St. Paul Catholic Church 314 Nassau Street Princeton, NJ Nursery Care Procedures Manual 2015

Transcription

1 St. Paul Cathlic Church 314 Nassau Street Princetn, NJ Nursery Care Prcedures Manual 2015 This dcument prvides a general descriptin f the Nursery Prgram and shuld be given t any paid r vlunteer caregiver using the Nursery and any member f the Parish cmmunity interested in learning mre abut the Nursery Prgram. Prepared by: Andrew and Kelly Ledfrd r akledfrd@al.cm r kellyledfrd@htmail.cm 1/24/2015 1

2 Table f Cntents Missin and Intrductin f Nursery Guidelines. 3 Dicese Requirements.4 St Paul Standards f Care...4 Staffing Guidelines..5 Parents Using Childcare..6 Vlunteers in the Nursery..6 Paid Staff in the Nursery..7 Maintaining a Clean & Safe Envirnment 8 Yu and Yur Child s Stay in the Nursery 9 Hw t Reprt an Incident f Cncern.12 Stewardship Prayer..13 2

3 Missin The Missin f the St Paul Nursery is t welcme the children f ur cmmunity int a safe, psitive, fun-first church experience. Parents are able t attend Mass, giving them the pprtunity fr spiritual grwth while leaving their child in a caring and lving envirnment. Intrductin f Nursery Prgram Childcare is prvided fr the 10am mass n Sunday mrnings. The nursery is lcated in the pre-schl classrm in the St Paul Schl f Princetn, adjacent t the church. The nursery is fr children six mnths f age t five years ld. Children six years f age and lder are t attend Church services r Religius Educatin instructin. Our Nursery Staff cnsists f vlunteers frm this parish and a few paid caregivers. In rder t keep ur nursery prgram safe and in cmpliance with Dicese f Trentn plicies n Child Prtectin Effrts/Safe Envirnment Screening and Training (SEST), all emplyees and adult nursery vlunteers are required t cmplete an applicatin fr ministry (which permits the Dicese t run a criminal backgrund check) and attend an SEST/Virtus Wrkshp. Please visit t find SEST cmpliance infrmatin. SEST/Virtus cmpliant adult caregivers supervise teen caregivers at all times. Our hurs f peratin: Sunday Nursery 9:45am 11:15am t serve the 10:00am Mass The Nursery will attempt t remain pen during Hly Week and n majr hlidays. Shuld the nursery have t clse fr any reasn, all effrts will be made t include the clsure infrmatin in the Sunday bulletin prir t clsing. 3

4 1) Dicese Requirements n Safe Envirnment Screening and Training (SEST) Virtus and Fingerprinting Sessins Any persn wrking with children in any capacity at all in the parish must cmplete a Virtus wrkshp and have fingerprints taken. The Dicese f Trentn mandates Virtus fr all vlunteers wrking with children in ur parishes. The well being f the children placed in ur care is a tp pririty t all wh minister t them. These wrkshps are run at n cst t the caregiver and St Pauls prvides all materials. The caregiver shuld call Anne-Marie Calderne, Virtus facilitatr, at x148 r her at Annemarie@stpaulsfprincetn.rg, t register fr a sessin, t receive infrmatin r ask questins pertinent t Virtus. Caregivers may als register fr an upcming sessin nline at g t Registratin. PLEASE NOTE: If caregivers were previusly certified in this dicese, they d nt need t repeat this prgram. This is a ne-time certificatin prgram and certificatin remains in effect fr this dicese until further ntice. 2) St Paul Standards f Care The dr t the nursery shuld be pened and the rm readied t accept children a minimum f 15 minutes prir t any knwn scheduled activity. Caregivers shuld be prmpt, neat, cheerful, and ready t receive and care fr the children when they arrive. Caregivers are nt t disrupt the layut f the classrm and leave it as it was prir t nursery care. Please d nt staple, tape, glue, r tack anything t the building s walls, drs, r windws. It is the respnsibility f each caregiver t set a Christian example fr the children within their care. The children will be kept busy by playing, ding art prjects such as clring and drawing, stry time, etc. Each child is t be handled in a gentle caring manner while in ur care. If a caregiver has a prblem with a child it shuld be addressed with the Nursery Crdinatr. All caregivers shuld reprt t wrk at least 15 minutes prir t their scheduled activity time. Punctuality, diligence, and faithfulness greatly enhance the atmsphere f the nursery and will be an excellent rle mdel example t the children. Caregiver appearance is imprtant and shuld be presentable and well maintained. If children are taken utside t the playgrund, place sign n the drntifying parents f yur whereabuts. Talk t the parents abut hw things went with their child/ren. 4

