Parent Handbook
Welcome to Bridge Pointe Christian Day Care Academy
We are blessed that you chose Bridge Pointe Christian Day Care Academy as you child’s start to a bright future of discovery and learning. This is your parent handbook which outlines our guidelines, expectations, rules, regulations and contractual agreements. We offer a research-based curriculum for ages 6 weeks to 12 years old; comprised of fun-filled learning experiences led by a dedicated and specially trained staff of teachers. Our philosophy and the focus of our curriculum is on the development of the whole child. Spiritual, physical, social, intellectual and emotional developments are all emphasized in our Christian based environment. Your child(ren) will develop skills essential for the success in school and in life through creative hands-on experiences, discovery, social interaction, problem solving and FUN! We reserve the right to modify these policies and procedures at any time to comply with state regulations or company directives. We look forward to getting to know you and your child(ren).
Thank you again and Welcome!
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Getting Ready for Your Child’s First Day Our teachers and staff will do everything possible to make your child’s adjustment to their new school environment as smooth and comfortable as possible. Here are a few ideas that you could try to make your child’s transition easier:
We suggest that you visit the school for a brief period before your child’s first day. Arrangements can be made for your child to share lunch or story time with his or her new friends before their first full day. Talk to your child in an exited way about Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy. Tell your child what will happen several times before their first morning. Let him or her know that the teachers will make sure that they are having a great day. Listen to your child’s feelings about going to school and encourage him/her to feel good about this new experience. Please share any concerns or fears that your child may have with the teachers, so that your teacher may pay special attention to these issues right from the start. If you feel sad for the first few times, please try to hold your emotions until your child is out of sight. Most of us have had that experience and can identify with your feelings. While it is hard not to show your emotions, it is best for your child to know that you are happy when he or she leaves you. Please feel free to call and check on your child. We will let you know how your child is adjusting. For your child’s safety, and to maintain compliance with state regulated enrollment forms, including the application, emergency medical information, medical forms, parent contracts, feeding plans, immunization records or affidavits against such immunizations must be completed before your children’s first day of attendance. Parents are expected to update their files regularly and inform the Director of any changes. It is also important to ensure that your child’s immunization records are kept up-to-date.
Safe Arrival and Departure Safety is our first concern and parents are required to bring their child(ren) inside and accompany them to the classroom each day. You must notify the teacher in charge when your child has arrived and when they are departing with you. Parents are required to keep their child close and within direct sight while entering and exiting the building. Children may not be released to anyone under 18 years of age, so please do not send in younger siblings or relatives to drop off or retrieve you child(ren). Children will only be released to the parent(s) or another adult who has been authorized (in writing) by the enrolling parent. Adults will be required to show picture identification.
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Children must be picked up inside the building; no child may be picked up over the fence or off the playground. Parents are responsible for signing their child in and out daily. Unless prior arrangements are made with the Director, all children must be picked up from the school by the scheduled closing time. If your child is not picked up by the scheduled closing time, we will attempt to contact you and your designated emergency contacts. Late pick-up fees will also be assessed.
Parental Involvement Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy strongly encourages parental involvement and participation. You are welcome here. The children will benefit greatly from your presence and participation. We urge you to volunteer in you child’s classroom during arts and crafts and story time and to accompany us on school field trips. Also you can add to the success of our program by donating materials for art projects or learning centers. We hope that you will participate in parent conferences and meetings. If you have a concern about your child(ren) and would like to request a conference, please speak to the Director. Good communication between parent and teacher is essential. We also encourage parents to ask questions and make suggestions.
