To ensure the safety, security and well being of the children in our care, Our Precious Gems has procedures and standards in place to cover pick-up and drop-off, visitors, equipment and furniture safety, transporting children and more. These procedures are periodically reviewed and updated to make certain they reflect the most current safety and security technology and practices.
Medical Standards
Each adult working at Our Precious Gems must provide evidence of good health with a current tuberculosis test, and other state-mandated requirements. All medical records are periodically updated. Staff members do not work if they are ill.
As for the children, we maintain a complete written record for each child in our care. Pertinent health histories (such as allergies, chronic conditions or susceptibilities) are also required. All health records, immunization records and emergency contacts are kept up to date and easily accessible in case of emergency.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Policy
Our Precious Gems will only release children to adults authorized in writing for pick by the child’s parents. Each adult who has authorization to pick up a child is issued a code that they must enter at the door to get into the center. To ensure children’s safety, Our Precious Gems keeps a file of names, addresses and phone numbers of all persons allowed to pick up a child in case of an emergency. The file is based on information provided on the enrollment forms. Only written notification will be accepted for any changes. Anyone picking up a child must show proper identification before we can release a child. There is no limit on the number of persons authorized to pick up the child, but identification will be requested from anyone we do not know. Only an authorized person may pick up the child and our staff is authorized and instructed to call the proper authorities should an unauthorized person attempt to pick up a child. All information in the child’s file is considered confidential and used only regarding the care of the child.
Food Preparation
Our Food Preparation Specialists are trained in the safe handling, preparation and storage of foods and are constantly monitored to ensure safe and nutritious meals. Meal times are designed to promote good eating habits, and are pleasant social and learning experiences for the children. Toddlers are encouraged to feed themselves. All eating utensils, chairs, and tables are sized appropriately for each age group. Our tables' height may be adjusted proportionately, and they are easily cleaned. Our Precious Gems works with the USDA food program to make sure that our menus are nutritionally wholesome.
No hot drinks of any kind are allowed around children, electrical outlets are plugged with outlet caps, appliances are out of reach of children, temperature of the hot water at sinks will not scald, and food temperature is monitored to prevent burns.
Child-Friendly Furniture
Our Precious Gems is child friendly - child sized tables and chairs are sturdy. There are no sharp corners. Toys and learning areas are carefully arranged. Equipment is monitored on an on-going basis to ensure it is in good working order. Broken or unsafe equipment is always taken out of service immediately to be repaired or replaced.
Transporting Children
When transporting children, we focus first and foremost our children, our associates and parents through standardized processes and procedures.
The educational and exciting activities we plan are all in secure and kid friendly environments.
Parents must give permission for their children to attend the field trip by signing the field trip form at Our Precious Gems, prior to the field trip.
Our teachers keep constant watch over the children and use attendance sheets before they leave Our Precious Gems, on the van, periodically during the trip, prior to loading the van to return, on the return van, and at Our Precious Gems when the trip is over. A copy of the attendance sheet remains at Our Precious Gems during the trip.
Each child is provided a shirt with Our Precious Gems information on it to wear during the trip.