Services - Luisa's Child Care in Amarillo, TX

Teaching Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

My Childcare Services

Children’s healthy development

depends on safe and

positive experiences

during the first few years of their life.

This is why the first years of a child’s life

are, by far, the most important.

⏰

A lot of parents need to work

during these early years

and it has been my pleasure

to be able to provide

loving care for their child.

💙💚

I believe that exploration,

exposure to language and reading,

are all important building blocks

in the healthy development of your child.

📚

Luisa’s Child Care is rated as one

of the best Home Daycares,

and safest Listed Family Homes,

in Amarillo Texas.

🌻

My program provides loving care and

early education to children,

aged 8 weeks to 4 years old.

🦋

My childcare curriculum plan has

been created to fill the day

with fun lessons and activities

that meet the developmental needs

of all the children in my care.

🍎

Having a well thought out

childcare curriculum in a safe,

nurturing, and stimulating

environment ensures that

my childcare program will

keep offering families the level

of quality that they deserve.

🔔

At Luisa’s Child care

your child will feel comfortable

and relaxed while learning through

one-on-one sessions and more!

🖍

I provide all equipment, furniture, and

supplies needed for childcare.

They are cleaned and sanitized 🧼as needed,

and on a daily basis for the children’s health & safety.

🧸

Parents are required to provide

disposable diapers, wipes,

and baby food as needed for their child.

🍼

Car seats are not allowed at Daycare
due to limited space,

and because baby is required
to be awake upon arrival

for their Daily Health Check.

🚗

⚠️ INFANTS ARE NOT ALLOWED

TO SLEEP IN A CAR SEAT

WHILE ATTENDING ANY
TYPE OF CHILD CARE,

WHETHER IT’S A COMMERCIAL

DAY CARE CENTER

OR AN IN-HOME DAY CARE.

👶

Infants are aware of their surroundings

when they are awake.

Therefore, knowing they are being

dropped off at Daycare

by their Parent or legal guardian and

by receiving a friendly greeting

by their Childcare Provider every morning,

helps infants feel secure

and adapt well to their Daycare’s

environment & daily routine.

♥️

If supplies are needed at Daycare,

parents may drop them off at pick up time.

🎁

As a Complimentary Service,

Parents receive a “Daily Record”
in writing of their child’s

Meal & Snack times, Diaper times, and Nap times 😴.

✏️

Also, I am bilingual and will be happy

to speak to your child

the language spoken at home,

may it be American English or Spanish.

😊

MY CHILD CARE SERVICE GOALS;

🟩Every child is an individual
who has his/her own rate

of physical development and own pace of learning.

Each child is accepted, loved, nurtured,

and taught as an individual with this thought in mind.

🟨Encourage and build child’s
imagination and creativity.

🟧Instill a greater sense of self-worth

and encourage self-confidence.

🟥Provide activities and an environment

that will nurture the child’s self-esteem.

🟦Above all else, do my best to have the child gain

and keep a positive self-image.

🟪Every child is guided through the day with positive

reinforcement in all activities,

always encouraged to try or try again,

and is never pressured into
participation of any activity.

🟫Discipline is always handled on this belief;

The child is a good person and it is his/her behavior

that is unacceptable and needs to be changed

or guided to a more acceptable means of expression.

Children grow and learn so much

during their first three years!

The changes babies and toddlers

go through are made up

of different skills,
like walking and talking.

These skills, or Developmental Milestones,

can help you know how your baby is doing.

At Luisa’s Child Care,

families receive the support

they need to help their children

reach their potential.

About My Facilities and Admissions

Luisa’s Child Care in Amarillo TX

offers the best care for children

aged 8 weeks to 5 years old,

or until child starts Kindergarten!

*AGE REQUIREMENT FOR “NEW” ENROLLMENTS*

NEWBORN TO FIVE MONTHS OLD

Children aged 6 months and older are required to enroll in a two week Trial Period, with a two week NON-REFUNDABLE paid Deposit. Rate will be based on child’s age! However, Luisa’s Child Care and the child’s parents reserve the right to terminate
the Childcare Enrollment at any time‼️

😎 Summer Child Care Program🌻

Age Requirement

Three To Five Years Old

Finding quality childcare can be

a challenge for parents,

one that often takes a lot of time,

research, and effort!

Before you start searching,

you need to decide what

type of childcare you are most interested in.

It can take some time to weigh
your options and find the right fit.

As a parent you might be stressing
whether a Daycare Center
or Home Based Child Care

is better for your little one.
You might also be considering
to hire a Nanny, or a full-time babysitter.

The option is entirely dependent
on what you value
and consider important to you
for raising your child.

The best decision is an informed one, and

at Luisa’s Child Care you receive all the

information you need about our child care

services in order to help you
make a decision that you

and your child will be happy with.

Since my Daycare Program

is operated in my home,

the number of children who
attend is smaller
than a Daycare Center, and
there is a mixed age-group.

This promotes the feeling of a family setting

rather than a classroom setting.

It goes without saying,
but your budget really

needs to support whatever

child care option you pick.

On the other hand, as a Childcare Provider,

I also need to know if my time,
money, and hard work will pay off.

My Child Care Rates have been evaluated by

taking into consideration

my experience, location,

capacity, age ranges,
and business expenses.

I also have a great understanding

of customer service.

Therefore, as a Professional
Childcare Provider,

I ensure that each of my families

receives the best level of care!

Compare Child Care Rates in Amarillo Texas!

LUISA’S CHILD CARE

DAYCARE SERVICES AND ACCOMMODATIONS

BABYSITTING SERVICES:

(3 hours or less from Drop-Off Time)

$15/Day

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HALF DAY ENROLLMENT:

(6 hours or less from Drop-Off Time)

~MORNING OR AFTERNOON~

$30/Day

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MORNING AND AFTERNOON ENROLLMENT:

(9 hours or Less from Drop-Off Time)

$40/Day

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PART-TIME DAYCARE ENROLLMENT:

(Any time from 6:00am to 6:00pm)

$50/Day

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SUMMER CHILD CARE PROGRAM:

*JUNE TO AUGUST*

3 to 5 years old

(Any time from 6:00am to 6:00pm)

$60/Day

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“PRIVATE DAYCARE”

(Reserved for ONE Family

with one to three children):

$780/Week (Flat Rate)

*More one-on-one attention and

care for your child

*Siblings may attend the same Daycare

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FULL-TIME DAYCARE ENROLLMENT:

(Only Weekly Rates Available)

*Any time from 6:00am-6:00pm*

Maternity Leave Reservation: $200/Week

(Daycare Spot reserved for Newborn,

1 Week to 7 Weeks Old)

Infant Care (2 months-11 months): $220/Week

(Includes equipment, furniture,

infant care supplies, and toys)

Toddler Care (12 months-23 months): $240/Week

(Includes equipment, furniture,
child care supplies, toys,

healthy home cooked Meals & Snacks,
kitchen supplies)

Preschool Care & Education (2-4 years old): $260/Week

(Includes equipment, furniture, supplies, toys, games,

healthy home cooked Meals & Snacks,

kitchen supplies, Arts & Crafts,

Educational Materials, School Supplies,

and *Potty Training)

Summer Child Care Program (3-5 years old): $280/Week

*Children 4 years and older

must be potty-trained*

(Includes equipment, furniture, supplies, toys, games,

healthy home cooked Meals & Snacks,
kitchen supplies, Arts & Crafts,
Educational Materials, School Supplies,

*Potty Training (only for a 3 year old),

Exciting Outdoor Water & Play Activities,

and a Luisa’s Child Care School/Laptop Backpack)

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*ONLY “PRIVATE DAYCARE” AND

“FULL-TIME DAYCARE” RESERVATIONS

ARE AVAILABLE FOR
LONG-TERM ENROLLMENTS.

