Family

Handbook
Program Philosophy
At GSDC, we believe that children should grow and learn in an environment that supports cultural diversity and
individualism. We believe in providing an inclusive environment that supports children of all abilities and
backgrounds. A child's environment is essential in supporting all of their needs.
We are committed to maintaining positive relationships with our families. Parents are their children's first
teachers, and we at GSDC want to be respectful of their place in their children's education. By working
together, we can better serve our families and support them to the best of our abilities.
Our philosophy supports a research based curriculum that is child-led rather than teacher-led. Children learn
best in a play-based, child centered program. Our teachers support our children's education through meaningful
play and promote growth in all essential developmental areas.

Parent Involvement Philosophy

At GSDC, we believe in parents. The program is family- centered and designed to foster the parent’s role as the
principal influence on their child’s development and the child’s primary educator, nurturer and advocate. The
program is community-based and provides families opportunities to establish relationships with other service
providers and leaders in the community. Parents have opportunities to participate in all aspects of the program.
We integrate parent and family engagement strategies into all systems and program services that support family
well-being and promote children’s learning and development. We seek out parents’ strengths and welcome their
initiatives. We relish the exchange of ideas and support. We join parents in a partnership that encourages
growth, celebrates confidence and promotes personal and economic self-sufficiency. We are committed to
involving family members in activities that they choose and design. When parents and children have
opportunities to grow and learn, the benefits for both are apparent. GSDC strengthens families by supporting
parents.

Confidentiality
It is the policy of GSDC to keep confidential all information provided by and about program participants.
Information about you will be released to people and agencies outside GSDC only for the purpose of providing
services to you with your written permission. Every parent shall receive and sign a copy of the Confidentiality
Policy

Trial Period
The first 30 days of your child’s enrollment will be regarded as a trial period, in which case either party
may terminate the contract without notice. Each child responds differently to a new environment, new
children/providers, and moms/dads absence. We are patient and good at what we do, so most of the time this is
a non-issue. However, there are rare times in which we must consider the well-being of the group (the other
children in our care). If for whatever reason, either party feels our childcare environment may not be the best fit,
either party reserves the right to utilize this time period as a trial and terminate the contract without resentment,
judgment, or ill-will. In such cases, your two-week deposit can either be utilized (with the exception of gross
misconduct on part of provider/parent/child) or returned to you for immediate discontinuation of service.

Termination Policy
After the first 30 days of enrollment, 30 Days written notice from parent or provider is required to
terminate the contract, with the exception of gross misconduct on part of the provider, parent, or child.
Whenever possible even more notice is better. This helps us tremendously. We can only take a limited
amount of children. While we do maintain a waitlist, many families have to find alternate childcare and so we
may not have a child to immediately fill the spot. If we have advance notice of discontinuation of needed
services, then it is possible for us make future arrangements with new family’s inquiring about daycare for their
child. This helps to keep our open spots fluctuation to a minimum, and helps us be able to focus more on being
the best childcare providers we can be.

Hours of Operation
We are open from open Monday through Friday 7:00am to 5:00pm. We close promptly at 5:00pm. At
5:00pm each day, we have to close our rooms and attend to our own personal engagements. So please be
considerate of our time when budgeting yours. If you have an emergency that causes you to be late, please
contact the center as soon as possible. Our teachers will attempt to contact you if your child is still at the center
at closing time. If contact cannot be made with any emergency contacts, we will have to call the police to report
an abandoned child. Upon the second time that a child is late during one month’s time, the parent will be
charged $1 per minute after 5:00 P.M., to be paid before the child can return. If a pattern of chronic lateness
occurs, the parent will have to meet with the director to discuss whether GSDC is still a good fit for the family’s
needs.

Holidays
At GSDC, we observe a total of ten holidays during the year: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, President’s
Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (and Black Friday), Christmas Eve, and
Christmas. If any of these days falls on a Saturday, it will be observed on the previous Friday. If any of these
falls on a Sunday, it will be observed on the following Monday. In observance of these holidays, the center will
be closed.

