Santa Maria Association of Family Child Care Providers

Becky Jenkins
(805) 937-9355

CAFCC Accreditation Since 2003

Licence #421711376

Location: 224 Mooncrest Lane
Santa Maria, CA 93455 
(805) 937-9535

Ages: 15 Months ~ 5 Years

Programs: Full and Part-time Care

Hours: 7:30am ~ 5:00pm, Monday through Friday

Holidays: The Child Care Home will be closed in observance of the following holidays:    

These are half-paid holidays.  A list of dates for the above holidays, along with 2 wks paid, and one wk unpaid vacation, will be issued on December 31st.

We believe that each child grows and develops in a sequential manner at his/her own pace. Each stage of development requires more complex behavior and thought process by the child. Children learn by interacting with observing, and experiencing the world of objects and people. Each child is curious and actively initiates their learning.

Developmentally appropriate activities and routines are planned each day to offer each child many opportunities for challenge and success. Our “free-flow” based program offers opportunities for fostering independence, creativity and self-esteem. Children have the freedom to make choices in a safe and stimulating environment.

A child’s self-esteem is based on pride in their own culture, appreciation of their feelings, celebration of their uniqueness, and experience with success. Each child should respect and appreciate differences in others.

The child’s family is the primary influence on the child’s growth and development; cooperative efforts of parents and provider are essential.

For the benefit of the children, parents please let us know if there are any problems or unusual circumstances that my be adversely affecting your child: situations such as family moving, death in the family, lost pet, divorce, etc. I would like to provide an emotionally supportive, yet neutral environment. The more of these situations we know about and can incorporate into teachable moments through our lessons or interactions, the more outlets your child will have to express their feelings. Specifics will never be discussed and such information will be kept strictly confidential.

Important Homework For Parents:

• Visit the Day Care Home whenever you can.
• Observe activities and get to know your child’s provider and friends. 
• Talk with your child about their day. 
• Tell us what your child likes; special foods, games, things to talk about.
• Show your child you are happy about all the new things they are learning to do by displaying their artwork or special projects and talking about them at home.
• Share your ideas or concerns about the children’s activities with us. Tell us what you like or don’t like.
• If you have some time and talent to share such as singing, musical instruments, drawing, etc., please let us know. 
• Upon picking your child up from care, please spend some time with them in the transition before going home. 
• Help them put their projects away as this helps teach them respect for their surrounding environment. 
• Encourage your child to help you at home (e.g. cooking, setting the table). 
• Join us for events, special activities or meals. Share your culture and ethnic background with us

Fee: An initial registration fee is paid at the time of your child’s enrollment. This fee is non-refundable. Tuition is due weekly. It is to be paid on every Friday, in advance for the following week of care.

All checks are to be made out to Becky Wheeler

 A rate is established prior to admission according to your child’s schedule. Any schedule changes should be indicated in writing two (2) weeks in advance. Changes in schedule are available as space permits.

Returned Checks: Checks returned from the bank will be subject to a $20.00 service charge. We cannot put checks through twice. If a check is returned, you will be notified verbally and in writing. A replacement check will be issued immediately.

Late Payment: A $10.00 late payment fee will be assessed if the payment is not received by Monday morning upon arrival. If payment is two weeks late, service will be suspended to your family until the balance is paid in full.

Late Pick Up Fees: Late pick up fees will be assessed as indicated on your contract.

SMOKING IS PROHIBITED All children must be escorted into the home by an adult and signed in and out. This person must have prior authorization, in writing, from the parent or legal guardian. Children up to the age of 6 or 60 pounds of weight are required to be in a proper car/booster seat. Children will not be released to anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Without the appropriate use of car seats, or the driver's use of alcohol or drugs, an unsafe transportation situation for children may occur. If the person insists on taking the child in such cases, we are required by law to report it to the police and we will do so.

If your child is involved in an accident at the Child Care Home, appropriate first aid will be given immediately. If it is determined that a physician’s care is needed, the parent will be notified immediately, and emergency card instructions will be followed. If parents or other designated persons listed on the emergency card are unavailable, the child will be taken to the nearest hospital for treatment, or 911 will be called.

