Policies and Procedures
Tuition and Payment Procedures
Emergency Procedures and Policy
Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Procedures
Enrollment Procedures
There are several forms the make up the One Heart Academy enrollment packet. This enrollment packet must completed and in our possession before we can assume the responsibility of caring for your child. NO EXCEPTIONS. This is to ensure that your child will get the very best care possible and satisfies the record keeping requirement of state licensing guidelines. All forms will be reviewed annually. If there are changes to any of the forms in the enrollment packet, please notify your Director to update your records. The forms that are required are as follows:
Application for Enrollment
Emergency Information
Consent for Emergency Medical Treatment
Health History Parent Report
Health History Physicians Report
Parents Rights
Personal Rights
Registration Policies and Procedures Agreement
Admissions Agreement
Emergency Disaster Evacuation Travel Release
If you have any questions regarding the completion of these forms, please feel free to ask your Director.
Enrollment Requirements
Before enrolling your child in One Heart Academy there are several things you must do:
Read through and become familiar with the Policies. You will be required to sign a form that indicates you have read, understand, and agree to ALL the Policies as outlined.
A complete immunization’s record must be on file. If the immunizations are not up to standard your child will not be permitted to attend One Heart Academy. The immunization record will be valid for two years, unless your child is still receiving immunizations. Please be sure to give proof of updated immunizations as they occur. A chickenpox vaccine is now required for all children unless they have had the disease.
An acquaintance visit must be made.
All appropriate forms must be filled out, signed, and on file PRIOR to admission. All necessary forms/consents will be given to you in your admission package.
Disenrollment Procedures
After a TWO-WEEK TRIAL PERIOD, either party can only terminate care with 2 weeks notice. We reserve the right to immediately end care for non-payment, failure to respect our staff, our Center, behavior of the child which is harmful to the physical or emotional well being of the other children, or failure to abide by our policies. If you terminate care, you will be responsible for payment of the final 2 weeks of care whether or not your child attends.
Tuition and Payment Procedures
Rates
Monthy: Full-time $750. Part-time $475 am or pm for 5 days 3 full days $425. 2 full days $350. Monthly.
We accept payment from CYFD. Please contact our Director for any questions about tuition.
Sliding scale for low-income family.> Sibling discount.
Penalties for Tardiness
Late Fee: $15 per 15 minutes per child after contracted pick up time
Late Payment Fee: $10.00 per day that payment is not received
Matters of Money
All payments are due by 5:30 PM on the first of each month. After 5:30 PM, the late fee will be assessed. If payment is not made within 3 days at drop off, your child will not be accepted into care until payment, including all late fees, is made. If a period of 7 days passes without payment received, the contract will be terminated, the position filled, and the collection process begun. You will be responsible for any costs related to collection of the childcare fees.
Cash, check or credit cards are accepted and a receipt will be given. A year end statement of all childcare fees paid will be provided within the first 4 weeks of the New Year, to the address that is on the contract. A fee of $30.00, plus any additional costs incurred, will be charged to you for a returned check. All future payments will then be made by cash, or official bank check.
Childcare fees are due regardless of whether or not your child attends. You are paying for a position, as well as a service. These fees are due regardless of unforeseen or arranged absences such as illness, monthly club meetings or appointments. If a part-time arrangement has been made, the same criteria abide.
All childcare services will be contracted. The contract is a legal document obligating One Heart Academy to provide a service for you and obligating you to pay for that service. There are other requirements in the contract.
Your child’s spot will be held with a one-time non-refundable $100 registration fee and half of their first months tuition which will be applied to the first months tuition.
Bounced Checks
If a check is returned for non-sufficient funds, there will be a $30 fee plus any additional costs incurred as a result of the returned check. Childcare services may be halted until full payment of tuition and NSF charges has been made, in CASH. In addition, upon the second returned check within 6 months, only cash will be accepted for 3 months.
Absences/Fee Credits
Childcare fees are based on enrollment (a reserved space), not on attendance. To maintain a reserved space, fees must be paid during the absence of a child due to illness, holidays, vacation, or for any other reason.
Sick/Vacation Days
In the event that your child is ill and needs to miss a day, please call one hour before arrival time. If your child has an extended illness, a discount may be arranged to hold the position at our discretion.
If you are taking a maternity leave and want to secure your spot for both the new baby and keep your spot for the current child, arrangements must be made before the birth of the new child.
Field Trip Policies
Due to car seat laws, the One Heart Academy classes do not take field trips; however, we do invite special visitors to come talk with the children. If parents have special talents that they would like to share, please let the teachers know!
Health Policies
Cleanliness/Hygiene
We do our best to maintain strict cleanliness and hygiene standards. Children's hands are washed before and after meals and after toileting. We use paper towels for drying hands, so children do not have to use the same towel. If parents provide a toothbrush and toothpaste, teeth will be brushed as well. All employees are required to wash their hands frequently and also use antibacterial gel.
