MPS Career & Technical Education
Child Development Centers
Welcome to our Child Development Center. We hope you and your child will enjoy the center and the
friends you will make here. This handbook has been written to describe our program, policies and the
practical details that go into making each school day as happy and successful as possible. Please study
it and keep it for reference, as it will answer many of your questions. Please feel free to talk to the
center staff at any time.
Program Goals:
 Develop a positive sense of self-worth
 Develop independence
 Develop problem-solving skills
 Develop language skills, both listening and speaking
 Develop large and small motor coordination
 Develop intellectual curiosity about the world
 Develop positive social skills, including cooperation and interdependence
 Develop respect for one’s own rights as well as the rights of others
 Develop self-expression skills
The Child Development Center is a high school laboratory preschool serving the needs of young
children ages 3-5, as well as the high school students enrolled in the Educations Professions Program.
The Family & Consumer Sciences Department (FACS) offers this program as part of Arizona Career
and Technical Education. As a component of our program, the high school students observe, plan and
work with the children under the direction of our professional staff. These students are involved in
classes in Early Childhood Professions and Teacher Training as well as in a student organization,
FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.) or FEA (Future Educators of America).
The center provides a supportive environment in which students may refine development,
employability and human services skills learned in class.
Our developmental program offers your child a nurturing and caring environment that inspires natural
curiosity and fosters physical, intellectual, emotional and social development. Children learn to express
themselves in many ways through “play”, to think critically, solve problems creatively, and to interact
positively with others. We believe children in preschool should have a wide variety of
developmentally appropriate activities and use the Arizona Early Learning Standards as a guide. The
program balance between teacher-structured and student-choice activities is comfortable and realistic
for the young child.
We know that you have many choices, thank you
for choosing our Child Development Center for your child.
Location
The Dobson Mini Mustangs Child Development Center is located at 1501 West Guadalupe Rd. in
Mesa, Arizona. Dobson High’s main office phone number is 480-472-3031.
The Child Development Center’s phone number is 480-472-3230.
Staff
Sheri Crouse
Karen Williams
Beth Shreder
Rachael Hursh
Morgan Gammill
Nakiesha Johnson
Autumn Baker
Education Professions Teacher and Center Director voicemail 472-3294
Child Development Center AM Lead Teacher
Child Development Center PM Lead Teacher
Child Development Center Instructional Aide, morning
Child Development Center Instructional Aide, morning & afternoon
FACS Ed. Cooperative Ed. Student, Instructional Assistant
FACS Ed. Intern Student Instructional Assistant
If Sheri Crouse, Director, is unavailable, Karen Williams & Beth Shreder, Lead Preschool
Teachers are designated to act in her absence. FACS Teacher, Sabrina Schoof (472-3292) is also
available. The Director, the Preschool Teacher, and the Instructional Aides are certified in first aid and
CPR. High school students in the center are enrolled in the Education Professions Program at DHS,
will be supervised by qualified staff at all times and meet all Arizona Department of Health Services
(ADHS) requirements. Students will wear a uniform/smock when they are in the center, if needed.
We work with the students to ensure confidentiality and professional standards when working with
young children.
Absences
Please call us by 8:00 a.m. at 480-472-3230 or 480-472-3294 if your child is going to be absent and let
us know the reason for the absence.
Parking
There are two Preschool parking spaces located by the tennis courts, next to the preschool for your
convenience when dropping off or picking up your children. Please do not park in the bus loading
zone, designated handicap spaces or in the street for drop off or pick up of your child. Please do
not drive up to the concrete area outside of preschool. This creates potential for a serious safety
hazard.
Program/Hours
Dobson Mini Mustangs Child Development Center offers a quality, full-day program during ten
months of the year for up to 22 children, ages 3-5 years. Enrollment is open first to children whose
parents/guardians work in Mesa Public Schools and then on a space-available basis to families in the
community.
Dobson Mini Mustangs Child Development Center is open 7:00 a.m.--5:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, in conjunction with the Mesa school calendar and all teacher-reporting days.
