Outline/Curriculum Philosophy The Glen Ridge Child Care Program was developed to meet the needs of the families in our community by offering both Before and After School Child Care Programs. The Child Care Program is designed to complement both home and school by providing a safe, secure and enriching environment in which children can grow socially, physically, emotionally and academically. Through supervised activities, children can explore such areas as the arts, music, games, computers and sports. A caring attitude toward home, school and friends is fostered at the Child Care Program by providing time to discuss problems and by giving attention to individuals as well as groups. How Does the Child Care Program Operate? K-6 PROGRAM The After Care Program was developed to provide children with a safe and nurturing environment in the post-school afternoon hours. Upon arrival, the children are given a transitional period to socialize with one another. A snack is provided at this time. The remaining time is structured around supervised athletic games, playground play, arts, crafts and special programs. Staff at each site includes the site coordinator (certified teacher) and aides at Linden Avenue School, Forest Avenue School and Ridgewood Avenue School. The site coordinators are responsible for planning daily activities for the children at their sites. At approximately 3:20 p.m., the children either go outside to play or go into the gym. At about 3:55 p.m. the children come back into the after care room and get ready for their homework. Homework takes place in the Library at Ridgewood Avenue School and in a separate classroom at both Forest and Linden Avenue Schools. Assistance is provided if needed. On a few days during the week, organized crafts are offered either before or after homework time - depending on the nature of the craft and the time needed for completion. For example: cooking projects, sand art, murals, pine cone bird feeders, etc. The children are also provided with time to socialize with their friends, to enjoy computer games, organized board games, group gym activities (dodge ball, kick ball, hockey), legos, and other games. On days when school is not in session but the program is operating (i.e., Columbus Day, NJEA days, February break, and April break), the program runs from 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Ridgewood Avenue School. Parents may sign their children up for as many days as needed. The Program Director is responsible for scheduling activities for these days. The children enjoy cooking, trips to the movies, bowling, the park, museums, and other local attractions. For example, during February break we went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and also watched Mystery of the Nile at the Imax theater. Another time, we had a program featuring reptiles - complete with live snakes, turtles and lizards - and later made snakes to take home. Each ten and a half hour day is scheduled to include breakfast, lunch, snacks, crafts, videos, organized play, and free play. PRE-K PROGRAM The Pre-K program provides families with a creative, nurturing, and complementary educational environment for their four year old children. Parents may sign their children up for the 8:00am-12:30pm program, 11:00am-3:00pm program or for the 11:00am-6:00pm program. MORNING PROGRAM Parents bring their children to the Ridgewood Avenue School. They are brought by bus to either Linden or Forest at 12:25. AFTERNOON PROGRAM Children are picked up from Forest/Linden upon dismissal at 11:00am and brought by bus to the Ridgewood Avenue School. The children eat breakfast/lunch upon arrival at the Ridgewood Avenue School. (8:00am/11:00am) They are then given a transitional period to socialize with one another. At about 9:00am/12:00pm, the children clean up the room and then gather together to work on the day’s activity. Activities consist of painting, crafts, singing, going to the library, and many other stimulating activities. Calendar and story time take place at about 10:30am/1:30pm. The children then have a rest period for approximately 35 minutes. After rest time, they are provided with apple juice and a snack. (Popcorn, pretzels, cookies, pudding, ice cream, fruit) If the weather is nice, the children go outside (or use the gym) to run and play from about 11:30am-12:15pm/2:15-3:00pm. Morning Pre-K children leave for their respective schools at 12:25pm and the afternoon Pre-k children return from outside and settle down for quiet time of story telling and discussion. After story time, the children use the gym for approximately 30-45 minutes. Age appropriate equipment is provided. (Balls, hopping toys, a basketball hoop, etc.) At about 4:00 pm, the children return to their classroom for snack and to participate in a group activity. (Painting, crafts, singing, etc.) During the last hour, the children have time to play with blocks, legos, puzzles, and enjoy socializing with their friends. Staffing The Child Care Program is staffed with certified teachers, qualified adult assistants and high school students who are carefully chosen to give special care and respond to the personal needs of the children. Eligibility Children enrolled in the Glen Ridge Public Schools in grades Pre-K through 6^th are eligible to participate in the Child Care Program. Registration Registration forms are available at the Ridgewood, Forest, and Linden Avenue schools. Forms will only be accepted prior to the first of the month for which your child(ren) will be attending. For example, of your child(ren) will be starting in September, registration forms must be received before September 1^st. New registrants must apply in person to the Program Director at Ridgewood Avenue School. Registration Changes Any changes in registration must be submitted to the Program Director (scheduling change form) at least two weeks in advance of any change. Changes will only be put into effect at the beginning or middle of the month. Phone Numbers Our Program Director can be reached at 973-429-1269. Phone numbers for our after care sites are as follows: Ridgewood Ave. 973-429-1269 Forest Ave. 973-566-9082 Linden Ave. 973-566-9078 Calendar and Hours The Child Care Program follows the same calendar as the Glen Ridge School District. However, we are open on half