Blooming in Boyne City Staff Handbook

Program Philosophy: This program will provide children ages birth to

school age the opportunity to learn and grow through hands on experiences
in nature. We believe that children learn best when they are active
participants in their learning. The curriculum is designed to meet the
individual needs of students as they each learn and develop at their own
pace. At Blooming in Boyne City, the caregivers are there to ensure the
safety of children, as well as guide them throughout their learning
experiences. In this center, the classroom sizes are small, for it is critical to
us that our caregivers can provide quality, individualized care.
Curriculum Statement: The curriculum is designed to meet the individual
needs of students as they each learn and develop at their own pace.
At Blooming in Boyne City, the curriculum is designed to encourage social
skills, independence, and language development. We value the
innate curiosity in each child and therefore, have created a play- based
curriculum. The play- based curriculum has been put into place to encourage
children to learn through exploration.  At Blooming in Boyne City, the
curriculum is designed based off of the many interests and abilities of the
children in our care. Our lead teachers work diligently with integrity to
ensure your child is receiving quality learning experiences. In each
classroom, you will see that the students are being instilled with kindness
and developing into well rounded individuals. 

Parent Involvement: At Blooming in Boyne City, we highly encourage

parent involvement. Parents and caregivers are welcome to come into our
childcare center and assistant in multiple learning experiences. We believe
that the lead teachers and parents are truly a team working together in
order to create the best learning opportunities for each child. Our center
values the importance of communication and will communicate with each
family daily through an app called Childcare On. With this app, the parents
and caregivers can track their child's daily routines and see what their child
is doing each day. 

Routines: In each classroom, there is a daily schedule. The lead teachers do

their best to stick to this schedule, but we do know that children require
individualized care as well. For example, in our infant and toddler rooms, the
schedules are based off of what each child needs. If there are specific
circumstances such as health and dietary needs, the lead teachers will do
their very best to make sure your child's needs are met. 

Materials: At Blooming in Boyne City, we make sure that all the materials
are developmentally appropriate and encourage beneficial learning
opportunities. The safety of your child is held to the highest standard. Each
environment is licensed through LARA, Licensing and Regulatory Affairs of
the State of Michigan. At our center, we do utilize a variety of natural
materials due to the fact that we are located along the shores of Lake
Michigan! 

Hours of Operation
Monday: 6:00am-5:00pm
Tuesday: 6:00am-5:00pm
Wednesday: 6:00am-5:00pm
Thursday: 6:00am-5:00pm
Friday: 6:00am-5:00pm 

Holidays: The center will be closed on these following days. Christmas Eve,
Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, Easter, 4th of July.
History of the center
Blooming in Boyne in Boyne City opened in 2017. It began as a small center
only open to twenty children. Then in 2019, we added an addition to the
center and opened it up to more children. There are currently eight different
classrooms. We chose to locate the center along the shores of Lake Michigan
because we value the outdoors and believe that every child has the curiosity
to explore.

