Tia Williams

EDU. 262
Administration 2
Kathy Smith
February 20, 2023
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Eden’s Playground
Child Care & Learning Center

Family Handbook
755 Grace Way
Durham, NC 27704
919-641-3000 Office
919-641-3001 Fax
919-408-2746 Mobile

Tia Williams
Owner/Director
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Hello Parents,
Welcome to Eden’s Playground and we look forward to helping your little one grow in
all areas of life. Here at Eden’s Playground, as you walk into our facility you will feel a sense of
belonging and family. We believe our program, morals, and values will help your child reach
their developmentally proper practices. We are a teacher-based center, and we believe through
play and observation that we can help your child find their interest. This is done by allowing our
children to explore their curiosity and express interest in the world around them as they
maneuver through the classroom. Our teachers help each child develop their senses to construct
knowledge about the world around them. We achieve this by going on weekly field trips
exploring nature and involving community helpers. Lastly, your child will form positive
relationships with teachers who are consistent and responsive to their social, emotional, and
mental needs. We believe in building and creating a bond with each child that is a part of Eden’s
Playground. We strive to make our center a home away from home. Our teachers are here to
assist, love, and educate your loved ones.
Family Participation
While here at Eden’ Playground, families are a major part of our center. We do this by
establishing open and honest communication with all our families. We have an open-door
policy, and all questions or concerns can be directed to either your child’s teacher or our
administration staff. We ask that all communication is to be held during quite time or a
scheduled timeframe.
Another way we encourage family involvement is to assist our teachers with being a
special guest. We encourage families to come in and read theme-based books, come in as a
community helper when teachers are discussing community jobs, volunteer and participate with
special events such as luncheons, fairs, and other special activities. We feel this will give you a
great understanding of exactly how our facility operates.
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Vision Statement

Our vision here at Eden’s Playground is we want our community to know

that we are in this together and recognize that it takes a village to help our
children “SOAR”. We promise to provide our village with a safe environment
that will encourage developmental age appropriate practices as your little one
grows, create a loving environment that will focus on social emotional behavior
that will be beneficial to your little one’s health, provide consistent, open, and
honest communication with our families; high quality teachers who will support
your little ones needs, and a nurturing environment for all.
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Core Values

We are committed to establishing quality childcare and instilling three core values that have
been rooted within the history of childcare. We have committed as individuals and a quality
childcare learning center to:
 We will play with a purpose. We understand that evidence-based studies have proven
how effective play is through. We will strive to make sure our children will have hands-
on experience that will help them grow, learn, and develop.
 Demonstrate ethical conduct displaying honesty and integrity.
As individuals and as a learning facility our actions represent responsibility and
accountability. We uphold the principles of equality, fairness, and objectivity.
 Display mutual respect.
We practice and show respect and consideration to all who are a part of our facility. We
recognize differences of opinions are present and while we may differ in opinion, we
will continue to respect working relationships between all.
 Observe, research, and participate in ongoing training to continue to learn how children
grow and develop.

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Program Goals
 To provide ample opportunities for learning, exploring, social and emotional interaction
provided through a variety of daily activities.
 To provide a variety of activities that introduce the curriculum areas of science, art,
dramatic play, social studies, manipulative, language, large and small motor, and music.
 Developing self-help skills to help our children create a sense of independence and gain
confidence skills.
 To provide a nurturing, peaceful, loving, and accommodating atmosphere where
expectations are made clear, independence is encouraged, self-concept is heightened.
 To be supportive of all our families and parents, encourage family involvement and
consistent and open/honest communi8cation while using discretion and tact.
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Curriculum

Eden's Playground aims to provide a quality childcare learning program in which we

will introduce life, decision making, developmentally appropriate practices and
behaviors, and morals. We want to help each child develop respect for others and for
oneself. We will strive to provide a learning environment where your child can grow and
flourish at their own pace. We will implement the Creative Curriculum in each
classroom. You can read more about this curriculum did the following link:
Preschool Curriculum - The Creative Curriculum - Teaching Strategies
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Responsibilities of the Program

 Arrival Sign In & Departure Sign Out 10A NCAC 09.0604(t)

