Parent's Handbook

Preschool Parent Handbook

Introduction

1.  History of Kids Express Learning Center, Inc.

Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. (KELC) was founded in the spring of 1996.  It was chartered as a for-profit organization under the laws of the State of Wisconsin.  The name Kids Express was adopted from the title of instructional writing materials marketed by Sandra and Will Dahl’s former company, Treehouse Publications, Limited.  “Kids Express” signifies our belief in the wonderful, expressive imaginations of children.  Our goal is to provide quality education in a rural setting as we offer a variety of rich opportunities giving “kids” a chance to “express” themselves in a myriad of ways as they celebrate learning.

The story of our school would not be complete without a look backward.  Our first school building, which now houses two classrooms, had previously served as a boathouse, storage shed, basketball arena, “Highland Elementary School,” an artist’s studio, and finally, an apartment for our oldest son, Timothy.  When renovated in 1996, it became a preschool/kindergarten facility.  On November 4, 1996, the doors opened to greet “charter students” Ian Delaney, Joel and Greg Greenya, Eric Kobelt, Grayson Lins, Austin Peacock, Zachary Ransom, Brady Robinson, and Auguste Wolle.  We remained the “Dahl School for Boys” until January, 1997, when our first girl, Megan Skupian, joined us.  Our enrollment grew steadily and we began Phase II of KELC during the summer of 1997, when our offices and two additional classrooms were built.

On January 3, 2002, our 140 year old barn’s renovation was complete and twenty children were welcomed into the Big Red Barn classroom.  The Hayloft classroom was ready to go by the opening of our "Summer on the Farm" program that same year.   In the fall of 2003, an infant/toddler room, Corgiville Fair Nursery, opened.  During July and August, 2005, the Dahl family home, now known as The Dahlhouse, was transformed into four new classrooms which opened on August 25, 2005.  Currently, our school is licensed to serve two hundred seventeen children daily in thirteen beautiful classrooms:  Corgiville Fair Nursery, Make Way For Ducklings, The Velveteen Rabbit, The Hayloft, Time of Wonder, Over in the Meadow, Wind in the Willows, The Giving Tree, The Teddy Bear’s Picnic, The Secret Garden, Paddington Station, Hey Diddle Diddle, and Big Red Barn.  

2.  Nature Study at Kids Express Learning Center

Nature study is a daily occurrence at Kids Express Learning Center as teachers and nature study specialists lead children to observe the life cycles of the plants and animals that surround them.  Nature trails winding through the woods provide opportunities for children to learn about wildflowers and other plants, trees, and forest wildlife in a natural setting.  Our school gardens put the natural world at children’s fingertips, as well.  Scientific inquiries and problem solving activities abound as children work in their outdoor, living laboratory.  Seeds are carefully planted in soil enriched by nutrients from the children’s above and below ground compost bins.  Insects and weeds are controlled naturally and the bounty of the land is harvested and enjoyed.

Animals grace the paddocks, pond, forest and meadows across our eight acre campus.  Daily outdoor experiences provide children opportunities to learn about the animal world and to learn, as well, a great deal about responsibility.  Each day, children are given an opportunity to observe and interact with animals in the farmyard.  Our animal studies teacher plans and carries out lessons that build children’s knowledge base.  Veterinary care, sheepshearing, the breeding, birthing and death of animals, as well as comical animal antics further children’s knowledge of the animal kingdom. 

Farmer Will’s Nature Nook, nestled into a corner of KELC’s wooded lot, is a renovated school bus.  The bus classroom is a favorite spot for KELC’s young naturalists, wherein they participate in multitudes of learning experiences and experiments which are better suited to an indoor learning environment. 

3.  Philosophy of Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. 

Our school was developed as a means of encouraging children’s freedom to express themselves while they are gently guided in their exploration of the world.  Our desire is to encourage children on their journey toward rich, productive, and satisfying lives.

“Our philosophy at Kids Express Learning Center Inc. is that your child is a capable, curious, self-directed learner who will respond positively to warm, loving guidance.  Your child has a natural craving for intellectual stimulation, but also needs encouragement and support to grow emotionally, morally, and socially strong.”

 

Checklist For School Entrance

Prior to your child's first day at KELC, you will receive and will need to return several forms to KELC's Children's Records office.  Forms will include:

• Child Care Enrollment, Health History and Emergency Care Plan, Preferences and Information, Immunization Record, Child Health Report. 

On the first day of school, please bring the following items:

• Sunscreen/Insect Repellent authorization and products, if desired.  Please label any products with child's name.
• Other items mentioned by your child’s teacher in the letter of welcome sent before each academic year or summer camp session.

Full day children will also need the following:

• One complete change of clothing (including shoes).  Please label every item sent to school so that items are not lost. 
• Laminated pictures of your child or child and family, to be placed by teachers into your child’s cubby.
• Favorite soft toy (Beanie Baby size) for security, if needed.  No pillows or blankets, please, due to laundry requirements.
• Lunch with cold pack if enrolled for full day.  Hot food should be kept in a thermos.  Clearly indicate child’s name on the outside of the lunch box.

 

Some Good-Bye Suggestions

Many children feel anxious and uneasy on the first day or two of school and may have difficulty separating from their parents.  We know this is a very emotional time for parents and children.  We suggest that you calmly reassure your child that you will return.  Perhaps say something that helps your child know when to expect you, such as, “I will be back to get you right after you feed the goats/have your nap/have keyboard class,” etc.  After you give your child a final hug and kiss, we suggest that you say good-bye and leave the classroom.  Please be assured that we will comfort your child and also reassure him/her that you will return.  We have noticed that when good-byes take a long time, power struggles develop and a very stressful situation develops for the child, parent, teacher, and other children and their parents.  Of course, feel free to call or stop in throughout the day to see how your child is doing.  You may wish to wait in the entryway and peek into the classroom to observe your child.  A parent coming into the classroom and then leaving time and again seems to confuse the child and prolong the time it takes teachers to establish a calm, comfortable relationship with the child.  If you are struggling with separation anxieties, please stop in and talk to the Director or Program Coordinator.

MAKING YOUR CHILD’S FIRST DAY COMFORTABLE

If you are concerned that your child may have trouble separating from you, if it is his/her first experience in an early childhood program or if your child’s first language is not English, make an attempt to visit Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. prior to your child’s first day of school.  While you are here, help your child find a special place to play, use the teacher’s name often, join in at storytime/snacktime, or visit the playground with the class.  Try to learn one or two of the children’s names.  Be sure to accompany your child to the bathroom and show her/him how to use the soap dispenser, hand-dryer and paper towel dispenser.  Some children only need one visit to make them feel more secure. 

During this visit, Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. does not take responsibility for your child.  A parent or guardian must remain with the child at all times.  In other words, a parent may not leave a child with one of our staff members to use the restroom, tour the classrooms or visit the outdoor learning centers.

 

Center Information

1.  Street Address:  3276 S. High Point Road, Madison, WI  53719

2.  Telephone Number:  (608) 845-3245

Due to the many hands needed to provide a quality experience for children, there is often no one available to answer the telephone.  However, each classroom and office at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. does have voice mail and messages are checked frequently throughout the day.  Extensions are as follows:  Director: 232; Staff Coordinator/Enrollment Manager: 231; Family Accounts: 266; Children’s Records: 223; Paddington Station: 226; The Teddy Bear’s Picnic: 227; Hey Diddle Diddle: 224; The Secret Garden: 225; The Big Red Barn: 229; The Hayloft: 230; Corgiville Fair Nursery: 242; Make Way for Ducklings: 243; Over in the Meadow: 286; Wind in the Willows: 285; The Velveteen Rabbit:288; Time of Wonder: 245; The Giving Tree: 244.

3. Web Address:  KidsExpress.com

4.  Email Address:  Info@KidsExpress.com

5.  FAX Number:  (608) 848-3028

6.  Federal Tax ID# for Kids Express Learning Center, Inc.:  39 - 1634927

Please try to keep this number handy for your tax records.

7.  Family Accounts Manager:  All financial matters are handled by our Family Accounts Manager.  Invoices will be mailed to your address on a timely basis. If you need a special receipt for tax or business purposes or if you have questions about your invoice, receipt or tax forms, please telephone our Family Accounts Manager at 845-3245, Extension 266.

8.  Hours of Operation:  Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. is open from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday during the regular school year.  We are closed for holidays, vacation times, professional conferences, parent/teacher conferences, and staff in-services listed on the annual school calendar.  We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause your family.

9.  Licensing Regulations:  Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. is licensed by the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Health and Family Services.  We are licensed to serve 175 children at any one time. HFS 46, “Licensing Rules for Group Day Care Centers” is available in each classroom and in each administrative office.  A pamphlet entitled “Your Guide to Licensed Child Care”, included with this handbook, provides a summary of these rules.

10. Liability Insurance:  Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. is covered by liability insurance through Hausmann Insurance of Madison.

 

Admission and Enrollment Information

1.  Non-Discrimination Policy

Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, creed or religion, national origin, ancestry, political persuasion, veteran’s status or disability in administration of its admission, education, employment and programming policies and practices.

2.   How to Enroll for the Academic School Year

New Student Enrollment Applications may be submitted at anytime during the year.  KELC does not have a specific enrollment period for new families.  New Student Enrollment Applications are available:

1. online at www.KidsExpress.com on our Enrollment Page (http://www.kidsexpress.com/enrollment)
2. by email (Info@KidsExpress.com);  or,
3. by leaving a name, mailing address and phone number for us at (608)845-3245, extension 21.  We also need to know the age of your child(ren).

Each year, families with children currently enrolled at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. will be given first priority in securing the enrollment schedule of their choice for subsequent school year placement.  To receive this priority status, current families must submit an Enrollment Form and the Enrollment Fee to KELC by mid November.  Enrollment forms will be placed in children’s school mailboxes during the first week of November.

