TUITION PAYMENT POLICY:
Tuition payments are as follows: Tuition is charged on a 5-day (week) basis, payment is due even if your child has not been here for the full week. Your payments are due on the FRIDAY before the week that you are paying for. PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 6 PM MONDAY OR A $10.00 LATE FEE WILL BE COLLECTED.

RETURNED CHECKS: Checks returned to us by your bank will incur a $35.00 returned check charge. You will be required to make payments in cash or money order after a check has been returned to us twice.

VACATION POLICY: You will receive a total of seven (7) vacation days per year at no extra cost to you. This can be used for vacation. We ask that you notify us in writing two (2) weeks prior to vacation. If your child does not attend school on his/her scheduled days, full tuition is expected to be paid unless you are using vacation time.
Vacation time must be used in one week periods, not individual days.

EXTENDED ILLNESS POLICY: The director needs to be notified in order to make special arrangements, therefore please notify the preschool office if you know that your child will not be at school. If your child has a communicable disease, please call the office immediately so the necessary precautions may be taken. If your child is absent for two (2) weeks without notification or tuition payment being given to the office, then your child’s position may automatically be terminated.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND PHYSICAL: All students are required to have in the Preschool office files UPON ENROLLMENT proof of immunizations and physical examination, signed by a doctor. Physical examinations are valid for two (2) years from the date of issuance. Depending on the child’s age, the required immunizations are:
- TB tine
- 5 doses DPT
- MMR
- HIB
All medical records must be on the HRS forms.

DISCIPLINE POLICY: We believe that discipline is necessary for the welfare of the student, as well as the entire Preschool. Our method of discipline is to redirect first, then go to time-outs, as the child gets older. If the behavior does not improve the child is taken to the director, after which the situation will be discussed with the parent. The Preschool director reserves the right to dismiss any child whose behavior is disruptive and/or harmful to other children. WE DO NOT PRACTICE THE DISCIPLINE OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT (SPANKING).

EMERGENCY PRESCHOOL CLOSING: In the event of a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or severe storm, the Preschool will be closed if a public announcement is made that Pasco County Schools are closed. Please listen to your radio or television for such an announcement.   If still not sure, then call the center and we will confirm with an outgoing message as to whether or not we will be closed.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE: If you wish to withdraw your child for an extended period of time, but want to reserve his/her place in the Preschool, you must pay the full tuition for each week during that time period. This tuition must be paid in advance unless other arrangements have been made with the office.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY: All withdrawals must be officially conducted through the Preschool office. You will be charged tuition until withdrawal procedures are completed.

CHILD PICK-UP: The Preschool hours are from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm. We request that all children be picked up no later than 6:00 pm. If you are unavoidably detained, please call the Preschool office, if 4 possible. However, there will be a late fee of $5.00 for every 5-15 minute intervals that you are late, starting at 6:01 pm. This fee is due at the time, payable to the person on duty. The authorities will be called if a child is not picked up by 7:00 pm. Our policy states that when picking up children, parents MUST first sign them out, gather their belongings and get them from the playground or their classroom. If the teacher does not recognize the person picking up the child, he/she will be sent to the director/assistant director where they will identify the person and send him/her back to the class with a release to pick up your child. PLEASE REMEMBER: THIS IS FOR YOUR CHILD’S SAFETY.

EXTRA CLOTHING: Extra clothing is needed for all children. Each child must always have at least two (2) changes of clothes including socks and undergarments at the Preschool. Place the clothing in a Ziploc bag with his/her name marked on the bag.  THIS IS A STATE RULE. 

CHILDREN IN DIAPERS: Children who are in diapers must have at least six (6) extra diapers per day and their own diaper wipes. If a Little Lambs diaper is used, there will be a $1.00 charge per diaper. One-year-old children must also have a large plastic bib and a sippy cup. ALL ARTICLES OF CLOTHING OR ANY OTHER BELONGINGS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE CHILD’S FULL NAME.

