Procare Solutions is the management software that First Circle uses to organize all child and family information. Administrators use Procare on their desktops to keep up-to-date head counts and ratios, and create reports that are distributed to the classrooms. These reports include sign-in/out sheets, child emergency forms, new enrollment notices, and staff time sheets. In addition, educators use the Procare system to clock in and out each day.
In conjunction with Procare Solutions, we use a tool called Procare Engage to document curriculum, observe and assess children’s development, and communicate with families. Information about each child and their authorized pick-up and emergency contacts is synced from Procare Desktop to Engage. Educators receive an invitation from Procare Engage to create an account and it can be accessed using an app on the classroom tablets to document daily activities and curriculum as well as document observations for assessments. (Assessments are done on the web at procareconnect.com.)
In Engage, families can send notes regarding attendance, changes in patterns or schedules at home, and other information that can help us support their child. In the infant and toddler programs, parents fill out specific information regarding their child’s wake up time, last diaper change, and last bottle/meal prior to drop off. Throughout the day, teachers must log the times of each child’s nap(s), bottles, snacks, meals, and diaper changes. All First Circle families receive an end-of-day email noting the day’s logged information, curriculum, activities, and any special notes or information specific to the classroom.
Typical daily schedule
A typical day at First Circle follows this general schedule, with a variety of curriculum activities, free and organized play, and regular diaper changing/bathroom visitation included throughout:
Early Dropoff/Morning Arrival
Arrive a few minutes early
Open center (if applicable)
Set up classroom
Help children transition into classroom
Record arrival on sign-in sheet
Notify office of absences
Update Engage
Keep up with general housekeeping
Relay information to classroom teacher when they arrive
Snack
Clean preparation counter and tables
Wash hands before preparing food
Wash children’s hands
Serve food
Clean up food from surfaces and floor
Clean and sanitize tables and preparation surface
Wash your hands and children’s hands
Outside
Survey playground to make sure there are no hazards
Line up bikes, put toys away before coming inside
LUNCH
Same steps as snack (above)
Rest Time
Prepare children’s sleeping area
Help children to sleep as necessary
Provide quiet activities to children who wake up after resting
Pack up sheets and blankets
Sanitize mats before putting them away
Snack
Same steps as snack (above)
Outside
Same steps as outside (above)
Afternoon/Pickup
Update Engage and parent notification board on a regular basis
Keep up with general housekeeping
Help transition children out of classroom
Record departure time on sign-out sheet
Close the classroom
Clean toys and materials as necessary
Clean and sanitize all hard surfaces
Opening
OPENING THE SCHOOL
At least two staff members are scheduled to open and responsible for:
turning on ALL lights
unlocking ALL doors
checking attendance voicemail and writing down messages
taking down chairs in opening classrooms
emptying dishwasher (if applicable), putting all dishes away
placing clothes from the washing machine (if applicable) in the dryer, folding clothes from the dryer
turning on printer and copier
checking the ProCare sign-in system to ensure it is running
mixing and replenishing large sanitizer jug if necessary
OPENING THE CLASSROOM
The first educator assigned to each classroom in the morning must complete these tasks by 8:00 a.m. Task completion should never interfere with classroom responsibilities or interactions with children and families.
ensure sign-in sheet is accessible and correct
set up choices in toddler and preschool classroom areas
read notes left by staff or Admin
make sure entryway outside classroom is clean and organized
retrieve toys and/or laundry from previous day from dishwasher, Zono, or dryer
restock spoons, forks, gloves, plates, tissues, paper towels, diapers/wipes, diaper paper, diaper bags for the day
for infants, ensure toys are available on the mats
preschool teachers prepare snacks and water for the day
Children’s arrival
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 Admin immediately if the hours attended do not match the hours indicated on the drop-in form.
Handwashing policy
We teach the children who are developmentally able to wash their hands frequently and that good handwashing takes three things: warm water, soap, and rubbing your hands together for 20 seconds.
