Cornerstone employees may not be contracted for child care service outside the Center by current clients.

Cornerstone provides complimentary linen service for cot linens, crib sheets, infant blankets and the cloths we use in infant feeding.

We encourage children arriving at the Center before 8:00a.m., who are not inclined to have breakfast at home, to bring along simple, nutritious finger foods like Cheerios©, hard cheese and crackers, or fresh sliced fruits packed in disposable containers. We always have milk and juice available. A nutritious snack is provided at about 9:00a.m.

Parents are expected to provide sufficient clean, seasonally appropriate clothing, including bibs (as appropriate) and undergarments for daily use. One complete change of clothing is mandatory. Children in the process of toilet learning should have from three to six full changes of clothing on hand.

Be sure to select clothing that is comfortable for your child and easy for you to launder and is simple enough for him to (learn to) put on and take off by himself. Children grow almost overnight so check frequently to be sure that sizes of the clothing you leave at the Center remain ample. Iron-on labels or laundry markers should be used to identify each item.

Please remember that children go outside every day and will need appropriate outerwear including hats, snowsuits, boots and mittens in the winter if appropriate. In the summer include a sun hat, bathing suit, towel and water shoes. If your child wears boots or sandals remember to pack sneakers. Kidstop provides sunscreen and staff apply it regularly throughout sunny days provided we have written parental authorization to do so. All personal belongings should be stored in your child's cubbie.

Abuse and neglect of the nation's children is a serious and highly prevalent problem. Cornerstone endeavors to meet its obligation to protect the children in its care from abuse and neglect in the following ways:

 

• As "mandatory reporters," our staff is trained in child abuse detection and reporting requirements on an annual basis.
• We check every child each day upon arrival. We seek explanations for injuries and complaints from the children.
• Staff are attentive to changes in children's behaviors, moods, attitudes and expressions. Unusual patterns are noted and shared with parents.
• We provide an "open care" environment with large rooms, many staff members constantly about, lots of windows, few doors and walls and an "open door policy" with regard to parental visits.
• Positive identification is required from any adult entering the premises.
• Children may not be removed from the Center except by duly authorized persons who have been positively identified.
• We encourage parents to use child safety seats, sunscreens, and appropriate discipline. We advise parents about nutrition, seasonal dress, typical child behavior and development.
• We encourage families having difficulties with their children to avail themselves of competent counselling. We provide referrals on request.
• Cornerstone is required by state law to report any evidence or suspicion that a child or children are being or have been abused or neglected directly to the state Department of Children and Families. We accept our charter as a "mandatory reporter" without equivocation.

At Cornerstone we believe that self discipline is best. Children in an active, child-driven and engaging program rarely require discipline. Such an environment encourages children to develop respect for others, self-control and social adjustment.

We believe children will develop self discipline if we:

• act as we expect them to act
• set reasonable and positive expectations
• respect their feelings and their need to express them
• trust them to succeed
• offer them good choices
• calmly resolve issues

At Cornerstone we:

• recognize and reinforce positive behaviors (all ages)
• redirect children to choose alternative choices
  (especially important for infants and younger toddlers)
• initiate problem solving, determine and discuss appropriate behaviors (especially important for older toddlers and preschoolers).

Time out is the only disciplinary sanction Cornerstone employs. Time out is appropriate for children 2.9 years in age and older only. Time out is not meant to be punitive as much as an opportunity for a child to regain self control. It is done in a non-specific space, aside from the main stream of activities, in the program space or in the office. Time out may only occur under continuous staff supervision and is limited to one minute for each year the child is in age.

Children who are disruptive, violent, crying inconsolably or those who are in the midst of a temper tantrum or other severe behavioral episode will visit in the office under one-on-one visual supervision for the period necessary to achieve control. Regrouping and reentry to group play is often easier without the distraction of an audience.

In the event of recurrent or severe behavioral problems, the teacher contacts the parent to discuss the problem and possible solutions. The Center works with outside experts and the parents to develop a plan to modify the behavior. The Center may refer the family to a behavioral therapist/child psychologist. The Center may require this referral as a condition of continued enrollment.

Anything that would cause physical or emotional harm to a child, including but not limited to abusive, neglectful, corporal, humiliating, or frightening punishment, and physical restraint, unless such restraint is necessary to protect the health and safety of the child or other people, is prohibited.

Cornerstone is operated for profit and is supported primarily by parent paid tuition. The Center does not seek to raise funds through solicitation or through events designed exclusively for that purpose. Cornerstone cannot accept monetary donations, gifts-in-kind, commodities or government or charitable grants other than in aid to individual children.

A current certificate of good health (not more than twelve months old) signed by the child's physician is required at the time of enrollment. Recertification is required annually up to the year the child enters school. Thereafter, the school's requirement for such is satisfactory.

Enrolled children are required to have completed immunizations appropriate to their age.

Children new to a child care center or school environment will doubtless contract more frequent colds and other ailments than they would at home. Be prepared for it and be assured that as your child's immunities are strengthened by exposure, episodes of illness will be less frequent and less severe.

We require that you inform us whenever you know that your child has been exposed to a contagious disease. Some communicable childhood diseases include chicken pox, German measles, impetigo, fifth disease, measles, mumps, pinkeye, ring worm, scarlet fever, strep throat and whooping cough. Children exhibiting one or more of the following symptoms should not be brought to the Center, or must be removed immediately:

• elevated temperature*
• nasal discharge (other than clear)
• vomiting*
• diarrhea*
• reddened eyes
• listlessness
• undue irritability or inability to be made comfortable.
• an unexplained rash

* readmission will be permitted 24 hours after the last episode

If your child is seen by a physician to treat an illness or injury, written authorization is required for your child to return to the Center. This helps us to ensure that the Center remains relatively free of communicable disease and that your child is able to resume vigorous activity without harm.

We believe that children healthy enough to be at the Center are healthy enough to participate in all aspects of the program including outdoor play. Please do not request that we exclude your child from outdoor play. Such a request is not possible for us to honor without jeopardizing the safety and quality of the play program for other children.

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