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HAPPY DAYS LEARNING CENTER
1412 BROWNSVILLE RD
TREVOSE PA 19053
215-364 4242
PARENT HANDBOOK
Please date and initial all pages
January 1, 2009
NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY:
HAPPY DAYS LEARNING CENTER PROVIDES EQUAL ACCESS TO PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS.
APPLICATIONS ARE ACTED UPON WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, CULTURE, NATIONAL ORIGIN,
ANCESTORY, RELIGION, COLOR, OR SEX.
CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLIANCE
PARENTS AWARENESS
In accordance with applicable Federal and State Civil Rights law regulatory requirements, you and
your children, as a client of the facility have the right:
• To be provided services at this facility and to be referred for services at other facilities without
regard to your age, color, religious creed, handicap, ancestry, national origin.
• To file a complaint of discrimination if you feel you have been discriminated against on the
basis of your race, color, religious creed, handicap, ancestry, national origin, age and sex.
Complaints of discrimination may be filed with any of the following:
Happy Days Learning Center
1412 Brownsville Rd.
Trevose, PA 19053
Department of Public Welfare
Civil Rights Compliance Unit
1400 Spring Garden St.
State Office Bldg, Rm. 502
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Office for Civil Rights
US Department of Health and Human Services
Region 111
PO Box 13716
Philadelphia, PA 19101
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
State Office Building
Broad & Spring Garden Sts.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
LICENSING :
Happy Days Learning Center is licensed by the Department of Public Welfare. Total Capacity of
children at any given time may not exceed 45.
PHILOSOPHY:
Our main concern is your child’s happiness, safety and well-being. Our goal is to provide a safe
environment and promote each child to be an active learner. We understand that every child is
unique in personality, temperament, culture and family dynamics. We believe that children learn
through intentional and meaningful play. Through individual observations, teachers are able to
plan and incorporate a curriculum that meets each child’s needs. We encourage your child to
explore freely and progress at his/her own pace. Our daily activities provide a nurturing
environment striving to give your child a sense of predictability. Our curriculum is flexible enough to
accommodate all learning opportunities. Self esteem and confidence are reinforced, helping your
child maintain a positive image.
Admission:
Happy Days Learning Center accepts children between the ages of six weeks and five years. We
take children on a first come first serve basis, so it is important that your application is turned in as
soon as possible. A child with special needs may be accepted to our program based on the ability
of the teachers to meet those specific needs.
All parents of infants and toddlers admitted to our program must bring in a written schedule which
their child feels comfortable with. Upon admission all parents must return the “Family Survey” and
if applicable, a copy of your child’s IEP or IFSP, written plans, and/or special needs assessments
so we can accommodate accordingly.
PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT:
During the first two weeks our staff will work closely with you to help your child adjust to our
program. There is usually a two week adjustment period. Please feel free to spend as much time
as you feel necessary with your child during this time. Our staff will do an informal observation of
your child within 45 days of enrollment. A meeting will be scheduled shortly after to discuss any
concerns or questions you might have. If you need to speak with your child’s teacher at any time
please feel free to call throughout the day.
ENROLLMENT PROCEDURE:
o There is a one-time registration fee of $40.00.
o If your child has a health condition which requires special care, you must submit a complete
health report from your physician before your application can be approved.
o All children must have a physical completed and signed by a physician before enrollment is
complete. Once enrolled, children up to 6 months old must have a physical every two months.
Children between 6 months and 24 months must have a physical every three months.
o Before enrollment, parent must meet with the director in person and review Happy Days
Learning Centers’ policies.
HOURS OF OPERATION/HOLIDAYS:
Happy Days Learning Center is open from 6:30 am until 6:00 pm. In the event that you need
extended hours, please make arrangements in advance. If you are not able to pick-up your child at
6:00 pm, you must notify Happy Days as soon as possible so that we can have appropriate staffing
available.
