The following is a series of excerpts from the “TDLC PARENT HANDBOOK” which was updated in April of 2013. They provide information not covered elsewhere in this website. For a complete copy of the Handbook –

It is difficult to tell how sick children are when they do not feel well. As a licensed childcare center, we are responsible for ensuring that children with obvious symptoms of illness are not accepted into the program until completely well. Children who have been absent because of illness or have been exposed to the contagious disease will need to be checked by the center staff as being illness free at the time of drop-off. The following guidelines, as well as staff discretion, will determine whether or not your child may attend the center or remain at the center on a particular day. Your child needs to be picked up within one hour once the staff has contacted you regarding your child’s illness. If you fail to retrieve your child within one hour’s time, you may incur a late fee equal to that of the late pick-up fee. If you are unable to pick up your child within the hour, make sure we have current and accurate information regarding additional persons who can meet this time frame and have your permission to pick up your child from the center. When you pick up your child you will be required to sign the Illness Survey. The Illness Survey will outline the symptoms the teaching staff documented while your child was at the center.

Reasons for excluding a child:

1. The illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in routine activities.
2. The illness requires more care than our staff is able to provide without compromising the health and safety of the other children.
3. The illness is any of the specifically diagnosed conditions listed below.

 Symptoms requiring excluding a child:

Infections spread easily among children. Please look for the following symptoms requiring exclusion of your child from the center.

1. Fever – a digital thermometer will be used to take your child’s temperature under his/her arm.  One degree will be added to the number registered on the thermometer to determine actual body temperature.  If the reading after adding one degree is 100.0 or higher, it is determined your child has a fever.
2. Fever along with behavior change or other signs of illness such as sore throat, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, earache, etc.
3. Symptoms and signs of possible severe illness – until medical evaluation allows inclusion. May include unusual tiredness, uncontrolled coughing or wheezing, sneezing, runny nose, continuous crying or anger, or difficulty breathing.
4. Diarrhea – runny, watery, bloody or uncontainable stool
5. Vomiting
6. Body rash with fever or unidentified rash
7. Sore throat with fever and swollen glands
8. Eye discharge – thick mucus or pus draining from eye, or pink eye (Viral conjunctivitis usually has a clear, watery discharge and may not require medication or exclusion.)
9. Head lice or nits (eggs)
10. Severe coughing – child gets red or blue in the face or makes high-pitched whooping sound after coughing
11. Yellow skin or eyes
12. Clings or cries excessively that is not usual for your child
13. Has difficulty breathing
14. Irritable, continuous crying requiring more attention that we can provide without compromising the health and safety of the other children (unable to participate in the class’ daily activities)

 Your child may return to the center only after he has been symptom free for 24 hours without medication. If you suspect your child has a bacterial infection (e.g., ear infection, sinus infection, bronchitis, etc.) please keep him/her home from the center until he/she has been seen by a physician and diagnosed. If a physician prescribes antibiotics for your child, he/she may only return to the center after a full 24 hours of receiving the first dose of antibiotic and is determined by the center staff to be illness free.

We understand that there are times when your child will need medication administered while at the center. As long as the following has been completed, we will administer your child’s medication (CCL manual – 101326/1-1-89)

1. All prescription and non-prescription medications shall be maintained with the child’s name and date.
2. All prescription and non-prescription medications shall be administered only with the written approval and instructions from the child’s parent/guardian and in accordance with label directions as prescribed by the child’s physician.
   
   • Written approval and instruction is given only when the Parent Consent for Administration of Medication form is completed.
   • All prescription and non-prescription medications must be kept in original container with the original label (including name of medication, directions/dosage and warnings).
   • For all over the counter medications you wish the center to give your child (i.e. fever/pain reducing cough, cold medication) a Physician’s Written Consent form for each medication must be on file.  The Physician’s Written Approval can be picked up in the office or by using the links below to print them out.

Notice: TDLC is a “PEANUT FREE AND TREE NUT FREE environment." 

Food allergies are becoming more common among young children. Young children often touch everything and put objects into their mouths which could spread the allergens. To help protect our students against severe allergic reactions resulting in anaphylactic shock, TDLC has developed a Peanut and Tree Nut Free Policy. 

Please do not send food containing peanuts or tree nuts of any kind to school. Tree nuts would include macadamia, brazil, cashews, almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, chestnuts, beechnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, gingko nuts, and hickory nuts. Sunflower and pumpkin seeds are OK to send for older children (they are not tree nuts). Peanuts are a legume and can cause severe allergic reactions for some individuals. Please do not send peanut butter or products containing peanuts. Soy and sunflower butter can be a substitute. Almond milk is not OK to send but soy milk is ok to bring for lactose intolerant children. If you have questions, please contact the office or speak with your child’s teacher.

