BCC Handbook

Statement of Purpose

Boxboro Children Center is licensed every two years by EEC (Department of Early Education and Care) to care for children ages two years, nine months to age eight. Parents may contact EEC at any time for licensing history. Address: 10 Austin Street, Worcester, MA 01609 · Phone: 508-798-5180.

It is our goal to treat children as individuals, meeting each of their developmental and emotional needs.

Director, Amy Paakki is responsible for the training and actions of all staff members. Lead teachers are responsible for overseeing the activities of their assistant teachers. If the director is not on site, a designated staff member has the authority to make decisions.

Discrimination on the basis of race, creed, sex, political affiliation, color, marital status, national origin, age, cultural heritage, disability or sexual orientation will NOT be tolerated. Toilet training is not an eligibility factor. As an organization, we strive to reflect the proportion of minority, female and disabled persons in the population served.

BCC will meet its moral, legal, social and economic responsibilities for Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action as authorized and required by all pertinent state and federal legislation, executive orders, rules and regulations.

Calendar of Operating Hours and Closed Days

BCC is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 52 weeks of the year. BCC is closed: January 1st, Presidents' Day in February, Patriots' Day in April, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, Christmas Day and either the day before or after (announced each year in September newsletter).

Vacation Policy

Tuition is to be paid in ten equal payments, regardless of any time taken off, from the first day of September to the last day of June. All other days are considered summer and parents may sign up for and pay for what weeks they would like their child to attend.

Transition Policy

Children attending BCC will be enrolled in one of three programs:

• Tadpoles — 15 months to 2.9 years
• Butterflies — 2.9 to 4 years
• Dragonflies — 4 to 5 years

From 7:00–8:30 and 3:00–6:00, all children ages 2.9–5 years are combined. The transitions of the day are explained to the children so they understand exactly what to expect as they are assisted from one room/activity to the other. For the younger children, pictures of the day's activities are posted.

Pictures and word cues are used in advance for smooth, timely and safe transitions. All transitions are made so that children are never rushed nor waiting. BCC will offer flexibility during the program so that children will not always be expected to move as a group from one activity to another.

Every September, children are transitioned to a new classroom if age appropriate. The teachers in all rooms communicate each child's development and specific needs so transition can occur as smoothly as possible. In the case where a child is moved during the year, parents will be consulted for their input and their decision to proceed.

BCC Administration

Amy Paakki, authorized by EEC as Director I qualified, is responsible for the center's administration. This includes hiring and supervising staff members, establishing job descriptions, maintaining children and staff files, showing the center to prospective families, and maintaining daily records on injuries, parent and staff issues, staff training, parent involvement and social services. The director is responsible for maintaining BCC philosophy and assuring that the center operates under EEC regulations.

BCC is licensed for 9 Toddlers and 20 Preschoolers. The Director is on the premises full time and spends at least half time in a non-teaching position.

Organizational Information

Director Amy Paakki supervises and meets at least monthly with all staff members. The director also meets with lead teachers on a regular basis to oversee curriculum, program planning and individual classroom activities. Lead teachers supervise assistant teachers and are responsible for setting up and evaluating their job descriptions and performances.

Complete background checks are made on any and all staff before hiring. Additional background checks are done every two years.

Curriculum and Developmental Plan

The educators at BCC strongly believe that children learn best through hands-on experiences. While providing multiple and diverse hands-on experiences, we also offer age appropriate themes and activities. These activities include:

1. The opportunity for each child to offer input — often a teacher will get an idea from a child's suggestion or question, leading to areas of learning that were not scheduled or anticipated.
2. Time appropriateness for each activity with regularity of routine while allowing flexibility to respond to individual needs. The amount of time in any one activity should never be a burden to any child.
3. Freedom of choices — giving each child the enjoyment of choosing his or her own activities during at least half the child's day, along with the ability to have some time to play alone if desired.
4. Various creative activities such as art, music, literature, dramatic play and science, encouraging exploration, experimentation and discovery.
5. Daily indoor and outdoor periods, weather permitting, which include small and large muscle activities. Children attending full day will have at least 60 minutes of physical activities.
6. Opportunities to interact with adults and peers to develop competence in verbal and non-verbal communications.
7. Educators will read books in an engaging manner to the children daily and in individual or group settings.
8. Opportunities and learning experiences that support age appropriate self-help skills, problem solving, critical thinking, communication, language and literary development, social skills, relationship building and decision making.
9. Opportunities to explore and learn about issues of cultural, social and individual diversity while developing awareness, acceptance and appreciation of differences.
10. Opportunities to learn about proper nutrition, good health and personal safety.

