ICRI - EL Nuevo Mundo Children’s Center
I. El Nuevo Mundo Program
1. Philosophy & Curriculum
ICRI El Nuevo Mundo Children’s Center is the only private non-profit bilingual pre-school that serves low income families in West Contra Costa.
The curriculum at El Nuevo Mundo is designed to promote learning through play-oriented activities, and promote cognitive and language development. The activities focus on the children’s need to explore, to learn, to grow, to create, to communicate, and to enjoy.
The program is designed to promote a positive self-esteem, enhance feelings of respect for cultural diversity, and enrich the language skill of bilingual children, while acquiring and strengthening a second language.
The program welcomes all children we do not discriminate on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender, ethnic group identification, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, color, or mental or physical disability in determining which children are served. When our school does not have the trained personnel nor the resources to meet the needs of children with certain disabilities, we may refer them to other institutions.
Our approach toward discipline is that of guiding children’s behavior and learning through the use of positive techniques.
ICRI El Nuevo Mundo strongly believes in the strength of “family” and the versatility it is comprised of. Family support systems are encouraged and sought to meet the special needs of the family and its members. The family is looked upon as a unit and the child as a vital part of that unit; at ICRI El Nuevo Mundo, we provide a positive experience for the child, wherein the family is considered, respected, and valued.
The goals of providing positive, early experiences are accomplished through a unique bilingual environment. Opportunities for success are nurtured, while developing physical, language, socio-emotional, and cognitive growth.
ICRI El Nuevo Mundo is concerned with the total world of our children; their feelings, minds, bodies and ability to get along with others. Our bilingual pre-school program meets the needs of young children by providing them with a stimulating and secure environment. We provide an environment to feel good about themselves, to talk with each other, to explore what is around them and increase their knowledge.
2. Open Door Policy
ICRI – El Nuevo Mundo C.C. welcomes all the parents to come and visit the school any time any day!!
3. Initial Interview
An interview must be conducted before enrollment. Before your child is enrolled in the school, you must request an appointment to come and visit the school. You and your child can stay as long as you want, this way you can get familiar with our school, the teachers, the staff, classroom activities and most of all it will be an opportunity for you to value our program
4. Licensing Forms Required for Enrollment
Identification and emergency information (Lic. 700)
Health history (Lic. 702)
Emergency medical treatment (Lic. 627)
Personal Rights (Lic. 613A)
Parent’s rights (Lic. 995)
5. Department of Education Forms Required for Enrollment
CD 9600
Income verification (or self-declaration)
Need and Services (optional)
CD 9607
Notice of Action
II. Parent Involvement
1. About Your Child’s First Day & First Week
The time is soon approaching when you will begin to think about leaving your child at school...When you are both ready. Please do not fell anxious about it; we will not intimidate you, for we know you must feel that school is a good, safe place for your child. On your child’s first day at school, we ask you to stay for at least twenty minutes. We realize it is hard for you to have to spend your mornings here at school and that you have many other things to do; however, if your child is not really ready to be left on his/her own, and leaving is painful and frightening to him/her, a positive separation will take that much longer. It is our hope that with enough time and experience at school, the joy of being here will outweigh the pain of separation.
During these next few days give your child many opportunities to move away from you; determine whether you are following him/her around, or is he/she sticking close to you? Be available to help someone else’s child, and give others the opportunity to help yours --if the child agrees.
These are some ways you can help to prepare your child:
1. Talk to your child in a positive, non-threatening way about the fact that soon you will leave to go home to clean the house, go to school, run errands, go to the library, go to work, whatever, while he/she stays at school with us.
2. Use our name (e.g. El Nuevo Mundo, or teacher’s name) often so he/she will learn them and associate them with it.
3. Reassure him/her we will take care of him/her while you are gone, and we are there to help.
4. Reassure your child that you will always come back to pick him/her up.
5. When we all decide you are going to leave, please say good bye, by giving him/her a hug and a kiss, and GO--no matter what happens. Children are very quick to pick up your anxieties and ambivalence. Do not be upset if your child cries, we will be there and can handle the anger. If your child seems to be really frightened and abandoned, we will give you a call. Feel free to call us during the morning, if you are worried.
6. The most important thing is that you look confident and you expect him/her will stay at school. Do not ask for your child’s permission for you to go. Naturally he/she will say no.
2. Parent Involvement & Participation
Your cooperation and participation is the key to your child’s success at school. Your child’s confidence will increase when he/she sees that you care enough to share his/her learning experience. We need you to be involved is the best way you can help: classroom visits and participation, making or finishing projects at home, contributing materials.
Parents are encouraged to attend two parent/teacher conference meetings in a year. Parents Advisory Committee meetings are scheduled once every other month a month if you are not a board member you do not have to attend but you are welcomed to do so.
We have bi-monthly parent meetings on the last Wednesday of each month; we invite guest speakers to present topics of interest to the parents.
P.A.C. Parent Advisory Committee
ARTICLE I: NAME
A. The name of this group is the Parent Advisory Committee of the El Nuevo Mundo Children’s Center in the city of Richmond.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSES
A. The parent Advisory Committee (PAC) of El Nuevo Mundo Children’s Center, composed of all interested, eligible parents, is the official representative body of all the parents of the school. As representatives of the parents they are charged with reflecting the will of the parents of El Nuevo Mundo Children’s Center to maintain the school’s bilingual and multicultural emphasis. As parent representatives they are responsible for working with the El Nuevo Mundo Children’s Center staff in an advisory capacity to realize the standards of excellence operative in the school.
B. The Committee shall enlist representatives of the Parent’s including public agencies, business and community groups, in an effort to mobilize support for the program.
C. The Committee shall publicize the program in order that as many persons who could benefit from the program may be served.
D. The Committee shall serve as a channel of communication between the parents of the children at the center and the Center Director and Teaching Personnel regarding the quality of services to children.
E. The Committee shall inform the El Nuevo Mundo Children’s Center staff of goals, changes and action upon their suggestions.
