Early Bird

Learning Center
Parent Handbook: Welcome
2015-2016 School Year
The purpose of this handbook is to be a resource to
parents enrolling their children at Early Bird Learning
Center. We sincerely appreciate the parents who have
entrusted our teachers with the care and education of
their children.

Table of Contents
Welcome Letter from the Program Director ....................................................................................1
Vision Statement ..............................................................................................................................1
Mission Statement............................................................................................................................1
Philosophy........................................................................................................................................2
School Year Calendar ......................................................................................................................3
Admission
Mission Statement ........................................................................................................................3
Non-Exclusion ..............................................................................................................................3
Waiting List ..................................................................................................................................3
Enrollment ....................................................................................................................................3
Application ...................................................................................................................................4
Visiting Days ................................................................................................................................4
Transition Week ...........................................................................................................................4
Transitioning into Group Care .....................................................................................................4
Attendance ....................................................................................................................................5
Classroom Conduct/Dismissal .....................................................................................................5
Other Causes for Dismissal ..........................................................................................................5
Summer Program..........................................................................................................................5
Withdrawal ...................................................................................................................................5
Fees
Commitment to EBLC .................................................................................................................6
Waiting List ..................................................................................................................................6
Enrollment ....................................................................................................................................6
Tuition ..........................................................................................................................................7
Prorating Tuition ..........................................................................................................................7
Tuition Assistance ........................................................................................................................7
Connections for Children .............................................................................................................7
Drop-In Care ................................................................................................................................8
Discounts ......................................................................................................................................8
Refunds.........................................................................................................................................8
Fail to Sign-In/Out .......................................................................................................................8
Mid-Day Children ........................................................................................................................9
Exchanging Days ..........................................................................................................................9
Before and After Care ..................................................................................................................9
Statement/Billing ..........................................................................................................................9
Summer ......................................................................................................................................10
Payment upon Absence/Vacation...............................................................................................10

Professional Class Pictures.........................................................................................................10

Financial Questions or Concerns ................................................................................................11
Enrichment
Music ..........................................................................................................................................11
Dance/Movement .......................................................................................................................11
Additional Classes ......................................................................................................................11
Program
Hours of Operation .....................................................................................................................12
Closing Time ..............................................................................................................................12
Sign-In/Out .................................................................................................................................12
Parking .......................................................................................................................................12
Maintenance ...............................................................................................................................13
Lost and Found ...........................................................................................................................13
Translator for Non-English Speaking Families ..........................................................................13
Children Who Begin at EBLC Speaking another Language ......................................................13
Children Transported to EBLC Mid-Day...................................................................................14
Moving Children Up/Building a Classroom ..............................................................................14
Childrens File Folders ...............................................................................................................14
Nap/Rest Time............................................................................................................................14
Preschool Toileting ....................................................................................................................14
Restrooms ...................................................................................................................................15
Child .......................................................................................................................................15
Adult .......................................................................................................................................15
Community Garden ....................................................................................................................15
Language Development ..............................................................................................................15
Instructional Scaffolding Technique ..........................................................................................15
Milestones Mastered in Each Classroom ...................................................................................16
Measurable Skills ...................................................................................................................16
Non-Cognitive or Soft Skills to be measured .........................................................................16
Child Photo Album/Portfolio .....................................................................................................17
Assessment Plan/Procedure/Explanation ...................................................................................17
Conflict Resolution ....................................................................................................................19
Steps for Conflict Resolution in our Preschool Setting ..........................................................19
Language as a tool ..................................................................................................................19
Library ........................................................................................................................................19
Share Day ...................................................................................................................................20
Birthdays ....................................................................................................................................20

Water Play Days .........................................................................................................................20

Field Trips ..................................................................................................................................20
Policies
Title 22 .......................................................................................................................................21
Child Abuse ................................................................................................................................21
Child/Teacher Ratios ..................................................................................................................21
Non-Exclusion ............................................................................................................................21
Diversity at EBLC ......................................................................................................................21
Inclusion at EBLC Recognize and Respond ..............................................................................22
Supervision .................................................................................................................................22
Discipline ...................................................................................................................................22
Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Compliance at EBLC ...................................................22
Door Security .............................................................................................................................23
Open Door ..................................................................................................................................23
Health Regulations .....................................................................................................................23
Authorization to take Picture/Video ...........................................................................................23
Requesting Sign-In/Out Sheets for Divorce or Separation Proceedings ....................................23
Authorized Pick-Up....................................................................................................................24
Temporary ..............................................................................................................................24
Permanent ...............................................................................................................................24
Emergency Child Information Sheet ..........................................................................................24
Health and Safety
Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors ...................................................................................25
Smog and Air Pollution Alert Policy .........................................................................................25
Insect Borne Disease ..................................................................................................................25
Oral Hygiene ..............................................................................................................................25
Emergency Drills........................................................................................................................25
After an Earthquake ...................................................................................................................25
Earthquake Kit............................................................................................................................26
Clothing ......................................................................................................................................26
Toys and Books ..........................................................................................................................26
Protection from Cold and Heat ...................................................................................................27
Drinking Water ...........................................................................................................................27
Immunizations ............................................................................................................................27
Vaccination Update: Chicken Pox .............................................................................................27
Allergies .....................................................................................................................................28
Medication Release Policy/Procedure ........................................................................................28
Daily Health Inspections ............................................................................................................28
When a Child Must be Sent Home .............................................................................................29

Accidental Injury Reports ..........................................................................................................30

First Aid Kits ..............................................................................................................................30
EBLC Food Philosophy .............................................................................................................30
Snack ..........................................................................................................................................32
Lunch ..........................................................................................................................................32
Recommended Daily Pattern of Food Groups ...........................................................................32
Ten Keys for Good Discipline ...................................................................................................33
Diaper Changing ........................................................................................................................38
Precautions for Communal Water Play ......................................................................................39
Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting .......................................................................................39
Infant Room
Sleeping ......................................................................................................................................40
Solid Food ..................................................................................................................................41
Diaper Changing ........................................................................................................................42
Emergency Kit............................................................................................................................43
Family Involvement
Visitation ....................................................................................................................................43
Classroom Assistance .................................................................................................................43
Annual Giving Fund ...................................................................................................................43
Room Parent ...............................................................................................................................43
Parent Meetings ..........................................................................................................................44
Volunteer Hours .........................................................................................................................44
Communication ..........................................................................................................................44
Email.......................................................................................................................................45
Newsletters, Memos, and Correspondence ............................................................................45
Daily Happenings and Curriculum at EBLC ..........................................................................45
Parent/Teacher Conferences .......................................................................................................45
Parent Resources ........................................................................................................................45
Literature ................................................................................................................................45
Parenting Classes/Strategies ...................................................................................................46
Parent Incentives ........................................................................................................................46
Referral Fee ............................................................................................................................46
Late Night ...............................................................................................................................46
Tuition Discount .....................................................................................................................46
EBLC Evaluation .......................................................................................................................46
Parent Responsibilities ...................................................................................................................47

Proper Pet Care

Ants ............................................................................................................................................48
Birds ...........................................................................................................................................48
Fish .............................................................................................................................................50
Snails ..........................................................................................................................................50
Developmental Centers
Math ...........................................................................................................................................51
Music ..........................................................................................................................................51
Dramatic Play .............................................................................................................................52
Science/Sensory .........................................................................................................................52
Sound ..........................................................................................................................................52
Library ........................................................................................................................................52
Gross Motor................................................................................................................................53
Arts and Crafts ...........................................................................................................................53
Manipulatives .............................................................................................................................53
Language/Listening ....................................................................................................................53
Blocks .........................................................................................................................................54
Sandtable ....................................................................................................................................54
Discovery ...................................................................................................................................54
Forms
Sunscreen Authorization ............................................................................................................55
Consent for Health Consultation Services .................................................................................56
Medication Authorization ..........................................................................................................57
Nebulizer Care Consent/Verification .........................................................................................58
Authorized Pick-Up....................................................................................................................59
Health and Controlling Infectious Disease Policy Agreement ...................................................60
Acknowledgement of Receiving Handbook ..............................................................................61
Enrollment Checklist .....................................................................................................................62

Welcome to
Early Bird Learning Center
We would like to welcome you and your child to Early Bird Learning Center. We have a great
program and a staff of warm, loving teachers who are committed to providing the best quality
childcare possible.
We are all excited about the new school year and have many wonderful things planned for both
you and your child. Please be sure to read the monthly calendar/newsletter for special events and
other matters of interest. You may download the school calendar of event from google calendar.
I have put together this handbook to provide details of our school policies. If you have any
questions, please ask me at any time.
I know it will be a productive year filled with growth and happiness for you and your child at
Early Bird Learning Center.
With love,
Lisa M. Wilson M. Ed
Program Director

Vision Statement
Our vision is for all children to grow in a safe, loving and happy environment.

Mission Statement
The mission of Early Bird Learning Center is to serve the children and families of the EBLC
community by offering a nurturing and stimulating environment for young children between the
ages of 12 weeks to 6 years old. At EBLC we give children a safe, stimulating, and enjoyable
environment to explore, discover, and create. We desire for the whole child; physical, socialemotional, thinking, communicating, and spiritual, to be acknowledged and developed utilizing a
loving, creative, and individualized curricula. We believe in creating an environment where
children learn to care about one another through the daily practice of love, joy, and peace.

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Philosophy
Early Bird Learning Center exists for the sole purpose of caring for young children by following
the Reggio Emilia approach and project based learning. We believe in showing children the
meaning of love, respect, responsibility, and community by allowing them to explore their
environment in a natural and developmentally appropriate way that will develop a love of
learning. Educators at EBLC provide children with a wide range of experiences that allow
children to explore their world by taste, touch, sight, smell, moving, observing and hearing.
Our program offers a balance of classroom and outdoor experiences. Our classrooms are
supplied and enriched with all the things a child needs to step into a world of discovery. When a
child plays with blocks, s/he begins to understand about size, shape comparison and numbers.
When a child plays in the dramatic play space, s/he draws on his home experience and is able to
work through feelings, develop language and form relationships in a familiar setting.
Outdoor play gives children opportunity to develop strong, healthy bodies through physical
activities such as running, jumping, swinging, climbing, and riding tricycles. Social skills are a
part of negotiating and sharing equipment on the playground.
We also believe that a childs self-image is vital to his growth and development. Educators work
hard to help children develop a strong sense of independence and positive self-esteem. We also
believe in helping the children to problem solve. By challenging children to try new things,
explore new interest, and acknowledging their successes, children learn to see themselves as
capable and unique individuals.
We believe that children learn best through positive interaction and clear boundaries that give
respect to both the individual and the community of learners.

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School Year Calendar

The September to June yearly calendar is posted online for parents to pre-plan for any school
holidays/closures and special events. The summer calendar (July) is posted at the end of May for
parents to see our fun summer activities. EBLC is a year round program and closes for all
national holidays.
Please refer to the online calendar for additional school closures. Parents may download the
google calendar from the school website or from the EBLC newsletters.

Admission
Non-Exclusion
We implement a non-exclusion policy at Early Bird Learning Center. We believe that all
children should feel respected, welcomed, and loved by their peers and adults in their lives. We
believe in providing an inclusive environment where children at all developmental levels can
grow and learn. We ask that all families will exercise this non-exclusion policy when inviting
children from Early Bird Learning Center to outside birthday parties or other events. If
invitations are passed out at Early Bird Learning Center please invite everyone in your childs
age group.

Waiting List
Applications for the waiting list are accepted on first come first served basis. Vacancies in the
school are filled from the waiting list with preference given to full-time students, siblings, and
employees. There is a non-refundable fee of $ 75.00 to be placed on the waiting list, which is
good to hold a spot for one year. This fee is also applied to processing your paperwork and
forms, and is transferable to the non- refundable deposit. When a spot is available for a family on
the waiting list, the school administrators will call the family no more than three times to notify
them of the availability. Once the administrative staff has attempted the third unsuccessful call to
a family, the available spot will be given to the next family on the waiting list.

Enrollment
Early Bird Learning Center accepts children from 12 weeks to 6 years old. Each child will be
placed in a group according to his or her age and ability. The Director and/or teacher will make
this determination.

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Application
Every family is expected to complete an enrollment packet which includes emergency
information forms, consent for medical treatment, transportation in the event of an emergency,
etc. We request that all applications for enrollment be returned to the school at least two days
prior to a childs first day. All files are kept in the administrative office in a locked cabinet.
Children files are audited twice a year for updates. Parents are required to notify the preschool in
the event of any address, phone, or work, and/ or emergency pick up change or authorized person
change.

Visiting Days
A parent enrolling their child in any class at EBLC is welcome to take part in a visiting day that
consists of three hours in the morning or three hours in the afternoon. Parents must be present
and not leave the child on the visiting day, since their child is not officially enrolled at the
school. We have an open door policy and parents are welcome to visit Early Bird Learning
Center anytime during the school hours.

Transition Week
We request that all families enrolling a child two years or younger take part in a transition week.
The first day at EBLC should be the longest day and every day should be shorter than the first.
We will configure a transition schedule that works best for your child and family. Please check
in with the assistant directors or your childs teacher for a transition week schedule.

Transitioning into Group Care

We have a hello and good-bye bench in the lobby area at the front of the school to facilitate a
smooth hello and good-bye for parents and children. Often times bringing children to preschool
can be stressful for the child and the parent. We ask that the parent will assist EBLC in making
the transition time easier by following the five guidelines below:
1. Drop off at the same time every day
2. The same amount of time to say good-bye
3. Say good-bye the same way ex.: one hug and one kiss
4. Allow your child to walk into EBLC on their own so the good-bye is easier and they are
ready to say hello to their peers.
5. Please encourage your children to leave toys in the car that are from home instead of
bringing them into EBLC.

