Important Information

New Hope Learning Center, The Colony Texas

Here is New Hope Learning Center's full operational policy 2022-2023:

General Purpose:

The Purpose of NHLC(FUMC) Christian Child Development Center provides a loving, nurturing, environment in which each child is encouraged to develop spiritually, emotionally, socially, academically, and physically at their own pace. PLAY IS A CHILD’S WORK.

All class placements are determined by the current age and development of the child. Our NHLC program is for children 6 weeks to 5 years (not attending Kindergarten). NHLC (FUMC) is a licensed childcare facility and is inspected regularly by the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, The Colony Health Department, and The Colony Fire Department. All of our staff are CPR and First Aid Certified and receive a minimum of 24 hours of continued education annually.

All of our programs are designed to meet children’s needs at their age level and attention span. Our teacher/child classroom ratios are low to enable the child to have one on one time together. We offer a curriculum that is enriched with a wide variety of units and activities to encourage all areas of early childhood development. Our Christian emphasis is geared towards very basic themes that young children can understand and utilize in their world.

Guidelines:

DAYS/HOURS OF OPERATION: Full time Childcare: Monday-Friday 6:30am-6:00pm. Part Time Preschool: August – May, Tuesday – Friday, 8:50am-2:00 pm. Bad weather days coincide with LISD Public School Schedule. There may be exceptions, always call New Hope if you have questions. www.lisd.net

HOLIDAYS: Full Time Childcare: We will be closed 9 major holidays a year such as 4th of July, Labor Day, etc. Advance notice is posted, dates are subject to change.

Part Time Preschool: School holidays & closings closely coincide with LISD Public School Schedule. Calendars distributed and posted for your reference.

No refunds will be given for LISD school closings. www.lisd.net

REQUIRED PAPERWORK: NHLC has five required forms that must be on file for each child who is currently attending childcare. These forms are the (1) Registration Forms, The (2) Medical Form containing the Health Statement and Vision/Hearing Screening Results, (3) Immunization Records, (4) FP Assistance Enrollment Forms (5) CCS Waitlist Letter (if you qualify). These forms must be updated each school year for each child.

TUITION: Full time Childcare: it is always due on Monday of each week. Part time Preschool: it is due on the Tuesday prior to the 1st of each month. A schedule of Due Dates is posted and distributed for your convenience. Failure to make payments may result in the withdrawal or your children/child from the NHLC program.

You are responsible for paying tuition on time even when your child is absent due to illness or vacation. A late fee of $25.00 will be due starting the Tuesday of each week and $5.00 more for each day until payment is made regardless of your child’s attendance. For your convenience, tuition checks can be made out to New Hope and mailed, but must be received by our office by Monday of each week. There is a return check fee of $25.00 on all returned checks. In the event you need to remove your child from the program, a 2-week notice is required.

ABSENCES: Please call our office if your child is going to be absent. You may leave a message on the school’s answering machine prior to school hours. (972-625-2459). You are responsible for contacting CCS with the absence. Excessive absences can cause qualifying families to be dropped from the program.

You are responsible for on time tuition payments when your child is absent due to illness and/ or vacation. No reimbursements are made for days that your child is not in attendance.

For qualifying families: Your child can not be absent longer than 3 days and the only exception is illness. A note from the doctor must be brought the first day they are back. Please notify the Assistant Director or Director the first morning of their absence.

LATE FEE: All children must be picked up at 2:00 pm or by 6:00 pm each day, depending on enrollment. A late fee of $20.00 will be charged at 2:10 or from 6:01 to 6:10 pm and will increase $5.00 per minute while your child remains in our care. This goes by our clock.

PICK-UP and DROP-OFF POLICY: Your child must be signed in and out daily by an adult. If someone other than the parent or the designated adult will be picking up your child, then notification must be made to your child’s teacher and/or the NHLC office. Identification may be required of anyone other than a parent or sitter. All children are required to be here by our arrival times of 8:50am – 9:00am each day. Babies enrolled in the Baby Room are the only exception.

