First Baptist Nashville Child Development Center

The Child Development Center will provide a transition plan during teaching staff turnover that minimizes disruption for the children and fosters a stable age and developmentally appropriate learning environment. - Teaching staff is expected to give at least a two-week notice prior to terminating employment.

- Teaching staff will be hired expiditiously so that there is a period of new time where both the departing and new teacher is on staff.
- New teaching staff will receive 12 hours of training / orientation prior to the departure of the teaching staff.
- New teaching staff will be introduced to staff, parents and children by observing daily routines, interaction with children during activities, and reviewing the children’s files.
- New teaching staff will complete the transition by assuming increasing amounts of teaching responsibilities as the transition period nears conclusion.
 

First Baptist Nashville Child Development Center will be closed on the following holidays each year:

- New Year’s Day
- Good Friday
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day and the Friday following (the CDC closes at noon on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving)
- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (the day after Christmas may be added to this holiday depending on the church’s schedule)

Two to three additional days will be taken each year for Teacher In-Service Training.

If a holiday falls on Saturday, the preceding day will be observed as the holiday. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, the C.D.C. will be closed the following Monday.
 

First Baptist Nashville Child Development Center operates on a cost-recovery basis. Fees paid by parents represent the only source of income for the Center. An initial $50 enrollment fee must accompany the Application for Enrollment. It is non-refundable.

The weekly tuition fee is reviewed annually. Payment may be made weekly or monthly. Advance payment is required and is due by noon on Tuesday of each week of service or by noon on the first Tuesday of the month if monthly payment is preferred. For unpaid accounts, a notice letter will be sent home on Thursday as a reminder of the delinquent account. Payment MUST be received by the following Monday in order for the child to return to his/her classroom.

The number of weeks in a month is determined by the number of Mondays in the month. Example: If a month has five Mondays, that month is considered to have five weeks.

No reduction of fees will be made for weeks in which holidays or in-service days occur. However, families are entitled to claim two vacation weeks per year (September 1 - August 31). For those two weeks, half of the regular tuition will be due if the child is absent all week. The weeks do not have to be consecutive. It is the parents’ responsibility to notify the Director that a vacation week is planned.

Our Center staff is trained to use good listening skills and behavior management techniques. Redirection and time out are used routinely with the children. Actual time out is no longer than one minute per year of the child’s age. We do not deprive children of food, beverage, tolieting, or outdoor play as punishment. Corporal punishment by the Center staff is prohibited.

Please call us or send a note when changes in circumstance at home may affect your child’s behavior (Examples: a new baby, illness, death, etc.)

Encouragement is always given for appropriate behavior. When a child forgets how to behave, he is reminded of the correct behavior. If a child continues to misbehave, he is given a cooling down time in a quiet place. Emphasis is then placed on the positive behavior and the responsibility of living in a group setting.

If your child has continual behavior problems, you will be notified and a conference will be scheduled. If the problem is one that can be better met elsewhere, the Center reserves the right to dismiss the child following at least a two-week notice to the parents.

The Center is open from 7:00 a.m. until 5:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please take your child to the classroom and obtain a teacher’s acknowledgement of your arrival. Likewise, when you pick up your child, you should be sure the teacher is aware that the child is leaving. A daily sign-in/sign-out sheet is located in each classroom. Please let us know as early as possible if your child will be either late or absent. A late fee of $2 per minute applies past 5:45 p.m. and will be added to the charges of that week. The person whose name is on file with the C.D.C. must come for the child. The child will be sent home only with persons known by the staff and authorized to come for the child. The names of the individuals who may come for the child must be kept current by the parent(s).

The following procedure is required of the Child Development Center by Tennessee Department of Human Services:

If a parent (or other individual scheduled to pick up a child) arrives at the Child Development Center and shows any sign of a behavior that may place the child at risk, the following procedure will be followed:

- Teacher will immediately ask another C.D.C. staff person to come to her room if she is alone.
- Teacher will call the other parent or emergency contact person and advise him/her to come to the C.D.C.
- If above measure is not possible, the teacher will call police department and advise them of the situation and ask for help.
 