Happy Days will be closed on the following holidays:
Memorial Day
4th of July
Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve Day
Christmas Day
New Years Day
Good Friday
DROP-OFF/PICK-UP PROCEDURE:
MORNING DROP OFF PROCEDURE:
o Drive slowly and safely onto Avenue ‘A’
o Pull into parking lot at a safe speed
o Park in designated parking area
o Always help your child out of the car and accompany him/her into the building
o Sign your child in at the reception desk
o Walk your child to his/her classroom
o Greet your child’s teacher, make sure she knows your child has arrived in the classroom
o Do not let your car run while dropping your child off
o Never leave any child unattended in your car
AFTERNOON/EVENING PICK-UP PROCEDURE:
o Drive slowly and safely onto Avenue ‘A’
o Pull into the parking lot via Avenue ‘A” at a safe speed
o Park in designated parking area
o Always turn your car off
o Pick-up your child from his/her classroom, making sure to sign him/her out in the reception
area
o Walk your child to the car, never let your child run in the building or outside in the parking lot
o Children must always be accompanied by an adult.
o If someone beside parent/guardian is picking up the child, make sure they are on the pick-up
list. If the person designated to pick-up your child is not on our pick-up list, parent must call
Director for clearance. Also, designated pick-up person must have appropriate ID when picking-up
child from classroom.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE PROCEDURE: We do require a defined arrival and departure time. If
your child will be dropped-off or picked-up early or late, please call us in advance. We require
addresses and telephone numbers of all persons permitted to pick-up your child. We reserve the
right to ask for identification from anyone to whom your child is being released. In the event of
custody issues, Happy Days Learning Center requires a copy of the Court Appointed Custody
proceedings and findings. There is a late charge of $5.00 for every 15 minutes after 6:00 pm.
EMERGENCY CLOSING PROCEDURE:
Our philosophy is to keep your child safe at all times when he/she is in our care. With recent world
and local events, we have developed an emergency plan that will be put into place in the event that
special circumstances require a different type of care. Plans for these special types of care are
reviewed annually. Staff is trained in the appropriate response and local emergency management
is aware of these plans. The specific type of emergency will guide where and what special care will
be provided.
Shelter at the site – This plan would be put into place in the event of a weather emergency or
unsafe outside conditions or threats. In this plan, children will be cared for indoors at the center
and the center may be secured or locked to restrict entry. Parents will be notified if they need to pick-
up their child before their regular time.
Evacuation to another site – This plan would be put into place in the event that it is not safe for
the children to remain at the center. In this situation, staff has predetermined alternate sites for
care. The choice of site is:
The Trevose Fire House
4900 Street Road
Trevose, PA 19053
Telephone #215 357-1314
Method of contact parents – In the event of an emergency, parents will be called, a note will
be placed on the door, and radio/TV stations will be alerted to provide more specific information.
You can also check for information on our wesite www.happydayslearningcenter.com or call our
main office at: 215 364-4242. The Fire Company has agreed to transport the children to their site.
Emergency ends/reuniting with children-When the emergency ends, parents will be informed
and reunited with their children as soon as possible. The contact methods listed above will be
used to inform parents.
FIRE DRILLS:
Fire drills are performed monthly, at random times throughout our day.
STAFF TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION:
All staff are trained and certified for Infant/Child CPR and First Aid.
HEALTH AND SAFETY:
When a child becomes ill, parent will be notified to pick-up the child. If the parent cannot be
reached, the emergency contact listed on the child’s emergency form will be notified.
A parent will be called if:
o a child has a fever over 101.0 and is showing signs of distress
o is in diapers and has severe diarrhea
o has conjunctivitis
o has head lice
If your child contacts an infectious disease he/she may not attend care until the following:
o Chicken Pox – after all blisters have scabbed over
o Croup – after the cough has subsided
o Head Lice – after one complete treatment and removal of all nits
o Impetigo – after 24 hours of medication
o Conjunctivitis – after the child has been on medication for 24 hours
o Roto Virus – after child has had one formed stool.
o Strep Throat – after medication has been administered for 24 hours
o Thrush – after 24 hours on medication
If you child contracts any communicable disease, please let us know immediately.
If your child is exposed to a communicable disease while at Daycare, a notice will be posted.
MEDICATION PROCEDURE:
PRESCRIPTIONS: all prescriptions must be in a current dated prescription bottle. All over the
counter medication must be age appropriate. All medication must be recorded on the medication
log at the reception area, by parent or guardian stating time it should be administered along with
the dose.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT NOT TO ADMINISTER MEDICINE IF PROPER PROCEDURE HAS NOT
BEEN FOLLOWED.
