The most important thing we do to keep your child healthy while at Colonial is to prevent exposure. We ask that parents not bring their child to our programs if he/she has had any of the following symptoms in the last 24 hours:
- Fever of 100 or above
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Cold/Flu
- Runny nose
- Throat or ear infection
- Body rash
- Contagious disease
Precautions
We are very careful about hand washing. We use antibacterial soap and disposable towels. We promptly clean up any surface that becomes contaminated with any bodily fluid using a germ-killing agent. In the nurseries, we use a clean pair disposable gloves and a clean changing pad for every diaper change. Bed linens and burp cloths are changed after each child.
We need your help in the following three ways:
- Please make sure you follow our policies regarding sick children. Keep them with you.
- Please make sure that and cuts or abrasions are covered.
- Please communicate with us regarding any health concerns that we should be aware of.
Security
We take security very seriously. We never want for anything bad to happen to a child in our care. There may be times when you feel our procedures are inconvienient but please know that we do them for the good of the children.
Some of the measures we take include:
- Video survailence of the preschool/nursery hallway.
- Claim check procedure for young children.
- Proper staff to child ratios.
Check In
Nursery and Preschool Check-in
When you check in your child, you will write his/her name on a security tag and place it on your child. The rest of the tag stays with you and serves as a claim check when you return for your child.
Early Elementary (K-2nd grade) Check in
Children in this department must be dropped off and picked up by a guardian. Please not ask us to release your child on his/her own.
Upper Elementary (3rd -5th grade) Check in
Children in this department may be dismissed on their own.
Room Access
We ask that only authorized, scheduled personnel may enter a nursery or children’s classroom. If you would like a tour of the facility or need to visit a classroom, please check with the worker in charge before entering.
Nametags
Your child’s teachers will always have on an Imprints Nametag. Please do not entrust your child to anyone who is not properly identified.
Ratios
We adhere to the following teacher/child ratios in order to enhance the quality of our teaching and to provide for the safety and comfort of your child:
|
Lady bugs / Dragonflies
Crickets
Butterflies
Preschool
Early Elementary
Upper Elementary
|
1 to 2
1 to 3
1 to 4
1 to 5
1 to 6
1 to 8
|
Typically loving attention, a cool cloth and a Band-Aid is all we do to deal with an injury. However, should the need ever arrive, we have well stocked first-aid kits and access to trained medical personnel. Of course, our primary concern is to prevent injuries whenever possible.
Playground
- The ground under our play structure is padded with a special protective surface.
- We never take children out to the playground without supervision.
- Our equipment is checked regularly for safety and soundness.
- The perimiter of the play area is fenced.
Classrooms
- We constantly monitor our facility for unsafe conditions.
- The furniture and equipment is free from sharp edges.
- We don’t allow rough play or activities that are likely to result in injury.
- Our staff does not bring hot beverages into the classrooms.
Allergies
Due to the serious nature of food allergies, we do not allow any peanuts, peanut butter or any products made with peanuts or peanut oil in the classrooms. Colonial provides safe snacks for children and we can advise outside groups regarding snacks that are appropriate.
Biting
For the child that was bitten:
- If the skin was not broken we comfort the child and inform the parents when they return for the child.
- If the child cannot be calmed, we notify the parents immediately.
- If the skin is broken, we notify the parents immediately.
For the child that did the biting:
- Tell the child in a loving but firm voice that biting is not acceptable.
- Notify the parents. The parent(s) may either remove the child from the room or stay with the child in the room.
- If the behavior reoccurs, the Nursery Director and parents will meet to develop a plan of action to help the child learn.
We do not dispense any medications including ointments. The only exceptions is when failure to medicate is life threatening, such as severe allergic reactions. Please let us know if your child carries an “EpiPen” or other life-saving medication.
Discipline
Most children from time to time require help to act properly in a classroom setting. Colonial is a fun and stimulating place for kids and it is easy for them to get excited. When a child needs help settling down or behaving properly, our staff will deal with him/her in a loving but firm manner. We never use physical discipline with a child.
Your child’s teacher is happy to discuss your child’s behavior or progress, but we ask that you please contact the teacher during the week. The dismissal time is often hectic and always public. It is not a good time for the teachers to have the type of conversation necessary to deal with that topic.
