Discipline is administered through positive reinforcement, redirection, and setting clear limits. Positive discipline is a process of teaching children how to behave appropriately. Positive discipline respects the rights of the individual child, the group, and the adult and tells children what they should do. Should a child exhibit improper behavior, he/she is approached by a teacher to discuss the child’s behavior. If necessary, a designated area is used where the child will sit no longer than they are old or when the child feels he/she is calm and ready to rejoin the group and has ceased the behavior, whichever is first. There is continuous supervision by staff during disciplinary action.
At Unique Blessings Learning Center, LLC we do our best to provide positive discipline by:
Use of positive discipline by planning ahead:
Anticipate and eliminate potential problems.
Have a few consistent, clear rules that are explained to children and understood by adults.
Have a well planned daily schedule.
Plan for fun and humor.
Include some group decision making.
Provide time and space for each child to be alone.
Provide the structure and support children need to resolve their differences.
Share ownership and responsibility with the children. Talk about our room, our toys.
Use of positive discipline by intervening when necessary:
Re-direct to a new activity to change the focus of a child’s behavior
Provide individualized attention to help the child deal with a particular situation
Divert the child and remove from the area of conflict
Provide alternative activities and acceptable ways to release feelings.
Point out natural or logical consequences of children’s behavior
Offer a choice only if there are two acceptable options
Criticize the behavior, not the child. Don’t say “bad boy” or “bad girl.” Instead you might say, “That is not allowed here,” or “We don’t take toys away from someone who is already playing with them.”
Use positive discipline by showing love and encouragement:
Catch the child being good. Respond to and reinforce positive behavior. Praise the child for what he/she is doing.
Reward good behavior.
Use encouragement rather than competition, comparison or criticism.
Overlook small annoyances and deliberately ignore provocation.
Give hugs and caring to every child every day.
Appreciate the child’s point of view.
Be loving.
We also actively use:
Observing children in order to anticipate potential difficulties
Establishing eye contact and calling the child by name to gain child’s attention
Remaining near the child in situations where he/she may be losing self-control
Modeling problem solving
Reflection of actions
Unique Blessings Learning Center, LLC prohibits children from being subjected to discipline which is severe, humiliating, frightening, or associated with food, rest, or toileting. Spanking or any other form of physical punishment is prohibited.
The following discipline techniques are prohibited in Unique Blessings Learning Center, LLC:
The use of corporal punishment/including, but not limited to:
a) Hitting, spanking, shaking, slapping, twisting, pulling, squeezing, or biting;
b) Demanding excessive physical exercise, excessive rest, or strenuous or bizarre postures;
c) Compelling a child to eat or have in his/her mouth soap, food, spices, or foreign substances;
d) Exposing a child to extremes temperature;
e) Rough or harsh handling of children, including but not limited to: lifting or jerking by one or both arms; pushing; forcing or restricting movement; lifting or moving by grasping clothing; covering a child’s head.
f) Isolating a child in an adjacent room, hallway, closet, darkened area, play area, or any other area where the child cannot be seen or supervised.
g) Binding, tying or restrict movement, or taping the mouth;
h) Using or withholding food or beverages as a punishment;
i) Toilet learning/training methods that punish, demean, or humiliate a child;
j) Any form of emotional abuse, including rejecting, terrorizing, extended ignoring, isolating, or corrupting a child;
k) Any abuse or maltreatment of a child;
l) Abusive, profane, or sarcastic language or verbal abuse, threats, or derogatory remarks in front of the child or about the child or child’s family;
m) Placing a child in a crib/portable crib for a time-out or for disciplinary reasons.
EXPULSION POLICY
Unfortunately, at times there are reasons we have to expel a child from our program either on a short term or permanent basis. We want you to know that we will do everything possible to work with the family of the child (ren) in order to prevent this policy from being enforced. The following are reasons we may have to expel or suspend a child/family from this center:
Immediate causes for expulsion:
The child is at risk of causing serious injury to other children or himself/herself or to staff.
Parent threatens physical or intimidating actions towards staff members.
Parent exhibits verbal abuse to staff in front of enrolled children.
Parental actions for child’s expulsion:
Failure to pay and or habitual lateness in payments.
Failure to complete required forms including the child’s immunization records.
Habitual tardiness when picking up your child.
Verbal abuse to staff.
Child’s actions for expulsion:
Failure of child to adjust after reasonable amount of time.
Uncontrollable tantrums/ angry outburst.
Ongoing physical or verbal abuse to staff or other children.
Excessive biting.
