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Revised and adopted June 2001
Revised and adopted June 2003
Yes, the children at Denton City County Day School do play a great deal and it is all to their benefit.
They are:
- Meeting friends
- Looking at books
- Exploring how things work
- Playing with toys
- Listening to music
- Sharing
- Pouring and measuring in the sand box
- Having different experiences in a mostly child group
- situation verses a mostly adult situation
- Developing and expanding their language abilities
- Having creative art experiences
- Learning to share the adult’s attention
- Learning social skills needed to play games and make friends
- Building with materials that may not be available at home
- Using messy art materials in a space provided for experimentation
- Trying on different personalities with different clothing
- Comparing and contrasting different experiences
- Learning from others while broadening their horizons
So you see, what looks like play is really hard work and has some real rewards.
The Denton City County Day School is a non-profit childcare center for economically disadvantaged families. Parents must work full time and/or be in school to be eligible to enroll their child. Denton City County Day School is funded by: the United Way of Denton County; the City of Denton; Denton County; Child Food Nutrition Program; Private donations; and Grants. Parents pay a weekly fee based on income and family size.
Denton City County Day School is licensed by the state of Texas for sixty six children. We accept children ages two (must be toilet trained) to five years of age. The school is a designated vender with Child Care Management Services.
Denton City County Day School is staffed by qualified teachers and offers an enriched, stimulating learning environment that is developmentally appropriate for each child.
To enroll a child in school, Parents must complete an application for enrollment, provide a current copy of the child’s immunizations record, a statement from a physician or health clinic that the child is healthy and can participate in childcare activities, proof of income and pay a enrollment fee.
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Program Goals
Denton City County Day School goal is to provide to each
child the following:
A warm, nurturing multicultural environment that encourages the development
of the “whole child”, including physical, cognitive, social
and emotional areas of behavior.
Offer an environment that is based on successful experiences, which encourages all children to develop a healthy, positive self concept.
Offer a program which recognizes the uniqueness of each child and provides positive encouragement for the child’s continued growth.
An environment that offers the child the opportunity to learn by doing, moving from concrete hands-on experiences to more abstract concept development, providing opportunities for a lifetime of creative living and learning.
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Entering the school and picking up children
Denton City County Day School is open Monday through Friday, 6:30 am to 5:30 pm. Children must arrive by 9:15 unless the school has been notified in advance. Children will not be admitted after 9:15 otherwise. Please remember that coming late and seeing a class that is already busy can make a child feel like an outsider.
Child care Licensing requires that all children must be escorted to their teachers or classrooms. Parents must sign children in and out each day. Sign in/out sheets are located in each room. Quick good-byes are easier on your child. Let them know that you think school is a great place to be and you will be back at the end of the day.
When you pick up your child in the afternoon, please make contact with the teacher in charge and allow your child a moment to say good-bye to the teachers and classmates.
No child will be released from Denton to individuals who are not authorized on the enrollment form. If they are not on the enrollment form they can not pick up your child. If you need to add someone new please stop by the office and do so. Denton City County Day School will ask for photo identification from anyone that the staff does not know. This is to ensure each child’s safety while in the school’s care.
All visitors to the school should sign in at the front hall.
Parents are welcome to visit anytime while their child is enrolled with Denton City County Day School. Other visitors are welcome between 8:30 to 11:30 and 2:30 to 5:30.
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Parent Notification
Newsletters, notes, receipts and other information is sent home in each child’s locker. Parents need to check lockers daily. Notices are also put up on the parent board in each room and in the main hallway. Notes are on the front door or above the payment box. Parents need to check daily to stay updated.
Parents will be asked to sign copies of all accident/incident reports
for their child. Reports are written anytime a child is injured or injures
another child.
All children ages three years of age and up will have a hearing and vision screening.
Because of the wide range of activities, it is recommended that children be dressed in washable, comfortable clothing. Smocks are used for messy art projects.
Parents are responsible for providing an extra set of clothing for their child that is appropriate to the season. All extra clothing should be marked with your child’s name. If wet or dirty clothes are sent home, please bring a clean set the next morning. If your child does not have extra clothes when needed you will be called to bring the necessary items. CHECK LOCKERS DAILY.
Cowboy boots, slick soled shoes, slip on shoes or shoes with out a back are not allowed at school for safety reasons. Also necklaces, dangling jewelry, strings, cords, etc. Are nuisances and can be dangerous on the playground and therefore not permitted.
Birthdays and Special Occasions
Parents may bring a special treat to share with their child’s class on birthdays or special occasions. Please let the school know in advance if you are bringing something. When the school celebrates special holidays or events parents may be asked to sign up for treats.
