Parent Handbook

Rise N Shine Daycare

Frankie Rich

931.214.3130 frankiesrisenshinedaycare@gmail.com

410 Green Springs Rd, Cookeville TN, 38506

Welcome

Welcome to our in-home daycare! We are honored that you are considering us to care for your child. Our goal is to provide a safe, nurturing, and structured environment where children can learn, grow, and feel loved. This handbook outlines our policies, expectations, and procedures to ensure clear communication between families and our program.

Mission

Our mission is to provide high-quality child care that supports each child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. We believe children thrive best in a warm, consistent environment that encourages curiosity, respect, and positive relationships.

Enrollment

In order to ensure appropriate ratio levels at all times of the day, you will need to provide specific hours of care needed for your child. Prior to your child’s start date, please feel free to schedule as many visits as necessary to help familiarize you and your child to the center. This is an excellent way to help your child feel comfortable in the center setting.

Open door policy! Our doors are open to parents of children that are enrolled at all hours during the day. Stop by to see how your child is interacting with others and get your hands messy with involvement.

Hours of Operation

Days: Monday - Friday
Hours: 7:00AM - 4:30PM

Please arrive and depart on time. Consistent schedules help children feel secure and allow us to operate smoothly.

Enrollment Requirements

Before a child may begin care, the following must be completed:

Enrollment application
Emergency contact information
Immunization record or exemption
Signed parent handbook acknowledgment
Any required fees

Tuition & Fees

Weekly Tuition:

Infants (6 weeks - 12 months) ... $180/wk
Toddler (1 year - 3 year) ... $180/wk
Preschool (3 year - 5 year) ... $180/wk

A deposit (2 weeks of payment) is due to start care. This is applied to the last two weeks of care when notice is given.
Payment is due the Friday before care by 4:30PM.
Families with more than one child attending shall receive a multi-child discount with the youngest child paying full price, the oldest receiving a 10% discount and any child in between receiving a 10% discount.
A $35.00 fee will be charged for returned checks. We will have the option to refuse any future checks.
Childcare fees can only be prepaid for one month in advance. If prepayment is made and your child leaves Rise N Shine Daycare before the funds are used, the remaining prepayment is forfeited.
There are times when a child may not attend the center, regular fees will apply while the child/children are not attending to hold the position.
Accepted Payment Methods: Cash check or Venmo

Late Payment Policy

Payments not received by the due date will result in immediate suspension of care. $50 a day (Monday - Sunday) will be added to owed dues until payment is made. All dues must be paid before care is provided in all circumstances, this includes all fees.

Holidays and Closure

Rise N Shine Daycare will be closed during the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day/ the following Friday and 2 days at Christmas. If a holiday falls on a weekend the day off will be the Friday before or Monday after. Regular fees will apply for these days.

We will also be closed one week in the summer for vacation time. Parents/Guardians will be notified 2 weeks in advance. Regular fees will apply.

In the instance that your provider falls ill and is unable to open care, the provider will notify parent, guardians as soon as possible. Regular fees will apply up through 5 sick days, anything further will be discussed if necessary.

Inclement Weather

In the event of inclement weather, we will make every attempt to open as usual. However, we will close if conditions warrant such action. We will contact families by telephone, text. Regular fees will apply. If the center is open, but because of severe weather and/or road conditions the administration decides to close early, families will be notified by phone. Regular fees will apply.

Drop-Off & Pick-Up

To ensure that each child is safe and supervised at all times and to foster daily communication between families and staff, a parent or authorized guardian must accompany each child into the center and ensure that the child is under supervision before leaving the premises.

Parents/ guardians are responsible for checking their child in and out each day in the binder at the front entrance.
Children will be released only to a parent or to persons whose names are listed on the Child Release Form.
Families should give advance notice, in writing or a phone call, if alternate, or a person not listed on the original form, is to pick up their child. For the safety of the child, photo id will be requested of persons picking up children.
If your child is going to be absent or arrive after 8:00AM please let us know before 7:00AM. This is necessary to get a count for meals.

Late Pick-Up

Late pick-ups may result in additional fees of $5 per minute per child. Fees are required to be paid before the next care day.

