Parent 
Handbook

Littlest Lamb Child Care Center, Inc.
1053 Dices Spring Road
Weyers Cave, VA 24486
(540) 234-8402
Pamela Johnson, Owner/Operator

Parents,
Please remember that Littlest Lamb’s staff usually spends more waking hours per day with your child/children than you do. They nurture, love, and give guidance every day. Our staff deserves any praise, cards, letters, and pats on the back that you can give them. They aren’t paid nearly enough and that runs nationwide, not just at Littlest Lamb.

PLEASE READ THE PARENTS’ HANDBOOK 
VERY CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING 
THE PARENT AGREEMENT!

If you should ever have any questions about the center or
our policies, please contact me at (540) 294-4166, 
at LLCCC (540) 234-8402 or at the website: http://littlestlambccc.weebly.com 

*Littlest Lamb Child Care Center, Inc. is state-licensed by
The Verona Department of Social Services.*

Thank EWE for choosing Littlest Lamb Child Care Center, Inc. as your child’s home away from home.
Sincerely,

Pamela Johnson
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOPIC												Page #
Admission ................................................................................................	  5
Communication & Parent Involvement .....................................................	15
Discipline & the Use of Corporal Punishment ..........................................	18
Donations ................................................................................................	17
Field Trips ................................................................................................	12
Health & Safety .........................................................................................	11
Holidays ..................................................................................................	16
Inclement Weather ..................................................................................	14
Kindergarten Transition ..........................................................................	  9
Meal Schedule & Food Policies	 ................................................................	  9
Medications .............................................................................................	10
Our Program ............................................................................................	  6
Payments .................................................................................................	  7
Picking Up After Hours ............................................................................	  8
Plan for Injury Prevention ........................................................................	12
Policies & Procedures ..............................................................................	  4
Pool Field Trips ........................................................................................	13
Pool Rules ................................................................................................	14
Reporting Suspected Abuse/Neglect .......................................................	17
Safe Arrival & Departure ..........................................................................	13
School-Ager Absent .................................................................................	12
Toys .........................................................................................................	17
Transportation .........................................................................................	12
Tuition Assistance & Late Payment/Fees ..................................................	  7
Withdrawing From the Center .................................................................	  8

Policies & Procedures

One of the most significant developments in our changing society is the great number of young children card for outside the home. It is generally accepted that the quality of learning opportunities for young children affects their growth into well-adjusted adults. Young children deserve the highest standard of quality care that society can provide. Since so many children spend the greater part of their day with caregivers other than their parents, the skills of each caregiver must be assured. 

LITTLEST LAMB CHILD CARE CENTER, INC. is committed to providing such care through many avenues. LITTLEST LAMB is licensed and meets the requirements of the Virginia Department of Social Services. All staff will continually be in-serviced in specific areas of child development by a qualified Program Director They will be certified in basic First Aid and CPR to better equip them to handle needs which may arise. Staff members will provide a variety of experiences that will utilize many resources throughout the area to familiarize your child with the world around him/her.

The goals for LITTLEST LAMB CHILD CARE CENTER, INC. are:
	to establish and maintain a safe, healthy environment.
	to advance physical and intellectual competence.
	to create positive and productive relationships with families.
	to ensure a well-run, purposeful program responsive to participants’ needs
	to maintain a commitment to professionalism.
	to help children grow physically, mentally and spiritually.

In order to achieve these goals, we are established a set of policies and procedures regarding operation of our center. If at any time, you have concerns or questions regarding these policies, we will gladly welcome your comments.

The staff members of LITTLEST LAMB CHILD CARE CENTER, INC. wish that your child’s stay be enjoyable, stimulating, and productive toward helping him/her to reach his/her maximum capacity as an individual.

As a team – center & parents working together – we can achieve these goals!

Admission Policies

LITTLEST LAMB CHILD CARE CENTER, INC. does not discriminate against the families we serve, based on race or religion. EVERYONE IS WELCOME! Our doors are always open to our parents. You are invited to stop in any time to visit your child.