F. The Committee shall comply with all city and state regulations established for the center and all ENM regulations of advisory committees.
ARTICLE III: NON-PROFIT
A. This committee functions under non-profit statutes.
B. No member shall receive remuneration from the Committee except as reimbursement of authorized expenses incurred on behalf of the committee.
ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP
A. Membership on the Parent Advisory Committee shall be open to parents and guardians who have children enrolled in the program. Meetings of this group shall be held by monthly.
B. Notices of all meetings written in both Spanish and English shall be sent to all parents of children in the program, at least one week in advance of the meeting. Notices may be sent home with the children in the same manner as other center bulletins, and will also be posted at the center.
C. A quorum at any meeting shall be twenty percent of the membership having children enrolled in the program.
D. A member who no longer has a child enrolled in the program atomically ceases to be a member.
ARTICLE V: OFFICERS
A. There shall be a President, Vice President, two secretaries, two treasurers, and one Member at Large, at least one of two should be bilingual. (English/Spanish)
B. Officers shall meet in executive session as necessary. These executive meetings are open to the general membership. D. Minutes of the meeting will be available in Spanish and English at the next regular meeting.
C. Each representative, including those elected officers, has one vote.
3. Special School Events
We enjoy celebrating your child’s birthday here at the center. Each child is invited to celebrate by sharing a cake, pizza, cup cakes or other foods. If you would like to celebrate your child’s birthday please let the administration know.
During the year, special field trips are planned for the children. A permission slip must be signed for trips if you wish your child to attend. Your child cannot go on the field trip without a signed permission. Parents are welcome to attend and help during these special field trips.
We have special celebrations and parents are invited to attend for example; Mother’s Day celebration, the Friday before mother’s day; Multicultural events, the graduation ceremony around the 15th of August, the December Holidays celebration.
4. Art Work File (REMINDER)
Your child’s daily art work is stored in his/her cubby, in the classroom. Your child is very proud of his/her work and would love to show it to you and it would be a good idea to display it at home. We display your child’s artwork here at school for at least a month.
III. Eligibility
1. Center Eligibility & Capacity
The Center is licensed to serve 97 children ages 3 to 5 years old. All children enrolled must be physically, socially and emotionally ready to benefit from the group learning program that is offered. The CDE/CDD sponsors qualify families for subsidized child care; parents must live and or work in California.
Other children of parents that do not qualify for subsidized childcare are welcomed to participate of the school services for a fee.
2. Program information
We offer a bilingual (Spanish/English) language development and multicultural learning experiences in a warm and supportive environment for children of all ethnic backgrounds.
We use the project approach methodology; A project is an in depth investigation of a topic worth learning more about. The investigation is usually undertaken by a small group of children within a class, sometimes by a whole class, and occasionally by an individual child. The key feature of a project is that it is a research effort deliberately focused on finding answers to questions about a topic posed either by the children, the teachers, or the teachers working with children. The goal is to learn more about the topic rather that to seek right answers to questions posed by the teachers.
We have circle time at the beginning for about fifteen minutes to half an hour and then we divide the activity in groups. There is always at least one activity lead by a teacher and then they choose the others they want the most. Teachers write on a notebook every activity the child has. That helps us know if the child is spending too much time in one activity so we can encourage him to work in something else. These observation are use to complete the assessments
ECERS (Early Childhood Environment rating scale)/ CLASS Enviroment
We follow the state requirements to be in compliance with ECERS (Early Childhood Environment rating scale), and now CLASS Enviroment.
The revised ECERS contains inclusive and culturally sensitive indicators for many items. Also, new items have been added on Interaction (staff-child, child-child and discipline), Curriculum (nature/science and math/number) Health & Safety and Parents & Staff.
Scale consists of 43 items organized into 7 subscales:
Space and Furnishings
Personal Care Routines
Language-Reasoning
Activities
Interactions
Program Structure
Parents and Staff
Featuring a new spiral binding, the updated ECERS-R offers more practical assistance in the form of an Expanded Scoresheet (which contains a worksheet) and additional notes for clarification to improve accuracy in scoring. However, the items and indicators remain the same as in the ECERS-R.
DRDP (Desired Results Developmental Profile)
The goal of El Nuevo Mundo Children’s Center is to ensure that all children are making progress in the domains of physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. We use the Desired Results Developmental Profile, a tool developed by the California Department of Education, Child Development Division, to assess the development of children.
Children are assessed within 60 days of enrollment and every six months thereafter.
Parents’ input is a necessary component of this assessment.
The assessment is also used to plan and conduct age and developmentally appropriate activities for the children.
Background of Desired Results for Children and Families
The California Department of Education (CDE) Early Education and Support Division (EESD) Results (DR) system is designed to improve the quality of programs and services provided to all children, birth through 12 years of age, who are enrolled in early care and education programs and before-and after-school programs, and their families. Desired Results are defined as conditions of well-being for children and families. Each Desired Result defines an overall outcome. The DR system was developed based on six Desired Results – four for children and two for their families.
The Desired Results for Children and Families
DR1: Children are personally and socially competent
DR2: Children are effective learners
DR3: Children show physical and motor competence
DR4: Children are safe and healthy
DR5: Families support their child’s learning and development
DR6: Families achieve their goals
The DRDP system implemented by the California Department of Education is a comprehensive approach that facilitates the achievement of the Desired Results identified for children and families. California is one of the very few states in the nation that has developed its own system designed specifically for measuring child progress toward desired outcomes. The system is aligned to both the state's learning and development foundations for early care and education programs and the content standards for kindergarten. (Center for Child and Family Studies. "About Desired Results." The Desired Results for Children and Families. Web.)
3. Center Staff
The staff consists of a Director, Educational Supervisor, Master Teacher, Lead Teacher, Teachers, Teacher’s assistants, Office Manager, administrative assistant a Cook and a cleaning person. The Director, Office Manager and Teachers hold academic degrees ranging from Bachelors to Masters Degrees. The Teacher assistants are community members with a wide range of skills and interests in working with children, based on their experience as parents, assistants and college students. The Director and all the teachers have over 25 units on Early Childhood Education and have CPR & First Aid Certificates.
