1. Hours, Days, and Months of Operation

•       Creative Corner Child Development Center is opened Monday through Friday, from 7:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., our program is year round.

      A. Holidays

•            Creative Corner is only closed on the Friday before the school year begins, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Friday after Thanksgiving Day. During the Christmas Holidays, we are closed three days, on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the day after Christmas. We're also closed, New Years Day, Martin Luther King Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, and Fourth of July. If a holiday falls on a weekend, then we will be closed the Friday before, or the Monday after the holiday. For specific dates, please refer to the school calendar.

    B. Vacation

•            There are no tuition adjustments for vacations or scheduled holidays. This includes both summer and fall sessions.

    C. Early Drop Off

•            Early Drop off is from 6:45 A.M.- 7:00 A.M.. The fee for early arrival is $15.00 per month regardless of the number of times the student arrives early (one morning or 20 mornings in the month). We must have prior request to allow the student to be dropped off before 7:00A.M.. This will ensure that we are adequately staffed. The opening staff will have a list of the students who have paid for early drop off.

    D. Emergency Closing or Cancellations

•           www.cancellations.com will be our #1 source of communicating cancellations or other emergency conditions and early closures so it is imperative that you enroll immediately. You will go to the website and enter the required information for our school. The service is free to parents and will send to 3 email addresses per family. However, if you would like the additional benefit of having the message sent to your phone email or in text format, there is an additional fee of $9.95 per year and this service will be up to each family. It's certainly a tremendous benefit when you also do not have power to be able to receive the information on your phone.
•          We will follow the same decisions as Galena Park I.S.D for school closing in the event of extreme conditions such as flooding, icy road conditions, hurricane, etc. All news channels will post the decisions made by GPISD regarding these closures. It is extremely important that all work, home, cell numbers, and email addresses are kept up to date for this purpose so you can be contacted via www.cancellations.com . We will also use the same service to contact you if we are able to return to school prior to Galena Park I.S.D.'s return.
•        There  will not be a tuition credit or adjustment due to closures for extreme weather conditions or damage to the school facility due to the weather conditions up to five days, or power outages up to five days. You will not be charged for the additional days we are closed beyond the first school days (Monday-Friday).

2. Procedures

    A. For Release of Children

•         The staff can only release a child to a parent or guardian on the child's emergency card. Parents may designate friends or family members to pick up their child. These persons must provide a picture I.D. (TDL accepted) and it must be compared to the notation on the emergency card. The ID or TDL# will be documented and placed in student files with the date the child was picked-up. If a person is not listed on the emergency card, the student will not be released until the parent is contacted by telephone. The parent must verbally approve the permission for the child to be picked up by that person. Email from the parent is also accepted.
•         All employees are aware of this policy and are instructed to follow verification protocol.
•         A weekly sign in and out sheet will be kept on the office desk. All persons dropping off and picking up students are required to initial and list the time they are picking up or dropping off children. This weekly sign in sheet will be kept on file for a period of three months.
•         Each teacher will also keep an attendance sheet on weekly basis. These sheets are for classroom use only.

   B. For Illness and Exclusion Criteria

•        If an illness prevents a child from participating comfortably in childcare center activities including outdoor play.
•        If the illness results in a greater need for care then caregivers can provide without compromising the health, safety, and supervision of the other children in their care.
•       Children should NOT come to school unless they are well enough to participate in all school activities including outdoor playground. We will go outside when it's very cold and very warm but may adjust the amount of time outside based on weather conditions. Students will need to dress accordingly with caps, gloves, and coats when it's cold (PLEASE LABEL ALL GARMENTS WITH YOUR CHILD'S NAME). Please keep in mind that children don't mind cold weather and according to pediatricians, cold weather does NOT make a child sick, GERMS thrive in heated buildings.
•       If the child has one of the following:

                        * An oral temperature of above 101 degrees accompanied by behavior changes or other signs or symptoms of illness.

