PARENT
HANDBOOK
Fall 2013
FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY
EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTER
HANDBOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction………………………………………………………..……..….…..
3
Mission/Purpose….………………………………………………..…………..
3
Programs Offered……………………….……………………..………….…..
4
Religious Activities………………………………………………………………
4
Child Care Costs……………………………………………..…..…………
……
5
Clothing……………………………………....................................... ……
6
Common Illnesses…………..……………………..….………….……………
7-11
Discipline and Behavior Management………….………………….……
12-13
Nutrition…………………………….……………………….……….………………
14
Transitioning a Child to an Upper Level Class……………….…………
15
Parent/Family Engagement Log……………………………………………
16
Parent/Family Communication Log…………………………………………
17
Parent/Family Improvement/Promise………………………………………
18
ECLC’s Promise……………………………………………………….………………
19
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INTRODUCTION
The Fayetteville State University Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) is a child development
and early childhood education center serving children from birth through five years of age that
is under the direction of the University’s School of Education. The ECLC was established in the
fall of 1970 to provide early childhood education majors an opportunity to become familiar
with young children and their characteristics and to enable the translation of theoretical
concepts into practical application. In addition to being a center for the training of early
childhood personnel, the ECLC also has as one of its goals to provide a learning environment
that will help young children develop to their maximum potential physically, intellectually,
socially and emotionally.
The ECLC serves not only the University community, but the
Fayetteville/Cumberland County community.
MISSION/PURPOSE
Our mission is to provide child care that encompasses the needs of each child and family in a
safe, educational environment. We structure our Center’s focus on the individual needs of each
child, while providing quality, reliable and safe child care in preparation for higher education.
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PROGRAMS OFFERED
The ECLC opens at 7:30 a.m. and closes promptly at 5:30 p.m. Teachers must be notified when
a child will be arriving after 9:00 a.m.
The ECLC seeks to provide a program of experience designed to attain the following goals:
1. To provide many opportunities for social development and adjustment to group living.
2. To promote development of good health habits.
3. To provide opportunities for self-expression through language, music, art, role playing,
dramatizations, and other play experiences.
4. To provide an atmosphere in which a child can succeed, thus building confidence in his
or her own ability and worth.
5. To provide an atmosphere in which creativity is stimulated.
6. To develop a feeling of adequacy with emphasis on independence and good work
habits.
7. To lay foundations for subject matter learning and intellectual growth.
RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES
Activities, instruction or communications which promote religious beliefs will not be directed
toward children participating in the NC Pre-K portion of the Early Childhood Learning Center’s
day.
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CHILD CARE COSTS
Registration and Tuition Costs
The fees associated with registration and tuition are as follows:
Registration Fee
$125.00 (one time only)
Monthly Childcare Fees
Infants (6 weeks to 12 months)
Toddlers (1 to 2 years of age)
Preschoolers (3 to 5 years of age)
$598.00 per month
$541.00 per month
$515.00 per month
Before and After NC Pre-K Care
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
$85.00 per week
Child Pick-up Late Fees
Late fees will be charged on a per family basis when parent/family fails to pick up a child by
5:35 pm. Such failure will result in an initial late fee of $10.00 and an additional $5.00 every
minute thereafter, not to exceed $50.00. Charges will be made, recorded, and collected by the
staff person on duty at the end of the day. After three (3) recorded late pickups within a year,
the late fee will double to an initial late fee of $10.00 and an additional $10.00 for every minute
thereafter, not to exceed $100.00. Continuous late pickups may result in the child’s termination
from ECLC.
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CLOTHING
Clothing should encourage movement and play. Parents should ensure that a child’s clothing is:


Comfortable, washable, and allows for self-dressing
Appropriate for arts and crafts
Because preschool children become really involved in activities, parents should not dress them
in clothing that requires that they remain clean.
Overalls, dresses with ruffles and bows, and pants with difficult belts and fastenings should be
avoided.
Shoes should be comfortable and allow for active play. Shoes that are easy to put on/take off
(i.e. Velcro sneakers) are preferred. Cowboy boots are not appropriate for daily wear.
All parents are urged to send 2 pairs of clothes to school. All clothing should be marked with
your child’s name in a permanent marker. Please make sure your clothes are changed out
seasonally.
Weather Related Clothing
Children will go outside most days; thus, when cold weather arrives, parents
should ensure that children wear a hat, mittens and a sweater to layer over
clothes. Girls who wear dresses should also wear pants or tights.
When it rains, always, parents/families should ensure that their child wears a
raincoat and rain boots. Umbrellas should not be given to children.
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COMMON ILLNESSES IN CHILDREN
If children come to school when they are not feeling well, they will be more vulnerable to
infection. It is in best interest of a child for parents to keep the child at home when the child is
ill.
