Admission Requirements and Enrollment Procedures

Introductory Visit

Each new family needs to visit our family child care at least 1 time prior to enrollment.  Please call in advance to schedule a visit. 

Deposits and Registration Fees

• Deposit:  Clients will pay for the last two weeks of child care in advance upon signing the agreement.
• Holding Fee: If you cannot start the child care right away and would like us to hold the spot for your child, your child's position is reserved upon receipt of a non-refundable holding fee which will be applied to the payment for care once the child is enrolled.
• Registration Fee:  There is a non-refundable registration fee of $35 per child per school year for processing the paperwork required for enrollment and re-enrollment.

Admission Forms

There are several forms you are required to complete prior to your child's attendance:

 1.   Child Care Home Register Form - This form includes Consent For Medical Care and Treatment of Minor Children.

2.      Permission Authorization Form

3.      Child Care agreement         

4.   Certificate of Immunization Status Form

A CIS form must be used, must be current and updated yearly (more frequently for infants).  All children must be current on their immunizations. 

We DO NOT take children whose immunizations is not up to date. If your child has a reason that he couldn’t have a particular immunization, please talk to us.

If there is a signed exemption to immunizations, the child may need to be excluded from child care if there is an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease that the child has not been immunized for.

Trial Period

1. The trial period for after school child care is 4 weeks.  This period is used to observe the child's adjustment to care and to talk about concerns.  The provider will talk to you about your child's day often.  Please tell us if you have any concerns.  After the trial period, we will determine if the child care services are satisfactory to everyone.  If any problems cannot be resolved, the care is terminated.

During this time, either the clients or the provider may terminate the agreement without written notice.

• If the contract is terminated during the trial period due to the client's will, the client will pay $8/hour for the service provided and pay for any early drop-off fee or late pick-up fee charged to the client, and get refund for the amount left.

• If the contract is terminated during the trial period due to the provider's will, the client will pay a prorated rate for the service provided and pay for any early drop-off fee or late pick-up fee charged to the client, and get refund for the amount left.

2. Trial period for summer camps (for new enrollments only): There are 3 days of trial period for new enrollments for summer camps.

   Either clients or the provider may terminate the care during these 3 days of trial period without written notice. If care is terminated during the trial period, clients will pay $40/day for the care provided and any early drop-off fee or late pick-up fee charged to the client and get refund for the amount left.

Rates and Payment Plan

The rate is subject to increase every September. 

Two weeks notice will be given for rate increases.

If other adjustments are needed, a two-week notice will be given.   

1.      Registration fee: there is a non-refundable registration fee of $35 per child per school year for processing the paperwork required for enrollment and re-enrollment.

2.      Deposit:  clients will pay for the last two weeks of child care in advance upon signing the agreement.

3.     Rates 

Payment Plan, Penalties, and Extra Charges

1.      Payment Plan:  Clients are required to pay for the time their children are scheduled to be in care. In other words, clients are paying for a space whether their child is there or not.   

·         Trial Period:

The 4 weeks trial period payment is due in advance at the time of registration. The following month payments are due in advance on the first day of each month.   

• If the contract is terminated during the trial period due to the client's will, the client will pay $8/hour for the service provided and pay for any early drop-off fee or late pick-up fee charged to the client, and get refund for the amount left.

• If the contract is terminated during the trial period due to the provider's will, the client will pay for a prorated rate for the service provided and pay for any early drop-off fee or late pick-up fee charged to the client, and get refund for the amount left.

·        Before and after school program: tuition and co-payment are due in advance on the first day of the month. 

Two week deposit is due on the time of registration. It will be applied to the last two weeks of care.

Tuition and co-payment are not reduced for months/weeks that have school breaks, holidays or LEAP (Learning Enhancement Academic Planning) days.

If tuition and co-payment is not made by 6:00pm on the first day of the month, a $30 late fee will be added and child will not be accepted the following day UNLESS PAID IN CASH $30 PLUS MONTHLY PAYMENT IN CASH.

·        Payment for LEAP days : The tuition and co-payment are due in advance one week before the LEAP day.  

