GREAT BEGINNINGS EARLY LEARNING CENTER POLICIES
	Program At Great Beginnings Early Learning Center your child’s individual talents, skills and abilities will be nurtured in a loving and compassionate environment. Learning is encouraged through art, science, language, math, recreational play, individual and group dynamics and in the active engagement of the mind, fine motor skills and creativity of your early learner. Great Beginnings operates under a GROUP CARE MODEL and is comprised of qualified staff with a passion to support the developmental, spiritual, educational, recreational and psychological growth of young children ages 6 weeks to 5 years of age. Our center comprises of two programs. The Nursery Program for children in the ages from 6 weeks up to 2 years old while the Preschool Program is for children in the ages of 2 years old to Pre-Kindergarten entrance. We are a privately owned and operated Christian Center working with a rigorous Christian Academic Curriculum designed to encourage the healthy adjustment of children as they enter into the community of learning; with a focus on providing tools for them to learn sharing, compassion, patience, honesty, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. We develop children’s educational and spiritual capacities along with their abilities to grow, learn, play and explore the world around them.
	Hours of Operation Great Beginnings Early Learning center is open from the Eastern Standard Time hours of 7:30am to 6:00pm for our Infants andToddlers classes and 7:00am to 6:00pm for our Preschool 2-Pre-5 Program, Monday to Friday except on Holidays, Staff Development Days and due to inclement weather when the City of Alexandria Public School system is closed.
	Teachers Our teachers are specially chosen for their dedication to meeting the educational, spiritual, social and developmental needs of children. Each member of our staff meets or exceeds the qualifications set by state law. Also, our teachers participate in continuing education programs and training sessions designed to further improve their teaching skills and understanding of child development and early childhood education.
	Infants We provide a nurturing atmosphere to encourage physical and emotional growth and development. Developing a feeling of security and positive attachment in an infant is our most important task. Parents will be responsible for providing diapers, bottles, pre-mixed formula and baby food. Each infant’s clothing, blankets, crib sheets, bottles, and personal effects must be labeled with the infant’s name and date for perishable items (i.e. formula, breast milk, solid) that are sent home or disposed of daily. Your child must have extra pairs of clothing, bibs, and crib sheets at the center each day. All items will be sent home for cleaning at the end of each day. A new set of extras must be provided the following school day. Toddlers We provide Licensed Catered meals beginning in our Toddler Classroom. The Toddlers have both A Beka and teacher directed components of their lesson plans. We begin a more structured program in this age group to get the children ready for Preschool, which starts at 2 years old to 5 years of age. Your child must have 3 sippy cups, extra pairs of clothing, 3 bibs and crib sheets at the center each day. All items will be sent home for cleaning at the end of each day or at the end of the week if not soiled. A new set of extras must be provided the following Monday or when soiled.
	Pre-school Curriculum Our Christian curriculum is carefully designed to meet each child's individual needs. We involve all our children in the learning process. We believe that no child is too young to learn with the use of developmentally appropriate activities. The content and experience offered vary according to the age of the children. Each day children at our center complete a bible-based activity during their day. Staff also incorporates techniques into the program as a supplement to the curriculum.
	A broad lesson plan is emailed and posted at the start of the school week for parents to keep informed of their child(ren)'s class activities. Lessons should include activities to enhance skills in: • Pre-and Beginning Reading and Pre-and Beginning Math • Christian Biblical understanding and character building • Nature & Science • Arts & Crafts • Fine and Gross Motor Skills • Music & Dance • Social Skills & Recreational Play Please check the lesson plan for your child's class so that you can be aware of their learning and can supplement your child's experiences each week.
	Art Here at Great Beginnings Early Learning Center, Art activities are a very important part of fostering and expressing creativity in your early learner. This may take the form of free expression with crayons or paint or may be a teacher-directed craft. Emphasis is always on the process, not the finished product. It is most important that the child create his own work of art.