Schedule of Expulsion:
Keep in mind that some offenses are cause for immediate expulsion. In other cases when remedial action fails to be effective, the child or parent/guardian will be advised verbally and in writing about the child’s or parent’s behavior warranting an expulsion. An expulsion action is meant to be a period of time so that the parent/guardian may work on the child’s behavior or come to an agreement with the center.
The parent/guardian will be informed regarding the length of the expulsion period. They will be informed about the expected behavior changes required in order for the child or parent to return to the center. The date given for the expulsion will allow the parent sufficient time to seek alternate child care (approx. one to two weeks’ notice, depending on risk to other children’s welfare or safety.) Failure of the child/parent to satisfy the terms of the plan may result in permanent expulsion from the center.
EMERGENCY PLAN POLICY
16.1 CONTACT WHILE EMERGENCY
In the event of an emergency closing and/or inclement weather, parents will be notified of the closing by Unique Blessings LLC Tadpoles Texting Program, Email, phone and Facebook.
Should Unique Blessings Learning Center, LLC need to close in the middle of the day, the staff will attempt to reach the child’s parents first to arrange for pick up. Should the staff be unable to reach the parents, the persons listed on the emergency contact form will be called until pick up arrangements can be made. Staff will notify the parents or emergency contact person at the time of the call, of the pick-up location should the children need to be evacuated from the building. Parents or emergency contact persons should report directly to the alternate location if one is indicted.
In case of an emergency, parents will be called, if needed to be evacuated to another site, a note will be place on entrance door to Unique Blessings Learning Center, LLC to tell you where to pick-up your child. Depending on the distance from building, children will either walk or be transported to the alternate site.
Parents will be called and reunited with their children as soon as possible after the
emergency. Emergency Contacts and Permission to Drop-off and Pick-up is the list
of people who may pick-up your child when needed with proper identification. All
others not listed on this form must have voice authentication by parent/guardian and also be written whether by note or email that is received before I release your child. It is very important to keep this list up-to-date in case an emergency occurs, every year parents will need to update this form.
16.2 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
FIRE/EMERGENCY DRILLS
Unique Blessings LLC conducts monthly fire and emergency/evacuation drills.
Parents, staff and children will not be made aware of drill dates or times, as this is
the most effective way to assess the effectiveness of fire and
emergency/evacuation plans.
During a fire/emergency drill or real fire/emergency situation, parents may not
sign children into or out of the program. Parents must wait until the drill is
complete and children have returned to the building to sign their child into the
program. Parents may feel free to wait with the child’s class in the designated
safe-zone outside of the building until the drill is complete.
Evacuation will be depending on where the fire is, the far ends of the parking lot and or the park in front across the street will be utilized if there is a fire. If you do hear the fire alarm, and see fire trucks, please keep the path clear for emergency vehicles-at Shephard’s park there is other parking provided in case of emergency.
In the event of a real fire/emergency situation, the director or designate will inform
each classroom teacher that Unique Blessings Learning Center, LLC will be closing.
At this time any parent waiting to sign their child in will have to leave the premises
with their child. All other parents or emergency contact persons will be notified by
telephone of the situation. As with the sick child pick up policy, children must be
picked up within 1 hour of the telephone call.
Parents wishing to sign their child out of the program during a fire/emergency drill or real fire/emergency situation are expected to have patience with the staff as they are trying to maintain order during an often hectic and dangerous situation. If the center is in the midst of a fire/emergency drill, parents will be required to wait until the drill is completed and the staff and children are returned to the building to sign their child out of the program. If the center is having a real fire/emergency situation, parents will be asked to wait until the director or designee has accounted for all staff and children and gives the staff permission to release children. Once again, it is important for parents and staff to work together, remain calm, and cooperate with the fire/emergency personnel and center administration during these important and critical situations.
16.3 EMERGENCY CLOSINGS
We will make every effort to keep Unique Blessings LLC open. Unique Blessings LLC
will be closed if the Governor declares a State of Emergency or if I decide it is
necessary due to the severity of the weather. If possible, a decision will be made the
night before. All attempts will be made to notify parents as soon as possible of any
anticipated closings. Please call for information regarding undated information of
emergency closing.
16.4 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN
An emergency plan has been developed for Unique Blessings LLC. This will be put into
place when an emergency situation arises. Plans for emergency care are reviewed
annually. If any of the center’s plan changes, parents will be immediately notified and
will be required to sign and hand back in verifying they have received the updated
changes. The specific type of emergency will guide where and what special care will
be provided. Our staff will stay with children at all times during the emergency until
reunited with parent/guardian or designee. Anyone working at Unique Blessings LLC
will also be trained in the procedures of the emergency preparedness plan.
