Eastern New Mexico University Child Development Center Laboratory SchoolParent Handbook

Revised June 2009

MISSION

The purpose of the ENMU-Portales Child Development Center is to provide an early childhood education experience for young children based on current research considering their physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. The program seeks to support parents in their parental roles and to encourage family involvement in the program. As a part of the University mission, the program provides a training facility that provides observational and laboratory experiences for college students and a research facility for the study of child development. The facility provides a program that meets campus and community needs for safe, affordable child care.

PHILOSOPHY

The Child Development Center program is based on the premise that programs for young children should reflect careful consideration of what is involved in healthy growth and development. The emphasis is on providing an environment optimal for a child’s present developmental needs and capacities and on helping each child develop to his/her highest potential. Such a focus maintains that all aspects of a child’s development (physical, social, emotional, cognitive) are interrelated and must be considered in designing optimal programs for young children.

A child’s education and development occurs in many contexts (home, school, etc.), involves many kinds of educational agents (parents, teachers, siblings), and can be accomplished through various instructional means and techniques. Efforts to develop programs for young children must systematically explore the possible variety of contexts and people involved in early education and development.

The Child Development Center is designed for three-, four-, and five-year-old children. These children provide the central focus for the CDC program. Each child is accepted as a unique individual. His/her feelings and ideas are treated with consideration and respect. She/he will be encouraged to learn in his/her own way through meaningful interactions with the environment, peers and adults.

We recognize the importance of a positive self-concept in the process of healthy growth and development. Children need to pursue their own interests, which bring them success. The teacher’s responsibility is to establish an environment, which is responsive to the needs, abilities, and interests of the children. The teacher exposes the children to activities, which help them move sequentially from the concepts in their immediate environment to higher levels of conceptualizing and consequently higher and more complex leanings. Children will be given the opportunity to learn about their environment through concrete experiences of seeing, feeling, hearing, tasting, and smelling.

All individuals who come into contact with the child must be involved in the learning process. Of primary importance is the child’s family. Family involvement is an important part of the CDC program. Parents are encouraged to be involved in all aspects of the CDC program.

The CDC program shall be planned and implemented so that the child:

• Receives intellectual, affective and sensory stimulation.
• Is given opportunities to learn to think independently, solve problems and gain information.
• Has many chances to succeed and develop a positive self- concept.
• Participates in an environment, which is responsive to his/her needs, interests, and developmental stage (physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually).
• Learns to appreciate his/her culture.
• Has many opportunities to interact on a positive, non- competitive basis with peers and adults.
• Has an opportunity for development of basic concepts in language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, fine arts, and physical education.

In summary, the Child Development Center uses a developmentally appropriate curriculum. Planning is based upon providing a well-rounded curriculum that addresses developmental domains and content areas. The curriculum is organized around themes. Plans are developed based upon teachers’ and children’s interests and knowledge which will be determined during circle times.

OBSERVATION AND ASSESMENT 

The Child Development Center has selected the assessment tool Focused Portfolios by Gail Gronlund and Bev Engel. This authentic assessment tool will guide the documentation of each child’s individual growth and experience while in the center. CDC staff will be collecting documentation in four categories: favorites, family, friends, and developmental milestones. This information will help us to see each child’s performance in relation to age appropriate expectations for the child.  Observations of the children will be collected throughout the semester.
During the observation collection session, the following will occur:

• Observing the child or group of children.
• Writing down what the child does (also known as the anecdote), taking a photo or selecting a sample of the child’s work.
• Combining the written observation with the collected photo or the children’s work sample.

In addition, the staff may ask the parents to collect information about their child and about their family to supplement the portfolio. This may include photographs from family trips or activities, a story about the family, or other information that parents would like to share about their child and their family.

Teachers will share the Focused Portfolios with parents in a formal or informal conference. During this meeting, teachers will share the anecdotal observations and developmental milestones the child has reached. Teachers and parents may discuss the areas where children show strength and the areas that may need to be addressed, which will help the child to continue to develop skills and abilities.  Teachers are available to meet with parents by appointment, and/or plan to meet with the family of each child 1x per semester. Annually the observations and work samples will be sent home for parents to keep.

LICENSING, LOCATION AND HOURS

The center is licensed by the state of New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department. A copy of the licensing regulations is available in the Director’s Office or at the newmexicokids.org website.

The facility is located on the ENMU Portales Campus at the corner of U.S. Highway 70 and South Avenue N. The CDC calendar is the same as the ENMU class calendar. The Center observes the holidays and vacations observed by ENMU students. The program operates in the fall, spring and summer terms Monday through Friday from 8:00 a. m. until 5:00 p.m.

