Policies
Wisconsin State Licensing and Satellite FCC Accreditation
Licensing Overview - Compliance
Sue Rowe's 1st Care for Children is licensed by the State of Wisconsin to care for no more than eight (8) children at any given time. The State of Wisconsin provides a regulating agency for licensed child care homes. Licensed child care homes are required to maintain records for all children cared for, are required to maintain high levels of safety and cleanliness and adhere to building codes. Frequent, unannounced visits by a state Licensing Specialist are part of the state regulation process.
Parents may view License Certificate, Results of the Latest Monitoring Visit & Exception which is posted on the wall at the bottom of the playroom stairway.
Standards of Care
Sue Rowe's 1st Care for Children is an accredited child care program through Satellite Family Child Care which adheres to the City of Madison Accreditation Criteria and Standards. As mandated, we have agreed to meet the standards of City of Madison Accreditation and to abide by the policies of Satellite FCC*. Parents are encouraged to review the City of Madison Accreditation Standards.
*Satellite Family Child Care is a program of Dane County Parent Council, Inc. It is funded primarily by the City of Madison Office of Community Services. Satellite provides accreditation and support services to family child care providers, enhancing quality for the families enrolled in their care. Services include: City of Madison accreditation, consultation, respite, equipment and toy loans, training, and a referral system to help parents find child care.
Licensed family child care providers are minimally required to complete 65 training hours related to family child care and the care of infants and toddlers. Additionally, licensed providers must complete a minimum of 15 hours of pertinent training each year.
No Smoking Policy
Pursuant to licensing requirements, smoking is not permitted on the premises of the child care home during our child care day.
State licensing for family child care also requires that a criminal background check be completed for all adults who reside at the facility and child care assistants. A criminal background check reveals past felonies or crimes against children. An adult with a crime against a child or dependent adult cannot work in a caring profession regulated by a government agency.
As part of the enrollment package of forms and information, parents will receive a pamphlet entitled "Your Guide to Licensed Child Care," which is a summary of family child care licensing requirements.
Attendance Log
Per state licensing mandate, the daily arrival and departure time for each baby or child will be logged
into our Daily Attendance Sheet.
Authorization to Pick up Child
If an adult, other than parent or an adult listed on the Parent/Provider Agreement or Child Enrollment
form will be picking up child from child care on a particular day, parent must send an email or text with
the name of the person. Said person must be over 18 years of age. Authorized adults, who are not
previously known to Sue Rowe or Lead Provider, must present a photo ID such as a government issued
driver’s license at the time they pick up the child.
A child will not be released to a parent or authorized adult if it is apparent to the provider that the parent or authorized adult is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Sue Rowe's 1st Care for Children is a gun-free zone. Firearms will not be brought into the child care home or onto the child care home property.
Parent Access to Child While Cared for at the Child Care Home
Parents of enrolled children are welcome to visit our child care home at any time during the hours we are open unless prohibited by a court order. If an order exists, I will need a copy of the order to bar a parent of a particular enrolled child from a visit.
Maintaining Health Records
Children who are not school age must have a physical examination every two years (those under two years every six months) and will be required to file a health history with Sue Rowe's 1st Care for Children. An Immunization History Form will be completed by a parent within thirty (30) days of the first day of attendance. Parents are required to file an updated Health History Form with Sue Rowe's 1st Care for Children every six (6) months for children under two years and every year for children over 2 years of age. Parents may review their child's record at any time with notice to Sue Rowe.
Administering Prescriptive and Non-prescriptive Medications
Prescriptive and non-prescriptive medications will be given upon written permission by parent. Parent must provide written instructions as to time and dosage for both prescriptive and non-prescriptive medications. Permission slips to administer medication are available to parents in the entryway and must be completed when children are dropped off for child care.
Report of Child Abuse and Neglect
Under State of Wisconsin Code, Sue Rowe is required to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to Dane County Department of Social Services.
Cleanliness and Management of Communicable Diseases
Sue Rowe will follow procedures on personal cleanliness and management of communicable diseases according to the State Licensing Code.