Required handwashing for children and adults:
on arrival
after diapering or using the toilet
after handling body fluids (blowing or wiping a nose, coughing on a hand, or touching any mucus, blood, or vomit)
before meals and snacks, before preparing or serving food, or after handling raw food that requires cooking
before and after playing in water shared by two or more people
after handling pets and other animals or materials such as sand, dirt, or surfaces that may be contaminated by contact with animals
when moving from one group to another (visiting) that involves contact with infants and toddlers/twos
Additional required handwashing for adults:
before and after feeding a child
after assisting a child with toileting
after handling garbage or cleaning
before and after administering medication
Proper handwashing procedures for adults and children:
use liquid soap and running water
rub hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds, including back of hands, wrists, between fingers, under and around any jewelry and under fingernails
rinse well
dry hands with a single-use paper towel
avoid touching the faucet with just-washed hands (use the paper towel to turn off water)
Other notes
Except when handling blood or body fluids that might contain blood (when wearing gloves is required), wearing gloves is an optional supplement, but not a substitute, for handwashing in any required handwashing situation listed above.
Do not use handwashing sinks for bathing children or removing smeared fecal material.
Sinks used for handwashing after diapering or toileting MUST be separate from sinks and areas used for food preparation and food service.
Using sanitizer instead of handwashing is not recommended for childcare settings. If sanitizer is used as a temporary measure, the amount used must keep the hands wet for 15 seconds.
Meals and snacks
OVERVIEW
When children sit and eat together, it’s a chance for them to interact in a more informal way with staff members, for staff to model prosocial behavior, and for children to socialize with each other.
Parents are responsible for bringing in meals and drinks for infants and toddlers. Preschool children must bring a meal and drink. Depending on the site, First Circle provides morning and afternoon snacks, and water to drink in the preschool classrooms.
We choose a variety of snacks that are low in sugar and fat. EEC requires the weekly snack menu to be posted. We keep a supply of meals and snacks on hand for children whose parents have forgotten to bring them from home. We also supply paper plates, bowls, cups, utensils, and bibs, but parents are welcome to supply their own.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Meals and snacks are scheduled for the children’s developmental stage. Educators should follow these guidelines when serving meals and snacks:
Educators should be present, interact with, and assist children.
Allow children to eat a well-balanced diet at a reasonable, leisurely rate.
Encourage children to serve themselves when appropriate.
Ensure each child receives an adequate amount and variety of food.
Help children with disabilities to participate in meal and snack times with their peers.
Offer activities for children who have finished their snack or meal.
Serve water in pitchers at snack time. Offer water to children at frequent intervals and upon request.
Never pressure a child to eat or drink, or to stop eating or drinking, unless it is for health and/or safety reasons.
FOOD HANDLING
Educators must wash hands before preparing meals and snacks.
Children must wash hands before and, if necessary, after mealtimes.
You may only give a child food that has been provided by First Circle or by their parent.
If you drink a beverage in the classroom, you must use a covered container.
Make sure all food containers belonging to a child are labeled. If not, mark the container with the child’s name, and remind parents of our policy.
If a child misses lunch or snack due to deviations from their regular schedule, offer a substitute meal at a different time.
CLEAN-UP
Encourage children to help clean up, put away their own things, etc.
Please return any unused snack in a sealed plastic bag or container to the snack area in a timely manner.
After children have finished eating, clean/sanitize/sweep tables, chairs, and floors.
FOOD SAFETY
For the health and safety of the children, we must prepare and serve food and drink in a safe and sanitary manner. All First Circle staff are trained in food health and safety. We follow these guidelines and require that parents do too:
New foods:
For infants and toddlers, new foods must be introduced at home.
Temperature:
For toddlers and preschool, parents must include an ice pack in an insulated cooler for all food requiring refrigeration. We store infants’ food in a refrigerator in each classroom. The refrigerator temperature is between 32-40 degrees verified by a refrigerator thermometer and logged monthly.
Allergies:
Classrooms have Special Care Plans, Allergy Action Plans, and other pertinent paperwork for children with food allergies or special dietary needs. Please see Health + Safety for detailed information about prevention, management, and treatment.
Nut-Free:
We are a peanut and tree nut-free program. All the snacks we serve are nut-free. We do not allow any nut products to be sent to school and require that parents check food labels and packaging. This includes nuts in muffins or bread and of course, peanut butter (however, soy nut and sunflower butter are fine!). If a parent sends a nut product to school, remind them that we are nut-free to keep children safe.