Shelter-IN-Place This plan would be put into place in case of a weather emergency or
unsafe outside conditions or threats. In this plan, the children will be cared for indoors, all the shades pulled, windows and doors will be locked to restrict entry. I will place a sign on the Front Windows or door of entry of a with the Unique Blessings Learning Center, LLC logo inside an outline of a house. Parents will be notified if they need to pick-up their child before their regular time. If emergency management authorities instruct lockdown or shelter-IN-place, children and caregiver will remain classrooms.
Parents will be notified via text that we are under a shelter-in-place order so if they need to pick-up their child before their regular time-they will be aware. At this time, every child will be in their assigned classroom but our noise levels in each class will be low as much as possible. Every class will have an accessible telephone in the room so that if any emergencies arise-the director or lead teacher will be able to intercom all rooms.
If this Shelter-IN-Place is because of inclement weather, caregivers and children will go to the hallway, until threat passes. All children and caregiver will remain in this area listening to a battery operated radio with spare batteries, or phone until notified
emergency situation has been resolved.
16.5 ALTERNATE SAFE LOCATION
Should the administration of Unique Blessings LLC or any emergency services
personnel determine building for Unique Blessings Learning Center, LLC to be too
dangerous to be occupied, the staff and children will be taken to one of the 2 listed
below, the choice of site will be determined by the specific emergency and where
would be an appropriate place to go.
1st Evacuation Location Site
Shephard’s Park
3010 A Ave
Zephyrhills, FL 33542
Across the Street, In front of the property
2nd Evacuation
Zephyrhills Fire Department Station 2
38410 6th Ave
Zephyrhills, FL 33540
(813) 780-0036
Once the children are assembled here, the staff will do a positive face to face
attendance and then begin contacting parents or emergency contact persons for
pick up. As stated before, children must be picked up within 1 hour from the
telephone call.
16.6 Serious Accidents/Illness or Injury
Clear out the immediate area where the serious accident, illness, or injury has taken place while the staff of Unique Blessings Learning Center, LLC will access the situation and begin CPR/First Aid as well as contact 911 from the schools phone if available, if business phone is not available then a cell phone will be used by staff. Immediate staff on scene will await and carry out all instruction from 911 dispatcher. Other staff will run errand to get health care supplies and notify director of the emergency
taking place. The director will call parents or guardian or any emergency contact listed for the child as staff wait for ambulance to arrive.
16.7 Lost or Missing Child
If a child at any moment isn’t accounted for, the staff will go to each room making sure every child is accounted for while launching a search party to find the child missing. This staff will also alert the director. Once missing child is found, he/she will be escorted back to their appropriate class. If child is not found, the facility will go into Lockdown procedures and the police will be notified of the missing/lost child. Depending on incident, staff will be written up, and counseled about the importance of keeping account for every child. Depending on incident-parent will be notified.
The following information should be documented:
Child’s name, age, height, weight, date of birth, and hair color;
Child’s clothing that he/she was wearing that day, along with any other identifying features;
The time at which the child was noticed missing;
If child abduction is suspected, were there any suspicious vehicles and/or persons located around the child care center/child care home? If so, describe the appearance of the person and/or vehicle.
The director will notify the child’s parent(s)/guardian(s) that the child is missing from the center/home.
While awaiting the arrival of law enforcement, the staff of the child care center/child care home will continue to search for the missing child. The staff should look in every cabinet, closet, cubby, and other locations where a child may hide. The director will remain on the premises at all times and act as the contact person for law enforcement, as well as the missing child’s parent(s)/guardian(s). The
director will request that law enforcement activate an Amber Alert.
16.8 Death of Child or Child Care Personnel Child
The director will notify the teacher that the child is assigned to. The director or teacher (with the director’s approval will find a book to present to the class so that the children in class will have a chance to cope within their classroom setting with their teacher. The director will depending on the response of the classroom call in a spiritual leader and/or a counselor to visit and speak with the class as well as the
parents if they wish. The director will take care of all administration and make sure belongings get back to family.
Child Care Personnel
The director will notify the classroom and resources will be given as needed. The classroom will be monitored for the month after to make sure the students and staff are coping in a way that is consistent with healthy.
**I give authorization for staff or volunteer of Unique Blessings Learning Center, LLC to leave premises with my child when above emergency procedures are in place.
USE OF TECHNOLOGY & SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
Unique Blessings Learning Center policy on the use of Television, Computers, and other Video and Technology Equipment.
