 |
|
       |
| Family Learning Center | |
 |
Kid's Cove |
| Food Services | |
| School Policies | |
| Student Enrollment |
| Waiting List |
| Parent Group |
PROGRAM
ORIGIN
Kids’ Cove Program is a self-supporting program
that is operated by
PROGRAM
PHILOSOPHY
To provide
a safe and well supervised environment that is both educationally
enriching and fun. The program makes every effort to provide for
individual needs and choices.
The
program offers a general schedule and plan for each day that allows
for large and small group activities, as well as individual time for
each child’s needs. The program includes both physical activities
(Soccer, Kick-Ball, Jump Rope) and enrichment activities (Homework
Help, Computer Activities, Theatre Group). Kids’ Cove uses an open
classroom approach. The teachers encourage open communication.
Consideration for others’ feelings and respect for others’
gifts and talents are actively encouraged.
KIDS’
COVE CHILD CARE PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy of the Kids’ Cove Program is to allow all children and staff to feel good about themselves and the world around them. Kids’ Cove aims to provide opportunities for children to strengthen their academic foundation, clarify their values, appreciate diversity, and have fun.
NON-DISCRIMINATION
OF SERVICES
Kids’ Cove Program serves all families regardless of race, religion, cultural heritage, national origin, sexual orientation, political belief, disability or marital status. Parents/guardians of special needs students or disabled children should contact the Kids’ Cove Coordinator prior to registration to make any necessary special arrangements.
HOURS
OF OPERATION
Kids’ Cove operates from 6:30 AM to 7:45 AM and
from 3:15 PM to 5:30 PM at the
ACTIVITIES
Activities are designed for children in grades K - 8. Activities include: Homework Assistance, Age-Appropriate G- Rated Movies, Arts & Crafts, Reading Time, Sports, Board Games, and Computer Activities.
LOST
AND FOUND
Lost and found is located under the back stairwell to the Cafeteria. Please see the Kids’ Cove Coordinator or Receptionist for specific location. Any items in Lost and Found will be held for two weeks and will then be given to charity. To assist in finding lost items, please be sure to label everything with your child’s name. Kids’ Cove is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
SCHOOL
CANCELLATIONS
When
FEE
STRUCTURE
Morning Session
Afternoon Session
AM and PM Sessions
$3.50 $8.00 $11.50
Payment must be made in advance the week
before the child attends Kids’ Cove. The complete balance for
each week of childcare is due one week in advance. Under
emergency situation ONLY will payments be allowed on a daily
basis for the
LATE
PICK-UPS
Please remember that, after 5:30 PM we have to pay two staff members overtime to stay with your child while we wait for you to pick him/her up. Therefore, we must charge an additional $5.00 for any portion of each 15 minutes after 5:30 PM.
Child picked-up between 5:30 and 5:45 PM................ $5.00
Child picked-up between 5:45 and 6:00 PM.............. $10.00
Child picked-up between 6:00 and 6:15 PM.............. $15.00
Child picked-up between 6:15 and 6:30 PM.............. $20.00
After 6:30 PM if a child has not been picked-up, after exhausting all attempts to contact the parents and other adults on the emergency form, the Fall River Police Department and or the Department of Social Services will be called to pick-up the child.
• Payments may be made with cash, checks, or money order. Payment
should be made out to
• There is a $20.00 fee for checks returned due to insufficient funds. Once a check has been returned for insufficient funds, payment may only be made for the remainder of the year in cash or by money order.
• Atlantis cannot accept post-dated checks.
• Failure to follow payment procedure will lead to termination from
the program.
HEALTH
POLICIES
For the safety of your child and that of others the following policies will be followed:
• If a child does not attend school, he/she may not participate in Kids’ Cove for that day.
• If a child arrives at Kids’ Cove not feeling well, the child will be sent to the Kids’ Cove Coordinator or the Principal for evaluation and the parent or emergency contact may be called to pick-up the child immediately. If a parent is called in this situation, immediate pick-up of the child is required.
• A child shall be sent home if he/she has any communicable disease, lice, or diarrhea, conjunctivitis or a temperature of 100 or above.
• If a child sent home due to the reasons listed above, he/she must return to Kids’ Cove with a health permit or Permission to Return Form from the School Nurse.
