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Discovery Station
Early Learning Centers “Proudly serving Pierce County since 1998” 16001 56th Ave Ct E 17418 5th Ave E Puyallup, WA 98375 Spanaway, WA 98387 Phone: (253) 537-9533 Phone: (253) 537-4383 Fax: (253) 537-6689 Fax: (253) 537-2291 Welcome! We welcome you to Discovery Station Early Learning Center! We are happy to have you and we look forward to meeting, getting to know & learning about your child and their family. In this guide along with our program/center policies, procedures, rules etc. we will attempt to answer all your questions. All center & parent policies are recognized and practiced by all at DSELC. Your commitment and agreement to follow them all is mandatory. Our program is designed for early learning and focuses on kindergarten readiness. This begins right from the start, in our Infant Room and continues through each developmental stage & classroom. We provide the program year-round. Learning never stops! Discovery Station creates a curriculum that meets the needs of the children in the group. We encourage growth be planning time for your child to explore, experience, interact, observe & play, all while learning about the world around them and preparing them for Kindergarten and beyond! Play IS learning. By the time a child is 5 years old, their brain is 90% developed! Birth to three are the most important years in a child’s development. Knowing that amazing fact, we know we have quite an important job. We take care in developing the day of learning (or we look at the role of the child like this is a job, It’s the only job these children will have for many years, to figure things out. These are the 5 main areas of child development that we consider in planning every activity *Cognitive development: (This is the child’s ability to learn & solve problems) *Social & Emotional Development. *Speech & Language Development *Fine Motor Skills *Gross Motor Skills We consider each one of these areas when planning, teaching & gathering materials. Our mission is to challenge them, not just master one area or skill. Every time your child engages in an activity like open-ended art, sensory play, dramatic play, sing/dance or building a skyscraper with a friend, they are learning. We know that children learn through play. So every day, every interaction or activity your child is observing, picking up or re-enforcing tiny new pieces of information and to who they will ultimately become. With that knowledge we set up and prepare our classroom to allow a creative space to explore & teachers create activities that challenge them. With that philosophy we support and facilitate their learning through play and positive interactions & relationships. We also offer a large outdoor area for large muscle development and group activities in addition to a well-prepared indoor environment to promote every area of development your child needs. Our program maintains enough structure so that your child is secure and safe, but not so much that he or she feels pressured. We allow the children the opportunity to play inside or outside in a balanced schedule and offer planned group activities, which reinforce your child’s positive social interaction. Your child is provided with lots of individual attention from their teacher and enjoy interacting with all staff. Along with group activities, the teachers plan for individual activities with students when needed. (cutting with scissors, letter recognition, finding the beat of a song or just one on one time. This time is valuable to get one on one time with children to work on specific skills & goals and it’s great to just get to hang out and get to know them better. Staff is available to meet with you to discuss any concerns; get input about your child and/or answer any questions you may have. Many questions should have been answered at the enrollment meeting prior to starting but in the event, you feel that a staff/parent meeting would be helpful, please let staff know so that the Director & staff can schedule a time to meet with you. Time outside of class time is preferred. Staff is always happy to speak with you. However, while in class the teachers are focused on the children & activities and may not be able to give you the attention you need at that time. If a need arises that needs to be addressed, we will schedule a meeting to discuss it with you. It is required to be an active participant in your child’s care. Failure or resistance in making your child’s care a priority may result termination. Please keep that it may take two or three weeks for a child to adjust to a new school, even if they have been in daycare before. New place, new teachers and new routine. It is understandable that at first your child may feel uneasy, unsure or possibly even cry when you leave. This is normal behavior during the adjustment period and will easily be overcome with your understanding and patience. We suggest that you visit with your child before their first day. Be sure to retrieve your child’s items from their cubby each day. Many things can be waiting for you. Notes from the teacher, an ‘ouch!” notification and most fun….. your child’s artwork and creations! Or, many times