                        * If a child exhibits signs and symptoms such as, lethargy, abnormal breathing, uncontrolled (5) bowel movements, diarrhea, or two or more vomitting episodes in a 24 hour period, rash with fever, mouth sores with drooling, behavior changes or other signs that the child may be severely ill; or healthcare professional has diagnosed the child with a communicable disease.

                        * The child must have medical documentation indicating that they are not longer communicable or contagious. In order to return to school, your child needs to be free of all symptoms for 24 hours.

•     Our center dispenses medications to children whose parents meet the following criteria: Medications is only administered at  12:00P.M. and 4:00P.M.
•            Each parent must sign an authorization and include times for the childcare center employees to administer each medication according to prescription or label directions.
•            The medication must be in the original container labeled with the child's full name and date brought to our center.
•            The employee must administer the medication in amounts according to the label directions as of amended by the physician
•            The medication must only be administered to the child for whom it is intended; and the staff must not administer the medication afters its expiration date.
•            If an over the counter medication is brought to school, it must be designed for the age of the child it is intended.
•            All medications must be kept in a pre-designated area, out of reach of the children, and each medication must be labeled with the child's first and last name. At Creative Corner medication is stored in the kitchen in a cabinet labeled "medication". This cabinet is to the right of the refrigerator. Medication may not be administered after the expiration date. Never leave any medication in a child's bag, locker, or cubby.
•           In the event that medication needs to be refrigerated, there is a container labeled "medication" in the refrigerator drawer.
•           See office administrator for medication authorization form. These forms must be filled out and attached to the appropriate clipboard on the side of the refrigerator. If the child requires medication at 12:00P.M. and at 4:00P.M., two separate forms will need to be filled out.
•           All medications must be taken home every Friday. A new medication form must accompany the medication when returned to the school.
•          Any medication remaining at the school after Friday will be thrown away.

  D. For Handling Medication Emergencies

•          All teachers are CPR and first aid certified. In the event, of a critical illness or injury that requires immediate attention of a physician, the center will

            - Contact the parent
            - Care for the child apart from the other children
            - Give medical first aid to the child until emergency services arrive, if emergency services are needed. At that time the child be turned over to the emergency services personnel and/or the parent.

 E. Evacuations (off site)

•         Parents will be contacted immediately through the automated phone system and email (when possible) when the students must be evacuated off site. All students must be picked up at that location immediately. Our evacuation site for Creative Corner #1 Uvalde Baptist Church, 901 Uvalde Rd., Phone # 713-453-2235, #2 Holiday Inn, 15157 East Freeway, Phone 281-452-7304.

 F. School Lock Down

•        All doors must be locked and students will not be released until it is determined that it is safe to open the school in the event of a Chemical Release Disaster or any event outside of the school that might place the children at risk. Parents will be notified via email and automated phone system of any emergency requiring a lock down.

3. Immunization Requirements

•     We require that all students have their immunizations entered with IMMTRAC. This may be filed through your child's pediatrician or health clinic. Each enrolled or admitted to our center must meet the applicable immunization requirements in Texas Elementary and Secondary Schools and Institutions of Higher Education. This requirement applies to all children in care from birth through seventeen years. Except as otherwise provided, all immunizations required for a child's age must be completed by the date of admission. See attached form for required immunization and ages. Parents are required to provide center with updated immunizaiton records. Students without current immunizations will not be allowed to remain in the center. We require that all students have their immunizations entered with IMMTRAC. This may be filed through your child's pediatrician or health clinic.

    A. Tuberculin Testing Requirement

•         Requirements for Tuberculosis screening and testing vary across the state. Consult the Harris County Health Department requirements to verify if your child needs this immunization.

   B. Hearing and Vision Screening Requirements

•        Children enrolled in programs who are four years of age by September 1 will be screened for possible vision and hearing problems prior to completion of the first semester of enrollment. This test is required by the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. The fee for the vision and hearing testing must be paid by the child's parent prior to testing and permission form must be signed and dated. If you prefer to have your child tested by his pediatrician, please submit the test results to the Director in charge no later than November 30th.

