Hands and Feet Childcare Parent's Handbook

Last Updated: March 11, 2011
Hands and Feet
Child Care
Picture courtesy of nowheremanphotos.com ©2009-2011.
Used with permission
Parent’s
Handbook
Making a difference, one child at a time!

Hands and Feet Childcare Page 1 Parent’s Handbook
Welcome to our family ................................ 2
Family bio’s............................................... 3
Our extended family…you!.......................... 5
Our mission............................................... 5
Our Belief................................................. 5
Our Commitments................................... 5
Welcome to our home .................................. 6
Parking....................................................... 6
Hours of Operation................................ 6
Major holidays......................................... 6
Family Vacations ..................................... 6
Severe Weather ..................................... 7
Attendance..................................................... 7
PAY IT FORWARD CREDIT................. 7
Sick Children............................................ 7
Our Sick Child Policy.............................. 7
Illness incubation chart ........................ 8
Provider’s Notice of Exposure............. 8
Communication ............................................... 8
Calling the provider................................ 8
Voice mail messages............................... 9
Texting and Email ................................... 9
Written letter......................................... 9
Safety and Security .................................. 10
Gaining entrance into the facility..... 10
Visitor’s Log ........................................... 10
Identification ........................................ 10
Suspicious Activity................................11
Mandatory Reporting............................11
Emergency Procedures.................................11
Rates and Services..................................... 12
Part-Time................................................ 12
Rates and Services..................................... 12
Drop-In ................................................... 12
Overnight................................................ 12
Full-Time................................................. 13
Registration and Reservation Fee..... 13
Discounts for services......................... 13
Making Payments .......................................... 14
Items you need to supply.......................... 14
Mandatory Fieldtrip shirts................. 14
Item of the Month............................... 15
Car Seat.................................................. 15
Personal Hygiene Items ...................... 16
Medicine.................................................. 16
School Supplies and Carriers............. 16
Items the provider will supply................. 17
Character Building Instruction................. 17
Wednesday Night Youth Group......... 17
Singing..................................................... 17
Lyrics....................................................... 18
Disciplinary Actions ............................. 18
Character-building through discipline18
Rewards...................................................20
Biblical Principles, Values, and Ethics 20
Late pick up, cancellations and terminating
services ........................ 21
Late Pick up............................................ 21
Cancelling a scheduled day ................. 21
Trial period and ending service ......... 21
Using us as a reference.......................22
Legal Stuff...................................................22
Application for services............................24
References...................................................26
Table of Contents

Welcome to our family!
We’re glad you’re considering becoming an extension of our family. As
parents, my husband and I understand how important it is to get to know the
people who will have major influence on our children. Telling you about our
family members is a good place to start.
Our family has been in the Cedar Rapids area since 2005 and currently reside
on the southwest side, across the street from Wal~Mart. First and
foremost, our family is a family of faith. We believe in the bible and the
rules of character that it teaches. It is our passion, even the two girls, to
personify this in our own lives to others.
Almost everyone in our family is a student. While our three-year-old is still
learning about her world and preparing for life as a student, our older
daughter, myself, and even my husband are all full-time students. We believe
that it is our responsibility to instill a love for learning and strong character in
our children…and yours.

Hands and Feet Childcare ☺ 4040 33rd
Ave SW Apt 8 ☻ Cedar Rapids, IA ☺ 52404 ☻ (319) 432-7929 ☺ (641) 351-8542
handsandfeetchildcare.webs.com
Shawna Ebbeson
That’s me…your primary caregiver! I’m almost a native to Iowa, growing up in
Des Moines since I was three. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and,
at the ripe age of 9, I started my own business doing odd jobs for older
persons around my neighborhood. By the time I was
10, I was managing my first employee…my younger
brother. It should come as no surprise that I would
set out on my own as an adult and run my own pet
sitting business, or that, even now, I would join my
passions into one and open a 24-hour child care!
My experience with children runs deep, even though I
didn’t do a lot of babysitting as a teenager. As an
adult, I have taught 2 – 5 year-olds in Sunday school and mid-week youth
groups, paraded as ―The Story Lady‖ in costume for the church daycare every
Tuesday for a year. I was also a co-leader of a local Girl Scout troop, and
even homeschooled my older daughter through 4th
and 5th
grade. When our
youngest was born, our lives changed again and I found myself digging out my
old preschool busy books I used for my older daughter, and that was when we
truly began our child care endeavor.
When our youngest was about 3 months old, we started to watch another little
girl from our church that was 12 hours younger than she! She is the first in
our extended family. We still have the joys of watching not only her, but her
newborn baby brother also!
My other passion is learning. I completed my first Bachelor’s degree in
Organizational Communication from Kaplan University in July, 2010 and am
enrolled in Walden University to pick up a second in Early Childhood
Development with a concentration in psychology. From there, I want to pursue
a Master’s degree in Spiritual Formation and Leadership with a focus on youth
ministry.

