Policies & Procedures
Please check your child's sign in/out book for all the latest news of importance and interest regarding KOC. Please keep all your emergency numbers, class schedules, addresses, and telephone numbers in your child's file up-to-date. The by-laws (available at the facility) contain the rules and procedures governing KOC's operations.
The following is a summary of the more important items for the day to day operations of the school.
Sign-In/Out and Pick-up and Delivery
Parents must sign their child IN and OUT, with their full legal signature, on the posted record sheet each time she/he leaves and returns to the center during the day. This is required by the state licensing agency and is a state law and a safety matter, as this is the only record we have that your child is present at school. We use this to take roll periodically, especially during fire and emergency drills. Our treasurer also depends on this record to reconcile your account. Children are released only to their parent unless you authorize someone else (over age 18) to pick up your child by completing the appropriate form at KOC ahead of time.
Never drop your child off and allow him/her to walk in alone...see that she/he arrives safely and is signed in.
Please be sure your child is picked up prior to closing (there is a fine of $10.00 per every 15 minutes past 12:45 (a.m. session) or 5:45 (full day or p.m. session).
In the event that a parent or designated adult arrives to sign child/ren out while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, other arrangements will be made for the child's safe transport. If necessary, the police will be contacted and will deal with the situation as they deem necessary.
Absences/Illness
If your child will be absent on a given day, please notify the school by 8:30 a.m. of that day.
Morning Screening
An informal health inspection will be made each morning for every child. A staff member will observe your child for early signs of illness. If your child shows signs of illness, he/she will not be accepted into the program that day. This is in compliance with California State Licensing Regulations and the California Health and Safety Code.
Medication and Illness
If your child is sent home during the day, he/she must be symptom free for 24 hours before returning to KOC. If your child requires medication you will need to give this medication to a staff member and sign a KOC medication form for each day the medicine is to be given. Never put medicine in your child's lunch box.
Medication will be given at 12:00 and 4:00 only. Feel free to drop in to KOC and administer medication yourself if it is needed at other times. KOC staff cannot administer eyedrops.
School is a place for healthy children! Your child should remain at home if the following symptoms are present:
- Temperature over 100 degrees in the last 24 hours
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Deep/persistent coughs, sore throat
- Thick yellow or green nasal discharge
- Ear drainage or soreness
- Pale or flushed skintone
- Red or watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Contagious skin rash
- Open sore (as with chicken pox)
- Any contagious disease
If your child goes home with any of the above symptoms during the school day he/she cannot return to school the following day. YOUR CHILD MUST BE SYMPTOM FREE FOR 24 HOURS BEFORE RETURNING TO KOC.
IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL CHILDREN AND STAFF WE MUST STRICTLY ADHERE TO OUR ILLNESS POLICY.
You will be contacted to pick up your child if any of these conditions develop during the school day. Your child will be isolated from the other children until you arrive. Please be sure we know where to reach you at all times. Leave emergency phone numbers, pager numbers, etc., when you are not at your regular daily location.
Fieldtrips
Field trips typically include trips to the pumpkin patch, the de Saisset Museum, the Santa Clara Fire Station, a Christmas Tree Farm, Happy Hollow, Prusch Farm, Vasona and Oak Meadow parks, and the De Anza planetarium. A complete list of field trips is sent home at the beginning of the school year. Parents are given ample notification of field trips and are asked to sign appropriate permission forms. Parents are required to make sure a car seat is available for their child if he/she is either under 60 lbs. or 6 years old. Please check your calendar for days and times of field trips as your child would be very disappointed if he/she missed a trip due to late arrival.
Emergency cards are taken on all field trips. Please be sure that you have given us current information and that you update us when information changes. Out of date phone numbers mean wasted time and possible danger to your child.
KOC cannot provide other arrangements during field trips. We are limited as to the amount of children that can be with our staff and most trips are attended by all KOC children. If you do not wish your child to attend a particular field trip it is your responsibility to provide alternate care until we return to KOC. All field trips are planned with the safety of our children in mind. We have responsible parents and staff driving and supervising the children. We have 1 adult per 2 or 3 children during most events. You are always encouraged and welcome to drive/supervise on any field trip. (These events count toward your service hours.)
Withdrawal from KOC
Member-families are asked to give a minimum of two-week's written notice if they wish to withdraw from KOC, so that there is ample time to fill the slot without negatively impacting the program. If you withdraw your child from KOC during the school year (i.e., for vacations) you will forfeit your space and be placed at the end of the wait list. KOC will fill your space upon your departure. If a space should become available you will need to re-enroll your child and pay the $50. fee.
Mandated Reporting
The state of California requires that all members of child care institutions report to Protective Services (CPS) any cases of suspected or obvious child abuse/neglect. All such matters will be held in the strictest confidence.
Dismissal from KOC
Dismissal from the program for whatever reason is governed by a procedure outlined in the By-laws that includes a) formal notification of the parent and the Board by the director, b) an observation period, c) if necessary, a conference with the director and two Board members and a second observation period, and d) if problems are not resolved the Board will dismiss the child from the program giving at least a two-week notice.
A child may be dismissed immediately if he/she is exhibiting behavior that endangers the safety of other children or staff in our center. This includes willfully disregarding school safety rules both at KOC and on off campus field trips.
