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Purpose, Goals, and Philosophy

The purpose of International Children’s Academy is to provide quality care for children.

The philosophy of the Center is to help children develop positive self-images.  High emphasis is placed on the emotional security of the children, and much personal attention is given to the children in order that they know they are loved and valued as individuals.  Since the children spend several hours a day at the Center, such security is especially important.  We believe that the children’s innate curiosity can lead them to discover new areas of cognitive ability, motor development, creative expression, and social awareness. 

International Children’s Academy provides a rich variety of stimulating possibilities.  Such as stimulating lesson plans, nature walks, books, art materials, puzzles, sensory tables, raw materials, other children for friends, and a loving staff to guide and assist the children toward their individual goals.  Through this philosophy we hope to work toward our goal of future accreditation through N.A.E.Y.C. and encourage the children:

To develop their own potential abilities.

To learn to care for themselves, their bodily needs, and their environment.

To enjoy the company of peers and adults.

To enjoy new learning experiences.

To have good eating and sleeping routines.

To function in a daily routine with self-control, and independence.

Creative Curriculum

International Children’s Academy incorporates The Creative Curriculum into our classrooms. 

So why choose Creative Curriculum?

Creative Curriculum shares with us a comprehensive approach to addressing the care and education of each child as an individual.  Creative Curriculum helps children acquire social competence and the skills they need to succeed as learners.

What is the teacher's role in Creative Curriculum?

The Creative Curriculum approach takes a look at the teacher and helps them observe children more purposefully. Through these observations, the teacher is able to create a lesson plan which can be administered to the individual or to the whole group. The Creative Curriculum approach enables teachers to integrate content learning and bring it into everyday experiences.

International Children’s Academy is committed to providing quality and excellence. We believe that your child through creative curriculum principles will be able to develop the necessary skills to become a lifelong learner.

Parent Involvement

We encourage parents to become involved with their child’s overall learning experience.  We welcome parents as volunteers and can utilize volunteers in various ways:  Helping with class celebrations, being a guest speaker on a topic of study, helping to supervise special activities, donation of recycled goods, etc.  

Communication

Communication is important to us at ICA.  Infants, Toddlers and Twos receive a Daily Sheet at the end of the day with information on feeding, diaper changes, activities, etc. They also have a closed Facebook group for those families only!

Preschool/Pre-k also have closed Facebook group for their classroom only!

At any time, you may call the center or reach out to your child's teacher with questions or concerns. 

Admission Procedures and Policy

International Children’s Academy shall abide by an Anti-Discrimination Policy, which will not deny registration or participation in regard to gender, race, religion, or handicap of any kind.

Following a tour of our facility, and description of our programs, each potential enrollee will participate in an interview with the owner/director.  Following this interview, an enrollment decision will be reached and agreed upon by both parties. 

Illness 

At International Children’s Academy, we strive to keep our classrooms illness free. Children who are ill need to stay home until they are fever, vomit or diarrhea free for 24 hours, and rid of all symptoms.   Parents should keep their children at home and notify the Center whenever the child has any of the following conditions:

Uncontrolled Diarrhea

Severe coughing

Difficult or rapid breathing

Yellowing of skin or eyes

Inflammation of the eye(s) with discharge until 24 hours after treatment has been initiated

Unusual spots of rashes

Sore throat or trouble swallowing

Infected skin patch

Fever above 99 degrees (under the arm)

Headache and/or stiff neck

Vomiting 

Untreated head lice, scabies, or other infestation

Severe itching of the body or scalp

If a child displays any of the above symptoms at the Center, the child’s parent/guardian will be notified promptly.

Medication

If a child requires medication which must be given during the time the child is at the Center, an authorization form must be completed by the child’s parent before the medication can be administered.  In the case of prescription drugs, the bottle from the pharmacy must be labeled with the child’s first and last name, name of medication, dosage, dosage intervals, and name of physician.  Non-prescription drugs such as aspirin, cough syrup or decongestants shall be administered only if an authorized form has been completed.  The child’s first and last name must also be marked on non-prescription medication. All medications will be kept under lock and key.

Nutrition

Breakfast is not served at International Children’s Academy.  Breakfast items brought into the Center. Milk tickets may be purchased for $0.25 a day. 

