SEPTEMBER 2024 PARENT NEWSLETTER
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
SCHOOL HOURS 7:00 am to 3:00
EXTENDED CARE HOUR: 3:00 to to 5:30 pm
LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
TUITION FEES
CURRICULUM
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
YOUR CHILD’S DAILY NEEDS
NUT FREE SCHOOL
NEW CURBSIDE DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP TIMES STARTING 09/16/24
PARENT REMINDERS
NEW BUILDING UPDATE!
Our construction team is diligently working to ensure we can move into the new preschool building by September 16. Final inspections are scheduled for next week, and we are optimistic that everything will go smoothly. We will send out another memo with updates once the inspections are complete and everything is approved.
WELCOME TO OUR 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR!
We are thrilled to welcome you to the A NEW DAY CDC family this year! Throughout the year, you'll receive newsletters and updates via email. Please take the time to read all communications sent home from the preschool to ensure you don’t miss any important information. We also ask that you check your email regularly for updates on classroom events, needs, and other important details.
We will share information about your child’s day through the Brightwheel App, using the email address you provided on the enrollment paperwork.
You can reach us at any time with questions or concerns by emailing irma@anewdaycdc.com. Please note that emails are not monitored over weekends or after program hours. We kindly ask that you avoid messaging our teachers late at night or early in the morning.
We are excited to work with you to provide a safe, enjoyable, and enriching program for your child. We have a fun-filled year of learning through play ahead of us and can’t wait to get to know you and your family. Thank you for entrusting us with your child and for allowing us to share our passion for teaching with them.
TUITION FEES POLICY
Payment for tuition/fees is exclusively accepted through our tuition software, and it will appear as a draft from your bank by Lincoln Savings Bank.
A late fee of $50.00 per month will be imposed on the 6th. If tuition remains unpaid for two consecutive weeks, the child may be withdrawn, and the spot will promptly be filled with a family from the waitlist.
Absences cannot be compensated by attending on an alternative day.
Invoices will be sent to the parent/guardian’s email on record. A New Day CDC prioritizes environmental sustainability and, therefore, issues receipts via email to the individual financially responsible each month during the tuition processing. These receipts contain all necessary information for taxes, HSA, and FSA purposes.
Tuition may be adjusted when necessary, with a complete 30-day written notice to the administration office of A New Day CDC from the parents. Kindly direct written emails to irma@anewdaycdc.com.
In instances where circumstances or hardships make it challenging to pay tuition, please reach out to Irma to arrange a payment schedule and sign a payment agreement. No refunds or prorates are issued for absences, adverse weather days, vacations, teacher in-service days, holidays, or any day the school is closed due to unforeseen circumstances, including closures initiated by state officials, CDC, or administration.
PARENTS EXPECTATIONS
ARRIVALS & ATTENDANCE: It is important for your child to attend regularly to fulfill your child’s need for consistency and order. This also enables your child to participate fully in class lessons and other learning experiences.
AFTERNOON DISMISSALS:
To enhance communication, please refrain from using electronic devices during pick-up times. Ensure all children are scanned out on the Brightwheel app for release. Children can only be released to authorized adults 18 years and older who are listed on the app and must present photo ID if necessary. Any pickup changes should be communicated via Brightwheel.
Children must be picked up by the agreed-upon time stated in the parent contract forms, which are either 3:00 p.m. or 5:30 p.m., to prevent incurring late fees.
Once picked up, please refrain from returning to the classroom to allow for cleaning and staff departure. Parents are responsible for their child once signed out; please escort them directly to your car and avoid allowing them to roam unsupervised on school grounds or in the parking lot.
For us to fully prepare your child for the transition into kindergarten all children must arrive at A New Day CDC before 8:45 a.m. and before the educational portion of school readiness program begins. Children who miss these lessons are deprived of this time and routine. In addition, when children enter the classroom after 8:45 a.m., it is disruptive to students and teachers who are already engaged in the day’s lessons.
We do our absolute best to keep all our students on the same schedule. If your child is not here by 8:45 am , please be sure to keep your child home for the rest of the day. We will make exceptions if your child had a dental or a doctor's appointment for a checkup.
