Summer Camp Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Is safety a priority?
A: At Sunshine, safety is our # 1 priority! A formal attendance check is the first order of business each day. Subsequent attendance checks take place every half hour or any time the group moves from one location to another. All groups' supervisors have walkie talkies to keep constant communication with the Front Desk personnel and other Sunshine Administration. Sunshine has a strict release policy. We will only release your child to an adult that you give permission to. If someone comes to pick up your child and they are not on your pick up list and have no photo identification, your child will not be released.

Q: What type of staff members work with my child during Summer Camp?
A: Sunshine takes great pride in employing fully qualified individuals. All Sunshine staff members are fingerprinted by the Broward County Child Care Licensing Department (FBI background check), drug tested, and are required to pass 40 hours of child development coursework and training (Child Care Licensing). All staff receives extensive summer camp training before camp starts. A Site Manager, Front Desk staff and an Area Manager is assigned to each site to supervise our staff and the children in our care.

Our staff must have the following requirements in order to be hired:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must be a high school graduate
• Must take and pass a drug test
• Must have a physical done every 2 years
• Must get fingerprinted by the County and the State
• Must be screened through the FBI
• Must complete CPR and First Aid training
• Must complete 40 hours of Child Care training

Q: What types of daily activities are provided during Summer Camp?
A: Children participating in Sunshine's Camp programs are placed into age and grade appropriate groups. Structured camp activities such as Arts and Crafts, Organized Sports, Field Trips, Indoor and outdoor games take place between 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Children will be encouraged to participate in all activities. The children will have supervised free time between 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00. Activities include Arts / Crafts, Wii Games, Organized Sports and Physical Fitness, Relays / Outdoor Play, Talent Shows, Indoor Games and much more. Optional Super Field Trips and Enrichment Activities are available.

Q: Does Sunshine provide service for special education students?
A: YES – We meet the parent to learn about the child's needs and we try to make every accommodation possible to include the child in our regularly scheduled program. We work closely with the families and schools on a case-by-case basis.

Q: Why do I need to enter my Password?
A: Sunshine takes your child's safety seriously. We have implemented this safety mechanism to make sure you are authorized to access your child's account. If you do not remember the Password you placed with us, please give our Main Office a call at 954-236-8850.

Q: What is your Camp Objective?
A: It is the goal of Sunshine Child Programs to provide a safe and enjoyable summer for your child. We will offer a wide range of recreational experiences, teach the necessary skills to participate and do our utmost to make each day exciting and rewarding while providing a hazard free environment to play in. We will offer many enriching activities, but we need your support and cooperation for a truly successful summer camp program.

Q: What if I pick up my child late?
A: After 6:00 p.m., the charge is $5.00 for every 15 minutes until the child is picked up. This is strictly enforced and will be payable when the child is picked up. After being late to pick up your child three times, Sunshine may dismiss your child from the program. If your child is not picked up and you have not called us and/or no one on your emergency call list can be reached, the police will be called.

Q: Why do I need to physically bring my child inside in the morning and / or come in to sign them out in the evening?
A : Please come into the facility to sign your child in and out daily. At pick up, please show ID daily. If for some reason you should be later than usual picking up your child, please give us a call so that your child does not panic that you forgot him / her. If you have someone other than the usual person picking up your child, you must call us in advance and let us know the person's name. The person must present a photo ID before we will release your child. Also, you MUST notify us if someone is NOT allowed to pick up your child. You may do so on your child's registration packet. We can not legally bar a parent from picking up a child without a court order on file. Remember, this is for your child's safety and protection!

Q: What is the Student Discipline Policy?
A: At Sunshine Child Programs, children are our business and our number one priority! We feel strongly that a positive, supportive and structured environment promotes good behavior. A full day of activities is planned to direct your child's energy into positive channels. We believe that children learn from us and that we are their positive role models.

One of our many goals is to help children feel good about themselves by building their self-esteem and self-confidence. Our Counselors and Site Managers have been trained in “Cooperative Discipline” by our Director of Educational Programs and Quality Assurance. Whenever Discipline is necessary, corrective discipline is used to change the inappropriate behavior of the child, never to hurt the child.