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Attendance
There is no credit given for absences due to illness, vacation, school closure or early withdrawal.
The parent should notify the Program Director by email at lisamwilson@hotmail.com when a
child will be absent for any reason. We limit our class size to provide children with the best
student: teacher ratios and care and are unable to allow make-up days or change the days that
your child normally attends.

Classroom Conduct/Dismissal
To insure the most productive environment in which to develop and motivate each individual
child, it is necessary to establish a policy regarding classroom conduct. Any child, who through
his or her disruptive behavior, or immature social development, produces repeated classroom
disturbance, will be subject to a teacher, Director and parent conference. Cases, in which
disruptive behavior continues, will be subject to review by the Director and may result in
expulsion.

Other Causes for Dismissal

A child may be dismissed due to chronic illness of the child preventing school attendance, the
parent or guardian allows the account to become delinquent, or for failure to honor the
obligations listed in the admission agreement or any other stated policies and regulations of the
school.

Summer Program
Early Bird Learning Center offers a short summer program for families that runs from the end of
June until the third week of July. EBLC will close the last week of July for summer vacation and
reopen for the new fall session the third week of August.

Withdrawal
If a parent chooses to withdrawal their child from EBLC for any reason, the parent must give a
written 30 day notice to the Program Director. If the withdrawal notice is given mid-month there
will be no refund of tuition, since tuition is on a monthly basis and charged at the beginning of
every month.

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Fees
Commitment to EBLC
We encourage families that begin at EBLC to stay at EBLC therefore we ask families that begin
at EBLC if they are signed up at other preschools. If families are signed up at other preschools
we will ask another family that is not signed up at other preschools to join our school and put the
other family signed up at multiple schools on another waiting list.

Waiting List
Waiting List Fee: $75.00 (non-refundable)
A waiting list fee is taken when applying to the pre-school to hold your child(ren)s spot. This fee
is for paperwork processing, and is transferable to the deposit fee upon enrollment.

Enrollment
All papers in the enrollment packet must be filled out completely before your child is admitted to
the preschool, along with the following enrollment fees. All fees and paperwork must be
received in full before any child is accepted into the school.

Registration Fee: varies and is paid between September through December

Education/ Enrichment Fee: varies paid upon enrollment
Deposit: non-refundable deposit per child due upon enrollment. This deposit will hold a
spot for 1 year from the date that EBLC receives the deposit.
Summer Activity Fee: price varies. Children from 2year to 6 year are required to pay a
summer fee. The fee varies depending on summer activity cost and t-shirt cost. This fee is
paid each May for children staying for the summer months. This fee includes special
events, a summer camp T-shirt, and additional activities for children during the summer
months.
Tuition Payment: Paid at the beginning of each month. See your admission agreement.
Tuition is increased once a year in the fall. We do not bill by the hour, day, or week
unless prorating a month, see prorating tuition for more information.
Earthquake/emergency Kit: Check statement (stored in Bike land shed for emergencies.)
Every child is on a month-to-month tuition schedule, unless it is the summer months with
a written notice 30 days prior to the summer program commencing. A weekly tuition is
limited and will not be available for all families due to space for summer only. The
weekly tuition is considered drop-in care and is only available during summer months.

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Please have summer registration forms in no later than the month of May. For more
information please see the director.

Tuition
Early Bird Learning Centers tuition is due on the 1st business day of each month, for the month
ahead. After a 5 day grace period, a fee of 10% of your total tuition will be added to your
account. Your child will be terminated from EBLC if payment is not received five working days
from the 1st business day of the month. Lack of payment is a breach of contract. Tuition is based
on time and space reserved for your child, therefore tuition credit will NOT be given for any
absence due to illness, vacation, or early withdrawal (as stated in the admission agreement signed
in child enrollment packet). Tuition is non-refundable.

Prorating Tuition
Tuition is only prorated the first month that a child begins and if the child begins the second or
third week of a month. During the summer school schedule July must be paid in full and August
will be prorated for the fall session.

Tuition Assistance
We encourage families to apply for subsidized programs through the GAIN office or Cal works.
For more information about subsidized care programs please call Connections for Children at
310.425.3325.

Connections for Children

If you need tuition assistance you may be eligible with the state of California. Please contact
Connections for Children directly at 310-452-3325.
Families enrolling in the school with Connections are required to turn in their sign-in sheets to
the school office by the first working day of the month. Any family who does not bring in there
form on time will be required to drop off their sheet directly to the Connections office after
getting the Program Directors signature. Failure to maintain a good standing at connections and
turning in proper paperwork, resulting in no tuition payment will be grounds for your childs
dismissal from Early Bird Learning Center.

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Drop-in Care
Drop-in care is primarily provided during Summer Session and in extreme situations during the
school year. A non-refundable drop-in registration fee is due before a child can be a drop- in.
Drop- in care is for non-EBLC families needing care once in a while. Drop- in care is not to be
utilized for families that leave EBLC and then need care if their new preschool is closed. We bill
by the week or the month with drop in care. Tuition must be pre-paid for the month or week of
care. The weekly rate is not equally divided by 4 weeks from the monthly rate because it is
considered a drop in care therefore the weekly rate is higher because drop in care is not required
to pay additional school fees.

Discounts
We do not give discounts for sickness, planned or unplanned absences, family illness, vacations,
travel for work, etc. You pay for a spot at EBLC and we require full tuition at the beginning of
the month before care begins. If you need to leave EBLC for any reason a 30 day notice in
writing prior to leaving is required to use your non-refundable deposit to reapply for a spot
within the year that the deposit was given to EBLC. Failure to give a 30 day notice of leaving
EBLC will result in repayment of deposit if you choose to reapply for a spot at EBLC within the
year that the initial deposit was given. If you have a family emergency and need to leave
unexpectedly full tuition is still required to hold a spot or ample notice to the director. You may
still be required to repay your deposit upon reapplying. If you want to ensure your spot at EBLC
please pay the full month tuition. We do give second sibling discounts. We do not give third,
fourth, etc. sibling discounts.

3 spots are reserved for families to receive a 5% discount if they choose to pay their
tuition 1 year in advance. One year is considered September to June. After the first 3
families pay the tuition per year is at the full charge.

Refunds
In the event of an emergency in which the school needs to be closed, no refunds will be given.

Fail to Sign In or Out

A $6.00 fee will be charged for each day if you fail to sign your child in or out. A full signature
is required per state law; including a printed signature and drop off/pick up times. All late fees
will be posted on Tuition Billing Statements.

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Mid-day Children
We accept mid-day children whom attend a therapeutic preschool in the mornings and are
transported to Early Bird Learning Center in the afternoon. We will ask for proof of an IEP. We
do not provide afternoon care or tuition for afternoon hours unless your child is in a therapeutic
preschool.

Exchanging Days
You are not allowed to change days weekly. If your child is absent or if school is closed you are
not permitted to change days. We have too many children at times and we are unable to
accommodate- exceptions are made but rarely.
Before and After Care
There is a 10 minute grace period prior to the time your child is scheduled to begin in the
morning, except for children starting at 7:30am. There is also a 10 minute grace period in the
afternoon (excludes closing time) when picking up your child. Once the grace period reaches 11
minutes you will be billed for a 15 minute early drop off or pick up fee.
A $15.00 late fee will be charged per hour if you drop your child off before the 10-minute grace
period or pick up your child after the 10-minute grace period (excludes closing time).
The school is CLOSED at 6:00 p.m. After 6:00 there will be a $1.00 per minute charge. Please
be advised that our staff must stay after hours to watch your child. You will need to provide a
cash payment that evening to the staff member/teacher caring for your child. Constant late pickups (after closing time) and failure to pay may result in your childs dismissal from EBL.
Toddlers on a half day schedule: Toddlers staying through naptime will be charged an hour rate.

Statement/Billing
At the end of each month, a statement of fees will be placed in your childs mail slot/or folder
located in your childs classroom. The statement will show the amount of tuition owed and when
necessary early/late fees, and/or failure to sign fees. Please place all tuition payments in the lock
box on located downstairs near the back door going to bikeland and mounted on the wall.

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Summer
All children between the ages of 2 and 6 are assessed a summer fee that vary year to year
depending on the fees of the activities. During summer program scheduling, we invite special
entertainment to visit our school weekly. These hands-on activities include science lessons,
puppet shows, musical activities, and wildlife animals. Activities vary annually due to
availability. Specific dates and times are posted on the summer calendar, which parents can
access from google.

Payment upon Absence/Vacation

If you plan to be absent during the 1st week a payment is due, please arrange with the Director to
make payment in advance so your account will not become delinquent. Early Bird Learning
Center is open all year round and we enroll all year round, therefore we require families, which
want to ensure a spot in the fall and leave for the summer, to pay a $200.00 reservation fee for
the fall session. This $200.00 is only applicable for families leaving for the summer months and
returning in the fall. This fee is not transferable or refundable. This is a fee to reserve a spot at
EBLC in the summer months only if absent for the entire summer program. This fee is only
good for one spot; multiple children will be charged an additional $200.00 per child.
If you plan on taking vacation during the traditional school year from September to June, the full
amount of tuition is still due.
If you register for summer and decide to take a vacation during the summer months you will still
be responsible for paying of tuition if you are gone for 3 consecutive weeks in one month
(same month) and give a 30 day notice in writing.

Professional Class Pictures

A professional photographer will be asked to take individual and/or group pictures of the
children in the fall. We will also take graduation pictures for children graduating from the 4 year
old rooms in the spring. Parents may purchase these pictures, but there is no obligation. EBLC
does not determine the price of the pictures that the professional photographers charge. Teachers
may take informal snap shots from time to time of the children participating in school activities.
These pictures will be placed on display or in photo albums. We also have summer photos
available at times.

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Financial Questions or Concerns

It is the parents responsibility to notify the Director of any inaccurate amounts on the statement
of fees. If you have any questions or problems regarding tuition fees or paying on time, please
address them to the Director. The best ways to communicate these concerns are in person or by
email at lisamwilson@hotmail.com.

Enrichment
Music
Early Bird Learning Center has a wonderful music program to children of all ages (infants and
up) through MaCain Treat. The music program begins the 3rd week in September and finishes in
June. If you have any questions or concerns, please see Lisa Wilson. The fee to pay for this
program is part of the enrichment fee parents pay annually. Music education is important
because children will develop language, develop skills to keep a beat, understand rhythm, and be
introduced to new instruments.

Dance/Movement
These classes are offered to all children ages two and up and are part of the enrichment fee
parents pay annually. The class starts the 3rd week of September and finishes in June. Dance and
movement are an important part of education because they give children the opportunity to
develop language, to be social, as well as develop gross motor skills.

Additional Classes
Early Bird Learning Center offers parents the opportunity to sign their children up for additional
enrichment programs, ran by fully trained teachers. If parents are interested in enrolling their
child in these classes they need to fill out a registration form and pay the class fee. These classes
are not included in the enrichment fee parents pay annually.

French
Piano
Ballet
Hip Hop
Gymnastics

The enrichment classes may change due to the number of children enrolled, please check flyers
regularly to see the most up to date activities offered.
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Program
Hours of Operation
The Pre-School is open from 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. All children
should be signed in by 9:30 a.m. to benefit from their daily activities. If you will be dropping
your child off later than 9:30am please email the program director. If a child has difficulty
acclimating to class due to the late drop off, the parent will be called to pick up. Depending on
the severity of the childs mood, they child may be taken out of class to wait for their parent in a
less stressful environment.

Closing Time
All parents must pick up their children no later than 6:00 p.m. Your child will be released to an
adult (18 or older) who is listed on the Child Information Sheet. If a child is to be picked up by
an adult other than their parent a picture ID must be presented to the teacher and/or Director
before the child will be released. A late fee must be paid to the teacher or Director who remains
with the child after closing hours, teachers are not paid overtime after 6pm. The late fee is a
$1.00 a minute after 6:00pm based on the teachers clock. All parents who have a child that
attends EBLC are held responsible to pay late fees, even families on subsidy programs.
Consistent tardiness to pick up with failure to pay the teacher may result in dismissal from the
school.

Sign-in/out
The adult(s) responsible for the child must sign all children in and out of school. The law
requires a complete signature and sign in & out times in blue or black ink (no pencil). If a child
is to be picked up by an adult other than parent, a picture ID must be presented to the teacher
and/or Director before the child will be released. Only persons listed on the Child Information
Sheet can pick up the child from school. No one under the age of 18 can sign a child in or out.
Please do not let other children follow you out of the classroom when you are picking up your
child.

Parking
You may park along the curb in front of the preschool to unload and pick up your child, or in the
parking lot located next to Sand land. Due to minimal parking spaces, we ask that you do not
park for longer than 15 minutes. If you need to park for a longer period of time, please use
parking lot on the corner of 10th and California. We do not suggest parking in the alley, as you
may get a ticket and EBLC will not be responsible for the ticket.
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The safety of our children is a very important issue. We request that you drive slowly when
approaching all curbs, and when backing up in parking lots. Small children are difficult to see in
mirrors. DO NOT let your children run through the parking lots, or along the curb!

