Wild Child Care is...
A home where preschoolers will be cherished, loved and cared for. My vision for this daycare family is to use nature and play together to help children build life long relationships with their world.
Children will learn to count as we grow and harvest food from our garden. We will collect eggs from our chicken coop and talk about the differences we see in them. Shapes will be found in the clouds, in the trees and even in the bugs we find on our daily adventures. I aspire to peak their curiosity everyday and leave them wanting to explore more.
Time is valuable, especially to our little ones. They grow up so quickly! That is why Wild Child Care can only accommodate 6 children ages 2-5. This ensures that all children will have enough time and attention in order to feel cared for and to learn how each individual child learns best.
Wild Child Care is open from 7:00am until 5:30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On Monday's we are open from 7:00-4:00pm.
FACILITY NUMBER: 223909694
Trial Period:
Upon beginning care each family will begin with a two week long trial period to make sure that my program is in the best interest of the child and the other children trusted in my care. I recognize that not everyone will be a good fit for my child care family. During this trial time, either party can end the child care agreement at any time without giving notice. After this time a written two week notice is required to terminate this contract. If you decide not to use that last two weeks of care, you are still required to pay the fee. I may terminate this contract at will without giving notice.
Time off:
I will take up to 8 paid vacation days per year. These may all be at once or dispersed throughout the year. I will do my best to notify parents in writing at least 30 days in advance.
I will also take the following unpaid times off to spend time with family for holidays:
The week of Thanksgiving.
The week of Christmas.
Parents will be responsible for finding back up child care during these times.
In the event of your family taking time away from Wild Child Care, daily fees will still be charged.
Sick Leave:
In the event that someone in my family gets sick, parents will be notified as soon in advance as I possible. There will be nothing charged in the event of my family’s illness.
If your child is sick, daily fees will be charged as normal. Please notify me at least two hours before your scheduled arrival time so I can plan the day accordingly.
House Rules:
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Be kind, polite and respectful.
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Be gentle and nice to animals of all kinds.
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Shoes off Inside (and outside if they prefer!)
Daily Schedule (sample):
The following daily schedule is just an example of what our days will consist of. I like to remain flexible with our days in order to dedicate more time on activities that the children are really interested in.
7:00am – 8:00am Breakfast
8:15am-10:00am Free Play Outside
10:00am-10:30am Snack
10:30- 11:45 Circle Time Outside
11:45-12:30 Lunch/Story Time
12:30-2:30 Nap/Quiet Time
2:30-3:30 Free Play Outside
3:30-4:00 Snack
4:00-5:15 Free Play
5:15-5:30 Clean Up
*Diaper changes, potty breaks, and hand washing will happen as often as needed.
Supplies:
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Each child should have appropriate outdoor shoes (sneakers with Velcro or other types that are easy to buckle or fasten).
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Diapers and wipes if necessary.
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Sunscreen of choice, labeled with child’s name.
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Spill proof portable water containers labeled with child’s name.
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Two extra sets of clothes.
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Weather appropriate layers. We will be outside in many different types of weather so please equip your child to stay warm and dry when there is inclement weather forecasted.
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Afternoon snack
Potty Training:
This is something we should discuss on a case by case basis, since consistency between our homes will be important to a successful outcome. Please be sure to dress your child in clothing that will be easy for your child to navigate during this process, and leave a few extra outfits with your child just in case.
Meals:
Your child will be enrolled in the Child Care Food Program. This is a federally funded program and ensures that your child will be served nutritionally balanced meals. For more information feel free to look at this website:
Meals will be served at the following times:
Breakfast: 8 a.m. Lunch: 12 p.m. A snack will be served mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Your child will be expected to eat what is served for each meal. If they dislike an item, they will be encouraged to taste it, but no alternatives will be served. Children who choose not to eat a meal or snack will need to wait until the next scheduled time.
If your child will be arriving after a meal time has begun, but you still want your child to eat here, prior notice is required. If your child comes after a mealtime, it will be your responsibility to make sure that child has eaten prior to arriving. Bringing a meal from a restaurant and having the child eat here causes hard feelings from the rest of the children and is therefore, not allowed.
Sugar: Sugar will not be served in excess. Occasionally, I might prepare a special treat for well-behaved kiddos, but it won’t be an everyday occurrence.