4. Discipline and Guidance Practices

•     Discipline is individualized and consistent with each child, and appropriate to the child's level of understanding. It is directed toward teaching the child acceptable behavior and self-control. Our teachers use positive methods of discipline and guidanace that encourage self-esteem, self-control, and self-direction, which includes at least the following:

                  - Using praise and encouragement for good behavior instead of focusing on unacceptable behavior.
                  - Reminding daily of excepted behavior by using clear, positive statements
                  - Using brief supervised separation or time out from the group.
                  - Communication with parents through letters and Take Home Folder.

    A. Disciplinary System/ Take Home Folder:

•         The system is color coded and easy to understand. Each class will have a pocket chart/or a wall chart with every child's name on a pocket or clip. In each child's pocket, a green, yellow, and red slip will indicate the behavior status for each child. The color represents the following behavior and/or consequence:

                  - Green.... Happy Face
                  - Yellow....Straight Face
                  - Red........Sad Face

•     Every child will have a "take-home" folder with a monthly chart enclosed. Parents must check their child's take home folder daily to verify what kind of day thier child had. In addition, parents should discuss at home behavior adjustment or praise the child for positive behavior, which ever applies for that particular day. This Take Home Folder also includes your child's artwork and/or homework.

                  - Discipline and guidance or punishments that are prohibited at Creative Corner:
                  - Corporal punishment or threats of corporal punishment
                  - Punishment associated with food, naps, or toilet training
   
    B. Expulsion/Dismissal From School

•         If a student exhibits exessive aggresion towards another student or a staff member, the following steps will be taken:

                  - Note to parent(s)
                  - Conference with parent(s)
                  - Parent(s) must pick-up child immediately
                  - Child must miss one day of school
                  - Child is expelled from our program

5. Gang Free Zone

•     A gang free-zone is a designated area around a specific location where prohibited gang related activity is subject to increased penalty under Texas law. The specific locations include day care centers. For more information about what constitutes a gang-free zone, please consult sections 71.028 and 71.029 of the Texas Penal Code.
•    For more information visit: www.dfps.state.tx.us/documents/child_care/forms/2846.pdf

6. Meals and Food Service

•     Creative Corner are not responsible for meeting the nutritional needs of students, since we do not provide meals. Each parent is responsible for providing the nutritional needs of his own child.
•      Creative Corner students must bring a lunch to school every day except Wednesday. Cheese Pizza lunch (includes snack and water)will be provided every Wednesday at no additional charge. Students should bring their lunch in a lunch kit with a cool pack, because we do not have enough refrigerator space to refrigerate the lunches. A snack is provided in the morning and afternoon. The snack menu is posted on the bulletin board in the office.
•    Notify the office or your child's teacher if you are bringing his/her lunch right at lunchtime. We must know in advance so we do not waste valuable time searching for a misplaced lunch.
•    Make sure all lunch kits and containers are clearly labeled with your child's name.
•    There is a $5 fee if you fail to provide a meal for your child. Creative Corner will provide a macaroni and cheese meal or a slice of pizza. This meal will include a snack and water.

   
    A. Food Restricitions

•         No Sodas or Candy. Do not send McDonal toys when providing a Happy Meal.

   B. Beverage

•        Milk, juice, or water only

   C. Warm ups

•         We are not able to warm up lunches due to time constraints. Please send hot meals in insulated or thermos containers. Suggestions: soups, spaghetti, pre-cooked Ramen Noodles, sandwiches, fruit, vegetables.