Families who do not have children currently enrolled at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc., but who have had children enrolled during past years (i.e.,“past families”), will be given second priority in securing the enrollment schedule of their choice.  To receive this priority status, these families also need to submit the Enrollment Form and Enrollment Fee to KELC on or before December 1.

Families new to KELC may submit the Enrollment Form and Enrollment Fee as soon as the forms are published each year.  These Enrollment Forms will be dated on the day they arrive; however, they will not be processed until after December 1.  New family registration forms will be processed on a ‘first-come-first-served’ basis. 

Current or previously enrolled families submitting enrollment forms after December 1 will NOT receive enrollment priority, but may opt to be placed on the Waiting List for the schedule of their choice.

3.  How to Enroll for “Summer on the Farm”

General enrollment forms are available :

      (a.) online at www.KidsExpress.com on our Enrollment Page (http://www.kidsexpress.com/enrollment)

1. in the main lobby of KELC
2. by email (Info@KidsExpress.com)
3. by leaving a name, mailing address and phone number for us for us at (608)845-3245, extension 21.  We also need to know the age of your child(ren).

Families who are currently enrolled at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. will be given first priority to receive the enrollment schedule of their choice.  To receive first priority, these families must have their completed Enrollment Form and Enrollment Fee submitted to KELC on or before December 15.  Families who have had children enrolled at KELC in previous years (i.e., “past families”) and wish to return will be given second priority for enrollment schedules.  These families also need to complete their Enrollment Forms and Enrollment Fees and submit them to KELC on or before December 15.

Families new to KELC may submit the Enrollment Form and Enrollment Fee for “Summer on the Farm” at any time.  These Enrollment Forms will be dated on the day they arrive; however, they will not be processed until after December 1.

Current or previously enrolled families submitting “Summer on the Farm” Enrollment Forms and Enrollment Fees after December 15 will NOT receive enrollment priority, but may opt to be placed on the Waiting List for the schedule of their choice.

4.  Waiting List

Families with children currently enrolled at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. have first priority in securing the enrollment schedule of their choice for “Summer on the Farm” and the following Academic Year.  Families who do not have children enrolled at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc., but who have had children enrolled during past years (i.e., “past families”), will be given second priority in securing the enrollment schedule of their choice.

Families unable to make a decision on whether or not to register for the schedule of their choice may request to be put on the Waiting List.  Families will be ranked based upon the date Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. receives the Enrollment Form or Change of Schedule Form.  When the desired schedule becomes available, the family at the top of  the waiting list will be contacted and offered the schedule.  Parents being offered a schedule will have two business days to decide whether to accept or reject the offer.  If Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. does not receive a verbal commitment within that time period, the next family on the waiting list will be offered the opening.

5.  Required Forms

The following forms are required and must be on file before your child's first day of attendance:

1. Child Care Enrollment
2. Health History and Emergency Care Plan
3. Preferences & Information
4. Immunization Record (must complete the form provided—please do not attach clinic printout)
5. Child Health Report

6.  Program Options

Half Day Program:  Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. offers two half day programs. A morning class meets from 8:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and an afternoon class meets from 12:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.  You may choose to enroll your child two half days (Tuesday and Thursday), three half days (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) or five half days a week.

Full Day Program:  We also offer full day preschool and kindergarten programs.  These programs run from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Two, three, or five day options, described in the preceding paragraph, are offered for preschool children. The three or five day options are offered for kindergarten.

7.  Extended Before and Extended After Care for Preschool/Kindergarten

KELC offers an Extended Before School program beginning at 7:30 a.m. and an Extended After School program (Roots & Shoots Environmental Club) until 5:30 p.m. for children who need to stay beyond our regular program times.  These programs have separate fees beyond our regular monthly tuition.  You will be billed for all days that you contract for, regardless of whether your child attends that day or not.  You are not billed for extended care on days Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. is closed for scheduled vacation days.  Please see our fee schedule for specific costs.

 

Financial Information

1.  Registration Fees

First time applicants pay a non-refundable processing fee of $75.  Each year, upon re-enrollment, families will pay an annual non-refundable application fee of $70.00 per child for the regular school term. The fee is due for each succeeding year of enrollment.  This fee shall be paid with the Application for Enrollment.  Families enrolling children at any time during the school term will be charged this fee. Children enrolling for “Summer on the Farm” will pay a non-refundable registration fee of $40.00 per child for camp. Fee payment may be made by personal check, certified check, or money order.  No cash payments will be accepted.  Checks shall be made out to Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. and mailed to Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. or dropped in one of our Tuition Boxes (located inside our main building and The Dahlhouse). 

Please do not hand tuition checks to KELC staff.  Rather, please mail your payment to KELC or drop it in the one of the tuition boxes mounted in The Dahlhouse building, on upper campus, or the "Main Building," on lower campus

2.  Fee Schedule

Tuition fees for the KELC Academic School Year are based on a 41 or 42 week period.  The Academic Year begins in August of each year and ends in June of the following year.

Tuition for the child(ren) attending KELC during the Academic Year period will be billed to the parent(s) responsible for the child in ten equal amounts.  The first payment will be due on August 15 and the last payment will be due on May 15.  Parents may choose to pay on a monthly basis or for the entire academic year period. 

Those families who register and attend KELC after the Academic Year period begins will be responsible for a pro-rated share during the month of actual registration.

“Summer on the Farm” tuition fees are due prior to or on the first day of each session.  Fee payments may be made by personal check, certified check or money order.  No cash payments are accepted.  Checks shall be made out to Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. and mailed to the Center or dropped in one of our Tuition Boxes (located inside our main building and The Dahlhouse).  Families will be billed monthly if no other special payment plan has been arranged.

3.  Tuition Due Dates

Fall and spring semester tuition and accommodation fees shall be paid on the fifteenth day of each month, August through May.  Summer on the Farm fees are due on the first day of each session.  If payment is not received by the 15th of the month, a $50.00 late fee will be assessed. Accounts 30 days in arrears will be charged an additional 1 1/2% carrying charge. If the account continues to be delinquent for two months, the child will not be able to attend school until the bill is paid.  A $30.00 fee will be billed for any check returned for insufficient bank funds.

4.  Fee Adjustments

Fees are not adjusted for snow days, holidays, sick days, family vacations, non-attendance on fieldtrips, or times when a child is absent for other reasons.

5.  Late Enrollment

Families who enroll their child after the first two weeks of the school year will pay a pro-rated tuition to take into consideration the late starting date.

6.   Late Pick-up Fee

Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. opens at 7:30 a.m. and closes promptly at 5:30 p.m.  A late pick-up fee begins to be charged after 5:30 p.m. for children enrolled in extended care and 3:35 p.m. for children not enrolled in extended care.  Teachers will not be available to supervise children after the scheduled pick-up times. 

Occasionally, emergencies occur and we will take these into consideration.  However, parents/caretakers who arrive at KELC past the contracted time will be assessed a fee of $10.00 for the first ten minutes that the parent/caretaker is late and $20.00 will be added for each or any portion of ten minutes thereafter.  The wall clocks in the classroom will be used by staff members to calculate the fee.  The staff members will fill out a late pick-up fee slip and turn it over to our Family Accounts Manager.  The late fee will be charged on your next monthly tuition bill.

7.  Early Arrival Fee

As cited above, Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. opens at 7:30 a.m. and closes promptly at 5:30 p.m.  An early arrival fee is charged five minutes prior to the opening of the half day and full day program. 

To continue our high level of quality, teachers will not be available to supervise children or visit with families before the scheduled arrival times since they are contracted to be available for KELC meetings, classroom set-up and other tasks until 5 minutes before their regular duties begin.  Parents are welcomed and encouraged to telephone teachers and/or schedule appointments to talk with teachers about their children.

Parents/caretakers who arrive at KELC before the contracted time will be assessed a fee of $10.00 for the first ten minutes that the parent is early and $20.00 will be added for each or any portion of ten minutes thereafter.  The wall clocks in the classroom will be used by staff members to calculate the fee.  The staff members will fill out an early arrival fee slip and turn it over to our Family Accounts Manager.  The early arrival fee will be charged on your next monthly tuition bill.

8.  Refund Policy

Families will receive a refund of fees paid in advance if a child is withdrawn and the advanced payment exceeds the required for the 30 day notification period.  No tuition refunds will be given after April 1 unless another student can be found to fill the spot.  (See section on Withdrawal and Termination of Enrollment Policy for notification requirements, Pg. 10.)

9.  Vacation Policy

The academic school year is 41 or 42 weeks long, including winter and spring vacation and other holidays posted on our calendar. Vacation times follow closely our area public school calendars.  Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. consults area public school calendars for winter and spring breaks.  No tuition credit will be given for family vacations.

10.  Additional Fees

Fees for field trips, special events, and/or occasional supplies for projects may be collected in addition to the tuition fee.  Advance notices of such fees will be provided to families and charges for the fees will be added to the monthly tuition bill.

11.  Financial Records

Every effort is made to maintain accurate records through our computerized management and accounting program.  However, mistakes sometimes occur on bills.  If you feel that an error has occurred, please call our Family Accounts Manager at 845-3245, Extension 266, Monday through Friday.

12.  Possible Rate Changes

In our industry, rate changes usually occur at the beginning of the fall semester and remain in effect for the academic school year.  Fluctuations in rates, however, may reflect an increase in the costs of maintaining an outstanding Center staffed by highly qualified teachers.  To determine rates and fees, surveys and studies of rates in the Madison area are conducted annually.  We want parents to be aware of these potential changes in advance of the conditions becoming policy and would inform parents of any other policy changes that may occur.