ACCIDENTS:
When an accident or injury occurs, parent will be notified by telephone. Teacher will fill out an injury
form explaining exactly what happened. In the event a child must be transported to the hospital by
ambulance, parent will be contacted immediately. Staff will accompany child to the hospital and
wait for parent or guardian.
NUTRITION:
Happy Days Learning Center provided two snacks daily. Water is available throughout the day.
Feel free to supply your own snacks and drinks if you prefer. Lunch must be provided by the
parent. We will be glad to heat-up any meal you designate. Please make sure you place all
perishable food in our refrigerator.
If your child is allergic to any food, please let us know immediately so we can make special
provisions for your child.
REST TIME:
Quiet areas are provided in all classrooms. Children are encouraged to rest. A crib is provided for
each infant, and a matt is provided for each toddler. Feel free to bring in a favorite blanket, toy or
whatever your child uses to comfort him/her self. Names must be on all items brought in from
home.
DISCIPLINE:
Happy Days Learning Center never uses physical or mental punishment for any reason at any
time. Positive behavior is always reinforced. If needed, we will schedule a conference with the
parent to come up with a workable solution.
CONFERENCES:
Your child’s teacher will schedule two conferences throughout the year. Additional conferences will
be requested when your child transitions to a new classroom. In the event that you wish to
schedule a conference, please feel free to do so. We encourage you to speak with the teacher
about any concerns you may have. Please feel free to visit your child throughout the day whenever
you are able to do so.
DAILY COMMUNICATION:
o Infants and Toddlers: daily information sheet informing you of your child’s day will be sent
home daily.
o Preschool and After School children: written communication will be received when necessary.
o If you need to communicate with us, write a note and place it in our “orange communication
box” located by the sign-sin sheet, or you can call me at 215 364-4242 or 267-978-0409.
TRANSITIONS:
o When your child is ready to move to another classroom, the following procedure will take
place: Teacher or Director will request a conference to discuss your child’s progress. Then when
all are in agreement, your child will visit the new classroom daily, starting with brief visits,
progressing to ½ day sessions, until your child feels completely comfortable with his/her new
surroundings. If at anytime during this process you notice a negative change in your child’s
behavior, please let us know.
o Preparing to go from preschool to Kindergarten:
o Your child’s teacher will be busy preparing your child for this transition by planning activities to
make sure he/she is developmentally ready. We will provide information for you to share with your
child to make this a positive experience.
PAYMENT PROCEDURE: Payment is expected according to our pricing agreement (rates = “daily”
“weekly”, “monthly”) All tuition is for 10 hour days. In the event that payment is not made
accordingly, “daily” rate applies.
1. TUITION IS ALWAYS DUE THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK OF YOUR CHILD’S
ATTENDANCE. IF TUITION IS NOT RECEIVED ACCORDINGLY, A $10.00 LATE FEE WILL APPLY.
2. PAYMENT IS ALWAYS EXPECTED EVEN IN THE EVENT OF YOUR CHILD’S ABSENCE DUE
TO ILLNESS, WEATHER, VACATION OR HOLIDAYS.
3. WITHDRAWAL: STUDENTS WHO ENROLL AND WITHRAW 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE
STARTING DATE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO A 75% REFUND OF TUITION FEES PAID. HAPPY DAYS
REQUIRES A TWO WEEK WRITTEN NOTICE OF YOUR CHILD’S WITHDRAWAL DATE.
4. ALL CHILDREN MUST HAVE A SPARE CHANGE OF CLOTHES AT ALL TIMES.
5. BOUNCED CHECKS: THERE IS A 25.00 SERVICE CHARGE TO ALL CHECKS WHICH ARE
RETURNED. IN THE EVENT OF MORE THAN ONE RETURNED PAYMENT, MONEY ORDER,
CASH, OR CASHIERS CHECK WILL BE REQUIRED.
CHILD’S NAME:______________________________
TUITION IS:___________PER___________
I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND HAPPY DAYS LEARNING CENTER AGREEMENT AND I AM IN
AGREEMENT WITH ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
_______________________________ _________________ ___________
PARENT/GUARDIAN SS# DATE
_______________________________ _________________ ___________
PARENT/GUARDIAN SS# DATE
__________________________________________ __________________
DIRECTOR DATE
Please date and initial all pages
