It is our mission at Wesley Center Inc. to exceed expectations in providing an outstanding program that offers childcare and preschool services in a Christian environment.

Our First priority is to insure the health and safety of your children while encouraging them to have fun, build relationships and discover the world around them.

We provide children with age appropriate activities in a stimulating hands-on environment. We understand that individual children have different styles, interest and rates of learning.

Wesley Center Inc. will not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, marital status, religion, national and ethnic origin in its educational programs, admission policies and employment policies.

Wesley Center is a non-profit, interracial, non-restrictive and non-political Christian organization sponsored by First United Methodist Church. Wesley Center Inc. is a state licensed childcare program that serves children ages six (6) weeks through age twelve (12). Wesley Center Inc. is governed by a board of directors made up of members of this community.

Wesley Center Inc. will accommodate children with special needs consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, unless your childs needs can not be met by this facility. We will also work collaboratively with service providers that specialize in children with special needs.

Required forms must be filled out prior to the first day of attendance. Along with the required forms we will need an up to date copy of your childs immunizations.

Registration Fee: $20.00

3 year olds | $55.00 monthly | Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 – 11:00

4-5 year olds | $65.00 monthly | Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 – 11:00

All preschool fees must be paid by the first of each month.

Returned/NSF Checks Policy

A fee of $30.00 will be charged for all returned checks due to insufficient funds. In the event that a check is returned, we require that the payment of tuition and the returned check fee is paid in cash or money order.

Late Pick-Up Policy

A $5.00 late fee will be charged for the first fifteen minute increment and $1.00 per minute there after that your child is late being picked up, without prior notification, to be paid at the time of departure. If your child is not picked up by 7:00PM we will consider this abandonment and the proper authorities will be notified.

Our professional child care and preschool staff is supervised by Wesley Center Inc. Child care/Preschool Director Michele Lawson.

Our child care staff strives to provide an outstanding program that offers child care services in a Christian environment. Our first priority is to ensure the health and safety of your children while encouraging them to have fun, build relationships and discover the world around them.

We work daily to help children discover their natural talents while encouraging development of their self-confidence and self-esteem. We will provide opportunity for exploration of art, music, literature, and creativity.

Young children respond positively to a schedule so each room has a routine that is followed daily. Routine helps discourage restlessness which is a major cause of misbehavior.

Wesley Center preschool employs only qualified teachers with college degrees in education related fields and/or significant experience working with children.

Wesley Center teachers work together to build on children's needs, strengths and talents. Continuing education is very important to our staff. All staff must attend workshops on child development issues and receive a minimum of 12 hours each year.

Children enrolled in Wesley Center receive breakfast that is served between 6:30AM and 7:30AM, two healthy snacks each day one mid-morning and one mid afternoon and a balanced meal for lunch.

We serve our meals family style when it is developmentally appropriate to do so. Wesley Center participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) through the Nebraska Department of Education – Nutrition Services.

Our program offers a wide variety of activities throughout the day. Parents are asked to help their child understand that it is not wise to bring toys or other items from home unless asked by the teacher to do so. Please do not bring items that are valuable or fragile. We can not be responsible for lost or broken items.

Child Needs from Home

Parents of infants and toddlers will provide diapers and wipes for their children. We ask that you purchase a separate bag of disposable diapers for your child to be kept here at the center. We will check your childs diapers hourly so please provide enough diapers for all of their changes. Parents are also asked to provide baby wipes for their child.

Other items to bring to the center are:

• Formula (we supply Wal-Mart Parents choice with Iron)
• Bottles, nipples and feeding supplies for the entire day
• Diaper rash ointment
• Teething medication
• Pacifier
• Extra clothing
• Your child may bring a favorite blanket for nap time.
• Appropriate jacket or coat
• Shoes (tennis type are best for outside play) and socks
• Hats and gloves
• Snow boots
• Supplies for those potty training

Wesley Center will make every effort to observe good health practices.

NO child will be allowed to come to the center if they are visibly ill. If your child becomes ill while at the Wesley Center you will be notified to pick up your child immediately. In such an event, your child will be isolated from the other children until you arrive.

You must have on file the names of three (3) persons other than you who can pick your child up. One of the contacts should be available to come immediately.

The following are guidelines that will help staff determine if your child is too sick to attend Wesley Center or will be used to determine if it is necessary to have your child picked up from the Wesley Center.

• A fever of 100 degrees or more or has had a fever of 100 degrees or more in the past 24-hour period
• A constant cough, sneezing, nasal discharge.
• Vomiting and or diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Unidentified rash
• Symptoms of a communicable disease, such as sniffles, reddened eyes, sore throat, headache and abdominal pain, plus a fever

If your child is diagnosed as having a communicable disease by a physician, please report the information to the center immediately. A physician's note for release will be required for your child to return to the center. These are a few examples but not a complete list of communicable diseases that will require a physician's release.

• Strep throat
• Ring worm
• Scabies
• Chicken pox
• Pin Worms
• Impetigo
• Head Lice (all nits must be removed from the hair)
• Pink eye
• RSV
• Roto Virus
• 5ths Disease
• Hand foot and mouth disease

Medication

We want to ensure that each child is given the correct medication at the correct time. In order to maintain the highest standard of health and safety, we ask that you assist by observing the following rules concerning dispensing medication to you child.

