Daycare Handbook

Dear Parents,

Welcome to Heritage Preschool/Daycare!  We are delighted that you are choosing our center for the care of your child.  We will work with you to provide a positive, nurturing, joyful experience for your child.  We hope this handbook will answer any questions you may have.  We encourage you to ask any additional questions you have as we work together for the optimal development of your child.  We believe open, ongoing communication with families is vital to establishing effective relationships between home and school.  We look forward to your interest and involvement in Heritage!

We believe in caring for the “whole child.”  Given time and experience, we believe all children will learn and grow. Our program is designed to help children develop social-emotional, cognitive, language, and motor skills.  We offer age-appropriate, meaningful activities and play experiences.  Our facility is a safe, positive, healthy learning environment where nurturing, well-trained care providers offer constant, effective care.  We believe that parents are the child’s first and most influential teachers.  We will work together to enhance development and encourage readiness for kindergarten.  At Heritage, we believe that families and children are worthy of our time and best efforts! 

Teachers and Staff:

Traci Coleman ……………………….. Director

Samantha Palone ……………………Early Childhood

Aricyn Turner …………………………. Early Childhood

Katie McAllister ………………………Infants/Toddlers

Theresa Wheelen ……………………Infants/Toddlers

Heather Simon ………………………Early Childhood

1. We will provide a safe, secure, healthy learning environment.

2. We will use safe, healthy, consistent care practices. 

3.  We will provide age-appropriate, stimulating, culturally respectful toys and books.

4.  We will offer nurturing, loving, positive care and guidance.

5. We will provide activities and lessons to encourage each child’s development, preparing him/her for school.

6. We will provide healthy, nutritious meals.

7. We will work closely with parents toward the welfare of the whole family.

8. We will encourage families to participate in the Parents As Teachers program in order to gain knowledge of child development and positive parenting practices.

9.  P.A.T. will do group lessons and provide developmental screenings as needed in the daycare setting. 

Our center has an infant/toddler room for children ages 0-24 months with a caregiver-to-child ratio of 1:4. We are registered to care for eight infants/toddlers. We also have a toddler room for children ages 24 months through young 3-year-olds with a caregiver-to-child ratio of 1:8. Children in our preschool room will have a caregiver-to-child ratio of 1:10. We are registered to care for ten children. Toilet training will begin at age two if the child is ready and interested.  Families and care providers will work together for toilet training success.

Center Hours:

We are open according to the Webb City RVII School District calendar and observe the same holidays and snow days.  When school is released early on holidays or the last day of school, the daycare will close early as well. The daycare will open for children on August 21, 2026.  We will be closed on January 4, 2027, for staff development training.  You will not be charged for January 4th.  Our hours are 7:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M. on school days.  Please be mindful and have your child/children picked up no later than 4:00 P.M. If you need to speak to your child’s teacher, please arrive early or email the teacher, and she will get back to you as soon as possible. Daycare doors will open at 7:00 A.M.  Please do not enter the building until then.  Teachers are preparing their classrooms for the day. The daycare will close at 3:30 p.m. on In-Service days.  It is very important to arrive on time, as the staff has required cleaning duties that can only be completed after the children leave. 

Admission Policy:

All required paperwork must be received prior to your child receiving care in our facility.  Paperwork includes, but is not limited to:  CACFP Daycare application, DFS approval letter, food program information page for infants/toddlers, medical form signed by the child’s doctor, current immunization record, and emergency contacts.

Arrival/Pick up ProceduresAll children must be checked in and out by an authorized person or parent.  Valid ID must be presented at pickup for the safety of the children. 

Late Fee Policy Pick-Up

Maintaining a structured and timely environment for all of the children is extremely important.  To ensure that our staff members are able to leave work on time and continue providing quality care for every child, the following late fee policy has been established.

Our regular center closing time is 4:00 P.M. On designated in-service days, the center will close at 3:30 P.M. Families will be notified in advance of all in-service day schedule changes. 

*If your child is picked up after closing time, the following late fees will apply:*

• A $10.00 late fee will be charged if pickup occurs after the scheduled closing time (4:00 P.M. on regular days or 3:30 P.M on in-service days). 
• An additional $1.00 per minute will be charged beginning five minutes after closing time (after 4:05 P.M. on regular days or after 3:35 P.M. on in-service days). 

*Late fees must be paid on or before the 20th of the month.*

We understand that emergency situations happen.  If you anticipate being late, please contact your child’s teacher to inform them. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in adhering to this policy.  

Dismissal Policy:

After attempts have been made to meet a child’s individual needs, any child who demonstrates an inability to benefit from the care offered at the center or whose actions are detrimental to the other children may be discharged.  Also, if the center cannot establish a mutually satisfactory working relationship with a parent, care of a child may be discontinued.  Two weeks notice will be provided. If a child is found to be a danger to others, he/she will be dismissed immediately. If a family chooses to withdraw from the center, a two-week notice would be appreciated, and the director must be notified.

Child Abuse and Neglect Policy:

As mandated reporters, we will notify the authorities if we suspect abuse or neglect.