	Music & Movement Children are given many opportunities to express themselves through music and dance. The children sing, dance and participate in creative movement exercises that provide opportunities for rhythm, listening and self-expression. Classical music is played daily during periods of rest. In the classroom the children may sing and move to DVD’s and CD’s or participate in other activities using various forms of music (including Enrichment courses for our Preschool programs).
	Field Trips Field Trips are activities that are planned off of the center premises. At this time we conduct field trips in our classes ages 3 years and older. Field trips are both fun and educational. All field trips are posted. A signed permission slip will be required before any child may participate in a field trip and money due for the field trip is to be paid in advance. Parents are welcome to accompany their children on field trips. Parents must provide their own transportation. Some children may not be allowed to attend field trips if their behavior threatens the security of the child or the group. Parents will be informed if their child does not attend a scheduled field trip for which they gave permission.
	Special Activities Special Activities are activities in addition to our regular program but occur on center premises, i.e. music, gymnastics, etc. We feel children benefit from real-life and hands-on experiences. Therefore, special activities are provided. Any money due for the special activities is to be paid in advance to the provider. Some children may not be allowed to participate in special activities if their behavior threatens the participation/enjoyment of the group.
	Rest Time After lunch, a rest period is provided for 16 months to 5 yr old classes. To protect your child’s health we provide a sanitized cot. Parents will need to furnish a small blanket and sheet with the child’s name clearly marked on it. Blankets and sheets should be taken home weekly for laundering. Rest time is a requirement of the state regulations but as long as children do not disturb other children they are not required to go to sleep.
	Food GBELC provides a catered lunch for children in the Toddler Class up to Preschool (these are children who are able to eat table foods). Our catering is provided by Fairfax Food Service, a fully licensed catering service specializing in highly nutritional meals for early learners. Parents whose children must have a lunch provided from home due to dietary or religious reasons will not be reimbursed for the cost of meals. Meals from home must be provided in a temperature-controlled container labeled with the child’s name and the date. All uneaten portions will be disposed of at the end of each day. If the parent provides home based meals, Great Beginnings Early Learning Center is not responsible for its nutritional value or meeting child’s daily food needs. Please check with the center Director before bringing food items to be shared with the other children at the center. Due to Health Department Regulations, all food items brought into the center must be from a commercial source i.e. all baked goods must be brought from the bakery. Arrangements can be made with the Director if you would like to provide a snack for a birthday party or special event. Birthdays may be celebrated at the Center, but presents are not to be exchanged.
	Clothing and Center Deemed Inappropriate Attire Children are permitted to wear comfortable, safe shoes and clothing in any color, style or design of their choosing so long as outfits and dress attire do not contain any dark or scary symbols or slogans including Halloween type characters, skulls, violent scenes or characters. Please label all clothing and personal articles including lovies, pillow pets or naptime objects. Please bring an extra set of clothing to be kept at the center. Soiled clothing should be taken home and replaced with a fresh set the next day. If dressed in a way deemed inappropriate or scary to others the Center has the discretion to have the parent bring a change of clothing and to request your child never wear those items to school again.
	Discipline We believe that your child should have a healthy self-esteem. A healthy self-image comes from positive experiences like being praised for good behavior and repeatedly experiencing success. Our Guidelines for discipline are fair, consistent and encourage children to make wise decisions. At Great Beginnings Early Learning Center, discipline consists of positive reinforcement, redirection or “sit and watch”. The use of physical punishment is against the policy of the center and the law.
	Behavior Modification In an effort to maintain a quality group care program and to ensure the safety of all children in care; Great Beginnings Early Learning Center reserves the right to remove from our program any child whose behavior in any way threatens the safety or security and well being of the other children in the group. Unacceptable or unsafe behavior that falls under this policy includes but is not limited to: biting, pinching, scratching, hitting, shoving, sexually suggestive behavior, spitting, kicking, obscene behavior or the use of expletives, bullying, threats and any other form of physical contact or behavior that could result in harm or intimidation of other children in the group or harm to themselves or others. While keeping all the children safe is the center’s top priority, we will make every effort to work with families whose children are exhibiting such behavior to get the behavior modified so that the child can be safe in a group care model where appropriate and with active engagement by parents at home and school. However, in instances where there is no parent participation or in which the behavior cannot be modified, the center will have no other option than to terminate care. In serious cases or where deemed appropriate by the Director the center may terminate care immediately with or without prior notice or reports.