To enter your child on a journey through his/her early years of experiencing life, we strongly advise a preadmission interview to familiarize you with our policies and procedures. THESE ARE BASED ON THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR LICENSING CHILD DAYCARE CENTERS.

Upon acceptance to the center, each family will be given a registration pack to fill out on each child enrolling in the center. We will need to see a copy of the child’s Birth Certificate and receive a Physical form from his/her physician’s office including immunization records. Immunization records need to be updated every six months for children ages birth to 2 years and once more between the ages of 4 and 6. This must also include documentation of chicken pox or that they have received the new vaccine. A consent form for emergency medical care must be completed before your child’s first day of care. We will need all completed forms before enrollment. PLEASE NOTIFY THE CENTER WHEN YOUR INFORMATION CHANGES, i.e. ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBERS, PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, INSURANCE COMPANY.

Our Program

Because LITTLEST LAMB CHILD CARE CENTER, INC. is a state-licensed child care center, we operate according to Virginia’s guidelines for Pre-K education. All children enrolled at LITTLEST LAMB CHILD CARE CENTER, INC. from birth to age 12 are in a learning environment daily.

The classroom of 4-year-olds uses BLUEPRINT for Early Literacy curriculum. This is the same curriculum being used in the public school systems. We believe this will ensure a smoother transition into kindergarten. We are excited to have been awarded the “Success by 6” grant for this curriculum. The 3-, 2-, and 1-year-olds use teacher-created materials to learn letters, numbers, colors, shapes, and Bible stories. Additionally, the curriculum for 3-year-olds will include the Gospel Light Bible Curriculum and Scholastic learning tools. Classrooms with 3- and 4-year-olds start at 8:30 a.m.

Any questions regarding our program or its appropriateness can be directed to Pam. Your child’s teacher is also a good source of information regarding purposes for the activities planned.

We plan our activities and menus around our attendance. Please call the center by 8:30 a.m. if your child will not be attending or will be arriving late. Due to upholding strict child-to-adult ratios, any child arriving after 8:30 a.m. without prior notice is not guaranteed space for that day! Please don’t forget to call! This will help us to adjust our staffing and allow us to prepare the right amount for lunch. Your cooperation in this matter will greatly enhance your child’s involvement in their work. Your support will also be appreciated by the staff members who work so hard to maintain a consistent and organized day for ALL the children at our center.

Golden Rule
Should you have any questions or concerns with your child’s teacher, please remember to speak and treat her/him with the same respect you would receive. Little eyes & ears are watching & listening so our actions should show children the proper way to handle issues. Feel free to contact Pamela Johnson, owner-manager, (540) 294-4166 to discuss any situation at the center.

Payments

As stated in your contract, all payments are due in advance. Tuition is due on the Friday before the week care is to be given. Any payment received after closing on Friday, will be considered LATE! A $15 late fee will be assessed to all late tuitions. No exceptions!

Registration fees are charged yearly in January ($50 per child). If you have more than one child in the center, the first child’s registration will be due in January, the second in February, and so on. Should you decide not to enroll your child at the center after you have paid the registration, tuition, and transportation fees, please remember these fees are non-refundable.

Tuition Assistance and Late Payment/Fees 

LITTLEST LAMB CHILD CARE CENTER, INC. is proud to be a vendor with THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES. Any family needing assistance should check with your county’s representative to see if you qualify for child care aid. To contact SOCIAL SERVICES, call the agent who represents the city or county in which you live:
	Rockingham County – Valerie (540) 574-5197 or Heather (540) 574-5198
	Augusta County – (540) 245-5800

LITTLEST LAMB CHILD CARE CENTER, INC. OPERATES SOLELY ON TUITION. WHENEVER A PARENT(S) DOES NOT PAY, BOUNCES A CHECK, OR FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE TWO-WEEK WITHDRAWAL NOTICE AGREEMENT, OUR FACILITY SUFFERS A LOSS OF REVENUE THAT THREATENS OUR ABILITY TO FUND A QUALITY PROGRAM FOR YOUR CHILD.