ALL OTHER RESERVATIONS ARE AVAILABLE

ONLY FOR SHORT-TERM ENROLLMENTS,

ONE TO FOUR WEEKS.*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luisa’s Child Care

POTTY TRAINING POLICY

*ALL children that are three years of age and older

are required to be completely potty trained,

(no pull ups, no accidents),

to be admitted in my home for daycare

*if a child is "not ready" for potty training
by age three,

(can't stay dry for at least two hours),

I may provide Childcare until age four at the most

*ONLY potty trained children will be allowed to

wear regular underwear or
cloth training pants at daycare

*potty training is the parents' responsibility,

(please potty train at home and

be consistent once potty training begins!)

* "Potty Times" at daycare are provided,

after each meal & snack ONLY,

and when your child tells me he/she

wants to use the potty

(Scroll down to “Daily Activity Schedule”

to view Daycare’s “Potty Times”)

*child must be at least 2 years old and be ready

for potty training to have "Potty Times"

(Potty Training Readiness Check List

will be provided after Enrollment)

*child must be willing to sit on potty for

at least 5 minutes without crying or whining

(Not resistant to learning to use the potty)

*child is ready for potty training
if has dry diaper periods

of at least two hours or wakes up dry,

which shows their bladder muscles

are developed enough to hold urine.

*as usual, all children are checked every hour

for wet/dirty diapers, if your child is usually wet

every hour then it is not a
good time for potty training!

*two year olds that are potty training at home,

must wear disposable training pants at daycare,

and wear pants with no buttons, zippers, or strings

(easy pull down please and not too big

that they fall off when walking)

*parents must provide Diapers, Pull Ups, and Wipes

until their child has graduated

to regular underwear at Daycare.

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A “SUMMARY” OF OUR CHILD CARE PROGRAM

6:00am-9:00am: Drop-off times and Breakfast

9:00am-12:00pm: Fun 🤩 Assorted Activities

12:00pm-3:00pm: Lunch and Rest Time

3:00pm-6:00pm: Snack and Pick-up times

(Please scroll down to view

“Daily Activity Schedule” in full)

“All children are required to attend Daycare Monday to Friday for at least three hours per day. Attending Daycare for less than three hours, unnecessarily interrupts the program while it’s in progress for other children in care and their daily routine.
Meals and snacks
that have been planned for the day,
(for children aged 12 months and older),
inconveniently go to waste.

With this in mind, if you have an appointment that requires your child to attend Daycare for less than three hours please take your child to your back-up sitter and I’ll appreciate your courtesy to notify me

at least 24 hours in advance.”

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*FREE Childcare Service Reservations

are not available*

*MAXIMUM CAPACITY IS “THREE CHILDREN”

PER SCHEDULED TIMES*

(Ratio is 3 Children to 1 Caregiver)

(NOT ENROLLED IN SUBSIDIZED

CHILD CARE PROGRAM, CCMS or CCS)

Not all parents need full-time daycare
for their children.

Some of them just need short-term daycare

every once in a while

so they can go to the grocery store,

make a hair appointment

or take a much needed break.

So, instead of enrolling their

children in full-time child care programs,
these parents opt for drop-in service,
or short-term daycare.

DROP-IN OR SHORT-TERM SERVICES:

$16/Hour per child

*(Admission Requirements will apply)

DROP-IN and FLEXIBLE CARE, ALL YEAR LONG!

When Daycare spots are available, you can purchase

child care days in advance to use,

as you need them all year long.

You get reliability and flexibility,
and your child gets to experience

our proven curriculum in a fun,

safe and secure environment.

There is no limit to how many days

you can purchase in advance.

However, all prepaid child care days are

NOT REFUNDABLE!

Considering the fact that I have limited

enrollment opportunities,

I can’t afford to have any spots “reserved”

without payment.

You may “reschedule” a purchased child care day,

at least two weeks in advance, to a different Date

that has a Vacant Daycare Spot for your child.

✅ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND AVAILABILITY

The “Enrollment Process”
is required to begin

AFTER your baby is born,

and it is completed with 4️⃣ Easy Steps;

1️⃣ Phone Consultation (5-15 minutes)

*Phone Consultations take place
during operating hours.

(Monday to Friday, 6:00am to 6:00pm)

*Appointment Required

2️⃣ Phone Interview

(15 minutes-1 Hour, or longer)

*Phone interviews take place on

Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday.

(8:00pm to 9:00pm or later)

*Appointment Required

3️⃣ Private Tour (15 minutes)

*Private Tours take place on Saturday.

(3:00pm to 6:00pm)

*Appointment Required

4️⃣ Childcare Enrollment (5-15 minutes)

*Deposit Required for Enrollment!

NO REFUNDS after payment*

*Child Care Reservations take place on Sunday,

by phone call or via text message.

(9:00am to 12:00pm)

*Enrollments take place on Sunday.

(3:00pm to 6:00pm with an appointment)

‼️IMMEDIATE OR UPCOMING

CHILDCARE OPENINGS

MAY BE AVAILABLE AT LUISA’S CHILD CARE,

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION SOON‼️

EXPECTING MOTHERS

Please submit the “Inquiry Form”

located at the end of

Contact page if you will like

to be added to our Waiting List,

and be promptly notified as soon as we have

immediate or upcoming availability

for new child care enrollments.

WHEN DAYCARE PROGRAM

IS FULLY ENROLLED OR BOOKED

When you are completely ready to begin the

Enrollment Process for your child, please contact

Luisa’s Child Care directly or
submit the “Inquiry Form”

available at the end of “Contact” page

in order to be notified

as soon we have immediate or
upcoming childcare openings.

When immediate openings for childcare enrollment

are pending, due to fully booked

interview appointments,

I can put you on a “Waiting List” in case someone

cancels, reschedules, or misses their scheduled

appointment and gave no prior notice.

*(All appointments are booked

on a first come, first served basis)

“WAITING LIST” PROCESS & REQUIREMENTS

Waiting List for expecting mothers, newborns,

and infants 8 weeks to 5 months old is always opened,

whether Daycare Program is fully enrolled or not.

‼️Sometimes immediate or upcoming
daycare openings

come up unexpectedly and wait times

may be shorter than anticipated‼️

So, don’t let a wait time for a slot keep

you from getting on our Waiting List,

especially if you believe Luisa’s Child Care

may be a good fit for your family!

1) Submit “Inquiry Form” available

at the very end of “Contact” page.

2) Your name is placed on the wait list

on a first come, first serve basis.

