Absences: In the event that your child will not be attending, please notify the facility. This is especially important for after school care to prevent confusion and panic between us and the school.

Arrival: All students must be signed in at the front desk daily by indicating the time of arrival and by initialing. In addition, it is mandatory that all students be escorted to their classroom so that the teacher will be aware of their arrival. Children must be at center no later than 10:00 am.

Belongings: All belongings, such as blankets, pillows, and clothes may be kept in your child’s individual cubby that is located in his/her classroom.

Birthdays: Birthday celebrations are welcomed. All celebrations will occur during the afternoon snack time and any food items you wish to bring must be store bought.

Biting: In the case of a biting incident, both parents of the parties involved will be notified. Preventative methods will be taken at the facility and communication will take place with the parents to help eliminate recurring bites; however, in the event the preventatives are not successful we reserve the right to terminate your child from our program.

Calendar: We will take 10 holidays each calendar year. These days include: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. If a holiday falls on a weekend, we may take the Friday before or the Monday after the designated holiday. Advance notice and reminders will be given prior to any scheduled closings. These days will not be deducted from the weekly fees.

Cameras: Security cameras in the classroom are not functional at this time. We will notify you if they are activated.

Clothes: Sometimes we do have accidents that we try to treat as discreetly as possible. Please leave an extra complete change of clothes in your child’s cubby in case of an emergency.

Departure: Upon leaving every day, it is mandatory that you sign your child out on the sign in/out sheet located by the front desk by indicating the time of departure and by initialing. All persons picking your child up must be listed on the enrollment forms and provide a valid driver’s license for identification. At no time will a student be released to a minor.

Discipline: Little Learners is a fun place to learn. To ensure that it is also a safe place to learn, we have set expectations and consequences. Seldom do we need to remove a student from his/her classroom. However, we will not allow any behavior which may harm another student or prevent anyone from learning. When necessary, students will receive a brief supervised separation from the group (a minute per age). In addition, positive methods of discipline and guidance that encourage self-esteem, self-control, and self-direction such as praise, encouragement, and positive statements will be practiced by all staff members.

Emergencies: 911 will be called for any life-threatening or serious medical emergencies. As soon as possible, you will be notified of the situation; therefore, it is imperative that your enrollment records are current with up to date phone numbers and medical information.

Enrollment: Enrollment is open to all ages 18 months to 5 year olds and before and after school care to students through 5th grade. Students will be placed in designated classrooms based on their age and individual needs. Your child cannot begin care until the enrollment process is complete. This process includes:
non-refundable enrollment fee
Completed enrollment forms
Current immunization records
Physician statement

Fees:
Registration fee: A non-refundable $30 per child registration fee is required in order to complete the enrollment process.
Late pick up fee: Picking up a student after scheduled closing time will result in five dollars per minute late fee. This fee will be due to the teacher on duty and will be required to be paid before the student can receive additional care.
Returned checks: All returned checks will be charged a $35 return check fee. In addition cash or money orders will be the only method of payment from then on.
Late fee: Any charges that are not paid in full by closing time on the Friday of the week in attendance will result in a $25 late fee. Failing to not pay the past due balance, including the late fee, by Monday will result in denied care until past tuition is paid in full and the current week’s tuition is also paid in full.

Field Trips: Field trips may be taken. Permission to ride the school bus will be required. An activity fee may be required for some field trips.

Fire Drills: Monthly fire drills will be conducted in preparation for a real fire.

Goodies: Please remember that all goodies for birthdays and parties must be store bought.

Health: In order to maintain a safe and healthy environment for our students, we will require children that exhibit signs of illness to stay at home a minimum of 24 hours after the signs of illness have subsided. These include: a temperature of greater than 100.4, pink eye, head lice, strep throat, respiratory problems, rash, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Hours of Operation: We are open Monday – Friday from 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. with the exception of the 10 designated holidays and “special days”

Immunizations: It is your responsibility to provide us with current immunization records. Failure to do so may result in termination of care until current documentation is provided. An immunization schedule is included in this handout to help with routine administration.

Incident Reports: While safety of our students is first priority, incidents will occur. In the event an incident occurs while in our care, an incident report will be filled out indicating the incident and the actions that were taken. The report will need to be signed by the parent and filed in your child’s records. The parent will be given a copy.

Jewelry: To prevent jewelry from being lost, broken, or stolen we ask that you please do not send your child to school with any jewelry on, with the exception of earrings. Please save this for home and weekends. We will not be responsible for personal belongings

Knowledge: Little Learners is an education center. It is not just a place for students to play, but also to learn and grow. While we do provide social skills, we also provide a structured environment and curriculum. Throughout the course of the year, your child will be introduced to the necessary pre-reading skills, math concepts, music, art, and critical thinking skills to ensure their future success. You will be surprised and amazed at the knowledge they gain and what they are able to accomplish at such a young age.

Labeling: To help prevent misplaced items, we encourage parents to label all of their child’s belongings such as their blankets, pillow, and jackets.

