~ Our Policies ~ Policies Growing Garden Day Care has a range of policies, and all parents are required to read these and agree to them in writing.

Activities and Procedures Our main emphasis of learning will be through play but children will be taught to enjoy arts and crafts, early maths, science, language and physical development. All children are offered equal opportunities in an atmosphere that reflects a balanced and coherent, progressive model of planned learning. Our Day Care works towards the Early Learning Goals as defined by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.

Health & Safety Health & Safety is of utmost importance and our Policy is being inspected by California Department of Social Services on a regular bases. We reserve the right to maintain records on your child and you may ask to view these at any reasonable time. Records will be kept secure and confidential but may be disclosed to California Department of Social Services.

Meals and Snacks, Special Dietary needs Children with allergies to specific foods or ingredients will be catered for but in some cases it may be necessary for us to require that you provide the Childs meals. There is a scheduled meal time in the morning, afternoon and evening. Careful consideration is given to what snacks should be given to the children. A daily meal menu will be posted on the board daily. Milk and Juice are the beverages served but water is always available to the children throughout the day. Bottles of formula milk for babies must be made up and labelled. These will be refrigerated. Drinks will be available at all times.

Administering of Medication Full details must be given in advance with a signed and dated request if our staff is to administer any medication. Details required will include name of medicine, dosage and times with any special instructions. Our programm of activities for your child will be based on respect as an individual as well as the group. This important period of their lives lays the foundation for the future and we work to create a balance between stimulus, rest and sleep.

Arrangements when a child is ill If your child becomes ill or unduly distressed during Day Care Hours, we will endeavour to contact a parent of the child so that arrangements can be made for early pick up. In the interests of other children and staff it will be necessary to exclude any child who has been diagnosed with certain contagious illnesses and diseases.

Toileting/Diapers Diapers and wipes must be provided for your child. Toilet training will so far as possible be handled in accordance with your specific requests and according to the developmental needs of the individual child.

Procedure for Picking Up the Children Children will be released only to the adults listed on the Consent form previously provided by you. Release to any other adult may occur with a written authorisation signed and dated by you, or by direct communication with the Day Care Manager. Identification may be requested at any time.

Spare Clothing and Footwear You are required to supply a spare set of clothing for your child and a pair of shoose. All items must be clearly marked with the childs name.

Sun Awareness In order to assist the Day Care to protect children from the sun, parents should provide a sun hat for use during Day Care hours. Children will be expected to wear this hat when outside in the sunshine. Play activities are monitored to ensure children have periods of time in areas of shade so as to prevent them from being overheated or dehydrated. Sun block will be applied if a written request has been received.

Care & Discipline Each and every child will be treated as an individual. A keyworker is allocated to each child whose responsibility it is to closely monitor your childs progress and welfare. In cases of 'anti social' behaviour, staff will endeavour to explain why such behaviour is unacceptable. The staff will use only positive guidance, redirection and the setting of clear-cut boundaries that will enable the child to become self-disciplined. Our aim is to encourage the children to be fair, respect property, respect others and to be responsible for their own actions. Discipline and guidance shall be consistent and based on an understanding of the individual needs and development of your child.

Administering of First Aid & CPR All staff hold a Basic First Aid Certificate, and have received instruction specifically covering the administering of first aid to infants and children. On-going training is in place. All accidents are entered in the Accident Report and will be signed by both a member of staff and counter-signed by the person collecting the child.

Growing Garden Daycare