Parent Handbook
2020-2021
An Outreach of Chino Valley Word of Life
Assemblies of God
590 W Rd 1 N, Chino Valley, AZ 86323
(928) 636-4224
Welcome!
Sweet Life Daycare & Preschool welcomes you and your family to our campus. This handbook is designed to answer the most frequently asked questions about our programs. The purpose of our program is to minister to the church fellowship and surrounding community by providing a safe and loving educational environment for children in a Christ-centered setting. Our philosophy is to care for and teach children through
developmentally appropriate practices and activities designed to meet the physic, cognitive, social and emotional needs of infants, toddlers and preschoolers and to help assure spiritual growth as well. Our goal is to help children feel good about themselves and the world around them by
experiencing God’s loving grace and acceptance through caring relationships and wonderful times at Sweet Life Daycare.
Services
Sweet Life Daycare & Preschool offers full-time and part-time daycare for infants 6 weeks old through age 5.
Hours
We are open Monday-Friday, 7am-5:30pm. See director for before & aftercare.
Insurance
Liability insurance is carried by Sweet Life Daycare pursuant to code R9-5-302, and is available for review.
Pesticide Application
Parents shell be notified in writing at the parent reception area at least 48 hours in advance of pesticide application
Enrollment Policy
Prior to admission, parents must complete the registration packet, provide all necessary documents, and meet with the director. A child may not attend until all the information in the packet is completed and approved by the director. It is state requirement that we have an up-to-date copy of your child’s immunizations before admittance. You must also provide complete emergency contact information. It is your responsibility to notify
us of any changes as soon as possible. This includes addresses, phone numbers, and names of those who may pick up your child.
Staff/Student Ratios
The Arizona Department of Health Services determines the staff/student ratio as follows.
Infants 1:5 1-year old’s 1:6 2-year old’s 1:8 3- year old’s 1:13
4&5-year old’s 1:15
Registration Fee & Rates
A $50 (per family) registration fee is required upon enrollment, and
thereafter, annually in August. This fee is non-refundable and ensures your child’s reservation in the center.
Age Per Day
(3-day min) Weekly Bi-Weekly Monthly Members WOLA
Infant 50 per day 185.00 365.00 730.00 584.00
1Yr 50 per day 175.00 345.00 650.00 520.00
2Yr 50 per day 175.00 345.00 650.00 520.00
3Yr 50 per day 160.00 315.00 650.00 520.00
4Yr 50 per day 155.00 305.00 610.00 488.00
5Yr 50 per day 155.00 305.00 610.00 488.00
*10% off First Responder/Veteran Discount (Monthly Fee)
Payment Policy
Tuition is due in advance of the week of service and to be paid no later than Friday for the following week. The following payment options are available:
• Check
• Cash
• Debit/Credit Card
• Money Order
• Employer Sponsored Payments
Arrangements may also be made to pay monthly or bi-weekly in advance of services. Payments may be automated via debit or credit card. We are unable to extent credit.
Clients with DES contracts require a weekly copayment based on full-time attendance. The client is responsible for any balance that remains unpaid after the monthly DES Disbursement.
Late payments will be assessed a $20 late fee and past and current invoices will be due immediately. Failure to comply may result in immediate disenrollment.
Returned Check Policy
If a check is returned because of insufficient funds, a $30.00 fee will be assessed, and we will require that all future payments be made by cash or money order. In the event that a credit or debit card is declined,
payment must be made immediately by cash or money order to avoid a late fee.
Sign-in/Sign-out
Each child’s teacher will provide a notebook with a sign-each sheet specifically for them. It is filed alphabetically according to the child’s last name. Parents are required to sign each child in and out with a full, legible signature and the exact time. The parent must escort his or her child to the classroom or playground. Please advise any other person you authorize to bring or retrieve your child of the procedure, and have them be prepared to show proper identification. Your child will not be released to anyone not listed on the emergency card without a prior written
request from you.
Early Arrivals
If your child arrives before 8:00 am we ask that you please feed him or her breakfast, or bring a “breakfast snack” for your child to eat at the
center. Milk or juice may be included, no donuts or sugary foods, please.