FROG STREET CURRICULUM
At A New Day CDC our goal is to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment that fosters a child’s overall development, including social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. Our daily activities provide opportunities for children to develop important social-emotional skills and build healthy, positive relationships with their classmates. Children who develop these skills are more likely to have effective learning and academic success. Our curriculum is designed to tap into a child’s environment and create a joyful experience from the moments they walk into the school in the morning until it is time to say goodbye. Our wonderful team of teachers will build trusting relationships with our students through one-on-one activities, small-group interactions, and exploration. Our curriculum is filled each day with a variety of hands-on activities, games, interactive lessons, songs, and materials that are designed to engage young learners and promote their overall growth and development, helping make each day stimulating!
To help us reach our goals in providing the best educational experience for your child, A New Day Child Development Center utilizes the Frog Street Curriculum. Frog Street is an early childhood education program designed to provide comprehensive learning experiences. It focuses on building foundational skills in areas such as language development, math, science, social studies, and social-emotional learning using Conscious Discipline.
We know how important it is to address the unique developmental stages of children within each age group. Using Frog Street has helped our team of teachers implement a personalized curriculum. Enhancing the quality of education and promoting optimal learning outcomes. Healthy social emotional development practices are implemented in all of our early childhood curriculums, including the Infant curriculum, Toddler curriculum, Preschool curriculum for three-year-olds, and Pre-K curriculum. The social emotional development within Frog Street curriculums foster kindergarten readiness.
SECURITY
Safety is a top priority at A New Day Child Development Center. Parents are responsible for the safety of your children while on school property. Please ensure your children are with you as you walk to and from your vehicle into the school and while on school grounds. Per TX Childcare Minimum Standards- children must enter and leave the building under the direct supervision of an adult. Young siblings are not allowed to pick up or drop off a child.
Per childcare licensing-children CANNOT be released to a minor aged under 18. Parents are required to send staff a message on the Brightwheel app if there are any pickup changes for the day. Authorized adults must be listed on the Brightwheel app to pick up and the authorized adult must bring a picture ID. Please understand that the safety of the children is our highest concern.
To ensure the safety of the children and staff while at school, we will keep the front doors locked outside of arrival and departure. Students are asked to arrive at the school before 8:45 each morning as the front door will be locked starting at 8:45 each morning.
YOUR CHILD’S DAILY NEEDS LIST:
These are the items that we ask you to send with your child each day that they attend preschool:
1. A FRESH CLEAN & FILLED WATER BOTTLE: Parents are also asked to send their child their own water bottle which will be sent home to be washed, refilled and return with your child each day. Water only- no juices, milks, or shakes are permitted.
2. INDIVIDUAL LUNCHBOX WITH LUNCH & SNACKS FOR THE DAY- Please send all lunch and snack items inside the lunchbox with all containers clearly labeled. It helps if you label container lids along with the bottoms. Please be sure that all cold food items are wrapped separately from any food that will be warmed up for your child.
3. LARGE BACKPACK: One that is large enough to hold extra clothing, a lunchbox, water bottle, along with their school paperwork/artwork. Having a backpack that can carry all items transported back and forth each day makes it much easier for staff to make sure your child takes home all their belongings home. Staff will make sure all backpacks are labeled with your child’s name upon enrollment.
4. SUNSCREEN / INSECT REPELLANT: Applied daily by parent prior to arriving at school.
5. DIAPERS & WIPES: Please check with your toddlers’ teachers to make sure your child has enough diapers and wipes for the week.
HOW TO DRESS YOUR CHILD FOR PRESCHOOL
Children should arrive at school dressed for the day with their hair neatly brushed and pulled away from their face.
Comfortable Clothing: Choose soft, stretchy clothes that your child can move around in easily. Preschoolers are active, so comfort is key.
Weather-Appropriate Attire: Dress your child in layers so they can adjust to indoor and outdoor temperatures. For cold weather, include a warm jacket, hat, and gloves. For warmer weather, lightweight and breathable fabrics work best.