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Food
Denton City County Day School will meet the child’s nutritional needs by providing breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack each day. Menus are posted in each classroom, but are subject to change without notice. Children who have special diets or food allergies must have a doctor’s statement stating their dietary requirements. NO outside food or drinks can be brought into the school due to the Child Food & Nutrition Program guidelines, with the exception of special occasions that have been approved by Denton City County Day School.
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Holiday and Other School Closings
Denton City County Day School will close to observe the following holidays: Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after; Winter break (over the Christmas and New Years holidays) days off will be determined each calendar year; Martin Luther King Day; Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.
Denton City County Day School will close two days each year for staff development days. Parents will be given thirty days notice before closing for staff development days.
In case of bad weather, we will follow the Denton ISD, closing for severe weather, or emergencies. Watch local televisions stations or local radio for announcements.
We must have an up to date health form on file for your child. This form is included in the enrollment package and must be completed before your child can be admitted to the program. This includes a written statement from a licensed physician stating that your child has been examined and can participate in a child care program. This statement needs to be updated annually.
Child care Licensing Regulations require the school to have on file a copy of the child’s immunization record. The number of doses, type and dates of each immunization the child received needs to be clearly stated.
The following immunizations are required:- by 12 months of age 3 doses of DPT, 3 doses of OVP, 3 doses of HIB
- by 15 months of age MMR, HIB, Varicella
- by 18 months of age DPT, OPV
- 4 to 6 years of age DPT, OPV, MMR, TB Test
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Illness
To protect all the children, we can not accept your child at school with any of the following symptoms:
- Fever (must be fever free for 24 hours, unless accompanied by a note from a physician)
- Diarrhea (two or more episodes)
- Rash or pink spots with watery centers
- Pink, Burning, or itching eyes
- Complaints of ear pain or ear discharge
- Head lice and Hair nits (child must be nit free to return to school)
Parents should exercise caution and keep their children home should any other unusual symptoms occur. If these symptoms are observed during the school day, you will be called to pick your child up from the school.
Any child exposed to a contagious disease should be kept at home and the condition reported to the Director. Strep throat, pin worms, measles, mumps, chicken pox, scarlet fever, etc. are all conditions categorized as highly contagious.
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Medicines
Medicines will only be given twice during the day. Please give medicine for your child to the Director with instruction to place it in the refrigerator or office. Parents need to complete a Medication Authorization form. Blank forms are located on the information table in the front hall.
All medicines must be in the original container, labeled with the child’s name. No expired medicines will be given or prescriptions made out to another child. Over the counter medication will only be given according to label instructions.
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Medical Emergencies
In the event of a medical emergency or accident, we will contact parents first, and the child’s doctor or call 911. Parents need to make sure that the school has current contact phone numbers. If we call 911 your child will be taken to the nearest emergency room for treatment.
This fee policy has been established by the Board of Directors for Denton City County Day School.
Fees are due weekly and are to be paid in advance on Monday. Fees are past due on Thursday mornings. There will be ten dollar late fee added to your child’s account on Thursday.
If parents are two weeks behind the child will be dropped from the roll until all fees and late fees are current. Failure to pay in full your account could result in Denton City County Day School filing with Denton County Courts.
Due to our program and licensing requirements the staff to child ratio is based on the number of children enrolled rather than present. Therefore, fees are due in total regardless of absences, holidays or vacations.
There is an enrollment fee when your child enrolls initially of $20.00, and a supply fee every September of $20.00.
Insufficient funds checks will be charges $25.00, after two incidents the parent will be required to pay fees by money order or cash.
Parents should notify the Denton City County Day School if the child is going to be absent. If the child is absent for five days without notification, the child will be dropped from the roll and the parents will be charged for those five days.
Weekly fees are based on family size and annual income for each family. Proof of income is required to determine weekly fees. Total income will be reviewed bi-annually to determine fees. Parents will need to provide a copy of current pay checks and/or their last year’s income tax return.
The school closes at 5:30 p.m., all children must be picked up on time. If a parent is late you will be charges a late fee of $1.00 per minute starting at 5:31 p.m. Payment of the late fee is due immediately but no later than the following Monday. No excuses for being late will be accepted. If you are late two times within a month the school reserves the right to dismiss your child.
The official clock for determining the time is located in the office of Denton City County Day School.
The State of Texas requires that all members of day care institutions look for and report to the State any and all cases of child abuse. The Denton City County Day School is obligated to and will report to the State any suspected cases of child abuse and/or neglect.
Behavior, Guidance and Discipline Procedures
Our program promotes a positive approach to managing the
behavior of the children. Discipline at the school has two primary goals.
First, we strive to find a solution to the immediate situation. Second,
we attempt to help the child to process feelings, recognize consequences.
And to explore alternative solutions
and outcomes and to develop self control.
