In order to prevent any misunderstandings we’ve created this handbook. While we realize it’s quite lengthy, please read the handbook thoroughly. Past experience has taught us that it’s best to be as thorough as possible when explaining to a new family how our child care service works. Please feel free to contact us to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
Activities and Curriculum
Our goal is to provide a safe and happy place for children where they can learn and grow at their own pace. We believe children learn through play and benefit from a structured, yet flexible schedule. We want them to learn while having fun and improve their social skills. We will be utilizing a variety of activities to accomplish that. Every day we offer them the opportunity to play with puzzles, games, play dough, books, music, pretend play, mathematics, and science toys to support the learning process.
We feel that getting them prepared for school is so important. We learn the alphabet, numbers, shapes, colors, etc. but with a fun and creative approach. Not only will your children have fun but they’ll be learning. We have a new theme weekly and work on fun activities that go along with that theme or holiday.
Arrivals and Departures
We are open Monday - Friday 6:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
* Please respect our opening and closing times, we understand things come up and weather can be bad but these times are NOT flexible on a regular basis. We occasionally schedule appointments at 5:45/ 6:00 and cannot make our appointment time if parents are running late.
Arrivals, it’s normal for some children to have difficulty separating from parents, or cry when being dropped off. Please be very brief (no more than 5 minutes) during drop-off times; the longer you prolong the departure the harder it gets. A smile, cheerful good-bye kiss, and a reassuring word that you will be back are all that is needed. Children are nearly always quick to get involved in play or activities as soon as parents are gone. Please be assured that if your child is having a difficult time settling down or crying for a prolonged period of time, we will contact you. Please no food or drink in the morning, food in the car can be sticky and get all over their hands and coat. If they missed breakfast please hand me their full breakfast and we can eat it here at the table. Since we don’t use our doorbell we carefully listen to our door for a knock However, after 9am we stop listening. If you plan on dropping off later than 9am please send a quick text letting us know what time you plan on dropping off.
Departures, are sometimes a little rushed because everyone usually leaves around the same time. We ask that you please text us before you pick up your child so that we can have all bottles, belongings, coat, and shoes ready to go. We don’t use our doorbell so it’s sometimes hard to hear the knock at the door. Just text “10 minutes away” or you can just say “10” we’ll know what you mean. If you’re picking up your child early for an appointment etc. please text us letting us know you’re on your way.
Please, no less than a 10 minute warning.
Release of Children
Your child(ren) will not be released to anyone except for a parent. We understand there are emergencies, however, a parent must call or text prior. We don't mind if grandmas or aunts pick up, but we will not release them without parent permission. Unless of course, they pick them up regularly. Please pass our number along so they can text 10- 20 minutes prior to pick up.
Withdrawing and Schedule Changes
30 day notice is required for withdrawal. Parents will be required to pay the full 30 days regardless of the child's attendance.
We also need an advance 30 day notice of any permanent decreases of days. For example, if your child(ren) are contracted 4 days a week but you need to permanently change it to 3 days you will need to let us know 30 days in advance so that we can fill that position and will be required to pay your normal weekly rate those 30 days regardless of the child's attendance. We wish we didn’t have to ask for such advance notice but we rely on our income just as you do, so we have to.
If you are contracted for part time and need to add days to your schedule that’s no problem. Just let us know if it’s just an extra day for that week only or a permanent addition. Or if you need to switch a day. Just please let us know in advance by sending a text, even if it’s the morning of.
Sickness
A child who has a fever (99.8 or more), diarrhea (2 or more watery stools), coughing, rash, eye infection, runny nose (Green/ yellow in color or needs nose wiped several times within a short time), vomited within the last 24 hrs., generally unwell, or other condition needing close attention is to be kept at home for 24 hours of no more symptoms!
Activities and Curriculum
Our goal is to provide a safe and happy place for children where they can learn and grow at their own pace. We believe children learn through play and benefit from a structured, yet flexible schedule. We want them to learn while having fun and improve their social skills. We will be utilizing a variety of activities to accomplish that. Every day we offer them the opportunity to play with puzzles, games, play dough, books, music, pretend play, mathematics, and science toys to support the learning process.
We feel that getting them prepared for school is so important. We learn the alphabet, numbers, shapes, colors, etc. but with a fun and creative approach. Not only will your children have fun but they’ll be learning. We have a new theme weekly and work on fun activities that go along with that theme or holiday.