Jordan McGuire
Jordan loves everything about school. She loves the learning, interacting with
her friends, and also loves the teaching. Jordan
is a 7th
grader at Wilson Middle School and is
active in chorus and wants to learn to play the
flute. She’s nearly a straight A student and
loves to bring her lessons home to the little
ones.
She has been instrumental in Kylie’s ability to
recite the alphabet, count and skip-counting, and
now Jordan is teaching her how to read and
write. Jordan takes great joy in presenting
bible lessons and crafts. We’ve picked up old
youth group curriculums from New Creation
church and St. Paul UMC for her to explore and
share.
Her favorite thing to do outside of watching her favorite shows on the Roku
box (a Netflix ready box) is to read. She has a book glued to her hand 24/7.
She currently reads at the 12th
grade level. We began to read Jane Eyre
over the summer just to see if she could. It was a bit of a reach for her,
but she enjoyed the challenge.
She is so much fun to take on fieldtrips and loves asking questions with the
hopes it will manifest into a science project. Not only does she love working
with the kids, but she loves learning all about wherever it is we are going.
Her favorite places to go are museums and the Science Station…anywhere that
engages her to wonder.
As much as she is studious, she is also creative and imaginative. She loves to
pretend what it would be like to be different things or go different places.
Her most favorite thing to be is my little princess!

Harry Ebbeson, III
That’s our kid-magnet! Everywhere we go, children gravitate to him. Harry
was born on the west coast and spent his early teenage years in Texas. Then
back to California in hopes of hitting it big in the music scene. Instead, he
decided to start a family. Harry’s love for kids is only second to his music.
He is an accomplished musician and
currently works as a music therapist on
contract with a wide variety of senior
living facilities. He has released 14 solo
albums. The title track to his most
recent release, God’s Promise, is available
for download through our online store.
Harry has also been able to meld his
passions together as well. Harry’s passion
for God has led him to seminary, pursuing
an Associate’s degree in ministry. He has
fathered a Christian band, Heavenwind
Ministries, by which this childcare is an outreach of. We’ve been an active
band since 2007, playing contemporary praise songs as guests at local churches
and community events. We also provide concerts, complete with powerful
PowerPoint Presentations for the lyrics. Maybe we’ll bump into each other this
summer!
Kylie Rynn Ebbeson
Kylie is the youngest member of our family. A
near carbon copy of her father, she’s an
insatiably curious bundle of energy. She loves
God and loves her friends that come to play.
Kylie’s favorite things to do outside of
watching Backyardagains, Dora The Explorer,
and The Wonder Pets, are painting, helping
Mom in the kitchen, and the spur-of-the-
moment science projects that come from a
simple question she’s asked.

Our Extended Family…You!
Now that you’ve had a chance to get to know us a little better, let’s get to
the meat of things. As an extension of our family, it will be important for
you to know how we do things. You’ll need to know this before we start the
process of enrolling your children into our child care program. Let’s start
simple and work our way up.
OUR MISSION: Our mission is simple—to provide character-building child
care in a safe, nurturing environment to kids of all ages. Our broader mission
is to make a difference, one child at a time.
OUR BELIEF: We believe that strong character is learned and not instinctive.
We also believe that it is our responsibility to instill in them a moral compass
that will guide their choices into adulthood. We believe that the bible is an
imperative tool, a map, and a blueprint in building that moral compass. It is
important that you understand that this is what influences our attitudes and
actions and becomes the basis for why we do things the way we do.
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU: We understand that not everyone agrees with
our beliefs. Our commitment to you is that we will do our utmost best to
respect the beliefs, cultures, and customs of others, even when they differ
from our own.
OUR COMMITMENT TO THE CHILDREN: We will be respectful of thoughts
and feelings of all children in our care. We will provide a safe, loving,
nurturing and engaging environment that will encourage the children to grow
and advance. We commit to nurturing the children’s physical, mental,
emotional, and psychological needs and work hard to understand them and
their views.
OUR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY: Wherever we go, we will leave that
place better than we found it, even if it is just picking up a wadded up paper
and throwing it away where it belongs. We will be respectful of the
managers, helpers, and teachers that work in the places we visit.

Welcome to our home!
We have opened our home during the week in order to provide quality care for
local families. While we do advertise specific hours of operation, there are
certain considerations that we do make, such as early morning drop offs on
Monday or third shift pick up on Friday night into Saturday morning. We are
here to help. If you aren’t sure if your weekday schedule will fit, talk to us
and we’ll see what we can work out to accommodate everyone’s needs.
PARKING:
DO NOT PARK IN FRONT OF THE FACILITY DOORS! The complex issues
$50 tickets for vehicles parked in front of the doors. Drive to the red
dumpster and turn right. You may park at the end of the garages in any
parking spots to the right of the red dumpster.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
MONDAY – FRIDAY 24-HOURS (7 days a week for 3rd
shift only)
We open according to the first child is scheduled to be drop-off on Monday
We will not close until the last child is scheduled to be picked up on
Friday (Saturday morning for 3rd
shift families).
FAMILY VACATIONS
Our family will take two vacations each year: One weekend retreat and 2-
weeks of vacation time (not necessarily consecutive dates). The weekend
retreat will cause the facility to close early on Friday. We will provide at
least a 30 day notice of any closures of the facility due to vacation days so
you will have ample time to find an alternative as we do not use substitutes.
MAJOR HOLIDAYS IN WHICH THE FACILITY WILL BE CLOSED:
New Year’s Eve Easter Fourth of July
Christmas Eve Thanksgiving Christmas Day
Friday before Mother’s Day Friday before Father’s day

