Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1

Classroom Questions

Accepted Answer

Is the building secure? Children’s Choice is a secure building. All doors are locked from the outside and key fobs are issued with a $50.00 deposit to let parents in the front door. Only staff members are able to unlock playground doors. As an additional safety measure, we ask that parents/guardians do not let other adults into the building but instead let them know you will find someone if there isn’t anybody at the front desk. It is also a good idea to bring your ID with you in case there is somebody at the front desk who may not recognize you. Please do not be offended if you are asked to show ID in these situations. You must walk through the front door to pick up your children. Picking them up directly from the playground is not permitted. We also have cameras in each room that are recorded up to two weeks and can be permanently saved. Parents are always welcome to view the videos from the director’s office. Children’s Choice does not offer the option to view the videos online. Information about the Infant Rooms: • To keep our infant rooms as pristine as possible we ask that you o Take off your shoes before entering either room, or place a pair of surgical booties over your shoes before entering. • Infants are separated into mobile and non-mobile whenever possible. • Color scheme is designed to fit the first colors seen by infants which are black, white and red. • You may keep a set of bottles here so you do not have to transport them home. o Each room is equipped with a dishwasher/sanitizer. o Refrigerator/freezer for breast milk and foods.  How many teachers are in each classroom? The number of teachers in each classroom varies on what age. Infants and toddlers have a 4:1 ratio. Twoyear-olds is 6:1, three-year-olds is 8:1, four-year-olds is 12:1 and school age is 15:1  What are the goals for each classroom? Each age group has specific goals that the teachers help them with daily. For example: Infants are helped to hold their own bottles, stand/walk, and eat table food. Toddlers work on drinking out of cups without lids and eating with silverware. Two-year olds transition to stand-up diapering and potty training. Threeyear-olds work on letter/number recognition and phonics. Four-year olds work on writing and scissor proficiency and other preschool goals.   How well do you sanitize the classrooms? Each room is thoroughly cleaned daily. Tables are sprayed completely with disinfectant after every use and are left to sit for five minutes to complete the disinfect process. Toys are washed and disinfected daily or once a week, unless they have come in contact with bodily fluid, then they are washed and sanitized immediately. All the floors are swept throughout the day and mopped each evening. All our bedding is washed daily and the cots are sanitized nightly.

Question 2

Certifications/ Qualification Questions

Accepted Answer

Are teachers First Aid and CPR certified? Each teacher must have their First Aid, CPR, Universal Precautions and Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting certifications. Each certification renewal varies: CPR is renewed every two years, First Aid – every three years, Universal Precautions – every year Mandatory Reporting – every three years. Each certification is kept in the employee’s file at all times.  What are the teacher qualifications? Children’s Choice does not require each teacher to have a degree or experience. The majority of our staff has a degree (or is working towards obtaining their degree), and/or experience. Continuing Education courses are offered to staff members as well.  How is discipline handled? Children’s Choice philosophy is to redirect the unwanted behavior rather than punishing the child. If there is unwanted behavior, the child is told that the behavior is not okay and the teacher may assist them in finding other work to do. Children are never put in time outs or made to feel excluded in any way. Classrooms also have safe spaces for children to take a break and calm themselves down as needed.

Question 3

Enrollment Questions

Accepted Answer

What is needed to enroll our child(ren)? There is a $50.00 enrollment fee that reserves the spot for your child(ren). There is also a $50.00 key fob deposit that is refundable per each key fob. Each family is allowed multiple key fobs if they wish. After the enrollment fee is paid, you will be given a packet of paperwork to fill out that must be filled out and returned with the folder before your child’s start date. Children’s Choice also requires a physical examination every twelve months and current immunizations.  Do you accept State Assistance? Yes, Children’s Choice accepts state assistance. If state rates fall below our current rates, then the family is responsible for the difference. We require a week’s rate deposit upon starting and if there are family copay fees these are due on Monday of each week.  Do you accept state exemptions for immunizations? No, while DHS does recognize state exemptions for immunizations; Children’s Choice requires each child to have current immunizations based upon the large population of newborns and pregnant mothers in our facility. If you choose to discontinue with immunizations, then you will have two weeks to find replacement care.

Question 4

Curriculum/ Hour Questions

Accepted Answer

How is transitioning handled? Transitioning to the next classroom is dependent upon your child’s stage of development or birthday and if there is an available spot in the next classroom. DHS does not allow us to move each child until they have turned the appropriate age for the classroom they are moving into. When we do transition a child, we start by moving them to the classroom for an hour or two, and build up from there. Typically, a transition will take about a week.  How is discipline handled? Children’s Choice philosophy is to redirect the unwanted behavior rather than punishing the child. If there is unwanted behavior, the child is told that the behavior is not okay and the teacher may assist them in finding other work to do. Children are never put in time outs or made to feel excluded in any way. Classrooms also have safe spaces for children to take a break and calm themselves down as needed.  What is a typical day like? Each room tends to vary based upon the age. All meals are served at a consistent time: Breakfast 7:00- 7:30am, Morning Snack 9:00am, Lunch 11:30am, Afternoon Snack 3:00pm. Each room takes turns using the gymnasium and backyard throughout the day, and incorporates their curriculum and center time when they are in the classroom. Restful time is typically from 12:45/1:00pm-3:00pm.  How is the curriculum based? Children’s Choice allows each classroom to write their own curriculum each week based upon the seven different areas of learning which are Language/Literacy, Math, Science, The Arts, personal/Social, Social Studies and Physical Development. We are constantly self-assessing against school entrance requirements.   Which holidays are Children’s Choice closed for? Children’s Choice is closed for the six major holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. How do I know that goals are being met? Twice a year Children’s Choice puts together an assessment portfolio that is full of authentic work and photographs showing different areas of learning and how each goal and curriculum is being met. Teachers will hold conferences with you by personal visit, telephone call or email update.

Question 5

Meals/ Bedding Questions

Accepted Answer

How are your meals based? Our meals are based upon the four different food groups and DHS standards on portioning. Each snack includes a fruit or vegetable and a grain, and lunches include fruit, vegetable, grain, protein, and milk.   Do we bring our own bedding? No, Children’s Choice provides fitted sheets for the cots and flat sheets to use as blankets. To help with the spread of illness, we ask that you do not bring any comfort items from home

Children's Choice Early Learning Center Assistant

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