PARENT HANDBOOK 

INTRODUCTION

Today Care is a child care center providing specialized care for children who are mildly ill and back-up care for well children whose regular child care or school is temporarily unavailable (teacher in-service days, holidays, or regular caregiver illness.)    Our center is designed to accommodate 40 children, infants through children 12 years of age.

A team made up of a registered nurse and qualified teachers will provide the comprehensive care your child needs. We offer professional medical supervision, tender loving care and nurturing, as well as activities that focus on the health, wellness, and development of your child.

Our back-up care program is based upon using creativity and imagination to stimulate and teach outside of normal developmental curriculum. The program is developed and delivered by child care professionals.

TodayCare has been designed to prevent the spread of infection by providing generous space, separate air handling systems, infection control protocols and staffing well beyond the levels required for child care licensing. Clinical standards for cleaning are strictly applied.

The mildly ill and back-up care programs are separate. Well and ill children are never combined, and we do not allow our caregivers to go from a sick room to a well room.

Our goal is to provide parents/guardians or grandparents with a choice that is easy to make: a safe, warm, caring, secure, professional environment for your child.  We provide quality childcare when participation in the regular school or daycare routine is not possible and you still need to go to work.

ADMISSIONS

TodayCare admits children without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin or ancestry. Neither do we refuse to care for a child with special needs, as long as we believe that our facility and our staff are set up to care for that child’s specific needs and to provide a safe, supportive environment for him/her.

Our hours of operation are 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The center is closed on the following holidays:

 New Year's Day     *Memorial Day*     Fourth of July*        Labor Day*

Thanksgiving and the Friday after Thanksgiving Christmas day

 

Clients may call for a reservation 24 hours a day by dialing 250-2600 x10. If you make a reservation and do not show or cancel by 7:30 am the day of the reservation, you will be charged the applicable co-pay fee as designated by your employer with a minimum charge of $10.00.   During extra busy times like summer vacation and Christmas vacation, a two-week cancellation notice is required, in order to avoid a late-cancellation fee. 

Reservations are required in advance, but DO NOT guarantee a spot for care. Please make reservations as soon as you feel you will need our service. We do understand that if your child is suddenly ill, you may not be able to make reservations in advance.

Back-up care may be used for no more than 10 consecutive days for most of our client companies. The maximum allowed is generally 25-30 days per year, depending on your own corporate policy. Exceptions may be made through agreement between the Center Director and your Human Resources Representative.

Parents are encouraged to visit the center with their child prior to admission to familiarize him/her with the center and to meet our staff. Preliminary paperwork may also be completed at the time of the pre-admission visit.

 

If a pre-admission visit is not possible, we will be happy to familiarize you with our program and center when you arrive with your child. Registration forms may be obtained from your company’s human resource department or via our website at www.todaycare.com.

Prior to admission, Today Care must have:

.A completed Registration Form

.Current immunization record.

.Evidence of health exam (usually noted at the bottom of the child’s immunization record)

Information about your child and family will be kept confidential.

CHECKING IN/CHECKING OUT PROCESS

 

Upon arrival at Today Care, parents will be able to park along 9^th Ave. for free in the GREEN loading zone spaces during the hours of 6:30-8:30 am and 4:00-6:00pm.

Once inside, if the parents have not already pre-registered their child, they will need to take an extra few moments to fill out a registration form, Child Life form daily sing-in form and an optional photo release form. Parents must also provide us with a current immunization record. You will also need to choose a password for security purposes.

Once this process is completed the initial time, only the daily sign-in form needs to be filled out on each new visit to TodayCare.

In the evening, the caregiver will go over the daily report with the parent and will have him/her sign the child out.

If a parent arrives after 6:00 p.m., there is a $1.00 per minute late fee with a minimum of $10.00 to be paid at the time of pick-up.

ADMISSION CHECKLIST

a Registration Form

a Immunization Record

aPhysician's and Dentist name, address and number

aEvidence of health exam

aInsurance name and policy number

a Parent/legal guardian names and numbers

a Emergency contact (other than parent/legal guardian) names and numbers

a Co-payment

a Medications in original containers and a Doctor’s order for prescription medications to be administered.

a Breakfast/lunch/Dinner (snacks will be provided)

a Diapers

a Baby food/formula

a Change of clothing

a Security blanket and/or pillow/pacifiers

a Books or homework

Please label each item belonging to your child.

           

SUPERVISION

No child will be left unsupervised while at the center. Ratios of caregivers to children are as follows:

The caregiver will update you as needed about your child's well being. Parents are welcome to call at any time to check on their child. Parents may also drop by to see how their child is doing, or have lunch with him or her, if desired.   

A Mildly-III or Back-up form will be completed by the caregiver(s) throughout the day.  It includes information about your child's activities, rest, diet, medications, etc. The form for mildly ill children also includes the nursing assessment and history.

When parents arrive to pick-up their child, the caregiver will discuss the child's day and review the Admission/Discharge form with the parent. Parents will be asked to sign the completed form and, if desired, be provided with a copy.