If your child has an allergy, please discuss this with his/her teacher in detail. We will take the appropriate precautions to protect your child’s health.

If your child has allergies, please complete an Allergy Alert form describing the allergy and any plan of action you wish the staff to take in case of an allergic reaction.

If your child has any allergies or special dietary needs, please complete a "Child Allergy Alert form" (download below) and return it to the TDLC Office. This form will provide the staff with information about your child's needs and will let the staff know the appropriate plan of action in case of an accidental ingestion or any type of allergic reaction. Please sign and date the form.

Children attending TDLC will be treated with love and respect at all times. They will be listened to and have their physical and emotional needs met without coercion or punishment. Any form of physical punishment, mental or emotional cruelty towards the children will not be tolerated. We believe in discipline that is firm, yet loving. It is important for the teaching staff to work together as a team. The staff to help maximize the children’s enjoyment of the center’s program will use the following techniques consistently.

1. Setting limits. Children need to know an adult will take the responsibility of stopping unacceptable behavior until they are able to do so for themselves. Limitations are clearly defined and consistently maintained.
   • Children may not hurt or endanger themselves.
   • Children may not hurt or endanger others.
   • Children may not destroy property.
2. Teaching. Teaching the child about safety, care of property, good health habits, and consideration for others.
3. Decisions. Allowing the child to make as many decisions as possible within the necessary limits.
4. Explaining. Explaining the rules in a cheerful, sympathetic manner to make them understandable and acceptable to the child. Avoiding repetition. Be consistent, firm, and fair.
5. Understanding. Understanding the reasons for a child’s behavior (fear, fatigue, anger, curiosity, etc.) and helping them deal with their feelings in a more constructive way.
6. Enforcing. Enforcing the rules in a positive, non-personal way.

 Giving positive verbal rewards encourages accepting behavior. This reinforces a child’s good feeling about his/her behavior and serves as an example to the other children. Our objective relative to discipline is to help your child learn both self-control and expression of feelings in socially acceptable ways.

If the child does not follow the rules of the center or the teachers’ directions, the following discipline actions may be taken.

1. Regaining Control. If a child is being disruptive, hurtful or not responding to the teachers’ request to follow the rules then the child will be removed from the situation to regain control of his/her actions. During this time the child will not be out of the teachers sight and if at all possible, the teacher will sit with the child and positively help the child regain control and think of more appropriate ways to deal with the situation. When a teacher removes a child, they will talk with the child and explain why he/she was removed and that when the child feels he/she is ready to join the activity the child may make that choice. This puts the child in control of what is happening to him/her. He/she is not left to sit for a determined amount of time, waiting for an adult to say when he/she is ready to return to the group. If a child, who has been removed, re-enters the group and is still not able to control him/herself, the teacher may remove him/her again, repeating the steps until control and an understanding has been developed.
2. Sent to the Office. If regaining control in the classroom is not effective, the child will be sent to the office to discuss the problems with the office staff. This is used as a last resort.
3. Disciplinary Reports and Parent/Teacher Conferences. If the behavioral problem is still taking place a disciplinary report will go home requesting a parent/teacher conference.

Continuation at the center shall be determined by periodic reviews and parent conferences with the Director and the teaching staff. The best interests of the child and the preschool group, however, shall be the final determining factors in continued enrollment. Parents are encouraged to share their questions and concerns and seek the advice and counsel of the teaching staff. In some situations, the Director and teachers may recommend that a child have a few days at home before returning to the center (Note: No tuition refunds are given for this time period.).

The policies listed below are a part of our Daycare Payment Agreement. Please read carefully.