3) Your date of submission is how
I determine who I will notify first
to enroll for my childcare services;

You may, however, fall under

a priority group which includes

and is limited to newborns and infants

aged 8 weeks to 5 months old.

4) Children aged 6 months and older

are automatically off the wait list.

Waiting List for “Summer Child Care Program”

is currently opened for ages 3 to 5 years old,

to enroll any time during the
months of June to August.

*Available Childcare Openings
may be “reserved”

at your earliest convenience after your baby is born,

if enrollment is preferred before 8 weeks of age.

However, a Non-Refundable Deposit must be paid

to reserve your baby’s Daycare Spot,

and a Childcare Enrollment Fee

will be due every week on Friday, for as long as

your baby’s Childcare Enrollment is reserved.

However, please keep in mind that your baby may not

begin attending Daycare until at least 8 weeks of age

and must also be up to date with immunizations.

This Regulation is strictly for your
baby’s Health & Safety.

An infant’s immune system doesn’t mature

until around 2 to 3 months of age.

This is very important in helping a child

fight off viruses or bacteria.

✅THE BEST AGE TO START
ATTENDING DAYCARE

IS BEFORE YOUR BABY IS SIX MONTHS OLD

(Two months to 5 months old)

Stranger Anxiety is a perfectly normal developmental

stage that often begins

around 6 to 8 months of age.

Stranger anxiety in most cases peaks

between 12 and 15 months

and then begins to gradually decrease as your baby

continues to grow and develop.

Most babies start teething at around 6 months of age.

Baby teeth sometimes emerge (erupt)

with pain or discomfort.

(Pain and discomfort only lasts 24-48 hours)

For these reasons, you might notice
your baby fussing,

or wanting to be held or comforted more often.

(Teething does not cause a fever)

However, teething only lasts up to 8 days

(which includes 4 days before and 3 days after

the tooth erupts, or comes through the gum) and

each teething stage is 1 month to 6 months apart.

Here’s a typical baby teeth timeline, so you know

when to be on the lookout for baby teeth eruption:

* Lower central incisor: Erupts 6-10 months

* Upper central incisor: Erupts 8-12 months

* Upper lateral incisor: Erupts 9-13 months

* Lower lateral incisor: Erupts 10-16 months

* Upper first molar: Erupts 13-19 months

* Lower first molar: Erupts 14-18 months

* Upper canine or cuspid: Erupts 16-22 months

* Lower canine or cuspid: Erupts 17-23 months

* Lower second molar: Erupts 23-31 months

* Upper second molar: Erupts 25-33 months

(Consult with your Pediatrician)

At 6 months of age, your baby should receive

additional vaccines recommended
by your Pediatrician.

Sometimes children have mild reactions from shots,

such as pain at the injection site, a rash, or a fever.

(Fever only lasts 24-48 hours)

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While Stranger Anxiety and

Separation Anxiety often

begin to develop around the same time,

around 6 to 8 months of age,

they are distinct developmental milestones.

Stranger anxiety refers to a baby’s
distress around meeting or

being left in the care of unfamiliar people,

while separation anxiety

refers to a baby’s distress around being left alone,

or separated from their parents or primary caregivers.

If a child experiences distress

when being left with a familiar

grandparent or regular caregiver,

they’re likely experiencing

separation anxiety, not stranger anxiety.

If a baby expresses distress when

approached by an unfamiliar

person or when being left with someone new,

they are likely experiencing stranger anxiety.

Not every child is the same

and some may experience

Stranger Anxiety or Separation Anxiety

at different ages.

No matter their age, I believe that

it is important to stay

consistent, and create short,

fun goodbye routines.

“SEPARATION ANXIETY”

HOW CAN YOU AVOID IT AFTER ENROLLMENT?

SEPARATION ANXIETY IS A DISORDER IN WHICH A

CHILD BECOMES EXCESSIVELY ANXIOUS

WHEN SEPARATED FROM PARENTS.

THIS MAY CAUSE A CHILD TO CRY

AND CLING TO A PARENT

AT DROP-OFF TIME OR BE CONSTANTLY
FUSSY DURING THE DAY

WHILE ATTENDING THEIR DAYCARE PROGRAM.

SEPARATION ANXIETY IS ALSO

A NORMAL STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT

FOR INFANTS, TODDLERS, AND PRESCHOOLERS.

“CONSISTENT ROUTINES” AND

A “STABLE ENVIRONMENT”

CAN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE A CHILD’S CHANCES

OF EXPERIENCING SEPARATION ANXIETY!

SYMPTOMS OF SEPARATION ANXIETY DISORDER

SOME OF THE MOST COMMON BEHAVIORS INCLUDE:

* CLINGING TO PARENTS

* EXTREME AND SEVERE CRYING

* REFUSAL TO DO THINGS THAT REQUIRE SEPARATION

* PHYSICAL ILLNESS, (SUCH AS HEADACHES,

STOMACHACHES, NAUSEA, OR VOMITING)

*LOSS OF APPETITE

*SLEEP DEPRIVATION

* VIOLENT, EMOTIONAL TANTRUMS

* REFUSAL TO STAY AT DAYCARE (SCHOOL)

* POOR SCHOOL PERFORMANCE

(REFUSAL TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES)

* FAILURE TO INTERACT IN A FRIENDLY MANNER

WITH OTHER CHILDREN IN CARE

* REFUSING TO SLEEP ALONE AT DAYCARE

(IF YOUNGER THAN 2 YEARS OLD)

* NIGHTMARES (AT HOME AND DAYCARE)

Proper diagnosis & treatment from your

Pediatrician is highly recommended

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COMPARE DAYCARE PROGRAMS IN AMARILLO TEXAS!

🏡 Child Care Services included

in Daily/Weekly Fee:

*Reserved Daycare Spot(s)

*Comfortable, Safe, and Fun Environment

*Outstanding Health and Safety Practices

*Structured Schedule and Curriculum

that includes feeding, diapering, reading stories,

playing with the children and meeting their basic needs

*Healthy Home Cooked Meals & Snacks

for children 12 months and older

*Personal Private Nap/Play Room for each child,

aged 2 months to 23 months

*Preschool Activity Supplies for children 2 years and older

*Learning Activities and Preschool Education

*Child care supplies, furniture, toys, and equipment provided

(Cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected on a daily basis)

*Low Child-to-Caregiver Ratio

*Only ONE Childcare Provider/ Teacher

(Babysitting since 1987.

Home Daycare Business

established since 2006.)

*Maximum capacity is THREE Children

*Daycare is open 60 hours per week

(Monday to Friday, 6:00am-6:00pm)

*Located in Foxridge Neighborhood

I also work in my Home when children are not present,

(Non-Operating Hours), 6:00pm-9:00pm, Monday-Friday,

about 5 to 15 Hours per Week doing things such as:

Cleaning, disinfecting, laundry, meal preparation,

activity preparation, lesson plan preparation,

parent phone interviews,

parent phone calls & texts, time on the Internet

to stay updated with Child Care and Development,

record keeping, and so on.

📝 NOTE: (Children that have food allergies,

are on a special diet,

(for example; are fed only Organic Food),

or are picky eaters, they will be required

to bring their own meals & snacks in a Waterproof

Lunch Box with an ice pack on a daily basis.

