Creative Hands Early Learning
and Child Development Center
Parent Handbook
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Table of Contents
I. Center Mission Statement
II. Center Philosophy
III. Curriculum
IV. Policies and Procedures
V. Daily Routines
VI. Health and Safety
VII. Special Events
Welcome
We are pleased that you have chosen Creative Hands Early Learning and Child Development Center as
your partner in the care and education of your child. A strong parent-center relationship is crucial to our
success. Like you, we are interested in your child’s whole development. Our commitment is to provide
you and your child with the best in child care and education. This handbook is given to all parents at the
time of their child’s enrollment in the center, and is designed to acquaint you with our policies and
procedures. In addition to our policies, we are licensed by the state of Michigan and abide by all state
rules and regulations.
*These policies and procedures are subject to modification or change at any time.
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I. Center Mission Statement
Through a quality program, Creative Hands will provide a safe, nurturing educational program based on
the use of developmentally appropriate practices.
II. Center Philosophy
We believe in the development of the whole child. Our curriculum is designed to focus on the creative,
emotional, intellectual, physical and social growth of each individual child. We believe that children
learn best through play, engaging interactions, and positive experiences. We strive to create lifelong
learners. We believe that every child can learn and grow.
We have several goals for children
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To be competent and confident in their abilities.
To be self directed in a constructive, creative manner.
To be successful in future educational experiences.
To develop a love for learning.
To feel encouraged being themselves.
To learn cooperation and appreciation for other children and adults.
To reach their full potential in emotional, intellectual, physical and social development.
Our Six Key Principals of Child Development and Learning that we follow to meet our goal
1. Development occurs in classrooms that are structured to provide children with
opportunities to independently explore, select, create and problem solve.
2. Development occurs in a relatively orderly sequence with later abilities, skills, and
knowledge building on those already acquired.
3. Children demonstrate different levels of knowledge. They also have different ways of
representing what they know.
4. Development and learning occur in and are influenced by multiply cultural and social
contexts.
5. Children develop and learn best in the context of a community where they are safe and
valued, and their needs are met.
6. Parents are a child’s first teacher and an important influence in their life.
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III. Curriculum
Creative Hands use The Creative Curriculum and the High Scope Curriculum in each of our
classrooms. We combine the use of two curriculums because it allows our teachers more flexibility,
to be creative, and to teach to different learning styles and individual needs. Both curriculums are
guide teachers in designing a quality program in which children learn skills and content, and develop
social competence. Both curriculums assist teachers in structuring their day, what kinds of
experiences to provide for children, how to work with children at different developmental levels,
and how to involve families in to the program. The curriculums also assist teachers in guiding
learning in literacy, math, science, social studies, the arts, and technology while also supporting
children’s social/emotional development. Our curriculums also provide assessment tools that speak
to the strengths, goals, and areas of improvement for each child.
In conjunction with our curriculums, we also use the Michigan State Board of Education Early
Childhood Standards of Quality to guide our programs. The standards produced by the Michigan
State Board of Education are meant to define settings of the highest quality. The early childcare
standards provide our teachers with guidance on how to provide children with opportunities to
reach essential development and educational goals.
IV. Policies and Procedures
Registration
A non-refundable enrollment fee of $35 per child is due at the time of registration. These fees must be
paid and required documentation turned into the office prior to your child’s starting date.
Documentation Required for Your Child’s Record
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A completed registration package.
A completed Information Card.
My Child’s Schedule Form .
An immunization record, complete with Doctor’s name with signature.
A Well Child Form from your Doctor with signature.
A copy of any court orders regarding child custody/visitation issues.
Emergency Contact Information
Each parent must have on file a list of names and phone numbers of emergency contacts. These
contacts will be listed on the Information Card. The emergency contacts are persons in the area who
are authorized by the parent(s) to pick up and/or care for the child in case of illness or emergency when
the parent cannot be reached. Please be sure the person(s) whose names you give are aware that they
have been listed for this purpose. Staff members will ask for identification of any person with whom
they are not familiar. If you will not be at your daily number that you consistently use, leave a note with
a staff member and write the new number on the sign-in sheet with the number you can be reached at.
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Whenever there are changes to be made, please update us. The emergency cards can easily be found
by all staff members and updated quickly. Children will only be released to person(s) whose name
appears on the emergency card.
Hours of Operation
The center is open Monday through Friday from 6:00am to 6:00pm. Please remember that we do close
at 6:00pm. In extreme emergencies please call the office to inform a staff member if you are running
late. We worry, and children can become fearful if their parents are not present when they usually are.
There is a late fee of $5.00 for every 5 minutes after 6:05pm.