Only pay for the
days you use
SEVERE WEATHER
Our facility will not close due to severe weather, even if the school systems
do. To find out if school has delays, closed early, or cancelled by visiting our
website at handsandfeetchildcare.webs.com. We WILL close under extreme
and unlikely events of loss of power and heat, extreme illness, and water
issues that would negatively affect the safety of the children and the indoor
environment of our home.
Attendance
PAY IT FORWARD CREDIT
We only charge for the days your child actually attends our childcare. Any
service is eligible for the PAY IT FORWARD credit and there’s only one
qualifier…notice. Keep me informed and let me know
as soon as something happens and provide at the very
least 24 hour notice and the fees for the day
cancelled will be credited to your next bill. It’s just
that easy!
SICK CHILDREN
We do not provide care for children when they are sick, which will affect
their attendance also. Illness does not always give a 24-hour notice, thus
this is one of the few times that you might still qualify for PAY IT FORWARD
credit without providing a timely notice. PAY IT FORWARD Credit will also be
determined by the illness in which the child was excused from childcare. See
the following box for a comprehensive rule of thumb that our childcare goes
by when readmitting and excusing children from care.
OUR POLICY ON SICK CHILD CARE
Children deemed too sick to attend daycare will be sent home. The
determination of when a child is too sick to attend daycare is at the sole
discretion of the provider. In the event the child is deemed sick, the parent
will be contacted and the child will be sent home. Sick children are expected
to be picked up within an hour of the provider’s initial phone call for the
safety of the staff and other children at the facility. Children may be picked
up by the parent or another authorized person. When I call, I will leave a
detailed message, including date and time, and follow it up by email. Late
fees apply to children who are not picked up within the hour of the provider’s

When we can’t talk in
person, a phone call is
the best means
of communication
initial contact attempt. LATE FEES are charged as $5.00 per 15 minutes
until an authorized person arrives to claim your child.
NOTICE OF EXPOSURE
The provider will inform parents of risks to exposure to contagious illnesses at
the facility as soon as the provider is informed. All formats of written
contact will be exercised, including a printed hand out when children go home.
Communication
Communication is very crucial to maintaining our flexibility. We understand
that some conversations, especially regarding billing and payments, can be
embarrassing and uncomfortable. We are here to help and are willing to work
with you through nearly any situation if communication is open and forthright.
but effective communication is essential.
Effective communication is even more critical
on time-sensitive information, such as late
payments, cancellations or illnesses. It’s a
two way street and here are some best
practices that we’ve put into policy to help
us stay connected:
ILLNESS INCUBATION PERIOD CONTAGION PERIOD
Cold 1-5 days Onset of runny nose until fever is gone
Viral Sore Throat 2-5 days Onset of sore throat until fever is gone
Strep Throat 2-5 days 24 hrs after first dose of antibiotic or
2-3 wks after onset of sore throat w/o meds
Whooping Cough 7-14 days 5 days after start of antibiotic
Croup 2-7 days Onset of cough until fever is gone
Bronchiolitis 4-7 days Onset of cough until 7 days
Vomiting and diarrhea 2-5 days 24 hrs after symptoms stops
Rotavirus 1-3 days 7 days after onset of diarrhea
Fifth Disease 4-14 days 7 days
Chicken Pox 10-21 days 1 day before leasions appear
On the skin until all sores are crusted
Pinkeye 1-3 days Onset of pus until 24 hrs on antibiotic drops
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Source: Better Homes and Gardens, February 2006, p. 192

CALLING THE PROVIDER
While text messaging and email are great tools, they should be used as a
means to log or follow up on phoned in information or document transfers. You
may call your provider during regular business hours. Your provider will return
your phone call as soon as possible. Please keep in mind that your provider
may be busy with your child. Your phone call is very important to me and will
be returned as soon as possible. Be prepared to leave a detailed message.
VOICE MAIL MESSAGES
If you wish the provider to treat your phone call with priority, you MUST
leave a message. Any identifiable callers that do not leave messages will be
responded to within 24 hours. All voicemail messages will be returned as soon
as possible. Please be aware that your provider may be busy with the
children. Your phone call is very important to me. As soon as the children’s
needs are met, your call will be returned.
TEXTING AND EMAIL
Your provider commits to checking her email on a daily basis, but does not
babysit the inbox  Email is a great way of keeping in touch and following up,
but should not be used as the sole means of communication, nor should it be
employed for time-sensitive information without a phone call prior to sending
it. Texting may be a proper form of communication, especially while you are
at work and cannot take formal phone calls. Email is a great tool for sending
a recap of phone conversations, updates to policies, rates and services,
document exchange, and confirmations.
Texting may seem quicker than email, but should not take the place as face-
to-face/voice-to-voice, real-time communication. Face-to-face and voice-to-
voice communication is highly encouraged and preferred.
WRITTEN LETTERS
Written letters or written notice is required when changing or breaking your
contract, changing service status, and leaving our care. Special fieldtrips may
also require written consent. Hand written letters received in the mail I will
treat as a personal phone call and will respond via phone at my earliest
convenience, depending upon the nature of the letter. All notices to end
service must be made in writing at least two weeks before your child stops
attending the facility.