Storage and Sanitation
All food to be consumed during the day must be brought in containers labeled with the child’s name.
Any food that has not been served to the child must be sent home at night. As required by EEC, educators must dispose of, or return to the parent, milk, formula, or food unfinished by a child, as directed by the parent.
Choking hazards:
Over 10,000 children each year end up in the emergency room because of food-choking injuries. Per advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), First Circle requires that children’s food be sent to school as follows:
Vegetables like carrots, celery, and green beans should be diced, shredded, or cooked and cut up.
Fruits like grapes, cherry tomatoes, and melon balls must be cut into quarters.
Meats (especially hot dogs) and cheeses must be cut into very small pieces or shredded.
Hard candy and gum are not allowed at First Circle.
DAILY SHEETS FOR INFANTS and TODDLERS
Ask parents to note in Procare Engage any food preference or intolerance, any change in patterns or schedules at home, and any other information that can help us best support their child.
If you’re assigned to the infant classroom, record what was offered, what time you started and ended the feeding, and how much was consumed. Note any preference or intolerance, and any observations related to developmental changes in feeding and nutrition.
INFANTS
Mealtimes are an opportunity to completely focus on the infant and have quality one-on-one interaction. Hold children to drink their bottle, and when they are ready to hold their own bottle, support their learning to feed independently. Feed infants in a highchair. Sit with them either to help feed or support their self-feeding skills. You should make lots of eye contact, smile, speak softly, narrate what is happening, tell a story, or sing a song.
Breastfeeding
First Circle is committed to providing a breastfeeding-friendly environment for our enrolled children and staff. Nursing mothers are welcome to come and nurse their infants at any time.
Breast milk must be labeled “breast milk” so that it is stored and handled appropriately.
Supplies/storage
Parents must bring in pre-made formula and/or breast milk each day in plastic bottles (no glass) with all parts of the bottle labeled with the infant’s first name and initial of last name.
Because babies occasionally need more food than their parents have provided, parents should provide extra breast milk or formula to be stored in our freezer (frozen breast milk must be labeled with an expiration date and can be stored up to 3 months).
Refrigerate infants’ meals and bottles. We have storage available for dry, non-perishable food and formula.
Serving
Heat infant bottles in hot water, never in a microwave. (Heat the water in microwave instead of running hot water on the bottle.)
A bottle offered to an infant and partially consumed must be disposed of after 1 hour unless requested otherwise.
Infants are fed on an individualized feeding plan. Parents suggest timelines, but you are responsible for interpreting the child’s requirements and adjusting the schedule as needed.
Do not feed an infant directly from a baby food jar. Pour a portion of the jar into a bowl, refilling as necessary.
Infants who cannot hold a bottle must be held while being fed. Do NOT prop bottles.
Wash and sanitize any serving utensils and bowls after use.
Clean, sanitize and rinse highchair trays before and after each use.
TODDLERS and PRESCHOOLERS
Toddlers and preschoolers eat as a group and follow a group schedule. However, if a child is hungry and a snack or mealtime is not scheduled soon, offer them a choice from the foods they have brought to meet their individual needs.
Parents are asked to supply food based on their child’s schedule. All food for the day must fit into the child’s lunchbox or a separate insulated container. We do not have additional refrigerators in all classrooms.
At least one educator must sit with the children to eat and engage them in conversation. Mealtime is a social time and should be shared within the classroom—if you wish to save your lunch for your break, you may choose to eat healthy snack food to be a good model for the children.
Children must be allowed free access to beverages throughout the day.
If you choose to eat in the classroom, it must be at shared meal or snack times.
When serving snack to children, be aware of any special dietary needs.
If a parent sends in a choking hazard, you must return the item.
You must wear gloves when distributing snack (to preschoolers only). Use a measuring device for portion control.
Clean and sanitize the area used to prepare snacks and serve lunch prior to and after each use.
If a parent has not provided a lunch, you must call the parent and ask if they can bring a meal, or if you can serve whatever is available from the snack supply area.
Whenever possible, encourage preschoolers to serve themselves, improving skills such as independence and counting.
