Below is our handbook, which also can be downloaded in PDF format at the link below. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view, which is free at this link.
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Table of Contents: - Enrollment - Hours of Operation - Late Pick Ups - Holidays - Inclement Weather - Children Served - Safe Arrival and Departure - Parking Area - Sickness - Injuries - Discipline Policy - Curriculum - Nutrition - Abuse and Neglect - Parent Involvement - Clothing - Tuition - Returned Check |
 Parent Handbook 
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Enrollment Back to top
All families wishing to enroll should submit an application, medical history and immunization record, travel and activity form, and discipline statement (signed by parent). These items are state mandated. On each application, we require that you submit any and all phone numbers where you may possibly be reached in case of emergency. We should be able to reach you at any time of the day. Call the office in the event that your work number changes, if you will be at another number for the day or your address changes.
Prior to your child's start date, we ask that you bring your child and spend some time with him/her in order that they might feel more comfortable on their actual first day.
Hours of Operation Back to top
The hours of operation are from 6:30 am until 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. We ask that all children be at the center by 9:00 am if they are going to attend that day. The start time is critical so the children can be involved in their daily activities and to start their curriculum and it helps them to adjust to the routine of the schedule. The 4 year old classes may start as early as 8:30 to get through their curriculum. We also need an accurate head count by that time, so that lunch can be provided for your child. We will allow late arrivals for doctor's appointments, dentist appointments, etc., if notified in advance. Your child needs to arrive at school before noon so that nap time will not be disturbed. If your child comes in after 11:00, you must make arrangements for his/her lunch. There will be no one to sit with your child after 11:00 so their lunch would need to be off campus. Part time children must leave the center no later than noon. At any rate, please call if your child is not going to be in school before 9:00 am. Children are not allowed to come in after 12:00 noon.
Late Pick Ups Back to top
Picking up your child after 6:05 will result in a late fee of $1.00 per minute per child. The fee will be assessed to your next week's tuition.
No children can remain in the center longer than 10 hours a day.
Outside Play Back to top
We go outside everyday, weather permitting. These are state regulations. If, for some reason, you do not want your child to go out, you must keep them home or make other arrangements for his/her care.
The BCC is closed for the following holidays:
- New Year's Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day, the previous Wednesday and the following Friday
- Christmas Eve - The week of Christmas
Inclement Weather Back to top
Our closings or delay schedule will be aired on Channel 11, WTVD, and also on Channel 5, WRAL and will appear as Bethesda Baptist Child Care Center. If you do not see our closings on these channels, we will be open on regular schedule. In the event we are closed three or more days in the same week, the charges will be 50% of the regular rate for that week. When we close early, the same rules will apply as late pick up. For example, if we close at 3:00, you will have until 3:05 to pick up your child before late fees start to accrue ($1.00 per minute).
Children Served Back to top
The center will serve children 2 years through 4 years.
The center is not staffed or equipped to serve children with serious special needs. Children with minor special needs will be considered on an individual basis. If you withdraw your child for any reason, we require a 2-week notice as a courtesy to our center. Likewise, if for any reason we cannot keep your child here in the center, we will, in most cases, give you a 2-week notice to give you time to look elsewhere.
Safe Arrival and Departure Back to top
Parents must accompany children into the center and leave them with the teacher in charge. In the afternoons, parents must make sure the teacher sees them pick their child up. Only those people indicated on the application will be permitted to pick up a child. Written permission may be sent in on a day to day basis, or you may phone the director during the day about whom your child is to be released to. The person must provide identification before taking a child from the classroom or leaving the playground. This identification may be shown more than once, depending on whether the same teacher is in charge. Your child must be picked up at the gate of their playground. They will not be allowed to leave the fenced area and travel across the parking lot to a parent.
Parking Area Back to top
Please do not park in front of the doors when picking up or dropping off your child. Do not leave the engine running or a younger sibling in the auto at arrival or departure. The entrances are very busy and can be very dangerous. Please use caution when entering and exiting the center. Please refrain from fast driving through the parking lot and please do not enter through the exit driveway.
Sickness Back to top
Any child who shows signs of illness should not be sent to the center. These signs include but are not limited to:
1. Fever over 100 degrees
2. Diarrhea (no matter the frequency)
3. Vomiting
4. Rash
5. Conjunctivitis or other eye infections
6. Sore throat or deep thrush
7. Impetigo
8. Roseola
9. Chicken pox (running sores)
Children with colds and rashes that are not contagious may attend the center with a written doctor's note and if the child is able to participate in all activities. Parents must notify the center of any communicable disease their child has or has been exposed to. Your child must be fever free, diarrhea free, and vomiting free for twenty-four (24) hours before returning to the center. This is not 24 hours from the time they leave the center, but from the last episode of the above.
