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At Home Away from Home, your child’s safety, emotional well-being, and development come first. With over 20 years of experience as a foster mother through Child Protection Services, Bendue S. James brings a deep understanding of how to support children from all walks of life—especially those who need a little extra love, patience, and guidance.

Our program is more than just daycare. It’s a nurturing, home-based environment where every child is known by name, celebrated for who they are, and encouraged to grow at their own pace. We provide personalized care that supports each child socially, emotionally, and academically.

We proudly hold a 3-star rating from Grow NJ Kids, a reflection of the high standards we uphold every day. Unlike large, chain centers, we build real relationships with families, making sure that your child feels valued, understood, and at home.

Whether it’s early drop-off, support with potty training, or simply knowing your child is being cared for with heart—we’re here for you.

Because when children feel safe and loved, they thrive.

Home Away From Home Child Care LLC

Parent Handbook

Table of Contents

Home Away From Home Child Care LLC

Where learning and love go hand in hand.

  1. Welcome & Philosophy………………………………………1
  2. Hours of Operation…………………………………………2
  3. Child Development & Curriculum……………………3
  4. Nutrition…………………………………………………………4
  5. Enrollment & Tuition Policies………………………….5
  6. Tuition
  7. Late Pick-Up Fees
  8. Late Payment Charges
  9. Vacation & Absences
  10. Withdrawals
  11. Health & Safety Policies…………………………………7
  12. Illness
  13. Allergy Prevention
  14. Medication
  15. Home Safety
  16. Injuries
  17. Biting
  18. Smoking / Substances / Weapons
  19. Child Custody
  20. Suspected Child Abuse
  21. Behavior & Guidance……………………………………..10
  22. General Procedure
  23. Challenging Behavior
  24. Notification to Families
  25. Forms & Acknowledgments……………………………11
  26. Emergency Contact Form
  27. Field Trip Consent Form
  28. Media Release Form
  29. Family Handbook Acknowledgment

Address: 15 Doby Pl, Newark NJ 07103

 Phone: +1(973) 902-6575

Email: bendue1215@gmail.com

Website: homeawayfromhomechildcare.co

Welcome & Philosophy

Welcome to Home Away From Home Child Care! We are thrilled to have your child join our warm, loving,

and educational environment. Our philosophy is rooted in fostering a home-like atmosphere where children

feel safe, respected, and empowered to learn through exploration and play. We believe that a child’s early

years are the foundation for lifelong learning and development.

Hours of Operation

Monday: 5:45 AM – 6:30 PM\ Tuesday–Friday: 5:45 AM – 10:00 PM

We offer flexible, short-term weekend care when available. Please inquire directly for Saturday or Sunday

availability.

Child Development & Curriculum

We use the following early childhood teaching strategies:

Implement Play-Based Learning

Practice Two-Way Communication

Use Multi-Sensory Instruction

Provide Positive Reinforcement

Establish Clear Rules

Encourage Collaborative Learning

Offer Individualized Instruction

Provide Emotional Support

Our program is designed to support the development of children from birth to age five.

Nutrition

We participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to ensure all children receive nutritious

meals and snacks. This includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner when applicable. Menus are posted

weekly.

Enrollment & Tuition Policies

Tuition: \$15/hour\ Late Pick-Up Fee: \$1/minute after 10:00 PM

Payment:

Payment is due in advance.

Families are allowed up to 3 sick days per year with a doctor’s note without being charged.

For vacations, 1 week’s notice is required and 1 week’s payment is accepted to hold your child’s

spot.

Late Payment Charges:

Payments are made in advance.

Your child is enrolled based on registration, not attendance.

Withdrawals:

A 2-week written notice is required.

Without notice, 2 weeks’ tuition will be charged.

Re-enrollment Fee: \$35 for returning families.

Health & Safety Policies

Illness: Children may not attend if they:

Have a fever over 100°F

Have diarrhea or vomiting

Show signs of a contagious illness (rash, pink eye, etc.)

Allergy Prevention: Parents must inform us in writing of any allergies and provide medical instructions.

Medication:

Must be in original containers.

Written instructions required.

All administrations are logged.

Home Safety:

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Fire extinguishers

Child-proofing and secured hazardous items

Injuries:

Minor injuries will be reported.

Emergency medical care will be administered as needed

Biting:

Immediate care for the injured child

Positive redirection for the biter

Incident documentation provided

Smoking, Substances & Weapons:

No smoking on the premises

No tolerance for drugs, alcohol, or weapons

Violations will result in immediate action, including contacting law enforcement if needed

Child Custody:

Legal documents must be provided to enforce custody arrangements.

Suspected Child Abuse:

We are mandatory reporters and will comply with all investigations.

Behavior & Guidance

General Procedure: Children are guided through positive reinforcement and conflict resolution. Problem-

solving and emotional expression are taught and modeled.

Challenging Behavior: Aggressive behavior is immediately addressed to ensure all children’s safety.

Physical restraint is never used.

Parental Notification: Families are notified of behavioral concerns. We collaborate to understand and

support the child’s individual needs.

Dismissal: In rare cases, a child may be asked to leave the program if their behavior poses a danger to

others or themselves.