days from dismissal to closing. The program is also open during NJEA Conference Days, February break, and April vacation week if sufficient enrollment is achieved. The program is not open on religious holidays, national holidays, and during the December break. Hours of Operation and Location PRE-K Before Care (am class) - 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Forest Ave.: Gymnasium Linden Ave.: Art Room Before Care (pm class)-8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Ridgewood Ave.: after care room #6 After Care - Ridgewood Ave. - 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 or 6:00 p.m.: basement aftercare rooms #4 and #6 K-2 Before Care - 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.: Forest Ave.: Gymnasium Linden Ave.: Art Room After Care - 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.: Forest Ave.: Gymnasium Linden Ave.: Art room 3-6 Before Care - 7:10 a.m. to 8:10 a.m.: Ridgewood Ave.: basement after care room #5 After Care - 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.: Ridgewood Ave.: basement after care room #5 Child Absences In the event that your child will be absent from after care, please notify the Program Director at 973-429-1269 no later than the beginning of your child's scheduled hours. After the start of after care, call your child's site directly: Ridgewood Ave. 973-429-1269 Forest Ave. 973-566-9082 Linden Ave. 973-566-9078 Emergency School Closings The following policies will take effect in the event the schools have a full day shutdown, delayed opening, or early closing: Full Day Shutdown - When the Glen Ridge School District declares a full day shut down the Child Care Program will be shutdown as well. Delayed Opening - When the Glen Ridge School District has a delayed opening all Before Care Programs will be canceled. However, After Care Programs will resume as usual. Early Closing - If the Glen Ridge School District decides on an early school closing the After Care Program will open from school closing time until all children are picked up. At this time the information contained on the child's emergency school closing form will take effect. Each parent/guardian will be notified regarding the closing. Children will need to be picked up as soon as possible to allow our staff time to get home safely. Medication If a child requires prescription medication during program hours, the medication must be in the original prescription bottle along with a doctor's note specifying dosage and time to be given. The Site Coordinator should be instructed in detail regarding the administration of the medication. A note giving permission for medical distribution should be included as well. Discipline and Behavior Policy In order to provide a safe, secure and enriching environment all children must be able to follow and adhere to the "Child Expectations" set forth by the program. All children are treated equally, whether he/she is classified for any reason. We do not discriminate on our discipline techniques. However, we do realize that each child is an individual, with different ranges of emotions. Therefore, we will utilize various techniques that fit your child's emotional status and maturity level. The following discipline policy is used when handling inappropriate behavior: 1. A Warning will be given to the child explaining what they are doing and why that behavior is inappropriate. The child is told that this is a warning and the next step will be a time out. 2. If the child continues with the behavior after a warning, place the child in a time out area separated from the group. The length of time out should be no more than 1 minute per year of the child. For example, if the child is 7 then the time out should be 7 minutes. 3. Should the behavior continue immediately follow with another time out. 4. A written report should be given in the event of the following: · Verbal or physical abuse to another child or staff member · Possession of a weapon · Disruptive to the program setting by persistently being non-compliant and non-responsive to warnings and time outs. 1st write up: the child, parent and Site Coordinator must acknowledge and sign a report verifying the incident and behavior. 2nd write up: the child's parents/guardians must arrange a meeting with the Site Coordinator and Program Director. 3rd write up: the child's parents/guardians must arrange a meeting with the Program Director and Administrator in charge of child care plus a one week suspension will be given to the child. 4th write up: the child will be terminated from the program immediately. Email Address Email may be sent to the Program Director, Filip Simon at: FSimon@glenridge.org Illness Parents/guardians will be called immediately to pick up his/her child if any of the following occurs: 1. fever - ancillary over 100.5 degrees 2. two or more episodes of vomiting 3. acute diarrhea 4. severe stomach pains 5. persistent headache or sore throat 6. infected untreated skin patches 7. red eyes with discharge 8. rapid or difficult breathing 9. weeping or bleeding skin lesions that have not been treated by a health professional 10. skin rashes lasting more than a day 11. swollen joints 12. visibly enlarged lymph nodes 13. blood in urine IF A CHILD IS ABSENT FROM SCHOOL, THEY MAY NOT ATTEND AFTER CARE. Child Expectations 1. To maintain control of one's self · No hitting, punching, kicking, pushing, biting or spitting at others 2. To be respectful of others · No verbal abuse, foul language, teasing, and taunting · Allow others their personal space · Do not destroy or take anyone's belongings · Never say "shut up" · No inappropriate body language or gestures 3. To be polite and patient with each other · Use "please, thank you" and "excuse me" · Raise hand during discussions and no shouting out · Share equipment with others 4. To be responsible for one's self · Control feelings so that his/her actions do not harm others · Clean up after his/herself · Show up at After Care promptly when school is dismissed · Ridgewood Ave. children should call on white inter-school phone before 3:15 p.m. to alert staff to child's whereabouts in school (for example, with teacher, in library) · Always tell a staff person whenever he/she has to leave the group whether it be · to use the bathroom, go to a meeting or home, etc....