IV. Center Procedures
1. Hours of Operation
ICRI El Nuevo Mundo operates between 8:00a.m. and 4:30p.m. (children should be picked up by 4:15 p.m.)
2. Enrollment
Each family interested in enrolling their child is required to fill out a packet of application forms which are necessary for the safe and smooth running of the Center. Each parent must submit a satisfactory Physical report evaluation for their child, signed by a doctor within the past year. Immunization for CPT, Polio, Measles and TB clearance must be kept current while your child is enrolled.
3. Absence
Please notify the school in the morning (by 9:00 am) if your child will be absent that day or for several days. If your child is going to be removed from our school, you must notify the school at least two weeks in advance.
A. Excused Absences
1. Child illness
2. Parent illness
3. Dental, doctor or therapy appointment (parent, or child).
4. Family emergency (may include, but is not limited to funeral, sibling illness, closure of work or training facility due to natural disaster, home burning down, accidents, determined case by cases etc.).
5. Court-ordered visitations (legal documentation required).
Best Interest Days – Ten (10) Days Per Fiscal Year (“excused” as follows).
1. Vacation with parents or relative (must be specific on the Attendance Sheet).
2. Out-of-town with parents or relative.
3. Stay home with parent, relative or friend – 18 years of age or older.
4. Special family events.
5. Other reasons that are clearly in the best interest of the child.
B. Unexcused Absences
1. Any absences without specific reason.
2. Any absence on regularly scheduled day for which no excuse was given.
3. The child stayed at home alone or in care of a minor.
4. Oversleeping.
5. Not knowing child care facility was open.
6. Absences’ forms must be attached and signed before the child returns to school.
4. Termination of Child Care Subsidy
When a family chooses to resign from the program they must notify the school at least two (2) weeks in advance.
A family is automatically terminated from the program when the family ceases to meet the eligibility requirements.
Parents will receive a Notice of Acton (NOA) informing them of the loss of their child care subsidy and given 19 days to appeal the action.
El Nuevo Mundo C.C. may terminate parents from the program for program abuse, which may include any of the following:
· Failure to provide accurate information at the time of enrollment or recertification.
· Failure to use hours of care as stated on the Certificate for Child Care Services.
· Three repeated failure to complete the Attendance Sheet on a daily basis and official signature.
· One falsification or refusal to sign the Attendance Sheet; all these are causes for termination.
El Nuevo Mundo C.C. reserves the right to terminate a parent’s participation in the program due to any degree of abuse (verbal, written and/ or physical) or harassment to El Nuevo Mundo staff.
El Nuevo Mundo reserves the right to terminate a family’s participation in the program within nineteen (19) calendar days notice if there is an interruption in, or loss of, the funding stream used to subsidize the family’s child care services.
5. Updated requirement: Address & Schedule Changes
You are required to let us know immediately if you have a new address, phone number. Notify us if the information on the people you gave us to call in case of an emergency has changed. In case of emergency for your child’s safety, we need to know where you or the emergency person can be reach at all times. If someone other than yourself will be picking up your child you will have to write the names of these individuals in the application form and emergency card. Any Person will not be allowed to pick up your child unless his or her name is on the emergency card and application.
If you did not report any of these changes within 5 calendar days, your child’s services will be terminated.
6. Arrival & Departure
An adult is required to bring and pick-up your child to school each day.
This must be a parent or any other 18 year old (or older) chosen by the parent. Let the director or administration know who is allowed to bring and pick-up your child at the same time every day.
Arrival time is from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. If you would like your child to have breakfast with us at school, please arrive by 8:30 a.m.
When you drop off and pick up your child you must sign in and out using your full name: initials will not be accepted. Check his/her cubby for belongings and daily project and art work file box. Teachers start preparation for closing at 4:15p.m. and closed promptly at 4:30 p.m. Please be considerate of your child and the staff by picking up your child by 4:15 pm or before each day. If there will be a delay in picking up your child, please call to let us know. Notify the lead teacher in the morning of any changes in departure time.
If a person other than the parent will be picking up your child, you must notify us in person and add that person’s name to the “sign out” card. The State requires that subsidized children be served the hours that their parents are at work or training; therefore, each family has a different agreement with the school. Please respect your child’s hours of arrival and departure. If you are late picking up your child, you will be charged $5.00 for every 15 minutes and $ 10 for every 15 minutes after 4:15 pm.
If we cannot reach you or the person assigned to pick your child up after 30 minutes of closing, he/she will be taken to the police station, where you will pick him/her up.
When dropping or picking up your child, you should take the opportunity to speak to the teachers. Also, take a moment to check the parent bulletin board and individual parent boxes for notices of coming events at the school and in the community.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
No child will be allowed to go home with a parent or guardian who shows signs of intoxication or is under the influence of a substance (drugs, etc.)
7. Nutrition
Each day the children are given a well balance hot breakfast, hot lunch, and afternoon snack prepared by our experienced cook. Please do not send any food, sweets or gum to school with your child.
8. Children’s Clothing
Children must wear the school uniform from Monday thru Thursday; School uniform consist of: navy blue pants, shorts, skirt or dress and a white shirt or white t-shirt with collar. Dress your child in comfortable clothing so you will not be concerned about if it becomes dirty. All clothing should be labeled with your child’s name. A lost and found box is located on each classroom for unlabeled clothing.
Children are not allowed to bring Jewelry or money at school.
Your child’s cubby should always contain a complete change of clothing, please check in the restroom for your child’s cubby as it is labeled with his/her name. Wet or dirty clothing is located on a table by the door inside a plastic bag with your child’s name, please check every day for wet clothes and should be taken home that day. During HOT DAYS we ask that you bring your child’s swimming suit or shorts and a towel.