The following days are holidays or intersession days and the center WILL NOT BE OPEN:
Labor Day Martin
Luther King Day
Fall Break
President’s Day
Veterans’ Day
Spring Break
Thanksgiving
April Break
Winter Break
Program Enrollment/Withdrawal
Enrollment in the Child Development Center is open to children and grandchildren of all employees in
the Mesa School District. Enrollment registration begins each spring for the following school year. At
that time, applications are accepted for children whose parent(s) or grandparent(s) work for Mesa
Public Schools. If positions are left unfilled after the identified deadline, community members may
apply for their children to attend. To meet licensing requirements, children
must be age 3 by their first day of attendance and be completely potty trained and independent in toilet
habits, as we do not have a diaper changing station. Children may enroll throughout the school year, if
space is available.
We are licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services and meet or exceed all guidelines.
If your plans change from those listed on your enrollment form, we require at least a two-week,
written notice of withdrawal. Due to licensing requirements, part time students must adhere to
preselected days regardless of holidays or illness.
If Center staff determines that it is unable to provide services to meet the needs of your child, without
jeopardizing the quality of care to the other children, you may be asked to withdraw your child. In that
case, two-week written notice would be given to the parent.
Charges & Fees
The Child Development Center is an important component of our Education Program at the high
school. The Mesa Unified School District supports Career and Technical Programs for the career
preparation of our high school students and has provided us with a facility. However, your child care
fees are the support for the hiring of personnel and purchasing of food and supplies necessary to the
operation of our center in compliance with the regulations of the State of Arizona Office of Child Care
Licensure.
License and Assessment Fees
A non-refundable fee of $35.00 is required with your application for enrollment. This ensures
that your child will have a place in the class, and covers licensing and assessment fees. This
fee is not applied toward the weekly childcare fees. One half of the first month’s tuition is due
at time of application and the remainder due before school starts in August.
Tuition Payment
When using the Auto-Pay method, the monthly fee will be charged on the 1st of each month
and a $10 monthly discount will be reflected.
Payment by check or money order – Tuition is due in advance of services, to be paid by the
first of each month. Please make checks payable to Mesa Public Schools. Payments may be
dropped off or mailed to the Mesa Education Center, 855 8th Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210.
If tuition falls two weeks behind, your child will be withdrawn from the program.
Discounts will not be given for missing days due to holidays, illness, travel etc.
Late Pick-Up Fee
Our hours are 7:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Late pick-up fees are as follows:
$25.00 per child that is 1-15 minutes late in being picked up.
$25 per child for each additional 15 minutes late.
If you have an emergency and will be late, please let us know. While it will not relieve you of
any late charges, we want to reassure your child that you are on your way.
Sign in/Sign Out
Children must be signed in and out by parents, or a person you have specifically authorized in writing
on the Emergency Information & Immunization Record Card (blue card). This person must also be
over 18 years of age. Please use your full legal signature, per state licensing regulations.
Picture identification is required before releasing a child to an individual other than a parent.
In unusual circumstances, you may authorize us by phone to release a child to an individual not
previously designated on your blue card. Picture identification is required before releasing a child to an
individual other than a parent.
Clothing
Daily
Please send your child to us in play clothes that are washable, durable & comfortable. It is especially
important to mark jackets and sweaters with your child’s name. We will provide paint shirts/smocks.
We purchase art supplies that are washable but clothes may become soiled or stained as the children
will be involved in painting, digging, water play, sand and other potentially messy activities each day.
Shoes must be worn at all times except for water play and naptime. Tennis shoes or buckle-up/Velcro
sandals that have a rubber or composite sole are best. When buying shoes, please make sure your
child is able to get his/her own shoes on and off. Please do not send your child in party shoes,
boots, high-tops, rubberized flip flops, or shoes with slippery soles.
Change of Clothing
Please provide 1 complete set of extra clothing for your child to keep at school. Please label each item
with your child’s name and place them into a gallon Ziploc bag. Remember to change the clothes with
the season and your child's growth.
Personal Belongings
We have limited storage for personal belongings. With the exception of extra clothing in case of
accidents and a stuffed animal or a small blanket for nap, please keep your child’s personal toys,
games, dolls, jewelry, etc. at home. They may bring only what fits in their cubby.
Food
A nourishing breakfast and lunch will be provided at the center by Mesa Food and Nutrition, the cost is
included in the tuition. A weekly breakfast and lunch menu is posted on the bulletin board at the
entrance and on the website. We will also provide mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks.
