Our Number One Priority
To ensure the safety, security and well-being of the children in our care, each La Petite Academy 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.
Secure Environment
The lobby entrance to the center is securely separated from the actual classrooms. Only those with the combination to the coded keypad security system can gain access to each individual classrooms.
Pick-up and Drop-off
Each child must be checked in and out on our electronic keypad every day. We enforce our policy by assigning PIN numbers to parents and others who are authorized to pick up the child. Your Academy director keeps an updated file of names, addresses and phone numbers of people authorized to pick up children in case of an emergency. No child is released to an adult without proper authorization. Ever.
Note: La Petite Academy policy states that no one under 16 years of age (unless he or she is the child's parent) is permitted to pick-up a child.
Visitors
All visitors to our Academy are greeted in our secure lobby, directed to sign the Visitor Log and state the purpose of the visit. Picture identification is required from all unfamiliar visitors. A visitor listed as an authorized person to pick up a child must still show picture identification if the director and/or associate does not know him/her.
Medical Standards
Each adult working at La Petite Academy must provide evidence of good health with a signed physical examination, 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.
Food Preparation
Our Food Preparation Specialists are trained in the safe handling, preparation and storage of foods and are constantly monitored to ensure safe nutritious meals. Meal times are designed to promote good eating habits, and are pleasant social and learning experiences for the children. Teachers eat with their classes. Infants are held while feeding. 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. La Petite Academy works with the USDA 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.
Equipment Safety
The building, playground and equipment are as safe as we can make them. More than 35 years of experience and testing have taught us what equipment to buy and how to arrange it for maximum safety, both inside and outside the Academy.
Child-friendly Furniture
Our Academy is child-friendly - child-sized tables and chairs are sturdy and "nontippable. " 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 on mitigating risks to 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 the Academy, prior to the field trip.
- Our teachers keep constant watch over the children and use attendance sheets before they leave the Academy, on the van, periodically during the trip, prior to loading the van to return, on the return van, and at the Academy when the trip is over. A copy of the attendance sheet remains at the Academy during the trip.
- Each child has a name tag with all of the Academy information on it to wear during the trip.