Things You Need To Know Clothing – Children will spend time indoors and outdoors daily. Please dress your child in wearable play clothes, suitable for all types of activities including painting and eating. Closedtoed shoes with at least a strap on the heel MUST be worn at all times. We ask that you label all apparel. Infants and toddlers are not permitted to wear jewelry or earrings to school. Jewelry may be removed by teachers for safety; therefore we ask that no jewelry be worn at all. What To Bring to School – Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy asks that all parents bring (2) changes of outer and under clothing for all children to be left in your child’s cubby. This includes socks and additional diapers, as appropriate. For infants please label all bottles and caps. Use a permanent clothing marker to write your child’s full name on the inside tag of the garments. Please be mindful of growth and seasonal changes so that clothing can be changed as appropriate. Each child should have a soft blanket to use at rest time. Be sure not to write your child’s name on the blanket. We ask that you NOT allow your child to bring toys from home because they may create jealously and tension among the other children. However, if your child uses a soft toy for comfort at rest time, you are welcome to bring it. Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy is not responsible for any items brought from home. Please check the lost and found if an item is missing. Fingernails – Please keep your child’s fingernails trimmed and well groomed at all times. Proper maintenance will reduce the incidences of children scratching themselves or others. This is
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especially true for children age two and under. You will also help reduce the spread of germs and assist children with their hand washing skills. Biting – Although common in young children, biting can be a frustrating problem. The following is an outline of the preventative strategies our teachers commonly utilize: For infants and toddlers, positive teething activities will be provided to comfort and soothe the gums. When children bite out of frustration or during confrontation, behavior will be redirected to some other activity or they will be shown an alternative way to get what they want. We will encourage the use of language in expressing wants and needs. If a child bites frequently, staff will utilize a more intensive approach which involves carefully observing and documenting the child’s behavior to determine precipitating events. Conferences with parents may also be utilized to discuss the child’s actions at home, search for outside resources and alternate methods, etc. Parents will be notified if their child is bitten at school. However, in order to protect the privacy of all our families, parents will not be informed of the identity of the biter. Biting incidents will also be communicated to the parent of the biter to ensure that staff and parents work together to understand and prevent this behavior. In order to ensure the safety of all children, if all attempts to stop the biting fail, we reserve the right to remove the biting child from the Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy program. Attendance – Regular patterns of attendance provide the best benefit for your child(ren). We require that your child be at school no later than 9:15 am. If your child is going to be absent or tardy, please notify the Director before 9:00 am. If your child attends school for three days of the week, full tuition fee is required. Meals – Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy serves a balanced and nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack daily. There is no charge for the meals. Our menus are created to meet the USDA food program guidelines. Weekly menus are posted for your review. We do not allow children to bring food to the school (Infant formula/breast milk exceptions). Menu exceptions will only be made for documented religious or medical reasons. If a special diet is required, parents may be asked to supply the necessary food. Please check with the Director for meal service times. Children arriving late or leaving early may not be served regularly scheduled meals. Rest Time – Infant through pre-school age children will be provided with a rest/nap time daily. We encourage your child to rest during that period. Blankets are to be brought from home and must be labeled and laundered weekly. Cot and crib sheets will be provided by the school. All parents are required to sign the state mandated Safe Sleep Policy.
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Payment Policy No cash payments are accepted at any Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy locations. Our payment terms are described in the Tuition and Fee Agreement included in your enrollment materials. Each time you make a payment, we will provide you a receipt within 24 hours of your payment. If you are not provided a receipt in a timely manner, we ask that you notify the Director immediately. In addition to your written request, the Director can provide you with a detailed statement of your charges and payments on your account.
Parent Referrals We appreciate your support and positive recommendations to family, friends and the community. We would like to thank you for your referrals through our Bridge Builders Referral Program. For additional information please speak to our Director about how this program can benefit you.
Transportation Transportation to and from local elementary schools are provided by Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy at the Clarkston and Doraville locations ONLY. The Hillandale and Decatur locations provide a list of companies that provide transportation services to and from home. A Transportation Agreement, Vehicle Emergency and Medical Information and Authorization form must be completed and signed by a parent or guardian for your child to be transported using the school transportation program. Regularly scheduled field trips will be planned. Parents will be notified of these events in advance; and permission slips must be signed and returned in a timely manner.
Discipline / Conduct Statement Teachers create a positive and safe environment in which social, intellectual and physical competencies can be developed and where there is a minimal opportunity for unacceptable behavior. Discipline is the helpful guidance, encouragement and support that adults utilize to influence children. It is more than punishment, rules and regulations. Appropriate discipline helps children learn how to interact and develop self-control. Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy when it pertains to disobedient students. We will work with parents to monitor and modify behaviors that require direction and control. We utilize the following discipline strategies:
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Teachers model appropriate behavior, including both verbal and non-verbal body language. Teachers set limits, which reflect realistic expectations for the age and development of each child. When conflicts occur between children in the classroom, our teachers utilize a stepped approach to resolve the issues. 1. Our first step is to have a discussion with the child. We will talk with them to let them know why their behavior was unacceptable. If the behavior continues, we will use redirection. 2. Redirection offers an alternative choice or different activity for the child. If redirection does not work, we try teaching them problem solving. 3. Problem Solving is when we try to teach the children how to talk out their problems amongst each other and try to come to their own solution. When all else fails, we use quiet time. 4. Quiet time is when we place the child at a table and give them quiet activities to do.