Holidays
The center will be closed in observance of the following holidays
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after
Christmas Day
New Years day
*Reminders of the holiday closure will be posted before the holiday and place in the newsletters. Fees are not
returned for the following state holidays.
Tuition Rate
The below rates are full time rates for care. Full time consists of 6 or more hours of care.
Infants and Toddlers (6 weeks to 24 months):
$170.00 week
Preschool (3-4 years of age):
$160.00 week
Young Five’s Program (5-6 years of age):
$140.00 week
Before and After School Care (5-12 years of age):
$65.00 week
Before and After Kindergarten Care (children who attend ½ day of school)
$95.00 week
Summer Care for School aged children (5-12 years of age):
$120.00 week
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*There are few spots available for part-time students. Please see the director for available spots. The daily rate is
$35.00 a day for full time.
Kids by the Hour/Drop In-Service Care
Creative Hands is please to provide the flexible service of drop in care for children 2 to 6 years of age.
Children registered for Kids by the Hour must follow all registration requirements prior to the first drop
off session. This service can be used to assist the stay at home mother or the part-time mother.
Kids by the Hour (2-6 years of age):
$8.75 per hour
Kids by the Hour Packages
Parents can also purchase Kids by the Hour Packages and bank hours whenever needed based on the
tuition that they have pre-paid for. Buying a Kids by the Hour package provides for a significant discount
in hourly care.
KBTH Packages:
10 hrs @ $8.00 = $80.00
20 hrs@ $6.75 = $135.00
40 hrs@ $5.75 = $230.00
60 hrs@ $4.25 = $255.00
Sibling Discount
There is a 10% discount for siblings enrolled in the center. The discount applies to the largest tuition
rate.
Making Tuition Payments
There are two plans available to pay for your child’s care. There is a weekly plan and a bi-weekly plan.
For the weekly plan, tuition is due on Friday for the upcoming week of child care services. If you wish to
pay bi-weekly, tuition is also due on Friday for the upcoming two weeks of child care services.
You will receive a billing statement on Thursday regardless of plan choice. Each billing statement will
reflect payments made, payments due, and any past due balances.
Please put your child’s name on the payment and place it into the tuition box located directly outside
the office. Please note: There is a $25.00 charge for a returned check.
Late Payments
A late payment of $50.00 will be assessed for each week your tuition is overdue.
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Attendance and Withdrawal
Please notify the center if your child will be absent on a scheduled day of attendance. If circumstances
cause you to withdrawal your child, you must submit a written notice with your ending date two weeks
prior to your child’s last day of care.
Sick Days
All full time children are awarded 3 sick days per year. There is no tuition reimbursement for more than
the allotted 3 sick days.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA is a federal civil rights law that went into effect in 1992. The act states that people with
disabilities are entitled to equal rights in employment, state and local public services, and public
accommodations such as preschools, child care centers, and family child care homes. ADA presents an
exciting opportunity to plan for and include children with disabilities in early childhood settings.
Children and families benefit from inclusion. Children with disabilities share learning opportunities with
their peers. Inclusion also fosters caring attitudes and teaches children about interdependence and
understanding for human differences. For early childhood professionals it is an extension of continuing
efforts to meet the individual needs of each child and family.
V. Daily Routines
Clothing and Personal Belongings
We ask that all clothing be appropriate for child care and fun play. We do many fun and messy
activities. We don’t want to ruin anything that is special to you or your child. We ask that you leave at
least one complete outfit for your child here at school. Because children grow so fast, it is important to
check the fit and weather appropriateness of these extra clothes from time to time. We will also let you
know if the outfits are out of size or season. Please always label everything with your child’s first and
last name. You can also place all the clothing in a plastic bag or a large Ziploc bag with your child’s first
and last name listed on the bag.
Communication
The parent bulletin boards contain items pertaining to fundraising, conferences, parent involvement,
fun family community events, and other items we feel that may be of interest to you. You will have a
parent folder in your child’s room. Please check this folder daily for creative art work, information,
billing statements, etc... Each month there will be a center newsletter that will also be placed into your
parent folder. Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled twice a year with your child’s teacher.
However, you can request a parent-teacher conference at any time. Our curriculum assessments,
observations and a portfolio collection will be used to guide your child’s development. Information
collected will be available to parents upon request and for use at conference time.
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Cubbies
Your child will have a cubby at the center to store their personal belongings. Your child’s cubby will be
located in their room. Please check the cubby daily for items that need to be shared between home and
the center.
Discipline
At Creative Hands, children are taught the importance of being a friend and treating others with care
and respect. If unacceptable behavior is displayed, we explain why the behavior is inappropriate. If the
behavior continues, the child will be directed to another activity. A child continuing to have difficulty
will be removed from the activity for a short period of time in order to regain his/her self control. The
general rule for “time-out” is one minute per year of age, up to five minutes maximum. Time out is used
as a skill building tool, not punishment. If you see a problem or have witnessed a situation you do not
understand, see a lead teacher or the director right away.
