Safety Information
Safety
We inspect our school area and playground to make sure all areas are free of hazards and safe for children.
Outdoor Play
CDLC believes that it is important for the children to play outdoors daily, weather permitting. We will be going outside every day possible. Be sure to send your child in play clothes, appropriate shoes and a warm jacket, hat and mittens when needed.
Children do not play outdoors when:
- It is below 20 degrees, regular temperature or wind chill
- It is above 90 degrees heat index
- When it is determined that air quality has become dangerous to young children
Teachers will email you on plans for their outdoor time.
Physical Activity
Students enrolled in a 2.5 hour session will receive 30 minutes of large motor movement each day. Students who are enrolled in the full day program will receive 60 minutes of large motor movement. Movement will be a combination of teacher directed and self-directed activities. Decided by the teacher considering the motor curriculum and needs of the students. Teachers will encourage physical activity throughout the day. The loss of long periods of physical activity will not be used to manage challenging behaviors. When planning student activities teachers will try to minimize student sitting time to less than 15 minutes at one time.
Accidental Injury
Minor bumps and scrapes are an everyday part of your child exploring and learning through experience. Minor injuries sustained at preschool are reported to parents on an “Ouch Report”, of which you will receive a copy and/or an email notification. If your child is injured in our care, our first step is to administer first aid. A first aid kit is available in the office. The most common treatment given is ice on bumps, soap and water cleansing and a bandage on a minor wound. In case of accidental injury, we will make an immediate attempt to contact a parent or guardian; attempt to contact the child’s physician or attempt to contact you through the emergency numbers you have listed. Depending on the injury, we will contact you by phone, note or in person. If necessary, we will also call an ambulance to take the child to the emergency center at the Fairview Ridges Hospital. Until the arrival of a parent, physician, or ambulance, the director or teacher will accompany the child to the medical facility. All staff is certified in First Aid and CPR. An AED is located in the building and all CDLC staff are trained on the proper use of an AED.
Neither CDLC nor Prince of Peace Lutheran Church covers your child for medical insurance. This coverage is up to each family to provide for the child. Prince of Peace holds liability insurance coverage for CDLC. Each child must have a signed emergency release form and a signed tuition policy agreement form in his file.
Security
CDLC takes security very seriously. All CDLC staff members wear CDLC ID’s. Children are released only to adults given written authorization. The front door will be locked during school hours for our student’s safety.
Emergency Information
At the time of registration, each family fills out a registration form. This form includes the name, address and telephone numbers of the doctor, dentist, friends or relatives to be contacted in the event of an emergency if you cannot be reached. We request we have the local phone numbers where you can be reached while your child is at school. CDLC must have on file at all times a correct phone number where you can be reached in case of an emergency. If your phone number(s) and/or address change during the school year, please contact the CDLC office to ensure that we always have accurate information.
Emergency Procedures
Our staff and children will practice fire, tornado and lockdown drills in conjunction with their regular routines. Emergency supplies are kept on site.
Parent/Child Reunification
Circumstances may occur at CDLC that would require pick up of children in a formalized, controlled release. The process of controlled release is called a reunification and may be necessary due to weather, hazmat or if a crisis occurs at CDLC. The Standard Reunification Method is a protocol that makes this process more predictable and less chaotic for all involved. Reunification will occur at Door I of the Prince of Peace Christian Life Center. Parents may be notified in a number of ways. CDLC will use email or text message and KSTP Channel 5 school alert. A reunification message may look something like this: “CDLC has closed, please pick up your child at the Prince of Peace Christian Life Center at Door I. Bring your photo ID.”
Pick Up Expectations – If you are notified that a controlled release and reunification is needed, there are some expectations that you should be aware of. First, bring a photo ID. That will streamline things during reunification. Second, be patient. Reunification is a process that protects the safety of the child.
If CDLC and the Christian Life Center both have to be evacuated the meeting place will be at the garage located on lower eastside parking lot. Reunification procedure will be the same.
Closings
CDLC will close only under two circumstances: when Prince of Peace Lutheran Church is closed, and when all teaching staff is absent to attend professional development.
Cancellation of Classes Due to Weather or Other Emergencies
If severe weather causes school closings CDLC will be closed for the entire day. If severe weather causes a late start CDLC will be closed for the AM session and all day and PM sessions will begin at 12:45 pm.
