Policies on Safety
Safety Certifications
Your child’s safety is very important to me. For this reason, I am certified in CPR, First Aid, as well as the prevention of Shaken Baby and SIDS. I also ensure that my home is a safe environment for your child. This includes the use of outlet covers, cupboard latches, doorknob covers, baby gates, safe storage of hazardous materials and medicines, etc. Child Injury Playing children will get bumps, bruises, scratches and scrapes. All of these superficial injuries will be treated with soap and water, a Band-Aid and/or ice as needed, and lots of TLC. If a serious injury, including a serious head injury, occurs I will call 911 and the child requiring emergency care will be transported by ambulance to Appleton Medical Center. Parents will be contacted as soon as possible after calling 911. If a parent cannot be reached immediately the emergency contact person on the enrollment form will be notified. Payment of any bills or charges incurred from the ambulance and/or other medical care is the responsibility of the parent. You will fill out your insurance information, allergies, current medication taken, and other important information related to emergencies in the Emergency Contact Form This is to help me give doctors and other hospital staff the correct information. Please ask to update the emergency contact form if any of these things change. All injuries requiring treatment are logged in a medical journal. Parents have access to medical log entries concerning their child. An Injury Report will be filled out for any injuries requiring treatment. After both parent and teacher sign the report, one copy will be given to the parent to take home and the other copy will be placed in the child’s file. Evacuation In case of an emergency that requires evacuation, I will help the children exit through the front door or the side door (by the driveway). We will gather on the sidewalk square next to the tree in the front yard. To ensure that all children are accounted I will bring along the attendance sheet. After taking attendance, the children will be moved to a safe location if necessary. The first aid kit, my cell phone, and the list Emergency Contact forms will also be taken with us. All families will be notified at pick up of any evacuations unless immediate contact is necessary. Other Emergencies In the event of a tornado, severe thunderstorm, or if the tornado siren sounds, I will assist the children to the basement. Blankets, flashlight, a radio, batteries for both, and first aid supplies are kept in the basement at all times. My cell phone will brought with me to assist in monitoring the severe weather and in case I need to notify families. I will also bring the attendance log with me to ensure that no child is left behind. All families will be notified at pick up of any emergencies unless immediate contact is necessary. To ensure that we are ready for a possible severe weather emergency, we practice the fire evacuation plan monthly and the tornado evacuation monthly from April through October with the children and document when the plans were practiced. Alcohol and Illegal Substances To promote a safe environment and quality care, the presence or use of alcohol, illegal substances or any non-prescribed controlled substance, are not allowed anywhere on the premises of my house while children are present. The authorities will be called if the presence and/or use of any of these substances is suspected. Child Abuse According to Wisconsin law and licensing rules, as a childcare provider, I am mandated to watch for, and report any known or suspected child abuse or neglect to the county department of social services. As is also mandated by licensing rules, I have been trained, and update my training at least every two years, to recognize the signs of abuse and neglect as well as the laws surrounding these issues. You will initial that you understand this when you sign the Parent Contract. Safe Release In order to keep your child safe, I will only release a child to his/her parents and to persons listed on the Emergency Contact form. If anyone other than the child's parent or a person listed on the Emergency Contact form comes to pick up the child, I need to be notified in advance in writing, email or phone call. The person must be at least 18 years old and will be required to show a picture ID before he/she is allowed to pick up the child. Although I do not require it, letting me know daily who will pick up your child (unless it is the same parent every day) and what approximate time is greatly appreciated. I must be notified 24 hours in advance of all changes of more than an hour to your child's contracted hours. Safe Transport Safe transportation of your child is important to me. For this reasons, if I suspect the use of drugs or alcohol by the person that has come to transport the child home or if I am concerned about the lack of an appropriate car seat, I will ask that the child not be transported and will propose the alternatives listed below. · I will call someone to pick up the child from the list of people who are authorized to do so on the child's Emergency Contact form. · I will call a cab to pick up the child and the parent, or the person who is picking up the child. The parent or person who is picking up the child will pay the cab fare. · If a parent or person picking up the child has failed to bring an appropriate car seat for the child, I will ask them to go home without the child and return with an appropriate car seat installed in the car. o I do not have car seats to lend, nor am I able to install a car seat into a car. o The regular late pick-up fee will be charged under these circumstances. While legally I cannot keep a child from a parent or legal guardian, I will not hesitate to call the police if I feel the child is in danger. |