	Enrollment Requirements and Forms For your child’s safety and to comply with state regulations, all enrollment papers must be completed, and on file in the Center BEFORE your child attends Great Beginnings Early Learning Center. These forms include an enrollment application, parent agreement form, health forms and a notarized custody declaration (if applicable); we must view a Birth Certificate or other form of identification for your child before they can be accepted into care. Medical forms including up-to-date immunization records, physician’s statement, necessary emergency medical contact information and emergency medical authorization must be provided at enrollment, whenever your child receives shots and annually for physical exams. Your child may not receive care until all of these forms are updated annually or bi-annually as required by law.
	Tuition and Enrollment Fees An enrollment fee is due upon successful enrollment of your child into the program. A re-enrollment fee will be due each September 1. The enrollment and re-enrollment fees cover supplemental insurance, administrative costs and supplies. (An extra fee may be charged for additional educational materials.) Enrollment fees are not refundable. If you should withdraw your child during the year and return later, a new enrollment fee will be charged. Full tuition is due to the center on the 1st and the 15th or on the 1st monthly. Great Beginnings Early Learning Center does not have part-time student enrollment. Holidays are counted as a day present.
	Methods of Payment All tuition fees are due and payable in advance on your child’s first day of attendance in the given month or week. A bookkeeping fee of $50 will be charged on the unpaid balance if the full tuition is not paid by the 5th of the month for monthly payments; or the 5th and 20th for bi-weekly payments. Your child will not be admitted to Great Beginnings Early Learning Center until full payment is made. Credit card payments will NOT be authorized. All payments, except for the security deposit and enrollment fee, must be made by ACH Debit or by Certified Funds (Money Order or Certified Check). A $35 fee will be charged for all returned payments. Failure to make payments as scheduled may lead to suspension or termination of enrollment. Please note that the bookkeeping issues electronic receipts for all payments received by the 7th of every month. Parents who lose their receipts and need a re=print will be charged a $5 fee for each re-printed receipt.
	Vacation for Students You may remove your child from the center for vacation, however a two-week notice is appreciated. Full tuition is still required in order to maintain your child’s enrollment at Great Beginnings Early Learning Center. For this reason there will be NO REDUCTION IN YOUR TUITION for absenteeism or vacation. Excessive absence may result in termination of care as we operate a learning center where children who miss out on school activities may be educationally affected or disrupt the group care learning of their peers when teachers have to spend individual time in trying to catch them up on the educational milestones missed.
	Holidays Great Beginnings Early Learning Center observes all federal holidays including: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. In addition to these, the center is a Christian establishment and is also closed on Good Friday, the day after Thanksgiving and the day after Christmas. The center also closes outright or early at 2:00pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, and will close on three (3) staff development days with a 30 day notice. If a holiday falls on a non-work day, please follow the federal governments closing schedule for that holiday. An annual holiday schedule will be provided to you. Due to fixed costs, averaged over a calendar year, there is NO reduction in tuition for these holidays and staff trainings or closure days. Tuition charges for these holidays and center closures will be calculated as though the child was present, if it is the child’s regularly scheduled day of attendance. When one of the holidays falls on a weekend, the Holiday may be taken on Friday or Monday. The center will post which day.
	Late Pick Up Charge Parents who pick up their children after their regular closing time (10 hour maximum) and/or center closing of 6:00pm, will be charged a late fee of one dollar per minute. This charge must be paid to the Director in the morning of the next school day. If there has been no communication from parents, legal authorities will be contacted as required by law for children left at the center one hour after the closing time of the center.