Maintenance
EBLC teachers inspect the building on a daily basis to ensure that there are no hazards for
children. If there is anything that needs to be fixed the teachers complete a work order and then
the director arranges for a certified person to come and fix the broken item. A monthly walk
through is done to ensure that the building is up to code and meets all necessary standards.
Lost and Found
Any jackets or clothing that is not labeled and left by a child will be placed in the treasure box
located in front of Lisas upstairs office or the hangers in front of the kitchen. Please put your
children in items that you do not have an attachment to as children do tend to lose items easily.
Please check the lost and found areas weekly. Items not picked up by a designated date will be
donated to a charity. Lost and found items that are small will be kept in the front office. Please
ask a staff member for help.
Translator for Non-English Speaking Families
At EBLC we have several languages spoken within our families. We strive to make sure families
are able to communicate in the language that they are most comfortable with. We have several
teachers who speak various languages other than English that are willing to be translators for
families. If we encounter a language that is not spoken by any staff at EBLC we have a good
relationship with Santa Monica Community College language department that will provide a
translator. On our website we use the program Google translate that will translate our entire
website and all of our forms in more than 100 languages.

Children Who Begin at EBLC Speaking another Language

The teacher and director will ask the parents of the child to provide words in their first language
and translate it into English. If a childs first language is one that a teacher at EBLC teacher
speaks, the teacher will be the designated person to be the liaison between the child and other
children as well as the family and the administration. The goal however will be to integrate the
child into the EBLC setting eventually speaking English at school. We have educators who speak
Creole, Farsi, French, Russian, and Spanish.

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Children Transported to EBLC mid-day

Children dropped off mid-day by a school bus will be met outside at the curbside with the bus
driver for an adult to adult exchange of the child into EBLC. The child will be signed in by an
EBLC staff member. Children with disabilities, which hinder them from climbing stairs, have an
alternate route into the building though our gated playground and will have a teacher to help
them into the school. When children are being walked from the school bus into EBLC they are
dropped off at the curbside and we will make sure that the child is safe at all times as pedestrians.
We do not transport children at EBLC.

Moving Children up/Building a Classroom

At EBLC we move children to their new classroom after they have been in their previous
classroom for a school year. Some children will stay longer in their classrooms based on their
development, the milestones mastered, and the teachers and parents preference. Classrooms are
built and organized by taking several factor into consideration. We look at age, gender,
developmental level, and personality of the child. Children in the one year old room move up on
their 2nd birthday. Children in the infant and toddler rooms will move throughout the year.
Children two and older will typically move up at the start of each fall, with the exception of
children who were held in a younger class due to potty training.
Childrens File Folders
Check your childs file folder daily for tuition statements, updates on school events, calendar
changes, policy changes, incident reports, and information about classroom parties. Artwork,
field trip sign-up forms and flyers will be placed there as well.

Nap/Rest Time
Nap time/ rest time at EBLC is from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Children are not required to nap or
rest the entire time. The nap/rest period is an opportunity for children to relax their mind and
body and to be calm so they are able to have energy to sustain their active play in the afternoon,
this nap/rest period is also to recoup from morning active play. We will provide a mat for each
child. The parent must provide a fitted crib sheet and a small blanket for their child. The sheets
and blankets must be taken home every Friday to be washed. Please label each item with your
childs name. Teachers supervise children at all times during nap/ rest time.

Preschool Toileting
All children in the two year old room and up are required to dress/undress themselves upon using
the toilet, and must be able to use proper toileting habits. All children are required to wash their
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hands after toileting. When an accident occurs, a teacher will supply a change of clothes (from
the childs cubby) to the child and wipes. The child will then clean and change themselves. If
your child is not fully potty trained, they will be transitioned into a classroom that works on potty
training. Take home soiled clothing daily. Keep 1-2 pairs of extra clothes in childs cubby.

Restrooms
Child
Classrooms on the 1st floor have adjoining bathrooms for the children to use. There is also a
community restroom located next to the kitchen for the children to use. Children in the upstairs
classrooms use the childrens restroom located at the end of the hallway. Children must never
use the adult restrooms and the adults must never use the childrens restrooms.

Adult
One adult restroom with three stalls is located on the second floor across from the Program
Directors office. Men please knock before entering and lock the restroom door for privacy.
Adults must never use the childrens restroom in any of the classrooms, next to the kitchen, or
upstairs.

Community Garden
At EBLC we have flower pots and boxes on sandland, which we use to create a community
garden. The community garden helps children learn about friendship and community spirit by
caring for the plants together and building a respect for nature. Teachers are responsible for
teaching children how to be appropriate with the plants and making sure that children do not eat
the plants or pull them out of their soil.

Language Development
Every room at EBLC is designed to enrich children with language. Children are given
opportunities that are structured and unstructured to share their ideas and beliefs. Our educators
at EBLC converse with children as well as encourage the children to express how they feel or
what their needs are.

Instructional Scaffolding Technique

Instructional scaffolding involves two steps:

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1. Development of instructional plans to lead the students from what they already know to a
deep understanding of new material
2. Execution of the plans; the instructor/ educator gives support to the student every step of
the learning route
Obtained from: Turnbull, A., Turnbull, R., Shank, M., & Leal, D. (1999, Second Edition).
Exceptional Lives: Special Education in Todays Schools. Prentice-Hall, Inc.: Upper Saddle
River, N.J.
http://condor.admin.ccny.cuny.edu/~group4/

Milestones Mastered in Each Classroom

Measurable Skills
Milestones to be mastered exiting 2 year old rooms
Ocean: potty training/ taking care of self/conflict resolution
Milestones to be mastered exiting 3 year old rooms
Crystal: empathy/ independence/ positive sense of self/ community/ conflict resolution
Angel: empathy/ independence/ positive sense of self/ community/ conflict resolution
Milestones to be mastered exiting Family/Home: empathy/ independence/ positive sense
of self/ community/ conflict resolution (4 year old room)
In addition:
Writing name
Counting to 100
Recognizing letters and able to know some sounds
Mastery of fine motor skills to hold a writing utensil
Milestones to be mastered exiting Garden: empathy/ independence/ positive sense of self/
community/ conflict resolution (4-6 year old room)
In addition:
Writing name
Counting to 100
Recognizing letters and able to know some sounds
Mastery of fine motor skills to hold a writing utensil
Utilize pre-kindergarten instructional tools

Non-cognitive or soft-skills to be evaluated:

Curiosity
Confidence
Effort
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Diligence
Perseverance
Self-regulation or coping

Child Photo Album/Portfolio

Each child is given a photo album and art portfolio that the teachers put together and it travels
with each child throughout their stay at EBLC. The portfolio has information from the family
about the child and includes a family picture. As the year progresses the teachers will add to each
childs portfolio the childs artwork, writings, drawings, and pictures of the child working on
these projects. The portfolio is used to outline the developmental progress accomplished while
the child is enrolled at EBLC.

Assessment Plan/Procedure/Explanation
At EBLC we have several tools in place to help with assessing children in our care.
Tools to help with assessment:
1. Parent/ Teacher Conferences
Formal Parent/ Teacher conferences or FPTCs are held twice a year; once in the fall and
once in the spring. FPTCs conferences are important for all parties involved. The
conferences are intended for parents to understand how their child is performing and/or
adapting developmentally while at EBLC. FPTCs are intended to be an opportunity to
check in with the teacher as well as the teacher to check in with the parent about the
progress of their child. FPTCs follow a progress report loosely based off creative
curriculum and EBLCs goals and milestones necessary to be mastered before children
exit EBLC. During the FPTCs an evaluation or progress form is completed by the
teacher.
2. Parent/Director Conferences
Parent/ Director Conferences or PDCs are formal or informal meetings hosted and/or
initiated by the director at the discretion of the parent or the director or both parties. One
of the purposes of the PDCs is for the parent to address concerns about their child,
teaching techniques, classroom culture, and spatial awareness for development progress.
Another purpose of the PDCs is for the director to take the opportunity to speak to the
parents in regards to the progress of their child, teaching techniques, classroom culture,
and spatial awareness for development progress. The director may also hold a meeting to
assist parents in developing a parenting profile to address parenting skills that may need
to be refined or altered to nurture positive growth and development of their child.
3. Parent/Teacher/Director Conferences
Parent/Teacher/Director Conferences or PTDs are formal meetings called by the director,
teacher or by both parties. The purpose of the PTD is to discuss concerns about the
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4.

5.

6.

7.

developmental progress of the child at EBLC. A PTD is also a time when a psychologist
may also be invited to attend in order to recommend evaluation with the Santa Monica
Malibu Unified School District. The child is not present at this meeting due to certain
topics that may be discussed.
Child/Teacher/ Parent Conferences
Child/ Teacher/ Parent Conferences or CTPs are formal and informal meetings hosted
and/or initiated by the child/ teacher of parent or a combination of all three parties. We
believe that the child has a voice that needs to be heard and encourage parents to allow
their child the opportunity to express themselves about how they view their progress and
stages of development at EBLC. During the CTP the teacher will ask age-appropriate
questions to the child in order for the teacher and parent to understand, by the childs
responses, how they feel and where they see themselves in the classroom and amongst
their peer group. Through a series of age-appropriate questions the teacher and parent
will be able to understand where they are at developmentally through collaboration and
evaluation. The CTP is not designed for correcting or trying to find a resolve over a
problem it may be initiated in order for emotional support for the child, teacher, and/or
parent.
Parent/ Child/Teacher/ Director Conferences
Parent/ Child/Teacher/ Director Conferences or PCTDs are formal and informal meetings
hosted and/or initiated by the parent, child, teacher, or the director or a combination of all
parties. The purpose of the PCTDs is for all parties involved to express any concerns and
to provide a time to address progress in the development of a child in the EBLC program.
A PCTDC usually takes place after the above mentioned conferences have taken place
and have not reached a resolve or additional support is needed from administration.
Back to School Nights
Back to school nights are held in mid-September or the end of September. The purpose of
the back to school nights is for parents to see (visually) the progress of their child in the
EBLC setting/classroom. This night also gives teachers an opportunity to give and
explain classroom guidelines and expectations of parents and children at EBLC. Children
are welcome to attend the back to school night with their parent or child care will be
provided.
Ages and Stages Questionnaire or ASQ
The Ages and Stages Questionnaire is given at EBLC in the months of September to
November or the three months that the child begins at EBLC due to our open enrollment
year round. The ASQ is a questionnaire that is given to parents and the teacher to
complete about the child.

Additional information
All Conferences and the completion of the ASQ and the results are gathered to outline
individual goals for children.
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All documentation and information gathered about the children and families is strictly
confidential and is not shared with any person(s) without written consent.
Assessment takes place the very first time that you meet a family and their child(ren).

Conflict Resolution
At EBLC we practice conflict resolution. We derive our philosophical approach to conflict
resolution from the book, Keeping the Peace by Susanne Wichert. Children are encouraged to
resolve conflicts by expressing their desired expectations to one another with the teacher helping
facilitate their communication. Circle time is used during the day as a tool to help with conflict
resolution. Teachers may ask the parents for an informal meeting to assist children in solving a
conflict. It is also our goal at EBLC to make sure every child feels heard and that EBLC is a
place where there is justice.
Steps for Conflict Resolution in our Preschool Setting
1. Having the other persons attention
2. Being Heard
3. Stating the problem clearly
4. Giving attention to the person who is communicating
5. Remaining on the subject
6. Reading body language and facial expression
In addition to the above mentioned steps we also involve the children in the process of
healing by teaching them empathy. We teach empathy by modeling concern for a child
who has experienced discomfort. Children are encouraged to help with ice or Band-Aids
in order for the injured child to feel better.
Language as a Tool
EBLC believes that language is a necessary tool for children to help them express the way they
feel. Language also helps children to resolve conflict by explaining their expectations in a
situation or to express how they feel about something.

Library
The library is located on the second floor. Your child will learn about the library and also some
library responsibilities. Each class will visit the library once a week during the months of
September through June. Children will be able to check a book out for one week. A late fee of 10
cents per day will be charged for overdue books excluding weekends. If the book is not returned
after 4 weeks, payment for the cost of the book will be necessary.

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Share Day
A Designated share day is specified by each classroom teacher. Your child is welcome to bring
in something or verbally explain something that begins with the letter of the week. By
participating in Share Day, your child develops skills in the thought processes and in speaking
with others. All children are encouraged to share.

Birthdays
Children may celebrate their birthday at school with a very simple party. It can be held in their
class during the morning or afternoon snack time or lunch. Please check the date and what can be
brought with the teacher so there will be no conflicts with another childs party. If you would
like to donate your childs favorite book to our school library as a birthday tribute, please see the
Director. Please remember when passing invitations out, at Early Bird Learning Center, to invite
your childs entire class. If you prefer not to invite every child in your childs class, please mail
invitations instead of distributing them at EBLC. We want all children to feel welcome and not
excluded.

Water Play Days

In the summer months, water play is scheduled outdoors when weather permits. To participate in
water play, children must bring swimsuits, a towel, and change of clothing, and water shoes
(crocks are not water shoes). Please remember to apply sunscreen to your child before they arrive
to school.

Field Trips
Field Trips will be taken as they correspond to the class curriculum. Each child will need to sign
a completed permission slip, before the day of the field trip, to participate in the outing. We need
your eyes and ears to listen and watch the children at all times to protect them. Parents are
accepted as space permits or as needed. Your child must remain with his/her own class and
teacher. We stress that parents must watch other children, not just their own child. Also you need
to listen to the teacher and/or director and follow their rules. All EBLC field trip children and
parents must remain on the same premises with the director and/or teachers for safety reasons.
Everyone is expected to bring a sack lunch from home. Purchases of souvenirs or lunches are not
allowed on any field trips in fairness to all the children.

