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Kids playing in classroom together. Kids playing in classroom together.

Policies & Procedures

The Academy staff use positive guidance techniques to promote self-governing behavior by the children. The framework that we practice is natural, can be implemented calmly and is very effective. Natural and logical consequences are not perceived or administered as punishment. They are most effective when their application is appropriate to the infraction.
Guidance and Discipline
The Academy staff use positive guidance techniques to promote self-governing behavior by the children. The framework that we practice is natural, can be implemented calmly and is very effective. Natural and logical consequences are not perceived or administered as punishment. They are most effective when their application is appropriate to the infraction. For example, a child tears the pages of a classroom book. The logical consequence is that the teacher removes the book from the child’s possession after the child helps repair the page. If the behavior is repeated, the child might experience loss of library privileges for several days. Practice in fully experiencing the results of one’s own choices acts as the most effective means toward the growth of self-discipline. Occasionally, a child may exhibit behavior that is aggressive, violent or otherwise unacceptable and is unable to respond to the teacher’s methods for controlling such behavior. Enrollment may be terminated upon notice should the removal of a child from the classroom be necessary in order to assure the safety of the other children and the quality of the environment.

Dressing for School
Children should arrive at Deer Valley dressed comfortably and prepared for many indoor and outdoor activities, including water play. There are plenty of opportunities each day to work with paint, markers, play dough, sand and water; expect your child to get dirty. We will go outside as a group for play in most weather, and we expect that your child will be appropriately dressed, including sturdy shoes or winter boots. Each child must have a full change of clothes (age appropriate)--shirt, pants, sturdy shoes, winter boots, socks and underwear (if toilet trained)--in his/her cubby at all times. It is the parent’s responsibility to make sure that the change of clothes is always re-stocked and changed for each new season. We require a weekly supply of diapers for children not yet toilet trained. Parents will receive reminders when their diaper supply is low. Families whose pre-school children participate in our ski program must supply the child’s ski equipment.

Celebrations, Holidays and Birthdays
Our curriculum will expose children to the traditions, cultures, and customs of different people throughout the world. One significant way to learn about people and their cultures is through the study and recognition of holiday customs. These holidays may or may not be celebrated by the students in their homes, but it is a chance to enhance a basic understanding of what is happening in the world around them. We would love to recognize your child’s special day at school. We encourage you to bring a healthy, store-bought treat for all the children in his/her class. Please remember that we are a nut-free environment and must accommodate the many different dietary needs of our children. We ask that you contact the Children’s Center Supervisor prior to your child’s birthday so we can discuss what you plan on bringing to share. Although we don’t hold birthday parties in the Center, we would be happy to help distribute invitations to the children for an off-campus celebration. This policy is in place to ensure the safety of all children in the Center.

Personal Belongings
Deer Valley Resort is not responsible for lost or stolen items in the Center. Make sure all your child’s personal belongings are clearly labeled. Please leave toys at home.

Snacks and Lunch
All children ages 12 months and older will be offered a healthy snack in the morning and afternoon and will receive a well-balanced lunch every day. If your child is a very picky eater or has strict dietary restrictions, please make arrangements to provide the appropriate food for your child. For infants (2-11 months), please bring milk and bottles and discuss your child’s eating habits with the caregivers. Deer Valley’s Children’s Center is a nut-free environment.
Absences
If your child will not be in attendance, please notify the teacher with a note, call 435-615-6089 or email Tracy Webb at twebb@deervalley.com to let us know. Missed days cannot be made up.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Families may drop-off and pick up their children by entering the door marked “Deer Valley Academy,” closest to the main Children’s Center door of Snow Park Lodge, and using the security process shared on the first day of the program. Drop-offs should be no earlier than 8 a.m. Fifteen minute parking is available in the front of Snow Park Lodge at drop-off and pick-up times; plus, there are two designated parking spots by the building in the back parking lot for Academy drop-offs. It is important that arrival and pick-up times be closely observed. Parents should refrain from dropping off or picking up their children during Center quiet times between noon and 2 p.m. Children may feel awkward and uncomfortable when they arrive late or are picked up late. In the event of your late arrival due to circumstances beyond your control, please quietly escort your child into the classroom. Parents who pick up their child later than the scheduled time (5 p.m. regular care or 5:30 p.m. extended care) will be charged a late pick-up fee of $2 per minute. If a late pick-up is inevitable, please notify us as soon as possible.

After-Hours Extended Care
One staff member will be available to supervise children from 5 to 5:30 p.m. each afternoon. The cost for this additional supervision period is $15 per day. You must make the supervisor aware of your desire to use this service 24 hours prior or the regular late fees will apply. See Late Pick-ups and Fees.