Health & Illness Policy

Children will be excluded from the childcare setting for the following reasons:

Illness that prevents the child from participating comfortably in program activities.
Illness that results in a greater need for care than our staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children.
Fever (101° axillary) • Diarrhea - Two stools that are uncontrolled, unformed stools that cannot be contained in a diaper/ underwear or toilet.
Vomiting - Two or more times
Rash with fever or behavioral changes
Conjunctivitis (defined as pink eye)
Mouth Sores - with drooling unless the child’s physician has determined the illness not to be a communicable disease
Any communicable illness

We ask that for your child’s comfort and to reduce the risk of contagion, children be picked up immediately when a parent is called. Please notify us if your child has been exposed to a contagious illness.

Medication Policy

We do not administer medication.

Meals & Snacks

Breakfast, lunch and all snacks will be provided. Meals and snacks are carefully planned to provide children with the necessary nutritional content. A board is located in the front entrance to inform you of the weekly lunch and snack menu.

Meals/snacks provided: (you must feed your child breakfast before drop off if you will be later than 8AM)

Breakfast is served daily at 8AM
Lunch is served daily at 11PM
Snack is Provided at 2PM

Parents must inform us of any allergies or dietary restrictions.
We ask that no food be brought in from home unless pre approved.

Nap & Rest Time

Children will have an afternoon rest period after lunch. The center provides rest cots/mats. Your child may bring a special blanket from home. We will send home your child’s nap time blanket the last day of each week to be washed.

Nap / Rest time is daily at 11:45PM

Safe sleep practices are followed at all times.

Daily Schedule

Our daily schedule may include:

7:00 - 7:45 Welcome/Check-in
8:00 - 8:30 Breakfast
8:30 - 8:45 Circle Time
8:45 - 9:30 Play Centers
9:30 - 10:00 Outdoor Play/Gross Motor Activities
10:00 - 10:30 Arts and craft
10:30 - 10:45 Transition to Lunch
11:00 - 11:30 Lunch
11:30 - 11:45 Transition to Nap
11:45 - 1:45 Rest/Nap
1:45 - 2:00 Transition to Snack
2:00 - 2:15 Snack
2:15 - 3:30 Play Centers
3:30 - 4:00 Outdoor Play/Gross Motor Activities
4:00 - 4:30 Pick-up

Send a bottle and formula / breast milk for each feeding (we can not reuse bottles during the day)
5 to 6 bottles are enough for a 10-hour day. Your child’s bottle should be plastic and capped and all bottles and caps should be clearly labeled with your child’s full name. All bottles will be sent home at the end of the day
Until the child is able to eat table food and drink milk, it is the parent’s responsibility to provide for their child’s needs. Supplies of food and formula must be labeled. Foods that are opened at the center will be stored, dated and used within 48 hours. The child will be fed from a bowl and not from a jar.
In order to maintain consistency from home to the center, and meet the individual needs of children, babies will eat according to their own schedule. For older infants and toddlers, the center will supply all snacks (e.g., crackers, fruit, snacks, juice, etc.).
Please provide a cup for your child to use.
To comply with DHS we do not use infant feeders
Each child needs to bring 3 medium bibs at enrollment to keep at the center.
Toys and other personal items should not be brought into the center.
A minimum of 10 diapers are to be provided at all times

Schedules may vary based on children’s needs.

Potty time

Children that are not potty trained must supply a sufficient amount of diapers, a canister of diaper wipes and diaper rash cream. An authorization for medication form must be filled out by the parent and left with the diaper cream. These guidelines will be followed:

Children will be praised for their efforts and accomplishments.

Toilet learning shall not be forced. Individual developmental abilities of each child shall be considered.
Children shall not be punished emotionally or physically for soiling, wetting or not using the toilet.
Families should provide sufficient extra clothing for their children.
To be successful when the process starts we require no pull-ups. (From years of experience we have found this only hinders the learning process.)