you will discover ‘homework’ packets, statements, and all the wonderful things your child has done and they love showing you that they are growing, learning and mastering new skills. You may also get a message through our center, staff to parent communication and attendance app, Brightwheel. Of course, our preferred method of exchanging information is face to face with you. So be sure to engage your child’s teacher every day. Take time to notice their work and discuss it with them, ask questions. You may be very surprised what YOU think it may be and what THEY intended it to be. It’s so fun to guess!! Praise their accomplishments, build on their excitement as they are very proud of them. It’s the PROCESS, not the PRODUCT Let them explore, get dirty and fail, but try again! We share in your desire and dreams that you child’s school experiences be enjoyable and rewarding ones. We want to work with you in providing the best for your child and hope that Discovery Station becomes a ‘second home’ for them. We look forward to having your child at Discovery Station Childcare & Preschool and hope you and your child enjoy all we have to offer! Sincerely, Shellie Guirsch Director New enrollees must attend an Enrollment Orientation. One will be scheduled and be held before care can begin. This meeting is vital to having full and mutual understanding of all policies, procedures & expectations between our program and you. The meeting will be held at the center. Attendance must include the persons responsible for enrollment and/or has legal authority to do so. Your child needs to attends well so we can show them around and introduce them to their teacher. Meeting should take approx. 30 minutes assuming all required paperwork is completed and turned in at that time and there are no additional items/issues to discuss. The required forms must be turned in for your child’s file and updated as needed Child enrollment form (all lines) The back-side of this form includes the Acceptance of Policies space. All parents/guardians must agree to & sign the policy recognition. Child development screening form Child Information Questionnaire form Immunization Certificate Medical Consent Form (form must be NOTARIZED) Early Achievers Acknowledgement Food Program Form (Spanaway) Dental agreement/waiver DAYCARE HOURS Discovery Station Childcare & Preschool Inc. is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Please notify us in the event you are detained past your regular schedule. There will be a late charge of $1.00 per minute, per child if you are late past our closing time. This will be due at the time you pick-up your child, paid directly to the closing teacher in cash only. If you are late, your child cannot return the next day until your late feel is paid. We ask that you arrive to the center no later than 5:55 p.m. so that you and your child are not rushed at pick-up. Just like drop-off, we want it to always be easy & pleasant and allow for communication from staff. By 6:00 p.m. your child has had a long day as well as our teachers, just like everyone else, so they too deserve to be off at their scheduled time. We generally allow one “oops” but continued lateness will be cause for termination. Children are not permitted to be in care for any more than 10 hours. ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE Upon arriving onto Discovery Station ELC premises, it becomes all about children. Keeping that always in mind when driving in, backing out or leaving our parking lot. Go slow and be cautious. Turn off vehicles each time so we don’t emit exhaust and lock your doors. Do not allow your child to ever exit your vehicle without your assistance or run in the parking lot. Always have a safe hand on them for safety. All arriving children must be escorted by you into and out of the center. Walk your child to wash their hands, and then their room and do not leave until a staff member has greeted you and your child. Be available to the staff by not being on your cell phone and be sure to say hello to staff and a sweet good-bye to your child. And do not allow them to go anywhere within the building (or outside) without you. These steps help to set the tone for the day and makes them feel so special. Only those written by you on your child’s pick-up list will be allowed to enter the building and are permitted to pick up. In addition, the person on the list to pick up must be at last 18 years old or older. Upon arrival, you must walk with your child to the restroom and assist them in washing their hand We require this every day, every time, everyone. Children cannot use the hand sanitizer. Do not send them alone or ask a staff member to do it. This must be done before allowing your child to join any group or activity. This is not only a very valuable healthy habit to instill but gives you a few extra minutes to send your child off for their day. All children must arrive and enter the center ready for school. This means entering with a positive attitude, being completely dressed for the day, not pajamas, in a clean diaper, has a jacket & shoes for those who enjoy outdoor time. (All classes and older infants). All children that have an outdoor time must have all items to go