KAUA’I COMMUNITY COLLEGE

NA KAMA PONO

POLICIES AND ENROLLMENT AGREEMENT

Revised Spring 2010

Underconstuction

Center Use:

The primary purpose of the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) is to provide a laboratory school setting for Kaua’i Community College’s (KCC) Early Childhood Education Program.  Therefore, students and others participating in College sponsored programs will utilize the Center’s facilities and work with the children under the close supervision of the director, teacher(s), or assistant teacher(s).  All participants will be expected to observe confidentiality and professional ethics.

The Center is licensed by the Department of Human Services and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  The Center consists of one classroom with a maximum enrollment of 20 children ages between 2 years 9 months and 6 years-old.

Staffing:

A director, teacher, and assistant teacher constitute the regular staff of the ECDC.  Work-study students and Early Childhood Education (ECE) lab students provide additional support.  Community and student volunteers also work in the lab from time to time.

 Tuition and Fees:

 A fifty-dollar ($50.00) non-refundable registration fee will be charged.  Tuition is calculated by the semester.  Fall and spring tuition is $2120.00 per semester.  Payments can be made in four equal increments of $530.00.  In the fall, invoices will be distributed in September, October, November and December.  In the spring, invoices will be distributed in January, February, March and April.  Upon request, an invoice can be prepared for the full amount each semester.  Upon receipt of the invoices, tuition is due within five business days.  Thereafter, the payment will be considered delinquent and an extra charge of $5.00 per day will be charged unless special arrangements are made with the director.

Summer tuition will be $1590.00.  Invoices will be distributed in May, June and July.  Because Na Kama Pono must be self-sufficient during the summer semester, it is particularly important that enrollment be predictable.  Therefore, parents enrolled for the summer will be required to sign a contract committing to the tuition for the enrollment period.  Priority will be given to children enrolled for the entire summer semester.

Tuition is to be paid at the KCC’s Business Office.  Checks should be made out to: University of Hawaii.

Tuition in arrear  for two months constitutes grounds for disenrollment.  Outstanding balances must be paid by the last day of each semester.  An outstanding balance will prevent re-enrollment the following semester.

An outstanding balance is considered a financial obligation to the University of Hawaii.  Non-payment of tuition will be recorded in the parent’s college files and will affect the distribution of college transcripts and grades.  A financial obligation can also result in the denial of student registration into any University of Hawaii campus.  The obligation will also be conveyed to the IRS to garner income tax returns.

Schedule:

The Center’s hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Friday.

The Center will follow the College’s schedule of holidays.  The Center will also be closed for in service training on Teacher’s Institute Day and an additional day in the spring semester.  The Center’s Fall & Spring semesters will begin with the first day of college classes and will conclude on the last day of the semester.  The summer semester will begin a week after the close of the spring semester and end two weeks before the start of the fall semester.

Attendance:

The Center opens at 7:30 a.m., Monday through Friday.  Teachers will arrive earlier to prepare for the day, but will not accept children until that time.  An authorized adult must sign children in and out of the Center.

Children should arrive before 9:30 a.m. in order to participate in the morning activities.  Children who arrive during the morning circle should complete their jobs in the back of the room.  So as to not interrupt Circle Time, they should remain there with their parent until the teacher invites them to join the group.

Parents agree to assure regular attendance of their child.  The Center should be notified in advance, if possible, of absences.  The Center calls in the lunch count by 8:15 a.m..  Please assist us to make an accurate count by calling in if you will be arriving after 8:15 or if your child will leave before lunch.  Otherwise, it may be necessary for you to provide a lunch for your child.  You will be charged for any meals or snacks ordered but not eaten.

One month written notice by parent or guardian must be given of intention to withdraw.  Parents will be obligated to a minimum of a month’s tuition following notification, whether the child attends classes or not.

Because the Center must be self supporting each summer, enrollment in the summer session is with the understanding that there is an obligation to three months’ tuition whether the child attends or not.

New Children:

To assist children to transition into school, parents or another family member should be with the child for at least half of the first day.  Children having difficulties adjusting may require more support and may require their parents to stay a little longer.  The staff will, of course, provide support for parent and child to make the adjustment. 

During this transitional period, parents are encouraged to assist their child to learn the routine, while encouraging their independence and building confidence.  Therefore, please do not do for your child what he can do for himself.  Provide verbal instructions while praising each achievement.