Children between the ages of six weeks and four years are eligible for admission to our Center. Parents desiring to enroll a child must make an initial visit to the Center and meet with the Director to tour the facility and discuss policy. An appointment may be scheduled by calling the Director at 664-6040.

A packet of forms will be given to the parent when the child has been accepted for enrollment. Some forms are for the parents’ information. Others are to be completed and returned on or before the first day of attendance.

As openings occur during the year, the places are filled from the waiting list. A written notice two weeks prior to the withdrawal of a child is required. If notice is not given, the parent will be held responsible for two weeks’ tuition.

In the event of an emergency situation that calls for complete evacuation of the church premises, the following evacuation procedures will be put into effect:

» Teachers and children will exit the building using fire drill guidelines.
» If needed, FBC vans will be used to transport children and staff to a designated area.
» Teachers will take roll books and emergency cards.
» Parents will be notified when teachers and children have been evacuated safely.

When notified of severe weather watches in our area, the director (or other person in charge, if applicable) will notify all teachers and request that the children play in areas away from glass doors and windows.

In the vent of a severe storm warning, groups will go to designated areas of the building with inside walls and away from glass doors and windows.

Infants: Lobby area in front of mural
1’s and 2’s: Hallway in front of CDC office
3’s and 4’s: Rainy Day Room (end of room nearest hallway)

If a tornado warning is issued for our area, all children will go, in orderly fashion, to the hallway in front of the CDC office.

Unannounced fire drills will be held at the Center. Fire drill purposes and procedures will be discussed with the children.

Procedure: Children will not take anything with them during the drill. The children will walk, single file, behind their teacher through the nearest exit and out Door 6. Outside, all CDC children will meet at the fence leading down to Lot D. Teachers in each room should carry their roll books, and check to make sure all children parent that day are accounted for. If a child cannot be accounted for, a staff member will immediately return to the building for that child.

Children in the Infant Room will be brought out in either one or two beds equipped with evacuation casters, depending on the number of babies present. The director will check each classroom, restroom, kitchen, and Rainy Day Room to verify that all children have been evacuated. Only at the director’s signal will everyone return to the building.

Upon re-entering, all children should be reassured of their safety.

 Parent Visitations
Our Center is focused on the child, while providing an environment that is supportive to both parent and teachers. Your involvement is encouraged. Parents are always welcome to visit our Center and are especially invited to participate in field trips and special events.

Parent Meetings
Parent meetings are held two times per year. The format for these meetings varies and may include brown bag lunch, parent education sessions and large group meetings. This is an opportunity for parents and teachers to get to know one another better, to make Center announcements (often involving policies), and to solicit parent suggestions and feedback. Additionally, guest speakers are often invited to address topics of interest to parents. We welcome suggestions for discussion topics; parent involvement is important to us.

Parent Conferences
Parent conferences are regularly scheduled once per year, usually in the Spring, and are also scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time by parent request. Together teachers and parents make plans and set goals for meeting the child’s individual needs.

Bulletin Boards
A parent bulletin board is located in the lobby of the Child Development Center. The bulletin board provides an information center for the posting of program information and announcements.

Newsletters
Monthly newsletters are distributed to families. These newsletters include program announcements, upcoming calendars and other information of interest to families.

Occasionally parents may ask teachers to baby sit. The Center does not encourage this practice and assumes no responsibility for employees after their scheduled work hours.

From time to time, our older children may take walking field trips. Proper adult / child ratios are always carefully observed.

We want to celebrate your child’s most special day. You are welcome to provide a simple treat for the class. Check with your child’s teacher to learn if any children have food allergies.

If you are planning a birthday party away from the Center, our teachers will be happy to distribute invitations only if the entire class is invited. If you opt for a party including just a few Center friends, please send your invitations by mail.

If your child is involved in a mishap that requires any type of attention or first aid, and the office does not feel you need to be called, you will be notified with an accident report. This form will advise you of what happened, where it happened, and what action was taken.

Children should wear comfortable play clothes and tennis shoes suitable for indoor / outdoor play. Children at our Center spend some time outdoors each day, weather permitting. Please check the weather report and dress your child accordingly.

Please provide an entire change of clothing for your child suitable for the season. Include socks and underwear. The clothing will be kept in reserve in your child’s classroom. Please put your child’s name on inside labels of clothing, including jackets, sweaters, caps, and gloves.