7. Enrollment Procedures

•     The center must have on file:

           - The child's name, birth date, home address, telephone numbers, date of the child's admission to the childcare center, name and address of the parents, telephone numbers at which both parents can be reached during the day, and in the evening.
          - Name, address, telephone number and any additional contact information of another responsible individual friend or relative, who should be contacted in an emergency when parents cannot be reached.
          - Name, and telephone numbers  of persons other than the parents who are authorized to pick-up or drop off the child.
          - Email
          - A physician statement authorizing the child is healthy to participate in the program.
          - Permission for:
                  Transportation
                  Field Trips
                  Authorization to obtain emergency medical care and to transport the child to emergency medical treatment.


8. Miscellaneous
  
   A. Field Trips & Transportation

•         Goodman bus services and the Creative Corner van will be used on occasion for transportation on field trips.
•         Parents will be informed at least 48 hours prior to fieldtrip of departure, return, or any special needs.
•         Parents may sign up to volunteer to attend field trips. Parents please plan ahead since we are limited to space.
•         Each child must have a field trip permission form on file with current emergency numbers.
•         School shirt and/or uniforms are required on all field trips.
•         Field trips and transportation charges are not included in tuition. Additional fees will be assessed.

   B. After School Transportation and Drop Off

•         Creative Corner offers after school pick up at designated schools within the Galena Park ISD to be determined each year.
•         Creative Corner staff are not able to pick up students from GPISD school buses. All teachers are designated to be with students and may not leave their class to pick up a student from a bus. Office staff are quite often engaged in classroom assistance and lunchroom set ups, answering phones, etc. and are not able to position to wait for the arrival of school buses on a daily basis.

   C. School Parties (Holiday and End of the Year)

•        Seasonal parties are celebrated during the school year. To maintain successful parties, and for all children to participate, all parents are expected to contribute items for each party.
•        Kids In Action is a delightful company who comes to our school to provide crazy, fun, exciting, activities. On our party days the company sends a coordinator who arrives with all the apparatus and music for more fun than you can imagine! She directs the many activites which change each time she comes: balance beam, obstacle course, dancing, hula hoops, bubble blast, go fishing, ball explosions, scarf juggling and so much more!!

     
    D. Children's Birthdays 

•      We enjoy celebrating your child's birthday at Creative Corner. Parents may bring a simple yet special treat for the class. Please limit it to small cupcakes, muffins, or cookies. For safety reasons, we do not allow candies and/or balloons to be brought to school. We ask you to make arrangements in advance directly with your child's teachers as to how much to bring and when. Special birthday treats will be served at our afternoon snack time. We also discourage the distrubution of birthday party invitation at school unless you plan to invite the entire class.

   E. School Equipment

•        Sometimes a child will carry home an object used in our acitivities. We realize these are very tempting to a small child. However, they are a vital part of our prepared environment, and one missing piece can ruin an entire set of expensive and sometimes very hard to replace educational materials. Please work with us in seeing that these items return to school as soon as possible. Please do not allow your child to bring money or toys from home.

   F. Naptime

•        Pre-school and Pre-K will need a small camp pillow and a lightweight blanket, (no sleeping bags or quilts please).  Children may bring a stuffed animal or doll to nap with. Please make sure that pillows, blankets, and doll have your child's name clearly marked on them. Blankets and pillows must be taken home and washed on Fridays.

   G. Summer Camp

•        Uniforms are not required during Summer Camp
•        Friday t-shirts or summer camp t-shirt required on all field trips   

H. Water Activity

•       Splash pool under 2 feet of water will be used at Creative Corner during Summer Camp. Students that are old enough to attend field trips may participate in splash pad activity. Students 6 years and older may participate in swimming pools activity away from the center.

8. Uniforms Requirements

•     School uniform are required. Please make sure all jackets, sweaters, blankets, bags, lunch boxes, etc., are marked with your child's name in permanent marker.

   A. Uniform Description

•        Creative Corner keeps a few shirts in stock. Inquire at the office, or order with the companies below.