5 3) Staffing Guidelines a) Staff Recruitment and the Number f Children All Nursery staff members recruited must be interviewed, trained and hired by the Nursery Crdinatr. The Nursery Crdinatr will be respnsible fr verifying the staff s cmpliance in SEST. Per Dicese requirements, the Nursery needs t always have at least 2 caregivers per rm n matter the number f children. b) Teens, Vlunteers and Paid Staff Caregivers f the Nursery can include vlunteers and paid staff f varius ages. Vlunteers wh are in Middle Schl and High Schl are cnsidered helpers and shall never be in a supervisry rle. Any caregiver under the age f 18 must have an adult supervisr. Per Dicesan requirements, the Nursery must have at least ne SEST cmpliant adult ver 21 years f age in the classrm and at least ne SEST cmpliant adult supervising and available t assist as needed. The preferred scenari is t have at least 2 SEST cmpliant adults in the classrm with ne serving in an verall supervisr capacity ver the classrm. c) Scheduling, Ratis and Number f Children The Nursery Crdinatr will schedule all necessary staff needed. Our main fcus is t prvide quality care and supervisin t children by striving t maintain high adult-t-child ratis. Althugh we are nt required t adhere t the caregiver: children ratis that have been established by the state f New Jersey fr childcare facilities, we have cnsidered their guidelines when establishing ur suggested ratis. We will strive t have a caregiver: child rati f at least ne caregiver t every six (6) children. Fr infants 6 mnths t 18 mnths, we will strive t have a caregiver: child rati f at least ne caregiver t every 4 children. Due t these ratis, the Nursery may be clsed t any additinal children based n the number f caregivers present. The Nursery is best suited when there are n mre than 4 caregivers and at mst 24 children in the rm. This is due t the limited amunt f actual play space in the rm. At the discretin f the Nursery Crdinatr and the paid r vlunteer staff, these numbers may be adapted t suit the parish s need at that time. 5

6 d) Staff Badges All caregivers shuld wear a St Paul Nursery badge. If a badge is ever lst, please ntify the Nursery Crdinatr as sn as pssible. e) Supervisry Rle The Nursery will have a single caregiver wh is designated in the Supervisry Rle whse respnsibility is t mnitr the nursery rm. The Supervisr assists with childcare, any tasks and is the runner and the cmmunicatr between the Nursery and parents if necessary. This persn is the decisin-maker based n his/her discretin in regards t the issues at hand. The Nursery will prvide its wn supplies as needed (i.e. cverings fr changing tables, extra diapers & wipes, paper prducts fr cleaning and drinking, art supplies, etc.). It is the Supervisr s rle t infrm the Nursery Crdinatr f all needed items t fully stck the Nursery fr the next caregiving sessin. 4) Parents Using Childcare a) Dcuments Prvided t the Parents All parents must read and adhere t the Yu and Yur Child s Stay in the Nursery dcument. This dcument will be lcated in the St. Pauls Nursery binder, and cpies will als be available fr parents t take hme. Parents wh are SEST cmpliant are welcme t vlunteer in the Nursery. 5) Vlunteers in the Nursery Adjunct vlunteers may prvide childcare. The vlunteers must be age 12 r lder and must be SEST cmpliant. Teen vlunteers are never allwed in the Nursery withut an adult present and are never allwed in a supervisry rle. a) Adhering t Guidelines and Prcedures All dcuments utlining required guidelines, prcedures and training will be given t vlunteers. It is the respnsibility f the vlunteers t read and cmply with the infrmatin given. If the parent r vlunteer caregiver des nt fllw prcedures and guidelines, it may result in dismissal frm the Nursery ministry. 6

