Policies and Procedures
Because we are technically a licensed home day care, we meet all requirements under the Department of Health and Human Services. We comply with state regulations regarding fire safety standards, qualifications of providers, children's rights, staff supervision and staff ratios, record keeping, health, sanitation and safety. We have copies of these guidelines available, or you can review them online.Enrollment Procedures
Children are welcome at River School House regardless of race, color, religious background, or national/ethnic origin. Prior to enrollment, the prospective family may visit the school for a tour. Before the first day of the program, the following forms must be completed: the application form, enrollment and authorization forms, the Provider-Parent Childcare Contract, the Department of Health immunization form, and the USDA enrollment form. Once these forms have been completed and the first month's tuition has been paid, the child is formally enrolled. Parents will be asked to update information on relevant forms when necessary.Tuition
Children are admitted with the understanding that they will attend for the entire school year. If a child is not "settling in" to the program or if you are not satisfied, a two week notice is appreciated. By the 1st of each month, please bring a check payable to Meg Harpool. Weekly or payday payments may be arranged.Arrival and Departure Procedures
Upon arrival, each child will be signed in by the adult bringing him/her using the forms provided. If someone other than the signed parent or guardian is to pick up a child, a note will be either presented to the teacher, or a notation must be made on the sign-in form. At the end of the child's stay, he/she will be signed out by an adult. If an unauthorized adult arrives to pick up a child, the parents will be called to give verbal instructions.School Closings
Weather
Closings due to weather are concurrent with that of Yarmouth School District. Call 846-3258 or check local news stations for closing postings.Illness
In the event of moderate illness in the Harpool household, River School House will close until it is safe for reopening. Families will be contacted with as much notice as possible.Each day that River School House is closed due to weather or illness will be added to the end of the school year.
Guidance and Discipline Policy
We strive to provide a safe and peaceful learning environment for all children. Each child will be respected for the unique individual he/she is. Each day we will go over ways to be kind, respectful, and how to make beneficial choices. Children will be aware of the boundaries. Guidance will be provided to each child in a positive manner intended to help the child develop self-control and promote self-esteem and respect for others. Guidance and discipline will be fair, and applied in a consistent, timely manner. Children will be made aware in a non-demeaning voice that he or she has gone outside the limits of behavior expectations. The teacher will gain eye contact, and let them know that "that is not okay" with a quick reason, followed by a positive statement of redirection. We may also ask children how they could have handled the situation differently (i.e. using words instead of hands). If the inappropriate behavior continues, the child will be asked to accompany the teacher and have a time away from the group. If the child's behavior continues to be disruptive to the learning environment or poses a safety risk to his/herself or others, the parents will be contacted. If the child remains at risk, parents will be asked to remove the child for the remainder of the day. A conference with the parents will be scheduled to discuss the incident or situation, and an action plan will be developed.Diapers and Potty time
We are licensed to change diapers. I ask that if your child is in diapers, please drop him/her off with a fresh diaper. I follow strict sanitation guidelines for everyone's safety. A changing barrier pad may be purchased and used for your child exclusively each change (it will be kept here and sent home weekly to be washed). After each diaper change, our changing pad is cleaned with a natural disinfectant and the teacher then washes hands immediately. Each child also has a diaper/potty chart to show parents how the child's morning was in that area.At this age, children need to be reminded and encouraged to visit the potty. We will do our best to follow your needs in the potty training area. We accompany children to the bath room and never leave him/her unattended. If they want privacy, we stand outside the cracked door. (The discovery room and in the bath room can be monitored at the same time.)
