Calico Corners Handbook
Calico Corners Preschool and Daycare LLC
Center Phone
(269)-345-6901
Heather Clay
Owner
(269)-330-1020
Melanie Ross
Program Director
(269)-330-9429
Our Mission Statement
It is our hope to support and aid families in developing social skills in their children and to create learning experiences that challenge the child?s habits observation, questioning, listening and problem solving.
Our program is designed to:
Encourage independence and security in adult/child group interactions.
Develop a good self image and acceptance of others.
Encourage discovery and understanding of the world around us.
Develop the ability to be kind and loving to living and inanimate things around us.
Develop a repertoire of knowledge by engaging in as many experiences as possible.
Encourage development of natural talents.
Encourage habits of good health, nutrition, safety, and respect.
Develop gross and fine motor skills.
To familiarize children with the concepts, materials and other aspects of life those are expected in preparing for school.
To track and celebrate each students individual talents and progress through portfolio entries.
Criteria for Admission
Children must be between the ages of 6 weeks and 2.5 years to enroll in the Nursery Program.
Preschool children must be between the ages of 2.5 and 5.5 years for admission into the Preschool Program.
Children 5.5-12 will be eligible for before and after school care, as well as the Summer Program.
All Children must have the following forms in their files at start date:
Registration Form
Child Placement Contract
Emergency Information Card
Health Appraisal (Must be in files no more than 30 days after their start date
Record of Immunizations (One dose must be given before infants are admitted.).
A $50 non-refundable registration fee must be paid before the start date.
Arrivals and Departures
Calico Corners opens at 7:00 a.m. Preschool starts at 8:35 a.m., so please have your children there no later than 8:45 a.m. When the preschool and daycare children arrive they should hang their coats outside the classroom on their designated hook, please make sure to sign your child in and make any notes for the day in the sign in log. When picking your children up from school please make sure to check his/her mail box, and grab anything that may be hanging on their hook and always sign them out. Please make sure to check the counter for any news letters or important information for parents.
Hours of Operation
7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday? Friday
Infant and Toddler Center Only
Needs from Home
Diapers: Parents will provide Calico with a sufficient supply of diapers for the week of care. Calico will provide storage for diapers if parents wish to bring in a larger quantity.
Bedding: All children in the infant and toddler center will be napping at last once a day, parents are responsible for supplying appropriate bedding (blanket, & pillow). Calico will provide sheets for the cribs and cots. Bedding is sent home every two weeks for washing.
Meals: All meals are to be provided by the parents and brought on a daily basis in a small cooler or lunch box. Make sure to include juice and milk, brought in individual sip cups. Calico staff will not wash any Tupperware or bottles sent for the day. Please make sure to pack an extra snack for snack time. Calico will provide some special snacks so please inform us of any ALLERGIES your child may have.
Bottles: All bottles must be pre-made; Calico will not prepare any bottles so make sure to send your child with enough bottles for the entire day.
Wipes: Calico will provide most of the wipe supply; but we do ask that parents bring in one large refill of wipes per month.
Medication: Parents will be responsible for providing any medication for their child such as, Tylenol, Ibprophen, and Gas Drops Etc. Calico will disperse prescription medication when needed. Parents of children who receive any type of medication will be responsible for filing a medicine slip authorizing Calico staff to dispense medication.
Clothing: We ask that all children are sent with a change of clothing that can remain at the school in case of an emergency. All children will be provided with a cubby box for change of clothing and any extras that the parents wish to bring.
Calico Will Provide
Desitin Creamy Diaper Rash Ointment
Baby Powder/Wipes
Burp Cloths/ Sheets (Washed by Calico)
What to Wear
Think of your child?s comfort when dressing them for school each day. Clothes that are clean, simple and easy to fasten and unfasten with small fingers are best. Clothing that is able to get dirty is imperative because we do many arts and crafts and spend a generous amount of time outside. A change of clothing must be left in your child's cubby box or in their backpack in case of an accident. It is also suggested that each child has a sweatshirt or sweater in their cubby as well. If your child stays all afternoon they will most likely be taking a nap, you must provide a sleeping bag and pillow that can be left at school. Bedding will be sent home once a month for cleaning. If bedding is soiled it will be sent home that day.
Quiet Time Policies for Daycare
?Quiet Time? is observed from 12:30-2:30 in the Nursery and 1-3:30 in the main classroom. Children are not required to take a nap, however, if they stay awake during naptime they will need to be involved in quiet activities. If weather permits these children may go outside or use other building facilities.
