Kangaroo Infant Care Policy Handbook Effective Date 2-1-08 Nicci and Nathan Walla 5241 Danbury Ct. Lincoln, NE 68512 (402)421-6949 or (402) 805-0736

Welcome: Thank you for considering Kangaroo Infant Care, I have over 13 years of experience with infants and love every minute of what I do. When I am not running the daycare, I am a mother of five; a certified labor and postpartum doula, and I also teach the Bradley Method of Husband Coached Childbirth out of my home outside of daycare hours. I am a senior at UNL majoring in child development. Feel free to ask me as many personal questions as you would like. I do not expect you to take this decision lightly, I want you to be very comfortable with me and be sure that I am the one who should look after your child.

My Childcare Philosophy: My style of care giving is closest to “attachment style” which involves holding newborn infants so they have more human contact, and for every infant it is my goal to tend to every single need before it becomes a true need. I will take cues from the child and I do not believe it is possible to “spoil” an infant but merely to teach them. I believe parent/provider communication is the key to a successful childcare relationship. A strong sense of trust and security is crucial to a young one’s development and I try my best to never breach that trust. I strive to work with you as a team to provide a happy and safe environment for your child. I believe children learn through play, & benefit from a structured yet flexible schedule. Activities will be offered which stimulate sensory motor development, language development, perception, cognition, & social interaction. I try to incorporate learning into normal everyday playtime activities. It is our legal and fundamental duty to maintain a provider to child ratio of 4:1 and we will do so at all times. Our maximum capacity as specified by the State of NE is 8 infants and 2 adults.

Daycare Hours: I am available to care for your child Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. I maintain an Open Door Policy within these hours. This means you are welcome to call or drop in to see your child at any time between the hours they are scheduled for. You are welcome to call me at any time during childcare hours. If I don't answer the phone, it means I am probably tending to a diaper. Please be sure to leave a message and I will call back immediately.

Enrollment Deposit and Holding Fees: There will be an enrollment deposit of $50.00 required for all infants to reserve their spot and keep me from further advertising the opening. This deposit will be applied to your first weekly payment. If the parent decides to cancel enrollment for any reason this deposit is non-refundable. There is also a $25/week holding fee that is applied to openings that become available prior to the parents preferred start date but the spot can be held until the child is ready. I cannot hold a spot for more than 4 weeks or a $100.00 total holding fee, you are however able to start paying the full time rate beyond the initial 4 weeks in order to continue holding the spot for your child. Holding fees are never applied to your first tuition payment and are non-refundable. Kangaroo Care reserves the right to change this policy based on individual family needs at any time in writing to be signed and agreed upon by both parents and the provider.

Weekly Fee: This fee covers the next week in advance and is due ON OR BEFORE EACH FRIDAY BY 12:00 PM. Regularly contracted fees are due whether your child attends or not. You are always welcome to pay more than one week in advance. Partial payments are not acceptable. You will be given an official 30 days notice of any increases in your child care fees. If payday falls on a holiday or vacation, payment is required the business day prior to the holiday or vacation.

Full Time Care: Full time care is a set weekly fee of $150.00/week for 30-52.5 h/week. While the hours are flexible, I must know your exact intended drop off and pick up times for the Kangaroo Care Calendar and you must provide at least two weeks notice of intent to lessen or increase your contracted hours. If you need to change your schedule, you must submit the schedule change in writing with two weeks notice. Please understand that I still have to organize daycare ratios and employwees around the daycare calendar and cannot guarantee your hours can be changed with less than two weeks written notice.
Part Time Care: Part time care is $4.00/hour up to 30 h/week. Available hours may vary at the time of your enrollment. Whenever possible, I recommend that your child attend 4 days per week to keep the group similar each day and allow for smooth transitions. Part time hours are rounded up to the nearest ½ hour. Ex: If you contract 22.25 hours you will pay for 22.5 hours. I require a set weekly fee. Parents must provide at least two weeks notice of intent to lessen or increase your contracted PT hours.

