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daycare@fnal.gov
x3762

The school is open from 6:45 AM until 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday

Parent Handbook


Top of pageORGANIZATION

The Children's Center is sponsored by Fermi Research Alliance, LLC, the operating contractor of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. It is a service available to all FRA and DOE employees, Users, and long-term, on-site subcontractors.

Top of pagePHILOSOPHY

The philosophy of The Children's Center is to promote the social, academic, emotional and physical development of each child while taking into account his/her level of interest and ability.

Top of page OBJECTIVES OF INFANT AND TODDLER CARE
  1. To provide care for each infant or toddler while he is away from his parents, giving primary attention to his safety and well-being.
  2. To provide a staff of qualified caregivers who are trained and who show a deep interest in each child as a growing individual.
  3. To provide nurturing love in an atmosphere of a home environment.
  4. To provide stimulating experiences and opportunities for infants and toddlers at their levels so that they may learn about themselves and the world around them.
  5. To provide a program for developmental, physical, and emotional needs of each child.
  6. To provide an atmosphere for infants that allows for natural sleeping and waking rhythms of each child.
  7. To provide an atmosphere where parents, infant/toddler care staff, and child work together to form an extended family for the child.
  8. To provide a daily program of constructive experience for each child through planned physical activity, creative play, music, stories, art projects, and personal attention according to each child's needs.
Top of page OBJECTIVES OF 2 YEAR-OLDS and DAY CARE
  1. To provide care for the children while they are away from their parents, giving primary attention to the safety and well-being of the children.
  2. To provide guidance to pre-school children to help them:
    1. to adapt to society and to develop in a social context, by learning to get along with other children.
    2. communicate ideas to adults and other children through linguistic development.
    3. to develop self-pride, independence, self-confidence.
    4. to play alone and in a group.
    5. to develop motor skills (large and small muscle), coordination, physical and rhythmical sense.
    6. to use their imagination.
    7. to be creative and constructive by using a variety of art media.
    8. to encourage intellectual development according to the individual child.
    9. to develop natural and spontaneous behavior.
    10. to widen their horizon by learning about the world.
    11. to develop good habits by reinforcing the idea of using manners, being polite and respectful to others and respecting others' property.
  3. to provide a daily schedule consisting of constructive experience for each child through planned physical activity, creative play, music, stories, art projects, and personal attention. These activities will take place in both group and individual settings.
  4. to provide an overall program of weekly units covering specific concepts dealing with social and academic facets of life, starting with general concepts for the younger child and working toward more detailed lessons with the older child.
  5. to provide child training and discipline which are handled with kindness and understanding. Attention is given to specific needs of the child. Each individual is encouraged to become a part of the group and to participate accordingly.
Top of page SCHOOL HOURS

The school is open from 6:45 AM until 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday, except for certain holidays or days when the Laboratory is officially closed (e.g. snow day). The school is officially closed on the following days: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, day after Thanksgiving, half a day Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and a half a day New Year's Eve, or any other holiday recognized by Fermilab. Tuition is charged if your child is scheduled to attend school on the designated holiday.

Top of page SCHOOL SCHEDULES

Children enrolling at the Children's Center may choose from one of the following schedules:

  1. five full days
  2. five half days AM (6:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with lunch)
  3. five half days PM (12:00 noon to 5:30 p.m., with lunch)
  4. a part time schedule including any combination of part and full time days as approved by Day Care Administration.
Top of pageFINANCES
  1. Checks are payable to Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.
  2. Two weeks' notice will be given in the event of rate changes.
  3. Tuition will be paid on a monthly basis. Payment is to be made at the Accommodations Office, Aspen East, MS# 322 or by depositing your payment in one of the yellow boxes at the center. If payment is late, a 5% late charge is added. Payroll deduction is encouraged for Fermilab employees.
  4. Written notice of withdrawal from the school must be provided to Day Care Administration two weeks prior to the last day of school. In the event that a child's enrollment must be terminated by the center, two week's prior written notice will be given to the parents. Billing will include the two weeks following the withdrawal/termination notice.
  5. Tuition is based on 4.33 weeks per month.
  6. Sick Leave - No sick leave credit will be given.
  7. Vacation - No vacation credit will be given.
  8. Travel/Day Care Credit - A Children's Center Travel/Day Care Credit form, a Fermilab travel voucher, and a receipt from the child care facility are required documentation to receive credit.  The Travel/Day Care Credit form can be obtained from the day care staff.  Credit will be given the billing cycle after the documentation is received.
  9. Late Fee - A late fee of $15.00 for each 15-minute increment of time will be charged to persons who arrive after 5:30 PM to pick up their children or who cause the teacher to remain on duty after 5:30 PM. (Additional amounts of $15.00 will be charged at 5:46, 6:01, 6:16, 6:31, etc. By 6:30, the late fee bill would be $60.00) Payment for this fee will be expected when the child is picked up. The child will not be accepted at school until the payment is made. When late, you will be asked to initial the time and date of departure. A late fee will be charged to morning half time children who are picked up after 1:00 P.M. unless previous arrangements have been made.
  10. Once the child has been accepted and enrolled we request at least a two-week notice of any change in schedule. We will attempt to facilitate schedule changes. We cannot guarantee enrollment changes. Students withdrawn for the summer months can be placed on a waiting list for fall enrollment. Schedule changes will be more difficult when involving a part time schedule. We will make an effort to accommodate changes sooner than two weeks if necessary.
  11. A 20% discount is given for a second and subsequent child(ren) from the same immediate family. The discount applies to the child with the lower rate.
  12. Current rate schedules are attached, and will be updated annually.
Top of pageNEW CHILD ADJUSTMENT

Children new to the center will be given a 2-week adjustment period. During this time, every attempt will be made to make the child feel welcome and comfortable in this new setting. Occasionally children do not adjust and it is in their best interest to leave the center. If this occurs, the parents will be given a 2-week notice to make other arrangements.

Top of pageHEALTH

Each child entering the program will be required to have a physical examination. The attached form must be completed prior to enrollment or include a notice from the physician that the form is being faxed to The Children's Center at (630) 840-5162.

Please ask for the form to be updated when your child has an exam. If medical forms are not updated when we request updates, your child will not be admitted to the center until a completed form is supplied.

Parents are asked not to bring children into school when there are present any signs of illness developing. A child will not be admitted to the Center on a given day if the child is judged to be ill by the staff member who greets the child. Your cooperation as a responsible parent is required in this respect to prevent the spread of illness to the other children.

Children will not be admitted if showing signs of:
  1. diarrhea
  2. vomiting
  3. rash (unless parent brings a note from the doctor specifically stating the cause of the rash and the fact that it is non-contagious).
  4. conjunctivitis (pink eye)
  5. any contagious disease such as strep throat, chicken pox, scarlet fever, measles, and mumps. These are highly contagious. Please report contagious diseases to the staff.
  6. pinworm, lice, or any other parasitic infestation. These are transmitted by direct contact and are highly communicable. Please report any such infestation to the staff.
Children will be sent home if:
  1. a fever of 101 or more is present.
  2. three diarrhea stools occur within a 6 hour period.
  3. the child is vomiting.
  4. the child develops unusual rash.
  5. any observation that presents a health concern to the child or the other children, such as an eye irritation.

Sick children need to be picked up from the center within 30 minutes. If we cannot reach the Fermi parent within 15 minutes of the first phone call, we will start calling the people on your pick-up list. We send children home for their personal comfort and to attempt to stop any spread of disease to all of the children. If a child is sent home from the center, he must remain home for the day after being sent home or return with a form supplied by the center that his doctor has filled out and signed.

A sample Readmittance Form is attached.

Top of pageADMINISTERING MEDICATION
Medicines may be administered to a child at the Center provided that:
  1. Medicine is handed to the teacher in charge with storage instructions, i.e., refrigeration required, or store at room temperature.
  2. Prescription medicine must show: name of child, prescription number, name of doctor, and direction for use. We will not administer medication unless it is in the original container.
  3. Parents fill out necessary information on the Medicine Form available in each room. The dosage on this form must match the instructions on the bottle.
  4. Non-prescriptive medicine may be administered upon parental permission, when absolutely necessary. Such medication shall be administered in accordance with package instructions, and shall be labeled with the child's name and date. No medications causing drowsiness will be administered. Non-prescriptive medicine will be given only for a limited time, not to exceed three (3) days and never on an "as needed" basis, unless accompanied by a doctor's note. Non-prescriptive medicine cannot be administered to control or disguise a fever.
Top of pageVISITATION

Parents are invited to visit the Center at any time as long as it is not disruptive to the program or the other children. You may also call your child's teachers to check on your child.

