Handbook
Welcome and Overview
Welcome to my home.
Miss Melissa’s House is a Family Child Care that is owned and operated by Melissa Shaw. Miss Melissa’s House is an environment that provides stability, security and a sense of belonging for your child.
I provide care to children and families ages 6 weeks to 12 years of all races, cultures, religions, financial abilities and backgrounds.
Business Information
Address: 10 Viewpoint Drive
Hooksett, N.H. 03106
Telephone: (603) 485-7219
Email: Melissa@MissMelissasHouse.com
I have an open-door policy that welcomes and encourages parents to stop by at any time throughout the day.
Days and Hours
Monday 7:00 – 5:30
Tuesday 7:00 – 5:30
Wednesday 7:00 – 5:30
Thursday 7:00 – 5:30
Friday 7:00 – 5:30
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
Payment Information
A deposit of $50 is required to hold a space and is applied to the first week of care.
Payment for the week is due on Friday for the following week. Assistance to families, provided by the State of New Hampshire, is accepted. The remaining balance of tuition is the responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian(s).
Costs for field trips and extra activities are the financial responsibilty of the parent(s)/guardian(s), unless otherwise noted, and is due the day before the scheduled event. Transportation will be provided at no additional charge.
Vacations, Holidays, Personal and Sick time
Miss Melissa’s House will be closed on the following holidays:
New Year's Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Day before Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Day
In addition to these holidays, Miss Melissa’s House will be closed for 2 weeks of unpaid vacation per year, including Hooksett’s winter vacation week. We will also be closed up to 5 scheduled unpaid personal days. Acceptable notice will be provided once dates are determined.
Sick days will ONLY be taken if the provider is too ill to care for your children, and will be unpaid days. It is responsibility of the child’s parent(s)/guardian(s) to secure backup care, however, I will assist, when needed, to find replacement care.
Qualifications and Experience
I am Infant/Toddler CPR and First Aid certified.
I attended North Shore Community College in Lynn Ma., for Early Childhood Education. I regularly attend childcare conferences and workshops.
I spent over 8 years working in child care centers as a teacher's aide and was a preschool gymnastics instructor for 10 Years.
I am Serve Safe certified, a member of the Organization of Child Care providers, and am a provider of the CACFP (equivalent of the school lunch program).
Philosophy
Security, stability and love are the most needed elements in building a solid foundation in our children. I will provide a safe, nuturing environment for your child to grow and learn.
Professionally, as a child care provider and personally as a mother, I welcome each child’s individuality and believe that children all have their own unique personalities, learning paces and gifts to share. I get so much enjoyment as I see children learn and grow.
Every child deserves to be in an environment that encourages and supports him/her to be the best he or she can be.
As a child care provider it is my vow to treat your child as the unique person he or she is, and welcome each special characteristic they own.
I will teach your child with the knowledge that no child learns the same way at the same pace. I will provide fun in learning through, reading, singing and dancing. I plan organized activity time with developmentally appropriate projects and activities available to each child.
While operating Miss Melissa’s House Family Childcare, my mission is to assist families on a daily basis by providing quality childcare, offering a program that nurtures and encourages children via structure, support and security.
Being a parent myself, I realize that there is nothing more valuable to parents/guardians than their children. I make a promise to treat your child in the same manner that I would want mine treated - with respect, courtesy, support and, most importantly, by listening to them.
Behavior management
Miss Melissa’s House stands by a policy that the form of discipline used is preventative, not punishing.
There is no physical punishing. Redirection and communicating are the methods used. A child will never be disrespected, shamed or isolated from others. If a child has done something hurtful to another child, after discussing that it is not acceptable, the child is asked to apologize with either a word or a hug.
Curriculum
Learning through fun! That’s what we’re all about.
Miss Melissa's House offers a preschool curriculum to children ages 2 years to 5 years.
It is a fantastic curriculum that involves alphabet and number recognition, pronunciation and writing. art, music and movement, and much, much more. The children work and play hands-on with a variety of activities that encourage them to explore and develop at each child's individual pace.
For our infants and toddlers, we offer a responsive curriculum. Whatever your child requires at that time, I provide. I aim to give your child the most beneficial day that he or she can have. This requires much fun and learning. We encourage developmentally appropriate activities and learning tools. We follow a plan each day and allow time to meet every child's needs. You will be provided with a copy of our daily schedule and timeline. Weekly reports are sent home discussing your child’s activities and participation.
Of course, as stated previously, we recognize and welcome each child’s individuality and choose activities, books, and music that will appeal to most. We always allow time to meet each child’s needs and learning pace.
