Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1

Questions about our building

Accepted Answer

Q: What are your hours, and when are you closed? A: Children’s Choice is open Monday through Friday 5:30 am until 6:00 pm. We are only closed for six major holidays-Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve operate on a shortened schedule. Any holidays that fall on weekends do not affect regular business hours.  Q: Is the building secure?  A: Children’s Choice is a secure building. All doors are locked from the outside and require app access at no charge. The front office is staffed from 6:30 am until close. This person may ask you to provide identification if they do not recognize you. We ask all parents to walk through the front door for drop off and pickup so staff are aware of who is in the building. Additionally, Children’s Choice is equipped with a camera system in each of our classrooms and playground areas. Parents may request to view this footage at any time, although the option is not available to view in real time online, an appointment must be made to view in the director’s office.

Question 2

Questions about infant care

Accepted Answer

Q: What kind of environment is provided for the infants? A: We aim to keep the infant classrooms as pristine as possible. We ask that you take off your shoes before entering the room, or place booties over your shoes. The physical classroom space allows for infants to be separated into mobile and non-mobile whenever possible. Our non-mobile room has plenty of space for supervised tummy time, developmentally appropriate toys, and individual crib space for each child. The mobile infants have all of this, as well as toys and soft furniture that help to develop their gross motor skills.   Q: What supplies do parents provide for infants in your care? A: It is the parent’s responsibility to provide 3 bottles for their child. Those can be left at the center, as we have dishwashers in both infant rooms that are run throughout the day. Additionally, they can be brought in fresh daily if the parent so desires. Parents provide all formula or breast milk that their child drinks. Frozen breast milk may also be provided to store in the classroom, which is equipped with a freezer. Parents supply all diapers, wipes, and creams as needed. Additionally if your infant is on pureed baby food, the parent supplies this. Once they transition to table food, the center will provide at parent’s discretion.   Q: What kind of schedule do the infants follow? And how do they transition? A: Our infant rooms are unique in that they follow the needs of the infants for a daily schedule. There are “nap times” in both infant rooms, morning and afternoon, but babies will never be forced to sleep or stay awake during those times. The lights are dimmed and calm music is playing to signify the nap time environment. Babies drink their bottles on the schedule that the parents provide to the teachers. Older infants eat snacks and lunch based on a schedule from the center. Infants transition from our first infant room (Lullaby Lane) to our second (Baby Boulevard) based on age and milestones. Beginning at 6 months, we look to see if there are any signs of mobility and sitting. We try to have the babies separated in mobile and immobile groups whenever possible. Infants transition to the toddler room around 1 year of age, when table food is the main source of nutrition and when they are showing signs of walking soon or are already walking.

Question 3

Questions about our program

Accepted Answer

Q: What is a typical day like? A: Each room tends to vary based on the age, but all meals are served at consistent times. Breakfast is from 7:00-7:30, Morning Snack 9:00-9:30, Lunch 11:30-12, and Afternoon Snack 3:00-3:30. Each room has designated time slots to use the gym and outdoor play spaces throughout the day. The classrooms incorporate their curriculum and center time throughout the day, providing opportunities for academic growth and meeting physical and developmental milestones. Typically, a quiet rest time is from 12:00-3:00, with younger classrooms laying down on the earlier end of that interval for a longer rest time.   Q: How many teachers are in each classroom and what are their qualifications? A: The number of teachers in each classroom varies depending on the age. Infants and toddlers have a 4:1 ratio. Two year olds have a 7:1 ratio. Three year olds have a 10:1 ratio. Four year olds have a 12:1 ratio. School agers have a 15:1 ratio. Children’s Choice does not require their teachers to have a degree, but offers many opportunities for continuing education courses in the field related to early childhood education. All staff receive CPR and First Aid certification, mandatory child abuse reporting, and universal precautions training. All staff are required to complete at least six hours of continuing education each year. Certifications are kept up to date with renewal opportunities provided by the center.  Q: What are the goals of the classrooms? A: Each classroom has different goals that help the children in those rooms meet their milestones. Infants are working on holding bottles, crawling, standing, walking and transitioning to baby food. Toddlers work on drinking out of open faced cups and eating with silverware, as well as strengthening their walking skills. Two year olds transition to stand up diapering and potty training. Three year olds work on letter/number recognition and phonics. Four year olds work on writing and scissor proficiency and other preschool goals.  Q: How are transitions handled? A: Transitioning to the next classroom is dependent on your child’s age, stage of development, and if there is an available space in the next classroom. DHS does not allow us to move each child until they are the appropriate age for the room they are moving into. When we transition a child, they are offered transition times in their new classroom in small intervals, typically 20 minutes to start and increasing from there. Typically a transition will take about a week.  Q: How is discipline handled? A: 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 something else to do. Children are not put into timeout or made to feel excluded in any way. Classrooms have safe spaces for children to take a break and calm themselves down as needed.  Q: How is the curriculum based and how do I know that goals are being met? A: Children’s Choice allows teachers to write their own curriculum, lessons, and activities based on areas of learning.They receive guidance from directors, and lesson plans are kept for reference in the front office. Each week the lesson plans are turned in for the directors to review. We are constantly self assessing against the requirements for the elementary schools. We know that goals are being met through both formal and informal assessments the teachers complete in their classrooms. Authentic work is kept for these assessments, and the teachers will discuss with parents as needed on how their child’s social and academic development is developing.  Q: How are your meals based? A: Our meals are based on the Child and Adult Food Care Program (CACFP) and DHS standards for portion and food groups. Each snack includes a fruit or vegetable and a grain, with water. Each meal includes a fruit, vegetable, grain, protein and milk. A weekly menu along with infant/toddler substitutes are posted near the front door for parents to review as desired.