Daily Routine:

Children depend on routine to provide consistency and security.  Please accompany your child to complete the routine The morning routine is as follows:

              Remove shoes and place on rack

              Parent and child sanitize hands

              Pin name tag on back of child

              Place center nametags on chart at circle

              Parent and child sign in

              Parent escort child to restroom.  Child must try even though they had gone to                             the toilet at home.

              Wash and dry hands.

              Child chooses a center to work in ( except for dramatic play)

Release of Child:

Children must be picked up by 4:30 p.m..  Parents will sign their child in and out and make contact with a staff member.  An attending child will be released only to the parents or those persons designated on the admissions form.  Written permission from the parents is needed to release a child to anyone not on the list.

 If there is a court order keeping one parent or guardian away from the child, this information must be provided in writing.  Otherwise, a non-custodial parent cannot be prevented from picking up the child.

 A late charge of ten dollars ($10.00) for every five minutes, or portion thereof, will be assessed for late pick-ups.  Consistent late pick-ups may result in dis-enrollment.  Children left after 5:30 p.m. will be turned over to the Child Protective Services.

Food:

Na Kama Pono serves a  breakfast, hot lunch, and a snack each day.  All foods will be nutritious and in compliance with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Because the Center is reimbursed by the CACFP only for meals consumed on site, children will not be permitted to take their meals with them.  If parents sign up for a meal that is not eaten, they will be charged for them at the end of the semester.

If a child has special dietary needs, parents will be expected to provide these food items.  If a child has an allergy, please send a doctor’s note for our records.

The Center’s participation in CACFP requires that parents fill out financial statements. (A form is enclosed in the enrollment packet.)

Parents are encouraged to eat lunch with their child.  A lunch must be ordered in advance.  The sign-up sheet is provided above the cubbyholes.

There will be occasions when children will need to bring home lunches.  On those days milk will be provided, and all that is needed is a sandwich.  You may include other items such as vegetable sticks, or fresh fruits.  However, our policies do not permit high fat or sugary foods.  Therefore, soft drinks, candy, chips, or other “junk foods” are not acceptable.  It is also suggested that items, which may be healthy, but resemble less acceptable foods, should not be included.  Chocolate covered granola bars and baked chips, for instance, will still look like “junk food” to the children.  If you have any doubts about what is considered acceptable, please confer with one of the teachers.

Holidays:

The Center promotes the health of the children by helping them to develop good habits.  It is a policy, therefore, to offer only nutritious snacks and non-edible favors during our celebrations.

To avoid a glut of treats, the parents are asked to sign up for a turn to provide acceptable treats to celebrate the various holidays.  The treats need to be check and approved by the Center before distribution to the children.  The holidays for which treats are given are: Halloween, Christmas, Valentines and Easter.  Other holidays are celebrated, but parents are not asked to provide treats.  Special holidays celebrated by individual families can also be integrated into our special days.

Health:

Children are required to be current in their immunizations, to have had a dental examination, and a physical examination within twelve months of enrollment.  A completed health card (Form 14) or doctor’s appointment slip for a physical and a TB clearance must be on file before your child begins school.  Physicals and dental examinations must be completed within 90 days of enrollment.

Parents must provide emergency information at the time of enrollment.  This information will need to be kept up dated.  The Center is to be informed of new telephone numbers, addresses, etc.

Children who are possibly contagious will not be accepted.  A health check will be conducted daily during morning drop-off.  Signs of a contagious illness may include vomiting, fever of 100° or higher, runny nose with green mucus, diarrhea, bad cold, flu, neck swelling, as well as symptoms of common childhood diseases.  Head lice are also very contagious.  Children with head lice will be sent home until all nits have been removed and approved for return to school by Public Health Nursing.

Parents will be notified to pick up a child who is ill, contagious, or who has been injured.  Parents should pick up the child as quickly as possible, without delay and unreasonable excuses.  For this purpose, parents will be required to leave a schedule of where they can be reached during school hours.

If a child appears ill at school, parents may be asked to take their child to a physician.

To assure the well being of the child, a doctor’s note will be required to return to school.

Parents are required to have a cellular phone or pager so that they can be immediately contacted in case of an emergency.  Job training students are exempt from this requirement if they can provide phone numbers which will allow immediate contact with the parents at all times.

In case of a health emergency, the school is given authorization to determine what form of action is to be taken.