V. Health
1. Your Child’s Health
Parents are responsible for checking their children’s health each morning to make sure they do not have a fever or are showing any other signs of contagious illness or cold, such as excessive tiredness or an unexplained rash. If you are in doubt about your child’s health, please keep him/her at home!. This is in the best interest of your child and the children and staff in the program. Teachers will check for sign of illness when your child enters school each day. The teaching staff has the right to refuse admittance of a child who may be too ill to attend school that day. If your child is exposed to a communicable disease at the center, a notice will be posted on the parent bulletin board. If your child has been absent due to a communicable disease, a note from the doctor is required when he/she returns to school. A list and description of communicable diseases is included at the end of the handbook. Teachers are not allowed to give medicine to children without a written consent.
If your child becomes ill or injured at the center, you or your emergency contact person will be notified immediately so that you or they can determine the appropriate action. If a serious accident occurs we will notify you, should your child be taken to either Kaiser or a Richmond Hospital depending on the family’s insurance coverage.
Health observation report form
There is a Health Observation Report form that will be completed by a teacher to report any unhealthy signs of a child. This form will then be signed by the recording teacher and by the parents.
2. Physical Exam
A current physical exam is needed at the time of admission or with in 30 days of enrollment.
3. Contagious Illness/Infectious diseases
CHICKENPOX -- Onset about 2-3 weeks after exposure, slight fever and irritability for one day; then fine blisters appear, first on the trunk, then on the face. Isolate child 7 days or until all scabs are dry whichever is longer.
STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTIONS -- (including scarlet fever and streptococcal sore throat). Onset usually 2-5 days after exposure; sore throat, fever. In some instances, a rash develops. If your child becomes ill, consult your physician immediately.
GERMAN MEASLES -- Onset about 2 week after exposure; slight head cold, swollen tender glands at back of neck, changeable rash which goes away in 2-3 days. Keep your child away from women who are in the first 3 month of their pregnancy. Isolate child until all symptoms disappear.
MEASLES -- Onset about 1-2 weeks after exposure; runny nose , watery eyes, fever (which may be quite high), cough. A blotchy rash appears on about the fourth day of illness. Isolate child for 7 days after the appearance of the rash.
MUMPS -- Onset about 2-3 weeks after exposure; Pain in the cheeks, increased by chewing; then swelling especially over the jaw and in the front of the ear. Isolate child until swelling has disappeared.
HEAD LICE -- For 2 weeks after exposure, observe hair and scalp at the neck line and around ears for eggs or nits (tiny, pearly-white, egg-shaped objects) which stick tightly to the hair shaft. Child may also complain of an “itchy” head. Consult your physician or pharmacist for treatment. Child is excluded from child care until treated. Other member of the child’s family should be checked carefully.
PINWORMS -- Itching of the anal area especially at night is the most common sign. The child may have insomnia or nightmares and may lose his/her appetite. Consult your physician if you suspect pinworms. Other members of the family should also be observed and treated.
CONJUNCTIVITIS (PINK EYE) -- Onset 24 -72 hours after exposure to an infected individual or articles, e.g. towels water pools, etc.
Can spread as longs as infection is active. Symptoms are irritated, tearing eyes, swollen lids, and yellow discharge that makes the eyelashes sticky. Children under 5 years are most susceptible.
Consult with physician for treatment. Isolate until symptoms disappear.
RINGWORM OF THE SCALP (Tinea Capitas) -- Onset 10-14 days after exposure to the infected hair from animals or man. Communicable as long as lesions are present. Signs are small ring shaped lesions, scaly patches of temporary baldness. See medical attention for medication; isolation impractical.
RINGWORM OF THE BODY (Inea Corporis) -- Onset 10-14 days after exposure to infected animals, persons, or other articles. Communicable as long as lesions are present. Signs are flat, spreading ring-shaped lesions. Treatment is through bathing and removal of scabs and crust and application of fungicide cream (e.g. Tinactin) Not practical to isolate child.
IMPETIGO (Streptococcal or staphylococcal skin infection) -- Inset 5 days after exposure to an infected individual. Appears as honey-crested sores around mouth, or nose or extremities. In very mild cases, soak and remove crust and cover with antibiotic cream. In other cases, seek medical treatment. No need to isolate child if under treatment or after 48 hours oral antibiotic begun.
HAND, FOOT, AND MOUTH DISEASE (Coxsackievirus) -- Onset is 3-5 days after exposure to respiratory secretions, or feces of infected individual. Communicable during acute stage of illness. Begins with sudden fever, then with small, painful sores in the mouth and throat (may also appear on hands, feet and legs). Seek medical attention for relief of symptoms.
GIARDIASIS -- Onset varies and ranges from 6-22 days after exposure to the feces of an infected individual. Communicable as long as the individual has active infections although that person may not have symptoms. Symptoms are often intermittent and may include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, bloating, frequent loose bowel movements which may be pale, greasy, and smelly. Suspected persons should have their feces tested and seek treatment. During outbreaks, all other children and adults in contact may get treated. May return to day care when treated.
SHIGELLOSIS -- Onset is usually 1-4 days after exposure to the feces or articles contaminated by the feces of an infected individual. Communicable during the time an individual has an infection. Diagnosis is made by testing the feces. Sign of infection are fever, diarrhea; vomiting, cramps. In severe cases, the feces may contain blood, mucus, or pus. Suspected cases should seek immediate medical treatment. Health department will follow-up contacts.
HEPATITIS A -- Onset is 15-50 days after the exposure to the feces of an infected individual. Signs are fever, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal discomfort. May be more severe in adults than in children. Very young children may not show signs but they can carry the germs and spread it to others. Suspected cases should seek medical treatment. During outbreaks, children, staff, and household should receive immunoglobulin protection.
Health department will follow-up contacts.
COVID -- Please remember the following information: Symptoms of COVID-19 typically appear 2 to 10 days after exposure to the virus. This virus can cause severe illness in individuals with underlying health conditions and in older adults. Please be vigilant for symptoms of this illness. Should you develop any of the following symptoms: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue (tiredness), vomiting or nausea, diarrhea, or conjunctivitis (pink eye), please get tested for COVID-19 and wear a mask. If the test result is negative, please retest one day later. If you experience difficulty breathing or are unresponsive, please go to the hospital. Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms should not return to work or school until they have completed their isolation period and have received a negative COVID test result.