Top of page INFANT INFORMATION
Eating

All infants entering the center must be proficient at taking a bottle. We welcome nursing mothers but mothers must be available on demand. In those instances where a mother cannot respond quickly, supplemental bottles will be given and we expect all children to be proficient when taking a bottle. Inability to do so will result in termination.

Sleeping

All infants will be placed on their back to sleep because it is the safest sleep position and provides the best protection against SIDS.

EMERGENCY PLANS
Plan 1

If the child has a minor accident that causes a very minor injury (small lump, bruise, cut that obviously does not require stitches), a staff member will comfort the child, wash the injury, and apply a bandage. Parents will be informed of these injuries by phone or upon arrival when picking up their child.

Plan 2

If the child has an accident at school that produces an injury that calls for professional medical care (but not immediate emergency care), the Fermilab Emergency Responders will be called. The child will not be transported to the hospital. The parents or guardian will then be called to take the child to their doctor. Examples of such injuries are: cuts that require stitches, uncontrollable nosebleeds, large bumps or bruises.

Plan 3

In the event of a serious accident or medical emergency, the Fermilab Emergency Responders will be called. The Center Staff shall then contact the parents and/or doctor of the child. If it is impossible to reach either, and should emergency treatment be required, the child will be taken to Central DuPage Hospital, Winfield, Illinois or to Mercy Center, Aurora, Illinois . Authorization to contact your family physician and to take emergency medical measures is part of your preliminary registration agreement.

Plan 4

In the event that a child is injured while on-site, but away from the center, one of the teachers will go to the nearest phone and call ext. 3131. Upon completing the call to dispatch, the teacher will call the school with the necessary information and then return to the site of the injury. The teacher at school who received the call will then call the parents and/or doctor of the child. Depending on the severity of the injury, Plan 2 or Plan 3 will be followed from this point.

Top of page FOOD & REST PERIODS

The center will provide nutritional snacks in the morning and in the afternoon. Lunches, however, are to be provided by the parents. Although milk and juice are available, many children prefer bringing a beverage from home. We are required to provide a supervised rest/nap period for all children under six (6) years of age. The Fermilab Children's Center will furnish a child sized comfortable cot or sleeping mat for each child. Parents may provide a child-sized blanket for their child. Rest shall be in the afternoon of the day and shall not exceed two (2) hours (3, 4 and 5 year olds), 2.5 hours (15 mo. - 2 year olds), and Infants on demand.

Top of page BITING POLICY

Biting can be a normal stage of development for children. The teachers normally notice signs of frustration in a child and take steps to control the situation before a child bites. There are times when a child bites even though he has not been provoked or the child is too quick for a teacher to intervene. If biting appears to be occurring on a regular basis, the teachers will inform the Day Care Administrator and document bites. At this point, the parents will be contacted and a meeting will be held to discuss how to handle the biting problem. If a child bites hard enough to break the skin and cause bleeding, he will be immediately suspended from the Center, pending a review by the Day Care Administrator and meeting with the parents. Biting is also a cause for dismissal from the Center if the Day Care Administrator determines this to be appropriate.

Top of page GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Grievances are school related problems and complaints in which the parent feels he/his child has not been treated equitably as stated in the Children's Center Handbook. Parents are encouraged to discuss problems with their children's teacher and each teacher is expected to know Day Care policies and procedures related to the individual classrooms and to explain them. In most instances, a day care issue will be discussed with the teacher informally, and the parent may not label it a grievance -- but simply a concern, gripe, complaint, etc. Through accurate information, good communication and equitable supervision of the group, the teacher will gain the respect and confidence of the parent so that most problems are resolved at this level. When a parent feels he cannot discuss a problem/complaint informally with the teacher, there is a formal grievance procedure that can be used as outlined below.

All problems/complaints whether handled informally or through the formal grievance procedure are expected to be timely -- right after the incident/problem occurs. This makes it possible to obtain more accurate data/information.

Level 1

The parent should submit to his child's teacher in writing what the complaint/problem is (the nature of the problem, the facts on which it is based) and what action the parent requests. This must be done within five working days of the incident/problem that prompted the complaint.

The teacher will investigate the grievance, will make a determination about the grievance, and will reply to the parent in writing with in five working days of receiving the written grievance.