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Policies
Title 22
We adhere to the policies and procedures from title 22. If you would like a copy of title 22 please
go to www.ccld.ca.gov and click on Laws and Regulations and then click on title 22 regulations.

Child Abuse
We are required by law to report any suspected cases of child abuse and/or neglect to the
department of social services.

Child and Teacher Ratios

The child to teacher ratio varies depending on the age of the children.
12 weeks to 23 months: 4:1 ratio
2 year old children: 7:1 ratio
3 year old children: 10:1 ratio
4-6 year old children: 12:1 ratio
*In our infant room we strive to meet a 3:1 ratio when possible
Non-Exclusion
We exercise a non-exclusion policy at Early Bird Learning Center. We believe that all children
should feel respected, welcomed, and loved by their peers and the adults in their lives. We
encourage children of all developmental levels to socialize together, creating an inclusive
classroom where all children and their parents are welcome. We ask that all families will
exercise this non-exclusion policy when inviting children from Early Bird Learning Center to
outside birthday parties or other events. If invitations are passed out at Early Bird Learning
Center please invite everyone in your childs age group.

Diversity at EBLC
At EBLC we believe that a diverse place to learn, grow, and develop is necessary for every child
in our care. At EBLC we welcome parents to come to the preschool and volunteer hours in their
childs classroom and to share their heritage with the other children. We also work with children
with different developmental needs and with children with dietary restrictions or food
philosophies. We strongly believe in supporting families and children in helping to build bridges
to aide in building diversity and understanding amongst one another. At EBLC we build
diversity by involving parents and children in curriculum.
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Inclusion at EBLC Recognize and Respond

At Early Bird Learning Center (EBLC) we believe in the inclusion of all children. Each child is
at a different level of development and at different paces to reach their desired educational goals.
At EBLC we ask parent s to complete an ASQ questionnaire upon enrollment and at the
beginning of the school year. The ASQ helps EBLC teachers to build curriculum around each
child in order to meet individual needs that promote full inclusion. There are times that children
may need additional support with a play therapist or a one-on-one aid. At times we will provide
an additional teacher in a classroom that may need additional support for a child having a
difficult time. We also refer families to the Santa Monica-Malibu school district for evaluation or
other therapeutic preschool settings that may better serve the childs needs. At times we may
have a child that attends a therapeutic preschool setting in the morning and returns in the
afternoon to participate in our preschool to promote inclusion.

Supervision
Children at EBLC are supervised by fully qualified preschool teachers with first-aid and CPR
certification as well as a clear background check through FBI, DOJ, and Child Abuse Index
Records. Children are never left alone and are supervised at all times by fully-qualified teaching
staff at EBLC. Children are supervised when playing and exploring in discovery learning centers
in the classroom as well as outside in the playgrounds. We make sure children have sight and
sound supervision at all times but there are exceptions to this when children are toileting and are
4-6 years old or they are building tents. Teachers position themselves to hear and intervene if
children need assistance.

Discipline
Any form of discipline or punishment that violates a childs personal rights is not permitted
regardless of parent or guardian consent or authorization. Punishment that violates a childs
personal right is a direct violation of Title 22 and will result in a teachers dismissal. EBLC
believes in redirection and will not use any forms of corporal punishment or time out.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance at EBLC

At Early Bird Learning Center we do meet all ADA accessibility requirements. Our accessibility
includes access to buildings, toilets, sinks, drinking fountains, outdoor play spaces, and all
classroom and therapy areas.

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Door Code Security

We strive to maintain a safe environment for your child(ren). Only parents or guardians are
allowed to know and use the code. Please do not allow your child to know the code, or open the
door with the code. If a relative or friend will be picking up your child, they may use the
intercom. A new code is given out at the beginning of each school year in the fall. Please do not
let people in who do not know the code.

Open Door
Parents are welcome to come to the school and to visit or watch their children from peek-a-boo
windows any time they want. At EBLC we encourage parents to talk to the teachers if they have
any concern. If the parent feels that their needs are not met after speaking with a teacher they are
always encourage to speak to the director of the preschool and if the director is unable to resolve
their concern the parents are encouraged to go to the preschool board about their concern. We
have an open door policy at EBLC to help parents to negotiate differences.

Health Regulations
It is our desire to provide a healthy and safe environment for all the children. In order to promote
this standard and in accordance with the state law, any child exhibiting any symptoms of illness
must remain at home.

Authorization to take Picture/Video

Please be advised that authorization is needed before a parent can take photos of their child(ren)
and others while on the school property. Only during recitals or plays may photographs and
videos be taken without prior authorization. Paperwork must be signed upon enrollment. The
pictures are highlights of events that we have at Early Bird Learning Center.

Requesting Sign In and Out sheets for divorce or separation proceedings

EBLC has daily sign in and out sheets for keeping track of children in our care in accordance
with title 22 Chapter 12 Authority cited: Section 1596.81, Health and Safety Code. Reference:
Sections 1596.72, 1596.73, 1596.81 and 1597.05, Health and Safety Code. CALIFORNIA-DSS-.
EBLC uses daily sign in and out sheets for internal business purposes only. Sign in and out
sheets are not released to any third party without a subpoena.

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EBLC will give, as a courtesy; to both parents in a family, a copy of sign in and out sheets if the
sheets being requested are within a 30 day period within the date of request without a subpoena.
The courtesy sign in and out sheets must be in the same month. Both parties must agree to
have copies of the courtesy sign in and out sheets to be released to each parental party
involved.
If a family needs copies of sign in and out sheets for divorce or separation/ custody proceedings
a formal subpoena will need to be made to the following:
Attn: Record Keeper of EBLC
1019 California Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403.
This service will be at an additional cost and may take up to a month to produce. Adequate time
is required for proper printing of the sheets. The cost for this service varies depending on how
many sheets are being requested and the administrative and supply cost.

Authorized Pick-Ups
Temporary
If a parent makes arrangements with a friend or family member to take a child off school
grounds, it is mandatory that a parent completes a Child Pick-Up Permission Slip (from the
front office). The permission slip must include the first and last name of the adult(s) picking up
the child, dates, times, and signature of parent releasing authorization. This form must be
dropped off in person to the front office. Any adult picking up a child will be asked to provide a
picture I.D.
Permanent
When an adult must pick up your child on a permanent basis, please see the front office to update
Child Information paperwork, and fill out a Child Pick-Up Permission Slip. Mark the space
stating Permanent Child Pick-up.
Emergency Child Information Sheet
We will release your child only to those persons listed on the Child Information Sheet. Please be
sure that your childs Child Information Sheet is up to date with current addresses, phone
numbers, and person(s) you would like to have your child picked up by if you are unable to come
to the school. If phone lines are down, we will contact you by the information listed on this
sheet.
You will be asked every school year to update the Child Information Sheet, or whenever several
changes have been made.
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Health and Safety

Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors
At EBLC we have carbon monoxide detectors in every room and smoke detectors. The carbon
monoxide and smoke detectors are checked monthly by the teachers to make sure they do not
need new batteries.

Smog and Air Pollution Alert Policy

At Early Bird Learning Center we limit outdoor activity and physical activity as a precaution
during smog and other air pollution alerts or when the temperature is extremely high.

Insect Borne Disease

Our playgrounds are inspected daily for insects and spiders. We dump standing water to prevent
mosquito infections.

Oral Hygiene
At Early Bird Learning Center we do not have teeth brushing as a part of our program. The
children at EBLC visit a dentist for regular checkups to learn to brush their teeth. Children are
encouraged to rinse their mouth out with water after eating.
If parents would like to provide a toothbrush to remove food, after eating, as a program we can
re-visit this policy.

Emergency Drills
We will have a fire drill and an earthquake drill once a month. Emergency evacuation procedures
are posted in each room. The threat of a major earthquake in our area is very serious; we will
have monthly drills to ensure the safety of the entire Childrens Center. Please become familiar
with this material so that you will know what responsibilities the Childrens Center assumes in
the event of such an emergency.

After an Earthquake
The children will be evacuated from classrooms to our emergency area outside as quickly as
possible. Roll call will be taken at that time. All children and staff will be kept on campus with
gates secured until everyone is accounted for. Please try not to call the school. Leave phones for
emergency use only! Your children will only be released to parents, guardians, or other adults
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named on the emergency information sheet. To pick up the children, parents should report to the
gate between the 11th Street parking lot and Bike land. A signature will be required before any
student is released. We will record the time and to whom each child is released.
Parents who are unable to reach the Childrens Center may be assured that the staff will care for
their child. If for any reason the need for childcare exceeds the limits of our plan, your child will
be taken to the nearest Red Cross Evacuation Center where Childrens Center staff will remain
with the child until contact with the family has been made. Early Bird Learning Center is
prepared to shelter and feed the entire Childrens Center for a period of 24 to 72 hours when
earthquake kits are purchased.

Earthquake Kit
Earthquake Kits include a blanket, water, food, minimal first aid and a light stick. As part of the
enrollment process you are asked to purchase an emergency kit. The shelf life of this kit is 5 years. When
you give your 30 day notice to leave the school, you may request your childs earthquake kit at the same
time.
If you choose to make your own instead of purchasing a school earthquake kit, please place the following
items in your kit: 3 days of non-perishable food, water, a warm blanket, a light, a poncho, and Band-Aids.
Please label the kit with your childs first and last name in large easily to see print.

Clothing
Please have your child wear play clothes that are comfortable and easy for your child to handle,
as we do encourage the children to do as much for themselves as possible. (Jumpsuits and some
belts are particularly hard to get undone). Dresses and party clothes hinder your childs play, and
may catch on play equipment. Sandals that are not enclosed around the toe, and which do not
have a strap around the heel are not permitted. We do not recommend children wear crocks to
run in because the children tend to fall more. We recommend that the children wear sneakers, or
shoes that enclose the whole foot, as children ride bikes, kick balls, and play on concrete in
Bikeland.
Please keep one complete change of clothes on hand, including socks in childs cubby. Mark all
your childs clothing with their name, especially on jackets. This helps avoid mix-ups!

Toys and Books

Your child may bring one soft stuffed animal to use during naptime. There should be no loose
buttons or strings that may come off and pose a safety hazard. Please do not allow your child to
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bring toys, jewelry, candy, or gum to school for safety reasons. Your child may bring books
pertaining to the unit the class is studying. Be sure they are approved by the teacher first and
clearly marked with the childs name. If items are brought to school, we cannot be responsible if
they are lost and/or broken. Under no circumstances will we allow guns, knives, or other toys of
destruction at the school.

Protection from Cold and Heat

At Early Bird Learning Center we encourage parents to provide additional warm and cool clothes
that are suitable for the weather conditions. We have a school heater to help protect against the
cold air as well as ceiling and portable fans to help with maintaining a comfortable environment
in hot conditions. Our outside areas have UV protective shades to help protect against heat.
We administer sunscreen at Early Bird Learning Center. Please complete an authorization for
sunscreen form and give it to your childs teacher.

Drinking Water
All drinking fountains at EBLC are filtered and maintained monthly. Filters are changed every 4
months or more if necessary. We also provide cold water from sparkletts on both playgrounds for
children to enjoy.
Immunizations
Your childs health is our concern. Upon enrollment, the State of California requires each child
to have an original health form signed by a physician, containing a record of current
immunizations and tuberculosis (TB) clearance. No faxes or copies will be accepted! EBLC can
only accept the original physicians report given upon enrollment which must be signed and
completed by the physician.
All immunizations must be updated before a child may start their first day of school.
All children currently enrolled who do not receive up-to-date vaccinations will be asked to leave
the school until files are current.

Vaccination Update: Chicken Pox

In 2001, California State Law updated immunization requirements to include the Varicella
(Chicken Pox) vaccine. All children must receive this vaccination, unless a child is exempt from
vaccinations.
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Allergies
Allergies are common among young children. If your child has an allergy, please discuss this
with the Director and teacher in detail. We will take appropriate precautions to protect your
childs health. All allergies are recorded on a school-wide allergy list to make other teachers
aware of your childs allergy to prevent a child from ingesting a food that they may be allergic
to. All allergies need to be confirmed by a doctor in written form. If an EpiPen or an
antihistamine is necessary to have onsite, a parent will need to complete an authorization to
administer medication form in order to keep the medicine onsite at EBLC.
At EBLC we encourage children to know their limits and what they can and cannot have. We
will work with your child and help continue the education that you practice at home about the
food that is good for their body and the food that may make their body sick.

Medication Release Policy/Procedure

We dispense medication only if it is allergy related or a life threatening situation. Please see the
Director to complete a Medication Authorization Form or use the one attached to the end of this
handbook. This form gives Early Bird Learning Center the authorization to administer
medication to your child. If your child needs any medication that need to be inhaled, such as
albuterol, or a breathing treatment, an additional form will need to be completed a nebulizer
treatment form.
Medication will need to be accompanied by the container from the doctor/pharmacy. Proper
dosage instructions need to be clearly stated on the medication. A doctors note or medication
from a doctors office with the childs name must be clearly printed on the medication that will
need to be administered. If a medication is expired or we do not have a doctors note on file we
will not administer medication. Parents must complete an authorization to administer medication
form before EBLC can administer the medication.

