About Us

Your Child Is in Great Hands

Philosophy

Staff at Under the Stars Childcare work to develop caring, respectful, and responsive relationships with children from infancy through 12 years of age by partnering with families to support a child’s growth and development. We respect each child’s individualized pattern and timing of growth, as well as individual personality, interests, culture, logic and family background and we consider diversity the fabric to our program. We also value the interaction between the individual and environment, seeing it as the basis for more complex learning and growth. Children come to own newfound understanding and knowledge when it is integrated into their daily experiences in active and meaningful ways. The schedule and space is structured to allow children to select activities based on their individual needs. Knowledge is not given to children; they learn through playful and meaningful interactions with materials and people. This means that each child processes experiences uniquely.

Health & Safety

Background Checks

Criminal background checks are run on all staff in our program including provider's, assistant's, and substitute's.

Child Abuse

My love of children prompts me to help provide the best possible life experiences for them. I have been trained to recognize the signs of abuse and neglect, and under Vermont law I have the right and responsibility to observe the physical and emotional condition of the children in my care without notice or prior consent. Furthermore, as a mandated reporter, I am required by Vermont law to report any known or reasonably suspected instances of child abuse or neglect to Social Services.

CPR/First Aid

All provider's in the program are certified in infant, child and adult CPR/First Aid.

Injury

Active children accumulate bumps, bruises, scratches and scrapes often through active play. Superficial injuries, including biting, will be treated with soap and water, a Band-Aid and/or ice as needed, and lots of TLC. An Injury Report will be filled out for any injuries requiring treatment. After both parent and teacher sign the report, one copy will be given to the parent to take home and the other copy will be placed in the child’s file. Injuries requiring treatment will also be recorded in the medical log. Parents have access to medical log entries involving their child.

If a serious injury, including a serious head injury, occurs I will call 911 and the child requiring emergency care will be transported by ambulance to the hospital. Parents will be contacted as soon as possible after calling 911. If a parent cannot be reached immediately the emergency contact person on the enrollment form will be notified. Payment of any bills or charges incurred from the ambulance and/or other medical care is the responsibility of the parent.

Loss of Services

If the center loses the use of heat, water or electricity at any time during the day I will evaluate the situation to see whether care can be provided without undue loss of quality. If safe, quality care cannot be provided under the circumstances, I will notify each family to pick up their child/ren as soon as possible, and the center will remain closed until safe, quality care can be provided. Because I am not in control of such situations payment in full is due for days that the center is closed due to loss of services.

Safe Release

In order to keep your child safe, I will only release a child to his/her parents and to persons listed on the enrollment form. If anyone other than the child's parent or a person listed on the enrollment form is to pick up a child, I need to be notified in advance in writing, email or phone call. The person will be required to show a picture ID before he/she is the child will be released into their care.

Safe Transport

My first responsibility is to protect the health and safety of the children in my care. When children are dropped off and picked up they need to be transported safely. Use of drugs or alcohol can create an unsafe transportation situation for children. If I am concerned that the child cannot be safely transported I will ask that the child not be transported and will propose the alternatives listed below.

I will call someone to pick up the child from the list of people who are authorized to do so on the child's Enrollment Form.
I will call a cab to pick up the child and the parent, or the person who is picking up the child. The parent or person who is picking up the child will pay the cab fare.
- The regular late pick-up fee will be charged under these circumstances.

While I cannot keep a child from a parent or legal guardian, I will not hesitate to call the local authorities if I feel the child is in danger. Substitute and/or additional caregivers are also required to follow these guidelines.

Sun Safety

To promote good health, safety and protection from harmful ultraviolet rays, sunscreen will be used regularly during all outside activities.

Based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Cancer Society:

Areas of shade will be available and children will be encouraged to play in them on very sunny days.
Please apply a base coat of sunscreen to your child/ren before bringing him/her to care.
You will be required to provide sinscreen for you child that is a minimum of SPF of 30. Please be sure to try it on your child at home to test for allergic reactions before sending it to child care.
Sunscreen will be applied before going outside and re-applied if we go outside more than 4 hours after the first application.
You are encouraged to provide a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses that offer UVA & UVB protection for your child/ren to wear outside.
A Sunscreen/Insect Repellent Authorization Form must be completed and on file before I'm allowed to apply sunscreen to your child. This form will be valid for as long as your child is enrolled at Under the Stars Childcare unless you submit a written update to the form.