Level 2

If the parent wishes to appeal the teacher's response, the parent shall do so in writing to the Day Care Administrator within five working days of the teacher's response. This written appeal should include a copy of the original grievance, a copy of the teacher's response, and a letter explaining why the parent does not find the answer to be satisfactory and what action is requested.

If the subject of the parent's grievance is the child's teacher, the parent may start the process at Level 2 of the grievance procedure.

The Day Care Administrator will meet with the parent and appropriate persons to discuss the grievance, will make a determination, and will inform the parent in writing within five working days from the receipt of the appeal.

Level 3

If the parent is not satisfied with the response of the Day Care Administrator, he may appeal in writing within five days to the Accommodations Manager giving reasons for dissatisfaction. A copy of all the correspondence should be attached.

An Accommodations Office representative will conduct an investigation and issue a written answer within five working days of receipt of the appeal.

Level 4

If the parent does not consider the issue resolved by the Level 3 response, he may request in writing that the Accommodations Manager refer the grievance to the Head of Laboratory Services. This request must be made within five working days of receipt of the last answer and all previous correspondence must be attached. The Head of Laboratory Services will investigate the grievance and will issue a decision within fifteen working days of receipt of the appeal.

The decision of the Head of Laboratory Services shall be final and binding on all concerned.

Top of page TIME LIMITS

If a grievance is not presented within the time limits as spelled out above, it shall be considered waived and resolved. If the appointed management representative does not answer a grievance within the specified time limits, the parent may elect to immediately appeal the grievance to the next level.

Top of page ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND SAFELY COMPLAINTS

If the complaint or grievance is an environment, safety or health related concern, and the parent feels the management representative is not addressing the concern, the parent should follow the procedure described in the Fermilab Environment, Safety, and Health Manual (FESHM), Chapter 1060, Fermilab Employee Concerns Program, or contact the Lab Services ES&H representative at extension 3082.

Top of page SEXUAL HARASSMENT COMPLAINTS

A parent who has any questions regarding the policy on sexual harassment or feels he has a complaint of sexual harassment, should contact the Equal Opportunity Manager directly at extension 4633. All inquiries and discussions are handled confidentially.

Top of page CLOTHING

Comfortable and washable, are the key words for clothing recommended for your child. Comfortable because children are active and their motions should not be inhibited by their clothes. Washable because the program provides many different textured experiences. Please bring an extra set of clothes that are appropriate for the season. These will be used if a child has an accident, spills, etc. Snow pants, boots, mittens, hats, scarves, etc. are necessary from late Fall through early Spring. These items are needed whether or not there is snow on the ground.

The children wear smocks for messy projects but sometimes they are not enough protection. Children should be free to engage in experiences with sensory media (water, paint, perhaps even mud) without concern over their clothes. Girls are encouraged not to come to the Center in skirts, dresses, or party shoes because they interfere with play. Sandals or open toe shoes are not permitted on the playground.