We try to foresee and prevent problems by structuring an appropriate environment by setting age
appropriate realistic limits and guidelines. These limits are mainly for the safety and respect for oneself,
for others, and for property. These limits are explained or shown to a child at the onset in terms that
he/she can understand. Discipline shall be fair, reasonable, consistent, and related to the individual
behavior. Teachers provide a balance between active/quiet and self-directed/teacher-directed activities
to keep children involved throughout their day. Physical discipline is never used at our center.
In particular we use the following discipline techniques to assist children in resolving conflicts. Methods
depend on children’s ages and the severity of the situation.
1.) Limit Setting: Children are given basic, clear, and concise rules to guide their behavior.
Boundaries and expectations expand as children develop.
2.) Consistency: So children know what to expect, limits and expectations are consistent
throughout the classes, and all adults respond in a similar way to conflict situations.
3.) Tone: A kind yet serious tone delivered by intervening adults reinforces children’s sense of
security and lets them know the situation is under control.
4.) Modeling: Adults clearly demonstrate compassionate, caring behaviors that set examples for
children to follow.
5.) Passive Intervention: Teachers give children time to work through their own problems, but are
there to help if things escalate to destructive or aggressive behavior.
6.) Physical Intervention: Children are physically separated if they begin to hurt each other.
7.) Identifying/Interpreting: Teachers clarify problems, diffuse tension, and facilitate problem
solving.
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8.) Validating Feelings: Acknowledging one’s own emotions and those of other children facilities
learning.
9.) Generating Options/Solutions: Children are given tools to settle conflicts (negotiate, make
retribution, collaborate, etc.).
10.) Redirection: A request to stop a negative behavior is accompanied by a suggestion for an
appropriate behavior to replace it.
11.) Natural Consequences: Teachers point out and reinforce natural consequences as they occur.
Children see the results of their own behavior and begin to modify it accordingly. “You threw
sand after we asked not to. Now you need to leave the sandbox and find a different area to play
in.”
As a partner in caring for your child, it is important that good communication exist between the home
and our center. If your child is experiencing a change in the home environment that may result in
changes in behavior, it is important for you to notify your child’s teacher. Your child’s teacher will keep
you informed of any behavioral concerns that may occur with your child at the center. We want to
continue to stress that we are your child’s home away from home. We will make every effort to resolve
any issues that may occur.
Severe Behavior
Young children can present challenging behavior as they learn to interact appropriately in the
educational setting. Creative Hands Early Learning and Child Development Center is committed to using
positive guidance strategies with teaching young children how to manage their own behavior. However,
at times some children will exhibit severe behavior that cannot be managed with the classroom setting.
Severe behavior is defined as:
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Danger to self or others (examples include but are not limited to: head banging, excessive biting
that breaks the skin, hitting, hair pulling, using objects to inflict bodily harm.) and/or
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Disruptive behavior that creates chronic interference to classroom activities (examples included
tantrums, screaming, foul language, severe or chronic non-compliance or defiance.)
The center has developed procedures to deal with such cases of severe behavior. In these situations,
the parents will be contacted. The parents will need to meet with the teacher and/or the director to
discuss the situation and appropriate measures. If the center’s procedures for dealing with severe
behavior problems do not have results, the center reserves the right to temporarily or permanently
remove a child from the center to assure a safe educational environment.
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Outdoor Play
Please bring appropriate clothing for the weather. Unless the weather is extremely severe, we will plan
to go outside for much needed fresh air and large motor play daily. If your child is too ill to go outside,
they should be kept home to rest.
Rest Time
The children have a rest period each day.
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Infants 6 weeks to 18 months nap on their own schedule. Crib sheets are provided.
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Toddlers 18 to 36 months have a routine that is followed. Cot sheets are provided. Your child
can bring a blanket to rest with. If you bring a blanket from home, remember to launder it each
week.
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Preschoolers 3 to 5 years have a routine that is followed. Cot sheets are provided.
To protect your child’s health, sheets are laundered each week. Cots are sanitized daily.
Lunch/Snacks
*Please be advised that Creative Hands is a Nut Free Facility. Each day, the center provides two
snacks and lunch for children (except in the infant room). Snack and lunch menus are posted in your
child’s classroom. Arrangements can be made with your child’s teacher if you would like to provide a
snack for a birthday or special event. Special snacks that are provided by you must be store purchased.
Toys
We understand that children love to bring toys from home. However, we ask that all toys with the
exception of a soft sleepy time toy stay at home. This assures that they will not be lost or broken while
at school. There will be special sharing days where children may bring a toy from home. A letter will be
sent to parents notifying you of the days this will occur.