Our Center provides a morning and afternoon snack, as well as a nutritious lunch served between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Discharge / Termination Policies 

Each child must sign a tuition agreement upon enrollment.  The tuition agreement will state the number of days per week that the child will attend, and what classroom they will be in.  The payment amount based on this agreement must be paid each week regardless of attendance, unless vacation vouchers are used.  If a family decides to terminate enrollment with International Children’s Academy a two-week noticed is required, as well as payment for the two weeks.  If International Children’s Academy feels that termination of a child’s enrollment is necessary, they will be given a two week notice before the child can no longer attend.

Required Forms

The following forms must be completed in full at time of enrollment.  These forms will be kept on file at International Children’s Academy.

Child Enrollment Agreement

Child Release Authorization

Emergency Medical Care Permission Form

Immunization Records

Tuition Payment Agreement

Get to know your child Information sheet (Infant/Toddler)

Additional forms may be required upon specific request:

Medication Authorization Form

Accident/Injury Reports

Visit Form

Schedule Change Form

Permission for child to leave facility

Parent Responsibilities

Additional items are required for each classroom.  Please see your child’s program description.

Arrival/ Departure:  International Children’s Academy requires that for the child’s own protection the parent/guardian sign in the children at the appropriate area and sign them out at the end of the day. Attendance sheets are on classroom clipboards.  When you leave with your child, please make a point of checking your child’s cubby, and Family information board.   

Opening: The door to the Center will be unlocked at precisely 6:00 a.m.  Monday – Friday

Extra clothing:  Extra clothing must be brought for each child. This clothing needs to be labeled with the child’s first and last name.  Parents/Guardians need to put all possessions directly into their child’s cubby.  Children should be dressed informally and comfortable so they can participate in all activities.  Since we include outdoor playtime whenever possible, the children should have coats, mittens, hats, etc. during cold weather.

Toys:  Toys and other personal belongings should only be brought into the Center on sharing days specified by the individual classroom teacher.  We encourage sharing books, photos, and small safe toys, all of which should be labeled.

Missing Possessions:  International Children’s Academy is not responsible for missing personal possessions.

Grievances:  If at any time you are unhappy with the care your child is receiving, please discuss this with your child’s teacher or director in a professional manner.  We want you to feel free to come to us with your concerns.  Your input as parents helps to maintain and improve our high standards of childcare.

Parties:  Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend classroom celebrations.  If you wish to send treats please discuss with your child’s classroom teacher what items would be appropriate.  We have children in our Center that have severe food allergies, these allergies are posted in each room. 

Diapers and Wipes:  Diapers and wipes must be supplied by parents with children who are not yet potty trained.   Please make sure your child has plenty of diapers and wipes frequently.  If your child is running low on any diapering item they will be notified in advance.  

Current Events:  Please check your child’s cubby, and their classroom bulletin boards for important information, and current events.

Home Changes:  Parents/Guardians are asked to notify staff of any significant changes in the child’s home life, i.e. a death, new baby, father or mother away from home, a move to a new house, etc.  This will enable us to give the child any extra attention needed in these times of excitement or anxiety.

Parking:  Please keep a close eye on your child as well as other children during drop off and pick up times.  In addition, our center has joined with the Lee’s Summit Police Department to keep our community safe and crime to a minimum.  They have asked us to take a few moments and always do the following to make sure our parking lot is safe:  

Make sure all items of value are out of sight.  

Do not leave your car keys in your vehicle.  

Always lock your car doors and especially do not leave your vehicle running unattended. 

Confidentiality:  Confidentiality is very important in our family-oriented center.  Discussion of sensitive issues concerning other children, families and staff member with other families or staff should be approved. 

Personal financial, medical, family and child information will be held in confidence and not shared outside or in the center beyond those you have entrusted with the information as responsible for administrative and child caring functions. Staff is, however, professionally and legally obligated to report suspected child abuse and neglect, including identifying information and specifics of their concern. With parental consent on a form provided upon enrollment:  1) photographs of children may be used in public relations, website graphics, and other publications; and 2) pictures may be taken of center events such as birthdays, holiday activities and special celebrations.

*A copy of The Licensing Rules for Centers is available for review at the center.