Daily Health Inspections

Teachers at EBLC perform daily health checks of children when being dropped off for school
in the morning or transitioning to another classroom. Children are checked to make sure they
are in good health in order to stay at Early Bird Learning Center and are not contagious. We
believe that it is the parents responsibility to keep their child home if they are not feeling good
in order to stop the spread of infectious diseases. At times children do become ill throughout
their day at Early Bird Learning Center and a parent will be contacted for immediate pick up.

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The State of California also requires a daily health inspection of each child, given by the opening
teacher. The person bringing the child must wait until the inspection is over before leaving the
premises.
The child must be free of symptoms for 24 hours before returning to school.

Fever (above 99 degrees)

If sent home with a fever he/she must remain at home the following day
Has had a cold that is less than 4 days old
He/she has a heavy nasal discharge
Persistent Cough
Vomiting
Diarrhea (this means more than one abnormally loose stool)
Sore throat
Pinkeye (tears, redness of eyelid lining, irritation followed by swelling and discharge
or pus)
Difficult or rapid breathing
Severe itching, scratching of body or scalp
Infected skin patches (crusty, yellow, dry or gummy areas of skin)
Unusual spots or rashes
Headache or stiff neck
Grey or white stool
Unusually dark tea colored urine
Unusual behavior (lethargy, crying, general discomfort or loss of appetite)

Note: You must notify the Pre-School of a childs possible exposure to a communicable
disease.

When a Child Must be Sent Home

Your child will be sent home if any symptoms of illness appear during the day. In such cases,
your child will be immediately isolated from others with the supervision of the Director and you
will be contacted. You must come or make arrangements for someone else to pick up your child
up immediately. We are unable to keep ill children at school for any extended period. If you
decide not to comply with picking your child up in order to keep them healthy and our other
children healthy we may need to dismiss your child from preschool until they are healthy to
return accompanied by a doctor s note.
If a child has a temperature above 100 degrees a parent will be contacted to pick their child up
immediately and will not be able to return to school without a written note from the doctor
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saying they are not contagious or they are fever free for 24 hours or an entire school day. If a
child is sent home mid-day or the beginning of the day they will not be able to return to school
for another school day or 24 hours- not 24 hours from the time they were sent home. We have
this strict policy to ensure that the spread of contagious diseases is minimal in our group care
setting.

Accidental Injury and Reports

We maintain a safe environment for your child, but occasionally minor accidents do occur.
Should your child be involved in an accident in our center, your child will be treated with
contents from the first aid kit, and ice will be applied if necessary. A written report of the
accident will be placed in your childs file folder.
If the accident is serious, or the Director feels a doctor should look at your childs injury, you
will be called to make that determination. If the accident is severe, the director or senior staff
member will call an ambulance to transport your child to the local emergency room for treatment
while another staff member is calling you to meet us there. A report of the accident will be
written and placed in your childs file folder.
Important paperwork: A child may only be transported and treated at a hospital if you have
completed a Treatment of Minor form, which you signed in the Parent Enrollment Packet
before your childs first day of school. If you have any questions regarding this form, please see
the Director.

First Aid Kits

At EBLC we have first aid kits in every room and first aid kits on each playground.

EBLC Food Philosophy

Here at Early Bird Learning Center we believe in providing healthy food for our daily snacks.
We would like to encourage our families and friends at Early Bird Learning Center to provide
healthy lunches for their children to promote proper growth and development. Promoting healthy
eating habits for children will shape healthy futures. There is a huge emphasis on early childhood
education about limited processed food and foods with refined sugar. There are several health
risks and conditions that can evolve from children eating the unhealthy food such as; candy,
potatoes chips, sodas, cookies, and food that contains dyes. At Early Bird Learning Center we
believe that our body is a precious and intricately designed piece of art. We value our bodies and
the children that we are blessed to take care of. Please remember the following tips about healthy
foods.
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EBLC Food Philosophy:

1. Please provide healthy food for your childs lunch- Parents select the food a child
should eat. You can make the lunch with a variety of foods they like as well as provide
foods that they are not familiar with to try. If your child chooses not to eat the food
provided (at lunch time or at home) that is their choice. Do not provide several
choices for your child in order for them to eat; they will eat if they are hungry.
2. Please provide healthy alternative snacks for classroom parties3. If your child has allergies, please provide alternative food
4. Birthday party food needs to be healthy alternatives. Please check with the director
for more information or clarification.
5. Please use other methods to reward your child such as praising them with words and
not candy or food
6. At EBLC we eat family-style. We believe that meal time should be an enjoyable
time as well as educational. Children will eat more and make healthier choices when
they eat with someone they trust and someone who eats with them.
7. Please remember that we are a community of friends and families that desires the best
for every child
8. Please make sure that food brought to preschool to be shared with other children is
store bought.
9. Please provide an ice pack in your childs lunch box to ensure the preservation of the
food.
At home and food with your child:
1. Parents choose the food: Please provide healthy food for your child. Parents select
the food a child should eat. If your child chooses not to eat the food provided (at
home) that is their choice. Do not provide several choices for your child in order for
them to eat; they will eat if they are hungry.
2. Parents decide the time and place to eat: Parents have the opportunity to give a child
the best times to eat for the child to recognize when they are hungry as well as the
best place to eat. Food should be eaten when sitting down to prevent choking. Parents
need to model this expectation. Children should not be permitted in the car because
they need to understand that eating is to fuel our bodies and our bodies are delicate
and there is no reason to rush. Meal time should be an opportunity to spend some
time with your child.
3. Parents and eating with your child: Parents can eat with their child and make the
eating experience enjoyable and children will tend to eat more and healthier when
they eat with people they trust.

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The following are some things to remember:

Children will eat when they are hungry. Allow for breaks and opportunities to come
back and eat.
Children will learn to eat different foods and learn to like different foods
Children will change their mind about foods that they like

Snack
At EBLC we serve nutritious and well balanced snacks for all children in our care. Mid-morning
and following the afternoon naptime, the pre-school provides a snack for all the children. Two of
the four food groups will be represented at each snack. See Parent Board in your childs
classroom for daily posting of menu. Snacks and lunches are given to children at a table that is
size-appropriate. The snacks meet the guidelines for the USDA and the CACFP.

Lunch
Children who are in school during lunchtime need to bring a nutritious lunch and drink or sign
up for the school lunch program. Please limit the amount of sweet food in your childs lunch. It
is difficult for any child to eat a lunch filled with sugar and then to take a nap. Please label the
lunch box or bag with your childs name. Upon request the teacher will gladly heat an item in
your childs lunch. If your child does not finish his lunch, leftovers will be sent home. To help
monitor his/her diet, the following suggestions (next page) were compiled from Vicki Lanskys
book, Feed Me Im Yours and Ellen Satters Book, How To Get Your Kid To EatBut Not Too
Much. We also provide a nutritious lunch at EBLC for an additional cost per month.

Recommended Daily Pattern of Food Groups

Milk 2-8 oz. Cups
Meat 2-3 oz. (fish, poultry, beans, nuts)
Breads 4 servings
Fruits and vegetables 4 servings
Sandwich suggestions: (All three-year old room are peanut-restricted)
Almond butter with jam, raisins, or banana
Cream cheese and jelly
Cream cheese and raisins or other dried fruit
Chopped egg
Ricotta cheese on bagel or bread
Turkey, tuna, chicken or cheese

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 Bread Alternatives:
Pita Bread
Extra thin bread
Mini bagels
Bread sticks and cheese
English muffins
Biscuits
Non-Sandwich items:
Yogurt
Cottage cheese pepped up with fruits or nuts
String Cheese
Hardboiled egg
Chicken patties
Mini pizzas on English muffins
Apples cut, cored, sliced and spread with peanut butter
Leftover pasta with meat
Soup
Sliced cheese and whole wheat crackers
Fruits and vegetables are great substitutes for candy in school lunches
Granola bars and muffins are super for a healthy touch of sweetness.

Ten Keys for Good Discipline

1. Key One:
The Teacher is the Facilitator
The teacher is the most important influence in promoting positive behavior. The
teacher must come across as the person in charge, the authority that needs to be
obeyed, and the one who is constantly there to protect all the children from harm.
If children are to follow the teachers directions, the teacher has to send a message
that is clear and strong: I direct the traffic here. You must follow the rules.
Coming On Straight
This is called being congruent, and it comes from the congruent triangle in
geometry. In the triangle, all three sides are equal. With the teacher, the voice,
emotions, and body language must match, and so give a straight message children
cannot miss.
A teacher, who uses a soft, hesitant voice, looks nowhere in particular and says I
think you better come in now, will not budge the children who want to continue

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playing outside. The teacher who speaks firmly, has strong eye contact, and says
clearly, It is time to come in, will command a better response from children.

There is a time for the soft voice, which is when the room is out of control and no
one is listening. When the classroom is in chaos, the soft voice, remarkably, gains
more response than a yelling one. Still, the teacher who has strong eye contact and
a firm manner may have a soft voice that carries a clear message. Nap time is
always a difficult time, and not all teachers are the ones whose convincing voice
and manner indicate to children that there is to be no choice: You must be quiet
and rest. Many teachers speak in an uncertain way, as if they were not sure of
their authority. Or they may fail to get eyeball-to-eyeball with the child who is
resisting. Children know who means business, and who does not. The most
effective teachers say with total firmness, You may stay awake, but your head
and feet must touch the mat and you may not make any noise. (Try staying
awake with those rules!) Rituals of reading stories, playing classical music, and
giving soothing back rubs also help naptime.
Avoid Labels
A second part of being congruent is using I messages and avoiding labels. I
plus a feeling work: Im angry, Im worried, or Im concerned you may get
hurt, leaves a childs dignity intact. You are plus a label is damaging to a child.
Saying, You are not minding, you dont care about other people, you are
careless is to pin a label on a child. Labels become permanently attached, and
soon the child begins to act out the label by always not minding, not caring about
others, or being careless. (How often were we told in childhood that we were lazy,
and then began to punish ourselves because we thought we werent pushing
ourselves enough?)

With discipline, the message is always I like you. I dont like your behavior.
Then the childs sense of self is left intact.
2. Key Two:
Democracy Works
The talking discipline or democratic techniques of helping children think about
their behavior and solve problems by themselves is the best way of helping
children develop their social skills in preschools. Yet, everyday teachers are using
behavior modification techniques to control behavior.
Behavior modification is to give approval for correct behavior and punishment (a
glaring look can be punishment) for negative behavior.

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The theory behind behavior modification (or learning theory) is to first constantly
give a reward for the behavior that is to be established, and to punish or ignore the
behavior to be extinguished. This treatment does not work for all behaviors. It
might be successful, for instance, with a child who has got into a careless habit of
touching children as he walks by, or to silence a child who is constantly
interrupting the teacher. These methods will not work on a child whose behavior
is rooted in an emotional problem, or who is acting out because of a need for
attention.
In behavior modification theory, rewards (tokens, stars, etc.) are given for the
correct behavior. At first the rewards are constant, for instance, every hour. Then
they are given from time to time, once or twice a day. Later, material rewards are
phased out for psychological ones (a smile, pat on the head, or words of
approval.) In the end there are no rewards because the child is supposed to have
internalized the right behavior and behaves properly because it makes him feel
good. It has been called the gold star or M and M (candy) theory.
Cathy was 4 and still wetting her pants. Her parents made up a chart. The first
day Cathy was given a gold star at school for every half-hour that she kept dry.
The next day this was extended to an hour, and the third day one star was
awarded for the morning and another for the afternoon. The next week stars were
awarded only on Tuesday and Thursday. By then Cathy had successfully changed
her wetting behavior, and her parents rewarded as promised with a two-wheeler
bike.
It can be argued that Cathy was almost ready to stay dry on her own, or maybe it
was the focused attention of the parents and reminders of the staff that won the
day. It doesnt matter in this case because it succeeded.
The real problem with behavior modification is that teachers forget to pay
attention and comment on good behavior. Steve, who is always annoying other
children, gets negative attention from the teacher when he is acting out. (Steve,
stop that!) This is to reward Steve for his negative behavior. The teacher forgets
to reward him with attention the times that he is keeping his hands to himself.
Another problem with this technique is that it has been used in destructive ways.
Children have been shamed for their behavior, which is not only unnecessary but
can leave emotional scars. The worst error with this theory is that children can
respond to external rewards, but internally they have not changed their behavior
patterns.

