Safety Measures

The health and safety of the children, families, and employees is our top priority for all branches of Hesston Community Child Care Association. We strive to create a safe, loving, stimulating, and secure Christian environment for all those who walk through our doors.

1 / Illness Prevention Protocols

Illness prevention is taken seriously at the programs to help maintain a healthy environment for our families and staff. A pre-entrance health assessment, conducted by an approved a licensed physician, is required by the State for each child. Immunizations must be kept up to date. If a child is not feeling well enough to participate comfortably in daily activities and staff are unable to provide care without effecting the health and safety of other children, children will be required to remain out of the program. To help reduce the risk of contagions, children who begin to show symptoms of illness while in care should be picked up within 1 hour of notification. Children are asked to remain home until they have been symptom free without the use of a medication preventing symptoms for 24 hours. A complete list of illness exclusion protocols is avilable in our parent handbook and is posted at each program.

2 / Staff Trainings

Prior to employment all staff must pass a background check. All staff maintain certifications in CPR and pediatric first aid. All staff also take trainings in the prevention of and response to allergic reactions, safe sleep practices, how to properly administer medications, and recognizing the signs and symptoms of illnesses. Staff also participate in yearly job-related trainings and maintain proper staff to child ratios through-out the day.

3 / Pick-up and Drop-off

All pick-ups and drop-offs are logged through our childcare management system Procare. This allows us to track who has picked up a child and at what time. Any authorized pick-up who is not a parent/guardian must speak with a staff member from the program before a child will be released to them. Any person who is not recognized by staff will be asked to show a photo ID before they may pick-up a child. If you have a unique custody situation, please provide court documentation to the program so that we may abide by these agreements as well. If there is a question or concern about a pick-up situation parents/guardians will be called before a child can be released for the day.

4 / Weather and Fire Safety

Fire drills are practiced once a month by each site. Throughout the months of April - September a monthly tornado drill is practiced as well. A log of monthly drills can be found at each center. If Hesston USD 460 is closed due to inclement weather, all sites of Hesston Community Child Care Association will close as well. In the event of an emergency parents will receive notifications in three ways, through the Procare app, an emergency alert text message, and an e-mail.

5 / Medication Administration

We are able to administer medications at HICDC and SAP/SEP sites while children are in care with the following requirements:

All prescription medication must be in the original container and must be prescribed for the child to whom the medication is to be given. The label on the container must contain the child’s name, physician’s name, pharmacist, medication, dosage, frequency, starting date and expiration date, if applicable.
All non-prescription medicine must have the child’s name and the dosage on the outside of the container.
Parents must fill out a Prescription Medication Authorization form for any kind of medication. Be sure to specify for how long this medication is to be given.

Parents are notified through Procare of each dose of medication that is given, and all doses are logged on the medication authorization forms filled out by parents/guardians.

Hesston Community Preschool will administer life-saving medications such as an inhaler or epinephrine injection. A Prescription Medication Authorization Form must be filled out following the above guidelines.

6 / Parent Communication

Communication between parents and staff is an important part of keeping children safe. Through our childcare management system, Procare, we are able to have daily communication between parents and staff. Parents and staff are able to message each other quickly and effectively. Parents will also receive a daily log of activities including diaper changes, toilet training notes, meals, naps, and photos staff have taken through-out the day.

7 / Emergency Preparedness

A complete list of plans and procedures for emergency situations can be found at each program. Policies include preparedness for evacuations, intruders, medical emergencies, natural disasters, and other location related emergencies. In the event of an emergency, parents will be notified through the Procare app, an emergency alert text message, and an e-mail. During an evacuation, lock-down, or shelter in place event parents will not be able to enter the building and pick-up their children. This aligns with the protocol for Hesston School District, USD 460. Once a situation is determined to be safe and we are able to relay necessary information, parents will be called and notified of safe pick-up locations for their children.

8 / Food Program

Hesston Community Child Care Association participates in the Child and Adult Food Program (CACFP). All meals are served following the nutritional guidelines set forth by CACFP. Children who have food allergies must fill out a Meal Modification Form and have a licensed physician sign. Children who have food allergies will be served an alternative food item to replace the food(s) that contain an allergen. Due to the risk of allergens, we ask that children do not bring in their own meals. Staff are trained on the prevention and response to allergens.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal Civil Rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Civil Rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior credible activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Children will not be identified or served any components of a meal differently based on their income eligibility status of free, reduced, or paid.