Arrivals and Departures
We are open Monday - Friday 6:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
* Please respect our opening and closing times, we understand things come up and weather can be bad but these times are NOT flexible on a regular basis. We occasionally schedule appointments at 5:45/ 6:00 and cannot make our appointment time if parents are running late.
Arrivals, it’s normal for some children to have difficulty separating from parents, or cry when being dropped off. Please be very brief (no more than 5 minutes) during drop-off times; the longer you prolong the departure the harder it gets. A smile, cheerful good-bye kiss, and a reassuring word that you will be back are all that is needed. Children are nearly always quick to get involved in play or activities as soon as parents are gone. Please be assured that if your child is having a difficult time settling down or crying for a prolonged period of time, we will contact you. Please no food or drink in the morning, food in the car can be sticky and get all over their hands and coat. If they missed breakfast please hand me their full breakfast and we can eat it here at the table. Since we don’t use our doorbell we carefully listen to our door for a knock However, after 9am we stop listening. If you plan on dropping off later than 9am please send a quick text letting us know what time you plan on dropping off.
Departures, are sometimes a little rushed because everyone usually leaves around the same time. We ask that you please text us before you pick up your child so that we can have all bottles, belongings, coat, and shoes ready to go. We don’t use our doorbell so it’s sometimes hard to hear the knock at the door. Just text “10 minutes away” or you can just say “10” we’ll know what you mean. If you’re picking up your child early for an appointment etc. please text us letting us know you’re on your way.
Please, no less than a 10 minute warning.
Release of Children
Your child(ren) will not be released to anyone except for a parent. We understand there are emergencies, however, a parent must call or text prior. We don't mind if grandmas or aunts pick up, but we will not release them without parent permission. Unless of course, they pick them up regularly. Please pass our number along so they can text 10- 20 minutes prior to pick up.
Withdrawing and Schedule Changes
30 day notice is required for withdrawal. Parents will be required to pay the full 30 days regardless of the child's attendance.
We also need an advance 30 day notice of any permanent decreases of days. For example, if your child(ren) are contracted 4 days a week but you need to permanently change it to 3 days you will need to let us know 30 days in advance so that we can fill that position and will be required to pay your normal weekly rate those 30 days regardless of the child's attendance. We wish we didn’t have to ask for such advance notice but we rely on our income just as you do, so we have to.
If you are contracted for part time and need to add days to your schedule that’s no problem. Just let us know if it’s just an extra day for that week only or a permanent addition. Or if you need to switch a day. Just please let us know in advance by sending a text, even if it’s the morning of.
Sickness
A child who has a fever (99.8 or more), diarrhea (2 or more watery stools), coughing, rash, eye infection, runny nose (Green/ yellow in color or needs nose wiped several times within a short time), vomited within the last 24 hrs., generally unwell, or other condition needing close attention is to be kept at home for 24 hours of no more symptoms!
Sick within our care - If your child vomits, has a fever, diarrhea (2+ watery stools), needs their noses wiped several times, or uncomfortable to participate in our normal routine. We’ll call you to come pick up your child. Please know that when we make that call to you we have done everything possible, and we have reached a point where parental care is needed. If you are called to come for your child, you must pick your child(ren) up within one hour or less
If someone in your household or your child(ren) has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID or someone in your household/ your child(ren) have been tested positive or shown signs of having COVID, we ask that you notify us and NOT send your child. We have immune compromised children in our care!
We strictly enforce the sickness policy. This is for the well being of all the children and the parents. Exposing other children in my care to your child's illness starts a cycle of passing the illness throughout other child care families, causing many parents to have to miss work to care for their sick child. In some cases, such as your child having two or more of the underlined symptoms listed at the top and you plan on coming back within those 24 hours we will require a doctor’s note stating that your child is not contagious and their recommendation on when they can return to daycare.
Please notify us if your child will not be arriving for the day. You can send me a text any time after 6:30 am or if you know the night before. Your communication with letting us know if your child is sick or has an appointment and will be in general running late is important.
We were always germ freaks, and kept everything from blankets and play mats regularly washed to toys and tables being sanitized. We continue our efforts here and we respectfully ask that those efforts are reflected on your end as well. The health and safety of the children is our top priority. If you (or your child) were exposed or feeling sick yourselves, please keep your child home until your test results come back negative or the person that you were exposed to has negative test results. If your test comes back positive, your child will not be able to be in attendance for two full weeks after the positive result was received.
In order to reduce germs and possible exposure please do not bring any additional toys or blankets (unless it is an attachment toy they cannot live without) we have plenty of toys and blankets here that we are keeping sanitary. Please continue to bring lunches weekly or in a disposable grocery bag or brown lunch bag, anything that needs refrigerated goes directly into the fridge. If you have any additional questions please feel free to ask.
Medication and Immunizations
Please try to give medication at home whenever possible. But if it’s not possible please feel free to send it with written and signed instructions and we will administer the medication when it is instructed to be given. Due to having infants here and for the sake of the children in our care we do not accept children that are not fully immunized. That being said, we do support choice of an extended immunization schedule.
Potty Training
We’re happy to assist in potty training, however we ask that families do not make us solely responsible for training them. In the past we’ve had families send their children in diapers on Wednesday and tell us they’re fully potty trained on Thursday. We’ve also had parents use diapers at home and underwear at our house. Please initiate potty training over a weekend. Please do not begin training before your child is ready. If potty training is started when your child is ready, the task is quick and easy! When the time is right for your child and they can communicate the words “I have to go potty” we are more than happy to help assist with potty training. They should wear clothes that promote independence and easy to remove. While training, children must wear pull-ups! If your child seems to be doing fine with no accidents during the day at (with no prompting from us to use the potty) and remaining dry at naptime, then he/she can wear underwear here. (Remember that sometimes the level of play here tends to make children "forget" to stop and go to the potty.) Please be considerate of my home and belongings and do not send a child in underwear that are not ready.
Supplies Needed
Since 2018 we have been trying to phase out daily lunch boxes and reusable containers by asking parents to bring weekly lunches, similar to the photo below. Please do not send reusable containers for the week. Unfortunately, we’ve had mix ups with similar containers and it’s a lot of extra dishes to wash and keep track of for the rest of the week.
Please try to give medication at home whenever possible. But if it’s not possible please feel free to send it with written and signed instructions and we will administer the medication when it is instructed to be given. Due to having infants here and for the sake of the children in our care we do not accept children that are not fully immunized. That being said, we do support choice of an extended immunization schedule.
Potty Training
We’re happy to assist in potty training, however we ask that families do not make us solely responsible for training them. In the past we’ve had families send their children in diapers on Wednesday and tell us they’re fully potty trained on Thursday. We’ve also had parents use diapers at home and underwear at our house. Please initiate potty training over a weekend. Please do not begin training before your child is ready. If potty training is started when your child is ready, the task is quick and easy! When the time is right for your child and they can communicate the words “I have to go potty” we are more than happy to help assist with potty training. They should wear clothes that promote independence and easy to remove. While training, children must wear pull-ups! If your child seems to be doing fine with no accidents during the day at (with no prompting from us to use the potty) and remaining dry at naptime, then he/she can wear underwear here. (Remember that sometimes the level of play here tends to make children "forget" to stop and go to the potty.) Please be considerate of my home and belongings and do not send a child in underwear that are not ready.
Supplies Needed
Since 2018 we have been trying to phase out daily lunch boxes and reusable containers by asking parents to bring weekly lunches, similar to the photo below. Please do not send reusable containers for the week. Unfortunately, we’ve had mix ups with similar containers and it’s a lot of extra dishes to wash and keep track of for the rest of the week.
Here are a few examples, a lot of parents send items like crackers, blueberries, chicken nuggets, etc. which can stay in original packaging or ziploc bag for easy disposable clean up. Just an example, if you come 3 days a week you don’t need to send 3 bags of blueberries evenly divided - unless you want to, you can send in one ziploc bag or original pint container and we can evenly divide them within those 3 days. Same with chicken nuggets for example, if you come 3 days a week and you want your child to have 5 nuggets per day - you can send 15 nuggets in one ziploc bag or the original frozen bag is fine too. Prepackaged goldfish crackers for snack are fine or you can make your own prepackaged goldfish ziploc bags etc. Also, if you want your child to have an apple, pear, or avocado please send it in whole, we are happy to cut it up for you so they don’t turn brown. We are just trying to give examples and ideas so we don’t receive plastic containers that we have to wash and be responsible for returning to you at the end of every week. We know it doesn’t sound difficult but it is a daily and weekly challenge that we would love to avoid when possible.
If you newly enrolled with us before January 2018 lunch boxes are optional. Families enrolled after then, now must send their child’s lunches weekly! No exceptions- unless you are sending breast milk or have medical supplies.
We have a very small entry way and don’t have a whole lot of room for stuff. So, we’re limiting what the children are allowed to bring. If possible we would prefer you bring nothing besides their coat and shoes, or there are some children that couldn’t possibly make it through the day without their attachment toy but other than that we prefer that everything else stays at home or stays here permanently. Please, don’t bring extra toys or blankets from home. Some children are just not ready to share their special things. If your child has a safety blanket or stuffed animal it must be washed to keep this a germ free environment as much as possible.
Lunches, parents send enough food (or baby food pouches) inside a reusable tote to last a week or two and then replenish the following week or two. We are more than happy to prepare your child’s meals- we have a fridge, freezer, pantry, microwave, and toaster oven dedicated to the children’s food. Here is a picture of what another parent sends weekly. If you need to bring a bag for your child’s breast milk you can bring it in a zip lock, grocery store bag, or a small lunch box. Another thing that also helps is if your child drinks regular milk please send a gallon or 1/2 gallon of milk (depending on how much they drink/ how often they come) and then we can fill their bottle/ cup when needed - cups always leak in lunch boxes and make a mess. If your child likes snacks like cheerios for example you can just send a box and we’ll let you know when we’re out. It just keeps it better organized in their pantry and less back and forth. Each child has a section with their own bottles/cups and their box of formula/cereal. (Same with the formula please send it in the original store bought container rather than a zip lock bag.) It’s better organized that way.
If your child is in an infant carrying car seat it’s easier if the child comes with that and then we can put their little blanket and hat on and buckle them up so they’re ready to go. We do keep a lot of things here permanently - each child has a small bin with their name on it and is filled with all their belongings. Such as an extra change of clothes, Tylenol, and package of diapers. Please send us a new package of diapers rather then sending a few diapers this week and a few next week and then we let you know when we’re out. Also, please note that we only accept Pampers, Huggies, Honest, Babyganics, Kirkland, and Target brand diapers and wipes.
New Update: Send children in easy on/ off shoes that fit comfortably and promote independence – No tie laces.
Here are the items that you will need to bring with you on your first day of enrollment or that is required to resend yearly when you update your contract.
- Yearly Fee $30.00 (Covers cost of extra snacks, supplies, new toys, crafts, activities, etc.)
- Both Filled Out Forms
- Package of Diapers & Wipes (Pampers, Huggies, Honest, Babyganics, Kirkland, or Target brand) Please do not send other brands.
- Diaper Cream, Tylenol, Gripe Water, etc. (These items do expire so please resend yearly)
- Blanket, Pacifier (If needed)
- 2 Sets of Extra Clothes - Weather Appropriate (Including Socks)
- 2-3 Bottles
- Gallon Milk, Formula, Breast Milk (Send breast milk daily w/1-2 frozen bags to be kept in our freezer)
- Weekly Lunch Tote (Sent on Mondays – or your first day of the week)
Germs
We are germ freaks! This was a section in our handbook long before Covid-19. We keep everything here as clean as possible to prevent sickness and simply limit the spreading of germs. We ask that you help us in our mission to keep everything and everyone as germ free as possible. We ask that the children’s clothes are fresh and clean daily and their diapers are changed in the morning. We ask that any coats, shoes, gloves, scarves, hats, blankets, etc. you bring be thrown in the washing machine every so often. One reason we are trying to phase out of daily lunch boxes is we just think of how much they get tossed around from being back and forth and in the car and they touch our kitchen counter tops and stink from leaking cups or containers. All of the cleaners we use are natural, we want to kill germs but without the nasty chemicals that are unsafe for children to breathe or consume.
One of the things we’ve been having a difficult time with is parents not changing their children in the morning. And it’s extremely difficult and we feel offensive telling a parent to change their child in the morning. But it just makes a mess of their clothes they sometimes leak and it gets on surfaces in my home. So please change your child so we can avoid those situations from happening.
Payment Policy and Weekly Schedules
Payments are not based on attendance they’re based on holding a space for your child’s enrollment. If your child is contracted to come 4 days a week you must pay for 4 days a week regardless of attendance or holidays. All holidays are to be paid holidays, even though we are closed. We wish we didn’t have to do this but because we rely on our income just as you do.
We are closed on: Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July.
* We are CLOSED on observed holidays as of 2022. Christmas and New Years we only had 1- 2 people.
We have a yearly calendar available on our forms page so you can mark your calendars.
If you need to switch a day that’s not a problem, for example if you come 3 days a week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday you may come on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. You can also switch days for holidays, if it’s the week of Labor Day and you come 3 days you can come 3 of those other days. However, we don’t mix weeks for example if your child comes 2 days one week and 4 days the following week even though it equals 6 days it just gets too confusing. So we only do day switching by the week if you need it.
If you need to switch a day that’s not a problem, for example if you come 3 days a week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday you may come on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. You can also switch days for holidays, if it’s the week of Labor Day and you come 3 days you can come 3 of those other days. However, we don’t mix weeks for example if your child comes 2 days one week and 4 days the following week even though it equals 6 days it just gets too confusing. So we only do day switching by the week if you need it.
We very very rarely take vacations but if we take a vacation it would not be chargeable to you, otherwise weekly rates are due regardless.
New update: All payments are due in advance - at the beginning of the week, prior to care. If you come on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Please pay on Tuesday, for those upcoming 3 days. We previously were okay, with being paid for the week after care, however, with recent 2020 events we learned that it's best to be paid for the week previous to care. You can also pay ahead every two weeks, if that's easier to send a money envelope less often.
We ask that you put the money in an envelope and write on it - your child’s name, total amount in the envelope, and what days/dates you are paying for. No checks please.
Even though this has been a rule in the handbook for awhile, we still get handed physical cash. These envelopes are very important for us to acknowledge who paid, the amount paid, and what dates are being paid for. When your child leaves we still have other children to care for so if we forget who gave handed us that money and what days they said it was for it can get confusing. We usually are very organized with this, but the "receipt" envelope helps us stay perfectly organized!
We appreciate knowing what days the children are coming. For example, some parents are nurses or Grandma watches the children once a week and those days vary from week to week. Which is fine, but it's much easier for us to know what days those days are. If you could please let us know either through text message on Monday or writing it on your envelope it would be very helpful to us.
Maternity Leave
If you become pregnant during the time your child is enrolled with us, congratulations! Please let us know when your due, so that we can plan on having an opening available for your newborn after your maternity leave. In order to continue to hold your spot during your leave we ask that you continue to send your older child for the duration of your leave. We have a 2 day per week minimum requirement and allow 6 weeks. We believe that it helps to keep them in the routine of coming here, helps with the transition of adding a new sibling, and wonderful one on one time for you with your newborn.
Teachers
Teacher’s child(ren) are required to come our part time minimum in the summer in order to hold their spot for the following year. We believe that it helps to keep them in the routine of coming here, of course you don't have to send your child. Payments are due regardless of attendance. However, we do strongly suggest sending them, even if it's only for a few hours. Parents can either take the day or the morning to clean, run errands, etc.
Fall starts the week that teachers start back on their school year’s calendar. Summer starts on the following week after school is done. Example if you come 5 days and it ends on a Thursday, you will be required to pay that full week and summer starts the following week.
We do require payment for snow days, holidays, and breaks regardless of attendance.
Donations, Grocery Bags, Parties,
and Thank you!
If your child grows out of any toys, games, or baby equipment donations are always greatly appreciated by us and of course the kiddos!
We use plastic grocery store bags for a number of different child care situations. So if you ever have any extra plastic grocery store bags that we could have that would great!
Updated 2020:
The kids are always so excited when treats are brought in for birthdays or our holiday parties. However, because of Covid we would like them to be store bought treats. Also, as of right now we have no children with peanut allergies.
The kids are always so excited when treats are brought in for birthdays or our holiday parties. However, because of Covid we would like them to be store bought treats. Also, as of right now we have no children with peanut allergies.
Thank you for reading our handbook and choosing or considering us to be your child care providers! If you have any questions about this handbook or a general question please feel free to call or text
330-212-9071