Medication:

Because parents will be on campus, the Center’s staff will not administer medication.  In emergency situations, a special protocol will be developed in consultation with the child’s physician and parents.

Parents are encouraged to protect their child with sunscreen.  The Center agrees to reapply the sunscreen after water play, if it is provided.

Discipline:

The ECDC will provide a positive environment for children and adults.  Discipline methods are designed to promote positive self-esteem, cooperation, and independence.  Each child is respected as an individual who can develop inner controls necessary to become a part of his/her group.  Patience, consistency, and firmness on the part of all adults will be practiced when dealing with unacceptable behavior.  The Center does not use corporal punishment or spankings.  Natural and logical consequences are used instead.

Parents volunteering at the ECDC take on the role of a staff member and must act in accordance with established standards of behavior.  Under no circumstances during ECDC hours, shall any parent physically or verbally threaten children, including their own.  Parents shall not take their children from the Center to punish them.  It is not unusual for children to act out when faced with sharing a parent with other children.  Parents are encouraged to request a conference to share their frustrations or problems.  By working together, appropriate solutions for behavior problems can be found.

Nurturing Touches:

The Center protects the children’s rights and need for privacy.  However, with the children’s permission, nurturing hugs, back rubs, hand and face massages, etc.  are part of the interaction between teachers and children.

Birthday Parties:

The Center will provide the children with similar birthday celebrations so that each child will feel equally important.  Parents are encouraged to attend.  If a birthday should not be celebrated, please notify the teacher or director.  Parents often want to bring a special treat for their child’s birthday.  May we suggest that party hats or a book be sent instead of food.

Unless the entire class is invited, invitations to events outside of school should not be distributed at the Center.  Children cannot understand the reasons why they are not invited and the teachers find them looking for invitations they did not receive.

Field trips:

Walking field trips will be taken around campus and to surrounding areas.  Parents will be notified of field trips taken away from the immediate area and a permission form will need to be signed.  Children are required to wear closed-toe shoes and the school’s tee shirt for field trips.  Parents may also be asked to contribute money for fees or other expenses.  Additional tee shirts in both adult and children’s sizes are available for purchase.

A bus will be provided for non-walking field trips.  The children will not be transported in private vehicles.

Photographs:

Children will occasionally be photographed and videotaped for programs, or school publicity.  A permission form will be provided at orientation.

Practice Testing and Screening:

ECE students will occasionally use children as practice subjects.  A form is provided granting permission for informal practice testing and screening by the ECE students.

Emergencies and Natural Disasters:

The Center will be closed in the event that there is a power or water outage of over two hours.  The Center will be closed when a hurricane warning (expected within 24 hours) is issued.

In the event of a fire or other disaster, the children will be evacuated to the tennis court farthest from the Center.  In the event that an evacuation is necessary during inclement weather, or for an extended period, the children will be taken to the KCC dining room.

Things Needed: (please clearly label all items with your child’s name)

Each child will need to bring a set of extra clothing and a towel or blanket for naps.  The blanket should be no larger than 36 x 48 inches.  Please also provide a bag for the sleeping mat made from a king-size pillowcase with a drawstring or a laundry duffel bag.  Because of the size of the mats, there are no room for pillows.  Anything used for bedding will need to be laundered weekly by the parents.  The sheets for the mats will be provided and laundered weekly by the Center.

A toothbrush will also be needed for the children’s dental hygiene program.  We cannot accommodate requests for a child to use a special toothpaste.  We can, however, have your child brush his/her teeth without any toothpaste.

Children are not permitted to bring toys to school except for the purpose of “show and tell”.  Do not send anything that you cannot allow your child to lose.  The ECDC will not be responsible for the loss or damage of non-essential personal articles such as jewelry.

The ECDC does not allow children to wear jewelry of any kinds, with the exception of studded earrings.  Accessories dangling from a child-s neck, wrist, and/or finger pose safety hazards.  This includes elastic or rubber bracelets.

School Records:

Parents must complete the forms provided within the first week of enrollment.  A birth certificate, TB clearance, and emergency information however, must be provided before the first day of class.

Video Policy:

The Center’s policy limits the use of videos.  The Center’s staff before showing will preview any video brought in by a parent. Video contents need to be short, non-violent, and the theme should be relevant to the Center’s curriculum.