Arrival and Departure
The center opens at 6:00am each morning. We encourage children to arrive by 8:30 so they can fully
participate in the morning activities. Parents must always accompany their children in and out of their
classroom. Upon your child’s arrival and departure, please be sure that a staff member in your child’s
classroom is aware that you are present and are either dropping off or taking your child home.
According to Michigan Child Licensing regulations, you must sign in your child using your initials and/or
signature, time of arrival, and time of departure.
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VI. Health and Safety
No Smoking Policy
This is a non-smoking facility. No smoking is permitted inside the building at any time. Smoking is also
prohibited on the outside property of the center.
Sick Child Policy
For the safety and health of all our children and teachers, sick children need to be cared for and
nurtured at home. Please do not send your child to school if he/she has had any of the following
described conditions during the previous 24 hours.
Medical conditions:
1.) Diarrhea (2 or more loose stools).
2.) Difficulty or rapid breathing.
3.) Asthma or severe upper respiratory infection unless parent provides evidence that child is under
physician’s care.
4.) Vomited within last 6 hours.
5.) Yellowish skin or eyes.
6.) A temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and/or has had a fever during the previous
24 hours.
7.) Mucus with green or yellow color, unless child had been on antibiotic therapy for 24 hours.
8.) Undiagnosed rash.
9.) Sore throat.
10.) Severe cough.
11.) Chicken pox, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, impetigo, diphtheria, or herpes simplex.
12.) Untreated scabies, tinea corporis or capitis (ring worm)
13.) An ear infection unless provided notification that child is under physician’s care.
14.) Untreated head lice.
15.) Pinkeye.
Also be advised that if your child exhibits any of the above symptoms while at school you will be
immediately contacted to come and pick up your child to protect other children in the center.
The center will notify you as soon as possible if your child comes in contact with another child’s illness.
If you would like additional information or a detailed list of symptoms for the above communicable
diseases please see the director.
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Medications
All medications must have a doctor’s prescription to administer, including over the counter medications.
If your child needs to have medication administered during a school day a guardian needs to complete a
medication authorization form. A medical authorization form can be obtained in the office or in your
child’s classroom. The medication authorization form must include the dosage amount and the times of
administration. Please bring the appropriate measuring utensils for administering the medication. The
medication must be plainly labeled, contain the name of the child for whom it is prescribed, dates to be
administered, and the expiration date. Tylenol will not be used at the center for reducing a fever. Also,
please do not give Tylenol to your child before entering the center. This only serves to mask the
problem and leaves the illness untreated. Please notify the staff of any medical conditions (allergies,
etc.) that will require special considerations in the classroom.
All medications will be stored in an appropriate locked box. A classified staff member or the director will
administer all the medications.
Injury
The staff makes every effort to ensure the safety of your child. Unfortunately, accidents do occur. As a
partner in the care of your child, we realize that you will want to be aware of your child’s injury or
illnesses that occur at the center. In order to keep you informed, we will provide you with an Accident
and Incident Report for each occurrence. In case of a serious injury, we will make every effort to contact
you for instructions. If we cannot reach you, we will call the person that you have indicated on the
emergency card to make a medical decision about your child.
Drills and Evacuations
Creative Hands Early Learning and Child Development Center adheres to all Michigan Licensing laws
pertaining to drills and evacuations. The center has procedures for each of the below drills.
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Fire Drill: Fire drills are practiced at least once quarterly to assure prompt evacuation of the
building in an emergency. Our center is equipped with a fire alarm system and fire extinguishers
are placed throughout the building.
Tornado Drill: A tornado drill is practiced in the months of April to October to assure prompt
emergency procedures in case of a tornado.
VII.
Special Events
Birthdays
Birthdays may be celebrated at our center. Please contact your child’s lead teacher regarding plans for
the celebration. The center can provide a list of birthday ideas regarding food. For health regulations, it
is required that all food be store bought. Food may not be prepared at home due to our nut free facility.
Holiday Celebrations
Holidays represent opportunities for young children to learn about the celebrations various cultures
observe. Certain holidays are recognized in the classrooms in ways that are consistent with the
individual program’s curriculum and the age of the children. The center staff recognizes understands
and values other holidays which reflect the cultural diversity represented among our families.
Transportation/Field Trips
We do not provide transportation to and from school. For special field trips, transportation may be
arranged. Parents will be notified prior to any field trips. Parental permission is required before
children may be transported on a field trip. Parents may be requested to join a field trip event. Please
watch for special event information.
Thank you for choosing Creative Hand Early Learning and Child Development
Center as a partner in the care of your child. We look forward to adding you to
our Creative Hands family.
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