DISCIPLINE and GUIDANCE
Discipline means training that enables the child to develop self-control in relationship to peers, adults, and the environment.

• Discipline shall be clear and understandable to the child, consistent and explained to the child before and at the time of disciplinary action.
• Discipline shall include positive guidance, redirection, and setting of clear cut limits, which foster the child’s own ability to become self- disciplined.
• Disciplinary practices established by the center shall be designed to encourage the child to be fair, to respect property, and to assume personal responsibility and responsibility for others.
• Discipline may include brief, supervised separation of the group or withdrawal of special privileges such as playtime with the other children.
• The following disciplinary practices are prohibited at the center; physical punishment, withdrawal of food, rest or bathroom opportunities, abusive or profane language, or any form of public or private humiliation including threats of physical punishment, unsupervised isolation of the child, and any other type of punishment that is hazardous to the physical or mental health of the child.
• If the child persists in a behavior that threatens the safety of the child, other children or staff members, then a parent- teacher conference will be requested. If the inappropriate behavior persists and cannot be satisfactorily resolved, the parents will be asked to make other arrangements for their child.

THE LABROTORY FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

The Child Development Center operates a program licensed by the State of New Mexico within the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences in the College of Education at Eastern New Mexico University. Faculty members in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences serve as coordinating and program personnel within the CDC laboratory. Other personnel include students in early childhood education courses, work-study students, and students in other programs that prepare them to work with children, such as physical education, speech and language etc.

The CDC laboratory is committed to:

• Developing and conducting early childhood education programs based on principles of growth and development.
• Producing and implementing programs for training early childhood personnel.
• Serving as a learning opportunity for students from Family & Consumer Sciences, Psychology, education classes and other programs that involve children.
• Providing an observation area where students, parents and others may observe the children (with approval) without disrupting normal classroom activities.

PROGRAM PERSONEL

Personnel for the CDC include a director, a head teacher, and associate teachers. These personnel are associated with the program throughout the year. The director is a faculty member in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. The head teacher and associates have special training in early childhood education. Their roles include: development of curriculum materials, planning and directing the daily program activities, working with children, and supervising student teachers and workers.
College students are also involved in the program. These students are enrolled in student teaching practicum or laboratory experiences for early childhood education or related courses. College work-study students also assist in the center.

ASMISSION, ENROLMENT AND DISENROLLMENT

Applications for enrollment are taken throughout the year. Enrollment is open to all 3, 4, and 5- year-old children. Children must be toilet trained. The fall and summer enrollment lists are determined during the previous semester.Children’s names are entered on a list when the CDC staff receives a completed application.  Children from the list are enrolled as openings occur. Any questions concerning dates and openings can be answered by calling the CDC Director, Dr. Diane Edwards, at 575-562-2805.

The CDC calendar is the same as the ENMU class calendar. The lab school observes the holidays and vacations observed by ENMU students. The program operates in fall, spring, and summer terms Monday through Friday from 8:00a.m. To 5:00 p.m.

Children must be enrolled on a five-day per week schedule.  Children may be enrolled half-time or full-time.  Half-time is morning sessions only, and full-time is morning and afternoon session. All children should be at the center by 9:00 a.m.  Half-time schedule: 9-12:30, M-F. Full time schedule: 8-5, M-F.  Parents of children leaving the center must give a two- week notification or they will be billed for two weeks’ tuition.

CDC Daily Schedule
2009-10

Bears and Bees together

ADDITIONAL FEES and PAYMENT PROCEDURES

A child who is left at the center after 5:15 on three (3) occasions will not be allowed to continue in the program. Children who occasionally stay for extra hours during the afternoon session will be billed an additional charge. These charges are billed at the end of the semester.
A two-week notification is required for children leaving the program. Unless this notification is given a charge will be made for this period. Additionally, fees will not be reduced for the days a child is absent during the semester he/she is enrolled.

All financial transactions are handled through the ENMU Business Office.

HEALTH AND SAFTY POLICIES

For effective participation in the early childhood education program, children must be healthy. The following are health policies maintained in the Child Development Center.

