follows: 1. siblings of current families 2. Lamar/LIT University students 3. Lamar University/LIT faculty/staff 4. Non-Lamar community members Within each of these categories, enrollment is offered according to the date applications are received and the availability of age-related openings.

When an opening becomes available, the family will be notified and given 2 business days to respond. If the family fails to respond or the offer is declined, we will move to the next family on the list.

Enrollment Applications All children must be enrolled at the Center before attending. Once the decision to enroll is made, families must complete the following, sign where applicable, and return these to the Center prior to the child’s first day of attendance:

 A registration fee  Signed/Initialed Enrollment Agreement  Signed/Initialed Enrollment Information  Signed Parent Policy Agreement  Signed Discipline and Guidance Policy Revised: May 2009 8  Signed Dietary Agreement  Signed First Aid Agreement  Current Immunization Record & Health Assessment with a physician’s signature

As long as a child remains enrolled at Lamar University ECDC, all information in the file must be updated and current, or enrollment may be subject to termination.

Holidays The Center is closed for university observed holidays (listed below), inclement weather, and/or announcements from Lamar University Administration. The Center is closed when the university is closed. These closings do not affect tuition payments. In other words, a full week’s tuition is due although the Monday may be Labor Day or Memorial Day. The only exception to this policy is during the university winter break and no tuition is charged for those holidays that the university is closed.

School Calendar As part of the university we follow the university staff holiday schedule closing on the following days:

 New Year’s Day  Martin Luther King, Jr. Day  Staff In-Service Day (Good Friday)  Memorial Day  Energy Conservation Day (Independence Day)  Teacher In-Service Day (Friday before the fall semester begins)  Labor Day  Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday  Winter Vacation Days (as determined by the university annually and includes Christmas Day)

The education program (pre-kindergarten I and II) is closed for spring break. However, child care is available for an additional fee if prior arrangements have been made.

Early Dismissal Four (4) times each school year, the Center has early dismissal, closing at 12:00 noon for staff development. An annual calendar with the specific dates for early dismissal is provided in advance to parents in July.

Emergency Closing The Center will close along with the university in the event of inclement weather conditions or emergencies. If Lamar University Administration announces that the university is closing, after the Center has begun daily operations, we expect a timely pick-up. Announcements and updates regarding emergency closings will be broadcasted on local radio and television stations. No refunds are made for Center closings.

Room Assignment Placement of a child in a classroom is determined by age and development level. We want your child to be placed where his/her needs are met and interest is challenged.

Revised: May 2009 9 While we do accept input from parents about room assignments, the director and teachers will make the final decision based on what is best for the child, other children, teachers, and the Center.

Promotions to Other Classes Age is only one of the criterions used to determine a child’s placement in the next age group. The director, teachers, and parents shall decide when a child should be promoted to another classroom based on multiple considerations: 1. classroom observations, 2. the child’s readiness for experience with an older group of children, 3. the child’s social, emotional, and general cognitive development.

When teachers determine a child is ready for placement in another class and space is available, the parent will be contacted and may be called in for a conference. At that time, all parties involved will discuss the promotion criteria. Arrangements for a smooth, gradual entry to the new classroom will be made.

Withdrawal from Service Program When a child withdraws from the Center, a withdrawal form must be completed and submitted to the director or administrative coordinator at least 5 business days before the child is to withdraw. If a withdrawal form is not submitted in advance, the parent agrees to pay the week(s) the director was not notified.

Withdrawal from the Education Program The education program is a (9) month program. The monthly tuition rate is based upon the yearly budgetary needs of the Center and is divided into 9 equal payments. Therefore, if you have to withdraw your child, toward the end of the education program year, you will be responsible for the remaining balance.

The education program is closed during spring break and does not offer temporary withdrawals between semesters for Lamar University students, faculty and staff.

Semester Breaks Service Program Lamar University students, faculty, and staff are allowed to submit a temporary withdrawal form for spring break and breaks between semesters. Breaks cannot exceed the time frame from the week of final exams to the first day of the next semester. There are no breaks between Summer I and Summer II. If a temporary withdrawal form is not submitted in advance, the parent agrees to pay the week(s) the director was not notified.