IMMUNIZATIONS: The state requires that current immunization records be on file for all students in attendance. It the responsibility of the parent of each child to make sure we have the most updated records for their child. A child may not be allowed to attend classes until records are current and complete and risk the chance of being dropped from the program. No refunds will be given for any fees or tuition.

Vision and hearing screenings with the proper documentation is required for all 4 year olds that will be entering kindergarten the following Fall.

STAFF IMMUNIZATIONS: We do not require immunizations of our Staff.

ILLNESS: Your child cannot attend school if their illness prevents them from participating comfortably in school activities including outdoor play or if the illness results in a greater need for care then the staff can provide without compromising the health, safety, and supervision of the other students. It will be necessary for your child to be picked up from NHLC if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms: A tympanic (ear) temperature of 100 degrees or more that is accompanied by behavior changes or other signs, vomiting, uncontrolled diarrhea (two or more stools not contained or causing soiled pants or clothing), lethargy, abnormal breathing, mouth sores, behavior changes, possibility of pink eye, undiagnosed rash, scabs, redness or any abnormality of the skin, or any other signs that the child may be severely ill. Also, if your child is experiencing any of the previously stated symptoms then they would need to remain at home. All children need to be fever free and symptom free for 24 hours before returning to school without a fever reducing medication being given. It is important to be healthy when attending to protect the other students and our staff.

MEDICATIONS: Medication cannot be given to your child without written authorization. This includes over the counter drugs. We do not keep any medications on the premise other than those belonging to our students. You are required to sign in your child’s medicine on the Medication Log each time we are to administer medication to your child, this log will be posted in your child’s classroom. We do not give medication “as needed”. A parental decision is needed in order for us to administer medication to your child. All medicines must be in the original container and must be labeled with the child’s name, age, written directions from the physician and/or parent as to when the medicine is to be administered and the dosage required. Inhalers or medication of any kind CANNOT remain in your child’s bag this could be a health hazard to other children. As a courtesy, we ask that you please notify the school office if your child will be absent. Please be aware of the health of your child and others by observing this policy.

SUNCREEN & BUG SPRAY: If your child requires that sunscreen or bug spray to be applied while in our care a medication form must be signed. It falls under our medication policy.

MEDICAL EMERGENCY: We will attempt to contact parents/guardians in the event of any medical emergency. 911 will be called if immediate health care is deemed necessary.

BREASTFEEDING: We will provide a private place with a seat that enables a mother to breastfeed her child. You can breastfeed your child anytime that is needed and/or provide breast milk for feedings.

SAFE SLEEP: This applies to babies until they reach the age of 12 months. All babies must sleep in a crib, be put to sleep on their backs, no swaddling, sleep sacks used if needed, snug fitting fitted sheet used, no items inside the crib. Blankets cannot be used inside their crib until they reach the age of 12 months.

NAP TIME: All full time children and the part time children that are in the 2’s class and under will be taking naps. Nap mats are provided by the school. Blankets are provided for each child courtesy of The Colony Quilters Club.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN: We have an emergency preparedness plan in place, it is posted on our information board in the hallway, and available for review at any time. All children and staff will relocate to Valero Gas Station @ 5208 S. Colony Blvd. if we are NOT able to remain and/or reenter the building safely.

BREAKFAST/LUNCH/SNACKS: The school will offer a nutritious breakfast, lunch, morning & afternoon snack for each child. Have your child finish all food/drinks before entering the school. Do NOT bring in any outside food. We follow USDA Guidelines outlined by Department of Agriculture for all food and meals offered as well as state guidelines. We are NOT a “peanut free” facility. Please let us know if your child has special medical food needs or allergies.

DISCIPLINE: Redirection and time-outs will be used for behavior problems. Active play time is not restricted as punishment. Parents will be notified if the situation warrants immediate attention. Dismissal from the program is under the discretion of the Director with authority from the Church Board.

