Parent's Portal
C-compassion
Offering loving hearts and helping hands to our families, students, staff and community.
H-humility
Recognizing we’re all part of one community and treating each other as family.
I-integrity
Doing the right thing by being authentic, honest and kind no matter what.
L-loyalty
Being committed to giving every child the attention, relationship and learning experience they deserve.
D-discipline
Constantly maintaining the highest standards in student and family care, early education and service.
Holiday Schedule 2021
*ALL HOLIDAYS ARE INCLUDED IN TUITION*
Little Handprints is closed in observance of the following holidays:
New Year’s Day
Fri, Jan 01, 2021
Martin Luther King Day
Mon, Jan 18, 2021
Presidents Day
Mon, Feb 15, 2021
Memorial Day
Mon, May 31, 2021
Independence Day(observed)
Mon, July 15, 2021
Labor Day
Mon, Sept 06, 2021
Little Handprints Vacation
Fri, Nove 05-12, 2021
Veteran’s Day
Thu, Nov 11, 2021
Thanksgiving
Thu, Nov 25, 2021
Christmas Day(observed)
Fri, Dec 24, 2021
New Years Day(observed)
Fri, Dec 31, 2021
Parent's Responsibilities
The following rules are reinforced for the safety and well-being of everyone. There is no running in the house. There is no hitting, pushing, biting, grabbing, kicking, pinching the other children. Obscene language is not allowed. Children are not allowed to walk around the house with cups or bottles. Respectful treatment of other children and all property,
toys, and furniture is expected. Willful destruction of property will be charged to the parent at the cost to replace the item.
I provide a preschool program from September through May for children ages 2 – 5 at no additional cost to you. We are currently using the Mother Goose Time Curriculum. Some of the activities include arts & crafts, music, math, science, stories, games, as well as letter, shape, color, and number recognition in a monthly theme format.
No toys should be brought from home. If something to sleep with is needed (special blanket or animal) bring it, but it will only be for naptime, and will be put up when the child first arrives. Exception: Show and Tell during Mother Goose Time and other special activity days.
If illness or other emergencies should arise during child care hours every attempt will be made to have a substitute provider care for your child so that I can remain open for child care. If substitute care is not available you will receive a phone call to pick up your child. Whenever possible medical and personal appointments will be made after child care hours however, if I must use child care hours to secure appointments every attempt will be made to have a substitute provider care. If a substitute is not available, I will have to close my child care home. For you convenience, I will distribute my scheduled Child care closings for vacations and holidays with in the first quarter of each year and every attempt will be made to minimize any changes in this schedule. Paid holiday closings: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day. When the holiday is falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the acknowledged Federal/State holiday prevails; i.e. Christmas is on Sunday and the acknowledged Federal holiday is Monday December 26th . Vacation closing: 10 paid vacation days per year; all other vacation days are not paid, if any occur.
Please respect that when my child care home is closed for vacation, I am taking this time to rest and to be with my family or just to catch up on home duties. I take my job very seriously and consider this to be a legitimate long term career. In order to accomplish this, I need this time out to maintain the energy level it takes to give your child the quality care he/she deserves. I do reserve the right to close for any reason in which I cannot operate in a safe manner. i.e. loss of electricity, water, heat or in extreme circumstances loss of air conditioning,
and medical epidemics. Child care fees are paid for any of these occurrences.
I express my disapproval (without attaching character). I state my expectations and show your child how to make amends. I give choices, and in extreme situations a child may be given a “time out”; because at times a child may be having trouble making choices of their own and they just may need a couple of minutes to calm down, and think about their choices. No physical discipline is ever used in my care.
Child care is available Monday through Friday with the exception of closings as referred to in this handbook.
Actual days and hours are determined by the parent/guardian’s individual needs.
Please understand that the contracted drop-off time is important because I plan our day around the collective time frame of each child as well as each other phase of our morning
routine – please call me if you know that you will be more than 15 minutes late.
Our contracted pick up time is equally important; there are several things to do before the children leave – snack time, calm down time, clean up (personal as well as day care room),
shoes on etc. Of course another reason is to know my “quit” time so I can complete other evening commitments
Children are to arrive clean and fed (if arriving after 8:30 am). It is normal for children to be hesitant and sometimes even cry when dropping them off. Please be very brief (no more than 5 minutes is sufficient) during drop off times; the longer you prolong the departure the harder it gets. A smile, cheerful good-bye kiss, and a reassuring word that you will be back is all you need to do.
Please be very brief at pick up times also. This is a time of testing when two different authority figures are present (the parent and the provider) and all the children will test to see if the rules still apply. It is important that you back up my rules at this time, but if you
do not, I will remind your child of inappropriate behaviors being displayed and take action to correct them if needed. Please be in control of your child during pick up times!
Do not allow your child to run out to your car while you are still inside or while you are in my backyard!! The safety rule is “No one goes outside without their parent with them.”
Drop-off and pickup times are not the times to discuss problems. Parental communication is vital; it is the key to a successful childcare arrangement. If there are any problems or
concerns please call me
Please call me if you will be late dropping your child off late. It is very important to me and the other children to know our schedule (breakfast, etc.) and when we can move along from one activity to another. I’m sure you agree, personal time is precious; accordingly, it becomes extremely difficult and stress full to have an appointment or other plans scheduled if I cannot depend on the mutually agreed pick up time. I do understand that there may be an occasion of major traffic congestion or bad weather conditions causing a delay in your travel – if you have a cellular phone, please call me and perhaps we can work out a contingency plan.