In an effort to prevent this loss of revenue, we have developed a policy for families who fail o meet their contract obligations. Any family with an outstanding balance over $100 will be asked to either pay in cash the amount owed or remove their child from the program. In addition, a $15 late-payment fee will be added each week until the bill has been paid or the late-payment fee amount reaches $100. Any accounts terminated without a two-week written notice will be billed for the two weeks plus late fees. Failure to pay any outstanding debts can result in the delinquent account being turned over to a collection agency. This can be the Credit Bureau and/or the court system. Parents are responsible for all collection costs, attorneys, and/or credit bureau charges, which is usually 50%.
Picking Up After Hours

New late fee effective 1/31/2007. Late charges for picking up a child/children after closing hours will be assessed at the rate of $15 per child for the first minute, then $1 per child for every minute thereafter, until the child/children has been picked up.

LITTLEST LAMB CHILD CARE CENTER, INC. will make every effort to contact people listed as emergency contacts. LATE FEES WILL APPLY FROM 1 MINUTE AFTER CLOSING ON THE CENTER’S CLOCK, UNTIL THE CHILD OR CHILDREN HAVE BEEN TURNED OVER TO RESPONSIBLE PARTIES. If any child is left at the center over 30 minutes past closing, staff members are required to follow the next procedure, which is to call Child Protective Services to pick up the child/children. We hope never to take this action! However, we have been placed in this awkward position before. State regulations require 2 staff members on the premises at all times. It is unfair to expect staff to stay at the center past closing hours.
If you are going to be late, call the center IMMEDIATELY!

Withdrawing From the Center
A TWO-WEEKS NOTICE MUST BE IN WRITING AND MUST REFLECT TWO CALENDAR WEEKS FROM THE DATE OF THE WRITTEN NOTICE OR SUFFICIENT PAYMENT IN LIEU OF THAT TIME. 
IMPORTANT: IF NO TWO-WEEK NOTICE IS GIVEN, 
YOU WILL BE BILLED FOR TWO WEEKS.

Kindergarten Transition

LITTLEST LAMB CHILD CARE CENTER, INC. will work with the local elementary schools to plan a field trip for your 4-year-old child who is eligible to start kindergarten in the upcoming school year. After you have registered your child at the elementary school, we will coordinate with the school to make you aware of the kindergarten visitation schedule. 

Meal Schedule and Food Policies

Breakfast is offered to all children between 7:15 and 8:00 AM. Morning snack is at 9:00 AM, lunch is served between 11:15 AM and 12:30 PM and an afternoon snack between 3:15 and 3:30 PM. Naptime will be from 12:00 – 2:30 PM. Any child not actually sleeping after one hour will be allowed to participate in quiet activities such as blocks, coloring, and puzzles.

All snacks shall be nutritious and al fruit juices shall be 100% fruit juice. No other foods are to be brought from home unless pre-arranged with the center’s director. Our menu is posted for parents on the mailbox or on the board located at the sign-in table. 

Parents of infants should bring prepared, ready-to-eat, bottles labeled with the infant’s name and the date prepared. Please also plan to keep a can of ready-to-use (labeled) formula at the center, for emergencies.

Due to child care regulations, we are NOT allowed to dilute fruit juice without a doctor’s written note detailing why and for how long. If you do not want your child to have full-strength fruit juice, you may bring it diluted from home, labeled with your child’s name.

IF YOUR CHILD HAS FOOD ALLERGIES, PLEASE ALERT THE STAFF MEMBERS AT THE CENTER OF THIS IMMEDIATELY. YOU MAY BE ASKED TO SUPPLY ALL MEALS AND SNACKS 
FOR YOUR CHILD.
Medications

All medications must be handed directly to a staff member, to be properly stored and safely locked away. Please DO NOT send cough drops or other medications OF ANY TYPE, whether prescription or over-the-counter, in your child’s backpack or diaper bag. These medications can be lethal or pose a choking hazard to many of our children! 

