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POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Arrival and Dismissal
The Center follows the Stone Ridge calendar regarding holidays,
vacations,
and school closings due to weather as determined by Montgomery
County. The Center opens for arrival at 7:30
a.m., Monday
through Friday, barring special weather conditions (see “Weather
Policy”). Early arrivals before 7:30
a.m. will be admitted only at
the
discretion of the staff member. The Center closes at 5:00
p.m. on Monday through
Thursday, and at 4:00
p.m. on Fridays, with the
exception of early closings before some holidays as noted on the
Stone Ridge calendar. Parents or designated guardians must sign in
the child’s name and time of arrival each day, and sign out with the
time of departure. This information is required by Maryland State
child care regulations. Parents picking up children after closing
time
must notify the Center and pay the attending staff member (in cash
or by check) $1.00 per every minute past closing time.
Weather Policy
Stone Ridge and its auxiliary programs follow Montgomery County’s
weather policies. Parents should be prepared to make child care
arrangements in the event of school closings, delayed openings, or
early dismissals due to inclement weather. To check the status of
opening, please listen to the local news and visit
schoolsout.com,
as well as the Stone Ridge website.
Illness and Medications
All staff members are trained and experienced in First
Aid and CPR, and there is a Registered Nurse on campus. In the event
of illness or injury, a staff member or the nurse will contact
parents. A parent or approved guardian is required to pick up a
child that has a fever of 100 degrees and above. Any child leaving
school with a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, should remain home for
the following twenty-four hour period to ensure recovery and prevent
contagion to others. If a child needs medications dispensed by a
staff member or the nurse at the Center, the form granting parental
permission must
be on file or obtained from the Center’s Director. The directions for
medication use must be clearly marked on the bottle or box.
Meal Times and Snacks
Parents of infants and toddlers under two years of age are required
by Maryland State regulations to provide their own food and snacks
for children to consume at the Center. Children two years old and
above are required to bring their lunches daily. A mid-morning and
afternoon snack is provided. Milk is also provided, unless a child
is unable to drink milk. Filtered water is available at all times.
The Center is equipped with bottle warmers, a refrigerator, and a
microwave.
Discipline Policy
Daily logs will be kept regarding each child’s activities and
behavior. In keeping with the Sacred Heart Goals, children are
taught to make good choices, and learn kindness and patience with
those around them. Staff members guide them in learning self-control
and personal responsibility. Discipline guidelines call for staff to
set realistic limits and enforce them consistently; reinforce
positive behavior; model appropriate behavior and maintain a calm
voice and demeanor;
and intervene before situations escalate. In response to
inappropriate behavior, the staff will speak to the child or
children involved; remind them of the rules involving the activity;
redirect the child towards another activity; give the child choices
for redirection as applicable; remove the child from the situation;
and work with parents to correct this behavior. Unacceptable
behavior includes inflicting
bodily harm on another child or staff member; taking items from
another child; disrupting activities with extreme or unsafe actions;
misusing equipment deliberately; and using a rude voice or
inappropriate language. Meetings with the Director may be called by
parents or the Director if any inappropriate behavior continues.
Toys from Home and Transitional Objects
We have a wealth of toys, games, and other equipment at the Center
and ask that items brought from home be kept at a minimum. Infants
may bring baby toys for cribs as needed.
Toddlers and preschoolers may
bring a small stuffed animal,
book, or small blanket which
will be kept in the child’s
school bag until nap times.
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