Pumpkin Patch Acres Early Learning & Child Care

    Parent’s Handbook 📖

    📝ENROLLMENT

    • An enrollment fee equal to one week of care for part-time and two weeks for full-time is required to secure your child’s spot. This is applied to the last two weeks provided required notice is given and family is in good standing.
    • A signed copy of this handbook and your child’s enrollment form must be returned before care begins.

    Parent initials: ___

    💵TUITION & PAYMENTS

    • Tuition is due the last day of each month or week ahead of care. If payment is not received, care will not be provided until payment is made.
    • A $35 daily late fee applies to all late payments.
    • Tuition is based on enrollment, not attendance and is due regardless of attendance except when we close for unpaid days (see our scheduled closures below).
    • We accept Zelle, cash and personal checks. A $20 fee applies to returned checks.

    Parent initials: ___

    📌CANCELLATION OF CARE

    • A one-week for part-time and a two-week for full time written notice is required if you plan to withdraw. No refunds for any tuition paid ahead will be given.
    • We reserve the right to terminate care at any time. When possible, one or two weeks’ notice will be provided.

    Parent initials: _____

    🍽️ 🕰️ MEALS & FOOD ALLERGIES

    • All meals and snacks are included except for infant formula. Breakfast is between 7:30-8:30 am and lunch is between 11:30 and 12:30. Children arriving after 8:30 am must be fed breakfast at home.
    • No outside food or drinks allowed. Part of our program is growing, making and eating food together.
    • Food Allergy Policy:Pumpkin Patch Acres is a working homestead where a wide variety of foods are prepared and consumed daily. Due to the nature of our setting, we may not be able to safely accommodate children with severe or life-threatening food allergies.

      Parent initials: _____

    🛑 CLOSURES & HOLIDAYS

    • Pumpkin Patch Acres is closed for the following paid holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday and Christmas Day.
    • We take up to two unpaid one-week closures each year and will announce dates at least six weeks in advance.
    • We take up to 5 unpaid provider sick days or personal days which will be communicated as early as possible.
    • Families who are with us after six months get five unpaid sick days and one unpaid week after a year to use as credits at their discretion.

    Parent initials: _____

    🚽 DIAPERING & POTTY TRAINING

    • Parents must provide diapers, pull ups and creams. We supply wipes.
    • Children over age 3 must be potty trained. We are happy to support the process, but parents must lead potty training at home.
    • Children must be developmentally ready and able to communicate toileting needs before potty training begins at daycare. Elimination communication is not supported.
    • Families are required to provide multiple changes of clothing.
    • Pull-ups will continue to be used until the child has been accident-free at home for a minimum of two weeks.
    • Potty training may be paused at the provider’s discretion if repeated accidents, resistance, or distress occur.

    Parent initials: _____

    💊👩‍⚕️ MEDICATION & SICK POLICY

    • Children must stay home if they have any symptoms of severe illness, including but not limited to fever, vomiting, diarrhea, persistent coughing, rash of unknown origin, excessive lethargy, or any condition that may affect the health or safety of the group.
    • If a child becomes ill while in care, parents will be notified immediately and must pick up their child as soon as possible. Sick children may not remain in care.
    • Return to care is at the provider’s discretion, regardless of a doctor’s note or outside recommendations.

    Parent initials: _____

    🚨 DISCIPLINE & BEHAVIOR

    • We are strict but loving and firm. We use redirection and affirmation as our main sources of discipline.
    • Parent Partnership: We ask families to support positive behavior at home and work with us to maintain consistency.
    • Children are taught to use toys and materials respectfully. Normal wear and tear or accidental damage is expected in a group care setting.
    • Intentional destruction of toys or repeated misuse that causes damage is not acceptable. Parents may be responsible for replacing items that are deliberately broken. Ongoing destructive behavior may result in termination of care.
    • We do not tolerate bullying or abuse between or from the children in our care and will address any behaviors we deem problematic immediately. Aggressive or disruptive behavior may be grounds for termination (see our termination policy below).
    • Behavior Support: We provide loving structure and guidance, but we are not equipped for intensive, one-on-one behavioral therapy or specialized intervention. Children must be able to participate in a group setting with age-appropriate cooperation.
    • If your child can not cooperate they may be asked to leave for the day and must be picked up immediately.

    Parent initials: _____

    🎨📚🎵 DAILY ACTIVITIES

    • We provide age-appropriate reading, writing, art, music, science, language arts, games and puzzles.
    • Outdoor play and learning is part of most days: nature walks, garden projects, small animal care.
    • Children are encouraged to participate, not just observe.
    • Our schedule may change depending on attendance but we do follow a general routine.

    Parent initials: _____

    🌿🐓🥚 HEALTHY HOMESTEAD LIFE

    • We are traditional-minded here. Children may participate in cooking, baking, sewing, cleaning, and age-appropriate light farm chores like gardening and collecting eggs.
    • We are a non-smoking home with family pets and livestock including a working sled dog team!
    • Due to the presence of animals and unavoidable exposure to dander and environmental allergens, we may not be able to safely accommodate children with severe allergies.
    • We prioritize healthy eating, exercise and mental health. Your children will be encouraged to practice good habits that will carry them for life.

    Parent initials: _____

    🚗⌚DROP-OFF, PICK-UP & LATE FEES

    • We request that drop-offs be no later than 9:00 am to insure our routine stays consistent.
    • We request that drop-offs and pick-ups take place outside of our daily scheduled nap time from 1-3 pm unless necessary.
    • For the safety and well-being of the group, children must enter the daycare in a calm and cooperative state. Disruptive or escalated behavior at drop-off will require the parent to take the child back to the car to regulate or return home for the day.
    • Please ensure your child is picked up at or before your scheduled pick-up time. If you are running late, please notify me immediately; however, notification does not necessarily waive late fees.
    • Only adults listed on your child’s enrollment form may pick up unless written permission is given in advance by the enrolling parent.
    • Late fee rate: $1 per minute per violation (10 hour day or closing time). Late fees must be paid before your child can return to care.