      - French Toast at www.frenchtoast.com Source code: QS5PKKK
      - LandsEnd at www.landsend.com: Preferred school number: p00067570
      - ABC & More Monogramming on 804 Uvalde, Houston TX 77015 call for more info at 713-451-2224

            Girls
               - Navy or Khaki jumpers with white colloar blouse, (Jumpers must have logos monogrammed on them) see order form with www.frenchtoast.com, www.landsend.com, or ABC & More
               - Navy polo dress with logo, see order form with www.frenchtoast.com or www.landsend.com
               -Navy shorts, skirts, skorts, or slacks with Hunter Green or Yellow polo with logo
               - Khaki shorts, skirts, skorts, or slacks with Hunter Green, Navy or Yellow polo with logo

            Boys
               - Navy shorts or slacks with Hunter Green or Yellow polo with logo
              - Khaki shorts or slacks with Hunter Green, Yellow, or Navy polo with logo


          Fridays
            - Jeans allowed only with Creative Corner Friday T-shirt purchased in the front office- cost $15. Regular uniforms is also acceptable on Fridays but with no Jeans.

    B. Shoe Description

•         Shoes must be solid white, black, brown, or navy.

           - No boots or sandals
           - No cartoon characters on shoes
           - No shoes that light up
           - No crocs

    C. Sweat suits/Warm up suits

•          May be worn on school days when the temperature in Houston is freezing (32 degrees) the night before. Please check on the internet or the weather channel on TV. This does not include surrounding areas like Conroe, etc. Our guide is strictly Houston weather.

    D. Tote Bags

•          All students are required to purchase a tote bag with the school logo on it. We use these bags because they are uniforms in size and readily identifiable.
•           All students must have a complete change of clothes including socks and underwear in a Ziploc bag. Students must have a uniform as their change of clothes unless it is our summer camp.
•          All tote bags MUST have your child's name clearly labeled on the outside. Monogrammers are able to embroidery names on tote bags and backpacks.  

 E. Out of Dress Code

•        The school will provide the required shirt and the shirt will automatically be billed to your account $15.00
•        We will provide Loaner Pants if available. Loaner Pants are clearly marked with a permanent marker Creative Corner on the outside of the pants. Pants must be washed and returned to the school by the following school day. Failure to return within 5 days will result in your account being charged an addition non refundable $15.00.

9. Parent

    A. Conferences

•          No formal parent conferences will be scheduled. However, any time you feel a conference (for whatever reason) would be helpful, please contact the Director. You may email the school director at 1creativecorner@comcast.net
•          Telephone conference can also be scheduled if this is most convenient for you. Please contact us with your concerns, "We can't fix it unless we know it's broken".

   B. Visitation Opportunities

•        Please feel free to come by anytime. Please be mindful of naptime and voice volume when conversing in the hallways and in the classrooms.
•        Please do not carry a lengthy conversation with any teacher when picking-up or dropping off your child since the teacher is responsible for the education and safety of all their students.

   C. Participation and activities at center

•        All parents are welcome to participate in activities in the classroom. We certainly enjoy your input and assistance whenever possible. Your children are thrilled to have you share in their accomplishments, and the teachers welcome the assistance.

   D. Review of minimum standards

•        The Minimum Standards are the state guidelines for all Licensed Day Cares in the state of Texas. Each parent is welcome to review the office copy of Minimum Standard Rule for Licensing Childcare. Our center is required to meet these requirements in order to remain in operation
•         The most recent licensing report is available for review.

10. Local licensing office, TDFPS child abuse hotline, TDFPS website

•       Texas Department of Family and Protective Services: Website www.tdprs.state.tx.us
•        The licensing office phone number 936-756-1551
•        Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-252-5400

11. Financial and Policy Procedures
      Registration Fee: $50-Annual Fee- School Year August-June
            - This fee must be paid at time of enrollment
            - This fee and workbook are non-refundable
      Workbook Fee: $50- Annual Fee- School Year August-June for all for all students
            - See calendar for due dates
            - This fee and workbook are non-refundable
      School Supply Fee: $50- Annual Fee- School Year August-June for all students
            - See Calendar for due date
            - This fee and supplies are non-refundable