Safety and Security
We want to give the highest level of safety and security to you and your
family, offering peace of mind inside and out.
GAINING ENTRY INTO THE FACILITY
First, you need to enter the outside doors before gaining entry into our home.
There are security key-pads on both outer doors which will dial up to the
facility. Follow these steps:
1. Come to either door and dial #-0-8.
2. Wait for an answer
3. The person wanting access MUST state
their name and the name of the child they
are claiming.
4. I will buzz or come down to the door
5. If I do not recognize the person
wanting access, be prepared to show identification
6. All persons entering and leaving the facility MUST sign in and out of the
Visitor’s Log
VISITOR’S LOG
Everyone who enters and leaves the facility MUST sign in and out of the
Visitor’s Log. There are no exceptions. Your child cannot leave the facility
nor be accepted into our care without the Visitor’s Log being completed (all
fields). Once the Visitor’s log is completed, we may proceed.
IDENTIFICATION
We reserve the right to check any person’s identification at the provider’s
discretion and at any time. Any suspicious attempts to enter the facility will
be logged with vehicle information as well as information from the
identifications provided.
DIAL 0-8
then wait for an
answer

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY and MANDATORY REPORTING
As childcare providers, we are mandatory reporters. What this means to you
is that any suspicious activity or behavior will be reported to the proper
authorities, including, but not limited to attempted forced entry or abandoning
a child at the facility for any reason, physical bruising or injury, and changes
in behavior. We will cooperate fully with the police officers, social workers,
and other members of authority, being forthright and cooperative to the best
of our ability. For the safety and security of all children and our own family
members, any questionable activity that may jeopardize the child’s well-being
will be reported to the authorities as I am, by law, a mandatory reporter.
Emergency Procedures
COMMUNICATION
In the event of an emergency, the provider will do everything in her power to
contact the parent. If the parent cannot be reached, the provider will
contact the person listed on the Emergency Information and Consent form as
the emergency contact person. In the event that neither the parent nor the
emergency contact person are able to be reached, the parent’s signature on
the Emergency Information and Consent form permits the provider to
temporarily make decisions to preserve the life and well-being of the child in
the parent’s absence.
INCLIMATE WEATHER
The child care facility will not close due to inclimate weather unless otherwise
alerted by the provider. The child care facility MAY close due to inclimate
weather if the nature of the emergency affects the indoor climate to where it
becomes a danger to the children (such as loss of heat in the winter, prolong
duration without clean water, sewer line break, or loss of electricity negatively
affecting the temperature of the home). In no way by our remaining open
does the provider encourage parents to forge inclimate weather, nor ignore
recommendations to stay inside.
Should weather prevent a child from being picked up, the child will be provided
for until the emergency is resolved or the parent comes to pick up the child.
Extended fees may or may not be charged in this instance at the sole
discretion of the provider.

Rates and Services
Now the other information you REALLY want to
know about! Our rates and services. You may
have heard the terms already, but now we’re
going to define them a little bit more.
PART-TIME
Child care fees for "Part-Time" prescheduled
child care are $35.00 per day ($25 per day when
paid online through PayPal). Part-Time child care
is defined to be either upto 30 hours per week or
less than 4 days per week. Any schedule that
consistently runs 4 days or more for at least two
weeks may be upgraded to full-time status. Any
schedule that consistently cancels one or more
days per week for at least two weeks may forfeit
any applicable discounts, returning to the regular
rate.
DROP-IN
Drop-in or drop-off child care fees are $8 per
hour. Drop-in or drop-off child care is defined as
irregular, prescheduled attendance and is charged
by the hour. This service does not qualify for
online payment discounts; however gift
certificates may be purchased online, which does
reflect this discount.
OVERNIGHT
Child care fees for "Overnight" child care are
billed in addition to the regular fee status (full-
time, part-time, or drop-in). Overnight child
care is defined to be between the hours of 11pm
and 5am any given day. Shift differential fees is
your service status plus $2.50 per day.
Part-Time
30 hours or less per wk
Or
1-3 days per week
Rates are $35 per day
Full-Time
30 hours or more per wk
Or
4 or more days per week
Rates are $150 per week
Drop-in
Irregular Prescheduled
hours
Rates are $8 per hour
Overnight
Between 11p – 5a
Rate + $2.50/night
Registration Fee
$30

