Contract Information

Contract & Policies
Thank you for choosing Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare, a licensed preschool & childcare center.

A. Mission Statement:
It is our mission to provide a safe and clean learning environment so as to facilitate and instill in each child an increased social and emotional development through creative expression in art, music & drama. We believe that the way to run a preschool/childcare center is as a full partnership with the parents. We partner with them to create an awesome experience for Tomorrow's Heroes. We believe in transforming the environment of the childcare facility, to maximize each child's learning and growing experience and to help each child feel important and loved. Ready-Set-Grow admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, or other school administered programs.

B. Hours of Service:
Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare is open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday -Friday, and enrolling children age 2 year to 11 years old. Our insurance does not cover your child before 6:00 a.m or after 6:00 p.m., therefore there is a $1.00 per minute charge per child if after 6:00 p.m. If we do not hear from you within fifteen minutes, we could notify the police to pick up your child. If you are unable to pickup your child or children at your scheduled time, please discuss this with a care provider in advance. If you are delayed at all in picking up your child, please call to inform the center. Even though you have called, the late fee will still be applied.

C. Parent Payment Agreement:
Payments will be based on the Parent Payment Agreement within this contract. We do not make refunds for absent days as we are holding a place for your child in the class, and overhead expenses continue. There is a $35.00 service charge for returned checks. After the second returned check, cash only will be accepted as a form a payment. Payments are due the Monday morning of service or earlier. If more than two payments are missed, services will no longer be available. To start services again, you will be required to pay in full the entire balance plus payment for the week you will be returning. Non-payments will result in termination of services and could result in being sent to collections. Attorney fees and court costs will be applied.
The parent/guardian is responsible for notifying us in writing when your child has had a change in age that will reflect a rate change. The sign-in sheet for each child has a place to notify us of any age change.

D. Enrollment:
All forms, paperwork and contracts must be returned to the childcare center prior to services starting. All forms, paperwork and contracts are subject to a yearly renewal and should be updated if any changes occur prior to renewal date. There is a $35.00 registration fee due and payable to Ready-Set-Grow before services begin. A two week notice is required from parent or legal guardian to stop childcare services. This contract shall continue until a two-week written notice of intent to terminate this contract is given. Therefore, after Ready-Set-Grow receives the two week written notice, this contract shall expire at the end of that 14-day period, provided that you have paid for all services up to that date. Any outstanding balances will be sent to collections. Attorney fees and court costs will be applied. Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare reserves the right to give immediate notice to any parent, under certain conditions, to discontinue service in order to preserve the safety and well-being of the other children and staff at Ready-Set-Grow. Payment is required during said two week notice period whether the child receives services or not.

E. Center Responsibilities and Daily Curriculum:
Children will receive well-balanced nutritious meals and snacks. Breakfast is served between 7:30 and 8:30. A snack will be served at 10:00 am daily and lunch will be served between 12:00 and 12:30 p.m. Rest/nap time is 1:00-3:00 p.m.. A snack will be served between 3:00 and 3:30 pm. We will see that your child or children have a loving and caring environment. Your child will be taught basic skills and knowledge to help them throughout their lives. While at the Center, your child will be taught in the following: Arts & Crafts, Reading Readiness, Pre-Math, Field Trips, Reading, Science, Music, Cognitive activities, Social Development, Cooking Projects, Gross Motor. The Ready-Set-Grow teachers are CPR and first aid certified. We will inform the parents in advance of any dates the center will be closed. It is our recommendation that parents have their own dependable childcare backup plan at all times. Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare will not release a child in the care of another child/sibling that is under the age of 15 years. In the even a child younger than 15 years comes to pick up a child at the center, Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare will not release a child to them. Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare maintains an open door policy. This means that you are welcome to stop by or call the center at any time to check on your child or children. Please remember lunch time is very busy and nap time is a time to rest tired little bodies.

