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Stepping
Stone |
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410-643-4181 410-643-4182 |
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The Stepping Stone Center's A Happy
Place
Developmentally appropriate play experiences that contribute to the physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and aesthetic development of children. We provide a safe, secure, and stimulating environment where each child has the opportunity to develop at his/her own pace.
Learning centers and motivational activities that build important foundations for future reading skills and other academic pursuits. Our program includes activities in art, music, movement, language arts, science, social studies, mathematics, dramatic play, outside play, free play, and quiet time.
Carefully selected for their educational background, early childhood training and experience, and for their sensitivity to the individual needs of young children. All of our staff meet or exceed the minimum requirements as outlined in the Maryland Code of Regulations for Group Child Care Centers. Stepping Stone is fully licensed by the State of Maryland Child Care Administration. For information, call 1-800-637-5563
A late fee of $1.00 per child, per minute will be charged for any child remaining in the center after 6:00 P.M. Lateness in excess of two times per year could result in your child being withdrawn from the center.
Closing Due to Unusual Conditions Stepping Stone Children's Center will make every effort to open on time or as soon as possible in the event of inclement weather, or some other event that is outside of our control. If in doubt, either call the center, access this web site, and/or access WPOC (FM 93.1) or WBAL (AM 1090) web sites or thier radio stations for updates before bringing your child. The Stepping Stone Web Site will be updated first, so if you have internet access (and power), this should be your first choice. If the Center must close early, to insure the safety of you and your child, you will be notified by phone to be as prompt as possible in responding to calls for early dismissal. WBAL 1090 AM Back to Top Home WPOC 93.1 FM
Your child is to be escorted into the center each morning by a responsible adult and should be signed in on the sheet provided. Your child must also be signed out at the end of the day. No child may leave the center unless accompanied by an adult. Your child will not be permitted to leave the center with any unauthorized person, so it is essential that you let us know when someone else is picking up your child.
Please notify the center if your child will be absent or arriving late. Also, notify the center if you will be picking your child up at school. We do worry if your child is not here.
For the protection of all children, it is necessary that we be informed if your child has been exposed to, or has any communicable disease. Sick children should not be brought to the center. We reserve the right to refuse admittance to any child considered to be ill. If your child becomes ill during the day, you will be notified and required to pick your child up within the hour. Your child's health is of great importance to us, therefore, we must insist that children who are ill remain at home in a restful environment. If your child has a fever, we request that you keep him/her home for twenty-four hours after the fever has broken. Also, if your child vomits or has diarrhea, both highly contagious, he/she will need to be kept home until twenty-four hours after the last incident. It is our hope to minimize the spread of communicable illness throughout the center. Keeping your sick child home will help them recover fully, and will help lessen the chance of a relapse.
We are licensed to dispense medication. All medication must be accompanied with a physician's medication order form, filled out and signed by your physician, before we can dispense the medication. We cannot administer the first dose of any medication. All medication must be in its original container labeled with your child's name, type of medication, hours to be given, and amount to be given. DO NOT SEND COUGH DROPS, VITAMINS, ASPIRIN, OR ANY OTHER MEDICATION TO THE CENTER WITH YOUR CHILD.
Parent will be notified of all injuries by way of an Accident Report filled out at the time of the injury. Parents will be notified immediately by phone of any injuries which may require medical attention or consultation with the parent, such as severe nose bleeds. In the event of a severe injury, Stepping Stone will seek emergency help and then phone the parent.
We make every effort to accommodate children with special needs. We will be happy to confer with you, your child's physician, and any other helping professionals to work out a program that best suits your child.
All Stepping Stone staff are CPR and First Aid certified. Even though the state of Maryland licensing does not require it, we at Stepping Stone believe this to be an important and vital expertise for all staff to be knowledgeable, efficient, and effective in it's use.
Stepping Stone provides well-balanced and nutritious morning and afternoon snacks each day. A copy of the snack menu for the month is posted in your child's room for you to read. Lunches are to be brought from home and should include fresh fruits and vegetables, a protein, and enriched or whole grain breads or crackers. Please limit the amount of sweet or salty treats. DO NOT SEND HARD CANDY, GUM, OR SODA. We will be happy to heat any soups or main dishes that you send. Please be sure your child's name is on the lunch box or bag. If you need ideas for planning lunches, we have booklets in the office that parents have found helpful. We'll happily give you one. It is imperative that you inform us of any food allergies that your child has.
The only toys we will allow your child to bring from home is one stuffed animal or doll to sleep with during nap time. Toy guns and weapons are strictly prohibited. We will not be responsible for any toys that ware brought from home. All too often toys from home are lost or broken, which can lead to hard feelings. Our center is equipped with plenty of toys and games, and the staff is always working hard to plan interesting learning activities.
In order to maintain a safe and orderly environment, it is necessary for our staff to enforce certain rules and procedures. When it is required to discipline children, the staff will explain our rules, talk with the child about alternate behavior, encourage problem solving, or redirect behavior. When necessary time-out is used. If a child has trouble adjusting to our discipline procedures a conference will be held with the parents to help facilitate adjustment. Center staff will not use any form of physical punishment, belittle a child, or withhold food as discipline.
Stepping Stone's Child Abuse Policy We are required by law to report any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. Parents are encouraged to visit the center at any time. At least two staff members are on duty at all times. No family members may work with the same group of children at the same time. Federal and State background investigations are required of all new employees after October 1, 1986.
When you enroll your child as Stepping Stone, we assume responsibility for giving you assistance with specials needs relating to your child's adjustment to day care. Conferences concerning your child's progress can be scheduled with the director and/or the staff. Please call to make an appointment. We are most eager that all parents feel comfortable with the service we provide. Good center-parent communication is an essential component of quality child care. If you have any concerns or suggestions, we would like to know them.
Parents are always welcome at the center. We encourage you to drop by at any time to observe and visit with your child. Parents are always invited to go along as chaperones on filed trips. We find that everyone has the best time when there is an abundance of adults escorting the children. We also are delighted when parents help out at parties. It is especially nice when a parent can spend time at the center reading a story or sharing a special talent.
Birthdays are special at Stepping Stone. If you wish to send in cupcakes or plan something special, please notify the office of the staff in your child's room. We will be able to tell you how many children are expected in the room that day.
It is the parents responsibility to read all newsletter and to check bulletin boards, cubbies, and lunch boxes for notes and notices.
Children have outside play even in winter and need to be protected with hats, mittens, scarves, boots, and warm outerwear. Please do not send your child in flip-flops, jellies, or backless sandals. They are dangerous when children are running, jumping, and climbing. Since we do not have extra clothing on hand, each child should keep a complete change of clothing at the center. This should include underwear and socks. Please label each item with your child's name. Very young children may need to keep several changes of clothing at the center. Young children work hard and play hard. Clothing that is comfortable, sturdy, and washable is most appropriate for children participating in our program. Please do not send your child in outfits which need to be fastened at the crotch. This is very uncomfortable for our staff to do.
Every child has to have a blanket, pillow, and sheet for your child's cot--all should be labeled. Crib-size sheets work well with our cots. These will be sent home at the end of the week to be laundered so that they can return clean and fresh the following week. |