Consistent tardiness could be cause for termination. A $5.00 late fee for each additional 10 minutes past our agreed pick up time will be payable upon arrival
Children are fed nutritionally on a daily basis – breakfast, lunch and a snack as required
through enrollment with the family and work place connection food program. Cakes,
cookies, and other “not so nutritious food” may be served during special events like birthday parties, and holidays. Formula is provided by the parent/guardian, all other foods
and beverages are provided by me.
Potty training shouldn’t be rushed; it is important that your child is psychologically and physically ready for training. Huggie’s Pull Ups (or other brand) must be provided by the parent/guardian during this transition period, no regular style training pants or underwear will be used until your child maintains 2 continuous weeks of bladder/bowel control; of course, if your child regresses after this 2 week period we will assess the next step.
There may be instances when your child may need to ride in an automobile or van. I will ask for written permission unless it is an emergency.
It is important that I protect your child by ensuring that your child does not leave my home with a person you have not authorized on you “Child Information Card” to pick up your child. Also please tell me when someone else that you have authorized on you “Child Information Card” will be picking up your child. Even if it is an emergency, I must have your permission to release your child to someone other than you. I will need the person’s name and a description of what he or she looks like. The person picking up your child will have to show me a picture ID before I will release your child from my care. I have to assume that both parents have the right to pick up your child, unless you give me a copy of a court order stating otherwise. We will need to discuss how I should handle the non-custodial parent who arrives to pick up your child. Without a copy of the court order, I cannot refuse a parent. If I have a court order and a non custodial parent tries to pick up the child, I will immediately call the custodial parent. If the non-custodial parent leaves with the child, I will immediately call the police and report the situation. I will not place the other children at risk in a confrontation with the non-custodial parent. It is very important to me that your child arrives home safely. Therefore, If the person who arrives to pick up your child appears intoxicated or otherwise incapable of bringing your child home safely, I will call the parent or emergency contact person listed on the
“Child Information Card” to request their assistance. If the situation occurs a second time, it will be grounds for terminating my care of your child. All children should be transported to and from child care in a care seat or child restraint if under 6 years old or 60 pound. For further clarification refer to the California Law regarding children and seat belts and abide by that law for your child safety. I will not release your child if the person picking up your child does not have a care seat and your child falls into the care seat requirement age bracket.
Parent/guardian will provide diapers, diaper wipes (if you wish to use a certain brand), powder, any ointment (i.e. Destin etc.), and baby bottles. To eliminate the daily bundle of items to carry you may bring me a package of each item to leave at daycare. I will notify you if items are running low. All items will be marked with the child’s name.
Parent/guardian will provide a change of clothes on a daily basis or keep a change of clothes at child care until needed – replacing as needed. An infant may require more than one change of clothing daily; please provide a few changes of clothing based on your
own experiences with your infant.
I will supply wipes, sleeping mats, portable cribs/playpens, pillows (if age appropriate), blankets and sheets for your child. If your child has a favorite sleeping blanket or stuffed
toy, he/she may bring them to sleep with.
Child care fees are paid in advance on a weekly basis – the Friday before the week begins or the last scheduled day of attendance for the week. Payment obligation is based
on the hours agreed to use child care, not on actual attendance. There is no change in fee due to your child’s absences. If your child is absent or I am closed on the Friday before the week begins or the last scheduled day of attendance for the week, you are responsible to make payment as agreed. In the case of your vacation or absence, please postdate your
check for the up coming date due and make payment before you leave.
Late payments – A $25 late payment fee (per child) applies for any payment not received on the Friday morning before the week begins. If payment is not received on the Monday of the week an additional $10.00 fee per day will be charged. Your child will not be permitted to return to child care until both the payment and the late fee are paid in full.
A personal check or cash will be accepted for payment, however if a check is returned for any reason and I incur any bank charges from the return of your check, those charges will
be added to the following weeks daycare fee additionally because I am unable to use
these funds my late fee for payment also applies. After 2 check returns, all further
payments must be made in cash. Non-payment or consistent late payments is cause for termination immediately with out 2 weeks notice. A two week notice of any increase will be posted.
Any care needed prior to my normal opening time will need be scheduled at least by the Friday prior to the week care is needed. As a result there will be a charge of $15.00 per hour (or part of) for care prior to normal opening time. Payment for this additional time is
due by the Friday prior to the week care is scheduled. This fee is non-refundable. This includes if you decide not to bring the child early.
Parent/Guardian will give two weeks written notice, and two weeks full payment to terminate your child’s enrollment in child care regardless as to whether your child is present (with the exception of the trial period). If two weeks notice is not given, you are still financially obligated for the two weeks of child care fees and late payments; two weeks full payment still applies when notice is given in conjunction with provider’s vacation.
There is a trial period of 14 days from the date child care begins. If the child care arrangements is not mutually satisfactory, either party can terminate this agreement with a 1(one) day notice – any moneys already paid are non refundable.
I do occasionally accept children for drop-in care if I have a space available on any given day. Therefore if you tell me that you will not be bringing your child, there is a chance I will fill your spot for that day and you could potentially lose your day if I do so.
Therefore I do require that you give me a minimum of 48 hours notice if you change your mind and want/need to bring your child after all on your day. You are still responsible for paying all fees for your contracted days regardless of whether you come or not. I do not accept drop-ins for the purpose of earning a little extra income, rather I do it as a service to all of my parents, which may possibly include you if you would ever need/want daycare on an unscheduled day. Your 48-hour notice is not only put into place because I may schedule a drop-in on “your” day, but this will give me time to adjust my menus/activities accordingly. For example, I may plan a Field Trip if your child is not coming because I will have a smaller, more manageable group. 48 hours would give me ample notice to reschedule this activity should you decide to bring your child after all.
