Child Development Center
Parent Handbook
1600 Judson Road Longview, Texas 75601
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Dear Parents:
It is a joy to have the opportunity to work with preschool children and their parents. It is our desire as a staff for all children placed in our care to feel secure and to grow toward the person they are meant to be.
The early years are crucial to your child’s development. It is during this period of growth that a child is being shaped. Every contact children encounter is a building block to their future. We hope that through our efforts we will be able to give your child a good foundation in molding their future.
This handbook is for you, the parent, to become familiar with the policies of the Center. We urge you to read it carefully and ask any questions you may have. Parents and teachers working together will help create a happy learning experience for your child.
Please feel free to visit our Center and talk with us concerning your child.
Sincerely,
Jamie Wright, Director
Angie Bellatti, Debbie Carey Assistant Director / a.m. Assistant Director / p.m.
Updated August 2020
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Oakland Heights Baptist Church Child Development Center
MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of the Center is to extend the ministry of, and help accomplish the purpose of, Oakland Height Baptist Church by providing an environment that will develop a child, Spiritually, Mentally, Physically, Emotionally, Socially, and Academically so the children will realize their own God-Given potential. This is accomplished by providing developmentally appropriate activities and guidance, and by providing a program of ministry and outreach to the families enrolled.
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Oakland Heights Baptist Church Child Development Center
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Oakland Heights Child Development Center is a Christian Preschool and is licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, signifying we meet and exceed the minimum standards.
Our classes are open to any child regardless of race or religious beliefs. The curriculum is appropriately designed to meet the age and development of each child. Since children learn best through hands-on activities, lessons are built around play and experiential learning. We believe that children absorb their concepts of God from people, things, and experiences that are a part of their environment. Thus, a love and appreciation for God, the Bible, and the things God has made are stressed through appropriate activities. The curriculum is designed to help the child develop in all facets of his life…physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually. The curriculum is planned to enable each child to:
• Grow in trust, independence, and initiative • Feel good about himself • Experience God’s love for him/her through loving relationships with other children and adults • Enjoy happy times at school • Explore the world around him/her • Develop small muscles through art, puzzles, blocks, and homeliving activities
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• Exercise large muscles through movement activities indoors and outdoors • Develop listening skills and grow in knowledge through books and stories • Enjoy creative expression through music, art, and other play activities • Think and make choices for individual and small group activities • Learn readiness skills necessary to prepare them for kindergarten
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Oakland Heights Baptist Church Child Development Center 903.753.1592 ohbc.org [email protected]
PARENT POLICIES
Fees Registration Fee: $50.00 Supply Fee: $200.00 birth through 4 year olds $50.00 summer fee for 5 year olds
This fee is payable at registration and is not refundable. The Supply Fee is also charged each new school year. The Child Development Center is a year-round program; open Monday- Friday, 7a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Tuition • Full Time 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. $580.00 per month 6 months through 2 years (Parents supply bottles, diapers, wipes and food) 3, 4 and 5 year olds (Includes preschool morning classes, snacks and extended care) • Part Time 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. $400.00 per month 3, 4 and 5 year olds (Includes preschool morning classes and a.m. snack) • Part Time 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 3, 4 and 5 year olds
2 days (Tuesday, Thursday) $370.00 per month 3 days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) $430.00 per month (Includes preschool morning classes, snacks, and extended care)
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The Winter/Christmas break, Spring break, and Summer care is for full time students only. Payments Monthly tuition is due on the first day of each month and is not refundable. A late fee of $20.00 will be charged to any account after the 15th. For parents who split payments a late fee will be charged to each parent that pays after the 15th of the month. The monthly rate will be charged regardless of any absences. Please understand that we can make no exceptions. Oakland Heights CDC is a non-profit center. The Center reserves the right to make adjustment in tuition as required by increased operational expenses. Parents will be given advance notice of any tuition increase. If an account becomes past due, it may result in dismissal from the Center. Balances must be maintained each month in order for your child to remain enrolled. Payments should be left in the payment box or cash in the CDC office. Electronic payment is also offered and you can receive information on the church website ohbc.org.