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The classic story of behavior modification involves the four-year-old boy whose
mother said, if you take the trash out every day Ill give you a gold star. On the
third day the little boy said, Mommy, you take out the trash and you keep the
gold star.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Time out is based on behavior modification, which may help account for the fact
that it doesnt work.
Key Three:
Using Positives, Not Negatives
Discipline is accomplished more easily with the use of positives, not negatives.
Do is more effective than Dont. Positive methods help the medicine go down
more easily, and the childrens response is more rewarding. There is, besides, a
whole group of children whose favorite method of behaving is to do what has
expressly been forbidden. Positive methods certainly need to include mention of
consequences, which do have meaning for a child. For example, If you continue
to spill the paint, youll have to leave the easel area.
Key Four:
A Good Role Model
Teachers need to be the role model for good discipline. When teachers express
their anger in a quiet and constructive way, or explain about other peoples
feelings, their nurturing and caring will demonstrate the proper way to treat other
people. These attitudes on the teachers part will help children acquire good
socialization skills without any direct teaching involved.
Key Five:
Help Children Solve Their Own Problems
Children need to be coached in problem solving because they usually do not know
how to settle problems verbally. The use of fists and feet seems to come more
naturally. Saying to a child, I feel sad when Bobby is hurt doesnt solve the
problem. Explaining instead, If you could ask for a turn, we would all feel better.
Lets practice how you would ask for a turn next time, will get better results.
And if next time Bobby wont give him a turn, give the child new instructions.
Take this truck to Bobby and ask if hell trade. Problem solving is both a
cognitive and creative skill, and children can learn how to do this. Let children
dictate stories, use puppets, or play with dolls to gain an understanding of how to
solve problems of sharing and caring. Many books for children describe how
problems have been resolved, and serve as role models for young children.
Key Six:
Containing Emotions
Be aware of the child who is becoming emotionally overcharged. For instance, the
police department often has maps of a city, with red pins for the danger areas
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where accidents frequently occur. Put red pins in your mind on the playground
or other danger spots. Some children are already dangerous drivers, and have
higher levels of angry responses than others.
7. Key Seven:
Encourage Dramatic Play
Since socio-dramatic play is considered the best way for children to acquire
socialization skills, teachers who encourage this type of play are allowing children
to master their ability to relate to others.
Of all the curriculum plans teachers devise, one of the best tools for learning is
dramatic play. Here children learn to understand their world, rehearse adult
roles, release their fears, and acquire not only cognitive but also social and
emotional skills. Dramatic play is the great curriculum for children under five.
While dramatic play is an activity in which the teacher does not usually
participate, the childs understanding may be helped as the teacher asks, How do
you think the Daddy felt about that? or How do you think the Mommy feels
when you go to school? Attentive and responsive adults can be helpful in
bringing real learning to the play situation.
8. Key Eight:
Transition Time
Changing activities or having the group move from outside to inside, is a time
when children frequently go out of control. In order to help transition times more
successful plan routines carefully. A pre-warning system always helps.
In five minutes it is time to come in. In three minutes it is time to come in. NOW
it is time to come in.
Children have their own sense of time, which has little to do with the adult time
clock. One of the problems of group care is the schedule: so much time indoors,
so much time outdoors, then stop everything for juice and crackers. Children do
better when they are able to indicate when they would like to change activities.
(As adults, we often resent interruptions, particularly those we dont anticipate.)
In respecting childrens needs, it is important that routines do not get in the way
of the childs real work, which may be to finish a dramatic play activity or
complete a tower of blocks. Time needs to be flexible to help children get the
most out of their preschool experience. Teachers need to remember to offer
organized ways for children to clean up the classroom. A well-organized
classroom will be a less chaotic classroom. All teachers should model appropriate
cleaning up for children but should NOT do it for them. As early childhood
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educators we are teaching them life skills such as being responsible and taking
care of their belongings. Cleaning up for children is not developmentally
appropriate practices.
9. Key Nine:
Plan curriculum
Each teacher builds curriculum based on the childrens interest level and suits the
developmental abilities of all children. The teacher will use curriculum that is
emergent and fresh based on the children in the classrooms interest level and
developmental level.
10. Key Ten:
The Fruit of the Spirit
Love: Showing people you care about them, whether you like them or not
Joy: Being happy when you cant have your own way or do what you want
Peace: Being quiet, not fussing, and not being afraid
Patience: Being able to wait for something or wait your turn without complaining
Kindness: Helping others and being friendly
Faithfulness: Taking care of your things, doing what you know is right, and
keeping your promises
Gentleness: Being nice, soft, careful with people, animals, and toys
Self-Control: Doing what God wants, not doing what you want when you know it
is wrong

Diaper Changing
In our infant and toddler and two year old classrooms children are not potty trained or fully potty
trained.
Diapering happens when a child has soiled their diaper. Diapers are checked every hour or more
as needed and changed as needed.
Two year old children are encouraged to help in the diapering procedure. If a child has a BM
they are changed near the restroom and are cleaned by bending over and putting their hands
towards the ground on a covered surface. The child is encouraged to sit on the toilet after being
changed to promote/ encourage toilet training.
1. Diapers are check every hour or more on an as-needed basis
2. Diapers are to be changed every two hours regardless of wet or dry due to children
sweating
3. Diapers are changed in designated diaper changing areas on a mat for children not being
potty trained
4. Food is not permitted in diaper changing areas

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5. Examination paper is used during diapering and discarded after each use. Examination
paper is to be changed before each diaper is changed per child.
6. Diapering areas are sanitized and disinfected after each use
7. The care giver and the child wash their hands after each diaper change and the caregiver
uses gloves during diapering and changes gloves for each child
8. Waste baskets are lined with a plastic bag and designated for diaper waste only
9. Diaper waste is taken out mid-day to eliminate odor in the classrooms
10. Toys and/or pacifiers are not allowed during diaper changing
11. A daily activity sheet is filled out for each child in the infant and toddler and two year old
classrooms

Precautions for Communal Water Play

At Early Bird Learning Center we strive to have a clean and healthy environment for every child
in our care. When children are enjoying our sensory water tables we have certain guidelines in
place to assure that children will not spread infectious diseases.
Guidelines:
1. Children are asked to wash their hands before and after communal water play
2. Children are not allowed or encouraged to drink from the water table.
3. Children who have sores on their hands will not be permitted to participate in
communal water play.
4. Water is changed to fresh water between groups
5. The water from the water table is drained daily

Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting

At Early Bird Learning Center Teachers clean and sanitize the following:
Countertops
Sink
Toilet seats
Trash cans
Carpets
Toys
At Early Bird Learning Center we have a janitorial service that comes and cleans our facility 5
days a week.

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At EBLC we use a diluted bleach water solution to clean and sanitize our classrooms and
kitchens. All surfaces are cleaned with a diluted bleach solution that follows the following
formula:

1 tablespoon of bleach with 1 quart of water or cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water

All staff members are trained on how to properly make the bleach solution to clean, sanitize, and
disinfect. All cleaning solutions at EBLC are non-toxic. Toys are washed weekly or as needed; if
they are soiled or put into the mouth of children. Children as well as teachers help to clean toys
with soap and water.

Infant Room
Sleeping
Infants are always put to sleep on their backs to avoid Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, until the
child turns one-year-old, or is developmentally ready to be placed in a different position (for
example, if the infant can comfortably roll onto their back from their stomach).
What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexpected, sudden death of a child under
age 1 in which an autopsy does not show an explainable cause of death.
Prevention
Revised American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) guidelines, released in October 2005,
recommend the following:
Always put a baby to sleep on his back. (This includes naps.) DO NOT put a baby
to sleep on his stomach. Side sleeping is unstable and should also be avoided.
Allowing the baby to roll around on its tummy while awake can prevent a flat
spot (due to sleeping in one position) from forming on the back of the head.
Only put babies to sleep in a crib. NEVER allow the baby to sleep in bed with
other children or adults, and do NOT put them to sleep on surfaces other than
cribs, like a sofa.
Let babies sleep in the same room (NOT the same bed) as parents. If possible, a
babys cribs should be placed in the parents' bedroom to allow for night-time
feeding.
Avoid soft bedding materials. Babies should be placed on a firm, tight-fitting crib
mattress with no comforter. Use a light sheet to cover the baby. Do not use
pillows, comforters, or quilts.
Make sure the room temperature is not too hot. The room temperature should be
comfortable for a lightly-clothed adult. A baby should not be hot to the touch.

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Offer the baby a pacifier when going to sleep. Pacifiers at naptime and bedtime
can reduce the risk of SIDS. Doctors think that a pacifier might allow the airway
to open more, or prevent the baby from falling into a deep sleep. A baby that
wakes up more easily may automatically move out of a dangerous position. If the
baby is breastfeeding, it is best to wait until 1 month before offering a pacifier, so
that it doesnt interfere with breastfeeding. Do not force a baby to use a pacifier.
Do not use breathing monitors or products marketed as ways to reduce SIDS. In
the past, home apnea(breathing) monitors were recommended for families with a
history of the condition. But research found that they had no effect, and the use of
home monitors has largely stopped.

Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002533/

Solid Food
In order to avoid choking and/or digestive discomfort, the following foods will not be served to
infants in the Rainbow Fish Room:
Gum
Citrus
Popcorn
The following fruit: whole grapes, strawberries, melon balls, tomatoes, cherries
The following vegetables: raw celery, raw mushrooms, carrots (raw vegetable are
discouraged)
Whole beans
Hot dog slices
Candy
Marshmallows
Nuts and seeds
Peanut butter
Raw or undercooked eggs
Raw sprouts
Honey
Meats such as hot dogs, sausage, bacon, bologna, salami, luncheon meats, other cured
meats, fried meats, and the fat and skin trimmed from meats, as well as breaded meats a
discouraged because they are not designed by their manufacturers for consumption by
infants
An example of a snack is puffs of mum-mum. We serve snacks at the lead teachers discretion.
Infants and toddlers are given snack, if approved by the lead teacher, after the child has eaten his
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main meal, or between meals. Studies have shown that when children replace nutritious food
with sugar rich foods they will develop unhealthy eating patterns in the future. Infants and
toddlers have brand new palates therefore teachers and parents need to be introducing healthy
foods so they crave good, nutritious, and delicious foods. To learn more about infant and toddlers
health please visit www.kidshealth.org.
When the child is developmentally ready, recommended solid finger foods include:
Home-prepared cooked vegetables; asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, green
beans, green peas, kohlrabi, plantain, potatoes, summer or winter squash, and sweet
potatoes
Soft and ripe home-prepared fruits; apricots, avocado, bananas, cantaloupe, mango,
melon, nectarines, papaya, peaches, pears, and plums. Stewed pitted dried fruits can be
pureed or mashed. Apples, pears, and dried fruits usually need to be cooked in order to be
pureed or mashed easily
Cheese in strips or slices for infants 8 months and older
Bread and crackers: whole grain or enriched bread in encouraged
References: (1) Sizer, F. & Whitney, E. (2008) Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies. Thomson
& Wadsworth, United States. (2) USDA (2012), A Guide for Use in the Child Nutrition Programs
found at http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/resources/feeding_infants.pdf

Diaper Changing
1. Get supplies ready before changing a child (sanitizing paper, gloves, diaper, wipes,
cream, plastic bag). Use new gloves for every child.
2. To avoid diseases such as hand, foot and mouth, please do not allow pacifiers or toys in
the diaper changing area
3. Place child on a clean changing table
4. Keep hands on the child at all times
5. Clean childs bottom from front to back with a fresh wipe
6. If needed, apply diaper cream using small wipe with new glove
7. Dirty diapers go in plastic bag with used wipes and gloves. If BM, diapers are double
bagged.
8. Take off glove and throw it away
9. Put clean diaper on child
10. Wipe childs hand with sanitizing wipe and remove child from changing table
11. Wash your hands with soap and water
12. Disinfect table with disinfectant solution (located in cubby above table)
13. Wash hands again with soap and water

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Emergency Kit
Supplies should be enough to last 2-3 days

Extra diapers
Extra wipes
Food/Formula
2 extra bottles
2 sets of extra clothes in a plastic bag

Family Involvement
Visitation
We have an open door policy and parents are welcome at any time to come for a visit.

Classroom Assistance
Parents are welcome to stay and observe or help out with classroom activities. Parent volunteers
are always appreciated, especially on field trips, special events and classroom parties. If you
have some free time and would like to volunteer, please let the Director or teacher know. We
welcome your assistance and encourage volunteerism. Each parent is asked to complete 10 hours
of volunteer hours at the school per year.

Annual Giving Fund

Our Annual Giving Fund is a time for each family to give monetarily in order to support Early
Bird Learning Center. The annual giving fund helps with teacher workshops, beautification of
the playgrounds and classrooms, and maintenance and upgrades for the building. We ask that
each family to give at their level and ability of giving. We would like each family to be a part in
this project. Thank you for the support.

Room Parent
Each room will assign a room parent for the school year by the end of September. A room parent
will be responsible for organizing food for parent meetings, presenting ideas to parents at the
parent meetings, and organizing an email list and phone list for classroom contact purposes that
will be distributed to each family. A room parent is like a cheerleader for the room. An ideal
room parent is someone who is excited about school functions, their childs classroom, and
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making contact with other parents; by providing a sense of community to their room. A room
parent works closely with the teachers of the classroom they represent and is a team player. A
room parent will also be asked to be a part of the planning committee for school-wide events/
functions, by the director, throughout the year. If you are interested in becoming a room parent
please see your childs teachers.

Parent Meetings
Parent meetings may be held every month or when most parents are available in each room.
Parent meetings are for all parents of each room to attend. The function of the parent meeting is
to connect with each other about areas of greatness and areas that could use improvement.
Teachers can attend these meeting and should be invited by the room parent. Parent meeting do
not have to take place at EBLC. Parent meetings are to be informative, uplifting, and appropriate
critique and impute. Parent meetings are also designed to build a sense of community amongst
the families in that classroom.

Volunteer Hours
All parents are expected to complete a total of ten volunteer hours every traditional school year
(September to June). The summer months are not designated for completing parent volunteer
hours. If parents need to complete these hours in summer please speak to the Director. Parent
volunteer hours are for completing a job from a list organized by the director, staff, and
preschool board. Please see the director before volunteering hours to obtain a sign off sheet or
log your hours from the EBLC website under the parent corner tab.
Communication
Open communication between parents, teachers, and the Director is absolutely essential to your
childs success at Early Bird Learning Center. Besides several forms of written communication
and conferences, the staff will make themselves available upon appointment only. If you have a
concerns or comments, please let the Director know. We will always do our best to address your
concerns. Naturally, we also love to receive your compliments. If you are pleased, let us know
that as well. The teachers work very hard, and a little pat on the back goes a long way in letting
them know that their efforts are appreciated.
All concerns that are not resolved by the teacher must go through the Director. Unfortunately,
the Director may not always be available. In this case, please contact the school office to set up
an appointment. This will insure the Directors availability to you with no interruptions. We
request you not share the problem with anyone else on the staff, only the Director.