• All medications must be authorized by a written statement from the physician and/or parent.
• All medication must be in its original container, indicating the child's name, type, and date of prescribed medicine, amount and time of dosage.
• A medication sheet must be completed by the parent each day that medication is to be given.
• All medications are kept in locked boxes inaccessible to the children.
• When your child is no longer taking the medication you brought, it will be sent home.

In the event of severe weather, tornado or other disaster, Wesley Center staff will continue to care for your children until you are able to come for them.

Please DO NOT pick your child up during a tornado warning. Children and staff will be in a safe place (basement of the church). Your children will be instructed to follow the directions of the staff, tuck and cover their heads and wait for more instructions. An evacuation kit is located near the safe area.

Emergency / Urgent Care

Wesley Center staff will call 911 and begin first aid and/or CPR for any life threatening emergencies. We will notify the parent/guardian or emergency contact person first on any other condition that is urgent, but not life threatening. If the parent/guardian or emergency person is unavailable, staff will call 911. If the child must be transported via ambulance, they will be taken to Faith Regional West Campus emergency room. A continued effort to reach the parent/guardian or emergency contact will be made.

Infant Sleeping Position

Staff will put sleeping infants under the age of 12 months on their backs when placed in pack and plays to sleep unless there is a medical reason the child should sleep in a different position. A written note from the infant's physician indicating that the child must sleep in a different position must be submitted by the parents/ guardians at the time of enrollment.

Inclement Weather / Emergency Closings

Wesley Center may be closed due to weather conditions that make travel dangerous for parents and children and our staff.

The Director will make the decision and it will be announced on the local radio stations (US92, KEXL, KNEN).

Fire

Fire Drills will be held at the Wesley Center with our staff and church staff helping to evacuate the children. Emergency exits will be practiced for the staff and the children. The “safe area” will be the parking lot on the West side of the church.

Play clothes are the appropriate dress for Wesley Center. We want children to feel at ease and know they can participate in activities without worrying about their clothes. An extra change of clothing is appreciated for those unexpected occasions and accidents. When the weather allows, we will play outside in our fenced playground or go for a walk, so dress your child accordingly.

Dressing in layers is especially helpful in the spring and fall for temperature fluctuations. Remember: All clothing items must be labeled with your child's name or initials.

Smoking or drug use is not permitted in any area of this facility at anytime. Tobacco/drug use is prohibited when transporting children in vehicles for the childcare and preschool activities. Smoking or drug use of any kind is not permitted by staff or volunteers. Also, it is state law that smoking is prohibited a minimum of 50 feet from any entrance into the building.

Nebraska law requires that children must be in an appropriate child restraint seat until the age of six. When Wesley Center preschool or childcare classes take a field trip, it is necessary for parents to provide a car seat for their child. We ask that all car seats are clearly labeled and are visible to staff and other parents for easy identification. When we go on outings, parents will be given instructions to where car seats can be left and picked up. As with anything brought to the center, we cannot be responsible for car seats that are lost or stolen, especially if they are not labeled or left in a secure area.

Confidentiality of Records: A child's records are only open to the parents or legal guardians, directors, teachers and our state-licensing agency. All records are kept in a locked cabinet and are kept on file for a minimum of five years.

We join together with parents as educational partners. Wesley Center strives to build a partnership between our teaching staff and your family. Communication is vital to our team success in ensuring your child's growth. Questions or concerns about our Childcare and Preschool programs may be directed to the Director of the center. Please feel free to discuss any information about your child with the classroom teachers!

Wesley Center Inc. is a violence free zone. We strive to make each child feel safe. To make sure this happens we have ZERO TOLERANCE toward any adult using inappropriate discipline.

Wesley Centers staff are all mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect by the State of Nebraska. If we feel that a child is being harmed in any way we are required to call Child Protection Services.

Our ultimate goal at the Wesley Center is to help children develop skills and attitudes needed to become well adjusted adults. No child will be allowed to victimize another child. We must, first and foremost, protect your child and his or her classmates from injuries from others.

The following is a list of rules that ALL children at the Wesley Center must follow.

We have a right to add to or change this list at any time.

Wesley Center Director has the right to decide on the urgency of each matter.

Respect

• Your child must respect themselves
• Your child must show respect to the other children and the Wesley Center staff.
• No verbal abuse or threats.
• No inappropriate touching or speaking of inappropriate acts.
• No talking back to the Wesley Center staff and other children.
• No irrational or unreasonable behavior.
• No Profanity.

Absolutely No Violence

• NO hitting
• No spitting
• No throwing toys/objects unless outside (example: balls and frisbees)
• No biting
• No kicking
• No pushing
• No possession of weapons

NO STEALING

DO NOT DESTROY OUR PROPERTY

The following are steps that we will take to make sure that all children are safe.

FIRST INCIDENT - Your child will be told very seriously that his or her behavior is not allowed at the Wesley Center. An incident report will be written with a copy going to the parents.

SECOND INCIDENT - The parent will be telephoned to discuss the problem. A second incident report will be written and copy will be sent home with the parent.

THIRD INCIDENT - The parent will be telephoned and asked to come immediately to remove the child from the Wesley Center for the remainder of the day. A conference will be held with the parents, child, staff member, and director. An incident report will be written and a copy will be sent home with the parents.

FOURTH INCIDENT - You will be instructed to come immediately to remove your child permanently from the center. Incident report will be written and a copy sent home with you.

Wesley Center has the right to change or add to these rules at any time.