LOS ANGELES MISSION COLLEGE
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Staff Handbook
13356 Eldridge Ave.
Sylmar, CA 91342
818-364-7865
WELCOME
The Center is a special place, a place shaped by our philosophies, personalities and various
cultural backgrounds. To the children it is a source of pleasure, security and affection. Please
join us and make the Center a special place for you too.
PHILOSOPHY
Our children’s program is based on the philosophy that children learn by “doing.” We believe
that each child is unique, with individual needs, feelings and backgrounds. Our non-biased
curriculum provides a learning environment designed to stimulate growth in the “whole” child-physical, social, intellectual and emotional.
One of our primary goals is to encourage a positive self-image and sense of independence in
each child. The child becomes aware of his/her own worth both as an individual and as a
member of a peer group, while learning to respect the rights of others.
One of the keys to the development of self-esteem is a feeling of acceptance. Our Center has a
wonderfully diverse population. It is important that everyone, adult or child feel accepted and
valued.
STAFF ROLE
You must sign-in and out every day in the reception area, the exact time worked, in order to get
class credit or salary. The forms will be located in front of the employee mail boxes. Please
check your mail boxes on a daily basis. If you are going to be absent, please let us know prior to
your assigned time. Please call your supervising teacher first then the main office. If no one
answers please leave a message. Supervising teachers please call the main number to report
your absence and then call the director. The director’s number is (818) 364-7867. The main
number is (818) 364-7865. There is an answering machine, so you can call anytime. You are an
important part of our staff. When you are out, it affects everyone.
We have found in developing our program that education and knowledge, while essential, are
not enough to ensure effective teacher and teacher assistants. Teachers and teacher assistants
need to maintain a positive, enthusiastic attitude with the ability to enjoy all facets of educating
children. This job is both challenging and rewarding. It is important to remember that children
are individuals who deserve the respect and consideration that you desire for yourself.
Children should not be manipulated; they deserve relationships that are open and honest. The
way adults communicate with a child can set a pattern for his/her future communication with
others.
All teachers, including you, are in a professional position requiring a professional attitude
toward other staff, parents, observers and practicum students. We must always be aware of
feelings and show respect for each other’s needs. Personnel shall provide for the care,
education and safety of children in a positive, protective and nurturing environment.
We work as a team, and you are depended upon as part of that team. At times there may be
differences, but it is important to remember that the child’s sense of security
and trust comes from our consistency. Although we attempt as best we can to
support each other, there may be times when the supervising teachers may
deem it necessary to intervene. This may happen in particularly stressful
situations. The supervising teachers have ultimate responsibility and,
therefore, their judgment must be respected. If you question such decisions, please meet with
the supervising teacher to discuss your concern. If after meeting with the supervising teacher
you still have questions, make an appointment with the director to further discussion.
With a staff as large as ours, COMMUNICATION is vital. We need to be honest and open, yet
tactful and constructive. Problems or concerns should be discussed with the appropriate
person (Supervising teacher or Director) as soon as possible after they occur. However, keep in
mind that any discussion should be at the proper time and place, never in front of the children
or their parents.
Supervising teachers are assigned to discuss children’s behavior with their parents or
caregivers. Supervising teachers are to abide by the “Behavior Policy” handout when
approaching parents about their child’s behavior. Assistant teachers and support staff are to
communicate their concerns or observations with the supervising teacher. Parents are to be
guided to the supervising teacher when there are questions about their child’s behavior.
HEALTH & SAFETY ON THE JOB
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If a child or adult is injured, or there is any other emergency, IMMEDIATELY alert the
supervising teacher nearest you.
When a minor injury occurs, inform the child’s teacher and attend to the child as
directed. First aid kits are located in the supervising teacher’s office. Always use gloves
when attending to a hurt or ill child. Cleaning minor wounds and bandaging is all that is
allowed for minor first aid. Do not attempt to remove splinters. All injuries requiring
assistance must be reported on an “accident report sheet”. Parents will be notified.
Fire drills will be held each month to provide needed practice and readiness.
Earthquake drills will also be scheduled.
If you see someone unfamiliar or a parent displaying unusual behavior on the yard or in
the building, immediately call it to the attention of a supervising teacher or the director.
5.
If you become ill and are unable to report to work, please call (818) 364-7865. Stay
home and take care of yourself! Wait 24 hours after the last symptoms appear to
return to work.
