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Introduction
I’d like to share a little bit about me and my family. My husband is from the midwest and I am originally from Tennessee. We have been here in the great state of South Dakota for about 10 years now. In case you wonder why I left the warmth of the South, the answer is simple, I wanted to experience 4 seasons. I do miss my cold s
weet tea and my family, but the trade off is a great place to raise a family and actual snow in the winter time. Upon moving here, I took a job at Rutland School as a special education para. I worked with elementary students and a great group of people who I had the opportunity to view and interact with and learned many helpful techniques that I am able to implement in my daycare. I am a licensed and registered provider and have completed all the background checks required to obtain my license and am certified in Infant/Child CPR and First Aid. I have had my home safety tested and inspected. I have been a mom for 35 years, a hairdresser for 25 years, driven a school bus, been a paraprofessional, and have fostered children. My husband Brad is a commercial/residential tile, hardwood, and vinyl installer. We have been married 20 years now and have a blended family. We have 5, well 6 children now, since adopting my granddaughter Estella. They range from 35 to 10 years of age. There have been many challenges along the way, but the joys far outweigh the difficulties. I have learned so much about the needs of children and how important love, attention, nurturing and consistency is, especially at the early stages of life. My love for children is what inspired me to open my daycare 7 years ago. My aim is to meet the social, emotional, intellectual and physical needs of each child in my care by providing an environment that is safe, nurturing, and child-oriented. I am a big advocate for communication, so if you ever have any concerns or questions please feel free to discuss them with me privately. I have been a working mom my whole life and know what it is like to have to leave your child in daycare so my goal is to make you as comfortable with your choice as possible, so please ask away. I look forward to working with you and caring for your child, and I thank you for your trust in me with their care. PLAY TO LEARN DAYCARE POLICIES
Hours of Operation
Standard hours of operation are from 7:20 am to 5:15pm. Hours may be tailored to individual needs. Admission
Before your child is enrolled, I would like to have a short pre-admission meeting to see if we are a good fit for each other. This will also give you and your child the opportunity to become comfortable with me, the environment, and schedule, and give me the chance to get to know you better. Staff
I have a certified helper who has completed orientation training, background checks, fingerprinting and Infant/Child CPR & First Aid. Occasionally, she will run daycare for me if I have doctors appointments or activities of my children to attend. Savannah Walsdorf is a student at DSU and is great with the kids and already knows them so well. Daily Schedule
7:20-8:30 arrivals & free play
8:30-9:00 breakfast
9:30-10:00 educational video
10:00-10:30 circle time & songs
10:30-10:45 bathroom break/shoes on
10:45-11:25 outside play
11:25-11:40 bathroom break
11:40-12:15 lunch
12:15-12:45 bathroom break & lay down & story time
12:45-3:00 nap/rest time
3:00-3:15 bathroom break & put sleep mats away
3:15-3:45 snack
3:45-4:30 play outside
4:30-5:15 free play & departure
Contracted Rates, Fees and Deposit
The rate is based on the hours your child(ren) will be in my care per week. This is your contracted rate. This rate cannot be altered except in the case of a job change, hours worked consistently go over the agreed upon hours of care or a new contract is signed. A deposit equal to 2 week's fees will be collected at the time of enrollment and is fully refundable if I am given a 30 day written notice of termination. Initial below next to the agreed upon rate. Infant Rate (6 weeks-1 year) $125
Rates (Ages 1 year and up)
Full Time
Choice Hours per Week Hours per Day Fee
___A. 0-25. up to 6 $100
___B. 26-35 up to 7 $105
___C. 36-40 up to 8 $115
___D. 41-45 up to 9 $120
___E. 46-50 up to 10 $125
Additional Rate Options
Before School Care $20
After School Care $30
Drop ins $25
(Not eligible for vacation/sick days)
This is your set and agreed upon fee. It is payable whether they are in attendance or not unless you choose to use one of your allotted vacation/sick days. A 10% discount is given for the second and third child. Payment will be collected weekly no later than Friday morning or you can choose the pre-paid monthly fee due the 1st of the month with a 5% discount. A fee of $40 is charged for every returned check from the bank. A second returned check will result in the same fee and all future payments will be made in cash, cashiers check, or money order only. Vacations and Holidays
Full-time children may be absent for 10 days each year for family vacations or sickness with no tuition due. I will be taking 2 weeks of vacation each year that will have no tuition due as well. I will be off in December the week of Christmas and one week sometime in the summer. I will give you plenty of notice on the actual dates. I am closed New Year's Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, 4th of July or (4th of July observed), Labor Day, Thanksgiving eve and day, Christmas Eve and Christmas day. These days will be included in your tuition fees
Fire and Tornado Drills
Registration requires that I conduct at least four fire drills every year. During fire drills, the children and I will evacuate out the nearest exit to the furthest corner of the front yard. I am also required to hold at least one tornado drill during the year and it is usually in May. Children will be evacuated to the infant sleep room. During tornado watch conditions, children are not allowed outside. Pop