Job Descriptions
Full Time: staff who work full time will work 40 hours a week Monday-Friday.
Full time staff will get paid salary.
Part Time: part time employees will work up to 20 hours a week Monday-
Friday. Part time staff will be paid hourly.
Director: At Blooming in Boyne City, the director takes on the role of the
leader for our center. The director is required to have a bachelor’s degree or
higher education in Child Development or Early Childhood Education. They
have the responsibility of making sure that the center is meeting all of the
licensing requirements to ensure the safety of all children. It is the director’s
job to ensure that the curriculum is meeting all of the students’ needs. The
director will need to be personable and able to work with parents. The
parents and children need to feel welcome and safe in the childcare
environment.
Lead Teacher: A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or higher is
required. CDA completions, or associates in early childhood education or
child development is required. It is critical to our center that our lead
teachers are consistent in each classroom. We believe that consistency is
important for the children’s routines and development. Lead teachers will be
in charge of creating developmentally appropriate lessons for their children.
They have the responsibility of following licensing requirements, managing
the classroom and keeping all children safe. Lead teachers will need to
develop positive relationships with the parents and children. Lead teachers
are strongly encouraged to communicate with parents daily to note how their
child is doing throughout the day. They will be in charge of tracking and
recording each child’s routine throughout each day and giving it to parents
during pick up times.
Assistant Teacher: A high school diploma is required, but higher education
is strongly encouraged. The assistant teacher is to assist the lead teacher in
daily tasks such as getting snack around, changing diapers, cleaning, and
classroom management. It is important that the assistant teacher also works
to create positive relationships with the children and their parents.
Secretary: The secretary will be the one to answer all the phone calls at the
center. They will take notes for the director and help relay information to her.
They will help organize the director’s meetings and greet the
parents/caregivers as they enter the building.
Custodian: The custodian is to make sure that the center is clean and
disinfected each night. The custodian is also in charge of the landscaping
around the center. The duties include, mowing, weed whacking, trimming
etc.
Ethical Guidelines When Working with Children: At Blooming in Boyne
City, we hold our staff to high ethical standards. We guarantee that your child
with be treated equally with respect and genuine care. Our staff is to strictly
follow the NAEYC standards. “Childhood is a unique and valuable stage in the
human life cycle. Our paramount responsibility is to provide care and education
in settings that are safe, healthy, nurturing, and responsive for each child. We
are committed to supporting children’s development and learning; respecting
individual differences; and helping children learn to live, play, and work
cooperatively. We are also committed to promoting children’s self-awareness,
competence, self-worth, resiliency, and physical well-being.” -NAEYC pg. 2
As the NAEYC states, we are committed to:
•Appreciate childhood as a unique and valuable stage of the human life cycle.
•Base our work on knowledge of how children develop and learn.
•Appreciate and support the bond between the child and family.
•Recognize that children are best understood and supported in the context of
family, culture, community, and society.
•Respect the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual (child, family
member, and colleague).
•Respect diversity in children, families, and colleagues.
•Recognize that children and adults achieve their full potential in the context of
relationships that are based on trust and respect.
(Feel free to refer to NAEYC.org)
Family Ethical Guidelines: At Blooming in Boyne City, we value the
partnership between families and staff. Our center holds to the standards of the
NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct. “Families are of primary importance in
children’s development. Because the family and the early childhood practitioner
have a common interest in the child’s wellbeing, we acknowledge a primary
responsibility to bring about communication, cooperation, and collaboration
between the home and early childhood program in ways that enhance the
child’s development.” -NAEYC pg. 3

Professional Development Requirements: At Blooming in Boyne City,

our staff members are encouraged to become lifelong learners through
professional development. Each staff member is required to complete at
least sixteen hours of professional development each year. To ensure that
this is completed, we require at least two hours of professional development
each month. In the director’s office, there is a black binder labeled
“Professional Development Opportunities.” In this binder, there will always
be a variety of training opportunities to complete. During the year, there will
be conferences that all staff members will be required to attend, and they
will count toward the sixteen hours of professional development each year.
The staff will be asked to keep track of their training hours on a sheet
required by licensing.
Training hours sheet:
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/lara_BCAL-
4591_0715_494831_7.pdf
Policies
Social Media: As part of Blooming in Boyne City, one needs to keep in mind
how they display themselves on social media. As part of this center, the
choices you make not only affect you, but the entire facility. The director has
the right and ability to see all social media content at any time.
Professional Interactions with Parents: The interactions between staff
and parents need to be professional at all times. Families need to feel
welcomed in the center, for they are a critical part of their child’s learning as
well. At pick up times, the staff is to explain the positive things that
happened throughout the day. If there are specific behavioral issues or
subjects to bring up, the director or lead teacher will address it with the
parents privately.
Criminal History Clearance: As part of the interview process, the staff will
have to undergo a criminal background check. All staff members are
required to have their fingerprints completed. A search will be completed of
the National Crime Information Center’s National Sex Offender Registry and
state-based child abuse and neglect registry and database. All volunteers will
also need to complete a criminal background check in order to volunteer at
the center.
Medical Clearance: Each staff member will need to have a current physical
and TB test preformed within 6 months before being employed at the center.
Physicals and TB tests will need to be redone every two years.
Ongoing clearance notifications requirements: Fingerprints will need to
be redone every two years. It is required by the state that background
checks be resubmitted every five years.
Grievance Policy: At Blooming in Boyne City, all staff members are
expected to make reasonable attempts to resolve conflicts directly with the
individual/individuals concerned. If a solution cannot be reached or
assistance is needed, staff members should then seek assistance from the
Director. Confidentiality is expected and required when grievances arise.
Staff Meetings: At Blooming in Boyne City, staff meetings will be held once
a month. They will take place the first Monday of each month at 5:30pm. The
topics covered at each meeting may change due to updates in licensing
requirements, scheduling and events. Each staff member is required to come
to each meeting and highly encouraged to participate in the discussion. The
meetings are scheduled from 5:30-6:30pm and the director will honor
everyone’s time by promptly ending the meeting by 6:30pm. At Blooming in
Boyne City, we honor our staff’s personal time and time with our family and
loved ones.
Staff Ratios:
Age of Children Minimum Ratio of Staff to Children
2 weeks to 2 years 1 staff for every 4 children
2 years 1 staff for every 6 children
3 years 1 staff for every 8 children
4 years 1 staff for every 12 children
5 years to 10 years 1 staff for every 15 children
10 years and over 1 staff for every 20 children