Maintain healthful habits
 Wash your hands frequently especially in relation to food handling.
 Encourage children to do the same.
All staff are mandated reporters and will be required to sign a
“STATEMENT ACKNOWLEDGING REQUIREMENT TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE” form.
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DAILY SCHEDULE AND ROUTINES
Classroom Activities – Our teachers create an environment based on research of what is
appropriate for young children, as well as individual interests and needs of their particular
group of children. Teachers build on children’s strengths, focusing on what the children do as
opposed to what they cannot do. They extend current levels of ability, challenge them, and
assist the children in discovering the solutions for themselves.
Outdoor Activities- Outdoor activity is in integral part of your child’s development from infancy
and on. At the center we believe the playground is an outdoor classroom that promotes regular
exercise which is recommended by doctors and health experts to boost physical and mental
health.
Meals: breakfast; lunch, snack
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All children are to wash their hands and sit at the table for breakfast.
Children are actively encouraged in a positive manner to serve themselves and
eat.(Children are not be forced to serve themselves or eat in anyway)
We practice family style meals therefore, children are to SERVE THEMSELVES. They are
to serve themselves main course first, then the side dish, lastly the milk and/or juice.
During the meal, the teacher is to encourage conversations by asking open ended
questions and by providing a relaxed environment.
At the time of the meal, the teacher is to do the meal count and count all children who
are eating or were encouraged to eat. Please check off those that ate and for those who
were encouraged but did not eat put an A/E next to their name.
As children finish eating they are to pick up their plates then come back for their cup
and empty the contents in the bucket.
Responsibility of Staff:
 Interact with children and give positive attention
 Redirect behavior in a positive way
 Assist children with activities and problems
 Supervise for safety indoors and outdoors
 Observe and share observations of children with the lead teacher
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Help children with changing clothes, hand washing or toileting
Communicate with children by being responsive listeners, asking open-ended questions
Acknowledge children’s feelings and take advantage of the many opportunities
throughout the daily routines
Allow children to express their creativity; adults are not to do art activities for them
POSITIVE GUIDANCE /DISCIPLINE
Social skills are not innate; they must be learned. Our philosophy is to view discipline as “the
art of teaching and guiding acceptable behavior,” which is part of the child’s learning process.
Our goal is to promote empathy, independence, autonomy, self-esteem, and caring toward
themselves, others and their environment. Limits are stated clearly and positively. Under no
circumstances do we use corporal punishment.
Depending upon the age of the child, appropriate approaches include:
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Using positive statements (telling the child what is expected)
helping them learn to “use their words”
offering choices
providing positive redirection
encouraging them to participate in finding solutions
EMERGENCY/DISASTER PROCEDURE
The Campus Child Development Center is concerned about being prepared in the event that we
should experience an emergency while the children are at school. Therefore, the following are
the procedures in case of an emergency.
What’s happens if an earthquake occurs?
1. Staff will shout “Duck and Cover” children will duck and cover as practiced in the
classroom.
2. Children will crawl under tables or any sturdy cover with their backs towards the
windows.
3. If children are in the playground; we will have them move to the center of the play yard
and drop, crouching on ground center covering their heads with arms. This is also
practiced throughout the year.
4. Staff should gather as close together to children under tables if possible and help keep
children calm. If there is no room under furniture after children have been positioned,
adults and staff can stand in an interior doorway.
After Shaking Stops:
1. Teacher/ Designee will be responsible to get the sign-in/out book and take attendance
of children and staff.
2. All children and staff will gather in an orderly fashion in the center of the play area, until
campus police or designated authorized personnel decides it is safe to return to the
classroom.
3. Teacher/Designee will check classroom for children and staff (while other person is
taking attendance). She/he will gather up earthquake first aid supplies.
4. Staff is required to know where to shut off gas and electrical circuits in the event of an
earthquake of high magnitude.
5. Staff is to place nametags on all children and staff.
Emergency Duties After an Earthquake Occurs:
1. Director of the Center is in command at The Child Development Center immediately
following the quake. In the event she is not on premises, a teacher is in command. The
faculty is responsible in the event the director is not available.
2. Staff is required to stay with children up to 72 hours after the initial quake. Only
authorized persons can pick-up each child. If the person is not listed on the emergency
card, a child CANNOT be released, even in an emergency.
3. After 72 hours or when a designed emergency center has been established, staff and
children will be directed to that designated location.