Clothing soiled with stool could be a health hazard unless properly cared for. Stool will be emptied in the toilet. After stool is removed, clothing will be placed in a plastic bag and tightly sealed. The bag will be put in a place away from the child’s reach for the parents to take home. This method of caring for soiled clothing will reduce disease carrying germs and help maintain the other children’s good health.

Clothing

Dress your child in play clothes that wash easily, so that your child may enjoy all the activities. The children are involved in active and sometimes “messy” play and go outdoors daily, it is important that they are dressed appropriately. Please provide an extra set of clothes for accidents, each season of the year. Clothing will be kept in each child’s cubby and used as needed.

Birthday

If you wish to celebrate your child’s birthday during afternoon snack time at the center, please discuss your plans prior. We can advise you of any food allergies or scheduling conflicts.

Discipline & Guidance

We use positive guidance techniques such as redirection, encouragement, and clear expectations. Physical punishment or harsh discipline is never used.

When biting happens, our response will be to care for and help the child who was bitten, help the biter to learn other behavior and examine our program to maintain an environment that is consistent with children’s needs. Our focus will not be on punishment for biting, but on effective techniques that address the specific reason for biting. The child will not understand delayed punishment at home. A report will be written for the child who was bitten. A notice is sent to the parents of the child who did the biting. We will work together with the families of the biter and the bitten child to keep them informed and to develop strategies for change. We will make every effort to modify the behavior quickly. However, after two notices we may terminate care.

Personal Belongings

Please label all personal items. We are not responsible for lost or damaged belongings.

Emergency Procedures

In the event of an emergency:

Parents will be contacted immediately.
Emergency services will be called if needed.

Fire, weather, and evacuation plans are practiced monthly.

Termination of Care

Care may be terminated by either party with two weeks' notice. Immediate termination may occur if policies are repeatedly violated or if a child’s needs cannot be met safely.

Reporting abuse and neglect

Individuals working with children are required by law to report cases to the appropriate state authorities if they have reasonable cause to believe or suspect a child is suffering from abuse or neglect or is in danger of abuse or neglect. It then becomes the role of DCS to determine if the report of abuse or neglect is substantiated and to work with the family to ensure the child’s needs are met. Rise N Shine Daycare will cooperate fully with any investigation and will maintain confidentiality concerning any report of suspected child abuse or neglect. Our concern is always the protection of the child.

Parent Communication

We value open communication! Please feel free to discuss questions or concerns via text, email or call during nap time. Due to the nature of the work I will not be available during the day for immediate responses. I will do my best to get back to you as quickly as possible. We can always schedule a meeting for after hours in advance.

When Good Things Happen Tell us! Compliments reinforce the good things that are happening in the child’s life, either at home or, at the center. Keeping in touch and working together is the best way to ensure a high quality education for our children, and to help ensure their success not only in the center and the early years, but also in life.

At any time if you have concerns or questions about your child or their care please reach out. We know that for your child to have a good experience here that communicating will need to be top priority. Remember we have an open door policy for families at all times. Above all we hope to get to know you and to offer you and your child a safe, caring and discovery – filled environment.

This handbook is subject to updates. Parents will be notified of any changes.

Parent Handbook

Rise N Shine Daycare

Frankie Rich

931.214.3130 frankiesrisenshinedaycare@gmail.com

410 Green Springs Rd, Cookeville TN, 38506

Welcome

Mission

Our mission is to provide high-quality child care that supports each child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. We believe children thrive best in a warm, consistent environment that encourages curiosity, respect, and positive relationships.

Enrollment

Open door policy! Our doors are open to parents of children that are enrolled at all hours during the day. Stop by to see how your child is interacting with others and get your hands messy with involvement.

Hours of Operation

Days: Monday - Friday

Hours: 7:00AM - 4:30PM

Please arrive and depart on time. Consistent schedules help children feel secure and allow us to operate smoothly.

Enrollment Requirements

Before a child may begin care, the following must be completed:

Enrollment application

Emergency contact information

Immunization record or exemption

Signed parent handbook acknowledgment

Any required fees

Tuition & Fees

Weekly Tuition:

Infants (6 weeks - 12 months) ... $180/wk

Toddler (1 year - 3 year) ... $180/wk

Preschool (3 year - 5 year) ... $180/wk

A deposit (2 weeks of payment) is due to start care. This is applied to the last two weeks of care when notice is given.

