Author: Jeff O

Welcome,
We Are So Happy You Are Here!

Dear Parents,
We would like to welcome you and your child to Blue Kangaroo Learning Center! We believe that open communication between parents and our staff is essential to fully meet your child’s needs. We look forward to developing a positive relationship with you and your child.
We provide a nurturing environment filled with warmth and encouragement for your child to learn and develop a positive self image. Our age appropriate learning materials and experienced staff help develop and enhance your child’s physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth. Our goal is to provide a fun and healthy experience for your child.
The purpose of this handbook is to describe our program including curriculum, guidance techniques and parent policies. If you have any questions please feel free to speak with your child’s teacher, front office, or Center Director at any time.

Our Philosophy:
We believe that each child is an individual. We are sensitive to each child’s developmental needs and strive to provide a nurturing, well-balanced environment in which the child will develop socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically. We believe children deserve the opportunity to excel at their own pace, and at Blue Kangaroo Learning Center, we will provide each child with this opportunity. We believe in providing a safe, clean and healthy environment. The classrooms are arranged to provide hands-on experiences that will encourage exploration, discovery and learning. We emphasize activities that will develop a positive self concept. We believe that the strength of our program is based solely on the dedication and motivation of our teaching staff. We work towards positive, developmentally-appropriate practices during each and every interaction with your child.
We believe in a positive, active guidance approach that will enable your child to learn self-discipline and self-control.

Goals:
Our goal is to provide a safe, nurturing, fun environment for your child to learn and grow. We want to encourage and help every child develop a positive self-image. We will accomplish this goal through the positive interaction we have with each and every child.

Our Staff:
Each staff member must obtain a Washoe County Sheriff’s card and possess a negative TB test. Every staff member must also take the following required courses: Communicable Diseases, SIDS, Child Abuse and Neglect, Blood Borne Pathogens, Child Nutrition and be certified in CPR and First Aid. There is a minimum requirement of 24 training hours of Early Childhood Education, which each employee must obtain within a school license year. Our staff also receives training in the event of an emergency.
Our management team consists of four professional, experienced individuals who are always available for your questions or concerns. There is always at least one manager at the front desk.

About our Program

History
Blue Kangaroo Learning Center is locally owned and operated. We have provided a high-quality learning program since September 2000 in the North Reno area.

Infant Program
Infants begin to develop an understanding of the world around them through their senses and physical actions. To encourage these skills, our infant program offers a nurturing and loving environment to promote cognitive development, large and small motor skills, sensorimotor, social emotional development, and language development.

Services
Our services range from 8 weeks old to 6 years old. Our hours of operation are 6:30 am—6:00 pm Monday through Friday.

Room to Grow
With 8 classrooms, 3 outdoor play areas, and Blue’s Room (our large motor indoor play area) there is plenty of space for children to explore.

Toddler Program
Toddlers are beginning to develop social skills, enlarge their vocabulary, and test their independence. To encourage these skills, our program offers age-appropriate opportunities in each classroom to enhance each toddler’s experience. Weekly curriculums are available upon request.

Preschool Program
Preschool aged children are engaging in more intimate peer relationships and developing self control. Our program offers activities and experiences in the areas of Math, Literacy, Science, Large and Small Motor, Social Studies and Dramatic Play. Each child is viewed as a unique person with different levels of abilities and learning styles, which is considered when developing appropriate activities for this age.

Physical Development
Our center has 3 large outdoor areas specifically designed for your child’s age. Each play area has foam tile under the playground equipment, as well as a grass area to engage in group activities. Each classroom’s daily schedule includes at least one hour of outdoor play. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. If your child is too ill to be outside, he/she should be kept home. Come rain or shine, our center also has Blue’s Room, our large motor-skilled area for everyday indoor play.

Curriculum
Our early childhood curriculums are based on the philosophy that children learn through hands-on experiences and cooperative play. The process of learning is more important than the end result. We give children opportunities to experience, explore and discover at their own pace. We provide activities and learning experiences specially designed for each child’s abilities and developmental levels.

Pre K Program
Much like our preschool program, this classroom continues to enhance reading and writing skills to prepare each child for Kindergarten. Children are provided many opportunities to develop social skills such as cooperating, helping, negotiating and talking with each other to resolve issues.

General Information and Policies

Parent Participation
We have an open door policy and parents are always welcome to come and go throughout the day. Parent participation is always encouraged and appreciated.

Upcoming Events
All upcoming events are posted in your child’s classroom on the parent board. Copies of our monthly Calendar of Events are located at the front desk.