outdoors. No child can opt out of the outdoor activities. Each child that attends must be able to interact and play normally and be part of all activities scheduled. Only Infant parents may enter or walk through the infant room. We treat this as a clean room and do our best to minimize dirt, germs & noise. All others must walk around the opposite side of the building if needing to access the back-yard play area. If you have additional children, please be sure to take them to their rooms first, keeping older children out of our infant room also helps us minimize dirt and germs. Our primary focus is on Kindergarten readiness, socially & lovingly preparing your children for their world ahead & provide you with a peace of mind program so that you can go about your work or activities with confidence. All children must come prepared to do each of those in a positive manner. ARRIVAL/CUT OFF TIME Your child must arrive no later than 9:30 AM for the day. If you contact us in advance to make arrangements to come in later than 9:30 for a prearranged apt., we will allow it up until 11:00AM. NO drop off will be allowed past 11:00AM for any reason. By this time of day, we are well into the day with activities, meals, naps and we are making our way into the afternoon time. We have found that arrivals later than 9:30 AM keep your child from getting all the interaction & learning as well as interrupting the flow that has begun When picking up your child, we ask that you enter the room that they are in at that time Please do not call to your child from the front desk, send another child to go get them, or ask a teacher to get them. This allows for more parent/teacher interaction and more opportunity to see what you child has been doing. Only people authorized on the enrollment form and at least 18 years of age will be allowed to pick up your child. Those who arrive to pick up your child and are not on the enrollment form or at least 18 years of age will not be allowed to take your child. Only custodial parents/guardians can add names to the enrollment form. If someone on your list is going to pick up your child, please notify us in advance. Also, be sure they have picture I.D. We will ask for it. VEHICLE SAFETY We must ensure that any child being picked up has appropriate and safe accommodations within the vehicle in which they are to travel. This means a spot in the vehicle that contains working safety belts; and for those younger, booster seat and infant carriers and bases until the age arises that they no longer require them by law. If in the event we become aware that these safety requirements are not being met, we will ask that you immediately rectify that problem or we are mandated to report the situation immediately. All children must be signed in and out each day by our sign-in App. Discovery Station will not be responsible for a child who has not been signed in. For their safety, please do not leave children unattended in the car. Under no circumstances should a child be allowed to enter the building alone or be allowed to get in the car without you. *Parents may stop in to visit the daycare at any time without prior notice* ADMISSION AND ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS Discovery Station provides care for children 1 month through Kindergarten. We do not discriminate against any race, creed, religion, color or national origin. Enrollment is for a minimum of two days per week and three hours per day (except infants and toddlers, which is full time only). Please familiarize yourself with our absence, lateness, and withdrawal policies at Discovery Station at time of enrollment. All children are enrolled on a three-week trial basis. Continued enrollment will be based on the suitability of this daycare to you child and visa-versa. The compatibility of all the children is very important. If the child does not adjust to the center, the director and/or teacher will notify the parent so that other arrangements can be made. This policy is enforced fairly and in the best interest of your child and those at Discovery Station. SUBSIDIZED FAMILIES DSHS/CCA/TRIBAL If you are a family that falls under our state funded or any other subsidized program, it is your responsibility to be sure the following requirements are met. You must renew or update in a timely manner to be sure we have not lost coverage/lost student spot. Your child, you and your family/friends must follow every policy in this handbook just as every other family is required to. If you are under any subsidized program the information below is for your family. *Before beginning care, we must have an authorization from the agency which you are using. This information tells us your child’s authorized start date, the date it ends and your co-payment amount. Without this you cannot start. *All paperwork and information required by Discovery Station and/or the State of Washington must be completed and turned into us before care can begin. *We are happy to accept children under such programs. We however will not continue in the event we are made aware of miss-use of the program or childcare. My feeling has always been and remains this: Care will be provided to children as long as the family is