Absence Policies: Staff members do have the potential to earn paid time
off. Reasonable absences include sickness or death. If a staff member is
unable to work due to illness, the Director must be notified as soon as
possible. The Director is required to be notified through a phone call. The
staff member that is absent is in charge of making their own arrangements
for a substitute. If the staff member is absent more than three consecutive
days, then a note from a physician indicating the illness and days needed off
work will be required.
Conferences: Conferences will be held twice throughout the school year for
each child. The lead teachers and assistant teachers will be required to
complete these conferences. The conferences will note on the child’s
development in the six domains, educational standing, and overall behavior.
If for some reason the parents feel as if they need to conference with the
teachers on a more regular basis, they must notify the director. Blooming in
Boyne City does not partake in home visits.

Care of Special Needs Children: Blooming in Boyne City, welcomes

children with all abilities and disabilities. The center is located near an ISD
and therefore, we are able to provide early on services for children in our
care. Early On services help our caregivers identify children and provide
them with the resources they need. Our center is adaptable for students who
have wheelchairs or other devices. https://www.1800earlyon.org/

Ongoing Training to maintain credentials for DHHS:

CPR/First Aid: All staff members will be required to be CPR/First Aid
certified. Each certification will last up to two years. Therefore, it will need to
be renewed every two years. Blooming at Boyne City will take care of the
costs for this certification, as we value the importance of having first aid and
CPR certification.
Blood Borne Pathogen: All staff members are required to complete Blood
Borne Pathogen and renew it annually. Blooming in Boyne City will cover all
the costs of this training.
Child Abuse and Neglect: Training for child abuse and neglect will take
place annually. This is so that all staff members are updated on the steps of
precaution. Each staff member will be aware of the steps in place if a child is
showing signs of abuse and neglect as well. As part of Blooming in Boyne
City, each staff member MUST report to Child Protective Services is they
suspect that any abuse or neglect is occurring. Confidentiality will be kept at
all times.
As stated in the professional development requirements, each staff member
is required to obtain 16 credit hours of training annually. As documented and
logged, these required trainings and certifications may count toward your
total hours.

Universal Precautions
Handwashing: Each classroom is supplied with their own sink and
antibacterial soap. The staff members are required to wash their hands after
changing a diaper, after wiping a nose, before and after mealtime, and when
entering a new classroom. Staff members may need to wash their hands
quite often, and therefore, one can find hand lotion in the staff cupboard.
Waste Disposal: When trash cans are full, the trash bags need to be tied
up and put in a large trash can located within a storage room. After the
center closes each night the staff member that is closing will take the large
trash can out to the dumpster located on the east side of the building. All
trashcans should be empty at the end of each night.
Daily Cleaning Procedures: The center uses an all-natural cleaner called
Thieves to disinfect all the materials that are used in the classroom each
day. In each classroom, the teachers can find a list of the cleaning
procedures. At the end of each day, all the toys, tables, chairs and counter
tops need to be disinfected. If there are noted allergies to the cleaner, the
director will be notified, and a substitute cleaner can be used.

Implementation of Policies and Procedures: At Blooming in Boyne City,

we hold our staff to high standards. The staff are to be respectful,
welcoming, and kind care givers. We aim to build quality relationships with
one another and work together as a well-rounded team. The staff is required
to follow all guidelines and rules presented in this handbook and licensing
rules. If a staff member neglects any of the guidelines and policies, there are
steps put in place that will occur.
1. A verbal warning will be given by the director if a staff member does
not follow a policy. After the discussion, if the staff member shows
willingness to improve, then they may continue at Blooming in Boyne
City.
2. A write up or documentation will now be recorded and remain on the
staffs record while they are employed. Along with the write up, the
 staff member will be required to have a one on one conference with
the director to go over the situation that occurred.
3. If a staff member continues to disregard the guidelines and polices and
receives up to two write ups, the director can decide to relieve the staff
member from Blooming in Boyne City.
Note that in specific circumstances, these steps will not be taken, and
immediate termination of employment will occur. For we value the
safety and care of all of our children.
 Sexual Harassment
 Dishonesty
 No call No Show (1 warning depending on circumstance)
 Child Abuse and Neglect
 Safety Violations
 Non-professional actions with families
 Showing aggression toward kids or colleagues

