 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
Upon enrolling at Destiny Starr Academy, you must furnish us with as much information as possible related to your child. Enrollment forms should be completed IN FULL for each child. During your stay with us, we will need any changes in employment or address information. This is YOUR responsibility and can affect how we are able to reach you in the event of an emergency. When your child will be absent or late coming into the center, please notify a member of Management as soon as possible. IF YOUR CHILD IS ENROLLED IN GEORGIA’S PRE-K PROGRAM, ADDITIONAL POLICIES/GUIDELINES MUST BE FOLLOWED. THESE POLICIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE PRE-K PROJECT DIRECTOR OR CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE POLICY.
Most children usually experience an adjustment period when there is a substantial change in their normal routine (changing childcare programs, bedtimes, etc.). We will monitor your child closely during this adjustment period. You will be notified of any behavioral issues unrelated to adjustment. We reserve the right to dis-enroll your child if excessive behavioral issues remain after a thirty day adjustment period and a parent conference.
When you bring your child into the academy, it is your responsibility to clock your child in using the time clock located at the front desk. Each person who is authorized to pick your child up will be given a code of his/her choosing. Furthermore, you must take your child to his/her classroom. We ask that you DO NOT drop your child off in the parking lot and let him/her come into the building unescorted. It is the parent’s responsibility to make sure that his/her child is personally escorted to the child’s classroom.
THIS IS A STATE REGULATION. Children may not be brought into the center after 9:00 a.m. without a written note from the Doctor’s office stating the child was late due to a Dr.’s appointment.
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
| |
| |
Curriculum and Activities |
|
| |
Our well educated, highly trained staff of teachers with over forty years childcare experience provides numerous
activities and experiences for each age group, every day. Children are offered opportunities for large and small motor development, social interaction, character education, music and art. An emphasis is placed on “the basics”. Creative Curriculum is used in all classes, including infants and young toddlers!
For children ages two and older, classrooms are arranged with the children in mind. Classes have many centers such as dramatic play, science, math, art, blocks, pre-writing and language/literacy. Children are read to many times during the day and allowed to choose books for their own “reading” enjoyment.
Regardless of the weather, children get lots of physical activity at Destiny Starr Academy. All playgrounds are separated by age group with age appropriate equipment. If the weather is bad, we play inside with mats, hula hoops, jump ropes or other appropriate equipment. During the summer, the academy provides a water slide for ages two and up for a nominal fee.
|
|
| |
Withdrawal and Dismissals |
|
| |
Withdrawal: A written notice should be given to the Director notifying intent to withdraw at least two (2) weeks prior to the child’s last day. If notice is not given, you will be charged one week’s fees.
Dismissal: Destiny Starr Academy reserves the right to dismiss any child if it is determined by the Director that a child is continually disruptive, unruly or insubordinate and/or fees have not been paid.
Also see Three Strikes Policy.
|
|
| |
Transportation |
|
| |
Destiny Starr Academy provides transportation to and from these local public schools: CJ Hicks Elementary, Pine Street Elementary, JH House Elementary and Hightower Trail Elementary. Other schools may be considered and will be at the discretion of the Director. No additional fees will be charged for this service.
There will be NO transportation offered to and from a child’s residence. Written authorization will be obtained from parents prior to transporting your child for any reason (to and from school, field trips, etc.) Destiny Starr Academy falls within the Hightower Trail School District. Parents of Hightower Trail students may be asked to submit Transportation Requests to RCPS so that students can be picked up or dropped off at Destiny Starr Academy by the school bus.
|
|
| |
Meals and Naptime |
| |
The academy will serve breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack. Therefore, children SHOULD NOT bring food into the academy. Food exceptions will not be made for individual children, except in case of allergies or a special diet prescribed by a physician.
Weekly menus will be posted in advance in the academy and parents may refer to these or request a copy. All food is purchased daily, weekly or monthly to ensure freshness. Meal times are used to teach children table manners and proper etiquette. Destiny Starr Academy participates in the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program and will require completion of certain forms from time to time.
Each child will be given the opportunity to take an afternoon nap. If after one (1) hour the child is not asleep, the child will be allowed to participate in a quiet activity for the remainder of the scheduled nap period. Children should not be brought into the academy at or during NAPTIME (12:00 – 2:00 p.m.). This is disruptive to sleeping children.
|
|
| |
Severe Weather/Fire Safety/Physical Plant Problems |
| |
In the event of severe weather, all children will be reassured and kept as calm as possible. If a Thunderstorm/Tornado WARNING is issued for our county, the children will be placed in the drill position (children under tables or in hallways away from glass/infants in cribs and moved to hallways). Please refrain from calling the academy during severe weather as our staff members will be very busy ensuring your child’s safety.
Fire drills are conducted on a regular basis and the children are taken as far away from the building as possible. The children will remain outside until it has been determined that the building is safe for re-entry.
Loss of power, water or structural damage will be assessed immediately and parents will be notified to pick up their child if necessary. In the even the academy CANNOT be occupied, children will be transported to Blessed Hope Baptist Church, 2505 Highway 20, NE, Conyers, Georgia 30012 (next door to the academy).
|
|
| |
Infant Care |
| |
Parents MUST complete and initial infant information sheet upon enrollment. These forms must be kept current at all times. Forms are available from the infant teacher(s) and Management personnel. A Starr Report reflecting daily activity (feedings, bowel movements, etc.) will be sent home with you each day.
The academy will provide infant formula and whole milk on a daily basis. You must provide bottles, which MUST be plastic, no glass. All items belonging to your child must be marked with his/her name. This includes bottles, pacifiers, diapers, diaper rash ointment, clothing, diaper bag, etc.