Illnesses & Health:
Children may not attend my program if they have any illness that includes vomiting, a temperature over 100 degrees, diarrhea, parasitic infection, pick eye, or any other contagious virus. If your child has any of these symptoms you are required to notify me as soon as possible.
Symptoms:
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Fever: Fever is defined as having a temperature of 100°F or higher taken under the arm, 101°F taken orally, or 102°F taken rectally. A child needs to be fever free for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to daycare, that means the child is fever free without the aid of Tylenol®, or any other fever reducing substance.
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Fever AND sore throat, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, earache, irritability, or confusion.
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Diarrhea: runny, watery, bloody stools, or 2 or more loose stools within last 4 hours.
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Vomiting: 2 or more times in a 24 hour period. Note: please do not bring your child if they have vomited in the night.
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Breathing trouble, sore throat, swollen glands, loss of voice, hacking or continuous coughing.
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Runny nose (other than clear), draining eyes or ears.
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Frequent scratching of body or scalp, lice, rash, or any other spots that resemble childhood diseases, including ringworm.
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Child is irritable, continuously crying, or requires more attention than we can provide without hurting the health, safety or well-being of the other children in our care.
Note: If your child exhibits any of these symptoms during their time at Wild Child Care, a parent will be called and they will need to come and pick their child up immediately.
For the benefit of my family and other children in our care, a sick child will not be permitted to return to care for 24 hours after condition has returned to normal. The child may return 24 - 48 hours (depending upon the illness) after they have received the first dose of an antibiotic. If a child receives an antibiotic for an ear infection, he/she may return to day care immediately if he/she has been free of other symptoms mentioned for at least 24 hours. If you aren't sure about whether or not to bring your child to care, please call me or your doctor to discuss it. Allergy related symptoms, and non-communicable illnesses do not require exclusion if you have a note from your doctor. The child can return to my program after a full 24 hours of being symptom free.
Parents will provide any medications needed by the child, including over-the-counter and prescription medicine. Written authorization from a doctor is needed for us to administer ANY medication, prescription or over-the-counter. NOTE: All medicines must be in their original container with pharmacist's or manufacturer's label, child's name, dosage instructions, current date, name of medication, and times to be administered clearly written.
My facility is a smoke free zone.
Proof of current immunizations are required by law. Please provide a copy of your child’s immunization card prior to enrollment to keep in your child’s file.
Sign In/Out:
All parents/guardians must sign their child in and out each day. For your convenience, a sign in/out sheet, pen, and a clock are located by the door, this gives us a written record of the child's attendance, hours, and the person who brought/picked up the child each day.
I maintain an open door policy for parents during daycare hours. This means that parents are always welcome to call or drop in to see their children. Please take into consideration our schedule when dropping in or calling (for example: naptime). If you call during the day, please be aware that we may be busy with the children and may not be able to answer the phone. If you leave a message, I will be sure to call you back as soon as possible.
If you plan on having someone other than those listed on your child’s emergency card pick your child up, I will need advance notice in writing. Email, facebook message, etc is fine. I will never release any child to someone who is not on their emergency card unless a parent/guardian has provided me with this written notice.
Naps/Quiet Time:
Rest is essential for everybody’s overall well-being. If your child no longer takes naps, he/she will still need to take a quiet break during the day when the other children are sleeping. They will be given a quiet activity to do each day, or I may choose to read to them depending on what each day brings.
Those children who prefer to nap will be given the quiet time and privacy needed to rest as best they can. Mats and blankets will be provided, but children may bring special items from home to rest with during this time if needed. Please tell me of your child’s needs for optimum rest and I will do my best to accommodate them.
Animals:
We currently have three medium/large dogs and nine chickens who are very much a part of our family. Our dogs are wonderful with children and enjoy their company. Pepper is our perpetual puppy who is very loving and excited to play soccer. Daisy is the biggest and the oldest. She has been with me for 11 years and is still full of energy. She loves to play stick and has a special toy she carries around like a baby. Terra likes to stay inside and sleep all day. She’s very mellow and sweet. They all get excited when people come over, so I will keep them outside upon arrival in the morning so that their excited greeting won’t intimidate anyone.
We added nine chickens last spring and they have been a surprisingly fun addition to our family. They are free range most of the day and take daily dirt baths which are very entertaining. They love to be held and they all enjoy our company as much as we enjoy them. Collecting their eggs will be a fun daily event for some of the children.
