Enrollment Information

Every child registered at Early Learning Centers of Broward is required to have a copy of his/her State of Florida DCF Student Health Examination Form and Immunization Record, due to the first day of enrollment, on file. It is the parents' responsibility to keep it up to date. We prioritize the health and well-being of all children in our care. We would like to inform you that some children in our facility may have immunization exemptions as permitted by state and local regulations. Our staff is committed to following best practices to create a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

 The school does not dispense any medication unless a doctor’s note is provided and the child's name and dosage are listed on the prescription.

 Please keep your child home if:

1. Running a fever - 100 0 F or above.
2. Has diarrhea/vomiting.
3. Generally, not feeling like themselves/herself
4. Has any discharge from the nose, eyes, or ears.
5. Has symptoms of a possible communicable disease

Parents are required to inform the school of all illnesses or injuries the child may have sustained prior to arriving at the center. If your child has a communicable disease, please notify us at once. A doctor's note clearing the child from being contagious is required in order to accept him/her back to school. While at school, if the child becomes ill with one of the following:

1. Fever 100 0 F or above
2. 2 Diarrheas within the day
3. Rash
4. Vomiting
5. Suspected pink eye
6. Lice or nits Discharge from the nose, eyes, or ears
7. Any other sign or symptom of illness, he/she will be isolated and the parents contacted to make arrangements to pick up the child immediately (within 1 hour).

To whom it May Concern: I hereby give my consent to the nearest hospital to administer the necessary treatment to my child in the event of an emergency, at which time I cannot be reached. I give consent to transport by ambulance if the situation warrants it.

Florida State Legislature - Chapter 74-1 13 Broward County Ordinance 78-36

If lunch and snacks are furnished by the child's parents, there shall be a written agreement signed by the parents and kept on file at the facility. The agreement shall define the responsibility of the parent and the operator for meeting the child's nutritional needs. Lunches shall include the protein, grain, fruit, and dairy groups.

Agreement

Dear Parent: In accordance with the Broward County Child Care OrdinanceFamily Child Care Ordinance, parents and the childcare facility/home are urged to work cooperatively to assure that children are provided with nutritious snacks and meals where lunches are not provided by the facility/home. Please read the following carefully, sign it, and return it as soon as possible to Early Learning Centers of Broward.

The facility agrees to provide a nutritious:

1. Breakfast
2. Lunch
3. Mid-Afternoon Snack

Acceptable behavior is encouraged and expected by all students through positive verbal rewards. This reinforces a child's self-esteem by making them feel good about their behavior, while also serving as an example for other children. Asking a child to stop and think about their unpleasant behavior enables that child to work on their self-control. Our method of discipline is to give "thinking time" to the children. If behavior is not showing improvement, then the child is taken to the administrator or director. WE DO NOT PRACTICE THE DISCIPLINE OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT (spanking). When a child continues to exhibit disruptive and harmful behavior, you will be notified of potential dismissal. Disruptive and harmful behavior will not be allowed to continue for more than one month. Behavior problems require the parent and teacher to work together with consistent guidelines that will improve the child's conduct. However, the  Administration reserves the right to dismiss any child whose behavior is disrespectful, disruptive, or harmful to other children or teachers.

Our goal is to assist children in becoming self-disciplined and in making the right choices on a daily basis. Communicating with parents will be an essential part of our process. Our teachers apply positive reinforcement and motivation strategies and seek to help the child understand better alternatives to their behavior. Discipline will not be performed in anger nor be associated with food, rest, or toileting. Response to inappropriate behavior will not include: withholding light, warmth, clothing, or medical care; ridicule, embarrassment, humiliation or physical restraint- other than restraint necessary to protect a child or others from harm. Our children will feel forgiven and loved, even after being corrected. Through clear expectations, positive examples, and appropriate, consistent consequences, our students learn respect for themselves and others. Teacher responses to negative or inappropriate behaviors may include the following elements as necessary and appropriate:

1. Logical consequences: The teacher applies appropriate, logical consequences to the student (picking up, sharing, apologizing, etc.)
2. Redirection/Distraction: The teacher presents alternatives to children engaged in conflict (e.g., presenting a different toy, suggesting a new activity, engaging the child in an activity with a teacher or different peer, encouraging independent play, etc.).
3. Take a break: The child is separated from his peers for an appropriate period of time. The child rejoins peers after a silent time and following a conference with the teacher.
4. Conferencing: The teacher explains the inappropriateness of the behavior in terms of its effect on self and others. More appropriate behaviors are identified and discussed. The child is encouraged to assume responsibility as needed.
5. Dismissal will be carried out only as a last resort if the child's actions cannot be corrected.

