abuse and neglect policy
Abuse + neglect policy By law, every childcare staff member is a mandated reporter, and must file a report when they believe a child is being abused or neglected. Massachusetts law requires mandated reporters to immediately make an oral or written report to DCF when, in their professional capacity, they have reasonable cause to believe […]
recovery
recovery Goals Restore services as quickly as possible. Meet the needs (physical, health, emotional) of children, families, and staff. Provide a supportive and caring environment that brings normalcy back into children’s lives. Recovery may include some or all the following actions: restoring our services and returning to normal functions as quickly as possible monitoring how […]
emergencies
emergencies Children have unique needs and vulnerabilities based on their dependence on adults, their limited mobility, and their developing communication skills. They need our protection and comfort. Emergencies occur suddenly and can be overwhelming, but being prepared ensures that we’re ready to make decisions and take appropriate actions before, during, and after the emergency. definition […]
health, safety + security
Health, safety + security We developed our health care policy with guidelines from the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to ensure each child in our care is kept as healthy and safe as possible. A complete copy of our Health Care Policy is available in the […]
toileting + diapering
Toileting + diapering diapering overview Regular and frequent diaper changing is part of the everyday routine at First Circle. We strictly follow the requirements and guidelines for safety and sanitation from the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and the Department of Public Health (DPH). The step-by-step procedure posted over every changing table must […]
cleaning, sanitizing + disinfecting
Cleaning, sanitizing + disinfecting Housekeeping General Guidelines Restock any supplies that are running low from the shed or supply areas (refer to stocking schedule posted in the bathroom). Let an administrator know if supplies are running low. Put items away when you have finished using them. DO NOT leave dirty dishes or paintbrushes in the […]
daily-program-management
Daily program management Procare 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 […]
regulatory-compliance
Regulatory compliance The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is our licensing agency. All policies and procedures listed in this handbook comply with EEC regulations. A copy of the regulations is available from Administration. Specific regulations all educators must be aware of and follow include: Postings EEC requires us to post the following […]
employee-accommodations
Employee accommodations Disability First Circle complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, and all applicable state and local fair employment practice laws. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities, including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, such as lactation or the need to express […]
other-employment-policies
Other employment policies 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. Confidentiality You have the right to access the records of the children in your classroom, including their […]