Waiting List
There is a $15 non-refundable fee to be placed on a waiting list. The $15 fee will be credited toward your registration fee when your child is enrolled. Priority for available spots is given to families already enrolled. Having priority does not guarantee that space will be available when needed.

Registration
Once a position is accepted for enrollment, the $50.00 annual registration fee and first weeks’ tuition is due to secure spot. Both these fees are non-refundable.

Cancellations
A 2-week written notice is required prior to a withdrawal of your child from our center. If we do not receive proper notification, parents/guardians are still responsible for 2 weeks’ tuition to account for neglect of notification.

Absences
If your child will be absent from school for any reason please notify the front office. Tuition is not pro-rated or reduced for absences.

Vacations
After 1 year of enrollment each child will earn 1 week vacation. Written vacation requests must be submitted prior to your child’s absence, and your child may not attend Blue Kangaroo Learning Center during that week.

Snow Days
Our center will do its best to remain open during inclement weather. In the event of a school closure, there will be a message left on the school voicemail as well as on the morning news. The decision to close early (or all day) is at the owner’s discretion, with the safety of children, parents and staff in mind.

Change of Address
Please update any contact information (address, phone numbers, emergency contacts, etc.) that has changed with the front office. All changes must be done in writing.

School Closures
Please see the school calendar for all holidays observed. Tuition will not be reduced for school closures. If a holiday falls on a weekend it will be observed the day before/after.
Tuition will still be owed if your child’s classroom is closed due to a Covid exposure.

Personal Belongings
Toys are not allowed at school with the exception of Share Day. Toy weapons or handheld game units are never allowed at school. Blue Kangaroo cannot assume responsibility for items brought from home that are lost/stolen.

Security
Written authorization is required by the parent/guardian for anyone picking up that is not the parent/guardian. Management will request ID from anyone picking up a child they do not recognize. NO EXCEPTIONS CAN BE MADE.

Cameras
Every classroom, Blue’s Room, and the outside play areas are equipped with security cameras to allow parents to log on to their computer and view their child throughout the day.

Health Information

Medical Requirements:
We adhere to state regulations regarding immunizations records for your child. All children enrolled at our center must obtain a current immunization record and well child statement prior to their start date. All parents will receive a notice of upcoming immunizations that are due. It is the responsibility of the parent to schedule their child a doctor’s appointment at the time their immunizations are due. All appointments scheduled after the due date will require a doctor’s note confirming their immunization appointment. Any child that is not current on their immunizations cannot come to school until we receive a current certificate.

Illness:
If any child experiences the following illnesses or symptoms they cannot attend Blue Kangaroo Learning Center. If the child is at school at the time of illness, the child will need to be sent home. An ill child will need to be picked up from the facility within 1 hour of a parent being notified. A doctor’s note will be required to confirm all illnesses. No exceptions will be made. The parent or guardian of the child must inform Blue Kangaroo Learning Center of their child’s illness within a 24-hour period of becoming aware of the illness. If a child is excluded from school and returns with any of the listed symptoms, they will then be excluded for a 72-hour period.
Respiratory illness, including uncontrollable coughing, difficulty breathing or wheezing. Child may return when diagnosed not contagious.
Fever of 100⁰ degrees F or higher. Child may return when fever subsides for a 24-hour period with no fever reducer medication, or diagnosed by a health care provider not contagious.
Diarrhea three times in a 24-hour period. Child may return after 24 hours with no diarrhea episodes or diagnosed by a health care provider not contagious.
Undiagnosed rash. Child may return when diagnosed by a health care provider not contagious.
Vomiting illness of 2 or more times in a 24-hour period. Child may return after 24 hours with no vomiting incidents or diagnosed by a health care provider not contagious.
Shingles: Child may return with a doctor’s note and after blisters have crusted.
Skin infections: Child may return 24 hours after treatment has been initiated and diagnosed by a health care provider not contagious.
Strep throat or other streptococcal infection. Child may return after 24 hours on antibiotics and fever has subsided. Doctor’s note required.
Head lice: Child may return after first treatment has been completed and there are no visible live lice or nits.
Scabies: Child may return after treatment has been completed.
Eye infections (Pink eye): Child may return 24 hours after treatment has been started.
Mouth sores: Child may return when diagnosed by a health care provider not contagious.
Chicken Pox: Child may return when all sores have dried and crusted, and declared by a health care provider not contagious.
Ringworm of the scalp or body. Child may return 24 hours after treatment and diagnosed by a health care provider not contagious.
Herpes Simplex: Children who do not have control of their oral secretion may return when there are no sores in the mouth. No exclusion is necessary for children who have recurrent infections but are able to control their oral secretion.
If a child has an illness and the Center Director or management staff determines that we cannot care for the ill child without compromising the health and safety of the other children.
Blue Kangaroo Learning Center CANNOT administer medication to children with the exception of the EPI-PEN and breathing treatments, both of which require a doctor’s note.