Note: BCC will also make reasonable accommodations to enable children with disabilities to participate in all regular programs whenever possible.

Health Care Policy

The BCC Health Care Policy, as approved by Dr. Julie Jankelson, is posted on the bulletin board in the director's office. Copies are available upon request.

Individual Health Care Plan

Parents must fill out an Individual Health Care Plan if their child has a chronic medical condition such as allergies, diabetes, seizures, asthma, etc. This plan must include: description of the child's condition, symptoms, necessary treatment, potential side effects, consequences of failure to treat, and the doctor's authorization. This plan must be signed and dated by the parent and doctor, and reviewed and signed annually.

EEC Regulations

The Department of Early Education and Care has developed specific standards to be met by licensed child care centers. These regulations are located in the Director's office and are available upon request.

Enrollment

To register a child at BCC, parents are first invited to tour the center and observe classroom activities. Parents are given written information explaining general operating procedures, parents' rights, policies, program plans, curriculum philosophy and background information on staff members.

Parents who wish to enroll are required to fill out: a registration form, information sheet, and developmental sheet. Parents also need to submit their child's latest physical exam form and list of immunizations including lead screening. All forms must be updated and signed annually.

A $100 ($150/family) registration fee is required to secure enrollment along with a $250 deposit, which will be applied to the child's last month of enrollment.

Communication With Parents

Parents are encouraged to speak openly with the director and/or staff members. Parents with concerns may schedule a conference at any time and/or telephone the director any day between 9:00–3:00. Teachers are available for telephone conferences between 1:00–2:30 every day.

The following are the ways BCC staff members communicate on a daily basis:

• Email: amyp79@comcast.net — Emailing Director Amy Paakki is the best and quickest way to get an answer. Amy checks her email hourly. For parents whose primary language is not English, please speak with the director about alternate ways of communication.
• Website: www.boxborochildrencenter.com — contains information on all teachers and the director, pictures of the classroom, all forms, policies, newsletters and important notices.
• Newsletters: Emailed monthly. Contact the director if you prefer a hard copy. Newsletters contain information about closures and center and classroom events.
• Classroom Newsletters: Teachers send out a monthly newsletter on events and activities specific to their classrooms, placed in the child's mailbox.
• Progress Reports: Filled out in January and July. Conferences are available upon request. For children with special needs, progress reports are done every three months.

Termination and Suspension Policy

A one month notice is required if a parent wishes to withdraw a child from BCC. The director can waive this requirement. If a parent chooses to terminate before the contracted time is over, the parents forfeit their deposit. The registration fee is non-refundable in any case.

The staff at BCC will work with every family regarding each child's individual developmental needs and behaviors. If an issue arises, the director will set up a conference with the parent(s) to problem solve. In the case of a behavior issue, a plan will be devised for center use as well as at home. Referrals for evaluation, diagnostic or therapeutic services will be discussed as needed.

Termination from BCC by the director can result from: developmental or emotional needs not being met, behavior management program not effective, referral systems exhausted, child is injuring himself or others, or non-payment by parent. Sufficient notice will be given in all cases. Parents will be notified of suspension or termination in writing with explanation of reasons and a summary of program's observations and efforts made to accommodate the child's needs.

In all cases, staff members at BCC will assure the child that his/her reasons for leaving BCC are not due to any wrongdoing on the part of the child.

Referral Policy

When a staff member suspects that the developmental, mental health, educational, or medical needs of a child are not being met, the director will be informed immediately. Staff members and the director will observe the child and review records. All observations will be documented. The child's parents will be notified and a conference scheduled to discuss further action.