Non-Sufficient Checks There will be a $20.00 service charge for any insufficient check. The amount of the insufficient check and service charge must be paid by cash or money order as soon as you are notified that the check has been returned. The return of a second check will automatically void the privilege of paying by check.
Admission / Enrollment All registration/medical forms must be completed and all fees must be paid before a child will be admitted to the Center. Your child’s physician must sign the health record and a record of immunizations must be included and kept current. Hearing and vision screening is required at age four.
Parents must sign and date any updated information on registration forms.
Parents may visit the CDC at any time during the hours of operation to observe their child, CDC operation, and program activities, without
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Parent notifications will be sent home in writing or posted on sign-in table. The CDC office may also make a phone call to the parents. Parents may also check the CDC Facebook page.
Parents will be notified of policy changes as they are made through an addendum.
Photographs The Center will take pictures of the children and their activities throughout the year, by signing this policy book you are acknowledging your permission for release (ie; OHBC website).
Arrival Parents MUST sign their child in and out each day. It is important for the office to know the time your child arrived and time they were picked up. Medicines/medication forms and notes should be left in the front CDC office. Please have your child at school no later than 10:00 a.m.
FOR FIRE SAFETY, PLEASE MAKE A SPECIAL NOTE THAT NO CAR IS TO BE LEFT PARKED OR UNATTENDED UNDER THE DRIVE THROUGH PORTICO.
Release of the Child The Center will ensure that a child is released only to a parent or an adult designated by the parent. These names must be listed on your child’s registration form. You may call or send a note to designate other people to pick up your child, but identification will be checked before they enter the classroom. No brother or sister under 16 years of age may pick up a child.
We will contact the police if there is concern about releasing a child into an unsafe situation including a custody issue or to a parent/guardian or other adult who appears to be intoxicated (under the influence of drugs or alcohol).
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When a child is enrolled, it is important to establish the marital status of parents and to gather details on both parents including their name, address, home, work and cell phone numbers. Should there be a divorce or other custody issue, we will require court documentation for the release of the child. This legal document is the only means by which the Center can deny a parent release of child.
We are unable to dress a child for any extra activities (i.e.; dance, gym or ball uniforms). Please allow enough time to do this yourself at pick up.
Late Pick-Up Oakland Heights closes promptly at 5:30 p.m. To encourage you to be on time, a late charge will begin at 5:31 p.m. You will be required to pay $20.00 per child for the first five minutes, and $20.00 for any portion of every five minutes following, etc. You must pay this fee to the office at the time of pick up. Upon the third late pick up, your child may be subject to dismissal.
Health and Medical Immunizations must be kept up to date. Parents are also responsible for keeping current in our files the name of the child’s physician, as well as, the name of the emergency contact. In the event of an accident or illness requiring medical attention, the child’s parent will be called immediately. If we are unable to locate the parents, office staff or the director will take the child to the emergency room or call 911. Parents are responsible for notifying the Center if they are away from their workplace.
Always remember you are responsible for informing our office of any changes regarding your child’s records (i.e., addresses, phone number, work change, etc.).
If a child is hospitalized for any illness, a doctor’s release will be necessary to return to the Center.
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Vision and Hearing Minimum Standards requires all children to have a hearing and vision screening by the age of four. Documentation of these screenings by the child’s fourth birthday must be provided to the CDC.
Illness Children may not be brought to the Center if they are ill. We are depending on you to help us maintain this policy. Based on requirements from Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, parents will be notified to pick up their child immediately if signs of illness occur during the day. A sick child must not be admitted for care if one or more of the following exists:
1. The illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in the Center’s activities. 2. The child has any of the following: a. Fever accompanied by behavior changes or other signs or symptoms of illness b. Diarrhea, vomiting, symptoms or signs of possible severe illness. c. Diagnoses of a contagious disease, until a written statement from the doctor determines that the child is no longer contagious and is able to participate in the Center’s activities d. A child must be free from symptoms twenty-four hours, without medication, before returning to the Center. This is for the protection of your child, as well as the other children. Parents will be notified when a child has been exposed to a communicable disease within the Center. Parents should likewise notify the school when children are exposed to a disease outside the Center.