Education Program Semester breaks do not apply to the education program. The education program is closed during spring break. However, if child care is needed during spring break, arrangements must be made in advance.

Revised: May 2009 10 Discontinuing Service The Center reserves the right to discontinue services to any child if the:  parents fail to reasonably cooperate with the Center in the provision of educational services to their child;  parents fail to reasonably cooperate with the Center in adhering to all policies;  child is dangerous to self or other;  child is destructive of state property or so disruptive that the education of other students is significantly impaired;  child requires more appropriate educational setting to better meet the child’s individual needs.

University Student Participation Lamar University students work with children in the Center under the supervision of professors, instructors, and Center staff members. Parents accept this practice as part of the enrollment agreement.

Parents must complete a release form stating their child may be tested, assessed, or evaluated as part of the professional preparation of university students. Furthermore, children may be photographed, videotaped, recorded, and/or quoted for educational purposes only.

Fees and Payments Tuition The Center accepts check and money order. Credit card payments are accepted at the Cashiers office located in the Wimberly building. A locked drop box is located in the front office for checks or money orders. To ensure your payment is applied to the correct account, please write your child’s first and last name on the check in the memo section. There is a $25.00 fee assessed for any returned check. If this happens twice, the university requires that payment be made with cash only. Do not leave cash in the drop box. Do not take or send payments to teachers. All fees are non-refundable.

Service Program Tuition Tuition fees are charged weekly and these fees must be paid in advance of the services being provided. Weekly tuition fees are due on Monday of each week. The account can be pre-paid in advance for more than a week. A $5.00 late fee will be assessed on Tuesday by 5:00 p.m. when payment is past due. If the account becomes more than 30 days in arrears, the child’s space will be forfeited.

Education Program Tuition Monthly tuition is due on the 1st of each month. If the first falls on a weekend the tuition is due on the Monday after. A $20.00 late fee will be assessed if payment is not received by the 15th of the month. If the account becomes more than 30 days in arrears, the child’s space will be forfeited.

There are no discounts/reimbursements for days missed due to illness, absences, vacation, or the Center being closed for holidays, emergencies, or bad weather.

Accounts Parents are informed of current rates when children are enrolled. If there is an increase in rates, parents will be given 30 days notice regarding the new rates. Revised: May 2009 11 Each January, the Center will furnish one report, for income tax purposes, of all tuition and fees paid for each child.

Late Pick Up Late fees are assessed if you fail to pick up your child on time. The fee is calculated at $10.00 for any part of the first five minutes and an additional $10.00 for any part of the next 15 minutes thereafter. Doors must be locked at 6:00 p.m. Therefore, those picking up children should arrive a few minutes before 6:00 p.m. in order to check cubbies and be out of the building prior to 6:00 p.m. Repeated failure to pick up your child on time can result in enrollment termination.

If we have not heard from the parent and we have not been able to contact other authorized person listed on the child’s enrollment form by 6:30 p.m., we consider the child abandoned and may call the police.

Absences The Center operates on a budget, based on enrollment income. For this reason, no reduction of fees is made for absences.

Registration Fees Service Program registration fees are due each semester. Fall $35.00 Spring $35.00 Summer I $20.00 Summer II $20.00

Education Program registration fees are due once a year. The fee is $125.00.

Registration fees are non-refundable.

Classroom Guidelines Teaching staff develop individual relationships with children by providing care that is responsive, attentive, consistent, comforting, supportive, and culturally sensitive.

Arrival  The Service Program classrooms begin curriculum at 9:30 a.m. In order for children to receive the full benefit of our program and to participate with the group activities, we ask that you have your child here by this time.  If there is a special circumstance such as a doctor’s appointment requiring arrival time after 10:00 a.m., please check with the Center/Teacher and receive special permission for late arrival before bringing your child to the Center. If you have been given permission to arrive late because of an appointment, you must provide the office with a “Return to School” doctor’s excuse.  Do not drop your child off during naptime at the Center.  Call the Center (409-880-8212) no later than 10:00 a.m. if your child is going to be absent that day.  A full week’s tuition is due even if a child is absent one or more days during the week.

Revised: May 2009 12 Naptime We must provide a supervised rest period after lunch (www.dfps.state.tx.us). Rest period times vary per classroom.