On Fridays, the children who desire to do so may bring something for “show and tell.” The staff is not responsible for damage or breakage but will make every effort to protect each child’s item.

Please do not allow your child to bring money, gum, candy, or toy weapons of any kind to the Center.

Our Center follows the guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Nonspecific conditions for which exclusion from child care is required includes:

» diarrhea
» fever of 100 degrees or higher
» vomiting
» Mouth sores
» unexplained rash

Children showing signs of illness should be kept at home. If a child becomes ill during the day, you will be notified. The child will be isolated and must be picked up by the parent (or person authorized by the parent) as soon as possible.

Medications may be given to a child by the Center staff only with written permission from the child’s parent. Please be sure all medicines — prescription and over-the-counter — are labeled with your child’s name. Only the child for whom the medicine is prescribed will be given the medicine. The Center staff may not administer any type of fever-suppressing medication. A child with a fever is considered contagious, and suppressing fever can lead to the spread of illness in the Center. Medication must never be left in a child’s lunch box, diaper bag, or in reach of any child.

Please report any illness or exposures to communicable diseases to the Director or a staff member. The director will alert other parents.

In case of an emergency, attempts to contact the parents will be made; however, we will go ahead with any necessary emergency treatment. The child’s doctor will be notified and asked to meet the child and the teacher / director at the hospital. On-duty physicians will be used if the child’s doctor is not immediately available.

The Davidson County Health Department and the Department of Human Services require us to keep an updated record of your child’s immunizations. Please help us keep this information current.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services’ regulations stipulate that a child must receive a minimum of a 1-hour rest period. Children will observe rest time following lunch every day. Children are encouraged to sleep or lie quietly on their individual mats, which are provided by the Center. If possible, please try to schedule your child’s arrival or departure either before or after rest time.

Parents of toddlers and preschool children are expected to send a wholesome packed lunch to the Center every day. Milk will be provided at lunch. A morning snack and an afternoon snack will also be served. It is difficult to heat lunches for every child in a classroom. Please keep this in mind when packing lunches. Hot foods might be placed in a thermos to be kept warm until lunchtime. When your child is enrolled, you will be given a list of suggestions and ideas for wholesome lunches. Please note on your information form any food allergies your child may have. DUE TO THE INCREASING NUMBER OF CHILDREN ALLERGIC TO PEANUTS, our Center does not allow peanut products, including peanut butter.

Parents of infants are responsible for supplying the Center with all foods. Bottles (labeled with the child’s name) should be prepared in advance and stored in the classroom refrigerator. When children are ready for finger foods, teachers will encourage them to feed themselves.

In the event of severe winter weather, the Center will make every attempt to remain open or will operate on a modified schedule. If, however, the weather creates extremely dangerous conditions for our families and our staff, we may close. A voice message will be left on the Center phone by 6:00 a.m. in case of a closing. If inclement weather occurs during a day already in progress, a message will be left regarding early closings. You may also watch Channel 4 for news of Center closings once inclement weather happens.

The grievance policy for parents is designed to help resolve conflicts in an effective, humane and professional manner. Using a positive approach along with a professional demeanor will allow conflicts to be resolved in a climate of mutual support and cooperation. When conflict occurs, the following procedures should be followed:

» Parents are encouraged to think carefully about the conflict situation and define clearly the concern or problem.
» Parents should first talk with the person with whom the conflict exists. Clearly communicate your concern, listen to the teacher’s perspective, and discuss various solutions to the problem.
» In the unlikely event that parent and teacher cannot arrive at a satisfactory solution, parents may make arrangements to discuss their concern with the Director. If a satisfactory solution still cannot be reached, the Minister of Children of First Baptist Nashville may need to be involved. The Minister of Children’s decision will be final.

Teachers welcome daily communication with you. If you need to speak at length with your child’s teacher (by phone or in person), please send a note with your request. The teacher will call you during rest time or in the evening. Parents may visit the Center at any time and are encouraged to do so.

All staff is required to complete a minimum of eighteen (18) clock hours of training in child development, early childhood education, health/safety or other related fields. Included in the 18 hours will be CPR and First Aid training.