13.  Change of Schedule

If a family wishes to change a child’s schedule, a Change of Schedule Form must be completed.  If an even change or reduction is made in the number of days a child attends school, a $50.00 charge will be added to the next month’s invoice.  A 30 day notice must be given to reduce a schedule.  No charge will be assessed if days are added to the child’s schedule.  To add days, a family must allow no less than three school days notice.

14.  Financially Assisted Families

Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. does not have a scholarship program nor are we able to offer financial assistance to parents to offset tuition costs.  However, Dane County does have programs to assist families.  The University of Wisconsin also has a program for parents who are students.  Contact the county Human Services Office to determine eligibility.  If eligible, Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. must have a contract from the county to verify the number of hours the county is willing to pay.  This contract will need to be sent to Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. at least two weeks prior to the first day of a child’s enrollment.

15.  Lunch Fee

On occasion, a family may forget to pack a lunch.  If this occurs, teachers will make a nutritious lunch for a child. A $3.00 lunch fee will be added to your monthly bill for each lunch served.

16.   Donations

Donations to Kids Express Learning Center are always welcomed and appreciated.  Your donation may be designated to support a particular program (Teacher Appreciation Day, environmental education projects, a scholarship, books/equipment for classroom use, etc.). Teachers are provided a budget each year but project work is costly.   Film (35 mm. or Polaroid), fabric, art supplies and cooking projects are popular and much appreciated by the KELC teachers. Our Federal Tax ID number is 39-1634927.

 

Family Waiting List Policy

Families enrolled in Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. during the academic year have first priority to receive the enrollment schedule of their choice for the following year.  The options include:

            2 Half Days per Week (*Morning or Afternoon)

            2 Full Days per Week

            3 Half Days per Week (*Morning or Afternoon)

            3 Full Days

            5 Half Days (*Morning or Afternoon)

            5 Full Days

*Half day options are for children 3 to 5 years of age.

Families enrolled at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. who are unable to register for the schedule of their choice may request to be put on a waiting list for an alternative schedule.  Requests to be on a waiting list for adding days or changing classrooms must be filed on a dated KELC Change of Schedule Request form in order to be considered.

Enrolled families shall be offered a change of schedule when their name appears next on the waiting list.  Parents may choose to change or to decline the change.

Parents being offered a change of schedule will have three days to decide whether to accept or reject the offer to change a child’s schedule.  If Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. does not receive a signed Change of Schedule Request form within that time period, the next child on the waiting list will be offered the opening.

Families interested in enrolling in Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. will be considered for acceptance after they have completed the application and submitted their application fee.  These families will be placed on our waiting list according to the date we received the application.  New applicants will be placed on the waiting list following the currently enrolled families for each requested schedule.

 

Withdrawal and Termination of Enrollment Policy

If a child is withdrawn from school before the start of the academic year, the required tuition deposit will be forfeited.  However, the family will not be responsible for tuition for the remainder of the school year.

If Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. determines that a parent needs to withdraw a child, a tuition reimbursement will be granted for the remainder of the month of withdrawal.  Registration fees, tuition deposits and classroom fees are non-refundable.

A 30 day written notice must be presented to KELC’s Director prior to withdrawing a child from school between August 1 and March 31.  After April 1, no refund of tuition will be made.  Any child attending school as of April 1 will be charged tuition through the close of school in June.  Families who fail to provide the 30 day notice must submit a payment equal to the balance of the 30 day period.  Registration fees, classroom fees and the tuition deposit are non-refundable.

The enrollment agreement between Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. and families of enrolled children will be terminated if one or more of the following situations occur:

1.   The school year has come to an end.

2.   The child develops a serious illness, or any situation develops that prevents the child from attending school for longer  than one month.

3.   The parents/guardians of the child allow their account to become delinquent.

4.   The school determines that it is unable to meet the needs of the child.  KELC may not have resources to serve the needs of children who require special instructional, emotional or physical attention.

5.   The school determines that it is not in the best interest of the school or other children enrolled at the school to have the child in attendance.

6.   Parents fail to submit required child health information.

7.   Parents fail to observe rules of KELC relating to arrival and departure of a child.

8.   A child’s life ends.

In all of the above cases, a four week notice of termination shall be required, except in case of serious illness, accident, or death.  In the case of elements 5 through 8 above, parent/teacher conferences will be held in advance of any decision to terminate a child’s enrollment at KELC. 

If Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. decides to close for any reason, parents will be notified a month in advance and prepaid tuition, if any, will be refunded.

 

SUSPENSION/EXPULSION POLICY

At times, KELC has experienced working with children with severe behavior problems.  When unacceptable behavior occurs over a period of time, teachers, parents and specialists will be encouraged by KELC’s administration to work diligently to provide positive and developmentally appropriate guidance for the child.  However, at times, unfortunate patterns develop despite the best efforts of caring adults.  Therefore, KELC has adopted a suspension/expulsion policy which will go into effect.

A child exhibiting a continuous disruptive behavior pattern will be placed on probation for two weeks.  Continuous disruptive behaviors may include, but are not limited to: hurting children or teachers, throwing things, threatening the safety of others, encouraging other children to misbehave, or disrupting the classroom to the point where regular classroom activities can not proceed.

If the continuous disruptive behavior pattern arises, a parent will be telephoned and the child must be picked up within 30 minutes of the notice.  The parent must remove the child from KELC for the remainder of the day.

If the child in question needs to be sent home four times during a two-week period, the child will be suspended from KELC for a period of two weeks.  A suspended child may return to KELC and try one more two-week period.  However, if the continuous disruptive behavior continues and a parent needs to be called twice to pick up the child, that child may be asked to leave KELC for the remainder of the year.

 

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is important to all staff at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc.  We try hard to help families meet their goals.  Children’s records are accessible to the parents of the child at all times and KELC’s policies are available to parents every day.  The children’s records are accessible to lead teachers, parents, KELC’s Director and Program Coordinator and the state’s licensing specialist.

 

Drop-Off and Pick-Up

Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. provides teachers paid planning and meeting time before and after school.  Teachers need to use this time to plan/set up quality activities for your child and to attend important Staff Meetings.  We appreciate your attention to our school hours.  If you should arrive early, please feel free to use our school playground to wait for your child’s scheduled program to begin.

On the first day your child attends KELC, be sure to speak with each teacher in the classroom.  Make sure the teacher knows which child is yours and who will call for the child at the end of the session.

At the beginning of each day, children must be brought into the classroom so that teachers can greet them and make eye contact with them.  Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. is not responsible for children until they are delivered into the classroom and signed in. 

Drop off and pick up times are busy times for teachers and often they will not have time for more than a pleasant “hello”.  Their first and most important responsibility is the children in the classroom.  If you wish to leave an important message for your child’s teacher, please write it down in the log book located next to the sign in/out sheet. 

Each classroom has a sign in/sign out sheet and attendance form, which has the dates of birth of each child clearly stated.  This is required in multi-age classrooms by state licensing standards.

Anyone you select to be on an Authorized Pick-Up person must be at least 18 years of age and must be prepared to present photo identification to staff in charge of dismissal, who may not be familiar with the authorized pick-up person.

Written consent, with your signature, along with the approved adult’s name and the current date needs to accompany anyone not listed on your child’s Green KELC Information Card.

If staff is concerned about releasing a child to a parent or other authorized pick-up person the following procedures should be followed:

• Offer to contact an emergency back-up person who is authorized to pick up the child
• Contact local law enforcement

Examples of when a staff would be concerned for a child’s safety are:

• Parent/pick-up person appears too ill to drive.
• Parent/pick-up person appears to have been drinking alcoholic beverages.
• Parent/pick-up person appears under the influence of any type of drugs.

Although Kids Express Learning Center staff members understand that these could be embarrassing situations, our main concern must be the safety of all children and families at KELC.

 

Traditions at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc.

1.   Birthdays:  You are invited to send a special snack or come in for a visit to acknowledge and celebrate your child’s birthday.  We encourage you to create a healthy snack to support our children’s well being.  Examples: oatmeal raisin cookies, fruit and dip, crackers and cheese cut into shapes, homemade granola or chocolate milk. If you wish to donate a special gift to the school or classroom, consult the Wish List available from the classroom teachers. 

2.   Scholastic Book Club:  Each month, inexpensive books are offered for sale through Scholastic Book Club.  The school earns bonus points to use in ordering free books and materials for use in the classrooms to enrich children’s learning.

3. Child of the Week:  In our older children’s classrooms, “Child of the Week” is celebrated to encourage the development of positive self-esteem and self-image. During this week, families may choose to visit school, bring in a special treat, or share a book or activity.  Parents are encouraged to develop a bulletin board display to celebrate and honor their child’s life.

4.   Family Orientation Night:  Early in the fall, a general orientation is held to help parents/guardians become familiar with KELC’s teachers and programs. Please check our school calendar in the appendix of this handbook and set this evening aside.

5.   Portrait Dates:  Individual and class photographs are generally taken in mid-September.  Check the school calendar for the exact dates.

6.   Harvest Food Drive:  Each fall, a food drive is held at KELC.  Families are invited to bring food items to share with needy families in Dane County.

7.   National Week of the Young Child:  Each April, one week is set aside to celebrate young children.  Our school sponsors an event each day of that week (treats, entertainers, etc.) and has one special evening event for families.

8.   National Teacher Appreciation Week:  The first week in May is nationally designated as a time to say “thank you” to the teachers who make children’s education exciting, rewarding and possible. 

9.  Annual Spring Family Picnic:  Weather permitting, a potluck picnic supper is held during May or June.

10.  Summer Picnic and Art Auction:  Children’s art is auctioned toward the end of summer school at the all school picnic.  Proceeds are used to enhance the programs at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc.  Music, games, special events and a potluck meal add a festive atmosphere to Prairie View Farm.

