Friendship Depot Children’s Center, L.L.C.
Policies and Procedures

Your Child’s First Days

New environments can be challenging for children. Some will adjust quickly while others will take a little longer. We encourage you to call at any time during the day to see how your child is adjusting. Some separation anxiety is normal. We will be happy to provide you with ideas and suggestions to make this transition easier for your child.

Child Care and Health

We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable regulations pertaining to providing services to individuals with disabilities. We carefully consider each child’s individual needs in order to determine if we can accommodate those needs. If your child has any special needs, please let us know.

Celebrations and Birthdays

Seasonal, cultural celebrations and birthdays are all special days to children. We will be celebrating your child’s birthday as well as seasonal holidays. If you would like to attend, please let us know. Parents and families are encouraged to attend and always welcome. Please let us know if you have a cultural celebration that is important to you and your child. We will make every effort to celebrate it.

Clothing

We want to make sure your child has a great time with us while playing and learning.

We will be outside as much as possible. Please provide an extra set of clothes including socks. We would also recommend warm or waterproof outerwear. In cold weather, please provide your child with sweaters, hats, gloves, and scarves, including weather appropriate shoes or boots. Please have children remove their shoes upon arriving. Please provide a pair of non-skid slippers or slipper socks to wear inside.

All clothing items must be marked with your child’s name or initials and will be stored in their personal cubby area.


We are not responsible for lost, stained, soiled or torn clothing.

***Illness***Medical Emergencies***Medications***
Health Plan

My staff and I are trained in CPR (including infant, child, and adult), basic first aid and Blood Bourne Pathogens (BBP) safety. If a minor injury occurs to your child, we will administer the proper first aid. In the event that your child has a very serious injury or a life-threatening illness or injury we will call 911 first, notify a parent, and if unable to reach one or both parents, we will contact the emergency contact person that is listed on your child’s registration form. If your child becomes ill while in our care, you will be notified right away so they can be picked up immediately. Viruses are highly contagious therefore if we can minimize exposure to the illness, we can help prevent the spreading of it to the other children. By signing this form, you are authorizing Sharie Heikkila or her assistant/sub to apply sunscreen on your child, as deemed necessary. Parent is to supply a new bottle each spring, making sure that it has not expired. Please label your child’s sunscreen.

If your child is sick with the stomach flu, a bad cold, running a high fever, etc., they are expected to stay at home until they are feeling well enough to be able to participate in our daily activities. In some cases, a doctor’s note may be required before the child returns to the “Depot” depending on the health circumstances of the child.

Your child will not be allowed to attend if one of the following occurs:
• Has a fever of 100 degrees or higher
• Has vomited two or more times in the last 24 hours
• Has had diarrhea within the past 24 hours
• Has a draining rash
• Has an eye discharge or pink eye
• Has lice or nits – THIS MUST BE REPORTED TO US IMMEDIATELY
• Shows fatigue that prevents participating in usual activities
• Shows a runny nose with green mucus discharge (infection related/not allergies)
• Sore throat
• Ear infection
• Stomach pains
• Chicken Pox (must be blistered over before returning)
• Any other contagious illness, infections or injuries that require extra responsibilities.

If your child requires medication, you must complete a Medical Administration Authorization Form. We will note the date, time and dosage of the medication given on the Medication Record which will be placed in your child’s file.

If I become ill during “Depot” hours my assistant will take over and be in charge. Should my assistant not be available, I will notify the parent/guardian or the backup person listed on the registration form as quickly as possible. If I become ill prior to your child arriving and my assistant is not available, I will notify you as soon as possible.


Medical Records

We follow state regulations regarding medical examination and immunization records for your child. Medical examination and immunization records must be provided upon enrollment and kept current.

Prescription Medication

For all medications, you must complete a Medical Administration Authorization Form. You must provide written authorization for a staff member to administer non-prescription medications in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions on the label. Any time the manufacturer’s instructions require physician dosage, a physician’s written instructions are required.

Outdoor Play

Fresh air and exercise are an important part of any child’s day. We will be outside as much as possible. Please make sure your child has adequate outdoor clothing and footwear for all weather conditions.

Positive Guidance

Here at the “Depot” we are all about friendships. We guide children on how to get along with others and what behaviors are appropriate for different situations. If there are any behavioral problems, we teach them how they can work with each other to solve their differences and come up with a solution that is fair and workable. A handshake, verbal apology or a hug usually confirms the renewal of their friendships. If redirecting is not solving the issue at hand, we will remove them from the group until they have had time to settle themselves. Simply put, we believe in finding and focusing on the positives of any given situation.

The use of corporal punishment is strictly prohibited here.

We welcome parent involvement in teaching children about socially acceptable behaviors. We may occasionally ask you to work with us to help extinguish a challenging behavior. We understand that these issues are sensitive and that there are many different parenting styles among our families.


Rest Time

It is important for young, growing children to have a rest time or enjoy a quite time during the day. Each session will allow for a rest/quiet time so that your child can recharge and rejuvenate during their time with us. They will be encouraged to read a book, play with puzzles or participate in other quiet activities.


Emergency Situations***Evacuation Plans

We make every attempt to be prepared for potential emergency situations. We regularly schedule and practice emergency evacuations (fire drills). An emergency plan with telephone numbers and procedure is posted.



Releasing Your Child

For safety reasons we will not release your child to anyone who is not listed on the enrollment form, unless you have given us permission prior to pick up time of your child. Written authorization must be on file prior to your child’s release to anyone. For the safety and security of your child, telephone requests are not acceptable. Those individuals authorized by you to pick up your child will be asked for proof of their identity. We will not release a child to anyone younger than 18 years of age. We will not release your child to anyone who shows signs of alcohol or drug abuse.

Additional Information***Parent Involvement

Friendship Depot Children’s Center, L.L.C. is a smoke free environment.

Any form of corporal punishment is strictly prohibited.

Friendship Depot Children’s Center, L.L.C. does not discriminate on the basis of a person’s religion, color, race, gender, age, national origin, disability, or any other factor protected by law regarding enrollment. All requested information is kept confidential.

Parents are “always welcome” to visit us during the day and are strongly encouraged to participate in our program. We agree with the philosophy that is takes a “village to raise a child.” If you would like to plan time with us here, please let us know.

Communication is very important to us and we welcome any feedback, concerns or discussions of any kind that can help to promote a positive experience for your child. If at any time you have any concerns about your child being here, please don’t hesitate to share them with us.

Our Program

We are very excited about our program. Throughout the year we will be studying all of the positive character traits that God gives us. Some examples of these traits are; Kindness, Caring, Sharing, Self-Control and Responsibility. We accomplish this by using a variety of art mediums, reading, writing, dramatic play and games to name a few. At times we will use a television to view videos based on our curriculum. In no way will your child simply be “watching” television during their time with us. Occasionally we will have a “movie” day. You will be notified beforehand and will be able to approve the movie we are going to view. This will most likely be done on special occasions. We will also be celebrating birthdays on a monthly basis. Please feel free to participate with your child.

We will be serving all meals and snacks “family” style. It is so important for our children to sit down, slow down and visit during meals.



Thank you for allowing us to be part of “your family.”