Holidays
Because our preschool is made up of a diverse community of faiths, families, and religions, we have
chosen not to celebrate specific religious holidays. We do however, celebrate seasonal holidays such
as Fall festival, Wintertime, Springtime, and Valentine’s Day, but even then, within the parameters set
up and followed by DHS, Mesa Public Schools and/or Arizona Department of Education.
Birthdays
Birthdays are very special days. You may provide a special snack for the children to celebrate a
birthday, just make arrangements with the staff. All cooked and/or baked food must be bought from a
bakery or grocery store per licensing and health department regulations. We would like to
recommend individual portioned items. See staff for specific suggestions.
Guidance Methods
At this CTE Child Development Center, we will work WITH your child to help him/her develop
internal control of behavior. Our goal is to encourage the children to become creative, independent,
responsible, and socially mature human beings. This involves learning to make responsible choices,
and accepting the consequences of such choices.
Guidance takes several forms:
 Environment – a place designed for children. The furniture is child-sized and activities are
planned for children to have lots of hands-on experiences.
 Logical Rules/Consequences – such as keeping our hands to ourselves, and taking care of
the learning environment. These are discussed with the children, as well as why such rules
are needed.
 Curriculum – is developmentally appropriate, based on the children’s interests and level of
readiness.
 Positive Behavior – We reinforce the behaviors we encourage. Catch them doing “good!”
 Redirection – Interesting a child in another activity can often eliminate a potential
difficulty. We might ask a child to help us or send them to a different area to play.
 Positive Reminder – telling the child what we want them to do, rather than using “no” or
“don’t”.
 Safe place – Occasionally a child needs to be removed from the situation for a brief time
allowing them to consider alternate behavior. After one-three minutes, they may decide to
rejoin the group.
At all times we will show respect for your child and accept and validate his/her feelings even if the
behavior is not acceptable. No corporal punishment will be allowed. This is defined as the use of
negative physical touching: spanking, slapping, pinching, etc. Children will not be humiliated,
ridiculed, or threatened.
We make every effort to work with the parents of children having difficulties in the child care center.
We want to ensure a cooperative approach and want you to feel free to discuss any questions or
concerns you may have. We are here to serve and protect all of our children.
When any child displays unacceptable behaviors, the teacher will request a meeting with the family to
set goals and outline interventions for improvement of those behaviors.
A child displaying chronic disruptive behavior, that has been determined to be jeopardizing the
learning environment and quality of care we can offer to all the children will need other child care
arrangements. Disruptive behaviors include, but are not limited to: biting, hitting, spitting, aggressive
interaction with students and adults, rude language, non-compliance, bullying, continuous disregard for
the rules. One-week written notice would be given to the parent.
Transportation Procedures
Child Development Center does not provide transportation. Staff members will not transport children
under any circumstances.
Field Trip Requirements and Procedures
We may take occasional walking field trips around DHS campus. Parents need to sign a field trip
permission form allowing your child to participate in these field trips. We do not take field trips
requiring transportation. There will be no field trip fees.
Parent Responsibilities/Participation
We welcome and encourage parent visitation at any time. You have unlimited access to the preschool
during business hours for the purpose of contacting your child, assessing the care provided or the
quality of the premises. Stop by and eat lunch with your child or observe the classroom whenever you
like.
Please refrain from using your cell phone when dropping off or picking up your child from preschool
as this is a very important time of the day for them.
Health
Emergency Cards and Immunization Records
Each child enrolled in the Child Development Center must have a current Emergency
Information & Immunization Record Card on file.
1 Your child’s immunization record signed by his/her health care provider must be
provided to us. We will make a copy for our files and return the original to you
immediately. Please bring updated immunizations after enrollment to keep our records
current.
2 Your child’s immunization record must be on file at the school before your child starts
school. There are no exceptions. Please update with current addresses and phone
numbers if you move.
Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) also requires that the school notify families of
immunizations due for each child. Children may not continue enrollment in the center for more
than 15 days after receiving notification of needed immunizations. Please bring copies of
immunization records to the center within the 15 days.