All meals and snacks are required to be

Nutritious & Healthy, not a choking hazard,

and no sweets 🍭 🍫 🍬 🍩 will be allowed.

*DAILY SIGN-IN AND SIGN-OUT IS REQUIRED*

📝 ONLY Parents are allowed to pick up

their child from Daycare.

When necessary, your child will only be allowed
to leave with a person whose name is in file
as a person authorized
to pick up your child.
A written notice or telephone call from a “Parent”

(Prior to the child being picked up)

stating the name of the person to pick up a child will be

appreciated! Identification will be asked for upon their

arrival before your child will be allowed to leave with them.

This is strictly for all of the children’s safety!

VISITOR OPEN-DOOR POLICY

1) AT NO TIME WILL A VISITOR BE LEFT ALONE

WITH THE CHILDREN IN CARE.

2) ONLY MOTHERS (IF SINGLE) OR

BOTH PARENTS (FATHER & MOTHER),

ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO VISIT THEIR CHILD

AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY, WITHOUT CALLING AHEAD

OR WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT.

3) VISITORS ARE REQUIRED TO CARE FOR THEIR

OWN CHILD DURING THEIR VISIT,

WITHOUT DISTURBING

THE DAYCARE’S SCHEDULE

AND KEEPING IN MIND THAT CHILDCARE

IS STILL IN PROGRESS FOR OTHER CHILDREN.

ALTHOUGH INFANTS, TODDLERS,

AND PRESCHOOLERS

CAN’T TELL TIME, IT IS QUITE

REMARKABLE HOW THEY

DEVELOP A SENSE OF ORDER

THROUGH REPEATED ROUTINES.

MY DAYCARE’S SCHEDULE IS FLEXIBLE,

BUT THE EVENTS OF THE DAY ALWAYS FOLLOW

THE SAME SEQUENCE ON A DAILY BASIS.

THEREFORE, CHILDREN BECOME ACCUSTOMED

TO KNOWING WHEN “PICK-UP TIME” TAKES PLACE.

WITH THIS IN MIND,

TO AVOID UNNECESSARILY CONFUSING

OR UPSETTING CHILDREN BY

THE CHANGE WHEN MOM OR

BOTH PARENTS VISITS THEM,

VISITORS ARE ENCOURAGED AND

REQUIRED TO TAKE THEIR CHILD WITH THEM AT THE

SAME TIME THEY LEAVE THE DAYCARE PREMISES.

📝 (TEMPERATURE CHECKS ARE

REQUIRED TO BE ADMITTED.

ALL VISITORS MUST BE COMPLETELY HEALTHY,

WITH NO RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS,

FOR ALL OF THE CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND SAFETY)

VISITOR RESTRICTIONS AND GUIDELINES

1) A maximum of two visitors at a time

will be permitted, due to limited space.

2) Only (mother) if single or

both parents (father & mother)

may visit during operating hours.

*(No siblings, relatives, or friends

will be permitted to visit)

3) Appointments or calling ahead is not required.

However, please keep in mind

the Daycare’s Schedule

to avoid waiting outside 5 to 15 minutes.

*(For the children’s safety,

Childcare Provider can’t come

to the Door when Children

need constant supervision;

while eating or playing outside, for example)

4) No Photography 📸 please

of other children in care

or of the Home’s Private Property and Premises.

*Only your child may be photographed

while participating in an Activity 📚 🎨 🖍

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🥣🧃Meal/Snack Times for children

12 months and older (INFLEXIBLE):

*Must be able to self-feed using a spoon 🥄

in order to graduate from the Infants’ Feeding Times*

(It is not feasible to spoon feed

more than one child at a time)

8:00am Continental Breakfast (3 items)

10:00am Snack (2 items)

12:15pm Lunch (5 items)

3:00pm Snack (2 items)

5:00pm Snack (2 items)

All Meals/Snacks are served with one cup of Water

AND/OR (4oz) Whole Milk OR (4oz) 100% Fruit Juice

as part of the food items offered.

*Fruit Juice is offered only to children that are drinking

whole milk, and is served only once per day,

either with their morning snack or evening snack.

*All infants must begin weaning off breast milk

or formula by 12 months old.

*All infants are weaned off bottles

to sippy cups by 13 months old.

📝 NOTE: FRUIT JUICE IS NOT

OFFERED IN A BABY BOTTLE,

ONLY A SIPPY-CUP OR A STRAW-CUP MUST BE USED

TO AVOID TOOTH DECAY.

WHEN SHOULD TODDLERS BE ABLE

TO SELF-FEED WITH A SPOON?

▪️Between 12-15 months toddlers should

be able to get the spoon to their mouths with

assistance. When practicing on their own, it

may still be very messy at this stage but

messy eating is important for sensory play

and acceptance of different foods.

(Your child will practice at Daycare

using the spoon with assistance.

However, self practice with the spoon

must be done at home,

since cleaning up after them

is very time consuming.)

▪️From 15 months toddlers should be able

to self feed pretty well with a spoon

(with dry food, not soups or puréed food)

and get most food into their mouths.

▪️From 2 years old it is expected that

“most” toddlers should be able to self feed

“completely independently” with a spoon and fork.

They should also be pretty good at it too!

▪️Taking all of the above into consideration,

it will not be until 24 months when your child

will graduate from the “Infants’ Feeding Times”!⏰

However, I will begin providing their Meals

and Snacks specified above from

the five food groups at “12 months old”.

The items served are chosen

from the Five Food Groups

Fruits 🍉 🍎 🍌, Vegetables 🌽 🍅,

Grains, Protein Foods, and Dairy.

Everything your child eats and drinks matters.

The right mix of food choices can help your

child be healthy now and into the future!

Is milk 🥛 really good for children?

Due to its nutritional value and the role it plays in growth

and development, milk is an important drink for children.

Milk is part of the Dairy food group that provides children

with an important source of calcium,

which is essential for healthy bones and teeth.

Is 100% Fruit Juice🧃good for children?

Fruit juice can be a part of a healthy diet; however, it should

not be a child’s main source of fruit during the day.

Even though fruit juice has the same vitamins and

minerals as whole fruits do, they have less fiber and

more sugar and calories than whole fruits.

Juice may also cause your child to prefer

sweeter flavors instead of plain water.

Drinking water is a great way to keep kids hydrated

without giving them extra calories or sugar!

Flavor and food preferences are shaped early in life

and the more sweet foods children consume,

the more they prefer sweet foods.

Therefore, it is important to establish in young children,

12 months to 4 years old, the habit of drinking unflavored

milk as they develop their taste preferences,

and offer them (4oz) 100% fruit juice only once per day.

IT IS NORMAL FOR CHILDREN TO EAT A LOT ONE DAY

AND ALMOST NOTHING THE NEXT.

I OFFER CHOICES FROM EACH OF THE FOOD GROUPS

EVERY DAY, CHILDREN ADJUST

AND EAT APPROPRIATE

AMOUNTS OVER SEVERAL DAYS.

DECIDING HOW MUCH TO EAT AT A GIVEN MEAL

OR SNACK IS THE CHILD’S JOB.