• A completed medical form and certification of immunization must be turned in at the time of registration.
HEALTH
PERMIT
The Atlantis Charter School Health Office must have received a health permit issued by a physician for any child to re-enter the program when:
• A child was absent from school for more than five days.
•
A child suffers from any communicable disease
such as impetigo, measles, mumps, lice, etc.
INJURIES
If a child is injured, the Kids’ Cove Coordinator or his/her designee will take whatever steps are needed to obtain emergency medical care. These steps may include, but are not limited to:
• First Aid and CPR, if appropriate, will be administered by certified personnel.
• If injury is serious, medical assistance/ambulance will be summoned.
• Parent/guardian will be notified.
• Health forms and other pertinent information will be obtained from the child’s file.
HEALTHY
SNACKS AND MEALS
Eating a healthy lunch and snack is important to
the physical, mental, and social development of your child.
Kids’
Cove will provide your child with a snack every afternoon that will
usually consist of orange juice and fruit. Snacks are served between
3:15 PM and 3:30 PM. Kids’ Cove attempts to make snacks both healthy
and appealing to the children. If your child has any dietary
restrictions, be sure to indicate them on the medical form.
Parents/Guardians may opt to send a healthy snack in with their
child.
END-OF-DAY
STUDENT RELEASE PROCEDURE
Kids’ Cove has a student release procedure at the end of the day that provides safety and security for your child. Please follow the procedures listed below.
• For the children’s’ enjoyment and safety we recommend that the children not be picked up until after 4:30 PM.
• Parent or authorized individuals are required to go to the Kids’ Cove receptionist.
• EVERY DAY, at the time of release, the authorized person picking up a child must sign his/her name and show proper PICTURE I.D.
• Please be patient so that we may insure the safe release of each child.
• If you need your child released before 4:30 PM, please contact the Kids’ Cove Coordinator so that arrangements may be made to have the child waiting for you.
PERSONAL
PROPERTY
Children are not permitted to bring personal
items (i.e. toys, video games, ipods, etc.)
from home.
It has been our experience that valuables get lost, stolen,
misplaced, or broken. Kids’ Cove does not take responsibility for
lost, stolen, misplaced, or broken items.
Items not allowed during the
regular school day are not to be used during Kids’ Cove.
BEHAVIOR
MANAGEMENT
Kids’ Cove reserves the right to terminate a child from the program due to inappropriate or dangerous behavior. We will make every effort to address a child’s behavior before reaching the point of termination. We feel that the initial step to behavior management begins with clear communication. If there is information about your child that will help Kids’ Cove staff better understand his/her behavior, then please let the Kids’ Cove Coordinator know. We strive to create age appropriate activities and a safe environment that will foster safe exploration, fun, and personal growth. If a child exhibits inappropriate behaviors, staff will redirect the child and engage him/ her in another activity. If the child still needs assistance in gaining control, s/he will be separated from the environment by staff. If the child continues to have difficulty, s/he will be brought to the Kids’ Cove Coordinator and the situation will be assessed.
After the assessment is completed, the Kids’ Cove Coordinator may choose to complete an Incident Report. Incident Reports are intended to serve as documentation of students’ behavior difficulties and as notification to the parents of these behavior problems. All Incident Reports will be reviewed with the parent by the Kids’ Cove staff when the child is being dismissed. One copy of the incident report will be given to the parent and one copy will be placed in the child’s file and dated on the Behavior Log.
Consequences for receiving incident reports are as follows:
On the 2nd Incident Report ......... 1 day Suspension from Kids’ Cove (no refund)
On the 3rd Incident Report............ 5 day Suspension from Kids’ Cove (no refund)
On the 4th Incident Report............ Termination from Kids’ Cove (no refund)
SUSPENSION
FROM PROGRAM
As described, suspension will result as a consequence of receiving 2 or 3 Incident Reports. However, a student may be immediately suspended or terminated from Kids’ Cove if he/she engages in behavior that brings harm to himself/herself, another child, or staff person, or if it results in destruction of Kids’ Cove property.