With your help, updated current emergency cards are kept on file in the home. It is imperative that this information be completely accurate.

Health: 

For the health and well being of each child at the Child Care Home, we have several policies and procedures that are strictly followed. Please read these carefully.

Parent’s Report:
Each child enrolled in the Child Care Home must have a form completed by a parent/guardian, stating the child is healthy and free from communicable disease, including a negative TB test. These forms must be received before the child attends the first day.

Immunizations:
Each child must have a record on file of current immunizations and TB tests. Children’s’ TB tests and immunizations must be kept up to date. We ask that you keep us informed of the status of new immunizations and TB tests.

Daily Health Check:
Your child’s health status will be checked each day. Although this health check may be informal, if your child appears to be showing signs of illness, a more formal evaluation will be completed. (Temperature checks, check for swollen glands, rashes, or sore throat, etc.) If it is determined that the child is ill, the parent will be called and expected to pick up the child within a reasonable time. (Generally one (1) hour).

Exclusion from Day Care Home:
Children may be excluded from care if symptoms such as rash, high temperature, diarrhea, signs of infection, etc. appear.

Nutrition: Balanced breakfast, lunch and snacks will contain as a minimum, food components and quantities established by federal guidelines.

 Family style eating is an integral part of our mealtime. Children are encouraged to serve themselves and to be actively involved in setting the tables and cleaning up.

Please do not bring junk food (i.e. candy, popcorn, nuts, cookies, cake or gum, etc.) into the Child Care Home. Any food such as special diets should be dated and clearly labeled with the child’s name.

Clothing:

While at the Child Care Home, the children are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities both indoors and out. These activities may include running, jumping, painting, water-play and sand-play. In order for children to participate freely, it is best to dress them in play clothes and sneakers.

Children must be dressed upon arrival. We also ask that children have an extra set of clothing in their cubby. This should include a jacket, pants, shirt, underwear, diapers, socks and shoes.

The Child Care Home is not responsible for any toy, book, jewelry, money, or any other personal belongings brought to the home.

Illness

Children showing any signs of illness will not be permitted in the Child Care Home. If your child is absent due to illness, the following guidelines will be useful to you.

* Call and inform the provider of the absence and the reason. If your child has a communicable disease, we must notify other families.

* Seek a physician’s help if the symptoms are persistent or serious, or if you have any doubts about the symptoms.

* If medication is prescribed, be sure to have the physician sign the medication release.

* Children with fevers must be excluded from care for at least 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal.

All children in attendance must be healthy enough to participate in all activities; therefore if a child is not allowed to play outside, please do not bring them to the Child Care Home.

If your child requires medication, please fill out a Medication Dispensing Form. The release must be complete, and signed with full instructions as to administration procedure and dosage of each medication. This must be on file at the Child Care Home before any medication will be given. All medication to be administered must be in the original containers.

Policies:

Sign In and Out:
Each child must be escorted into the home, and their presence acknowledged by a provider before the parents may leave. Children will be released only to those persons authorized by the parent and designated on the child’s release form.

Absences:
Please notify us as soon as possible if your child is going to be absent for the day. NO payment credit or make up days are given for absences.

Withdrawal from the Child Care Home:
Parents are required to notify the provider by giving a written notice at least two (2) weeks prior to withdrawal of their child.

Withdrawal by the Provider:
The Provider reserves the right to terminate the contract at any time.

Provisions for Terminaton:
* In the sole judgment of the provider, the child’s behavior threatens the physical or mental health or well being of one or more of the other children at the Child Care Home
* Any Payment owed by the parent remains unpaid as stated in the LATE PAYMENT section. On more than three (3) occasions within any thirty day (30) period:
* * In the sole judgment of the Provider, child evidences obvious symptoms if illness, including but not limited to, runny nose, fever, or vomiting, when brought to the Child Care Home.
** Or, parent fails to pick up the child from the Child Care Home promptly, when notified by the Provider that the child is ill.