Classroom Management
Covered Bridge Childcare LLC provides a warm, nurturing environment for each child. Staff is involved in professional development to enhance "best practice" quality care and remain sensitive to each child's needs. Our philosophy is to foster positive self-esteem throughout our center in order to encourage children to feel good about themselves, their classmates and their caregivers.

Discipline Policy
Discipline is to guide and teach, and help the child develop the internal controls to behave appropriately. We use positive behavior management techniques to help children understand expectations for behavior, to anticipate possible conflict situations and to intervene in a timely manner to prevent problems from occurring or escalating. The staff does not use corporal punishment, isolation, or humiliation as punishment. Emphasis is placed on teaching alternative behaviors and giving each child situations to practice and establish new, acceptable habits. Staff may utilize a "cooling off" time-out when a child is in danger of hurting him/herself or others. This brief period is intended as a time for the child to regain his/her self-control in order to better communicate and listen to the needs of all involved. When necessary, a parent-teacher conference will be requested to employ future strategies for all involved. The center reserves the right to withdraw any child who endangers the welfare of the children, staff or program.

Inclement Weather Policy
Covered Bridge Childcare LLC operates according to the school districts in regards to closures due to inclement weather. If school closes morning, afternoon, or all day due to inclement weather, Covered Bridge Childcare LLC will be closed as well. Refunds and/or credit will not be issued for days.

Sick Child Policy
If your child shows any of the symptoms below, he/she is required to remain out of the center until fully recovered. Please remember to be considerate of other families and staff members.

• A contagious or communicable disease
• A temperature of 101 degrees or higher
• Heavy nasal discharge; yellow or greenish in color
• A persistent cough
• Draining eyes, ears, nose, or any open sore
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Cannot participate in play both indoors and outdoors
• Strep throat- child must be out of childcare for a minimum of 48 hours and must be using
• prescription medication
• Unknown questionable rashes, measles, chicken pox, etc.

Highly infectious conditions will require a physician's written approval before returning to the center. If your child becomes ill at the center, we will call for you or a designated adult on your Emergency Card to pick up your child as soon as possible. The child will be provided a safe, quiet place to rest away from other children until you arrive.

Medication/Sunscreen Permission Form
Children may not be given ANY medication without written instructions from the parent stating that we may administer it. All medication must be in its original container labeled with the child’s complete name, address, physician's and pharmacy's name and phone number, recommended dosage, times and method of administration. Upon completion of a prescription drug, the remaining medication will be turned over to the parent/guardian. Sunscreens and topical lotions may be applied as needed under written parental instructions.

Accidents/Incidents
Children sometimes receive bumps and bruises as part of their daily routine. They may also be involved in various "incidents" worth documenting, such as disruptive behavior. You will be notified of these events through an Incident Report Form. Your signature is required on this report and it is then filed in the individual child's file. The staff will use basic First Aid procedures to care for bumps and bruises. If more care is needed for the injury we will ask that the parent follow up with a physician’s visit or we will seek emergency medical care.

Drills/Emergency Procedures
Emergency drills are conducted once a month to prepare children in the event of an actual emergency. Parents will be notified to pick up children immediately when an emergency situation arises such as a natural disaster, loss of utilities, etc. This would be implemented when a hazardous condition or situation presents itself and hampers the welfare of the children and staff and/or hampers the implementation of proper health and safety regulations necessary for the correct care of children.

Child Pick-up
Only parents/guardians or individuals authorized on the Emergency Release Form will be allowed to pick-up your child. ANY adult not known by the staff will be asked for a photo ID. This policy is in place for the safety of your child. If an emergency situation arises and someone not on your release form needs to pick up your child you must call the Director and give a specific description of the adult and have that person be prepared to show a photo ID before we will release the child.