Dependable Kid Care Policies

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Hours, Rates, Fees, and Termination Policies:

* Dependable Kid Care is open Monday-Friday from 8:00a-4:30p

* $75 yearly registration fee required for each child enrolled. 

* Weekly Tuition is agreed upon at the time of admission and is based on hours needed. 

* Before/After School children's tuition is a minimum of $25 per day.

* Rates may be raised on a yearly basis.

* Payment is due by 9am on Friday Mornings for the week. There is a $25 charge for a returned check and a $15 per day late fee if checks are not received on Friday mornings. This is strictly enforced.

* There is an overtime charge if you are late to pick up your child, the rate is $10 per hour (until 4:30 pm), and payable at the end of the week (may be enclosed in weekly check). After 5:00 pm the overtime fee is $2 every 5 minutes late.

* 2 week notice will be given to the parent should I plan to discontinue care.

* 2 week notice is required when taking a child out of care.

* Cash only upon termination and 2 weeks notice or 2 weeks paid.

* Termination/Vacation Pay - if your two weeks notice is given within 60 days (2 months) of a scheduled vacation, the vacation is to be PAID along with your final two weeks tuition.

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Drop Off and Pick Up Policies:

* In order to ensure good relations with my neighbors, I ask that during early morning drop-offs and evening pick-ups, children enter and exit the daycare home in a reasonably quiet manner.

* Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make the transition time of coming or going any easier for your family. Please be courteous about the time I open for business and close for the day.

* Let me know any special instructions for the day upon your arrival; feel free to text me or put them in writing if you think you will be under any time constraints.

* I will be happy to help your child take off his/her coat, boots, etc., if you would like.

* If your feet are wet or muddy, please remove your shoes before coming further than the door.

* During business hours, feel free to visit at anytime, call or text upon your arrival so we can open the door, as it will be closed for safety during most of the day (with the exception of school bus times and common drop off and pick up times)

* When picking up your little one, please be sure to collect any belongings, medications, crafts, etc., before you leave.

* I’d appreciate your assistance in maintaining the rules at drop off and pick up time. For example, no hitting, biting, pushing, etc. Sometimes for attention, children feel this is the time to test limits. We can discuss, prior to enrollment, who (parent or provider) you would like to handle the misbehaviors during these times.

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Medical Policies:

* A copy of your child’s most recent physical, immunization records, and lead test, should be obtained from your child’s pediatrician. Parents must return these forms to the provider within 30 days of enrollment. Annual updates will be distributed yearly and must be completed and returned promptly.

* I will notify the parent immediately when a child develops any of the following symptoms of illness: vomiting, diarrhea, and/or a temperature over 100 degrees. Parents are expected to pick up their child in a timely manner.

* According to state regulations I am not allowed to care for a child that is vomiting, has severe diarrhea or an oral temperature over 100 degrees. A child who has these symptoms should not return to daycare until 24 hours after the symptoms subside. It is not fair to the sick child, my assistant, my family, or the other children who are in my care (some of whom maybe medically compromised) I understand that these policies can be inconvenient at times but I must protect the health of all the children in my daycare home.

* Sick days will be paid if your child is kept home sick.

* If a child is sick with a communicable disease, I cannot accept the child and payment is still expected.

* RX medications to be given during daycare hours require a written order form from the physician (can be found on the label of the original RX container.) A written note from the parent and the medication in its original container is also necessary.

* OTC medications must be in original container and a written note or yearly permission form must be signed by parents.

* When an Epidemic Infection occurs (which may include, but not limited to Hand Foot and Mouth (HFM), Fifth's Disease, Influenza, Strep Throat, or head lice) a pediatric medical practitioner will be consulted and will advise DKC families according to State standards. Parents MUST follow the outlined guidelines for the particular type of infection. Steps to resolve the matter must be taken promptly. Documentation may be required from your child’s pediatrician prior to your child’s return to daycare. Provider has the final say as to when a child can return from such an infection in order to protect the other students from an outbreak. Days out as a result of such infections will be considered regular sick days for your child and payment will be expected.

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Meals:

* All meals and snacks to be served in accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture Child and Adult Care Food Program are:

Breakfast, AM Snack, Lunch, PM Snack

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General Daycare Policies:

* A 30 day trial period will be in place, so both provider and parent can get used to the child care arrangement. First time parents, especially, may find it more challenging to become accustomed to the way family child care homes are run. First, second, or third child, it is never easy leaving one’s child. Two weeks notice and/or two weeks paid, is still required. This trial period allows for either provider or parent to end the contract without any hard feelings should the arrangement not work, for whatever the reason.

* Infant one on one time is extremely important in the development of newborns, as is visual and social stimulation. In the family child care setting it is important for parents of infants to understand that I provide each child with the same amount of love and attention. One on one time is given as needed. I always try my best to work around an infant’s feeding schedule from home; nevertheless with 6-10 children, routines are sometimes altered.