F. Sickness & Medications
Ready-Set-Grow will notify you if your child or children are too sick to be a the center upon arrival or if they become sick while at the center. If your child is too sick to be at the center, you will be asked to use your alternate childcare. If your child becomes sick while at the center, you will be called to pick up your child as soon as possible. Tylenol can and will be given with permission when called to pick up your child for comfort until you arrive. The following list are possible illnesses that would exclude your child from daycare. (Definitions posted at all times in the center).
Signs of possible severe illnesses:
Fever
unusual lethargy
irritability
persistent crying
difficulty breathing
Uncontrolled diarrhea
Vomiting
mouth-sores
Rash
Rubella
Hepatitis A

Purulent Conjunctivitis:(pink-eye)
Infestation (e.g. scabies head lice)
Impetigo
Tuberculosis
Streptococcal Pharyngitis (strep-throat)
Pinworm (enterobiasis)
Ringworm
Varicella (chicken pox)
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Mumps
Measles
A call will be given to you if the child has any of the above illnesses or if they are extremely fussy or irritable due to being sick. Any antibiotics taken for a sickness need to have been taken for at least 24 hours before returning to the center. Medications will only be administered by the director or other certified trained personnel. Over the counter and prescription medications must be in the original or pharmacy containers, have the original label and child proof caps. Please include the child’s name and instructions for administering. Parents will be required to fill out a medical release form when medicine is brought with the child. The director will inform the parent of any errors in administration or adverse reactions from medication. The director will return unused medications to the parent. Outdated medicines left at the center will be destroyed. Ready-Set-Grow cannot administer over the counter medication in any direction other than what is recommended on the bottle. Medication will not be administered beyond the directions given on the original container unless a prescription from the doctor is provided.
You will be notified of any kind of illnesses that your child has come in contact with. Notice will be put up on the parent’s board. Confidentiality will be used with all illnesses. The director is required by law to report certain contagious diseases to the local health department. You will be notified verbally if your child’s illness needs to be reported. Scratches and scrapes are inevitable when children play or learn how to walk. Minor accidents will be treated with antiseptic, band aid (if needed) a kiss and a hug. Also, the child’s teacher will notify the director and an incident report will be filled out and filed. You will be notified at pickup time. For anything more serious, medical help will be called first, then you will be notified! The childcare will have on hand the emergency release form, signed by you if you cannot be reached immediately.
You are responsible for any and all medical expenses, etc., incurred as the result of any accident while in the care of Ready-Set-Grow.

G. Discipline
Care giver/Teachers will use discipline in a consistent way. Disciplinary measures shall encourage the child’s self-control to reduce the risk of injury and/or any adverse health effects to self or others. Positive and constructive discipline measures include but are not limited to: positive behavioral rewards, other forms of positive guidance, positive reinforcement, separation of child from situation, praise, redirection, or time out. If a child’s behavior requires disciplinary action, they will be redirected three times. If that does not change the behavior, the child will be sent to time out for one minute per age. Discipline measures shall not include any of the following: corporal punishment, including hitting, shaking, biting, pinching, or spanking, restraint of a child’s movement by binding or tying. Discipline measures shall also not include any of the following: use of abusive, demeaning or profane language, force or withholding of food, rest or toileting, or confining a child in a locked closet, room or similar areas. The director shall provide each parent and legal guardian a copy of the discipline methods used at the center.
The director is required by law to notify the nearest law enforcement agency or protective services agency in the event that any child comes to Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare with evidence or the staff may think has or is being abused, neglected or has been exploited.
Ready-Set-Grow promises to give your child or children careful attention, affectionate care and a stimulating learning environment so that they will experience a healthy an happy development during the time they are in our care at Ready-Set-Grow.