The ECLC staff will follow the chart below in determining how to handle a child with a certain
illness:
Diarrhea( 3-4 loose, watery stools in a 4 hour
period)
Send home immediately; child should not return
until completely recovered. If the child returns to
the ECLC after being sent home on the previous
day, one loose, watery movement will require that
the child return home.
Fever( temperature of 102 degrees F or more)
Parent/Family will be contacted. A child will be
sent home if fever is present when the child
arrives. A fever in combination with other illness
will require that the child be sent home. A child
may not return to the ECLC after having a
temperature of 102 or above until the child has
been free of fever for 24 hours.
A child will not be able to return to ECLC until
treated; the child may return with medication;
parent/family must have ears rechecked after child
appears better.
Ear Infections
Colds
Child may attend as long as the child can
participate in the normal daily activities. Parent
/Family is asked to keep children at home when
excessive coughing, sneezing, and /or mucus are
present.
Parent/Family will be contacted and the child will
be allowed at ECLC until treatment has begun.
Child will not be allowed in a pool.
Ringworm
Chickenpox
Parent/Family will be contacted and the child will
not be allowed to attend ECLC until all lesions are
scabbed. Parents/Families of classmates will be
informed.
Group A Streptococcal Disease
A) Impetigo
B) Streptococcal
(sore throat)
C) Scarlet Fever (strep throat)
Parent/Family will be contacted and the child will
not be allowed to attend ECLC until cleared by a
physician. Child must have been treated 48 hours
before returning to ECLC.
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Conjunctivitis
(pink eye)
Child will not be allowed at ECLC during the acute
stage.
Scabies
Parent/Family will be notified and child will not be
allowed at ECLC until 24 hours following
treatment. Contacts will be checked for scabies
and child will not be able to attend ECLC until
treatment has begun.
Parents/Families will be notified and the child will
not be allowed at ECLC for 9 days after onset of
rash or until completely recovered. Parents /
Families of other children will be notified to check
the status of their child’s immunizations.
Measles; Rubella
(German Measles)
Parasites
Bed Bugs
The most common signs of bed bugs are small,
flat, or raised bumps on the skin, redness,
swelling, and itching. Parents/Families should
notify ECLC if they suspect a child has been bitten
by bed bugs. The child will not be allowed to
return until the parent/family provides evidence
from an insect terminating company that the
home has been exterminated and the problem no
longer exists.
The most common signs of head lice are a tickling
feeling of something moving in the hair; itching
(caused by the allergic reaction to the bites); and
sores on the head (caused by scratching). Sores
on the head can sometimes become infected
causing the child to become irritable
Head Lice
Families should notify ECLC if they suspect that
their child has head lice. The child will be allowed
to come to the ECLC and will not be able to return
until a physician provides documentation stating
that the child no longer has head lice.
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BASIC DIABETES
Teachers will receive knowledge about basic diabetes. Teachers and Families will be provided the NC
Division of Child Development and Early Education’s Diabetes Action Plan in Center’s handbook. The
Diabetes Action Plan gives directions and instructions to accommodate these children; where their
blood glucose should be aimed and insulin instructions. The plan also gives families input for snacks and
meals timing.
Teachers will provide a classroom environment to accommodate children with chronic illnesses. The NC
division of Child Development and Early Education Diabetes Action Plan will be paced in the Fayetteville
State University Early Childhood Learning Center’s Parent Handbook.
Teachers will not need to be certified in these areas.
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DISCIPLINE AND BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT
Praise and positive reinforcement are effective methods of the behavior management of
children. When children receive positive, non-violent, and understanding interactions from
adults and others, they develop good self-concepts, problem-solving abilities, and selfdiscipline. Based on this belief of how children learn and develop values, the ECLC will practice
the following discipline and behavior management policy.
WE:
WE:
DO praise, reward, and encourage the children.
DO NOT spank, shake, bite, pinch, push, pull, slap,
or otherwise physically punish the children.
DO NOT make fun of, yell at, threaten, make
sarcastic remarks about, use profanity, or
otherwise verbally abuse the children.
DO NOT shame or punish the children when
bathroom accidents occur.
DO NOT deny food or rest as punishment
DO reason with and set limits for the children.
DO model appropriate behavior for the children.
DO modify the classroom environment to attempt
to prevent problems before they occur.
DO listen to the children.
DO provide alternatives for inappropriate behavior
to the children.
DO provide the children with natural and logical
consequences of their behavior.
DO treat the children as people and respect their
needs, desires, and feelings.
DO ignore minor misbehaviors.
DO NOT relate discipline to eating, resting, or
sleeping.
DO NOT leave the children alone, unattended, or
without supervision.
DO NOT place children in locked rooms, closets, or
boxed as punishment.
DO NOT allow discipline of children by children.
DO NOT criticize, make fun of, or otherwise
belittle children’s parents, families, or ethnic
groups.
DO explain things to children on their levels.
DO use short supervised periods of “time-out”
DO stay consistent in our behavior management
program.
