DOLLY TATE-TAPS CHILD CARE
CENTER
Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences
“Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children.”
-Walt Disney-
Dolly Tate-Taps Child Care Center
1411 Hawthorne Lane
Charlotte, NC 28205
980-343-6011
Welcome to Dolly Tate-Taps Child Care Center! This
handbook contains information regarding the Dolly TateTaps Child Care Program. It is important that you read this
handbook and keep it handy as long as your child is
enrolled in the Center.
This is a child-centered program that strongly promotes
nurturing, kindness, and respect. The child care staff
strives to provide a safe, secure, well organized, and
compassionate environment. We will plan activities that
encourage social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and
intellectual development.
The staff is here to help each family and their child, so feel
free to come and talk to us if you have any questions or
concerns.
PURPOSE
Dolly Tate envisioned a program that would embrace teen
mothers as they maintained a focus on completing their
high school education and beyond. Thirty-nine years
later…The Teenage Parenting Services Program (TAPS)
is still committed to providing a quality education to teen
parents and Dolly Tate Child Care Center quality care for
their children.
TAPS is a child-centered program that strongly promotes
nurturing, kindness, and respect. Activities and the overall
environment are designed to nurture the social, emotional,
cognitive, physical, and intellectual development of infants.
The staff will strive to provide a safe, secure, well
organized, and compassionate environment that
consistently promotes pride, passion, and purpose for
Hawthorne High School and its programs.
License: Licensing is required for any Child Care Center.
Religious programs are exempt from some of the regulations.
Dolly Tate license is visually posted in the Child Care Center.
Mission Statement: Dolly Tate-Taps Child Care Center will
provide a purposeful and personalized learning experience that
enriches each infant’s life—socially, cognitively, and emotionally
in a safe, nurturing, and sanitary environment.
Vision Statement: To stand out as a child care center that
focuses on the nurturing and development of infants while serving
as a support system and resource to their parents.
To fulfill our mission and vision we believe:
 The social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development
of each child is crucial in their overall development as an
infant.
 It is our responsibility to communicate and model best
practices for our teen moms.
 Each child in our care needs to be part of an atmosphere
that promotes acceptance, praise, and love.
 That quality improvement is an on-going process.
Admissions:
Hawthorne High School students needing child care for their
newborns may receive child care services, on a first delivered-first
come basis. Application and request for child care becomes
active upon notification from the administrator.
A child is considered enrolled after all forms in the Enrollment
Packet have been received and orientation has been completed.
Remember this is a first delivered-first come basis.
Any change in information must be communicated immediately so
that current information is always on file.
There is a fee of $5.00, which is due at the beginning of each
week.
Communication:
Communication is an essential part of your infant’s development
and safety while attending Dolly Tate-Taps Child Care Center.
Communication is two-way: parent and staff. You will receive a
daily log sharing the activities of your child. Communication will
be respectful and open at all times. Any concerns may be
shared with Center Director/School Administration. The Dolly
Tate-Taps Child Care Center staff desires to meet the needs of
the family. We will work closely with each mother to establish
individual routines that meet the specific needs of each child. We
will also provide support and resources for the parents to assure
development of each child. Mothers are encouraged to meet with
our staff to discuss their child’s needs and progress.
Center Hours/Attendance:
Center operations coincide with those of Hawthorne High School.
Each parent is expected to attend and arrive on time daily to
school. Late arrivals to the Child Care Center will require an
excuse note. The general expectation is that your child will
experience sickness sometime during the year; however any
parent/infant missing more than (10) ten unexcused absences
may be required to find other child care options. Children will not
be permitted to class after 10:30am. Please call 980-343-6011 if
you or your child is going to be absence.
Arrival and Pick-up Procedures:
Here at Dolly Tate Child-Taps Care Center we ask that only the
parents accompany their children in the building. This will help
keep down any confusion and allow a smooth transition.
 A change of clothing will be kept at the center for each child.
Infants and toddlers may require more than one set of
clothing. Please make sure the clothing is appropriate for the
current weather.
 We also ask that you bring diapers, wipes and any other
supplies that your baby will need.
When you arrive we ask:
 Sign your child in on the classroom’s sign-in sheet.
 That all bottles and food are labeled with the child’s first and
last name as well as the date. (this must be done before
you arrive at the Center each morning)
 Place any other items in your child’s cubby.
When you arrive in the afternoon we ask:
 Check diaper bag to ensure all bottles and other belongings
are in the bag.
 Check your child’s cubbies prior to leaving.
No one else besides the mother will be allowed to enter the
child care center or pick up your child without permission.
Health Safety & Nutrition:
 We ask that all infant’s bottles and baby food jars be labeled
each day with the child’s first and last name, and the date.
 We ask that each parent fill out a feeding schedule for their
infants. Whenever there is a change in your baby’s feeding
times you may be asked to complete another feeding
schedule.
