RISING STARS PRESCHOOL AND DAYCARE

Mission

 To provide the best quality childcare and learning experience possible.

 To help children achieve their full potential through developmentally appropriate
educational and play activities, both independently and in a group.
 To treat all children with the respect and caring that they deserve.

Licensing

Rising Stars Preschool and Daycare is licensed for a total of 20 children.

Hours of operation

Rising Stars Preschool and Daycare is open Monday through Friday, 7:00am – 5:30pm.

It is also open 1 Saturday per month from 8:00am – 1:00pm.

Holidays

Rising Stars Preschool and Daycare will be closed on the following days:

New Years Day

Memorial Day

4th of July

Labor Day

Thanksgiving

Day after Thanksgiving

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

Rising Stars will be paid for the above holidays. If one of the holidays falls on a

Saturday or Sunday, Rising Stars reserves the right to take the preceding Friday or following

Monday as the paid holiday.

Vacation Policy

Parents are given 5 consecutive days of vacation at ½ the normal weekly rate. Please

provide at least 2 week’s notice of the proposed vacation time.

Financial Policy

 The rate for full-time attendance is $200.00 per child per week. For part-time attendance
(3 days a week or less than 5 hours a day) the rate will be $125.00 per child per week.
Special discounts will be given to families with multiple children attending the center.
 For Saturday openings, a $5.00 per hour fee will be charged per child.
 At time of contract, a total of 2 weeks tuition will be due. Tuition is due each Friday for
the
following week. Two week’s notice is required if a child will be leaving the center.
 A $10.00 per day late fee will be assessed for any late payments.
 There will be a $15.00 late fee per half hour after 5:30pm.
 A $40.00 NSF fee will be assessed for any returned checks.

Medical Policy

If your child exhibits any of the following symptoms or has one of the following
illnesses, they must be excluded from the center:
 A reportable illness or condition that the commissioner of health determines to be
contagious and a physician determines has not had sufficient treatment to reduce the
health risk to others.
 Chicken Pox until the child is no longer infectious or until the lesions are crusted over.
 Vomited two or more times since admission that day.
 Had 3 or more abnormally loose stools since admission that day.
 Has contagious conjunctivitis or pus draining from the eye.
 Has a bacterial infection such as streptococcal pharyngitis or impetigo and has not
completed 24 hours of antimicrobial therapy.
 Has unexplained lethargy.
 Has lice, ringworm, or scabies that is untreated and contagious to others.
 Has a 100 degree Fahrenheit axillary or higher temperature of undiagnosed origin before
fever reducing medication is given.
 Has an undiagnosed rash or rash attributable to a contagious illness or condition.
 Has significant respiratory distress.
 Is not able to participate in child care program activities with reasonable comfort.
 Requires more care than the program staff can provide without compromising health and
safety of other children in care.

If your child becomes ill while at the center, he/she will be separated from the other
children and kept comfortable until you arrive to pick him/her up. Your child will remain
within eyesight and earshot of a staff member at all times.

Medication Policy
Any medication brought to the center must be labeled with the child’s name, birth date,
and specific instructions on how the medicine should be administered. Any prescription
medicine should be labeled with a pharmacy label that should include the prescribing doctor’s
name and phone number.
Parents will be required to fill out and sign a “medication administration” form each
time a medication is brought in for their child.
Health and Safety Policy
If your child should become injured while at Rising Stars, immediate first aid will be
administered. A staff member trained in first aid will be available at all times. If your child is
gravely injured, 911 will be called immediately followed up by a call to parent, guardian or
emergency contact (if parent/guardian not available).

All staff members will do all possible every day to prevent injuries to the children in
their care. All equipment, toys, and areas used by the children will be inspected daily to make
sure that no hazardous situation is present. The following safety rules are put in place to
maintain a safe environment for your child:
 Injuries – children will be taught proper methods of playing with or on different
equipment. Children may not climb higher than a staff member can reach.
 Burns – children are not allowed to contact anything that could cause a burn such as hot
water, grease, or hot surfaces.
 Poisoning – all poisonous materials including but not limited to cleaning supplies and
medication will be kept in a securely locked cabinet.
 Choking – children will not be served food that can cause choking such as grapes,
hotdogs, small pieces of candy, or raisins unless cut up in to tiny pieces. Nuts and peanut
butter will not be served due to potential for a food allergy.
 Suffocation – plastic bags are not allowed near children. Long strings or cords will not
be used near where children play or sleep.
 Traffic accidents – children will not be allowed to play outside unless in a fenced or
closely supervised area.
 Pedestrian accidents – if the children walk outdoors to another facility or play area, they
will hold hands with each other and that of a staff member. The safest path and one not
heavily used by cars will be used when possible.

FIRES
Monthly fire drills will be held with the children to gain a comfort level with what to do
in the case of a fire. Evacuation routes and exits will be clearly marked and posted.

INCLEMENT WEATHER
In the event of inclement weather, all children will be kept inside in a designated safe
area. Monthly tornado drills will be held.

DIAPERING
Children needing diapering must use disposable diapers provided by the parent. Please
provide a sufficient amount of diapers, preferably enough for a month. When being diapered,
staff members will wear disposable gloves and use disposable diaper changing covers on the
changing table. If a child requires any kind of diaper rash cream, it will be administered using a
gloved hand. All soiled diapers will be disposed of in a diaper pail that will be emptied daily
and not be accessible to the children.