 

Program Information

1.  Statement of Purpose

KELC’s purpose is to educate young children in an atmosphere designed to build self-esteem, confidence, and personal achievement while promoting respect for other people and the environment.  Children's natural love of learning will be used as the motivation for development of group and individual learning situations.

2.  Educational Policy

a.  Essential Program Qualifications

Children develop in similar sequences but at varying rates.  Children have an inborn desire to learn through an exploration of their intellectual and physical environment.   Opportunities for learning will be offered on an individual, small and large group basis.  Hands-on learning will be the heart of our program.

At Kids Express Learning Center, Inc., children's natural curiosity will be used as the basis for curriculum development.  Opportunities for learning concepts related to math, natural plant and animal science, social studies, reading, writing, language, music and movement, drama, art, and wood-working will be provided.  Farmer Will’s Nature Nook provides children with daily opportunities to learn about and appreciate wild and domesticated plants and animals.  Adjacent to Kids Express Learning Center, Inc., Prairie View Farm's animals (llamas, goats and sheep) will be incorporated into each school day's learning experiences.   Extensive fruit, vegetable, flower and butterfly gardens are planned, planted and maintained by the children under the direction of a nature study/gardening specialist.  Spanish and art lessons coordinate with nature study activities.

Exposure to high quality literature (both prose and poetry) by a variety of authors/illustrators will be a daily event at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc.  Each month, classroom teachers select one popular children’s author to study and enjoy with the children.   Carefully selected, age-appropriate books enhance children's knowledge of their world -- past, present, and future.  Thematic units, chosen by an observation of children's interests, will guide the selection of specific books.  Other books are chosen to enhance children's self esteem and build a positive self-image.  Multi-cultural literature is incorporated into the literature program. 

On a daily basis, all of KELC’s children are encouraged to interact with print in books.  For example, KELC’s large collection of Big Books is used throughout the year in each classroom to introduce children to the beauty and functionality of the language.  Often, because these books are read over and over during a week’s time, the language of the Big Books penetrates the child’s mind and becomes a part of the children's verbal repertoire.  For some children, smaller versions of the Big Books will be used to encourage pairs or small groups of children to "read" together, mimicking the text.  "Pretend reading" has been shown to play a positive role in children's literacy development once they begin receiving instruction in the primary grades.

Daily opportunities to observe and participate in the writing process will be offered.  Watching adults create writing (experience charts, lists, notes, etc.) offers children opportunities to learn about the writing process without direct or pressured instruction. The key to developing literacy (both reading and writing) is exposure to meaningful print and gentle encouragement to create meaningful print.  For very young learners, scribbling and drawing simple letter/number-like shapes are real and necessary writing stages.  Next, children begin to name letters and use them to represent meaning.  At this point, adult encouragement and information about "how to write" begins to reap benefits.  All activities planned for use at KELC will be developmentally appropriate given the level of individual children enrolled.  Examples of writing participation might include creating grocery lists, taking make-believe phone messages in the "doll center", writing 'prescriptions' while role playing in a "hospital center", or recording information about the eating habits of our llamas in the "nature center". 

b.  Self Esteem/Positive Self-Image

Self-esteem and a positive attitude are important to children's development.  Both of these qualities develop when children view themselves as winners.  Winners are people who are able to set goals for themselves and then achieve them.  At Kids Express Learning Center, Inc., each child will have multiple opportunities to work toward goals and achievements will be recognized and celebrated.  Examples include:

• Completing an assigned job such as feeding the goats for one week;
• Remembering to hang a coat on a hook or place boots neatly along side the cubbies;
• Finishing a puzzle and sharing the results with peers or teachers;
• Celebrating artwork or a piece of writing by having it displayed.

Other activities that promote good inner feelings are:

• Being selected as “Child of the Week” and honored in special ways;
• Participating in dramatic play and dressing up in simple costumes;
• Role playing adults in the housekeeping, medical or other play / work centers;
• Having an adult recognize a child’s ideas/contributions as worthy.

In order to respect each child's self-image, the phrase, "Praise publicly and reprimand privately", will be key to discipline at KELC.  Children suffer humiliation when scolded publicly and we know that humiliation destroys self-esteem.

c.  Social Interaction

Children at KELC interact with one another and adults throughout the day.  This interaction allows them to learn to accept alternative viewpoints and to experience and celebrate individual differences.  Peer interaction is encouraged in a myriad of ways.  For example, children have ample opportunities for small group interactions as they build with large blocks, construct at the Lego table, play with toys, paint at the finger paint center, role-play in the doll corner, explore in the science center, or study together in the outdoor nature center.  Games, music, dance, and outdoor recesses offer children opportunities to interact.   Teachers interact with the children throughout the session as they serve as coaches and demonstrators.  A teacher/coach may encourage a child who is attempting to build a bluebird house or create a "fruit pizza" with peers.  A teacher/demonstrator may model "writing a phone message" or "measuring the appropriate amount of oats" for the horses or goats.  Snack or other dining times provide ample opportunities for children and teachers to converse.

d.  Self-Expression and Communication Skills

Children are encouraged to use and expand their language skills as they work and play together.  Casual language development will occur as children use the language skill they have brought into the classroom. For example, language use occurs when children interact together in the various learning centers, as they converse with one another and teachers in play-time activities, and as they observe and discuss "happenings" in the nature center.  Respect for individual ideas is promoted at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc.  Children are encouraged to solve problems and settle differences using words rather than fists or feet.

Opportunities for language growth and development occur daily.  Children learn natural language by hearing and responding to language in their environment.  Therefore, a classroom must be a rich, thriving linguistic environment.  Language knowledge grows as children hear stories and poems read to them, hear new words used to describe an experience, sing new words in a song, or see words posted around their classroom.  Language play provides a base for children to use as they begin developing literacy skills.  Rhyming games, auditory discrimination word games, labeling classroom objects, simple spelling games, and word-guessing games are all examples of activities that promote readiness for learning reading.  "Inventing" spellings for words (i.e., guessing the letters based on the sounds they hear) is an activity that promotes readiness for writing.  A beginner, for example, may suggest "B" as a way to spell "Boy".  A wise teacher will celebrate this spelling and record it on a chart or chalkboard cognizant of the fact that young children begin spelling words by recording a letter that represents the first sound they hear in a word.

Puppetry and flannel board stories provide children with opportunities to blend natural language with "book language".  Stories that have been told or read by an adult over and over again can be retold by individuals and groups of children during free play time.  Sturdy puppets, flannel pieces, and related versions of picture books are at the children's disposal in a "storytelling center" at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc...  Creative stories the children make up alone or with a group are recorded by a teacher/scribe or tape recorded by the children.

e.  Creative Expression

Creative expression is central to our program at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc.  Children's ideas are respected and celebrated.  Each day, children will be encouraged to express themselves as they play, sing, dance, draw, role-play, write, build with blocks and wood, and work on self-directed projects.  Problem solving activities are presented to encourage creative thought processes.

A variety of tools, materials, processes and techniques are used at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. to involve children in explorations of line, shape, color and texture.  Consumable materials such as crayons, paper, paste and glue, paint, clay and play dough, finger paint, and collage materials are provided.  Necessary and appropriate non-consumable accessories, such as paintbrushes, scissors, sponges, etc. are also provided in sufficient quantities.   Each child has the opportunity to have at least two different art media experiences on any given day.

Children's work is displayed around the classroom and samples may be included in our parent newsletter.  Children have frequent opportunities to describe their work/play projects to adults and peers.  Recognizing children's accomplishments builds self-esteem, which in turn encourages the freedom necessary for continued creative expression.

f.  Large and Small Muscle Development

Large (gross) and small (fine) muscle development occur as children participate in activities and use indoor and outdoor play equipment at Kids Express Learning Center.  Climbing, jumping, skipping, hopping, swinging, walking on the balance beam, carrying animal feed, dancing to music and pedaling are all examples of activities that  offer children the chance to develop large muscle control.  Sensory-motor integration occurs during these activities.  Small muscle development  builds as children create art projects, construct with Legos, play with toys, create with peg and lacing boards, learn to crochet a chain stitch, use musical instruments, cut with scissors, and put puzzles together.

g.  Intellectual Growth

Intellectual growth occurs naturally when children are exposed to their world, warmly accepted and encouraged, and invited to participate in meaningful activities.  Stimulation to respond intellectually will be pervasive throughout the day at KELC.  Some representative activities include:   science experiments, sensory experiences, literature circle, math activities, housekeeping duties, farm chores,  problem solving, art, dance, and wood-working.  Language communication ability grows as children learn new ways to express ideas related to the concepts they are learning.

h.  Program Schedule

Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. has developed  program schedules that include a balance of active and quiet/indoor and outdoor activities.  For example, children may begin the morning by touring the animal areas with a teacher to note changes in animal behavior or to feed animals.  Next, they may engage in a sing-a-long with our professional music teacher.

Teachers schedule large blocks of time for free-choice activities where children can work and play individually or in small groups.  During these periods, teachers circulate to interact verbally, guide, and encourage the children.  Teachers are alert to group dynamics and offer alternative activities for children who experience fatigue, frustrations, or over stimulation.  A sample schedule for our early childhood programs follows.