·        Payment for school-break camps (weekly & daily) : tuition and co-payment are due in advance at the registration time.     

·        Payment for summer camps (weekly):

1.      tuition and co-payment  in full are due at the time of registration.

2.      Refund policy:
 For withdrawals, a refund/credit (price you paid for each camp less $35 withdrawal fee for each camp) will be granted if withdrawal request is received at least 14 calendar days prior to the first day of the camp. No refunds/credit will be granted with less than 14 calendar days' notice.

2.      Special payment terms are negotiable on occasion and will be defined in the agreement.

3.      Checks - Checks are accepted until they bounce. A $40 cash charge will be added for returned checks. Once a check is returned, only cash will be accepted. Postdated checks will not be accepted.

4.      Holiday Pay:  Tuition and co-payment are not reduced during months that have holidays.  

5.   LEAP (Learning Enhancement Academic Planning) days pay: Tuition and co-payment are not reduced during months that have LEAP days.

6.     Payment Penalties:

1)      The fee for late payment is $30 per day.  If fees remain unpaid after a period of three days, you child will not be admitted until ALL fees are paid in full in cash.

2)      The penalty for NSF checks is $40 plus any bank costs incurred by us.  Cash payment is required for returned checks.  You will be put on a cash basis after the second NSF check.

3)      Late pick-up fee and early drop-off fee: $1 per minute .  This fee must be paid on site at time of pickup.

4)      Overtime rate:  If the parent/legal guardian makes prior arrangements with the provider, the child may stay overtime at the following rate: $8 per 30 minutes. This fee must be paid on site at time of pickup. 

Vacations and Absences

1.      No deductions will be made from the monthly rate when service is available; such as child arrives late, or departs early, or you and your child are on vacation, or child does not require service for any reason. 

2.       When you go on vacation, payment is due before you leave. 

3.       Please call and inform us when your child will not attend due to illness or some other event.

4.       Please advise us upon enrollment if you plan to remove your child from child care for any length of time (i.e. vacations, or when you are on maternity leave with another child, etc.).

Business Practices

Sign-in and Sign-out Procedures

1.                  Arrival and pick-up instructions:

When arriving, the parent, guardian or authorized person must sign the child in, and sign-out at pick up time.  The sign-in/sign out form is located at the front door.   You are required to sign in/out using full name, date and time.   

2          Please identify on the Child Care Home Register who is authorized to pick up your child.  We will not release your child to any person without your written permission.  The person picking up your child must have identification, as we may ask for verification of identity before releasing a child.  

3.         Anyone who appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol arriving at child care to pick up a child will be asked to call someone else to pick up that child.  If a person leaves with a child while they appear to be under the influence, we will call 911.

Staffing When Provider is Absent

There will be no sub-teacher when the provider is sick. So the provider's personal sick days are of no charge because we are closing for the day. We’ll prorate it and deduct the amount from your next month’s payment. If an extended illness or an unforeseen situation causes the provider to close other than the above mentioned, there will be no charges for those days.

Back-up Child Care

We recommend that you have access to an alternate child care arrangement.  You may need care if the provider is ill or when the provider is on vacation.  If the provider is ill you will be notified as soon as possible so that you can make other arrangements.  It is always your responsibility to find backup child care. 

Termination of Services

1.                  Trial Period:

The first four weeks in our program are a trial period. During this time, either clients or the provider may terminate our agreement immediately without a written notice.

2.                  Termination after the Trial Period:

After the four-week trial period has been completed, you must give us a two-week written notice of your intent to terminate our agreement.  Your deposit will cover the last 2 weeks of care.  If you should terminate your child's care without a written notice, the deposit will not be refunded. 

3.                  Advance Payment for Last Two Weeks of Care:

You will pay a 2-week deposit that will cover your last two weeks of care in advance upon signing the agreement.

4.                  The following are conditions (but not limited) will cause child care to be terminated:

a.     continual late payments

b.     child behavioral problems that cannot be controlled. It include aggressive, abusive (orally or physically), violent behaviors, and inappropriate language.

c.     not respecting child care setting and policies (children and/or clients)

d.     continual late pick-ups

Receipts and Taxes

1.       We will give you a payment receipt when you pay for child care.

2.         You will receive an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) W-10 Form reporting your annual child care expenditures for the applicable tax year. 