With written parental consent, BCC will consult with special needs personnel at the Blanchard Memorial School or appropriate agencies. If an outside agency is required, the director and child's teacher will meet with parents to discuss options.

Referral Sources:

• Blanchard Memorial School — 978-263-4569
• Emerson Hospital — 978-369-1400
• Acton Medical Center — 978-263-0680
• EEC — 508-798-5180

Note: There is a complete book of area agencies for child and family support in the BCC office.

Plan for Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect

Educators are mandated reporters. If any staff member suspects a child is being abused or neglected, the staff member is to notify the Director immediately and begin documentation of concerns. A report will be filed immediately with The Department of Children and Families (DCF).

If a staff member or parent accuses a staff member of child abuse, the staff member will be immediately removed from any direct contact with children and suspended (using vacation pay if available) until investigation by DCF is completed. All parties involved will cooperate with DCF and EEC during the investigation.

Sick Policy

BCC's primary goal is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children. The following guidelines, per consultant Dr. Julie Jankelson, help keep exposure to germs minimal.

Your child should stay home if he/she:

1. Has a temperature over 101
2. Has an upset stomach (vomiting or unable to eat breakfast)
3. Complains of not feeling well, is fussy, or doesn't act in their usual manner
4. Is too sick to play outdoors
5. Is too sick to participate in indoor activities
6. Has a contagious disease such as conjunctivitis
7. Has uncontrollable diarrhea (child will be sent home after three diarrhea stools)
8. Has beyond moderate cold symptoms

When a child is sick, parents will be called. The child will be made as comfortable as possible and isolated from other children while waiting for parents to arrive. Children who are on antibiotics need to complete 24 hours of medicine before returning to BCC.

Exclusion Policy for Serious or Contagious Diseases

Children who have serious or contagious diseases are not permitted to attend BCC until a written note from a physician clears them. Parents at BCC will be notified by written memo about any diseases their children have been exposed to as recommended by the Division of Communicable Disease Control.

Dispensing Medication

Parents must give any and all medications (prescription, non-prescription or topical), along with a completed authorization for medication form, to their child's teacher. Teachers will place medications in a safe place (refrigerated if required) and will be responsible for administering and documenting the medication.

Note: BCC staff will not administer the first dose unless it is an emergency situation such as an epi-pen.

All medications must be in the original container with the prescription label, or if non-prescription, the child's first and last name on the container. The dosage on the authorization form should not exceed the dosage prescribed by the doctor or suggested on the medication label.

Non-prescription medications require a physician's signature as well as a parent's signature. Topical medications require just the parent's signature. A non-prescription permission form may be submitted to the child's doctor who may indicate any non-prescription medications along with dosage and criteria needed during the following year. This form is good for one year and then must be resubmitted.

Behavior Management

Rules at BCC are simple and natural, allowing children choices and ensuring them a safe environment in which to grow and learn:

1. Children are not allowed to do anything which could result in them getting injured.
2. Children are not allowed to do anything that might injure another child.
3. Children are not allowed to play in a way that might damage property.

We believe that children learn to be responsible by being taught that they are responsible for their actions, and that they learn best through natural consequences. All consequences should be age appropriate, nonjudgmental and helpful in teaching the child acceptable behavior.

No child shall be subjected to abuse or neglect, cruel, unusual, severe or corporal punishment including: any type of physical hitting, shaking, threats, derogatory remarks, verbal abuse, ridicule, humiliation, denial of food, outdoor or bathroom facilities, or punishment related to toileting or eating. Time out may not exceed one minute for each year of the child's age and must take place within a teacher's view. Re-direction is always the first option.

Nutrition, Lunches and Snacks

Children will be given mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks of natural fruit juices and a variety of light foods. Lunches from home should include something from each of the four food groups:

• Dairy: cheese, milk, yogurt
• Bread: bread, crackers, bagels
• Meats: nuts, meat, eggs, fish
• Fruits and vegetables

Lunches should be packed for easy accessibility. Children will be encouraged to eat nutritious foods before their desserts. BCC is equipped with microwave ovens; parents who want to send foods to be warmed up should send them in approved microwavable containers.