Please read the following information carefully!
Remember these regulations are from the Department of Social Services for ALL 
child care facilities in the state of Virginia and not just something Pam made up.   
Should you have any questions, contact Pam. All parents or guardians must fill out a two-page permission form before any prescription or OTC medication can be given. These forms are only effective for ten days unless it has been completed by a physician, then it remains in effect for six months. 

LITTLEST LAMB CHILD CARE CENTER, INC. WILL ONLY ADMINISTER PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS, ONCE A DAY – AT LUNCH TIME.
Parents are welcome to come and give their child medications at other times during the day. (With 70+ children, it would be like running a hospital trying to keep up with who gets what and when.) This, unfortunately, also applies for diaper ointment and sunscreen. Again, medical permission will need to be given every ten days. Sunscreen will need to be applied to your child in the morning (before arriving at the center) and we will reapply before the children go outside, after nap. 
Please remember that although our staff members have First Aid and CPR training, there is no doctor or nurse on staff!
(We will administer, as needed, any emergency medication such as an Epi-pen or inhaler for life-threatening situations.) 

Medication must be in the original bottle with the original label showing the child’s name, the medication name, the prescribed dosage, and how the medicine is to be taken, i.e. orally, topically, etc. It is understood, that with infants and toddlers, sometimes Tylenol and Ora-jel are needed. Due to Mat Regulations, a doctor’s written permission will be necessary in order for us to apply the meds at noon. Ora-jel and even diaper cream are considered medications.

If a child develops diarrhea or has a fever of 101 degrees or higher, this child will be sent home. This child may NOT return until 24 hours after the last episode or if the fever subsides. Please have a back-up sitter available. This will protect the rest of the children in the center and our staff members.

Health and Safety Policies

The center attempts to take strenuous steps to prevent infections, specifically we spend a great deal of time washing hands. Your assistance in consistently reinforcing these health practices at home will aid in insuring your child’s healthy attendance in the center.

Our policy requires that parents be notified if a child becomes ill while at the center. Upon notification, the parent should arrange to pick up the child immediately. This will help to prevent the spread of infection throughout the center.

A physical examination form (from a physician) must be completed within three weeks of admission. Documentation of immunizations must be presented at enrollment. The updating of these forms will be consistent with the Minimum Standards for the age of the child. All children must have documentation showing they have had chicken pox or that they have had the shot to prevent it.

Due to State Regulations, we go outside a minimum of two hours a day. With very few exceptions, we go outside every day. IF YOUR CHILD IS TOO SICK TO GO OUTSIDE, HE/SHE IS TOO SICK TO COME TO THE CENTER. We do not have the extra staff to stay inside with your child. Appropriate clothing should be worn for the weather. 

A child with a communicable condition MAY NOT ATTEND THE CENTER. Fever is a common response to infections or reactions to such conditions as immunizations and teething. BECAUSE WE CANNOT ALWAYS ASSESS THE REASON FOR THE PRESENCE OF A TEMPERATURE, WE ASK THAT CHILDREN NOT ATTEND THE CENTER WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
	A temperature of 100+ degrees Fahrenheit
	Nausea and/or vomiting
	Diarrhea
	An undiagnosed rash
	Head lice (child must be “nit-free”)

CHILDREN MAY NOT ATTEND FOR 24 HOURS AFTER THE LAST EPISODE!

If your child has had febrile seizures (from a temperature), we need to know at what temperature they begin and if Tylenol should be given at a certain degree.

Plan for Injury Prevention

LITTLEST LAMB CHILD CARE CENTER, INC. will annually check its incident and accident reports to make any changes necessary to maintain a safe environment.

LITTLEST LAMB CHILD CARE CENTER, INC. will make monthly playground checks to evaluate and make any necessary changes, such as adding more wood chips, repairing broken toys, etc. Our playgrounds are covered with wood chips which is mandated by law to create a safe fall zone.

School-Ager Absent

Virginia Dismissal Regulations require that we call you if your school-age child has not been reported absent. Please call the center if your child will not be getting off the bus at the center! Any family failing to do so will be charged $10 per occurrence.