Child Abuse / Neglect If any of the teachers or staff at Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy suspects that one of our children is being abused mentally, physically, or neglected in any way, we are required by law to report all cases to The Department of Family and Child Services (DFCS). All stall are mandated reporters, which means that if we suspect child abuse and do not report it, we can and will be lawfully held responsible. We are a Christian facility; we believe children must be raised under discipline, but we also know that this is primarily the parents / guardians’ responsibility. If a parent suspects that their child has been abused while in our care, please do not hesitate to speak to a member of our administrative staff and/or the Director immediately. An investigation will be conducted for any allegations.
School Accidents Our teachers are trained to apply first aid to minor injuries (cuts, scrapes, bruises, etc.). The Director will report the occurrence to you at the end of the day or during the day as necessary, based on the nature of the injury. If an accident occurs at our school and the child is injured, the guidelines below will be administered depending on the type of accident. If your child sustains a serious injury that requires medical attention, Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy will notify you immediately and contact 911 for your child to be assessed and possibility transported to the nearest medical facility. If the situation warrants, we will contact your child’s doctor for instructions. Be sure to keep your child’s doctors’ information and medical coverage up to date.
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When You Should Keep Your Child At Home Illness impacts how children learn, develop, and participate in their environment. We want all children to come to school every day knowing that they are able to participate. At the entrance of every Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy location there is a chart posted which lists the most common Communicable Diseases. This information is also available online at www.decal.ga.gov Often it is hard to decide whether or not your child is well enough to come to school. The information below may help you to decide when to keep your child resting comfortably at home. A child should not come to Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy if they have the following conditions. Vomiting and/or Diarrhea – Your child may return to school after all symptoms are gone for one complete school day. Fever – 100 degrees or higher. A child should be fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of medication before returning to school. Pain – Headache, stomach ache, ear ache, etc. Skin sores or rash – A doctor should evaluate and declare that it is non-contagious. Lice or scabies – A child should not return until 24 hours after the child and home have been treated and are found to be free of lice. Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye – Children with red, itchy, draining or crusty eyes may have conjunctivitis. Children may return to school 24 hours after successful antibiotic treatment. Colds – Child may return once progressive sneezing, coughing and runny nasal discharge have ceased. It is important that sick children do not come to school and spread any chance of spreading any infection to other children or staff members. If your child comes to school with any of the symptoms above, or develops these symptoms while at school, you will be asked to pick up your child within one (1) hour. Your child will be isolated from the general population until the child can be picked up. If a child has a communicable disease or serious illness, the parents must have a doctor’s statement that the child is able to participate in the normal routine before they return to the classroom. Parents must call the school with the diagnosis as soon as possible so that other families can be notified if their child has been exposed. Letters will be distributed to all parents of children who have potentially been exposed to a communicable disease.
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Medication Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy does not administer over the counter medications, unless discussed and approved by the Director. If prescription medication is warranted (i.e. chronic asthma, antibiotics, etc.), Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy will do so only upon receipt of satisfactory written instructions from the parents or a doctor. All medications must be in their original containers and indicate the child’s name, type of medication, date of prescription, amount and time of dosage. Medications cannot be shared between siblings. When medication is brought to the school, it must be given to the Director who will complete a Medication Authorization form signed by the parent. Parents / guardians must sign for the pickup medication after the administrating the last prescribed dosage. Parents will be notified of any adverse reactions to any medication.
Holidays Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy operates year-round Monday through Friday with the exception of the following holidays: New Year’s Day Memorial Day Independence Day (July 4th) Labor Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day Our tuition rates are computed on a weekly basis. A full week’s tuition will be charged during a holiday week and is due the Friday before the week of the holiday.
Non-Discrimination Policy Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy is a Christian-directed organization which does not discriminate against children or families based upon their religion, race, disabilities or medical conditions. We will try to accommodate you in any way we can to comply with your religious practices, cultural beliefs, medical stipulations and special needs; as long as they do not exceed our capabilities, and/or jeopardize any other students., parents or staff members’ rights and as long as they are in compliance with our established rules and regulations.