The staff at Early Learning Centers of Broward expects full cooperation from both students and parents in the discipline of the student. Constructive discipline is necessary for the welfare of the student as well as the entire preschool.

Parents will be notified of children who show repeated behavioral problems, and will be required to remove their child from preschool for that day.

I, too, believe that discipline is necessary for the welfare of each student as well as for the entire preschool. I therefore give permission for the teachers and/or other agents of the preschool to make and enforce regulations as needed.

I further agree to hold the preschool and its agents harmless for any liability because of any claims against Early Learning Centers of Broward or any employee or agent thereof on my child's behalf if it is not found at fault. I agree to pay any attorney fees, court fees, damages, or other costs that Early Learning Centers of Broward or its agents should incur in defending itself against such action. This Statement of Cooperation will be in effect for as long as my child attends Early Learning Centers of Broward.

It is required by the state of Florida Statue number 402.305, that verification of every child care facility provides parents in writing the disciplinary practiced used by the facility, and to be documented on the enrollment form or an equivalent form with signature of the parent. Your signature signifies that you have read and understood the above "Discipline Procedure" statement.

   
EARLY LEARNING CENTERS OF BROWARD ADMITS STUDENTS OF ANY RACE, NATIONAL OR ETHNIC ORIGIN TO ALL RIGHTS-PRIVILEGED PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES. I T DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE BASED ON RACE, COLOR, OR ETHNIC ORIGIN IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF ITS EDUCATIONAL POLICIES, ADMISSION POLICIES, OR ANY OTHER PRESCHOOL SPONSORED PROGRAM.
 

Student Withdrawal

 

If a parent wishes to withdraw their child from Early Learning Centers of Broward, they must come into the preschool office. At the time, withdrawal procedures will be initiated regarding transcripts and termination of financial obligations. However, withdrawal will not be completed until all preschool-owned property has been returned to the preschool and all financial obligations have been fulfilled.

Withdrawal/Refund Policy: All registrations and enrollments are non-refundable. Preschool attendance for any portion of a month will require full payment for the month. All tuition payments must be current before any preschool records will be transferred or returned. Any student account that is past due will result in the removal of student from the class until account becomes current.

At Early Learning Centers of Broward, we agree that effective guidance should be an essential element of education at home as well as school. Self-discipline and character develop as a result of loving guidance and mutual respect. At times, it becomes necessary to redirect a child in order to discourage behavior that is deemed destructive or unacceptable. We adhere to the regulations outlined in the State of Florida DCF Child Day Care Standards Booklet, which states:

• Discipline is not to be severe, humiliating, or frightening.
• Discipline shall not be associated with food or toileting.
• Spanking or any form of physical punishment is prohibited.

However, the parents are expected to provide effective guidance to their child when unbecoming behavior persists. Children should be taught by parents to behave in a proper, socially acceptable manner.

Good behavior is rewarded by immediate commendation or the granting of special privileges. Unacceptable behavior is only handled by redirecting the child to an alternate activity. Whenever we encounter persistently poor behavior, a parent-teacher conference is scheduled in order to unite insights and provide the best possible resolution. For recurring aggressive behavior towards other children or staff members, the following actions MAY be necessary:

• Incident will be documented on an incident report form and signed by the parent
• Child will need to be picked up from school immediately.
• Child will be suspended from school the following day.
• In extreme cases, the child will be suspended from school for 1 week. (Parent is still responsible for tuition payment)

For the safety and welfare of all children, Early Learning Centers of Broward reserves the right to suspend and/or expel a child from the facility. Therefore, if all strategies fail to cease the aggressive behavior, termination of enrollment may occur.

Non-Admittance Policy

A child cannot be accepted and enrolled at Early Learning Centers of Broward if they present unusually aggressive or violent behaviors towards other children or adults, and/or place themselves or others at risk of harm in any other way.