TERMINATION
FROM PROGRAM
Termination from Kids’ Cove will occur as the result of any or similar infractions as follows:
1. A child receives his/her 4th Incident Report.
2. A child’s behavior causes physical harm or injury to himself/herself, another child, or staff member.
3. A child causes damage to Kids’ Cove property.
4. Payment for childcare is more than one (1) week behind.
5. The decision of the Principal regarding all terminations from Kids’ Cove is final.
GRIEVANCES
• Children are encouraged to share any problems with the Kids’ Cove staff. If the child does not feel as though the issue was resolved satisfactorily, then a meeting will be set up with the child, Instructor, and Kids’ Cove Coordinator.
• If the parent/guardian wishes to appeal the decision of the Kids’ Cove Coordinator, he/she may do so in writing to the Principal within five (5) days of the incident. A written decision shall be rendered to the parent within three (3) school days of the receipt of the appeal.
• All decisions by the Principal, regarding the incident, are final.
UNUSUAL
OR OBSESSIVE BEHAVIOR
If a child displays unusual or obsessive behavior, it must be reported to the Kids’ Cove Coordinator. The child’s instructor and the Coordinator will then observe and document the child’s behavior for a specific period of time depending on the suspected problem. If the behavior continues, a referral will be made to one of the following:
• The child’s parent/guardian
• Atlantis Charter School’s Director of Student Services
• Atlantis Charter School’s Counseling Department
• Department of Social Services
A plan of action will be implemented to assist in resolving the situation. Within two weeks, the Kids’ Cove Coordinator will follow up on the child’s progress with subsequent meetings as necessary.
SUSPECTED
ABUSE
As mandated by
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119, Section 51A, a mandated
reporter who has reasonable cause to believe that a child under the
age of eighteen years is suffering physical or emotional injury
resulting from abuse, including sexual abuse, or from neglect, shall
immediately report such condition to Department of Social Services.
Since mandated reporters include daycare providers, Kids’ Cove staff
will inform the program’s Coordinator immediately if negligence
and/or child abuse of any kind is suspected. The Kids’ Cove
Coordinator will notify the Principal who will notify the Department
of Social Services immediately.
PARENT
INVOLVEMENT
Kids’ Cove staff work as a team with you and your child. This enables us to provide the best environment for your child’s growth and development. Take every opportunity to talk us about your child. Ask your child about the program every day. It is vital that you inform us of changes happening in your family such as moving, hospitalization of a sibling or parent, or alterations in the parents’ relationship. Changes influence the way in which your child relates to others. Staff members can better provide for a child’s needs if they are aware of the situation. Please keep us informed of such problems so that we can be sensitive to your child’s needs. If homework time or special tutoring is needed, let us discuss how we can be of assistance.
PARENT
CONFERENCES
The exchange of information between parents and
staff is important and always welcome. This format may be
formal or informal depending on the issue. A formal conference may
be arranged by a parent with the Kids’ Cove Coordinator at a time
that is convenient for both parties. The parent or the Coordinator
may request the staff member directly responsible for the child
involved to be in attendance at the meeting. Staff may also request
a meeting with the Kids’ Cove Coordinator concerning a child and,
when necessary, a conference will be arranged with the
parent/guardian. A summary of the conference will be placed in the
child’s file. Parent/guardian shall, upon written request, have
access to their child’s file within 48 hours of the request being
received.
STUDENT
RECORD POLICIES - CONFIDENTIALITY
All information contained in your child’s
records is privileged and confidential and cannot be released
without your written consent. You are required to sign a release of
information form in order that Kids’ Cove staff and
A parent has the right to add information to his/her child’s record at any time by making the information available in writing to the Kids’ Cove Coordinator. Parents also have the right to request deletion or amendment of materials contained in the record in accordance with the following procedures:
1. Request a conference with the Kids’ Cove Coordinator to make objections known.
2. A written decision and the reason for that decision will be sent to the parent within five (5) school days after the conference. The record will be changed immediately if that is the decision reached.
3. The Principal shall make the final decision regarding any changes in student records.
A. MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS
1. Any changes and/or additions to a child’s record must be dated and signed by the person making the entry and initialed by the Principal or his designee.
2. Records are destroyed at the end of each school year.
B. ACCESSIBILITY
1. Records are property of the Kids’ Cove Program.
2. Individual files are confidential and are kept locked.
3. Parents shall have access to their child’s records at any time, upon advance written request.