Please do not bring special cups for your child. Pacifiers and bibs may not be strung around a child’s neck. Velcro or pull-over bibs will be provided by the academy.
|
|
| |
Illness/Communicable Diseases/General Safety |
| |
The State regulation regarding sick children is: If a child has a temperature of 101 degrees or higher and has another symptom such as vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, rash, etc., he/she MUST be picked up immediately. Sick children cannot participate in scheduled programs and need the special love and comfort only a parent can provide. CHILDREN MUST STAY OUT OF THE ACADEMY FOR 24 HOURS FOLLOWING PARENT PICK-UP.
IT IS THE PARENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO NOTIFY US OF ANY COMMUNICABLE DISEASE TO WHICH HIS/HER CHILD HAS BEEN EXPOSED. If your child has been exposed to a communicable disease while at the Center, you will be notified. Children with communicable diseases will be excluded from the Center. A State Chart of Communicable Diseases will be posted in the front office.
Children may not return to the Center following a contagious illness until they have been on physician prescribed antibiotics for 24 hours and/or are symptom free.
Sunscreen and insect repellant, along with permission to apply them, must be on hand for each child enrolled in the center. Furthermore, children may not wear sandals, flip flops or dangling earrings while at the Center. Wearing of bracelets and necklaces is not recommended.
|
|
| |
Medication |
| |
Medicine can be administered ONLY with written authorization and instructions from the child’s parent or legal guardian. Authorization forms are available at the Front Desk and MUST be completed PRIOR to dispensing medication. These forms are valid Monday through Friday of the current week only. A new form must be completed each Monday if needed. All medications (prescription and over the counter) MUST be given to a Director or Assistant Director and should be clearly labeled with your child’s first and last name.
MEDICINE IS GIVEN AT 11:00 A.M. AND 4:00 P.M. ONLY. The only exception to this policy will be in the infant rooms, unless there are unusual circumstances regarding a child’s health and well being. Parents will be notified immediately of and adverse reactions to medications/foods/insect stings, etc.
Medicine MUST be provided in the original container with the child’s name clearly marked on the container. Prescription medication will ONLY be given to the name listed on the label. If the medicine is for more than one member of the family, it MUST state their names separately on the bottle.
We will be glad to administer over the counter medication; however, a Physician’s Statement must be on file outlining recommended dosages and times for ALL children under the age of two (2) years.
|
|
| |
Immunization |
| |
The State of Georgia requires that all children attending daycare facilities be immunized. It is your responsibility to provide and keep current a Certificate of Immunization for your child. Upon enrolling, parents have thirty (30) days in which to bring a Certificate to the Center. After thirty (30) days, your child will not be allowed to attend the center until the Certificate is received. This regulation is followed to the letter – NO EXCEPTIONS. Each time your child is immunized, please bring in a revised copy of the Certificate of Immunization – FORM 3231. If you choose to exempt your child from immunizations for religious reasons, a notarized statement of exemption must be provided within the same thirty day period.
|
|
| |
Special Needs Children |
| |
If your child has any special needs, please notify the Director at the time of enrollment. A written statement may be required from your child’s doctor. Destiny Starr Academy will provide care for special needs children whenever
possible; however, we reserve the right to request that alternate childcare arrangements be made if you child does not adapt well to our program.
|
|
| |
Medical Emergencies |
| |
In the event of a true medical emergency, Rockdale Hospital will be used. If you maintain medical insurance (private or Medicaid/Peachcare) for your child, this insurance will be used FIRST. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, 911 will be called.
A Three Strikes and You’re Out Policy will be used by Destiny Starr Academy. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that appropriate behavior is exhibited by all children and to prevent inappropriate behaviors from interfering with the learning environment and safety of other children in our care. Therefore, when your child exhibits one of the listed unacceptable behaviors, you will receive a Written Notice of Warning. Your child’s teacher will provide detailed information as to what happened and what behavior was seen. The Written Notice of Warning is your child’s
first strike.
The next time your child exhibits one of the listed unacceptable behaviors, you will receive a Written Notice Requesting a Conference. Your child’s teacher will provide detailed information as to what happened and what behavior was seen. Failure to attend the conference will result in your child’s immediate suspension from the center for one week. The Written Notice Requesting a Conference is your child’s Second Strike.
The third time your child exhibits one of the listed unacceptable behaviors, you will receive a Written Notice of Expulsion. Your child’s teacher will provide detailed information as to what happened and what behavior was seen. Your child will not be allowed to return to Destiny Starr Academy for any reason. This Written Notice of Expulsion isyour child’s Third Strike. In the event your child is expelled from our program, your account must be in good standing to avoid collection action. Prepaid activity fees will not be refunded nor will any prepaid week be prorated due to your child’s expulsion. Copies of all Written Notices will be kept in your child’s file. You will be requested to sign each Notice.
The following is a list of unacceptable behaviors:
- Violence of any kind toward anyone – fighting, hitting, kicking, biting, spitting, pushing, etc. This includes hitting others with toys or other inanimate objects.
- Making or bringing weapons on Destiny Starr Academy property.
- Foul language and/or back talking.
- Destruction of property – daycare, other children’s,
teachers’, etc.
- Stealing
- Taking off his/her seatbelt while on Destiny Starr Academy vehicles.
- Leaving the classroom without permission (running away from the teacher).
- Throwing any items other than balls or other toys designated for throwing.
PLEASE NOTE:
THIS LIST IN NOT NECESSARILY INCLUSIVE OF ALL UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIORS.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
