Parent(s) or Guardian(s) Agreement
We believe each child is special and holds the future in his or her hands.
Dakota Wesleyan Daycare offers a quality child care program for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers that facilitates and nurtures the individual needs and abilities of each and every child.
Dakota Wesleyan Daycare strives to meet these goals for each child:
Each child participates daily in periods of group activity, individual play, outdoor play, and quiet times.
All activities are developmentally appropriate and meet each child’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive needs.
The imagination and curiosity of every child is valued.
Dakota Wesleyan Daycare is licensed to accommodate 20 children.
We accept children between the ages of six weeks and six years.
The daycare serves Dakota Wesleyan University students, faculty, staff, employees, and the community.
We take children on a first come first serve basis, so it is important that your application is turned in as soon as possible.
If mailing, send to:
Linda Hofer, Director
Dakota Wesleyan Daycare
1101 W. University Ave.
Mitchell, SD 57301
Phone: (605) 995-2956
Home: (605) 729-2333
Hours: The Daycare operates from 7:30 A.M. to 5:15 P.M. Monday thru Friday.
A Late Charge of $5.00 per 15 minutes will be enforced.
Holiday Schedule - Back to Top
The Daycare will be closed for the following holidays.
Changes occur based on the current Dakota Wesleyan University calendar.
Reminders will be posted before each holiday.
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Independence Day (July 4th)
Labor Day
Fall Break Day
Thanksgiving Day and Friday
DWU Christmas
Emergency Closing Procedure - Back to Top
In the event that the Daycare should have to close due to severe weather, the announcement will be made on the radio stations KORN, KMIT, WNAX, and TV Stations.
We will only close in the case of severe weather if Dakota Wesleyan University does, so listen for "Dakota Wesleyan University" closing announcement.
Dakota Wesleyan Daycare does not discriminate against children or parents from admission regardless of race, color, creed, sex, or religion.
A child with special needs may be accepted based on the ability of the Daycare and the teachers to meet those needs.
Dakota Wesleyan Daycare is a group child care facility and does have sufficient and properly trained staff to provide individualized care.
Before a child is enrolled in the Daycare the following must be received by the Director:
**30 Hour Minimum**
$2.00 per hour for Infants and Toddlers
$1.80 per hour for Preschoolers (ages 3-6 yrs.)
The youngest child is considered the first child.
A deposit of $50.00 is due upon enrollment and must be paid before the child(ren) may begin attending.
At the end of the semester (December), your $50.00 will be applied toward your monthly bill.
If, at any time before December, you withdraw without sufficient notice, the deposit will be forfeited.
Your rate is set at the time of enrollment, according to your schedule.
It can be changed at Semester time or if you verify a permanent change in your class/work schedule.
If the Daycare is closed due to Holiday schedule, billing will be adjusted to hourly rate for that week.
Termination of Care - Back to Top
In the event that you find it necessary to cancel your child care, you must give a written and dated notice of cancellation to the Daycare Director two weeks prior to such termination of services.
You will be required to bring your account up to date.
The $50.00 deposit may be applied to any unpaid balance or refunded if the account is current.
The Daycare reserves the right to dismiss any child for disruptive and/or damaging behavior.
If, after a period of time and conferences between the parent and Director, a child is unable to adjust to the routine of the Daycare and is causing disruptive and/or damaging behavior to persons and/or property, the child will be asked to leave.
This policy is without regard to race, sex, creed, color, or religion and is instituted so that we can ensure to the children attending the Daycare a safe and comfortable atmosphere in which to grow and develop.
Health and Safety - Back to Top
When a child becomes ill, he or she will be isolated from the other children, and the parent will be notified to pick up the child within an hour.
If the parent cannot be reached, we will contact the person indicated by you on your child’s emergency care form.
A parent will be contacted to pick up a sick child when the child exhibits any of the following symptoms at the Daycare:
Fever - 100.0 degrees F. or higher
Diarrhea - 3 loose stools in one day or 2 in one hour
Vomiting - 2 episodes in one day
Rash - that is unexplained, except for diaper rash
Pink Eye - when the eye is red or pink with white or yellow eye discharge. Other symptoms are matted eyelids, eye pain, and redness of the eyelid or skin surrounding the eye.
Irritability - or listlessness, which is not consistent with the child’s temperament, will be noted by the teacher who will call the parent. The child does not have to leave the Daycare.
If your child contracts any of the following infectious diseases he/she must be excluded until the following occur:
Chicken Pox - After all blisters have scabbed over.
Croup - After the cough has subsided.
Ear Infection - After three doses of medication or after 24 hours.
