Guidance, Health, and Emergency Procedures
At DCPCDC, the safety and emotional development of your child are our primary concerns.
Guidance and Discipline
We follow a guidance policy that is age and development appropriate. We believe that discipline is something we do for the child rather than to the child.
- Techniques: We use positive reinforcement, positive language, modeling problem-solving skills, and acknowledging feelings before setting limits. We teach by example.
- Consequences: We utilize natural and logical consequences (e.g., if you throw your toys, you will be asked to clean them up).
- Prohibited Actions: Staff are forbidden from using corporal punishment (shoving, hitting, spanking), harsh or degrading treatment, confining a child as punishment, or depriving a child of meals or use of a toilet as a punishment.
Health and Illness Policies
We are not licensed to care for ill children, so please keep your child home if they are showing symptoms.
- Exclusion Criteria: A child must be kept home if they have a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3°C) or higher, diarrhea, vomiting, or an undiagnosed rash.
- Return to Center: A child may not return until 24 hours after all symptoms subside or with a physician’s note.
- Medication: We only administer medications prescribed by a doctor, which must be in the original container with a completed “Consent to Administer Medication Form”.
Emergency and Safety Precautions
- Emergency Drills: Monthly fire drills and annual earthquake drills are practiced during the year.
- Evacuation Plan: In the event of an evacuation, staff will remove all children to the play area at the back of the facility.
- Missing Child: Our policy requires that if a search of the immediate area is unsuccessful after 10 minutes, the Manager or senior staff member will contact 911 Police.
- Safety Storage: All medications (except Epi-Pens), cleaning supplies, and toxic substances are kept in locked cupboards.
Termination of Services
We work hard to resolve any conflicts, but services may be terminated if the arrangement compromises our Mission or puts staff, the child, or other participants at risk. Situations that may lead to termination include:
- Unresolved Behavioral Concerns requiring ongoing significant intervention.
- Continuous conflicts arising from Custody Issues that place the child, staff, or others at risk.
- Inability to resolve Late Pick-Up Issues or Non-Payment of Fees.
- Inappropriate Conduct (harassment, threats, or violence) by a family member toward staff or children.