FULL-TIME
Child care fees for "Full-Time" prescheduled child care are $150.00 per week
($130 per week when paid online through PayPal). Full-Time child care is
defined to be either 4 days or more or more than 30 hours per week. Any
schedule that consistently runs less than 4 days or less than 30 hours for at
least 30 days may be reduced to part-time status.
REGISTRATION FEE AND RESERVATION DEPOSIT
A non-refundable application or registration fee of $30 must be submitted
upon approval of a completed child care application. Without this fee, an
application is considered incomplete and will not be approved until it is
complete. This fee will guarantee your child’s position at our facility for upto
14 days. This does not hold your child’s position should a change in status
occur (part-time to full-time, change in attendance days).
A $150 non-refundable deposit will be necessary to reserve a position for all
new (or changes in already established) families. This deposit is required when
the a new family’s start date is more than 14 days from the date of signing
this contract. This deposit will also be required when any change in status for
an established family is forecast more than 30 days into the future. The
application fee and reservation deposit will be applied to the final billing cycle
when services end.
There are certain situations to where the non-refundable application fees and
deposits will be waived while still maintaining the child’s position in the
daycare. Situations including, but not limited to maternity/paternity leave,
active duty leave, bereavement leave, family emergencies, and hospital stays
will counter the requirement for this deposit.
DISCOUNTS FOR SERVICES
Any fee or deposit may be waived or discounted at the discretion of the
provider at any time without notice or application to all attendees. Some
specific discounts will apply to all attendees, or by election into a specific
program. These discounts are as follows:
Online Payment Discount: Save $20 off weekly rates and $10 off
daily rates with the possibility of other promotions.

Multiple Child Discount: First child is at full rate. Second child is
reduced by 40% of the status rate. Each additional child is reduced by
50% of the status rate.
Referral Discount: All attendees who refer a new family will receive a
free day of childcare once their referral completes their first billing
cycle.
⁫ $30 APPLICATION/REGISTRATION WAIVED
⁫ $150 NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT WAIVED
Making Payments
Each family has their own specified payment schedule. This schedule is
decided and agreed upon by both the parent(s) and the provider and is
specified in your contract. Your payment schedule can be negotiated and
modified without penalty at any time per your request.
ACCEPTABLE PAYMENT METHODS
There are many payment options available to you. Check, debit cards, and
credit card payments are only accepted via PayPal online. The only payments
acceptable in person are paid in cash.
LATE PAYMENTS AND RETURN CHECKS
It is not our policy to accept traditional checks for payment, however, the
provider may, at any time and for any family, allow this type of transaction.
There will be a $35 fee assessed for all returned checks (this could be upto
three times). There will also be a $35 fee assessed for each week a payment
is past due unless arrangements have been made with the provider in advance.
Items You need to Supply
Many supplies will be available for you, however, there are some things that
the provider will not provide. Here we will break it down for you.
INDENTIFYING ACTIVEWEAR
Each child will be issued a fieldtrip t-shirt and a fieldtrip
sweatshirt upon completing registration. These shirts are
required for your child to participate in any activity away
from the facility. There will be a $50 charge to your first
billing cycle to cover the costs of these shirts. These

shirts your children may keep, even after services stop. Activewear may be
ordered in any color except black. This color is reserved for the fieldtrip’s
team leader.
The childcare will provide a special shirt that is geared to be a one size fits
all to identify the team leader of the field trip. Every child will have the
opportunity to be a team leader, however, the
activewear associated with the team leader position
belongs to the child care facility.
Identifying activewear is mandatory for all staff,
parents, and volunteerrs assisting or accompanying a
child to any activity away from the facility. A variety
of activewear is available for purchase through the
CafePress Shop on our website or by placing an order with your childcare
provider. The sizes range from baby onsies to Adult 4XL. Activewear may be
charged to the next billing cycle for accounts that pay online or payment will
be due when the activewear is ordered.
ITEM OF THE MONTH
Every month the children will participate in a featured activity. There will be
a specific item each child will need to provide in order to complete the month’s
activity. These activities are posted on our
News link on the website and the featured item
is available in the online store for the entire
month. The item to be purchased may vary
from $5 up to $20 and will be announced by the
last week of the month prior. There will be at
least 14 days notice of the next Item of the
Month with fee information, the activity
associated to it, and when the item needs to be purchased by. No child will
be withheld from participating in the monthly featured activities because they
cannot purchase the item required to complete the activity.
CAR SEAT
The provider does not provide car seats your child may need in order to leave
the facility to participate in activities and events. It is your responsibility to
provide the proper car seat for your child’s safety. In the event that a child
No child will be excluded from participating
in the featured activity just because they
cannot purchase the item of the month

doesn’t have a carseat on a day of an outing, the provider may decide to
purchase a carseat so your child is included in the outing. Any purchases will
be solely at the provider’s discretion and added to your next billing cycle.
Events and activities will not be cancelled or postponed because a child does
not have a car seat.
The car seat will need to be dropped off and picked up every exchange that
your child stays at the facility or one can be left at the child care facility
with your child’s name on it and used when needed.
PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS
You will need to supply the following personal hygiene items as they pertain to
your child:
Diapers, pull-ups and wet wipes
Swimming diapers (as requested only)
Baby food and formula
Bottles, pacifiers, infant silverware
Specialty medicine dosage items (such as oral suspention syringes)
One complete change of clothing (shirt, pants, underpants, socks,
and shoes)
A brush or comb and something to tie long hair back.
Kindermat and blanket for naptime
Blanket and pillow for overnight stays
All blankets and pillows will be laundered on Fridays. If your child has a
sensitivity to a specific laundry soap, please inform your provider and the
bedding will be sent home each Friday.
MEDICINE
You will need to supply any medicines, prescriptions and over-the-counter
medications that your child may need. You must fill out and sign a medication
form for all new and continuing medications your child will need to be given.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
You will need to supply your own child’s supplies if they are attending regular
school while in our care, including:
Lunch boxes
Backpacks
Notebooks