OUTDOOR PLAY: There are many benefits to physical activity and play outside. Fresh air in a large space contains fewer germs, provides a wider variety of opportunities for sensory stimulation through sounds, smells, and textures. It enhances fitness and general health and supports creativity, learning, and development. Also, provides for a greater freedom and flexibility and a fuller expression through loud talk, and a greater range of active movement. Outdoor play on the playground is scheduled every day, mornings and afternoons for the Walker class through the PreK. For infants, daily opportunities are given as weather permits. Some examples of play on the playground are climbing, balls, riding & pushing toys, swings, slides, sidewalk chalk, and running. Dress your child appropriately for the weather and safe play; for example: send a jacket for cooler days and wear closed toe shoes (tennis shoes are best). On bad weather days, active play is rescheduled to the “Big Room” and/or the “Centers Room”. Some examples of indoor active play are: dancing & movement to music, simple games such a Duck Duck Goose, marching, singing, tumbling, and stretching.

Outdoor play also extends opportunities for large muscle development, social-emotional development, and small muscle development by offering variety, challenge, and complexity in ways that are not attainable in a confined indoor space.

There is no set amount of time that children must play outdoors in the morning and afternoon. It is recommended that children ages 18 months and older should be allowed 60 to 90 total minutes of outdoor time each day. • Part time children here six hours or less, may have a single outdoor time. Best practice is to offer 20 minutes of outdoor play for every three hours that children may be in care.

SPRINKLER PLAY: We sometimes have outside sprinkler play on the playground.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS: All of your child’s property needs to be marked with their name. Such as: diapers, backpacks, jackets, etc…

All toys, jewelry, books, belonging to your child need to be left at home unless it is requested by your child’s teacher. We will not be responsible for broken or lost items.

WHAT TO BRING: Please provide diapers/pull ups for each day for children not potty trained and an extra set of clothes in case of accidents. Bring formula or breastmilk for infants and label each bottle with your child’s first name and initial of their last name.

SCREEN TIME: TV, DVD, video watching, and computer use are prohibited for children under the age of two. Screen time is limited to 45 minutes per day for children ages 2 and up.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS: Birthdays are special days for all our students. Invitations cannot be handed out at school by parents or students unless the entire class is included. We cannot pass out invitations or be held responsible. Birthdays will be recognized here at school in a manner that is fair to all of our students. Cookies, cupcakes, etc. are permitted, but please discuss this with your child’s teacher prior.

ANIMALS: Parents must be notified when animals are to be present. Proper documentation showing vaccinations are also required. For complete state guidelines concerning animals, please contact the NHLC office.

PARENTAL CLASSROOM VISITS/OBSERVATIONS: This facility has an open door policy to all parents to observe their currently enrolled child. To keep disruptions of the classroom schedule down to a minimum, we ask that parents do this in a respectful manner. All visitors must adhere to school policies & procedures while in the facility.

GANG FREE ZONE: Under the Texas Penal Code, any area within 1000 feet of a child care center is a gang free zone, where criminal offenses related to organized criminal activity are subject to harsher penalty.

RELEASING OF ADDRESS/TELEPHONE NUMBERS/EMAIL ADDRESSES: New Hope will not be able or responsible for giving out any of the above information concerning students, parents, and/or staff.

PARENT NOTIFICATIONS: Written notes from the Director and your child’s teacher will be sent home periodically. Any changes to the above policies will be sent home in written form. Any questions/concerns about the above policies need to be directed to the Director.

ABUSE & NEGLECT: All of our employees are required to attend annual training and report any issues regarding abuse & neglect. We have our methods for increasing employee and parent awareness regarding abuse or neglect and to take necessary action in reporting and coordinating with community organizations.

Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-252-5400

www.txchildcaresearch.org.

STATE LICENSING: To review a copy of the minimum standards set forth by the state and/or most recent Licensing inspection report refer to the Director, Assistant Director and/or visit the website at www.txchildcaresearch.org Local licensing office is open Monday-Friday 8-5. Intake # 214-583-4253.