Items Brought From Home

1.      Candy is never encouraged at our family child care unless it is a holiday or birthday.

2.      Children are encouraged to leave toys at home. We have an ample supply of toys and activities to keep your child busy during the day. However, if your child does bring in toys from home, they will be expected to share or will be asked to put them away. We cannot assume responsibility for loss or damage to any personal possessions children bring into our family child care home. It is distressing for children to misplace or lose belongings and sometimes difficult for teachers to identify the owner. Please help your child understand why it is not wise to bring toys or other objects that they may not wish to share with other children.

3.      Comforting items such as security blankets, pillow, baby-dolls, and stuffed animals are OK.

4.      ABSOLUTELY NO TOY GUNS OR WEAPONS WILL BE ALLOWED AT OUR CHILD CARE HOME. GUM IS ALSO OFF LIMITS HERE.

Smoking

NO SMOKING at all time. Smoking will not be permitted within 5 yards of our family child care and in any area of our house or car any time.

Hours of Operation and Daily Activity Schedule 

Hours and Days of Operation 

Holidays

We will be closed the following days.  These will be paid holidays.

However, if clients need child care on these days, please contact us. Care may be available for some of these holidays with advance reservation at an additional charge (whole day rate).

Other reasons child care home may be closed:

·        Loss of electricity or loss of water

·        Any emergency that closes Lake Washington School District’s schools.

Snow policy

• We follow Lake Washington School District’s decision. 
  • For child care:
    • If it is “school closed”, our Family Child Care will be closed. If the clients really need child care for that day, please contact us and we may be able to arrange child care for your children. Clients will be responsible to pay for the child care in a whole day rate on site at time of pickup.
    • If it's "early dismiss", we'll go to school to pick up the children if we are notified by the school or parents 30 minutes prior to the dismiss time.  (We may be in the homeschool center in Bellevue at that time, so we need an at least 30 minutes notification to be able to come back to Kirkland.)  Clients will be responsible to notify us about the early dismiss and pick up time. Clients will also be responsible to pay for the extra hours in drop-in rate on site at time of pickup.
    • If it’s “late start”, clients can still send the children here at the contracted time in the morning for before school child care. But clients will be responsible to pay for the extra hours in the drop-in rate on site at time of pickup. And we will remain open for the after school child care without extra charge.
  • For classes only (e.g. Chinese classes, Math classes, Piano lessons...etc.):
    • If it is “school closed” or "early dismiss", all classes will be canceled. We'll schedule make-up class(es) with parents. Because our class size is small, we will try to find a time that works for all the families. No refund or credit will be issued if a student misses the make-up class(es).
    • If it's "late start" only, we'll still have classes.
   
• Clients please check the Public Schools Emergency Communication System – SchoolReport.org to get updated information.

Sample Daily Schedule

Television, Video and Computer Use

Pets

We don’t have pets in our premises.

Pets are not allowed to bring into our Child Care home. Clients must keep their pets in their car at all time. 

Transportation and Field Trips

Transportation

1.        For after-school program: we will go to Frost and Muir Elementary to pick up your children. Clients are responsible for transport their children home.

2.         For children who don’t attend Frost or Muir Elementary, clients are responsible for transportation.

3.         We have 7 seat belts in our minivan.  Everyone over 80 pounds/8 years old is buckled at all times.  If your child is under 80 pounds/8 years old, please provide a car seat/booster seat if you need us to pick up your kids from their school.

4.         A first aid kit and the provider's first aid/CPR certification will be in the vehicle at all time.

5.    For school break camps & summer camps: clients are responsible for transportation.

Field Trips

We will not provide field trips on regular after-school days.

 We may provide field trips during school-break camps and summer camps. If we do, clients will need to sign a permission slip ahead of time and bring a sack of lunch and drink for their children on the field trip day. If clients decide not to let their children attend the field trip, it’s the clients’ responsibility to find a child care for that day.