In the event that a child repeatedly hits, kicks or spits on any staff member you may be called to remove the child from KOC for the rest of the day.
Toilet Training
To be fully toilet trained the child must be able to recognize and act independently upon the urge to go to the bathroom. The teachers will remind the children at regular intervals throughout the day such as snack, lunch, outside transition, etc.
Discipline Policy and Guidelines
It is our intent to view discipline as a positive learning experience! When discipline is used as a teaching opportunity there are no magic techniques which work for every problem or every child. Each child has the right to be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse, or other actions of a punitive nature. Kids on Campus does not allow any physical or emotional punishment. Our emphasis is on redirection and helping children develop positive methods of problem solving.
We enforce three main rules that keep Kids On Campus a safe place for all:
- We will not let you hurt yourself.
- We will not let you hurt anyone else.
- We will not let you hurt our school.
We expect children to test the limits, that's how they learn. Children need permission and outlets for expressing feelings such as anger, sadness, frustration and depression. Our main goal is for the children to learn self-control and self-discipline. e use the following guidelines to facilitate this process and enforce our "three rules":
- Natural Consequences -- The children learn from the consequences of their behavior and choices. Understanding mistakes and accidents is a learning process. It may be appropriate to discuss what happened and why. Some situations need the adult to positively direct the child to a logical consequence. This approach helps children become more responsible for their own actions. For example, wiping up spilled milk, or washing crayon marks off the table or wall.
- Problem Solving -- Thinking of alternative solutions and the possible effects of such solutions. Through problem solving, children develop a sense of responsibility for their own actions, begin to understand others needs and strengthen their decision-making skills. Children need adult assistance to think of alternatives that will be mutually agreeable. We might ask "How can you...? or What could you do to...?" Children soon learn to generate their own solutions. Problems between two children can also be resolved by this technique, directing children to "use their words." Examples of dialogue can be demonstrated by adults....This is know as NEGOTIATION!
- Redirection -- Having an activity redirected or replaced by an acceptable substitute. When reasons are stated by an adult the child can soon learn to redirect themselves. When we redirect an activity we look at what the child is involved in doing and offer an acceptable alternative. If two children are fighting over a scoop in the sand area, we may offer a cup or another scooper. A child climbing on a table would be directed to climb trees or a climber instead. Another enticing activity may work equally well.
Cool Off -- Cool Off should never be a punishment, a threat or humiliating to the child. It should not be in a predetermined chair or place. It should last as long as the child feels is needed to calm down. It should be a time for adult and child to talk about feelings -- after the child has calmed down. In some situations a child will be so upset and so intense that they may need to be held and reassured that the adult is there to help them calm down. A screaming and thrashing child may need to be soothed in this manner before discussing the behavior or incident. The child may need to calm down by themselves. They will be provided with that opportunity while a teacher supervises from a safe distance.
We feel that when children are cuddled, talked with, given choices and made to feel important throughout the day, they are less likely to demand attention by negative behavior. As children become older we attempt to let them work through their disputes and problems on their own. When it appears that they need assistance, an adult will step in to help with problem solving or negotiating.
The learning environment is planned and scheduled to maximize appropriate behavior. Routines are designed to allow children a successful mix of choice and structure.
The goal of discipline is to help children build their own self-control, not to have them behave through adult-imposed control. Modeling and recognizing acceptable behavior are the preferred methods of training.
Any discipline technique will be more effective if it is applied in a way that maintains or enhances the child's self-esteem. The technique must match the age and development of the child. No technique will be effective in every situation. We strive to recognize and encourage children's efforts, anticipating and eliminating potential problems.
The child must understand why she or he is being disciplined -- after they have gained self-control.
Idle or impossible threats encourage children to test rules and push limits. Effective discipline requires follow through.
The road to independence and self-discipline takes time and patience!
Disaster Preparedness
KOC has a plan of action in the event of earthquake or other disaster. The children are taught to "DROP AND COVER" when a staff person directs them to do so. (They drop to the floor on their knees and cover the back of their neck and head with their arms.) When it is safe to do so, everyone will leave the building and gather at the back corner of the playground behind KOC. We will count to be sure everyone is safely out of the building. (Therefore it is vitally IMPORTANT that you tell a teacher when you take your child home EVERY DAY so we always know how many children are present.) Should the emergency be prolonged and we are not able to re-enter KOC, we will take the children to Benson Center.
In the event of any major emergency, come to pick up your child as soon as possible. Remain calm when you arrive at the center so as not to upset the children.
We maintain emergency supplies: food, water, blankets, a first aid kit, and radio. Our staff is trained in first aid and CPR and knows where emergency facilities are located.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Bring a gallon size zip lock baggie with the following items:
A photograph of your family
The following items are suggested for infants:
- Can of formula
- Box of dry cereal
- Jars of baby food
The following food items are suggested for toddlers:
- Individual size can of apple juice
- Granola bar
- Package of crackers
- Beef jerky
- Can of applesauce, spoon
- Any other items your child likes that will keep for one year.
Having these items from home can be very comforting in a trying time. They will be returned to you at the end of the year for a new package.
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