If you can't afford $200/month deposit, it would be concerning, because this is less than 1/4 of what you'll be paying for full-time care.
No, the deposit is to hold your placement. I can't accept another child for that spot as long as you are paying that deposit.
No, the deposit is to hold your placement until your child enrolls. If you determine that you will not enroll your child, you forfeit that deposit. Again, I cannot accept another child for that spot as long as you are paying a deposit.
If I determine that I cannot enroll your child, for any reason, I will refund your deposit in full.
No. I only allow people in if I have openings, and then appointments are scheduled for before or after care. If I do not have an opening, I do not interview parents. Why? Several reasons. My off time is sacred for rejuvenation, so I only schedule appointments when I have an opening. I will not allow strangers around my family or my daycare family for safety's sake, due to COVID and other risks.
I do not provide drop-in child care.
I do not have a specified curriculum in place (i.e. Montessori). The children I care for are under four years of age, so their time with me consists of a lot of play and informal learning. For example, if playing with blocks, we use that to learn our colors, shapes, words. This is, in essence, my philosophy. This goes along with another often-asked question related to what the children do daily. They play, eat, and sleep. During playtime is a good time to teach colors, numbers, and letters.
No. When you separate from your child, your anxiety is going to be greater than your child's, which is why the urge to drop in to visit with them. However, doing this will only cause anxiety for your child because if you show up, he/she is going to think you're there for pick up. Do this enough times and full-blown separation anxiety will begin on a daily basis. This counters the safe, secure, and loving environment that I try my best to provide. However, I do have an open-door policy in that you do not need to knock at drop off / pick up times.
I try not to be overly strict, however, I have my reasons for wanting you to stick as close to those times you specify as possible. If you drop off way past your designated time, it can throw a wrench into our schedule, especially as I tend to plan meals around those who will be in attendance. This is also why I request you let me know at least 24 hours in advance if your child will be absent. Related to pick up times - knowing when you'll arrive allows me to have your child ready to go. If you show up unannounced, there is disruption as I try to get your child ready, plus the waiting you'll have to do. If you think you're going to arrive late on either side of the day, all I ask is that you shoot me a text to let me know. Please do try to stay within 10-15 minutes of your time at pick up. If you think you'll be picking up early on a given day, text me about 10 minutes ahead of arrival, so I can get your child ready to leave. If picking up during naptime, it is important you enter as quietly as you can to prevent disrupting sleep.
As a state-registered provider, I am allowed up to 10 children; however, the most I watch is six. Break-down of ages: Two under the age of two, Four - ages two to four. Another related question I’m asked is related to supervision of the children. The children are never out of my sight. Even when I’m in the kitchen making meals, they are often gathered around the gate to watch.
Toddler meals are. Infant formula is not included in the cost of care. When your child is able to sit on their own and begin experimenting with foods, I will start providing for them; however, formula and whole milk is provided by parents. Once the child moves to drinking water with meals, sending formula or milk can stop. Supplies brought in by parents are kept separate. When those supplies run low, a text is sent for re-supply. Why can’t I supply for infants? Primarily, there are too many variables, the biggest of which is parental preferences: formula, diapers, wipe, cream. To supply everything, I would have to raise rate considerably.
Parents have a page that is for them alone. On this page, I provide updates such as upcoming closures, vacation dates, COVID updates, etc. There is also a chart for each child which lists: meal times and diaper changes.
I prefer to watch six. How many attend daily is up to the parents’ schedules. Some days I only have four in attendance, while others I have six. Since there is only me caring for the little ones, six is my maximum even though the state permits ten.
We listen to music a lot, however, shows are limited to snacks and lunch alone and strictly educations (e.g. Word World and Brainiacs).