Question 4

Questions about enrollment

Accepted Answer

Q: What is needed to enroll my child? A: A $50 non-refundable enrollment fee will secure that spot. It also allows for you to pick up the packet of enrollment paperwork that is needed for your child to begin. The $50 fee, packet, a copy of your child’s most recent well visit (physical) and immunization record all must be on file at least one week before your child may begin attendance.   Q: Do you accept Iowa State Assistance? A: Yes, Children’s Choice does accept state assistance. If the state allowed rate is below our current rates, the family is responsible for the difference. We require a deposit of one week’s tuition upon starting. If a family copay fee is assessed by the state, that copay is due on Monday each week.   Q: Is there a waitlist and how are tours handled? A: Our waitlist varies by age group and families desired start date. When a start date is known and a space becomes available, you will be contacted in the order that you got your name on the list. If you are still interested in a spot at that time, a tour will be set up. Expecting mothers are encouraged to call well in advance of baby’s due date as we are able to note care will be needed once baby arrives, and can still tour ahead of time.  Q: Do you take immunization exemptions? A: Although DHS does recognize state exemptions for immunization, Children’s Choice does not accept immunization exemptions of any kind. The traditional vaccine schedule does allow for a small amount of flexibility in the time frame of receiving vaccines, and we work directly with a representative of the health department on the time tables required. Due to the large population of newborns, infants and pregnant mothers in our facility, we require every child to keep up to date with all vaccines and provide the record updates as needed. If you choose to discontinue immunizations, you will be given a two week notice to find replacement care.

Question 5

Questions about health and safety

Accepted Answer

Q: How is sanitizing handled? A: Each room is thoroughly cleaned daily. Tables are sprayed with disinfectant after every use and are left to sit for the appropriate dwell time necessary to effectively sanitize. Toys are washed with soapy water and sanitized daily or weekly, depending on the item. If the item has come in contact with bodily fluid, it is washed and sanitized immediately. All floors are swept throughout the day and mopped each evening. All sheets/blankets/sleep sacks are washed daily and cots/crib mattresses are sanitized after use.  Q: Are teachers First Aid & CPR certified? A: Yes - all staff members are required to have an up to date CPR and First Aid certification. These are kept in the employee’s file at all times and renewed every 2 years. Emergency procedures are practiced and discussed with staff.  Q: What are your illness policies? A: Children’s Choice requires that children stay home from the center for 24 hours following the onset of symptoms including. ● Fever > 100.4F ● Vomiting ● Diarrhea ● Heavy Nasal Discharge ● Red or sore throat ● Mouth sores ● Lice, scabies, impetigo, or ringworm ● Chicken pox, measles, or mumps ● Rubella ● Streptococcal Pharyngitis ● Pinworm ● Unexplained rash ● Unexplained pain ● Any contagious illness ● Severe illness that includes lethargy, irritability, persistent crying and/or difficult breathing  We ask that parents notify the center of any communicable disease your child has been diagnosed with as we are required to post that the illness has been confirmed within the building. A doctor’s note may be requested if your child needs to return before the 24 hour mark of symptom onset.  Q: Do we need to supply bedding? A: No, Children’s Choice provides fitted sheets for the cots and flat sheets to use as blankets. In the infant rooms, we provide tight fitting crib sheets and sleep sacks. All items are washed daily. To help with the spread of illness, we ask that soft comfort items such as lovies or stuffed animals remain at home.

Children's Choice Early Learning Center Assistant

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