using it properly and making effort to make better the overall need for support as best as they can. If at any time we are made aware that the program is not being used properly, we will terminate care immediately. *It is your responsibility to keep your authorization for your childcare current and never let it lapse. Lapse in coverage may result in the student spot being filled. It is your responsibility. We cannot assist in any part of gaining, keeping or receiving coverage. When you receive an update notice, attend to it immediately. DSHS and many other programs will not back date applications which means that if you miss your renewal date, care is not authorized for any time care was received or before a 2-week notice is given. Any unpaid tuition will be charged to you outside of the subsidy program. Discovery Station will pursue any unpaid tuition just as they would any account. Late payments and termination policies apply to your portion just as they do for private pay families. No payment is a re-portable circumstance to DSHS and other programs and could result in services being stopped or not renewed. All co-pays your set portion of tuition is due in full on the 1st of every month *You are required to give the same 2 weeks’ notice to terminate care as all other families. *Most subsidy programs do not provide meal reimbursement for lunches. Currently our Puyallup program is NOT part of the CCAFP food program. If you choose to participate in our hot lunch meal, it will be billed to you at $3/day. Lunch bills are provided the following month by the 10th. You can always choose to pack a balanced lunch that meets requirements for your child. *It is required that you check in/check out your child though the KinderSmart App every time you arrive or leave with your child. Programs such as DSHS, do audit centers for proper attendance recording. Without proof of attendance you may lose your coverage and we may be billed for over payment. In return you will be charged for that amount. Without this, DSHS could request reimbursement from us and in return you will be billed for those days not covered. DISCIPLINE We encourage positive behavior by modeling respect and understanding each other’s needs. Happy, busy children usually have few discipline problems. However, if a problem arises and discipline is necessary, we will base it on each child’s need and stage of development. We use positive methods of discipline. First, we give a warning. We then will offer choices. We will be consistent and we will not argue with the child. Upon displays of unacceptable behavior, we explain why this behavior will not be tolerated. If the child continues, they will be removed from the group and take a “time out” for one minute for each year of their age. The child will then be asked to rejoin the group when ready. When the child returns we try to reinforce good behavior. Staff members will not use corporal punishment. NO corporal punishment of any kind will be tolerated on the center premises. If a behavior issue is present or continues, a behavior plan meeting will be placed with the director to come up with the best action plan for your child and the center. LUNCHES FROM HOME (Puyallup Site ONLY) There are specific requirements for sending a lunch. Please ask for our print out for more details. Although lunches are not served late in the day, be sure you have provided an ice pack in the lunches that require cold storage. All parts must be contained within a lunch box or bag. That container must be labeled with your child’s full name. In the event your child comes without a complete lunch, one will be ordered for them and you will be charged. You will be required to pay the lunch charge at the next pay date. All late payment and/or non-payment fees apply. In short, all lunches MUST contain 5 parts: -A Protein -A Grain/Bread -Serving of Fruit (1/4 – ½ cup) -Serving of Vegetables (1/4 – ½ cup) -Fluid Milk (boxed milk is great (8 0z) *None of these items can count for more than one part MEAL AND SNACKS PUYALLUP SITE ONLY: Children may bring their own lunches or purchase a school lunch for $3.00 per meal & 1.50 for milk only or for us to add a fruit or a vegetable to complete your child’s meal. If more than one item is missing from your child’s lunch from home, a complete lunch will be order and charged to you. See above for lunch specifics. This may be paid either combined with your tuition or the morning of the meal. The State of Washington requires that if you send your child their own lunch, that it contains a complete and balanced meal including the following: a protein, one each of vegetable and fruit, a bread item and a dairy product. For complete meal details, please ask to see one of our “sack lunch” brochures that will provide more details and ideas. If yours is not complete we will substitute the meal and you will be charged. When sending a lunch for your child, please be sure it contains an ice pack if it is needed. Refrigerator space is not available for lunches/beverages. Meals need to be ready to eat and not required preparation by the teachers. (Microwaving only of meals to heat is available and teachers are happy to accommodate). Menus are posted of meals we