The following steps are taken to correct inappropriate behavior in our programs and to insure the safety and well being of all of our children:

• Counselors will first take a child aside and quietly speak to him/her about their behavioral concern. If the inappropriate behavior warrants, the counselor will either put the child in time out (appropriate to their age), or, if necessary, have the On-Site Manager speak to the child. The child will receive a verbal warning and a behavior report requiring parent signature.
• A child's second serious behavior incident will result in a phone call to the parent as well as a written behavior report copied to the Sunshine Child Programs Corporate Office.
• A child's third behavior report will result in a phone call to the parent from the On-Site Manager, and possible suspension or dismissal from any Sunshine Child Program.

Q: Does my child need to bring Lunch / Snacks?
A: Lunch is usually scheduled between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Your child must bring a bagged lunch and drink every day. When sending lunch, do not forget to send any proper utensils needed as we do not supply utensils. Please do not send your child with food that needs to be heated as we do not have access to a microwave. Also, children can not store their lunches in the refrigerator. We ask that you please label your child's lunch bag so we know who it belongs to when it is time to eat.

Q: During Lunch time, will someone be there to make sure my child is eating their lunch?
A: Yes, during lunch time, the children are supervised by their counselor. If you need a staff member to specifically address any concerns you have with your child for lunch, please let a supervisor know and we will be happy to accommodate.

Q: What should my child wear to camp?
A: Children should wear play clothes that are comfortable and sneakers with socks. We do not suggest flip flops, sandals, or dress shoes. This is for the safety of your child. T-Shirts with inappropriate sayings or pictures are not permitted. Your child is required to wear his or her camp T-shirt on all field trip days. This will aid in identifying him or her in our group.

Q: Can my child bring their Game boy, Cards, Etc. to camp?
A: Please DO NOT send any personal items such as cell phones, I-pods, radios, jewelry, purses, wallets, game boys, toys, or items of sentimental value. We are not responsible for loss or damage of any personal items. Be sure to put your child's name on any item they bring. Sunshine will have a lost and found for any items left at night. If the items have not been claimed after 2 weeks, they will be donated to Goodwill. Sunshine will not hold any money your child brings to camp nor are we responsible if money is lost.

Q: What happens if my child gets hurt during camp?
A: If your child has an accident / incident while in Summer Camp, you will receive an immediate phone call regardless of the severity. You will also receive written documentation of the accident. If your child has any injuries that we are unaware of at the time you pick up, please contact us immediately. Do not wait more than 24 hours to let us know any concerns you may have. In the event of serious illness or accident, we will call EMS and they will take whatever steps necessary to insure your child's well being.

Q: Are the smaller children placed with the bigger children during camp hours?
A: In most cases, children are placed into groups according to the grade level they are going into where they spend 50 % of their time while at camp. The other 50 % of the time will be spent in mixed group activities. Sunshine will keep the older children in separate areas of the building from the younger children, for the safety of all.

Q: How often do the children go outside?
A: We encourage the children to participate in all outdoor activities. Children may go outside 3 – 4 times a day. They will not spend more than 60 minutes a time outside. Our staff members will take the children for restroom and water breaks frequently. We also encourage all parents to send sunscreen and a hat for your child as it gets very hot during the summer months.

Q: Can I meet my child's counselor?
A: Yes, please speak to a Supervisor and they will arrange for you to meet your child's counselor.

Q: Can I sign my child out of camp and then bring them back?
A: For the safety of your child, we ask that all students are at camp no later than 9:00 a.m. and once they are picked up, they are signed out for the day. If it is a one time occasion, please speak to a Supervisor who can make appropriate arrangements with you. Otherwise, we ask that your child remain in camp and once they are signed out, they may not return.

Q: What type of Transportation does Sunshine use for Field Trips?
A: Sunshine uses Titan Bus Company and Maranata Bus Company. Both are licensed and insured. The children are always accompanied and supervised by their counselor while riding the bus.

Q: How are my children supervised if they go on a swimming trip?
A: Safety is Sunshine's first priority. All of our staff is required to participate in going in the pool while the children swim. All staff is assigned a location in the pool to ensure all children are watched. Sunshine only swims at pools where certified life guards are on duty. The life guards as well as the Sunshine staff go over pool rules and all children are swim tested before entering any pool.