The Texas A&M University-Kingsville Center for Young Children (CYC) provides a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. The program is designed to be developmentally appropriate. The concept, developmental appropriateness, includes both age and individual appropriateness. Teachers use knowledge about age appropriateness to identify the range of behaviors, activities, and materials for a specific age group. This knowledge is used in conjunction with the understanding about individual childrens' growth patterns, strengths, interests, and experiences (individual appropriateness) to design the most appropriate learning environment.

Children's play is essential for growth. Play serves important functions in cognitive development, as well as in children's physical, emotional, and social development. Child-initiated, child-directed, teacher-supported play is an essential part of the CYC program.

The CYC is open to anyone, regardless of university affliation. Children between the ages of three months(3 mon) through five (5) years are eligible.

The CYC is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The CYC follows the university class schedule and is closed during university observed holidays.The Director will post and provide the parents with a list of these dates.

To enroll a child in the CYC, parents must pay a $50.00 annual non-refundable registration fee. On or before the child's first day, the following information must be on file:

Upon enrollment, parents are asked to specify the date their child will begin attending. If the child cannot begin on the date stated, the CYC must be notified immediately. If no notice has been received prior to scheduled date of attendance, the CYC Director reserves the right to release the child's place and to enroll another child. Parents will then have to re-enroll if space becomes available. Registration fees cannot be refunded.

	General Information Form
	Health Statement certified by a licensed physician, including current record of immunization and proof of one tuberculosis test
	Statement of allergies or dietary needs
	Enrollment contract - signed by the legal guardian that will be paying tuition
	Parents' acknowledgement of receipt of "A Parent's Guide to Child Care"
	Parent's class schedule

The CYC evening program is fuded, in part, by a U.S. Department of Education grant. The intent of the program is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children of university-student parents on evenings they attend class.

The CYC evening program serves children ages three months through eight years. The evening program is open to children of university students who attend evening classes and faculty members who teach evening classes. Due to limited staffing, care is only available on the evenings that the parent or faculty member is in class.

Monday through Thursday 5:45-10pm

The CYC evening program follows the university class schedule, beginning on the first day and concluding on the day of commencement of each semester. The CYC evening program is closed on observed university holidays and between semesters.

Complaints and concerns may be directed to the director. It is usually possible to discuss any concerns with the director on a spontaneous or informal basis because of the availability of the director. If the director is unavailable, the lead teacher may be spoken to about the concern or meeting between the director and/or lead teacher, and the parents can be arranged. If a complaint pertains to the director a meeting can be arranged between the Chair of the Human Sciences Department and the parents. If the parents feel a need for a more formal formate, contact with the director must be made to arrange a conference period.

It should be stressed that the CYC operates under an "open door" policy. Parents are welcomed any time. Concerns/complaints should be brought to the directors attention immediately. A situation cannot be dealt with if people are unaware that it exists. Also, suggestions are very helpful; at time people closest to a situation do not see the "big" picture.

A medical statement, immunization record, and an emergency care statement must be on file at the CYC. When a child becomes ill at school, parents will be notified, and the child will be isolated from the group. Parents must pick up a sick child immediately. The CYC does not have a nurse or a sick room and cannot keep an ill child.
In case of accident, parents or other designated persons will be notified. If such persons are unavailable to care for the child, the child will be taken to the doctor or hospital specified by the parent on the medical care form.

Medicine administered at school must be in the original container with the child's name, doctor's name, date of prescription, and dosage direction on the outside of the container. A medication spoon must be provided by the parents. Parents must sign a medicine permit for each medication given. A new form must be signed each week. No medicine, including aspirin or acetaminophen, will be given without written permission from parents. First aid medication will be used as needed.

In order to protect all children, parents are asked to notify the CYC if their child has been exposed to any contagious disease. Parents will be notified of any contagious disease to which a child has been exposed. Parents may be required to obtain a physician's statement certifying that their child is well before the child returns to school following absence due to a contagious disease. Children who have a fever should be cared for at home and should be free of fever for 24 hours before returning to school.

Vision and hearing screening will be done for four- and five- year-olds, as required by state law. Parents will be notified when the screening will occur.