KinderCare Onboarding – Flashcards
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Infants through prekindergartners: developmental skills that are known predictors of later success in school and beyond
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-Language and Literacy Development -Executive Function -Social and Emotional Development -Physical Development and Wellness -Cognitive Development -Creative Expressions
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Philosophy from the website:
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Little minds are wide open and ready to learn, and we have a unique way of encouraging children to become life-long learners.
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Language and Literacy Development
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Involves children's abilities to convey their ideas, thoughts, and feelings through speaking and writing, and their ability to demonstrate early reading skills.
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Executive Function
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Focuses on the development of skills necessary for learning, such as self-regulation, attention, and persistence.
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Social and Emotional Development
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Supports your child's ability to express and regulate feelings and develop relations with others.
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Physical Development and Wellness
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Gives your child opportunities to build large- and small-muscle skills, strength, stamina, and knowledge needed to live a healthy lifestyle.
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Cognitive Development
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Supports the mental processes needed to think, make sense of the world, and understand knowledge across different subjects, including mathematics, science, and social studies.
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Creative Expression
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Helps your child creatively explore the arts, movement, drama, and music.
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Common Questions: Staff
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- Does staff communicate daily with parents about their child's progress? - Do children receive individual attention? - Is staff respectful of children and parents? - Does staff appear lively, smiling and interacting in a positive manner with children? - What is the teacher-to-child ratio?
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Common Questions: Safety
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- Does the facility appear orderly and clean? - Are there age-appropriate toys in the classrooms? - Are hazardous materials locked away? - Is there an emergency plan and is it posted? - Are there security measures in place? - Is there a policy for sick children and other circumstances?
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Common Questions: Children
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- Do the children have a consistent routine that they can understand and follow? - Do the children seem occupied and engaged? - Is there a policy on discipline? - Do the children seem happy and excited?
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Common Questions: Feelings
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- Is your initial reaction a positive one? - Is this a place my child would enjoy? - Would my child be safe here? - Would I/we feel comfortable using this program? - Would my child learn new things every day at this program?
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Other Common Questions
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- May I visit any time? - How do you handle discipline? - What would you do in case of emergency? - Are all children required to be immunized and does staff have physical examinations? - May I see a copy of your license or other certification? - Do you have a substitute or back-up care giver? - May I have a list of parents who have used your care (current and/or former)? - Where do children nap, and how do you put babies down to sleep?
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Meals and Food Provided
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The menu is planned by a registered dietitian. It provides wholesome meals and satisfying snacks that meet federal and state requirements and guidelines established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). We also work with food manufacturers to create appropriate portion sizes and nutritional ingredients for children.
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Servings and Nutrition
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- Meals and snacks include a variety of food groups including meat and meat alternatives, bread and grains, fruits, vegetables and fluid milk. - Meals and snacks include carbohydrates, proteins and fat to give children energy, while maintaining total calories within recommended ranges specific to a child's age group and level of activity. - Meals and snacks have limited added sugar and sodium and increased dietary fiber. - On average over a school week we aim to not exceed 35 percent of total calories from fat, 10 percent calories from saturated fat and minimal grams trans-fat.
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Allergens & Adaptations
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If your child has a special nutritional need or requires an adaptation to our menu, we will work with your family to create a plan that adequately meets your child's needs. Please alert your local day care center if your child has a known allergy or nutrition need.
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Menus are grouped by ages:
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- Infants and toddlers age 2 and under - Children ages 3 to 5 - School-age children (age 5+ through 12 years)
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Menus change two times each year:
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- Fall/Winter (October - March) - Spring/Summer (April - September)
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Sample Breakfast Items
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- English Muffin - Apple Slices - Milk - Turkey Ham - French Toast Sticks - Peaches - Toasty O's - Orange Juice Bar and Berries
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Sample Lunch Items
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- Turkey Chili - Whole Wheat Bread - Green Beans - Fruit Mix - Cheeseburger Pasta - Broccoli - Applesauce - Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas - Fresh Zucchini & Corn - Apricots - Milk
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Sample PM Snacks
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- Graham Crackers - Bananas - Soy Nut Butter
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Safety: Transportation
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- Specially designed KinderCare buses with seats that include 3-point safety restraints. - KinderCare drivers undergo stringent testing and are trained in defensive driving skills. - In certain circumstances centers may contract with transportation companies providing school buses. (Please note: school buses are not required to have seatbelts)
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Safety: Playgrounds
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- Our high-quality playground equipment is safe, sturdy and tested monthly by our facilities technicians to ensure it is secure and in good working order. - We have safe fall zones with soft landing areas if your child takes a tumble. - All outside play areas are wrapped in secure fencing.