Easy to Manage: Pick clothes that are easy for your child to manage independently. Elastic waistbands, Velcro shoes, and clothes without complicated buttons or zippers help them with bathroom breaks and other self-care tasks.
Stain-Resistant and Durable: Preschool can be messy! Dress your child in clothes that can handle paint, dirt, and food spills without worry.
Closed-Toe Shoes: For safety, closed-toe shoes with good traction are recommended. Avoid sandals or flip-flops as they can be a tripping hazard.
Label Everything: Label all clothing items with your child’s name, especially jackets, hats, and any extra clothes you send for spills or accidents.
Hair Tied Back: If your child has long hair, tie it back to keep it out of their face and prevent distractions during activities.
Extra Set of Clothes: Pack an extra set of clothes in their backpack, including socks and underwear, just in case of spills or accidents.
DO NOT SEND
1. NO JEWELRY, NO TOYS & NO STUFFED ANIMALS.
2. No electronics or valuable possessions should be brought to school.
3. We do not allow any weapons or weapon-like toys at A New Day CDC. A child may not use any type of toy or equipment that explodes or that shoots things, such as caps, BB guns, darts, or fireworks at the child-care center or on field trips.
DUE TO THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS AND STAFF, CHILDREN ARE DISCOURAGED FROM PLAYING WITH GUNS OR MAKING GUN GESTURES TO STUDENTS OR STAFF.
4. Children should not wear costumes to school without receiving special notice from administration or teacher.
REST-NAP TIME
The Texas Health & Human Services (THHS) requires childcare centers to provide a supervised sleep or rest period after lunch for children 18 months or older. Children under the age of 18 months most often sleep according to individual schedules. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Rest time takes place between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Please do not bring your child to the center between 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. This typically makes separation from you more difficult, and it is very disruptive to the rest of the class.
CHILDREN ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE DROPPED OFF DURING NAPTIME HOURS.
Children are closely supervised and never made to sleep. Even if some children are awake, sleepers are closely monitored. A New Day CDC provides all crib sheets, that are washed and sanitized on site each week. Students in other classes are given a small travel size pillow and a child’s size blanket that are washed and sanitized on site each week.
Sleeping is not required in our Pre-K 4–5-year-old classroom; however, children are still required to stay quiet and remain on their nap cot as to not disrupt other classmates that are resting or sleeping. Please practice quiet time at home.
BREAKFAST!
Children who arrive BEFORE 8:00 am are allowed to bring breakfast with them to eat at school!
Children who arrive AFTER 8:00 am should have already eaten their breakfast before arriving at school.
NUTRITION & MEALS POLICY
To allow for the proper development of motor skills and eating habits, A New Day CDC follows an intuitive eating-based approach. By following intuitive eating, we are helping children develop autonomy over their bodies and trusting both parents and teachers in the process. A New Day CDC staff will provide reminders for children to eat at mealtime, but will not enforce eating a certain amount, or in any particular order.
Self-feeding is expected of children during snack/lunch. We ask that you keep this in mind when deciding what and how much to pack your child for snack and lunch. Please reach out if you would like more information on intuitive eating for children.
Children will continue to self-feed using their fingers even after mastering the use of. a utensil. Our caregivers/teachers will encourage older infants and toddlers to:
Hold and drink from an appropriate child-sized cup,
Use a child-sized spoon (short handle with a shallow bowl like a soup spoon), and
Use a child-sized fork (short, blunt tines and broad handle, similar to a salad fork).
All of which are developmentally appropriate for young children to feed themselves. Children can also use their fingers for self-feeding. Foods served should be appropriate to the toddler’s developmental ability and cut small enough to avoid choking hazards.
Please inform a staff member in the morning if your child’s lunch box requires refrigeration.
When packing your child’s lunch, please pack cold food items separately from any food that will need to be microwaved. Each child should bring his/her breakfast, lunch along with an afternoon snack each day. Microwaves are available; however, we request that you avoid sending items that need to be warmed for more than just a few minutes. No frozen meals, ravioli. , Macaroni (Mac & Cheese must be cooked at home) Our goal is for teachers to be sitting with the children during all meals, assisting as necessary and providing a positive, warm experience with conversation and social skills being practiced and developed.