Meals and Snacks

It is your responsibility to notify us of any allergies or adverse reactions your child may have with certain foods or beverages.  Typical menu items are listed below.  

Sample Menu

Lunch     : Broccoli and beef, rice , banana, & milk

Snacks    : Peaches, Crackers, & water

Policies for Food Brought From Home

Child Abuse Reporting

We are required by mandatory reporting laws to report any suspected child abuse, neglect, or exploitation to Child Protective Services (CPS) or our local law enforcement agency immediately (without prior notification to the clients involved).  We will also inform our licenser.

Behavior Management and Discipline

Spanking or any form of corporal punishment, physical or mechanical restraint, the withholding of food, or any form of emotional abuse is prohibited by anyone on the premises including clients.  No corporal punishment will be used in our program.  This includes biting, jerking, shaking, slapping, spanking, hitting, kicking or any other means of inflicting physical pain.  

Our disciplinary practices are:

 The following methods of discipline are used in our family child care:

·        We will encourage children old enough to solve their own problems

·        Redirect them to another area

·        Intervention and discussion

·        Loss of privileges

·        Child time-out

Non-discrimination Statement

We do not discriminate in our enrollment, hiring practices, client services or in the care of children based on race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, gender, marital status, veterans status, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, religion, differing physical or mental abilities, use of a trained dog or service animal by a child or family member, communication and learning styles.

Religious Activities

We may have Bible verses on the wall as decorations.

We will say a prayer before each meal. Sometimes God just comes up in conversation. For example, children often start to notice the difference between boys and girls around age three, especially if they have a sibling of the opposite sex or have watched enough diaper-changings. When they ask us "why" about the physical differences between boys and girls, we tell them "because God made boys differently than He made girls." This answer seems to satisfy most preschoolers. You may feel free to elaborate on the subject when your child is at home! We also reinforce to the children that we love them and God loves them, too.

No child will be forced to say the mealtime prayer. Any child who does not want to participate does not have to; however, we will ask that they do not disturb those who want to. If you object to your child participating, please let us know. 

Health Care Practices

Medical Emergencies

1.         We have First Aid, Child CPR, and HIV/Aids/Blood Born Pathogens Prevention training.

2.         Minor cuts, bruises, and scrapes will be treated.  Clients will be notified upon arrival. With some minor injuries clients will be called to help decide whether the child should go home.

3.         In the event of a serious injury or emergency, we will call 911 and administer first aid or CPR if needed.  We will then notify you as soon as possible and tell you where your child is being treated. 

Medicine Management

1.   We DO NOT give any medication. This includes prescription and over the counter medications such as:

a.   Anti-histamines (medicines that help stop allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes, sneezing and a runny nose)

b.   Non–steroidal anti–inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): such as, Advil, Ibuprofen, Motrin, …etc.

c.   Non-aspirin pain relievers and fever reducers, such as Tylenol …etc.

d.   Cough medicine

e.   Decongestants

f.    Allergy medicine: such as Benadryl…etc.

g.   Anti-itching creams

h.   Diaper ointments and powders

i.    Sunscreen

2.   For the safety of your child, the medicine you give at home needs to be documented daily on the calendar in your child’s chart for confidentiality. If 911 were to be called, they need to know what is in the child’s body, even if it is cold medicine. HONESTY PLEASE!

Ill Children

1.  Each child will be observed daily for signs of illness.

2.   Children who are contagious must stay at home.  All clients of children in our care, as well as the Health Department, will be notified by phone of communicable diseases or food poisoning.

3.   Please call us if your child will not be coming due to illness.  If you are unsure if your child should come or not, please call.

4.   If a child should become ill during the day, you will be notified immediately and will be expected to pick up the child as soon as possible.  In such event, your child will be isolated from the other children until you arrive.

5.   The parent is responsible for finding substitute care in case of the child's illness.

6.   The following illnesses are not accepted in our child care home per instruction of the Department of Public Health:

• Diarrhea:  Three or more watery stools in a 24-hour period, especially if child acts or looks ill.

• Vomiting:  Vomiting on two or more occasions within the past 24 hours.

• Rash:  Body rash not associated with diapering, heat or allergic reactions, especially with fever or itching.

