Our staff is certified in Early Childhood Education, CPR and first aid training and all teachers have a CDA credential and past experience in the Child Care Profession.  As professionals we respect the role of the parents and will make any accommodations necessary to meets the needs of all children regardless of race, religion or culture.

ABSENTEEISM 

Please call the Child Care Center whenever your child will be absent for any reason.   This will provide available space for a child who is "on call" to visit.

PROGRESS REPORTS 

Periodically throughout the pre-school year, progress reports will be presented to each parent on progress of all areas of their child’s development.

ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE 

Upon arrival at the center, parent must sign in child's name, arrival time, and emergency phone number for the day and any special instructions on the sign in/out forms.  For departure, the parent must sign the child out by recording their signature and departure time.  Should another person be authorized to pick up the child, the authorized person's name should be on the Enrollment Form, otherwise a written permission slip or phone call to the Child Care Coordinator shall be acceptable.  The driver's license of the authorized person will be requested for verification.  This is to ensure the safety of your child.  

Separated parents:  Legal documents must be presented to deny the other parent from removing the child from the facility.

Child Care Choice clients must sign in on separate sign in/out form provided on front desk.

BIRTHDAYS 

Refreshments may be brought to celebrate your child's birthday.  Please inquire as to the number of children in your child's group.

BUSINESS HOURS 

The center is open Monday through Friday, from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.   

EXTENDED HOURS

We will extend care until 7:30pm to accommodate “on shift” employees only, with advance notice.  The Child Care Center needs to be called by 7:00pm if “on shift” employee is going to be after 7:30pm.

CHANGE OF CLOTHING 

For your child's comfort, we ask that a complete set of clothing, clearly labeled with your child's first and last name on each item, be kept at the center in case of spills or accidents.  We cannot replace lost clothing, so please do not send "dressy" clothes.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES 

At any time your child is being tested for an intestinal infection (e.g., Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter or Giardia), they will be required to not attend the center until we have two (2) negative reports form your physician or the Health Department.

DISCIPLINE 

Every effort will be made to encourage a pleasant learning experience.  Positive reinforcement promotes appropriate behavior in children.  The Disciplinary Guidelines will be enforced for disciplinary action.

DRESS AND GROOMING 

Appropriate dress, grooming and cleanliness are required of each child daily.  Closed-toe shoes, long pants/shorts and shirts with long/short sleeves (depending on the weather) should be worn.  Shorts must be worn under dresses that are above the knee.  Please avoid "dressy" clothes, hard to unbutton or unbuckle clothes, and clothes that restrict your child's freedom to move, to explore, and to get "messy in." 

EMERGENCY 

In case of an emergency involving your child, every effort will be made to notify you immediately.  At least one person having first aid/CPR training is on the premises at all times.  If emergency treatment is necessary, your child will be treated at Florida Hospital/Waterman, unless otherwise requested in writing.  Also, be sure that the center has current emergency instructions and phone numbers for your child.  It is the parent's responsibility to notify the center of any changes in department or home information.

ENROLLMENT 

The Preschool Center accepts children ages 18 months through Kindergarten.  Children will be assigned to a class according to their age on September 1, as approved by the Lake County School Board.  Each class has an HRS "space ability" limit.  Once filled, additional enrollees will be placed on the rotating waiting list and notified as soon as an opening comes available. 

FIELD TRIPS 

The Pre-Kindergarten class will take community field trips throughout the pre-school year.  Two parents, along with the caregiver and Child Care Coordinator will chaperone and transport the children in the center's buses.  If a parent prefers their child not to participate on a field trip, the child will be placed with another playgroup until his/her class returns.

FREE DAY CREDIT 

Every January, your childcare account will be credited 10 free days.  Free days may be used in exchange for your child's absent days due to illness, vacation or holidays.  It will be the parent's responsibility to fill out a Free Day Credit Form to pro-rate the weekly fee.  Four free days are credited for summer-only enrollees.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Upon entrance to Florida Hospital/Waterman Children's Center, the HRS requires each child to undergo a complete health examination.  A completed HRS approved health form is required, signed by the child's physician, within 30 days of enrollment. Updated immunization required according to expiration dates. The center must have original forms on file.

HOLIDAYS 

Florida Hospital/Waterman Children’s Center will be closed all hospital holidays, including New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independance Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and any other designated holiday that is stated by Human Resources.   Advance notice of all holidays will be posted at the Child Care Center.

ILLNESS 

If at any time you have knowledge of your child contracting a serious illness, it is the parent's responsibility to immediately notify the center.  At that time, other parents can be made aware of the illness and possible symptoms for which to watch for.  Since it is extremely difficult to act on hearsay, it is mandatory that this information comes from the parent, doctor or hospital.

MEALS 

Breakfast and lunch will be provided at no cost to the parent.  If preferred, your child may bring a nutritious lunch packed in a lunch box with can drinks.  The parent for children staying at the center after 6:00 p.m must provide dinner.

MEDICATION

Prescription medication and over-the-counter medicine will only be administered when the Medication Authorization Form has been completed by the parent.  Refrigeration will be provided when necessary.  Please notify the Child Care Coordinator upon arrival to the center if you have brought medication.  A personalized dispenser must be included.  Under no circumstances will medication be administered unless it is in the original container with the child's name clearly labeled on the outside.

NAP TIME 

Naptime will be from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.  A sanitized cot, napping sheet and lullaby music will be provided for your child's comfort.

NOTICES 

All notices will be posted in the reception area of the center on the Parent bulletin board or at the front entrance.  It is the parent's responsibility to take notice daily.

PARTIES 

The following holidays will be recognized with a class celebration:

                        Fall Festival

                        Thanksgiving luncheon

                        Christmas party and gift exchange

                        Valentine's party and card exchange

                        Easter party and egg hunt

                        End of the Year party

Parents will be notified in advance of the party, the time and what donation they may bring.  One parent from each class may be asked to assist during the party.

SCHOOL PICTURES 

School pictures will be taken during the month of October and returned in time for Christmas.  PK-4 Graduation photo and class pictures will be taken in the spring. These pictures will be taken by a reputable photographer and made available to you for optional purchase.  Proper notices of photo date will be posted.

SHARE DAY

Every Monday your child may bring one small toy or an item of interest to share with the class.  We cannot replace lost or broken items, so please keep this in mind while selecting the item to bring.  No metal toys play guns or toys with sharp objects.

SICK CHILD 

For the safety and comfort of each child, we cannot care for a sick child.  The Pediatrics Unit at Florida Hospital/Waterman offers Mend 'N Tend for sick day care for the children of our employees.  The parent will make arrangements directly with the Pediatrics Unit.  If your child should show symptoms of illness while in our care, he/she will be isolated from the other children and will receive proper care until a parent is notified and picks up the child.  If a communicable disease is suspected, written permission from the child's physician or the Health Department authorizing clearance will be needed for the child's return to the center.  

SNACKS 

Nutritious snacks will be provided at mid-morning, mid-afternoon and a late snack.

VISITATION 

If you wish to visit with your child during school hours, we have an open door policy to you at all times.

WITHDRAWAL 

As a courtesy to other employees whose children are on the rotating waiting list, please notify the center when you choose to withdraw your child from our facility.