Twins: There is a 10% discount for twins or close siblings. EX: $150/wk for the first child and only $135/wk for the second child.
Late Payment Fee: Payments must be received by 12:00 PM every Friday or there will be a $25.00 late fee NO EXCEPTIONS. Even if your child calls in sick on a Friday payment is still due. The child is not permitted to return on Monday until the weekly fee plus a late fee is paid in full. I recommend paying on Thursday evening with a postdated check if Fri. mornings are hectic for you.

Late Pickup or Early Drop off Fees: Dropping off more than 5 minutes early or picking up more than 5 minutes later than the hours on the KC Calendar is simply not allowed. Unapproved early drop offs or late pickups are subject to infant termination. You are however able to drop them off late or pick up them up early at any time. If this last section confused you please be sure to ask me to clarify. Clear communication is the most important aspect of daycare.
Arrivals & Departures: Some infants may cry when separating from parents, the longer you prolong the departure, the harder it gets. A smile, cheerful good-bye kiss, & a reassuring word that you will be back are all that is needed; in my experience, children are nearly always quick to recover as soon as parents are gone. Please be very brief during drop-off and pick-up times

Paid Holidays and Paid Provider Vacation: I am entitled to 10 Paid Holidays within the calendar year. Full time and part time infants who would normally attend on one of these paid holidays will pay their normal weekly contracted fees. Paid Holidays are not dates that can be overlapped with parent’s unpaid vacation requests. 2008 PAID HOLIDAYS: New Years Day - Tues. Jan. 1st - Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. - Mon. Jan. 21st, Presidents Day – Mon. Feb. 18th, Good Friday – Fri. Mar. 21st, Memorial Day - Mon. May 26th, Labor Day - Mon. Sept. 1st, Columbus Day – Mon. Oct. 13th, Thanksgiving Break –Thurs. Nov. 27th and Fri. Nov. 28th, Christmas Day –Thurs. Dec. 25th 2008 PAID VACATIONS: Spring Break – Mar. 24th,25th,26th,27th,28th, Fall Break – Oct. 27th,28th,29th,30th,31st

Provider Unpaid Vacation: Thank You for understanding that in addition to paid holidays and vacations, it is important for me to take summers and Christmas off to tend to my own paid children. This also gives me a chance to rest which in return aids in your child’s level of quality childcare. 2008 UNPAID VACATIONS: Personal unpaid break – April 18th, 21st, Summer Break - June 2nd through Aug. 22nd and Christmas Break - Dec. 22nd,23rd,24th, 26th,29th,30th,31st,Jan. 2nd (Please Note that the 25th of Dec and 1st of Jan is covered under paid holiday)
Vacation or Leave for Parents: Parents must provide me with a written two weeks notice of all unpaid vacation days. You may hold your child’s spot for any reason unpaid for up to 10 days/year. These days do not need to be consecutive. I will adjust your weekly fee to reflect a partial week of paid care when necessary. If I am notified of a leave with less than two weeks notice, the regular contracted fees will apply. Unpaid vacation requests are never allowed to overlap paid holidays on the paid holidays schedule listed above but they are able to overlap my paid vacations.
Sick Days Policy for Provider and Infants: If I or my family is extremely sick and it is not feasibly to call in a back-up provider or have others in my home exposed to the illness, I will notify you ASAP that your child will not be able to attend daycare and normal fees still apply. If your infant is sick or stays home for any reason there will be no adjustments made to your regularly scheduled childcare fees for your time missed due to illness or unexpected days off at your work. Please notify me within 1 hour of your drop off time if your child will be absent or late.

