2. Introduction/Welcome
Welcome to Jordan Academy, a place for ALL of God’s children. My name is Jessica Pitford
and I have been working with children for the last 12 years, I have two children of my own, Tristen
and Emma. I quit teaching for the public school system when Emma was born and have been caring
for children in my home for the last two years.
It has always been a dream of mine to open a learning center where children can express their
creativity, learn about God, and develop their unique talents at their own individualized pace. My
background and qualifications include the following:
• Master’s Degree from the University of Central Missouri in Education Administration
• Bachelor’s Degree from CMSU in Early Childhood Education
• Bachelor’s Degree from CMSU in Elementary Education
• Certification through the Department of Education:
o Special Education birth-third grade
o Early Childhood Education birth-third grade
o Elementary Education kindergarten-sixth grade
• 5 years experience teaching in the public school system
o 1 year as a dual language preschool teacher
o 2 years as a special education preschool teacher
o 2 years as a special education teacher for kindergarten-third grades
• Some of my training and expertise include the following
o Working with children with a variety of special needs (developmental delays,
language delays, speech impairments, Autism, Mental Retardation, Down
Syndrome, fine and large motor delays, vision and hearing and children who
our non-verbal)
o Development, implementation of Individualized Education Plans
o Teaching Parent Education courses dealing with child development and
literacy
o Certification in the High Scope Preschool Curriculum
o Extensive training/research in Autism
o Extensive training/research in Dual Language Learners
o Training in Positive Behavior Systems and B.I.S.T.
Goals and Information About Jordan Academy
Jordan Academy is much more than a child care center, it is a learning academy where
children of all ages and abilities will work on individualized goals that are developed around
each child’s needs and abilities. During the day you may find a four year old working on colors
and shapes, while another four year old is working on basic reading skills. Children of all ages,
including infants, will have monthly goals that are worked on, tracked, and shared with parents.
Child with special needs are not only welcomed, but celebrated at our center. Children
who are developmentally “on track” with serve as peer role models in our classroom, by
providing unique social and academic learning experiences.
Our philosophy at Jordan Academy is very simple. We believe that ALL of God’s
children have the right and ability to learn.
3. Admission Procedures
An interview with parents and child will be conducted before admission into Jordan Academy.
This gives you an opportunity to visit our school, meet the staff, and ask questions. This gives me an
opportunity to interact with your family and make sure that our program is the best fit for your child.
After your child is admitted a two week (14 calendar days) diagnostic teaching period will start. At the
end of this two week period, you or I may terminate the childcare agreement with 24 hours if Jordan
Academy is not the best fit for your child. No pre-paid fees will be credited upon cancellation. After the
diagnostic teaching period, a two-week’s written notice is required by either party to terminate the
agreement. (See termination policy)
After the two week period, I will sit down with you, discuss all assessments that were given and
together we will begin to develop goals for your child. Before your child can be enrolled I must have
the following on file:
• A completed enrollment form, which includes identifying information, field trip permission, and
emergency care instructions
• A report for each child in care that indicates the child has completed, is in the process of
completing, or is exempt from age appropriate immunizations
• A medical examination report
• A written diet plan for infants and toddler’s
• For infants: if you want us to place your child to sleep on their tummy, we must have a note
written by you and your doctor that okays it.
You are required to keep me informed of any change in address, telephone numbers, and other
pertinent information listed on any/all of the above forms. If you have any questions regarding the
completion of these forms, please feel free to ask.
Fees
Tuition
Tuition is as follows:
• Children 2 and under $120.00 a week
• Children 2 and above $100.00 a week
Payment is payable in advance and is due no later than drop off time on the first school day of
the week, unless another arrangement has been agreed upon. If this day is a holiday,
payment is expected on the following day. Payment is expected whether your child attends or
not. I will give you a minimum of one month’s notice of any increases in your tuition.
Payment Options
The payment option that I prefer is direct deposit. Together we can set up a system where
payment is directly deposited from your account to Jordan Academy. This can be set up bi-
weekly, or monthly. There will be a late fee of $5 for each calendar day that payments are
received late.
Summer Fees
For children who will not be attending in the summer, payment is still expected in order to hold
your slot for the fall. An exception will be made if your spot can be filled by a school-age child
for the summer. Slots will be filled in order of enrollment. For example, if you are number 4 on
the enrollment list and I enroll 4 school age children for the summer, you will not be expected
to pay until the fall.
Drop-In Summer Care
4. If you are paying to hold your spot for the fall, feel free to bring your child as much as you want
in the summer. I would prefer a 24 hour notice if you will be brining your child in, to ensure that
I have the correct number of staff available. If your spot is being filled by a school age child for
the summer, it may not be possible to use our Drop-In Summer Care if we are at full capacity.
Taxes
I will supply you with a year-end-summary of all daycare fees paid during the year for tax
purposes. This will be given to you in January each year or when services are ended. You
may request a statement at any time.