Meals and Snacks
Meals and snacks provided will be in accordance with guidelines of CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) set by the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture). These guidelines ensure that a balanced meal is offered consisting of the four food groups with appropriate serving sizes. Serving Times
Breakfast 8:15 am - 8:45 am
Lunch 11:30am - 12:00 pm
PM Snack 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Children are asked NOT to bring food, candy, or gum from home as I will provide appropriate meals and snacks. Treats may be brought for birthday celebrations with prior notice. If a child has any special medical needs relating to food allergies and requires a special diet, parents must complete a Special Diet Form. This form will describe the symptom resulting from the allergy, the remedies and precautions to be taken, and a statement and signature from the child's physician describing the type of diet needed. Daily Activities
Through play there is a great opportunity to teach. Almost everything that children learn during their first six years of life is learned through play. Children have a profound need to play, climb, run, use their imagination, test themselves, and challenge those around them. They need to enjoy themselves! Play develops their skills, teaches them how to relate to their p*ers, and helps develop their own personality. Your child's day will consist of one or more of the following: circle time with stories and song, use of materials that encourage creativity and imaginary play, learning play with ABC's, colors, patterns, objects and numbers, fine/gross motor skills, development of language skills, active and quiet play, basic sign language, and outdoor activity pending the weather. Outdoor Play
Outdoor activity is very important for young children and is planned whenever possible. In the winter, we try to go out as long as the temperature and wind-chill are 35 degrees or above. Please supply appropriate clothing for South Dakota weather. Winter: snowsuit or snow pants with coat, waterproof mittens/gloves, boots/shoes and a hat that covers their ears. Summer: cool tops, shorts, a hat and a light weight jacket for those windy days. In the summer we will have water play days which will consist of shallow pools, slides, water toys, and games. Please supply a bathing suit, towel, sunscreen, sun hat, and swimmers to be left at daycare. Medications
All medication is to be supplied by the parent. Absolutely NO medication will be administered to any child unless written permission and instructions from the parent is obtained. Prescription medications will only be given to the child listed on the label and
with specific directions from a physician. They must be in their original containers with original label, legible directions for use, expiration date, the child's name and physician’s name. Non-prescription meds must be dated and labeled by the parent with the child's name and directions for use in a separate baggy. All medications will be stored in the refrigerator (needed or not) inaccessible to the children. Clothing and Care Needs
All children must have at least one complete change of clothing, including socks and underwear. Please change the type of clothing as seasons change. For infants, you will need to supply formula, diapers, wipes, bottles and multiple changes of clothes. Breast milk is, of course, welcome and mothers are welcome to come breastfeed on their work breaks if they wish. For toddlers, you will need to supply diapers/pull-ups, wipes, extra clothing, and any special blanket or stuffed animal they prefer. Preferred toys are not shared with other children, but if they bring any other toys, then sharing is encouraged. If you do not wish this, please leave extra toys at home. I prefer to keep 2 bottles for the infants and 1 sippy cup here at the daycare for the duration of use, instead of bringing bottles and sippys back and forth from home. These will be labeled with your child’s name. Preschoolers also will need a change of clothes and any special toy or blanket they prefer. Potty Training
When starting potty training we look for the following indicators. Pulling at a wet or dirty diaper. Hiding to p*e or p**p. Interest in others' use of the potty, or copying their behavior. Having a dry diaper for a longer-than-usual time. Waking up dry from a nap. I recommend pull ups for ease and please dress your child in clothes they can pull up and down themselves. Children do not go into underwear until they have been COMPLETELY accident free here at daycare for two full weeks. This is an absolute non-negotiable policy. I have set these policies to maintain infection control standards and protect the carpet, furniture, and inventory of the daycare. Poopy underwear is disposed of, unless parents request otherwise. We will bag p*e soaked underwear and return it to the parent at the end of the day. Clothes are not soaked or laundered, so please check your child’s cubby daily for soiled clothes. Naps and Rest Time
Naps and rest time are appropriate and necessary for young children and will be scheduled shortly after lunch. Generally rest time is approximately two hours, between 12:30 & 2:30 pm, depending on age and development of the child. If a child is beyond "nap" age , he or she will have quiet time where they can read or color or play quietly. Infants will nap on their own schedule and will have their own pack-n-play. Infants will be placed on their backs for sleeping and those who developmentally have reached the stage in which they roll to a different position will be left to sleep in that position. Please try to drop off your child during a time that will not disrupt nap time because some children are very light sleepers. If you are picking up at nap time and do not want to interrupt your child’s nap please call ahead and I can inform you if he or she is still sleeping. Behavior Management