Parents are required to sign the attendance sheet upon arrival and departure. Every child
must be signed out. As a result, no child will be released from their classroom or
playground area. Our responsibility begins when you place your child in the care of a
staff member and ends when you take him/her from the care of a staff member. Please
do not allow your child to wander off unattended or leave the building ahead of you. For
safety purposes, only those listed on the enrollment forms as designated person for pick
up will be permitted to leave with your child/children. If a circumstance should arise for
 someone other than those on your list to pick up your child/children, you will need to
update your list in advance. We will require a Valid ID for the identification of an
individual we do not recognize. Please inform those you have designated to pick up our
policy. *When dropping off your child, routine upbeat departures will make their
transition to our care more comfortable

 Child Abuse and Neglect:

By North Carolina law, caregivers are required to report suspected cases of child abuse
or neglect directly to the local county Department of Social Services. It is our hope that
we are never put into the position where this is necessary, but our commitment is also to
the well-being and safety of the children we care for on a daily basis. Our intent is to aid
parents in the tremendous responsibility you have to your children. We want to be able
to assist you in any area you need help. Should you find that you are having difficulty in
your role as a parent, we would encourage you to allow us to assist you or put you in
contact with the appropriate referral agencies who can help you better cope with the
stresses and responsibilities you may be experiencing.
 Mandatory Reporting Law
General Statute 7B-301
7B-301. Duty to report abuse, neglect, dependency, or death due to maltreatment.
(a) Any person or institution who has cause to suspect that any juvenile is abused, neglected, or
dependent, as defined by G.S. 7B-101, or has died as the result of maltreatment, shall report the
case of that juvenile to the director of the department of social services in the county where the
juvenile resides or is found. The report may be made orally, by telephone, or in writing. The
report shall include information as is known to the person making it including the name and
address of the juvenile; the name and address of the juvenile's parent, guardian, or caretaker; the
age of the juvenile; the names and ages of other juveniles in the home; the present whereabouts
of the juvenile if not at the home address; the nature and extent of any injury or condition
resulting from abuse, neglect, or dependency; and any other information which the person
making the report believes might be helpful in establishing the need for protective services or
court intervention. If the report is made orally or by telephone, the person making the report
shall give the person's name, address, and telephone number. Refusal of the person making the
report to give a name shall not preclude the department's assessment of the alleged abuse,
neglect, dependency, or death as a result of maltreatment.

(b) Any person or institution who knowingly or wantonly fails to report the case of a juvenile as
required by subsection (a) of this section, or who knowingly or wantonly prevents another
person from making a report as required by subsection (a) of this section, is guilty of a Class 1
misdemeanor.

(c) Repealed by Session Laws 2015-123, s. 3, effective January 1, 2016.

(1979, c. 815, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 923, s. 2; 1993, c. 516, s. 4; 1997-506, s.
32; 1998-202, s. 6; 1999-456, s. 60; 2005-55, s. 3; 2013-52, s. 7; 2015-123, s. 3.)
  Staff Responsibilities