Prevention of SIDS
In accordance with State of Wisconsin Licensing rules, all babies under one year of age will be placed to sleep on their backs. Parents who wish their babies to be placed for a nap in a different position must read the "Back to Sleep" informational pamphlet and must have their physician sign a written approval form which will be kept on file at the child care home. Soft objects such as stuffed animals, toys and other "cuddlies" will not be allowed in the playpen or pack'n play where babies are napped and blankets and sheets will be tucked in tightly around the baby and away from baby's face. To encourage the development of upper body gross motor development, babies will be placed for "tummy" time during a portion of their wakeful hours during their child care day. All helpers and subproviders at Sue Rowe's 1st Care for Children will be trained by Sue Rowe in the procedures related to SIDS Prevention.
Emergency Procedures
In case of fire or other necessary evacuation prohibiting us from re-entering the child care home, children will be evacuated through the nearest safe exit. Children will be assembled and counted across the street at 610 Wood Lawn Way. The emergency contacts list and cell phone will be taken and parents notified. The fire department will be called by Mary Walker, resident at 610 Wood Lawn Way or by Sue Rowe or Assistant Provider on a cell phone.
In the event of tornado, children will be taken to the basement (if we are not already there). A radio, flashlight and emergency contact information is present in this area. Sue will keep her cordless phone and cell phone available to contact parents.
If loss of building services such as heat, water or electricity occurs before the child care home opens, Sue Rowe or Assistant Provider will call all child care families to inform them that the child care home must remain closed until essential services can be restored. If the loss of an essential service occurs during child care hours, parents will be notified and required to pick up their children as soon as possible.
In the event of a threat by a person or animal to children, families and caregivers at the child care home, 911 will be immediately called and advice provided by authorities will be followed to resolve the situation.
In the event of a lost child, Sue Rowe and/or Child Care Assistant will check all areas, both inside and outside of the child care home and yard. If the child cannot be found, the child's parents and/or the emergency contact and the police will be notified immediately.
Emergency preparedness drills are practiced and recorded each month.
Child Care Provider Contacts Parent(s) when Child(ren) are Late or Absent
Pursuant to state licensing requirements, if a child has not arrived to the child care home by 9:00 am on a scheduled child care day and Sue Rowe is not aware of any special circumstances regarding lateness or absence of a specific child, Sue Rowe will attempt to contact parent to determine the whereabouts of the child.
Insurance
Sue Rowe's 1st Care for Children maintain insurance coverage by a general liability insurance policy provided by West Bend Insurance Company specifically for family Child Care centers. Homeowners insurance is provided by West Bend Insurance Company
Nondescrimination
Sue Rowe's 1st Care for Children is licensed to care for children ages six (6) weeks to thirteen (13) years and accepts children ages six (6) weeks through six (6) years without discrimination on the basis of race, religion or handicap. Children with handicaps are admitted if they may be served with reasonable accommodation.
Confidentiality
- Provider and Parents will treat information about children and families in a confidential manner.
- Provider may release information to Satellite Child Care Network regarding compliance with these policies. Parents or Guardians will be asked to sign a Confidential Information Release Authorization Form at the time of enrollment so as to allow Satellite representatives to provide support for programming. Satellite staff will be used for consultation in a confidential manner.
- Children's records are accessible only to the child's parents, Satellite staff, regulatory staff (state licensing, USDA food program) and the provider unless written parental permission has been given.
- Information derived from discussions between parent(s) and provider about specific children is considered private information and held confidentially.
- Sensitive information about children and families is not shared with other families in case or other providers.
By state licensing code, "Time-Out" cannot be used for children under the age of three years. Instead, we do a gentle redirection which provides the child with an opportunity to be removed from a conflict situation, the opportunity to reflect and regroup emotionally and psychologically and rest in a low stimulus area which may include sitting on a provider or assistant provider's lap. For children over the age of three, a "Time Out" will be conducted under guidance of the provider.