Dear Parent,

Thank you for your interest in Little Becomes Much Child Care. To facilitate a greater understanding between parents and myself, I have created this handbook. It provides information about child care philosophies, curriculum, and business policies. Please read this handbook carefully and feel free to discuss any questions that you may have with me. Please keep it handy, as you may need to refer to it from time to time.

Sincerely,

Janell Anderson

Tuition

Weekly Rates 

Infant (6 weeks to 2yrs) ………….……...$300.00

Ages 2 to 5yrs …………………..………   $275.00

Daily/Drop in Rates (Based on Availability)

Infants……………………………………. $75

Ages   2-5yrs..……………………………… $65

At Little Becomes Much Child Care, I offer a secure place for your child to play, grow and learn on an as needed basis. I value diversity, and welcome children of all ages from 6 weeks to 5 years of age, regardless of race, gender, religion, or disability. I believe that children learn through exploration and play as well as structure and routine. I promote self esteem through respect, understanding and compassion. I have structured my program to be responsive to the needs of each individual child.

I am a licensed Child Care Provider in the State of Maryland in Prince Georges County. Prince Georges County requires that all licensed child care providers obtain FBI Background checks and complete physicals. I, along with my substitutes was also required to complete approved training in pediatric CPR, First Aide, SIDS and Emergency Preparedness. 

1. $25 Application Fee 
2. Security Deposit equal to      one week of childcare due at time of enrollment (Refundable)
3. Health Inventory Form 
4. All About me Form
5. Emergency Form

The first 30 days of care are probationary for provider, parent, and child. This agreement may be terminated at any time during that period. Other wise, two weeks’ notice is required if the child is to be permanently removed from child care.

If you wish to terminate your child’s enrollment at any time, a two-week notice is required to receive refund of Security Deposit. If a two-week notice is not given, Security Deposit will go towards the last 2 weeks of services and forfeited. 

I will always respect your need to be at work when it comes to an ill child. I ask that when deciding if your child should be at home that you give consideration to the other children in care. Please ask yourself “How would I feel if my child was well and another child in child care was as ill as my child is now?” Also consider that the other children are playing and making noise when your child does not feel well.

A child with any of the following illnesses must be completely free of any symptoms before returning to daycare. If the child is taking antibiotics for an illness, the child may return to daycare after initial 24 hours of beginning on antibiotics as long as he or she has a slight to no fever (under 100F) under the arm), no longer contagious, and is otherwise feeling well enough to participate in our daily schedule. Signs of illness include the following; unusual lethargy, irritability, persistent crying for no reason, runny nose (more than clear), cough (more than slight), difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, mouth sores, rashes, pink eye, chicken pox, mumps, measles, hepatitis A, impetigo, lice, ringworm, scabies, strep throat, scarlet fever, tuberculosis, shingles, and any other contagious disease or rash. Any child with a fever of 100 degrees or above, orally (in the mouth), or auxiliary (under the arm), may not attend daycare. State law requires that we notify parents of children who have been exposed to certain contagious diseases; please notify me if your child becomes infected, so a note can be posted

All prescribed and over the counter medications must be labeled with the child’s name and a medication administration form must be signed.

Minor bumps and scrapes are inevitable, but I make every effort to keep the children safe through care giver supervision and child proofing of my home. Minor injuries receive appropriate first aide, and if an emergency injury or illness occurs you will be contacted immediately. If necessary, your child will be transported to the nearest hospital where you must meet them there. If you are not going to be at your usual place of employment, please make sure that we have your number where you can be reached. 

Parents are responsible for all cost involved in emergency medical treatments, including emergency transportation, if required. 

Please note that I am CPR and First Aid Certified as well as all alternate care givers and substitutes. 

Note: A fever in and of itself is not all bad (given it is not too high). A fever is your bodies natural way of trying to protect it self against what ever virus or bacteria is attacking it. Illness that causes fevers cannot live our body’s abnormally hot environment. How ever, a fever is an obvious indicator that the child is sick and possibly contagious, therefore requiring exclusion from daycare. 