Children will be given clear rules of behaviors such as: respect others and equipment, do not harm others in the classrooms, and do not engage in unsafe activities. When these rules are not followed, the following discipline procedures will be in effect;
- Redirection: when a situation warrants redirection the child will be given alternative activities to direct the child away from the conflict.
- Conflict Resolutions: the child or children and the teachers will discuss the behavior and come up with a resolution that satisfies both parties involved in the conflict.
- Time Out: time out will be used only in cases where the first two options did not work. The appropriate amount of time is one minute per year of age.
- Sent to Office: If the child can not or will not calm down and is danger of hurting themselves or others they will be brought to the office. Parents may be called to speak to their child or notes will be sent home detailing the events.
There must be no harsh, cruel, or unusual treatment of nay child. The following types of discipline and guidance are prohibited:
- Corporal punishment or threats of corporal punishment
- Punishment associated with food, naps or toileting
- Pinching, shaking or biting a child
- Hitting a child with a hand or instrument
- Putting anything in or on a child’s mouth
- Humiliating, ridiculing, rejecting or yelling at a child
- Subjecting a child to harsh, abusive, or profane language
- Placing a child in a locked or dark room, bathroom or closet with the door closed
- Requiring a child to remain silent or inactive for inappropriately long periods of time for the child’s age.
Children who exhibit uncontrolled and/or dangerous behavior (repeated
biting or hitting) may be asked to leave the School. Parents will be notified
of any serious behavior problems.
With these discipline and guidance techniques, preschool children will develop self confidence, independence, creative intelligence and imagination.
Denton City County Day School is a smoke fee area. NO smoking is allowed by anyone, Parents, Staff, or Visitors any where on our campus.
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A Final Word
Denton City County Day School admits all children regardless of race, color, nationality or religious background.
We have an open door policy: for all parents that have children enrolled at Denton City County Day School. Parents are welcome to visit and participate at their convenience. We want you to visit often and see our busy, happy, noisy, creative classrooms and see your child at play and learning.
Staff members are not permitted to be hired as baby sitters
for any child enrolled at Denton City County Day School.
Conferences can be scheduled at any time a parent wishes to make an appointment
to discuss their child’s progress. It is not appropriate to discuss
details about your child at the classroom door. Please feel free to stop
in at the office and discuss any concerns or praise you may have concerning
the class, teacher, or school.
It is the policy of Denton City County Day School to afford parents the opportunity for fair and prompt consideration of complaints and grievances.
Steps in the grievance procedure are:
- Arrange a conference with the teacher within five days of the event
that triggered the grievance.
Request a conference with the Director which will be arranged within three days of the request. Bring a written copy of your grievance to the Director.
- If steps one and two do not resolve the grievance, a written description will be forwarded to the President and the Board of Directors of Denton City County Day School. The Personal Committee and the Director will meet with the parents to resolve the issue.
Denton City County Day School
940-382-6485 fax 940-381-2418
Child Care Management Services (CCS)
940-382-5619
Denton Child Care Licensing
940-591-6271
web address http://www.tdprs.state.tx.us/child.care
Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-252-5400
Copies of the following documentation are available for
review in the office upon request:
Texas Department of Licensing, Childcare Minimum Standards
The last childcare licensing report
The last City of Denton health department inspection
Proof of gas leak test and fire alarm/extinguisher test
Child & Family Resource Clinic University of North Texas
940-565-2066
Assessment and counseling for children and families
Community Development Office City of Denton 940-349-7726
Minor repair program funds (under $5,000.00) for low income families
Community Food Center 940-382-0807
Provides staple food supplies in emergency situations
Dental Hygiene Clinic Texas Woman’s University 940-898-2888
Teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, sealants –low cost
Denton County Health Department 940-349-2900 Well child check ups, immunizations, maternity care
HelpNet Denton 940-382-1913
A social service coordination agency for emergency financial needs.
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What to Remember About Young Children
They are active. Plan activities that include movement, because sitting
is not what the do well.
They are noisy. They learn by talking and working actively.
They are not accustomed to large groups. They will talk with one child or adult or in a small group of two to four children.
They are egocentric. They are interested in themselves, and what they want to do. Let them carry out their own ideas.
They want to feel proud, big and important. Help each child be successful each day.
They have their own fantasy world. Pretending allows them to control actions and outcomes.
They are tender. They need to know they are loved. They must be able to trust the adults in their lives.
They are beginners. They learn thought their mistakes. But let them decide when and how much to practice.
They want stimulation. They are curious, and need many opportunities to explore safely.
They are unique. Each child has an inner timetable and each functions differently on different days. Offer a wide range of options.
From James L. Hymes, Teaching the Child Under Six