7 Vlunteer staff members will sign in and ut under the Caregivers Sectin f the Sign-In/Sign-Out sheet fr each shift. This will be the Nursery s nly recrd f yur attendance and vlunteerism. 6) Paid Staff in the Nursery Paid staff that is ver the age f 18 will prvide childcare in ur Nursery. a) Emplyee Frms The Nursery Crdinatr will be respnsible fr ensuring that paid caregivers have cmpleted all required Emplyee Frms, which include W-4, I-9 with cpy f apprpriate identificatin, an Authrizatin fr Direct Depsit Frm with canceled check r depsit slip, and a signed cpy f Acknwledgement f Emplyee Handbk. All cmpleted frms must be given t the Nursery Crdinatr and prcessed by the St Paul Accuntant prir t the paid caregivers first day f paid wrk. b) Training and Materials The Nursery Crdinatr hsts at least ne training sessin per year. It is the respnsibility f the paid staff t attend this training. If paid staff have been hired after this training, the Nursery Crdinatr will place new staff with a seasned caregiver wh will prvide n-the-jb training. All paid staff must read all dcuments cntained in the St. Pauls Nursery binder. Failure t cmply with any f the prcedures utlined may result in dismissal. c) Paid Staff Respnsibilities The staff member s functin will include unlcking & lcking the rm drs, ensuring Children Infrmatin Frms and Sign-In/Sign-Out frms are available & cmpleted. These blank frms alng with Nursery Guidelines & Prcedures will be lcated in the St. Paul Nursery binder. Nursery staff members are respnsible fr apprpriate prcedures and emergencies that may ccur. Paid Staff are respnsible fr ensuring the apprpriate cleanup and maintenance f the rm and its cntents. d) CPR, AED and First Aid Training We will strive t have at least ne CPR, AED & First Aid Trained and Certified persn n the Nursery premise during nursery hurs. It is encuraged that paid emplyees have this training. It is the respnsibility f the paid staff t read St. Paul s Emergency Management Manual. 7

8 e) Time Sheets and Pay Dates All cmpleted time sheets shuld be delivered t the Nursery Crdinatr by placing them in the designated flder in the Nursery binder. A schedule f time sheet due dates and payrll dates is lcated in the Nursery binder. Any delay in turning in timesheets will result in payment being delayed until the next pay date. f) Unable t Fulfill Shift Staff members unable t fulfill his/her shift are respnsible t ntify the Nursery Crdinatr as sn as pssible. g) Signing in as a Paid Staff Member Paid staff members will sign in and ut under the Caregivers Sectin f the Sign-In/Sign-Out sheet fr each shift. This will be the Nursery s nly recrd f yur attendance. 7) Maintaining a Clean & Safe Envirnment The Nursery is t be kept clean at all times. The Facilities staff will perfrm the day-t-day cleaning f the classrm. The Nursery tys, bks, and ther activity materials are t be cleaned and put away. Staff shall reprt any damage t furniture, tys, r unusual cleaning needs immediately t Nursery Crdinatr. Staff shall wipe the sink area, cmmde/ptty chair, changing table and tabletps with disinfectant. If child brings a snack frm hme, staff will wipe dwn table with disinfectant befre and after snack time, and befre leaving the facility. If a child puts a ty in his/her muth, staff shall remve and wash ty. Staff shall wash their hands and the childrens hands when returning frm the playgrund, befre & after snacks and after using the bathrm. Staff shall always keep a headcunt f children they are caring fr. If an accident was t ccur, staff shall share all details-excluding names f any ther children-with the parent. The Nursery will have child prtective cvers n every electrical utlet. All cabinet drs will have child prtective latches. Care in strage and placement f cleaners, appliances, and tys will be taken t ensure the safety f children. The St Paul Cathlic Church is a Smke Free Envirnment and caregivers are nt permitted t use tbacc prducts, alchlic beverages, illegal drugs, r perfrm any ther inapprpriate behavir that is detrimental t the health, well-being, r safety f thse in their care. 8