Texas State licensing law requires that all children have time outdoors each day the weather permits. If a child is too ill to play or sit outdoors, the child should remain at home. This is a non-negotiable state license law.
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Medications All prescription and over-the-counter medication must be brought to the CDC office. Medication will be dispensed only when accompanied with a medication form available in the CDC office. Medication forms are to be signed and completed by the child’s parent/guardian stating the child’s full name, medication name, and specific dosage instructions with a clearly marked dispenser, parent’s signature and the date. Over-the-counter medication may be only administered in amounts according to the label directions or as amended by a physician. Over the counter medications must be age appropriate. Prescription and over-the-counter medications may not be stored in the classrooms or in your child’s bag or backpack. Please do not leave any kind of medication in your child’s bag or backpack. Medications are to be picked up in the CDC office at the end of the day. Medication administered will be documented and signed by CDC staff. Please give medication at home when possible, including bug spray and sunscreen. We are limited to administering breathing treatments to once (1) a day. Breathing treatments must be accompanied by detailed instructions from the doctor’s office or pharmacist.
All other medication will be given, one time a day, at noon.
Biting Biting is a very serious and dangerous occurrence with small children. The teachers will at all times try to work with the child and the family to stop this behavior. If biting continues, a child may be subject to dismissal from the program.
Conferences At the request of the parent or teacher, the office will arrange a conference for you. Please do not use the every day arrival or departure time to discuss your child’s progress. The teacher’s responsibility at that time is caring for the children. Annual conferences are held in May and October.
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Holidays The Center will be closed on the following days: New Year’s Eve New Year’s Day Martin Luther King Day (January) President’s Day (February) Good Friday Memorial Day (May) 4th of July Labor Day Wednesday before Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Day Day after Thanksgiving Christmas Eve Christmas Day
Possible floating holidays will be determined by the Director / public school calendars. The Winter/Christmas break and Spring break will be available for full time children only. Yearly calendars are provided. We will also be closed for Staff Development days. These days will be announced yearly. Weather The decision for closing our Center for bad weather will usually be based on public schools in the Longview area; however, we will notify the KYKX/ KVNE radio and KETK local television station with this information. If we experience loss of power, we will notify the radio and TV stations. Please note if power is lost, the CDC phone system will not work. Check our Facebook page for updates.
Withdrawal Parents may withdraw their child from the Center after presenting a written, two-week notice to the Center office. If the written, two week notice is not given before the child is withdrawn from the Center, parents are responsible for two weeks of additional tuition.
Dismissal The Center reserves the right to ask for the dismissal, upon one-week notice, of any student who is not compatible with our program. This includes, but is not limited to, hurting other children, excessive biting, disruptive behavior, unresolved differences, or nonpayment of fees.
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Discipline Discipline and guidance are consistent and based on an understanding of individual needs and development. This will promote self-discipline and acceptable behavior. Separation from the group is usually sufficient for preschool children. You will be contacted concerning your child’s behavior if we feel it is necessary. Good discipline is a joint effort between school and home. Please refer to the attached Discipline and Guidance Policy if you want more information regarding discipline.
Food Nutritional morning and afternoon snacks will be served to all children in preschool classes. Your child should have eaten breakfast before he/she arrives at the Center. Food is not allowed in the Welcome Center or Chapel. Please do not permit your preschool child to bring food to the Center unless there is enough to share with the entire class. Due to children with nut allergies, we cannot allow any kind of nut products to be brought for children’s lunches.
The Center is not responsible for the nutritional value or for meeting the child’s daily food requirements.