Field Trips

Each summer we charge a $20 transportation fee per child, which helps to cover costs of insurance, gas, and keeping the vehicle in good repair. 

Field trips are NOT a right; they are a privilege and can be taken away as punishment for any child failing to follow directions. FIELD TRIP COSTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE!!

Transportation Policy

Children will be required to be properly restrained in car seats when riding in the van, based on age and weight of the child. When riding on the center’s buses, they will be buckled when seat belts are available. In each vehicle used, staff will carry the names of the children going and their emergency contacts, along with flashlight, blanket and First Aid kit.

Safe Arrival and Departure

The center cannot release a child to any person without the parent’s written permission in the child’s application stating the person(s) authorized to pick up the child. This adult must show I.D. to the staff immediately upon arrival at the center. We will not release a child to any person who is not listed in the child’s file or who does not show proper identification! It may be necessary to card them numerous times until all staff are familiar with the adult who is picking up the child. Please remember this procedure is for the safety of every child at our center.

IMPORTANT: Remember to sign your child in and out every day. These records are used during fire drills to keep track of who may still be in the building.

Pool Policies

LITTLEST LAMB CHILD CARE CENTER, INC. employees, as well as volunteering parents, will provide transportation to and from the pool. We will have at least two staff at the pool at all times. Children wishing to swim in the deep end of the pool must pass the lifeguard’s and the center’s swim test. Parents are asked to supply a labeled towel, change of clothing, a lifejacket vest if you would like, and bathing suit each day. Children ages 4 and up who forget their swimsuit may not be allowed to go on the field trip to the pool.

Swimming for potty-trained 2- and 3-year-olds will be restricted to wading pools no deeper than 1 foot and under the close supervision of two or more adults.

Parents must sign a permission form prior to any child swimming.

Pool Rules

Children swimming must follow these rules or lose their swimming privileges:
	No running.
	No pushing.
	No rough play.
	No cut-off jeans.
	Any additional directions given by the center’s staff or the pool’s staff. 

LITTLEST LAMB CHILD CARE CENTER, INC. staff are not responsible for locating lost clothing, shoes, or towels that belong to your children. We take over 40 children and each one of them are responsible for their own belongings. Can you imagine trying to find the owner of one white sock or one wet pair of underwear with 40+ kids? 
Should your child lose the privilege to attend a field trip, no refund will be given.

Inclement Weather

LITTLEST LAMB CHILD CARE CENTER, INC. will make every effort to open our center. As long as we have electricity, heat, running water, and staff who can make it to the center in safety. (These are State Regulations for opening.) We have, on occasion, opened an hour late if the roads are icy, snow-covered or flooded and deemed to be too dangerous. Call the center’s voicemail by 5:30 AM to hear what the center’s operating hours will be in the case of bad weather. 

Because of our child-to-teacher ratio, it is important that you call to see if we have enough staff for your child to attend. Please call the center and let them know if you are planning to bring your child or not. Do not leave a message on voicemail and think your child is guaranteed a place. You MUST speak to an actual staff member!! Priority will be given to working parents.
Be sure to bring along plenty of snow gear for your child in order for them to go outside 
and play, especially if you have a school-ager!

Communication and Parent Involvement

Children should be handed directly to staff members upon arrival at the center each day. A sign-in sheet will be used to record attendance and should show the parent’s initials or those of the designated person picking them up. AT NO TIME SHOULD A CHILD BE ALLOWED TO ENTER OR LEAVE THE BUILDING WITHOUT AN ADULT TO ACCOMPANY THEM, HAVING THE CHILD/CHILDREN UNDER DIRECT SUPERVISION. LITTLEST LAMB CHILD CARE CENTER, INC. STAFF ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR CHILDREN ONCE THEIR PARENT OR DESIGNATED ADULT HAS ENTERED THE CENTER. THE CHILD WILL THEN BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ADULT PICKING THEM UP.

Our center has a Parent Board area for notices, communications, and weekly menus. You can also check out the center’s website – http://littlestlambccc.weebly.com – for downloadable forms and daily/weekly updates. All children should have their own labeled cubby. Please be sure to check your child’s cubby or mailbox daily. Our staff puts a lot of time and hard work into newsletters and your child works hard on their art projects so please take these treasures home!

