Family Handbook:
Additional Program Information
Table of Contents
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Rights of Children:
Children receiving Child care from Child Care Facilities have the following rights.
- Children must be free from emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse, neglect and exploitation.
- Each Child has the right to freedom from harmful actions or practices that are detrimental to the Child’s welfare, and to practices that are potentially harmful to the Child.
- Each Child has a right to an environment that meets the health and safety standards in this rule.
- Each Child must be provided Child care services without discrimination to race, age, national origin, religion, disability, sex or family composition.
- Children must be treated with dignity, consideration and respect in full recognition of their individuality. This includes the use of developmentally appropriate practices by the Child Care Facility.
- Each Child has the right to the implementation of any plan of service that has been developed for that Child in conjunction with community or state agencies by the Child Care Facility.
- Each Child has the right to Developmentally Appropriate activities, materials, and equipment.
- Children with disabilities have the right to reasonable modifications to Child Care Facility policies and practices.
Tobacco-Free, Drug-Free and Alcohol-Free Environment Policy
The purpose of the Tobacco-Free, Drug-Free and Alcohol-Free Environment Policy is to remove exposure for children, staff and families while in the Head Start/Early Head Start program. There will be no smoking or use of tobacco products in or within a 50-foot radius of Head Start/Early Head Start Centers including leased spaces where the Program operates. This also includes entry areas, parking lots, grassed areas, woods, sidewalks, vehicles, and driveways. Head Start/Early Head Start centers will assure that children are not exposed to secondhand smoke by establishing a “Tobacco-Free-Zone” around all areas used by Head Start/Early Head Start. When we come to your home, please consider the staff member’s health by not smoking during the visit and keeping pets secured until the staff member has left. It is against the law to smoke in a motor vehicle when a minor under 16 years of age is present. The law applies even if the windows are open.
Weapons Policy
In accordance with York County Community Action Corporation’s policy, deadly weapons, including concealed firearms, are prohibited on all YCCAC premises.
Car Seat Safety
Head Start/Early Head Start staff is required by both policy and Maine State law to assure that children are secured correctly in the vehicle as they arrive and depart from the Center. When a staff person sees that lack of or improper use of a restraining device threatens a child’s safety, they will:
- Provide you with educational materials and resource information, including where to get free or low-cost devices and a car seat inspection;
- Remind you that proper use of a child restraint is the law. Staff members are directed by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to notify the police when a child is not properly secured in a vehicle. This offense is reportable to DHHS.
Mandatory Reporting: Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting
There are laws in place for the safety and protection of your child. If any Head Start/Early Head Start staff has reasonable cause to suspect that any child has been or is likely to be abused or neglected, staff are mandated to report their concerns to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). This includes cases of domestic violence. If a report is made, either by our Program or an outside source, our staff will assist you through the process. Together we will work with you and Child Protective Services.
Mandatory Reporting: Domestic Violence and Order for Protection from Abuse
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- Children do not have contact with any person prohibited to be around them at any Head Start/Early Head Start center/function;
- Children enrolled in our Program are not released to any person who is prohibited from having contact with them as ordered by the court;
- When staff is aware of any violation of an Order for Protection from Abuse, either in the home or at the Center, they are responsible to report it to their immediate supervisor and that person will determine the next step.
Use of Pesticides
Pests can pose significant problems to people, property and the environment. Pesticides pose similar risks. Children face greater potential for health effects resulting from pest and pesticides exposure. By reducing reliance on pesticides and practicing low risk control options, everyone will benefit. When it is determined that pesticides must be used, the least hazardous materials and methods of application will be chosen. All pesticides will be handled by professionals, following State and Federal law and all parents will be notified.
Lead Testing
Growing up in a healthy home is an important part of your child’s development. Test your child and home for lead to prevent lead poisoning. Learn more about lead poisoning impact on your child’s development in the APPENDIX: Lead Poisoning. Talk to your Family Liaison to receive a Lead Testing Kit, provided for free from the State of Maine.
Professional Boundaries
Staff have professional boundaries and are not allowed to participate in your personal life, including, but not limited to:
- Providing private care for your child(ren);
- Attending non-work-related functions;
- Engaging in romantic relationships;
- Writing letters regarding child custody issues;
- Become your social media “friends” and “followers” during the time your child/ren is enrolled in the Program;
- Providing personal contact information;
- Receiving gifts of any value unless it is something made by your child for their Teacher or Liaison.
Confendiality
Families participate in our Program in many ways; we ask that as you participate, you respect the privacy of the children, families and staff, both at the Center and in your conversations out in the community. Sometimes specific child or family information, shared in an innocent exchange, may be hurtful or damaging (example: a conversation in the grocery store about a child who attends the Program when the family does not want that information shared). While at our Centers, if you hear or see something that is concerning to you, please speak to the Teacher privately and share your concern with them immediately. We appreciate your sensitivity to the rights and needs of our Head Start/Early Head Start community.
Staff members are also bound by confidentiality and are unable to discuss any information with parents and volunteers about other children and families in the Program.
Data gathered by Teachers and parents is used:
- To show growth of our classrooms in meeting School Readiness Goals program-wide;
- For reports to Administration, Policy Council and YCCAC Board of Directors;
- To guide our Program for continuous program improvement.
To ensure confidentiality, the Program will:
- Keep all records in locked file cabinets and/or secured computer systems;
- Not release any information verbally or in writing to anyone outside of York County Head Start/Early Head Start unless the parent/guardian has given written permission;
- Only disclose records without written permission, if ordered by the court or in the case of reporting suspected child abuse or neglect.
Table of Contents
History
Mission
The People at the Program
Transportation
Arrival and Pick Up
Attendance and Absences
Suspension and Expulsion
Cancellations and Delays
Outdoor Activities
Field Trips
Celebrations and Diversity
Open Door Policy
Curriculum and Assessment
Learning Genie
School Readiness
Educational Home Visits
Dual Language Learner
Special Services
Behavioral Health Services
Transitions
Parent and Family Engagement
Policy Council
Family Linkz
Classroom Family Engagement
Volunteer
In-Kind
Breastfeeding
Special Diets
“No Food IN- No Food OUT” Policy
Sleeping
Pacifiers
Diapering
Toilet Training
Exclusion due to Illness
Management of Communicable Diseases
Medications
Over-the-Counter Products and Medication
Head Lice/Fleas
Emergency Preparedness Procedures
Serious Injury
Incident Reporting
Rights of Children
Tobacco-Free Policy
Weapons Policy
Car Seat Safety
Mandatory Reporting: Child Abuse and Neglect
Mandatory Reporting: Domestic Violence
Use of Pesticides
Lead Testing
Professional Boundaries
Confidentiality
Centers’ Capacity
Classrooms’ Location and Hours of Operation
Temporary Exclusion due to Illness
CACFP
CACFP Non-Discrimination Statement
Sample Daily Schedule
In-kind Ideas
Sample Monthly Menu
Oral Health Tips
Lead Poisoning Prevention