MY JOB IS TO SERVE A VARIETY

OF NUTRITIOUS, TASTY FOODS.

🍼”Feeding Times” for up to Three Infants

(aged 2-11 months)

(FLEXIBLE)

*Scheduled every 2-3 hours*

8:15am,*9:00am, 9:35am -BREAKFAST

10:15am,*11:00am, 11:35am -SNACK

12:30pm,*1:15pm, 1:50pm -LUNCH

3:15pm & 5:15pm, *4:00pm, 4:35pm -SNACK

(*) Regular Schedule,

when only one infant is enrolled.

(DAYCARE’S MAXIMUM CAPACITY IS THREE INFANTS)

📝 NOTE: The American Academy of Pediatrics

recommends exclusive breast-feeding

or formula-feeding for the first six months after birth.

But at 4 months to 6 months of age, most babies are ready to

begin eating solid foods as a complement to breast-feeding

or formula-feeding. If your Pediatrician recommends it,

you may begin offering solid foods at Home

before your baby is 6 months old.

However, your child will not begin

eating solid foods at Daycare

until 6 months old. This will help us know what foods

your baby likes and dislikes,

or if there are any food allergies present

“before” parents provide any baby food

for Daycare at 6 months old.

📝*(At Daycare, babies that are 6 months and older

are considered ready to begin solid foods when they

can sit up on a high chair, open their mouth when

spoon approaches, and draw in their lower lip

as the spoon is removed from their mouth.)

At 7 or 8 months old, your child can eat a variety of foods

from different food groups. These foods include infant cereals,

meat or other proteins, fruits, vegetables,

grains, yogurts and cheeses, and more!

😴SCHEDULED REST & NAP TIMES:

FOR INFANTS 8 WEEKS TO 11 MONTHS (OPTIONAL)

(9:15am-10:15am and 1:15pm-3:15pm)

*(10:00am-11:00am and 2:00pm-4:00pm)

(10:35am-11:35am and 2:35pm-4:35pm)

(*) Regular Schedule,

when only one infant is enrolled.

📝 NOTE: Minimum Standards

for all Child-Care Homes,

from the Health and Human Services Commission:

a) You must place an infant

who is not yet able to turn

over without assistance in a

face-up sleeping position,

unless you have a signed statement

from a health-care professional

stating that it is medically necessary for the infant

to sleep in a different sleeping position.

(b) You may not lay a swaddled infant

down to sleep or

rest on any surface at any time,

unless you have a signed

statement from a health-care

professional stating it is

medically necessary for the infant to be

swaddled while the infant is sleeping.

or crib must not be covered by

items such as blankets, linens,

or clothing at any time.

(d) An infant may not sleep in a restrictive device,

unless you have a signed

statement from a health-care

professional stating that it is

medically necessary for the infant

to sleep in a restrictive device.

If an infant falls asleep

in a restrictive device, you must remove the infant

from the device and place the infant

in a crib as soon as possible.

📝 Restrictive device--

Equipment that places the body

of a child in a position that may restrict airflow or

cause strangulation; usually, the child is placed in a

semi-seated position.

Examples of restrictive devices

are car seats, swings, bouncy seats, and high chairs.

*(Car seats and bouncy seats are not allowed 🚫

at Luisa’s Child Care, Home Daycare)

*AN INFANT IS DEFINED BY THE HEALTH AND HUMAN

SERVICES COMMISSION AS A NON-WALKING

CHILD YOUNGER THAN 12 MONTHS OF AGE.

😴REST & NAP TIMES

FOR TODDLERS 12 MONTHS TO 23 MONTHS (OPTIONAL)

(9:00am-10am and 1:00pm-3:00pm)

😴REST AND NAP TIMES

FOR PRESCHOOLERS 2 TO 4 YEARS OLD (OPTIONAL)

(1:00pm-3:00pm)

WHY ARE NAPS IMPORTANT?

Sleep is very important for a child’s growth, development,

and overall health. How much sleep kids need varies by age.

While every child is different, experts recommend:

⚫️ Infants 👶 (0-3 months): 14-17 hours.

Infants tend to sleep on and off around the clock,

waking every couple of hours to eat.

⚫️ Infants 👶 (4-12 months): 12-16 hours.

Around 4 months of age, sleep rhythms

start to become more set.

Most babies sleep longer at night and have 2-3 daytime naps.

⚫️ Toddlers (1-2 years): 11-14 hours.

Young toddlers may still take two naps, one in the morning

and another in the afternoon. But, most drop down

to one nap a day, in the afternoon, by 18 months.

⚫️ Preschool (3-5 years): 10-13 hours.

Many preschoolers get enough sleep at night, if they have

a stable night time routine, and give up their

afternoon nap during these years.

All kids need to nap 😴 if they

don’t get enough sleep 💤 at night.

For this reason, a Rest/Nap Time Schedule has been

established in my Daycare Program.

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR CHILD NAP?

The key can be as simple as setting up a consistent nap routine

early on and sticking to it. Putting infants down for a nap

while they’re sleepy but not yet asleep. This helps them learn

how to fall asleep by themselves, which is a skill

that gets even more important as they get older.

For toddlers and preschoolers, setting regular nap times

that are not too close to bedtime. Many do still love their nap,

but others don’t want to miss a thing and fight going to sleep.

If your child gives up daytime naps,

consider setting an earlier bedtime.

When children under my care won’t nap,

I set aside some quiet time (Rest Time).

“Rest/Nap Time” for Preschoolers takes place on a daily basis,

1:00pm to 3:00pm. Quiet time can quickly lead to sleep time.

However, children that are still awake after an hour of rest,

I let them quietly participate in a fun Preschool Activity,

we also have Story Time, as well as

Outside Playtime

(depending on weather),

and finally a quiet play time in the Preschool Room.

❤️🟠🟨💚🔵🟪🤎🔴🟧💛🟢🟦💜🟤🟥🧡🟡🟩💙🟣🟫❤️

STABLE ENVIRONMENT

A “Stable Environment” is one with little or

no unexpected or sudden change.

Stability is closely related to a sense of

safety for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

If there is a routine and a stable environment,

children will develop a sense of predictability

and certainty for their future.

In contrast, if there are frequent and significant

environmental changes, the unpredictability can

foster anxiety, helplessness, and confusion.

CONSISTENT ROUTINES

When things happen in the same order each day,

infants and toddlers have a better understanding

of their world and feel more secure.

A predictable schedule filled with consistent

and responsive routines helps them

to know what to expect and helps them feel more

confident in themselves and the world around them.

Luisa’s Child Care

“Daily Activity Schedule”

is flexible and may be adapted

depending on the ages of the children

that are enrolled.

Therefore, all “Preschool Activities”

and “Outside Playtimes”

are canceled when Daycare Program

has reached its maximum capacity

and is completely booked

with three infants, aged 2 to 11 months.

However, Preschool Activities

and Daily Activity Schedule

will resume when at least one of the infants

is a one year old,

but will remain flexible and adaptable.