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Email
All teachers have access to the parents via email any time during the day to set up conferences on
an as needed basis rather than wait for the bi-annual conference. Conferences are conducted as
often as possible in order to modify curriculum so each child feels success at EBLC.

Newsletters, Memos, and Correspondence

A monthly newsletter will be sent home at the beginning of each month and/or via email. This is
our main form of communication. Memos or correspondence from the Director will be
distributed periodically. It is the responsibility of each parent to check their childs file folder for
information from the school as well as our website.

Daily Happenings and Curriculum at EBLC

The teachers in each classroom will post forms on the parent board, reporting the groups
activities and special happenings of the day either daily or weekly. This provides a convenient,
quick way for you to be informed of your childs daily activities and a useful way to initiate
conversation with your child on the drive home. Curriculum newsletters are distributed monthly
or quarterly depending on the program your child is in. The master calendar also highlights
enrichment programs for the year. Please visit our website at for more information.

Parent/Teacher Conferences
We have implemented the ASQ or the Ages and Stages Questionnaire at EBLC in the spring of
2009. Before our conferences in the Fall/Winter the parents and the teachers (of the child) are
asked to complete the questionnaire.
At the end of every conference we provide the parents with an evaluation or progress form for
their records.
Formal parent conferences are held twice a year to discuss your childs progress in our program.
But if at any time you would like to meet with the teacher, just make an appointment with her to
discuss your child.

Parent Resources
Literature
At EBLC we have a parent/ teacher resource library located in the directors office for teachers
and parents to check out books that interest them about various topics.

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Parenting Classes/Strategies
Teachers at EBLC use their knowledge obtained from books, school, workshops, and visiting
other preschools in order to help parents learn different parenting strategies. Parenting classes are
offered at EBLC throughout the year depending on parent interest. EBLC also give parents
information about other parenting classes in the surrounding areas. EBLC is dedicated in
assisting parents in being more effective parents by developing their innate skills. The director at
EBLC also has an open door policy for parents to meet with her and discuss any issues or
concerns they may have with their child. The director at EBLC will assist the parents in
developing a parenting plan that suites their life and will work for them. The director of EBLC
will also set up private parenting consultation classes with a credentialed teacher in Early
Childhood Development to find strategies that work for the parent and their child.

Parent Incentives
Referral Fee
For referring new families that enroll and pay their first months tuition the family that referred
the new family to Early Bird Learning Center will receive $50.00 off their next months tuition.

Late Night
Early Bird Learning Center hosts a Late night event during the summer, fees vary paid in cash,
that night, to the teacher providing care. Dinner and fun activities are included.

Tuition Discount
3 spots are reserved for families to receive a 5% discount if they choose to pay their tuition 1
year in advance. One year is considered September to June.

EBLC Evaluation
EBLC encourages parent input through formal and informal communication. Parents may email
the Director or stop by the office to discuss any concerns or issues. Parents may also go to the
school website and fill out either the parent evaluation or parent comment forms under the
parent corner heading.

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Parent Responsibilities

A current updated immunization record. New immunizations must be recorded and

reported to EBLC as they are given.
Once a year provide a current updated Child Information Sheet or when a change occurs.
Provide any changes in personal address or phone numbers at home or work immediately.
Two complete changes of clothes labeled with name and placed in a labeled Ziploc bag
(one set for the earthquake kit and one set for their cubby).
Provide a (child size) washed crib sheet and blanket every Monday morning.
A healthy lunch your child likes or sign up for the school lunch. We do not force your
child to eat.
Provide a one-month notice in writing when leaving the preschool, to retain your deposit.
Tuition is due on the first of every month. Any payment after the 5th of the month will be
billed an additional 10% of your total tuition. If tuition is not paid by the 10th working
day, your child will be discharged and may not have guarantee of a held space when
payment is made in full. Tuition is non-refundable.
Medication will be given only in an emergency, for example asthma or in a lifethreatening situation. (Please complete the appropriate forms for administering
medication)
Signing In/Out in the classroom it becomes a legal document. You must sign the sign in
and out sheet in your childs classroom, failure to do so will incur a charge of $6.00.
Your child should be clean and dressed appropriately for play and the weather.
Respect the teacher and the class rules. Children should not be dropped off later than 9:30
am, unless you have received permission from the Director. If you need to speak to the
teacher, make an appointment. If you are having a conversation with teachers at 9:30 am,
please converse outside the classroom to be considerate of the other children. Long
conversations are not permitted with teachers without scheduling an appointment.
Teachers have an obligation to the children.
Never be alone with any child other than your own at EBLC.
If your child is not in the presence of a teacher, your child must be in your sight or
holding your hand.
You are not allowed to be at EBLC without your child unless authorized by the Director.
You may not bring a sick child to school (see sick guidelines).
Upon arrival of your child, the teachers will determine if your child is sick.
If you bring food for the children in your classroom, it must be store-bought and a
healthy food choice (see food philosophy).
Parents are expected to be appropriate to children and parents at Early Bird Learning
Center.

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Parents are expected to be committed to communicating and to be positive about problem

solving as well as presenting tangible and appropriate ideas to the teachers and director.
Parents are expected to attend the parent teacher conferences held in the fall and spring.

Proper Pet Care

Ants

Tip #1 - Putting the ants into the Observatory: If you have a narrow opening in the top of
your observatory you will probably want to roll a piece of paper into a funnel shape that
you can pour the ants through down into the observatory. Ants are cold blooded so they
slow down when they get cold. Place the ants in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes to
slow them down before you dump them into the observatory. This will make it easier and
safer to get the ants into their new home.
Tip #2 Water: To give better care to your ants give them a few drops of water every
day. Don't make their sand so wet that water pools up on top and they drown in it, but do
give them a few drops every day. To give your ants an extra boost of energy and a real
treat they will love, mix a pinch of sugar in a teaspoon of water and give it to the ants
once a week.
Tip #3 Food: The best foods for harvester ants are small pieces of fresh fruits and
vegetables. Celery, Apple, Lettuce, work real well because they are not real "mushy" and
sticky. Don't overfeed the ants. They only need 2 or 3 small pieces every two days. After
two days if the food has not been completely eaten remove it. This will keep mold from
growing in the habitat that could harm your ants. Another good thing to feed ants is sugar
water as in Tip #2.
Tip #4 Temperature: Temperature is a big factor in how long your ants live. Ants will
live longer in a cool room at temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees. Don't keep the ants in a
place where they are hit by direct sunlight as this will cause the temperature inside the ant
habitat to rise.

Info obtained from http://www.infowest.com/life/anttips.htm

Birds

Housing: Always buy the largest, most well-constructed cage you can afford. No matter
the species, your bird will need a cage thats large enough for her to stretch her wings and
fly short distances. A typical cage for small birds should be about 25 inches tall and 25
inches from front to back. To prevent escape or injury, the bars on the cage should only
be .4 inches aparta little larger than the tips of your fingers. Note that canaries and
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finches prefer a cage thats wider than it is taller, while parakeets and cockatiels like tall
cages with horizontal bars they can climb. And dont forget perches, please! Youll need
to install several, at varying heightsand do make sure that one is level with the food
dishes. Line the bottom of the cage with plain paper or paper bags cut to size. Newspaper
is fine, as long as its been printed with non-toxic, soy-based inks. Youll need to change
the paper daily. Where should you set up your birds new home? Location is everything.
Place the cage in a warm, bright part of the house, close to where the action is but away
from all drafts and direct sunlight, and off the floor. Avoid setting up the cage in or near
the kitchen at all costs. Birds are extremely sensitive to fumes and those from selfcleaning ovens and Teflon-coated cookware, if overheated, can be fatal.
Diet: Although seed has been the traditional staple of a birds diet, most experts
recommend pelleted food as the way to go. Seed mixes provide variety, but they do not
always provide optimum nutrition, and are definitely on the messy side. We recommend
a high-quality pelleted food thats formulated for your birds species. Be sure to offer
fresh veggies and fruits to your bird every day. Dark, leafy greens are packed with
vitamins, and many birds also enjoy carrots and broccoli. Common fruity faves are
apples, pears, melon and kiwi. Take care to remove any uneaten food after a couple of
hours, and please do not give your bird avocado, cherry pits, rhubarb or apple seeds.
Fresh, cold water should be available at all times. Change it at least once a day,
preferably twice.
Exercise and Toys: If your cockatiel or budgie has been properly tamed and trained,
shell need at least an hour of exercise out of the cage in a safe, enclosed room every day.
She may just want to hang out on your shoulder, or enjoy the time to explore. Be sure to
always secure the room first by shutting all windows and doors, and cover any windows
or mirrors so your bird cannot accidentally fly into them. Even though finches and
canaries do not take to handling and do not need time out every day, they will appreciate
a revolving selection of toysas do cockatiels and budgies. Small birds may enjoy
ladders, swings and mirrors with bells, and wooden chew toys are great for keeping beaks
trimmed. Check out whats available at the pet supply store, and just make sure that the
toys you select are safe and appropriate for your birds size and species. They should be
labeled accordingly, but dont hesitate to ask if you are unsure.
General Care: A thorough cleaning of your pets cage is required once weekly. Remove
and wash the cage tray and perches, and wash the area around the cage. Make sure all
toys are clean and damage-free, without loose or broken parts that could hurt your pet.
Once a month, youll need to clean the entire cage with a disinfectant solution. Rinse
well, and dry everything before returning your bird to his cage. If you have a budgie or
cockatiel, you can begin to hand tame your bird after the first few weeks of getting
acquainted. First, open the cage door and insert your hand; talk softly and reassuringly to
your pet as you offer him a little treat, such as a piece of air-popped popcorn or a
sunflower seed. Be patient, this may take a few sessions! Once your bird trusts you
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enough to take food from your hand, you can pass a perch or thin stick into the cage and
gently press it against your pet; with time, he should hop up onto the stick. After that, you
can work to get your bird to step from the stick onto your finger. You can help keep your
pets plumage looking perfect with a bath as often as he likes it. Put a shallow dish at the
bottom of the cage and see what happens. Youll probably want to schedule bath time just
before you plan to change the paper, however.
Veterinary Care: To keep your bird in good condition, ASPCA experts recommend an
annual visit to the veterinarian. Weight loss or gain, often an indicator of illness, will be
checked, and any necessary tests can help the vet monitor your pets health. Please dont
wait to schedule an appointment if you think your pet is sick. A bird who is not feeling
well may fluff out his feathers or sit quietly on the floor of his cage with his eyes closed.
Other symptoms that somethings not right with your pet include a change in the
consistency, frequency or color of droppings, sneezing, coughing, blocked nostrils,
labored breathing and a crusty beak or eyes.
Bird Supply Checklist
Well-constructed cage, at least 25 inches tall, wide and deep, with several perches
High-quality pelleted food
Species-appropriate safe toys (lots of em!)
Plain paper or non-toxic newspaper for cage bottom.

Info obtained from: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/small-pet-care/bird-care.html

Fish

Provide the beneficial bacteria space and time to grow.

Start your aquarium with only one or two goldfish.
Avoid overcrowding your goldfish.
Do not over-feed your goldfish! Remove any food that your goldfish haven't consumed
within a few minutes.
Use a good water filter in the goldfish aquarium.
Use a good air pump in the goldfish aquarium. Bacteria thrive best in oxygenated water.
Regularly change approximately 25% of the water in your goldfish aquarium every one
or two weeks.
Monitor the level of ammonia and nitrites in the goldfish aquarium.
Info obtained from: http://www.goldfish-care.com/goldfish_care.php

Snails
1.

Keep your pet snail in a moist environment. Use an old plastic or glass aquarium and
cover the top with a wire mesh. Make sure the environment is moist but not wet.
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2. Use simple garden soil or peat for the bottom of the tank. Bake it first to remove all
bacteria.
3. Place rocks, bark, leaves or pieces of a broken clay pot around the snail's tank. Snails like
to hide under something during the day. These items can give them a place to do so.
4. Spray the sides of the tank with water daily or place a shallow dish of water inside the
tank. Make sure the water dish is not too deep.
5. Feed your pet snail a variety of greens: lettuce, garden plant leafs and cabbage are best.
Also, make sure to include plenty of calcium in a snail's diet for their shells.
6. Handle your pet snail with great care. Slide your finger under their bodies to pick them
up. Don't grasp the shell and pick them up that way. Always wash your hands before and
after handling your pet snail.
Info obtained from: http://www.ehow.com/how_2103388_care-pet-snail.html

Developmental Centers
Children are more comfortable and relaxed in well-defined spaces. Within these spaces the
children can be constructively occupied near each other without interference. This classroom
set-up, as opposed to a room where all the furniture is lined up against the wall, discourages
running and boisterous play.

Math

Should include: Scales, dominos, counting, beads and cubes, measuring devices, various
media for shape and size comparisons, number cards and sorters. Lots of things to sort,
match, and count.
Purpose: Mathematical concepts are formulated in daily living as the child encounters
problems of many, how big, and how small. Judgments are based on observations
involving size, shape, quantity, and position of objects. Lots of hands on activities, allow
children to solve problems using concrete materials.

