Rays In A Barn - Early Education and Care

Rays in a Barn Policies

Child Wagging Finger

Child Sickness

We understand that your child will get sick from time to time, and that you may need to work and be with your sick child. Please think and consider if you would like someone else's sick child to be with a contagious or infectious disease before you consider bringing your own child in.

The state of Massachusetts regulations state that we must follow exclusion policies for serious illnesses, contagious diseases and reportable diseases in conformance with regulations and recommendations set by the Division of Communicable Disease Control, Department of Public Health. Mass 606 CMR 7.11 section (9).

The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends the following guidlines, that we abide by and is our Inclusion, Exclusion and Dismissal of Children policy.

Our program notifies parents/guardians when children develop new signs or symptoms of illness. Parent/guardian notification is immediate for emergency or urgent issues. We notify parents/guardians of children who have symptoms that require exclusion, and parents/guardians should remove children from the early care and education setting as soon as possible. For children whose symptoms do not require exclusion, verbal or written notification to the parent/guardian at the end of the day is acceptable. Most conditions that require exclusion do not require a primary health care provider visit before re-entering care.

When a child becomes ill but does not require immediate medical help, a determination will be made regarding whether the child should be sent home.

We determine if the illness:

  • Prevents the child from participating comfortably in activities;
  • Results in a need for care that is greater than the staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children;
  • Poses a risk of spread of harmful diseases to others;
  • Causes a fever and behavior change or other signs and symptoms (e.g., sore throat, rash, vomiting, and diarrhea). An unexplained temperature above 100 °F (37.8 °C) (armpit) in a child younger than 6 months should be medically evaluated. Any infant younger than 2 months of age with fever should get immediate medical attention.

    • If any of the above criteria are met, the child will be removed from direct contact with other children and dismissed to the care of a parent/guardian, primary health care provider, or other person designated by the parent.

    We expect the child to be symptom and fever free without medication for 24 hours before being re-admitted.

    Vacation Policy

    Currently I do not take paid vacation, I feel if I take vacation, you need the funds to pay for someone else to care for your child. However I do reserve the right to take 2 weeks (10 business days a year) off. I will make every effort to co-ordinate vacation with others in order to avoid inconvenience, but this can not always be the case.

    Paid Holidays

    I follow the regular State and School holiday schedule, these days are paid.

    Paid Sick Days

    I have 3 paid sick days.

    Snow Days

    Snow Days are paid days, typically I will either open late or close all together if the North Reading School system is closed. I may request early pickup. All snow days are at my discretion.

    Sample Contract and Parent Handbook

    You may download a pdf copy of our current Parent Handbook and Contract. This contract is subject to change, please reference your signed copy if you have questions.