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About Us

CENTER SCHEDULE
Care is scheduled Monday through Friday 6:45 AM - 5:30 PM
 
A Holiday Schedule will be provided to parents each year.
 
In case of an emergency or storm, parents are advised for delays, early closing
or all day closing by area radio and television announcements. The parents will
also be contacted by phone in the case of an emergency dosing. Please keep
all contact numbers up to date.
 
In the event of an emergency evacuation, the children will be transported to
Westbrook High School. The address is 125 Stroudwater St Westbrook.
Emergency closings will be broadcast on local t.v. and radio stations.

ORGANIZATION
At Koala Child Kare And Learning Center, we offer Before/After School Care, Infant/Toddler Care, Preschool, and Summer Camp Programs, for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years.
The children are divided into care areas by age and developmental level. The
decision to move a child to another classroom as they develop is made by the
director and teachers with input from parents.

Professional Teachers- All of our teachers are professionally trained, and must complete a minimum of 30 training hours each year through in-house workshops and seminars- in child development, health, and hands on learning. All lead teachers are CPR and First Aid certified.
 
PROGRAMS
Before/After School Care- The Before and After School Program is designed for children, ages 6-12, who arrive at Koala Child Kare before school and/or return to the center after school. The program offers opportunities for homework, outdoor/indoor games. arts and crafts, and computer.

Infant Toddler Programs- Infants aged 6 weeks to approximately 12 months are cared for by loving and professionally trained teachers who respond to and plan around each child's individual schedule in a stimulating and safe environment.
Our Toddler Programs are designed for children aged 12 months to 3 years. A daily schedule of activities are provided to help each child grow socially/emotionally, cognitively, and physically. Activities include sand and water play, blocks, dramatic play, cooking, story time, outdoor play, and art.

Preschool Programs - The Preschool is a developmentally appropriate and educationally challenging learning environment for children aged 3 to 5 years. Guided by the Early Maine Learning Results, our child-centered thematic based curriculum addresses all areas of development; social/emotional, cognitive, and physical.

Components of the Preschool include:
 
Circle Time - A group experience providing opportunities for children to learn to take turns, participate in discussions, and follow a daily routine, as they participate in calendar, stories, and songs/fingerplays.

Activity Time (i.e. free play, work time, or centers)- A very important part of the day where children explore and build skills in areas such as the alphabet, pre-reading, number concepts, colors, shapes, problem solving, and fine-motortasks. Each classroom is organized into learning areas which provide a variety of focused and free-choice activities.

Large Motor Activities - Opportunities for children to move their whole bodies while participating in outdoor play, swimming, and music/movement.

Summer Camp - The Summer Day Camp experience is for children ages 6 to 12.
Camp offers a wide variety of activities including indoor/outdoor games and sports, arts and crafts, nature/exploration projects, swimming, and field trips. There are several camp options to meet the needs of you and your child.

Computer - Children ages 3 and older will have opportunities to use a variety of programs designed for their age level and experience.

Field Trips - Throughout the year, educational and fun field trips will be chosen to enrich your child's learning experience. Trips may include visits to local businesses, parks, the circus, museums, concerts, beaches, apple orchards, and pumpkin patches, among many other possibilities. A blanket permission for all field trips is included in the enrollment form packet. Field trips are dependent on parent participation and transportation. Proof of automobile insurance and current driver's license will be required. Children who are under 8 years of age or are less than 80 pounds are required by state law to use a car seat, which parents need to provide on the day of the trip. Koala Kare encourage parent participation as this provides opportunities to get to know classmates, teachers, and other parents, as well as helping to maintain a low adult to child ratio. Parents are given advance notice of any trips and should notify their teacher if
they prefer their children not attend.

Enrichment Opportunities - Various opportunities, such as concerts, sing-alongs, and storytelling performances, will be available throughout the year. There will be prior notification sent home to parents explaining each opportunity.
 

PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION Open trusting communication starts with letting parents know that they are welcome to ask any question, large or small. In turn, Koala Child Kare has a variety of ways of communicating with parents and providing opportunities for parental involvement:
 
* Dailies- Daily notes that tell about your child's day, describing that days activities, snacks, lunches, naptime, and other important comments.
* Bulletin Board of Daily Activities, notices, photos, etc...
* Open-Door Policy - Parents may stop by anytime to observe. visit. and have lunch with their child.
* Opportunities to volunteer as a chaperone on field trips or in the classroom.
* Newsletters
* Parent-Teacher Conferences- We provide regular reports on developmental assessment throughout the year with formal conferences scheduled in January and May.

Placing your child in Koala Child Kare is a partnership involving mutual commitment of parents and teachers. Please keep your child's teachers informed of any events that would help them better understand your child. In turn, we will do our best to keep you up to date on your child's progress through daily notes, conversations, and other means.