Infants sleep in separate cribs, with clean sheets used only by them. Beginning at toddler age, washable nap mats are used. Each child has a separate nap mat; with a sheet and a blanket that are washed daily(unless soiled, then they are washed as often as necessary) and mats are wiped with disinfectant weekly.
Children use separate cups, plates, bowls and eating utensils that have been thoroughly washed. High chair trays, etc. are disinfected after each use. We disinfect toilet seats and clean potty chairs between each use.
Illness
Procedure for Notifying Parents if a child Becomes Ill:
If your child becomes ill or injured at school, we will make every effort to notify you immediately. We ask that parents fill out an emergency card for each child and immediately return it to school. This is kept on file so that parents or other authorized persons can be contacted in an emergency. The Director or Assistant dismisses or approves the dismissal of a student who becomes ill or injured during the school day. Students will be sent home if they have a temperature of one-hundred degrees. You will be asked to take your child home or to a family physician for medical attention if needed.
If emergency treatment is required, your written permission on the emergency card will enable us to call a doctor and/or ambulance should we need to act quickly. We would contact you as soon as possible. The expense of a doctor or ambulance is carried by the parent.
Colds, flu and other contagious diseases seem to occur frequently and spread easily among preschool and toddler children. To help protect your own child's health and to minimize the possibility of contagion at school, please keep your child at home if you observe any of the following symptoms:
Nasal discharge that is green or yellow
Complaints of ear pain
Productive cough
Severe sore throat
Eyes that are pink, burning or itching or producing discharge
Diarrhea or vomiting
Fever
If these symptoms of possibly contagious conditions are observed in your child during the day, you will be called to come pick up your child immediately.
When your child has a fever, please keep him/her at home an additional 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal. This will help to ensure that the illness has actually passed and that your child will be well enough to resume school activities.
Medications
As a service to our parents, the office staff will administer medication prescribed by your physician. All medications (prescriptive and over the counter), including topical are given as a courtesy at 12:00 and/or 3:00. Medication must be in the original container with the child's name on the label, as well as the prescription number, name of the medication, dosage and expiration dates. Please add the child's room number. A permission to administer medication form can be found in the preschool office and it must accompany the medication. The form will be applicable for no more than 10 days.
Medical Emergencies
Although supervision is constantly given, children will fall or trip or get bumped…especially those learning to walk. If the child is injured in a non life-threatening way, we will assess the child and provide first aid. If the injury is more serious, the parent will be notified so the child can be transported to the hospital or doctor’s office. All costs associated with injuries to the child will be the responsibility of the parent. In case of a medical emergency, we will attempt to contact you immediately. If we are unable to reach you, we will start calling the people designated as your emergency contacts. If are unable to reach you or your emergency contacts, we will call an ambulance to transport your child if necessary. If immediate intervention is required, and will take appropriate action including calling 911 and having your child transported to the nearest Hospital. You or your family insurance is/are responsible for the cost of medical help or treatment due to accidents or illness while in child care.
Accidents and Incidents
If your child is involved in an incident or accident at school, the teacher will tend to the children involved. A program accident/incident report (see attached) will be completed and a copy sent home to the parents of each child involved as well as a copy kept in each child’s file. If the injury is such that we feel the child may need care or treatment beyond what we are able to provide at school, a parent or emergency contact person will be called. Emergency help will be summoned if we deem it necessary for the welfare of the injured child.
Emergency Procedures and Policies
Fire
There are fire extinguishers located throughout the building. If there is a fire that cannot be extinguished quickly, the children will be evacuated immediately before calling 911. We will practice fire drills monthly so the children will be prepared in the event of a fire.
Fire Drills
We are required by state law to do one (1) fire drill per month. We vary the time of day to help the staff and children prepare to evacuate the building quickly and safely. We will not do fire drills when the temperature is below 20 degrees or above 85 degrees. Evacuation cribs with wheels are used to transport infants and non-walking toddlers to the emergency meeting area.
Emergency Preparedness Plan
Please read thoroughly and do the following. Thank you for helping our school to be prepared.
1. Read the Paragraphs below
2. Sign Evacuation Travel Release Form and return with your child’s other preschool forms
3. Complete Family Disaster Emergency Release Form, include at least one person out of the area if possible.
(Please note the people listed on the form will only be authorized to pick up in a disaster, for those you want authorized to pick up on a day to day basis be sure to add them to your child’s Emergency Form). Return this form with your child’s other preschool forms
4. Place Evacuation Site maps in your car glove box (2 copies provided)
5. Please, keep your cell phone turned ON whenever your child is in our care, not just during emergencies
Disaster Preparedness and Evacuation Parent Information
Welcome to One Heart Academy. We are glad you have chosen our school to help you meet the needs of your family. We all know the importance of Emergency Situation and Disaster Preparedness. We want you to know and rest assured that our school practices preparedness for disasters, be it fire, earthquake or nuclear disaster.
