FAQ

Children ages 18 months to five years, or entry into kindergarten. Full day care for children 6-10 years old is provided in the Kids University during the summer months only.

You will find a wait list form on the “enrollment process” tab, or you may pick up a form from the center. Once the wait list form has been turned in we will determine if there is space for your child.

1:4 for two year olds 1:8 for three, four and five year olds 1:10 for school age children

We register new families all year long, as spaces become available. The majority of our children are enrolled over the summer months.

There are any number of indicators of Kindergarten readiness but a few of the most important and readily apparent ones are; the ability to sit and attend to the teacher for longer periods of time and follow a routine, social skills that allow your child to work independently or in a group sharing and taking turns, alphabet and number recognition and manipulation, critical thinking/problem solving skills, the ability to separate from family members, and most certainly a desire to learn.

No, children are not required to be potty trained in order to be enrolled in the Children's Center.

We provide breakfast, lunch and a p.m. snack. The food meets CACFP food nutrition and health guidelines. We ask that you NOT bring your child food from home. We are a NUT-FREE FACILITY.

Each classroom has its own daily routine, however all classrooms provide time for large group, small group, and work time (free choice). There are both indoor and outdoor activities daily, with ample time for children to play, learn, and have a good time. Remember, young children’s learning is messy, so bring them to school in clothes that can get dirty!

Any time a child is hurt while at school, an accident report will be completed and given to the parent to sign. In the case of biting, we will follow the same procedure, however we will notify both the family of the biter and the child who was bit. We do not, on our forms, ever release the name of the other child involved in an incident. If biting becomes a repeated problem with a child, an individual plan will be created to redirect the child’s behavior.

We encourage all children to solve their own problems when possible. Adults recognize children’s positive choices and ignore attention seeking behavior that is not a safety issue. Children will be challenged to resolve conflicts with other children and the environment. Depending on the age group, a teacher will intervene to ensure safety as needed. By not constantly and prematurely interrupting, adults allow children to work through a situation and develop their own solutions. Adults intervene only when it is apparent that guidance is needed. We seek to empower children as they discover they can solve problems themselves. Physical aggression (hitting, biting, shoving, whacking with toys), relational aggression (“You can’t play with us,” verbal bullying), tantrums, excessive whining, testing limits, refusal to follow directions or observe classroom rules are some of the characteristics of challenging behavior that many children exhibit. Children’s behavior will be redirected to appropriate channels when possible and will be asked to use their words in working with other children. If needed, teachers will meet with parents to go over additional plans and options. Physically disciplining children, withholding food or sleep, or putting a child in restraints is NEVER allowed.

· All children must be well enough to participate in daily activities to attend the Children’s Center.

· Children will be sent home if they have a temperature of 101°+, vomiting/diarrhea, unusual lethargy, persistent crying or other signs of severe illness; or any infectious disease (pink eye, impetigo, strep throat, etc.).

· Children must be fever free without the use of fever reducing medicine for 24 hours of wellness before returning to school.

· Parents must notify the Children’s Center of the reason for all of their child’s absences, as we are required to report some illnesses to the Public Health Department. Parents will be informed of any cases of contagious diseases at the Children’s Center.

· The Children’s Center staff may administer necessary medication to your child. These medicines must have the full pharmacy label and the child's first and last name. Parents must also sign a "Prescribed Medication Consent and Verification" form, giving clear directions regarding when and how much medication to administer.

To prevent the spread of illness, staff, parents and children must wash their hands with soap and water after toileting, after outside play or playing with sensory items, and before and after eating. All classroom items that come in contact with children’s mouths are removed from the play environment for sanitization later in the day.

If your child has allergies or special diets make sure to let the enrolling staff know about them. If a doctor completes a request for special diet restrictions we will provide alternative food as possible. An allergy list is posted in each classroom. We welcome all children and will make any reasonable accommodations for a child with special needs. We will meet individually with the parent and create a plan appropriate for the child and our center.

Yes, we celebrate birthdays. Please see your child’s teacher about specific arrangements.

We have an open door policy and parents are always welcome to visit. If you would like to volunteer in your child’s classroom you must bring in required proof of updated immunizations.