Covid - 19 Response
The mission at Ms. Jo’s Childcare has always been to create a safe environment that earns the trust of the children and families we serve. We are as dedicated to that mission now as we have ever been. Ms. Jo’s Childcare will continue to lead the industry in best practices during this time, a responsibility we do not take lightly. Accordingly, we created a Covid-19 operating policy that details the necessary procedures and aggressive actions we have taken to mitigate the potential spread of Covid-19. As we move forward in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, we would like to insure the health of our staff and Families
Arrival and Departure Procedures
When arriving at the center you are to:
- Escort your child into the center.
- Assist your child to the appropriate room. Do not leave children at the front door.
- Wash your hands and assist your child in washing their hands upon entering the classroom.
- Assist your child in placing his/her belongings in the proper cubby.
- Notify a teacher of your child’s arrival.
- Sign your child in. Read all messages.
Holidays
Calendar Monday through Friday
- New Year’s Day
- Dr. King’s Birthday
- Good Friday New Year’s Eve and
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Veteran’s Day—Staff Training Day
- Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after
- Christmas BREAK The week after Christmas we will be closed until Jan 2
Parent's Responsibilities
The center accepts children from local elementary school systems. See the director for the exact time the buses pick the children up and drop them off. We try to have a school-age caregiver here on the days when we know school will be closed. You must let the director know if your child will be attending on those days. (Additional fees will apply) daycare assistance once fully certified, our center will accept NACRA, ACCYN, DSS, Smart Start, Local College daycare vouchers and assistance. These programs help single parents, full-time students, and some low-income families (both parents must be working) with their childcare. If you think you may qualify, please see the director for more information. Parents are responsible for paying all co-pays and any weekly difference that the certificate may not pay.
Transportation is provided for before and after school care. We will provide transportation to area schools (please check with the front desk for area schools). The center will provide qualified drivers for each vehicle. Children must arrive to the center no later than 7:00 a.m. in order to be provided with transportation to the area schools. You must notify the center prior to 1:00 p.m. each day your child will not need after school care. The following information must be received prior to receiving transportation services: Written permission to transport your child to and from your child’s school. Emergency contact information for each child receiving transportation. All vehicles will be maintained to provide safe transportation. All vehicles will have first aid kids and a fire extinguisher.
Field trips will only be offered for children 3 years and above. Parents will be notified in writing at least two weeks in advance of field trips. The following information will be required for each field trip planned:
Permission slip for your child to attend the field trip. The permission slip will include date of field trip, location of field trip, time of departure and return, method of travel, driver’s information, permission to transport your child during the field trip. All field trips will be qualified drivers driving the vehicles. Ratios for each age group will be maintained.
The center has a limited number of summer slots for children who have completed kindergarten through grade 8. We suggest you enroll your child before the end of the school year to guarantee a slot.
All children are transported in approved vehicles driven by a licensed driver. When transporting children, we maintain our teacher to child ratio. Our bus will meet the safety inspection standards at all times. No field trips or transportation will be provided for any child under the age of 4.
Children who are potty-training must be in a diaper or pull-up. For health purposes, our staff may not handle body fluids or feces. If a potty-trained child has an accident in his/her clothes, the clothes will not be washed out but will be placed in a sack to take home. This is the law made by the State of North Carolina Health Department. Our 3 and 4-year-olds have a preschool curriculum they follow each day; therefore, the teacher does not have time to change diapers. We will not move a child into a preschool class unless they are completely potty-trained.
Policies
In the event that there is a threat to the children of our center, we may have a lock-down. This means we will lock all doors and place the children away from all windows. Examples of threats would be having an enraged parent or person who has threatened to come into the center, having an unauthorized person trying to pick up a child, or being advised by the local authorities that there is just cause for us to lock all doors. People may not enter or leave the building until local authorities tell us the situation is over.
We will apply sunscreen to your child at your request. You must provide the sunscreen for your child with the “permission to apply lotion/ointment” authorization from singed by the parent. Sunscreen will only be applied one time per day, right before afternoon outdoor play. Parent/guardian is responsible to apply sunscreen in the morning before arriving at Ms. Jo’s Childcare. Please provide a hat to help protect your child against sun exposure.
When public health authorities recommend use of insect repellants due to a high risk of insect borne disease, Ms. Jo’s Childcare will apply repellant supplied by the parent and with permission form completed. Only insect repellants containing DEET will be used. Insect repellant will only be applied to children 2 months of age and older. Insect repellant will only be applied in the afternoon before outdoor play. Parent/guardian is responsible for applying insect repellant in the morning before arriving at Ms. Jo’s Childcare.
We feel these precautions will assist in safe-guarding your child from illness. We also require your help by keeping ill children at home and immediately picking up your child should he/she become ill.
At Ms. Jo’s Childcare, we feel that discipline is one of the most important techniques the teachers and parents can use to enhance their child’s behavior. The purpose of this policy is to inform you about the techniques that our teachers will use to ensure appropriate behavior in our center.
It is our prayer that you will never have any problems here at Ms. Jo’s Childcare. We use the “The Family Matters” conference plan. This conference offers teachers and leaders the opportunity to build relationships and give parents good information about whatever difficulties arise. We will meet together as a team, pray, listen to all parties and act in the best interest of the child and his or her family. First ask the Center Director for a conference to resolve your issues. If you do not feel the issues have been resolved to your satisfaction, then you may contact the Executive Director to mediate the situation.