Health and Safety
If your child has recently been sick he or she must be symptom free for 24 hours before returning to the center. Watery pink eyes, vomiting, rash, diarrhea, & coughing are all symptoms of possible contagious diseases. A sick child will not be allowed to remain at the center, and parents will be called at home/work to pick up their child, or the emergency contacts may be called. Reliable numbers must be left to assure that we are able contact someone. A good way to avoid conflict with illness is to practice good nutrition and hygiene and get the appropriate amount of sleep. In case of an emergency a staff member will call 911, and the child will be taken to the nearest hospital for treatment as approved by the parental permission signature required by DSS on the ?Child Emergency Card.? This form must be completed before your child may attend.
Discipline Policy
?Discipline? means to teach. With this in mind, the staff at Calico Corners practices Responsive Discipline, using positive methods of discipline to encourage self esteem, self direction, self discipline and cooperation. The most often used method would be too redirect the child to a new activity, and removing the child from the situation is the best place to start. If behavior continues, the child may be asked to sit in a ?Time Out? usually at the table or in the book nook. Gentle restraint will be used only if the child is destroying Calico property or if the have seriously injured another child or teacher.
Toys from Home
We ask that parents refrain from allowing your child to bring toys from home. Toys from home can be very distracting at times and also often start arguments. If your child likes to sleep with a special blanket or stuffed animal for security this will be allowed at nap time. Your child may also bring something from home for show and tell on his/her shining star day. Calico Corners doesn't take responsibility for any lost, stolen, or broken toys.
Expected Behavior
All children at Calico Corners are expected to display appropriate behavior while attending our program. If for any reason your child physically harms another child to the point of injury you will be contacted. If your child destroys property of Calico Corners you will be expected to replace the damaged item. If a child displays uncontrollable behavior over a period of time he/she will be dismissed from the program.
Photos
Pictures are taken frequently for the classroom bulletin and for the school yearbook. If you do not wish to have your child photographed, please inform us. We also have individual school pictures taken in the fall by a professional photographer. Parents will be notified of ?Picture Day? in advanced.
Foods and Snack
Nursery: A mid-morning snack will be served between 9:30-10. This snack will be provided by the parent in the child?s lunchbox. Lunchtime is at 11:30. An afternoon snack is served between 2:30-3 and is also provided by the parent.
Classroom: A Mid morning snack is served at 9:30. This snack is provided by the shining star, which includes a healthy food choice and 100% juice or milk. Lunchtime is at 12:00. Afternoon snack is between 3:30 and 4:00 and is provided by the parent. Lunches may contained items to be heated, however, please keep the cook time under a minute and a half.
*All lunches are provided by parents.
*On occasion Calico will have a special snack or an arranged party, so please let us know of any allergies your child may have.
Field Trips
Preschool field trips are taken at least once a month, on Friday. Occasionally we will take more that one field trip in a month or possibly one in the middle of the week. During the Summer Program, field trips are taken up to 3 times a week (this depends on the age of the child.) Parents are always welcome and encouraged to drive, however any parent that wishes to drive must first obtain a FIA clearance. If your child is not normally scheduled on the day of a field trip you may still bring them as long as you attend with them. If you have any good ideas for field trips please let us know, we are always up for suggestions.
Parental Involvement
Parental involvement is always welcome and encouraged. It is extremely important for children to feel that their parents care about their time and efforts made here at Calico Corners. If you would like to come and visit or help in the classroom please inform a staff member. We welcome any comments, criticisms or suggestions for improvements in the program. Families? feedback creates a positive program.
Withdrawal Policy
To withdrawal from our program it is necessary to give at least a two weeks notice before removing your child from the preschool or daycare program. If you are unable to give two weeks notice, you will be expected to pay for the two weeks missed. When dismissing a child from the preschool program a notice must be given two weeks prior to the 1st of the next month.
Weather Policies
During the winter months Kalamazoo may experience severe winter weather. In the event that enough snow or ice has accumulated to close KPS and Portage Schools preschool will also close. Calico Corners Daycare reserves the right to close the center if the weather is extreme, however in severe weather the daycare will most likely delay opening 2 or 3 hours in the morning and open for the remainder of the day. All cancellations will be broadcasted over our local television station CBS channel 3.