Health Continued...

Exclusion of Illnesses based on reportable Diseases or Conditions:
The child care facility shall follow the Health Authority’s directions on exclusion of an ill child with a reportable disease or condition. A child who is excluded as a result of a reportable disease or condition shall not be allowed to return to the child care facility until the Health Authority gives permission to do so. The following reportable diseases may require exclusion from child care per the direction of the Health Authority:

Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect:
We are required by law (NRS.423.B220) to report any suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect. In some cases, we are directed by Child Protective Services (CPS) not to notify the parents of the report. Please understand we are legally obligated to comply with these regulations.

Tobacco Free Environment:
Smoking of tobacco in any form is prohibited in or on the premises of the facility at all times.

Rest Period:
Each day, all children are required to have a rest period. Children will need a blanket brought from home in a bag to use at rest time. Rest time blankets are taken home every Friday to be laundered and returned to the center on Monday mornings.

Center Guidelines:
Our center is clean and sanitized on a daily basis to help control germs and bacteria. Our staff practices good hygiene, as well as teaching this to the children. Each night, all toys are sanitized in our high-temperature sanitizer. Carpets are professionally cleaned every 3 months unless otherwise needed.

Child Nutrition

Meals:
All meals and snacks are based on the recommended dietary allowance. We offer a morning and afternoon snack that is included with your weekly tuition. 100% juice or water will be provided with snack. Water fountains are available to the children at all times and are located in every classroom, outside play areas, and Blue’s Room. We are not able to heat up lunches, so please plan accordingly. Snacks are available for children 1 years old and older; parents must provide all meals for children under the age of 1. Parents must also provide food for children who are on special diets.

Allergies:
If your child has an allergy, a Food Allergy Action Plan must be filled out by your child’s doctor to substantiate the allergies. EPI-Pens must be here by the first day of enrollment. Blue Kangaroo Learning Center CANNOT administer medication to children except for the EPI-PEN and breathing treatments, both of which require a doctor’s note. Blue Kangaroo Learning Center is a PEANUT FREE facility.

Guidance and Discipline

Every interaction with a child is a teaching opportunity. As stated in our philosophy, we strive to provide a positive, safe and active environment. Out staff will use the following techniques:
Redirection / Distraction: We offer alternatives to children engaged in undesirable behavior by presenting them with a different toy, suggesting a new activity, or encourage independent play.
Verbal Interaction: The teacher will role model appropriate behavior and explain to child clear expectations of them. If needed, the teacher will also help mediate a situation between children, allowing them to problem solve amongst themselves.
Logical Consequences: The teacher will help the child understand the result of their actions by being consistent with consequences for certain actions.
Blue Kangaroo Learning Center focuses on positive reinforcement and does not allow “time out” as a discipline technique. There are certain instances where a child may need time alone to gain self-control. The child can then re-group with their classmates when they feel reading. Any violent behavior directed toward another child or teacher may result in the child being sent home for the day based on the severity of the incident.
Choking: Any incidents where a child chokes someone will result in that child being sent home for the remainder of the day.
Biting: If a child under the age of 3 bites three times in one day, he/she will be sent home. Any child over the age of 3 will be sent home after biting once, depending on circumstance.

Parent Checklist

We want your enrollment with us to be a smooth transition. Therefore, we suggest before your child’s first day that both of you visit the center and the classroom your child will be attending. We also understand there is a lot of information to remember: so we created a checklist to help you!

Documents and Forms:
APPLICATION FOR ENROLLMENT
PARENT HANDBOOK AGREEMENT
CURRENT IMMUNIZATION CERTIFICATE
WELL CHILD STATEMENT FROM PEDIATRICIAN
FOOD ALLERGY ACTION PLAN (if your child has allergies)
DOCTOR’S NOTE ALLLOWING INFANT TO SLEEP IN SWING (this is optional for infants)
MY BABY’S DAY FORM FILLED OUT (for infants and toddlers)
FEEDING APPROVAL NOTE (if your child is younger than 6 months and fed solids)
Infant / Toddler things to bring:
DIAPERS AND WIPES (please bring wipes in disposable wipe container)
OINTMENTS / DIAPER CREAM / SUNSCREEN (must sign consent form in parent handbook)
CHANGE OF CLOTHING (labeled with child’s name)
SUNSCREEN (must sign consent form in parent handbook)
BLANKET FOR NAP TIME (labeled with child’s name)
BOTTLES WITH LIDS PREPARED (labeled with child’s name)
OTHER FOOD AS NEEDED
PROPER SEASONAL ATTIRE SUCH AS JACKET / HAT / GLOVES (labeled with child’s name)
Preschool things to bring:
PROPER SEASONAL ATTIRE SUCH AS JACKET / HAT / GLOVES (labeled with child’s name)
SUNSCREEN
CHANGE OF CLOTHING (labeled with child’s name)
COLD LUNCH
BLANKET FOR NAP TIME IN A BAG (labeled with child’s name)