    Parent initials: _____

    ❄️⚠️ WEATHER & EMERGENCIES

    • We follow our own judgment regarding weather-related closures or delays. Decisions may differ from local school district closures.
    • In the event of severe weather, power outages, or other emergencies, we will notify you as soon as possible. Please ensure your phone is on and reachable during daycare hours.
    • We have a thorough emergency plan in place and practice emergency drills regularly.

    Parent initials: _____

    🧸🎒 PERSONAL ITEMS

    • Toys from home must stay at home unless it is for a scheduled show-and-tell or one comfort item for nap time. We are not responsible for lost or damaged personal items.
    • No small items from home are allowed under any circumstances including small toys, jewelry, trinkets, coins, keychains, or items that can fit in a pocket. These pose a serious choking hazard to the infants in our care.
    • Children must arrive dressed for active, messy play. We do not restrict play to protect clothing. Outfits that cannot get dirty or stained should not be worn to daycare. The program is not responsible for damaged or stained clothing.
    • Please send a weather-appropriate change of clothes (including socks and underwear) to keep here. I will let parents know when items need to be replaced due to size, season, or wear. Replacement clothing must be provided the next day.
    • If your child runs out of clothes or is not dressed for the weather, you may be required to bring additional clothing immediately or pick up your child.

    Parent initials: _____

    💤 NAP & REST TIME

    • We offer quiet rest time each day after lunch, between 1–3 pm. All children are expected to participate in rest time.
    • Children are not required to sleep but are encouraged to rest on individual mats.
    • Children who do not sleep will be given quiet activities to do on their mat.
    • Infants will be allowed to follow their own sleep schedule as needed and will sleep in approved cribs following safe sleep guidelines.
    • We do not keep children awake or wake them early upon parent request. Rest needs vary daily and rest time supports the well-being of the whole group.

    Parent initials: _____

    📵 TECH & SCREEN TIME

    • We are not anti-tech – we use limited, age-appropriate learning videos and educational games to support lessons (phonics, sign language, music, etc.).
    • No personal devices from home are allowed, including tablets, phones, smartwatches, potty watches, handheld gaming devices, or electronic toys.

    Parent initials: _____

    🚫 SECURITY

    • We have an open-door policy for all parents, meaning you may visit unannounced at any time. We ask that you avoid arriving during nap time unless it is necessary, as this can disrupt the group’s rest.
    • Our doors remain locked at all times for safety; please be patient while we unlock the door and ensure it is safe to let you in.
    • We use security cameras inside and outside for the safety of the children and the daycare environment. To protect the privacy of all families, parents do not have access to the live feed or recorded footage. Video recordings are securely stored and may only be reviewed by the provider or released if required by law.
    • All caregivers have training in first aid and have mandatory extended background checks.
    • Under Idaho law, childcare providers are mandatory reporters and must report suspected abuse or neglect. This process exists to protect children and families and is handled by the appropriate authorities.

    Parent initials: _____

    📷MEDIA POLICY

    • We respect your family’s privacy and safety. We may occasionally use non-identifiable images (such as children’s hands, artwork, or backs of heads). These do not require media permission as no child can be identified.
    • We kindly ask that parents refrain from posting photos or videos taken at daycare that include our daycare environment, other children, or identifying details. This helps protect the privacy and safety of all families in our care.

    Parent initials: _____

    🙏 FAITH & VALUES POLICY

    • We are a non-denominational Christian home daycare that welcomes and respects families of all backgrounds and belief systems.
    • Our program reflects our Christian values through kindness, gratitude, helping others, honesty, and respect. We celebrate Christian holidays.
    • We do not allow any outside missionary efforts, church recruitment, scripture study, or attempts to influence the spiritual beliefs of myself, my family, or the children on this property.

    Parent initials: _____

    🚫 TERMINATION & POLICY VIOLATIONS

    • We have a zero-tolerance policy for behavior that endangers others or disrupts the program.
    • Immediate Termination: Care may be ended at any time, without notice, for repeated aggression, intentional harm, extreme defiance, dangerous behavior, or anything that puts the safety or well-being of any child or adult at risk.
    • Parent/Guardian Conduct: Abusive, threatening, disrespectful, or disruptive behavior from parents, guardians, or anyone associated with the family is grounds for immediate termination.
    • Policy Violations: Repeated or serious violations of any daycare policy may result in immediate termination of care.
    • No Refunds: Tuition, fees, and deposits are not refunded when care is ended due to behavior or policy violations.
    • Final Decisions: Termination decisions are made thoughtfully and solely for the safety and well-being of the group. These decisions are final.

    Parent initials: _____

    🪙REFUND POLICY

    • No refunds are given when a family misses days for any reason unless they are using their unpaid days with previous approval.
    • Any failure to pay tuition on time may result in immediate suspension or termination of care.
    • No refunds are issued when care is terminated due to behavior concerns, policy violations, or other issues that jeopardize the safety or well-being of the group. This includes any deposits or credits.
    • If I end care for reasons not related to a policy violation, I will refund any unused prepaid days.

    Parent initials: _____

    💬 PARENT COMMUNICATION

    If I have a concern about your child I may request a private parent conference at your convenience. I’m always available if you have a question, concern, or just want to chat however please note for non-urgent messages I may not respond right away.

    Miss Bee 🐝

    Parent Signature

    By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agree to follow all policies outlined in the Pumpkin Patch Acres Handbook.

    Parent/Guardian Name: ___________________________
    Signature: _______________________________________
    Date: _______