Aspirin in any form will not be given at the center. Tylenol or any other patented fever reducing medicine will only be given with the written permission from the child's doctor. Tylenol will only be given for pain (never to reduce fever). All other medications must be in their original container, with the child's name, date of the prescription, expiration date and name of pharmacy. Over the counter medications will be given only by written permission of the parent. The child will only be given the recommended dosage for his/her weight/age as indicated on the medication. Please check the labels on over the counter medication that you bring in for your child. If there is no dosage for your child's age, we must have a doctor's note for the dosage to be given.
Injuries Back to top
A staff person will handle slight injuries occurring at the center. In the event of a serious injury, parents will be notified and necessary steps taken to obtain medical attention. In the case of an emergency, the following will be notified in this order:
911, parents, and/or emergency contact indicated on the application form and physician. For this reason, please keep all records updated. Please let the center know if you will not be at your work number on any given day and where you may be contacted.
Discipline Policy Back to top
BCC is an extension of your home and we wish to work with the parents in training their children in the way of the Lord. Therefore, the following discipline policy will be used in each classroom. The teacher has the authority in the classroom to administer discipline according to this policy.
1. Children must obey their teachers. When they do not, they are placed in time out.
2. When a child receives three time outs, then he/she will be brought to the office and their parents will be notified by phone or in writing at thedirector's discretion.
3. After three office visits, a conference with the director is required and enrollment at the center is jeopardized.
4. Physical aggression from a student toward a teacher will result in automatic dismissal. This includes intentionally hitting, kicking, cursing or spitting.
5. Weapons of any kind, whether real or toys, will result in automatic dismissal. This includes, but is not limited to, guns, knives, swords.
Curriculum Back to top
In the fall, the preschool division, ages two and three will be using the HIGH REACH curriculum and the four year olds will be using the ABEKA curriculum. These curriculums prepare the children for academic excellence. All children will also enjoy a wide variety of music, arts and crafts, games, and language development.
Nutrition Back to top
For a young child, eating a well balanced diet is very important. For this reason, the center serves two meals and one snack daily. Breakfast will be served for children arriving before 8:00 am. Lunch and snack consists of one or more of the following: milk, meat, bread, fruit or juice, and vegetable. Teachers eat their meals with the children to provide a positive role model for good eating habits. A menu is posted on the bulletin board outside the office so you may know what is being served. Our menus are approved by the state.
Abuse and Neglect Back to top
We are required by law to report any and all signs of abuse and neglect. All reports are made through the Department of Social Services Protective Service Unit.
Parent Involvement Back to top
Parents are an important part of the center. You are always welcome and encouraged to visit at any time. Parents are invited to make suggestions and share their talents with the center. You may schedule a conference with your child's teacher at any time. We want and encourage you to celebrate your child's birthday at the center. We ask that you keep it as simple as possible. Make all arrangements through your child's teacher in advance.
Clothing/Personal Belongings and Supplies Back to top
1. Children should wear loose and comfortable clothing that can be washed.
2. Clothing must be marked with the child's name. We cannot be responsible for lost clothing.
3. Each child must bring an extra change of clothes to be left at the center. This includes underwear, socks, pants, and shirt. Two sets will be needed if your child is in the process of potty training. Please remember to include socks and underwear.
4. Each child may bring a blanket to be used only at nap time. Be sure your child's name is on everything you bring to the center. We do not encourage stuffed animals, as they tend to cause problems with the other children.
5. Pull-ups are to be provided by the parents for those not yet potty trained. Wipes are supplied by the center. If your child is being potty trained, please send extra underwear. Please do not go back to pull ups once training has started unless you have determined that training has started too early. This tends to confuse the child. Please communicate with the teacher concerning when training has started.
6. Jackets of different weights for the spring and fall are essential.
7. Each child will have his/her own cubby to store their belongings.
8. No backless shoes/sandals.
9. Please do not send toys to school with your child. This creates problems for the other children, the teacher and the child.
Tuition Back to top
Registration fee is forty dollars ($40.00) and is due and payable on the child's first day of school. Registration fee is due annually on the first of September.
Weekly Rates
Two's Class ......................................................$140.00
Three's Class.....................................................$140.00
Four's Class.......................................................$140.00
*Part Time.................................................$ 105.00
*(3 full days or 5 half days - picked up by 12:00)
** NOTE: Bethesda Baptist Church Members receive a 10% discount.
Tuition is due and payable on Monday of each week. If you pay monthly, your tuition is due and payable by the first Monday of the month. If tuition is not received by Friday of that week, a reminder will be sent home. If tuition is not received by Friday of the next week, your child will not be able to return to the center until your account is brought current.
You are required to pay tuition 51 weeks per year. A free vacation week is given during the Christmas holiday. 100% of the tuition is due even in the event of vacations, sickness, holidays, inclement weather, etc, except as discussed in the inclement weather section.
The BCC board has decided that no account will be more than one (1) week late or the child will not be able to return until the account is caught up.
Returned Check Fees Back to top
A twenty-five dollar ($25.00) charge will be added for all returned checks. Please pay by check or money order. No cash will be received at the center.