Note: Water is always available to the children, inside and outside.

Note: BCC is a peanut/tree nut free center.

When packing lunches, parents should avoid foods that children can easily choke on, such as: hot dogs, popcorn, fruit with seeds, fruit that isn't pre-cut and meat with bones. For morning snack and lunch, BCC serves milk at no charge. Teachers do not have access to can openers, peeling knives and other kitchen tools.

BCC purchases pizzas from Bravo Pizza every Friday. Children may bring in $3 on Fridays to buy lunch: two pieces of pizza, a veggie/fruit, a drink and a dessert.

For birthdays, parents are welcome to bring in a special treat. Suggestions include: ice cream (hoodsie cups), frozen yogurt, fruit, jello cubes and fun snacks. If a child's lunch is missing, the teacher will telephone the parent. BCC always maintains extra food in case a child needs a lunch.

Dressing Your Child

Children should be dressed so they can play, eat and go to the bathroom with as little assistance from a teacher as possible. Parents should leave extra clothes at BCC, especially socks and underwear. Please remember to replace the extra clothes as they are used and adjust for the change of seasons. Playing is often dirty work — dress children in clothes that can get stained.

If the outside temperature is above 22 degrees, the children will go outside to play. Dress children in layers to accommodate the changing weather that can occur in a single day.

Diapering and Toileting

Staff members at BCC are very sensitive to toileting issues, recognizing that each child has individual needs. When children enroll, the director, teacher and parents will discuss the toileting situation. Children in diapers will be changed every two hours or as specified by parents.

Note: Toileting training status is not an eligibility factor.

Diapering Procedure

Diapers are changed every two hours and immediately if soiled. Disposable wipes are used with each changing unless specified by parent. The diapering surface is cushioned, intact, waterproof and used for no other purpose. A disposable covering is used on the changing surface and discarded after each changing, after which the surface is washed with soap and water and sprayed with disinfectant. Soiled disposable diapers are placed in a waterproof container with a tight fitting cover and a disposable liner. The container is emptied, washed and sanitized daily. Children and staff members wash their hands thoroughly with soap and running water after changing.

Toilet Training Procedure

Children are toilet trained in accordance with the requests of their parents and in a manner consistent with the child's physical and emotional abilities. No child will be punished for soiling, wetting or not using the toilet. Training is never coerced. Children are supervised during toileting. Potty chairs are emptied and sanitized immediately after being used by a child.

Emergency Procedures

If a child is discovered in a life-threatening emergency, the staff member who first comes upon the child will call for another staff member to call 911. If the child is unconscious, the staff member will remain with the child and begin emergency procedures while the second staff member calls 911.

If the child is hurt but not critically, the director or staff member in charge should be contacted immediately. The director will assist with care, stabilize the situation, contact the parent, and advise on further medical attention.

If injury occurs on a field trip, the staff member in charge will assist with first aid care, calling 911 if critical. The director will be called immediately afterward.

Contingency Plans

If the building becomes unusable during business hours due to fire, natural disaster, or loss of power, heat or water, all children will be evacuated. First option: evacuate to one of the church's other spaces. Second choice: walk children across the street to Boxborough's Town Hall.

Attendance sheets, emergency contact information and First Aid kits are always taken when the building is evacuated. Attendance is taken before evacuating and once at a safe destination to assure all children are accounted for. In the case of a missing child, police and fire departments will be called, as well as the child's parents. In all cases, the director will be called first to advise and assist staff members on the premises.

Security

When parents and children arrive at BCC, their teacher marks them present in the attendance book. At 3:00, when the preschool children are combined, names are transferred into the afternoon attendance book. Whenever a child is picked up, the teacher in charge indicates this in the attendance book.

Parents indicate in their child's paperwork who is allowed to pick up their child. If parents have an occasional pick-up person not on their list, they may send a note with the person's name, date and time of pick-up. We will ask for a picture ID if we do not recognize the person.

Note: BCC staff members will never let a child leave with someone who does not have written permission from the parent(s).