Discipline/Guidance Methods At Lamar University the purpose of discipline is to help children develop self-control and to become responsible for their own behavior. Knowing what is appropriate or acceptable in a situation is an important skill. We are committed to helping children learn to express feelings appropriately, to consider other peoples feelings, and to negotiate their own conflicts.

We use non-punitive methods of discipline, which are directly related to the child’s behavior and encourage the child’s participation. We ask the child to think about the problematic behavior and to find ways to remedy the situation. Teachers like to work closely with parents to understand each child and to determine which methods work best for that child, thus, teamwork with parents is very important. If a parent refuses to work with the staff in resolving the problem and/or the behavior problem persists resulting in a chronic situation requiring greater need for care than the Center teachers can provide, the child’s enrollment is subject to termination.

The Center discipline/guidance policy complies with the Texas Administrative Code and the rules in the Subchapter L of Minimum Standards (www.dfps.state.tx.us).

Birthdays Parents who wish to bring refreshments or a special snack should make arrangements in advance with a teacher. Cupcakes, cookies or other store purchased snacks of individual proportions are preferred since each child receives the same portion. This also makes serving much easier.

The child’s birthday observance at the Center is not intended to take the place of each family’s special observance at home. If you decide to provide a birthday treat for the class please understand that gifts should not be exchanged.

Birthday party invitations for parties away from the Center may be distributed at school only through the classroom teacher if all children in the class are invited. If you do not want your child’s birthday celebrated, please notify the Center in advance in writing.

Lamar University ECDC does observe traditional, national, cultural, and seasonal holidays with activities that are child-centered, educationally oriented, and developmentally appropriate. Every effort is made to be culturally sensitive.

Please share with the Center any celebrations that are important to your family so that these, too, may be included in our classroom planning.

Children’s Clothing Your child should be dressed in play clothes that are durable, comfortable and appropriate for play and for the season. We will go outside daily weather permitting.

Because a wide variety of activities take place at a Center, we recommend clothes that allow for freedom of movement and no jewelry/accessories. Many of your child’s Revised: May 2009 13 favorite activities may tend to be a little messy, like finger painting and digging in the dirt, so again make sure the child’s clothes are suitable/washable.

At Lamar University ECDC, children’s safety is of great concern, therefore, we ask that you send your child to school wearing a sturdy shoe that supports the foot properly and protects the toes. Sneakers with socks are the best. Children are not permitted to wear open-toed sandals, clogs, and boots or flip flops on the playgrounds because they are dangerous for running and climbing.

We ask that you provide a complete change of clothing for your child to be left at school, including socks. In order to avoid confusion and lost items, label each article of clothing with the child’s first and last name. The Center will not replace damaged or lost items of clothing/accessories.

Bringing Items from Home Children frequently want to share with their class nature items and treasures from home. Such items are especially welcomed if they support a topic being studied. It is always a good idea to check with a child’s teacher before bringing objects to the Center.

We do discourage children from bringing toys from home; although, some teachers will allow items of comfort, such as a soft cuddly stuffed animal, to be brought to school to help a child sleep more comfortably (please check with the teacher first).

Curriculum Each teacher develops her own lesson plans around the emerging skills of the children in their classroom. The daily schedule is predictable yet flexible and responsive to the individual needs of the children. Activities encourage exploration, experimentation, and discovery while promoting interaction. Weekly lesson reviews are available for parents in the classroom.

Assessments Assessments are naturally integrated into the course of every day at the Center as ongoing teacher observation of group patterns and individual development is used to adjust the program to better support group and individual progress. Teachers document observation in their own unique ways such as recording anecdotes, taking photographs, and collecting samples of the children’s work. A more structured assessment is also administered to determine your child’s developmental age upon enrollment and thereafter throughout the year. The child’s assessments are used to:  identify children’s interests and needs  describe the developmental progress and learning  design classroom curriculum and adapt teaching practices  communicate with families  arrange for referrals when indicated

The assessments are shared with parents during Parent/Teacher scheduled conferences.

Referrals When program staff suspect that a child has a developmental delay or other special need, this possibility is communicated to families in a sensitive, supportive, and confidential

Revised: May 2009 14 manner with documentation and explanation for the concern, suggested next steps, and information about resources for assessment.

