Family Handbook
BBKC Family Handbook
These guidelines are designed to make sure your child — along with all the children in our care — receives the best education and experience possible.
Please take a few minutes to become familiar with this information. If you have any questions about the policies in this handbook, or if there’s anything we could be doing better, please speak with our Director Deshown Thompson, call (850) 999-6732.
Welcome
You are welcome to be a part of a learning center that will provide an educational program for your child. Your commitment is designed to meet a learning environment for the “Whole Child.” We will focus on the four domains:
- Language
- Social/ Emotional
- Cognitive
- Motor skills
The guiding principle is to help your child master the skills needed to succeed in school and in life.
We welcome you to take advantage of the open-door policy to visit the facility at any time so desire. The only request we have is to provide the center with the time and date due to COVID and once you arrive, please be aware of the face mask requirement. We love to create a partnership between all the childcare providers and the parents in the heart of our early learning development.
With a step-by-step curriculum, we will build on the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social growth of your child. I have experience working with children of all ages. I have worked in several infant and pre-school nurseries and have been a caretaker for many children for over several years. In my center, I welcome infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, or after-school care. Your child will find that this is a home away from home. I am licensed, certified Childcare Provider who has met the entire requirements to nourish your child’s development.
Deshown Thompson, Owner Busy Beez Kidz Clubhouse LLC
Curriculums & Programs
Children begin learning from the moment they are born. Busy Beez Kidz Clubhouse LLC has an environment that will provide your child with a foundation for their development throughout his/her life.
An early quality childhood program gives the family peace of mind by knowing that their children are embarking on a lifetime love of learning, in a safe and nurturing environment.
When you see a smiling face, their happiness all over the place Singing, laughing, cries of glee, come they say, Play with me the slide, the swing, the monkey bars. Look at them closely to see who they are. Lots of races, Ready, Set, Go. This is how children grow.
If you watch them every day, you will see them learn as they play, they will do what they see, and say what they hear. You are their teacher throughout the years. Their ideas and thoughts in their eyes shine. Imagination is a glimpse of their mind When you are not looking, do not you know This is when the children grow.
Watch them as they learn to wall Listen to them when they talk Keep them safe, away from harm Wrap them gently within your arms Teach them to share and how to take turns. Set good examples from which they will learn. At home, at school, wherever they go This is where the children grow. (Christy R. Dawson)
At the Busy Beez Kidz Clubhouse LLC, the Curriculum we follow and implement includes Beyond Center and Circle Time, Beyond Cribs and Rattles, and Montessori Method.
Beyond Center and Circle Time
an understanding of children’s play, well-planned and organized play opportunities, and concrete information for creating and scaffolding engaging play environments.
Beyond Cribs and Rattles
caregivers of infants and toddlers knowledge about the creating and implementation of loving, playful, developmentally appropriate experiences for infants and toddlers.
Montessori Method
emphasizes independence and it views children as naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a sufficiently supportive and well-prepared learning environment.
Center Hours and schedules
Busy Beez Kidz Clubhouse LLC facility is open January through December each year from 7:00am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday. You will be asked to designate your child’s hours of attendance at the time of enrollment. A school-closing schedule including holidays and teacher in-service days will also be provided at the time of enrollment.
Following are the Example days that Busy Beez will be closed:
- January 1st New Year’s Day
- February 17th Faculty Development Day
- May 25th Memorial Day
- July 4th Faculty Development Day
- July 6th Independence Day
- September 7th Labor Day
- November 11th Veterans Day
- November 26th Thanksgiving Day
- November 27th Thanksgiving (Friday)
- December 24th Christmas
- December 25th Christmas
Philosophy & Objective
Busy Beez Kidz Clubhouse LLC has exclusive educational programs. This will provide an unlimited development curriculum for your child. There is a curriculum for every age level that is appropriate, along with fun activities that will help children develop physically, intellectually, socially, and emotionally.
In the center as well as in the play area, age appropriation is integrated into all aspects of all activities. It is either through a game or through arts providing children with activities that match their developmental needs and abilities.
Busy Beez Kidz Clubhouse LLC’s quality educational programs consist of:
- A well-trained caring and a committed teacher
- A safe and developmentally sound environment
- A comprehensive curriculum based on age-appropriate learning activities.
All procedures, including every toy are designed to support the well-being of every child and to help enhance their development.