Similarly, if a child has a contagious disease placing other children at risk of infection, or if the child is very ill (contagious or not) necessitating care and provision of medication which the school cannot offer, these will also be reasons preventing enrollment.

In such situations, parents are provided with clear reasons why Early Learning Centers of Broward cannot accept the child.

Early Learning Centers of Broward also cannot accept children when the school, or relevant classroom, is full to the licensing capacity limits.

Expulsion Policy

If a child’s behavior becomes so problematic as to present a risk to themselves, other children, and/or the staff, Early Learning Centers of Broward reserves the right, at our discretion, to expel the child.

If a child’s parent(s), any relative or caregiver of a child, or representative of the parent(s), becomes verbally abusive to any staff member or child(ren) at Early Learning Centers of Broward, such behavior may result in their child being expelled, at the discretion of Early Learning Centers of Broward.

A child’s place at Early Learning Centers of Broward will be terminated when parents do not pay the total weekly fee for two cumulative weeks. If the child’s placement is subsidized by the Early Learning Coalition via the School Readiness

program, Early Learning Centers of Broward will follow the requirement of the ELC and report nonpayment of co-pays. After 2 weeks of failure to pay co-pays, the ELC may terminate School Readiness payments with a one-week notice given to the parent.

Short Term Health Exclusions

Children must be excluded from school if they suffer a contagious disease and by symptom symptom-free for 24 hours before they return. If the child was exposed to, or contracted COVID-19, the child may only return once the parent has provided a negative test result, or in lieu of this, the child must remain home for 10 days from first exposure.

EARLY LEARNING CENTERS OF BROWARD reserves the right to dismiss any child at any time, with or without cause. Any past due balances must be paid within 30 days of the dismissal. An invoice detailing the past due balance will be forwarded to the address indicated in the child's file within one week of the dismissal. Any balances remaining after the 30 day period will be referred to the agency's legal counsel for collection. The Preschool Director or designee will assist the parent in gathering their child's belongings at the time of dismissal and parents are required to leave agency property in a calm and respectful manner, immediately. EARLY LEARNING CENTERS OF BROWARD will request assistance from local police should any parent become disruptive and/or uncooperative while gathering their child's belongings upon dismissal. A dismissed child and his/her parents are required to call and request an appointment with the Preschool Director if they wish to return to agency property following a dismissal. Appointments are made at the discretion of the Preschool Director and are not a right of the dismissed child or parent. Following a dismissal, any parent or child who harasses, threatens or in any manner causes harm to anyone affiliated with the agency by calling, writing, or any other means, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, by EARLY LEARNING CENTERS OF BROWARD.

We, the parent(s) of (Child's Name):

understand and agree to abide by the following financial terms and procedures:

1. Tuition payment is due in advance on Monday (and no later than Tuesday) for that week.
2. Any checks returned by the bank will have a $50.00 charge assessed. Two consecutive returned checks will revoke check-writing privileges. Any further payments must be paid in cash or by credit card.
3. Tuition payments made after Tuesday are considered late and a late fee of $50.00 will be assessed.
4. Tuition may be paid in advance for more than one week.
5. No tuition reimbursement or credit will be given for a child's absence days or partial week attendance. (example: sickness) except for preapproved vacations. One free vacation week is given each calendar year ONLY.
6. Tuition will be charged until a student is formally withdrawn for Early Learning Centers of Broward.
7. Registration fees are non-refundable.
8. All delinquent accounts or returned checks will be submitted to the credit bureau and collection agency.

By enrolling your child, you are hereby requesting that Early Learning Centers of Broward reserve a place for your child in our classroom. This often comes at the exclusion of another child who we may need to refuse admittance due to limited space and student/teacher ratio requirements.

Therefore, tuition is due based on ENROLLMENT and not based on ATTENDANCE. In other words, whether your child attends or not, as long as the school is open at least 3 of the days of the week, your tuition is due. This includes absences to due to illness. To accommodate parents in this regard, we allow for two weeks “off,” whether for vacation, illness, or anything else.

This policy is necessary to ensure that we can properly meet our obligations to pay staff and continue to operate.