Identifying children with disabilities or delays early helps minimize or prevent future problems. As a professional institution, the Lamar University ECDC assumes responsibility under federal regulation (34 CFR, Sec. 303.321) and state regulation (25 TAC, Sec. 621.45) to refer a child under the age of 3 to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) within two working days of identification of a disability or suspected delay in development. ECI is federally and state funded through the Individuals with Disabilities Act and is available in every Texas County.

All screening referrals are kept strictly confidential and used only to help access appropriate care as needed.

Technology The Center uses technology to extend learning within the classroom and to integrate and enrich the curriculum. The use of passive media (television and video) is limited to developmentally appropriate programming.

Outdoor Participation Outside play is an integral part of a child’s play. Except during extreme weather conditions, all children will participate in outside activities. Teachers determine outdoor activities based on temperature, wind chill factor, humidity, and age of children. If a child must remain indoors for medical reasons, other arrangements for childcare should be made. Extra personnel are unavailable to provide one-on-one care.

Field Trips Lamar University ECDC does not transport children on field trips. Occasionally the children may participate in a walking field trip on campus. Parents are notified in advance of these outings and are required to sign a special field trip permission slip for the scheduled event.

Health and Safety The Center works hard to provide a safe environment for the children at all times. However, part of growing up can include bumps and bruises. Our Center is equipped with simple first aid supplies and if a child has a minor accident, the staff will provide first aid to the child and provide a written report to the parent.

If a child has a serious injury, a trained staff member will provide first aid and you will be contacted to pick up your child. If there is an emergency requiring immediate medical attention, 911 emergency personnel will be called and the parent and/or the child’s physician will be notified. If a child needs to be transported by an ambulance, a staff member will accompany your child if the parent is not available. When the parent is unavailable, alternate names in the child’s file are contacted as well.

If you are a Lamar University student, it is your responsibility to provide the office with an updated copy of your course schedule each semester.

Revised: May 2009 15 Hygiene Every effort is made by the Center staff to prevent the spread of germs. We strive to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness, which includes required hand washing for children and teachers and instruction in hygiene to help minimize the spread of germs.

Illness One of the most serious challenges facing group care situations for young children is preventing illness.

The Center uses the following guidelines to protect your child as well as others from contagious illness. We realize that this can sometimes be an inconvenience for parents, but we trust that you will understand the necessity for such a policy. If any of the following conditions occur while your child is in attendance, you will be notified and your child must be picked up from the Center as soon as possible.  The child has one of the following:  Fever, armpit temperature of 99.4 degrees or greater  Vomiting  Diarrhea  Head Lice  Symptoms of an infectious disorder such as ringworm, pink eye, etc.  Communicable disease, (refer to the Communicable Disease for Child Care Centers at www.dfps.state.tx.us).  Any other condition deemed necessary by the Director/Teacher for the well being of your child and the other children enrolled.  The illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in classroom/playground activities.  The illness results in a greater need for care than the staff can provide without compromising the health, safety, and supervision of the other children.

One of the best ways to prevent the spread of disease is to have strictly enforced standards regarding the exclusion of ill children. We need your help for this.

Do not bring ill children to the Center and if your child becomes ill at the Center, please pick up your child immediately.

If your child is diagnosed with a communicable disease, please notify the Center. It is important for us to be aware of what children may have been exposed to so that we can communicate this with other parents.

24 hour ‘Symptom Free’ Rule The Center’s policy requires that your child be free of symptoms of illness: fever, diarrhea, or vomiting for at least 24 hours.

Fever-free means without medication for fever reduction.

Please keep in mind that if we send your child home because of illness, the child will not be admitted to the Center the next day because of the 24-hour period will not have elapsed. Do not rush a child’s return to school following an illness. The Center reserves the right to require a doctor’s statement before the child can be re-admitted to the Center.