Our philosophy is ‘With Commitment and Quality Care the Learning Ladder Begins.”
The unique curriculum is based on my years of experience as a caretaker and the training I have received which enhances the environment of all ages to learn and grow in a rich and appropriate environment.
Busy Beez Kidz Clubhouse LLC’s philosophy provides hands-on interactive activities that challenge your child’s creativity and imagination to encourage essential skills for success, both in school and throughout life.
In our center we educate the children daily, through a routine plan is based on the following educational philosophy:
- Children learn through active exploration. They explore/experiment and discover solutions through active projects and material.
- Children initiate their own learning. They spend a major portion of their day exploring freely, which is supported and guided by their childcare provider.
- Learning comes from open-ended experiences. Each child is encouraged to exercise their imagination and reasoning skills through creative problem-solving.
- Adults are the facilitators of childhood learning. Providers encouraged the child to ask questions and initiate discussions Our objective is to stimulate and make learning enjoyable.
SKILLS:
Communication, Creativity, Reasoning, and Problem-Solving
Self-Development:
A Positive Self-Concept, A Natural Curiosity, Value System, Self\Esteem, Motor Coordination, and Sensory Awareness
Activities:
Working and playing, Developing Listening Skills, Recognizing Shapes and Colors, Developing Eye and Hand Coordination, Art and Music Appreciation, Reading and Math Skills, Science and History Skills, and Environmental Awareness
Awareness and Acceptance:
Culturally, Physically, and Emotionally
Daily Schedule
A copy of the group’s schedule will be sent home to the parents each week to promote a partnership between the parent(s) and the provider.
Learning areas are listed below.
Art, Books, Toys, Dramatic Play, Science, Language, Music, Math and Storytime
Infants Curriculum Program
The beginning of infant curriculums presented and develops in a warm nurturing environment. The provider supports the infants throughout the day, with a balanced routine and is alert to the infant’s needs.
Busy Beez Kidz Clubhouse LLC is set to foster emotional and intellectual development. This is done through singing, talking reading, cuddling, playing, and rocking with the baby every day.
Learning through play, allows the infant to explore and learn in a safe surrounding. Equipment and toys are provided to stimulate your child’s senses and support both physical and intellectual development. Sturdy toys are provided to encourage infants to grasp, pull, reach, and kick.
The provider keeps a record of the infant’s growth and development. Progress is always shared with parents. The parents will fill secured knowing that the provider and parent team is working together every day to create the “Whole Child”.
Toddlers Curriculum
Toddlers learn through exploring the sight, sound, and texture of the world. The program that is used for toddlers is called, “Discovering Me.” The toddler’s program is filled with things to explore.
Toddlers learn best when they are engaged in actively challenged and meaningful activities, such as dress-up, or using a paintbrush and paper to create a rainbow in the art area.
Designed programs are carried out through singing, dancing, reading, and jumping. Toddlers learn how the world works by observing and interacting with objects around them.
Play is a child’s work. As a provider, it is critical that we praise and give positive reinforcement.
Two (2) Year old Curriculum
Two-year-old toddlers are beginning to use their development skills to discover and explore. They enjoy activities that are related to motor activities because it develops skills with balances, controlled flexibilities because it develops skills with balances, controlled flexibilities, and posture.
Curriculum Tools
- Sensory, 2. Play, 3. Drama Art 4. Creative Art 5. Potty Training 6. Block
Four-year-old toddlers program say READY, SET and GO.
Financial Obligation
PAYMENTS AND FEE SCHEDULE
Payment Policy
Tuition fees are due on the 1st of each month and are considered late on the 5th.
Returned Checks: All returned checks will accrue a $60.00 fee for service charges.
We have a no refund policy. There is a one-time non-refundable Registration Fee of $150.00 for the first child and $75.00 for every child after. The registration fee is due upon registering your child. If you keep your child home for any reason, payment is still due. This will ensure that your child continues with us. If payment is not received, the director has the authority to terminate enrollment at that time. If you do not make payments on time, you will be required to pay a late fee. For each day that your tuition payment is late, a late fee of $30 accrues.
If payment is not made within five days of the due date, you will not be able to bring your child to the center until payment and late fees are paid.
Tuition
- Full Time
- Infants $850
- One’s $800
- Twos $725
- Threes-Fours $700
- VPK Wrap/After School $500/$475
Brightwheel is an app we use at our center as a beautiful way for parents to stay in tune with their child’s day. Please be aware and download the app for login and logout purposes.
