Parent Information
Providing Foundational Academics and Life Skills
Tendercare emphasizes an enrichment program where life skills such as tying one’s shoes or expressing emotions are as important as learning numbers and letters.
A child’s cognitive development is growing continuously. Our curriculum has been divided into age groups to ensure that each group has objectives that are synonymous with their capabilities. Our Centers choose a theme for each week and lessons are planned accordingly. Teachers prepare the environment conducive to learning. Both formal lessons and informal explorative learning takes place daily. Children are also given time to choose what activity they will pursue.
Large and fine motor activities are an important element of a well-balanced program. Tendercare provides both indoor and outdoor facilities to promote this development. This allows children unstructured time, which enables them to direct their own play activities. As children play with fine motor toys, puzzles, stacking toys, bead stringing, and interlocking toys, they are developing hand-eye coordination and control.
Balancing on one foot, riding bicycles and outdoor play help promote large motor development as well as health and fitness.
Sensory activities are also an important part of the children’s developmental growth. Messy art, play-dough, rice and macaroni tables are a few items that promote sensory growth. Sensory play is a building block for vital cognitive content areas such as art, language, literacy, science, math and technology.
We welcome you to share in Tendercare’s commitment to quality day care to provide your child with the best programming in a safe, nurturing environment.
General Eligibility
Tendercare Child Centers do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Children must be in good health verified by a physician’s statement. All children must meet the physical and immunization criteria as stated on the Office of Children and Family Services form, “Medical Report of Day Care Child”.
Parents with children that require special care must provide a “needs assessment” to the Director prior to enrollment. This assessment requires medical information provided by the parent and the child’s physician. Enrollment of the child will be determined based on Tendercare’s ability to meet the needs of the child.
Daily Arrival and Departure Schedule
A daily arrival and departure schedule must be completed by parents upon enrolling their child. Any future changes to this schedule must be approved by the Director.
Procedures for Arrival and Departure
Tendercare Child Centers open at 7:00 a.m. The Centers have a entrance security system that requires a numerical code to open the door. Each parent will be assigned a code, which is theirs exclusively. This code will allow you to access the Center between 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Your code should not be given to anyone. Please see Safety and Security Policy.
Other people authorized to drop off or pick up your child must ring the bell and will be screened at the door. No one will be allowed in the Centers before 7:00 a.m. Parents are required to bring their children into his/her classroom and make contact with the teacher before leaving. Please assist your child with the removal and storage of outer garments. Please say good-bye to your child and make sure he/she knows you are leaving.
Please do not leave your vehicle running in the parking lot while dropping off or picking up your child. It is against New York State law and not safe.
When entering the building, it is mandatory that you sign your name and the time of arrival and departure on the sign-in sheet. Please be sure the teacher is aware that you have taken your child from the room or playground at the end of the day.
The Centers close at 5:30 p.m. Please arrive early enough to ensure exit from the building by 5:30 p.m. There will be a late pick-up fee of $1 per minute after 5:30 p.m. and $5 per minute after 5:35 p.m.
Please let us know when someone unknown to the staff will be picking up your child. We will not release your child to an unauthorized person. We must have written permission on file from the parent or guardian for anyone other than a parent to pick up your child.
A “Pick-Up Authorization” form is required to be filled out by the parent/guardian along with the registration form.
It is the parents’ responsibility to take their children to school if they have missed their bus or are late.
If your child will be absent for any reason, it is imperative that you call the Center and speak with the Director or your child’s teacher. Please call if your child will be arriving after 9:30 a.m. Failure to notify the Director may result in your child not attending that day.
Children enrolled in the Afterschool program that do not attend school (on a day school is in session) can not attend our program on that day.
Communication
We are dedicated to maintaining a positive relationship between home and the Centers. It is very important that parents and teachers keep an open line of communication at all times. Your child’s teacher will keep you in touch with your child’s daily activities, and we hope that you will keep us informed of any pertinent information we should know about your child.
The owners of Tendercare are also directly involved with the oversight of the daily activities of the Centers. They keep in close contact with the operations to ensure their high-quality standard.
Parent messages and other pertinent information will be left in your child’s cubby. Please check the cubby daily.
Parent/teacher conferences may be scheduled as necessary.
The Director or Assistant Director will be available to answer any of your questions. Please feel free to call at (518) 869-6032 in Guilderland and (518) 478-0787 in Bethlehem.
Appropriate Clothing
Please dress children in comfortable, washable clothing each day. They participate in many activities, which require the ability to move about freely. Some of our projects also may be messy.
We go outside daily, weather permitting (temperature above 32 degrees). Please make sure your child has appropriate clothing for all seasons. It is very important for children to get fresh air even in the winter months.
Each child is required to have a minimum of two changes of clothing including socks and underwear. All of the child’s clothing must be labeled. When wet or soiled clothing is sent home, please replace it the next day.
Parents are required to provide diapers and wipes for Infants and Toddlers.
Toys From Home
We prefer that children do not bring in toys from home. However, it can make the transition from home to Center easier for some children, so they may be allowed, for a limited time. If your child insists on bringing something from home, please keep in mind that we are not responsible for any items lost or broken. We are, of course, sensitive to the needs of a child who is very dependent on a security toy.
No toy guns or other toy weapons are allowed at the centers.
Nap Time
Each child is required by the Office of Children and Family Services to have an afternoon nap/rest period. Our policy requires a minimum 1 hour rest period. A designated quiet area will be provided for those children who are unable to rest after the 1st hour.
Parents are required to provide a sheet, crib sheet or blanket for their child. Clean bedding is required each week. Pillows are not allowed.
A stuffed animal may be provided by the parent if desired.
Meals and Nutrition
Family-style meals and nutritious snacks are prepared and served at the Centers. Great care is taken to provide the children with a wholesome variety of food items. Our menu is approved by a New York State licensed nutritionist. Please do not send food from home before consulting with your child’s teacher or the Director.
Should a child require a special diet (i.e. food allergy) due to medical reasons or religious belief, parents should discuss substitutions with the child’s teacher and provide a written description of the dietary restrictions. The staff will work with the parents to meet the children’s individual dietary needs.
Children are encouraged to taste each food item on their plate. They are not forced to eat what they do not like. Food is not offered as a reward, nor denied as a punishment to the children.
Parents must supply formula and baby food for their children in the Infant program. Baby bottles must be prepared at home and must include the child’s first and last name clearly labeled on the bottle.
Menus will be posted in the classroom for your information. They will also be available from the Director at any time.
Parents should meet with the Director prior to enrollment to become familiar with the Center’s policies. We strongly recommend that the parent and child visit the program prior to the first day to help the child (and the parent) adjust to the program.
Birthdays
Birthdays are special days for young children. Parents are welcome to bring in a special treat to help celebrate the day. Please remember that many young children have an intolerance for chocolate or might react to large amounts of sugar. Please contact your child’s teacher or the Director to discuss an appropriate treat.
Field Trips
Tendercare conducts selective field trips during the year for the children. These are both fun and rewarding. Permission slips for all field trips will be sent home with your child for your signature prior to the field trip.
Parent Conference
It will be necessary to set up an appointment with the Director for special consultation. Parents will be notified in advance to arrange the date and time of the conference. Formal development screening is offered on a yearly basis upon request.