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Birthdays Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy loves birthdays! You may celebrate your child’s birthday here with us as long as you do so after rest time. All parties are held in your child’s class. You may bring cake, treats, 100% fruit juice, and/or snack items (enough for all children). Clowns and other party favorites are also welcome as long as the toys and games are age appropriate. Plans for the party must be discussed and approved by the Director at least two weeks prior to the party date. Balloons are not allowed in the classrooms. All items (candy, treat bags, etc.) distributed to the class will be held until parents pick the children up at the end of the day.
Inclement Weather Plans During severe weather, the Director will contact local emergency personnel for information. Should an emergency requiring evacuation occur, you will be notified immediately and the children will be relocated to an alternate location. Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy staff shall not impede the delivery of emergency care of services by authorized health care professionals. If it becomes necessary to close due to inclement weather or other circumstances, calls will be made to parents or announcements will be posted on local news channels. Please check for these updates. The Director will provide you with more information regarding the schools emergency plans; which are posted at the entrance of all locations for parent viewing. If the local county public schools close due to inclement weather, Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy within the local will be closed. Our schools’ designated local station for emergency information is Fox 5 News Station. In the event of severe weather warnings, we have procedures in place to keep the children safe. We practice our severe weather and fire drills regularly so that your child(ren) will feel safe when it is necessary to remain in the drill position for an extended period of time. Moreover, emergency plans are posted in all access areas and in each classroom. In the event of a power or water outage, Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy will be closed until the power or water is restored.
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Withdrawal A two (2) week written notice is required if you choose to withdraw your child from our program for any reason. The notice is not effective until given to the Director. Your satisfaction is our number one priority. If you have a comment or complaint about our program, we ask that you adhere to the following guidelines. Call or visit the Director’s office. If the Director is not in; leave a message and the Director will contact you upon returning. Please allow up to 24 hours for a follow up call. We are certain that we can work together to resolve the situation. The Director will work with you to resolve your issue by developing a plan of action that is appropriate for you and the program.
Quality Control If you are not satisfied with the plan of action and feel your issue was not addressed properly by the Director, or if the issue cannot be resolved to the mutual satisfaction of the school and the parents; under such circumstances it may be necessary to contact the Owner (678) 654-6555. Please feel free to submit positive comments or ideas! We appreciate your feedback!
Potty Training Policy When you feel your child is ready for toilet teaching, we ask that you begin this teaching at home during a weekend or vacation. We will follow through and encourage your child while in our care. Toilet training will be done in a relaxed manner. We require that the child must be at least 18 months old and must be showing signs of readiness. The child must be kept in pull-ups at all times. Please keep in mind that the activity level here can distract your child from responding to an urge to use the potty, more so than at your home. Therefore, we will continue to use diapers until your child can and will announce that he/she must use the bathroom (not just at home, but here as well) and can control his/her bladder and bowels for a few minutes beyond that announcement. Do not bring your child in panties or underwear until he/she has naptime and bedtime control established. During potty training the child needs to be dressed in “User Friendly� clothing as much as possible. The best items are shorts and pants with elastic waists. Try to avoid really tight clothing, shirts that snap in the crouch, pants with snaps and zippers and overalls as often as you can. Your child will want to help pull pant, etc. up and down, plus clothing with too many buttons or snaps makes it harder to get the child on the potty on time.