PRESCHOOL ACTIVITIES

(FOR CHILDREN 2 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER)

Arts & Crafts 🖍🧶

Colors🌈, Shapes, and Sizes 🔻🟦🔸

Letters and Sounds 📖

Numbers & Counting 🔢

Early Math 🧮

Reading & Writing ✏️

Story Books 📚

Science 🔭

Music and Movement 🎶

Educational Board Games 🎲

Educational Puzzles 🧩

Sensory Play

(Sight, Sound, Taste, Touch, Smell)

Finger Painting 🎨

LUISA’S CHILD CARE

DAILY ACTIVITY SCHEDULE

(FOR CHILDREN 12 MONTHS AND OLDER)

✅6:00am-7:00am *DAYCARE OPENS

ONLY for “Scheduled Appointments”

(OUTDOOR LIGHT💡IS ON)*

⭐️6:00am-6:15am Drop Off Time

⭐️6:15am-6:30am Potty Time/Free Playtime

⭐️6:30am-7:00am Diaper Time/ Free Playtime

✅7:00am *DAYCARE OPENS

(GENERAL ADMISSION)

(OUTDOOR LIGHT 💡 IS ON)*

⭐️ 7:00am-7:30am Drop Off Time/Free Playtime

⭐️7:30am-7:45am Diaper Time

⭐️7:45am-8:00am Preschool Room Playtime

8:00am-8:15am Breakfast

8:15am-8:30am Potty Time/Free Playtime

8:30am-8:45am Diaper Time

😴8:45am-9:45am Rest/Nap Time💤

(Ages 12 months to 23 months)

*Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers*

(2 to 4 years old)

⭐️*8:45am-9:00am Free Playtime

🍼*9:00am-9:15am TV Time (Only educational

and musical programs are provided)

⭐️*9:15am-9:30am Story Time

*9:30am-9:45am

Outside Playtime/Preschool Activity

⭐️*9:45am-10:00am Preschool Room Playtime

10:00am-10:15am Snack

10:15am-10:30am Potty Time/Free Playtime

10:30am-10:45am Diaper Time

⭐️10:45am-11:00am Free Playtime

🍼11:00am-11:15am TV Time

⭐️11:15am-11:30am Music Time

(Singing & Dancing)

11:30am-11:45am

Outside Playtime/Preschool Activity

⭐️11:45am-12:00pm Preschool Room Playtime

12:00pm-12:15pm TV Time (Lunch is prepared)

12:15pm-12:30pm Lunch

12:30pm-12:45pm Potty Time/Free Playtime

12:45pm-1:00pm Diaper Time

😴1:00pm-3:00pm Rest/Nap Time💤

(Ages 12 months to 4 years old)

*Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers

that are awake after resting

for at least one hour*

*2:00pm-2:15pm Preschool Activity

*2:15pm-2:30pm Story Time

*2:30pm-2:45pm Potty Time/Outside

Playtime/Preschool Activity

*2:45pm-3:00pm

Diaper Time/Preschool Room Playtime

3:00pm-3:15pm Snack

3:15pm-3:30pm Potty Time/Free Playtime

3:30pm-3:45pm Diaper Time

⭐️3:45pm-4:00pm Free Playtime

🍼4:00pm-4:15pm TV Time

⭐️4:15pm-4:30pm Group Learning Time

4:30pm-4:45pm

Outside Playtime/Preschool Activity

⭐️4:45pm-5:00pm Preschool Room Playtime

5:00pm-5:15pm Snack

5:15pm-5:30pm Potty Time/Free Playtime

5:30pm-5:45pm Diaper Time

⭐️5:45pm-6:00pm Pick Up Time

✅ 6:00pm ** DAYCARE CLOSED

(⭐️) = DROP-OFF TIMES🚙

AND PICK-UP TIMES🚗

Daycare Provider can’t come to the door

during Meal/Snack Times,

(including infants’ feeding times 🍼),

and during Outside Playtimes.

(Waiting Time is 5 to 15 minutes)

“CLOSED” Sign will be at the door

during these times as a reminder.

“All parents may make an appointment, (“no later” than their child’s drop-off time), for their child’s pick-up time on that day. This may be done ONLY if you have an appointment to attend to and may not wait up to 15 minutes for your child’s pick-up time. I will be able to move the schedule around during the day to accommodate your appointment. However, it’s important to be punctual and your appointment may not be rescheduled during the day due to personal delays. I cannot keep delaying or changing the children’s schedule during the day if you are late for your pick-up time appointment. You may cancel the appointment but not reschedule it. If you are late, there will be a 5 to 15 minute waiting time as usual for pick-up if I happen to be busy with one of the children or on my 15 minute break. Please text “here” when you have actually arrived, not when you are on your way or close to arriving. If you can’t make an appointment for your personal engagement, but prefer not to wait, I recommend you take your child to your backup sitter on that day.

Thank you and I hope this regulation

will be convenient for you!”

(**) = Late Pick Up Fee at 6:00pm:

$60/Hour, with no exceptions.

Operating Hours:

Monday to Friday, 6:00am-6:00pm

(Closed on all Federal Holidays)

Important Additional Information
(Attendance Policy)
⚠️ High Ethical Standards ⚠️

For the best interest
of all children enrolled!

