School of Thought is a state licensed family childcare home providing care to children ages 2 1/2 to 12 years old. My goal is to provide excellence in the academic program, a safe environment, and enjoyable activities every day.  I believe this environment will help your child develop academically, emotionally, and socially.

 

Operating Times

Monday through Friday: 6am to 6pm

After Hours: Friday 6pm to 10pm & Saturday 5pm to 11pm

(Times can be changed on the weekend with enough interest.)

An attached calendar shows holidays and breaks when the school will be closed.

 

Enrollment Procedures

A folder containing the forms necessary to enroll in the school are provided. Please, follow all of the instructions and fill out the forms completely. 

If your child has any type of special needs then notify the school. Any accommodations will be provided whenever possible. Please, be sure to bring a written statement from a health care professional that states the types of special needs your child requires.

 

Procedures for the Release of Children

Children will be released only to parents/emergency contacts that have been listed in the enrollment forms.  A notification in writing must be submitted if any other person is permitted to pick up the child. An email will satisfy this requirement.

Unknown people will be asked to show a current driver’s license of which a copy will be made.

 

Meal Practices

Children will be served breakfast/morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack. The menu will be emailed by Friday before the week it is used in case parents wish to supply their own meal/snack. The menu will be posted at the school, too. The meals and snacks for each week constantly vary to ensure the children receive a well-balanced diet. The children are offered the food, but will not be forced to eat. Alternative food can be offered if needed.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you bring food from home, please, be mindful that the school is committed to serving nourishing food. Please, do the same to the best of your ability.

Each child is REQUIRED to have his/her own water bottle. It needs to be marked with a name and be able to close completely with no open straws. The water bottle can be filled throughout the day with filtered water. Any other drinks, such as oat milk or juice, will only be served for some snack times or special occasions.

 

Breastfeeding Moms

Comfortable places are provided for you to feed your child. Parents have the right to feed the child at the child care business as well as provide breast milk for the child while in care.

 

Immunization Requirements

Immunizations must be up to date in order to begin attending the school. There is a health page to complete in the registration documents. This page must also be signed by a healthcare professional. Only having a parent signature stating current health will NOT be accepted.

The immunization schedule must be followed once the child is attending school. The School of Thought does not accept children that are not vaccinated/immunized.

 

Illness/Exclusion Criteria

Parents need to evaluate their children each morning before bringing them to school. Children should not have a fever higher than 100 degrees, have a rash, sore throat, pink eye, diarrhea, or be vomiting. If your child is complaining of not feeling well it may be a sign that more symptoms are going to occur. Be sure to let the school know if there are any symptoms to watch.

If your child develops a fever of 100 degrees or more, has diarrhea or vomits, develops a rash, or appears to have any other illness symptoms that make him/her uncomfortable or are contagious then a parent will be called to pick up the child. It is required that sick children leave the school within one clock hour. This is the best way to make the sick child more comfortable as well as prevent the spread of an illness. We want to be considerate of all families.

Children are welcome to return to school once they are symptom free for 24 hours. So, if he/she leaves at 11am with a fever on Tuesday, then he/she cannot return at 8am the next morning. In addition, if a child has been diagnosed with a communicable disease, then there must be medical documentation that the child is no longer contagious.

 

Procedure for Dispensing Medicine

School of Thought highly recommends that all medicine, prescription or over-the-counter, be given by the parents. In special circumstances it may be possible to have it given at school. Yet, the first and second dose of any new medicine MUST be given by the parent. This will ensure there is not an adverse reaction to its ingredients.

If it does become necessary to dispense medicine, then parents will have to sign the Authorization for Dispensing Medication form as well as the Medication Authorization Form.

Prescription medication must have all of the following: original container, child’s first/last name on the label, start/end date, expiration date, dosage/storage instructions, prescribing healthcare professional’s name and contact information.

Over-the-counter medicine must have the following: original container, child’s first/last name written in permanent marker on the container, and clear instructions on the original container for dosage time/amounts based on your child’s age.

 

Procedure for Handling a Medical Emergency

In the event of a medical emergency with a child 911 will be called using the Harris County registered alarm system at the school. Parents will be notified as soon as possible.

The school shall conduct fire drills once a month as well as tornado drills at least once every three months. The Emergency Preparedness Plan attachment gives all the details for different types of emergencies.

 

Unassigned Epi-Pen Policy
(Information to be added later based on Inspector's instructions)

Maintain

Administer

Disposal

 

 School of Thought’s Emergency Preparedness Plans

Plans have been made in the event of an emergency. A copy is attached to this handbook. Be sure to fill-out and return  the emergency information (last few pages of the Emergency Plan) for your child that will be kept in the Emergency Supply Kit.

 

 

 

Procedure for Parent Notifications

Parents will be notified as needed by a phone call. Emergency contacts will be used if the parent numbers do not get a response.