Dress:

Children are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing, which allows active participation in both indoor and outdoor activities.  Children are discouraged from wearing dresses or skirts.  It has been found that skirts can cause tripping.  Therefore, children wearing dresses or skirts will not be allowed on the climbers unless they are also wearing shorts so that the skirt can be tucked in.  Uniform tee-shirts will be instituted in the fall of 2009.

Clothing should also permit children to practice their self-help skills.  Buttons and zippers should be easy to manipulate and within reach of the child.

Children should wear safe, close-toed and comfortable shoes suitable for climbing and running outdoors.  Close-toed shoes are required in order to provide children with the support and protection their feet need outdoors.  Good examples of close-toed shoes are tennis shoes and sneakers.  Shoes should have a rubber sole and should fit securely.  Dress shoes, clogs and rubber rain boots do not provide the kind of protection and support needed.  Footwear is removed before entering the Center.  Socks worn indoors need to have safety grip soles to prevent slipping. Lace tie shoes are discouraged.ß

Parent Participation:

Parents are encouraged to visit the Center and participate in its activities.  Parents are also encouraged to share talents and ideas to enhance the Center’s programs.  Parents are considered an essential resource and asset to the Center.

Each year a group of interested parents form a parent group to increase parent involvement.  Socials, workdays and parent education workshops are among the activities planned for the families.  If you are interested in volunteering please see one of the teachers or the director.

Confidentiality:

All personal information provided to the Center will be kept confidential.  However, the Center reserves the right to discuss, with enrolled Early Childhood students, information judged necessary for them to effectively work with a child.  If, for any reason, there is a request for information about your child, you may choose what information to release.  A “Release of Information” form will be provided for this purpose.

Disenrollment:

This agreement may be canceled by the Center for any of the following reasons:

        * Non-payment of fees and tuition

        * Uncooperative parents or guardians

        * Consistent failure of parents to pick-up their child on time

        * Excessive absences

        * Jeopardizing the health and safety of the children or staff

        * It is not in the best interest of the child or the program to continue the child’s 

                 enrollment

(A two-week notice will be given for dis-enrollment)

PARENTAL AGREEMENT

I (We) agree to cooperate with the general policies of the KCC Early Childhood Development Center and to abide by its rules and regulations, which have been given to me to read. I (We) also agree to cooperate with and abide by those policies and rules and regulations that may be established in the future. My (Our) signature(s) below indicate(s) that I (We) have read this contract and that it has been explained to my (our) satisfaction.

Parent/s or Legal Guardian:

 _______________________________

Signature date

_______________________________

Signature date

Address: _______________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

The ECDC is available to eligible children regardless of age, race, color, national origin, sex, or handicap. If you believe that you have been treated unfairly because of age, race, color, national origin, sex, or handicap, write immediately to the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 20250. The ECDC abides by all requirements of the ADA.

Tuition and Fees

A fifty dollar ($50.00) non-refundable registration fee will be charged. Tuition is calculated by the semester. Fall and spring tuition is $2120.00 per semester. Payments can be made in four equal increments of $530.00. In the fall, invoices will be distributed in September, October, November and December. In the Spring, invoices will be distributed in January, February, March and April. Upon request, an invoice can be prepared for the full amount each semester. Upon receipt of the invoices, tuition is due within five business days. Thereafter, the payment will be considered delinquent and an extra charge of $5.00 per day will be charged.

Summer tuition will be $1590.00. Invoices will be distributed in May, June and July. Because Na Kama Pono must be self-sufficient during the summer semester, it is particularly important that enrollment be predictable. Therefore, parents enrolled for the summer will be required to sign a contract committing to the tuition for the enrollment period. Priority will be given to children enrolled for the entire summer semester.

Tuition is to be paid at the KCC’s Business Office. Checks should be made out to: University of Hawaii.

Tuition in arrear for two months constitutes grounds for ids-enrollment. Outstanding balances must be paid by the last day of each semester. An outstanding balance will prevent re-enrollment the following semester.

An outstanding balance is considered a financial obligation to the University of Hawaii. Non-payment of tuition will be recorded in the parent’s college files and will affect the distribution of college transcripts and grades. A financial obligation can also result in the denial of student registration into any University of Hawaii campus. The obligation will also be conveyed to the IRS to garner income tax returns.

We the parents of ______________________________________________have read the above statement and agree to fulfill all financial obligations in a timely manner.
_________________________________
Signature of Parent                           Date