Revised: May 2009 16 Medications In order for Lamar University ECDC staff to administer medication we must adhere to the following:

 All medication must have physician approval.  All medicine must be in the original container with the physician’s authorization on the label.  The container must be labeled with the child’s name and the name of the physician prescribing the medication.  All medicine must have an expiration date. We cannot administer medication after the expiration date.  The medicine must include directions on how to administer the medication.  The medicine can only be administered to the child for whom it was intended.  Over-the-counter medicine must be authorized in writing by the child’s physician and must include all of the above information.  The parent has to sign an authorization form and include the dates and times for the Center to administer medication and these directions must follow the label directions. These forms are available at the front office.

*If the medicine is a small (eye or ear drop) bottle, the authorization label is usually on the box. In this case, we must have the box along with the medicine.

Based on the recommendations of local physicians and pharmacist, the following schedules will be followed when administering medication to children.

Directions Schedule 2 times per day not administered at school 3 times per day 1st dose at home, 2nd dose at the Center with lunch, 3rd dose at home 4 times per day 1st dose at home, 2nd dose at the Center with lunch, 3rd dose at the Center with afternoon snack, 4th dose at home

We do not give breathing treatments at the Center.

Immunizations It is the responsibility of the parent to provide the Center with complete and updated immunization records. The record must include the following: 1. Child’s name and birth date; 2. The number of doses and vaccine type; 3. The month, day, and year the child received each vaccination; and 4. The signature or stamp of the physician or other health care professional who administered the vaccine.

Nutrition and Snacks Lunch must be brought from home. The Center does provide a morning and an afternoon snack that includes a 100% fruit juice. The morning snack is not intended to replace the child’s breakfast. Children should be served breakfast at home.

Revised: May 2009 17 Morning snack is served between 8:30-9:30 a.m. Children must arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. in order to receive the snack. Check your child’s daily schedule for specific snack times. We begin lunch at approximately 11:00 a.m. and afternoon snack is served no later than 3:00 p.m. or based on the children’s rest time routine. Once again, for specific times, please check your child’s daily schedule.

Children should arrive at school every day with a sack lunch. Any food or beverage brought from home must be labeled with the child’s name and date. Lunch kits are acceptable but must be labeled with the child’s name and date. Lunch kits must be taken home daily and cleaned after each use. We ask that you refrain from sending the following food and beverage products in your child’s lunch:

 Candy  Soft drinks  Peanuts and peanut butter products  Meats that have bones  Foods that must be heated  Fast food kid meals

The staff does not offer children whole hot dogs, whole grapes, nuts, raw peas, hard pretzels, spoonfuls of peanut butter or chunks of raw carrots or meat larger than can be swallowed whole.

If you arrive at the Center without a lunch for your child, your child must go with you to get his/her lunch.

If a child has food allergies, the school must have written notice from a physician or a registered/licensed dietician.

Emergency Procedures/Drills Lamar University ECDC places a high priority on being prepared for a variety of emergencies that may arise. We have set up an emergency plan as follows:

Stay informed. The Center staff monitors alert statuses of any kind. When an alert is in a heightened state (for weather or otherwise), the radio and Internet are checked regularly for breaking information.

Assess the situation and act. Upon receiving pertinent information and/or official notification, a decision is made to either move to a predetermined safe area of the building, evacuate or conduct a shelter-in-place.

Communicate. Each classroom maintains an emergency contact list with information for each child. In the event of an emergency and after the necessary actions are taken, the Center staff will inform parents of the status of the children and the situation.

Evacuation. Fire and evacuation drills are held monthly to acquaint the children with evacuation procedures. These practice drills are supervised and documented. Evacuation routes are posted in each classroom.

Revised: May 2009 18 Connect Ed Emergency System. Parents who choose to sign-up will be contacted with university emergency information via telephone, email, and/or text message.

PARENTS AS PARTNERS Building a strong bond between home and school is encouraged in a variety of ways at Lamar University ECDC. A parents’ involvement in their child’s education is important; we want you to know what is happening in your child’s classroom as well as at the Center. Please make every effort to stay informed; you are your child’s most important teacher and advocate.

Classroom Parent Information Board There are parent bulletin boards located in each classroom that contains classroom/Center information, interesting articles and family resources. Please make a point to stop by and check the board each day; this will help with communication and connect parents with the Center.