Late Pick-ups and Fees
Per state licensing, parents and children are not permitted to be left in the Children’s Center alone. We ask that you be on time when picking up your children so you won’t incur late fees and we won’t have to keep staff beyond their scheduled work hours. You must make the supervisor aware of your desire to use this service 24 hours prior or the regular late fees will apply. See After-hours Extended Care. A late fee of $2 per minute will be charged for children picked up after 5 p.m.

Snow Days and School Cancellations
Deer Valley Resort may observe the Park City School District snow days or cancellations due to weather or health notices and may not be open on these days.
Illness
Children are expected to be in good health when in school. For the safety of all children and staff in the program, children may not attend with any of the following conditions: has had a fever within the last 24 hours, vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained rash, contagious illness, conjunctivitis (pink eye), infected eyes with discharge, irritability, lethargy, a persistent cough, or during the first few days of cold/flu symptoms. If your child needs acetaminophen, cannot go outside or requires one-on-one care, he/she should not be in school. If your child shows any of these symptoms at school, he or she will be isolated from the other children and you will be contacted to pick-up your child from the program immediately. Please notify us of any communicable diseases as soon as they are diagnosed. We may require a doctor’s note clearing your child to participate in the program after an illness. State licensing requires a doctor’s note if your child exhibits any of the above symptoms within the last 24 hours. For instance, if your child goes home in the afternoon with a fever, he/she cannot be brought back to school the next morning (less than 24 hours) without a doctor’s note.

Immunizations
State licensing regulations mandate that we have your child's immunization records from your doctor on file prior to the first day of school before we can let him or her attend the Academy. Failure to do so can result in fines and/or school closure until the regulations have been met. If you do not choose to immunize your child, you must submit a letter from your doctor prior to the first day of school stating this decision and his/her compliance.

Health Records
In order to comply with licensing requirements, all children must be fully immunized for their age level before entering any program, and additional immunizations should be noted in the child’s file upon receipt. State licensing requires that we have the official Utah School Immunization Record from your doctor prior to the first day of school or your child will be unable to attend. If you do not choose to immunize your child, you must present a letter from your doctor authorizing this before the first day of school.

Medication
We will not administer medication to a child unless it is in the original container, is labeled with the child’s name and dosage and is given directly to the teacher by the parent with a completed medication form and the written order of a licensed health practitioner.

Photo Release
Deer Valley Resort and its agents may use your child’s photograph for the purpose of publicity, public relations, editorial or other advertising purpose without restriction as to frequency or duration. Neither your minor child nor you will be entitled to any compensation in exchange for granting this exclusive permission to Deer Valley Resort and its agents.
Emergency Preparedness
Fire and emergency drills are conducted on a monthly basis. All staff are trained and consistently updated. In case of an emergency evacuation, parent emergency information is taken and parents will be notified immediately. Please make sure that all telephone numbers and contact information are kept up-to-date throughout the year.

Releasing Children to Authorized Individuals
Your child will only be released to individuals designated on your signed Release of Liability form. Please make sure this information is complete, accurate and updated as needed. You will be asked to sign-in and sign-out every day.
  • A non-refundable Commitment Fee is due at the time of registration and may be charged to the credit card on file; $500 if registering for one semester or $600 for a full-year registration.
  • Cancellations or changes received within six (6) weeks of the start of a semester will be subject to a fee equal to 50% of the original semester total per child. Withdrawals during the semester will be charged for the portion of the semester attended as well as 50% of the remaining portion of the semester’s charges per child.
  • Tuition will be charged at the beginning of each month. The amount charged will be based on the number of days your child is enrolled each month. No refunds for missed days
  • All charges discussed here will be charged on the credit card on file. We must have a credit card on file regardless of payment preference.
  • If check or cash payment is preferred, a check or cash for the registration fee must accompany this application. For the monthly payments, a check or cash must be received by the first of the month or the credit card on file will be charged.
Purpose
At Deer Valley Child Children's Programs, the safety and well-being of every child in our care is our highest priority. We recognize that biting and other aggressive behaviors, while distressing, are a normal part of early childhood development. However, it is our responsibility to address these behaviors promptly and appropriately to protect all children and foster a respectful, nurturing environment.

Philosophy
We understand that children, particularly in the infant and toddler stages, may bite or act aggressively due to a variety of factors including teething, frustration, communication challenges, or overstimulation. Our approach is developmentally informed, supportive, and grounded in positive behavior guidance.

Definitions
  • Biting: Any instance of a child intentionally using their teeth to bite another child or adult.
  • Aggression: Includes hitting, kicking, pushing, scratching, or any behavior intended to harm or distress another person.