4. When Your Child is Ill:
In order to prevent illnesses from being passed from one child to another, we can not allow your child to come to school if she/he has any symptoms which could be contagious. Therefore we have developed the following guideline to help you identify your child should stay home.
Your child should stay home, if she/he:
1. Has had a fever within the past 24 hours.
2. Has had diarrhea within the past 24 hours.
3. He/she is in the first 3 to 4 days of a cold, or the flu. Signs to look for are sore throat, yellow or green-colored mucus, low energy level, irritable mood, irregular sleeping or eating.
4. Other signs to watch for are:
· Ear discharge
· Difficulty breathing
· Croupy cough
· Unexplained rashes or sores
· Vomiting
· Headaches
· Red or watery eye
If your child has any of the above symptoms, she/he ought to see a doctor before coming back to school.
5. Sick Child Care
Please remember that even if your child is too sick for school, you can still receive low-cost child care in your home from the Sick Childcare Program (their phone number is 526-SICK). We suggest you call them by 10PM the night before their services are needed. We hope that by taking these steps, we can help keep illness under control, and that every one has a happy and healthy school year.
6. Medication Policy
If your child needs to be given any medication during center hours, we are required to have the following:
Medication Release form filled out and signed by the parent.
Medication must be in original container.
Directions for administering the medication.
Doctor’s Instruction are required for any prescribed medication, a form signed by a physician is required.
Medication in the bottle from the pharmacy stating name, dosage, time to be given and any side effects to watch for.
7. In Case of a Medical Emergency
If your child is involved in an accident or suffers a major illness during school hours, we will make every effort to notify you immediately about the condition and any medical treatment. Concurrently, we will contact the appropriate emergency agency (consistent with your request set forth in the emergency forms) you completed at registration to provide the necessary special care your child needs.
In the case of an emergency, and if the Center cannot make contact with you or your designated emergency contact, El Nuevo Mundo C.C. in it’s sole and unlimited discretion shall seek any necessary treatment, including, but not limited to , calling 911. The parent(s) or guardian(s) shall be responsible for any and all expenses incurred, in the event that this course of action becomes necessary.
In case of a medical emergency, children will be placed in isolation to protect the other children.
VI. Discipline Policy
1. Discipline
El Nuevo Mundo Bilingual Children’s Center approach to discipline is that of guiding children’s behavior and learning through the use of positive guidance techniques; to encourage the child to know that he/she has the ability to direct his/her behavior, therefore accepting responsibility for it (non-participation in the activity). Children are encouraged to use “time-out” when they feel out of control and need to “recollect” themselves; teachers will guide a child to recognize this. Once a child feels ready to rejoin a group or activity, he/she may do so.
Children are encouraged to verbalize that which is angering them and to seek constructive solutions. Children are not allowed to hurt others or to be destructive with materials/toys as a form of expression! If a child needs to vent his/her anger, El Nuevo Mundo staff guides the child to do so in a positive manner, i.e. pounding clay dough, kicking a ball, running, etc. In re-channeling the child’s anger, or disappointment, the child gains control of his/her feeling so that they can be discussed and acknowledge.
Learning how to express anger, sadness, and disappointment, as well as happiness and joy are vital skills toward the development of a secure and healthy child.
El Nuevo Mundo staff recognize the need for such expressions and guides the child to channel these emotions into positive actions, while still valuing the child’s emotional needs.
Under NO circumstances is a staff member to use direct physical punishment, mental or verbal abuse towards a child. Parents are not allowed to physically punish or verbally abuse their child(dren) while on the Center’s site.
2. Policy on Child Abuse Reporting
In California, all persons working directly with children are defined “Child care Custodians,” and are therefore mandated reporters of known or suspected abuse; this includes all licensees, administrators, teachers, teacher’s aides, and other employees of child care and daycare facilities. Child care facilities include both public and private centers and preschools, as well as family statement mandated reporter and will comply with the provisions of the Child Abuse Reporting Law. These signed statements must be kept in the employee’s file by the employer.
As a mandated reporter, we are required to make a report if we have knowledge of or have observed a child in our professional capacity, or within the scope of our employment, whom we know or reasonably suspect has been the victims of child abuse or neglect. El Nuevo Mundo staff uses their professional training, experience, and personal knowledge of the child and family to make an informed decision.
VII. Notice of Action
Appealing Procedure
Appeal Information: If you do not agree with the agency’s action as stated in the Notice of Action, you may appeal the intended action. To protect your appeal rights, you must follow the instructions described in each step listed below. If you do not respond by the required due dates or fail to submit the required appeal information with your appeal request, your appeal may be considered abandoned.
STEP 1: Complete the appeal information attached to the notification of action to request
a local hearing.
STEP 2: Mail or deliver your local hearing request within 14 days of receipt of this
notice to the school’s address. (1707 Pennsylvania Avenue, Richmond, CA
94801)
STEP 3: Within ten (10) calendar days following the agency’s receipt of your appeal request, the agency will notify you of the time and place of the hearing. You or your authorized representative are required to attend the hearing. If you or your representative do not attend the hearing, you have abandon your rights to an appeal, and the action of the agency will be implemented.
STEP 4: Within (10) calendar days following the hearing, the agency shall mail or delivery to you a written decision.
STEP 5: If you disagree with the written decision of the agency, you have 19 days from the date of the written decision to file an appeal with the California Department of Education (CDE). Your appeal to CDE must include the following documents and information: (1) a written statement specifying the reasons you believe the agency’s decision was incorrect, (2) a copy of the agency’s decision letter, and (3) a copy of both sides of this notice. Mail your appeal to the following address:
California Department of Education
Child Development Division
1430 N Street, Suite 3410
Sacramento, CA 95814
Attn: Appeals Coordinator
STEP 6: Within 30 calendar days after the receipt of your appeal, CDD will issue a written decision to you and the agency. If your appeal is denied, the agency will stop providing child care and development services immediately upon receipt of CDE’s decision letter.