Application for Enrollment

Child Information:
FULL NAME:_______________________________________________ NICKNAME: __________________
BIRTHDATE: ______________________ AGE: _______________ GENDER: ___________________

Parent / Guardian Information:
FULL NAME:___________________________________________________ RELATIONSHIP: ___________________
ADDRESS: _____________________________________ CITY: ____________ STATE: ____ ZIP CODE: __________
TELEPHONE (Home) ( ) ______ - _________ (Cell) ( ) ______ - _________ (Work) ( ) ______ - _________
EMPLOYER: ________________________________________ OCCUPATION: _________________________________
DRIVER’S LICENSE # ___________________ BIRTHDATE: ________ DOES THE CHILD LIVE WITH THIS PERSON?____

FULL NAME:___________________________________________________ RELATIONSHIP: ___________________
ADDRESS: _____________________________________ CITY: ____________ STATE: ____ ZIP CODE: __________
TELEPHONE (Home) ( ) ______ - _________ (Cell) ( ) ______ - _________ (Work) ( ) ______ - _________
EMPLOYER: ________________________________________ OCCUPATION: _________________________________
DRIVER’S LICENSE # ___________________ BIRTHDATE: ________ DOES THE CHILD LIVE WITH THIS PERSON?____

Emergency Pick Up / Contact Info:
FULL NAME:___________________________________________________ RELATIONSHIP: ___________________
ADDRESS: ____________________________________ CITY: _____________ STATE: ____ ZIP CODE: __________
TELEPHONE (Home) ( ) ______ - _________ (Cell) ( ) ______ - _________ (Work) ( ) ______ - _________
EMPLOYER: ________________________________________ OCCUPATION: _________________________________
PLEASE MARK CONSENT OF THIS INDIVIDUAL ð LIVE WITH THE CHILD ð EMERGENCY ð ABLE TO PICK UP

FULL NAME:___________________________________________________ RELATIONSHIP: ___________________
ADDRESS: _____________________________________ CITY: ____________ STATE: ____ ZIP CODE: __________
TELEPHONE (Home) ( ) ______ - _________ (Cell) ( ) ______ - _________ (Work) ( ) ______ - _________
EMPLOYER: ________________________________________ OCCUPATION: _________________________________
PLEASE MARK CONSENT OF THIS INDIVIDUAL ð LIVE WITH THE CHILD ð EMERGENCY ð ABLE TO PICK UP

Enrollment Status: $50.00 REGISTRATION FEE, PLUS 1ST WEEK OF TUITION, IS DUE WITH APPLICATION

M-F FULL DAY
M-F AM (6:30—12:00)
M-F PM (12:30—6:00)

M/W/F FULL DAY
M/W/F AM (6:30—12:00)
M/W/F PM (12:30—6:00)

T/TH FULL DAY
T/TH AM (6:30—12:00)
T/TH PM (12:30—6:00)

ADMINISTRATIVE USE ONLY: CLASS ENROLLED IN _____________________________________
START DATE ____________________________________

We want to know all about you!

Your Family:
Are there other family members living with you?
NAME: ____________________________________ AGE: ________ RELATIONSHIP TO CHILD: _________________
NAME: ____________________________________ AGE: ________ RELATIONSHIP TO CHILD: _________________
NAME: ____________________________________ AGE: ________ RELATIONSHIP TO CHILD: _________________
If your child only lives with one parent, does he/she see the other parent? Is there legal information we need to be aware of? Please submit court documents regarding any custody matters?
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you have family pets?
NAME: ________________________ TYPE: ___________ NAME: _______________________ TYPE: __________
What are your hobbies or interests as a family?
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Your Child:
How does your child get along with other children?
______________________________________________________________________________________________
How does your child get along with other adults?
______________________________________________________________________________________________
What are your child’s favorite activities?
______________________________________________________________________________________________
What guidance and discipline techniques do you use with your child?
______________________________________________________________________________________________
What are your child’s strengths?
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________