will be serving, in the entry of the center. SPANAWAY SITE ONLY: Since the Spanaway location is on the CCAFP food program, no outside food is permitted in the building with the exception of infants or special events. All meals and snacks are covered for children older than 12 months. Menus are posted of meals we will be serving, in the entry of the center. Both centers provide a nutritious breakfast, which is served at 8:00 a.m. No breakfast will be served after 8:30 a.m. Please be sure that if your child is not present for breakfast that they have eaten before arriving. Breakfast food from home is prohibited. We will ask you to take it with you if your child arrives with food in the A.M. To be counted for a hot lunch, children must be present by 9:30 a.m. An afternoon snack is also provided by the center at 2:00 PM. Infant parents must provide all bottles, milk, and/or baby food & formula for Infants. Once infants are promoted to the Toddler room, no binkies, bottles etc. are permitted. During the 4-week transition, we work on the discontinuing the use of these items. We ask that you do the same when at home. If you choose not to discontinue the use of these infant items, we will not allow them to be brought into the class or building. HAND WASHING POLICY DISCOVERY STATION REQUIRES THAT ALL WHO ENTER OUR FACILITY TO SANITIZE WHEN ENTERING AND BEFORE JOINING A CLASS OR ACTIVITY. Adults only are permitted to use the hand sanitizer provided at the front counter. Children CANNOT use the hand sanitizer. The person who has the privilege of escorting your child to school, must walk with them to the nearest restroom and assist them in washing hands with soap & warm water. Any time someone enters the facility whether it is adult or child OR dropping off or picking up, please be sure to help us in our quest to eliminate germ and illnesses in our center and from spreading them to our families by being diligent about our policy. We will remind you when we see you may have forgotten. DENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM Many parents assume that cavities in baby teeth don't matter, because they'll be lost anyway. But that's not true. Dental decay in baby teeth can negatively affect permanent teeth and lead to future dental problems. As soon as your child has a tooth you should be helping your child brush her teeth two times a day with a smear (size of a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste on a child size tooth brush. Discovery Station includes dental health discussions and activities to our program throughout the year. Tooth brushing is offered 2x daily to children that enroll & pay for our tooth brushing program. TOOTHBRUSHING PROGRAM: $25 per year. (July renewal) Includes an individual kit that includes: Child-size toothbrush, toothpaste and a zippered pouch. Tooth brushing will be offered to those children in the program. We will assist those who cannot brush alone. We cannot make any child participate in the activity but we will encourage it. 😊 EMERGENCY CLOSURES In the event a weather issue arises, (i.e. High winds, dangerous snow, health alerts etc.) that affects our opening or continued operation for a business day+, the center Director will make all closure decisions. This may include late arrival/opening, closure and early closure. The information will go out via Brightwheel first to notify you as soon as possible. All decisions are made in the interest of all of our families and staff safety. We must in order to function safely and within health regulations have the following (but not limited to); electricity, running water, heat in cold weather and air conditioning in extreme hot temps. All attempts to reach your family will be made so you are able to make prior arrangements for alternate care. In the rare event that we are unable to speak with you we will notify you by one of the following methods: Brightwheel App (our required APP) Facebook page, possibly a recorded phone message on the center phone, a posted notification at the center or even a phone call by a staff member. We recommend that in any uncommon or questionable event, that you call the center prior to heading to the center. Our #1 goal is to be available to you and your family as much as it is possible. Again, these are very rare events that we hope we never have to act on. If it does happen, these are still charged closures ILLNESSES Our illness policy is put together for one reason, to keep everyone healthy. Eliminating sick or unwell persons is the best way we have found that can lessen and shorten the spread of illnesses. The following is a general outline of our policies. They will not cover all situations of course as each child, each illness and each family are different. We consider each child/illness individually while keeping the illness policy as our guide. Any ongoing/chronic health issues may require and doctors’ statement of action required. Specific forms may be required. *If you are asked to pick your child up, you must do so within 1 hour, no longer. If you are asked to pick up your child/or seek medical attention for your child for any reason, we will require a statement from your child’s physician indicating that they have been seen, what the diagnosis is (if you want to share) and what action or treatment is prescribed. They will not be permitted back into care without the documentation. This is not only for your child’s health but also for everyone that enters our center. We would not have created this policy or ask if we did not feel it was vital to our program. It is your responsibility to always have some back-up care available to you for times your child is ill and we cannot take them. We are happy to have healthy children attend and learn with us. Generally, if a child is too sick to play, go outside, stay awake, require medication or is unable to fully participate, they will not be permitted to stay and/or will sent home, we will not accept or keep a child that has had or has any of the following within last past 24 hours:
If your child has been ill during the night or over the weekend, please notify us so that we can be alert for any signs of repeat symptoms. If your child becomes ill during the day, your child will be isolated and we will call you to pick up your child or so you can arrange for someone else to. If your child is sent home for any of the above symptoms, your child may not return the following day. Please do not bring them in if they are sick. We cannot maintain a healthy environment if sick children are permitted to attend. Note: A child with a cold has a clear nasal or throat discharge. When the discharge becomes discolored, it indicates there is a secondary infection that requires treatment by a doctor. Children with a secondary infection will not be accepted back until a doctor has seen them and the proper medication is prescribed. Children with communicable diseases will need a note from their doctor stating that they are no longer contagious. If a child’s communicable disease continues for more than 5 days, any days thereafter the tuition will be cut in half for the duration of the illness. *We appreciate your help in keeping our daycare healthy and happy for all staff & children.* CENTER PETS In the event that an animal is present as a pet, a sign will be present in the entry of the center and will include: -Type of animal and which class it is located -Any known health risks associated with the animal -Care plan for the animal and who is responsible for the care of the pet -Hand washing policy USE OF PESTICIDES If pesticide use is necessary for extermination of pests, a notice of forty-eight hours will be given to parents by posting the details on the front desk. The notice will include: -Intended date and location of application -Name of company applying pesticide and the name of the pesticide -Type of pest to be controlled -Name & number of persons to contact with any further questions After application of pesticide, a marker will be placed at the primary point of entry to the center with all information and will be in place for at least 24 hours. MEDICATIONS Medications can be administered providing:
5 Medication is labeled for your child’s age and/or weight. Some non-prescription medications such as sunscreen, diaper ointment, cough syrup etc. will be administered only if we have written permission from the parent. Please do not leave medications in diaper bags or backpacks where they can be overlooked and can be dangerous to children. We will store all medications in a sealed container out of reach of children. This includes chap stick, lotions etc. Any item that can or is intended to be applied on the skin or taken must have an authorization form completed and turned into a staff member. IMMUNIZATIONS All children must be up to date on their immunizations before they can be admitted to Discovery Station and must have a physical examination by a physician every year. Immunizations must be updated as required by the Department of Social and Health Services under Washington State law. Parents must provide all information to update files yearly or as administered. MEDICAL TREATMENT Scratches and scrapes are inevitable when children play. They will be treated according to injury. Most require soap, water, TLC and an occasional bandage. For anything more serious, you will be notified. In case of emergency, an ambulance will be called and it is expected that you meet your child at the hospital. All staff members are CPR/First Aid certified. All incidences requiring treatment will be recorded in our injury book and/or and injury report requiring a parent signature will be prepared for their file. TUITION RATES Infants1 month - 12 months. Appr. $1125.00 a month Toddlers 12 months -30 months Appr. $1050.00 a month must be in toddler room to receive toddler rate PS-Kindergarten 30 months and up Completely potty trained (No accidents) $975.00 a month Non-Potty trained is $1050.00 a month School Age: Before & After school; Sept-June (school year) $675.00/month - Summer: $975.00 month (Or extended or no school out) There are no multi child or military rates available $55.00 pro-rated rate will be used for any partial months. All children will be promoted to the next class when they are showing readiness and are of the appropriate age. Readiness will be determined after Director, teachers and parents consult. A transition plan will be provided to you