2. P ROFESSIONALISM P ERMEATES A LL A SPECTS OF Y OUR J OB Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools If you want to be respected as a professional, you must look and act like one! Dress up rather than dress down. Grooming and hygiene should be impeccable.

3. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools Closed-toe, closed-back shoes; no flip- flops or high heels Tattoos and body piercings not visible Fingernails must be clipped to finger tips. Long nails are not acceptable. No ball caps indoors No street shoes or bare feet in Infant Room

4. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools Using cell phones or personal media players for any reason is prohibited for all employees during working hours including  making or receiving phone calls  sending or receiving text messages  checking email  taking photographs  searching internet sites  in lieu of a watch

5. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools The importance of lunch and rest breaks can not be underestimated. Working with children is tiring and breaks help teachers to recharge and refresh themselves.  Employees are strongly encouraged to leave their classroom for their meal breaks.  Employees on meal or rest breaks are not permitted to interfere with other employees who are continuing to work.  Scheduling for breaks can be very tight; please remember to leave and return on time.

6. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools You are a model of healthy eating and a promoter of safe habits!  Absolutely no hot beverages—including coffee, cocoa or tea—is allowed in any classroom!  Water may be consumed in a clear sport water bottle, a cup, or the plastic bottle in which it was purchased.  All other cold beverages must be in an opaque water bottle so its contents are not visible. Plastic cups from any food establishment are not permissible.  For safety reasons, vitamin-enhanced water is not allowed in the classroom.

7. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools You are a model of healthy eating and a promoter of safe habits!  At least one teacher must sit at the table with the children while they are eating, talking, socializing and supervising them. Any teacher eating must be seated.  If all of the children aren’t eating something, the teacher should not be eating it in front of them.  Infant caregivers must sit while feeding babies seated in high chairs.  Teachers are encouraged to eat what the children are eating.  Employees who wish to eat something else—including snacks—must do so outside the classroom.

8. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools Smoking is prohibited on school grounds—including the parking lot. Because allergic reactions can occur from smoke that clings to clothing, staff are asked not to smoke while wearing work clothing.

9. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools Your language and mannerisms convey maturity and good judgment!

10. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools Don’t wait for a parent to initiate conversation

11. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools  Learn—and use—the names of all the parents in your classroom  Make families feel welcome; invite their active participation  Maintain frequent, two-way communication  Acknowledge parents’ choices and goals for their child  Respond with respect and sensitivity to parents’ preferences and concerns

12. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools  Be each child’s biggest fan  Always have something nice to enthusiastically say in front of the child and parent  Compliment parents on the good job they’re doing being parents  Take time to write short notes home or make quick positive phone calls to share good news

13. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools  Listen carefully and respond quickly to requests  Be of help to them; gather up belongings, have a child ready if they’re in a rush  Assist with parent and child transitions  Respond “I will find out” instead of “I don’t know”  Admit when you are wrong  Don’t hesitate to seek their advice and opinions

14. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools Anyone who comes within TEN FEET of a staff member should receive THREE things: Warm, Genuine Greeting A Smile and a Question A Fond Farewell

15. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools  Be mindful of the time of day, events happening in the family before approaching  Respect the parent’s confidentiality  Statements like “I’d like your help” or “Can I ask your advice?” are helpful  Always start and end with a positive statement about the child when informing parents of a problem or behavior  Be solution-oriented instead of a tattletale!  Keep your school’s Director informed ; talk to her BEFORE communicating a problem to a parent

16. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools Do NOT share your unhappiness surrounding the school, its policies or employees with anyone other than your Director.

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18.  Keep informed of all laws and regulations regarding the handling of personal information  Share information ONLY with people who have a need to know  Keep written information in a safe place  Don’t gossip!

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20. The parents we serve are our customers first, last and always! This relationship is very special and must be protected by everyone who is in our employment.