* Children may bring personal belongings from home. They may be “security” items, such as blankets, special cuddly toys, which do not have to be shared with others. Other toys being brought in for the day must be shared with others or will be put up until it is time to go home. I am not responsible for toys brought from home. 

* If a child has a special toy and would like to bring it to daycare, I am not responsible for damage and/or loss. (I will make every effort to prevent this from happening.) I do ask that parents refrain from bringing toys which can be harmful to younger children i.e.: Legos, Barbie doll shoes, etc.

* If a DKC toy has been broken in the case of purposeful destruction, damage over $10 in value will be replaced or repaired by the parents.

* A diaper bag/backpack must be brought to daycare daily with a seasonably appropriate change of clothing (to send home notices and craft projects, etc). 

* Additional extra clothing, diapers, wipes, creams, etc., will be provided by the parents, please mark them with your last name or initials, I have room to store these items and will give you notice when it is time to refill your child's supply.

* We have a lost and found. Feel free to check it whenever you wish, for items left behind.

* Travel is one area that sometimes raises concern with parents. At DKC we travel by car often. My children/grandchildren are very active with their schools, sports, and other community service activities. To enable my children/grandchildren these opportunities, as well as my love for children, are two of the reasons I began providing child care. I ask that parents review their feelings about car travel as this is not an area with room for much change. We as a daycare are also very active and enjoy field trips on a regular basis. Children will be securely fastened in an appropriate child restraint system whenever transportation is required. 

* Communication and trust are undoubtedly the most important factors in childcare. Parents and providers agree to bring up and discuss any concerns as they arise. I thank you for entrusting the care of your child with me; it is understandably a difficult process, to meet with and finally decide upon the person or center you feel most comfortable and at ease with. Complete trust is expected from all families enrolled in DKC. Rest assured, your child is in capable hands. I have raised my own three children from infants into healthy happy kids. As well, many daycare children have grown up happily with my assistance. Should any questions or issues arise it is imperative that you speak with me immediately; open and honest communication is of utmost importance and is necessary in a parent/provider relationship.

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* Finally, quality child care may seem expensive and hard to find, but please remember that daycare providers work very hard at what they do, as well as very long hours. Please do your best to pick up your children on time. And remember…your DAYCARE is your provider’s HOME.

 

* I will not discriminate in relation to admissions on the basis of race, creed, national origin, color, religion, sex or disability.

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**CURRENT COVID-19 Policies in place, please asked provider for your copy.

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Dependable Kid Care Closings, Vacation Days, and Holidays

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DKC’s vacations will include the following weeks:

* Christmas Vacation will generally follow the school calendar. (Generally the dates are December 22- January 2) this week will be PAID. Postdated check will be expected on the last day of care prior to vacation. Exact dates will be given out yearly.

* Summer Vacation will include 2 weeks in August (exact dates TBA, however DKC generally takes the first two full weeks in August). This vacation will be PAID. Postdated checks will be expected on the last day of care prior to vacation. Exact dates will be given yearly.

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Other Closings:

* Sick Days Provider will have 5 paid sick days per year, anything over 5 days will be unpaid, these days may or may not be used and will not carry over year to year.

* Bereavement Days will be paid closings (or limited available care) for the following family members: spouse and their parents and siblings, children and their spouses, grandchildren, parents, siblings and their spouses, and grandparents. All other bereavement days will remain unpaid at this time.

* Jury Duty will be paid.

* Additional Vacations/Days Off may be added with advance notice (minimum of 1-2 months). Additional vacations/ days off will be UNPAID.

* Termination/Vacation Pay if your two weeks notice is given within 60 days (2 months) of a scheduled vacation, the vacation is to be PAID along with your final two weeks tuition.

* Weather Related Closings for the safety of all our families the daycare reserves the right to close for weather related issues. If the Governor declares a State of Emergency and/or a driving ban for Essex County, or if the Mayor declares a state of Emergency and/or driving ban for the city of Haverhill, DKC will be mandated to be closed and payment expected.

* Emergency/Act of Nature Closings only once in the 25 years that I have lived here did this occur, however as some of you may remember, during the Mother’s Day storm of ’06, Western Avenue was evacuated due to the chance of flooding. We even had the National Guard here sandbagging houses. Some enrolled at that time were unaware of the procedures I must follow, so I would like to clarify at this time. Should Western Avenue be evacuated again, either mandatory or voluntary, so long as it is suggested by the city or state that flooding may occur on this road, DKC will be and payment . You will be kept updated on the river’s status and we will re-open as soon as the city or state deems Western Avenue safe.

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DKC will be CLOSED on the following PAID HOLIDAYS

 

 

Martin Luther King Day

President's Day

Patriot's Day 

Memorial Day

4th of July

Labor Day

Columbus Day

Veteran's Day 

Thanksgiving

Day After Thanksgiving

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

New Year's Eve

New Year's Day

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***(Please note that no additional holidays have been added since 2018.

The additional paid vacation(updated 2020) will be the first vacation change 30 years).

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For Enrollment Forms please download and print the following PDF:

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