Late Arrivals
All children must arrive by 9:00 am, unless previous arrangements have been made. For the security and comfort of all children, we wish to provide predictable routines. Late arrivals cause your child’s schedule to
be interrupted as well as that of the other children. We reserve the right to refuse to accept children who arrive after 9:00 am.
Curriculum
Sweet Life Daycare & Preschool recognizes the need for providing an atmosphere in which a child can grow spiritually, socially, physically and mentally. Knowing that children learn best in a safe, caring and active environment, we provide a variety of learning experiences designed to meet the developmental stages of each child. Our yearly curriculum plan is thematic and based on biblical principles and the Arizona State
Standards for Early Childhood Education. Art, music, movement and all content areas of the curriculum will be explored through monthly themes with a spiritual focus including:
• God Made Me Special (All about me)
• God Made the World (The 5 senses)
• God Gave Us Seasons (Seasons, autumn and weather)
• I Am Thankful (Thanksgiving)
• God Sent Jesus
• White as Snow (Winter)
• God is Love
• God Made Animals
• God Gives New Life (spring, insects)
• God Helps Me Grow
• Summer Themes: Under the Sea, At the Beach
Holiday Closures
We will be closed on the following days: July 4th-Independence Day
September 7th-Labor Day
November-5 days – Entire week of Thanksgiving December-2 days- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day January 1st-New Year’s Day
May 31st -Memorial Day
Families will be notified in writing 14 days before any unscheduled
closures. No credits will be given for scheduled closures. You are
Absences and Vacation Time*
Your child’s weekly rate reflects a reserved number of days per week and hours per day. Therefore, you are responsible for your weekly reservation whether or not you choose to have your child attend all days. This includes holiday closures, illnesses or absences. You are also responsible for
keeping your child’s daily schedule. Early drop-off or late pick-ups disrupt your child’s schedule, and impact staffing. Please speak with the director when these are necessary. Please notify the director in writing at least 14 days in advance of scheduled family vacations to insure accurate
invoicing. You will not be charged for pre-arranged vacation time. A maximum of 10 credits per year will be given for vacation time.
Sick Children
Please notify us each morning that your child is absent due to illness, so that we may document any communicable illnesses or infestations as required by law. Children who are not well enough to participate in all center activities, including outdoor play, should remain at home until they can fully participate. We reserve the right to refuse admission to a sick
child at the director’s discretion.
If your child experiences any of the following symptoms within 24 hours of his or her scheduled attendance, please do not bring them to school:
• Fever • Rash • Skin infection • Thrush • Diarrhea •Lice • Vomiting • Pinworms
• Symptoms of any other contagious or infectious disease or infestation.
• If your child exhibits any of the above symptoms, he will be sent home. It is our expectation that a parent, or emergency contact will pick the child up from the center as soon as possible. He may not return until all
symptoms are gone for at least 24 hours. No child will be accepted back into care within 24 hours without a doctor’s note stating his diagnosis and
a guarantee that the child is not contagious. Medications
We do not administer medication with the exception of children with special needs such as asthma. All medications require a doctor’s prescription and medical consent form. Please do not send over the counter medications in your child’s bag. We are not permitted to
administer over-the-counter pain medication without a doctor’s written consent. If your child has a life-threatening allergy, you must provide an epinephrine pen.
Child Custody
We understand that parents and other guardians may share in care responsibilities. It is crucial that there be documentation in your child’s record if there are specific custodial instructions. We are unable to enforce requests without proper legal documentation. Sweet Life Daycare & Preschool asks that you not involve the center in custody disputes of any kind.
Discipline Policy
We believe that the purpose of discipline is to teach a child how to make appropriate choices for his/her behavior, including self-regulation. When disciplining a child, age as well as intellectual and emotional
development will be taken into consideration.
• Redirection is the method of discipline used at our center. Therefore, if a child is throwing blocks, the teacher may redirect the child to beanbags and say, “You may throw these, but not the blocks.” Older children will be helped to responsibly think through why his/her behavior is inappropriate and helped to develop alternate positive behaviors.