1. The Daycare Payment Agreement is a legally binding contract between the parent/guardian and TDLC.
2. There is a non-refundable registration fee of $125.00 per child.
3. Daycare fees are paid either monthly (due on the first and delinquent by the fifth) or weekly (due on each Monday morning delinquent by Tuesday at 12:00 noon). Your child may not attend the center as of the sixth day of the month if your monthly fees have not bee paid. Your child may not attend the center as of Wednesday if your weekly fees have not been paid. Your daycare fees are due whether your child attends the program or is absent. There will be no make-up days.
4. Daycare fees paid late will incur a late fee of $15.00 plus $10 per week until tuition is paid for monthly fees paid after the fifth of the month or $10.00 when weekly fees are paid after Tuesday 12:00 noon.
5. Your child will attend the center on the same days each week.  Any variations from your regular schedule must be arranged with the Director in advance. For drop-in purposes, a form will need to be completed and submitted to the office for approval.
6. For the Morning Preschool program, students will need to be picked up by 12:30 p.m. or you will be charged a late pick-up fee of $5.00 (per family) for every five-minute period after 12:30 p.m.
7. If you need to change your child’s regular days they attend our school, please give TDLC a two week written notice. Schedule changes will need the director’s approval and can only be accepted if your child’s class can accommodate the new schedule. We do not save days.
8. If you are late picking up your child, you will be charged a late pick-up fee of $5.00 (per family) for every five-minute period after 6:00 p.m. Picking up late is defined as not out of the center with your child and his/her belongings by 6:00 p.m. Community Care Licensing does not allow us to take in any children before 7:00 a.m. or keep any children after 6:00 p.m. This late fee must be paid when the child is picked up or the next morning. If a child is picked up after 6:00 p.m. more than five times, the child may be dis-enrolled. A child not picked up within one hour of closing time (7:00 p.m.) is considered abandoned and the proper authorities can be called.
9. If you have a check returned by the bank, you will be charged a $20.00 returned check fee. Returned checks resulting in overdue daycare fees will be subject to the late payment fee as well as the $20.00 returned check fee. The reimbursement for the returned check plus the fees must be made in cash or money order. The center will not put a returned check back through the bank. If two checks are returned from the bank due to insufficient funds, you may be required to make all future payments in cash or money order.
10. There is a family discount of 5% off the total tuition for families having more than one child enrolled in the center at one time.
11. You must give TDLC a two-week notice in writing prior to terminating your child’s enrollment. If you fail to do so, you are still obligated to pay the full two-week’s fees.
12. If your child must be dis-enrolled from the program there will be no refund of your paid tuition.
13. The adult responsible for dropping-off or picking-up a child must sign the child in and/or out using his/her full name (first and last of the adult and child) and completing the correct time of drop-off or pick-up (CCL-101229.1). If a child is not signed in/out properly there will be a $5.00 per infraction charged to that child’s parents. This includes signing the Child Care Links Daily Attendance sheets for applicable families.
14. Daycare fees are paid based on a yearly tuition rate divided into equal payments whether weekly, monthly, or bimonthly according to the contracted schedule listed on the admission agreement. Your child’s regular tuition fee is paid regardless if the school is closed (holiday's, teacher workdays) or your child is absent for any reason (vacation or sick).

Communication is key between parents and caregivers. Therefore, in order to assure thorough communication at TDLC, we have created a no cell phone policy within the center. This is to include all classrooms, restrooms and play yards. If you are on a call at the time of drop-off or pick-up, please terminate your call before entering the center. If your phone rings while you are on site, please allow your voicemail to answer the call.

The children at TLDC have exposure to many different activities and materials. The outside play area consists of grass, cement, sand, gravel, and fibar/wood chips. We have found that for some children wearing sandals becomes uncomfortable because the ground cover easily gets between the shoe and the foot. Although we do not require your child to wear athletic shoes, we do suggest them for your child’s comfort.  (No thongs/flip flops.)

Your child will be active both indoors and out. It is important for your child to be dressed in comfortable, washable play clothes that will adapt to food spills, paint, sand, and water. We ask that you label jackets, sweaters, hats and other clothing that might be taken off while at the center.

Please keep a set of extra clothes at the center for your child in case a change is needed. Several sets may be needed in the infant/toddler classes and during toilet training. Wet clothing will be sent home and another set of extra clothes will need to be brought in the next day.

Your child may be encouraged to bring things from home that is a part of the weekly theme. (Some classrooms also have designated share days.) Please label the items brought to ensure their safe return. We discourage your child from bringing any other toys or “treasures” from home to limit potential loss and breakage. All of your child’s clothing should be labeled. Should your child lose clothing or a possession, check with her/his teacher or the Director immediately. We try to help your child take care of personal items, but we cannot be responsible for the damaged or lost items.

Your child’s day at the center is planned to provide many exciting active learning experiences. A rest period/nap (usually 2 – 2 ½ hours) is scheduled each day to balance the active times. Please provide a blanket and sheet, but do not bring sets that are valuable to school. Your child may also want to bring a pillow and/or stuffed animal (please clearly label all items with your child’s name). These items will go home at the end of each week to be laundered and brought back the following week. If your child’s nap items need to go home each night, please inform your child’s teacher ahead of time.

Our center is licensed by the state of California. The license is posted in the office. We are periodically inspected by our regulatory agencies to ensure the best care for your child in the areas of health, safety, and specific requirement mandated by the state standards. We value our partnership with the state agencies and support their commitment to quality childcare. We are required by law to report suspected child abuse/neglect to the proper authorities. We are required to keep specific and up-to-date forms in each child’s file, and appreciate your cooperation in completing and returning forms when needed.