• Each child is required to have had a series of immunizations recommended for preschool children. Each child’s file must include health information and a copy of immunization records.
• If a child shows any of the following symptoms, he/she should be kept at home and the parent should call the CDC staff at 562-2482. If a child develops any of these symptoms at the center, the parent will be called to take the child home. Keep the child home until the symptoms disappear or your physician decides that the child can return to center without spreading the infection to the other children.
• A cold (for the first three days)
• Earache
• Sore throat or severe coughing
• Swollen neck glands
• Fever, flushed face
• Digestive upset, diarrhea
• Rash or skin eruption
• Difficult breathing
• Yellowish skin or eyes
• Pink eye
• Infected skin patches
• Dark urine
• Grey or white stool
• Headache or stiff neck
• Vomiting
• Severe itching body or scalp
• If a child is well enough to come to school, he/she is considered well enough to go outdoors, except under special circumstances understood and agreed to by the teachers and parents. The CDC schedules daily outside play.
• Children should be dressed in clothing suitable for active outdoor play unless it is raining.  Sneakers are required for outdoor play and should be kept in the child’s cubby if other footwear is worn to the center.  Coats, mittens and caps  are needed in winter.
• A complete change of clothes for each child should be kept in his/her locker. Please label each item with the child’s name.
• The staff must know where the parent can be reached in case of illness or accident. The staff must have at least two (2) emergency contact telephone numbers for individuals other than parents.
• Parents should report a child’s illness or his/her exposure to a communicable disease to the head teacher or director. The child may attend school until he/she shows symptoms of the disease. Parents should be especially alert to any signs of illness in an exposed child, and should not send him/her to school if she/he seems unwell.  If a child develops a communicable disease, the child’s physician will determine when he/she is ready return to school. The teachers will inform the parents if an exposure occurs in their child’s group. Please keep the CDC staff informed when your child has been exposed to a contagious disease this includes bacterial meningitis, chicken pox, diarrhea diseases, diphtheria hepatitis, measles, mumps, pertussis, pneumonia, epiglottis, rubella or any others.
• Medication must be accompanied by a “permission to give medication form” from the parent stating dosage, times and signed approval in order for the teacher to give the medication. Only medication prescribed by a doctor will be given. All medication shall be in the original container and shall have a recent date, the child’s name, and the prescribing doctor’s name. Sunscreen must be accompanied by a “permission to give medicine form.” Sunscreen must be labeled with the child’s name.
• All allergies, re-occurring health problems, etc., should be noted on the enrollment form and brought to the teacher’s attention.
• In case of illness or injury during school hours, the staff will attempt to contact one or both parents or guardians. If the parents or guardians cannot be reached, the two emergency contacts listed on the emergency information form will be notified. A child who becomes ill during the day will be isolated from the other children. If parents or emergency contacts cannot be reached and it is decided that the child should receive medical attention, a staff member will contact ENMU Health Services. All expenses incurred in the transportation of the child to the hospital and treatment will be charged to the parent or guardian. The center does carry an insurance policy with a deductible to pay medical expenses resulting from an accident at school.
• If a parent has not informed the center of the reason that the child has been absent for three days or more, the center staff must learn of the reason for the absence so the health and welfare of the other children may be safeguarded. Parents should notify the center whenever the child is absent.
• The staff members will report any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the director or acting director. The director/acting director will report suspected cases to the Children’s Protective Services office through the state of New Mexico statewide intake number1-800-797-3260.
• Children are allowed to leave the center only with their parents or individuals authorized by their parents. If a child is found missing from the center, the staff will immediately notify parents, the local police and state licensing authority.
• For the safety of all children, children should not bring small items that might pose a choking hazard to the school. This includes balloons, coins, jawbreakers, peppermints, gumballs and small toys. Children should not bring makeup, lipstick, etc. because they tend to share with one another.
• Projects and activities done at the CDC are appropriate for the children and are well supervised at the CDC. Some of these projects include materials that should be supervised when handled by young children such as seeds, beans, toothpicks or Styrofoam on art projects; nails or wood from wood working projects; plants or plant materials form science projects. Please supervise these items or put away any projects that you feel might pose a problem for your children or their friends.
• If there is a need to evacuate the building to provide for the safety of the children, the children will stay in the large playground away from the building until their parents arrive. If there is a need to keep the children further away from the building or inside a building, the children will go to the ENMU Family and Consumer Science Building until their parents arrive. Parents will be notified to pick up their children if there is a need to evacuate the building.
• The CDC staff wants to provide a safe environment for all children. If you notice any unsafe situation or equipment please bring it to the attention of a staff member.