Behavior Guidance - Our goal is to help children develop self-control and good decision making through direction and example. Teachers work closely with parents in keeping them informed of any concerns and soliciting- theirsuggestions and input.
In our classrooms we use various techniques to guide children's behavior:

Classroom Centers - Independent learning areas where children can access materials and work cooperatively with each other.

Modeling - Teachers model the appropriate use of language, positive affect and problem-solving skills. Children can observe appropriate strategies to use when they enter a difficult situation.

Choices - We offer many choices for children during the day including the materials they use as well as self-care routines and how to solve problems. In using choices, we are encouraging the child to learn skills to resolve problems independently.

Time Away - When these usual techniques become ineffective, teachers may suggest or require that a child take some time away from the group, child, or activity causing the disturbance. Allowing the child time to think about the consequences of his/her behavior and the effects of his/her behavior on others enables the child to return to play when he/she is more able to be productive. Teachers support the child as he/she self-regulates behavior and rejoins the group by setting limits and encouraging the child to recognize and talk about feelings.

At no time do we use shaming, withholding of food, verbal abuse or corporal punishment as a means of guiding behavior.
 
Center Procedure for Dealing with Difficult Behavior
When a difficult behavior is observed, we have a plan to support those involved:

Recorded Observations - Teachers will record observations regarding the child's behavior and interactions in the classroom. These observations will be shared with the parent(s) in order to discuss concerns, create a plan, such as generating possible strategies to support the child and reduce the behavior, and to schedule a date to meet again.
 
Continued Observations - Teachers will follow the plan for a period of time (approximately two weeks), and document any changes. If the behavior increases or becomes harmful to other children, to him/herself, or other teachers, a meeting will be called to discuss the next step.
 
Referral to Collaborating Agency - If the plan does not seem to improve the behavior or if additional concerns are present, a referral will be made to an early childhood support agency (see Collaborating Agencies). This referral can only be made with parental consent. This will allow experts in the early childhood field to observe the child in the program and offer suggestions or support the child. This may include developmental therapy, a support staff to work with the child. or other types of therapy or additional services.

Disenrollment - We feel that the parent/teacher relationship is crucial to supportive care for children. If the parent decides to refrain from support and the behavior continues, the program will make decision based on the individual specifications of the particular child. If a behavior or condition exists which threatens the health and safety of children or teachers in the program, the child may be disenrolled. It is our hope to work with all children and families collaboratively to avoid this situation, but we know that our program will not meet the needs of all children.

Dismissal Policy - The center cannot meet the physical, mental, or emotional needs of the child; The child threatens the safety, health and/or well-being of others; A formal parent conference is not attended (one requested by the directory); Tuition is late; The parent's enrollment or employment at Koala is terminated without notice; It is advised by a physician or child psychologist; Parents ignore center guidelines, and/or cause undo stress to center staff or operations; Repeated tardiness in picking up a child at closing time, or upon consistent incorrect daily scheduled time to pick up a child; Enrollment/immunization records are incomplete and/or not updated; Parent/Guardian repeatedly forgets to sign their child in and out every day; Parent/Guardian threatens the safety of the children and/or staff

Policy Regarding Biting - The following procedure shall be followed regarding bites:
If a child has been bitten:
1. Wash the wound with soap and water
2. Apply ice
3. If the bite breaks the skin, notify the assistant director, or the director who will then call the parent
4. Write an accident report
** For toddlers: Give attention to the bitten child. Remind the biter that biting hurts and that we do not bite our friends. Give the toddler something to bite on like a tether or a rubber ring.
***For Preschoolers: Give attention to the bitten child. Have the child who did the biting help to care for the injured child. (e.g. hold ice, comfort) Remind the child that we do not bite our friends and that we use words. In all cases explanation will be given to child in a language that he or she can understand to explaining why the behavior is inappropriate and to reinforce the concept that even if the activity is inappropriate, the child is not a "bad" child. Do not force the child who had bitten to apologize.

How we will handle the biting child?
1. We will look for the causes of the behavior and try to take a preventive approach.
2. We will shadow the biter in situations where we think the child might bite.
3. We will be consistent in our interventions, realizing it is a temporary stage of normal development.
4. We will communicate to parents about the incident. However, information about the "biter" is confidential

HEALTH

Immunization - All children admitted to the center must have had the required immunizations for their age. Within 30 days of admittance, a record of immunizations must be completed and signed by the child's doctor as part of the enrollment forms packet.
 
Administration of Medication - If your child should need to have a prescription or non-prescription medicine given to them during center hours, parents must complete a medicine form, obtained at the office, describing the medicine and time and dosage to be given.

Prescription medication must be brought to the center in its original container and include the child's name, the name of the medication, and dosage. This prescription label win be accepted as the written authorization of the physician.

Nonprescription medications will only be administered if the parent has filled out the authorization for medication form.

Topical ointments and sprays, such as petroleum jelly, Desitin, sunscreen, and insect repellent, will be administered to the child with written parental permission. These forms will be valid for one year and will include a list of the topical nonprescription ointments.