Illness Policy: Illnesses happen and I expect a certain amount of exposure between my children and yours. I will keep sick children isolated from healthy ones whenever possible and I expect parents to do the same. If my family or I become ill due to exposure to a sick child, all of the children may need to arrange alternate care. Because this is so disruptive to everyone’s family, your cooperation on this matter is extremely important. The following illness policies will be strictly enforced, for the health, well being & safety of all concerned. Symptoms requiring removal from child care are…
Fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. A child must be fever free for 24 hours before returning (This means fever free without the aid of medication), diarrhea, vomiting, obvious inconsolable pain, head lice, unchecked rattling cough, thick green or yellow mucous, matted or crusty red eyes, and finally unexplained rash, hives, or open sores.

Your child may be brought to child care if he/she has the common cold, however nasal discharge of any color other than clear is not acceptable in child care unless accompanied by a doctor’s note stating that he/she is not contagious. At this point, I would require an over-the–counter medication to dry up the discharge. Yellow or green nasal discharge is generally a sign of illness such as an infection of the sinuses, a foreign body present, or a serious illness.
A child will be sent home if a child is irritable beyond the usual teething, gas, and diaper rash or requires more attention than I can provide without jeopardizing the health, safety, or well being of the other children in my care. If your child becomes ill while in my care, I will notify you immediately. You are required to pick up your child within 1 hour of notification. If you cannot be reached then your emergency contacts will be called. I reserve the right to determine when a child should be sent home due to illness. Please notify me as soon as possible when your child becomes ill. If my children seem to be sick I will notify you immediately of their symptoms so you feel you have the choice of whether or not you are ok with your infant being exposed (is it really preventable?) I will always respect your need to be at work. I ask, however, that you give consideration to the other children. Ask yourself how you would feel if another child were as ill as your child. Would you want your well child exposed to these symptoms? This is always one of the toughest issues surrounding childcare, which is why I have set very clear guidelines.

Provider Absences: By signing this contract, you are allowing my trusted back-up provider to step into the daily routine at any time I might need him/her. Please keep in mind that this is usually for brief appointments during the week. You can expect me to leave him/her with detailed information about your child’s day so that my backup is well informed of your child’s needs.

Taxes and Forms: Please be sure to read all forms, I must have them signed and in my possession on your child’s entry date. I will keep the signed pages of your contract, signed ouch reports, and signed contract updates on your child’s clip board. Please keep me informed of any changes in all personal info. You will also receive a year-end summary of all fees paid at the time of termination or in January of each year. You must keep this statement for tax purposes.
Kangaroo Care Calendar: Your child’s schedule will be printed on the Kangaroo Care main calendar. I will make sure that all paid and unpaid holidays are marked on this calendar and this is also where I will keep track of whether you are paid up in full and for how long.
Custody Agreements and Legal Guardianship: The only way I would release a child to someone who is not on the list is in the event they have provided me with legal guardianship papers and I am able to call and verify those papers before I will release the child to any person not on the enrollment form.

Checks: If your local check is returned for insufficient funds, you will be charged a $30.00 insufficient funds fee. A CASH payment is expected upon notification. NO EXCEPTIONS. Childcare will be also be immediately halted until all fees have been paid. Parent will also be responsible for ALL FEES associated with the returned check charged by my bank. For instance, if your returned check causes one of mine to bounce, you will be responsible for the bank fees incurred.

Personal Belongings & Parent Provided Supplies: No toys should be brought from home that you would not want to be considered community property for the day. Exceptions will be their “lovey” for naptime which I will keep in their bin for naptime only. Parents are required to supply diapers disposable or cloth, breast milk (where applicable) & a spare change of clothes that is in season.

Communication: When I accept a new family into my business communication is expected of both of us. I like to be sure we can openly share any concerns, questions, or feedback of any kind. I am looking forward to a terrific relationship with you & your infant.
Meals: I will feed your child based on your child’s feeding cues and not based on a set time although most children will end up eating around the same time everyday. I will hold off feeding all breastfed infants up to 30 minutes before pick up time if requested by the parent. I require all bottles, nipples, and pacifiers be provided. I will mark them clearly and provide them an individually marked bin. I will sanitize all items left at kangaroo care. I will provide formula for your child as long as it is not a specialty formula that is more expensive than basic milk or soy based formula. If your infant is on solids, I will provide a balanced meal for your child including healthy snacks. Please let me know exactly what specific foods you want your child to have when you are just getting started at home.