We are providing you, as the parent/guardian of a child enrolled in Unique Blessings Learning Center, with the following information statement:
In keeping with our play-based experiential philosophy of early childhood education, screens (television, computer and other video equipment) are used educatinally with the children at UBLC. When they are utilized, it is for educational and/or instructional purposes only. Teachers will track each child’s use of technology and they will never be used for passive viewing or as a substitute for planned activities.
Unique Blessings early Education Policy on Social Media
This social media policy applies to parents and members of staff at Unique Blessings Learning Center. This policy includes ( but is not limited to) the following technologies:
Social networking sites (e.g. Facebook and Instagram)
Blogs
Discussion forums
Media Sharing Services (i.e. YouTube)
Micro-Blogging (i.e. Twitter)
Electronic Forms of communication such as email and text message
As part of our duty to safeguard children it is essential to maintain the privacy and security of all our families. We require that:
No Photographs taken with in the UBLC setting or at UBLC special events and outings with the children are to be posted for public viewing, except those of your own child. Parents are advised that they do not have the right to photograph anyone else’s children. This excludes pictures taken by UBLC staff for which we have a signed release.
No public discussions are to be held or comments made on social media sites regarding the early education children or staff that could be construed to have any impact on the center’s reputation or that would offend any member of staff or parent enrolled in the center
Staff are advised to manage their personal security settings to ensure that their information is only available to people they choose to share information with.
In the event that a staff member or pre-school family name the organization or workplace in any social media they do so in a way that is not detrimental to the organization or it’s service users
Staff observe confidentially and refrain from discussing any issues relating to work
Staff should not share information they would not want children, parents or colleagues to view
Staff or parents should report any concerns or breaches to the Director of Early Childhood Education.Any member of staff or parent found to be posting remarks or comments that breach confidentiality, bring the center into disrepute or are deemed to be of a detrimental nature to the centeror other employees, or posting/publishing photographs of the setting, children or staff without expressed written permission may face disciplinary action in line with the center’s disciplinary/explusion procedures.Any comment deemed to be inappropriate is to be reported to the Director of Early Childhood Education, and any action will be taken at their discretion.
General guidelines for using social media:
Personal security settings should be managed to ensure that information is only availiable to people you choose to share information with.
Remember that no information sent over the web is totally secure and as such if you do not wish the information to be made public refrain from sending it through social media
Maintain professionalism, honesty, and respect
Apply “good judgement” test for every social media post you make
UBLC Early Education Center will utilize email as a main form of communication to parents and stuff. Texts will be used from administration to parents when more immediate communication is needed. Pictures and other photo documentation will be posted on the UBLC website when appropriate permission is granted by parents
UBLC maintains a Facebook for marketing and communication purposes. Pictures and other photo documentation will be posted occasionally for special events if permission is granted by the parent
TOUCH POLICY
This is the policy to inform parents of the nature and type of routine physical contact their child(ren) will experience while at Unique Blessings Learning Center, LLC. There is no physical corporal punishment at Unique Blessings Learning Center, LLC at anytime. It is my belief and practice that children need nurturing, adult physical contact for their care and healthy development. This contact can be described in three ways:
1 Nurturing: This includes hugs and non-intimate kisses, hand holding, gentle tickling, caring and cuddling. This type of contact is never made against the expressed wishes of children.
2 Safety & Guidance: This includes restraining children from harmful situations,
separating physically conflicting children, directing children by leading or guiding them and administering first aid to injuries.
3 Hygienic: This includes face and hand washing, assisting with bathroom duties (as appropriate to the age and development of the child), diaper changes, examining rashes or unusual marks, nose blowing, applying sunscreen and assisting with or conducting necessary clothing changes.
It is also my belief that it is normal and healthy for children to express affection with their peers. This includes hugs and non-intimate kisses and hand holding. This type of contact is never made against the expressed wishes of the children.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES POLICY
If your child is ill and will not be in the center, you are responsible to call in the morning of the absence at (813) 492-5141 or you can email or speak to the teacher directly supervising your child the night before. Please notify the center by 9:00AM of that day at the latest. When calling please include the date, child’s name, and the symptoms your child is experiencing. This is a precaution to protect all parties involved and to facilitate our accurate record keeping.
All students who are exhibiting any signs of illness will be immediately removed from their classroom to an isolation area. Parent or parent designee must arrive within a reasonable time frame to the center Students will be sent home if they are exhibiting any symptoms described:
- Temperature above 99.9
- Yellowish skin or eyes
- Head lice
- Unusually dark urine/and or gray or white stool
- Green/yellow discharge from the nose
- Exposed, open skin lesions
- Rash Pink eye
- Vomiting
- Stiff neck
- 1 or more incidents of diarrhea
- Difficult or rapid breathing
- Severe coughing including a whooping sound
- Any other unusual sign or symptom of illness
Unique Blessings Learning Center, LLC reserves the right to determine other medical symptoms under which a parent may be called to pick their child up from school Outbreaks: Unique Blessings Learning Center, LLC is required to notify the local county health department immediately upon any suspected outbreak of communicable disease in accordance with 64D-3, F.A.C., Communicable Disease Control. A suspected outbreak occurs when two or more children or employees have the onset of similar signs or symptoms within a 72 hour period or when a case of a serious or reportable communicable disease is diagnosed or suspected in a child or employee.