Full Day Schedule Includes: 

• Early Morning Free Choice
• Opening Activities

                        -Calendar, Weather, Check in, Songs and Daily News

• Small Group  (Nature Study/Spanish, Language Arts, Math/Science)
• Bathroom/Hand washing/Snack  
• Outside Playtime/Feed and Visit the Animals
• Large Group

                        -Songs, Stories, Large Group Learning Activities, Multi-cultural Studies

• Learning Centers and Free Choice
• Music and Movement
• Lunch
• Story Time
• Rest Time (children under 5 years old)
• Outside Time/ Visit the Animals
• Group Time

                        -Songs, Big Book Activities, Group Games

• Learning Centers/Free Choice/Small Groups
• Snack
• Closing Activities

                        -Songs, Finger Plays, Stories, Group Games

Half Day Schedule Includes:   (A.M. and P. M. Schedules are the same)

• Welcome (Free Play)
• Opening Activities          

                        -Calendar, Weather and Daily News

• Learning Centers and Free Choice
• Bathroom/Show and Tell/Snack
• Small Group (Nature Study/Spanish Language Arts, Science/Math)
• Outside Playtime/Visit the Animals
• Music and Movement
• Story Hour

Kindergarten Schedule includes:

• Welcome and Daily Group Meeting
• Journal Writing
• Developmental Reading and Language Arts
• Recess
• Snack
• Math/Problem Solving and Story Problem Journals
• Specials (Nature Study/Spanish, Art, Music, Physical Education)
• Lunch
• Recess
• Spelling
• Social Studies/Health
• Recreational Reading

Classroom schedules may vary from those presented above.  Please check the schedules posted in your child’s classroom.

i.  Transitions

Routines such as toileting, eating, and shifting activities are planned to avoid keeping children waiting in lines or assembled in large groups during transitional periods.  Toileting is suggested before groups go outside to play, before any group activity such as creative movement or story time, and before and after snack or lunchtime.  Hand washing emphasized as well.

j.  Cultural Diversity

Cultural diversity is celebrated at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc.  The first or second language each child brings to the Center is respected.  Children's cultures are celebrated as they tell about special family traditions/holiday celebrations.  Frequently, as part of a unit of study, the children  help plan and prepare specific foods such as taco salad (Mexican), crumpets (English), or sauerkraut  (German) from cabbage grown in our school garden.   Art, music, and dance unique to specific cultures will be recognized and celebrated.  Parents are invited to prepare ethnic foods/crafts to share with KELC’s children.

Children in full day preschool and kindergarten classrooms learn about a specific culture each month.  Cooking experiences, music, stories, and classroom visitors help make the monthly units become authentic learning experiences for children.

In addition, cultural diversity is celebrated in literature selections on a regular basis.  Good selections of multi-cultural children's literature, especially authentic literature written by minority authors, provide opportunities for children to learn to recognize and respect diversity in lifestyle, habits and language.  Every attempt is made to offer a culturally inclusive environment.

While studying at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc., children are exposed to books, materials, and projects designed to help them learn about and appreciate their past.  A deep foundation, rich in cultural beauty and ethnic diversity, provides a strong base of respect for self and others in the children's minds.   With knowledge of the past, students are better equipped to make good decisions about their future.  Stories from the past, songs and poems, antiques (and their use), field trips, and special class visitors are some of the vehicles used to build a knowledge and respect for history.

 

k.  Portfolio Assessment

Focused Portfolios™ are a comprehensive assessment tool intended to document your child’s growth and development.  Because of the complexity of the portfolio process, these are only developed for full day children.  Our portfolio process allows teachers to authentically assess children by carefully observing them in everyday interactions in the classroom.  The portfolios serve as an individualized compilation of work samples, photographs of children actively engaged in the classroom and accompanying anecdotes.  Our portfolios also provide the opportunity for parents and teachers to set individual goals and reflect on each child’s progress and development throughout the school year. 

Kids Express Learning Center strives to offer young children what they need to be successful in early-childhood education and beyond.  As a result, we’ve created eight developmental standards that encompass all areas of early-childhood curriculum.  Portfolio entries are based on these developmental standards, each playing a significant role in your child’s learning experience at Kids Express Learning Center. 

By observing and documenting children’s development in a structured way, our portfolio process becomes a guide for teachers in writing daily lesson plans and individualized programs to meet each child’s needs.  In addition, portfolios provide an informative developmental keepsake for families!

 

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Master and lead teachers at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. have college degrees in early childhood/primary education and are highly qualified professionals.  Conferences, in-service meetings, workshops and study help our teachers maintain their professional skills.  Master and lead teachers spend at least 8 and one half hours a day at school with half an hour for lunch and as much preparation time as staffing allows.  When teachers are out of the room for planning breaks, highly qualified teaching associates are in charge of the class or a special classes, such as Nature or Animal Studies, is scheduled. 

Assistant and Associate teachers often have degrees in specialty areas or areas outside of Early Childhood Education.  However, all of KELC’s staff members have taken coursework to meet the State of Wisconsin’s requirements for working with young children.

During the year, KELC is fortunate to attract several student teachers and practicum students, majoring in education, who add excitement and enthusiasm to our classrooms. We welcome the opportunity to have student teachers from UW-Madison, Edgewood College and Madison Area Technical College’s Early Childhood Education program work in our classrooms.

Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. submits the names of all persons in contact with the children to the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Justice for Criminal History Records.  The requirement of the Criminal History Record for early childhood educators became effective in January of 1996.  Parents can be assured that people working with their children do not have criminal histories that could potentially harm their children if repeated. All teachers maintain a file which contains their teaching degree and license, Registry level, background verification check, criminal records check, health report with a current TB test included, and an updated continuing education document.  All staff member credentials are submitted to The Registry, Wisconsin’s early childhood professional recognition system, for evaluation and leveling.

The ratio standards set by the State of Wisconsin Health and Social Services Department appear in the chart below.  The first number is always a 1 and stands for the teacher.  The numbers that follow represent the number of children.  Since we have mixed age groupings in our classrooms, we follow an equation provided by the state to help us maintain proper legal ratios at all times. 

State of Wisconsin Regulations:  Staff/Child Ratio Chart

            Ages                            Staff to Children       Maximum # of Children in Group

            6 wks to 2 years                      1:4                                           8

            2 to 2.5 years                          1:6                                           12

            2.5 – 3 years                           1:8                                           16

            3 to 4 years                             1:10                                         20

            4 to 5 years                             1:13                                         24

            5 to 6 years                             1:17                                         32

            6 years and over                     1:18                                         32       

 

Parent Involvement and Information

Daily contact between the parent and the teacher is an important part of our program.  By sharing information concerning your child’s welfare, we can work together to meet his/her needs. Each classroom has a current copy of the Wisconsin Administrative Code (Licensing Regulations) available for parents to read.  A parent information board is located in each classroom with information on licensing regulations, school events and newsletters.  The classroom boards also have information about daily happenings, weekly lessons and schedules, snack lists, field trip information and newsletters.   Teachers distribute a monthly newsletter about the events happening in their classrooms.  KidsExpress.com provides updates to keep parents and the community aware of daily and special events.  Three-ring-binders, located in each of KELC’s classrooms include copies of schedules, goal sheets, author study lists, theme lists,  field trip records, newsletters, notices, and the entire set of lesson plans for the year.

Parent/teacher conferences are held once each semester (fall and spring). Lead teachers post schedules for parents to sign up. The purpose of these conferences is to establish understanding, cooperation and consistency between the home and KELC, and for parents to gain information on the progress of their child, developmentally, socially and emotionally. “Parent/Teacher Conversations” are held in the fall to discuss your child’s adjustment to Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. and to jointly establish goals for the year. Teachers develop more formal progress reports for the Parent/Teacher Conferences held each spring. Please feel free to set up meetings with the teachers whenever a concern arises about activities, discipline or questions about your child’s development. Arrangements will be made to be sure you have time to visit with your child’s teacher.

Parent participation and observation is encouraged so that parents gain a deeper understanding of their child and KELC’s program.  Some parents have special talents, cultural traditions, skills, or experiences they can share with all of the children.  Others may have time to spend helping in the classroom or chaperoning a field trip.

 

Nature Center

Farmer Will’s Nature Nook bus is a unique classroom.  Children visit the bus to learn concepts about nature and to gain a respect as well as an appreciation for nature’s bounty.  Daily visits to the woodlands, meadows and gardens encourage children to explore aspects of nature on a first hand basis.

KELC wants parents to know that:

1.  Animals that are kept on the premises will be vaccinated against diseases for which vaccines are available and which present a hazard to the health of children.

1. Animals suspected of being ill or infested with external lice, fleas and ticks or internal worms are treated by a veterinarian. They are removed from KELC if the veterinarian suggests we do so.

3.  If an animal were to harm a child, the parent shall be notified and a veterinarian contacted by KELC personnel to determine a course of action in the diagnosis of possible rabies in the animal.  Procedures for emergency care of children will be followed.  Parents will be notified of any action taken by the veterinarian.

4.  Animal areas are kept as clean as possible.

5.  Pets are kept and handled in a manner which protects the well-being of both children and pets.  Good hand washing procedures are followed daily after children have visited the animals in the nature center.  We ask that parents who visit the animal area wash their hands before interacting with children once they enter KELC’s classrooms.

6.  Pets are kept out of the food preparation area.

7.  Children are allowed to observe and feed animals at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc./Prairie View Farm under the supervision of an adult.

8.  Children are allowed to walk along the nature trails of Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. in order to make observations of plant and animal habitats, behaviors, and changes.

9.  Children are allowed to feed and observe wild birds.  They are supervised by staff/volunteers of Kids Express Learning Center, Inc./Prairie View Farm.

10.  Children are allowed to observe the natural habits and life cycle of all animals at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc./Prairie View Farm.  This may include all of the following:  eating, sleeping, playing, mating, birthing, struggling with illnesses or, sadly, even the natural death of an animal due to illness or old age. 

 

POLICY ON HOLIDAYS

Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. attempts to celebrate holidays that are celebrated by KELC families. A Multi-cultural Family questionnaire is distributed the first weeks of the school year.  Families are asked to list special holidays or traditions celebrated in their home that could be incorporated into our curriculum.  KELC welcomes families to lead activities to celebrate special holidays that may not be familiar to the KELC staff members.