Rest time
Children attending school for 4 hours or more are required by EEC to sleep, rest, or engage in a quiet activity as appropriate to their needs. Please be respectful of the rest times of neighboring classrooms.
BEDDING
Parents must bring the following supplies labeled with their child’s name or initials:
Sleeping bag or standard crib sheet and blanket
Two pacifiers (if desired)
Small pillow (if desired)
Stuffed animal, doll or sleeping support (to be kept in cubby until nap time)
Parents must take home all bedding at the end of their scheduled week to be laundered.
Rest time routines
Infants and safe sleep policy
A baby is most at risk of SIDS between the ages of 2-4 months and during the first few weeks of a new childcare arrangement. Children younger than 6 months at the time of enrollment must be always under additional direct visual supervision, including while napping, during the first 6 weeks they are in our care.
All infants under 12 months of age must be placed to sleep on their back in a high-quality wooden, safety-rated crib free of pillows, comforters, stuffed animals, and other soft, padded materials.
Once placed on their backs to sleep, infants may be allowed to assume any comfortable sleep position when they can easily turn themselves over from the back position.
If an infant falls asleep in a bouncy seat, swing, or car seat, they must be moved to their crib and placed on their back.
Some families may have written permission from their health care provider authorizing the infant to sleep in a position other than on their back in a crib. In these cases, the Alternative Sleep Plan must be kept in the child’s file and in the classroom. All educators involved in the infant’s care must be notified and a notice posted by the crib.
Babies may have a sleep sack.
Infants over 12 months of age may use a blanket in the crib or on a mat.
Do not wake a sleeping infant unless it is for medical needs.
Toddlers and Preschoolers
Rest time occurs after lunch until about 2:30 p.m. Dim the lights, play restful music, and assist children as necessary to get to sleep. Children need less daytime sleep as they grow, so younger children may sleep for 2 or more hours during rest time, while older children may wake sooner or not nap at all.
Children should begin the rest period on their mats and be encouraged to rest there.
If a child that usually sleeps is not sleepy, rub their back, or provide other support so that they fall asleep.
You MUST respond to children who need support during rest time. It is unacceptable to continuously tell a child to “get on your mat” and offer no support for them.
If a child hasn’t fallen asleep after 45 minutes, they should not be required to keep trying.
Children who are awake after 45 minutes MUST be given alternate activities on their mats, at tables, or in another quiet area such as books, magnet boards, or puzzles.
Staff in classrooms with children who are awake should encourage a reasonable amount of quiet— avoid banging, jumping, or high energy activities, and use inside voices.
If a parent requests a limit to rest time, work with them to determine what is best for the child’s needs. Advise the parent that if they request the child does not sleep, you will not help the child get to sleep but will not keep them forcibly awake. One suggestion is to position the child’s mat in a high traffic area and allow them to have activities earlier than other children to help them stay awake.
PROHIBITED PRACTICES
Never put an infant to sleep in a car seat, swing, or bouncy seat, unless we have medical authorization for those alternate sleep positions.
For infants under 12 months, you must not have any toys, loose bedding, pillows, or stuffed animals in a crib.
Never speak harshly to children having a difficult time or ignore requests for activities—you are required to engage with children who need help.
Never restrain or force a child to lie down or stay on their mat or rest.
Toothbrushing
*Currently suspended until further notice
All children must brush their teeth for 2 minutes (with as much assistance as necessary, based on each child’s individual skills) when they are in care for more than 4 hours or after they consume a meal at First Circle.
Clothing
Parents are advised to send their child to school dressed in comfortable clothing and shoes for active play. We want children to be comfortable to play freely in their classroom and outside. Each classroom should provide parents with required seasonal clothing lists.
SEASONALLY CORRECT CLOTHING
For the winter, coat, snow pants, boots, gloves, hat
For the summer, bathing suit, water shoes, hat, and sunglasses if desired
Appropriate footwear: rubber-soled shoes or tennis shoes/sneakers are best; dress shoes are discouraged. For safety’s sake, all shoes must have backs or backstraps.
Playground
By EEC regulations a minimum of 60 minutes of age-appropriate gross motor activity (outside, inside, or a combination of both) must be incorporated into each full-time child’s day.
