Parent Information       

Welcome to Tiger Cubs Home Childcare!  The following will provide information on what you can expect from me, what I can expect from you and your child, and how we can work together to make this a comfortable, fun, and safe environment for your child.

About T.C.

Tiger Cubs is owned and operated by Gretchen Mitchell.  I have lived in Savannah/Hardin County all of my life, and this is where I chose to raise my family.  Being a childcare provider is my chosen profession.  I have 3 children, Lacee Wilson, age 9, and Mark Anthony, age 3, and Tommy, an infant.  I consider it an honor that you have taken an interest in letting me care for your child.  I have worked in childcare for 12 years, both in a facility and in my home.  I have done childcare in my home, then became a Teacher’s Assistant at HCMS in SpEd, and owned my own preschool, Tiger Cubs Learning Center, which I sold in May 2007 to devote more time to my own family. I am excited to be back in the home childcare field, and look forward to the opportunities that come with it!

My husband Mark is a Sergeant for the City of Savannah Police Department. 

 I am certified in CPR and first aid, and frequently attend training classes to keep myself up to date and able to best care for and educate your child.

Tuition

Fees must be paid on time each Monday morning when you drop off your child.   Tuition will be kept paid one week in advance-your payment on Monday will be for the upcoming week.  If tuition is not paid by 5:00pm Monday, late fees will be assessed and your child will not be allowed to return until the balance is paid.  If I take a day off in any given week, you will not be charged for that day, with the exception of paid holidays. You will only be charged for the actual days that I am open. Since tuition is paid in advance, if any emergency full day closing were to occur, a credit would be given for the following week if the day off were already paid for.  However, if you also take a day off within that same week (or any week), you will be charged for your day. 

Tuition amount is:

Full Time (5 days a week): $100/week

Part Time: $25/day

There will be a $25 returned check fee.  Upon return of a second check, you will be asked to pay in cash only from thereafter.  All returned checks must be paid in cash before a child can return to T.C.

The following holidays are paid holidays:

All State and Federal Holidays, as well as Thanksgiving Day and the day after, and 3 days for Christmas. I feel this is reasonable. I will inform you as soon as possible of other days needed off, usually at least two weeks if possible. I will also try to assist you in finding alternate childcare.

I require a two-week written notice in advance of your vacations. Vacation days are paid days as well.

After a two-week trial period, I must have a two-week written notice, or two weeks of your minimum weekly amount upon leaving T.C.

Failure to pick your child up by the agreed upon time will result in a charge of $1 per minute.  And please, don't tell me you'll be late, ask if it is ok. If you fail to pick your child up by 6:00pm and you have failed to inform me in advance, your child will be fed supper and you will be charged an additional $10.00.

Any legal issues regarding visitation, custody, etc, I must be given copies of the proper paperwork as to who may or may not pick up your child.  I am not responsible for knowing any of this information unless I am given the appropriate legal documents.  This is the parents’ responsibility to see that I have the needed forms.

Parental Responsibilities

INFO ON CHILD TO BE FILED BEFORE FIRST DAY OF CARE

1. Provide necessary information on all registration forms.
2. Insure that the child's immunizations are kept up to date, and provide the immunization information and physicians signature as required by state regulations.

COMPLY WITH THE PROGRAM RULES

1. Deliver and pick up child within times specified
2. Keep child home when displaying signs of illness
3. Arrange to get your child promptly if they become ill during day
4. Notify me immediately if your child has a communicable disease
5. Notify me promptly of any changes in attendance
6. You will provide all diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, change of clothes, blanket and pillow for nap time, etc.  If child is on a special diet, such as Soymilk, etc, it will be your responsibility to provide that as well.

Meals and Snacks
I will furnish breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack to all non-infant children.  Please do not bring snacks unless you bring enough to share with everyone. The provider will dispense these at the appropriate time. Please do not bring food from restaurants or packed lunches from home.  I want each child to feel they are treated equally. You must inform me if your child has food allergies.  We will work together on this issue and see that your child is given only what he/she may have.  Food served during the day will include servings from each of the four food groups as defined by the U.S.D.A. You may bring special treats for birthdays as long as you let me know in advance, as we will be celebrating all children's birthdays here. NO GUM ALLOWED.

Toys
I will do my best to provide a vast array of toys to play with here. Please do not bring any toys from home as this causes jealousy and fighting among the children. A special pillow, blanket or stuffed animal may be brought for nap times. I am not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.