H. Vacations, Holidays and Maternity Leave
Ready-Set-Grow is closed on New Years Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, 24th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Weekend, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. If these Holidays are on Saturday or Sunday, or observed on a normal business day, the center will be closed on that day observed or on the day before the holiday. Other holidays are optional and Ready-Set-Grow will provide a 3-week notice if the center will be closed.
Payment is required during any vacation time or time spent away from Ready-Set-Grow (beyond regular enrolled times), unless a two week notice is given to inform Ready-Set-Grow of your child being gone from the center for that time period. If a two week notice is not given, payment for the length of time they are gone (based on their regular enrollment), is required. This payment holds the child’s spot in the daycare while they are away. We reserve the right to make adjustments based on medical emergencies.
Maternity Leave: If you have a currently enrolled child that will be at home during maternity leave, a down payment of one weeks tuition is required to hold that child’s spot until they return.
I. Nap Time, Diapers, etc.
Children will rest or nap on the mat in the same room everyday. Linens will be changed as needed or changed weekly. Mats will be sanitized daily. If your child is still in diapers, you are responsible for providing diapers for your child. You will be notified when more diapers are needed. Children will be changed when needed and checked at least every two hours. If clothes become soiled or if cloth diapers are used, they may not be rinsed out at the center, but instead placed in a sealed plastic bag and sent home. You will be charged $2.00 for every diaper Ready-Set-Grow provides for your child. When you pick up your child, you will be notified of this charge. You can replace the diapers used to Ready-Set-Grow, or pay the $2.00 per diaper fee. Payment or replacement of the diaper(s) must be received before the next service is given.

J. What to bring to the center:
Please bring the following items with your child’s name on them to be left at Ready-Set-Grow in your child’s cubby: a change of pants, underpants, an old shirt for painting and a small blanket. Please keep all toys at home! Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare will not be responsible for toys, movies, tapes/CD’s or other items that are brought to the childcare center that may get broken, lost or stolen.

K. Permission from Parent or Guardian
I agree to the following for my child (please initial each line):
_____ For Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare to take and display a photograph of my child
_____ In the event Poison Control is called for any reason pertaining to my child, I give permission for Ready-Set-Grow to follow directions given by Poison Control Center for my child. I will not hold Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare or their staff liable for any damage that may occur as a result of following said instructions received by the poison control center.
_____ Permission for Ready-Set-Grow and their staff to use CPR or First Aid if my child or children need it while in their care. I will not hold Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare or their staff liable for using CPR or First Aid or any damage that may occur as a result of using CPR or First Aid on my child or children.
_____ In the event there is an emergency or disaster which requires us to leave the center, and I or my emergency contact for my child is unable to be reached, Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare has my permission to transport my child or children to an evacuation site or the medical facility where medical attention is needed. I will not hold Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare or their staff liable or responsible for any accident due to the emergency.
_____ Sun screen (that I have supplied) can be applied to my child by the staff of Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare, when it is needed to play outside. You will be notified at the time of pickup if sun screen was used. By checking this, the parent or guardian does confirm that their child or children has no known medical history, allergies or problems with the sun screen that I have supplied and I will not hold Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare responsible for any allergies or problems that may occur with the sun screen. I am also aware that the sun screen will be kept out of the reach of my child and any other children.
_____ I give my permission to the Director of Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare or other trained staff at Ready-Set-Grow to use the abdominal thrust on my child in the event of choking on a food item or other item. I will not hold Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare or its staff responsible for any injury that may occur with the use of the abdominal thrust.
_____ I give my permission for Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare to transport my child to and from school and/or any other activities associated with Ready-Set-Grow that require transportation. I will not hold Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare or its staff responsible or liable for any injury that may occur during this transportation process.

L. Past Childcare Information:
Please provide the following information:
Name of Last childcare supplier:
Address:
Phone Number:
Dates of use:
Reason for leaving:
Please inform the center as soon as possible if your child or children will not be receiving childcare that day or if they will not be dropped of at the scheduled time. You will still be responsible for payment in full for that day unless a two-weeks notice has been given.
This contract and policy is subject to periodic changes and reviews. Parents will be notified of any changes that take place to this policy and contract.
I have received, read and agree with the contract and policies laid out in said contract of Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare. By signing this form, I agree that Ready-Set-Grow Preschool & Childcare will provide childcare for my child or children and I will abide by all policies.

Child or Children Name(s) Date Social Security Number
Parent or Guardian Signature Date Social Security Number

Ready-Set-Grow Childcare Provider Date