Quick Note
All Little Big Kid’s Family Daycare policies are stated clearly in the Parent Policy Handbook. Further more, since I am licensed through the Department of Early Education and Care, they have their own policies that are stated in their Family Child Care Parent Handbook. Copies of both are available on the Forms page for you to view and save.
Reality
Honestly, how many of you decided to go download two different copies of daycare policies? That kind of reading is long and boring, who wants to spend the time doing it? Especially when you have a pile of paperwork to fill out in order to enroll your child. I never read them myself.
Now that I am on the other end of things, I realize those policy handbooks contain absolutely everything you would need or want to know. Listed below are a few of the policies I have taken from the books that I would like parents to be made aware of (just encase you decided you don’t want to read the actual policy handbooks). I also want to encourage you one more time to just take a little peak at the policies so you are informed of the goings on at your child’s daycare.
Tuition Policies
I try my best to provide families with affordable childcare. In return, I hope parents will pay their child’s tuition in a timely manner and follow my policy regarding these payments.
Payment is always due by the end of day on Friday for each week of care. For all payments received after that time and for all outstanding balances, a cumulative service charge of $25/day will be added to the weekly tuition. The childcare provider has the right to refuse care until such balance is paid in full. Refunds are not given for care which has been scheduled but is not utilized.
Accepted methods of payment are: check, money order, or Venmo. Cash is not accepted. Returned checks must be replaced within 24 hours along with a penalty charge. Anytime after the 24 hours will result in a cumulative late payment fee of $25/day. Two returned checks will be cause for accepting future payments by money order.
Parents are responsible for payment of weekly tuition to maintain their child’s space in the daycare. Your child’s space will be forfeited if all or part of your financial obligation is not met. Children removed from the active roster for non-payment of tuition may only re-enroll when space is available. Non-payment or late payment of fees for two weeks can be sufficient cause for termination of service and I will pursue collection of the full amount due.
Attendance Policies
Tuition is not refunded or credited for care which has been scheduled but is not utilized or for days children are absent for any reason during the week. These include: days missed due to illness, any planned vacations by the parent, and holiday’s that fall on weekdays when the daycare center is closed. The childcare provider cannot and will not substitute days.
All Children must have a regular schedule on file with me. I require two weeks’ written notice in advance of a schedule change. Extra time is negotiable. Schedule changes will NOT be accepted for legal holidays for which the center is closed.
A two-week written notice is required for withdrawal from the daycare. Following such notification, tuition will be charged for two weeks or until the date specified, if beyond two weeks.
Parents must understand that any new social setting offers exposure to illnesses and germs. Although I take precautions to prevent the spread of illness, children entering a new child care setting may seem to catch everything that goes around for several months. Please be prepared to stay home with your child or make arrangements for someone who can. Whenever your child has experienced any of the following symptoms within the previous 24-hour period, you will be expected to make other child care arrangements for the comfort of your child and the health of the other families whose children attend.
- Fever of 100—Children sent home with a fever in the middle of the day may not return to school until they have been fever-free for a full 24-hour period.
- Diarrhea—2 or more instances close together may be assumed to be contagious unless determined by a doctor not to be so.
- Vomiting.
- Pronounced or persistent coughing.
- A contagious condition of any kind, including but not limited to strep, flu, respiratory infection, conjunctivitis, infectious rash, hepatitis, chicken pox, measles, mumps, scabies, lice, etc., unless accompanied by a physician’s note indicating that the child is able to return to a group setting.
When children are sick and they are kept at home, then all of the children and their families at the daycare benefit from better health. Please remember that all symptoms must have disappeared at least 24 hours before returning to daycare. In some instances, a physician’s certificate of good health may be required before a child will be allowed to return.
Definition of “Late Pick-Up” – picking up your child from the program after the time you listed on your tuition agreement. Definition of “Early Drop-Off”- dropping off your child to the program prior to the time you listed on your tuition agreement. Definition of “Late Drop-Off” – dropping off your child to the program after the time you listed on your tuition agreement. The cut off time for dropping off your child is 9AM.
If a child is left at Little Big Kid’s past your child’s scheduled pick up time, a late fee of $10 plus a penalty of $1 per minute will be charged per child for all age groups. This fee will also apply to early or late drop-off. Parents who perpetually abuse this policy will be asked to find alternate care. No exceptions will be made. It is the responsibility of the parent to make sure their children are picked up and dropped off on time and to make alternate arrangements if you are unable to do so. Payment is due before you leave the daycare or it will be applied to your tuition payment statement and a $25/day charge will be added to all outstanding balances.
***PLEASE NOTE*** The reasons why I have adapted the above stated pick-up/drop-off policy are: 1. If a child is dropped off early, my morning routine is disrupted with my own children. 2. Dropped off late, my daycare routine is disrupted when I have to interrupt our activity to talk to the parent and accept the child. 3. Picked up late, my evening routine with my family (that may include dinner time, child sports activities, appointments etc.) are all disrupted or worse completely missed because a parent was late. For these reasons it is important that children are dropped off and picked up at the times agreed upon in order for me to comply with childcare license regulations. The times are also set in place in order for me to fulfill my responsibilities to other childcare enrollee’s but most importantly my responsibilities to my family. Parental understanding and cooperation regarding this policy is strongly needed and appreciated.
** One Last Reminder **
You can download, save, and print copies of my Little Big Kid’s Parent Policy Handbook and Early Education and Care’s Parent Handbook on the Forms page if you would like more information than what has been provided for you on this policy page.