All lead teachers must complete the North Carolina early childhood teaching
credential course, receive at least eight o'clock hours of training for every year of
service, and possess one of the following:
 Undergraduate or graduate degree in a light field with at least four semester hours in
child development and or early childhood education
 Associate degree in early childhood education or child development
 A child development associate credential B actively enrolled in a college for early
childhood education or child development with at least 75 hours of general education
and 14 hours of early childhood educational child development.
 All assistant teachers must have completed the North Carolina early childhood teaching
credential course prior to employment or must complete within six months of
employment
10A NCAC 09 .1103 ON-GOING TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (a)
After the first year of employment, the child care administrator and any staff who have
responsibility for planning and supervising a child care center, and staff who work with
children, shall participate in on-going training activities annually, as follows:
Education and Experience Required Training Four-year degree or higher advanced degree in a
childcare related field of study from a regionally accredited college or university 5 clock hours.
Two-year degree in a childcare related field of study from a regionally accredited college or
university, or persons with a North Carolina Early Childhood Administration Credential 8 clock
hours.
Certificate or diploma in a child care related field of study from a regionally accredited college
or university, or persons with a North Carolina Early Childhood Credential 10 clock hours.
10 years documented experience as a teacher, director, or caregiver in a licensed childcare
arrangement 15 clock hours
If none of the other criteria in this chart apply 20 clock hours.
 All employees, full and part-time, will receive 16 hours of orientation training within the
first six weeks of employment.
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Family Responsibilities
 Families should stay involved. Parents and teachers should work together to support that
child’s well-being. Parents should build a strong relationship with childcare teachers to
help ensure that their child is happy, safe, and learning in their environment. Parents
should keep communication open with their child's teacher to build a bond. This shows
both the child and the teacher that you are interested and what the child is doing.
 Parents should find ways to participate. We encourage parents and caregivers to stop by
and observe what their child is doing. We also encourage parents or caregivers to come
in and volunteer. This could include helping in the classroom, such as reading a story or
 doing a circle time, it could also be participating in special events or activities that are
being held at the center.
 We encouraged families to support their child’s educational journey at home. You can do
this by speaking to your child's teacher and learning what they are doing, for instance
the child may be learning about birds so you can continue this lesson at home. Also, we
encourage parents or caregivers to do activities at home with your child that will
continue to help support their development and growth.

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Program Policies

Child Guidance (Discipline) Policy

During the early childhood years, children learn to oversee their own behavior. We believe in
establishing consistent, easy-to-understand limits and in having teachers who respond to
inappropriate behavior with insight, sensitivity, and skill. When clear, consistent and age-
appropriate limits are present, children increasingly become responsible for themselves. When
out-of-bounds behaviors do occur, we believe it is important for children to understand why the
behavior is inappropriate and how to modify it.
We work to prevent behavior problems by arranging each classroom so that children work in
small groups and have a choice of activities. The range of activities will give your child the
freedom and ability to experience success and become self-directed. Teachers are also trained to
skillfully direct behavior along appropriate channels. Children are encouraged to verbalize their
feelings to learn to positively work through strong emotions. Teachers act as role models and
encourage children’s appropriate behaviors. Under no circumstances is corporal punishment
permitted. Discipline will not be associated with food, rest, or toileting.
We believe that it is our responsibility to provide children with positive guidance and in our
experience, most children will respond well to our approach. If a child does not respond, we
will notify the parents and work closely with them to develop a plan to help the child gain self-
control and a positive attitude toward their peers and teachers. Should the child’s continued
negative behavior put themselves, their peers, or their teachers at risk for physical harm or if the
child damages Center property, we reserve the right to ask the parent to withdraw the child from
the Center. While we understand the developmental tendencies of children to experiment with
inappropriate language to shock others, withdrawal may also be requested for those children
who are verbally abusive, including the repeated use of inappropriate language with other
families consider offensive.
Edens’s Sickness Policy
Eden’s Playground reserves the right to temporarily deny your child admittance into the center
for reasons of obvious illness, or to request early departure should symptoms become apparent
during the day. Any child who seems unable to participate in our program for any reason will be
sent home. This is to ensure the continued good health of everyone at the center. We realize that
most of you are working parents and we do try to accommodate you as much as possible.
However, for the health and wellbeing of the children in our care and our staff we feel it is vital
to maintain a strict wellness policy. We ask for parents to assist by keeping sick children at
home. We do take into consideration your physician’s recommendations nevertheless it is up to
our discretion when your child may return to school.
When a child may not attend school:

 Fever: Children will be sent home if their temperature is 100.0 or higher and must stay
home the next day for observation. Children must be free of fever (any temperature
above 98.6 degrees) for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
The same policy applies if your child develops a fever at home. They must be fever free
(any temperature above 98.6 degrees) for at least 24 hours without the use of fever
reducing medication.
 Rash: Any rash other than a common diaper rash or skin irritation will require that child
to be sent home for an evaluation and diagnosis from their doctor in writing of exactly
what it is. They may return to school based on that written doctor’s evaluation, and
clearance that it is not contagious.
  Conjunctivitis (pink eye): Children will be sent home if there appears to be an unusual
amount of discharge from or irritation to their eye(s) and must stay home the next day
for observation. Before returning to school they will need an evaluation and diagnosis
from their doctor in writing of exactly what it is.
If the diagnosis is BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS children must have received at
least 24 hours of treatment.
If the diagnosis is VIRAL CONJUNCTIVITIS your child may return AS LONG AS
THERE IS NO DISCHARGE.
If in fact they do not have “pink eye” we need a doctor’s note with a diagnosis and a
clearance that it is not contagious.
 Thick White, Green or Yellow Discharge: Children will be sent home if they appear
to have any thick white, green, or yellow discharge. This is often indicative of an
infection, and they must stay home the next day for observation. Before returning to
school, they will need an evaluation and diagnosis from their doctor in writing and at
least 24 hours of treatment. If in fact, they do not have an infection we need a doctor’s
note with a diagnosis of exactly what it is with a clearance that it is nothing contagious.
The Department of Health and most doctors are of the opinion that once on antibiotics
for 24 hours, the discharge is no longer contagious even though it may persist for up to
two weeks.
 Diarrhea: Children will be sent home if they have three or more loose bowel
movements in one day and must stay home the next day for observation. Before
returning to school (after the day of observation) children must be free from diarrhea for
24 hours with at least 1 regular bowel movement. If your child has one or more loose
bowel movements on their first day back, they will again be sent home.
 Vomiting: Children will be sent home if they vomit and must stay home the next day
for observation. Before returning to school (after the day of observation) children must
symptom free with no vomiting for at least 24 hours.
 Persistent Hacking Cough: Children will be sent home if they have a persistent
hacking cough and must stay home the next day for observation. Before returning to
school, they will need an evaluation and diagnosis from their doctor in writing and at
least 24 hours of treatment. If in fact, they do not require any treatment we need a
doctor’s note with a diagnosis of exactly what it is with a clearance that it is not
contagious.
 Lice: Children will not be readmitted until 24 hours after treatment and must be nit free.
The Director or a Lead Teacher will make an evaluation and determine if the child can
be readmitted.

Common Cold Policy

Children suffering from a common cold will be assessed on an individual basis.
Factors of consideration include the developmental level of your child in congruence with our
ability to limit the spread of germs.
The younger your child, the more difficult it is to keep the spread of germs down. For example:
hand to face contact, mouthing of toys, uncontrolled nasal discharge, uncovered sneezing and
coughing etc.
Medication Administration Policy
Medications both prescription and over the counter are rarely given at school; the only
exceptions involve special or serious problems where it is deemed absolutely necessary by the
physician that the medication be given during school hours. The parent is urged, with the help
of your child’s physician, to work out a schedule of giving medication at home, outside school
hours whenever possible.
IF MEDICATION IS TO BE ADMINISTERED AT SCHOOL, ALL OF THE
FOLLOWING CONDITIONS MUST BE MET

1. A signed request from a licensed physician/dentist specifying the condition for which
the medication is to be given, the name, dosage, route, side effect and specific
instructions for emergency treatment must be on file at school. School staff is not
authorized to determine when an “as needed” medication is to be given.
2. Specific instructions are necessary.
3. A signed request from the parent/guardian must be on file at school.
4. Medication must be in your child’s original, labeled pharmacy container written in
English.
5. All liquid medication must be accompanied by an appropriate measuring device.
6. A separate form is required for each medication.

Food and Nutrition

Eden’s Playground follows the childcare nutrition guidelines recommended by the USDA
CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) for all the foods we serve. To provide a healthy
and balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and limits foods and
beverages that are high in sugar, and/or fat, our nutrition policy includes the following:

Fruits and Vegetables: We serve fruit at least 2 times a day. We offer vegetables other than white
potatoes at least 2 times a day.

Grains: We serve whole grain foods at least 2 times a day.

Beverages: We limit juice intake to once per day in a serving size specified for the child’s age
group. When served, the juice is 100% fruit juice. We do not serve sugar sweetened beverages.
We serve only skim or 1% milk to children aged 2 years and older.

Fats and Sugars: High fat meats, such as bologna, bacon, and sausage, are served no more than
once per week. Fried or pre-fried vegetables, including potatoes, are served no more than once
in a 2-week period. We limit sweet food items to no more than once per week.