My primary goal as a Childcare Provider is to provide a healthy, safe, and fun environment for all children under my care as best I can! My Daycare’s Regulations & Policies have been established with this goal in mind and to help me provide the best quality childcare service that every child deserves. At Luisa’s Child Care 🏡 we adhere to integrity, honesty, respect, loyalty, and altruism.
My Home 🏠 Daycare has several closing days during the year. Plus, I don’t admit sick children that are contagious 😷; (have a runny nose, congestion, sneezing 🤧, coughing, sore throat, or other illness symptoms with a temperature 🤒 of 99f or higher without the use of fever suppressing medications), or are not feeling well enough to attend Daycare comfortably.
A strict Illness Policy may inconvenience you if your child is ill, but keep in mind that it goes both ways; other children who are sick will also be kept away from your child!
If your child is uncomfortable due to pain, severe diaper rash, painful teething (only lasts 24-48 hours), severe uncontrolled allergies, injury, immunizations, or for any other reason that prevents your child from participating “comfortably” in all Child Care Activities, including outdoor play, the Health Check will NOT be passed!
“FEVER” 🥵IS AN ABNORMAL HIGH BODY TEMPERATURE: (100f or higher) USING AN EAR THERMOMETER OR NON CONTACT THERMOMETER *A fever is one part of an overall response from the body’s immune system. A fever is usually caused by a viral infection (like the cold or flu) or a bacterial infection. For most children and adults, a fever may be uncomfortable! For infants, even a low fever may mean there’s a serious infection.
“LOW GRADE FEVER” 🤒IS ABOUT ONE DEGREE HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE “NORMAL” BODY TEMPERATURE OF 98f, (USING AN EAR THERMOMETER OR NON CONTACT THERMOMETER), *There is some debate about the existence of a low-grade fever between Providers and Doctors. But, for most people, a normal temperature falls anywhere between 97f and 98f. The same infections which cause a typical fever (100f or greater) may cause a low-grade fever (99f or greater), particularly if it’s in the “early stages” of the infection. Therefore, a persistent low-grade fever that lasts more than 24 hrs with malaise, or is accompanied with any illness symptoms, will require exclusion from Daycare with no exceptions until temperature subsides to normal (lower than 99f) without the use of fever suppressing medications. 📝 NOTE: Based on my own professional experience as a Daycare Provider, I’ve had a lot of children through the years that were sent home during the day due to a “low-grade fever” (lower than 100f but higher than 99f) with illness symptoms, and therefore caused an illness outbreak at Daycare with Strep Throat, RSV, Influenza Virus, Stomach Flu, or other infections. Therefore, your complete understanding and full respect with the Daycare’s Fever and Illness Regulations will be greatly appreciated! 🤗
CHILDREN THAT HAVE A FEVER OF 100f OR GREATER AT ANY TIME, WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM DAYCARE UNTIL THEIR TEMPERATURE SUBSIDES TO NORMAL, LOWER THAN 99f, FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS WITHOUT THE USE OF FEVER SUPPRESSING MEDICATIONS. THIS APPLIES WHETHER THEY ARE CONTAGIOUS OR NOT‼️
Caution about Fevers. Blaming teething for fevers can lead to a delay in seeking care for infections. Examples are ear and urinary tract infections.
Most children are excluded from childcare several times during the year or are frequently absent. To avoid the stress and inconvenience of being absent from work on a regular basis, all parents are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, but are not required, to have a “Dependable Backup Sitter” or a “Babysitter on call” that will be available on a DAILY BASIS, in case their child unexpectedly gets sick, does not pass the Health Check at Drop-Off Time, is sent home during the day, or Daycare is Closed. IMPORTANT NOTE: A Backup Sitter that is employed or has a full-time job, will not be a Dependable Backup Sitter for you!
DAYCARE’S CLOSING DAYS: When I am too sick and feverish 🥵 to work (rarely), one “Personal Day” per month for a MAXIMUM of 10 days per year, one week twice per year for family vacations, and all Federal Holidays. Please take into consideration that Daycare opens very early in the morning (6:00am) and closes late in the evening (6:00pm) on Weekdays. I also don’t have any Employees or Substitutes. Therefore, Daycare closes for “Personal Days” during the year. Personal Days are reserved for “Appointments” with my Dentist, Doctor, and for other personal engagements.
I do my best to be a consistent and dependable Childcare Provider for all working Parents! For this reason I provide a printed list of all the Daycare’s Closing Dates at least 5 months in advance, twice per year. (May be less time depending on the Date of your child’s Enrollment)
📝 NOTE: (DISCOUNTS WILL NOT BE PROVIDED FOR ANY OF YOUR CHILD’S ABSENCES OR DAYCARE’S CLOSING DAYS) HOME-BASED DAYCARE BUSINESS HAS ONGOING WEEKLY AND MONTHLY EXPENSES IN ORDER TO REMAIN OPERATIONAL, WEEKLY FEE IS PAYED TO KEEP YOUR CHILD’S DAYCARE SPOT RESERVED. ***(ALL WEEKLY PAYMENTS ARE DUE BY FRIDAY BEFORE THE WORK WEEK)
Weekly and Monthly Child Care Expenses:

(Advertising/Website, depreciation, insurance, office,

repairs & maintenance, supplies, utilities, meals & snacks,

toys/materials, household/yard, mortgage interest,

self-employment tax on net earnings, and income tax). Daycare is open 60 hours per week. Ratio is 3 children to 1 caregiver.
ALL children are required to be up-to-date with their immunizations and feel well enough to participate comfortably in all childcare activities, including outside play, without compromising other children’s health and safety. Children that are too fussy (with persistent or nonstop crying/whining), (this applies when child doesn’t stop crying even after comforting) are not content once all of their needs are met, are uncomfortable due to teething (drooling with gum pain) or illness 🤒, and need more care than I can provide, they are not admitted for childcare until they are feeling well enough to attend Daycare comfortably 😊.
Children don’t cry for no reason.

By crying they can communicate their needs.