Staff Response Protocol
When an incident occurs:
  1. Immediate Intervention
    1. Separate the children involved.
    2. Administer first aid if needed.
    3. Comfort the child who was harmed.
    4. Calmly and firmly address the behavior with the child who bit or acted aggressively.
  2. Incident Documentation
    1. Complete an Incident Report including:
      1. Date, time, and location.
      2. Description of what happened before, during, and after the incident.
      3. Any injuries sustained and actions taken.
    2. A copy will be provided to the parents/guardians of both children. Names of other children involved will be kept confidential.
  3. Parent Notification
    1. Parents/guardians of both children will be notified by phone or at pick-up the same day.
  4. Observation and Tracking
    1. Repeated incidents will be documented and patterns will be monitored (e.g., time of day, specific triggers, interactions).

Behavioral Support Plan
If a child demonstrates recurring biting or aggressive behavior:
  1. Parent Conference
    1. A meeting will be scheduled with the parents/guardians to discuss concerns and collaborate on a behavior support plan.
  2. Behavior Plan Development
    1. Teachers and administration will implement strategies tailored to the child’s needs, such as:
      1. Increased supervision.
      2. Environmental adjustments.
      3. Emotional coaching and social skill building.
      4. Positive reinforcement of appropriate behaviors.
  3. Outside Support
    1. In some cases, we may recommend consultation with a behavioral specialist, pediatrician, or early intervention services.

Temporary Exclusion
While we strive to support every child, we must also ensure the safety of all. If a child's behavior poses a consistent risk:
  • Temporary removal from the classroom may be required (e.g., short breaks in a calm area).
  • In rare and severe cases, temporary suspension may be considered if:
    • There is repeated, injurious behavior that does not respond to interventions.
    • A safety risk to other children or staff persists.
Parents will be involved in all decision-making and will be given clear criteria for return.

Permanent Dismissal
Permanent dismissal is a last resort and only considered if:
  • All support strategies have been exhausted.
  • There is no improvement in behavior and continued enrollment compromises the safety or well-being of others.

Communication and Confidentiality
We are committed to open, respectful communication with families. We will never disclose identifying information about any child other than your own. All incidents will be handled with discretion and professionalism.

Review and Updates
This policy is reviewed annually and updated as needed to reflect best practices in early childhood care.
Inappropriate physical actions (IPA) including, but not limited to, biting, pushing, hitting, slapping, knocking
down, pinching, hair pulling and kicking, unfortunately are not unexpected behavior for toddlers. Some children and many
toddlers communicate through this behavior. However, these actions can be harmful to other children and to staff. This
policy has been developed with both of these ideas in mind.

As a day care, we understand that IPA, unfortunately, are part of a day care setting. Our goal is to help identify what
is causing these actions and resolve these issues. If the issue cannot be resolved, this policy serves to protect the children that
are victims of these actions. If an IPA incident occurs, state regulations require that the parent of the child initiating the
action and the parent of the child who was the victim of the action be contacted.


A. When Inappropriate Physical Action Does Occur:

Our staff strongly disapproves of inappropriate physical actions. The staff’s job is to keep the children safe and help a child
that performs these actions learn different, more appropriate behavior. We do not use techniques to alarm, hurt or frighten
children, such as, hitting back or washing a child’s mouth out with soap.

For the child that was a victim of IPA:
  1. First aid is given if necessary, cleaning with soap and water and, if the skin is broken, the injury is covered with a bandage.
  2. The parents are notified by Center Supervisor.
  3. The incident is documented on the daily sheet.
  4. No names will be exchanged between families.

For the child that performed the IPA:
  1. The teacher will firmly tell the child, “No! Do not [bite/push/etc.]!”
  2. The child will be placed in time out for no longer than the child’s age (one minute for each year of age).
  3. The parents are notified by Center Supervisor
  4. The incident is documented on the daily sheet and in the log book.
  5. No names will be exchanged between families.


B. When Inappropriate Physical Action Continues:

Second Occurrence:
  • Same procedure followed as for first occurrence
  • Center Supervisor and Children’s Program Manager notified
  • Child observed by classroom and/or administrative staff to determine cause of IPA (teething, communication, frustration, etc.)
  • Positive attention and approval given for positive behavior

Third Occurrence within Five Consecutive School Days:
  • Conference with parents to discuss redirection of behavior

Fourth Occurrence within Five Consecutive School Days:
  • Parents contacted, and child removed from classroom for remainder of the day
  • If IPA continues within same five-day period, continue to remove child from classroom

Three Times in Same Day:
  • Child must be picked up for remainder of the day

Child Starts Again After Two-week Period:
  • If child goes two weeks (10 school days) without performing IPA, but then starts IPA again, we will start this procedure from beginning as a "first occurrence"


C. Policy Terms of Effectiveness:

This policy is effective January 1, 2011. All past IPA situations are not included in this policy as the policy was not in effect
at the time that the actions occurred. All IPA from January 1, 2011 forward will be counted toward a child’s total IPA
incidents. No compensation will be given for the time that the child must be removed from the classroom.