LATE PICK-UP FEE

TodayCare’s late pick-up fee is $1.00 per minute with a $10.00 minimum. Should a parent or other authorized person pick your child up after 6:00 p.m., the late pick-up fee will apply, with payment required before leaving the center.  Thank you in advance for being timely in picking up your child or children.

RETURN CHECK FEE

If a check is returned to TodayCare, the parent will pay the cost of the check plus a $15.00 return check charge per check. This needs to be paid in cash before the child’s next visit. If in the course of a year there are 3 returned checks, then the parent will be required to pay cash from then on.

DISCIPLINE/BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT

 

Caregivers at TodayCare are trained in child development and in positive methods of discipline. They will use appropriate guidance, redirection, and the setting of clear-cut limits as appropriate to the child's age and developmental level.

Aggressive physical behavior toward staff or other children is unacceptable. To protect all of the children and encourage more acceptable behavior, caregivers will intervene immediately when a child becomes aggressive, using appropriate guidance or conflict resolution techniques. For acts of aggression such has hit- ting or biting, the children involved will be separated. Care and comfort will be given to the injured child. If a child is bitten or injured, the parent will be notified and may be asked to come and pick-up the child within 30 minutes from the time they are notified. 

Should positive methods of discipline not be effective, a “time out” may be utilized just long enough to enable the child to regain control of him- or herself. As a general rule this period will not exceed one minute per year of age. Time out will take place within the assigned room.

Each child in the center is special, with individual needs that require careful attention; TodayCare will make reasonable accommodations for children with special needs. We suggest having your child visit for a day or two to determine if care at TodayCare is the best environment for your child. While our goal is within reason to accommodate all children and to integrate them into the program, any child who poses a “direct threat” or is likely to cause or continue to cause significant harm to themselves, other children and/or staff, will be asked not to return to the program.

Caregivers are not permitted to use any form of physical and/or negative discipline such as corporal punishment, threat of or withdrawal of food, rest or bathroom opportunities. Additionally, any use of negative language such as yelling, belittling, threats or rejection is not permitted.

RESOLVING PARENT CONCERNS

TodayCare Children’s Centers encourages teachers to discuss concerns with parents. You also are encouraged to ask your child’s teacher questions you may have about your child’s care at the center or general center issues.  It is important for parents to address questions or misunderstandings quickly.

Ongoing communication between staff and parents is vital to the smooth running of the center. Our staff is committed to resolving your concerns. Most concerns can be addressed at the classroom level: however if you and your child’s teacher are not able to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution, you may discuss your concerns with the Center’s Director.

CARE OF CHILDREN

When you arrive at Today Care, you will be greeted in the reception area for check-in. Once paper work is completed, your child will be escorted to a classroom. If the child is mildly ill the nurse will assess the child in his/her room. A care plan will be developed according to your child's age, ability and activity level. Activities will be provided which are both therapeutic and age-appropriate. Exclusion of children will occur if:

The child's illness requires more care than the staff is able to provide, or keeping your child poses an increased risk to your child, or to other children or Today Care Caregivers.

Normally we cannot accept a child who exhibits any of the following symptoms:

1)     Unusual drowsiness.

2)     Extreme fussiness

3)     Persistent or excessive crying.

4)     Wheezing.

5)     Uncontrolled coughing.

6)     Difficulty breathing.

7)     Inability to play at all.

8)     Complaint of severe pain.

9)     Children less than 4 months of age -temperature above 101° F that does not respond to treatment.

10)  Children 4 to 12 months of age -temperature above 102° F that does not  respond to treatment.

11)     All other children with a temperature above 103° F that does not respond to treatment.

12)   Fever with stiff neck, lethargy, irritability or persistent crying.

13)  Vomiting three or more times and/or signs of dehydration.

14)  Contagious stages of pertussis, measles, mumps, chicken pox, rubella, or diphtheria, unless the child is appropriately isolated from children with other illnesses and cared for only with children having the same illness. (We have one room designated for contagious illnesses.)

15)    Undiagnosed rash.

16)  Abdominal pain that is severe or persistent.

17)  Other conditions as may be determined by the Center Director or health consultant, nurse, or pediatrician.

Once your child is admitted to the center, she will continue to be monitored. If your child becomes too ill to remain in the center, you will be contacted to pick him up immediately.  Please give at least two phone numbers where you may be reached while your child is in our center.

If the parent or legal guardian cannot be reached, an emergency contact per- son, designated by you, will be called and your child's pediatrician may be notified. If required due to severe illness or injury, your child will be transported to the hospital.

Parents are required to inform TodayCare of reportable communicable diseases. TodayCare will notify public health authorities, as well as the parents of other children who may have been exposed to your child. Your family's identity will be kept confidential.

 

If your child is visiting TodayCare for the back-up program and becomes ill during the day,   the nurse on duty will assess your child and determine whether he will be able to stay in one of the mildly ill rooms. What determines whether or not your children will stay at TodayCare is the nature of your child’s illness and the availability of a  spot for your child in mildly ill care.