 

Policy on Rest Time

Children under five years of age, who are in care for more than four hours, are required by Wisconsin State Law to have a rest or naptime. A child who has not fallen asleep after 30 minutes or one who awakens, will have quiet time through the use of equipment or activities which will not disturb other children who are napping.

To control the spread of germs and illnesses, KELC supplies each child with an individual, labeled rest mat, sheet and blanket.  During nap time, these items are placed at least two feet from the next sleeping child.  Nap items are laundered and rest mats are sanitized at least once a week by KELC staff members. 

Due to space limitations, we can not accommodate pillows, blankets, etc.  Please do not send these items to school.  Your child may, however, wish to bring a small, soft (Beanie Baby size) toy to be used at naptime.

 

Policy on Discipline

Providing a variety of pleasant, welcoming, yet challenging play/work activities for children encourages them to become active, productive, self-controlled members of their classroom.  Given a well-designed atmosphere, children need to be allowed the freedom to make many decisions on their own, within acceptable limits.  Adult guidance and association with children at KELC will be unobtrusive, but always available to direct children who need assistance in selecting learning activities, self-control or interpersonal problem solving.  As children work and play together, they gain self-respect for themselves as a valued member of the group, develop self-control, and learn to respect others. 

1.  Positive Guidance of Children

Within this atmosphere of freedom balanced with adult guidance, minor regulations are necessary and are incorporated into our daily routine.  Discussions introduce habits for children to follow and allow for a peaceful atmosphere in the classroom.  For example:

• When a new center is introduced, simple rules for using that center will be explained. 
• If a child is aggressive or harms another child, an adult will intervene to discuss the situation with the children and lead them to understand why the confrontation occurred and assist them in finding a better solution to their interaction.
• Simple courtesies will be incorporated into daily lessons/activities: saying please and thank you, waiting patiently for a turn to paint, not interrupting when others are talking, etc.
• Safety, care of toys/supplies, good sanitary habits, and consideration of the needs and feelings of others will become part of our lesson objectives.

Teachers do many things to create a sense of community in the classroom.  For starters, helping children relax in the classroom helps ease tensions.  This is accomplished by using a moderate, friendly voice punctuated with smiles and positive comments whenever appropriate.   Bending down to the children's level or sitting with them on small chairs or on the floor develops an intimate, caring feeling.  Noticing and commenting on positive interactions serves to reward children for good behavior and encourages others to emulate the behavior. 

Teachers model positive interactions the children will mimic as they go about their daily work and play.  A positive attitude is a quality to be sought after and treasured in hiring early childhood educators.  Using a calm voice, positive and reinforcing words, praising good work and behavior, and having a problem solving approach to interactions with children all model good ways to interact.   Discipline is challenging to most educators.  Many opportunities will be offered for teachers at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. to share books, articles and insights related to classroom management and discipline.  In-service within and outside KELC helps teachers refine their skills in this important area of early childhood education.

Paying close attention to the planning of classroom activities helps children maintain self-control.  Quiet activities are balanced with ones that require movement; teacher directed activities are kept to a minimum with free choice learning activities maximized.  Stimulating, child-centered curriculum captures and holds children’s interests and minimizes time available for discipline problems to occur.  Planning also means examining the daily schedule to note when children find it difficult to cooperate.  A teacher may find the need to plan for more effective transition activities.

Some hints to a calm, positive, productive learning environment instilled in our teachers during in-service time include:

• When giving directions, be sure to have the child's attention.
• Allow children to ask questions before beginning an activity. 
• Encourage questioning at all times.
• Give children choices of activities.  
• Warn ahead of time before changing an activity.  For example, teachers will be          encouraged to say "You have five minutes to finish up before music class."

      "Now there are only two minutes left.  Begin to put your toys/materials away now."

• Refrain from pleading or threatening and never physically mishandle a child.
• Invite children to participate in an activity but never force it.
• Direct children to a new activity when the present activity is completed.
• Use a calm, quiet voice as much as possible.  Get down to the child's level when carrying on a conversation.
• Praise, praise, praise whenever a child or group of children deserves the compliment.  Positive reinforcement is a key to successful classroom discipline.

Unsupervised children can easily become unruly.  Although teachers must allow children to select activities and work independently or in small groups, a careful watch is kept so that children remain on task and do not lose control.

Firm, Fair, Friendly, the three important components of human interaction at any level, is instilled in our teachers during in-service.  Teachers are instructed to explain classroom rules in a positive manner to make them understandable and acceptable to the children.  Repetition is to be avoided.  Children must learn that the teacher will say something once and expect cooperation.  Of course, the teacher must be sure a child is paying attention before any directive is given.

2.  Difficult Situations

Difficult situations are bound to present themselves from time to time.  Understanding the reasons for a child's behavior is the key to making a decision on how to respond.  Negative behaviors such as refusal to participate in activities, acting out inappropriately, pushing, biting, kicking, throwing items, tearing books, hitting, or making cruel comments may be caused by many underlying situations.  Among the most common are:

             fear                              jealousy                      loneliness

            fatigue                         confusion                    hyperactivity

            anger                          embarrassment         over-stimulation

            curiosity                      boredom                      sleepiness

            insecurity                    shyness                       hurt feelings

            hunger                         illness                         problems at home

Teachers are instructed to think about problems that occur in the classroom and try to determine what caused certain behaviors to occur.  Patterns of behavior in a child are noted through careful observation and then dealt with in a constructive manner.

When difficult situations do arise, teachers in the Center must make attempts to:

• Redirect an uncooperative child to another activity. 
• Redirect an entire group to better control of an activity that has become unruly.
• Encourage children to use language to solve problems rather than negative physical contact.  Encourage children to "stand up for themselves" when they feel they have been mistreated by verbalizing their feelings.
• Guide problem solving discussions but let children take the lead in the problem solving.  Ask leading questions like:  "What happened?", "Why are you saying angry things about _____?", etc.  Help children understand themselves and the actions or words of others.
• Make light of toilet accidents and never embarrass a child.
• React immediately if a child strikes, kicks, or bites.  Restrain them gently and say,

"You may not _____."  The child should be temporarily removed from the group, taken side and given a "time out".  The injured child must be comforted until the trauma has passed--then a discussion of cause/effect can be held with both children.

3.  Biting Policy

KELC takes an aggressive approach toward handling all biting incidents.  When a biting incident occurs, both children involved are given an opportunity to tell a teacher what happened.  The teacher emphasizes an appropriate behavior to use another time rather than biting.  For the child who was bitten, the area will be washed with soap and water and ice applied to reduce any swelling. 

After the teacher has spoken with both children, the teacher will call the parents of the children involved.  If your child has bitten another child, you may be asked to pick your child up from school immediately.  While we understand that this may be inconvenient for you as the parent, the KELC staff feels that this is an important and necessary step to impress upon the child how serious we are about not allowing biting to occur at school.

If there are three or more incidents involving the same child(ren), a conference will be set up to discuss any issues that may be behind the biting and to form a plan of action.

4.    Policy on Time Outs

A time away from the group may be assigned for behaviors that are cruel, abusive, disruptive, or endanger the safety of a child or other classmates.  These behaviors are discussed at intervals so the children are aware of unacceptable behaviors.  A time away (usually on a chair a few feet from the play/center-time group) interrupts the unacceptable behavior by removing the child from the situation.  It is a time for a child to "rethink" a situation and renew his or her feelings about a negative occurrence in the classroom. 

A time away from the group is given in a specified spot in the classroom within sight and sound and under the supervision of an adult.  Reasons for time outs are explained to the child.  Time outs are not more than two minutes in length and the child is reassured after the completion of the time out.  A teacher discusses the issue with the child at that time.

5.  Prohibited Punishment

Teachers are prohibited from issuing punishment that is humiliating or frightening to a child.  Examples of prohibited teacher behavior include:

• Spanking, hitting, pinching, shaking or inflicting any other form of corporal punishment.
• Verbal abuse, threats or derogatory remarks about self or family.
• Binding or tying to restrict movement or enclosing in a confined space such as a closet, locked room, box, or similar cubicle.
• Withholding or forcing meals, snacks or naps.
• Punishing for lapses in toilet training.

Child care workers/teachers who punish children in a manner prohibited by licensing rules and/or Center policy would be given a verbal warning by the Center Director as soon as the infraction is brought to the Director's attention.  A letter of reprimand would be filed immediately, along with a statement warning the employee that repeated infractions of this rule will result in termination of employment.  If such an instance should occur at KELC, the Director would make every attempt to provide guidance to the employee who lost control of a disciplinary situation.    

 

Health Program Policy

It is required that a health policy be in place in order to maintain, protect, and improve the health of all children. KELC follow the guidelines of the Dane County Public Health Department with regards to communicable disease and illness.  The purpose of the policy is to reduce the risk or spread of disease and childhood illnesses to children. Within 30 days of enrolling, a child’s health form must be on record.  The form must be signed by a doctor if the exam was done in the past year. In addition to a doctor, the following professionals may also sign the physical form:

• Physician’s Assistant
• Provider which includes personnel from:
• Outpatient Hospital Facilities
• Health Maintenance Organizations
• Visiting Nurse Associations
• Clinics Operated Under a Physician’s Supervision
• Local Public Health Agencies
• Home Health Agency
• Rural Health Clinics
• Indian Health Clinics
• Neighborhood Health Centers                       

The immunization form can be completed by a parent and must be turned into the office by the first day of enrollment.  Families who do not have their children immunized for personal reasons still need to complete this form.  There is a section that addresses personal beliefs.  The following include the immunization requirements:

         Age/Grade                                  Number of Doses

5 mo. through 11 mos.                     2DPT/DTaP/DT2                                          2 Polio   2 HepB    2 Hib

12 mo. through 24 mos.                  3DTP/DTaP/DT      1MMR & Varicella       2 Polio   2 HepB    3 Hib

2 yrs. through 4 yrs.                           4DTP/DTaP/DT      1MMR                           3 Polio   3 HepB    3 Hib

At Kindergarten Entrance                 4DTP/DTaP/DT      2MMR                            4 Polio   3 HepB    3 Hib

 

The following policies will be in effect for Kids Express Learning Center, Inc.:

 1.  Observation

Upon arrival, each child at KELC is observed by a staff person for symptoms of illness or injury.

