Children arrive at different times in the morning.
EARLY DROPOFF
Some locations have an early dropoff option before 8:00 a.m. for an additional fee. Children who arrive before 8 a.m. are grouped with children in the same program (Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers).
DROPOFF
Parents are responsible for bringing children into the classroom and letting the educator know they’ve arrived. For safety, parents are not allowed to leave a child at First Circle:
before opening
before the child’s scheduled arrival time without office approval or
without making sure the child has been properly received by an educator
RESPONSIBILITIES
Your responsibilities when children arrive include:
Greet each child by name and acknowledge the family as they arrive.
Ensure the family provides all the information you need to care for their child.
Assist the parent in settling the child into the classroom. Ensure they complete the electronic record (if applicable). Encourage parents to notify you of any unusual behavior, disposition, or schedule changes. Parents should tell you if a child is feeling poorly, had a rough night or morning, has a parent out of town, or anything that might alter their child’s mood. Make a note of this information.
Take a moment to observe the child’s general health and well-being. Assess any potential illness or health issue that may impact the child or their ability to participate in the program. Refer to the illness policy to determine whether the child can stay at First Circle.
Note any scratches, bumps, or bruises. If you have a question about your observations or need clarification, speak with the parent, and complete an Injury Report with the family if applicable.
Help the child transition into the classroom by inviting the child to join in an activity (“Would you like to have snack with us, John?”). If a child is having difficulty, support and comfort as long as needed [see Curriculum section for more transition tips].
Reassure the parent that you will support and assist their child. Suggest that they call First Circle shortly to find out how things are going.
After engaging with parents, enter the child’s arrival time on classroom attendance sheet and check them into Procare Engage.
Remove any outdoor clothing and place the child’s belongings in a cubby.
Make sure the parent completes appropriate paperwork (e.g., Authorization for Medication). For infants and toddlers, parents must fill in the Engage information, indicating the time the child woke, ate, suggested menu for the day, any new foods tried at home, who is picking up and when, and contact information.
ABSENCE
We tell parents to call us as early as possible to report their child’s absence or let us know through Engage. We also ask to be advised if a child has been diagnosed with a contagious illness so we can notify staff and parents as necessary. We will notify you of any absence as soon as possible and advise you if any adjustments to the schedule have been made due to the absence, such as an additional educator who will no longer be needed to maintain ratios.
If you are notified directly of an absence, via voicemail or other means, you must notify Administration immediately. If a child has not shown up within an hour of their usual arrival time on a day they are scheduled and you have not been notified of the absence, please call (or ask an administrator to call) the parent to confirm the child is absent. Make every attempt possible to speak to someone rather than leave a message. Tuition is not refunded or credited for days missed due to illness.
DROP-IN
Drop-in requests are granted for enrolled children when space and staffing are available. If time permits, we will include the child on printed attendance forms. If not, you must write in the child and schedule, and indicate dropoff and pickup times. Drop-in children should be included in the plan for the day.
Parents are charged for the total hours requested (in full-hour increments), even if the child does not attend them all. If a child attends more than the requested hours, parents are charged additional hourly fees. No late pickup forms need to be filled out. Please notify administration immediately if the hours attended do not match the hours indicated on the drop-in form.