ELC – SCHOOL READINESS AND VPK ATTENDANCE

For those with ELC assistance towards your tuition obligation – whether for VPK and/or School Readiness – you MUST abide by the ELC attendance reimbursement policy or else you run the risk of the ELC denying reimbursement for your child. This may be denials per incident, or being fully dropped from their funding.

Therefore, as long as your child is enrolled, the tuition is due in full and you’re responsible for any portion not covered by ELC. If the ELC denies, in any part, reimbursement due to absences, we reserve the right to add the forgone reimbursement money to your bill.  Although we may only find out several weeks after a given month has ended that there were unreimbursed days due to excess absences, the tuition will be added onto a subsequent bill.

Occasionally, the ELC communicates their attendance requirement changes (especially as it pertains to COVID-19), so be sure to look out for their emails. It is up to the parent to stay informed with ELC requirements and changes. Lack of awareness does not on reimbursement policy changes does not change your tuition obligation to the school.

For School Readiness, 3 absences per month can be unexcused. Beyond this, all absences must be backed up with notation. Whether for illness, family member death, etc., notation must be provided by end of the month at the latest, since we submit attendance to ELC during the first 3 days of the new month.

For VPK, up to 20% of the school days per month can be an unexcused absence. This is generally no more than 4 absences per month. Beyond this, all absences must be backed up with notation. Whether for illness, family member death, etc., notation must be provided by end of the month at the latest, since we submit attendance to ELC during the first 3 days of the new month.

Please remember that we are providing a service to care for, teach, and develop your child. This requires resources.

received a copy of the Parent Handbook, “Know Your Child’s Day Care Center” (Chapter 402.3125, F.S), and the “Influenza Virus - The Flue - A Guide for Parents”

Pursuant to 65C-22.005 (1)©2., E.A.C., licensed child care facilities must obtain written permission from parents/guardians regarding a child's participation in food-related activities. These activities include such things as: classroom cooking, projects, gardening, school-wide celebrations, and birthdays.

give or decline permission for my child

to participate in food related activities and special occasions wherein food is consumed.

A change in daily routine, lack of sleep, stress, fatigue, cell phone use,
and simple distractions are some things parents experience and can
be contributing factors as to why children have been left unknowingly
in vehicles.
 

During the 2018 legislative session,

a new law was passed that requires child care facilities, family day care homes and large family child care homes to provide parents, during the months of April and September each year, with information regarding the potential for distracted adults to fail to drop off a child at the facility/home and instead leave them in the adult’s vehicle upon arrival at the adult’s destination.

7-5.02(g)(5)(e) There shall be a written policy on physical activity participation signed by each child's parent and maintained on file at the facility, which describes the types and duration of physical activities (indoor and outdoor) provided, and recommended footwear and appropriate clothing.

At Early Learning Centers of Broward, children are exposed to many different types of physical activities. We feel it is important for our children to stay healthy and be active. Therefore, we offer playground twice a day, music and movement, various physical activities in the classroom, and rainy day activities. Children are required to wear closed-toed shoes while at school.

I understand that it is my responsibility to update the form in the event my decision for permission changes. I agree that this form will remain in effect during the term of my child's enrollment.

I, the parent/guardian of the child named below, give permission for childcare personnel to have access to my child’s submitted records (including submitted health forms) to be reviewed and utilized only by staff at this school for the limited purpose of meeting my child’s health and educational needs.

Notice of Immunization Policy Compliance

 

Per Florida state law, Early Learning Centers of Broward may grant a Temporary Medical Exemption (TME), documented on the Form DH 680, Florida Certification of Immunization, for those who are in the process of completing any necessary immunizations. The TME requires an expiration date after which the exemption is no longer valid, and the immunizations must be completed before or at that time.

A Permanent Medical Exemption, documented on the Form DH 680, can be granted if a child cannot be fully immunized due to medical reasons. In this case, the child's physician must state in writing, the reasons for exemption based on valid clinical reasoning or evidence.

Form DH 681, Religious Exemption From Immunization, is issued if immunizations are in conflict with the religious tenets and practices of the child's parent or guardian. This exemption is issued by a County Health Department (CHD) and is based on established religious beliefs or practices only.