Infants will be placed in a crib free of blankets, pillow, toys or other objects. 

Pacifiers will be before naps if a used at home and is provided by parent. 

Infants will have several opportunities for “Tummy Time” throughout the day. This supervised time to lie on their stomach will help build strong neck and shoulder muscles. 

A Sleeping cot will be assigned to toddlers and cleaned weekly (or immediately if soiled)

EMERGENCY PREPARDNESS

Fire drills are held monthly per the guidelines set forth by the state and local fire department for family child care homes. Fire Drills will alert the children that there is a potential fire. I ring a bell and teach the children where we are to gather as a group and where we go to wait for help. A fire drill plan and evacuation route is posed for your review. All alternative caregivers are instructed how to procedure in case of any emergency. 

For ages two though five, I offer a structured preschool curriculum. This ongoing preschool program is offered Monday through Friday and is both entertaining and educational. Your child will enjoy activities ranging from arts and craft projects to games, songs, finger plays, storytelling, creative dramatics, exercises, science, shapes, numbers, colors, alphabet, and much more though various monthly themes. Children learn best by “doing”. Therefore, the activities the children participate in are developmentally appropriate, concrete, hands-on, and most of all fun, because learning is an exciting experience. 

For ages 24 months and younger, we practice large and small motor skills by reaching, grasping, rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, walking climbing, throwing, catching, kicking, cooing and talking; which ever developmental stage your child happens to be in at the time. Infants and toddlers learn through play.

Tuition is due on Mondays by the Close of Business which is 6pm, anytime after that, your payment is considered late and will incur a $20 per day Late Fee. Payments not received by Wednesday, your child will not be admitted until Tuition and all Late Fees are Paid. Full tuition is due weekly whether your child attends or not and if a holiday falls on a weekday, Full Tuition for the week is still due.

Arrivals - Children may not arrive after 10am unless child has Doctors Appt and is accompanied by a Doctor’s and I am notified ahead of time. Also, children cannot be in Daycare longer than 10 hours per day. 

LATE PICK UP - 5 minutes after the scheduled pick-up time will incur a $20.00 late fee.  Each additional minute following will incur $1.00 a minute. Late fees are due at the time of pick up. 

VACATIONS:

I allow myself 2 weeks of PAID Vacation and 3 sick days per year. Parents will be notified of vacations and closings at the beginning of each physical Year.

Note: Parents are responsible for finding back-up-care for their children during provider vacations and holidays. 

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY:

Safety is a Priority and I understand that the decision to open or close the center during inclement weather often disrupts family schedules. But, as always, my top priority is the safety of our children and staff, so the decision to close or delay opening is not an easy one. The process in complex and involves many people.

Generally, Little Becomes much will be closed or delayed for inclement weather when local school districts and government are both closed or delayed. Still, my center has its own exclusive circumstances. I will strive to make decisions on delays and closings as many hours in advance as possible, in consideration of families who require time to make arrangements. The decision will be made the night before or in uncertain conditions, not later then 4:30am on the morning of the closure. Please note that communications will be sent as quickly as possible following a decision via text and also. Please note, it is quite possible that issues could arise and not be discovered until after 6am. In those cases, decisions on center closures may be made later in the day. 

Parents of infants are required to provide bottles and formula or breast milk. 

I provide Breakfast, Lunch, and 2 snacks while your child is in care once they are eating a solid food diet. Breakfast is served up until 9 am so If your child arrives after 9 am please ensure they have had breakfast. 

I emphasize healthy eating and provide nutritious foods such as whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. If your child has special dietary needs, please let me know so that I can accommodate them. 

Please do not send food of any kind with your child unless you discuss it with me first. It can cause conflict with the other children who may feel like they are being unfairly denied the same food or snack. 

If you wish to provide treats for a special occasion such as a birthday or holiday, please discuss it with me first and be sure to provide enough for all the children. 