Fever - After the fever has returned to normal without the aid of fever reducing medication.
Head Lice - After one complete treatment and removal of all nits.
Impetigo - After 24 hours of medication.
Pink Eye - After the child has been on medication for 24 hours and has no matter in his or her eyes.
Ringworm - After medical treatment with a fungicidal ointment.
Roto Virus - After the child has had one formed stool.
RSV - After the wheezing and coughing have subsided.
Shingles - After all blisters have scabbed over (same as Chicken Pox).
Strep Throat - After the child has been on medication for 24 hours.
Thrush - After 24 hours on medication.
If your child contracts any communicable disease, please inform the Daycare.
If your child is exposed to a communicable disease while at the Daycare, a notice will be posted.
In order for a caregiver to administer a medication at the Daycare, either prescription or non-prescription, the parent must fill out a Medication Permission form.
All medications must be labeled with the child’s name and be in the original container.
Prescription drugs must have the child’s name on the label.
Only permanent staff members are directed to administer medications.
Whether indoors, in the gym, on the playground, or on a trip outside the Daycare, the children are watched carefully.
Accidents, although, occasionally occur.
Any accident is reported to the parent.
If emergency medical care is necessary the Director may take the following steps:
If we cannot contact you or your child’s physician, we will do any or all of the following:
Any of the expenses incurred will be the responsibility of the child’s parents or guardians.
Should it be necessary to evacuate the Daycare, the children will be taken to the area south of the Daycare to the KOKA House.
The Daycare conducts at least three fire drills and one tornado drill each school year.
The staff is instructed in procedures for exiting the building and insuring the children’s safety.
Morning snack is served at 8:45 A.M., Lunch at 11:30 A.M., and Afternoon snack at 2:45 P.M.
The Daycare participates in the USDA Child and Adult Food Program, and all meals and snacks follow USDA guidelines.
Meals are provided by Dakota Wesleyan University’s contracted food service.
Children will be asked to eat the meals provided here unless a doctor’s notice requires a special diet (allergy, etc.).
If your child is to be here for only a few hours we must know if he or she will be eating Lunch here.
This is essential for meal planning.
A rest period is part of the daily schedule for each age group.
The child is encouraged, but not forced, to sleep during this time.
A mat is provided for each child over 18 months old, and each infant is provided with a crib.
Guidance and Discipline - Back to Top
The staff strives to create an atmosphere of acceptance for and to enhance the self-esteem of each child.
When discipline is needed, we never use any type of physical punishment.
The child will typically be separated from the group for a short Time-Out.
We believe that:
When a specific behavioral problem has been identified at the Daycare, the Director (and possibly primary teacher) will bring this to the attention of the child’s parent(s) or guardian(s).
Our Daycare is equipped with appropriate toys; therefore, we request that playthings from home only be brought on Show and Tell Day (Fridays).
We also ask that children do not wear rings and necklaces as they are not safe on playground equipment or in the gym.
If such items are brought to the Daycare, we cannot be responsible for them.
We do not allow the children to play with guns or violent toys of any kind.
Parents of Infants - Back to Top
Please remember to bring:
A daily record of your infant’s activity will be on the door of the infant room for you to take at the end of the day.
This sheet will also note if you need to replenish any items and if there was anything special or of concern that occurred with your child that day.
Parents of Toddlers - Back to Top
Please remember to bring:
We will follow the parent’s lead with regard to toilet training.
Most experts recommend that toilet training begin no earlier than eighteen (18) months, preferably two (2) years.
Please bring your child into the Daycare when you come.
Each child has a page in the Sign In Book.
Please record the time that your child arrived correct to the nearest of ¼ hour.
Check your child out the same way when you pick them up.
If your child leaves the Daycare during the day for Head Start, etc. you are responsible to record that time in/out also.
If your child will be absent or needs to attend at a time when he or she usually does not, notify the Daycare as soon as you know or by 8:00 A.M. that day if you do not know before that.
Child Abuse Reporting - Back to Top
All staff members who are employed at the Daycare are obligated under State Law to report all suspected child abuses directly to The Department of Social Services or Law Enforcement.
Our staff members are screened before they are employed at the Daycare.
Parents are welcome to visit and discuss their child with the Director at any time.
You may schedule a conference at any appropriate time.
The Director will have conferences throughout the year.
We do not provide transportation for the children, unless we are taking the group on a Daycare arranged field trip, which we will occasionally do.
Parents are welcome to provide treats (please, no candy) for their child’s birthday.
If you do not choose to do this, the staff will still make every effort to make your child’s day special ("Happy Birthday" song, Birthday crown, etc.)