Illness Policy - By helping us to observe good health standards, you will be protecting your child and the other children in the center.
Your child should NOT attend Koala if he/she exhibits one or more of the following symptoms:
 
*Fever - A temperature of 101 degrees or above in the morning.
*Conjunctivitis - An eye infection often referred to as "pink eye". The eye is generally red with some burning and a thick yellow discharge. The child may not return to the center until 24 hours has elapsed since medication began.
*Diarrhea - Watery or greenish bowel movements that look different and are much more frequent than usual. Children need to remain at home for at least 24 hours after the onset of diarrhea.
*Vomiting- Not able to keep food or liquids down and other than the usual "spitting up" in infants. Children may return to the center when 24 hours have elapsed after the last vomiting incident.
*Lice - Tiny white eggs or nits in hair and scalp area. Children can return to the center 24 hours after treatment and are free of nits, dead mites, and live lice.
*Rash - That you can not identify or has not been diagnosed by a physician.
*Chicken Pox - All scabs must be dry and not oozing before the child can return to the center. The time span varies from case to case.
*Strep Throat - Documented strap infections prevent the child from attending Koala for 24 hours after the first dose of medication.
*Hand, Foot, and Mouth - Children may return to the center after 48 hours after the initial outbreak and there is no fever present
*Impetigo- Children may return to the center 24 hours after the first dose of medication, and there is no discharge.
*Severe Cold with Fever, Sneezing, and Nose Discharge
*Bronchitis - May begin with hoarseness, cough, and a slight temperature. The cough can become dry and painful, but gradually becomes productive.

If a doctor has diagnosed an infection and the child has been placed on an antibiotic, the child should stay at home until he/she has been on the medication for at least 24 hours.

We also believe children should be in a comfortable setting such as at home, with family, when they are not feeling well. This can help the child recover without the added stress of the other children and being at the center. Koala requires at least 2 phone numbers in case a child becomes ill during the day. This is part of the information parents must provide as part of the enrollment packet. If you are notified that your child is ill, you are expected to pick up within one hour. This will help ensure that your child is on his or her way to a speedy recovery.

SAFETY
Pick-Up Authorization- Children will only be released from the center to individuals named on your authorization pick-up list as part of the enrollment form packet. Koala staff members are not allowed to be on the pick-up authorization list. Permission must be pre-arranged with the office if your child is to be picked up by someone other than the persons on your list. Any unfamiliar faces will be asked to present identification.

Accident Reports - When an accident occurs, parents will be informed by an. accident report. Describing the injury and how it occurred and the treatment provided.

Fire Drills - Fire drills will be conducted at least once a month for all children and adults present. Evacuation procedures are posted in each classroom as well as throughout the facility.

Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect - As professionals working with children, we are mandated by Maine State Law to report to the Department of Human Services when there is reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect.

FOOD AND NUTRITION

Koala Child Kare provides a well balanced lunch and afternoon snack. These meals are prepared on the premises by our own full time cook. We try to provide foods that will appeal to each child. Menus are provided to families each month. If there is something on the menu that you know your child will not eat, you may provide a supplement for your child. Our cook can not make up special lunches
for individual children.

Due to the uncertainty of food allergies at such a young age, meals we prepare will only be provided to children over 12 months old. Parents are responsible for providing food and/or formula for children under 12 months of age. If your child has any food allergies, please inform the office staff and your child's teacher.

Koala Kare is a peanut and nut free center. Due to the life-threatening consequences associated with these allergies, peanut butter and any other
foods containing nuts are not permitted at the center.

TUITION AND FEES
Please see attached schedule. Enrollment and admissions fees are nonrefundable. Please keep in mind, that when scheduling, that all days
scheduled must be paid for regardless of attendance.

Late Pick-Ups - Koala Child Kare closes promptly at 5:30 PM. A charge of $1.00/minute will be charged for every minute late picking up, with a minimum charge of $10.00. Chronic late pick-ups may result in a 2 week notice of termination of care.

OTHER USEFUL lNFORMATION

Toys - Toys are not to be brought to the center except items such as a familiar doll or stuffed animal a child may want during nap time. Blankets and sleeping bags are also fine to bring for nap time. Your child's teacher may designate a show and tell day where items may be brought in for that purpose.

Clothing - Time will be spent in outdoor activities each day, weather permitting, therefore children should wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Only sneakers and close-toed shoes should be worn outside on the playground. An extra set of clothes (underwear, pants, shirt, and socks) should be left at school in case of any kind of accident. If your child is not yet fully potty-trained, please leave a supply of diapers/pull-ups in your child's cubby. For children aged 3 and older, bathing suits and towels are required for swimming. Please label all clothing.

Birthdays - If you want to send a special treat (cupcakes are the easiest) for your child's birthday, please contact the teacher to make arrangements.

Smoke Free Zone - Koala Child Kare is a smoke free zone. Smoking is prohibited on the grounds as well as our parking lot.