Payment is due the Friday before care by 4:30PM.

Families with more than one child attending shall receive a multi-child discount with the youngest child paying full price, the oldest receiving a 10% discount and any child in between receiving a 10% discount.

A $35.00 fee will be charged for returned checks. We will have the option to refuse any future checks.

Childcare fees can only be prepaid for one month in advance. If prepayment is made and your child leaves Rise N Shine Daycare before the funds are used, the remaining prepayment is forfeited.

There are times when a child may not attend the center, regular fees will apply while the child/children are not attending to hold the position.

Accepted Payment Methods: Cash check or Venmo

Late Payment Policy

Payments not received by the due date will result in immediate suspension of care. $50 a day (Monday - Sunday) will be added to owed dues until payment is made. All dues must be paid before care is provided in all circumstances, this includes all fees.

Holidays and Closure

We will also be closed one week in the summer for vacation time. Parents/Guardians will be notified 2 weeks in advance. Regular fees will apply.

In the instance that your provider falls ill and is unable to open care, the provider will notify parent, guardians as soon as possible. Regular fees will apply up through 5 sick days, anything further will be discussed if necessary.

Inclement Weather

Drop-Off & Pick-Up

To ensure that each child is safe and supervised at all times and to foster daily communication between families and staff, a parent or authorized guardian must accompany each child into the center and ensure that the child is under supervision before leaving the premises.

Parents/ guardians are responsible for checking their child in and out each day in the binder at the front entrance.

Children will be released only to a parent or to persons whose names are listed on the Child Release Form.

Families should give advance notice, in writing or a phone call, if alternate, or a person not listed on the original form, is to pick up their child. For the safety of the child, photo id will be requested of persons picking up children.

If your child is going to be absent or arrive after 8:00AM please let us know before 7:00AM. This is necessary to get a count for meals.

Late Pick-Up

Late pick-ups may result in additional fees of $5 per minute per child. Fees are required to be paid before the next care day.

Health & Illness Policy

Children will be excluded from the childcare setting for the following reasons:

Illness that prevents the child from participating comfortably in program activities.

Illness that results in a greater need for care than our staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children.

Fever (101° axillary) • Diarrhea - Two stools that are uncontrolled, unformed stools that cannot be contained in a diaper/ underwear or toilet.

Vomiting - Two or more times

Rash with fever or behavioral changes

Conjunctivitis (defined as pink eye)

Mouth Sores - with drooling unless the child’s physician has determined the illness not to be a communicable disease

Any communicable illness

We ask that for your child’s comfort and to reduce the risk of contagion, children be picked up immediately when a parent is called. Please notify us if your child has been exposed to a contagious illness.

Medication Policy

We do not administer medication.

Meals & Snacks

Breakfast, lunch and all snacks will be provided. Meals and snacks are carefully planned to provide children with the necessary nutritional content. A board is located in the front entrance to inform you of the weekly lunch and snack menu.

Meals/snacks provided: (you must feed your child breakfast before drop off if you will be later than 8AM)

Breakfast is served daily at 8AM

Lunch is served daily at 11PM

Snack is Provided at 2PM

Parents must inform us of any allergies or dietary restrictions.

We ask that no food be brought in from home unless pre approved.

Nap & Rest Time

Children will have an afternoon rest period after lunch. The center provides rest cots/mats. Your child may bring a special blanket from home. We will send home your child’s nap time blanket the last day of each week to be washed.

Nap / Rest time is daily at 11:45PM

Safe sleep practices are followed at all times.

Daily Schedule

Our daily schedule may include:

7:00 - 7:45 Welcome/Check-in

8:00 - 8:30 Breakfast

8:30 - 8:45 Circle Time

​8:45 - 9:30 Play Centers

​9:30 - 10:00 Outdoor Play/Gross Motor Activities

10:00 - 10:30 Arts and craft

8:45 - 9:30 Play Centers

9:30 - 10:00 Outdoor Play/Gross Motor Activities