CDLC may provide makeup days if more than 5 school days are missed in a school year because of weather cancellations. If a student misses more than 5 school days because of weather cancellations, they are eligible to attend a makeup day(s) for days in excess of 5 missed that may be added at the end of the school year. CDLC may, at its discretion, offer a tuition refund in lieu of providing a makeup day.
All school cancellations will be announced through KSTP Channel 5, and every attempt will be made to contact parents by email.
Campus Closing Due to Weather or Other Emergencies
The decision to close the Prince of Peace/CDLC campus is made by the CDLC Director or Prince of Peace Executive team as appropriate. Any decision to close CDLC or cancel classes or events will be announced, if at all possible, before 8:00 am for the day of classes and events.
Closings/Cancellations will be announced as follows:
- A message informing callers of CDLC’s closing will be left on CDLC’s voice mail.
- An all school email will be sent to CDLC families.
- CDLC will notify Channel 5 TV.
Closing Procedures
CDLC may have to close school because of emergencies and/or conditions, which are beyond our control:
- CDLC will be closed for the entire day if severe weather warrants. If severe weather causes a late start CDLC will be closed for the AM session and all day and PM sessions will begin at 12:45 pm. All school cancellations will be announced through KSTP Channel 5, and every attempt will be made to contact parents by email.
- In case of emergencies other than severe weather, i.e. building maintenance problems or special circumstances affecting a majority of our staff, a special announcement will be placed on http://kstp.com/schoolalert/ and Channel 5 Television.
Child Abuse
All CDLC staff members are mandated reporters. We will report all suspected sexual abuse, neglect, physical maltreatment and threatened injuries to the local Child Protection Agency, 952-891-7459.
Maltreatment Policy
Maltreatment of Minors Mandated Reporting Policy for DHS Licensed Programs.
Who should report child abuse or neglect?
Any person may voluntarily report abuse or neglect. If you work with children in a licensed facility, you are legally required or mandated to report and cannot shift the responsibility of reporting to your supervisor or to anyone else at your licensed facility. If you know or have reason to believe a child is being or has been neglected or physically or sexually abused within the preceding three years you must immediately (within 24 hours) make a report to an outside agency.
Where to report:
If you know or suspect that a child is in immediate danger, call 911. All reports concerning suspected abuse or neglect of children occurring in a licensed facility should be made to the Department of Human Services, Licensing Division’s Maltreatment Intake line at 651-297-4123. Reports regarding incidents of suspected abuse or neglect occurring within a family or in the community should be made to the local county social services agency at 952-891-7459 or local law enforcement at 952-890-2460. If your report does not involve possible abuse or neglect but does involve possible violations of Minnesota Statutes or Rules that govern the facility, you should call the Department of Human Services, Licensing Division at 651-296-3971.
What to report:
Definitions of maltreatment are contained in the Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors Act (Minnesota Statutes, section 626.556) and should be attached to this policy. A report to any of the above agencies should contain enough information to identify the child involved, and persons responsible for the abuse or neglect (if known), and the nature and extent of the maltreatment and/or possible licensing violations. For reports concerning suspected abuse or neglect occurring within a licensed family, the report should include any actions taken by the facility in response to the incident.
An oral report of suspected abuse or neglect made to one of the above agencies by a mandated reporter must be followed by a written report to the same agency within 72 hours, exclusive of weekends and holidays.
Failure to report:
A mandated reporter who knows or has reason to believe a child is or has been neglected or physically or sexually abused and fails to report is guilty of a misdemeanor. In addition, a mandated reporter who fails to report maltreatment that is found to be serious or recurring maltreatment may be disqualified from employment in positions allowing direct contact with persons receiving services from programs licensed by the Department of Human Services and by the Minnesota Department of Health, and unlicensed Personal Care Provider Organizations.
Retaliation Prohibited:
An employee of any mandated reporter shall not retaliate against the mandated reporter for reports made in good faith or against a child with respect to whom the report is made. The Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors Act contains specific provisions regarding civil actions that can be initiated by mandated reporters who believe that retaliation has occurred.
Internal Review:
When the facility has reason to know that an internal or external report of alleged or suspected maltreatment has been made, the facility must complete an internal review within 30 days and take corrective action, if necessary, to protect the health and safety of children in care. The internal review must include an evaluation of whether:
- Related policies and procedures were followed;
- The policies and procedures were adequate;
- There is a need for additional staff training;
- The reported event is similar to past events with the children or the services involved;
- There is a need for corrective action by the license holder to protect the health and safety of children in care.