Communication
Miss Melissa’s House believes in good communication between care provider and family. In order for a child to benefit from a positive experience in childcare, the parent/provider relationship must be a positive one. It is important for us to discuss anything that may have an impact either positively or negatively on any particular day.
Safe Environment
All doors are equipped with an alarm. Should any door be opened, either into the front yard, garage or back yard, a chime rings throughout the home to advise that an entrance/exit has been opened. This enhances safety by making me aware that a door has been opened to go out or if someone has come in. Other safety items at Miss Melissa's House include:
First Aid and CPR Certified
Gates on stairways
Furnace room located downstairs with a secure, locked door
Smoke alarms/fire detectors
Carbon monoxide detector
Clean and well-supervised play areas
Outlets and cabinets/drawers are childproof
Medications are secured out of children’s reach
First aid kit
Fenced-in play area
Emergency phone numbers posted
Meals and snacks
As a provider of the CACFP I am pleased to offer breakfast, lunch and snacks. The CACFP ensures that meals and snacks being provided to your children are nutritionally balanced and complete. I will send a menu home for you that will include the menu for each day. If you feel that your child would prefer something other than what is offered, please feel free to pack a lunch or snack for your child. I will be happy to microwave meals that you pack for your child.
Breakfast is served at 8:00
AM Snack at 10:00
Lunch at 12:00
PM Snack at 3:00
Clothing and Supplies
Your child will have a designated cubby for his/her belongings. Please supply them with diapers, wipes, and two changes of clothing.
Miss Melissa’s House will provide a mat for your child’s nap, be we ask parents/guardians to supply a blanket, sheet and pillow if your child prefers one. These items are sent home on Fridays for washing and returned to us on Mondays.
During the winter months, we DO go outside. Please make sure that your child comes prepared to be out in the snow and cold. I do not take the children outside for play if it is less than 25 degrees. Snowsuits, boots, hats and mittens are required. During spring/summer months, parents/guardians are required to supply sun block and bug spray, and provide swimsuits, swim diapers and a towel for play in the sprinkler and wading pool.
Miss Melissa’s House will supply materials for art projects and activities, although donations are always welcome.
Medication
Prescription – must be kept in original container with child’s name, doctor's name, current date, pharmacy name, and instructions. Medicine will be administered as directed by a physician. Written permission is required on a medication from the parent.
Over the counter – Will only be given if a doctor's note is provided that has a current date, the name of the medication and the reason for the use and dose that is to be given.
Chronic Illness – If the medication is for a chronic illness, such as allergies or asthma, the prescription will be given as needed, based on the instruction and authorization from a doctor and authorization from a parent.
Illness
Miss Melissa’s House follows regulation to policies including illness and the administration of medication.
Children who are ill with a contagious illness or fever or who exhibit any of the following will not be allowed to attend care:
- Difficult or rapid breathing
- A fever over 100 degrees (auxiliary method)
- More than one episode of diarrhea
- Severe coughing or wheezing
- Vomiting
- Profuse bodily discharge
- Contagious eye or skin infection
- Unusual or extreme fatigue or lethargy where a child is having difficulty participating in regular childcare activities.
- Unusual spots or rashes
- Difficulty swallowing
If your child becomes ill, I will make every effort to contact the parent/guardian. If I cannot reach you, I will contact the alternate person that the parents/guardians have designated. Once I give notification that the child needs to be picked up, it needs to take place within 1 hour.
Child must be free of these symptoms for 24 hours before returning to care unless accompanied by a doctor’s note stating the child is no longer contagious and the reason for the symptoms. This protects all children in our care.
Emergencies
If an emergency arises that I believe is dangerous or life threatening, I will notify the poison control center or call 911, and then notify the child's parent/guardian. As mentioned, I am First Aid and CPR certified. If the child is in critical need for care, I will begin CPR/First Aid while making contact to emergency personnel.
If medical treatment, transport by ambulance, or hospitalization is required, any bills and charges are the responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian(s).
Release of a Child from the Premises
Children at Miss Melissa’s House will never be released to a person other than the parent/guardian, or to a person who is not listed by the parent/guardian as a contact. I request that if a contact person is to be picking up your child, that I am informed before that person arrives. He or she will need to bring proper identification.
Trial Period
There will be a one-month trial for any child attending Miss Melissa’s House. This allows enough time for parents/guardians and child, as well as provider, to discuss the transition, care and overall feeling of how the program is working for those involved. During this trial period, communication between the parent/guardian and provider regarding the child’s care is imperative. It is very important to be certain that all parties are comfortable and happy, and that there are no concerns that go un addressed.
Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions or concerns.