Home Communication:

Please check daily for reports, calendars, newsletters, or other important information.  We encourage visits with Parents as Teachers and participation in family events.  We value continuous communication between home and school.  You may schedule a conference with your child’s teacher at any time.  You may visit the center at any time to spend time with your child.  If you have any concerns or grievances, please talk to the Director to schedule a meeting.

Comfortable, washable play clothes and closed-toe shoes are recommended. We will follow the district policy on shorts.  Shorts may not be worn after October 31st and not before April 1st.  Spills and accidents can occur.  Please send appropriate clothing to daycare that can be left in your child's cubby.  Parents are to provide formula, diapers, wipes, and any creams or ointments.  

We have three simple life skills for children:

1. Be Safe

2. Be Kind

3. Be Respectful

Through modeling and encouragement, every child learns expectations.  Redirection, verbal prompting, practice, and time in a “safe spot” are used when needed.  Children are taught to use the “safe spot” when they need it.

The care and education of our children contain age appropriateness, individual appropriateness, and cultural/social appropriateness.  This helps guide the foundation and future for each child and family based on current research on brain development.

Daycare Fee Schedule:

Daycare daily fees for infants beginning the school year as a newborn through 24 months of age will be charged $34.00 per day in the infant room. Children 24 months-age 3 will be charged $29 per day.  Children ages 3-5 will be charged $27.00 per day in the early childhood room. For district employees, tuition is divided into nine payments and is due by the 20th of each month, which will be deducted from your pay through the central office. 

Health information:

Please call the office or let your child’s teacher know if your child will not be attending.  The following is required by our state registration manual.  A child should not attend daycare if:  

1. A rash is present that has not been evaluated by a doctor.  A note from a doctor will be required upon returning, stating the child is not contagious.

2. The child is vomiting or has diarrhea.

3. One or both eyes are red and itchy with crust on the eyelids. These are signs of conjunctivitis and should be evaluated by a doctor.  

4. The child shows symptoms of upper respiratory infection (coughing or sneezing) serious enough to interfere with learning or playing.

5. The child complains of severe or persistent pain.

6. There are open sores that have not been treated.

7. The child has swollen glands.

8. There are signs of head lice.

9. The child has a fever of 100.4 degrees F or above. A child must be fever-free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school.  

Medication Policy:

Please try to arrange for your child’s medication to be given at home.              

Medications will be given only when proper procedures are followed:  

• Medication must arrive at school in the original container. Prescription medication must be in the prescription bottle and properly labeled. 
• A signed form or note from a parent or guardian stating the name of the student, date, name and dose of medication, time to be given, and purpose. 
• A signed physician’s form or note provided to the school with orders and instructions for any medication that needs to be given long-term (longer than 1 month).
• Herbal and naturopathic substances will not be administered by school personnel due to an absence of safety parameters. 

Safe Sleep Policy:

Infants under 12 months of age will always be placed on their backs to sleep.  When, in the opinion of the infant’s licensed health care provider, an infant requires alternative sleep positions or special sleeping arrangements, the provider must have on file written instructions, signed by the infant’s health care provider, detailing the alternative sleep positions or special sleeping arrangements.  Caregivers will put the infant to sleep as specified in the written instructions.  Sleeping infants will have a supervised nap period.  The caregiver will check on the infant frequently during napping and shall remain in close proximity to the infant in order to hear and see them if they have difficulty during napping or when they awaken.  Steps will be taken to keep infants from overheating by regulating the room temperature, avoiding excess bedding, and not over-dressing or over-wrapping the infant.  Infants should be dressed appropriately for the environment.  All caregivers receive training on infant sleep based on AAP safe sleep recommendations.

Typical Activities:

Group Play:  Singing, dancing, play-acting, games, reading, circle time.  

Free Play:  Children may choose blocks, kitchen toys, dolls and accessories, play sets, household toys, pull/push toys, and art materials.

Language:  Nursery rhymes, finger plays, stimulus pictures or boards to encourage verbalization, reading to the children, and flannel boards.

Dramatic play:  Dress up, role-playing, puppetry, etc.

Outdoor play: (weather permitting) swinging, climbing, riding toys, running, ball playing, gardening toys, trucks, strolling dolls.  Please remember to dress our child appropriately for the weather.

Special Days:  Birthdays and holidays

Typical Daily Routines:

-Arrival and greetings

-Breakfast and clean up

-Bathroom, and/or diaper change, hand-washing

-Infants may nap in the morning as well as the afternoon

-Circle time

-Arts and crafts or other learning activity

-Bathroom/diaper change, hand-washing

-Outdoor play

-Hand-washing

-Lunch/clean up

-Rest Time

-Bathroom/diaper change and hand-washing

-Snack and clean up

-Free Play

-Calm down time, quiet table toys

-Parent pick up

*Bathroom and diaper-changing times will vary to meet the child’s needs.  This is a general schedule and is dictated mostly by the child’s needs and feelings each day. 

*Resources are available through the Parents as Teachers Program.  

The Webb City Heritage Daycare handbook was updated on May 6, 2026. The handbook policies are subject to change throughout the school year. If changes are made, a new copy of the handbook will be provided, and you will be asked to sign that you have received it and agree to the new policies. 

I have read and understand the policies outlined in the daycare handbook.

____________________________________

Parent Signature