Child Care Jeopardy

Budget and Finance

100

If you accept DSS child care subsidy, it is illegal to charge families the difference between your full tuition and what DSS and the parent covers. Yes or No?

No: It is not illegal. You should charge DSS families any tuition not covered by DSS or the parent fee. We refer to this as the Gap policy.

200

The members of the finance/audit committee are responsible for assembling the documents required for the yearly audit. True or False?

True: This is the responsibility of the finance/audit committee, not the director.

300

Is it legal to charge customers (families) a convenience fee for using a credit card? Yes or No?

No: It is a misdemeanor in New York State for any seller of goods or services to impose a "surcharge" on a customer who elects to use a credit card instead of cash or a check.

400

The board treasurer develops the annual budget using past fiscal history and gives it to the board for approval. This is the best practice for budget development. True or False?

False: Development of the budget should be a collaborative effort between the center director, board chair, treasurer, finance committee, and personnel committee of the board.

500

It is the responsibility of the director to plan and execute fund raisers with oversight from the fundraising committee. True or False?

False: It is the responsibility of the board members/ fundraising committee to plan and execute fundraisers. Directors may be asked to assist.

Employment Law

100

In New York State all employees have the right to review their personnel file. True or False?

False: They do not have the right to review. You may have a policy that allows them to review their file with the director being present.

200

You have told employees they are not allowed to begin their shift early. A staff member continues to start early. Do you have to pay her/him for that time when you told her/him it was not permissible? Yes or No?

Yes: Even if employees are specifically told not to perform preliminary or postliminary work, you are required to pay them if they do so. 

300

You schedule a mandatory training on a week the center is closed and there is a paid holiday. Are you required to pay overtime for this training? Yes or No?

No: You are not required to pay OT as the “hours worked” did not exceed 40 (even if you pay employees for the holiday).

400

NYS employers must provide a notice of pay rate and pay days to every employee within 30 days of hire and then on an annual basis. True or False?

False: NYS employers must provide a notice of pay rate and pay days to every employee within ten days of hire and then on an annual basis.

500

You must preserve payroll records, sales, and purchase records for at least three years. True or False?

True: Each employer shall preserve for at least three years payroll records, sales, and purchase records. Records on which wage computations are based should be retained for two years, i.e., time cards, work and time schedules, and records of additions to or deductions from wages.

Regulations

100

Each program must hold two shelter-in-place drills annually during which procedures and supplies must be reviewed. Parents must be made aware of this drill by close of business. Yes or No?

No: Parents must be notified in ADVANCE of the drills.

200

For infants less than six months of age, the daily schedule must include short supervised periods of time during which the awake infant is placed on her/his stomach. True or False?

False: The daily schedule must include short supervised periods of time during which the awake infant is placed on her/his stomach, back, or side allowing them to move freely and interact socially, thus developing motor skills and social skills.

300

For purpose of maintaining a primary care model, centers may mix children six weeks of age to thirty-six months of age in one classroom, in compliance with the provisions of section 418-1.8(r) of this Subpart. True or False?

False: For purpose of maintaining a continuity of care model, centers may mix children six weeks of age to thirty-six months of age in one classroom, in compliance with the provisions of section 418-1.8(r) of this Subpart.

400

When preschool children ages three to five years are cared for in one group throughout the day, the teacher to child ratio and maximum group size applicable to the age of the youngest child must be followed. True or False?

False: It is the age of the majority of the children not the youngest child.

500

After the initial medical statement, tuberculin tests are only required at the discretion of the staff person, or volunteer’s health care provider, or at the start of new employment. True or False?

True: Unless your personnel policy states otherwise, the tuberculin test is only required at the start of employment.

Best Practice

100

It is better to let all staff answer the phone rather than let it go to voicemail. True or False?

False: It is best practice to allow only a few informed people to answer the phone. How the phone and questions are answered is your first chance to make an impression on prospective clients.

200

At the beginning of a board meeting, the board chair should ask if anyone would like to add an item to the agenda. True or False?

False: Only items on the agenda should be addressed during the meeting. If a new item is suggested, it should be added to the agenda for the next meeting.

300

Director Cindy collects all tuitions, submits a weekly bank deposit, pays the center bills on time, and reconciles the checking account statement. Is she following best business practices? Yes or No?

No: Best business practice requires "separation of duties." This means Cindy can not be the sole person to collect tuitions, do bank deposits, sign checks, and reconcile bank statements. Her board treasurer could split these duties with her, if there are no other administrators to assist.

400

A parent is interested in serving on the board. You invite them to attend 2-3 full board meetings so they can evaluate whether or not they want to join. Is this an essential part of the procedure to obtain new board members? Yes or No?

No: Perspective board members should not be allowed to attend full board meetings until they are officially voted in and have signed a confidentiality agreement and conflict of interest.

500

Sally has full enrollment with a two year waiting list for infants. At this time, marketing the other center programs is not a priority. True or False?

False: Marketing both inside the center and outside should always be a priority. Providing excellent customer service and education to current families encourages them to stay at your center from infancy to kindergarten. Constant marketing outside builds awareness, community engagement, and parent interest.

WLS Grants

100

You are allowed to purchase paper towels and cleaning supplies with the H&S grant. Yes or No?

No: They are general supplies and are not allowed to be purchased with our grants.

200

To verify proof of payment you may submit a cancelled check from either your personal account or the center's account. Yes or No?

No: The check must be from the center’s account, not a personal check.

300

If an approved grant item costs less than quoted on the expenditure plan, you can purchase another health & safety item to make up the difference. True or False?

False: You will only be reimbursed for items on the approved expenditure plan, which is included with your award letter.

400

When submitting your audit, a draft version is acceptable? Yes or No?

No: We must receive a final version that has been approved by the board, however, a copy of the final audit is acceptable. We do not need an original.

500

If you do not have all of your grant reimbursement documents submitted to FBP by the deadline you will not be reimbursed. True or False?

False: If you miss the deadline for submitting your grant reimbursement documents, you will still be reimbursed. However, you may not get reimbursed until after April 1st when the NYS budget has been passed.