Infant room teachers will communicate daily with you about your child’s day, what the child ate, how much the child slept, and a general summary of the day’s activities.

Holidays

Holidays, vacations, snow days, and illnesses DO NOT EXEMPT families from being charged for child care. LITTLEST LAMB CHILD CARE CENTER, INC. will take up to 15 days during the course of the year for holidays and in-service training for staff. These days are typically:

	New Year’s Eve
	New Year’s Day
	Good Friday (Friday before Easter)
	Memorial Day
	Independence Day (additional days for this holiday may apply -TBA)
	Labor Day
	Thanksgiving and the Friday after Thanksgiving
	Christmas Eve
	Christmas Day
	In-service Training dates TBA (to be announced).

A notice will be posted on the website informing you of all the days the center will be closed for the coming year. http://littlestlambccc.weebly.com 

Policy for Reporting Suspected Abuse/Neglect

Virginia State Law requires staff in child care centers to document anything suspicious, for example, but not limited to: bruises, marks, non-age appropriate language, and poor hygiene on a continued basis. All staff are required to report findings immediately to the center’s owner. The owner may choose to talk privately with the parents about concerns. Virginia State Law also requires that we report any suspected abuse or neglect to the local Department of Social Services for the county in which the child is a resident. All reporting of abuse/neglect is done strictly by the center’s owner. Our job is to protect the children placed in our care. Should you have any questions, please feel free to call Pam at (540) 294-4166 or at LLCCC (540) 234-8402.

Toy Policies

WE WILL NO LONGER ALLOW ANY TOYS TO BE BROUGHT FROM HOME. PLEASE DO NOT ASK STAFF MEMBERS TO MAKE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE! This policy is due to the spread of infectious head lice and an incident in which a 2nd grader nearly choked to death on a toy he’d brought from home.

Donations

We absolutely LOVE donations of good clean toys, games, vegetables from your gardens, and time to chaperone field trips with us. Just approve them with the center’s owner/operator (Pam). Due to the possibility of head lice, we ask that you not donate stuffed toys. 
Thank EWE & God Bless!! 

Discipline and the Use of Corporal Punishment

Children want to be good. They want to do their very best. They want to get along with adults and friends. To do these things, however, children sometimes need help. They need help from teachers who care, who set reasonable limits, who explain the rules, and who help children understand the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

Our policies are based on the Minimum Standards set by the Virginia Department of Social Services with a foundation of in-service staff training that encourages reinforcement of positive behavior. Upon request, a copy of the Virginia standards may be obtained from the center’s director. There is also a hyperlink to the Virginia Department of Social Services on the center’s website: http://littlestlambccc.weebly.com. 

Our rules for the center regarding discipline are few and simple. They include: 
	A child cannot be allowed to harm himself/herself.
	A child cannot be allowed to harm others, i.e. biting, hitting, etc.
	A child cannot be allowed to destroy property.
	A child is expected to learn and share.
	A child is expected to cooperate and follow directions.

Steps for behavior management:
	1st step: a teacher speaks to the child, asking them to stop the unacceptable behavior
	2nd step: a child will be removed to a quiet area for “think time”, 1 min. per year of age
	3rd step: parents may be called to speak to the child about unacceptable behavior
	4th step: parents may be asked to remove child from the center for remainder of day
	If behavior becomes a daily disruptive problem, a conference will be necessary with the center’s owner/operator (Pam), the child’s teacher and the child’s parent(s) to decide upon a team solution.

IMPORTANT: LITTLEST LAMB CHILD CARE CENTER, INC. RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISMISS OR SUSPEND A CHILD FROM ITS PROGRAM AT ANY TIME. THIS DISMISSAL/SUSPENSION MAY OR MAY NOT BE IN WRITING AND MAY OR MAY NOT ALLOW A TWO-WEEK TIME FRAME TO FIND ALTERNATIVE CARE.