Emails will be sent for the menu each week as well as any important information that is needed in a timely fashion.

Newsletters describing current activities at school will be emailed as well. Policy changes will be given to parents in writing with the opportunity for a signature.

 

Discipline/Guidance Policy

A document is attached to this handbook describing the discipline/guidance policy of The School of Thought.

 

Suspension/Expulsion Policy

Parent’s actions to cause expulsion:

Failure to pay late fees for picking up children late, Verbal abuse to another person while at the school, Threats by parents of physical or intimidating actions towards another person at the school

Child’s actions to cause expulsion:

Failure for the child to adjust after a reasonable amount of time if it is affecting the care and supervision of other children, Uncontrollable tantrums/angry outbursts that do not subside over time with strategies in place to help calm him/her down.

 

Indoor/Outdoor Activities

(Including Bug/Sunscreen Consent)

Children will be engaged in many different activities throughout the day. A basic schedule is provided on the attached Developmental Activities Plan. Structured and unstructured activities will involve fine and gross motor skills.

 Time will be spent outside with the children in unstructured activities as well as academic lessons as often as possible. It is necessary that children have appropriate clothing and shoes based on the day’s weather. As mentioned above an extra set of clothing needs to be kept at school in case of messy play.

Extreme weather conditions may make it necessary for indoor only activities. Dance, calisthenic exercise, music, etc. will be used to be sure that gross motor activities are available.

Finally, a document is attached giving permission to apply Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus/Sunscreen SPF 30 to your child from April to October. If this product is not suitable, then provide your own with your child’s name clearly written on the outside of the container. 

Animals

Pets in the home shall be vaccinated in accordance with the requirements of the Health and Human Services Licensing. Proof of vaccinations are kept in a binder at the school.

Currently, there is an Australian Shepherd, Dachshund, two cats, and two guinea pigs at the home. The dogs are crate trained and may spend some of their time during the day in the crate. For example, the crate will be used during meal times.

Animals are very important in teaching love, acceptance, and responsibility. The School of Thought believes they are part of the experience that makes the school unique.

  

Safe Sleep Policy

There are no children under the age of 2 ½ at the school. The Safe Sleep Policy for infants (at child care centers that enroll that age) ensures that the child care is following all requirements for them to be safe. Parents can review information on Safe Sleep and how to reduce the risk of SIDS/SUIDS here.

The age 2 ½ and older children will be provided a nap time each day. After lunch the children will have floor pads to lay down with their own nap mat on top of it. It is REQUIRED that your child brings the mat to school on Monday morning and takes it home Friday to be washed.

Children that are not interested in sleeping will be given a quiet activity to do such as read, draw, etc.

The nap/rest time will not exceed three hours.

*Children need to have an extra change of clothes at school at all times in case of accidents or messy play. Diapers/Pull-ups need to be provided by parents, too.

 

 Transportation

Children will not be transported by the school at this time. If this changes, then notifications will be sent to parents.

 

Water Activities

Water activities in the form of a water/sand table may be used for outdoor time. Sprinkler time may be used on hot days. There are not any pools at the home.

 

Field Trips

The School of Thought will not have field trips at this time where children are transported. Yet, it is possible to have outside people come to the home for activities. They may include music or art lessons, guest speakers, etc.

 

Procedure to Review the Most Recent Licensing Inspection

Parents are permitted to see the most recent inspection. The document shall be posted in the home.

The Texas Child Care Home Minimum Standards can be accessed online by Google. The document shows all that is required in order to be a licensed child care home. 

https://www.hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/doing-business-with-hhs/provider-portal/protective-services/ccl/min-standards/chapter-747-homes.pdf 

 

How School of Thought Prevents/Responds to Abuse/Neglect

The director/caregiver and any employees have completed training in recognizing and responding to abuse and neglect. It is mandated that suspected maltreatment of a child is reported immediately and daily checks will be conducted for signs. The “Keeping Children Safe” flyer is posted at the entrance to the school to help families.

 

Contacts for Parents

Local Licensing Office: 713-287-3238

Texas Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1-800-252-5400

Texas Health and Human Services: www.hhs.texas.gov

 

Procedure for Discussing Parent Concerns

Email the school if there are any concerns that you would like to address. Long discussions while children are present prevents the proper supervision to be given. If a parent/teacher conference is needed, then it will be scheduled to discuss the concerns further.

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Parents may visit The School of Thought during operational hours to observe their child, the child care center’s activities, the building, and the equipment without securing prior approval.

 Texas Penal Code states that any area within 1.000 feet of a child care center is a ‘gang free zone’ where criminal offenses are subject to a harsher penalty.

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A parent signature on the enrollment forms (given when enrollment is requested) indicates that you have received this document and discussed its contents as needed.