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“TIME – OUT”
“Time-out “is the removal of a child for a short period of time (3 to 5 minutes) from a situation in
which the child is misbehaving and has not responded to other discipline techniques. The “timeout” space, usually
chair, isTO
located
away from classroom
activity but within
the teacher’s
STEPSaTAKEN
IMPROVE/ELIMINATE
INAPPROPRIATE
BEHAVIOR
sight. During “time-out,” the child has a chance to think about the misbehavior which led to
his/her removal from the group. After aGeneral
brief interval
of no more than 5 minutes, the teacher
Misconduct
discusses the incident and appropriate behavior with the child. When the child returns to the
general
misconduct
the with
following
will occur:
group,For
theincidents
incident isofover
and the
child is treated
same affection
and respect shown the
other children.
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Conference between parent/family and teacher.
Conference between parent/family, teacher, and director.
Find outside resources to assist child with redirecting their inappropriate
behavior.
Suspension up to 5 days or more.
The child will be dismissed from the program if all of the following steps
have been unsuccessful.
Biting
Biting is a natural developmental stage that many children go through. It is usually a temporary
condition that is most common between thirteen and twenty-four months of age. The safety of
the children at the center is our primary concern. ECLC's biting policy addresses the actions the
staff will take if a biting incident occurs.
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Parent/Family /Teacher conference
If the skin is broken/bruised, parent will be notified to pick up the child and child
cannot return the next school day.
Child will be dismissed from the program after the third offense.
Weapon
If a child brings a weapon or any other type of inappropriate item, e.g. cigarette lighters,
matches, etc. to ECLC, the child will be automatically dismissed from the program.
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NUTRITION
The ECLC cafeteria staff prepares a breakfast, lunch, and snack for all children Food allergies
and special dietary needs should be discussed with the child’s teacher and the cafeteria
manager. Children with special dietary needs should have their food prepared at daily at home
daily. Parents should follow the basic four food groups in order to ensure that their child
receives proper nutrition. Teachers are not allowed to cook, re-heat or prepare food in the
classroom.
Meals are served at the following times:
Breakfast -
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Lunch -
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Snack -
1:45 p.m. for NC Pre-k leaving for the day
3:00 p.m. for all other children
Families should notify their child’s teacher no later than 9:00 a.m. when they expect their child
to be late for lunch.
.
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TRANSITIONING A CHILD TO AN UPPER LEVEL CLASS
Transitioning Infants to Toddler Class
The ECLC will gradually transition infants to toddler room based upon the following:
 the child is able to eat solid foods,
 the child is able to feed him or herself,
 the child is able to drink from a cup,
 the child is able to walk around without assistance,
 the child is able to sleep on a cot, and
 the child is taking only one nap.
Transitioning to a toddler room should occur between the ages of 22-38 months, although
emphasis will be placed on development more than age. Transitioning for a couple of hours a
day may occur as early as 22 months.
Transitioning 36 Month-Old Toddlers to 3-4 Year-Old Class
The ECLC will transition 36 month-old toddlers for one week after the 3rd birthday or the week
of the 3rd birthday to a 3-4 year old class based upon the following:
 the child is potty trained and wearing underwear, and
 the child is able to adjust to an environment with more structured interactions
Such transitioning shall consist of the toddler visiting the class for a number of hours in the
morning Monday – Thursday and the toddler remaining in the class the entire day on Friday.
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FAMILY ENGAGEMENT LOG
August
Parenting and Transitioning Help (P.A.T.H.) Training
Open House
September
National Grandparents’ Day
Autumn/Fall Begins
October
Columbus Day
Pumpkin Patch
Fall Fun Day
Halloween
November
Veteran’s Day
Thanksgiving
Re-enactment of the 1st Thanksgiving
December
Winter Begins
Christmas
Christmas Celebration Around the World
January
Martin Luther King’s Day
February
Ground Hog Day
Black History Contest
Valentine’s Day
King and Queen of Hearts
Presidents’ Day
March
Spring Begins
Spring Fling
Book Fair
April
Easter
Earth Day
Spaghetti Dinner
May
Mother’s Day
Armed Forces Day
June
NC Pre-K Graduation
Flag Day
Father’s Day
Summer Begins
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Parent/Family’s Promise…

It is important that parents/families and ECLC staff work together to insure the
best possible experience for each child. Parents/Families are encouraged to
take part in school activities, such as:
 Attending PTA Meetings
 Assisting and participating with field trips
 Participating in PTA fundraisers
 Helping with classroom activities
 Attending parent/family/ teacher conferences
Parents/Families can also help their child by doing the following:






Checking their child’s book bag daily
Reading all memos posted in and outside the classroom
Reading all email messages sent
Making sure the child attends school daily
Talking with the child’s teacher frequently
Keeping the child’s teacher informed with all changes in the home
environment
 Asking the child about their day at school
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ECLC’S PROMISE…
We promise to provide a safe, nurturing and learning
environment in which your child will develop to their
maximum potential.
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