• If a child is persistent in a behavior that is unsafe, he may be removed from the situation briefly until he is able to practice safe play. Biting, scratching and hitting other children are considered unacceptable, and a child may be sent home for these behaviors, regardless of his age. • A child who is disrespectful to, or harms a teacher in any way, will be sent home.
• Persistent, unacceptable behavior may result in expulsion.
• At no time will discipline be associated with mealtime, naptime, or toileting.
Transportation
Transportation is not provided at this time. It is the responsibility of the parents to provide/arrange all transportation.
Field Trips
Field trips are not taken at this time; however, programs or special guests may occasionally be presented on site.
Meals
The facility is not equipped with a full-service kitchen; therefore, children aged 1 year and older should bring lunches that that do not require preparation, and do not need to be heated. Parents must provide a nutritional lunch with water only. Milk or 100% juice will be provided. We ask that toddlers bring a spill-proof cup for water, and finger foods that they can feed themselves. We are a peanut free Center. Please do not send food pertaining peanuts in any form for the safety of other children in the center that may be allergic.
Please include a frozen ice pack of some kind in your child’s lunch pack as we are unable to refrigerate lunches. If your child has special dietary needs or restrictions, please include additional snacks for your child each day. All personal items should be labeled with your child’s first and last name. The center will provide a morning and an afternoon snack. These are posted monthly on the bulletin board at the sign-in desk. Soda, sweetened drinks, juice, processed sugary foods, cookies, candy and gum should not be sent and will not be served to your child during lunch.
Special Needs
If your child has a special need, please speak with the director so that we can review your child’s care to determine if we can accommodate your child. If your child has an IEP, a copy must be on file in order to provide special services. We will make every effort to meet your child’s needs.
Emergency Medical Policy
In the event of a medical emergency, 911 will be called first, and then the parent will be contacted. A staff member trained in CPR and first aid will stay with the child and administer aid as directed by 911 until help arrives. The teacher and director will assess injuries that do not require 911
assistance. If non-emergency medical treatment is required, the parents will be called to pick up the child. Parents will be notified in the event of a head injury regardless of the severity. For occasional bumps and falls, that
do not require immediate notification, an incident report with be sent home at the end of the day
Parent Responsibility and Involvement
We encourage parent participation, and will provide various opportunities throughout the year for parent to provide materials or volunteer in the classroom or for special events. Signup sheets will be posted in the
classroom or on the bulletin board when volunteers or items are needed. Parents are encouraged to help provide pre-packaged snacks. Please discuss menu options with the director if you would like to contribute in this way.
Birthday Celebrations
We welcome special treats for birthday celebrations. Please speak with your child’s teacher for suggestions prior to bringing food to share. Please do not send party invitations to school, unless the child’s entire class is invited.
Access
Sweet Life Daycare & Preschool has an “Open Door” policy. Parents are always welcome to stop by and visit at any time. If a parent would like to volunteer on a regular basis, or stay for an hour or more, we ask that arrangements be made with the teachers and director.
Toilet Training
We are happy to be a partner with you in your child’s toilet training.
Because each child is different, we will cooperate with you in what works best for your child believing that toilet training begins in the home. Our usual policy is that a toddler should be “accident free” for a period of two weeks before transitioning from pull-on diapers to underwear. The State of Arizona requires that children in diapers and pull-on diapers must be in a classroom with diaper-changing facilities, therefore, children may not advance to the preschool room until they are fully toilet trained. Because children must be placed in developmentally-appropriate groupings, we are unable to accommodate four-year-old’s who are not fully toilet trained.
Learning activities are fun and often messy. Please dress children
appropriately for these activities. We will do our best to protect clothing during art projects, but accidents do happen. “Play clothes only” is our best suggestion. We ask that girls wearing skirts and dresses wear shorts under them. Please have your child wear close-toed shoes only.
Required Items
Infants: Formula, breast milk and other foods for infants should be
provided by the parents as well as all personal items required by the child including a sheet, diapers, wipes, etc.
