Policies
Click on the links below or scroll down to explore our policies. You may also download our Parent Handbook by clicking here for more in depth information.
Inclusion Statement
Children's Garden of Farmington does not discriminate against individuals or families, including on the basis of color, culture, economic status, health, nationality, physical and mental ability, race, religion, and sexual orientation. A diverse enrollment enhances the child care community.
Payment Policies
Tuition fees reflect competitive pricing to enable working parents to afford high quality child care services.
Tuition is scheduled for 24 equal payments each year.
Tuition is due on the 1st and the 15th of each month.
Tuition is due and payable in advance for two weeks of scheduled care.
Tuition is late on and after the 2nd and 16th of each month. A $10 late fee per day will be assessed until payment is received in full. Accounts two weeks and more in arrears will be subject to disenrollment from services.
Clients requesting a 2 or 3 day per week schedule must commit to specific weekdays. The tuition will be determined by multiplying the number of days in a two week period by the daily rate for that program, that amount will be billed equally on the 1st and 15th.
Drop-in care may be made available, as requested, at a $10 per hour per child fee for children of families currently enrolled in child care services.
Clients will provide two weeks written notice to reduce or terminate child care services.
Tuition will not be pro-rated for absences, including due to illness, vacation and holidays. Tuition will not be pro-rated for site closure due to federal, state, town or county order and for reasons related to weather and/or natural disaster.
Families in crisis may request an application for Financial Aid consideration. Children’s Garden of Farmington will do everything in its power to enable families to maintain enrollment for the benefit of their child’s safety and security. Please ask for assistance.
Discipline
Children are learning how the world works and deciphering the many rules adults make. Children model the behavior that they see, and repeat the behaviors that get them desired results. Children’s Garden of Farmington has empathy for all people as they engage in the life lesson of practicing kindness and consideration toward others and learning how to "get along".
Undesirable behaviors are often developmentally appropriate. It is important to understand the reasons behind why a child might throw, hit, bite or spit before a judgment is passed on their character or the parenting in the home or the supervision of the teacher.
Children’s Garden of Farmington has a three step approach to supporting children’s positive behaviors and irreproachable conduct.
1. Model positive behaviors and appropriate language.
2. Prevent misbehavior through attentive, compassionate supervision and the design of curriculum and the learning environment.
3. Redirect children to different activities or locations if they have trouble exhibiting self-control.
All human beings want to feel respect and self-worth and have a sense of belonging. Children’s Garden of Farmington does not punish children. Children’s Garden of Farmington educates children. Parents are invited to share their strategies with staff as they prepare their child to be a happy, successful adult.
It is possible that some children may exhibit consistent negative behaviors that are detrimental to the ongoing safety and security of the children in the program. Such situations will be handled discreetly and with compassion. Children’s Garden of Farmington will work with parents to determine an appropriate individualized strategy that best supports the needs of the child. Such strategies may include: seeking advice from pediatric professionals, providing a shadow teacher, reducing daycare hours, or finding a better fit child care environment.
Communication
Parents are responsible for reading bulletin boards, Daily Notes Home, forms, the Family Handbook, and monthly site newsletters. Children’s Garden of Farmington is responsible for providing them.
Staff will utilize Daily Notes Home to communicate with parents of children enrolled in the Infant and Toddler programs. All classrooms will maintain bulletin boards of children’s work and a monthly calendar.
Parents are welcome to schedule a conference with their child’s primary teacher or the site director. It is important to recognize that teachers in the classroom and on the playground are responsible for the direct supervision and safety of the children. If a conversation is not possible, parents may leave a note.
To respect the privacy of children, parents and staff, cellular phones and pagers are not allowed inside the child care center building or on the playground. Parents will please turn off the technology and use the time during daily drop-off and pick-up transitions to focus on their child.
Security and Supervision
Parents are required to sign their children in and out each day and deliver them to the appropriate classroom. Parents will take responsibility for ensuring that all emergency contact information is maintained and updated for their child’s file. Parents will prepare their children daily with 8 to 11 hours of sleep the prior night, a healthy breakfast, and a slathering of sunscreen. Parents will dress children appropriately in washable playclothes and closed toe and heel shoes for a day of wear and tear.
Staff will maintain or exceed licensing ratios for teachers’ supervision of children. Staff will utilize security cameras to monitor entrances and child care activity. Staff will ensure that all visitors will present appropriate credentials and sign in on the Visitor Log, and will accompany visitors to child-centered areas.
All persons will be treated with dignity and respect at Children’s Garden of Farmington. Any individual who represents a threat to the safety, security and well being of children, staff and/or parents will be asked to leave by staff and, if necessary, escorted from the premises. 911 will be called, as needed.