Any items required that are not provided by you may be purchased by and at
the sole discretion of your provider and added to your next bill for
reimbursement.
Items the Provider will Supply
TRANSPORTATION
Any fees or charges acquired due to providing transportation for your children
will be the responsibility of the child care provider, including parking fees,
toll, gasoline, and car repair expenses.
PERSONAL HYGiENE
Your provider will provide the following for all children in our care:
Personal toothbrush for each child
Toothpaste, soaps, bathing needs if necessary
MEALS
The provider will provide upto three meals and three snacks through the
course of the hours the facility is open, including:
Breakfast, lunch, and supper
Morning, afternoon, and evening snack
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
The provider will provide cots, air mattress, or other item for children
enrolled in overnight care. In the event that bedding sent home has not
returned, bedding will be provided. Lights out is between 7:30 – 8 pm, with
the exception of Wednesday nights.
Character-building Instruction and Activities
WEDNESDAY NIGHT YOUTH GROUOP
As you learned through our bio’s, we are a bible-believing family. Every
Wednesday night, our family attends youth group and bible study classes at
St. Paul UMC from 5:15pm until 7:30pm. Any children in our care on
Wednesday evenings will join us. We will eat supper at the church.
SINGING
Make a joyful noise…..sing praise. We do! All the time! We have
inspirational songs for mealtime and many specific learning activities. Here
are the lyrics to a few:

MEALTIME LYRICS:
Be present at our table, Lord. Be here and everywhere adored. Thy
creatures grant and bless that we, may feast in fellowship with thee. We
thank thee Lord for this our food. For life and health and every good. By
thine own hands may we be fed. Give us this day our daily bread. Amen.
LEARNING OUR DAYS OF THE WEEK LYRICS
This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made, that the Lord has
made. We will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in in.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. We praise God
on Sunday, because these are the days He’s made.
BUILDING CHARACTER THROUGH DISCIPLINE
We firmly believe that discipline is central to the safety and security of all
children. It is through discipline that children are allowed to test boundaries
and learn where their safety net is. It is by discipline that children learn to
trust us that we will keep them safe. Good character comes out of consistent
discipline.
Kids will be kids and will display the typical emotions of selfishness and non-
sharing, greediness by taking something they want away from someone else,
expressing anger by physically harming someone else, and temper tantrums.
There are many behaviors children employ to express themselves, both positive
and negative. We use positive reinforcements, rewards, redirection, compare
and contrast, time-out, and discussion. This helps the child understand why
the behavior was unacceptable, guiding children towards understanding and
empathy.
When a child is angry towards another child, we try to redirect and get them
thinking about something else…another toy like the one they’re wanting, a
different activitiy altogether, allowing a special unplanned activity to dissolve
the conflict, or putting the item of aggrevation in a place where no one has
access to it for the day.

UNAPPROPRIATE PHYSICAL CONTACT
Our primary goal is to foster a feeling of safety and security for all children
attending our facility. In the event that other solutions are ineffective,
stronger measures may be required to maintain safety. The process we
engage is:
Parents are contacted and solutions are discussed
Parents will be contacted to pick up their child
Consistent issues may result in terminating services for that child
The Think Spot is a hard, wooden bench that my children have decorated. By
allowing them to paint and color on it and put their own stickers on it, it
becomes theirs in the possessive sense of the word. This encourages the
children to take responsibility for ―their own‖ actions when they associate
something –they- have done with the think spot they helped make. Calling it
the ―THINK SPOT‖ tells them what they should be doing while seated in the
spot. Think about it.
The aggetated child is placed in the think spot for 1 – 3 minutes or (for older
children) privledges are restricted. We ask character-building questions
affirming they understand what they did wrong and include them in deciding
how they can fix it. We also talk about what they did right during the
conflict. If the child is not sorry for the harm caused to another child, the
child sits for another 1 – 3 minutes. If the child does not show remorse for
what they did wrong, we talk again then a consequence is handed out (no movie
during quiet time or no treat after lunch, for instance, or a phone call to the
parents).
There are key questions asked to help instill a sense of awareness of their
actions and teach them to own it (it was their action and attitude, nobody
made them do it):
 What did you do wrong?
 What upset you?
 Why did you do what you did?
 Are you sorry?
 How can we tell someone we’re angry without being mean?>
 Now, what did you do wrong?
 Now, what can you or should you do differently?

