Lakewood Community Care Center shall secure and have on file all children's records no later than the first day of attendance. These records include a signed medical statement, health information, emergency transportation information, consent form, parent / guardian roster permission, signed statement stating that the parent / guardian have read and will abide by the LCCC handbook, emergency card, and an Infant feeding instructions. All abide by the L.C.C.C. handbook, emergency card, and an infant feeding instructions. All records shall be reviewed and updated annually and all records shall be immediately accessible to the administrator or designee. All records shall be kept confidential.

SAFETY
Each teacher is responsible for the safety and care of the children assigned to him/her. No child shall be left alone or unsupervised. The staff is trained and encouraged to anticipate and avoid possible difficulties and safety hazards.

• There is immediate access to working telephones at all times. Emergency numbers are posted in each classroom and near each telephone.
  
• A fully supplied first aid box is always available at the center.
  
• In case of a serious accident or medical emergency, the child will be transported by the Lakewood Rescue Squad to Lakewood Hospital. The completed Emergency Authorization Form shall be transported with the child. Parents will be notified immediately. Whenever possible, the administrator or teacher will accompany the child and remain with him/her until the parent or guardian can assume responsibility for the child's care.
• In case of an accident, injury, administration of Syrup of Ipecac, or emergency transportation of a child, an incident report will be completed. One copy will be filed at the center and another will be given to the parents.
• Fire drills are conducted at varying times each month.
  
• Plans for Fire and Weather Emergencies and diagrammed evacuation routes are posted in each classroom. The plans explain actions to be taken and responsibilities of staff members during an alert.
  
• Parents are responsible for the safety of their children when entering and exiting the building. Please either carry your child or have your child WALK IN WITH YOU.
  
• ALWAYS ESCORT YOUR CHILD INTO HIS/HER CLASSROOM AND SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THE TEACHER UPON ARRIVAL AND BEFORE DEPARTING THE CENTER. NEVER ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO ENTER OR EXIT THE BUILDING UNESCORTED.
• When children attend at the center, aerosol cans will not be used.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

No child shall be released to anyone other than his/her parent or legal guardian without PREVIOUS verbal notification or written permission. A photo I. D. will be required before your child will be released to anyone other than yourself.

The custodial parent needs to communicate in detail with the Director the custody agreement and a copy of that agreement must be on file in order to avoid any confusion or difficulties.

A password may be used if it it is on file with the office. This also needs to be communicated with the Director before it will be used.

A signed statement must be on file for anyone under the age of 16 years in order for that person to be allowed to pick up your child.

Our center;s policy governing all arrivals and all departments is as follows.

Arrival: Parent will sign his/her name and the arrival time on the sign-in sheet posted in the classroom.

Departure: Parent will sign his/her name and the department time on the sign-in sheet in the classroom.

SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY

Our center needs written permission from the parent of a child before the child can be permitted to swim or participate in water two or more feet in depth.

A teacher will always accompany and supervise children at swimming activities. A lifeguard is required for activities in bodies of water two or more feet in depth.

For our outside water activities at L.C.C.C., we use wading pools and sprinklers. The wading pools are sanitized daily or more often as needed.

Swimming lessons will be offered for children who will be four years old by the time of the starting of the lessons at Foster Pool, which is held at Lakewood Park. The children will be transported by van for the swimming lessons.

INCIDENT / INJURY REPORT

An incident /injury report will be completed by the childcare staff member in charge of the child if the following were to happen:

• An illness, accident or injury, which requires first aid treatment.
• A bump or blow to the head.
• The administration of syrup of Ipecac.
• Emergency transporting.
• An unusual or unexpected event, which jeopardizes the safety of children or staff, such as, a child leaving the center unattended.

The staff member will document the incident/injury on the Incident /Injury Report JFSO1299. The report will be given to the person picking up the child on the day of the incident/injury.

The director shall notify the licensing office within 24 hours and in writing with in three business days in the event of the following:

1. Death of a child at the center.
2. Serious accident, injury or illness.
3. An unusual or unexpected event, which jeopardizes the safety of children or staff.

OUTDOOR PLAY( 5105:2-12-14-a)

LCCC shall provide the children with outside daily activity. We ask that you provide us with the proper clothing. If the children cannot go outside large muscle play provided in our gym according to each classroom schedule.

Temperature: We have no set temperature; we do like to get the children out each day even if it is for a short walk.

Humidity: 85 and above, use caution and push water.

Wind chill: As long as the wind does not drop below 32 degrees: Toddlers / Preschoolers / Kinders can go outside.

Ozone Levels: UV index levels of nine or above use caution.

Pollen Count: Watch pollen count on ozone days (seven and above) use caution especially children with allergies.

Lightening: No outside activity.

Rain: No outside activity.

Ice: No outside activity.

GENERAL EMERGENCY

A general emergency will include any of the following: any threats to the children due to environmental situations or threats of violence, natural disasters such as fire, tornado, flood, etc. Depending on the situation, state or local officials will advise staff. City may use reverse 911. In case of loss of power, heat or water during the center hours of operation we will evacuate to the Senior Center located at 16024 Madison Ave. The staff will remain calm and every effort will be made to keep the children safe and comfortable.

RED ALERT PLAN

We are all concerned about our country going to war and how it will affect all of us. If a RED ALERT does occur, LCCC will be in total lock down. All doors will be locked; no one will be admitted to the center without a photo I. D. Children will only be permitted to leave their parent/guardian. PRIOR arrangements must be made in advance with the office in order for your child to be picked up by someone else. A photo I. D. must be shown before your child will be released to anyone other than the parent/ guardian.

We will remain open during RED ALERT unless otherwise instructed by the city, state or federal officials.

Please feel assured that your child will be well taken care of while in our care. In case the phones are not working, our cell # is (216) 905-4246.

DISCIPLINE

Discipline is the heart of the program. We consider discipline to be a form of guidance to help our children learn to make correct choices. DISCIPLINE IS NOT PUNISHMENT. We are careful to be clear and appropriate in our expectations and try always to BE CONSISTENT.

• We take issue with what is important. Our rules are simple and few.

• We speak to the child, face to face. We use short, simple sentences to tell the child what his/her limits are or what is expected. Remember that young children need TO BE TOLD OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER.

• Whenever possible, we speak in a positive way. "Tell your feet to walk." "Chairs are for sitting.", "Sand stays in the sand box."

• The older children will be offered appropriate choices and consequences, for example, "If you continue to throw legos, we will need to put them away." If the child continues, they will be put away.

• We redirect the child to another part off the room or substitute an appropriate alternative. For example, "Timmy is using that truck, here is one for you."

• The time out chair is used correctly and selectively. This is done quietly and without anger. The teacher speaks clearly to the child to help him/her understand the cause and effect taking place. A child will spend one to four minutes on the chair, one minute per year of age.

• The teacher and/or administrator will talk with parents if there are repeated difficulties, aggressive behavior, or staff concerns. We always need your help to help your child.

• Rarely, a child may have to be removed from the center. This will be done only as a last resort after careful consideration and discussion with the parents.

• Children need our help to learn to make correct choices because frequently their life experiences are very limited.

• We believe that children NEED and DESERVE reasonable, CONSISTENT guidelines each and every day from parents and their teachers.