When your child is diagnosed after seeing the doctor, please call in and report with the dates of excuse, child’s name, your name, and diagnosis.
TUITION POLICY
8.2 Tuition Payment Schedule
Payment Schedule:
All Payments are due in advance. Payment is due in full each Friday in advance for the following week. THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE. Please keep in mind that you are contacting to reserve a space for your child whether or not it is used.
No reduction in tuition is made for illness, vacations, holidays, school closings, emergency closings, or other withdrawals. Cash, check, or money order may pay tuition. All cash payments must be handed directly to the Owner, the Director, or the Office Manager. There will be a $35.00 fee charged for tuition checks returned by the bank as well as any fees incurred due to the return check. Returned Tuition checks will not be re-deposited. Parents will be responsible for re-issuing a second check. If at any future time the bank returns a parent’s check, all future tuition payments must be made by cash, certified check, money order. If more than 2 incidents with returned checks, all future payments must be paid in cash.
PARENT HANDBOOK FOR UNIQUE BLESSINGS LLC
Tuition does not include fees for field trips and extracurricular activities. UBLLC does not add days at the end of the calendar year for weather days or emergency closings.
Overtime Rates & Late Fees
Late Pick-up Fee: $1 per minute
Late Payment Fee: $20 per day added for each day payment is late
Returned Check Fee $40 and any other fees incurred
Late Payment Fee: All payments are due in advance. Payment is due in full each Friday in advance for the following week.
There is a late fee of $20.00 a day added for each day that payment is late.
Payment is due by 5 :00pm each Friday. At 5:01pm payment is late and the late fee will be added. It will be added at 5:01pm each day thereafter.
Children may not attend the child care unless FULL payment and ALL Late Fees have been paid up to date. THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE. Payment is due in advance for the following week.
PICK-UP POLICY
All children are to be picked up on time according to their enrolled schedule time selected. If you are going to be late, please call (813) 492-5141
A fee of $1 a child per minute will be charged for late pick-ups.
A child’s services will be terminated should the child be habitually picked-up late regardless of the reasons for the late pick-up. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that someone (either a parent or Emergency/Alternate pick-up person) is available to pick up the child on time.
7.7 PERSONS APPEARING TO BE IMPAIRED BY DRUGS/ALCOHOL AT PICK-UP The staff of Unique Blessings LLC will contact local police and/or the other custodial parent should a parent appear to the staff of Unique Blessings LLC to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. The parent’s right to immediate access does not permit the agency from denying a custodial parent access to their child even if the parent is or appears to be impaired. However, Unique Blessings LLC staff will delay the impaired parent as long as possible, while contacting the other parent, the local police and Child Protective Services.
Any other authorized person who attempts to pick-up a child, and appears to the staff of Unique Blessings LLC to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol will be denied access to the child. The staff of Unique Blessings LLC will contact the child’s parents, local police and Child Protective Services to notify them of the situation.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY:
Two weeks written notice is required when withdrawing a child for any reason. If the proper notice is given, any unused tuition and deposit will be refunded within thirty days of the withdrawal. If the required notice is not given, parents will be charged tuition for two additional weeks and will not have their deposit refunded.
The parents and child, following their last day of enrollment, are not permitted to re-enter agency property without prior permission of the Director. A withdrawn child and his/her parents are required to call and request an appointment with the Director if they wish to return to agency property following the last day of enrollment at Unique Blessings LLC. Appointments are made at the discretion of the Director and are not a right of the withdrawn child or parent.
Parents who wish to change their child’s days or times of enrollment at Unique Blessings LLC, must submit a request to do so two weeks in advance of the proposed change.
The Director will notify the parents in writing if the new schedule is available. A schedule change will not be considered to be final until a new fee agreement is signed. If the schedule change requires an additional deposit and/or registration fee, the change will also be contingent upon payment of these monies. If the requested schedule is not available parents may choose to continue with the current schedule until such time as the requested schedule becomes available, or may choose to withdraw their child from the program. The date the request for the Director receives the schedule change will be used to toll the two weeks notice required for withdraw.