DRESS CODE: Washable, practical clothes are the best for school. If possible, please do not dress your children in clothing that cannot be taken off without help, such as suspenders and one-piece leotard underclothing and tight belts. This can be frustrating and often leads to embarrassing bathroom accidents. All children must wear shoes. Shoes should cover and protect the feet and allow for safety in running and playing. ONLY CLOSED SHOES ARE ALLOWED, NO SANDALS, OPEN TOE/BACK; THIS IS DUE TO THE SCHOOL’S INSURANCE POLICY REGULATIONS.

TOLIET TRAINING: When your child is toilet training, please dress him/her in easy to remove clothing. Remember, we have many children and need to be able to work quickly. Dressing your child in clothing that has no buttons, buckles, or belts help us a lot. We must have lots of pull-ups.

TOYS: DO NOT send toys to Preschool with your child, unless your child’s teacher informs you otherwise. NOTE: THE LITTLE LAMBS PRESCHOOL WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOST OR DAMAGED TOY! If a toy is brought without your child’s teacher’s request, these toys will be confiscated and returned to the parent.

JEWERLY AND MONEY: DO NOT SEND your child with jewelry, money, or other small items in his/her pockets. Small items are dangerous to other children. The Preschool will not be responsible for these items.

LOST AND FOUND: The lost and found box is in the Preschool office. Items will be kept for thirty (30) days after which they will be donated to needy families.

REST PERIOD: All children will be given a rest period. Sleeping is not mandatory, but the children must rest quietly on their mats. Mats will be used for children ages one (1) through five (5) years of age. Please label blankets and standard size pillowcases with the child’s full name. They are to be taken home EVERY FIRDAY for washing.

PROMOTION: It is the goal of Little Lambs Preschool & Daycare to teach children to enjoy preschool and to be happy with themselves as well as to be secure in their friendships, and to know that they are God’s children and to be totally prepared in all areas to development necessary for future success in school. We are very concerned about each child in our preschool and take our responsibility to recognize the development of each child very seriously. For this reason, occasionally a teacher will recommend that a child stay back in the younger class, to allow more time for additional growth and development before going into the next class. This recommendation is never made without a great deal of observation and consultation.

FORWARDING PRESCHOOL RECORDS: It is our policy to forward your child’s Preschool records and health forms automatically to the next preschool or school upon a parent written request. No records will be released if an unpaid balance remains.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS: You may send special treats (pre-packaged from a store or bakery) on the day of your child’s birthday for sharing with the class. Please notify the teacher ahead of time, as another child may also have a special snack planned for the same day. ALL BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND TREATS ARE TO TAKE PLACE AFTER NAPTIME.

SPECIAL HOLIDAY REFRESHMENTS: When the teacher is planning a special holiday party for the class, we will ask parents if they would like to bring something on that day, (again pre-packaged from a store or bakery). We will have a sign up sheet with a list of refreshments to choose from for that purpose. PARENTS ARE WELCOME TO COME TO THESE GET-TOGETHERS, IN FACT WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO COME.

CLOSED HOLIDAYS: The list of holiday closings will be announced in January of each year.

SNACKS: Will be provided by the Preschool in the morning and afternoon.  Breakfast and lunch is not provided by the preschool.