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Índice
I. CENTRO BILINGUE PARA EL CUIDADO DE NIÑOS
· Bienvenida
· Descripción
· Comunicación entre el Hogar y la Escuela
· Elegibilidad y Capacidad del Centro
· Personal del Centro
II. EL PROGRAMA DE LOS NIÑOS
Filosofía, Metas, Objetivos, y Plan de Estudios
III. PROCEDIMIENTO DEL CENTRO
· Horario escolar
· Matricula
· Pagos
· Ausencias
· Dirección y cambios de horarios
· Llegada y Salida
· Nutrición
· Vestimenta de los niños
· La Salud de los Niños
· Celebración de Cumpleaños y Acontecimientos especiales de la Escuela
· Proyectos Artístico Infantiles
· Juguetes de Casa
· La Primera Semana de su Niño en el Centro
· Participación de los Padres de Familia
· Guarde los Desechables de su Casa
· Algunas Recetas para Jugar en Casa
· Un Día Típico en el Centro
· Edades y etapas: Un Pequeño Resumen del Desarrollo del Niño
· Enfermedades de la Niñez
I. CENTRO BILINGUE PARA EL CUIDADO DE SU NIÑO
Bienvenida
¡Saludos! La Familia del Centro le extiende una calurosa bienvenida a Ud. y a su niño(a) Deseamos que este manual les ayude a conocer su centro y ayude a su niño a sentirse como en casa. También deseamos llegar a conocerlos a Uds. mientras su niño(a) participa de las actividades en el Centro.
Descripción
El interés primordial del Centro es el desarrollo vital de los niños.
Deseamos que el Centro les dé una mejor oportunidad para una vida más significativa para Uds. que pertenecen a diferentes grupos culturales en las ciudades de Richmond y San Pablo. Nosotros les facilitamos para que los padres trabajen, se entrenen para un trabajo o adquieran una educación, mientras sus niños, están bien cuidados y educándose en una escuela cuyo programa pre-escolar bilingüe es de primera calidad. De esta manera alentamos tanto a los padres como a los niños del centro que sigan hacia adelante con aspiraciones, confianza, seguridad y esperanza.
ICRI- El Nuevo Mundo no esta afiliado a ninguna organización religiosa, no enseñamos religión y no oramos en el centro.
Pero si les enseñamos los valores morales y humanos para que sean mejores hijos y mejores ciudadanos.
Todos los niños son bienvenidos y no discriminamos a nadie debido a sus impedimentos físicos ni por su origen de nacionalidad, etnicidad, color o sexo. Cundo el centro no cuente con el personal ni los recursos para llenar las necesidades de niños con algunos impedimentos físicos o mentales, podremos sugerirles otras instituciones.
Comunicación entre el Hogar y la Escuela
Junto con Ud. y su familia nos gustaría desarrollar una relación de trabajo para el crecimiento y actividades de su niño(a). Por favor notifíquenos si algo nuevo sucede en su hogar, tal como el nacimiento de un niño(a), la visita de un familiar cercano, nueva adquisición etc. Para tener una comunicación más positiva.
Si Ud. tiene alguna pregunta, sugerencia o preocupación acerca de su niño(a) ó del programa escolar, por favor dígaselo inmediatamente a la maestra de su niño(a) por medio de una nota, una llamada telefónica o personalmente. Dos veces al año se lleva a cabo una conferencia entre padres y maestro para así poder intercambiar ideas y hacerle saber acerca del progreso de su niño.
Uds. como padres vienen a nosotros como los primeros y principales maestros de sus niños, enseñándoles por medio de su ejemplo al hablarles, escucharles, y contestarles sus preguntas, al darles cosas para que aprendan y jueguen en casa. Ahora que su niño está empezando la edad pre-escolar, la sabiduría y experiencia suya pueden ayudar que junto con los maestros se trabaje en conjunto para proporcionar a su niño(a) el mejor medio de aprendizaje posible.
Elegibilidad y Capacidad del Centro:
El Centro tiene licencia para atender a niños de 3 a 6 años de edad. Todos los niños matriculados deberán estar física y emocionalmente preparados para beneficiarse del programa de aprendizaje en grupo, que se ofrece. Para ser elegibles al programa auspiciado por el estado, los padres deben de tener bajos ingresos, que trabajen tiempo completo o estén asistiendo a un programa de entrenamiento autorizado.
Personal del Centro
El personal del centro lo forman: la directora, gerente de oficina, asistente administrativo, maestras principales, asistentes de maestras, una cocinera, y una persona de limpieza. La directora, él supervisor y las maestras principales tienen títulos académicos con licencias y maestrías.
II. EL PROGRAMA DE LOS NIÑOS
Filosofía, Metas, Objetivos y Plan de Estudio:
El Centro está interesado en el mundo infantil: Su capacidad de aprendizaje, su capacidad para comunicarse con otros, sus sentimientos y sus necesidades.
Nuestro programa pre-escolar bilingüe satisface las necesidades de los niños dándoles un ambiente seguro y estimulador. Tratamos de fomentar un ambiente donde los niños se sientan bien sobre si mismos, libres de poder hablar con otros niños, explorar lo que hay alrededor para así poder aumentar sus conocimientos.
Los Objetivos del Centro son:
1. Proveer una atmósfera agradable “un hogar fuera del hogar”
2. Proveer un programa nutritivo balanceado.
3. Ayudar a los niños y a sus padres a sentirse seguros de si mismos, y auto-respetarse.
4. Proveer un ambiente multicultural en el cual se hable inglés y español y al mismo tiempo se incluya la cultura de los niños matriculados en el centro.
5. Proveer un ambiente de aprendizaje que aumente el conocimiento y habilidades a través de experiencias directas y activas en cinco áreas básicas: Lenguaje, Matemáticas, y Ciencias, Expresión Creativa, Desarrollo Psicomotor y Arte.