NAPTIME AND SAFE SLEEP PROCEDURES

 

Infant Safe Sleep Policy 

• Early Learning Centers of Broward will always place infants, aged under 12 months, to sleep on their backs. If they turn over onto their tummies we will turn them again onto their backs. If parents wish their infant to sleep on their tummies for medical reasons, a doctor must provide a note giving permission and reasons. An infant who has been sleeping on their tummy at home will be at no greater risk sleeping on their back in the preschool - in fact, according to AAP, they will be safer.
• Early Learning Centers of Broward will only place infants to sleep in a properly approved safety crib and mattress, manufactured after June 28th, 2011. Infants will never be placed in any form of ELC to sleep.
• Coverings on mattresses will be tightly fitting and sanitized regularly.
• Cribs will be kept free of all toys, wedges or infant positioners, as these are known to increase risks.
• Infants will be dressed appropriately for sleep (recommendation is one more layer than for a lightly dressed adult), maintaining a summer temperature between 74/82 degrees Fahrenheit and 68/75 degrees Fahrenheit in winter. Overheating is a risk factor for SIDS/SUIDS.
• All infants will have their own specific cribs, which will not be shared. Only one infant will be allowed to sleep in a crib at a time.
• Infants will have supervised active "tummy time" every day.
• There is evidence that pacifiers reduce the risk of SIDS/SUIDS. However, parents must provide permission for their use. Pacifiers must never be tied or secured in any way.
• All Early Learning Centers of Broward staff will take the ADD training course "Reducing the Risk of SIDS and SUIDS in Early Education and Child Care.

This policy is designed to prevent the possibility of abusive head trauma during care. Abusive head trauma (also referred to as Shaken Baby Syndrome) occurs in infants and young children, whose neck muscles are not well-developed and whose heads are larger relative to their bodies. As a result, they are especially susceptible to head trauma caused by any type of forceful or sudden shaking, with or without blunt impact. Damage can occur in as little as 5 seconds.

Abusive head trauma can occur in children up to 5 years of age; however, infants less than one year are at greater risk of injury. Shaken baby syndrome can lead to serious conditions, including:

• Brain damage, problems with memory and attention, cerebral palsy;
• Blindness or hearing loss; Intellectual, speech or learning disabilities; and
• Developmental delays.

The signs and symptoms of shaken baby syndrome or head trauma include:

• Seizures;
• Bruises;
• Lack of appetite, vomiting, or difficulty sucking or swallowing;
• Lack of smiling or vocalizing;
• Rigidity, inability to lift the head;
• Difficulty staying awake, altered consciousness;
• Difficulty breathing, blue color due to lack of oxygen;
• Unequal pupil size, inability to focus the eyes or track movement; or
• Irritability

Injury Prevention

Infant crying is normal behavior, which improves as a child age. Teachers and Caregivers should develop proactive strategies to manage stress levels and appropriate responses to a crying child. This includes being self-aware and noticing when the caregiver may become frustrated or angry. Teachers and caregivers should discuss what calming strategies are successful with a child.

Early Learning Centers of Broward recognizes that tiredness and frustration can be normal responses Teachers and Teaching Assistants may experience during their challenging and difficult role. The care and education of young children presents significant challenges and Early Learning Centers of Broward recognizes this and will support all staff in managing adverse emotions.

It is appropriate and positive for staff to ask for a break- in discussion with the Admin Manager/ Director - to implement calming strategies. No negative conclusions will be drawn from such requests.

Emergency Response

If a child presents any of the above symptoms or you suspect a baby has suffered abusive head trauma:

• Call 911, call the parent/guardian and inform the Director and regional manager.
• Report to the appropriate child protective services agency (or law enforcement, if applicable) within 24 hours or less as required by law. See Child Abuse/Neglect and Mandated Reporting Policy and Procedure for further information.
• See Medical Emergencies-Calling 911 for additional information.

Early Learning Centers of Broward may wish to use photographs and videos of Early Learning Centers of Broward students on the school’s website, Facebook page, and in educational publications and marketing materials (both internet and print). Any such photographs would highlight the student(s) either demonstrating learning techniques or participating in approved school activities.

Please Note:

 As a standing overriding policy, Early Learning Centers of Broward will never identify a child by name and no names will ever be used. Photographs and videos may be identified by program or age group. Some of these photographs or videos may be action or candid shots taken during participation in school-approved activities and events. Other photographs or videos may be staged for specific purposes.