Safety Policies:
Fire: If there is a fire, the lead teacher and assistant teacher is to safely take
all children to the designated meeting place. The teacher will then need to
call 911 and state the centers name and location. The address of the center
is labeled on each telephone incase of this emergency. When the fire alarm
goes off while everyone is in the classroom the lead teachers will need to
follow the procedure listed below.
1. Gather students to evacuate.
2. Grab the first aid kit, attendance sheet, phone.
3. Lead teacher goes first to lead the students, while the assistant
teacher is last out of the classroom and will shut the door and turn the
lights off.
4. Gather all students at the meeting spot and take attendance.
5. 911 will be contacted
 6. Once the director ensures that it is safe to reenter the building the lead
teachers may walk their students back to the classrooms.
Tornado: If the city sounds their tornado sirens, the following actions need
to take place.
1. The lead teacher will need to grab the first aid kit and attendance
sheet.
2. The assistant teacher will then need to lead the students to the
designated shelter area.
3. Once everyone is gathered in the shelter area, the teacher will need to
take attendance.
4. Every person is to stay in the shelter area until they receive an all clear
from the director.

Lockdown: If there is an individual demonstrating threatening behavior the

following steps will be taken. All outside doors to the center are locked
during center hours.
1. All lead teachers are to shut the classroom doors, lock them and turn
the lights off.
2. All students are to gather in a hidden area in the classroom. For
example, a closet or bathroom. The lead and assistant teachers are to
keep the children as quiet as possible.
3. The director will locate the threatening individual and contact the
police.
4. Once the police or the director intervene with the threatening
individual the classroom teachers should be notified to resume their
typical schedule.
Outside Play: At Blooming in Boyne City, we highly encourage outside play.
If there is lightning, or hard pouring rain the students will not be allowed
outside. In the winter if the wind chill falls under a specific degree, the
children will not go outside. Other than those hazardous conditions, the
students should be dressed according to the weather.
Guidance and Discipline: At Blooming at Boyne City, we believe that
children deserve to be active participants in their learning. Therefore, we
teach the children to be aware of their actions and how they may affect
others. As teachers, we aim to teach the young learners how to
independently solve problems. But we understand that in some
circumstances, the teacher needs to step in and guide the students into
finding a resolution. This should ALWAYS be done in a calm manner.
Blooming in Boyne City follows the six steps of conflict resolution.
1. Neutralize the situation. Stop all dangerous situations.
2. Gather data. Understand what is happening. How are the children
feeling?
3. Define the problem.
4. Generate ideas to solve the problem.
5. Evaluate the ideas.
6. Help the students decide on the plan and make sure they follow
through with it. Some students may be able to do this step on their
own, but the teacher may need to be there for support.
As the staff disciplines the children, we encourage the use of redirection.
There should be absolutely no signs of physical punishment. The student
who is misbehaving may require redirection or if the behavior continues,
exclusion from an activity. If serious behavior problems occur that put other
children and staff members safety in check, then another serious process
may be put into place.
 -The child’s parents may be called in and required to sit in a meeting
with the director of Blooming in Boyne City. The parents and the
director will work together to do what is best for the child.
-A behavioral specialist may need to come in to offer the staff and
parents advice on how to handle the child’s behaviors.
-If the student continues to act out and put other children and staff
members in danger, then the child may have to be excused from the
center.

Acknowledgment of Receipt of Handbook

The staff handbook describes important information about Blooming in
Boyne City. I understand that as a staff member, I am required to follow all
policies and expectations. If I have a question regarding the policies, I should
contact the director.
Revisions of the handbook may take place. Staff members will be notified by
the director and informed on what may need altered or deleted from the
handbook. The staff members will go over the changes in a mandatory staff
meeting.
As part of Blooming in Boyne City, I understand that I have the responsibility
to read this handbook and follow the policies listed in the handbook and
adapt to any of the changes that are made to this document over time.

Employees Name: __________________________

Employees Signature: ________________________
Date: ________________
Confidentiality: At Blooming in Boyne City, we honor and respect each
child in our care. Therefore, we take the confidentiality of the children and
parents very seriously. There is to be absolutely no talk of the child’s or
parent’s confidential information outside of the center. The information will
be presented as needed by the director during hours of operation. As the
parents are going through the process of signing up for Blooming in Boyne
City, there is a confidentiality document that they will fill out that touches on
the right to photograph their child and how confidential information is to be
handled.