Toddler and preschool children must be taken outside every day, weather permitting. Staff may be advised to stay inside if it is raining or snowing heavily, if the heat index is above 90°F, or if the temperature (including wind chill) falls below 15°F.
During the summer months, and on exceptionally hot days, we limit outside time to before 10:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m. Administration will notify you if an outdoor schedule is adjusted. We provide shaded areas on each playground.
Management
Teaching teams should work with the children in your class to establish cooperative play and safety “rules” for the playground. The rules you create and communicate to the children should include the following:
No crashing bikes into the gates, doors, or each other.
No kicking or throwing balls toward the building or fences.
No standing on the swings.
Which objects (man-made and natural) stay on the ground, and which can be thrown or tossed.
Bring water outside for children every day—remember to bring it in when you come in.
Maintenance
All educators are required to:
Periodically rake mulch into any low spots under swings or climbing equipment.
Bring back anything that you or the children brought outside.
Morning playground check
Pick up any trash.
When needed, empty barrel, replace bag, and replace lid tightly.
Sweep paved areas.
Dispose of broken toys (and advise an administrator when you do).
Make sure all paths are clear in case of evacuation.
Evening playground check
Place all trash in barrels; replace lid tightly.
When needed, move barrel inside to be emptied.
Place all small toys in storage bins.
Move all large toys under canopies or in bike shed.
Park bikes neatly in shed or against the wall on the playground.
Bring in any children’s belongings.
Coil hose after use.
Bring in blankets/mats and store strollers.
Sunscreen
We are vigilant about ensuring that children use sunscreen before going outside from May through September. We encourage parents to provide hats, sun-protective clothing, and sunglasses for use at school.
We require that families apply sunscreen to their child prior to arriving at First Circle. If a parent has forgotten to do that, provide them with center sunscreen to apply before they depart. If the parent wishes to apply aerosol spray sunscreen, ask them to do so outside.
With morning sunscreen already applied, educators do not need to apply it for morning playground time. As part of the enrollment and reregistration process and documentation, parents authorize their consent to use the school supplied Rocky Mountain Sunscreen, or must provide an Authorization for Topical Medication Form if they choose to provide their own brand of sunscreen.
Sunscreen must be applied to each child for afternoon playground time. To apply sunscreen:
Use gloves.
Apply at least 30 minutes before going outside.
Re-apply if more than 2 hours has passed and you are going outside again.
Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, especially arms, legs, shoulders, face, and ears.
Store sunscreen out of children’s reach.
insect repellants
Some parents may choose to provide insect repellent for us to apply daily between May and September. An authorization for topical application form must be completed for it to be applied. Please follow instructions for application and use on the product.
Departure
End of the day
Once inside the classroom, “quiet time” should be planned so children can wind down from the day, families can pick them up in a more relaxed environment, and educators can begin to clean up the classroom.
Suggested quiet time activities are circle time, reading, puzzles, pegs, or table activities. Give children choices that help them with the transition.
PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES
We ask families to arrive on time at the end of the day. We encourage parents to come early enough to allow time for visiting before their child’s scheduled departure time. When picking up, parents have been advised to:
Connect with the teacher in the classroom, letting you know they are picking up.
Check cubby for artwork or projects, notices, or correspondence from the center.
Take any refrigerated food (even unused), lunch boxes, bottles, etc.
Remain with their child, supervising their safety and following classroom rules, until they both leave the premises. They should not let their child leave the classroom or building without them.
EDUCATOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Every staff member should be familiar with each child’s pickup time, and each family’s pickup style. Parents need to inform you when they pick up their child. Remind them to supervise and stay with their children until they leave the premises.
COMPLETELY fill out daily info electronically for each child and prepare any paperwork for parents.
Morning staff must brief afternoon staff, so they can inform parents at the end of the day.
Check children’s belongings prior to pickup to avoid any missing bottles, cups, socks, blankets, clothing, etc.
Make sure any mark or scratch on a child has an Injury Report documenting it, whether the injury was witnessed or not. Morning staff must inform afternoon staff about an injury so they can communicate it to the family.
Greet the parent or authorized pickup, and give a summary of the child’s day, including the child’s mood, eating, toileting, and nap. Tell at least one positive story about the child’s day.