	Absenteeism and Suspension or Termination of Care In an effort to maintain a quality program and proper staffing, please notify the Center by email  if your child will be absent on a scheduled day of attendance. Parents have a legal right to enter the center at any time during operating hours to visit with their children. Regular Daily Attendance in our Preschool is a requirement as we are working with a rigorous Christian Curriculum that requires the students to have an active learning module that will prepare them for Kindergarten entry beginning at 2 years of age. All enrolled children must arrive to school no later than 9:30am in order to ensure children are tracking along with their teachers and peers and are able to stay abreast of the learning requirements for the daily and weekly lesson plan. Children who miss several days of the curriculum may not be able to keep up with the learning concepts that are introduced in the lesson plan daily, and thereby may lose their placement at the center as Great Beginnings' operates under a group care model.
	Daily Admittance In order to maintain a quality group care program and ensure proper staffing, parents are required to notify the center by email no later than 9:00am if their child(ren) will be coming in late. In the event that a child arrives any time after 10:00am without the center being previously notified, the child will not be able to join the class that day and the parents will be informed that their child must return on the next school day. The educational learning and cohesive learning of our students is our top priority and the center takes this mandate seriously. There will be no tuition refunds issued in cases where admittance is denied due to lateness without prior Director written notification.
	Arrival and Departure Upon arrival parents are required by state law, to leave the child in the care of a staff member. Both the parent and the staff member are responsible for the care of the child and must sign each child in and out daily. Great Beginnings Early Learning Center will not release your child to anyone, other than those authorized on your child’s enrollment form, without written authorization from the parent. Parents have a legal right to enter the center at any time during operating hours to visit with their children. Valid State ID (Identification) will be checked for ANY person we do not recognize on sight and for all contacts on the emergency pickup list. Children will not be released to other children, i.e. older brothers and sisters,   unless that sibling is at least 16 years old and those not specifically listed for pick up on the enrollment form or approved in advance by the Director in writing. Please do not allow your child to leave the building ahead of you or walk unattended on the street. Your cooperation will help ensure the safety of your child.
	Inclement Weather Policy If Alexandria Schools are closed; Great Beginnings Early Learning Center is closed. If Alexandria City Public Schools open late, Great Beginnings Early Learning Centers will open late. If Alexandria City Public Schools close early, we will close early. Please always call our main number (703-224-2599) to verify our opening and closing status. Tuition will not be adjusted due to inclement weather and is due in full or termination or suspension of care may result in accordance with payment scheduled requirements for tuition.
	Bringing Things from Home Toys are not to be brought from home unless specifically requested for “show and tell” by the teacher or are used by the child at rest time to make him/her feel more secure. We strongly advise against sending your child’s special items to school and do not condone jewelry, scary, dark or violent toys or symbols at school including skulls, action figures, guns, or other items deemed inappropriate by the center. Teachers will confiscate such items and parents must retrieve them from the Directors office the next school day. Other toys can be easily lost or broken and can become sources of conflict between children. Great Beginnings Early Learning Center will not be responsible for toys brought to the center and their demise or condition is lost, damaged or if they are given away or taken home by another family.
	Lost articles We will not replace lost or damaged articles. If your child brings money or something valuable to Great Beginnings Early Learning Center, it is important that the teacher or Director be informed so that they can be confiscated until the parent is able to pick them up the next school day from the Director. Please check in lost and found if an item is missing, where available in the classroom or center. Lost and found items will be cleaned out periodically and donated to a charitable organization.