EMERGENCEY EVACUTATION PROCEDURES
Emergency telephone numbers:

Fire- the children participate in monthly fire drills. The same procedure as a fire drill would be followed in case of a real fire. The children will evacuate the building to the playground through the north door in the classroom. If that door is blocked, the other door options are posted in the classroom. After leaving the building, the children and staff will go to the fence by the large climbing structure. A teacher will call role based upon the daily attendance sheet. All signed-in children must be accounted for. Parents should NOT enter the CDC building. Parents may pick up the children from the playground. In case of poor weather or other factors, the children and staff will go to the lobby of the Education Building and wait until their parents arrive. Staff will pull the alarm bell and call Portales Fire Department and Physical Plant.

Tornado- If there is sufficient notice, the children and staff will go to the basement of the Campus Union Building. If a tornado warning for Portales does not provide sufficient notice, children will go to the inner hall of the Child Development Center. They will kneel facing the walls and staff will cover them with blankets to protect them from debris.

Snowstorms or other storms- The Child Development Center follows the ENMU class schedule for late starts, early dismissal, and canceling classes. Information will be provided through the Campus Operator, local radio and television. In case of an early class dismissal parents should come to the Child Development center to pick up their children as soon as possible.

Bomb Threat- In case of a bomb threat, staff and children will leave through the east entrance (main entrance) to the building quickly and orderly. They will assemble in the lobby of the Education Building and wait there until their parents come and sign them out. The staff will take the roll sheet to account for all the children. A staff member will call the campus police and the Physical Plant to notify them of the threat.
If a bomb threat occurs before the school day, the staff and the children will be prevented from entering the building. Contact the police at 911 and see if the building is inspected.

Hostage situations- The staff should avoid drastic actions. Do NOT speak unless spoken to and then only when necessary. Avoid being hostile toward captor. Maintain eye contact with captor, attempt to establish rapport and treat the captor well. Comply with instructions and avoid arguing, keep everyone inside the building.

Physical Injury- In case of illness or injury during school hours, the staff will attempt to contact one or both the parents or guardians. If parents or guardians cannot be reached, the two emergency contacts listed on the information form will be notified. A child who becomes ill during the day will be isolated from the other children. If parents or emergency contacts cannot be reached and is decided that the child should receive medical attention, a staff member will contact the ENMU Health Services or call 911.

In the event of an injury that cannot be corrected with basic first aid, a staff member will call 911 for assistance describing the exact location of the injured person and type of injury while another staff member remains with the injured party. The family or emergency contacts listed on the child’s enrollment form or staff information sheet will be contacted. An ambulance will be called if necessary. All expenses incurred in the transportation of the child to the hospital and treatment will be charged to the parent guardian. The center does carry an accident insurance policy with a deductible to pay for medical expenses resulting from accident at school that are not covered by the parents’ primary insurance carrier.

Pandemic flu- Children should not attend the CDC if they have flu-like symptoms. Children are encouraged to receive immunizations for the flu based upon their physician’s recommendations. If a pandemic flu is imminent for the United States, teachers will wear protective equipment while caring for any child at the CDC who becomes ill with flu-like symptoms until the parents arrive. Children will be encouraged to wear a mask until their parents arrive. If a pandemic flu is imminent for the United States, parents should plan for alternate child care arrangements. The Child Development Center will close if pandemic flu is evident in the region.

Chemical/ Hazardous Material Spill- In case of a chemical or suspected hazardous material spill, the staff and children will immediately vacate the building through the main entrance (east door) and go to the lobby of the Education Building. The staff will take the roll sheet to account for all of the children. Parents should pick up their children at that location. Staff will notify the Campus police at 911 and Physical Plant at 2511.

Water Leak and or flooding- In case of a flooding incident that poses a danger, the staff and children will vacate the building through the main entrance (east door) and go to the lobby of the Education Building. The staff will take a roll sheet to account for all of the children. Parents should pick up their children at that location. Staff will notify the Physical Plant at 2511

Gas Leak- The staff and children will immediately evacuate the building through the main entrance (east door) and go to the lobby of the Education Building. Staff will take a roll sheet to account for all of the children. Parents should pick up their children at that location. Staff will notify the Physical Plant at 2511. Do NOT switch lights on or off when leaving the building.

Earth Quake- In case of an earthquake, children will remain in the building and take cover under the tables in the classroom until the staff is notified that any dangerous situation has ended.

Notes:

• In all situations requiring building evacuation, the Head Teacher will take the roll sheet from the building and a student employee will check the building to see that all children have left all areas.
• In the event that a bomb threat or gas leak requires that the entire ENMU campus be evacuated, the staff and children will walk to the Heartland Continuing Care Center and remain there until the threat is over or  the children’s parents have come to retrieve them from the continuing care center.