1-5-year-olds: We ask that each child bring a labeled diaper bag, tote bag or backpack each day which includes at least one change of
clothing. Every child, regardless of age, will need a change of clothes (we suggest more if toilet training). Please label and place clothes in a large plastic bag inside your child’s backpack, tote, or diaper bag. In addition, each child should bring a blanket labeled with his/her name for nap time. These will be sent home weekly on Friday, and should be laundered and returned with your child on Monday. Rest/nap mats are provided.
Personal items
Items such as lotions and creams are considered personal items and must be clearly marked with your child’s first and last name. A medication consent form must be filled out in order for staff to apply these personal items. Please clearly mark any personal item belonging to your child, including cups, lunch boxes, backpacks, diaper bags, clothing, blankets, etc.
Disenrollment Procedures
Parent requested: Two weeks advance notice is required prior to
disenrollment to remain in good standing with the center. Thereafter, you may request re-enrollment for your child within the same school year with no additional registration fee. You are responsible for two weeks tuition if you disenroll your child with less than the two-week notice.
Non-attendance of one week (5 consecutive days) without notification will be considered disenrollment.
Center requested: We reserve the right to disenroll a child due to but not limited to the following reasons:
• Non-payment of fees
• Child or parent with behavior that is dangerous or threatening to others • Lack of adherence to center policies by child or parent, including
attendance, payment policy, sign-in, or a guidance plan for a child, or • A one-week absence without notification
• Please refer to our discipline policy for expulsion of child due to
persistent, unacceptable behavior.
*Absence/Payment Policy Rationale
Sweet Life Daycare & Preschool is a not-for-profit facility. We meet or exceed state-mandated staff-to-child ratios in order to provide
exceptional care for our students. We staff accordingly to serve our committed enrollment. As an employer, we wish to provide our staff with consistent and reliable income. This makes it necessary to charge for your weekly reservation regardless of illness, absence, or holidays. Case-by-case exceptions may be made at the director’s discretion. Please do not adjust your invoice or payments to account for absence. We will extend each full-time student a 10-day credit to be used for vacation time. This credit must be requested 14 days in advance of a vacation. If you have questions about this policy, please speak with the director.
On the following page you will find our statement of purpose and mutual responsibilities. Please read this carefully, sign and return. Your signature indicates that you have read and agree to our purpose, our
responsibilities and your responsibilities and policies. Please feel free to contact the director at if you have further questions. We look forward to serving you and your child.
Our Purpose:
• To be a representative of Jesus Christ in our work and personal life.
• To provide a safe, loving, Christian environment in which children can joyfully grow and develop.
• To keep our attention directed toward the children at all times.
• To minister to the fellowship and community through encouraging the whole
family.
• To consistently have a Christ-like attitude toward the Sweet Life Day Care ministry, parents, children and co-workers.
As employees and administrators of Sweet Life Daycare & Preschool, we agree to abide by the above stated purpose.
Our responsibility:
• To meet or exceed all state and local regulations as defined by the Arizona Department of Health Services Office of Child Care Licensing.
• To be available and prepared to care for your child during his or her pre -determined hours at the center.
• To courteously address your questions or concerns.
• To treat you and your child with care and respect. Your responsibility:
• To provide all information regarding your child required by the Arizona
Department of Health Services Office of Child Care Licensing, including a current and up-to-date immunization record, and current emergency information.
• To bring your child at his/her reserved times, prepared for his stay including all
required supplies.
• To be available by phone in the event of an emergency, and to have
someone available to pick up your child within 30 minutes if necessary.
• To notify the center in writing of any changes in your child’s registration information as soon as they occur, for example, phone numbers or who may pick up your child.
• To notify the center of absence and illness details.
• To pay for services in advance of the week they are provided. Sweet Life Daycare & Preschool is unable to extend credit.
Please read the Parent Handbook provided to become familiar with other policies and procedures.
I have read the Parent Handbook and agree to comply with all Sweet Life Daycare & Preschool policies and procedures:
__________________________________________________________________ Signature Date