Please provide 2 full changes of clothes in case of accidents.

Parents are responsible for providing diapers, wipes, and diaper rash ointment.

A Child may bring their own blanket and pillow for nap time if they wish. If not, one will be provided for them. A child may bring a special belonging for comfort at their parents own risk. While I will do the best to make sure all the children’s belongings are kept in good condition, but accidents do happen. Parents are asked to use their discretion when sending belongings with their child to daycare. I am not responsible for lost or damaged belongings. 

Children are required to wear diapers or pull-ups to daycare while they are being potty trained until they have been accident-free for a minimum of 2 weeks. Once the child is successfully potty-trained parents will be required to bring 2 changes of underpants in case of an accident. We do not launder soiled items; they will be sent home in a plastic bag. Parents will be asked to replace any clothing sent home the next day. 

Occasionally your child may need to be picked up from care by someone other than a parent/guardian. Unless the names are listed on your emergency forms, your child will not be released. In case of an emergency, please provide a reliable list of people to reach. 

All forms are subject to yearly renewal and must be kept up to date.

DISCIPLINE: Methods of discipline shall be appropriate to the age and developmental level of the child. Infants and babies will be removed from a situation. At around 9 months to 1 year of age they begin to understand "no". They will still be removed from the situation and re-directed. As they get older they are ready to use problem-solving skills, cooperation, and natural and logical consequences (cleaning up their milk when it spills). I do not use time-outs for children under 18 months of age as I feel that it is not age-appropriate. 

I will also use the reward system / stickers / positive reinforcement as children get older. Please let me know what systems work for you at home so I can be consistent with the children.

If you are having issues with behavioral problems, please advise me immediately so I can be aware of the situation to prevent any unnecessary concerns or problems on both sides. Continuous, unresolved behavior problems or if parents do not take an active role in resolving these discipline problems will result in termination.

CHILD ABUSE/ NEGLECT/ COURT ORDER: 

I am required by law to report any suspected signs of child abuse and/or neglect.

If there is a court order restricting someone from the child, I must have a notarized copy of that court order in my file to that effect. Otherwise, I cannot prevent the non-custodial parent from taking the child.

CONFIDENTIALITY: Personal information about children in my care and their families is strictly confidential. Please do not ask us to reveal information about children other than your own. 

So I can provide the best possible care, please feel free to communicate any needs, wants and/or concerns regarding your child. It is only through good parent/provider interaction that good quality nurturing care can be achieved.

Referrals from a client are one of the biggest compliments I can receive. As a special thanks to you, I offer families a free week childcare for each referral that has successfully enrolled.

It is important that you feel comfortable with the policies and procedures. If you do not understand something, have a concern, or you feel uncomfortable it is important that you express your concern before enrolling your child. Thank you for the opportunity to work with you and care for your little one. I look forward to a future of keeping your child smiling and safe.

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STATEMENT OF AGREEMENT

Please read and initial the statements below:

___________ We/I acknowledge that we have received, read, understand, and will adhere to the policies and procedures contained in the Little Becomes Much Policy and procedure manual. 

___________We/I understand that should any information change, it is our/mu responsibility to have a corrected enrollment application updated, signed and turned in.

___________We/I, read, and accept Little Becomes Much’s Discipline Policy

___________We/I, read, understand, and accept the terms and conditions of payments. This includes acceptable methods of payments and that all weekly tuition will be paid on time. It is understood that if tuition is not paid on time, services can and will be suspended and/or terminated. 

___________We, I, read, understand, and accept Little Becomes Much’s Late Fee policy. We/I acknowledge and accept that if late fees are charged, regardless of persons picking up, that we/I will be responsible for paying all charges and that if late fees are not paid services can and will be suspended and/or terminated

Parent/Guardian’s Name: ____________________________

Parent/Guardian’s Signature: ____________________________ Date: ______________

Parent/Guardian’s Name: ____________________________

Parent/Guardian’s Signature: ____________________________ Date: ______________