 

 

 HEALTH CONSULTATION

 

All policies and procedures adopted by TodayCare will be reviewed and approved by our Director of Medical Affairs and our Corporate Medical Advisory Committee. TodayCare works in tandem with pediatricians, pediatric sub- specialists, the Department of Human Resources, the American Public Health Administration, and other agencies in providing care  that meets or exceeds current standards for mildly ill children.

MEDICATIONS

The Nurse or a member of management will administer medications as directed by parents or legal guardians and that are within normal guidelines for the medication.  Prescription medications must be provided in the original prescription container and include the child's name, date of prescription, dose, frequency, route of administration and expiration date. The pediatrician will be contacted if dosing clarification is needed.

 

Non-Prescription medications must also be provided in the original container and not be expired. Dosing will be as directed by the parent and must be within the guidelines of the manufacturer for the child's age and weight.

Parents are expected to provide ALL medications to be given in our center.

Parents will indicate on the “Authorization to Administer Medication” form, maintained by the nurse, any medications to be given. TodayCare requires a Doctor’s order to administer ANY medications given to the child.

EMERGENCY PLAN

TodayCare is prepared to care for children in the event of an emergency.  The Center Director has emergency phone numbers by all phones. First Aid supplies are in each room and the center is stocked with a comprehensive first aid kit. The staff is Red Cross-certified in CPR as well as First Aid. In the event of a life threatening illness or injury, "911" will be called to alert Emergency Medical

Transport Services. The Center Director will phone the parent. The emergency facility designated by our center is, Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. A staff member will accompany and remain with the child until the parent or legal guardian can assume responsibility.

EVACUATION PLAN

For any emergency, such as fire, that would prevent us from remaining in the center, the staff and children will be evacuated to Christ Church Cathedral at 900 Broadway. Each exit door within the center posts a detailed evacuation plan. Staff is drilled monthly on the plan.

 

In the event of a tornado or an emergency that would prevent us from leaving the building, the children and staff will move to an area such as the lower level that is without windows and is protected.

Should emergency conditions prevent a parent from retrieving their child, the child will be cared for as long as necessary by staff members using emergency provisions located in the center.

In the event of severe weather such as snow, the Center Director may decide to close for the day. Parents will be notified if their child has already been admitted to the center. Posting of TodayCare’s closing will be included on the local television network news.

AUTHORIZED CAREGIVERS/SECURITY

You, or your designee, will be required to sign your child in and out of the center. Additionally you will be asked to choose a "code" name for your child. This code name will be required by anyone calling to inquire about the child or picking up the child, including the parents or legal guardians. It can be changed as the parent or guardian desires.

Should a person without knowledge of the "code" name attempt to pick up your child, the staff will

• .Confirm whether or not authorization to pick up your child was noted on the Registration Form/Child Care Agreement.
• .Require the individual to provide photo identification.
• .Contact the person who dropped off your child to obtain verbal approval for pick up before releasing the child.

Any individual attempting to pick up a child who appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be prohibited from taking the child from the center and the authorities will be contacted.

SANITATION AND HYGIENE

All center caregivers will follow strict procedures for hand washing, diapering, and cleaning up spills of any type of body fluids. These procedures will be re- viewed continuously throughout the year.

Classrooms will be cleaned and disinfected daily, following guidelines for room in a clinical setting. All toys handled by children will be sanitized after use or, if unable to be sanitized, removed from use for at least 48 hours. Cloth toys and other toys used by children who are still mouthing them will be limited to use by only one child and cleaned and disinfected after each use

Our staff is CPR and First Aid trained and follows "standard precautions" as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.

Smocks provided by Today Care will be worn by caregivers. Smocks that become soiled with potentially contaminated fluids will be changed.

FOOD HANDLING AND FEEDING

You are required to provide main meals for your child. The center will have a refrigerator and a microwave oven. Left over food, which has been opened, will be discarded. No open cans or jars may be sent for your child to the center. Please label bottles as needed. Formula must be provided for babies on formula. Expressed breast milk may be brought from home if frozen or kept cold during transit.

Breast feeding mothers are welcome and encouraged to come into the center to nurse. A quiet private area will be provided if requested.

Today Care provides the following snacks: goldfish crackers, animal crackers, raisins, cheerios, pretzels, Gatorade and 100% apple, grape and orange juice.

SLEEPING

Cribs for babies and cots for older children are provided by the center. Children can go to their assigned cot and lay down anytime they feel a need to rest. There will be a designated rest time after lunch for all children. Older children may read, work on homework or pursue any other quiet activity. Sheets, blankets and pillows are provided by the center, unless an item is a security object and needed by the child.

SMOKING, PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND GUNS

The use of tobacco in any form, alcohol, or illegal drugs is prohibited on the facility premises at all times. Signs to this effect are posted. No guns or other lethal weapons will be in the center or allowed on the premises at anytime.

Thank you for choosing Today Care Child Care Center. If you have any questions, please call our Center Director, Mrs. Neysa Badili at 250-2600 x23