 If parents bring food from home, we ask that it be put in a
sealed container labeled with the child’s first and last name
as well as the date. Any food from home must be ready to
serve.
We ask that NO cereal or any other foods be placed
your infant’s bottle.
Illness Policy:
Sick children are to remain at home to prevent the spread of
sickness to other children. If any of the symptoms described
below are observed in your child---they will be required to see a
doctor and not allowed to return without proper doctor
documentation:
 Fever over 100 degrees underarm, 101 degrees orally, or
102 degrees rectally. (we check underarm) Child must not
return for 24 hours.
 Two or more episodes of vomiting within a 12-hour period
 A red eye with white or yellow discharge until 24 hours after
treatment
 Scabies or lice
 Chicken pox or rash suggestive of chicken pox
 Tuberculosis, until health professional states that the child is
not infectious
 Impetigo, until 24 hours after treatment
 Pertussis, until 5 days after appropriate antibiotic treatment
 Hepatitis A virus infection, until one week after onset of
illness
 Sudden onset of diarrhea characterized by an increase
number of bowl movements compared to the child’s normal
pattern and with increased stool water.
 When a physician or other health professional issues a
written order that the child is to be separated from other
child.
 At least two contacts must be on file to pick-up your child.
 A nurse is available on staff and can assist with any medical
concerns, if needed.
 If a child becomes ill during the day, he/she will be isolated
until a parent can be contacted to come and get him/her. A
child that has been removed from care due to illness or
symptoms of illness must be symptom free for 24 hours
before returning to the Child Care Center and must have a
doctor’s note permitting the child to return to the Center.
 The Center must be notified if your child will be absent
due to an illness at 980-343-6011.
MEDICATION POLICY:
We cannot administer any medication this includes
prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines. If a child is
taking any medications we will place the medication in a
secure locker. No medication can be left inside a diaper bag.
CLEANLINESS AND SANITATION
PROCEDURES:
We want to maintain a safe and healthy environment, in
doing so we ask that all employees, parents and visitors
wash their hands before entering the classroom.
Employees: Before and after serving any food, after diaper
changes, after outside activities, during the bathroom and in
between interactions with the babies.
Children: Infant’s that have the ability to lift head are required to
wash hands at the sink after eating and after a diaper change. If
an infant cannot lift his head a wipe is used to clean hands.
Parents: Are to wash hands before entering the classroom. We
also ask that parents do not pick up other children.
Safe Environment: The Child Care Staff will be expected daily
to check the classroom each morning and periodically throughout
the day to ensure safety for all children.
Classroom Environment: The Child Care Center is sanitized
daily.
Emergency Procedures:
In case of severe weather employees should follow the outlined
procedure posted in each classroom. In case of a fire, all
employees are to follow the predetermined evacuation procedure.
The Center will practice periodic fire and evacuation drills. In
cases like this parents will be notified where to pick up their
children.
Inclement Weather Policy:
During inclement weather the Center will be closed when
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are closed. When inclement
weather arises and the Center has to close early, the parents will
be notified immediately.
Accident Procedures:
When there is a minor injury first aid is always administered.
Incident reports will be filled out for all minor injuries. Reports are
to be signed by the parents and then placed in the child’s folder.
If a child has a major emergency we will notify the parents. If
circumstances get very severe we will arrange for medical
treatment. There is a copy of the Emergency Medical Plan in each
classroom.
Parents are to make the teacher aware of any injuries the child
may have when arriving to the Center in the mornings. An incident
report will still be written up and the parent will have to sign and it
will be placed in the child’s folder.
Discipline Procedures:
No corporal punishment (spanking, slapping, or physical force)
will be used as a form of discipline with any child. Withholding
food will never be used to punish a child. Children will not be
addressed in a derogatory manner. No harsh or profane language
will be used toward any child. Children will be treated with
kindness and compassion.
Child Abuse and Neglect:
Child caregivers are required by North Carolina State Law to
report any suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. If such a
case arises, the alerted staff member will report to the Director.
The Director will notify the proper authorities. This requirement
applies regardless to where the abuse may have occurred,
whether it may be the home or the Child Care Center.
Reports can be made to any of the following:
 County Department of Social Services
 Division of Child Development
 Local Law Enforcement
DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
Dolly Tate Taps Child Care Center does not exclude
anyone from participation in our program based off race,
color, creed, religion, or natural origin.
My signature denotes I have received a Parent Handbook
for the Dolly Tate Child Care Center. I am expected to
uphold the expectations outlined in the Handbook. I
understand the guidelines and expectations are in place to
ensure a safe and nurturing environment for my child. I
also agree to communicate with the child care staff and
administration about issues or concerns regarding the
care of my child. I further understand the staff is also a
support system for me and will assist me in my
development as a parent. Other child care options may be
required if I fail to abide by these expectations.
________________________
Parent’s Signature
_________________
Date