FAMILY ENVOLVMENT

Family involvement in early childhood education is strongly encouraged. Newsletters, parent meetings, and back-to-school activities are major ways of parent contact. The teachers will meet individually with the parents to discuss their child’s progress. Feel free to request individual conferences at any time during the school year.

The center has an open door policy, and parents are always welcome in the classroom. The center has an observation booth, which is open at all times to parents as they may observe the program and their child. The observation booth is also open to selected classes and to visiting groups interested in early childhood education. Parents are welcome to come and eat lunch with their child; they should inform the cook of their plans.

Parents are invited to participate in the classroom as volunteers. Parent volunteers may be involved on a regular basis or may participate as special visitors. Parents may also participate in special activities, including fieldtrips and parties.

At least annually, a parent questionnaire will be distributed to all parents to help assess the program quality. Staff members will use the results to make program changes.

RESEARCH

The following policies govern research involving children:

• Only children with signed consent forms will participate in research projects. Parents will be informed (through newsletters, memos, or meetings) of research projects. Only projects approved by the CDC staff and the ENMU Human Subjects Committee will be allowed.
• A child may not be taken from his/her classroom more than once per day. In all cases, the child may be taken out only when the teacher feels it will not interfere with the educational program.
• The total number of children “borrowed” from the classroom at any time may not exceed five.
• Investigators must be prepared to provide briefing sessions for the parents or staff of the early childhood laboratory either before the study initiation or after study completion, if requested.
• A copy of the raw data, and the collection procedures, must be made available on request for storage in the CDC
• After all approvals have been obtained, the investigators must win the child’s cooperation with the research project. While the staff will assist an investigator to gain rapport with the children, no child may be taken from the classroom if he/she refuses to go.

FIELD TRIPS

The children may participate in field trips if it contributes to the curriculum. Most of these field trips will be walking trips to the ENMU campus locations. Children must have a signed permission form in their files in order to participate. Any field trip that involves transportation will require that the children observe the vehicle safety requirements for the state of New Mexico.

SNACKS AND LUNCHES

A mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack is provided. Lunch is provided for all children who stay for the afternoon and for those children from the morning session who desire lunch. During the summer session, children may bring lunches from home or lunch may be provided by the public school, and the lab school will provide milk. Children should not bring candy, cookies, or other snack foods to school. The CDC participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. All families must complete an Income Eligibility Application. In accordance with the Federal law and USDA policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or ability. Children with allergies must have a completed diet prescription form in their files.

APPROPRIATE DRESS

Children should be dressed for active play. The children participate in daily active outside play and need sneakers.  They also need a jacket or coat and cap for cool weather days.  Additionally, each child should bring a complete change of clothes to be kept in his/her locker and each item should be labeled with the child’s name. 

TOYS

Children are not allowed to bring toys from home except on designated days. They may bring books, tapes, or CD’s from home at any time to share. Children may bring “security objects” for rest time (soft toy or stuffed animal).

BIRTHDAYS

Each child’s birthday will be recognized at the CDC unless parents request otherwise. Parents may make arrangements with the kitchen manager to provide healthy snacks. Please do not distribute party invitations at the center unless all children are invited.

HOLIDAYS

The CDC celebrates holidays in simple ways for a few days before the occasion. The emphasis is on sharing cultural traditions and other concepts with children. Parents are invited to participate in any of these activities or to share their family’s traditions. If you do not want your child exposed to these situations please notify the staff.
RECORDS

Each child shall have on file a completed enrollment form. It will include the child’s name, birth date, home address and phone number, parent’s names, business addresses and business number of two (2) persons to be called in an emergency and permission for emergency transportation or treatment to be used when parents cannot be reached.

Each child must have on file an immunization record. Every child must be immunized against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis, varicella, and HIB.  Any parent requesting an exemption from immunization shall follow the procedure prescribed by law.

Each parent shall also complete a written authorization for their child to participate in extraordinary activities such as field trips, photographs, speech and hearing exams, and research projects.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The CDC adheres to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethics, which requires that information about children and families to be treated confidentially.
 
COMPLIANTS

Any compliant regarding the center or staff may be submitted to the director. Any complaint regarding the director of the center may be made to the Chair of Family and Consumer Sciences Department. Other complaints may be submitted to the licensing authority (Children, Youth and Families Department.)

Thank you for your interest in the ENMU Child Development Center laboratory school. If you have any questions about the program, please contact the center staff. The staff will be happy to work with you to make this a productive experience for your child.

For questions or more information contact Diane Edwards, Director, (575) 562-2805
E-mail:  Diane.Edwards@enmu.edu