at that time. This will start the promotion process for your student and new routines. Your teacher may provide you with new schedule info or classroom changes For infants: The transition plan takes place over 4 weeks. This can be shortened by Director if your child shows readiness. All children must move up at the age of 12 month per DCYF licensing guidelines. Delayed children can stay in our infant program for an additional month with a physician’s statement outlining why they should be given a little more time. A physician’s statement is the only thing that we can take to delay transitioning. This delay option is regulated by the licensing department, not by Discovery Station. The monthly infant rate will be charged until child is permanently promoted. Readiness such as exclusively eating table food, napping routine, interacting with other children, general daily practices etc. will be considered. As with any move, space must be available to move your child into the new age group. Tuition Due Dates ALL PAYMENTS ARE DUE IN ADVANCE. Non-payment after Your payment schedule can be arranged one of two ways. 1) Monthly. (Due on the 1st of each month). $5.00 per day late past the 1st and no care will be provided if not paid by the morning of the 5th of the month. 2) Bi-Monthly on 1st and 15th of each month. $5.00 per day late past the due date. Care will not be provided if not paid by the 3rd day past due date. Co-pays are due in full on the 1st of every month in full. $5.00 per day late past the 1st and no care will be provided if not paid in full by the 3rd of the month. Both payment arrangements require that payments are due in the AM, at the time of drop off on your due date. (Or first day following that date if it falls on a weekend.) Both arrangements require continued payment for missed days due to non-payment. Non-payment will result in loss of position and 2-week notice is still required and charged. Keep in mind that these are DUE BY dates just like all other monthly payments have, specified dates. Tuition is just like all other bills that are paid monthly and will be handled in the same way. We set aside time away from your children and other duties just 2x a month to handle tuition payments. We treat the due dates just as any other business. Please respect the due dates and be on time. Additional Fees: Supply Fee: 50.00$ per child- This is an annual fee that is due on the first of every July. This replenishes extra supplies in our classrooms for extra fun! A $5.00 per day late fee for payments not received on the due date & on time. Each day unpaid past the due date will result in a $5/day charge attending on not. There will be a $50.00 charge on all returned checks. Please inform us if you realize or have knowledge of your payment coming back unpaid to us. Multiple late payments and/or returned checks will result in termination. NSF payments will be treated as a late payment and charges as such in addition to other NSF fees. NSF amounts must be paid immediately (to continue care) and in cash only. We may require cash only payments from that point on for those that have an NSF. No care will be given to those with late payments and/or non-payment after the 3rd day. This policy will be enforced. You will continue to be charged and you cannot put in or use a 2-week termination of care during this time. All policies still apply. IF you have an extenuating circumstance that is impacting your ability to pay on time, please contact the Director and discuss any possible options. *Accounts past due by 15 days or more will be sent to our collections company and a $500.00 collection fees as well as any attorney fees, filing fees, mailing fees, late fees, staff time and/or court/legal fees will be your sole responsibility and will be added to your account. The state prohibits children from being in care longer than 10 hours each day. If care exceeds ten hours in a day, you will be charged the hourly rate of $10.00 per fifteen minutes, per child. Exceeding the 10 hour a day policy can result in termination of care. *Please keep your payment receipts or cancelled checks for tax purposes* Year end balances are your responsibility to tally and report. REGISTRATION FEES: A registration fee be charged when you child is first enrolled. This is due at that time or spot will not be secured. This holds your spot for up to two weeks unless other arrangements are made. Reg Fee is a non-refundable fee. $175.00 for one child $225.00 for two children $275.00 for three or more Subsidized or DSHS Reg Fee enrollees: $25 will be charged. Non-refundable if student does not start on scheduled day. Fee will be credited to your account (copay, lunches etc.). *The registration fee is yearly and due on January 1st of each year. * HOLIDAYSWe are open year-round with the exception of the following holidays Holidays with Closures/Altered Hours New Year’s Day CLOSED Presidents Day CLOSED (Staff Training) Memorial Day CLOSED July 4th, Independence Day CLOSED Day After Independence Day, July 5th Open at 9am, if 4th falls a on weekday Labor Day CLOSED (Staff Training) Day After Halloween, November 1st Open at 9am, if 31st falls on a weekday Veterans Day CLOSED Thanksgiving & The Friday Following CLOSED Christmas Eve Center Closes at 3:00pm Christmas & The Day After CLOSED New Year’s Eve Center Closes at 3:00pm *All pickup and drop off policies still apply for all early closures and days opening late. The drop off time does not change due to opening late. FIELD TRIPS Children will not be taken off the premises without permission from the parents. We will try to arrange field trips. You will be notified in advance and you are welcome to accompany us and submit any ideas. DAILY SCHEDULEThis is a typical schedule for our classes. Each class has a slightly different daily routine. 