All formula and baby food is to be furnished by the parents. All infants must be fed their first bottle of the day before coming to the Center. All food and bottles should be labeled with the child’s name. Allergies to milk or other foods must be documented. Parents have the right to breastfeed or provide breast milk for their child while in care. A comfortable place will be provided.
Clothing We ask you to dress your child in play clothes and tennis shoes. To ensure the safety of your child, please do not send your child in cowboy boots, crocks, sandals or flip flops. Three year olds and under will need a change of clothes each day. Because of bathroom availability, three year olds must be potty-trained. Label all sweaters, jackets, coats, hats, and gloves. We will try to help locate, but we cannot be responsible for lost articles.
Due to sanitary reasons the CDC does not allow cloth diapers.
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PLAYGROUND We go outside daily, unless the temperature is below 40 degrees or over 98 degrees (wind chill/heat index will be considered). Your child will need a coat, hat, and gloves in cold weather. We do not have provisions for leaving a child inside during playground time. Our water activities are limited to sprinkler play during the summer – you will be informed in advance of our “splash days.”
Parties You will be asked to bring refreshments for one of the classroom parties during the year. A sign-up list will be posted at the beginning of the school year. Birthday snacks are allowed at school if you make arrangements with the teacher. Birthday invitations for outside the Center may be brought to school but must include enough for ALL the children in the class.
Toys Toys should not be brought to school. We cannot accept responsibility for toys broken by other children. You will be notified when we schedule a “Show and Tell” day. Please check your child’s classroom calendar daily.
Naps All children are required to rest following lunch. The school provides mats and covers. To keep from disturbing the other children, we ask that you not pick up your child during this time unless absolutely necessary. Nap hours are from 1 pm to 3 p.m. Children will not be allowed to return from a previous appointment during nap time. Please try to arrange all doctor appointments and outside lessons at another time.
Field Trips The children in our oldest classes may take field trips during the year. A note will be sent home informing parents of planned field trips. No child will be permitted to go without a signed statement of permission from the parent, and the children are required to wear the school shirt
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(available to purchase in the office). A note will be posted 48 hours in advance at the sign-in area. Due to the size of the bus, booster seats are not required.
The oldest preschool classes may go to the Family Life Center gymnasium for motor skills as part of our regular routine.
Curriculum Children are assigned to classes according to age or development and will be promoted when necessary. Lessons are offered in language arts development, math development, art, science, social studies, music, and fine and gross motor skills. It is our desire that your child develop a love for learning and have the necessary readiness skills to be successful in their next thirteen years of education. Teachers prepare daily lesson plans and monthly calendars. Each teacher is required to maintain at least 24 hours annual training in Early Childhood Education per year. CPR and First Aid training is also required.
As your child grows with this program, they will also have an opportunity to enjoy: Souns Program Learning Centers Chapel Bible Stories and Verses Field Trips Gymnasium activities Large playground Story Time in Church Library Music Class Christmas Program and End of School Program
Building Security Safety measures are in place for entering the church building. Parents will be given two security fobs when they enroll. You will be required to use these fobs to enter the building. They will also let you in the playground door when picking children up on the playground. There is a $20.00 non-refundable fee to replace lost fobs. You may purchase
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extra fobs for this price if needed. Parents are required to follow these procedures.
STATE REQUIREMENTS A copy of the minimum standards is available for you to review at this facility. To report child abuse, call 800.252.5400 or you may contact the Department of Family and Protective Services at
Parents will be notified of new policy changes as needed. Should you need to discuss with the child-care center director any questions or concerns about the policies and procedures of the CDC, please call the office.