6. Proveer una oportunidad para desarrollar habilidades sociales y entenderse con otros niños.
7. Dar consejos a los padres, niños y a la comunidad para poder satisfacer las necesidades de hoy y prepararse para el futuro.
Para poder llevar a cabo nuestra filosofía y metas, nuestro plan de estudio comienza con lo que los niños están interesados en hacer y al mismo tiempo de lo que son capaces de hacer. El programa del centro ha sido planeado para ayudar a su niño a tener buenas experiencias educativas. Dentro de las cosas de aprendizaje en el salón de clase, su niño tiene cada día una oportunidad de aprender nuevas cosas con la ayuda de las maestras, y son colocados en grupos especiales para ciertas actividades tales como artes lingüísticos y cocina. Una tabla al final del manual describe algunas de las actividades y materiales junto con sus propósitos. Los niños aprenden a trabajar juntos respetándose mutuamente. Se planean excursiones especiales pensando en la seguridad, educación, y entretenimiento de los niños. El horario de un día típico está incluido al final del manual.
La filosofía, las metas y el plan de estudio del Centro han sido directamente influenciados por la comunidad que la rodea. La variedad de la gente de Richmond y San Pablo, proveen un ambiente de aprendizaje variado para los niños de nuestro centro a través de los participantes escolares multi-étnicos, multiculturales y bilingües.
Además de nuestro ambiente multicultural, incluimos en nuestro plan de estudio personas y materiales de diferentes orígenes.
Apoyamos la participación de la comunidad desde el estudiante de la escuela secundaria hasta los voluntarios adultos. Los niños tienen la oportunidad de expandir sus propias identidades culturales así como ambos idiomas (inglés y español) para que aprendan los conceptos básicos en ambos idiomas, el personal del centro esta capacitado para ayudarlos en su propio idioma. Esta actividad multicultural es una adición esencial al servicio del cuidado de niños en Richmond- San Pablo. (El Centro es el único centro bilingüe para el cuidado de niños, de familias de bajos recursos económicos en West Contra Costa.)
III. PROCEDIMIENTOS DEL CENTRO
Matrícula
Toda familia que esté interesada en inscribir a sus niños, debe llenar una serie de formas que son obligatorias por el Departamento de Educación y que son necesarias para la seguridad y el funcionamiento del centro. Cada padre debe entregar una evaluación satisfactoria de la salud de su niño, firmada por un doctor.
Las vacunas para DPT, polio, varicela y tuberculosis deben estar al día mientras su niño atiende la escuela.
Su niño(a) no será aceptado(a) si no tiene el formulario del Dr. con todas las vacunas.
Pagos:
El pago de colegiatura mensual varía de acuerdo con los ingresos económicos de la familia. Se toma en consideración el número de dependientes y si tiene otros niños pequeños por los que pagan colegiatura. Los pagos mensuales deben de hacerse durante los primeros 7 días del mes, se le dará aviso que su cuenta no está al corriente y si para el 15 del mes no han pagado y no se han comunicado con el centro para pedir una extensión de días, su niño(a) será retirado del centro.
Igualmente se les pide a los padres, si es posible, que paguen los gastos para las excursiones de sus niños y que ayuden a la escuela participando en algunas actividades para colectar dinero.
Ausencias:
Vacaciones son permitidas hasta 10 días por año, otras ausencias tienen que ser justificadas.
Favor de avisar a la escuela por la mañana si su niño(a) va a estar ausente y la razón. Si su niño(a) falta a la escuela por tres días ó más deberá traer una nota del Dr. indicando la razón de la ausencia.
Si su niño(a) va a estar ausente por razones de vacaciones favor de avisar a su maestra y a la administracion con una semana de anticipación.
Dirección y Cambios de Horario:
Notificar al Centro inmediatamente si se muda o cambia de casa, escuela, trabajo, de número de teléfono. También háganos saber si la información de la persona que Ud. puso en caso de emergencia a cambiado. Para la seguridad de su niño, necesitamos saber a toda hora donde podemos localizar a Ud. y/o a la(s) persona(s) que esté(n) encargada(s) de su cuidado.
Cambio de Ingresos:
Si su salario aumenta, baja ó se queda sin trabajo deberá de notificarlo inmediatamente, para hacer los ajustes necesarios.
Días Festivos:
El centro observa los días de fiestas siguientes 4 de julio “Día de la Independencia,” en septiembre “Día del Trabajo,” en octubre “Día de la Raza.” Noviembre “Día del Veterano y Día de Acción de Gracias” en diciembre “Navidad,” en enero “Año Nuevo y Día de Martín Luther King Jr.” Febrero “Día de los Presidentes,” marzo “Cesar Chávez,” abril “Viernes Santo,” mayo “Memorial Day y Cinco de Mayo”
Llegada y Salida:
Cuando venga al Centro tiene Ud. la oportunidad de poder hablar unos minutos con la maestra u otros padres de familia. También puede ver las noticias y acontecimientos de la escuela y la comunidad en el boletín.
Se pide que un adulto recoja a su niño(a) cada día, puede ser uno de los padres u otra persona mayor de 18 años de edad.
Hágale saber a la maestra quien es responsable de traer y recoger a su niño(a) Le recomendamos que su niño sea traído y recogido a la misma hora todo los días, esta rutina ayuda al niño(a) a anticipar lo que viene. La hora de llegada es de las 8:00 a.m. hasta las 9:00 a.m. Para que su niño(a) tome desayuno en la escuela, debe llegar antes de las 8:30. (Deacuerdo a su contrato)
Cuando deje o recoja a su niño, escriba su nombre completo, ayude a su niño(a) a encontrar su casillero para que deje su abrigo, chompa ó suéter.
Cuando lo recoja también firme y mire nuevamente su casillero para recoger sus cosas y los proyectos que se hacen diariamente. El día escolar termina a las 4:15 p.m. Por favor recoja a su niño a esta hora diariamente. (Deacuerdo a su contrato)
En caso de una demora para recoger a su niño(a) llame por teléfono al centro.