Late Pick-Up Policy
Busy Beez Kidz Clubhouse closes at 6:00. If your child is not picked up by closing time or the time agreed upon between you and the director, there will be a late fee of $20.00 for the first 5 minutes and $2.00 for every minute after that. Late pick-up fees are due when you arrive. We understand that emergencies occur. In case of an emergency, please call the center to ensure that we know and can decide at that time.
Refund/Credits
Refunds are only given when Busy Beez has been notified 30 days prior to a child leaving the center or in the event of an overpayment.
If the center is closed due to covid or any infectious diseases a monthly obligation payment is still required, and no credit will be given. There is no credit for scheduled school closings and holidays, children’s illness, or facility closings due to inclement weather and acts of God.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
If a child is not picked up by 6:10 p.m., staff shall use all contact information in attempting to arrange for the earliest possible pick up of any child remaining in the center.
Staff shall contact the director if parents are unreachable and when an alternate pick up might need to be arranged. If we have not had phone contact with a parent by 6:35 p.m., we will begin calling emergency contacts. If we release a child to one of the emergency contacts and staff then leave for the evening, the information will be left on the parent’s voicemail if possible, and a message will be posted on the Center’s front door.
If a child has not been picked up by one hour after Center closing time or notification of emergency evacuation, and all attempts to reach parent/guardians have been unsuccessful, staff shall call the police or sheriff (depending on the jurisdiction of where the child lives) and request that they assist in locating a responsible adult to pick up the child.
If the police report that they are unable to locate a responsible adult, then staff shall immediately call the Department of Children and Families Protective Services are request that they arrange to have someone from Protective Services pick up the child from the center as soon as possible. Staff will carefully and fully document all efforts, including names and times, throughout this process and provide documentation to the Director the following workday.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
RILYA WILSON ACT:
The Rilya Wilson Act is explained in detail on the flyer located on the Parent Information Board. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to discuss them with the center’s director.
Safety and Security
The physical environment is maintained, clean, sanitized, and secure. The program has a fire alarm and a burglar alarm. The local police are nearby and are familiar with the hours and activities of the program. Monthly fire drills are conducted to train the staff and the children on how to have an orderly and quick exit from the buildings, should the situation arise.
Procedures for Environmental Emergencies
The center has specific procedures in place for the following environmental emergencies:
- Building Emergencies/Fire/Evacuation/Relocation
- Severe Weather Conditions
- Shelter in place
- Located Down
- Inclement weather
Building Emergencies:
In the event of a fire, after evacuating the building staff members are instructed to line the children up and take attendance. They are to take the children to Oak Ridge Elementary school (4530 Shelter Road located behind the center) and immediately take attendance again to make sure all the children are accounted for. Parents will then be called to pick up their child. The local fire department inspects the center annually by checking the expiration dates of all fire extinguishers, checking the fire alarm, checking the exit lights, and checking to see if the teachers follow the correct evacuation procedure using unannounced fire drills. If problems arise with the electric, heating and cooling, or plumbing systems, the parents will be called, requesting that they pick up their child. Parents will be notified if the center will need to be canceled for the following days.
Inclement Severe Weather Conditions
In the event of severe weather conditions such as tornadoes, lightning or thunderstorms, or severe winds that occur before school begins parents should use their judgment. If severe weather occurs while the children are attending school, the teachers will take the children out of the classroom and walk them into the main hallway. This area has been approved by the fire department as a safe place for the children to be during severe weather conditions. Once the threat has passed, the children will then be returned to their classroom.
IN THE EVENT OF THREAT OF HURRICANE, TROPICAL STORM, or TORNADOS, the center will be closed if Leon County schools are canceled. Please listen to one of the local radio or television stations for the announcement. An announcement regarding the program will not be made separately.
Illness Policy
We are partners in your child’s education, health, and wellbeing. Therefore, we have made it a primary concern for staff and administration to ensure we maintain a safe and healthy environment for all. Therefore, we have a strict policy for illness in the Center. So please adhere to the policy so that we will be able to control the spread of typical childhood illnesses. Maintaining the health and physical wellbeing of the parents and children is a primary concern for the staff and administration. To avoid sharing contagious illnesses, we ask that each family comply with the following:
If your child has a fever of 100.5 or higher, yellow/green mucus or persistent cough, please keep your child home for 24 HOURS AFTER the fever and symptoms have subsided. When a child has any indication of a body rash, see your doctor, and do not bring the child to school until the cause and remedy are determined. Many highly contagious illnesses are accompanied by a rash.
