Welcome
To
“Little Flowers”
Early Childhood and Development Center, INC.
1526 North Fremont Avenue
Baltimore, MD21217
(O) 410.728.2222
(F) 410.728.2228
Hours of operation:
September – June: M-F, 6:30 am to 10:00 pm, weekends by appointment
June - August: M-F, 6:30 am to 8:00 pm, weekends by appointment
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue
Baltimore, MD21217
(O) 410.728.0222
(F) 410.728.2228
Hours of operation:
September – June: M-F, 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
June - August: M-F, 7:30 am to 5:00 pm
“Educating and Enriching Children”
Table of Contents
Your Child’s First Day of PreschoolPage 4-5
From the DirectorPage 6
Quick Review of Rules and PoliciesPage 7-9
Tuition Installment Page 10-11
Helpful NumbersPage 12
Supply List Page 13-14
Enrollment Evaluation FormPage 15
Signature Page Page 16
All About Me (Teacher) Page 17
All About You (Child)Page 18
Your Child’s First Day of Preschool
The first day of school is an exciting milestone in your child's life. Your child is embarking on a journey that will lead them on many roads of discovery and learning.
As wonderful as this new experience may be, it can also be quite stressful for the young child. New situations and change can, at times, be unsettling for all of us. For many children this may be their first experience of separation from parents or care givers at home. It is common for even the most outgoing child to be anxious the first day of school.
We have provided a few suggestions for assisting your child during this time. Remember the preschool staff will be available to provide support and assistance; making your child's first school days happy days.
- Prepare you child for the new school experience by explaining what to expect. Answer all questions directly and honestly.
- Convey a positive attitude. Young children are aware of your feelings. Your enthusiasm will assure the child that school can be a fun and exciting place.
- Establish a routine involving both the night before a school day as well as morning preparation. Rituals and routines will add predictability and are comforting in unfamiliar situations.
- Bring something from home. This is acceptable and often reassuring in helping the child with the initial adjustment to school. This item may be a treasured blankie or even a photo from home.
- Clearly state to your child where you will be and when you will return. It may also be helpful to discuss what will happen when you are reunited.
- Maintain a clear good-bye routine. This may include warning the child you are leaving in 3 minutes, a kiss and hug, or a wave from the window. Once you tell your child you are leaving, it is important to follow through. Extending the good-bye with "Ok just one more kiss, and then I really really have to go.” tends to heighten anxiety rather than relieve it. Avoid sneaking out, this seems to encourage children to become less trusting and makes the second day of school even harder.
Again, please know we are here to help make the first day of school a happy transition and we look forward to an exciting and fun year. Welcome!
From the Director
Crystal Hardy-Flowers, MSW, LGSW
Dear Parents and/or Guardians,
I would like to welcome you to Little Flowers Early Childhood and Development Center, Inc. (Little Flowers) and thank you for entrusting your child(ren) with us.
As your director, I would like to introduce myself to you. I am a native New Yorker. I have a Bachelor’s degree from MorganStateUniversity in political science and a Master’s degree from HowardUniversity in Social Work. I am a licensed graduate social worker in the State of Maryland and have over 20 years of experience working with children with behavioral and emotional challenges.
At Little Flowers we always strive to provide you and your child(ren) with quality childcare, education and enrichment services.
Our staff is highly qualified in the field of early childhood and development and our program always uses best practices in early education. Our curriculums are research based and state approved, and stimulates growth and development in the seven domains of learning.
While we would like to take all of the credit for your child’sdevelopment, we know that we can not be successful without your support, which is why we strongly encourage parent and community involvement.
Remember, we have your child’s best interest at heart. Throughout the year keep the lines of communication open between you, your child and his/her teacher. Be actively involved in your child’s home and class assignments, and in the development of your child’s school. Always model positive behavior around your child and encourage your child to be a leader.
Respectfully,
Crystal Hardy-Flowers
Quick Review of Rules and Regulations
Pre-K Expansion:
Instructional day is 8:30 am to 3:30pm
Pre-K Expansion follows BCPS closings for professional development days only, for all other closings refer to Little Flowers’ policies and procedures.
Children enrolled in the day academic program (9 am to 3 pm) are to report to school no later than 9 am; late comers will not be allowed admittance.