Our staff is provided CPR and First Aid training as required by the State of New Mexico. We have regular, scheduled fire/disaster training yearly for staff and throughout the year for students within the classroom setting. We have emergency food, water and other supplies stored on site. Additionally, we have a Lockdown Procedure in the case of a “Perceived Intruder”.
We ask that you talk with your child about fire safety, earthquake and nuclear disasters. Make sure that you have a plan for each of these within your own home.
Additionally, it is important and required by law, that all information on your work, home and designated pick-up people remain up to date at all times with the One Heart Academy’s Office.
In the event of a disaster, please have identification with you and notify all those on your list as well, as we may have parents or church staff helping us.
We will stay on site unless it is impossible in which case there are 3 possible evacuation sites:
1. Christian Heritage Academy 2800 Louisiana Blvd. NE ABQ, 87110 505-888-4156
2. Coronado Mall Food Court 6600 Menaul NE ABQ, 87110 24hr. security line 505-883-3999
3. Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown 2600 Louisiana Blvd. NE ABQ 87110 505-881-0000
Evacuation Site #1
Across the street
Christian Heritage Academy
2800 Louisiana Blvd. NE
ABQ, NM 87110
505-888-4156
1: Start out going SOUTH on LOUISIANA BLVD NE toward CLAREMONT AVE NE. 0.1 mi
2: Make a U-TURN at CLAREMONT AVE NE onto LOUISIANA BLVD NE. 0.0 mi
3. 2800 LOUISIANA BLVD NE is on the RIGHT. 0.0 m
Evacuation Site #2
Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown
2600 Louisiana Blvd. NE
ABQ, NM 87110
505-881-0000
1: Start out going SOUTH on LOUISIANA BLVD NE toward CLAREMONT AVE NE. 0.4 mi
2: Make a U-TURN at MENAUL BLVD NE onto LOUISIANA BLVD NE. 0.1 mi
3: 2600 LOUISIANA BLVD NE is on the RIGHT.
Evacuation Site #3
Coronado Mall Food Court
6600 Menaul NE
ABQ, NM 87110
24 Hour Security Line
505-883-3999
1: Start out going SOUTH on LOUISIANA BLVD NE toward CLAREMONT AVE NE. 0.4 mi
2: Turn RIGHT onto MENAUL BLVD NE.
3: Make a U-TURN onto MENAUL BLVD NE.
4: 6600 MENAUL BLVD NE is on the RIGHT.
Snow Days and School Closure
In the event of snow, please call before transporting your child to One Heart Academy. Typically, the center will open 2-3 hours late if snow hazards exist. We will follow APS school closure policy.
Confidentiality
The information you supply to the One Heart Academy will be kept confidential. We will, at all times, respect your privacy. Before any of the information is released to outside persons, the parents will sign a release form. (This does not apply to law enforcement)
Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Procedure
As a child care center we are mandated reporters to the Children, Youth, and Families Department if we feel a child is being abused or neglected. Always be sure to let your Director know when you drop your child off if he/she has any unexplained cuts or bruises. All children that come to daycare with injuries have them logged into the child's file.
If you ever feel that One Heart Academy is not operating in a safe manner, please bring the matter to our attention. If you desire a copy of the state licensing guidelines, we will be happy to supply you one. We are proud to say we do our best to follow state licensing guidelines to the letter. Our staff is highly trained in knowing and complying with all applicable state and local laws. If you observe something that you know is a violation of state licensing laws, you can report the incident by calling the Children, Youth, and Families Department at (505) 827-7499. We pride ourselves in running one of the safest child care centers in New Mexico.
Guidance Policy
No child will be hit, spanked, belittled, or otherwise intimidated at One Heart Academy – even with parental permission. No corporal punishment will be used. Children will be treated with courtesy, respect, and patience. Discipline will be according to age and understanding level. Discipline will include positive guidance, redirection, and clear limits that encourage the child’s ability to become self-disciplined. Younger children, babies and toddlers, will be redirected to another activity. Older children will be given time outs depending on the severity of the offense. If a child becomes a persistent behavior problem, the director will address it with the parent and we will try to resolve it together.
AT NO TIME WILL A CHILD BE SUBJECTED TO PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT OF ANY TYPE, INCLUDING SHAKING, BITING, HITING, PINCHING, OR PUTING ANYTHING IN A CHILD’S MOUTH OR SHAMING, FRIGHTENING OR HUMILIATING METHODS IN PUBLIC OR IN PRIVATE, OR ANY TYPE OF VERBAL ABUSE INCLUDING ABUSIVE OR PROFANE LANGUAGE, YELLING, THREATS, DEROGATORY REMARKS, OR DEPRIVATION OF A MEAL OR ANY PART OF A MEAL, REST, BATHROOM ACCESS OR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, OR UNSUPERVISED SEPARATION.
Changes to Policies
Changes may be made to these policies as needed with two (2) weeks notice. The policies, contracts, consent, and forms will be reviewed and updated, if needed, yearly in January. Please give written notice of any changes that may occur, especially of name or address, or of updated immunizations.