Handbook
Philosophy
Thank you for your interest in Little Creations Academy. Our goal is to provide children with a safe environment that nurtures self esteem and security. Our providers plan an abundance of open-ended activities within each day. Our children's day is highly enriched with endless possibilities, while providing both structured and flexible days. We strive to promote each child's growth emotionally, physically, intellectually and socially. We promote a educational program to promote learning through hands on play and discovery. Our Academy is semi-structured with individual activities, group activities, supervised free play time and supervised outdoor fun. Many of these daily activities will focus on early learning skills such as letters, numbers, colors and shapes.
•Days & Hours of Operation
•Little Creations Academy is open Monday through Friday.
•Hours of operation are from 7:00am to 6:00pm.
•Tuition is to be paid in cash, checks are not accepted.
Holidays/Vacation and Time Off
Holidays
LCA will be closed and childcare will not be available on the following holidays:
- Martin Luther King Day
- President’s Day
- Good Friday
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veteran’s Day
- Close at 12PM Wednesday before Thanksgiving
- Thanksgiving
- Friday after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve – Close at 12:30PM
- Christmas Day
- Day After Christmas
- New Year’s Eve –Close at 12:30PM
- New Year’s Day
- **The above Holidays are to be included in your weekly tuition and are subject to change at any time**
- *We will also be observing the Friday before or Monday after should the holidays fall on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively**
Drop Off and Pick Up
•Please do not leave your engine running at any time. •Your child must be escorted in and out of the Academy at all times by parent. •No child is allowed to leave with anyone except the parent, unless indicated on the alternate pick up list. •Telephone permission WILL NOT DO! Photo ID of the alternate pick up will be required.
•There will be a sign in and out sheet for each day.
•If there is a court order keeping one parent or guardian away from the child, we must have a notarized copy of the court order. Otherwise we CAN NOT prevent the non-custodial parent from picking up the child.
Academy’s Vacation
•In addition, the Academy may close for 2-3 weeks (10-15 days)vacation days per year.
•Notification of at least 30 days will be given prior to any closed days with the exception of emergencies or illnesses.
•The provider is not responsible for finding alternate care for the child.
•When the Academy is closed due to our vacation days, half tuition will be required.
Rates
•Rates are available upon request.
•The first weeks payment is due on sign up to reserve your child’s spot
weekly. Checks will NOT be accepted. If payment is not received by Friday evening at 6:00pm, there will be a $25.00 per day late fee (weekends included). Your child can not return to LCA until tuition is paid in full!
•Childcare fees are due regardless if your child attends or not. You are paying for the spot being held as well as a service. These fees are due regardless of unforeseen or arranged absences such as illness.
•Little Creations Academy closes at 6:00pm. We ask that you try to call us as soon as you know you may be running late. There is a late pick up fee of $15.00 per every 15 minutes you are late. Example: If you arrive at 6:07pm, you will be charged $15.00 or if you arrive at 6:20pm, you will be charged an additional $30.00.
•Daycare Program for ages 6 weeks to 12 years old
•Small Muscle: Coloring, puzzles, play dough and a variety of block sand other activities
•Large Muscle: Crawling, running, jumping, dancing, stretching and free play
•Creative Play: (stimulate child’s imagination and language skills)Play area’s that include: arts and crafts, cooking, kitchen, puppets and projects emphasizing creativity and technique
•Music: Daily use of instruments, singing songs, rhymes and shows
•Science: Activities that encourage investigations, observing, discovering and problem solving
•Math: Fun games that encourage counting size, shape and measurements
•Story Time: Children will be encouraged to participate in group conversations, social conversations, story telling ,role play and circle time
•Outdoor Play: (Weather Permitting) Activities planned for large muscle development
•Open Door Policy
•You are invited and welcome to visit our Academy anytime your child is present. You are asked to try and avoid visiting during nap/quiet time. Please ring door bell when you arrive, as it will be kept locked at all times, for the safety of the Academy. Parents can call at any time to get updates on their children.
•Nap time
•All children are required by the provider to have a nap/rest period. No child is forced to sleep, we will keep them quietly interacted.
•Parent provides a clean sheet/blanket and pillow for their own child. Every Friday the children's bedding will be sent home to be washed and returned for the next week.
•Meals and Snacks
•We offer nutritionally balanced meals and snacks.
•The children are offered meals and snacks, but we do not force them to eat. We try and encourage them.
•Water and Milk will be provided.
•If your child drinks out of sippy cups, you will be required to supply the cup. It can remain at our facility if you would like. We will sanitize and wash it.
•If your child has any allergies or requires a special diet, please list this on your child information sheet. A doctors note is also required.
•For Infants: The parent is required to supply the formula.
•Illness
•If a child becomes sick or gets a fever over 100 degrees while in our care, parents will be notified and he/she must be picked up within an hour.
•The sick child will (if possible) be isolated from the other daycare children to minimize exposure. A caregiver will always remain with and comfort a sick child.
•If your child stays home or was sent home with a fever, diarrhea, vomiting, rash or any symptomatic illness, they CAN NOT ATTEND DAYCARE UNTIL THEY ARE SYMPTOM FREE FOR 24 HOURS OR WITH A DR.S NOTE.. NO EXCEPTIONS!!
•Emergency Situations
•Parents must keep all contact numbers up to date.
•If we are unable to reach anyone on the contact list, we will have to call 911 and have an ambulance escort child to hospital to get immediate care.
•You and your family insurance is/are responsible for the cost of the medical help or treatment due to accidents or illnesses while in our care.
Fire:
•There are fire extinguishers in every room in our Academy. If there is a fire that can not be extinguished quickly, the children will be evacuated and then 911 will be called.
•We will practice fire drills and shelter in place drills monthly.
•We have carbon monoxide and smoke detectors on every floor.
•Behavior and Discipline
•At one time or another, all children challenge us with their behavior. Helping children gain self control is an integral part of our daycare.
•Keep in mind that the guide to a child's behavior problem is based on the child's age and developmental stage.
•As with all areas in our program, families are essential partners in our disciplinary plans. We will discuss discipline strategies and policies with parents.
•At no time will a child be singled out and be embarrassed.
•We will encourage children to manage and express their feelings, how to gain the ability to understand the consequences of their behavior and teach them to learn to see situations from another child's perspective.