6:30 Open-Free Play 2:00 Afternoon snacks 8:00 Breakfast is served (until 8:30) 2:30 Snack ends 9:00 Preschool begins 3:00 All centers open 9:30 Outdoor play 4:00 Outdoor play time (varies by classroom) 10:00 All centers open 4:45 All centers op 11:00 Lunch is served 5:00 Free choice start clean-up 12:00 Naps begin 5:55 All parents must arrive by to gather children 1:30-1:45 Children begin waking up 6:00 Closed GENERAL POLICIES AND INFORMATION *Each family will be given a copy of our disaster plan for emergency situations, such as earthquake or storms. *In the even you are contacted to pick your child up for any reason we require that you are someone on your enrollment form will do that with-in 1 hour. We would not call if it was not necessary and important. *School bus Kindergarten transportation is available through the Bethel School District for Naches Trail, Evergreen, Camas Prairie, Clover Creek and Elk Plain Elementary Schools depending on each site. *Parents MUST accompany all arriving/departing children in the building. *Children may only be picked up by parents or authorized persons 18 years old or older as recorded on the enrollment form. *It is very important that your child and your child’s clothes always be clean. *Children must be completely dressed (including socks and shoes & jacket if necessary) and not in pajamas. We want them to come ready to learn. *Because we encourage outdoor play, children should have adequate outdoor clothing. This would include a hooded jacket or warm hat and mittens/gloves in the winter. Label your child’s clothing (such as coats, sweaters, backpack, shoes, etc.) to eliminate problems with lost clothing. We cannot be responsible for lost items. *An extra set of clothes should be left at the center in a 1 gallon Ziploc, just in case there is an “accident” Please update them seasonally. Potty trainers, please bring a few extras. *For children still in diapers, parents are required to provide disposable and baby wipes. This policy is essential for the sanitation of the center. If we have to use our diapers, you will be charged $.50/diaper. If your child is LOANED a diaper from another child that has plenty to spare, you will be replacing it to them when you bring diapers in for your own child. For children who are in the process of being potty trained, we so require plastic pants for the sanitation of the center. *Bottles brought to the center must have a lid, label showing the child’s name and the date when the bottle was prepared. Bottles will be refrigerated immediately upon arrival at the center; contents will be discarded if not used within twelve hours. Baby food must be provided by parents and labeled with child’s name. *Staff are prohibited from baby-sitting or providing any sort of care outside of the facility. So please do not ask. *Parents must inform center of any changes in information such as telephone numbers, emergency names and numbers, people authorized to pick up your child, immunizations etc. *Please do not allow your child to bring food or snacks in the a.m. before breakfast. It’s hard for the other children. We offer a nutritious breakfast for all that are here during breakfast. *Children are not allowed in the kitchen at any time without an adult. *We discourage children from bringing toys from home with the exception of their Show & Tell days which will be theme oriented. Violent toys or toy guns are prohibited at all times. *In case of an actual fire, we use our sign in app for headcounts. For your child’s safety, please sign your child in and out each day. *To help your child adjust to nap time, you may want to send a favorite blanket or something that makes your child feel more secure. All blankets, pillows etc. must be taken home each Friday to be laundered. Please do not drop off to your child during nap hours (12:00-2:00). You may be asked to return later. This disrupts children who really need their rest. *All daycare fees are non-refundable and require a two-week written notification of withdrawal. Vacation time cannot be used as a two-week notice of withdrawal. *We are required by state law to report any suspected case of child abuse or neglect. *A biting policy can be given to those with children attempting to bite or biting. Each case is reviewed and handled on an individual basis. And geared to the specific child. Children biting repeatedly will be sent home for the remainder of the day for the safety of all. * All balances past due by 15 days will be submitted to our collection company and a $100.00 collection fee will be added to your account along with any late fees that may apply. |