FOOD SAFETY
Food safety is very important in maintaining a healthy environment. Food will be stored
properly in air tight containers either in a cupboard or refrigerator. Staff members will wash
their hands before preparing or handling any food and will also wear disposable gloves. Food
will be served at the proper temperature as to not cause any illness. Food utensils and
equipment will be washed daily.
 MISSING CHILD
If a child happens to become missing while at our center, 911 will be called immediately
as well as the child’s parent or guardian. The remaining children will be kept in one room and
will be closely watched by a staff member while other staff members try to locate the child.
Staff members will work closely with law enforcement members to locate the child.

ISSUES WITH PICKING UP A CHILD

If an unauthorized person attempts to pick up a child from our center, the child’s parent,
guardian or emergency contact will be called immediately. If the unauthorized person does not
leave the premises after speaking with the child’s parent, the police will be called to assist.
If an incapacitated person attempts to pick up a child from our center, the child’s
emergency contact will be called immediately. If there is not a resolution between the
incapacitated person and the child’s emergency contact, the police will be called to assist.
If a person suspected of abuse attempts to pick up a child from our center, the child’s
emergency contact will be called immediately. If there is not a resolution between the abusive
person and the emergency contact, social services and the police will be called to assist.
If no one comes to pick up a child from our center, all authorized people on the child’s
information form will be contacted including parent(s), guardian, or emergency contact. If all
attempts to reach an authorized person fail, social services and the police will be called to assist.

INJURY REPORT
A report will be filled out, signed by both a teacher or director and a parent and will be
kept in the injury report folder with a copy sent home with the parent. The injury report folder
will be analyzed monthly to see if any changes to the center’s policies and procedures need to be
made. See appendix for form.

FIRST AID POLICIES

A first aid kit is available at the center for use by center staff. All staff members have
been certified in first aid and adult/child CPR.

If any of the following occurs, 911 will be called immediately:

 If a child is not breathing
 If a child is unconscious
 If a child is having difficulty breathing
 If a child is bleeding uncontrollably
 If a child is having sudden severe pain
 If a child is having seizures for more than five minutes
 If a child is severely injured or burned
 If a child is suspected of having a head or neck injury
 If a child is suspected of having ingested poison

Behavior Guidance Policy

The behavior guidance form must be read and signed by a parent or guardian when the
child first starts at our center. This form contains our behavior guidelines and procedures. See
appendix for form.
 If a child’s misbehavior persists and increases the guidance time of teachers and other
staff members, parents will meet with the teacher and/or director to develop a behavior plan. See
appendix for form.

A behavior record will also be kept and a copy sent home with the parent and kept in the
child’s file. See appendix for form.

SEPARATION

Children between the ages of 6 weeks and 16 months will not be separated from the
group as a means of behavior guidance. If a child is separated from the group, a log will be kept
and a copy given to the child’s parent. See appendix for form.

SUSPECTED MALTREATMENT

As child care providers, we are mandated by the state to report any suspicion or
knowledge of child abuse, neglect, or other maltreatment. A form will be filled out, a copy given
to the child’s parent, the Dakota County Child Protection Agency and the Department of Human
Services licensing division. See appendix for form.

Center Specific Policies

Rising Stars Preschool and Daycare has an open door policy. Please feel free to stop by
at any time to visit our program and check on the well being of your child. If you ever have any
questions or concerns regarding any of our policies or programs, please do not hesitate to ask or
bring it to our attention. Any concerns will be reviewed by the center director and any other staff
member directly involved. A written plan or explanation will be provided to the parent, and if
agreed upon, signed by all parties involved.

SUPERVISION
Children will be supervised at all times while in the care of Risings Stars Preschool and
Daycare. This includes during playtime, mealtime, and naptime.

NAP AND REST TIME

 If a child has rested quietly for at least 30 minutes, will not be required to remain
on the cot.
 Cots and/or mats will be placed to allow access for both adults and children to at
least one side.
 Cots will be placed directly on the floor while in use.
 All children will use separate bedding. This bedding must be washed weekly and
when soiled or wet.

MEALS
Children will be given breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack daily. If the child has
any food allergies, please fill out a food allergy form and return it to the center director
at time of enrollment.
 PARENT CONFERENCES
Parents will be given the chance to have a one on one conference with the director and
teacher twice a year. During this conference, the child’s intellectual, physical, social, and
emotional development will be discussed. If there is any reason for concern that the child is not
meeting one or more of the developmental goals, an agreed upon plan will be put in place to
either continue to monitor the child over the next few months or find additional resources for
assistance in helping the child achieve the goals.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY

All staff members, volunteers, or any other person who comes in contact with the
children at our center are prohibited from abusing prescription medicine or being in any manner
under the influence of a chemical that impairs the individual’s ability to provide services or care.

WRITTEN PERMISSON
Permission must be obtained from parents before a child is allowed to participate in a
field trip or any public relations activity that involves a child.

Child care plan

Rising Stars teaches children by using developmentally appropriate activities to better
help them be prepared for entrance into kindergarten. They are introduced to the main areas of
learning which are: reading, music and movement, dramatic play, art, toys and games, and
discovery. Within each learning area are a variety of items to help children learn social and
emotional skills, develop their imagination, and promote physical development. The items in the
learning areas are culturally as well as developmentally appropriate to the children at the center.

The room is designed with the different learning areas easily defined. There is time
throughout the day for the children to go from learning area to learning area according to their
interests. Children are guided to try out each area, allowing time for in depth learning in their
preferred learning area.

Rising Stars utilizes a director prepared preschool curriculum. Each week is carefully
planned around a specific topic with activities in each of the learning areas. The different age
groups are taught similar lessons appropriate to their age and developmental level.

The daily schedule includes breakfast, independent exploration at each of the learning
areas, structured learning time, outside play (weather permitting), lunch, and quiet time where
the child may either nap or do another quiet activity so as to not disturb those who are sleeping.