Family Handbook: Program Policies
Table of Contents
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Transportation
York County Head Start does not provide transportation to the children in the Program. Parents/Guardians are responsible for transporting their child in a safe manner (see Car Seat Safety in General Information section).
The only transportation provided through our Partnership Agreement with the Biddeford School Department is for the students at our Head Start classroom at JFK Memorial School in Biddeford.
Arrival and Pick up
It is important for each child to participate in our full day routine and transitions. In order to support your child and build their routines, we encourage your timely arrivals and pick-ups. Check with the Teacher or the Family Liaison if you are unsure about the exact drop off and pick up times of your child’s classroom.
! Chronic tardiness to pick up or drop off will result in a need for an Attendance Plan.
We value the relationship between teachers and parents/guardians and, at the same time, we know drop off and pick up times are busy for the teachers and they may not be able to give you their full attention. We encourage you to plan alternative ways/times to communicate necessary information regarding your child with the teacher.
Arrival
When you bring your child to the Center, please remember the following:
- When entering a classroom, you must put on shoe covers if it is an EHS classroom
- Assist your child in washing their hands;
- You, or the person dropping off your child, must sign your child in every day.
Pick up
You must notify the Center of any changes in who is authorized to pick up your child and ensure that these changes are reflected on the Emergency Contact and Parent Authorization form. In a situation where someone else needs to pick up your child, you must notify the teacher ahead of time.
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- We will only allow a child to leave the Center with an authorized person listed on the Emergency Contact and Parent Authorization. If the authorized person picking up your child is unfamiliar to the staff they will be asked to show a valid photo identification before the child is released; they will also be asked to sign your child out.
- Children will only be allowed to be released to adults over 18 years old.
Occasionally, a situation may arise in your schedule that changes your child’s pick-up time; under such circumstance, please let the teacher know in advance when possible. In this case, it is an expectation that you will arrange for someone else on the emergency list to pick up your child.
Head Start does NOT collect late pick up fees.
! The following steps will be taken when a child is not picked up at classroom closing:
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- Two staff will remain with the child;
- Attempts to contact parent(s)/guardian(s) will be made. If parent/guardian cannot be reached, emergency contact numbers will be called;
- If parent/guardian or emergency contacts cannot be reached within 30 minutes, staff will call the police. After the child has been picked up, a second call will be made to update the police.
Attendance and Absences
As a guardian, you hold the key to your child’s success in school and life. Kindergarten readiness is the key to your child’s school success throughout their educational career and systematic absence predicts low levels of academic achievement throughout high school.
To provide the best possible Program we need staff and families to work together. Head Start program Performance Standards (HSPPS) require us to closely monitor your child’s attendance. If your child is absent for 3 or more days in a month, staff will set up a meeting with you to discuss their attendance. During this meeting, an Attendance Improvement Plan may be developed in order to identify barriers to their attendance. Head Start limits the practice of withdrawing children from the Program due to attendance and irregular drop offs; however, if a barrier to attending on a regular basis is not resolved, a child may be withdrawn until attendance limitations are addressed. Addressing limitations do not result in an automatic enrollment back into the Program.
! If your child will be absent because of unforeseen circumstances or planned family events, it is your responsibility to inform your Family Liaison and Teacher before class begins. You can call your child’s classroom or send a message through Learning Genie. Failure to report your child’s absence will result in phone calls to you, alternatively, your emergency contacts, and after 3 days of absence without family contact, a Child’s Well-being Visit to your home to inquire why your child was absent.
Planned vacations and other family events are still considered absences and counted towards the number of missed days in a month.
Suspension and Expulsion of Children
York County Head Start prohibits and limits the practice of suspension or expulsion of enrolled children but may limit participation in the Program for children on Attendance Plans.
Cancellations and Delays
The Annual Program calendar provided to families includes planned closures, such as holidays, school vacations, and staff events. However, for the safety of children and staff and the quality of care we provide, occasionally we will have to close or delay opening a classroom, one or more of our Centers, or the whole Program. The changes of our hours of operation will be promptly communicated with the impacted families and we will have ongoing communication when the classroom/Center/Program will reopen.
Inclement weather: We follow the school district in which the Center is located for closures, delays, and early dismissals. If the schools in your area are cancelled due to bad weather, HS/EHS classrooms in that school district will also be cancelled. If York County Community Action Corporation (our parent organization) is closed but your school district is open, the classroom will follow the school system in the town where your child’s center is located.
Outdoor Activities and Dressing for School
Children will spend 45-60 minutes each day outside (weather conditions permitting).
Make sure that your child:
- Wears comfortable play clothes that are easy to wash;
- Has suitable seasonal clothes. This includes hats, mittens and boots;
- Has one extra sets of clothes to be left at the classroom with their name clearly marked. The clothes can remain in the classroom. Talk to your Liaison if your child needs outer wear;
- Wears shoes that are safe for running, climbing and playing.
Please note that we will make all attempts to go outside each day. If your child is too sick to play outside, we ask that you keep them at home until they are feeling better.
Field Trips
We aim to enhance the curriculum with occasional field trips that include both staff and parents.
Celebration and Diversity
Holidays/Birthdays are not celebrated as part of our Program. As a Program, we plan events that all children and families are able to take part in despite any differences there may be in religious, ethnic, and cultural beliefs. Some of these special days may include celebrations of learning, children and families, and many more.
Open Door Policy
York County Head Start/Early Head Start maintains an open-door policy for families. Families are welcome to visit or call anytime during operational hours.
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