When packing your child’s lunch, please put all food items inside your child’s lunch box and please remember these considerations:
• Age appropriateness of food item and amount of food
• Color of food (color makes the meal attractive and provides a great learning experience)
• How is the food packed: please keep cold food items separate from food that requires warming.
• Does it need to be warmed and for how long?
• Choking hazard? Fruit such as Grapes MUST BE sliced to avoid choking.
Great food items to send are: Bananas, Strawberries, Peeled Oranges/Cut up Apple Wedges, Sliced Kiwi, Sliced Peaches, Peeled Mangos, Protein bars, Apple Sauce, Raisins, Cranberries, Apricots, Prunes (or other dried fruit)
Childcare Licensing asks that parents DO NOT SEND soda pop, popcorn, candy (or any item with greater than 13 grams of sugar) Popcorn is considered a choking hazard for young children.
Snacks such as sweets, soft drinks, potato chips, candy, cakes, cookies, and fruit juices with less than 100% real fruit juice are not considered to have any nutritional value.
• High sugar content foods such as donuts, donut holes, & sweet pastry items should also be avoided.
NUT FREE SCHOOL POLICY
Our aim is to provide a safe learning environment for all people in our preschool community. To support this, A New Day CDC is designating the entire school as “nut-free”. This policy aims to increase our community awareness in order to minimize the risk for children with documented allergies to nut products. Our school has developed and will maintain a whole-school action and implementation plan when dealing with students who have critically life-threatening allergies.
WHY?
Anaphylaxis is a severe form of allergic reaction which is potentially life-threatening. It can be fatal within minutes; either through swelling that shuts off airways or through a dramatic drop in blood pressure. There are many causative agents for anaphylaxis with nuts often being the precipitative factor. Anaphylaxis is preventable. Avoidance of specific triggers is by far the best option. Management is via immediate injection of epinephrine and emergency transport to the hospital.
Trace amounts of peanut can cause an allergic reaction. Casual contact with peanuts, such as touching peanuts or peanut butter residue, is less likely to trigger a severe reaction. Casual contact becomes a concern if the area that comes into contact with peanuts, then comes into contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth (for example, a child with peanut allergy gets peanut butter on her fingers, and then rubs her eyes).
What does this mean?
ABSOLUTELY NO NUTS OF ANY KIND MAY BE BROUGHT INTO THE SCHOOL
All classrooms will remain a “peanut/nut-free zone.” Please do not send in any food items to be consumed at the preschool that contains peanuts, nuts, peanut butter, nut butters, or peanut products.
This includes almonds, filberts, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nut, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts.
Read labels carefully to make sure the products are nut free. This includes labels that read “May contain traces of peanuts/nuts” or “processed in a facility that processes products that contain peanuts/nuts.” Food labels and ingredients change over time, so always read the label each time before purchasing snacks.
NO HOMEMADE TREATS MAY BE BROUGHT TO THE PRESCHOOL. All treats/snacks brought to the classroom must have an ingredient label.
Here is a link with a nut-free food guide to help assist you in keeping our entire student body safe:
Find safe and inclusive ways to celebrate. The easiest way to avoid accidental exposure, is avoiding food all together!
There are many ways to celebrate that do not involve food. Birthdays can be celebrated with crafts, games, or extra recess. Treat bags can be filled with tiny toys, no-homework passes, or other non-edible trinkets.
Thank you for your consideration and support in keeping food-allergic students safe from having a life-threatening allergic at school.
A NEW DAY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND FOR THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY.
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS:
Savanah S. 3 years on 09/02
Zain G. 1 yr. on 09/03
Autumn D.: 5 years on 09/05
Liam McC.: 3 years on 09/22
Noah S.: 3 years on 09/25
CURBSIDE DROP OFF & PICK-UP
CURBSIDE DROP OFF WILL BEGIN ONCE WE ARE IN THE NEW PRESCHOOL BUILDING 09/16/2024!
MORNING SCHEDULED TIME: 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM
Parents arriving before 8:00 AM should continue bringing their child to the door.