Naps
Children under the age of five will take a nap after lunch.  Children under the age of two will take 2 naps, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Discipline
Acceptable behavior is encouraged by giving positive verbal rewards. This reinforces a child's good feeling about his/her behavior and serves as an example to the children to act in such a way as to receive this praise. Asking a child to stop and think about their behavior enables the child to work at self-control. Depending on the situation, one warning is usually given and the child reminded of acceptable behavior. The next step would be a timeout. This timeout is not a punishment, but rather a time when the child may calm down, remember what behavior is acceptable, and decide when they are ready to rejoin the group with appropriate behavior. If timeouts are not effective, some sort of consequence will be imposed. This may range from a favorite toy being taken away for a period of time, to being excluded from a favorite activity. Naturally, parents will be advised. Corporal punishment will not be used at T.C. Children will not be hit, slapped, or spanked in any manner while attending T.C. IF YOU ARE USING A CERTAIN METHOD AT HOME, PLEASE INFORM ME SO THAT WE CAN BE CONSISTENT.

Health Information
Each child is required by state regulations to have on file a health statement, which includes a record of up-to-date immunizations and the signature of the child's source of medical care. If a child's health care summary is not complete at the time of enrollment or within thirty days after enrollment, the parents will be asked to withdraw their child from T.C. until such time as the required documentation is complete. The parent will still be responsible for tuition during this time, as adequate notice has been given for providing such information.  Each child who has not had a physical within the last year must have one before childcare can be provided. A doctor or a public health nurse may do this physical. I must have on file a signed form authorizing emergency care. Emergency numbers for reaching parents or guardian and another authorized person must also be on file. NO child who arrives at T.C. noticeably ill, with a rash, or with a fever will be admitted for the day. Should your child become ill during the day, you will be notified immediately. Your child must be picked up within 1 hour.  I will try to keep your child separated from the other children until a parent or authorized person comes to pick them up. In the event a child contracts a communicable disease and exposes the other children, notice of such exposure will be posted, and parents will be notified when they pick up their children. The names of involved children will be kept confidential.  The ill child will not be allowed to return to T.C. until the period of contagion has passed and a doctor’s statement provided.  In case of medical emergency first aid will be administered. The parent or authorized adult will be notified as quickly as possible. If medical attention is required, I will call the local ambulance service, which will transport the child to the local hospital. Every effort will be made to contact the child's own physician. Children with a contagious illness will not be allowed in care until properly medicated. This includes, but is not limited to: strep, pink eye, ear infection, sinus infection (green nasal drainage) Child must be on an antibiotic for a minimum of 24 hours. Flu, if vomiting and diarrhea make other arrangements until your child is well again. Please inform me of any medical disorders such as allergies, seizures, etc. so that I may be prepared to handle the situation.

I do random head lice checks on all my enrolled children.  I realize that almost every child will at one time or another have a case of head lice.  If head lice are found, the child will be sent home immediately, and not be allowed to return for 24 hours, and must have been treated and cleared of the infestation.  Proof of treatment is required.  The rest of the parents will be notified that a case of lice has been found so that they may check their children at home.  No one will know which child(ren) had the lice.  After 3 cases of lice, the child will be dismissed from T.C.

Clothing and Potty Training
Each child is to have a complete change of clothes at T.C. at all times, clearly labeled with his or her name.  I ask that you dress your child in comfortable clothes.  We will be outside on all days that weather permits.  Painting and other occasional messy activities will also be included in your child’s day here.  

When your child is ready to be potty trained, it will require the efforts of myself as well as help at home.  I ask that you dress your child in clothing that is easy for him or her to pull off and put on themselves to make potty training easier to master.

Other
Please inform me verbally and in writing of your child's favorite games, things to do, etc. Also inform me verbally and in writing if your child has any allergies, special routines for naptime, fears, (i.e.: scared of dark, shut doors, etc.). or anything else about your child's likes and dislikes (such as foods) that you feel would be helpful to me. I'd like to do whatever is possible to make your child's time here more comfortable and fun. The more I know about your child, the better I can help him or her adapt to their new daytime routine.

Communication with Parents
You will of course be given a daily verbal report of how your child's day was. I don't feel it is healthy to discuss children's problems in front of them, so either a note will be sent home, or I will call you. This booklet is intended to answer many of your questions. Please contact me if you have other questions. Parents are encouraged to visit Tiger Cubs at any time. Because of occasional special activities, you may wish to give advance notice, but it is not required.  If I am not free to speak with you when you come to visit, please understand that the children come first during times of operation.

All children will be given an adjustment period of 4 weeks.  I will do everything possible to help your child become comfortable and enjoy their stay here.  If after 4 weeks the child has not adjusted, the parent may be asked to find other means of childcare.  This is to prevent further disruption of other children, as well as avoid your child being miserable everyday.