Parents' Rights

Right to Visit

You have the right to make unannounced visits to your child's room while your child is present.

Parent Input

Parent input is always welcome. Input and suggestions should be put in writing and given to the Director. The Director will respond within 48 hours as to possible implementation, need for further discussion, or reasons for not implementing.

Conferences

You have a right to request an individual conference with the program's staff. The licensee has the responsibility to make the staff available.

Meeting Prior to Attendance

The licensee shall assure that the administrator meets with you prior to admitting your child to the center. At the meeting, you will be provided with: the center's written statement of purpose, types of services provided, referral policy, behavior management policy, termination and suspension policy, a list of suggested nutritious foods, the policy for identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect, the transportation plan, a copy of the health care policy, the illness exclusion policy, and a copy of the fee schedule.

Your Child's Records

Information contained in your child's record is privileged and confidential. The center's staff may not distribute or release information in your child's record to anyone not directly related to implementing the program plan for your child without your written consent. You must be notified if your child's record is subpoenaed.

You should be able to have access to your child's records within two business days. The center must maintain a written log which identifies anyone who has had access to the record. This log is available only to you and the people responsible for maintaining the center's records.

Amending the Record

You have the right to add information, comments, data, or any other relevant materials to your child's record, and to request deletion or amendments of any information contained therein. If you believe adding information is not sufficient to correct objectionable material, you have the right to a conference with the licensee. The licensee shall within one week after the conference give you a decision in writing.

Charge for Copies

The licensee shall not charge an unreasonable fee for copies of any information contained in your child's record.

Transfer of the Record

Upon your request, when your child is no longer in care, the licensee can give you your child's record or transfer them to any other person that you identify.

Reporting Abuse or Neglect

All center staff are mandated reporters. They are required by law to report suspected abuse and neglect to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and to the licensee's program administrator.

Notification of Injury

The licensee must notify you immediately of any injury which requires emergency care. They must also notify you in writing within 24 hours if any first aid is administered to your child.

Needs List for BCC

Clothing

Label everything. Each child will have a container with their name on it for extra clothes. Please send in extra socks and underwear as well as seasonal clothing. Dress your child in layers especially on days where the temperature can change throughout the day.

Lunch Time

BCC has a microwave for ready-to-eat warm-ups. Foods should be sent in safe microwavable containers. BCC serves milk at no charge. If you do not wish your child to be served milk, please send in a drink or request water. Please wash your child's lunch box or container daily.

Rest Time

Children who stay for rest time should bring a crib sheet and a small blanket (no sleeping bags). Rest time items are placed in a blue nylon bag and kept in the cubbies. Storage space is limited — we do not recommend bringing a pillow. Blue bags are sent home every Friday. Please wash all contents including the blue bag.

Summer

Children should bring daily: bathing suits, towels and water shoes (no flip flops).

Winter

Children should bring daily: coat, snow pants, boots, mittens and hats. Two sets of mittens would be ideal.

Snacks

Children will be given a snack mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Morning snack will be a choice of milk or water. Afternoon snack will be 100% juice or water. Snacks include: carrot sticks, celery sticks, fruits, gold fish, cheez-its, wheat thins, cheese, graham crackers, saltines and ritz, animal crackers, yogurt and vanilla wafers. Weekly menus are available upon request. Parents may send in extra snacks but should send similar and healthy foods — no candy or dessert foods.

Transportation Policy for Field Trips

BCC makes an effort to go on four local field trips per year, about every three months. First Student Charter Bus is contracted to drive. Director Amy Paakki drives to the field trip in her own vehicle so that there is an emergency vehicle at the location. Amy and all staff carry cell phones so communication is always available.

Attendance is taken on the morning of the field trip. A note that we are "On a Field Trip" and where, along with Amy's cell phone number, are posted on the door while we are absent from the building.

Teachers double check attendance (matching each name with each face) getting onto the bus, then take attendance again after everyone is seated and belted in. Teachers bring a copy of the emergency form from each child's file as well as the BCC first aid kit with emergency medicines. Each child has a sticker on their outside clothing indicating they attend Boxboro Children Center, 723 Mass. Ave, Boxboro, and the cell phone number of the director or teacher in charge.