Children with appointments must be in the center by 11:00 am, with proof of appointment. (children receiving vaccination shots can not return to the center for 24 hours)
Children with late morning/afternoon appointments can not return to the center
Children enrolled in the day program must wear full uniforms, no exceptions.
After school children must wear uniforms when school is out, on trips and at special events.
All children enrolled in the summer enrichment program must wear uniforms.
Tuition is due every Friday by 6 pm or at pick-up on Friday.
Late Fees:
Tuition$5.00 per day
Pick up$1.00 per minute
All children must be signed in and out
Children must complete a homework package every week. Homeworkmust to be signed by the child’s parents/guardian, and returned on Fridays.
Meals Times
BreakfastSchool-Age / 7am to 7:30 am
Day Program / 8am to 8:45am / *Including PreK 4
Lunch
6weeks to 2 / 11:30am to 12:00pm / *Infants eat on demand
3 and 4 y/o / 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Afternoon Snack / 3:15pm
Dinner / 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Evening Snack / 8pm
Children in the day program nap/rest/ quite time following lunch until 3 pm daily
Little Flowers has a no tolerance policy for:
Biting
Spitting
Fighting
Destruction of property
Swearing/Disrespectful Behavior
Children returning to the center from sick leave must bring a doctor’s slip.
Children receiving transportation services must complete a transportation package and follow van rules.
Children are not allowed to bring toys, games, phones, expensive jewelry, or money unless otherwise instructed.
Please see Parent Handbook for more information.
TUITION INSTALLMENTS
Infant/Toddler Program / Weekly Tuition / Program Hours / Program DaysInfants (6 weeks to 2 yrs.) / $200.00 / 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. / Monday thru Friday
Toddlers (2 to 3 yrs.) / $136.00 / 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. / Monday thru Friday
Preschool Program / Weekly Tuition / Program Hours / Program Days
Full-Day (3 to 5 yrs.) / $116.00 / 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. / Monday thru Friday
Half-Day (3 to 5 yrs.) / $91.00 / 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. / Monday thru Friday
School-age Program
Before School (only) / $30.00 / 6:30 a.m. – 8:00a.m. / Monday thru Friday
After School (only) / $60.00 / 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. / Monday thru Friday
After School (package)
(includes before care, half days an holidays) / $90.00 / 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. / Monday thru Friday
School-age Summer Program
Summer Camp
(includes before and after camp) / $108.00 / 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. / Monday thru Friday
Summer Camp / $75.00 / 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. / Monday thru Friday
Late Fees (per child) / Daily Fee
$10.00 / First 15 minutes / Monday thru Sunday
$5.00 / Every 30 minutes thereafter
Transportation / Daily Rate / Weekly Rate / Weekly Roundtrip Rate
With Enrollment (p/hh) / $6.00 / $30.00 / $60.00
W/O Enrollment (p/ch) / $10.00 / $50.00 / $90.00
Weekend Services / Daily Weekend Tuition / Program Hours / Program Days
$45.00
(per/weekend day) / 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. / Saturday or Sunday
Evening Hours / Daily Fee / Weekly Fee
Services after 6 p.m. / $10.00 (per/day) / $50.00
- Full day rates apply to all infants and toddlers. A two-year old rate does not apply until the student is placed in a two-year classroom.
- Transportation, Weekend and Evening fees are in addition to fees for other services.
- Sibling discounts, sliding fees and tuition assistance available.
Helpful Numbers
Little Flowers ECDC. Inc.