9 The Nursery will have basic nn-ingestive First-Aid supplies ready and available alng with a Basic Guide T First Aid and Emergency Care. In the case f a Medical Emergency, staff will cntact first and then infrm the Rectry at In case f a Fire Emergency, staff will evacuate the Area, cntact 9-1-1, then cntact the Rectry at The Nursery will have ne (1) Fire Extinguisher, ne (1) smke detectr within the classrm alng with a Fire Evacuatin Map. At the end f the Nursery sessin, staff shall have the children sit in circle time t read a bk, sing sngs, play Simn Says, etc. This will assist in an rderly dismissal f children and keep a cntinual cunt f children. a) Changing a Diaper and Ptty Training Prcedures fr Staff Cntinually check fr siled diapers Prepare diaper changing area with table pad, wipes, diapers, paper twels and disinfectant Always keep yur eyes n the child Minimize cntact with child s siled clthes r diapers Always use rubber glves Clean the child s bttm frm frnt t back with wipe Place clean diaper and clthes n child, and take child ff changing area Thrw all siled dispsable items wrapped in the latex glve in cvered receptacle Place all siled clthes int a plastic bag Clean and disinfect the diaper changing area Wash child s hands and yur hands Fr thse wh are ptty training, try t minimize cntact but assist the child in the remval f clthes if necessary 8) Yu and Yur Child s Stay in the Nursery a) Schedule Parents are encuraged t share their child s schedule fr ptty breaks, eating and sleeping n the Sign-in/Sign-Out sheet. Caregivers will d their best t fllw yur schedule. Fr children in diapers, parents shuld put child in a clean diaper immediately prir t bringing child t the Nursery, hwever, diapers are changed as needed r as directed by the parent. The Nursery will nt be supplying snacks fr the children s we ask that yu bring a snack fr yur wn child. We ask that yu bring dry snacks such as crackers, granla bars, pretzels, etc. We als ask that yu bring water r clear juices either in a sippy cup r juice bx fr yur child. We d nt prvide 9

10 refrigeratin fr any snacks r beverages. All snacks must be cmpletely nut free. Yur child may have utside playtime (weather permitting). Please dress yur child apprpriately fr the weather and have them in clsed ted shes. If yu return t the rm and yu cannt lcate us, there shuld be a sign stating we are n the playgrund with directins t the playgrund. b) Sign-in Prcedures The Nursery will have a Sign-In Statin inside the rm. Yu may help yur child get acquainted with the rm, meet the caregivers and sign them in. Please be cnsiderate and limit the length f gdbye and traffic in the rm t a few minutes. At the Sign-In Statin, please d the fllwing: 1. Lg yur child in n the Sign-In/Sign-Out sheet. Use ne line per child and include the infrmatin requested. Be sure t include special instructins such as ptty training, nap times, feedings, allergies, etc. 2. Please make a label with yur child s name and place the label n yur child s back. 3. Give labeled diaper bag t a staff member wearing a badge. 4. Be sure t set yur cell phne t vibrate fr Mass. After check-in, the staff will aid in separatin by fllwing yur guidance. Lng gdbyes ften make clingy children becme mre s, and can upset ther children wh are already settled in. The majrity f children adjust satisfactrily quite quickly; hwever, sme children need t becme engaged and then say gdbyes. We will encurage the first apprach as much as pssible, but will be flexible. Sme children wh are experiencing separatin anxiety may benefit frm a shrter stay in the Nursery at the beginning. Yu can gradually increase their time until they are happily staying fr the entire Mass. b) Sign-Out Prcedures Parents are requested t pick up their child as sn as pssible (within 15 minutes) after the clse f each Mass. Children can be picked up in the Nursery after signing the Sign-In/Sign-Out sheet. Yur child will nt be released t anyne but the parents r legal guardians. 10