I promote using a positive approach to managing behavior. Positive redirection to an acceptable alternative. Praising children for appropriate behavior and 'doing things right' by describing what we see and how we feel. I try to help children communicate and resolve conflict themselves by using kind words and sharing how an action made them feel. This promotes resolution instead of the tattle tale effect. If there is a situation that needs resolving I try to help the child process his/her feelings and realize the consequences of their actions and help them develop self control and teach them a different approach to handling it. We work a lot with social skills such as: sharing, taking turns, being a good friend, working together, helping others, doing our very best, following directions, finishing our task, effective listening and not interrupting, having good manners, and embracing the differences in us all. If I have to use a discipline method I start out with the green-yellow-red chart. Green means 'doing good', yellow means 'think about it' and red means 'stop what you are doing'. Being told twice not to repeat an action earns them a spot on yellow and if they continue the action they go to red and in turn have a time away or time out. Going to yellow on the chart is usually all it takes to turn the behavior in a positive direction. Rules of Behavior
The following are a list of rules that are not permitted in order to help insure the safety of all children in my care: hitting, biting, kicking, pushing, pinching, hair pulling, name calling, bullying, foul language, yelling, running in the house, throwing objects, picking up babies or small children. Children are encouraged to use 'inside voices' inside and save louder tones for outside. Jumping, climbing, running, throwing or kicking balls is encouraged for outside play. Health Exclusions Policy
The South Dakota Department of Health requires me to report any communicable diseases. Children will NOT be permitted in daycare with any of the following:
1. Illness that prevents the child from participating comfortably in activities.
2. Illness that results in a greater need for care than I can provide.
3. Child that is lethargic, irritable, persistent crying, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or severe coughing, and/or other manifestations of possible severe illness.
4. Child is exhibiting a fever of 100+. Please keep home for at least 24 hours.
5. If child has vomited or has diarrhea in the previous 24 hours, until vomiting/diarrhea has resolved. You must inform me within 24 hours if a child/family member is infected with strep throat, scarlet fever, or COVID-19. Children will need to be kept home for 7-14 days in the case of being a close contact of someone with COVID-19. These exclusions help us to maintain a healthy environment for your child and others in my care. All precautions are taken by me to prevent the spread of sickness and disease but I need parents to also do their part. I know sometimes it is hard to take off work but when your child is sick, they really just want their family’s care. Withdraw/Termination
Occasionally a child will experience some difficulties in adapting to the daycare’s environment or abiding by the daycare rules of behavior. A conference will be scheduled if your child should experience some difficulty. I will work closely with you to see if the problem can be resolved. If the child’s behavior continues to be disruptive to the group, I reserve the right to terminate care. I will give a two week allotted time for you to find alternative care. If in attendance those two weeks, deposit will be refunded. You must give a two week’s notice when voluntarily withdrawing your child from care. You will be responsible for all final payments through the end of the notice period, whether in attendance or not. Failure to do so, will result in forfeiting your deposit. Vacation and sick days are not applicable once termination is requested by you or myself. The child care arrangements will be terminated immediately for any of the following reasons, but not limited to:
Repeated failure to comply with the policies in the contract
Destructive or hurtful behavior of a child that persists even with parental cooperation in stopping the behavior
Non-payment of childcare or late fees and/or recurring late payments or fees
Repeated failure to pick up the child at scheduled times
Failure to show up for 5 consecutive days without any communication
Blatant disrespect towards the provider or provider’s family
If a parent consistently brings their child ill
Consistent child-rearing style differences between the parent and provider
False information given by a parent either verbally or in writing
If for any reason legal services are needed, Play to Learn Daycare, Faith Handegard will not be responsible for any legal or court costs incurred. Internet Permission
I do post pictures of the kids at play on my daycare page (playtolearnsd) so if you prefer your child’s picture not be posted please initial here _______. Please sign to state you are in agreement with all aspects of the care I provide. Your signature means you understand and will comply with these rules and regulations. Child(ren) name: ______________________________________
Parent(s) Signature: _____________________________________
Provider Signature:____________________________
Papers to return, furnish, and/or sign (Oct 2021 contract)
Daycare Policies
Updated Immunization Record
Application for Admission
CACFP Enrollment Form