• Eyes:  Thick mucus or pus draining from the eye, or pink eye.

• Appearance/Behavior:  unusually tired, pale, lack of appetite, difficult to wake, confused or irritable.

• Sore Throat:  Especially if associated with fever or swollen glands in the neck.

• Fever:  Temperature of 101 degrees F. or higher and sore throat, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, ear ache, irritability or confusion.

• Lice:  Children who have lice may not return to day care until they are louse and nit (egg) free.

Please keep your child home until all symptoms are gone.

7.   To protect other children in the child care home, children who are found to have a contagious disease will be removed from the child care home right away and won’t be allowed to return to our child care home until a written permission is authorized by your doctor or the Health Department.

8.   All children must be up to date on their immunizations. Clients are required to send us a copy of your children’s current immunization record. Clients are required to update your children’s immunization record once a new shot is performed. 

Please read "Keeping Your Ill Child at Home" from the Seattle-King County Department of Public Health.

Hand Washing Practices

We (children and adults) will be washing our hands before and after preparing food, when handling pets, after playing outdoors, after diapering or using the toilet, and whenever in contact with body fluids.

We encourage clients to model hand washing in our child care as well as at home.

Injury Prevention

We will check daily to make certain that both the indoor and outdoor play areas are safe for children and families – free from broken glass, toys and equipment are safe and the area is free from hazards.  All medications, cleaning products and chemicals will be inaccessible to the children. 

Food Handling Practices

Food safety precautions are taken. All vegetables and fruits are washed with running water. Prepared food is stored at appropriate temperature. Meat, fish, and egg are heated to be steaming hot in order to reduce food borne illness. Hot food preparation is done in kitchen, where children are not allowed.

Disaster Response Plan 

In the case of a disaster of any kind, we have prepared our family child care for evacuating the children and have emergency supplies for up to seventy-two hours.

Emergency supplies include:

·        Drinking water

·        Non-perishable food

·        First aid supplies

·        Battery operated radio

·        Flashlights and extra batteries

·        Fire extinguisher

·        Diapers and formula for infants

·        Emergency documents and phone numbers

·        Garbage bags

The children will practice emergency procedures and evacuation on a regular basis.  We have practiced turning off water, power and gas.  Shelving, furniture and heavy objects on high shelves have been secured to protect against falling. We continually check our home for potential hazards.

Fire Safety

Posted on the parent information board is a copy of our fire evacuation plan. Fire drills are given once a month. In the event of a fire, clients will be notified as soon as possible. Smoke detectors in both floors are checked regularly.

Parent/Provider Communication

Developing methods for keeping communication flowing freely is an important part of each staff member’s responsibility. Parent input is very important to us; please feel free to discuss any concerns you may have with us at any time.

Checklist of Child Care Supplies

Expectations

Ø      You can expect us to

o       set limits and boundaries for non-desirable behavior.

o       give your child positive reinforcement and encouragement in all they do.

o       provide your child with a loving and safe place to be.

o       expose your child to many different experiences.

o       provide developmentally appropriate activities.

o       provide nutritionally balanced meals and snacks.

o       have a genuine concern for your child and their needs

o       have a open, honest communication with you about your child

Ø      We expect from you, the clients

o       to discuss with us any concerns you may have.

o       to pick-up and drop-off at your contracted times or call when you will be earlier or later.

o       to notify us when you are not coming.

o       to take an interest in your child's day.

o       to make prompt payments of fees

o       to have an open and honest communication with us.

Ø      We expect your child(ren)

o      to respect the child care provider(s)

o      to respect others and property.

o      to treat others kindly.

o      to take turns and share.

o      to be polite and use their words.

o      not to bite, push, hit or throw objects.

o      to help pick up after themselves.

Ø      The rules in our family child care include

o        Listen to the teacher(s)

o       Respect others and property.

o       Treat others kindly.

o       Take turns & share.

o       Be polite & use nice/kind words.

o       Help pick up after yourself.

o       No pushing, hitting, or throwing objects.

o       No using words like dumb, stupid or shut-up.

o       No climbing on the furniture or jumping off furniture.

o       No bully.