As children exit the bus, attendance is taken again and one staff checks the bus for stragglers. Amy does not leave the field trip location until every child is accounted for. At BCC, attendance is taken again as children exit the bus. The bus driver does not leave BCC until everyone is accounted for.

The bus company complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and is responsible for any vehicle violations, accidents or breakdowns. This policy is available to all BCC parents, drivers and teachers.

BCC Philosophy

Boxboro Children Center has one main philosophy: to treat each child according to his/her individual needs so that each child feels good about him/herself. Children who feel good about themselves will succeed and be happy in every walk of life.

To achieve this goal, the following are the areas of development that the teachers at BCC work on with each child:

Problem Solving — Problem solving is an essential building block in our lives that enables us to handle unexpected situations. The ability to solve problems will help children become confident, capable and happy people.

Communication — Communication with peers and teachers is an important process that children can begin to understand as soon as they begin to talk. Verbalizing our feelings is the first step to understanding ourselves as well as others.

Independence — Independence allows children to feel confident and capable of handling all that life throws them. At BCC children are encouraged and assisted with skills such as getting dressed, preparing snack, eating lunch, picking up toys, teaching peers a game or song, etc.

Our most important goal is to provide love and attention to each child. The teachers at BCC are here to love and care for each child and to represent the first extension of all the love in the world that is out there and simply waiting for each child to embrace it.

The Other Three R's: Respect, Responsibility and Resilience

By T. Berry Brazelton, MD

Parents are worrying more than ever about how to prepare their children for the world they will face growing up. Of equal concern is their child's career success — will she do well enough in school to qualify for a high paying job? Many parents start preparing their children as young as two or three years old to get into the "right" preschool.

A few years ago I saw some of the parents in my practice pressure their children to excel academically and witnessed the effect it had on the kids. Using flash cards and other techniques, they taught their 3-year-olds how to read long words and sentences. By four, these children could spell and write their own names and do simple arithmetic. The parents were ecstatic. It was true that these little ones were ready for first grade — but the kind of rote learning they'd picked up at home did not prepare them for the kind of learning that demands independent thinking. By third grade they were in trouble and by fourth grade they needed tutoring.

I realized then that the rush to teach children the three R's could be harmful. Instead of teaching children reading, writing and arithmetic, I'd prefer to push them toward these other three R's: Respect, Responsibility and Resilience.

R is for Respect

Respect for others springs from having a sense of self-respect. A parent's job is to help a child develop this quality by treating her respectfully — giving her your full attention when she talks to you, encouraging her efforts, cheering her successes and supporting her when she fails. Perhaps most important, it means disciplining her with respect.

Another way to teach respect is through simple manners: "How do you do?", "Thank you", "May I help?" are taught by example, and they can become a habit by the fourth or fifth year. To develop respect, a child must feel she's worth loving. She needs to be taken seriously and appreciated. Listen to her, accept her, and teach her to respect diversity among people.

R is for Responsibility

All children feel the stress in today's overburdened families. But if they feel they can play a role in helping to reduce the family's stress, they won't feel so overwhelmed. By assuming reasonable responsibilities they'll achieve a sense of control and pride because they're contributing to the family's welfare.

Teaching responsibility begins by giving a small child a few chores they can do with you. No matter how clumsy the efforts are initially, let them know you appreciate them for being responsible. Look for teachable moments — times when you both are relaxed and you can talk about how someone acted responsibly, or the difference between responsible and careless.

R is for Resilience

This important lesson is taught best by living it ourselves. A child imitates her parents. When she sees her father rise to meet the difficult challenges of job seeking, or watches her mother recover from adversity, the child is learning how she herself can bounce back.

Less dramatic events teach resilience on a daily basis too. When your child comes home upset, first empathize with her feelings, then after she's unloaded her painful feelings, talk about ways to recover and deal with the situation. As hard as it may be to learn these three R's, they're valuable assets to have, especially during the tough times that arise in every child's life.