Top of page MISCELLANEOUS
  1. If your child is going to be absent please notify the school before 8:30 AM. Phone 840-3762. We have voice mail so messages can be left before the school opens.
  2. Any messages from home should be written and brought to the attention of the teachers. This way the Staff will be informed of any specific needs your child may have.
  3. The school will not be held responsible for toys and personal items brought to school. However, respect for property will be taught and observed. NO GLASS items or gum will be allowed. We stress that you please mark your child's possessions.
  4. Parents are welcome to send cookies or healthy snacks to share with their children's friends and teachers on birthdays or special occasions (such as the birth of a new sister or brother). We encourage parents to prepare a food that would be nutritious, as well as tasty. Please let your child's teacher know in advance when bringing a snack. No previously opened items or partially eaten food (1/2 or a cake or pie) can be served. We do not allow treat bags, balloons, or toys of any kind to be brought for children on birthdays.
  5. Field trips and nature walks are considered an important part of the educational program and will be taken periodically to nearby places. The Center will provide the same adequate responsible adult supervision for these excursions as is provided while in attendance at the Center. Your permission for your child to participate in such excursions is required at registration.
  6. Photographs of the children participating in our programs may be taken from time to time. Your permission for photographs including your child is required at registration.
  7. Notes from the Staff pertaining to an individual child or some forthcoming event will be put in the child's lunch box or taped to his cubby. We have found this to be the best way to make sure that these notes get home to parents
  8. Parents will receive newsletters informing them of their child's activities, special events, etc. This newsletter will also be found in your child's lunch box or taped to their cubby.
  9. We care about your concerns regarding your children. When such concerns arise, a scheduled conference time works best for sharing between parent and teacher. If at anytime you desire a conference, please schedule one with your child's teacher for a time convenient to all involved. If you need to discuss any situation with the Administrator, please call ext. 3762 to schedule an appointment. Formal conferences are held in late May and early June. Conversely, if a teacher has a concern regarding your child, the Administrator may request an appointment with you.
  10. Each case of discipline is handled individually. Usually the child and teacher discuss what has happened and the child is informed that his behavior is unsatisfactory and that the incident should not reoccur. The child may then be asked to sit down for a short period of time to take a "time out." If the situation continues to occur, the incident will be brought to the parents' attention so that the staff and parents can work together to resolve the problem.
  11. The Center reserves the right to discharge any student from school. Specific reasons for such action include but are not limited to a child who is verbally and physically abusive to other children and staff, a child who continually destroys school property, a child who displays specific needs for a special education program, a child whose individual needs would be better met in a different environment, a child with toileting problems which interfere with teaching and learning times, or non-payment of tuition. Before a child would be removed from school, a conference would be scheduled to discuss the problem and to compile a list of solutions to be attempted. A follow-up conference may then be scheduled. If these attempts do not work in an agreed time span, a two-week written notice of removal of the child will be sent to the parents.
  12. We expect all children in the Day Care (3-6 year olds) to be totally proficient in toileting skills. For this reason, children are not to be sent in the disposable pull-ups. Underwear must be worn. The teachers in the 2 year old room make toilet training a priority. Your help at home is essential. Further information regarding toileting is sent home when your child enters the 2-year-old classroom. Before children move to the 3 year old room, they must demonstrate their ability to be accident free, be able to undress and dress as needed and wash their hands independently for a 2 week time period. Children new to the center will be expected to show this proficiency during their first two weeks of enrollment. If children do not meet these requirements, their parents will be given a two-week notice to make other day care arrangements.
Top of page RATE SCHEDULES
Full Days
  Infant Care
$50.00/day		 Toddler Care
$45.40/day		 2's Care
$41.00/day		 Day Care
$38.00/day
5 Days $1082.50/mo..
$250.00/wk.		 $982.91/mo.
$227.00/wk.		 $887.65/mo.
$205.00/wk.		 $822.70/mo.
$190.00/wk.
4 Days $866.00/mo.
$200.00/wk.		 $786.33/mo.
$181.60/wk.		 $710.12/mo.
$164.00/wk.		 $658.16/mo.
$152.00/wk.
3 Days $649.50/mo.
$150.00/wk.		 $589.75/mo.
$136.20/wk.		 $532.59/mo.
$123.00/wk.		 $493.62/mo.
$114.00/wk.
2 Days $433.00/mo.
$100.00/wk.		 $393.16/mo.
$ 90.80/wk.		 $355.06/mo.
$ 82.00/wk.		 $329.08/mo.
$ 76.00/wk.
1 Day

$216.50/mo.
$ 50.00/wk.

 $196.58/mo.
$ 45.40/wk.		 $177.53/mo.
$ 41.00/wk.		 $164.54/mo.
$ 38.00/wk.
Half Days
  Infant Care
$30.00/day		 Toddler Care
$27.24/day		 2's Care
$24.60/day		 Day Care
$22.80/day
5 Half Days $649.50/mo.
$150.00/wk.		 $589.75/mo.
$136.20/wk.		 $532.59/mo.
$123.00/wk.		 $493.62/mo.
$114.00/wk.
4 Half Days $519.60/mo.
$120.00/wk.		 $471.80/mo.
$108.96/wk.		 $426.07/mo.
$ 98.40/wk.		 $394.87/mo.
$ 91.20/wk.
3 Half Days $389.70/mo.
$ 90.00/wk.		 $353.85/mo.
$ 81.72/wk.		 $319.55/mo.
$ 73.80/wk.		 $296.17/mo.
$ 68.40/wk.
2 Half Days $259.80/mo.
$ 60.00/wk.		 $235.90/mo.
$ 54.48/wk.		 $213.04/mo.
$ 49.20 wk.		 $197.45/mo.
$ 45.60/wk.
1 Half Day $129.90/mo.
$ 30.00/wk.		 $117.95/mo.
$ 27.24/wk.		 $106.52/mo.
$ 24.60/wk.		 $ 98.72/mo.
$ 22.80/wk.


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