Staffing Patterns & Plans

Gads Hill Center and our Head Start Partners adhere to DCFS licensing guidelines in planning the schedules of teachers, youth workers, support staff, and administrators.  The teaching staff is scheduled to ensure full compliance with the required DCFS teacher-to-student ratios for each group of children.  The qualified teaching staff is present in the center during all hours of operation.

Support staff members are scheduled to ensure continuous coverage of critical areas, such as the reception desk, at all times.  A certified food sanitation safety manager is on the premises at all times that food is being prepared for, or served to children.

The director or a director designee is on-site at all times to provide leadership and guidance in the implementation of program standards and to address health/safety issues as they arise.

Consistent and punctual attendance is critical to the proper functioning of the program and the continued ability of the program to remain in full compliance with licensing standards and with all funders. Staff members who are unable to report for work are expected to contact a member of the administrative team no less than one hour prior to the beginning of their shift.  As needed, schedule changes will be made to ensure that appropriate coverage is maintained throughout the day.

Children Remaining After Closing Policy 

1.       Children participating in licensed programs may only be released at departure to individuals designated in writing by the parent or guardian. The list of authorized pick-up individuals and emergency numbers is provided to the parent(s)/guardian(s) at registration and at least twice annually for updates and any necessary changes.  Only individuals aged sixteen or older are permitted to pick up children from Gads Hill Center early childhood programs. Children in school-age programs over the age of eleven may sign themselves out of the program if authorized in writing by the parent/guardian.

2.       Staff will acknowledge a person picking up a child and ensure that person signs the child out.  If a staff member does not recognize the person, the staff member will determine who that person is and whether they are on the child’s pick-up list.  The staff will refuse to release a child to any person who has not been authorized by the parent(s)/guardian.  Another person on the child’s pick-up list will be called if necessary.  The parent(s)/guardian must inform staff if the person picking up the child on a particular day is not on a list of persons authorized to pick up the child.

3.       No child will be released into the custody of a person who has been determined to be dangerous or irresponsible, such as an individual who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or any other drug.

FOLLOW-UP: FSS/Site manager will develop a plan of communication

1. Determine who will be notified at the site by verbal and/or written communication.

2. Develop the content of verbal/written information, which may include:

·       Call parent/guardian after closing hour if the child is still present.

·       Complete a late form.

·       If a  person is not recognizable, call the parent/guardian to make sure it is okay to release their child to them

·       Ask for Government Issued ID and verify identification.

·       If unable to get a hold of parent/guardian after closing hours, call the person on the Emergency Contact Form. If a long period of time had passed, call the police department. Staff will also need to notify upper management.

·       Per DCFS a $1 a minute fee will be assessed past pick up time paid to staff closing.

Arrival and Departures 

Arrival is an essential time of transition between home and school and parents play an important role in this transition. Parents must escort children to their classrooms. Each classroom has a sign-in sheet on which parents must sign in the correct time of arrival and the correct time of departure. Breakfast is served from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and classroom activities begin immediately afterward.

Whenever a child arrives after the scheduled breakfast time, the center will provide a meal; however, a designated staff member must stay in the assigned area to supervise the child’s meal. Parents are always welcome to join their child during the morning transition.

Parents must call the Center whenever a child will be absent or late for school. Children are expected to arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. The parent should inform the Family Support Specialist of the reason for the child’s lateness and the expected time of arrival.

Only people listed on the emergency contact form will be permitted to pick up children from the center. The person picking up a child must be at least 16 years old. Anyone picking up a child must have a picture identification card. Parents should see the receptionist to add new individuals to the emergency contact form.

Prompt pick-up is a requirement of Gads Hill Center programs. Parents who will be late picking up their children must contact the center as soon as they know that they will be arriving late. The center will attempt to contact the parent and all emergency contacts when a parent has not arrived to pick up their child on time. If the parent or another authorized pick-up person cannot be reached within thirty minutes of the pick-up time, the police and DCFS will be contacted in accordance with DCFS policies.