Emergency Plan:
In the event of an emergency I will send out a mass text and email to all parents after the children have all been accounted for and secured out of harm’s way, provided I have cell service.
If evacuation is mandatory we will evacuate to:
Woodland Elementary School
3394 Woodland Drive
Mariposa, CA 95338
OR
Wasuma Elementary School
Ahwahnee, CA
State law requires that we conduct a fire drill every six months. With our current environmental situation I plan on conducting these drills once a month so the children will be prepared should a situation arise.
Medical Emergencies:
Minor bumps and scratches are inevitable, but I make every effort to keep the children safe through supervision and childproofing. Minor injuries receive appropriate first aid, and if an emergency injury or illness occurs, you will be contacted as soon as possible. If necessary, your child will be taken to the nearest hospital. If you are not going to be at your usual place of employment, or at home, please make sure that we have a number where you can be reached.
Parents are responsible for all costs involved in emergency medical treatment, including emergency transportation, if required.
Discipline:
I have learned that rewarding good behavior is so much easier than punishing a child for doing something wrong. My goal in my home is create a positive, happy environment where children want to be well behaved. With my own children, we really focus on good behavior and give praise where praise is due. Obviously, we all have our off days though. When this happens with the children, I have found that addressing the behavior immediately helps them to learn right from wrong. I will explain in very simple terms to the child that the type of behavior being exhibited isn't appropriate and why. If necessary I will place the child/children in a time out for no longer than 5 minutes depending on the behavioral issue.
In the event of physical violence (punching, kicking, biting, etc), parents will be called to come and pick their children up. If the violence occurs again upon returning to Wild Child Care, they will not be permitted back.
Mandated Reporter:
PERSONS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT ABUSE Mandated reporters include a licensee, an administrator, or an employee of a licensed community care or child day care facility. [Penal Code ("PC") § 11165.7(a)(10)] Mandated reporters also include an employee of a child care institution, including, but not limited to, foster parents, group home personnel, and personnel of residential care facilities. [PC § 11165.7(a)(14)] No supervisor or administrator may impede or inhibit an individual's reporting duties or subject the mandated reporter to any sanction for making the report. [PC § 11166(h)] WHEN REPORTING ABUSE IS REQUIRED A mandated reporter, who in his or her professional capacity, or within the scope of his or her employment, has knowledge of or observes a person under the age of 18 years whom he or she knows or reasonably suspects has been the victim of child abuse or neglect must report the suspected incident. The reporter must contact a designated agency immediately or as soon as practically possible by telephone, and shall prepare and send a written report within 36 hours of receiving the information concerning the incident. [PC § 11166(a)] ABUSE THAT MUST BE REPORTED Physical injury inflicted by other than accidental means on a child. [PC § 11165.6] Sexual abuse meaning sexual assault or sexual exploitation of a child. [PC § 11165.1] Neglect meaning the negligent treatment, lack of treatment, or the maltreatment of a child by a person responsible for the child's welfare under circumstances indicating harm or threatened harm to the child's health or welfare. [PC § 11165.2] Willful harming or injuring or endangering a child meaning a situation in which any person inflicts, or willfully causes or permits a child to suffer, unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering, or causes or permits a child be placed in a situation in which the child or child's health is endangered. [PC § 11165.3] Unlawful corporal punishment or injury willfully inflicted upon a child and resulting in a traumatic condition. [PC § 11165.4]
Privacy Policy:
I collect information when you fill out an enrollment agreement, take a tour, or submit an inquiry at one of our child care locations. This may include:
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Your sensitive personal information, such as your emergency contact and release information, driver’s license number, and employer information.
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Your child’s sensitive personal information, such as care needs, allergies, medications, medical care provider, and immunization history.
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Your personal contact information, such as your name, address, email address, and phone number.
How is your information used?
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To provide a safe and healthy environment for the children in my care.
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To administer first aid and other medical care as necessary.
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To effectively communicate with you and respond to your inquiries.
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To comply with licensing regulations and other legal requirements.
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To operate and improve my websites.
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To ensure advertising is appropriately targeted.
Television Policy:
There may be some days when we will watch age appropriate, educational shows that co-inside with something we are currently learning about or as a special treat.