	Illness Parents must notify the Center immediately, within 24 hours or on the next business day if a child or anyone in your household has been exposed to or has contracted a communicable disease outside the Center. Children must remain away from the center until 24 hours after they and/or the household is symptom free) as defined by the State Board of Health, except of the case of life threatening diseases that must be reported immediately. Policies and guidelines related to outbreaks of communicable diseases and illnesses in this facility have been developed with the help of the local health department and local pediatricians in order to protect the group as a whole as well as the health of your own child. Your child should be kept at home if he shows any sign of illness. If they have or have experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 24 hours they must to be kept at home and away from this facility and will be sent home if:   Ø      A fever of 100* orally or 99 under the arm. Ø      Signs of a newly developed cough or a severe cough. Ø      Diarrhea, vomiting, or an upset stomach. Ø      Unusual or unexplained loss of appetite, fatigue, irritability, or headache. Ø      Any discharge or drainage from the eyes, nose, ears, or open sores. Ø      At the centers discretion If a child is inactive, lethargic or not acting themselves. Children who show signs or symptoms listed above will be asked to be picked up As Soon As Possible. If a child becomes ill at the center, parents will be notified and asked to pick the child up within one hour. A child and their household must be free of the contagious illness (i.e. fever, vomiting and diarrhea) for 24 hours before returning to the Center. I appreciate your cooperation with this policy. If you have any questions concerning this policy and whether your child should attend, please call the center at 703-224-2599 or email the Director at any hour at childcare@greatbeginningsva.com. The Center has permission to take such reasonable measures as are, in the judgment of the Center, necessary for the welfare and safety of the child. In the case of emergency medical care, all medical bills are to be sent directly to the parent or guardian. In case of illness or accident, when a parent cannot be contacted by the Center, if in the judgment of the Center, a physician is required; one may be called or a child may be transported by emergency personnel at the parent’s expense.
	Medication Policy No prescription or over the counter medication will be given out or administered by any staff member at Great Beginnings. The only exception to this policy is in the case non- prescription diaper crème and emergency, life-saving medication such as an EpiPen (provided by the parent with the required medical paperwork) which will be administered by a trained Staff Member and Emergency Medical Services (911) will be called. Parents may also come into the center to administer medication to their children when they are in care.
	Injuries The staff at Great Beginnings Early Learning Center make every effort to ensure the safety of your child. Unfortunately, accidents may occur. In caring for your child, we realize that you will want to be aware of your child’s injuries or illnesses that occur at the center. In case of a minor accidental injury, we will administer first-aid including cleaning wounds with mild soap and water. In case of a serious accidental injury, we will make every attempt to contact you for instructions and will call 911. If we cannot reach you, we will call the person you have indicated on the enrollment form to make medical emergency decisions about your child. Please keep these numbers updated on all enrollment forms. Your signed emergency medical release will also assist us in getting prompt medical attention in case a parent/guardian cannot be reached. Great Beginnings Early Learning Center’s main concern is and will always be the health and safety of your child. A report will be provided to you for signature and kept on file for any accident, incident, illness or injury at the center. All reports are available to you for your child at request. All child information is confidential and the identity and sex of any other children involved is confidential and may not be disclosed as required by law.
	Release Great Beginnings Early Learning Center reserves the right to use pictures, images and expressions of students in publications, informational brochures, on our website or flyers and other communications. By signing/enrolling your child with Great Beginnings Early Learning Center you give expressed permission and consent for Great Beginnings Early Learning Center to use students images or pictures and expressions in publications, informational brochures, flyers, communications or Great Beginnings materials without compensation to the child or family.
	Parent Comments We are always interested in your comments, both positive and negative, regarding the care and education that your child receives at Great Beginnings Early Learning Center. Your child's teacher and center Director should be the first contacts for a parent's constructive criticism. The Director has an open door policy and can be reached at the center, via phone, email or in person at your convenience. The use of expletives are never appropriate at or regarding others and may result in termination of childcare contracts or a meeting with the Director. We also provide a means for parents to leave an anonymous comment in the Director’s Comment box at the entryway of the center.