LATE ARRIVALS: No children will be allowed to be dropped off after 8:45 AM without prior authorization from a team member or a doctor’s note.
DESIGNATED DROP-OFF TIME: 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM
It’s crucial that all children are dropped off between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM.
We kindly ask parents to arrive during this time window and before our drop off cutoff time of 8:45.
DROP OFF ZONE:
A clear, safe drop-off zone is designated near the preschool entrance.
Orange cones will be used to guide traffic and ensure smooth flow.
A NEW DAY TEAM MEMBERS ASSISTANCE
Team members will be available to help get children out of cars and into the building.
HEALTH AND SAFETY CHECKS:
Team members will conduct quick health and safety checks (e.g., temperature screening) as your child exits the car.
All health protocols must be followed before the child enters the building.
AFTERNOON CURBSIDE PICK UP
DESIGNATED PICK-UP TIME: 2:45 PM to 3:00 PM
Children scheduled for the 3:00 PM pick-up should be picked up before this time.
PARENT/ CAR IDENTIFICATION CARDS:
Parents are required to place their child’s name card in their car windshield for easy identification.
Team members will check for the child’s name before releasing them.
A NEW DAY TEAM MEMBER ASSISTANCE
Team members will escort children from the building to the car.
Children must be safely buckled into their car seats before the car is allowed to leave.
COMMUNICATION
Team members will use walkie-talkies to coordinate between those inside the building and those managing curbside operations.
LATE PICK-UP POLICY & FEES
At A New Day CDC, we greatly value our teachers and team members, understanding that their personal time is important. To respect their time, we have implemented the following late charge policy:
1st Late Charge: A late fee of $20.00 will be charged for the first 5 minutes after the designated pick-up time, with an additional $2.00 per minute thereafter.
2nd Late Charge: The fee increases to $25.00 for the first 5 minutes, with an additional $2.00 per minute thereafter.
3rd Late Charge: The fee will be $30.00 for the first 5 minutes, with an additional $2.00 per minute thereafter.
AUTHORIZED PICK-UP
If anyone other than the parent is allowed to pick up your child, they must be listed on the Brightwheel App. Any adult picking up a child must provide proper identification. Under no circumstance, will children be released to a person who is unauthorized, under the age of 18, intoxicated or suspected of drug abuse. Under these circumstances, or if no one comes for a child, staff will make every attempt to notify:
1) Parent/guardian
2) Emergency contacts
3) Other individuals authorized to pick up the child.
If the staff is unable to contact any of these people and the child has not been picked up within 30 minutes after closing, the child will be considered abandoned. The Travis County Sheriff and the Child Protection Agencies will be contacted.
HEARING & VISION SCREENING: All children 4 years and older, are required by the state, to complete a Vision and Hearing screening with numeric results. Please obtain a copy of these screenings from your physician. Parents must submit the report from this screening to A NEW DAY CDC within one week of the child’s start date, or the child will not be admitted. For children that will turn 4 after their initial start date, it is the parent’s responsibility to make sure this screening is completed and that A NEW DAY CDC has a report on file within one week of the child’s 4th birthday. You may ask your pediatrician to email these directly to our office‼!
A licensed or certified screener or health care professional must conduct the screening. For specifies on vision and hearing screening access: www.tdps.state.us/vhs/.
ILLNESS POLICY:
Our state license requires that we do not admit a child if one or more of the following exists:
● The illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in school activities including outdoor play.
● The illness results in greater need for care than teachers can provide without compromising the health, safety, and supervision of the other children at school.
● The child has one of the following, unless medical evaluation by a health care professional indicates that the child can be included in school activities:
● Oral temperature above 100 degrees, accompanied by behavior changes or other signs or symptoms of illness.
● Ear temperature of above 100 degrees and accompanied by behavior changes or other sign or symptoms of illness.
● Armpit temperature of above 100 degrees, accompanied by behavior changes or other signs or symptoms of illness.
● Symptoms and signs of possible severe illness such as lethargy, abnormal breathing, uncontrolled diarrhea, two or more vomiting episodes in 24 hours, rash with fever, mouth sores with drooling, significant and consistent behavior changes, or other signs that child may be severely ill.