   A. Tuition can be paid in one of two ways

•         Preschool & Pre-K

              - Four Weeks $415 or Two Weeks $215 (See school calendar for due dates)

•         Kindergarten

              - Four Weeks $435 or Two Weeks $225 (See school calendar for due dates)

•         After School

              - Four Weeks $210 or Two Weeks $110 (See school calendar for due dates)
                 After School full day during public school closing
                 For holidays and additional school closings: Additional $10 per day (48hr notice required)

   B. Penalty Fees

•        Late Tuition Payment: $10 per day
•        Late Pick-up Fee: $5 per five minutes interval after 6:00pm
•        NSF Fee: $50.00, parents will be contacted immediately after we receive notice of a NSF payment. Your child may not return to Creative Corner without payment of full tuition due and $50.00 NSF fee (will accept cash, money order, or credit card payment).

   C. NSF fee

•        All NSF will be treated as if a parent failed to pay tuition: The child may not return effective immediately until payments has been received/ cash, money order, or credit card, which must include full tuition and NSF fee. Payment must be handed to the morning teacher in charge.

   D. Tuition Procedures, Financial Agreement, and Withdrawal

•         Tuition is due on Monday every two weeks (see school calendar for due dates) unless paying every 4 weeks. Your child may not return to school the Friday following tuition due date without payment in full including late fees $10.00 per day for late tuition. Please refer to your child's school calendar for Tuition Due dates and any additional fees. If the school is closed on the Monday that tuition is due then tuition will be due the following day.
•         Four weeks notice is required for withdrawal. A $50 penalty fee will be added to your account if you fail to provide the required notifications.
• Creative Corner accepts two methods of payment: Tuition Express Automatic draft from your account  or Credit Card/Debit Card

12. Parental Notification

•       Parents will be notified of any changes to this policy in writing at the time of the change. Signing this document constitutes acceptance and understanding of the centers policies as well as the discipline guidance procedures. This policy will be signed and kept in the student file and updated as necessary.

13. Use of Cell Phone

•       Children come first at Creative Corner. Children benefit from the attention of parents during drop-off and pick up times. Therefore, the use of cell phones while you are with your children at the childcare center is not allowed. Children need the undivided attention of their families during pick up and drop-off times. Office personnel must use their cell phone for school business just as the use the regular office phone. Please excuse us when accepting calls on cell phone.

14. Parking Safety/Building Safety

•       All children must enter the center accompanied by a parent or guardian/responsible adult. They are not to run ahead of adults in the parking lot. Please do not leave purses, wallets, or other valuable items in vehicles during pick-up and drop-off time. Thefts in childcare parking lots can occur even when vehicles are locked.
•       Never leave your child in the vehicle unattended or leave your vehicle motor running.
•       When you pick up your child, keep the child in your presence again, never allowing your child to run ahead of you. If your child forgets something in the classroom, you must accompany your child back to the classroom to ensure that your child is safe and is doing what expected.
•       The child may not leave the classroom or building unattended.
•       It's very important that you walk your child to class.

15. Supplemental Information

•       Students must be able to follow advanced curriculum
•       Students must be able to follow directions and respect authority
•       Creative Corner reserves the right to exclude the new enrollment of or terminate the existing enrollment of a child at any time, including, but not limited to, children whose behavior and education needs cannot be met at Creative Corner without fundamental alterations of or undue burden to our existing programs, procedures, or practices, as deemed by Creative Corner, and/or children whose fees and/or tuition payments are in arrears.
•         This parent handbook contains general information concerning the policies and procedures of Creative Corner Child Development Center. The policies and procedures described herein are not intended to be and should not be interpreted as a contract between Creative Corner Child Development Center and any other person. This information does not constitute a legal document, nor does it constitute a contract. It does not confer any legal rights, nor does it create any contractual obligations, expressed or implied.