Meals: A morning snack, hot lunch, and afternoon snack are served daily at no additional cost. The morning breakfast snack will be served between 8:00-9:00, with no exceptions for late arrivals. Students will receive a hot, nutritional lunch between 11:00-11:30, except on Fridays and select special days where they will receive a sack lunch. An afternoon snack will be served between 2:00-2:30. All snacks and lunches can be found on the monthly menu that will be handed out and posted. If your child has any allergies a written statement from
your child’s doctor is required and substitutions will be made to accommodate the student.

Medication: Medication can be administered under the following rules:
The medication calls for a minimum 3x a day (medication prescribed for once or twice a
day can be administered at home).
All prescribed medication must be in the original container with a prescription label on it
indicating the child’s first and last name and date.
Over-the-counter medication will be given only in accordance with the manufacturer’s
label instructions for the child’s age. Without a doctor’s authorization, the medication will only be administered for a 2 week period and will not be used to conceal fevers.
Medication authorization forms are located by the front door and must be signed daily indicating the student’s name, date, time, and dosage.
Long term medication, such as asthma treatments, can be administered with a form
from a physician.

Nap Time: Naps are critical for growing children. Specifically, research suggests that physical mental development takes place when children sleep. We will observe nap time daily from 12:00-2:00 where students will rest on a cushioned mat. In addition, they are allowed to bring a small blanket that will fit in their individual cubby. We ask that you please take their belongings home every Friday to wash and return them he following week. The students are not required to fall asleep; however, they will be asked to rest quietly.

Open Communication: We believe that a good parent-teacher relationship is necessary for maximum success. Therefore, we will communicate with you frequently. If you have any questions or concerns at any time, please do not hesitate to ask your child’s teacher or the director.

Parties: We will celebrate the following occasions with individual class parties: Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, and Christmas

Playground: Weather permitting, your child will have the opportunity to play on their designated age-appropriate playground twice daily for 30 minutes each time to promote gross motor development.

Quiet Time: Quiet time at Little Learners is from 12:00 – 2:00. If you enter the building, please make sure you are quiet because the students are napping.

Restrooms: Each classroom has their own individual restroom to help minimize accidents.

Schedule: A schedule depicting what skills your child will be working on each week will be placed outside your child’s classroom weekly.

Show and Tell: Every Friday your child will be allowed to bring in a show and tell to help promote social communication; however, we encourage you not to allow students to bring in expensive toys, as we cannot be responsible for any lost, broken, or stolen items.

Suspension: Little Learners reserves the right to suspend your child from care for the day if he/she continues to inhibit the learning of other students and interfere with the established safe environment. Within the hour of notification, your child should be picked up and you will be responsible for daily tuition that day. Your child will be allowed to return the following day.

Termination: Little Learners reserves the right to terminate a child’s enrollment based on non-payment, behavior, or failure to comply with policy and procedures as spelled out in this handbook. If enrollment is terminated as a result of the situations above, any prepaid tuition shall be forfeited.

Transportation: Transportation is provided from select TISD schools to Little Learners in the afternoons for pre-K through 5th grade provided permission is granted on the enrollment form by the parent/guardian. In addition, transportation will be provided for approved students participating in field trips. In case of emergency, your child will be transported in an emergency vehicle.

Tuition: Tuition is based on reserved enrollment and charges apply to the number of days the child is enrolled, regardless of how many days the child is absent. All tuition fees are expected to be paid in advance no later than Friday of the week of attendance. The rates are as follows and are subject to change; however, a 30 day written notice will be given prior to and adjustments in tuition:
Full Time Care Weekly Rates:
0-18 months: $170/week
18 months – 3year olds: $140/week
3 – 5 year olds: $135/week
Afterschoolers: $95/week
Afterschoolers Summertime: $120/week
Discounts: Siblings - $10/week

Up to date information: In order for us to contact you in an emergency, it is crucial that we current information on file.

Vacation Policy: After a student is enrolled for a consecutive 6 month period, they are entitled to two weeks of vacation per calendar year. During these two weeks, you will be charged half of the original fee. These two weeks do not have to be taken together; however, they do have to be Monday-Friday and your child may not attend when using this credit.

Vision and Hearing Screening: Vision and Hearing screening is required for all students who are 4 by September 1st of each year. The screening will take place once a year at the center by a licensed specialist and you will be provided with a copy of the results. If your child enrolls after the scheduled screenings, you will be required to bring documentation of screening reports you had done by a doctor to complete the enrollment process. In addition, if additional screened is deemed necessary, we will need documentation of the second
screening.

Weather: Any unforeseen closings as deemed necessary due to severe weather conditions will be announced via the local TV news. These days will not be deducted from the weekly fees.

Work: All student work will be sent home on Fridays. Help to make it a happy and meaningful experience by letting your child share it with you. Your child will be eager for your comments and your show of interest.

Withdrawing a student: You are required to give a two week notice in writing if you wish to withdraw your child. Failure to do so will result in an additional two week tuition charge.

eXperiences: Your child will have many wonderful eXperiences at Little Learners Education Center. Please take the time to ask your child what they did and learned each day!