(O) 410.728.2222
(F) 410.728.2228
Crystal Hardy-Flowers, Director
(C) 443.831.2835
Childcare Administration
443.539.8300
Child Protective Services
410.361.2235
Child Support
410.951.8000
Infants and Toddlers
410.396.1666
Child Locate
410.539.2209
Child Care Subsidy Program Eligibility
Families in the following categories may be eligible:
Family Size / Maximum Annual IncomeFamily of 2 / $24,277
Family of 3 / $29,990
Family of 4 / $35,702
Family of 5 / $41,414
Family of 6 / $47,127
Family of 7 / $48,198
Family of 8 / $49,269
Family of 9 / $50,340
Family of 10 / $51,411
School Supply List
All Belongs MUST be labeled
Infants 6weeks to 2 years
Diapers
Wipes
Change of clothes
Box of facial tissue
Bib
Crib Sheet
Blanket
Art Smock or Old Tee-Shirt
Toddlers2 years to 3 years
Pull Up (with Velcro sides)
Wipes
(2) Sets of Uniform Change of clothes
Box of facial tissue
Cot Sheet (fitted)
Blanket
Art Smock or Old Tee-Shirt
No onesies
(3) Composition note book
(1) Plastic shoe box container
(3) Boxes of Extra Large Crayons (non-toxic)
(4) Elmer’s Glue
(2) Children Safety Scissors
(1) Pillow Case (for blanket and cot sheet)
(1) Clear back pack for change of clothes (no plastic bags)
Pre-School 3 – 5 years
Change of clothes and underclothes
Box of facial tissue and wipes
Cot Sheet (fitted)
Blanket
Art Smock or Old Tee-Shirt
(3) Composition note book
(1) Plastic shoe box container
(3) Boxes of Extra Large Crayons (non-toxic)
(4) Elmer’s Glue
(2) Children Safety Scissors
(1) Pillow Case (for blanket and cot sheet)
(1) Clear back pack for change of clothes (no plastic bags)
After School
Box of facial tissue
Cot Sheet
Blanket
Art Smock or Old Tee-Shirt
All About Me
My name is ______and I will be your teacher.
Our class is called
______
We have “circle time” every morning
You will have homework every night. Be sure to do it with your mommy, daddy or older sibling
Now that I told you all about me and about school, can you tell me about you.
All About You!
My name is ______.
I am ______years old.
My Birthday is ______.
My mommy and daddy’s names are ______and ______.
I have ______sisters and _____brothers.
Something special about me.
______.
Policies
Health and Wellness Policy
Little Flowers’ has put together some basic guidelines for maintaining a healthy environment for the children at our center. These guidelines will prevent your child from contracting and spreading viral or bacterial illness. Following these guidelines will ensure the health and well being of all children in our care. We need everybody to work together to maintain a healthy environment for everyone.
All children must have a completed health form turned in within one month of their starting date. Children are to be kept home if they have shown symptoms of illness such as a sore throat, inflammation of the eyes, fever, lice, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, or other illness within 8 to 10 hours before they are scheduled at the center. If a child will not be present, please notify the center by 8:30 a.m. Staff will be alert to symptoms of illness throughout the day. Children with symptoms will be placed in separated from other children and the child’s parent/guardian will be contacted. You will then have one hour to pick up your child. If your child is not picked up within 1 hour you will be billed an additional hourly rate of $10.00 per hour to cover the cost of a person to watch your child.
Children with a temperature more than 100 degrees, vomiting, diarrhea, undefined rash or any contagious disease will be immediately sent home. The director has the discretion to determine if the child seems too ill to be at the center for the day. 24 hours of observation is required unless you receive a note from the doctor stating that your child is not contagious. If your child has any communicable disease such as, but not limited to pink eye, impetigo, chicken pox, lice, measles, mumps, ring worms etc., we must have a signed note from their doctor stating that he/she is no longer contagious prior to the child returning to our care. This is not required if it is beyond the normal waiting period and all symptoms have cleared. If your child has a severe yellow or green runny nose or is coughing a lot, please keep them at home to limit the spread of colds.
Medication Policy
Prescription medication or non-prescription medication may be given to your child only under the following conditions.
1) Prescription medication is in the original container and labeled with the child's name, name of the drug, dosage, and directions for administering, date and physician's name.
2) The "Medication Release Form" is properly filled out, signed and given to the child's teacher or director.
3) Non-prescription medication Must be unopened and in original package. If usage requires you to "consult physician" regarding dosage for a child your child's age, you must have a doctors current authorization attached to this form. It must include child's name, dosage, time frame and name of medication.
4) The medicine is kept in the "medicine" containers. These are located in the front office or in the refrigerator.
5) You must provide us with an appropriate medicine-measuring device (labeled).
6) You must remove the medicine from the center when your child is finished with it. We cannot store medicine here.