Compare and contrast helps introduce your child to ―What if…‖ scenarios and
helps them reason, building the moral character and helps to discern and
practice virtues and values that lead to proper action. Conversations go like
this:
―If you want –this- to happen, then –this- is the proper way to behave, If
you continue –this-, then –this- is what will happen. Is that what you want?‖
―I’m proud of you for doing –this-, but –this- disappoints me. What could you
have done differently? What would be the right thing to do? Is it hard to do
the right thing? Things that are hard to do become easier the more you
practice them. Let’s practice –this- throughout the day today.
REWARDS AND POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
This is my favorite. Stickers and egg timers are mighty motivators at our
home. For example, using an egg timer, the timer is set for 3 minutes and
the children must work together to pick up toys in order to get all of their
three stickers. If I don’t have to keep prodding them to help, they gain a
sticker. If they don’t fight and bicker, they gain a sticker. If they try
really hard to do it fast, they gain a sticker. If a child shows kindness when
helping another child, they gain another sticker. We are big on positive
reinforcement. Children are rewarded for desired actions and attitudes
through stickers, extra free-time, or other things that are important to the
specific child and makes them feel proud of themselves and encouraged.
Words of affirmation are used in rewarding as well as in disciplining the child.
BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES, VALUES, AND ETHICS
We use many biblical and principles of virtue. It would be difficult to detail
every instance in which these values are applied. It is important that you
understand and acknowledge that this style of instruction will naturally flow
over to the children within my care. Children enrolled in our child care will
naturally be influenced by these character-building instructions as well as
academic instruction. It is a natural form of guidance our child care program
puts into practice. Our child care is non-denominational and is not affiliated
with any organized church or religion.
By enrolling in our childcare, you are acknowledging acceptance into our
chidlcare program is contingent on your permission to this style of instruction

and guidance and express that you permit your child to participate. Should
you disagree with any specific method used in guiding your children, you are
encouraged to discuss it and we can work together on implementing a method
that is acceptable to both parties. This by no means guarantees a change in
action on the part of the provider.
Late Pick-up, Cancellations and Terminating Services
When you need to cancel or totally stop services, we understand and there are
a few things that you’ll need to know to make sure the process goes as
smoothly as possible. We understand that life happens while you’re making
other plans, and we can accommodate only when these issues are
communicated.
LATE PICK UP
The Parent(s) agrees to pay overtime fees of $5.00 per 15-minute interval if
the child(ren) is not picked up by the scheduled time as noted above or arrives
earlier than the scheduled time noted above without notice. This overtime fee
shall be applied to the next scheduled payment.
CANCELLING A SCHEDULED ATTENDANCE DAY
Advance notice is required for all cancelations and requests to stop services.
Any cancellations of scheduled attendance must be made 24 hours in advance
in order to qualify for PAY IT FORWARD CREDIT to avoid being charged for
the full rate of the time missed. Specific instances may arrise that will waive
this requirement while still qualifying for PAY IT FORWARD CREDIT:
Hazzardous Weather
Bereavement – a death of an immediate family member or close
friend
Extreme family emergencies
Maternity/Paternity Leave
Sudden illness
As determined by the sole discretion of the Provider
A two week notice is required, a 30 day notice preferred, for ending services.
No exceptions. Persons failing to provide notice forfiet any items and credits
left at the facility and on account and a negative reference will be given to all

inquests. Should the provider need to cancel or close the daycare, full credit
for the days/hours closed will be credited to the next billing cycle.
Children who miss 4 scheduled attendance days without notice may be
considered withdrawn from child care services and may be charged a re-
enrollment fee of $50 when the child returns for services.
TRIAL PERIOD AND ENDING SERVICES
The first two weeks. of enrollment in Hands and Feet Childcare is considered
a "trial period." Child care may be terminated by either the Provider or the
Parent(s) during this trial period without advance notice. After the trial period
has passed, child care may be terminated by the Provider or the Parent(s)
only by providing the other party with two weeks advance written notice. If
the Parent(s) fails to provide two weeks advance written notice, the Parent(s)
agrees to pay the regular scheduled fees for the full scheduled attendances
upto two weeks immediately effected by the cancellation.
USING US AS A REFERENCE
We will be more than happy to provide a written letter of reference to anyone
who has employed our services. Due to the distractability of phone calls, only
letters of reference will be given. Scheduled phone interviews may be
permitted at the provider’s descretion. Any services ended without notice will
receive a poor reference.
HANDS AND FEET CHILDCARE RETAINS THE RIGHT TO CANCEL AND
NULLIFY ANY CONTRACT FOR SERVICES AT THE PROVIDER’S
DISCRETION.
LEGAL STUFF
. MODIFICATION OF TERMS. Hands and Feet Childcare shall be entitled to
change any of the terms in this Contract, including but not limited to fees,
by providing the Parent(s) with 30 days advance written notice of such
changes.
DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Children are expected to treat all property located
at the facility with respect, including but not limited to toys and furniture.

