Hours & tuition

Care is provided Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, at a flat rate of $240 per week. The weekly rate secures your child's spot - we charge for the spot, not attendance, and payment is required 52 weeks of the year unless otherwise stated.

• Payment is due every Tuesday before care starts. If payment hasn't been received before or during drop-off, we're unable to accept your child that day.
• Payment accepted: cash only at this time.
• There are no payment adjustments for illness or for family vacation and sick days.
• Each year we provide a total tuition statement and our EIN for your Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit claim.

Earlier drop-off / later pick-up

Earlier start times and later pick-up times are available for an additional $5 per day, arranged and approved at least the day before - same-day requests can't be guaranteed. This fee is non-transferable.

Drop-in care

Drop-in care is $65 per day within our availability. Multiple days within the same week must be paid in advance. There are no refunds or make-up days for missed drop-in days.

Communication & attendance

• If your child will be late or absent, let us know before your contracted start time - otherwise a $20 late-notification fee is added to the next week's tuition (we've already made breakfast and planned the day). A quick text or app message ahead of drop-off avoids it entirely.
• Attendance cutoff: children without a doctor's note must arrive by 9:30 am or forfeit that day of care, to protect the group's schedule.
• We use the Daily Connect app for photos, updates, and messaging throughout the day.

Meals

Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are provided every day. If you suspect your child is coming down with something, please let us know by 9:00 pm the night before so we don't plan their meals the next day.

Supplies (diapers & wipes)

• Diapers: parents keep one big box of diapers here, stored in a labeled bin for your child only. We'll let you know when supply runs low (under 12 left). If diapers run out after we've flagged it, a $5 per day fee applies until restocked.
• Wipes: one big box (at least 9 pouches) is shared by the whole group; we'll notify all parents when a refill is needed. Unscented recommended for sensitive skin.
• If you unenroll, unused diapers and a portion of the wipes are returned to you.
• Parents also provide sunscreen and any medications.

Sick child policy

For the health and safety of every child in care, children showing these symptoms stay home until well:

• Fever of 100° or higher (in a child who isn't teething)
• Thick greenish nasal discharge (a sign of infection)
• Continuous cough that should be checked by a pediatrician
• Diarrhea or vomiting - must be symptom-free for at least 24 hours before returning
• Eye irritation - red, swollen, watery, or discharging eyes with no known cause
• Chicken pox - until all blisters have scabbed over
• Unknown rashes - until checked by a pediatrician (could be hand-foot-and-mouth or another contagious rash)

Children who develop symptoms during the day are separated from the group and parents are asked to pick up as soon as possible; if parents can't be reached we call the emergency contacts on file. We keep Children's Tylenol on hand for emergencies or to reduce fever until pick-up.

Outdoor play

• Temperature policy: no outdoor play below 45° or above 90°.
• Sunscreen: parents provide it; we apply before and during outdoor play.
• Tick policy: every child gets a tick check after outdoor play. If a tick is attached we remove it with tweezers or a tick key, save it in a baggie, and let you know at pick-up so you can have it tested. Please double-check at bath time too.
• Poison ivy: we teach "leaves of three, let them be"; on contact we apply antiseptic ointment and notify parents.
• Bites & stings: we avoid hazards, move away calmly when spotted, and on the rare bite or sting we notify parents immediately and call poison control.
• Water play and walks to the playground, trail, or park - and occasional car outings to parks and libraries - are covered by permission slips in the contract.

Potty training

When your child is ready, we support potty training for an additional $5 per day ($20 per week) until the child has gone a month without accidents. Parents supply pull-ups during this time.

• Potty is offered after every transition - after breakfast, independent play, outdoor play, lunch, activity, snack, and before departure.
• During naps children wear a diaper or pull-up (sleeping dry comes later developmentally).
• Lots of positive encouragement, help with clothing and hand washing, and potty books and songs.
• Accidents are updated in the Daily Connect app.

Calendar & closures

We follow the Park Hill School District calendar for closures: when Park Hill is closed, Up North Daycare is closed - excluding summer break. This covers major holidays plus winter and spring breaks, and tuition is paid in full for holidays in the yearly calendar.

• Provider vacation: up to two weeks unpaid per year, with at least two weeks' notice.
• Provider personal days: up to five paid days per year, with at least 24 hours' notice except in unforeseen circumstances.
• Please keep a backup care option for unforeseeable circumstances - we'll always do our best to be consistent and reliable.

Trial period, unenrollment & termination

• Trial period: every new child starts with a two-week trial to make sure group care fits. If we can't give your child the support they need and deserve, we'll talk with you about it honestly.
• Unenrollment: please give as much notice as you can so we can prepare to refill the spot and return your child's belongings (including unused diapers and a portion of wipes).
• Termination: we reserve the right to end the contract and care at any time.

Donations

Never required - always appreciated! We happily accept toys, books, art supplies (crayons, markers, colored pencils, paints), hats and mittens, and healthy kid-friendly snacks.