Any evidence of unusual bruises, contusions, lacerations or burns in or out of KELC’s care is recorded in a medications and injury log book and reported immediately to the Director.

2.  Isolation

An isolation area is provided for the care of children who appear to become ill.  If the area is not a separate room, it is separated from space used by other children through the use of a partition, screen or other means.

3.  Ill Child Procedure

The following procedures are required by the State of Wisconsin Licensing Regulations and will apply when an apparently ill child is observed at KELC:

• Children with a sore throat, inflammation of the eyes, ear or nose drainage, fever of 101 degrees or higher, respiratory symptoms, lice, ringworm of the scalp, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, or other illness or condition having the potential to affect the health of other persons must be isolated;
• The child is provided with a cot, sheet and blanket in the isolation room or area with a staff within sight and hearing of the child.  Isolation is used until the child is released from KELC to the parent or guardian.
• The child's parent, or a designated responsible person when a parent cannot be reached, is contacted as soon as possible after the illness is discovered.  Arrangements are made for the release of the child from KELC within one hour.
• Children must be symptom-free or on prescribed medication for 24 hours prior to coming back to Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. to avoid possible exposure to other children.  KELC requires a doctor’s release in the case of certain illnesses.
• Parents must be sure that KELC has emergency numbers on file with the location and phone numbers of the closest contact person.  If a child becomes ill at school, the parent or emergency contact person must pick up the child within an hour.

4.  Communicable Disease

A child with a reportable communicable disease will not be admitted or be permitted to remain at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. during the period when the disease is communicable.  Such instances include:

• When a child is suspected of having chickenpox, German measles, infectious hepatitis, measles, mumps, poliomyelitis, scarlet fever, whooping cough, diphtheria, meningitis or other reportable communicable disease, the local public health officer will be notified.
• Whenever it is determined that a child has a communicable disease, the exposed children will be watched for symptoms of the disease and their parents shall be notified.
• After having had a communicable disease, a child may be readmitted to Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. under these circumstances:

Parents must provide a statement from a physician that the child’s condition is no longer contagious.

The child has been absent for a period of time equal to the longest usual incubation period of the disease as specified by the Department of Health.

5.  Medication

KELC’s staff will give prescription or non-prescription medication, such as aspirin or cough medicine, to a child or apply parent-provided and labeled sunscreen or insect repellent to a child only under the following conditions:

• A written authorization dated and signed by the parent is on file.
• The medication is in the original container and labeled with the child’s name, name of drug, the dosage, directions for administering, date and physician’s name.

A written record, including type of medication given, dosage required, time, date and name of the person administering the medication, must be made in KELC’s medications and injury log book on the same day that the medication is administered.  The recording of the application of sunscreen or insect repellent is not required.  Medications are stored in a locked metal box located in an upper cabinet and/or in the refrigerator.  If a child’s medication is forgotten or there is an error in the amount given, a note will need to be made next to the Amount Given section of the form and the parents will need to be informed of it when they pick their child up.

DO NOT PUT MEDICINES OR FOOD SUPPLEMENTS IN LUNCHES OR CHILDREN’S BACKPACKS.

6.  Health Precautions

• Children's hands must be washed with soap and running water upon entry into Kids Express Learning Center, Inc.
• Children’s hands must be washed before eating and after toileting; their hands and faces will be washed after meals.
• Bodily secretions such as runny noses, eye drainage and coughed-up matter will be wiped with a disposable tissue used only once and placed in a plastic-lined container.  Whoever does the wiping will wash his or her hands immediately.
• Bodily secretions on surfaces will be washed with soap and water and disinfected with a cup of Sol-U-Guard to 1 gallon of water. Hands will be washed immediately.
• Individual washcloths, combs, and toothbrushes will be kept in a sanitary condition when used at KELC.
• Wet or soiled clothing will be changed promptly from a supply of clean clothing provided by parents for their child’s use. Soiled clothing will be rinsed and placed in a plastic bag.

7.  Universal Precautions

KELC’s staff receives annual training and will observe universal precautions when exposed to blood and blood-containing body fluids and injury discharges of all children.  All persons exposed to blood or blood-containing body fluids and tissue discharges will wash their hands immediately with soap and warm running water.  Single use disposable gloves will be worn if there is contact with blood-containing body fluids or tissue discharges. Hands will be washed with soap and water after removal of gloves.  Gloves will be discarded in plastic bags.  For spills of vomit, urine, feces, blood or other body fluids, KELC’s staff will clean and disinfect the floors, walls, bathrooms, tabletops, toys and kitchen countertops.

8.  Injuries

Treatment of children who are injured will be planned for and carried out as follows:

• Written permission from the parents to call the family physician or refer the child for medical care in case of injury will be on file at the Center.  Parents will be contacted as soon as possible after an injury has occurred; or if a minor injury, when the parent picks up the child.

A planned source of emergency medical care, such as a hospital emergency room, clinic or other constantly staffed facility, will be designated and made known to staff and parents.

KELC’s emergency medical facilities are:

            Hospital / Emergency Room:  St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center

            Clinic:  Dean Care on North High Point Road

• In the event that emergency care is needed, KELC will take whatever steps necessary to obtain appropriate care.  Our primary objective is to provide medical attention to the child in case of an emergency.  The following steps will be taken:

            Call 911

Contact parent or emergency contact

• KELC will have an adequate supply of gloves, bandages, tape and Band-Aids.
• Superficial wounds may be cleaned with soap and water only and protected. Routine procedures for treatment of serious but non-life threatening and minor injuries, as learned in the Basic First Aid classes will be followed.
• An Accident Report is completed for any injury occurring at KELC.  Copies of these reports will be kept in the child’s file and in the Medical Log.  At least twice a year these reports are reviewed by the Director to make sure that all possible prevention measures are being taken.  Parents may request to view this log at any time.

9. Physical Examination

• Each child shall have an initial physical examination not more than one year prior to nor later than 30 days after admission to the Center.
• Evidence of the child's most recent physical examination shall be provided by a report signed and dated by a physician.
• Each child two years of age and older shall have a subsequent physical examination by a physician at least once every two years.          

10.  Immunization

A record of immunizations for each child shall be maintained to document compliance with state regulations.  (See the Immunization Policy on page 27 for further information.)

11.  Parental Notification 

Parents of enrolled children shall be notified:

• When their child has been exposed to a communicable disease which has been diagnosed or suspected;
• Immediately, if the child becomes ill or is seriously injured.

12. Health Qualifications

All persons who work directly with children, except volunteers, shall have a health examination within twelve months prior to beginning work at Kids Express Learning Center or within 30 days after beginning work.  The report, dated and signed by a physician, shall be on file in the Center and shall certify that:

The person is free from illness detrimental to children, including tuberculosis.

The person is physically able to work with young children.

No person with symptoms of a serious illness or communicable disease, which presents a safety or health risk to children or whose behavior gives reasonable concern for the safety of children, may work at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. Once it is definitely determined by appropriate tests that such a person is not a carrier and is physically and mentally capable of working with young children, they will then be allowed to work at KELC.

 

Immunization Policy

An immunization record must be on file for each child within 30 school days (six weeks) of the child's first day of attendance at KELC.  This immunization history must indicate that the child has received at least the first dose of each vaccine (DPT/DT/TD, polio, measles, rubella and mumps) or that the immunization requirement is to be waived for that child by a compliance alternative.

• Immunization requirements are waived upon signature of the parent that the child should not be immunized for personal or religious reasons.
• Immunization requirements may also be waived upon signature of a physician that the child should not be immunized for health reasons.

Children who have not received subsequent doses of vaccine appropriate to their age must receive such subsequent doses within one year of the first day of attendance, and must notify KELC in writing as each dose is received.

When children are in the process of being immunized (i.e., the child has received some DPT and Polio doses but not all that are required for the child's age), KELC will request a note from the child's health care provider that the child is on schedule for the immunizations and the respective date for the next scheduled dosage.  This note will be attached to the child's immunization record.  A follow up on this scheduled immunization will be done using KELC’s health bookkeeping system.  KELC’s Children’s Records Manager is responsible for follow-up on the maintenance of immunization records.

As required by Wisconsin law and administrative rule, the district attorney will be notified that a child has failed to comply with immunization requirements when the following conditions exist:

• Children who do not submit an immunization record within 30 school days (six weeks) of admission;
• Children whose record, at 30 school days after admission, indicates that they do not have at least the first dose of each required vaccine; and
• Children who fall behind schedule (i.e., do not obtain an immunization which their health care provider has indicated is due on a certain date).

 

Miscellaneous Health Information

Allergy information, taken from the completed enrollment forms, is posted in the snack/lunch area of each classroom.  Please inform KELC if there are new allergies that appear during the year or if there are any additional health concerns that all staff members should be aware of concerning your child.

State law requires that KELC maintain medical/accident logs which record any medications given or injuries sustained by a child while at the Center.  You will be given appropriate forms to fill out/review and sign.  These forms are retained in a Center file.

 

Policy on Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect

According to state regulations, KELC must insure that every staff member coming in contact with children has received training in child abuse and neglect laws, how to identify children and the process for reporting.  Staff members are required by law to report if they have concern, know or have reason to know that a child has been neglected or harmed.  Reports will be made to Dane County Social Services.