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We will only begin helping to potty train a child if you have successfully began training at home for a week prior. We will gladly follow your means of potty training if you just let us know what it is. For example, if your child is rewarded a sticker for each potty in the chair, just provide the stickers and we will follow your lead and we will not discipline your child if he/she has an accident. During potty training you are asked to supply us with at least 3 extra full changes of clothing, including socks and training & plastic pants or pull ups. These are to be left at the day care and replaced as needed. Soiled clothes will be returned in a plastic bag at the end of the day. Toilet Learning Readiness Verbal Stages of Readiness:
Basic verbal skills: The child is able to speak in three or four word sentences. Stage 1: The child tells you he/she has wet a diaper, recognizes when he/she is wet. The child tells you he/she is wetting, recognizes the sensation of being wet. The child tells you he/she will wet diaper, can control her/himself and use a toilet. Physical and Psychological Signs of Readiness:
Stays dry for a long time. (The child is able to “hold” his/her urine and bowel movements) Can recognize when diaper is wet or soiled Has bowel movement at regular times. (Child chooses when to move his/her bowels) Adults can recognize when a child is moving their bowels. (Child is deliberately moving bowels) Can undress and pull up his/her pants. (Important because this is the work of the child not the caregiver) Initiates interest in using the toilet and ask to wear underwear. Wants to be independent. (Which is very important for the learning process) Child is emotionally ready and is open to learning. (Is child generally cooperative?) Child has an awareness and knowledge of the world beyond him/herself. (The sign may seem unrelated to toilet learning, but it is behavior that has been seen in children who are ready to use the toilet) Can follow three and four step instructions. (This is critical for learning to urinate or move bowels, wipe him/herself, flush the toilet and then wash hands) Can use consistent words or gestures to communicate. Is able to physically get to the toilet and sit on it without assistance. Must show a willingness to want to sit on the toilet and understand its function.
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Our Policy Requires the Following
Child wears loose fitting clothing (which is easy to pull down and pull up). No overalls, bib-type pants, onesies, or T-shirts with snaps between the legs. No pants with belts or one-piece outfits. Determine from the beginning of learning whether child will sit or stand (boys). A minimum of 3 changes of clothing, including socks, 3-4 pairs of training pants to leave here (an extra pair of shoes would also be helpful). Positive reinforcement must be continued at home. For the first week, the child will be scheduled to use the toilet at consistent times of the day whether the child indicates the need to use the toilet or not: o Before and after breakfast o Before and after lunch o Before and after going outside o Just before going home o As needed
Daily Schedule We include the following meals at the following times. Breakfast Lunch Snack
7:30am – 8:30am (cut-off time to be served is 8:15am) 11:00am 2:30pm
Child Care Programs Infant Program (6 weeks – 12 months): Items your child will need daily
Diapers Wipes Tissue box Change of clothes Wash cloth or cloth diaper Receiving blanket Bibs Pre-prepared bottles of formula* Baby food
* Have a full bottle prepared for your child when you drop your child off at the facility.
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Activities
All infants will be required to have a current feeding plan Infant will have learning activities Infant will be fed on demand Infant will get individual time with their childcare providers Infant will spend at least 1 hour a day outside
Toddler Program (12 months – 36 months): Items your child will need daily
Backpack or diaper bag Diapers or pull-ups Slippy™ cups (labeled) Wipes Tissue box Change of clothes
Educational Goals
Colors o Primary Colors – Red, Yellow, Blue Letters o Say ABCs Numbers o Count 1 – 10 Shapes o Basic – Square, Circle, Triangle Miscellaneous o Know whole name o Birthday Basic Body Parts Songs and Nursery Rhymes o Various
If not potty trained, the toddlers will be encouraged to use the potty; but this will be determined by the effort of the child.
Preschool Program (3 years – 4 years):
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Items your child will need daily Backpack Change of clothes Educational Goals
Colors o Primary Colors – Red, Yellow, Blue o Secondary Colors – Green, Orange, Purple, Brown o Other Colors – Black, White, Pink, Peach, various shades of colors o Color Mixing Letters o Write upper and lower case ABCs o Write first and last name Numbers o Count 1 – 100 o Write numbers 1 - 10 Shapes o Primary – Square, Circle, Rectangle, Triangle o Secondary – Diamond, Oval, Heart Miscellaneous o Know whole name o Parent’s name o Address o Phone number o Birthday o Body parts Songs and Nursery Rhymes o Various
Preschool will have 1 ½ hours of outside time a day (weather permitting)
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From infancy through the toddler and child exploration years, Bridge Pointe Christian Daycare Academy offers an educational training program suited to meet the needs of your child. We are pleased to serve as the bridge between your child’s potential and their ultimate spiritual, intellectual, social, personal and academic development.
Hillandale Campus 6001 Hillandale Road Lithonia, GA 30058 (770) 593-1977 Decatur Campus 5341 Snapfinger Park Drive Decatur, GA 30035 (770) 987-2200 Clarkston Campus 1144 North Indian Creek Drive Clarkston, GA 30021 (404) 292-9550 Doraville Campus 2861 North Dekalb Drive Doraville, GA 30340 (770) 458-7714
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