Primary & Secondary Person/Position to Ensure Internal Reviews are Completed:
The internal review will be completed by the Director. If this individual is involved in the alleged or suspected maltreatment the Prince of Peace Finance Director will be responsible for completing the internal review.
Documentation of the Internal Review:
The facility must document completion of the internal review and provide documentation of the review to the commissioner upon the commissioner’s request.
Corrective Action Plan:
Based on the results of the internal review, the license holder must develop, document, and implement a corrective action plan designed to correct current lapses and prevent future lapses in performance by individuals or the license holder, if any.
Staff Training:
The license holder must provide training to all staff related to the mandated reporting responsibilities as specified in the Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors Act (Minnesota Statutes, section 626.556). The license holder must document the provision of this training in individual personnel records, monitor implementation by staff, and ensure that the policy is readily accessible to staff, as specifies under the Minnesota Statutes, section 245.04, subdivision 14.
The mandated reporting policy must be provided to parents of all children at the time of enrollment in the child care program and must be made available upon request.
Carpools
We will provide a list of parents upon request. Parents can then make their own arrangements for carpooling. The school does not assume liability for the transportation of children to and from school.
Parent Supervision
Children are expected to be with parent(s) or carpool parent(s) prior to drop off and after pickup. We want to ensure safe entry and exit from the building for everyone. Children are to be supervised at all times in the building or outside. If you are waiting for class to begin or are visiting with other parents, children are to be within your sight.
CDLC Access and Parking
Access to CDLC is from the North parking lot of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. We expect our parents and children to demonstrate safe behaviors in the parking lot. Drop-off and pick-up times can be very hectic making the parking lot a dangerous situation. Children should not be allowed to run in the parking lot and they should be accompanied by an adult at all times. If you have a long wait in the parking lot please turn off your car.
We also ask that for your child’s safety, that their car seats be located on the passenger side of the vehicle. This way the child will not have to cross traffic at drop off and pick up.
Arrival
School hours are 9:00 – 11:30 am for morning sessions, 12:45 – 3:15 pm for afternoon sessions, and 9:00 am – 3:15 pm for all day sessions. Teachers and volunteers will be on car duty to take children from your car 15 minutes before the school session begins.
Although teachers are in the building prior to this time, they need time to prepare interest centers to be of maximum benefit to your child. We ask that you DO NOT bring your child in early.
Please try to bring your child by the starting time, so your child will not feel uncomfortable arriving after the other children.
Once the session begins, parents must park and walk their child into the main entrance at the star (see map) and deliver their child to a staff member of CDLC. We will begin programming at 9:00 am and 12:45 pm.
Dismissal
At dismissal, you will be given a carpool number to show while driving up. Parents drive up to the main entrance at the star (see map). The children in your carpool will be brought out to your car by a staff member or parent volunteer.
Please observe the Entrance and Exit driving regulations explained on your driving pattern map in order to prevent accidents. Prince of Peace has directional signs that must be followed. Please remember to drive slowly and carefully in the parking lot at all times.
Pickup Procedure
For your child’s safety, no unauthorized person will be allowed to pick him/her up from CDLC, be sure to write a note (this is preferred) or call if your child is to be picked up by someone other than you. We will ask anyone we do not recognize for a picture ID. If we are not informed of an unauthorized person picking up your child, we will try to contact you or your emergency contacts.
Late Pick-up Policy
It is important that you be prompt in picking up your child. Not only does your child need the assurance that you will be on time, but our teachers must clean up and prepare for their next class or the building must be shut down for the day. A fee of $5 per 15 minutes will be due at the time of the late pick-up. However, exceptions may occasionally be made in emergency situations. Please contact the school if you are going to be late picking up your child. Be sure to keep the school’s phone number with you at all times.
CDLC will follow these procedures when a child is not picked up:
- Attempt to contact the parent(s) and/or guardians on home, work & cell numbers;
- Attempt to contact all other persons listed as emergency contacts;
- Dial 911 to alert authorities if more than 60 minutes has passed and no contact has been made with parents/guardians or emergency contacts.
- Staff will at no time transport children.