MEDICATIONS: If a child is to receive medications during school hours, it must be a current personal PRESCRIPTION filled by a pharmacist on a physician’s order. The medication must have a label bearing the child’s name, physician’s name and directions for administering it to the child. This regulation automatically includes medications such as Tylenol, Dimetapp, Sudafed, and any OTC (over-the-counter) medications. Your doctor must write directions for giving these medications on a current dated letterhead from his/her office. When taking an antibiotic, a child must be on the prescription for 24 hours before returning to school.
When you bring in a prescription medication, you must also sign a medications permission form stating the time, dosage, and name of the medication that is to be given to your child. These forms are available in the Preschool’s office and can be dated for that full week.
At Preschool, during shopping trips, at the beach, in the neighborhood, children come in contact with many communicable diseases such as flu, cold, chicken pox, and severe sore throat. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO PRESCHOOL IF YOUR CHILD IS ILL OR HAS A FEVER, VOMITTING, DIARRHEA, SKIN RASH, SEVERE SORE THROAT, OR A BAD COUGH. Staying at home when sick will help your child get well and protect other classmates. After an illness your child may return to the Preschool, if the symptoms have not been present for 24 hours. If your child gets sick or injured at Preschool, you will be called to pick-up your child right away. The Preschool is not able to take care of students for a long period of time when they are ill.

FIRST AID: County regulations limit first aid provided at the Preschool to the use of soap, water, and bandages. We are not allowed to use any other type of medication.

LICE: There will be random lice checks, if your child is shown to have lice, you will be called to come and pick up your child immediately. Your child will be checked before being re-admitted to class after treatment has been given. You will need to show proof of treatment before your child will be allowed to return.

INSURANCE: A “Proof of Insurance Coverage Statement” must be signed by a parent and be filed in your child’s file, giving proof that each child is covered by insurance. This should include the name of the insurance company, policy number, and an explanation of coverage. Little Lambs Preschool & Daycare carries the required liability insurance; but as with other Preschool’s individual coverage for personal injury is the responsibility of the parent when a child is enrolled in a program where tuition is charged.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES: It is the Preschool’s policy that records concerning an individual child are private and will not be shown to anyone other than the custodial parent.

CHANGES IN HOME SITUATION: From time-to-time a personal crisis may occur in the life of your child, which, although not necessarily related to Preschool, may adversely affect your child’s behavior and work habits while in Preschool. It is not our purpose to invade anyone’s privacy, but should such an event take place, a brief note or phone call would make us aware of the situation and allow us to respond to the special needs of your child during that time.

CHANGES IN ADDRESS & PHONE NUMBERS: It is the parent’s responsibility to make sure the office has the correct information regarding you and your child. Please notify the Preschool office immediately of any change in address or telephone numbers, home or work. Up to date information will help us cope quickly with emergencies.

SELLING PRODUCTS AND SOLICITATION: It is not possible to patronize all those who are in the business of selling Tupperware, Mary Kay, Avon, or any other products. For that reason, the staff will not be purchasing any of these items from parents who do sell them. Therefore, the staff members of the Preschool will also not be allowed to sell items to the parents, unless it is a fundraiser for the Preschool.

COUNSELING SERVICES: Previously there was a note sent home in reference to counseling. Little Lambs Day Care does have a counselor available. We do not set the fees or the schedules for the counselor. If you have any questions please contact the director or assistant director.

DAY CARE FEE INCREASE: Starting the week of July 1, 2008 tuition prices are as follows:
Infants - $130.00
One’s - $115.00
Two’s – $105.00
Three’s - $95.00
Four’s - $95.00 (VPK Wrap-a-round fee $75.00 for 2010-2011 School Year)
School Age before and after $27.50 in a.m. and $27.50 in p.m., when school is out and the child is at the center for the day there is a $5.00 per day charge for the child being in our care for the full day.

PRE-SCHOOL HOURS OF OPERATION:  Our hours are Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.  We ask that you please have your child here between 8:30 am - 9:00 a.m. each morning.  Please remember that if you bring your child in after 11:00 a.m. lunch may have already been served and the child will be coming in around naptime.

We ask that you please read the handbook and sign the last page of the handbook and return it back to your child's teacher or one of the directors of the center.

ALL LUNCHES NEED TO HAVE NAMES MARKED ON THEM, SOME LUNCHBOXES LOOK THE SAME!

UPDATE: MAY 18, 2005  If Little Lambs Daycare & Preschool should have to close down for business for any reason it will be policy to give the parents 15-30 days notice in writing.