The Parent(s) agrees to pay for the accidental or willful destruction of any
property located at the facility, whether owned by Hands and Feet Childcare
or any other person, at the replacement cost, if such destruction was, in the
sole opinion of Hands and Feet Childcare, caused by the child.
DISCIPLINE. Hands and Feet Childcare reserves the right to discipline a
child when necessary. Discipline consists of: time-outs, setting and redifining
limits, or redirecting the child's attention. Discipline may lead to contacting
the parents, sending the child home, and possibly terminating services.
CONSTRUCTION. Words and phrases in this Contract shall be construed as
in the singular or plural number, and as masculine, feminine or neuter gender,
according to the context.
SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Contract is found invalid, the
parties agree to sever the invalid portion of the Contract while the remainder
of the Contract remains valid and enforceable.
BINDING EFFECT. This Contract shall be binding on and shall inure to the
benefit of the parties and to the executors, personal representatives, heirs,
and successors of the parties.
AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, AND WAIVER. Except for changes
initiated by the Provider as permitted in this Contract, no amendment,
modification, or waiver of any condition, provision, or term in this Contract
shall be valid or of any effect unless made in writing, signed by the parties,
specifying with particularity the extent and nature of such amendment,
modification, or waiver in a reasonable amount of time.
MERGER. Prior agreements made by the parties are deemed to be merged
into this Contract, including verbal and electronically signed/consented
agreements.

ASSIGNMENT. Neither party may assign its interest under this Contract
except that the Provider may assign its interest to an entity controlled by
Hands and Feet Childcare.
GOVERNING LAW. This Contract shall be construed and enforced in
accordance with the laws of Iowa.

Child Care Application
* All fields are required Information.
Parent’s Full Name: _________________________________________ Today’s Date: ____________
Address: _________________________________________________ Apt/Lot #: _______________
City: ________________________________________ State: IA ___ Zip Code: ________________
Primary Phone: ________________________________ Is this a cell phone #?  Yes  No
Email: _______________________________________ Expected start date: ______________________
Child’s Name : ________________________________ Age: _______ Birthday: _________________
School Attending: ___________________________ Grade: ______ In school activities? ________
Any special needs I should be aware of?  Yes  No _____________________________________
Employer: ____________________________________ Supervisor:_____________________________
Address: _____________________________________ City/St/Zip: ____________________________
Phone Number: ________________________________ Years employed:________________________
Your Job Title: ________________________________ May we contact this employer?  Yes  No
Hands and Feet ChildCare
4040 33rd
Ave SW Apt 8 ♥ Cedar Rapids, IA ♥ 52404 ♥ (641) 351-8542
Picture courtesy of nowheremanphotos.com ©2009-2011. Used with permission
Parent Information
Child(ren) Information
Employment Information

This information is required and must be provided in order for your application to be considered. All
references will be verified. Please provide professional references, with at least one being a former
child care provider, other than friends or relatives.
Name: _______________________________________ Relationship: ___________________________
Phone Number: ________________________________ Years acquainted: _______________________
When we contact this reference, what do you think they will say about you?
Do you plan to use the child care assistance grant (eligibility will be verified)?  Yes No  Unsure
Select the days per week you require care:  Mon  Tues  Weds  Thurs  Fri  Varies
What shift do you need care for (please select a shift and time, even if your hours overlap or vary):
 1st
Shift  2nd
Shift  3rd
Shift  Before School  After School  No School Days
Drop-off time: ________________________________ Pick-up Time: __________________________
Select the status of childcare you will require:  Full-time  Part-time  Drop-in  Overnight
Will you require transportation to and from school and activities?  Yes  No
Will you require lunch to be prepared for your child(ren) to eat at school? Yes  No
Professional References
Service Information

Will you require full-time childcare on no school days?  Yes  No If yes, Different rates may apply.
Does the attending school(s) participate in early out Wednesdays?  Yes  No If yes, different rates
may apply.
I certify that my answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge.
 If this application leads to child care enrollment, I understand that false, withheld, or misleading
information in my application, contract for services, or interview may result in terminating services.
 I understand that this is an application for services and does not constitute a contract for services
(expressed or implied).
 I understand that my child will receive training in Christian principles and values while attending this
child care and, by signing below, I consent to my child’s participation.
 I agree to pay a $30 application/registration fee upon my application being approved in order to
guarantee my child’s place at the daycare. I understand that, without this fee, my application is
incomplete and services cannot begin. I understand this fee is non-refundable; however it will be
applied to my first billing cycle.
 I would like to schedule an orientation meeting and tour for Date: ___________ Time: __________
Parent’s signature:________________________________________ Print:________________________
Provider’s Signature: _____________________________________ Print: Shawna Ebbeson
App Status: App Fee rec’ved: All Forms Complete: Enrollment date:
Start Date: Mode: CRate: Char:
Deposit rec’ved: Service Status:
Ref 1 comments: Ref 2 comments: Ref 3 Comments:
Agreement and Consent
Office Use Only

HANDS AND FEET CHILDCARE
4040 33
rd
Ave SW Apt 8 * Cedar Rapids * Iowa * 52404
Provider References
Nate and Meeka King
Current Child care clients
Meeka: (319) 350-1766
Nate: (319) 929-4929
Dave and Dawn Young
Business Network
Dawn: (319) 540-9800
Dave: (319) 929-4929
Steve Melchior
Superior
HomeChoice Senior Care
Marion, IA
(319) 363-2721
Picture courtesy of
nowheremanphotos.com
©2009-2011. Used with
permission.

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