	Building and Site Evacuation, Fire Drills and in Case of Emergency The Head Teacher in each class will make a quick assessment of the situation in the classroom and of any injuries, if applicable, to the children or adults. The teacher will perform a head count to ensure that all children are present. The Director or Designee will evaluate the evacuation route to be sure that it appears clear of obstructions. The Director or Designee will give instructions to evacuate via the walkie-talkies or verbally. If possible and time allows, the teachers and aides in each class will have children take their jackets and coats. The Director or Designee will gather all pertinent information, health care supplies, and essential documents and take the following items: ·     Disaster supplies which are stored in the supply closet ·    Class/staff attendance sheets and visitor sign-in sheets ·    Children’s emergency and medical information/supplies           ·        Director’s cell phone and a walkie talkie ·     Emergency evacuation bag Staff should assemble children 2 by 2 to evacuate the building (preferably one teacher leading the children and one teacher following behind). Young toddlers will be evacuated by adults carrying them out of the building or walking with them hand in hand and infants in the evacuation cribs. The Director or Designee will call 911. The teacher for each class will perform a head count and take attendance and report it to the Director or Designee. The teacher will have children sit down if possible. If safe to do so, the Director or Designee will search the building for anyone missing. If there is a gas leak or other incident that requires individuals be located further away from the child care, the Director or Designee will have teachers move children to the predesignated emergency evaluation area (700 N. Washington Street) or no less than one block from the child care center. The Director or Designee will evaluate the situation with the help of responding agencies (fire, police, etc.) and determine if it is safe to enter building. If not, a determination will be made for if it is necessary to move to the alternate site location (700 N. Washington Street), or to stay put until it is safe to re-enter the building. The Director or Designee will notify parents immediately if evacuation looks to be long term or if children are moved to our alternate site location. The Director or Designee will report the incident to DSS and the licensing inspector. The Director or Designee will complete a written incident report at the earliest opportunity. All parents will be notified of incident(s) as soon as possible. Site Evacuation: If it is determined that staff and children will be moved to the alternate emergency location, 700 N. Washington Street, the teachers for each class will pair children together with a designated teacher or aide and will perform a head count before and after meeting at the emergency evaluation location. The Director or Designee will call the appropriate agencies (fire, 911, paramedics), gather all pertinent information, health care supplies, essential documents and the Director or Designee should bring the following items to the alternate sites: ·        disaster supplies which are stored in the supply closet ·        class/staff attendance sheets and visitor sign-in sheets ·        children’s emergency and medical information/supplies ·        Director’s cell phone and a walkie talkie ·        evacuation bag Children will walk with the teachers to the alternate site location. (If they are un-able to walk they will be carried or pushed in the evacuation crib.) Once at the alternate site location, the teacher will take head counts and attendance again and report it to the Director or Designee. Teachers must remain with their group of children until the children are picked up by parents or emergency contacts. The Director or Designee will continue to communicate with parents and coordinate pick-up of children. The Director or Designee will report the incident to DSS and the licensing inspector. The Director or Designee will complete an incident report at the earliest opportunity.
	Child Abuse Child abuse and neglect are against the law in Virginia, and so is failure to report suspected cases of child abuse. If we/you suspect a child has been abused or neglected, the law requires that we/you make a report immediately without consulting the parent. Persons making reports in good faith are protected by law from liability, and their identities are kept confidential. Persons making false and malicious reports are open to the scrutiny and discretion of the criminal justice system. To report to The Center for Alexandria’s Children, call the special toll-free Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-552-7096 or 703-838-0800, voice or TDD). You can call (703) 838-0800) or also visit the Center for Alexandria’s Children website at www.centerforalexandriaschildren.org. Please contact the center Director about any questions or concerns you as a parent may have.
	Termination Great Beginnings Early Learning Center reserves the right to remove a child from our program with or without notice or prior communications or meetings with parents for any good cause reason or if we have concerns that the child may threaten the safety and educational learning of others in their class; or may hurt themselves or others; or if they are bullying, sexually suggestive, threatening, physically or emotionally intimidating; or if they are excessively absent from school and unable to track along with their peers, as we operate under a group care module; or if we feel we are not capable of providing the appropriate care for their needs.   To terminate this agreement, families must provide a written 30 day notice to the Director. If you choose to terminate without the appropriate written notice, you will be responsible for paying for the remainder of the time.