● A healthcare professional has diagnosed a child with a communicable disease, and the child does not have medical documentation to indicate that the child is no longer contagious.
During each day, teachers will observe and monitor the health of each child in class. If a child exhibits any of the above signs of potential illness, he or she will be removed from the classroom and the parent will be called for prompt pick up. Parents will be contacted to pick up their child within 30 minutes of receiving the call from A New Day CDC.
Students should be fever free for 48 hours WITHOUT the aid of any medications (acetaminophen, including the brand name Tylenol; ibuprofen, including the brand names Advil, Motrin; naproxen, including the brand name Aleve, etc.) before returning to school.
A New Day CDC reserves the right to send your child home, if in the judgment of the faculty; your child is contagious to other children, too ill or uncomfortable to be in school, or unable to participate effectively in class activities. We will call and inform you of your child’s illness and you must arrange to pick up your child within 30 minutes. If you are unable to pick up your child, you will need to contact someone to pick her/him up at the school.
If your child is recovering from an illness and you do not feel that he/she can fully participate in our programs and outdoor play, please keep your child at home. We are staffed so that we may provide a clean and safe environment for a combined group of children and are not able to take time out to provide individual attention for ill children during these activities
A NEW DAY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE PARENTS WHOSE CHILD HAS BEEN SEEN BY A PHYSICIAN AND HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED AN ANTIBIOTIC DUE TO AN ILLNESS TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME FOR (48) HOURS ON THE ANTIBIOTIC BEFORE RETURNING TO SCHOOL REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE DOCTOR’S NOTE MAY INDICATE.
HEAD LICE: A NEW DAY CDC has a “no lice/no nit” policy. Should lice or nits be detected, the child will be discretely escorted out of their classroom and the parent or guardian will be called. The parent or guardian will be given a copy of our Head Lice Policy and information on how to treat head lice. When the child returns, they must be completely free of lice and nits and submit a physician’s note confirming the child is completely lice/nit free.
PARENT REFERRALS
The greatest gift you can give us is the referral of a new family. A New Day CDC will offer a $300 tuition credit to any family that you refer once their child has been enrolled for 6 weeks.
EMERGENCY CLOSURES
Minimum Standards Emergency Situations #747.305: Examples of occurrences that may render the child-care center unsafe, unhealthy, or unable to operate are the lack of running water or electrical power. A New Day CDC may also be closed due to any sewer backups, floods, and fire or storm damage due to severe weather. Should bad weather arise while your child is in care, A New Day CDC will notify parents immediately to pick up their child, which will enable them to protect their children from high-risk situations.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
In order to keep staff and students safe there may be times when we will be closed due to extreme weather conditions. We will monitor the situation and send schedule updates accordingly through the Brightwheel App. We typically observe the same bad weather days as Lake Travis Independent School District. If bad weather or other occurrences close or delay the start of LTISD schools, announcements will be made by the news media by 6:30 a.m. on the morning of the cancellation/delay. These days will not be made up nor will refunds be given for missed days. Whenever possible, we will provide closing information through our text notification system. A New Day CDC will be CLOSED for the day if LTISD cancels school or delays start time due to severe or inclement weather.
As mandated by DFPS, all students will be exposed to fire, severe weather and lock down drills to ensure safety procedures in case of an emergency. A New Day CDC has a detailed Emergency Preparedness Plan, which includes expanded outlines and thorough information on all procedures available upon request.
2024 REMAINING HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
To ensure the optimal well-being of your child, it is imperative that our staff maintains good physical and emotional health. As our school adheres to a carefully planned budget to fulfill its financial commitments promptly, the following holidays and school closures will be observed as paid holidays. We will provide advance notice through posted memos regarding the specific days these holidays will occur. In instances where one of these holidays falls on a weekend, the corresponding day off will be observed on either Friday or Monday. Despite the fixed costs averaged over the calendar year, please note that there will be NO reduction in tuition for these scheduled breaks. We encourage you to retain a copy of the calendar below for reference, allowing your family to plan accordingly.
