PROGRAM

The purpose of Covenant Family Child Care (CFCC) is to provide the local community as well as the church with a Christian childcare center. The program is a non-profit and all funds received by CFCC are invested into the program.

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MISSION

CFCC’s mission, as a ministry of Hickory Grove PCA, is to build families up by loving kids and ministering to parents. We go out of our way to minister to the physical, social, educational, and spiritual needs of children. Together with Hickory Grove Church, we strive to build a vibrant, caring, gospel driven community that ministers to one another through our care for their children.

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VALUES

LOVE – Everything that we do is steeped in love for our kids, parents, and community. We pray that they will know Christ’s love through the way that we care for them and their children. John 13:35; 15:13; 2 Cor 5:14; Eph 2:10

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NURTURE –It is not enough to “watch” the kids for the day, we want to see, know, and encourage them to be all God has made them to be. Duet 6:4-9; Prov 4:23; Mark 10:13-16; Eph 6:4

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CONNECTION – Our kids don’t just come to CFCC; they (and their parents) become a part of the family. To this day, we maintain loving relationships with the families of kids who graduated from our program more than 15 years ago. Gen. 2:18; Matt 12:46; Col 3:12

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ORDER – Kids need structure to experience peace and to thrive. We order spaces and schedules so that kids can feel free to learn, play, and explore in a safe, nurturing environment. Prov. 13:24; 19:18; 23:13; Isa 9:6-7; 1 Cor 14:40; Heb 12:7

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INTEGRITY – We live and love before the face of God, which means we are committed to doing things His way. Parents count on us to tell the truth in all circumstances and to comply with every rule and regulation handed down by the state for the welfare of our children. Prov. 15:3; Ps 44:21; Rom 14:23; 1John 1:5-7

 

STANDARDS

Covenant Family Child Care is licensed by the Tennessee Department of Human Services and complies with all of the standards put forth by that Department. CFCC’s operation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and a paid Director. CFCC advertises in the public media in order to make openings known to all. Children are admitted regardless of race, creed, color, sex, national origin, or religion. Handicapped children will be accepted on the approval of the instructor, Director, and Board.

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HOURS OF OPERATION

CFCC is open from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday-Friday. Children will not be accepted until 7:00 AM.

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TUITION

Weekly tuition is auto drafted via ACH. Tuition is due whether or not the child attends. If payment is returned due to insufficient funds, there will be a $30.00 fee. If a child is dropped due to non-payment, that space will be considered open and offered to the next child on the waiting list.

 

RATES AND FEES

Infants (6 weeks – 14 months) - $300 per week

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Toddlers (15 months to 23 months) - $285 per week

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Two’s - $275 per week

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Three’s $265 per week

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Four’s $255 per week

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Enrollment fee is $50 per child.

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The yearly supply fee is $50 per child, $75 two-child family.

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$10 multi-child discount.

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DELIVERY AND PICK UP OF CHILDREN

Parents must accompany their child into CFCC, so they can sign them in and out. Attendance documents are completed with our childcare app and are legal documents. Only adults who are on the transportation list should sign a child in or out of the center. If any person is not listed on the Transportation Plan, they will not be allowed to pick up the child. If a person on the Transportation Plan is unknown to the staff, that person will be asked for ID. Your child will not be released without written authorization.

CFCC must be contacted if children will be dropped off after 10am.

Children picked up after 2pm will not be allowed to return to care for the remainder of the day.

There is a late fee of $5.00 for the first minute after 6:00 PM, and a dollar a minute until pickup.

If your child is 15 minutes after 6pm and we are unable to contact you or listed emergency contacts, we will notify the Mt Juliet Police Department and they will facilitate the next steps.

 

PAST DUE ACCOUNTS

Past due accounts, who are no longer enrolled, are sent to independent agencies for collection and then to court if necessary. Parents are responsible for all costs of collections including late fees, attorneys’ fees and court costs. When withdrawing your child from the center, please contact the Director for any amounts owed on your accounts.

 

ILLNESS/MEDICATION

Our program will not keep actively sick children and it is the parent’s responsibility to make alternative arrangements in the event of illness. A child must be picked up immediately after the parent is contacted.

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A Return to Group Care form completed by a doctor will be required in order to return to school when: A child has had a diagnosed communicable disease (strep, pink eye, impetigo, etc.).

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A Return to Group Care form completed by a doctor will be required in order to return to school when a child has undergone surgery, been to the ER, or has been hospitalized.

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We do not require statements when a child has had chicken pox but will do a visual check to make sure the pox are dry.

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If your child is sick over the weekend or in the evening, please call so we know that the absence is due to illness.

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Fever: A child can remain in group care with a temperature less than 100.4 degrees, if the child is without other symptoms. We will notify the parent and the child may remain unless the temperature reaches 100.4 or symptoms surface, at which time the child must be picked up from CFCC within the hour. Children cannot return until they have been fever-free 24 hours without medication.

 

If RSV is present in the center and your child is tested at the doctor’s office, then your child cannot return until the test results are in. Children must be fever free, without fever reducing medication, for a period of 24 hours before they are allowed to return.

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Vomiting: Parents will be contacted to pick up their child after one episode of vomiting. Children cannot return until 24 hours after the last episode.

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Diarrhea: Parents will be contacted to pick up their child after three episodes of diarrhea. Children cannot return until 24 hours after the last episode. If diarrhea is due to medication or allergies, a doctor must specify this in writing, before the child can return.