Discipline and Guidance Policy for OHCDC
• Discipline must be: (1) Individualized and consistent for each child (2) Appropriate to the child’s level of understanding (3) Directed toward teaching the child acceptable behavior and self-control
• A caregiver may only use positive methods of discipline and guidance that encourage self- esteem, self-control, and self-direction, which include the following: (1) Using praise and encouragement of good behavior instead of focusing only upon unacceptable behavior (2) Reminding a child of behavior expectations daily by using clear, positive statements; (3) Redirecting behavior using positive statements
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(4) Using brief supervised separation or time out from the group, when appropriate for the child’s age and development, which is limited to no more than one minute per year of the child’s age
• There must be no harsh, cruel, or unusual treatment of any child. The following types of discipline and guidance are prohibited: (1) Corporal punishment or threats of corporal punishment (2) Punishment associated with food, naps, or toilet training (3) Pinching, shaking, or biting a child (4) Hitting a child with a hand or instrument (5) Putting anything in or on a child’s mouth (6) Humiliating, ridiculing, rejecting, or yelling at a child (7) Subjecting a child to harsh, abusive, or profane language (8) Placing a child in a locked or dark room, bathroom, or closet with the door closed (9) Requiring a child to remain silent or inactive for inappropriately long periods of time for the child’s age
New Requirements Regarding Gang-Free Zones For Child Care Centers
As a result of House Bill 2086 that passed during the 81st Legislature, Regular Session, Chapter 42 of the Human Resource Code includes section 42.064, effective September 1, 2009. This new statute requires that information about gang-free zones be distributed to parents and guardians of children in care at licensed child care centers. The following is a tip sheet to assist in complying with the new law. This information may be posted at your child care operation or copies may be provided to parents.
What is a gang-free zone? A gang-free zone is a designated area around a specific location where prohibited gang related activity is subject to increased penalty under Texas law. The specific locations include day care centers. The gang-free zone is within 1000 feet of your child care center. For more information about what constitutes a gang-free zone, please consult sections 71.028 and 71.029 of the Texas Penal Code.
How do parents know where the gang-free zone ends? The area that falls within a gang-free zone can vary depending on the type of location. The local municipal or county engineer may produce and update maps for the purposes of
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prosecution. Parents may contact their local municipality or court house for information about obtaining a copy of a map if they choose to do so.
What is the purpose of gang-free zones? Similar to the motivation behind establishing drug-free zones, the purpose of gang-free zones is to deter certain types of criminal activity in areas where children gather by enforcing tougher penalties.
What does this mean for my day care center? A child care center must inform parents or guardians of children attending the center about the new gang-free zone designation. This means parents or guardians need to be informed that certain gang-related criminal activity or engaging in organized criminal activity within 1000 feet of your center is a violation of this law and is therefore subject to increased penalty under state law.
When do I have to comply with the new requirements? The law is already in effect, so providers should begin sharing information regarding gang-free zones immediately. Licensing staff will offer technical assistance to facilitate compliance until rules are proposed and adopted, which is estimated to occur in March 2010. In the meantime, providers should update their operational policies and procedures to include providing the information mandated by this law to the parents or guardians of the children in care.
For further information please contact your local licensing office.
Emergency Preparedness Plan
This plan is designed to ensure the safety of the children during an emergency by addressing staff responsibilities and facility readiness with respect to emergency evacuation and relocation. This plan addresses the types of emergencies most likely to happen in our area, including, but not limited to, natural events such as tornadoes, floods, or hurricanes; health-related events such as medical emergencies, or communicable diseases outbreak; and human-caused events such as intruders, explosions, or chemical spills.
(1) EVACUATION (A) In an emergency, the first responsibility of the staff is to move all children to a designated safe area or alternate shelter known to all employees, caregivers, and volunteers; All staff is instructed about our relocation procedures during their orientation process. (B) How children will be relocated to the designated safe area or alternate shelter; In the event of a fire or severe weather, children will be evacuated following the routes posted in each classroom. Each room has the choice of two routes out of the building, and the staff is instructed to take the nearest route away from the cause of the emergency. In the event of relocation, if the incident is localized to Oakland Heights Child Development Center, then we
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will coordinate with Cindy Clark, director of the school-age program, to get the children safely across the street to the Family Life Center. If further relocation is required, then we will coordinate with Cindy Clark to move the children to the alternate shelter. (C) An emergency evacuation and relocation diagram; Diagrams are posted in each classroom and are also available in the office.