Daycare Interior/Exterior Doors

For the safety of the children and our staff, the entrance door is locked and requires a passcode to enter the door.
During enrollment, you will pick a four-digit code which will become your way to enter the building. Please do
not give out your code to anyone else. The only people who need the code are the ones who are picking up your
child. When your contract with GSDC is terminated, your passcode will be removed from the system.
For the safety of the children and our staff, our classroom doors will remain locked. Please knock on the door to
the classroom and the classroom staff will open the door to allow you to pick up your child.

Sign-In and Sign-Out Policy

At GSDC, all children are required to be signed in and out. Your child must be escorted to the room and handed
off to the classroom staff. Every classroom will have a clipboard with a sign-in/out sheet. You must find your
child’s name on the sheet, record the time and your signature in the space provided. This must be done at drop-
off and pick-up every day. Anyone can drop the child off, but they must sign the child in. Only the people listed
on the child’s pick up list can pick up the child. If someone is not on the list, the child will not be released into
their care. Please remember to bring ID when picking up your child. Our teacher’s will ID anyone they are
unfamiliar with. There is a chance there may be a substitute in the room, and your child will not be released
without affirming that you are on the list.

Guidelines Requiring Exclusion from Daycare:

A child with any of the following illnesses must be completely free of any symptoms before returning to
daycare. If your child is taking antibiotics for an illness, your child may return to daycare after the initial 24
hours of beginning antibiotics as long as he or she has no fever (less than 100°F), is no longer contagious, and is
otherwise feeling well enough to participate in our daily schedule. Signs of illness include the following;
unusual lethargy, irritability, persistent crying for no reason, runny nose (more than clear), cough (more than
slight), difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, mouth sores, rashes (note from doctor stating it is non-
contagious will be required for admittance), pink eye, chicken pox, mumps, measles, roseola, hepatitis A,
impetigo, lice, ringworm, scabies, strep throat, scarlet fever, tuberculosis, shingles, and any other contagious
disease or rash. Any child with a fever of 100 degrees or above may not attend daycare. Your child must be
symptom free for 24 hours, without medication, to return to daycare.
State law requires that we notify parents of children who have been exposed to certain contagious diseases.
Please notify us if your child becomes infected, so a note can be sent out to inform parents. The note will
maintain your child’s confidentiality while informing others of the risk.

Immunization
As part of the application process, all children must maintain up to date immunizations. Immunizations insure
the prevention of several types of diseases and are mandatory for enrollment in this center. If a child’s
immunization lapses during enrollment at the center, the parents will have seven days to get the child’s
immunizations up to date or the child will not be allowed at the center. Parents will be given a reminder one
month and fifteen days before a child’s immunization expires to ensure ample time to make an appointment.
Children are required to be immunized for the following:
• DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
• IPV (Polio)
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• Hepatitis B
• HIB (Hemophilus Influenza Type B)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
Children may attend child care without an immunization if a health care provider signs that the child is
medically exempted.

Diaper/Wipe Policy
It is the parent's responsibility to provide diapers and wipes for your child. It is also the parent's responsibility
to check periodically to see if or when your child needs more diapers, wipes, and cream, (not the
providers). Each child has his or her own labeled diaper bin, either in the infant/younger toddler room or older
toddler/preschooler room, depending on the age of the child. If diapers/wipes are not provided, the parent will
be charged for usage of the center’s diapers and wipes. Teachers in the classroom will keep track of how many
of the center’s diapers and wipes are used on the child and the amount will be added to the next week’s bill.
Parents will be charged $1 per diaper and $0.50 per wipe.

Shoe Policy
At GSDC, we prefer children come to daycare in shoes that lace up and/or stay on their feet (shoes with
backs). Our children are very active, and shoes such as flip-flops, Crocks, or other types of shoes without
backs/are not tied to the child’s feet can be a danger to the child. They are a tripping hazard and may cause
children to have accidents. Tennis shoes are preferred, even in the summer time, for the child’s safety.