Parent Conferences All parents are invited to participate in parent/teacher conferences. These conferences will be held during school hours and at a time that is convenient for both the parents and the teacher. Occasionally a teacher may request a parent conference if there is a special concern in the classroom. We ask that parents respect this request with prompt attention.

Face-to-face Interactions The Center staff makes every effort to dialogue with families in a positive manner to plan strategies, resolve issues and provide assistance in a timely and effective manner. Please feel free to suggest ways that we can strengthen our partnership with you as together we seek to provide a high-quality learning environment for everyone in our community. Remember teachers have supervision responsibilities while on duty; we do ask that you schedule a conference for longer discussions.

Program Survey Parents are invited to participate in an annual program evaluation via a survey conducted each fall. This process allows the Center to measure progress toward program goals and objectives. The results are used as a basis for continuing successful activities and for changing those that need improvement.

Parent Meetings/Classes The Center has parent meetings throughout the year. These include general meetings, new parent orientations and program/classroom Open House. Periodically, parenting classes are held; these classes cover a variety of topics related to the young child’s development.

Child Care Center Advisory Board The Child Care Center Advisory Board (CCCAB) is composed of a group of dedicated parents, students, staff and faculty members. The CCCAB serves in an advisory capacity to provide support and guidance to the Director. Scheduled meetings are held at the Center. The minutes from meetings can be obtained upon request.

Revised: May 2009 19 Parent Complaints If a parent has a problem/issue with something happening in the classroom, the first step should be to meet with your child’s teacher. If the problem/issue is not rectified, then the next step would be to meet with the Program Director, following the chain of command until a viable solution is reached. If the complaint is one that involves the program rather than the classroom, the chain would begin with the Program Director.

Complaints must follow a specified chain of command as indicated below:

President of Lamar University

Provost of Lamar University

Dean, College of Education

Program Director

Teacher

Parent/Teacher Communications Please remember….. Teachers want parents to be satisfied with the care their child is receiving. Talk to the teachers directly whenever possible; if you would prefer, talk with the Administrative Coordinator or Director. REALIZE that if you have a concern with a teacher, that in order to deal with the issue in a straightforward manner, the Administrative Coordinator or Director will need to investigate first by talking with the teacher about your concern. Please give teachers a chance to correct minor issues. On the other hand, don’t allow concerns to build up. As concerns occur, share them with the teachers. It is disturbing to find out "later" that a parent had a number of concerns and never expressed them. Sometimes we cannot make the changes you may request due to other restrictions, but we ALWAYS want to hear your suggestions. We promise to consider them seriously and respond to you in a timely manner. If at anytime a parent wishes to meet with their child’s teacher to discuss issues that may arise, he/she can contact the teacher to schedule a meeting. We do ask that you schedule a conference with your child’s teacher to discuss issues in depth, and try not to discuss concerns during drop-off and pick-up times.

Child and Family Support Services Revised: May 2009 20 Beaumont Health Department http://www.cityofbeaumont.com/health.htm Immunizations 409 832-4000 WIC 409 899-4410

Beaumont Housing Services 409 880-3763 www.bmtha.org

Beaumont Public Library 409 838-6606 http://www.cityofbeaumont.com/Library.htm

Catholic Charities of Southeast 409 835-1411 Texas www.catholiccharitiesbmt.org

Department of Family and Protective Services http://www.dfps.state.tx.us Beaumont – Jefferson County 409 981-5920 Kountze – Hardin County 409 246-3472 Orange – Orange County 409 886-4475

Groves Public Library 409 962-6281 www.ci groves tx.com

Lumberton Public Library 409 755-7400 www.cityof lumberton .com

Nederland Public Library 409 722-1255 www.ned.lib.tx.us

Orange Public Library 409 883-1086 http://www.orangetexas.net/Departments-and- Services/Library/Library-Services.aspx

Port Arthur Health Department http://www.portarthur.net/health_dept.cfm Immunizations 409 983-8874 WIC 409 983-8875 Child Health Clinic 409 983-8843

Port Arthur Housing Services 409 982-6442 http://local.panews.com/Housing+Authority.q.html

Port Arthur Public Library 409 985-8838 www.pap.lib.tx.us

Port Neches Public Library 409 722-4554 www.ptn.lib.tx.us

Revised: May 2009 21