House Rules: 1) No shoes in the house past the main entry room. 2) Cars must pull completely up and to the left or right of any other vehicle already in my driveway. 3) Please do not park along the street; it is a bus route and illegal to park on our side of the street. 4) Always come to the classroom door unless there is a note posted there stating otherwise. 5) No smoking is permitted on the premises.
Child Abuse: I am mandated by law to recognize & report any evidence of physical or emotional child abuse or neglect. This is strictly for the benefit of your child and I will have no choice but to call the police and/or Child Protective Services. My first obligation is to the safety & welfare of your child.
Medical Emergencies: In case of EMERGENCY, I will administer the necessary First Aid, and YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY! You are responsible for all costs involved in emergency medical treatment, including emergency transportation, if required. I, the owner of Kangaroo Care will not be held liable for any sickness or accidental injury of either parent/guardian or child while on these premises.

Termination by Parent: Parent may terminate this contract at any time, however it is mandatory that parents provide at least 2 weeks written termination notice; if a parent wishes to terminate this agreement without notice, he/she agrees to pay the 2 weeks fees at time of notification. If Parent breaches contract, he/she will be liable for all collection & court costs involved.

Kangaroo Care Parent Provider Contract / Enrollment                                         In-Home Care Provided by Nicci B Walla 5241 Danbury Ct. Lincoln, NE 68512 (402) 421-6949 or (402) 805-0736

Childs name: __________________ DOB: _____________    Entry Date: ______________ # of hours per week: __________
Home Phone __________________ Home Address: __________________________________________ Zip: ______________
Mother’s Name: __________________________________ Place of Employment: ___________________________________
Mother’s Cell Phone _______________________________ Mother’s Work Phone: ___________________________________
Father’s Name: __________________________________ Place of Employment: ____________________________________
Father’s Cell Phone ________________________________ Father’s Work Phone: ____________________________________

Standard Enrollment Deposit: $50.00 paid on _________ a remaining total of $________ is due by the first day of daycare.
Holding Fee: $________ amount paid to hold the spot for ________ weeks (no more than 4 wks at the $25/week)
Weekly Tuition Fee: Your weekly fee is $________ Any Agreement that Deviates from this entire contract please note below:
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Contracted Hours: Please provide me with your schedule below or on additional paper in writing to be placed on my calendar.

Mon: ______________ Tues: ________________ Wed: ______________ Thurs: ________________ Fri: ________________
Rates: The full-time rate is $150.00 per week (30-52.5 Hours Per week). The part-time rate is $4.00/hour (up to 30 H/Week).
I HAVE READ AND ACCEPT THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF KANGAROO CARE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CONTRACT MAY BE REVEIWED AND REVISED AS NECESSARY AND THAT I WILL BE PROVIDED WITH WRITTEN NOTICE OF SUCH REVISIONS AT LEAST 30 DAYS PRIOR TO ANY CHANGES TO THIS AGREEMENT. I AGREE THAT I WILL GIVE NOTICE AND PAY FOR TWO WEEKS OF CHILDCARE AT THE TIME OF MY CHILD’S TERMINATION OR LEGAL ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST ME. I ALSO AGREE THAT IF I CHOOSE TO CANCEL LESS THAN TWO WEEKS BEFORE MY START DATE I WILL LOSE MY DEPOSIT AND BE SUED FOR THE DIFFERENCE OF THE AMOUNT BETWEEN THE TIME I CANCELLED AND THE END OF MY FIRST TWO WEEKLY FEES. THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING.
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