Illness and Infestation
We cannot permit your child to remain at the Child Development Center if he/she shows
signs of illness or infestation.
Children must be excluded from the center for:
Symptoms of influenzia
Fever
Unidentified rashes
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Pinworm
Lice
Chicken Pox
Green drainage from nose
Pink Eye
Children cannot return to school until 24 hours have passed when:
1 Starting an antibiotic
2 Running a fever (100 or above)
3 Vomiting
4 Experiencing diarrhea
If your child shows signs of illness or infestation, we will notify you to arrange for your
child to be picked up from the center.
Children may return to the CDC when they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of
medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
Reportable Illnesses
Please notify the Director should your child have a communicable disease. We are required to
notify the State Health Department and post a Notice of Communicable Disease or Infestation
in the entrance to the facility for the following:
Chicken pox
food poisoning
salmonellosis
scabies
meningitis
mumps
strep infections
whooping cough
pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Hemophilus influenza type B (HiB)
lice
measles
rubella
Reyes Syndrome
Giardiasis (type of diarrhea)
Medication
The administration of prescription medications will be carried out by Child Development Staff.
We will maintain a written record of all medications administered to your child. Medications
are stored in a locked box.
Medication can only be given to children if:
1 a medical authorization form (provided by the facility) is signed by the parents
2 medication is in its original prescription container
If you would like to have the staff assist with applying lotion or chap stick, you need to bring
the item(s) in its original container with the child’s full name applied with a permanent marker.
Personal products are not shared by the children. A personal products usage permission form
will need to be completed by you before we can use these products.
Allergies
If your child suffers from any kind of allergy, please notify the child’s teacher in writing by
noting it on the Emergency Information & Immunization Record.
Allergies will be posted on the parent board as well as in the kitchen area.
Injuries/Accidents
Staff members are certified in First Aid and CPR. If your child suffers a very minor scrape,
bruise, or scratch we will administer first aid and send home an OUCH Report to tell you what
happened. If a more serious injury occurs, we will contact the parent or if the parent is
unavailable, someone on the Emergency Information and Immunization Record. If an injury is
severe, we will call 911 immediately and then contact you within 30 minutes. We maintain a
written record documenting the accident, injury, or emergency and will give you a copy. There
is a school nurse on site during the school day that can also assist in the care of your child.
It is critical that you keep Emergency Information and Immunization Records current. This
includes phone numbers where you can be reached and that are local. If you are going to be
out-of-town or someplace other than your regular place of work, please be sure to tell us.
Fire Drills
At least once every 30 days and at different times of the day, we will conduct an unannounced
fire and evacuation drill that includes each staff member and child in the center. Periodically
the school practices lockdown drills following guidelines developed by Mesa Police, Mesa
School District and DHS administration. Our emergency bucket will accompany us on each
drill and it contains a copy of each child’s Emergency Information & Immunization Record
Card, attendance sheets, a first aid kit, and water. As a childcare center, we always have
nutritious food, water and first aid supplies in reserve.
Resting & Naps
As required by licensing regulations, we provide time for resting/nap. We provide a cot and
sheet for each child. Each is labeled with your child’s name and the sheets and school blankets
are laundered each week. If a child becomes ill or wets, the sheet is laundered immediately and
the mat is sanitized. If you would like to send a special stuffed animal for your child (just at
naptime), please make sure it will fit in the cubby for times other than nap. If your child would
like to use a pillow it must be small enough to fit into the cubby.
Rest time is a very important time of the day for the students as their bodies need time to
rejuvenate. They must comply with the quiet time routine, even if they do not fall asleep.
Liability Insurance
In accordance with regulations of Arizona Department of Health Services, Child Development Centers
carry liability insurance through Mesa Public Schools.
Licensing
The Child Development Center is licensed by the Arizona Department of Health, Office of Child Care
Licensure. Licenses are posted at the entrance to the center as well as in the director’s binder. Annual
inspection reports are available for your review upon request.
The address and phone number of the Department of Health in the event that you feel the need to
contact them regarding our services or facilities follows:
Arizona Department of Health Services
Office of Child Care Licensure
150 N. 18th Ave, Suite 400
Phoenix, AZ 85007-3244
(602) 364-2536 (602) 364-4768 FAX