Remind families to take artwork, paperwork, and all unconsumed bottles, cups, and food.
Make sure parents take home all sleeping supplies for washing on the last scheduled day of the week.
Mark the child’s departure time on the classroom attendance sheet and adjust the head count. Make sure each educator in the classroom knows the number of children in their care at all times.
EXTENDED DAY
In some sites, we have an extended day option after 5:00 p.m. for an additional fee. Children who stay after 5 p.m. should be grouped together regardless of age. Bring all the children’s belongings into the designated extended day classroom at 5 p.m. Parents are responsible for picking the children up from the classroom and letting the teacher know they are leaving.
AUTHORIZED PICKUP
We cannot overstate the importance of making sure that a child is picked up by an authorized person. All employees must know this policy and follow it without exception.
If a person other than a parent or guardian is picking up, they must be listed as an Authorized Pickup on the child’s Information Sheet or have a written (note, email, fax) note of authorization from the parent. Under no circumstances can we release a child to a person who does not have written authorization, even if the child and a staff member are familiar with the person. This includes First Circle staff or parents of other First Circle children. When in doubt, consult with Administration.
Before releasing a child to someone unfamiliar to you (including parents), educators must obtain a picture ID to make sure it matches the Information Sheet or note. If another staff person can identify the person, the photo ID match is not required.
Educators should not allow themselves to be intimidated, hurried, or bullied by anyone attempting to pick up a child, regardless of their relationship to the child. If you are not 100% certain that the person is authorized to pick up, you may not release the child to this person and must seek immediate assistance from an Administrator.
Staff at First Circle have their own responsibilities in the classroom. Therefore, only staff who are not scheduled to work until closing can be an alternate pickup.
All rules for pickup and dropoff also apply to staff members’ own children at First Circle, or staff members picking up or dropping off other children.
LATE PICKUP
If children are still in attendance after closing, a teacher will be asked to stay with a member of Administration until the last parent picks up. The teacher must complete a Late Pickup form for the family when they arrive to pick up their child. The form outlines the time and fee that will be charged. Families are not charged for the first time they are late, although you should still submit a form. Families who arrive after closing are charged a late fee of $10 for any part of the first 10 minutes after closing, and $5 per minute after that. The fee is determined by the time they leave First Circle. The late fee is paid directly to the teacher and can either be paid directly at the time of pickup or included with their next tuition payment. Teachers are paid their regular hourly rate (minus taxes) for their time with the next paycheck.
When families arrive late to pick up children who are scheduled to depart at 3:00 or 4:00 p.m., the same procedure applies; however, late fees are not paid to the staff member. They are given to the classroom budget if the fee exceeds $20.00.
CUSTODY ARRANGEMENTS
Parenting arrangements can change over time. If the legal custody status of a child enrolled at First Circle is changed by court order, parents must give us a copy of legal documents immediately. We cannot withhold release of a child to their parent without legal documentation.
Once official custodial papers are obtained, we will work with parents to develop a plan to comply with the legal requirements. All administrators, front office staff, and the child’s teachers will be informed of the custody change. If a parent legally loses custody of a child, steps will immediately be taken to revoke the non-authorized parent’s access to the center.
SAFE TRANSPORT
Children need to be transported safely. Use of drugs or alcohol or the lack of use of an appropriate car seat can create an unsafe transportation situation. If you are concerned that a child cannot be safely transported, you must immediately let Admin know. We will not release the child to the individual and will contact an alternate pickup person instead.
Closing
Closing the classroom
The afternoon staff is responsible for closing tasks. The closing teacher is responsible for making sure these tasks are completed:
Sanitize and put away classroom toys in appropriate bins and shelves.
Clear all clutter from the tops of cubbies and blue cabinets, entrance counters, etc.
Put bag of mouthed toys into the dishwasher, if applicable.
Fill sanitizer bottles for next day.
Make a note for morning staff about anything that happened on your shift.
Lock all doors AND WINDOWS.
Turn off radios, fans, CD players, and noise machines.
Remove changing table pads, sweep out sand, spray with sanitizer, wipe clean, re-apply sanitizer, and let air dry.
Follow cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting poster.
Move any classroom laundry washed throughout the day to dryer.