However, they are considered to be too fussy,

or hard to please, if they remain upset and continue to cry

even after all their needs have been reasonably met,

like feeding, diapering, napping, comforting,

spending time with them, and so on.
Caution about Crying. Blaming teething for crying can lead to a delay of care for other illnesses. Examples are ear infections or other causes of pain.
Children that arrive crying at Daycare for any reason, will not be admitted for childcare. This Regulation has been established to help prevent Parents from making it a regular or daily routine in dropping off their child upset or crying at Daycare. It is also the Parents’ responsibility to comfort their child at Home prior to attending Daycare. All children cry for a reason. Children cry when they are hungry, tired, uncomfortable, sick or in pain. Sometimes they cry because they need affection. Toddlers and older children might also cry because they are frustrated, sad or angry, for example. If your child cries while under your care, start by checking that they aren’t sick or hurt. If your child is crying for a reason other than sickness or pain, there are lots of things you can do to help before bringing your child to Daycare. If your child is happy, healthy, and comfortable before your arrival time at Daycare, and is admitted after successfully passing the required Daily Health Check, then it will be my responsibility to comfort your child during the day while under my care. Additionally, comforting your child when necessary at Home prior to attending Daycare, will also help keep the Daycare’s environment peaceful and fun for “all” children that are currently attending. We can work as a team! So, Parents can also rest assured that their child will be happy 😃 as well during their Pick-Up Time.
Children that do not want to attend Daycare will not be forced to do so at any time. This regulation includes new enrollments. This is strictly for the children’s health & safety. Prolonged stress and anxiety is not healthy for anyone, including for Parents and Provider. Additionally, children that don’t want to be separated from their parents, naturally will not want to be separated from their caregiver during the day either. Therefore, providing quality child care service and attention to “all” children under my care will not be possible. Each child’s happiness and well being will always be my primary concern, for as long as they are under my care and responsibility.
All children are observed daily upon arrival for illness symptoms. Children that look ill or have any illness symptoms, will not pass the Health Check.
To stop 🛑 the spread of viruses🦠or infections, during an OUTBREAK or PANDEMIC, all Parents will be required to wear a face covering😷when entering the Daycare Facility. In order to “limit” direct contact with Parents during Drop-off and Pick-up Times, necessary interactions with Child Care Provider that include their child’s Daily Health Check are limited to no more than 5 minutes at a time. Conversations between Parents and Child Care Provider requiring more than 5 minutes must take place by Phone when Daycare is closed and when Child Care Services are not in progress, with an appointment. 📝NOTE: (Children usually forget to cover their coughs and sneezes, or to turn their heads away to avoid coughing and sneezing on others. Therefore, all children 2 years of age and older are required to wear a face covering 😷 during an Outbreak or Pandemic, except when eating and during rest/nap time. However, wearing a face covering is “optional” for children 2 years of age and older, if they are not coughing or sneezing 🤧 at all while attending my Daycare Program and their temperature remains completely normal (below 99f). If your child refuses to wear a face covering when required, for everyone’s health & safety, then you will be required to take your child to your backup sitter temporarily, or you may choose to permanently withdraw your child from my Daycare Program and terminate enrollment.) Social Distancing must be practiced between parents and children during an Outbreak or Pandemic, when more than one child is enrolled. Therefore, all parents are required to notify Childcare Provider of their arrival, via text message, and patiently wait in their vehicle until prompted by Childcare Provider to bring their child to the Facility's Entrance. The same procedure will be required for their child’s pick-up time.
When a child returns to Daycare after recovering from an illness. Child’s temperature will be required, with no exceptions, to be completely normal (lower than 99f) and with no illness symptoms, (runny nose, congestion, sneezing 🤧, sore throat, or cough 😷), in order to be readmitted for childcare. Together we can stop 🛑 the spread of viruses🦠and getting others sick! Having a healthy Daycare environment for everyone, greatly outweighs the inconvenience of being absent from Daycare when sick.
HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOL: Please act responsibly! Sick children may not attend Daycare until their fever subsides to normal (lower than 99f) for at least 24 hours AND do not have any illness symptoms. Two weeks (14 days) after onset of illness symptoms, child may return to Daycare if fever has subsided to normal (lower than 99f) for at least 24 hours AND does not have acute/severe symptoms caused by allergies or illness. 📝Childcare Provider keeps a record of the dates when your child’s illness symptoms began and when they ended. This information is kept on file for future reference and health evaluation.
Seasonal Allergies are very uncommon in infants and toddlers. However, if you believe your child’s symptoms (runny nose, congestion, sneezing, or dry cough) are caused by seasonal allergies and at the same time has a low grade fever (99f or greater), these symptoms combined (respiratory symptoms with a low grade fever), will be considered “illness symptoms” at Daycare with no exceptions. Allergies do not cause a fever!
Symptoms of Teething; Mild Drooling, increased need to chew on things, mild gum pain that may cause your baby to act a “little” more fussy. (Mild pain only lasts 24-48 hours)
False Symptoms of Teething; (Myths and Old Wives’ Tales); persistent low grade fever (99f or higher) or fever (100f or higher), diarrhea, diaper rash or runny nose. If your baby or toddler develops a fever while teething, the “Fever” is caused by something else. You may not know the cause of the fever until other symptoms develop. This may take 24-72 hours. Most likely a virus, as children who are teething are building up their immune systems and catch any cold that comes their way! Children 6 months and older are more prone to getting infections because of the developmental milestone of chewing on everything!
Please keep in mind that viral infections are highly contagious. Therefore, if you or someone in your household is sick, then is more than likely your child is sick too as soon as you begin to notice any symptoms. (Incubation Period; “the period between exposure to an infection and the appearance of the first symptoms”) FOR EXAMPLE; After an incubation period of 24-72 hours, viral symptoms may begin with a scratchy or sore throat, followed by sneezing, runny nose, congestion, low grade fever (99f or greater), and/or malaise. But, temperature is usually normal with the first symptoms. Therefore, it is very important to use good judgment and common sense before bringing your child to Daycare, especially if you know your child has been exposed to a viral infection at home.
Children that have a noncommunicable illness; (their temperature is normal, lower than 99f, without the use of fever suppressing medications), yet are lethargic, not feeling well, or are uncomfortable due to pain or acute/severe symptoms; (runny nose, severe congestion, constantly coughing😷, constantly sneezing 🤧 with mucus), they will require care at Home, (not at Daycare), for their own Health & Safety.
A Doctor’s Note will be accepted as a medical document that your child is not contagious, but it will not exempt your full compliance with the Daycare’s “Attendance Policy” and “Illness Policy”. NOTE: After being diagnosed with a viral infection, including the common cold, please keep in mind that your child is contagious for as long as respiratory symptoms are present. Viral symptoms usually last 7 to 14 days. For your convenience, Doctors usually provide a Note/Statement that your child can go back to School/Daycare on a specific Date, for as long as your child is fever free for at least 24 hours. (A Doctor’s Note is commonly provided after a child is tested for Strep Throat, Influenza Virus, RSV, or Coronavirus). However, please keep in mind that if your child is fever free for 24 hours, but is still fighting respiratory symptoms,(sore throat, congestion, runny nose, sneezing, or cough), then your child is still contagious! Therefore, using common sense and respecting the Daycare’s “Illness and Attendance Policies” is the best route to take to avoid spreading viruses 🦠 and getting others sick.
For sanitary and feasible reasons, when children have a runny nose caused by allergies or illness, they are not admitted for childcare. For the children’s Health & Safety, I clean and sanitize all toys and furniture as needed to keep the Daycare’s environment germ-free throughout the day as best I can. Additionally, I am constantly busy all day with multiple childcare tasks. Therefore, it is also not feasible at Daycare to be wiping and clearing up runny noses frequently in order to keep all children in my care comfortable, especially while they are playing or eating with their friends.
Children with MILD ALLERGY SYMPTOMS, (mild congestion, mild sneezing with no mucus, or mild dry cough, with a normal temperature lower than 99f, without the use of fever suppressing medications), may pass their Daily Health Check and be admitted for childcare, but may not have a runny nose, severe/acute symptoms, or a low grade fever of 99f or greater, for at least 24 hours.
CAUTION ⚠️: Viral symptoms and allergy symptoms are very similar. However, allergy symptoms stay the same day after day, (mucus stays thin and clear, for example), can last longer than 14 days, and do not cause a low grade fever or malaise. Viral infections can cause mild or severe/acute respiratory symptoms, (mucus may be thin and clear at first, but after 24 to 72 hours it becomes thicker and changes to white, yellow, or green, for example), respiratory symptoms can last up to 7 to 14 days, and can cause a low grade fever (99f or greater), but temperature is usually normal (lower than 99f) with the first symptoms of a viral infection or may remain normal throughout the illness. However, respiratory symptoms may linger longer than 7 to 14 days with a fever of 100f or greater if a child develops a bacterial infection. 📝 ALLERGIES 🤧 LAST FOR AS LONG AS YOU ARE EXPOSED TO THE ALLERGEN OR THROUGH A SEASON, AND NOT ONLY FOR ONE TO TWO WEEKS‼️
For all of the children’s health & safety, Pacifiers (or security blankets) are not allowed 🚫 in the Play Area and at Drop-off time. Infants and toddlers (2 months-23 months) may use a pacifier during their nap times and in their playpen, if they are sleepy and can’t go to sleep without it. I never use pacifiers to soothe a fussy child during the day or while they are participating in Daycare Activities. Pacifiers are used only during “nap times” at Daycare, to help prevent an emotional attachment and dependence to pacifiers. All pacifiers are cleaned with hot, soapy water before each use! Otherwise, pacifiers are a goldmine for germs. Pacifiers are not allowed at Daycare at any time for children 2 years of age and older. Parents are required to wean their child out of the pacifier at Home, not at Daycare. Please keep in mind that frequent pacifier use might increase the risk of middle ear infections. Prolonged pacifier use might lead to dental problems, speech sound disorders, and a speech delay!
*Children that have a runny nose or other acute symptoms caused by allergies or illness, will not be “comfortable” to attend Daycare, will require more care than I can provide, and will compromise other children’s Health & Safety.
A GOOD RULE OF THUMB👍TO ATTEND DAYCARE: YOUR CHILD IS HAPPY 😊, HEALTHY, AND COMFORTABLE.