Hours
Normal hours of operation for Jordan Academy are Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 5:30 p.m. If
you are late picking up your child you will be charged an additional $5.00 for every 10 minutes that
you are late.
If your child will not be attending, please call by 9:00 and let us know.
We will be closed on the following days for the 2010-1011 School Year:
• New Years Day, Friday, December 31
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 17
• President’s Day Monday, February 21
• Memorial Day Monday, May 30
• Independence Day Monday, July 4
• Labor Day Monday, September 6
• Veterans Day Thursday, November 11
• Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 25
• Christmas Break Friday, December 24
Payment is still required on these days.
Items to Bring
Children one and under will need to label and bring the following items:
• Diapers
• Wipes
• Any diaper cream, lotion, or powder your child may require
• Bottles ( will be sent home each day for you to clean and bring back)
• Formula or Breast Milk (On-Site Nursing is available and encouraged)
• Baby Food unless your child is ready to eat table food
• Blankets and Crib Sheets (Will be sent home on Friday, please wash and bring back on
Monday
• Extra Clothes
5. Children one and above will need to label and bring the following:
• Diapers/Pull-ups/or extra underwear
• Wipes
• Blanket (will be sent home on Friday, please wash and bring back on Monday
• Extra Clothes
Arrival and Pick Up Policies
Arrival Procedures
Arrival time is 7:00. Teachers will arrive earlier to set up and prepare the center for the day. Please
respect the teacher’s time and do not enter the building before 7:00. All children must be walked into
the building, dropping off from the car is not allowed. Children two and over need to enter through the
front door on the porch, Children two and under may enter through the front door of the baby area.
Pick-Up Policies
All authorized adults to pick up your child must be listed on your enrollment form. Please notify me if
someone different will be picking up your child and/or your child will be picked up and a time different
than usual. Adults I am not familiar with will be required to show an id. This is for the child’s safety.
All adults should enter through the front porch door, to make sure babies our not disturbed. Please
check mailbox daily for notes, and items that need to be taken home.
Illness Policy
The staff at Jordan Academy tries very hard to keep the center clean, safe, and sanitized. You can
help by following our health care rules.
DO NOT BRING YOUR CHILD if the following is observed:
• Diarrhea: more than one abnormally loose stool
• Severed coughing
• Pinkeye-tears, redness or eyelid lining, irritation, followed by swelling or discharge or pus
• Unusual spots or rashes
• Sore throat or trouble swallowing
• An infected skin patch
• Unusually dark, tea-colored urine
• Grey or white stool
• Fever over 100 degrees by mouth or 99 degrees under arm
• Vomiting more than once
• Symptoms or indication of lice
Please observe your child and do not send them if they seem:
• Cranky or less active than usual
• Cries more than usual
6. • Feels general discomfort or seems unwell
• Has loss of appetite
All children will be sent home immediately if these are observed, please have arrangements in place
to pick up your child if they are sick. Your child will be kept isolated from others until your arrival
You may bring your child back when:
• An illness has been evaluated by a physician, medication has been prescribed,you’re your
child is no longer contagious.
• Your child must be fever free for 24 hours
Medication may be provided with written permission of the parent. All medication must be in
the original container and labeled with the child’s name.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and snack will be provided daily. All meals will meet the USDA guidelines. We are
willing to work with any alternative food program your child may be on. If your child requires a special
diet, arrangements will need to be made, and some food may need to be provided from you.
Children may bring special treats on their birthdays. Please let us know ahead of time if you will be
bringing snack.
Meal times will be as followed:
Breakfast 8:00
Lunch 12:00
Snack 3:30
Special arrangements will be made for school age kids and children attending Head Start if these
times do not work into their schedule.
Children under one will be on an individualized feeding plan. This form will be in your enrollment
packet.
Discipline Methods
With younger children, redirection will be used whenever possible. Social and behavior skills will be
incorporated into the daily curriculum.
Older children will participate in the Positive Behavior Interventions and Support Program (PBIS). It is
based on three main things:
• Teaching children expected behavior
• Reinforcing and rewarding good behavior
• Enforcing consistent meaningful consequences when children misbehave
7. In the classroom you will find a red, yellow, and green chart. Each student has their picture on the
chart. Students are expected to “stay on green”. This means that they are meeting all behavior
requirements.
The rules at Jordan Academy are:
• Be Safe
• Be Kind
• Be Responsible
If a child does not follow the above rules, they will be moved to yellow as a warning. If they continue
to not follow rules, they will be move to red and have to sit in the “think spot”. This is a time out spot
for children to think about their behavior. The amount of time will be based on the child’s age and
violation.
After their time in the think spot, children will fill out a think sheet about their behavior to be sent
home. Please review it with your child.
Termination Policy
We have the right to terminate any child’s enrollment, if they pose a threat to others. Together we will
try everything to get the behavior under control, however if no progress is made, you will be ask to
find child care somewhere else. You will be given a two week notice if this is to happen.
If you decided to leave Jordan Academy for any reason, you must give us a two week notice. All
prepaid tuition will not be refunded.