Music

Should include: CD player and age appropriate music, tape recorder and tapes,
percussions, and an open space for moving to the music and rhythms.
Purpose: The child uses their body and learns to express themselves through music. They
learn to hear to different sounds. They listen carefully. They add new words to their
vocabulary.
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Dramatic Play

Should include: Kitchen equipment (stove, sink, refrigerator, cupboard, dishes, pans,
cordless appliances, etc.), dress up clothes, empty food containers, mirror, bed, dolls,
table and chairs, iron and board. There are also props for grocery store, beauty shop,
barber shop, restaurant, post office, and a doctors office.
Purpose: The childs home and family are the biggest part of their world, they spend
much of their time imitating the things they see there. The life of the people they know
and their work, their feelings, and their words. Through this acting out or dramatic play;
children are able to bring together their understanding about the things they learn and
their feelings about the world and themselves.

Science/Sensory

Should include: Animals in a cage or fish in a bowl, plants, balance scales, batteries,
magnets, magnifying glass, experiments (melting ice, planting seeds, water play, etc.),
collectables (birds nest, sea shells, rocks, leaves, caterpillars, etc.).
Purpose: The more children know and understand about their world, the more
independent and confident they become. This center should encourage children to ask
questions, look for answers, and to be aware of what is going on around them.
Experiments, pets, and living plants provide new stimulation for thinking and
communication.

Sound

Should include: Tactile letters, pictures, tangible objects for naming, crayons, pencils and
paper for printing, flannel board, lotto and games. Lots of things to match, sort and
identify.
Purpose: Children experience, explore and recognize the sounds of their world through
hearing, correctly using and progressing to letter recognition and formation. Gives
children a phonetic base and letter identification for future reading skills.

Library

Should include: Childrens books, book shelf, comfortable place to sit (rug, couch, bean
bag chairs), puppets, flannel board, CD player with story tapes. Someone to sometimes
read to a child or listen to a child talk about a story.
Purpose: Children learn the value of reading through many happy experiences with
people and books. Children find that books give them pleasure and information and their
language grows. They begin to tell stories to themselves sometimes using the flannel
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board or puppets. They learn pictures have meaning and that they are able to use pictures
to help tell a story. In these ways, children are getting ready to read themselves.

Gross Motor

Should include: Balance beam, climbing equipment, balls, parachute, and jump ropes.
Purpose: Children are able to play and enjoy experiences while developing their large
muscles and coordination. Gross motor control helps children move toward fine motor
control

Arts and Crafts

Should include: Painting surface, paint, brushes, large paper, easels, table and chairs,
crayons, scissors, glue, clay, playdough, cookie cutters, scraps of cloth and paper,
construction paper, drop cloth, smocks, drying rack, etc.
Purpose: Through different art mediums, children are able to express their feelings and
ideas. They learn that each of us have different ways of working and thinking and learn to
appreciate their individuality. This center should be a balance of crafts, which is more
product oriented art, which is more process oriented. Crafts are fine for helping children
learn to follow directions and coming up with a recognizable finished project to take
home to mom and dad. We must be sure to give children lots of open ended art
experiences that give children complete freedom of expression and limit children only by
their own imagination. Just give them the media and let them create, and praise the effort.
Remember it is not about the product, it is about the process.

Manipulatives

Should include: Puzzles, beads, pegs and boards, matching games, stacking toys, table
blocks, interlocking objects, and collectables.
Purpose: Table toys allow children to test themselves at problem solving. Matching
games let them use their growing ability to see that certain things go together. Puzzles,
beads, pegs and interlocking objects give the child practice in eye-hand coordination.
Number games help the child learn what numbers really stand for by giving them objects
to count and handle.

Language/Listening

Should include: Lotto, matching games, letter and sound identification games, alphabet
puzzle, tape recorder, listening tapes, pictures and books to read and talk about.
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Purpose: This center provides a child with experiences which develop vocabulary,
speaking skills and pre-reading skills. The child will also have opportunities to develop a
proper attitude and skills for good listening. Reading readiness skills such as, left-to-right
progression, discrimination of likeness and difference, size, shape and color.

Blocks

Should include: Large number of unit blocks on low shelves, small boats, cars, trucks,
hollow blocks, smooth boards, people and animal figures, traffic signs, collectable
accessories.
Purpose: Construction with blocks gives the children a chance to think, to plan, to solve
problems and to communicate while they move freely and work with their hands.
Building with blocks helps the children to understand more about size, shape,
comparison, and numbers; while providing opportunities for vocabulary growth and
understanding of people.

Sandtable

Should include: Table can be filled with a variety of materials such as; sand, rice,
oatmeal, flour, cornmeal, water, etc. Add utensils such as; scoops, measuring cups
funnels, spoons, sifters, bowls, measuring spoons, small plastic people or animals, shells,
etc. With water add boats and sink and float objects.
Purpose: To explore the concepts of wright and measure. Increase awareness of volume
and space. Increase motor skills. This is a highly sensory center so as children pour and
scoop and touch and feel the materials in the sandtable, many children are calmed and
soothed by the activity.

Discovery

Should include: Anything and everything, this center is defined by the title and confined
only by your imagination. Can reflect the monthly theme. This area is very open and
diverse and should always be a surprise. One day it could include stamps and stamp pads,
another day it could include pictures to match and sort, a special game, a multicultural
activity, task cards to make a snack, etc.
Purpose: To add extra dimension to the classroom, to have an area that is flexible and
always a surprise. To encourage children to learn and discover new things.

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Forms
Sunscreen Authorization
I give EBLC teachers authorization to apply the sunscreen listed below to my child while at
EBLC. I have put my childs first and last name on their sunscreen.
Name of Sunscreen: _____________________________________________________________
Name of my child: ______________________________________________________________
______________________________
Signature of Parent
______________________________
Date

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Consent for Health Consultation Services at Early Bird Learning Center

At Early Bird Learning Center our continual goal is to be a resource for every child in our care to
help them achieve their developmental potential by offering opportunities to learn and discover
through play, observation, and assessment.
I, __________________________give permission for my child, __________________________
Name of Parent

Name of Child

to participate and receive the services (checked below).

These services will be administered by, __________________________________
_____Observation of child in their classroom
_____Conference with teachers regarding childs safety/ and or behavior
_____Conference with parents/family regarding childs safety/ and or behavior
_____Behavior Assessment
_____Development Assessment
_____Screening in speech, vision, and hearing, etc.
_____Review of developmental progress and health records
_____Other ________________________________________

All documentation and information gathered about the children and families is strictly
confidential and is not shared with any person(s) without written consent. I understand by
signing this form I give permission to share the results of the services to teachers and staff at
Early Bird Learning Center. The information will be shared to understand my childs needs and
strategies will be developed to help meet my childs educational goals while at Early Bird
Learning Center if applicable.

Parent Name: _____________________________________________________

Parent Signature: __________________________________________________Date: ________

California Child Care Health Program (CCPH) www.ucsfchildcarehealth.org

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Medication Authorization
Please fill out the form below for an EBLC employee to administer medication to your child
while in the care of EBLC. EBLC will NOT administer over-the-counter medication if the age of
the child is not specified on the back of the medication. If your child needs to use and inhaler or
have a breathing treatment while at EBLC another form, in addition to this form, is required
before we will administer. In order for an EBLC employee to perform a breathing treatment on a
child, the parent will train the EBLC employee and only trained employees, from the parent,
will be allowed to administer the breathing treatment.
*All medications must have the following in order to be administered by an EBLC employee
(No Exceptions):
Original label from the prescribing physician
Original container from the prescribing physician
Dosage amount is specified on the container from the prescribing physician
Appropriate measure cup/spoon/dropper to administer liquid medication is provided
Childs full name on the medication
Medication is current and not expired
Medication is necessary to be administered at EBLC due to division of dosage times
I, ____________________ (signature of parent) give an employee of EBLC permission to
administer the following medication: __________________________________________
Name of Child: ____________________________________________________________
Date Range: ______________________________________________________________
Times to be administered: ___________________________________________________
Date

Time Given

Amount Given

Employee Signature

*All forms are to be kept with medication in a zip lock bag with first and last name of child on
the zip lock bag in either the front office medication box, the fridge lock box or class designated
location.

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STATE OF CALIFORNIA-HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCAIL SERVICES

COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION

NEBULIZER CARE CONSENT/VERIFICATION

CHILD CARE FACILITIES

This form may be used to show compliance with Health and Safety Code Section 1569.798 before a child
care licensee or staff person administers inhaled medication to a child in care. A copy of the completed
for should be filed in the childs record and in the personnel file. A separate from must be filled out for
each person who administers inhaled medication to the child.

I, ________________________________, give my consent for __________________________,

(PRINT NAME OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE)

(PRINT NAME OF LICENSEE OR STAFF PERSON)

who work(s) at ________________________________________________________________,

(PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS OF CHILD CARE FACILITY

to administer inhaled medication to my child, _________________________, and to contact my childs

(PRINT NAME OF CHILD)
health care provider.
In addition, I certify that I have personally instructed the above-name licensee or staff person on how to
administer inhaled medication to my child.
I have also provided the child care facility with written instructions from my childs physician, or a from
a health care provider working under the supervision of my childs physician (for example, a physicians
assistant, nurse practitioner or registered nurse). These instructions include

Specific indications (such as symptoms) for administering the inhaled medication in accordance with
the physicians prescription.
Potential side effects and expected response.
Dose form and amount to be administered in accordance with the physicians prescription.
Actions to be taken in the event of side effects or incomplete treatment response in accordance with
the physicians prescription. This includes actions to be taken in an emergency.
Instructions for proper storage of the medication.
The telephone number and address of the childs physician.

SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

DATE

ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER

WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER

LIC 9166 (2/01)

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Authorized Pick-up
Please fill out a separate sheet for each individual you are authorizing to pick up your child from
EBLC and write the persons first and last name legibly, thank you.
I (parent name) __________________________ here by give permission for EBLC staff to
release my child (name of child) __________________________________ in to the care of
(name of person picking-up) ___________________________. This permission is
For a day __ __/__ __/__ __
Temporary date range ____________________
Permanently to be add to my childs contact information

______________________________
Parent Signature/Date

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Health and Controlling Infectious Disease Policy Agreement

As a parent at EBLC I understand that I have a responsibility to keep my child home, if the
following symptoms occur, for 24 hours or the next day of school without a doctors note. The
child must be symptom free before returning to school.
1. Runny nose (not clear)
2. Fever above 100 degrees
3. Rash
4. Excessive coughing
5. Discharge from any part of the body
6. Mouth sores
7. Diarrhea

8. Vomiting
15. Any signs of severe illness
9. Infestations
10. Purulent Conjunctivitis
11. Tuberculosis
12. Impetigo
13. Streptococcal
14. Ringworm infection

Physicians Report and Immunizations

Your childs health is our concern. Upon enrollment, the State of California requires each child
to have an original health form signed by a physician, containing a record of current
immunizations and tuberculosis (TB) clearance. No faxes or copies will be accepted! EBLC can
only accept the original physicians report given upon enrollment which must be signed and
completed by the physician. All children currently enrolled who do not receive up-to-date
vaccinations will be asked to leave the school until files are current. Parents may have their
childs immunizations documented on the physicians report or bring their immunization record
to be copied for their childs file.
*All immunizations must be updated before a child may start their first day of school.
Vaccination Update: Chicken Pox
In the year 2001, the California State Law has updated immunization requirements to include the
Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccine. All children must receive this vaccination, unless a child is
exempt from vaccinations.
Allergies
Allergies are common among young children. If your child has an allergy, please discuss this
with the Director and teacher in detail. We will take appropriate precautions to protect your
childs health.
By signing this document I agree as the parent of ________________________to adhere to
Name of Child
the above sick policy at EBLC.

______________________________
Parent Name/Date

______________________________
Parent Signature/Date

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Acknowledgment of Receiving/ Reading

The EBLC Parent Handbook
I, (parent name) ___________________________________have read and understood the
policies and procedures presented in the EBLC Parent Handbook and will comply with the
policies and procedures in the handbook. I also understand that the Parent Handbook can be
amended at any time and parents will be notified when a changes occurs.
__________________________________
Signature of Parent/ Date

__________________________________
Signature of Parent/ Date

__________________________________
Name of child (please print first and last name)

__________________________________
Name of child (please print first and last name)

__________________________________
Name of child (please print first and last name)

Email Address: ___________________________________________

Email Address: ___________________________________________

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Enrollment Checklist
Before your childs first day of school, the following must be turned in. Thank you!

Child Enrollment Paperwork

Enrollment Packet

Payment for the following:

Tuition payment (within first week of starting)
Deposit (non-refundable)
Educational Fee/ Enrichment Fee
Registration Fee
Photo/Scrap book fee
Earthquake/ emergency Kit
Summer fee (Paid by the month of May for children 2years or older)
*If you paid a $75.00 waiting list fee, it is transferable to the deposit fee and nonrefundable and good to hold a spot for 1 year.

Photographs
One family photo
2 Individual Child Photos (4x6 or smaller)
*Please label all pictures with the childs first and last name.

Cubby Items for all children regardless of age

A fitted crib sheet
A small blanket
At least 3 sets of extra clothes each placed in a separate bag
*All clothing and bags must be labeled with childs name.

Toddlers
Diapers
Wipes
Training Pants/Pull Ups/Underwear
Shoes and socks

Infants
Diapers
Wipes
Food and formula/ breast milk (label everything)
Emergency Kit
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