(D) Name and address of the alternate shelter away from the center you will use as needed; Macedonia Baptist Church 4656 Page Road Longview, Texas 75605 903.758.6785 (E) How children in attendance at the time of the emergency will be accounted for at the designated safe area or alternate shelter. Staff for each group will have the classroom roll sheets, and personnel from the office will have the master list of children in attendance at the time.
(2) COMMUNICATION (A) The emergency phone number that is on file with the Department of Family & Protective Services; 903.753.1592 (B) How you will communicate with local authorities (such as fire, law enforcement, emergency medical services, health department), parents, and the Department of Family & Protective Services. We will call 911 for fire, law enforcement, and EMS. We will call Gregg County Health Department for health related issues: 405 E. Marshall, Longview, Texas 75601 – Phone Number 903.237.2620 We will call parents using the phone numbers in our enrollment notebook, which we will take from the office at the time of relocation.
We will notify the Department of Family & Protective Services to inform them of any emergencies: 2130 Alpine Rd, Longview, Texas 75601 – Phone Number 903.757.0588
(3) ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTATION (A) Parent and emergency contact telephone numbers for each child in care; Office personnel are assigned to bring the enrollment notebook with the parent and emergency contact information in the event of an emergency. (B) Authorization for emergency care for each child in care; Emergency care authorizations are in the same enrollment notebook, which will be brought by office personnel. (C) The child tracking system information for child in care. The staff assigned to each group will have his/her roll sheets for the day. Office personnel will bring the master list of children in attendance at the time.
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Employee Immunization Policy
Effective June 1, 2014, Oakland Heights Child Development Center has implemented the following immunization policy for all of its employees to be in compliance with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Minimum Standard Rule # 746.3611 which requires a policy for protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases. While the safety of our employees and the children in our care is paramount, we have elected to make immunizations for vaccine-preventable diseases optional to the employees.
Vaccines that we currently recommend our employees receive: • Influenza (Annually) (Offered free of charge to all employees in October) • Pertussis (Dtap) If the employee is not exempt from having these immunizations, Oakland Heights Child Development Center recommends that employees consider these immunizations.
The employee will indicate below if there are any exemptions that would prevent them from receiving an immunization for a vaccine-preventable disease.
A copy of this policy signed by the employee will be kept in the employee file.
If the employee decides that these immunizations are appropriate and beneficial for their health and well-being, and receive the immunization, they are asked to provide the Center Director with documentation that the immunizations have been received.
Oakland Child Development Center will encourage the use of protective medical equipment to protect employees and children in care from exposure to possible disease. The protective medical equipment would include gloves, masks, and hand washing/hand sanitizer. The use of protective medical equipment will be based on the level of risk the employee presents to children by the employee’s routine and direct exposure to children. Employees should not be in direct contact when they are ill or exhibiting signs of illness. Oakland Heights Child Development Center will monitor information provided to the public through the CDC and/or other sources to determine the level of risk the employee presents.
There will be no discrimination or retaliatory action against any employee who does/does not receive immunizations for vaccine-preventable illness. The use of protective medical equip will not be considered retaliatory when used by employees of Oakland Heights Child Development Center.
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All employees will be required to sign this policy and the signed policy will be retained on file. The information related to whether or not an employee chooses to have immunizations for vaccine-preventable diseases will be stored in a file separate from the employee’s personnel file. Failure to sign this policy will result in the employee not being able to work directly with children.
PARENT’S ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I have read and understand Oakland Heights Child Development Center’s Policies. I agree to support and uphold these policies.
I understand that tuition is due the first day of each month and a $20.00 late fee will be charged after the 15th of the month. If my child’s account becomes past due, it may result in dismissal from the Center.
Child’s Name______
Parent’s Signature ______
Date ______
Please sign and return to preschool office.
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