7) We may only administer medication to your child one time per day.
Nutrition Policy
Little Flowers values the importance of healthy eating. We believe that good nutrition along with regular exercise reduces childhood obesity and major health risks. In addition, it promotes positive growth and development in our children.
Little Flowers provides Breakfast, Lunch, Snack and Dinner and evening snack for extended hours children. All parents are required to complete a Meal Benefit form to determine eligibility for free, reduced or paid meals. Little Flowers; however, serves all children regardless of eligibility If your child requires a special diet, please notify your child’s teacher or director at intake. Little Flowers posts a log in the kitchen and in the child’s classroom with all children’s special dietary concerns.
Our menus are posted in the kitchen and on the parent information board. Recipes are available upon request. Menus will reflect cultural and ethnic preferences of the children in the community. We review our menus to ensure we are doing everything possible to promote good health and nutrition in them. We serve and encourage the children to drink water at any time during the day. Although we provide meals on site, you are welcome to supply your child’s food. However, children are not allowed to share food, and/or bring in sodas, candy or foods with high sugar counts.
Meals Times:
BreakfastSchool-Age / 7am to 7:30 am
Day Program / 8am to 8:45am
Lunch
6weeks to 2 / 11:30am to 12:00pm / *Infants eat on demand
3 and 4 y/o / 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Afternoon Snack / 3:15pm
Dinner / 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Evening Snack / 8pm
Special needs
We are dedicated to providing quality, early childhood education to children in our care. We strive to provide an individualized learning environment for each child. We do this through the use of our registration form, and an individualized education report. This report is required from any child that is diagnosed with special needs. You will be required to inform our staff about your child's special needs through private consultation, meetings, and written detailed instructions. We will work together to provide an environment that is positive for all children in our care.
Disciplinary Policy
We:
1. DO praise, reward, and encourage the children to make positive choices.
2. DO reason with, redirect, and set limits for the children.
3. DO model appropriate behavior for the children.
4. DO modify the classroom environment to attempt to prevent problems before they occur.
5. DO listen to the children and use reflection and problem solving to help them make better choices.
6. DO provide alternatives for inappropriate behavior to the children.
7. DO provide the children with natural and logical consequences of theirbehaviors.
8. DO treat the children as people and respect their needs, desires, andfeelings.
9. DO ignore minor misbehaviors.
10.DO explain things to children on their levels.
11.DO use short supervised periods of “time-out”
12.DO stay consistent in our behavior management program.
13. DO we do have clear rules and expectations posted in the classrooms.
14. DO discuss rules throughout the year with our children and allow them to help help make or change the rules to fit their needs
We:
1. DO NOT spank, shake, bite, pinch, push, pull, slap, or otherwisephysically punish the children.
2. DO NOT make fun of, yell at, threaten, make sarcastic remarksabout, use profanity, or otherwise verbally abuse the children.
3. DO NOT shame or punish the children when bathroom accidents occur.
4. DO NOT deny food or rest as punishment.
5. DO NOT relate discipline to eating, resting, or sleeping.
6. DO NOT leave the children alone, unattended, or without supervision.
7. DO NOT place the children in locked rooms, closets, or boxes aspunishment.
8. DO NOT allow discipline of children by children.
9. DO NOT criticize, make fun of, or otherwise belittle children’s parents,families, or ethnic groups.
About “Time-Out”
"Time-out" is the removal of a child for a short period of time (based on the child’s and no longer than 3 to 5 minutes) from a situation in which the child is misbehaving and has not responded to other discipline techniques.
The "timeout" space, usually a chair, is located away from classroom activity but within the teacher's sight. During "time-out," the child has a chance to think about the misbehavior which led to his/her removal from the group. After a brief interval of no more than 5 minutes, the teacher discusses the incident and appropriate behavior with the child. When the child returns to the group, the incident is over and the child is treated with the same affection and respect shown the other children
Signature Page
I, the undersigned parent or guardian of
______
(child's full name), do hereby state that I have read and received a copy of the facility's handbook and policies (Discipline and Behavior Management, Health and Wellness, Medication, Nutrition, Special Needs), and that the facility's director/coordinator(or other designated staff member) has reviewed this document with me.