Policies

Child Care – Policies & Procedures

Our Facility is easily accessible and provides a fun-filled room full of many educational based toys, crafts and manipulatives.

Employees

Our Staff are fully trained and screened. We go above and beyond to make sure your children are safe and having fun.

Member Use Childcare

This member only service provides up to 2 hours of hourly child care while you’re enjoying your time at The Wave. More than just babysitters or daycare; our child care staff in Whitefish works to keep kids engaged and happy with children’s activities and learning opportunities. In addition to traditional playtime, our hourly child care in Whitefish offers activities such as arts and crafts, music and movement, and playing in the gymnasium.

We are reservation only please call 406-890-7901 to reserve your time!

Behavior/Discipline

Caregivers need to set limits so that your child and other children can learn respect for things and people in their environment while at the Children’s Depot. Giving children choices and redirection are tools most often used. Children who are disrespectful and are repeatedly disruptive will be written up and a plan put in place. If the behavior does not improve the child will be asked to leave the facility. We reserve the right to refuse to admit repeatedly disruptive children.

Well Child Policy

For the protection of other children and our staff, please do not ask us to care for your child if he/she is ill. Our staff reserves the right to refuse to admit any child that is ill. An ill child is defined as follows:

• Has had or has a fever within the last 24 hours
• Has diarrhea or nausea in the last 24 hours
• Discharge from eyes, or a profuse nasal discharge
• A contagious disease (rashes of any sorts or bacterial infections)

Biting

Biting statistics tell us that at least 50% of all children in childcare facilities will bite or be bitten within the facility. To address the issue, it is important to know that biting is a normal development in children under the age of 3. This is the way they begin to register a complaint or begin to take control of their lives before they can effectively communicate with other children and adults. Over the age of 3, it becomes more of a behavioral problem that may be related to more complicated issues in a child’s life. Each incident will be handled on an individual basis. A bite report will be issued to both families involved.   Confidentiality will be maintained throughout this process.  The staff will record the number of bites and communicate in the report the circumstances surrounding the incident.  At this point shadowing and discipline will be discussed with the parents of the biting child.  We will work with the family but if biting occurs three times in one week, the child will not be allowed to return until the behavior ceases.

Immunizations

We require proof of immunizations.  Our standards are based on guidelines set by the State of Montana however we do not allow exemptions for medical or religious reasons.  Children with a certified Conditional Attendance Form are accepted.

Emergency Medical Care

In the event that your child should need immediate medical assistance, 911 will be called.