First Circle strives to implement employment policies that are fair and generous to both the employee and employer. The policies in this manual have been thoroughly researched and comply with federal and state employment laws.
You have the right to access the records of the children in your classroom, including their developmental history (All About Me), medical records, etc. However, all information in a child’s file is confidential. We are prohibited from disclosing or providing the information contained in children’s files to anyone without the express written consent of the parent or guardian.
Personal remarks or conversations about families or children not related to the children’s care with your co-workers in the classroom or any other public place where conversation can be overheard are strictly prohibited. Staff should be careful of sharing work stories with family or household members. When discussing work-related issues, always protect the identity of the child or family.
Additionally, if a parent says something negative about First Circle, avoid arguments and direct discussions, and direct them to Administration.
The confidentiality policy also applies to all social media and networking websites used personally or professionally. We understand many people use social networking sites, but we strongly recommend that you not “friend” parents of the children that attend First Circle. We urge you to use privacy settings that will keep your photographs viewable by “friends” only.
Digital photographs are an important method to document children’s progress. For privacy and liability reasons, any photo taken at First Circle is considered our property. You may use your own phone but the photographs (whether printed or on file) must remain at First Circle. You may not post pictures taken at First Circle to ANY social networking site or use them for personal use (as wallpaper on your phone or home computer), regardless of whether the family has given you permission.
You are prohibited from making disparaging comments about First Circle, your supervisors, co-workers, or members of any First Circle family. In other words, never write or say anything you wouldn’t want read by your supervisor, published to a website, or used in a court of law. Unless given permission, you are not authorized to speak on behalf of First Circle, or to represent that you do so.
We ask that you schedule your phone calls outside working hours. Your cell phone should be off while you are in the classroom. Because your position requires your constant attention be on the children, phone calls must be made outside the classroom and on First Circle phones, unless you are on an unpaid break. On occasion, personal calls may be necessary, but we ask you to limit them to emergencies or essential personal business, and to keep them brief.
All visitors must obtain permission before spending time on our premises. At no time can visitors be with you in the classroom.
Each location has office equipment (such as laminator, labeler, copy machine, staff laptop) for shared use by staff. Specific equipment varies by location. Please ask Admin first before using the equipment for personal use. Educators using the equipment for educational use have priority over staff using it for personal use during break time. Please be polite! Please do not download programs to the company computers unless you have approval from Administration.
We expect your work hours at First Circle to be dedicated to your job responsibilities and child care. Solicitation of staff or children’s family members is prohibited, unless the item or activity is approved in advance by the Administration. Non-employees are never allowed to solicit or distribute materials on center property without First Circle’s approval.
Solicitation and/or distribution of materials between employees is prohibited during work hours, but allowed during break or meal times, if it does not interfere with the employee’s job responsibilities and does not take place in the classroom.
First Circle property includes but is not limited to cabinets, phones, computers, tablets, desks, workplace areas, vehicles, or machinery. First Circle property remains under company control and is subject to inspection at any time, without notice to any employees, and without their presence. You should have no expectation of privacy in any of these areas. We assume no responsibility for the loss of, or damage to, your property maintained on company premises including that kept in lockers and desks.
As an important part of our quality assurance, training, and security, we have cameras throughout all areas of the center (excluding bathrooms areas). To protect the security and privacy of the students and adults at the center, First Circle has the following policies governing their usage:
First Circle reserves the right, but is not required, to retain any audio/video recordings for any period of time, unless specifically directed by a law enforcement agency or a state agency.
All First Circle staff and parents are aware of the monitoring and recording on premises and provide their consent as a condition of employment or enrollment. There should be no expectation of privacy except in the bathroom areas. In addition, notices are posted in the building.
Watching the live monitor is consistent with First Circle’s Open Door policy and parents may view with administrative staff only. Recording the sound and/or images displayed on the monitors is not permitted.
All recordings are the property of First Circle Learning Center, and we have the right to restrict access to any recording of any time and any location from anyone. Review of recordings is allowed only with the specific approval of the executive team.
First Circle prohibits all persons who enter company property from carrying a handgun, firearm, or other weapon regardless of whether the person is licensed to carry the weapon or not. This policy applies to all company employees, contract and temporary employees, visitors, and customers. The only exception to this policy is police officers acting within their professional capacity.
Our employees must meet high ethical standards in their job performance. We ask that you not engage in any activities outside First Circle that conflict with your job performance; if you know of something that will impact it, please advise the Director.
There is no smoking or vaping allowed inside First Circle under any circumstances at any time. Outside the school, there is no smoking or vaping allowed during operating hours within 10 feet of the building. If employees smoke or vape outside the 10-foot radius of the building, the following guidelines apply:
Although many early childhood programs prohibit babysitting for families, First Circle chooses not to. However, if you babysit for First Circle families, please remember that you are always an ambassador of First Circle. How you conduct yourself will, whether at work or in someone’s home, reflect on us as well. The following guidelines apply to staff who choose to babysit:
We want First Circle to be a relaxed environment, where children, staff, and families feel comfortable. We ask that staff use their best judgment when dressing for working with children: