Dear Parents,

 

Welcome to my daycare and thank you for choosing me to be a part of your child’s/children’s daily life. It is always an honor to me, to be trusted with such a responsible job, caring for your precious child/children. I know that you will think of your child/Children throughout the day while away, but being worried about their wellbeing should not be one of them.

So I try to provide a safe, clean, caring, homelike atmosphere for your child/children while at the same time providing for their physical, intellectual, emotional and social development. You and your child’s/children’s happiness is my Number one Goal.

I grow to love each child as my very own and work hard to make your child feel right at home in my home. I will do my best, to keep my home clean and safe for your precious one to play and explore in.

 

There will be a lot to take in, so please take a moment, relax and make sure you finish reading the complete Policy handbook as it contains very important material.

 

A little about me:

Not only am I equipped with real life experience as a loving mother of two, but I have 20+ years experience within the child care field, covering all the aspects of child care, working as a, babysitter, a Nanny and a child care provider both in family day care settings as well as at day care center facilities and as a pre-school Teacher.

 

Children have always been very drawn to me and I have all my life enjoyed being around children.  The parents will find me to be a very structured, caring, organized, loyal and trustworthy person. Your child will come to experience that I am very nurturing, loving, fun, silly and very positive and a happy role model in their lives.

You can also always rely on me being, safe, honest and hardworking.

It may also be good to know that I am pediatric CPR/First Aid certified.

 

Family Oriented is my middle name and I love caring for everyone who comes around me. Your child will be no different to me, as they are now a part of my big happy family. Please see me as your extended arm as I am here to be a part of your daily life. Therefor it is very important that we can stay on the same page at all times. In order to do so, communication will be the key. Anything from concerns, questions, ideas, heads up and so on, is more than welcomed, and I will do my best to answer any questions you have. In the end this is a teamwork, as we are raising your child together to become a successful citizen in society.

 

Kind Regards,

“Miss” Tina

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NONDISCRIMINATION:

I will not discriminate in relation to admission of any child on the basis of race, creed color, national origin, religion, sex or disability.

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MANDATED REPORTING:

Not only because it is the right thing to do, but also as a permitted child care provider, I am a mandated reporter. All providers must report suspected physical abuse, sexual abuse or neglect of a child to the agency or police as required by Virginia statues: § 63.2-1509 This is simply listed to make you aware. 

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HOUSE RULES:

​The children will be taught by example here, to have respect for themselves and each other, they will also be taught to respect my home, property and possessions.

Any negative behavior will not be allowed, this includes but is not limited to: hitting, punching, kicking, biting standing or jumping on furniture, throwing anything in the house, bad language etc.

Not Only am I a non-smoker myself, but smoking in my home is strictly forbidden

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DISCIPLINE:

I will strive to offer praise for good behavior. Should negative behavior happen, I will deal with it in one of the tree ways:

 

• REDIRECTION: Toddlers will simply be told no, and redirected to another activity or area.

• TALKING & COLOR CHART: Once a child reaches the age of two they can be talked to. They will be told in easy to understand terms why the behavior should not continue. Typically, this is highly effective. 

 

When reaching age of three they will be added on to the color chart (Behavior Chart) This chart will visually let the children see how well they are doing through out the day. The chart is very simple to under stand. 

1. RAINBOW: Means they have done great following the rules, throughout the day and even gone above and beyond to be on their best behavior.

2. GREEN: Means they have done well following the rules throughout the day and have been on their best behavior. 

3. YELLOW: Means they haven’t always followed all the rules  through out the day and are given a chance to fix their behavior. 

4. RED: Means they have not fixed their behavior, were placed into a time out and parents/guardians will get notified.

 

• TIME-OUT: When Time outs occur, I use one minute per age of the child rule (a three year old gets three minutes.)

Should a behavior still continue after a few time outs, I will talk to the parent. 

A workable solution can always be found.

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DROP OFF/PICK UP CHILDREN:

Before your child/children start their care with me, we will figure out your schedule of days and hours needed plus your commute. These will be your “Scheduled hours”.

Please arrive on time. If you will be late for drop off/Pick up, let me know as soon as possible, so I may adjust my schedule if needed. A late drop off does NOT mean a late pick up. Should you be late dropping off your child, you will still be responsible to pick up your child on time.  A late pick up fee of $1 per minute will apply.  When a child is not picked up within 30 minutes of the closing of the day care, I will begin to call the parents and all listed emergency contacts for the child. If a contact cannot be made for the child no later than one hour after closing, the Police will be noticed, and the child will be placed in their custody.

​Should you ever need any hours outside your "scheduled hours", please give me no later than one day of notice, to discuss availability. An extra charge of $10 per started hour will apply for the extra hours.  

All children over the age of 12 months are expected to arrive fully dressed and ready for the day. Do not bring your child in pajamas,

At drop off time, make sure that you say goodbye to your child/children and let them know when you will be returning. Although this may produce tears, rest assured…by the time you are out of the driveway, the tears have stopped. This also helps to make the child/children feel secure, knowing, that while you may leave them, when you have to, you are always coming back.

The moment you come inside my door, to pick up your child/children, you are back in charge of your child. Sometimes this may get a little rowdy as children loves to test their boundaries. Your child has listened to my rules all day. Please show your child/children that you respect me and my rules by reminding them and enforcing them while you are here.

When you drop off or pick up, do not linger. Ten minutes is typically more than sufficient. During day care hours I have a job to do. If you need to talk to me, I am available after hours.

The after hours for telephone are: Monday-Friday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.or you can email me 24/7, please allow me at least 2 business days to respond.

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SCHEDULED HOURS:

Before your child/children start their  full time care with me, we will figure out your schedule of days and hours needed plus your commute. These will be your “Scheduled hours”. 

 

 

Should you ever need any hours outside your "scheduled hours", please give me no later than one day of notice, to discuss availability. An extra charge of $10 per started hour will apply for the extra hours.  

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FEES:

For Children enrolled for full-time/After care

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You can choose to pay; 

• Weekly

• Bi-weekly (Every Two Weeks)

• Semi – Monthly  (Two chosen, set dates of the month that re-occurs)

For Weekly and Bi-Weekly payment plans, the fees are Expected in advance, payable on the first day of care in any given week. 

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Should your child be absent for an occasional day (regardless of reason) or In case of illness, or due to family vacation and your child will not be able to attend childcare, the regular childcare fees, still applies and will still be expected to be paid as you are paying to hold your child’s/children’s childcare slot.

 

For Children attending an occasional day such as back up care/emergency care/drop-in:

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There will be an hourly rate, and fees will be expected end of care as you pick up your child. A time sheet will be given, to keep track of hours used.

I understand the financial burden, childcare cost can put on a family. However, this is how I provide for my family and have responsibilities to care for, like any other family. It is therefore crucial that every payment is being made on time.

Should your fees be overdue, an additional fee of $15 per day will be added on. These fees are expected to be paid immediately with the over due fee. Should the weekly/Bi-weekly fees plus the over due fees not be received within one week after expected pay period, your child/children will lose it's child care slot, and a collection agency will be contacted, you will be responsible for all the expenses

 

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I ACCEPT CASH ONLY

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CONTRACT POLICIES:

Once both parties have agreed upon, my childcare services, being provided to your child/children, a contract will be written. 

You can choose your contract to be valid for as long as duration as the duration is needed. 

When contract expires and services are still required, we will renew the contract.

You can terminate the contract at any given time. However, a two weeks notice must be given. You are still required to pay for the childcare fee during this time. Even if the child doesn’t attend. If a notice is not given, I will continue to render my service and you will still be charged. 

If for any reason, I need to terminate the contract, I will give you at least a two weeks notice before doing so. You are still required to pay the childcare fee during this time.

 

 

 

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VACATION/HOLIDAYS:

I am closed on the following holidays, and you will be required to pay for them, providing the holidays falls on a regular day of care (according to your contract).

 

New Years Day, Martin Luther King jr. Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, The day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Should any of the holidays fall on your due day for tuition. All Tuitions are to be paid the day before. 

 

I take 2-4 Weeks (30 Days) of vacation every year. All Tuitions will be waived (no charge)  while I’m on vacation for 5 consecutive days. You will be given at least two weeks notice.

 

Should your family go on vacation, tuition fees will still be due as expected. Should your tuition due date fall during your vacation, tuitions are to be paid the week before going on vacation.

I will require a two weeks notice before your planned absence. These fees are to hold your child’s slot. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLOTHING:

Please have your child/children “dressed for success”. Meaning, have them dressed in comfortable play clothes only. Although I will try my best to keep the children clean, even in the best of circumstances….accidents happen.

 

Make sure your child has at least one complete change of clothing here at all times, including underwear and socks. 

Please be sure to provide a different change of clothes should the one/s here be used . As season changes, make sure to switch the change of clothes for your child.

As the temperatures fluctuates during spring and fall months, it would be great if you could provide a fall/spring jacket to be left here. Please DO NOT feel forced to buy a brand new jacket for this purpose. A hand-me-down or a thrift store find is good enough.  

 

Please be sure to also  bring in a pair of sneakers to leave for your child, as we need proper shoes when we go out to play.  Sandals, Crocks, flats, and boots are not proper shoes to wear for play, as it can cause children to stumble, get stuck, have mulch poke their feet, cause them to fall and get hurt. 

 

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MEALS AND SNACKS:

I do not provide any food to the children due to several reasons.

 

• Allergy related Reasons

• Religious Background Reasons

• A parent always knows best (meaning, knows what their kiddos likes the best)

 

Parents are expected to provide for their child’s/children’s food they will be eating throughout the day. Please make sure that you clearly label all bottles and containers with each child’s name on it. 

NO CHILD WILL GO HUNGRY, should you forget to bring food for the day, I will have back up food to give your child/children. An additional cost of $6 per child will be added on for that day. 

Water will ALWAYS be available for all children at NO cost. I carry Deerpark water at the daycare.

Should your child arrive AFTER any scheduled feeding time, please see that your child/children have eaten prior to arriving. 

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Cut off time for breakfast 9:15 am 

Cut off time for Lunch 12:45 pm

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NAP/QUIET TIME:

Every day between 1:30 – 4:00, we will have Nap/Quiet time. Each Child will be provided with a safe comfortable sleeping space. 

I will not force your child/children to go to sleep, however they are still required to keep quiet/calm during this resting time. Quiet time activities (such as coloring books, Puzzles, movies etc.) will be provided to those children who can not go to sleep during this time. I ask that you keep visits and phone calls during this time to a minimum.

 

You will have to provide with a blanket for your child’s naps. This blanket will be returned home every Friday to be washed. You will then have to bring it back every Monday so thay your child can use throughout the week during nap times.

If your child cant sleep without specific Item during nap, they may bring it with them. 

Items that are allowed to bring into care for nap time: Stuffed animal, Special blanket or towel. Pacifier, Toy (A toy that does not make any sounds} 

So typical what child can not live without for nap. 

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SUPERVISION:

I am required to be within sight or hearing of an infant, toddler or preschooler at all ties so that the caregiver is capable of intervening. For school-aged children, I am required to be available for assistance and care. Written permissions is needed from you if your school aged child is to be off my property. This includes walking on their own to/from the bus stop or school.

 

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AUTHORIZED PERSONS:

Occasionally your child may need to be picked up from care by someone other than a parent/guardian. I will provide you with an emergency sheet where you can list the people who will be authorized to pick up your child. Should anyone else but one of the people who is listed on the sheet come to pick up your child, a phone call must be made to inform me within one hour before pick up. I will ask all persons (including emergency contacts) to ID themselves. Should someone show up unannounced I will NOT release your child.

 

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VISITATION:

You have the right to stop in during your child’s/Children’s daycare hours. You do not need a reason. Please give me a heads up before doing so, so that I can be sure to let you know if we are at the daycare or at one of the parks playing. I ask you to not show up during nap times, to keep nap time quiet as possible. If pick up is needed to be done during nap time, please let me know, so that I can greet you at the front door with your child, without waking up the rest of napping children. 

 

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DAY CARE FORMS:

All forms (including up to date copy of vaccination record) must be completed prior to the first day of care. All tuition fees must be paid prior to the start of care in any given week. If forms are not completed or fees are not paid, no care will be provided. You can either email me copies of all forms, or bring in the physical copies of first day of care. 

 

The Daycare forms include:

 

• Policy handbook agreement

• Contract

• Enrollment/Registaration form

• Emergency Contact form

• Medical Authorization form

• Allergies form

• Pick up Authorization form

• Bug Spray/Sunscreen form

• Photo authorization form

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SICK CHILD POLICY:

I will NOT provide care for a sick child if the health of other children is at risk. Please keep your child/Children at home if they are sick. A child that is sick cannot participate in daily activities and routines and cannot be successful in group care. You must have a plan for back-up care when your child is excluded from child care if you are not able to leave or stay at home from work to care for your sick child.

If your child displays any symptoms at home, and your child receives medicine to minimize symptoms or make the symptoms stop for a certain time being, I ask you to keep your child at home and NOT bring in to care. 

Your child has to be symptom free for AT LEAST 24 to 48 hours WITHOUT the aid of medication, before returning into care.  

 

If your child contracts covid/flu, your child may not return in for care, for at least 5 days and until they are completely symptom free without any aid of medication. 

If anyone in your family contracts covid/flu or your child has been in contact with someone who has contracted it. I ask you to keep your child for supervision of any symptoms for at least 4 to 5 days, as they may carry the virus, but may yet display any symptoms.

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If your child contracts a stomach virus, your child may not return in for care, for at least 2 days after last displayed symptom (Vomiting and/or diarrhea) and completely symptom free with out the aid of medication. Your child may seem fine, but can still shed the virus. 

If anyone in your family contracts stomach virus, or your child has been in contact with someone who has contracted it, please keep your child at home for supervision for at least 2 to 3 days, for any possible symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of aptite and more. 

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If a child is ill upon arrival, you will be asked to take the child home. Children showing signs or symptoms of illness must remain at home. If your child becomes ill while in my care, I will notify you so you can make arrangements for immediate pick up of your child.

If you are not reachable, I will contact one of the emergency contact persons to pick up your child. You must provide local emergency contacts and information on how to reach them in case of emergency. Your child will be made comfortable and offered a quiet place to rest until you arrive. If your child leaves another program or school during the regular school day due to illness, (s)he may not attend my child care that same day.

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I do understand it’s hard for parents to take time off from work to stay at home with sick child, however, risking any spread of illness and diseases, is simply irresponsible and inconsiderate. Not only can the other children in care contract it and possible bring home to family members (where some of them may have very low immune system), but I can contract it and will have to close the daycare down. This means, you still won’t have any childcare, and neither will the rest of the children and families in my care. 

 

  I administer ONLY nonprescription medications in my childcare. You must give me written authorization to administer. 

 

 

 You will be asked to pick up your child who has:

• Fever with behavior changes or signs or symptoms of illness: an oral temperature over 100F or under the armpit (axillary) temperature over 100F. 

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Sore Throat and/or difficult swallowing

• Headache and/or stiff neck

• Consistent and/or persistent Cough

• Consistent and/or persistent sneezing

• Runny/Stuffy Nose as well as unusual nasal discharge 

• Congestion/Wheezing

• Severe itching and/or rashes

• Constant pain in Stomach

• Any contagious conditions including ringworm, bedbugs, head lice, pink eye or unusual eye discharge and mouth sores.  

• Significant tiredness, irritability and excessive crying. 

• Behavior that seems slow, confused and/or disoriented. 
   

• Difficulty breathing
  
   

 These symptoms may or may not be associated with any communicable illness. Without consultation from a health care professional it is impossible to determine the nature of the illness. Therefore you will need to pick up your child for further evaluation.

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You will be asked to bring a note from a doctor or health care professional when the illness is no longer contagious. I will then make a decision on when I feel it’s safe for child to return for care. 

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You are required to inform me within 24 hours if your child or a member of your immediate household develops a communicable disease as defined by the Virginia State Board of Health. You must report life-threatening diseases immediately.

I will notify all parents within 24 hours if a communicable disease is reported at my child care. Health Department regulations governing periods of infection and exclusion will be enforced.

If you would like to ask a health care professional about illness and disease, call the Health Department’s Epidemiology nurse at 703-246-2433 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays There is no charge for this service.

 

Should I fall sick, I will evaluate my symptoms (including seeing a healthcare professional if needed) to determine the severeness of my condition. If it deems safe for me to keep daycare open, I will contact you to inform you of my state. You can then determine how comfortable you feel with bringing your child in for care under the circumstances. If you chose to keep child at home, tuition fees will still be due as expected. 

Should my condition deem me not to be safe around the children, daycare will be closed and will not open back up until I’m cleared safe from a healthcare professional and/or symptom free without the aid of medication. Tuition fees will still be due as expected.

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IMMUNIZATIONS:

All Children in my daycare must have the appropriate immunizations for their age or written notarized documentation on the immunization form opposing immunizations.

 

 

 

 

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