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Safety: Wellness
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- We assess every child's health by talking with parents and monitoring for symptoms during the course of each child's day with us. We increase assessment during flu season. - We notify parents when a child does not feel well to help prevent an illness from spreading.
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Safety: Sanitation
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- We clean our centers each day with safe, non-toxic cleaning products. - Cleaning supplies are locked safely out of reach of children. - While other child care providers clean toys each evening, KinderCare sanitizes toys throughout the day to help prevent the spread of germs. - We encourage children to wash their hands throughout the day by singing songs and teaching lessons about health and hygiene. - Diapering is conducted in an area separate from children's play areas.
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Safety: Medications
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- We have strict policies for administering medication to your child to ensure they are protected. - Based on new research about healthy practices for infants and toddlers, we require a doctor's note for any medication, prescription or over the counter, given to a child under 2 years to ensure safety.
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Safety: Security
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- Our centers are secured so that only authorized staff and families may enter. - Safe, secure perimeters ensure that children can enjoy outdoor play safely. - We use safety gates, window guards (except fire escapes) and cap electrical outlets. - Our centers include smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. - Radiators and heaters are covered to prevent your child from touching something hot.
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Safety: Qualifications
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- We have dedicated, friendly caregivers who are trained in child development, early-childhood education or a related field. - We conduct criminal background checks to ensure trustworthy staff and passionate teachers provide the best care and education for your child. - Our staff and teachers are trained in first aid and CPR.
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Safety: Emergencies
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- We are serious about training for earthquakes, fires and lockdown situations. - We have an emergency evacuation plan at each center. - We don't just have a plan, we regularly test and train so our people are ready.
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Safety: Feeding
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- All perishable food is refrigerated. - Our menu is planned by a registered dietitian so your child eats nutritious foods. - We welcome breastfeeding mothers, and we have careful policies for separating breast milk from formula.
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Safety: Authorization
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Only pre-approved people with photo identification may pick-up your child.
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Paying Tuition: Online
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The KinderCare Family Connection system provides an easy way to pay your tuition online.
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Updating Enrollment Agreement
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Updates to your Enrollment Agreement will NOT be effective until the Center Director signs the new Enrollment Agreement. Here's what your Center Director needs to do: - Fill in your weekly or monthly tuition amount and complete several other required sections - Establish and document the effective date - Require your signature on the completed document - Provide you with a signed copy and place a copy in your child's file Prior to any of the changes becoming effective, your Center Director will establish an effective date and sign the printed copy of the Enrollment Agreement. Feel free to save this document in a safe location on your computer. Throughout the year you will be able to return to it to make additional changes or updates.
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Needs for Updating Enrollment Agreement
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- Use a separate form for each child - Fill out all sections highlighted in blue and white - Once filled out, print the document in full and bring it to your Center Director - Personally discuss all changes with your Center Director - Bring your Driver's License with you as your Center Director will need to verify your Driver's License number, state and expiration date
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Child Care Tax Credit
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Under current federal law, eligible families can claim child care tax credits* up to: - $2,100 from the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (up to $1,050 for each of your first two children; the exact amount depends on your income and actual child care expenses); - $1,000 per child from the federal Child Tax Credit; and - $5,657 from the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. (The exact amount depends on your income)
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Child Care Tax Credit vs Deduction
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A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in taxes owed. Some credits are refundable - taxes can be reduced to the point that a taxpayer receives a refund instead of paying taxes. A tax credit is even more valuable to families than a tax deduction.
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Child Care Tax Credit Resources
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Detailed information on federal child care tax credits for parents is available from: - The Internal Revenue Service: Call (800) TAX-1040 or (800) 829-1040 Tax Information for Parents: - Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit - Child Tax Credit - Earned Income Tax Credit - The National Women's Law Center * Credit amounts may change from year-to-year, are usually dependent on total family income and size, and may be subject to maximum income or child care spending limitations. Consult your tax advisor, the IRS, and state revenue officials to confirm your eligibility.
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Child Care Aware of America
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KinderCare Learning Centers has partnered with Child Care Aware of America (formerly known as NACCRRA) in an effort to offer fee assistance for Active Duty military families and solutions to their child care needs when care at a Child Development Center on the installation is not available.
