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Pumpkin Patch Child CareParent Handbook of Policies & ProceduresDear Parents:
After years of playing teacher as a child, I opened up the Pumpkin Patch NurserySchool in Cohoes. With just six three year olds and six four year old children aschool was born. That was in 1975. As the need for full time child care grew sodid the Pumpkin Patch. In 1989 I opened a full day program in Guilderland thatoffered day care for children aged 3-5 years. In 1994 we expanded once again toprovide care for infants and toddlers.Today, the future of PUMPKIN PATCH continues to grow to meet the needs ofthe community and our enrolment population. As we anxiously anticipate theopening of our new center we look forward to beginning our new chapter.We look forward to having you and your child join our Pumpkin Patch family.Sincerely,
Christine M. Rinella 
Director
 
 
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Philosophy:
The Pumpkin Patch was established in 1975 and has been growing every year. Ourphilosophy is to promote a quality and caring atmosphere for infants, toddlers andpreschool children where children feel free to explore and learn about theirenvironment. Pumpkin Patch is committed to provide a quality, age appropriate,educational/recreational program as it is important
to a child’s development. The staff
of Pumpkin Patch respects each child as an individual, seeks to foster a positive selfimage and encourage independence, which the Pumpkin Patch staff feels is a key socialskill that aids in problem solving. Hence, there is a stress on independence, which willallow the child to function more effectively in a social/academic atmosphere.
Program Infants:
Infant care is the fastest growing and most sensitive aspect of child care. Providing thisservice is an enormous responsibility, involving much more than keeping the baby fed, warm, anddry. These tiny human beings are developing in all four areas of growth. Starting when theyemerge from the safety of the womb and draw their first breath in the real world, they arechanging physically, as social and emotional beings, and they are learning how to adapt to and livein that world.
PHYSICAL
–
 
Infants need space in which to grow, and freedom to move within that space. Theyshould be confined to a crib ONLY when sleeping. In addition to the time when they are beingheld, they should be placed in a variety of supporting chairs, such as infant seats or baby totes,which allow them to stay in a partially upright position. Putting infants on a blanket or pad awayfrom the crib makes them part of the environment and allows for growing interaction withteachers and other infants as the weeks go by. Age appropriate toys and activities encourage
the development of the infants’ basic skills. A stimulating environment a
nd numerousexperiences and interactions with people and materials provide for optimal intellectualdevelopment.
SOCIAL
–
 
A child understands his world in which there are creatures separate and apart fromhimself comes when he is held and cared for. Much has been said and written about the
importance of “bonding” in the first few months. Ideally the infant finds that relationship with
his mother. But when that is not possible, it is essential for him to form an attachment toanother adult. I
ndividualized care, which is intended to complement parents’ styles and wishes,is one way of attempting to accommodate each infant’s needs and personality. At
PUMPKINPATCH
every effort will be made to have the same childcare provider(s) consistently hold, feedand change your child.
EMOTIONAL
–
A warm, supportive relationship will be established between the care giver(s)and the infant to promote sound emotional development. Our staff will demonstrate many
 
 
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expressions of nurturing to build the relationship: holding, rocking, singing and talking help thechild develop a sense that the world is a safe, caring place.
INTELLECTUAL
 
–
What can a little baby learn? Cognitive growth begins with language. Fromthe very beginning, the way a primary care giver responds to an infant, talking to him as shechanges his diaper, responding to his babbling, is teaching him the art of communication.
Appropriate sensory motor stimulation will be offered in context with infants’ needs.
Interesting toys and other objects, sufficiently varied for all developmental levels of infants inthe room, will be provided to encourage exploration, stimulation and interactions. Talking to thebabies by the childcare provider(s) will be an ongoing process. The infants will be constantlyexposed to language: labeling, verbal expressions of feelings and reflections of actions andconversation during daily routines.
SAFETY
–
 
The staff at
PUMPKIN PATCH
will promote and follow rigorous health and safetystandards: wearing gloves when changing diapers and serving food in addition to regular hand
washing throughout the day; disinfecting toys and equipment in the room; maintaining a “childproof” environment.
INFANT ORIENTATION
–
Orientation day may either be scheduled during the week prior to
enrollment or on the infant’s first day at the Center. It is important to have the child come to
the Center for orientation before his first day. The purpose is for him to become comfortablein his new surroundings while still secure in the company of his own parents. Attention to detailon this important occasion will pay dividends in the tranquility of the first day and the overall
adjustment of the child. Parents will also have an opportunity to see how their child’s classroom
operates on an a
verage day; they will be able to explain their child’s schedule and give otherimportant information to the Center’s staff and they are able to ask any additional questions.
Orientation day also allows parents and staff to begin to get to know each other. Our goal is topromote a partnership between parent and caregivers.
COMMUNICATION
–
 
Communication is essential between your child’s caretakers and yourself.Each infant’s daily schedule is recorded on a classroom chart. There is also space pro
vided forparents' to record how their child's night and early morning has been.We know that every day your baby is growing and changing. That means that their physicalexperiences and eating habits are changing as well. When these changes occur we need to be apart of them also. Therefore, we are asking that parents notify us when these changes occur.
For example, if you have changed your child’s formula, increased his formula or added new foodto his diet, you need to inform your child’s caretaker.
This needs to be done in writing and we
ask that parents go over their written correspondence with their child’s caretaker before they
leave in the morning to assure no misinterpretations in this communication. All correspondencefrom the parent must be dated.
FEEDING -
Infants are fed bottles and baby foods according to their individualized schedules.Parents provide a daily supply of plastic bottles filled with formula or breast milk, baby foods,and baby cereal. We will not mix formula. All bottles must come in prepared. The center
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