Hand Washing Procedures
Proper hand washing requires the use of soap, friction to create lather, and thorough rinsing. Children and adults shall wash their hands after using the toilet. Staff will wash hands before and after changing a diaper. Hands will also be washed after wiping noses, assisting a child with toileting, changing a child's soiled clothes, and before and after snacks and meals. Each child and staff will have their own hand towels to dry their hands after washing.Nutrition
River School House strives to provide daily snacks that are healthy and organic. (Non-organic food may be served if an organic option is not available.) Any allergies will be respected, and handled with utmost attention.Storage and Handling Food
Daily snacks are prepared on-site with the highest attention paid to cleanliness. Food will be stored in clean, airtight containers. Opened refrigerated items will be labeled and dated to reflect the date opened and placed in the refrigerator. Snacks will be served to the children by a teacher once they are seated at the table. Children are allowed 2 servings of snack, and unlimited water. (or juice if provided) We will wash cups and plates after each use.Accident/Injury Documentation
Any time a child is injured at school requiring first aid or an adhesive bandage, an Accident/Injury Report Form is completed. A staff member will describe the injury and the assistance given. The form requires both the staff and parents' signatures. Once the form is completed, it is kept in the child's file.Emergency Plan
We will always have a phone on our person or within reach to use in case of emergency or if a parent needs to contact us. In case of an emergency, the following procedures will be enacted:Acute Illness or Injury:
If a child or staff becomes acutely ill, he/she will be separated from the other children and allowed to rest. Once settled in a separate area, vomit or other bodily fluids will be cleaned. The child's parent(s) will be contacted and asked to pick up the child as soon as possible. If the parent is not available, the child's emergency contact will be notified. If a child requires medical treatment, 911 will be called. If the injured or ill child requires transportation to a medical facility, an effort will be made to contact the parent before the child leaves the facility. However, the health of the child is the primary concern. The child will be transferred to the nearest hospital, which in the case of River School House is Maine Medical Center. Parents will be notified of all injuries happening on site. They will be informed of any first aid administered to their child. A written log of injuries, including the description of injury location, will be maintained.Fire:
Children will practice walking in a single file in case we ever have to evacuate the property. The children's files will be brought along so parents can be contacted. The cordless phone will be taken along. Once a month, we will practice an emergency evacuation plan. This will be designed to be fun for the children, to help prevent panic in the case of an actual fire. Severe Weather: In the case of severe weather, such as a lightening storm, the children will be kept indoors until the storm has passed. If the storm occurs during outside playtime, the children will be instructed to calmly return to the classroom.Holidays and Festivals
River School House offers an environment that respects the spiritual choices of others. The word "God" may be used in a general way in stories, songs or verses. Often our snack time blessings will include thanking our earth for giving us food, and farmers for helping to grow it. Holidays and festivals will be honored according to the sensitivities of families. A family may share how they celebrate a holiday with songs, stories, lighting candles, etc.List of Things Your Child Will Need to Bring
Each day, children should wear/bring appropriate clothes for the weather (snow gear for winter, sun hat for sunny days) Please label all items with permanent marker on tags.We ask that the following be brought the first day or prior. We will keep these items on hand for use and will let you know when we need re-stocking
- Slippers or socks
- Cup (for water) with name on it.
- If not potty trained, a package of diapers and wipes
- If in "pull-ups", a package of pull-ups and wipes
- Extra set of clothes, including socks (if potty training, more pants!)
Outdoor Time
Outdoor time will nearly always take place in the fenced yard of River House; however, with parents' permission we may take the short walks to see the horses at the farm 2 doors down. We can cut across the meadow without having to walk anywhere near the street.Visiting River School House
Parents are always welcome. This sometimes makes it a bit harder for the children to "get in the groove". Use your best judgmentParents' Right to Access
Parents have the right to access the school any time during the hours of operation. Please keep in mind that if you arrive in the middle of story time, circle time, and other activities, it may disrupt the children's rhythm and cause them to lose focus. If you have to pick up your child early, please let us know.Postings
In the discovery room, the following items are posted, as required by law:- The most current certificate
- Notice of any communicable disease outbreak
- Evacuation plan
Notice of required items available for review, such as the guidance/discipline policy, the current week's menu, the description of the general routine, and information on how to report a complaint.
We are flexible and open to your family's specific needs, be they cloth diapers, food allergies, a shy child or subtle changes in the home. I believe communication and connectivity between parents and childcare providers is necessary in creating a comfortable place for our children.
Without preaching or judgment, it is our goal to encourage healthy living for all of us!