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GSA
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We offer a similar subsidized child care program through General Services Administration (GSA) for eligible Active Duty members of the U.S. Coast Guard who do not live or work near a Coast Guard Child Development Center. We hope to make the search for alternative options easier by providing easy search options and information about our programs. Whether you are seeking a temporary solution while your family is in transition or you are seeking a long-term and ongoing partnership, we are confident that we can provide a high-quality solution for you.
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Military Families
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- Reduced tuition rates (to determine your family's eligibility visit: http://www.naccrra.org/military-families) - High-quality care and an unsurpassed learning experience (KinderCare has more nationally accredited centers than any other private child care provider in the country) - Consistent curriculum no matter where you relocate (we have more than 1,400 centers nationwide) -Confidence that your child is well cared for
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Coast Guard
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- Active Duty Crew Members and Active Duty Reservists called to action for 180 days or longer, and who do not have access to a Coast Guard operated child development center, may qualify. - Families with a total family income (TFI) of less than $75,000 will qualify for up to $7,500 in maximum annual subsidies. Certain restrictions apply. However, members who work or live on or near a U.S. Coast Guard base where there is a child development center do not qualify and must use that facility. The General Services Administration (GSA) will calculate the fee assistance benefit that you may be eligible for and notify you and the KinderCare Learning Center of your benefit. For more information, or to determine whether your family qualifies for the program, please contact the U.S. Coast Guard Child Care Subsidy Team at 1-866-508-0371.
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Who is Child Care Aware of America
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Child Care Aware of America (formerly known as NACCRRA), a non-profit organization and a leading voice for childcare. The U.S. Department of Defense tasked Child Care Aware with helping military families locate affordable, high-quality childcare when on base care at the Child Development Center (CDC) does not have space. In most cases military families can benefit from financial assistance paying for childcare. Programs include Operation: Military Child Care (OMCC) and Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN). Learn more below or by visiting http://www.naccrra.org/military-families. Contact Child Care Aware to see if your family is eligible.
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What is OMCC? Am I eligible?
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OMCC is a Department of Defense (DoD) initiative to support the childcare needs of Military Parents who are activated/deployed. OMCC helps eligible families locate childcare options in local communities and reduces childcare fees for eligible families who are already using licensed or legally-operating community childcare programs and providers. Learn more about OMCC.
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Who is eligible for OMCC
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Families/Child Guardians of National Guard & Reserve Service Members who are activated/deployed. Families/Child Guardians of deployed Active Duty Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who are unable to access childcare on military installations are eligible during the deployment period and for 60 days after the return of the Military Parent.
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What is MCCYN? Am I eligible?
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MCCYN is a Department of Defense (DoD) program designed to meet the childcare needs of Active Duty Service Members living in areas where on-base military childcare is not available. Learn more about MCCYN.
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Who is eligible for MCCYN?
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Children of geographically dispersed Active Duty families with no access to on-base childcare. Examples include children of Active Duty Recruiters, ROTC instructors, MEPCOM personnel, Service Members on independent duty assignments and Service Members living in communities that are not within reasonable commuting distances to military installations. Children of active Duty families who are wait-listed per Service policy and not currently enrolled in on-base childcare.
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What are Year-End Statement?
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KinderCare will be providing you with your year-end statement electronically when it becomes available in early 2016. This statement is intended to provide you with a tool to assist with your income tax return preparation. The information on the statement should be tied back to your personal records (check copies, receipts, and other information) to determine the appropriate amounts of dependent care expenses to claim in preparing your tax return.
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Obtain Year-End Statements: Current Families
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Year-End Statements will now be provided to you electronically. If you are requesting a year-end-statement for previous years, please contact your Center Director.
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Obtain Year-End Statements: Formally Enrolled
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Year-End Statements will also be provided to you electronically. In the event that we no longer have your current email address, please contact your Center Director for a statement. If your center is no longer open for business, please contact Customer Care by phone at 1-888-525-2780 so we may assist you.
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Are Centers accredited?
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KinderCare Learning Centers are proud to have more accredited centers than any other provider of early childhood education in the nation. You can rest assured that your center makes every effort to meet high national standards in teaching strategies, curriculum, assessment of children's learning, health and safety, developing relationships with families, community involvement, administration, and teacher qualifications.
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Who accredits our Centers?
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Our centers pursue national accreditation from one of three national early childhood accreditation agencies: - National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) - National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAC) - National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)