If your child has lice, diarrhea, a fungal infection (including ringworm), worms, or any other parasite, do not bring your child to school until the treatment is complete.
Any vomiting or diarrhea is an indication of a stomach or intestinal virus, and the child must remain at home, as this type of illness can be extremely contagious, please keep your child home. If your child is present at school and has any symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting you will be contacted immediately to pick up your child. Young children may exhibit indications of illnesses that are associated with erupting teeth and the staff will help you determine this, since this is clearly not contagious. We have an isolation area for your child in the event he or she becomes ill while at school until you arrive. Your cooperation is deeply appreciated. We understand that your child may have lower attendance during cold and flu season. If all parents or guardians adhere to the policy, we will be able to control the spread of typical childhood illnesses. Children practice washing their hands thoroughly and all toys are sanitized daily by the staff.
Should the center experience any unusual level or type of communicable disease, after notifying the proper authorities, we will inform you verbally or in writing if your child may have been exposed with information including signs and symptoms of the disease, mode of transmission, period of communicability, and control measures that have been implemented at the center and/or measures that should be implemented home. Please note that absences, regardless of the cause, will not entitle the parent to a refund or discount on the regular rate. If you have any future questions after reading the policy, please contact the director.
Medication Policy
No medication shall be given by childcare personnel without the signed permission of the parent or legal guardian. All medication must be in the original container with the child’s name, name of the physician, medication name, and medication directions written on the label. In order to administer over-the-counter medications, we must have a written form from your physician authorizing use and dosage for your child. A completed medication authorization form must be filled out completely, and we require daily parent acknowledgment for the length of time that the medication is administered.
Immunizations
We require all children to provide a physician’s statement of the required immunizations per licensing requirements. As your child receives additional shots, please notify the Center. Failure to provide this information can be cause for removal from the program since current immunization records are required for centers to maintain a valid license. We perform audits of our immunizations on a regular basis in cooperation with the Department of Children and Families.
Injuries and Accidents
All staff is trained in First Aid/CPR. If a child becomes ill or injured anywhere in the facility, the supervising staff member will make an immediate decision as to whether the incident is a non-emergency or an emergency.
In the case of a non-emergency:
- Child is coherent and composed immediately after injury or illness.
- Child has a small cut or scrapes with little bleeding.
- Child has little swelling
- Child can move injured area or does not experience pain when touched. The teacher will apply first aid measures such as stopping the bleeding, applying band-aid, and washing injury with soap and water. The teacher will fill out an accident/injury report, for the parent/guardian to read and sign. A copy will be provided for the parent and the original will be placed in the child’s file. If the injury starts to swell, the teacher will call the parents, notifying them of the situation. If the injury continues to get worse, the parents will be asked to pick up the child and take him/her to the doctor/hospital.
Allergy Policy
The following policies and procedures regarding allergies have been developed to further protect the children in our care. These policies require the full understanding and cooperation of staff and parents.
- Children with a history of allergies will have these problems specified by the child’s health care provider on their medical information form.
- The director will review medical forms upon enrollment with parents and if a child has a special medical need, a health plan will be developed. This plan will include written instructions from the child’s physician regarding the management of his/her allergies. This written care plan must be in place within 30 days of enrollment. For children with life-threatening allergies, a care plan must be in place before the child begins attending the program.
3. All staff who works with the child will be familiar with the care plan. The plan will be posted in the classroom along with a photo of the child. The plan will be clearly marked, as well as the location of and medications or EpiPens.
EXPULSION/SUSPENSIONS &/OR TERMINATIONS POLICY
The policies outlined in this handbook are strictly enforced to provide fairness to all parties that render and receive services. It is therefore important that each parent/guardian carefully review the conditions listed below:
- Failure to pay for services rendered (fees) or failure to pay on time. We provide no refunds.
- If you are receiving tuition assistance or VPK voucher, failure to maintain eligibility requirements and/or re-determination responsibilities.
- Failure to provide updated Health and Immunization Records for each child as required.
- Failure to abide by Busy Beez Kidz Clubhouse LLC rules and regulations.