Our Policies

Signing In and Out

You are required to sign your child in and out on the in/out on the brightwheel app. There will be a $1 fee for each time your child is not signed in or out per incident.

Dis-enrollment Notice

All families are required to give written two week notice prior to disenrolling any child(ren). This policy is to allow us time to make arrangements for families on our waiting list to enroll their child(ren). If notice is not given, you will still be charged ½ of your monthly rate and a bill will be sent to your home.

We are committed to working with families and maintaining consistent enrollment for the benefit of the children. If a child’s behavior becomes dangerous to staff, other children or self we will work with the family and other resources. However, if we are unable to meet the child’s needs we will help them with the transition to another program. When dangerous behavior occurs we will document the incident and notify parents and authorities if applicable. We are mandatory reporters for child abuse and neglect. If we have concerns about the safety and well-being of the children in our care we are required by the State of Idaho to report all incidents and concerns to child protective services.

Registration Fee

There is a registration fee of $100 per family. This fee is due before care is rendered. If your child is out of attendance for three or more months, you will be charged this fee again as we will have to re-enter all of your child’s information.

Hours of Operation and Scheduling

Our hours of operation are from 6:00 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday (These hours are subject to change and based on the hours required by the enrolled children). Accurate schedules need to be provided by all families to ensure that we have adequate staffing. The State of Idaho requires we maintain a safe number of adult to children ratio depending on their ages. We value the quality of care we are providing your child and our ratios are slightly lower. Our ratios, as well as group sizes are 1 adult: per 5 infants; 1 adult: per 6 toddlers; 1 adult: per 12 preschoolers; 1 adult: per 12 school-age children. Group sizes are based on the youngest child of the group and are strictly followed to the quality and integrity of our care. If you attempt to drop-off your child prior to their scheduled time, you may be asked to bring them back if staffing does not allow for them to stay. Please be considerate and call ahead if you will be late or early, so we can make any arrangements needed with staff scheduling.

If your child(ren) are still at the center past closing you will be required to pay $1 per minute (per child).

Transportion

If your child is transported to or from school by a Sandcastle Kids staff, you will be charged an additional fee. This fee is based on the amount of miles traveled. If you have any questions regarding these fees please feel free to speak with management. This fee covers all gas, maintenance, insurance and staff salaries required to provide transportation and maintain accurate ratios. Transportation fees are built into activity fees.

Safe Sleep (SIDS Prevention Policy

Infants up to 12 months of age are placed fully on their backs to sleep for every sleep time ( to place a child in any other position a primary care provider must provide a signed waiver indicating that the child requires an alternative sleep position). Each sleeping infant will use a firm playpen mattress covered with a tight-fitting sheet. Infants that fall asleep outside their assigned playpen will be immediately moved to their playpen and placed back to sleep. An only child will sleep in each designated playpen. No bumper pads, pillows, quilts, comforters, sleep positioners, blankets, flat sheets, bibs, toys, mobiles, and other materials shall be allowed in playpens. Infants will use sleep sacks to maintain appropriate temperatures. Caregivers shall be present and directly observe infants, toddlers, and preschoolers by sight and sound during sleep, while going to sleep, and when waking up. (Lighting in the room will allow caregivers to see the color of each infant’s face). Infants are always held for bottle feedings. Bottles are never placed in a crib with an infant.

Breastfeeding

At Sandcastle Kids, we welcome mothers and fathers with a positive environment that helps parents and staff feel they are welcome to breastfeed, pump, or bottle feed breastmilk to infants and toddlers. Our staff is trained and knowledgeable in breastfeeding support and promotion, as well as storage, handling and feeding breast milk. We know about community breast feeding resources and help connect parents needing additional support. We provide a designated, comfortable breastfeeding place to breastfeed. You are welcome to use the rocking chair in the infant room.

Medications may be administered to your child only if:

• It is prescribed by a licensed physician and in it’s original container stating the name of the physician.
• It is over the counter, in the original container.
• You have filled out and signed a medication policy form.

If your child received a minor injury, you will receive an injury report stating the cause and treatment for the injury. If your child receives a major injury, you will be notified immediately.

*Please see Health Care Policy and Procedures packet located near the main entrance for additional information on this subject.

Drug, Alcohol and Smoke Free Environment

We consider our center a drug, alcohol and smoke free zone. Please help us maintain a healthy environment by not bringing/ consuming on our property. If it is suspected that you are under the influence of either illegal drugs or alcohol, for the safety of your child we will notify authorities and may call a sober contact to pick up your child.

Illness and Injury

Children who are ill are unable to participate actively in our daily programs. If your child has any of the following symptoms, we will need to exclude them from care:

• A temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher, measures axillary (under the armpit). According to most physicians, teething should not cause a temperature of over 100 degrees.
•  
• Diarrhea of three or more loose stools (water to gravy type consistency) within 24 hour period. We will take into consideration that infants rarely have solid stools due to their diet and that some antibiotics cause diarrhea so please be sure to let us know if your child is on antibiotics.
• A rash or draining sore
• Eye discharge or conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Head or Body lice.
• Fatigue that prevents participation in regular activities ( they need to be able to participate in all daily activities including going outside)
• Discharge from the ear or other evidence of untreated ear infection.
• Any other symptom of a communicable disease.

A child must be symptom-free for 24 hours, have a Dr.’s note that states that they are not contagious, or have completed a full 24 hours of antibiotic treatment prior to returning to daycare. If your child contracts one of the conditions during the day you will be notified and required to make arrangements for your child to be picked up. You will have 1 hour from the time notified to pick up your child, after this, we will continue to care for your child at the rate of $15 per hour which will be charged to your bill. This is to cover sanitation and staff wages to care for your child solely.

Child Abuse and Neglect

We are bound by law, as well as morality, to report any suspected cases of child abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, medical neglect or mental cruelty. Our teachers are required to document any unusual wounds or remarks made by the children that might be of a questionable nature.  

We are dedicated to preventing all child abuse and neglect within our own center by: Employing an adequate number of qualified staff to work with the children; • Providing adequate supervision of program staff and volunteers; • Designing the program’s physical environment (both the indoor and the outdoor areas) to reduce the possibility of private, hidden locations in which maltreatment may occur; • Setting clear policies and procedures for maintaining a safe, secure environment; • Assigning qualified personnel to supervise staff on an ongoing basis; • Encouraging parents to spend time at the program.