I will not begin assisting with potty training until after age two and only if a child is capable of communicating. Whether that's saying "pee" "potty" "pooh" or simply grabbing their diaper. At that time, the child will move to pull ups. I will take the child to the potty every two hours, consistently with patience and lots of communicating on why we're there. Expectations: in order to be successful, it's a team effort, so parents must be willing to continue the cycle at home in the evenings and on days away from daycare. Consistency will make the process easier and faster. Without the aid from the parents, the potty training will drag on and will become unnecessarily stressful for me and your child. If, as parents, you feel you are unable to assist, then it will be best to follow the current train of thought - that the child will move to using the restroom on their own, eventually. I will not train your child alone for you. There's another train of thought that allowing a child to run around 'commando' will make going to the potty easier and more desirable for the toddler. I don't hold to that train of thought as every parent in my care who's attempted this has done no more than have to clean up pee and pooh off of their floors. I have also had parents ask if I will allow their child to go 'commando' here at daycare. The answer is a resounding no, as I have carpeted floors. It's also important that parents understand that the daycare environment is far different than that at home - far more distractions, so even if your child is going to the potty at home, they must still be brought to daycare in pull ups as they must be able to communicate the need to go while here.
Even though COVID is technically behind us, I still clean as if it isn’t. This is because there are always illness spreading to contend with, including respiratory distress and the flu. Currently, it is important that parents follow the sick policy to ensure that all who attend remain safe and I will continue to clean as if we are still in a pandemic state. If your child has a runny nose (clear snot) or a throat cough (tickle from the snot running down the back of the throat), this is a normal childhood annoyance. A child may come to daycare. If a child has any signs of a communicable illness (i.e. pink eye, lice) they must remain home until cleared by a physician. Fever, green or yellow snot, barking chest cough, unexplained rash, diarrhea, vomiting - all must remain home. This is not the extent of the sick leave policy, but that can be located on the contract. I do my utmost to remain open for my parents (and rarely close), but I also expect parents to be respectful of others and keep their child home if they even suspect their child might make another child ill with more than the common cold. I will call for a pick up (or turn a child away at the door) if it's obvious they should not be here that day.
I use the parent portal as a way to update parents on important information, to post their child’s daily diaper changes, feedings, bathroom runs, etc. If I will be closing daycare for vacation or holiday, that is posted on the website and on the front door. If supplies are needed, I send out a text. I will also text in the event of an emergency and/or closure. Related to emergencies: There is a breakdown, on the parent page, of where I will be in the event of a natural disaster. If a different emergency arises, I will send out a text stating that all parents must arrive within a given time to pick up their child. If an emergency occurs in which a child is severely injured (which has never happened, thank God), I will call 911 followed by a call to the parents, followed by a text to remaining parents for immediate pick up. Other less traumatic emergencies are dealt with as they occur, but the same applies - a text requesting pick up. RE: power outages - per state regulations, daycare cannot remain open if power is out for more than an hour. A text requiring immediate pickup will be sent if power is out for an hour. RE: snow - if it starts snowing and sticking, a time will be text for pick up. Generally before sunset, because roads get more treacherous after that time. If it's been snowing steadily the night before, then daycare will likely close. Even if other roads are clear, including the highways, the decision to close will be based on road conditions around my home. So, if I call for a closure, it's due to those conditions and must be respected (thank you).
Infants are provided their own playpen to sleep in. Each has a crib mattress for comfort and a blanket. This is for their use alone. Once a toddler transitions from the playpen to the floor, I provide them with a mat to sleep on. Parents are required to send a blanket and pillow that can be left here for the entire week. The blanket and pillow are sent home at week’s end to be washed. Parents return them the following week.
I'm a Christian, however, I do not believe it is my place to teach children Christianity. I also do not hold to any attempts to indoctrinate children into the currently political climate related to things that are best left to parents to teach their child. In short, I do not bring politics, religion, or my cultural beliefs into my daycare setting, nor will I permit parents / government to attempt to enforce their beliefs inside my daycare setting. While I respect others beliefs and cultures, it is up to the parents to teach them about what they want their child to learn. It is my place to feed, love, and provide a safe environment for daycare children.