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Ear Infection: A child can return once they have been fever-free for 24 hours and has a doctor’s note.

 

Rashes: Parents will be contacted to pick up their child if a rash with unknown cause develops. Any rash other than diaper rash must have a doctor’s note stating the rash is not contagious. Diaper rashes with broken skin/bleeding will either require a doctor’s visit and care instructions or for the child remain home until the rash clears.

 

Colds: (i.e. constant runny nose, persistent cough, green/yellow mucus from nose). It is difficult for staff or parents to differentiate between a “cold” and a more serious condition. If the child exhibits severe symptoms, we will ask the parent to remove the child until the child is symptom free and can fully participate in group activities or has a doctor note to return.

Thrush (Yeast Infection): Thrush is typically milk-patches that cannot be wiped clean, usually on cheeks and roof of the mouth. We require that parents take the child to the doctor for verification and treatment. The child must be on prescription medication in order to return to the Center.

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Scabies/Lice: Parents will be contacted to pick up their child if lice/nits are detected. Children cannot return for 24 hours and lice/nit free. One of the Administrators will verify that a child is nit free before returning to class.

 

Strep: Children must be treated for 24 hours before returning, and fever free.

 

Conjunctivitis (pink eye): Children may not return to school without a doctor’s note.

Children with any communicable illness (including but not limited to flu, covid-19, strep, conjunctivitis, impetigo, or hand foot and mouth) may not return to school without a doctor’s note. Families will be notified if children are exposed to a communicable illness.

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This Center does not dispense fever reducing medicine. All medications must be in the original container and signed in, according to directions or doctors’ written directions.

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A dated shot record is required in the office files.

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EMERGENCIES

It is important to update all emergency information whenever there are changes. If work or home numbers change, we must be notified immediately. In the event of an emergency, if the persons listed cannot be reached, the staff has permission to initiate emergency treatment for your child at the nearest hospital.

 

BEHAVIOR POLICY Acceptable behavior is encouraged by giving positive verbal rewards. This reinforces a child’s good feeling about his/her behavior and serves as an example to the other children to act in such a way as to receive this praise. Asking a child to stop and think about his/her behavior enables that child to work at self-control. Removal from the group for a period of time-out is the only tactic used for a child who continually demonstrates unacceptable behavior. This time-out is a time to allow the child to calm down, remember what behavior the teacher is asking for and decide for him/herself when he/she is ready to rejoin the group. Children will not be physically disciplined in any way. If a child enrolled displays unruly or unsafe behavior (i.e. biting, hitting, or similarly aggressive actions, inappropriate exposing of body parts) and this behavior is deemed by the Director to interfere with the child’s safety or the safety of other children, the parent will be notified immediately. The child must be picked up from the center and cannot return for a period of three (3) days. If the behavior continues when the child returns, the parent may be asked to withdraw the child from CFCC.

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If a child is receiving services from a licensed professional to address issues that impact their behavior at school, an alternate behavior plan will be put in place under the advisement of their service provider.

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MEALS

Morning snacks, lunch and afternoon snacks are served by CFCC. You will need to provide food items if your child doesn’t eat from our menu.

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OUTDOOR PLAY

Children will have the opportunity to play outside if the weather permits. Please dress your child accordingly. All children are expected to go outside. If they are too sick to go outside, then they are too sick to be at CFCC. We will go outside with temperatures between 32 and 95 degrees.

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REST TIME The State requires that there be a quiet time each day for the children who want to nap. They are required to be in a reclined position for one hour. If your child is unable to rest quietly and allow their peers to nap, the parent may be asked to pick up their child from CFCC. To create a safe sleep environment, children under the age of 2 may not wear hoods, necklaces or anything that could tangle around their necks.

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SUPPLIES

The parents must provide formula/breast milk, baby food, diapers and baby wipes. If your child runs out of any items needed, you will be notified. All children should have a crib sheet and extra change of clothes. Children 15 months and older should have a blanket. Please label everything.

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TRANSITION PLAN

Children will be given the opportunity, when available, to visit their new class the week before moving up.

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VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL

A one week notice, or one week’s fees are required when the parent wishes to withdraw the child from CFCC.

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VACATION

Families who have had children enrolled for one year or more are eligible for one week of vacation. These vacation days cannot be carried over from one year to the next. Children do not attend during their vacation week.

 

CLOTHING/PERSONAL BELONGINGS Children need to be in closed-toed and skid resistant shoes. Shoes with heels (boots or dress shoes) are not conducive to play on the terrain of our playground or for going up and down stairs. Tennis shoes are recommended. CFCC is not responsible for the loss of personal items. Toys brought from home are prohibited unless the class is having share day. Even on these days please be sure to label everything.

 

CURRICULUM

CFCC uses the Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards in conjunction with the CDC’S developmental checklists to build a curriculum that focuses on supporting the whole child’s growth.

 

Teachers plan lessons that focus on fine/gross motor, language, social/emotional learning, science, and cognitive skills, all built upon our primary mission of teaching children the love of Jesus.

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Children are assessed on the CDC’s recommended timetable and results are communicated to parents via their ProCare portal. CFCC does not diagnose children. We communicate our observations of children’s current skills to help families form the most complete picture of their child’s growth.

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HOLIDAYS

The Child Care Center will be closed:

-New Year’s Day

-Good Friday

-Memorial Day

-July 4th

-Labor Day

-Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after Thanksgiving

-Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (The Center is closed Christmas Week)

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If the holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on Friday. If the holiday falls on Sunday, it is observed on Monday.