11 c) Lcating a Parent If yur child cries fr 15 minutes and cannt be cmfrted, r appears sick, the staff will ntify yu by calling yur cell phne. This is why it is s imprtant t include yur cell phne n the Sign-In/Sign-Out sheets. We will nt bring a child t yu and we encurage yu t respnd quickly. Please be discreet when cming t pick up yur child by quietly kncking n the dr if yu d nt see a staff member. e) Suggested Diaper Bag Cntents Please bring the fllwing labeled items as necessary fr yur child: A clearly labeled diaper bag, sack r backpack (labels are prvided) Extra diapers (dispsable nly please) Labeled plastic baby bttles and/r sippy cups Labeled pacifiers Change f clthing (even fr ptty trained children) Yur child s favrite cmfrt item Children may bring their wn nut-free snack and drink Apprpriate uterwear, including clsed-ted shes fr the weather f) Plicy fr Sick Children Sick children will nt be admitted int the Nursery. Staff will nt give medicatin f any kind. Sme signs f illness are: Unusual fatigue r irritability Cughing, sneezing, runny nse, watery eyes Fever (child shuld be fever-free withut medicatin fr 24 hurs befre utilizing Nursery) Vmiting r diarrhea (any time within the previus 24 hurs) Inflamed thrat Rash r cld sres We appreciate yur cperatin in keeping all ur children healthy by nt bringing a child wh may be sick. Caregivers assist in this effrt by fllwing strict hygiene prcedures and washing and disinfecting tys n a regular basis. If a sickness r an accident were t happen during yur child s time in the nursery, the parent will be ntified immediately. g) Rules f the Nursery and Playgrund In rder t maintain a safe, nurturing envirnment, all children are required 11

12 t fllw the rules anytime they are in the Nursery: Cnsequences: N balls shall be thrwn in the Nursery, nly rlled n the flr N rughhusing, pretend fighting, etc. N running in the rm r hallways N tree climbing N climbing n physical structure f playgrund equipment Bttms and bellies n the swings N thrwing f rcks Slide dwn n bttms Children leaving the Nursery fr any reasn, including using the restrm, must be supervised by a caregiver at all times Use respectful vices and language D nt hurt thers Listen and bey the staff Caregivers will psitin themselves s they can see all the children Warning Time ut the time ut will last the same number f minutes as the child s age and will ccur in an area which can be supervised at all times. If the caregiver has fllwed these prcedures and decides that a child is still nt under cntrl, the caregiver may call the parent. The child may nt be brught back t the Nursery fr the duratin f that day s events. Discipline fr children under the age f tw will cnsist f a simple statement f the rules and redirectin t a mre apprpriate activity. Parents are t discuss these rules and cnsequences with yur child and help Nursery staff t enfrce them. h) In an Emergency Situatin The paid staff will be trained n the prcedures develped by St Paul t respnd t emergency situatins. In case f a natural disaster, please reprt t the Nursery as sn as pssible t pick up yur child. If yu wish t be better prepared, an Emergency Manual is available fr yur review in the Nursery Rm. 9) Hw t Reprt an Incident f CncernThe Dicese f Trentn is cmmitted t the initiatives utlined in The U.S. Bishp s Charter fr the Prtectin f Children and Yung Peple in the regard t the reprting and investigatin f sexual abuse allegatins invlving minrs.if yu have been sexually abused as a minr by a member f the clergy r anyne representing the Cathlic Church, r if yu knw f smene wh was, yu can reprt that abuse thrugh the dicesan Abuse Htline: r via at abuseline@diceseftrentn.rg. 12

13 Stewardship Prayer Almighty and ever-faithful Lrd, gratefully acknwledging Yur mercy and humbly admitting ur need, we pledge ur trust in Yu and each ther. Filled with desire, we respnd t Yur call fr discipleship by shaping ur lives in imitatin f Christ. We prfess that the call requires us t be stewards f Yur gifts. As stewards, we receive Yur gifts gratefully, cherish and tend them in a respnsible manner, share them in practice and lve with thers, and return them with increase t the Lrd. We pledge t ur nging frmatin as stewards and ur respnsibility t call thers t that same endeavr. Almighty and everfaithful Gd, It is ur fervent hpe and prayer that Yu wh have begun this gd wrk in us will bring it t fulfillment in Jesus Christ, ur Lrd. Amen. If there are any questins, cncerns r cmments n these prcedures, please d nt hesitate t cntact the Nursery Crdinatr, Kelly Ledfrd at r kellyledfrd@htmail.cm. Again, thank yu fr yur supprt in this wnderful ministry! 13