 

Policy on Safety

Parking at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. is permitted along the driveway, the circular drive and along streets in the neighborhood adjacent to the school.  At the request of the Town of Middleton Board, to ensure safety of our children, only teacher vehicles are permitted beyond the red staff parking signs.  Please observe these requests.

Please do not leave your car running when picking up children or dropping them off.  Also, please do not leave babies or other unsupervised children in vehicles.  Parents/guardians must accompany children to and from the school building.

Drills and inspections are required by state law.  Fire drills are held monthly and tornado drills are held in the spring.  Fire extinguishers are inspected annually by Badger Fire Protection.  Teachers receive annual training in the operation of these extinguishers. 

 

Policy on Nutrition

Families must provide a noon lunch for each child enrolled in the Center's full day program.  According to state regulations, the noon meal must consist of a least one item from each of the following categories:

• Protein sources, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cooked dried peas or beans, cheese or peanut butter;
• 2 vegetables or 1 vegetable and 1 fruit, or 2 fruits;
• Cereal, or whole grain or enriched bread products;
• Grade A vitamin D milk.

Please be sure to supply a drink for your child.  If you choose to supply juice, also include a dairy food in your child’s lunch.  Your child’s lunch will be stored in the classroom, so please put an ice pack in the lunch box. Hot food should be placed in a thermos since time does not allow staff to heat lunch items.  All lunches should be labeled with the child’s name.

KELC will keep a supply of peanut butter, crackers, raisins and cheese on hand to supplement children's lunches if necessary.  Children will be offered these supplements if their personal lunches do not include items from one or more of the four food groups.  Parents will be reminded to send appropriate foods with their child if our staff notes frequent deficiencies in school lunches.

A morning and afternoon snack will be prepared by the school.  Each snack will consist of at least two of the following items: milk or milk products, fruit, fruit juice, vegetable, peanut butter or other protein, whole grain or enriched bread or cereal.  Special treats that are brought in by the children will be served along with our snack.  If it meets one of the requirements it will take the place of our regular snack.  Any time there is a change in the snack schedule a note will be made on the snack menu.   Appropriate snack and meal times will be worked into KELC’s schedule. Children who are not enrolled in our full/half day programs but attend our after school program will receive a snack when they arrive.

Children will be seated at child-size tables and chairs for lunches and snacks.  Staff will join the children for meals/snacks in order to promote good table manners, sanitary habits, conversation/social skills, and to supervise the children.

Health information cards will be checked to note food allergies of individual children.  Appropriate staff members will be made aware of allergies present in the children for whom they are responsible. An alternative snack will be made available to those children.  When a physician has written instructions for nutrient concentrates and supplements, this document will be reviewed by the Center Director and appropriate staff members and followed exactly as written.

Enrollment forms will be checked to determine food preferences listed by parents (i.e., vegetarian habits, parental wishes regarding special snacks/holiday and birthday treats, etc.).

 

 

Cold Weather Policy
 

Children will not be sent outside when the following temperature conditions exist: 

• the temperature drops below zero degrees, or
• the wind chill is -10 degrees or colder.

Each classroom teacher will decide whether or not to take the children outside for a shortened period when the temperature is zero degrees or above and the wind chill falls between -1 and -9 degrees.  Teachers’ decisions will be based on the age and needs of the children at the time of their scheduled outdoor play.

The KELC staff will call weather information at 252-2222 for temperature and wind chill readings during the time of outdoor play.

Parents should continue to send all proper winter play clothing every day, regardless of the weather.

ALL CHILDREN AT KIDS EXPRESS LEARNING CENTER, INC. GO OUTSIDE, WEATHER PERMITTING.  IF A CHILD IS TOO SICK TO GO OUTSIDE, THEN THE CHILD IS OBVIOUSLY TOO SICK TO BE AT SCHOOL.

 

Policy on Potty Training

Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. has a potty-trained requirement for all children attending the half-day program.  Only one of our full-day classrooms accepts children who are not fully potty trained.  Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. defines “potty trained” as children being able to control both urination and bowel movements and are able to use a toilet with little or no assistance when they feel the need.  (Children in pull-ups are not fully potty trained.)  An occasional accident happens for all children.  However, if a child has accidents regularly (once per week or more), they are not considered fully potty trained and do not meet the potty trained requirement.

These children will be asked to remain at home until they can meet this requirement.  Children are given a five-day attendance grace period for adjusting to the new environment before they are held to the potty trained policy.

Kids Express Learning Center’s staff understands that this is a sensitive process for children and their families.  Parents are welcome to pay the regular tuition fee to hold their child’s slot if not fully potty trained when school begins.  Otherwise, you may contact us when your child is accident free at home.  We will do our best to find a space for children who have been accepted into the program but need to wait until being fully potty trained.

 

Policy on Videos

Showing videos for an extended length of time or frequently is not considered good childcare practice by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  Therefore, Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. has developed the following policy regulating the showing of videos:

Educational videos that expand on a classroom theme or curriculum activity are allowed provided they are no longer than 15 minutes in length per viewing period.  These types of videos may include, but are not limited to topics such as stories, wild life, songs, nature or science.  Movies are not considered educational videos and may not be shown.  Teaching staff shall limit the use of educational videos to 20 minutes per month unless granted permission by the Program Coordinator or Director.

Videos or movies are not to be used in place of outdoor, large muscle activity when inclement weather occurs.  On days children are unable to go out of doors, staff shall include active large muscle activities indoors for a minimum of 20 minutes.  This may take the form of various types of music and movement, active circle games, exercises, dancing, nerf ball games, hide & find games, classroom obstacle courses, etc.

 

Policy on Website

KidsExpress.com, our informational website, is designed to keep parents abreast of classroom activities, featured events, and daily schedules.  A photo gallery is included to help parents learn more about what goes on at KELC.  While the general public is invited to view information included on our home page, the classroom features and photo galleries are password protected areas of the site, accessible only once a child has been formally enrolled at Kids Express Learning Center, Inc.  Once your child’s enrollment has been processed, you may register to view the classroom areas of our website.  Children’s last names will not accompany photos used in the classroom galleries.  All parents/guardians are asked to sign a form allowing their child to be included in the photo gallery section.

  

Policy on Solicitation

Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. has a No Solicitation Policy.  We do not post advertisements of products or services unrelated to the operation of KELC.

 

Policy on Use of Kids Express Learning Center's Name/Logo

Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. has secured copyright protection for its name and logo.  Therefore it is not legal to attach our business name or logo to any print or verbal entity without our written permission.

  

Miscellaneous Information

 1.  Custody Issues

Children of parents who are divorced or separated must be legally released to the non-custodial parents according to Wisconsin statutes. This also means that we must release information to the non-custodial parent.  The only way we can make a decision not to do so is if we have a signed court document in the child’s file stating otherwise.  If you anticipate any problems in this area, please see KELC’s Director.

2.  Children Listing More Than One Residence

If your family needs more than one copy of information from Kids Express Learning Center, Inc., please let us know.  We will be happy to send multiple copies of information to all parents/guardians of enrolled children.

3.  Appropriate Dress for School

Each child must bring an extra set of labeled clothing to school.  Please make sure that the clothing fits and is appropriate for the season.  Place the clothing in a labeled zip lock plastic bag and put it into the bin in your child’s cubby.  For children struggling with potty training, please provide additional clothing and underwear.  Whenever we need to change a child, please provide a clean bag of clothing the following day.

In winter, children need a warm jacket, snowpants or snowsuit, mittens/gloves, boots, hat and extra gloves.  PLEASE LABEL ALL ITEMS.

4.  Snow Days

Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. follows the advice of the Verona Area Public School system when making decisions on school closings or delays due to bad weather conditions.  When the Verona schools are closed or delayed, Kids Express Learning Center, Inc. will also be closed or delayed. Please watch one of the local television stations for reports of Verona Area Public School closings.

5.  Inappropriate Language / Foul Language

All adults on KELC school property must refrain from using inappropriate or foul language.  Adults using foul language will be asked to leave the premises.

6.  End of Day

Please take all outdoor clothing home each evening so that our janitors have an easier task of cleaning the cubby areas.

7.  Dress Code for Special Aides

If a child attending must have an aide, shadow or special assistant, that attendant is required to follow the KELC staff dress code and policies

  

Parent Concerns and Issues

• KELC is open to visits and observations by parents during regular hours of operation, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Parents who wish to speak with a teacher need to make an appointment in advance (See Grievance Procedure). Conversations during class time take away from teacher/student interactions.  
• Parents are encouraged to participate in Center activities.
• Children's records are locked in files in the Family Accounts office.  These records are confidential and available to the parent only upon request.
• Copies of rules and KELC policies are available to parents and are kept in each classroom and in the Director’s office.
• Our state license and any new state regulations will be posted in the main lobby of Kids Express Learning Center, Inc...   If non-compliance notices are ever issued, they will also be posted in the main lobby.
• KELC maintains a medical log that includes notations on medications and injuries.  Entries in this log regarding a particular child are available to parents.
• Parental notices and other parent information will be posted on the Parent Information boards provided for each classroom.
• We would appreciate a telephone call when your child will be absent from school. You may leave a message on our answering machine any time at: (608) 845-3245, using the extension assigned to your child’s classroom.  Thank you, in advance, for that request.

 

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

 If you have concerns that you feel need to be addressed, please follow these steps:

1.  Set up an appointment to speak with your child’s teachers.  State your concerns and ask how the teachers might resolve the situation.

2.  If you are not satisfied, inform the teachers that it would be helpful to review the situation with the assistance of an administrator.

3.  Contact the Director or Program Coordinator to arrange a joint meeting to resolve the issue.    

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