Es responsabilidad de los padres de recoger a sus niños a la hora indicada de lo contrario sus niños podrán ser suspendidos del programa.
Nutrición
Todos los días los niños tienen un desayuno bien balanceado, un almuerzo nutritivo y caliente preparados por la cocinera y una merienda por la tarde preparado por las asistentes y los niños. Por favor no envié dulces, goma de mascar u otras cosas para comer con su niño.
Vestimenta del Niño
La escuela adopto el uso de uniforme a pedido de los padres. El uniforme consiste de : jumper, falda o pantalón azul obscuro, blusa, camisa o polo (t-shirt) blanca. Saco ,sweater, chompa o chamarra azul obscuro. Los viernes es día libre y los niños pueden usar la ropa que gusten.
Vista al niño con ropa cómoda para que ni Ud. ni él se preocupen si se ensucia. Toda su ropa deberá estar marcada con el nombre del niño(a) Una caja con ropa extraviada esta ubicada en cada salón de su niño(a) La caja de su niño(a) debe tener siempre un cambio completo de ropa. La ropa mojada ó sucia deberá llevarse a casa el mismo día.
La Salud de su Niño:
Los padres son responsables de revisar a sus niños cada mañana y estar seguros que no tengan ninguna enfermedad. Si Ud. tiene duda sobre la salud de su niño(a), por favor ¡déjelo en casa! Se hace esto con la mejor intención por el bienestar de su niño(a), los demás niños y el personal del programa.
Las maestras estarán al pendiente de algún signo de enfermedad y en caso necesario, se comunicarán con Ud. para que venga a recogerlo.
Si su niño(a) ha estado ausente debido a alguna enfermedad contagiosa, se requiere nota del Dr.
Si su niño está tomando alguna medicina, esto deberá ser discutido con la maestra y Ud. debe traer una forma firmada por el Dr. ordenando que se le dé dicha medicina. Niños con cualquier enfermedad contagiosa no podrán asistir al centro.
Si su niño se enferma o tiene algún accidente en la escuela, Ud. ó la persona a cargo será notificada de inmediato para que decidan llevar ó no al niño al doctor. En caso de accidente de gravedad, se le notificará a usted inmediatamente y se llevará al niño a emergencia del hospital de Richmond, dependiendo del seguro que cubra a la familia.
Celebración de Cumpleaños y Acontecimientos Especiales de la Escuela:
Nos agrada celebrar el cumpleaños de su niño(a) junto con el resto de la clase. Cada niño está invitado a celebrar trayendo su pastel, galletas, pizza, gelatina ú otro postre. Ud. está invitado para la celebración de su niño(a) que será durante el refrigerio de la tarde. Háganos saber si vendrá y que es lo que traerá.
Una bonita tradición es la donación de algún libro a nombre de su niño. Se puede traer el libro favorito de su niño ó pregunte a la maestra para que le de sugerencias
Durante el año escolar, varias excursiones se planean para los niños. Ud. debe firmar un permiso para cada excursión que su niño(a) participe, él / ella no puede ir sin el permiso y tampoco puede quedarse en la escuela. El uso de la playera ,polo ( -Tshirt con el nombre de la escuela es obligatorio para todos los paseos).
Proyectos Artístico Infantiles:
Los proyectos que su niño(a) hace cada día se guardan en su casillero con su nombre. Si estos proyectos de arte no se recogen durante la semana, se tendrán que retirar el día viernes. Su niño(a) se siente muy orgulloso de los proyectos que hace y por esta razón le gustaría que Ud. los viera y los exhiba en su casa.
Juguetes de Casa:
Juguetes de casa no son permitidos con excepción del día viernes que es día de compartir y los niños están bienvenidos a traer algo que estén dispuestos a compartir con sus compañeros.
Se recomienda que no se traigan juguetes caros o unicos pues si se rompen ó pierden su niño se sentirá triste. Si desea puede traer un disco ó un libro para que la maestra lo comparta con los otros niños durante el día.
La Primera Semana de su Niño en el Centro
Aunque su niño(a) esté acostumbrado a otros niños, la primera semana en el centro será una nueva experiencia al acostumbrarse a las nuevas personas, el nuevo ambiente y los materiales. Dejar a sus padres las primeras veces puede ser una experiencia muy difícil es por eso que nosotros queremos ayudar tanto al niño como a los padres.
Le sugerimos que su niño(a) se quede medio día la primera vez y el día completo después (eso es si su niño ha de asistir todo el día.)
Por favor planee quedarse una hora con su niño el primer día para que así se familiarice con el centro. No deje de despedirse de su niño(a) todos los días cuando se vaya. Hemos notado que cuando los padres se despiden de sus niños con cariño la despedida se hace más fácil. Sea firme con el niño, si llora no se preocupe y esté seguro que a los cinco minutos que Ud. se vaya él / ella se habrá calmado.
El centro opera sobre las bases de no-discriminación, y da igual tratamiento y acceso de servicios sin hacer diferencias de raza, color, credo, religión o nacionalidad.
Niños que estén físicamente inválidos o emocionalmente incapacitados no serán aceptados sin antes hacer los tramites especiales con la escuela.
Participación de los Padres:
Su cooperación y participación es la clave del éxito de su niño(a) en la escuela. La confianza en si mismo aumentará en su niño(a) cuando el se de cuenta que a Ud. le importa compartir sus experiencias escolares. Necesitamos su cooperación en la forma que Ud. mejor pueda, tales como visitas al salón de clase y su participación haciendo ó terminando proyectos en casa, contribuyendo con materiales etc. Al final del manual se da más información acerca de como los padres pueden ayudar.
Los padres deberán asistir a las dos conferencias entre padres y maestros y a las reuniones mensuales de la Mesa Directiva de Padre que están programadas durante el año escolar. Estas reuniones son obligatorias. Para las reuniones de padres con maestros se recomienda que ambos padres participen en estas reuniones.