Role of Staff in Nutrition Education

Staff provide opportunities for children to learn about nutrition 1 time per week or more. Staff
act as role models for healthy eating in front of the children. At least 1 staff member joins
children at the table for meals and snacks. Meal and snack times are planned so that no child
will go more than four hours without being offered food. We provide a variety of nutritionally
balanced, high-quality foods each day so please do not send your child outside food and drinks.

Nutrition and Punishment:

Staff will never use food as a reward or as a punishment.

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Operating Procedures
Hours of Operation:
Hours of operation at Aiden playground R 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Children are not permitted to attend the Center for more than 9 1/2 hours per day, per state
rules. Eden's playground closes at 5:30 PM, and all children must be picked up at that time.
Children picked up after closing will be charged $1 per minute until picked up. The charge is
due that day. Those who hold vouchers, if you are going to be late, then you must make a
prearranged agreement with the director and a $20 per hour fee will be assessed for each hour
of overtime and or a daily rate will be assessed.

The following holidays will be observed:

 Labor Day
 Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after Thanksgiving
 The Week of Christmas
 New Year's Day and the day after New Day
 Memorial Day
 Good Friday and Easter Monday
 The Week of the 4th of July

You will still be charged the same rate for your child during the above-listed holidays.

Inclement Weather

In the event of inclement weather, we will make announcements on channel 3, Facebook, and
our website as to whether or not we were open late or closed for the day. Anyone with questions
about cancellations can call (919) 641- 3000. Should inclement weather develop during the day
and a decision is to be made to close, you will be notified by telephone and expected to pick up
your child immediately. If the center is closed due to inclement weather, you will still be
required to pay for that day's childcare.

Discharge Policy

The director reserves the right to remove the child from the program at anytime upon written
notice to the parents and continuing care might be detrimental to the child or the program.
Eden's Playground also reserves the right to counsel enrollment of a child for the following
reasons:

 Nonpayment or excessive delinquent payment or fees

 Not observing the rules of the center as outlined in the family handbook.
 Child has special needs which cannot adequately be met with our current staffing
patterns.
 Physical abuse or verbal abuse of staff or children by parent or child
 Uncooperative parents or guardians’ failure of child to the team for three days without
notification
 Failure of a child to adjust to childcare within a reasonable amount of time
 Two weeks’ notice by parent or guardian of intention to withdraw
 Not maintaining the child's personal hogging
 Failure to complete required forms.
 Failure to pick the child up on time.
 Breech contract agreement

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Fees and Payment Policy:

Tuition fees must be paid in full by the Friday before the week of service. No account will be
allowed to become more than two weeks delinquent. A late fee of $10 will be incurred if not
paid by Monday following the two week deadline in your child may not attend child care until
the balance is paid in full. The director may terminate service due to delinquent accounts
without notice and the deposit and any fees paid will be non-refundable.

Which one is required, even if your child is absent due to illness, vacations or holidays.

There will be an initial registration fee of $35. This fee, along with one week's tuition must be
paid in order to reserve a slot for your child. Our facility reserves the right to adjust fees at any
time with at least 30 days’ written notice.

Eden’s Playground is in agreement with the local Department of Social services and will
provide subsidized care for any child that qualifies, meaning we take DSS vouchers. Families
contracted with DSS must take responsibility for making sure that their voucher does not
expire. In the event of an expired voucher, all childcare fees incurred will be the family's
responsibility. It is the family's responsibility to maintain the voucher including contacting DSS
and meeting with them accordingly.

Effective: 2/1/2023 Private Pay Rate

Chart
Age Group Days Per Week Amount Per Child Monthly Cost
Infants – 2 yrs. olds 4 or more $215.00 per week $860.00 per month
3-5 yrs. olds 4 or more $195.00 per week $780.00 per month

One-time Non- Refundable registration fee: $35 per child

Note: No account will be allowed to become more than two weeks delinquent. The director may
terminate service without notice due to a delinquent account.

Note: comment is required for full time or part time slot regardless of whether or not child
attends all days reserved.