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23. Be intentional in all aspects of your teaching role

24. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools  Develop warm and positive relationships with children  Bring every child’s culture and language into the classroom  Strive to create a caring community within your classroom

25. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools  Be positive and encouraging  Provide activities and experiences that leave children feeling secure, relaxed and comfortable—and not disengaged, stressed-out or frightened  Handle problems in the classroom by asking an Administrator to help. Do not remove children to the office or another room

26. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools Lift children up under the armpits Pulling on hands or forearms puts stress on the on the elbows. Never pick up a toddler or infant by the hands or wrists, as dislocation of the wrist or elbow can occur. Do not swing a child by the arms Any type of swinging by holding the hands or wrists can put stress on the elbow joint and is prohibited. Gently take children by the hand Jerking a child by the arm or pulling him along while walking or quickly grabbing his or her hand can jerk the arm, causing the radial head to slip. Always provide proper support when holding infants When holding an infant, always make sure you’re supporting the head, neck and back. If someone is holding you a baby, lean close to the person and collect the baby in a tight bundle.

27. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools  Match each child’s name on the attendance sheet to the actual child  Conduct attendance before, during and after each transition

28. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools  Always be fully aware of the number of students for whom you’re caring—however briefly  Be sure to sign in on the Transition sheet as soon as you enter a classroom. Immediately ask “How many children are here today?”  Upon entering the play yard, have children go to a designated spot. Conduct a name-to-face attendance, check that shoe laces are tied, first aid supplies are available, etc.  As children are transitioned into and out of classrooms, ensure that all staff are fully aware of who is coming and going

29. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools Proper handwashing is one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of infections and illnesses in child care. Teach ALL Children to Wash o Upon arrival or whenever entering a new classroom o Before and after eating o After using the toilet; after diapering o After coughing or in contact with bodily fluids: runny noses, blood, vomit o After outdoor play o Before and after messy experiences: water play, play-dough, sand play o After handling pets o When hands are visibly dirty o Before going home

30. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools Wash Your Hands o Upon arrival, when entering any classroom or coming in from outside o Before & after food preparation, handling or serving food to a child o Eating food, bottle feeding or feeding a child o Giving medication or taking out garbage o After diapering, using the toilet or handling bodily fluids

31. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools The best practice for reducing the spread of diarrhea and other illness in your classroom is to 1.Clean using a solution of soap and water 2.Rinse off with clean water 3.Sanitize using a solution of bleach and water 4.Allow to Air Dry or Wipe Off With a Clean Paper Towel After Two Minutes

32. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools  Turn in lesson plans at least two weeks in advance  Make coming to work a priority  Arrive each day well rested and in a positive frame of mind  Have all materials prepared at the start of the day; avoid last minute scrambling for materials, supplies and equipment

33. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools Children’s items should be labeled using a capital first letter and all others in lower case. Label toy tubs and baskets with ONLY pictures in Infant and Toddler classrooms. When labeling items in Preschool and Schoolage classrooms, use both a picture and the word. Write in lower case letters only.

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35.  Acknowledge what children do or say  Encourage persistence and effort  Give specific feedback instead of general comments  Ask questions to provoke thinking  Model attitudes and behaviors  Create and add challenges to tasks

36. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools  Routines of the Day  Interest Centers  Small Groups  Large Group / Circle Time / Class Meeting

37. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools Collaboration and teamwork are crucial components so children feel safe, secure and happy.

38. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools  Be willing to accept ideas and suggestions from them  Be solution-driven and not a “problem dropper”  Maintain confidentiality

39. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools  Your mannerisms, words and actions should always reflect teamwork.  Unless you are asked for it, don’t give advice. Be a coach instead!  Don’t gossip!

40. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools  Immediately notify a manager if your classroom is not in ratio  Notify a manager if you need to leave the room for any reason—even if only briefly

41. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools  Report your absence to your supervisor at least two hours before your scheduled start time.  You are not excused from work unless you’ve actually spoken with a supervisor. Text and voice messages may not be used in lieu of speaking to a manager.  Make requests for vacations in writing at least two weeks in advance.

42. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools  School Closure: Occurs when weather and/or road conditions are so extreme that opening a school would be dangerous to children, families and staff.  Delayed Opening: Occurs when road conditions warrant families and staff needing additional travel time. Typically we open two hours late: 8:30 am. Staff will paid only for the hours they work.  Early Closure: Occurs when weather / road conditions worsen throughout the day. Families are notified via phone calls and email. Staff will be paid for the hours they work. In certain markets, staff are encouraged to watch local television stations for the most current weather-related information.

43. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools  Attend trainings, workshops and conferences  If possible, continue your education in Early Childhood by enrolling in classes  Read all you can about the ECE field and the age group with whom you work

44. Phoenix Children's Academy Family of Schools Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It simply means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections!