Santa Maria Association of Family Child Care Providers

My Philosophy: Family Childcare is a unique and small environment; homelike, yet educational, a relaxed and natural learning place. Within this setting, my goal is to provide your child with developmentally appropriate activities, routines, and social situations that will foster growth of self-esteem. There are many teachable opportunities daily to nurture self-image, creativity, positive self-discipline and independence.

My personal goal for parents is peace of mind, knowing that our partnership is equally as important to the enhancement of your child’s safety and well-being.

First Day Blues: Adjustment to a new setting can be challenging for a child, as this may be a first time experience. Please feel free to stay with your child as needed. Share your feelings and suggestions so we can make the transitions comfortable for all concerned. 
I welcome visits, including your friends and family members, at any time during your child’s scheduled hours. Children will expect to leave with you so please plan on taking them with you afterwards.

Enrollment: Care will be provided Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 5:30pm, unless special arrangements are made. All forms must be completed before a child can be accepted into the program. Information must be kept current; please let me know of any changes as soon as possible. Immunization records must be up to date. I will do my best to assist you with the maintenance of these records. In January of each new year there will be an annual renewal of the Contract as well as general information paperwork.

Tuition: Tuition is due according to individual contracts, however, all tuition is due in advance of care. Every family is different which is why I do everything I can to accommodate everyone’s needs.

Tuition is paid to hold a space for your child’s attendance, therefore payment is due in full whether your child is out with an illness or absent for other reasons. You do not have to pay, however, if the facility is closed due to provider illness or provider’s child’s illness. I will do my best to provide alternative care when I can. If that is not possible and I have to close the facility, I will notify you as soon as possible.

Health: It is very important to adhere to the illness policy. Illness spreads quickly to the other children and myself. Although I do not offer care for ill children, I will accept children with mild colds, treated ear infections and low-grad fevers not over 101. If your child has had a temperature of 101 degrees, experienced recurrent diarrhea or vomiting within 24 hours, you will need to find alternative care. 

......If your child contracts a contagious disease or untreated condition such as chicken pox, measles, head lice, etc., they will need to see a physician before returning to care with a doctor’s release. I need to be informed of all illnesses, including those that occur during the weekend, as well as any communicable diseases with your immediate family. This information will help me to provide your child and the other children with a healthy environment.

Scratches and scrapes are inevitable when children play and will be treated by washing with antiseptic, water and a band-aid. 

......If you are notified that your child is too ill to remain in my care, please arrange for your child to be picked up as soon as possible. In the event of an injury you will be notified immediately. As well as a signed consent form for my files, I recommend that you also provide your physician/hospital with a signed consent form, so that your child will have access to prompt medical treatment. 

......If your child is taken to the hospital in an Emergency Vehicle, the parent or your insurance is responsible for the cost.

Nutrition: I am a part of the Santa Barbara County Food Program, so I follow their general nutritional guidelines with all of the meals and snacks I provide. I do, however, offer candy sometimes as “prizes” for being helpful when asked. I will try to limit these types of prizes to one per week. If for any reason you do not want this type of “prize” offered to your child, please let me know and alternative “prizes” will be offered. All meals and snacks are eaten together whenever possible. Children are taught to use social skills such as ‘please and thank you’ as well as clearing their spot and pushing in their chair. Children as young as 18 months are able to help with “clean-up” time, and all seem to enjoy the responsibility and at the same time are realizing their self-worth. 

......Breakfast is served from 8:00am until 8:30. Lunch is served from 12:00pm until 12:30pm. If you would like your child to receive breakfast, they will need to be dropped off by 8:15am in order for their meal to be prepared and eaten in time to finish by 8:30am. If they arrive after this time, it will be assumed they have already eaten breakfast. It is important that your child eats in the morning, so please be aware of this time schedule.

Safety: All persons picking up children must be on your authorized written list. In the event of an emergency, a telephone call will suffice. We cannot be in the middle of a custody dispute. If there is a restraining order or other court appointed custody arrangements, I will need a copy for your child’s file. 

......Children will not be released to anyone smelling of, or suspected to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If there is insistence on taking the child under these circumstances, I am required by law to report it to the police and I will do so. 
......Children up to the age of 6 or 60 pounds are required to be in a proper care seat/booster. Lack of the use of appropriate car seats can create an unsafe transportation situation for the child.

Curriculum: Between the hours of 8:30am and 12:00pm, Sara's Jump Start Child Care specializes in a full pre-school curriculum. We try to stick to a monthly them, but sometimes a theme will only be used for two weeks. Our pre-school schedule is as follows:

Due to the nature of children, all schedules are subject to change. We are very flexible with our schedules as well as our lesson plans and crafts.

Naps: Rest time is between 12:30pm – 2:30pm. This time gives your child an opportunity to relax and re-energize. Your child can bring a blanket for nap time, but dolls, stuffed animals, and any other toys will not be permitted to be brought to the facility. Although we are learning about sharing at this age, we have not yet mastered this skill.

8:30 – 8:45 ...................Free Play (Breakfast clean-up)

8:45 – 9:00................... Circle Time (Singing, stories, and sharing)

9:00 – 9:30 .................. Group Play (Dancing, walks, music, etc.)

9:30 – 10:00 ................ Center (Blocks, dramatic play, math, etc. – snack prep)

10:00 – 10:20 ............... Snack Time

10:20 – 10:30 ............... Clean-up (Infants have morning nap)

10:30 – 11:30................. Outdoor Play (Games, bikes, trampoline, etc.)

11:30 – 12:00................. Cleanup/wash up (Pick up yard, wash hands and face) 

12:00 – 12:30............... Art Time (Painting, crafts, coloring, gluing and cutting)

12:30 - ???................... Lunch Time 

General Information: On the bulletin board, I will post all licensing information, parent’s rights notifications, any facility updates, and daily information, notes to parents, and a monthly food calendar. Please check this area when dropping off and picking up your child. I will also be requiring ALL parents to sin their children in and out daily. A binder will be available at the entry on top of the cubbies with the sign in sheets inside sectioned alphabetically by first name.

Children still in diapers are provided with cubbies that are baskets on the changing table. All other children will be provided with a cubby for their personal belongings, which should include a full change of clothes including undergarments and socks. The exception to this rule is the school age children who will use their backpacks for their personal belongings.

No profanity will be allowed in childcare. All children and and adults are to speak respectfully to one another.

Should physical abuse or neglect be suspected, it is my professional and legal duty, under the State of California Law, to notify the Department of Social Services.

My door is always open for suggestions & concerns.

Welcome to Sara's Jump Start Family Child Care 

Jose & Sara Torres