Child Care Policies

Hours of Operation, Late Fees, and Holding Fees

 

A Step Ahead Child Care is open from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

 

Your specific hours will be outlined on your Child Care Welcome form.  We require a weeks notice if you need to change your enrollment hours.

 

If your child is picked up later than 6:00 PM the first 7 min are free and then after there will be a late fee of $1.00 per minute charged.  The only exception to this would be if prior arrangements have been made and approved.

  

Weekly Rates

This fee entitles your child to care Monday through Friday for the specific times outlined on your Child Care Welcome Form.

 

Enrollment Requirements

 

Before your child can be in our care,  We require the following to be completed.  There are no exceptions to this. 

 

• A personal interview with the parents and child(ren)
• All paperwork -- including KS Department Medical 
• Record/Immunization/Physical form -- must be signed and completed with proper emergency contacts and phone numbers 
• Enrollment and first week’s payment must be made in full.

Payment Information

 

Payment for childcare is expected by 6:00 PM Fridays for the upcoming week. Your weekly payment is expected by 6:00 PM, whether your child attended that Friday or not. Payment is due regardless of your childs attendance for the week(s). A late fee of $5.00 will be charged daily, beginning at 7:00 PM Friday for everyday you are late on your payment unless arrangements have been made.  All drop-in’s will be charged by the hour and pay for a minimum of 4 hours.  We count on A Step Ahead’s income to pay bills just like you count on your paycheck from your employer.  Fees are necessary to operate A Step Ahead.  Your weekly fee holds one position open that is for your child only.  There is a $29.00 fee for checks written on insufficient funds.  This includes stop payment or any other reason your check might not clear.

 

What to Bring on Your Child's First Day

  

• A bag of diapers, box of wipes, and any diaper-rash creams, lotions, powders, etc.
• A crib sheet and small blanket
• Any security object your child may need to adjust or nap with.
• Bring at least two changes of clothes for your child, including socks.
• If you want your child to use a cup from home, please bring one.  Otherwise, I will provide one.  
• Label all items with first and last name.

  

Naptime

 

Naptime directly follows lunch.  During naptime, children of all ages -- with the exception of infants on their own schedules -- will be expected to rest quietly and sleep if they choose. 

 

Sick Policy and Medications

 

If your child exhibits any of the following symptoms, they must be sent home:

 

1. Diarrhea – more than one abnormally loose stool;
2. Severe coughing – if the child gets red or blue in the face or makes high-pitched croupy or whooping sounds after coughing;
3. Difficult or rapid breathing;
4. Yellowish skin or eyes;
5. Pinkeye – tears, redness of eyelid lining, irritation, followed by swelling or discharge of pus;
6. Unusual spots or rashes;
7. Sore throat or trouble swallowing;
8. An infected skin patch(es) – crusty, bright yellow, dry or gummy areas of the skin;
9. Unusually dark, tea-colored urine;
10. Grey or white stool;
11. Fever over 100° F by mouth or 99° F under the arm;
12. Headache and stiff neck;
13. Vomiting more than once
14. Severe itching of the body or scalp, or scratching of the scalp.  These may be symptoms of lice or scabies.

 

Before returning your child must be symptom free for 24 hours without the help of Tylenol, Motrin or other symptom masking medications. 

 

Please do not bring a sick child to A Step Ahead.  If you bring a child to daycare who is ill, you are not only risking infecting the other children, you are risking infecting your providers.  When both providers are sick, A Step Ahead is closed.  I’m sure you would not appreciate it if another child care parent brought their sick child and your child became sick.  Please have the common courtesy to keep your child at home or have an emergency back up provider for these situations or incase of any emergencies that may arise. 

 

If medication is to be given to your child during childcare hours, a medication dosing form must be filled out stating the type of medication, the amounts to be given and dosage times.

 

 Meals and Snacks

 

A nutritious breakfast, lunch, am and afternoon snack are provided for the children daily.  A monthly calendar will be given with our menu every 1st of the month.

 

Discipline Procedures

 

Time-outs are the only form of discipline used at A Step Ahead Child Care.  Before a child is ever put into time-out they have multiple chances to correct the unacceptable behavior.  Time-outs last one minute per year of age.  After a time-out has occurred we will discuss with the child why they were placed in time-out and what they can do differently next time to prevent it.  We also use positive reinforcements daily with the children.  When a child is following the rules we let them know they are doing a great job. We will  go over all the rules with the children and teach them ways we can treat others with respect.

 

Pick-Up Child

 

If someone other than yourself is picking up your child, you must notify me beforehand.  The person picking up your child must show a driver’s license or picture identification if we have never met them in person before.

 

 Termination of Child Care Services

 

We may terminate your child’s enrollment, effective immediately, if your child’s behavior threatens the physical and/or emotional well–being of one or more of the other children.  We may also terminate your child’s enrollment, effective immediately, if you are verbally or physically abusive or threatening to us in any way.

 

If you decide to terminate your child’s enrollment, you are required to give us either a 2-weeks written notice or 2-weeks payment so that I have time to replace him or her.  We will give you at least two week’s written notice if I can no longer watch your child(ren).

 

Refund/Credit Information

 

No refunds or credits will be given for any reason.  The only exception to this would be if we choose to terminate childcare services and you have already paid in advance for the upcoming week(s).  In that case we will refund the advanced payment(s).  Payment for the final week will still be expected in full.

 

Vacations and Closings

 

Please notify us at least 2 weeks in advance if you will be taking a vacation.  You will still be charged for the days your child is not here.

 

A Step Ahead will be closed for the following paid holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day and The Day After 
• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Please make alternative arrangements ahead of time for childcare on these days.

 

We do not expect you to bring by any payments for childcare on the days we are closed.  However, you will be expected to pay in advance for the upcoming week on the last day your child is in my care prior to any paid holiday.  Example:  If we are closed on Friday, a normal payday, you should pay on Thursday for the upcoming week.  If you would like, you can post-date a check for the Friday the payment would normally be due.  We will also be closed on either the up coming Monday or Friday before if the holiday falls on the weekend.

 

We will also be taking off a week of paid vacation at some point each year. You will be notified of the dates at least a month in advance so you can make other arrangements for your child.

 

Please remember that vacations days and holidays are necessary to avoid provider burnout.  We work very hard to provide you with high quality and reliable childcare 12 hours a day, 5 days a week.  The hard work and dedication we give to each family should be worth the paid time we are asking for. It is your responsibility to notify us of any changes in address, phone number, hours of childcare, or any other important information we need.